How to Start a Band

Recently I've been thinking about how awesome it would be to be in a band again. I have been in a ton of church bands, and a "normal" band called Talk Like June... seems like forever ago to me. I only played one show with the band, but this is what we sounded like:

Before you ask, no, I was not in the video. We didn't really have any videos while I was in the group... While I was in the band I played keyboard, synthesizer, keytar, and did backup vocals. I miss it!!!! Growing up I played classical piano for about 7 years, violin for 3, and I taught myself to play guitar. I think I'm going to start playing guitar and piano again, and beg anyone who can actually sing really well to give me voice lessons so I can sound halfway decent. Any takers???? I'll give you a high five ^_^

Since I've been in a band myself, clearly I know the basic steps to start one. If you are interested, here are some basic pointers:

1) Find someone to play or sing lead - this could be a vocalist, guitarist, pianist, keytarist (don't knock it till you try), etc. This person is going to be playing the basic tune of the songs.

2) Get that rhythm! Doesn't take a rocket scientist what this means - this is drums and or rhythm guitar. Ideally you want both, but as a start-up you can just go with one (drums are going to be more helpful to make sure that people are playing at the same time, provided your drummer doesn't suck!)

3) Practice makes perfect - It may seem cliche, but you really do need to practice. After a while you kinda get the hang of everyone's style, and practices may need less time. Of course, if you enjoy playing practicing won't be a horrible thing.

4) Get out there - Like with many things, like dating, making friends, etc., you just have to get out there. If you are too shy to get on a stage in front of a ton of people, start with small groups of friends and family.

5) Calm down! - If someone makes a critique of your band, try not to take it to heart. Criticism can actually help you perform better. Maybe write them down as "suggestions" in a notebook so you can work on them. Something as small as changing a word can make a difference to your self confidence.

If you have a love / passion for music, there is nothing quite like performing for people. If this helps you, feel free to post a link to your new band so I can check them out. I'm always looking for new / awesome bands.

I Want to be Vulcan

At times I wish I was like Spock from Star Trek... able to turn off feelings. Sure he had human emotions, but he was still a Vulcan at heart. I want to be an emotionless Vulcan! To many people it may seem like a strange desire, but I'm over stupid feelings right now.

Today I was incredibly happy and just felt completely at peace... I had a productive day at work, went to yoga and owned, played darts and got a bullseye... then I got home and started browsing the interweb. Unfortunately I came across something which started a chain reaction, ending with me feeling sad. Long story short, I remembered what time of the year it was. If you know me pretty well, you might know what or who I am talking about, but then again, you may not. It is more likely that you won't know...

It seriously sucks how thinking about something or someone can completely turn an awesome day into something else. I really do wish that I had selective memory, or that I could erase a specific time period. As much as I cherish the memories, I would give them up so I didn't have to feel the way I do every time the same stupid memories come up. I was enjoying being happy today, but noooooo... Hannah had to get reminded of things that make her want to cry.

If anyone has figured out time travel, I would greatly appreciate it if they could let me know. At this point, time travel seems more of a possibility than changing into a Vulcan... I would love to have a "do-over" and stop specific things from happening. I understand that I wouldn't be the same person and all of that junk, but I'm so over these stupid feelings!

And now I am going to stop feeling sorry for myself, get my things ready for work tomorrow, and pretend like everything is fine... I will get through this, just like everything else... *sigh* I seriously need to stop writing blogs when I'm upset... I promise my next blog will be less depressing. Sorry everyone :(

Bad News Guy.... I'm Not a Mutant

I wish I was a mutant like Jean Gray / the Phoenix 

This year is my 10 year anniversary with migraines. I was hoping that it would be a special year, that I would receive something nice from migraines, but I didn't even receive a card...   The one thing that I was really hoping for was that I was becoming like Jean Gray from X-Men. I mean seriously, how sweet would that be? Controlling things with your mind... reading people's thoughts... If only that were possible.

Today my dreams were crushed! I found out some pretty news which was quite upsetting: I am not a mutant. How did I find this out? I had an MRI today, and aside from feeling really dizzy / having to wait about 5 or 10 minutes before I could drive home, the magnetic field did not increase any mental abilities. I was incredibly disappointed!  Being a mutant would somewhat validate having migraines, but nooooooo, a small thing called reality is standing in my way!

Instead of being a mutant I got to have wonderful looks from people wondering why I have a bandage wrapped around my arm. That's always fun... people wondering if you're taking crack... because apparently crack is a more logical explanation than a 23 year old having an MRI.