Blogs Archive
Nicky P (Attempts) Taking on Jazz
GOOD TIDINGS, all! I hope everyone’s having a good non-denominational holiday!
In the words of the Dean on Community, “MERRY HAPPY!”
To get in the spirit of the season, the very same Nicky P that you know as a rock n’ roll lead guitarist is presenting directly to you for the first time his attempts at playing the piano.
Cute, I know. I really should’ve listened to my mother when she tried to get me to start up piano lessons as a tot. Of course, back then, I didn’t want to be “forced” to do anything, so I adamantly refused. Maybe if I followed through this video would be cleaner? But hey, it’s jazz! All those rhythmic changes and stops are totally hip and purposeful.
Without further ado, my version of “Ding Dong, Merrily on High.” Enjoy, and once again, happy holidays!
Remembering Buddy Icons
AOL Instant Messanger.
Long before MySpace, eons before Facebook, and light years ahead of Twitter, AOL Instant Messenger was revolutionary in the way people communicated online. Spawned from the bastard hell-child that was the AOL client, the AIM client was thinner (faster), easier to use, and just was 99% of AOL’s users wanted, without the clutter.
Prior to the invention of the “Social Network”, there were only a handful of ways to interact with others online. Anyone who has used IRC knows it has been around forever and posses a steep learning curve. This was left to the elite and curious. AOL Chat rooms were riddled with pedophiles and spammers. People turned to AIM and Email as their main sources of text-based communication.
The AIM Dude.
No form of online communication is without it’s own ‘personal’ touch. For AIM it came in the form of the Buddy Icon. At first, Buddy Icons were very mild, often simply a picture of the user. As the user base grew, people started customizing their icon animations into small 10-15 frame cartoons. The common thread was that they all included the AIM ‘dude’.
Not before long sites such as Badass Buddy, Icon Hell and Iconator began to explode. Everyone wanted an icon that showed the rest of the world who they were and what they were about. Today we can store terabytes of information. In the days of Buddy Icons, data sets that large hardly existed. It’s amazing to think that pretty much everyone’s online persona could be summed up in only a few kilobytes each. I believe the maximum size used to be 15kb, at a total of 32×32 pixels.
I know some of you had and AIM account at one point;maybe some of you still do. Post your favorite buddy icon below if you still rock it! Remember, you can use the “Browse” button in the comment form below to upload images in your comments.
Bands we out-rank on Alexa
This site has been live for around 6 months. I wanted to give our users an idea of how far we’ve come since that beautiful day in June when out popped 7lb, 5oz thatwasthenmusic.com. To do this, I’ll use Alexa, the Internet’s popularity ranking system.
I’ve started to compile a running list of bands we’ve successfully dominated with our Spartan-like online army of fans. As of 12/14/09, our Alexa rank is 167,806 (it’s at the bottom of the page). To put this into perspective, Google is 1, Facebook – 2, Yahoo – 3… you get the picture.
Dominated:
Hootie and the Blowfish – 1,494,389
Sublime – 950,120*
Jeff Buckley – 824,499
Blue Oyster Cult – 877,418
Cheap Trick – 406,251
The Sex Pistols – 390,945 (beware, annoying video auto-plays)
Queens of the Stone Age – 320,125
Recently spanked:
Frank Zappa – 301,472
Alice Cooper – 263,008
Soundgarden – 235,138*
David Bowie – 231,589
Eric Clapton – 226,581
Currently pwning:
Aerosmith – 184,470
REM – 183,543
Guns N’ Roses – 169,236
I will try and update this every few months. If you spot any other good ones post them below!
Oh, and one more thing. (I won’t disgrace this page with a link to it)
RIAA – http://www.riaa.com/ – 142,463 You’re next, cockroaches.
* Indicates Unofficial or Fan created page. If no official page was found, the highest ranking fan site wins.
Morpheus
…was the Greek god of sleep and dreaming. We’re not talking The Matrix here, people, so if you’re disappointed go ahead and click the back button now.
Due to my extensive knowledge of mythology that surely isn’t just comprised of facts gleaned from Wikipedia (read: yes it is), I know that Morpheus‘ uncle was Thanatos—the god of death.
For some reason, I don't think THIS is how they would've depicted him...damn you, Google Images!
I bet that was an interesting Thanksgiving. Right about now would’ve been a good time to insert a still from the Monty Python “Salmon Mousse” sketch, which appropriately features the Grim Reaper at a dinner party. Alas, Google Images fails me again:
Ohhhh, so THAT'S what killed them.
[Alternative joke that requires a little 'shopping. picture of Grim Reaper pasted over Thanksgiving scene? Hilarious hijinks, speech bubbles?]
So anyhow, Thanatos, being like the cool uncle that buys you alcohol, decides to give his nephew a little gift. Using his unspecified badass godly powers, uncle Thanny deposits upon wee Morpheus’ tender trapezius a pair of feathery wings. These enable the deity-child to fly around the Earth, and somehow by extension into peoples minds and through their dreams. The word morph actually stems from this guy’s name, because of his notable ability to change into the form of any human in your dreams.
These guys owe you big time, Ancient Greece.
You may be curious as to why I would share this mythological dissertation with you. Well, besides being a practice in the art of witty caption writing, what I truly want to discuss was a strange dream I had last night. Morpheus came to me in my sleep in the form of Brent, Chris, Nathan, Benny, a sizzling amplifier, and a goddam T-rex.
For some reason, in my dream, thatwasthen was playing at Wild Rivers…if you’re not aware, Wild Rivers is a water park based out of Irvine that is rivaled only by its competitor Raging Waters for sheer ratio of piss to chlorine. For more insights, see graph:
A Scientific Study Completely Based in Truth
So we were playing in this little shack surrounded by the aforementioned visitors, which really isn’t too foreign a thought to me, because Chris and I actually played there in eighth grade in a different band and a different life. You might be wondering where the T-rex comes in. Well, I clearly remember being SO stoked we were playing there because my completely irrational dream-brain conflated Universal Studios with Wild Rivers. There is definitely no Jurassic Park ride at the waterpark, but you can understand my confusion as it is a logride style deal.
Regardless, we were just starting to plug in when Brent starts singing the breakdown to Radar Love by Golden Earring. I think it was the section “No more speed I’m almost there...” So I’m supposed to be playing those little lead licks that go in between Brent’s words, but my guitar won’t work. When I look down to inspect it, it’s my guitar but it isn’t. It looks just like my real life model, minus some subtle aesthetic differences that recall cheap overseas knock-offs.
What? This is TOTALLY a real telecaster, honest.
Not only is it just a little bit off, but it feels completely different. I’m stressing hard and trying to get the right tone when suddenly the sound begins cutting out. Simultaneously the acrid smell of an electrical fire wafts into my nostrils. Whipping around I notice that this foreign amp I’m apparently borrowing is quickly turning into a gooey, smoking glob of molten techno-death. Rushing to put out the flames, the tent we’re in is suddenly completely upturned. A gargantuan toothy maw slowly lowered toward me—it was the DAMN T-REX! With a hideous roar it began to charge when BOOM! Morning. Rain. Headache. Leather couch.
I hope this discussion of my dreams lead to a deeper understanding of my strange psyche. I myself am quite curious as to what it says about my subconscious…but anyway, if not completely revelatory, at least I hope it helped you mentally escape your cubicle or procrastinate in whatever way you desired when you clicked this!
‘Til next time,
NP
Crestfallen is a weird word
Today on a walk through the breezy neighborhood, I used the word “crestfallen” to describe the feeling I had in my stomach. It was about a relationship I have with someone.
The Love has a unique way of finding you and pointing you in the right direction. But one has to recognize it first. It is finding, recognizing and following these signs that is most difficult. My personal weakness lies in submitting control.
I find such confidence in the things I do, I lose sight of the fact that I am on a ride. I am not navigating the carts, however. I often subconsciously choose to ignore this because I like believing that I can bend things that are unbendable.
Today, not 30 minutes after a truthful and enlightening walk my iTunes, chose from 41 days of music, The Smashing Pumpkins’ tune “Crestfallen”.
Thanks, Love!
Crestfallen – Smashing Pumkins
Who am I to need you when I’m down?
Where are you when I need you around?
Your life is not your own
And all I ask you
Is for another chance
Another way around you
To live by circumstance, once again
Who am I to need you now?
To ask you why, to tell you no
To deserve your love and sympathy
You were never meant to belong to me
And you may go, but I know you won’t leave
Too many years built into memories
Your life is not your own
Who am I to need you now?
To ask you why, to tell you no
To deserve your love and sympathy
You were never meant to belong to me
Who am I to you?
Along the way
I lost my faith
And as you were, you’ll be again
To mold like clay, to break like dirt
To tear me up in your sympathy
You were never meant to belong to me
You were never meant to belong to me
You were never meant to belong to me
Who am I?
Counting Time Signatures W/ Mike Portnoy
On a whim of discovery, and the fact that I spent an hour in the percussion section of Guitar Center with Chris Bridge yesterday. I have found this video of Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy explaining time signatures on one of their more difficult songs. As a progressive band, Dream Theater are constantly changing time signatures. They are in Constant Motion… If you will HAHA.
Anyways… Check this out! It’s a great audio and visual explanation of counting time sigs. Also Mike Portnoy is a bamf… LOL
Super Fast Drumming…..Suuuuppppeerr Sloooooowwww
A cool clip from the show Time Warp on the Discovery Channel.
99 of the Interweb’s Best
This is the dummy’s guide to internet HILARITY! Thought you could review this list if you’re not well-versed in the internet pop culture. This will catch you up! ALSO, feel free to comment and add some of your own favorites! Hopefully this post will provide HOURS of ‘inter-tainment’! HA!
01) Grape Stomp
02) Charlie Bit Me
03) Chocolate Rain
04) Dancing Baby
05) Post Secret
06) Charlie The Unicorn
07) Mentos and Diet Coke
08) Numa Numa
09) Peanut Butter Jelly Time
10) George Lucas In Love
11) You’re The Man Now Dog
12) Yatta
13) Star Wars Kid
14) Bubb Rubb
15) The Flying Spaghetti Monster
16) Dramatic Chipmunk
17) Homestar Runner
18) GI Joe Pork Chop Sandwiches
19) Fail Blog
20) Skateboarding Dog
21) All Your Base Are Belong To Us
22) Winnebago Man
23) We Like The Moon
24) I Can Has Cheezburger
25) Barney Vs. Tupac
26) Shining
27) Cute Overload
28) Rick Roll
29) Lazy Sunday
30) David After The Dentist
31) Powerthirst
32) Christian The Lion
33) Bert and Ernie Rap
34) Lady Punch
35) Leprechaun in Alabama
36) Where The Hell Is Matt
37) Boom Goes The Dynamite
38) Breakdancing Baby
39) Drunk Jeff Goldblum
40) Scarlet Takes A Tumble
41) Susan Boyle
42) Gay Mount Everest
43) Afro Ninja
44) Cop Shoots Himself In Leg In Classroom
45) Tron Guy
46) “Leave Britney Alone”
47) Laughing Baby
48) I’m the Juggernaut Bitch
49) Exploding Whale
50) Take On Me The Literal Version
51) Bill O’Reilly Flips Out
52) Don’t Tase Me Bro
53) The Landlord
54) Breakdancing Baby Kick
55) The Pet Penguin
56) Ms. South Carolina Answers A Question
57) I’m F*#king Matt Damon
58) Will It Blend
59) Spaghetti Cat
60) Tom Cruise Kills Oprah
61) Little Superstar
62) Chad Vader
63) Pretty Much Everywhere It’s Going To Be Hot
64) I Like Turtles
65) Who Needs A Movie
66) Jake E. Lee Shreds
67) Hawaii Chair
68) Aussie Party
69) Hitler Plans Burning Man
70) Montgomery Flea Market
71) Look At The Horse
72) Asian Backstreet Boys
73) Leroy Jenkins
74) Pinky The Cat
75) Monkey Sniffs Finger
76) Sneezing Panda
77) Prison Inmates remake “Thriller”
78) Techno Viking
79) Ask A Ninja
80) Best Man Trips and Ruins Wedding
81) Best Wedding Toast Ever (Amy’s Song)
82) Kitten Surprise (how to break up a cat fight)
83) Katana Sword Infomercial Goes Wrong
84) Matrix Ping Pong
85) La Pequena Prohibida
86) Angry German Kid (translated)
87) Evolution of Dance
88) Ok Go “Here It Goes Again”
89) Battle at Kruger (lions vs. buffalos vs. crocodiles)
90) Daft Hands
91) Human Beatbox
92) Most T-Shirts Worn At Once
93) Zero G Dog
94) Cuppy Cakes Song
95) George Washington
96) Scary Maze Prank
97) Gay Referee
98) Tranquilized Bear Hits Trampoline
99) Reporter Gets A Fly In The Mouth
Not Very Superstitious
As the title may suggest, I’m not the most superstitious of people. I don’t really believe in good luck, or bad luck, or mystic symbols that predetermine your life.
Or do I?
When I was a young boy I hated the white spot in my hair, because I often got teased on the “Big Toy” (shout out to anyone from George White Elementary) for looking like an old man. I took a pair of those elephantine Fiskers and tried to snip the little oval of white off of my head. Unbeknownst to me at the time, doing this in the mirror takes more coordination and spatial thinking than a six year old is usually capable of. Try it yourself if you think I lie! My little mind didn’t realize how futile trying to cut out something that would just grow back was, so eventually I gave up and my frustration steamed out of me like a thin vapor.
Over the years my hatred of this separating mark turned into a sort of appreciation. Maybe this was one of the stepping stones in my life helping me to accept things I can’t change, or to look at the world more positively? Regardless, I realized that just because my mark signified difference, it didn’t mean it was a negative difference. In fact, I became aware that my white hair is a fateful mark.
Now, don’t go thinking I’m some kinda crazy hippy. Well….I sort of am….but hear me out. That very same playground insult from second grade was actually a compliment—though seven year olds lack the foresight to see this. Besides setting me apart as a representation of my uniqueness, I also like to think my white spot is an indicator of wisdom beyond my time. If I was Hindu, I might claim that my reincarnation was somewhat botched.
Anyway, just thought I’d share these notions with you…I hadn’t really thought of myself critically this way until college. Being an English major (I don’t need to do Music…I’m already doing it haha), I’m doing so much close analysis of theme and symbolism that I can’t help but let it spill into my real life. I know in reality that having a lack of pigmentation in my scalp doesn’t directly affect anything…but if I were a character in a novel or a song, you’ve gotta know that the writer decided to give me a white streak for a reason.
To tie it all up I thought I’d add this badass video of Stevie Wonder playing Superstition on Sesame Street. Play me out, Stevie!
