Being Deliberate

[rayzer]

March 15th already? Yes it is. Okay. Let’s do this.The past month was still heavy at work, but I’m deliberately completing work assignments and getting slightly ahead of just ‘putting out fires.’ I even had a few days that were like good old 2007. One goal for the new month is to complete every work project currently on my list and make room for music again.Another issue has been my music computer. I’ve spent about 4 hours on the phone with Microsoft, and many more on my own, working through Vista and XP issues. I won’t bore you with details, but the bottom line is that I’ve been without a music computer all month and many hours of my studio time have been spent working on that computer. I was a Mac guy for 10 years starting with a dual floppy Macintosh SE in 1988. In 1998, I changed to PCs because of work, but I think my next computer will be a Mac again. That could be an ad for Apple-- “Rayzer-man and everyone is going back to Mac.” Here’s a funny little example for all you Mac people to enjoy and Windows people to cringe over: On the next reboot after activating Windows, my screen said that I had to activate Windows to continue using it. It politely asked, “Do you want to activate Windows now?” I politely replied, “No. I already activated it.” But answering ‘No’ took me back to the Welcome screen and wouldn’t let me do anything. Answering ‘Yes’ took me to a new window that said, “This copy of Windows is already activated. Click ‘OK’ to close this window.” Clicking ‘OK’ then took me back to the welcome screen that said, “You need to activate this copy of Windows to continue using it. Do you want to activate Windows now?” etc. etc. etc. Anyway, as far as I know, I have 2 issues left to resolve on my computer before it’s back. Then I’ll install my music software on the XP side and get recording again. Okay. How did I do with my March 15 goals?1. Contribute enough here to become a Junior Member.Almost there. See my next post for an update on this goal.2. Downgrade Vista to XP.I almost have a working dual boot system. I’ll finish the systems today and install music software next week.3. Upgrade my Tascam FW1884 with new preamps.I Installed one type of opamp on channels 1-4, another on 5-6 and another on 7-8, but haven’t been able to explore differences in sound quality because of computer issues.4. Write, record and submit two songs.Songs are written, but not recorded or submitted. I’m playing one with my band in church tomorrow, though. It’s called ‘Solid Ground.’I’ll record and submit both ASAP.5. Start making my way through the book, “Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer” that I just received from Amazon.I’m about 100 pages in. LOTS of information. Other news:I got 2 forwards this month! Remember a few months ago when I said my uncle ran with a famous 1980s writer/band member and I sent him some of my music? Well, I heard back from him! He said one song was alright, but didn’t knock him out. However, he really liked the other song I sent. He said, “’You Me and Maxine’ is a really good song that deserves a proper presentation to make maximum impact- I suggest going for it.” I asked him if I could send him more songs as I write them and he said, “Absolutely.” Needless to say, that made my day. Presenting my April 15 goals:1. Do my taxes. (I suppose this should be more than just a goal.)2. Get my music software installed and running on XP.3. Spend at least 4 hours just exploring software with no agenda.4. Record and submit two songs from our last Day of Accountability (before the end of March).5. Write, record and submit one new song.6. Work through chapter 3 in ‘Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer.’7. Send 2 songs to another connected ‘friend of a friend’ guy.Okay. Now I’m off to conquer Windows. Pray for me.

[rayzer]

Wow, I'm almost no longer a 'New Member.' All I have left to do is click 'Post Reply' and I'll be a 'Junior Member.' I can't wait!I bet it will beamazing!

[rayzer]

Huh.Nothing. I feel the same.What a downer.

[tedsingingfox]

Quote:Huh.Nothing. I feel the same.What a downer. Aw, but it's still a moment to be proud of.Will be back with my March 15 Deliberations Later.Ted

[arkjack]

Don't worry Rayz, its like doing acid, it takes an hour or two to kick in. Well, I've played a total of 12 songs at the open mic on Sunday... since Feb 15. and that is the only time I've picked up my guitar. I have not written any songs, recorded any tracks. I have submitted about a dozen previously recorded work thru Taxi to various listings and I got back a few critiques and returns from the previous month. I purchased two really great albums from itunes. Good Time by Alan Jackson. A definite return to his roots and well done. The second one is 'Your Move' by Gerald Veasley. For those of you who dig funk, smooth jazz and really awesome bass grooves with world class jazz players, this album is absolutely excellent!I processed an MP3 or two from files I recorded of a cover band live and that's about it for music.I have completed a lot of complex tax returns, audits, and other projects at work in my 80+ hour weeks. And my family misses me, but I have shown up for a dinner now and then.For the next month, my goals are pretty simple:1. Do everybody else's' taxes.2. Florida - 3/27 to 4/1. Catch lots of fish and get my arms pulled. Line up a jam with Shy Blakeman at the Square Grouper and get some pictures. Catch more fish, maybe write a song if I can get the muse. and also try to catch a really big fish.3. Finish tax season.4. Mass with the Pope.Somewhere on a long list all of the things I want to do for music are all on back burner status. I have played so little, and have not turned on any equipment for weeks. I call this a 'bad tax season' because my energies are entirely devoted to work, and entirely diverted from music. It'll be one of those years where I'll probably be two months in re-training on my chops and re-learning the ins and outs of the studio before I can produce anything meaningful again. And then it will be time to go fishing again. Oh well. I think the fishing will do me some good though. Catching big fish is like getting forwards, a real good feeling. There are some things on my not to do list:1. Don't download Ashley's song2. No making dates with expensive call girls3. Don't temporarily switch my party affiliation to influence the outcome of the democratic primary next week.Thanks for checking in Rayzer.... Happy trails.ArkJack

[rayzer]

Hey, you know what?I'm starting to feel it.Yeah. TWO stars under my name!This is pretty cool!!Watch out world, I AM A JUNIOR MEMBER!!!

[rayzer]

Can't wait to hear from you, Ted.ArkJack,I'm proud of you for just being able to stay awake. One more month. Hang in there and think of all the big fish that will be "hangin' there" on your line soon.I'll be sure to check out your album suggestions. Thanks.Quote:2. No making dates with expensive call girlsIf I were you, I'd stay away from the cheap ones, too.

[hummingbird]

but you are now an Offical Dot.

[rayzer]

Quote:but you are now an Official Dot. Well, there's another reason to celebrate! What a great weekend!Thanks, Hummingbird!Rayzer

[tedsingingfox]

OK...so rather than dwell on the downsides of my workshop weekend, I'll simply let y'all know that I'm (next) going to be bringing Pat Pattison to Taos for a 2-day, weekend long lyric-writing workshop in August. (He was here two years ago, and he's an hysterical, compassionate and well-informed teacher...and I'm sure we'll have a great turn-out.) This last one has totally wet my apetite for doing this sort of thing. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy putting in all the hard work, but I found out I'm really GOOD at organizing such events.And since I'm FINALLY heading back into the studio at the end of this month (wooHOO!!!!!), I'll have plenty to keep me busy.SO, that said... Here are MY 3 deliberations for April 15th.1) Lay out my plan of attack for pulling this next workshop together, have a meeting with the man whom I'll be teaming up with (a Berklee grad and one of Pat's former students), and send out our first official notice. (not very challenging...other than trying to pin this guy down for the meeting.)2) I actually have more songs available for our three days in the studio than we'll have time for, so I'm planning on rehearsing the ones I've got (and most of them have 4-5 versions/arrangements for us to choose from) until I KNOW which ones are the strongest and the best ones to spend the time on.2-B) I've been turned on to a $15 download-able MP3 recorder, so I will be throwing down painfully basic versions of several of them, and will be posting them in the "peer-to-peer" (or maybe here) for some fast feedback. So my goal is for you guys to hear at least 5 of them...maybe more, if I'm having fun with this recorder.3) I want to commit to writing (or at least STARTING) 3 new songs, with actual lyrics. As much as I'm loving going with the flow of writing instrumentals (and having them forwarded and signed to deals ), I feel like my lyrical skills can only continue to improve as long as I keep writing. Collabaration is sounding better and better to me, but I've got to keep writing songs, which truly IS my first love, no matter what.I may alter these a bit over the next day or two (it was a long, weird day at work and I can't promise I'm thinking as clearly as I'd like right now). But these are a good start.Talk to you guys again on the 15th.Ted