Rockin' Out

First non-365 post I've made! In order to make it official, I had to wait until it was a late post like so many before it so it fits in with the rest. That was my reasoning this entire time. Definitely.

Last weekend I got the chance to see the show Blast. It was exciting, entertaining, and had it's funny moments. Obviously I was going to be a little harder on it because I'm big into music, but it satisfied my expectations (and more!). There was a snare battle, some fantastic color guard work, and plenty of fun horn features. It's a show to take people of any age to, as well. My nieces had a birthday party the night before, and this was my parents' gift to them. Technically it was also mine too, since I can't afford anything more than a hug and smile.

During intermission, some of the percussionists came out to the lobby for entertainment. They were very comfortable with the crowd and were narrating between playing. They drew a few good laughs from everyone watching, and looked like they were having a lot of fun out there.

Speaking of some music, there's been a new artist in town, with "town" being "my music library". I'll start by saying that I've got an instrumental/post-rock playlist on Pandora. They feed me some good music that isn't marred by lyrics (usually). Some are more ambient, some are kind of more groovy, but now and then Pandora gives me a band that just plain rocks. This latest band is called Russian Circles. I don't know how much any of you would like them (because I don't know my audience all that well) but they're worth trying out a couple songs. They have a larger selection of faster songs (see this and this), but have their good, slower songs as well (this and this). If you like 'em, then awesome! If not, well I'm not forcing you to listen. Not yet.

Since this turned out a lot wordier than I expected, I'm going to leave my other post-365 blog ideas for later. I did get something else to read that I haven't forgotten about, and I've got three or four other ideas that I can work with. If anything exciting happens over the week, like that Blast concert, then I'll probably share it. I have no idea what to do with post names, either, now that I think about it.

Finally, I just want to let you know I'm actually juggling two blog posts per week now. This one, obviously, and one for English class. The other one is a lot less entertaining, but I guarantee that it's much more insightful because it has to be. So just know that I'm going to line that up with my excuses as to why this hasn't been updated. Ha!

My favorite comic of this week has to belong to ASP's Wednesday update (includes alt-text and hidden comic).

Day 355, 356

Hullo there!

First, I want you to say hi to Dean Griffin here. He doesn't normally look like this, but it was funny. Standing far back enough, you could only tell that something was just a bit strange. I decided, when i was far back enough, to eat lunch next to him yesterday. Then I got closer and closer and figured out my Wednesday picture.

People often dress him up, put little decorations on him, or do all sorts of fun things to the statue (nothing meaner than googly eyes). During HvZ, he's usually seen with a bandanna - early in the week he's a human, later he's a zombie.

In other news, I saw this tree on my way back from work on Thursday. It's pretty glorious and leave-less. The wind was blowing the clouds rapidly, so the three pictures I got have different cloudy backgrounds. There was one other tree picture that I almost couldn't decide between. I did like the dark cloud behind the top of the tree here instead of whatever that other picture had.

That's mostly it for the past two days. Just getting back into the groove of school and getting into the groove of a new job. Then there's nights watching Once Upon A Time and Firefly with girlfriend. Things are going smoothly (and I'm actually doing my assigned readings on time for once).

I'll go ahead and leave you with a really rockin' song. The ending is pretty kickass.

(Friday's actual post will be later today, when I'm miles away in Savannah)

Day 343, 344, 345

I'll post today's later, okay? I've got a plan for it, and it involves a battleship.

Here's some pictures from the New Year's Eve party I went to!


There was Munchkin, a card game that pokes fun at Dungeons and Dragons. There was also Rock Band. The AC/DC version of Rock Band, that is. I sang a song (horribly) as did some other people. Then we went to the nearby lake for festivities, including small fireworks, a telescope, a swing set, and fizzy drinks. Apparently there are fireworks that can be thrown into a lake, going off and making a poofing noise underneath the water.

I would've posted yesterday, but I had another party to go to with different people. Stranger people than those pictured above. We made lots of noise at Chilli's, then made even more noise at one of their houses afterward. It's a good thing his parents were home and trying to sleep, otherwise we would've been kicked out in no time or yelled at to shut up.

I know it's past Christmas, but the piano/guitar players had played this song at Mass and I love it.

Happy New Year!

Day 319

An hour or so late, but it's here!

Picture: Yamaha Recorder

Background: I had this sudden urge one day to play recorder. So I went to Amazon and ordered one. I actually haven't touched it much until these last few days. It has been an amazing distraction! I've learned a few songs on it already, including the greatest fight song ever written, Epona's song, and Tetris (it's still rough). My plan is that one day during finals week, I'm going to go around campus just playing the songs I've learned. I may walk right through the Student Center, in front of the library, who knows. I was even thinking about sitting on that ledge that you can reach from Skiles walkway, but I don't know.

It should make for good Finals Week shenanigans.

To Dynamics Homework,

You're cruel. I was actually doing okay for your first three problems. You lured me into a false sense of security, then wham! You hit me with three more problems that have no sense to be made of them at all. You sicken me! I hope I never see you again.

Without love,
Wes

Day 318

Blargh

Picture: Homework

Background: It's my Dynamics work, and it's due Wednesday. I haven't been a fan of this class, to be honest, but I've pushed through. Not much else to say about it.

(I actually cropped out my full name, though if someone really wanted to find me that badly, I'm sure they could).

To all my undergraduate friends that AREN'T at Tech,

You're so cute when you're complaining about finals on Facebook. Or when you're complaining about homework, tests, quizzes, or projects throughout the year. It's just so darn cute from my point of view. You should try coming here.

Love,
Wes

For all of you studiers, here's a good song to get you through studying. Looping is a wonderful thing.

Day 305

:(

Picture: Cherry Street from the library

Background: There's not much to the picture itself. I was leaving the library after class-that-was-meant-for-group-project. It was a cool view, so I took a few pictures.

Else, I tried my hand at playing piano in front of people. I failed miserably, and wasn't quite happy on my way back home. But I got to see my parents, at least, so that was a plus. Life goes on.

Also, I hate being forced to wear a jacket in my own apartment. They're great guys, not bad random picks, but I don't want to live in a freezer. I know it was probably near 70F today, but it's not like that's hot! It's barely comfortable, if you ask me! Ridiculous.

today's video is very relevant to this week...

(I've probably already posted it, but it'll never stop being relevant)

Day 298

I want to write this one quick so I can get some sleep

Picture: Worship the headphone jack!

Background: My most fun "photoshoots" are of me at 1am. This one was pretty simple: my room light, my desk lamp, a box and a binder. My camera sat on top of the box and binder, that is. I was just screwing around because I knew I needed a picture for today. Then this came out - I might use it for my Photography Club submission for "Madness". Because what is madness, but a lack of music?

(that's pretty deep, isn't it?)

Speaking of which, I don't understand why I stopped listening to Pandora. I jumped back on it the other day and, with rainymood going, turned on an instrumental/post-rock channel. There's some good ambient music that I've gotten the chance to leak into my ears.

That's all, folks.

It got rather silly.

Day 296, 297

Just over two months left going here! I'm pretty happy I got at least this far.

Picture: 24

Background: This is probably the most surprising grade I have ever gotten. I thought I failed. I thought I at least got under the class average of 19.5 out of 25. When I got my test back, I double checked to see who it belonged to, because I seriously doubted that it was mine. Then I got back my homework which was the highest I ever received on homework in that class (45/50). This week just started out amazing, and damn it all if it doesn't end that way.

Picture: Trees (again)!

Background: Lots and lots of trees are turning into this beautiful shade of red around campus. These are two of them, over near West Campus. Not much else to say about...trees.

My sleeping schedule is out of whack after two all nighters and spending the day sleeping. But gaming all night for charity will do that to you! Except, y'know, they hit the quota for how much was going to be donated, and there was no more money for food. I promptly left at around 7am on Sunday for sleep. I think I had about another ten hours of stuff before I went to bed last night.

Hurray!

today's video is the new four chords song...



A very happy birthday shout out to the local flower namer, as well. Without your help I don't know how far my nomenclature skills would lead me away from the light.

Day 286

This string of on-time updates is so strange and confusing, yet so pleasant.

Picture: Dreary day

Background: Not really much "background" to this picture. I walked out of the Student Center and thought this view looked really cool, so I snapped a few shots. Thank God for post-processing, otherwise this picture would've turned out horribly. Not saying it's amazing, but it's nice.

Not much else to report for today. Trying to get myself to write more, since it's been awhile since I've had a good hour of writing to do. On that subject, this month is NaNoWriMo. I'm thinking about doing that next year, since I'm having fun writing my two stories.

Those two stories might turn into three soon, if I'm not careful. I had a sudden inspiration for yet another story, all thanks to a single song. I'd link to it here, but it's not on youtube. I downloaded it thanks to a video that just happened to have the song in the description, and fell in love with it. It makes me love Post Rock even more.

today's video is a piñata party...(nsfw, ish)...

Day 285

Oh man, three singular updates in a row! How crazily on-time.

Picture: Freeman Residence Hall

Background: I was walking to band super early today, and finally got around to taking this picture. The SUV that drove up behind me was probably wondering why in the world I was taking this picture, but I don't really mind. I snapped a couple shots and was on my way.

I signed up for Night of Musicianship for this semester. I've been wanting to, but I didn't have a practice room or anything last year like I do now. So, I'm using it so I can play for an audience! Should be plenty of fun.

I attempted to get pictures of a ladybug that landed on my RAT and crawled onto my finger, but they all either focused on my hand or were completely out of any focus. I do already have some pictures of a ladybug somewhere, though, so I'm okay with that.

Also, I began moving all my blog pictures from their individual folders to a new one. I might upload them all to Flickr at some point, except because of my lack of funds and Flickr's abundance of lame, you'll only be able to see the last 200 photos I upload. Maybe that will change at some point, but that point is a long way away.

today's video is gay, in both meanings of the term...

Day 258

Gonna go ahead and get this out of the way before I delve into homework (at midnight!)

Picture: Leaf

Background: I sat outside by the shaft again today to write. I think this needs to happen more often while it's still relatively warm. Well, at least when it's jacket-weather. This leaf has sitting next to me screaming "Take a picture!" The colors on it were awesome, so I had no choice but to comply. Like usual, I messed with brightness/contrast to really bring out how cool this leaf looked. There were a few more, but this one was sitting by itself, so I gave it some company before it blew into the wind again.

Also, bonus picture because I took two while I was sitting at the shaft. You should be happy! Or not. It's okay either way.

today's video is what i'm listening to as i type this...

Fall is coming!

Day 257

Blargh! Posting yesterday's update right now, then I'll worry about today's later.

Picture: SAC fields

Background: Plenty of jokes are made about the name of this field. I'll leave you to figure out why. Anyway, I had lots of time before band, so I went ahead and tried to get a little writing done. That's exactly what I got done as well: a little writing. So I stood up and took some pictures of the fields prepractice. There's a building right where the Pit loads/unloads that has some benches to sit at and relax. The only problem was that smoker that stood by me and bugged me for 10-15 minutes.

Ah well.

today's video is an odd song someone showed me that i grew to like...

Day 251

Picture: Gods with instruments

Background: Explosions in the Sky is their name. They played my favorite song tonight. I barely took any pictures of them because I was busy listening in awe. There is virtually no way I could've had a better night - I'm in ecstasy right now. Just...amazing. That's all I can say. I barely remember the rest of my day leading up to this. I honestly could die happy tonight. I'd rather not, obviously, but you get what I'm saying, right?

man...

No video for today, simply because you should be clicking on other EITS music after clicking that link earlier.

And I'm not a hipster, even though there were plenty of those at the concert.

Day 218-220

HA! Up to date!

Firstly, I don't know if I told you, but I'm writing a story. Right here, I wanted to show you about how thick it is. There are 44 pages there, all single spaced, nearly 30,000 words. I've been doing some editing in my free time. Which feels like almost never. I can never bring myself to work on it when I'm in my room, either. Something about having my laptop, TV, Xbox, etc all in one place is just barely distracting. But hey - it's a good time consumer when I'm idle. Plus, it's really enjoyable to see how far I've gotten so far.

When I'm not in class or at home, I'm probably doing something band related. The band did a couple of new sets today, so I took time out to take some pictures of the mallets I was using. That got some odd looks from one or two pit people, but I think this one looks good. I might have set the exposure a little too negative, but the ones with higher exposure made the mallets reflect light from the sun. That reminds me - I'm going to head to a photography club meeting this Thursday, and hopefully I can figure out some fun stuff from there. It also reminds me that I haven't uploaded any of these pictures to my hosting site in a long time...

I figure I'll leave you with something that I haven't posted up here in awhile. No, not a picture of me (sorry, ladies). I meant to take its picture when I went to Publix with my mother last week, but forgot all about it. When I went grocery shopping on Sunday, I had my camera with me and got this picture. Enjoy :)

The best part? My mother had parked in the parking spot that this label goes with.

today's video is an 8bit song of my creation...

Day 213, 214

I lied to you! I owe you two pictures today. So here they are!

So, the first one is this interesting license plate. I'm surprised I was able to get a picture of it...since the owner is a NINJA! I think there must be at least three ninjas in this picture, but I can't find them. It's been parked in one of the parking lots since band camp, along with another car that has the plate "Mythril".

There are some real nerds here, and I fit in perfectly. I don't know if I'd get a license plate like that, but I was thinking of a nyanvan....

Secondly, there was this. I was on my way back from a bookstore and saw these. Lots of butterflies were flittering around them, and I managed to get one or two shots of them. I know that I'll probably kick myself for forgetting the name of the flowers, but I'm sure my local flower nomenclature expert will help me on that, right?

I also discovered today that the bookstore I went to doesn't take student ID. So I had to go to the campus bookstore to grab some books. That sucked.

Otherwise, good day so far. One of my classes got me actually excited for my major - not something I was really expecting.

today's video is an interesting lip sync (possible nsfw)...

Day 209

I owe you a day, gimme a break!

Picture: Another skyline!

Background: When you've got literally no time in the day, then this is about the only picture you're able to get. I'll probably get a picture of my new room at some point, but bear with me. This weekend is planning to be a long one.

The band is mostly done with the Prelude - just gotta get it cleaned and whatnot. Then there's also the Pit playing the crazy runs in it. There's also some of the second song that we've done, that we're playing tomorrow at the stadium for parents and the like. Since that's in the afternoon, it's going to be pretty danged hot standing out there in the sun. We'll see how that all goes. The Pit has the music for the three movements. We've gone through the first one, need to work on the second one more, and will start looking at the second one soon. We also have Starlight and Pumped Up Kicks for pre-pregame stuff. So far it's sounding really good, and it's good, college level music. I'm happy, to say the least.

today's video is an entirely different kind of flying, altogether...

Day 207, 208

Two days packed together - at least I'm not behind. And, as I was told by someone, I actually had the drive to get more than just a few days in and quit.

First picture here is a nice skyline over the top of the band. They were doing some set-by-set drill. For the non-band people, it means that they were going from one position on the field to the next altogether. While they were doing that, the Pit was kind of waiting around a bit. Someone pointed out the sky looked cool, and a few of us busted out cameras - all on phones but mine.

This other one was right before mini GAC. First, this is a friend of mine's hat hair, with the hat that caused it. The whole section got the same hats at Wal-Mart on Monday. HYPE! Currently mine is pirate style (think Jack Sparrow's hat). Second, mini GAC, or Miniature Get-A-Clue, was a small event about an hour long hosted all over campus. The RAT parents hid "clues" all over that led to each other. My group finished last, but we finished. That's actually the reason I didn't update yesterday - it was 1:30am by the time I got back to my place. Then again, I played Teeworlds for half an hour anyway...


today's video is one of the songs the pit has learned to play...

Day 204

Blargh

Picture: RAT DANCE OFF!

Background: We had a little down time today during practice, so someone suggested we had a dance off for the RATs. I would've filmed the whole thing, but my camera batteries are running low. That makes me a bit nervous about tomorrow's picture, but I've got a backup that I took today of some other pit peeps.

The song they danced to?

This.

Pretty awesome, no?

Day 201

I owe you day, mkay?

Picture: The shaft, except...

Background: ...with WATER! Such awesome right here. This means I finally get to swim in the fountain for the first time this year sometime soon. But first, I have to get through percussion/band camp. I don't know if I'll find time to swim during camp, but you never know. I'm not sure where my swim suit even is, other than somewhere back at home.

-Written on a hotel bed

Don't know about updates the next few days due to practicepracticepractice.

today's video is white...

Day 199, 200

Whoo! So this covers yesterday and today.

First picture is MONEY! Cha-ching! Not just any ordinary money, but $2 bills and the old $5! If you really must know why I have these, well I've got this problem. Apparently I keep all the things that I think are strange, out of the ordinary, not seen every day, the list goes on. So I kept the three $2 bills I got, and I kept these $5 when I found them in circulation. Do you see any of them anymore? I didn't think so. I've also got $1 in drummer boy quarters, a franc, and a few other interesting coins that are uncommon in the USA. I'm a dork, alright? But this is just trying to show why it's taking ages to clean my room - there's so much junk that needs to be thrown out or stored. I really don't know how I got most of it in here.

Next, if you want a graphing calculator, then I've got this one here for $80. I normally wouldn't try to sell anything here, but someone asked me for pictures of it so one thing led to another, and now this picture is up here. There's a story behind it, sort of. I already had one of these, but I lost it in my high school band's drum room. It stayed lost for about a week before I got a new one. Several months later, it shows up again in the band room. I knew it was mine from the programs that were in it. So I decided to put the newer nearly-brand-new one up for sale for a decent price.


Other than that, I mostly got over my cold today. I'm now hacking up the drainage, but I'm okay with that - mostly because I don't feel like sleeping all day like I did on Sunday. Though, staying up to 3am like I've just done probably isn't helping. So, goodnight.


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