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Soooo Much Going On...
posted on: 2008-10-04 at 10:42:00 AM
Before I go into this -- I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED THIS SITE (well, the back-end coding part at least). It's probably going to be my last entirely home-brewed personal web site *sigh* Facebook and MySpace, you win (now I just need to start updating THOSE)...
Well first on my mind is the presidential race. Wait -- don't stop reading now, it'll get better soon, I promise .. I just needed to get this out:For those of you who watched any of the debates -- please realize there is a massive difference between policy and wishful thinking. I want to break it down for you like this: The McCain / Palin ticket is offering to lower taxes and also give tax cuts to the middle-class, continue our war and concentrate our finding energy solutions domestically. The Obama / Biden ticket is offering to raise taxes (yet also cut taxes for the middle class), end the war, and concentrate on investing in cleaner, more sustainable energy resources and then exporting our technology across the globe.
To spell it out a little bit more detailed, under McCain / Palin's lower taxes, we will have less money to provide help to America's failing infrastructures (public schools, health care, transportation, etc.) -- and considering they want to keep the war going indefinitely, there will be even LESS money than before (by the scope of $300,000,000 per day).
With their current tax proposal, how much do they plan on saving the average $50,000 / year income families? About $250 a year.
O.k. -- seems fair enough. The Republican ticket wants to keep our energy domestic, continue the war, lower taxes...
Under Obama / Biden's higher taxes, we'll have more money to help with the broad-scoped future-sustaining programs that they have proposed (most of which address the real problems that exist TODAY -- some of which will even turn a profit on the global market). They want to pull out of Iraq and hand military power back their government and concentrate our war on terror against actual threats: the extremists master-minds (like Bin Laden), which is a much more strategic and less expensive route to fighting terror than we are currently doing. In ending the war and turning to diplomacy, Obama and Biden want to make America a global ally and try to remove the "world police" stigma we have acquired while keeping our military strong and ready to deploy against real threats.
But wait -- with all this money being spent on programs, research and future endeavors, how do they cut taxes on the middle-class? Well, easy -- they stop letting huge corporations and the most wealthy Americans get away with not paying taxes (yes, over 40% of American's income is not taxed because of legal loopholes that only rich people have access to). In other words, they TAX THE GREEDY ASSHOLES THAT HAVE BEEN GETTING AWAY WITH NOT PAYING TAXES FOR DECADES. Is that o.k. with you?
How much do they propose to save the average $50,000 / year income family? About $1200 per year.
DONE.
I FREAKING SOLD MY TURNTABLES!! I cannot believe I have parted with my babies -- but I had two very good reasons: Firstly, Oliver is getting old enough now that he likes to be a part of all the things that I do musically (and I encourage that). I do not like to play with my gear and not let him have his hands on them in some way. It became obvious very quickly that turntables are extremely NON-baby-proof (and babies are not necessarily turntable-proof, either). Secondly, being that I never really became more than a hobbiest DJ, I was tired of lugging 20 metric tons of equipment whenever there was a party or event for me to DJ. Don't get me wrong, I adore my record collection -- but it's time to move forward.So, I cashed in my 'tables on Craigslist and after about three weeks of posting and re-posting, I found the right buyer (I wasn't going to sell them for cheap because they were practically brand-new and came in expensive gig crates). He was super rad, and even let me take a picture! GOODBYE SKRITCHY AND SKRATCHY. **sniff**
With the money I made from the turntables, I got a Pioneer CDJ-400.
Holy fuck is this thing the freaking BOMB. It's basically a compact CD-player unit with variable pitch and an extremely precise touch-sensitive platter which behaves (like previous CDJ units) like the platter of a real turntable. For example, if you "drag" the edge of the platter, and give it slight pressure forwards or backwards, you "drag" the digital audio being played, slowing it down or speeding it up. Also, as you depress the top of the platter (or the "scratch pad"), it mimics the actual depressing of a real record on a turntable. Needless to say, you can scratch digital audio like it is pressed on wax -- and what's more, it SOUNDS FANTASTIC. No digital artifacting, no MP3 compression "fried chicken-y" sounds. No wishy-washy "smearing" audio. They up-sample the audio signal so much you can still hear the nuances of the sounds as if it were real vinyl, even at ridiculously slow speeds. Amazing.
Here's a little video I made showing the unit in action. Unfortunately, I'm not really showing off everything it can do -- but at least you get an idea. This video was shot at my friend Todd's house (he's got the MONSTER set-up). I'm working on a mini show-off set which I will post some on my studio page once I update it.
I put the CDJ next to the mixer and both atop my old Stanton CD decks (which are also variable-pitch), so basically, I am riding on 3 professional CD-decks, one of which is scratch-able and capable of some SICK EFFECTS. Also, I put some of my effect units at waist-level so Oliver can stand on my feet and help out. He loves to push the blinking buttons and turn the knobs -- and it's pretty fun to know he's helping daddy DJ. He has a blast too -- and when the beat is fresh, he gets "DANCE IN THE PANTS."
**Gleaming proud dad face**
So, not only is the CDJ-400 capable of playing audio CDs and MP3 CDs -- it can play virtually any USB device, be it an iPod, flash drive, external hard drive, or any number of MP3 playing machines. The really cool thing about using flash drives is that you can set loop points and "bookmarks" directly in the folder of the music you're playing -- so as you create a set, you can immediately cue up your next song complete with beat-looping and drops. HOW COOL IS THAT? Once I have some more space to practice, I will be throwing out some dope shiznit.
Oliver has a blast with this thing because he can beat on it all he wants (hey, I have a one year warranty). I set it all up with an extra long chord so he can sit on the floor and scratch away. It's sooo cute (again, pics and videos soon to come).
Speaking of Oliver, he's doing great! He had a bit of a cold last week, so he's been a little snotty -- but overall, he took it like a champ. He's walking, talking, running around, answering questions with his shoulders shrugged and arms raised (most of which are in the affirmative, which is awesome when you ask him questions like "are you a girl?") and opening doors and looking at flowers and laughing and winking at the cute toddler girls he passes by in the grocery store and burrowing his head in my lap as we play "GONNA GET'YA." He's so freaking awesome. I love him dearly.
With all of the good, however, comes the VERY BAD.
He has learned that he can scream and cry and flail about if he doesn't like something. This is grating on Angie and I, but it's the "terrible two's--" and we saw it coming. The worst is when he is let outside and then has to come in prematurely -- you see our neighbors are day sleepers, and they do not appreciate noises during the morning hours (especially noises emitted from giddy toddlers, apparently). If he had enough muscles in his face, he'd ball it up and turn it inside-out with nothing exposed except his gaping and screaming mouth!
Overall, he's pretty good, though. His new favorite show is "Yo Gabba Gabba!" I think it is my new all-time favorite show too. All I gotta say is: "Biz's Beat of the Day." What an awesome show. I know he's a little too young for it -- but I'm getting a little tired of the Nu-Nu.
I didn't mention work in this blog because as they taught you in middle-school: "When you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all." *sigh*
posted by Carl
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WTF Sarah Pailin?!
posted on: 2008-08-29 at 11:26:00 AM
But there is one extremely important issue that exists where, when made privy to, my nerves ignite in an itchy manic obsessed passion: Overpopulation.
Overpopulation, in my opinion, is the single most disasterous (and ominent) worldwide catastrophe on the horizon. I will not explain in detail why I think this -- because this blog simply isn't the scope I need to delve as deep into it as I would like -- so I will wrap it up by saying this: "too many flies in the jar."
There are only two ways to reduce the world's population. 1) Kill people. 2) Procreate two children or less. America chooses the former.
I can handle the idea of our white-house nominees having three children .. maybe even four each. But McCain has seven kids between two marriages, and Pailin has five in her one marriage. This sickens me. Obviously, they are not enough aware of the dangers that overpopulation is causing us TODAY, and what's worse -- the devastation it will cause our children's children (again .. possible follow-up blog entry .. I just don't have the time or patience to write that much right now).
If they plan to speak of overpopulation at any point during their campaign, they will have to play the double-standard of advocating something they have not practiced.
In my opinion, when it comes to the leaders of the free world, THIER ENTIRE HISTORY HAS TO BE ONE OF UNWAIVERING VALUES. Their value is to bring twelve new people into the world.
Let's do the math. 12 new people from our Republican candadites. That's a ration of 4.8 : 1 (McCain had a divorce previously). If their children's children continue the trend (as many conservative / blindly-religious people do), within the next hundred years, their cumulitive familes will yield over 5000 new people on this planet. Even Alaska has its limits.
This is a topic that most likely will not be discussed in debates, because it is such a polarizing issue. Religious people often believe having lots of kids = good. And because almost half of the entire country consists of devout Christians, the topic can't be touched without losing votes for the realists .. er .. Democrats.
Someday the population will hit critical mass and America is going to have to impliment similar laws that are currently executed in The People's Republic of China. In fact, the Earth as a whole will face this unless we take control NOW and FRIGGIN' ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO CHILDREN .. PERIOD.
McCain and Pailin have lost my vote, and I hope, yours too.
posted by Carl
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A Lot to Talk About
posted on: 2008-08-05 at 7:11:00 PM
Yo.Sooo much to talk about. Where do I start? Well. First, I guess work as been the biggest change in my life. I've been there for about three weeks now, and I think I've got most of the main stuff down. There's a lot to learn being a "geek." It's funny .. Even though it makes perfect sense now, I did not expect my job to be so customer-service oriented. I suppose I thought I was going to be a tech-geek, but in actuality, I'm more of the "front-man" for the computer-surgeons that work in the back. Truth be told, that's where I think I make the biggest impact on the team -- but since I'm not managing anyone but myself, I often bite my tongue.
GAH -- I've already went over this .. but IT IS IN MY BLOOD to "run the show," and be the leader -- the source of inspiration -- the guy's who's job it is to put all the worker's in line and shout the marching orders. I've done it for eight years -- and even though it is counter to how I view myself in the grand scheme of things, I believe it is one of my best workskills.
Of all the things I have to do at work now, the hardest is to have a customer tell me that "they need to speak to a manager" and not address them with the venerable line "this is he."
GAH!! Little secret: I am actually keeping some of the hairier / super-angry issues at bay. Consider it practice.
O.k. moving on: I STUMBLED UPON THE COOLEST FRIGGIN' ALBUM THAT I HAVE HEARD IN MANY YEARS: The artist is named "Sonny J," and the album is called "Disastro." As you could probably decuce, I have been out of the mainstream music scene for a while now (re: kid, old, married, etc.). But being the YouTube whore that I am, I just happened to find this track that is from a U.K. band which sucked me in. The more I listened, the more I loved the few songs I was able to find. I finally found a copy of the album online and once I got it, I was enamored.
The sign that an album is A++ amazing to me is - if through each listening, it either gets better / catchier, or if I hear new things that I missed before. Examples of albums like that are few and far between, DJ Shadow's Endtroducing, Daft Punk's Discovery, Propellerheads' Deckandrumsandrockandroll, etc. I can't get over how freaking amazing each song is. I'm still trying to find more about "Sonny J." I'll keep you posted ^__^
Check out this video which is not the official video -- but way cuter:
Lastly: politics. What the fuck, John Wayne McCain? Are you fucking kidding us? Your first "negative advertisement" compares the fame of Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Brittney Spears?
(the preceding was an actual attempt to reach McCain and seriously pose the question regarding his current marketing alignment: "what the fuck, mate?")
All kidding aside, this is the slimiest, weirdest, and also the most intelligent move I've seen a presidential candidate take. He's going to win over many thousands (tens of thousands?) of mindless, hopeless, wandering American Lemmings in this wake. Eat it up, America. This is the most important election in many decades.
(the preceding was an actual attempt to reach stupid Americans and seriously pose the question regarding their ability to actually be critical thinkers: "what the fuck, mates?")
The question I would like to pose is this: "Mr. McCain, if you seriously are comparing Barrack Obama's fame to that of Spears and Hilton, then don't you think that the comparison (BASED ON POPULARITY) is actually in the favor of Obama?" Both Spears and Hilton have affected many millions of Americans! So .. if you intend to project fame as a negative thing, you're actually attempting to dethrone those who have already created a stable and successful market-base for the notion that you have a chance at winning over the hearts of those who are swayed by fame and fortune...
MASSIVE FAIL.
Also, I must admit that the idea that McCain claims that "experience" is important when running for president fails on two fronts:
1) Those whose heads have not been deeply implanted in their own arses for the past seven years realize that "experience" means dick all.
2) Maybe it's time to realize that "experience" is what is causing most of the problems that we Americans are experiencing lately -- and that a fresh face with intelligent ideals and a cabinet of "experienced" staff might actually be the answer to MOST AMERICAN'S PROBLEMS.
I ended this on a political note. Goddammit.
posted by Carl
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Hard Sell
posted on: 2008-07-26 at 9:22:00 AM
I have so much to talk about: Camping, Family trip to the coast, my crazy-ass parents, etc. Really -- I will catch you all up. I have a short day today at work -- so when I get back home, I'll update this blog and also add pics and videos. W00t.But as I feared, the most prominent event in my life has to be the "Hard Sell," which I saw last night. DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist freaking owned my soul. They played a two-hour set of music entirely from 45rpm records with tons of sampling / looping / effecting / etc.
As some of you may know -- my house is set up a bit like that (also, as you can see from my YouTube videos). They were spot-on and the show was intense. They were speaking to me. It was the best recharge I've had in years.
Anywho -- off to work.
posted by Carl
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I am a GEEK! (among other things)
posted on: 2008-07-11 at 7:43:00 PM
So yeah. I got a job. I FINALLY got a job. It only took five months. I am now a "Geek."
I am no longer living the life of a "stay-at-home-dad." I was starting to think that I was going to grow large feminine hips from the constant kid-dangling. I was getting sick of daytime television-- my missing Bob Barker as the host of "The Price is Right" was becoming a thorn in my daily routine. I have become very much aware that "If they pre-qualify me for a personal mobility device at the Scooter Store, and for any reason I am denied -- they will provide the Scooter at no cost to me." I am done with "Judge Mathis," "Rachel Ray," "Ellen," "THE (fucking) VIEW." Oh dear sweet Jesus, "The View" is the most annoying show .. of all time. My not owning firearms is a good thing. I am done with the lack of social interaction.
I was beginning to get worried that I was a little too friendly with the local strung-out single-mom-with-five-overweight-yet-undernourished-children-who-use-food-stamps-to-purchase-chocolate-milk-and-Twizzlers crowd at the old Safeway store on 82nd / SE Burnside. THANK GOD I NO LONGER HAVE THAT BURDEN -- moving along.
As I said, I am now a "Geek."
I am working at yet another big-box computer / appliance / entertainment retail store as a customer service technician / technology guru. I have now worked two full days. It's actually quite fun! I like my coworkers and my boss seems really nice. However, this is a total trip for me...
Having been a retail manager for the past seven years. It is extremely difficult for me to wrap my head around being responsible for one soul (myself). My radar isn't that small anymore! I have to keep my lips pursed -- I can't say "HEY STOP THAT!" or provide the good old-fashioned POP (Positive Opportunity Positive) on a hapless soul.
GRRRRR!! I need to tone it down and stop worrying. If I do not, I am going to be "that guy."
I opted for this job over another management job because of Oliver -- and because for the first time in many years (decades) -- I crave OPTIONS. I really don't know what my future holds. I think want another management job within the same company (apparently, those avenues exist readily) -- but I can take my time.
Currently the pay is marginal and the work is unsatisfying .. but if I keep taking my Adderall and keep my thoughts and opinions to myself -- I might find a much more rewarding avenue in 3 - 4 months?
Speaking of Oliver... He turned 18 months less than two days ago. All of the literature that Angie and I have been pouring over says that 18 months is the milestone where little ones should start walking. WELL.... HE STARTED WALKING TODAY. Yay!!! He totally cranked that Soulja Boy.
Fitty was proud -- but laid the smack down on da streets, yo. If you are not a close friend it won't make sense (video soon to come).
posted by Carl
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