2012

Fri, Nov 2

<18:52 EEST> The past few weeks have seen some important updates in the non-x86 front. The bad news is, the Loongson 3A laptop developed small hardware issues, for example with battery and display handling, and I am currently waiting to get a warranty replacement/repair started. I have been in contact with a representative, but there is no official company reply yet.

On a positive side, when the Linux kernel 3.6 was released a few weeks ago, it included provisions for the Buffalo Linkstation Pro LS-XHL. So far, I had used a patched 2.6.35.14, and I was lagging in other important updates such as udev. With 3.6, it took a while to learn the new build incantations involving the flattened device tree, and there were other kernel bugs to worry about. Finally, using Fjen's build notes, Linux 3.6.5 is up and running without any patches.

On a musical note, I have two gigs coming up around halfway this month, one with a classical choir and orchestra, the other with my good old Serious Dudes. The classical one is a rather new development, originally a one-off project for Noora's thesis, but another gig may be coming up too. I know some of the other singers from theatre circles, and rehearsals are always a good laugh. Plus, besides the usual development of classical singing, I feel like the improved vocal range and quality is improving my rock/pop voice as well. Latin with Italian pronounciation is another perk for an amateur linguist.

Moreover, the JYT summer gig seems to have taken on a life of its own. Recently we performed with Cuenta Cuentos at Baari Vakiopaine, another great experience in yet another kind of surroundings. I feel I am getting further back to the good old theatre scene, and I am hoping to get more serious in the spring as my work contract ends.