25 Things About HappyHarryNET

01. People who get to know me will learn that I am passionate about everything that I do.

02. I disagree with most "green technologies" that are offered to the public as environmental heroes.

03. Slogans amuse me. My favorite is, "If should's and but's were candies and nuts, it would be Christmas everyday".

04. Music is my first love. That is, writing, singing and playing guitar, piano & banjo with the xylophone being one of my favorite orchestral percussive instruments.

05. The Flock browser is a ingenius method to stay, "in the loop" with all of your social nets.

06. The finest historian of our century is Eustace Mullins who was embued by Ezra Pound.

07. I find most things funny, and if it's not funny, then I think of something funny
ABOUT it.

08. Although I wanted my own biological children, I have none. And I have many wonderful step-dots.

09. I enjoy learning new things by video tutorials, to the point I created many of my own that are on my PC Help Videos website.

10. Distractive therapies are tools that I use to detour chronic pain from controlling my time.

11. Had I never been hit by a car, I never would have taught myself to be as good as I am.

12. Girls ;;sigh;; Ahhh yes! Thank heaven for little girls ;;smiLe;;

13. Since its inception, I have truly loved computer software.

14. One of my favorite outdoor activities is spending time with, "the ducks".

15. My favorite indoor activity is living full time in our motorhome where I do everything indoors.

16. It's a shame that cellphone "texting" has replaced, "the first date".

17. I am NOT a phone-bug. However, feel free to call me anytime after 9 PM PST or weekends ;;grin;;

18. Don't expect me to come visit you. Metro-hysteria is NOT something I embrace.

19. Humid climates such as FLorida are heaven to my body and its thermostat.

20. Q: Why did the turtle cross the road? A: To get to the Shell station.

21. I am absolutely strict with regards to respecting other people's property.

22. In the year 2001, my doctors quoted me 15 years of life to end 8 years from now.

23. My favorite pizza is anchovie, pepperoni and cheese, thin crust.

24. I love cold nonfat or 1 percent milk in a frozen glass. The temperature is 38 degrees Farenheit.

25. Have a cow! Take a frozen 16 ounce glass, fill half with milk, top off with rootbeer.

;;cheers;;

I've Become A Flock-er

Finally got around to spending time to try using the Flock browser. First of all, let me begin by saying installing and "getting up to speed" using this browser, IS A SNAP! Additionally, this is a full featured browser than runs at a rabbit's pace and manages every conceivable online activity you can muster up and throw at it.

The Flock browser integrates all social networking features into your browser. I REALLY like this! At a glance, I can see the status of all my webmail accounts, Twitter, Facebook, 2_MySpace accounts, myBlog and RSS feeds. IF you are a member of any of the following, you NEED to be using the Flock browser!

PEOPLE
+ digg
+ Facebook
+ Flickr
+ MySpace
+ Twitter
+ YouTube

MEDIA SHARING
+ Photobucket
+ Picasa
+ TinyPic

BLOGGING
+ Blogger
+ Blogsome
+ LiveJournal
+ Typepad
+ Wordpress.com
+ Xanga
+ Self-Hosted Blog

ONLINE FAVORITES
+ Delicious
+ Magnolia

WEBMAIL
+ AOL Mail
+ GmaiL
+ Yahoo! MaiL

For information and tutorial, visit http://www.flock.com

P.S. Kudos to Microblitz ^5

;;cheers;;

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Shifting Studio Around

Well jee, time flies when you're having headaches and fun ;;heh;;

In order to accommodate all the fun stuff that I am wanting to do in the forward cab of our motorhome, it was imperative to redesign space considerations.

Had I continued on the original design course, I would have lost use of the 30" inch LCD for home theater and Xbox360. That's not an option.

The solution was to stick with iMac24 for studio center piece and move the 30 inch LCD from this side's overhead and mount it overhead, "on the other side". Run extended component video cables and Ethernet over to studio table. This eliminates having to move the home theater subwoofer, rewiring the optical 7.1 surround. Also, this enables Xbox360 to the 30 inch LCD, the home theater for movies and streaming Netflix and AppleTV. Yay! No spacial conflicts! Keep in mind, we're talking 8 feet of very square space, here in the forward cabin of NASAV.

I'm looking forward to Yamaha 01x, Cubase and Logic on Mac OSX very SQQN !!

Once this nonsense is complete, I will publish pics and video. Still designing NASAV_studios website on yellow legal pad, so will be awhile before THAT site is hot.

;;cheers;;

Got My "Jasper" Xbox360

Got my Xbox360 replacement yesterday! Wow, what a difference. I suspected my 1stGen unit had some problems, but now I know it had problems.

The new "jasper" chipset is the latest 2008 build of the 360 including smaller CPU chip, lower power supply and overall less HEAT. Also, whereas I live in a motorhome in a particularly quiet area, it is OBVIOUS to me, the new units are much quieter during operation and there is no doubt about it, most of the LOAD times are faster.

The longest load time noticeable because it is a major NXE dashboard function, is that it takes about 20 seconds [while it does nothing] to populate your recent games list. I THINK MICROSOFT SHOULD FIX THIS. When you pop out of a game and want to jump into another one, especially the XBLA games that you purchase, no user should have to wait 20 seconds for a file listing TO APPEAR.

I am pleased in all respects! Last night I had my first 5_hour romp with Civilization Revolution. Real fun game.

The Arcade pack also comes with 6 FULL VERSION games [2 of which I already owned]. SEGA Superstars Tennis [Sonic], Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, PAC_MAN Championship Edition, and UNO.

[sidenote] NintendoDS has a new game called Big Bang Mini which is a stylus game very similar to Boom Boom Rocket on the 360. It's very colorful and a lot of fun! It's one of those games you start swishing the stylus and 3 hours later, you're still playing it!

The Arcade compilation disc has a nice, simple interface. However, I was dissapointed that Microsoft did not include NXE in their startup video, which would impress new 360 buyers. Actually, I didn't realize how much better NXE was until I saw the video that showed the previous, "blades interface".

In anycase, for me, it was totally worth buying the $199 Arcade360 to replace my 1stGen unit, popped on my 20gig hard drive and in minutes had my machine, Netflix and Media Center configured and up and running.

Thank you to Ars Tehnica for the photo.

;;cheers;;

Busy Times

What a nice way to recoop from the usual pain-riddin lifestyle.

We got a couple days break from rain so I got up on RV roof and repaired some worn spots to disable a tiny, minor leak. FTW ^5

Enjoying the health spa and gym 4 miles away. Yeah! Didn't even know it existed. Everyday I workout and use sauna and hot tub. My body responds to hot moisture so well!! The exercise is good too. Also, a bonus. To get into the health club you must climb 2 healthy [steep] rows of stairs. Once inside the building there are stairs up to the cardio area and elsewhere as well. So even if you don't use the facilities, just walking around you get exercise on their stairs!

My Xbox360 began freezing up. No RROD (Red Ring of Death) yet, but no matter. The freezing is caused by the ATI graphics processor coming loose, I plan to rip open the console and repair it myself. Meanwhile, this coming week I plan to purchase a new Xbox360_Arcade which is the newer chipsets not prone to be problematic.

Still putzin with the /pchelp website. Should be done in another week or so. Keep trying the link on my main site. It will be obvious when it's hot.

Just beginning to dismantle the home theater system and wiring. Moving everything 180_degrees in the RV. The surround subwoofer and speaker connections are getting transferred to the other side of the truck so the 30inch LCD will be taken down from the overhead mount and attached to its table stand where it will grace the studio table and be used with Cubase4 DAW for recording. Additionally, I have a nice PC/Xbox switch to flip back and forth between games and the PC. The PC over there will boot to Cubase4 and fire up Yamaha mLAN. Dedicated recording. Where I am sitting now will be the MacBooth, where TWO iMac24 will be making home any day now.

I won't order the monitors until the stands are made and the surround job is done. Its just too congested in here when things are, "not in place".

Very much looking forward to March. It's music time!

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again

Pain has outran my ability to distract myself from it. I see based on last blog and my overall health and looking at date on computer that I am losing days left and right. Today I tried a simple accounting of past few days and was not able to reconstruct today let alone past two to seven days.

Started some new AJAX code for website. Will get back to that when I am happening. So much to do, so little time with it flying by getting UN-USED.

;;grumbles;;

Nailed Again - Rip Roaring Headache & Spine

Jeez my head is gonna explode and my spine is on fire! Well, so much for getting anything done today. I'll putz around if I can stay on my feet.

Let's keep this one short. I'll be back.

;;cheers;;

Rewire Time

Right when I was about to order speaker monitors and subwoofers, it came to my attention that the arrangement of gear in my studio area, including gear on the other side of the RV needed to get swapped with the studio-space side. For very good reasons, it is a good thing that I caught my own oversight! Now, all present entertainment functions will be possible at any time, along with the recording studio. Had I went ahead as planned, home theater surround, cableTV and Xbox360 on 30_inch_LCD would have gone down the drain.

So, next week is a RIP-UP when i remove all cable runs for cableTV, surround system, ethernet and power. New power runs as well with both line conditioning and UPS's on both sides of the truck, then run new cable runs from the forward cab and back to the electrical panel.

This is good timing. The 2 new iMac24s won't be here for a month anyhow, and the Vista laptop that is currently in use will be installed "under" the studio table and be a dedicated power-on to Cubase and mLAN for 01x and MOTIF_XS.

All in all, I am pleased. Even though I am two months behind my original projected schedule. In the end it don't matter anyhow. If the studio setup is not functionally correct, I won't be publishing any redbook CDAs. Where I come from, they call that confidence.

;;cheers;;

MOTIF_XS - A Real Workhorse

While NASAV_studios continues to be under construction, I do have the workstation set up now in dedicated space which has allowed for much more TIME to spend learning the DEPTH of this outstanding, 8_element synthesizer workstation. What's left to do? Actually, alot! In this basic 6x4 feet of space, every detail is crucial to the end result of the project studio. I'm considering a dedicated hard disk recorder which will require another uprising stand through the table, so I am pausing plans.

As you can see, mixing is very much the same as a traditional mixing board, and of course the 8_faders and 8_rotary encoders are tied to all controls including the mixer, making adjustments a breeze. Still, I prefer working with 01X and DAW. However, there are some real advantages to dedicated hardware such as HDD recorders having the ability to mix audio, right onboard during a session without the need to transfer data over to a DAW. In other words, no computer needed.



For those of you who like to see things up close, this is a better shot to get a better perspective of the fader, encoder and transport controls. This synth is extremely intuitive to use, considering what a complicated machine it truly is. I keep learning more stuff every time I turn it on. Sometimes things get a little, "hairy" because of it's complexity. However, the upside to that is, when you want to create some special little detail that is not, "built-in" the XS will accommodate your idea with ease!

NASAV_studios photos and videos will be on the new website.

;;cheers;;

Age of Mythologies DS

Have been enjoying this turn based strategy game. It's a great way to wind down at the end of a day, fighting beasts and conquering kings. The graphics are really good and very easy on the eyes. You can play the game using the stylus or without; I prefer to not use the stylus because I am seasoned with D-pad games.



This game is much more balanced the former game, "Age of Kings" (AOK) and makes for a much more playable game. I am enjoying character development much more than AOK. Another really fun feature are the "God powers" you can unleash upon your enemies. I look forward to replaying this one.

CLICK HERE TO SEE GAME VIDEO

;;cheers;;

Learning Insertion Effects

MOTIF_XS has a full complement of effects, both insert (Insertion) and send (System), and includes a special set of VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) effects that authentically model the elements in analog circuitry, realistically recreating the uniquely warm characteristics of vintage processing gear. XS also includes a sophisticated Vocoder effect that produces classic robotic synthesizer sounds, molded by your speaking or singing voice through a connected microphone.



What I am finding fascinating about the XS is it has over 300 effects presets! For example, you want to jack a mic and make it sound like a telephone call, you simply call up that insertion effect while recording into the sampler, add some compression, and you're done! Very slick!



;;cheers;;

01x - Signature Series Gig Bag

Finally found another one! Model YB01X Signature Series Gig Bag. I say another one because months ago I had located one for $130 dollars plus shipping. Then I got side tracked and didn't buy it. When I returned to the site, they no longer carried it. Then when I scoured the Internet for 2 months I found nothing. So, I just ran into this deal a week ago and ordered one for $80 dollars.

This bag is nice. Plush and firm inside for the mixer and even for my 9 pound 17inch laptop! Although I'll be looking forward to the new MacBook Pro to fill that spot. Very well constructed and a pleasure to load up, zip up and go! ATA flight cases are selling for $180 dollars so I feel real good about this purchase.

;;cheers;;

Killer 01x Case Deal

Finally! After scouring the Internet for months I found a great deal for a dedicated travel case for my Yamaha 01x. This case offers room for mixer, laptop and cables. Suitable for carrying or tow with wheels. I will blog about the case later.



I am very glad to finally acquire a secure case for the mixer. I've been wrestling with the original factory carton and styrofoam in my storage space. Although the 01x is now resting in its new dedicated studio space, next time it gets stowed away will be much easier having the travel case.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SEE THE 01X UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!

;;cheers;;

MOTIF_XS - True Workstation Production

Since purchasing my Yamaha MOTIF_XS workstation, I've mostly enjoyed it's internal digital sounds. I've spent some time learning pattern mode and its onboard mixing capabilities and although I utilize its sampling functions, I wasn't using the XS as a total solution.



Having this synth jacked into the O1X automated digital mixer makes life a joy and I got distracted for over a year learning that combination. Now, I have turned my attention to JUST the XS. Although it appears to seem a little clumbsy here and there, the XS is very capable in every department of the recording process, whether it be creating loops and patterns that will make up song parts, or recording vocals straight into the XS via the TC-Helicon vocal processor. Making good use of the onboard 16-track mixer makes sample/resample a breeze. It took me awhile to understand that, in order to use the XS totally as a standalone recording unit, first you must lay down a click-track or record at least one instrument BEFORE you begin sample recording and doing multitrack recording using its onboard 16-track sequencer/recorder/mixer.

It's fair to say, using the XS with 01X is, "more fun" because the 01X automates so many aspects of the recording process and it is very interactive. Whereas using the XS without a computer or the 01X is a different way to do business. All settings are total recall, but the faders are not motorized, a small price to pay for true standalone capability.



I like the idea of sitting down at the piano [per se] and completely working right there. No computer, no mixer, no monitors. Just put on my head-mic, headphones and get to work. I am toying around trying different variations of templates that I can begin a recording session with, thus saving time and getting the recording process going. Whereas my new studio monitors are not here yet, I thought this would be a great time to test the XS in standalone mode to see how it really does. So far, I am very impressed; to the point that I may construct and produce some material solely using the XS.

Who knows, perhaps I will adopt to a new style of constructing audio, music and songs. After all these years of research and finally spending thousands of dollars, most of what I've been wanting to accomplish can be done using one piece of equipment. Very impressive.

Demo's? Yes, snippets are coming soon. I'm also in the middle of constructing a new website for my music. I would also like this to coincide with my new YouTube area, so managing all of this takes time since I am wearing all of the hats.

It's great looking to the left of the RV and seeing dedicated recording space and having at least my minimal gear up and running. Along with that, this here PC will soon be getting a KVM switch to toggle between PC and Xbox360 mode, to save some strain of using the overhead 30_inch flat panel just to play games.

Life is good.

;;cheers;;

NintendoDS - Acekard2_i slot1 mini-review

The Acekard2_i does require 2 taps on the NDS touch screen and boots in 2-3 seconds tops, versus the M3DS_Real's 8_second "no hands" boot up. Acekard2i relies on Moonshell for media, and GBA support is sloppy at best. Audio files play at half the loudness of M3DS_ReaL and they hiss! Yukk! The Acekard2i's microSDHC cardslot is NOT spring loaded; proves I DID get spoiled with my M3DS "spring loaded" SDHC cardslot. I will eventually construct a ABC123_Help for GBA support. Most users will be challenged to get GBA games working on the Acekard2i. The Internet doesn't exactly have step by step instructions how to make that work. If you DON'T play GBA, or listen to music, or look at pictures, or read books or watch movies, then the Acekard2i rates a nice big 10 for its fast speed and clean, slick interface. But, having to rely on Moonshell to play media and no out of the box GBA support sands down my rating of this slot1 adapter to 7.5 at best.

Of course, if you plan to buy the new Nintendo DSi, then perhaps the Acekard2i or TTDSi is the slot1 for you! Keep in mind, GBA support on the DSi is not confirmed. Perhaps the GBA function of the Acekard2i being used on a NintendoDSi, works strait out of the box. Until I have a unit to test that, I cannot confirm this.

If you dont have a slot1 yet for your NintendoDS, purchase the M3DS "perfect bundle" which is the best way to get the necessary slot2 expansion for GBA support. The included RumblePak will never get used. M3DS_ReaL manages GBA support out of the box and it's a total no-brainer. Many slot1 reviews STILL say homebrew compatibility on the M3DS is quirky. I have everything working so I don't know why anybody would report this in a review of the M3DS_ReaL. This leads me to believe many of the reviewers HAVE YET TO ACCOMPLISH much of the homebrew for NDS. Otherwise, they would have positive remarks to make about the M3DS_ReaL adapter. I have purchased different brand slot1's and it is obvious which one is king and which ones don't cut the mustard. Sure they all play Nintendo DS roms. If that is all you want, then close your eyes and pick whatever name strikes your fancy. Don't say I didn't warn you before you spent your money!

For more information about NintendoDS slot1 adapters, visit my website and click on SLOT1 logo. Click on CONTACT ME anytime you wish inquire about anything. When you visit our chatbox, feel free to TYPE your question(s). The users who hang out are fun people and know a lot about most gaming consoles and games!

;;cheers;;

Heart Okay - Preliminary Report

After stress test today my cardiologist clearly indicated to me no aterial blockage. However he still wishes to investigate my FAST heart. The doctors don't know why I've been suffering the recent heart issues.

At this point, I feel as though I already have been given a clean bill of health. Knowing that I need to kill 20 points off my BMI is all the motivation I personally need to get started with improving my cardiac health. I'm sure I will end up getting scripted Plavix and a statin for cholesterol. We've already secured a nice spa/gym here locally where I can take advantage of hydrotherapy and needed exercise equipment during the winter. Come spring, we can pitch a tent and set up a TotalGym outside.

As for the so-called problems over the past few weeks. It is my own professional MTBI_patient opinion, that residual symptoms from the brain injury sustained in 1993 are still spitting out various neurological crap, including severe panic attacks. I will be seeking to hire a new physician who sympathizes with my needs and just write me the scripts for Lorazepam and bottled oxygen. This way I can manage these attacks on my own while totally eliminating the usual $3000 dollars for ambo and hospital.

;;cheers;;

Arrogance Blundered

Hello and welcome to another mental adventure through the mind of Harry.

After careful considerations during the design phases of my project studio [that is what they call home recording studios] I had included all space and every conceivable lifestyle activity that would be physically near or involved in the, "studio space".

Now that the table and first chair is actually physically inside the motor home, it has come to my attention that moving the O1X to my left hovering just above the MOTIF_XS workstation would be best suited for my habits. I tend to use the O1X left handed much more than right [and I am right handed] but the reason for this is because I can have my right hand on workstation, piano, keyboard and mouse controls while having a free O1X hand.

It doesn't appear as yet, that I will be able to utilize the HS80M monitors and will forced into the HS50M series simply because of space. From a monitoring standpoint this could serve as a plus because the smaller 5_inch monitor woofers [along with sub_woofer] replicate the mix typical of most car CD audio systems; which certainly will be ONE of my target audiences.

The HS80M has richer lows they could certainly be utilized from an audio standpoint, but in this case, physical space is going to win. I have table room for the 8's, it's just that by the time they get foamed up with Auralex_MoPads and put on stands, they collide with the O1X. Especially with the O1X elevated on a stand versus sitting atop the table surface, which doesn't work for me anyhow. So, the money saved on the 8's will pay for the cables. I spose that's a plus. I'd still like to uncover a way to use the 8's.

Also, looking at different power line conditioners. I don't want any of this gear just 110'd off the 20amp line. However, I must say that I have NEVER suffered any line conditioning issues in any capacity in the RV since the day we bought it. I have friends who cannot boast that kind of electrical power confidence, especially with audio and amplifiers in the picture.

Right now I am days away from getting a stress test to determine whether or not I get an angiogram. But the cardiologist has already shown confidence that either a stint or angioplasty will be necessary based on my symptoms and behavior. I am not a cardiologist and I too can certainly vouch for his qualified opinion.

On another note, my life partner Kathy, is doing a magnificent job tolerating me and my attitudinal changes since my heart began hassling me. I look forward to this nonsense to be in the past so I can get on to whatever time I am granted to use on this planet.

;;grin;;

Studio Delays

Well, installed studio table and chair yesterday. Although I had computed all space, to scale, on the computer ahead of time, there were issues with the 5_spoke chair base as well as the depth of the table conflicting with the table on the other side of the Rv.

In any case I drug out both the MOTIF_XS and 01X to try out some spacial ideas and to get them out of storage and temporarily jacked them into a cheapo stereo so I could at least tinker on the ivorys last nite, which was fun.

I have changed my plan and will pop_up through the table with the 01X stand to the LEFT of the MOTIF which will place it above and over the DPS/faders/v_pots on the MOTIF. leaving more space in front for a keyboard and mouse. Also, I don't truly see the HS80M reference monitors really working in this situation and will use the HS50M's which are more than adequate to monitor mixes for the target audience, which are CD_car stereo systems and the average home PC/MAC 2.1 speaker setups.

So, some dissapointment, but shall resolve somehow, someway. In coming days will drill the table holes for cable routing and the two stands uprising through the table, 1 for mic boom stand and 1 for the support stand for the 01X mixer. Then we'll give it another go.

I'm very physically sore today and I had a lot of breathing and energy issues while working. I only have 5 days to wait for my stress test. I saw cardiologist yesterday and he was sensing that I prolly will need stinting but we shall see.

So today I am cooling my jets. Later will swap computers at the booth. Moving the Vista laptop to the other side and setting up 19" and my PC on this side with an A/B box between PC/360 whereas the 30" is overhead to my right. Surround can still be used as normal while playing on the 19" and thanks to the Sphere_X system, I can easily adjust the surround to exactly where I am sitting.

Got a little stuck for first level in Gears of War 2. shall get past that during next sessions play.

More to come.

;;cheers;;

A Flash In The Future

Now that 2009 is underway, I am kicking around some new ideas to Flash my websites. With nearly a dozen different designs that I have drafted up during the past two years alone, I now find myself questioning whether or not to implement them. I am using better methods and more efficient vector graphic applications which makes me wanton to create a higher level of professional web design.

Whereas my main course for this new year is recording music, it only seems appropriate that the NASAV_studios get special treatment. Afterall, people are going to desire listening to my musical creations and I really don't wish to continue posting snippets to my old Click and Listen website available at my main site HappyHarryNET.

Meanwhile, I am involved with a cardiologist and the remainder of studio construction and setup has now been delayed until I get what I consider to be, "clearance" from my doctor who has basically grounded me until further notice.

From the back burner, now in the foreground lies my new Nintendo DS website and chatbox which is already serving the NDS noobs. My MODs are doing a great job and our small community is continually growing. This venture should prove exciting a year from now.

Hope you had nice holidays as I did and I look forward to soon treating you all to some really nice musical arrangements.

;;cheers;;

Taking Life Slow

I suppose this could be useful. Especially when I can't remember what I want to say, or lack of a better excuse, having nothing to bring to the table. All of which certainly does not describe me!
Am bluesy today. NASAV_studios has come to a grinding halt due to health issues stuttering in front of me like a fawn staring at my headlights.

Been kicking around some ideas for my new flash site which will exclusively focus on my music and NASAV_studios. But of course, so I don't give the impression of being silly, unrealistic or totally full of crap, there is no point in my having a music website when I am not not recording music! Just venting a little frustration. Please don't allow my rants to motivate your blocking my blog via NetNanny.

On a positive note, mentally, I am delighted with the idea of getting started with LogicStudio on Mac via 01X. Once you learn how to operate a automated digital mixer, there is no going back. Now, here is an example where I "could" use Zemanta to "reblog" old posts about Yamaha_01X. But, again, since I am bringing new excitement to my blog, I would prefer writing new excitement as well. Content has always been my primary focus since beginning HappyHarryNET in 1997. This is why I specifically chose to use the slogan on my website, "visit a website with REAL content".

Just yesterday I wrote some new lyrics. I will put music to them soon and add to the pile of content that needs to get published on the new website. Release date? I ain't going there until I get past this cardiology daydream that I am dealing with. Keep tabs here and you'll be the first to know. Also, I plan to have FANCLUB signup on my site for those of you who choose to follow my musical endeavors.

;;cheers;;

Life Catches Up With You

In 1993 I was ejected from being gainfully employed due to brain trauma caused by head_on car that couldn't wait for me to pass by.

Of course, whether or not you are familiar with my many successes coping with MTBI and residual neurological dysfunctions, does not matter. For I am now writing about NEW plaguing matters.

In 1995,everything that my physicians told me would happen 5 years later is now happening. My skull and spine being at the top of the list spitting out enough chronic pain for a handful of people. Toss in the usual morbid 40 to 90 hour migraine or whatever the hell you call it and life becomes amusing to say the least.

Now that I have crossed the 55 barrier, it's cardiac time. Apparently, my bloodstream has clogged pipes and is giving my heart a run for its money. I have appointments for heart monitor and stress tests come JAN 8 and 15th. Meanwhile, I am eating xanax and nitro_glycerin like candy to get through days. Mind you, all in the comfort of my easy chair because exercise is too stressful now.

Understand, you're talking to the guy who has used a Total_Gym for almost 15_years and am used to daily physical exercise and activity. All being reduced to total inactivity and the inability to overcome newfound acute anxiety attacks which WERE under control for 13 years until this heart crap came into play.

For those of you who have been reading my blogs and are familiar with the progress of my recording studio construction; well, it's on hold now isn't it. Perhaps, I can record my own funeral music to maintain a sense of humor.

;;cheers;;

Happy Holidays 2008

The holiday season for 2008 much simpler this year. Even so, the one travel trip we did wore me out. The colder winter weather is pressuring me as suspected with a couple new renditions which I have already seem my physicians about.

Personal projects are pretty much on schedule. Now to finish up home RV projects prior to dismantling furniture and installing studio table and jacking all the gear.

I'm already reviewing my web pad and scratching up ideas as to revamping all sites in 2009 and which technologies and methods I plan to use to accomplish that. Fireworks, XaraXtreme and Flash are all in running, with the web-goal of adding more interactivity to my websites. With the studio on its way, wanting to revamp websites may be an unrealistic idea. But, this would not be the first time that I had too many irons in the fire that ALL got accomplished.

Just swapped my Nintendo DS (NDS) slot1 microSDHC over from a Class_2 to a Class_6. The speed improvement is very noticeable. So my verdict is, yes Class_6 do cost more, but they are worth having on board. Period.

On the Xbox360 front, birthday and holidays brought in Fallout_3, GearsOfWar2, Left4Dead, and Civilization:Revolution. So now, I have more games than I do lifetime.

Don't have any intention to revise [much] 2009 new years resolutions. May append a priority on project management, including our intention to gain citizenship outside of USA for the sole purpose of increasing the ability to care for our health better and to improve financial stability.

Happy Birthday Ned [if you're reading] who turns 58 tomorrow. Would be nice to visit each other, however distance and health issues for both of us pretty much guarantees that won't happen.

Kicking the idea around to quit Twitter, or to change HOW I go about Twittering. Perhaps I will change to a web-based widget applet of some kind. Am burnt out with the usual web method and gaining followers has not been an enjoyable experience as I had expected.

Electronic Arts really blew it big time with using the Xbox Vision Cam in their game Command & Conquer 3. In the multiplayer menu, you cannot choose to have the server only find you opponents WITH CAMS, so the entire idea of having a cam is moot. Also, the Xbox Vision Cam is strict USB 2.0 and this is why many users have had cam troubles using their Xbox 360 Vision Cams with their PC chat programs. Providing your USB controllers are strict v2.0, you can use the Vision Cam with any PC software that supports a camera. Period. (that's Microsoft's promise not mine)

In close, I hope all of your dreams, wishes and aspirations come true in 2009. And of course, if you can make any of them happen NOW, please stop reading my blog and GO GET THEM DONE!

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again - Mandatory Accomplishments

Well jeez. If I allow it, that's sorta depressing. My LAST blog on the 12th, I was nailed and here I am today, on my birthday even, enjoying another glorious morbid migraine. But, winter is here, its generally colder all the time, so I am experiencing the "accumulative effect" of cold which hassles my skull, neck, spine and stirs up the pain department in such a fun way.

There is a good side to this coin. I haven't blogged from Dec 12 to Dec 20 because, along with a lot of pain, I've been busy constructing the new Nintendo DS website with chatbox at http://happyharry.net/slot1 OR you can visit my website and click on the Nintendo DS logo which I will be drawing a dedicated graphic for the slot1 site in the coming days.

The studio table is here and outside leaning against the RV. This is all about timing, including my health and the weather. It's been raining and snowing off and on and I need a dedicated half day to rip out the furniture in here, get the table installed and then properly tarp the furniture outside for the winter until I can move them to storage in the spring to keep so if/when I sell this rig, I can reinstall the default chairs.

I've been looking through a studio catalog at some other table designs. One looks like it might work better, but stragely enough, there are no dimensions listed with the product. Now why would any company have a gorgeous, color photographs of their products of custom furniture WITHOUT DIMENSIONS?! That's like throwing an Easter egg party and having no eggs!

Finalized my cabling inventory so I could make a list of the new cables I need to order for the initial studio setup. Just a tad over $300 dollars plus tax. I suspected as much. Also, I am going to purchase the reference monitors individually, rather than as a package deal, because solo they each come with nice stands and Auralex MoPads. Oh!? Which monitors? I decided to go with the Yamaha HS80M, and HS10W sub.

I'm just anxious to get my gear jacked so I can sit down and do music. I am music starved. Also, I miss creating parady materials for the gang at PCTech. I'm sure many of them feel left out because I initially made a handful of songs for some people, but never got to finishing the song list due to having to tear down my gear to construct the studio space. But, 2009 should prove to be fun. Both making their parody songs and experiencing their reactions. P.S. One of my 2009 New Year's resolutions will be, "to be LESS politically correct than in 2008" so look out world, here I come!

This dang headache is wearing off about as fast as defrosting meat in a freezer. Jeez, I get sick of this crap. I've had a couple NEW chats with God recently about what the heck is going on. So far He appears to remain neutral on these matters which is annoying me. When someone comes to me for help and answers, they get, "Johnny on the spot service!" What gives? I keep asking myself, "What am I missing here? What am I supposed to be learning from this experience?" I shall remain vigilant in my being still and listening so I won't miss the downlink when it happens.

Back to music, I have decided to rerecord John Fogerty's song, "Don't You Wish It Was True" and plan to gain legal rights to do so through ASCAP and BMI. It's such a happy song and I can already here my version in my head.

Additionally, whereas I am dangling on a string here musically with all of my gear, "stowed away in the RV" to make space for constructing the studio area... I enjoy listening to these snippets 3 takes; 2 spanish guitar and 1 harmonica and here is two Harry's and one 12_string trying out my new RODE_NT1_A Large Condensor Diaphragm microphone

Hope You like them!

Okay, I gotta see what I can get done, this website needs to be done tonite so I can shoot all the apps up to my FTP for the homebrew and dvd_to_dpg_guide.

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again

I don't feel well. I'm not sick as in cold or flu. My neurological system is fried. Feeling a ton of pressure on the base of my skull. No question my atlas is dislocated and causing spinal entertainment superior to cable television. Toss in loss of equilibrium and dizziness anytime i move my head and what a wonderful day.

Today I had planned to knock out another web page but I don't think that is going to happen until later or perhaps tonight in 12 hours.

I tire of this group of maladies and the cold weather surely doesn't help.

In any case, grin and bear it, eh?

;;cheers;;

Headache Production

Never thought way back when in 1993 after sustaining brain injury and spinal injuries that I would be constructing web pages with morbid headaches. Life is amazing to say the least. In any case I will pound out another page today after a hot shower.

The site is coming along nicely. I want to do all my new work using XaraXtremePro, but since I have wet feet, I bailed back into Fireworks to knock out this NDS project. If you care to take a peek it is located at http://happyharry.net/slot1

After the NintendoDS site is done I will begin removing the two chair and table from the RV to install the table and start drilling holes for the needed uprisers and cable routings. NASAV_studios is now planned for late FEB_09 because I won't be connecting my new Mac and LogicPro7 to the Yamaha_01X until then.

;;cheers;;

Evaluating Life

It would appear that amongst all my irons in the fire, that I must give effort as to what truly is priority. As usual I have lost a lot of time since the summer, and my ToDoList looks like a warzone.

I remind myself that I always endure higher levels of physical pain during the winter, but some of what I am experiencing is part age and part, "brain injury at 55."

Everybody has something. It is inescapable. And, I have my ups and downs just as any human being does.

Nevertheless, my heart yearns for music, and I hope all of you get a chance to hear some of it so it can touch you like it does me.

;;cheers;;

Phew! Another Month

Well jee, where DOES the time go?

In my case, I lose quite a volume of time to brain injury related matters. Nevertheless, we all have the same 24 hours a day to utilize and time is continually ticking away and there's not a dang thing you can do about it. Usually the best course of action is to utilize the time and DO something with it, anytime you can.

Although winter is here in the California mountains, we are going to set up an outdoor tent specifically to house a new Total_Gym. That's right, the one you see Chuck_Norris selling on TV. My 1st one lasted about 12 years before I chucked it into a dumpster. It had gone through 3 wheel change sets, lots of cleaning and lubricating while traveling all over the USA for nearly 10_years; including 2 rides on a commercial jet when it got banged up pretty good but was still my trusty Total_Gym and worked well. In any case, we are looking forward to this physical fitness arena add-on to the RV and my body is crying out for the exercise which pretty much came to a halt when I moved into the RV, 3 years ago come this May 2009.

On the projects home front, the most recent items that I ordered having to do with the recording studio, did NOT arrive at my physical location. So now I am tracking down items and getting the sellers to reship to me via FedEx with a signature.

Additionally, the NDS/slot1 site has been slow coming to say the least. I've been getting nailed so much with spinal issues and other health matters I am a month behind on this project. Still, I think I can wrestle the site to its minimal completion by December 20th. If I can't, I will change the release date, but this would be my last choice, since there are many users who have been waiting for the site with the DEC_20 date promise.

I am looking at purchasing a new 12_string guitar and a 4_string banjo. So, at this stage I am window shopping and researching product lines and technologies.

The Xbox360 has become all the more enjoyable with the NXE (new xbox experience) which is the new dashboard interface Microsoft released on NOV19. I opted for a Netflix account at $8 a month for 1 DVD out and unlimited streaming on XboxLIVE. Already, inside of 12 days, it has paid for itself TWICE compared to local CHEAP DVD rentals at $1 dollar each. I'm impressed the 360 continues to play a major role in our home's multimedia enjoyment. Kathy got Madden_09 for $30_bucks so I finally have a 360_version of Madden. Up until now I had Madden_04 and_07 for Xbox1 which none of the Madden's are playable on the 360. Also, the 20th anniversary edition of Madden_09 is a gorgeous game even if you don't like football.

Although I have not accomplished much in the month of November, I am trying to make this reading enjoyable nevertheless. My NintendoDS has some cool new games which I have yet to try out. Being a strategy nut, I did plunge into Age_Of_Mythologies right away and enjoyed that. I will blog about DS games in another blog after having the time to both play the games and write about them.

Meanwhile, we're just creeping up on the tail of Fall here. The air is crisp, the fog rolls in and the quiet of Winter has begun to creep into this area. The holiday people are gone, the groundskeepers themselves are somewhat hibernated, and like bears, I'm ready to enjoy 4 to 5 months of quiet time. With the exception of videogames, watching movies and playing music.

If you are wanting to participate more in my activities you can join my Twitter at http://twitter.com/HappyHarryNET

Until next time...

;;cheers;;

NOV 25 - Relax and Happy Birthday Michael_S

Just thought I would post something relaxing to listen to. This is a snippet of 3 separate recordings; 2 guitar and my 1st try with harmonica.

Who Can I Turn To

I love pretty music ;;smile;;


;;cheers;;

Nailed Again - Into The City

Enjoyed a trip into the city. Kathy got her hair done, we visited with family and went shopping for a new cell phone and to buy new videogames.

I have not been traveling well the past dozen trip and am going to need to haul my butt back into the doctors. Rear skull dizzy spells, loss of equillibrium along with serious travel sickness makes for nothing less than a horrid time. I will have lost a solid 4 days after the dust from this trip settles. Along with the colder weather that is pounding me with daily migraines, it is very challenging to get projects done.

Kathy's birthday was October 11th so I gave her the new World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King. I took awhile choosing amongst many great Xbox360 titles and chose Fallout_3.

Meanwhile, focusing on getting the NDS website up on or before December 20th.

The inexpensive 3/4 spanish guitar that I ordered is not quite up to my expectations, but it is fun to play and will hold me over until I spend serious cash for a guitar.

Some people have asked me so I will reannounce here. Yes I am making a website for our NASAV motorhome and there will be both photos and videos.

Since, I AM, a man of my word, I shall see to it that things get done come hell or high water.

;;cheers;;

Nintendo DS Website and Chatango Chatbox

Thinks are moving along nicely. Just finished flushing out the comps for secondary web pages for the NintendoDS website. As usual, XaraXtremePro is really lending a hand!

People have been hanging out in the chatbox and the community is growing slowly. I anticipate more users to hang out once they learn about my site.

I am excited to offer "more content" to the public and provide a level of service that exceeds the majority of the other game sites with regards to online help.

;;cheers;;

NDS Website

Hello everyone.

Well yes, of course, it is possible the NDS/slot1 website will be ready early! However, it goes without saying, that the worst-case-scenario means, the site will be open as scheduled, on Dec_20th.

For now I am keeping things simple and making the site easy to navigate. Again, the focus is on new users who might not even own a NintendoDS. Further, anyone who is looking for specific help about NDS topics will find them easy to locate on my site. So, again the focus is help and the focus is easy.

I decided to post a mini-FAQ because people have been asking questions. An FAQ you ask? Yes, that is Frequently Asked Questions.

Q: Will there be a search engine?
A: No. Perhaps down the road when I have more time to dedicate to such a project.

Q: Is your website for game roms?
A: No. My website nor its FTP store any game roms.

Q: Will your chatbox help with questions about roms?
A: Yes.

Q: Are you going to charge any fees?
A: No. HappyHarryNET hasn't charged fees for anything in 11 successful years.

Q: What about donations and ChipIns?
A: I am considering adding my PayPaL donation button for $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $10 $20

Q: I heard a rumor about contests?
A: Yes. From time to time I will be having random contests with Amazon.com prizes.

Q: Is it true just about anybody can be a MOD in your chatbox?
A: Come to HappyHarryNET/slot1 and find out for yourself.

Okay. It's time to get back to work. Perhaps I will finish the web site early. Wow, now that would be awesome!

;;cheers;;

NDS_slot1 ++news++

The NintendoDS slot1 website is in construction. But, I chose to test a chatango box on the site and to my surprise users began coming into the chatbox which has been a fun distraction from my working on the website.

In any case, things are moving along nicely and we have a slew of MODs so it's kinda like American Idol right now. We shall see if the list thins out over the holidays as the box becomes busier after the site opens.

To those of you who read my blog AND are trying out my NDS chatbox (which you can see right here below on the right side) I would like to thank you for your participation.

Meanwhile, I am getting back to work to finish these web pages.

PCTech never fear, I shall return; I promise. NASAV_studios is busy too. Painting is done and custom table is on order and shall be installed in a couple weeks. Then all my gear gets wired and I shall begin working out the live video kinks.

Stay tuned!

;;cheers;;

NDS St. Helen

Long day. My girlfriend needed an angiogram so we set out to a local hospital a couple/few hours away.

The procedure went well. She had 90% blockage on main heart artery. It was a rough post-op day with her blood not coagulating then massive pain followed with her having severe reaction to morphine [loss of 24 points of blood pressure] followed by hours of nauseum. Hours later, things settled down and she slept for 3 hours to wake up looking refreshed and happy as if she just got back from a Jamaican vacation!

We look foward to getting back home to NASAV where its quiet and peaceful.

On another note, the NintendoDS (NDS) on hospital wifi has been a work horse and again I am pleased with its mobile capabilities, including my blogging now on NDS.

;;cheers;;

Yucko Day

Had fun playing Fable_II last nite. Woke up to severe leg cramps. Feel like shit, have a headache, am in a bad mood. I'm gonna lay down until the very last minute before I must get up, shave smoothe, dye my beard, shower and go meet old mentor friend tonite.

Having issues with people in my life who don't know what RESPECT is. Feel like moving to Moldova, Russia. Then I won't ever hear from them.

;;heh;;

Fable II Rocks - Xbox 360

Fable II rocks! This is a true pick_up and_play game! Click the title of this blog above to be whisked to Lionhead's website where you can learn about this wonderful game.

Just one of the things I love about this game is your pet dog. You interact with your dog and your dog helps you find treasure and alerts you to things in the game, besides the myriad of tricks your log learns as you collect books along your adventure trail.

I also like that you can play coop 2 player. Now I was a little dissapointed what this actually turned out to be in real life playing the game, but it sure beats not being able to play together at all. Overall, the coop add-in is a plus and gets high scores from me because Fable_I was great fun but you wanted to play with a 2nd person and couldn't.

With no doubt in my mind, Fable II will please most anyone who chooses to grab a controller and try this game. 5 hours later, you will be raving about playing the game. Fable II is not the best RPG game available for the Xbox 360, so I don't suggest diving into Fable II with that thought in mind. But, if you want to experience a wonderful adventure, gorgeous graphics, luscious music all while it being easy to control and to learn, then Fable II is for you.

Let me know if you get Fable II because we can adventure together online using XboxLIVE. Remember, a GOLD account on XboxLIVE only costs $4.17 per month when you purchase a one year subscription at $49.99 so sign up now!

Also, purchase a Messenger Kit which costs $29.99 and snaps onto your wireless controller so you can easily chat with all of your MSN friends while playing on your Xbox_360.

;;enjoy;;

October Fiddling

It's a cool, clear, calm, quiet Monday. The ducks "flew to me" from the lake today, to offer their morning greetings. Very socialable creatures.

Today I noticed on the RV that a structural patch job from 2 years ago had become, "undone" during our escursion into town for RV repair. So today, I shall wait until later when it warms up a bit and get the ladder out and repatch it. It's nice that the weather grants me "no rush" to get this done. Had it been raining, I would have been on that ladder hours ago.

This last disembark, I yanked the Xbox's knowing that upon return I was going to rewire everything over on the home-theater side of the RV. Although the previous wire job was neat and orderly, this round we'll route everything into collating tubes and band them together along the wall beneath the booth table. Additionally, I will u-clamp the 100AC cord for the LCD. Apparantly no kind of tape will keep the bundled cord up. In any case, I am looking forward to some 360 tonight.

Late afternoon, early evening I plan to set up the MOTIF_XS and play some music. I've been out of music a couple weeks or so now and I'm feeling withdrawal symptoms big time.

That's all for now.

;;cheers;;

Up Days Down Days

Gosh time flies by. Been very busy these past weeks including disembarking from our resort location here to take the RV into the city for repair.

All done and now back home, I spent two days [literally] resting after working activities. I enjoy the outdoors and working on the RV but my spine just doesn't like it. I can surely plan for a couple days of crippled activity post physical whatever.

In any case, things are better and I am preparing the RV for the table installation for NASAV_Studios. And, I can't wait to get my new Mac come 2009. These PCs are driving me crazy with their typical crappy behavior. I probably will get a MacBook or MacBookPro, but truly a MacBook with 4GB RAM will be enough power and plenty of compatibility with my Yamaha hardware using LogicStudio_8.

I just upgraded the firmware in my NDS (NintendoDS) to the new v4.0 Sakura iTouch and it really rocks! The new file manager makes it fast and breezy to shuffle through 80 games whereas before that was a 19-tap-page-down operation. Also am enjoying some of the new games such as Jewel Quest Expedition. It's great to see some of the PC games making their way over to NDS.

Am working on a new NDS website to assist new users and provide a chatbox for hobbyists to hang out and talk NDS. One of my NDS buddies from another site has offered his chatbox for my website and I like the idea. He's been around for quite sometime, so his chatbox brings instant people to the new site. I had already prepared and setup my chatbox for the site, but this is an offer that I cannot turn down for any reason. The new URL for the site will be http://happyharry.net/slot1 and there will be a graphic button on my main site linking to it. Hope to see you there. I am looking to NOV for grand opening.

Been looking through catalogs and checking reviews and have decided upon a Ibanez_12string acoustic electric guitar. Looking forward to ordering soon and using with the new studio setup.

Interior RV customization is still in progress with more painting to come including flat white in the kitchen area and blacking out a small area in bedroom to rid of the obnoxious brown flowers on the wall.

That's it for now. More to come later.

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again - But Moving Ahead

Today I awoke to another round of morbid skull pressure, spinal pain and a headache that was blinding my thinking. With assistance from my partner including a quality, pounding infrared massage and a handful of meds, she yanked me onto my feet. Since then, today has not been pleasurable in the sense of what most of you relate pleasure to meaning.

Anyhow, now 20 hours later, I'm just in a very pointed mood that some might consider grumpy but I call it focused. I don't have time to be proper and polite and to see to it that everybody has a nice day. As a matter of fact, I am growing more irritated at the volume of people that I come in contact with, whom have no physical ailments to boggle their day and yet they complain the most about the least meaningful little piles of possum-poop.

XboxLIVE finally came back up and I guess I had my wires crossed about why their servers were down in the first place. It was my understanding that Microsoft was unveiling the new dashboard UI for XboxLIVE on the 360. But, after poking around on the net, I come to find out that the dashboard upgrade may be coming in November. So, again, as usual, Microsoft is playing head games with their customers [using their marketing skills] to build drama and misinformation about their new product lineup. Somehow I don't see that as a method to gain market share and sales. But, who am I to judge that. XboxLIVE has over 12 million subscribers, which means, if XboxLIVE was a State of the Union, it be the 8th largest state and would carry 20 electoral votes! Impressive to say the least!

Let me take a moment to describe what I am enjoying when I am not feeling so crappy physically.

Playing GRID on NDS is mucho fun. Great driving game and on DS this is a real milestone because the majority, meaning all the rest, of the driving games on DS, are not to swell to put it nicely. GRID is pick up and play and the driving control is excellent. Graphics are nice and detailed and the game play and achievement system is done nicely and keeps the game moving forward.

Now for the Xbox360. Geometry Wars 2: Evolved (GW2). Now this is serious high definition, gaming frenzy at its best. GW2 is even a fun game on NDS (I had to buy both) and the NDS version has a strategy game built in which I happen to like. The 360 version is addictive, addictive, addictive. In the beginning days of play I was frustrated because there is so much going on, I never thought I would increase my scores. But, I kept at it, and finally, I've got my scores in the millions and am currently working towards my first 3 million score. Lots of fun. Lately, I have been choosing my favorite music album to listen to on the Xbox360 then start the game and play while listening to my favorite music. Mind you, this is not a new feature. It is just that I am getting up to speed with features that have roots going as far back as the first Xbox.

In other news, I have begun YouTube-ing, mostly just wacko funny baloney for the time being. But am having fun and other are enjoying my ridiculousness. Additionally, I am gaining practice with my $800 vocal processor from TC-Helicon so it's a win-win. FTW ^5

Continuing on, I just released the first Black and White edition of the Q4 - PCTech NEWS which are now published quarterly. If interested you can either click on the PCTech link to the right and on that site click on newsletters or you can visit my site, also at the right, and click on PCTech. Either way, you won't break your mouse getting there. The new format is not as exciting as the former color version, but it's fast loading, much more portable and it is functional. So I am hoping this new formula is to everyone's liking. If not we can try something else and if participation continues to remain at an all time low, then I will simply shit-can publishing it. Oops, I meant, I will simply cease that project. LOL

NASAV_Studios painting is nearly done and I am looking forward to actually ripping out the current furniture and wall mounted items to install the new stuff. It's gonna be fantastic to actually have my own project studio up and running, 24/7. Plus this project will increase cabin space by 40% because the isle way will be totally clear allowing for easy access to the booth across from me as well as the isle way will not be plugged up with my mixer and stand nor the keyboard workstation. Which up until now, these items have had to constantly be shuffled back and forth in order for me to do other life projects besides music.

Speaking of which, come October the truck goes into the shop to have a new plumbing line and union replaced. Along with that, we're upgrading the toilet to the new higher style type which will be a pleasure with much less squatting. 18 inches versus 11 inches. Big difference. Also, the new model has a better flushing mechanism. But, I must admit, our current 25-year old commode works just fine and to this day is not broken in any way.

So heading into year 3 in NASAV. How the time does fly. Oh NASAV, remember? That is what we call our RV.

North American Surrealistic Adventure Vehicle - Home sweet Home.

;;cheers;;

Getting Things Done

Finally after over a solid two weeks of headaches, I get a break and a little fresh air.

Back to finishing up the PCTech GetTogether 2008 video photo slide show. Perhaps by the weekend I shall post to the net.

Meanwhile, am finishing up the Nintendo DS add-on site. I am drafting a DVG TO DPG tutorial which is the best in its class available on the net.

Music is on hold. I am swapping out all of my cables with new replacements including the tri-sets for the HS80M satellites and sub woofer.

In preparation for fall and winter, shall be driving the RV into town to have an entire PVC water line replaced and a new 18 inch height toilet installed. Additionally, I've collated the materials in order to paint the forward cab ceiling flat black to enhance the home theater and game playing area for “lights out” enjoyment.

I am also constructing my design of the logo type for NASAV_Studios. For those who care, this is accomplished using Adobe Illustrator 9. The A.I. File will be emailed to the lettering company who will manufacturer the logo letters using a nice flat_white vinyl material. I will take a sheet of foam core and spray it flat_black, then the vinyl lettering will be applied to the foam core. The foam core will be velcro'd to the black velvet divider between the RV driving cab and studio area. So, needless to say, I am excited to begin shooting live video while recording, with the NASAV_Studios logo proudly displayed in the background, white on black. This will look really nice ;;smile;;

In the gaming arena, I am still playing Civilization Revolution on the Nintendo DS (NDS) and Rainbow Six Vegas on Xbox360.

Until next time, have fun and take care.

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again - Glad To Be Home

After some 400+ miles, we're finally home. As much as I enjoy traveling, my body don't. Although the car is comfortable, the change in seats and beds really messes with my spine. It's like changing from shoes you're used to into new shoes that are not yet broken in.

The resort is completely empty as we head in the direction of fall. We are the only ones here now that Labor Day is gone. Very nice. The city seems literally out of control, especially in the noise-pollution department.

I'm nursing another slam-basted headache today so I don't feel much like accomplishing anything. Perhaps later, which will end up being tonight sometime whereas it is 1:30 pm already.

Played a little Rainbow_Six_Vegas last night. The weapons detail and customization is very neat and adds an element of strategy to the game. As with Gears_of_War, for games that are over a year old already, they both look extremely good at 1080p. Also, when using sniper rifles, the 6x and 12x scope "kill animations" are seemingly realistic making the game very satisfying as you rid of tangos throughout the maps.

Well, I'm gonna mosey down to the lake and then plop down and check out for the day. Nothing getting done today.

;;cheers;;

Little Baby Isaac - LBI

Our first grandson was born September 3rd. His name is Isaac Mitchell Michael and he weighs 7 lbs, 9 oz., and is 21 inches with giant hands and feet! Momma and babyIsaac are healthy and all is well. We got lots of photos and video and after my other projects I shall constuct a babyIsaac video for the family.

We're several hundred miles from home and are anxious to get back home. I have medical business and physical in the morning, then we hit the road and get the hocky puck out of metro hysteria. Can't stand the city! Everybody here has rectal ventriloquism!

Picked up a couple Xbox360 games. Rainbow_6_Vegas and Gears_of_War. I've wanted to play these but didn't want to cough $60 each so I waited for the price drops.

I am geared up for this annual medical tomorrow, but will be glad when it's all over. It's inconvenient and a total pain in the ass.

I'll blog again when I am back home and relaxed.

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again - Labor Day

Aha! Now I know why it's called labor day, because I am laboring through another headache!

In any case, I made it onto my feet after dragging myself to a hot shower 3 hours ago. Meds not doing their job today.

If I don't get any productivity projects done today, I may end up just clicking the time away playing Civilization_IV: Beyond_the_Sword and since I am wiping this PC next week, I will be glad to begin playing Civilization Revolution on Xbox360 which is a faster, more relaxed game.

Anyhow, I'm outta here. I'm so sick of these blasted headaches I could spit.

;;cheers;;

Nice Summer 2008

Well summer is treating me nicely with comfortably warm temperatures that don't run you out of house and home.

Meanwhile, I am keeping busy with an array of projects, including upgrading some of my web pages to the new format, still constructing the PCTech video slide show which got side-stepped last week. I am expecting to be done with the video and move on to recording a new song for a friend beginning second week of September. Everything takes time and while I am pretty good at the things I do, I've been stuffing much more “fool_around_time” into my days, so projects slip away.

Why not? Life is short and I'm not on anyone's payroll!

Still enjoying TBS_4X, Civilization IV both on PC and NDS. Am looking forward next week to picking up a copy of Civilization: Revolution for Xbox360.

That's about it for now.

;;cheers;;

Astronomical Nonsense

Life has treated me to a cavalcade of thought provoking experiences during my recent virtual life in chat rooms on Paltalk Messenger.

It would appear that a there some people associated with this on-line society who are not exercising much brain power. Moreover, these same people take no accountability for their actions and do not believe in consequence.

Then I receive responses from many users, which I call these replies, “mass hysterical mishmash” or (MHM) which is nothing more than their uninformed response to the events happening around them. The end result is a feeling that things are not fun, so people become less interested in whatever the particular on-line society's purpose was in the first place.

Also, keep in mind, the troublemakers believe their juvenile behaviors and vandalism is a method to show you, Joe Public, how talented they are. When in fact, they are under achievers, and their offensive behavior is clearly a symptom of their problems. Much like that of an alcoholic who steals alcohol only to drown their problems in booze so they don't have to own up to anything. This is delusional behavior and this leads a person to believe to a false sense of security in that, they are thwarting a threats which will bully, rattle or cause harm to others. Again, only to gain emotional attention to feed their psychopathic bad habits. Amazingly, then they cry and snivel when they must suffer the consequence for the offenses they commit.

Over the past week I have received many different forms of communication. Some have responded with queries as to why? While others are wanting to know what on Earth is going on? Managing the hysteria of this scenario can be as challenging as navigating a raft down the Wenatchee River Valley rapids in the state of Washington. By the way, a very nice trip if you have yet to visit there.

Then there are individuals who are claiming that I accused them of being hackers. Well, they can't READ. And, IF they CAN read, they certainly do not have the ability to decipher the meaning of clearly written English text. My text clearly stated that they got caught red-handed CONSPIRING TO hack my personal Internet properties. Secondly, there was ADMISSION and CONFESSION on a verified audio recording that one person had compromised my security in the past. Meaning, they are guilty of already doing so. Third, they FAILED TO REPORT any conspiracy TO me. This is where the infamous, “guilt-by-association” kicks in. So my being accused of naming anybody a hacker is false. My being accused of filing a lawsuit is false. It doesn't appear that the troublemakers can't even keep their stories strait. By the way, it is reported that law enforcement officials experience this same phenomenon when interviewing suspects.

Appropriately, I now give thanks and honorable mention to the following people who did the right thing. Their stock with me, just went up 2 points.

LectroSpazz, WordPerfectly34, Sunny Sky50m, SubZerQQ, and ZippidyDooDaw

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again

Last night, after a glorious romp with Rise_of_Nations (RTS_4X), I awaken today to misery once again.

After assisted massage and removal from bed to make it to a 120 degree hot shower, I am finally on my feet hours later.

Perhaps I shall continue my RTS/TBS/4X romp later. But, I had a fun romp with strategy games this past week. And, I am looking forward to picking up a copy of Civilization_Revolution for Xbox360.

;;cheers;;

TBS_4X and RTS_4X

Hello. It's great to be back. Early to mid-Tuesday was queasy but I only made plans to play strategy games for the week so I mustered through.

Late Monday night I began a romp with Civilization_IV: Beyond_the_Sword, an excellent TBS_4X (Turn Base Strategy) game. The 4X means, "eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate". During this gaming session, it was not my goal to be a warmonger, but rather win by technological advancement. I was doing very well up until mid-morning today when China invaded me and handed my butt to me on a silver platter. But, I got extremely close to winning at year 2025. The game ends and the rules play out at 2050. And although CivIV is a gorgeous game, in actuality, Civilization_II is the superior Civilization product. This is perfectly understandable, whereas CivII is Brian_Reynolds, who is the same developer behind Sid_Meier's Alpha_Centauri (SMAC) which happens to be the finest TBS_4X ever produced.

Civilization_IV: Beyond_the_Sword is a wonderful expansion pack for CivIV and besides the hundreds of variables it alone adds to the game, I found myself really delving into CivIV much deeper than I ever have before. There is no question that using the macros for my building cues, city management and research tree really did help me focus on other game issues rather than the meat and potatoes of playing.

Tonite I shall begin a fresh romp with Rise_of_Nations (RoN). This is a RTS_4X (Real Time Strategy) game with a twist that includes hundreds of TBS_4X features. My version of RoN includes the Thrones & Patriots expansion. There's so much to like, including the 6 types of governments that you can change during the game in real time. Reminds me of my Yamaha_MOTIF_XS... everything is done in real time!

Unlike Civilization's static TBS_4X system, Rise_of_Nations plays in real time just like other RTS games, so the battles are much more enjoyable. I love during the gun powder age, it's like the civil war; totally cool!

All around, RoN is one of my all time favorite RTS games because it is very balanced and has hundreds of game options that can be made PRIOR to starting a game and changed DURING a game. CivIV has features like this too, but not as robust as RoN. Rise_of_Nations is Brian_Reynolds' best work to date; this side of Alpha_Centauri.

And, yes I still play the 1999 PC game SMAC, at least twice a year. Sid_Meier's_Alpha_Centauri is an excellent game with an excellent user interface. It was my hope that other PC games would have adopted SMAC or RoN user interface. But, it appears that you'll only find these qualities in Brian_Reynolds products; Alpha_Centauri, Civilization_II, Rise_of_Nations and Rise_of_Legends.

After dinner, it's time for RoN and then you won't find me on the grid until Friday.

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again

Need I say more?

I hear there's a lot of chaos over in Paltalk_Land and PCTech. I hope things simmer down by the time I'm back on my feet.

;;cheers;;

Anybody Listening?

For those of you who actually take the time to read my blogs, you actually know much more about who I am than the rest of the crowd. I speak my mind and like living my life candidly with the public, to some extent.

I too have my private life, although it is far less than what I share with the world.

We are living in very turbulent times. People are working two and three jobs just to make ends meet. Parents can't afford daycare, babysitters, let alone nannies to care for their kids while they work their double shifts to pay their mortgage. The daily pressures are building up like lava in a volcano, and at some point in time, its gotta burst.

I see the changes in society, even though I live hundreds of miles from metro-hysteria. Even the television shows and commercials reflect the current trends and propaganda.

The upcoming election is enough to make everyone sick to their stomach. There appears to be no real hope for most people. Or at least a "feeling" of hope. It's kinda like having to choose between Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. The world is divided. Approximately half the users hate Vista and the other half want to stick with XP. This is about the same division in the USA over removing, "In God We Trust" from our currency. That's pretty sad. HALF OUR COUNTRY THINKS IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED. Talk about mutiny!

Whoever is reading this rant, and whoever knows me, will agree this might be my most negative sounding blog. With all of my personal irons in the fire for new upcoming projects for Q4 2008 and 2009. But, rather than defend that line of thinking, let me make it clear that I am not negative but rather to the point. Anyone can do their own research. Anyone can study the archives. Anyone has access to public documents thanks to the Freedom Of Information Act that yet has been banned. So, I don't consider myself special with regards to knowing the things that I have educated myself about. Anyone can do it. And the more you educate yourself about our country's history and corruption, the more you find yourself wanting to pick up the rifle and march to Washington to take your government back. Welcome to tyranny. Anybody flying your USA flags upside down? Well you should be. Our country is in trouble and needs help. We are in distress. This is no laughing matter. And the fears and stress of these truths are even apparent by the behaviors of adults in chat rooms. Peoples attitudes are jacked up. People are easily offended. Racism is at an all time high in history. And although everybody tries to pretend they are acting Politically Correct, they actually want to ring each other's necks! It's sad.

For those of you who find comfort in your higher power, more power to you. Prayer, meditation and other forms of connecting with our inner self and that spiritual highway is very important to living a happy life in today's times. These are the end times. Won't be long and they'll yank the currency and they will "chip" you. I have every intention to deny accepting any "chip" implant.

This album recording is a slow going process. Writing songs and recording music and mixing is a very time consuming project. And, doing this in between health has grown into something that is obviously going to take much more time than I ever imagined. But, I will do everything I can to finish the album so all of you can hear my musical creativity. Maybe I'll get lucky and get 2 albums done before I'm gone. But, I sure hope I can get ONE finished before my time expires. It will mean the world to me for you to experience what God continues to give to me... music.

In closing, I suppose what I wanted to say is I have made plans to make drastic changes in my lifestyle. I've already moved out of the city, into a motor home and live at least 100 miles or more away from metro-hysteria. The next venture is to get further out and get off the grid for awhile. If I didn't enjoy the Internet so much and use it for all of my electronic financial matters, it would much easier to get off the grid. There are plenty of BLMs in the USA and living 4 to 6 weeks at a time hundreds of miles in the boonies is easy when you know how to bring your own power, water and communications. Eventually, I think I will leave the United States. Although the USA is extremely diversified (geographically speaking) the rest I can do without. And, the longer I live in RV the less I really want to travel. This opens the door to the idea of moving out of the USA permanently. The people and things in my life that matter, know how to reach me. And the rest of the world isn't my business. According to the doctors report in fall of 2000 I now have approximately 9 years of life. Of course I could out live that and make 100, but this brain injury/tumor stuff usually don't fly that way. So with that in mind, I need to re-steer my focus as to what matters the most TO ME. Up until now I've made most other people more important. I know, I know... I also make ME important. LOL. But, the fact remains I could certainly take a lesson on letting everyone else manage their own entertainment systems. I may play a song from time to time, but it's not my job to see that the entire world is happy. That is a ludicrous illusion of grandeur.

;;cheers;;

Songwriting

Back on my feet. Yesterday was busy with tank dumps, hosing October_2007 dirt off RV, Mediacom came, installed dedicated 8 Megabit drop. Service sucks, lucky if I see 2 Megabit and I see ALOT of 500 to 1500 kilobits per second. HillbillyNET is what I call them.

Got a couple new songs in the works. Some parody's for PCTech admins and one serious song that I am writing for a friend. I won't share more details about the songs, for then they won't be any surprise when I release the songs in September. There will be an obvious graphic on my websites announcing the new music. Stay tuned.

As I spend more time with the Yamaha MOTIF_XS workstation, the process of songwriting and song construction is becoming more natural. In my humble opinion (IMHO) they still don't have the work flow process nailed, but it's certainly much better than previous years, and of course I am whining, for there are zillions of users out there who would starve themselves to get a MOTIF_XS. All I am saying is, the idea of "the workstation" is evolving and eventually WILL be "the one place" where you construct and record your entire musical arrangement, mix, master and burn to CD without jacking into a PC or MAC. I also have Yamaha's 01x 28_channel digital mixer which can be used with computer DAWs or as standalone mixer. This is a major advantage over most current mixers and DAW controllers which do nothing when not connected to a computer. Still, I look forward to 2009 and jacking my gear into Apple OS_X and Logic_7Pro or LogicStudio8 with 01x as the control center. Korg's OASYS has already been doing the record/mix/master/CD-thing for years. But with its $8,500 dollar price tag, a learning curve that is nearly strait up and sounds that are NOT as good as Tyros/Tyros_2/Tyros_3, I think only studio producers and the like will be Korg's customers.

Still got my eye on Tyros_3. From what information that is available thus far, I am disappointed they have not at least switched from 61_keys to 76_keys. Whereas Tyros is Yamaha's flagship "best sounds" arranger-workstation synth, I am surprised they have yet to market a 88-key model. It's a pricey unit commanding $3000-$5000 dollars depending on the model and used/new. Reading the forums, I see Tyros_2 owners already selling their units in order to buy Tyros_3 - a bit premature for my taste. Although the 61_key won't change my purchase decision, it's time the Tyros grew up. I think an 88_key, balanced_hammer version would stand Korg OASYS on its ear simply because Tyros has the mind-blowing impressive sounds, and no_brainer to use. OASYS [in its own right] is advanced beyond Tyros with its programmable flexibility, but its "out of the box" difficulty level will consume at least a year of time for most users to "get up to speed" with the product. On the other hand, Tyros has always had the ability to enable users to "do what they want strait out of the box." Why don't I have a Tyros already? Well, I had a $5,000 dollar budget and had I bought the Tyros I would not have been able to purchase the 01x, mics and other gear in one shot. The MOTIF_XS was the next logical choice whereas much of its power lies in the fact that it is filled with Tyros MEGA_VOICE technology and thousands of arpeggios.

Meanwhile, MOTIF_XS is certainly no slouch, but you must learn "its ways" of doing business. Some of the logic doesn't make sense to me at times but I am adapting to it. The largest challenge [for me] is learning to construct songs using pattern mode which is the MOTIFs most powerful song construction mode. Pattern mode consists of 16_parts, each part having up to 16_tracks, with each pattern having 5_scenes. That's 16_x_16_x_5 or 1,280 tracks of sound! But, whereas I am an old-school linear songwriter/recorder, this is a new way of song construction. MOTIF also has 16_track LINEAR song recording, but the full arrangement power still lies in the pattern mode. Pattern mode still allows for live performance recording into patterns and extensive use of 6,000 arpeggios so there's a lot to like.

This afternoon I shall update the firmware of my XS. One of the updates I am looking forward to is the LAN user login/password is now stored. So accessing the network is not a laborious task of typing logins and passwords. Somebody was obviously asleep at the wheel during initial testing, but Yamaha has fixed it and that's all that matters.

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again

Ain't happening. Woke middle of nite screamin headache, spinal crap, neurological system tweaked to Saturn and back, feel horrid.

Wrote a new song yesterday, will record in coming days when possible.

Hopefully later today or tonite I can participate in my life.

Until next time...

;;cheers;;

Memorials & Memories

In 1 hour 15 minutes from now [4:01 PM PDT) 15 years ago in 1993, I was struck head-on by a car while driving my motorcycle.

Over the past few years I hadn't given this date much thought. Afterall, it's just another day, right?

Well, now I don't subscribe to that line of thinking. Because I did in fact sustain a brain injury, I had to relearn how to do things, which also opened the door to bigger and better ideas. Including learning how to design better ways to think and find data in your brain. This also includes better methods of living and making better choices. In my experience, it's rather "the lack of" making choices which leads to poor experiences simply because you're making less choices in the same amount of [life] time. In the end, the only way to learn how to make good choices, is to make bad choices, learn from them and next time round, make better choices.

Although my life on August 6, 1993 was really good, my life now is much better. And, had it not been for the fact that I got hit by a car, my choices would probably never got me to where I am today.

So the next time you hear, "It's a shame bad things happen to good people" tell them that is a bunch of rubbish. Getting hit by a car wasn't a bad thing for me. In fact, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

;;cheers;;

Internet Woes

Trying to get something done without Internet is not only frustrating but unattainable. The Internet has now become an electronic service necessary to accomplish daily tasks such as online banking, business transactions, retail purchases and social communication with family and friends.

Today I was [again] greeted with no Internet. We are scheduled to get a dedicated drop from the pole on the 12th and tomorrow I have requested they make a service call and replace this modem which I feel is dropping carrier.

Meanwhile, the frustration grows because every thing I do on the computer requires the Interent. Currently, I am constructing the newsletter which requires my FTPs. Additionally, I have began the production of a DVD from my step-daughter's baby shower, which requires my FTPs and the Internet. I had scheduled two minor changes to a website and have one PCTech back-channel update which requires Internet. So, it goes without saying, we live in a world where not having electricity, Interent and cellphone tower service is not a invenience but rather a non-acceptable practice.

I shall do as much as I can offline during these downtimes, but surprisingly, not much can be done. It doesn't take me long to do anything and more often than not, I require a hot Internet connection more than 80% of a common day.

;;cheers;;

Koolman_2008 - Temporary Space

Previously I announced setting up a project studio in my motorhome. That project is [still] in the works. I've got a niggle to iron out with regards to the mixer stand that will uprise through a table, and in order to accomplish that, I must seek the aid of a welder many miles from here to make me a custom part. As you can see in the photo below, I have haphazzardly set things up around my chair. Space is a bit tight, but actually when seated, everything is within easy reach and I am in production mode.



Here is a short audio clip that I made for Koolman_2008.



;;cheers;;

Nailed Again

Well jeeze, what else is new. Please... somebody tell me something I don't already know. Today's waking was one of the most morbid of times that I can recall. But, of course I probably say this every time I describe the pains I suffer with.

In any case, now 22 hours post awakening, things are down to a dull roar and I lost an entire day and night. So all projects just lost one day. Additionally, I was reminded about my step-daughter's baby shower and going out of town on Thursday. So, as much as I was wanting to publish the PCTech newsletter for the very first time on the 1st of the month, is not going to happen. Well, I guess that's why they say, "dissapointment is merely a word."

On another note, I have more admin songs in the works on the MOTIF workstation and am excited to get the admin-jingles production going. I know the admins will enjoy them as well as the roomies.

Still, with music ongoing and on the back burner, I have Help Videos to do. I knew Spybot 1.6 would be coming and it's been out awhile and it's time for me to get, "up to speed" and replace my old Spybot 1.4 videos. AVG 8.0 now has a PDF help file on the PCTech website, so there's no reason to delay making a CCleaner video.

August should prove to be productive.

;;cheers;;

Using AVG 8.0

For those of you who are interested in AVG's version 8 of their antivirus, I have thrown together some simple instructions which should make installing, configuring and using AVG 8.0 easier.

To view my PDF help file, click the title above, "Using AVG 8.0" or you can click your mouse in your browser's address bar and type:

happyharry.net/using.avg8.pdf and press [Enter]

On a different topic, I had planned to publish PCTech's August newsletter on the 1st of the month. However, family matters arose forcing me to leave town for 3 days, thus delaying the newsletter to publish on or before Wednesday, August 6th. It is my intention to post future newsletters on the 1st of each month. Thanks for your understanding.

;;cheers;;

Nailed Again

Not happening today. Past few days was rolling up to this, but yesterday was [at least] productive.

Was good to hear from Spazzy on the phone and I was sorry to hear pipelinerdave's mom passed. I know how that is. A day don't go by that I don't miss my mom.

Cubase_4 install had a glitch and didn't include Halion sampler. Reinstalled to correct the matter.

Today being the 15th I see current music projects sliding out to August already. But, they are getting done. That's the beauty of "total recall" so you can jump right back in where you left off.

My thanks to the reply regarding brain injuries.

;;cheers;;

A New Month

Gosh, July 6 already! The tail end of June for me was riddled with headaches and I guess rolled into July because here I am just getting going again.

PCTech newsletter is in the works but off to a slow start this month. Thanks to the editor, at least I don't have to chase down too many people for monthly content. But it's my hope that soon we will have a pool of content to draw from to construct newsletters and publish them on time, e.g., the 1st of the month.

In other news, I am working with some Yamaha plugins using Cubase AI4. Things are working properly, but I am considering starting this current recording project in the MOTIF workstation to keep everything under one hood. I can always shoot the mix from the MOTIF over to the PC later. I just want to get started but am considering all musical possibilies up front before stepping on the gas.

Weather is warmer and the air conditioning in the RV is welcomed. Generally, this year seems much cooler than last summer. A combination of elements including different location, having better power and we're not parked in the desert.

Bought one of those Shark vacuums. Works wonderful for super fast indoor clean up. Why I hadn't thought of this before is beyond me. Not a whole lotta floor space in this 27 foot rig, but using the Shark sure beats setting up the 11 amp vacuum.

I ran out of steam early tonight. Will get some rest and start early. I am hoping to publish newsletter on Tuesday providing no niggle.

;;cheers;;