24 March 2010

Random Thoughs - Part II

So, the Flames may or may not make the playoffs. They are fighting for that eighth spot with Detroit. In other news, Phoenix and Chicago are fighting for top spot in the West. Yeah, I said Phoenix. Amazing what a simple, yet good, coaching change will do for a team. Funny, there was another team that made an off season coaching change and is not doing so well…refer to first sentence.
Hopefully, the Flames can stay on track and put together some wins to ease into the playoffs. That nine game losing streak in January is coming to bite them in the ass.
My hockey season started a few weeks back. There are only four teams in our division. That means every team gets a guaranteed playoff spot. Team is doing okay, we are in solid second. As for me, I have only one goal, one assist, and one penalty in five games. I really need to pad my stats some how.
Anyway, I have been working on my car for the past few weeks. For not being a “car guy”, I am sort a car guy. List of things I have done since I got the car:
- Replaced door lights with LED’s
- Replaced interior lights, engine compartment light, luggage compartment light, glove compartment light, and license plate lights with LED’s
- Replaced side maker lights with LED’s
- Replaced all center console and binnacle with…you guessed it...LED’s
- Installed a third brake light. By the way, the third brake light uses LED’s
- Installed a battery maintainer.
Things I am about to do this weekend...or maybe later today:
- Install dome light delay. Why? Because I swapped out all the lights to LED’s and the stock module only works with incandescent bulbs.
- Replace window switches. Somehow, I shorted one out. I got a brand new pair of “improved” ones that also light up.
In the future, I want to install…or have someone else install…a lowering kit on the car. Right now it sits a little high. Actually, I checked to see if the rocker was level with ground…it sits about a quarter inch higher in the front. So, I may have to do something about that. But, that is a big project, way down the line.
Oh, and I totally want to see Hot Tub Time Machine. I think the movie will do for hot tubs, what Back to the Future did for DeLoreans. In about twenty five years, I might just get a hot tub.

12 March 2010

Recoil - Selected (Exclusive Signed Deluxe Limited Edition Box Set)




Yeah, I just ordered this. Limited to 1000 and signed by Alan Wilder.

Details:

- 2CD SELECTED
- 1CD ADDITIONAL MUSIC (EXCLUSIVE)
- DVD FILMS (EXCLUSIVE)
- 3 x LARGE SCALE BOOKLETS
- 12"x12" BOX WITH LIFT OFF LID
- 1000 INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED EDITIONS WORLDWIDE
- SIGNED BY ALAN WILDER

Recoil Selected, a brand new selection of classic Recoil tracks will be released on 19 April 2010. The track listing has been chosen by Alan Wilder who explains: "The collection is made up of my personal favourites, remastered and edited together into what I consider a cohesive and total listening experience."

Recoil Selected will be available as a single CD, double pack CD, limited edition 4 x vinyl box plus a limited edition deluxe 4 disc box set which is exclusively available from Mute Bank.

The double CD, vinyl box and deluxe box set features many new remixes and alternative versions, chosen and edited together by Alan Wilder and Paul Kendall, who has worked with Wilder for the past 10 years. The album features a varied selection of vocalists including Diamanda Galás, Joe Richardson, Douglas McCarthy, Samantha Coerbell, Toni Halliday and Maggie Estep.

In support of the album, Recoil has announced details of an Events tour, A Strange Hour with Alan Wilder & Paul Kendall, with dates across Europe and in the US between March & May. Each date promises to be a unique event – with special guests - and these live presentations mark the first time Recoil has ventured out of the studio.

Alan Wilder's years in the music industry have seen him go from studio assistant to session keyboard player, but it was his 14 years as a member of Depeche Mode where he really honed his skills. With his attention to detail in the studio, Wilder pushed the boundaries even within the restrictive climate of commercial pop. As an antidote to the demands of the Mode, his studio project Recoil was born in the mid-eighties. Two albums were released: 'Hydrology' (1988) and 'Bloodline' (1990) both giving an indication of his expanding horizons. After his departure from Depeche Mode in 1995, Wilder resurrected Recoil full-time and has since released 'Unsound Methods' (1997), 'Liquid' (2000) and most recently 'subHuman' (2007).

CD1:
1. Strange Hours
2. Faith Healer
3. Jezebel
4. Allelujah
5. Want
6. Red River Cargo
7. Supreme
8. Prey
9. Drifting
10. Luscious Apparatus
11. The Killing Ground (Excerpt)
12. Shunt
13. Edge To Life
14. Last Breath

CD2:
1. Supreme (True Romance)
2. Prey (Shotgun Mix)
3. Drifting (Poison Dub)
4. Jezebel (Filthy Dog Mix)
5. Allelujah (Noisy Church Mix)
6. Stalker (Punished Mix)
7. The Killing Ground (Solid State Mix)
8. Black Box (Excerpt)
9. 5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings)
10. Strange Hours '10 (Feat. The Black Ships)
11. Missing Piece (Night Dissolves)
12. Shunt (Pan Sonic Mix)

CD3:
Exclusive music

DVD: (NTSC Region 0)
Exclusive films


Did I mention that this set me back $98...wait, I am getting it from UK...£98.00!!!

05 March 2010

Simple Tips On How NOT To Annoy Me

Here are a few tips for those of you who are making "product review/presentation" videos.

- Use a neutral background. Use a different colour than that of the product you are presenting

- Wear a different colour shirt that colour of product.

- Stop moving the product being presented. In fact, stand/sit still during your presentation.

- Camera guy, refrain from zooming, panning, and/or tilting camera. Hold the camera still, invest in a tripod. Oh...FOCUS!!!

- Check audio levels and make sure music (if any) is not annoying and loud. Oh...SPEAK CLEARLY and refrain from using "um", "uh", "like", etc.

- Any graphic element should not shield the product from viewer.

- Take the time to light the product.

- Rehearse. Do not just use the first take. View the video before posting for all to see.

Okay, back to YouTube...