There’s not much left to the month of November, and as usual, I’m glad. Despite it being the month of my birth, something always seems to come along and screw November up. I have no idea why.
For example, I had an appointment with back surgeon number three to see if there was anything he could do to fix the problems I have with my back. He confirmed that I’ve got pain (gee, thanks), but just like surgeons number one and two, he said there was no surgical solution that would help my pain.
Since that appointment (and since the end of the Nevro test), I’ve been on nothing but a strong pain medicine (name withheld at my wife’s request). It’s been difficult as hell to keep track of my doses, mainly because it turns me into a zombie if I get it wrong and it puts me to sleep sometimes if I get the dosage right. I have an appointment with my pain management doctor tomorrow to discuss everything that’s happened since the Nevro test.
While there have been bad issues, there have been a couple of good ones to counter the bad ones. My wife allowed me to make some purchases for the music computer, mainly from XLN Audio. They ran a 50% off discount on everything, including a new drum kit of stick/mallet performances and an accompanying MIDI groove pack. I also got a pleasant surprise from them: I asked them to check the status of one of my libraries which I didn’t think had been properly upgraded from Addictive Drums 1 to Addictive Drums 2. Not only did they confirm that, they found several other libraries that weren’t properly upgraded. They fixed those as well. Bonus!
Another 50% discount was for Kontakt Assistant from the people who make Translator for synth cross usage.. That one I got super cheap.
Of course, something had to come along and spoil that part of the party. I’ve been using Cakewalk, now Cakewalk SONAR Platinum, as my music composition software since at least 1994. Gibson Brands bought out the software a couple of years ago. The bad news came down on November 17th, but I didn’t get wind of it until the 25th—”Gibson Brands announced today that it is ceasing active development and production of Cakewalk branded products.” This was a gut punch of titanic proportions. No one knows what is going to happen to what I believe is the best music software out there. Not yet, at least. Until then, I’m still using SONAR, but I’m also investigating other programs. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE use the contact page or leave a comment to give me an idea for something that might be equivalent. One requirement: MIDI editing. I’m a MIDI maven to the nth degree.
One last gut punch: I had a filling fall out this morning. Dentist appointment required. Screw November, I’m through with you.
Hurray for a sale at the right time! It sucks about SONAR and everything else, though. At least November is finally in the rear-view mirror…
I’m also sorry to hear that the implants didn’t work as well as was hoped. 🙁 I’ll continue to keep you in my thoughts. Sending best wishes during this holiday season.
Thank you. I need the wishes more than ever right now, since the new pain medicine isn’t doing the trick.