TomPierron.Com

Thing is, most people that surf the web nowadays haven’t a clue as to what that sentence really was attached to: a 1960’s show – that I think, pretty much such set the stage for shows like Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In (say good night, Dick. Good night, Dick…)

Thing is, I can’t even print many of things that happened this week. Not just because they’re so lengthy, but who knows what other repercusions and retribution I would suffer?! I’ll speak in general terms. Ever notice how, well for me, most of the time there’s pretty much “nothing to do.” Then, when there’s a project that must be worked on and completed in a close time frame – suddenly, there’s no time to do it. Sort of like the “life is what happens while you’re busy making plans.” Is that how that saying goes? Anyway, I find out the ruts and obligations I’ve carved out for myself don’t allow for an extraneous project. I guess that’s why I don’t do them these days – like, writing and recording songs. It’s a hobby that was.
My friend who does this professionally was just at a few local gigs – and has today flown back to Germany for some more gigs. I finally got to walk the dog today. And oh, about that project – you won’t believe – I was working on my Tascam – Teac 244 – I got it in 1985 used – so the thing is at least twenty years old. I’ve had it repaired a few times – the guy’s surprised that parts were still available – but the other night I was going to do some checking on the counterpoint I had written and the tape player would not record. It would not play. It would rewind and fast forward, but NO playing. I just laughed. Out of all the problems I had been having this week – why not it continue to pour down rain?
So, so busy, like yesterday, I had to go to my little girl’s recital in school, she’s in fourth grade – she was the fourth player, – and had I seen the lion’s share of the rest of the class before her I would have given her a standing ovation – NOT ONE of the other students could play a piece straight through. They have NEVER heard the name Seth Thomas. Anyway, my girl played straight through, with only one little nuance on her clarinet (you know, when it “squeeks”) but it was so slight, I doubt even half the people noticed. We go out to eat afterwards. Then I have to take my dad’s printer from the basement at home down to the office and take the office printer to the repair shop – that has moved twice recently. I can’t even find it this time. A local business gives me the new address. It’s a half mile away now! And it’s getting near closing time – but I make it there easily. And here I am in the neighborhood – I stop in Cintioli’s to look for a recorder – perhaps a used one. I’m looking, and reading boxes. There’s a new mini one that can make MP3’s. I’m there for so long – sometimes it’s hard to get service. I’m about to walk out and do some searching online on how easy these things are to use and prices… The guy comes back with his lunch/dinner. “Can I help you?” And I tell him my old recorder is a 244 – is that MP3 thing easy to use?
“Well, I’ll tell you it’s easy to use; – but I don’t know how to use it…”
Fair enough. I talk a bit more. He shows me a Tascam 424 – used. Does it have the book? There it is – taped underneath. How much? $150. Sold.
So I get it home – it ain’t what I had – but this thing works, and I can continue on my project!
Other things in the week? How about a twirp at work convincing a 204 wannabe to “order” me to do something? You heard right. 17 years in – NO ONE has ever “ordered” me to do something. I talked to the Union and that should inject some sanity into the situation.
My dad turned 70 last week. The next day Paris turned 10.
I’d love to tell you about the driver who gave me the finger. But, like I said, what did I say? Anyway, I’m not going into it…
And then, after getting acclimated to the 424, I made a new recording. I was going to mix it down onto my Onkyo – a dubbing deck I bought over ten years ago for over $400. I did it fine. I played it back and could hardly hear it. Yet another unit was just too old to use anymore. So I went out to buy a stereo recording cassette deck. Ever look for one? They’re an endangered species. At Circuit City they only had those little Sony mono things for $27 which I already have one to record off of he phone. Radio Shack had just the same – but then they had a dubbing deck that was like a boom box. I told the guy I may be back for it. Then at Best Buys I got a regular dubbing deck by Sony. They only had two models and that was it. When I went to mix down my song I discovered there’s no headphone jack. So I set the record level – and to listen back I had to patch into my Onkyo and use the headphone jack on that.
Whew!