Life In My Own Words

Obviously it’s been a while since I’ve written.  Nearly 3 months to the day to be exact.  What have I been up to?  Come with me on a trip through recent memory lane.

For a little while, I had gotten back in to playing D&D with some old friends.  That fell through due to people not being reliable enough to show up at least once a week.  Unfortunately it gets hard to play with only 2-3 people.  Bummer, I was really enjoying it again.

Once again I started playing WoW (World of Warcraft for the 4 of you that don’t know that acronym).  I’ve been playing with a friend from work.  I’ve been enjoying it a lot more lately thanks to a few addons I’ve discovered.  It’s nice to be able to play that for a bit and not have to worry about things in “real life”.

On to the subject of work.   It’s actually taken a turn for the not so good.  I found out yesterday, that come today, it’s very likely that I’ll be unemployed.  I’ve been at this place for nearly 3 years.  On one hand I hate to lose that job because, well, it’s a job.  I can’t go without having money coming in.  On the other hand, it will force me in to a situation where I have to find something else, which I think will benefit me in the long run.   My current/former employer is most likely a dead end job for me.  I’ve tried multiple times to advance with the company and each time I’ve been turned down.  I won’t really miss the place honestly.  Not so much the place as I’ll miss the people.  I’ve made a lot of really good friends from working there and hopefully will remain so if it ends up that I no longer work there.  The management, customers, and various other things on the other hand?  Well, good riddance.  I could write an entire post on the things wrong with that place, and I very well might tomorrow, but for now I just wanted to get a few things off of my chest and get a few thoughts on virtual paper.

I’ve started hanging out again a lot more with friends.  For the longest time I really hadn’t done a whole lot with my long time friends who I’ve grown up with, and I really regret that now.  They’ve been my friends basically all my life, and for the longest time I didn’t even keep in contact with them.  I realize the error of my ways now and hang out nearly every day.  I’ve really been enjoying things and doing stuff with them.

That’s more or less the gist of what’s been happening with my life.  Nothing else major or eventful has happened.  It’s been the same day in and day out.

So what does the future hold for me?  I have no idea at all.  I would LOVE to go in to writing.  I don’t know what it is that keeps sparking my interest with this idea, but I keep going back to it.  I really enjoy writing and being able to express myself in such an easy yet intimate manner.  I recently talked to one of the writers for gaming blog Kotaku (liked on the right side, thanks Bash!), who gave me tips and advice on what to do.  I really feel like it’s something I would like to pursue, and going on his words and tips, I think I really am going to try this time.  Start out doing freelance, try and get published locally, and work my way up.  I would love to have proper training or even simple classes to help me with my writing, but I think I have the ability and natural talent to work on this myself.  I’m not saying I’m perfect, but with a little hard work and a lot of dedication, I think this is something that I could make a career out of.

I would love to be able to write about one of the things I love in life.  My two options that I feel like I want to try first, two of my favorites, are gaming and music.  I’ve often thought that I wanted to pursue a career in music.   I love music.  Music is every where.  Perhaps a career in music journalism?  Who knows.  I’m still up in the air on what to do.  It’s really late, I’m really tired, but I had a lot on my mind I needed to get out.  Think I’ll go to bed now

I finally took the plunge and got that new guitar I’d been talking about.  I ended up getting the LTD M-1000 from Music Go Round for around $680.  The guitar normally retails for around $900-$1000, so I got a great deal on it.

The guitar overall is amazing.  It has a see-thru black finish with a flame top, abalone arrowhead inlays and abalone binding, original Floyd Rose tremolo, and dual EMG 81 pickups.

The neck on this bad boy is what makes it awesome.  The extra thin u totally makes a difference and is such a comfortable neck to play.  I still need to get it professionally set up to handle drop D tuning, but other than that, it’s an amazing instrument.  Anybody looking for a new guitar on a budget, I highly recommend the LTD series.  Even the upscale models from LTD can be gotten for moderate prices and they are amazing instruments, used by many pros.

Haven’t updated in a few days ’cause there isn’t really a lot happening my way right now.  I’ve been working and playing guitar and Xbox, but that’s about it.

I’ve recently found my love for playing guitar again and have been playing every day.  I had thought about picking up a drum kit and possibly trying to learn to play, but I think I’m just going to refocus on guitar playing.  As most know I’ve been looking for a while at getting a new guitar and I keep switching between different ones.  I think I’ve figured out though that I’m most likely going to stick with ESP/LTD because the guitar I have now is an LTD and this thing is an absolute monster.  It has a great tone, killer finish, and the neck is just the right size.  The two guitars I’m currently debating on now are an upscale model from LTD called the M-1000 and the Alexi Laiho (from Children of Bodom) signature model, the Alexi 600.  The Alexi model is a V-shape guitar similar to the Randy Rhoads model from Jackson Guitars.  Right now I’m leaning a little more toward the M-1000 just because it has what ESP calls an extra thin u neck style.  The guitar I currently play is a thin u, so I can’t imagine how awesome it would be to have a neck smaller than that.

The Alexi looks killer though.  I love the white with the black pinstripe.  The only thing I think can hinder that model is the fact that it only has the one pickup in the bridge.  It does limit what you can do in terms of tone, but for what that guitar is, it does extremely well.   Plus, as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted a V guitar, and I prefer the V style of the Alexi over a common V.

I had been looking at a Dean Razorback V and had the chance to get one for around $400 less than retail, but I think I’m going to pass on it.  Although I love the design and the colors are awesome, I’ve heard mixed reviews on that model.  I figure if I’m going to spend the money on a guitar, I want something I know is going to be good, and I think I would prefer going with ESP/LTD again just because I know they make quality instruments and they are a little more geared toward the style of music I play.

Once I get my second guitar, I’m going to work on getting other smaller pieces of equipment like different effects and such.  I would like to either buy or build a pedal board so I can keep all of my pedals together and get one good power source routed through so I only have one plug to plug-in.

That’ll do it for now.  Going to go play some more guitar

-X

Tired of playing Rock Band?  Want something to do with those nifty drums, and even more, want it to sound somewhat real?

For myself, I love doing the fills to activate the overdrive during the game.  Also at the beginning when you can free play for a few seconds and do whatever.  I always though it would have been cool if they had released something to just do a free play mode for drums.  Well now you can!

Although it isn’t official from Harmonix or the game makers, blogger Matt Hackmann has released a hack to connect your drum kit to Windows!  Once you’ve gotten the hack loaded and running, head on over to Andrew Rudson’s website and download the program he created called Drum Machine.  With these two things going, you’ll be able to use your Rock Band drum kit to actually play the drums via PC.  I thought it was a very cool thing.  The Drum Machine program has different samples for each drum so you can play different styles like rock (obviously), and techno.  Most PS3 owners (and some 360 owners) are able to just plug in the drums without having to do the hack, and the system will recognize it a bit easier.  All in all, this is an awesome thing.

I finally got around to watching Grandma’s Boy last night.  That movie was hilarious.  One of the funniest I’ve seen lately.  Definitely recommend it to anybody that loves comedy movies or you’re a video gamer.

-X

What a great movie! It definitely lived up to the hype for me. I would definitely recommend seeing this in theaters in order to do the film proper justice. The sound was amazing, and being in a theater gave it a very real and great feeling.

The monster wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but still great. The way it was shot was great as well. It was very Blair Witch-esque but a lot better. It was still and in focus when needed, but still gave the feeling of chaos due to the monster.

All in all, a great movie, killer monster movie, and one that should definitely be seen in theaters.

-X

Heading out soon to go visit some family and we’re going to go watch Cloverfield later. So far from everything I’ve read, it seems to live up to all the hype. I’m excited to see it, I’ve been waiting for it ever since the trailer debuted with the Transformers movie and was only then titled 1-18-08. I’ll update later with my thoughts and opinions on the movie.

I’ve began using the windows version of Safari in preperation to my hopefuly eventual switch to a Mac. I’m liking it so far. The font seems very bold and a little more clear. I know Firefox works on a Mac as well, which I’ll probably end up having on there because Firefox is the best browser ever. Just sort of toying with this now to get a feel for things. I like it though.

I’ve been dead tired due to working overtime the past 3 days. Pulling 12 hour shifts gets rough. Even though I don’t have a very physical job, it still is enough to wear a person out.That’s it for now. Update to follow later tonight!

-X

(Note: This was cut from the previous entry, because I got a bit off subject with the last one. Enjoy.)

Work was awful today. People were just absurdly rude for no reason, and my crazy self volunteered to work overtime, so I pulled about 10.5 hours today. Tomorrow will be worse, pulling in around 12 hours or so. Needs to be done though, I need the cash (especially if I’m ever going to get that new Macbook). Where do I work you ask? Well let me tell you.

I work for a call center here in Kentucky that handles business for Orbitz, CheapTickets, and Yahoo travel. I work in what is called the package department. I take calls to assist people with booking new reservations for a flight, hotel, and car. We also book them separate, so we’re more or less overall sells with a focus on packages. It’s really not that bad of a job. I generally like the people I work with, the pay is decent, and it has benefits.

The problem you ask? Customers.

Now, without customers, there is no work. I understand that. But what people fail to realize about us is that we basically do the same thing that you would do to book a reservation. I don’t have any special tricks or know of any certain days that travel is going to be cheap. I don’t have any promo’s or coupons that I can give you to lower the price. Hell, I don’t even get a discount myself! But people call us everyday and complain and whine because they looked at a package a week ago and the price was $100 less. So we sit patiently and then explain that we have nothing to do with pricing, it’s all controlled by the airlines/hotels/car company. The entire time I’m thinking, “If the price was what you wanted then, why didn’t you book it?” And that’s what the biggest problem is. The people. We get calls everyday where someone will ask, “If it says $500 per person, what does that mean?” and I kid you not, I once had a lady call me and she said, verbatim, “If I register on your website, does that make me registered?” Yeah. I know.

Then we also deal with the people who want to whine and cry about every little cent if the price is different. Or if it isn’t what they want, they always think it hurts me when they say “I’ll just go to Expedia/Travelocity/Priceline/etc.” Fine, go. One less jerk I have to put up with.

I could go on about this place for hours, but I’m going to stop there for now ’cause this is turning out longer than what I had expected.

Maybe I should take up writing again.

-X

Anybody else catch all the news today from Macworld? Pretty cool stuff coming from the folks at Apple. The big news today was the introduction of the all-new laptop called Macbook Air. That thing is TINY. It’s so small it fits in to a manila envelope. Now that’s amazing.

I want a Mac more than ever now. I think I’m going to start saving up to get myself a Macbook. I’d love to have the Pro, but I can’t justify paying the extra just for a larger screen and a few more features I probably won’t use. I’m mostly looking for a replacement for the laptop I have now that’s beginning to grow more and more annoying each day. I had thought about my next big purchase being that new guitar, but now that I think about it, I think I would get more use out of a new laptop. Especially with my fiancee’ using mine constantly, it would be nice to have another one. Not that it bothers me that she uses it, in case she reads this

Actually recently got in touch with a few people I hadn’t talked to in a while. Internet friends I guess you could say. It was cool hearing from them and catching up on what’s going on in their lives.

Did I mention I also want an iPhone? Cellular One just recently got bought out and taken over by AT&T so I have them locally now, and of course they carry it. The only problem I see is that the cell towers here still aren’t capable of 3G/EV-DO speeds, which is more or less a must for those using a a cell with Internet capabilities. I guess it wouldn’t be so bad heading to my Dad’s or out of town to other places that have upgraded towers. We’re always so behind here in our town with technology.

I’ve discovered a love for writing here again. I wanted to write an update yesterday but I just couldn’t find time. By the time I was able to sit down and write, I was too tired to do so. The more I do this though the more I enjoy putting my thoughts in to words, and it makes me feel like I would almost like to take this some where and do something with writing. I’m not saying I’m good at it by any means, but I do enjoy this a lot

-X

While this is a fresh start at blogging for me, not to mention a jump back in to the world of HTML/PHP/etc, I still am very picky about the look of my blog and unfortunately this one is a bit over my skill level. So over the next few days you’ll likely see things not working as I try and get everything worked out to how I want it to look and work.

Also, a real update will come in the next day or two. Just didn’t have time to do anything today.

-X

(Edit: Woo hoo! Looks like it’s working now!)

So anybody that knows me will know that I play guitar. I may not do it very well, but it’s something I love to do.

I’ve played off and on since around my junior year of high school or so. No I don’t see myself going anywhere with it, but it’s a great side hobby and there’s nothing like finally nailing that song you’ve been trying to play for a week.

The only bad part about playing guitar as a hobby: it’s expensive.

A new guitar will run you easily $4-500 if you want something decent. I’m talking decent woods, good pickups, and overall made nicely with a nice finish. My first guitar I bought at Sam Goody for around $200. That thing was a piece of crap. Although it was nice for a beginner, the difference between that guitar and my newer ones is like night and day. Currently I play an LTD MH400NT. It’s a combo of the LTD M and H series guitar with no tremolo (hence the NT at the end). Scored this one for around $400 (thanks for not picking up your lay-a-way!) new on eBay from a guitar place out of state. It retails for around $600 I believe. I previously played a Morgan Monroe Temptest that was discontinued not long after I bought it, since the company that makes it decided to go acoustic only. I recently sold the Monroe so I’m back to 1 guitar again, and now I’m looking for another.

Also for those interested, I play through a Line 6 Spider II 210 amplifier with no effects other than an occasional wah-wah and my Boss TU-2 tuner.

So the new guitar. I have no idea what to get. I’m so picky about things like this that in the end it almost becomes easier to not buy one as opposed to going through the options. There are so many awesome axes out these days that it’s a bit overwhelming. There are many great places to get help and info if you aren’t able to play some of the guitars you’re looking at, such as Harmony Central, Guitar forum at Sputnuk Music, and Ultimate Guitar for reviews and advice. I use these most frequently because the local guitar place here only carries a mix of Fender and Peavey guitars, neither of which I care for much.

I’ve sort of decided that I want a v-shaped guitar. There are a plethora of V’s from every guitar company on the planet. The one that is catching my eye right now is the Ibanez VBT700 V-Blade in white. I played at Guitar Center and liked it a lot. The finish was great and the neck was nice and thin which is good. I’m a fan of thin necks since I have smaller hands.

I plan on going to Guitar Center again soon and playing around with a few different options. Unfortunately it’s about an hour and a half drive to get there, so it’ll have to be on a day trip when I go out of town with my lovely fiancee’.

-X