Time for more politic funtime

So I'm over at cnn.com reading about McCain questioning Obama's recent visit to the middle east and I find myself getting pretty pissed off.

One comment on the article was:

McCain you may question only his judgment, but those of us who know him, also question his loyalty and patriotism to the United States.

Apparently you did not listen to his speech in Germany. He made it perfectly clear where his loyalties lie, and it is not with us. He is a
citizen of the world. We the electors want a citizen of the United States.

You will do a great service to our country if you tell the truth about Obama. Continue where Hillary left off.

Use his new video on U-Tube to let the public know where Obama stands on the future defense of the United States. - Bayou Joe

and then:

I question Obama's judgment for many reasons . . the most recent being his trip abroad where he is acting as if he were already the President of the United States. - California Voter

Let's address these in their inherent idiocy:

"He made it perfectly clear where his loyalties lie, and it is not with us. He is a citizen of the world. We the electors want a citizen of the United States." All I can say is holy shit this man is an idiot. First, the man must not have listened to that particular part of the speech or he got the Fox news breakdown. He actually did say he was a citizen of the United States and then followed it up with "citizen of the world". Next, does America live in a fucking glass bubble that nothing in the world affects us? Seriously, people should really take the time to think before they post on public forums (perhaps myself included). Yes, we are citizens of the U.S., but we are also global citizens. Our actions affect what happens else where and vice versa. I could go on for days about this moron, but Darwin will take care of him.

Next up we have California Voter. "he is acting as if he were already the President of the United States". OK, so basically you want our next Commander-in-Chief to go into his job completely blind without gathering any information of things he/she may face when elected. Shut the fuck up. I wish I could post with out the expletives, but I can't. I'm too angered by stupidity.

Regardless if Obama becomes president, he's still showing the world that America is committed to solving problems on a global scale. McCain can whine all day long about Obama, but do you think his POW experience from 41 years ago gives him some sort of greater scope of knowledge to be president? Now I'm not saying McCain is inexperienced and that his Vietnam experience is all for naught, but nobody is prepared to be president...no one.

Also, do we really want a whiney little bitch president? I don't.

Microphones!

I picked up an AKG D112 on ebay yesterday for about $100. This pleases me. I've been using the Shure Beta 52 and using all sorts of placement options, and musical styles, I found it just never worked for me. I don't know.

I might find the ATM-25 (Audio-Technica Mic) cheap and get that too. We'll see.

I'm also getting rid of the PG52 I have (poor mans Beta 52)...maybe I could buy lunch with what I get for it.

Great Quote

A co-worker of mine shared this quote with me today and I couldn't agree more.

The most annoying trait of Right-Wing Outlaws in general is a lazy incuriosity about the real world. They know their lines, they're sure who the good guys and the bad guys are. Therefore they view the passing world as a kind of animated "Bartlett's Quotations" - that is, as handy source material with which to illustrate, rather than challenge, preconceived views.

James Fallows

R.I.P. George Carlin

Sad news over the weekend with the death of George Carlin at the age of 71

He was a brilliant comedian and although his style changed over the years, becoming more crass and cynical, he still could make us laugh.

I was lucky enough to see him perform live and wished to again. I have a feeling the George Carlin estate is going to get a bump up in monetary flow with this event from the sales of DVDs, Books and CDs.

Rest in peace George.

TUGPL - Part 1

As some may know, this weekend I was in Madison, WI recording my friend Aaron's band, The Unnecessary Gun Point Lecture. Kyle, a guy from school (and lab partner last semester), joined me during the fun-filled weekend adventure.

Friday:
Got in at about 11:30 PM or so, dropped off the gear, ate Taco Bell and went to bed.

Saturday:
Went to the Pine Cone Restaurant for some breakfast and hot damn! that was a tasty Denver skillet I had. The onions were caramelized perfectly. Delicious. OK on to recording. Because of major highway floodings and detours, we got to the studio/practice space at about 2PM.

I set up all the gear and we were going by about 4-4:30 PM or so. It actually went pretty quick considering I had nothing set up (as I really can't pre-set anything) and Kyle helped a ton with getting mic stands set up. I know it's not the most glamorous for him, but he was awesome and a trooper through the whole thing.

So long story short, we finished tracking drums by about 11:30 PM.

The drums so far sound great. We ran into a little problem with the kick trigger and it's lack of ability to NOT be velocity sensitive. It's the only trigger on the whole kit! I don't normally like to use them, but for this stuff, we have to. I just have to do some compression and replacement stuff. I'll probably do it before I go down ago so Ian has an easier time hearing the kick.

So, at about midnight, we began tracking some guitars. We did that until about 3:00 AM and then decided to call it a night/day.

Due to a scheduling snafu, the bass player couldn't make it out so Kyle and I packed up the gear on Sunday at about 1 PM after listening to the songs one more time to make sure it was all good.

Back in Chicago at 3:45.

So in part two of this story we'll have guitars, bass and vocals. I'm hoping we can get an early start on the 28th and finish up that day or early Sunday.

Jury Duty

So I reported for a jury summons, and sure enough I got picked!

I just got done with the trial which started on Tuesday and lasted until about 3 PM today. I missed a couple days of work (I wouldn't actually say I've been missing it...hahahhaha...oh Office Space).

I'm not going to blog about the specifics. I'll tell you in person. Or maybe I will blog about it...later.

He says "no"

Thanks to K.W. and CNN, I was informed that Edwards would decline the #2 spot. That saddens me, but to each their own and he has to do what is best for himself and family.

So Clinton and Obama apparently have been talking. We'll see what happens. I guess my post 2 days ago was in haste. I don't know how voters will react. Although recent polls suggest most Democrats would be open and even encourage the idea.

We'll see what happens.

I'll put up a new song soon, but if anyone out there in reader land (all 3 of you) have a suggestion, I'll gladly post it.

More Election Fun

So I've thought a little more about the whole Obama/Clinton ticket.

Now some Clinton supports have said (via blogs and newscasts...I'll see if I can dig up a real reference) that they wouldn't vote for the Obama/Clinton ticket because she wasn't president.

However, wouldn't it be best to vote for that if you actually support her? I mean, if she's the V.P. isn't that almost a shoe in after Obama's 8 years (optimism) in office? I think so.

I still think the Obama/Edwards ticket would be sweet though.

On to Universal Healthcare. I thought about this a bit today and wondered why the plans for Universal HC still include a premium. I understand they are merely trying to avoid creating a "new tax", but honestly, whatever they call it, it's just going to be a euphemism for a tax.

To people who say, "Look at Cuba. Their hospitals are in horrible shape" or "You don't get quality doctors", you're pretty much wrong. What people forget is that we live in America, one of the richest nations (if not the richest) in the world. We (government) can afford to build quality hospitals for every citizen and pay doctors accordingly.

Don't worry, there still will be private enterprises for the wealthy.

The only thing that concerns me about state/government run healthcare is the potential for the religious beliefs of the government to intertwine with care giving. But there's really a very small chance of that occurring.

Obama '08

So finally Obama has clinched (albeit by a small margin) the Democratic nomination.

This gets me pumped up for the pit.

Here's my take on what I think should happen in the Obama camp (yeah, opinions, like assholes. I get it.):

Obama should choose John Edwards as his running mate. At first I was in support of the Clinton/Obama/Clinton/Obama ticket which ever way it fell. However, after the Clinton's desperate attempt to remain in the race for the nomination, I just don't think that it's possible. Not to mention the fact that both sides had thrown mud for sometime at each other. I realize the game of politics includes such nonsense, but really, it got a bit awkward.

I think with Edwards support as a super-delegate and as a running mate, the Obama/Edwards ticket could easily gain the support of the blue collar educated and uneducated voters. Edwards is moderate enough to quell anyone thinking that Obama will push this country to the "brink of disaster" (quotes mine). Also, Edwards' stance on poverty and the economy and gay rights resonates pretty well with me.

This could be a damn fine year for us.

Land of the "Free"

Ok..so a couple things have gotten me riled lately.

!-- begin rant here

#1. From G.W. talk in Israel - source is the L.A. Times:

In a speech to Israel's Knesset marking the 60th anniversary of that country's independence, Bush said, "Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along."

"We have heard this foolish delusion before," Bush said. "As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: 'Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is -- the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."

WTF?! So he uses Israel's 60th Birthday Party as a platform to blast a presidential candidate? Nice work asshole. It's like when Phil Leotardo on "The Sopranos" goes off in the bar at the family event about his last name. Great timing. I'm sick of this shit.

#2. People saying if Obama is chosen as the Democratic candidate, they'll vote for McCain or not vote.

Those people are assholes. Nice work on the party divide. Now, generally speaking I try to be on the socialist side of things, while coming to the realization that you have to work with what you have in this country. I think Obama will make a great president. "But, he has no experience." Oh yeah, Bush had tons of experience and look what he did.

So to all you dicks who will vote McCain if Hillary is not on the ballot, seriously, find a cliff and jump. Make sure it's high enough that you explode when you hit the ground. If Hillary wins, yeah, I'll vote for her. Voting for McCain is basically saying, "we want 4 more years of awesome. And by awesome, I mean hell."

#3. California's Supreme Court overturning the state's ban on gay marriage.

Finally, California, you're doing something right. I was reading a bit from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an article about Libertarian Bob Barr, and the comments on that page were damn hilarious. "God this", "god that". "God thinks you should ban gay marriage."...ok not actual quotes, but pretty close. The majority of people who posted are fucking idiots.

Saying gay marriage is going to ruin the institution of marriage is like saying bathing in hydrochloric acid is good for the skin. I can't believe as a nation who said whites and blacks can't get married and should have separate facilities in the early-mid 1900's are actually still having debates on issues like this. You'd think we've evolved and learned.

Oh and to the people who say it's in the bible, find the one that wasn't written by a King named James and let me know what you find. I saw in a H.P. Lovecraft book onetime that the Old Ones live beneath the sea. I'm not looking for Cthulu. Although, Cthulu is probably more real.

!-- end rant here

Ned's Atomic Dustbin

Sorry for the long absence from the blogging circuit, but I really haven't had much to say or much time to say what I needed to. Which it actually turns out was nothing.

Sorry to Joe for not posting more music. I'll put more up as I delve into my collection to post oldies but goodies.

Edit: OK, so I decided to do it now. Here's a band that I got into in the early 90's due to Dave Peters. He had this album and apparently his parents (who I think were Jehovah's Witnesses at the time..maybe still are) didn't think the song "Kill Your Television" was appropriate for their young son.

Fortunately, Dave shared this with me first. It's that 90's Brit-Rock-Grunge-Pop sort of sound that I've come full-circle to listening to again. "God Fodder" as an album still holds up pretty well with catchy songs and general all around good song writing. I'm not familiar much with their later stuff, as I may have had some of it, but can't remember.

So, here's the track:

Kill Your Television

Check it out. You can now find this on Amazon.com for about $2, so I say go for it.

Back in the saddle again...I'M BAACK

I had half of my final last night which was the one-on-one. Basically, you have 30 minutes to prove your proficiency using Pro Tools to route signal to the mixing console, through the master link and monitor from the master link. Then you had to use EQ and panning on 2 channels. Also had to prove you could use the patchbay/AUX loops to send signal to the reverb unit and back. Then you had to use Compression on one channel.

So the run down: I used EQ on 12 channels. Panning on 12 channels. Compression on 3 channels and reverb on 12 channels. I actually think I did a pretty good mix for 25 minutes. It helped that the recorded material was really good and clean. Nick had ended up cleaning up the toms really good.

Oh, if you are a solid rock band and need a great recording, head over to Nick Eipers Web site and check him out. I know it's counter-productive to sell other's services, but let's face it, he has 15+ years experience.

Now wait for next week and the written test.

I'll post more music this week. Maybe it'll be a Friday thing.

Jon Stewart for me

An audio event

Here's a little project I did for Production 2 last semester at school. This was the final for the class. We basically had to do a creative project, anything we wanted, the only requirement is that we manipulate recorded sounds and use effects through Pro Tools.

I chose to do a Old Time Radio program (well, inspired by) about zombies. The script is based off of "Dead Record" a film script my friends Chris Olson and Solomon Ayres had been working on (and promptly gave up because they are L-A-Z-Y. Just kidding.)

Well, since I thought the script was rad, I wanted to use it some how, so I rewrote portions of it to adapt it to a radio format. I would like to finish the script and film it sometime next year. I know it would be "B' grade, but I think it could be cool as hell.

Joe "Awesometon" Kelso appears as well playing both Dale and Jay.

Anyway, here's the mp3 of the finished version.

Dead Record OTR

Let me know what you guys and gals think.

(zombie image from www.revok.com)

A picture

Here's a picture from Saturday night courtesy of K.W.

That's right. Bolton rocks the bass.

Last Show

Well, I played the my last show (save for a reunion) with Reptoids at the Red Line Tap on Saturday night. It was a good show. We played our entire catalog (well, recorded that is) and were surrounded by good friends and fun times.

I don't know if it's really sunk in yet that I've left or won't be practicing with them anymore. I definitely have enough going on to fill the gap, but it won't be the same.

We'll see how long I can stay away from some musical project (creative) but I'm guessing it's not going to be long. My cousin and I have been talking about doing a project together, which is cool considering he's literally half way around the world in Korea.

This could be good.

I've become lax

I've been recently rocking some Bloodbath. The new EP, "Unblessing the Purity" is really solid death metal. I'm not too much of a fan of the cookie monster vocals and unintelligeable guitar riffs, so this album is pretty much up my alley. With members of Opeth, Katatonia and another band I can't remember, you know you're going to get good vocals courtesy of Opeth's own Mikael Åkerfeldt and awesome song writing by the other members.

It's basically like listening to Opeth's heaviest stuff with Katatonia type guitar solos and riffs.

They aren't really breaking any new ground, but for an EP it's really solid and I wish it was about 3-4 songs longer. All the songs are pretty short with none over 5 minutes. It's almost primed for radio singledom! Or not.

Download - Bloodbath - Weak Aside

As always, if you like an album, buy it. It helps support musicians and the people who record them (ME).

If you are a band that I post and want your stuff removed, I will do so immediately.

Recording Madness

Last night we found out what song we're mixing for our final...which happens to be the song we've been mixing all semester. That's actually a good thing because we know the song very well and can mix it very quickly.

Also, we found out what we are doing for our one-on-ones and I'm going to totally ace that. So Recording I, you get an A.

This weekend I'm playing my last show with the Reptoids so everyone should come out. Tonight there's a killer show at Sub-T: Sweet Cobra and Yakuza!! It's super cheap and I'm actually going.

Hooray!

Alligator Gun

So I'm currently rocking Alligator Gun's Onehundredpercentfreak album and damn is it rocking. I went and found them on myspace and little did I know they played a reunion show in December of 2006. WHY DIDN'T I KNOW!?!? Plus, they played with Compound Red which is rad as hell (I think when I was in Pulse, we played with Compound Red at Concert Cafe). I remember seeing AG in 1995 at the Concert Cafe...those were the times.

It's actually amazing that Onehundredpercentfreak still holds up after 13 years...so good on them for making an album that stands the test.

I'll put up a a song on the blog page from them next time I post. Then you should try finding their albums.

Don't worry I'm not dead

I forgot to post yesterday. Sorry. HAHAHAHAHAHA. I can't believe I just apologized like it really matters and as if I offended someone (mike) with my lack there of.

Practiced last night with the 'Toids. Ran through some old school material that we haven't played in about 1.5 years...it was SLOPPY!!! But, it'll be ready for the show. I hope they find a good bass player. I hope the tryout candidates actually come out and see us so they get an idea of kind of show we put on.