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-Bearded Creative Pioneer of the World of Tomorrow-

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thought Provoking

So here's the deal: I'm done at Barnes and Noble (thank god) and have started at Lands' End. The training has been pretty ok, but the pay is ridiculously higher (3.50 more) and have half the commute. I got put into this "advanced" training group which makes things better for the slower people by making it worse for me, but it still isn't terrible. We'll see how things go when I get out on the floor.

But anyways, as usual, I've been posting "on this day in history" events on my facebook status, as I have been for the past 4 or 5 months. Actually, they're all I post aside from the regular football rant about terrible playing. Anyways, a former professor posted on my wall that she thinks I should get my masters in history and then teach high school. Another friend suggested I also get my history degree of some sort and attempt to get a history program at NPR. At first, I laughed it off because I never thought that I would ever teach anything, let alone high school. But the more and more I think of it, the more and more it makes sense. I used to love history until AP World History in high school, then it was over. But in my senior year of college I had 2 fantastic history classes that rekindled my love of history. And the whole wikipedia daily events thing started as an exercise to keep learning things after school, but these are things I actually look forward to. I love the fact of the day that is cool and that nobody cares about. Right now isn't the best time to go to school though, but it is another thing to consider. I'm trying to think of ways to combine my talents, such as music, writing, and history. Obviously, there's music history writer, but I was never that great at music history.

I'm sure that things will work out and that over time I'll decide on something. Anyways, I'm glad there's another option on the table that I'm very interested in. So it goes.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Lame 40 year olds who don't love Obama and probably don't know what downloading is...

WOW. So Friday night I went to this bar called Scatz in Middleton for the Onion. It was ridiculous. It was immediately apparent that those of us under the age of 40 should not be admitted. Not only did NONE of the Onion RSVP-ers come, but the "band" was a terrible cover band who butchered about every 80s funk tune I have ever funked to. Terrible. The dancing was akin to monkeys attempting to create fire with bamboo and water. Muy horrible.

I also saw that Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize, good for him. That is all.

Today, I read a British blog about illegal downloading. It made me ponder. Years ago I wrote a response for CMJ magazine about RIAA's suing of college students. Basically, I said that the RIAA should further explore the reasons and the people who are downloading before slapping huge lawsuits on poor college students. I still think that there are ways to harness downloading and figure out ways to make CDs more affordable. You'd think that for as long as CDs have been the main medium for music that they would reduce in price. In fact I think that CDs used to be less expensive. What's the deal? But anyways, the saucy Brit decided that if people love music so much, they should be able to buy it. I think the movie "The Soloist" proves that point wrong. Poor people can love music too damnit. Worst point ever. That debate will never end. Rich musicians will always fight against "piracy," and EVERYONE else will be against them. It is an ambiguous subject and there is no good answer. People need to get over it and people shouldn't be sued OR, as I recently heard, get permanently kicked off the internet?!?! Outrageous. Nowadays, that is to equivalent of being Judge Dredd being thrown into the Cursed Earth. In modern day Earth, the concept of excommunication from the internet is impossible. But if there is a way to do that, maybe that should be a sentence for court rulings instead of community service or, I don't know, DEATH. Or, you could get to choose! That'd be something.


Sunday, October 4, 2009

B & N, eat it

So I put my two weeks notice in at Barnes and Noble yesterday. I've decided at the very least to take the Land's End job, there have been a few people who have vouched for Land's End quality of employment AND I really can't stand the measly checks coming from Barnes. It's terrible. With my last oil change, all the gas I burn for them, and the less than 20 hours a week I get, it's not paying off. Plus, they blow.

Also, I've done some more thinking and I don't think I have a shot at the Mauston radio job. I realized that when I called the other day that he said "we're finishing up interviews." However, I never got an interview after my hour long application process. Son of a bitch.

On the creative front, I started a really cool sounding project yesterday morning. It was getting a bit too "pirate-y" but I think I'm bringing it back to a more sophisticated level. There's some polyrhythmic action happening in this one, quite on accident of course. I only hope that when I finally get to put vocals to it, that they match the quality of the product so far. I may need help on this if I can't come up with anything great, but I'd really like to finish this on my own.

Unfortunately, I haven't received proper incentive or inspiration on the writing front lately. Recently, I got rejection e-mails from the last places I have sent things in to. I'm waiting for something to open up on the local level to get my break and publication in, but nothing has happened so far.

But, I am taking a risk with Land's End, and that's worth it right now. Barnes and Noble, eat it.

Friday, October 2, 2009

I didn't even wear a tie...

Alright. I don't get it. Why do people refuse to give me a job that involves physical labor, then offer me a job that I didn't actually apply for?!?!?!? I went in for an interview with Land's End today for a warehouse job, and bam, they put me through the ropes for a phone sales job. Fortunately it isn't a "I call you and try and get you to buy something" sort of deal, and I would sit on my ass all day. The pros of this potential job are that it pays over 3 dollars more than what I make already for a job that is more than twice as far away. It also could get the full 40 hours and a consistent schedule. BUT it also is only through December with no guarantee of continuation, although I think I could make it happen. I just don't get it though. Last time I applied for a warehouse job, they immediately did the same thing, except it was a commission thing that sucked balls. I thought it was because I was overdressed, so this time, I was more casual, and didn't even wear a tie damnit. No tie. I have till Wednesday to think about it...we'll see.

Also called the Mauston radio station today and apparently they're still interviewing and will know by....WEDNESDAY!!! Fucking A.

I'm also having some success finding some collaborators for projects. Unfortunately, they both would be distance, but still. All in all, I'm very satisfied with my creative output. It's taken some new directions and has been pseudo-prolific. I may try exploring some new ground this coming week with some of the acoustic instruments I have access to, but I'm not sure that I want to stop the streak that I'm on. We'll see.