Right then... Back to existentialism :p
You know, individuality isn't something you earn; something you can work at. It's not a trend, and that is why you fail. Truth is, there IS such a thing, it's just so impossibly hard to acheive intentionally, as to be insubstantial. If you subscribe to an idea, or trend - even if that trend is to BE individual - then you are merely conformist.
Ironically, those who come closest to individualism, are those who simply do not care, and do what they like to fit their own pleasures.
Myself, for example (bear with me here...). Yes, I wear converse. Yes, I will listen to bands. Yes, I wear certain clothes, etc, etc, ad infinitum... But my point here is, I'm not claiming individuality, simply that most (I don't think anyone could realisitically say "all") choices I make are motivated by my preferences. For example, I wear converse because I like how they look in my ridiculous shoe size. I have long hair because I was bored of short hair. I'm in bands because I love all types of music, and playing.
I suppose, then, that a concession to individuality on my account is strictly down to selfishness, and/or arrogance. I don't hear music, or see others dancing to it, and think "Ooh, lots of people like this, I better had too!"
I dislike the herd mentality.
In my opinion, few things are more embarrasing to see than the following:
1) People straining desperately to be different. It's paradoxical to even bother. Not in a nihilistic way, but simply that the end result is that you join a different crowd, rather than the one before. Relax. Accept the inevitability of being prejudged, and if you really have to, just try to refine the preconceptions that ultimately dictate your decisions.
2) Pretention & claims of originality. Again, you are not novel, or different. We are all of one species. So, we have a pre-programmed, biological imperative to react to certain situations. Basically, on some level, we are all the same, so the arguments fall apart. On what level are we meant to assess individuality? To what degree do we have the right to claim to be so?
Again - Please do not assume for one minute that I believe myself to be original. I know I am not. The only thing I'm doing here is making an observation. (In itself, hardly an original idea... See what I mean?). I'm simply one of those people whose choices are motivated, for the most part, according to my own preferences. I'm not consciously trying to make myself fit in all the time. But neither am I straining to stand out. I'm happy to make the choices that will make me happy, without bothering about whether it's been done before or not.
So, earlier I mentioned the idea that individuality was not entirely a myth - And here's why:
Innovations. I don't mean the iPhone - That's just the refinement of a pre-existing concept. I'm referring to true innovations. Ideas so mind-bending that it takes someone truly unique to even begin to think of them. Forgive me, but if you had presented me with a lump of iron-ore, I could have spent the rest of my life staring at it without thinking "I wonder if I could heat this up, go through a complex series of purification processes, and end up with a hard, strong, shiny substance?".
True innovators are the people who change the way we perceive the world around us:
Before learning about the Newtonian theory of Gravity, I never once looked around and thought "I wonder thy we stay on the ground, and things fall downwards?"
Before learning about Alexander Graham Bell, I thought it was perfectly natural to transmit my voice through a cable to someone miles away without a second's pause. Again, if presented with a length of copper wire, average Joe - or average Tet? - wouldn't think to create a signal path converting sound to electricity and back again.
Anyway... This is the point. Individualism isn't something you can force. It's immutable, unpredictable and occasionally unwelcome.
Well, anyway...
Time for me to say Au Revoir, once more!
Tet x
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Saturday, 9 October 2010
It's no surprise to me...
That you're classless, clever and free...
Hello!
Now, my regular reader Aaron (yes - in the singular, since he's the only one that I know reads these regularly!) asked why I haven't posted for ages; and so here I find myself once again, typing with speed born of a year's data entry experience! Simple fact is, I forget to write them with any real regularity. Things happen, and I just forget, or prioritise other things ahead of this.
I'm a fan of Autobiographies, particularly when they're the story of musicians or bands that I like - I'm a big fan of "Scar Tissue", Anthony Kiedis' (RHCP Frontman) biography (and, incidentally, the one huge influence on me to never even want to be anywhere near drugs if I can help it. The man went to hell and back, I don't want that in my life.) and also "Nothing to Lose", an (admittedly, unauthorised) biography of Dave Grohl. But then, Grohl is always going to be pretty high up on my list of "Musicians I Admire" - Drums for Nirvana and Guitar/Vocals for Foo Fighters? Yes. =]
Anyway; I got to wondering tonight (it's Saturday night) whether anybody else occasionally thinks as I do. What I mean by that is, occasionally I'll look back at my life and find myself putting important events into biographical language; "He looked blankly at the river flowing past and the distant shore, and knew in that moment that all things come to an end eventually", for example.
Ok, so that's really, really pretentious, but it's not like I'm going to be writing a full autobiography is it? I wouldn't have given an example, if it wasn't for the need to clarify what exactly I mean. The rest of it will stay in the privacy of my own mind!
Simply, I was just wondering if anyone else novelises their own experiences, in the privacy of their own mind?
Well, I'm in quite a lot of pain at the moment. At the best of times, being in the computer room here isn't a comfortable experience. A broken office chair, and ridiculously low keyboard tray make for bad posture... But I'm actually in pain tonight. Although, I'm inclined to say that it's worth it; it's the result of a gig I went to in The Masque last night: DINOSAUR PILE-UP, supported by BOW & ARROW and APPLE CANNON.
To be honest, that line-up, even without my favourite prehistoric-road-accident-based riff machines playing, would have been huge incentive to go, but the combination of the three was immense, and I'm really glad that I've been to two gigs in a row now where I've really enjoyed hearing every band playing - The first being Owls, Stone City, Screaming Citizens, and Xander & The Peace Pirates.
So, why am I in pain? Well, quite simply, I was head-banging and screaming the words along to every DPU song, hahahah. It's rare that I get so into a band, but these guys really are brilliant. Not only is their new album (and, in my opinion, all of their previous releases) superb listening, but they really manage to bring things to life on the stage: Acrobatics, jokes and real passion. What a gig! =]
Anyroad, I started work on the 4th... Finally! So, my being unemployed has probably featured more than once in my blogs, but you know, it genuinely is an important thing, and I was starting to despair of actually managing to get a job. However, I am now employed, and what wonders it's done for my confidence! I've sort of steamrollered into training and gone to some lengths to make sure I'm in with everyone there; We seem to have naturally split into three groups, the boys, girls A and girls B, so that's all ticking over nicely. Took my first call on Friday - It seems mad that on Monday, I had no experience whatsoever of call centre work, and then there I was, four and a half days of training later, chatting to customers. Anyway, I won't bore you (or subject myself to disciplinary action) by going into any more detail, but I'll tell you this: It's my second job (the first being the stint of bar work in the Mount Vernon) where I've enjoyed the prospect of going in, and enjoyed being there doing the work too. What I've taken from this is, I'm actually a people person. =]
Also, it's been a week of taking opportunities, or having them presented to me. I've spoken to a few friends who I've been completely out of contact with (thanks to being poor, basically) and it's nice to get back into their lives. =]
Au revoir all,
Tet x
Hello!
Now, my regular reader Aaron (yes - in the singular, since he's the only one that I know reads these regularly!) asked why I haven't posted for ages; and so here I find myself once again, typing with speed born of a year's data entry experience! Simple fact is, I forget to write them with any real regularity. Things happen, and I just forget, or prioritise other things ahead of this.
I'm a fan of Autobiographies, particularly when they're the story of musicians or bands that I like - I'm a big fan of "Scar Tissue", Anthony Kiedis' (RHCP Frontman) biography (and, incidentally, the one huge influence on me to never even want to be anywhere near drugs if I can help it. The man went to hell and back, I don't want that in my life.) and also "Nothing to Lose", an (admittedly, unauthorised) biography of Dave Grohl. But then, Grohl is always going to be pretty high up on my list of "Musicians I Admire" - Drums for Nirvana and Guitar/Vocals for Foo Fighters? Yes. =]
Anyway; I got to wondering tonight (it's Saturday night) whether anybody else occasionally thinks as I do. What I mean by that is, occasionally I'll look back at my life and find myself putting important events into biographical language; "He looked blankly at the river flowing past and the distant shore, and knew in that moment that all things come to an end eventually", for example.
Ok, so that's really, really pretentious, but it's not like I'm going to be writing a full autobiography is it? I wouldn't have given an example, if it wasn't for the need to clarify what exactly I mean. The rest of it will stay in the privacy of my own mind!
Simply, I was just wondering if anyone else novelises their own experiences, in the privacy of their own mind?
Well, I'm in quite a lot of pain at the moment. At the best of times, being in the computer room here isn't a comfortable experience. A broken office chair, and ridiculously low keyboard tray make for bad posture... But I'm actually in pain tonight. Although, I'm inclined to say that it's worth it; it's the result of a gig I went to in The Masque last night: DINOSAUR PILE-UP, supported by BOW & ARROW and APPLE CANNON.
To be honest, that line-up, even without my favourite prehistoric-road-accident-based riff machines playing, would have been huge incentive to go, but the combination of the three was immense, and I'm really glad that I've been to two gigs in a row now where I've really enjoyed hearing every band playing - The first being Owls, Stone City, Screaming Citizens, and Xander & The Peace Pirates.
So, why am I in pain? Well, quite simply, I was head-banging and screaming the words along to every DPU song, hahahah. It's rare that I get so into a band, but these guys really are brilliant. Not only is their new album (and, in my opinion, all of their previous releases) superb listening, but they really manage to bring things to life on the stage: Acrobatics, jokes and real passion. What a gig! =]
Anyroad, I started work on the 4th... Finally! So, my being unemployed has probably featured more than once in my blogs, but you know, it genuinely is an important thing, and I was starting to despair of actually managing to get a job. However, I am now employed, and what wonders it's done for my confidence! I've sort of steamrollered into training and gone to some lengths to make sure I'm in with everyone there; We seem to have naturally split into three groups, the boys, girls A and girls B, so that's all ticking over nicely. Took my first call on Friday - It seems mad that on Monday, I had no experience whatsoever of call centre work, and then there I was, four and a half days of training later, chatting to customers. Anyway, I won't bore you (or subject myself to disciplinary action) by going into any more detail, but I'll tell you this: It's my second job (the first being the stint of bar work in the Mount Vernon) where I've enjoyed the prospect of going in, and enjoyed being there doing the work too. What I've taken from this is, I'm actually a people person. =]
Also, it's been a week of taking opportunities, or having them presented to me. I've spoken to a few friends who I've been completely out of contact with (thanks to being poor, basically) and it's nice to get back into their lives. =]
Au revoir all,
Tet x
Monday, 27 September 2010
Just another day...
Evenin'!
Ahh, it's been strange times since the last blog. Had a couple of little bits of good news, which I'll elaborate on if they work out.
So, the main news, I suppose, has to be that I've been into the studio over the weekend just gone with The Trestles. It was hard work, and I'm still feeling a bit tired after it, but it was very much worthwhile!
Went to Alan's (Vocals, guitar) on Friday night, to work on some vocals, and to stay over to facilitate an early start on Saturday morning. Was cool; I sang the harmony I'd come up with for one of the tracks, and it went down particularly well, hahaha.
So anyway, we went to Whitby Studios next morning, and then... well, sat round whilst the drums were set up and recorded. That's traditional though! Howard, being the consummate professional he is, had it nicely wrapped up by around mid-day, so I went to do my bass...
Ok, so I'm not going to go step by step through our recording process. Frankly, it's boring to write, and that's never going to bode well for your reader, is it? So, I'll pick out the anecdotes and amusements, arguments and arrangements, then I can return to my, uh, "existential" ramblings. =]
We went for breakfast in a small greasy spoon... And were kept entertained by a crazy cat lady (apparently, she's well known to locals), who was telling her horrified listeners on the next table (mercifully, we were on the opposite side of the café) how she was an animal lover; "My neighbour has 9 cats!"... "Anyone who isn't an animal lover is getting STABBED."... Needless to say, we were suitably amused =']
Tom C was recording his guitar parts for Maggie's Farm (one of the two tracks we worked on), and played us his solo idea. I had an idea for a bit of a different rythm to play, so he handed me the guitar, and told me to do it... Not in an annoyed way, just in an "Ok then, let's hear it", and it worked, so we kept it... Then THE GREAT DEBATE kicked off... In short, I heard a harmony for the guitar solo that I thought would work quite well, so we recorded it, and played in back, to an instant 50-50 split in the band - Tom and How took an instant dislike to it, Alan and I loved it... So, since it was left to Alan and I to do the remaining work in the Sunday session, we kept it in, on the rough mixes... We'll see if it survives the final mix! =p
We had a drink with Mark D from The Dead End Kids on Saturday night... Now, I know I have the tendancy (and, yes, the inclination) to waffle in the course of writing these entries, but by God, I was shown that I still have a lot to learn on that score, by the infamous Johnny Mac.
Beyond mentioning his name, I REFUSE to enter into any description of his conversation; suffice it to say that if I did, you'd fall asleep within approximately thirty seconds of reading the transcript. Words cannot describe the somnolent effect that man has; he was repetitious, drunk, and worst of all (in a way), friendly. It all added up to making him a very difficult character to be rid of, short of a blunt dismissal, which each one of us was waiting for from one of the others! =p
Anyway, I sent the rough tracks to my dad last night, and he seems very pleased with them - I had a feeling he might be, especially with the addition of the Hammond organ sound - He used to play one of those beasts himself!
A quick word on the local bands if I may?
Ok, so I know I keep returning to this subject, but new things keep cropping up that I want to talk (or, well, rant) about.
This time, it's attitudes. Personally, I've never tried to make anyone in any band I've come across feel small, or in any way belittle them. I keep any negative comments I might have to myself, and only give constructive criticism; and that only when I'm asked to - I don't march around making suggestions, because I'm not in a position to do that. So, I ask myself, why do other bands/members feel the need to start believing their own hype, and looking down on everyone around them? It's kind of ridiculous. Ok, so you're confident in your abilities and the music your band is making: Brilliant! Good for you! But don't start acting like you've reached the pinnacle of modern music when you're at the same level as the people you're looking down your nose at. Fuck me, but that's irritating to witness.
Nothing particularly existential to add today, I suppose. I have a few wandering thoughts, but until they're brought into conjunction and start to feed off each other in the fertile petri dish that is my mind, I'm not going to add them here.
My final comment is this:
Leah (bless her) said yesterday that I remind her of Stephen Fry. Any of you who are aware of my interests and tastes will know that I was quite ecstatic about this comparison; she said something along the lines of:
"You remind me of Steven Fry, in that, if you told me the world was flat, I'd believe you like I would him."
That made me smile, and I thought it was a nice note to end this assortment of odds and ends with. =]
Much love y'all,
Tet x
Ahh, it's been strange times since the last blog. Had a couple of little bits of good news, which I'll elaborate on if they work out.
So, the main news, I suppose, has to be that I've been into the studio over the weekend just gone with The Trestles. It was hard work, and I'm still feeling a bit tired after it, but it was very much worthwhile!
Went to Alan's (Vocals, guitar) on Friday night, to work on some vocals, and to stay over to facilitate an early start on Saturday morning. Was cool; I sang the harmony I'd come up with for one of the tracks, and it went down particularly well, hahaha.
So anyway, we went to Whitby Studios next morning, and then... well, sat round whilst the drums were set up and recorded. That's traditional though! Howard, being the consummate professional he is, had it nicely wrapped up by around mid-day, so I went to do my bass...
Ok, so I'm not going to go step by step through our recording process. Frankly, it's boring to write, and that's never going to bode well for your reader, is it? So, I'll pick out the anecdotes and amusements, arguments and arrangements, then I can return to my, uh, "existential" ramblings. =]
We went for breakfast in a small greasy spoon... And were kept entertained by a crazy cat lady (apparently, she's well known to locals), who was telling her horrified listeners on the next table (mercifully, we were on the opposite side of the café) how she was an animal lover; "My neighbour has 9 cats!"... "Anyone who isn't an animal lover is getting STABBED."... Needless to say, we were suitably amused =']
Tom C was recording his guitar parts for Maggie's Farm (one of the two tracks we worked on), and played us his solo idea. I had an idea for a bit of a different rythm to play, so he handed me the guitar, and told me to do it... Not in an annoyed way, just in an "Ok then, let's hear it", and it worked, so we kept it... Then THE GREAT DEBATE kicked off... In short, I heard a harmony for the guitar solo that I thought would work quite well, so we recorded it, and played in back, to an instant 50-50 split in the band - Tom and How took an instant dislike to it, Alan and I loved it... So, since it was left to Alan and I to do the remaining work in the Sunday session, we kept it in, on the rough mixes... We'll see if it survives the final mix! =p
We had a drink with Mark D from The Dead End Kids on Saturday night... Now, I know I have the tendancy (and, yes, the inclination) to waffle in the course of writing these entries, but by God, I was shown that I still have a lot to learn on that score, by the infamous Johnny Mac.
Beyond mentioning his name, I REFUSE to enter into any description of his conversation; suffice it to say that if I did, you'd fall asleep within approximately thirty seconds of reading the transcript. Words cannot describe the somnolent effect that man has; he was repetitious, drunk, and worst of all (in a way), friendly. It all added up to making him a very difficult character to be rid of, short of a blunt dismissal, which each one of us was waiting for from one of the others! =p
Anyway, I sent the rough tracks to my dad last night, and he seems very pleased with them - I had a feeling he might be, especially with the addition of the Hammond organ sound - He used to play one of those beasts himself!
A quick word on the local bands if I may?
Ok, so I know I keep returning to this subject, but new things keep cropping up that I want to talk (or, well, rant) about.
This time, it's attitudes. Personally, I've never tried to make anyone in any band I've come across feel small, or in any way belittle them. I keep any negative comments I might have to myself, and only give constructive criticism; and that only when I'm asked to - I don't march around making suggestions, because I'm not in a position to do that. So, I ask myself, why do other bands/members feel the need to start believing their own hype, and looking down on everyone around them? It's kind of ridiculous. Ok, so you're confident in your abilities and the music your band is making: Brilliant! Good for you! But don't start acting like you've reached the pinnacle of modern music when you're at the same level as the people you're looking down your nose at. Fuck me, but that's irritating to witness.
Nothing particularly existential to add today, I suppose. I have a few wandering thoughts, but until they're brought into conjunction and start to feed off each other in the fertile petri dish that is my mind, I'm not going to add them here.
My final comment is this:
Leah (bless her) said yesterday that I remind her of Stephen Fry. Any of you who are aware of my interests and tastes will know that I was quite ecstatic about this comparison; she said something along the lines of:
"You remind me of Steven Fry, in that, if you told me the world was flat, I'd believe you like I would him."
That made me smile, and I thought it was a nice note to end this assortment of odds and ends with. =]
Much love y'all,
Tet x
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Misanthrope? Far from it!
Hey,
Been a while since my last post once again. Just a wee bit too much going on, you know? I've been cherishing every spare minute I've had to, yes, listen to music...
You'd think with me being in two bands, I'd feel less like that, wouldn't you? Fact is, I absolutely love what I might tentatively refer to herein as "zero time". That is, a space of time in which you are called upon for absolutely nothing. Absolute Leisure time, I suppose you could say.
So, I've been constantly and consistently adding to my iPod, trying to remember the cream of the music (*Note to self: Get Eric Clapton/Cream music*) I had on the ol' faithful Sony Walkman MP3. Gods bless that thing, it lasted for YEARS before starting to turn funny. I got a load of Metallica and a load of Nirvana, most recently. Oh, and some Smashing Pumpkins too, courtesy of Kev (No - I don't mean I received a selection of high-quality squashes. Tut.) =]
I've been on my own a lot recently. Hence the title! But it's not really by choice. I've had a hell of a time with my Dole, and as a consequence, had no money, so what little I've had hasn't really been enough to fund any sort of social situation that would cost more than bus fare =S
This is really starting to get to me. I want to see people, go out, have drinks, live life! And God knows I don't always feel like this, so...
In the past I have had issues with being in social situations. Not so much a feeling of Misanthropy (Basic definition: Hating other members of the human species, objectively) as, well, a phobia. Genuinely being unable to face certain situations, and, in the rare circumstance of being forced to, feeling claustrophobic and on-edge.
I remember going to town for little Claire's birthday last year, with all the gang, and it came time for us to go to the K, and I literally couldn't bring myself to go there. I turned round and went home, cursing myself for an idiot all the way up Wood St, but something in my head just said "No. You can't go there now."
I think I know why this is - I can actually trace it back to a certain point - but I'm not saying anything in such a public domain. For me to write it here is enough, without going into the whys and wherefores. Suffice to say, people that I trust already know, or are free to enquire.
"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us."
Friends. There's an interesting one. You can have friends that aren't really friends. Friends that really are friends. Friends you don't see for months, but when you do, pick up where you left off. And Friends who claim the appellation undeservingly...
So, have you ever been in that situation (I'm mainly speaking to male readers here, though that's not to say that others won't feel the same) where you're good friends with someone, but you'd like it to be more? I'm fairly sure there's a quote that runs along the lines of "All the best relationships are built on good friendships", but that's a confusing one... Does it mean that friendship is necessary prior to the engagement of a relationship, or that at the start of a relationship, you should work on your friendship as a priority, or that friendship develops over time with them?
(And, don't I just know it, there will be someone reading this who thinks "Oh, this is about me". Yes, humanity has the curse of arrogance, or I suppose, paranoia. Anyway, for one person, they'll be right!)
My question to you though, O readers of Blogs, is:
Should you take a step and possibly make a good friendship awkward? Or should you be satisfied at having a good friend?
You know, I've been here once before. Granted, she had to kind of metaphysically cuff me around the head a bit before I realised what she was intimating, and it sort of fizzled out, but d'you know what? I think we're better friends than ever for the experience. It's hard to feel bitter, or hold a grudge against anyone who's been in your life for a certain amount of time...
Anyway, I'll leave that to you to muse over, and possibly shout at me for. =p
So, onto one of my favourite subjects:
JESUS!
No, but seriously, I was having a little ponder the other day... (Intelligence + Being bored sifting through job applications = Profound introspection)
Now, despite my outspoken heretical views about, well, religion in general, I think that the underlying message of most (if not all) religions is pretty much the same, a sort of plea of: "Hey, look, we're all basically the same, Homo Sapiens, you know? Wouldn't it be nice if we all just rubbed along together and swerved the ol' "persecution" stuff? Hmm?"
I was considering, anyway, the nature of the Big J, good ol' Jesus. Now, the Bible (more specifically, the New Testament) is replete with fables of Jesus' deeds. Anyone who paid even the least attention in R.E. can name a few of these, the feeding of the 5000, raising Lazarus from the dead, etc, etc.
Imagine, then, if what happened, about 1980 years ago (by modern reckoning), was in fact a version of Chinese Whispers, taken to an unimaginably over-inflated conclusion?
Picture the scene in modern terms: A group of "educated" southerners (Yes - I am picturing Satan - I MEAN Mr. Cameron and his Oxford chums) travelling north through Britain, telling all that they meet that they have heard of - or are followers of - this great man, who is a few days behind them, who can raise people from the dead, walk on water. A humble carpenter's son, in fact, who was immaculately conceived! Might it not be the case that there would be some gullible people who'd be taken in by this story of this human with extraordinary powers? Let's face it - How many people are there who'd love, in their heart-of-hearts, to believe that there really are super heroes, or X-men, or whatever?
Could it be the case that Jesus, and thus, the New Testament, was based on a brilliant prank?
Think about it. =]
Now... I have something else to say! Ok, ok, so it's been a RIDICULOUSLY long blog so far, but this is about a months worth of pent-up words! Besides which, I've taken to reading Dickens (it's only taken 22 years!), so I'm feeling particularly verbose. =p
Right. It is my firm belief that the nature of the universe is cyclical; an endlessly repeating pattern of endlessly repeating patterns, from the movement of the smallest possible matter, through to the universe itself. Concentric loops, starting, existing, ending, and repeating patterns ad infinitum. Proof? It's in the everyday, all around us. Humans are naturally programmed to follow a certain daily pattern, with sunrise and sunset dictating our sleeping patterns (there's that word again). Why do we do this? Because the Earth itself follows a pattern, or orbit, which in turn is part of a greater pattern, which IN TURN is part of a greater pattern... You can see where I'm going there, right?
So, let us swing our thoughts to weighty subjects, such as global warming, polar ice caps melting, and, I'm afraid, even our very existance. Why, oh why, do these fusty, priggish people insist upon worrying about the environmental damage we're causing as a race? Let me quote from Wikipedia - and before you ask, no, I don't actually use it as some sort of information balm. I just find that Wikipedia sometimes provides nice, clear definitions, that I simply couldn't phrase better. So:
"The Earth's climatic history has been divided, in intervals of millions of years, into Ice Ages and Interglacial Ages."
If I may draw your attention to the word "Interglacial Ages"... That's what we currently inhabit. And thus, as sure as there has been an Ice Age before now, there will be one again. So, chill your beans, y'all. We're a hardy race. Supposedly the most intelligent that has yet walked on our planet... I think we'd be able to deal with it. I mean, come on, what sort of damage would a super-volcanic eruption cause? And that's from a natural bloody source. So, we're accelerating the process; So what? These things are a slow process! It's hardly like we'll go to bed, nice and cosy one night, and then wake up next morning in an arctic wasteland, as though billions of tons of ice have (figuratively) sneaked in through the back door and settled down for a millenia.
So, bearing this pattern in mind, I'd like to bring your attention to the theory of universal expansion. I mean, I think it makes sense (being a believer in the Big Bang Theory - No, not the comedy, though I am a fan) that the universe is continuing to expand outwards. Will this process reverse someday? Yes, I'm also sure of that. And then we'll have Big Bang the II: This time it's personal. Or Big Bang III. Or X. Or L. The point being, the universe could have repeated this pattern a practically infinite number of times before now; over a span of "time" that we, as humans, find near impossible to fathom. In short, our existance on this here planet, this minute speck of space and time we're allowed to occupy, should be worthwhile, and full, and you should, above all, ENJOY life! You only get one!
... Or do you...?
Ok, Ok, I'll talk about reincarnation another time. =p This has been ridiculously lengthy, but hey, I enjoyed it. I hope you've reached this point without, well, falling asleep. Thank you, so much, for bothering to plough through my musings.
Much love, credit, hugs and kudos!
Shalom, my friends, peace! Bismillah!
Tet x
Been a while since my last post once again. Just a wee bit too much going on, you know? I've been cherishing every spare minute I've had to, yes, listen to music...
You'd think with me being in two bands, I'd feel less like that, wouldn't you? Fact is, I absolutely love what I might tentatively refer to herein as "zero time". That is, a space of time in which you are called upon for absolutely nothing. Absolute Leisure time, I suppose you could say.
So, I've been constantly and consistently adding to my iPod, trying to remember the cream of the music (*Note to self: Get Eric Clapton/Cream music*) I had on the ol' faithful Sony Walkman MP3. Gods bless that thing, it lasted for YEARS before starting to turn funny. I got a load of Metallica and a load of Nirvana, most recently. Oh, and some Smashing Pumpkins too, courtesy of Kev (No - I don't mean I received a selection of high-quality squashes. Tut.) =]
I've been on my own a lot recently. Hence the title! But it's not really by choice. I've had a hell of a time with my Dole, and as a consequence, had no money, so what little I've had hasn't really been enough to fund any sort of social situation that would cost more than bus fare =S
This is really starting to get to me. I want to see people, go out, have drinks, live life! And God knows I don't always feel like this, so...
In the past I have had issues with being in social situations. Not so much a feeling of Misanthropy (Basic definition: Hating other members of the human species, objectively) as, well, a phobia. Genuinely being unable to face certain situations, and, in the rare circumstance of being forced to, feeling claustrophobic and on-edge.
I remember going to town for little Claire's birthday last year, with all the gang, and it came time for us to go to the K, and I literally couldn't bring myself to go there. I turned round and went home, cursing myself for an idiot all the way up Wood St, but something in my head just said "No. You can't go there now."
I think I know why this is - I can actually trace it back to a certain point - but I'm not saying anything in such a public domain. For me to write it here is enough, without going into the whys and wherefores. Suffice to say, people that I trust already know, or are free to enquire.
"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us."
Friends. There's an interesting one. You can have friends that aren't really friends. Friends that really are friends. Friends you don't see for months, but when you do, pick up where you left off. And Friends who claim the appellation undeservingly...
So, have you ever been in that situation (I'm mainly speaking to male readers here, though that's not to say that others won't feel the same) where you're good friends with someone, but you'd like it to be more? I'm fairly sure there's a quote that runs along the lines of "All the best relationships are built on good friendships", but that's a confusing one... Does it mean that friendship is necessary prior to the engagement of a relationship, or that at the start of a relationship, you should work on your friendship as a priority, or that friendship develops over time with them?
(And, don't I just know it, there will be someone reading this who thinks "Oh, this is about me". Yes, humanity has the curse of arrogance, or I suppose, paranoia. Anyway, for one person, they'll be right!)
My question to you though, O readers of Blogs, is:
Should you take a step and possibly make a good friendship awkward? Or should you be satisfied at having a good friend?
You know, I've been here once before. Granted, she had to kind of metaphysically cuff me around the head a bit before I realised what she was intimating, and it sort of fizzled out, but d'you know what? I think we're better friends than ever for the experience. It's hard to feel bitter, or hold a grudge against anyone who's been in your life for a certain amount of time...
Anyway, I'll leave that to you to muse over, and possibly shout at me for. =p
So, onto one of my favourite subjects:
JESUS!
No, but seriously, I was having a little ponder the other day... (Intelligence + Being bored sifting through job applications = Profound introspection)
Now, despite my outspoken heretical views about, well, religion in general, I think that the underlying message of most (if not all) religions is pretty much the same, a sort of plea of: "Hey, look, we're all basically the same, Homo Sapiens, you know? Wouldn't it be nice if we all just rubbed along together and swerved the ol' "persecution" stuff? Hmm?"
I was considering, anyway, the nature of the Big J, good ol' Jesus. Now, the Bible (more specifically, the New Testament) is replete with fables of Jesus' deeds. Anyone who paid even the least attention in R.E. can name a few of these, the feeding of the 5000, raising Lazarus from the dead, etc, etc.
Imagine, then, if what happened, about 1980 years ago (by modern reckoning), was in fact a version of Chinese Whispers, taken to an unimaginably over-inflated conclusion?
Picture the scene in modern terms: A group of "educated" southerners (Yes - I am picturing Satan - I MEAN Mr. Cameron and his Oxford chums) travelling north through Britain, telling all that they meet that they have heard of - or are followers of - this great man, who is a few days behind them, who can raise people from the dead, walk on water. A humble carpenter's son, in fact, who was immaculately conceived! Might it not be the case that there would be some gullible people who'd be taken in by this story of this human with extraordinary powers? Let's face it - How many people are there who'd love, in their heart-of-hearts, to believe that there really are super heroes, or X-men, or whatever?
Could it be the case that Jesus, and thus, the New Testament, was based on a brilliant prank?
Think about it. =]
Now... I have something else to say! Ok, ok, so it's been a RIDICULOUSLY long blog so far, but this is about a months worth of pent-up words! Besides which, I've taken to reading Dickens (it's only taken 22 years!), so I'm feeling particularly verbose. =p
Right. It is my firm belief that the nature of the universe is cyclical; an endlessly repeating pattern of endlessly repeating patterns, from the movement of the smallest possible matter, through to the universe itself. Concentric loops, starting, existing, ending, and repeating patterns ad infinitum. Proof? It's in the everyday, all around us. Humans are naturally programmed to follow a certain daily pattern, with sunrise and sunset dictating our sleeping patterns (there's that word again). Why do we do this? Because the Earth itself follows a pattern, or orbit, which in turn is part of a greater pattern, which IN TURN is part of a greater pattern... You can see where I'm going there, right?
So, let us swing our thoughts to weighty subjects, such as global warming, polar ice caps melting, and, I'm afraid, even our very existance. Why, oh why, do these fusty, priggish people insist upon worrying about the environmental damage we're causing as a race? Let me quote from Wikipedia - and before you ask, no, I don't actually use it as some sort of information balm. I just find that Wikipedia sometimes provides nice, clear definitions, that I simply couldn't phrase better. So:
"The Earth's climatic history has been divided, in intervals of millions of years, into Ice Ages and Interglacial Ages."
If I may draw your attention to the word "Interglacial Ages"... That's what we currently inhabit. And thus, as sure as there has been an Ice Age before now, there will be one again. So, chill your beans, y'all. We're a hardy race. Supposedly the most intelligent that has yet walked on our planet... I think we'd be able to deal with it. I mean, come on, what sort of damage would a super-volcanic eruption cause? And that's from a natural bloody source. So, we're accelerating the process; So what? These things are a slow process! It's hardly like we'll go to bed, nice and cosy one night, and then wake up next morning in an arctic wasteland, as though billions of tons of ice have (figuratively) sneaked in through the back door and settled down for a millenia.
So, bearing this pattern in mind, I'd like to bring your attention to the theory of universal expansion. I mean, I think it makes sense (being a believer in the Big Bang Theory - No, not the comedy, though I am a fan) that the universe is continuing to expand outwards. Will this process reverse someday? Yes, I'm also sure of that. And then we'll have Big Bang the II: This time it's personal. Or Big Bang III. Or X. Or L. The point being, the universe could have repeated this pattern a practically infinite number of times before now; over a span of "time" that we, as humans, find near impossible to fathom. In short, our existance on this here planet, this minute speck of space and time we're allowed to occupy, should be worthwhile, and full, and you should, above all, ENJOY life! You only get one!
... Or do you...?
Ok, Ok, I'll talk about reincarnation another time. =p This has been ridiculously lengthy, but hey, I enjoyed it. I hope you've reached this point without, well, falling asleep. Thank you, so much, for bothering to plough through my musings.
Much love, credit, hugs and kudos!
Shalom, my friends, peace! Bismillah!
Tet x
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Dearest constellation, heaven surroundin' you...
... Stay there, soft and blue...
=]
Hi!
It's been time since the last post, has it not? My apologies for that, I believe I finished the last post by saying how I was going over to Ireland, and looking forward to gigging with the Trestles, so I shall turn first...
TO IRELAND!:
Always a pleasure to return to the emerald isle! I do love that place, but my ties with Liverpool are still stronger - Standing on the ferry on my own, watching the Liverpool waterfront sliding slowly away, a myriad of lights stretching into the distance, fronted by those all-too-familiar outlines, seen so often that they're etched into my memory... Well, it causes a pang, even though I know I'm coming back soon enough!
Anyway, me and my dad went up to Achill - in the extreme North-West of Ireland - to basically mess about for a weekend, playing music and enjoying the scenery. Achill is pretty much the last stop before the Atlantic (and features "The Most Westerly Pub in Ireland"!)
So, last time I was there, there was this music festival sort of thing happening, and I got to admire some of the AMAZING musicians that play the traditional music there (I actually text Danny last time saying "I'm surrounded by 8 of the best musicians I've ever seen", hahaha), and this time, on the last night we were there, I had the opportunity to join in... Enter the Gibson J-200, and me frantically trying to follow the changes and feel of the songs. Don't think I did too badly, at that. =D
Was really nice to be able to just chill with my dad though. I don't see him as often as I'd like. =/
Soo... I return from Ireland overnight and stay awake on Monday, to make sure my sleep pattern is ok, and when my mum comes in from work, do I get a "welcome home!"? Nope. I am given 90 days notice to, basically, get the fuck out of her life.
Ok, so maybe she doesn't see it that way, but I certainly do, I'm afraid... So yes. I have 90 days - less, now - to find somewhere to live. As previously mentioned, I'm attached to Liverpool for a number of reasons, and I really want to stay here, if it's possible. We'll see!
To this end (that is, of moving out), I've started absolutely ripping into my bedroom, throwing out/selling EVERYTHING that isn't going to be needed. And by GOD, but I have a lot of shit that's surplus to requirements. =|
It's nice though. Sort of therapeutic to go to sleep each night and see less and less stuff just lying around. =]
Anyway:
Thursday 12th provided my first gig with my new band, The Trestles! We played a "warm-up" gig in The Carter's Arms in Kirkby. I really enjoyed it, actually, despite a little bit of an issue with my bass/the bass amp (I still haven't established which).
Entertaining events unfolded outside, after the gig too.... But I won't go into detail about them. =']
We're playing the Mathew St Fringe Festival on August 30th, anyway. Free entry gig, innit, and it promises to be HEAVING in the Zanzibar that night. Can't wait! We also have our single, "Sing On" being released on iTunes the same date!
On top of this, we've had radio play recently from Billy Butler and Dave Monks on BBC Radio Merseyside, which I'm more than happy about! Especially since, thanks to Dave Monks, I'm a little bit famous... If I may just extract the quote:
"...Michael Tetlow, better known as 'Tet' on the music scene; he plays bass in The Trestles."
;]
I've been going to the Monday night Jam Nights in Chameleon regularly... It's always a brilliant atmosphere there, everyone is always just chilled and enjoying playing and listening to the music that everyone else is coming up with. Always worth it! I really like going there. Bit of an issue about going to the next one though... My beloved LIVERPOOL FC are playing on the Monday night; quite a big game against Man City... So I'm in two minds as to whether to watch the game, or go to play music. Unfair: I can't choose between two of my passions like this! =[
(Ok, so we all know I'll end up playing music, but...)
Right. I've just had a bit of a rant on the ol' Facebook, so I'm going to transfer it over to here and expand:
MUSIC. BANDS. THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE.
A friend of mine (they're going to remain nameless, saves trouble) is playing a gig. Trouble is, the gig they're playing is with a fucking AWFUL excuse for a promotions company (again, they will remain nameless. Although, if you've spoken to me about the scene, you'll probably know who I'm talking about. Nevertheless... To remain within the bounds of the law...)
This friend is playing a gig alongside a Rock band and a Metal band, when they're quite mellow. I can't help but think that this is a fucking stupid idea for a gig.
What the local scene needs is for bands to come together and create a mutual fan base. Bands of a similar genre sticking together, gigging together, etc. That will cause the best outcome for both the bands themselves and the scene they're a part of.
(For anyone in doubt, I love Metal, as I do most music, and am IN a rock band, and a more mellow poppy band!)
But no, these greedy, stupid promoters are happy to throw any combination of bands together and make them "pay to play" (A concept, by the way, that is high up on my personal list of "Should never have even been conceived as a possibility", topped by "Hitler looking at a map of Europe and thinking "Poland, hey?" *rubs chin reflectively*... Anyway, I digress.)
In short, I have a vision of how the music scene in Liverpool COULD be... And once again, another idea that will benefit lots of people is defeated by greed. *sighs*
In more pleasant news:
What do you think of Russell Brand?
I've been listening to his (now very) old podcasts, from when he was a Radio 6, then a Radio 2 presenter... And I've been laughing almost incessantly. The man lives in an insane world, that's only loosely connected to this one. I'd love to talk to him!
My new iPod (well, I got it for my birthday, anyway) is filling up nicely. I transferred the remaining Foo Fighters albums onto it today, along with Death From Above 1979's "You're a Woman, I'm a Machine" album (I'm as in love with that as I was in 2005...)
Listening to the eponymous debut album from the Foo Fighters now... I do love my grunge/rock. =D
Right, anyway my friends, it's time to crack on with packing my life away!
Speak to/See you all soon, I hope!
À Bientôt,
Tet x
=]
Hi!
It's been time since the last post, has it not? My apologies for that, I believe I finished the last post by saying how I was going over to Ireland, and looking forward to gigging with the Trestles, so I shall turn first...
TO IRELAND!:
Always a pleasure to return to the emerald isle! I do love that place, but my ties with Liverpool are still stronger - Standing on the ferry on my own, watching the Liverpool waterfront sliding slowly away, a myriad of lights stretching into the distance, fronted by those all-too-familiar outlines, seen so often that they're etched into my memory... Well, it causes a pang, even though I know I'm coming back soon enough!
Anyway, me and my dad went up to Achill - in the extreme North-West of Ireland - to basically mess about for a weekend, playing music and enjoying the scenery. Achill is pretty much the last stop before the Atlantic (and features "The Most Westerly Pub in Ireland"!)
So, last time I was there, there was this music festival sort of thing happening, and I got to admire some of the AMAZING musicians that play the traditional music there (I actually text Danny last time saying "I'm surrounded by 8 of the best musicians I've ever seen", hahaha), and this time, on the last night we were there, I had the opportunity to join in... Enter the Gibson J-200, and me frantically trying to follow the changes and feel of the songs. Don't think I did too badly, at that. =D
Was really nice to be able to just chill with my dad though. I don't see him as often as I'd like. =/
Soo... I return from Ireland overnight and stay awake on Monday, to make sure my sleep pattern is ok, and when my mum comes in from work, do I get a "welcome home!"? Nope. I am given 90 days notice to, basically, get the fuck out of her life.
Ok, so maybe she doesn't see it that way, but I certainly do, I'm afraid... So yes. I have 90 days - less, now - to find somewhere to live. As previously mentioned, I'm attached to Liverpool for a number of reasons, and I really want to stay here, if it's possible. We'll see!
To this end (that is, of moving out), I've started absolutely ripping into my bedroom, throwing out/selling EVERYTHING that isn't going to be needed. And by GOD, but I have a lot of shit that's surplus to requirements. =|
It's nice though. Sort of therapeutic to go to sleep each night and see less and less stuff just lying around. =]
Anyway:
Thursday 12th provided my first gig with my new band, The Trestles! We played a "warm-up" gig in The Carter's Arms in Kirkby. I really enjoyed it, actually, despite a little bit of an issue with my bass/the bass amp (I still haven't established which).
Entertaining events unfolded outside, after the gig too.... But I won't go into detail about them. =']
We're playing the Mathew St Fringe Festival on August 30th, anyway. Free entry gig, innit, and it promises to be HEAVING in the Zanzibar that night. Can't wait! We also have our single, "Sing On" being released on iTunes the same date!
On top of this, we've had radio play recently from Billy Butler and Dave Monks on BBC Radio Merseyside, which I'm more than happy about! Especially since, thanks to Dave Monks, I'm a little bit famous... If I may just extract the quote:
"...Michael Tetlow, better known as 'Tet' on the music scene; he plays bass in The Trestles."
;]
I've been going to the Monday night Jam Nights in Chameleon regularly... It's always a brilliant atmosphere there, everyone is always just chilled and enjoying playing and listening to the music that everyone else is coming up with. Always worth it! I really like going there. Bit of an issue about going to the next one though... My beloved LIVERPOOL FC are playing on the Monday night; quite a big game against Man City... So I'm in two minds as to whether to watch the game, or go to play music. Unfair: I can't choose between two of my passions like this! =[
(Ok, so we all know I'll end up playing music, but...)
Right. I've just had a bit of a rant on the ol' Facebook, so I'm going to transfer it over to here and expand:
MUSIC. BANDS. THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE.
A friend of mine (they're going to remain nameless, saves trouble) is playing a gig. Trouble is, the gig they're playing is with a fucking AWFUL excuse for a promotions company (again, they will remain nameless. Although, if you've spoken to me about the scene, you'll probably know who I'm talking about. Nevertheless... To remain within the bounds of the law...)
This friend is playing a gig alongside a Rock band and a Metal band, when they're quite mellow. I can't help but think that this is a fucking stupid idea for a gig.
What the local scene needs is for bands to come together and create a mutual fan base. Bands of a similar genre sticking together, gigging together, etc. That will cause the best outcome for both the bands themselves and the scene they're a part of.
(For anyone in doubt, I love Metal, as I do most music, and am IN a rock band, and a more mellow poppy band!)
But no, these greedy, stupid promoters are happy to throw any combination of bands together and make them "pay to play" (A concept, by the way, that is high up on my personal list of "Should never have even been conceived as a possibility", topped by "Hitler looking at a map of Europe and thinking "Poland, hey?" *rubs chin reflectively*... Anyway, I digress.)
In short, I have a vision of how the music scene in Liverpool COULD be... And once again, another idea that will benefit lots of people is defeated by greed. *sighs*
In more pleasant news:
What do you think of Russell Brand?
I've been listening to his (now very) old podcasts, from when he was a Radio 6, then a Radio 2 presenter... And I've been laughing almost incessantly. The man lives in an insane world, that's only loosely connected to this one. I'd love to talk to him!
My new iPod (well, I got it for my birthday, anyway) is filling up nicely. I transferred the remaining Foo Fighters albums onto it today, along with Death From Above 1979's "You're a Woman, I'm a Machine" album (I'm as in love with that as I was in 2005...)
Listening to the eponymous debut album from the Foo Fighters now... I do love my grunge/rock. =D
Right, anyway my friends, it's time to crack on with packing my life away!
Speak to/See you all soon, I hope!
À Bientôt,
Tet x
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Wot, no blogs?!
Ahoy!
Yeah... I haven't written one for a little while. So sue me! I've been busy, discovering, rediscovering and generally not having the time (or inclination) to write a new ramble.
I think Andy (Farrell, that is: Check out his webpage) said recently that these entries remind him of a sort of stream of consciousness, and I'm inclined to agree with that; I don't really plan out what I'm going to say, beyond a sort of vague notion of what I'd like to discuss. Words simply spill onto the web form in front of me as quickly as I can type them, since I'm typing what I think!
Anyway...
Lessons have been learnt, very quickly recently. Cashen has probably pointed out several times that I'm too lenient on people, and I don't think that's entirely true... I like to think the best of people, but that doesn't mean that I suffer fools gladly. In fact, I've found myself being increasingly blunt; downright frosty, to anyone I dislike, including people I've barely met.
That said, it's rare that I meet someone and take an instant dislike to them - You have to be a very special kind of tool to merit that treatment!
I went out on Saturday night, with Mr. Richard Batty. I didn't intend to, I'll add, he just popped up on Facebook and said "Fancy town? Nothing crazy", so I got the last bus into town (Something I haven't done before... Sad, I know, but it really was a novel experience!), went to the Cavern for a few drinks (and listened to a rather good Lennon impersonator play a set), then stayed after closing time with the staff (Richie pointed out that I drink pints faster than anyone he knows), and ended up going to Santo Chupitos with the lovely Lucy and (forgive me if I'm wrong here) Kiernan, which was amusing... Sort of. Drank something there called a "Hand Grenade" (Yes, I know - any drink with a suitably euphemistic name is never going to be good news, but screw it), then went to Bar Samui... Which was full of scallys, basically, bit of a shit hole, so we left - Just in time to avoid a huge fight in the doorway. Got home at 5am, and was walking to Leah's at 4pm (still half drunk/hungover!) for her graduation party (CONGRATULATIONS LEAH!), which was well cool, got to just chill out with a load of friends =]
Anyway... Roll round to Wednesday, and my 22nd Birthday. Was touched by how many people said happy birthday to me, my facebook comments & messages, and text messages, were busy all day, it was lovely, so thank you all =]
I got a 160gb iPod Classic! Bless the Mothership for her generosity, hahah... We'd talked last week about me getting one, and she suggested a 16gb Nano (met with withering scorn by yours truly), and so I ended up with my Classic =]
I ended up crying with laughter until 5am this morning, by the way, listening to Ricky Gervais' podcasts... I absolutely HAVE to download the full audiobooks, because there's about 12 hour-long episodes...
And now; I spoke to Mr. Al O'Hare today, on the dog n' bone, and we just chatted about getting together to work on songs. Really feel like I officially can claim the title of "bassist from The Trestles" now, so on that note... Check us out on MySpace! The Trestles
Those of you expecting more Stop Motion Theory style music will be surprised. =]
Music... Luke told me the other day that he respects how hard I've worked at being a musician, and that he's adamant I'll "make" it. Which got me wondering: How exactly do you define having "made it"? I mean, I'm now in two (possibly to become three, shortly) quality bands, and I enjoy being in both. So does simply being happy being in a band qualify it? I think there would be some people who would say "yes" here, and kudos to them for feeling like that, but for me, I want something more... I want - and have wanted for some time - to be able to live from making and playing music that I love. Not living in some crazy mansion in Beverly Hills, I mean being in a band as my day job, to survive from day to day. I don't care about playing stadiums, I just want to play to a reasonable crowd, earn a bit of money, and still enjoy what I'm doing.
Is that too much to ask? =]
So anyway, The Trestles... We've been played on BBC Radio Merseyside recently, and we've a single being released on iTunes on August 30th, on which date we're playing The Zanzibar. See you there!
Friendship, then. A bit of a bastard, at times. Take me and Luke, for example. Friends - Good friends - for 6 years, now, and that's only because he knows how to deal with me when I'm being an arrogant twat, and I know how to deal with him when he's drunk. But, it works, and we're still good friends. And the main reason for that is simple:
I know I can trust him as well as I can myself. I know that if I need to see him, he'll drop everything and make time for me, if I need help he'll do everything he can, if he hasn't heard from me in a while, he'll ring and see how I'm doing - and he knows I'd do exactly the same for him too.
Basically, all of the above makes him a good friend, and I'm pleased to say that I have a few of those people around me, and I'm realising who doesn't fit the bill, too.
Having talked to a couple of people, I've realised I'm very much one of the people guilty of putting someone else at number one when that person doesn't put me anywhere except the back of their mind. I think we all do that, to a certain extent, soo... I'm trying to cut down on it. =]
Classical Music & Jazz: Why are they so derided by everyone except those with the knowledge to fully appreciate both?
Average Joe seems (in my experience) to hear a sample of either and come out with something along the lines of "THAT'S BORING" and switch off. At which I can only shake my head sadly, and really genuinely feel thankful that I've been brought up in a house with all sorts of music playing, all the time, and no cries of "Turn that shit off!". Anything (music-wise) goes, and therefore, the same applies for my music taste!
Right. I don't have any philosophical musings for you this time round. Sorry! I've not had time to contemplate the universe, as I usually do!
So, I'm off to pack for Ireland... More musical hi-jinks, I get to see my dad... It's all good. I get back, and have a gig to play too - Kind of a warm-up, I'm told, so I'm looking forward to that one! August 12th, Carter's Arms, Kirkby. =]
Right. I shall be writing again when I return from my spiritual home to my physical one!
Happy Hunting!
Au Rev,
Tet x
Yeah... I haven't written one for a little while. So sue me! I've been busy, discovering, rediscovering and generally not having the time (or inclination) to write a new ramble.
I think Andy (Farrell, that is: Check out his webpage) said recently that these entries remind him of a sort of stream of consciousness, and I'm inclined to agree with that; I don't really plan out what I'm going to say, beyond a sort of vague notion of what I'd like to discuss. Words simply spill onto the web form in front of me as quickly as I can type them, since I'm typing what I think!
Anyway...
Lessons have been learnt, very quickly recently. Cashen has probably pointed out several times that I'm too lenient on people, and I don't think that's entirely true... I like to think the best of people, but that doesn't mean that I suffer fools gladly. In fact, I've found myself being increasingly blunt; downright frosty, to anyone I dislike, including people I've barely met.
That said, it's rare that I meet someone and take an instant dislike to them - You have to be a very special kind of tool to merit that treatment!
I went out on Saturday night, with Mr. Richard Batty. I didn't intend to, I'll add, he just popped up on Facebook and said "Fancy town? Nothing crazy", so I got the last bus into town (Something I haven't done before... Sad, I know, but it really was a novel experience!), went to the Cavern for a few drinks (and listened to a rather good Lennon impersonator play a set), then stayed after closing time with the staff (Richie pointed out that I drink pints faster than anyone he knows), and ended up going to Santo Chupitos with the lovely Lucy and (forgive me if I'm wrong here) Kiernan, which was amusing... Sort of. Drank something there called a "Hand Grenade" (Yes, I know - any drink with a suitably euphemistic name is never going to be good news, but screw it), then went to Bar Samui... Which was full of scallys, basically, bit of a shit hole, so we left - Just in time to avoid a huge fight in the doorway. Got home at 5am, and was walking to Leah's at 4pm (still half drunk/hungover!) for her graduation party (CONGRATULATIONS LEAH!), which was well cool, got to just chill out with a load of friends =]
Anyway... Roll round to Wednesday, and my 22nd Birthday. Was touched by how many people said happy birthday to me, my facebook comments & messages, and text messages, were busy all day, it was lovely, so thank you all =]
I got a 160gb iPod Classic! Bless the Mothership for her generosity, hahah... We'd talked last week about me getting one, and she suggested a 16gb Nano (met with withering scorn by yours truly), and so I ended up with my Classic =]
I ended up crying with laughter until 5am this morning, by the way, listening to Ricky Gervais' podcasts... I absolutely HAVE to download the full audiobooks, because there's about 12 hour-long episodes...
And now; I spoke to Mr. Al O'Hare today, on the dog n' bone, and we just chatted about getting together to work on songs. Really feel like I officially can claim the title of "bassist from The Trestles" now, so on that note... Check us out on MySpace! The Trestles
Those of you expecting more Stop Motion Theory style music will be surprised. =]
Music... Luke told me the other day that he respects how hard I've worked at being a musician, and that he's adamant I'll "make" it. Which got me wondering: How exactly do you define having "made it"? I mean, I'm now in two (possibly to become three, shortly) quality bands, and I enjoy being in both. So does simply being happy being in a band qualify it? I think there would be some people who would say "yes" here, and kudos to them for feeling like that, but for me, I want something more... I want - and have wanted for some time - to be able to live from making and playing music that I love. Not living in some crazy mansion in Beverly Hills, I mean being in a band as my day job, to survive from day to day. I don't care about playing stadiums, I just want to play to a reasonable crowd, earn a bit of money, and still enjoy what I'm doing.
Is that too much to ask? =]
So anyway, The Trestles... We've been played on BBC Radio Merseyside recently, and we've a single being released on iTunes on August 30th, on which date we're playing The Zanzibar. See you there!
Friendship, then. A bit of a bastard, at times. Take me and Luke, for example. Friends - Good friends - for 6 years, now, and that's only because he knows how to deal with me when I'm being an arrogant twat, and I know how to deal with him when he's drunk. But, it works, and we're still good friends. And the main reason for that is simple:
I know I can trust him as well as I can myself. I know that if I need to see him, he'll drop everything and make time for me, if I need help he'll do everything he can, if he hasn't heard from me in a while, he'll ring and see how I'm doing - and he knows I'd do exactly the same for him too.
Basically, all of the above makes him a good friend, and I'm pleased to say that I have a few of those people around me, and I'm realising who doesn't fit the bill, too.
Having talked to a couple of people, I've realised I'm very much one of the people guilty of putting someone else at number one when that person doesn't put me anywhere except the back of their mind. I think we all do that, to a certain extent, soo... I'm trying to cut down on it. =]
Classical Music & Jazz: Why are they so derided by everyone except those with the knowledge to fully appreciate both?
Average Joe seems (in my experience) to hear a sample of either and come out with something along the lines of "THAT'S BORING" and switch off. At which I can only shake my head sadly, and really genuinely feel thankful that I've been brought up in a house with all sorts of music playing, all the time, and no cries of "Turn that shit off!". Anything (music-wise) goes, and therefore, the same applies for my music taste!
Right. I don't have any philosophical musings for you this time round. Sorry! I've not had time to contemplate the universe, as I usually do!
So, I'm off to pack for Ireland... More musical hi-jinks, I get to see my dad... It's all good. I get back, and have a gig to play too - Kind of a warm-up, I'm told, so I'm looking forward to that one! August 12th, Carter's Arms, Kirkby. =]
Right. I shall be writing again when I return from my spiritual home to my physical one!
Happy Hunting!
Au Rev,
Tet x
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
The tincture of night suffuses the soup of the afternoon...
And no, I'm probably not in what you'd call a "normal" state of mind, having chosen that as my title for this miniature masterpiece, ahahah ;]
Hello everyone! =D
See, I've started getting some positive feedback on these blogs now... I haven't written one for a little while (by my previous prolific standards), but I figured the time has come...
SO: What a foul day we've had. Typical British summer, eh? =p To be honest, until I was forced to go out in it (DAMN YOU NAOMI!), I was quite enjoying the day, I was sat on the couch reading, with regular cups of tea, and Sky Sports News in the background, supplying a sort of comforting, repetitive drone (Except for that bloody music from "Requiem for a Dream" that comes on EVERY SINGLE ADVERT BREAK! It's a beautiful piece, but hearing the same 30-second section every ten minutes becomes a little wearing...)
And then I ended up being forced, FORCED, to go to Parr St for some smooth jazz... But I don't really mind that much, it was lovely chilling there. If not warm... They seriously need to get some fans or something in that joint. Was good though, had a decent chat with Aaron (the man himself), and of course the famous Jack Gardiner. =p
Monday night was also brilliant; the usual jam night in Chameleon went really well; also Jay Duncan (of 'Overspill' fame!) and Middley-Diddley came down, it was great to see them both!
Jay, I hardly need say, got up and played a bit using my Stingray (I do love my bass to pieces...), and made it sound fit ;]
Also, I had a music conversation with Kayla on Monday night when I got home (Mainly Beatles-based, I must say), which led me to listen to "Run for your life" from their Rubber Soul album. And then "In My Life". And then "Drive My Car". At which point I realised that, if someone asks me, now, which album changed my life, I can immediately say "Rubber Soul".
Ok, so maybe it isn't the "best" Beatles album, (I'm actually inclined to agree with my good friend Alex when he says that Revolver is a strong contender for the best album... in his words;
"i also reckon revolver was when they started to branch away from the bona fide love songs
like
there definitely are some
thats what the beatles are
but they go hand in hand with the musicality, which i think completes the sound" (Verbatim, that, by the way =p))
But I grew up as a little boy hearing Rubber Soul (and, perhaps more importantly, hearing my dad playing the songs on the guitar), and I could sing all the words and knew all the vocal melodies and harmonies when I was about 8, quite a long time before I first thought about (emulating my dad and) picking up a guitar. Also, the first guitar "solo" I ever learnt was from Drive My Car... And I learnt it from memory. That is to say, without tab, sheet music or even my own copy of the song to listen to. Which was, at the time, the way I assumed everyone everyone learnt music...
On the subject of bands (Appropriately, one of my favourite Beatles tunes just came on, "Nowhere Man"), I'm playing with Stop Motion Theory in Mojo tonight (That is, Wednesday night) at 9pm... Really looking forward to getting back into it with the boys! =]
And also on the band front... My new band's single (which is being released on August 30th, on iTunes) was played today on BBC Radio Merseyside...
I'm liking this!
I'm bringing in, now, a topic that's never yet reached this blog: Football.
Now, you may (or may not) know that I am, quietly, a huge LIVERPOOL fan. I have to say, after spending the past few weeks feeling quite gloomy on this front, I'm really cheered up by what I've seen and heard in the past few days. I'm not going to be joining the whole "WE'RE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE BECAUSE WE SIGNED JOE COLE!" but I do think that has been a positive step, and I'm looking forward to having a season where we've been completely dismissed as contenders by the media - Maybe we won't be attacked left, right and centre by the gutter press! I live in hope.
Hmm... Tonight has been another night to just chat with people about their problems. It's strangely comforting to know that people feel like they can tell me this stuff, and know that I'll help if I can, and that I'll keep their confidence. Guess I can't be that much of a twat after all ;]
Anyway... It's 2am (almost). Time to post this, and go sleep. FOR TOMORROW, WE DINE, IN HELL! (<<< Gratuitous "300" almost-quote) =]
Au Revoir!
Tet x
Hello everyone! =D
See, I've started getting some positive feedback on these blogs now... I haven't written one for a little while (by my previous prolific standards), but I figured the time has come...
SO: What a foul day we've had. Typical British summer, eh? =p To be honest, until I was forced to go out in it (DAMN YOU NAOMI!), I was quite enjoying the day, I was sat on the couch reading, with regular cups of tea, and Sky Sports News in the background, supplying a sort of comforting, repetitive drone (Except for that bloody music from "Requiem for a Dream" that comes on EVERY SINGLE ADVERT BREAK! It's a beautiful piece, but hearing the same 30-second section every ten minutes becomes a little wearing...)
And then I ended up being forced, FORCED, to go to Parr St for some smooth jazz... But I don't really mind that much, it was lovely chilling there. If not warm... They seriously need to get some fans or something in that joint. Was good though, had a decent chat with Aaron (the man himself), and of course the famous Jack Gardiner. =p
Monday night was also brilliant; the usual jam night in Chameleon went really well; also Jay Duncan (of 'Overspill' fame!) and Middley-Diddley came down, it was great to see them both!
Jay, I hardly need say, got up and played a bit using my Stingray (I do love my bass to pieces...), and made it sound fit ;]
Also, I had a music conversation with Kayla on Monday night when I got home (Mainly Beatles-based, I must say), which led me to listen to "Run for your life" from their Rubber Soul album. And then "In My Life". And then "Drive My Car". At which point I realised that, if someone asks me, now, which album changed my life, I can immediately say "Rubber Soul".
Ok, so maybe it isn't the "best" Beatles album, (I'm actually inclined to agree with my good friend Alex when he says that Revolver is a strong contender for the best album... in his words;
"i also reckon revolver was when they started to branch away from the bona fide love songs
like
there definitely are some
thats what the beatles are
but they go hand in hand with the musicality, which i think completes the sound" (Verbatim, that, by the way =p))
But I grew up as a little boy hearing Rubber Soul (and, perhaps more importantly, hearing my dad playing the songs on the guitar), and I could sing all the words and knew all the vocal melodies and harmonies when I was about 8, quite a long time before I first thought about (emulating my dad and) picking up a guitar. Also, the first guitar "solo" I ever learnt was from Drive My Car... And I learnt it from memory. That is to say, without tab, sheet music or even my own copy of the song to listen to. Which was, at the time, the way I assumed everyone everyone learnt music...
On the subject of bands (Appropriately, one of my favourite Beatles tunes just came on, "Nowhere Man"), I'm playing with Stop Motion Theory in Mojo tonight (That is, Wednesday night) at 9pm... Really looking forward to getting back into it with the boys! =]
And also on the band front... My new band's single (which is being released on August 30th, on iTunes) was played today on BBC Radio Merseyside...
I'm liking this!
I'm bringing in, now, a topic that's never yet reached this blog: Football.
Now, you may (or may not) know that I am, quietly, a huge LIVERPOOL fan. I have to say, after spending the past few weeks feeling quite gloomy on this front, I'm really cheered up by what I've seen and heard in the past few days. I'm not going to be joining the whole "WE'RE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE BECAUSE WE SIGNED JOE COLE!" but I do think that has been a positive step, and I'm looking forward to having a season where we've been completely dismissed as contenders by the media - Maybe we won't be attacked left, right and centre by the gutter press! I live in hope.
Hmm... Tonight has been another night to just chat with people about their problems. It's strangely comforting to know that people feel like they can tell me this stuff, and know that I'll help if I can, and that I'll keep their confidence. Guess I can't be that much of a twat after all ;]
Anyway... It's 2am (almost). Time to post this, and go sleep. FOR TOMORROW, WE DINE, IN HELL! (<<< Gratuitous "300" almost-quote) =]
Au Revoir!
Tet x
Thursday, 15 July 2010
What light through yonder window breaks?
And you know the rest, I'm sure! ;]
Soo... Hello once again. Tell me something I don't know! It'd make a pleasant change! =p
Ahh, I'm in an exceptionally good mood. As I said to Naomi earlier; "I WANT TO HUG THE WORLD", hahaha.
I had my audition before. It went so well, that I was basically in the band by the end of the second song =D
The guys seemed to be really quite impressed that I could pick up the songs so quick by ear that I was able to play along with them... So, I'm looking forward to getting to work with them. "Work" is probably the wrong word, actually, since I'm going to enjoy it! =]
I have coffee with Andy, Zoe and possibly Danny to look forward to tomorrow =D
Been an age since I've seen any of them, really!
Had one of those talks with Mr. Dixon again tonight (or, by the time I publish this, last night?), where he just quietly made an adjustment to my life, hahaha. Not going into detail with what he said, but suffice to say, it was good advice that I intend to follow. =]
Always remember the words of Phil Lynott:
There's whiskey in the Giro!
=']
Oh, and since this is pretty much a place for me to stream my thoughts as I type, I'm going to say:
I'm clearer in my mind now than I was even two days ago...
I know what - or who, rather - I want. And I also know that, for various reasons, I can't have her.
Such is life...
Anyway, I'll probably write a more coherent blog in a few days. Oh, I'm taking a little while away from constant social networking too, by the way. Getting me down, and all.
Au Revoir,
Tet x
Soo... Hello once again. Tell me something I don't know! It'd make a pleasant change! =p
Ahh, I'm in an exceptionally good mood. As I said to Naomi earlier; "I WANT TO HUG THE WORLD", hahaha.
I had my audition before. It went so well, that I was basically in the band by the end of the second song =D
The guys seemed to be really quite impressed that I could pick up the songs so quick by ear that I was able to play along with them... So, I'm looking forward to getting to work with them. "Work" is probably the wrong word, actually, since I'm going to enjoy it! =]
I have coffee with Andy, Zoe and possibly Danny to look forward to tomorrow =D
Been an age since I've seen any of them, really!
Had one of those talks with Mr. Dixon again tonight (or, by the time I publish this, last night?), where he just quietly made an adjustment to my life, hahaha. Not going into detail with what he said, but suffice to say, it was good advice that I intend to follow. =]
Always remember the words of Phil Lynott:
There's whiskey in the Giro!
=']
Oh, and since this is pretty much a place for me to stream my thoughts as I type, I'm going to say:
I'm clearer in my mind now than I was even two days ago...
I know what - or who, rather - I want. And I also know that, for various reasons, I can't have her.
Such is life...
Anyway, I'll probably write a more coherent blog in a few days. Oh, I'm taking a little while away from constant social networking too, by the way. Getting me down, and all.
Au Revoir,
Tet x
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
To the victor: The spoils!
Which "Victor"? I've got two in my group...
Fire at will! Why? What's Will done to upset you??
Sorry. Those right there; they were bad puns. Just felt like going there. =p
Soo... I now know that at least 3 people read these posts. Woot - My ravings are intriguing enough to attract attention! =']
Currently, I'm sat here, listening to The Buffalo Riot, covered in bits of old silicone sealant, and trying to get the motivation to go finish this day-long-curry I've made, and go out.
It's Naomi's birthday today; and everyone is going to Parr St studios, where Mr. Schofield will be playing once again. It should be fun. I hope it is, since I need something to cheer me up...
Even with having to arse about with this shower today, I've been in a good mood generally, but, as usual, facebook ruined the bliss that came from my ignorance. =[
Still; I've found some new music again today... This time, it's the Argentinian "Vicentico", with his eponymous album... I rather like it, plenty of South-American in there, as you may reasonably expect, with some Eastern influences in a couple of songs, and not a word of English lyrics, but enough feeling in the singing to convey the feeling of the tracks anyway. =]
The stand-out track is still "Se Despierta la Ciudad", it's got a lovely samba groove on the bass, and a superb guitar solo towards the end of the song. =D
Later:
Just home from Parr St. now. Was entertaining - I got to see Middley-Diddley again =] Didn't really pay much attention to the jazz tonight though *feels guilty*. Still, it was free entry, and since I have no money, it was the most entertainment I was likely to get.
And, of course, it was Naomi's birthday. ;]
I'm listening to "Whiskey in the Jar" - The Thin Lizzy version, of course... It's possibly my favourite rock song of all time, I have a secret crush on the guitar tone, and of course, it's an Irish rock band covering an Irish folk song. It's the first real "Rock" song I learnt the solo to, and I still love it LOADS today. =]
I was just thinking then - as is my wont... =p - and Politics sprung to mind... Now, I follow politics, in the broad sense of the word that regards the governing of the country, but I wonder: Do people ever actually understand what they're saying when they come out with things like; "Oh, I'm not interested in politics..."
If I may, I'd like to present you with this:
"Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to behavior within civil governments, but politics has been observed in other group interactions, including corporate, academic and religious institutions. It consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and refers to the regulation of a political unit, and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy."
I think that's as concise and clear a definition as you could want (Praise be to Wikipedia!). But look at it... "groups of people make collective decisions." Meaning, if you've ever had an argument with, or stated an opinion about, anyone in your group of friends, you've engaged in politics.
Governing the country is just the bigger picture! ;]
Anyroad...
Time to go watch Techno Viking, grab a hot chocolate, listen to DPU whilst playing Bejeweled Blitz... and Bed.
Ooh, the excitement of my life. =']
Au rev,
Tet x
Fire at will! Why? What's Will done to upset you??
Sorry. Those right there; they were bad puns. Just felt like going there. =p
Soo... I now know that at least 3 people read these posts. Woot - My ravings are intriguing enough to attract attention! =']
Currently, I'm sat here, listening to The Buffalo Riot, covered in bits of old silicone sealant, and trying to get the motivation to go finish this day-long-curry I've made, and go out.
It's Naomi's birthday today; and everyone is going to Parr St studios, where Mr. Schofield will be playing once again. It should be fun. I hope it is, since I need something to cheer me up...
Even with having to arse about with this shower today, I've been in a good mood generally, but, as usual, facebook ruined the bliss that came from my ignorance. =[
Still; I've found some new music again today... This time, it's the Argentinian "Vicentico", with his eponymous album... I rather like it, plenty of South-American in there, as you may reasonably expect, with some Eastern influences in a couple of songs, and not a word of English lyrics, but enough feeling in the singing to convey the feeling of the tracks anyway. =]
The stand-out track is still "Se Despierta la Ciudad", it's got a lovely samba groove on the bass, and a superb guitar solo towards the end of the song. =D
Later:
Just home from Parr St. now. Was entertaining - I got to see Middley-Diddley again =] Didn't really pay much attention to the jazz tonight though *feels guilty*. Still, it was free entry, and since I have no money, it was the most entertainment I was likely to get.
And, of course, it was Naomi's birthday. ;]
I'm listening to "Whiskey in the Jar" - The Thin Lizzy version, of course... It's possibly my favourite rock song of all time, I have a secret crush on the guitar tone, and of course, it's an Irish rock band covering an Irish folk song. It's the first real "Rock" song I learnt the solo to, and I still love it LOADS today. =]
I was just thinking then - as is my wont... =p - and Politics sprung to mind... Now, I follow politics, in the broad sense of the word that regards the governing of the country, but I wonder: Do people ever actually understand what they're saying when they come out with things like; "Oh, I'm not interested in politics..."
If I may, I'd like to present you with this:
"Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to behavior within civil governments, but politics has been observed in other group interactions, including corporate, academic and religious institutions. It consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and refers to the regulation of a political unit, and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy."
I think that's as concise and clear a definition as you could want (Praise be to Wikipedia!). But look at it... "groups of people make collective decisions." Meaning, if you've ever had an argument with, or stated an opinion about, anyone in your group of friends, you've engaged in politics.
Governing the country is just the bigger picture! ;]
Anyroad...
Time to go watch Techno Viking, grab a hot chocolate, listen to DPU whilst playing Bejeweled Blitz... and Bed.
Ooh, the excitement of my life. =']
Au rev,
Tet x
Saturday, 10 July 2010
If truth be told, I am always impressed...
... By anyone who's willing to argue with me - or debate, I should say - about anything they feel strongly about. For example, I tend to fall for the girls who are happy to turn round and say "No, actually, you're wrong, BECAUSE..." and not back down. This makes me happy, in a strange way. Who, really, wants their life to breeze past in a stunningly routine blur?
So anyway: Welcome to the house of fun. That is to say, my mind. Come on in. Sure the name of the place has at the very least a sarcastic overtone.
You can always tell who your true friends are. There are people - One or two, not excessive amounts - Who will respond to your call instantly, and exactly how you need them to. People who'll drop everything; their plans, hobbies, dates and anything they might be doing or have planned, to be there for you. So: To those precious few people I have who will do that? Thank you, so much from the very bottom of my heart.
And that, I might point out, is a tumultuous place to venture these days.
So, I've been thinking about the phenomenon of Déja Vu recently... I was on facebook yesterday, chatting to Danny about things, and he said something and I had that split-second sensation of falling backwards, that massive self-doubt of "have I been here before??". And it triggered the following thoughts.
Firstly, I think it would pay to bear in mind that I am not what you'd describe as credulous. I am, in fact, what many people are happy to describe as "cynical". I don't mind this; I look at life with an eyebrow raised, I always look for the trick behind the spectacle; the lie behind the "truth" that you desperately wish was reality. ("That greatest of human treasures, which is hope...")
Suffice to say, I don't believe in God (or religion, come to that), or ghosts.
(I do believe in Aliens, however. That is to say, not the little bug-eyed guys of popular culture, but I do think it would be arrogance verging on sheer dumb idiocy to assume that we are the only intelligent, sentient life-forms in the ENTIRE universe; A universe which is, I might add, essentially infinite, to us, and in that infinity, surely the precise conditions which have led us to this point HERE, where we are able to exist and question beyond our mere planet, or infact our galaxy; those same (or similar) conditions must exist elsewhere? Anyway: I digress...)
I got to wondering... Is it possible that Déja Vu is actually us being given a second chance to approach the same situation?
Ok, so I know there is a scientific explanation; I believe it's something to do with one part of your brain operating a millisecond slower than the other, but still... Have a little romance in your soul, and consider my musing. Wouldn't it be nice to believe that?
I always say, and maintain, that you should never regret a decision; since it shapes the person you are, but you know... There's times where you can see the you that would have happened, had you said something else, or not said anything at all.
"Get upset when I call you on your telephone, but that wouldn't be appropriate; 'cause it's been 7 months and you've been moving on; lately I've been getting upset a lot, but no-one really understands how bad I get so, if we've got each other... But not anymore."
I think it's time that I took the advice of two of the most genuine, lovely people I've ever had the pleasure to know, Katie and Nikki, and stop being so "nice".
I've just spoken to my oldest friend, Leah. Interestingly, she told me (in short) that I give too much of myself to people. She's in a position to know! But I completely agree with her... I've also been told recently that I have a "superhero complex", by which they meant that I always go for people with problems, because I want to help them out, even if that comes at my own expense. That, as well, is quite worryingly accurate.
So, what next? I'd love to say that I'm going to take this advice on board, and become more selfish and assertive, but I think that by now, it's going to be hard to go against my essential character traits: it's not going to be so easy. I'll give it a go, anyway.
(If anyone wants to point me in the direction of a rock chick who has some unresolved issues in her life, then feel free. I want to BE there for someone, now...)
I've had an awful lot of people giving me the whole "It's her loss, you're a fantastic guy, etc" speech. Not that I don't appreciate the attempt to cheer me up, but if that was true, I wouldn't be in this position, surely?
I'm not looking for more speeches or reassurances. I know I'm not a twat, I just also don't think I'm this "fantastic guy". *shrugs*
Anyhoo...
Things are well and truly fluffed. I THINK.
I don't want to ask. I just have a gut feeling. And, as I'm constantly reminded, "[I'm] never wrong."
TALK TO ME.
Au revoir, everybody...
Tet x
So anyway: Welcome to the house of fun. That is to say, my mind. Come on in. Sure the name of the place has at the very least a sarcastic overtone.
You can always tell who your true friends are. There are people - One or two, not excessive amounts - Who will respond to your call instantly, and exactly how you need them to. People who'll drop everything; their plans, hobbies, dates and anything they might be doing or have planned, to be there for you. So: To those precious few people I have who will do that? Thank you, so much from the very bottom of my heart.
And that, I might point out, is a tumultuous place to venture these days.
So, I've been thinking about the phenomenon of Déja Vu recently... I was on facebook yesterday, chatting to Danny about things, and he said something and I had that split-second sensation of falling backwards, that massive self-doubt of "have I been here before??". And it triggered the following thoughts.
Firstly, I think it would pay to bear in mind that I am not what you'd describe as credulous. I am, in fact, what many people are happy to describe as "cynical". I don't mind this; I look at life with an eyebrow raised, I always look for the trick behind the spectacle; the lie behind the "truth" that you desperately wish was reality. ("That greatest of human treasures, which is hope...")
Suffice to say, I don't believe in God (or religion, come to that), or ghosts.
(I do believe in Aliens, however. That is to say, not the little bug-eyed guys of popular culture, but I do think it would be arrogance verging on sheer dumb idiocy to assume that we are the only intelligent, sentient life-forms in the ENTIRE universe; A universe which is, I might add, essentially infinite, to us, and in that infinity, surely the precise conditions which have led us to this point HERE, where we are able to exist and question beyond our mere planet, or infact our galaxy; those same (or similar) conditions must exist elsewhere? Anyway: I digress...)
I got to wondering... Is it possible that Déja Vu is actually us being given a second chance to approach the same situation?
Ok, so I know there is a scientific explanation; I believe it's something to do with one part of your brain operating a millisecond slower than the other, but still... Have a little romance in your soul, and consider my musing. Wouldn't it be nice to believe that?
I always say, and maintain, that you should never regret a decision; since it shapes the person you are, but you know... There's times where you can see the you that would have happened, had you said something else, or not said anything at all.
"Get upset when I call you on your telephone, but that wouldn't be appropriate; 'cause it's been 7 months and you've been moving on; lately I've been getting upset a lot, but no-one really understands how bad I get so, if we've got each other... But not anymore."
I think it's time that I took the advice of two of the most genuine, lovely people I've ever had the pleasure to know, Katie and Nikki, and stop being so "nice".
I've just spoken to my oldest friend, Leah. Interestingly, she told me (in short) that I give too much of myself to people. She's in a position to know! But I completely agree with her... I've also been told recently that I have a "superhero complex", by which they meant that I always go for people with problems, because I want to help them out, even if that comes at my own expense. That, as well, is quite worryingly accurate.
So, what next? I'd love to say that I'm going to take this advice on board, and become more selfish and assertive, but I think that by now, it's going to be hard to go against my essential character traits: it's not going to be so easy. I'll give it a go, anyway.
(If anyone wants to point me in the direction of a rock chick who has some unresolved issues in her life, then feel free. I want to BE there for someone, now...)
I've had an awful lot of people giving me the whole "It's her loss, you're a fantastic guy, etc" speech. Not that I don't appreciate the attempt to cheer me up, but if that was true, I wouldn't be in this position, surely?
I'm not looking for more speeches or reassurances. I know I'm not a twat, I just also don't think I'm this "fantastic guy". *shrugs*
Anyhoo...
Things are well and truly fluffed. I THINK.
I don't want to ask. I just have a gut feeling. And, as I'm constantly reminded, "[I'm] never wrong."
TALK TO ME.
Au revoir, everybody...
Tet x
Friday, 9 July 2010
This place was made with paper and glue...
... And in this chest; a heart made for loving you
I can't tell you how much I'm loving Dinosaur Pile-Up at the moment... Freaking AWESOME band... Got a playlist on Youtube of their songs:
Beach Bug
Summer Hit Single
Traynor
Love is a boat, and we're sinking
CAT ATTACK!
All Around The World
Not feeling too clever right now. You know when you really, really like someone, like you feel close to them, but you manage to ruin it, somehow?
I don't know if you do, actually, I doubt you'd be as fucking stupid as me. Anyway, that seems to be where I am. Honestly? Fucking gutted right now, I feel like someone has given me a real kick in the stomach... I don't even want to face my friends, you know? Suppose I have to really. I'll be glad that they're around me in a couple of days.
What else? I got to have a boss chat & go out with Katie last night, which was ace... She's a genuinely lovely girl, it's like having (another) sister, hahaha.
I actually don't have too much to say. Possibly a first for me, but I'm just in such a weird place, in my head... I don't know what I've done, or even if I've done anything, and I can't just ask, and it's all really, really quite crap. =[
See you round, readers.
Tet x
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Eponym/Antonym/Italic
Don't ask about the title, because I don't even know why it's even vaguely relevant, to be honest!
Soo... I was kind of criticised for this blog being about me... May I draw your attention to the main title of the blog itself? "The Ravings of Tet". That kind of implies, to me, that I'm supposed to talk about my experiences here. Christ, if you want neutral views on my small world, then you're screwed, really. =|
So...
I went to a jazz gig in Parr St Studios last night. It was pretty damn cool; was there with Danny, Groomy, Aaron, Dom, Robyn & Naomi. Highlights include my hugely comfortable orange beanbag, and Aaron's rendition of Cherokee, on Double (Upright) Bass. =]
Looking forward to the next week or so... I have that audition coming up (I was playing the songs today with one hand, haha), my mate Hearny is coming up from Reigate on tomorrow, be cool to catch up with him again, and it's also REI'S BIRTHDAY NIGHT OUT that night too =]
Then there's a job interview on Monday - fingers are firmly crossed for that one! And there's a jam night in Chameleon that night, which I'm looking forward to loads. =D
Then I'm meant to be going for a meal for Naomi's birthday on the Tuesday, assuming she can decide where she's actually having it, and there's a couple of gigs to go to coming up too. =]
Basically, it's looking busy, which is what I like!
Bands... Well, we've all kind of agreed that we want to continue Stop Motion Theory, which is brilliant - It is, after all, plenty of fun. =D
I have this audition as previously mentioned, it'd be fantastic getting involved in that.
There's one or two other things going on too, but I'll have to sort out my timetable, literally.
I've also had news today of a possible house move with a few of my mates... This looks, well, fucking amazing, frankly. I'll be more than made up if it happens, kinda relies on me getting that job on Monday though! *puts suit on, pulls hair into ponytail, shaves beard, adopts winning smile*
=']
Anyway, I'm gonna sign off for now...
Peace & Love, y'all
Tet x
(P.S. Everyone should listen to "Moanin'" by Mingus, or possibly "Cherokee", or as a third possibility, "Traynor" by Dinosaur Pile-Up. =D)
Soo... I was kind of criticised for this blog being about me... May I draw your attention to the main title of the blog itself? "The Ravings of Tet". That kind of implies, to me, that I'm supposed to talk about my experiences here. Christ, if you want neutral views on my small world, then you're screwed, really. =|
So...
I went to a jazz gig in Parr St Studios last night. It was pretty damn cool; was there with Danny, Groomy, Aaron, Dom, Robyn & Naomi. Highlights include my hugely comfortable orange beanbag, and Aaron's rendition of Cherokee, on Double (Upright) Bass. =]
Looking forward to the next week or so... I have that audition coming up (I was playing the songs today with one hand, haha), my mate Hearny is coming up from Reigate on tomorrow, be cool to catch up with him again, and it's also REI'S BIRTHDAY NIGHT OUT that night too =]
Then there's a job interview on Monday - fingers are firmly crossed for that one! And there's a jam night in Chameleon that night, which I'm looking forward to loads. =D
Then I'm meant to be going for a meal for Naomi's birthday on the Tuesday, assuming she can decide where she's actually having it, and there's a couple of gigs to go to coming up too. =]
Basically, it's looking busy, which is what I like!
Bands... Well, we've all kind of agreed that we want to continue Stop Motion Theory, which is brilliant - It is, after all, plenty of fun. =D
I have this audition as previously mentioned, it'd be fantastic getting involved in that.
There's one or two other things going on too, but I'll have to sort out my timetable, literally.
I've also had news today of a possible house move with a few of my mates... This looks, well, fucking amazing, frankly. I'll be more than made up if it happens, kinda relies on me getting that job on Monday though! *puts suit on, pulls hair into ponytail, shaves beard, adopts winning smile*
=']
Anyway, I'm gonna sign off for now...
Peace & Love, y'all
Tet x
(P.S. Everyone should listen to "Moanin'" by Mingus, or possibly "Cherokee", or as a third possibility, "Traynor" by Dinosaur Pile-Up. =D)
Friday, 2 July 2010
Liverpool's Music Scene (as seen by moi)
Ye gods, where do I begin??
I think what this city - and what bands particularly - need, is a fucking good kick up the arse. There seems to be a lackadaisical approach to forming a band these days. Any idiot who can string a few chords together judges himself worthy of putting together a collection of fellow idiots with a similar amount of "talent" #DRIPPINGWITHSARCASM.COM and become a "band", getting a few mates along to gawp at them, like chimps in a zoo.
The annoyance, for me, is that promoters don't seem to give a shiny shit how good the bands they book are, just that they get enough people through the doors to line their pockets...
Man, the scene her is choking desperately for air.
I've spoken to Mark Davies (One half of the ownership team of Crash studios, and about as experienced as you could want!) about this, do you know that about 20 years ago, you had to pass an audition, JUST to be allowed to play a gig?? Imagine how brilliant gigs would be now?
You'd be assured of playing with, or getting to see, a full line-up of real, genuine quality bands.
Personally, and I don't know if anyone else feels like it, I'm sick of going to a gig to see a band I like, and having to sit through 3, 4, sometimes anywhere up to 5 other bands, all of whom are complete dross, just to see one good band. And I do it, because I don't like paying and then not showing support, but it's a fucking nightmare, and I know that most people will turn up at the venue around the stage time of the band they're there to see, maybe hang around for the band after, then fuck off.
It's. A. Fucking. Joke.
Don't even get me started on the mis-matched gigs either; My band played one ages ago (I'm not going to name the promotions company, but they know who they are, and you probably do aswell) that had 2 DJ's, 2 indie bands, a thrash metal band, a screamo band AND an acoustic guy... WHAT THE FUCK?!
It's called a "scene" for a reason.
This actually annoys me so much, that I'd be quite happy to set up a non-profit promotions company, JUST to try to recover some of the quality gigs that have fallen by the wayside. And, before you ask, I'm aware of how much it costs to run a gig, paying the venue and suchlike, but... Wouldn't it be worth it? Personally, I'd love to go to a gig with quality bands playing, and I'd love even more to actually play a gig like that.
Doesn't look like it's going to happen any time soon, though. Unless I win the lottery. In which case, it's happening, hahahaha.
Anyway, feel free to give me a shout on this subject - I know enough people in bands and on the scene to know that someone will have something to say!
I felt I should add a list of local bands on here that are of real, genuine quality and talent, people that I know have worked and really put their all into being the talented musicians they are, and so here goes with just some of them... In no particular order:
In Casino Out (MySpace Page here)
The Buffalo Riot (MySpace Page here)
The Little Secrets (MySpace Page here)
Pteropilot (MySpace Page here)
Let The Morning Inn (MySpace Page here)
Always The Quiet Ones (MySpace Page here)
Au Revoir!
Tet x
I think what this city - and what bands particularly - need, is a fucking good kick up the arse. There seems to be a lackadaisical approach to forming a band these days. Any idiot who can string a few chords together judges himself worthy of putting together a collection of fellow idiots with a similar amount of "talent" #DRIPPINGWITHSARCASM.COM and become a "band", getting a few mates along to gawp at them, like chimps in a zoo.
The annoyance, for me, is that promoters don't seem to give a shiny shit how good the bands they book are, just that they get enough people through the doors to line their pockets...
Man, the scene her is choking desperately for air.
I've spoken to Mark Davies (One half of the ownership team of Crash studios, and about as experienced as you could want!) about this, do you know that about 20 years ago, you had to pass an audition, JUST to be allowed to play a gig?? Imagine how brilliant gigs would be now?
You'd be assured of playing with, or getting to see, a full line-up of real, genuine quality bands.
Personally, and I don't know if anyone else feels like it, I'm sick of going to a gig to see a band I like, and having to sit through 3, 4, sometimes anywhere up to 5 other bands, all of whom are complete dross, just to see one good band. And I do it, because I don't like paying and then not showing support, but it's a fucking nightmare, and I know that most people will turn up at the venue around the stage time of the band they're there to see, maybe hang around for the band after, then fuck off.
It's. A. Fucking. Joke.
Don't even get me started on the mis-matched gigs either; My band played one ages ago (I'm not going to name the promotions company, but they know who they are, and you probably do aswell) that had 2 DJ's, 2 indie bands, a thrash metal band, a screamo band AND an acoustic guy... WHAT THE FUCK?!
It's called a "scene" for a reason.
This actually annoys me so much, that I'd be quite happy to set up a non-profit promotions company, JUST to try to recover some of the quality gigs that have fallen by the wayside. And, before you ask, I'm aware of how much it costs to run a gig, paying the venue and suchlike, but... Wouldn't it be worth it? Personally, I'd love to go to a gig with quality bands playing, and I'd love even more to actually play a gig like that.
Doesn't look like it's going to happen any time soon, though. Unless I win the lottery. In which case, it's happening, hahahaha.
Anyway, feel free to give me a shout on this subject - I know enough people in bands and on the scene to know that someone will have something to say!
I felt I should add a list of local bands on here that are of real, genuine quality and talent, people that I know have worked and really put their all into being the talented musicians they are, and so here goes with just some of them... In no particular order:
In Casino Out (MySpace Page here)
The Buffalo Riot (MySpace Page here)
The Little Secrets (MySpace Page here)
Pteropilot (MySpace Page here)
Let The Morning Inn (MySpace Page here)
Always The Quiet Ones (MySpace Page here)
Au Revoir!
Tet x
Thursday, 1 July 2010
I thought it was probably about time I concocted one of these... I hope you're sitting comfortably.
I used to write MySpace blogs quite a lot... Roughly once a month, it worked out as. And then MySpace died a social-networking death... Praise be to Twitter/Facebook. =]
So: Hello. Welcome. This is going to be eccentric, erratic, and other wonderful/marvellous words of the same ilk.
I hope you have the patience to wait for the little nuggets of brilliance that are, as these things ever are, difficult to find and possibly comprehend. =p
Today has been A Good Day. (Yes; it merits the capitals). Went to town to go see Naomi; my adopted little sis, apparently! Cheered her up, then went for a "Band Meeting", which was billed as being quite a formal, ominous thing, but as it transpired, consisted of the usual Stop Motion Theory meeting of minds - that is to say, taking the royal piss out of each other, and having a good laugh. I think the question at the forefront of our minds was "Is this actually going to continue?". We've owed Crash (our favourite place to practise in the small world of Liverpool) a fair bit of money for quite a long time now. We used to be in a playroom in the basement - Kind of a flat that we went into whenever we liked (within reason) to make lots of noise, and generally chill. Paying for that got a bit beyond us though, and eventually we moved out, so as to catch up with debt! Anyway... that's slowly being sorted now, but it's meant that we haven't practised for a good 2 months, maybe more. And for a band that were practising 4 times a week, at one point, that's a big gap.
I think Danny, on drums, has shifted his musical boundaries away from Rock a bit, but he's still up for playing with us. Which is a mercy, because he's the best drummer of his age I can think of!
Personally, I've given a lot of thought in the time we've been out of practise as to whether or not I wanted to continue with the band, but at the end of the day, it's very much my band, and far too much fun to just abandon.
I've arranged an audition with a local band (to be named - or not - on the success of my audition); I really hope this comes off, since I think it's going to be a brilliant opportunity.
I've actually had offers to join 5 different projects in the past week - I was inclined to be a little taken aback by this; despite my usual self-confidence (Yes - Some would say "arrogance"), I really don't tend to rate myself as a musician, but then I got this message from Mr. Kev Dixon - A guy I really, really look up to, musically... He said this to me:
"You're talented, dedicated and enthusiastic.
If someone wants the right type of musician in their band, they'll look to you. "
I can't tell you how much of a smile that put on my face... And how much confidence it gives me. =]
SO: Back to my Good Day... We had a little drink in town, went for a stroll, then I came home (getting ambrosia custard on the way - finally! Ridiculous, but I've been craving that stuff for ages...)
Learnt that Claire - Sister to a good friend of mine, Donna (who in turn is going out with another good friend of mine, Luke), is coming to Liverpool again from Middlesbrough, with her friend Jennifer, this weekend... So I'm looking forward to catching up with her, and indeed with Luke and co. =]
I'm going to leave this one here for now, since it's now 2.15am, and I'm tired. I suspect myself of rambling, too. =p
I'll probably be posting again after this weekend - Lots of stuff is going on, and I don't think I'll find much time for t'internet. =]
Au rev!
Tet x
So: Hello. Welcome. This is going to be eccentric, erratic, and other wonderful/marvellous words of the same ilk.
I hope you have the patience to wait for the little nuggets of brilliance that are, as these things ever are, difficult to find and possibly comprehend. =p
Today has been A Good Day. (Yes; it merits the capitals). Went to town to go see Naomi; my adopted little sis, apparently! Cheered her up, then went for a "Band Meeting", which was billed as being quite a formal, ominous thing, but as it transpired, consisted of the usual Stop Motion Theory meeting of minds - that is to say, taking the royal piss out of each other, and having a good laugh. I think the question at the forefront of our minds was "Is this actually going to continue?". We've owed Crash (our favourite place to practise in the small world of Liverpool) a fair bit of money for quite a long time now. We used to be in a playroom in the basement - Kind of a flat that we went into whenever we liked (within reason) to make lots of noise, and generally chill. Paying for that got a bit beyond us though, and eventually we moved out, so as to catch up with debt! Anyway... that's slowly being sorted now, but it's meant that we haven't practised for a good 2 months, maybe more. And for a band that were practising 4 times a week, at one point, that's a big gap.
I think Danny, on drums, has shifted his musical boundaries away from Rock a bit, but he's still up for playing with us. Which is a mercy, because he's the best drummer of his age I can think of!
Personally, I've given a lot of thought in the time we've been out of practise as to whether or not I wanted to continue with the band, but at the end of the day, it's very much my band, and far too much fun to just abandon.
I've arranged an audition with a local band (to be named - or not - on the success of my audition); I really hope this comes off, since I think it's going to be a brilliant opportunity.
I've actually had offers to join 5 different projects in the past week - I was inclined to be a little taken aback by this; despite my usual self-confidence (Yes - Some would say "arrogance"), I really don't tend to rate myself as a musician, but then I got this message from Mr. Kev Dixon - A guy I really, really look up to, musically... He said this to me:
"You're talented, dedicated and enthusiastic.
If someone wants the right type of musician in their band, they'll look to you. "
I can't tell you how much of a smile that put on my face... And how much confidence it gives me. =]
SO: Back to my Good Day... We had a little drink in town, went for a stroll, then I came home (getting ambrosia custard on the way - finally! Ridiculous, but I've been craving that stuff for ages...)
Learnt that Claire - Sister to a good friend of mine, Donna (who in turn is going out with another good friend of mine, Luke), is coming to Liverpool again from Middlesbrough, with her friend Jennifer, this weekend... So I'm looking forward to catching up with her, and indeed with Luke and co. =]
I'm going to leave this one here for now, since it's now 2.15am, and I'm tired. I suspect myself of rambling, too. =p
I'll probably be posting again after this weekend - Lots of stuff is going on, and I don't think I'll find much time for t'internet. =]
Au rev!
Tet x
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