Natural Interests and Serving the Status Flow!

   The complexities of Time Travel, both forward and back, seem somewhat over rated,at least this has been my experience to date.  All Things Change or as Reagan said, All Things Flow!  Personally I don’t rightly know how another month has passed since my last Blog.  Well like I said last time, dead lines can help.  I am working on insulating our Addition.  I did put up several hundred square feet of Siding (HardiPlank 7 1/4″ btw Fellows at the Lumber Yard couldn’t get it to burn with gasoline till the 3rd try, and they said only a little!).  Well since I can’t think of anything especially profound at the moment, and the aforementioned Dead Line Looms Large and Near (for the Moment) perhaps I will focus on Music and Blues, keeping it as Local as possible.  Though the Stats on My Blog last month, Canada and the US were neck and neck for a while there.  Speaking of Conflicts of Interest, I do know, associate, and am even friends with Actual Canadians (who despite being warned by Dick Cheney (maybe because of) I have trouble believing are Dangerous.  Yes they are Human, and that is admitting much.    I don’t like Everybody.

      In November of 1995 I met a person I didn’t like.  He was staying in Nooksac, next to the Sumas Border Crossing.  I was doing Weatherization with a Non Profit.  A North Easter hit while Kurt and I were on the roof, the temperature dropped like a Rock,  anyways, I didn’t like the  guy, gut feeling was Bad, like he was a Con Man/Coke Dealer, turned out to be the Beltway Sniper.  I might be a good judge of character. I know you are, why else would we be friends?  Even a Long Haired Overfed Odd Drake like yours truly can have a Blog, getting Friends too read it, well hmm, get back to me in another 49.  That is my current chronological age +/- 9 months, depending on how you count.  I think in China I would already be 50, so that’s another reason to be Proud I am an America. 

      Not that I am about to endorse any Political Party, No Thanks!  I had a friend get mad at me for saying I wasn’t into this Election.  I don’t see any Party willing to risk Peace, except on a Future Schedule, with Options, and Fridge Benefits too. Sure I am gonna Vote, and I am for Marriage Equality (Put a Statement to this effect in our Wedding btw).  And yes I have leanings, so what.  Yet things aren’t going to change nearly as much as some claim, and I suspect other changes are coming that we don’t even see.  Did any Official vow to make Clean Water a right of All People on the Planet?  Most days I don’t think about it, though I do have friends who do, and provide water systems to thousands.  So I am lucky to have good friends.  Yet I keep my mouth shut more than some know,  I know a little.  Much to learn, because I want too, not because people need me too.  There  are Natural Conflict of Interest: I am trying to make myself obsolete, and yet hope to get invited to the best Parties?

     While I have written about my experiences, trying to provide Sound for various Public Officials, and Events; this has made me try harder to be Fair, even if as I have been told by Council, this is Not what the Legal System is about.   I am lucky to be friends with several smart Lawyers.   So far I haven’t had to call on them in Trouble!  I don’t know the Future, being unstuck in Time, doesn’t seem to come with much in the way of Marketable Skills.  I can be fun at Parties.

     It has been raining and had to wait a little on weather.  Another Inspection coming up, not dreading it as much as the last.  Still, might as well prepare, as if going under the Knife… Sure are worse things than the Building Department, though it is a painful subject. I often think of Jesus great Speech, which perhaps was somewhat inspired by Regulators, “You pile many burdens on people, and yet will not extend a pinkie to help !”  Forgive my pondering.  Last Inspector was new, and we didn’t get off to the best start.  I added blocking and metal anchors since, even though it was Signed Off.   The aforementioned Carpenter encouraged folks to do more than asked by Authorities, seems a worthy plan.

     I have had better bad news for a change, and many blessings too.  Doors keep opening in Music, though it isn’t a Linear Path, mine at least.  Did I mention I have been talking a Class on ukulele at the Unitarian Fellowship? Speaking of,  “When was the last time Jesus Christ, was mentioned at the Unitarian Church? When the Carpenter fell off a Ladder working in the sanctuary! “I accidentally told that Joke to an Unitarian Minister at Jennifer Warnock’s Memorial in Portland.  Foot in Mouth, one of my strengths.  I have tried to speak, may have heard more than I let on.  I do try.  I rap with my son, we bounce ideas around, have some good talks and times.  I was trying the Proverb, as I was taking him to school, Remember 2 Ears, 1 Mouth!  I reckon we are supposed to listen twice as much as we talk.  No he says, our Mouth is Bigger than our Ears.  He had a point, so I said, Let’s Try and Keep It Equal, he said OK.

   I was in Parent Teacher Conference with my Partner, my son is in 1st Grade.  Good Teacher, pretty serious, though she is warming up.  They often aren’t sure about me, at first.  I get that a lot. Peace.   Oh, yah I went on a Field Trip with the Class, had 5 kids to watch.  I made sure to implement the Buddy System, I need you, to help me keep and eye on one another!  2 girls and 3 boys at a Farm.  We were riding in a Tractor driven train of carts, whole Class in the rain, none of the kids seemed to mind.  It was fun.  I posted some pictures of the Apple Farm on FB.  Getting back to the Conference, I may have an odd memory.  I still remember some of my Parent Teacher Conferences growing up.  Interesting to see so much of myself in my son, and yet he is very much his own Man.  I respect him.  He has courage.  I learn from him, my daughter, and Wife.  I also learn from my Kin, friends and community.  I feel so lucky!  Why’s it so hard? That’s the Story!

    I was at the Green Frog for the Sunday Open Mic.  I like to make it down a couple of times a month, sample the Cider, catch some Local Music.  Misty will often sing a little, though she runs Sound for many Artists, and she does it well.  Her Open Mic draws regulars, On Stage and Audience, who enjoy the Mix.  Generally there is a featured Artist who does an extended Set, while most Acts are limited to 2 or 3 songs.  I have been meeting Dobro Players of late, as the Frog is a Vortex of Proto Rock and Roll, especially of the 1920’s and 30’s, early blues and Cowboy Jazz.  Check it out. 

      Speaking of the Green Frog, I have been collaborating with David Herbert aka Doc, on building a Sound Track for a Documentary on the Last Waltz Tribute, which was performed at Equinox. Stephen Ray Leslie (he and Doc produced this Miracle) has been on the Eastside of the Cascades for a few weeks, doing Carpentry; I am looking forward to his hearing the Audio.  Lauren Huggins has come over to twice, and recorded some vocals, where the recordings were thin, at some points.  I had some doubts about how well this would work, though Doc has a good ear, and Lauren a great voice.  We recorded in our Basement aka The Rec Room for the 1st Time!  I still have a ton to do, though it is dry!  I will keep updating about the Project.  We hope to Show this in Bellingham, and hopefully in Vancouver.  Over 30 Artists were involved, and the Music is fantastic.  Duke did a good job with Sound too!  Our tough choices will be getting a 3 hour Show into a  meaningful experience, and still find time to tell the Story of how it came to be.  You’re in the Loop!

      My Friends at StoneCloud have been busy.  Mike Cloud produced an Album for JP Falcon in his Studio. (Groovy Stuff, reminds me of Christopher Cross, America and early Talking heads, hows that for unique mix?  JP and Mike go back a ways, and he stole the Show at an Open Mic before the heavy Guns came out at Chuppa’s, among the Alumni: BlackBeast Revival, Rev. JD and the Black Outs, Human Infest, Old Mutt, Dead Reckon, Astronauts and Air Balloons and Curse of the Black Tongue, to name some of the gifted Bands that played there in 2012.  So much is changing in the Music Industry.  Like many of the Artists I work with, I have been investing in equipment, networking, and practicing, aka Living the Dream.  I feel lucky, I live in an incredibly diverse Music Scene.   This is where I want to be.  An Artist from Ireland approached me the other day regarding recording, this was at the Open Mic at the Green Frog last Sunday! 

    I have been listening to Robert Sarazin Blake rapping about Van Morrison and Life in his portion of the Last Waltz.  It is a Tour de Force, some of his best guitar playing, with some great crooning as Van the Man, and yet managing to weave in Put It All Down in a Letter, a song which Titles his latest CD (I published a Blog on its release last year BTW).  Robert always does it in a unique manner, and tries to make it about his experience Wherever he performs.  It was recorded in Philadelphia with the Powder Kegs (who I got to do Sound for last year at the Jamboree!) and also special guest, Jefferson Hammer on guitar.  RSB has a website with digital Streams to hear! James Bauckman has posted some videos on Youtube from the Jambore.  I was working rather quickly after the Festival, trying to help James get Video ready within 3 weeks.  I won’t bore ya with the details. 

     Many of the Artist I have mentioned, have CD’s of Merit, I feel fortunate to have been involved with several, and have some in the works.  I don’t know where it is going.  I am trying to be useful.  I agree with almost all music.  I try to do a good job with All Bands, even though I can think of some that have offended me.  I am still glad they make Music, even if I don’t like it.  I am gonna try to help.  I am gonna make mistakes, though I will be paying attention.  Hope too!  All of the Artists I have mention have Music available at their Websites, and I hope you will give them a listen.  For years, I have been going to Local Artists, with Mobile Recording; and this is leading to side Projects in our Studios as well.   Check out the  latest recordings from Chuppa’s Halloween Bash.  I heard some of Antique Screams Set, talk about Power!  I can’t think of a Harder Duo.  StoneCloud also released a 3 CD Set, from 3 Shows at Chuppa’ this year.  I recorded 2 of the Shows, and Mike and Stone Jones did the Mixes, DSP and Produced the Albums.  We collaborate, and share equipment, tips and troubles.  I am glad to be able to team up with them, and enjoy hearing our collaborations, as well as our independent efforts.  I have heard some of the latest efforts from the Stone Jones Trio, with Chrispy and Friend.  I even encouraged Friend to sing, and well, he did it!  Love their Mad World, and enjoy the samples Stone has shared.  I hear Mike will be doing the Mastering of the Trio’s new CD, with the Multi Track Audio aka Stems. It wasn’t the case until the last few years, yet it is now easy to transfer Digital Recordings between different computers and Didital Audio Work Satations (or DAW’s).  There is much more in common than different, like Maya said about People, when one compares DAW’s.  “The Art of Style” is a line of Jimi Hendrix, seems an apt term for our didgital age.

     Our friends Smoke Wagon are playing a lot of Gigs. StoneCloud and I helped with their CD: Spaghetti-Surf-Garage-A- Billy!   I caught them at Boundary Bay a couple Mondays back, in the Main Tap Room.  Dean, Randy, Peter and Matt all live in and around Bow and Edison. Check Them Out.  Stone did a good job with Sound.  The Owners of Boundary Bay, Ed and Janet have supported Local Music, since starting what has become an Internationally recognized Micro Brewery.  Ed is a smart man, minored in Chemistry, and studied Zymergy (Wine Making).

   I have been diving into my Archives.  I bought a 3 Terabyte Seagate Hard Drive from Costco.  It is over 2/3rd full already,  mostly Local Music!  I don’t write much about my Computers, even though I am fond of them, and appreciate them more over Time.  Too easy to take for granted, if you ask me.  Lately besides listening to the Last Waltz, I am listening to Artist from the Jamboree.  I have listened to Baby Gramps a Ton.  The Daffodils stole my Heart, and I find myself playing them daily, as well as singing aloud often!  I need to mention John Elliott,  a gifted Song Writer.  He sort of crept into my playlist, though I didn’t give him enough attention at the Jamboree, though working with over 30 Acts, there was much ado.  I have been able to send Audio to most of the Artists over the Web.  This is handy Tech!  It wasn’t easy to do even a couple years back.  I even sent some Music from the 2011 Jamboree, via the Web to Artists I hadn’t tracked down.   It pleased me to be able to give CR Avery and the Boom Chasers, the Bootleg I recorded of their Epic Performance in 2008 at the Jamboree.  THAT was a TIME!  A Dylan at Newport Moment, while many were wildly cheering, some Folks Freaked Out!  Beat Box perhaps is an aquired taste, and CR, well, He is a Rare One.  ” No one’s got to shine, like you got to shine!”  I recorded their Show with my SONY MS Mic, and a tripod, and have listened to it a gazzilion times.  I tried years back to get it to them.  Talk about Time Travel, guess I got hit by the Durrango less than 2 weeks after the Jamboree.  That has been a Journey, and although I didn’t make it back unchanged, I am present.

 Folks think I’m joking, though really, it feels like a form of Time Travel to me, to be able to Open recordings I made years ago, and find Audio I wasn’t able to dig out (so to speak) because of inexperience with use of EQ, Compression and Limiters. I can move around after the event.  It keeps changing. My Experiences change my perceptions.  For me, Forward is Harder than Back. Your Milage may vary.

       Remember Bring It On!  Look what that got us!  Life doesn’t goes as I plan very often, portions.  Carpentry is rewarding, making a difference, fixing, and improving, sometimes even healing.  That is how I approach working with Music, I want to help.  Well I am gonna get back at it for a bit, I got my daughter’s new room insulated today.  She has 4 girlfriends over for Halloween tonight. I hear them laughing.  They are gonna Watch Batman, the Dark Knight Returns, where Keith Ledger plays the Joker!  And watch Scream!  I am trying to get this finished before the Trick of Treating Hordes demand Candy. What a Holiday!   Love, Rog   [ The Hordes were friendly last Night, no extreme greediness]

 Happy Halloween!  I think I am going to put on Donnie Darko. The Director’s Cut, has better Music, he wasn’t allowed to use the  for legal reasons, the music he wanted for the Sound Track, until the Special Edition.  It is my favorite Time Travel Story, followed by Peggy Sue Got Married, and City on the Edge of Forever (an Original Star Trek written by Harlin Ellison).  I walked up to him at the Sci Fi convention in SF in 1977, and asked him for his Autograph, because he Looked Famous to me (I was 13)!  I notice tonight that Donnie Darko takes place in 88. I moved to WA in 1988, which is the year that this Movie Takes place,  it was the least Logical Journey of my Life, though I didn’t consider it Time Travel then, though I have gone through the Ride more than once it seems, and I can’t frankly tell you how I lucked up here, though if Time Allows, I am gonna try!  Kaplah!