Back to the studio

Yes. It's true. I have some pretty exciting news. The band has finally been back in the studio! Sean finally finished writing the final few songs. Hector laid down the rest of the drum tracks last Friday and this Friday is my turn at bat. Which means a lot of practice for me. Pretty much as soon as I get off work I've just been going home and plugging in to practice. It's a good habit that I should really try to keep going even after I finish recording.

I really learned from the last time in the studio the importance of focusing on exactly what I want to play and how I want it to sound. I'll be laying the first rhythm electric tracks which is both simple and tricky to deal with. It's simple because I'm playing simpler parts but it can take work to avoid overplaying and maintaining a specific and intentional strum pattern. In a lot of ways I think it plays to some of my strengths as a guitarist although certain rhythm patterns just seem to escape me. I don't understand it but it's definitely something I've been working on.

So for the studio I'll be packing up my Fender Strat for some cleaner parts and a Tele with humbuckers for some heavier stuff. Although you can't see it, the picture is me playing the Tele the last time we were in the studio.

I'm really excited about playing for the album. There's a lot of personal pride in taking your equipment and your ideas and be able to record them and incorporate them in a worthwhile project. This CD is definitely going to be our little pride and joy once it's finished. I'm already really proud of everything we've accomplished this far and I'm honestly loving the music we've produced so far.

And in case you haven't heard the music (or at lease haven't heard it lately) visit these sites and keep up with the band:

www.seangallagherband.com

www.myspace.com/seangallagherproductions

seangallaghermusic.tumblr.com

www.twitter.com/seangmusic

The duplex, new schedule, the band, etc.

I'm honestly updating this as often as I'm able to, which is not very often.

Biggest news
Hector and I officially moved out of the apartment and into the duplex. Huge thanks to Sean for helping us transport all our furniture and other stuff. We've moved everything in and set up most of the big stuff but we've still got a lot of unpacking and organizing to do. A lot.

Also, we don't have internet at the new place which is why I'm updating this from Davinci's and also why I don't update this blog as often. Hopefully I can convince Hector to split the cost like before so I can afford it again.

News at work
I got the new schedule I put in for at work... sort of. I didn't quite get the hours I wanted. Without getting into detail, it was a little misleading what I applied for and what I got. At least I got a Sunday through Thursday shift but the hours are still 11:00AM until about 8:00PM. Maybe I will get the daytime shift I really wanted eventually. But at least for now I have Fridays and Saturdays off which is great news for the...

Sean Gallagher Band
We had a chance to play another show a couple of weeks ago for an outdoor kid's event. Outdoor events are hardly ever ideal and the challenge is usually pretty tiring but I still love getting the chance to play with the band. We played in Mustang, Oklahoma - just outside of OKC - so the travel time was another challenge. But it was still a fun event - and a paid event, which is great since we're trying to invest in some sound equipment. (Anyone know of any we can get our hands on some for cheap?) We're still working on the CD so for the latest news follow Sean's blog where he has promised to resume weekly updates so hold him to it.

My blog
As far as my blog goes, I don't have a set schedule for updating so I want to STRONGLY encourage you to subscribe via email. Just use the "Follow Eric via email" box on the FollowEric.com homepage. For those of you already using that feature, thanks a lot. Let me know how it's working for you. Just leave a comment on the blog or email me (eric at followeric.com).

Ok well I'm running late so I will end here... Thanks for reading...

First place, and other updates

It's been a really exciting weekend. Definitely a good reason to update...

This Saturday our band participated in a talent competition. It was a March of Dimes benefit held in the Sunset Plaza in Enid. We put a lot of work into it, including a grueling five hour practice until 2 am the night before, and it really paid off. We took first place in the competition.

We're pretty excited about the win but honestly it's just a lot of fun to have the opportunity to play our own music locally outside of church. I can't wait until this becomes a normal routine. I honestly love the music, love the playing. Even with all the hard work it takes and even when we only have the chance to play one song, it's still a great time. In fact, I actually enjoy the rehearsals and the thought and work behind the performance as much or more than the actual performance. I think once we start playing full sets with all of our own original music and other worship songs thrown in then I'll really enjoy playing live even more.

I'm also excited about Brad who has agreed to join us in playing bass for our shows. He lives in the city but he's already had a couple of chances to come to Enid to play with the band, including the talent competition this weekend. He even helped us out with some old school boot-stomping, knee-slapping music we performed for the church's Classic Service. He's a great guy, really getting serious about playing bass, and a really fun, easy-going personality to boot.

Well since I'm already updating...

I'm still at the same job. I had been considering other places only because I really need better hours. Well I have to say that God really opened up an excellent opportunity at work. A new shift has opened up. I can now take a Sunday shift and then work Monday through Thursday, morning hours. It's a huge improvement from right now, working evenings with only Sunday and Wednesday off. It means more room for more opportunities to play and that is a huge plus.

It also looks like Hector and I are going to be moving out of our apartment! We have a really good deal in the works with a friend from church who is renting out the other half of her duplex. Hopefully everything works out but it looks like a good fit for us.

There are other things I want to blog about but I'm running out of time and this is already a long post. But remind me later...

On Blogging

I don't like blogging about blogging. It's redundant and annoying but here's the deal...

I had another blogging hiatus while both my computer and cell phone were down for the count. Now that I have both of those recovered I am ready to get back to much more regular blogging.

The question is what do I write about? I already know what I will continue to write about. I will continue to keep you updated on my life, or at least attempt to. This blog is one way I reach out to friends and family back home in Albuquerque and elsewhere so it's important to me to keep them informed.

But here's my simple question to you (and I'd really appreciate answers):

What would make you want to read more?

Even if you rarely visit this blog, I just simply want to know what topics keep your interest. Is it job talk? Music? Guitars? Spiritual insight? Church? Friends? Romantic life? Are you here to read the latest news or to hear my thoughts?

You let me know, I'll keep it in mind as I continue to write.

P.S.

"Romantic life" was a joke. I actually have a self-set rule on that. Just because of it's volatile nature, you probably will never hear about my romantic life on my blog until it's set to become legal, i.e., engagement.

I'm Back

...and hopefully better than ever. Not only did I get my phone replaced under warranty but I managed to finance my way in to a new Macbook.

So armed once again with my cell phone and laptop, I reenter the blogosphere to bring back some level of continuity to this blog.

Glad to be back.

Did you miss me?

Technological Tough Luck

Here's the deal...

My laptop is dead. No clue what's wrong with it. No clue when it'll be fixed.

My phone is also dead. At least that will be replaced through warranty in less than a week.

In the meantime, times are rough and blogging is probably going to be at a standstill. Hopefully things work out soon but meanwhile I'll just have to cope without my technological standbys.

It's tough but I don't have much of a choice...

Mobile: Typical Lunch

Brown bagging it at work... Turkey sandwich, Sun Chips, black cherry soda water.

A Hug for Mother's Day

Yesterday, near the end of my 8 hour shift answering phones at work, I took a call from an elderly gentleman needing assistance with his bill which is of course the basis of my job. Dealing with older people over the phone is often a hassle either because of problems hearing and understanding or because sometimes they're just a little cranky. This was not the case with this man. He was friendly and not rude, even when asking me to slow down or repeat myself.

As I was wrapping up the call and getting ready to hang up, he threw out a question that I didn't really hear at first.

"I'm sorry, sir, what was that?"

"Is your mother still alive?"

"I'm sorry?"

"I said is your mother still around?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do me a favor, give her a big hug for me."

I actually choked up a little but after a short breath I told him,

"Yes, sir. I will."

So today and every single day, be very grateful for your mother. Don't take your time together for granted. And it should go without saying that they deserve all of your love and gratitude.

And to my mom, I send you a big hug and I miss you and love you so much...