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cellogeek's LiveJournal:
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| Friday, March 20th, 2009 | | 5:15 pm |
Ugh. I am not fond of a certain composer. Many of you know who this man is. This man is being given a high honor by an organization of which I am a member. This does not please me. That is all. | | Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 | | 8:36 pm |
i hate my life. i have no car, i have very little money (all from selling some of the last few items i own), i have a shitty part time job that i wont be able to keep because of my busted car, and i hate my life. hell, i can make another $300 very easily, but i need a car to deliver something i'm trying to sell. i rive to grand rapids, i make $300, which means i'd have an easier time buying a car because i'd have more to offer. But, i also have a job now and a schedule that is going to be so bi-polar that it leaves me no chance to do anything about the car and i've been surviving off of the charity of others with rides and borrowing cars, which i HATE to have to do. also, someone owes me money, which would have been just enough for me to get a car tonight, but i missed out. so fuck the bastard that owes me money. and fuck everyone who thinks they know whats going on im my life. i didn't ask for my life to fall apart in the last couple of years. i didn't get rid of the aztek because i thought it would be neat to drive an '86 saab, they took the aztek because my parents and i couldn't pay for it anymore. the saab was the first running, driving car i found i could buy with the cash in my wallet: $500. and sure enough, it's cost me a lot more than that in the long run, but i couldn't help it. i'm dirt fucking poor. i didn't ask for this, i didn't plan this, and i didn't think i'd be 22, living with my father and a college failure. i didn't ask for this. i didn't want this. i'm tired of living like this. but what can i do but bitch and moan? It's not like it's changing any time soon. | | Thursday, February 19th, 2009 | | 3:30 pm |
Cryptic, but I just gotta say: load off my mind. | | Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 | | 5:34 am |
I realize mroe and mroe that my LJ is used very little, and often for venting. I don't see the venting stopping, nor do I see myself using it any more than I do now. I've had this account for about 5 years now. I've changed a lot in that time. I don't even talk to the person that had me set this up anymore. I still plan on using this from time to time, and of course reading everyones posts and commenting when I feel apropos, but I'm using Blogger for more...useful?...writing. Also, I'm able to control several blogs from one account over there, which is handy, and allows me to write about different things without stepping on each other. I guess this is like me being able to jsut talk, while that's about writing. really writing soemthing. Two perfectly useful tools, and i'm gonna use 'em both. | | Thursday, January 29th, 2009 | | 4:36 pm |
This:  Was Ulla one day this winter, the day after washing her. I washed her and then drove around the state. The roads were not kind to her exterior, salt wise. This was also the day that my washer fluid pump decided to stop working. I love my car. I actually washed Ulla at this gas station with the squeegee that you're supposed to only use on the windows. Oh well. | | Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 | | 11:01 am |
I'm watching coverage of the days events, and I must say, I'm content. Possibly, truly, for the first time in a while. I know that the simple act of Obama's inauguration doesn't fix everything, but it the starting point. Also, I must say, I'm watching Fox News coverage, because it's funny. Even they have to be nice today, and they certainly are. One thing that made me chuckle: "President George W. Bush and incoming president Barack H. Obama" I chuckle because his middle name was such as stupid talking point during the election, but now it';s just an initial. One thing that made me rage: The Marine band is playing, and when I tuned in, they were playing "Amazing Grace" by Frank Ticheli, which I'm sure most of you know, I despise. The man and the music, specifically Amazing Grace more than any other. Anyway, even ole' Franky can't ruin this day. | | Friday, January 9th, 2009 | | 12:48 am |
I'm trying to make myself into a composer. First things first, when people ask me what I do, I ell them I'm a composer. Yes, I know that I haven't gone through a composition major, haven't studied with composers, and have limited experience with it so far, but damnit, I'm a composer. If I say it enough, it'll have to be true. The thing is, I've considered myself an arranger. For a while, I made money on it in high school and early in college, but mostly for my own ensembles. Orchestration has never been an issue for me. In fact, I'm rather proud of these talents. Honestly, I think I've always been better suited to writing than being a true performer. I love playing, but I was never cut out for being a performance major. Blah blah blah, moving on. Anyway, I'm a composer. I'm working on several things right now, and only one fo them (a colleciton of three pieces) has a deadline. I'm doing ok, and I'm gonna make it, and it'll be awesome. Anyway, back to the point. I'm trying to be a composer. When I get back into school, it will be for composition, followed quickly by grad school for composition and/or conducting (my other musical love). I'm keeping a blog about the ins and outs of composing right now, and it can be read here: http://composedcomposer.blogspot.com/Feel free to read if you like. If you don't like the fact that I'm calling myself a composer, I apologize, but that's what I'm doing. Self-actualization. If I say it, it must be true. | | Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 | | 3:36 pm |
| | 1:36 pm |
Hey Thea, weren't we jsut talking about this (kinda)? http://www.tmz.com/2009/01/07/porn-kings-help-us-through-hard-times/I'm going to take the stance now that this is not an out and out joke (although it's entirely possible) and go out on a limb and say that this is meant as a political statement by Mr. Flynt (and to a lesser extent, Francis guy), not a genuine plea to the government. The reasons I'm assuming this is not a joke by TMZ: I want to be able to comment on/discuss this. If it's a joke, I can't do that. The reasons I'm assuming it's not a genuine bailout plea: Larry Flynt has made bank over the years, and he does more than just porn now. He owns a giant publishing company that, yes, does create and sell TONS of pron, but he also publishes a few non-skin rags, including fashion and computer related magazines, and many more. He also runs a casino, as well as several websites/paysites, and as we know, the internet is for pron. Aside from these profitable businesses, Mr. Flynt is not afraid to go up against the government, and has done so SEVERAL times, and has even run for political office. Joe Francis, the Girls Gone Wild guy, is a giant tool, but also has a rather ingenious business model. Take a nice camera, print up some cheap t-shirts, go where drunk girls are, and get them to take of their shirts. Take this small investment of time and money, sell the videos for $30 a pop, and sell thousands of copies at a time. And, since he's won in court a couple of times (and only lost that once...), he's getting cocky, and attaching himself to someone like Larry Flynt, whom may be a porn king, but a rather respected (eh...) one at that. Joe Francis's involvement in this is nothing more than a way to make himself seem more "legitimate" by being politically outraged. Now, what I actually think this is about (NOT that I necessarily agree): In the last couple of months, we've seen the government approve hundreds of billions of dollars in spending to put into businesses affected by the current recession our country is in. First, it was banking. Everyone knew the economy was bad and that people were defaulting on loans, etc and then Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were put into conservatorship, then Lehman Brothers folded, Bank of America bought Merrill Lynch, and then the government money started coming with the first loan to AIG for $85 billion. Then, eventually, the last two investment banks became bank holdings, and finally the $700 billion dollar financial bailout package was passed, and somewhere in there AIG got another $35 billion (something leik that). So, we're seeing that banks are getting big bucks from the government. Ok, there was a good case for that. The banks couldn't know that this would happen. And if the banks fail, everything pretty much goes to pot. So, give them money, banks stay alive. Cool. Not really/entirely the banks' fault anyway, so they deserve the help, and they're under government regulation now, so it's not all bad, tossing money around. And since the government is passing out blank checks, what about another ailing industry...the auto industry! Now, yes, I live in and love michigan, and I didn't want the auto industry to go under, however...the car companies are private companies, owned by stock holders, run by a board, and their business is affected by people buying things. People don't buy, they don't make money. Apparently, it's the governments job to keep companies from going bankrupt. So, after some Hustler and bustle, the auto industry gets some money pumped into it, with little more than a haphazard plan for turning things around, eventually. Well, since the government's handing out money to ailing businesses, why not the pornographers? In these tough times, who can afford the luxury of real, high quality airbrushed porn? No one! In this flaccid economy, people are turning to the wonders of the internet and the hard working amateurs with a video camera to pique their arousal. Just like the do-it-yourselfers who buried my father's construction business, these slutty couples are driving the porn industry hard and fast into a deep hole that they may never resurface from, forcing them to trim back the thicket of unrestrained eroticism and high standards built over years of court battles, semen, and celebrity photographs, to allow them the lifestyle they have grown accustomed to. If the government wont help these hard working smut peddlers of the first amendment, then who will, i ask you; who? Ok, obviously much of this was written kind of tongue-in-orifice, and I would never expect, or support, a bailout of the adult entertainment industry, the point is still in there. Again, I do not necessarily agree with the things I've typed, I simply believe this is the logic behind Larry Flynt taking the fight to Washington (should it be true, again, assuming it is, so I have somehting to type about). I know this is an old quote, and not entirely applicable to this situation, but I feel it is, especially when you consider that this isn't about the money. "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll fight to the death your right to say it." I just read through a number of articles online about the court battles of Larry Flynt, and even though they took each other to court, if Larry Flynt and Jerry Falwell could be amicable, he MUST have had a point, and that's good enough for me. | | Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 | | 10:24 pm |
Since I jsut realized I haven't posted about this (been more excited about the car), I feel it's time to let everyone know: I have a new computer. I've been without a computer proper since January. My iBook died, a laptop I had around decided to not work any more, I didn't have much money. So, I had a Powermac G3, but now way to get internet to it upstairs. Instead, I bought a PlayStatiin 3, and installed linux on it. The logic there was: All I can afford is a cheap computer anyway, and I wont be happy with a cheap computer, so I'll get this game console that I can use as a computer, video game system, and happens to be the cheapest blu-ray player on the market. It worked perfectly for it's purpose for several months, and is now being used for video games. I was able to finally get internet upstairs, and hooked up my 9 year old Powermac, which I was using until about a week ago. Then, I went to the store and bought an Acer Aspire One laptop. It's an ultra-portable/netbook with a 9" widescreen and an Intel Atom processor. It's nothing compared to the Sager I had with the desktop pentium 4 in a laptop case and a 17" screen, but it's small, light, has a good battery life, and does what I need/want. Besides, I have a PLaystation 3 for games. But, with it's 1gb of ram and 160gb hard drive, it's running Finale 2009, Adobe InDesign CS4, Adobe Photoshop CS4 (modified, not exactly full), Sony Acid Pro (7?), and Sony Sound Forge 9.0, all without issue. Go me, go new laptop. | | Monday, December 15th, 2008 | | 1:27 am |
Ok, i have to post agian because I don't think I expressed my true excitement... I'M SO FUCKING EXCITED ABOUT THESE TWO TAIL LIGHTS FOR MY CAR. THESE ARE FREAKIN DAMN PERFECT AND I COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE MORE EXCITED. | | 1:11 am |
I feel bad sometimes that I haven't updated my "Ulla Dance Again" blog in a long time, but...very little has happened. Sure, I never finished part two of the trip up north, I never talked about replacing the ignition coil with an MSD, I never mentioned the emblems that I replaced, taking 10 years off the age of her...but, nothing big enough to get me to type. But, Soon enough, I'll have plenty to write about again. In addition to the small things: -Trip north, part II -Ignition coil -Emblems -Power Antenna unit -MSD Coil wire (this coming week) I will soon have a few large things to talk about, including: -Bosal Rear Muffler (new on eBay, on it's way, bought at a discount) -Used, Matching tail lights (2 auctions, against a couple of bidders, won both in the last minute) -Shocks (this coming week) Hopefully, I'll be getting some more parts again soon. Right now, I'm watching an auction of one of the rarest Saab parts...a factory alarm unit with a working remote. All Saabs came from the factory wired up for an alarm...the sensor and switches all there, relays, etc...just buy the modual and it plugs into a wiring harness under the backseat, all set. It's fairly cheap, extremely rare, and would be awesome. haha. go me. Also, I'm hoping to buy a new grille soon, if I can find one in decent shape that isn't $200. | | Monday, December 1st, 2008 | | 5:36 pm |
Bored Meme
You know, I never do these, but I'm freakin bored. How much was gas when you started driving? It was like $1.00 when I got my permit, but it was $1.85 when my senior year,when I started driving on my own. Did you ever own a record player? Yup, Sony , 1970's vintage, with a Stanton cartridge. Was my grandfathers. Do you own any Oldies Music? Not really, no. late 70's is probably the oldest I really listen to, aside from musicals, classical, etc. Where did you go on your first date? Um...that's a good question. Maybe...friends house the summer she moved, but I dunno if that was a date...yeah...i dunno. Travis, no comment from you :) Did you own a pair of roller skates? Several. Wore them once, put them away, out grew them, bought new, tried again, repeat up to this past summer. Fell far too much. What was your first pet's name? Amadeus "Amo" Wolfgang, a German Shepherd/Mutt born a few weeks before I was. Where did you meet your best friend? Depends on which best friend (or, rather, when) -- Nick and Mike, 2004, freshman year of college, band. Before that, Kyle in 200...1?, locker next to mine, before that, Sean, 2nd grade. How old were you when you got your first car? 14 (and 11 months), 1987 Chevy Suburban, diesel, bought from family. Never buy from family. Then, the '94 Dodge Dakota when I was 15 (and 1 month). First one I bought myself, '76 Chevy Monte Carlo, 21 years old. First one I bought that got put on the road for daily use, '86 Saab 900 "Ulla" also at age 21. What was your first job? Sturgis Public Library, 14 years old, but I'd been working with my dad (contractor - got him tools) since 8 or so. What was your favorite food as a kid? Chicken. What was the first video game console you owned? NES, Mario Bros. III/Duck Hunt package. Who was your first sleepover with? Allen? Did you have a red wagon? nope. Did you ride the school bus? nope. dropped off every day. What do you miss most about your childhood? eh...fuck this question. Have you ever dyed your hair a weird color? Blonde highlights once. horrible idea. Where there any shows you were forbidden to watch as a kid? Not a thing. Watched MTV as early as I could remember, R rated movie soon after. Did your parents tell you the walking barefoot, up and down the mountain in the snow to school story? Only when making fun of my grandparetnts :) | | Thursday, November 27th, 2008 | | 3:04 pm |
Best. Float. Ever.
As seen on the Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends float in the Macy's parade: | | Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | | 3:46 pm |
So, I got a job. Pretty sure it's jsut holidays, but a job is a job, money is money, and in January, I may be heading off to another job anyway. Anyway, I got a job at Toys 'R' Us. Yay, discounts on toys and video games. And money. Also, I need to get my ass in gear and get moving quicker, but, I'm writing a piece of music for a play a friend of mine is writing, and I'm submitting a treatment of a film score to a director for consideration to be used in a student film. There are only a possible three other composers submitting treatments, so my chances are decent, and I'm sticking to a traditional film score style, orchestral work. Yay. Also, Ally and I found a car last week (Volvo) that we could have had for next to nothing, then, I also found another Saab 900 (little newer than mine, better shape, needs clutch) that would be PERFECT for me a second car..also dirt cheap. Saab sold, Volvo guy stopped responding to me. Oh well. Cars come and go, and the next one will be along anytime, i'm sure. | | Thursday, November 13th, 2008 | | 1:18 am |
I am SO excited. This is the first SAAB commercial I've ever seen on tv...normally, GM does such a shitty job advertising for SAAB that they basically don't bother. Anyway, I love my SAAB, and I love the new SAAB's (although, I think I like the older ones more...), and I don't want the brand to die out due to the poor auto industry and GM's lack of attention to the brand. | | Saturday, November 8th, 2008 | | 6:12 pm |
I fucking LOVE Laser tag. That is all. Well, ok, not all. Also an announcement: The Albion College chapters of Sigma Alpha Iota and Phi Mu Alpha will be putting on a joint concert this coming Monday night at...8? I have two jazz combo pieces that will be played, one for the first time ever, and the other for only the second time. While I realize that they are fairly basic and far from polished, I am extremely excited and proud of them. I will be playing on both of them, but a different instrument on each. Come out and hear them while supporting the music organizations. The biggest thing that excites me about this is that I will finally have a documented performance of something I've written, and I can turn in the ASCAP member application. I'm applying because I'm starting to write more and more, and looking to actually turn this into a career. Whenever I make it back to school, i'm studying composition if at all possible. ASCAP will help me to protect and copyright my stuff, aide in legally arranging works, give me some clout in the business (by having ASCAP next to my name), and because I'm applying as both a writer and publisher (self published), I only ever have to deal with myself. Someone wants to buy soemthing I've written, they contact me, send me money, and I print it and mail it out. Hooray. | | Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 | | 2:30 pm |
heads up to everyne: Current listing on instruments for sale will be listed here, as well as several other places...this is kinda my first stop, jsut because it's pretty informal, so i can workshop it here, and then publish a full list elsewhere Current listings: 1925 Conn New Wonder Alto, restored, refinished, right there with the best vintage pro horns, includes Selmer chesterfield zippered case. $1000 or best offer 1941 Martin Handcraft Tenor, original, mint condition. Plays and looks as if it jsut left the factory, with original case. must play to believe. $1900 or best offer Gallien-Krueger MB150 Microbass amp, 150 watts, great for jazz and small venue gigs. Works liek new, slight scuffing on sheet metal casing. $500 or best offer. Behringer Ultrabass 1800BXL bass amp, looks and works jsut liek new, built in EQ. $200 or best offer. | | Sunday, October 5th, 2008 | | 8:07 pm |
RE: The "grab the nearest book" thing Since most of my books are packed up in a box somewhere still, the only books in my room are a bartending guide and a book on bar/club architecture. hmm... Notice a theme? | | Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 | | 2:03 am |
*DISCLAIMER* Herein contains much geek talk about musical instruments, including ridiculous and obscure info about dates, models, serial numbers, etc. you have been warned. So, aside from the little I've done in the past for friends and family, and my own collection, I'm officially starting up an instrument brokerage service. Over the summer, Lauren Stout gave me a heads about someone looking to sell a couple of saxophones, and last wednesday, I finally got an email from them, asking if they could stop by here in Albion on their way to Ann Arbor, so I gladly accepted. Friday afternoon, they stopped by, and an elderly gentleman knocked on my door, and I followed him out to his minivan to see the 3 altos and 1 tenor they were hoping I could sell for them, which as it turns out all belonged to his father, a professional musician, who passed away in 2001. These intruments ended up under his and his wifes bed until this past week. I was truly speechless about the instruments when he started opening cases. First off, in order of least ridiculous/confusing: a 1941 Martin Handcraft tenor, in truly 100% mint condition, and it plays like it, too. Not a single mark. Nothing. A nearly 70 year old horn, jsut the way it would have come from the factory. Currently, Dave is taking a look at this horn, and practically creamed himself when he started playing it, and so did I. It truly plays as good as or better than the day it was new, without a question. Secondly, a 1981 Selmer Paris SA80 (series I) alto. Again, fantastic condition, looks as if it were bought and placed in a closet. Original price tag was still on the case even. 27 year old horn in mint condition is pretty special on it's own, but to add to the mystique, the serial number is 1 year before Selmer stopped production of the Mark VII saxes, which is one year prior to the earliest known serial number on a SA80 alto. I'm going to be getting out a set of micrometers and the designs for the Mark VI alto, because there are rumors that early production SA80's are actually built on Mark VI tooling...not to say i believe it, but it would be cool if it was, and would indicate pre-production, prototype. So far, I'm sure you've noticed that these horns are all pretty much the most well cared for pieces of equipment in existence, and the next alto is no exception. The 1969 Conn 6M is in just as fantastic of condition as either of the first two, in a Selmer Chesterfield zippered case in just as good of condition. However, instead of simply being in mint condition, and dated to 1969 by the serial number, making it one of the last Conn's built in Elkhart, IN before being moved to Nogales, AZ. this alto has a few unique features. First off, it has wire keyguards instead of sheet metal, which were phased out in 1963. This in and of itself is nothing spectacular, as they still occasionally showed up until production was moved to the AZ factory, but still fairly rare. However, the alto has a working microtuner neck (a Conn invention from the 1930's that was always the first thing to stop working) which was discontinued in 1955. And yet again, another option on this alto, rolled tone holes, were discontinued shortly after WWII, in 1948. The only explanation I can come up with, especially considering the complete lack of model designation engraved on the horn (6M designation is inferred from being clearly a professional level horn with unique options and being high quality), is that this horn was custom optioned from Conn in 1969 by someone who knew exactly what they wanted. Lastly, not quite as long of a story, but still pretty interesting and unique is the "very old" Conn alto. There is no model stamped/engraved anywhere, and no patent information either. The serial number dates it to 1903 (explaining the lack of patent info that started in 1914). The engraving says Conn USA, with stars shooting from the top of it (the "shooting star" logo) on the bell, which indicates the 14M "Director Model", or student model. However, the lacquer, which is the same on the body and keys (not an option on the director model) has "honeyed" or aged to a deep, rich color, matching the age as indicated by the serial number (the older it is, the darker the finish). The keywork and sheet metal keyguards (standard on Director models) as well as the bell keys being on the same side (not available on a horn in 1903, originally a Selmer convention starting in the 40's) all fit with the Director Model, which started production in roughly 1955, except for one oddity: the alternate/side F# key is in a strange place, s a single lever on the side of the lower stack keys, not on the back of the tube, as was standard on the 14M Director Model. I honestly can't figure this horn out, because it's also very obvious that it is built like any professional Conn ever, and plays like it, too. there is nothing "student" about this horn. I'm Contacting Conn-Selmer about a couple of these horns, mostly the 1969 Conn, which may have been a custom order, and the "very old" Conn, which may be a prototype, or is at least an oddity. The Selmer Paris sax I may tell them about, too, because it is interesting, but...I'm buying it for myself instead of selling it to someone else. Now, I know I don't have any money, but don't worry aobut that. I've been playing this alto against my Yamaha 62, and the Selmer is hands down a better fit for me, and a definite upgrade for my playing. I love my Yamaha, but I never planned to stay on it forever, as I had planned to move up to a Yamaha EX at some point, but this alto plays above and beyond anything else I have ever played, and I have a chance to purchase it, and I'd be a fool to pass it up. Kyle, if you read through this, this is what I wanted to tell you about this weekend, but I didn't know even half of this at that point. I'd like to hear what you think about some of these oddities. If anyone is looking to buy or sell an instrument, I hope that you'll stop and consider giving me the chance to sell for you, or find you the right instrument for yourself, or friends or family. I know I can sell and sell quickly, and for a fair price, and as soon as I sell these rare, fantastic horns, I'll be able to put my name on the map. |
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