C.R. KASPRZYK

Computer troubles

// July 12th, 2009 // personal, technology

Activity here will be slowish for a bit; my computer troubles are persistent. I’m getting settled in Cleveland following an amazing wedding. Info on upcoming projects to be announced.

Before I get hitched…

// June 3rd, 2009 // environment, field recordings, personal, running, technology

The results are in: 100+ miles and almost 20 lbs. long gone. My running escapades went so well I had to tone it down in the interest of my tux measurements for the wedding. I intend to strap on the running shoes again later this month.
I am extremely happy to see that my old friend and former running mate Bill Pasutti has (definitely) continued running since our high school days. To mark his first half-ironman, he is raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). The fight against cancer is a subject close in my mind, and many others’. Please support this worthy cause by visiting this link.

On the musical front, I’m making great use of my self-made contact mics, as well as my new hydrophone. My take only audio, leave only footprints attitude to my surroundings yields a number of field recordings that will find their way into many upcoming projects. The first work will be a sonata that clocks in under 100 seconds, to be premiered this fall by Griffin Campbell and Mike Straus. A few other projects are on the horizon as I prepare to leave Virginia.

(To further actuate my musical/environmental interests, I have joined Ear to the Earth and hope to become more active in this wonderful community).

For now, I begin a quasi-hiatus. After all, only a few days from now…

I WILL BE GETTING MARRIED!!!

hard[drive]

// April 10th, 2009 // personal, technology

For the past few weeks, I’ve been dreaming of what it looks like when your laptop turns on and works. After becoming quite acquainted with my smart phone, and receiving time to reflect on my (unhealthy?) dependency for electronics, I now have a working computer. Unfortunately, nothing was recovered from the previous hard drive.

I am thankful for my external hard drive but things are not the same! While I can take advantage of the open source world, I am currently lacking much of the software that proves essential in my work. Additionally, I am not confident that I have an updated address book. To avoid further complications, I may change… have changed my email address. Regardless, send me an email so we do not lose touch!!

For now: cory () crkasprzyk () com
NEW ADDRESS: crkasprzyk () gmail () com

New Kicks

// March 4th, 2009 // personal, running, technology

For a few, too many years, I have dreamt of running again. I received new running shoes for my birthday. (They’re high tech, syncing to my nano for a full report of the day’s workout). This, along with there being until my wedding, means it is more likely that I will get back to it. Perhaps by posting this, I’m bound to some ethical agreement in taking this healthier step in life. I don’t anticipate reaching my old record(s), still, it is an obligation I hope to take seriously. For now, back to my writing and preparation for midterms.

N.B., my camera has officially died. For now, photos like the one above (for flickr and otherwise) will come from my cell phone.

Addendum
3.12.09
5.9.09

Ringtone

// March 2nd, 2009 // personal, technology

It’s my birthday; here’s a present. Available below: a slightly processed clip of the infamous spectral gurgle. (Duration: ~ one second). Feel free to download, use it as a ringtone, text notification, etc.

Download available here.

The unexpected; on the road

// March 24th, 2008 // composition, saxophone, technology

In the midst of teaching, I’ve been on the road for various performances. Sapphire Brass toured and recorded an older work of mine; George Lam and the Duke New Music Ensemble shed new light on Degradations IV-b; and human beatboxer Shodekeh joined Jeremiah Baker and myself for an [im]possible evening. (Kudos to my computery colleagues for making things happen!) Recordings on the way and remixes in the works.

I’m quite fortunate to have had the ‘beatboxer trio’ performed; as this was the evening my faithful laptop gave its two weeks notice. It is likely that I will have to go on an acoustic stint, at least until I find funds for a new computer. (This could take awhile).

Fortunately, I have squeezed one final piece out of the laptop and completed a new work saxophonist Michael Straus. He is one of the hardest working saxophonists out there and certainly will bring like-minded spirit to the piece. Several west coast dates are lined up for THE STATE OF THE inSIGNIFICANT, including the premiere at Stanford on April 26.