Standby

For many people a feeling of nostalgia overcomes them when they hear the words, "Standing by".  For myself, when ever I hear these words, I immediately place "Red 5" in front of it.  And sometimes, "Lock S-foils in attack position" afterwards.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, please stop reading this post.  If you know what the Battle of Yavin is, you may punch your geek card, and continue.

Of course, this blog has nothing to do with Star Wars, I'm just a sucker for rabbit trails and will tend to sway of course during my thought process.  This blog will be dedicated to the many travelers in the sky who choose to not commit to any specific schedule.  Those that live on the edge and can depart and arrive at any time.  Those individuals that see the lines in the road, not as bright yellow, but faded shades of grey.  People that see a STOP sign as a suggestion, and not a rule.  People that throw caution to the wind as they stand in line at CINNABON.  Someone who has heard a weather report and believed it. (you know who you are).  Very soon, for the first time in my life, I am flying standby...

Flexability is the key.  It all started off that we would leave on a Thursday and come back on a Sunday.  Because nothing is guaranteed, except I need to be at work on Sunday we chose to book flights home on Sunday evening, leaving the trip there, to chance.  All flights Thursday were booked, only one flight on Wed available...for several days it was 'good to go' with 9-12 seats available.  That number dropped sharply so we seeked alternatives, as I don't like travel to be uncertain.  After a couple hours of research and comparisons, contemplating a car rental and driving one way (which is still an option), the following solution was created.

BOI - SEA - several flights leaving Tuesday night, some have more seats available than others, so it is highly likely we'll get one one...

because it's a late flight, accomidations have been made for a night stay (close to the airport)

SEA - OAK - first flight leaves at 6:15AM, we'll be there by 5AM to assure that we can get on the plane, if not, there are several other flights that day, but the next one isn't till after 3PM, so that means an afternoon in Seattle (not a bad thing)

Still, I prefer knowing that I have secured seats on a plan, but for the price, you really can't beat it...assuming your 'flexible'.  If this trip does pan out as planned, I owe a big thank you to a friend who made it all possible.  I'll post a follow-up blog on how the trip really went.

Till then, may the next 8 months and 25 days be peaceful and relaxing, till the HOBBIT comes to a theater near you.

Jack's Roommate

As previously mentioned, I am back in the music business, or at least the business of making music.  Ok, so not really making music per say, but at least duplicating music that has already been made.  I'm doing this with two other local musicians in the Boise area.  Together, the three of us are a group called "Jack's Roommate".

When I joined the band and I heard the name, I was a bit puzzled as to the title and tried to figure it out.  There are so many Jacks out there.  Initially I thought Jack in the Box, maybe someone was his college roommate? (I could go for a couple tacos right now)  Jack Frost?  Jack Black? Jack Nicholson? Jackie Chan? The Jack that no one knows....from "You don't know Jack"?  As it turns out, our guitar player Roc does know Jack.  Last December the band had a "Naming Party".  Basically, it was a house party, where everyone put a potential band name in a hat, and then the band later went through the list and picked one.  Since this part was at Jack's house, and Roc is Jack's roommate, well, I think you can figure out the rest.

Because Jack's Roommate was an existing band, the initial playlist was already in order, so of course I have some catching up to do.  The list contains mostly Classic Rock, including artists such as Jimi, Tom, Lenny, Eric, the other Jimmy, Bob, Stevie, Joel, and others.  We will be adding more songs, and more artists, as well as some of our own takes on fan favorites. (Everybody loves a re-make)

Unlike the last band I was in, I'm getting in with this group on the ground floor.  Lisa has been in this industry so long that she is pretty much the musical director of the group.  She likes the fact that we all play different instruments and we will be using that.  I'll get our from behind the drums, starting next week, I'll have a mic (scary, I know)  btw, only 9 Months and 28 days till The Hobbit.

The pictures I've put up are taken in our rehearsal space is known as "Studio 10".  This is Lisa's private studio.  Only a handful of people are aware it even exists.  I'm blessed to be one of them as it has everything a band needs, lots of space and a fridge.

Be sure to like us on facebook , so you'll get the latest and the greatest news and events...

Till next time....

Back in the Saddle

So it's been about 6 months since I last "ROCKED" as the drummer of Retreads.  For various reasons, including tendinitis, that journey came to an end.  I started playing at my church about a month ago, and the hands feel good, so I decided to check out Craig's List again to see what was out there.  

After a few e-mails back and forth, an audition was arranged.  The following songs were requested to be played

• Hard to Handle - Black Crowes
• Born to be Wild - Steppen Wolf
• All Right Now - Free
• Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down
• Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty
• Sunshine of your Love - Cream
• Are you Gonna go my Way - Lenny Kravitz

So I wasn't familiar with all these songs, but thanks to YouTube, I became familiar enough to duplicate the songs.  A few things to note at this point, I haven't done "serious" practicing in a while so I was a bit nervous going in, but I convinced myself to just do the best I could and be myself.  Long story short, I'm in the band!

I believe the group will be called "Jack's Roommate", however I'm not %100 sure about that.  It is currently a 3 piece cover band, with guitar, bass, drums, and possibly adding keyboards in the future.  Our front-man is actually a woman who has played with various bands over the last 25+ years, plays multiple instruments...toured Europe, etc, etc.  The kicker is that they (she) have their own studio.  Since she is a "professional" musician, meaning she makes her living from playing music, she has her own place.  All the gear is setup and ready to go...I won't have to lug my drums around

Since they have only been together about 2 months, I'm getting in close to the ground floor.  I'm excited and looking forward to what the future holds.  When I know more, you'll now more.

-Brian


(btw, only 10 months, 7 days till "The HOBBIT".  (one has to keep track of these things))

Time...what to do?

So it's the new year..and January is already over.  Only 10 months and 12 days left before Part 1 of "The Hobbit" comes out on the big screen.  10 months and 12 days....that's about 317 days, or 27,388,800 seconds...give or take a few hours.  What are we supposed to do with ourselves?  I suppose we can watch the trailer, over, and over, and over again.  If you haven't seen it yet...behold your eyes, and be sure to turn up the bass on your speakers....those Dwarves can carry a tune...

So while we wait for that, I guess I'll go audition for another band.  My hands feel good and I've been playing drums at church the past few weeks with no problems, so let's see what happens, shall we?  And yes, I'll be writing more...must write more...after all, I have 10 months and 12 days before....we'll you get the idea...

wish me luck!