krg's recent activity
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Comment on What are your favorite music videos? in ~music
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Comment on What's an achievement (or achievements) you'll always be proud of? in ~life
krg Link ParentOof.. ok, can't quite remember my mindset at the time of initially composing that list (although, I was a quite bit more literate than I feel now...), but I imagine Don Quixote would come after...Oof.. ok, can't quite remember my mindset at the time of initially composing that list (although, I was a quite bit more literate than I feel now...), but I imagine Don Quixote would come after the "required" reading and Franny and Zooey would be a bit of a "nightcap" to end it all. Don Quixote really did set the stage for literature writ large, I think (or, at least, the kinda literature I'm in to). Franny and Zooey I guess being more of a commentary on those who are sensitive and literate. A swan song.
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Comment on Looking for the PC equivalent of Garage Band in ~creative
krg Link ParentCertainly, I don't discount that. But, I was thinking of computer scientists as, y'know, in the academic sense. Applied mathematicians with patches on their sports coat's elbows.Certainly, I don't discount that. But, I was thinking of computer scientists as, y'know, in the academic sense. Applied mathematicians with patches on their sports coat's elbows.
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Comment on Looking for the PC equivalent of Garage Band in ~creative
krg LinkComputer scientists and music theorists are some of the last people I'd expect being handy at music production. That said, are you recording instruments you own, or plan on relying on some kind...Computer scientists and music theorists are some of the last people I'd expect being handy at music production.
That said, are you recording instruments you own, or plan on relying on some kind synthesizer built into recording software? If you're recording instruments you own, Audacity might be worth a go (as stated in another comment), as it's fairly barebones. If you wanna rely on software synths... I think Ableton Live might be worth looking into. Certainly more complex, but they have pretty good tutorials. And, if you're serious about your music, ya might just have to learn yourself a thing. Was overwhelming for me at first, too, but.. hell, I learned enough to do some things!
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Comment on What's an achievement (or achievements) you'll always be proud of? in ~life
krg Link Parento, boi.. and, well, not to toot my own damn horn too much, but something I've down on this very webby site fills my heart with pride (the good kind, not the sinful kind).o, boi.. and, well, not to toot my own damn horn too much, but something I've down on this very webby site fills my heart with pride (the good kind, not the sinful kind).
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Comment on Where do you all get your news from? How do you work to avoid echo chambers and propaganda? in ~life
krg LinkI don't think it's important to keep up with the news, per se, but instead read/listen to trusted commentary on current events (... a rose by any other name?) Well, on that note, I prefer to...I don't think it's important to keep up with the news, per se, but instead read/listen to trusted commentary on current events (... a rose by any other name?) Well, on that note, I prefer to listen... and, so, my recommendations (generally left-leaning to straight-out leftist, for what it's worth):
In order from least-leftist to most?
- Washington Today (mostly an uneditorialized telling of American politics, where you can hear things straight from the donkey's mouth)
- Weekly Show
- Behind the News
- American Prestige (particularly their "news roundup" episodes)
- Citations Needed
Well, this is very USofA-centric (besides, ironically, American Prestige, as they really delve into world news), but I think can give a good overview of the going's on in the news in a more focused and informed way than what a reporter might present. I don't think I can really see myself getting news from traditional outlets these days because, try as they might, I think journalists often miss the trees for the forest.
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Comment on What's an achievement (or achievements) you'll always be proud of? in ~life
krg LinkI was at the Los Angeles Synth & Guitar Pedal Expo with a friend some years back (shit... might be over 5, now that I think about it) and doing the whole looky-loo, windowshopper thing. Eventually...I was at the Los Angeles Synth & Guitar Pedal Expo with a friend some years back (shit... might be over 5, now that I think about it) and doing the whole looky-loo, windowshopper thing. Eventually ended up at the Red Panda booth and started playing around with their Tensor, a strange looper-esque pedal. They had headphones connected, and I got pretty lost in the sauce playing my soul out (as pretentious as this may sound, I really do hit on something spiritual when I'm looping guitar stuff.. playing tender melodies, and such.. (what the main character of Soul hints at)). Anyhow, playing around with the pedal.. finding its secrets.. layering some stuff down and generally just enjoying myself for many minutes, all to myself. Or, so I think. Turns out the woman manning (hehe) the booth had also been listening in the entire time and, when I finally call it quits, lets me know that I'm the only person who's played anything of worth (I may be exaggerating the wording, here) the last couple days they've been there. I've yet to top this artistic achievement.
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Comment on Which challenging book was worth the effort for you? in ~books
krg (edited )LinkCaptivity by György Spiró because, in addition to its length (which, I guess I don't really factor into the "challenge", much), it was.. well.. boring. Written by someone who was clearly well...Captivity by György Spiró because, in addition to its length (which, I guess I don't really factor into the "challenge", much), it was.. well.. boring. Written by someone who was clearly well acquainted with the time period of the early first century (or, at least, faked it convincingly) and really wanted you to know it. The main character, while quite pathetic in a somewhat endearing way, just.. didn't hold my interest, much. It was mostly entertaining in a way in which you felt like a historical tourist.. Spiró really could set a scene. that said, I remember it ending on a sad note... so, 3/5, for me.
EDIT: shit, I just saw the title again and the subtext was "worth it", not just "challenging". Well, my review still stands.
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Comment on Which challenging book was worth the effort for you? in ~books
krg Link ParentI thought the characters were so distinctly written that by the time they're no longer referred to by name it's fairly easy to still keep track of 'em. but, I dunno.. maybe a meta-narrative on.....I thought the characters were so distinctly written that by the time they're no longer referred to by name it's fairly easy to still keep track of 'em. but, I dunno.. maybe a meta-narrative on.. err.. recognition.. and, if you can distinguish someone (.. or, something) on their merits.. do you need attribution?
i just came up with that and am totally reaching, so probably hogwash (and this admission itself an act of cowardice, for I don't dare attempt a true act of criticism, lest I be laughed out the room).
oh, boy.. the ending was pretty damn cool, as well! it's been a while, so I forget his name, but I kinda saw the protagonist as a mad scientist by the end.
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Comment on Which challenging book was worth the effort for you? in ~books
krg Link ParentInteresting. I found Mason & Dixon much more melancholic than Gravity's Rainbow, though I would say less challenging a read (not that it's without its challenges, of course). Really beautiful...Interesting. I found Mason & Dixon much more melancholic than Gravity's Rainbow, though I would say less challenging a read (not that it's without its challenges, of course). Really beautiful moments throughout, peppered with lots of wackiness (...and.. quackiness 🦆). My favorite Pynchon I've read, thus far!
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
krg LinkI'm kinda coming around to my ambient inclinations, again, by way of new age-y, ambient "jazz" stuff (as we are mow calling anything featuring some saxophone "jazz", a term Miles Davis would say...I'm kinda coming around to my ambient inclinations, again, by way of new age-y, ambient "jazz" stuff (as we are mow calling anything featuring some saxophone "jazz", a term Miles Davis would say was inventes bt the hWhites to sell music). Some albums from "Fuubutsushi" have left a mark, in particular. The usage of samples of people just talking over ambient-esque music is a cheap trick I'll always fall for.. manufactured nostalgia, and stuff.. gets in my feels, for sure. Not to say they overuse it, but when they do... I'm on board. Check it out!
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Comment on Hayao Miyazaki notches record $12m+ US opening with ‘The Boy And The Heron’ in ~movies
krg Link ParentI found it underwhelming, relative to Miyazaki's other work. Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Howl's Moving Castle, are probably my Miyazaki trifecta, if that contextualizes my...I found it underwhelming, relative to Miyazaki's other work.
Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Howl's Moving Castle, are probably my Miyazaki trifecta, if that contextualizes my criticism in any way.
Was hoping it'd hit deeper and I'd shed a few tears, or somethin'.
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Comment on Los Angeles celebrates new era of transit as regional connector opens in ~transport
krg LinkAs a semi-regular rider of the A Line (née “Gold Line”), I was a tad confused last Friday when I was looking for the entrance to the terminal in Union Station due to its renaming. Still not sure...As a semi-regular rider of the A Line (née “Gold Line”), I was a tad confused last Friday when I was looking for the entrance to the terminal in Union Station due to its renaming. Still not sure why they ditched the color naming scheme, but, eh.. minor price to pay for an expanded public transportation network, which I’m pretty excited about.
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Comment on It's time to buy some new non-stick pans... need recommendations in ~food
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Comment on What is the most recent game to really impress you? in ~games
krg Link ParentThis would be my answer, as well. One of the few games I’ve played with good writing.This would be my answer, as well. One of the few games I’ve played with good writing.
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Comment on Books that changed your perception in ~books
krg LinkYou might wanna give some Borges a go... Labyrinths probably being the best introduction. I can't say this book necessarily changed my perception, but it aligned with the way I tend to perceive...You might wanna give some Borges a go... Labyrinths probably being the best introduction.
I can't say this book necessarily changed my perception, but it aligned with the way I tend to perceive the world to a degree where it made me happy: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard. Walking around, contemplating, just kinda making connections between the physical and metaphysical.. like, watching the wind blow through leaves on branches of a tree, the sun making its way through on occasion, a ray making it's way to your hand, a tender touch from god, close your eyes and the susurrous rustle a reminder to breathe, open your eyes and a squirrel's agility reminds you of humanity's clunky existence, etc..
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Comment on Any vegans on Tildes? in ~food
krg LinkI'm still on the "pescatarian" train, buy my lady friend is vegan (tho, I think she'd prefer the term "plant-based" cuz I think the "vegan" label embarrasses her) and I often eat vegan with her....I'm still on the "pescatarian" train, buy my lady friend is vegan (tho, I think she'd prefer the term "plant-based" cuz I think the "vegan" label embarrasses her) and I often eat vegan with her. We're lucky enough to live in an area (Los Angeles-y) rife with vegan options (at least, probably more so than many areas) and we often cook our own vegan meals. It ain't too hard with all the plant-based "meat" alternatives that are out there, now (even though it seems like some are starting to fall off the market), which work reasonably well as the protein component in the meals we cook. Not that every dish needs a meat-like protein, but it's nice to include. Especially when trying to ape a food item that isn't natively vegan. In fact, I'd kinda like exploring more vegetable-forward dishes that really put them on display. Thinking about it... we've made a lot of damn good meals. Unfortunately, the one area that plant-based options fall short is dairy, specifically the "cheese." It just ain't there. Although, I've had some good cashew cheese.. but that's more in the context of "cheese and crackers" cheese. When we need something melt-y, none of the available shreds really do the trick.
I'd say her reasons for going vegan (err.. "plant-based") hover around the moralistic "animals are friends" deal, which would basically be my reasons, as well (if I were less of a coward and jumped into the pool, that is). I can't say I've done a deep dive into the philosophy, but I just think as we learn more about animal intelligence and their ability to display culture (although, maybe that's just us anthropomorphizing?) in the long-term the act of eating animals is gonna be on the wrong side of history. Not sure where I stand on the environmental impacts... surely it at least seems that raising farm animals is a net detriment to the environment, but I wouldn't say that'd be my main reason should I go vegan. I'm also fairly sure there isn't anything inherently more "healthy" (which I think is a damn nebulous term, especially with regards to nutrition, anyway) in a vegan diet.
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
krg Linkpicked up guitar and had a go at Days of Wine and Roses. it’s nice when you’re able to focus on the melody and the harmony kinda just reveals itself to you underneath, the fingers know where to...picked up guitar and had a go at Days of Wine and Roses. it’s nice when you’re able to focus on the melody and the harmony kinda just reveals itself to you underneath, the fingers know where to go, the music appears…
well, that was Monday night and I’m realizing it’s now Friday and I haven’t really played since…
sands through the hourglass, etc…
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Comment on What’s something you’ve noticed about getting older? in ~talk
krg LinkI become more aware of my immaturity. ..or, is it the rate of my maturity not keeping up with my aging? Something like that, at least. honesty also seems a bit easier, now.I become more aware of my immaturity.
..or, is it the rate of my maturity not keeping up with my aging?
Something like that, at least.
honesty also seems a bit easier, now.
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Comment on What’s something you’ve noticed about getting older? in ~talk
krg Link Parentas a habitual word fumbler, this resonates with me. in the deeper sense as well, of course.. i.e being able to convey one’s thoughts clearly and meaningfully. also, more often than not around...The amount of respect I have for great communicators goes up every year... it's such a hard skill to master
as a habitual word fumbler, this resonates with me. in the deeper sense as well, of course.. i.e being able to convey one’s thoughts clearly and meaningfully.
also, more often than not around hot-button issues with people that I find to have bad and/or ill-informed takes, I find that I’m unable to contribute in a way that doesn’t leave me sounding like a frustrated asshole because I myself am probably not as informed as I would wish to be.. but I am aware of what I don’t know.. or, more accurately, that there is a lot to know.. too much to know.. and, while I try to have the humility of someone who is aware of their own ignorance, it frustrates and saddens me that so many out there feel entitled to their opinions without having done any actual diligence, including self-reflection.. just a buncha rabble.
all this to say I wish I could better communicate with those mindsets. well, at least I’m usually able to deflect with humor.
As someone BornXRaised in the Los Angeles area, the opening of the Windowlicker video always gets a rise outta me. tru homie shit.