Robert J

Thanks David - a little humour around here is a good thing. Rethinking the whole UBS mic thing. Maybe I got too excited at the prospects. Perhaps this is the better solution with a couple of mikes. You can control gain and monitor and there's a variety of outs. http://www.rolandus.com/products/productde...04&ParentId=114

They are aound $170 Canadian, $150 US. True, this model looks like it it being marketed to the Podcasting community. But I've seen sites where musicians are using them for recording. Since the initial post, I've looked up some other brands that have more 'normal' mike appearances. ie - http://www.samsontech.com/products/product...cfm?prodID=1810 I guess the negatives of USB miking is no mixer or controllled gain.

I was at our local music store and was getting some microphone ideas. I saw the Snowball mic from Blue Microphones, but didn't get a chance to audition one. They look cool and apparantly record well. Interested in using it for my upright piano. I like the idea of a direct connection to my laptop w/o any electrical distortion. Anyone know about this? http://www.bluemic.com/modules.php?op=modl...ndex&prod_id=18

John - Thanks for the head's up. How do the CDs fare in sound quality compared to the ones from this site? http://www.archive.org/audio/etreelisting-...ollection=etree I doubt we'll see Fugazi live again for awhile. Though I did see Brendan perform with Bob Mould in the fall.

I sold my 1990 Honda CRX this fall Hard to justify a 2 seater as a family man. It is probably now a souped up hot rod on the Toronto streets. Have a 1993 Mercury Villager van, with almost 300,000 kms. I tinker with it and it runs very well. Advantage - Nissan engine. Disadvantage - Ford body (rust)

It was that copper wire he found in his boot.

Whoa - 20 years. First year university, I was on a bus going to school. A woman on the bus turned to me and said: "Did you hear..." She had such a gleeful expression that I did not believe her, until other students confirmed it when I arrived on campus. I think the image of that skid mark of smoke as the peices came back to Earth is the worst memory. But Chernobyl was scarier. I remember seeing footage of all these guys on the roof of the reactor putting out the fire. I thought, there's no way these guys are going to live to see tomorrow.

I think there are many ways to study to become a musican. Most children make some musical discovery early on - spoons on a pot or the table, being conscious of the sound of your voice, pulling on a stretched elastic band, etc. That's the initial joy of making the music. We all became 'students' that way when we became aware of different ways to make sound. Many of our parents made us take music lessons, or if older, it was our own choice. Or we did it on our own. Still, as suggested above, it's hard to be completely self taught. I learned lots from recordings and watching live music - but I was taught it indirectly. It wasn't from a teacher I went to on a weekly basis. I'd say I bumbled into the whole situation out of a love for sound, and then for specific music. Some highlights of my childhood 'lessons' * Learning "zip a dee doo da" on my dad's pump organ at age 7. * Disappointing my mother and teacher after 2 years of classical piano lessons at age 11. * Not playing piano at all for 2 years * Being shown by my dad how to read guitar chord symbols to fake left hand bass in pop sheet music at age 13 * discovering some records from dad's small but helpful jazz LP collection at age 14 - Oscar Peterson, MJQ, and Ramsey Lewis. * Seeing Sun Ra and Kirk Lightsey at age 15 (but also Spryo Gyra and Weather Report) * Lessons one summer with Matt Michaels, head of jazz program, Wayne State They all contributed. I think the last entry helped me see the discipline angle. Matt asked me to do certain things (learn in all keys) and practice for certain hours a day. I thought he was kidding. He had high expectations and was just showing me what it takes. Unfortunately I didn't have it in me then to rise to that challenge. In fact, I'm still working on it! For me, becoming a real student has only happened over a long period of time, and it will continue. This past November I attended Barry Harris' weekend workshop and now have enough to keep me busy for about 2 years!

Got it, you missed my small joke ...

Huh?

My weight is OK, I've been 150 for the past 20 years no matter what I do. But as a sedentary worker (internet producer), only the fingers get exercised at work. Been starting to go for walks with the missus in the evening now. Some weight training as well, though it is not good for for my piano technique to be lifting dead weights. I hear swimming lengths is better. The big thing. I am trying to stay alcohol-free for 2 weeks to see/feel the benefits. I've just done a full week now. I don't think I've had that kind of break since... University? High School? Grade school? Tough for a Canadian who loves his beer and a single malt in the evening. Though I have to admit, grudgingly, I feel better without the stuff in my system.

"Why don't you tell me what really happened?"

I was thinking about this now: re libraries. At my public library, there's copyright policies for photocopying texts. But as far as I know, none exist for the CDs they lend. Though I am sure there are many kids out there who realize the vast collections libraries have for CDs and now DVDs - available to burn. I've heard the argument that the library has paid for these CDs, so burning one won't hurt the artist. Seems obviously wrong. But are authors harmed by people who read library books and don't buy a copy themselves? Isn't that the purpose of a lending library? Digital media has changed the rules. Anyone here a librarian?

Thanks!

I am taking a cruise with my family and some friends out of Miami this Saturday. Last year we did the same, but we drove, and I swore that I'd lay off those 24 hour drives. So we're flying out of Buffalo tommorrow. Anyhow, we have a couple of days after the cruise (ports of call: Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios ) and were staying in Hollywood, Fla. I want to check out the Cuban areas of Miami for food, culture etc. Anything really neat that I should take in (besides the Heat and the beaches). Remember I have 2 kids. Thanks in advance! also - I have 3 hour stop-over in Atlanta airport. Any secrets on how to pass the time there? Not sure if I can get wheat beer at the airport bars.

This is a new one to me. You'd need a large printer to print this poster, but fun to look at All blues solo analysis

I had a feeling this whole story would have a cheesy ending.

This is the voice of your conscience, baby.

Like that steak! Re B3 - always the best cure! Vitamin B3 is required for cell respiration, helps in the release of energy and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, proper circulation and healthy skin, functioning of the nervous system, and normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids. It is used in the synthesis of sex hormones, treating schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, and a memory-enhancer. Nicotinic acid (but not nicotinamide) given in drug dosage improves the blood cholesterol profile, and has been used to clear the body of organic poisons, such as certain insecticides. People report more mental alertness when this vitamin is in sufficient supply.

Your body loses lots of Vitamin B when drinking, so take lots of that to help with further cravings. Niacinamide is the pure form of Vitamin B3, and though it gives you a "flush" (blood that is) I found it killed the craving/hair of the dog part.

It's a little skimpy on the Canadian additions. I work in Toronto but live in Oakville. They don't have Oakville in the listings. So I'll pin it to the bar I was in last night in Toronto. edit - it landed me at the SkyDome for some reason (home of the Blue Jays). That would put me in the Hard Rock Cafe, not one of my haunts!

Doesn't that image remind you of a couple of things? (purely subliminal of course)

Horace Parlan By Horace Parlan