Random Thoughts

[Mara]

My desktop has been screwy as hell as I've run about seven virus scans trying to figure it out.

It turns out my mouse was partially broken and clicking/not clicking arbitrarily. $10 fix, 3 minutes. I feel kind of silly now.

[EyesWideOpen]

As a firm believer in the idea that certain places have better creative energy than others, I am very happy to discover that my new place seems to be overflowing with it. This is going to be a great house for making music. The power is clean, no low hum, and good vibes are flowing. Already starting composing and arranging three brand new pieces, and I love each of them.

I've lived in some places where I couldn't write a thing to save my life, and in others in which I couldn't record the ideas fast enough. This new place is definitely leaning towards the later.

On a semi related note my wife's cousin is in town and he's already spent 30 minutes showing us music on his practice drum and having us listen to music he's created online. I've never wanted to strangle someone more.

[megladon8]

So with all this Duck Dynasty hooplah and A&E temporarily removing Phil Robertson from the show because of his comments, now his fans are outraged and telling A&E that they should be tolerant of his/their religion and beliefs.

Tolerance towards intolerance.

People are just awesome.

[D_Davis]

I was much better off about two weeks ago; I had never even heard of Duck Dynasty.

[D_Davis]

On a semi related note my wife's cousin is in town and he's already spent 30 minutes showing us music on his practice drum and having us listen to music he's created online. I've never wanted to strangle someone more.

What if he was really into video games and wanted to spend 30 minutes showing you some games he really liked?

[EyesWideOpen]

What if he was really into video games and wanted to spend 30 minutes showing you some games he really liked?

Then that would be fine because that would be a shared interest. I don't have an interest in someone banging on a small piece of plastic for 30 minutes. He also is working on a programming masters and asked me if I wanted a crash course in programming. I told him no I had no interest in programming and he said I was lazy.

I don't sit and bore people with my video game or movie knowledge unless they've brought up an interest in the subject.

[megladon8]

Yeah, regardless of what it is, people who try to force their hobbies and interests on you are pretty obnoxious.

Kinda like that guy at a party who has to bring an acoustic guitar and make it all about him.

[Gizmo]

I was much better off about two weeks ago; I had never even heard of Duck Dynasty.

I knew what Duck Dynasty was 2 weeks ago, and hated it. I still don't know what's going on lately, nor do I care.

[D_Davis]

My ex-nephew was really into wordworking. I wasn't. But I really enjoyed spending time with him and seeing his projects and learning about them because 1) he was my nephew, and 2) I like it when other people are excited and enthusiastic about their hobbies. Seeing them happy makes me happy, and I figure I can spend some time with them on something that is important to them even though it may not be important to me.

Where do you guys draw the line with being nice to people who want to share something important to them with you (or also trying to enjoy it because the enthusiasm is coming from a friend/family member), and it being forced upon you to the point of obnoxiousness (or wanting to strangle them)?

Need to make sure in case I ever meet one of you IRL. I wouldn't want to offend someone by being enthusiastic about one of my hobbies in front of someone who might not like it. Need to make sure to keep all focus only on things we both like!

But then again, I'm also the guy who encourages people to bring instruments to my parties/BBQs because I like it when groups of friends get together and can play music and sing. So I don't think I have much in common with MC on this one.

[number8]

Has anyone actually ever experienced that "guy pulls out a guitar uninvited in the middle of a party to impress chicks" thing? I feel like that's an urban legend.

EDIT: To be clear, I've had impromptu guitar playing happen when I'm hanging out with musicians and guitars are around, but I'm talking about that movie cliche of a dude bringing a guitar to your typical random house party and belting out a song when people are sitting around drinking wine.

[Scar]

Has anyone actually ever experienced that "guy pulls out a guitar uninvited in the middle of a party to impress chicks" thing? I feel like that's an urban legend.

I figured if anyone had experienced it, it would be you.

[Sycophant]

I will say I disenjoy it when the party comes to a screeching halt to put all eyes on the cool dude with the guitar. But I've also been in fun hang-outs where somebody starts playing something and everyone enjoys themselves or participates in some way. I've had great times around a piano.

So, like everything else, it depends on context.

And, to be sure, my mood in some part.

[megladon8]

The dude showing up with a guitar was pretty common in college parties. I'm surprised there aren't more people here who have experienced that.

The sad thing was that, in my experience, the guy's eagerness to bring his guitar and play was nearly always inverse to his actual talent and ability to carry a rhythm.

[Ezee E]

I've seen with a piano, but never requesting everyone to stop and focus on him. It's just because if a piano is at a house party, people like to play it.

Guitars, I think just in the movies. I think most people would tell them to shut up.

[Spinal]

Has anyone actually ever experienced that "guy pulls out a guitar uninvited in the middle of a party to impress chicks" thing? I feel like that's an urban legend.

Yes. I have experienced this.

[Spinal]

Yes. I have experienced this.

In fact, I can think of three different instances where I have experienced this. Three different people.

[bac0n]

Has anyone actually ever experienced that "guy pulls out a guitar uninvited in the middle of a party to impress chicks" thing? I feel like that's an urban legend.

No, but I've experienced the "guy pulls out an accordion uninvited in the middle of a party so that folks can have a few laughs at his expense" thing.

That, I don't mind.

[Lucky]

I have experienced that more than once as well. Frat parties.

[Ezee E]

What is the douchiest thing to do at a party?

[megladon8]

Hmmm...pretty much anything to make everyone's attention focus on you. Now, I don't mean "being the life of the party" type of stuff - people who tend to stick out a bit more because they're funny and outgoing are a completely different (and totally great) thing. I happen to usually fall into that category myself.

I'm talking about drama, gossiping, getting (or, even worse, pretending to get) sloppy drunk and causing a scene.

Example: at the after-party for my brother's wedding, one of his best friends' girlfriends broke up with the friend, no exaggeration, at least five times throughout the evening. They'd be dancing, shed flip out and start yelling at him and storm out, waiting for her girl friends to go out and console her. They'd eventually make up, head back to the dance floor, rinse and repeat.

At one point she even took the ring he'd given her recently and threw it at him.

That kind of behaviour is near the top of my "douchiest things to do at a party" list.

[Lucky]

I can handle or ignore a variety of drunks, but the confrontational, fight-picking drunk is not one of them. Douchebags.

[Skitch]

And people get mad at me when I would refuse to pull out my guitar at parties because I hate that douchey move. Its not false modesty, people. I really really hate that guy.

[megladon8]

I can handle or ignore a variety of drunks, but the confrontational, fight-picking drunk is not one of them. Douchebags.

Yeah, regardless of setting, these people suck.

In my experience with these people they're also always folks who have some fairly significant underlying anger issues. I've never met someone who is a happy, friendly, fun person and turns into an angry drunk. Makes me think "rye rage" is a bit of malarchy.

[megladon8]

And people get mad at me when I would refuse to pull out my guitar at parties because I hate that douchey move. Its not false modesty, people. I really really hate that guy.

But now you're appearing even MORE arrogant through your false modesty. You've put yourself in a no-win situation, Skitch.

My advice? Un-learn the guitar.

[Qrazy]

Has anyone actually ever experienced that "guy pulls out a guitar uninvited in the middle of a party to impress chicks" thing? I feel like that's an urban legend.

EDIT: To be clear, I've had impromptu guitar playing happen when I'm hanging out with musicians and guitars are around, but I'm talking about that movie cliche of a dude bringing a guitar to your typical random house party and belting out a song when people are sitting around drinking wine.

I've seen it over half a dozen times probably mostly in high school but a few times in college also. Although very rarely does the person bring a guitar unless it's a camping trip or cottage party type thing. Usually the owner of the house has a guitar but yes will start playing it obnoxiously to impress girls.