Dad3353

If there was a demonstratable likeness to any Muppet character, one would have to argue one's case against a battery of highfaluting Disney lawyers with deep pockets. Whether one wins or not could be independent of the rights or wrongs of the case, just the finances engaged. Such is Justice in these realms.

The term 'Muppet' is owned by Disney and/or Henson, and anything that resembles any Muppet character could be subject to litigation.

Fixed.

No..? Aw, chucks; I'll log out then.

Another vote for 'Mr PC'. A solidly Good Read.

As did I, but I returned them. I could never get a signal; I didn't have this problem with my previous Sony Ericsson, with Orange as provider. The SIM kept falling out, too. ...

Fixed.

There had been signs in the 'Depression' topic; her latest post, end of November, showed cause for some optimism, but it would seem that the Black Dog would not let go. RIP, Sam.

There is precedence; in the dim and distant past, there have been one or two slightly longer entries proposed. There is, of course, the 'normal' treatment, to have a fade-in/fade-out; that's the simple way to reduce the length. There is, in any case, a little-known subsidiary rule, that listeners only listen to no more than the first five minutes of any track, however long it may be. There is a special 'Lemmy's entry' clause reducing this to one minute, maximum, for obvious health and sanity reasons.

S'what I said, a bird scarer. ...

Or maybe 'busk' your own 'concert' quite close to theirs..? It won't take long for them to take the hint, with a suitable choice of instrument ...

A bit lightweight, methinks, for a 200+ capacity disco club, and definitely overkill as a bird scarer. Thinking of upgrading the car stereo, maybe..?

That's quite severe; you're allowed a bit more than seven seconds. ...

That's never stopped Lenny. ...

Our nearest neighbour runs a plumbing/heating business. I 'phoned him a while back, asking if he could look at our water pressure. He popped round one day when I was out, and the pressure regulator was changed (pressure restored...). No invoice, or fee. He was surprised (and pleased...) when I dropped in to offer him a bottle; he had refused the money I had offered. Sometimes there are other concerns than one's professional or otherwise status. Just sayin'.

My other pet peeve is apostrophes. ...

Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never worked for money, I've always chosen work that interests me. It has helped that I'm rather broad-minded in the field I choose, and learn very quickly. From avionics to IT, audio manufacture, professional gardening, lab instrument manufacture, jukebox and video game repair, musician (of course...), technician in a music shop, freelance programmer, short spell on a building site (between jobs...), pool-table manufacture, disco installation, back to IT, teaching, programming production systems for various French, Dutch and US companies as IT manager, then retirement. None of these posts were highly paid; all were rewarding. When playing music (drummer...) professionally, I got paid a pittance, but enjoyed the whole process, and have fistfuls of anecdotes and memories from those days that, to me, are priceless. Whilst working, I also played weddings and functions as a duo with a buddy for several years, and helped a local rock/punk/ska band get off the ground by doing their transport, sound, then their lights, for a few years more. Again, all unpaid, but a further store of unforgettable moments. Now retired, of course, I have a very modest income and a very modestly confortable lifestyle. I would not have had such enjoyment of my life had I gone looking for fame or fortune. No regrets, and I still play for free when asked.

Almost. The drummer is, for the most part, playing to a 'click' track, so, although there are solo spots and (much..!) improvisation, the whole show is pretty strictly timed, with short 'free' passages in between numbers. If the spots don't fall on the right person at the right time, the effect is lost, and if the frontman changes his posture (leaning forward menacingly into an eery green footlight...) when it's on, it can't be rolled back. It's a matter of 'loose' synchronising, along with pre-planning for all concerned. Much like a lot of backing tracks, I think.

No, the lights stayed in time with the band.

How about the lighting..? Can that be pre-programmed..? I had the whole 'Kiemsa' set on my laptop, in the right order, and much of it was automatic. I would do particular stabs and flashes, and some of the 'black-outs', but wouldn't have enough fingers and thumbs to do all of the Fx manually. It worked very well, for several years; no-one insisted that the lights be done all by hand. Is there any difference..? It's all part of the performance, no..?

Like these..?

Not just any 30w, but a Vox AC30..! Those beggars get to be incredibly loud..!

Time to invest in a more modern system..?

Indeed, but that's still three times the cost of the cables required. Is it worth it for a pub stage..? Maybe. We all make our choices.

If you have a laptop available (even a very modest one, with Windows...), this Usb-Dmx interface is excellent. Sunlite Suite 2 FC 1536 channels DMX512 Stage Lighting Controller... I have an older version which has worked faithfully for a couple of decades, and permits extremely simple, or extremely powerful, Dmx control of multiple lighting fixtures, included moving heads, strobes etc. Programming can be done at home, with a virtual stage 3D display. Highly recommended for those willing and able to do more than just switching on and off. This was done using it (plus a 'manual' lighting desk. We were two to operate the lights...)... (That's Our Eldest on guitar, in black T-shirt ...)