And then it bloomed

After tending to the old shack, I told the pirates they could raid my kitchen. I hid the dog and went out in the Scandanavian rain for a hint of something dull. With an aching head I returned to the rusty lock, restored the dog and fed the kitchen.

Early morning haze

This is a good environment for reading and practicing guitar at 6am. I indulge this isolation by working as hard as possible. But, when time isn't tugging my pant leg, I let the mornings unfold at their own pace.

After a while I stopped bothering

To open the curtains. What was the point? There was nothing out there I cared about. And certainly there was nothing in here to see.

8-string Guitar

Finally I have the tool needed to get started on my next record! Can't wait for Teeth of the Hydra tomorrow, those guys slay.

I will have something to show for it.

I spend at least an hour here everyday, usually a couple of them. Running through scales and exercises, trying to nail the problems to the floor. To regain strength.

Unpacking

Got in my work clothes and spent the weekend throwing out the unflattering parts of my history. It was a cold, sunny day in Kentucky but I didn't see it. I did find an old camcorder and watched some of the funniest Papa M footage I've ever seen. I wouldn't say I was innocent then. But it was a naive and beautiful time before I met certain people I eventually despised.

I also found:

- an amazing David Berman poem in an old issue of The Minus Times
- Yngwie Malmsteen guitar tab/cd
- a photo of me on tour in England without front teeth

Fazing into 2008

I see the holes where the night was once stitched together. Its going to blow out this year- in light and love.

Sick, sleepless, and blurry

Pub-cackles and sports television remind me of the world I still don't reside in. 2007 treated me damn well-- I started the new year loaded, in every sense of the word. I still love my family and hate my enemies, more than ever.

Head O' Snare

I finally got to see "Bride Of Chucky" and laughed my ass off. In the meantime, I continue to get fatter on a strict regiment of bad habits. Part of the Catholic punishment/forgiveness idea is that you constantly have to redeem yourself. This was instilled in me at a young age. So I've been paying for comfort food by carrying heavy boxes down flights of stairs. In the end, who really gives a bleep?

TCB

Finally finished the mastering and artwork for the Dead Child album- a very manly blast of music! Bought a painting by Michael O' Bannon while in Louisville (not the one pictured, unfortunately). And we did a photo shoot where I somehow managed to look shorter and uglier than usual. All in all, a productive week!

Krunk Chalice

We sent Brad this pimp chalice for Xmas with the inscription, "CHEEKS". It's a long story...

White monsters

We were all delighted to raise the curtain this morning to view the white ghosts laying in the garden.

Along the crooked snow

There were only a few moments, but they lasted forever.

2008 Final Destruction

Here is my hearth, my fire, my sheepskin, my Birman. Been jamming on the rough mixes and plotting 2008 final-destruction-of-all-things-lame. Yes, I am fat and loaded.

Now you've done it

Finished tracking- now you've unleash the fucking mixing! Voted out keyboards, backing vocals, and dense guitar layers for a more natural and badass approach.

Dahm singing

Got to watch Feist from the stage yesterday. She is supremely talented- and a Dead Child fan as well!

A part of me is bummed that this recording experience is over. But at my age you get used saying goodbye to phases of your life.

Gol-dangit

I came in last.

Poor G!

We had coffee, stopped by the hardware store and then on to the studio. Until this...

Real deal

Knocking it out of the park.

More guitar photos

We tune pretty low so setting up our guitars is a real art. Yesterday Theresa, the Slint guitar tech and repair genius at Guitar Emporium, came by the studio to solve intonation issues. Brad is blowing our minds with his ability to get great sounds quickly and hear exactly what needs to be fixed.