Bearcub's Soapbox

Seven years ago today, I lost one of the closest friends I ever had, after a protracted battle against HIV.

Even now I still well up when I look at his picture, then curse myself knowing that he'd only take the piss if he caught me doing it! That was his sense of humour, and one of the reasons why I respected him, and loved him as a brother. Just like any brother, it was 50/50 whether I'd hug him or throttle him.

So now, on this day, I share a little of my friendship in the hope that you will all take something away with you.

Maybe a smile, maybe a hug from a loved one, maybe an argument settled because there is more to life.

As for him, there's no point saying Rest In Peace, he was always more of a party type...

Dear Lee,

I hope you have found the dance floor, and that Heaven is as much fun as you found Earth.

Love you, miss you,

Jon
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Got a response from my classified ad, a band looking for a drummer - maybe things are looking up!

Here's hoping!

Bearcub
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Well, maybe the booze has taken hold, but I've finally plucked up the balls to set up a profile on a musicians wanted website. I've put a photo and a track from the last album on there, and all the info of the gear I have (Shit, that's a lot of stuff!!!)

Hope I don't look like a tw@t, and that maybe something comes of it - I just don't know of any other way of meeting new musicians at this stage.

Here's hoping

Bearcub
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I was offered a new guitar amp today. As my 30th Birthday Pressie. Only, the amp I was looking at couldn't do what my existing 10 year old amp can. suffice to say, that having lusted over this new amp for a year or so, I was unbelievably dissapointed to find out that some obvious features were missing.

I was gutted. M's credit card was out and handed to the guy in the shop, when I said:

"Hang on, where's the effects loop?"

Boom, dream over.

Uber-gutted.

Bearcub

The New Condenser Microphone bought 2 days ago works amazingly. My vocals come through ultra clear - actually a little too clear at times. Now all I need is someone to help me sing well!!! Or alternatively someone who can sing rock stuff.

Any takers?

Bearcub
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If you're not a musician, you might as well switch off now - technobabble warning!

I've spent the day thinking about my last album - I'm already looking for ways to further improve quality. So I've come up with a great idea (I hope)

At the moment I have my equip set up as follows:

Guitars (Brian May Signature & Hank Marvin Signature) run in to wah-wah pedal, then in to front end of Marshal Valvestate VS100r.

POD XT Live runs in effects loop of Marshall.

Speaker of Marshall is disconnected and a DI is run in to the multitrack (Tascam 24 track Digital)

This results in a great guitar sound, but constantly overloads the monitor amps.

So now, I'm going to reconnect the marshall's speaker, and mic the amp, using two mics. One dynamic will be sat by the speaker, one condenser will sit about a foot away.

Hopefully, I should be able to get a better professional sound that way.

Anyone got any hints or tips, as I've never mic'd amps before, having always DI'd them?

Cheers,
Bearcub

It's amazing how "all or nothing" our business is. I was just sitting here with nothing to do, and thought, I'll do some blogging, when everyone came rushing in at once!

Now I'm sat here again with nothing to do but blog.

And it's bloody freezing!!!!

Shivering Bored Bearcub
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I've finally finished all the recording on my new album! I've also got the cover designs sorted - all that remains now is to produce them, gift wrap and get them to people in time for Christmas!

Guess who's getting p#ssed to celebrate this weekend - and taking six months off writing music?!

One relieved little bearcub!
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I know you won't believe this, but I don't actually like complaining! And for the last two days, I've had to do nothing but complain and sort out problems. And, the thing that pisses me off most, is the fact that the people I had been complaining to all agreed with my complaints and said I was right, but still could not do anything! You know, I always believe that customer service is paramount, and that the customer should go away happy. Very rarely have I refused to do anything in the face of a complaint. People of the workplace, take this lesson to heart:

The phrase "I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do" is wrong 99.9% of the time. You can do something. Speak to your manager, discuss the problem with your colleagues. Find a compromise, meet in the middle ground.

Come on guys, lets all make customer service mean something again.
Bearcub

He he he, it's not actually that bad! I've just taken over all the book keeping duties for our business, and having spent all day crunching numbers, I've managed to get the figures to balance. It's my first VAT return of the year, and I was really nervous that it would all look like gobbledygook to me when I tried to figure it out.

The scariest thing is that it all made sense!

One relieved happy little bearcub signing off!
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Have just watched lightning strike a building just down the road. Once my sphincter stopped clenching I went to check - thankfully no damage. Just got burgler alarms going off all over now!

Bearcub.

Finally finished preliminary recording on my new album - Yay!!!

Now down to the mixing stage - that should only take another month or so!

Bearcub
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