300 Writing Prompts #1

This past year for Christmas my girlfriend gave me a book with the title "300 Writing Prompts" on the front cover. There is no author to be found. The moment I unwrapped it I was very pleased because this is a well though out gift. The book consists of ideas to break out of writers block and get creativity flowing. I had originally thought of journaling in the book but I thought what better way to add to my blog then to put these thoughts and ideas out into cyber space.

#1 What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day?

I suppose the key word here is lazy. It seems that I'm constantly busy whether it's work, working on the house, doing charity work, school or other creative projects that I have going on. A lot of it just seems like work. When I'm not working it seems that I always have projects at home to work on. I'm currently typing this blog while I'm covered in paint. I'm painting the spare bedroom and I'm in between coats. The room is going to be my home recording studio. I have so many songs to record it's ridiculous and sometimes it feels like work. My muse couldn't be pleased with me right now. So aside from work, school and home repairs I have so many creative projects to get to. It can be quite overwhelming at times. But as far as how I like to spend a lazy day? I suppose it would be watching movies or playing video games. I would love to have one day where I did nothing but set the day aside to just play video games. I just feel kinda guilty if I do that because there are so many projects to be done. I do plan on having a few lazy days this summer by the pool (when it's fixed).

It's been awhile...

I guess it's been a few years since I was last on the blog. I'm not going to catch you up with what has been going on in my life because that seems to cliché and scripted. What I will say is I've been pondering my life in the last few weeks and weighing out what really matters. Life is short.

Tamarack

I put it a lot of hours this weekend on "tamarack." I had to redo many mixes and it was getting me pretty frustrated and I'm still not 90% satisfied. I don't have the dinero to go to a professional studio just yet so I'm having to do the recordings myself. It really took me back to all the fond memories I had about living in Southern California. The song is basically about driving from Huntington Beach all the way down to Carlsbad to go to the Surf spot, Tamarack. It lies somewhere around lifeguard station 31 or 34. It can get up to about 4 or 5 on a good day but the place was absolutely beautiful. The spot I always went to was in between two stone jetties. It was kind of my place of serenity, even though it was about 80 miles from where I was living. One time when I was sitting on my surfboard and saw one of the biggest fins I have ever seen. The San Diego coast is known to have some Great Whites that frequent the area. But from having watched many episodes of "Shark Week," I know that if a Shark is going to attack it does so from the bottom up. Meaning that you never know your getting attacked until you actually are. The fin was still about 70 yards from where I was sitting. Just then I saw about 6 or 7 more fins pop up so I knew they had to be dolphins. They were coming towards me. The waves were actually pretty decent that day and the dolphins, being the best surfers in the world, were surfing inside waves just 10 feet in front of me. It was easily one of the coolest experiences I have ever had, ever. These dolphins had to be around 7-9 feet in length which I thought was huge for a dolphin. I later looked them up and they are known as the Pacific Dophin. The above picture is actually me at Tamarack circa September 2005. I can't wait to go back to Tamarack.

Never quite made it to L.A. ,
I'll never say I tried.
Here there are no regrets,
Under California Skies.

Bonfires burning,
Brighter than Moonlight,
Sand and Waves collide.
Move to the sound of the Ocean,
Leave our clothes behind.

Leaving early on a Sunday,
the five is packed for miles.
Just South of Oceanside,
The air makes the trip worth the while.

What you're hoping for,
is what you're running from.
You could have the world and more,
but all you want is love.

Walk down to the pier every morning,
to watch the Pacific sun rise.
We missed each other by a few years,
We'll meet when the time is right.

Let's take the long way home and enjoy the view,
though we don't have time.
No worries bro we'll hit PCH,
the Stars headline tonight.

Heading back from Tamarack,
the five will be packed for a while.
Pull off onto old 101,
endless blue for miles.

Even though I miss my friends
this place treats me like home.
Find the shade of the Palm Tree,
I pray I never grow old.



© Dopeless Romantic Music 2011

My friend is out of the hospital and I am so grateful that he is up and moving around and feeling like himself.

I saw a killer show Saturday night at the Conservatory. Rico Muerte played and I have to say they have one of the tightest rhythm sections and live shows that I have seen in the Oklahoma City area and are really cool guys to top it off.

I have to go pick up the blu-ray of "True Grit" tonight at the Redbox. Can't believe I missed that one in theaters.

Seth

Please "like" The Gray Man Prophecy on Facebook.

As suggested in the title please click on the like button on the right hand side of this blog. If I can get up to 25 likes The Gray Man Prophecy would have their own Facebook URL.

It's been a tough week. One of my dearest friends was in the hospital, this guy literally saved my life. He's doing well now and it makes me truly grateful for friends and the gift of life.

The song I have been working on is coming together nicely but has taken more time than expected. It should be up on Reverbnation On Tuesday or Wednesday.

Here is the chorus:
"What you're hoping for,
is what you're running from.
You could have the world and more,
but all you want is love."

I was talking to my brother in laws wife's brother recently and he mentioned he was in a band. I listened to some of their tunes and wow I was impressed. I've listened to about 450 bands in the past month and they were actually one of the best one's I had came across their name is Rico Muerte , check em out. They are playing a show this Saturday, June 4th at the Conservatory.
Here is the Flyer.

I hope everyone had a nice and safe Memorial Day weekend. A big shout out to all the troops and vets who lay their lives on the line daily so we can have our freedom.

Seth

Tornados, books, and more music.

First off...It might not be a big deal to some but it is to me. The Gray Man Prophecy went from #110 on the Oklahoma City Reverbnation Alternative Charts to #9 in one week. Like I said to some this is not a big deal but for a guy who did not want to be around much 5 or 6 years ago, couldn't get out of bed, and certainly could not write any music it is a big deal. Lately I've been able to actually sit down and record and write. As soon as I finish recording a song and get all the parts right I'm able to write the lyrics in, at the most, 30 minutes. I'm very grateful that my muse has been so kind and generous lately. I also have to thanks my friends for being so awesome and responsive.

So, I have beaten the resistance lately, as Steven Pressfield calls it. Seriously if you haven't read the "War of Art" you are seriously missing out. The resistance is to the artist as depression is to the individual. I know I have dealt with both for a long time and for the first time in a long time I feel alive and energized by my creativity and being able through my muse, or whatever it is, to be able to succeed.

I have about 8 more songs to go before I actually release part I of my free digital album that will be release only on facebook, and possibly the website, but will be on facebook.

I have prayed for the friends and family who have lost their loved ones due to the tornado activity the last few days. Both the Joplin and Oklahoma storms were awful and it looks like Arkansas and Memphis could get hit tonight.

Last night I had twitter going, a chat on newsok.com and a live stream going on kfor.com. I have to say twitter is amazing for following weather in Oklahoma. I follow the weather channel and newsok and they provide great updates.

Once again thanks to everyone who has either become a fan on reverbnation, liked The Gray Man Prophecy on Facebook, or have just listened to the music in the last week. You guys have made my day everyday that there are more of you.

Thanks also to the Tehans for being so positive and responsive to "Fincastle, VA." I loved Grandpa very much and I know you guys did too. I have done my best trying to immortalize a man who was so beautiful and dear to all our hearts.

Seth

Lately...The Gray Man Prophecy

This past weekend I worked on 3 songs that are currently posted on my Reverbnation page.

"Fincastle, VA" is a song about my grandfather who is honestly one of the most amazing people I have had the honor to meet. He was just fun, crazy, and entertaining. He also had one of the biggest hearts I have ever witnessed. He would dress up as Santa and go to orphanage's and retirement homes to spread Christmas cheer. He did not wear a fake beard because he grew one out. I mean you guys should really see a picture. I'll post one soon, it's very real. Oh yeah, and the guy also crafted wood handmade toys for his grandchildren and children. Really impressive work. So big belly, white real beard, and toymaker. I know, i wondered for years. Still do to some extent. The song is named "Fincastle, VA," because that is where he lived for so many years. Even though he was born in St. Louis, and lived in Arkansas and Richmond, VA. Fincastle is where I knew him the best.

"Blue Atlantic" is a song about a movie I recently watched. Childish or "stupid" as it may be it got me thinking. What if we were in that in between state. You know like between life and death. Would we accept it? or would we be kicking and screaming to come back to earth. How many of us have felt like that even though we weren't dead. I know I have many times.

So these songs are up on my Reverbnation and Facebook pages. Please listen to them and let me know what you think. Also click like, pretty please, with a cherry on top. I know they are not the best engineered tracks but unfortunately at this moment I don't have the bread to go record at a professional studio, so this is what I have.

The album will exclusively be free on the website, when it's up.

I've been chatting with a few photographers because I really need to get some photos up on the websites. Hopefully that will happen soon. My wife is going to paint the album cover. She's actually a very talented painter. She has recently painted the outside of our house. I wasn't happy about it at first but she amazingly did a beautiful job!

Oh yeah and for those of you aspiring to work in the music industry you're really missing out if your not listening to the CD baby DIY podcast.

The Gray Man Prophecy

I came up with a new name for my musical project, The Gray Man Prophecy. It is named after the Gray Man of Pawley's Island. He is a ghost that warns people about Hurricanes. Read more about the story at The Shadowlands.

I have registered the domain name of graymanprophecy.com. Hopefully I will be able to build a page soon when I get the album completed. The album will be a free digital album that I will record and produce myself. Hopefully, soon after, I will be able to record a 4 song EP at a local studio.

I have been working in pretty much all the spare time I have, which isn't much, on the first song. As soon as I am finished which should be very very soon the song will be posted to Facebook and Reverbnation. The songs won't be available for free download until the digital album is complete.

I really need to have some photographs take soon so I can put them on Facebook, Reverbnation, and make a bandcamp profile. So if you no anyone who would like to add to their profile or do it on the cheap let me know.

I will also be filming live video which will appear on youtube very soon of the songs that will be on the album.

After the recording or perhaps sooner I will look for members for the band so we can start playing live shows.

Until the web site is up you can find me at the following websites.

Facebook
Reverbnation
Twitter