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Now that I'm getting back to music as a profession, my tone and volume is more important as a trio performing in small venues than as a five piece rock band playing at outdoor concerts. My cousin did a gig at a patio bar of a local restaurant the other night and the first thing the manager said was "Keep the volume down."

I get that. I walked around the venue to listen to the loudness and levels of the piano, drum machine, guitar and vocals then came back to make suggestions. For now, all the music came through 2 speakers on stands near the band. Louder near the front and not loud enough in the back.

The manager said the volume near the band was okay. I suggested moving the speakers further apart so the coverage near the back would better without having to make things louder. My cousin mentioned he has 2 satellite speakers not being used. That's perfect and all we need to do is make some extension cords for power and sound and we can place them on opposite sides of the venue for better coverage.

To keep levels under control, I'm thinking about some audio compression. It's something that gets used in nearly all processed media we listen to. I've been researching audio compression recently for where and how it gets used, also what benefits it will give in a live performance. Basically... it makes the sound more uniform where the peaks don't exceed a preset level and the lower sounds are raised making the music program sound fuller. The music is literally compressed into a volume range.

For me, it will even out my volume so finger picking style is the same volume as slap style. I bought an inexpensive compressor and will experiment with that.

Some videos on compression are 20 to 50 minutes long... too much for an example. I found a good example that takes less than 3 minutes to make the point.



A good explanation is a singer getting very close to the microphone and then backing away a foot or two. The compressor will compensate for both conditions so he/she will have the same level.

I had signed with Dorrance Publishing to publish two of my books (Intorqueo: A Collection of Short Stories and Intorqueo: More Twists, More Turns). The contract, it turned out, made me the owner of the stories in name only. Oh, I will still get money if the books sell, whether on Amazon or in Barnes and Noble (or off of the Dorrance Bookstore online), but the company basically has the say on ownership. Even when the contracts end after a couple years, I would have to submit my withdrawal in writing.

Basically, they can do with my submitted books as they see fit, keeping my name as author and me as "partner", which is code for "I became a sucker to their words and promises".

I plan to have any contract from any publisher scrutinized by lawyers, as such will be cheaper than what was paid to have those two books published in the first place.

So, if anyone has any name of any legitimate publishing house that isn't trying to scam a person out of a lot of money, I'm all ears.

Astronomers have found three previously unknown moons in our solar system — two additional moons circling Neptune and one around Uranus.

Yes, this is happening in Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world.
Internet shutdowns, and restrictions on social media applications such as X (formerly Twitter). It was implemented in Pakistan on Saturday after a top government official publicly admitted vote rigging in the February 8 election.
Global Internet monitor netblocks have provided examples of sanctions related to election fraud. NetBlocks said, "Metrics show that X/Twitter has been heavily banned in Pakistan since the four-day mark; revelations of election rigging on the platform on Saturday." NetBlocks said.
Pakistanis went to the polls earlier this month. There have been allegations of vote rigging due to unusual delays in election results due to mobile internet outages on polling day.

Do you want something too? Maybe you can explain what happened.



Let us go brandon this November.

Maybe you're familiar with the site gofundme where people can donate money for a specific cause. For example, someone involved in a hit-and-run accident and needs money to pay for medical expenses. They, or someone opens a 'go fund me' account to collect money to offset the medical expenses. They list a specific goal amount of money needed.

Mentioned in another blog, Elena Cardone, wife of real estate millionaire Grant Cardone, opened a gofundme account with the goal of $355,000,000. needed to offset the recent court judgement for crooked Donald's corporation.
Elena is reaching out for donations.

I first heard about it and the fund had raised $265,066. where one guy donated $5,000.
Checking today, the total raised is $932,711. The highest donation listed is Anonymous at the amount of $10,000. There are a few $5,000 and lots of $1,000. and that seems to majority of large donations.
I scanned the list to see people donating in $5 increments. How they got to $11 could mean someone only gave him a buck!



If you feel strongly about this go to the fund yourself and pledge some money...

I have been looking for Mrs right for 15 years and I can't find anyone who will date me I am about to turn 40 in 2 years. It would be better to just commit suicide. Women don't want a man who can't work or drive because of my EPILEPSY DISABILITY.

An American citizen faces up to 20 years in a Russian jail for reportedly giving US$50 (NZ$80) to an organisation raising money for the Ukrainian army.

Ksenia Karelina has been charged with “high treason” after being arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in the central Urals city of Yekaterinburg.

The 33-year-old is the latest American to be locked up in Russia amid concerns Vladimir Putin is using detained foreign nationals as bargaining chips.

Scientists are concerned about the spread of disease within deer populations in North America, write Samuel White and Philippe Wilson.


In the tranquil expanses of North America’s woodlands and grasslands, a silent but concerning phenomenon is unfolding: chronic wasting disease (CWD).


The condition — often dubbed "zombie deer disease" — is stealthily spreading among deer populations, sparking concerns among scientists, conservationists and the public alike.


This neurological affliction, characterised by myriad symptoms, such as drooling, lethargy, stumbling and a vacant gaze, has now been detected in over 800 samples of deer, elk and moose in Wyoming alone, highlighting the scale and urgency of the issue.


At the heart of the CWD puzzle lies a peculiar culprit: prions.

30 years ago, I had high cholesterol levels and told by my family doctor to take niacin supplements that will elevate my metabolism and help reduce cholesterol naturally. I did and soon after started feeling joint pain, so I stopped taking supplements and the pains went away.

4 years ago, I started up with a cardiologist and she said my cholesterol was 'in range' but a little high, so I started taking 500mg of niacin daily and noticed joint pain again.

Researching the research always finds difference in how much niacin (aka vitamin B3) is necessary. Since many foods are rich in niacin and it's added to cereals and flour, the need for supplements may not be necessary. I found one statement from the Mayo Clinic, 16mg is the recommended daily amount. (so why does it come in 500mg strength?)

I'm finding a contradiction as some sites claim niacin reduces inflammation, yet another site claims 'in a new report' it may raise the risk of heart disease by triggering inflammation and damaging blood vessels. However, according to one story:

The researchers currently don’t know where to draw the line between healthy and unhealthy amounts of niacin, although that may be determined with future research.

"The average person should avoid niacin supplements now that we have reason to believe that taking too much niacin can potentially lead to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease”

I read that niacin taken to reduce heart disease has been found to cause it.



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