#writing | MidiMike

Posts Tagged ‘#writing’

Windows 10 – My Frustrating Journey

Posted: November 2, 2015 in Opinions and Observations
Tags: #audio, #computer, #frustration, #music, #musician, #personal, #story, #technology, #updates, #Windows10, #writing

I have been a bit distracted lately. I have a computer at home that I use to record music and to create the sounds I use with the MIDI controllers. That is all I use it for. I update the recording software and the plug-ins that I use, but other than that I have not done any updates since I got everything working reasonably well. I subscribe to; don’t fix it if it ain’t broke……..

My office computer is another story. I keep it up to date – within reason – and I try to get all the current drivers, etc. I use it for everything you use a computer for including playing my audio mixes and working on videos. So I recently upgraded to Windows 10.

Immediately I could not play audio files or video clips with attached audio. Nothing changed on the sound card and it shows everything working properly. Try to play an audio or video file though and the music player crashes. I gave Windows some feedback. I am dead in the water. Almost a month ago I got another update (I am checking daily if not more often for an update that will fix this bug) and it worked. No problem playing audio or videos.

Two days later no audio again. I sent more feedback and no helpful response in return. Not unexpected. I work for a company that uses software updates for our products and I understand how a few can be affected but almost everyone else does not have an issue or problem. Things are very complex these days and even though devices and programs are GENERALLY easier to use, they are dependent on so many other factors and variables. I go through the trouble to Reset Windows 10 and install all my programs again. Still no audio. A few days ago there is an update and I can again play audio. Last weekend I was playing music all the time in celebration (yeah, I was in a kind of ‘cold turkey’ for you more senior readers….).

Today I log in and no audio again! ARRRGHH! I try to be patient but I think I am ready to trade my Windows 10 in for my old Windows 7! Sometimes it’s all a numbers game.

Would You Sit Down and Talk to Me?

Posted: October 30, 2015 in Opinions and Observations
Tags: #faces, #family, #friends, #lottery, #lucky, #meet, #meeting, #musician, #photo, #photography, #writer, #writing

In frequent conversations with my family we talk about articles and posts from fellow bloggers and how glad we are that we have met an amazing group of talented people. Many of us have challenges to deal with and we use creativity to describe and/or deal with those challenges. You never fail to amaze and inspire me. From articles that are so funny I can’t stop laughing to personal experiences that are so moving I try not to cry, I look forward to your blog posts and comments. There are those in this community I will keep learning from. The more we learn of each other, the more natural it would seem if we could actually meet.

That is when our conversation shifts to what would you do if you won the lottery or big inheritance (the latter is not possible for me – but still more likely than winning the lottery!!)? We discussed that it would be really cool if we could arrange a common time and place on the globe where we could all meet. Or travel the globe and meet you each one at a time. It would be amazing for me to compare my internal images of fellow bloggers and compare them to actually meeting you. I feel like I know many of you already and I do not think that I would be very surprised by the ‘person’ you are. But I’ll bet in spite of my internal images, I would not recognize any of you if I met you on the street! I would love to record and document the entire meeting. Interview everyone, even have you sing on a few of my songs if you are up for it. Create a community blog of the event. Give promised hugs to a number of you. To see the eyes behind the words. To hear you laugh.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the blog and the openness we can achieve by that same separation. I don’t want a bunch of you knocking on my door at all hours – though I might want to knock on yours!!

Gotta go now and buy my lottery ticket!

Lightning Strikes and Water Gun Geysers

Posted: October 27, 2015 in Photography
Tags: #maui, #nature, #personal, #photo, #photography, #storm, #writer, #writing

I would like to post another set of pictures from a Maui trip years ago. It reminds me again of the power and force nature puts behind everything on this planet. As an observer, viewer or bystander, we sometimes miss the true impact. But when you are in its presence the impressions can be astounding. My wife and are were standing on our porch a few nights ago watching a lightning storm pass over our house. Heavy rain at times kept us close to the house. We watched the storm move – pointing out lightning strikes and the strength of related thunder We noted of their distance. I had just said something about bolts traveling a good distance before going to ground as the last distant thunder receded.

As we looked in the direction of the storm, we were both immediately jettisoned into hyper-awareness as a bright ball flared and jumped between the rain clouds and a huge oak tree in our yard. We were frozen by a sound I cannot describe and the combined impact of thunder and electricity so close to us. It looked like the massive trunk of the tree pulsed or absorbed the bolt. The next day we saw long strips of bark blasted out in front of the tree, which otherwise continues to appear as if it was not affected at all. I wish I had my camera at the time but the odds are poor and it would not describe the event. Our ears were ringing for a along time.

These pictures also try to show you the force behind the waves hitting the rough coast line. Caves and then chimneys are created over the eons as water blasts against the walls of the cave and the resulting giant water gun looks like a geyser spouting out of the rock. From above, I thought the water was inviting and almost gentle. As I stood on the top of the cave next to the chimney spout, it was calm and peaceful and I let my guard down. Every rock and terrace suddenly underwater created a wide pool, with a huge drain in the middle! Difficult to show in pictures or describe here, but when a strong wave hit inside those cave walls It forced a small lake of water up in the air directly above me. As it returned to earth with me in its path, it rose from a stream to a tidal wave and I barely had time to crouch down and get a good solid stance. It almost toppled me over and for all I know could have washed me back into the blow hole or over a wall that might as well have been to oblivion!

Pictures can only remind us of that power. Predictable and gentle events are mild and you can prepare for them, and learn.

Mr. Charlie Told Me So

Posted: October 22, 2015 in My Tunes
Tags: #12string, #acoustic, #audio, #band, #cover, #creative, #creativity, #greatfuldead, #guitar, #music, #musician, #performance, #personal, #recording, #retro, #singer, #song, #songwriter, #sound, #story, #studio, #vocalist, #vocals, #writer, #writing

Thinking about a recent post where we shared our first concert experiences, I was reminded about my first concert to see The Grateful Dead. I was fairly young and the environment was overwhelming and exciting.

We used to play one of their songs called “Mr. Charlie”. The Grateful Dead are off beat by nature and this is one of their songs most people have not heard. I recorded this cover song a couple years ago and decided to pull it out of the ‘deep-freeze’ and post it for the fun of it.

When I was in cover bands, we were pretty much forced to play main stream or currently airing songs. I would suggest the unknown songs often but understood when we played only a few. This one never got the approval either, but the core group used to warm up on this one and I just like the flavor of the song.

Credits to The Grateful Dead. This is my Ovation 12 String guitar and I do a little harmony. Hope you have a little fun with this as well.

Aware – Endless Nights Are Gone

Posted: October 19, 2015 in Poetry
Tags: #create, #creativity, #lyrics, #personal, #poem, #poetry, #writer, #writing

It’s hard to speak out when you live in fear.
You can’t protect me if you are never here.
You can not give me what you never had.
Juries rarely protect the good from the bad.

You can’t take me where you’re not willing to go.
You can not teach me what you don’t even know.
It’s better to be quiet, kneel down and pray
And then hope to god that it all goes away.

But I can take care of myself.
I’ve learned from people like you.
Now, I can take care of myself.
I am aware, like you.

Learn to hold on to me and to never let go.
There’s so much inside me I want you to know.
Hoped to support you and not get in your way
I tried to stay quiet when there was so much to say

You helped me take care of myself
And I always believed in you.
Now we can take care of our selves
Aware; our children, and you.

So many secrets are whispered, then buried inside
You keep on running but just want to curl up and hide
You know you have the answer but you don’t have a clue.
You had it right once but couldn’t believe it was true.

The past is hidden but has still taken its toll.
Stand up and look around at the beauty of it all.
Every day is better and the endless nights are gone.
Face each day as you did the last, dedicated and strong.

Forgetting Your Name

Posted: October 8, 2015 in Opinions and Observations
Tags: #brother, #family, #musician, #personal, #story, #writer, #writing

I have pointed out on more than one occasion that I have a difficulty remembering names and dates. This took its toll in my History grades for sure, but also had dramatic effects growing up and through adulthood. For this I do not apologize other than try to work on ways to reduce that block. I also acknowledge it and inform others that it is not intentional. In two minutes I will forget your name. It is nothing personal. If I had a pen and paper I would write it down and if I can discretely enter in my cell phone I do. If not, your name is gone. I will remember your voice and the conversation. I might be able to remember your face, but that is not guaranteed either.

Fellow bloggers’ names I will trigger more by the Picture/logo/Avatar and tag-line than the personal name. From time to time I will post songs and lyrics from members of the center core I mentioned earlier. I will feature other artists I have worked with as well. For many, I simply do not know the names of the many band members I have recorded or worked with. I hope they will contact me so I can give them credit for all their works and talent.

To that point I do not overlook or diminish the writing partnerships I have had. In the early years we did not think of copyrights or co-authorship. We never discussed mechanical licensing or royalties. Digital rights weren’t even a dream in the Product Development plans. Pay-per-Click (PPC) wasn’t until years in the future. Yet, here we are.

I feel I need to mention that my brother C David Kennedy has been referred to in a number of my posts while relaying the earlier years of poetry and song writing. He is especially proud of his involvement in a few songs I have previously posted; “Red on Your Blue Suede Shoes”(c), “Quiet Nights”(c), “The Pleasure Tax”(c) and “Miracles in Your Hand”©.

His Simon to My Garfunkel

Posted: September 28, 2015 in My Tunes
Tags: #acoustic, #audio, #create, #creativity, #guitar, #harmony, #music, #musician, #personal, #recording, #retro, #singer, #song, #songwriter, #sound, #story, #vocalist, #vocals, #writer, #writing

Years ago when I was still learning to play guitar; I know, we are always learning! In this piece, my great friend and musical soul mate Tom Robinson is playing guitar and singing. I play around with the harmony, not knowing exactly where this song is going as we play off each other’s ideas as the song ends. This is another very basic living room recording but I simply love the song and the textures we created around the basic outline of the song. I hope you enjoy it as well. There are a number of inside jokes and references people might not totally understand, but I don’t think that will interfere too much.When I contacted them recently for correct song credits the answers were definite with options available for future adjustments. Tom Gorman and Tom Robinson [for all intents and purposes…] wrote the lyrics. Music by Tom Robinson. For a little more history I will include a portion of the conversation for historic kicks and giggles.

(Co-authors) Tom Gorman to Tom Robinson:

It was I July or Aug of 77 at your apartment. ….. Your stereo wasn’t working, and you were tinkering with it. You began to make progress and said “We got the capability . . .” For whatever reason, that inspired me, and I wrote most of the words to the song, including most of the refrain. ….. You came up with the lines about (mutual friends). I had written “We’ve got to feed our habits now” but couldn’t think of anything else. You changed “habits” to “rabbits” and added the line about rounding up the steer. At a later point, you put it to music and added “Thinkin’ about our doodely doom” and “weekend in the womb.” You also gave it the title “The Round-up.” The illegal beer was the Millers that (we) managed to score on a Sunday when it was illegal to sell it on Sunday.

Simple Minds and Double Standards

Posted: September 25, 2015 in Opinions and Observations
Tags: #creative, #inspiration, #life, #logical, #motivation, #observation, #personal, #story, #truth, #work, #writer, #writing

In another time long ago, I made my living in injected molded plastics. Long history but the memory I told a co-worker the other day was worth posting. As you probably guess, I am not a conformist. I have a hard time understanding why simple things are done wrong and I have a nasty habit of pointing it out sometimes.

As a supervisor of a night shift crew, we manufactured large panels of plastic for assembly in auto plants. The machine operators were opening huge metal doors, pulling out heavy molded plastic panels and would trim excess plastic with blades and pack the parts in boxes, to be taken away by other busy bees.

When I started working there, I watched what they were doing for a long time. I had time and motion training from the old days and I was really curious. One night, I went to the machine operator with a tall stool. I suggested he do a few changes in the layout and process and suggested he sit on the stool to be more comfortable. He responded well to my suggestions but told me he could not sit down. I stopped for a second and asked why. He was told the could not sit down at his station. When I asked the long of it – the owner/manager did not think you could work hard if you were sitting down. I pondered this for a few days.

Then the following week on the evening shift I went into the offices and took out all the chairs and put them in the warehouse. When asked about the incident I replied that I thought I was doing as instructed and making the company more efficient since I was informed that you cannot work hard sitting down.

In retrospect, I should have been fired and should have thought of that possibility, I did not. But the next day there were tall stools by each of the molding machines.

Some People

Posted: September 21, 2015 in Poetry
Tags: #creative, #lyrics, #musician, #people, #poem, #poetry, #writer, #writing

Some people are humans trying to get their kicks.
Some people are animals able to learn new tricks.

Some people are clever they know just what to do
Some people are sneaky and always out of view.

Most people are decent and will give you the time of day
Most people are ignorant of debts they should have paid.

Most people are honest till they tell you their first lie
Most people are lonely and will never say good bye.

All people are angry if they see things in black and white
All people are dreaming something wrong should be right.

All people are willing to have it their way
All people are upset when someone gets in the way.

You tried to tell me something I could never understand.
Wouldn’t know how to follow you if you guided me by the hand.

So many wrong directions in my ever-changing past.
Can’t guarantee to get there first but I’ve never been the last.

Your people are crazy going out all the time
Your people are busy but stop to pick up a dime.

Your people are active and find the right ass to kick
Your people are saying that’s just the nature of politics.

Young people are easy and got it all figured out.
Young people are forever and there never is a doubt.

Poor people are proven guilty more often than not
Poor people are givers and will share what they’ve got.

Poor people are many still there’s no why or when
Poor people are waiting for their savior again.

Was It Worth It?

Posted: August 27, 2015 in Poetry
Tags: #create, #creative, #personal, #poem, #poetry, #writer, #writing

You worked all your life to get to the Finish Line

And when you get there ….it feels good for a while.

Now you learn there is always another Line to cross

Paid for by the family and friends you never knew.

The question comes up from time to time

Blazing like the sun, mile after mile.

You can’t recapture youth or love that you’ve lost

By repeating a lie until it becomes true.

Was it worth it?

You have fame and everything you planned.

Was it worth it?

Would you do it again now that you understand?

Well?

Was it worth it?

You’ve earned every dollar, every target you achieved

It was a lot easier than even you had believed.

It’s not hard to get what you want if nothing else matters.

What will you have left when there is nothing you want?

MidiMike

Available on iTunes and CD Baby

Social Media

MSK original Songs

Posts Tagged ‘#writing’

Windows 10 – My Frustrating Journey

Would You Sit Down and Talk to Me?

Lightning Strikes and Water Gun Geysers

Mr. Charlie Told Me So

Aware – Endless Nights Are Gone

Forgetting Your Name

His Simon to My Garfunkel

Simple Minds and Double Standards

Some People

Was It Worth It?

Archives

Available on iTunes and CD Baby

Social Media

MSK original Songs

Posts Tagged ‘#writing’

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: