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Has it already been another year? The old adage “times flies” while incorrect as time does not fly, only inches forward like the frog in a slow boiling pot of water (uh-huh) kinda rings true. A little bit. I dunno. If one could guess in this amazing surreal world of inconsistencies, my guess would amount to zero. Yup. As I get older, the neurons upstairs have conceded the fight against entropy and basically ceased functioning.  Again, not what this post is about.

My ever loving, Mello raccoons are back. During the months of Sept-Oct they somehow manage with whatever raccoon GPS that’s built-in to find my house. Or maybe it’s their kids? A raccoons life is a hard one. Between food and predators, the live about 3-4 years in the wild. In captivity between 15-20 years! Big difference. My dog alerted me to the Return of the Freeloaders this morning. While I’m not an AirBnB, it’s nice to give them a pro-bono place to rest. Are they dangerous? Do they carry diseases? Well, they can be and yes they can carry diseases. So do birds and stray cats etc. About the only critter I never worry about are opossums. There’s only one in my neighborhood sadly. Look them up when you get a chance. Having one in your backyard that gets along with your cat or dog can be a good thing. For now the raccoons, they get a free pass. Tomorrow that could change. 

cheers.

ceej

UPDATE: After many evenings pondering the implications of this technology, I’ve come to the following conclusion. Mostly, because I am a musician first, technician second. Somehow, this would be back to bite me and teach me a lesson. Maybe. But until then, I’ve decided to only use AI as a band member. Which means simply, AI can only do covers of my tunes and use various band members to play my songs. EXAMPLE: I write a tune called “THIS NEW TUNE”. I record it, sing it, play the instruments or have friends help out etc. Everyone leaves. Song done. But is it? Nope. I want a different feel. Rather then spending days or weeks recording new parts, new vocals, I get AI to play using a different feel, instruments. So “THIS NEW TUNE” is still the tune I wrote and recorded. Just different musicians playing. Almost like hiring session band players to go into a studio and record the song again. Without the huge cost involved. And since I am not rolling in the dough, quite a few bucks are saved.

What I’ve decided I don’t like, is using AI to write the tune for me. To quote a famous artist “I write the songs that make the whole world sing”. My tunes may not make the whole world sing, however, I wrote them! My emotion, experience, soul and the desire to create. Well, there you have it. And that’s all she wrote.

ceej

I caved. Yup. Totally caved. Gave in. Relented. Succumbed.

Why? I dunno. Just wanted to see if I could be inspired. And I was. Also, wasn’t. 

Made me a little sad. I couldn’t tell the difference at first. Was this an AI generated song or someone elses tune the AI stole? Again, I dunno. Completely surprised at how easy this was to create and modify a song within 15 minutes. All parts realized by me and the AI. To be sure, all I did was type a few words, add a few styles, gave the AI a musical direction to follow and WHAMMO BAMMO – TUNE. DONE. 

I stopped at around 2 minutes as I couldn’t bring myself to delve deeper into the various settings that would morph the musical direction even more. So, theoretically, this is now my tune, my copyright. Seriously. I own it now. I can’t sing it, like ever. I don’t even know if I can play this live. But hey, tune?

Going to think about the implications for a bit. Check it out below. Let me know what you think.

cheers

ceej

“RIDE THIS WAVE” by AI and ceej

Exhaustion sets in regularly lately. Have no use for metamucil or other existing folk remedies. I’m just tired. Confused. Thinking of starting a new political party called “KILLBILL”. Before the naysayers shout “Elon Musk is already starting a new party. Why on earth would we need another?” Mostly, because, I say so. Yup. And we need this one to stop the plethora of uneducated brain dead house and senate representatives from continuing to “babysplain” why we need new laws to remove guns from the general public. Oh sorry, AMERICANS! 

Every shooting that happens in America, heck, in the world translates to: The New Bill to Outlaw Assault Weapons. The Newer Bill to Ban Any Weapons. The NEW NEW KILL BILL for everything!

Justified? Nope.  Once again, weapons don’t kill humans, people using weapons kill people. Today I read about the 11 year old who was ringing doorbells and running away in the middle of the night. Just a children’s game. The owner of the house shot the child, who was then transported to Emergency and passed shortly thereafter. So many things wrong with the above. Like, why was the 11 year old out after midnight ringing doorbells? I did stuff as a youngster. So, yes, I get it. But today? Parents are put in prison for letting their kids ride a bike down the street! The owner of the house shooting someone running away? Can’t even begin to understand that logic. 

What about the church shootings and school attacks taking place? Every time one occurs, another politician pounds the pavement with a new proposed law to ban all weapons. Well, I’ve finally come around to their thinking. Although I propose a more sweeping change. My bill will be called just “KILL BILL” which includes every possible thing that can be used to deliver a death blow to another human.

Here’s a short list as the full list is bigger than the library of congress.

Guns, knives (including butterknives, plastic knifes, oh heck – all silverware of any kind! Household items such as Blenders, coffee makers, fryers. Pots and pans. Microwaves, refrigerators (tip one over on someone, see what happens..) scissors, rope, wire, paper (ever get a paper cut? try a couple hundred) chairs, furniture, bats, baseballs, volleyballs, geesh make that ALL SPORTS GEAR. Pianos, guitars, drumsticks amps, electricity, water, oxygen, milk, peanuts, food in general. And the list continues…

The above does not kill by itself, usually, the person does the killing. Yes, there are accidents which we can exclude. If we ban all guns or even most guns, let’s not stop there. Knives should be removed as should razor blades, sharp sticks, tree branches. I watched this Documentary on people being killed accidentally called “TUCKER and DALE VS EVIL” like one guy was

 another just 

and so on. So, accidents can happen.  Do we need a bill for that? Where does the ridiculous end? Anything can be turned into a killing device if used that way. I propose we help one another to survive with compassion, dignity and kindness. Morals should be foremost in the battle to curb whatever evil there is in the world. But another bill? Nah. Let KILL BILL be the final one passed right before the planet explodes.

cheers

ceej 

Following up Hawt Whytesun is a pretty tall order. Indeed. So, I reached into a box of songs I had recently finished recording and pulled one out, a totally romantic song which brought me back to the years of playing in the Gary Efford Band. Gary would belt out soulful melodies of love without breaking a tear. Maybe this type of music is in my blood or at the very least my heart. Yes, I am a romantic person. I believe in reaching into another persons dreams and aspirations of life. The sadness, happiness, ectasy of those around us, sharing our inner most desires.

And sometimes instead of getting down, I write songs. While I am not a lead singer (and if you are drop me a note, would love to meet you!) the finished product is usually quite profound. For me. So, take a listen and let your mind wander into an evening of beautiful curiosity.

cheers,

cj (Tell Me How You Feel)

So, years ago, for fun and strictly tongue in cheek, I wrote this self help pamphlet which has absolutely no help in it at all. Yep. I was regressing to my childhood where knowledge was useless and being Hall Monitor in 3rd grade was the big status symbol of life. Since I was backing up all my storage drives, I came across this incorrectly titled self-help booklet, which I had thought was lost to the ages. And should have been. Just saying…

While it was originally slated for 10 chapters, I stopped at 4. Why? I don’t know. Bad hair day or no coconut chocolate chip cookies, or maybe there was a new episode of Star Trek on the telly. Now you probably think I’m British because I said “Telly”? Nope. Although I watched quite a few shows over the years with British actors portraying Americans. Which worked for me. Except for when it didn’t.

Please get real help if you need it, as any info in the following pages will not provide any help, at all. Only posted here to remind me I have no talent as a writer. Except when I do, of course. (smile)

Enjoy, or not.  Link opens in new tab

ceej

Hawt Whytesun I AM THE OTHER ONE

Blown away! Yes, I am. I was on the phone making random comments, which I usually do, with one comment being  “The Sneeze That Almost Was”. During our conversation I suggested the title was great for a series of children books. And kidding, I suggested using AI to follow my plot designs to create a story. Holy macaroni! The story was great! And I suggested a few images as well. Which were also great. Maybe not the greatest story in the world but the technology used (software AI) has progressed to an amazing level of coherence that I thought this could have been written by me!. But, alas, it was only co-authored by me this time around. While I have written stories on this site, (https://carljasper.com/the-days-after-the-great-power-outage-of-thanksgiving-2020/) the style and humor is completely different. Well, being written totally by me would be the key denominator. Going to post the story here for your amusement and WOW factor. Hope you enjoy it. I sure did.

cj

Opens in new tab…

sneeze that almost was

Where is I? Heck if I know. Although I had what I call fun a few weeks back. I had lent out my table saw and a few days later they said “we need to buy you a new table saw. Yours is broken now.” They don’t really know me. I replied “Awe shucks, gee golly. The saw died doing what it loved doing. What a way to go!” Really, the saw was over 20 years old. Still, they needed a saw to finish their project so they bought one. And when finished they gave it to me. Now, if they knew me, they would’ve known that while they were purchasing another saw, I had mine completely apart – to diagnose what was wrong. It turned out the motor got too hot and melted a part that directs the flow of air over the fan motor armature to keep it cool. After removing the melted nylon part, I realized that JB Weld (plastic epoxy) would fix it right up. That’s exactly what happened over the next couple of days. Table saw repaired!

But I thought, “what if something else happens to the motor?” which sent me down a rabbit hole. I searched for a new/used motor and was stunned by the cost. Most motors ran about $200 with some almost $400. Geesh! No way was I going to spend that much when a new table could be had for around $150. I started looking at various online websites like craigslist and offerup. Sure enough, found a few compatible saws that used the same motor as mine. Even bought one for $15. Took it apart because the motor wasn’t working. Turned out to be a bearing. After replacing the bad bearings, the used saw was now working. And I had a replacement motor. This was about the most fun I’ve had in years. I love taking things apart to hopefully repair them. Learning how everything worked and the process of repair is so invigorating, the knowledge I gain is worth all the time I spent. It encouraged me to purchase a new carburetor for my chainsaw that was giving me problems. And yes, that now works as well. Although I had to hide that repair because I’m in California and I should be using battery/electric operated chainsaws. Oh well.

Be safe and stay cool.

ceej

Who knew the three “R’s” could be so exciting? My dog knew. In fact the squirrels that live in my front yard know as well. But did I? No, not really. For years I have been subscribing to various online streaming services. And for years the services have reduced not only what they offer, but downgrading it by inserting commercials. One main reason I signed up was to watch uninterrupted shows/movies. NO COMMERCIALS! Now before I am labeled a “Hater” which I am not, well a tiny bit at least when it pertains to melted ice cream – they have invaded my life once more. As the major streaming services all have added commercials or will be, my personal direction has been to cancel them. Another strategy I will be activating soon is “Selective Monthly Viewing” or SMV for short. A simple example is canceling a streaming service until they add content that appeals to me, then subscribing for enough time to view the new shows/movies/content and canceling/unsubscribing after viewing. 

But wait! Are there other avenues to avoid the pay-per-view commercial? Yes, we now pay for commercials when commercials used to pay for content. Yes, I know I can view over the air, just not in my area as there’s no direct line of site to any broadcasting antennas. Big sigh… Of course some shows are only available on certain streaming channels. Like AppleTV and Netflix etc.

Oh my, what to do? Well, my fellow show watchers I now visit my local library for DVD’s Blu-rays of current shows/movies to check out. Do they have everything a streamer has? No. What they do have is enough for me. And I’ve noticed that free streaming platforms have been adding premium content. Which is very cool! My local library is fairly close and plus carries a large selection of the books/authors I also read. So for me, it’s a win-win. I now watch new movies again with NO COMMERCIALS! Of course that keeps me out of certain circles of friends as I have no idea what they’re talking about. Guess I’m not keeping up with the Jones’s.

And Christmas is almost here! Since most of my family is either visiting Saturn or have relocated out of state, celebrating is a singular function these days. Well, I spend time with my girl and her kids. Although they’re grown and have other venues of their own to visit. I haven’t been writing as many tunes for the past few weeks, but hey, been busy counting pebbles in my backyard. A rocky defense I must say…

I played a boutique with a friend a couple of weeks ago. That was fun. Only butchered 15 Christmas tunes or so. Again in my defense I had a brain cloud. Very serious one as well. Keep singing/playing and adding your voice to the world. Makes it a nicer place to live.

ceej

“There seems to have been an actual decline in rational thinking. The United States had become a place where entertainers and professional athletes were mistaken for people of importance. They were idolized and treated as leaders; their opinions were sought on everything and they took themselves just as seriously-after all, if an athlete is paid a million or more a year, he knows he is important … so his opinions of foreign affairs and domestic policies must be important, too, even though he proves himself to be ignorant and subliterate every time he opens his mouth.”

“Secrecy is the keystone to all tyranny. Not force, but secrecy and censorship. When any government or church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, “This you may not read, this you must not know,” the end result is tyranny and oppression, no matter how holy the motives. Mighty little force is needed to control a man who has been hoodwinked in this fashion; contrariwise, no amount of force can control a free man, whose mind is free. No, not the rack nor the atomic bomb, not anything. You can’t conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him.”

Robert Heinlein (born July 7, 1907, Butler, Missouri, U.S.—died May 8, 1988, Carmel, California) 

Powerful words and thoughts from a mainly science fiction author. Most of us have no idea he was highly educated in physics and mathematics, pursuing graduate studies at the University of California. During the war, he was an engineer in the navy. Probably his most famous book is “Stranger in a Strange Land” and coined the term “Grok”. I read most of his books while growing up, in junior high and high school. Later in life, his writing turned a corner, at least for me – and I stopped devouring his books. Still, a force to be reckoned with. He helped shape many young individuals as they sprouted to adulthood.

Including mine.

One true and recurring theme in the world is obedience. To authority figures be it doctors, police, politicians, presidents – just about anyone in a uniform. Generally, we tend to defer our freedoms to the above figures in exchange for monetary gain, health perks, living spaces to name a few. But what if, we are being tested to examine in detail our reactions to being controlled? What if a world government body has already been experimenting with the freedoms of society around the world? Would you believe it or shake your head in disbelief?

In the 1960’s, there was a now famous psychology experiment known as “The Milgram Experiment” to test just how far an average citizen would go to obey a person in a white lab coat. The results were nothing short of terrifying.

Given a choice to administer shocks in gradually increasing amounts, a person was seated before a console of switches. Each switch delivered a higher voltage to a recipient in another room. You could hear the painful cries as each switch was engaged when a wrong answer was received. Unknown to the operator, no one was hooked up to receive any shocks, at all. But for all intents and purposes, it sure seemed that way to an outside observer. Over 65% of test subjects complied with instructions to administer shocks when told to do so. Which brings us to the WEF.

They now have a paragraph on ther website stating:

Most of the restrictions made no sense or seemed beyond explanation. Like being able to shop with thousands of other potential infected individuals in major supermarkets while concurrently NOT being allowed to shop at the local market, because there was a chance of being exposed. Going to a restaurant wearing a mask to walk to your table, afterwards removing your mask because it was safe while sitting down in a crowded space but not while walking? WHY? Six feet distance between everyone when waiting in ANY line, ANYWHERE! WHY? AS the person in front of you leaves an airspace full of their germs, you walk right into it, taking a deep breath of micro-organisms. Again, WHY? I remember my first time in a Dollar store during these ridiculous rules. After standing on spots saying “6FT HERE” and then the checker with their gloves ringing up all the products I was purchasing, touching all my items, after having touched everyone’s items before me, I felt like bringing lysol and spraying all my purchases. But to my credit, I did not. I now know I was one of the few that didn’t buy into the mass hysteria, especially after consuming massive amounts of information on the virus, the vax and the reasons behind the push to MAKE people comply with rules that go against all we’ve learned.

Take the above world wide experiment as a warning. We’re only 5 minutes away from being imprisoned – and we’ll like it.

ceej