Chris’ Blog

This is the gstreamer pipeline I am using in Sound Juicer to rip CDs to MP3.

audio/x-raw-int,rate=44100,channels=2 ! lame name=enc preset=1001 bitrate=192 vbr=0 ! id3v2mux

Note: Use gst-inspect-0.10 to view a plugins properties and arguments.

I went to see SOiL play again, last time I saw them in the Bristol Bierkeller, this time in the Exeter University Lemon Grove. The venue was more packed out but it is much smaller than the Bierkeller but the acoustics are better, shame about the stringent alcohol policy (due to lots of minors in attendance.)

Last night I went to see SOiL at the Bristol Bierkeller, they were being supported by Lennon, Brand New Sin, and Godhead.

It was an amazing gig, 4 really good acts, with the exception of Lennon’s supporting guitarist (appears he is a roadie) best thing is, I get to see the gig again free in Exeter: I am on the guest list ^_^. I can hear them sound testing now…

My return to Exeter is coming fast, I cannot believe I have been at home for nearly 4 weeks now (madness I tell you.) I am looking forward to going back, will miss the home comforts again, like magically washing clothes, and the dishwasher. I hope everyone had a smashing New Year and a wonderful Christmas (if you celebrate the event) I personally had a wonderful time, until my granddad was admitted to hospital via a NeeNaw with a suspected heart attack, luckily it was only a over indulgence and a serious case of indigestion. New Years eve was a probably a gaggle, giggle and most certainly a blur … more over indulgence, this time the weapon of choice C₂H₅OH. I think I will go and watch some movie and then plunge into counting sheep.

Only a week to go until I see SOiL … Woo!

So, me and my best friend got tickets to see Iron Maiden all was involved was a minor road trip. The gig was in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, my mate was still at Lancaster University at the time, and I was in Bristol. We had arranged to stay with my family, just over the river in Gateshead-upon-Tyne, which was good. My friend had never seen the area, so we did a bit of exploring and driving around. Here is a map of our journey.

Iron Maiden were absolutely awesomely amazing, words really failed to describe it, they played all of the new album and some old classics including Fear of the Dark, 2 Minutes To Midnight, and Hallowed Be Thy Name.

Photos when I get them…

This is so awesome sadly I will never listen to this song again without cracking up (and I like listening to it). Anyway here is the video:

This is totally amazing…

Well leavers party went really well, was not much of a party atmosphere more of a social mingle over a few drinks drunks, hum ho. It was not really that bad, everyone behaved themselves which made the night a swell one. Most people buggered off to other bars/clubs at around half 11 so me and the Bristol Traveller phoned my dad (on taxi duty) and told him to come for about 12, while we got the last few drinks in. I calculated I had about 16.6 units of alcohol that one night *whoops*.

Friend is out of hospital; yay, he is on the mend so hopefully his adventurous plans should not be effected neither his exams hehe

I have obtained some new Music CD’s, which I ordered from Amazon, they are; Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium, Lacuna Coil - Karmacode, and Bon Jovi - Have a Nice Day. Big thanks to the one, you know who you are, who got me some CD’s on my wishlist. I cannot stop listening to this RHCP or Lacuna Coil album, as my last.fm profile shows.

Free videos, of the Google Videos variety; Pearl Jam have released their latest music video under a Creative Commons license and uploaded it to Google Videos. You can watch it here.

I have ordered Within Temptation - Mother Earth on Amazon, and it should be with me by the 28^th so whoopy

I am currently writing a followup post to the Marlwood Ski trip but it is work in progress, it will be posted soonish.

I thought I should mention some recent Albums I have bought and listened too, with worrying results. I have essentially become addicted to gothic/symphonic rock, my day is not without cravings for the music wailing of female fronted metal bands and their accompaniment of guitars, ‘tubs’ and other sound producing tools.

I have bought (or in the process of buying):

• Within Temptation - The Silent Force
• Evanescence - Anywhere but Home
• Within Temptation - Mother Earth
• Lacuna Coil - The EP’s
• Lacuna Coil - In a Reverie

Time for me to make a few Heavy Metal purchases me thinks. *looks at London Metal Exchange website*