TopoGraphicOceans

Grand Funk Railroad at Cobo Hall in 1971

2011-07-10T22:11:00.001-05:00

In high school we were the "freaks" the long haired, bell-bottomed, boots, paisley shirt and then my red suede women's coat I picked up at the local Goodwill. At school we hung to ourselves in the front hallway of Dow High School. The jocks could not understand us. The teachers took us in stride like they had seen it all. Rumors were flying about us smoking pot and taking other drugs. Everyone could hear Andy's green Comet blasting out Led Zeppelin as we skidded into the parking lot, smoke floating out the windows. He has recently installed an eight-track in his car, so cruising the streets of Midland was a fantastic trip. Usually, we stopped by the church coffee house to see friends and check out the scene.

As seniors us guys told our parents we were going camping for the weekend, but quickly headed south for Detroit. We had tickets to see Grand Funk Railroad at Cobo Hall. A real rock concert, not just the local Michigan bands like Third Power, Ted Nugent, Savoy Brown, Bob Seger...

1971 Detroit Michigan...what else can you say. We waited for hours in the hallways until the let us into Cobo Hall. For hours us four high school hippies stood against the wall and watched every kind of long haired person in the surrounding states. Where did they all come from...we knew they were out there, but here we were gathered. Suddenly, we we were positive that we were a part of something bigger...a movement! At school we were considered out of it, just a small group of misfits standing in our own little group. Here we were cool! So many people in blue jean bell bottoms, wire frame glasses and long hair everywhere. I was amazed at the women with high boots, fish nets, mini-shirts, see-through blouses, ratted hair, long earrings and enough makeup, too much. Who were later named groupies. What strange days they were: no cell phones, lap tops, high definition; nothing digital. We had fought with our parents to grow our hair long and patches on our jeans were a badge of honor. We had a new perspective on the world! We were free loving, casual, fun and rebellious youth and the last place I was going was Viet Nam. Rock and roll was the center point of our life!

When we got into the arena and found our seats on the top row of the upper deck we were worried that we couldn't hear the band, but did take notice of the three stories of huge speakers hung on the back wall. What an experience! How do you explain a literal wall of vibration, so strong that throughout the entire show I fully expected the ceiling to come crashing down on the packed area. All 12,191 people were on their feet cheering, but most of the time I couldn't tell if it was the roar of the crowd or the roar of reverberation. Seriously, the bass was so loud and you could still hear Mark singing "I am Your Captain" and "Gimme Shelter". At this point we had found our spiritual high with the help of whatever hallucinogens we could get our hands on.

In 1998 I went and saw Grand Funk again at the Omaha, NE arena. The band had broken up with discontent, but would try to tour together again. They were great and once again I bought the cheap seats and was near the top. But its just not the same. The songs were the same songs, but the wall of speakers were gone, so no reverberation and hard core band. These were fifty-year old men, but Mark Farner still looked great and danced across the stage never missing a lick.

Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize

2010-07-28T22:01:00.026-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

I am watching Porcupine Tree's DVD of Anesthetize again, because I am impressed with the quality of the video and the grandiosity of the music. Each song is handpicked to tell a story or even better, to provide psychoanalysis for modern man. At first I was turned off by the lyrics in "Fear of a Blank Planet", because I thought the group was attempting to appeal to the high school generation of today. But like all great poets their lyrics are loose enough for you to imagine your own perspectives to make sense of the song’s lyrics. In fact, I would say, in order to enjoy this DVD you need to be creative in your own mind and let them take you to a new realm, which will expose some issues in your life, but in the end will give you a new perspective on life in a greater way. The DVD is a spiritual experience for those who will allow.

Let me make this clear. You cannot enjoy nor judge this DVD by watching on a computer or even on TV without a surround sound system. You must have good volume, DTS capability and a good sub-woofer; otherwise you will not experience this concert.

Fear of a Blank Planet strikes me again with what makes PT's lyrics interesting is their dark and foreboding style. But if you allow them to speak to you the result will be enlightening. They are making a contrast to this gritty world experience and the other musical/spiritual world they want to take you to. If you are a fan of Yes, then you will understand that classic progressive rock is a spiritual experience. I don't relate to the words “X Box is a god to me” or the alienation from my parents lyrics directly, but deep inside I still struggle with rebellion, which in modern terms is what this represents. I am a 70's hippie, so the beat of the beginning of this song is too hard rock for me. I let PT take me on this musical ride, because I know what great musicians and artists they are. There is a purpose and a plan to their music, so I will listen patiently. They refer to a face being like mogadon, which the Urban Dictionary defines: “‘A thinking man's mogadon', something that would put a man of intelligence to sleep.” They approach a difficult subject in this song about medication that the modern world is depending on whether its Haldol, Ritalin, Paxil, etc. What is this medication doing to our society and our individual minds? I know that medication calms the bipolar person into boredom, but can we cope with the ups and downs of their maniacal thoughts. The big question though is: are we killing creativity with medication, because it will take some patience with the other side effects of mental instability to get there? You know the best part of a hard rock Prog song is the contrast the beautiful quieter music creates. We the rock listeners would not typically buy the soft and pretty music, which is basically new age, but when the tune is mixed in with the pounding drums and bass we comply. Steve Wilson and John Wesley are master guitar musicians intertwining their guitar licks with each other. You must identify which guitar is coming out of which speaker to fully enjoy their interchanges. Steve Wilson’s voice is another piece of the puzzle that makes PT what it is.

My Ashes reminds me of an old James Gang song title and Richard Barbieri’s keyboards take me right into the next song. Then out of the soft guitar music wafts John Wesley’s voice in high pitch perfection. Whoa! Beautiful lyrics: “…and my ashes drift beneath the silver sky…” - pure poetry. “…and my ashes find a way beyond the fog and return to find the child I forgot…” Now it is up to the listener to place his own emotions, memories and wonders into these lyrics and be swept off their feet into a new and magical world. The drums are solid the keyboards serene, but all creates a song of worship. Worship of what, you may ask, but that is up to you to determine. John Wesley is a dramatic looking warrior from Old England.

Anesthetize can you believe that drum set of Colin Edwin’s? The cameras show a view of the drums from the top and what a layout masterpiece. Each drum-head is worn and arranged in an elegant, yet efficient layout. He is not a show-off drummer, nor is the rest of the band, so I give credit to the videographer for creating an entertaining video. “…I simply am not here…” is the main lyric of this song and how do you interpret this phrase? On this musical and topographic voyage I would say this is a valley of reflection; a look in the mirror, so to speak. The plodding music and solemn words give you time to meditate in the midst of a rock symphony. As the music crescendos during John Wesley’s guitar solo, this enraptures the soul. I used to try and decide which guitar player was the best: John or Steve, but now I know they are both the best! Just when you think the song could not get any better, Steve reaches over his guitar and plays the keyboard. This is where the concert starts to take flight, where the musicians move into the subconscious flow in an effortless dance inviting us to come along for the ride. Then suddenly we are shaken to the hardest rock rhythms they have played to date, knocking us to our senses and then taking us into our primal self. Porcupine Tree is a man’s band, just look at the audience. “Only apathy from the pills in me…” marks the theme of the song and the melodramatic concert. What is happening to our society? There is nothing better than when PT jams to the swirl of the magic keyboards. PT never gets boring because their music is always transforming and swirling along the edge of these keys. The listener needs to go with the flow and let it take you where it will. Suddenly you will be surprised as they move show like acts in a play, bringing you back to a healing and awaking theme. Then get ready, because all three guitars break free with a solid drum beat from the swirling keys into an electrical light flashing world that exposes our rawest inner man. Then as if transitioning into a whole new song the lights go down, the keyboard rises softly with lyrics that bring refreshing waves of healing. These musicians are ‘medicine men of old’ freeing us from our bondages of TV and drugs to a new peaceful and more natural existence, waves of peace flowing over all who listen with their heart and not their mind. Let it flow. The voices of John and Steve intertwine beautifully at this point in a melodious refrain.

Sentimental – “Stoned in the mall the kids play and this way wish away each day…” causes us to reflect on society once again with our shopping addictions. Each American wishes for the work week to go by quickly, so the weekend will arrive, but in this way we wish away our lives and suddenly find ourselves in old age. I have noted that kids stoned in the mall are a central theme to PT’s method of causing us to question our society, which is a poetic metaphor for all of western society. Interesting they title this song sentimental, which is a beautifully poetic word. Could they want us to reflect with a higher and more refined tender emotion as the word describes? Emotions are what are missing from a society of addicts and medicated individuals. I dare say this concert is a therapy session for all who will lie down and take in the message.

Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet [Bass cover]

2010-07-05T12:57:00.005-05:00

I wish I could have seen Porcupine Tree in concert, but couldn't make it over to Dallas, TX. I did by the DVD/Blue-ray of the concert and look forward to playing it full blast on my surround sound system - sorry neighbors - with my sub-woofer they may think its an earthquake or a low rider driving by.

I especially like this video and wish more groups would do this. They put a camera on the neck of the bass guitar and let you watch him play through the whole song. I would love to to do this with Yes and watch Steve Howe and Chris Squire play. Porcupine Tree has definitely become one of my favorite groups.

Love This New Blogger Tool - Zemanta!

2010-07-02T22:12:00.000-05:00

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If you have a blog you need to try out this new tool Zemanta! As you type your blog other links with pictures and article links come up, so you can add them to your blog. Really Cool! Check it out!

The Doors

2010-05-29T21:28:00.001-05:00

Watched the movie the Doors this morning with Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison. I never really liked Jim Morrison - he was too tough for me, never really seemed like a hippie that was into nature and stuff. I liked his album LA Woman, which was the only one I ever owned. The movie and his life was a nightmare of drugs and alcohol. He had actually developed some kind of psychosis through it all and according to the movie some kind of god complex. What was the whole witchcraft thing? I graduated from high school in '71, so I really missed the sixties thing, but very interesting to see what life was like for Jim Morrison and the Doors. Kinda took away some of my fantasy ideas of his life.

in reference to: The Doors (1991) (view on Google Sidewiki)

Prophet by Carl Dennis

2010-05-22T12:35:00.001-05:00

I like this poem Prophet which makes you wonder about the comparison of Jonah to a modern day prophet, which is all too true. The other point was Jonah's dismay that his prophecy of destruction for the city did not occur. Interesting!

in reference to: POETRY MOUNTAIN: Carl Dennis (view on Google Sidewiki)

Poem Friendly by Carl Dennis

2010-05-22T12:22:00.001-05:00

I will have to find some more poetry by Carl Dennis. I am impressed with his poem Friendly that was in the Atlantic magazine. I am always looking for a great poet!

in reference to: Friendly - Magazine - The Atlantic (view on Google Sidewiki)

The Silence by T.C. Boyle

2010-05-18T20:07:00.001-05:00

I haven't read the whole article, but if all I read was the first paragraph that would be enough!

"What a dragonfly was doing out here in the desert, he couldn’t say. It was a creature of water, a sluggish slime-coated nymph that had metamorphosed into an electric needle of light, designed to hover and dart over pond and ditch in order to feed on the insects that rose from the surface in soft moist clouds. But here it was, as red as blood if blood could shine like metal, hovering in front of his face as if it had come to impart some message. And what would that message be? I am the karmic representative of the insect world, here to tell you that all is well amongst us. Hooray! Jabba-jabba-jabba! For a long while, long after the creature had hurtled away in shearing splinters of radiance, he sat there, legs folded under him in the blaze of 118-degree heat, thinking alternately: This is working, and I am losing my mind.

And this was only the first day." - TC Boyle

That is great writing I am so impressed with the description of the needle-of-light dragonfly!

in reference to: The Silence - Magazine - The Atlantic (view on Google Sidewiki)

Mute Math at the Howlin Wolf

2010-05-09T12:58:00.001-05:00

I was at this benefit concert in New Orleans and these guys are great. I love all their music and the concert was great. Howlin Wolf is a small venue so everyone was close to the stage. They have so much energy - this is their slowest song.

in reference to: MUTEMATH - THE FIGHT (view on Google Sidewiki)

Trip to France

2010-05-08T15:21:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite places in France! Mont Saint-Michel is a beautiful and historic site on the Normandy Beaches. Click on the picture to the right to see more of our trip. I have some great photos!

Yes Live in Concert at the New Orleans House of Blues

2010-02-13T10:09:00.001-06:00

I can't believe Yes are coming to town and I am not going?? I saw them in Biloxi with the new singer and even though he is great, its not the same. Jon Anderson is such an important part of the group. The young singer they have is great and at some points his voice actually sounds better than Jon's. I just can't talk myself into spending $50 to jam into standing room only House of Blues on a Thursday evening???

in reference to: Yes Tickets - House of Blues New Orleans in New Orleans, LA Concert (view on Google Sidewiki)

The Future of Advertising

2010-02-01T15:38:00.001-06:00

"A day in the future buyers will not need to search for people or things rather all they will need to do is inform the marketplace of what and whom they are looking for. Responses for things and people will come back to the buyer rather than buyers having to go find them."

What a quote! I hope this doesn't mean we will be bombarded, but more focused advirtising on exactly what I am interested in would be more pleasant. No more ads about women's household products and whole other long list of annoying ads. Might be nice to make connections with some people, but others - that is why we don't live in a small town where everyone knows your business.

in reference to: Will Social Search Change Things? (view on Google Sidewiki)

Great iPhone Camera Tip!

2010-02-01T15:30:00.001-06:00

If you have an iPhone this is a great tip. Everytime I push the shutter button my cat would move, so now I can take better pics. Wish I had the 3G and could focus on an area too.

in reference to: Don't tap that shutter button--David's iPhone tip of the week | iPhone Atlas - CNET Reviews (view on Google Sidewiki)

WinDirStat is an Excellent Application

2009-11-23T10:15:00.001-06:00

My hard drives and external drives fill up quickly with all my video files. This program displays the folders and files graphically, so I know exactly what is hogging all my space, which makes it easier to clean up free space on a hard drive. I have been using this program for years and am amazed such a great program is free.

in reference to: WinDirStat - Windows Directory Statistics (view on Google Sidewiki)

Dropbox is the Greatest!

2009-11-23T10:11:00.001-06:00

I love this FREE program! I have it installed on my computer at work, home and on my iPhone. I am able to load pictures, then open them on my iPhone. I put music for my work hard drive. I scan documents at work and they are on my home computer when I get home. This is the coolest program. I have been using it for months with no problems and highly recommend it.

in reference to: http://www.online-tech-tips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/image8.png (view on Google Sidewiki)

Startup Delayer Program Free

2009-11-23T10:07:00.001-06:00

I sure hope this program works. This sounds like one of the best programs invented. Sure I like Skype and all the other programs that want to load up when I reboot, but as far as I am concerned it can load later, so I can get started surfing the net. Let me know if you have tried this program and what problems you see with it.

in reference to: r2 Studios - Software (view on Google Sidewiki)

President Barack Obama is your 15th cousin twice removed.

2009-10-30T20:34:00.001-05:00

I like this new feature on Geni.com that tells me how am related to famous people.

in reference to:

"President Barack Obama is your 15th cousin twice removed."
- Geni - President Barack Obama (view on Google Sidewiki)

Microsoft My Phone????

2009-10-18T11:52:00.001-05:00

Has anyone Microsofted their phone? Does this program take much space and what are the atvantages? I am dissappointed with these webpages that are created for the masses - they are so "dumbed-down". The need to create pages that provide a list programs to download with reviews - period. When you search these pages there is not much too them just fluff...

in reference to: My Phone (view on Google Sidewiki)

Great Media Player for your Mobile Phone

2009-10-18T11:32:00.001-05:00

I have struggled with Microsoft Media Player for years. The program has many problems. I purchased an 8 gb card for my phone and loaded hundreds of song, but their media player could only play about 30 of them over and over. Today I downloaded the WinVibe 2005 and it works great playing everyone of my songs. Don't let the Korean text bother you, because Google will translate it into English. So far I recommend the WinVibe media player!

in reference to: 카페 (view on Google Sidewiki)

The One and LocateTV.com

2009-10-10T10:52:00.001-05:00

Alright! I am finally getting the hang of this LocateTV website and I like it. I hate spending an hour going through the guide on TV finding shows to record, because I hate watching stupid commercials.

This movie The One is a little over the top, but with Jet Li and Jason Statham it is still good. With LocateTV I was able to look at the preview, then find it on the TV guide and record the show. Thanks LocateTV!!!

in reference to: The One - Movie (2001) | LocateTV (view on Google Sidewiki)

Teavana Opening at Lakeside Mall

2009-10-10T00:06:00.001-05:00

This is a new store that I heard is opening here in town at the Lakeside Mall where Sue works. I love tea, so I will have to check this place out.

in reference to: Teavana Teas: Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, White Tea, Herbal Tea and more (view on Google Sidewiki)

27 Excellent Digital Photography Tutorials

2009-10-06T22:23:00.001-05:00

Pelfusion.com has some great photography tutorials. I plan on going back and learning some of these photo editing skills.

How to colorize black and white photos.
Photo retouching - changing hair color.
Photo makeovers.
How to make photos look like Lomo photography.

Are some of my favorites, but there is many more.

in reference to: StumbleUpon WebToolbar (view on Google Sidewiki)

Beautiful Woman In Award Winning Photo

2009-10-02T22:58:00.003-05:00

I am impressed with this winning Russian photo. The woman is wearing a white dress, but was is unique is the shot from above with her shooshing somone. The slate stones she is standing on are a great background. The clarity of this picture, with a blurred foreground make a great shot. I am impressed! You can use Google translate to convert the text from Russion to English with ease.
in reference to: http://photoawards.ru/photos/119045?photo_selector[order]=expert (view on Google Sidewiki)

Globetrotter XL Game

2009-10-02T22:39:00.001-05:00

This is a pretty cool web page. Here you a map of the world, a name of a city and a few seconds to pinpoint where it is located. You get points based on how close you are to the place. Good luck testing your knowledge!

in reference to: http://samgine.com/globetrotter-xl/ (view on Google Sidewiki)

Red Planet Photo or Art?

2009-10-02T22:20:00.001-05:00

This is a really cool picture of a large moon with a red tint. I wonder if someone painted this or photoshopped it? Whatever - I saved it to my favorites on Stumbleupon.com. What do you think?

in reference to: http://art4linux.org/system/files/Red%20Planet-1024x768.jpg (view on Google Sidewiki)

TopoGraphicOceans

Grand Funk Railroad at Cobo Hall in 1971

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The Doors

Prophet by Carl Dennis

Poem Friendly by Carl Dennis

The Silence by T.C. Boyle

Mute Math at the Howlin Wolf

Trip to France

Yes Live in Concert at the New Orleans House of Blues

The Future of Advertising

Great iPhone Camera Tip!

WinDirStat is an Excellent Application

Dropbox is the Greatest!

Startup Delayer Program Free

President Barack Obama is your 15th cousin twice removed.

Microsoft My Phone????

Great Media Player for your Mobile Phone

The One and LocateTV.com

Teavana Opening at Lakeside Mall

27 Excellent Digital Photography Tutorials

Beautiful Woman In Award Winning Photo

Globetrotter XL Game

Red Planet Photo or Art?