I feel the electric today. I am actually almost ashamed. Certainly I feel nuts or nutty. More of this business with our band is picking up and my reactions are all over the global topographic map.
I am eating much better right now. Or at least I am considerate of what I am eating. I feel better too.
Financially things are not dire at the moment. I am a successful starving artist of sorts. I just read or heard someone talking about that concept... I think it was an old high school friend telling my dad that. It's nice though, there is debt but it's going the way towards the black instead of the way towards the red.
I feel more focused. I still engage in questionable behavior, but on a whole I'm growing up.
Damn. I feel the electric.
I really want to take some time and write something here that makes a lick of sense, but it's really hard to taste with this fresh metal flavor in my mouth. My fingers are traitors. Actually they're patsies... They work for the traitor.
This is the sound of freakout. This the fork with option to breakdown.
There is a quote from a baseball player, I think it was... (fine, I'll look it up)
"When you get to a fork in the road, take it" - Yogi Berra*
So that's kind of the rub, all that mass of excited confusion. Overcoming some of those feelings that want to scream at me about not being good enough. I'm just going to take that fork when I get to it. See you guys at the house.
*from wikipedia -Yogiisms are quotations by Yogi Berra, who, besides being a baseball player, was also famous for fracturing the English language in provocative, interesting ways. Similar phrases, spoken by other people, are also sometimes called "Yogiisms".
When you get to a fork in the road, take it.
Berra insists that this is part of some driving directions to his house. In his hometown of Montclair, New Jersey, there is a fork in the road and either way you take, you will get to his house. Some people find this to be a very poignant quotation, thinking it means that when you find a challenge, overcome it.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Shake
raughtic: we are confirmed for Iceland
buckglitter: WHAT!!!????
buckglitter: OMG!!!
raughtic: he wrote today
buckglitter: forward... are we going?
buckglitter: OMG
buckglitter: i'm shakintg
raughtic: I just forwarded it to you
raughtic: don't shake silly
raughtic: I have to go to the bank. back later.
buckglitter: OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Basis
I picked out a Bass amp and cabinet for Devin last Friday night, found it on craigslist and picked it up on the way home from work. The amp is a Hartke 3500. The cabinet is an old Peavey 1516 with a blown 15 inch speaker. I got both at a really nice price, so that by the time I pay for the replacement basket for the speaker in the cabinet we will still have a nice bass rig for a really low price. We tested the head at rehearsal, and I think it proved itself worth while.
I've been working towards having the sequenced drums and bass lines treated as separate entities in the live world for some time, with the new set up we will be able to do this fairly easily. I think taking some of the watt sucking low end out of the system we use to amplify the drums will give us a much thicker fuller sound. It should also give more control to the sound man when dealing with the overall mix. There are some kinks to work out in the process, but I think it will be a good time to re-think some things.
I've been working towards having the sequenced drums and bass lines treated as separate entities in the live world for some time, with the new set up we will be able to do this fairly easily. I think taking some of the watt sucking low end out of the system we use to amplify the drums will give us a much thicker fuller sound. It should also give more control to the sound man when dealing with the overall mix. There are some kinks to work out in the process, but I think it will be a good time to re-think some things.
Things Coming up
Up coming SG shows:Apr 14 2006
8:00P
to be announced
New York City, NY
Apr 15 2006
10:00P
to be announced
New York City, NY
Apr 21 2006
9:00P
Blue Cafe
Long Beach, CA
May 6 2006
9:00P
The Cat Club
West Hollywood, CA
May 12 2006
11:00P
The Palms
West Hollywood, CA
May 13 2006
1:00P
Santa Barbara Pride
Santa Barbara, CA
May 19 2006
8:00P
Spellbinding Tales Books
Alameda, CA
May 20 2006
9:00P
Kimo's
San Francisco, CA
May 21 2006
10:00P
ACME
Portland, OR
May 22 2006
10:00P
The Funhouse
Seattle, WA
Jun 10 2006
6:00P
Albuquerque Pride
Albuquerque, NM
Jun 11 2006
12:00P
LA Pride
West Hollywood
Jul 29 2006
1:00P
San Diego Pride
San Diego, CA
Jul 30 2006
1:00P
San Diego Pride
San Diego, CA
I was going to really over-react to the gigs and dates coming up, and the lack of free time but that would have been SO silly. Posting it here has been a nice reminder. I am excited about doing all these things, I don't want to sit around the same town all the time. I want to travel and I want to play music in front of strangers.
Silly me. I was feeling stressed. I am lucky. Anything could happen at anytime, I gotta keep things like this in perspective. For instance, say august first I lose all the fingers on my right hand, I would be a pissed off fellow, but I bet that in time I would have a HUGE amount of gratitude for each and every time I got to go somewhere and play my guitar for people.
Really Buckie. Silly boy.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
How it feels to be!
My self Brandon is about to turn 27, cynics say any of us could go at any time. I say this is too fine a time to go, I think it merits waiting out. I can be very flittery, easily effected and downright moody, but I have come to learn over the ages that I am for certain an optimist. I have tried on the half full glass, as a teen and young man but it never looked right to me. I will say though I dislike that metaphor for the outlook argument. I for one look at a half full glass and want to fill it up, it in fact bugs me. I'll leave the table to refill a half full soda, because I know that if I don't do it now, it may be a bad time later, and then I'll just be kicking myself, not unlike when you pass up a chance to go to the rest room.
Chances abound. Lots of chances. I plan on taking a lot of these chances. I'm going to New York in one month.
Chances abound. Lots of chances. I plan on taking a lot of these chances. I'm going to New York in one month.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Cool Water
Outer space was nice! Good to be back in cyberspace!
I've had a few things to talk about but I got out of the habit of doing it here. My energy level has been low, I'm working on that. I did some re-reading of this time last year and I was certainly on a bit of a self improvement kick, I'm still the same self so I think I'll pick that up again.
More band things in the wings, but again I'm going to stick with my superstition and not mention them by name, for to intone a deep desire yet unfulfilled in a blog is at the very blackest root of bad luck.
My folks were in town over the weekend. I love when they visit! They are so adult and caring, I'm pretty pleased as punch to have them in my life, accepting and supportive of this strange motion I and my mates are on. Blessed.
I'm gonna come back around here more. This week I will eat better. I will go on a run. I will write you all a poem. I am learning to play boogie bass lines on the piano.
I wanna eat the big apple.
I've had a few things to talk about but I got out of the habit of doing it here. My energy level has been low, I'm working on that. I did some re-reading of this time last year and I was certainly on a bit of a self improvement kick, I'm still the same self so I think I'll pick that up again.
More band things in the wings, but again I'm going to stick with my superstition and not mention them by name, for to intone a deep desire yet unfulfilled in a blog is at the very blackest root of bad luck.
My folks were in town over the weekend. I love when they visit! They are so adult and caring, I'm pretty pleased as punch to have them in my life, accepting and supportive of this strange motion I and my mates are on. Blessed.
I'm gonna come back around here more. This week I will eat better. I will go on a run. I will write you all a poem. I am learning to play boogie bass lines on the piano.
I wanna eat the big apple.
Google Nuggets
Dear Wisconsin Stories:
I salute you for offering this forum for Wisconsinites to share their stories or those of their ancestors. I'm a 3rd-generation military veteran, and I'd like to share the story of my grandfather, Jasper Harwood, who served in the 3119th Signal Service Battalion in WWII. I recently completed a scrapbook commemorating his Army service.
My grandfather is a lifetime Wisconsinite who served in the Pacific Theater. I recently petitioned Senator Russ Feingold to send a letter of commendation to my grandfather, recognizing his distinguished service. I volunteered for Sen. Feingold's campaign, and I know him to be among the most down-to-earth politicians in office. Senator Feingold sent a personalized letter to my grandfather, Jasper Harwood, praising his wartime sacrifice in defense of our nation.
I would be happy to send you a copy of the letter and/or provide more information about my grandpa's service. He's currently 83 years old, and his memory is not what it once was, but this official letter revived his sense of pride in his service.
In case you're curious, my dad served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation during the Vietnam era, and I enlisted at age 17 in the Wisconsin Army National Guard's Company B/118th Medical Battalion. I was Honorably Discharged in 2002.
Again, thank you for providing this forum for Wisconsinites to share their proud histories. I enjoy watching "Here and Now" every Sunday and I salute the work that you do.
Thank you,Carrie Wipplinger
Posted on ArmyStudyGuide.com
by interrogatress
You posted your 97Enquiry way back in July 04, but I just joined this website today (23 OCT 04) and had to give a shout to rep the 97Es.
was National Guard, enlisting as a 91B med specialist at age 17. In my junior year of college, the Army discovered that I knew some Russian, and a new MI linguist unit was forming in Chicago, so badabing-badaboom I went from 91B to 97E. I feel very lucky to have acquired 2 very distinct MOS's during my enlistment. My awesome MI unit supported my 4-month study abroad semester in St. Petersburg, Russia. When I came back to college and my unit in Chicago, I scored a 3+/3+ on the DLPT.
I never went to school at Defense Language Institute, but I went to the Presidio of Monterey for the Language Olympics in '98 (I heard that the name of that contest has changed because the Intl. Olympic Committee deemed it copywright infringement or some such nonsense. Get a life, IOC!)
Anyhow, I'm not sure what you want to know about life as an interrogator. Obviously we have fallen under some scrutiny in the past 6 months - rightly so - and NOW when you tell people you're a military interrogator, they cover their nads so you don't attach jumper-cables. It's a sorry state of affairs.
Interrogation is a very difficult calling, and it requires an abundance of intuition, integrity and empathy. Get inside your subject's head psychologically without busting it open physically. I have done a lot of research on military interrogation: its history, theory and practice. Below is a link to the official Army field manual for Interrogation. Feel free to Email me if you want more info or links. I got a gang of 'em. my addy is: goodapple@militaryinterrogator.com
Good luck, and may your career as an interrogator be valuable and virtuous. Don't ever compromise your moral code of values.
Best wishes, SPC Carrie Wipplinger
-----------------
Official US Army Field Manual for Intelligence Interrogation (FM 34-52): http://globalsecurity.org/intell/library/policy/army/fm/fm34-52/
Interrogators do it with the lights on
.Harwood, Kathleen MaryMilwaukee Journal Sentinel, The, Sep 4, 2003
Harwood, Kathleen Mary "Kate" Thursday, September 04, 2003 Harwood, Kathleen Mary "Kate" Of Mequon, passed away Mon., Sept. 1, 2003 in Milwaukee. She was born on Oct. 27, 1946 in Milwaukee and graduated from Bay View High School and then from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She worked at the First Wisconsin National Bank until her retirement. Kate was a classy lady who enjoyed all of her ballroom dancing friends, hiking through parks around the country and traveling to different countries. She was an active member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church and a volunteer for Horizon Hospice. Kate was fastidious and thorough in everything she did, was a wonderful daughter, mother and sister and was a joy to know. She is survived by 2 daughters, Carrie Wipplinger, Milwaukee and Anna Wipplinger, Chicago; her parents, Jasper and Lois Harwood, Prairie du Chien; 1 sister, Dawn (James B.) Wood of Madison, WI; 2 brothers, Daniel (Sara) Harwood of Milwaukee and Steven (Nancy) Harwood of Wauwatosa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many good friends. She was preceded in death by ex-husband Eugene Wipplinger and his parents, Otto and Mary Wipplinger of Milwaukee. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thurs. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church (116 N. Orchard St., Thiensville) at 11 AM. Please meet at church. Entombment to follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield. Visitation at the Funeral Home Wed., Sept. 3 from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Breast Cancer Foundation or Vitas Health Care, 2675 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 480, Wauwatosa WI 53226. SCHRAMKA-DENSOW FUNERAL HOME 423 N. Main St. Thiensville (262)242-3120
YOUR OPINIONS
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The, Aug 24, 2005
ADULTERY
Those in uniform held to high standards
An Aug. 19 editorial brashly attacked the Army for its punishment of a four-star general who dated a civilian woman while he was separated, not yet divorced, from his wife. The editorial asked: Should adultery "be against the law? The Army says yes. The Army is wrong" ("A moldy relic in military law").
I served in the Army National Guard for six years, and I quickly learned that civilian law and military law are not identical. Those representing our country in uniform especially four-star generals are held to higher standards, and rightly so.
If nothing else, the general's affair was "conduct unbecoming." Add to that the fact that Gen. Kevin Byrnes topped the chain of command for new recruits.
Given the recent controversy surrounding shady recruiting tactics, the Army cannot afford to let this slide. It sends a message that high-ranking officers are above the law, and that's a terrible message to send to potential new recruits: Go fight in Iraq while this jerk of a general earns five times your salary, stays in the United States and cheats on his wife.
If anything, Byrnes' punishment being "relieved of command" was too lenient.
Carrie Wipplinger
I salute you for offering this forum for Wisconsinites to share their stories or those of their ancestors. I'm a 3rd-generation military veteran, and I'd like to share the story of my grandfather, Jasper Harwood, who served in the 3119th Signal Service Battalion in WWII. I recently completed a scrapbook commemorating his Army service.
My grandfather is a lifetime Wisconsinite who served in the Pacific Theater. I recently petitioned Senator Russ Feingold to send a letter of commendation to my grandfather, recognizing his distinguished service. I volunteered for Sen. Feingold's campaign, and I know him to be among the most down-to-earth politicians in office. Senator Feingold sent a personalized letter to my grandfather, Jasper Harwood, praising his wartime sacrifice in defense of our nation.
I would be happy to send you a copy of the letter and/or provide more information about my grandpa's service. He's currently 83 years old, and his memory is not what it once was, but this official letter revived his sense of pride in his service.
In case you're curious, my dad served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation during the Vietnam era, and I enlisted at age 17 in the Wisconsin Army National Guard's Company B/118th Medical Battalion. I was Honorably Discharged in 2002.
Again, thank you for providing this forum for Wisconsinites to share their proud histories. I enjoy watching "Here and Now" every Sunday and I salute the work that you do.
Thank you,Carrie Wipplinger
Posted on ArmyStudyGuide.com
by interrogatress
You posted your 97Enquiry way back in July 04, but I just joined this website today (23 OCT 04) and had to give a shout to rep the 97Es.
was National Guard, enlisting as a 91B med specialist at age 17. In my junior year of college, the Army discovered that I knew some Russian, and a new MI linguist unit was forming in Chicago, so badabing-badaboom I went from 91B to 97E. I feel very lucky to have acquired 2 very distinct MOS's during my enlistment. My awesome MI unit supported my 4-month study abroad semester in St. Petersburg, Russia. When I came back to college and my unit in Chicago, I scored a 3+/3+ on the DLPT.
I never went to school at Defense Language Institute, but I went to the Presidio of Monterey for the Language Olympics in '98 (I heard that the name of that contest has changed because the Intl. Olympic Committee deemed it copywright infringement or some such nonsense. Get a life, IOC!)
Anyhow, I'm not sure what you want to know about life as an interrogator. Obviously we have fallen under some scrutiny in the past 6 months - rightly so - and NOW when you tell people you're a military interrogator, they cover their nads so you don't attach jumper-cables. It's a sorry state of affairs.
Interrogation is a very difficult calling, and it requires an abundance of intuition, integrity and empathy. Get inside your subject's head psychologically without busting it open physically. I have done a lot of research on military interrogation: its history, theory and practice. Below is a link to the official Army field manual for Interrogation. Feel free to Email me if you want more info or links. I got a gang of 'em. my addy is: goodapple@militaryinterrogator.com
Good luck, and may your career as an interrogator be valuable and virtuous. Don't ever compromise your moral code of values.
Best wishes, SPC Carrie Wipplinger
-----------------
Official US Army Field Manual for Intelligence Interrogation (FM 34-52): http://globalsecurity.org/intell/library/policy/army/fm/fm34-52/
Interrogators do it with the lights on
.Harwood, Kathleen MaryMilwaukee Journal Sentinel, The, Sep 4, 2003
Harwood, Kathleen Mary "Kate" Thursday, September 04, 2003 Harwood, Kathleen Mary "Kate" Of Mequon, passed away Mon., Sept. 1, 2003 in Milwaukee. She was born on Oct. 27, 1946 in Milwaukee and graduated from Bay View High School and then from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She worked at the First Wisconsin National Bank until her retirement. Kate was a classy lady who enjoyed all of her ballroom dancing friends, hiking through parks around the country and traveling to different countries. She was an active member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church and a volunteer for Horizon Hospice. Kate was fastidious and thorough in everything she did, was a wonderful daughter, mother and sister and was a joy to know. She is survived by 2 daughters, Carrie Wipplinger, Milwaukee and Anna Wipplinger, Chicago; her parents, Jasper and Lois Harwood, Prairie du Chien; 1 sister, Dawn (James B.) Wood of Madison, WI; 2 brothers, Daniel (Sara) Harwood of Milwaukee and Steven (Nancy) Harwood of Wauwatosa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many good friends. She was preceded in death by ex-husband Eugene Wipplinger and his parents, Otto and Mary Wipplinger of Milwaukee. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thurs. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church (116 N. Orchard St., Thiensville) at 11 AM. Please meet at church. Entombment to follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield. Visitation at the Funeral Home Wed., Sept. 3 from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Breast Cancer Foundation or Vitas Health Care, 2675 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 480, Wauwatosa WI 53226. SCHRAMKA-DENSOW FUNERAL HOME 423 N. Main St. Thiensville (262)242-3120
YOUR OPINIONS
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The, Aug 24, 2005
ADULTERY
Those in uniform held to high standards
An Aug. 19 editorial brashly attacked the Army for its punishment of a four-star general who dated a civilian woman while he was separated, not yet divorced, from his wife. The editorial asked: Should adultery "be against the law? The Army says yes. The Army is wrong" ("A moldy relic in military law").
I served in the Army National Guard for six years, and I quickly learned that civilian law and military law are not identical. Those representing our country in uniform especially four-star generals are held to higher standards, and rightly so.
If nothing else, the general's affair was "conduct unbecoming." Add to that the fact that Gen. Kevin Byrnes topped the chain of command for new recruits.
Given the recent controversy surrounding shady recruiting tactics, the Army cannot afford to let this slide. It sends a message that high-ranking officers are above the law, and that's a terrible message to send to potential new recruits: Go fight in Iraq while this jerk of a general earns five times your salary, stays in the United States and cheats on his wife.
If anything, Byrnes' punishment being "relieved of command" was too lenient.
Carrie Wipplinger
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