I am pleased to announce the assembly of several small entities under one heading, Abretok Industries. Rainbird Studios, Rainbird Photograbers Inc, and Abretok Arts are joining together under the heading Abretok Industries.
This idea actually started in the garage with my Dad many years ago. When we would build something or finish working on something together Dad would say, “Another fine job by Abretok Industries”, Abretok being out last name spelled backwards. I have used this idea to identify many aspects of my life so it seemed logical that I use it as a heading for my various small enterprises. In the sidebar to your right you will find various links. I will post links to the other sited related to Abretok Industries.
Rainbird Studios is the name of the recording studio where I record Demo’s and albums for musicians on an extremely tight budget. It started as my parents’ basement and still geographically is. My parents, Pete and Georgia Koterba, have been wonderfully supportive in all of my endeavors throughout my life. They have also been extremely tolerant of the racket produced by those endeavors. They are great people! I have a MySpace page set up for the studio to show some of the work done there.
Rainbird Photograbers is an extension of Rainbird Studio’s and is where you can view my attempts at capturing imagery with a camera. It will also be the place to view Items I have for sale. I have recently started hand making bracelets, key fobs and zipper pulls out of parachute cord. In addition to these items, there will be various examples of art on display for purchase. I was recently hired to sculpt scrap metal bonsai trees for a friends wedding. I will post pictures of these after the special day. I enjoyed welding at work when I had the opportunity and the prospects of using metal as a medium for art is interesting and exciting to me. Anyone interested in purchasing items from me can email me at koterba13@gmail.com
Fo those of you that are new to this site, Abretokia will be the place for news and updates regarding all of my outlets which includes a book I’ve started writing. I will also, from time to time, post stories meant purely for entertainment. I already have a few of them up. Some of these stories are fiction, some are real life experiences. I generally try to avoid anything strongly political but occasionally current events so strongly occupy my brain that it will come out in a post. Mostly, I want to inform you of things in my not so important life and hopefully make you smile if not laugh out loud.
I look forward to hearing from you all. Please feel free to comment at will but, be sure to check out my post entitled “To warn or not to warn”.
Sincerely,
Chris koterba
Monday, March 1, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
One of my newest obsessions!!
I found this on line. It is posted on the link at the end of this article. I strongly encourage you to check out this group. The download is free and the site is a great place to find new music.
The Diablo Swing Orchestra dates back to 1501 in Sweden, where history tells the tale of an orchestra that played like no other. With music so seductive and divine that the ensemble overwhelmed audiences all over the country, and people from all social classes took them to their hearts. Their performances rapidly earned a reputation of being feral and vigorous and gained the orchestra a devoted crowd that followed them around.
During the later half of the 16'th century the criticism against the royal crown dictatorial ruling had intensified. Gifts and tenancies had made the chruch extremely wealthy, and since the money merely was used to strengthen their power the discontent among the people was growing. To many people the orchestra presented them to a new view upon things and a way to cope with everyday life.
The church witnessed how their influence over the people decreased and began to depict the orchestra as treacherous, saying their intentions were anything but righteous. The orchestras extensive use of the prohibited tritonus interval in their music as well as their excessive lifestyles was facts that were not looked mildly upon. During church services priests slandered the music saying it was an insult to Christ himself. However, when this attempt to reduce the orchestras popularity failed, the church began to use more desperate measures in order to regain its former power. The Devils orchestra became the slogan they used and the members were accused of being everything from devil worshippers to the spawn of Satan. This catchphrase eventually caught on and became the popular name of the orchestra. When even these efforts shown futile the church ultimately framed the orchestra members for a murder and a ruthless manhunt began. The following two years the orchestra lead the lives of outlaws and were forced to perform in barns and outhouses, where only a strictly limited number of people were allowed to attend. Luckily generous people provided them with food and somewhere to sleep.
In order to capture the orchestra the church issued a reward to the person that could provide such information that lead to the capture of the orchestra. The sum was so large that the orchestra, tired and weary of living as fugitives, realised that it all had come to and end. They knew that sooner or later someone would reveal their whereabouts and the decided to go down in style.
But before doing so they all signed a pact saying that their descendants were given the task of reuniting the orchestra in 500 years and continue their work of spreading thought-provoking music. Six envelopes were therefore sealed and given to trustees of the orchestra to pass on to family members.
They announced their final concert publicly as a grandeur finale. Thousands of people showed up and even though it was almost no one who could actually hear the music, the massive sing-along of the crowd granted the performance to be the most talked about in history. Thanks to the huge amount of people the orchestra was allowed to play until their last song when armed guards finally managed to storm the stage and arrest the musicians. They were sent prison and later sentenced to death by hanging.
Stockholm 2003, by mere accident two of the original orchestra descendants meet in a music shop and began to discuss music. It later shows that they both have received a strange letter from some ancient relative containing instructions on how to reunite The Devils Orchestra. They both become very excited and though some genealogy they managed to find all of the remaining successors in a period of three months.
Unfortunate all of the original scores were confiscated and burned by the church back in 1503. So music-wise the new orchestra were left with no directions on what to play. After some meticulous discussions it was agreed upon that the music should be like a modern version of the old orchestra. Annlouice was chosen to front the band, her angelic yet powerful operatic voice was perfect to bring a bombastic feeling to the music. Pontus dance-influences and programming skills came in handy since the orchestra wanted the arrangements to sound a bit more futuristic. He shares guitar duties with Daniel who also is the main composer in the band. Andy brought some groove to the mix adding powerful slapping and funk-oriented bass licks, while Andreas's energetic drumming made sure the songs are driven and pulsating. Together with Anders, he lays the solid swinging foundation of the band. Johannes's theoretical knowledge and stunning technique combined with an emotive cello-playing style made him essential to the bands sound.
Together they answer to the name of Diablo Swing Orchestra and are determined to honour the legacy of their ancestors.
You can download their first full release if you follow the link in my sidebar. It takes you right to the bands page. The album is FREE. This website is a good place to find new and upcoming bands. I hope you check it out.
The Diablo Swing Orchestra dates back to 1501 in Sweden, where history tells the tale of an orchestra that played like no other. With music so seductive and divine that the ensemble overwhelmed audiences all over the country, and people from all social classes took them to their hearts. Their performances rapidly earned a reputation of being feral and vigorous and gained the orchestra a devoted crowd that followed them around.
During the later half of the 16'th century the criticism against the royal crown dictatorial ruling had intensified. Gifts and tenancies had made the chruch extremely wealthy, and since the money merely was used to strengthen their power the discontent among the people was growing. To many people the orchestra presented them to a new view upon things and a way to cope with everyday life.
The church witnessed how their influence over the people decreased and began to depict the orchestra as treacherous, saying their intentions were anything but righteous. The orchestras extensive use of the prohibited tritonus interval in their music as well as their excessive lifestyles was facts that were not looked mildly upon. During church services priests slandered the music saying it was an insult to Christ himself. However, when this attempt to reduce the orchestras popularity failed, the church began to use more desperate measures in order to regain its former power. The Devils orchestra became the slogan they used and the members were accused of being everything from devil worshippers to the spawn of Satan. This catchphrase eventually caught on and became the popular name of the orchestra. When even these efforts shown futile the church ultimately framed the orchestra members for a murder and a ruthless manhunt began. The following two years the orchestra lead the lives of outlaws and were forced to perform in barns and outhouses, where only a strictly limited number of people were allowed to attend. Luckily generous people provided them with food and somewhere to sleep.
In order to capture the orchestra the church issued a reward to the person that could provide such information that lead to the capture of the orchestra. The sum was so large that the orchestra, tired and weary of living as fugitives, realised that it all had come to and end. They knew that sooner or later someone would reveal their whereabouts and the decided to go down in style.
But before doing so they all signed a pact saying that their descendants were given the task of reuniting the orchestra in 500 years and continue their work of spreading thought-provoking music. Six envelopes were therefore sealed and given to trustees of the orchestra to pass on to family members.
They announced their final concert publicly as a grandeur finale. Thousands of people showed up and even though it was almost no one who could actually hear the music, the massive sing-along of the crowd granted the performance to be the most talked about in history. Thanks to the huge amount of people the orchestra was allowed to play until their last song when armed guards finally managed to storm the stage and arrest the musicians. They were sent prison and later sentenced to death by hanging.
Stockholm 2003, by mere accident two of the original orchestra descendants meet in a music shop and began to discuss music. It later shows that they both have received a strange letter from some ancient relative containing instructions on how to reunite The Devils Orchestra. They both become very excited and though some genealogy they managed to find all of the remaining successors in a period of three months.
Unfortunate all of the original scores were confiscated and burned by the church back in 1503. So music-wise the new orchestra were left with no directions on what to play. After some meticulous discussions it was agreed upon that the music should be like a modern version of the old orchestra. Annlouice was chosen to front the band, her angelic yet powerful operatic voice was perfect to bring a bombastic feeling to the music. Pontus dance-influences and programming skills came in handy since the orchestra wanted the arrangements to sound a bit more futuristic. He shares guitar duties with Daniel who also is the main composer in the band. Andy brought some groove to the mix adding powerful slapping and funk-oriented bass licks, while Andreas's energetic drumming made sure the songs are driven and pulsating. Together with Anders, he lays the solid swinging foundation of the band. Johannes's theoretical knowledge and stunning technique combined with an emotive cello-playing style made him essential to the bands sound.
Together they answer to the name of Diablo Swing Orchestra and are determined to honour the legacy of their ancestors.
You can download their first full release if you follow the link in my sidebar. It takes you right to the bands page. The album is FREE. This website is a good place to find new and upcoming bands. I hope you check it out.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sit in with "Francesca and Friends"!!
I recently captured some footage of us rehearsing a Dave Carter tune called "Crocodile Man". I was curious about the quality of my cameras movie capturing so I tested it out on this song and it's not that bad so I thought I would share it. I hope you enjoy.
PS. Evidently the footage can be a little cranky to get to play, However, if you reload the page, it should work. Let me know if it doesn't work for you and I will look into it.
Thanks
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Late night at Work.
He sat in front of his computer and waited for the clock on his company phone to say it was seven PM and that it was time for him to leave. It was the day before Thanksgiving and everyone else in the building had left to enjoy the four day weekend. During his employment with the company he had worked all three shift and was familiar with the noises that can be heard in the building between the hours of way too late and far too early which is why the noise had startled him out of a slack jawed stare at the screen in front of him.
This was not a normal noise.
He thought maybe his imagination, which had been Bruce Bannered into a raging behemoth by a steady diet of horror movies and heavy metal, was getting some unnecessary exercise when he heard the noise again. He sat ramrod straight, head tilted with a face full of eyes. He knew that sound. He also knew what that sound meant. Had not “His Majesty King Romero” been educating him on this subject for decades? Despair welled up in him as he realized how woefully unprepared his cubicle was to withstand the assault of what was surely dragging its way toward him.
Zombies
Quickly he pulled himself together and called upon his years of training. Anyone who’s spent time learning the craft of horror movie survival knows in order to kill a zombie you have to “Remove the head or destroy the brain” (Thank you “Shawn of the Dead”). He cast around for weapons but he knew the search was futile. Had he been closer to the shop door he would have access to a veritable buffet of bludgeoning devices. But the situation was this; he was trapped in his office cubicle and surrounded by, what has to be, a vast horde of brain-thirsty zombies and if he was ever going to survive, he needed to stop thinking about what he didn’t have and use what he did.
He looked around. He could throw his monitor. No, it was too heavy and only allowed one shot. There were three ring binders, manuals, office supplies, and coffee cups; none of which would be any good against a swarm of ravenous reanimated corpses. He could hear the seconds’ crash to the floor as they fell from the clock. The grunting, dragging sound of impending disembowelment and consumption grew louder by the moment,
It was then he remembered the wrench! He had loaned the wrench to one of the service mechanics and had gotten it back earlier in the week. It was in the bottom drawer of his desk. He scrabbled for it and pulled it out. Two and a half feet of carbon steel with salvation written all over it felt like a kiss from an angel. It didn’t have all the bells and whistle of ditch blade or even a standard shove or cricket bat but it would do the trick it getting him out of this office and buying him some time so come up with a plan.
He put on his coat, tied his handkerchief around his face, to protect him from flying, infected gore, and slung his bag over his shoulder. He crept toward the entrance of his cubicle and paused to focus his strength. With a mighty bellow that would sound at home in the Halls of Valhalla he leapt out of his cubicle and severely traumatized the innocent cleaning lady who had been trying take out a trash bag someone had carelessly over filled.
He has recently had his hours changed and now leaves with the rest of the employees in his department.
This was not a normal noise.
He thought maybe his imagination, which had been Bruce Bannered into a raging behemoth by a steady diet of horror movies and heavy metal, was getting some unnecessary exercise when he heard the noise again. He sat ramrod straight, head tilted with a face full of eyes. He knew that sound. He also knew what that sound meant. Had not “His Majesty King Romero” been educating him on this subject for decades? Despair welled up in him as he realized how woefully unprepared his cubicle was to withstand the assault of what was surely dragging its way toward him.
Zombies
Quickly he pulled himself together and called upon his years of training. Anyone who’s spent time learning the craft of horror movie survival knows in order to kill a zombie you have to “Remove the head or destroy the brain” (Thank you “Shawn of the Dead”). He cast around for weapons but he knew the search was futile. Had he been closer to the shop door he would have access to a veritable buffet of bludgeoning devices. But the situation was this; he was trapped in his office cubicle and surrounded by, what has to be, a vast horde of brain-thirsty zombies and if he was ever going to survive, he needed to stop thinking about what he didn’t have and use what he did.
He looked around. He could throw his monitor. No, it was too heavy and only allowed one shot. There were three ring binders, manuals, office supplies, and coffee cups; none of which would be any good against a swarm of ravenous reanimated corpses. He could hear the seconds’ crash to the floor as they fell from the clock. The grunting, dragging sound of impending disembowelment and consumption grew louder by the moment,
It was then he remembered the wrench! He had loaned the wrench to one of the service mechanics and had gotten it back earlier in the week. It was in the bottom drawer of his desk. He scrabbled for it and pulled it out. Two and a half feet of carbon steel with salvation written all over it felt like a kiss from an angel. It didn’t have all the bells and whistle of ditch blade or even a standard shove or cricket bat but it would do the trick it getting him out of this office and buying him some time so come up with a plan.
He put on his coat, tied his handkerchief around his face, to protect him from flying, infected gore, and slung his bag over his shoulder. He crept toward the entrance of his cubicle and paused to focus his strength. With a mighty bellow that would sound at home in the Halls of Valhalla he leapt out of his cubicle and severely traumatized the innocent cleaning lady who had been trying take out a trash bag someone had carelessly over filled.
He has recently had his hours changed and now leaves with the rest of the employees in his department.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Email
Below you will find an email I sent to my department head regarding a scenario I encountered at work. I wrote the email partly out of exasperation at my ineptitude and frustration that this event was unforeseen and unprepared for. I have changed the names of those involved for a variety of reasons. I hope you enjoy.
***************************************************************************************************************
Tim,
With much excitement I received a visit from Customer Bob and his wife last night. After an entertaining round of "Where's Dueco" via the telephone, Bob arrived. Resplendent in his flannel shirt and blue jeans, Bob explained that he had spoken with parts sales earlier in the day and was informed that if he made the pilgrimage from home he would be able to match up and purchase a PTO Flange and a hydraulic pump from Dueco Inc. He was also led to believe that paying for the merchandise with cash would present no problem. Being the eager to please parts guy I am, I bounded off to match up pump and PTO flange. I succeeded in finding both parts much to Bob’s delight.
However, when it came time to process the monetary aspects of this transaction, it became woefully clear that I have no Idea how to calculate sales tax for someone from out of state. Proceedings were further hampered by the fact that I was completely unable to make change. My mind raced as I tried to find the $5.72 Earl needed to satisfy the mathematical arm of our encounter. I strode into the office and went to the first door I saw which was Co Worker A’s office. It was she who offered the suggestion of getting change from Co Worker B’s Slush Fund. I headed back to our patiently awaiting customer, change in hand. We completed our transaction and I wished him a safe and direct trip home with one of my business cards and some literature about Dueco Inc.
The funds ($1000 cash) and Hand written order for Bob is in your locked drawer with the Key for Upstairs. I’m sure you have found it already. Please be sure that B receives the $5.72 we owe her. Next week I would like to address the elements of this experience which I have yet to master like sales tax and change availability. I hope you have a grand weekend.
Sincerely,
Dueco Inc.
Chris Koterba
Parts Coordinator
Your source for
Telelect, Hi-Ranger & Stelco parts
***************************************************************************************************************
Tim,
With much excitement I received a visit from Customer Bob and his wife last night. After an entertaining round of "Where's Dueco" via the telephone, Bob arrived. Resplendent in his flannel shirt and blue jeans, Bob explained that he had spoken with parts sales earlier in the day and was informed that if he made the pilgrimage from home he would be able to match up and purchase a PTO Flange and a hydraulic pump from Dueco Inc. He was also led to believe that paying for the merchandise with cash would present no problem. Being the eager to please parts guy I am, I bounded off to match up pump and PTO flange. I succeeded in finding both parts much to Bob’s delight.
However, when it came time to process the monetary aspects of this transaction, it became woefully clear that I have no Idea how to calculate sales tax for someone from out of state. Proceedings were further hampered by the fact that I was completely unable to make change. My mind raced as I tried to find the $5.72 Earl needed to satisfy the mathematical arm of our encounter. I strode into the office and went to the first door I saw which was Co Worker A’s office. It was she who offered the suggestion of getting change from Co Worker B’s Slush Fund. I headed back to our patiently awaiting customer, change in hand. We completed our transaction and I wished him a safe and direct trip home with one of my business cards and some literature about Dueco Inc.
The funds ($1000 cash) and Hand written order for Bob is in your locked drawer with the Key for Upstairs. I’m sure you have found it already. Please be sure that B receives the $5.72 we owe her. Next week I would like to address the elements of this experience which I have yet to master like sales tax and change availability. I hope you have a grand weekend.
Sincerely,
Dueco Inc.
Chris Koterba
Parts Coordinator
Your source for
Telelect, Hi-Ranger & Stelco parts
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