Thursday, October 27, 2011

Guitar - 3rd Anniversary

This Saturday will mark my third anniversary of playing guitar. Check this video. It will show my progress.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

NO. WAY.

When I was at work this afternoon, I went outside with a buggy (cuz I work at Walmart) to fetch some ice from the machine for the smaller one inside. I loaded up the buggy and unloaded it inside. I needed some more ice.  I loaded up a few more bags in the buggy and figured I was about done. I'll get a few more, I said to myself. You only need one more, a "voice" said in my head. I thought, Nah, I'll just get three more and it should be enough. I pushed the buggy back inside and continued loading the ice machine. As I was nearing the end of my load, and the machine reaching its limit, I thought, If this works out like I think it's gonna, then...that'll be too weird. Guess what? I had two too many!! (Implying the "voice" was right!!) 

Why don't I listen??!

-Brandon

Friday, October 21, 2011

What have I been up to?

It's been a battle with my allergy attack, or whatever hit me. hehe. I was still able to go to Pumpkin Hollow (to be scared by the goblins) with my friends and church group last Saturday. I thought at first I wouldn't be able to go because I felt really bad - and it was an hour before we were to leave. But I was determined. With the help of a nasal decongestant, willpower, and adrenaline, I picked myself off the couch. My back had been hurting too from the day at work. But that heating pad and 3 Ibruprofen had helped. After moving around, I did fine and felt a lot better. I proved that a little determination will get you places. I used to think the "willpower" thing was just a superstition, but not anymore. I had a great time with everyone. It's not exactly a haunted house we went to. The attractions were the Mine and the Haunted Forest, and then also a few friends went to the Corn Maze. We did not care to go to Bubba's Butcher Barn to see gory stuff. The Mine is basically a closed in tunnel you walk through. You go through rooms to get scared, but sometimes they get you in the walls too. The Forest is an actual forest you walk through - along a path you follow lighted by small lamps hanging from trees. Along the way you will get scared; sometimes I can predict when, but it's always fun. This year I wasn't as scared as I have been before because I'm getting older. I got startled a few times and that was cool. My friend Fred was acting like he was terrified of the scares. It was so funny - he was half the entertainment! Crouching low and covering his head he ran through the scares like a little kid. He was pretty convincing as he wailed in supposed fear.

I learned a way I can prevent my back from hurting so much as a cashier. I'm so tall that when I reach down to get change from the drawer, I would bend my back a little; but now I bend my legs more and it is much easier on my back. I also learned Walmart does not accept Kroger coupons! haha There's so much to remember.

I found another band called Red Seas Fire. They are in the UK. Pretty stinkin' awesome if you like Progressive Metal. They have 7 strings and at least one 8 string. The guitarist sometimes hits the 8th string and it sounds awesomely low. I hope to find lyrics to their songs, because I want to find out if what they are saying is okay and not offensive. Until I find the lyrics, I guess I'm listening in happy ignorance if they are singing bad stuff. I just hope they aren't. They produce awesome music and I fear the possibility of having to delete them.

I slowly working some projects for the future. This Christmas, I plan on releasing a Christmas Rock Carol on YouTube. I have 5 songs so far in this arrangement. I'm trying to figure out how I can transition from the 5th to the 6th song, whatever song it will be. I am also going to be doing some tutorials once I get rid of this congestion.

-Brandon

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Happy BDay Rock 2011 Tabs Coming

Yeah, I'm working on the tabs for this song. I'm tabbing out the studio version. I will then do a lesson on the song. I will teach both the rhythm and the solo and provide tabs for each. I will provide backing tracks at full speed with the rhythm and without the rhythm, and the same for 75% speed tracks. So that is 4 backing tracks in all. This is in standard tuning if you need a heads up.

P.S. Feeling a lot better now. Throat is almost healed. ;)

-Brandon

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Scratchy Throat

Got a scratchy, raw throat today. Could be worse though. Glad I'm off work. Hope to feel better tomorrow. I'm taking Vitamin C and D to boost my immune system. I'm taking 2000 mg of each three times a day. I am also drinking homemade bone broth. Take it for me, all natural remedies work faster than antibiotics and are better for your health overall.

-Brandon

EDIT: (9:05 PM) I am feeling better. Hope to be as good as new in the morning.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Upcoming Christmas Rock

I'm already working on a song to rock out for Christmas. I've got the "Gloria" song (Angels we have heard on high) and "Jingle Bells" so far. It's kinda like I did my "God Bless America" on YouTube. I mashed 3 full patriotic songs together. Well, this is going to be Christmas songs. I'll probably do more that three - I've got to. Even now it's only a minute long. But I want to repeat some of the songs. Kinda come back to them. You'll see. I'll keep you updated and eventually give a sneak peek. I'm starting this song in the key of C.

Brandon

P.S. Jingle Bells was really difficult to get down, but I finally got it. Or at least 75% down pat.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Demon Hunter - Christian Metal

Christian Metal. Yes, you read it correctly. I realize some do not care for this heavy stuff. I understand. However, the lyrics by these Christians are deep and full of God's love. It's a wonderful alternative to the secular music. Same beat and style, but the message (the most important part) is healthy. I recently bought Demon Hunter's album "Summer of Darkness." I really like the lyrics of this song "Not Ready To Die." It's the first track on this album. Lyrics are under this video.



You've got a lot of nerve and I've got a lot of fingers to point
While you were busy building knowledge I was already right
I know a voice like yours is not a weapon at all
And even mine is not a chisel for a thickened skull
So you can chant your anthems to the deaf
And we can sit here and cry until there's nothing left
Or we can take our voices with our hands
Make like knives and make demands
We'll take our voices - with our hands
Make like knives - we'll make demands

I'm burning bridges for the last time

I'm breaking habits for the first time

I saw my future today, it said I'm going away
But I still haven't sung the last line
On my way down..
I'm not ready to lay, not ready to fade
I'm not ready to die
And everyday of my life I can feel it getting harder to breathe
With every minute ticking by I'm getting ready to leave
I know a life like mine is not a reason to fret
But I've been busy build scars that you will never forget
If only thirty three years can save my life
I've had twenty four more to make things right
So when I'm taken to the sky and you're still here
You can clear your mind and dry your tears
When I'm taken home - and you're still here
Just clear your mind - dry your tears
I'm burning bridges for the last time
I'm breaking habits for the first time
I saw my future today, it said I'm going away
But I still haven't sung the last line.
On my way down..
I'm not ready to lay, not ready to fade
I'm not ready to die
When I'm taken home - and you're still here
Just clear your mind - dry your tears
We'll take our voices - with our hands
Make like knives - we'll make demands
I'm not ready to lay, not ready to fade
I'm not ready to die



Basically, the meaning of this song is about how we Christians feel about death. We know where we are going when we die. We have everlasting life with God and will go to heaven. Sometimes we wonder if we were all we could be in our lives. It's a bitter-sweet thing with death.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Working at Walmart as cashier

Well, I worked a full day today on the cash register by myself. Today was my first day to do that. CBLs are finished. No more test taking. Cashiering is not really hard. I like that it's repetitive. It's fun and enjoyable to help people, our customers. I no longer roam Walmart the same - I'm now an associate. It's not a Supercenter where I work, so it's a great start if I want to make this a career. Every associate and manager is helpful as they know how it was when they first started working there.

Brandon