Wednesday, 18 June, 2014

[JonPorobil]

Yesterday at work, I broke my personal productivity single-day record (30 cases closed in one day - previous record was 27, and the median hovers around 14). Then, I went home, bashed out some lyrics for my Circle of Titles song, the recorded the vocals along with some percussion and a new bass take. I thought I was done, but then I got excited about an idea I had bumping around my brain for the current Song Fight title, "Suitcase," so I sat down to record a scratch track, and that quickly escalated into recording most of that song, too, including two acoustic guitar takes, a bass part, and a few layers of vocals.

So yeah, I'm feeling unusually productive lately. What's been going on in you guys' lives?

[Billy's Little Trip]

Jon, you're so productive that you are 1 month ahead of yourself. It's June 18th, not July, bro ntosaurus rex.

I too had a productive day yesterday. Maybe something in the air.
About a month ago I bought new recliner couches. A love seat with a center console with drink holders and a 3 seat couch, all seats recline. They are a silver/grey faux leather with black beading and look really cool. Kind of a cross between retro rocket-ship and the backseat of a Mercedes Benz.

Anyway, I decided to set up my living room like a home theater. I have the loveseat in front 110" from the 60" LED tv, which is the distance recommended for the front seats for that size screen (55" across X 2). Then the rear couch, I made an 8" riser platform so the rear viewers are above the front viewer's heads. I did the sides in a black satin paint and the top is a separate carpeted piece with that low pile grey office type carpet with a 2" larger cantilever from the base of the platform. My new condo has the perfect living room for it, but it's a great room design with the kitchen open to the living room, with a bar between. I'm going to put an LED light strip under the cantilever for step lighting, which isn't needed, but it'll give that cool theater look.

Then I went to Joann's (hobby/craft/fabric type place) and bought a yard of faux leather to match my new couches and some 2" high density foam and recovered my bar stools to match my couches, being that they are in the same room at the bar.

Also, I got a new sound bar 5.1 surround sound system. It's really cool! Bluetooth that I can stream music right from my phone, laptop, etc. The subwoofer is wireless and the rear speakers plug into the sub. So the easiest surround sound system I ever set up. From unpacking to listening was about 15 minutes. But then I ran the rear speaker wires in races and hard mounted everything. I watched I Frankenstein last night and the surround sound was amazeballs. So perfectly matched and crossed over from the highs, mids and lows. The "truvolume" and "dialog clarity" center channel are awesome new features. Plus, for the first time, I'm using the fiber optical connection from the tv to the surround sound system. It's considered the best method for digital sound over all other wired connections.

Anyway, that's what I did yesterday. I guess it would make more sense if I took pics.

[JonPorobil]

Based on your description, it sounds pretty sick. I'd love to see some photographic evidence of your handiwork.

And, uh, the post says 18 June... did a moderator swoop in and switch it up on me while I wasn't looking?

[ken]

And, uh, the post says 18 June... did a moderator swoop in and switch it up on me while I wasn't looking?

Yes.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Based on your description, it sounds pretty sick. I'd love to see some photographic evidence of your handiwork.

Ok, my phone's cam is of the sucky variety. But you'll get the idea. Looks much more awesome in person while a movie is playing and the smell of fresh popcorn in le' air.


The other rear speaker is hidden behind the plant.


I'm going to put an LED light strip under the lip of the carpeted top piece.


Oh yeah, I got a new ceiling fan and painted the blades to color match the black satin other trim. I did that on father's day.

Hard to tell, but almost a perfect match.

Looks smaller than it is. That's a 60" tv.


I actually built the platform base and painted the side pieces last weekend. I just put it together yesterday.

[JonPorobil]

That platform base is pretty snazzy. Great work! What kind of plant is that?

[fluffy]

I had a final interview at HBO today. They gave me an offer on the spot.

it was ridiculous....

...ly high.

Well that and the work is interesting and the folks there are pretty awesome, so. Yeah I'd be dumb not to take it. And they're fine with me taking a few months off to recuperate first. I suspect I will be feeling much, much more awesome at Song Fight live than I normally would have been.

[Paco Del Stinko]

Cool digs, Chrispy. Can't wait for the invite to watch the big game!

I have been doing Medicare billing and it's very exci....zzz. Sorry. I have an interview at the state hospital today, it may be back to work in psych. That's IN pysch, not ON psych, har har. I don't know how people sit in a cubicle all day, it's like torture to me.

EDIT: Just realized I used the same JB approach to dozing midsentence that he used in another post. Ha! Silly me! Hope it wasn't copy writed. Wait. Copy written? How's that go? Let me go ask my buddy Darrick.

[Paco Del Stinko]

Also: Good luck, Fluffy. I'm not sure what you'd be doing at HBO, but it's probably interesting. Hopefully it doesn't involve another move.

And because I know you're all interested, I gotta say that collections for insurance stuff I actually find quite stressful, but at the same time not very interesting. I have a good job, just not a good job for me. Chasing pennies around and codes and terminology that glazes my eyes over, people up yer butt about money. Stupid money.

But as Spud reminded me once, I appreciate that I am working. (Just needs to be somewhere else)

[Billy's Little Trip]

Cool digs, Chrispy. Can't wait for the invite to watch the big game!

Yeah, it's perfect for a super bowl party. I figure 5 on the couches, 3 at the bar and the patio has a table and chairs and in direct sight of the tv. who wants some tapas and wings?

By the way, the front couch easily spins around 180* for non tv entertaining, or I can spin it 90* and put it against the wall for game/poker night. It opens up a big space in the living room for me to set-up my game/card table.

Fluffy! HBO?! That is awesome! Maybe you'll get invited to the HBO awards and get to party with Robert Downey Jr. Please tell me that you don't have to move from Seattle. I remember you saying how much you feel at home and love it there.

....also, can you get me free HBO? Sure you can, just push the button in your office.

[Caravan Ray]

I had a final interview at HBO today.

I have heard of HBO. They make a television show I have been watching.

Are you going to get your head cut off, or root your sister? Or are you the new Imp?

[Caravan Ray]

Cool digs, Chrispy. Can't wait for the invite to watch the big game!

Yeah, it's perfect for a super bowl party.

Australia plays India in the 3rd Test from Dec 26 to Dec 30 this year. Me and about 10 of my mates will be moving in. That's cool isn't it? Oh...and get some pies in. None of your gay chicken wing and guacamole crap.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Cool digs, Chrispy. Can't wait for the invite to watch the big game!

Yeah, it's perfect for a super bowl party.

Australia plays India in the 3rd Test from Dec 26 to Dec 30 this year. Me and about 10 of my mates will be moving in. That's cool isn't it? Oh...and get some pies in. None of your gay chicken wing and guacamole crap.

You bring the Bundy and meat pies and I'll make a cheese cake. But no hooliganism or my wife will take a bat to the lot of us. OIY!

[JonPorobil]

Football and/or poker party at BLT's! Jam session to follow! Count me in!

[fluffy]

The HBO job is at their new-media R&D group here in Seattle. I have no idea what I'll be working on yet because they have a bunch of projects and you can pick and choose what you want to work on. It sounds like the perfect environment for me.

[JonPorobil]

Well that and the work is interesting and the folks there are pretty awesome, so. Yeah I'd be dumb not to take it. And they're fine with me taking a few months off to recuperate first. I suspect I will be feeling much, much more awesome at Song Fight live than I normally would have been.

Congratulations!

That's the second time in three years you'll be celebrating a recent job offer at a Song Fight Live. And the second time in a row for you, since you weren't able to make it to Austin.

By the way, I can't wait to see you in D.C. in August. We had a lot of fun last year, but the absence of those who couldn't make it was keenly felt.

[Paco Del Stinko]

Sounds good, Fluffy. I'm sure it'll be a cool gig.

And yeah, I'm up for watching me some cricket, tele or live. So long as C-Ray explains it. And the beer keeps'a flowin'. Big bash at BLT's place. HUGE.

[HeuristicsInc]

congrats fluffy!
-bill