Most Recent Stories & Articles for April 2006
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Dio, che nell'alma infondere.
- Posted On: 4/28/2006
Alrighty... I felt the need to practice my duet "Dio, che nell'alma infondere" for the upcoming Lend Me a Tenor production. My singing partner is on vacation, so it's just mio. I wrote out an introduction script to read at the beginning, but I hadn't warmed up my voice, nor had I practiced the timing of the background music without the actual singers. I used my laptop's built-in microphone, so the sound isn't that great and my camera's "Sepia" effect seems to put odd lighting on the cabinets. After reviewing the video, I think it was okay and worth sharing. Hopefully it promotes the play instead of deterring you from seeing it! :)
Click here to see the video -
Operatic Wannabe
- Posted On: 4/24/2006
Previously, I posted about having to prepare to sing "Dio, che nell' alma infondere" for the play Lend Me a Tenor. This weekend we performed all 4 scenes of the play and I was instructed to learn and memorize the rest of the songs, including "Toréador en Garde" from Carmen and "Venga la Morte" from Otello. The Toréador song is awe-inspiring. Some of you may have heard the classic line "Toréador, en garde! Toréador! Toréador!" in a Warner Brother's Bugs Bunny cartoon, but the real thing is full of life and energy. Although the song's about stabbing an innocent bull to death for sport, I can see how, with this song, people get so worked up over the ordeal. Personally, I don't understand having respect for something you are about to kill unless 1) it can give you the same respect and there is a mutually agreed upon reason for death being the ultimate solution or 2) the sacrifice is absolutely necessary, being in the best interests of survival of the killer, when the victim cannot be chosen through the means outlined in #1. As a carnivore, I am guilty of extending the death of animals via #2 for the simple pleasure of eating when it is not always necessary. Whoops! Got off-topic... Anyways, enjoy the songs!
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Genesis Reborn
- Posted On: 4/24/2006
For some reason, I pulled a Bible off my bookshelves and blew off the dust and decided to begin reading in Gregorian chant (the way monks do). I decided to see what I sounded like and things quickly escalated into a complete melt-down of music. Listen as the first 3 verses of Genesis are reborn in a new light of awakening. (*Requires Windows Media Player - sorry...)
Use caution with your volume controls for them high notes! I warned ya!
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
Genesis 1:1-3 The New International Version -
Toyota Camry 1999 - EGR Valve
- Posted On: 4/23/2006
So, tonight I did my first major repair on a car alone. After being quoted a few hundred dollars to fix a malfunctioning EGR valve on my wife's 1999 Toyota Camry, I decided to do my research and see if I couldn't save a few dollars. I purchased the parts directly from a Toyota dealer and still had more than $100 in my pocket from what we would have spent. So, I bought a Chilton's repair guide for the Camry (ChiltonsOnline.com) and a basic floor jack that actually came bundled with 2 jack stands and a repair cart. To begin...
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Happy Earth Day Everyone!
- Posted On: 4/23/2006
Yes, today is Earth Day! So, what did you do to celebrate our world? How did you show your graciousness toward the bountiful resources that have provided for life on this planet in a universe of endless wonder and uniqueness? Me? I fixed a fossil-fuel burning car and a lawnmower and my wife trimmed the hedges and pulled weeds. Hmphf... not very respectful of us. -
Real Estate: How much is your home worth?
- Posted On: 4/20/2006
The advertisement graphic says it all... I would only add "HELLA COOL!!!" Too bad they don't have an affiliate program where I could make some money for your clicks ;) 
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Old MSN Spaces Archive
- Posted On: 4/20/2006
I archived all of my posts on my old MSN Spaces blog on this website. I have not been able to extract all of the comments people made, so you'll just have to deal with that for now. -
Worldwide Reach
- Posted On: 4/20/2006
I can never quite believe how popular my old MSN Space blog got. I think Microsoft has done an incredible job of bringing the world together as a collaborative community. I'm continually suprised when I see all of the places around the world people come from when they visit my website. I can only hope that people will find this and any future versions just as enjoyable.
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My Guestbook
- Posted On: 4/20/2006
Welcome to my online guestbook! I appreciate your visit, so please let everyone know you were here by signing the comments section below...
Some of you may remember the old Bravenet Guestmap. Although it only stores the last 100 comments (old ones get deleted), here it is for your viewing pleasure: 
This is not a link directory for you to advertise on! -
I'm a sell-out; Advertising
- Posted On: 4/19/2006
Nah! I've had a love affair with TemplateMonster.com's website design templates for about 5 years now. I've used their designs and logos with multiple clients and refer people to them all of the time. I honestly do love the work they do. If you find their work worthy of mention on your own website, be sure to either 1) Join their affiliate program or 2) Give me some credit by using my affiliate URL (right click and "copy shortcut"). They sell website designs, logos, flash introductions and websites, icons, and more. -
I'll Never Fully VLog or Pod-cast
- Posted On: 4/18/2006
Indeed, the glamor and glitz of starting up a "blog" on the internet has worn off. In some cases, this is a good thing, since any reduction in internet content production helps making the distinction between good, bad, and pointless content easier. But, those people that simply stopped typing are still there, lurking among us, simply searching for the next fun reason to share. Enter video blogging or "v-log". It's been around since forever, but, as a fad, it still has yet to fully realize its potential. Pod casts certainly got their year or 2 in the spotlight. The trouble I have with these video and audio media blogs is that they are inaccessible. I don't expect that blind or deaf people or flocking to my website, but search engines certainly are and they won't have a clue how to index that content without real contextual stories or transcripts. But, who has the time to type descriptions of what's on video or audio? I certainly don't. So, any entries as v-log or pod-casts will certainly be limited or even avoided.
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Youth Gets Old
- Posted On: 4/17/2006
You know, if I have to listen to one more person question my age by 10 years!!! This year, 2006, I am 27 years old. People usually assume 20-24. Last year I was stopped by a rent-a-cop with my step son (now 17) who was enforcing curfew!!! I was asked only a week ago if I could fill-in for a high-school student to play the part of "Rolphe" in their upcoming theatre production Sound of Music! 
When picking up a young man we were considering adopting, his friends at the group home wondered, "who is the dad?" between my step-son and I. The stories go on... I'll be the first to smile when I'm 40 looking 30, but the same sequence can definately get old quickly. I wonder how I'd do as a once famous child actor... "Hey! Aren't you that kid from that show? You know... the one where you... you know... 'Woah!' Can you do it? 'Woah!'" -
Very Involved in Development
- Posted On: 4/17/2006
Development is such a great word... and to be a software developer is such a great title... I have found myself very involved with my local development community, discussing high-level security theory with some of the best down to nitty-gritty, hold-your-hand details with newbies that haven't figured out how to visit a search engine and reading a little before sending an e-mail to a few thousand people. Here are some recent posts... or view my AZGroups.com profile here.
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Down to an 8:30 minute mile
- Posted On: 4/17/2006
My latest training log update for this last week includes today's new goal of an average 8:30 minute per mile pace for the 4-mile race at the end of the month. This is a great stride from last week's 8:45 goal. I'll keep adjusting until race day and we'll see how far I've come in a month...
Also, I think I'm going to start an Anthem track club to meet regularly during the week in the early mornings. 6:30 AM so that we can be done before school starts at 7:40. We might push it earlier depending on how the time works out. Fun stuff!
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My Résumé
- Posted On: 4/13/2006
I finally posted my résumé from the old website...
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Training Log Update
- Posted On: 4/10/2006
I did an update to my training log for the week, which includes my new goal of running an average pace of 8:45 (mm:ss) per mile. The log won't be updated daily in detail, but will include major milestones on my journey toward the 4 mile run in my family's triathlon relay.
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Blogging
- Posted On: 4/3/2006
I signed up for an "advanced" blogging account on Google's Blogger.com, which actually stored the blog files on this website! Pretty nifty feature. I'll play around with it, but I doubt I'll end up using it. I'm not that fond of 3rd party blogging software after hosting my blog on MSN Spaces.
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Lend Me a Tenor Indeed!
- Posted On: 4/3/2006
I discovered a free version of Don Carlo's "Dio, che nell' alma infondere" that Kevin and I will be required to sing in the upcoming "Lend Me a Tenor" play. [Lyrics and Translation]
Rhapsody Compare Online Music Services
[Download this Song] -
North Valley Music - ProMusica
- Posted On: 4/3/2006
The ProMusica chorale and orchestral concerts this last weekend were spectacular and members of the audience were quick to tell us how much they enjoyed the presentation. The Cochise Children's Choir also held the spotlight both on their own as well as joining us for 2 songs. Now that our spring performance is over, work begins for our May summer concerts, including several performances by the smaller Acapella group.
