Tolwyn and Dupuytren’s Contracture
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As some of you may know, I've been afflicted with Dupuytren's Contracture for about 3 years now. This disease progressed to the point where I could no longer enjoy playing the piano and other day-to-day activities. I had the surgery on December 15, 2011 and on December 20th they removed the bandages and fitted me for a splint. You can follow my progress on my Facebook Album.
Doom Turns 18
From Doomworld's Cacowards,
Doom is 18 years old. I guess it's significant, because if Doom were a person it could vote, smoke, and drink in some countries. Doom is an adult now.
I first saw Doom in its original shareware release weeks after I came home from college in the office of my High School band director, Ray Dietz. id Software created a masterpiece.
KPQ 560 and 10 Years of Gaming
It's been precisely 10 years since PCGS has had such an audience with a regional radio station. This interview took place exactly ten years ago. Please enjoy the wonderfulness of how local area network gaming used to play such a huge part in gaming lore before the X-Box, Wii, Playstation, and every other platform at the time.
Interview KPQ 2001 (44)
Alexis Lunch Stories
My daughter is almost 10 years old. She's downstairs right now making her lunch for tomorrow. This is a full-contact sport as she continually wants me to participate. I don't mind this interaction, but by its very nature it's something you have to put aside all time for.
For example. Chopsticks are made from bamboo. Tomato goop is okay on sandwiches as long as there isn't too much of it. Bacon bits can be substituted for actual bacon, and (most importantly) jalapeno Cheetos go really good when placed upon a tuna-fish sandwich. It's a crunchy wonderful challenging taste cornucopia for the pre-teen taste palette.
Happy 20th Anniversary, id
id Software literally changed my life when I got out of college and likely has led me to where I am today. Thanks, guys.
They have a 30 minute video that you just have to watch.
Tell Me about your Adventure, Klem…
Ok, maybe a little too much of a play on words. Mark Klem and I along with some very talented friends have completed the first two songs of a small "starter project" that will hopefully lead to some more content.
Tell Me was the first song that we worked on which Mark had lying around.
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The second one is Adventure, which is still in production. This version is the "B-Side" synth version that I was just having some fun with. The guitars you hear on this version are done by my good friend from College Mike Ruscio.
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Reduce Heat and Simmer
Still got the proverbial (music) "bun in the oven" happening at Studio Tolwyn. I'm currently on vacation and although I've received word that the drum tracks have been baked and are awaiting transfer to my FTP. So, hopefully (perhaps) as early as Monday all will be ready for the guitar stuff (if our guitarist is available).
I Remember My Place
Warning: I start many sentances with prepositional phrases. Sorry about that.
I've been pretty blessed musically in my life. From the 80s, I was a camp counselor at the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp and was told that I changed the lives of some kids. In the 1990s I had the fortune of being able to leverage my home recording studio to write music for video games and challenge my musical skills. In college, I got a (minor) degree in music. My nine-year-old is now taking piano.
I have a Roland D50 keyboard that is older than most of you reading this post, I have a Kurzweil K2000 keyboard, the 5th production keyboard off the line (#2 was Stevie Wonder). I've had a recording "studio" for 28 years. I don't do this for a living, I do it for fun.
In college, my friend Mike and I tried to be recording artists. At the time, I would tell you I couldn't sing my way out of a wet-paper sack. I still don't think I can, but friends and acquaintances close to me now say I can. So, I wanted to share one of my favorite songs I've ever recorded. It's a song by Chris Rice called "Other Side of the Radio." Enjoy!
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Backing off of Facebook
Although I know I don't spend an inordinate amount of time on Facebook, I've realized that it just isn't for me. Maybe it isn't for anyone around my age. I've had this site for over 16 years, and I know I've been neglecting it long enough. Facebook is great for High School reunions, maybe finding that buddy of yours you grew up with, but using it as a blogging platform is sketchy at best.
As my friend Colin Cowherd says, "I try to avoid sketch." My music and thoughts should be centralized to one platform, and that platform has always been this site.