Thursday, August 20, 2015

Into the Ground at Full Speed or Why Bother

Things fall apart and such is their nature.  This is stated much more mechanistically in the laws of entropy ... but eventually they will fall apart too.

(Ed:  the laws of physics are bigger than the Universe, they're bigger than God)

Um, sure.  The Beatles said that too, didn't they.

So, things fall apart.


Things oscillate and it's equally appropriate to request motivation in a sensual oscillation or shake, shake, shake your bootie.

Do be warned, however.  Once you have tried a physicist, you will never go back.

(Ed:  to what?)

Grand Rapids

(Ed:  what's in Grand Rapids?)

Who cares.  It's in Michigan which is cold which means minimal oscillation.  In any activity, it's almost always best to find the best oscillation.  Shake, shake, shake your bootie.

Synthesizers are based on oscillators and we know how they work but we have no idea how synthesizer players work.  Sometimes they like to shake their booties too.  Put them on a B3 organ and see what happens.


In summary, sagt Herr Doktor Einstein, in physics things fall apart because they oscillate but cessation of the oscillation is death so my new Unified Oscillation Theory goes ... shake, shake, shake your bootie.


The ground comes up at full speed and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to be done to land (i.e. crash) somewhere else or otherwise move the ground such that I do not hit it.


Based on what I can cost out through the net the 'situation' will be well over $5000 to solve.  The Mystery Lady suggested there may be better but it has to drop to 40% or lower to even get under $2000 which is also impossible without selling the kit.  In plain English, it's better to hit the ground.


The situation isn't anything any one person can solve and I don't expect nor want any one person to try.  It's not reasonable that any one person's medical / dental troubles should bring a burden to anyone else, not for me and not for anyone.


Many times I've said there come a point where your best move is to put it all on 35 and spin the wheel.  You know you won't win as roulette is a cold bitch but sometimes she smiles.


(Ed:  you aren't seriously?)

Yah, play it again, Sam.


One more time at the 20th Century in Cincinnati with the objective being a benefit gig to save my old broken ass and to play in it.  Any contributions go to trying to get some kind of fixed 'situation' and a bit of life quality for a while.


The probability of it ever happening again is extremely low and there isn't a solid lock I could do it now but I have two huge drivers:  Paul Delph's last show has been a lifetime inspiration and adrenaline gives big for live shows too.


Previously hall concerts I've done have been nowhere near Bad Silas because I wanted to please too many people.  To some extent that's hiding as Bad Silas is slacking in doing that.  The object isn't to come out to the mike and start talking dirty but rather in playing what Silas really plays.  Sometimes he does talk dirty, tho.  Silas has never done a set for children, it's just not the vibe I know.  I don't believe I've ever said anything which would hurt a child but parents may disagree.

(Ed:  are you really that bad?)

Not even close


The problems to solve are the cost of the venue which is, I believe, about $1200 plus maybe $500 for soundboard and lightboard support.  I need the same sound guy as last time but must look up his name.  I didn't feel it click so much with the light guy but that was a lot in me being vague on what I wanted.  This time that escalates because I need a laser operator too.  Most likely that will have to be Yevette but who does it is a secondary problem.

The next problem is getting there with kit and that's solved by renting a Hertz van.  Call it $1000 just for a round number.  Transportation and a truck all in one.  Yevette and I can drive it up there.  Getting it loaded / unloaded will remain tactical problems for the moment.

Add another $1000 to rent some video cameras, at least one has to be live-streaming the show as that's what will get it to Cat.  This is also what the largest source of potential donors as the stream can provide a PayPal address.


That's a rough ante.  Assume it costs $4000 to make the bet.  This should be enough to make the show happen assuming nothing else breaks between now and then.


(Ed:  why not collect $3000 from GoFundMe or some such and use that to solve the 'situation')

Because it's straight-up begging and for no purpose other than what I get.  There's nothing anyone will gain beyond a little satisfaction from helping someone.  That's not a small thing but it's not the same thing.

The GoFundMe would be to get the ante for the show.  If you are anywhere near Cincinnati, come on out to the show and enjoy it.  You paid for it.


(Ed:  what about tickets?)

No tickets.  Donations only.  Silas Scarborough has played for tips in almost every gig he ever did.


(Ed:  assuming this happens six months out from now, are you sure you can do it?)

No.  Best I can give is about 40% - 50% confidence.  That confidence will increase in preparation to play such a gig as it makes more motivation to play which automatically gets more activity.  That will get an improvement but it won't be radical as things fall apart and the details are important to know but not to list.


The general view of it is Silas Scarborough will play the concert he normally plays in his abnormal way.  That requires 60-90 minutes which probably drags out to two hours.  Even starting at 8pm, that still only brings it to 10pm to close so that's a variable I will keep open.  There are multiple possibilities up to inviting another act to perform but, barring something really extraordinary, only an act familiar to Scarborough Universe already.

The object is also full lasers with all that kit as well.  It's not so terrible to move but rather there are lots of bits and it's a pain to deal with them all.  Nevertheless they have been part of it for years and I don't want to abandon them.  Cat thinks they're worthless (generally) but, for me, they are organic and I want that presence.


In concept, it looks generally sound.  In practicality, it's marginal but at least people have a reason to do it.  Maybe they will come to the show.  In risk is high as there's no guarantee this will even solve the problem.  However, it will solve one problem and that's in playing the show I always wanted to play anyway.  Judge Silas as you like, you will anyway, but my preference is any judgment is based on what his real moves are.


And you want Romeo and Juliet?

(Ed:  not particularly)

Here they come anyway as this is the only feasible opportunity to play the show for Cat which we have discussed for years.  It will come over video but it will come and it will be real.  There is no Final Cut as this is the stage right now.  Audio will also go on the stream for Second Life.  Video has not been transmitted out of the 20th Century previously but there were multiple logins to Second Life which had no troubles.


So, bollocks, pitiful, brilliant, any of the above, all of the above?

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