• “You may have heard that a dean is to faculty as a hydrant is to a dog” Alfred Kahn

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    As I find myself navigating different situations that previously I might have over-controlled in order to pre-determine the outcome, but have more or less played by ear, I realize that like anything else the release of control gets easier with practice

    I made the Dean’s list apparently. Which is pretty strange since I’ve never overshot my goals quite so spectacularly.

    Well, good for me I guess.

    In other news, I got to move my daughter’s piano into my music room – and I’ve started the learning.

    One of my friends hooked me up with a guy who is looking for a non-singing guitar player…..hey! That’s ME! so we’re going to try and get together and play. Things are power drifting into the right direction. While I have been content to previously let these things fall in my lap (as they did this time) as of last week, I had decided that I was going to play a new open mic night around the corner from my house. I haven’t prepped for it yet – but I’m in slight vacation mode. Things are looking like they’re flowing in the right direction though.


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  • “In grade school, I was a complete geek. You know, there’s always the kid who’s too short, the kid who wears glasses, the kid who’s not athletic. Well, I was all three.” Julianne Moore

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    I almost can’t believe it.

    I’ve done far better this semester than I ever have in my life. Let’s break it down:

    Chemistry: Final Grade (B)
    Government: Final Grade (A)
    Concepts of Physical Education: Final Grade (A)
    History – Civil War thru Present: Final Grade (B)
    The only class that I have left is Music Reading – in which I currently have a grade average of 104. (Extra Credit) – so after I turn in my masterpiece of a tune, I should also have an A in that class.

    !!

    I’m pretty proud of myself. I also looked up the text for the music appreciation class (RnR) that I’m excited about, it’s called: “Rockin’ in Time: A Social History of Rock and Roll” Here is the synopsis:

    This well-organized, visually interesting book offers an in-depth examination of the social history of rock-and-roll. Rockin’ in Time emphasizes several main themes, including the importance of African-American culture in the origins and development of rock music. Topics covered in this comprehensive history are: the blues and racism; Elvis Presley and rockabilly; Dick Clark and Don Kirshner; the California sound; Bob Dylan; the British invasion; Motown; acid rock; campus unrest and militant blues; the 1970s; punk rock; MTV; Generation X; the rave revolution; hip hop; and nu-metal. An excellent reference work for rock fans, music industry employees, those employed by radio stations, and those in music and performer-related marketing.

    I can’t wait! I’m also going to teach myself how to play piano during the break between semesters…..


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  • “At that point, we’d stop recycling.” Heidi Adams

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    I’d forgotten what a great exercise having someone over is.

    Really, there’s nothing like saying, “Company is coming” and then realizing that you need to clean up your house.

    Granted, my house is typically not that messy – it’s a matter of organizing the few things that “get away from me” like my computer desk. Recycling the mass amounts of junk mail that I get in my father’s name takes a while too. Of course, I vacuumed the house using the Dyson (hallelujah!) and I wonder how many cats I could build out of the loads and loads of hair I picked up. Is there a way to recycle cat hair? Does it make good wall insulation?

    As always, my brain feels a lot better when my house is organized, so I naturally feel great today. LOL!

    Also, I got a check for $.04 from the brokerage that was giving me a hard time. I’m not going to cash it on principle. Apparently it must be cashed within 180 days. I wonder if they’ll cut another check? Or write it off?

    I have two more finals – well, three really, but I’ve written the song for my intro music reading class – it’s ready to be handed in on Thursday. So, the classes that I have A’s in, I have finals for tomorrow. I suppose I’ll study a little later. Maybe. I made a “B” in my Chemistry class (thank you curve!) and a “B” in my History class.


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  • “There is music wherever there is harmony, order, or proportion.” Thomas C. Haliburton

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    In general, I’ve always wondered what possessed my mother (or father) to buy the two main record albums that I remember receiving as a child. Yes, record albums. The big plastic discs….

    I believe the first was “Meet the Beatles”

    The second was “Surfin’ USA”. I can’t find the actual album, because for some reason the tracks I specifically remember (In My Room, Surfin’ USA, Little Deuce Coupe) don’t seem to appear on any one album. I’ll put the closest I can find:

    I didn’t have Surfin’ USA album for sure – because I know that I would have recognized Miserlou and Honky Tonk later in life. I hadn’t heard those until late 90’s.

    These albums were received as Christmas gifts in probably ’78 or ’79. Possibly 1980. So, which came first, my getting albums? Or my love of harmony (and minor progressions)? I picked up the “With the Beatles” which I think is the European version of “Meet the Beatles”. The Beatles disc is playing right now – and I remember all the times I listed to this record over and over and over. This is in the late 70’s. I didn’t have any idea who the Beatles were!

    Obviously, I think that “In My Room” is one of the most haunting harmonies that Brian Wilson ever wrote. I once got busted for harmonizing in choir as a young lad. LOL.

    I love the counterpoint I guess.


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  • “If it was a five year-old asking me to do “Road Runner” I would have done it easy. But the same people who asked for “Road Runner” asked for “Pablo Picasso”, they all had these sort of arty voices.” Jonathan Richman

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    It’s not like I live in the “Wilds of Texas” or anything, but there’s this roadrunner that I’ve seen before. Well, today he was hanging out at my neighbors house. Not sure exactly what he’s doing (except sunning himself and avoiding dogs) but he’s gained a lot of winter weight.

    Hard to capture an “action shot” of a roadrunner (if you can believe it):


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  • “If you want something from an audience, you give blood to their fantasies. It’s the ultimate hustle.” Marlon Brando

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    So I gave blood today.

    It was kind of a rush decision as the Carter Blood Care vehicle was on campus. I figured I had eaten enough this morning…..well almost. In the last minute and a half I started feeling queasy – but they gave me a sports drink and a cold compress so I pulled through. I’m probably going to make this an annual tradition around my birthday.

    Because it’s the right thing to do.

    In other news, my daughter asked me why I was looking like a “rocker”. As in “punk rocker”. Which I found pretty funny. She says, “You don’t look like a rockabilly dude any more”. I said, “This is where all the punk dudes got their looks from – the rockabilly dudes.” She said, “Mmmm. Okay.”

    Lastly, I didn’t study for my last PE quiz (pre final) and made a 97. Of course, I finished first and my teacher gave me a big grin – I guess because he expected me to finish first….then I finished first on a Government quiz (pre final) that I didn’t study for and this teacher ALSO figured I would finish first because she sent me to the copy room to pick up copies for the class. Yay me. School is almost over. (For this semester anyway).

    Creep on!


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  • “When a finger points to the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger” Chinese Proverb

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    Today has been a really “off” day. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m getting a cold, or if the moon cycle is hitting a little early.

    I didn’t believe in the “moon cycle” until my boss pointed it out to me. About two days before and after every full moon, everything at work would go haywire. Completely off the wall stuff. Things would happen that you just couldn’t believe. (Not supernatural stuff, but stuff that happens once every ten years would just pick one of those days to happen). The next full moon is December second – so it’s a little early yet.

    My day started when I woke up getting everything ready for my guitar lesson. My student canceled. No problem, got a few things done. My brother called and wanted to meet. My daughter and I got ready and we left the house to meet at Bonedaddy’s.

    That’s when it hit me. That “Don’t Leave the House” feeling. It’s that feeling that tells me, “Be careful, something tremendously bad can happen today”. I resisted every urge to cancel everything and stay home. Met up with brother, daughter met a few friends I have there, and I drank three beers and had lunch.

    Afterward, we went to Bed Bath and Beyond, and got a lava lamp for girlie’s room and a sound machine too. Came home and passed out for three hours. Had to pick up milk for tomorrow and I got that same “Don’t Leave the House” feeling. Was extra, extra careful getting home and I’ve locked the door and set the alarm.

    Not sure what’s going on – if it’s an impending cold, it would make sense. The moon, less sense, but still possible. It’s a very nagging feeling that something is not quite right…..I just haven’t figured out what it is yet.


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  • “It’s getting better every day as far as the soreness and all that.” Andy Pettitte

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    Mmmm.

    DOMS – or as I learned in my “Concepts of Physical Education”, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

    Tiny tears in muscle fiber that start getting sore hours after working out. (Typically 24+). In a weird way, it’s good to feel the pain of working out. It reminds me that I did something…..

    I worked out yesterday – a promise I made to myself…

    Although I followed it up with some deep dish pizza (D’OH!), it was worth it.

    I need to get back into the routine – since this weekly cardio work at school seems to be doing nothing for me.


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  • “The lion and the calf will lay down together, but the calf won’t get much sleep.” Woody Allen

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    Ho hum.

    It’s black friday. Apparently.

    What a racist way to designate a day of shopping. (!) I digress.

    In the past two days, I have slept in much like when I was a young lad – until around 11am each day. It has surprised me both days, since I honestly did not think I was capable of it any more. Part of the problem is that I don’t really have anything pressing to do. If there was something that I REALLY NEEDED to do, I suppose I would wake up. So, I sleep. Slumber. Nap. Whatever.

    There is some homework that I probably need to accomplish, but I suppose I have the next two days for that. Today is a day of doing nothing. Hanging with my daughter, and remaining lazy. Although benigets and coffee was a pretty decent way to start.

    No way in hell am I going out.

    I also wanted to not spend any money yesterday – as a silent protest for keeping business open on holiday days…..

    unfortunately….

    due to a complication that left my daughter sulking for most of the day, I was forced to attempt to “buy her” with a Starbucks Iced Venti Chai Tea Latte. I commiserated with the Baristas about working on T-day.

    In other news 3 out of 4 people in the Starbucks had comments for my full leopard print creepers! (They liked them)

    I guess they’re good conversation starters.


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