SixVexed

ColdPress

2008-08-17T21:19:00.002-05:00

After fighting with WordPress customizations all day, I've decided to give up the effort for now. It's rather impossible to make customizations as easily as one can here.

Clash and I jammed again for a while today. He gave me more great pointers to run with. Also, I have to pick up the Ibanez tomorrow from HOG. They are finished with the adjustments.

Pressing Words?

2008-08-16T19:18:00.001-05:00

I'm toying around with the idea of moving from blogger to wordpress on a custom domain. We'll see how that goes.

This is the last day of my work week. Thank goodness, I'm ready for a break already even though I've only been working for three days.

Six String Sadness

2008-08-15T19:33:00.003-05:00

I'm trying to not be sad that my new guitar is at the shop getting worked on. Not that it really matters, I'm back to working my 12 hour days and it's not like I have time to mess with it.

None the less, the Sony shelf-top arrived without incident. Wow, when they said shelf-top, I did not expect it to be as big as it is. I don't have a shelf big enough to hold it. I need shelves anyway. I'll probably look around at some.

High on the HOG

2008-08-14T10:24:00.002-05:00

House of Guitars (or HOG) has made me really happy that I chose them for my first new guitar. I took the Ibanez in for it's first setup, action adjustment, etc. They corrected a previous billing error and informed me the first setup is on the house. I'll probably be picking it up in a few days.

First Setup

2008-08-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

I'm taking the Ibanez in today for it's first setup. After messing with it for a couple of days, I've come to the conclusion that low E has something not quite right. I'm not sure if it's the action or what.

Fine Enchilada

2008-08-14T01:03:00.002-05:00

The neighbor across the street hit me up about going to dinner. It was normally my time to be sleeping, but accepted instead. He's been a good friend. It's too bad that during our dinner, I learned that he and his wife would be leaving within a year.

Another challenge today, though small, has been with my web services provider. At some point through the night, someone gained super-user access to the server and massively infiltrated all the sites hosted on that box. It's currently undergoing an operating reload and it has me wondering how they are going to honor their 99% up-time guarantee.

My blog submission at work was approved, with modifications. They tell me it will go live on Friday. Does this mean I'm famous? No, it just means that I'll be a little more customer facing.

Ibanez'd

2008-08-12T23:29:00.007-05:00

Busy day around here today. I lead a vamp lifestyle, i.e. I'm awake all night and sleeping during the day. As such, it's hard to get motivated to go places and see things. I've been meaning to get over to Guitar Center and look at guitars. I've come to the conclusion that my Fender Squire is not very well suited for someone with short fingers and ancient knuckles.

My first visit ever to Guitar Center Northwest did not go as well as I would have liked. I was at their door, Johnny on the spot at 10:00am when they opened. The door was still locked and I could see people inside a bustling to get the donuts from the counter. The woman at the counter motioned that the door was still locked and she did not have the key. So, I took up comfortable position on a concrete post, watching the donuts. The donuts. The donuts. Long story short, very disappointing visit.

I spent about an hour there with a sales person, to his credit was great. It's too bad they don't have more of a selection/stock as I was hot for guitar. I made my selection after careful deliberation, only to find out the only guitar of my choosing was the one on the rack (i.e. no backroom stock). He was all happy knowing that I picked out one, however I don't understand how he felt I could be excited about buying an abused guitar. The volume knob/pot was flopping around and the plug jack was falling out. Needless to say, I packed up my Squire and left. I did not even get a donut either.

So, I decided to visit House Of Guitars (local/small store) instead. It was a pretty laid back visit and they had more of the upper-end models of the Ibanez line that I was looking at. A very good experience both with the staff and the selection. Long story short, I pulled the trigger on an Ibanez RG370DXGP2. My reason? It just felt right in my hands and I was able to reach chords that I was not able to reach with the Fender. I almost went for a Jackson, but it came down to style. (edit) Looking at my receipt, they did not apply my 10% discount. Looks like another trip over tomorrow. Darn.

More about my coffee adventures later.

Shelf-Top Employee Rewards

2008-08-12T01:51:00.006-05:00

I got notification from FedEx that my shelf-top system is on the way. One thing jumped out at me, the weight of the package is 33 lbs.! I fully thought that I chose a cheesy boom-box, not something that big. It will be here in a few days. We'll see! Gotta love the employee awards program at work.

Six-String Daydreams

2008-08-11T19:51:00.003-05:00

Enjoying a few days off from work. Nothing really on the radar as most of my errands have already been done. I might wash up the GG and take a mini-road trip. Guitar center is still on the map and yet another trip to the grocery store to pick up all those things I forgot on the last one.

Simon Says Journal?

2008-08-10T18:08:00.003-05:00

Clash and I may head over to Guitar Center over the next few days. It all depends on his schedule - he's working on his Black Belt and I don't want to get in the way of that. Grocery store and Starbucks run is out of the way.

My company asked me to write a journal for them. Obviously, they have never sampled any of my writings. I've submitted a draft about what we do on my shift, so we'll see if it's cash or trash.

Four-day retool - whew.

2008-08-10T07:50:00.001-05:00

I can't think of a way to put it more simply... it's the weekend!

Go west young man

2008-08-09T08:09:00.004-05:00

Home after a long night at work. At least it will be my Friday when I go in. The precious cargo has left town for AZ, so it's going to be an extended bachelor weekend. No plans really, probably a 4 day weekend full of nonsense which does not require any brain power. No brain power things include Warcraft III, noodling on the Fender, drinking coffee.

Funk'd

2008-08-08T21:47:00.003-05:00

I've been in a funk for the past few weeks due to what I call "modern problems". Today is really the first day that I've felt half way descent. I'm not sure if it's the diet change, getting more sleep, or alignment of the planets. None the less, I hope this trend continues. These 12 hour days are hard, but the 3 and 4 day weekends seem to make up for it.

If I were a psychologist, I would diagnose myself with PTSD.

Dock Search

2008-08-07T23:13:00.001-05:00

I've been wrestling with getting the right dock for my iPod Touch. Thankfully, we have a program at work which you can redeem reward points for something material. I decided to use my points for this shelf system. I plan on replacing my computer amp and sub with this rig. Hopefully it will fit the bill - I'm relying on my previous satisfaction with Sony.

Guitar Art

2008-08-07T07:12:00.001-05:00

I've been trying to come up with some artwork to put on my guitar without my seeming like some cheese eating high school boy with a mind full of chemicals. At first I had considered airplane nose art (from WW2), but wanted something a little more amusing. I'm either going to DIY it, or look for some static cling decals.

Until then, meet Ellie.

Quick Breakfasts

2008-08-07T06:52:00.001-05:00

I've found a decent and quick breakfast to grab on the way home. Never having been a big fan of McDonald's, I figured that I'd give the McSkillet Burrito a try. It's not bad, kinda filling, and I can think of a lot worse things to be eating. Thank goodness the impulse-donuts are stale.

Age old Ramen

2008-08-07T01:03:00.001-05:00

Ramen noodles are just as good as I remember. I had these all the time when I lived at the (other) other house. That may explain why I was a lot thinner then too. You can't beat a 50 cent breakfast and a 15 cent dinner.

I'm having guitar withdrawl.

Dark Clouds Follow

2008-08-06T23:24:00.001-05:00

Stocked up on depression (edit) depression-era-like food and bought various Ramen Noodles. They say when times are at their worst, the best to do is simplify. Here comes the rain again, falling on my head like a melody.

Clash'd

2008-08-06T23:05:00.001-05:00

Clash did a great job giving me chord, hand position, and other guitar basics. After applying these for the past few days, I can see that hand position for chords is going to be the biggest challenge. None the less, I continue to remain excited and have fun each time I pick up the guitar. The neighbors probably think that I'm torturing a cat. This is a nice uplift in contrast to how I've been feeling lately.

Journal Reasons

2008-08-06T22:57:00.001-05:00

This is the first incantation ever to air thoughts from my persona for all to see. It is my hope that I do not contribute any further clutter to the Internet than there already is. I'm doing this as possible therapy for my frame of mind. It is a more positive diversion that other things which have been clouding my mind recently. :-(