Life Updates

Holy Monkey, it's been too long.

For those who still read the blog, just some updates:

I've finally been playing some gigs! I played off and on with a Tejano and Disco band back in April through June, and currently I'm subbing in the country/classic rock outfit High Horses for the next few weeks, culminating in a long weekend of bookings in Cheyenne during Frontier Days, Holyoke, CO, for Nebraska singer, "Lexi", and on up to Ogallala, Nebraska for some gigs up there.

I've submitted my band Third Wheel Legend into another contest-this one for a chance to perform in October in a Nashville festival.

I've also submitted a song for a couple of high profile country artists to consider for future recording projects.

I guess I need to quit being a ninny and put myself out there if I ever want a chance at songs getting published and recorded.

Well, other than some nice chances to relax at the lake and work kicking my butt, that's about it.

Until next time!

Do You Want Fries With That?

If living in the city has taught me anything it's that Customer Service doesn't really exist.

Case-in-point:

We're moving on Saturday and have taken care of all kinds of ins and outs ahead of time. We changed our addresses on a bunch of important services and bills, packed up a ton of stuff, reserved the truck, gathered friends for help, etc...

We also called the new place to set up a time, in advance, to sign the lease agreement and get keys so we wouldn't have to deal with it on move-in day. Today was supposed to be that day, but when we arrived, the assistant had no clue about our agreement, and couldn't figure out how to log on to their system to get us signed up.

Now, it wasn't this poor girl's fault for the technical glitch, but we're ticked. They've had our deposit since the end of March, and even then we scheduled today as our paper signing. Is it too much to ask for things to be ready when scheduled? Our time is valuable, and a business should bend over backwards to make sure we're accommodated at the agreed upon time.

After being turned away from our apartment signing, we decided to grab Sonic for dinner, and they couldn't get our order right to save their butts.

Frustration.

Grr.

If Nashville Said It...

I finally got the judging sheet back from the contest I entered back in November.

Each category is ranked from 1-10, 1 being lowest, 10 highest.

Completely:
(Score)
(8) 1. Is there a strong opening line that grabs the listener and sets up the story?

(6) 2. Is there a memorable hook?

(7) 3. Are the lyrics descriptive, clear and understandable building on the theme of the song?

(8) 4. Is there a unique, fresh approach to the theme/subject matter with which the listener can identify?

(8) 5. Does the song evoke an emotional response from the listener?

(7) 6. Is there a distinct/memorable melody in the chorus, verse, and/or bridge?

(8) 7. Is there a good marriage between the lyrics and melody?

(7) 8. Is the song format (length, structure, Etc.)appropriate for potential commercial viability?

(8) 9. Rate the "repeat listenability" of the song. Do you want to hear the song again?

(8) 10. Overall, do you like the song?

I still don't know how I feel about contests and my songs, but at least it's input from the industry.

Rant.

Imagine an old, rotten, splintery broomstick handle of large diameter.

Now, imagine said broomstick being repeatedly jammed in your hindquarter.

No lube...just raw, unpolished wood.

And that is precisely what our Internet Service Provider's definition of Customer Service is.

Star Wars and Cuss Words

I'm reading the Star Wars novel, Death Star (thanks, Cassie!), and I'm noticing some funny substitutions for familiar swear words.

In Star Wars Future Speak, some fine examples of swearing:

Fripp. Fripping.

Son of a Raiiitch (or something to that effect.)

It's just amusing.

That's all for today- Just checking in!