<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0"
   xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
   xmlns:admin="http://webns.net/mvcb/"
   xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
   xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
   xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
   xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
   xmlns:creativeCommons="http://backend.userland.com/creativeCommonsRssModule">
    <channel>
        <title>The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</title>
        <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html</link>
        <description>Mark Cullen: Blog</description>
        <generator>Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/</generator>
        <lastBuildDate>Sun, 20 May 2012 01:19:22 -0700</lastBuildDate>
        <item>
            <title>Back At It....</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#29</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Well I'm finally "back in the saddle" so to speak. I just finished my latest effort "Leave The Light On" and it's now posted at the top of the music page and available for download - FOR FREE! If you like the song and choose to download it, all I ask is that you drop me an email to let me kow what you like or don't like about the song. I'm already planning a shorter "radio friendly" version but maybe you think I should leave it as it is. Either way -let me know! Your opinion is important to me :>) If you'd like to read the lyrics as you listen, just click on the title. That will also give you some background on the song. I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer! Until next time......]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#29</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>The Long Road...</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#28</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Ironic I should pick Halloween to write this, huh? Obviously it's been quite some time since I've written anything here. The road I've been traveling has been a long and hard one for me. My life completely changed overnight -everything - and recovering and adjusting to the loss is not an easy process. And the process may never end. Memories never go away. I've been told I just  "need to move on". I wish that was as easy to do as it sounds. I can say, however, that in this process I have discovered myself again. Who I am and what I want and need. Knowing what I know now I wish I could go back and do it all over again the right way. The pain and grief I could have saved myself and everyone else. But I can only take what I've learned and not make those mistakes again. It's funny that while you're losing touch with yourself and acting or reacting to things without much conscious thought, it all remains subtle, silent, and below the surface - while love is slowly buried. And yet when I went through the process of rediscovering my true self, my motivations and feelings, the awakening hit hard. Like being torn apart and made to examine all the tiny little pieces of my life and then being reassembled. I guess that must be why some people avoid feelings or avoid feeling very deeply. It's easier to go through life, as Pink Floyd so aptly put it, "Comfortably Numb". The feelings are still there though - just unacknowledged. But along with the pain of reviving some of those feelings there's life and hope. So I think there will be a lot of music that will come from all of this when the time is right. Maybe that's when the real healing will begin....  I'll keep you posted.]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#28</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>All Good Things.......</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#27</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Geez, that was the title of the final "Star Trek - The Next Generation " episode. But in my case it is somewhat appropriate - all good things must come to an end. I'm not refering to music here but to my relationship with Aleksandra. I won't go into details here but just suffice it to say it's over. I've purchased a home and am in the long and tedious process of getting settled and putting the studio back together. I've been away for that reason only but will try to get back into the swing of things again now. Thanks to all who have sent emails and shown so much patience and understanding in my long delay in responding. You all are wonderful. Now go hurry up and finish those taxes! Until next time.....]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#27</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Still Winter......</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#26</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Overall it's been a pretty mild winter for us folks up north. Yeah, we did have a few weeks of some pretty nasty subzero temperatures but that's to be expected. We just got dumped on last night with about a foot of snow and supposedly more on the way. So yep...winter's not done yet. In Minnesota, March is traditionally the snowiest month. So that brings me to the subject at hand. Since we're all still cooped up inside with the furnace running, I thought I'd say a few words for all those guitar players and other stringed instrument owners out there. One of those words is humidity - or I should say the lack thereof. Winter is a very rough time for wooden instruments. They crave humidity. Not excessively but enough to stay healthy. With furnaces running all the time, in most homes you're lucky if relative humidity is 55%. Acoustic guitars and such like it much better around 60 to 70% - the exact number depends on who you talk to of course. The consequences, though, are a clear and present danger - cracks and warping in worse case scenerios. Why take the chance? My recommendation? Humidifiers. There's all sorts of cool little guitar humidifiers out there. I won't get into any specific brand endorsements here (unless of course they come up with a suitcase full of money at which point I will certainly consider it!) but rather just say that you'll be doing yourself and your axe a big favor. In my experience, electric guitars are not quite as susceptible to the ravages of low humidity as acoustics are but it sure can't hurt. The other thing is leave them in the case. I love to display my instruments as much as anyone else but in the winter the acoustics stay in their cases. So take my advice and go check it out on the web. There's all sorts of info available out there so you can make an informed decision and do what's best for you and your instrument. as the old saying goes....an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! See ya next time...........]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#26</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 25 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Please? ? ? ?</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#25</link>
            <description><![CDATA[I hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far! I certainly am - nothing has worn out or broken down over the past few months (except for an effects processor in the studio and that's now been replaced) so I consider that to be a pretty good start. The main point I wanted to mention in my current blurb here is that recently I've received a few guestbook entries with invalid email addresses. Now don't get me wrong. I see the humor in it as much as the next guy and some of them are pretty clever but when I'm asked to stop by and check their website, it helps to know what the address is! Typically website addresses posted in the guestbook itself are removed by the adminstrator but if you'd like me to check out your site and return the favor by signing your guestbook, drop me an email! I promise I won't hound you with spam or give it to anyone else. As a matter of fact, I usually respond only once and if I never hear anything back - well - I kind of assume you'd rather not correspond. And that's OK! Only those who sign up for my mailing list will receive semi-regular emails from me. So I'm just asking very nicely....please leave valid info or leave the email address box blank. You can still sign anonymously for all the world to see . I really don't mind. Of course it goes without saying that you gotta keep it clean - that means you MOM! Now with that said, I'll ponder what subject I should write about next time. In the meantime, have a wonderful day!]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#25</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Happy New Year! ! ! ! !</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#24</link>
            <description><![CDATA[<br><br />Welcome 2007! A new year, a new start - resolutions, revelations, and revolutions........<br /><br><br />And with that said, I'd just like to wish everyone (one more time) a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. Let the fun & music begin!]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#24</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>&amp;quot;Twas The Night Before......</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#23</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Well OK, so it's not the night before Christmas but it's very close! This year is a special one for me. My new album "Indigo Moon" has been officially released and is now available on CD Baby and also directly from Io Music Ltd. (the links will be up on the site very soon but in the meantime if you'd like to check it out, just go to <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/markcullen3">http://cdbaby.com/cd/markcullen3</a>)<br />AND....I'm now expecting TWO new little ones this coming year. My daughter Melissa ("Starving For Affection" though obviously that's not quite true anymore) who just got married last Sept is expecting her first in August and my other daughter Mallory is expecting her third in April. Now that's some Christmas present!!! I just sent an email to eveyone last week on the mailing list with the latest so if you haven't signed up yet, there's no time like the present! (pun intended). I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a beautiful and wondrous New Year. See ya in '07!<br />Ho ho ho!!!!!]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#23</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>'Tis The Season.....</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#22</link>
            <description><![CDATA[...To be jolly, right? Well of course! Overly crowded malls & stores, frightful traffic, and thin wallets sure make me want to jump for joy! But it isn't really all about that stuff is it? It's about family and friends and remembering what's really important in life. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. At our household we, of course, ate and drank too much but certainly had a very nice time. And now the Christmas season is upon us. It's unbelievable how fast the past year went. But it has been a productive one and I'm happy to announce the new album, "Indigo Moon", is in post production and will be released soon! I'll be sending out letters to everyone on the mailing list right before the official release so if you haven't signed up yet, there's no time like the present! So I'd just like to end here by wishing everyone out there a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. "Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight......"]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#22</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 26 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>What Is &amp;quot;Art&amp;quot;........?</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#21</link>
            <description><![CDATA[First, I'd like to get all of my excuses out of the way. Between bathroom remodeling, and various other projects (including trying to finish up the new album) I realize I haven't been around as much as I should. Shame on me. I find it amazing that as life moves ever onward, it becomes more of a challenge to keep up with those things closest to our hearts. Instead, I allow all the mundane business of life to move to the top of the 'ol priorities list. Again shame on me. But concerning the subject with which I began this latest blurb, isn't art a matter of looking at the everyday and mundane things in life from a slightly different viewpoint? <br />Derek Sivers (founder of CD Baby-The world's greatest and coolest retailer of independent music) said something in one of his inspirational emails  that he periodically sends out to all the members that bears repeating here. I love this quote and I think it's captures the essence of art perfectly. "A toothbrush is just a toothbrush but mount it on the wall and shine a light on it - that's art". Derek, that is as eloquent a statement as I've ever heard - and right on the money. So, you're asking yourself at this point, how does that apply to music? Well....in my opinion, music takes that same perspective and just applies it aurally instead of visually. So imagine the toothbrush on the wall surrounding you with an addictively pleasant sound. (Sorry, the latest gizmos parading as singing toohbrushes that vibrate your jawbone to your ear don't count) It would kind of give you a different perspective on all toothbrushes wouldn't it? So what is art? Just a different view of the same world we all know and love. How's that for simple and profound? On the flip side, my friend Biff (name changed to protect the innocent - mainly me) feels that art is a fallacy propagated by those who have an aversion to actually working and making an honest living. They instead would rather take money from those people who like to think that their appreciation of the arts sets them above the rest of average humanity. It's not that he doesn't like art, (well ok, so he's not into the visual thing- he does like to listen to music as long as it's loud and thumpy) he just thinks it's overrated. A tune's a tune. What does art have to do with it? So there you have it - two different perspectives. Wow, I guess that makes this little blurb a piece of art. What do you think? Let me know would ya?]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#21</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 12 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Conspicuously Absent....</title>
            <link>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#20</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Ok OK...I know you've probably been wondering where I've been and what I've been up to. Then again - maybe not. Either way I thought I would once again make an appearance and let everyone in on the current happenings. It's been a busy summer and I find it unbelievable it's almost over. The big signal around these parts is the Great Minnesota Get Together - commonly known as the State Fair. And since I'm in somewhat close proximity to the fairgrounds, the family and I are treated daily to the almost continuous rush of traffic and the window rattling booming of the nightly fireworks. But I digress. I have almost finished another couple of tunes for the album between bathroom renovation and family visits. The house is a mess and another budding adult in our household is preparing to leave for college. And the time has flown by so quickly that I'm often left wondering where it went. The word "tired" is now a more than commonly used term in our collective vocabulary and another birthday is looming near. Nothing like a birthday to remind one that we're not getting any younger. Wow-did I really SAY that? But the music project continues and although the finish date has been pushed out several times now there really is a dim light visible now at the end of the tunnel. Once again, thanks to all that have written and my apologies for sometimes not getting back with a prompt response. That's it for this installment folks. Exciting wasn't it! I promise I will not stay away so long next time. And while I'm at....have a wonderful Labor Day!]]></description>
            <guid>http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html#20</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
            <source url="http://markcullenmusic.com/news.html">The Complete Music, Lyrics, and More... - Mark Cullen - Blog</source>
        </item>
    </channel>
</rss>
