A Bard's Real World Blog
Journal, Blog, News, and Diary

The educational onslaught begins
School has begun at the UT Austin as witnessed by the throngs of college students making their way to classes, waiting for busses, vying for the attention of beautiful women.

I just can't help but love being a part of the university on days like today. To parody Alice Cooper, "Schools back from summer!" Course, as any Texan would know summer extends for about nine months of the year when it briefly flips into fall and spring, skipping winter all together.

But one of the most fun things for me is the freebies! They're every where. Today, I was harrassed briefly by people giving away free newspapers, free mini-Bibles, and of course, free literature from the ever present Cul... excuse me... Christians on Campus (an "Christian" organization reknown for many cult-like characteristics).

And on the West Mall, there are even more fun things. Yesterday, I picked up The Collegiate Card (with a dead website) which offers discounts on every fast food biz around campus it seems. Hopefully, they'll get that bloody site up sometime soon, so I can reap my rewards. :)

All the student organizations were out there too. I was wishing we had a Bard Fan Club here at UT so we could hand out biz cards and some free CDs to make new fans. Ah well. Not sure quite how effective it would be, especially since there's talk about the demise of MP3.com.

Demise of an MP3 institution
This morning, I was reading again the announcement on MP3.com. It's not shutting down yet, but they are cut back a lot of their features in an effort to make this musical institution better able to sell.

The rumors are flying on the MP3.com message boards that MP3.com is about to close their doors. I sure hope not. But it is time to start finding some other alternatives for promoting our music online. Sadly, I've been spent most of my time promoting AT MP3.com. So I'm really gonna probably need some help getting the word out. Anyone interested in helping us get setup, please email me.

Well, all good things must come to an end, I guess. Hopefully, the word of mouth we've started will help to continue the spread of our own music, but only time will tell.

Meantime, here's the notice from SOPHIE about streamlining MP3.com's assets, and here's an article from Fool.com on "Saving MP3.com".

Another reason to drink red wine
As if I really needed another reason. CNN reports that red wine has a life-extending effect that is similiar to calorie reduction when it comes to extending life.

I'll drink to that!

Realms of Fantasy
Perfect timing for Dragon*Con, I saw a cool looking magazine today, called Realms of Fantasy. Covers the full spectrum of fantasy, from Arthurian legend to ancient myths and contemporary fantasy fiction. Film and book reviews, news on fantasy and role-playing games and the finest in fantasy art. Hmmm? Might need to pick up a copy and check it out.

College Women, the Lasses Are Back!
What a wonderful drive to work today. Listening to French Lessons dreaming about Livarot cheese and drinking Calvados. In my rear view mirror, I saw beautiful bronze college woman and her beau necking in the truck behind me with a huge Lab watching on. The passion and enthusiasm was such that I could almost hear them talking. Obviously, someone got some last night. ;)

It got me almost wishing I had a steady relationship here in Austin, but then the realist in me kicks in and I realize I wouldn't have time for one. A long-distance relationship is the best I can hope for right now.

Course, I still have my own issues to get over. The other day a friend made a sarcastic comment about me being co-dependent. And as independent as I am these days, it's true. I often wonder how I would be in a committed full-time close relationship. Right now, my mind longs for a lot of freedom. It is also fairly spacey. So maintaining the constant attention that a relationship...requires (?), makes me a wee bit hesitant. It's not that I don't think I can do it. I just am not sure how.

The other night another friend and I were chatting and somehow the question of kids arose. I would love to have kids one day. But those same issues above sometimes worry me. How will I react with kids yearning for my attention? Plus a wife? I'm fairly guarded about my time as it is.

I'm not sure where the co-dependency arose. Perhaps it's related to my own parental divorce many years ago. But I actually more wonder if it's just a product of my teen years. I didn't date at all. I was wayyyy too uncomfortable with myself and how I should react around women. Seems the few women I was interested in rejected me, and left me self-conscious. So when I did at last get a girlfriend, I showered her with affection.

I think I'm good at that. My last long relationship was very much like that. I think that's one of the reasons we did so well together. I'm very loving when it comes time to be loving or when romancing someone. But on the flip side, when I'm not in that mode, I can be very distant. The big trouble is that that lovingness which may endure, kinda sets a bad precedent for my own mental distancing which may not be as visible in a relationship. It leaves me trying to feel romantic all the time. For the short-term it works great, but I'm afraid it leaves a false impression about me.

It's definitely one of the challenges I face for the future. For better or worse. But for now, at least, I am single. And I can slow work on my deficiencies with time...and cheese...and coffee...and all sorts of Wonderful vices.

Livarot Cheese, Calvados, and Returning to Italy
I can't wait to indulge my lasses this Winter. I'm hoping to return to Italy. Not yet sure if I'll have the money or time to take off, but Man, I am hoping.

Last year, I went and was overjoyed to see my mother and Italian family in new settings. Now my mom has her own wee Italian villa...my own home in Italy. I CALL DIBS!

This year, I want to go back and leave the car, ride the train, walk the countryside, maybe fly in through France. Keep thinking about bringing a friend, but for now, I think it'll just be me, myself, and I. Plus a nice journal to record my adventures.

I'm pretty pleased with last year, I did a decent job keeping track of things. I can't wait for this year! Pick up my autoharp, camera, journal, and just go. Well, let's see if I can raise the money. Maybe that's what I can do. Setup a Travel To Italy Fund. Hmm? Oh those ideas just never quiet themselves. Ah well! Slainte!

Snicker, snicker
Shortly after writing this I was pillaging the beginning of the semester freebies. I got a fortune cookie that read, "Your mentality is alert, practical and analytical." My friend and I read and busted up laughing!

Relaxing weekend
Ye know, I just didn't know what to do this weekend. I went to visit my Grandma, but I had no computer, email or decent TV to watch. It was...well, delightful...though difficult to stay awake.

There's a completely different world out there that I've been missing out on since the computer became such an integral part of my life. All of a sudden, I don't know what to do. Yeah, I got a lot of autoharp practicing done, but things like reading and writing somewhat escaped me.

I did write a couple new poems this weekend, but not nearly as much as I could've or should've. But that's okay. It was a wonderful break. I spent mucho time with family. My grandma is 87 and having a tough time of it right now. And since this is the last time I'll probably be able to make it up and see her until January when our season ends, well, I made the most of it.

Also got to work on songs I haven't had much o'a chance to work on recently, like "Soul of a Harper" by Rie Sheridan. It felt good to finally be closer to understanding how I think the song should be played. Helps to do that BEFORE ye start recording too.

Also had some great driving time with my Da who went with me up this weekend. We listened to Peter Mayle's French Lessons. That was cool. Get to explore the world of French food while passing the time.

But probably the biggest joy for me was the Autoharp Legacy CD. I finally got to listen to the CD, and it is amazing! Three hours of great autoharp music. Some incredible stuff. I want to order a bunch and send them to some Celtic DJs I know so they can learn what kind of Celtic music is out there on the autoharp. I was blown away!

A couple highlights that stand out for me include a song called "Autoharp-a-holic" as well as a jazz song by Lindsey Haisley. But that was just the start of the incredible music in that album. If ye like Old-Timey music, in particular, you will love this album.

What's really interesting is that there isn't one autoharp that sounds like mine. Still kinda boggles my mind. Sure many are playing diatonic autoharps, but still. I think I can comfortably say that I have one of the most-unique sounds in the world.

Yummy recipes
Mmm, mmm. Looking for some yummy tasty delicious, but not quite normal recipes? Check out these Wierd and Different Recipes website. Just don't be eating while reading.

Marc Gunn...Cat Whisperer
I love that! I went over to a friend's house last night and had another kitty succumb to my will.

Hmm? That kinda makes me think of some Saturday morning Justice League of America episode or something, or maybe some overdone episode of Star Trek (I've been on an Enterprise wave recently).

Here's the story. The Chosen One was raised by dogs by long sought by cats to lead them to the conquest of the world. Finally, the largely independent kitties find their master (played by me), the one human to whom they will kneel down and worship. All other humans are their pets. But The One will reverse the current order of the universe and reestablish kitties as the supreme beings that they've been denied since the days when they were worshipped at the steps of the Pyramids of Egypt.

At long last, the kitty rebellion will begin again. All hail the mighty cats (not to be confused with the cartoon in 80s...I think there was something like that??)!!!!

hehe! Yeah, too darn funny.

Any case, I like that title Cat Whisperer... though it really downplays the nibbling part, which seems to be a very natural part of my relationship with kitties. Hmm?

Xeriscaping
Another point of conversation last night was Xeriscaping. My friend was telling me that their Home Owner's Association has certain requirements some of which infuriate me...in particular, St. Augustine grass.

I'm convinced that St. Augustine grass was created by the devil. It was designed to be uncomfortable to walk on, full of things that make me itch, and on top of all that, it guzzles water. What kind of organization, in a climate like Texas, would require you to have St. Augustine grass in your front yard!?!?! That's just bloody insane! Yet, that's how it is.

Many moons ago, my folks lived in Hawaii, and I had the luxury in college of spending holidays there. One summer, I was educated in Xeriscaping. That's when I found out about the Devil and St. Augustine Grass. (Who was this St. Augustine person any how? Does he know they've cursed his name to that grass? Poor Saint.)

What is Xeriscpaing?
Xeriscaping is a method "water conservation method through creative landscaping." Or in English, if you live in the Arizona desert, it's stupid to landscape your yard with plants that guzzle water. Instead, you use plants that don't need much water.

Texas is extremely hot during the summer. St. Augustine yards turn an ugly brown from these draught conditions. So why the heck should you grow that stupid plant here? It makes no sense. Instead, use plants that make sense for Texas. Buffalo grass for instance is native to Texas, or do what they do in El Paso, have a nice rock yard. Double whammy when ye don't have to mow!

Every environment has it's own set of conditions that are preferable. So use those strengths to stop wasting resources. Find out more about Xeriscaping here.

Autoharp Legacy
I got a new CD a couple days ago. Finally put it in my disc drive today. It's a compilation CD called Autoharp Legacy. It feature 60 autoharp performances by over 55 of the top autoharpers in the country. The project was begun by Bryan Bowers (also known as the guy who popularized "The Scotsman").

If you like the autoharp at all, this is a Must Have collection. It's fantastic. There's a wide variety of songs and tunes of all different musical styles, including, some classical, Old Timey Folk, and Celtic. The autoharp is such a beautiful sounding instrument, and this recording really makes it shine in all it's glory!

Hope you'll follow my lead and share the incredible music of Autoharp Legacy with all your friends. It's just twenty bucks for over three hours of entertainment!!!

Boudoir Bard Calendar
Seems calendars are the latest craze on a few of my discussion groups. Clan Gunn wants to put together a "Men in Kilts" calendar. So I volunteered Andrew and me for that.

Then Bernadette administer of the Celtic Cafe discussion group jokingly threw out the idea of doing a buodoir Celtic calendar where musicians can be posing nude with their instruments strategically placed. I couldn't help but giggle and volunteer. Not sure anyone would be interested in seeing this, but it'd be fun (to say the least)!

Grazie, Auguri!
I've been finally finishing up my Italian vacation site that features my journal entries for the trip, plus some pics. Still need to finish Venice, but I got a big smile when I saw an video I recorded with my camera of an Italian busker (street musician). Check it out.

College kicks into full gear
School is back in session at the University of Texas. Well, at least the students are back. Parking is once again a pain in the arse.

I was walking through West Campus and saw a flood of sorority girls all dressed in t-shirts and beige shorts...some friends would say, clones of one another.

I asked myself, "So what's the point? Don't you have any individuality?" Then I kicked myself remembering I was in the ROTC in college, and now I am a part of a new social group, the Rennies. So I really can't complain.

One woman really stuck out in my mind. Unlike the countless tees and shorts girls, she had a blue skirt on. But what was Really odd was she smiled and said hello as I walked by offering my own friendly smile.

Kinda took me back. Not only does it seem standard for most sorority girls (well for that matter girls in general at UT) to turn their nose up to me, a smile and a hello are even more rare. I relished that a lot when I was in college. I'd walk through campus with a big smile on my face. I made myself smile actually. But before long, it was contagious. People started smiling back, and that made me genuinely smile all the more.

It felt really good to get a nice friendly smile from that fine sorority girl. It also helps me to dispel some of my own prejudices, inbred in me from years of rejection. So whoever you are, thanks!)

Stop Dragon my heart around!
The Celtic T-Shirts Jen and I have been working on are coming along great. Jen created an awesome CelticMP3s.com logo to go with the Coventina's Well t-shirt back she designed. Oh, and it looks like Cafepress has even put tank tops on sale. Then there's the new journals featuring my Dragon Head drawing. Lots o'cool stuff, so let me know whatcha think about it all. And make sure you check it out

The right way to write
Did I tell you my beef against English teachers? (not universal, mind you)

Well, senior year of high school, I actually liked Mr. Hakim. My brother Sean ravved about him when he was in school, but he's grading style eventually taught me that he didn't know jack!

What was cool about the class was that Every week we had to turn in some writing project. We could do whatever we wanted. There were really no restrictions.

Every morning, one student in Calc would be there doing his writing assignment. And whenever he got it back, A+. Then there was me.

Admittedly, I didn't spend a Whole lot o'time on these projects. But occasionally I did. I wrote one long poem once that was sorta about an space invasion of the mind. The poem was mediocre IMO, but one line said something about the sun disappearing (aka an eclipse). To which he wrote something on the lines of "that's impossible".

But the thing that REALLY bugged me was a short story I wrote called "The Puppeteer". It was inspired by a moth that was stuck in my bathroom one day. I created this wonderful story about how it got there. But I took the form of an old man telling a child about it. Later you find the old man is actually a moth and he's caught in a spider web.

But the absurd thing to me was I had the child speak like my next door neighbors child... I didn't form complete whurds. I wote as if kid whas speaking. I was vewy impwessed by the way I did it, pewsonally. But he wasn't. His comment, "No kid talks like that" and gave me a B.

Sure there might've been other probs with the story, but IMO, it was an incredible piece and better deserving than a B. Obviously, he was a man out of touch with reality. That was when I started taking critics opinions as humph.

I decided then that I would write as I want to. And one of the most rewarding things about my journal and poetry these days is to hear that people like it despite the fact that it probably'd earn me a C in Mr Hakim's class. I connect with people through writing (better than in person in many cases)

And if he was grading for grammar. Sure that's one thing, but he gave full liberty with how we write. Then means leniancy on his part. Basically, he had a style that HE liked, but doesn't necessarily mean it's the RIGHT way to write.

It's like even if someone made spelling errors galore, ye can't judge that. Perhaps they did that on purpose. Perhaps they are not competant in english, but again, they are expressing themselves and that IMO is the more important piece of the puzzle.

Okay, enough of my soap box. :)

Soul of a Harper Update
Every other day, I get someone asking me, "So have you finished Soul of a Harper yet?"

To which I must reply with a bowed head and a sigh, "No."

It's annoying as can be to be so close to finishing a project, but just can't put those final touches on it. So I've decided to try out a new promotion and that will give me a wee bit more time.

Right now, I have about eleven tracks completed. And two that just need me to get off my arse and do a couple things to finish the songs. In the real music world, you could say, I'm done, but then there's the part o'me that wants to give Great Value to his CD. Yeah, I have a nice album of music to help promote me as a folk singer/songwriter, as well as the Brobdingnagian Bards, but I want to do more!

I still want to record "Soul of a Harper" by Rie Sheridan. I have a few original songs I'd like to add. I still want to add a few more instrumental tunes. And I'd also have some poetry I'd like to record and add to the final album. Yeah, I could finish it up this week if I just set down and finished the stuff that's done, but that's just not quite good enough for me. I want an album packed with music that I can be Really proud of. Yeah, I'm proud of what I've done, but I want something just overflowing...

So this is what I've decided. The success of Songs of the Faire Folk which has been selling to faire folks like mad got me thinking. Why not put out an album that was pretty much just an introduction album. Price at extremely low (like $5) and encourage people to purchase multiple copies to share with friends.

Well, that's the plan, but I still want to put out a full-length CD packed with music. But I won't really get another opportunity after this album is done. So I've decided to release "Soul of a Harper (limited)". This will be the preview album of what's to come. It includes a bunch of my original songs and ballady stuff that people love, but it is not the complete the album. I'll have this limited album available by September. But the full-length album will be released a bit later.

Hopefully, this'll give my mind a wee bit o'rest since I have too much to do, and allow me to move on while still having an album to sell and promote myself.

So whatcha think?

New boots just in time for Dragon*Con
Yesterday, I picked up my new custom-made Ren Faire boots by leatherworker Jim Cook. I forget now where I heard about him. Maybe it was from Sorsha, my intern, or maybe it just happened when I was heading over to Tandy Leather Company to pick up some new boot straps that I found out he made them and knew Sorsha? I don't remember.

Whatever the case, I talked with Andrew, and we decided to give him a try. Custom leather boots are expensive. Andrew got his as a gift through Bald Mountain while at the Texas Renaissance Festival last year. They look fantastic, and he loves the feel.

After wrapping leather straps around my Ropers for five years, it was high time that I got some real boots for a change. So when I heard Jim could make them at about half the cost of Bald Mountain, I decided to give it a go.

The boots are made of black buffalo leather with a green top and some buttons that go down the side. The sole, I believe, is the type you'll find on combat boots, very think. Right now, it needs some insoles and a wee bit o'arch support because I'm a wuss that way. But the fit snug. The left boot feels like I'm not even wearing a boot at all. Still need to work with the right boot though.

Overall, I'm really excited to have these new boots, and I look forward to showing 'em off at Dragon*Con on Labor Day weekend in Atlanta.

Wine, calories, dieting, and snacking
I've been concerned with my weight recently. I know, I'm not overweight really, but I'm really worried about that Gunn stomach catching up to me. Ye know...the one where you might think I'm pregnant with a watermelon?

So I did some searching since I've been having wine fairly regularly. I figured I should check to see how many calories wine has. I found a great article about wine and calories at About.com. Apparently, their formula for caloric content of wine is 1.6 x percentage x oz in glass.

Also it seems that although wine does not contain many calories, rather it is processed through the liver and the acetate bi-product enters the blood stream and is the first to be processed. Thus, drinking a lot wine while dieting is a bad idea since your body will use the wine for energy before using fat.

Course, my biggest problem isn't wine, it's food. I've been snacking too much. Seems whenever I am at home, I just snack for the sake of snacking, and almost gorge myself on junk.

So I'm using my new toothbrush as a means to get out of that habit, quickly brushing after meals. Yesterday, it worked. Now, let's see if I can keep it up! That, plus some good old fashion exercise, might be just what I need to get in control of the fact that my metabolism is like the Old Grey Mare (it ain't what it used to be).

Bright shiny teeth
This weekend, I went splurging. Yeah, I got a lot of stuff done, but I also spent money on stuff that wasn't *needed*, but was wanted. One of which was the Sonicare Toothbrush.

My ex-fiancee kinda spoiled me. She bought a Sonicare toothbrush at her dentist's sales urging. I thought it was kinda silly especially with all the touting they do about it. Then she got into the teeth whitening mode, and I thought it kinda silly, but supported that too. She even bought me one of those teeth whitening products. I kinda blew it off until a couple months ago when I was tired of having yellowish teeth. And they did a good job.

Then I saw my ex again and wow, the woman has some nice looking pearly whites. And she hasn't used the teeth whitening products for a while, except her Sonicare toothbrush. That left me kinda encouraged. I loved the feel of the toothbrush. When we were together I used it only once a day, because I also enjoy the feel of brushing my teeth. But the nice gum massaging is kinda cool.

Long story short (too late), I bought a Sonicare Toothbrush on Sunday, and I love having it again. And of course with any luck, it'll do half as well as it's done for my ex.

What's the point in having pearly whites? Oh, vanity I guess. The whole House of Dra fashion statement kinda got me in the mood to improve myself. I know it's ridiculous, and that's also why, I'm not rushing out to spend a fortune on vain *things*. Still have to be sensible. But a little spoiling of oneself is good methinks...as long as ye don't go overboard. And so I'm happy to have nice happy sonically massaged/cleaned teeth. :)

Beware of crying "wolf" with email
I lucked out today...rather, a friend lucked out. I try to discourage people from forwarding email jokes and such to me. I just don't have the time or interest. I pretty much put up with only one good friend who does it. All the others .

The trouble is it clogs up my inbox. And then there's the additional problem that if they don't use a decent subject line, I'm liable to think it's another forwarded or trivial message and .

Fortunately, I decided to check her email today, and it was something kinda important--her wedding. But it worries me. How many other emails are being sent to me that I end up deleting because someone didn't take the time to address it properly.

Bottom Line: Always use correct subject lines for your emails. Tell exactly what ye want to talk about. Ask before you start forwarding emails regularly to friends. They may not want the extra email.

Tip: Use a standardized distinguishable subject line (that preferably doesn't include the person's name).

One of the great things about good newsletters is that there is usually a very distinguishable subject line. My personal newsletter ALWAYS begins as "[Marc's Musings]". You'll find a similar practice among all my newsletters. This makes it easy to filter, and easily recognized so you can read or delete depending on your mood.

Dragons aren't mythical, virgins are!
Last night, I scanned the first drawing I've ever made of a dragon. It came out pretty cool. So I put together a t-shirt with it. I'm gonna make a few changes over the next couple days to darken up the lines. I'd love to get your feedback on it though.

Bard Song Book
Meanwhile, I've been throwing around the idea of a songbook to have and sell at gigs. I love having people sing-a-long with us when we perform. But it makes it difficult when your audience doesn't know the lyrics. And thusfar, I haven't gotten to the point of actually teaching my audience lyrics.

Ed Miller is a genius when it comes to teaching song lyrics to his audience. Mostly, I think it has to do with confidence.

It's like at our Memoires of Middle Earth CD release. I just didn't feel confident that people wouldn't get bored of hearing our instrumentals. I know, our instrumentals are some of our more-popular music, but during live performances, it really takes the mood down since our instrumentals are mostly slow pieces. I guess I just feel more confident with songs that make people laugh. You get a audible and visible response.

I can't tell you how many times we've finished a performance and had an audience just staring at us...barely blinking. I'm thinking, "okay, they didn't like us. How can we make it our more entertaining?" Only to find out that they LOVED us. And our CDs sell like mad. It's boggling.

So any case, the idea of making a song book was raised so people could more easily sing-a-long. But I'm just not certain.

New art projects
I keep meaning to print up some more pictures, but haven't. But I did buy a few art supplies yesterday to get me working on some other projects. Hoping to make some nice personalized greeting cards, for fun. I'm really sick of the cards I see at stores, and I found a book a month ago. So that should be a fun little use of my time... IF I can get away from the computer long enough to do it!

Coventina's Well Celtic T-Shirt Now On-Sale
Over the past couple weeks, I've had a new graphic design artist helping me put together some new products for my Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Now one of those, the Coventina's Well Celtic t-shirt is ready to sell.

Jen Clower-Brown has done a beautiful job capturing Celtic mythology with her own fantasy art style in the piece "Coventina's Well". But this shirt has an added bonus. It's designed to promote Celtic music in a similiar manner as my website and the artists on the Coventina's Well CD. Check it out and order your copy to help support free Celtic music.

Compulsive spending

A second chance to combat growing debt

I don't mean to Wine, but...

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Well if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer those as well.