koolthing

My computer came back today.


Well... Kind of.
It went back to be fixed again... Things are still not right.
i'm attracted to broken things, I guess... in some wierd way. hence my loves and life, lovelife, loveline, lifeline... you know... whatever.
I don't think I have been computerless for this long since college, when I would fix everyone else's computers so I could have them all near me, and try to get some work done before they were returned. Kind of funny my entire time at Apple, I have had no computer, and just a few years ago, Apple sent me free ones...just to show them off. I need to get back in the game, I guess, as soon as I am finished resting up.

;-)

Well... I have been thinking about try-before-you-buy and affiliate marketing schemes lately in the context of little funny snippits like the skeletor clip Dean played on loop all night on my birthday. The weed example... Play three times free, after that you must pay a fee seemed perfect for this... I think everyone I know has a copy by now, and some will watch the thing once, say whatever... Others play the thing all the time, and should pay...turn their friends on and let it spread.

I was meant to take my ACE exam tomorrow, but I think I am going to have to postpone until I can afford the tests. I know, that's pretty silly, but that's how it is these days. I have been looking for some of my jewelry, I am considering retiring some old chrome hearts and other old rock memorabilia for good old cash... You know, if it ain't makin' dollars, well it just don't make cents.

Last night DG and I went for a quick computer update for some old friends. Ria (an amazingly talented designer, who was a creative director at RCA for a lifetime, and has done everyone's album packages from Donna Summer to Elvis) took us out for dinner, drinks and a wonderful evening of gossip at the cantina at the foot of flooding Mullholland. The evening left me thinking about colour space...interpretation and response curves... but I don't want to get into a bunch or boring technical shit that just leaves me bitter, angry, and sounding like an arrogant fool... so I am going to spend a few minutes getting up to speed with my friends... whose journals I have neglected (I blame my broken computer) and perhaps encode some music so I can fill my iPod shuffle with some new inspiration.

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Hunter S. Thompson Commits Suicide{/B]

Although Hunter Thompson will probably be remembered as one of our most degenerate writers, his prose was nothing less than inspirational to generations of artists and free thinkers. I am saddened by our loss.

I did have a laugh at the old quote:
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic
hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs.
There's also a negative side."

hope to remember some more great ones he left with us...

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computer update

rawr.
unfortunately, my laptop arrived home DOA.
Apple replaced almost everything, logic board, clutch, keyboard, case... my machine was like new.
It looks like RAFF did some squirley things with the RAM and the DVD burner (neither was from Apple) so my machine was returned with a combo drive inside as opposed to a super drive... strange. It is being sent back to the depot to be repaired again. I can live without a car, even survived without a phone... but no computer is killing me swiftly. I am glad I have access to DG's while she is at work, or I wouldn't be able to study for this certification exam I have next week.

If you are wondering why I don't just go to 7-11 and buy a new phone, there is more to it than the $1400 phone bill my "friends" have left me with... I am eagerly awaiting this to surface... and willing to go without until it does. here is a press release from last summer about it...

-+-+-+-+-+-+

Motorola and Apple Bring iTunes Music Player to Motorolas Next-generation Mobile Phones

ROSEMONT, IL and CUPERTINO, Calif 26 July 2004 -- Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) today announced they are partnering to enable millions of music lovers to transfer their favorite songs from the iTunes jukebox on their PC or Mac , including songs from the iTunes Music Store, to Motorolas next-generation 'always with you' mobile handsets, via a USB or Bluetooth connection. Apple will create a new iTunes mobile music player, which Motorola will make the standard music application on all their mass-market music phones, expected to be available in the first half of next year.

We can't think of a more natural partnership than this one with Apple, the brand synonymous with easy-to-use, legal music downloading, and Motorola, the innovator in mobile technology, said Ed Zander, chairman and CEO, Motorola. Being able to transfer songs youve purchased from iTunes to Motorola mobile handsets expands the market reach for both of us and drives new revenue for customers, delivering an amazing music experience to millions of wireless users.

We are thrilled to be working with Motorola to enable millions of music lovers to transfer any of their favorite songs from iTunes on their PC or Mac to Motorolas next-generation mobile phones," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. The mobile phone market -- with 1.5 billion subscribers expected worldwide by the end of 2004 -- is a phenomenal opportunity to get iTunes in the hands of even more music lovers around the world and we think Motorola is the ideal partner to kick this off."

About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in wireless, broadband and automotive communications technologies that help make life smarter, safer, simpler, synchronized and fun. Sales in 2003 were U.S. $27.1 billion. Motorola creates innovative technological solutions that benefit people at home, at work and on the move. The company also is a progressive corporate citizen dedicated to operating ethically, protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which it does business. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.

About Apple
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.

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computer...




I like to think Apple does things to delight and surprise us all the time. Perhaps it is a coincidence, or perhaps people at the company notice the little things.
My computer is back today... I got a nice little birthday email from Apple telling me to come pick up my laptop. FINALLY!
I have so much to get caught up on, my laptop back is just the thing to get that in motion.

I have some notes from the Dallas music festival and all kinds of things... later... from my own machine again.

;-)

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collective genius




"The person who figures out how to harness the collective genius of
his or her organization is going to blow the competition away."
(Walter Wriston)

Now I think I can relate to that everyday.

Going to pack the day before, for the first time, ever.
I didn't get my computer back from Apple, so I will be feeling even more
disconnected... I will try to find some public terminals and check in...

http://www.modernmusician.info/index.php#p=27

For the humour...I guess the secret is out!

Seriously, the people that think this is new news I really envy.
To have the opportunity to be that disconnected would probably bring joy to
my heart... NOT.

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I still don't know who was playing or who won, but ended up having a great
SBS. Robert, Janie, DG and I all went to the Osbourne's big super bowl
bash... it is like their christmas party every year, which is very
clever...everyone doesn't have family obligations and all of that type of
thing on the superbowl.

I worked earlier in the day... Apple gave me an iPod shuffle which was the
highlight of the day. The store was crazy with swarms of people, I was
surprised how many people were out of the house.

This morning was insane as well, I was acually feeling a bit overwhelmed by
all the plates that were spinning so early in the AM. Adobe PR and
certification, Digidesign, Riajs new computer, Tracii's old computer, the
QPromo orders I am eagerly awaiting and those I need to make, putting
together a revised channel input list, artist rider, making a schedule,
juggling drivers... everything is so exciting, it is difficult to contain my
enthusiasm and stay focused on what seems like silly day to day stuff...
getting to the public limo on time, going to lunch at work (big, big deal I
guess...) you know... thatkind of stuff. It is weird sometimes for me to
get into the mindset of don't argue...do what you are told, don't think or
rationalize... it has never been my way. then again, I have never had a job
like this.. paid by the hour, and tightly controlled and restricted. I love
not being the responsible party for a change, but also find it difficult not
being the one who calls the shot!

We leave for Dallas on Wednesday... and there is a lo to be done before
then. I am going to go teach an iTunes/iPod demo and try to get my bearings
straight.



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Lost in the hills above Malibu...

Rick and I had a wild day filled with adventure... hundreds of miles and various discoveries.

Tracii and Ginger dragged us out to a remote spot easily as isolated as the indigo ranch (Ross Robinson's spot up in the hills). They have found the most perfect spot, secluded in the mountains.

I had to white knuckle it as we drove through winding roads high in the mountains covered in rubble from the recent storms looking down into canyons hundreds of meters below.

We worked on some prototypes, had several meals, numerous coffee stops, and ran into half a dozen old friends including the ever elusive Tatianna Campise, one of my oldest friends and allies.

I found loads of errors in my training materials, and have managed to reach eighth in the system. I hope I get extra credit for pointing out all the missing bits.