- SSAB – January 1, 2022
- SSAB – January 2, 2022
- SSAB – January 3, 2022
- SSAB – January 4, 2022
- SSAB – January 5, 2022
- SSAB – January 6, 2022
- SSAB – January 7, 2022
- SSAB – January 8, 2022
- SSAB – January 9, 2022
- SSAB – January 10, 2022
- SSAB – January 11, 2022
- SSAB – January 12, 2022
- SSAB – January 13, 2022
- SSAB – January 14, 2022
- SSAB – January 15, 2022
- SSAB – January 16, 2022
- SSAB – January 17, 2022
- SSAB – January 18, 2022
- SSAB – January 19, 2022
- SSAB – January 20, 2022
- SSAB – January 21, 2022
- SSAB – January 22, 2022
- SSAB – January 23, 2022
- SSAB – January 24, 2022
- SSAB – January 25, 2022
- SSAB – January 26, 2022
- SSAB – January 27, 2022
- SSAB – January 28, 2022
- SSAB – January 29, 2022
- SSAB – January 30, 2022
- SSAB – January 31, 2022
SSAB – January 1 2022
Up and at them! Happy New Year! Here is a little traditional verse my family used to say on the morning of the New Year. My Dad used to take us around to the Elders’ houses after church to say this little verse. Here are the words with translation after:
UKRAINIAN
Сію, сію, посіваю
З Новим роком всіх вітаю!
Щоб Вам весело жилося,
Щоб задумане збулося,
Щоб ніколи не хворіли,
Щоб нічого не боліло,
Щоб у праці все горіло
Та й в кишені шелестіло!
Щоб, як квіти, Ви цвіли
Та сто років прожили!
ENGLISH:
This, this, sow Happy New Year to all!
May you have fun,
May your plans come true,
May you never get sick,
May nothing hurt,
May everything burn at work
And a rustle in your pocket!
May you bloom like flowers and live a hundred years!
Show notes up on stevensirski.com! Have a great year!
SSAB – January 2 2022
All about today’s Jamuary 2202 offering: Building Beats. Using Garageband to mix up an EDM track, here is something I put together in what I consider to be part two of a possible trilogy. Yesterday was the intro, today the main beat, tomorrow, what will it be?
Tracks and commentaries up on stevensirski.com, take a look!
SSAB – January 3 2022
Nice and quiet. People must be leaving as it is a month till Spring Festival… and the Olympics!
Updated the website with a lot of last week’s tracks. I see I missed a a few days in December Drumming, though one or two of them I know I recorded somewhere.
Podcast about learning Chinese and why it’s so difficult. Few, if any, cognates (words similar across languages), character / sound difference, spoken / written.
Bought a Garmin Heart Rate Monitor. Mi Fit band doesn’t seem to be working as well. This chest strap is a bit uncomfortable.
Today’s Jamuary contribution…
Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com! Happy New Year!
SSAB – January 4 2022
Like hoping the teacher won’t pick me in class, so I check my work allocations! Studied Chinese for FOUR HOURS today! Last practice test I took on Sept 20 2020 I scored 9/31, or 29%. This time I scored… 9/31. The exact same! WTF!
Smells different, is it a different type of coal dust in the air?
No more daily health checks! NATs still are.
Jamuary continues… Updated some more of December Drumming… Becoming a stock broker, watching Billions again.
Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
Thanks for listening!
SSAB – January 5 2022
Well Happy Birthday Dad. Hope you are well. Dad passed away a few years ago prior to my current employment. He managed to visit China with my Mom the year before he died. The only thing that gets me is that the travel agency suggested he get a ten year visa!
I did write a post and later made a recording of it on my website. It’s titled Quotes From My Father. I’d encourage you to read it as it has helped me quite a bit throughout life. One of my target audiences for the post are parents themselves, ie, people my age who now have their own kids. It might make you laugh or it might even give you something to use at some point.
Show notes up on stevensirski.com. I love you Dad!
SSAB – January 6 2022
The year is 2022! Whoops
Never tell your teacher you have time, they’ll fill it with homework. … Even though I know that languages are learned on your own time, not class time. Classes are mini tests, the real learning happens in your own studies.
Jumped a few percentage points today in my latest Chinese practice test. Hit 42%! Yey! But that’s because I went through the chapter prior to the related test. Tomorrow will try to review another chapter. Focusing on learning the teacher’s vocabulary to make reading the book easier.
Started Russian again online, this time through iTalki. Wanted to try out the platform and see how the classes are conductes. Integrated classroom with chat and board functionality, but we did have connection issues.
Jamuary continues. Got the tracks done butb haven’t posted yet. I seem to be repeating my drum patterns so I’ll work on getting away from those.
Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com.
Hope you’re well!
SSAB – January 7 2022
Beat Boxin with Claps. Trying it out. As so many others on soc med seem to be publishing electronica and the like, I seem to fall back on Beat Boxin and Body Percussion. Maybe i’s the easiest. I’ll look to change it up going forward.
SSAB – January 8 2022
Eeech, Moscato goes down easy! Weekend edition to make up for it.
Russian class, pronunciation with a thespian. First time I’ve ever experienced a non-ESL teacher use such techniques. Signed up for another trial class on Monday, I like the idea of trying out a bunch of different teachers just cause it’s so easy.
Since Russian isn’t as character intensive as Chinese, might be easier to do.
Spent the morning doing my homework for Chinese class on Sunday. Took an hour!
Morning workouts… tried something new today that looked doable… and now my legs hurt. Called the Hollywood workout on the Garmin APP, lots of leg work for some reason. Feeling it today.
Started doing kbell swings and mobility on non-workout days.
Show notes up on stevensirski.com
Have a great weekend!
SSAB – January 9 2022
Have you ever found yourself with a collection of sound bits you’ve collected over the years as you’ve lived in a city? No? Well, some of us have. These here are some of the sounds I often hear while living and working in Beijing. Among them are a passenger announcement, cooling fans, knife sharpeners, people eating, and me trying to speak Chinese.
Show notes and tracks up on my website stevensirski.com \m/
SSAB – January 10 2022
Russian class cancelled, will I get credit? Chinese class.. still having trouble understanding despite progress with vocab.
Tech and teaching: will THE METAVERSE merge with teaching? How can I automate my teaching while still providing personalized service? This and more in today’s audio offering.
Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com, have a good start of week!
SSAB – January 11 2022
Website updated with latest upload from December Drumming. A little walk through of some inspirational drum beats.
Jamuary continues…
And Chinese for five hours. But I still don’t feel like I accomplished anything. Did better on the practice tests though, scored 55%. Language learning and a lot more.
Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com. Have a good day!
SSAB – January 12 2022
Down early, up early.
Trying out transcription software. Had some success with the Python version two years ago but it had limited use, as do most freebies. Using Otter.ai as it has 6000 minutes free but it has to be done live and within the web browser. Not sure about the APP. Will try it out to see if it makes life easier.
And with all this technology, have we left the past behind? Could we ever give it all up?
Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com. Have a great middle of the week!
SSAB – January 13 2022
Forgot to record transcript!
Thinking about Dunkeroos, Lucerne Ice Cream bars, and pizza pops lately.
What happens if I leave my job here in Beijing? Do I have to leave the country right away or do I have some time to find another or get my stuff and get out? People are leaving for greener pastures, or at least not as caging.
Beijing locking down, free to move about within the city but risky to leave. Tianjin locked down.
Jamuary tracks updated!
Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com. Have a good one!
SSAB – January 14 2022
Food, fasting and figures. Still on the restricted eating schedule but have not been following any sort of nutrition restrictions (Hello, GuoBaoRiu). May change that up. Morning workout in and out, done in 50 minutes. Hardest thing is to deciding to do it and then get up and get it done.
Beijing lockdown, Tianjin lockdown. Olympics not too far away.
Jamuary continues. Got some time now to get some things done.
Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com. Have a good one!
SSAB – January 15 2022
Banging out a quickie to get things done. Jamuary 2022 continues with this little offering using the beat maker feature in Garageband. If anything, these will be the sounds of tomorrow’s vintage throwbacks as these tracks are being compressed by today’s standards.
Have a listen and show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com!
SSAB – January 16 2022
Another chill Sunday leads to another midday nap and another spacey track. This time using several synthesizers and sound effects over top of each this track is like another trip through space and time. Nice and relaxing, future forward thinking, chill. Enjoy.
Tracks up on stevensirski.com
SSAB – January 17 2022
Twitter Spaces, are they worth it? How many socials can you handle? Xiaomi 6 band vs Garmin HRM Pro, verdict? Peet’s Coffee vs Starbucks vs local options of Wagas n Baker & Spice. Relaxing weekend of doing nothing! Didn’t even go to Chinese class! Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com! Have a great start of week!
SSAB – January 18 2022
Productive day! Mobility = hip stretches = sitting all day because… getting shtuff done! Chinese (four hours, 55% on my latest practice test), audio blog, JAMUARY tracks (17th, 18th) AND…. last but not least… a POEM. DAVID HARRISON HORTON let me read his poem out loud for the masses, his work “Above Below Beneath Over Under Underneath” is featured on today’s Episode. I spent much of my day tweaking this so it would sound good since it is my first attempt at doing such an audio reading. If you can’t find it here, head over to my website stevensirski.com where you’ll find tracks and show notes and more. Thanks for listening and a special shout out to Ben, Luke and Dave for the encouragement along the way. Have a good one!
SSAB – January 19 2022
Smoggy outside but was out for a run this morning at 620. Only ran a mile, no weight vest, want to test out a morning running routine in preparation for the 4x4x48 in March.
Back to work tomorrow
Medea, an interpretation, theatrical play tomorrow night. Going out? Is it even possible?
Should have skipped Chinese homework today or at least worked on my other textbook, not the HSK materials. 6 out of 31 = 19%, ouch! Felt distracted the entire time.
NO GENERAL ADMISSION FOR THE OLYMPICS, by invite only and the chances are I won’t be getting one of those invites, sadly.
Jamuary…. must be feeling chill cause I keep using these synths and keyboards.
Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com. Hope you’re having a good week so far!
SSAB – January 20 2022
We’re out and about in what may become a rare event in the very near future. Saw a play titled “Medea”, based on the tragedy written by Euripides so many years ago, but now interpreted in a modern context and… in Chinese. Understanding? 10%. Good thing there were subtitles at the theatre. Spoke with the director, Donnie Fan, right after the performance to get his take on the one act play and follow that up with one spectator’s review of the play. Jamuary track is at the forefront of this episode, audio blog in the middle, followed by Donnie and Katie. Show notes and tracks up on my website, stevensirski.com. Thanks for listening!
SSAB – January 21 2022
Thanks David. Morning workout pushed back to the afternoon. Still got it done. Friday night but it’s a work night here. Lockdowns? Could they become a reality here in Beijing? That would suck but it’s not impossible. Bought some books, Bill Bryson and Michio Kaku, both authors I’ve read for a while. Why don’t I read more? I do spend most of my time studying Chinese! Why do I care about hyperspace? Will I ever get to zip around the stars? Or just take some medication that makes me believe I’m flying through the stars. Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com. Have a good weekend!
SSAB – January 22 2022
Riding through the streets of Beijing on a Saturday evening. Slippery and snowy, pretty, but not too bad. Here be the soundtrack to my ride, trying to play guitar… Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com
SSAB – January 23 2022
What would it be like to sit and chill and jam in a garage? This here uses the Detroit Garage drum kit and a few other elements to replicate what might be played on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Playing along to a click but using it as another instrument, nice and chill. Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com
SSAB – January 24 2022
Parts of Fengtai locked down, city-wide testing, Omicron has been found in the Olympic loop. How and why? Good thing my books arrived. Jamuary continues with the website updated. Looking forward to Finish February. Beijing has snow, is it even real if it doesn’t stick to make snowballs? Snowman 2022 done. And… what if still China, but not Beijing? Where else would I go within China? Would I want to go? Time is flying, I hope you’re being productive. Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com!
SSAB – January 25 2022
Why do I even read these books?! End of the Universe? My descendents will have to make the jump? Yet all I’m worried about is my next paycheck. And reading some books I may never have an actual use for. This was inspired by Michio Kaku’s The God Equation. Maybe I should have just had a beer instead? Bought a Russian grammar book… in Chinese. The idea is to study both at the same time. Eech. Chinese went slow today, will finish it up on Saturday. Will I hit my April goal for the HSK 5 test? Jamuary continues with new tracks up. Coming to the end of 90 days of creative anxiety output. Time for a break? And, would a move to another city really be a good idea? Show notes n tracks up on my website stevensirski.com. Have a good one!
SSAB – January 26 2022
Reading JP Getty’s book again, what does it take to succeed? What is success? What habits do I need to form? A podcast for ESL learners to supplement class? An extra service to students? The job will end, it’s not a matter of if, it’s when and how prepared I will be for that. Jamuary continues with new tracks up and lining up podcast guests. Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com. Hope you’re having a great week so far and staying warm and safe out there!
SSAB – January 27 2022
Thinking about… how to automate myself as an ESL teacher? For all of the month-long challenges I’ve gone through, would it be possible to build a program to at least deal with the introductory back and forths for a language learner? Not just an English learner, but a language learner in general? What questions would you ask? How would you know when they’ve stopped speaking? How would you know when they need help? Or, could it be programmed to do all this without the learner feeling like shit for not knowing? Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com, thanks for listening folks!
SSAB – January 28 2022
Trying out the Chinese instruments on the iPad: GuZheng and the drums. A bit spacey, relaxing, and probably not what purists would call “real” but, it’s cinematic and would make for a good soundtrack to a few images… which I just might do later on in the year. Hope you enjoy this track titled “A Chinese Soundtrack” as we get ready for the Spring Festival. Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com.Copy embed
SSAB – January 29 2022
Out to the pub we go, or is it a watering hole? Pint house? Local brew bar? Anyway, night went on longer than expected but that was because we were just so smart! Ended the night with some fantastic Korean fried chicken doused in sauce! Automating work, automating life, how much can be done and using which tools? Read up on using Apple Automator and Apple Scripts, how can these work with Python? Jamuary continues and it’s almost over. Tried a Chinese-inspired soundtrack recently. Spring Festival coming up, one week off! Back to work the Tuesday after! Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com. Have a great weekend!
SSAB – January 30 2022
Just jamming around! A really peaceful Sunday afternoon as the city prepares for the Spring Festival. Though it is a make-up work day, lots of people have already left the city for their home towns. Such atmosphere inspired this here track in which I thought of the Detroit Garage drum kit in Logic pro and had a play around with it. With this track I wanted to learn how to separate all of the different elements of a drum beat to create a cohesive whole. I then overlaid a simple bass rhythm and guitar track. Guitars are something I’ll have to work on since it’s not something I’ve usually played. Enjoy this lazy Sunday! Show notes and tracks up on stevensirski.com.
SSAB – January 31 2022
Last day of the Lunar New Year and the first day of the week! Is Beijing any different? What do you do for the Lunar New Year? End of the Ox Year and into the Tiger New Year which means… ? A week off and able to get some things done. Jiaozi done. Yuanbao done. Penzi done. Eating early and then onto the Gala tonight! Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com!