| Dirge Carolers, Games, Fashion Show atTemplecon |
[Feb. 5th, 2010|12:41 pm] |
This weekend in Warwick, is the retro-futurist gaming convention, Templecon.
http://templecon.org/
Tonight, I'll be DJ'ing along with DJ Delicti, and playing with the Dirge Carolers. Also playing are Sasquatch and the Sickabillies, and Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band.
There's a huge list of events, from all manner of games, to dance performances, costume contest, fashion show, henna classes.
So, if you're intrested, come check it out! |
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| Extremely boring update |
[Feb. 3rd, 2010|06:16 pm] |
I finally get to be on LJ for a change...
Why?
Because today is a hell-day at work.
I had to get up early to drive to Kingston and teach two classes at URI, then, I drove to Providence, eat, and sit around my my computer for a few hours before teaching a 3-hour class at RISD. Fun, fun, fun. So here I am on the internets. |
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| Clan of Xymox |
[Jan. 26th, 2010|05:06 pm] |
Wow, I was just realizing how good they are. It's easy to forget, because they're always changing their style. More often than not, they sound too much like another band. But which band that is shifts, and somehow, they manage to make excellent songs.
In te early days, they were compared to Joy Division and the Cure. This happens to most goth bands, and is mainly the fault of unsophisticated reviewers who don't have anything more specific with which to compare them. But, many tracks sound eerily Cure-like, especially in the vocals. there's some good stuff in that part of the catalogue.
Fast forward to their pop album, Twist of Shadows. There are some excellent tracks on board. "Imagination" is wonderful, and falls into the category of New Order, etc. Some of the other tracks, with male vocals, resemble Depeche Mode equally as much. But it was goooood.
When "Creatures" came out, I heard Jasmine and Rose, and thought, "Who is this Sisters of MErcy copy band? They are good." Indeed, the vocal style had changed, they sounded too much like SoM, and their various imitators, such as Merry Thoughts. But it was excellent.
Then, "Farewell". The title track is poppy electronica to compete with Covenant. Again, they stepped into a new genre and did and awesome job. The second track sounds far too much like Diary of Dreams, but, it's good.
I just got "In Love We Trust" in the mail. I'm listening to it now. I haven't come to any serious conclusions about it yet, but I hope it lives up to what I expect from them. I had to buy it anyway: the cover has a fencing mask. 8-) |
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| still alive |
[Jan. 22nd, 2010|04:24 am] |
Well, things are going well. Teaching at RISD since just after New Year's, URI starts this coming week. I'll have 5 classes, and likely one independent study. I still hit the gym 3 days a week, fence at least one, and play music at least one. Changed my diet a bit on Doctor's advice...my lack of daily pizza and cheeseburgers combined with my already rigorous exercise will likely result in 6-pack abs. Would have had them all along, I just refused to watch what I eat.
Anyway, below the cut
( my new baby... ) |
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| Fencing stuff |
[Nov. 6th, 2009|10:23 pm] |
As of last night, I am a member of RIFAC and the US Fencing Association. This is pretty cool, as I could technically fence at the academy 4 nights a week with my monthly membership. I think I'll do one or two a week, plenty while still allowing job/weightlifting/band practice flexibility.
On my first bout last night, we had a bit of an issue. My foil pierced my opponent's jacket, and somehow pinched her under her chest protector. I'm not sure if she was wearing a proper underarm guard, but that just about never happens.
Most of the folks there were fencing veterans, or young official team members (we have some international competitors, so the kids are frightingly skilled). I did alright, but made myself a list of things to improve. |
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| Tea Parties |
[Apr. 14th, 2009|06:41 pm] |
Hmmmm...
I find this subject a bit humorous, to be honest.
Where were these protesters three or four years ago, when our tax money was being used to build Iraq's infrastructure though no-bid contracts to Bush's cronies? Suddenly, people resent tax-and-spend when it's spent on our own country, but they overlooked their taxes building a country we had no business breaking in the first place?
Now they claim that this is not a partisan thing, it's an anti-government movement. But its gained support of Fox News and people like Glenn Beck. So...I know where all these "anti-government" protesters were a few years ago. They were the ones shouting "Why do you hate America!?!" when you suggested anything George W. did was not in our best interests.
Tea Party protesters...."Why do you hate America?"
I'm not naive enough to think that the Democrats have all the answers. As far as I'm concerned, or system of government puts the power in the hands of the richest lobbies. I never thought Obama was a messianic solution to our problems, I just thought it would be nice to be represented to the world by a leader who wouldn't stumble over the English language. As far as I'm concerned, he still has a long way to go to prove himself, even up to the low expectations I have. But there are two things:
1) We had 8 years of Bush. That was worth protesting.
2) This guy hasn't been in office a year yet. Let's give him time to see what plans he implements, and whether they work. If, in three years, they haven't helped the economy, then I'll be ready for a tea party like I would have been a few years ago.
I never ceased to be amazed how conservatives have the "Average Joe/Josephine Blow" convinced that pro-corporate-greed government and lack of regulation are good for him/her. I guess they just use the same tactic they do to scare him/her enough that legalization of gay marriage will make his/her wife or husband run off and be lesbian or gay or something. |
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| I've been complaining for years about the quality of their products |
[Mar. 3rd, 2009|12:49 pm] |
Sony used to make good things...years ago, I think they decided they didn't have to bother making good things, their brand was "established." I'm glad someone else called them out on it. Turn up your volume, unless you're at work. If you're at work, don't click the link, you will probably laugh hysterically and people will come to see what you're doing. Anyway, the link below is NWS!!!!!
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/sony_releases_new_stupid_piece_of
Well we're at it, this one isn't a video, so it is not as dangerous in a work environment. Mostly here to be arkhamed, er, archived for my future use:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/lovecraftian_school_board_member
The last entry is again ere for the sake of my remembering it is there. It's an old problem I used to know all too well.
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/38680 |
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| Fencing tournament, etc. |
[Feb. 26th, 2009|12:43 pm] |
I competed in a fencing tournament last night. I won three bouts before being eliminated. My ranking was improved a bit since my first tournament a few months ago. I came in 9th, one slot behind the last person to bring home some hardware for placing.
The person who received that honor is a very cool fellow and law school professor named John.
Later, I went to Left of the Dial at the Scurvy Dog and had a great time listening to Delsin and Freddy's sets, and hanging out with Heather, Colleen, Paul, Dax, Joe, and Amber. A few other people I knew came in as I was leaving. They have Newcastle and Strongbow, and since I won't touch beer, it is nice to have good cider and ale options. |
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| Yet another random video |
[Feb. 25th, 2009|01:02 am] |
I was talking to someone who took my classes several years ago, who long since gradiated and lives in Japan. I mentioned that I want to be big in Japan, so he introduced me to this musical treasure:
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| Our CD Release |
[Feb. 23rd, 2009|11:40 pm] |
Come see us play! Celebrate our new release with us! Dance your butt off to Sanctuary's awesome DJ sets!!!! |
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| Dead Milkmen |
[Feb. 21st, 2009|11:37 pm] |
I was singing this song earlier this evening, so I was inspired to post the link to the video.
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| Not a real update |
[Jan. 7th, 2009|08:32 am] |
Just thought I'd call your attention to this.
It's fairly entertaining. |
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| Minor update |
[Dec. 18th, 2008|10:45 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | fencing | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
| [ | music |
| | New Dirge Carolers tracks | ] |
As usual, I haven't posted much, but I've been busy. The end of many things has made life hectic and/or exciting lately. For one, the semester ended today. That means plenty of grading has been done the last few weeks, much more happened today.
Another end cometh; the new Dirge Carolers CD is approaching completion. I think we have all the tracks recorded, now just mixing, tweaking, effects processing, EQ'ing, compression, mastering, etc. needs to happen. Much of this is to be done by me. So nearing the end of this project means plenty of work. We also need to get our artwork and text layout, etc in order. Whereas the recording process itself was a relatively slow trickle with occasional downpours of activity, the post-recording process will be a pretty huge chunk of long hours at once, I think.
The fencing academy I've been going to is leaving a building they have been in for years, and although they are moving to another one in the same town, they'll be closed until after the new year. I had my first quasi-real tournament Wednesday, and, although victory was not mine (nor did I expect it to be), I did manage to score a few touches against a well-known fencer or two. The upper half of the competitors were mostly nationally-known people, so when I was eliminated in my fifth bout, I got to sit down and watch some great fencers. The people all seem pretty awesome, too; I hadn't had as much social interaction with most of them before that night, when all us not-national-competitor-people sat and watched and chatted after our elimination, occasionally joined by those who were still in the running, when they were resting between bouts.
This year has seen a lot of things end. Some will be sorely missed (e.g. Spike's on Thayer Street.) Some things haven't ended yet, but we're counting down the days cough-Bush-Administration-cough. |
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| Insomnia |
[Dec. 11th, 2008|08:32 am] |
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8:32 and I'm still up. Oddly, I've done little grading in that time. Hardly any mixing of our new tracks in that time. I didn't even play video games very long. I wonder how I passed all that time without actually managing to fall asleep. I've never felt so unfulfilled by solitary pursuits, which are something I generally need a good share of to be able to deal with others--and "recharge my social battery." |
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| Peer Pressure |
[Nov. 15th, 2008|09:05 pm] |
Five Things I was Doing 10 Years Ago
1). Going to Dark Sun and Rebound (the Goth and 80's clubs in Athens)
2). Working on my dissertation research on the Acropolis and in the Epigraphical Museum
3). Enjoying great food and wine
4). Hanging out at the Fulbright Office and the ASCSA
5). Spending any "free time" hiking almost aimlessly all over Greece, and occasionally Turkey (especially when my Greek visa ran out)
Five Things on My To Do List Today:
1). Buy a Nerf Gun
2). Promote on Myspace
3). Vacuum
4). Get speakers, stands, and cables ready for tomorrow
5). Laundry
Five Snacks I Enjoy:
1). Olives, Kalamata only.
2). Salt and Vinegar Chips
3). Nachos
4). Fruit-flavored sugar snacks
5). Peanut-butter smidgens (PA version of peanut butter easter eggs)
Five Things I Would Do If I Were a Millionaire, in no particular order:
1). Buy a house outright. And outfit a music room with a studio, and a wall-mounted guitar rack. Convert the basement into a multipurpose room with a fencing strip and wall-mounted sword racks.
2). Remove all of my and Heather's debt
3). Buy a new car, and one for Heather
4). Spend two years travelling off and on, maybe doing some research, recording while home
5). After I was sure my Mom and Aunt were taken care of, I'd buy a sailboat
Five Places I Have Lived:
1.) Bronx, NY
2). Providence, RI
3). Athens, Greece
4). Pittsburgh, PA
5). Rome, Italy (only about 3 summers)
Five Jobs I Have Had:
1). Lifeguard
2). Professor
3). Asst. Director of Excavation
4). New Age Store clerk
5). Curator / Numismatist |
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