The Dark Side

The Dark Side is really pretty...

Computer: Spec List

Here are the specs on the computer. At the moment, Windows 7 is installed an running smoothly. Pro Tools, however, is not -- and that's the whole point of this machine! So I'm sorta entertaining the idea of trying some other software. lol. You'll be the first to know if it happens.

-------

Antec P183 case
Intel i5 760 2.8ghz
Intel DP55WB Micro ATX Mobo
4gb OCZ DDR3
Ultra LSP750 PS
MSI N240GT video card (3 of 3)
Seagate 1TB 7200rpm SATA
ASUS DVDRW SATA
*Some wireless adapter I looted from a computer around the house*

HP 2310m 24inch Monitor


I'm pretty sure thats it -- everything that matters anyway.

Cheers,
Calvin

Complete!

I'm like a proud father.
Just went to frys and got this 23in hp display and keyboard/mouse.
The computer runs absolutely silent.
I'm very happy with how it turned out.

edit:
At this point I've installed Windows 7 and most drivers. It seems as though the "some cruddy video card" doesn't handle my high def display. ugh, thats going to be the first thing to get upgraded. Other than that, its working flawlessly.

Just Today

I woke up this morning and I was sick. Sore throat. Achy skin. Pounding head. You know the drill. It effectively made today a haze of overwhelming sensory input with waves of sniffily-ness. Although, after some Excedrin my head was feeling a lot better. Never have I had such effectiveness with Tylenol...

I had a large family dinner this evening after which I departed for Mike's to work on some homework. Janna was hanging out during most of today's activities. It certainly made everything a little better. I try and avoid mushy subjects on this here blog, but she's a wonderful girl.

Also, I finished my computer tonight. I originally thought this project would be a long time coming, but its all built now and everything's working as it should. Next stop is some peripherals and I'll be set.

The Dr. had its first rehearsal with the full band yesterday night. It sounds really nice. Probably the thing that amazed me the most is how quickly things just worked. Previously, rehearsals might have taken 3-4 hours, and still wouldn't feel solid. But after an hour of playing songs that most of the guys hadn't heard before, it just sounded incredible. Like I said, it just fell into place. Can't wait to start playing out and showing people. Soon we'll work on some proof of the new band -- rather than just stupid demos of me and my acoustic. I guess I'd tell you to head over to the Facebook or Myspace, but we don't really have much to show other than a couple of silly pictures. Speaking of:


Thats it. Sleep well everyone.

COMPUTER UPDATE: 10/21 12:14am

I got a shipment of parts today.

Power supply installed.
DVD drive installed.
HDD installed.

That is all.
Isn't this exciting??!

MoBo y processorina

w00t

Hooray

My (dp55wb) mother board and processor (i5 760) have shipped. Pictures when they come.

First piece of the puzzle

Today I received the case for the computer I am building. I'll be attempting to chronicle, or at least document, the building of my 'production' computer here.

The case is an Antec p183 and I'm really excited about it. Its supposed to be one of the quieter cases you can get -- which is awesome. My mind's 'authoring' mode isn't working very well at the moment, so I'll just leave you with this glorious picture. Enjoy.

By the way, I'll be slowly accumulating parts as funds present themselves, and next up is a MB and an i5 760 (w00t).

Lates.

The Odyssey of Henry "Blastoise" Rollins

I liek turtoels






Check out our cute tortoise. 11 minutes of footage edited down to a two minute montage of cute

Re: Wavves @ Sweet Tea studios

Last week I mentioned Dennis Herring and Sweet Tea studios. Here's a video of Wavves' time there.

Vocals for the Jordan band

As you might have heard, the Jordan band has been in the studio recording a two song EP. We had originally thought that we could get everything squared away during the summer, but it certainly hasn't turned out that way. Scheduling has been a thematic problem with this band (as it is with any) and other priorities often get in the way.

Anyway, Mike and I are going out to the studio today to record backing vocals for the two songs -- the last brick in the wall. Hopefully we can get everything done fast and be rid of this burden.

On a related note, the band's fate seems uncertain at this point. With all of us starting school, and all us having conflicting schedules, shows are going to be near-impossible to work out. So it seems as though the band may be taking a break for a while.

That is all for now.

Albums that changed my life in '09

Here we go. Not necessarily albums that were created in 2009, just ones that became a significant part of my life and/or musicianship.


Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Cold Roses

What I've declared, up until this point, to be my favorite album of all time. My first RA album. While I love Casal and Spacewolf (rip), this lineup was wonderful. J.P. Bowersock created what are easily my favorite guitar tones on any album and, I must admit, I dug Ms. Cashdollar's tone above that of the Cardinals' own Jon Graboff. The mix sounds incredibly natural and all aspects of the recording are very organic. Cannot recommend it highly enough.




The Sound of Animals Fighting - The Ocean and the Sun

I understand the general consensus about this album is that it was below par compared to the other albums. I believe that while it does sound completely different from Tiger and the Duke, it was, in fact, a step above the others. From beginning to end, this album screams musical genius. The Lynx made it for me -- perhaps to usurp Jon Theodore's position as god?? I'm sure every groove on the album has been stuck in my head for at least one week each. Invest an hour or two to sit and listen to this masterpiece all the way through and you will be generously rewarded.



The Mars Volta - De-loused in the Comatorium

This year, I listened to the Mars Volta almost everyday. Putting my favorite TMV work on here is simply to represent their whole discography. Jon Theodore is absolutely incredible on this album and while I would not be so bold to say TMV should bring him back, I would love to see him play with them again. How refreshing to see passion in music. Ultimately, the introduction to my revelation.




BT - This Binary Universe

Lets just get this straight: I loathe everything else I have heard from him. If this album doesn't give levity to the word "exception", I don't know what does. This album absolutely blew my mind. The kind of things he does, how he glitches samples, how drops a beat so hard on something that is relaxed and chill only to completely enforce the mood -- its simply incredible. The animations are a whole different story. A wonderful work of art in which "even the [DVD] menu shows such attention to detail."




Sonic Youth - Dirty

So. Punk. Rock. Sonic Youth has been an incredible influence in my playing. How such massive soundscapes were created by such limited means. It's inspired every single one of my instrumental creations/tangents. Again, this just represents their whole library.






The Nels Cline Singers - The Giant Pin

Basically, everything Nels Cline touches is gold. Even things that are relatively average, he finds a way to make admirable (ahem, wilco). These instrumentals are the best I've ever heard: all feature unbelievable dynamic, crazy musical talent, and amazing production. Everything is recorded in one small room with all of them playing together. Mind you, most of these songs are no shorter than 7 min. long. Try nailing that in 1-2 takes.




The Chariot - The Fiancée

The album that put the nail in the coffin. The Chariot live was incredible and I was dying for some more after I got home. The Wolf just makes everything better, I'd imagine. Great songs, beginning to end. Words aren't exactly working for me at the moment -- especially to describe how awesome the Chariot is. Go buy the album!






Alright. Thats what I've got for now. There were so many other albums that have influenced me greatly, I'm sure I left out something vital. Alas, I feel this accurately represents where I've been heading as a musician.