mostly OT: isn't summer supposed to be fun?

[King Kamehameha]

But I have a problem. There's this dude, let's call him Jose, who goes to my camp. He plays the bass and he's a metalhead. Last year he was my friend, but he's gotten hard to be around and jerky. He also shows off kind of a lot. Because we are both bassists, when we play together in the camp bands, we have to play exactly together, or it sounds bad. He likes to show off and slide into 99.9% of the notes and go the octave down because he has the 5-string. I'll say, "Jose, that's not how you play the song," but he acts like I am a complete idiot and won't stop until he's been corrected by a counselour. At least he's not in ALL my classes this session.

 

And then there is another guy, whose name really isn't Pedro, but I'll call him that. He's my ex-boyfriend. He is a wicked good guitarist. I am quite often envious of his skills. He and Jose hate each other. I thought he wasn't going to camp, but it turns out that my mom talked to the camp director and got him a scholarship. Now don't get me wrong, this guy is my friend and business partner, but he is always asking if something's wrong. Pedro doesn't leave me alone. He also constantly mentions that he wants to go out with me again, which is not somthing he should be talking to ME about. He can help me out if Jose is a jerk, but I also have problems with him.

 

I don't really have any friends except Pedro, and he's not the most fun person either. What am I supposed to do?

[Dr. Ellwood]

Lets see: What are you supposed to do? don't do anything! let them work it out or not! distance yourself from bad situations and study your bass MORE! cut them both loose ..and YES Summers are supposed to be fun ..don't let them take the fun out of your summer!

[Gifthorse]

Turn them against each other, then 'enjoy the show'.

 

Just kiddin. Dunno, just stand your ground and keep your center. Focus on your bass playing and forget the drama. Let the counselor worry about Jose's bass playing-just clue them in.

 

As for letting your ex boyfriend 'stand up' for you against Jose, that isn't good either. That will just piss Jose off and make your boyfriend think he is doing something for you. Which makes him think he has a chance with ya.

 

Good luck.

[King Kamehameha]

Sometimes I wish both of them would just stop existing. Not as in die, but just not be there anymore.

 

I don't really even WANT Pedro to stand up for me against Jose---

 

Okay, this is stupid. Bass dork is Eric, other person is Phil.

 

It's just that I really can't get away from them. Camp is cool, but it is relatively structured and I can't run away. Phil/Pedro is my friend, but I was secretly kind of looking forward to him NOT being there.

[AeroG33k]

Summer for me stopped being fun when I started by summer physics class. Guys can be shy sometimes when not "nudged" into a conversation. As for the 'jerk', nothing bothers a show-off more than not getting any attention. You should act accordingly.

[Dr. Ellwood]

Get used to ignoring things that bother you, in life those irrations are always there. Hay camp doesn't last forever does it? pretty soon the whole thing will be over and you will forget about it!

[caprae]

And there aren't others at this camp? Just you three? Don't be afraid to cut friends(?) out of your life as life is too short to hand around with jerks.

 

And you're not going to change them. Like they said in this past Sunday's paper, "You don't want to pluck a guy off a vine and wait for him to improve. He is not a tomato."

[King Kamehameha]

Yeah, then I can go SURFING!

 

Dude I am stoked.

 

Yeah right now, I don't know if camp or school is worse, which means things are pretty damn bad. I am so glad I don't have to spend another year in that hellhole of a tiny elementary school, and my new school looks pretty good but it's still school.

 

Mr. Bass Jerk accuses me of stealing all his gear, but I know he just wants something to insult me about. I did take his cable once, but I thought he knew and was okay with it, and yes, I did use a bass that was plugged into his Crybaby but I didn't do it.

 

I know I should ignore him, but when bad stuff is being said about me it's so FRUSTRATING.

[King Kamehameha]

I don't hang around with Mr. Bass Jerk. And I hate to say it, but I don't really have friends.

 

I learned a long time ago that I can't change them, but Pedro the X is crazy insane. How do I keep hanging out with him? And WHY? I don't know, but I'd better call him right now if I don't want him to be in all my classes.

 

That's what happened with Mr. Bass Jerk. He was in all my classes and I don't want to sound emotastic, but every couple of days, I'd leave the room to cry for half of last period.

 

I'm gonna break his strings before that happens again.

[Bejeeber]

Boy Buttsville, USA is pretty stormy place!

[The Geoff]

Welcome to TeenageHood

 

Ahhh, hormones, hormones - I remember those :0(

 

Remember the old adage, Maisie:

 

'You can choose your friends, but not your relatives'.

 

So make some choices. Get a *different* life.

 

It's possible - I've done it

 

Geoff

[Braxat]

woah camps, a guitarist guy named phillipe, lol sounds like my Ex.. oh.. um.. *whistle away*

 

haha im just joking =]

 

my ex though, IS working in a summer camp and has a bf called phillipe, though its a summer camp for the mentaly handicaped.

and her best friend, IS working in a music camp at college AND her bf is also called phillipe lol but then again shes not a bass player =p more like a singer and pianist.

 

Anyways, i cant tell you much more than has already said, just ignore the show off to hell, i mean to the point to not even saying hi, he will go away in about 2 days.

the Ex, i think its fixable, just make it clear to him to the point of no doubt that you guys wont get back together and that he should cuth is jokes cuz they are not funny =]

[Ol Boy Rivers]

I say let father time work his magic. Let Deh Man do what he wants to with it and leave it as is untill YOU think you cant handle the crap. Its like this: With Friends if you Have to Work at it to keep a certin one, Chances are you really arnt meant to Befriend that one guy. Its' Gotta be like Butta!

[King Kamehameha]

Okay, update: Pedro The X...I'm hanging out with other people, just that he seems to turn up in the music kids group. He's just so psyched that he got to go to camp at the last minute...he didn't have the money but my mum kinda "talked to" the authorities.... She's a nice lady, I'll buy her an ice cream...

 

Anyway, Mr. Bass Jerk is only in one of my classes, but it's the one that was worst for me last month. But y'know what? My sister is there and she knows that the guy is a jerk. She knows just how to do it so he stops but it's not that obvious, because she's a genius. I don't like to rely on my sister, but hey, I'll buy her an ice cream, too.

[Guitarzan]

with the "show off", i would just do my job to the best of my abilities and let him get corrected.

as for mr x, play it real cool , boys will get confused as to what is a gesture of attraction.

treat him like he is just an aquaintance.

the next time "show off" plays the wrong thing ask him what song he was playing and offer to show him how to play the part right ( sound sincere as if he is needing help). that ought to make him cool it. sometimes a subtle approach can smack some sense into us guys easier than directly telling us something.

[King Kamehameha]

Hahah..."What song are you playing?"

 

"Iron man."

 

"Oooooh...ouch."

 

 

Some girl thought me and Pedro X were going out at lunch today...boy howdy. That was awkward. I ended up throwing a sandwich at her....don't worry, that was definitely not the only reason.

[Guitarzan]

not a perfectly good sandwich!!!!!

what kind was it?

[King Kamehameha]

Turkey...and sprouts, which make me wanna puke.

 

Yum, turkey jelly/juice in your hair.

 

That's what you get for calling me a man, ya little turd.

 

I will never get a job at that camp.

 

They have to hire me because they need music people a lot.

[Guitarzan]

woah! good call on the sandwich chucking.

that definately shouldn't be eaten.

[fantasticsound]

Can't help with the ex...

 

As for Mr. Show-off.. nothing shuts up a show off than no sound from his bass. If it really is as bad as you suggest, one of the following ought to solve it.

 

• The direct approach: Lean over and turn off his volume, turn off the amp or kick out the cord. When he balks, tell him straight up this isn't just his class and he's ruining it for you. It won't be tolerated anymore.
  
• If you can't be direct, put a piece of non-conducting material in the amp's power cord slot. It has to be small enough to make the cord appear to be properly plugged in. It'll take him half the class to look in that connection. (They always go for the wall connection. )
  
• Kick him in the shins every time he deviates from the music. If he complains tell him you can aim higher. Tell him if continues being a prick you'll solve the problem at the source.
  

 

Seriously, go with the first two. I can't really condone violence under the circumstances.. even if he deserves it.

[The Geoff]

Originally posted by fantasticsound:

Can't help with the ex...

 

As for Mr. Show-off.. nothing shuts up a show off than no sound from his bass. If it really is as bad as you suggest, one of the following ought to solve it.

 

• If you can't be direct, put a piece of non-conducting material in the amp's power cord slot. It has to be small enough to make the cord appear to be properly plugged in. It'll take him half the class to look in that connection. (They always go for the wall connection. )
  
  

I like that idea. How about putting a piece of clear adhesive tape (Sellotape in UK, Durex in Oz) round the barrel of his jack *above* the end pinch? It'll be *very* hard to spot and either stop the input or set up a huge buzz (I haven't tested it).

 

Either way, it'll disrupt his set.

 

 

Geoff

[King Kamehameha]

Hahaha, that's fabulous. He's never in the music room during the off period either, he plays four-square and wall-ball, so I could...y'know.... Now I'm hearing he complains about having lessons.

 

Are you a bassist or not?

[Braxat]

woah this thread must be labeled

 

E-V-I-L. A.K.A: Payback Fun.

 

this thread delivers. 100% by BAOE ( Braxat's Asosiation of Evil. )

[King Kamehameha]

Payback is pretty great. I won't be too terrible, though. The guy's becoming a drummer...suits him just fine, I think.

 

Not that all drummers are jerks, but I can see this one tiny dork with his curly mullet hair hunched over his drums, trying to play 6:00.

[fantasticsound]

Yeah, just a piece of tape on one, hot spade in the jack and he'll by out of commission without damaging any gear.

[Ol Boy Rivers]

Allright...I wasent going to contribute to the payback but this is just too good. IF YOU CAN GET AHOLD OF IT find some Pure clove oil. Put this PURE CLOVE OIL all over his strings ( If you can ) And then watch him and laugh! If not, Do what the Neil said, Hes a smart man.

[Darcy H]

I know it's cold, but I try not to base my happiness on anyone or anything external to me. Situations, people, circumstances.....they all change, but whereever I go, there I am.

 

Being practical, I know I can't control much of anything (think about it, for the most part, we're just along for the ride), but I can certainly control my perceptions and outlook. I don't get my knickers in a twist over much of anything. Just be you, enjoy playing music, and don't worry about anyone else.

 

Easier said than done sometimes though...and I apologize for the hokey philosophy, I haven't had my coffee yet....

[Trucks]

Originally posted by bass247:

But I have a problem. There's this dude, let's call him Jose, who goes to my camp. He plays the bass and he's a metalhead. Last year he was my friend, but he's gotten hard to be around and jerky. He also shows off kind of a lot. Because we are both bassists, when we play together in the camp bands, we have to play exactly together, or it sounds bad. He likes to show off and slide into 99.9% of the notes and go the octave down because he has the 5-string. I'll say, "Jose, that's not how you play the song," but he acts like I am a complete idiot and won't stop until he's been corrected by a counselour. At least he's not in ALL my classes this session.

 

And then there is another guy, whose name really isn't Pedro, but I'll call him that. He's my ex-boyfriend. He is a wicked good guitarist. I am quite often envious of his skills. He and Jose hate each other. I thought he wasn't going to camp, but it turns out that my mom talked to the camp director and got him a scholarship. Now don't get me wrong, this guy is my friend and business partner, but he is always asking if something's wrong. Pedro doesn't leave me alone. He also constantly mentions that he wants to go out with me again, which is not somthing he should be talking to ME about. He can help me out if Jose is a jerk, but I also have problems with him.

 

I don't really have any friends except Pedro, and he's not the most fun person either. What am I supposed to do?

You could tell Pedro hes a great guy, but unfortunately his penis is far too small for there to be a relationship. For the bass jerk you could buy a 6 string bass and everytime he shows off start funk slapping you're way up the scale whilst pulling faces at him... Then when he starts to try and compete with you, you could get one of the spare strings out of your guitar case and start whooping his ass with it. When he is a crying mess on the floor stand over him and laugh till your sides hurt then as your walking off accidently tred on the neck of his bass.

[Backnblack]

usually i play nintendo all day but there are other fun things to do than that!

its even hard to get time on the cpu.

why dont you practice on your bass?

[King Kamehameha]

You could tell Pedro hes a great guy, but unfortunately his penis is far too small for there to be a relationship.

ExCUSE me? I'm gonna go throw up my lungs. I don't even want to think about Pedro's....ew. Ugh. Woahmygod.

 

I'll just tell him I'm running away with David (his beautiful Mustang).

 

For the bass jerk you could buy a 6 string bass and everytime he shows off start funk slapping you're way up the scale whilst pulling faces at him... Then when he starts to try and compete with you, you could get one of the spare strings out of your guitar case and start whooping his ass with it. When he is a crying mess on the floor stand over him and laugh till your sides hurt then as your walking off accidently tred on the neck of his bass.

HAHAHAH. 6 strings aren't my thing, but man....he would cry, too. I hit him in the face with a SUCTION DART once and he started crying. Um...it's a toy for small children.

 

Then again, we did almost kill a frog with a modified one once.

 

why dont you practice on your bass?

Oh, believe me, I do. Today I haven't much, though, because the bridge fell off and I had to figure out how to put it back on.