R.I.P. Robert Moog

Robert Moog, a major pioneer of the electronic synthesizer died on Sunday. His work and inventions have had a huge impact on my life. Thank you Bob! May you rest in peace.

Here's the Yahoo story
Moog Music Inc.
Moog family Web site

Don't tell your mom!

I got to hang out with with my totally-cool, three-year-old nephew Jake on Sunday. I went to pick him up and before we left, we raided his mom's hair care products so we could spike his hair. It came out looking awesome!

I use him as a subject of my "photography" often. I love this one from a few months ago:

The Short-Order Composer

In the world of composers, I've found that there are two types: Type 1, "The Chef": The type that labors, suffers and sweats over their work as they hone and polish each little detail of the music which is very precious to them; and Type 2, The Short-Order Cook": the crank-out-the music--as-fast-as-I-can type. Neither method is proven to produce "better" music than the other because it's always going to come down to the composer, not the method. I've mostly written for myself or the bands/artists I've been involved with and have used "The Chef" method. But a recent job composing music for some television shows changed that for me.

In television-music, they need the music NOW!!!! and they'll send it back over and over and over again to have you re-write sections that they feel don't work for them. So there's no use slaving over it and using the "what-does-god-want-to-say-through-my-music?" technique that I tap into when composing music for myself and my CDs. It doesn't work for this gig. What works is the "how-do-you-like-your-eggs? comin'-right-up!" approach. It's very cool because it allows me to use a different muscle...it's a different and very cool process for me and I'm enjoying not feeling so attached to the music.

A couple of composer friends I spoke with told me it's most always the music tracks that they didn't spend a lot of time on that seems to get the most use. And the more the music is used, the more residual income the composer earns. So for this particular gig, I'm going to put on my short-order composer hat and crank this stuff out. I might post some of them another time. As for now, bon appétit!

"Gang of Hope" Interview

I was interviewed by Silva Mirzoian today for a program called Gang of Hope. The interview will be part of a video series called The Sky's The Limit. It will be used in an afterschool program that and will eventually be distribituted to every school district in the country. The idea behind Gang of Hope is to support and inspire the students as they are exploring career opportunities and to share some insight from people who have achieved their goals, are successful and making their dreams come true. I was honored that they chose to interview me as part of their series.

Silva is truly an amazing and inspiring woman who is also an author and "Wealth Builder & Life Enrichment." Check out her Jump Start Your Life®" site.

Silva's Sites:
successrolemodels.com
2jumpstartyourlife.com
http://www.passionsdreams.org/

Keep your Pants On! - Airport Antics

I noticed that a majority of the people working airport security don't seem to be enjoying themselves during work. I couldn't get these people to respond to my cheer or sense of humor, and they wouldn't take any money from me to allow me to go around the x-ray device. One of the highlights during airport experience while travelling to Phoenix last week was when I didn't have to remove my shoes prior to boarding the plane in the Los Angeles airport. The airport screeners were letting those of us wearing sneakers to keep them on our feet. Woo hoo! See, I do have my brilliant moments of foresight...or so I thought (you'll see what I mean in a second). In the Phoenix airport on the way back home, I was told I had to take my shoes off even though I was wearing the same shoes that I had on in L.A.! They were even making people take off their flip-flops. Oh, the inconsistency! Oh, the humanity! But I will not let this turn my world upsidedown because I know that they will eventually apprehend those flip-flop wearing terrorists.

As I walked through the x-ray, I heard a "beeeeeeeep." Damn! It must be the 35 cents in my pocket. I removed the coins and walked went through the x-ray again. "beeeeeeeep." Oh god...now what? "Sir, can you please step over here." I was escorted to what was a large playpen...or a small penalty box. "Please put your arms up like this (forming a human "T")." This was similar to a drunk driving test (not that I've ever had one!) I told her "I swear, I only had one beer an hour ago officer." No reaction. Like I said earlier, these people have no sense of humor. She waved the magic x-ray wand over my body and the zippers, metal buttons and snaps on my pants made the wand squeel like an electro-pig. My shorts have a total of 13 metal objects on them. Ugh! So much for my brilliant foresight. "You want me to take them off? It might help you check them faster." "No. Sir, please do not remove your shorts!" Then she yelled, "Male check!" the same way a they yell "Price check!" in a grocery store.

I asked, "Can I request a female please?" No reaction. A few minutes later Buck, the airport security wand guru asked me to sit down and he proceeded to wand me like I've never been wanded before in my life. I sat, and stood, I turned, and I did the twist. "Sir, I'm going to feel your rear." "You have to, or you choose to?" Then I feel his warm, open palm slide up my left butt cheek, and then down my right butt cheek. Was that really necessary? I mean, I offered them my shorts earlier, which to me is less invasive then Buck feeling up and down my ass. "Am I clear?" "No. Sir, I need you to lift your shirt and fold out over the front of your shorts like this (he demonstrated)." I said, "Ok. Here, let me make this easier for you."

[PAUSE]

Now I've heard about airport incidents. I've seen them on the news, but I've never encountered any myself, nor have I ever known anyone that's had any kind of run in at an airport either. I want to live life to its fullest and want to experience all that it has to offer. I want to grab ahold of life like a ripe, juicy plum and bite into that sucker and have the nectar run all down my neck, down my chest and into my underwear. I believe that's why I did what came next.

[PLAY]

I unbuttoned my shorts as Buck bellowed "SIR. DO NOT TAKE THOSE OFF!" Too late. I had too much momentum going. I had stepped out of my shorts and was already handing them to him as he looked mortified and cried "SECURITY!!" There I was, in my white boxer-briefs as Striker walks over and Buck starts to brief him on what happened. Um, I think this is a good time to put my shorts back on. Striker looks my way and sees me fully clothed. My wife who is about 50 ft away tells her mom, "Oh my god! They brought over another security guard and made Armen take his shorts off!" To which a security guard standing next her replied, "No ma'am. They called the security guard because he took his shorts off."

Striker the guard walks over and asked, "Sir, why would you do that? Why would you take off your shorts with women and children walking through here?" To me, a pair of Speedos is WAY more revealing than my long boxer-briefs which were hidden under my long shirt. I don't even have the pee-pee flap in the front of these things. I said, "I just wanted to speed up the process. I had my swim trunks on underneath (I have gone swimming in boxer-briefs before), what's the big deal?" "Do you actually have your swim trunks on underneath?" The guy behind me who was probably concerned about missing his flight chimed in, "He had his swim trunks on. I was standing right here the entire time and saw them." I asked, "Am I clear?" He was perplexed, but said, "Yes sir. You're clear. You can go." I've never been called "sir" so many times in one day. They're very polite at the Phoenix airport. I highly recommend it.

Plastic Surgery - And if you call now...!

I heard this radio commercial last night which was an ad for plastic surgery group in Newport Beach, CA. I know what you're saying...plastic surgery in Newport Beach? Naw! "Mention this radio ad and get 50% off your second procedure. But wait! Call now and get two procedures for the price of one! Get the body you want!" It's official - plastic surgery is now a commodity!

"Summertime" mp3

During the Leana gig at the Key Club in Hollywood, the band blew off some steam by doing a Drum 'n' Bass version of George Gershwin's "Summertime" (mp3). It was a great way to kill some time while she changed outfits. I love Gershwin! George, forgive us and the crappy recording quality.

Guitar - Shea Welsh
Bass - Juan Carlos Portillo
Drums - Keith Williams
Keyboard - Armen Chakmakian

A Real Music-Biz Ad

I love clarity. Here's an excerp from a real advertisement:

"New gay and lesbian oriented premium television network seeks to purchase music for shows to air on their network and on 25-30 movies per year produced by their sister company.

All types of music considered. Artists and composers do not have to be gay or lesbian."