Christmas, She is a-Comin'...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Not sure how, but it appears we managed to finish 2008, more or less...I'm not heading to Spokane for Christmas. I've been traveling pretty heavily this year, and the next couple of weeks seem to be my chance to effectively recharge the ole batteries before things get cracking again in January. So, it's off to the lake place to vegetate and accomplish very little (as well as a day at the farm for the holiday).
Aside from that, just keeping busy and makin' stuff happen.
Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit
posted by Dustin @ 1:49 PM,
Happy November.
Monday, November 24, 2008
So, I'm back from my most recent trip to India. I think I'm done with that for a bit. About to spend a week in Portland, Oregon followed by a week in sunny Joplin, Missouri. Then I'm taking the last half of December off. Much needed.
I'm curious how many folks have checked out my newest method for keeping people up to date (see previous posting). Do you like it? Should I stick with it, or come back to this? Opinions, por favor...
Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to Guns n' Roses - Chinese Democrace
Labels: All Posts
posted by Dustin @ 9:15 AM,
Trying something new...again...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
It's become apparent that I don't have the attention span and/or time to properly manage a regular blog on a daily (or even weekly, sometimes) basis. By the end of a full day of looking at computers, just about the last thing I want to do is spend what remaining energy I have crafting some witty thing to post. Furthermore, I'm a sucker for new trends, and regular blogs are becoming a bit passé.
With that in mind, I'm trying something new.
DustinCann.com is formatted to show bits and bytes of my travels and goings-on in whatever format I have the time and energy to knock out. Sometimes, that will mean tweets, other times that will mean vlogs, and still others, full-on text blogs. We'll give this a go for a bit and see how she flies.
Labels: All Posts
posted by Dustin @ 3:20 PM,
A Foggy Day in London Town
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
More to come when I have time, but here's a few quick clips from my insanely-dorky day of hardcore tourist activity, for anyone who cares enough to click on them:
Currently in London, England
Currently listening to Imogen Heap - Headlock
posted by Dustin @ 11:18 AM,
Because it's Friday, and this chick is funny....
Friday, October 10, 2008
Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit, Politics
posted by Dustin @ 12:57 PM,
Too Lazy to Type...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
This feels marginally douche-baggy, and presumes any of you care enough about the most mundane things in my day...but since you're at my blog, you either care a wee bit, or you're that bored. Either way, I'm trying something new with this...
Currently in Detroit, Michigan
Currently listening to Owsley - The Sky is Falling
Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit, Travel
posted by Dustin @ 1:05 PM,
Don't Vote.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
posted by Dustin @ 3:25 PM,
For those about to rock...
Friday, September 26, 2008
Since it's been quite a while since I posted anything that supports my claim to former near-rockstardom, and thanks to a suggestion from a good buddy on a new record to pick up, it is with pleasure that I give you my musings on the newest effort by the one and only, Metallica.
Before I get started, it should be known that I was hesitant to actually pay money for this album. First, because Lars Ulrich is a prick and a douchebag for reasons that will go unspoken in this blog. Second, and more importantly, because the last four Metallica studio albums have essentially blown goats. But I have enormous respect for Reverend Humpy's musical taste and overall judgement, so I dropped my ten bucks on iTunes and gave Death Magnetic a digital spin.
Alright, the happy stuff:
Now, for the not-so-happy stuff:
In choosing Rick Rubin to produce the record, Metallica has fallen victim to the biggest trend (and many would say biggest tragedy) in major label production, overmastering. This record has had every last bit of dynamic color squeezed out of it in an effort to make it the loudest goddamned record in your playlist. While being loud wouldn't traditionally be a bad thing in metal, the net result of the hot-master-squeeze is an almost complete loss of dynamic nuance and a steady (loud ass) volume that eventually leads to ear fatigue and a record that can only be rocked to for four or five songs in any given setting. Need proof? Mosey on over here and look at the difference between the dynamic range of a typical "...Justice..." song and a typical "Death..." song. It's sad to see. It hurts my heart. And I'm hoping Metallica will grow a pair and release a remastered version of the album at some point. At least digitally.
With the exception of the above complaint, this record rocks. It's the best thing Metallica has done since 1999's S&M (which, for the record, rocked my pants off...a few times), and the best studio record in twenty years. Sadly, that above complaint is a REALLY BIG fuck up of an otherwise wicked album. Is it a masterpiece? No. Could it have been? Hell yes.
Remaster, gentlemen, remaster.
Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to Metallica - Death Magnetic
posted by Dustin @ 11:37 AM,
Copping Out
Thursday, September 25, 2008
So, I must say that John McCain's most recent attempt to puss out has frustrated me. For whatever reason, be it that he's not ready to debate Obama or that he's trying to move the debate to when the veeps are scheduled to meet (because if Sarah isn't ready to handle Katie Couric, she sure as shit can't handle Biden, and Katie skewered her yesterday), McCain's decision to hide behind the wall street bailout effort and skip tomorrow's debate is anything but straight talk.
With 39 days left till America chooses her next president, Johnny boy needs to show us he can multitask. If I were one of his supporters I'd be furious.
Ok, rant over...for now...
Posted with LifeCast
posted by Dustin @ 5:42 PM,
I Love My iPhone.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
I'm blogging from an application on my iPhone, and that makes me happy. I still need to figure out how to incorporate images, but baby steps, right?
Anyway, back at work. I've got 3:00am conference calls with a client in India all this week and next. I'm not a fan of that program. No, not so much.
In other news, it's Tim's birthday. Give him a holler if you know him.
L8tr T8trs.
Posted with LifeCast
Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit
posted by Dustin @ 10:11 AM,
It's Always Sunny...
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Well then, I spent most of this last week in Boston at a conference. I love Boston. The smell of the harbor, the way it feels like a big city without feeling like a big city, the way nobody around me says "R" when they're supposed to. The conference was good, and it's great to spend time with colleagues. Over the last several years, I've become accustomed to seeing my actual coworkers infrequently, what with working from home or from client sites. Good times.
In other news, Fall TV is starting up. This last week, that meant It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Supernatural. The former is the single smartest and most amusing thing on television (albeit not safe for children under 17 OR friends and family that may be offended by, well, almost anything), while the latter is full of eye candy. Heroes and Chuck get cracking this week. I'm really okay with being a whore for Fall TV.
Finally, I woke up at 2:30am this morning with a brainstorm. Stay tuned to see if it becomes my ticket to independent wealth before 30, or just another one of my brainstorms. Either is a strong possibility.
Currently in Heber Springs, Arkansas
Currently listening to Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
Labels: All Posts, Entertainment, Travel, Work
posted by Dustin @ 3:48 PM,
RIP
Monday, September 15, 2008
Farewell, Richard Wright...Sad to lose you...
Currently in Boston, Massachusetts
Labels: All Posts, Culture, Entertainment
posted by Dustin @ 1:32 PM,
Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name...
Hello from Boston, Massachusetts. More on that to come.
posted by Dustin @ 7:10 AM,
And now for something completely different...
Friday, September 5, 2008
Yes, I can write about things that aren't related to politics or business travel. Watch.
I'm a whore for Battlestar Gallactica (henceforth "BSG"). Like, big time. That, of course, referring to the reimagining on SciFi as opposed to the "cheese factor #9" original 1978 version. I didn't get on the bandwagon until about two months ago, when a good friend of mine (and the producer/engineer who's studio I'm about to go into) paid it forward. And now I'm a whore for it.
Some reasons, in no particular order:
1. The show added the word "frak" to my lexicon. It means exactly what you think it means. Now I can drop eff bombs in front of my 3 year old niece. Frakking rad.
2. I'd frak 77% of the characters in that picture. I'll let you decide for yourself which ones wouldn't get any action.
3. The writing is impeccable. Unlike most network shows, I honestly have no frakking idea what will happen next. That's unique.
4. Art mirrors life, and the story lines, SciFi'd up as they are, are relevant to some of today's most important frakking issues.
5. The special effects are more realistic than the most recent Star Wars movies. Frakking serious.
There are more. And yes, I said "frak" or "frakking" in each. And that doesn't bug me.
If you are at all curious, I strongly recommend picking up season one and giving it a shot. The first "episode" was actually a miniseries, so get ready for about 2.5 hours in one sitting. Quite a lot is covered in the miniseries, so watch another episode or two before deciding if you're into it (and you'll be into it). And most importantly, AVOID SPOILERS LIKE THE PLAGUE. Don't read forums, don't watch videos of panels at Comicon, don't even read the full wikipedia entry. A big part of what makes it frakking ridiculous is the element of surprise. Trust me, and have patience. You shall be rewarded.
That's all for now. Peace, out.
Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to Imogen Heap - Speak For Yourself
Labels: All Posts, Entertainment, General Bullshit
posted by Dustin @ 5:55 PM,
I could....
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Kiss John Stewart with tongue for this segment...
posted by Dustin @ 8:47 PM,
Frakking September.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Anyone know how three quarters of this year blew by? Was I sleeping? Drunk? Just ridiculously distracted? Whatever the reason, here we are, in September of 2008. Summer is flirting itself away, we can't wear white anymore, and the 2008 Presidential Election is right around the corner. I know it's cliche, but the older I get, the more clearly I understand what I've been told all my life: as you age, a year becomes a shorter and shorter period of time.
Well, it's been an eventful Summer. I traveled quite a bit for work and play, including another jump to India, and a quick trip to Washington for my grandfather's 80th birthday. More recently, we thought about moving downtown, until we realized that the housing downfall has caused our home value to fall pretty dramatically, making it foolish to think about selling right "just 'cause". So here we'll sit for a while - marginally disappointed, but more or less over it.
In other news, I've just sent off for my absentee ballot to vote in the election. I get the joy of voting anytime I choose between about two weeks from now and mid-October, due to yet another trip to India in early November that will keep me from hitting the polls. While I'm relatively certain my mind is made up (like, approximately 190% made up), I'll probably hold off till October to "pull the lever", as it were. I'm both addicted and more than a little bit worn out by the election at this point. The nomination of Sarah Palin adds for some drama to keep things interesting, but I'm convinced most people know what they're going to do. Part of me wishes we could just get it over with. Oh wait, I'm going to.
And finally, for this post, I've finally taken a step and begun the process of scheduling studio time. Actual studio time. Not, fucking around in my home "studio" studio time. Nah, working with a producer/engineer, session musicians, tens of thousands of dollars of gear, etc. I'm not sure where it will go, but the new stuff I've been writing is stronger than anything I've ever done. And I've got the connections to do something with it, if it turns out good enough. I've said before that I don't have the gumption (see a good definition of gumption here) to spend a few years playing at shitty clubs for the door. But if someone heard some of my stuff and thought they could make me an overnight success, I'd be in. If not, c'est la vie. Same thing goes, except I think I could be persuaded to put in some effort this go around. Maybe that means building an online following. Maybe that means some selected shows. Dunno. But I'm itching to lay down some tracks, and ready to do it right. We'll see how this goes.
Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to The Republican National Convention, ugh...
Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit, Politics
posted by Dustin @ 7:30 PM,
Because I haven't posted in a few days and this shit is funny...
Friday, August 22, 2008
posted by Dustin @ 9:24 AM,
Friday Funny
Friday, August 8, 2008
A text message conversation between John McCain and Paris Hilton...
Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to Queen - A Night at the Opera
Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit, Politics
posted by Dustin @ 9:33 AM,
On Road Warfare, Gray Hair, and Rainy Weather...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
As you may be able to tell by my Dopplr badge (see the left hand column), it doesn't appear that my business travel is going to be slowing down anytime soon. What the badge DOESN'T show are the three or four trips in October that aren't 100% confirmed yet. If the economy is having a negative imapct on business, I sure as hell can't tell. I'm not complaining, mind you. I love my job and enjoy seeing new (and often repeat) cities around the country and the world. And the only way to maintain preferred status with airlines and hotels is to continue using them like crazy, so I can't stay still for too long. But I believe the travel is aging me.
Speaking of aging, I have a confession to make....
I have a gray hair. One dadgum gray hair that, no matter how hard I yank it out of my head, seems to always be there every morning when I wake up. This week I've decided to say fuck it, I have a gray hair. On the bright side, men with gray hair are debonaire silver foxes - it's women who have to cover it up. And I'd MUCH rather be a silver fox than bald, so I'll be glad to embrace it if it means dodging the baldness bullet. I just didn't think they gray would come so soon. Anyway, that's all I have to say about that for now.In other news, it's raining today. I've always liked gray, rainy days. Those who know me can attest that I generally have a pretty positive outlook on life (hopelessly optimistic, in some cases). My creative side, however, is often drawn to darker poetry, art, music, etc. Rainy days are inspirational, from that perspective. I suppose rain also represents cleansing and rebirth. Maybe it's natural of an Aquarian, but rain makes me feel at once at peace and whole. That looks a little new agey in writing, but whatever.
That's all for now, chicanos.
Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to Pegasus Actual - The Age of Zero
Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit
posted by Dustin @ 1:24 PM,
Thinking About a Change
Monday, August 4, 2008
So we're considering a bit of a change. Well, not so much a BIT of a change as a relatively massive change.
Since 2005, we've lived in what our friends refer to as "West Nashville", meaning basically as far from downtown Memphis as you can get without leaving Shelby County. Arlington is one of the furthest-out suburbs in the metro area. We love our home, and have been ridiculously fortunate with the neighbors we have here, and the friends we've made will always have a place in our hearts. While the building process was a bitch, we've come to be very comfortable here, and have enjoyed the space. Here's a picture of the house from a few days after we moved in:
That said, we're thinking about a change. Whereas families often spend early years living in town, experiencing city life in all its glory (as well as some of its less desirable parts) and ultimately move to the 'burbs to "settle down", we're thinking the city is looking mighty sexy. "What reasons?" you may ask. And I'm glad you did.
1. Living downtown, at the river and near the interstate would essentially cut an hour off our trip to Heber Springs. Since we go almost every weekend during the spring, summer, and fall, this is kind of a big deal.
2. We could sell our house, buy a place downtown, and probably have a few bucks left over to put a down payment on a cabin in Heber.
3. 90% of our friends live in midtown, downtown, or north Mississippi. We're pretty isolated in Arlington and would have more opportunities to socialize if we lived in the city.
4. We're season ticket holders at The Orpheum, which would be a short trolley ride from home. Beat that. This is bigger than the Orpheum, really. There's so much to do downtown, not to mention how easy it would be to show people from out of town a good time if I could get them plastered on Beale Street then WALK back home.
5. 80% of my travel could be done on the trolley or on foot. As much time as I spend on a plane, I need to take as many opportunities as possible to reduce my carbon footprint.
6. This kitchen.
Okay, so it's more than the kitchen. But seriously, some of the converted warehouses in the South Main Arts District have SO much character, while maintaining the level of comfort and style we're looking for. 14 foot ceilings with original wood beams, brick walls, wood floors, and exposed duct work - how insanely bohemian.
Nothing is set yet, and we've got lots to do in the coming weeks before we even decide for sure, but we've started looking and have a realtor that's showing us some places. Tim is in Buffalo this week, so my task is to start deep cleaning this sucker in the event that we want to look at listing it in the near future. I'll keep you posted.
Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to Spymob - Sitting Around Keeping Score
Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit
posted by Dustin @ 9:23 AM,
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