Fun and Games Dept

Magic.

Still charged from a whirlwind of a weekend, I am back home and getting back into school mode. This past weekend I was the sound engineer for two performances of “It’s Raining Men!” by the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus. The show is fantastic and if you’re in the area you should take the opportunity to see one of the shows on the 5th or 19th of April. More information can be found on their website.

I have always loved the art of sound engineering: working closely with the production director and stage manager to understand exactly what they need, running cables, placing microphones in the best location, tweaking equipment, following director cues and finding the right sound to show off the performers without startling the audience. Sound design and production has always been my favorite component of performing. I’m excited to have the chance to lend my skills to this fabulous group. They’re also a great bunch of people. I’m looking forward to next weekend’s performance in Norwalk, Conn.

I’ll probably make a video blog entry today while en route to school. It’s time to put this new Mac through it’s paces.

31 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 0

Third Generation.



Third Generation., originally uploaded by iMachias.

And today the third generation of Macs in our house begins. My PowerBook G4 (3 1/2 years old) is being relegated to exclusive DJ duties. Earl’s original Mac Mini G4 is up for sale, as is his iBook G4.

The two new guys in the Macinhouse include a MacBook Pro 2.5gHz for me and a 2.4gHz for Earl. Mine is faster because of the video editing I do (it also comes with more video RAM). They are both 15-inch glossy screens. After living in G4 land for the past 3+ years I think we are going to notice a considerable speed increase.

28 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 2

Almost Spring.

As I went back to school today, Mother Nature made it look very warm and inviting. The sun was shining brightly, the sky was a brilliant blue and the birds were singing a joyous song.

But that could have been their beaks chattering.

In reality it never got above 35 today, but my college has graciously cranked up the air conditioning to an uncomfortable level. Rumours of slabs of beef hanging in the hall were unsubstantiated.

Perhaps I’m still in desert mode.

Here’s a picture to remind me of the warmth of Vegas. Even in this night shot last Tuesday night it was still in the low 60s.

Sigh.

24 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 0

Cleveland Hopkins Int’l Airport.

And now Earl and I are on a 90 minute layover in the glorious city of Cleveland, Ohio. It’s 29 degrees but sunny. The snow still appears to be melting despite the temperatures lower than freezing.

Some random thoughts that have crossed my mind while flying and sitting here in the airport terminal.

1. The ovens wouldn’t work properly on the flight from Las Vegas to Cleveland delaying our cheeseburger by 60 minutes. I don’t know why it made me nervous but if the ovens aren’t working what’s going on with general maintenance of the aircraft? It’s a good thing I’m not a nervous flyer. On the other hand, a passenger in the row in front of us lodged a complaint due to the lack of nuts. The flight attendant offered a spare, cold cheeseburger. She declined.

2. Cleveland Airport charges for internet access. Both Syracuse and McCarran had free wifi internet access. I believe it should be free. “Free the bits”, that’s always my motto. It’s applicable to many situations.

3. If the flight attendant is not going to trust me with a whole can of pop then they should go all the way with the mothering and say “Don’t Spill It”, despite the fact that I’m 39 years old.

4. Do long flights like the 19 hours it takes to get to Australia employ the same 3-3 or 2-3-2 configuration that I’ve encountered? It seems like it would be wicked cramped to be squished between two people for 19 hours. I’m not sure I can hold my breath that long.

5. As soon as the flight staff announced that it was o.k. to use our cell phones, things started ringing from every direction imaginable. I joined in the fun and sent an e-mail from my iPhone.

6. The guy across from me in the terminal has his MacBook Pro decked out with various stickers, including one for “In and Out Burger”. MacBook Pro points aside, he totally rocks with that sticker.

7. Earl and I have had more computer conversations than Earl would like to admit during our flight home. I’ve promised to sell two computers (both Macs) currently in the stable, see local listings for further details. I might sell a third as well.

22 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept Ponderings and Musings 1

McCarran Int’l Airport.

So the trip to Las Vegas is coming to an end and Earl and I are sitting at McCarran airport waiting for our flight. We take off at 9:35 a.m.; it is currently 8:03 which is 11:03 Eastern Time. My body is already back on EDT.

The trip has been enjoyable. I got some much needed sun and I have a slight sunburn to prove it. While we don’t have more money than when we arrived, we aren’t going home broke. That’s always a good thing.

Last night I walked the entire strip while Earl played in a poker tournament. I walked from the Luxor to Circus Circus and back, stopping at various casinos along the way. I mentioned on my tweets last night that I found Circus Circus sort of disconcerting. It was my first time there and for some reason I felt like I was watching trained monkeys as people did circus type things while folks gambled below them. It seemed like an odd disconnect to me. I’ve always thought of Las Vegas as an “adult playground” (in many senses of the phrase) and for me it seems odd and somewhat wrong to bring children into the mix. Walking by the Bellagio I heard a woman remark that she shouldn’t have to navigate around baby buggies on the Las Vegas Strip, especially at 10:00 at night. I agree with her completely.

All in all it’s been a good trip and I feel relaxed and ready to tackle school and whatnot in the weeks that lie ahead. As we started the trip I remarked to Earl that with this spring break I am exactly halfway to my degree. That thought makes me feel relaxed as well.

22 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept Ponderings and Musings 0

Sunshine.



Las Vegas Strip., originally uploaded by iMachias.

So today it’s in the mid 70s with a mild desert breeze and there’s very few clouds in the sky here in Las Vegas. There’s a certain amount of energy in the air that one rarely finds in the corners of Upstate New York. I’m loving the sunshine, feeling re-energised and I have a little bit of a sunburn going on. Just because I’ve stopped shaving my head for a while doesn’t mean that I have long, flowing locks to keep my head from burning. I have to remember that.

Earl and I spent most of the morning and afternoon walking the Strip. We walked from the Luxor to Treasure Island and back, stopping in many shops and casinos along the way. My wallet is currently empty and I have not been given my next envelope of goodness. I’m currently ahead in the game though, so I can’t complain. I have a complicated system of gambling that involves envelopes, multiple pockets, strategic slot machine locations and lots of wishful thinking.

Tonight we are going to see the Cirque du Soleil show “Mystère”, which I’m very excited about because the only Cirque du Soleil show I’ve seen thus far is “La Nouba” at the House of the Mouse in Florida.

Earl and I did take a short nap this afternoon in preparation for some possible alcohol consumption after the show tonight. Perhaps I should eat something as well.

19 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 2

Luxor.

Earl and I are officially registered at the Luxor through Saturday. Originally scheduled to stay at the tower, we decided to upgrade the room to the West Tower where there was a king sized bed available. We are not into doing the Lucy and Ricky thing with twin beds.

The flight out here was acceptable. We bumped over Chicago otherwise it was a smooth flight. Being the smallest of the row I was assigned the center seat of three. Earl was to my right against the window and a man sat in the seat along the aisle. He spread his arms and feet as wide as possible in an effort to claim his space. He didn’t really need to do that as his Burger King meal, and resulting gas stench, were fine in marking his own real estate.

The movie on the flight was “August Rush”. I had never heard of this movie prior to the flight and I opted to pay the $1.00 for headphones that I get to keep forever and ever amen. The movie was great and I would like to own the DVD or rent it on iTunes.

I’ve already gambled my $10 for the day. I put $10 into the slot and three spins later I walked away with $70. It’s a good way to start the vacation.

Earl is on his way to the first of several poker tournaments. I plan to do some shopping as I’m on the hunt for a fierce pair of sunglasses. Boy watching is always an option as well. I will be armed with me camera in case of something woofy.

18 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 2

Syracuse Hancock Int’l Airport.

Earl and I are parked at Gate 21, waiting for our 10 a.m. boarding for our flight to Cleveland, Ohio. From there we are on our way to our final destination of Las Vegas. We’ll be in Vegas until Saturday.

All the statistics scream that less than 10% of the computer users out there use Macs. Within eyeshot I see one HP, a white MacBook, a MacBook Pro, an iPhone user using his MacBook and my PowerBook. I’d say in this rural Upstate New York airport the statistics are vastly different. I wonder why that it is.

Just for the record the TSA folks do not enjoy my “should I get naked for you?” comments. One response was “please, no”. I think I should be offended.

Our internet connection at home came back up on schedule at 9 a.m. Our internet now goes down at 11 p.m. and comes back the following morning at 9 a.m. I am having a hard time trying to get Time Warner to understand that concept. They want to send out a technician on every trouble. I tell them that it’s a waste of time.

Earl is taking care of business on his cell phone. He’s in “General Manager” mode. He isn’t barking at anyone though. The girlfriend of one his business associates freely shares the fact that she is turned on by Earl because he is a man of power. I giggle, he’s just my lover.

We’ve just added a black MacBook and a midget HP to the computer mix in the terminal. Statistically the statistics have not changed. I keep showing Earl the black MacBook and how nice it looks on the man’s lap. He says he’s picking up what I’m laying down.1

I am looking forward to some desert air. It’s going to be a good trip.

1 “I’m picking up what you’re laying down” is a phrase I picked up from my friend Christine. I don’t know where she found the phrase but I like it.
2 I still love the superscript thing that Moby does.

18 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept Geek 2

Rensselaer, New York.

Earl and I are stationed in lovely Rensselaer for the evening. It’s the bi-monthly bear night in Albany and we are looking forward to meeting up with friends. We were lucky to snag the last room here at the “official” motel which is an Econo Lodge. Getting the last room means we are in the honeymoon suite, which happens to have a red, heart-shaped jacuzzi with red spot lights shining on it from several directions.

Yes, it’s tacky.

There are several buildings on the grounds of this Econo Lodge and the bears originally had one building for themselves. The quite chatty woman at the front desk referred to said building as the “whore house”. I guess it’s appropriate, being in the “Capital District” and all.

We made our obligatory stop at the Apple store for a sip of kool-aid. I’ve officially picked out my next computer and I showed Earl what I want when the funds are available. I’m opting to add a black Macbook to the collection. My PowerBook is going on four years old and while it won’t be retired (I love it too much), it will be relegated to DJ gigs exclusively. I also picked up Logic Express to replace ProTools in the mixing studio. I’ve never been a huge fan of ProTools and I want to give Logic Express a go for the original music mixes I’ve been making.

So tonight it is “Kegs ‘n Kilts” night at bear night. I’m wearing my obligatory Guinness gear for the party. I don’t feel that formal kilt attire would be appropriate, so I’ll go with jeans and the red hair/beard to maintain me Irish heritage.

15 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept Ponderings and Musings 1

Nine Days.



Waiting., originally uploaded by iMachias.

Like his Daddy, Tom patiently sits in the sunshine on the back stairs, waiting for the arrival of spring in nine days.

11 March 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 0

About J.P.

Just a guy with a husband. We’ve been together 28 years and he still makes me see fireworks on a daily basis. Hiker. Storm Chaser. Private Pilot. Tech Guy. Hackerish.

Weird? Eccentric!

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