I’ve loved books and reading since I was a young boy. Over the years I’ve secretly harbored a desire to write. While I may never be as skilled a writer as those I admire, I’ve decided to indulge my hidden fantasy and start writing. As with most skills, the best way to learn and grow is to actually do it. This blog is my way of practicing my writing and hopefully getting better at it as I go. I resolve on this first day of 2010, to sit down and post something to this blog at least once a week and try to make it interesting. I end this initial post with links to a few of the writers who I find inspiring. Cheers!
Arthur Conan Doyle
Edgar Allan Poe
John Irving
Tony Simmons
Michael Lister
Jack Saunders
January 01, 2010
May 28, 2009
Coming Soon!
We have been working hard on our new Bed & Breakfast type Inn which will be located in the historic St. Andrews area of Panama City. Things are waaayy behind schedule, but I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
The 1945 brick home will be separated in two private sections. Each side will be available by the night. One side will offer one bedroom with a queen size bed, a bath featuring a shower and single person Jacuzzi tub, plus a living room and full kitchen and dining area.
The other side will be a Master Suite with a king size bed. It has an in room 2 person Jacuzzi tub and separate 2 person walk-in shower with dual shower heads. The room also features a wet bar with refrigerator and microwave. If visitors require other "entertainment" they can turn on the 42" LCD TV with iPod dock and watch HD television or put in a BluRay DVD and crank-up the surround sound stereo.
The Shrimp Boat, Hunt's Oyster Bar, Capt's Table and St. Andrews Marina are just a 2 block walk from the house, so you can park your car and leave it in the driveway when you arrive.
Our goal is to have The St. Andrews Inn be a romantic retreat for couples who want a weekend away from the kids or just a romantic staycation to save money.
The 1945 brick home will be separated in two private sections. Each side will be available by the night. One side will offer one bedroom with a queen size bed, a bath featuring a shower and single person Jacuzzi tub, plus a living room and full kitchen and dining area.
The other side will be a Master Suite with a king size bed. It has an in room 2 person Jacuzzi tub and separate 2 person walk-in shower with dual shower heads. The room also features a wet bar with refrigerator and microwave. If visitors require other "entertainment" they can turn on the 42" LCD TV with iPod dock and watch HD television or put in a BluRay DVD and crank-up the surround sound stereo.
The Shrimp Boat, Hunt's Oyster Bar, Capt's Table and St. Andrews Marina are just a 2 block walk from the house, so you can park your car and leave it in the driveway when you arrive.
Our goal is to have The St. Andrews Inn be a romantic retreat for couples who want a weekend away from the kids or just a romantic staycation to save money.
November 30, 2008
Does anyone still listen?
Back in the day, one of my teenage rituals was buying the latest album from a favorite band or musician, putting it on the all-in-one compact stereo in my bedroom, placing the Radio Shack "Realistic" brand headphones over my ears and listening to it all the way through. I still enjoy listening to new music on headphones, but now they are connected to my iPod.
I recently read an article predicting that long form "albums" will eventually become a thing of the past, along with CDs, and music artists will release only single downloads. This got me to wondering about how people listen to music today.
Does anyone really LISTEN to music anymore? I don't mean playing a CD as background music while you are working or driving in the car. I mean sitting down and focusing on nothing but what you are hearing through the speakers or headphones. Sure, it's much harder to find the time to do this as adults, but I still find time to spend with a special old favorite or new release, usually on my iPod after getting into bed.
Should the "album" be saved? I know, it can be argued that many songs on albums are just "filler" and not worth owning, but there are many songs on many albums that I love that would probably never have been released as singles. And what about the concept album? Records like Pink Floyd's "The Wall" are an experience when listened to as a whole, telling a story along with the music.
Maybe I'm just reacting as a product of my generation. I still miss LP's, not because I think they sound better (although many argue they do), but mostly because of the larger form factor which better displayed and encouraged creative album artwork and packaging. Even so, there have been some artists who have created memorable artwork and packaging using the CD format (The last Tool release comes to mind). Listening to the music while reading lyrics and credits and looking at the album artwork is something I will sorely miss if everything goes to downloads and singles. I wonder if anyone else will miss them too?
I recently read an article predicting that long form "albums" will eventually become a thing of the past, along with CDs, and music artists will release only single downloads. This got me to wondering about how people listen to music today.
Does anyone really LISTEN to music anymore? I don't mean playing a CD as background music while you are working or driving in the car. I mean sitting down and focusing on nothing but what you are hearing through the speakers or headphones. Sure, it's much harder to find the time to do this as adults, but I still find time to spend with a special old favorite or new release, usually on my iPod after getting into bed.
Should the "album" be saved? I know, it can be argued that many songs on albums are just "filler" and not worth owning, but there are many songs on many albums that I love that would probably never have been released as singles. And what about the concept album? Records like Pink Floyd's "The Wall" are an experience when listened to as a whole, telling a story along with the music.
Maybe I'm just reacting as a product of my generation. I still miss LP's, not because I think they sound better (although many argue they do), but mostly because of the larger form factor which better displayed and encouraged creative album artwork and packaging. Even so, there have been some artists who have created memorable artwork and packaging using the CD format (The last Tool release comes to mind). Listening to the music while reading lyrics and credits and looking at the album artwork is something I will sorely miss if everything goes to downloads and singles. I wonder if anyone else will miss them too?
November 12, 2008
Jazz By The Bay
A few weeks ago I was hired by the Gulf Coast Jazz Society to create a highlight DVD of their annual Jazz By The bay festival. The festival is held every October in Oaks By The Bay Park in the historic St. Andrews section of Panama City Florida. The performers are all excellent musicians who play true jazz music, not the "smooth jazz" that permeates the so called jazz radio stations today. If you missed it this year, make sure to check it out next year and if you think you don't like jazz music, watch the video below and maybe it will change your mind.
Jazz By The Bay 2008 from Louis Columbus on Vimeo.
Jazz By The Bay 2008 from Louis Columbus on Vimeo.
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