2015 Year in Review

So, here we are. At the end of another year. Much of the year has been dimmed by the fact that I recently got into a relationship with a wonderful woman named Jessie. That story is a post in and of itself. What I can remember of the rest of the year was also pleasing. There was much music, creativity and friendship.

I have made great music with “50 Breaks” and “Francesca and the 440 Hum”. 50 Breaks has established itself a premiere musical experience, playing gig after gig with anyone willing to share a stage. I look forward to recording first quality CD starting in January.

The 440 Hum went on what has turnout to be an extended break. For several years we maintained and incredible schedule of performing while working on our cd entitled “Forever”. We finished the CD in very early 2015 and played a few shows in support of it. We are still discussing what the future holds for us but rest assured, the fire hasn’t gone out.

Beyond music, Rainbird Studio has been the home of a successful RPG gaming podcast called “Plot Points”. Recently, Ben Riggs and I started an additional podcast called “HyperCulture” which is dedicated to the broader geek community and has more of a produced feeling about it. We are eager to see where this one takes us.

Fox River Forge had a good year as well. We added a mobile forge to our arsenal and were able to partake in a couple public blacksmithing demos. It was quite fun and I look forward to doing the same in 2016.

In a few hours, Jessie and I will join our friends in greeting the new year. I wish nothing but the best for all of you. The secret to the survival of this world lies within us. There is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that had gained enormous fame in bumper stickers and motivational posters across the planet. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This is a phrase I embraced the instant I heard it and one I refer to when I’m making difficult decisions. 2016 promises to be a very challenging year for the people of this little ball of blue. It is my hope we can work our way through these days with a little less cruelty and a longer view of the challenges before us.

Time will tell. Until then, I look forward to making my way, left foot, right foot with all of you by my side.

Happy New Year

Four Decades

Forty years ago today (which was a Tuesday) at around 9am I pulled my first breath and let loose a howl that informed everyone in the vicinity of my arrival. I have been noisy ever since.
I would really like to pound out something profound or charming, I’d even settle for witty but here I sit staring at a blank screen; a screen on a device that was all but Science Fiction when I was born. In fact, as I look around I inevitably start listing what didn’t exist when I made my entrance. Since profundities are coming up nonexistent, here are a few things from that list.
• Microsoft
• Bic Disposable Razors
• Fax Machines
• Bar Codes
• Saturday Night live
• Star Wars
• Punk Rock
• Cell Phones
• Public access to the internet
• MTV
• Scratch n’ Sniff Stickers

But a list of things that didn’t exist is easy and sometimes predictable so I began to think about what was going on when I was born. Things like,
• The Vietnam War
• Skylab
• The Rumble in the Jungle – Ali vs. Foreman
• Nixon is impeached and Ford takes over as President
• Rush releases their self-titled debut album
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre makes its debut (just 21 days before I do!)

So, all kinds of cool things were happening when I arrived but I’m still not delivering anything on this page that is really ground breaking. I’m just showing how adept I am at using Google.

What about me. What have I done with 40 years which equates to
• 2,087 weeks
• 14,609 days
• 350,633 Hours
• 21,037,950 Minutes
• 1,262,278,080 Seconds

Well, let’s see,
• I can play a garden hose like a bugle
• I quake like a Pomeranian on Red Bull when put in a canoe
• I can talk ceaselessly about Farscape and strange interactions with Best Buy employees
• I can skip backwards
• I can recite a truly fantastic supply of trivia about Star Wars, Heavy Metal and methods of scaring people

Yeeeaaaaahh… so that’s a wonderful little resume. Man, is there anything about the last 40 years worth writing about?!?
AH!
Yes, there is!!
You.
The people who are reading this are the highlight of the past four decades of sand through the glass. My existence is justified, defined and fulfilled by the wonderful people I’ve have the “Rock Star” luck to share my path with. I am continually overwhelmed with gratitude for the people I’ve met in my life. You have taught me, guided me, supported me, loved me, laughed with me and consoled me through everything that has led to this moment. It’s with a lump in my throat and slightly blurred vision that I that you for being here with me regardless of physical proximity. This is truly a happy birthday because I get to share it with you.
I love you all.
Chris
10/22/2014

A Veteran's Day Salute

I would like to offer my most sincere thanks to the men and women of The United States Armed Forces. Your dedication to preserving our way of life requires each of you to possess a unique and admirable amount of courage and selflessness. May you enjoy the peace you help create with those nearest and dearest to you.