Finding a band is hard

That would be a new band. The band I was in, I am no longer in. Basically, there was a disagreement about how things would be done, and we mutually decided that I'd leave the band. On a personal level, I still talk with those guys (they're also who I run sound for on Thursday nights) so it's still cool, but I'd like to find one of my own to play in.
About a month ago, I started working on that. I figured that I'd play guitar and sing about half of what was done in a night. I'm not a great singer, but I get by. I just have to make sure I stay in my range. I placed a couple of ads out, and right away I found a bass player. This was huge because bassist are just about the hardest members to find. Guitarists are a dime a dozen, bassists are hard to find because most people wanting to get into music don't think of that part of the rhythm section first. Usually, if they can't play anything, they'll go to guitar or drums, or just be a singer. Half of bassists are failed guitarists (I have no idea if this number is accurate, I just pulled something out of spaced). Next I needed a lead guitarist and a drummer, I had about 15 responses to my ad, but only a couple of follow ups, after some time, it turned into bringing one of each to my place to try them out, and well, I wasn't impressed. Then the bassist called me and said he wouldn't have time to do this now. So I was back a square one. Part of my problem is that I'm pretty specific in what I'm looking for, and that would be fine if I was patient, but I'm not. The last time I tried this, it took me 6 months to find a band. I had jammed with a couple before, but none ever called me back. At that point, I was ready to give up on guitar and go to drums so I could find a different avenue of playing. (Turns out I'm not a bad drummer, considering I drum like a guitarist - musicians will know what that means) So after a couple of weeks of figuring it would never happen, I'm taking a more low key approach. I'm responding to ads I see out there, so far only two and see what happens. One of them was to a band that plays in a lot of biker bars which means having to do those "standard" songs like "Brown Eyed Girl" or "Mustang Sally" or "Play the Funky Music" or "Sweet Home Alabama" Some of those are OK, but the thought of that makes me cringe. On the other hand, I just want to play so I'll have to make some major concessions to do that, we'll see if I survive.

Star Wars

I'm sure most of you have already seen it, or if you haven't are still waiting for the crowds to die down, but eagerly anticipating it, or are sick of the talk and never liked it to begin with (what kind of sick person are you? ; ) Anyway, I went to see it again this morning. Yes I woke up early to make it the the 8:55 showing, and damn! it's still good. Like every Star Wars (including Episode IV-VI) it drags a bit, but Lucas isn't known for his pacing, dialogue, or direction (which is literally "faster and more intense") It's still Star Wars, and it still rocks. I won't spoil anything for those who wish to see it, but haven't (that's like 1 or 2 that I know that would be here), but the battles are incredible and the moral is "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." And I wish they'd stop calling him Ani. Of course, could you imagine Jar Jar figuring stuff out, and saying hello Ani to Vader in the Imperial Senate? That scene should have been added into the end!!
In other movie news, the new Batman looks really good. Bruce Wayne is a seriously screwed up individual, and this seems to reflect that. The first Tim Burton and Michael Keaton movie is my favorite, but if they do it right, Begins should rank right up there. It'll also be a nice redemption from those steaming piles buffalo crap that Joel Schumacher made. I mean they put nipples on the uniform!! What the hell for? And "chicks dig the car"?!?!?!? Those movies, at best, are fluff and make a mockery out of even the TV series, which was silly. The one time that I saw each one was more than enough. I won't even touch Catwoman w/ Halle Berry since it, from what I understand, has nothing to do with Batman.
The new Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe looks interesting. I just can't remember anything from the book. Granted it was about 18 years ago that I last read it (or had it read to me), but I would think something in the preview would jog my memory. If I actually read (an average sized book takes me about 8 months to read), I might consider re-reading it before it came out, but there's just not enough time. They're probably trying to shape this one up as the next Lord of The Rings-type series, though I haven't heard if they're doing more.

Welcome to Zombietown

It's days like this that I wish I didn't revile coffee so much. Sure, soda's got caffeine in it too, but from what I've heard about coffee from the coffee cult, it's great for kickstarting your day. Trouble is, it tastes like dirt mixed in warm water. Add sugar and cream, and it still sucks.
So I'm working off of four hours of sleep and a diet Pepsi. Why? I am the sound engineer/backline/dj/roadie for a local cover band. They had a gig last night at a bar/restaurant called the Blue Agave in Scottsdale (they're there for the next four Thursday nights if anyone is interested in coming out). I use my equipment and some of theirs to get a PA running and then I run the soundboard. I'm getting the hang of it fairly quickly given that I've only done it once before. Didn't have the ear-piercing feedback this time which is a sign of progress.
Anyway, doing the gig is the fun part. Loading all the crap back into the truck and then driving home for 45 minutes, and taking it out of the truck is what has landed me here. But I'm not complaining, ok, maybe I am, but I'm tired and I don't know what I'm talking about.

Comments

I've become aware that you couldn't comment w/o being a blogspot member. I fixed that you can comment anonymously. Now I expect comments from the Viagra people to show up any day now.

In-Car toilet

Yeah, I know what you're thinking, just what we need, some asshole, taking a dump going down the freeway at 90 mph, on his cell phone, watching an in-car DVD, with the top down of his BMW.

Turns out, it's like a personal, portable, port-o-john. Though I wouldn't put it past someone to use it while driving.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4578895.stm

27 hour cycle

Oh, you may wonder what this means. It means that if I were to sleep a natural sleep cycle and wake up, I'd sleep for 9 hours and be awake for 18. 27 hours. I found this out when I was out of work for 6 months, and I got tired later and later in the day until I was sleeping to about 3 PM and going to bed around 6 AM. I figured I should try to work on a 24 hour cycle, but that means I'll be sleepy for the rest of my life. Probably why I rear-ended somebody a couple weeks ago. Fortunately for my insurance, and them, they were OK and their van was fine. Mine on the other hand has a dent in the hood that needs to be massaged out, but I can't claim it because I just had a claim where some maniac hit me on the freeway last month and cracked my fender. That had to be replaced, and since it was a hit and run, I was left with the $500 deductible.

First post

Greetings, welcome to my blog. That's something I never thought I'd say. I've been feeling pretty crappy lately and some say this whole writing thing is cathartic, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Just a fair word of warning, I complain a lot, but if you know my friend @ www.sassybrat.net then I won't seem so bad! ; ) (sorry K, had to get that shot in there, and no I won't call you Sassy).
No idea where to begin. Little background: I hate everything except the stuff I like! Whatever the hell that means. I love music, I hate rap and country. I love sports, I hate golf. I'll leave it at that.