Busy with da Muse sick

I've been in a music kinda mood lately. I've been trying to get Ghost of Man down. I have most of it down, but there are some parts which i haven't quite mastered. I think it's a timing thing that i'm having issues with (no surprise there). we all know that i have the worst issues with timing.

Work gets in the way of fun...

At any rate, i've been working my guitars a lot lately. I think i need another one (or two)? ;)

I've got some other writing to do so i'll wrap up this post...
Good night!

Oh Yeah! and Aww Man...

Bummer. I missed the paintball festivities today. Today was Rob's 30th Birthday Paintball surprise party. For some reason, i thought that was next weekend. Awww man...i've got some mad paintball skillz too. Sorry i missed it Rob. Hope you had fun.

In a continuing string of good things, my good friend from high school, Jason, called me up Friday afternoon to let me know that he had some free time this weekend. We've been trying to get together for some time now. With noting on my agenda for saturday night, he drove down here and we hung out getting caught up on all the goings-on. We ended up shooting pool at Main Event for a few hours. It was good to catch up with an old friend. Unfortunately, the catching up lasted into the wee hours of the morning. This only afforded me about 4.5 hours of sleep.

I would've slept in, but Rockstar practice takes priority over sleep. I went over to Groovy B studios to work on the live sound of Finding Reason. And Oh Yeah!!! Ben and I dialed in some killer tones. I'm super excited about the sounds we created. We dialed in an awesome acoustic simulator sound that will be used on Blue Devils and Got Me Wrong. Ben was so envious of my patch, that he tweaked his patch to get it closer to mine. My guitars sound great...despite the mediocre guitarist behind the guitars...I'm getting really excited now...
We're getting closer...Are you ready?

Not Horrible, But Not Great

I finally got into the studio today to get some music work done. After having not played for more than two weeks, my performance was mediocre with a side of not-too-shabby. (meaning i was a bit rusty) I still have much work to do before we'll be ready for that first public performance. I think we'll be playing a party in the near future. Our goal is to do a public performance in May (or earlier...depending on DC3's schedule.)

This weekend, i'll head over to groovy B studios to work on my live patches through the PA system. Unfortunately, the effects have to be tweaked for the medium in which they're played through. Time consuming and necessary. But once they are dialed in, there shouldn't be too much more tweaking.

Tomorrow, i will continue my studio sessions. I do need a little more motivation though. I find my self easily distracted...

I got that needed haircut today too. The plan was to get a haircut before Moscow, but that just didn't work out...but it feels so much better now.

Moscow 2008 Pictures

Here are the pictures from my most recent trip.
I'll be working on the captions over the next few days...as some of those pictures may not make sense.

Moscow 2008

Enjoy.

Home

Safe. Sound. 23 hours of travel. Tired. Very Tired. Write More Later.

My Work Here is Done...

Despite some people's wishes, i'm leaving Moscow tomorrow morning. The mission, from an ISS perspective, is complete and that concludes my business here. Now it's time to play. The whole HSG team is headed out for a night on the town tonight. It's been snowing pretty much all day. So, luckily our destinations aren't far from the metro stations.
I had a great time here in Moscow...even with the miserable weather. Whether the pictures from tonight will fall upon your eyes is yet to be seen. But i do have some pictures from the trip...although not many of me.
I just hope i make the van to the airport in the morning...(don't get any ideas, Carla)

Snot-Freezing

Today, i was told, was the coldest day in the Russian winter so far. While i can attest that it was down right cold, i cannot confirm if it was the coldest day so far. But that is irrelevant in this post. The main point is that it was COLD. Snot-freezing-to-your-face-cold. Today was the pilgrimage to the out door market, Izmailovo. The best finds are found on the weekend and give two days to choose from, we chose today. Tomorrow was, according to the forcasts, supposed to be the colder day. Which is why we chose today. When i woke i checked the current temperature, which was a stunning 17 degrees F, with a windchill of the loneliest number, 1 degree F.

I don't know what the temperature was at the open market, but my guess is that it was a little colder...due to being kinda out in the middle of nowhere. I lasted nearly 2 hours before i had to head back to the relative warmth of the Metro. Wow...it was cold. I spent my money...didn't do much bargaining, for i figured those people deserved what i was paying just for being out in the cold. This one guy i was talking to (the guy who tolded me it was the coldest day so far) said he had to stay until sundown. Ughh...it's wicked cold here. Current temp is 9 degrees F with a windchill of -2 degrees F.

We were also able to meet up with Shannon and a few others from Houston. So far, i have done pretty much everything i have set out to do while i was here. The one lingering box that i need to check off is going to see the impressionist paintings at the Pushkin. I think Al and I are going to cover that tomorrow.

Needless to say, i'm having more fun than i thought i would out here. But i'm eager to get back and play some guitar...

Pushkin Art Museum

I finally was able to get out into the city today. One of the planners on the shuttle side and I went to the Pushkin Art Museum today. That was one of my goals following my first trip here years ago. I wanted to go to the art museum. Mark that off my list of things to do. Although, i think we're going back. We didn't have time to see the part of that i really wanted to see...the European impressionists (Monet, Cezzane, Van Gogh, etc.) That was in a separate building. We did see a lot of amazing paitings and sculptures. I'm not so much in to the sculptures, but i do have an appreciation for the detailed craftsmanship associated with works like that. I suppose if i didn't have vices, then, i too, could perhaps produces works of grandeur. But who am i kidding...i'll never be as skilled and meticulous as some of these artists were. I didn't see any paintings that completely blew me away, but nevertheless it was a treat to visit such a place. I'm think my eye is attracted to the impressionists...

I am extremely tired right now though...Al and I barely made it back in time for work. We had just enough time to go back to our apartments and change clothes. And we'll probably do it again tomorrow...and probably Saturday. Sunday might be a day off to sleep in...but plans are being worked.

Speaking of Al, one of the interesting things that comes from doing a tour here in the HSG is the new people you get to meet. Al is quite the musician. In fact he plays in a Celtic band and i'm thinking i'd like to see him play. Any one up for some live music and a little cheer? On the other shift i met a guy that was at A&M (in the aero department) at the same time i was there. However, he graduated a year earlier than me. I don't recall him either...but it's a small world. And then there's Carla. I've known who she was for some time now, but we've never had the opportunity to talk and get to know each other. She's one cool chick. Josh and Lisa can attest to that...

Anyway...this has been a rewarding trip to Moscow...even though i don't feel like i'm contributing much to the is mission. It's the smaller joys in this trip that are making it worth while...

See ya in a few more days...

Random and Shift Switching

Well, we're halfway through this mission. I should be back home in a week. I have quite a few plans stirring in the pot, so i'm excited to get back.
Since we're halfway through, it was time to do some shift switching. My co-worker and I are switching our shifts. I'll be working the Moscow evening hours and he'll take over my Moscow day hours. What this means is that i'll be awake when the most of you are awake.

I woke up this morning with what was a decidely prominent chill in the air. My room is usually warmer that what i keep my house. But today it was quite a bit cooler. SO i checked the latest weather and understood why. This morning the temperature was about 10 degrees F cooler than the previous days. And a quick look at the forecast doesn't bode well for this native Texan. While i do prefer the cooler weather to the warmer...this is beyond my comfort level. Luckily i packed appropriately. Time to break out the thermals...

Yesterday, astronaut Piers Sellers (who i think has similar features as Harrison Ford) came into the HSR (Houston Support Room) where i was working. I talked to him a bit. He's in charge of some training at Star City (where the cosmonauts/astronauts train here in Russia). I asked him how Shannon Walker was doing. Shannon and I were supposed to try to meet up while i was here in Moscow. But Piers tells me that she has her head buried in books studying for her training. So, i'll just catch up with Shannon when she comes back to Houston.

On the sad side of the house, Roy Scheider (Chief Brody in the movie Jaws)
died earlier this week. "You're gonna need a bigger boat" I love that line...and that movie.

Well, that about sums up the randomness i wanted to shower you with...Enjoy your sleep.

I've Seen the Sun...

I haven't seen the sun since i've been in Moscow, until today. I thought it was a little brighter outside than it had been before. I thought i slept in later...but no, the skies were clear and that warm glowing orb was a sight for sore eyes. Although, without the cloud cover, the temperatures were somewhat cooler this morning. All the slush that had been there before was gone. The streets were dry. The once slushy sidewalks were now frozen over...but Moscow knows how to keep streets and sidewalks safe...so there were no issues walking.

With the clearing skies will bring some really chilly temps. I believe by Friday the temps will be a high of 24 degree F. It's been hovering around 34 or 35 degrees F since i've been here. It is February in Russia...i suppose it could be worse. According to one of the interpreters, one could charaterize the Moscow weather as somewhere between fall and winter or somewhere between winter and spring. Basically, there has been no winter here...

An interesting thought crossed my mind after i caught a cat walking down the hall today. Yes, the infamous TsUP cats. They do exist. Moose brought one home with her once. Anyway, this cat walks by an then comes into our room and promptly jumps up in the ops lead's lap and begins meowing. The thought i had was....I wonder if this cat is meowing in Russian? Would i know? Do the cats meow and dogs bark in English back home?

No, i have not been drinking the potato juice. And yes, I think i have been getting enough sleep. I'm just weird like that...

One

Embarrassing. Although not entirely our fault. It has been one year since Finding Reason made their debut, and to date, only performance. The two song set included the melodic Delusion of Trust and the edgy Love/Hate. Work, that thing that finances our endeavors, just so happens to be a double-edged sword. But i'm hoping that this year will be better. I was the lead for two different flights last year and Ben was the lead on one. Greg was...well, i'm not sure what Greg's excuse is...

Any way, the good news is we have four original songs completed (3 of which are probably performance ready). The fourth just needs to be oiled in the squeaky parts and practiced with a drummer...and then we're ready. We also have two covers that are ready to go too. Six songs to carry us forth. Of course that is assuming i haven't atrophied what i knew. I haven't played my guitars in several days now...with at least another week to go...and it's been 3 weeks or more since Finding Reason had a practice.

So, that brings me back to that chilly night at St. Arnold's Brewery in Houston, TX. The grounds at which we lost our performance virginity. For Greg and I it was truly our first. Ben, of course, has been around the block a few times with Less Than Serious.

Here is a recap of that night:
Rockstar? Finding Reason Debuts
More Finding Reason Debut Pics

I still very much remember that night. I remember how i was uber nervous...especially right before going on. I remember how i was shaking from the adrenalin rush following the set. I remember people i didn't know coming up to talk to me after the set. I remember the special people there. It was a great time.

I know you've been wanting to know...and the answer is soon. It will NOT be another year before we play again...
See ya soon!

Duality

Duality...Dichotomy...good & bad...yin & yang...
I have a great affinity for the above. Different, yet the same...
You must know one before you can know the other.
From the pesimist's point of view; you must know bad before you know what is good.
From the optimist's point of view; you must know good before you know what is bad.
Or is it the other way around? Ha...duality. Complexity.

You see, I really do find duality fascinating. And because of that, i try to embellish my posts with hints of duality. Meaning that more often than not, a word or phrase will actually have two meanings...or will be directed to two completely different audiences. Sometimes the duality is so subtle that only the author would get it. Other times, the author is a bit more blunt. If you could only see the smirk on my face as i write some of these posts. Metaphorical versus the literal.
Yes, i'm complex like that. But i can be so very simple too. It's fantastical the way my mind works...

At work in Moscow

So today was my first day at work here in Moscow...well, we actually work in Korolev. I saw a few of my Russian colleagues and met a few new American colleagues. Today was rather slow...not much to discuss with the Russians.

Tomorrow will be much of the same...perhaps a little more hectic as we prepare for Atlantis to dock to the station. Then all the fun and games begin.

Moscow is mushy right now; not very pleasing to the eye. The temperatures are a little above freezing which means all the snow and ice are melting. Everything is soggy, slushy, and mushy. I don't think there will be much time for site-seeing anyway. The only real chance we had was the few hours after we arrived. My co-workers aren't the goin' out types (frankly, i'm not the going out type either). But that gives me a chance to sit down and think about things.

One of my goals for this trip is to come home with some lyrics (or lyric ideas) for Finding Reason. I'm trying something new. I decided that i would write down every thought i had over a small time period. I decided to try that because i do have some pretty good lyrical ideas, but i always come up with them when pen and paper aren't available...and sometime those ideas pop out of my random thoughts. So the idea is to write down everything and then filter out the garbage.

What i think i uncovered by this method of writing is that i'm mad (not mad as in angry, but mad as in effing crazy!) I might share an excerpt from my first 20 minute thought-diarrhea session. My mind has severe ADD. Perhaps that was a result of being on an 11 hour flight? Well, i'm not sure that first session resulted in anything.

I do have a few "themes" in mind about song material. But i hate forcing the words to make the song work...Forcing it makes it seem...well...forced. Oh well, perhaps one day you'll find my thoughts/ideas in a future Finding Reason song or songs...

Back in Russia

Finally...after 22 hours 45 minutes, a few hours of delays, a hot airplane, a cold airplane, and an aborted landing, i'm safe here in moscow. The good news is that i have a computer this time. The accomodations aren't as posh as the last 2 visits, but I'm stoked that my computer is working. I don't know if i'll be able to stay up another 9 hours though...

Lisa's Birthday Dinner

Here are the pictures from tonight's little shindig at Cafe Adobe.
I didn't have time to edit the pictures, so i noticed one is umm...not kid-friendly. But all Cory is doing is helping Lauri with an itchy nose.

Lisa_31_Bday

If any of you want the originals, i'll get em to you when i get back...

Too Much Time

Todd's mind goes into over-active mode when there is...well too much time to think. Over active, over analyzing, over easy...If i could just figure out a way to transfer those thoughts to paper and have it mean something...i mean, really mean something i'd be content. When given too much time to think i tend to force the thoughts, force the words, force the emotions. And in the end, i'm never satisfied with the outcome. It never works out the way it was orchestrated in my head. Sometimes i am surprised by the outcome...sometimes it works out better than imagined. Ahhh...i enjoy those rare moments.
At any rate, i'm going to embark on trip that lends itself to too much time to think. Simply because there isn't much else to do. I could read...that pacifies the mind for some time. Then there is the music. If i could bring the guitar that would help. But i'm too scared to bring it. Scared...is probably not the right word. Nervous...that's a better word. With the right motivation that could change.
There are a lot things i want to take care of here on the home front. The list is long.
Being away, with too much time to think...the mind-killer. No wait. Fear. Fear is the mind-killer.

I Had A Taste...

...and it was sweet! You see, up until tonight I had not played the latest rage. But tonight, i got that chance. What is it, you ask? Guitar Hero. I'm not very good at it...but i see the fun potential is extremely high! Guitar hero parties sound like fun! I really shouldn't buy a game system...for any spare time i do have would be soaked up by that. Oh but the fun that could be had...

But soon, hopefully, i'll get to experience the real deal...the real guitar hero. There was no practice today. Ben had some sort of bug. But i got some work done in the studio...not much...but some.

Well...it's late. Time to catch up on some sleep. Oh yeah, the New York Giants won the Superbowl.

While You Slept

Did you know that while you slept, i was in the studio workin' on music? Of course i didn't amplify the sound...I didn't want to disturb you. It was 3:30am.

Two quotes from last night's movie: "I move the stars for no one." and "It's only forever, not long at all." Not sure why those two stuck out, but i thought they were cool.

Getting up for football this morning was tough. But the weather couldn't have been nicer. And i think the lack of sleep affected my performance...but i still had fun.

On a completely different subject...You have to see it for yourself!

ISS Aerobatics

Tonight i performed a little aerobatic maneuver with the ISS. We did a barrel roll. It was all for a good reason, but that reason isn't nearly as impressive as the maneuver. We weren't rippin through the sky at 360 degrees/sec (like some jet fighters)...we were rollin' at about 0.1 degree/sec. Half way through the roll we stopped to fly inverted for a bit...then continued the roll.

But with that fun, there was a lot of work that came with it. I'm so exhausted right now. It's been an extremely busy week...almost insane. It's been so busy that it truly felt like a friday...and when you get that friday feeling, it's hard to let it go...it's even harder to get up in the morning knowing you've got one more day to go.

I really need to kick back and relax a bit tomorrow. Won't you join me?