VolatilAdventures

Getting in the groove!

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:26:00 +0000

I didn't realize how long it would take to learn something new. Yesterday (and part of today) I was creating a new form for the volatilrock website. This will help people contact us directly for special occasions and parties. This contact form is not complete yet. I've got a few bugs to fix. But I'm just amazed at the amount of coding you have to do in order to create something that looks very simple. My 'kudos' to those people who dedicate their life doing that. Luckily, the coding was already pre-set, all I had to do was change a few URLs and (so I thought) bingo! it would be ready. I was wrong. I forgot to include a few minor things...but I have a feeling that I can get the problem fixed today. I just can't imagine how long it would take me to learn all this coding...but enough goofing off. I've got to get back to work.

PS. I'll be sure to post a link to the page once I'm done...

Time flies when you're having FUN!

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:54:00 +0000

I had a great time teaching kids about music. For an entire month, I taught the basics of music theory, vocal exercises, and even taught them to perform a number of songs with choreography and all! It was a long process, but it helped me break it down for my own performances. I know I should practice every day - but sometimes I let the little things get in the way. I say, "When I have time..." or "If only I could dedicate more time..." Well I should definitely dedicate all the time in the day to working on music. Whether it is perfecting a song, or working on my 'dance moves', every little bit helps.

The cool thing about this camp is that I am playing the guitar again! Yup. It's been 2 years since I 'officially' played the guitar on stage. I kinda let it go. But this time, I had no choice but to learn again. I am so inspired to keep going. My 'baby' was put away for the longest time, and I'm ready to take her out to play again. She's going to help me create some sweet melodies...and I can't wait to share them with you.

One day at a time...

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:00:00 +0000

So I started working on the band's website again. It's been 5 months since I started learning how to use WordPress. I hear it's better than any other software out there. I haven't really given it a try. I like some of the templates for WP, but I haven't delved into it enough to figure out how to modify them to fit the band page. I would like to use WP eventually...but for now I'll take it one day at a time.

Last Saturday (yup, 5 days ago) I spent all day, literally studying, changing, researching, learning how to put a Blogger widget on my site so I can just update Blogger and the blogs would appear on the site automatically. I gave up...too confusing. So I decided to use the same color scheme as this blog on the site - to make it uniform. Not bad at all. Saturday I worked on the front page (index) so that I could get the site looking nice...and I'm glad to say that it's done - for now. It's always going to be a work in progress, really since that content should change...to keep you guys interested.

On Monday, I had planned to work on the 'About' page of the site. I got busy...and didn't get to it until today. I'm happy to say that the 'About' page is up and running. I'd like to add a few things...but it's updated...so if you want to know more about us, like what kind of music we play, where we got our inspiration, and what places we've played at...check it out. There's a link to the official site from this blog.

Next up: The dreadded one: Linking our blog to the 'News' page...if I can't figure that out quickly, then I'll make modifications to my design.

Later!
Cyn

More site updates

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 22:54:00 +0000

I recently took on the project of redoing the band's site. I'm still learning about WordPress, so I hope to have all official sites linked together through plug-ins, gadgets...and other nifty elements. Today's project includes modifying all photos and re-creating the pics pages of the site. This is a huge project all together since we have over 1000 photos taken over the years, but it's okay since I'll take it one page at a time.

Let's see how it goes! Hasta luego...

Learning WordPress

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:46:00 +0000

I’ve been needing to update the band site – so far, I’ve done ok working on GoLive – but since it’s easier to be online and quickly post a blog about the next VolatilAdventures…I figured I needed to learn how to use WordPress. I got a chance to look at some cool designs, and I couldn’t decide which one to use for the band site.

Since I’m a hand’s on gal, I want to know how everything works. So I chose a design that’s also configurable. Meaning, I can add plug-ins to add gig dates, music, and hopefully YouTube videos. There is so much VolatilRock content out there that I would like to have it all in one place. There’s FaceBook, MySpace, Blogger, and now I want the main page to have the same content.

But it’s not as easy as I thought it would be. I am learning though, and I have time to learn…just like I had time to learn how to use GoLive…so in the mean time, enjoy the current setup.

Volatilrock.com

Many Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:34:00 +0000

Why is it that we always have ideas when we are away from 'our lab'? The other day, I had a job in Austin and during the entire drive, I was inspired by all the songs I heard on the radio. I listened to some songs from the 90s, and then some from the 60s, and then some current stuff. I had a lot of ideas running through my mind...but by the time I got home, the place where I can sit and write and put things in order, all these ideas were forgotten...

Happy Mardi Gras!

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:48:00 +0000

Hoping everyone had a good Valentine's Day weekend! Now we've recharged our batteries, and we'll be writing more music. There are times when we get 'musician's block'. We write and write and then we edit, and edit our songs that we go back to where we started. Inspiration drains out. I think we're ready to get things going again. We're taking a simpler approach. Less stress. More ideas and freedom to create...

Website re-design

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:20:00 +0000

As we slow down toward the end of the year, we have many plans and goals for 2010. One of which will be to re-design the entire website. I'm pacing myself and taking each day to plan the new site. I'm haven't touched the site since over a year, so I've forgotten a few things...but it's a learning process and will keep me busy these next few weeks. First up, finding the 'buttons' for our social networking sites (such as this one.) It's kinda late, and I'm gonna turn into Cinderella...so I'll leave you for now...

Nighty night web friends!

I made a mistake!

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Well, I was fixing the website (you know, Volatilrock.com)...and I thought I was being smart by 'syncing' both the site and the server...only to find out that I wiped out all the files on the server. Whoops! Now I've been spending all day reconnecting the files on the server. What a technical difficulty. But I guess it's like starting over.

How was this weekend? We had a blast partying with our friends at their Halloween Party on Saturday...that was surely an adventure! It was crazy-fun. Even though it was cool outside, we jammed till the wee hours in the morning...till the cops came. To our surprise, they came till 2AM. We had Ace Tax, Chris Marley, Luis Santana, and Rick Wolf...oh, and me, I was Cynthia Dracula! It was so much fun to play dress-up...and leave it to me to forget my camera! Ugh! I can't wait to see the ones that Yajaira, Ana, Sol and Cristian took. It was a night to remember!

Then yesterday, we went to a festival sponsored by a local radio station. We got to see 70s/80s bands like The Doobie Brothers, Foreigner, and Eddie Money. Sheesh, listening to some of their music brought me back to when I was in kindergarden. Especially the Eddie Money songs...back when I lived in Mexico and I didn't even know how to speak English. The Doobie Brothers, well, their music was before my time...LOL! But it was fun to watch an older generation still performing their hits - and sounding like the recordings.

Well, it's back to start the week again...and work work work! Till Later!

Cynthia
- inspire

Cynthia and Mr. Tree!

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:02:00 +0000

So we went out on the town this Saturday. Ricky and I hung out at a bar right on Main street. We were people watching when someone caught our eye. He was the Tallest Native Texan. Measuring 7'4", he attracted much attention. But the best part was that he is a very nice man. He was doing his 'rounds' saying hi to people, and making new friends along the way. I got a chance to chat with him for a while, and I learned that not only is he a caricature artist, he's also a psychologist! Unfortunately, he had to scoot along making more appearances along Main St. in downtown, and I didn't get a chance to ask him to draw a caricature....If you see him, be sure to say hello!

I'm eating Sushi...

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:02:00 +0000

I had nothing more to write for now. I just updated the website. A whole month went by and I didn't get to update the site. A good sign that Volatil has been busy. Busy with a few unexpected gigs. Busy working on new songs. Busy with our 'day' jobs. Yeah, we also clock in from 9-5. Sometimes from 5-9. Sometimes...ah, nevermind.

What this post is really about is figuring out how to post photos...so in reality this is only a test. Kidding!

Ha! I got it!!! Yeah...so now that I know how to post pics, then there will be more to come.

Lazy Sunday!

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:46:00 +0000

It's Sunday afternoon, and I'm surfing the net. I'm looking through business websites which brings to mind something I'm interested in. Not sure if it's ADD (although that's totally overrated), but I find many things interesting. I guess it's my nature to learn, and keep teaching myself new things. So when I was in college, all I wanted to do was to get good grades and graduate! I was so eager to start my 'career', get a 'real-world' job, and that would be the end of school. Little did I know that I actually seek new things to learn. You never really get out of school. I guess that's where the cliche 'Life is one Big Lesson' comes from. I'm actually happy when I'm learning something new; like a new way to use my imagination, or how to make funky clothes, or how to play the piano and read sheet music. Right now, as I said, I'm looking through business websites. If you think about it, my career is my business, and as such, I need to learn the newest concepts out there. And well, I didn't realize how much knowledge I had accumulated over the years until a friend asked me for 'business' advice. Really? I thought! It made me feel really good to help someone else. And I guess that's where I find happiness. Happiness in helping others. Happy to share my 'knowledge'...So if you also like to share your knowledge, don't be afraid to. Share any advice on books, courses, techniques, etc. I find every subject interesting since I'm always looking to learn something new!

-Inspire

Cynthia

What I spend money on...

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:30:00 +0000

Okay, so this one is totally off 'topic' from Volatil. I guess you can say that. But I found this topic interesting. In these 'difficult economic times' I thought I'd share what I spend my money on. And yes, I don't agree with the President taking his wife on a 'date' to NYC for the evening. Aren't there other things to take care of right now? Especially like showing 'frugality' in these 'difficult economic times'? Instead of splurging? But that's a whole other topic, and I don't like getting into political discussions.

So what do I spend my money on?

1. Gas - for my driving trips to job interviews.

2. Groceries - yep, I've gotta eat

3. Gifts - for family and friends - birthdays, special occasions...etc.

4. Clothing - I can't be running around nakey...

5. Shoes - you know, it's hot in Houston so I have to protect my feet, plus 'no shirt, no shoes, no service'.

6. Desserts - a little chocolate goes a long way!

7. Make-up - a girl's gotta look good all day!

8. Entertainment - you need to de-stress sometimes...

That's my list...what's yours?

Blogging by the pool in a mini-skirt

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:36:00 +0000

It's a beautiful day

Time to take a break

From the rat-race

And catch some rays

What a great way

To spend a sunny day

In a mini-skirt bathing suit

Blogging by the pool.

As the battery drains...

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:17:00 +0000

It's a nice day in Houston today. Too beautiful to be spent indoors. Thankfully I am able to make my own hours and work from different 'offices'...I've called Onion Creek, Libraries, Parks with WiFi, and Barnes and Noble locations my 'office' from time to time.

As my battery drains (computer battery, that is), I'm sitting next to a floor-to-ceiling window, watching the cars drive by, people walk by, and clouds float on. Just enjoying life. Sometimes life passes you by. We've all been there. Last week was like that for me. Granted my waking hours were flipped upside down...working similar to a 'graveyard shift'. But now that I'm on 'normal' hours, I wonder why? Why are we in such a rush? Why are we so eager to soar to the next level? Why can't we slow down? Have we forgotten how to do that?

And with that question I leave you...

Testing the Waters

noreply@blogger.com (VolatilRock) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:43:00 +0000

I'm learning as I go on here. I'm updating the website since we've got 2 shows coming up this weekend. And I figured why not add a blog on blogspot? So here I am, but we'll see how often I get to update the blogs. I'm trying to get these blogs onto the website so you can view them directly on there or just link them there...so if anyone has any ideas on how to do that, I'd greatly appreciate some info! Thanks!!!

I'm a little overwhelmed since there are so many different avenues to promote oneself! Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot...Official Sites, Sonicbids...and more...

Till next time!