Over the past few months, I've been doing quite a bit of thinking about the whole social networking "scene" (if you will). Bottom line, I think there's real potential on sites like Facebook, Myspace, YouTube, Linkedin, Reverb Nation, Pure Volume, Twitter, etc. to re-connect with people with whom you haven't spoken in years. But there's also an even greater potential to water down the closest of your current relationships. Here's why:
All of a sudden, people are able to share the most personal of news with a mass of people - all at once - many of whom barely know you, and who, quite frankly, are rather uninvolved in your everyday life. Your closest friends can feel cheated (and I have felt this way myself) that you have shared this news with everyone equally. There is no longer a sense of "who do I tell first?" when it comes to major (but personal) news in our lives. All are given equal access - and thus, equal status - in our circle of friends and acquaintances.
For this reason (and others), I've been selective about joining social networks. I'm not on Linked In. I'm not on Twitter. Perhaps it's to my own demise. But for now, this is the best reasoning I can come up with. If you have thoughts about all of this, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you.
As you probably know by now, I just bought a ton of new gear to use with my live show: a new iMac, software, cables, tables, and a MIDI pedal. Since I'm a Logic recording software guy, I decided to give Mainstage a try. (Mainstage is the "live version" of Logic, and it comes with Logic Studio.) Cool. Everything was good so far.
I received everything in the mail and proceeded to set it all up. Computer connects to a MIDI keyboard and a MOTU 828, the 828 connects to a Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro and my guitar. Let me know if this is too much tech jargon...
I was able to flawlessly assign functions within Logic to each button on the Ground Control. The problem, though, is that when switching from record mode to play mode, with cycle mode on, there is a delay in the audio output. The end result of this is that it appears that I can't use Logic Pro itself to live loop on stage.
I was hoping I'd be able to just use Logic to do this, considering that I already know the software, and would like to see an Arrange window on stage. Maybe there's a fix out there that I haven't found yet. If you have the answer, let me know. Enter Mainstage.
Mainstage was built to use in live shows. The only problem is that the Ground Control Pro, apparently, hates Mainstage (or vice versa). Mainstage, so it seems, only allows the GCP to change from one set to another. It does not allow a user - ME! - to assign, say, the "record" button to the MIDI pedal.
Needless to say, this has been a frustrating week for me - one in which I have been all-consumed by this nagging problem. I have decided to return the Ground Control Pro, but there is one, big issue with that: I ordered it online, from a company that has a totally loser-fied return policy. Here's a cut-and-paste from it (bold type mine):
"No Hassle" Return Policy: We want you to be completely happy with your purchase from XXXXXXXXX. If you are not satisfied with any product, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price, an in-house credit, or exchange for another product within a fair amount of time from the shipping date (30 days or so). If your purchase was eligible for Free Shipping, the shipping cost will be deducted from your credit or refund.
Returns must be in the complete and original packaging with all accessories and complete documentation (Owner's Manual, warranty card, quick start guides etc.), show no signs of wear or use and include a Return Authorization number or be subject to a restocking fee. Products like software, personal items (such as in-ear monitors, etc), and items which are not normally stocked ("Special Orders", discontinued products, close-outs, used products, etc.) are not returnable.
If you can't guess, I don't think I'll be ordering from them any more. Even though they are out of state (thus, I don't have to pay sales tax), I have thusly been screwed by them, and any money that I have saved over the last three years by ordering from them (and not paying sales tax) has been swiftly eaten up in a single week. I'll pay sales tax any day if it means there are no slaps on the wrist for making a return or exchange. If you're curious as to *who* this company is, I'll tell you if you ask, or you can C&P my text in to a Google search. :)
You might be curious to know what kind of a pedal I will get to replace the one I'm returning. Here it is:
It's no-hassle, it's from one of the best audio equipment manufacturers in the world, and it's designed specifically to work with Logic, Mainstage, and Garageband. Plus, it sends and receives *both* MIDI and audio (the GCP is only MIDI).
I sent the following FB message to a friend of mine, who was asking for feedback on attending Columbia College in Chicago. Here's what I wrote:
Thanks for the message about this. Yes, it is a big topic - and one that needs some discussion - at Columbia.
What I can say, from personal experience, is that I never felt driven to graduate. I personal drove myself to acquire the knowledge I felt was necessary for me to succeed with my art in "the real world". As it turned out, though I learned a lot of stuff about the business of art and music, it was all stuff that I could have learned by reading a stack of books.
Do I regret my days at Columbia? No. But knowing what I now know, I mostly tell aspiring artists to take a year off after high school, pursuing their art full-time. Don't hold down a day job during that year or you'll screw yourself for financial aid, if you decide to go to college the year after. Make sure that your parents see your art, because if they do (and they think it's truly good work) then they'll support you in pursuing it. Great artists don't have to go to college, but they do have to be smart, eager to learn and always learning, ever-refining their skills, and unafraid of failure.
That's right. North Dakota. Megan, Seth, and I drove 14.5 hours on December 26th all the way up to our friends' house from Wheaton, IL. It was ridiculous. Only twice in my lifetime have I ever heard of United States interstates being shut down. My second experience was yesterday, driving in blizzard conditions. North Dakota issued a travel advisory for the entire state, suggesting that people travel only when medically necessary.
"Interstate 29 has been closed between Fargo and Grand Forks," the North Dakota travel information line, 511, states. It continues, "Roads are closed only when conditions present a serious risk of death to the motorist and roads are impassible." Unbelievable.
We didn't even know that I-29 was closed until we got on to I-29, leaving Fargo, and discovered a giant gate crossing the entire road, with a giant "road closed" sign. Leaving the highway, we stopped at a gas station and talked with a couple of locals, who suggested an alternate route.
We were only an hour and twenty minutes away - if we were able to take I-29 - but now we were tacking on an additional hour. We'd take Minnesota Rt. 75 to Rt. 2, into Grand Forks.
The closer we got, the more I realized that my buddy Dave wasn't kidding: "They don't plow or salt the roads up here. They basically just let the wind blow everything around." The wind blowing the snow over the road played tricks on my mind. It looked like we were driving on clouds. It was tough to stay focused on the road. Of course, that could have been the effects 13 hours of driving.
The snow drifted in to piles on the road. As the car ran in to them, the vehicle slowed and pitched to the left or right. It was an adventure.
Hey! I just wanted to let everyone know that I just ordered a new computer. An iMac, to be exact. Okay, it's no Mac Pro, but I wanted to buy a computer that I could use on stage, for my live shows. I looked at the MacBook Pro's, but ultimately, I was looking for more bang for your buck, and I realized that the portability of the MacBook Pro wasn't a big enough factor to go that route.
I'm looking forward to loading it up with Logic Studio 9, Reason 4, and Record. Let the party begin (in two weeks, when I get the new machine).
I just wanted to give you a quick update on the whole Friday's incident from a few weeks back. After several weeks without a peep from the restaurant chain, I got a phone call a few nights ago, from the location's general manager. He apologized, of course, but also said that he would send us $30 in gift certificates, to "make things right". Well, it doesn't, but I'll take the certificates anyways. Who knows. Maybe I'll go back for a burger or just give them away as a Christmas gift.
Those who know me best know that from my lips often comes a phrase that I once heard from another good friend. It goes something like this:
One asks me, "How are you today?"
I respond, "Better than I deserve."
And, of course, it's the honest truth. I have so much to be thankful for and I often fall short of living in the reality of that thankful attitude. This year, I resolve to remind myself - every day - that I have much to be thankful for. I have more than I deserve.
Okay, so I understand that many of you probably have no idea who Black Diamond is or what they do; but, for starters, you just need to know that they are awesome. Okay, so who are they? Black Diamond is a manufacturer of climbing, skiing, and mountaineering equipment. Here's their website: http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us
Just a few weeks ago, I went on a rock climbing trip to Jackson Falls, in southern Illinois, and I notices a rip in the tent, near the zipper, in the corner. I was bummed. I had never noticed the tear before, and I don't even know if I had ever inspected that part of the tent before. Obviously, with the tent being eight years old, I had little hope of a fix.
When I got back from my trip, I promptly emailed Black Diamond, and, to my surprise, I received a response less than 24 hours later (the same can't be said for TGIFridays, from whom I still have not received a response). Here's what Mike at Black Diamond had to say:
My apologies for your trouble with your I-Tent. Regardless of the cause or timing of the tear, we can certainly repair it for you at no charge. You would, obviously, need to send us the tent. A retaping of the area should take care of it nicely.
It was unbelievable. I was dumbfounded. In a word, I was happy. Could it be that there are still companies out there that stand behind their products and do all that they can to make situations right with their customers? Answer: Yes. Black Diamond does.
And for this very reason, I urge you to purchase Black Diamond, if ever there is an opportunity to do so. If you're looking for climbing gear, a new tent or shelter, skis or boots, consider Black Diamond, and make sure you have a compelling reason why not to buy BD.
PS: No, I have not been paid by Black Diamond to write this. I'm just that excited about getting my tent repaired - free of charge!
The plate of food to the left was served to me this past week at TGIFridays, in Bloomingdale, IL. What a sorry little plate at a ridiculous price. The presentation is horrible, and the flavor made the dish almost inedible. The price tag? $9.50. Unbelievable.
As I pulled in to Fridays, I actually said out loud, "Wow, I haven't been to this place in a really long time. I don't know why. I like the atmosphere, and I think they have great food, too."
Obviously, I was given a very good reason never to return to the restaurant; and given the face that their customer service department hasn't responded to my complaint yet - after several days, I don't think I'll be going there for a long while. Okay, maybe just for their potato skins. But still, beware of the Key West Shrimp and the Half-Rack of Ribs!
