At 10:12 PM, Thursday, April 17, 2003 Star Drifter posted the following:
Inspired again
Well, I'm looking at paying them money. I've been doing this since before they suggested it - don't get me wrong here. I will, too, as soon as the album is done.

But it struck me. The album is going to range from alternative (She Dreams, Recess Reprieve), to Rock (Motorcycle...) to metal (Your Angst), and even a little electronic (Get Your Hand Off My Girlfriend). There are four of the genres accepted by mp3.com auctions. Metal and Alternative can offer a little extra notice for about $2-$8 apiece. Even the other genres wouldn't cost more for a little extra notice. So, if I was able to advertise this album under two through four (or even five) genres, since the ads go by individual songs, then perhaps two weeks worth might at least get it looked at.

Laughed at and hated, sure. The only illusion I'd like to create is that I'm doing and trying, not that it's any good. But looked at? Easy, I hope.

Laugh hard, it's a long way to the bank
-They Might Be Giants

On that note, my girlfriend works with a guy who is in a band. The band seems to need a rhythm section. A stereotype to say the least. The guy is going to try to look for my music tonight, and probably say something about either too eclectic or not being impressed. (On my better days, they say both.) But, one never knows. He's a Zappa fan, and maybe this idea for a concept album will appeal.

At 9:50 PM, Star Drifter posted the following:
The greatest trick the devil in the details ever played....
I just heard back from mp3.com about my stuff missing from Artist A-Z lists. Effectively, they had this to say. I'm rephrasing this, mind you.

"Only if your song is in the top 3,000 songs for a particular genre will your name appear in the artist A-Z lists. If your artist name has vanished without a documented reason way, please consider paying us more money to advertise one song."

Also, they said that "Incorporeal" just made the "New Songs" chart while I wasn't looking. So did "Not Quite a Pimp." This is complete, absolute crap. This ranks with "I never inhaled," "They will never reach Baghdad," and "I am not a crook."

I mean, after receiving that email, I searched for every varient of "a-z list" "artist list" and the words or numbers which compose. "3,000." Not a damn word in all their help files. I'm losing to a bit of fine print that was never actually printed. God bless the entertainment industry.

The music I create sucks. People like the lyrics I write (as seen on paper). I'm competant at writing the music, but I could learn to record it better, play better, and mix better. It's not that good. No one listening to it because it sucks isn't an issue. Paying more for fewer benefits and less exposure, without knowing I lost them -- that's an issue.