ThinkSoJoE's Thoughts

My buddy Scott from allwnyradio.com recommended me to the social music site last.fm the other day, and I've been kicking back and listening to music ever since.  I've decided that I've got to put up a feed on this site to the songs that I "love."  So that pretty much means I have to figure out how I did the digg sidebar and create a last.fm sidebar in a similar fashion.  Hooray!

Meanwhile, I've recenly purchased a new acoustic guitar and I'm considering doing an acoustic set somewhere sometime.  It wouldn't (and shouldn't) consist of many thinksobrain songs.  In fact, there wouldn't be much original material in the set, probably a bunch of covers and a couple of ThinkSoJoE originals.  If and when I decide to do this, I'll let you guys know.

Speaking of ThinkSoJoE original songs, next Sunday marks three years to the day that my good friend Eddy passed away.  I'll probably create a new performance video for the tribute song I wrote in his memory and post it here then.

I'm looking for a car, but I've only got like $1,000 to spend.  Sadly, I don't need to go to FreeCreditReport.com, I know my credit is horrible.  So, anybody in the WNY area with a car to sell me that runs, let me know!

Also, and more importantly:

I'd like to send my condolences out to the families and friends of those lost in the crash of flight 3407 in Buffalo.  I've said since the tragedy that you never know how serious these things are until they happen near you.  So for all of Buffalo, my heart goes out to you.  After all...

July 29, 2006 - It's a day I'll never forget.  It had always been my dream to be a musician, to stand on stage and play my songs for an audience.  That day, I stood center stage with Rob Bruce behind me on the drums, Dan Godding to my left on the bass, and a character who prefers to be known as Lucifer Raine standing to my right on the guitar.  There weren't a whole lot of people there at the Showplace Theater that night, but damned if it wasn't the greatest moment of my life, aside from the birth of my daughter.

Five months later, a scheduling conflict - and a subsequent argument - led to Dan's exodus of the band.  To this day, Dan and I still are not on speaking terms.

Some time later, Rob decided he couldn't continue on in a metal band, what with three kids already and a newborn.  The man works, and needed to be there for his family.

Today I got the news.  The last of the people standing with me on stage that hot July evening is leaving the band.  There's no hard feelings, I completely understand where he's at in his mind right now, and I applaud him and think he's doing the right thing.

Something I realized today about the music business is that things are constantly changing.  When we played that first show, we played with The Fracture and Medicated Silence.  One of those bands doesn't exist anymore, and the other has had a revolving-door lineup (which now includes current thinksobrain bassist Jorge and former drummer Rob).  A band that we worked with closely over the years ceased to exist recently as well, thanks to one of the former members being a complete moron, at least according to accounts of the last night the band existed.

Jorge and I have decided to carry on with our music.  We're waiting to hear from Anth as to whether or not he's continuing on with us.  What the future holds for thinksobrain, I have no idea.  Hopefully I won't have to wait too long to find out!

The bright side is, I don't hate my job anymore.  I said before that I'd be alright with it once I was done with training and back on overnights by myself, and here I am.  Problem is, it's pretty boring.  I kick back, hit up digg and delicious, then sit around watching CNN until 2AM.  Then I have to do my actual job, and I watch King of the Hill and Family Guy while I'm doing that.  Then I've got nothing to do the rest of the night, really, other than set up for breakfast in the "breakfast room."  Seriously, I was so bored that I was playing Poppit on POGO last night.

I don't mind the job. I still would like to get out of here by summertime though.  I got a job offer earlier today.  They wanted me to be a scab for AT&T, whose workers are apparently going on strike.  They said the job could last anywhere from one day to one month.  I had to turn it down.  I told them I had a job but still wanted something that paid more, so I was looking for something more permanent.  They said they'll keep me in mind.  Seriously, why do temp agencies get such a bad rap from some people?

President Obama is trying to get a stimulus package put through that will give us all $500.  I'm all for it.  I could get that cool Epiphone Les Paul Silverburst that I've been looking at for the past few months.  I mean, I know I'm behind on bills, but I can catch up on those before the stimulus checks get mailed out.

Well, I'm off to find some other shit to do.  Later, folks!

Ok, ok, this job's not so bad.  I've actually just been sitting back here on my laptop for the last three hours waiting for something to do, be it help a customer or do my actual job.  I'm still in training, but the guy training me is sitting out at the desk watching HBO - not that I need training, really.  I've been doing this type of work for 6 years now.

I think what I don't like about it so far is the fact that I'm not used to working with other people, particularly not ones whom are looking over my shoulder to make sure I'm not screwing up.  It's been four years since I've been in training anywhere, and I'm totally not used to it.  I'm sure once this next week is over I'll be alright with this place.  Still, that doesn't mean I won't be seeking other employment opportunities.

Barack Obama takes over on Tuesday, and I'm convinced that with a Democrat in the White House, things will get much better for the economy, and there will be more places hiring at decent wages.  This $8.50 / hr. shit is ridiculous!