Hey, Ya Know What?

The Boys Haircuts…

OK, Kristine asked for it… I don’t think I did too awful bad for my first time doing this kind cut. I wich I had before pics, but trust me, it was OUT OF CONTROL!!!

  

What Have You Done Today Rich?

I have been watching videos on Youtube on cutting African American hair. My boys are both growing some sweet afros and it’s time for a shape up and trim. Problem is, the only black barber we know of in town doesn’t do kids. Soooo, I am gonna learn. And if I mess up, they won’t care to get a close cut. Here is what I am looking at. I really think I can do it. I’ll be like the white dude from the movie Barbershop. :)

Proof that Pop Music is Dead

I know I beat this drum often, but Pop music flat out sucks now. I stumbled across this video of the top 25 songs of 2008 in a mashup, set to the tune of Joe Satriani’s If I Could Fly, er, Colplay’s Viva La Vida, which is apparently French for long live the thieves . This video shows that most of what is on the radio now is absolute crap. And some of it is stolen. ;-)

Finally, Picasa for Mac

Looks like it may drop at Macworld next week. Thank goodness. iPhoto is, well, horrible. As a long time Picasa user on Windows, I am glad we finally get an organizer worth something for our Macs.

Link: Picasa: Picasa for Macs Might Launch at Macworld 2009.

2008: My Year in Music

Alter’d State started it’s 3rd year of existence back in the spring. I can’t believe we’ve been able to keep this thing together as long as we have. We’ve had so many roster changes (although it’s typical with a local band, or any band for that matter.) This year we had 3 different bass players and one of them twice (Chris is back, thank goodness). It’s been quite the rollercoaster ride. We’ve been through more bass players and than Spinal Tap has drummers.

We were as busy as ever this year and added more than half a dozen new venues to our list of places played. We’ve stuck with most of the old haunts, sans the Kingsport VFW. That place is close to going under. To bad too, it had such potential. We played a couple of public community events as well. It’s always nice to get invited to those. It’s recognition that you are doing something that a wide range of people like.

I’m not going to run down my top albums of 2008 in this post, but it was a fun year. Any year where Metallica, Guns ‘n’ Roses, and ACDC make a return to the rock scene is a good one. Other music I enjoyed this year includes Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, Beck’s Modern Guilt, My Morning Jacket’s Evil Urges, Conner Oberst’s self titled offering, the Raconteurs’ Consolers of the Lonely, and the new Jonas Brothers disc.

Finally, I didn’t make it out to any “big shows” this year. I did take in quite a bit of local music. Gotta support my brothers and sisters in arms. Hey, wait, I did go see Great White back in the spring. I guess that might count as a big show.  Especially since we made it out of the joint without a fire starting…

So there you have it, the quick and dirty on my musical 2008. 2009 brings a new U2 record!!!

I hope you are still reading because that Jonas Brothers thing was a joke.

2008: My Year at Work

Wait a minute, I don’t post about work here. ;)

2008: My Year in Poker

2008 was my first year of playing public, league poker. I’ve played with Ern in the Tennessee Poker Tour since about this time last year. It’s a No Limit Texas Hold’em league. Same stuff you see on ESPN. Up till this point I’d played only online and in home games. It’s been quite an experience.

There are some good players in the TPT and there are some not so good players. This year, I feel like I proved I was one of the good ones. I made a final table at one of the quarterly invitational tournaments and my session averages have steadily climbed to the point I average a little better than a 3rd place at a 10 person sit and go table. I think that both my math and my instincts are getting better every time I play and I fully expect to tell you in a year that I only thought I was good in 2008. :)

One of the things I have enjoyed most is the competitive outlet it has given me. Some tables you sit at are full of horrible players that make it hard to play strategy. But when you get that occasional table with 10 good players, it’s almost as much fun as a full court basketball game (my former outlet and one my knees won’t let me do anymore).

But more than anything of the things above, it’s given me a near weekly chance to hang out with my best friend, have a good time, and blow off some steam.

2008: My Year in Blogging

I thought I would do a few “2008: My Year in ______”. I guess starting out with my year in blogging would be a pretty good start.

In short? It stunk.

I completely lost my way. The number one contributor to this was the Presidential Election and my drive to get as many readers as possible by posting about it. And even though it worked (I had the most hits I’ve ever had this past year) my blogging suffered.

Another reason my blogging suffered is because of work. I don’t do posts about my work and never will. This year saw an increase in my workload. So when you don’t blog about a subject that subject takes up a large part of your life, blogging will suffer.

And finally, this has been a year that I have withdrawn quite a bit. I’ve had many many things on my mind and just wanted to keep things to myself. I think I am coming out of that a bit, so blogging should get better. I hope.

Never Too Much Steve...

That shirt is super awesome. I need one for my next gig. And man do I wish I could grow a sweet white man's fro like Neal Schon...

Once Again...

I've sat down to write something, but nothing's coming easy... Oh well, let's try again some other time.