Blog
Only The Good...
They say there's a heaven for those who will wait
Some say its better but I say it aint
Id rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
The sinners are much more fun...Billy Joel
I'm Thirty Four
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Now that I'm Thirty Four...
Things that I've learned:
- Raise your standards including what you will allow, but mostly for/from yourself...
- People say life is too short to be unhappy. Dammit, life is way too long to be unhappy.
- Returning arrays is useful because of the ability to encode them and pass them between systems as XML/RPC or JSON.
- Most computer systems can be boiled down to frameworks which are highly generalized, holding up bits which are highly specific. Think of a light-weight MVC system that lets you build a custom web app in 5 minutes, or a Queue system with a boring API and custom handlers.
- I really don't like Jazz all that much for the musicianship involved, but love it for the moods.
- For me, being a man is not yet something I can boil down into one sentence. But it's a lot of short sentences. Those will all be chapter headings in my book.
- There are some things about me that most people don't like that I have zero interest in changing or fixing for them.
- I alone am responsible for my own happiness.
Four true things about me, and one lie:
- I was born in Arkansas.
- I'm a professional song-writer and have tax paperwork to prove it.
- I've driven coast-to-coast, twice! (but not all at once)
- I did a gig on drums with The Coasters.
- There is a lie in this list!
I like making the robot heads 'splode!
Things I'm sick of:
- Worrying, depression, angry outbursts, moping, pouting, not being able to cope.
- Wanting to seriously do long distance running, sail, ride a motor cycle, and kayak, and having so far learned to do only one of them.
- All the time going by and none of my other ideas are implemented yet. Can you relate? I can.
- Not having matching grown-up furniture.
- Having facial hair. I feel now that I will never again wish to wear a beard. I look horrible in them! Still love to shave with a super sharp razor and lathering soap, though...
- Typing my own HTML - time to install a WYSIWYG editor! Suggestions?
Things I'm proud of myself for:
- I'm making it on my own out in the real world - granted, with big help of my partner-in-crime :-) ("Hi, cutie!")
- I really did learn the basics of kayaking. I can do wet entry and exit and everything. No Eskimo rolls yet, but it's a start.
- I'm still battling my depression and other brain-related issues, somewhat passively lately ("Sorry, cutie..."), but it hasn't fallen off my to-do list, and never will.
- I've hiked to the top of Squaw Peak. Thrice!
If you don't die in glory at the age of Christ
Then your story is still coming trueDavid Wilcox
Glory, from Turning Point
Rome Fell for 3 Important Reasons
In a speech back in Chicago a year ago David Walker, former U.S. comptroller general, compared America with the Roman Empire: It "fell for many reasons, but three reasons are worth remembering -- declining moral values and political civility at home, an overconfident and overextended military in foreign lands, and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government."
Sound familiar?
Paul B. Farrell
God Wants You to be Rich
Phil Days are Here Again!
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Phil Days are here again! That magical time of year when it's appropriate to give me gifts and cash, and when ladies can kiss me to increase fertility. It seems they come earlier and earlier each year!
Instead of gifts this year, I want action! I want YOU to take action, then comment below about what you did! Here are some suggestions:
- Make a gift to the Main Cancer Foundation in memory of my good friend Wilfred Harrington.
- Go to your local blood blank or red cross and donate blood, platelets, or plasma.
- Volunteer time at your local Boys and Girls club.
- Find a fun-run/walk and walk in it for any good cause such as, domestic violence, lymphoma, cancer.
- Give money to someone who is walking/running in one of these events.
- Hug your spouse/child/parent.
Don't limit yourself. Think of something awesome you can do to make the world a better place, and go for it! I'm looking forward to reading what you do!
Being Happy
Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It simply means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!
Unknown
This Is The True Joy In Life
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This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
George Bernard Shaw
Nightfly Trilogy
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It's not news, but looks like Rhino has released all three of Donald Fagan solo albums as the "Nightfly Trilogy" including the albums and a bonus disc with unreleased tracks.
It's interesting to me that even though they're outright calling the combined works a "trilogy", people are still missing the giant I.G.Y. quote at the very end of the Morph the Cat album. That's the kind of broad-stroke which, when it's that obvious, you shouldn't miss.
Tooting my own music-nerd horn here (horrible pun intended), but I didn't miss it!
Incidentally, I've been listening to Nightfly and selected tracks from the other 2 records lately. Florida Room still does it for me in a big way. The horn section in the middle is great. Love the flute! (In particular, that you can actually hear the flute in the mix.)
George Carlin, What I've Learned
This link to George Carlin: What I've Learned was sent to me by my dear friend, Erica. Thanks!
Goodbye, George
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George Carlin died yesterday at age 71.
I read a tweet from Scoble and learned George Carlin had died. I was on the phone to my brother Chris within five seconds. I asked him if he was sitting and had heard the news. He hadn't. I told him.
Chris said, "Fuck!"
I replied, "Fuck!"
It seems apt.
I'm upset and saddened by Carlin's death.
No offense dad, but in a weird way, that goofy old George Carlin record was one of the first adult male influences in my young life. Growing up in Berkeley, after my parents divorce, it was my mother, my older brother, and me. Chris and I listened to George Carlin's record together over and over.
Carlin is the reason why at 5 I knew the 7 words you couldn't say on television. It's probably the first list I memorized outside of school, and can still recite it for you today.
Carlin is the reason why when I met my dad's girlfriend on a visit to Phoenix at age 5, I told her my teddy bear's name was Fuck Face. Dad still tells that story in certain company. I love it.
After a pretty big shake up in my personal life a couple years ago, when I went to reconnect with some old, classic, "Phil" things, I bought the most recent Carlin album I could find and listened to it repeatedly.
His unusual observations, his exposition on the English language, his cynicism, his obscenity, his brash political commentary, his manliness... the man himself, was an inspiration and constant delight to me.
George is an American treasure. He will be missed.
Resume
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I dug up my MR8 from the closet recently, turned it on, and found it to be dead. After futzing with everything for several minutes, including the power cord, I set it aside, but left it plugged in and turned on. I don't know what possessed me to do that.
A day later, I had to move the guitar case, and bumped the surge protector plug from the wall. When I plugged it back in, I noticed the MR8 was glowing and ready to go. I guess the surge protector plug had been loose all along. Lucky!
I messed around with it the a couple of days later and recorded a musical version of a poem by Dorothy Parker, which my mother introduced me to after a long talk about suicide:
Resume
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.Dorothy Parker
The music is lifted from my favorite rif by Jason Mraz, and the melody I just made up on the fly. My apologies to everyone for the poor sound quality and cheap "drum machine". These are all one take tracks, so be kind.
Enjoy!
