In less than one hour, I am taking my kids and a niece and a nephew to 11 AM Mass. I am playing drums.
Happy Easter to all of my readers / followers!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Good News!
It has been confirmed that we have Scary Robots rehearsal on Tuesday, 4/2! I am anxious to rock out, especially after playing that song last night that was SOOOOOO SLOOOOOWWWWWW...... Grinning just thinking about it.
More WM XXIX News
In preparation for Wrestlemania XXIX on April 7, 2013, here's an analysis of the wrestlers that are scheduled to fight.
Memphis in May 2013
Here's the line up for this year's concert and I must say, I'm impressed. It has The Black Keys, ZZ Top, and it also has Three Days Grace and Papa Roach. I especially like this version of the schedule because it breaks out the bands by stage / day. It doesn't specify if the order of the bands is the way they will actually be scheduled.
Still not going, but I would like what I would hear if I were.
How long has this festival existed? Wikipedia to the rescue! But then, has Wikipedia ever been wrong? Apparently so.
Still not going, but I would like what I would hear if I were.
How long has this festival existed? Wikipedia to the rescue! But then, has Wikipedia ever been wrong? Apparently so.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Pastor Named for STM
It's official. Our new pastor has been named @ St. Thomas More. From the Catholic Messenger website:
<snip>
Rev. Walter B. Helms, to retirement from assignment as pastor of St. Thomas More, Coralville.
<snip>
Rev. Stephen C. Page, relieved of present assignment as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Fairfield, and assigned as pastor of St. Thomas More Parish, Coralville.
<snip>
- And in other news, I am played drums tonight, at Holy Thursday. The Communion song was played SOOOOOO SLOOOOOWWWWWW. It wasn't a new song - we've played it before - but tonight, it was SOOOOOO SLOOOOOWWWWWW.
- I am playing drums tomorrow night at Good Friday Mass.
- I am not playing at Saturday night Mass even after I talked to Jim, the guitarist that was playing tonight. He told me that Keith, a bassist, and possibly another Jim, a guitarist, were going to play at Saturday night Mass. I wish that same group was playing at 11 AM Sunday.
- I am playing drums at 11 AM Sunday Mass.
More Metallica Hate...
From an article about a Metallica concert rider in 1983, there was a comment that Metallica "died" after the Black album.
Metallica is near and dear to my heart. A lot of words have been written on this blog about what I think of them as a band. If I were "into" commenting on articles, this is what I would write:
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Jason Newsted used to say something like, "Yes we sold out... every night on every tour."
Before I go into what I think about Metallica, think about a "typical" Led Zeppelin song. Is it "Rock and Roll" or "Dazed and Confused" that best captures the band. Maybe it's "The Ocean" or "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" or "Communication Breakdown" that define "Led Zeppelin" to you. How diverse are those songs? Do they have a common thread? I answer yes, and I also answer that having that diverse of a range of material is an indication of a great band.
Moving on to Metallica, haven't they done a similar thing? I may say "Master of Puppets" is the song that defines the band, but that neglects "Fade to Black" and "Whiplash" and "Orion." I think bands should evolve over time. They have been a band for 30 years. They have survived adversity and challenges throughout their career. If they want to do their own festival and release their own movie, I say go for it and I hope they are great.
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I need to find an essay I wrote many, many, MANY years ago, where I fleshed out the Led Zeppelin theory I summarized above.
Metallica is near and dear to my heart. A lot of words have been written on this blog about what I think of them as a band. If I were "into" commenting on articles, this is what I would write:
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Jason Newsted used to say something like, "Yes we sold out... every night on every tour."
Before I go into what I think about Metallica, think about a "typical" Led Zeppelin song. Is it "Rock and Roll" or "Dazed and Confused" that best captures the band. Maybe it's "The Ocean" or "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" or "Communication Breakdown" that define "Led Zeppelin" to you. How diverse are those songs? Do they have a common thread? I answer yes, and I also answer that having that diverse of a range of material is an indication of a great band.
Moving on to Metallica, haven't they done a similar thing? I may say "Master of Puppets" is the song that defines the band, but that neglects "Fade to Black" and "Whiplash" and "Orion." I think bands should evolve over time. They have been a band for 30 years. They have survived adversity and challenges throughout their career. If they want to do their own festival and release their own movie, I say go for it and I hope they are great.
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I need to find an essay I wrote many, many, MANY years ago, where I fleshed out the Led Zeppelin theory I summarized above.
Crow Tastes Good
Earlier this month, I wrote about the unlikely scenario where the Iowa Hawkeyes would win the NIT. After last night's all-around impressive victory over the Virginia Cavaliers in a building where Virginia had won 20 straight at home, I am eating crow. I can envision a scenario where they win the semi-final game on Tuesday, April 2, in New York City against Maryland and then move on to play in the NIT Championship game on Thursday, April 4.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Five Finger Death Punch or Breaking Benjamin - Does it Matter?
From a friend of mine:
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I must admit that lately my motivation hasn't been so spectacular.
We have a guy who is the "mentor" for the group. Essentially he's like a team lead. He implemented the standards, process we follow for [doing our work], etc.
The problem is that it's been SUPER frustrating working with him because he'll tell us one day to change our [work] because it's not the way we should do something even though we learned it by using his example and then after we change it he's telling us it should be the initial way we had it. It's been 2 months and I have yet to have [my work] accepted because he keeps rejecting them for various reasons like that.
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So I wrote back.
Well...
So, tell me where I got this guy wrong. This mentor would be the one to call Rock 108 and say, "I want you to play Five Finger Death Punch" and so Rock 108 plays "Under It and Over It". When the mentor hears that song, he calls Rock 108 back and says, "I didn't want FFDP, I wanted Breaking Benjamin" so Rock 108 puts on "So Cold" and, upon hearing that song, the mentor calls Rock 108 back *again* and says, "No, I said I wanted you to play Five Finger Death Punch" and, in response, Rock 108 plays "Falling In Hate" (criminally underrated in their catalog) and, finally, upon hearing "Falling in Hate", the mentor calls Rock 108 back and says, "Hey, that sounds great! Thanks for playing what I wanted to hear."
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I must admit that lately my motivation hasn't been so spectacular.
We have a guy who is the "mentor" for the group. Essentially he's like a team lead. He implemented the standards, process we follow for [doing our work], etc.
The problem is that it's been SUPER frustrating working with him because he'll tell us one day to change our [work] because it's not the way we should do something even though we learned it by using his example and then after we change it he's telling us it should be the initial way we had it. It's been 2 months and I have yet to have [my work] accepted because he keeps rejecting them for various reasons like that.
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So I wrote back.
Well...
So, tell me where I got this guy wrong. This mentor would be the one to call Rock 108 and say, "I want you to play Five Finger Death Punch" and so Rock 108 plays "Under It and Over It". When the mentor hears that song, he calls Rock 108 back and says, "I didn't want FFDP, I wanted Breaking Benjamin" so Rock 108 puts on "So Cold" and, upon hearing that song, the mentor calls Rock 108 back *again* and says, "No, I said I wanted you to play Five Finger Death Punch" and, in response, Rock 108 plays "Falling In Hate" (criminally underrated in their catalog) and, finally, upon hearing "Falling in Hate", the mentor calls Rock 108 back and says, "Hey, that sounds great! Thanks for playing what I wanted to hear."
Little Red Hen 2013 - Updated Story
"Who will help me plant my wheat?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself." She planted her crop and the wheat grew and ripened.
"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.
"Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.
"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.
"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.
"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.
"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.
She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share but the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves."
"Excess profits!" cried the cow.. (Nancy Pelosi)
"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck. (Barbara Boxer)
"I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose. (Jesse Jackson)
The pig just grunted in disdain.. (Harry Reid)
And they all painted 'Unfair!' picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.
When the farmer (Obama) came he said to the little red hen, "You must
not be so greedy."
"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.
"Exactly," said Barack the farmer. "That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle."
And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful, for now I truly understand."
But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the 'party' and got her bread free.
And all the Democrats smiled. 'Fairness' had been established.
Individual initiative had died but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared so long as there was free bread that 'the rich' were paying for.
And perhaps....this is the end...................
And the next week, there was no bread, or anything else to eat. So, they all starved equally.
EPILOGUE
Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs.
Hillary got $8 million for hers.
That's $20 million for the memories from two people, who for eight years repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn't remember anything.
"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself." She planted her crop and the wheat grew and ripened.
"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.
"Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.
"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.
"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.
"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.
"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.
She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share but the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves."
"Excess profits!" cried the cow.. (Nancy Pelosi)
"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck. (Barbara Boxer)
"I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose. (Jesse Jackson)
The pig just grunted in disdain.. (Harry Reid)
And they all painted 'Unfair!' picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.
When the farmer (Obama) came he said to the little red hen, "You must
not be so greedy."
"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.
"Exactly," said Barack the farmer. "That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle."
And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful, for now I truly understand."
But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the 'party' and got her bread free.
And all the Democrats smiled. 'Fairness' had been established.
Individual initiative had died but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared so long as there was free bread that 'the rich' were paying for.
And perhaps....this is the end...................
And the next week, there was no bread, or anything else to eat. So, they all starved equally.
EPILOGUE
Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs.
Hillary got $8 million for hers.
That's $20 million for the memories from two people, who for eight years repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn't remember anything.
Cookie Crumbling Brings Crumbs - Truth!
God works in mysterious ways. I do not understand why He does what He does.
When something happens to me that I didn't want to happen to me, I - speaking of both events in my personal and professional life, think I will understand why He has allowed what I didn't want in my own life to happen. I can't list all the things in my life that have gone the "wrong way" in my personal and professional life.
So...
This couple gets divorced. It's not the best situation. He cheats, moves out of state, leaving her with two kids. Years later, she needs a new job. Nothing materializes until she gets an offer out of state. She talks to him. He says go for it. She accepts. She finds a home in the new state. Then he says he wants the kids for two months in the summer, though the agreement says one. She cannot move out of state until he signs off and he won't. This week, movers come on Thursday, she gets the carpet in her existing rental closed on Friday, celebrates Easter, then, on Monday, the movers arrive with her stuff when she takes possession of the new rental. Except she cannot live there because it is not in the same state. Even though he lives out of state. She starts her new job a week after she gets possession of the house. But she can't live there.
There's a reason all of this is happening. I don't understand it.
When something happens to me that I didn't want to happen to me, I - speaking of both events in my personal and professional life, think I will understand why He has allowed what I didn't want in my own life to happen. I can't list all the things in my life that have gone the "wrong way" in my personal and professional life.
So...
This couple gets divorced. It's not the best situation. He cheats, moves out of state, leaving her with two kids. Years later, she needs a new job. Nothing materializes until she gets an offer out of state. She talks to him. He says go for it. She accepts. She finds a home in the new state. Then he says he wants the kids for two months in the summer, though the agreement says one. She cannot move out of state until he signs off and he won't. This week, movers come on Thursday, she gets the carpet in her existing rental closed on Friday, celebrates Easter, then, on Monday, the movers arrive with her stuff when she takes possession of the new rental. Except she cannot live there because it is not in the same state. Even though he lives out of state. She starts her new job a week after she gets possession of the house. But she can't live there.
There's a reason all of this is happening. I don't understand it.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Looking Ahead
Busy week!
- Monday
- Lessons
- Tuesday
- Scary Robots rehearsal?
- Wednesday
- Iowa NIT game
- Thursday
- Holy Thursday Mass @ 6 (play drums)
- Friday
- Good Friday
- Possibly, going to Moline, IL, to see Green Day with Alex
- Otherwise, going to Good Friday Mass
- Saturday
- Preparing for Easter Sunday
- Sunday
- Easter Sunday Mass @ 11 (play drums)
The March Resumes on Wednesday...
From http://thegazette.com/2013/03/24/meet-virginia-iowas-next-nit-opponent/:
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The Cavaliers (23-11), which dropped St. John’s 68-50 this morning, employ a deep bench, play good defense and are tough at home. Virginia plays host to Iowa (23-12) in an NIT quarterfinal at 6 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN2) at John Paul Jones Arena. The winner advances to the NIT semifinals April 2 at New York City.
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I am hoping it will be on TV!
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The Cavaliers (23-11), which dropped St. John’s 68-50 this morning, employ a deep bench, play good defense and are tough at home. Virginia plays host to Iowa (23-12) in an NIT quarterfinal at 6 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN2) at John Paul Jones Arena. The winner advances to the NIT semifinals April 2 at New York City.
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I am hoping it will be on TV!
Overindulge
When I eat out at a restaurant, typically I get pop - Mountain Dew if they have it - with my meal. It's playing with fire when I do, though, as experience has taught me that fountain pop doesn't always agree with me. I tend to overindulge.
Drinking fountain pop is very similar to when I would drink beer. Back in the day, I could have a couple of beers and be fine. However, there was always a point in the evening where I would near a threshold. I could choose between "good" and "evil." If I chose "good", I would switch from beer to water and if I chose "evil", I would order another beer and disregard the internal warning sirens going off in my head. The same type of situation holds true with fountain pop.
Last night, after Mass at St. Pat's, the 8 of us went to Doughy Joey's in Cedar Falls for supper. I had a large Calzone with double pepperoni and double sausage. I was drinking Mountain Dew and after a couple of glasses, I did not switch to water. I should have.
Long story short, I felt miserable. When we finally left Cedar Falls, Karen drove home. I laid on the third seat in our van and slept. That's atypical for me as I usually do the driving on family trips. I think I fell asleep between getting on Highway 20 from the UNI campus exit to getting on Interstate 380. We got home around 11.
The moral of the story is quite simple. When I get to the fork in the road, choose "good" because choosing "evil" is not worth it.
Drinking fountain pop is very similar to when I would drink beer. Back in the day, I could have a couple of beers and be fine. However, there was always a point in the evening where I would near a threshold. I could choose between "good" and "evil." If I chose "good", I would switch from beer to water and if I chose "evil", I would order another beer and disregard the internal warning sirens going off in my head. The same type of situation holds true with fountain pop.
Last night, after Mass at St. Pat's, the 8 of us went to Doughy Joey's in Cedar Falls for supper. I had a large Calzone with double pepperoni and double sausage. I was drinking Mountain Dew and after a couple of glasses, I did not switch to water. I should have.
Long story short, I felt miserable. When we finally left Cedar Falls, Karen drove home. I laid on the third seat in our van and slept. That's atypical for me as I usually do the driving on family trips. I think I fell asleep between getting on Highway 20 from the UNI campus exit to getting on Interstate 380. We got home around 11.
The moral of the story is quite simple. When I get to the fork in the road, choose "good" because choosing "evil" is not worth it.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Good News... well, kind of
Never a My Chemical Romance fan. Listened to "The Black Parade" and wondered why they were considered so great. Then, just a few moments ago, I get this press release:
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE DISBAND
My Chemical Romance announced today that they are disbanding. A message from the band posted on www.mychemicalromance.com states:
"Being in this band for the past 12 years has been a true blessing. We've gotten to go places we never knew we would. We've been able to see and experience things we never imagined possible. We've shared the stage with people we admire, people we look up to, and best of all, our friends. And now, like all great things, it has come time for it to end. Thanks for all of your support, and for being part of the adventure."
I hope the members find the right musicians to play with and that, say, 10 years ago, they don't do a money grab and reunite for a tour or crappy "reunion" release. If you're going to quit, then quit.
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE DISBAND
My Chemical Romance announced today that they are disbanding. A message from the band posted on www.mychemicalromance.com states:
"Being in this band for the past 12 years has been a true blessing. We've gotten to go places we never knew we would. We've been able to see and experience things we never imagined possible. We've shared the stage with people we admire, people we look up to, and best of all, our friends. And now, like all great things, it has come time for it to end. Thanks for all of your support, and for being part of the adventure."
I hope the members find the right musicians to play with and that, say, 10 years ago, they don't do a money grab and reunite for a tour or crappy "reunion" release. If you're going to quit, then quit.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Five Years of Blogging
My official first ever post on this blog was on 11/26/2007. Then I posted nothing until 3/18/2008. I just realized I have been blogging on this site for 5 years, 3 days or 1829 days. I can't tell you whether I will be writing for this blog in 2017. I like to think I will be alive and able to do so.
I have been rummaging through my MP3s and offer this update: 50845 File(s) 320,110,392,595 bytes
I have been rummaging through my MP3s and offer this update: 50845 File(s) 320,110,392,595 bytes
Win the NIT in 2013? Not Likely
Last night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the Iowa men's basketball team came out cold and did not play 40 minutes of basketball. They were down early and only led by 1 at halftime. Alex and I sat in row 37 of 41. Early in the game, I stood up and cheered because they scored a basket after a great defensive stop. The momentum was shifting to the team and when they do well, I'm the tall guy that stands up.
That was when a lady behind me said, "Sit down."
Really? REALLY?
Iowa basketball fans are a crazy bunch. With about 3 minutes to go, there was a mass exodus to the top of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Why? Do fans at a MSU or IN or WI or MI or IL or - any fans in any conference for that matter - leave the game before the clock says zeros? I have my doubts.
And frankly, if you want to sit down and watch the game, stay home. You go to a game to cheer, to be excited when the team does something great. I paid $26 for a youth and child ticket, $17 for 2 hot dogs and 2 Cokes (only in Hawkeye souvenir cups) to sit down during the game? No. I don't think so.
Realistically, if your team is ahead by 16 with under 2 minutes, no, the other team is not going to go on a 16 point run and win the game. BUT when the deep bench players are put in with under a minute, don't they deserve to know you support the team? I think so.
If you're really concerned about traffic and getting out, stay home. The game was sold out. There's going to be over 15,000 people trying to navigate through Iowa City on streets that were never designed for 15,000 people.
I hope the game sells out tomorrow night when they play Friday against a team that beat MA - thought to be able to win the entire NIT - by 13 points. In order to do so, they need to play 40 minutes of basketball.
That was when a lady behind me said, "Sit down."
Really? REALLY?
Iowa basketball fans are a crazy bunch. With about 3 minutes to go, there was a mass exodus to the top of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Why? Do fans at a MSU or IN or WI or MI or IL or - any fans in any conference for that matter - leave the game before the clock says zeros? I have my doubts.
And frankly, if you want to sit down and watch the game, stay home. You go to a game to cheer, to be excited when the team does something great. I paid $26 for a youth and child ticket, $17 for 2 hot dogs and 2 Cokes (only in Hawkeye souvenir cups) to sit down during the game? No. I don't think so.
Realistically, if your team is ahead by 16 with under 2 minutes, no, the other team is not going to go on a 16 point run and win the game. BUT when the deep bench players are put in with under a minute, don't they deserve to know you support the team? I think so.
If you're really concerned about traffic and getting out, stay home. The game was sold out. There's going to be over 15,000 people trying to navigate through Iowa City on streets that were never designed for 15,000 people.
I hope the game sells out tomorrow night when they play Friday against a team that beat MA - thought to be able to win the entire NIT - by 13 points. In order to do so, they need to play 40 minutes of basketball.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Christmas 1999
Editor's Note: While looking for something else, I came across the following which was sent to our family and friends with our Christmas card in 1999. My how things have changed! I've taken the liberty to snip things I don't want on this blog.
Hello to all of our family and friends. We hope your year has been as rewarding and fulfilling as ours has been.
First, we were blessed with Alexander. He arrived in October and weighed 9lbs, 12ozs. Big BOY! At his one month checkup, he was 24" long and weighed 14 lbs. He seems to be on the verge of sleeping through the night. He’s beginning to coo and respond to voices.
Megan continues to develop a personality all her own. She enjoys watching videos (Winnie the Pooh and The Fox and the Hound are her favorites this week), playing with the neighbors and making sure little brother has a pacifier in his mouth when he starts to cry. She also likes visiting the carousel at the Coral Ridge Mall, where the zebra is her favorite animal. She has learned over ½ of the alphabet and can count to 5.
Karen changed from 100% to 80% at her job. She continues to work at the <snip>. She enjoys her work, but doesn’t like the time away from the children. She will return to work at the end of January.
Paul changed jobs twice this year and has now works at a software company in Cedar Rapids. He continues to work as a technical writer. In his spare time, he continues to pursue writing music reviews for 15 different websites and magazines.
We bought our first camper this summer after being flooded out in our tent. We also are about to begin finishing the other ½ of our basement and will purchase a PC once the remodeling is complete. In our ‘spare’ time, we like to work in the yard and do various household projects.
Groovin'
I was happy with Scary Robots last night. I felt like I played fairly well. We worked through some of the songs at a tempo that was a little slower than normal - "Big River" - and broke down the interlude prior to the solo in "What I Like About You" - it's 8 measures. We also worked on "Stuck in the Middle" for a while. We were nearing the end of practice when we busted out "Saturday Night" and my arms were dead tired. I know the original version has the snare on 2 and 4, but I'm always hearing the thrash metal version with a faster drumbeat in my head.
The challenge to myself is to work on my chops to get them to a point where I can play this song at the end of the night. I'd liken it to Metallica playing "Whiplash" or "Battery" at the end of their set.
The challenge to myself is to work on my chops to get them to a point where I can play this song at the end of the night. I'd liken it to Metallica playing "Whiplash" or "Battery" at the end of their set.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Right!
More WM XXIX news re: Sheamus / Orton / Big Show in this article which merely confirms I should really work for WWE.
More Rehearsal
This just in! Scary Robots is getting together tomorrow night!
Three rehearsals in ten days!
Three rehearsals in ten days!
Lou's Classic Ride Rehearsal on 3/15/13
Brian Guitar posted these on Facebook from Friday's rehearsal.
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| Me |
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| Joe - vocals / guitar |
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| Brian Guitar on the left and Matthew on the right |
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Good Weekend
It was a good weekend. We were in Balltown until around 6 PM. After we got the truck unloaded, Megan went to console her friend whose pet guinea pig had died. Alex had some friends over. Karen and I got caught up on Grey's Anatomy and Survivor.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Conversion Project Update & Scary Robots Note
This is the reality of how the conversion project is going in 2013.
Today, on 3/15/13, I am 73 days into 2013.365 days in a year, divided by 73, is 5.
On Tuesday, January 1, 2013, my count was 49,154
73 days later, on Friday, March 15, 2013, my count is 50755
73 days later, on Monday, May 27, 2013, my count should be 52356
73 days later, on Thursday, August 8, 2013, my count should be 53957
73 days later, on Sunday, October 20, 2013, my count should be 55558
73 days later, on Wednesday, January 01, 2014, my count should be 57159
I would be happier if I was at 58,000, which is a whopping 841 more than I am projecting. I kind of think that if I get to 58,000, I will be done with the CD to MP3, the cassette to MP3, and the LP to MP3 conversions. I may be able to say "I'm done" at the end of this year. It's an aggressive schedule, but I think I can focus.
Also, it's been confirmed Scary Robots are rehearsing from 5:15 - 8. This is a list of the songs we play well with the ones we are going to work on tonight designated with ** after the song title:
Today, on 3/15/13, I am 73 days into 2013.365 days in a year, divided by 73, is 5.
On Tuesday, January 1, 2013, my count was 49,154
73 days later, on Friday, March 15, 2013, my count is 50755
73 days later, on Monday, May 27, 2013, my count should be 52356
73 days later, on Thursday, August 8, 2013, my count should be 53957
73 days later, on Sunday, October 20, 2013, my count should be 55558
73 days later, on Wednesday, January 01, 2014, my count should be 57159
I would be happier if I was at 58,000, which is a whopping 841 more than I am projecting. I kind of think that if I get to 58,000, I will be done with the CD to MP3, the cassette to MP3, and the LP to MP3 conversions. I may be able to say "I'm done" at the end of this year. It's an aggressive schedule, but I think I can focus.
Also, it's been confirmed Scary Robots are rehearsing from 5:15 - 8. This is a list of the songs we play well with the ones we are going to work on tonight designated with ** after the song title:
- Cheap Sunglasses **
- What I Like About You **
- Saturday Night is Alright for Fighting **
- Stuck In The Middle **
- American Girl
- Lonely Boy
- Rocking in the Free World
- Breakup Song
- Sunshine of Your Love
- Big River
Thursday, March 14, 2013
College Roommates
Around 10 AM today, I walked over to the BP with Joe. The BP has a Subway restaurant in it. I can get a 6" flatbread sandwich with egg, ham, and shredded cheese, for $3.21. It's a good deal. The employee who made my sandwich asked me if I ever lived with someone I didn't know in college.
That made me think about my college roommates.
That made me think about my college roommates.
- Freshman year, I had Dave as my roommate. He was from western Iowa. We didn't know each other before we became roommates. I think he flunked out, though I admit I do not really know. We were signed up to be roommates in our sophomore year, but he didn't return. I remember he would get a new girlfriend, I'd become friends with her as well, Dave would make the girlfriend mad, and I'd still have her as a friend. It was a good situation for me, but not for Dave.
- Sophomore year, I had Jon as my roommate. He was from a town north of Cedar Rapids and went home nearly every weekend. We didn't know each other before we became roommates. I liked Jon as a roommate. We used to watch soap operas in the afternoon.
- Junior year, I had Randy as my roommate. He was from Cedar Rapids. We were friends in the spring of our sophomore year. However, we were not friends as roommates. Honestly, I think he was struggling with trying to figure out if he was gay. He was an usher in a wedding where I was a groomsmen. Years later, I learned he died from prostate cancer. I did not attend his funeral. I have a lot I could write about him - what it was really like to have him as my roommate - but I am not going to write about it today.
- Senior year, I had Brian Rock, Brad, and Chad as my roommates. I became Brian's roommate because he had lived with a mutual friend, Gary. I needed a place to live so I asked Gary if I could live with him next year. He said that was fine, but I should go ask Brian. I have zero recollection of ever speaking to him ever before. I said, "Hey, do you care if I live with you next year?" He looked at me and said, "Hell, I don't care." The first night we were roommates in our 2 bedroom on-campus apartment, we knew Brad was going to be our third roommate but we didn't know him. We decided to share a room. Later that night, I locked our bedroom door. Too bad we didn't have a key. It was a rocky start to what has become a really good friendship.
New Pope
I am Catholic. Born and raised. I was baptized, received my First Holy Eucharist, and was confirmed at St. Pius X in Cedar Rapids. In high school, I played drums at Mass and continued to do so into college. It was during college that I would still go to Mass on a weekly basis. Sometimes, I was hung over as hell. It didn't matter, though, as I still went to 7 AM Mass on Sundays. After college, I still went to Mass. I was married in the Catholic church in Balltown, Iowa. Karen and I joined St. Thomas More, where we have been parishioners for coming up on 20 years.
Do not think that I am a better Catholic than the next one. I am a sinner, though I'm not really going to tell you my sins. I do have a point for writing all of this. It is to provide context.
I don't like that the new pope is 76 years old. The fact that he is from Argentina doesn't concern me. Within 15 years, the Catholic church is going to need a new pope. And 15 years may be a stretch. Why didn't they pick a new pope that is 50? That would be 20, 25, 30, years of leadership in the church.
That all said, I will support the new pope. I will follow any new polices he puts into place and I will pray for his tenure as pope to be successful in all areas.
Do not think that I am a better Catholic than the next one. I am a sinner, though I'm not really going to tell you my sins. I do have a point for writing all of this. It is to provide context.
I don't like that the new pope is 76 years old. The fact that he is from Argentina doesn't concern me. Within 15 years, the Catholic church is going to need a new pope. And 15 years may be a stretch. Why didn't they pick a new pope that is 50? That would be 20, 25, 30, years of leadership in the church.
That all said, I will support the new pope. I will follow any new polices he puts into place and I will pray for his tenure as pope to be successful in all areas.
Quickie
- Here's the count of music: 50650 File(s) 317,393,106,018 bytes
- For a Thursday, it is shaping up to be pretty busy tonight for TV. Not that my life revolves around the boob tube but...
- TNA wrestling from 7-9.
- At the Lockdown PPV, Bully Ray was revealed as President of Aces & Eights, the current heel stable. It was a surprise.
- There are other storylines that will continue to play out tonight that will keep my interest.
- The Iowa men's basketball plays Northwestern in the first game of the Big 10 tournament at 8. If you believe the "experts," they need to win tonight and then win their next game.
- Their next game is certain to make the NCAA tournament: Michigan State.
- These two teams matched up only once this season.
- It was on Thursday, January 10. Iowa lost by 3 points. That's one three point basket from tying the game and two baskets short of a win.
- Anything is possible.
- I don't remember if Grey's Anatomy is new this week or not.
- I think The Big Bang Theory is new.
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