theshadowboxer

These last few days have been the harbinger of the change in seasons. As spring approaches, it inspires me to want to get out more so that I can capture more of the city this year. I intend to be more social and more active on the days that I can be. What a wonderful feeling to know that there will be plenty of things to do and many things to shoot and capture.Now, the first thing I want to do, in preparation for "Spring Cleaning" is to consolidate all of my blogs, web sites and other social networking activites. Since I no longer work for the old employer, though my interest in the Internet was there long before working for them, it has now become obvious that I don't need to keep my fingers in the well of all the different places. I used to like to check things out for comparison's sake. I have always had a genuine interest to find the next great social networking or communication tool...but now, I just want to concentrate my efforts in order to get things going for a start up idea that I have and to use the sites to my advantage in getting the word out there.So, the "Great Consolidation" begins. I've noticed in the last few years especially, that my mind is easily distracted and I look forward to using this excercise in focus and organization to my benefit.Let the games begin!B

Hello to you all!

I have been offline working on some new opportunities and catching up with family and correcting and improving some things in my own life.  So, I hope to be back soon and catch up with all of you. 

In the meantime, I would like to ask you to welcome my wonderful friend from Beijing.  I met her through my duties at my previous job.  I ask that you stop by and visit her site.  She has only posted one picture but I am sure she will post more once she realizes how wonderful the community is here. 


So please visit Gwen or Lan Lan at her Buzznet home. 

See y'all soon!

B

It was an all day love affair. Growing Up		Peter Gabriel
Danny The Dog		Massive Attack
Passion		Rod Stewart
Undercover Of The Night		The Rolling Stones
Lazy Lover (Remixed by Herbert)		Brazilian Girls
Satellite		BT
Die Young		Black Sabbath
Voodoo		Black Sabbath
Falling Off The Edge Of The World		Black Sabbath
Marrakech		Hybrid
True to Form -		Hybrid
Heaven		Dan Reed Network
Crash		Dan Reed Network
Diva		Dan Reed Network
The Rush		Dan Reed Network
Grace		Tony Iommi
What Else Is There?		Royksopp
Sombre Detune		Royksopp
49 Percent		Royksopp
Only This Moment		Royksopp
Triumphant		Royksopp
Underwater (Above and Beyond's 21st Century Remix)		Delerium
International Dateline		Ladytron
Destroy Everything You Touch		Ladytron
High Rise		Ladytron
Too Young To Fall In Love - (remix)		Motley Crue
Killer Queen		Queen
Lullaby Of Clubland (Jay "Sinister" Sealle Remix)		Everything But the Girl
Page Of Cups		Enigma
Like It Or Not		Madonna
Push		Madonna
How High		Madonna
Jump		Madonna
Forbidden Love		Madonna
Let It Will Be		Madonna
Sorry		Madonna
Get Together		Madonna
Hung Up		Madonna
Tears in the Dark		James D. Stark
Wild Horses		Natasha Bedingfield
Sojourn		Natasha Bedingfield
Size Matters		Natasha Bedingfield
The One That Got Away		Natasha Bedingfield
I Bruise Easily		Natasha Bedingfield
We're All Mad		Natasha Bedingfield
Drop Me In The Middle (Featuring Estelle)		Natasha Bedingfield
If You're Gonna...		Natasha Bedingfield
Peace Of Me		Natasha Bedingfield
Stumble		Natasha Bedingfield
Silent Movie		Natasha Bedingfield
Unwritten		Natasha Bedingfield
Single		Natasha Bedingfield
These Words (I Love You, I Love You)		Natasha Bedingfield
Feel Good Inc.		Gorillaz
If I Die Tommorrow - (previously unreleased)		Motley Crue
New Tattoo - (single version)		Motley Crue
Afraid - (Alternative Rave mix)		Motley Crue
Hooligan's Holiday - (Brown Nose Edit)		Motley Crue
Primal Scream		Motley Crue
Too Young To Fall In Love - (remix)		Motley Crue
Ships In The Night		Brazilian Girls
Me Gustas Cuando Callas		Brazilian Girls
Dance Till The Morning Sun		Brazilian Girls
All We Have		Brazilian Girls
Die Gedanken Sind Frei (Thoughts Are Free)		Brazilian Girls

Buzznet Originals 05/15/07: JMC

Imogen Heap-apalooza:

Come As You Are and Speak for Yourself (most tracks - a few played twice)

Timbaland:  Shock Value  -- I can't get "Apologize" - "Release" - "Sream" - "The Way I Are" keep rattling around in my head...

Dashboard Confessional - "Stolen"

Black Sabbath - "Shadow of the Wind"

Travis "Re-Offender"

Robert Plant "Mighty Rearranger" and "Tin Pan Alley (girls remix)"

and... maybe some more stuff for just a bit longer...

I decided to take advantage of the new audio feature and add some songs that I played this morning while surfing your photos.  I have to say that I absolutely love the Buzz and the integration of all the features.  I think it was a bit rough in the beginning as the new things were rolled out but I know first hand through the current job that I have (a social networking online place) that these things happen.  To me, these features work brilliantly... so, that's my praise for the Buzz. 

My most recent pictures are a slice of quite a few events and things I've been working on.  Unfortunately, I have learned that time is fleeting and I need to make much better use of my former program coordinator skills because I'm all over the place. 

I have four photos line up for the portrait project.  I am a bit behind as two of my software programs chocked up on me as my online registrations did not go through and they locked me out.  The strange part is that the keys given upon my first registration won't work and I think it is because I forgot that the programs were registeed on my old computer... could that be it?  I will be speaking to tech support either today or Monday.  I've got some ideas for them that I hope the folks that sent me the pics will like. 

Tonight, I will explain some of them in greater detail.  Right now,  I have to shower... get my head shaved and shower again (ick, small yucky hairs)...

Much love to all my BuzzPeeps...

Feeling better after sleeping most of the day.  Called in to rest the back and arm up and now, it is 10:49pm and I'm feeling better.  Had some Chai tea and skim milk  and feel ready to retire for the night. 

The photos uploaded today were a mix of things -

The "Wake Up Delirious" gallery was snapped over the last few days.  After waking up and working the kinks out of the back, I managed to put the finishing touches on some of the pieces to upload them.   They are a mix of when I was laid up on my back and then some portrait shots when I rolled outta bed.  I admitted that I am pretty much an addict to this digital photography thing.  My goal is not to take pristine pictures but to capture, present and sometimes mix up the results in the way I see fit.  Yeah, that's right... how I see fit, dammit!  *-)

The portrait pictures were taken because the lighting conditions were perfect.  My bedroom was pitch black and the light coming in from the door was a happy accident.  I didn't know what I was capturing as I turned off the display and just went with it. 


Wow... to have a place to put these things and to express yourself with digital photography and the tools that go with it.  I'm so damn excited.  I'm learning as I go along but it has been a blast stumbling through it all.  The Buzz has been the perfect place and really, I am just so thankful for it.  It has helped me to find a place for my photos, the feedback I received encouraged me and it has been no looking back since then.  What a short strange and wonderful trip it has been. 

The Internet blows my mind.  I could not imagine a photoblog place like the Buzz.  The first thing I think I searched for was "KISS" ... the rock band.  I was blown away that there were already web sites out there.  This was back in late 94.  I think I was using Mosaic... I remember when the first cool version of Netscape came out.  Wow... over ten years of the Internet in my life.  Freakin' weird. 

Isn't this just freakin' cool?  Technology, I mean.  A lot of this was typed with one hand but I also used some speech recognition software that I used a lot when I was on disability for the right arm for nine months (the nerve was disturbed during the surgery for the artificial right joint insertion and the arm became partially paralyzed). I can't believe how many tools are at our disposal.  I am one of those people that can easily step out of my life and look at everything that we have at our fingertips with awe and just total gratefulness.  I may fall into habits but I'm never jaded. 

I just posted Kooky's photo for the "Portrait Project" and I have to say, her photo was a lot of fun.  I've enjoyed each and every one of them and I hope the subjects do too!


In case you don't know what the whole shebang is about, I'll recap.  You would never know it by the amount of photos I post of myself but I get sick of them.  Unfortunately, a lot of the people I know are still shy about posing for photos beyond the regular event captures and birthday parties.  you won't see me post a lot of those photos because I get feedback like,  "You aren't going to put these on the Internet, are you?"  Um, well... yes... I had actually planned to do that.  Sorry...
Anyhoo, after visiting Kooky's photoblog section, I was inspired by the work she did on photos that those of us on her friends list posted.  I thought that I would offer to have people send me in self-portrait shots that have not previously been placed on the Buzz.  I would take those photos and treat them in the way that I've treated some of my  photos...thereby putting the TSB stamp on them.  Man, what a blast.  If you are interested, see the photo gallery introduction here for info on how to throw your portrait into the ring, so to speak. 

Tonight's Rhapsody:

Mat Kearney - Nothing Left to Lose

Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself

Okay, I can't type anymore.

I used to pride myself on being able to type without typos and relying on spell check.  I've noticed, however, that I am prone to rushing and just ending up all over the fucking place.  I'm tired of it, dammit. 

Yes, I'm a little woozy from being tired and in pain today from slipping in the freakin' snow a few times today.  Imagine my bigass 6'1" tall (okay, that's average nowadays) lumbering frame twisting from catching a patch of hidden ice under the slush.  Hell...  This is ridiculous... I never thought that I'd say this but I can't wait for the warmer weather.  If you know me, you'd know that I live for Fall and days that average about 40 - 65 degrees. 

What's happening to me?  First typing goes and then my weather preferences... 

I need to sleep but now my arm is killing me.  I feel like Mother Nature gave me a heavy duty ass whuppin'.  Damn... Bitch slapped by Mother Nature...

Double Damn...

So much for my badass avatar idea influenced by Ben B's Rocky photos...

Bitch slapped by Mother Nature...

Imogen Heap - I Megaphone and Speak for Yourself

Frou Frou - Details

Black Sabbath - Dehumanizer, Heaven and Hell,  Mob Rules ( only "Falling of the Edge of the World" and "Voodoo"  I hope the band, Heaven & Hell, which is the Black Sabbath line up after Ozzy was kicked out back in the late 70's (Dio, Iommi, Butler and Appice), comes to Chicago.  I've seen that line-up three times and I'd like to see them again before they decide never to hook up again (lose the ego trips, guys ... shit).  Iommi... one of my guitar gods... Dio, the leather lunged singer.  Excuse the rainbows and just let it go... Enjoy the mayhem... 

Iommi/Hughes - Fused

Peter Gabriel - "Growing Up"

Don't think anybody reads these things... sorry but I lost my friend's listings and have to resend the invites.  

ARGH!!!

Singles Night

Van Halen - Love Walks In  & Dreams

Glenn Hughes - Change Yourself  & Let It Go

4 Strings - Colorblind

Enigma - Page of Cups

Hughes/Thrall - I Got Your Number  & The Look In Your Eye

Dionne Warwick - Heartbreaker

Brazilian Girls - Lazy Lover

Deep Purple - Bad Attitude

Rick Springfield - Celebrate Youth

KISS - Charisma  &  Tough Love

Billie Ray Meyers - A Few Words Too Many

Seal - The Beginning

Pet Shop Boys - Somebody Else’s Business

Rod Stewart - Do Ya’ Think I’m Sexy?

Destiny’s Child -  Lose My Breath

Enigma - T.N.T. for the Brain

Placebo - Without You I’m Nothing (featuring David Bowie)

10cc - I’m Not In Love

Ratt - “Can’t Wait On Love”

Nine Inch Nails - Just Like You Imagined

4 Strings featuring  Tina Cousins - Curious Feat

4 Strings - Colorblind

4 Strings - Revelation

King’s X - Chariot Song

King’s X - Not Just for the Dead

David Bowie - Time Will Crawl

David Bowie - Never Let Me Down

Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch

Banco De Gaia - Saturn Return & We All Know the Truth (You Have God)
from the Farewell Ferengistan

Berlin - Heartstrings & You Don't Know
from Count Three and Pray

The Killers - Sam's Town
from Sam's Town

Cheap Trick - I Want You & One On One
from One On One

Hybrid -  Dogstar / Falling Down / Hooligan Spirit / Until Tomorrow / Just for Today
from I Choose Noise

**Working on finishing Good D's photo for the portrait project and writing some ideas for some songs... in the midst of all the bills, schedulse, work goals and working out.  Life is always full of adventure...

...B.

To Live...

To Die...

To Live Again...

Rise, Baby, Rise...

Once - I like the words and the fade out. 

You and the Night - I just love the sentiment of this song and the held note towards the end.

She'll Drive the Big Car - I sense the regret and the need for emancipation. 

More to come...

Trying to streamline the galleries.  Fat chance of that happening!  Popping in and out while learning something about the rendering aspect of my site design program too.  Shit... I need sleep.

Rhapsody Playlist Tonight:

These Things Album:  She Wants Revenge by She Wants Revenge

Golddigger - Album:  Shivers by Armin Van Buuren

Tanto Tempo - Album:  Tanto Tempo by Bebel Gilberto

Inertia Creeps - Album:  Mezzanine by Massive Attack

Growing Up - Album:  Up by Peter Gabriel

Passion - Album:  Encore the Very Best of Rod Stewart

Grace, Dopamine, Face Your Fear - Album:  Fused by Iommi/Hughes

 

 

The Week Synop:

This was the week  that we celebrated that holidays with our Christmas party.  We went to a great restaurant and I have to say the food was just delicious.  I had a vegetarian dish called "Freeform Lasagna" and it was out of this world.  I also had two Bloody Mary's that quite hit the spot.  I'm normally just a straight up beer and Guinness drinker but I've been trying different things lately.  So, it was quite tasty.

I got on the Internet late Friday night and found that the Buzz was not working that well... Over the course of this weekend, the days that I planned to go around, check out all the great new pics and post --- I'm denied!  I'm not used to that treatment here.  I won't complain, though... I'm sure it is just a temp thing. 

The weekend is going to be my time to post and comment on all the lovely pics even though I was denied this opportunity this weekend.  I have to commit to some professional stuff and get that part of life going because I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Fortunately for me, I feel these are challenges that I will grow from.  So, I'm going to be a very attentive "student of life" this week. 

So many things happened this week but I'll keep it photo related here. So, here is the breakdown of the forthcoming photos:

Night Photos:

Anyway, these photos were taken on the auto setting without flash with my Canon A400 that is broken.  I have no idea what overall mode it is in since it broke in August but I've been very happy even with the blurry pics.

I started taking these pictures after I left the movie theater (watched King Kong) I was actually worried that the camera lens might missed up after going from the heat of my jacket pocket to the super freezing cold air.  I was lucky... everything turned out fine.   So, I still love the broken Canon and can't wait for my personal treat of an S80 come April. 

Forthcoming People Photos:

Because the camera is stuck in an unknown mode, the people shots come out kind of weird because the camera has a hard time with any movement.  Some of them came out nice, though.  I especially like one that is a group shot away from the table that shows the pictures on the wall of the restaurant we went to (Extra Virgin). 

 

Well, I'm catching up on some comments posting and quite frankly am finding a lot of inspiration and just chompin' at the bit to get going again.   I am having fun looking at the last batch of pics and also looking at others that I think I might experiment with... as you can see with the last photo with the hair and sketch effect. 

Tonight I had my Rhapsody player pumpin' out:

Cheap Trick - One On One

Bodyrockers - Bodyrockers

Black Sabbath - Zero the Hero

The Church - Under the Milky Way - Reptile - Tantalized

Spin The Bottle - Tribute to KISS

Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm

Pet Shop Boys - Disco 3 and Nightlife

M83 - Before The Dawn Heals Us (and I have played In The Cold I'm Standing about 4 times tonight... haunting and I love it... tech and emotion)

...and it continues on...

time for sleep soon...maybe... *-)