I got an IRiver MP3 player / radio tuner / voice recorder I won off Ebay yesterday.
With it was included a 40 song free trial of Emusic, a legal MP3 site
Without hesitation, I took it. I now have Ray Charles final album, a classic by Sonny Rollins, a team-up between him and Miles Davis... and as my sole non-Jazz pick, a collection of Frank Zappa music.
I'm really looking forward to hearing them all soon.
While the signal for Couleur Jazz is lost to me, I've changed over to 92 FM. For my readers outside Montreal, this is a light rock radio station, and one of our rare English ones.
One thing about it bothers me (besides the lousy music): it's called "The new 92". After 10 years of that name, it isn't so new anymore.
On Canadian Idol Casey Leblanc is rapidly becoming this year's "success you love to hate". I still can't believe she was safe.
At least the other out-of-place teen Darryl Brunt got cut this week. The funny thing: when I first heard him, I thought he'd be the winner of the whole thing.
With 6 left, I'm not sure yet who'll win. We have three solid competitors: Rex Goudy, Josh Palmer and Suzie Rawn. While Rex is a crowd pleaser, I think Josh and Suzie are the ones most talented.
I just finished watching this week's Canadian Idol. This week's theme was Big Band / Golden Age / Standards.
Some of the performances were outstanding: Josh Palmer's When I Fall in Love comes to mind right away.
Not surprising the two 16-year olds didn't fare well: Casey Leblanc again proved to me she isn't able to sell her performances yet; Daryl Brunt... well, even the judges said he was like "Pee Wee Herman singing standards".
I'm expecting them both to be in the bottom 3 Wednesday. I'm not sure who the 3rd will be.
My mind is reeling: crooner Paul Anka's latest abum Rock Swings is a mix of rock n' roll songs as crooning tunes. Couleur Jazz plays the album a lot.
Pat Boone tried to do this with heavy metal a few years ago, and it was a disaster. This one seems to be doing better.
Still, hearing Smells like teen spirit as swing is bizarre.
Well, Canadian Idol's results show was this evening. For what it's worth, I don't think Josh or Suzie deserved to be in the bottom three.
I know this is all because of Canada's votes, but I have to ask myself what Canadians are on when they hear the performances.
They keep voting for Casey Leblanc enough to be safe. She's on key, granted... but while she plays the part, I think she's too young, and doesn't have the feelings of her song choices.
Darryl Brunt... I can't help but think "boy band" everytime I hear him.
Amber Fleury was cut tonight. In other performances she was ethereal. She just didn't have "it" with the Cher song she chose, and I think it got her voted out.
Week 2 of Canadian Idol wrapped tonight. So far, it's looking to duplicate the stupider stuff on the American one.
There Scott Savvo got farther than his 'talent' deserved. Here it's Casey Leblanc. After her bouncy-cutey version of a serious and soulful Stevie Wonder hit last night I was sure she'd get the boot... but she was safe.
Instead, the much more talented Ashley Latao got cut. Her I'll actually miss.
(For those of you letches who think Casey jumping around got her votes: she's only 16, you sick freaks!)
Because I deserved some recognition:
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In my gym yesterday, Let's get it started by the Black Eyed Peas played on the radio.
It's a very catchy song, and perfect encouragement to exercise... I'm just annoyed knowing that the original song (Let's get retarded in here) had to have the lyrics changed by the Politically Correctstupid TM to get widespread record play. Like we all really think they were slagging the actually mentally disabled </sarcasm>.
Well, one of the weak singers on Canadian Idol was cut on tonight's show. One I expected to make the bottom three (Casey) was safe.
I wonder if folks getting cut makes a difference in the end. With albums now coming out from folks cut like Jason Greely (we really need a new Stomping Tom...), Shane Wiebe (his reedy voice was painful last year) and Jacob Hobbard's band (well, him I liked)... I don't see not being the final winner hurting a career start.
Mind you, I don't expect them to get past that first album.
| Your Blogging Type is Unique and Avant Garde |
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So far I've managed to keep Couleur Jazz reception on my alarm clock. I've been noticing some things about the programming though:
One of my friends is guest-hosting a jazz radio show on CKUT McGill radio this week. If you aren't in Montreal (I know many of you aren't) you can hear it streamed from the ckut.com Website.
David is a Toronto transplantee, studying jazz music at that University. He also hosts a jazz show on the station. Now, he's a guest host on this one.
I thought I'd missed it today, but it's actually on Sunday. I may still miss it though, as I'll be at a local mall at the time.
If I bring a portable FM radio with me though, I might hear it.
If you're interested, the show is called Dobbin's Den, playing from 11 AM - 1 PM EST.
I have to relay a funny Father's Day anecdote. I'll explain why it's funny afterward:
When my family got together yesterday, my 9-year old nephew wished me a happy Father's Day. He said he knew I didn't have children, but I am a man.
I told it to my sister (his mom). She quipped that I do have cats, so it counted.
Why this is funny: on a friend's blog, she wished a happy F-D to all dads, even if we are "just cat fathers".
I love funny bits of synchronicity like that.
I'm finally starting to get my collections of DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes and books catalogued thanks to a great freeware program called MediaMan.
All I have to do is enter a title into the wizard. It will search for it on Amazon, providing the cover art, information on track names for songs, cast info for films, etc. If the materials are too old to find them specifically on Amazon, I can scan the barcode in from a webcam, and it'll search by that instead.
The song is good. Not surprising, since she was the more talented between her and winner Kaylan Porter.
She'll also be the one whose album I'll buy.
My good friend Doctor John F. Davis died this past Sunday at the age of 87.
John wasn't the kind of person who would want weeping and moaning about him. I'm trying not to. Mostly, I've been trying to remember how fortunate I was to have known such an incredible man:
Before WW II, John was a PhD in Engineering. He had a great interest in medical technology, so he returned to McGill after the war to get his MD, and a BA in English Literature as well.
McGill awards a scholarship in his name every 2 years.
He was a Nobel laureate, as part of a group of scientists who protested nuclear proliferation. He didn't get the monetary award, but had the award certificate proudly in his office.
He was the spokesman for several medical research companies.
Even up to the end, he was a practicing psychiatrist.
He was also the person who got me into PC computing a decade ago, as a reward for helping him to create his personal Website.
Despite all these credits, he was a humble man. In fact, he willed his body to science, and there will only be a memorial service later this summer.
I'm very sad he's gone... but I thank fate for giving me a chance to know him.
In the interim, I finally gave up on getting Couleur Jazz on my alarm clock radio. After months of barely getting static, I changed to University of McGill's CKUT. They play other genres daily, but they do have Jazz programming as well.
1. Do you tend to exaggerate or underestimate?
With the way my words are often misinterpreted to their most negative, I'd say that I underestimate people too much.
2. What is the last "white" lie that you told?
I can't think what it was. It's been a long time.
3. Can you forgive a liar?
Eventually. The sole exception has been someone who acted so attrociously to me, to the point of libel; I haven't spoken to them in over a decade.
4. Do you hold a grudge?
This also answers the last question more fully: I've been known to be upset with people for a long time, but I eventually get to talking with them again. Often I make that first step.
5. What's the biggest lie you've ever told?
Like the white lie question I can't answer right now.
Name three (or more!) people and the custom ringtones you’ve either set for them on your phone, or would if you could.
With me it's definitely the latter... here are my choices:
Sade I first heard considered a smooth jazz singer on Cool TV in 2004. This makes sense... I could never quite place her musical style.
Frank Sinatra was more of a surprise. I thought he was more of a contemporary crooner. Then I learned he recorded an album with Duke Ellington as well as tunes with other artists. He too gets major airplay on Cool TV, though initially I thought he just fit the 'cool' part of the name.
Q1: How has the advent of the Internet changed the way you get your daily news?
I never read newspapers fully before, but I hardly even skim them now. I only watch the evening news to see the weather report now. Rarely do they cover anything that I haven't already read online.
Q2: When you were younger, what were some things you dreamed about doing, and that you still think are possible to do today, but that you just haven't gotten around to doing or experiencing yet?
I dreamed about being a writer, and that's what I am today. I also dreamed about seeing more of the world though, and that's something I haven't got to yet.
Q3: If you were forced to live on a deserted island for one year, what five things--aside from specific items of clothing--that you'd choose to bring?
Ah, the old "desert island" thing... let me see. There wouldn't likely be electricity, so albums, films and such are out. I'd bring the real I Robot anthology by Isaac Asimov (it was my first adult book, after all), a photo almum of my family and my cats, a copy of my APA Comicopia, a bag of dice (once a gamer, always a gamer) and the Hero System 5th Edition so that I could put the dice to use in a game.
Q4: Did any notable or high-profile person's death in 2004 have a dramatic or long-lasting affect on you? (Here's a short list of some of the more notable people who died in 2004: Jack Paar, Marge Schott, Sir Peter Ustinov, Alistair Cooke, Tug McGraw, Pat Tillman, Estee Lauder, Alan King, David Dellinger, Sam Dash, Tony Randall, President Ronald Reagan, Ray Charles, Marlon Brando, Isabel Sanford, Rick James, Fay Wray, Julia Child, Geoffrey Beene, Red Adair, Richard Avedon, Janet Leigh, Rodney Dangerfield, Ken Caminiti, Christopher Reeve, Pierre Salinger, Yasser Arafat, Susan Sontag, Reggie White, Jerry Orbach, Johnny Ramone.)
That may be a short list, but still rather long!
From that list 2 people affected me most for different reasons:
Ray Charles: James Brown may call himself "the godfather of soul" but Ray was the originator. He had an incredible life, brought us some incredible music, and proved you can get past a disability to greatness.
Christopher Reeve: the man my generation will always identify with Superman, one he became paralyzed became a true suoerhero, crusading for others spinally injured.
Like many, I wouldn't have been surprised if he one day got up from his chair. Sadly, he'll never now have the chance.
Madeleine Peyroux - Don't Wait too Long.
I'm listening to SmoothJazz.com on a stream through Winamp as I type. They just played the above-mentioned song by the above-mentioned singer. I heard that song often on Couleur Jazz during their months of tape loops. I kept hearing the song, liked it... but had no idea who it was by. Now, finally, I know!
At least Queen Latifah's performance of the song Have Mercy on Me is entertaining. The cover of the old standard Making Whoopie by Tony Bennet and Cindi Lauper (I think) just sounds too drab for my tastes.
I've heard Django mentioned a lot of late. I have to track his music down now; I'm very curious.
I'm still trying to figure out if Bela's guitar actually incorporates several instruments, or if it just looks cool.
Q1: A 14-year-old Australian boy, Christopher Harris, announced yesterday that next Spring he plans to become the youngest person ever to attempt to climb and summit Mt. Everest. How do you feel about someone as young as Harris attempting such a risky endeavor?:
I think that's a bad thing. Considering how many people have lost digits and worse on the mountain, the fact that he hasn't even got a mature health system works against him.
Q2: Are you better off or worse today financially then you were four years ago at this same time (in December of 2000)?
I'd definitely say worse off.
Q3: Do you personally know anyone who has made it really big either in Hollywood, politics, sports, or business? If you don't know anyone directly, how about thru that whole X Degrees of Separation thing?
One of my close cousins is a professional wrestler, and I've seen him perform.
In two degrees of separation, my dad worked with both William Shatner and Leonard Cohen at different jobs.
Q4: If you could choose one event from any point in the future whose outcome could be known to you now, what would you like to know?
That's an easy and somber question to answer: I'd love to know the exact day a cure for MS is discovered.
Onesome: Dancing-- Dancing? Does anyone go dancing anymore? I mean, disco died, and the club scene? Hmmm... Is dancing dead? ...or are we just here on the web instead of out for the evening?
I don't know many jazz standards I'd call danceable... but my lack of energy exerting myself pretty much stops dancing from being likely for me.
Twosome: Polar-- Polar bears seem to do well in the snow... How about you? Is snow just another thing you deal with when it shows up, or is it shutdown time? ...and if you're posting from a non-snowy locale, do you make trips to actually see snow? It's okay to admit it...
Ironically, the snow began in Montreal 2 days ago... in theory I can handle colder weather better, but ice tends to cause me to walk very slowly if I have to. Falling could be catastrophic for me.
Threesome: Bears-- Bears? Christmas Bears? Have you seen the number of bears on the shelf this year? Are you getting one for anyone? ...or are you looking forward to receiving one? ...or do you still think that inguana in the elf outfit is more your style *g*?
I'm not a big bear fan... but Winnie the Pooh has been a large part of my nephew and nieces lives so far. My nephew is too old now for bears, but his sisters aren't... I may get them some for Hannukah.
I've been fortunate that none of my circle of friends or family died of Aids, but I'm in the minority for that. With 20 million victims worldwide, odds are that many of you reading this have been affected in some way by it.
I often point out to friends that in MS I have the immune system wrecker that isn't fatal. That's admittedly a small distinction, but I guess it's something...
Think of ways you can help, whether by supporting a research charity, or even by bringing meals to someone struck by HIV and unable to cook for themselves. Even small things help.
CKLX began their rollout on the 21st as they announced. It's still not the official launch, according to the announcements they play, but at least the music is now more varied!
Name 3 (or more, or less!) things...
1. ...you cannot live without.
My weekly wrestling shows (I comment on them on another blog), my jazz music (big surprise there) and my weekly gym. I've missed a session here and there, and felt awful about it.
2. ...you CAN live without, but cannot seem to part with.
My daily soap opera (All My Children), radio talk shows and spray on hair gel.
3. ...you wish to accomplish this COMING week.
Get to 25 K on my Nano, and go to Con*Cept 2004 (the Montreal WorldCon bid for 2009 launches there, after all!).
4. ...you have accomplished this PAST week.
Got to 13 K on my book.
5. ...on your holiday (or non-holiday) 'wish list.'
The Gargoyles Season 1 DVD (I'm already going to pre-order it on Amazon!).
6. ...you would like to change about yourself.
My lack of approachability, my stubborness toward change for the better.
7. ...you like about yourself.
My stubborness to get things done, my "never give up" attitude.
8. ...you should be doing right now instead of what you ARE doing.
That's a simple item: working on my novel!
9. ...in your life that could use a little more organization.
How I arrange my home, how I dicipline my writing regimen.
1.Do you have a favorite season? Which is it? Why?
Actually two: spring and fall. The reason: they aren't too warm for me to handle moving, and not too cold for me to enjoy. Plus: no snow. That's a big plus. No gray sky either.
2. Mood and mind changes come along with seasonal changes. Why do you think that is?
I think if the sky is all gray and cloudy, our minds and bodies don't feel right. Much as I hate the sun, what with the way it reduces me to a ball of jelly, the light does make me feel better.
3. Which seasons are your highlights? Which ones are 'the blahs'?
Again, spring and fall are my highlights. Summer, unlike for sun worshippers, is a definite "blah". I spend all of it huddled by my air conditioner to stay mobile.
Bonus Question for Comments: If you had to choose one season that would last all year, which one would it be? Why?
I'd have to say spring. Not only is it just warm enough, but it's the season where nature renews itself, where the snow vanishes.
saturday-8 :: trust and love and devotion
1. last night, i saw my first-ever crush, sting, in concert. he was amazing, as usual. who was your VERY first crush?
My poster for my first real celebrity crush is still up on my bedroom wall at the family home, even though I no longer live there: Olivia Newton-John.
My first REAL crush though was I believe a redhead I knew in grade school. I know: that's very Charlie Brown of me...
2. speaking of first crushes, who was your first kiss? were they the same person? tell us about that.
It's been so many years, I don't even remember her name. This isn't meant as bragging on my part, but it happened when I was 7 years old and living in Laval. A young girl there took me behind a couch to smooch.
Obviously, she and my first crush weren't one and the same.
3. i have a hard time trusting people. i've also told my husband, "i'll never let you in far enough to hurt me." in love, are you a trustful person? why or why not?
In love, I'm a very trusting person. I've shared a lot of myself to my significant others in the past. I've been burned by the few I was that close with so far, but my honesty hasn't changed.
4. what about in friendships OR work relationships? why or why not?
I worked with one of my last girlfriends. It made for a very unpleasant work environment after she broke off with me. I wouldn't ever do that again!
Friendships... in the past few cases I'd say no. Not that I've ever seen them again, mind you... so it's become a moot point.
5. devotion ... i have a devotion to not only sting, but the british sex god, sean bean (starring in the new movie 'national treasure' with nic cage ... get ye to a theatre!). i collect ALL of their movies and soundtracks. which celebrity/ies are you devoted to? and why?
There are 3 ladies I've jokingly referred to as my Holy Trinity of Righteous Babes. They are three actresses I have a deep attraction to for different reasons:
I. Michelle Pfeiffer: She's just an ethereal beauty to me.
II. Meg Ryan: I grew up with her on my TV. I not only find her attractive but also feel an attatchment to her.
III. Jennifer Connally. I've always had a thing for women with black hair and blue eyes. I find her one of the most striking.
6. i'm having to make the decision to get back with my husband, who has left my family twice and been thrown out once for 'bad behaviour.' this is by FAR the hardest time i've had deciding whether to trust someone or not. what was yours? tell us about it.
That's a very personal and painful old wound, one I won't re-open.
7. i am extremely devoted to my cat, minou, who is a 5-yr. old blue point siamese. is there an animal that you are devoted to in your life, past or present? tell us about them.
There have been several over my life... currently are my two cats: Boots, a 15-year old part Persian, who's incredibly temperamental - and Squeaky, my nearly 12-year old callico, who's been with me since she was 6 months old.
Before them was my first cat Minou, also part Persian. He was an outdoor cat who disappeared on us when I was a kid. Also my 16-year old dog Winnie, who was put to sleep about 15 years ago. I still think of her often; I grew up with her.
8. next weekend is hallowe'en ... do you have any decorations up?
I haven't done the Hallowe'en thing in many years.
either leave your answers or a link to your webpage with your responses.
Of the two however I'd pick Ryan. Cowell smokes, and I'm allergic to smoke.
About time! I've been listening to the same loops for about a month... they have changed the loop every few days, but it's been really dull to hear the same thing so frequently anyway.
Appetizer
What is your favorite beverage?
Dr. Pepper is my caffenated drink of choice.
Soup
Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.
1. A CD of software I need to install soon.
2. my optical mouse
3. A stack of CD-R's (burned).
Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are?
8
Main Course
If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?
I'll have to get back to you on this one.
Dessert
What stresses you out? What calms you down?
Project deadlines do; I tend to have 3 or 4 going.
A CD of smooth jazz helps me to calm down.
Appetizer
What is your favorite beverage?
Dr. Pepper is my caffenated drink of choice.
Soup
Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.
1. A CD of software I need to install soon.
2. my optical mouse
3. A stack of CD-R's (burned).
Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are?
8
Main Course
If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?
I'll have to get back to you on this one.
Dessert
What stresses you out? What calms you down?
Project deadlines do; I tend to have 3 or 4 going.
A CD of smooth jazz helps me to calm down.
I think I'll be making a new page for the Red Cross donations though... it's been over 3 years since 9-11, but there's still much in the way of need for help.
1. Do you prefer just audio or video/audio of your favorite songs?
Most jazz (at least the older classics) exist only as audio. Some of the classic stuff is on tape, and I see it on CoolTV though.
2. What do you like to listen to in the car (radio, CD, mp3 playlist...etc)?Since I'm always a passenger it depends what the driver is listening to. More often than not it's AM radio (many of my drivers are Haitian, so I hear a lot of CPAM, which is on the AM band). A few have CD players in their cars though.
3. Do you lean more towards a LIVE version of songs or the studio release?I have to go with the studio record release on the album usually, but jazz sounds best live, say at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Only live can you hear an artist experiment with their tunes.
4. What is your ideal concert venue?It doesn't exist as such anymore, but the Montreal Forum was great.
5. What's your favorite format (vinyl, cassette, cd, mp3 etc)?Usually, CD has the best sound to me. I have some jazz recordings on cassette, none on vinyl - mind you, I don't have a record player, so those would be wasted.
Bonus: You can only see one concert this year. Who would it be, and where would the concert be.It may surprise you, but my dream concert would be a supershow with Queen (when Freddie Mercury was alive) and Billy Joel. They aren't jazz, but these are the folks I've listened to since I was a child, and are my favorites.
Telephones
Do you like to talk on the phone?
I don't go out of my way to call people, but I have been known to spend a good deal of time on when I do
Do you talk for a long time or like to get off quickly?
That goes back to my answer to the last question.
Who uses the phone the most in your family?
I have to say it's my mom... though not intentionally (supposedly). Whenever I call her she's just finished a ton of other calls.
Do you have to look up peoples numbers or do you know most of them by heart?
Some I do have to look up... but the people I call most often I know by heart.
Are you good about returning someone's phone call?
Generally I am.
His death has brought a wealth of sorrow... his wife Dana deserves all the condolences and thanks we can give.
(I know these have little to nothing to do with jazz... I just prefer to post something to this blog - anything! - than to just leave it stagnate for weeks or months like I did before.)
Name 3 things....
1....your ideal salad has on it.
My ideal salad has to have mushrooms and English cucumbers on it... I guess the third ingredient would be: onions. I love them. OK, so this list isn't terribly unique...
2....you do religiously in the morning.
Bush my teeth, shave (I get prickly fast)... and have my morning cereal.
3....you look forward to doing in your spare time.
Surfing the Web, catching up on the TV shows I've taped, and listening to the radio.
4....you've never done before, but think you will at some point in your life.
Travel to Australia, have a novel published, have a screenplay accepted.
5....you love to do while on vacation.
Visit some of the city I'm in, take notes on the local color for future projects, talk to a local.
6....you took pictures of in the last month.
My aunt's cats (I have tons of cat photos; I love the critters), my nephew and nieces at our Canadian Thanksgiving, friends and family after we broke the fast for Yom Kippur.
7....you have to do before the end of the day.
Try to get the next draft of my writing project done, start to make a rough outline for this year's NaNoWriMo project, feed my cats supper.
8....you like about your best friend.
He doesn't judge my MS, he's seen me at my worst - yet still talks to me!, he's not afraid to tell me flat out what he feels.
I was an early adopter... I started this blog in late 1999 - early 2000 after I heard about blogs. That's why there are so many posts.
I got a LiveJournal 2 years ago, and my post quantity here suffered. I'm trying to change that.
2. RE: Someone else’s blog: Is there someone who runs a blog that inspired or inspires you to start and maintain your own? Who are they and what is so special about them?
Surprisingly, Wil Wheaton inspired me. I couldn't stand the Wesley Crusher character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, but Wil has turned out to be a far cooler person as he grew up.
3. Show me the linkage! Give us some blog linkage that contain some of your favorite posts and content – - who are they? Why are you linking them?
Peter David has a cool blog. I enjoy his writing, and his blog is no different.
Q1: If you were granted the power to create and then use a "Panic"/"Stop" button, what are three things you’d use it for?
The easiest answer: I'd use it to stop the planes from crashing into the World Trade Center on 9/11.
Second, I'd use it to stop Mark David Chapman from assassinating John Lennon. (yes, I was around in the 1980s)
Third, I'd use it to pause the death of Ray Charles, at least long enough so that I could see him in person.
Q2: If you could afford it, would you take a ride into space before the end of 2005?
Without hesitation! I'd love to regale my descendants with stories of that trip.
Q3: If you were given the talent to be considered "world-class" at something which you currently know little to nothing about, what would it be?
That would most likely be being able to play jazz saxophone or clarinet. It would be great to be able to play the jazz music I love.
Q4: Has anyone ever called you by the wrong name, like a clueless co-worker or a family member? If so, have you corrected them or just let it go? What was your reaction and how did it make you feel?
Folks have often mis-spelled my last name, BOWMAN instead of BOMAN.
It bothered me for a long time, and I did always try to correct it. Now, I just leave it. If I can't win, what's the point?
1. Two things you procrastinate the most about:
As I already stated, my writing projects are one thing. The other is showering... I get it done each day, it just takes me some time to get to it.
2. Two things that take priority in your time management:
The first and topmost thing is getting my cats food. They will never go hungry on my watch!
The other thing that gets high priority is the shows I set my VCR to tape. With my writing taking up so much of my time, I time-shift a lot.
3. Do you usually arrive on time or late?
I try to arrive on time. With my habit of always reserving my Transport Adapté to get me somewhere at least 30 minutes before a schedule, I usually can. I have the genes to get somewhere late though; my mom is habitually late for things, and I inherited that, so being on time can be a struggle.
4. Do you get annoyed when other people arrive late or you really don't care?
I think it would be hypocritical for me to be upset with others about it!
5. What two things would you change/delete about your daily schedule in order for you to have more "down" time?
First off, I'd get to sleep a little earlier. I've been a Night Owl for many years - but if I could be up early and more alert, I'd probably get more done, as well as to have more appropriate rest time.
Secondly, I'd try to get myself more determined when I sit at my keyboard to write. I'd get more done while I'm there, and have better justification to relax.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
With no hesitation I say it would be my drive to get things done. I've been realizing how much longer it's taking me to complete a project than I thought at first. I've been procrastinating too much.
I'm "preaching to the choir" here, but I've always had electronic downloads of music as a sub-theme here.
This article is from England, so the monetary figures might be off for you.
I know, it's a day late!
In honor of the upcoming release of the special edition DVD, what are the first four things you think of when I say
Star Wars
Well, it's actually out now, but my first thoughts:
My thoughts on Dew are almost linked to jazz: Mel Torme did an ad for it near the end of his life...
What is your idea of Utopia? What would your Utopia have that this world doesn't?
Hmm, let me see... in my idea of Utopia, my favorite music plays constantly... plus, I see again the people who meant much to my life (my 3rd and 5th grade teacher Mrs. Hope Hoey, who really encouraged my creativity), family I never got to meet (I never met my zeide Jack. He died many years before I was born. Also, bubie Anna, who was a large part of my life - and I'd want her to see her husband again without disability), my mom and dad (mom's parents were killed in a car accident when she was a kid... I'd hope she could see them again), all my beloved pets, and people who inspired me (like Isaac Asimov).
Illness and disabilities would be gone, and there'd be no stress or tension either. That way, neither zeide or I would have limitations.
I say "will be" because it's still in a testing mode, so they just play a loop of 4 songs daily.
One disappointment is that it appears it'll only broadcast in French. I'm bilingual, so I can understand it... but mental translation makes for lousy wake-up alarm stuff.
1.When you listen to music, do you focus on the music or the lyrics? Both? Neither? Why/why not?
Most jazz is actually more musical than lyrical (obviously not counting the songs). As a result, I easily focus more on the music - especially for songs repeated from other versions. I like to compare how the newer versions to the old, how they handle the chord progressions and so on.
2. Do you have a particular favorite instrument in which you focus on when you're listening to music? Are you able to pick out a part and concentrate on it?
I really like the sound of horns, specifically the clarinet and the trumpet. I do focus on them when they are part of the piece, as I find them very sensual and evocative instruments.
3. How important is it to you that band be able to play their instruments well? Why/why not?
That's an easy question! If the musicians in a jazz group don't play their instruments well, the arrangement won't sound terribly good no matter what the band leader does to it.
Bonus Question for Comments: Would you be a good music critic? Why/why not?
I'd have to answer not. While I can critique if I do or don't like a performance, I've found - especially during the various Idol shows - that I'm often off from the musical tastes of other people.
Name THREE of your........
1. Pet Peeves: Folks who need anger management, people who use their disabilities as an excuse NOT to do better in life, people who don't listen to what you say.
2. Favorite Sounds: raindrops, cat meows, babies
3. Desk Items: Chequing statement, one of the anime DVDs I reviewed, CD-Rs
4. Biggest Fears: To be alone in the end, to not achieve enough in life, that my cats are ever in pain
5. Biggest Challenges: Achieving more and more publishing success, staying mobile, making my bi-monthly Comicopia deadlines (to continue my 14 year + unbroken streak)
6. Newest 'Toys': (Soon) an 8X DVD-RW drive, Knoppix 3.6 on CD, a diskette of my current project updated
7. Most Used Words: basically, actual, virtual
8. Most Mispelled Words: apartment, ad, neibor
9. Favorite Disney Characters: the geni from Aladin, Mickey Mouse, Goliath (from Gargoyles)
10. Bookmarks on Your Homepage: My LiveJournal, RPG.net, Skinz.org
1. How do you get your music/new music these days (radio, tv, internet, friends)? What kind of music are you into right now?
A combination of streaming Internet radio (I've really grown enamored with the Mercora network) and songs I've purchased from Puretracks.com (iTunes for Canada).
2. By which medium do you recieve music? Do you still buy CDs, or do you buy the albums in digital form? Or both?
I bought 2 CDs at the Montreal Jazz Fest, but mostly I purchase albums from Puretracks. I have limited floor space, so that helps to conserve it.
3. What is your opinion about downloading music without purchasing it? Do you believe it really hurts record sales? Is anyone but the RIAA really suffering?
Polls have shown that downloads aren't hurting the RIAA. If they wanted to really turn people away from song swapping, they would make CDs cost less and make more of the catalogue of music available. With CD prices not dropping since they were introduces (they're about 20 bucks, with re-issues and imports even more!), and the difficulty in finding tunes more than about 8 years old... well, people are generally fed up with them.
That said, places like Puretracks pay the artists for their songs, not the RIAA. The folks who already did the work. I want the estates of Miles Davis (and sadly, most of the Ramones now), and artists like Sonny Rollins to make money for their work.
Bonus Question for Comments: Do you think that the internet a good source for new (or stuff you'd never really think about listening to) music? How? Why/Why not?
I've discovered quite a few new artists who I wouldn't have thought of thanks to the 'net. Without it, I'd have never heard of them.
What music piece from a movie stands out for you as particularly memorable and/or enjoyable?
Hmm... let me think... offhand the first film to come to mind is the original Hallowe'en. The piano theme always gets my heart pounding.
(I tried to come up with a jazz-themed one, but couldn't. Sorry.)
Regardless of my feelings for her, Theresa Sokyrka was the one who showed she could actually sing a variety of styles and genres. She didn't capture Janis Joplin when she sang Another little piece of my heart, but I think that was the only real exception.
Kaylan Porter on the other hand... I never really got the feeling he was better than a karaoke singer. He's a pretty boy, perfect to capture the screaming pre-teen girl demographic, but I never really got the feeling that he has any real talent. Besides, a boy making Born to be wild - a song popular about 30 years before he was born - his signature piece from the show... well, it just annoys me.
Why do I have this in a blag with a Jazz theme, you may ask? Reason: one of the finalistgs, Theresa Sokyrka, is a jazz singer.
I like her voice - I like her period. I think she's Canada's sweetheart. I don't think her performances blew voters away like other finalist Kaylan Porter did, but I can hope... besides, I'm not a big fan of Kaylan.
Why do I have this in a blag with a Jazz theme, you may ask? Reason: one of the finalistgs, Theresa Sokyrka, is a jazz singer.
I like her voice - I like her period. I think she's Canada's sweetheart. I don't think her performances blew voters away like other finalist Kaylan Porter did, but I can hope... besides, I'm not a big fan of Kaylan.
