Words are important. What people say matters. I need to remember that. Most of the time I am just talking shit, but I know I can say things that are received in a different way than I meant them to be. Comes down to communication. Most people think communication is simple. I say something you hear it and understand and respond back to me. The secret is that meaning comes from both ends. I used to get in arguments with an old girlfriend, and I would tell her that she wasn’t listening to me. When I said that I was meaning that she wasn’t hearing what I was saying (listen meaning 1), but what she received what that she wasn’t obeying me (listen meaning 2). If I would have realized the miscommunication at the time it would have saved a lot of time and trouble.

Things are going increasingly well. I am about to explode, I am so happy with how things are going. Lots of ideas are coming and I am actually getting a lot of things done. It was good to have the holiday break last week. It made me realize that I can make it on my own.

Went out to see Triple Whip and Krukid tonight. Holly was sick so it was just Jane. I know they hate it when I call them Double Whip when it is just he two of them, but I have agreed to call it Cool Whip when Jane is by herself. Wasn’t sure that I wanted to get out of the house, but I was glad that I did.

Ran into Chris Green on the way home. We are getting some great videos in so I am excited to get the show going. Video Vinyl is going to rock! He mentioned that his Colbain film was nominated at the Independent Spirit Awards. Exciting times.

Watching a biography of Andy Warhol. Like that he tried at one time to do everything. He seems like a fucked up guy, but very productive. I don’t know if i want a crazy atmosphere like his factory, but I would like a group of people who could create together. I would love to go to a place where I genuinely liked the people and the work. That would be something.

Been getting a lot of work done lately. I just put up my brianparis.com site up today. I don’t really like it, but at least something is up there. I’ll redo it at some point. I think that I will just be able to watch Football tomorrow. That is a good way to finish up a weekend.

Just realized a milestone of the blog. I now have 10 people who have left comments or told me that they checked this blog. Wooooooo! Double digits. Maybe it isn’t such a big deal. Ha.

Well another Thanksgiving is in the books. Watched some football and got some work done. I don’t really get into holidays. I was invited out to many places, but chose not to go anywhere. I guess that people don’t like to see others alone on holidays. It isn’t so bad being alone. I have spent may a day surrounded by people and been lonely, and days by myself and been content. It isn’t the quantity of people who are around you I guess. A few quality people wouldn’t hurt of course.

Went out to see Triple Whip last night. They has a little cake at midnight for Holly’s birthday. That got me to thinking about my start in music. I didn’t grow up liking music. I listened to some thing, but I wasn’t really into anything. My first introduction to local music came from Holly Rushakoff. Three years ago or so Holly sat down and gave a little overview of what was happening in the Champaign music scene. I used this information when I went out and started seeing shows. She was my first liaison at shows. She introduced me to many people who are now like her my good friends.

Mark Rubel was another man that I learned from. His class is legendary in this town. Everyone who works in audio production has taken this class. By learning to record music I was learning to listen to music. This was the first time that I was critically listening to how a recording was made, how the different parts fit together, and how all that created the emotion that was the finished song. It changed the direction in my life. I look back and remember fearing the audio board when I first started at WILL. Things have changed.

Paul Wienke took my education a step further. I worked for six years on his Second Sunday concerts. I not only learned about recording, but also about classical music. It was also the time that I was introduced to Jazz. I still have a lot to learn about that, but it was a start.

Alison Davis Wood and Chris Green worked with me on Video Diner. I remember how Alison was shocked at my lack of knowledge about music history. She and Chris still teach me about music. Video Diner was a great source of new music. I am still learning about what is happening out there.

My life now would not be where it is now if not for these people. I am glad that they were around to change my life for the better. It wasn’t where I thought that I would be, but I am so glad that this is where I am at. So here is to a little pre-thanks for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving holiday.

Robert Altman died today. M.A.S.H., Nashville, and others. He was a great director. His use of overlapping dialog and large cast was amazing. I can’t imagine putting something like those together.

Watched a recorded show “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” I like the show a lot. Hope that it makes it, but it is having ratings problems. One of the things that was talked about was living life to its fullest. Lets play a game. What if only you knew that you had one year left to live? What would you do? It is an interesting thought exercise. What would I do? You never know when it is going to be your day, so maybe it isn’t just an exercise. I am not saying I am going to die in a year, but I think I should start living like I did.

Went out to Bloomington with Jason today. First we hit Craig Raycraft’s house. I am going to do a Prairie Fire story on him so I needed to check out the location and get to know him a little. He did a documentary film on the Kickapoo Creek music fest. The biggest music fest that you have never heard of.

Then we went to Mugsy’s, which in my opinion has the best burgers in the business. Love those things. Mmmmmm!!

Bears win!! they are 9-1, beat the Jets 10-0. Colts lose for the first time.

Put my Christmas tree up today. It is a little 3ft thing that my mom gave to me years ago. It has little optic fibers running through it that change colors. I guess it is OK. Well Merry Christmas anyway.

I am about to go fucking nuts. The damn people who live above me are stomping again. Why would anyone even be awake at seven on Sunday? So I have decided that this is what I need to do. I have decided to hook up with some random woman and stay at her place all of the time. So if you are a random woman who is willing to put me up, get in touch with me. You may be asking what you get out of this situation (other than my company). Well this is where the great offer comes in. I will give you 5 minutes of the most mediocre sex that you have ever had. Think about it.