Music Monday - Paul Gilbert

So it's Music Monday, not likely to become a weekly installment, but I like alliteration and it seems to be a hit in the blogosphere. Recently I wrote about "both sides" albums, and I came across another I failed to mention, thought I'd give the shout out it deserves. Most people aren't of the listening ear I am, so I don't expect a lot to find interest in this. But to those who appreciate great guitar and entertaining lyrics, while being wrapped around melody-rich power pop-style rock, Paul Gilbert is a must listen.

Paul has been part of various acts, the biggest of which has probably been Mr. Big. They did that song "To Be With You" in the 90s, though I almost hate to mention that, as it's not really representative of their work in general. The song does, however, showcase Paul's writing, as he wrote that song and still performs it now, with artful adaptations and refreshed rhythms.

His first album, King of Clubs, is such a joy to listen to. After playing with Mr. Big for a few years, he had some solo work that needed a venue, and this is definitely it. My favorites on the album are Vinyl (love the drums at the beginning, which Paul laid down himself, from what I remember reading), I'm Just in Love (a great display of power pop rock with a fantastic classically-inspired guitar solo), Bumblebee (straight-forward power pop with a serious punch), and Streetlights (has one of the best solos I've ever heard). Paul's now gone on to do many other solo albums, all of which have their merits.

And I have to make mention of one of the funniest things he's recorded. I love humor in music. Both lyrical, as well as musical. Some artists take things way too seriously; not Paul. He's pretty much the antithesis of taking himself too seriously. Well, I'm the church-going type, so I'm certainly not promoting Beelzebub here, but from his album Burning Organ, the song "I Am Satan" starts with a classic that I can't believe I never heard before.  He starts the song by counting off, 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 6 - 6. The song is very tongue-in-cheek, but makes me laugh.

So, if you're looking for some fun new music, and don't want to take it too seriously, check Paul out. He even maintains his own website, which, if he wasn't, would be a wreck of an online presence. But considering that he's not a web designer, we'll let him off the hook :)

Tag, Bueller's It

Well, since I don't seem to have people reading my blog, but I read a handful out there, my wife's being the most important, I will take the role of Bueller from her "tag" post a few days ago.

Have you ever...

• Gone on a blind date?
  No.
  
• Skipped school?
  Oh sure, but hated the backlash of not knowing what was going on later.
  
• Watched someone die?
  No.
  
• Been to Canada?
  No, but really want to see a few places, namely Victoria, Toronto, Nova Scotia, and someday plan to take my wife on a "surprise" trip to Prince Edward Island (big fans of Anne of Green Gables).
  
• Been to Mexico?
  No.
  
• Been to Florida?
  Yes, on a family vacation to Disney World. Worked at Holiday Inn at the time and got some great rooms for a reasonable price.
  
• Been on a plane?
  Several times, yes.
  
• Been lost?
  I really can't remember specific times, I'm sure I've been lost, but never in a scary kind of way.
  
• Been on the opposite side of the country?
  Well, Florida, but in the east only on layovers in La Guardia.
  
• Gone to Washington, D.C.?
  No, but I'd love to get there some day.
  
• Swam in the ocean?
  Definitely. Grew up in southern Cal, love the ocean.
  
• Cried yourself to sleep?
  Not ashamed to say I have.
  
• Played cops and robbers?
  Yep.
  
• Recently colored with crayons?
  Yes, kids keep me young.
  
• Sang Karaoke?
  No, and I'm quite surprised, because that's really quite my thing, singing and spontaneity.
  
• Paid for a meal with coins only?
  I'm sure I have.
  
• Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
  Probably.
  
• Made prank phone calls?
  Yes.
  
• Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose?
  Oh yes.
  
• Caught a snowflake on your tongue?
  Yes, many times.
  
• Danced in the rain?
  Absolutely.
  
• Written a letter to Santa Claus?
  Don't specifically remember, but I'm sure I must have.
  
• Been kissed under the mistletoe?
  Yes.
  
• Watched the sunrise with someone you care about?
  Yes.
  
• Blown bubbles?
  Yes, but oddly enough, getting the soapy stuff on me is something I really don't enjoy, despite knowing it just washes right off.
  
• Gone ice-skating?
  Yes, but it's been a very long time (last time I can remember was on my mission, in Crans-Montana&mdashbeautiful), and would love to go again.
  
• Been skinny dipping outdoors?
  Yes.

1. Any nicknames?
   Trev, Bloop.
   
2. Mother's name?
   Marilyn.
   
3. Father's name?
   Terry.
   
4. Favorite Drink?
   Water. No, that's not boring, it's what I choose almost any time I have the choice. Oh, just remembered I do love the Brazilian lemonade at Rodizio Grill.
   
5. Tattoo?
   No, with no desire.
   
6. Body Piercing?
   No, see above.
   
7. How much do you love your job?
   Very enjoyable, gets stressful at times, but is definitely "up my alley", and I work with good people for a good company. It's my opinion that if you don't like what you do, you're going to burn out quick and should probably be looking elsewhere.
   
8. Birthplace?
   Fort Ord, CA.
   
9. Favorite vacation spot?
   I like vacations of many kinds, but Disneyland is one I've always enjoyed, now even better with kids. Tahoe is definitely a family favorite that I've gotten to experience thanks to my wife and her family. It combines two of my favorite things about vacationing: water activities and camping (though we've never actually camped there, just being in the mountains surrounded by trees and such makes it feel like camping).
   
10. Ever been to Africa?
    No, maybe some day.
    
11. Ever eaten cookies for dinner?
    Don't know about cookies, though I've definitely eaten more than my share of gingerbread cookies at inappropriate times.
    
12. Ever been on TV?
    Not that I can remember.
    
13. Ever steal any traffic signs?
    Tried, but was unsuccessful.
    
14. Ever been in a car accident?
    Sadly, two. In the same car, which is still my car today, 290,000 miles.
    
15. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle?
    4-door all the way.
    
16. Favorite salad dressing?
    Don't really care for the stuff.
    
17. Favorite pie?
    Hmm, I think pumpkin followed by a close coconut cream and strawberry.
    
18. Favorite number?
    3 because it appears to regularly in nature, along with 5.
    
19. Favorite movie?
    Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show.
    
20. Favorite holiday?
    Christmas and Independence Day
    
21. Favorite dessert?
    Not sure of a real favorite, but definitely not cheesecake or fruit pizza.
    
22. Favorite food?
    Sushi.
    
23. Favorite day of the week?
    Hmm, probably Sunday. I like going to church and having a quieter day.
    
24. Favorite brand of body wash?
    Yeah, don't do the body wash thing.
    
25. Favorite toothpaste?
    Baking soda, from Arm and Hammer.
    
26. Favorite smell?
    Probably being in the mountains surrounded by pines.
    
27. What do you do to relax?
    Listen to music of many kinds, and believe it or not, computer programming—I'm definitely an admitted computer geek.
    
28. How do you see yourself in 10 years?
    Same house, older kids, hopefully more money put away for kids college and retirement.
    
29. Who are you tagging?
    Being that I don't believe anyone reads this blog, if you're out there, have at it!
    

Flag Day

Today's a good day. It's Flag Day. I love our American flag. Old Glory has been very important to me for a long time.

I think it started when I was quite young. My father served in the Army Reserves when I was growing up. He was on active duty when I was born at Fort Ord, CA (now closed). I don't remember a lot of specific things my parents did to show patriotism, though I remember doing patriotic things (parades, flag raisings, musical productions (particularly the bicentennial), etc.). But I know I felt our country was very important to them, and thus became very important to me.

Our National Anthem—what a fantastic song. Michael Ballam has spoken of how difficult a song it is to sing; it has a very broad range of notes and takes a lot of energy to sing. It's very representative of our country, built on stamina, hard work, and enduring faith. There's other patriotic music that I enjoy. I even enjoy other countries' national anthems, and seeing natives of those countries being moved the same way I am when I hear my own National Anthem.

I remember 9/11. The actual day of September 11th, 2001 isn't one I look back on with fond memories. However, what I DO look back on fondly is the national response in the weeks following the tragedy. American flags were everywhere. People hung them in their cars, on their garage doors, in windows, offices, on buildings. A beautiful sight nearly everywhere you went. And one very specific memory I have is seeing people of all walks of life, coming together in a way I don't think people have done in my lifetime, working towards common goals that we share, but for sometimes vastly different reasons. Some are grateful for religious freedom. Some, the right to bear arms. Others find a safe harbor from the oppression of their homeland within the borders of our country. To each person freedom means different things. But to all, that freedom is guaranteed by The Constitution of The United States of America. There truly isn't a better place to live in the world. I honestly believe that, and thank God for his hand in my life, and in the formation and continuation of this great country.

"Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land

Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Francis Scott Key

Slight Change in Direction

So, I've decided that I don't like the "negative" sound of my posts here, so I'm going to try and branch out a bit more and do more than just Apple-speak. I particularly like music, so that will likely make a heavy showing, starting with this post.

I listen to a lot of music; some would argue too much. But there are very few things that can affect me the same way music does. It makes me laugh, cry, happy, sad (but in a good way–I'll explain later), gets me pumped up, calms me down, and generally speaking has a major emotional impact on my life.

Genres I particularly enjoy include:

Hard Rock - Foo Fighters, Van Halen

Power Pop - Jellyfish, Fountains of Wayne

Punk Pop - Houston Calls, All-American Rejects

Progressive Rock - Liquid Tension Experiment, Rush

Jazz - Miles Davis, Diana Krall

Musicals - Wicked, Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Alternative Rock - Dishwalla, Switchfoot

... just to name a few, and some of my favorites in the genre.

There's not a whole lot of music I won't listen to, but I will admit that R&B isn't my favorite. I'm pretty specific when it comes to that. Same with country.

So this week I was "reunited" with an old favorite album. You know the kind of album you listen to and you just can't put it away. It might be in the CD player for 2-3 weeks straight. There's not too many like that, but there are some. This one was a relatively unknown band (sometimes they can be the best) Ednaswap. They've long since broken up, but Wonderland Park was their last effort, and I'm ashamed to say I don't know their other albums. Need to pick those up one of these days. But this album is truly a great example of the creative music of the 90s. My favorite tracks on the album are Without Within, 74 Willow, and Liquid Soul. Anne's voice is so strong; love the gut-wrenching vocals, and the combination of the great guitars with the keys is one of my favorites sounds.

The first album I remember ever being so good I couldn't "put it away" was Van Halen's 5150; a true classic. I have a special designation for those kinds of albums. It doesn't apply so well these days, but I grew up in the 80s and cassette tapes were very important. Well, these special albums would make it on both sides of a tape, so I didn't have to rewind, just flip it over and start again. Other albums I classify in this distinguished category are The Colour and the Shape - Foo Fighters, American Idiot - Green Day, Redhead - Bleu, Bellybutton - Jellyfish, Superunknown - Soundgarden. There are others that probably deserve the designation, but those are the ones that really "lived" in my car stereo for weeks on end.

Well, enough's enough. Better close this post and get going on my day. I'm sure it will be filled with some wonderful musical creation. One of these days I need to create some music of my own...

Web Development Platform

Yes, it's been three years since I posted. No, I'm not going to hash out the details why, 'cause who cares ;)

Recently a friend at work got his first Mac. It's been fun to bask in some of the "digital light" with a friend, sharing favorite things about the hardware, software, etc. But one of the things that I've loved so much about having my Macs is how easy it is to use as a Web development platform.

I started out early on coding HTML, but quickly grew tired of the staticicity (yes, I made that word up) of it and decided to get deeper into "smarter" code. I chose PHP because it was open source and from what I could tell, somewhat resembled the syntax of the C programming language, which was the only real programming exposure I'd had up to then. There was also the aspect of it not being ASP, which was a must for me, as a Mac fanatic. This was pre-OS X days, so the Mac was very different than it is today. But OS X was close behind my delving into web development. And it couldn't have come at a better time.

I got a hosting account at echoecho dot com and started playing with stuff there. But I was regularly not connected to the Web, as I took public transportation to and from work most days. It began to be a pain to have to push content to my website to test it, and being new to web development, I didn't really know my options. Well, somehow I stumbled across Server Logistics and their web hosting installers (Apache, MySQL, PHP) for the Mac. I believe at this point OS X was at version 10.2, which was, in my opinion, the first real commercially ready version of OS X. Well, I installed the packages, got things set up, and suddenly, I was able to test all my PHP code locally, on my laptop. Landmark? No. But for me it was just the breakthrough I needed.

I started doing all kinds of things with web-based code. And, to this day, I still prefer to type my documents in HTML, rather than Word or the like. No, my tool of choice is the mother lode of text editors, BBEdit. If you're looking for a powerful text editor and you are Mac-based, I'm not aware of a better tool. There are some cool tools out there that support collaboration really well, but I code alone most of the time, so that's never been an issue for me. I prefer the likes of Subversion these days, anyway.

So, back to the original point of this post. In Web development, there are three primary things to be concerned with: 1) design; 2) code; 3) hosting. That's maybe over-simplified, but those are the major components. Well, I think most people would agree that the majority of artistic types use Macs, rather than PCs. Despite the tools for design being nearly identical in function on both platforms, the Mac remains the artists' choice. So that aspect is covered. Next is the coding. I've heard that BBEdit has been touted as a reason for moving to the Mac. It's really that good (though I don't remember where I first heard that stated). Even if you're not a "hand coder", there are a plethora of tools out there to do the job on the Mac as well as Windows.

That brings us to the hosting. At this point I'm reminded of a shirt I saw years ago on a college campus. It said something to the effect of, "God made Linux to host Web servers". Mac OS X isn't Linux, but with it's BSD underpinnings, it's definitely a lot closer than Windows. Close enough that running Apache, MySQL, and PHP is fairly trivial, and the experience is much the same as it is on a Linux box.

Just yesterday I was trying to get a quick test website up and going at work. I had a virtual Windows machine up and going, decided to use that since it was already available. I installed a package called EasyPHP, which I've used in the past for doing local testing on a Windows machine. Well, local testing was great, but I couldn't "see" the website on any other computer on the network. the machine was pingable, so connection to it wasn't the problem. I don't know what you'd want to do with a web server except make it available to other machines on the network. It eventually baffled me, and I'm looking for another solution. I just wish Windows wasn't so darn hard to work with. We live in a Windows world, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out why.

Well, that's enough for today. This post turned into a novel. I hope to be back sooner than 2011.