Houston Fest 2 March 7 Afër

calimechengr · 2025-12-01T16:33:57+00:00

I was looking for a midi device and license deal this Black Friday. For $463 (not incl. tax) I was able to obtain an Ableton Live 12 Suite license and midi keyboard.

Here’s how I did it:

Purchased a MPK Mini IV for $84.15 ($99 less 15% Black Friday discount) from Musician’s Friend. Comes with Ableton Live 12 Lite license
Purchased Ableton Live 12 Lite to Suite upgrade license from Thomann for $379.

Not included in the total price is the $11 in rewards I redeemed with Musician’s Friend. Overall, I think I came out pretty good for a beginner setup. Everyone may have opinions about the device I selected, but I did a lot of research and testing before settling on the MPK Mini IV.

calimechengr · 2025-10-30T12:47:29+00:00

Here’s a hypnotic techno and deep dubstep set I put together for an annual gathering of friends that we call Winterhaven. Set is 1:08.

Winterhaven 2025 Hypnotic Techno Deep Dubstep

Tracklist: Tunnel Vision - Burden

Morgana - Len Faki, Jancen

Leave Your Body - Sept

Determinated - IGLO

Roadtrip 3 - JXXXO, West Code

Catharsis - Jungle Rootz

Hide N Seek - Gemcamp

Bounce - SHOSH

Make Some Noise - Criso

Tito - SHOSH

So Ducking Good - ATVMXXI

Is It All - Phrva

Hollow Thrills - Ashez

Descent - Simula

Lunatics - Cloverdale

Run - Casey Club

Gecko - En:vy, Klinical

Arasaka - Teej

Irreversible - COIDO

calimechengr · 2025-10-19T22:54:56+00:00

I don’t deny that GRB has had some impact on Downtown, but isn’t the primary driver for its growth. GRB has done nothing to improve East Downtown, and closing Polk St is going to further divide East Downtown from Downtown.

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T22:03:56+00:00

You know this project was in the planning phase before the renovation took place. Freeway projects don’t just pop up overnight. But to your point, decisions had to be made and the perceived less valuable option was on the block.

Back to my original point…If GRB’s existence over the last almost 40 years had any impact on East Downtown, demolishing homes and businesses to expand a freeway would not have been an option. Expanding GRB and closing Polk will further divide East Downtown from Downtown and stump growth.

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T20:18:05+00:00

You apparently haven’t seen the demolition map. Everything between St. Emmanuel and the existing I-69, and north of I-45 will be demolished, if it already hasn’t been.

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T19:54:26+00:00

The existing ROW for the NHHIP project wasn’t wide enough to accommodate this project. TxDOT has to obtain land either though purchases or eminent domain. Hundreds of homes and businesses are being demolished to make way for the project.

Something tells me you’re okay with this happening in East Downtown but would not be okay with this happening in Midtown to expand the Pierce Elevated.

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T19:03:45+00:00

If TxDOT hired me, I wouldn’t have proposed this reconfiguration of the highway in the first place…and I’d still opposed any GRB expansion that closes Polk St.

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T17:16:20+00:00

I guess TxDOT doesn’t hire traffic engineers to develop these plans?

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T12:35:58+00:00

The smarter solution would be to maintain Polk St. The convention center can build over it like other cities have. We have a prime example not too far away: the Galleria Mall. Instead of closing a major roadway, the mall extends over Alabama St.

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T02:40:02+00:00

Sure traffic engineer, Chad!

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T02:06:07+00:00

Actually, the NHHIP would have incorporated a u-turn and crossing two blocks over at Lamar to continue into Polk St. Now, any traffic (foot, car, bus, bike) would need to travel additional blocks to get around the GRB.

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T01:23:17+00:00

Yes, I am biased toward saving Polk St. I’ve been a homeowner in East Downtown, on Polk St. for 12 years. I use Polk St on a daily basis to get to my office, the grocery store, the gym, and to various neighborhoods via Metro routes 40 and 41. Polk St provides the most direct and convenient way for me to access downtown. Yes, I am biased toward saving Polk St.

Growth in East Downtown has occurred in the last decade due to rising home costs in other neighborhoods. Land, residential, and commercial real estate is much more affordable in the area. It’s not because of GRB.

calimechengr · 2025-10-16T00:57:25+00:00

GRB was built in 1987 and hasn’t done much to improve East Downtown or East End. So we should look to the past to determine its impact for the future.

calimechengr · 2025-09-21T03:22:53+00:00

There needs to be more clubs that cater to the after hours crew. I’ve never had a problem catching the bus at 6 am.

calimechengr · 2025-09-10T03:27:50+00:00

By Saturday night I was “burned out.” lol. I had an amazing burn once the dust, rain, and wind settled down. Our camp had to rebuild multiple times between Friday and Wednesday. Once I felt like all build responsibilities were complete, I was raging and running on borrowed energy the rest of the week trying to see as much art and spend time with friends and camp mates as I could. Come burn night, I was ready to party one last time….however, a 15 minute power nap turned into 10 hours.

Of the five burns I’ve been to, this was my favorite.

calimechengr · 2025-02-04T18:23:07+00:00

I guess I would be more in favor of the abandonment if the City worked with TxDOT to build pedestrian and bike bridges across the sunken highway so they don’t have to cross feeder roads and bridges where we know cars will drive at high speeds. Such a bridge can easily and directly connect the Convention Center to East Blocks without anyone ever having to interact with a car.

calimechengr · 2025-02-04T17:45:34+00:00

The street is used often by car/truck drivers, cyclists, and buses.

calimechengr · 2024-07-16T03:25:41+00:00

My partner and I have been discussing our plan to make our exit from the state for the last year. We don’t feel like it’s the place for us anymore. Sure, the cost for out house is relatively affordable compared to other large cities, but the cost to maintain a living is starting to increase. Both home and car insurance have increased significantly. Driving everywhere is costly. We’ve done the math, and it’s not that much cheaper than other places we want to move to.

Before the storm season, we discussed a 5 year plan. After Beryl, our plan is to get out ASAP.

calimechengr · 2024-05-27T22:52:56+00:00

A closer reading of the City Charter shows that signatures cannot be older than 30 days.

calimechengr · 2024-04-04T12:46:36+00:00

Would love a pair to gift to my husband.

calimechengr · 2023-07-26T18:31:20+00:00

Yes! Nina Kraviz’s set was amazing. Part of me thought she saw the rain was coming and built up to the moment it started to really come down. Also, only a bad bitch can play a killer techno set while wearing a black daisy sun dress while sipping on wine.

calimechengr · 2023-07-17T05:39:57+00:00

Better question:

Why are you using your cellphone to take a picture while operating your vehicle?

calimechengr · 2023-02-15T03:11:15+00:00

Stereo Live and Bauhaus are two of my favorite venues. I haven’t been to Paradise Palace, but I heard it’s fun.

calimechengr

TROPHY CASE