Monday, July 30, 2007: Back from Khorat

I was up at around midnight last night and I snuck outside with my MRS8 to record more night noises. I recorded about four minutes worth of chirping and bug racket from in and around the property.

This morning after a few cups of tea I settled down to mix, mouse and render the final version of the track for Common Tones Phase II week 4. I may re-work things tomorrow but for now I am satisfied.

We left Sandy’s parents place at around 11:00 am and drove over to Vet’s parents for a brief visit. From there we drove into Khorat City proper for a few hours. Today was a local holiday as well as the Buddhist one as it marks some ancient victory of the Queen of Khorat over the invading Burmese. Khorat as all the areas of Thailand were there own little Kingdoms once upon a time. The Khoratans are rather Texan in their particular local pride.

Unidentified Mascot

Candles for Monks

Celebrating Victory

The celebration in Khorat City seemed to involve the typical going to a shrine and burning incense as well as a parade that combined local folk in various outfits, traditional and not so traditional musicians and a competition of floats that were basically huge carved wax candles depicting various things in Thai history, Buddhist mythology, and so forth.

A Candle Float crossing a brige. This gives you an idea of the size of these things

A closer view of another float carved from wax

The King

Mythical three headed Elephants

Once float had a carved figure of the King, while one included a figure of the deposed Thaksin showing his remaining influence and popularity here.

We wandered around a bit in the festive atmosphere. I managed to find a photo shop where I bought more video tape. We checked out a few of the floats. They were rather slow moving and were flanked by a many people with long poles fitted to lift the various telephone wires and power lines up and out of the way as they passed. It was difficult to get a good photo due to the size of the floats and the crush of people around them. After a while we got back in the car and headed on our way.

Our next stop was in hills leaving the Khorat area. We approached this restaurant through various back roads and parked in the grounds which featured an orchid and flower nursery. Because of the direction we had come in on I was totally taken aback when I came around the corner of the building and saw the view. It was totally unexpected and ranks amongst the very few occasions I’ve been taken aback by scenery like that. The photos hardly do it justice.

The view

The Restaurant

We sat under the covered area of the restaurant as it was threatening rain and had our meal. Everyone seemed to have pretty low blood sugar by this point and I was feeling the effects of walking around in the open with out a hat. We ate a big but cheap meal then after a visit to the facilities we headed back out on the road.

We did stop at the Chok Choi Farms and stocked up on various pastries and treats. I had an outstanding ice cream. The gift shop remains to be one of the most bizarre experiences in Thailand. Along side all the out of place “cowboy” trinkets were various “cowboy and Indian” toys that Political Correctness long outlawed back in Canada.

The drive back to Bangkok was at speeds approaching “snails pace” as there was a lot of traffic and at several points lanes were closed due to construction. We made a few rest stops along the way to refuel and so forth. We finally got back to Bangkok proper at around 8:30 pm and stopped near where Sandy’s younger sister Julian works. We took our stuff out of the car and Sandy’s sister and Minn headed on home while we tried to flag two taxis. Vet, Dang and their kids took the first Taxi we flagged then after what seemed like forever we managed to get one.

Sunday, July 29, 2007: Buddhist Lent

Last night I retired to our room early. I have brought the Novation XioSynth and my Zoom MRS8 recorder with me so I could attempt to finish off my track for Common Tones Phase II week 4. For what ever reason what I had recorded so far made more sense to me here and I was able to finish off the recording part of the process.

I am not sure if it’s the purity of the air here or what but I was knackered out by about 10:00 pm despite my big snooze in the afternoon. Sandy and I are set up in the room that was hers when she was a teenager. The only evidence of her teenage occupation was the hundreds of glow in the dark stickers adhered to the ceiling. She was very enthused to switch off the light and show me the galactic wonder of the ceiling. I sort of ruined the moment by pointing out that I didn’t have my contacts in so I couldn’t actually see anything. She insisted I put my glasses on.

Today was the beginning of Buddhist lent which I think actually goes on longer than any Catholic Lent would dare. There is some coordination of these holidays with the phases of the moon however as I do remember one year this holiday falling closer to Bonhomme’s Birthday rendering that night a vain search for somewhere that would serve drinks.

In any event I was awake at my usual early time to the sound of the jungle animal and insect jamboree followed by the Whoseville gamelan ting tinglers orchestra. That was closely followed by the bass of someone’s karaoke machine. Normally I avoid the whole temple business the same way as I try to avoid church at Christmas however I was somewhat curious at to what was going on so I went along with the family. The whole affair was very similar to the ritual that occurred when Sandy’s Sister had her house blessed by Monks.

The bell tower next to the temple

The monks sat up on a low stage to the left of various Buddhas and in front of a large portrait of the King and Queen. One fellow seemed to be the MC and he talked a lot then led in some chants then turned over the microphone to the head Monk who proceeded to pray or chant or what have you. The place was full of people, all kneeling and chanting at the appropriate times. I of course had no idea what was going on. At various points different groups of people would approach the monks and give them gifts of food, or necessities. We bought this huge candle at Tesco so that and some other items were presented by Sandy’s Dad, Mother or Vet.

I kneeled with the family while all this went on and provided much distraction for the multitude of kids who were present. The older ones would shyly peer over their shoulders at me why they chanted and the smaller ones would just share with open mouths in disbelief at such an alien creature as I. Even kneeling or sitting cross-legged I literally tower over these people like Baby Hughie. Something that makes me feel rather uncomfortable and self-conscious.

The gate to the Temple grounds

After we went outside and hung around waiting for the temple to clear. The number of kids is staggering. If the average family in Canada is 1.5 kids this place has to be triple that number. The ice cream vender certainly wasn’t doing to badly at any rate. His buggy was parked nearby and business was booming. I stopped by and checked out his goods all of which were unfamiliar and often bizarre flavored popsicles and ice creams. I ended up going for the Milo flavored ice cream in tiny container with a tiny spoon.

After the Temple cleared and everyone headed off to their homes I walked over to Vet's parents' place with Sandy. Everyone in her family congregated there and we had a large meal. There were several other cousins there who I have met at other various functions over the years. The meal was made up of various Thai dishes many of which I know well enough to avoid because of their explosive effects on my Farang insides. I stayed with the standard rice and noodles dishes.

While we ate we were hit with the thunder storm that has been brewing for several days. All the tables and dishes had to be quickly moved under shelter of the porch were we all relocated as well. The rain we unbelievably heavy and I have to say I welcomed it as the temperature instantly dropped by ten degrees. The heavy rain backed off to a steady downpour and we hung out for several hours as the sky slowly drained itself.

I discovered a new fruit that I like. It’s called a “mangosteen” and I can’t really describe it other than has a deep burgundy skin and inside around the seed part is a strange brain like looking white colored “meat” that you eat. I have avoided trying this for awhile as Sandy is always trying to feed me weird stuff and then getting a big kick out my disgust at the taste. With everyone else there I put on a brave face and tried one. I was totally shocked at how it tasted. It tastes sort of like a “sweet tart” candy. Sort of. Close enough that I ate an entire plate of them.

Sandy pointed out to me that I had “something” crawling under my chair. I have become used to Thai attempts to freak me out with various bugs and creatures so I know not to jump up or show any sort of reaction other than icy coolness. I was expecting to see some kind of scorpion or snake but under my chair was a wiggling earth worm. He must have come down with the rain and squirmed his way under me. Once I was sure he wasn’t a poisonous centipede I picked him up and offered him to Sandy. The reaction I got from both her and her Cousin was enough to wish I’d video taped it. I have never seen her move so fast. They both just freaked out much to the amusement of Vet and Pet. I tossed Dr. Worm into the garden and further freaked them out by pretending to lick my fingers.

At around 2:00 pm the rain and pretty much stopped so Sandy and I walked by to her Parents house and we both crashed out. I woke up a few hours later to find everyone back from Vet’s and the sun bright and shining in the sky. I came out and joined the others under the coolness of the house and Sandy made me a tea.

Into the Jungle

Eventually Sandy took Pluk and walked out around the property with Pet. I came with them moving along at my own pace a bit behind them. Pet, being a typical lad of eleven years had a staff of bamboo which he thought was great fun to hit all the branches and trees with as we moved along. This would later prove to be an unfortunate choice of actions. We walked around Pet discovering and showing me various bizarre creeping and crawling creatures and insects. He brought me one of those “stick” bugs that I’ve only ever seen on TV or stuffed in a Museum. You know the one that “looks” like a twig. It really does look like a twig. I let it walk around on my hand then put him up in a tree where he promptly disappeared. When we got back to the house about twenty minutes later the effects of Pet’s tree bashing began to show.

The pond and surrounding bug filled area

Pet was the first to start jumping about scratching and itching. Before we knew it he was out of his clothes and off to the shower. Sandy was next and Pluk was clearly getting a stinging needle like reaction to something on his arms and legs. I had been wearing jeans and boots so I didn’t notice anything for a bit longer when I started to get it on my arms. Scratching seemed to spread it so I thought for sure it was some sort of bug or a Thai version of scabies. The only thing I could see on my skin though was what looked like little black hairs that might come off my beard trimmer. In any event I too was itchy. Showers were had by all, clothes abandon and some sort of pink colored lotion applied to the effected areas. Sandy’s Sister was the one who pointed out what it was from. When she learned Pet had been hitting the trees she knew right away what the cause was.

Caterpillars.

They might be able to hang on to the trees while Pet whacked them with a stick but any little lose hairs (or any smashed caterpillar bits) would rain down on us. I being the furthest away from Pet’s antics I was the least effected. Pet of course got it the worst. Everyone who wasn’t affected found this all very amusing and generally seemed to think he should have known better.

One of our many vistors in the day

Bugs! I can see why Victorian Naturalists would have just gone crazy with joy here. There are bugs everywhere. Big ones, little ones, and thankfully most of them are harmless. I was surprised to Sandy’s reaction to the worm because of this. Normally she has absolutely no fear of bugs.

When I am out in the surrounding area I had to remind myself to be careful of snakes and scorpions. The only dangers I would instinctively think about from a childhood of running around in the woods of Canada are bears and cougars. Snakes are the last worry I would ever have had as the only poison ones any where near where I grew up had rattles on their tails. I associate scorpions with “the desert” but they are here and they might be too small to kill me I don’t think I want to get jabbed by one.

The plan this evening was to drive over to the lake and have a big meal at one of the restaurants beside it. These restaurants are basically a collection of open thatched roofed picnic tables beside the water or small huts on stilts over the water. You sit order and they bring the food, Isan style. The problem with this plan was it being a long weekend everyone else in the area had the same idea. We drove around for awhile but eventually gave up and drove into town to the market and bought food to take back to the Jungle Outpost.

Sandy bought a bag of those amazing deep fried donut like things. It is good that they don’t have them in Bangkok as all my running wouldn’t save me. As a note though they don’t taste so good when they cool, they become sort of rubbery and bland. A great deal of shopping later and we drove back to the house. In the period between leaving the market and getting back the weather totally shifted from the sunny and clear back to the threat of another big down pour. We could see the massive exodus from the lake as passed it and the rain began.

I didn’t eat much for dinner to the great concern of all. I really was still stuffed from lunch and gorging myself on the donut things didn’t help matters. And to be honest I was all noodled out. If someone had planted a burger in front of me I probably would have had in down my neck in seconds flat but the though of MORE rice, pork, noodles etc, no matter how good and tasty just didn’t do it.

Night falls on the Jungle Outpost

Saturday, July 28, 2007: Off to Korat

Sandy and I were up early in order to get over to her older Sister’s place out near the old airport before 8:30 am. That trip can take up to an hour and a half by taxi if the traffic is bad. We managed to get underway early enough that we made it there in about forty-five minutes. Once there and after a cup of tea we loaded up the car and headed out on the road to Korat City. UK Mikey is off on business so it was just Sandy’s Sister, Minn, Sandy and I in the car.

We drove out for a while then stopped at a Tesco Lotus Mall for some lunch at MK and to pick up groceries to take with us to their Parents. We were far enough out of the City that I was stared at extensively while we shopped. I may as well have been blue skinned with antennas.

After a great deal of shopping we got under way again. The trip up this time didn’t seem as long as the last time. I’m not sure why this was. The traffic was bad at certain points, this being a long weekend and all. We ran into several big cloud bursts on the way as well which is always frightening as visibility is reduced to almost zero. Before long though we were up in the area I think of as Harrison Hot Springs. I can understand why the old explorers would name a new place after some familiar location in their home land. I think it would be as much from the surprise of chancing on a place so far from home that reminds you some much of home.

We got to Sandy’s Parents place at around 3:00 pm. I was cloudy and looked like it was going to rain but nothing ever really came of it. I did a little walk around the grounds and checked out the ponds in the “jungle”. I would have gone crazy for this place when I was ten. At around 4:30 pm or so I fell asleep and napped out until 7:00 pm. It was one of those deep sleeps that took me a while to clear the fog of after I woke up.

Tonight we had a ‘hubcap’ barbeque while we waited for Dang, Vet, Pet and Pluk to show up. Several cousins came by while we waited; they were relations of Vet’s I believe. The barbeque was good. Sandy picked up a sufficient amount of bacon-like pork to keep me happy. When Dang and her family showed up the barbeque went into phase two.

Sandy’s Dad only has one dog left from the two black puppies he had when I was here last year. I’m not sure whether the surviving one is Pepsi or Cola but the other had a fatal car encounter which is the way of the farm dog that chases cars. With this in mind Vet and Dang brought him two little super cute brown puppies. Pepsi or Cola wasn’t so sure about this at first but soon things were sorted in their doggy way.

Thursday, July 26, 2007: Thursday Recording

I have been working to finish off my contribution for Week 4 of Common Tones Phase II. I have to work with the many samples provided by the others and build around them or put them on top of something and so on.

What I have at this point is a monstrosity that doesn't really go anywhere. How is this different from any of my other creations you ask? Well. I like the other monstrosities that don't go anywhere that I've created. This one however I don't like. It is missing something. Perhaps it needs more cowbells.

In any event I added yet another track or three using the Wave Processor through the new Otto Filter. The results were good and bad, and I have to poke through it and figure out what can be used and what can't be.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007: Sweet Sound

I have decided to add a Moog to my synthesizer arsenal. Deciding such a thing is easy to do. Executing the purchase waaaaay over here isn't. The first issue of buying a Moog is which one. The Voyager? The Voyager Rack? The Little Phatty? Price is a factor. Size is a factor. Getting it here is a factor. Where to get it here is a factor.

Putting aside the question of which and how much will it cost I have three possible purchase options. I could buy it in Canada and bring it back. Add 15% sales tax to the price plus the inflated Canadian price. Then consider the nightmare of trying to get it on the airplane and back. The next option would be the Singapore connection. Sonic Brat has a excellent keyboard supplier in Singapore who would be able to get me what ever I need. The cost would still include shipping and I'm sure some sort of customs tax plus the cost of me going to Singapore and staying over a few nights. Not a cheap place to visit.

However I have sourced through Moog a dealer in Bangkok. A small boutique pedal shop called Sweet Sound. This evening i met up with the owner, Paul and he showed my his little shop which is located next to one of the local Universities. He has an outstanding collection of pedals although his focus is towards the aspiring Thai rock guitarist. I met up with Paul at Paragon and he drove me over to the shop. He let me try every single pedal in the place which was fun.

The Moog MURF and a Phaser

I had a chance to try the Moog MURF pedal however I have to say I wasn't as thrilled with it as I thought I might be. Perhaps i was expecting something more insane, like the Sherman Filter Bank. Perhaps the MURF requires more time tweaking. Also I was running a guitar through it so maybe if I had brought a keyboard or drum machine I would have had more amusing results.

Much Later... The Moog Analog Delay

The one pedal that impressed me most was the Moog Analog Delay. As dull as a thing as that might sound it simply sounded BETTER than any delay I have, and I have many. I can't even discribe how it was better. I just was. It is not a cheap box though.

The Line 6 Otto Filter

I did pick up the Line 6 Otto Filter. I wasn't expensive and it contains some really nice filter effects. Not quite an envelope follower but nice and I suspect will work very well in processing the Boss WP-20G Wave Processor. I ran my Korg ER 1 beat box through it and was most pleased at the results. Adding distortion allowed me to make some truly Sherman Filter Bankish noise.

Putting the Korg ER 1 through the Otto Filter (and yes that is tea)

Tuesday, July 24, 2007: Side WALK! WALK!

Here is a prime example of two things that threaten ones very life here in the thriving metropolis of Bangkok. The side walks, and the idiot motorcyclists who believe that its just fine to drive on them.

During rainy season these flag stone interlocking bricks come lose as the earth beneath them is washed away. This is why it was so easy for the the rioters the other night to pitch them at the Police.

Here's another prime example of why I twisted my ankle last week. Try navigating this at night.

Monday, July 23, 2007: Thai Rak Thai Riot Update

They've been playing the videos of the riot without any commentary or editing on several channels. This footage is the best possible way to counter any claims the rally organizers are now making that the Police started it or that the violence wasn't encouraged or coordinated. There is some rather frightening footage of the protesters dragging a garbage truck driver from his truck beating him up then stealing his truck so they could block off one street to prevent any police or army reinforcements from drivng down it. This happened well before dark and long before the big kick off began.

The rest of the footage is equally damning to the protestors who are shown on a drunken rampage smashing and destroying everything in their path. Now the shop and property owners in that area want legal action. Due to the protestors being dumb enough to do what they did with a dozen TV crews video taping them chances are the shop owners will see some kind of justice. The Thai Rak Thai, Thaskin's old party, is denying any involvment. The problem they have is that there is plenty of video footage with the mob chantng "Thai Rak Thai" while they hurl bricks and stuff at the Police.

Monday, July 23, 2007: Drunken Taxi Drivers Rampage for Thaskin

To see how events here are reported in the West is annoying. Events are either not reported at all or reported badly and inaccurately. It makes me wonder at any reports from anywhere.

Thai pro-democracy protesters charged after violent clashes with police
BANGKOK (Thomson Financial) - Six pro-democracy protesters have been arrested after overnight clashes with police left scores injured in the first violent protest against last year's coup, police said Monday.

The clashes began after about 5,000 protesters -- many of them supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- began marching from the plaza where they have been holding nightly rallies since early June, according to police.

This was not a Pro-Democracy Rally. It was a Pro-Thaskin rally. Thaskin's party paid for it, Thaskin's party paid for the buses to ship people from the boonies to attend it and Thaskin paid people to go to it. Earn twice as much as a construction worker makes in a day by going to the rally. Free whisky and food. Why not.

The original rally was held near the Grand Palace during the day and had a few thousand people. Then there was a massive rain storm during the afternoon that sent most of them on their way. There is no way that there 5,000 people in the riot. Maybe there was five hundred rioters with another few hundred lookers on. And from what we saw the rioters were drunken taxi, tuk tuk and moto taxi drivers. (this would explain the absolute lack of moto taxis this morning when I went to Curahee).

The new Government has being losing support by its poor handling of the economy, passing unpopular censorship laws and so forth however last nights riots have nothing to do with that. That whole event was typical of how Thaskin did things when he was in power.

Sunday, July 22, 2007: Thai Rak Thai Riot

10:20 pm The supporters of the ousted former Prime Minister Thaskin are rioting. It would seem they are rioting outside one fo the army bases in the city as well as along some of the streets. The news footage is bizarre as the Police seem reluctant to mix it up iwth them. We saw some footage of a destroyed fire truck. I'm not sure if it they tried to use the fire hose on them or what. We can hear sirens and so forth but we're a ways away from the center of the trouble. Its hard to say how it will go but you can only throw a limited number of bricks at people who have guns before they start shooting.

11:18 pm The Thai Rak Thai mob seems to want to provoke a fight. The Police seem to have standing orders not to fight back or do much of anything. There was one cop covering himself with a plastic chair. I wonder if the soldiers will be back out on the streets tomorrow.

11:34 pm Sounds like the riot began when someone decided to run over some police with the van that had their protest loud speakers mounted on it. They started something or other on fire but its hard to tell if its a car or a building or a pile of garbabe.

Its weird to watch this. A single cop seperated from the rest trying to make their way out of the frey are set upon by the rioters only be have photographers and journalists pull them off so the cop can get away.

Friday, July 20, 2007: Fish Report

I have been running about like a fool all week. Too many things to try and get done, too little sleep, or at least too little uninterrupted sleep plus pushing things at Currahee have added up to exhaustion. I have also managed to mildly pull things in both legs by way of the treacherous sides walks. On Wednesday I came down wrong off the curb while trying to avoid a pick up truck that decided to do a Mad Max u-turn and yesterday I had a run in rainy season verses the flag stones. The part of the side walk I stepped on simply shifted and the result was me to doing the silly man dance and twistifying my ankle. In any event I didn’t run today.

Our fish continue to die of due to the mysterious butt-rot blight. We are down to five gold fish and Sven. Mr. Crab hasn’t been seen in some time.

Sunday, July 15, 2007: Sleepy Sunday

I was up at 7:00 am or so today. I didn't have what it took to record right away so I spent the morning playing Command and Conquer, something I rarely do now. It was sort of rainy out today after lunch Sandy and I just napped out until late in the afternoon.

I got up and spent a few hours working on my contributions for Common Tones week 3. Both Darren and I have to provide Eric with a bunch of samples to use. I decided to dust of the MC-303 and use that. I put it through the Electro Harmonix LPB 2ube tube pre amp which makes everything sound warmer. I recorded a total of 12 bits for him ranging from some string pads to some rather fudged up drum loops. I went for a swim once I'd finished sending off the sampels to Eric.

Saturday, July 14, 2007: Satuday Sushi

I managed to actually finish off my Common Tones contribution for this week. The final results can be heard at both the Common Tones page and is available for free download at my MySpace. I am not as pleased with it as I was with some of the tracks I did for Phase I but it works for what it is. Eric is up next as week 3's featured artist so I'll have to put together a bunch of samples for him tomorrow.

This afternoon Sandy and I went over to the Siam Center for some dinner. It's easy to stay in all the time but I don't think it's all that good for one's head. It is certainly cheaper but it is good to go out for dinner. We didn't do MK this time. I wasn't up for all the waiting involved. Waiting for a seat, waiting for the water to boil, waiting for the order to come, waiting for it to cook. So instead we went to Fuji for some Japanese food and sushi. It was outstanding. Afterwards we wanderd around Siam Paragon looking in shops and eventually ending up at Star Bucks. I picked up the new Jean Michel Jarre CD as well as OMD's "Dazzle Ships".

After Star Bucks Sandy and I went down to the grocery store and bought a few things we needed then took the BTS back to the apartment.

Friday, July 13, 2007: Diabolical Recording

This weeks work on COMMON TONES PHASE II has been at best frustrating. I am due to have a song finished by Saturday yet at 6:00 pm tonight I was no closer to having something completed than I was on Monday.

The "framework" I pieced together from the supplied samples from Eric and Darren to act as some sort of guide collapsed last night under the weight of my frustration. A frustration usually reserved for dealing with all things Microsoft. The sort of frustration that might result in Grover-like arm waving and screaming. In any event at about 10:30 pm I simply gave up in dispair.

Yes, that is a tea stain on the Sherman...

This evening I attacked the situation from a different direction. Instead of using the framework I began with laying down various drum tracks at 40, 80 and 160 BPM. I used my Yamaha AN200 and ran it through the Sherman Filter Bank and the results mirrored the sound of last nights frustration. I recorded five tracks of this, setting the Sherman on full blast for complete sonic destruction of the drum loops.

The Yamaha AN200

Once I'd expended all myself with this process I'd managed to create an unlistenable assault of squashed beats and shrill frequencies that proved to be as totally useless as my ill fated framework.

So.... I loaded up a blank project and began again from scratch using the Novation Bass Station and the AN200 as a MIDI slave.

My trusty Bass Station; one of the best keyboards I've ever bought

And lo, it came to pass that my Muse, Space Walk Shirely herself stopped by and granted me a little idea that just might do the trick. I will begin further work on completing it tomorrow morning.

Thursday, July 12, 2007: Lightening Strikes - Claus Nomi

I love reading this sort of nonsense. It must be what it was like a hundred years ago to read about how having 'electricity' flowing through the walls of your house was dangerous. NOTE that all these iPod users were doing something during an electrical storm that isn't advised; jogging, mowing a lawn etc.

Lightning Strikes Reported by IPod Users

Contrary to some urban legends and media reports, electronic devices don't attract lightning the way a tall tree or a lightning rod does.

All the news that is not news!

If I manage to get hit by a bolt of lightening while listening to my iPod (although a motocycle riding on the sidewalk is more likely) please note that at least I went listening to some decent tunes.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007: Common Tones Phase II

I have to admit that so far I have had little success piecing together anything that works with the samples I have to work with. The problem seems to be the framework I assembled with them just sounds way to much like some acid jazz nonsense off of ReBirth of Cool Phive and thus I am unable to place anything on top, around or between it to save it from this awful fate. The fault being my framework not the pieces I was supplied with.

SO...

I have no choice but to start from scratch, build something that these various pieces can merge into with out so much suckatude.

Saturday, July 7, 2007: Saturday Rain

Another big rain today.

Thursday, July 5, 2007: Afternoon Rain

Oh yes. Rainy season. But it does cool things off. It even dropped below 30 today.

Monday, July 2, 2007: 50 Captured

Thai army detains 50 in Muslim village raid

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai security forces raided a village in the rebellious Muslim south on Sunday and detained 50 men with bomb-making material, an army spokesman said.

Last month, the army detained 160 Muslims after rebels intensified attacks on government schools, civil servants and security forces

They forgot to mention attacks on Buddhist Monks. And students. And tea shop owners. And tree sappers. The seem to love to kill tree sappers for some reason. And basically anyone who is either a) Buddhist b) not Muslim enough c) not interested in helping them. Lately these kooks have been killing an increasing amount of uncooperative Muslims which is probably why the locals tipped off the authorities.

Sunday, July 1, 2007: COMMON TONES PHASE II

PHASE DESCRIPTION:

In PHASE II, one musician will be appointed the "musician of the week" at the beginning of each week. This renders the other two "contributors". At the beginning of each week, the "contributors" will provide short audio samples of their own creations, anything goes (sounds, guitar, synth, etc), uploading to COMMONTONES. The "musician of the week" will collect these samples, and over the course of the week, compose and arrange a piece with the samples, plus his own input. The song will be uploaded here at the end of each week in the month.

This makes three songs, in three weeks, with the trio taking turns to be the "musician of the week". In the final week (week 4), all three will be contributing at the beginning of the week, and all three will be cutting a track from all the samples provided. Rendering three songs by the end of the week and loading them up on COMMONTONES. At the end of the project, there will be 6 songs in total.

Please join us in this journey of creating music on cyber-space.

--------------------------------------------------------------
PHASE SCHEDULE:

WEEK 1:
Musician of the week - Sonicbrat
Contributors - Eric, LDT

WEEK 2:
Musician of the week - LDT
Contributors - Eric, Sonicbrat

WEEK 3:
Musician of the week - Eric
Contributors - LDT, Sonicbrat

WEEK 4:
Musicians of the week - ALL
Contributors - ALL