Thinking about this road we are going down.

While listening to Miles today, I came across a notion that stopped to make me think for a second. The subject hits home, so I hope you might do the same.

Camden, the poorest (or really close to it) city in NJ, hired the elementary band school teacher which Medford - one of the richest town in South Jersey, laid off. Now, Medford had to lay him off since they could not afford to keep him, as well as the other elementary band teacher. It is also well documented that Art and Music are the first things to go when budgets get tight.

Now, we have all had to make cut backs lately. I have finally found a job after being laid off for 14 months. But why does the Medford township school board layoff teachers and not trim for other areas like administration? Heck, I have heard one of the secretaries in the school district clears $100,000. Another school has 12 vice-principals. Why can't the administrators start multitasking? I have two kids, a job, (and now) a part-time job and after-school activities, I'm not Superman, but we manage. The point here is 'why layoff teachers who directly interface with our kids, and opt for the overly expensive management that coordinate and push papers'. I'm certain that I am over-simplifying their jobs, but I have to wonder what the Superintendent is thinking - or is he a politician before an educator? And the teacher's Union isn't helping us either.

Last year, after a presentation by my daughters' class on a neat Promethean smart board, we found out that all of the classes in the school were to get one in the coming year. How much does that cost? Purchase, installation, training? - I'm pretty sure that could pay for a teachers salary for a year. The question comes down to what is really necessary. I'm all for keeping up with technology, but when so much is on the line, I start to wonder what is really necessary.

I'll get to my point, does a smart board help our kids? They really don't, they are a tool for the teacher. It helps the teachers by making their computer presentations and notes which they write on the board printable so they can just hand them out rather than teaching kids how to take notes (it's a narrow vision, I admit). Can't the way things were displayed last a little longer till the recession is over? And please understand, this is NOT about bashing the teachers or the Smart board manufacturers, I just would like to coax the school district to employ a few more teachers.

OK, let's talk about how music has been stripped out of the elementary curriculum. What does music do? It teaches kids about culture, it helps them to communicate and grow socially, it also gives them something else to do than sit in front of the TV. It evens the playing field between the kids that are skilled at sports and those that aren't. And they play 'together'. Does a smart board help with social skills? People, if there is anything our kids need - it has to be social skills.

I know that there are programs installed in the Elementary curriculum to teach social skills. But the great thing about music is that the social skills are built-in, not bashed into their brains with videos and sporadic discussion - snore... And they get a sense of community from something that simple... It's not about exclusion. It's not about competition at this level. It's about new skills and community - playing together for a common purpose. Learning to communicate with anyone through the played note or refrain - it's liberating to think of it. And it's fun to too, what's there not to gain?

Now, what does the Camden school district understand that Medford does not? I'm certain that there are programs and other red tape in the school funding systems which I do not know of or can begin to fathom. But that does not make me ignorant of the fact that education is about growing 'civilized people'. And if we forget about culture and social skills, we will be heading down a bad stretch of road.

What decisions our school board makes today will affect 'us all' down the road - it's alot to take in when you think of it in those terms. We are stewards of our future by our decisions, and learning should not be black & white where basic knowledge is the only thing 'we' think is necessary to teach our children. There is much to be learned from culture - not just past culture, but the ones which our children will forge enabled with a broad spectrum of knowledge through, Math, Music (which also has math built-in too), Literature, Art, Social Studies, and so on. By cutting an important part of learning out of our children's elementary experience - and that is EXACTLY what they are going through - an experience, we are cheating them and ourselves in the long run... So who do these cuts help?


-No one


...thanks for listening.

Animation Reel 2011

Hello all,

I hope all is well on your end(s).

I have completed putting together my demo reels for 2011 - any feedback is welcome.

Animation reel

Modeling reel

Rigging reel

If you have any need for 3d help or know of others how need a hand, please let me know.

Thank you for listening...

Checking out the iPad2

I have to admit that the knew tablet is a pretty neat gizmo. Since my buddy Jon & I are putting together the next big social networking icon, I am seriously considering making an investment in one of these. Besides, the larger keys are way more friendly to my fat digits.

Spamalot Pit Crew

Hello all.

It's been about 4 days since the last show of Spamalot at the Ritz, and I must admit that I am having separation anxiety. These guys were so much fun to play with and the cast and crew were all 24 karats.

Here we are 'shoe-horned' into our 15'x4' space, stage left in the theatre. The line up from left to right is: Gary Jackere on Drums, Me (Dale Storer) on Bass, Brian Bacon on Keyboard (also Conductor), Jim Sheffer on Trumpet and Steve Grenhart on Woodwinds.


This is us at the Opening Night after-work party. I'm gonna miss these guys.

There is something to be said for working with people that are talented and have easy-going attitudes. That makes it less like work and more like fun - and getting paid for it.

Hopefully we can do more soon! And thanks go out to Gary Jackere for supplying the photos.

...Thanks for listening...

Just landed a Killer Gig

Hello all.
I am so jazzed (literally)! I got a small gig playing bass in the orchestra for 'Spamalot'!

It's playing at the Ritz Theatre in Haddon Twp., NJ

Now - I'm a Monty Python freak from way back, I caught it from my late brother, George (I think I was 8). And in keeping with tradition, I passed the bug on to my son a couple years back (I think HE was 8). -Although due to mature content restrictions, I have only turned him onto The Holy Grail and any TV episodes I can find on the DVR (my wife still blames me...).

Karma has blessed me with the most pleasant fortune and timing to find this gig on Sunday evening and start practicing with the cast yesterday - the Show opens this Friday, October 22nd @ 8:00!

I found the gig on craigslist (the ONLY job listing site that I actually get 'callbacks' from). I sent the email out, got a call from Brian Bacon (conductor & killer keyboard player) 5 minutes later, picked up the score and a CD an hour after that and started cramming (it wasn't jamming - that will be happening by Thursday-ish).
Last night I did the entire 2nd act by sight-reading and it was... a blast! The one actor who is doing the French soldier/Lead Knight who said 'Ni'/Conjurer Tim, nailed the part(s). He had me splitting my side so bad I had to cover my mouth to stifle my chuckling - I actually missed a cue or 2...^o^. The other guys were at it too - his obvious talent was not wasted on me alone. Of course, being steeped in the classics, I was the one guy in my 2'x2' corner back stage-right, bass in lap, slamming an imaginary block of wood against my forehead during the 'Monks' scene - good times.

The guys in the orchestra (& myself) went back through some of the songs after rehearsal and we started gelling - it only took 4 hours ^_^. I can't stress the coolness that happens when 5 musicians who just met, belt out the songs and get a groove in such a short amount of time. I dig being part of the clan. Later, Brian & I were helping Gary the drummer out to his car with his cases. The cast (getting a pep-talk by the director, Bruce Curless) in the foyer applauded - what a shot in the arm! Imagine when we get the groove really going. I practically blushed.

You know, this takes me back to my High School daze (NBC - now 'Northern') when I played bass in the School musicals (and one for $ at Holy Cross, Delran) - Thanks, JL (John Lindner, teacher and mentor)! He (JL) had me playing tuba for a year an a half before I even looked at the bass - but I sincerely Thank Him for teaching me 2 instruments and the joy that comes from being a good musician. And since I am having a bit of a time getting real work. **Important Note - do not take that last line as meaning that that this ISN'T real work - The cast and crew has been at this since August and they put everything into it! I am just the new comer to this team. And I am so glad to have these skills to recall and use for a positive purpose (and the karma that comes with it).

The show is playing through to the 20th of November. So please get out and support your local arts, friends. And just enjoy the exuberant, overly-acted, silliness that IS Monty Python. And Many Thanks to Mr. Eric Idle and John Du Prez (as well as Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and all the imported, Peruvian llamas).

...Thanks for Listening...


...PS. Last night (10/20) while walking to my truck with my gear, my neighbor asked if I was going to play banjo for them ^_^. I told him about the gig and he took a step back and kept on saying," Spamalot? At the Ritz?!?" After a couple confirmations, he said that his oldest son was playing Sir Galahad - that's the gent all the way on the left. It truly is a small world.

...digging the karma... (and I am STILL having to cover my mouth backstage to stifle my laughter)

The size of things

Hello all,

A friend of mine on Facebook, Susan Poliniak, posted this link.

It was so cool, I had to post it here. It is a presentation of the size of things. From the edge of the known Universe, down to the Quantum Foam (Einstein's 'Fabric of the Universe'). Those of us that read Michael Crichton's 'Timeline' can relate. And it's the book - NOT the movie, the books are ALWAYS better... Anywho, please take a little time and learn a thing or two.

Thanks Susan!

...and Thanks for listening...

Why all those toolbars?

Hi All,

Replying to Kini's comment got me thinking about another item which I think is important for those that download a bunch of 'FREE' stuff and wonder why their computer system is running slow.

OK, here's a rule that I was taught by my Father, James H. Storer BEFORE the internet and it is still true today... "Nothing is free."

Folks, it's common sense - which is not common at all these days. If someone gives you something for free, they are poking a hole in your back pocket for your change to fall out.

I'll make my point: When you download the latest 'cute/neat/killer/sick' game or app, don't just keep clicking on the OK and NEXT buttons during the install. Read the fine print. When I upgraded my Java yesterday, It wanted to install a Bing toolbar. I installed AVG Free (antivirus software) and it wanted to install an AVG toolbar. Now, I'm OK with people wanting to forward their brand, but these toolbars are backdoors for other things (Spyware, Malware, etc.) to get into your systems. Not that (all) these people are crooked, they just don't upgrade the toolbars and hackers will use any means to send your private info to someone who will pay them big bucks for it.

Think about it. Microsoft puts out patches and updates to their software on a nearly weekly basis to keep the bad guys out of your systems. When was the last time I saw a Google toolbar update? - Hmmmmm. I've never seen one of them... And if you have these toolbars in Internet Explorer - the hackers can get right into the base command of your operating system and then all bets are off!

Friends (and I mean that), why do we need a toolbar to search Google, when we can search Google in the built-in 'search box' in the top right of Internet Explorer or Firefox? My advice, uninstall the toolbars - they clutter-up your browser(IMHO) and do nothing but allow junk (that's a nice way of saying what I really mean) into your system. The junk (Spyware, Malware, etc.) takes down your Firewall without you seeing it, and lets in more junk which makes your system slow to a crawl. Then it's too late and you are calling guys/companies like me (which I can't say that I mind) to fix the problem.

I have seen one such system that Windows defender was down, the Firewall was down and I couldn't get either one back up. And I couldn't do a 'System Restore' to an earlier date to try to fix it - the junk in the system erased them! The only thing to do was to Pull the personal info from the system and wipe it clean and start over (FYI. When I connected to Microsoft to get updates, I stopped counting at 71.) And that was a system where unsuspecting kids were playing 'free' games and not doing Antivirus/Spyware updates and scans. Computers are like anything else - you need to do maintenance to keep 'em healthy - do the updates and scans at least every 2 weeks!

So, If you have made it this far and not fallen asleep. I will award you the 'Geek Medal of Honor'.


Now Let's chant the anti-toolbar mantra of system cleanliness:

"Toolbars are for Mars...Toolbars are for Mars...
Toolbars are for Mars...Toolbars are for Mars".

OK, that should about do it for this post. Thanks for listening...