In the past 24 hours, I have been informed of first the death of a friend at Wake and my Uncle in El Salvador. Neither of them had any real symptoms. My uncle dropped dead after playing racketball (which he plays....played everyday) while my friend (only a year older than me) died for undisclosed reasons as of late.
I am not that affected by death, and I'm not sure why. I understand we, as living things, can and will die. It's part of the natural process. Circle of life. Death. I am sad that I can no longer see these people and sorry that I can't live more times with them, but I've moved on. While I think of this, the only really affected thing would be my actions. My work ethic actually went up some, due to having a test and a lab today...and 2 tests, a paper, and a lab report due next week. : \
I pray for the souls of Eric Marinoff and Julio Gomez.
On a long enough time lime, the survival of the human race drops to zero.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Update
Fixed some links on the side bar. Also made minor changes to "Posted by" "# Comments" and "_ said..." : D
D & B
So here is the lowdown of some things as of late:
I was trying to start a band up here at WFU, but things weren't looking so good until I responded to a poster looking for people who could play metal. Only two people responded to the poster, a guitar player and myself. But, I met up with the drummer (the vocalist was out of town for this weekend) today and I must say, it was awesome.
We started off just chilling and looking for a place to practice. For some reason, the band hall won't let private groups (including those made of only students) use the band room...so we scoped out the basement of one of the psychology building. It was quiet, no one studied on the floor above us, and it was as soundproof as we could get it (carpet, spacious enough to diffuse the sound, and underground) and we plan on using it eventually. After looking for other places, though, we ended up chilling and headed over to Scales so D could play drums while I played my EUB (for space reasons, the practice rooms in Scales are tiny. My Ibanez would not do well in the small space).
This was the first time I've done a drum & bass combo. It was, to say the least, interesting and awesome. D was using a kit all the drummers could practice on (he is in jazz band up here), but used his own double bass pedal and sticks. It was interesting, for instead of normally laying out a bassline and providing the foundation for a guitar or singer, we were able to improv. Our playing could be described as providing the foundation, rhythm, and melody at the same time. It was constantly changing and was unlike anything I've done musically. We started off pure metal, then shifted to a metal-jazz fusion, and then into jazz. Finally, we did a quick cover/rendition of Run to the Hills, called it a night, then got Cookout.
What I learned:
It's hard to find people who like the same style of music as you up here. Most people are indie and alternative lovers up here. If not, they can't play guitar and like rap or something. While I enjoy these genres, it's not my primary interest.
D and I mesh well musically. We've both played instruments for 8 years, so we know what we're doing. We are not BSing ourselves into thinking we are amazing for being able to play Sunshine of your Love. It's a good song, but 1) we don't play that kind of music and, 2) frankly, we are so much better.
Great Success.
I was trying to start a band up here at WFU, but things weren't looking so good until I responded to a poster looking for people who could play metal. Only two people responded to the poster, a guitar player and myself. But, I met up with the drummer (the vocalist was out of town for this weekend) today and I must say, it was awesome.
We started off just chilling and looking for a place to practice. For some reason, the band hall won't let private groups (including those made of only students) use the band room...so we scoped out the basement of one of the psychology building. It was quiet, no one studied on the floor above us, and it was as soundproof as we could get it (carpet, spacious enough to diffuse the sound, and underground) and we plan on using it eventually. After looking for other places, though, we ended up chilling and headed over to Scales so D could play drums while I played my EUB (for space reasons, the practice rooms in Scales are tiny. My Ibanez would not do well in the small space).
This was the first time I've done a drum & bass combo. It was, to say the least, interesting and awesome. D was using a kit all the drummers could practice on (he is in jazz band up here), but used his own double bass pedal and sticks. It was interesting, for instead of normally laying out a bassline and providing the foundation for a guitar or singer, we were able to improv. Our playing could be described as providing the foundation, rhythm, and melody at the same time. It was constantly changing and was unlike anything I've done musically. We started off pure metal, then shifted to a metal-jazz fusion, and then into jazz. Finally, we did a quick cover/rendition of Run to the Hills, called it a night, then got Cookout.
What I learned:
It's hard to find people who like the same style of music as you up here. Most people are indie and alternative lovers up here. If not, they can't play guitar and like rap or something. While I enjoy these genres, it's not my primary interest.
D and I mesh well musically. We've both played instruments for 8 years, so we know what we're doing. We are not BSing ourselves into thinking we are amazing for being able to play Sunshine of your Love. It's a good song, but 1) we don't play that kind of music and, 2) frankly, we are so much better.
Great Success.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Sigh.
So today I was in line at a WFU basketball game and I went to go get some oreo ice cream at half time. While waiting in a long line (causing me to miss playing the fight song twice), a young boy and what I assume was his brother were in front of me. The boy, being a boy, was looking around him and happened to look at me. At this point, his mouth is slightly open and he is blatently staring at me. I can his gaze for a second, but I look away as he does.
Now, about a minute or two later, I notice he is staring at me again. My arms are crossed and I look him directly in the face. We have a face off for about 30 seconds. I conceded and go back to my musings. He continues to stare for another 1 minute, then looks and whispers something to his brother while still looking at me. I'm still just standing there waiting to eat ice cream. His brother says something and tries to discreetly look at me.
It's at this point that I'm thinking, why are these people staring at me? I mean, I am more of a minority up here than blacks, but why am I ostrasized? I do know that I haven't shaved for about 2 weeks now and haven't gotten a haircut since August something, but still...
Oh well. I have decided to take double bass lessons in the summer and join jazz band.
Now, about a minute or two later, I notice he is staring at me again. My arms are crossed and I look him directly in the face. We have a face off for about 30 seconds. I conceded and go back to my musings. He continues to stare for another 1 minute, then looks and whispers something to his brother while still looking at me. I'm still just standing there waiting to eat ice cream. His brother says something and tries to discreetly look at me.
It's at this point that I'm thinking, why are these people staring at me? I mean, I am more of a minority up here than blacks, but why am I ostrasized? I do know that I haven't shaved for about 2 weeks now and haven't gotten a haircut since August something, but still...
Oh well. I have decided to take double bass lessons in the summer and join jazz band.
Monday, February 16, 2009
So....
I haven't posted in about 4 months. A lot has happened. Over the course of a semester, I've come to love WFU. It's a great place, minus the workload. In fact, tonight is nice. Very nice in fact that I don't have homework. Sadly, my armies were left home, cast aside in favor of what is going on now.
But onto the good news. It is my second semester now. I have gotten used to what I am expected to do and how to maintain my grades. College is good.
Friend-wise, I lack the strong friendships I have at home. But then again, I've known these people for less than a year; my friends from home have known me since 2nd grade.
Enough of these musings, I must move forward with this "blog." I have yet to speak of any musical achievements since I last posted, of which there have been many. First and foremost, I now own 4 basses. I have a Yamaha passive 4-string (see previous post...somewhere...), but it was not doing much for me in terms of sounding good. My pride and joy has to be my active 4-string Ibanez SR530 (Dante). He has always sounded good and is primarily my metal and rock bass, but I needed some changes of pace.
Birthday came. Along with my EUB. EUB, of course, being an Electric Upright Bass. Think orchestral double bass. Now take off everything except the fingerboard, bridge, and strings. Make the entire neck an active pickup. That's my EUB. Mostly jazz and smoother music.
Christmas. Ibanez acoustic bass. Sounds phenominal and very melodic.
I should post some pictures...eventually.
Other news:
Bands.
For now, I am in an as of yet unnamed metal band here at WFU. It's nothing serious, just 5 guys (vox, drums, me, guitar[s]).
Mercenary Suns. My friends back home are a trio of musicians. All of us are multi-instrumentalists, thanks to WHS band. Hopefully we can get a gig over Summer break.
That's about it for now, but I hope to get some painting done over Spring break which is in 3 weeks.
Oh, check out MS. http://www.myspace.com/mercenarysuns
We only have one track up right now, and it's synthetic because we need better recording gear.
But onto the good news. It is my second semester now. I have gotten used to what I am expected to do and how to maintain my grades. College is good.
Friend-wise, I lack the strong friendships I have at home. But then again, I've known these people for less than a year; my friends from home have known me since 2nd grade.
Enough of these musings, I must move forward with this "blog." I have yet to speak of any musical achievements since I last posted, of which there have been many. First and foremost, I now own 4 basses. I have a Yamaha passive 4-string (see previous post...somewhere...), but it was not doing much for me in terms of sounding good. My pride and joy has to be my active 4-string Ibanez SR530 (Dante). He has always sounded good and is primarily my metal and rock bass, but I needed some changes of pace.
Birthday came. Along with my EUB. EUB, of course, being an Electric Upright Bass. Think orchestral double bass. Now take off everything except the fingerboard, bridge, and strings. Make the entire neck an active pickup. That's my EUB. Mostly jazz and smoother music.
Christmas. Ibanez acoustic bass. Sounds phenominal and very melodic.
I should post some pictures...eventually.
Other news:
Bands.
For now, I am in an as of yet unnamed metal band here at WFU. It's nothing serious, just 5 guys (vox, drums, me, guitar[s]).
Mercenary Suns. My friends back home are a trio of musicians. All of us are multi-instrumentalists, thanks to WHS band. Hopefully we can get a gig over Summer break.
That's about it for now, but I hope to get some painting done over Spring break which is in 3 weeks.
Oh, check out MS. http://www.myspace.com/mercenarysuns
We only have one track up right now, and it's synthetic because we need better recording gear.
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