Checkpoint: Autumn, 2013

Here is an account of what I have been up to since my last post in June. I will also provide a quick look forward.

After the trip to PEI, my commitment to cycling waned. My injury bred apprehension and I only rode sparingly for two months. As the season came to a close, I gained back my strength and confidence and purchased an indoor bicycle trainer. So far it has allowed me to get into better shape. Since I have set it up in my living room, I have been able to take in the latest NatGeo videos and monitor my phat level in real time.

The cottage was another obstacle to my cycling regime. Trade-offs.

Cycling, or this....hmmmmmm

Work has been exciting; I am currently on a new team with a more prominent role than before. The project takes place in a brand new environment and requires us to solve a lot of problems which we have not solved before. I feel comfortable in this kind of environment though I am still learning how to handle my new responsibilities.

Kate is in Guelph working toward a M.Sc. in Epidemiology at the University of Guelph. We see each other when possible, but 5-6 hours of driving in a weekend is tough to manage our schedules around. This means that I am alone more than ever, and it gives me time to pursue some of my other hobbies.

I have a few projects on the go at the moment. I am most excited about my next musical endeavor. I am in the process of writing music and lyrics for my next "album". I was pleased with my last one and I always had an idea for another concept album. Youth Grey Existence was a pretty loose concept album but musically it all fit together for me. The "as of yet unnamed album" has no planned release date. The timelines for these projects could stretch forever. At some point I will become annoyed with my slow progress and end the writing process and begin recording.

For those interested, the process (for me) goes something like this:

1. Have a vague idea. It's really vague.
2. Pick up a guitar. Begin playing.
3. Record "things that sound good/catchy/complex/ethereal"
4. Hum over the chords. ad naseum. Until there is a melody.
5. Begin writing. Write the concept. Write the story. Write the characters. Oh yeah, and write the lyrics.
6. Play a song. Add. Remove. Tweak. Remove. Realize you now need more. Have a drink!
7. Get frustrated. End writing.
8. Begin Recording. Basic instrumentation then vocals. Record layer after layer.
9. Edit. Produce. Master. Etc.
10. Put it on the web. Make sure you're happy with it.

There is a lot more work involved than I ever thought. I am approaching this work from a DIY perspective, so I do it all from start to finish. Someday I would like to enlist the help of others but for now I don't mind the status quo. The sense of accomplishment is great. Though my knowledge is lacking in many of these areas, I still enjoy the process and I value the knowledge gained. As it gets colder, I will be inside more often. It's a great time to be productive.

So as winter draws nearer - a toast to warm beds, brisk outdoor sports, aged Scotch, good health, lazy days, woodsmoke, and all those close to you.

-dh