Category Archives: Thoughts

Clocks and Clouds

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I’d like to take credit for the discovery of Clocks and Clouds, but I can’t. I was introduced to them, musically speaking, by my friend Jenny. I have very eclectic music tastes although I primarily listen to ‘80 alternative when I drive and I enjoy the Hearts Of Space music program. And Clocks and Clouds scratches that eclectic itch. 

My introduction to them was through this music video:

Clocks and Clouds is an instrumental trio of musicians based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The trio is made of a violin (played by Stephanie Shogren), a cello (played by Lucas Shogren), and drums (played by Derek Powers). (Derek Powers is a sweet name. Anything with power in it is sweet.)

I’ve been listening to Clocks and Clouds’ music on Amazon Music (that is the music service I happen to subscribe to, but I expect that their music can be found on Apple Music and Spotify as well). I’ve really enjoyed it so far. So far what I’ve heard is very upbeat. The violin work reminds me of Lindsey Sterling. (As a former violin player I enjoy anything with a violin in it.) All the members of the group are very talented. I recommend checking them out.

You can find out more about Clocks and Clouds at their very out of date website: http://www.clocksandcloudsmusic.com/ 

I Struggle

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“You see me now a veteran of a thousand psychic wars

I’ve been living on the edge so long

Where the winds of limbo roar

And I’m young enough to look at

And far too old to see

All the scars are on the inside

I’m not sure that there’s anything left to me”

Veteran Of The Psychic War,  Blue Oyster Cult

I struggle. 

The world falls apart around me. Crime is on the rise in American cities. COVID stalks our lives at every turn. New wars brew around the world. Deception and corruption run rampant. The machines are on the rise. Where do I turn for leadership?

“You ask me why I’m weary, why I can’t speak to you

You blame me for my silence say It’s time I changed and grew

But the war’s still going on, dear, and there’s no end that I know

And I can’t say if we’re ever…

I can’t say if were ever gonna be free”

Veteran Of The Psychic War, Blue Oyster Cult

I struggle.

I can’t speak up or have a reasonable conversation about the issues of the day. Cancel Culture grows daily. Trivia rules the day. Misinformation fills our media, social and otherwise. Where do I turn for the truth?

“You see me now a veteran of a thousand psychic wars

My energy’s spent at last

And my armor is destroyed

I have used up all my weapons and I’m helpless and bereaved

Wounds are all I’m made of

Did I hear you say that this is victory?”

Veteran Of The Psychic War, Blue Oyster Cult

I struggle.

Do I have faith? In God? In Man? In Truth? Or are the only facts in life death and taxes. Is there freedom left in this world? Or is freedom just an illusion? Where can I turn to reinvigorate my faith?

“Don’t let these shakes go on

It’s time we had a break from it

Send me to the rear

Where the tides of madness swell

And been sliding into hell

Oh please don’t let these shakes go on

Don’t let these shakes go on

Don’t let these shakes go on”

Veteran Of The Psychic War, Blue Oyster Cult

I struggle.

Jesus help me! Help me to have faith. In God. In Man. In Truth. Show me the path to freedom and fearlessness. Jesus meet me where I am.

What’s with this thing anyway!?

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I originally started this blog with the intention of it being a place for me to discuss my experiences working in and with technology, specifically the various aspects of software development I am involved in. As you can see by the lack of posts and sporadic posting schedule that that didn’t pan out very well. Other than moving all the material from my older blog, Are those My Gardening Gloves, here there has not been a lot of activity here. There are a number of reasons for that: all the crap that went on in 2012 regarding mine and my families health, focus on my slowly dying podcast Snark Infested Waters, addiction to various video games, demands of my job, my webcomic The Adventures of The Snarky Avenger, various writing projects that have yet to pan out, an attempt to get back into tabletop (or pen and paper) role playing games, laziness, fear, etc. But in truth the main reasons are the last one: fear.

I’m not the kind of guy who wears his emotions and thoughts on his sleeve. I tend to share them with a small group of people. I suspect many of the people I share my thoughts and emotions with would tell you I can be quite funny and insightful when I do talk about the things I am passionate about. (At least I hope that is the case.) I have been held back by the fear of judgement of others. The fear of being wrong about something. The fear of offending people and possibly losing the respect of my friends (or worse, just losing friends in general). In the end, I need to confront that fear if I am ever going to succeed at all in any kind of writing endeavor. And if my thoughts, opinions, and emotions are offensive to people so be it. (My heart is racing as I write this.) As Jeff Hite says in the warnings that graces the sidebar of his blog, Barely Controlled Chaos: “I have opinions and you don’t have to like them”.

So I am going to use this to blog to confront those fears. I am going to write about what is going on in the world as well as my world. Review a few books, audio-books, movies, some music, and a few video games. Write about my other projects: The Adventures of The Adventures of The Snarky Avenger, Snark Infested Waters, a new podcast about technology that is in the works, and some writing I am doing. My gaming interests (table top and computer). My faith (I am a Christian). My personal struggles, triumphs, and failures. People I respect. A bit of politics (I tend toward a Libertarian point of view, fyi). And anything else I feel like writing about, like Resistentialism. Consider it a public journal or maybe a living manifesto. (Yes, I just said I am writing a manifesto). I hope that is it is inspiring, entertaining, and maybe a little educational. I suspect it will be controversial at times. Ultimately, it will be also be a bit geeky.

I’m not going to make any promises on a release schedule. I would like to post something here at least weekly, but I’m not going to set myself up for failure. And if you like what you read here or disagree with it or have questions or comments. Talk to me. (That’s why there is a way to leave comments.) I would like to think that this a place for conversation as much as it is airing my thoughts and opinions.

I look forward to share more with all of you and I promise to make an effort to just writing what needs to be written and let the chips fall as them may.