Capoeira Gerais is having (another) open house this Wednesday!
For those not familiar, capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that was practiced by slaves and disguised as dance for centuries while it was practiced illegally. If you would like to see it in action, look it up on YouTube.
Anyways, if one of your New Year's resolutions is to get in shape, capoeira does that pretty well. To that end, my capoeira instructor is holding an open house Wednesday Jan 13. It's free for the first class. If you would like to attend, just show up at Boston Ultimate Fitness on that night at 6PM. Wear comfortable clothes and optionally shoes (please not street shoes though. The floor was all full of sand tonight), and bring a towel! You'll need it.
The address is 33 Harrison Av, in Chinatown, on the 7th floor.
Regular classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays every week at this time and address, or at 8:15 PM at Champions Dance Studio in Everett if that's more convenient for you.
Wednesday, September 23. 2009
Capoeira Gerais Batizado - This Saturday!
I am late in posting this, but this week is the third Capoeira Gerais batizado in Boston.
Events are Thursday and Saturday in Marlboro and Friday night in Chinatown. See the poster for all details. You should not miss this. To paraphrase a friend who came to last year's: "I spent two hours alternately saying HOLY SHIT and WHOA. Those guys were unbelievable"
Events are Thursday and Saturday in Marlboro and Friday night in Chinatown. See the poster for all details. You should not miss this. To paraphrase a friend who came to last year's: "I spent two hours alternately saying HOLY SHIT and WHOA. Those guys were unbelievable"
Friday, September 4. 2009
Project Progress
fs1rgen
I have mostly completed the XML document that describes the FS1r data model, at least enough to start writing code to parse it. Because spending 30 minutes at a time reading Xerces-C is almost useless, I have abstracted away the XML parser so that I can write a Xerces-C driver later and a RapidXML driver now. Since the RapidXML driver was, well, rapid, I am now onto writing a very basic test XML so I can build the genetic algorithm component using GALib. A lot of my ideas about the data model have had to change to adapt to the GALib environment; I'm awfully glad I started reading the manual before I wrote all that code.
For fs1rgen I am using git. I made a public repository on github for it, but since I'm always in a hurry to get off the train when I check stuff in, and I haven't really figured out git anyway, there's not much there.
LoopCollector
I have abandoned the C++ command-line version and I am now thinking of writing a third prototype in Perl before implementing the VST version. I have started the VST version but the VST scaffolding is a little tough to figure out a half hour at a time. I may implement a prototype in ChucK, Pd, or CSound, whichever I can figure out the quickest.
eyeCalendar
I have taken eyeCalendar off my sidebar here after some performance problems. It's a low priority now that I'm not actively tracking Boston music events since the whole baby thing keeps me craving sleep more often!
Blogging
I have been offered a spot as a contributor at Way of the Spatula. In addition, I am spinning any non-DJ type musical content into a separate blog: The Republic of Nynex. There's no content there, yet. I need to finish my software projects first!
If anyone has a suggestion on a Linux RSS reader that can handle HTTP authentication or cookies, let me know. I would like to stop using LiveJournal as my feed reader. I tried RSSOwl but I do not like it.
Saturday, June 13. 2009
But who are they to judge us simply 'cos our hair is long
Assorted small updates, since it's been a while:
- Picked up some stuff at the Salem Record Exchange: Mr. G, Nitzer Ebb, King Crimson, Stewart Copeland, CTR, David Sylvian and Holger Czukay, SAW, Baby Ford, and DAF. Going through all the records strewn about my office. If I know what it sounds like, it goes back in the boxes, otherwise it gets played. Not all of my records are surviving this process. I will be selling some records on Craigslist soon, and for cheep.
- If you're a WZBC person reading this, I am still looking for people to do Test Pattern this summer. Contact me for more information. You can just leave a comment below if you like.
- Tomorrow is another grand cooking day. I have a 5 pound pork loin that will turn into pork chops and the magnificent apple-sausage stuffed pork loin, possibly on the grill if it doesn't rain. I am also making baked beans from scratch using the recipe from Peace, Love, and BBQ (minus the bacon). Although I would like the rain so I don't have to water the lawn (I won't bore you) I would love to finally get the chance to do some BBQ this summer for the first time since October!
- Baby is coming any day now. We've had a number of false alarms, but no actual baby yet, or there would have been an announcement.
- The next capoeira batizado is the weekend of September 24th.
- Picked up some stuff at the Salem Record Exchange: Mr. G, Nitzer Ebb, King Crimson, Stewart Copeland, CTR, David Sylvian and Holger Czukay, SAW, Baby Ford, and DAF. Going through all the records strewn about my office. If I know what it sounds like, it goes back in the boxes, otherwise it gets played. Not all of my records are surviving this process. I will be selling some records on Craigslist soon, and for cheep.
- If you're a WZBC person reading this, I am still looking for people to do Test Pattern this summer. Contact me for more information. You can just leave a comment below if you like.
- Tomorrow is another grand cooking day. I have a 5 pound pork loin that will turn into pork chops and the magnificent apple-sausage stuffed pork loin, possibly on the grill if it doesn't rain. I am also making baked beans from scratch using the recipe from Peace, Love, and BBQ (minus the bacon). Although I would like the rain so I don't have to water the lawn (I won't bore you) I would love to finally get the chance to do some BBQ this summer for the first time since October!
- Baby is coming any day now. We've had a number of false alarms, but no actual baby yet, or there would have been an announcement.
- The next capoeira batizado is the weekend of September 24th.
Thursday, May 7. 2009
Birthday Capoeira Warning
Yesterday was my birthday. I ended up sleeping poorly Tuesday night and had a long day planned Wednesday. After work was to be the capoeira open house followed by dinner out with my wife and then on to see Dietrich Schonemann and Miro Pajic at the Phoenix Landing in Cambridge.
Apparently it is a Brazilian tradition that on your birthday you have fight everybody. So, after we trained a number of difficult movements for the first time (aù macaco, aù compasso, and queda de rins) Coreba taught us all how to sing Happy Birthday in Portuguese, then we started the roda. I don't think quite everyone played with me, because we had some arrivals for the following class who weren't warmed up, and a few brand new people. I played better than I have in a long time, and I think this is due to the new physical therapy regime I've been following. I don't have the pain I was experiencing after class and I have a lot more stamina as a result. Unfortunately I smacked poor Chinesinha in the nose with my foot!
Dinner was at the East Coast Grill. I would like to say that everything was delicious, but unfortunately I decided to try their "Extremely Hot Crispy Hell Bone." This is a dry-rubbed smoked pork spare rib treated with some brutal ungodly compound. It completely scoured my taste buds and sinuses. I think my brisket sandwich was tasty, but I actually could not taste the baked beans served with it, nor the watermelon! All they had was texture.
The Phoenix was kind of empty, possibly because the Crystal Method was playing last night. (ick) Schoenemann was good. We didn't stay for much of Miro's set because we were too tired and old! It took us an hour to get home because all roads out of Boston close at midnight, apparently, and the clerk at the convenience store decided to take a half hour to harangue the girl in front of us to not accidentally touch his hand while taking her change or something.
Other things that happened on my birthday:
Apparently it is a Brazilian tradition that on your birthday you have fight everybody. So, after we trained a number of difficult movements for the first time (aù macaco, aù compasso, and queda de rins) Coreba taught us all how to sing Happy Birthday in Portuguese, then we started the roda. I don't think quite everyone played with me, because we had some arrivals for the following class who weren't warmed up, and a few brand new people. I played better than I have in a long time, and I think this is due to the new physical therapy regime I've been following. I don't have the pain I was experiencing after class and I have a lot more stamina as a result. Unfortunately I smacked poor Chinesinha in the nose with my foot!
Dinner was at the East Coast Grill. I would like to say that everything was delicious, but unfortunately I decided to try their "Extremely Hot Crispy Hell Bone." This is a dry-rubbed smoked pork spare rib treated with some brutal ungodly compound. It completely scoured my taste buds and sinuses. I think my brisket sandwich was tasty, but I actually could not taste the baked beans served with it, nor the watermelon! All they had was texture.
The Phoenix was kind of empty, possibly because the Crystal Method was playing last night. (ick) Schoenemann was good. We didn't stay for much of Miro's set because we were too tired and old! It took us an hour to get home because all roads out of Boston close at midnight, apparently, and the clerk at the convenience store decided to take a half hour to harangue the girl in front of us to not accidentally touch his hand while taking her change or something.
Other things that happened on my birthday:
- Maine legalizes gay marriage: hurray!
- 3DRealms, developer of the running joke Duke Nukem Forever, goes under: meh
Tuesday, April 28. 2009
Capoeira Gerais Open House May 6
Have you ever wanted to try Capoeira? Maybe youÂ’ve never even heard of it. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that has a long history among African slaves. It was illegalized and disguised as a dance for many years, and bears this influence today, as capoeira is played in a circle accompanied by musical instruments and songs. Maybe youÂ’ve seen capoeiristas playing in public. YouÂ’d recognize them by the kicks, flips, handstands, and other acrobatic movements.
Capoeira Gerais is having a free demonstration and Open House Wednesday, May 6, in Boston at Boston Ultimate Fitness (aka Nam Pai Academy) at 6:00 PM. Contra-Mestre Marquinho Coreba is originally from Brazil and previously taught capoeira in Spain and Switzerland.
Boston Ultimate Fitness is located in Chinatown at 33 Harrison Ave, on the 7th Floor, upstairs from Nick the Tailor (but take the elevator).
If you canÂ’t come to the open house but would still like to take a class, you can come any Monday or Wednesday at 6:00 PM. Classes are an hour in length. Or, check Contra-Mestre CorebaÂ’s schedule on http://www.capoeirageraisboston.com
If you are participating, make sure to wear or bring comfortable clothing and sneakers. A TOWEL and WATER strongly recommended, because you are going to sweat! (if you forget the water, there are vending machines and a water fountain at the gym)
Capoeira Gerais is having a free demonstration and Open House Wednesday, May 6, in Boston at Boston Ultimate Fitness (aka Nam Pai Academy) at 6:00 PM. Contra-Mestre Marquinho Coreba is originally from Brazil and previously taught capoeira in Spain and Switzerland.
Boston Ultimate Fitness is located in Chinatown at 33 Harrison Ave, on the 7th Floor, upstairs from Nick the Tailor (but take the elevator).
If you canÂ’t come to the open house but would still like to take a class, you can come any Monday or Wednesday at 6:00 PM. Classes are an hour in length. Or, check Contra-Mestre CorebaÂ’s schedule on http://www.capoeirageraisboston.com
If you are participating, make sure to wear or bring comfortable clothing and sneakers. A TOWEL and WATER strongly recommended, because you are going to sweat! (if you forget the water, there are vending machines and a water fountain at the gym)
Wednesday, April 8. 2009
Megapolis Festival and Other Notes
On the weekend of April 24th-26th, I will be volunteering at the Megapolis Audio Festival, in and around Harvard Square and the Elks Lodge in Central Square in Cambridge. This event features live performances, audio art installations, and workshops on such topics as circuit-bending, making your own contact mic. Weekend passes are $45 ($30 for students) with some workshops requiring RSVPs and/or materials fees. There are also tours of a mysterious nature (!) and an all-night audio slumber party (!!!)
On Friday May 8th, Contra Mestre Marquinho Coreba of Capoeira Gerais, my capoeira instructor will be performing a demonstration along with Instructor Morcego, Coehlo, and Fantama of Capoeira Luanda as part of a late addition to the program of the Voidstar Productions 2009 Multimedia Circus. (click for flyer).
My amber ale is delicious!
My dad gave me most of a cut-up cherry tree and a pile of red oak! IT'S SMOKING SEASON as soon as I re-season the grates on my smoker.
I will post the final Octave One interview soon. I have been in total information chaos since that weekend and the CD with the final version has been in my desk at work for quite some time.
On Friday May 8th, Contra Mestre Marquinho Coreba of Capoeira Gerais, my capoeira instructor will be performing a demonstration along with Instructor Morcego, Coehlo, and Fantama of Capoeira Luanda as part of a late addition to the program of the Voidstar Productions 2009 Multimedia Circus. (click for flyer).
My amber ale is delicious!
My dad gave me most of a cut-up cherry tree and a pile of red oak! IT'S SMOKING SEASON as soon as I re-season the grates on my smoker.
I will post the final Octave One interview soon. I have been in total information chaos since that weekend and the CD with the final version has been in my desk at work for quite some time.
Wednesday, February 11. 2009
Update - Capoeira and Kung Fu
The capoeira event mentioned earlier will also include a demonstration of Hung Gar style Kung Fu by the students of Nam Pai Academy
Sunday, November 16. 2008
Ch Ch Changes
Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated this site. Over a month! For that I am sorry. I have a number of good excuses though.
The first is that I spent a lot of time in October trying to find a new job. I started this past Monday at Akamai Technologies, where I will be working on log processing. That may sound boring, but think about what Akamai does, and how much traffic they handle every day (6 million hits per second!) That results in some ridiculous number of terabytes of log data per day!
The second is that I have been preparing for my second batizado. I have never actually talked about capoeira on this site before, but I have been training in capoeira for the past two years, and I aim to keep going until I need to get joints replaced. A batizado is an annual event for a capoeira group where students who qualify move up in rank. I received my second cordao, which meant that I had to fight seven masters of capoeira until one of them finally got me on the floor. Maybe it wasn't seven; I lost count. :) I am spending today recovering my strength.
Anyway, I will be posting some old playlists here. I will also be writing more about computers and capoeira, since I don't actually write so well about music.
The first is that I spent a lot of time in October trying to find a new job. I started this past Monday at Akamai Technologies, where I will be working on log processing. That may sound boring, but think about what Akamai does, and how much traffic they handle every day (6 million hits per second!) That results in some ridiculous number of terabytes of log data per day!
The second is that I have been preparing for my second batizado. I have never actually talked about capoeira on this site before, but I have been training in capoeira for the past two years, and I aim to keep going until I need to get joints replaced. A batizado is an annual event for a capoeira group where students who qualify move up in rank. I received my second cordao, which meant that I had to fight seven masters of capoeira until one of them finally got me on the floor. Maybe it wasn't seven; I lost count. :) I am spending today recovering my strength.
Anyway, I will be posting some old playlists here. I will also be writing more about computers and capoeira, since I don't actually write so well about music.
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