Stephen Herreid's Music Blog

Fathers of Our Grandsons

2006-11-07T20:35:00.000-08:00

Another new recording.
This song contains one of my favorite sentences I ever wrote: "Not everyone who's walking needs a ride from you; not everyone who's talking has nothing to hide from you."
Stephen H.

Welp...

2006-11-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

I just baught a ticket to fly. The fifteenth of this month I'll be gathering my luggage from the conveyer belt, or however you spell that big word, and getting in my sisters car in the parking lot of Manchester Airport.
It's gonna be great coming home. I've really missed it. The California State Government is completely evil and wrong... Everyone here suffers because of it. And it's one of the most liberal states in America... How... Why... Is this possible?! The State workers here care more about the poor... More about the working-class citizens than anywhere else, and they're hardly inhibited by Republicans at all. Yet there's more poverty and homeless people here than anywhere else? HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS PLACE IS A HELL-HOLE WHEN THE GOOD-GUYS ARE IN CHARGE?!! Probably Shcwarzenegger's fault, the dirty Republican (who's only been in office for a short time; not long enough to drastically effect the economy). I'm just being painfully sarcastic.
Ssssoooo.
I'll be recording again later today... I think I'll re-record Fathers of our Grandsons.
Stephen H.

New Songs

2006-10-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

YEAH! I just recorded a song called Closer to Me. It's the Christian song I mentioned before.
I also recorded a love song called How do I Look at the Sun? which my brother Ben and I wrote over the phone about a half-a-year ago.
Both of these songs are now online at www.soundclick.com
I talked to my brother Bill yesterday. There's a phone in his dorm at Thomas More College. He wants me to join him there.... Veery tempting. I'm thinking of going next Fall, which is unfortunate. I won't be able to be the savior of the music industry; the one who revitalizes the common view of modern music. I won't be able to single-handedly bring the Catholic Faith to a status of number-one religion in America. I won't be able to be the first father of twelve to become a billionaire. I won't be able to be the first billionaire to give all of his estate away to his eccentric younger sister Teresa as a retirement gift.... Ahh, all these things, and the World will have to wait if Bill succeeds in seducing me into college... For four years, they'll just have to wait.
Listen to the songs! They're good.
Stephen H.

Swingin'

2006-10-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

I went swing-dancing with my brother John, his fiance Aletheia and her coworker, and her little sister Mary.
I took a beginner's class first, and then danced. It was very very fun. Awesome. This morning I also went down to the Golden Gate park, where they have a swing-dance every Sunday morning and afternoon. That was also fun. I saw at least three people at both last night's and this morning's dance. If it weren't fifteen bucks a pop I'd be taking lessons all the time from now on. It was pretty much the most fun thing I could do with myself here in the city, other than perform. And in some ways, it's really great to get away from the artsy scene for an evening now and then.
I'm going to be going to meet Carey Elwis (he played Westley in Princess Bride) next month at the premier of the movie John Paul II, which is being put on my Ignatius Press, where John works. John's been crazy-busy designing the DVD cover and booklet for that movie. It's a pretty big deal. He's also been in contact with the director of the film, who will also be at the premier, along with John Voit (who plays JPII as an older man, following Carey Elwis's perfomance as the younger Carol.
It's pretty exciting.
I also wrote a very heart-felt Christian song for my neighbor. She told me that if I wrote her a song, she'd pay for two hours of recording time. Trouble is, I don't know if she's very Christian; hope she doesn't mind my subject matter.
Well, I'll keep all of everybody who's reading this updated, so keep reading.
Stephen H.

Walice in Onderland

2006-10-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

Walice in Onderland (pronounced "Wallace in Underland [with a 'Bastonian' accent]")

Walice in Onderland, how did he get to Onderland?
He used a giant rubber band, that he stretched between two trees
And he puuulled it back, and he shot himself off
And that's how he got to Onderland

Walice met a Chesher Cat, and he tried to talk to a Dodo Bird
But the Dodo Bird wouldn't say a word...
Walice got mad and knocked him flat...
"Birds can't talk!" said the cat, "didn't you know that?"

Walice in Onderland, how did he get to Onderland?
He used a giant rubber band that he stretched between two trees
And he puuulled it back, and shot himself off
And that's how he got to Onderland

He met Humpty Dumpty on a wall, and Walice said "Sir, before you fall
Could you give some advice for when I'm tall...
Humpty Dumpty told him "The only thing better...
Than to love one another is to love TWO anothers"

Walice in Onderland, how did he get to Onderland?
He used a giant rubber band that he stretched between two trees
And he puuulled it back, and shot himself off
and that's how he got to Onderland

I bet you thought it was all it his head
But it was really under his bed

Physysiologoly

2006-09-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hello all you millions who loyally read my blog during every free moment.
Well. I was in line at the Seattle auditions of American Idol. It was a heck of a fun time. My brother Ben and I were singing together some of the time, and with a guy called Davy (not really probably spelled like that). Ben and I think that he may very well get to the top twelve, so it's gonna be cool watching the show this year.
Also, the way it's run is very unromantic. I felt like most of the actually audition process was quite a lot like orientation for a new job at a multi-million dollar company. Which means reviewing all of the unpleasant policies and procedures which make the whole thing seem sort of... Sad.
Oh well. It was very fun in line, and I got filmed and recorded a few times with my guitar by various radio stations.
I'll be writing more wonderful music soon; my neighber wants to pay my way through two hours of recording in exchange for me writing her a song.
We'll see.
Stephen H.

I found another poem

2006-09-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

I found this piece that I wrote a month or two ago. I kind of like it. It was going to be a song, but I never finished it.

There are two on the One Dollar Bill
One has longs since died, and the other never will
I don’t know about you, but I’m placing my bet
On the one who made Mankind, but never made a cent

I'm gonna be taking a trip on the sixteenth. I've baught a plain ticket for Washington State. I'll be visiting my brother Ben and his wife Anne. They've got a baby girl named Jacinta, who I've never yet met, and they're expecting again. It's gonna be fun.
Ben and I decided to spend some of my visit standing in line in Seattle for the American Idol auditions. I don't expect to get in, but I could still be pretty fun.
Stephen H.

John's Books

2006-08-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

My brother John has books in our apartment and I've been loving them.
He also posted a list of answers to a list of generic questions concerning literature on his blog.
I guess I'll do it too:

1. One book that changed your life: The first in the Earthsea series by Ursula K. Leguin. Sometime around when I started reading that series I became afraid of the sun and my eyes dihalated and turned a curdled yellow. No, but I did become disturbingly obsessed with the history of Hadfalk; a world which I created. I was writing the entire history of this land from the beginning of time, to their legends, to their more well-defined and recent historic background, and on through the details of the environment of the island Hadfalk... Even the beginnings of their politics and religion. I could talk about that land as if I lived in it, but I couldn't write worth beans, so the novel was never finished.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: The Cat and the Hat... Maybe.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: I want every copy of "The Davinci Code" ever printed on a desert island, RIGHT NOW! And please make it a very obscure desert island, faaar away from me.

4. One book that made you laugh: Bill Burgson, Private Eye. I've never read it exactly; it's one of the many many books my mother read to us younger kids. It's by the auther of Pippy Longstocking. It's very funny, or at least I remember it that way, all though it might have been helped along a little in that regard, by Mom's acting skills.

5. One book that made you cry: The Bible, especially when I was very young... I just thought it was the scariest thing ever.

6. One book that you wish someone had written: Everything You Need to Know About Stephen Herreid--A Music Publisher's Guide to the Next Big Thing.

8. One book that you wish you had written: Everything You Need to Know About Stephen Herreid--A Book Publisher's Guide to the Next Big Thing.

9. One book you’re currently reading: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, by Alexander Soltzhenitsyn.

10. One book you’ve been meaning to read: The Acts of the Apostles.

Yunohu

2006-08-13T01:15:00.000-07:00

It's me.
Good News:
I just finished a song that I really like. I've also got a liiiitle bit of money, which I hope to use on some new recordings soon.
The other day I was given a tupperwear dish of noodles and eggs, half of a veggie burito, and some candy over the course of the day, all FOR FREE!! And today I found a piece of pizza at work and ate that... FOR FREE!

Bad News:
I also realized that I might not REALLY get a musical career going strong 'til I'm twenty-one, although my Poetic Learners' Permit says I already am. Also bad news, the very expensive Chai latte's at the daughnut shop on Clement are gooooooood..... But not FOR FREE!!

Stephen H.

New Recordings Online!

2006-08-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

I just uploaded two or three songs onto soundclick. If you go to my profile and click "wishlist" it'll come up with my music page. There's also a link on www.stephen.herreid.org that goes there. There's also a link right here that goes there: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=464544

So right now it's the second of my two days off, and I don't have any idea what I'll do today. It is abou nine thirty AM. I usually don't get up till about an hour from now. So it's early for me. There's water on the stove in the other room, and when it boils I'll poor it into a cup with some instant coffee.
There's a donut shop along Clement Street that I've been going to now and then. I went there last night and baught a Chai Latte. They're sooooooo good, and waaaaay too sugary. I realized after I was already sipping it that it was probably quite caffeinated, and it was pretty late.
I'm too tired to be writing,
Stephen H.

Too Alive

2006-07-28T02:09:00.000-07:00

So, since I've had this job, I've also had kind of an awckward sleep-schedule. I work the swing-shift; from three to eleven pm, and often I don't get off 'til eleven-thirty or twelve. So then I'll stay up a while later walking or reading or whatever. And the next morning of course I can sleep in for as long as I want as long as I make it to work at three.
Right now it's a little past two am. I'm writing on a PC at the Kinko's Van Nesse. I'm two bus rides away from my apartment. I couldn't go to bed after I got off work. I ended up walking home anyway; got back at about one o'clock. But I "felt too alive" to go streight to bed, so I came here.
On the way I came up with some lines

I may lose my way
But I'll never look back
If you don't turn away
I couldn't possibly lack (don't like this line)

And when I feel too alive
To lay down my head
You will lay down my body instead

You make me feel too alive
To lay down my head
But you lay down my body instead

It's got a really pretty tune.

Stephen H.

Recording

2006-07-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

I was playing on my front step the other day and a guy came over from across the street. He mentioned that the building he lived in contained a ton of musicians and a small, makeshift, but high quality recording studio.
I went over to ask about it, and it turns out that they'll record me for a reasonable rate. I'm having one of the guys, a professional studio musician, play the drums for me, and I'm thinking of playing the bass on a few songs.
Good stuff.
The other night I was given a one hundred dollar bill by a cranky drunk Polish guy. I told him to take it back, but he insisted. I feel good about it, because he first told me to play my best, and afterward was impressed enough that he "decided to pay me... good money."
Last night I was played again and a man gave me a five. Then a young girl who had just broken up with her boyfriend wanted me to play her a song, so I played her "When Did I Stop Loving You?"(C) 2005 (which you can hear by going to my website and then clicking the link to Soundclick.com). Then I gave her the five and told her to get herself a beer.
More updates later.
Stephen H.

Nother

2006-07-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

I opened to a random page in a Bible today... Proverbs, and I forget which chapter.
There were some lines on Sloth that really hit the spot. I wrote this poem:

You are wiser than I
And a wise wife is from the LORD
There is a strength in your eye
It outlives the life by the sword
It outlives the death by the sword

Sloth casts into deep sleep
And hunger is all it will bring
Until on your neck I weep
My outcries for life I will sing
My outcries for death I will sing

Other than that, HAPPY 4th of July.
Stephen H.

2006-07-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

How's this?

Let us sack religious habits
Biblical sack-cloth
So to speak
This iconoclastic(sp?) languege
Won't come easily to the meek

Though they're blest as Jesus taught us
Biblical values
So to speak
True and demogogic languege
Now has fallen unto the meek

Maybe?
Stephen H.

Weird

2006-06-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

I keep on doing double-posts. I tried to fix my last mistake (four posts entitled "food"), and I hope it worked.
Well lets see. I've learned some new stuff at my job. I'm learning how to check people out at the cash register, and I'm learning a little bit about how to ship things and help costomers with that. That's actually my favorite thing about this job so far; learning new stuff. It's like my brain hasn't had any action for a while, and it's really enjoying the stimulation.
Today I ate some chocolate, and promptly felt grimey and sick. I think it's either because I haven't had chocolate much lately, or because I have had too much sugar and that was just the last straw.
I remembered the rest of that poem today:

...But now I forgot... Oops. Must be the choc'late.

I'm bored and boring.

Anyway, my brother Bill might be coming up from San Diego soon, and that's pretty dang exiting. I haven't seen him in quite a while.

Stephen H.

Food

2006-06-22T14:54:00.003-07:00

I've been working for a little while now. I've got a very irregular schedule so far. I've been working Wed.-Sunday, from three to eleven pm. I'm not at all lonely or bored, or tired from work. I've been enjoyed long walks along the 99% Chinese populated street on which I live.
This morning I realized that I had run out of not-SO-dirty dirty socks to wear to work, so I went with no socks. It's a hot day, and there's an unpleasant-smelling cloud of steam coming from under the desk that reminds me: "Next time, instead of buying a four dollar crepe with whip-cream and strawberries, go ahead and spoil yourself! Go on and splurge! WASH YOUR CLOTHS!! You know you deserve it."
I may be broke, but my wonderful wild and witty mind aint... unfortunately...
Anyhow, I've gotta go to work,
Stephen H.

Hello

2006-06-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

Well... I've written some good stuff since I got here. My brother John's gonna have an internet connection sometime in the next few months, at which point I'll be able to post more on the blog and also add music to the Sounclick page.

Here's a piece of the last lyric I wrote:
In the first late December, since the beginning of time
When the first year ever, was coming to a close
Did they rack their brains, tryin' to think what they had to show for themselves?
What good, and what bad had they chosen?
Or were they just looking for some cloths?

Thank you very much.
Anyway I've also written some poetry:
Let us sack religious habits
Biblical sack-cloth so to speak
This iconoclastic languege
Won't come easily to the week

And I don't remember the rest of that, but I've really got to go now. I'm still writing from an internet cafe, and it's not cheap.
Steve H.

No Friends

2006-05-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

So I don't know anyone here in the city. I went and hung out with some girl the other night because she was locked out of her appartment. She was like twenty-three though. Anyway, I said I was new and didn't yet have any friends, and she said to go onto Craigs list and post an ad saying so.
I did, and this morning I checked for responses. One response was from a kid who said he was around sixteen and he was from a band that wanted a vocalist. He said that they are "all cool guys who like to make music that makes people want to blow their heads off," and that "they are very politically aware." The other response was a twenty-three-year-old who has been playing guitar "forever," and wants to "hook up."
I also scanned Craigs list for other activities and found most of the whole site to be mildy amusing at some times, and strongly disgusting at others. I did like it when a radical Christian who was probably something like fourteen years old said something about "truths that we hold scared." It brought a scene to my mind of a small and frightened-looking Truth being pinned down by a geeky-looking teenaged boy with a T-Shirt on that says "Jesus Rocks!"
Anyway, I deleted my ad this morning.
Let me see, other activities... Ah! This morning I got up and wandered around the appartment in my boxers. After my instant coffee was done, I realized that I was a little chilly, so I put on my over-coat. Then I walked by a mirror and almost spit out my coffee laughing... It got better too; just then, I caught sight of a very tall top-hat which belongs to my brother and roommate, John. I couldn't resist. So I stood posing in front of a mirror with a top hat, 40's detective-style overcoat, and boxers while I finished my coffee. ...I HAVE NO FRIENDS!!
Stephen H.

Busking in Frisco

2006-05-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been in California for five-six days. I love everything about it other than the fact that I HAVE NO FRIENDS! I'm living with my brother, who's quite a bit older than me, so he can't really introduce me around to a highschool group or to college kids. Plust all the kids are on vacation, so most are probably off somewhere to see family. Right now I'm writing from an internet cafe.
I don't have a cell phone so I can't call anyone back home without using my brother's phone, which is ten cents a minute, or calling collect, which is who knows how much.
I did go busking today though. I made sixteen dollars or so. Kewl, especially since I'm a very poor little man. It's very hard not to blow every cent you have on you around here; so many nice little stores.
Well, I've been asking around about music activity in this place and hopefully I'll break into some musical subculture very soon.
I'll write again,
Stephen H.

California

2006-05-11T09:33:00.001-07:00

Well! I haven't posted for quite a while, and a lot has happened. It's Thursday now, and tomorrow I'll be headed down to Rutland VT. to spend some time with friends. On the way there, I'll be stopping by a Grey Hound station and buying a bus ticket to 'Frisco! I'll be leaving one week from tomorrow. Should be quite the adventure.
My brother John Herreid just recently got engaged. He moved up from San Diago to get an appartment where he and his Fiance can live after the wedding. I'll be helping out with rent until then.
I also went to Mojo Studio with a couple of musician friends. Steve the drummer, and Justin the bassist. We sounded pretty awesome, and I'll be putting the results of our session up on Soundclick. In case you don't know, you can go to my web site and there's a link to Soundclick, where you'll find regularly updated songs.
Well, I'll be seeing a lot of America, and that will be inspirational, so look out for new songs!
Stephen H.

California

2006-05-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Bloody Guitar

2006-04-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

I presently live under my father's roof with two of my sisters. I have one brother who lives in town, just twenty minutes away. They all flew to Washington State for a week to visit my brother Ben, sister Elizabeth, sister-in-law Anne, and 'Cinta, my baby niece.
While they were gone, I took care of Walter, my sister's cat, and the house. As I wrote in a previous post, I also played a gig at Lyndon State and got some air-play on the local Lyndonville radio station.
Anyway, while they were gone, I built a stone wall, and gashed my fingers a few times in the process.
The day after they were back, I played an open-mic at a place called Middle Earth, and one minor injury on the tip of my middle finger opened back up in the middle of a song. I couldn't stop the song on stage, but I got a band-aid afterward.
The next morning there were little blood spray-marks all over the front of my guitar and on the strings.
The end.
Stephen H.
P.S. Sorry I ramble.
P.P.S. I'm not really sorry.

Quote of the Day

2006-04-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

"You're in a position where you can do anything you want. Maybe after you do anything, you'll get bored, and do something."

I thought that was pretty darnn deep (I like spelling "darn" with two N's)

So anyway, I've been thinking about it, and I'm pretty sure I'll be going by a stage-name before too long. I'm thinking "Steven Joseph." It's just easier to pronounce and remember than "Stephen Herreid." Besides, that is my real middle name; Joseph.
What do you think?
Steve H.

The Impulse

2006-04-20T23:05:00.000-07:00

So today I performed at LSC for a very very small crowd. About fifteen people, not to mention the occasional coming and going. It was at the Student Center, a cozy room adjoining the cafeteria, where you can sit and watch a big screen TV. I played for about an hour and a half. It went about as good as it could go considering the size of the audience.
After the show, a DJ for the College radio station (91.5 "The Impulse") casually asked if I would join him for part of his three-hour DJ shift. I asked Jonah, my escort, if he wouldn't mind, and off we went with Football, the DJ, to the studio. I played one song live on the radio, and was interviewed by Corona, the General Manager of the station. They also aired a few recordings from a CD I had with me, and took a copy for possible future use.
I'm too tired to explain much, but basically, I've got a recording of an on-air interview and some air-play.
Stephen H.

Dreams

2006-04-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks I've had two dreams in which I fall in love with this girl I know. I'm not in love with her after I wake up... Well, at least not after I have my coffee and slap myself on the face a few times. Well, anyway, in the first dream I had, I just kinda looked at her and she looked at me and I kinda touched her arm in an affectionate way. But in the last one, this is what happened:
I was standing against a wall, and she came around the corner. I saw her arms were held out on either side of her, like she was feeling her way along the wall. Anyway, I reached out and held her hand, and she responded by wrapping her fingers around mine (mutual). She kept going along the wall 'till she was behind me, and then she kind of pressed up against me, with her head against my arm. I was still holding one of her hands, but she was still stretching them out on either side of us, like she was feeling her way, which made it seem like she was embracing me. Then I turned around and I thought about kissing her on the mouth. But I didn't. I thought to myself "she's a child" and I kissed her on the forehead, hugged her, and then let her go.
MAN I love dreams. I really think they can be just about as meaningful as your mind can get.
What do you think about dreams?
Stephen H.

2006-04-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

So. I went down to the Mojo Studio in Franconia NH on Tuesday. I got four songs recorded, three of which I'll be putting up on soundclick.com. Pretty exciting stuff.
I was also given a Mojo T-shirt!! FOR FREE!!! GIVEN!!!!! I felt pretty awesome about that, and I looked so good in it that I told my sister (who was driving) to stop by some gas stations on the way home so I could be seen in it. Who knows. Might make a tabloid.
I also got an inspiration and here it is: "READ MY BLOG!! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE EVERYBODY MORE THAN ANYBODY! AND DON'T FORGET THAT YOU'RE UNIQUE! JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELLLLLSE!"

I've also been practicing with a bass-player. He'll be joining me on my next visit to Mojo's. He'll actually be driving me. I'm such a mooch. Naw, I'll pay some gas money, jee-wiz, whadya think Iyam? A MOOCH?
Hopefully I'll be playing at Lyndon State Coll. on the twentieth. I've gotta contact some people.

Special thanks to Steve Lynch, the genious producer/guitarist/writer/nice guy, who was just named "Nice Guy of the Week." HOT!

Stephen H.

Job Search

2006-04-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

So I'm presently working at a Hospital. I was hired for a temporary job filling in for their Receiving Clerk. She's back on light duty now, I've been switched to a part-time schedule, and I'll soon be out of a job. I've been writing resumes and looking around.
There are some pretty good possibilities, and I'm pretty exited.
I also had a gig last Saturday. It was very VERY fun. I feel like the audience was very responsive and loud and encouraging. It was at Fuller Hall in St. Johnsbury, and most of the performers and attendents were teenagers. After performing, I got a hug from a very attractive eighteen-year-old girl, a bass-player told me he was interested in playing with me, and one singer/songwriter, who I'll just call Harry, gave me some very good lyrical inspiration from his work. GOOD STUFF!

I've also got two other gigs coming up, both of which are good exposure and practice, and are going to be well-advertised Solo performances at fairly sophisticated venues. One is at Lyndon State College; probably mainly performing for the students. The other is going to be a public solo performence in St. Jay, I think at the Black Box. It'll be put on sometime in June by Catamount Arts. YES! We'll see how it goes.
I also hope people start reading this blog regularly. In which case I've really gotta start being more entertaining.
I love life.
Stephen H.
P.S. Q: What's the difference between a duck? A: One of its legs is both the same. ...Entertaining?

Songwriting.

2006-03-28T12:20:00.000-08:00

I had a discussion with my sister the other day, and we agreed that the fact that I can't sing all that well is well out-weighed (or hidded) by the fact that I don't call myself a "singer." I'm a singer/SONGWRITER! I'm an ENTERTAINER! If I went onto American Idol I could fail very badly and very early. But I wouldn't do that. If I called myself a singer, I'd be drawing attention to my vocal ability and ONLY that. But when introduced as a Singer/Songwriter, or an Entertainer.... Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Johny Cash, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Jewel... They're all entertaining, enjoyable, impressive, and most of them have noticably imperfect voices, or are just plain weird. As a singer, Johny Cash would never have been a star. But he entertained, he wrote, and he won the hearts of audience after audience for years.
I just hope that can be true of me.
Stephen H.
P.S. By the way, I love this quote (apply it to songwriting):
"A good composer does not imitate; he steals."

Oh, St. Patrick's Day!

2006-03-21T13:27:00.000-08:00

I never mentioned this, but last Friday (St. Patrick's Day) I performed at a concert. It was a short concert, and I only sang one song solo, and that song wasn't one of mine, but it was still fun.
My sister drove me there early, so that I could practice with the other performers and be there for sound-checks and stuff. At one point while I was practicing I slipped Mug (my sister) some money and asked her to go to the cafeteria and get me lunch. She came back with a cup of noodles and a coffee. I had already had my morning coffee, and so had she, so we went out into the hallway. I held the coffee high above my head and called out to passing students: "How would you like to have a free LARGE GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE?! Anyone? Who'd like a free COFFEE?" There were no takers for a few minutes, so we went to the library where we found a young librarian who was very happy to hear our news about the unwanted coffee. And he drank it.
The End
Stephen H.

Delivery

2006-03-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

I've had a temporary job as a recieving clerk at a hospital for the past month. Some of the most interesting aspects of the job are the people who deliver for various companies. There's UPS, FedEx, DHL, and five or ten other, smaller company names. Anyway, Mr. FedEx is a musician and, since he never seems to be as busy as Mr. UPS, he and I have had quite a few talks, and I've given him a CD of my music. I even suggested that he and I get together sometime soon so that he could show me some stuff on guitar. Very interesting conversations.
Then there's Mr. Hospira. Most often when he comes in to chat, it's because his truck got trapped behind that of Mr. Coca-Cola, who takes anywhere from fourty-five to sixty minutes to complete his delivery for the Food Service department. Mr. Hospira has made it clear to everyone that his deliveries usually consist of one or two small skids, and can be completed in forty-five to sixty seconds.
Today was one of those days; Mr. Hospira came in with a sarcastic half-smirk-half-frown on his face and told me that Mr. Coca-Cola had beat him to the dock again, and that it would be about an hour before he could make his one-pallet delivery. I told him to make himself at home, since he'd be waiting for awhile anyway. He paced for a while and finally sat down in my office chair.
We talked about life, love, and the persuit of happiness for about forty-five minutes, during which Mr. FedEx came in with a small delivery and joined in the conversation... Morals, common sense, family, child-rearing, music... Great conversation. Made my day.
I also wrote a song recently and here are the words. Hopefully I'll have it recorded on the twenty-fifth when I have my recording session at Mojo Studio.

(C) 2006 - Stephen Herreid

All we had was inspiration
Conversation, and St. Johnsbury town
We couldn't stay there but we played there 'til my dignity was found
And the music of the town died down

And I can't look you in the eye anymore
I can't hold your hand to cross the street, without it meaning something more
And you don't need anything more anyhow
No inspiration, or conversation, just St. Johnsbury town

Writers' block and wanderlust
Have come to wreck my home and bust your heart in two
I couldn't stay there but you play there and my hat is off to you
But I hear the sound of an angel playing in her own home town
Waiting for me to come around

And I can't look you in the eye anymore
I can't hold your hand to cross the street, without it meaning something more
And you don't need anything more anyhow
No inspiration, or conversation, just St. Johnsbury town

I couldn't stay there
We couldn't stay there
I couldn't stay there, but you pray there during lonely times like now
And I'll listen for the sound of an angel praying in St. Johnsbury town

And I can't look you in the eye anymore
I can't hold your hand to cross the street without it meaning something more
And I don't need anything more anyhow
Than inspiration, and conversation... Goodbye, St. Johnsbury
I don't need anything more anyhow
Than inspiration, and conversation... Goodbye, St. Johnsbury town...

Stephen H.

2006-03-20T06:27:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted for so long. I've been lazy. In fact, I'll say sorry again. ...Sorry.
I'm supposed to keep whoever reads this entertained. And as I'm probably the only one who ever goes here, I will now entertain myself.
I went to an event recently. I won't say where or mention names of anyone involved. But it was basically an evening that included a meal, a couple of talks and a gym full of teenagers. At one point during this event there was a "Small Group Discussion" time. There were about seven people in my small group, and a good-looking, very hip, swaggering twenty-five-year-old dude sat in the middle. He lead a very controlled, brief and meaningless "discussion" about some very stereotypical "Teenage Troubles."
One question the group leader asked was "Is anyone in a slump right now?" And a kid answered very honestly that he was. He had recently been caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing, and it involved alchohol. The leader said "Oh, dude, that's tough! Were you arrested?" The kid nodded. The leader went on; "Oh... Yeah, alchohol is like, sooo bad. It makes you do bad things, man." A couple of other boys made a few quiet but mortifying comments about the "party" and the first kid finally said "I don't want to talk about it," and hung his head. "Anyone else?" Asked the leader.
And the discussion was continued by a teenaged girl who told us gigglingly about her crush on a boy who said he wasn't ready for a relationship with her. I know this is a very importent life crisis for a SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD, but I was embarrassed for the one kid who had a serious problem on HIS hands, and I felt that he was also embarassed. I just hope he was level-headed enough to be infuriated. I was anyway, and I'm not even the one with his problems.
It seemed to me that the teens who were probably considered by the leaders to be the most eager to contribute were just the ones who were the most self-confident and eager for attention (not typical charecteristics of people who are "in a slump."
"Goooood teenagers, keep the leaders looking effective and busy."
But the most importent thing is that that twenty-five-year-old man went home that night feeling good about himself. He went to a youth meeting and he "helped" troubled teens feel better about themselves. The fact that, in reality, he may have done more harm than good is ignored... Sweet dreams.
Stephen H.

Update

2006-02-27T12:54:00.000-08:00

So lately I ordered two sets of business cards online. One was for "Stephen Herreid, Singer/Songwriter," and the other was for "Stephen Herreid, Beginners' Guitar Instructor."
Now I've called around to a few schools and asked if they would be interested in an uprising singer/songwriter coming and doing an educational presentation during a school day. I'm going to be playing at one soon; already talked to them. I scheduled a meeting at another school with their music teacher to see what she thinks.
What I plan to do in the next few months is establish myself as a guitar instructor in this area and charge roughly $20/hour for lessons. Probably I'd mainly do half-our lessons.

I'm also going to be playing for St. Patrick's day at Lyndon State Collage. I'll do probably one solo song, and mostly backup of group songs. I'm thinking of trying to come up with something original to sing solo, while sticking with an Irish sort of feeling to it.

I also baught an electric guitar yesterday. Just to fool around with. I think it could really help me in my "up the neck" work; just trying to get some solo-guitar/riff kind of stuff under my belt.

So that's some of the latest from me. I've had a pretty bad case of writers' block for a while now, but I'll get back on top soon I hope.

Stephen H.

Poem

2006-02-21T18:58:00.000-08:00

Hello, I just started my temporary job recently.
In between orders I wrote this.

Thank God, for smelly, noisy quietude.

I love the smell of cardboard boxes
Empty beer and soda cans
And the sound of clock tic-tocks is
Mixed with soothing sighing fans

"Thank God;" eternal sighs of gratitude.

---Stephen H.

Random Ramble

2006-02-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed this mornings coffee very much.
A little strong, but thats better than a little weak.
And a little week is better than a long month.
Especially the long month before my birthday.

Is a first birthday better than a last birthday?
Does the first last longer than the last?
The last is longed for longer than the first.
Even though the first is the first and last first birthday.

Kids these days...

Thank you,
Stephen H.

Hello, Halo!

2006-02-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

So I sang some stuff last Saturday night at the Valentine's Concert. It was a smaller-than-expected crowd, but it was fun.
I met some interesting people. A member of another group, The Hilltones, was there early, and payed some change to sing a song. He also sang me a song and played on my guitar. He had a pretty interesting guitar style; sort of a light rock, lead-guitar-melody harmonization with his voice. Cool stuff.
He told me about some of the music scene as he knows it, and today I might check out a few places he mentioned.
Also, one of the people who helped arrange that gig had some valuable stuff to say about the music of Vermont.
I only had about four CD's with me, and I sold three, which is nice. But if I'd had more, I probably could have sold more, it's just that I didn't know it would have been appropriate for me to advertise my material at a benifit concert.
Anyway, I'll be posting some new music soon, so hang in!
Stephen H.

New Favorite Quote

2006-02-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

"The impossibilities are endless."
--Jonah A. Hahr

For Fun

2006-02-05T10:44:00.000-08:00

I've decided that from now on, I'll be posting quotes and snippets of conversation that I come up with, overhear, or that I remember and think are interesting. I'll do this now and then anyway, when I'm bored and have nothing better to say.

Poem:
I met an old man who tore at his head
Just after his mid-day snooze
For he told me, the minute he got out of bed
He found matches and salt in his shoes

To find matches and salt inside your footwear
Can be hurtful, or cruel, or confusing
Some people would call it completely unfair
But I simply thought it amuzing

He said that those shoes were his very best
And for me to make fun was a shame
I told him I knew he was very distressed
But couldn't I laugh just the same?
(by Stephen Herreid{before I knew any better})

Haiku by Stephen H.:
When my eyes grow tired (t-I-r'd)
And they need to be refreshed
They rest on your face

Spoonerisms of sentences(well, sorta):
"I didn't fall asleep 'til the wee hours of the morning."
"I didn't seel aflap 'till the mee hours of the warning."

And I think I might make a tract entitled "The Mee-Hours of the Warning," which asserts that the Bible urges us to warn Mankind of the End Times by "Mee-hou-ing" in the alleys outside their windows all night.

And by the way, I hope to have more new recordings up soon!

Thanks
Stephen H.

FINALLY!

2006-02-04T06:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to a couple of songs I recently wrote! See what you think.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=464544
Steve H.

Happy Days

2006-02-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

HELLO AGAIN! I watched a movie with a couple of friends the other night. It's called Hitch and stars Will Smith. The movie inspired me to write a song, so I did. It's called The Truth, I think.
If I ask you no questions
You'll tell me no lies
You you put up like I have no right to criticize
Well you and your friends
May hold out against the truth
But will you hold out, when it comes down to me and you?
Just me and you

If I don't say the wrong things
Then you'll treat me right
But what if I'm right when I exercize my right to criticize
Well you and your friends
May not want to know the truth
But do you want to, when it comes to me and you?
Just me and you

Well I WILL ask questions
And if you give me lies
I won't put up a fight, like you have no right to criticize
'Cause you and your friends
Can hold out against the truth
But then I guess I want out, when it comes down to me and you
Just me and you

There's your latest piece of entertainment, straight out of my own little head.
Stephen H.

Expressing Writers' Block

2006-01-28T15:34:00.000-08:00

I am trying to write something interesting and thought provoking, but I cannot find the words to express the lack of thought in my mind.
Thank you,
Stephen H.

Intro

2006-01-28T12:03:00.000-08:00

I was out with my sister and a friend at a pizza place the other night, and I came up with a spoken intro to a song I wrote long ago. I just thought it was interesting enough to post the text to it. Just imagine this; spoken, with a light guitar background:

1863. A fatal and tragic year for Americans. 100% of all children born in the U.S. that year, died. Some say it was the Will of God. Some others suggest that it was the fact that the dangerous passtime of roller-skating was introduced to our country in the same terrible year. You might even point to the simple passage of time as a factor.
But I personally believe that God... really didn't like people born in 1863.

---And the guitar picks up a little, and the song begins.
Thank you, thank you very much.
Stephen H.

How Do I Look at The Sun?

2006-01-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

My brother Ben and I were writing the other night (over the phone) and came up with some lyrics. There's also a tune, but it's not recorded, so I thought I'd just post some lyrics for fun.
Verse #1:
Hello, halo
You had an aura about you
Bright eyes, sweet eyes
How did the world go 'round without you?
How did my world go 'round?

Chorus:
And how do I look at the sun?
What do I do, when I'm blinded by love?
And how do I know I'm not dreaming?
And that you are what you seem when you're beaming, you're beautiful
Now that I know you're the one
How do I look at the sun?

Verse #2:
Hey there, Heaven
You came and took me to paradise
Bright eyes, sweet eyes
I was already there in your pair of eyes
I was already there

But now---Repeat Chorus

And that's all so far!
I like it; the tune is pretty sweet.

Anyway, there's a little teaser of what I'll hopefully HAVE ONLINE SOON.
Stephen H.

Uncle Stub

2006-01-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't mentioned it here yet, but my father's first grandchild was born recently. My Brother Ben's daughter! Her name is Jacinta Brigetta Herreid. (Just a side-note: Anne Marie Herreid, the new baby's mother, is the person for whom the song "Anne Marie" was written)
Steve H.

Random Activity

2006-01-19T08:58:00.000-08:00

I've recently been trying to advance a little in guitar skills. One way was to learn some extremely basic music theory. Also, I visiting my God Father's house. He's also a guitarist, and I asked him for a few tips. I tend to learn a lot that way; just being with other musicians, especially guitarists, keyboardists and singers.
So my next move is to try and think of anyone else in the area who I know can play, and get together with them. Just one half-hour with another guitarist and a coffee can give me enough to work on for weeks. Takes a while to drain a good idea of all it's worth!
Anyway, so that's my latest artistic thought!
Stephen H.

Stephen Herreid's Music Blog

Fathers of Our Grandsons

Welp...

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Swingin'

Walice in Onderland

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I found another poem

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Yunohu

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Too Alive

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Food

Hello

No Friends

Busking in Frisco

California

California

Bloody Guitar

Quote of the Day

The Impulse

Dreams

Ad

Job Search

Songwriting.

Oh, St. Patrick's Day!

Delivery

Update

Poem

Random Ramble

Hello, Halo!

New Favorite Quote

For Fun

FINALLY!

Happy Days

Expressing Writers' Block

Intro

How Do I Look at The Sun?

Uncle Stub

Random Activity