Being Deliberate

[rayzer]

The prodigal son returnsAfter neglecting the Taxi boards because of another heavy month at work and technical issues in the studio, I have returned to check-in.Nothing much has changed in my situation since last month. Work and Vista are wearing me down, but I’m committed to a better future, so here I am.The results from last month’s goals are:1. Follow up on a lead from my uncle. I sent him two songs. He confirmed receiving them and now I’m waiting for some feedback.2. Work out all the tech issues in my studioI just re-read this goal and I can’t understand why I was so optimistic last month. This was my biggest time-eater with too many issues to list. I was hoping for Vista SP1 to come and save me, but with the delayed release and initial word from testers not being overly positive, I’m not hanging all my hopes on that anymore.3. Get more knowledgeable with my new instruments/librariesComputer problems made this work slow and frustrating.4. Write a new song incorporating what I’m learning with my new instruments/libraries and submit it to at least one listingSubmitted ‘Whatever’ to one listing.5. Rewrite ‘You and Me and Maxine’ based on critiques I should receive soonDone (until the next critique).Okay. Here’s my list for March 15:1. Contribute enough here to become a Junior Member.It’s about time I started pulling my weight around here.2. Downgrade Vista to XP.I have a few other things left to try with Vista, but I’m getting tired.3. Upgrade my Tascam FW1884 with new preamps.If anyone’s interested, there’s a guy in the Netherlands that has created a modification for the FW1884 that makes audio input sound much better with a much lower noise floor. I can’t wait to get out my soldering iron!4. Write, record and submit two songs.5. Start making my way through the book, “Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer” that I just received from Amazon.See you next time!

[arkjack]

Hello prodigal son rayzer.Well, for me its been a great month, and a bad month.I had 12 submissions from the previous month response, and that included my first forward! I made 10 submissions in this month, and got my second forward. 6 of the 10 are still pending. Business has gone into overload mode and I'm plugging about 90 hours a week for the accounting business. (that includes my time yaking here)... I've made only a little progress with Cubase, but also acquired WaveLab and produced a rework track in it and uploaded it and a TV track to the site, plus the final version of I'd Be Free. Hardly enough time to practice playing and keeping up chops let alone start anything new in th studio. Goals for March 15Play with Cubase, WaveLab. Keep up the chops. Try to mix some versions into TV tracks for songs that are already done and can be uploaded. Make an Artist Demo to promote a summer tour.Other than that, the day job is consuming. So if I can keep up my callouses and study some new material in the meantime, I'll count that as progress. Its all cumulative.ArkJack

[ibanez468]

Quote:5. Start making my way through the book, “Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer” that I just received from Amazon.Hey rayzor,Good reading there. Lots of insightful information. Could help raise the level of all your MIDI productions if you can put in the time reading and testing and then actually applying. Helped me to understand much much more than I knew.ibanez468

[tedsingingfox]

Hey, guys,Have a couple minutes left on the library computer and wanted to check in.If I can remember correctly, my three last "deliberate" points were:1) the owner's manual for my new 4-track was a pdf file on my now dead laptop. So, no progress there, yet; but I've found a way to get another copy of it, which I will email to a friend to print out for me. I am SO eager to get started.2) I have WAY more than enough new stuff to play for Jai Josefs when he gets to town. I think I stated I wanted 3-5 new pieces. Granted, only 3 of them have lyrics, but I think I've got closer to 10-15. Having no laptop has proven to be a VERY positive thing in some ways.and 3) I said I wanted to have at least 5 students signed up for Jai's workshop next month. We are still three weeks away, and I've got 9 definites and three verbal promises (with deposit checks slowly trickling in), and at least 10 people who SAY they want to be there. For THIS town (famous the world over for putting EVERYTHING off as long as possible), to have that many signed up three weeks in advance is AMAZING.Eh, running out of time, but I'll keep checking back.Miss you guys.Write on.Ted

[edteja]

Arkjack,Huge congrats on the forwards, mate!!!! You worked for them. Talk to you around May 1st.Rayzer,I could almost make that a generic "to do" list for myself. Keep on keeping on.Ted,Good to hear from you! Are you enjoying the snow? And it ain't that town, amigo, it's us New Mexicans in general! Look at our legislature for a quick example.

[rayzer]

Hey ArkJack, TWO forwards! That’s so cool! Congrats! That should help keep you motivated during your crazy busy time at work. Hang in there.Ibenez468, thanks for the confirmation. I’ve heard good things about that book. Just cracked the cover, but it looks good so far.Ted, it’s great to hear from you. Great job on all the new material! You’ve got quite an event in the making. Thanks for the example of what can happen when preparation and determination get together with hard work, even in the middle of tough times. You’re still in my thoughts.Thanks for the encouragement, Traveling Ed. The kind words and positive atmosphere here and throughout the Taxi organization are gold.-Rayzer

[tedsingingfox]

Just wanted to let you guys know...I pick Jai Josefs up at the ABQ airport tomorrow afternoon, then we'll be driving the three hours back to Taos in what is supposed to be about 4 inches of snow (before this storm is over). I can hardly believe it's here already, and I can hardly wait."Preparation, determination, and hard work", you say? What a nice thing to say. And from MY line of sight, it has paid off.I have 15 seats already paid for, I have 10 more that are planning on bringing their checks with them the day of the workshop, and the feature article coming out in tomorrow's paper ought to bring in at least 3-5 extra students. wooHOO!This "Being Deliberate" concept is a GREAT motivator. Thanks, again, Rayzer.Ted

[rayzer]

Hey Ted,It's great to see you back online!I hope all the last minute details (and snowfall) get worked out without any problem.Have a great time! I know many of us here will be sending prayers up and/or good thoughts your way.Rayzer

[lieflin77]

Two words...totally relate. Thanks all for sharing. That's why I posted about co-writing via internet. My usual time is late at night, after kids are in bed. Making co-writing appointments becomes a challenge. So if anyone is into trying this, give me a holler! Looking for co-writers in both hot a/c and country crossover genres.

[tedsingingfox]

Hey, I'm sitting in a lounge at the ABQ airport, and Jai's plane is due to arrive in about 15 minutes. Can hardly stand it.And the snow, while beautiful, only totalled about an inch. As much as I LOVE snow, I'm relieved for the sake of the road conditions.As of 10 minutes ago, I can bump those numbers up a bit. Now it's 15 pre-paid...14 more reserved...and Deonne wrote a fantastic article that came out in this morning's paper, with a terrific, large picture of Jai. Can't wait for him to see it. And it ought to generate at least 5 more students.Thanks SO much, you guys, for all the support and encouragement.Trust me, you'll be hearing about it after the fact.Ted