Blog
Not only because I've blogged 3 times already - but because it's been a total breakthrough day for the next Atomica Project record. I woke up at 3:35 this morning with songs in my head and I've written the basics for about 5 tracks since early this morning, on an absolute roll that I haven't seen the likes of since Metropolitan.
It's funny, Dean and I just had conversation about this last night. Not about Los Angeles in particular, but about our very own terrorist network here in the states.
We’re going on vacation! It will be the most frugal vacation ever with our budget made of hope – but we’re going. Catherine’s people (Mom and Susan) are helping ease a bit of the strain for the reunion. Also, my car repair was $30 less than expected. Hey, that’s a 1/4 tank of gas right there.
Luckily, we can ditch all this frugal speak and get back to our lives in a couple months. I just had the breakout week I’ve been waiting for with 2 rather cool, at least interesting, jobs for the A&E network, and another for the Biography Channel. Looks like those stimulus checks (that we’re not getting) are starting to affect my industry a little bit.
So, right before all this expensive car business – my phone died. I washed it. No, not on purpose. Luckily the SIM card was fine but the phone itself – dead. I found a great promotional deal on a Dash. The PDA/Smartphone/What have you that I’ve been promising myself for about 3 years now. The idea of being able to check my email at the park takes on a new urgency in trying to balance work and taking care of Ella. And I’m a tech geek, no denying that. Anyway, it came yesterday and immediately boosted my spirits. This thing is badass. I’m still learning all of the features, but I’d be surprised if it can’t make me toast every morning. TMobile and Google apparently hate each other, but there’s still enough synergy to make checking my email, syncing everything, and having all sorts of Bluetooth related fun a breeze.
Corey (our drummer) dropped me a demo of his stuff last week. Tight. He does some very intriguing glitch meets hip hop tracks. I’m not sure of his exact release plans but I’ll let you know when he decides to make some of this available. I’m surrounded by very talented people. A couple years back, I made a vow to stop messing around with the total screwed up artist type and surround myself with decent and intelligent people. That’s working out well. Catherine, among other good friends, has ridiculed me for giving too many fucked up people opportunities. I can’t say I blame them. It’s nice to be at a point where I generally respect the work of my peers and, at the same time, don’t anticipate them bringing the drama.
Catherine and I have been planning a week long vacation for some time now. We’re going to her family reunion (her Mother’s side) and then down to the depths of Southern Illinois to see my family. As much as I like to make that area sound like something straight outta Deliverance, there is actually a slight Democratic tilt where my Mother lives. Something like 52/48. Huh.
Anyway – to stay on par with the way my year has been going – we hit a snag in our plans. It was a rather serious snag, to the tune of our entire vacation budget and any emergency money we had put away. First, a trip to the dentist. I don’t really need to go into detail. They fuck with your teeth and it costs a lot of money. Next, our car. Turns out we’ve been driving on severely cracked strut and pretty much no brake pads. We drive about 5 miles a week so it’s actually a lot less obvious than it seems.
It’s been a very stressful week of trying to get rush credit increases, money from my work, selling shit on eBay, and just praying to various gods. I’m still not 100% sure if we’re going to manage to pull it off. Or 100% sure if we’re going to cancel it.
