shaynetonio's New Writeups

how to be an improv musician (idea)

2000-11-19T22:45:36Z

The best advice I ever recieved as a jazz pianist came from my music teacher.

First of all, learn your scales such as Blues scales, major scales, minor scales, etc.

Make your mistakes big and loud. Confidence will work for you, and you may find that your mistake actually sounds good.

Solo at every available opportunity.

Don't think about what you're playing, just do it.

Play as much as possible.

Somehow, I think he was giving me a lesson on life.

User Friendly party, Vancouver BC (thing)

2000-11-19T06:13:00Z

I have had the fortunate opportunity to attend the 3rd anniversary User Friendly party in Vancouver BC. Unfortunately achan and I showed up 2 hours late, the party had already begun.

We met shadownode and two other local ufies at the Web Café where the party was held. Everybody that attended the party received a complementary gift which consisted of fake tattoos and coupons. xdjio ditched us for the woman in the red dress.

The night (for us) started off with the official commentary from Illiad and an amazing speech by the Smiling Man (he just smiled). The party proceeded with a Q and A session with Illiad and friends. Questions came from both IRC and party members. The majority of the questions were directed at Illiad and involved mainly inflatable animals.

The party was web casted.

The rest of the evening continued with cake, Wes from "Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie" with an amazing technical support skit, and prizes.

Achan concluded the night with "does this web cast make me look fat?".

furikake (thing)

2000-11-17T00:20:18Z

Furikake is a japanese rice seasoning which comes in many different forms. Variations include finely chopped nori, dried wasabi bits, sesame seeds, salt, fine bits of fish, finely chopped egg, and more.

Furikake is normally sprinkled on top of japanese rice or sticky rice. Although, I've seen achan eat it with chinese rice which is dry in texture.

You can also add green tea in a bowl of rice and sprinkle Furikake on top. Very tasty.

mochi recipes (idea)

2000-11-17T00:06:20Z

To add to the list of mochi recipies, I offer a variation my mother used to make. Cut the mochi in blocks as mentioned above or purchase the pre-cut blocks from your nearest mochi vendor. Wrap each block with bacon. Fry the mochi in a skillet until the mochi is soft, and the bacon is cooked.

You can also add mochi to udon or soba.

adventures in cross-country greyhounding (idea)

2000-11-14T04:37:55Z

I have mixed emotions about my last trip on a Grey Hound bus. I met a lovely elderly woman who sat next to me for 2 hours of my 13 hour bus ride to Vancouver. She told me about her son, and I told her about my non-existant career as a musician. We laughed, we cried, we forgot we were on a bus.

The remaining 11 hours of the bus trip was sheer horror. Not only was I confined in the bus, but somebody was wearing old lady perfume. As a matter of fact, too much perfume. After 11 hours, of gagging, I came out of the bus. I think somebody puked beacause it smelled nasty in the bus. I smelled like old lady perfume.

The moral of the story, kids, expect things like this to happen on a Grey Hound. If you can, sleep. If you're sitting beside what seems to be an interesting person, have a conversation; It helps pass the time .

Career Expo (thing)

2000-11-14T03:55:30Z

I recently had the opportunity to attend a career expo. I will share my experiences with you, and tell you what to expect if you ever decide to go.

The career expo I graced with my presence was called the Vancouver Sun Career Expo which was held for two days at the Vancouver Exhibition Center. This expo was fortunately free. I would never pay to get in anyway. Never in my life have I ever seen so many people shmoozing. I was one of them. There were about twenty booths set up, each equipped with two to four employers.

This are some things you should know:

Expect to contend with hundreds of other people.
Know what you actually do.
Know what you want.
Bring many résumés and portfolios.
Be yourself. I noticed many nervous people. They end up talking too fast and budge in line.
Expect a job interview at the job expo.
Be confident.

At this specific expo, the booths and employers were casual. In most cases, they…