Depression
I’ve been feeling quite depressed lately, and decided to do a search for Chinese Medicine and depression. What I discovered was an interesting approach. While Western head shrinks are quick to prescribe drugs for depressive symptoms (often with catastrophic side effects), Chinese practitioners suggest depression results from repressed emotions, such as guilt or anger. Their treatments seek to release these emotions in order for the patient to study them and let go of them accordingly. Acupunture, acupressure and traditional herbs are their route. I’m going to check this out, or spend an infinitude of days suffering this terrible indignity.
Rap Lyrics Translated
Standard American English translations of Ebonics in contemporary rap and hiphop tunes.
Hilarity ensues.
This one is from BizBag:
LYRICS:
First I talk about how I dress and this
And diamond necklaces – stretch Lexuses
The sex is just immaculate from the back I get
Deeper and deeper – help ya reach the
Climax that your man can’t make
Call and tell him you’ll be home real late
Let’s sing the breakTRANSLATION:
I prefer to open the conversation with light banter about my wardrobe and jewelry, then I like to discuss my collection of expensive cars. This is more than enough to convince you to have sexual intercourse with me. I am able to insert my penis further into you when I enter you from behind. Furthermore, you will be able to reach orgasm. I understand this to be a problem with your current sexual partner. He needn’t be concerned about your whereabouts. Please phone him and inform him that you won’t be home for a while. By the way, please sing the chorus of the song for me also.
CSound
Until last week, I had never heard of CSound, a programming language designed in 1985 for synthesizing sounds and signals. As I read the Engadget article, I discovered that Brian Eno, Richard James (aka Aphex Twin), Trent Reznor (aka Nine Inch Nails) and many others have been using CSound for years. With free downloadable programs for Windows, Mac and Linux, and the tutorials below as a guiding framework, aspiring musicians, producers, and the like should have no trouble getting their computers to beep, squeal and squawk like an ARP.
Part one via Engadget
Part two via Hack A Day
Visit the CSound site
Circuit Bending
Circuit Bent Roland TR-505, originally uploaded by romanedirisinghe. I found a great site on circuit bending, which Wikipedia defines as “the creative short-circuiting of electronic devices such as guitar effects, children’s toys and synthesizers to create new musical instruments and sound generators.” Never mind that it’s potentially hazardous, and could kill you, but the results are pretty awesome. A few months back I picked up a used Roland TR-505 drum machine, circuit bent by the guy who sold it to me. I think I paid around $75 for it, and man is it cool. Not only can I get the standard sounds out of it, but a few flips of some extra switches allow some otherworldly percussive sounds. Interested? Check out a full circuit bending tutorial at anti-theory.com I’ve just uploaded an MP3 of my circuit bent TR-505 (MP3, 1.51 MB).
RIP Robert Moog
Robert Moog, electronic music innovator, passed away at his home on August 21, 2005. For those unaware, his Moog synthesizer was responsible for the sounds heard on countless recordings from the sixties, seventies, and beyond. Diagnosed with a brain tumor earlier this year, he battled the disease with radiation and chemotherapy. Mr. Moog, I never knew you personally, but I want to thank you for all you’ve done.
The Wikipedia article on Robert Moog features some great information, including a snippet on how to pronounce “Moog” properly (apparently, it rhymes with “vogue”).
Also, check out the Moog Music website.
The photo pictured was originally uploaded to Flickr by Theremina.