I just recently returned to Calgary. I was away visiting my sister, Heather It was very nice. She lives up in Whitehorse. It was very cold there, they broke a new cold record for the city, -43. I don't even need to say farenheit or celsius because they are the same at -40. I noticed that people up there don't bother to say the minus. I guess no one is goint to get confused and think it is really plus forty.
It was a very good break, getting away from the rat race and all. Though I did get a little bit of cabin fever since you couldn't leave the house. Mostly I just drank my brother-in-laws' beer and watched TV. The activities I did participate in were: going to baby swim at the pool with my sister and her daughter Cadence, dog sledding with Yukon Dave and Chad, my sister's husband, and going to see the Arrogant Worms at the Nakai Cultural Centre. The Arrogant Worms are a musical comedy troop from Kingston, Ontario. They had good material, but I don't think that they were feeling it.
I return to work tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it, even though I know it will be good for me. Too much time with nothing to do is bad for my mental health. I went in to work yesterday because I needed to borrow my boss' car, and my bosses (I have two) told me they were taking me to dinner on the 19th. I am worried that they want to tell me something. I try not to think about it too much, because I would probably geuss completely wrong.
A nice surprise I got on returning home was that I found out I have to move. The owner of the place I am renting has decided to sell. Luckily I can stay until the end of April, so there is plenty of time to find new digs. I am undecided whether I should continue living with roommates, or find something on my own. My current roommates have expressed interest in getting a new place all together, so maybe that will be a solution.
That's all I got in me now,
Bill
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Drumming is Fun
More about me. I play drums. It is my favorite hobby. Everyone should have a hobby, mine just happens to be very loud and annoying to the people around me. I compensate by being clean and friendly, and I try to be considerate of my roommates, however sometimes I just need to play.
My musical life began early, I started playing piano when I was 6 or 7, I can't remember which. That went on until I was 15. Meanwhile, I began drumming when I was about twelve. It has continued on and off until the present. A major revival began a couple of years ago when I was living abroad. I played with a band and that helped me maintain sanity when I was feeling homesick.
I currently play with a friend, Ethan, who is a guitarist. We had a band with some other dudes, Nik and Devon, which did original material last summer, however we had difficulty maintaining a practice schedule this fall and so we are going to attempt a cover band project. Here is a list of the covers we a considering.
Well this post got somewhat off topic. Back to drumming.
I've got a Taye Tour Pro 5-piece kit with Sabian cymbals. Ethan thought my cymbals weren't of high enough quality, however I have always been more concerned about the actual drums themselves. My goal is to eventually own a Ayotte kit. I love the wooden rims. But that is a few years off unless my finances improve. And there are other things I want before that.
The sound of the Taye drums themselves is very good, though not great. My room is probably to small for them. What I really like about them is the hardware, all those pieces which connect the drums and cymbals together. It is really easy to work with and allows for great positioning of the drums. The only problem I have had with it is that the floor tom is connected to the ride cymbal stand, and when I remove the ride cymbal, it has a tendancy to fall over (Crash!). However, I have learned that lesson and am now very aware about propping it up when I need to remove the cymbal from the stand.
Anyways, enough for now, have a pleasant day.
Bill
My musical life began early, I started playing piano when I was 6 or 7, I can't remember which. That went on until I was 15. Meanwhile, I began drumming when I was about twelve. It has continued on and off until the present. A major revival began a couple of years ago when I was living abroad. I played with a band and that helped me maintain sanity when I was feeling homesick.
I currently play with a friend, Ethan, who is a guitarist. We had a band with some other dudes, Nik and Devon, which did original material last summer, however we had difficulty maintaining a practice schedule this fall and so we are going to attempt a cover band project. Here is a list of the covers we a considering.
THE XEROX PARK working tracklist:If we were able to pull off half of these I would be very happy.
-Dead Kennedys - We've got a bigger problem now
-Hole - Violet
-Red hot chonky peppers - I could have lied
-Stone temple pilots - Vasoline
-Deftones - Dai the flu
-Deftones - Street carp
-Prick - Communique
-Marilyn Manson - Reflecting God
-Nin - Burn
-Radiohead - Just (?)
-Lard - I am your clock
-Sonic Youth - Swimsuit Issue
-Manic Street Preachers - Archives of pain
-Nirvana - School or Mr. Moustache
-Janes Addiction - Been Caught Stealin
-Heart - Barracuda
Well this post got somewhat off topic. Back to drumming.
I've got a Taye Tour Pro 5-piece kit with Sabian cymbals. Ethan thought my cymbals weren't of high enough quality, however I have always been more concerned about the actual drums themselves. My goal is to eventually own a Ayotte kit. I love the wooden rims. But that is a few years off unless my finances improve. And there are other things I want before that.
The sound of the Taye drums themselves is very good, though not great. My room is probably to small for them. What I really like about them is the hardware, all those pieces which connect the drums and cymbals together. It is really easy to work with and allows for great positioning of the drums. The only problem I have had with it is that the floor tom is connected to the ride cymbal stand, and when I remove the ride cymbal, it has a tendancy to fall over (Crash!). However, I have learned that lesson and am now very aware about propping it up when I need to remove the cymbal from the stand.
Anyways, enough for now, have a pleasant day.
Bill
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
I like the Deftones hardcore
I like to keep this up front with most people I meet because I don't want there to be any misunderstanding. I think they are best band going, bar none. I have never figured out why I like them so much. They aren't the best musicians, or the best song writers. Sometimes Chino isn't the most modest of fellows. However, whatever the reasons I can listen to them any day, any time and think it is awesome. Most of my friends think I am nuts.
I first began to like the band when their album, "Around the Fur" was released. I had heard tracks from their debut over the airwaves. Broadcast from a station in Seattle that my room wasn't really within range of, but I listened to it anyways. By the time "White Pony", came out I was hooked.
I remember going on this epic 3 day camping journey that summer. My buddies that were supposed to have gone with me, just bailed and so I ended up going alone. I was by myself on the very northern tip of Vancouver Island, only the wind and the bears for company. I didn't bring the album with me, but I played it crazy loud in my truck on the drive there and back. I liked it so much that I just felt like the coolest guy alive.
Anyways, I am eagerly awaiting their new album. Abe Cunningham was yesterday reported as saying in an interview with Rolling Stone that it would probably come out sometime after May of this year.
Cheers,
Billzor
I first began to like the band when their album, "Around the Fur" was released. I had heard tracks from their debut over the airwaves. Broadcast from a station in Seattle that my room wasn't really within range of, but I listened to it anyways. By the time "White Pony", came out I was hooked.
I remember going on this epic 3 day camping journey that summer. My buddies that were supposed to have gone with me, just bailed and so I ended up going alone. I was by myself on the very northern tip of Vancouver Island, only the wind and the bears for company. I didn't bring the album with me, but I played it crazy loud in my truck on the drive there and back. I liked it so much that I just felt like the coolest guy alive.
Anyways, I am eagerly awaiting their new album. Abe Cunningham was yesterday reported as saying in an interview with Rolling Stone that it would probably come out sometime after May of this year.
Cheers,
Billzor
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Blog Goals
I can remember several times during my youth being told it was important to state your goals if you were to have any chance of reaching them. My favorite activity during this time was competitive swimming. I enjoyed the breaststroke immensely. I don't remember ever looking back and thinking that the theory had proven itself in fact, however I never count out the subconscious influence.
Therefore here be da goals:
1. Keep my thoughts organized.
2. Expose the world to said thoughts.
3. Share things I have learned.
4. Support people and projects I like.
Word Up,
Billzor
Therefore here be da goals:
1. Keep my thoughts organized.
2. Expose the world to said thoughts.
3. Share things I have learned.
4. Support people and projects I like.
Word Up,
Billzor
Sunday, January 09, 2005
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