Getting in the groove!

I didn't realize how long it would take to learn something new.  Yesterday (and part of today) I was creating a new form for the volatilrock website.  This will help people contact us directly for special occasions and parties.  This contact form is not complete yet.  I've got a few bugs to fix.  But I'm just amazed at the amount of coding you have to do in order to create something that looks very simple.  My 'kudos' to those people who dedicate their life doing that.  Luckily, the coding was already pre-set, all I had to do was change a few URLs and (so I thought) bingo! it would be ready.  I was wrong.  I forgot to include a few minor things...but I have a feeling that I can get the problem fixed today.  I just can't imagine how long it would take me to learn all this coding...but enough goofing off.  I've got to get back to work.

PS. I'll be sure to post a link to the page once I'm done...

Time flies when you're having FUN!

I had a great time teaching kids about music.  For an entire month, I taught the basics of music theory, vocal exercises, and even taught them to perform a number of songs with choreography and all!  It was a long process, but it helped me break it down for my own performances.  I know I should practice every day - but sometimes I let the little things get in the way.  I say, "When I have time..." or "If only I could dedicate more time..."  Well I should definitely dedicate all the time in the day to working on music.  Whether it is perfecting a song, or working on my 'dance moves', every little bit helps.

The cool thing about this camp is that I am playing the guitar again!  Yup.  It's been 2 years since I 'officially' played the guitar on stage.  I kinda let it go.  But this time, I had no choice but to learn again.  I am so inspired to keep going.  My 'baby' was put away for the longest time, and I'm ready to take her out to play again.  She's going to help me create some sweet melodies...and I can't wait to share them with you.

One day at a time...

So I started working on the band's website again.  It's been 5 months since I started learning how to use WordPress.  I hear it's better than any other software out there.  I haven't really given it a try.  I like some of the templates for WP, but I haven't delved into it enough to figure out how to modify them to fit the band page.  I would like to use WP eventually...but for now I'll take it one day at a time. 

Last Saturday (yup, 5 days ago) I spent all day, literally studying, changing, researching, learning how to put a Blogger widget on my site so I can just update Blogger and the blogs would appear on the site automatically.  I gave up...too confusing.  So I decided to use the same color scheme as this blog on the site - to make it uniform.  Not bad at all.  Saturday I worked on the front page (index) so that I could get the site looking nice...and I'm glad to say that it's done - for now.  It's always going to be a work in progress, really since that content should change...to keep you guys interested.

On Monday, I had planned to work on the 'About' page of the site.  I got busy...and didn't get to it until today.  I'm happy to say that the 'About' page is up and running.  I'd like to add a few things...but it's updated...so if you want to know more about us, like what kind of music we play, where we got our inspiration, and what places we've played at...check it out.  There's a link to the official site from this blog.

Next up:  The dreadded one:  Linking our blog to the 'News' page...if I can't figure that out quickly, then I'll make modifications to my design.

Later!
Cyn

More site updates

I recently took on the project of redoing the band's site.  I'm still learning about WordPress, so I hope to have all official sites linked together through plug-ins, gadgets...and other nifty elements.  Today's project includes modifying all photos and re-creating the pics pages of the site.  This is a huge project all together since we have over 1000 photos taken over the years, but it's okay since I'll take it one page at a time. 

Let's see how it goes!  Hasta luego...

Learning WordPress

I’ve been needing to update the band site – so far, I’ve done ok working on GoLive – but since it’s easier to be online and quickly post a blog about the next VolatilAdventures…I figured I needed to learn how to use WordPress.  I got a chance to look at some cool designs, and I couldn’t decide which one to use for the band site.

Since I’m a hand’s on gal, I want to know how everything works.  So I chose a design that’s also configurable.  Meaning, I can add plug-ins to add gig dates, music, and hopefully YouTube videos.  There is so much VolatilRock content out there that I would like to have it all in one place.  There’s FaceBook, MySpace, Blogger, and now I want the main page to have the same content.

But it’s not as easy as I thought it would be.  I am learning though, and I have time to learn…just like I had time to learn how to use GoLive…so in the mean time, enjoy the current setup.

Volatilrock.com

Many Ideas

Why is it that we always have ideas when we are away from 'our lab'?  The other day, I had a job in Austin and during the entire drive, I was inspired by all the songs I heard on the radio.  I listened to some songs from the 90s, and then some from the 60s, and then some current stuff.  I had a lot of ideas running through my mind...but by the time I got home, the place where I can sit and write and put things in order, all these ideas were forgotten...

Happy Mardi Gras!

Hoping everyone had a good Valentine's Day weekend!  Now we've recharged our batteries, and we'll be writing more music.  There are times when we get 'musician's block'.  We write and write and then we edit, and edit our songs that we go back to where we started.  Inspiration drains out.  I think we're ready to get things going again.  We're taking a simpler approach.  Less stress.  More ideas and freedom to create...