Aight, so I've blatantly failed in my duties as a blogger. My bad. Oh, where to even begin the process of catching up. Hell, when was my last blog even?

*goes to check*

February 19th, 2007. Today's date? October 1st, 2007.

Hmm...

In February, I was probably studying with Cheryl and Dillon in the RLC almost every day for Bio 124, especially the phylogeny test. I came out with a 90 on that, with the help of the people from the RT boards as they made what came to be known as the "Bio Album". Many thanks to everyone involved in that: Grandmaster Pink, Legendary Wizard, Chozo Ninpo, Reverend Badger, Former Fat Boys, Conyeezy, etc. It was very helpful, and it helped others.

In March, there was more scholastic insanity, I was probably struggling under the weight of my chemistry lab's midterm (which I aced with the help of Yu). Of course, biology was still kicking my ass, especially the bio lab (although the lecture was no cakewalk either). In late March, or was it late April? I went to Dork Party. Sad that I've forgotten when Dork Party was, as it's quite possibly the most amazing thing I've done all year. It was at Dork Party that I recorded my verse for the Dork Party posse track as well as the mastered version of Remember Back, which will probably become the album version if I don't get madly unhappy with it and try to remake it again.

In April, I probably studied my ass off for finals that came in early May, and I think I finished school on May 5th. After that, we all had a celebratory meal at Jim and Nick's, with friends, and then I packed up my things and drove home to South Carolina listening to trance music. When grades came back, I found that I made 4 A's and a C (in Bio 124, of course. The only class I really study for is my lowest grade.)

Over the summer, I met up with Joe (Mithurn from Deliverance) a good bit, and I shadowed Dr. Pence, a local pediatrician, for the first half of my summer. For the second half of the summer, after my dad had a little spat with his bar DJ, I offered to step up and fill that guy's shoes for half his pay. I won. My dad even sprung for the gear, which wound up being quite expensive. Making 100$ a night, I managed to build a small time recording studio, which includes one accoustic guitar, one electric guitar, one nice microphone, one keyboard, one audio interface, two speakers, a new laptop with 2 gigs of RAM, and a dual monitor setup.

There were several songs I made over the summer, but most of them were just experimental, and I haven't released them. I was adjusting to my new studio gear, which I still haven't fully mastered yet. My musical ear is getting a lot more adept, though. I'm not going to go so far as to call it "trained" or "good", but better seems to be the perfect word. I think in a few years I'll be able to pour my emotion into my music like I dream of doing now. I'm getting there, slowly. Recently, I've learned a lot about low frequency oscillators, experimented with some new synths, and worked on my musicianship with the piano and guitar (which is still horribly lacking). I'm currently looking into sampling techniques and sample creation, as well as sample modification and, as always, trying to learn more about mastering.

As of right now, musically, I'm focusing on percussion and bass as my hardest elements. I need to learn how to make those wicked mean and growly basses, and how to write basslines that make them shine. I've been doing a lot of work with drums, especially in a program by Cakewalk called "Session Drummer 2." That VST makes me happy.

Now, since no one really understood anything I just said, suffiice it to say that I'm getting better at music. As for my album, which some of you keep asking me about. The answer is no. No, I don't have any more songs ready. No, I don't have anything to show for all the money I poured into my studio. No, I don't know when it'll be finished.

I don't really care. It's music, I'm having fun, and I'm going to get it done when I can. I'm learning, that's what's important now. For those of you who actually care and want to hear it, I want it to be something you enjoy, something that you can put into your car when you've had a bad day, or when you've had a good day. I want there to be a track in there to describe any mood, any day. I want that to be an album you can live with. An album you can relate to.

I want it to bridge styles, bridge genres, but still sound good on all fronts. I want it to be able to go back from drum'n'bass, to accoustic guitar soft rock, to heavy distorted electric rock, synthpop, hip-hop.

I'm back in college now, for my sophomore year, and it's harder than ever. Still a biology major, double minoring in philosophy and chemistry. Still in the pre-medical program, still involved in all the little clubs and organizations I was last year. Still keeping way busy. I've started studying for my MCAT, which I don't take until April of 2009. That's how hard that test is gonna be. Music still keeps me sane.

I'm taking physics, creative writing, genetics, and chemistry this semester. Next semester I'll be taking calculus, organic chemistry, cellular biology, physics, and probably a philosophy. I have a lot of homework. I do a lot of studying. It's still whooping me. I'm beginning to question just how far my mind can go before I reach my limit, but somehow I always manage to hang on by a little bit. Sometimes the thought of med school scares me, but I keep my eyes focused on the present and every once in a while look up to see what's ahead.

Anyways, my room mate wants to go get Al's, so I'll be doing that soon, but I gotta fold these clothes first. Don't want them getting all wrinkled and crappy. I already look like a bum enough as it is. That reminds me, I should shave.

I'm ranting now, so I'll let you go. I know no one reads this shit anyways, but whatevs.

Later, non-existant amigos!