urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx dre dre 2006-02-01T20:14:58Z urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:85204 2006-02-01T20:14:58Z 2006-02-01T20:14:58Z I just discovered that <a href="http://www.sixapart.com/">Movable Type</a> is free. I find this out now, after I've spent like 3 months tearing my hair out getting WordPress and Folderblog to cooperate. With Movable Type I can do it all with one piece of software, I don't need two different freaking blogs. <br /><br />Rats. <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/29">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:84815 2006-01-31T19:10:52Z 2006-01-31T19:10:52Z How hard is it? <br /><br />Really? <br /><br />Is it that difficult? <br /><br />"LOOSING" is something you do with an arrow. "While loosing his arrow, he dropped his bow." As in "to loose." (Or, in France, Toulouse.) <br /><br />"LOSING" is what you do with your keys. "Losing your keys is very inconvenient." As in "to LOSE." <br /><br />Loose, used as a verb, is pretty archaic. Mostly people use "loose" to describe the type of pants that I'm wearing. If you're describing <b>losing</b> your files or <b>losing</b> your mind you wouldn't want me to let <b>loose</b> the grammar police on your ass, would you? <br /><br />Please, people. Just read it over once before you hit "Submit" or "Save" or :wq for you vi types or c-x for emacs or WHATEVER. Spare me the headache of trying to figure out what you were REALLY talking about. <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/28">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:84530 2006-01-27T21:57:36Z 2006-01-27T22:03:11Z I think I finally have everything set the way I like it in the <a href="http://www.thisperfectlie.com">photoblog</a>. Check it out and comment on the pics! Hopefully I'll get more galleries and whatnot up there as time permits. <br /><br />Jillian: I have not forgotten about my gear, and the fact that I need to photograph it for you. <br /><br />Everyone go to our show tonight! <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/26">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:84354 2006-01-27T16:50:58Z 2006-01-27T16:50:58Z <a href="http://www.livescience.com/environment/060126_ethanol_better.html">Ethanol Fuel More Advantageous Than Thought</a><br /><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/25">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:83989 2006-01-19T16:46:34Z 2006-01-19T16:46:34Z Its decision to ditch the camera business altogether includes the cessation of its colour film and photo paper business, in which it has trailed Eastman Kodak of the US and Japan's Fuji Photo Film. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4627002.stm" target="_BLANK">more @ BBC News...</a><br /><br />Is it just coincidence that, last week, I just sold my Minolta SLR bodies and lenses? Weird... <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/24">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:83734 2006-01-17T19:31:53Z 2006-01-17T19:31:53Z More and more we go out the door... <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/23">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:83462 2006-01-16T23:39:38Z 2006-01-16T23:39:38Z This is a test of the emergency MySpace crossposting capability of my blog. <br /><br />EDIT: And this is the response I got...<br /><tt>Blogs are currently disabled for special maintenance. They will be available again in about 20 minutes.<br /><br />Sorry for the inconvenience. 1/16/2006</tt><br /><br />MySpace sucks. <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/22">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:82752 2006-01-16T17:02:55Z 2006-01-16T17:04:16Z <b>on the virtual front</b><br />Messing with the stylesheet on this blog (click over if you're looking at this on livejournal). Still have some work to do but comment if you like the new look so far. Changed the URL. Registered a new domain name for my <a href="http://www.thisperfectlie.com" target="_blank">photo blog</a>. Created a placeholder page for the time being. Upgraded my Mac Mini to Tiger. <br /><br /><b>on the music front</b><br />Played another show in Nick &#038; Sam's basement on Friday. Wrote a new song and the melody is running through my head right now so I know it's halfway decent. Getting excited about the possibility of recording again. I've been so burnt for so long that it seems like I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. <br /><br /><b>photo</b><br />Walked around Woodfield Mall on Saturday with Kristen and took pictures after eating sushi at Todai. It felt great to do something totally creative and totally unrelated to any of the other crap that I've been busying myself with. I feel recharged. <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/19">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:82448 2006-01-06T21:50:03Z 2006-01-15T07:25:16Z So, in an effort to not be so sickly all the time, yesterday and today I didn't have any coffee, and instead I have been getting cranberry/apple juice from the vending machine when I am thirsty. They also have orange juice, but it tastes even worse than the cranberry/apple juice, if you can believe it. It's in metal cans. I am thirsty again but wulughueaughhh.... it's starting to give me the willies. <br /><br />When will they make a version of coffee that has vitamin C in it? And vitamin D? And is black and filthy as anything and tastes like a mix between chocolate and creamy death? I WANT THIS PRODUCT! PLEASE, GODS OF COMMERCE, SMILE UPON ME!!!! I IMPLORE YOU!!! <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/18">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:82297 2005-12-22T16:40:46Z 2005-12-22T16:40:46Z <a href="http://blog.sciam.com/index.php?title=threw_the_book_at_em&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1">Threw the Book at 'Em: BLOG: SciAm Observations</a><br />HAH!! In your FACE! <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/17">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:82073 2005-12-16T22:34:24Z 2005-12-16T22:34:24Z Yesterday we got our CD mastered by Dan Stout at <a href="http://www.colossalmastering" target="_BLANK">Colossal Mastering</a>. This was my first trip to a mastering studio and I was pretty nervous about my mixes being good enough. Once I got past the nerves though it was a great experience. <br /><br />He had I think two oscilloscopes going, one on his computer(s) and one in the rack. He did the following that I noticed:<br /><ol type="number"><br /><li>Collapsed the stereo image on the guitars, which made the guitars very present but they weren't stomping on the vocals as much. The end result is, it sounds very "three dimensional" compared to the mixes I gave him. How? no idea. <br /></li><li>Added some EQ to the very tippy top end and the low end. He made the bass sound pretty huge and present. Each song had different EQ curves, which I think he did by ear, but the end result is that all the songs sounded like the same CD... I don't know how you'd even approach that, it was completely baffling. <br /></li><li>Made it loud. It's not as loud as, say, the newest Bad Religion CD, but it's definitely way up there. It wouldn't sound out of place in a jukebox or iPod. I think that's good, because any louder and it would be one of those CDs that just hurts to listen to after a while. <br /></li><li>Did crossfades and start points and spacing for the CD. We were probably a pain in the ass about this, we were a little picky but he accomodated us very graciously. <br /></li><li>Cut a master CD with an error report for the pressing plant. This comes with a "PQ" sheet that we give the pressing plant that has all the start/end times, etc. Then we also got a reference CD that was just a normal burned disc. <br /></li></ol><br /><br />There are a lot of guys out there that don't know any better and they just run your stuff through some compressors, make it loud and call it "mastered" but this was way different. He had great attention to detail (he picked out a barely-audible piano part that we put into one of the songs) and was seriously a wizard when it came to handling that equipment. He moved lightning fast. <br /><br />There are some inconsistencies in the CD, like in some songs the kick drum is a little louder than in others, but that kind of stuff is really our fault. Next time I sort of know what he can and can't do, and I can try to mix accordingly. The only other thing I noticed is that we didn't do any real A/B listening against other CDs. I would have liked to do that, but in the end it turned out great anyway. <br /><ul>For next time, I learned:<br /><li>I think I might need new monitors. Regardless, I need to acoustically treat the basement, because I'm getting a low and low-mid frequency buildup that is making me mix things very bass-shy. Also, when I'm panning things the stereo imaging on my monitors isn't that great so I think I tend to overcompensate by panning things either way out or way in. <br /></li><li>My samples for the kick drum were very inconsistent. I <i>think</i> this might be due to the way dfhSuperior automatically turns things down when they would otherwise clip. I think a couple of the songs got affected by that little "feature." I need to watch this next time and make sure those samples are rock solid. Every little thing counts! <br /></li><li>Find a new sample for snare. The one I used cut through the mix, but only really turned out good in a couple of songs. I think a more characteristic sound would fit a little better. <br /></li><li>I need to find a better way to record Jared's bass. It sounds good, but it could be better. <br /></li><li>When in doubt, sing it again. When you love it, sing it again, JUST IN CASE! <br /></li><li>Do not fuck with my formula for guitars. They turned out <b>awesome!!</b></li></ul><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/16">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:81768 2005-12-13T21:29:46Z 2005-12-13T21:29:46Z <a href="http://www.punchitstudios.com/">Punch It! Studio update </a> <br /><br />Wherein plans are made to take time off from recording for at least a month, so I don't go terminally insane. <br /><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/15">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:81656 2005-12-13T00:01:53Z 2005-12-13T00:01:53Z After watching Much The Same record at my house, I came to the realization that we really need a fucking drummer. We need someone who is going to be to us as Jevin is to Much The Same. <br /><br />Jevin practices for an hour every day with a metronome, so that his timing will get better. And so that when it comes time to play a show, he is solid as fuck. When Much The Same is playing, he's leading their performances. He plays the role of the conductor. Plus, he has raw talent and is creative in ways that complement the band. His hits are consistent, precise, and completely appropriate to the individual moments in a song. He is completely enthusiastic about his band, and I think despite some ups and downs has been a foundation of support for Much The Same since he joined. <br /><br />We need that, except dedicated to OUR band. While I am an accomplished drummer, and so is Jeff, we both come from the same background, and Jeff has plenty of other stuff on his plate right now. I think there is only so far "filling in" can take us, whether it's me or Jeff or even Jevin. <br /><br />I know there's someone out there who is both creative AND mature. Someone who has the presence of mind to hold a (somewhat) steady job, but the drive to throw it away when the time comes. An aggressive son of a bitch behind the kit. Maybe frustrated with his current band, or he just left a band or something. He is out there, he probably lives within 15 miles of my house AND I WILL FIND HIM!! <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/14">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:81402 2005-12-09T21:31:33Z 2005-12-09T21:32:29Z So the doctor thinks I dislocated the peroneal tendons in my right ankle. This is two tendons that go around the outside of the ankle toward the base of the foot. He recommended physical therapy, so I just got off the phone with them and scheduled that. <br /><br />If that doesn't work and it still hurts... MRI and probably surgery. Fkn scary. <br /><br />Info: <a href="http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/ankle/peronealdislocation.htm">Peroneal Tendon Dislocation</a><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/?p=13">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:80921 2005-12-08T17:52:03Z 2005-12-08T17:52:03Z <ul><a href="http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2005/11/16/gree.DTL">GREEN Maybe None / Is having a child -- even one -- environmentally destructive?</a><br />...If everyone on the planet lived the way I do, we'd need three more Earths. As far as I know, they aren't making any more of these.<br /></ul><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/12">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:80749 2005-12-08T16:29:21Z 2005-12-08T16:29:21Z <ul><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/casestudies/r2casestudies.mspx"><br />"The ability to sign and exchange critical documents electronically increases efficiency. It also gives us an irrefutable audit trail for compliance with Defense Trade Control Standards."<br />—Carlos Solarte, IT Director, Recon Optical</a><br /></ul><br />That's my boss!<p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/11">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:80440 2005-12-07T20:39:47Z 2005-12-07T20:39:47Z <ul><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10349028/"></a><br />A group of atheists at the University of Texas in San Antonio is trying to tempt college kids into trading their Bibles for pornography. <br /></ul><br />Can I get a 'hell yeah?' 100% supported. <br /><br /><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/10">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:80366 2005-12-06T19:59:04Z 2005-12-07T17:52:14Z 今日はROIのプログラマーに電子メール書いた。この人は日本にいてから日本語で「気おつけて」書いている。でもその用語忘れいました。<br /><br />僕の日本語が悪くできます。残念ですね。<br /><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/9">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:80047 2005-12-05T21:27:25Z 2005-12-05T21:27:25Z <a href="http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2000/06/14/love/index1.html">Salon.com Technology | Courtney Love does the math</a><br />Of the 32,000 new releases each year, only 250 sell more than 10,000 copies. And less than 30 go platinum.<p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/8">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:79703 2005-11-30T22:59:04Z 2005-11-30T22:59:39Z <ul><br />That sweet Catholic dish I've been periodically sliding it to called me. She's pregnant. Great. Thankfully she's not putting up any resistance to doing the right thing and killing the little monster. Italian Catholic genes, man. We're fertile as hell.<br /></ul><br />More at the <a href="http://www.dangpow.com/~landed/bigblack/tourdiary.html">Big Black Final Tour Diary</a><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/7">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:79499 2005-11-30T20:20:14Z 2005-11-30T20:20:54Z John Williams conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra last night. Kristen was there. And I was there. The Milennium Park bean is all shiny now. I saw it with my own two eyes. Kristen saw it too. <br /><br />There are now two halves of a 4-foot high mini half pipe in my garage. Springtime means my legs will be all rehabilitated and I will have ramp. I love ramp! <br /><br />I got a wireless controller for my PlayStation 2 but I haven't really used it yet. I tried it for like 20 minutes to see if it worked but I haven't actually played a full game yet. <br /><br />My iPod is now broken. Apple is sending me a box into which I shall place the iPod and seal it and give it unto the UPS faeries, who shall deliver unto Apple the broken iPod. The mighty Apple will sprinkle magic dust upon the iPod and lo, the sad iPod will be sad no more. Then Apple shall give unto the UPS faeries the happy iPod, and the UPS faeries will deliver unto me the happy iPod. And there will be much rejoicing. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/wp-content/sadipod.gif" /></center><br /><br />My iPod shuffle is still happy, though. Fie on the evil iPod spirits. <br /><br />I also reduced the clutter in my studio by putting a couch and some bookshelves in. It is a comfortable place now. <br /><br />One song left to do the first mix on our record. Then everyone gets burned copies and we tear it apart and tweak it. The end of the recording is nigh! Nigh I say! And then we will have CD!!! Oh how I have dreamed of the day! <br /><br /><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/6">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:79112 2005-11-23T17:36:05Z 2005-11-23T17:37:07Z <a href="http://www.johnny-five.com/">Johnny-Five.com</a><br /><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/5">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:78947 2005-11-22T23:44:57Z 2005-11-23T17:37:16Z <a href="http://walmartwatch.com/">WalmartWatch.com</a><br /><p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/4">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:78627 2005-11-16T20:40:08Z 2005-11-16T20:40:08Z So, last Friday I sprained my right ankle. Yes I'm aware of the cruel irony, since only three weeks ago I sprained my left knee. <br /><br />In the course of conversation, I have repeatedly referred to the times that I broke my arm and my knee. But I just remembered that I also broke my toe one time. I didn't get a cast or anything, and they didn't have to splint it, but I did break my right baby toe. It was totally bogus. I fell down the stairs. <br /><br />I don't know how I forgot that. <p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/3">View this post on my blog</a></font></p> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:xxdrexx:78365 2005-11-16T18:04:46Z 2005-11-18T23:11:28Z Just testing to see if this will post to LiveJournal also...<p><font size="-1"><a href="http://www.counterpunchrock.com/dre/wordpress/archives/2">View this post on my blog</a></font></p>