IT Director, Photographer, Dad

New Cars are Fun

Added on by joel spangler.

For a very long time, I’ve been a huge fan of German cars. Audi, Porsche, and VW have always been my favorites. I have previously driven two VW GTI’s, the most recent of which was a 2018 GTI Autobahn, and a fantastic car. As I’ve gotten older, been married, had a child, and so on, the GTI became a little too small for day-to-day life (though it’s hard to admit that).

Well, as of today, I have an Audi. I stumbled into a heck of a deal on a 2021 Audi Q5 45 Premium Plus. It has all of the options, and even some upgrades, and I could hardly believe I was actually buying it, even as I signed the last bit of paperwork.

In pictures and even in reviews, these cars look nice, and I’ve always known that Audi gets high marks for quality and comfort, especially the interiors. It’s been a fair bit of time since I’ve sat in an Audi. This morning, I sat in the driver’s seat of this car and was blown away. Like an Apple product, you can’t fully appreciate these things until you’re actually in front of one. As I started the car, and drove it around, everything was on a different level from previous cars I’ve owned. Every button, surface, and finish felt sturdy and high quality. The leather is real, and very comfortable. The ride is sporty, quiet, and plush. Bumps cease to exist when riding in this car.

Among options, this one includes the Bang and Olufsen premium Audio, the 20” Wheels (which look incredible), and the Premium Plus Package. The sound system is sublime, and sounds every bit as good as the Fender Audio system in my GTI. Unrelated, the Fender Audio premium system from VW was one of the all-time best in any car.

Overall, I am still in disbelief that I have this car, but a great deal of hard work has led to this moment, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to get this car.

Some New Music.

Added on by joel spangler.

Mr. Rogers has always been one of my favorite people. I grew up watching his show, and still throw an episode on now and again. He’s perhaps one of the warmest people to ever live. Also, his band. Johnny Costa on piano, Joe Negri on guitar, these guys would just kill on every episode.

I recently found a fantastic jazz album by a great tenor saxophone player named John Ellis. This album from 2012 features an incredible host of players. Mike Morano, Aaron Goldberg, and Matt Penman to name a few. Standout tracks are “It’s You I Like”, and “You Are Special”.

Beautiful interpretations of the music of Mr. Rogers, with a great modern jazz approach. Odd meters, and syncopation, all while maintaining the joyful and playful nature of it’s originator.

A must listen if you’re a jazz person.


Old Friend, Awesome Art

Added on by joel spangler.

Way back in the 90’s, I went to high school with a super cool dude named Jeremy Lowther. He was a very talented artist then, and even more so now. I recently saw a post of his, and was reminded of a piece he did many years ago. Butter Toast man, when I first saw it who knows how long ago, I immediately wanted a print of it. Now I have one, and got quite a few more. I love all of them. GO check out his work at http://www.jlowther.net/

Current Jams.

Added on by joel spangler.

There has been some pretty excellent music coming out this year. Here are some things I have really been digging:

Knower Forever

by Knower

Knowers newest release, “Knower Forever” (available on thier BandCamp) is yet another masterpiece. Louis Cole is a force on this album, playing multiple instruments, singing, and orchestrating some incredible pieces. My favorite tracks on this album so far are “I’m the President”, “The Abyss”, and “Do Hot Girls Like Chords”. A great mix of synths and live musicians is a hallmark of Knower, and they do not disappoint here. Genevieve Artade has several standout moments, specifically her performance on “Same Smile, Different Person.”

Still Casual

Walter Smith III

Walter Smith III happened to attend Berklee around the same time I did. I have seen him perform numerous times in those years, and have followed him since. His latest release, “Still Casual” is an absolute master class in casual brilliance. Every musician on this album is an absolute giant, and every song kills from start to finish. The whole album is a highlight as far as I’m concerned.

As a jazz fan - I can’t help but feel that we’re seeing a reneaissance of the genre in recent years. With the work of Ben Wendel, WSIII, Louis Cole, Snarky Puppy, Vulfpeck, Kneebody, and all of the members of those bands, there is a lot of incredible music coming out right now. I truly hope it continues for many years to come.


Challenges

Added on by joel spangler.

As the great Harvey Pekar once said, “Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.” Life lately has been pretty complex. Great challenges often end up leading to great successes, and I’m hoping that this phase of my life reflects that.

On Memorial Day weekend, we had some friends over. Everything was normal until…. Our cat came stumbling down the stairs, panicked and disoriented, and our guest’s child came chasing after trying to pick it up. In my memory, it was like a scene from a scary movie. We quickly realized that something was wrong. Our cat could not use his right leg, it was clearly injured. I took Dog (that’s my cat’s name) to the emergency vet where it was determined that his right leg was broken in at least two places (we’d later find out it was much worse), and it would require surgery. Options were a plate and screws,or worst case, amputation.

As the story was relayed from my daugher, who, it must be said, saved the cat’s life, the child was grabbing the cat by the legs to get it out from under her bed, and proceeded to slam him on the ground multiple times, ultimately jumping on the cat in an effort to keep him still. My daughter stopped him and let the cat out of her room, but you can see where this was going. It should be noted that this story was later confirmed by the child who did this.

My wife had the task of cleaning pee and poop from his fur for 2 weeks, endless laundry, reapplying a splint that continuously fell off his leg no matter what we tried, all because our cat couldn’t move until we could get him into surgery. Hours a day were consumed just trying to keep him clean and healthy. The cost of the surgery was small compared to all the work, day and night, that resulted.

Two weeks later - and our “friends” have decided that they aren’t “comfortable” with the cost of surgery required to repair our cat’s leg. They were very willing to pay for the damage their son caused, they repeatedly told us they’d pay for it, accepted liability, until it became real I suppose. When a person can only think of their own comfort in this situation, while an innocent animal has been mamed… well, I don’t really have the words.

We have souls, we got Dog his surgery, and he is doing so much better. A plate, 3 wires, a bone graft, and 10 screws later. He is still the most loving and kind cat you’ve ever met. The surgeon and his staff couldn’t stop telling us what a nice and loving cat he was. We knew that, he always has been. When others heard the news, it was their first comment almost every time.

I don’t know how long it will take me to process this. But our cat is looking at a long road. 3 months minimum before we can let him free in our house again. Medications for weeks. But we’ll get through it, and Dog will to. We can rest at night knowing that we stood up and made sure this innocent creature could heal from this inexcusable event that was forced upon him. I can only hope that the people who handled this the way they did will find help for themselves and their son.

Dog in his natural state. Just wanting some love.

Joel Goes to College - Pt. 3

Added on by joel spangler.

As of today I have completed 4 semesters at Penn State. In those 4 semesters I have completed 60 credits. Add to that the 28 transfer credits I could use, and I am at 88 credits. After this summer I’ll be at 101. After fall ‘23 it will be 117. From there I have a few loose ends in Spring ‘24 and I will be done.

There is a lot of work between then and now, but for the first time, it seems like there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like the end of 2023 will be here before I know it, and the prospect of just having to complete a few more classes will be amazing.

One thing that I’ve been extremely lucky with is the demands on my time. I have still been able to balance working with the family and getting school work done. One thing I am still in disbelief about is that I’ve managed to get onto the Dean’s list in every semester. I hope to maintain that through to the end.

I continue to hope that things can stay where they are for at least another year, that’s all I need to get through this phase of my life.

Knower dropped a new live session, and at the end they dropped a line about a new album. I can’t wait. ALso, the new song is absolutely awesome. Video below:


Snarky Live

Added on by joel spangler.

Got the chance to catch Snarky Puppy at the HMAC in downtown Harrisburg. Was an epic show, and even got to see Mike Mahers crows surf. Who says jazz is boring?

The band

Let Us Sharay

Added on by joel spangler.

Just learned about Sharay Reed. This video showed up in my recommendations on Youtube. I clicked on it, and was blown away. This video was recorded some 17 years ago, and it is said to be the first viral bass video. In any case, it’s just a magical moment that I am glad to have seen.

I mean, Seriously. How?

Added on by joel spangler.

Just writing here to say that Snarky Puppy has a new album coming out Sept. 30th. And it’s back in the scene of live recording in a room with people. So anyways, this video is of them playing one of those tracks. It’s just out of control. They keep getting better.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Joel Goes To College, Update 2

Added on by joel spangler.

It is August 10th, and here is a quick summary of the summer so far:

  • I just finished my last final of my second semester back in school. 28 Credits down.

  • We spent the better part of the last 5 months selling a house, and then buying a new house, and then moving.

  • I am starting my third semester in the fall, and if I pull it off, will have 44 credits completed in 12 months. Pretty good stuff.

Anyways. Life moves on. In other news, Louis Cole.

He’s the best. Well he’s one of the best. No reason for hyperbole.

Joel Goes to College

Added on by joel spangler.

A long time ago in what seems like a former life, I went to college. I attended Berklee College of Music, where I majored in Music Production and Engineering (MP+E if you’re hip). In hindsight, attending this college was both the best and worst experience of my life. I was totally ready for it, and at the same time not ready at all. I learned a lot there, much of it stays with me today, but I also got lost in a huge world without restrictions. My life leading up to that point was suburban, rule-filled, religious family, caged boredom. For the most part. Given free reign, I went insane. Hey, that rhymed. Anyways, it was the classic story, off to school with the greatest of promise, eventually dropping out in a pile of flames.

So. I picked myself up, got a job, found the IT world, and am now an IT Director at a fairly large company. What a difference 20 years makes. I suppose I can never say I regret going to Berklee, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the good mostly outweighed the bad I suppose. Barely.

So this year I finally decided it was time. I have joined the legion of 40 year-olds from my generation who want to go back to school and actually get a bachelor’s degree. I enrolled at Penn State for Spring 2022, and I'm going to school. I’ve been in classes for a couple of months, I’m actually doing really well, it’s hard to believe. I had convinced myself for a time that I wasn’t cut out for it, but I should’ve done this 10 years ago. A sworn hater of math, I currently have a 101% in Calculus. It’s fun to get to do this, and I’m glad I had the chance to do this again. I might not graduate until I’m 43, but it’ll be worth it and I’m looking forward to it.

Dirty Loops And Cory Wong

Added on by joel spangler.

These guys just dropped a new album together, and while it is altogether amazing, this track borders on insanity. It takes a lot of magic to make something this good.

Just Good Music Please - Zildjian Live Series

Added on by joel spangler.

Lets be honest, I don’t have time to maintain a blog. So I’m not commiting to anything. Instead, I’m going to drop the best music on YouTube here when I find it.

So. Today it’s a couple of choice selection from the overall amazing Zildjian Live series on their YouTube channel.

Holy Crap By The Way.

GoGo Penguin - I love this

Added on by joel spangler.

Was browsing through an old folder of miscellaneous files an old coworker had given me over the years via thumb drive. We used to call him L Ron, but that story is for another day,

I am listening through a few albums he had dropped in, and I stumble across GoGo Penguin. I was instantly struck, and I’ve been listening to them a lot ever since. Here is a fantastic tiny desk concert from NPR featuring them.