Weblog

28/06: Re-Post ... Public Solitude

It's apparent that people are communicating more and socializing less. Just look around at the number of people who are talking on their mobile phones while walking in the park or strolling the city sidewalk. It's almost as though we have become oblivious to our physical environment while being consumed by our virtual one. I'm amazed at the number of people who show up for big rock shows at the Exit/In and sit at the bar to text-message. What's the point of going into a public place if you intend to remain engrossed in a virtual one the entire time?
The social interactions that we once had are now impeded by interrupting ring-tones, PDA reminders, and I-pod headphones. Our thoughts and memories that were once confined to our heads are now neatly packaged in small electronic boxes just waiting for the appropriate moment to be called upon. We aren't really people anymore, but instead are mobile-databases wandering aimlessly, depending on our little boxes to tell us which direction to go, who we are going to see, and why we are going there. Once we arrive at our destination, we use our boxes to communicate with others who have followed their little boxes to their destinations, unconscious of where any of us truly ended up all-the-while.
Honestly, I'm as guilty as anyone of trying to quell my natural environment with artificial milieu. I love my I-Pod, and I've been known to use a cell phone from time to time, but it still disheartens me to see hands in the air at the big rock show holding cell phones where cigarette lighters should be.

How do you feel about the new wave of electronic appendages?

-- poll results --


22/03: Something 'bout Pizza

Here's something that Red Chuck and I put together. He did the audio at Lucky Dog and I did the video:


12/01: Elliott

There's a part of me that wishes I had never done this search...
This guy was truly timeless.


05/09: A Letter to the Director of the Music City Star Commuter Rail

W.T. Farquhar,
Don't get me wrong. I'm as excited as anyone about the prospect of a
commuter train from my hometown of Hermitage to Nashville, where I
work. I have been watching the progress closely in great anticipation
of the grand unveiling on September 18th. It wasn't until about two
weeks ago that I began to see the negative aspect of what was to come.
It was at that point that the testing began on the rail that runs only
50 yards from my front door, and it was also at that point that my
usually happy, placid two-year-old daughter stopped sleeping and began
starring out of the glass front door saying, "Train not coming...train
not coming." Every night for the past two weeks she has been awakened
repeatedly by the train whistle which inevitably blows right when it
reaches the closest approximation to our home. As you know, this goes
on well into the night and into the early hours of the morning. It has
gotten to the point now that all she wants to talk about is the train,
and she refuses to lay down day or night in fear that it may come and
wake her up. I want to be able to reassure her that the tests that run
all night will be ending soon, but I'm afraid the damage has already
been done. Honestly, the sleep deprivation has taken its tole on all of
us in our normally quiet neighborhood of Brookside Woods.
Is there any chance that the end of these trials will be coming soon?
Also, Is there any way we could get a schedule to know when the train
will be testing? Perhaps then I could show her what the train is and
what it's purpose will be, and maybe that will help her with her fears.
Thank you for your attention, and please know that this is not meant as
an attempt to gripe. I am very excited to have the commuter train, and
intend to use it often. Obviously, preservation and concern for my
family is my greatest priority.
Thank You,
Alan Johnstone

10/08: Sorry... Gotta Go

You'll thank me the next time your mom calls...
http://www.sorrygottago.com/

21/07: One Second Weekly Newscast

Read this and you won't have to watch the news all week

Bomings continue in Lebanon,
It's hot outside,
Barry Bonds used steroids.


stay tuned for more of the same at 11:00.

30/05: Get Your Quotes Right

With the exception of Caddyshack, this list covers most of the truly quotables.

22/05: It's Here!

The Stella record is now available for purchase on iTunes. Please rush your mouse over there and help out a poor recovering musician!
Here... I'll even make it easy for you
CLICK THIS!