digitalthom : the music project

Ok, another project... don't tell my wife, she may just ask me to leave. But I really need to do this one. As you know, I've been trying to produce an Indie Jazz music podcast for the past several months. I really appreciate the opportunity that The Podcast Network has given me. I haven't been as consistent over the past month or so and I'm trying to get my life back on track after a major alteration.

For the first 18 years of my life I played musical instruments. Specifically, string instruments. I started playing the Violin, then the Cello, then ultimately the stand up Bass. It was the Bass that got me really excited. I got a different feeling when I played. I knew it was the one. I moved on to electric bass some time in high school, but I've had a love of the Bass ever since.

It's been about 20 years since I have actually picked up a Bass and started playing. My wife, bless her heart, bought me a new set up for Christmas last year and I've been trying to get back into it ever since. But, now I really am going to make a conscience effort to become extremely proficient at it.

The reason I mention the The Jazz Show podcast is because while finding music for the show, I have an opportunity to listen to great Jazz music. There are so many excellent musicians out there. It's what has sparked my interest to take The Music Project to the next level.

More on it as I progress.

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Writing my first book

I've been tossing around a story that I think would make a great book. The idea is pretty simple, but very emotional. However, I've decided to use the truth of the story and throw in some fiction to make it relevant to what's happening in our world today.

The title of the book came pretty quick. I'm going to call it "The Last Post". The premise is based on an actual event that took place in the desert of 29 Palms California while I was serving as a United States Marine.

I'm going to start the book on my blog thomwriting.blogspot.com. Hopefully I can get through the first chapter really quick.

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My daughter took this great picture

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Programmers are fat

Yes, we are all geek's, at least most of you reading this. And I'm here to tell you, most programmers are big. Too big. I'm one of them. If you are a hard core programmer who has been doing it for any length of time, it's conceivable you are way too big for your own good, am I right?

Here's the deal. In an effort to please our clients/employers, we sacrifice our own lives all in the name of technology. We sacrifice our health all in the name of meeting a deadline.

I know my previous words are mostly tongue in cheek, and I'm sure there are fewer overweight programmers than I make there out to be. But, looking around some of the development teams over the past few months, and then taking a really good look at myself, yeah, we're big.

See, the problem is, to much programming will lessen your life span. Want to live to see 90, program fewer hours, drink less Rock Star, go on vacation, and for crying out loud, eat a healthy diet.

["all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"] is a great post on a similar problem.

So last night, I took the first step to reducing my overage. I got a membership at a gym. I have grandeur's of looking like my old Marine self again, along with help from these guys. I'll make a good effort (went to the gym at 6AM this morning) and hopefully, I can gain back a few years of my life.

I know this is a little off topic, but I'm genuinely concerned about my fellow geek's. Take control.

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Crappy digital pictures

I'm either a moron (a word I love to use when I describe someone who has no clue), or the camera I have just simply sucks. Here's the deal. I was taking pictures at my wife's 40th birthday party (she will kill me when she reads this), and the majority came out blurry, off color, and seemed to pick up every fleck of dust floating in the air. I was hoping it's the camera. It would b e easier to blame, but it's most likely my not understanding the way the camera works.

After I saw the pictures I took (see them here), I decided to head over to Darren Rowse web site Digital Camera Reviews. I thought maybe I was missing something. Maybe I didn't understand how to use a freakin point and shoot digital camera. The camera in question (oh, I'll get back to Darren's site in a minute) is a Casio Exilim EX-Z57, 5.0 Mega Pixel, 3x Optical. Nice camera, light, small, has a SanDisk UltraII 512MB (USB) card for memory. Large screen on the back to see the photos. But it still takes what I consider to be crappy pictures.There are a number, something like 20, condition settings available; black and white, night time, portrait, kids, sports, and so on. I typically use the indoor or outdoor setting.

Back to Darren's Digital Camera site. I searched for my camera, and no luck. He hasn't done a review and it's not in the online store. Probably because it's an older camera, two years maybe.But

But, I did find a couple of real good tutorials on his Digital Photography School blog. Like, 11 Tips for Better Candid Photography, here, (similar to the party pictures I butchered). I also found this great tutorial, Photographing people from different angles.

Anyway, after looking around, reading, and trying to figure out what the hell I'm doing wrong, I quit. It must be me. I'm going to spend the afternoon using each setting of the camera and taking pictures of the same subject.

I hope this doesn't affect my 356Photos Project. Because I want you all to see my good side.

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