shout.at.the.devil

I was going to write a response, but it got so lon...

2010-02-02T14:55:35.577-06:00

I was going to write a response, but it got so long that I will just use it for the material of my next blog! Haha.

I mean, I kinda knew what you meant and it fit wit...

2010-02-02T13:28:13.232-06:00

I mean, I kinda knew what you meant and it fit with the whole theme of the article (nice job, btw). I was just curious what you thought about it all. And I was totally going to "convert" you. :)

Well, I was raised Catholic, so nothing from Chris...

2010-02-02T13:23:36.785-06:00

Well, I was raised Catholic, so nothing from Christianity seems crazy to me. But if you think about the mystical aspect of it, like demons, and the purgatory, and the sea opening in two, and god giving some stones to Moses in a mountain, and many many other things, it started to sound like a good fictional story. Christians in general are not "crazy", and most of my family, and some friends are Christians and are not crazy. Perhaps I didn't use the right term, maybe I should have said "fantastical"?

I see your point, and I agree that evolution is a ...

2010-02-02T13:14:47.060-06:00

I see your point, and I agree that evolution is a valid and widely accepted scientific theory. I think it should be taught in schools as such. My only suggestion is that you don't let certain crazies represent Christianity. They don't. And you are right that these types of people are a minority in that I've never known a Christian that disagreed with evolution. Evolution in no way disproves the existence of God, so I share your frustration. It's the same frustration I get when people bomb abortion clinics and whatnot. But you implied that you think Christianity is crazy? I don't really see what's so crazy about it, though I will admit my bias since I am a Christian. I'd love to discuss

It's true. I know it's just recreational, but when...

2010-01-19T18:29:15.770-06:00

It's true. I know it's just recreational, but when I see someone spending too much time in such games it bothers me a little. I'd rather see them play Grand Thieve Auto or something. I know I don't really have a good reason to be bothered. Then again, you should never take me too seriously. Half of my rant is written jokingly.

But you're so right about the metronome. People don't know how important it is. Every time I sat down to play guitar, I used my old school metronome. People can't understand how important rhythm is.

Thanks for your comment.

Well, I like the Guitar Hero thing though I only p...

2010-01-19T18:09:29.240-06:00

Well, I like the Guitar Hero thing though I only play it ocassionaly, and just as non-intelectual entertainment thing (just like watching tv or spending hours online, for example). Although it is in fact a waste of time, I find it useful for guitar players so they get more familiar with the concept of time, since unfortunately, many guitarrists (and musicians in general) have never and will never play along a metronome or a click in their lives.

The first time I played the game I played it with some other musicians that have never played it before. Surprisingly, it wasn't the guitar player who did best (and I won't even mention how the singer did), but it was the bassist and the drummer (myself) who were able to score higher. It was funny to see how the 2 of us were tapping our feet while trying to "play" the song, so to be able to know where we were in it, because in order to score points you have the play the right button at the right time.

I have also seen people who've never played an instrument in the past but bought a guitar and started playing and taking classes etc. after getting hooked by the Guitar Hero game. I'm sure most of them will play for few months and then hide it in the closet, but that's what happens most often with guitars anyway. Or how many people bought a guitar to impress that girl and never played ever again?

Overall, I agree with your main point, but you have to remember it is just a game and not a resource to aspiring musicians.

Cesar: Nailed it, here. I have a 13 year old wh...

2010-01-19T14:06:46.713-06:00

Cesar:

Nailed it, here. I have a 13 year old who lives 'under someone else's roof' and who lacks the supervision (aka LOVE) to steer him clear of endless hours at video games like this. It's one of those things I can't control, yet must do damage control on the times I have him with me.

I don't want to be the cane-wielding cynic either, shouting that "those games'll rot yer mind!" But if I'd not seen firsthand effects (laziness, lack of focus) I wouldn't bother mentioning it here. Loved your point about the FEELING of practicing something redeeming. As an electronic musician myself, I know what it feels like to persevere, endure suckdom, and then perform at a level where you say, "DAMN, that actually was fucking cool."

A neighbor of mine who has twin 14 year old boys bemoans the same thing about the "dead end" games. "They have NO USABLE SKILLS," he complains, as they build virtual mansions, buy virtual fleets of Rolls Royces, and assemble rollercoasters in the Internet Playverse. "It's making me insane and there's no end to it."

Thanks for pumping more truth out there. Maybe you'll stretch beyond your magazine crowd! I'll def. retweet, etc.

Cheers.
JT

Well, let's see. I think MySpace, Facebook, Twitte...

2010-01-13T14:43:25.481-06:00

Well, let's see. I think MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, etc, etc, etc, they all have it. Of course, you want to use the one that most of your friends use and with more potential to meet more cool people. Twitter is a bit different, because it is all about mundane stuff, for the most part, but I think through the mundane stuff you can actually get to know a bit better people. On the "regular" social sites, I think they are what you make of them. What I mention on my blog is that it seems that because of the format, everything is done via status updates, so the great conversations that used to happen, don't happen anymore.

When I talk about "taking the first step", I was referring to the real world. I never said I would not take the first step. Actually, if I meet someone who I find interesting, I am waste no time in taking the first, or second step. But if after doing so, the person shows no interest, no effort to maintain the connection, then I won't bother. I've been guilty of this myself, weather because I've been depressed, or any other issue that usually makes me isolate myself. But when I have finally came out of my cave, I let the people know that I am still interested. It's not that I won't invite someone to have coffee, or any other social activity. I have, and I will, and this have ended in disappointment most of the time.

The coffee line is just a way to say that you will never really get to know who I am by just reading my profile, so maybe we should get together and talk so you can have a better idea and can at least have a conversation.

Instant gratification hits the nail on the head......

2010-01-13T12:49:11.290-06:00

Instant gratification hits the nail on the head...pardon the trite expression. I'm guilty of moving on the moment it becomes uninteresting to me. Myspace...had it (have it) don't use it. Twittered for awhile too but then it faded into mundane crap that I really didn't give a shit about- and Facebook is just a virtual yearbook in my opinion...reserved mostly for those you think you "really" know-
Bottom line...it's a big world full of all sorts of people and it's up to you to make the first move. If the connection is there it will be evident. Yes even online in my humble opinion. Though TRUE face to face is a rarity anymore- at least from my experience. It's easier for people to hide behind profiles and pictures instead of facing the enigma of real human nature- So yes thumbs up to you for recognizing the issue you have and for at least attempting to try and understand it. People like me who mostly hide behind the mask of typed words perhaps wish for the real interaction but have grown accustomed to this new reality that it's far easier to continue in the same manner...I doubt you've lost your mojo- but maybe it's time for you to invite someone out for coffee instead of checking your inbox. And by the way, Ive already taken my own advice- Great blog Mr. C-

saw your CD at Soundwaves, complete with a glowing...

2009-07-27T07:54:21.676-05:00

saw your CD at Soundwaves, complete with a glowing review!!!

btw, the Groom is hotter than the bride... but then again, I'm gay, so I'm biased

keep on rockin

Patton

I say potato, you say potato :)

2009-06-01T21:58:03.649-05:00

I say potato, you say potato :)

I say hello..you say goodbye :)

2009-06-01T20:52:35.462-05:00

I say hello..you say goodbye :)

Not a bad idea...accumulation! ;p

2009-05-29T11:21:25.617-05:00

Not a bad idea...accumulation! ;p

That auto DM thing really caught me off guard when...

2009-05-04T16:22:48.797-05:00

That auto DM thing really caught me off guard when I first joined Twitter. I'd get a DM thanking me for following and I'd reply to the DM with what I thought was an engaging comment or a question only to get dead air in return. When I finally figured that they were, indeed, automated my attitude toward people who relied on them changed to Screw You - if you can't reply yourself, don't do it at all.

Otherwise, I think Twiter is fairly forgiving in terms of learning how to interact with folks, which makes it a cool place to hang out.

I've never used Twitter, but I love your blog.

2009-05-01T14:13:55.231-05:00

I've never used Twitter, but I love your blog.

I guess in my month or so on titter, I've come to ...

2009-04-30T17:55:48.129-05:00

I guess in my month or so on titter, I've come to largely the same opinions. I used to feel guilty for not thanking everyone for following, or I should dm everyone that follows me, that got old fast. Now I feel I should just jump in when I see someone posting something I find useful or interesting. Now and then I post a link to 1 of my songs, but at least I'm offering a free download. I wouldn't do this all day long, as that would get old as well. I'd rather be respected or at least thought of as interesting and human than just getting a bund of robots to check out my music site and then forget about me. As far as retweeting, I will do it as a favor if it's someone whom I'm trying to help out, or if it's simply a cool tweet that I too want to pass along. But I can't imagine retweeting tons of stuff, willy nilly. My 2 cents.

I like black iPod's a little bit better :)

2009-04-27T16:26:24.090-05:00

I like black iPod's a little bit better :)

My IPOD is black.

2009-04-27T13:17:28.165-05:00

My IPOD is black.

you know what i remember my dad telling me about t...

2009-04-27T03:17:05.096-05:00

you know what i remember my dad telling me about the DMC Xclef HD-500 a few years ago,and i remember being a jerk telling him he should buy something else..and i think he did....creo que una consola oh algo de para el estudio.Anyways ipods do suck,ive got a zune the real old one,its not great but ive had it for 4years now i think,and all my friends ipods have gotten broken.Everytime i use it,everyone is like "What the fuck is that huge thing" im like "fuck you" and thats it lol other than that AWESOME BLOG!!! :)

good article - lots of good points. the only reaso...

2009-04-26T23:42:09.179-05:00

good article - lots of good points.
the only reason I have an iPod, is it's the largest mp3/media player available with audiobook support the way I like it. If the zune (which is better in every way) could handle an audiobook as one solid file - I'd go back