Inside a broken clock...

allhandsondec @ 2009-05-22T02:12:00

2009-05-22T06:12:53Z

So as soon as I posted the last update, I was contacted by a Fishbot. It was pretty funny so I want to see if it happens again.

allhandsondec @ 2009-05-22T01:34:00

2009-05-22T05:43:02Z

I will start writing in this thing regularly again soon. Probably June 1. I'd like to keep a record of what my life is like so that some day I can look back and feel lucky that I'm fuckin awesome.

I can't seem to keep up with this thing

2009-05-06T20:40:37Z

Maybe I'll start writing on this again soon. Summer is coming up again...

Well, I reckon it's been long enough

2008-08-10T06:53:10Z

Oh, where to begin?

I guess its sufficiently uncool and ironic to have a livejournal at this point.  It's like dancing like a moron now to song you hated in the 90's. I suppose that as long as I have an account, I might as well update it biannually. Besides, I'm sort of in a mood to write.

What's new? I suppose I'll work backwards. Tonight I stopped by Mike's house, and was surprised to see the truck in sealer. To clarify for those of you who either only marginally interested in my life and/or the automotive illiterate: "the truck" is a 1954 GMC pickup that some friends of mine are restoring with the occasional help of yours truly. It started as a rusted nightmare but after a few summers of work, it's now mostly in sealer. Sealer is kind of like an epoxy paint that goes on before the primer.

Anyway, I digress. It was kind of a trip to see the truck all glossy and white after looking at it in such a miserable state for so long. Excellent way to end my evening.

This evening capped off a day of doing almost absolutely nothing. I do that once or twice a week lately, and it sort of sucks. I ate a lot of pizza, though, which I suppose makes up for it.

This entry could go in so many different directions. I'm in kind of a shitty mood for no reason and I'm not really tired despite it being nearly 2 AM, on possibly account of aformentioned inactivity.
Well... I'll start with my favoite topic. I've been with Jessie for almost a year and a half now. That's like 1/13 of my life or something. Probably the best 1/13th so far.

I'm going back to school shortly. Although 'going back to school' for me doesn't mean a whole lot. I'll be in class for 16 hours a week and eating bad cafeteria food more often, but I can't imagine that life will feel much different. I need to meet new people I think, but that is kind of difficult as I'm both a commuter student  and an asshole.

Been listening to a lot of Grateful Dead lately, which is odd when you factor the amount of pot I don't smoke into the equation.

Also, lots of early Tom Waits continues to show up on the playlist. I think Nighthawks is probably my favorite album of his after Raindogs. I want to get some more stuff from the Tropicana years... kind of that transitional period where he was still a drunk but getting into darker music, rather than the outright absurdity that started with Swordfishtrombones.

I suppose the short discourse on music would lead me to my latest endeavours in the field. I'm buiding a pair of guitars. The construction would be most similar to a Les Paul Jr double cutaway, with a few added features and exotic woods. The neck is bumped back in the pocket to allow complete access to all frets (without touching the body at all), and mated with a long neck tenon for neck-thru-like sustain and stability. Purpleheart/spalted maple top, northern ash back, bloodwood fretboard, jumbo frets, gold hardware (including matching straplocks), tune-o-matic bridge, etc. I'm working with a luthier up in Hilton by the name of Mark Keane. He's pretty cool, definitely a veteran of Rochester music, going into his 4th decade in the business. I'm learning a lot and enjoying the hell out of it too.

To top it off, unlike my unrealized hot-rod pipe dreams, this seems like something I could reasonably do on my own for a budget that wouldn't rule out expenses like food, running water, et al. I could probably get a full shop set up for $2000 if I spent it wisely and bought major power tools used (drill press, jointer, table saw, planer...) I want to get another year or 2 of experience under my belt and maybe 3 or 4 more builds, but I think it would be cool to get certified to do warranty repairs and shit like that.

I'm considering trying to wind my own pickups for these builds, too. My total budget for the pair of guitars is looking like about 500 bucks. That's 160 for wood, 250ish for hardware, and another 90ish in tools, misc parts, finishing, gas, etc.   I know for sure I'm going to keep one of the guitars, but I'd be really happy if I could sell the other for 800-ish... which still is less than an 'entry level' (read: crappy) Gibson.

After I finish these I have my next 2 already planned out. Is that bad?

Other notes on music (I am not acknowledging the inadvertant pun)- Local scene blows currently. There is nowhere to play- all the DIY venues are closed, nobody books churches any more, and the concert halls are full of gym-shorts wearing ninja jackoffs with bad hair. The only way to get out and play with any regularity is to join a crappy metalcore band. I'd rather not play out.
All the local bands I liked broke up, moved away, broke up and moved away, or are generally inactive but still technically together. It sucks. I've been trying to start something new up with Ian and Ryan... we got this guy Tom from Salem to play drums. Jessie found him on craigslist. He turned out to be pretty cool, we hung out at his place last night. Not sure if the band is going anywhere but it's still fun.

Ehhh... what else is new?

I've continued teaching. I kind of have my foot in the door at Jammers, though I'm only teaching one lesson a week over there. I have a couple students who come to the house every week... It's a nice little tax-free extra income. Someday, I may even be able to afford to move out of my mother's house.
Still teaching for Gates-Chili, too. There was an article on my class in the Democrat and Chronicle this June, a couple days after my birthday. The next session start in mid September, so we'll see if the media coverage will help pique the public's interest in the class.

I'm just realizing now how long it's been since I last wrote... Jessie got a puppy and it grew up. She got Lili in early April and it's now early August. She's adorable but definitely a handful. She reaffirms my belief that I should not have children... my fatherly provider/caretaker instincts stop somewhere between houseplants and goldfish.

She got a new job too, and is going back to school. All in all, she's had a much more eventful 8 months. My comments on my own life are really just a way of saying "same old shit" that makes me feel 'accomplished' and 'dynamic'.

Uh... I turned 19. I can legally drink in Canada, but would rather drink illegally here.

Summer's almost over and I'm kind of depressed about it. I didn't get to do much travelling outside of an overnight trip to Toronto to see Leonard Cohen back in June. The tickets were a birthday present from my mom. It was awesome, but it was still only one night.
I didn't get a full time job like I wanted. I guess I'll look earlier next year. I need to make at least 3 grand on top of what I already make in a year if I ever want to get a place... the financial scenario I described would be a 4 bedroom house with 4 other people. 3000 over the course of 10 weeks is 300 bucks a week after taxes, which works out to be a lot of work. I guess I'll do it next summer.

It's kind of sad how everything seems to come back to money. I'm sure everyone reaches this conclusion at some point... it sucks. I suppose I'll get by, I just need to find a career I can live with once I'm done with school that ensures I will be well-off later on.

Maybe I'll keep up with this thing next time. One can never be too certain of such things.

allhandsondec @ 2007-12-12T00:28:00

2007-12-12T05:35:48Z

I gotta start my MUR 125 paper. Blaggh.

Last day of classes tomorow. Jes starts her new job tomorow. I'm getting 30 hours a week for the next month. Cool.

Basement is done.

allhandsondec @ 2007-12-10T13:06:00

2007-12-10T18:29:30Z

Been busy. Basement has been re-done. Just needs a little more paint (tonight) and a tv (soon).

Recording my first radio show, All Hands on Dec, on friday... if all goes well, the recording will air at some point, I'll be doing a show on 88.5 on a weekly basis.

Here's the playlist

The Gunshy - Reason to Retreat
Tom Waits - Jockey Full of Bourbon
The Pixies - I Can't Forget (cover)
Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
Captain Beefheart - She's Too Much for My Mirror
Make Believe - Television Cemetery
Mercury Radio Theater - We Put the "Fun" Back in "Funeral"
Hella - In the Meantime, In Between Time
Skeletonbreath - Do the Lazy Rabbit
Mothers of Invention - Motherly Love
Microphones - You'll Be in the Air
Devendra Banhart - Heard Somebody Say
Leonard Cohen - Bird on the Wire
Big Star - Life is White
Fire When Ready - The Clever Facade
Calibretto - Bleeding on the Floor
Jeff Buckley - Nightmares by the Sea

allhandsondec @ 2007-11-25T21:15:00

2007-11-26T03:16:14Z

This weekend was cool. I got up really early on friday to spend the whole day with Jes. She came over that night and stuck around til Sunday morning. We just kinda relaxed, ate good food, and watched movies. Even though she was sick, I had a great time. Hope plans for an apartment this summer work out!

Anyway, she left this morning. I headed over to Mike's, worked on his ceiling for a while, then went to Ian's, from where I've just returned home.

I've been more and more into music lately. These last couple months, I feel like I've learned a lot more about it-- both playing and listening to it, and the way I relate to it-- than I have in a really long time. I haven't written much music or lyrics since around the beginning of this year, when I was going through a really dark time in my life, but recently I've gone back to it.

It's a different animal now, though. My old songs had a sort of claustrophobic resignment to them, which was something I was fairly happy with, but they were immature. It was never something I'd feel comfortable presenting to any sort of audience. I worked on one of them with Timave briefly but I just wasn't ready to finish it yet, I guess. Since I've gone back and worked more on my writing, I've been a lot more content with the way things are coming out.

Another part of it is that I've spent a lot of time lately in the basement of the library at school teaching myself more complicated theory and harmony. I've had a much easier time of making music to go behind these words now that I understand how it all fits together. I was pretty solid on my guitar theory before, but I'm getting into counterpoint and more interesting jazz stuff that challenges me a little bit more. I love theory because everything is connected-- it's like the musical concepts exist in their own little world where everything is connected to everything else whether you know it or not. Putting those connections to work in a positive way is something that not only gives you a new way to create and analyze music, but also illustrates an interesting concept of existence which translates somewhat well into philosophy.

Which of course, gives me something else to rant about. I bought Jes a copy of Kurt Cobain's diaries the other day. There were only ever a couple of Nirvana songs I could get into or take seriously, but he seemed like a decent writer from what was in the journals. Some of the stuff he wrote was interesting, but there was a short entry in there about how it's a horrible idea for musicians to learn theory because it restricts natural artistic impulses.

It's a fairly common sentiment among gigging musicians, especially those who don't know theory but have still acheived some measure of success. I know my last rant was about how we've got another musical generation who has no idea what they're doing, but this one irked me almost as much. I can't stand it when people advocate ignorance over familiarity with what you do.

But back to the idea of music I brought up before.  I was arguing with Ryan the other night, and he asked me to tell him the difference between what I thought was "good" and "bad" music. I told him it was like pornography- I know it when I see it. But I realized that what I think is good has changed a lot since I was 14 and all about Cattle Decapitation.

I guess I've changed, and I'll always be changing? I don't really know if I can chalk it up to getting older or if it's just a part of who I am.  A good example- I never go to shows any more... it just doesn't really do anything for me unless it's a band I really want to see. I used to go to one every week, sometimes more. Some of the music I used to listen to constantly is now just sort of "there" on my playlist. Some stuff I never thought twice about in the past is a big deal to me now. What it comes down to is that the albums that actually meant something will stick around, and the ones that didn't... well... they didn't. Rant on "good" vs "bad" music to follow.

Anyway, back to what I said about last year's writing. I've been a lot happier with life in general this year. I'm really stoked that everything seems to be working out again. I think I'm going to do an EP in February of songs I've been working on for the last year or so. Jes is going on a cruise for a week... it will be the longest time we've spent apart since we've been dating. Hopefully I can turn that loneliness into a positive when I go to put everything on tape. Time will tell, I guess.

allhandsondec @ 2007-11-20T21:13:00

2007-11-21T03:06:50Z

Thoughts for today...

There have been a proliferation in recent years of 'techy' metalcore bands (Into the Moat, et al), based partially in the "tech death" genre that came before it (Necrophagist, Decapitated, etc). It's cool to see kids embracing instrumental skill as a part of musical expression. For a few years with emo and nu-metal dominating the counterculture, musical expansion was all but ignored. Ryan mentioned recently how funny it is that in 2003, you'd go to a show and see all of the guitar players hang their instrument somewhere near their knees a la Tom Delonge, but now all of the metalcore guys play it just under their chin, like Link Wray.

I got to thinking, though, that maybe all this technicality is starting to eclipse musicality.

Example: For the thrash bands of the 90's, big heavy riffs would cause the crowd to go crazy, like at the end of Pantera's "Domination". Though simple, they were usually memorable.

Early hardcore bands like Gorilla Biscuits relied heavily on "breakdowns" to bring structure to otherwise insanely paced songs. The breakdown became an integral part of live performances because of the catchy rhythms played on the tom's and snare, sing-along parts, and slower, dance-able tempo.

Heavy metal riffs have since eclipsed old-school breakdowns in hardcore music throughout the last 15 years, and in this latest decade, the "breakdown" has become a fixture of the metalcore sound. Ironically fearing redundancy, many modern metalcore musicians have created more technical breakdowns in recent years, straying away from minor-scale harmony and 4/4 or 6/8 time signatures. These excursions into chromaticism and off-time, off-tempo rhythms are respected within the community for their technicality and precision, and give hardcore dancers a good place and time to be world-class douchebags.

The problem here is that rather than improve upon actual songwriting or melody, the wild popularity of 'techy parts' with seemingly randomly alternated low chords and dissonant higher double stops has pushed metalcore music into a self-parodying formulaic mess. Although they can write GREAT breakdowns (which, generally speaking, have no other musical application), many of today's guitarists have very little idea of what they are doing on the fretboard, almost no concept of melody, and a weak ear for improvisation, which seems to be generally shunned in this music.

Similar praise is given to new "grindcore" bands. In the 90's, bands like Napalm Death and Carcass created a hybrid form of death metal's musicality and punk rock's flat-out fury. Noisecore infiltrated this mix somewhere along the line to give us today's modern grind scene. Again, people are doing too much with too little knowledge of what they're doing. There are big exceptions to this, but in general, many of these bands have integrated a rudimentary understanding of meter with mathematical ideas to create songs, rather than playing what sounds "good" to them.

Basically, what I'm trying to say, is that with these off-time, off-key parts, today's guitarist has learned how to sound "bad"- unconventional, off the beat, strange, or unsettling. But does he know how to sound "good" and just doesn't show it, or has he no idea?

Up til the grunge movement, rock guitar players had something to aspire to in terms of musical advancement. There were role models from the 50's with Chuck Berry and Link Wray, through the 60's with Jimi Hendrix and Eric Claption, the 70's with Joe Walsh and Jimmy Page, the 80's with Satriani, Vai, Yngwie, and a host of others.

If you started to play guitar and were influenced, even indirectly, by one of these guys, you were probably learning MUSIC, not just how to play notes. You learned melody and harmony by doing it, which could be recycled and applied other places. A rock and roll solo can sound alright in a blues or country song, and vice versa. These plThus, musical advancement bred musical advancement.

Breakdowns use the 12-tone chromatic scale merely because it is convenient- if more unsettling intervals than a minor 2nd, tritone or major 7th could be found elsewhere and easily translated to metalcore, I'm sure they would use it. Thus, a system with limitless possibilities for harmonic creation is being discarded by the next generation of musicians, simply being used as an arbitrary means of making noise.

Noise apparently breeds nothing but guys wearing girl pants and fitted hats, acting like assholes.

This is not to say, of course, that dissonance is unmusical. Without discords, concords would not sound pleasing. They are there for a reason, which is to create tension and release. When music is based on discords and rudimentary chromatic melody, however, there is a line crossed between "invention" and "monotony."

On the off chance that anyone reads this that is offended by it, prove yourself wrong before you start:
Think about this-

how many breakdowns by your favorite band can you hum to the end from memory, if you only hear the first half?

How many commercial jingles could you hum to the end from memory, if you only hear the first half?

There will be more of the second one, every time. I can almost guarantee it.

The problem is, like I said before, a blatant misuse of the system upon which western music is based-- the frets on a guitar or bass, or the notes on a piano are set up so as to be able to create harmonies that are pleasing to the ear. To create music that is inherently discordant would be like trying to drive a Cadillac up a mountain: It might work if you try it for long enough, but a Jeep will probably get you there a lot better.

So if you have your hair combed over one eye and thick rimmed glasses, do what's right. Get a fretless.

allhandsondec @ 2007-11-19T23:54:00

2007-11-20T04:56:39Z

Busy weekend. Finished painting the cement in the basement... drywall guy is coming friday to finish up. Then I just need some paint, a new carpet, and a TV and the place will be like new.

Jes is sick. I'm going to wake up early and go take care of her before work.

So I'm going to bed now. Good night.

Bright Eyes

2007-11-16T06:05:20Z

Yesterday, I went to school 11-5, came home, got Jes, watched a movie, played monopoly (the new 'electric banking' one, which is more realistic because you can buy the White House), and then she slept over. Then we got breakfast, I dropped her off, and went to work.

We saw Bright Eyes tonight at the Main St. Armory... it was like walking into 2003. Or a tool-shed. Undeterred by the tight pants and awful hair, Jes and I stayed for most of the show. I was impressed, to be honest. I'd heard he's usually sloppy and drunk live. The vocals were spot on, and though the arrangements were switched up (and the sound was godfuckingawful, probably due to the 100 foot ceiling. Or the fact that it sounded like a trained border collie may have been operating the mixing board. One or the other), it still had a great feel to it.

The crowd was a big turn-off though. Seriously-- two dudes got in a fight cause one guy had pushed his way to the front. When the guys started going at it, not a single decent punch landed, but one of them was definitely pulling the other one's hair. Like I said, the place was a toolbox.

Anyway, after that, we went to Java's and colored in a coloring book. Cause thats what the cool kids do now. Get into it.

So now Jes is sleeping downstairs and I'm kinda winding down and getting tired, but my fucking right ear is ringing like a helium-filled mosquito on angel dust is stuck inside (because the soundman decided that the bass isn't loud enough unless its decibel level is at least 3 times his IQ.)

So I'll go to bed eventually. Good night.

So... First real update

2007-11-14T05:02:00Z

This week has been odd. I was sick all weekend, and then had a big fight with Jes on sunday. Probably our worst one... like... ever. We got over it though. I forget sometimes that it's approaching 9 months since we've been together. It either feels shorter or longer but I can't decide which.

Things have been better since, for the most part. I'm feeling better. Work was cool and school has been alright. Can't believe it's only tuesday, though.

I don't have a whole lot to write at the moment. Expect great things at a later date.

Pshhhh. not.

Oh, and one last note. I added people from my old journal's friends list. Or any of them that I still talk to. Dunno how many of you actually update or log in or anything any more. So if you see this on a friend's page, add me, cause I have no idea who anyone is for the most part.

First Entry

2007-11-14T04:44:24Z

Well, here it is.

A little background information:

I started my first LJ when I was a freshman in high school, or around that time.

I was 14, pissed off at the world, and thought I could write like Henry Rollins. This was not the case, but my valiant efforts were good for some laughs (and cringes) looking back. I wrote almost every day.

As I got older, some decent prose and poetry started popping up occasionally, along with far more frequent (usually hilarious) accounts of all the trouble I almost got in. Updates were irregular at best, and usually marked "friends only" to protect the innocent. There was an account of what I did every day for a whole summer, however. It was dry, but I'm still proud of myself for keeping up with it.

Over the last year and a half or so, almost all of the entries were private, for my own reference only. Whenever I thought I'd start keeping a public blog again, I logged in only to find that I had nothing I'd want to publish. In the end (i.e.- now), I decided just to start the whole damn thing over and see if it's worth reading.

Give me a couple of weeks and let me know if this is total shit, or just sort of shit. If I add you as a friend, that means I want to know what you think!