Merry Christmas

For all the kidlettes.  I love you all.

Tuesday - 11 December 2012

Oh kidlettes! Still no snow here in Chicagoland.  What sort of Christmas-time is this?  Ok, I suppose it IS still ten days until the official start of winter, but I expected more from you, weather.  Listening to Leon and Zooey sing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" just doesn't have that same zing without a bit of the frigidy.

December 4, 2012

Hello dear reader,

Today I got to play teacher at work.  I ran the International Exports classroom today.  I was a loathe to do so going in, but it worked out quite nicely.  The group was small (only four attendees) and I pretty much threw out the outline and we free-styled the class and I think they got a lot out of it.  Plus, I got to go home early.

In other news, I've been told that the Gypsy Blue CD had been ordered from France and Germany and that the Collector's Boxes have sold out.  So I guess I'm now an international rock superstar.  I'll try to stay away from all the drugs and loose women.

As I'm sure you know, Christmas is my very favorite time of the year.  We haven't had any decent snow yet, but I'm confident that this year will be a white Christmas.  And speaking of White Christmas, there's a theater that will be screening the film in all it's glorious goodness and I plan to attend. 

You know how I try to get together with my friends from grade school (elementary school) once a month?  Well, December's once a month has been determined to be on the 25th in the evening, at my place.  I've been putting together a menu of offerings from charcuterie to baked brie en croute and a host of other delights.  I can't wait.

What comestible delights are you looking forward to this holiday?

Can't we skip turkey day and move right to Xmas?

Tuesday the thirteenth day of November, in the year of our LORD Two-Thousand-Twelve.

ITEM: The Gypsy Blue 'album' (unfortunately named "Livin' in the City" by others without so much as a by your leave) was officially released on Halloween.  I ordered a couple of copies just because and they arrived today.  Kinda neat, kinda not.
http://fnarecords.net/index.php/livin-in-the-city-76.html

ITEM: It's beginning to look a tiny, vague, sorta bit like Christmas!  We had our first few flakes of snow(more like tiny ice crystals, but I'll take what I can get) yesterday.  As you well know, it's the most wonderful time of the year!!! (you can tell by all the exclamation points)

ITEM: The above-mentioned item serves as a sobering reminder of all the promises I've made to myself regarding 2013.  I know for you long time readers that this will be a sad repeat of some things, but here goes: No more smoking (stop laughing), Exercise (seriously, stop it, I can hear you, you know), Save $$$ (ok, the doubling over guffaws are a bit over the top, don't you think).

ITEM: This year's Thanksgiving meal will include goose.

I love me some movies!

Rimshot's Personal Journal: Tuesday - september 4, 2012

A semi-regular part of my weekend activities is going to the movies with Papa 'shot.  His interest in films is restricted to tales that include guns, spies, cowboys or "capers".  No, not the edible flower buds of the Flinders rose, think "The Italian Job".

In recent months we've seen: Lawless, The Bourne Legacy, Total Recall, Savages, Lockout, John Carter, Safe House, Haywire and more.

I also have one of those Apple TV thingies so I can rent movies from the comfort of my couch at home.  A few highlights from my home viewing include: Get the Gringo, El Gringo, Underworld: Awakenings, The Grey, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, This Means War, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Vertigo and an assortment of Stand-Up Comedy specials.

I was going to mention that I'm not really experiencing the art of film, but in looking at this year's Academy Awards nominiees, I've seen 4 of 9. Which is about on par with last year, when I saw 5 of the 10 films nominated. So maybe I'm not doing that badly.

This weekend I experienced a special treat.  There's an old theater (1927!) that plays "classic" (relatively speaking) movies at times.  It's not one of these multiplex deals where they cram 147 screens into what are basically hallways with chairs, but a proper old theater with aisles and balconies and decorations on the walls.  It even had twinkly lights and 'clouds' that adorned the ceiling.  I got to see The Princess Bride as it was meant to be seen.

What'd you do this weekend?

Thursday - July 26, 2012

I suck, I'm sorry. I know I promised I'd write more and more often, and here it is, months and months having passed and I'm just getting back to it.

What's been going on in my world lately? I'm glad you asked.

I had to call it quits with my stalker for the second time. It seems we're too different and that's too much for her handle.

I had a near-miss of having Adam's (you'll recall Adam is my son) mother moving in with me for a while. I've managed to dodge that bullet.

Adam got engaged. I'm to have a late dinner with him and his bride-to-be next Wednesday. Here's what I know about her so far: she's an adorable, red haired, freckled girl. So I guess I'll have more to share later.

Gypsy Blue, the almost-famous band I was a part of back in the late '80s/early '90s has been signed by FnA Records and they'll be releasing a reissue of our EP along with out-takes, live tracks, acoustic versions and bonus material. This all comes in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Gypsy Blue the band.

In light of this, Brother SPidER has cobbled together a group, including myself on bass, to play a few live events in the hopes of kindling enough interest to actually sell a few units. We've had one rehearsal thus far and, while salvageable, I wouldn't call it a roaring success. Time will tell.

I had the most lovely chat with my very dear and oh-so-far-away friend :)

Mama & Papa 'Shot are both doing fine.

And basically life goes on.

Rimshot's Personal Journal Entry 413: 07 May 2012 It seems these "hoomahns" have a particular liking for war, self-aggrandizement, exploitation of others for a myriad of reason and meat on a stick. Which is not to say they're entirely without beneficial qualities. Why, in some small subsections of the species, I've observed genuine compassion, a concern for the welfare of others and several acts of selflessness where one of them puts the needs of others before their own without any thought to compensation or personal gain. Sadly, these isolated incidents of philanthropy and largess barely register against the big picture of disputes over boundaries, social and economic differences and any number of other sins against humanity. I've reported my findings to the Triune Lords and hope that my wording and emphasis of the potential salvation of their kind has been enough to prevent what I fear is neigh inevitable... annihilation.

Tuesday - March 6

March 6...MARCH 6?!?!? When the heck did that happen?

Gentle reader, in the words of America's Bardess, Ms. Britney Spears, "Oops, I did it again." I seem to have accidentally purchased a new bass.



She's pretty, from Mexico (how exotic) and quite a value. I did put some new strings on her as she came with Round Wound and they were a bit zingy so I slapped on a set of Flat Wounds.

I also ordered not one but two pairs of headphones, but have since cancelled that order. I did a fair bit of online research and settled on a brand and model. After placing the order (and them taking my money) I was informed that the items were on back order and it would be 'a couple weeks' before they shipped. I thought nothing of it and waited with my usual patience. February turned to March and I wrote to inquire as to the disposition of my order. Again I was told that it would probably be 'a couple weeks'. The totality of my patience spent, I politely requested that they cancel my order and refund my money. Would anyone care to hazard a guess as to how long they say it will be until the funds are back in my coffers? (*answer at the bottom of this post)

So, once again I must delve into the virtual world to read up on headphones to find a suitable alternative.

Now, I hear you asking, "Rimshot, why two sets?" A reasonable query. Because Brother SPidER and I are doing some recording, some of which will be done at separate locations. In order to have a consistent mix, it behooves us to have the same equipment. I shan't bore you with the technical details.

Anyhootle... I hope you're well, I shall do my best to be a better and more consistent blogger.

More soon!




* "A couple weeks."

1127/08FEB

Here it is, the middle of February already. It's been unseasonably mild, with some days reaching into the 40s (farenheit) and my wish for a snowy blanket covering the ground has gone unfulfilled. C'est la vie.


You wouldn't believe it, dear reader, but I've been behaving very 'grown-up' in 2012. I tried once again to quit smoking, and failed once again. I've started to contribute to a 401K plan for my retirement. I've already filed my taxes, and the good people at the IRS have been kind enough to already pay my refund.


Now the issue will be what very un-grown up thing will I do with the windfall. I spent a good portion of yesterday virtual window shopping for guitars and basses. I've given up on playing in a band, the late nights, poor turn-out and poorer compensation added up to more work than fun. I have been writing and recording with Brother SPidER, but do I NEED a new instrument? The practical answer is 'no'.


I could update my wardrobe. As part of my sudden and unintential adult-like behavior, I've been trying to dress a bit more grown-up and professional looking for work. Maybe I've reached a point where I'm putting away my childish ways? Heaven forbid!


I am open to suggestions. Mama 'Shot recommends that I save the money for her ever-impending rainy day. The idea has some merit as my current emergency fund consists of a pickle jar full of coins. And when I say 'full' I mean about a third of the way full.


I could spruce up the kitchen as I've been long planning to do, but that doesn't seem fun. Being underwater on my mortgage, I'll be here for years to come so it might be nice to look at something less hideous every day, but since it's only me, I can't wrap my head around the benefit outweighing the cost.


I could buy a new sofa. I could use a new sofa...