Welp! It’s nearly done! I think it’s sounding pretty good, but this is just a first mix. I’ll probably go back and tweak some stuff. After it’s done being tweaked, I’ll set it available for download. For now though, you can listen to it here!
So a while back I watched this anime series called “Dennou Coil.” It was about a bunch of kids living in a near future where everyone wears glasses that were basically their computers. The glasses projected images onto the lenses allowing them to see and interact with virtual objects, animals, as well as perform basic computer/cell phone functions like email, web surfing, and making phone calls. At the time I thought it was a neat concept, but I definitely think we’re heading in that direction.
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So, 3D movies are the new hot thing. James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, and many other big shots in the industry are betting that it will catch on like wildfire. I just saw UP in 3d, and after getting over the initial “WOW this is in 3d” thing, it was a very enjoyable and immersive experience (is it leaps and bounds over just a 2d movie? I dunno…) But, what I found interesting was an article in Time magazine which was talking about the 3d movies. As we all know, you have to wear glasses to enjoy 3d movies. When talking about the future of 3d, Jeffery Katzenberg (CEO of Dreamworks) said the following:
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“Someday,” predicts Katzenberg, “people will buy their own movie glasses, which they’ll take to the movies–like people have their own tennis rackets.”
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Isn’t that a neat concept? Only a hop and a skip to the realities of Dennou Coil. ‘Cause if we all have 3d glasses, and they become fashionable enough, made with prescriptions, etc… stores will start making 3d billboards, and stuff like that. Everything will be 3D! But that doesn’t make it interactive… but check out this new “game” developed for a handheld system:
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I think the next logical step for that technology is to put it in our Cell Phones. Imagine a manequin standing in the window naked. You could hold up your cell phone, and then dress the manequin however you want to, preview the clothes available in the store, stuff like that. Brings a whole new level to window shopping.
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The next step is this new technology from Microsoft called “Project Natal.” Basically you can interact with video games with NO controller. Just use your body! It works by having a camera pointed at you that can accurately detect your appendages and how they’re moving… check out the vid.
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Then you imagine combining the technologies together, and you have something very similar to what exists in the reality of “Dennou Coil.” The “Natal” thing is only related because there will need to be some way to interact with everything, but it’s unlikely we can have cameras pointed at us at all times… but I’m not concerned, I don’t have to be the one to figure it out. If this ever happens in my lifetime though, I’m sure as heck gonna be an early adopter.
So after a long hiatus of not going to see huge concerts, I made it back to Nissan Pavillion on Sunday to see the No Doubt / Paramore concert. Traffic was atrocious both into and out of the concert. 30 minute ride turned into 1 1/2 hours making us miss the first 15 minutes of paramore’s set.
Leaving was even worse. We just sat in the parking lot for 2 freakin’ hours waiting to get out. Evan, that lucky bastard, made it out in no time at all.
The concert itself was quite excellent, I enjoyed myself thoroughly! No doubt definitely did their thing, playing I think ALL of their singles. I whipped out my iPhone for a couple well known songs. Doesn’t sound TOO horrible considering it was my iPhone in my pocket from a million miles away.
Speaking of being far away, it was really disorienting watching the drummer. Because we were seated so far away, it took a second for the sound to actually reach us. So i was watching him hit the snare and then hearing the actual hit a beat or two later. It was really really disorienting. Then the light show, which was synced up to the hits, was out of sync to us… I never thought about that happening before because I haven’t been to such a big show in such a long time (last one was Foo Fighters / Chili Peppers in 2000). And last time I was at Nissan i was definitely seated closer.
Anyway, I took a couple of bootleg recordings and here they are for your enjoyment!
Crush Crush Crush - Paramore
Don’t Speak - No Doubt
So every year as the school year winds down, my schedule starts getting more hectic. What added to the situation this year was a Judo Chop gig scheduled the same weekend as not only my own private studio recital, but Nancy’s KTC end-of-year performance as well.
So, on Saturday I got up early (for me) and prepared for my recital. I guess I was working from about 11 - 2:30, then immediately hopped on the road to head out to West VA. Apparently this part of West VA required me to drive through Maryland first. The drive was actually rather pretty, although long — 4 hours or so. When I got there, I had to drive down this winding road to the Golf Club where the wedding was actually being held. My GPS couldn’t even find the road so I was following some shady directions. What I first noticed was that the entire trip down… about 1/4 of a mile, was lined with white bags with candles in them. When I got there, they valet parked my car for me, and I noticed the gorgeous layout. They must have spent some serious coin on that wedding. Here are some pics:
Anyway, we were contracted to play from 8 - 12, and we just BARELY got everything set up and sound checked by 7:45. The brother of the bride wanted us to play during their dinner, but seeing as we were only like 15 feet away from the nearest table, that would have been the worst idea ever. So, we waited. And waited. And waited. We took advantage of the free food (delicious!) and open bar (kinda… i had to drive back afterall), and finally went on at around 10:00 PM. Our 2 hour set was done lickity split, and then we were packed up by 1.
The ride home was very lonely and tiring. I left at 1, rolled in at around 4:45 AM. I must have been the only car on the very dark highway for at least 100 miles. For the first time ever I actually pulled over to the side of the road for a power nap. Yelena woke me up from that with a phone call… Yelena being the only one that would actually be awake at 3:30 AM. She kept me awake for another 45 minutes, which was enough for me to slog my way home. Phew!
Then Sunday I woke up at 10:00 to head on out to Nancy’s studio recital which went from 12 - 5 (plus set up time). My students played well, and I was happy with their performances. Then I sat in on guitar for all the other kids (it was a pop performance. The kids played their music while being backed by a band… aka, us). 5 hours of guitar playing will hurt your wrist, no matter how simple the music!
Like I said, long, long weekend. I survived though.
oh yeah, and I was pulled over on the way to WV. Blech.
