The future is here and it came in the mailbox yesterday. Even though I’ve been watching the HD over the air signals on my computer tuner these past few weeks, the reality of HD TV really started to hit when my TV Converter Box coupons came in the mail yesterday.

I’m sure a lot of people will get the boxes, but many will be craiglisting scads of analog televisions until they go the way of film cameras and nobody wants one anymore. That also means we’re going to see a big television purchasing bump between now and next year when the analog signals shut down. I’m just sayin’…

PANASONIC - MC
SONY - SNE
SHARP - SHCAY
PHILIPS - PHG
GE - GE
PIONEER - 6773.T
TOSHIBA - TOSBF
SAMSUNG is traded in Seoul, London and Luxomburg
OLEVIA - BRLC

By the way, I’m just a musician. If I were you, I’d go elsewhere for stock tips.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Domain names are like pets. When you get one, you’re in it for the long haul. In the same way that it’s just not right to just dump off a cat or dog or hamster when you become disinterested, it’s not a good idea to leave your domain to fend for itself either.

I had a domain that I used for a project a couple years ago. I figured it would drift into obscurity when I let it expire since I didn’t really do much with it and traffic to it was fairly innocuous. I’m sad to say that some bad people have taken it over and now it’s an unsafe place in this Internet landscape. I can’t even link to it here.

So I’ve been thinking about getting another domain, but you know, it feels like a pretty big commitment. Maybe I’ll just get a plant.

Photo by tomooka

Popularity: 19% [?]

This is the keyboard on my wishlist right now. “The keyboard” has been changing several times over the past few weeks but I’ve finally decided that this is the one I want.

I really like Roland products and have played Roland keyboards for about 17 years. In fact, if you’re reading this and you happen to be a Roland employee, I’d be more than happy to discuss an endorsement or even just a review agreement if you’re interested in shipping one of these lovelies to a very friendly, blogging singer-songwriter guy.

Besides being familiar with Roland products, here’s what attracts me to this (from their web site):

• PHA alpha II weighted keyboard, which simulates a real grand piano by providing a heavier touch in the lower octaves that gets increasingly lighter in the upper range.
• It’s ultra easy to transport at about 36 pounds (16.4 kg), — yet built tough enough for the rigors of the road.
• Play audio through the RD-300GX directly from a USB memory key. Flexible file compatibility enables playback of Standard MIDI Files, WAV, AIFF and MP3s. The “Audio Key” feature lets you use the bottom 15 keys for controlling start song, song length, etc.

Those are pretty much the main reasons. It’s a light, realistically weighted keyboard with a sweet USB Thumb Drive option. At this point, it’s not clear to me if I can start and stop my SP404 with this (via midi clock), but that would make me weep tears of joy if I could. Plus, after selling a couple other Roland keyboards that I currently own, I think I can justify the price of $1,400.

It doesn’t ship till late April, but I’ll keep you posted on this decision. In the meantime, here’s the product page where we can pass the time together.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Simon and Garfunkel were some serious influences as a kid. In 7th and 8th grade, I went through a phase where all I listened to was the Bridge Over Troubled Water cd. Mrs. Mechem, My piano teacher, was kind enough to allow me to learn the title track of that album. Sad to say I can no longer play those lovely building octaves at the end. But I killed it in 9th grade.

The CD was already 15 some years old by the time I discovered it, but the songs still jump out at me at the most random times.

“Gee but it’s great to be back home. Home is where I wanna BEEEEEEEEEeeee.”

So, I was thinking of what to write this morning, and thought I’d just write about why I haven’t been writing. I’ve been working on a lot of new music, as I’ve said. Eight songs are done. That means I need to do 6 songs in the next 7 days. Holy moly. I’m really behind!

I’ve kept up with my guitar class on Wednesday nights and I’ve been building a web site for a friend who is a photographer. I’ll post a link to his site in the next few days when it’s ready. We’re going to do a trade, so hopefully I’ll have a big bunch of new photos to post soon too!

I am playing next Thursday night in Denver. The venue is called The Laughing Goat. I don’t know anything else about it, but I’ll post details this weekend. I’m opening for my buddy Dan Beahm and I’ll be bringing at least one or two really fresh songs.

Episode 3 of the Jeff Caylor Podcast this weekend. Promise.

Starting in mid-to-late March, I’m hoping to start playing once a week somewhere locally.

Also planning to take a shower in March.

Why don’t you write me
I’m out in the jungle
I’m hungry to hear you.
Send me a card,
I am waiting so hard
To be near you.
(La, la, la)
Why don’t you write?
Something is wrong
And I know I got to be there.
Maybe I’m lost,
But I can’t make the cost
Of the airfare.

Popularity: 17% [?]

So, it’s President’s Day. This is the most patriotic thing I could come up with.

I’ve never sung the National Anthem for a major sporting event, but I have seen people screech out “the rocket’s red glare” because it was higher than they thought when they started. There’s no need to be surprised. If you don’t have a pitch pipe, it’s easy to estimate the starting pitch.

Just sing the highest note you’re comfortable singing. Then drop down an octave. That’s “Oh” as in “Oh say can you see.” The song’s melody never goes higher than the octave above the starting note (unless you’re showing off and do the little “Free—EEEE”).

Happy Birthday is another song that people always sing without accompaniment. The same principle applies, but it’s not as critical since the range of that song isn’t as broad. Start low and you’ll be fine. And your friends at the party will thank you.

Popularity: 14% [?]

This is pretty cool. My cat (okay, he belongs to Leora, too) fetches a little green ball.

As it turns out, there are dozens of cats who play fetch. Who knew? See “similar videos” after the clip.

Popularity: 19% [?]