I'm a beggar riding, so far

First day of 2011 is my first day in a new apartment. That's pretty good. Upgrades: water pressure, much closer proximity to subway/institute, kitchen/refrigerator clean and in working condition, washing machine location (not in the bathroom), efficient heating system, front door that closes all the way, convenience store 30 seconds away. Downgrade: smaller bedroom. I'm happy about moving. Hopefully, the good fortune will continue with my schedule for next term... If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

Wheel-weel seat strategy

I went outside today after spending 90 straight hours in my apartment. I took out the trash and then I walked to a big grocery store - maybe two miles away. I bought cereal, soymilk, tortilla chips, and salsa. I loaded them into my basket in that order. I rode a bus back home because it was too cold to carry a bag bare-handed. The grocery store was quite crowded, but the buss had 10 or 15 empty seats. I was stoked about that. I sat in the seat closest to the driver; that's my favorite seat on a bus. Old people never sit in that seat because they have to step up too high to get there; the seat's over the wheel-well, you see. So, I don't have to worry when I see old ladies getting on the bus that I need to give up my seat to them. I was very happy on the bus today.

Today

My new trick for avoiding head-phone fatigue: wear the hadphones on the outside of a jacket hood.

Today I didn't see any people. I stayed in my apartment all day, and for the 30 seconds I looked out my bedroom window, there were no people in the parking lot. Tomorrow will be the same.

Today I discovered the band Chavez. I'm enamored.

Today I sung some vocals for an alternate version of an old song. I though it came out alright. Of course, whenever I record anything, one thing leads to another and I start wishing I had a drum-set.

Today I finished the last two packets of instant oatmeal. The good news is that I still have some cold cereal and raisins left.

December 5

I got a cold recently. So, one of my students was really eager to give me this stuff Yonggaksan. It looks suspiciously like cocaine and comes with a small spoon. It's pretty effective. My voice comes back really quickly. I couldn't find any information about it on the internet in English... but I started taking it anyway. I'm living on the edge - using traditional Korean medicine. One step closer to voodoo - or cocaine. I couldn't be happier about it.

Headphone fatigue

One advantage to living alone is all the time you can devote to recording music. I've devoted a lot of time to recording music recently. I wish I had an electric guitar and drums, but I've just got my new acoustic. So, I'm manipulating acoustic recordings with computer software. I'm not too pleased with the results. One disadvantage of spending five hours recording with headphones on is that I don't ever feel like listening to real music.

The washing machine here drains all over the bathroom floor. Of course, I always desire to brush my teeth in the middle of a load of laundry. It's not possible unless I want to get my feet wet or wear rubber boots. I don't have rubber boots.

I have a lot of oatmeal. I've been eating a lot of instant oatmeal. I really like instant oatmeal these days.

I need to kill 'Hummer'

In the beginning, the best artist name I could come up with for myself was 'Epiphender.' When I tried to do vocals, I started labeling all my music 'Peter Pan.' When I switched from a 4-track cassette recorder to computer-based recording, I also switched my pseudonym to 'Hummer.' Everything I've recorded since 2006 has been by 'Hummer.' However, I really don't care for the name anymore. Problem is, I've decided there's no good name to be had, and now I've got a big identity crisis going on. I mean, think about the concert poster situation... I guess I don't play any concerts, but I'd still like to have an interesting name.

Happy X-mas (War is over)

The music in this coffee shop is a mix of Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, Sting and artists who idolize Frank Sinatra. I don't think I've ever heard "Happy X-mas (war is over)" on a public sound system. I've just heard it twice in the past hour, though. I guess you can't go wrong if it's a Christmas song by John Lennon. Famous AND seasonal. "Woman Is The N***** Of The World" next? Sure hope so! Think about it. Think about it. Wait, am I the only person among my acquaintances that knows that song? Maybe not - good thing I know Jeff Milburn. Elvis? Gross. I guess I better put my computer away and get out of here.