Photos - Cambria, California

I just returned from a few days of relaxing in Cambria. We had a room looking right out onto the blue pacific and saw some gorgeous sunsets and a bit of wildlife. Check out the pics.

Cambria, CA

Root Canal

After having the first half of my root canal therapy done this morning, I've decided that they're not as much fun as I had anticipated. Ugh! And the one-mile walk home from the dentist's office was probably not the smartest thing that I had planned this year. However, I do love my dentist. Thanks Dr. Torgeson! I'm looking forward to my vacation in Cambria, California starting today!

And the Grammy goes to C-Bizkit!

I noticed that some rappers have given themselves names that could be mistaken names of a race horses. Anyone go by the name C-Bizkit yet? Sexy Terriet?

The Groove Makes You Move - Constant Motion

I came up with a motto once, and I keep it mind when writing most of the music that I compose: "Melody is God, but the groove makes you move."

Today I had such an interesting realization. I realized that nothing in the entire universe actually stays still. Everything is in constant motion all the way from the largest to the smallest particle. There is not one thing that doesn't move. Wow! That's lots of stuff!! Speaking of small particles, now I'm wondering if there's a finite number of fundamental particles in the universe or if the quantity increases and decreases. Hmmm...

Red Cross Banner Added

I added this banner to my home page today.

It's good to see people helping out. I was at the local Glendale College football game last night and the Red Cross was passing around containers for donations. Looked like they raised quite a bit for the Hurricane Relief 2005 fund.

Third World U.S.A. - Hurricane Katrina

I was glued to the television set last night watching the aftermath in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. My god...it's the first time in my life that I remember seeing video/images of any part of the U.S.A that resemble a third-world country. What a shock. These are some photos from CNN's website taken by local citizens.

I still wonder why so many people chose to stay and not leave the area when they had ample warning that this thing was coming their way. Then again, I remember working on the 11th floor of a Disney-owned building in Glendale when the fire alarm sounded. Our supervisor yelled something like, "Wait! Don't go anywhere. I'm going to find out if this is a false alarm." EXCUSE ME? "MIGHT BE..."? Out of about 30+ people in the office, I was the only one that said, "Fine, you find out while I get the hell out of here." and I bolted down the stairs and left the building (it was a false alarm). It was a big building. I don't remember seeing anymore than maybe 25-35 of us standing there in the courtyard looking up at the building waiting to see what was going to happen. So maybe it's human nature to stick around and wait to see what 'the other guy' is going to do.

My wife and I donated to the American Red Cross Hurricane 2005 Relief Fund. I invite you to do the same. Every little bit helps. They also have a link on the site for anyone that wants to volunteer.

Photo from August 29, 2005 8:20 a.m. EDT

Gashouse Dave Gig

I'll be at Jax Bar & Grill on Sat. Sept 10th from 9pm-12am playing keyboards with blues guitarist and singer Gashouse Dave and his band. Venue: 339 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203 (818) 500-1604. Here's a map. The Gasman is going to do some serious damage that night, so come on out!

Armen In The Middle

I got a call from the music supervisor of the TV show Malcolm in the Middle. They're going to use a section of Enchantress from my Ceremonies CD in a scene that's supposed to take place in a tent at Burning Man. The episode will air on September 30. This is the first time a track from one of my CDs will be aired on an internationally syndicated TV show!