I'm sure we've all had those days where a sick child sneezed or coughed right in your face and then got us sick a couple days later. Yup. So there won't be the previously intended post this week.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Local Music Part 1: How to find it
Let's talk about music! I don't mean your mainstream national, multi-national, or world-wide superstars. No, I mean the music that's taking place right under your nose in your local area.
My geographic location is very advantageous. Living near the direct middle between Milwaukee and Chicago, I hear a lot of great music and meet greater musicians. Most of it I never have to go more than 1 mile to see (I'd have to go even less than that if I were over 21. Damn you, bar shows!). I love my local scene and I want to help you discover yours so that you can love local too.
Starter Guide to finding local music:
Step 1: Approach this whole process with an open mind. Basically, don't discount a local band because they're not famous. Many people say that only famous bands are "real bands" and that mindset should get nipped in the bud right now. If they purposefully make music together, they are a band. Congratulations! You have completed all the steps. Everything else is a matter of methods.
The "just ask" method- Seriously! Just ask around. People to ask are those who are seen often with instruments, people wearing shirts for bands you haven't heard of (sometimes it works, sometimes not), and local music stores. A good generic thing to ask is "are there any good shows happening around here soon?"
The "printed word" method- Go out of your way to look for flyers and posters for bands, shows and festivals. You can find mass appealing music ads in local news papers and magazines. Flyers can often be found on electrical poles in high traffic areas, on the doors of bars and locally owned stores, and sometimes people can be found handing them out. Spending a day window shopping for flyers in a very happening place in your city is a great alternative for the shy and easily embarrassed.
Google it- If there's absolutely ANYTHING in your area at all, Google will likely have an answer. Type in your city, state and preferred genre (if you have one) at the very least, you usually get a website of a venue hosting an upcoming show. It gets easier and better if you find Facebook pages of local bands featuring their music and Youtube videos.
Once you find something, it becomes a bit like ancestry.com you get a link, and then another link and you keep collecting information and become a part of the local music scene. Eventually I'm going to post a fantastic list of all the bands I can find in the SE WI area so you can see what I'm into and check it out yourself.
Good luck!
My geographic location is very advantageous. Living near the direct middle between Milwaukee and Chicago, I hear a lot of great music and meet greater musicians. Most of it I never have to go more than 1 mile to see (I'd have to go even less than that if I were over 21. Damn you, bar shows!). I love my local scene and I want to help you discover yours so that you can love local too.
Starter Guide to finding local music:
Step 1: Approach this whole process with an open mind. Basically, don't discount a local band because they're not famous. Many people say that only famous bands are "real bands" and that mindset should get nipped in the bud right now. If they purposefully make music together, they are a band. Congratulations! You have completed all the steps. Everything else is a matter of methods.
The "just ask" method- Seriously! Just ask around. People to ask are those who are seen often with instruments, people wearing shirts for bands you haven't heard of (sometimes it works, sometimes not), and local music stores. A good generic thing to ask is "are there any good shows happening around here soon?"
The "printed word" method- Go out of your way to look for flyers and posters for bands, shows and festivals. You can find mass appealing music ads in local news papers and magazines. Flyers can often be found on electrical poles in high traffic areas, on the doors of bars and locally owned stores, and sometimes people can be found handing them out. Spending a day window shopping for flyers in a very happening place in your city is a great alternative for the shy and easily embarrassed.
Google it- If there's absolutely ANYTHING in your area at all, Google will likely have an answer. Type in your city, state and preferred genre (if you have one) at the very least, you usually get a website of a venue hosting an upcoming show. It gets easier and better if you find Facebook pages of local bands featuring their music and Youtube videos.
Once you find something, it becomes a bit like ancestry.com you get a link, and then another link and you keep collecting information and become a part of the local music scene. Eventually I'm going to post a fantastic list of all the bands I can find in the SE WI area so you can see what I'm into and check it out yourself.
Good luck!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Vegetarian Reviews: Yves Veggie Cuisine
If there's anyone out there like me, they're vegetarian. And if there's anyone out there like me who thinks like I do then they might be hesitant to try some vegetarian/vegan food because that's a very dicey area.
When veggie food is good, its very very good but when it's bad, it can feel like a complete waste of anywhere from $3- $10. A great way to know if what you're looking for is worth it is through good, comprehensive reviews. WHICH THERE ARE VERY FEW OF ON THE STINKING INTERNET!
So to hopefully help someone, somewhere out just a little, I'm doing reviews of veggie noms by brand.
Yves Veggie Cuisine
Vegan friendly?: Everything is vegan accept the seafood products (which contain milk.)
Good things to say about this brand:
4/5 stars
When veggie food is good, its very very good but when it's bad, it can feel like a complete waste of anywhere from $3- $10. A great way to know if what you're looking for is worth it is through good, comprehensive reviews. WHICH THERE ARE VERY FEW OF ON THE STINKING INTERNET!
So to hopefully help someone, somewhere out just a little, I'm doing reviews of veggie noms by brand.
Yves Veggie Cuisine
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| Picture from www.yvesveggie.com |
Good things to say about this brand:
- The soy used in Yves is no genetically modified. If you like science messing with your food as little as possible like I do or worry about possible side effects of genetic engineering, this is a brand for you.
- Generally, this is a tasty food. Nothing is particularly unappealing. There's no awful smell or terrible after taste.
- The variety of items in this brand is incredible! From burgers to hot dogs to brats to lunch "meat" and even seafood, I doubt you'll ever get bored.
- Sometimes the food is kind of bland and leave a little more to be desired for seasoning.
4/5 stars
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