OH BOY, it's friday.. which means we get to start moving boxes over to the new house! Tomorrow is the real moving day, but I can still get excited because we're moving some stuff over tonight too.. :-)

There's this kid living in the Bay area named Droop-E.. He's been producing tracks for alot of the Yey Area rappers. He even has several cuts with E-40 on there.. For the longest time I was really amazed at how this kid (who's a senior in high school) could come outa' nowhere and have so many connections.. It just didn't make sense to me.. SO, I looked into it, and come to find out.... drum roll please........... His real name is Earl Stevens Jr., Son to Earl Stevens AKA E-40... crazy.

OH boy.. I just created a document that's basically the missing piece to a puzzle.. Not only is it a foundation for my instrumentals, but it's the LINK between my lyrics and music.. Who would have thought that such a simple thing could be SO crucial!!? Let me try to explain what it is..

When you make Hip Hop music, you have to lay down a "Blueprint" for your lyrics and instrumental.. this blueprint is basicaly a drawing of every "TIC" of the metronome. So let's lay down one bar:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

That's read "ONE and TWO and THREE and FOUR and". THAT'S "ONE BAR"

In Hip Hop music, you have patterns to follow:

Intro = 4 to 8 bars
Verse = 8 bara x 2
Chorus = 4 bars x 2

A very typical pattern for a Hip Hop song looks like this:

[Intro] (8 bars)

[Verse 1] (8 bars)
[Verse 2] (8 bars)

[Chorus] (4 bars)
[Chorus] (4 bars)

[Verse 1] (8 bars)
[Verse 2] (8 bars)

[Chorus] (4 bars)
[Chorus] (4 bars)

[Verse 1] (8 bars)
[Verse 2] (8 bars)

[Chorus] (4 bars)
[Chorus] (4 bars)

So, when you have every bar drawn out as I showed you above, you can create your instrumental and write lyrics. You'll know exactly when to bring the chorus in on your instrumental, and when you're writing lyrics you'll know exactly how much you need to write. This piece of information links the two together in even more ways, but I'm going to stop here. WOW!!

So, I just started listening to a mix that I made back in 2004. I have it posted to demostreams.com. It shows that my mix has been listened to 520 times! To me, that's really cool.. Sure, it's not THAT many listeners, but still.. Obviously some people enjoyed it enough to come back and listen again.

I'm going to post an instrumental to HHB at the end of this weekend. It will be my first instrumental I've made with my new hardware, so I hope they like it.. I got a great response from my last instrumental, so I think they'll probably like this one too.

We've got exactly one week until we move into the house. I'm gettin' real pumped about it.

well, I found a web site that provided alot of information regarding the Roland JV-1010.. It turns out, that little synth module is even better than I thought. I'm getting excited, and can't wait for it's arrival.

On the other hand, Tina hates her life.. and wants a new life.. it makes me feel really good.

I know I've written about this before, but isn't it strange how things fall into place?!

Yesterday I was taking the trash out, and I noticed that there was a brand new desk sitting in front of the trash can. It didn't take me long to figure out that someone, for some reason, was throwing away this AWESOME desk. So Tina helped me carry that bad mother f**ker inside! This was great because I previously had no desks for the studio I'm building.. then 5 minutes after I got the desk inside, Brady sent me text message asking if I wanted the desk he's using.. so just like that.. I had all the desk space I need for my studio.. which would have cost me a pretty penny. NICE

My Roland JV-1010 Sound module has been shipped today.. I can't wait to get it.. It so great because it has a very wide variety of sounds, and definitely has a place in any Studio.

2.5 weeks until the move, and Tina's B-day! w000t

well, it's been a long ass time since I posted on LJ.. so here's the latest.

I had a terrible dream last night.. it involved this gigantic monster thing.. but didn't look like a monster, it just looked like a enormous man.. like Mr. Hyde. and he was out to get me. I lived in some strange town, in a strange apartment.. and somehow the monster knew where I was at all times.. and would attack me at random moments, but I would always just barely escape.. one time I actually followed him to his hideout. It turns out I wasn't the only person he was after.. there was a guy he had chained up in his hideout.. and he poured tar on him and threw feathers at him LOL!! Anyway, it was a disturbing dream.

On a better note.. I should be winning my Roland JV-1010 synth module tomorrow.. and I've decided to pay an extra $15 to have it shipped overnight. That module is off the hook, and can't wait to use it.

I've also learned that I'm missing a required piece of equipment that all professional hip hop producers have.. An MPC!! So, after I buy my synth module, microphone and compressor.. I'm going to buy the MPC2000. Now, I know what you're thinking.. What next!? but no.. after I have the MPC, I'm done.. I can just focus on making music.

I think to fully understand why the MPC is sooo important, I should tell you a little bit about it. The MPC is a sampler, that will allow me to assign drum sounds (or any sound for that matter) to 16 individual pads. This is so important because I can play the drums with my hands.. Currently, I'm using "Reason" to make my drums.. and I use a mouse to create a pattern.. this works.. but according to UnderRated "The MPC will bring your drums to the next level!"

Oh, and I also found out that the MPC has some speacial functionality when combined with a Tascam control surface and Sonar.. What do ya' know!! that's exactly what I'm using! :-)

w00000t! I just bought a Numark DM3050 battle mixer on ebay for $23.50!! This same mixer was originaly $300, and is currently on sale at Platinum Records for $200. I can't express how cool that is.. That will make scratching alot easier.. and now Tina, Mike or I can follow along with the Q-bert DVD. I can't believe that Tina and I spent SO much money on the Technics turntable, SM-45 scratching needle, just so that I could scratch properly, and then the Gemini mixer I bought didn't even work properly.. it ruined everything. NOT ANYMORE!

Tina is having a bad day.. I can't say I blame her. PSU can be frustrating.. and she'll still sick. I'm fairly used to her being in a bad mood (:-P) but I still feel bad.. and somewhat responsible.

You know, I've realized that you can't count on other people to get things done.. (don't take offense Tina, this isn't directed toward you)

Yesterday I went to Guitar Center because my brand new Tascam FW-1082 isn't working correctly. When I was there, we figured out that my Tascam is in-fact broken, and the guy I was working with (Joe), said that he would order me another for San Jose, and that he would call me to confirm the order. Well, I called Guitar Center this morning because he never called me. Alex (of Guitar Center) told me that Joe never actually ordered it.. so he put the order in, and they should receive it by next friday.. It's upsetting to me that people are so flakey. AND it's also upsetting to me that a brand new $600 peice of equipment is malfunctioning right out of the box.

I've been bidding on a roland JV-1010.. It's so strange how I've been watching the actions for the past month, and the JV-1010's have been selling in the range of $140-$160. Now, all of the sudden people are boosting the auctions all the way up to $200.00? It's sickening.. so I've decided that I'm going to wait until I see a "buy it now" for about $160.00, and go that route.

It's always a good morning when I get to work on time. I'd really like to keep it up all week.. AND, I found out the Cafe brews coffee that's only $1.00. Most people buy coffee from the Starbucks, and it costs like $3.50. I don't usually drink coffee in the morning because it costs too much.. but now I think I will :-)

I'm sitting here at work, listening to a few beats that I've made in Reason. It's very clear to me that they aren't very good. One of them is actually pretty close.. but the sound quality isn't even close to par. As June approaches, I'm getting very excited about the recording studio. It's an expensive venture, but I think it will be worth it.

I don't know if it's because I'm making it happen, but it seems like everything is just falling into place. Tina, Mike, and I wanted to move into a house.. and then Brady offers to rent us the downstairs to his practically brand new house. It will look brand new when the carpet is replaced with pergo. and the house just happens to have an extra bedroom that I get to turn into a recording studio.. and then I went to the greek cusina a couple weeks ago, and re-aquainted myself with a friend who happens to be a very talented MC.

I feel very positive about the road that my life is flirting with.. I think that's it's definitely worth taking a short walk to see where it leads?

Aaaah, what a good day it's been. I brought up a problem we have in ALL our test procedures here at work, and immediately a "blue badge" was quick to disagree.. then the "big boss" backed me up and said that I was correct!!! Needless to say, the "blue badger" had nothing to say in response..

I also found out that I'm still supposed to expect my $783.00 tax return, which I was worried about. w00t!

I'm leaving at 3 today, because I have a personal errand that must be taken care of during normal business hours. LOL! yet another w00t!

I forgot to mention that I've offered Tony to bring his girlfriend down to the beach, and they can crash on my floor if the bring sleeping bags.. he's not sure if they will or not.. and there's a big long story about why..

Tony seems really insecure right now.. He told me just a few days ago that him and his "girlfriend", were for sure together, and it wasn't an "unspoken agreement" anymore.. Well, when I was talking to him today he was saying that he never said that.. but trust me.. he did.. He's just saying that now because she told him that she wants some space. So now he's not going to even call her until she'll call him. I told him that he's making a big mistake, and he's just playing mental games if he does that.. he didn't seem to agree..

.. and he also told me a long time ago that the sex between him and "Lizzy" was the best ever and she'd scream his name and all this bullshit.. and then he told me today that for the first time ever last night she screamed his name during sex..? I don't understand why he feels like he has to lie to kick it. ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, he finaly got a job again.. so maybe he'll calm down, and go back to his normal (yet still strange) self.

So back to the initial point.. I've offered Tony and his "girlfriend" and free place to stay at the Beach on Saturday night, but he's not sure because he doesn't want to call her until she calls him.. stupid.

I also gave Mike and his "friend girl" the same offer, but he didn't seem too excited about it either..

I've spent most of my day researching activities for my beach trip this weekend. It's hard to tell exactly what is going to happend because of the weather.. so I'm trying to be prepared for the worst. :-/

If the weather permits it, Tina and I are going to take a Helicoptor ride around Cannon beach! I thought that would be fun because (1) it's beatiful and (2) Tina has never been on an airplain or helicopter.. so what an exciting event that would be for her! Unfortunately they won't fly if it's raining too hard, or if it's real windy.. so I'm crossing my fingers.

It would make me REALLY happy if it wouldn't rain.. I wouldn't mind the wind so much, because then we could fly a kite. I really enjoy a campfire on the beach, and hope we get to do that.

If the weather decides to rain on our parade, then I've got a few tricks up my sleeve.. which basicaly consists of shopping, movies, drinking, and building at castle out of stacking cards! Also, bored games and such..

Another factor that could affect our beach trip is if I get payed on time (friday).. If I don't, I'm sure Tina will let me borrow her "stash" money until I get payed (most likely monday), but still.. I would prefer not to do that. :-)

Cross your fingers! I am..

I forgot to mention that I found out where my tax return is at..

1. Federal Return - Was rejected by the bank for some reason, and is supposed to be mailed to me on April 14th.
2. State Retrun - Was garnished! ouch..

Last night I went to the Greek Cusina for Hip Hop night. It was a really interesting evening.. let me tell you about it from the beginning..

It all started at about 5:30 when Tina and I were making Burritos for dinner. Tina received a phone call from her mom, who said that Isaeha couldn't breath. :-( So she had to leave, so she could take him to the hospital. Obviously that's not the start of a good night for Tina. When she tried to leave, her car wouldn't start.. Obviously not the start of a good night for Tina.. I'll back to that.

I continued to make Burritos. In hope that Tina might be back soon, I made an extra burrito, and put it in the fridge. I also covered all the "fixins", incase she wanted to boil some water and make another.. Well, before I knew it, it was 8 O'clock and no word from Tina. I called her phone a few times, left her a text message asking her to call me, and then called her mom's house. Nobody was home, which obvisouly meant they were at the hospital.. which is probably why Tina can't use her phone.. so.. I had a decision to make. Do I still go to the Greek by myself? What if Tina comes home any minute? I had decided at first that I wasn't going to go.. but then for some reason, I felt compelled to go. So I waited until 9 o'clock, hoping that I might get word from Tina.. no dice.. so I left for the Greek.

On the drive down there, I came up with my name as an artist: "Big Shot"! :-)

When I arrived at the GC, I found out that the Hip Hop doesn't start until 10pm. Me, and one other person were the only people there.. Oddly enough, the other person was my old buddy from High School, "Kit Crenshaw". This was really crazy because I've been trying to get ahold of him. He's been a local M.C. since high school, and has alot of creative talent. He knows all the local artists really well, and performs on a regular basis. He's been in a group called "Evil hands" for several years with another guy, but that guy started doing Heroine, and they just stopped hangin' out. So..

As soon as I get my studio setup, Kit and I are going to start working on an album together. He's releasing an album in a couple months.. but I have a feeling it's not even close to the quality that we could make. Anyway, there's alot more to the story, but this is already way too long..

OK, I'm going to keep this rant very short because it's such a nice day outside.

<'RANT>
Stupid H&R Block, and the stupid IRS have F'd up my tax return. I should have received my tax return last friday. LAST FRIDAY! That's 1 week ago today.. The IRS website says that my tax return was direct deposited, and the bank says it wasn't. So now I have to call the IRS and see what the fuck is going on.
<'/RANT>

Work has been rough lately.. just because there's nothing to do. BUT today has been a good day. I've been diving into projects that aren't mine, and doing anything I can to keep myself busy. It seems to be working..

Tina and I watched Memoirs of a Geisha last night. It was an interesting movie. Personaly, I think it should have contained more violence, nudity, and strong sexual content.. LOL I guess the movie won an award for the score!? That's a little strange to me because I didn't really dig the music.

OK, so I've got it all figured out.. I've decided that I'm not going to quit martial arts. LOL

As you can see from reading my entries previously, I love Martial Arts.. I can't just quit. I can pay off my debt, and keep going to martial arts. I'll just probably have to give up grappling, and cardio kickboxing.

Here's some interesting facts..

When my 1 year contract is finished here at Intel, I have to take at least 6 months off from Intel, then I can get another contract here no problem.. So, what most guys here do is claim unemployment during that 6 month period, and make $434 a week! That's about the equivalent of what I was making at my last job!

So, if I wanted to, I could work on hip hop music EVERY DAY for half a year, and get paid to do so.. It's true, I wouldn't be making as much money as I do now, but I would be making more than enough to pay my bills.. and sometimes you have to make sacrifices to do what you want. hmmmmmmmmmm...