I’ve been busy. Even though it’s been two weeks since the big studio move, there was still some things that needed to be done around the studio. I spent most of last weekend doing those things.

During the week, I’ve had to take care of all of the usual time-consuming life obligations, Beyond that, I had an appointment with a physical therapist for my ongoing left-arm problems. I was given a regimen of stretches and arm exercises to do at home to try and strengthen the muscles in my arms and upper back. I think it’s helping.

Jen’s been summonsed for potential jury duty in L.A. (400 miles away, round trip). I spent part of an evening helping her fill out the online “qualification questionnaire.” We did our best to make it as clear as possible that they really don’t want Jen on their jury. We won’t know for at least a few weeks if she’ll have to go.

I’ve written 2/3 of a new song and I kinda like it. Been thinking about the music thing a lot lately. Got some ideas there. Also thinking of finally making good on my threat of taking this blogging thing to a new location. This may tie in with the music thing. I need a clever name for this new project but I haven’t thought of anything yet. I’d like to get a simple domain name that somehow ties into my name. There is actually one shawn.xx top-level domain name available but it’s one of them weird ones that costs $50.00/year to register. Not sure if I want it that badly. I could just do things under my own first and last names (plenty of domain options there). But, I don’t know. I find my name to be rather dull. Also, it seems that my last name is difficult for many people to pronounce. It’s seemingly even harder for them to spell. Six letters. One syllable. You wouldn’t think it’d be so much trouble. This is why I need a clever alter-name to operate under. Let me know if you’ve got any ideas.

Tags: health, life, music
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In what is possibly turning into an annual event, we spent last weekend rearranging our recording studio/computer room. This is our fourth, and hopefully, best version of the setup so far.

The old studio setup. Note my computer on the left-hand side of the photo and Jen’s computer on the right-hand side.

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Tags: Flickr, music, Phantom Power Media, podcasting
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It’s end-of-the-year time. As has been tradition here over the last couple years, I’m going to make a list of things I’d like to do/achieve in the coming year.

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Tags: health, iPhone, life, music
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It’s the end of the year. As such, many of the music blogs I read have been posting their end-of-year lists. I find a lot of stuff on these lists that I’ve never heard. I’ve been giving some thought as to why that is. I have a few ideas.

1.) Since leaving the orbit of a major metropolis and moving to relatively-small San Luis Obispo, I’ve lost certain connections with mainstream media. I used to listen to WXRT a lot, and while the station’s legend grows ever-more blighted in these modern times, it was (and probably still is) one of Chicago’s best sources for new music. I don’t actively listen to the radio much these days, and even if I did, the closest approximation to ‘XRT in my area would be the local college radio station. Most of the time, my stereo receiver can’t even pick up the college station’s low-power signal, and because it’s a college radio station it’s very… college radio-y. It’s not really the same thing as WXRT.

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Tags: California, Chicago, Illinois, Jim DeRogatis, music, Pomplamoose, San Luis Obispo, Vampire Weekend, YouTube
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Aspirations and ideas – thoughts about what I’d like to do with music and guitar playing.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 24:48 — 17.1MB)

Tags: guitar, Ken Turetzky, music, NaPodPoMo, podcast
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Mike sent me a record.

It was something that he had picked up at the mall and apparently didn’t like. This may actually be the first time someone’s gifted me with some new music specifically because they didn’t like it. Regardless, the gesture is appreciated.

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Tags: bluelaugh, Flickr, music
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Last Thursday night, we attended a concert at Frog & Peach. Formerly local band The Shamblers reunited its original lineup for a special show. It was the first time the original band members had played together in two years. The Wedding Industrial Complex, who also hadn’t played together since the last Shamblers show, rocked the opening slot.

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Tags: California, Flickr, Frog & Peach, music, San Luis Obispo, The Shamblers, The Wedding Industrial Complex
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OK, this post has very little to do with the meaning of life. Or, maybe it does…

I’ve been giving a lot of consideration lately to converting my music collection to digital audio. Then, selling off the physical media, and only buying physical product in the future when there are no downloadable options available. This was spurred on by a few different things. First, I’ve realized that I spend most of my time listening to music either sitting at the computer, or via my iPhone. When I get a new CD, I rip it into iTunes, and then deposit the disc onto the CD rack in the hallway. Sometimes, a disc will make its way into the bedroom stereo. But these occasions are rare at best. The second reason is that storage of physical media is cumbersome. That CD rack I mentioned above is almost full. And once it hits maximum capacity, there aren’t many options left for growth. We just don’t have the space.

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Tags: Apple Computer, iTunes, music
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I visited a local record store today, armed with gift card in hand. I didn’t buy anything.

Also, trains.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 14:48 — 8.5MB)

Tags: Amtrak, California, money, music, San Luis Obispo
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We went to a show last night here in San Luis. Our friend Erk gave us a tip that Australian band Tamarama would be in town. So, once again we found ourselves drawn to a concert based on the bill’s opening act. Which is too bad for us, as openers always have the shortest sets.

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Tags: Anuhea, California, Flickr, music, San Luis Obispo, Stranger, Tamarama, The Green
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