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achtungbaby1986
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Name: Alex
Country: United States
State: Illinois
Metro: Peoria
Birthday: 5/28/1986
Gender: Male
Interests: Music: Beatles, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, U2, REM, The Who, Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Supertramp, Clash, Elton John, Duran Duran, Genesis, James Brown, Public Image Ltd., Hall and Oates, Tears for Fears, John Mellencamp...
Movies: Star Wars (Every single one of them), Godfather (All of the too), Schindler's List, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in America, Raging Bull, MASH, Animal House, Indiana Jones (Raiders the most), Die Hard, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Lord of the Rings (Extended editions most), High Fidelity...
Others: Being with the people I care most about, sleep, playing guitar, being as myself as I can be, driving, being on the computer, living
Expertise: Movies, Rock music (60's through 80's most), Audio, Computers, TVs
Occupation: Student
Industry: Engineering
Message: message meEmail: email me
AIM:  achtungbaby1986
MSN: ajcmusicman@hotmail.com
Yahoo:  themusicguy86@yahoo.com
Member Since:
4/1/2005
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| Wow! How long has it been since I've updated this thing? Well, I figured it was time to keep everyone posted on my front. School's out, summer's here, work is there, and a bunch of other stuff. So where to begin...
School ended up not too bad. My GPA dropped a hair (from a 3.31 to a 3.28) mainly because I had too many fringe classes (classes that were on the edge of an A or a B). I got no C's this semester, and truth be told after a massive paper I knew one of my A's was going to drop, but I was upset to see my Linear Algebra grade go from A to B out of nowhere. Next semester is going to be rough since I'll be taking 18 credit hours (4 engineering and 2 business courses), and honestly the next semesters are going to be overloaded since I want to finish in 4 years and not 5. I can do it, and I know I can bring the GPA up, so let's see what the future brings.
My job is steady, and I'm enjoying it. What's funny is that I haven't been able to apply any of my schooling to work, yet I could probably apply some of my work to school. It's not overly complex, but there's a lot to do. Granted, I'm not the most motivated worker, and I haven't applied myself as much as I would like, but I know that will change. It's a great environment, and now I'm feeling more and more like one of the boys. I've still got a long way to go, but I think I can handle it. It'll be a fun ride.
I've been at my guitar so much this summer. If I was this dedicated when I was in high school, I wouldn't keep saying that I suck. I don't want to boast or brag, but I actually have gotten better at it. I can pick up songs a lot quicker by ear, sometimes after only one listen. I'm trying to create that CD that I talked about last time, but it's a grueling process. The big thing is that I still haven't found the most efficient method of progress. I've got music that would work with my idea, but trying to actually record is tedious. I got recording software for my birthday (for those of you who didn't know, my birthday was May 28th; I am now twenty), but I'm still trying to work the kinks out. I promise that this CD will be finished by the end of this calendar year, and my highest hope is that I'll finish by the end of summer before everyone goes back to college so that I can be heard. It won't be the greatest music you've ever heard, but if it's just good, then that's all that matters.
I went to Florida the first week of June. It was exactly what I needed: a vacation. Just being able to get away from central Illinois makes it worthwhile. Other than sitting in the back, reading some Purgatorio and beginning War and Peace (I swear to everyone that it will not take me a year and a half to read it!), it was really nice to see some different scenery. Sea World and Universal Studios was a blast, but something made the trip sweeter for me: after visiting those two places, my girlfriend flew down to Florida and came along with us. Everywhere we went, the already fabulous trip was made even better. The thing of it was this...we usually get to see each other once a week, but this was the first time we got to spend more days together, much less in a row. One would think that it would have caused us to become tired of each other, but it turned out that we didn't want to get apart from each other. I could talk more about the trip, but it would basically be me talking about her since that was what made it the best trip of my life. I love her.
Well, that about wraps everything up, so I will sign off. I've got some Robert Fripp (greatest guitarist that ever lived!!!) to listen to and try to learn, so until next time...
"Good night...and good luck."
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| It's hasn't been too long since I last posted, but it's been a while since I've made a massive update. I figured that since I have a bit of time right now, I better do it before life catches up again.
As everyone knows, April 14th will be my last day at Wal-Mart. I got a job with Vansco, and I start on the 19th. I'll have my weekends open, and my evenings will be free for me to get homework/projects done. Plus, I'll be getting paid more. So, in the summertime, when I have full-time hours, I'll be swimming in the green!!! I won't splurge. In fact, I may put a good chunk of it in my savings to buy a sax or the like. Someone I work with plays the stock market, so I may just start dabbling in that to build up a good nest-egg for my future. Plus, a little extra cash never hurt.
I was talking to a friend of mine on campus, and he told me that next year the basketball band will need a guitarist. The more he talked about it, the more he convinced me to join. I wanted to join earlier this year, but I couldn't find the time. If I join next year, I won't have to buy a sax since I'll be jamming on guitar. I can learn songs pretty quickly if need be, and I know a good number that would get everyone going. I haven't done anything music-related at school since I graduated high school, so it would be fun to jump into that all over again.
School isn't going too badly. My grades at this point: 4 A's, a B, and a C. The B I'm not too concerned with since it's in a class I figured that I wouldn't get an A, but the C bothers me a bit. It's in a hard class (quantum physics), and he is one of the toughest (if not the toughest) graders I have had. I'll have to put a damn bit of effort if I want the B in there. If I get the B and keep the other grades constant, then I'll get a 3.6 average and bring up my overall GPA closer to a 3.4 or 3.5 which is where I want to be (mainly because I want to graduate with honors).
Jumping back to talking about playing my guitar, I've gotten a lot better. I still can't riff or solo as well as I want to, but I'm getting there. I have some hardware in my computer that'll let me record my guitar playing on there. I completed a version of Eno/Lanois/Eno's "Silver Morning," and I'm thinking of either doing another Eno/Lanois/Eno tune called "Weightless" or doing something a little different. Both those tunes were originally played on a pedal slide guitar, but since I don't have that, I tried to do the best I could to play in that style without a slide. It doesn't sound too bad. If anyone wants to hear my version of "Silver Morning," let me know since it's on my computer. I was also thinking of doing Def Leppard's "Hysteria" next, but I've got a lot to do and too many songs I want to record.
I've been with my girlfriend for almost three months now. My feelings for her keep growing and growing. Every minute I'm with her just seems to get better and better. We've had a few arguments, but arguments show that we have a strong relationship. Every good couple argues. She's absolutely amazing, and I would never waste what she has given me. I love her so much.
Well, there's the update. My freedom is looming, and I can't wait for summer. I need the sun and warmth. Winter started bad and got really good, and summer is going to further the upward trend. I know it.
*reference to Richard Pryor Show*
Until next time...*jail bars close in front of me* | | |
| Well, I'm almost out of Wal-Mart. I got a call from Vansco, and they offered me a job. I start on April 19th. My gut tells me my last day of Wal-Mart is the Thursday before Easter. I had a great time over there, but I need to go. This is a great opportunity, and if I don't take it, I'll sure as hell regret it. Wal-Mart, it's been fun, but I gotta move. Everyone, let's celebrate!!! More freedom on the weekends!!!
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| I just want to take the time to make this statement right now:
GO BRAVES!!!! Sure, I will be honest, I had chosen other teams over you, but you proved me wrong. Keep on doing it. You are this year's model, and it's absolutely fantastic. Take out Memphis, and keep playing your A-game. I love Bradley!!!!!!!
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| Today after my project demonstration, I came home to relax and begin my spring break. I started playing my computer game Star Wars: Empire at War, and VH1's Top-20 Countdown was on. At one instance, I turned back to see Prince on there. He had a new music video for a song called "Black Sweat." I saw the black-and-white cinematography, and the cool and calm yet sensuous demeanor of Prince himself with a beautiful and borderline erotic Amazonianesque woman. The song was very down-to-basics, similar in nature to "Kiss" or "When Doves Cry." Yet the song had a harder groove similar to "Gett Off." I was really impressed by it. It's got some sexy lyrics ("I'll make you scream like a white girl when I count to three" comes to mind), and it's never blatant like most supposedly sexy songs today. The best part is that the song is rooted in the same robotic funk that he perfected in the 80's yet sounds absolutely fresh and alive. All in all, this song may be a signal of an even greater album on the horizon. It may be impossible to get a Purple Rain or a Sign 'O' The Times, but it may be possible to get another Dirty Mind, 1999, or at least Parade. Check the song out and judge for yourself. To some, it may sound like run-of-the-mill modern dance, but underneath the surface is Prince reclaiming his throne as the most eclectic and versatile artist alive. Most, if not all of you, will like it.
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