blue notes

Blog Hiatus

2010-11-08T03:02:00.000-08:00

Since I've decided to focus on working at home on mixing and recording and no longer attend classes, I've also decided this blog isn't going to be up-dated. I don't know how long but I created it to report on getting an education in sound engineering.

I actually didn't have too many classes to take to get the certificates. Sadly most were just repeats of classes I already took because they required two semesters of them. Sadly the teachers were not willing to offer more material beyond what they taught in one semester. That plus the fact that one teacher was using students as free labor for her projects of recording school events with video (which has nothing to do with sound but I kept getting stuck doing camera work). Given that it was eating up my time with me learning nothing new I decided did not want to continue.

I'm getting a lot more done now with music and enjoying it way more. Every day I'm adding to what I know. So with that in mind, thanks for reading.

Funny

2010-11-03T04:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight I finally did a little mixing again. However, it wasn't happening on Cubase 5 LE. Because it has no compressors.

I ended up using Audacity and it's not bad so far. Sadly though one of the tracks I'm working on, the main vocal, has a bit of popping. I guess from the board that was used. Will see what I can do about that beyond dropping the high end using equalization.

At least I feel good that I did something.

Oh yeah class tonight, didn't learn anything new. Such a waste of time.

I'm in a good mood today

2010-11-02T01:54:00.000-07:00

Music is a weird thing to be into. At one time musicians, engineers and all the rest either worked for studios or had to have lots of money or be extremely creative to record. But thanks to computers it's changed.

Odd intro to me talking about my little home recording studio but then it's an odd thing in itself. Because it's not much but I think too it proves a person can put together something workable with not a lot of cash. Knowledge though is key.

Not here to talk about where to learn about it but I will say that don't believe all the hype put out by the big companies and stores.

So, when I started learning about recording I had a Windows computer running XP and a Pro Tools Mini M Box. My only microphone was a Shure SM57. I used this mostly for mixing with a little bit of recording. Because I was doing most of my recording at the school studios.

With time my goals for learning this all has changed. While it's fun doing live sound and studio recording, I know being female and older it's highly unlikely anyone would ever hire me let alone have me as an intern. It's okay because part of it is really physically demanding and the other part has a lot of down time while being there. With little or no compensation.

Also my computer bit the dust and I ended up with a 64 bit Windows computer running Windows 7. I like it a lot. However, forget Pro Tools. I discovered I had to start from scratch and that most hardware and software is not too compatible with 64 bit. Which is sad because the machines are so much faster and have way more memory.

This did give me a chance to try out different recording and mixing programs. The other thing is I bought a Micro Korg XL synthesizer. If I haven't said how much I love it, I am now. So my main goal was to be able to record it plus have playback through speakers or monitors. My secondary goal was to be able to mix files that were school projects.

Now the school I go to is very much Pro Tools orientated. However that was not happening because the company that sells Pro Tools now, Avid, has not done much at all in regards to compatibility. Plus the price was more than what I wanted to pay. Again. I tried out Audacity, however lacks the ability to record midi. Reaper was next but I felt a bit lost. I had tried Sonar previously but also was not so intuitive.

Now I have taken a year and a half of Pro Tool classes so I'm not a novice at this stuff. But I really wanted something that would have similar features for editing but be more intuitive.

In the meantime I was also looking at Audio/MIDI Interfaces. I came across the Tascam US-1474MK II and it seemed to have what I wanted at a reasonable price. A plus is that it has phantom power. It came with Cubase 5 LE. I've seen Nuendo used and I like how it feels more intuitive and logical.

Well last night I got Cubase going, figured out how to have it be compatible with my 64 bit machine and even figured out the signal flow. I'm using the line ins at this time for the Micro Korg with the USB from the Tascam to the computer. And signal out to my little computer speakers for now. And it works.

I've got a long way to go with this but already I've received the Naiant X-M Condenser microphones I ordered. My plans are if I record anything decent to then try a little stereo re-recording of the tracks. I don't know where all of this will end up but I feel a bit satisfied that I figured all this out on my own. I just want to have the ability to do something with what I've learned and what I like to do. Which is more likely with me doing it on my own.

Blog not gone, just been thinking a lot instead of posting

2010-10-28T00:10:00.000-07:00

My intention was to perhaps post stuff from school. However it's been rather odd and frustrating.

I do have a few photos and such that I may put up to show a few interesting things I was around for.

But I am finding the same problems as before. There is still division between the teachers and some negative comments by one about the other. Plus this is also being done by a few students and I find it distracting and actually not necessarily true what they are saying. Since I've had classes with both teachers. It's discouraging that nothing has changed.

The same "teacher's pets" thing is also going on. At least it's not affecting me like it did last time. It's also discouraging to see certain people getting all the attention and such, all the encouragement, work and more. But then I am not in the same place as before and also realize that because I am older they are not going to offer me anything.

Yes ageism is alive and well in post secondary education. At least some of the younger students do talk with me. But I also experienced total ignorance at an event I worked at, and more. I'm not going to go into it, but it and the overall lack of feeling like I'm learning much of anything really has me discouraged and I end up missing classes because I'm so bored when I am there. Plus the time driving there and that sometimes I just physically hurt too much to make it worth it.

Now I don't think the program is all bad. For the money you can't find a sound engineer program that is cheaper. But the amount of time it takes and the fact that some classes only teach so much but then you have to take them a second time...there is a lot of wasted time. Plus there are so many students it's hard to get hands-on experience with a teacher.

Also one of the teachers keeps changing the day the class is suppose to be on. I think it's only been twice on the actual day in the schedule. Or she is taking time off to go do other things. It's rather frustrating because it makes it hard when I have something planned and all of the sudden now there is class.

The one thing through all of this is I have clarified a bit what I think I want to do. I've been buying a few pieces of equipment, going to try out Cubase for mixing, and perhaps I may put together some ambient music pieces of my own. I am going to keep trying to go to these classes. I would like to finish and get the certificates. Just wish my time was being better used. That may be the breaking point for me.

How about a little late night Sunday blues?

2010-10-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

The fabulous Jimmie Vaughan with Lou Ann Barton doing "Come Love". Thank you Elwood.

Would you like some new Smashing Pumpkins?

2010-09-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

Then go here!

Smashing Pumpkins

Working on things

2010-09-13T23:40:00.000-07:00

One good thing, I found the old log-on for my little music production MySpace page.

Baka Neko Productions

I made this up a few years ago just as a place to put some things I made. Now that I'm getting back into it, it will be fun to have a place to put some new music.

Not Much To See This Time

2010-09-05T04:48:00.000-07:00

Thought I would just note what I'm working on right now. I'm back in school to finish up those certificates. Another round of Pro Tools, Advanced Record Production and Sound Reinforcement. So far nothing too hard but trying to remember Pro Tools after a couple of years, not so easy.

Had to find and print up spec. sheets for a lot of microphones. Still can not find anything for the Audio Technica ATM21. Old mic is really old I guess. Also pulled some of the Grammy website technical documents for their guidelines. Lots of good information here: http://www2.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Producers_And_Engineers/Guidelines/

Along with printing up a Pro Tools short-cuts document. It's too bad though Pro Tools isn't willing to have their hardware be compatible with 64 bit computers. It's put me in a bind as to what audio editing program to use now. Along with the desire to start recording from my MicroKorg XL, I have been spending time looking into the current status of the various audio recording and editing programs. I think I may end up trying out the trial program for REACTOR. It's suppose to work on 64 bit and record MIDI.

One of the recent classes was a demonstration of stereo micing. Now I'm considering getting a couple of microphones to see if I can get decent recordings here of the play-back from the MicroKorg. That also would mean some kind of hardware for the mics to computer and dealing with sound leakage issues since my apartment is small and my neighbors aren't the quietest people. But I really should look at one thing at a time. That means a trip over to the local Guitar Center in a day or two.

Working on it

2010-09-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

School is happening, hoping soon to post what I'm working on music wise. But for now but I'm going to go with the flow and try to put up a few more of my photos from the days when I use to shoot at The Blue Cafe

The marvelous Max Bangwell on drums and the amazing Johnny Mastro of the Mama's Boys on harp. The Mama's Boys travel a lot on tour so if you ever get a chance to go see them, definitely worth seeing and hearing.

Ming. I have to see what he's up to. Really good. I think this is the photo he used on his cd back then.

focus

2010-08-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

I want inspiration and people who are supportive.

How about a little music for the weekend?

2010-08-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

A couple more photos from last year's Obon Festival. These featuring Gardena, Calif. Isami Taiko Group.

And a little video if you want to hear a bit. It's only about a minute long and the drumming is rather mellow for taiko.

If the video isn't working (Flickr is doing some weird stuff on their site) and you want to watch it, here's the link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blukat/4867216333/

Sunday Blues

2010-08-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

Ten years. Yup, it was about ten years ago when I first saw this band perform. And I saw them many times after that. Regulars at The Blue Cafe and for good reason. So it was rather exciting for me to discover they were playing a free concert in a park near by.

Cafe R & B. I don't know of a band like them and I can say they definitely know what they are doing. Roach, the lead singer is a powerhouse both in her performance and vocals. The band members, Byl Carruthers, Stephen Klong, Bobby Pickett and I think Chris Rhyne, definitely are no slouches.

I've been missing Sunday afternoons hearing live music so today was extra special.

If we could bottle the energy Roach has we would not have an energy crisis. I have never seen her have a bad show. I can't even put into words how good I think she is. And yes she always wears heels.

Great to see and hear them again. I've added a YouTube clip. I don't know why there aren't any really decent professional videos out there of them, but maybe from this you can get an idea of just what I'm talking about. And if you start thinking of Mr. James Brown when you see and hear this, you aren't alone.

www.caferandb.com/index.htm Band website if you want to see and hear more.

Now there is music

2010-07-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

Nice to have something to update about.

First I was able to use the HD 24 Tools program to finally obtain the wav files off of my ADAT hard drive. I was able to use a USB caddy that I have. Since I have a 64 bit computer, I did need to run the program as administrator. The only other problem I had was it would not rename the files. I ended up renaming them after each upload to prevent them from being overwritten by other files from the hard drive. However since I have named most of the tracks through the ADAT when recording, it was only a couple that I had to do this for.

I picked-out the better versions, copied them to a USB flash drive and they are now in the hands of the musician. That made me feel really good. My plan now is to mix the two acoustic songs similar to the ones I already did. Then I will mess around with the bigger sessions and see if I can do anything with them. At least I know what needed to be fixed if I ever record in that room. Super bright sound plus the singer needs to be recorded separately. Maybe something for the future?

Because I was finally able to register for classes again. While I'm on a wait list for most, at least I'm getting back into it. There is something about playing with sound that I really enjoy.

While I have never mastered any instruments and since I have a bit of time this Summer, I decided to treat myself. It's actually a learning tool for me and if all goes well, I plan on using it to record and mix. I bought a MicroKorg XL! I really enjoy playing it. I've learned a lot just in a couple of days. I've ordered Nightmare Before Christmas sheet music because after all these years the songs still play in my head.

Just a note, I put links in my posts just for information. I have not received anything for putting links in. I would rather post a link than put someone else's photos in my blog.

Music stuff!

2010-06-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

I finally have something to post here! Friday evening went to see my friend Lu U. play. I had the privilege of recording him a few times a couple years ago so it was really nice to see him back singing and playing guitar.

One thing is that I still have a few tracks on my ADAT hard drive possibly. ADAT is a recording device by Alesis. Since it was what was used at school, we didn't have a choice at the time. Sadly it was when they were transitioning to Pro Tool rigs. So didn't get much actually studio recording on Pro Tools. Instead had to use ADAT.

The problem with that is that in order to get the tracks off of the ADAT hard drive one needs an adapter. The ones at school were firewire but they all broke and were never replaced. They are still about $200 which I don't want to spend just to get these remaining tracks off.

I did find out tonight through looking on-line there is a USB way of working this. I have a USB caddy and with a shareware program it may be possible to get these tracks finally. For me this is really great because I would really like to give the MP3s of the tracks to Lu and also work on mixing them. With all the stuff not going right with school and such, having this long-term problem finally solved with minimal cost would be amazing.

For now

2010-06-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

I miss having only two blogs. I think that is the other part of not wanting to blog as much. I don't like having a "food" only blog. So I will be making adjustments and this one? It will be around for my music stuff when it happens.

Another bit of a turn

2010-06-06T04:42:00.000-07:00

I like blogging. I see it as an art form in some ways, at least a means of communication and if a person has a bit of creativity one can have fun with it.

However, once one attempts to try and make money from it, (I don't mean people who create outside of blogging, who use their blogs to inform and promote their outside projects) it seems to take that fun away. It becomes work.

I am sure there are those that are having fun posting stuff to get them more stuff and are busy working it. That's not me. I'm not going into the proliferation of selling that has descended on the internet (although it bothers me that some are so much faking their love for certain products, it puts a burden on those who are not). I do know that when I started looking into how to earn a bit of a living off of blogging it killed it for me. I don't want others telling me what to write, I don't want to have to be on a schedule.

So in the meantime I'm working on getting my mindset into a different place. Focusing on real life, which always should be most important.

Sunday's lunch

2010-05-24T00:36:00.000-07:00

was with Brown Pelicans.

We had sandwiches from Trader Joe's. It was nice.

Having been around pelicans all my life, I find them a truely awesome bird. It's amazing how they will allow us to get so close to them and how graceful they are when flying. This was just a small flock. There were several gliding by as we watched.

And sort of ot but rest in peace to Simon Monjack. I am truely shocked and feel very bad for Brittany's mother.

Hope the coming week is better.

I had dolpins for lunch

2010-05-20T23:27:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I did. Because this was my view and they were in the water having sashimi.

Bluff Cove, Palos Verdes. It was a nice day today. However no sighting of the Black Pearl yet.

Gotouchi

2010-05-17T03:02:00.001-07:00

Just so people don't think I've gone off and become all Hello Kitty all of the sudden, there is a reason behind something I've started taking photos of.

When I was in Japan I knew there were special Hello Kitties for the different regions. I thought what great souvenirs they would make. I looked and looked but except at Nijo Castle I only saw ones just like the Hello Kitty charms here.

Well fear no more. Because thanks to a little nudging from , and a few good stores in my area, I am now in possesion of a few of these little goodies called Gotouchi. In part I like them because I have this weird like of Hello Kitty looking weird. Such as being stuffed in a fish suit. Or something strange thanks to Tokidoki creator Simone Legno. Or perhaps being very traditionally Japanese. The other part of finding these Gotouchi is that most are created for Japanese Prefectures and thus highlight specialties of that area.

But enough of that. I said I would post a few of these so here is what I think is my favorite.

Maneki Neko Hello Kitty. I don't know where she is from, but I like to think it might be Setagaya, Tokyo. That is where the Meneki Neko Temple is. Some day I am going to go back there. Would be fun to eat at the same restaurant there too!

I'm feeling like I need to get something done on these blogs

2010-05-10T05:09:00.000-07:00

So I'm going to start something here.

Have a puppy!

Hello Kitty as an Akita. Gotouchi charm from Japan. Not sure where from. Gotouchi are charms from various Prefectures and other places in Japan (and a couple places outside of Japan). They are fairly popular as collectables because of the cost and size, that it's Hello Kitty, and they often represent something of the place. Now I don't know this one originated from, if Shibuya or Odate or Akita. Or maybe some place else. It is interesting that Hello Kitty in her Akita outfit has what appears to be a shrine bell and ema around her neck.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

2010-04-20T05:45:00.001-07:00

Hipira-kun is so good!!!!!!!!

to be continued...

see here

2010-04-19T04:40:00.000-07:00

Looking for a direction?

it's not just cartoons

2010-04-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

I really was going to start writing here about the anime I watch. But then I started just randomly writing over at the site where I track what I've watched. I don't know if I will duplicate it here, it's kind of redundant. Maybe if I write something decent.

Anyway, here is that blog anime-planet.com aoineko blog

I only started doing that to put down thoughts I have in my head while watching and after watching. It's not a scholarly expose on the depth of anime and manga. But then I will say that not all anime are just cartoons for little kids. It at times is a frontier of exploration which can be way more satisfying than series television or the latest Hollywood blockbuster. Other times it's capitulating and fan service. Hey, they have to make money too. But overall, if an anime gets attention there often is something there.

ehem

2010-04-15T05:20:00.000-07:00

Don't do what others do, do what you want to do

If I had one bit of advice to give those much younger than me getting ready to step out into the world, that is figure out what it is you love/like/want to do. Then figure out ALL the ways you can get to where you can do that.

Make that your goal in life.

I missed a day

2010-04-06T00:18:00.001-07:00

Guess I got caught up in doing things around the apartment. Looking stuff up on-line, going through papers, adding a little purple to my hair, cooking up some udon. All of the sudden it was after midnight. It happens. Oh well.

What I was going to write is how lately I find myself watching the moon. Every day I watch it disappear, little by little. We are now at one quarter. But it will return to our sight, as it has for a very long time.

I was wondering, how many people do watch the moon each night?

There was what?

2010-04-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

Swear didn't feel a thing.

Maybe because was too busy looking up.

Because there are nice things to see when looking up.

Actually nice things all around today.

(a few photos from Dockweiler Beach, well known for being at the end of take-off runways at LAX)

comprehension

2010-04-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to figure it out. How to do this Blog one day all month thing. See, I have three blogs here for different things. One is fashion and sometimes art, one now is suppose to be mostly food, and this one for whatever else. So I could easily blog every day yet not all in one. So perhaps what I will do is note here when I update one of the others, thus creating that one blog that is updated once a day.

I can say that I'm doing this because I would like to get back into blogging more often. I took a little mental vacation just prior to this, it was nice. But it's good to create also, so hoping this will help.

The comprehension part has to do with my "neighbors". I recently moved into an apartment complex with rather thin walls and rather small units. Basically studios. Sadly a couple of my neighbors feel they should have the right to watch loud tv at any hour. Or learn to play the violin. Or let in their very scary abusive ex-boyfriends. I don't understand why it's so impossible for some to have any consideration for others. Because chosing to live in said tiny apartments does not give one the right to prevent others from sleeping during normal sleeping hours nor does it mean you can endanger everyone's lives. It's sad that even after talking as adults to some, they still think they have the right to watch their tv whenever they want, irregardless if it's right over your bed.

So I am not able to post what I wanted to today. Just too tired. But here is my food post for today http://blukats.blogspot.com/2010/04/pretties.html

And here is a bunny for Easter.

Happy Eostre everyone!

Alice in Wonderland and thoughts about 3D

2010-04-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

I finally saw it. I have to say I really enjoyed it. The story is nothing like "The Looking Glass Wars" so anyone who was afraid of that, no reason to be. Alice is definitely back in Wonderland/Underland, the Hatter is mad and wonderful, the Queens are doing battle but Alice is not the one they are trying to keep from ruling. While both Burton and Beddor take much from Victoriana, both also owe a lot to Lewis Carroll.

I could go into how long I've been a fan of these tales but nope. I'd rather think about the imagry of the movie, how Burton was able to come up with a tale that his kids could follow but there is also stuff there for us adults. Indeed I have seen many a question and a discussion about the characters that is quite interesting such as Alice as the Hero character, what is the White Queen really like, Stayne the Knave and the Red Queen's relationship, and the Mad Hatter as a Feminist. Tim Burton's little dark touches such as the heads in the moat and the blackened burned ruins were reminders that he's still not going to play it totally safe.

The other part is how we tried to see it in 3D. Now I know 3D is the studios' attempt to get more people in the theaters. The problem is they do not state that if your vision isn't really good you might have problems. Mine has been corrected with Lazik but one eye was corrected more than the other so that I can still read fairly well. So what happens with binoculars and with 3D glasses is that I can not handle it. While most binoculars can be adjusted for each eye, 3D can not. So anything with major depth layering is not workable for me. Plus I don't feel the huge price increase really was worth it either just for a pair of returnable glasses.

I know there are fans of 3D and I hope they keep making movies in it. But I also hope they continue to have the non-3D versions because I would hate to never be able to see movies again.

for anyone who actually reads this blog...

2010-04-01T00:33:00.000-07:00

Happy April Fools Everyone! Hope there will be at least one good joke out there.
(so far all I've seen are fail. someone has to do better!)

it's late

2010-03-18T04:23:00.000-07:00

It's very late. But sometimes that's the best time to do things. When our focus isn't as sharp, when we see things differently than during the normal busy day light hours.

Another day, another bunch of flowers. In some places these flowering trees are almost revered. I have found myself rather happy each time I encounter them. Now after two days of taking photographs, apon editing I sometimes see more.

So instead of "dumping" some of the better ones, I think I want to comment on what I see in a few of this. Like this one. While this tree was one of the first to bloom fully, today more were getting into the act. I noticed while looking through this tree, like a window there were glimpses of the others. Almost as if there was a door to another place with more than what is in our world. That if we could get beyond, there would be more for us.

Having computer problems

2010-03-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

so let me leave you with this for now...

I want to print this one up and frame it.

Or maybe this one. I can not decide.

I can say sticking your head into this does make you forget headaches for a short time.

Only thing done to this photo was cropping.

And no, this is not in Japan.

Catsy and the Cats

2010-03-13T14:28:00.000-08:00

Well, at least the USPS didn't fail this time. It's been much better than where I use to live. Because Elf Doll did not correct my address after I contacted them to tell them they stuck Alabama in it and to please fix that. They also typo'd the EMS number and never got back to my e-mails and questions on their site regarding this. So their customer service is a huge fail.

Thankfully everything was in the small box inside the package. And the little guy is okay.

And because I had to...

Don't worry, they were very good boys. Sorry not the greatest photo but my shoebox (I mean apartment) is pretty dark most of the time.

Happy Hinamatsuri

2010-03-04T19:58:00.001-08:00

to all the nice people who follow my journal.

Red Cat at Night

2010-02-18T20:50:00.001-08:00

Just Kenji the Cat with me messing with the flash. No photo shop here.

1976

2010-02-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

High School. Always looking for new music to listen to. Always searching FM radio. A radio station called KROQ gets on the air, plays with no commercials for a month. I listen and hear stuff I don't hear anywhere else. Rodney, Frazer Smith, Jed the Fish. I can't even count the number of bands I found out about. They opened the door for so many.

1980's. Getting to see X and Oingo Boingo play at my university. Going to the Forum to see Duran Duran and The Knack. Saw so many more bands at so many places. U2, The Pretenders, Devo, The Blasters, Oingo Boingo just about every Halloween. So many more.

My history. I wish I could go back and see even more but at least I got to see and hear all that I did. I appreciate all of it.

good girls don't...cry

2010-02-14T20:16:00.001-08:00

Rest in peace Doug Fieger. For me, you and The Knack changed the face of music forever.

While Bohemian Rhapsody was the song for me in the 1970's, My Sharona was the song that best represents the 1980's for me. I heard a good number of New Wave bands before that, but in 1979 My Sharona made New Wave popular and allowed it to grow through the 1980's.

Damn.

In the 'hood

2010-02-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

Went for a walk and found a few things

That 7-11 two doors down has decent yet inexpensive sushi rolls and wine. And madelines.

Compromise about movies reached aka Red Box

Cleaned a little bit

Got paid for expensive doll that finally sold. Sad but space and being able to pay bills is better.

Took a few photos during walk including this.

trying to make the day better

2010-02-02T19:28:00.003-08:00

Wanted to play with the zoom and such on my smaller camera, so decided to see if Madrona Marsh in Torrance, Calif., was open for visitors.

There is a little red Hummingbird in this photo that I didn't even know was there.

A few more photos here plus these ones without the right side chopped off: flickr photos by me

it's so nice

2010-01-31T22:47:00.001-08:00

I admit my drug of choice for the last couple of years has been anime. Many reasons but one nice one that happened again tonight is discovering music that is new to me.

I would guess that the popular Nodame Cantabile (and the live action series) have exposed a few people to classical music that they may not have heard before. A number of the pieces in the three seasons were familar to me. But not Mendelssohn's "Song Without Words" from episode 3 of the current season of Nodame Cantabile Finale. Now it is and lucky to be listening to it right here http://www.jmc.co.il/musicfile.asp?mid=27

In other silly stuff, I finally figured out how to sign-up for Meromero Park. This takes me back to when I joined the Poupee Girl site. I rarely play computer games but strangly I have a bad habit of joining ones completely in Japanese. So far okay but I don't know how to add the people who are requesting to be friends on Meromero Park. I'm afraid I may have deleted them.

Oh well, at least my cat Shinji seems to be a bit better. Poor kitties with their FLUTD problems. I am keeping an eye on him but I think he is feeling better. Hoping February is a better month!

well

2010-01-30T04:06:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping tomorrow late, I will feel like blogging again. It's not the doing it, it's the stuff in life that gets in the way, takes all your focus, kills off your creativity. Had so much of that I'm ready for it to be done with. Sometimes I wonder if I could ever be creative again. Sad thought.

Yet here I am trying to tough it out. No day goes the way it should. One problem semi-solved, another crops up. No these are "work" problems, these are those lovely trying to exist problems.

But I didn't set-up this blog to go on about this. Indeed my battle is to overcome these things and live a rich life. Not one of money but one of events and occurances.

Right now my life is waiting for cats. Odd thought but I realized that. A Catsy doll, a Pullip Hell Cats Punk Doll, and waiting for my Shinji to get better. He has that old boy kitty problem, feels like he needs to pee, can't and it just gets worse. So took the poor baby to an emergency vet this evening. Not much they could do, the good news was his bladder was empty. But he's not well so they gave me kitty pain killers which I gave when we got home. The vet said it could be stress.

Well the only stress here is that the place is smaller than what I had before, yet they seem to be dealing with that. The other problem is certain people can't understand that they make too much noise. That stresses me and I know the cats jump at times so, sigh, do I tell these people they are making my cat sick?

I am doing my best, lots of pets and scratchs, a bit of music to drown things out, canned food to get more fluid into them. It's work, hopefully it will meld into more everyday things we just do.

Ah late night rambling. Hopefully future posts will be a bit more magical or at least pictorial than this.

What is this?

2010-01-29T02:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm not sure.

I do know that if I keep on blogging, blukats has become more of a food blog and ethereal spirits is for fashion and art. But I am more than that.

I've read a lot, watched a lot of movies, still watch a lot of anime. I go places that won't fit into the other two blogs. I use to do a bit of sound engineering and loved hearing live music and taking photos while there. In fact there are still a number of photos sitting in my blog on my old MySpace page if you want to see hhttp://www.myspace.com/blukat99 Not saying anyone has to but there is some fun stuff there.

I like to travel and hope to do more in the future. Plus there is dealing with life, which I might make mention of now and again. Many other things, just that I don't always feel up to blogging about food or fashion so this gives me a chance to post other interests here.

Will see how it goes.