Like Mangos, We Are All Vaguely Unattractive
Hello everyone! Well, as is usual, I've delayed updating by doing other things. I hope all of you are well! In the stream of life, here is how I've been swimming lately:
*Planetarium*
Musically, many good things have been occurring! Planetarium is currently working on new songs for the next album, which, at Andy's suggestion, we have decided to title "Silver Trees, Golden Apples." I'm very happy with the direction we are moving in both musically and lyrically, as well. Andy's poems instill a distinctly different mood into our songs, however they still feel like Planetarium compositions--just evolved. Overall, I think this album will have a great concept and I hope it will help to spread our music further than "Blue Euphony," as it will definitely be more diverse. In any case, Andy, Josh, and I have also decided that, if we are to move out, we're going to rent a house instead of a townhouse, as that will actually be less expensive. We looked at a house in Camp Hill last week and it would be perfect for us, as it's not too small, is close to a hospital (you never know!), and is also in a prime location for all of us. We're not sure if we'll be financially stable enough by February to move out, but we're trying our best! I don't have a car yet (and haven't been able to save much money) and Josh's car just broke down, so those two issues definitely have the potential to be significant setbacks. : \ We're still very positive about the idea, though!
*Inferior Android*
I've been working on a lot of new tracks for Inferior Android lately and am really pleased, as well as kind of surprised, with how they have turned out! Andrew and I have finished two together (Andrew records guitar tracks over the synth parts I've created), but I've completed eleven songs so far. Here are the two songs that Andrew and I have finished and some of the new ones:
1. Coma Tide [http://www.sendspace.com/file/swo1j5] - Andrew's guitar tracks fill every space in the song that was previously empty and it simply sounds much better! I'm always amazed at how well Andrew and I can grasp one musical idea and build upon it together. He's amazing. : P
2. The Network [http://www.sendspace.com/file/bwm4u1] - This is the other song that Andrew and I have worked on together. It really reminds me of a futuristic lounge and Andrew's guitar parts really emphasize that relaxing feeling.
3. Genetic Origin [http://www.sendspace.com/file/5pxtnu] - I finished this song last week and am fairly happy with it. I think that it lacks a certain sense of captivation, but I still like it and I know that Andrew's guitar work will influence this song quite a bit.
4. Sleep of the Demiurge [http://www.sendspace.com/file/2susjh] - The atmosphere of this song seems really appealing to me. I kind of pictured a sleeping force in space floating through the universe, and this force had once created earth, but is now asleep and so the world is in chaos. That probably doesn't make any sense. : P
5. Starlit Stalker City [http://www.sendspace.com/file/f85ivp] - I just wrapped up this song a few hours ago and feel that it is probably the best song that I've ever written. Then again, I may only feel that way because it's fresh to my ears. XP In any case, the tempo of this song is much faster, the volumes in more accordance, and it captures my attention more than any of my other songs.
*S.A.R.S.*
Since my last journal entry, Tyler and I have quickly become good friends, which makes me happy. Even though we've only known each other for two weeks, it feels as if we already understand each other and can joke around as if we've been close for years. We share a lot of ideas and opinions, and I also think that we will work well together in a band setting. Tyler's band, which is called S.A.R.S., has only had two band practices in the past, so it's a fairly new group and hasn't really been molded yet. Tyler (rhythm guitar), his friend Derek (lead guitar), and their friend Brandon (vocals) have played together, but decided to take a break because they didn't feel like they were progressing. However, they decided to come back together right before I met Tyler and now I've joined as the bassist and a coworker of Tyler and myself, Ben, is going to be the drummer! We're all extremely excited to practice together and start creating songs, however Tyler, who is kind of like the unofficial leader, hasn't figured out when will be the best time for us to have practices and we're not sure where the optimal location to practice is. In any case, I think it will be fun! Tyler is also friends with the owner of a venue in this area called Champion Ship, so we may be able to book a show there once we have some songs finished.
*Job*
I've been working around five days each week since my last journal entry and it has generally been a good experience. Work is rarely ever fun or fulfilling, but it's still been okay. My coworkers are very kind and being a cashier is pretty easy, so things at work are going smoothly. I haven't been able to save much money, as I'm terrible with spending too much and my parents are also asking me to pay $25 each week for my cellphone bill (yes, I finally got one! I'm kind of obsessed with it : P) and car insurance, which I think is fair. In any case, I have tomorrow off, which is probably why I have the motivation to update. XP
*Video Games*
I finished "Suikoden V" last week and though the conclusion was kind of vague and hasty, it was still a wonderful game overall! It will always retain a special place in my heart and the soundtrack will forever bring back great memories from playing it. : P Oddly enough, the day after I beat "Suikoden V", my PS2 expired. The optical drive wouldn't read any discs any longer, and even though I tried to perform surgery on my PS2 to fix it, I was unsuccessful and I've since been mourning its death. I'll dearly miss you, PS2...
*Books*
I'm yet reading "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman and am utterly enthralled by the story. Reading it is just an amazingly enjoyable experience, and though I haven't dedicated enough time to reading lately, I'm about half-way done! After I finish this book, I plan to start "The Amber Spyglass" right away, and then work on a few of these: "The World's Religions" by Huston Smith, "Interview With the Vampire" by Anne Rice, "Homeland" by R.A. Salvatore, and "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie.
*Writing*
Well, 'tis the 14th of November and my NaNoWriMo word count is below the daily standard for the VERY FIRST DAY. XP I've only written 708 words thus far and though I feel that this first chapter is turning out fairly well, my pace is just awful. : P I'm not even sure if I should have a goal for the end of the month anymore, but I'm going to try my best to reach 5,000 words! That's hideously far away from the 50,000 you need to complete NaNoWriMo, but hoping for that is just unrealistic. : P
*Movies*
1. Throne of Blood - This movie is Akira Kurosawa's interpretation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," and so I was naturally very anxious to see it! I thought that it would be impossible for a mixture of Kurosawa and Shakespeare to be anything but amazing, and I'm happy to say that it was a great film! The setting of feudal Japan seemed perfect for the story of Macbeth and it was actually a rather haunting movie. The acting was extraordinary, led by the classic Toshiro Mifune, and the cinematography was just as fantastic! I loved it!
2. Winged Migration - Yes, Kate, I finally rented this! : P I found this documentary on the migration of birds to be very beautiful, incredible, and moving. I was kind of drowsy when watching it, so it was hard not to doze off, but it was definitely the best documentary I've yet seen. I learned so many things about birds and their lifestyles, too!
3. The Blue Kite - This movie is about the experiences of a boy named Tietou and his family during the Rectification Movement, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution in China. It was a tragically honest, sad, and beautiful portrayal of life in China during those periods.
Besides what I've already written about, I've just been going out with Josh and Andy, hanging out with my sister, listening to a lot of music, and I've also been watching The Lord of the Rings a lot lately. : ) The dreary and cold weather of autumn always causes me to become obsessed with The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter--well, more obsessed than usual. : P In any case, I'm sorry for writing so much!
I love all of you, my friends.
*Planetarium*
Musically, many good things have been occurring! Planetarium is currently working on new songs for the next album, which, at Andy's suggestion, we have decided to title "Silver Trees, Golden Apples." I'm very happy with the direction we are moving in both musically and lyrically, as well. Andy's poems instill a distinctly different mood into our songs, however they still feel like Planetarium compositions--just evolved. Overall, I think this album will have a great concept and I hope it will help to spread our music further than "Blue Euphony," as it will definitely be more diverse. In any case, Andy, Josh, and I have also decided that, if we are to move out, we're going to rent a house instead of a townhouse, as that will actually be less expensive. We looked at a house in Camp Hill last week and it would be perfect for us, as it's not too small, is close to a hospital (you never know!), and is also in a prime location for all of us. We're not sure if we'll be financially stable enough by February to move out, but we're trying our best! I don't have a car yet (and haven't been able to save much money) and Josh's car just broke down, so those two issues definitely have the potential to be significant setbacks. : \ We're still very positive about the idea, though!
*Inferior Android*
I've been working on a lot of new tracks for Inferior Android lately and am really pleased, as well as kind of surprised, with how they have turned out! Andrew and I have finished two together (Andrew records guitar tracks over the synth parts I've created), but I've completed eleven songs so far. Here are the two songs that Andrew and I have finished and some of the new ones:
1. Coma Tide [http://www.sendspace.com/file/swo1j5] - Andrew's guitar tracks fill every space in the song that was previously empty and it simply sounds much better! I'm always amazed at how well Andrew and I can grasp one musical idea and build upon it together. He's amazing. : P
2. The Network [http://www.sendspace.com/file/bwm4u1] - This is the other song that Andrew and I have worked on together. It really reminds me of a futuristic lounge and Andrew's guitar parts really emphasize that relaxing feeling.
3. Genetic Origin [http://www.sendspace.com/file/5pxtnu] - I finished this song last week and am fairly happy with it. I think that it lacks a certain sense of captivation, but I still like it and I know that Andrew's guitar work will influence this song quite a bit.
4. Sleep of the Demiurge [http://www.sendspace.com/file/2susjh] - The atmosphere of this song seems really appealing to me. I kind of pictured a sleeping force in space floating through the universe, and this force had once created earth, but is now asleep and so the world is in chaos. That probably doesn't make any sense. : P
5. Starlit Stalker City [http://www.sendspace.com/file/f85ivp] - I just wrapped up this song a few hours ago and feel that it is probably the best song that I've ever written. Then again, I may only feel that way because it's fresh to my ears. XP In any case, the tempo of this song is much faster, the volumes in more accordance, and it captures my attention more than any of my other songs.
*S.A.R.S.*
Since my last journal entry, Tyler and I have quickly become good friends, which makes me happy. Even though we've only known each other for two weeks, it feels as if we already understand each other and can joke around as if we've been close for years. We share a lot of ideas and opinions, and I also think that we will work well together in a band setting. Tyler's band, which is called S.A.R.S., has only had two band practices in the past, so it's a fairly new group and hasn't really been molded yet. Tyler (rhythm guitar), his friend Derek (lead guitar), and their friend Brandon (vocals) have played together, but decided to take a break because they didn't feel like they were progressing. However, they decided to come back together right before I met Tyler and now I've joined as the bassist and a coworker of Tyler and myself, Ben, is going to be the drummer! We're all extremely excited to practice together and start creating songs, however Tyler, who is kind of like the unofficial leader, hasn't figured out when will be the best time for us to have practices and we're not sure where the optimal location to practice is. In any case, I think it will be fun! Tyler is also friends with the owner of a venue in this area called Champion Ship, so we may be able to book a show there once we have some songs finished.
*Job*
I've been working around five days each week since my last journal entry and it has generally been a good experience. Work is rarely ever fun or fulfilling, but it's still been okay. My coworkers are very kind and being a cashier is pretty easy, so things at work are going smoothly. I haven't been able to save much money, as I'm terrible with spending too much and my parents are also asking me to pay $25 each week for my cellphone bill (yes, I finally got one! I'm kind of obsessed with it : P) and car insurance, which I think is fair. In any case, I have tomorrow off, which is probably why I have the motivation to update. XP
*Video Games*
I finished "Suikoden V" last week and though the conclusion was kind of vague and hasty, it was still a wonderful game overall! It will always retain a special place in my heart and the soundtrack will forever bring back great memories from playing it. : P Oddly enough, the day after I beat "Suikoden V", my PS2 expired. The optical drive wouldn't read any discs any longer, and even though I tried to perform surgery on my PS2 to fix it, I was unsuccessful and I've since been mourning its death. I'll dearly miss you, PS2...
*Books*
I'm yet reading "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman and am utterly enthralled by the story. Reading it is just an amazingly enjoyable experience, and though I haven't dedicated enough time to reading lately, I'm about half-way done! After I finish this book, I plan to start "The Amber Spyglass" right away, and then work on a few of these: "The World's Religions" by Huston Smith, "Interview With the Vampire" by Anne Rice, "Homeland" by R.A. Salvatore, and "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie.
*Writing*
Well, 'tis the 14th of November and my NaNoWriMo word count is below the daily standard for the VERY FIRST DAY. XP I've only written 708 words thus far and though I feel that this first chapter is turning out fairly well, my pace is just awful. : P I'm not even sure if I should have a goal for the end of the month anymore, but I'm going to try my best to reach 5,000 words! That's hideously far away from the 50,000 you need to complete NaNoWriMo, but hoping for that is just unrealistic. : P
*Movies*
1. Throne of Blood - This movie is Akira Kurosawa's interpretation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," and so I was naturally very anxious to see it! I thought that it would be impossible for a mixture of Kurosawa and Shakespeare to be anything but amazing, and I'm happy to say that it was a great film! The setting of feudal Japan seemed perfect for the story of Macbeth and it was actually a rather haunting movie. The acting was extraordinary, led by the classic Toshiro Mifune, and the cinematography was just as fantastic! I loved it!
2. Winged Migration - Yes, Kate, I finally rented this! : P I found this documentary on the migration of birds to be very beautiful, incredible, and moving. I was kind of drowsy when watching it, so it was hard not to doze off, but it was definitely the best documentary I've yet seen. I learned so many things about birds and their lifestyles, too!
3. The Blue Kite - This movie is about the experiences of a boy named Tietou and his family during the Rectification Movement, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution in China. It was a tragically honest, sad, and beautiful portrayal of life in China during those periods.
Besides what I've already written about, I've just been going out with Josh and Andy, hanging out with my sister, listening to a lot of music, and I've also been watching The Lord of the Rings a lot lately. : ) The dreary and cold weather of autumn always causes me to become obsessed with The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter--well, more obsessed than usual. : P In any case, I'm sorry for writing so much!
I love all of you, my friends.