Say hello to my little friend

Yes, I was JUST talking about this little Line 6 M9 multi-effects unit, and lo and behold, a used one appeared for a very good price the week of Thanksgiving. We'll see how it plays with my other pedals, but from just an initial hour of messing around with it, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship...

Once upon an Advent, in a galaxy far, far away...

Spotted at Target: Star Wars 2011 Advent Calendar! Gotta love Santa Yoda.

Photos: Los Angeles/Santa Barbara, CA

The Mrs. and I had the opportunity recently to fly out to California for a wedding earlier November. Here is a photo dump of that excellent trip of food, friends, and festivities. Congratulations again Rob & Stephanie!

Touchdown LAX. First stop? In 'n Out! A modest 1x1, animal style of course.

Lilly's Tacos: beef head, tongue, cheek, eye, and adobada pork

 

 

A stellar venue and menu

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Video round up: Zelda, Sesame Street, & Pikachu

Here are some videos I came across recently that I just had to share:

Zelda Medley aka Girl dressed up as Link prancing around in the forest with her violin


Bert and Ernie recording for TomTom GPS (behind the scenes)


Pokemon: Ash teaches Pikachu how to fart

Thinning the herd of pedals

I'm currently in "pedal purge" mode and had the pleasure of trying out cmatmods Signa Comp earlier in the month after receiving it in a trade for my MXR Carbon Copy (which, btw is a great analog delay, but based on current needs, it seemed silly to have both this and my t.c. electronics Nova Delay). While a solid compressor pedal with minimal to no hiss, I did wind up selling it on craigslist after a friend helped me realize based on the guitar I play and the setting I play in (church), the benefits were minimal.

Other pedals on the chopping block include my Keeley modded TR-2 tremolo pedal and my Crybaby Classic wah pedal. Both don't see much use and I hope to find them a good home soon.

Who else will be on the chopping block?

I'm flirting with the idea of selling off all/most of my non-dirt pedals and just springing for a used M9 by Line 6:

This could be a compact and elegant way to have access to playful/non-essential effects and I've only heard great things about this unit. There's even a looper and tuner on this thing!

In the end, these past few months I'm just really trying to understand the gear that I do have, instead of the constant stream of trying new pedals, re-selling, buying etc, which is great as I'm really trying to be faithful with. I hope this isn't only a temporary conviction with this specific hobby/interest, but something that I can really absorb and apply holistically, because I really need God's strength to overcome some serious hoarding/collecting tendencies, as my boxes of comic books in our office that need to be donated or sold would agree.

Where's Waldo?

Wow, this really is an awkward mash-up of our childhood heroes and provocative social commentary.

Like the design? Buy the tee at Threadless.

McDonald's Peanuts Glasses

Did anyone else have these in their homes growing up? I fondly remember having the first glass in the photo above, with Charlie Brown struggling in his inflatable. I loved using that glass as a kid, and my Mom being a big fan of the Peanuts gang plays a huge influence over my nostalgia for all things Snoopy.

Even Superman hates Aquaman

Even Superman hates Aquaman...and apparently his pal Jimmy Olsen in this case.

Bat-Cat

It's cute, it's nostalgic, it's got Batman...what more could you ask for?

This reminds me of another clip from Family Guy...

Today's show was brought to you by the number 12

Has anyone else ever gotten this song stuck in their head? You've gotta love the 70's groove and classic animation. It's funny the things you remember from your childhood...

City Harmonic - Manifesto

Manifesto
By: City Harmonic

A buddy of mine turned me onto this video early September and I forgot to share it. Great song, let it get you pumped for the day :)

Batman Slaps Robin

This just cracks me up every time I see it.

When Death Dies (Acoustic), by Gungor

When Death Dies (Acoustic Performance)
By: Gungor

I can't get enough out of this video. As I've shared other Gungor videos in the past, I always wind up these more acoustic takes than what winds up on the actual album. Incidentally, this track is on their newest album,  Ghosts Upon the Earth, which I've been really enjoying. Talk about taking worship music to another level! If  that "genre" doesn't do it for you, I highly recommend taking a free spin of the album via the previews on Amazon.com, you won't be disappointed...unless you hate awesome music.