Music Challenge 2K14

Earlier this week, my keyboard of two years went kaput. I thought it wasn't pulled in, and it was. I changed to another fresh adaptor, and it didn't work. I even went to battery power, and still none of the lights came on. I saved the box, when I purchased it with the one year warranty in 2012 :[

My guitars are fine and in good working order. I get a free tune-up from the music store, where I purchased my bass, the Prima Fusion, and I want to get that done within the next two months. Other than that, everything is in tip-top shape, and I have extra strings on hand.

The loss of my keyboard leads to a big decision: I could purchase a new keyboard, but then again an electronic drum kit could be the wave of the future. I shopped drum kits in the past, and they were either HUGE or expensive. I don't want to keep buying new "toys", and put off my Big Move to another time.

Here is my list of music things for 2014

• Keyboard/Synthesizer, which would include a subwoofer o_O woof woof
• Electronic drum kit with realistic sounds, and it folds up ^_^
• Second guitar (Fender), preferably in pink (why are you looking at me like that?)

I can plug the synthesizer into my computer, which makes recording a little easier. Then again, a drum kit would equal having rhythm for the first time, and for someone who played drums at fourteen this would be really nice ^_^ All I have rhythm-wise are three egg shakers o_O Time to get cracking LOL

Of course, I could buy both, but finances are tricky just now post-Christmas shopping, and I don't want to overdraft.

Don't worry about the pink guitar; the music store is sold out of those T_T (They were a different brand, so no tears were shed...much)

Finally, some good news!

Good news, I wrote a song and sang in dorian mode o_O The lyrics are preliminary, but I hope to have something soon.

Where Did I Go?

Writing was that thing I used to do.

So, how are you? That's good, but don't overdo it, otherwise you will get sick. It's mid-November, and almost a month since I wrote anything on my blogs. Quite a few major things, personal and otherwise, occurred in my life during that span; although I can't share EVERYTHING with you, I can share the humorous and insightful bits, ^_^ because that is what you came to see o_O

How do you be as annoying as me, and earn this badge? ^_^
Activate your foursquare account and find out! (I am not
receiving kickbacks for promoting Foursquare)

• I got a new phone! It's an Android phone with a video touch screen, and working camera. Already I shot a few things and uploaded photos to Instagram. If you click the link, it will show you the latest photo I uploaded since writing this piece. I also discovered something called Foursquare ^_^ A few of my friends have foursquare accounts, but I'm already setting records and annoying everyone with my constant status updates. I even picked up a badge for being annoying over the course of the day: Overshare LOL I will have more on my foursquare experience in a later blog.
• Music practice: Piano and guitar are coming along, and I performed for a few people so far. I am nowhere near Carnegie Hall or Grand Ole Opry material, but the goal is to be competent, and encourage a younger, musically inclined person to be all they can be, and do better than I could.
• A new computer: I put the final payment on my new computer last month, therefore I can officially call this iMac mine ^_^ The transition from PC to Mac is strenuous and fraught with awkward moments o_O Where I work we have PCs, so Alt+W does not close windows! I am still at a lost to what the other "function" key does on the Mac keyboard. Sidenote: I own a wireless keyboard, which allows me to type from anywhere in my room. Right now, I am typing from my bed; I changed the sheets yesterday, and they are quite nice. Now, I am typing  with my back turned and facing the closet. Let me see if this worked...yes, it did ^_^ The final test: Typing from outside! (Phil is such a dork) HEY, WHO WROTE THAT?!
• I got sick: Last week, I thought I could put style over safety, I decided to dress up a bomber jacket with a striped scarf, and wear the deadly combo to work. Unfortunately, the wind was howling, and it blew cold air at my neck, which would be covered by my jacket if I didn't unzip the top to show off my trendy scarf >_< So, being sick for a whole week was fun. My nose is still stuffed, and I have occasional bouts with mucous all over the streets of the Greater Toronto Area -_- I have no one else to blame but me, but until I reach that conclusion I will throw everyone else under the bus.

Finally, I started filming again. I uploaded a prototype video of me celebrating the fact I can upload straight from iMovie with my video camera. I had terrible audio problems before, but the camera picks up the sound from my voice and other sources very well. I have a list of projects to work on, and now I can complete them ^_^

As you can see, life is busy LOL What did you do last month? ^_^

MUSIC CHALLENGE UPDATE: I'M SERIOUS!

Remember those? Yea, I thought I forgot about that challenge as well o_O

The face of a camera-ready star ^_^, or YouTube's "Winchester Red" o_O

If you are like me, then you miss "Winchester Red's" videos as much as I do T_T Don't worry; I have a plan. I am not exactly sure how it will work, because my movie making application broke down. There may be a way around that by uploading straight from my webcam, which means live videos with no edits and tons of mistakes o_O Wouldn't that be enjoyable to watch? What's that? Stop agreeing with me!

The last few months were tough in terms of meeting the music challenge: My first webcam breaks down, I buy a new webcam, my first electronic keyboard sounds like a coffee mug rattling against a metal fence, I buy a new keyboard, I realize I don't have a clue about what I'm doing with this keyboard, I discover drum beats recorded inside the keyboard memory banks, I remember I have a guitar, I remember I can't play it too well, and then I recall I can wing it with the several chords I picked up in practice and jam sessions with the electric and acoustic guitars my friends Bryan and Edgar own respectively (Hi Bryan, hi Edgar).

With updates for the webcam installed on my computer, I hope to get that movie making program up again. I have Adobe Premiere, but it takes forever to load, and my computer is put together by the same people who created Weak Sauce. I posted a few STORY TIME movies on my YouTube channel already, but nothing quite like what I planned ^_^ I'm going for a preliminary launch on Wednesday, April 4th, 2012.


Dear Jessica,


Please come back!


Your friend,
Phil