There have been some cool new people here lately, haven't there? It makes me glad that we're getting some fresh blood in here.
l
I love finding new music. I've been going on a new music binge, because a band that I'm a huge fan of (Pain of Salvation) released their newest album in Jan. or Feb. and it was a collosal dissapointment. But it's motivated me to find new avenues for my music. And I've discovered that, unlike my previous supposition, good metal is not dead here in America - there are still a lot of kick-ass bands here.

Ah well. Suck is life.

Some great new talent, and some returning old talent. 

As for Pumpkin, I wish I could but my baby on a diet.  But as we have so many cats, I cant stop her from eating more than her share.  And Scotty - the mean cat?  After I nursed him back to health, he is my lap cat now. Does not care for my wife (he is really her cat - but since the merger - our cat).

Great newsy letter Maso!

I like everyday stuff.  It's almost like reading someone's diary.  Thanks for sharing this with us.

I think the newbies rock too.

I checked out the new song on the site...um, I had to hurry and turn it off because my kids were in the room.  hahaha.

I am not into hip hop or rap (or anything like them) at all.  But I can appreciate the musical ability and voice it takes to pull off the genre when done well.

I hope you guys go far.

San Chonino,

Yes, there are some cool newbies. I am really enjoying reading some of their writings too. And it does the place good to have an injection of new ideas.

On the music thing, I was talking to someone recently about new music, how good it is and how diverse it is. This person was of the opinion there was nothing good anymore and the best music was made in the days of their youth. I felt sad for them in a way because they've missed out on so much good music. But there are a lot of people out there like that, I believe. Oh well, I guess it means there is more of the new stuff for me.

Doc,

Yeah, I've noticed a few old names returning. This too is good to see.

Pumpkin has a habit of trying to trick either Toni or I into believing she hasn't been fed. Because Toni works shifts and I work regular hours, she (the cat) has made us both, at different times, believe we've not fed her. She has ended up, at times, having two breakfasts or dinners, the tricky bugger. But not anymore. Because she is being medicated, we now keep track of her meals. She still tries to trick us, but doesn't get away with it anymore.

Adnauseam,

Thanks, mate. I like writing these kind of blogs almost as much as I like reading them.

Tova,

I'm glad you like reading this as enjoy sharing it with my friends here

I should have warned everyone about the songs, sorry. Yes, there is some swearing in the songs, but not violent. Most of it is cheeky and irreverant, just like the guy singing the lines. I do hope you get to have a listen, though. I'd be interested in your opinion. We're hip hop, for sure, but I like to think we're a little more than this as well.

Oops, I didn't realize this was in 2 parts! I got lost somewhere, haha.

I'm home alone right now drinking coffee and just perused your Myspace place and listened to your bands songs. I am certainly no music authority, but I do know what I like! I think ya'll are going somewhere good Maso if ya'll choose to persevere and hang in there. The songs have that feel ya know? I'm lad I clicked over and listened this morning as it was entertaining and isn't that one of the many points of listening to music? Well done, Maso. Remember me whey ya hit the big time I've always wanted a back stage pass!!!

That is great. I'm glad she's back in good health.



I never been much a fan of horror books, but your enthusiastic words has got me interested in Mr. Straub.



I had a friend like that, too. When I saw her I kept thinking she looked like somebody familiar then she came up and started talking to me and as soon as I seen her pretty smile I knew who it was. Like your friend she was totally in love and seemed very happy.



This isn't exactly a motivational thing, but when I watch TV I like to exercise during every commercial break. I know it doesn't sound like much, but even a liitle helps.



Oh-oh that's so funny because on your other 'Random Access' article I mentioned you guys sound American. You know no matter what you sound like you're always gonna have haters so it's always best to remain true to yourselves. I remember years back on the radio people calling in complaining about Rancid. How they sucked for trying to sound British. I could go on and on with other groups from all over, too. People are idiots. Another thing I always hated is when fans of a band start hating the band if they get very successful. It's always the same excuse too, "I don't like them no more. They sold out." What band doesn't want a bigger fan base? Idiots.



I, for one, am glad there are more writers here. I read a million more times than I write so I welcome any talented writer.

Glad to hear that. Our male cat gets the hunting instinct this time of year. I'm ashamed to say that he brought four or five dead baby bunnies to our doorstep last year as we live next to a conservation area. Animals will be animals. He's not the top of the food chain though as there are foxes and the occasional coyote around. Even the deer are getting getting more aggressive lately and have a tendency to eat the tops off the tomatoes we plant in our garden (we have no fence).

I'm reading Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game", but Mary Lou just dug out her copy of "Koko" for me to read. Still relishing the aftertaste of "From Hell" BTW. Thanks for that one.

I too relish the better-than-average focus of writing talent here at JU. It almost feels like we live in an artists' colony. The feelings and ideas reverberate back and forth amongst us. We learn new techniques, new styles and new perspectives. We learn to find our voices and pleasure in the cacophony AND the harmony that result.
(I overdid that, didn't I.)

I enjoyed all the updates, mate. Thanks

Try Stephen King's The Stand sometime uDigIt if you haven't already. I'm not that big on the horror genre either but The Stand was an exception.



Not at all Don. Very well said.

I loved the miniseries. Gary Sinise was the greatest as Stu Redman, the protaganist. An archetypal theme. I think my wife has that book too! I've gotta finish the "Gunslinger" series first though....so many books    

One of the best books ever written. And not too horror-y. Mostly just thrilling . . . and it makes you think a lot.



Stephen King's very best work. Wait until you read The Stand and you see how closely related it (and most of King's work) is to the Dark Tower.

Check out this link on another cool Stephen King thing, The Shining

WWW Link

Very interesting!

...indeed. Kubrick is something else.

Shovel,

Mate, I'm really pleased you like the music. And I'll go you one better on the backstage passes too. You can be 'security' and keep all the groupies in line for me. It will be a tough job, but I'm sure you'll be able to handle it.

Chris,

Peter Straub is not really horror, at least, not in the Stephen King etc way. His books are a lot more cerebral. In my opinion, he is one of the best writers out there. I am really enjoying re-reading his books. If you're not into horror, you still might enjoy his stories. Try 'Floating Dragon' or 'Lost Boy, Lost Girl'. Both are great introductions to his writing.

You know no matter what you sound like you're always gonna have haters so it's always best to remain true to yourselves.

This is almost exactly what I've been saying to our MC. He is the one who takes the detractors comments to heart as it is usually comments about his rapping. We're not setting out to win the whole world over. There are always going to be people who won't like what we're doing. The best thing to do is to concentrate on the positives, keep moving forward and having fun.

Like you, the idea of fans liking a band less because they're more successful is ridiculous. And any band that says they're not in it for the money is also being ridiculous. All the hours we put in rehearsing, writing and promoting the band are ONLY so we can hopefully find success.

Don,

I'm ashamed to say that he brought four or five dead baby bunnies to our doorstep last year as we live next to a conservation area. Animals will be animals.

I understand your shame. I would feel it too even though rabbits are considered pests (an introduced species). Animals can't help their nature. It is an inherent part of why we like having them around.

I'm reading Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game", but Mary Lou just dug out her copy of "Koko" for me to read. Still relishing the aftertaste of "From Hell" BTW. Thanks for that one.

I've not read any Orson Scott Card. I've heard he is really good. It is Scifi, isn't it? I'm reading 'Koko' again at the moment and am really enjoying it. Hope you do too. And I'm really pleased you dug 'From Hell'. It really is an incredibly in-depth novel.

It almost feels like we live in an artists' colony. The feelings and ideas reverberate back and forth amongst us. We learn new techniques, new styles and new perspectives. We learn to find our voices and pleasure in the cacophony AND the harmony that result.

Nicely said, although sometimes I think I could do with more constructive criticism. But that is just me. As you say, the community aspect is fantastic and supportive.

(I overdid that, didn't I.)

Well, maybe just a little, but it was so nicely put, I'll forgive you

I enjoyed all the updates, mate

Cool...

Shovel, Don and San Cho

but The Stand was an exception.

Yeah, it is one of my favourites too. It is a classic good vs. evil story with a modern twist. I'm sure you'd enjoy it, Chris. Like Don says, the mini series (which we have on DVD) is well done. It really is a good telling of the story, although I do prefer the suspense of the book. Rob Lowe's character is great too.

I've not read any of the Gunslinger series. I should give it a go. Is it true someone is making an animated series of The Gunslinger? I couldn't find anything about it when I googled it but I might be missing something.

I have never been any good at offering that at all despite repeated attempts at trying. I'd make a piss-poor Simon Cowell!