Various and Sundry

I'm back. Have been off the box for a few days, doubt anyone has noticed. But... The family thing is taken care of and mum doesn't feel so neglected anymore. It's kind of sad. I enjoy her company and like hanging out, but I need my time as well. And, unfortunately, that involves being on the computer either reading, writing, listening, or playing. Or all four at once. No wonder I have ADD.

Still working on who's to take Pete's place. There's a few guys who are being mentioned. It's really sad, 'cos the Tangiers gig was scheduled just for him so he could be close to the Cleveland/Columbus area for a few days but it's not to be. Damn US Embassy. The politics of it all is so stupid. They'll let suicide bombers and welfare cases in, but someone who wants to make some taxable revenue (not to mention the amount of $$ processed through Pete's liver on a nightly basis) and he's not ok to enter? WTF? No point in getting upset about it, I think he saw it coming which is why he took up with Finn. Maybe he'll be back for the Spain date. Won't be the same without him. Just seems like lots of worse people get let into the country all the time and he gets denied. I don't know if it's an actual ban like Paul has in Japan, or just a rejection. Hoping it's just a rejection. At least Japan comes right out and tells you how long you have to stay away for. Pete's car and all of his stuff is still in a few storage units. God knows when he'll be able to get that stuff back. I'd imagine Joe's got access to his things. Seems to be one of the few people Pete trusts like that. Just don't want to see him lose everything you know?

On that same thread (kind of) someone gave me the idea of doing a cracktastic history of the band based on what I've heard and overheard. Sounds like fun if I have the time. Go back to when they formed and write a crack article (as I'm fond of) on how the crackheads have repeatedly run themselves into the pavement. Crackalicious! Will have to keep it unbiased of course, like a serious journalist. Should prove to be fun if I can find the time.

Got to hang out with Scotty all day today. He was doing some work on the contact lens inventory room. He's so cool. Not quite as cool as his older brother Dan, but still a good guy. Great to have someone to joke with while working at the office. Left work a total disaster area. In all honesty I don't care anymore. If people want their glasses they can make them themselves. I'm pulled too thin to do everything and the physical manufacturing end fell through. Fuck it, it'll all be there on Monday.

William bought me a monopod today. Was really sweet of him. I hate using flash photography at events. I find that A) it doesn't work for shite and B) it's fucking rude to the guys on stage. So my pics are always a bit dark and I've more waste than a lot of other photographers but it's how I want to proceed. Haven't tried it out yet, but it looks to be good. As long as I can get the shutter speed over 1/60 a lot of the shake will be gone. I can hold steady down to about 1/30 on a good day, but drinking at a noisy venue and sometimes even 1/100 isn't fast enough. Frank's women takes great pictures of their band with her little camera, but she forgets that she blinds everyone in a 10 metre radius, and it doesn't fill like proper lighting should. The best solution would be for Bob or the band to get an actual lighting rig, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. The local bands never photograph as well as the pro's. It's that damn red gel pack Bob's so fond of. Looks great on stage, but it's not so good for photography. Random Chase is a lazy man's answer. Not that I'm expecting 'Pulse' out of anyone - it's just Oswego. Again, unreasonably spoiled and unwilling to compromise. Aaah, the hazards of being on crew.

Artist/Song meme, gakked from lesh. Been meaning to do it for a few days and just haven't had the time.
( Artist/Song meme )

Read a bit of a good story over the last few days. Good author, starts out great. Interesting plot, good set up, lots of nice work happening. So I'm into it and loving it and then it's like she got tired of the story. Gah, it's like dropping the bomb on Hiroshima. I kept scrolling down looking for the rest of the story, but there wasn't any more. Things were going along great, the main plot point had just come out and then the author goes 'Well, since Vivian lied to me I married Bob and lived happily ever after.' Uhh, wait, you were working on the set of a movie you'd written, trying to cast the male lead, possibly hooking up with a few other guys and figuring out who you were as a person and seeing how your friends reacted and becoming famous and then it just suddenly cuts out and there's no continuity. You'd just found out why the guy cozied up to you - so what happened? It literally went from discovery of the conflict to 'the end' in about three paragraphs. Another WTF moment! If she'd only work on it it would be a really killer story. The bones are there. It was sent as a complete piece as well, not even a WIP. I'd have no problem if it was a WIP, but it's not. Horrible, I'm telling you. The things that are sent to beta these days. (shakes head) I could see if it was her first fic or she was ESL or something (anything) else, but she's not. Do I write it for her? Does she really just need a kick in the head? Run out of ideas, time, or fortitude? I hope she doesn't cry if I even reply to her.

Supposed to storm here all weekend. Icy/snowy/slushy mix. Looks like I'll be indoors all weekend. Good for me because the house needs a major clean. Not so good because the house needs a major clean. Starting to look like a bunch of drunks live here.

Are you a roadie based in the UK? October Films is looking for roadies to take part in a documentary about what it's like working and living on tour. They want to hear from anyone who is working in the industry now (or starting out on their roadie career) and would like to share their experiences. Please get in touch with Clare via email on clare.cameron@octoberfilms.co.uk

Pretty Pictures

Speaking of Pretty Men, I thought I'd share a little pic post to rouse the hormones of at least myself. 'Cos I'm seriously depraved. And twisted. And strange. And lacking my thesaurus.

( Men! )