I will, I really will. I promise to. I know that I don't update like I used to, and that my content is now boring, my humor is jaded, and that most of my news feed comes from Fark and TMZ, (ok not really)but with all the pressing issues to write about, I can onl find time to write a little bit about a lot, and that leaves my posts, articles, and reviews in what I consider rough, un-edited, and boring dribble...so I never follow through and publish it.
Ah... c'est la vie.
December 21, 2010
Zildjian and Vic Firth Merge to form Zilvicfirthdjian
Zildjian merges with Vic Firth!
My take is this:
1) Sabian cymbal artists who are with Vic Firth have a nice excuse to leave and bounce to Zildjian.
2) Zildjian's drumsticks will finally get really good, (see below) and...
3) what happens to the HSS deal? I mean wasn't Kaman, Sabian, Vic, and all under the Kaman blanket (Ovation, Gretsch, all the HSS stuff) I mean isn't all of that with the same distributer in the US? So is VF is just out of there?
Any ways... I think some of Zildjian's drumstick artists will probably redesign or reintroduce their sticks... That could be really great. I mean...
We could soon have Vinnie, Dennis Chambers, Bill Stewart, John Blackwell,
John Riley, Akiro, Manu, Tony, Travis Barker,Trilok Gurtu, and many others... STICKS MADE BY FIRTH, in thier factory! That's awesome to me!
You guys all know how I feel about Vater, I think they are the best drumsticks made. They last longer, are weighted better, and WAAAAAAAAAAAY more consistent than any other manufacture can even get close to. But there is quality and good everywhere, you just have to be able to see it. Some of the above mentioned sticks (currently made by Zildjian) are masterpieces developed by the drummer... Like for example Bill Stewart and John Riley's sticks... Great designs... Now imagine (and we'll get to hold them soon!!!!) them produced by VF in the VF factory, with the hickory that VF gets, and their quality control. To me, they just make a far better drumstick than anyone other than Vater. I mean really, if you can't feel the difference between a Vic or Vater stick and a Pro Mark or Zildjian stick, I think it's because you never gave yourself the chance to get to know them. Maybe because Neil Peart played a Pro Mark 747 wood tip OAK drunkstick, but lets face it... That's a terrible stick... You aren't Neil, and it doesn't work for you. Just the pure shock that his stick (or any oak stick) sends up your fingers, hands, and arms should be enough to tell you that something is wrong, but even if it isn't, you owe yourself at least the decency of taking $100 and buying 8-10 pairs (or more, I've heard guys say it took them 20 years to find their stick...I got lucky and found mine early) of sticks. Do a blindfold test on a pad, tape up the ends and play. See what feels best... and do Billy Wards "mental picture" trick. Hide the makers marks and take the new sticks to a gig. When you are rocking out, owning that gig, and just bitch-slapping with your fat nasty pocket, take a picture mentally of what is going right. There have to be a few things that look cool as you look yourself over, maybe your traditional grip is perfect, maybe changing your throne height last week gave you super dooper single pedal powers, or maybe it's those new sticks! When the song is over, set them aside, or at least unwrap them and take special note of what they are... then buy a few more pair and see how it goes. Maybe you found your secret weapon and you can now play like JoJo. Probably not, but worth a try.
All I'm really trying to say here is that I personally never thought Zildjian had the best drumstick on the market. I never thought that even Zildjian thought they had the best stick on the market. But I do love both Vic Firth, and Zildjian.
As companies they have so much in common, and I'm sure that this is a great marriage for all of us. They will flourish, and we as consumers and players will reap the rewards. However, seeing as how this subject is being discussed, I think too many players overlook their specific needs in drumsticks. I think it's easy to choose a hero drum god, and adapt yourself to their stick. My guess is that sticks are the item that sells the most due to signature status... But in honesty, you should be finding a stick that adapts to you.
In close, try them all...! See what works and what doesn't, don't be afraid to not play Travis Barkers stick if it doesn't feel good to you. Move on find a stick that works, and when audition time comes to get your spot in the band, those kids might look cool in their checkered wristbands and bright red sticks with polka dots and giant nylon tips (sorry Adrian) but you will be playing with a stick that makes you feel so comfortable that it's just an extension of your arm, and you can just OWN that last page of Mr. Reed's Syncopation!
My take is this:
1) Sabian cymbal artists who are with Vic Firth have a nice excuse to leave and bounce to Zildjian.
2) Zildjian's drumsticks will finally get really good, (see below) and...
3) what happens to the HSS deal? I mean wasn't Kaman, Sabian, Vic, and all under the Kaman blanket (Ovation, Gretsch, all the HSS stuff) I mean isn't all of that with the same distributer in the US? So is VF is just out of there?
Any ways... I think some of Zildjian's drumstick artists will probably redesign or reintroduce their sticks... That could be really great. I mean...
We could soon have Vinnie, Dennis Chambers, Bill Stewart, John Blackwell,
John Riley, Akiro, Manu, Tony, Travis Barker,Trilok Gurtu, and many others... STICKS MADE BY FIRTH, in thier factory! That's awesome to me!
You guys all know how I feel about Vater, I think they are the best drumsticks made. They last longer, are weighted better, and WAAAAAAAAAAAY more consistent than any other manufacture can even get close to. But there is quality and good everywhere, you just have to be able to see it. Some of the above mentioned sticks (currently made by Zildjian) are masterpieces developed by the drummer... Like for example Bill Stewart and John Riley's sticks... Great designs... Now imagine (and we'll get to hold them soon!!!!) them produced by VF in the VF factory, with the hickory that VF gets, and their quality control. To me, they just make a far better drumstick than anyone other than Vater. I mean really, if you can't feel the difference between a Vic or Vater stick and a Pro Mark or Zildjian stick, I think it's because you never gave yourself the chance to get to know them. Maybe because Neil Peart played a Pro Mark 747 wood tip OAK drunkstick, but lets face it... That's a terrible stick... You aren't Neil, and it doesn't work for you. Just the pure shock that his stick (or any oak stick) sends up your fingers, hands, and arms should be enough to tell you that something is wrong, but even if it isn't, you owe yourself at least the decency of taking $100 and buying 8-10 pairs (or more, I've heard guys say it took them 20 years to find their stick...I got lucky and found mine early) of sticks. Do a blindfold test on a pad, tape up the ends and play. See what feels best... and do Billy Wards "mental picture" trick. Hide the makers marks and take the new sticks to a gig. When you are rocking out, owning that gig, and just bitch-slapping with your fat nasty pocket, take a picture mentally of what is going right. There have to be a few things that look cool as you look yourself over, maybe your traditional grip is perfect, maybe changing your throne height last week gave you super dooper single pedal powers, or maybe it's those new sticks! When the song is over, set them aside, or at least unwrap them and take special note of what they are... then buy a few more pair and see how it goes. Maybe you found your secret weapon and you can now play like JoJo. Probably not, but worth a try.
All I'm really trying to say here is that I personally never thought Zildjian had the best drumstick on the market. I never thought that even Zildjian thought they had the best stick on the market. But I do love both Vic Firth, and Zildjian.
As companies they have so much in common, and I'm sure that this is a great marriage for all of us. They will flourish, and we as consumers and players will reap the rewards. However, seeing as how this subject is being discussed, I think too many players overlook their specific needs in drumsticks. I think it's easy to choose a hero drum god, and adapt yourself to their stick. My guess is that sticks are the item that sells the most due to signature status... But in honesty, you should be finding a stick that adapts to you.
In close, try them all...! See what works and what doesn't, don't be afraid to not play Travis Barkers stick if it doesn't feel good to you. Move on find a stick that works, and when audition time comes to get your spot in the band, those kids might look cool in their checkered wristbands and bright red sticks with polka dots and giant nylon tips (sorry Adrian) but you will be playing with a stick that makes you feel so comfortable that it's just an extension of your arm, and you can just OWN that last page of Mr. Reed's Syncopation!
July 8, 2010
Largo to extend bar hours till 3AM
Commissioner Gigi Arntzen had this to say.
“We tell people we don’t want you drinking and driving and now we’re giving you an extra hour to drink and drive,” she said.
She's an idiot. There are so many factors here, but I'll start with her statement.
Yikes! How exactly are we giving them an extra hour to drink and drive? I thought we were giving them an extra hour to buy drinks. I don't want to live in any city that gives you any time to drive drunk, let alone an extra hour.
I think that people who drink and drive do it habitually. Adding or removing hours from the time they are legal to buy drinks in a bar is going to have a pretty small effect on a habitual drunk driver. Think about what happens at 2AM when a whole hour of drinking remains just down the street. People will then leave Largo to go to St. Petersburg.
At least two things happen then. A drunk driver is on the road, and they are taking their business to another city. Generating revenue for St. Petersburg or Tampa.
Say you are having some drinks, 1AM rolls around and everybody is ready to party some more. It's easy, pop in your ride, drive straight through Largo and into St. Petersburg. Hit your favorite St Pete based bar, party till 3AM, then drive through Largo again. Twice as drunk as you were when you left. Which you never would have had to do in the first place if the blue law let us drink until 3AM.
As a former business owner I would think that we would want to keep our business here in our city. As someone who works in bars and restaurants, as well as many facets of the hospitality industry, I know I want more people spending money here.
Does this change the amount of people driving drunk? I don't think it will.
Does this change how drunk a person is? I don't think it will, but we will find out. I think that it may have an opposite effect. I think it will give time for bartenders to "cut off" (no longer serve) someone excess alcohol, and it might even allow some people time to "sober up". It might not have either of those effects, but we can hope for them.
The bottom line is this. Small business owners need to protect there profit margin now more than ever. They need everything going for them in order to succeed. Not giving it to them is wrong, especially when other municipalities are. Mathematically, it shouldn't put more drunk drivers on the road. Those people would be driving drunk at 2AM, 1AM, or 4AM. It depends on when the bar closes.
Another huge thing with the city of Largo is that the laws have changed in St. Pete already. The county is getting ready to pass the OK for 3AM as well. Countywide policy should really be the name of the game here...
Countywide policy is easiest to enforce because it does not confuse the public, the business owners and police officers.
Make it easy, make it desirable, and make it profitable. These things should be the focus point for Largo's commission.
I would like to see statistics on alcohol related DWI's and DUI's in St. Petersburg since the 3AM law has been in effect. Anyone have that info?
“We tell people we don’t want you drinking and driving and now we’re giving you an extra hour to drink and drive,” she said.
She's an idiot. There are so many factors here, but I'll start with her statement.
Yikes! How exactly are we giving them an extra hour to drink and drive? I thought we were giving them an extra hour to buy drinks. I don't want to live in any city that gives you any time to drive drunk, let alone an extra hour.
I think that people who drink and drive do it habitually. Adding or removing hours from the time they are legal to buy drinks in a bar is going to have a pretty small effect on a habitual drunk driver. Think about what happens at 2AM when a whole hour of drinking remains just down the street. People will then leave Largo to go to St. Petersburg.
At least two things happen then. A drunk driver is on the road, and they are taking their business to another city. Generating revenue for St. Petersburg or Tampa.
Say you are having some drinks, 1AM rolls around and everybody is ready to party some more. It's easy, pop in your ride, drive straight through Largo and into St. Petersburg. Hit your favorite St Pete based bar, party till 3AM, then drive through Largo again. Twice as drunk as you were when you left. Which you never would have had to do in the first place if the blue law let us drink until 3AM.
As a former business owner I would think that we would want to keep our business here in our city. As someone who works in bars and restaurants, as well as many facets of the hospitality industry, I know I want more people spending money here.
Does this change the amount of people driving drunk? I don't think it will.
Does this change how drunk a person is? I don't think it will, but we will find out. I think that it may have an opposite effect. I think it will give time for bartenders to "cut off" (no longer serve) someone excess alcohol, and it might even allow some people time to "sober up". It might not have either of those effects, but we can hope for them.
The bottom line is this. Small business owners need to protect there profit margin now more than ever. They need everything going for them in order to succeed. Not giving it to them is wrong, especially when other municipalities are. Mathematically, it shouldn't put more drunk drivers on the road. Those people would be driving drunk at 2AM, 1AM, or 4AM. It depends on when the bar closes.
Another huge thing with the city of Largo is that the laws have changed in St. Pete already. The county is getting ready to pass the OK for 3AM as well. Countywide policy should really be the name of the game here...
Countywide policy is easiest to enforce because it does not confuse the public, the business owners and police officers.
Make it easy, make it desirable, and make it profitable. These things should be the focus point for Largo's commission.
I would like to see statistics on alcohol related DWI's and DUI's in St. Petersburg since the 3AM law has been in effect. Anyone have that info?
April 8, 2010
Taxes, and the return of Rhythm Method
So as I said in my previous blogs, I have been in some hot water with the IRS over some incorrectly filed paperwork. Well, the good news is that I have filled the stuff correctly now, on my own. No CPA, no lawyers, no help. It was a terrible thing, but I squeaked by. Now we shall see what else they try to uncover or stick me with, as I am still under the microscope. I pray for the best.
Rhythm Method is being put back together for a full re-launch with Dennis Bailey Management. I can't tell you the new players yet, but you know them, have seen them, and love them. We still have Gary on keys, Brandon on vocals, and myself on drums.
The new lineup will appear April 29th @ Brighthouse Field after the Phillies/Threshers game.
I've been playing lots of poker recently with many trips to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, a few nights at Derby Lane, and an outing at Dania Jai-Alai where I placed 2nd in a field of 145 people. That was my nicest cash to date in brick and mortar poker rooms. I've got a poker coach now, and I am hitting it hard to study my game. I'm always looking for good home games, so hit me up if you have action.
Loretta hurt herself jumping up after a palm frond the other night. She lost it mid air about three feet high and busted her face into the tree followed immediately by bashing the back of her head into a metal pole. She suffered only a cut lip and a headache. Lucky for me no busted teeth or serious damage. She freaked out, which made me freak out. I just let go of her leash and sat down on the ground, she came over and laid down in my lap. Poor dog was so scared, she was shaking. She walked home with a little sad in her step until I broke off a smaller, but equally important palm frond for her. That improved her pride, and she could hold her head high the rest of the way home.
So... Look out for Rhythm Method Rejuvenated, and I shall see you this weekend.
Rhythm Method is being put back together for a full re-launch with Dennis Bailey Management. I can't tell you the new players yet, but you know them, have seen them, and love them. We still have Gary on keys, Brandon on vocals, and myself on drums.
The new lineup will appear April 29th @ Brighthouse Field after the Phillies/Threshers game.
I've been playing lots of poker recently with many trips to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, a few nights at Derby Lane, and an outing at Dania Jai-Alai where I placed 2nd in a field of 145 people. That was my nicest cash to date in brick and mortar poker rooms. I've got a poker coach now, and I am hitting it hard to study my game. I'm always looking for good home games, so hit me up if you have action.
Loretta hurt herself jumping up after a palm frond the other night. She lost it mid air about three feet high and busted her face into the tree followed immediately by bashing the back of her head into a metal pole. She suffered only a cut lip and a headache. Lucky for me no busted teeth or serious damage. She freaked out, which made me freak out. I just let go of her leash and sat down on the ground, she came over and laid down in my lap. Poor dog was so scared, she was shaking. She walked home with a little sad in her step until I broke off a smaller, but equally important palm frond for her. That improved her pride, and she could hold her head high the rest of the way home.
So... Look out for Rhythm Method Rejuvenated, and I shall see you this weekend.
April 7, 2010
Welcome to my new blog.
This will take over for the blog posts on my old website, and will focus mainly on the lighter side of things. I've decided to end the rant's and raves section of my websites and relocate everything here to Blogger. It's a great free blog hosting and editing website, and easily links with your facebook, twitter, myspace, Gmail & Google accounts. My first true "Blog" will follow in just a little while. I have to edit some of it down.
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