The Dribble

NEW WEBSITE

2007-09-17T22:16:00.000-04:00

For those select few who read this, I'll be changing over to .Mac's blogging system through iWeb.

I've compiled music/photoalbums/and soon to be blog all on

www.Dan-Welch.com

Death Cab for Cutie

2007-04-13T02:47:00.000-04:00

Marching Bands Of Manhattan

If I could open my arms
And span the length of the isle of Manhattan,
I'd bring it to where you are
Making a lake of the East River and Hudson
If I could open my mouth
Wide enough for a marching band to march out
They would make your name sing
And bend through alleys and bounce off all the buildings.

I wish we could open our eyes
To see in all directions at the same time
Oh what a beautiful view
If you were never aware of what was around you
And it is true what you said
That I live like a hermit in my own head
But when the sun shines again
I'll pull the curtains and blinds to let the light in.

Sorrow drips into your heart through a pinhole
Just like a faucet that leaks and there is comfort in the sound
But while you debate half empty or half full
It slowly rises... your love is gonna drown

Musical Blog

2007-04-09T00:12:00.000-04:00

I'm considering a blog that is soley music...or perhaps a way to post a brief musical segment on here. Soemtimes words are too annoying to describe something and it'd be easier to lay down a rough track to better adapt emotion to internet. Comment if you might have some ideas.

Keeping Up With The Welches

2007-04-06T01:20:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to lie, I'm having a hard time keeping up with this particular blog. Partly because my life flies by at a ridiculous pace and suddenly I realize I haven't posted in weeks. Partly because I get 1,000 hits per day on my other one and only about 8 here.

On top of that, I have 3 fiction blogs and a podcast. Two of which are going to be screenplays.

Work was interesting as always and I finally feel as though I'm sinking into the routines of a regular server and am leaving Newbie status. It takes a while to understand the customer's perspective and how exactly to give that to them. I hated to admit it, but it took some time for me to hit the right groove and not micromanage everything all at once. The result: higher tips.

Mr Brendan Giusti and I shall be venturing into the work of Rochester Jazz, looking to book a regular gig in town. It would be nice to actually make some cash with music. Hopefully we'll find out if the money is worth it on Saturday.

In the mix, so many weddings and trips coming up, I'm trying to keep them straight.

Carly
Brad
Wenger
Marcie
Visiting Sam in NYC
Roadtrip with Kyle

It's going to be a packed summer. And with all this going on, keep an eye out for a recital by me in August. Grad school is shortly around the corner and I am preparing audition repetoire now.

In entertainment news, start watching Weeds and Entourage.

Updatish type things

2007-03-27T00:54:00.000-04:00

First off, is the warmth not fabulous?

Things in the making: A new music project with Shawn out in LA...hopefully some time in April.

New obsession: Entourage

The 300 Experience

2007-03-09T02:54:00.000-05:00

12:01am

Tinseltown

Thanks to Mink, we got in, we got good seats.

Thanks to Eric, there were tasty morsels to enjoy.

Thanks to Frank Miller and Zack Snyder, 300 was brilliant.

Go. Go now.

two year mark

2007-02-04T00:41:00.000-05:00

I've been blogging for 2 years now.

This blog has been visited 15,609 times in those 2 years, by readers in 16 countries.

I've blogged professionally, and recreationally for a grand total of 13 different blogs, some personal, some humorous, some forums, some screenplays, some practical jokes.

My most-often-read is a humorous blog getting around 1200 hits daily.

So why the obsession? I get the writing itch regularly and letting it out is quite the satisfying escapade. I would write even if people didn't read it, simply because I enjoy it.

I used to blog about everything, so here goes:

I just got done with a performance of Bellini's Norma, singing chorus.

I received the new Mac I'm on now for Christmas/Birthday (which was last Thursday).

I use the new Mac to record new and old tunes of mine via Garageband.

I play open mic nights in and around Rochester regularly, mostly Bodhi's or Boulder. Friday, Feb. 16th, Brad, Tommy, and I will be playing at Bodhi's , beginning @ 8:30pm. Dan Ball is playing from 8-8:30.

My brother just turned 21. We chilled at the Toad for hours.

I'm becoming a cigar afficianado.

I'm presently drinking Diet Dew, watching Scrubs (my new obsession), and chatting with Romy.

Next, I'll be developing a new webpage design.

Corporate ridiculousness

2006-11-29T14:52:00.000-05:00

We have rules set up by corporate in our restaurant. Certain rules are understandable, and certain ones are proposterous. One of the seemingly stupid ones is that they are not allowed to socialize with waitstaff outside the restaurant on any level.

Now allow me to note we have 5 managers, only a couple of which get any level of respect from the staff, do their job well, and are joy to work with. One such manager is notorious for hanging out with the waitstaff at a local pub. Not often, but on occasion for birthdays, etc. None of us waiters say anything about it, because we believe he's one of our best managers and would gladly step out in front of trffic for him, or back any decision he makes concerning the floor, because I've yet to see him be wrong.

He's been with the restaurant for 10 years now. Most of the staff from back of the house to front have something to thank him for, including their jobs, training, or moral support on the job site. This morning he was fired for fraternizing with the staff. There's already talk of an exodus.

To corporate, I say, "Good job firing one of the only manager who gets what he needs from the staff because he has their respect. Way to keep on the morons who can't to jack squat and whom we all can't stand. Await a mutiny, my bigwig suits."

The Return

2006-11-25T01:14:00.000-05:00

A ReCap.

Wednesday last week. Sick. Swollen tonsils that kept me from swallowing solid food. Sore throat. Kept me from speaking.

Thursday and Friday, called off work.

Saturday and Sunday, still not feeling very well, but spent time wandering southern PA for friend's wedding reception party (smashing) and a surprise pop-in to Philly to visit the Sister Girl. Made new friends. Found out how NOT to get to Philly from the south-west side.

Monday, home for a double shift at the restaurant.

Tuesday, flew to Charlotte to visit The Wife's sister and her boyfriend. (Note to self: try and hang out with professional chefs around more major holidays. And bring sweet tea to the northeast.) Found out why USAir is the cheaper way to fly, and the easiest way to spend an extra 4hrs in the Charlotte International Airport.

Friday. Home.

Saturday. Double shift again....

Family Bonding

2006-11-19T23:34:00.000-05:00

What they say is true. Casino Royale is the best Bond yet.

The Brothers Welch purchased tickets early via Fandango and made the trek to Tinseltown Friday night. We found ourselves enjoying a revamped, hip, chic, yet slightly darker Bond that had the flare of the originals. The Bruce-Wayne-playboy bond was gone. A legit "00" MI6 was standing in his place. Everything you'd want from a spy novel was there...including, true to form, a torture sequence from the book itself.

Now, if we can get them to do the rest of them again...

...and for those of you afraid that Daniel Craig can't hold up as Bond, you're dead wrong. In fact, I think he might be at the top of the list...

The rEalization

2006-10-25T02:09:00.000-04:00

I've been in one of those moods recently. You know, artist moods. Where everything feels far more dramatic than it really is. Where all things are taken to extremes. That is, until a cold, midnight walk through East ave during a poweroutage comes along. I'm not sure what it was. Maybe I needed my fix of startling dramatic experiences in the rain. Maybe I needed the pint of Ben and Jerry's icecream I ate while doing it. Maybe all of the above. Either way, I come to the realization that it's time for my annual reading of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Starting.....now.

Cinematic View

2006-10-13T01:56:00.000-04:00

Apparently I've started watching entirely too many films. When I sit alone or drive, I find my thoughts wafting around my head in cinematic medium. Sometimes 30 minutes scenarios with soundscores and everything. Sometimes real events. Sometimes not.

My new place to hang out late at night after practicing is Schoen Place in Pittsford. A small commercial strip along the Erie Canal, it's remarkably peaceful. Because it's a street, technically, and not a park, there are no hours. Regularly policed, it's safe at all hours of the night. My pipe and I find it one of my top 5 spots in Rochester.

A little Sentiment

2006-10-09T00:22:00.000-04:00

Chilling in the snug of the Toad is quality. Deatch Cab for Cutie plays over the speakers and there's an Oktoberfest in my hand. I've been stuck in a mindset of goodbyes recently.

Brad is leaving for active duty. Amber moved to NYC. The future is guaranteed to bring us farther from people we know, making us make new friends.

We watching Under The Tuscan Sun tonight. I'm a huge Diane Lane fan and having spent ample time in Tuscany, I love the film. But during this viewing I was hit with a particual thing. When she buys her Tuscan villa, she's totally alone. No friends. An ocean away from anyone she's known longer than two weeks. Someday, that'll be us. It's a wierd thought, but it's true and it's only a matter of time....if all goes well. Is bizarre to feel sentimental about womething that hasn't happened yet.

Lack of Patriotism

2006-09-11T23:09:00.000-04:00

Our personal JFK. "Where were you when...?"

But my question is, why does America feel so far removed from the hell that every other country (except maybe Canada) goes through with terrorist cells. and uprisings? Do we feel that superior that we're above it all? So we were pulled off our high horse. Am I unpatriotic?

411

2006-09-07T00:41:00.000-04:00

The mobile rings as I'm walking to my car headed to work. "Jayla" it says on hte caller ID. She's in Firenze (Florence, Italy) for a semester. Having spent some time there, I'm her go-to guy for information.

"Hey there kiddo. What's up?"
"What're you doing right now?"
"Going to work. You?"
"Dan, I need eggs."
"Eggs?"
"I need eggs."
"Like chicken eggs?" ...I kept repeating this because it seemed an absurd reason to call intercontinentally.
"Yeah. Where are they?"
"Well, where are you?"
"A grocery store."
"Ok. Which one?" Florence doesn't have many and I've been to two relatively near where she's staying. She gives me the street names. Luckily I've been to the one she's at.
"Ok. Well, look near the baked goods and pastries."
"They don't have them in the refrigerated section!"
"I know. ITtaly doesn't refrigerate stuff like we do. They also stock far less than we do. Don't worry...when you find the eggs, they'll be edible."
"So I should use the eggs that are sitting out?"
"Yes."
"....ok."
"Have fun."
"Yeah. I'll call you later."

Venison Jerky

2006-08-08T21:51:00.000-04:00

Last night was a friend/co-worker's bday party out in Brockport. It was good times but the drive home is long when you're tired. As I was cruising along rt531 behind and in the lane next to a tractor-trailer truck, a deer ran into the road.

At 75mph, a deer simply becomes pink mist when hit by a truck of that magnitude. Well, almost pink mist...red chunks is really more accurate. So at 4am, I pulled out the garden hose and sprayed off what was left of Bambi.

2006-08-07T16:41:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine and I were talking today about a Masters program she wants to go into, but she doesn't have any experience in the field. I thought to myself, that's a heck of a lot of cash to spend on a degree that you have no clue whether or not pertains to your long-term interests/goals.

Not sure really, it just seems like life at this age takes more faith than once you get rolling.

Good things do come from Oklahoma

2006-07-29T01:30:00.000-04:00

It's been three years since the first time I sang in Italy, and thus three years since I sang with most of the friends I made there. The sad part is it's been 3 years since I've seen some of them. That list got smaller tonight.

Lindsey (previously Doolin) King and her husband David wandered our way on their way to Boston where both will pursue masters degrees.

It's good to see that good friends can be made fast, remain strong across distances and even just a brief reunion can make it seem like no time has passed. Now that I've sold my wife on these two, we've got to visit Boston.

Coke....Black.

2006-07-17T03:06:00.000-04:00

That's right. I went there.

After a 12 mile bike ride in sweltering heat and thick humidity, I came inside to a 70F apartment and opened the fridge. There it was. the small bottle tempting my thirst for the first time.

I opened the top and took a swig. Perfectly refreshing combo of coke and coffee and caffeine. Coke has a whole new fan now.

Paula's a whore

2006-07-12T12:52:00.000-04:00

We're going to hit 90 degrees right here in good old Philadelphia. I'm chilling at my sister's place for a few days before she comes back up with me for the triumphant return of the youngest Welch from the UK. It's good to be out of Rochester albeit briefly. Every once and a while I just need to uproot and wander for a bit.

The drive was pleasant without any annoyances, tickets, or bizarre happenstances. I found myself listening to talk radio all the way down.

You know, big things about the soldiers accused of murder and how they aren'y being treated with even the same respect and Geneva Convention civilness that our terrorist prisoners are being treated. About Bush's tax debacles and ridiculous notions of saving the US money. It seems even the Republicans have turned against their master, calling him all sorts of vile things.

I have to say my favorite was Michael Savage on The Savage Nation went on a huge rampage about how Paula Zahn (CNN) is basically broadcasting terrorist propaganda...saying the beheadings of our soldiers was retribution for the rape. He told America, via radio, to send Paula packages of slutty fishnet lingerie with notes telling her to sell her body in the wee hours of the morning...because if she did that, we'd all have more respect for her than we do right now with how she's bashing our troops.

I'm just curious, does anyone in politics ever have anything good to say about anything that's ever going on anywhere? I didn't think so.

Something new

2006-07-08T02:35:00.000-04:00

So, you've all heard of my bike obsession. A few weeks back I pinched a nerve in my wrist while riding and it has made riding and playing guitar very difficult. Today I finally decided to take a golf club out to see how bad the nerve still was. dreadful. No control, no pleasant comfortable movement. In short, I was pissed. I had bee looking forward to playing for the entire summer, and now it looks like I might not hit the course till August.

In my angst, I decided to do something drastic. I decided I was a pipe kind of man. I went to Dewey Ave Smoke Shop and found an old English pipe (Comoy's "Everyman" bent apple pipe) and learned a bit about smoking pipes. Pipe Chart

Now I'm not one to advocate smoking cigarettes because of the addictive properties and what it does to your body, but cigars and pipes on a limited frequency catch my fancy. My brother is a cigar guy. I am a pipe man.

Tonight I took it out for stroll. I found the experience quite enjoyable. First, the aroma of pipe tobacco is much more pleasant than any other tobacco. Second, it's the most cost-efficient tobacco. Third, there's something soothing about the soft puffing of a pipe. The smell and taste are a distinct pleasure. Really, I think what it comes down to is the fact that you're puffing, relaxing, and breathing slow, though with a pipe you don't actually inhale the smoke, simply suck it to your mouth and release it. All in all, it's a nice way to unwind, but like drinking alcohol, it's something to regulate and not go nuts with. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes up your possibility of mouth and lung cancer. This is why I don't plan on smoking the pipe regularly. It's simply something new to have around. Not to mention, I've always wanted to own one just because. Either way, I'm not so annoyed about not being able to golf for the moment.

decisions

2006-06-27T00:03:00.000-04:00

I've decided that I want to find an apartment where the landlord will allow me to sing a song and that will count as a month's rent.

In other news, Superman Returns, IMAX, Wednesday night 10:25pm. Join us....or die. For those not willing to die, we shall be arriving at 9pm so as to be second in line, as is our ritual.

End Piracy

2006-06-21T10:23:00.000-04:00

You know how when you start up a DVD they toss you a PSA about not stealing movies and music? Well, here's one I think you might enjoy....especially if you happen to know my brother. http://www.endpiracy.net/mpaafull.html

There's a blooper reel on the right as well.

These guys went to SIFE nationals and one first prize for the MPAA's PSA for the year on anti-piracy. Way to go bro.

My Life of Travel

2006-06-15T23:42:00.000-04:00

I've often said that travelers such as myself have a strong bond. It's a brotherhood of sorts. We share information, secrets, advice, and stories. And for those of you who want in, well, get off your couch and let's go. I was approached by a website to join in and be one of those to share their stories worldwide. It was free, so I decided to check it out. What I found was fabulous. www.MyLifeOfTravel.com Here's a screen shot so you can see.

Sign up and map where you've been. Write blogs for other travelers to read and share your experiences. If you're just the curious type, travel from your computer desk. Here's my personal page there:

http://www.mylifeoftravel.com/ambientboy.home

Bugged Again

2006-06-14T11:37:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was at the restaurant when I was hit with an unbeliebavly strong desire to travel outside of the America's and Europe. As many of you know, Macaroni Grill allows you to write on the tables because they're covered in butcher paper.

I was bussing a table that had had three women of distinctly different ethnic origins and I was puzzled by the writing left on the table. Their conversations took place in several languages, three of which I picked up: Arabic, Hindi, English. The writing I found on the table puzzled me greatly and I have been digging around online for scripts and texts, coming up finally with the following.

I had a great deal of trouble with the second and last ones. I knew I had seen them somewhere but I couldn't place them. I give major props to Omniglot for a fabulous site. The first is Hindi, the third Arabic, the second is based on Burmese and the last is Tengwar.

Typing this in, it occurred to me these brilliant women must have been linguists, or it's a heck of a hobby to have. Nonetheless, I wanted to quit my job and fly to Asia immediately... someday.

Head Hunters

2006-06-03T23:03:00.000-04:00

I was shopping today for an external harddrive at Best Buy. (if you want a 160gb one for $79, let me know. I'll give you instore directions to wear they hide them.) While I was wandering around, a twenty-something guy, dressed in a blue oxford and khakis comes over to me.

"Just get out of work?"

"Yeah."

"Where do you work?"

"Macaroni Grill."

"Good money?"

"Eh, it's decent. Not great. You work here?"

"No."

"You looking for a restaurant job?"

"No."

"Then how can I help you?"

"You ever looking for some extra cash on the side?"

"What do you do?"

"I'm in advertising. We're always looking for more staff. We handle local businesses and stuff."

"Ah. Well, you can email me if you want."

I gave him one of my business cards. You never know when the most random meeting could lead to an interesting job offer. Or the guy could be a total nut job. So, we cahtted briefly and I wandered on. I looped around the store and kept an eye on him. He wasn't shopping. He wasn't browsing anything specific. He was watching people, and occasionally approaching them just as he did me. I decided to get a little closer. He gave them a speech, just as he did me. As he asked for was a phone number. No last name, no personal information. I suppose some people would be scared by his behavior, others annoyed. My guess, pyramid schemer. Either way, his tactics were interesting. Maybe he was just bored. Or perhaps trying to win a bet. I found this intriguing. His name was TIm.

FIFA WORLD CUP

2006-06-02T01:34:00.000-04:00

I've decided to follow the World Cup this year. Why? It's the world's largest single sporting event. Teams from across the globe compete for the glorified title of world's best as the world's most popular sport. It's a bit of a big deal.

For the LARGE version of the schedule, click HERE

Linkage

2006-05-26T03:00:00.000-04:00

This is a direct link to the Ottawa photo album.

Quebec Attacks Canada's Capitol, Ottawa Strikes Back

2006-05-24T11:24:00.000-04:00

In reality, Monday was Victoria Day (celebrating the life of Queen Victoria), a national Canadian holiday. On this blessed day, they fire off a 21-gun salute to the late Queen...ironically, pointed over the river at Quebec City.

Janeen and I were in Ottawa to celebrate out anniversay (2 years) as it is one of our favorite cities. We stayed in the fabulous Chateau Laurier

and wandered around the city enjoying the sights. Look for a link soon to a photo album of the expedition.

NightRider

2006-05-15T00:55:00.000-04:00

It is a gorgeous night and my DVDs were late. so I threw on my gear, hopped on my Specialized Hardrock Sport, and rode to the Brighton Library. It's about 3/4mi. from our place, but I kept going. 10 miles later, I'm loving this friggin bike. Now, if only to get one for Janeen...

Um..Yeah..Sure

2006-05-14T00:56:00.000-04:00

Is anyone else watching this...

...on SNL and thinking the following things?

1. Why can't I hear his guitar at all?

2. After all these years, is he seriously still high?

3. Why can't I seem to just turn the chanel?

Perspective

2006-05-13T00:57:00.000-04:00

I'm standing there looking at the roster for today, reading the names and in-times. Reading the 5th name down knowing he'll never come in again was weird. Looking at his title knowing not only will he not come in, but he no longer exists is even weirder. Suddenly all the diminutive issues in my life seemed pointless. Why? Because I am alive.

Perspective. It's a funny thing to get.

It's one thing when it's a car accident, or a sudden inadvertant tragedy. But when it's voluntary, it's even weirder to take. It makes me wonder if there was something I could have done. If I could have moved faster. If I was gutless and didn't make as big an impression as I should have, particularly knowing their backstory. It leaves me wondering what else could have been done.

Then I think to the angle his roomate would have had, walking in, finding him there. Having to call the cops and then his family.

It's difficult to turn around and seat the next people at the door while having a flashback of him throwing pine nuts into the hair of a waitress as she walked by and all of us laughing uncontrollably because he'd landed 6 so far and she was clueless. Then knowing it will never happen again. Then looking up and realizing 3 parties have walked in and I've been staring into space, clueless to their presence.

Compliments of the Chef

2006-05-08T23:31:00.000-04:00

Today in overview:

I awoke.

Breakfast and a Friends: Season 2 episode

Showered and ran to work to paint a bench

Took a piece of extra cheesecake to Mary

Talked to Jeff on the side of Granger St. for 10 minutes

Went back to work for two more hours

Returned home to find an empty apartment, so I hopped on my bike and found my wife out for a run half a mile away

We rode/walked for awhile then went to the library to peruse books and DVDs

Hopped into the car and decided Salvatore's $5.55 large cheese pizza was a wise decision for dinner. When we entered with intention to order, but the pizza guy gave us a free large cheese because he cooked it for someone else and it was a little overdone. We made our way home for a quiet evening with pizza and television.

Tomorrow's plans:

Call Pete to arrange a rendezvous

Paint the other bench @ work

Work

Chill with Bradley, Janeen and the new grill. Plan the gig for Wednesday

Blogdom

2006-05-08T12:32:00.000-04:00

31.25 %

My weblog owns 31.25 % of me.
Does your weblog own you?

New Toys

2006-05-02T01:25:00.000-04:00

I've decided I need something small to keep my afloat. No, I don't mean a dingy, I mean a tiny audio system. When playing coffeehouses and little venues I needed a little something for support. Today I ran across that little something.

For you techy geeks out there, take a gander: Crate CMX42FXP Is it a mixer? An amp? What does it do?

The correct question is "What doesn't it do?" : Owner's Manual

Use it as a mixer, with or without the effects. Add the power and run my two Laney 70watters off it a personal PA system. Turn off the power, use the sends to either another bigger amp or to powered speakers and run whatever ampage you want.

Consider that I wandered into Music Lover's during their moving sale and that it and the speakers were half off and the cabling free...well, you've got one very giddy musician.

Cure for Boredom/Stress

2006-04-29T00:39:00.000-04:00

Here we go. RWC Finals Week. Looking for something to do to escape the studying? Come see the Bradster and I @ Leaf and Bean.

Wolfgang

2006-04-28T10:27:00.000-04:00

"America is the child prodigy of nations. The Mozart of countries. A rapid genius success in his younger years, only to become taken for granted in adulthood. An arrogant player on the world's stage only to be stepped on by the new up-and-comings after puberty. Dead at the age of 35."

Pants Roles

2006-04-25T01:44:00.000-04:00

For centuries, opera has had unique views on the roles of sexes in character. There was a time when the best of the best, the most angelic voices were castrati. After the surgical alterations faded from style, the make voice held in soprano or mezzo range using falsetto became a normal practice, particularly in the Baroque era. Haydn, Handel, Mozart...they all used these men in roles for dramatic emphasis.

The choosing of voice types for different roles hits a groove as follows from top to bottom, then exceptions:

Soprano - primary romantic female character, often lead female role
Mezzo Sop/Alto - secondary female roles, such as friends, mothers of sopranos, older women, etc.
Tenor - Primary romantic male role. The guy who falls in love with the dying soprano or the guy who has a tendancy to wail about something. Often the lead male role.
Baritone - secondary male roles (except for in Mozart, who liked the baritone voice i.e. Figaro, Don Giovanni, etc.) often playing friends of tenors, or older brothers of the soprano (i.e. Valentin from Gounod's Faust)
Bass - A dominant male role. Fatherly figures, Mephistopheles, gods, etc.
Countertenor (male singing falsetto in soprano or alto range) - dynamic male figures (Nerone in Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea, or Sesto in Handel's Giulio Cesare)...these are roles which are to stand out and capture the hearts and attentions of the audience.

Since opera is an art that attempts to stay unchanged over hundreds of years, the vocal styles, techniques and practices also attempt to be as 'old-school' as possible. There are a small select few countertenors in the world who are very good (and because of that, are very rich) but there are many many roles that requires males to sing in that range. A dilemma. So we have gone the opposite direction of Shakespeare...women are cast in those roles, playing males. We call this, a "pants role."

As a mezzo or alto, a woman must realize she might very well be hired to play a male and thus need to act as a male.

I had the opportunity to recently see a production of Massenet's Cendrillon (Cinderella) put on by Eastman students as their big opera of the year. I of course sat in the front row of the mezzanine at Eastman Theatre. Behind me was a pair of late-middle-aged women and a man (who of course kept quite quiet). The women chattered nonstop through the overture and the first section, up until the character of Prince Charming entered. Prince Charming is a pants role.

This completely crushed thier whimsical spirits and set them off on a tirade conserning the rightful place of women in opera, and on stage in general which lasted through the Princes entire first scene. Finally and usher begged their silence and as he walked away, one lady leaned to the other and whispered her last words of the evening, "My God, what is this, Brokeback Opera??" They left at the next intermission.

On a side note...if you ever get the chance to see David Daniels live, do it. I saw him as Sesto in Toronto...fabulous.

Photo Op

2006-04-12T17:39:00.000-04:00

The other night, my brother and I did some dartage at the Toad and decided to go shoot some pictures in downtown. Here's a small smattering.

Full Image of Bridge

Lucky Number Slevin

2006-04-11T23:29:00.000-04:00

When everyone looks right, and you go left. This is a Kansas City Shuffle.

The dry spell

2006-04-04T00:20:00.000-04:00

"Just a phase. A trend like everything else."

Blogging.

Maybe. I've found myself backing off a bit. I notice that I tend to have only so much creative output. I think that I'm tapped out at the moment. Perhaps a dry spell. Perhaps too many things for me to fill me time with.

This blog, the D&C blog, the band blog, the music writing, the guitar playing, recording, the opera singing, the opera practices and practicing, work, housework (when I'm bugged to do it), hanging with the wife and friends when not engaged in the above activities. These are some of the things that take up my time.

I'll be back soon with grand narratives. Fear not.

Back from my intermission

2006-03-30T23:31:00.000-05:00

This week has been fabulous. I've been digging into my opera music for the scenes production at Roberts. I'll be singing the part of Remendado from Bizet's Carmen for the quintet from Act II. I now have a consistent place to practice (which was a major hinderance before) and can now consistently sing anytime I want for as long as I want.

I have been on hold when it comes to opera, for quite some time now. My contemporary music (while I greatly enjoy it) was taking much of my time. I also had nowhere to sing until recently. On top of that, there's something weird about stepping away from opera music for a time. I don't realize how much I miss it until I start working on a specific project.

Today was our first official rehearsal for the quintet. We did much of the blocking and staging for the first 10 pages. I was in heaven. Everytime I jump into character and launch into singing on that stage it's like a euphoric rush. Everytime we hit performance mode, my soul is reminded: "Thiss is who you are." And it's fabulous.

The current plan is to ride out contemporary music while I can, because these days, those careers are short-lived. Hopefully pay for opera training with the other music, and begin a Masters program in 2008. So the rest of 2006 and then most of 2007 will be to prepare for that.

On a sidenote: The timing of the perfect weather has been ideal. I spent 2 hours playing guitar and singing outside yesterday. I am proud to admit that I have sunburn.

Unlikely Lives of Neighbours: Part VI

2006-03-25T01:34:00.000-05:00

"Listen you sorry little f**k, I'm going to break you in half and throw you out my window! First you start stealing my CDs, then you break my mother f**king stereo, and now my s**t is EVERYWHERE and it looks like you ransacked the place!! I'm gonna f**king kill you, you a**hole! Yeah, Yeah, laugh now you d**k, wait till you see what I did you YOUR s**t."

For the past week, the guy upstairs has been in a shouting match with someone I assume either moved in with him or is temporarily staying with him. They would scream at each other at the top of their lungs until quiet hours hit and then they left the apartment. Apparently they were fine just yelling for hours. ...until tonight.

He took this guy's belongings from his apartment and put it all on the front lawn. After that, I overheard another phone conversation with the perp's girlfriend.

"He's insane. You need to take him to the hospital. He thought I was slowly poisoning him so he'd die before he knew what was going on. He sold my CDs and my games. You need to stay away from this guy. He's a twisted f**k. I've had it with him. I'm done. I don't care about years of friendship...he's infecting everyone. EVEN you. He's creeping into people's heads and he's never gonna stop this s**t till someone tells him to stop this f**king s**t and move on. I'm done."

This has been going on for almost 2 hours now. Normally I'd be pissed and call the landlord or the cops or something, but this is the guy who left his stereo on till 4am at full volume. This is the guy that refused to answer the door when the cop showed up. This is the guy who think it's cool to want to be a frat guy at the age of 29. Normally I'd be pissed, but secretly, I'm trying not to laugh. There's a proverb that says "Those who live by the sword, die by the sword." Well, I think it's safe to say "Those who live by immaturity, die by immaturity."

We come in peace...

2006-03-22T01:59:00.000-05:00

All my life, I have been known as the guy who doesn't get cold. The shivering chill does nothing to me...at least till now.

Our dear apartment has been ridiculously cold recently. I knew it was time to make 'the call' to the landlord when I was ready to put a scarf on and possibly even gloves while hanging out watching a movie on my couch. Hiding in my sweatshirt, I thought this might be an image I should capture.

I made the call and our heat was fixed by this evening. I was going to walk over to the office, but I figured that looking like that might get us booted from the building.

Let the games begin

2006-03-20T00:36:00.000-05:00

Today, now that it's after midnight, is officially March 20th. You're all asking, "What happens March 20th?" The scheduled launch of the Community Bloggers for the D&C. We were required to have our initial post in last week so everything would be all shiny and new for the release. Why am I excited about this?

First of all, I now have to opportunity to ramble to all of Rochester and have the local newspaper pay me for it. Second, I like to have as many blogs running at one time as possible. Third...Dan Welch in the media. Need I say more?

The blog is being hosted through Blogger.com (the same host as this blog). As of last night, I realized they had left certain options open to us the bloggers. The settings section of the dashboard is now open to toy with. I have administrative control over all that happens. Most importantly is that the HTML template is also now open. This means I may edit the template itself. Whether it be alter colors and fonts or links, banners, and assorted other mentionables, I can do whatever I deem appropriate for the blog. As you can see HERE, I have made some small personal changes.

This promises to be an enjoyable time spent in blogdom.

No borders... DO IT!

2006-03-17T02:56:00.000-05:00

I've decided that I need to buy a motorcycle and a cheap electric guitar and then wear the guitar while riding the bike. This is what cool Japanese punk rocker Guitar Wolf does.

Actually, I'm guessing he only does it in Wild Zero. An Asian cult classic, this film has swept the world with a fury that only guitar rocking, zombie-killing, motorcycle-riding, bad-guy-shooting panache can bring. Our hero Ace is obsessed with Guitar Wolf. During a drug-ridden shootout early on in the film, they become "Rock and Roll Blood Brothers." Yes, I was introduced to this film by Laz. It's a blur of shooting, zombie gore, raw music, and a touch of a love story. Think Shaun of the Dead but in Japanese and with grotesquely rough punk intoo the mix. I was reminded of "KISS Saves Santa."

"Hey, I was watching that!"

"It'll be on again next Christmas."

"Yeah, but who knows when that'll be..."

Sorry. Moving on...

Guitar Wolf and his band actually exist:

Guitar Wolf is one of the original garage punk rock bands to emerge from Japan. The trio -which consists of guitarist Seiji, bassist Billy and drummer Toru- formed in 1987 along with groups like 5.6.7.8's, Teengenerate, and Mad 3. They strongly believe that the essence of their style originates from the pure fundamentals of rock'n'roll. It is quite evident when you see Guitar Wolf's 50's Rock'n'Roll appearances. Another reason why Guitar Wolf has come this far is due to their charismatic performances.

Their shows are always loud, chaotic, but at the same time humorous and always unpredictable. Guitar Wolf's first album "Wolf Rock"(which came out on vinyl only) was released in 1993 from an indie label, Goner Records, in the U.S. The response to their 2nd full length album" Kung-Fu Ramone" was unbelievable and the majority of the Japanese media considered Guitar Wolf the best new band that year.

In 1996, Guitar Wolf singed with Matador Records in the U.S., and released their third full length album "Missile Me". In 1997, their fourth album "Planet of the Wolves" was released from Sony Music in Japan and Matador in the U.S.& Europe. Their fifth full album "Jet Generation" was released in Japan early 1999, followed by the Matador's release in the U.S., Europe, Australia and Brazil on Trama . The sixth album "Rock'n'Roll Etiquette", the seventh album "Live!" were released consecutively in February and in June, 2000 in Japan. The eight, the latest album "UFO Romantics" was release in March, 2002 in Japan. It is now scheduled to be released in Europe on Skydog Label. Guitar Wolf first toured the U.S. in 1993 when they were invited to perform at the Garage Shock event in Bellingham, Washington. Since then, they have toured the U.S. with John Spencer Blues Explosion, The Cramps, The Makers, and Oblivians.. In 2001, Guitar Wolf was invited to Campo Grande, Brazil to headline two-night shows. (thanks Munster Records)

"Wild Zero" is certainly the type of film you should watch in the middle of the night, with cult-flick-crazy friends and sleep deprivation. Overall a good laugh and a film for those times when you truly have no idea what to watch or you want the absolutely obscure.

And remember: Prevent juvenile delinquency, preserve sincerity.

without a thought

2006-03-15T02:08:00.000-05:00

I don't understand this, but I found it interesting:

"There are four points to a vacation scheme: Settle up and get out with your head on your shoulders. Take the stick with you and beat the dog on the way out. Gas up the ride but forget the beer. Never bring the girl along....ever.

Four points of mayhem within the confines of stupidity. Act as if but change your socks. Walk as if, but add a limp. Take no for an answer but slap them in the face. Angst is a fancy word for wanting the world to burn.

Where would I be now I wonder. These four walls play with my mind as if I could sometimes peer through them, picturing the outside world in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt...just enough hair gel that the wind can't move it. That's the world I see. I call it Joe. Stupid oldschool 35mm camera hanging around his neck like the pictures he'll shoot will someday be posted in Time magazine for the future mothers of the earth to weep over. In the back left pcket, a gun. 35mm on the chest and 9mm on the buttocks. Both ready for action at any time. It's this lazy vigilante attitude that has dilluted our terms of engament to a passing nod, a salutatory wave, a bob of the neck for an passionless passing of what was once a hello. Apathy is our strongest weapon.

We want to run the world but not be responsible. We want our way but not have to do the work to get it. We want free freedom, and consumer brilliance in the twinkling of a saddened child's eye...a kid that just once wants to see his dad pull in the driveway after work, instead of hear him bumbling through the front door at 11pm. Even Johnny Black wafts up a staircase.

There are four rules to letting the cat out of th bag. There are 6 for doing it without getting cauught. There is one way to lift the burden from your shoulders without cutting the straps. Change hurts. Pain is reassuring.

These four walls make me see things. Things I wouldn't normally see outside. Things I wouldn't normally place in my mind. These four walls have shown me a window. There's a fifth wall I can't talk about till it tells me I can...so listen for updates. It's nickname is ceiling. I ignore the floor at all costs. It is far to crass for me. My eyelids are equally as fruitless in the transformation of my images. My medium is space. My time is continuous.

There are four laws of narcoleptic thought...unfortunately, they were published in a book that has not yet been written.

There are 2 ways to interpret the walls. Through writing, and dreaming. Not necessarily in that order. I just realized one of those walls is a barred door."

Soul Food

2006-03-14T00:35:00.000-05:00

I awoke to the sound of my mobile ringing a merry tune. It was 10:15am, and work decided they desperately needed me today. I ignored the call.

Monday was to be a day of rest for me, considering I had spent Saturday working 12.1 hours and Sunday working 10.42 hours. So what does one do on a day of rest? Well, they obviously do things like lounge around, chat on AIM, email friends in Oklahoma, and peruse movie listings with no actual intention of viewing a film. I spent the first 2 waking hours not actually awake, but bumbling around the apartment in a bit of a stupor. I am not a morning person, even if it's not technically morning. I worked on music a bit and then toyed with my Macs and suddenly realized hunger was going to overtake my soul. And by soul, I meant consume my being from the inside out. Well, that's what it meant until I understood the type of craving I was having: Soul Food.

Now, there are few places in Rochester where one can get quality collards, corn bread, and fried okra. The one that haunted my firey foodage fantasies was Unkl Moe's. Rather than launching into an epic tale glorifying the fabulous sweet potato pie, I will allow a stff writer of City Newspaper do the talking. Maybe it's because I'm lazy, or maybe it's because I'm still full from the succulent ribs I had for lunch at 3:30pm.

I took my magnificent munchables to my brother's abode at RWC where we stewed over fine music and lovely darts. It was good to chill with the brother. He's 5 years younger than I, but we get along wonderfully. Actually, all us Welch siblings do.

Upon arriving home, I attempted the evening's official undertaking. The Brighton Blog. As I had mentioned previously, I will be blogging for the D&C. There are some issues with viewing the page on a Mac and minor glitches, but overall it will be a positive experience.

The Malfatti Problem

2006-03-08T20:25:00.000-05:00

8pm Wednesday finds me with Goya Rice & Beans on the stove, string-cheese in my hand, 26hex/dig security on my wireless router, and my blog at my fingertips. I decided to peruse StatCounter to check out the daily hits. There are a consistent chuck of bloggers who have this very blog on their sidebars, and I have theirs. So today I begin a spotlight those who link me.

Pete. We met at the Toad when I was frequenting the pub and while he was working. This sounds like the beginnings of a romantic comedy, but I assure you it's not. Our chill time is spent drinking fine beers, mocking assorted whoevers, quoting Family Guy, and frequenting theaters for all manner of films. Often loud debates while playing darts errupt into the quiet pub atmosphere. Ok, jus tthe pub atmosphere. Janeen and I had the pleasure of finding our way to Pete's for a small, yet delightful, Oscar "party" this year. Next year we'll black-tie the affair.

Daily, Herr Malfatti uses his blog to navigate to mine, as well as usher his regular readers into my personal rant forum: The Dribble. Which you're reading now. So, here's to you Master Malfatti. Salut.

Welcome to My Tuesday

2006-03-08T01:50:00.000-05:00

I'm wearing hoodies again. That's right. Hooded sweatshirts. This one is navy blue and says "Billabong" on it. I'm wearing it because I'm cold. This rarely happens.

It's almost 2am and I am officially wide awake. And while that's not totally abnormal for me, this particular stint of insomnia is caused by cold-like symptoms of stuffy head, achy body, post-nasal drip, soar throat, coughs, an all-around feeling of blah, and the fact I'm not sleeping. I despise being sick.

So when I wandered into work tonight and we discovered that one of the hosts was inadvertantly fired and that I was alone on the floor and that we had a party of 36 coming in, I was clearly giddy. The one night I was dying to get out of work early. The only time I cut my hours short is when I'm sick. I despise being sick.

For some reason I can run around all night if need be while ill, but the moment I try and lay my head down to sleep it off, the night bears me no grace and the sleep refuses my company. So here I sit, listening to Rogue Wave: Descended Like Vultures trying to figure out how to work their music into my screenplay. Did I mention I'm writing a screenplay? Enter ADD snippets here. Book, book, book, book...

I despise being sick.

The Opposite

2006-03-06T02:07:00.000-05:00

"Where were you?"

"I went to the beach.."

"aaah...the beach..."

"It's not working, Jerry. It's just not working."

"What is it that isn't working?"

"Why did it all turn out like this for me? I had so much promise. I was personable. I was bright. Oh, maybe not academically speaking, but I was perceptive. I always know when someone's uncomfortable at a party. It all became very clear to me sitting out there, that every decision I've ever made in my entire life...has been wrong. My life is the complete opposite of everything I want it to be. Every instinct I have in every aspect of life...something to wear, something to eat...it's all been wrong. Every one."

...

"Uh, George, you know that woman just looked at you."

"So what, what am I supposed to do?"

"Go talk to her."

"Elaine, bald men with no jobs and no money who live with their parents don't approach strange women."

"Well, here's your chance to try the opposite! Instead of tuna salad and being intimidated by women, chicken salad and going right up to her."

"Yeah, I should do the opposite."

"If every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would ahve to be right."

"Yes! I will do the opposite. I used to sit here and do nothing and regret it for the rest of the day. now, I will do something!" (walks over to woman) "'Scuse me...I couldn't help but notice you were looking in my direction."

"Oh, yes I was. You just ordered the exact same lunch as me."

"My name is George. I'm unemployed and I live with my parents."

(woman smiles) "I'm Victoria...hi!."

Do you ever think back on your decisions in life and wonder what would have happened if you had chosen a different path? If you'd decided to turn left instead of right. If you had decided to stay for coffee with her instead of just peeking from the other side of the room. If you had not taken the spite from that guy, but spoken up instead?

I remember reading those 'choose your own adventure" stories as a kid. I loved to keep tabs on the story and attempt every possible outcome. Part of me wishes life was like that, but then again, where would the mystery and satisfaction be for a life well-lived?

Freelance 101

2006-03-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

I just got back from my meeting over at the Democrat & Chronicle with the Assistant Managing Editor/Multimedia and Brighton reps. Launch date is March 20th.

"Launch of what?" you might ask...

The community bloggers.

Each of 12 towns in the Greater Rochester Area will have a community blogger posting weekly. I am the blogger for the Town of Brighton. As of March 20th, I shall post once a week about goings on in my town and immediately surrounding areas. Should you have any ideas on topics, email me at potentbloggables@gmail.com .

In other news, the Daniel Ryan website is prepped and ready to go, domain must be purchased and hosting must be readied, but Herr Vinkle has done well on his end to prepare the site.

Don't feel neglected

2006-02-27T22:37:00.000-05:00

Whirlwind-ish. That was my most recent adjective used to describe my life at present. Between the new job, the album, web-work, upcoming work for the D&C, and every little thing running around, it's been a wee bit crazy. I would have it no other way.

So here I sit after work today, watching some random guy in Paris choose between two women, while digging up friends on MySpace. These AlternateReality shows are so far from reality it's brutal. These aren't gameshows, these are lives being toyed with on a far deeper level than winning a prize.

"It's not my pride, screw my pride. It's my heart...that was so hard to give. I am absolutely devastated. I feel like I never should have opened up. This is horrible and it hurts...so...much." - Moana

Playing with love is like playing with a gun. The Bachelorette, I feel, is slightly different. When it comes to emotions, I don't think men feel less, but they are less swayed by the emotions they feel. I believe that sooner or later, one of the women denied on The Bachelor will go so far as to commit suicide. Not until then, will people realize ratings aren't worth it.

Not a Wuss

2006-02-22T14:45:00.000-05:00

"How are they treating you up here? They being nasty again?"

"From time to time, but I can dish it out when I have to. I've got ridiculously thick skin. I think it's the opera performer in me. You can't make it anywhere in that world and be a wuss. Critiques are vicious."

"I believe it. Of course, you really can't make it anywhere and be a wuss...depending on your definitions of 'wuss.' But a lot of the staff have been talking about how you don't take their sh*t. You ignore it, or put them in their place if need be. It's one thing I liked about you, your two feet are yours to stand on. Way to get dirty and run things efficiently around here."

Gen. Manager/Me/Gen. Manager

I've settled into my job and enjoy it greatly. It's good to be on my feet, moving nonstop, working with new people every 5 minutes, being a people-person again. As for the wait staff, it's just like anywhere else, they try and run the show when their job is just to wait on patrons. They also like to push me around:

N. (big waiter) - "Hey, outa my way f**ker"
Me - "No problem, you're gonna need the room Tubby."
Queue hilarity in the kitchen.

Once the staff realized I wasn't a random highschool airhead bimbo, but that I was there as a professional to help them run the restaurant smoothly, I gained their respect. And that helps all around. Sooner or later, they'll have mine.

Studio Success

2006-02-21T02:07:00.000-05:00

Two days, four tunes. We halfed our time per song and finished with efficiency this time around. Currently putting us at 5 tunes for a demo. We found new grooves and tight lines that tossed us into a blast of a good time in the studio. Along for the ride for a bit of Studio 101 was Master Noah Hodge down visiting from Watertown. Have a listen on our MySpace: HERE

Joel, Tommy, Brad, Dan

We're hoping to have my official website up by next week.

And now hailing from Noteworthy

2006-02-19T19:34:00.000-05:00

Here we sit in the studio recording song number 2 of the day. Our productivity has been much higher today than last time. Of course this time we came in focused and ready to go. We're hoping to attack and finish 4 songs this session, giving us a total of 5 for a demo, and thus almost half the CD finished.

Watch Daniel Ryan Blog for more updates.

"You're not gonna kick us out?"

2006-02-15T23:06:00.000-05:00

As most of you are aware, the weather recently has been fabulous. Today I wandered around and shot pictures, taking advantage of the 50F weather and the sunshine. There are 4 teenagers who end up at my apartment building from time to time, skateboarding off the steps. I decided to wander out and ask if I could shoot some action shots.

"You're not gonna kick us out?"

"Nah, I couldn't care less. Besides, you're not disturbing anyone."

So I started shooting. Unfortunately I got only about 14 shots off before my battery died. When I came back out with a fresh one, they were gone. Now that I know they don't mind, I'll try and take some better ones...here are a few:

And in other news: Just because it cracked me up - Jay Leno's Fake Photo Booth

Cheney Mistakes Texas Lawyer for Quail

2006-02-13T02:52:00.000-05:00

I'm pro-guns. I like them. But it does not help the Republican cause when they use them on each other...click here for CNN's report.

Ode to Shaun

2006-02-12T23:14:00.000-05:00

Standing on that podium, in Gold Medal position for Men's HalfPipe: Shaun White.

Shaun, at this moment in time, no one is better than you. Good run.

"Is this yours?"

2006-02-10T23:15:00.000-05:00

Today I was put in charge of cleaning out the hosting station as well as assorted cupboards. The Lost & Found was among my projects. I found an almost brand new pair of $75 leather gloves for Janeen as well as a cashmere scarf. I wass told to throw out everything in the L&F. Most of the other items were assorted "old people items": windbreakers, hats, pins, brooches, umbrellas, 15 pairs of reading glasses. The item on the bottom of the pile was the most interesting...a bra.

Now, most items in the L&F are things people have left behind after dining or doing things weather or restaurant related. When an item such as a bra is found, one must immediately ask oneself, "How was the owner separated from said undergarment and why was it left behind?"

This item soon became the afternoon's humor as people came up and dug through my large accumulation of unclaimed attire and sundries. They would move aside a jacket only to be startled by the pink bra, get a confused look on their face, go quiet, and walk away.

I finally discoverd it belonged to a waitress. Long story short, she was given it by a friend but it was too tight. Basically she exploded out of it while working. Why she left it in the Lost & Found is unknown.

2am...do you know where your clock is?

2006-02-08T23:57:00.000-05:00

I wander to bed last night around 2am. I'm tossing and turning and cant sleep. Which I hate. Nothing to me is more tormenting than trying to find the comfortable position so sleep may ensue. After 10ish minutes pass, my wife stirs and gets up to visit the bathroom. I hear the door close and and then the toilet flush and then the sound of the sink. I expect then to hear the door open and see her return to the bedroom. Of course, that would be too normal. I hear the shower turn on.

I rool over to her side of the bed where the alarm clock is because if it was on mine I'd turn it off in my sleep and never wake up on time. "6:00" is the setting for her alarm. The door opens and she strolls in.

"Did you turn on the shower?"

"Yeah, I have to go to work."

"You realize it's 2am and you get 4 more hours of sleep before that alarm goes off?"

"Oh man! I wondered why I felt like I hadn't slept well."

"Maybe that's because you slept for like 3 hours."

"I gotta stop doing this...I think this is the third time in three weeks."

"You know how you can stop?"

"How?"

"Look at the clock everytime you wake up."

It was dark, but I'm pretty sure she stuck her tongue out at me before she turned off the water and collapsed back in bed.

Any Woman

2006-02-07T16:10:00.000-05:00

Basic Principles - no woman wakes up saying "God, I hope I don't get swept off my feet today!" Now, she might say "This is a really bad time for me," or something like "I just need some space," or my personal favorite "I'm really into my career right now." You believe that? Neither does she. You know why? 'Cause she's lying to you, that's why. You understand me? Lying! It's not a bad time for her. She doesn't need any space. And she may be into her career, but what she's really saying is "Uh, get away from me now," or possibly "Try harder, stupid," but which one is it? 60% of all human communication is nonverbal, body language; 30% is your tone, so that means 90% of what you're saying ain't coming out of your mouth. Of course she's going to lie to you! She's a nice person! She doesn't want to hurt your feelings! What else she going to say? She doesn't even know you... yet. Luckily, the fact is that just like the rest of us, even a beautiful woman doesn't know what she wants until she sees it, and that's where I come in. My job is to open her eyes. Basic Principles - no matter what, no matter when, no matter who... any man has a chance to sweep any woman off her feet; he just needs the right broom.

I got booted out of work early because the restaurant was DEAD. So I grabbed Hitch from a friend of mine and tossed it in. This is not my first viewing and I have to say, I don't totally understand why everyone was pissed at the guy. So he helped guys figure out how to get in the heads of women and give them what they want. So this pisses women off? Getting what they want?

I have talked to women about it and they have said they don't like the idea of getting played. So someone took the time to pay a guy to figure out how woman wants to be treated...they go out of their way to understand what's going on and get somewhere in a real reltionship..and women don't like that, apparently.

Teenage Exodus

2006-02-03T00:37:00.000-05:00

Tonight my brother was ushered out of teenagedom by myself and many others. Granted his 20th birthday was Sunday, but we decided to hold a party of our own. Thrown together last minute, my brother and I made plans to go to my new job for a bite to eat seeing that I get half off and celebrate with some Italian food...that was the plan he knew about.

After work today, I swung by good old Wegmans to a couple cakes, beveragation, and paper products. We had rallied the troups and congregated at the townhouse of one of our mutual friends. They lied in wait while I retrieved said sibling and ushered him two parking lots over on campus so he could "drop off" a DVD I was borrowing from a friend. I stayed in the car so as not to seem suspicious. Sitting there in the car with jazz playing, I could them scream as he entered.

There was much raucous behavior. A sing along. And the presentation of a gift: A dartboard worth playing on. It was his first official surprise party ever, and thus did not see it coming. He took a raincheck on the Italian food...for tomorrow, c.3:30pm. For those of you who read this and also attended, thanks for the successful everning!

As for work, it has been a good go. I certainly belong in this job and greatly enjoy it. The staff and I get along very well, and the management is quite happy to have me on board. Especially because I have helped them save-face several times. My new goal is a raise next month.

And just for fun:

"Blue Jeans for Khakis"

Welcome to culture 101
Welcome to your 3rd world of fun
White coats and surf boards
You'll wish you had time to be bored

On a "Fisherman's Birthday"
Finding new friends to make
Hotels to Hurricanes
Illegal flights and balmy nights

You've got reputation to keep
Trade your blue jeans for khakis
Don the necktie fiction
Find a space for this one
Don't worry, you've got it right

It doesn't matter what stages you've been through
What matters is how they view you
What you wear wears you
What you do ain't true

But whether tattooed or pinstriped
Won't change how you save my life
It won't depend on the view
Won't depend on the shoe

Take it off, quickly now.

2006-01-31T00:59:00.000-05:00

It finally happened. The winter has brought sickness to my doorstep. I tend to have a sturdy constitution, but after awhile, living with a wife who is consistently sick with sinus infections and colds, etc., leads to inevitable illness. This week has found me sick with a head cold. I am now in a true hourly job, so if I'm not clocked in, I don't get paid. Oh how I loved salary. So I work through the illness, as I'm sure many of my non-spoiled readers always have.

I have learned to trust two new friends of mine: DayQuil, and VapoRub Cream. They get me through the day and night, each in that order. Vicks is dear to my heart.

I did have a startling realization this morning. Having awoke stuffed and congested, I applied said VapoRub. I then found a tshirt from the night before to wear around the apartment until it was time to shower and ready for the day. What boggled my olfactory system was the combination of Vicks and what was on the shirt from last night: Burberry Brit cologne. This is a combination of smells I shall never repeat.

Post-Birthday

2006-01-29T22:54:00.000-05:00

Last week was my 25th birthday. 25 on 25. Bizarre work hours have kept me from an actual celebration of sorts, besides the Toading aforementioned. My parent sent over my intended presents, one of which can be seen here. "I'm blogging this." My parents are among a group of regular readers who follow the blog to keep up with my goings on. The present was unexpected and perfect.

Other things I gratefully accepted as gifts this year were:

J.R.R. Tolkien - The Hobbit, 50th Anniversary edition.

J.R.R. Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings, 50th Anniversary Edition

Serenity

Vladimir Nabokov - Invitation to a Beheading

The Return

2006-01-27T00:05:00.000-05:00

I have been on hold briefly for several reasons. The piano job is behind me, a new job before me, and we were playing with this new template, courtesy of Herr Vinkle.

First, the piano job. It was very career-oriented. As I have stated before, the people working in those positions have been in said positions for over 30 years. College was not in the their past, only pianos. Their life's work was selling pianos. They did not want me to travel, nor to pursue music really. I was approached by the owner of the company and was told that I would sooner or later give up music because selling pianos would get in my blood. He could not have been more wrong.

Second, the new job. I have been working there all week. Their idea of training is, "Here, follow me and pay attention. Ok..good. Now you try it." Which is ok, because hosting tables and singing isn't hard. What's humorous is that each host working there has their own system and everything is completely random. Again, why I've been hired. Tomorrow I actually figure out what my schedule will be like, and perhaps followthrough on some of the actual training set aside for me...then again, maybe I'll just run the place my way.

Third, the new layout. Mr. Scotti Vinkle has been all a-buzz working on layouts and templates. I wanted a template that would allow me the individual headshot icon you see at the top right of each post, as well as headers and footers of my choosing. He has been most splendid to work with.

For those of you wondering all things personal, my birthday was this week. Yesterday actually. 25 on the 25th. There was much Toading...ok, so really it was Janeen and I taking advantage of the Toad's policy of giving you a free entré on your birthday. As my sister said, "Welcome to the quarter century club." Do I feel older? no....but I sound older. 25 just has a nice ring to it.

update

2006-01-26T11:19:00.000-05:00

To all of you faithful readers out there...The Dribble is under maintainance and shall return shortly!

The Final OG Post

2006-01-21T14:39:00.000-05:00

Today is my last day at my piano job. I'm off to bigger and brighter things, as previously mentioned. The major downside is my lack of OG topics. For those of you unfamiliar with Old Guy, dig through previous posts to find some lovely anecdotes.

I was hoping for antics on his 74 year-old part today seeing that it would be my last OG installment. The man never fails. He felt the urge to sit in a chair facing my desk and discuss assorted piano sales techniques from the early 20th century. Back when salesmen would ride around in the country with a couple player pianos in the back of a horse-drawn wagon and leave them in a farmhouse over the dreadful winter months. After the thaw, the sales rep would return and try and sell the farmer the piano. These stories carried on for the average 45-ish minutes, so I decided to experiment a bit.

My cell phone was in my pocket, so I dialed the store number without looking. When the phone at my desk rang, I immediately answered and began timing the necessary length of the call for him to leave my general vicinity. I began my conversation with myself talking about a recently acquired Steinway and answering questions a new owner would ask...but all as if this person was an out-of-town friend. I even put myself on hold and retrieved a piano atlas to look up the fictional serial number and thus age of said fabled piano. OG contually looked at me, the phone, his watch and then me again. I carried on.

I covered tunings and assorted small issues and then inquired into the phone as whether or not recording would commence soon and with whom. The person on the other end apparently wanted to know about maintaining the Steinway, and apparently also lives in Miami. I asked OG if he knew the Steinway dealer in Miami and when he did not, I googled and found the address and number, only to speak them into the phone.

Clearly business-type chatter was not moving OG out of the seat so I moved into more personal things. He began stomping his feet and repeated the watch routine. He then sighed dramatically and coughed several times and then looked up at me quickly. I ignored and continued my "conversation" concerning certain musicians with whom my "friend on the phone" was gigging and where they were recording. As I got into "When are you going ot be in town next?" lines, OG finally gave up...but slowly. He eased himself out of the chair, leaned over my desk and looked at random objects in front of me. Then started his "Well...ok...ok.." lines to himself like a peptalk. Finally he wandered away and sat at his desk near the front door.

My fake conversation topped out at: 17 minutes, 32 seconds.

Farewell OG. I shan't miss your unbelievable selfish patience, but the occasional stories will eternally be referenced in my mind's Humorous People I Have Known category.

Orientation

2006-01-19T10:24:00.000-05:00

I though I had finished the paperwork. I was wrong. I was called back in the restaurant last night for orientation and the meet/greet with staff and fellow workers. Basically, I was there to hang out with staff and meet people and fill out a stack of paperwork, read manuals, read through benefits, talk through scheduling, etc.

It went remarkably well. For those of you keeping track, three major things stood out to me about last night.

I discovered their benefits package is remarkable, whether part or full time

I was offered the option of doing four 10-hour days so I need only to come in 4 days a week. 3 days will be regular and one floating. Any hours I work more than that will be overtime

First day on the job, well technically training, and I got a raise. Usually they give this raise after someone has been there 3-6 months.

So it was a good day at the new job.

Look forward to many blog topics stemming from said new place of occupation. As for OG, I have only one day left to glean from his presence: Saturday.

Final Week Commencing

2006-01-16T11:20:00.000-05:00

It's rather humorous sitting at my desk and greeting the individual here to interview for my job. My possible replacement and me, talking, conversing. My last day is Saturday.

I'm taking this week to clear out my desk, clean things off this PC, email contacts and let them know someone else will be taking them on as clients. I try to be as polite about this as possible.

In other news, fencing might again be in my future. I'm hoping to start foil and rapier lessons in the next couple months. It is an art form which I have missed.

Perhaps a little over the top... Part 1.

2006-01-13T10:27:00.000-05:00

I have been called a psycho moviegoer, a film buff, and someone who enjoys films far too much. I accept them all. The most recent TOP TEN FILMS OF ALL TIME post stirred in the desire to perhaps show you some of my movie experiences. I have already blogged about Almost Famous, so I shall move on to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

I have been a J.R.R. Tolkien nut since my introduction to his genius around the age of 12. This si one of those gifts that parents give their children that is far more than just an item. I got hooked on his works and to this day I read the Trilogy once a year. So, in 2000 when it was announced that the Lord of the Rings was going to be in movie form, all of us Tolkien nuts were both thrilled and worried. Would Hollywood ruin the story or would they be true to Tolkien. As time went on and previews and press releases and LOTR Gurus stated the films would be Tolkien True the excitement grew to enormous proportions.

The most anticipated release of in ten years found myself and a group of Tolkien nut friends of mine with pre-ordered Tickets, and 3 hours in queue for the film. I remember sitting on the edge of my seat for the entire movie with total glee. I was thoroughly impressed with The Fellowship of the Rings. We left and were back the next day for another viewing. The book had come alive.

The Two Towers. So much of a stir had been caused in Rochester by FOTR, that we expected an epic line for the first showing of TTT. We got what we expected. Five hours early for the premier were we, and the line formed behind us. And what a line it was. For those of you who have been to Cinemark's Tinseltown, you know the calibre of atrium which the line was in. One twenty-something gentleman wandered up to the front and asked us 1.5 hours before the film.

"Is this the line for The Two Towers?"
"Yeah, that's the end over there."
He turned around and visually followed the line from us, down one wall, over and back again three times, then stretched across the atrium clear to the other side. Over 700 people in line.
"Ahw...F**K!" came his reply.

Now, The Return of the King was a completely new situation. Said theater, Tinseltown, was among the 103 Movie Theatres WORLDWIDE to host: TRILOGY TUESDAY. This even was a marathon viewing of Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition, The Two Towers: Extended Edition, and the premier of The Return of the King. Tickets went on sale in early October for this December 16th, 2003 event. Seats were first come, first served, of course. The Hodge brothers and the welch brother procured a van and were the first ones in the parking lot the night before. We were thanked by the theater manager as the first Trilogy Tuesday viewers and we earned our place as the second group in line. The first group in line slept on the sidewalk, so we gave them the first spot, even though we were there first. Each seat had a strip of masking tape on which we wrote our names. Those seats became ours for the entire Trilogy viewing even when we left for intermissions between films. Anyone caught stealing seats was ejected from the theater...not to mention would have be bludgeoned to death by an angry RingNut mob. New Line Cinema had representatives present to give each ticketholder a Tril. Tue. Film Frame.

This was the most memorable film experience, period. It can not be repeated, but we hold out own Trilogy Viewings twice a year.

What came first?

2006-01-12T11:22:00.000-05:00

My sister gave me for Christmas, a Moleskine journal. On each page, she had placed the title of a Top Ten List. I am to fill in these lists.

TOP TEN MOVIES of ALL TIME

Almost Famous

Lord of the Rings (all filmed at once, I lump them together as one cinematic experience...LONG LIVE TRILOGY TUESDAY!)

Elizabethtown

Fight Club

The Beach

Seven Samurai

Walk the Line

Glory

When Harry Met Sally

The Godfather: Part 1

Number 11 was very, very close...

"What came first, the music or the misery?

People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over.

Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss.

Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?"

GIG @ Leaf & Bean

2006-01-12T10:10:00.000-05:00

THE WHO

Master Bradley Farow on a single drum

Mr. Daniel Ryan on acoustic guitar and vocals

THE WHERE

Leaf & Bean

THE WHEN

Friday, January 20th, 8pm-10pm

Been stuck in my head all day

2006-01-11T13:13:00.000-05:00

I got flowers in the spring I got you to wear my ring
And when I'm sad, you're a clown
And if I get scared, you're always around
So let them say your hair's too long
'Cause I don't care, with you I can't go wrong
Then put your little hand in mine
There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb

da da da da
da da da da
I got you babe
da da da da
da da da da
I got you babe

The End of an Era

2006-01-09T11:27:00.000-05:00

It is official. I have shed my job selling pianos and am moving on to the restaurant business. I have put in my two weeks notice this morning, but they have requested I stick around till the end of the month. They feel I owe them for "special allowances" they have granted since I've been here: Sick days, trip to Vegas to record, Italy for a month during the summer. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not sure why Old Guy can't cover for me.

From the standpoint of not leaving the employer high and dry, I understand the Two Week Notice routine. But there is the side that is rarely observed save for by those who are in the situation such as mine...those who have given and lived through the Two Week duration. There is the issue of having to work for two weeks with fellow employees who feel you have disrupted their lives to an irreparable degree. Sufficient awkwardness will ensue and going to one's place of business becomes increasingly difficult to the level of slow torture. As for me, this will be only partially the case. I have strategically given my Two Weeks Notice only one week before half of the company (owner, VP, and my boss) go to California for the NAMM Trade Show. This leaves me as the only employees besides OG at the store for an entire week. So when I turn in my keys and leave, I will not have to bid adieu to my present boss, nor have atrocious days leading up to it.

As for now, I will attempt to collect as many OG stories as possible. I am pleased to announce that the restaurant business will lend itself to many pleasant entries upon this very blog.

shameless plug...

2006-01-04T11:39:00.000-05:00

...for a photo album by Signore Malfatti. Contains pics of us of course.

...it's been days

2006-01-04T11:11:00.000-05:00

The past week has been filled with much merry antics and celebratory goings on. An overview:

New Years Eve @ The Old Toad for the Beer Dinner and the company of Pete, Jeff, Heather, and assorted Toaders. Post Toad came the Hodge Film Diversion which took us till 3am.

New Years Day found us relaxing for a view of The Usual Suspects and then muhc later off the the movies for a stunning presentation of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

January second I opened the store only to sit for 8.5 hours doing litereally nothing at all. Save for perhaps attempting to hunt down more jobs. In the evening, we joined Jeff and Heather for the Quiz. After which I returned much later for dartage and good times with Master Farow.

Tuesday was my day for jobs and The Last Visit. I meandered over to the Radisson to fill out an application thanks to Miss Stefanac. After that, ventured to Macaroni Grill for an impromptu interview for a host (and possibly singing) position. Following aforementioned occupational procedings, The Granadian Refugee and I viewed Flightplan and then Walk the Line. Walk the Line has traversed to my Top Ten films list. Said Refugee will be retreating to the Islands on Friday.

On a completely sidenote, I have learned recently that the Bose Acoustic Wave system which sells for c. $1000.00 actually costs $1.50 to make. The mark-up? Advertising. Well played, Bose, well played. Actually, not really. For anyone who knows audio, they know the advertising is propaganda and Bose actually sounds like crap.

High Count

2005-12-31T15:38:00.000-05:00

I would like to announce that the official hit number for this blog has just passed 10,000 since February. Many thanks to my faithful readers. It will be another good year in 2006. Ciao tutti!

A little help from my friends...

2005-12-30T15:48:00.000-05:00

Hey there friends. Normally blog posts are tossed out there like words spoken into the wind but this is directly to you.

Janeen's car has just been declared undriveable. She had a gas leak so we took it to our most trusted mechanic who gave it a look. He found the understide to be so rusted and rotted out, it wouldn't survive the trip up the lift.

So we, who have no money, are immediately in the market for a new car. Advice in comment form please.

Herr Welch

Trek for friends...and wings.

2005-12-30T10:52:00.000-05:00

That's right, friends are worth travelling for...especially when you haven't seen them in a year and a half and they live in NYC. So last night the Wife and I donned our boots and drove out to Depew to meet up with some good friends for Buffalo Wings and beer at Sal's. The converstation was lovely, covering all topics from martial arts to education, waitering to paid musicianship, and opera. The four of us are dangerous when put together with ample time and much food.

After Sal's we meandered down the street to Antoinette's Sweets where we enjoyed fabulous icecream sundays. Seriously. This place makes their own ice cream, their own candies, their own whipped cream and toppings. Fabulous is an understatement. I have the Butter Crunch Crumble sunday. Vanilla and butter crunch ice cream with hot butterscotch and whipped cream. By far the best sunday I have ever had.

So, between good food and some of the best company one could ask for, the 2 hours round trip was more than worth it. People, travel for your friends.

Lovely transitions

2005-12-28T11:12:00.000-05:00

So, I spent my entire day yesterday talking to managers and filling out job applications at Outback, Bugaboo Creek, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Macaroni Grill, and Philips European. The outcome is that most hiring is going to take place within the next two weeks but not immediately. So I will be stuck in this current location still longer. And in other news, let me explain to you some details of commission-based sales positions.

*Warning - what you are about to read is a venting. Should you care to close the page now, I would not think badly of you.*

Commission Draw: A salary is given to the employee weekly. When a piano is sold, the employee receives 8% commission from the sale. From that commission, the previous salary is deducted. So if a sale pulls a $500 commission, the employee receives only $200 of said commission due to draw if the salary is $300 weekly. Now the salary draw can stack. So if nothing is sold for say 3 weeks, the draw on the next commission will be $900. This is developed to keep salesmen from slacking on the job and being the best sales representative they can be.

So what happens when there are no customers? The sales rep cannot create a market for a $10,000-$70,000 product, the consumer must be willing to spend the money voluntarily. So if there are no customers for the salesman, then draw stacks further. This puts you heavily in the hole creating an environment where the rep has no choice but to work for basically minimum wage. He then must pray his next sale is on a highly priced product pulling him out of the hole. Ladies and gentlemen, the piano market is dead. Why am I searching for another job? Because I have not had a sale in 6 weeks. As of Friday, I will be $4200 in the hole. The only customers buying are referrals from over a year ago who know my boss personally..and they are "his" customers, we see nothing of it. So, despite the fact I can't make customers appear out of thin air, and that my "numbers" are good (meaning my percentage of customers into actual sales is actually quite high..I'm a good salesman), they are requiring me to open the store alone on January 2nd. No one else in the company will be working that day.

Now, working restaurants depends highly on tips, of course...but people of every economic bracket want to eat. Not everyone wakes up and says, "Hey, let's go spend twenty grand on a piano today."

Hurry Christmas, hurry fast...

2005-12-26T10:15:00.000-05:00

Nostalgia runs rampant during this season... memories of stuff we've done, with people we rarely see. Then seeing those people again. Then we vow to call more, email more and hang out more as the country is traversed for assorted reasons. Then, of course, we never follow through. This is why I don't make Christmas Promises, because they never actually happen. Just like New Years Resolutions. But that's another post for another time.

I'm not sure where that cynical side note came from, but there it is.

With a lighter tone, I would like to report a lovely Christmas that didn't really feel like Christmas this year. There was virtually no hype, it was highly relaxed, we travelled only as far as Buffalo, and it rained.

Now, for you people out there in the other parts of the world where it doesn't snow at Christmas, you don't understand how key to the Christmas feeling snow really is. Without the wafting flakes and the white all around, it feels like November and we should be readying for Thanksgiving, not preparing to open presents that were stashed under a tree.

There were other things I suppose...other factors leading to the lack of Christmas-y attitude. We had very little moeny for gifts this year, so there was no epic stuggled for the perfect gifts for people. In fact, there was almost no Christmas shopping at all. Another issue: Work. Working the day before and the day after Christmas deny the separated feeling that the holiday is removed from the rest of the year as something special. With it falling on a Sunday, a day I have off anyways, there was nothing at all elite about the day itself. It felt like any other weekend smattered with annoying music that makes me want to strangle weak musicians.

So, Christmas cheer? I have it, just not superfluously. Have a good week, all you who celebrate here, any holiday that hits this time of year.

PS I miss New York at Christmas.

Not a creature was stirring, except the piano employees.

2005-12-23T10:32:00.000-05:00

I would understand if I was working in the restaurant business, where people consistently want to be fed and served..to get out o their houses during this season and let someone else do the work for them. I get that. I would understand working Christmas Eve and the day after, and heck, maybe even Christmas day. But when you work in a business where perhaps ONE product is sold every three to five days and is getting steadily less busy as Christmas approaches...in a business that no longer offers deliveries prior to Christmas for gifts, and the product is too large to take home yourself...WHY ARE WE OPEN?!

I suddenly feel as though my boss Used to work with the Marley Brothers.

And I finally understand why Bob Cratchett was so bent out of shape.

So, dear boss who at least was philanthropic enough to give me a Christmas bonus, suck it up and realize we are making no money this year, and working Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas will simply make us the grumbling type. Go find your three Sprits and learn a little.

It's in the singing of a street corner choir
It's going home and getting warm by the fire
It's true, wherever you find love
It feels like Christmas

A cup of kindness that we share with another
A sweet reunion with a friend or a brother
In all the places you find love
It feels like Christmas

It is the season of the heart
A special time of caring
The ways of love made clear
It is the season of the sprit
The message if we hear it
Is make it last all year

It's in the giving of a gift to another
A pair of mittens that were made by your mother
It's all the ways that we show love
That feel like Christmas

A part of childhood we'll always remember
It is the summer of the soul in December
Yes, when you do your best for love
It feels like Christmas

It is the season of the heart
A special time of caring
The ways of love made clear
It is the season of the sprit
The message if we hear it
Is make it last all year

Not the same as washing...

2005-12-22T15:36:00.000-05:00

So I'm sitting at my desk eating a chocolate chip cookie from Cindy's and I realise crumbs and chocolate have made their way onto my hands.

Clearly one cannot shake a customer's hand while their own is doppled with the remnents of chips and crumbs. I turn around and reach for my trusted Purell Hand Sanitizer. Squirt some on and be on your way, right? Wrong.

What had never occurred to me prior is that, unlike a sink, there is no water to wash away said food remains. So now chocolate is smeared across my hand and crumbs are simply pushed to a new location. At least both are 99.99% germ free.

- this post sponsored by

Musical Updates and City-wide Stupidity.

2005-12-21T13:01:00.000-05:00

So the album is officially underway. We have the "go ahead" to continue recording and our first single is already on the move... email me for details, it's not exactly 'postable' yet.

In other news, it's almost Christmas and I have a little shopping to do still.

In still other news, New York City is in Day Two or MTA/Rail strikes. Commuters have become pedestrians. Everyone in NY who swore off driving is hunting for their keys and now realizing they are glad they didn't actually sell their cars. Parking lots are making a fortune. Anyone who is in or around NYC right now, toss up a comment to give us a handle on the situation.

An in a more random vein: The Grandian Refugee and I decided to catch up on movies he had not been able to see while hiding and surfing on his island. So Movies 10 became home of our marathon. The scheduled viewings were as follows.

Wedding Crashers, which was of course fabulous.

A History of Violence, with which I was mildly disappointed.

40 Year Old Virgin, clearly humorous and crass.

Jarhead, a deep look inside the head of one of our boys in Desert Storm. Based on the book by the main character, Tony Swafford. I plan on reading the book shortly, and I shall let you know my thoughts.

When I got home, I realized that there was a cast member in 40 Year Old Virgin I knew nothing about, so I decided to dig a bit. Kat Dennings. It turns out she's younger than I thought and has her own webpage. I'm linking it HERE for your perusal. I find it a satisfying fusion of a teenager in both hollywood and the real world.

Meanderings to Connecticut

2005-12-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

It's Christmastime, as you are all aware, I'm sure. This means Christmas services at churches and the joining together of friends from far and wide. This time it was my turn to travel. So the wife and I packed our things and left for South Windsor, Connecticut.

Carly, long time friend and fellow musician, was holding a special Christmas service at her church, where she is the director of music. A small intimate setting for a candleight service was quite nice. Her family, immediate and extended, were extremely hospitable and fantastic. We enjoyed their company immensely and are rather excited to return sometime in the Spring!

Joyful season...for some.

2005-12-16T11:14:00.000-05:00

I adore that sound that sleet makes as it falls on already-ice-covered trees. As if the heavens were skattering tiny shards of glass on a frozen world.

So apparently I'm a North Easterner at heart. Standing outside in longsleeve tshirt and scarf during an onslaught of super-cooled rain, picking the 1/8" layer of ice off my car with bare fingers is my idea of a good time.

A weather and travel advisory make me want to hop in my car and drive around. To me, driving on completely ice-slicked roads in the middle of the night is like an extreme sport. It's dangerous and invigorating. Truly a pity my wife doesn't share my sentiments.

I suppose I must clarify that not all driving should be done under these conditions. We have to leave for Connecticut tomorrow evening and therefore will be driving late at night on I90. That is not when I want the ice to be covering the roads making the 6hr trip into a 10hr trip. So, should such conditions throw themselves our way, Rochester will be our home this weekend, yea again.

Weekend with the Crew

2005-12-14T01:04:00.000-05:00

So we finished all of our needed recording for December, accomplishing much in a relatively short span. See here for complete details and more pics.

It was a long weekend with about 26 hours of studio time. I appreciate the treks the Can adi ans made to come down for this. It was well worth their time.

The wife was in Long Island chilling with her crew old school style for most of the weekend. I spent almost every waking minute in the studio. Next up: Madame Butterfly and Christmas services at Carly's.

Here are my lyrics for the evening as I sit and mull over everything having about 6 minutes of peace, thanks to the Counting Crows for my down time:

A long December and there’s reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can’t remember the last thing you said as you were leavin’
Now the days go by so fast

And it’s one more day up in the canyons
And it’s one more night in Hollywood
If you think that I could be forgiven... I wish you would

The smell of hospitals in winter
And the feeling that it’s all a lot of oysters, but no pearls
All at once you look across a crowded room
To see the way that light attaches to a girl

And it’s one more day up in the canyons
And it’s one more night in Hollywood
If you think you might come to California... I think you should

Drove up to the Hillside Manor sometime after two a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower,
Makes you talk a little lower about the things you could not show her

And it’s been a long December and there’s no reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better that the last
I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass

And it’s one more day up in the canyon
And it’s one more night in Hollywood
It’s been so long since I’ve seen the ocean... I guess I should

Stolen topics: sales and the moronic customer

2005-12-10T11:35:00.000-05:00

I was perusing the blog links in the side-bar to the right. On Tyler's blog the topic of customers trying to bargain with stupid means was brought up as follows:

"As someone who doesn't particularly enjoy the retail environment, it still bothers me when a customer tells me that they are going to go and buy something at another store or on the internet. Don't tell me, just leave and do it if you're going to. I'm not playing your little bargaining game, especially if I'm selling something the store barely makes money on to begin with.

posted by T. M. Gagnon at 9:07 AM on Dec 08 2005"

Let me share a little something because if I don't I just might explode. The piano business is like the car business in many ways. The main difference is territories. Our territory is for new models of our carried brands, covering from Niagara Falls in the West, Lake Ontario in the North, halfway to Syracuse to the East, and the NY/PA border to the South. Basically a quarter of New York State. No other dealer is legally allowed to carry and sell new models of our brands in our territory without pain of fines and possibly imprisonment...this INCLUDES INTERNET SALES. No private person is given the rights of a dealer and thus does not have new pianos available to him, no matter what his claim.

Thus, if a dealer from New York City sells a new piano (of one of our brands) to a person in our territory via internet, they will lose their franchise and their pianos of that manufacturer will be pulled from their floor. We will sue, and there will be heavy fines on top of that. This is policy. This is law.

So when a customer comes in and tells me that they can find one of our pianos new on the internet for cheaper than we offer it and will buy it there after having wasted an hour's presentation in our store, I think we have the right to be pissed and call their bluff. Realize this, stupid annoying thinks-he-can-haggle-his-way-into-whatever-he-wants customer jerk, this is what we do for a living. We spend our daily 8hours trying to figure out how to better the business we're in. We know it better than you and your 3 hours of online research. Take some advice here, you know your occupation, we know ours. Oh, and for the sake of our sanity, stay off the message boards, those people are quacks.

The Costly Endeavor

2005-12-10T10:11:00.000-05:00

The joys of Christmas giving. I am one of those people who enjoys giving literally as much as receiving, I always have. It becomes most interesting, this Christmas shopping, when the shopper has no money to spend. It makes me wonder about this tradition of giving presents.

Every Christmas, we wander the stores searching for the "perfect gift" for each person on the extensive list that seems to grow the more friends we make. Some people spend hundreds, some thousands, on assorted consumer products that will cause delight and bright eyes and happy faces for the recipient. We, in turn, receive presents as well from many people on said list. Would it not be easier, and probably cheaper, for us all to simply have fun and not buy presents? But then where would stores like Best Buy and Circuit City be? Dead in the water most likely...we must support the economy after all.

This year, my wife and I decided to do very little Christmas shopping. "Why!?" I'm sure you're asking. Well, it comes to this: We like to eat on a regular basis. My job has been not all the money-maker it was at one time promised. So, my gift for the Christmas season, smiles. I'm good at that. And while part of me is saddened by the lack of purchases for people on my list, real friends understand when certain things can be given or not and it's not always money spent that means the most.

- Christmas at the Vatican -

It's Friday, do you know where your children are?

2005-12-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

It's December 9th, that means NoteWorthy Studios will find us over there this evening for some lovely introductions and recordings for a couple hours. Master Tommy and I shall wander into the studio and become acquainted with everything and everyone, set up and jam a little bit. Tomorrow the real fun begins with the rest of the crew. See HERE for session details.

This is a good December. The Leaf & Bean gig was a success and will lead to future gigs. The studio time will be oodles of fun. Next weekend finds us in Connecticut with Miss Gustafson for Christmas music. Sammy baby is returning for the Holiday Festivities. Heth is popping back to the States to visit Jeff and go Toading. Christmas and New Years will be grande of course. Madame Butterfly promises to be wonderful. And we have new couches which are finally long enough for me to stretch out on.

While being my busiest December in my almost 25 years of existence, I look forward to new things coming our way.

Leaf & Bean

2005-12-07T11:35:00.000-05:00

Last night was RWC's Junior Class December Activity. We were called in as entertainment. Master Mitrowski, Herr Farow, and myself. 2.5 hours of guitar/hand-drum goodness and coffee. Dig the pics:

Thanks to Ali for the pics...

Thanks to Kyle for the Guild...

Sorry ot Brad that there are not more pictures of him...

Thanks to all the Canadians for coming down.

And green.

2005-12-05T00:44:00.000-05:00

There is always that underlying itch.
That nagging that I can't place.
Grasping at an open space.
All without fruition.

There will always be that ache.
That preconceived notion, a premonition.
The need for feeling, for healing.
For pain.

There will always be that gamble.
That risk, the need to lose.
Winning is too easy.
The high is in the fall.

There will always be the void.
Self-contained, self-ordained.
Maintained but black.
And green.

It is the urge to do something, be somewhere, act somehow.
It is the scapegoat for the Now.

Searching at length...so near the end.

2005-12-02T12:03:00.000-05:00

The year was 1994. My sister had just turned 16 and we decided to visit the fabled and fair Prince Edward Island. Home of red dirt, fabulous potatos, and Anne of Green Gables. It was a lovely trip with fond memories, but one thing about it has bugged me continuously until today. We stopped at a gas station somewhere in Canada and I acquired the following Superman comic:

Now, I was never a huge comic book fan, though I have always greatly enjoyed the concept of superheros. In this particular 'Esleworlds' Annual, Earth is overrun by aliens who kill 90% of the superheros and then put the other 10% in concentration camps. Those ones finally escaped and banded together with the hiding remnant not imprisoned. Together they fight the aliens. Just as the tides turn and it looks as all is well, something epic is about to happen...and the comic ends there. To be continued in:

The first was the only comic I had ever really enjoyed outside of the complete XMen sagas which I took out of the library regularly. So when I was unable to procure the Superboy sequel, I was quite perplexed and annoyed. Now, almost 12 years later, my search has ended. I have found it...rather, Laz found it. He is a comic book guru, being a hopeful writer as well as connoisseur. A true comic aficionado.

Here's the thing about this band of comic geeks and I shall be bold enough to lump them together with Dungeons & Dragons Nerds (or GURPS for that matter and the love of us detail-oriented people). These were people that I , until college, considered boring bizarre humanoids. Tough, but honest. Well, college changed that. I was tossed into the fray with a bunch of nerds...cool nerds. And I became one of them. I found that these were the intellectuals. So they enjoyed their own version of fantasy, big deal. I've found, believe it or not, they often have a better grip on reality than the people-pleasing beautiful people of the world. They are the ones who's lives are run by their minds and not assorted other body parts.

In short, I have been happy to be accepted into the lives of nerds everywhere. I have experienced first-hand their lifestyle. Though I don't entirely live it, I am free to roam about in it. And for that, I am greatful. Get to know a Geek today.

Time for a Check Up

2005-11-30T10:21:00.000-05:00

So tomorrow is December 1st. That's right, 2005 is almost over. This is the time of year when people get sentimental (or semi-mental as I heard one 5 year old put it once) and they want to "check up" on people and "get in touch" and all those communicae cliches. I decided that I'd give you specifics and let you know my schedule for Decemeber:

December 1:

Pike/Kushner recital @ RWC - recording

Vocal Infusion and The Sirens recording session

December 2:

Mercury Opera first rehearsal for Madame Butterfly

Practice with Tommy Boy

December 3:

Handel's Messiah @ RWC; 7:30pm. - singing chorus

December 4:

Handel's Messiah @ RWC; 3pm. - singing chorus

December 6:

Leaf & Bean with Master Mitrowski and Herr Farow for RWC's Junior Class activity. Two guitars, one handdrum

December 8:

Recital Recording session @ RWC

December 10-12 (possibly also 13-15):

Rec Sessions. More details HERE

December 17-18:

Carly's church for Christmas services

Christmas of course will be present. And there are assorted other activies covering the span of everyday. For a comprehensive schedule, email me if you're that obsessed and I'll be happy to send it your way.

Keep your eye out for The Old Toad New Year's Eve Extravagaza.

a fickle thing...

2005-11-30T10:04:00.000-05:00

So I had this big huge rant and spiteful word deluge all prepared. I decided against it. "Why?" you may ask. Why indeed: Well, this blog actually has a small bit of clout...it's read and occasionally taken seriously. And while every fiber of my being wants to 'go off' about a particualr situation, I have dubbed it wiser not to. Some things are a personal matter. So today I have decided to go old-school Christian Rock on you and quote some lyrics:

SuperChick

"And I'm sorry that I'm getting on your case
But true friends, they stab you in the face ."

That's right, I went there.

Constant Friend Status

2005-11-28T10:10:00.000-05:00

The Thanksgiving week winds down and we find ourselves scampering about, attempting to find the few people from out of town with whom we have not yet hung out. A gathering meets at Java's for a bit of storytelling and catch-up. Some family, some friends. The topic of "keeping in touch" is inevitable.

Some of us make friends extremely quickly. It's in our nature to befriend and hold onto that friendship. The only problem with being like this is that the tally of people one must keep in touch with grows daily...thus making it a constant struggle for time and effort and phone calls and emails and Christmas cards...

For those of us who make fast friends well and they are not shallow, but consistent actual friendships, we have decided on the "we'll keep up if we can, but no hard feelings if we can't" technique. This allows the frienship to sustain long periods of zero communication but there is no need to ask "Why didn't you call?" nor for the 'ship to lose its potency. 3-5 years may pass between actual visits, but we can sit down and talk as if the last one was yesterday.

Part of the reason for this blog is that very idea. It allows many people who know me to keep up with my happenstance lifestyle and not be shocked when they find I'm growing asparagus for the king of Spain...or some other such nonsense...next time they call.

As I keep in touch with people from days gone by, opera programs, shows and performances, school, etcetera, I find my list of friends being thinned out so only those of Constant Friend Status remain. I appreciate these friends because when we are all scattered across this globe, the globe becomes smaller, and any place can feel like home.

Black Friday

2005-11-25T14:07:00.000-05:00

That's right. I work in sales. And it's Black Friday. This once dead mall is hopping once again, with Christmas music, Frosty the Snowman wandering around greeting people, the wail of children not getting what they want, Santa arriving on his sleigh. Sales are epic. We too are running one, but there is one major problem withour product on this day: The people out shopping on Black Friday are looking for amazing deals and wanting to spend as little as possible. A piano purchase does not fall under that category.

So all day we get random people walking in, smacking the pianos around and then gawking at the prices. They laugh and walk out. I want to tell them that there are people out there with money buying pianos and they simply are not in their economic bracket. I want to say that, but it's not really true. People aren't buying them. Business is virtually dead.

So I sit here, not really attending to customers because there aren't any. So I sit and blog...occasionally emailing or IMing the assorted friend from Vancouver. I have also put this together. The unofficial Daniel Ryan blog. Watch it for recording updates and band info. I'm also going to see if I can get other band members to post from time to time. Now I'm off because a large family just wandered in and I need to make sure the ice cream doesn't get in the pianos...

What is it about the holidays?

2005-11-23T21:59:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here drinking vodka on the rocks with a clementine, my wife asleep on the couch, and 'Love Actually' playing in the background. Tonight my sister and her boyfriend have wandered up from Philadelphia. Tomorrow we will all gather around a large dead bird to eat it.

What is it about the holidays that get us all warm and fuzzy? Why do we feel the need to congregate with relatives? Why are there special date nights? Why do we suddenly appreciate our friendships more? Why do we give each other gifts? What is it about the holidays that is so special?

Some of our most loved memories take place during the emotional times spanning from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Some of the most hated recollections stem from the emotional times spanning from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Some of us remember the happiest times of our lives. Others recall the death of family members, the trials of life and its tragic endings We seem to need large relationship-oriented times in our lives because everyday cannot be spent in a charged atmosphere wrought with commercialist banter. ..signposts that mark the years, the events. Figure it out, let me know...because I'm just rambling now.

False sense of security...

2005-11-22T22:46:00.000-05:00

Our first big snow. The wife and I were supposed to drive from our place in the city out well into the country to drop off my mother's van which I had borrowed while my car was in the shop. Traversing the expressways was not an easy feat because Rochesterians apparently can't remember what winter driving is like.

Coming back into the city around 8pm, we observed 8 accidents, several of them pile-ups on the snow covered highway. We found one common denominator in these accidents: 7 of the 8 involved trucks or SUVS as the primary vehicle or far off the road in a ditch or flipped over on teh side of the road. Trucks and SUVs that commercials continuously show are impervious to winter weather and seem to be indestructable.

I think that said owners tend to feel like the great winter superman, high up in their massive beast machines, barrelling through the tundra-like road-scape that is a Rochester winter...only to end up causing mayhem and thus harming the innocent drivers nearby. The false sense of security in these trucks and SUVs raises hell until the drivers learn the hard way. Here's a note to those owning such vehicles: read the fine print on those commercials. "Closed course, professional driver, do not attempt."