I think I may have finally figured out a vocal template that means I can sing. I very much hesitate to say so. I keep expecting that I'll listen to it a few days later and change my mind. But so far that hasn't happened. I think the key was n compressor equalizer. I've experimented plenty with equalizers and compressors but never a single effect that combined the two. I don't sound as good as Brendan Perry but.... I really think I can work with this... And it has me enthused to really get back into it.

In the past, for a large portion of time, I was only trying to figure out industrial vocals. I figured regular singing was out of the question. Actually though industrial vocals are far worse for me, because I can't sound angry. In real life people think I'm always so mellow and relaxed. Which is mostly true, but a long way from completely true. Anyway it's reflected in my voice that can sound unemotional, half-dead or trancelike.

So now though I'm not interested in making industrial music. I pretty much never listen to it even as I think it has a very bad effect on my mood. Can really get me in an absurdly angry mood I think.... I'm kind of afraid to listen to it, though I remember what a huge effect it used to have on me. Instead I guess I want to sound maybe somewhat like Dead Can Dance. I'm curious to do a cover of Children of the Sun, just because I'm curious how my voice compares to Brendan Perry. Would be very happy to make music that good. I do own a dulcimer. Hate tuning the damn thing though.

In other news today my back started hurting. I guess because I moved the birdbath yesterday. Also held Hawthy for 2 hours when I rarely hold him for more than 15 minutes in a day. I'm worried I'll have to cancel my tennis match tomorrow. Laying down and avoiding moving tonight.

Read Century of the Soldier and Hawkwood and the Kings by Paul Kearney. Good but way too much about war. Too much massive armies clashing. Ultimately too much of that and not enough of relatively real people just trying to live. Really blah ending too. The hero was Corfe. The super general king. He saves the day. While just about everyone dies, including Corfe. I guess his daughter doesn't die. I suppose it's unique in the extent to which everyone else does. Isolla, Abelyn, the Sultan, Heria, the good wizard guy, Berdolin, Aruan, the bad guy who torments Hawkwood. Does Hawkwood die? Probably. Can't remember. Jemilia? Can't remember. Yes, Hawkwood dies too. Jemilia and her son didn't die. And Corfe's daughter doesn't die. All other major characters die which is unusual. But it's not terribly sad because we never get quite close enough to them. Still far more detailed setting and characters then say Steven Erikson, but far, far short of Robin Hobb, or even G Martin.