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Thursday, November 20, 2008
It's been a year since I've posted anything here. Someday I may update this website, but in the meantime if you're interested in what I'm doing, check out the places I do frequent!
Facebook - Todd South
http://www.facebook.com/people/Todd-South/604159191 MySpace - Todd South
http://www.myspace.com/toddsouth Twitter - Todd South
http://twitter.com/ToddSouth MySpace - Reno Music Project
http://www.myspace.com/renomusicproject MySpace - Burning Peace
http://www.myspace.com/burningpeace WORK - Songwriting & Performance Institute
http://www.spimusic.com
As always, I'm available via many electronic means. Feel free to say hi! | Text/Voice: | 775-530-2940 | | Yahoo IM: | tcsouth | | AIM: | TaoshamanTCS | | MSN: | tcsouth@yahoo.com | | ICQ: | 1943809 | | Email: | todd@toddsouth.com |
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Today's Topic: HOLIDAYS
So, for the first time in my entire life, this year I didn't do anything halloweenish on Halloween, my most-favored holiday of the year. No yard haunt, no party, no dressing up, hell, we didn't even hand out candy to the kiddies. Complete All Hallow's grinches this year. Bummer.
On the plus side, I didn't waste the evening. I got together in the studio with Lenny and Cap and laid down some more tracks for the new Burning Peace album. Being that we started the damn thing in January, took all summer off, then just got back on track in September, I'm guessing it'll be done sometime before my 50th birthday. But it will be done, dammit, or my name isn't Fred Mertz.
I'm not super-big on holidays. I'm usually the guy who ends up at the bank on Veteran's, Flag, and Memorial day(s) wondering why the hell I can't get a little service, ferchrissake. But Thanksgiving is nearly here, and that's one I actually enjoy. As some may have noticed, I enjoy food. :) I also happen to be a cham-peen turkey meister, having spent the last 15 years honing the craft of producing a moist tasty meal from a bird that tends toward dry and bland.
I've cooked the official family turkey (or turkeys, depending on the size of the crowd) for the last few years, and it's been fun every time.The last couple years we've had a really BIG family get together (including folks from both mine and Lisa's side), which makes for quite an experience. I think we topped out at something like 35 adults, kids, and grandkids. Good thing Lou & Cris have a BIG house. We're talking about doing it there again this year, but I don't think the crowd will be quite as big. Then again, who knows. I'm planning on cooking two birds just in case, and I know Lou is going to do some tri-tip again (YUM!).
I DO LOVE a good turkey dinner. Holy crap, I nearly kill myself trying to shove all the food in each year. So much food, not enough stomach! Bring back the Roman tradition of vomitariums, that's what I say! Bring on that sweet, golden fowl! Yum yum yum yum!
But I digress.
Christmas blows. I loved it as a kid because of the presents, and being a singing show-off I generally enjoyed doing the whole caroling thing. Why, the first time I used a four-track cassette deck I recorded a set of carols. Ain't that a hoot?
However, as I've grown to be an increasingly anti-theist cynic, I've found that joining the fray on this one has really lost any magic for me. 99% of the people who celebrate the damn thing have no clue about the origin of their cherished traditions, and thus I find the folks spouting inanities such as, "He's the reason for the season," beyond my level of curmudgeonly tolerance.
And I haven't even gone into the sheer crush of mindless, near-mandatory consumerism. Hell, it's downright Un-American not to spend a shitload of cash on everyone you know during this Blessed Event. I like giving gifts to friends and family as much as anyone, but the arms race that ensues in some families and social groups is staggering. I've personally observed a family of adult siblings and grandparents drop thousands on high priced toys and gadgets for a SINGLE 2 year old baby, most of which the tyke couldn't possibly use until the stuff is all years obsolete. Why? To prove that they all love the kid the most, and to outdo each other in their wanton display of conspicuous consumption. Call it a pissing match of platinum cards. Ugh.
My wife and I have decided we're not doing it this year. We've never gone nuts the way most people do, but we've always tried to do some gift giving for the folks we know are certain to do the same for us. We said to ourselves it was only fair, rather than hurt anyone's feelings. But this year, I guess we're going to blaze ahead and take charge of our own December destiny. We'll likely still do something present-wise for the kids, because, hell, they're our kids and we're not too proud to be hypocrites in that regard. But the gifting back and forth amongst adults just because It's That Time Of Year ... FEH!
Save it for a birthday, or hell, just some random day during the year when you want to surprise someone you love with an unexpected gift. And fer gossake don't worry about the price; it really is the thought that counts. If your friend or relative is offended by your inexpensive token of appreciation, there's something wrong with THEIR worldview, not yours.
But, of course, I'll end up doing the Christmas Day thing because it's for the kids and grandma and my xmas-lovin' sister and brother-in-law, not for me, Mr. Cranky McCrankster. I'll probably watch some or all of "A Christmas Story" again, because it's still funny after 20+ years. And I'll probably end up singing some carols because, hell, some habits are harder to break than others. Ho Ho Ho.
NEW YEAR'S EVE is what I'd really like to look forward to this year. I've tried to throw a party on this date for the past three years, and I've been thwarted every time. In 2004 the snow clobbered us two nights prior, rendering the entire valley a frozen winter wonderland that even 4WD cats feared to tread. The next year the torrents came again, but failed to freeze, thus flooding out our venue of choice. And of course last year our favorite venue got sold out from under us right before the holiday, thus ending any further plans to use it for a year-end bacchanal.
The last time I had an actual NYE party was four years back at my sister's house. WHAT A TIME WE HAD! Good stuff, that. Don't suppose we'll be doing that again, now that my nephew Max went and got hisself born on Jan 2nd. It'll be all about the BIRTHDAY party over at that house! :)
But, I'm hoping that the fourth time will be the charm, allowing us to actually have a get-together on Dec. 31st, 2007. Still trying to find a place to do it, but I've had a couple ideas that might pan out. If it pulls together, my notion is to do what we did in 2003 and invite a few musicians to share their talents and party with us. And of course get in some Burning Peace action. Yowza!
Ok, enough blogging. Time to move on to other things and dream of Halloween frights for future years to come. mmmmmMMMWAHAHAHAHAHA!Labels: Hollidays
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Ok, who REALLY wrote that song?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/25/music.whosreallywriting.ap/index.html
Thursday, July 19, 2007
These people are well-funded and taking over the country. Be afraid.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/05/31/creation_museum/index_np.html
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Do You Believe in Magic?Great article on why people are delusional. :)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/health/
psychology/23magic.html?
pagewanted=1&ei=5089&en=902f59b9129
bebc7&ex=1327208400&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
| What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta. | | The Midland |
| | Boston |
| | North Central |
| | The Inland North |
| | Philadelphia |
| | The South |
| | The Northeast |
| What American accent do you have?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz |
Friday, May 12, 2006
April 21st was scary because I played solo as the featured performer and used my loop pedal for the first time.
eek.
But, it went ok and I survived. Film at 11.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
I've started work on two new recording projects. First is the long-anticipated follow up to Burning Peace's first studio album, along with (possibly) a second volume of the live material. Second, I'm finally in the mood to do a new solo album, my first since the Hippy Dye Cowboy days. I have some ideas, but these things always end up taking their own direction. I'll be posting demo tracks and the like in the coming weeks. Feedback is always welcome! :)
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
I don't often bother with time-wasting quizzes, fun though they may be. However, this one caught my eye and compelled the geek in me to seek the truth.
Which OS are You?
Monday, February 07, 2005
Ever play the kazoo? SURE you have! And now you can SERIOUSLY rock out with your innate kazoo skills!
http://www.broadjam.com/artists/artistindex.asp?artistID=7034
http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2005/01/electric-kazoo-plus-midi-kazoo-too.html
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Ok, so it's been a REALLY long time since I've posted anything here. Hey, I've been busy! Check out the Walden's or Burning Peace blogs if you want to see what's been keeping me from posting in this space.
Regardless, I've finally been prompted to post again because I was recently featured in a bit of "old school" news reporting. The Reno Gazette-Journal recently ran a story that quoted me quite a bit; I don't recall saying those EXACT words, but whatever. They printed a really weird photo of my face (which is thankfully not included in the web edition), plus a GREAT shot of my back! heheheh
Lots of stuff has happened this year. I played that Wechter guitar a LOT. The Burning Peace jam session & campout at Pig Rock Caves was the biggest, bestest ever (Memorial Day weekend). We released our first live CD, played our first Sacramento show, performed at the Nevada Museum of Art, and generally had a good year. However, 2005 looks like it's going to be even better cuz I've got all kinds of wickedness planned. MWAHAHAHAHAHA! Well, maybe not WICKED per se, but fun nonetheless.
The kids are getting so BIG! YOW! Topher and Zach really got into playing guitar and bass (respectively) and went with me to the Caves. Good times. All the kids have been keeping really busy with activities and school and music and such. Jessica started playing flute in 6th grade band last year and found she really enjoyed it. I just watched her play with the 7th grade Intermediate Band this week and I think she's a shoo-in for Advanced Band next year. She seems to have a real knack for that particular instrument!
Speaking of recent concerts, Morgan and Zach each sang in Honor Choir this year, and they've both had a good time with their school's choir. At their holiday concert I watched with pride and amusement as Morgan moved back and forth between song breaks, singing the soprano and alto parts depending on the piece. She's got a strong voice, a natural ear, and her teacher used her innate ability to hear harmonies and stay on part to lead whichever section needed the most help on a given tune. Zach stayed put in the Alto section, but I think he's just about due for a shift in vocal pitch. If he's like me it will be gradual and slide not into basso but easily move into a nice high tenor.
All four kids performed at the July 3rd BBQ party that my sister Jennifer and her husband Tom hosted at their gorgeous home. Their rendition of Ozzy's "Crazy Train" was something they'd rather forget. hahahaha Speaking of that party, WOW! What a great time! I organized the entertainment (busting out the full P.A. and some stage lights) including performances by Lenny Walker, Monique Jade, Sean Spurling, Sophie Ralston, BlueStone, James Cavanaugh & Company, and of course Burning Peace. Like I said, this has been a GREAT year for music.
I could go on and on and on about all the fun things that happened this year, but I think this is just about enough rambling for now. I'll post again when I have something to say. In the meantime, subscribe to the Burning Peace mailing list and keep an eye out for new show dates. We plan to get out and play a lot more places this year!
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
I've been playing my Wechter Pathmaker every week for a year now, and I just can't imagine NOT having this guitar! Great company, great luthier, great service. Of course, it's also good looking ... scroll to the bottom of this page to read the comment Abe chose from a review I posted on Harmony-Central.
http://www.wechterguitars.com/community/testimonials.htm
Saturday, December 27, 2003
I helped the kids record a holiday album this year. Didn't get a copy? You can check it out right here!
http://www.toddsouth.com/media/SouthMerryXmas2003/index.shtml
Friday, December 19, 2003
If the recent anniversary of manned, powered flight has sparked your curiosity about all things aerospace, here's a great website full of information. WARNING: this is the kind of site that is an addictive and time-consuming browse. Not recommended if you're trying to get work done! :)
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/list.shtml
Friday, December 05, 2003
The French are at the forefront of hornsuit musical technique. So this is what they spend all their energy on!
http://www.hugi.is/hahradi/bigboxes.php?box_id=51208&f_id=681
(streaming video)
Sunday, November 23, 2003
I'm a little creeped out by this page. Enjoy. :)
http://www.manbehindthedoll.com/TODD.htm
Some fun sites to waste time on:
Institute of Official Cheer
Where old pop culture is subjected to our patented Re-Ironization Process, and converted into chipper, spiffy, feather-light postmodern commentary on commercial culture. Or, to put it another way: there’s enough here to kill two, maybe three lunch hours.
http://www.lileks.com/institute/
Strange & Unusual vinyl records of all kinds (with sound clips!)
http://www.bizarrerecords.com
317X.com: great collection of vintage album covers
http://www.317x.com
The Feathered Back Hair Site
http://www.featheredback.com
Wikipedia is a multilingual project to create a complete and accurate free content encyclopedia. We started in January 2001 and are currently working on 175850 articles in the English version. Visit the help page and experiment in the sandbox to learn how you can edit any article right now.
http://www.wikipedia.org
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Ah, those wacky infomercials. It was only a matter of time before they became an entertainment form unto themselves, worthy of praise and criticism.
http://infomercial.tvheaven.com/
Friday, September 12, 2003
Johnny Cash died today. Long live the Man In Black!
Friday, September 05, 2003
Now here's something you don't see everyday ... a "Bond" car you can actually purchase and use. Assuming you can afford it, of course.
Click to view the Aquada amphibious sportscar.
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Here's a couple websites that ought to keep you busy for a while:
HyperPhysics
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html
mental_floss Library
http://www.mentalfloss.com/library.htm
Thursday, July 24, 2003
The Reno Gazette-Journal ran a nice article leading up to the DRUM thing. You can read it on their site until they archive it. I have also created an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) copy available here.
(Got my photo in the paper again. Can you tell which one is me? BWAHAHAHA)
Here's a larger copy of the photo.
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
http://www.besse.at/sms/smsintro.html
Since the dawn of time, man has looked to the heavens and wondered: where did the stars come from? He has looked at the great diversity of plants and animals around him and wondered: where did life come from? He has looked at himself and wondered: where did I come from?
Later, he began to ask more complicated questions. He looked in his wallet and asked: where did my paycheck go? Am I on the right bus? Who do you like in the series?
To the former questions, at least, science has provided answers.
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Unbelievable Honda advertisement. No digital effects. 606 takes in 4 days. Whoa.
click on photo for more info
Monday, June 02, 2003
Well, now I just have to have one!
click on photo for more info
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
GEEK MOMENT:
The single coolest (and most elaborate) "case mod" I've ever seen.
http://divxstation.com/comm/thread.asp?i=16&t=25160&r=0
Thursday, May 08, 2003
Great new article about the Walden's open mic in this week's Reno News & Review.
"Chummy Cabaret" -- RENO NEWS & REVIEW - 05/08/03
"Here's the reason the sign-up list for the open mic at Walden's Coffeehouse fills up in minutes every Saturday night."
An old friend of mine now has a homepage complete with examples of his sculpture & poetry.
http://www.geocities.com/saqunebi/
Dig it. This cat is one of the coolest people I've met in the past 20 years.
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Uncut, uncensored, and occasionally un-freakin-believable.
Celebrity Rants
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