Erg.

•August 1, 2008 • 1 Comment

Well, I talked to Jarret today via text and he appearantly really liked my vocal. The problem here is that two of the other band members have set up an audition for one of their friends this week, which puts me at an obvious disadvantage. (Chances of rejecting a good friend? Very slim.) Having said that…it’s still not totally out of the question. Jarret claims regardless of what the decision, he wants to work with me and maybe do an acoustic thing or something with just the two of us perhaps.

I guess we’ll see what happens. I should quit worrying about this and focus a bit more on the art and photography this weekend.

Well…off to work!

Peace and love to all.

One good thing about music…

•July 31, 2008 • 1 Comment

…when it hits you, you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

Wednesdays, normally a so-so tip day, never bring much of a smile to my face. In fact, Wednesday as a whole sucks completely because of our sirloin steak special, and this whole ‘making of the tossed salads’ thing we have to go through if people don’t feel like adding soup and salad bar for a mere $2.95 extra. Having said that, tonite was a little different.

I punched in approximately ten minutes early, something I like to do to allow the previous server time to get rid of her tables and get out the door. (Her ride from work is usually there pretty early.) But today, the previous server decided not to do her duties…unknowingly because she wasn’t trained properly by the powers that be. So, naturally my shift got off to a rough start because there were a lot of things that needed taken care of, and a lot of proverbial screws that needed tighted for the ship to run properly the rest of the evening.

Having sorted everything out and bitched my way through the first hour of my shift (I have such a damn temper anymore, lol) I disbarged from the port of unhappiness and got right on track with everything. Food, drinks, checks…they all went smoothly. Moreover, it was quiet enough that I could interact with my tables a bit more. The end result was nice, because while I only waited on 41 individuals (not tables), I ended up making over two dollars ‘a head’ in tips.

The night had seemingly slipped by so smoothly that I barely noticed I was working. One table left me a twenty dollar tip!

Work the charm boy! Work the charm. ;)

So, some more emails passed between Jarret and I about the band. Because everyone’s schedule is chaotic at the moment, I wanted to get a quick “yes” or “no” on whether I was definitely “in” or “out” as a lead vocalist in this new rock band in Altoona. Moreover, I thought it was best to see if it was even worth the trip and nerves beforehand, so I’ve sent him a few sample files of my voice. The results from others have been stunning, so I’m pretty sure I’ll have it. About the time I think that though, I’ll be kicked to the curb! Keep your fingers crossed! He hasn’t responded quite yet!

The local music scene is thriving pretty well. We have enough bars that have live bands playing, and enough events, that even if this just ends up being some fun Michael side-project that it will be worth the experience. I’ve dreamt about it for years. At the same time though, I was pretty much against being in any sort of heavy-metal band because of its vast popularity. Starting a heavy metal or classic rock style band in central PA is like opening up another Walmart. It’s like, “OK…it’s the same thing. We’ve been here before.” So, I came up with a suggestion.

The thing that’s missing from our local music scene is a touch of summer. Everything is so dark, depressed, and worthy of a good self-inflicted eye-ball gouging that I knew that wasn’t what I was going for. It seems everyone wants to be the next megadeath or slayer. Pssssh! I mean, I’m not turning my nose up at the whole genre, but lets face it, to get noticed you should definitely be different and it helps that I actually ENJOY ska/reggae tinged rock a lot more. It’s more of who I am. More along the lines of my personality. Erm…our personalities.

So, I figured an uplifting ska band might be the route to go. It’s not going to be hardcore ska. It’s not going to be “lets see how fast we can sing, and how funny we can make all the lyrics”. It’s going to be ska with TWO guitar players rather than one, and backing vocals. It should sound maybe a little new waveish, with the keyboards…and such. The alleged “trombone player” that Jarret discussed with me has evidently left his grips, so, no horn section. Maybe we’ll never have one. Who knows?

Right now, I’d just like to know if I’m in this or not.

Stay tuned…

C’mon C’mon =)

•July 31, 2008 • 1 Comment

“Bite of more than you can chew…then chew it!”

•July 30, 2008 • 1 Comment

I’m drilled with suspense in all aspects of my life this week.  After working tonite I’ve gotta scrap together some worthwhile sketches and drawings for my meeting at Alby Chem next Tuesday.  I’ve done some of the belted kingfisher, the common wood nymph, and of course, the beaver - but I need to do more than that if I’m really going to ‘wow’ them with my abilities.  I’ll tote some older pen and inks along too, to give them a better idea of what I’m capable of.  I’ve already emailed the director samples of my photography, which he will read when he’s back from vacation next Monday.

I’ve been emailing back and forth with a local rock band, the members of which are all around my age.  Cory and Cody are identical twins - though I can always tell the difference - and one is playing drums, the other is a co-guitarist with Jarret.  Nick is the bass player.  Jarret, 24, is the lead guitarist - whos favorite band is ALSO Def Leppard - is the one who initially contacted me.  We discussed the music scene locally and how everyone strives to be a metal band, or even a hard rock band.  Although we’re going to discuss musical direction a bit more this week, I think the primary objective is to try for a more Sublime/No Doubt vibe with ska and reggae.  I’m hoping the guys can sing bv’s, ’cause I’d like to have big backing vocals. (Duh!) In any case…I’ve heard some of the stuff Jarret has done with another local band, and I really enjoyed the music.

Now…here are some more photos from the Nikon D60 from the other day.  Enjoy!

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Question Mark Butterfly

Question Mark Butterfly

Pickerel Frog

Pickerel Frog

Rabid Wolf Spider

Rabid Wolf Spider

Queen Anne’s Lace

QueenAnnsLace

A brighter tomorrow…

•July 30, 2008 • 1 Comment

The buzzing insect sounds of late summer, draped against the blackness of the night have all done their part to put me in a dreadfully dreary mood.  It was this time last year that I had met Adam…so I guess the traditions and vibes of late summer are still a little plagued with his memory.  Although I’m over it, part of it still remains in my heart.

I’m not really feeling the love tonite, despite the fact that my life is going in a wonderful direction.  In sifting through old blog entries however, I conjured up some old memories that I’d completely forgotten about.  It really does show just how much I’ve grown in the past year. 

The new motto for my life is; bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.  Basically, I have all gears working, and even a couple new ones.  Aside from working out again and striving for a healthier lifestyle, I am scheduled or an interview at the local chemical plant to discuss working some of my illustrations and photography into Alby Trail.  I’m thinking along the lines of educational posters, and fast facts for self-guided tour panflits and whatever else we come up with at the meeting.  The person in charge is very interested in what I have to say, and will hopefully be impressed by my art and photography.

Oh yeah…and you might be looking at the lead vocalist in the areas newest rock band.  Sometime this week I should be going to Altoona to audition and toss a few beers back with some guys to talk about musical direction and such.

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do…but never have. Time to try it out and see how it fits me.

We’ll see.

Who should I send it to?

•July 26, 2008 • 1 Comment

Any ideas on who I should send a portfolio of my photos/art/writing to?  I’ve been talking about it forever…but maybe I’m ready now?

Tuskoviches

•July 26, 2008 • No Comments

After leaving work late yesterday afternoon, I was torn between hiking or going to Altoona to get a large bristol pad for my upcoming pen and ink. If you scroll down to the post with my artwork, you’ll notice a white-tailed deer jumping over a fence (unfinished). This drawing was actually started my senior year of high school and has sat unfinished for half a decade. Although I see a few flaws anatomically speaking, I am a better illustrator now than I was before, and wanted to really do this drawing the justice is deserves. So, I’m redoing it.

I whipped out the tracing paper and traced over my basic outlines to maintain the same basic flow and design of the picture. All the while, I ‘edited’ my own work and corrected flaws and things I knew were out of place, or completely missing from the deer. In addition, I decided the drawing needed more flare and drama - so I added a covey of Bobwhite’s bursting from the fence-line as the deer lunges over the fence.

So…it’s in the works. I’m still working on design, but I think it’s almost ready to transfer onto bristol and begin the inkwork; a process that will take a great deal of time, precision, and attention to detail!

After arriving home from Altoona, I did have some time to pack up the camera and head into the field. On this trip, I skipped Alby Trail and went 10 minutes away to my grandparents home. I scampered across the field swiftly, and shot a picture of the blooming goldenrod in addition to a (purposely) out of focus ridgeline behind the field. Across the field you come to the wood-line, and I follow a trail all the way through to *another* field, which I refer to as Tuskoviches.

Grandma's Field

Tuskovich field used to be lush green with alfalfa, and was cut ever so often. It borders Star’s field, which also has been neglected in recent years. All grown up, neither field yields the photograph opportunities that it would have years back when it was overrun with deer and turkey. At this stage of the summer, any deer or turkey that may be in the field are almost completely hidden by grass. Having said that, the alfalfa is on the decline, and it seems that deer are a rarity anymore in the field to begin with. Coyotes hunt the grass for voles and other rodents, but with the grass being high (and coyotes being mostly nocturnal) the chances for a good shot there are next to nil!

Milkies (2)

I did however manage to find some lactarius mushrooms (milkies), a species which somehunt to eat. Milkies will ooze milkie latex when disturbed, which is a unique way of dropping spores. My aunt Leslie (who comments occasionally) has a few family members that go crazy for milkies at this time of year. However, of the dozen or so milkies that I know of, very few are actually edible due to spicy flavor or acrid taste. Furthermore, they’re similar enough to a few poisonous ones to make me avoid them altogether for the table. What I will say is that I don’t believe they’ve ever been made sick from the milkies, so either they’re lucky or they know exactly what to look for to tell them apart from other milkies. The milkies I found left my skin burning when I touched the skin around my eye with the latex oozings, so thankfully I avoided them. (When in doubt, THROW IT OUT!)

Milkies

Other than a red-tailed hawk shrieking in the canopy, and a scarlet tanager flitting around catching insects, there were no wildlife photograph opportunities. And, as for the aforementioned subjects, they didn’t really present themselves well enough for a shot either. So…as the sun dropped below Tuskovich ridge, I shot a couple photos of the evening sky and headed home where I drank a few glasses of wine and lay sprawled out on my bed listening to Culture Club.

Skylights (2)

Julyskies

Luigi

•July 25, 2008 • 2 Comments

Luigi (9)

Luigi (8)

Luigi (5)

Luigi (2)

Luigi (3)

Luigi (6)

Alby Trail

•July 25, 2008 • 3 Comments

My addiction has become overwhelming.  Like some sort of psychopath I am nearly driven crazy by my own enfatuation, and sick desires.  It’s consuming me, day by day, more and more.  Most of my time is spent thinking about it, and it’s even beginning to interfere with my work life.  That’s right folks, I’m referring to my disturbing passion for NATURE!

Having worked the lunch crowd today, it was definitely one of those mundane Thursday’s you never really plan on remembering.  It’s getting to that point.  You know what point I mean - the point where the senior citizens of the world are low on money and are thus eating out much less and tipping not nearly as well!  The end of the month can leave a waiters apron relatively devoid of cash, especially when the majority of your clientelle are on a fixed income!  But, have no fear - I sold my FIRST piece of matted/framed artwork at the resturant!

Word is getting around about my artistic inclination, and I am recieving offers from all sorts of people, asking for all sorts of things.  What’s more, is I’m saturated with enthusiasm and inspiration.  This Nikon D60 has allowed more possibilities with photography and photo referencing than I ever had before, and is going to really be an essential part in creating my new portfolio. (Hmmm…something to ponder perhaps?) I have a pretty big endeavor planned (actually a few), but we’ll see how it all pans out in the end.  Afterall, if you set yourself up for grand accomplishments you subsequently set yourself up for grand failures!!!

After rolling out of work (blaring the ‘Hallucinate’ track from Def Leppard’s latest, “Songs From The Sparkle Lounge”), I stopped by the apartment, grabbed my dirty laundry and drove it over to my parents.  (Yes, my mom still does my laundry - I have no washer OR drier.)  Then it was off to the gym where I continued my cardio work out.  I’ve been doing well, losing weight again…you know…the weight I gained *back* after I quit smoking this year. (Almost 6 months now.)  After about an hour of sweating my ass off and running myself into the ground, I opted for some more “fun” exercise and set off for my new discovery and hiking trail.

The trail itself is man-made.  In fact, even as I sit here, it’s unfinnished.  There is an educational center to be built, as well as an observation platform, and well - I’ll find out more tomorrow when I talk to the head supervisor of the project.

I suppose what makes this trail so endearing is the fact that it is a natural wetland that most people who live in this town have no idea about.  In fact, it disturbs me to know that I was completely unaware that such a diversity in habitat and wildlife could be found within 2 miles of my apartment.  I think that bringing awareness to locals of this area will bring some initial stress on the wildlife, but will do them much better in the long run. (After all, we can’t protect and conserve that which we didn’t even know existed!)

So, having a few ideas up my sleeve, I hiked down my new-found trail after my workout at the gym in hopes of catching some photos of more wildlife. (Oh btw…the photos I posted here in my last entry were from a previous jaunt to this very area.)

D60 in hand, I scampered down a path which was cradled in an assortment of trees including sumac, big-toothed aspen, and wild apple.  A big, fat, plump Chicken of the Woods mushroom sit poised in the root-crotch of an oak - but I disgress it was too slug chewed to be desireable.  The wild apple trees are already dropping some fruit, and, judging by the array of hoof prints beneath the tree, the resident doe and her twin fawns have likely been taking advantage of it’s accessability in recent days.  Locals from the chemical plant also report a small litter of bobcats, and a trophy sized white-tail buck near the ‘meadow loop’ of the trail.  The meadow is heaven to butterflies, and I even caught a quick photo of an unusual butterfly known as the Wood Nymph.  With it’s eye-like wing patterns, it gave me the impression that a tiny owl was perched on the ground before me!

As you further yourself down the trail, into the forest, the air becomes heavier, damper, and almost soggy.  Skunk Cabbage, one of springs first plants are beginning to wane a bit as summer lengthens.  They cover the ground for acres upon acres, intermingled amongst the trees. These unique plants exhibit the unusual ability to generate heat within themselves.  This is called “thermo genesis” and intensifies the plants skunk-like odor, which in turn attracts a wide variety of insects to assist in pollenation.

American Hornbeam, a tree of wet swampy soil also occurs along the trail.  This was my first experience with American Hornbeam, so I was interested to see it intermingled along the edges of the wetland.

A wide assortment of dragonflies and damselflies occur along the bridged areas.  Moist run offs and puddled swampishness made bridges a requirement along the path.  Cattails stand, looking rather ragged, and serve as the perfect perch for these amazing acrobatic insects.  I haven’t even begun to research dragonflies or damselflies, but the new trail has definitely inspired me to do so!!

The true star of the show however is rarely seen. He is to blame for the flooding, and the lush habitat so many other animals call home.  In my three days of scouting the trail, only tonite did I manage to get some pictures of natures busiest creature; the BEAVER!

Beaver

I’ve seen plenty of muskrats in my jaunts, but never a beaver.  Let alone THIS close to my house!

Beaver (4)
It seemed to me that Mr. Beaver was as interested in getting a good look at me as I was getting some shots of him.  He posed numerous times, occassionally sliding back under the water’s surface.  However, his habit of coming out late in the evening (and moving continually) made him a very difficult subject to photograph!  Mark my words, I’ll get some better shots than this.

Great blue herons, wood ducks, green herons, osprey, muskrats, belted kingfishers, bobcats, skunks, possoms, squirrels, turkeys, deer, numerous songbirds and a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians are going to make this a VERY interesting spot for future blog entries.

BeltedKingfisher (2)

I hope you fall in love with the place as much as I have! Enjoy the rest of this evenings photos!

GreenFrog (3)

Tiger Lily

…btw, even as much as *I* love nature, this fascinating Pandorus Sphinx Moth caterpillar was enough to make me cringe. It was over three inches LONG!

Pandorus Sphinx (4)

A Day In Photos

•July 23, 2008 • 3 Comments

I just discovered an area of marshlands less than 2 miles from my apartment here in Pennsylvania.  Luckily, during my hike, I was armed with a Nikon D60.

I managed to get some great photos today, and should have better ones soon.  I’m planning on dressing up in camo and sitting to really catch some action for you all down at the beaver dams.  Herons, waterfowl, amphibians, deer, songbirds, butterflies….and much, much more.

Enjoy.

Frog

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daylily

butterfly

mushrooms (2)

Black-Capped Chickadee (2)

summerflowers

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Crabspider (2)

Dragonfly

ChickenofTheWoods