Animus Pugna News Updates

* Sept. 10, 2007- (If any links don't work, please mail me at animuspugna@hotmail.com Thanks!)

(I hope to have at least 1-2 new songs or snippets of songs online within the week.  Please give feedback on them!)

Snap.  I apologize to all who've been faithful, despite my *many* delays, hopeful deadlines, excuses and the rest.  The fact that you've spent even 1 second of your life clicking here while I've been so dormant is of insurmountable meaning to me- and you can take that to the bank.  Frankly, the past year or so I've been attending a class called "Flunking Out of Life 101".  It's for folks like me who, for whatever reasons, find it incredibly hard to progress; even when it comes to what you like the most (and several sub-categories).  Too much of the time I've felt I can't lift a finger to do much of anything, let alone keep composing music, drawing or working on my novel and other stories... this is a mix of "me" and my actual health. 

For so long I've been literally "lost" in a swirling realm of spirituality (my Christian Walk in life) and earthly life in today's "modern" culture; losing site, then catching a glimpse, then losing it again...and repeat.  I'm working on it.  I'm often so frazzled, confused and disillusioned that I don't know up from down.  The Truth always beckons in the back of my mind; but we earthly humans have a tendency to push it aside, push it away, push it as far down inside of ourselves as we can.  Pushing things down only makes them bigger and meaner when they resurface most of the time.  Yet knowing this, I still kept pushing things down (and still do in many areas).  I've often asked myself  "Why do you push your frustrations down and try to bury them and hide them from others instead of just letting it all fly; opening up and truly letting out what troubles you?  To honestly be yourself?"   At times I've just wanted to fade out, fade away... knowing that there is SO MUCH to feel after this flesh, that I wanted to "skip" the "Earth part" and move on to Real Life in Heaven.  It's a real fight, a real struggle.  Any and all prayers are far more than welcome; and I'll do the same for any of you who struggle. 

I suppose the "main" reason is fear.  Not only fear of failure, but fear of how I'll be perceived if I ever let my guard down long enough for someone to inch their way into my inner self:; The "me" that rattles around in my own mind.  Many friends and loved ones have actually made it through this Gate of mine- though I've kept too many of even these blessed folk in the dark, at a self-determined "safe distance".  I've trained myself and my mind to be as stoic as possible for as long as I can remember.  I'm a rock, I'm an island.  I can withstand anything that comes my way.  What a lie. 

I'll end the "News" by saying this:  I thank and praise God with a bewildered and confused mind for each and every  one of my friends (you know who you all are).  I still have a hard time thinking that I've somehow caught your attention enough to be friends, let alone close ones.  Some of you I met from birth, some from early childhood, some from grade-school, high school, and many at or via mutual friends at my one year of college, and many great friends found on the Net.  I'll never forget any of you.  You all, in both individual and collective ways, have kept me grounded, kept me here, and kept me hoping through the love and encouragement you may or may not even know you've drenched me with. 

Point being: THANK YOU.  All of you.  Friends, family, acquaintances, listeners,  and all I've lost contact with.  Without you all, I wouldn't be the me I am sitting here typing.  Thank you.  Thank all of you who've never met me but decided to give a "click" anyway.  Thanks, of course, also to my dear friend Balaam, the very first, gracious and most *patient* website and radio hosting modern day Saint I know (found at www.balaamsmiracle.com), as well as Flaming Fish Music  and Automata Magazine (In print and going strong) found at: http://www.flamingfish.com/automata.  These folks, all of them, deserve thanks, prayers and support, as they're in position to, and successfully have, had an enormous impact on countless souls, with many more to come.

And for any listeners I don't yet know, please write.  About anything.  If it fits being on my page, meaning pertaining to one's current Christian walk, those "on the fence" about Christ, or in Crisis of Christ, your individual praises, let-downs, and everything in-between, I'll put it here.  Free-writes,  essays, frustrations, questions, poems, lyrics, comments, all of it.  Basically I'll add anything I can that is sincere.  If enough responses come, I'll add a message board.   

*May 8, 2007-

Ok, this isn't Animus related at all, but I thought I'd mention it.  Spiderman 3 is absolutely horrible.  Don't waste your money.  It's between 2/3rds and 3/4ths "soap opera" with little action, and Venom doesn't show up until the last half-hour of this 2.5 hour movie.  The hype was a red herring, kids.  Some reviewers laud the movie, talking about the struggle of Spidey's love for M.J. and how he's grown as a person, blah, blah, blah.  I don't go to watch an "action" movie, especially comic-book based for this crap; I want to see action, action, a bit of backstory, and more action.  It's also said to be the last film in the Spidey series, so there's no hope for redemption for the franchise.  It also suffers from what killed the 3rd and 4th Batman movies, as there are way too many characters and villains to allow for any real development (and don't expect a shred of continuity).  Trying to pack Hobgoblin, Sandman, Venom, and the whole over-done Peter/M.J. stuff kills it.  Not to (again) mention that Venom only has about 30 minutes of screen time, despite the very misleading ads.  Absolutely pathetic.  If anything, rent it if you want something to fall asleep to.  Oh well, at least they made their money, and in the end, that's what counts (to studios).

* May 2, 2007-

Hi everyone!  I'm finally, after weeks of asinine tech calls and email requests able to work with my site again!  Yay.  This is just a temporary message until I can write a real one in a day or so.  Just know that Animus Pugna is still alive, and (really this time) planning to create and distribute more music for the masses.  It's been a long year and an awful long winter (West Michigan, near Lake Michigan, is systematically pounded with snow, grey, more grey, then more snow, combine and repeat).  I finally think I have the FTP from my ISP working again (that means I can actually updated and change my site for the first time in forever).

More soon (really!), I'm just burned out by dealing with highly inept, self-contradicting, and outright lying of my ISP and their tech-support.  Give me the now famous Caveman (I love those commercials...too bad they don't show him "accidentally" stepping on that stupid lizard, but maybe that's just me...heheheheheheheheh....hehehehehehehe....hehehehehehe...funny).

Also, Boys and Girls, be sure to buy (not download) the brand-new Assemblage 23 album, "META" (Tom knocks another one out of the park), as well as the hot-off-the-press VNV Nation album, "Judgement" (another well crafted mix of beautiful arrangements and "Society is Killing Itself" floor stompers

Bryan/ Animus Pugna

*January 25, 2007-

Hi guys,

Sorry things have been so sporadic for the past year or so...All things have a purpose, even when unseen or unnoticed.  I honestly haven't done much with my music lately, but I hope to change that when I can (I'd say "soon", but you've heard that enough, and I hate when I "over-promise/ under-perform").  What I *do* have is a new full remixed song available to listen to on the "Finding My Music" page.  It's a full 5 min+ "Minimalish Remix" of Blake Reary's "Hanging On"***, which to be honest, is quite an amazing song packed as a sort of "demo" with my program of choice- Fruityloops  (aka- FL Studio).  Call it a cop-out if you wish, but I've had a lot of fun remixing this song in many ways, including adding a bit more edge and velocity, to the remix here which is a very stripped down version, no vox.  At this point I'm not sure which version (original or Animus Pugna) has more of the other in it...just the sort of thing you lose track of when spending multiple sessions/hours trying to remix and tweak a song.  *Huge* thanks to Mr. Reary for providing the original song- it's been a great listen over and over, and lots of fun to add/subtract and have fun with.  If I can, I've just decided to try to post my "Minimalish" mix as well as my "Go!" mix to this site, as well as the original Reary track for you to enjoy and compare. 

I also hope to (or have by the time you read this) add more photos to the Artwork page (at the bottom)... no jokes about the winter-poundage, okay?  ;-)

I'm also still on MySpace/ NastyPlace at least for now- despite my overall disdain for it, it's allowed me to keep in touch and actually find old friends.  I can't believe I just said that, but I can't deny the friends I've made or the value of reconnecting and keeping up with close friends.  I think it's at  http://www.myspace.com/animuspugna.  Check it out, we could be friends (dancing barefoot in the grass to hippie jam-band music whilst wearing patchouli and burning nagchampa...  Ok, I'm not really a jam-band fan, but most of my friends are, at least until they read this!).

***(I mean no infringement of rights; if this is not public domain and you own it, just email me).   

*November 2, 2006-

Updates have been sparse to say the least, sorry all.  I have faith that the life I've been living will result in some good music when the time is right (sooner the better, as far as I'm concerned!).  I'm still, unfortunately, quite behind on my next release: "I Wanted Us to be a Family", which I'd originally hoped to have released *last* Christmas, and stated I'd hoped to have done by *this* Christmas.  Sorry to say, but I'll be missing this deadline too.  I'm still determined to stick with AP, and have assembled some unpolished/ unassembled scraps and bits along the way, but I'm not ready for an actual "release" yet.   

Below is a copy of my latest "Blog" (or Blaahhhgg) entry at my MySpace/CreepySpaceWithSomeCoolLegitPeopleOnIt.  If you wish to look me up there, I should be under "stradlemonkey" or search for Bryan Stradley and/or Animus Pugna.  Come one, come all.  I *have* met some great new people/musicians there, including my buddy Scoop, the stunning Sue Hutton of the group "Rhea's Obsession" and more.  Here's the Blog:   

It's Michigan, gray and cold.  No Autumn again this year- just a quick switch from sorely taken-for-granted sun and warm weather to gray skies, virtually no sun, rain and even some bits of snow already!  Fall always used to be my favorite season; there used to be something engergizing about the crisp (not *cold*) air.  not so much the past 2 years or so.  my doc suggested "sun/daylight"-spectrum flourescent lights (spiral-style) for my house (as an alternative to the expensive flat-panels), and after 1 week i'm really enjoying them.  i have them in the rooms i spend most time in, but will likely (budget permitting) put them everywhere in my abode.  my doc uses them himself throughout his home to fight SAD (seasonal affective).  i'm loving mine so far, and you can score a 3-4 pack of 5-7+ year bulbs for $10 or less at most department or hardware stores.  they also help your body produce Vitamin D, as does *actual* sunlight.  plus they use 1/4-1/3rd the electricity- better for the environment and the wallet.  if you check into them, read the label well- be sure it implicitly states to simulate sunlight/full spectrum.  just a tip for anyone facing seperation anxiety from light.

health has been a big frustration lately, which has also affected earnest attempts at steady work.  i blew something out in my back while working as a stockroom employee (briefly) in July, and have since had several x-rays an MRI (if you've been in "the Tube", you know it's not fun), along with an EEG, bloodwork, and several (albeit helpful) chiropractor visits.  Still no real Dx, still waiting on the bloodwork, etc.  i don't complain about pain unless it's bad- i have pre-existing lifelong Fibromyalgia and have had 11-12+ kidney stones in 7 years ( for the unfamiliar, Fibromyalgia Syndrome aka FMS, is a chronic pain disorder affecting all soft-tissue head to toe, and an average of 3x the "normal" pain experience due to increased levels of pain neurotransmitters like Substance P).  i know what real pain is, though i most often hide it or keep quiet; nobody likes a whiney-baby.

the x-rays, MRI and EEG all came back normal; a great thing in many respects, but i'm still no closer to resolution.  more appointments, tests, needles, crazy-ray-beams and painkillers await me.  i just wish the weather wasn't so dreary- it doesn't help, and it feels like a growing, tumbling snowball.  one *amazing* thing that i just can't throw away, no matter how hard i want to, is my Faith, which leads to hope.  i'm no Captain Cheery-Face all the time right now, but i've still got my 'spark'.

Any Animus Pugna listeners out there; i'm sorry i haven't delivered new songs on the timetable i'd promoted.  AP is far from finished- just in hibernation until i can resolve some of this other crud.  Thanks for your time, your care, support and prayers!  i have truly been blessed with a support system of family and friends i wouldn't trade the world for.

I hope my next entry is not as long-winded (happens when i start to write- sorry all!) and happier overall no matter how current affairs work out. 
Bryan/ Animus Pugna 

*August 29, 2006-

Sorry for the long pause!  Quite frankly many things in my own life had either hit the skids or cast up in the air- some rough times to sum it up.  I'm fighting my way out of these times as a moth in a cocoon.  I'd even considered calling it quits for a while.  Too many factors were/are involved to go into much detail.  I'm just praying and hoping that recent trials will result in the production of more music from Animus Pugna.  If you're willing, be a bit more patient (though I know I've already asked for so much patience from you all).  I'm still in the midst of pulling things back together, though I've written many more lyrics to songs unwritten through it.  I have a few new rough-cuts of songs, but nothing finished (are any of my songs really finished?).  Nag at me if you wish; it may help spurn me on to doing more.  Life is filled with various peaks and valleys, and I guess you could consider me in a "valley" for the time being.  But when I hit another peak, I guarantee the results will be nothing short of personally eviscerating/ liberating music.  I have a lot on my plate right now, but couldn't imagine life without at least trying to create more music.  Thanks to *everyone* for your support.  Thanks also to Balaam of www.balaamsmiracle.com and to all at Flamingfish, Automata Magazine, Antiphonic Records, and everyone else involved in or supporting the aforementioned organizations.  Does decimation lead to proliferation?  We'll find out soon....

*May 24, 2006-

1st off, May 26 is the birthday of one of of my very best, "hardest-core of the Hard-Core" friends of mine since we met in 1994 if not before (Corn-Dogger of 26+ years, you are far from forgotten).  You see, he was trained in mighty ways;  and despite his training, much of his own thinking grew like mushrooms on poo-poo, be they PC related or just absurd humor- even humor to the point of being so not funny that it became ingeniously funny (i.e. poor taste at times, shared by us both).  In High School, he used to call me "Horse" (for no reason whatsoever at all)  He never needs a reason; which is why we became friends (I knew I'd met a "weirdo" on my own level).  Despite our differences (Like "CRC" VS. "Christian Reformed" VS. "Wesleyan" Vs. "Baptist"- such "Versus" are not in the Bible at all, just a product of society distorting the Truth over the years).  He even commanded his mother's electric "massage bug with many-legs to "Steal my Soul" at Satan's command.  Long before this, he used to literally 'prance about me' with the full "Monty Python" style "Clickey-Clacks", as well as his own distinct "Horse", "Neigh!", or many other (quite accurately horse-like) sputterings and buckings.  "Whineee!" was common when we crossed in the hall, as were typical 'horse' "Plllluuuougghhhfffff"-type sounds (I can't replicate the sound or the fury, the shaking head, let alone the text of the original without him here).  I used to misunderstand and almost *hate* this guy.  Then one magical day, I asked him to sign my yearbook.  With a look of surprise and gratitude, he took hold of my year book, turned to the page he was on, and (I kid you not) took a full sized bite out of the yearbook page- a large one.  He then signed the bite-mark like a gentlemen.  That was when I first truly knew that our respective and utterly twisted senses of humor were very complimentary, and thus we became insurmountably close friends.  We have been ever since.  It's not my place/right to tell you what this guy is up these days, or even his full real name, but we are still in regular touch, and still the closest of buds (2 of the 4 Horsemen known as the 4 Horsemen of the Apocolypse- which out of *any* I'm sure we are the destined "Four".  I'll leave it at that for everyone else's sake, and the sake of their children, and their children's children....The Horseman do not ride without cause nor repercussion.

Happy Birthday Dizzle, and I hope to be there to celebrate you in another 50-60+ years or more, bro.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYANAUSARUS!  (and i want you to know i crushed a nut when i sat down to write this...unga-ganunga-ouch, you !@#(%$#!!!.

Point is, Ryan's Birthday is May 26, so this is an official Declaration of Ryan-Iss-Ness before his B-Day. 

Happy Birthday Ryan DM!!!  Official BD is 5-26, but hey, he's stuck with me for well over a decade now!  Who on Earth could ask for more than that (unless married, and we aren't- he has a wonderful wife of his own and I'm not quite like that)

*April 29, 2006- Again, It's been a while.  I've just been busy, getting things done, getting more organized and getting (mainly) a computer that works reliably!  My old one bit the dust (the guts, anyway), so I had to get a new motherboard, CPU, RAM, power supply and case, but was able to swap my hard disks, optical drives, graphics and soundcard to my new "box".  This has been delaying me since before Christmas 2K5, as I spent a lot of time trying to fix the old box before going for a new one. 

I'm not quite finished loading all of my music apps and samples back onto my computer, so I haven't been recording any new material, but do have a piece I was working on before the "Great Crash" that I am itching to reload, remix, and fire-off to everyone.  I also hope to have more new material (really!) soon, and am still debating between releasing 3-5 track "Maxi-Singles" or "EPs", or wait to make a release until I have a new solid 10-12 "LP".  Either way, I'm working on it!

I also updated the outdated links to Balaam's Miracle Gothic Industrial Pages (he is now at www.balaamsmiracle.com not the old "cjb.net" location).  I Still need to go through the News section and others to make sure I've got *every* link working for BMGIP, Automata, Flaming Fish, and the newly-spawned/altered/ Antiphonic Records (I'll also try to tell the story or at least get permission to link to one explaining the recent shifts in the Flaming Fish/Automata/Antiphonic world).

I'm also very happy to announce that Balaam of BMGIP has asked me to do review work for his site!  I will also likely be submitting articles and other content to his comprehensive site.  I also hope to soon begin review work for Automata, though recent PC issues have slowed down virtually all aspects of Animus Pugna as well as any personal freelance writing. 

*April 2, 2006- Animus Pugna lives!  Automata Magazine 9.0 has been released, with a review of Animus Pugna: Pugnacious inside, as well as 40-50 other reviews of excellent artists of many styles (Gothic to Electro to Synth and back again), and all with solid Christian themes, but without any of the "Cheese-Factor" that pegs most "Christian" music.  Trust me, some of this stuff would make NIN flinch and Marilyn Manson cower in awe and fear, as well as serving to those who dig a more New Order/ Depeche Mode/ Death Cab for Cutie (and anything in-between) groove. 

Big Note:  Automata Magazine, Flaming Fish Music and Antiphonic Music are now all pseudo-related (as far as artists and overall mission goes), but are seperate entities in transition in order to build the *very best network of goth/electro/christian/EBM/synthpop/everything in between*.  Part of this is the formation of the mighty Antiphonic Records, which will only further expand the realm of Christian Electronic/Rock (of all genres), and with amazing results, I must add!  Please check out Antiphonic Records ASAP!  (Again, if in doubt, Google).

As stated before, Animus Pugna will be going "dark" for a couple of weeks while I rebuild my equipment and rework some of my material.  I hope to be back in full force before the end of April, 2006!  Thanks to everyone who's listened to my music via my site's clips, Balaam's Miracle Media, ChristianIndustrial.com, and Flish Radio!  Change is good, and all of these changes are going to produce revolutionary results for those involved- and I'm not saying this to promote Animus Pugna.  There is so much talent, skill, poetry, ideals, and just plain groundbreaking ideology behind this material for it *not* to be successful. 

<Note:  please email me at animuspugna@hotmail.com with any questions or problems with these links.  Due to transitions in the scene, some websites may be under-construction or temporarily closed with re-directs until finished.  Again, this is all in effort to build the most comprehensive resources for Christian-based music, videos, chat, boards, magazines, e-zines, and everything else the community can build!  The goal is diversified yet unified (make sense?) sources for Christian based music.  If any links I've given do not work, please either Google it, or email me, though I may not be back online to help you for another week or two.  Just remember keywords like "Automata", "Flaming Fish","Antiphonic", and certainly "Balaam's Miracle". 

Animus Darkness..........(04-02-06 through....SOON!  So check back in 1-2 weeks tops!  Just in the process of getting a new computer!)

*March 28, 2006- Balaam's Miracle has expanded, having not only a "radio" section, but a full "Rivet-Bat Media" section, where you can find Balaam's radio programming and many awesome music videos.  Balaam's Miracle is the Absolute Number One site for all Christian alternative/industrial/gothic/EBM/synthpop/futurewave/whatever-the-pop-they're-calling-it-now music.  Waste no time and click to visit Balaam's Miracle.  Just click "Balaam's Miracle Media" for the radio, and please sign up (totally free) for new music video access!  My personal favorite video so far is Joy Electric's "Monosynth", but many other excellent videos await you!

Yes, I'm terribly sorry about all the waiting and nothing new, but that will all be over soon!  My computer never really recovered from previously mentioned problems, and so I'm building a new one out of desperation/ frustration/ the desire to throw my PC through the wall after countless hours of toil...  It may be another 1-2 weeks from this posting until I have my new box up and running, so there might be some more lag-time between now and my next update (very, very sorry, please stick with me until I get back on-track and on-line!).  I'll update the "My Music" section to reflect my new hardware once it's running.  I plan to keep my stellar and stalwart SoundBlaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum Pro card (which, surprisingly, as of this writing, hasn't dropped a dime in retail price since when I bought mine 2+ years ago!  That's good stuff!) as the central sound unit in my setup.  I'm also going to be sticking with the FL/Fruityloops line of products in conjunction with the Cakewalk line.  I don't care what others may say; these products, alone or together, are more than capable of producing commercial quality recordings on the level of any more costly programs out there.  It's all a matter of how they are used, and though I, Animus Pugna, may not be *the best*, I promise to do *my best* for you and me and hopefully for God.  I know I'm far behind my intended schedule, but am confident that not only despite these set-backs, but because of them (to an extent), my next offering will be all the better than the last!  And I could never thank Balaamsmiracle.com or Christianindustrial.net for hosting my humble tunes. 

I also want to thank Carson and the Flaming Fish/ Automata family as a whole for not only hosting my music, reviewing it in Automata 9.0, but also inviting me to (hopefully) do some music review work for Automata Magazine!  I've always wanted to review music, and now have been extended a very gracious offer to do so.  God bless this "scene" in its entirety, as it has given me and many others a "place" to call home in music, and provided me and others with opportunities like this.  Flaming Fish and Automata are in a brief transitional phase, but I've been assured that everything will continue to operate as before.  The one exception is that albums will likely mostly be available for online-purchase (download) instead of physical discs.  This only makes sense with the shift in the music industry towards online downloads, and I'm sure will do nothing but help more artists have more chances and become more successful due to lower over-head costs for pre-printed discs and such.  This is a GOOD THING, my friends!  Please let me know if any links do not work (email animuspugna@hotmail.com ) as the transitions within Flaming Fish Music and Automata may lead to new or altered web addresses.  When in doubt, Google it!  I'll post all of the updated official sites/ resources as soon as I can!

My favorites lately have been bands I should've gotten into years ago, but am only now discovering.  Check out "The Echoing Green", "Joy Electric", "Fairlight Children", "Resurrection Eve", "DJ Small" and "A Different Kind of Cop"- all found on Balaam's Miracle ( www.balaamsmiracle.com) "Rivet Bat Media", which now not only features the stellar free net-radio where you can choose your own playlists, but also now showcases many excellent free *videos* as well!  (Video access comes with your free login/ username to www.Balaamsmiracle.com, so sign up today/ tonight!).

More as soon as I know it!  I also hope to spice up this page a bit more with extra fun pics, sounds, etc. soon!  Though for the foreseeable future, I intend to keep things simple and "non-glitzy" for the sake of *bandwidth* and serving those who are using dial-up connections to access this page and others.  Sorry if this site is too "dull" for many of you, but I refuse to let dial-uppers fall behind if this site is something they're interested in.  Once dial-up is virtually non-existant, I'll beginto "beef up" these pages with higher-bandwidth material.  Until then I want to keep things as equally accessible as I can!  I also believe there's something to be said for simplicity as a whole...    

* January 10, 2006- Hello, this is Bryan of Animus Pugna.  I know it's been a while since a new music release or major upgrades to the site- and I'm truly sorry about that!  Life has been quite a busy one, a I wasn't able to hit my "Christmas 2K5" date for my newest release.  Sorry about that everyone.  The truth is, it's been a very busy couple of seasons, combined with a personal lack of musical inspiration.  As we enter 2006, I can tell you that more IS to come.  I've upgraded some of my sound equipment, which means I first have to use how to learn it all properly, then have to implement it in new songs!  Please stick with me as I go through this process.   I'm still using (mainly) a combo of Fruityloops and Cakewalk, for those interested, though I've also been building several custom sample-sets, as well as learning (yes, I said the "L" word) how to effectively use what I already have before going crazy buying new stuff...

I'm currently working with FL Studio 5XL as well as Cakewalk Sonar 4 (though I'm *definately* still getting used to their respective layouts/workings, meshing them together, as well as gathering more DXi/VSTi instruments *and* sound mods to create fresh sounds.  I'm also doing more with 8-16 bit video game sounds/fx as I've recently found a way to directly input not only 8 or 16 bit (gaming machine sounds), but have also obtained software that will allow me to sample literally 1,000's more 8, 16 and 32 bit samples for use in recordings. 

Thanks to *all* of you for stopping by!  I wish I had more to offer right now, but I simply don't.  In the meantime, please check out Animus Pugna at:
www.balaamsmiracle.com
www.christianindustrial.com
and any other sites carrying Animus Pugna on their rosters!
More updates in the next 2-3 days (God willing) .

***Also, please give a listen while you work or play to www.blaamsmiracle.com www.synthetic.org which is one of the very best sources of this genre on the Internet, period.  Send as much positive feedback to DJ Todd of RealSynth for keeping such blistering, beautiful, and socio-politoco-electro and electronic music on this Terra Firma***

*January 04/06- "Merry Everything Late".  Sorry, I had some major computer issues and was down for a while, but hope everyone had a great holiday season. 

I was unable to finish the next Animus Pugna release ("I Wanted Us to be a Family") before Christmas, and for that I'm sorry!  Technical problems + learning + living in general has led to a delay.  I *am* still working on new material, but am also learning newer software and techniques (as well as how to properly use all 8 billion applicable plugins).  Animus Pugna will certainly release new material soon!  I just have to devote much time to repairing my system after a serious crash/format/re-install and haven't had time to catch up with it all.  I'm very sorry for the inconvenience and delay- I didn't expect it either! 

Please keep checking by for more updates regularly, and I hope to have a few more song samples online very soon!  Thanks to everyone who's supported Animus Pugna, befriended me, and taken the time to contact me!  Drop an email anytime to animuspugna@hotmail.com.  Any/all comments are welcome.

(warning:  I tend to ramble, even enjoy it, so feel free to drag your PC monitor to the bathroom with you)

*December 13/05- Hello more winter.  I should announce now that I'm not going to hit my mark of a Christmas release for the new Animus Pugna album; though I do hope through all of the waiting, that the new album will be well worth it.  In fact, I intend to release 1-2 tracks ahead of the next album, then release the full set.  Much is going on, much has changed, and much is still unknown.  It seems though most times I have things "figured out", I'm far from the mark in any given category.  I can tell you that the new Animus Pugna material will include some rougher, more-raw sounds than my first release.  I've been playing with 8/16-bit video game sounds and meshing them with newer electronics.  I've always meant to add this older sound to my music, as I love the combination of "lo-fi" and "hi-fi" sounds to create original material with.  I do not intend to throw-out my previous electronics or Animus Sound in place of older VG style beats, but with hope to slam the sounds together in a highly enjoyable, though possibly indescribable kind of sound.  

As stated, I plan to release a couple (2, maybe 3) songs as "singles" along the way, then release a full album's worth of material after that.  I will also be contributing an original Christmas song to the "I Wish You a Merry Fickle Christmas: Volume 1", due out before this Christmas.  Assuming I get permission from other contributing artists, I plan to post all songs, or at least links to clips of them, on this site.  It is planned to be a collaboration of several of my friend's more "classic" Christmas tunes performed on acoustic guitar mashed together with my own Animus Pugna sound.  No promises, just great hopes for a great Christmas album!!!    

*December 08/05- Hello Winter.  Being born/raised in west Michigan, I'm about as used to bad winters, terrible roads, white-outs and skidding around as most Northern folk (plus in Michigan we have the "Great Lakes" to contend with, and they can throw the weather into diabolical frenzies). 

Thus I have one (serious- no joke) tip for all of you who do or may travel in cold weather, be it this season, or year after year.  This may sound silly, but if in the dreaded situation, you'd be thanking yourself for heeding this tip:  Always keep an empty metal coffee can and several votive or tealight candles in your car in case you are stranded with no heat.  One small votive/tealight candle lit and placed within an empty coffee can will produce enough "wood-burning stove-style" radiant heat to keep your stranded vehicle warm for hours.  The beauty is that not only does the candle's flame provide heat, but that heat warms the metal of the coffee can (instead of just dissipating), which holds the heat and disperses it far better and longer than a candle alone could do. 

So yeah, eh, to all you hosers in like the North, eh, I recommend emptying dad's coffee into the toilet (preferably when he's not watching- but why would he be?  You're in the bathroom for Pete's sake!), and gradually (emphasis on *gradually*- you don't want to become suspicious) snag small candles from mom.  When she asks where the candles went, tell her you went on an impromptu Caroling trip for the "needy", and if dad asks about his coffee, tell him you ate the rest of the coffee grounds this morning with a bit of milk on them so as to create the perfect masculine breakfast cereal.  

*November 20/05- Hello again!  This day's news again doesn't totally relate to Animus Pugna (just wait- I've got some serious Animus ideas cooking in the pot).  I just watched a "making of" disc for one of my all time favorite games: Lunar- Silver Star Story (btw, despite any supposed "advancements" made, I still would rather be on a desert island with the original Sega CD version of Lunar 1 and 2 than the re-makes done for Playstation- though the PS versions are ok...).  Here are my observations from the Playstation version of Lunar: The Silver Star Story:
1. Victor Ireland (head of Working Designs), while being a video game genius, is one ugly Irish, super-curly red-haired guy.  I always imagined him as a taller and far more imposing man considering the masterpieces he's overseen (Lunar 1,2, Vay and Popful Mail for Sega CD as well as the Lunar translations to Playstation 1 and Alundra.  Oh well, at least the game translations from the original Japanese were great (though if I were or spoke Japanese, I'd surely disagree).  Again, the Sega CD versions are my favorites, despite the "perceived" technological disadvantages this system had compared to the PS (they made a *huge* mistake in the PS versions by allowing gamers to see upcoming battles ahead of time instead of making them true "random encounters").  Yay for glitzier graphics and such, but the 16-bit Sega CD versions still blow the PS conversions away, hands down (and the PS never had "Vay" or "Popful Mail").  And the "making of" discs included w/ the PS versions still can't fix the fact that Victor Ireland is excruciating on the eyes, despite the graciously grainy video- but hey not all men can look as good as me- it would violate the laws of nature). 

However, I will now take the time (for fun) to list my top 5 favorite RPG video games of all time.
1. Phantasy Star 1- Sega Master System.  No contest.  None.  Not one.  Period.  Those who disagree will be immediately impaled on my lawn upon Laconian Swords by the thousands in the fashion of Vlad Tepes (Count Dracula, for the historically challenged).  This was the first and best RPG brought to US consoles in *any* gaming generation, and I've played it through at least a dozen times or more.  If you happen to have a Nut of Laerma, or a flask of Polymyrtl, email me for a great price on it.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, put your head in your oven (or at least don sackcloth and ashes for a week).
2. Panzer Dragoon Saga- Sega Saturn.  This game *demolishes* any/every other RPG experience on any machine, aside from PS1 (which does not mean Playstation 1; read above).  The most imaginative, creative fantasy realm ever created, bar-none (would make even J.R.R. crap himself).  Too bad they only stamped 5,000 US copies.  Panzer Dragoon Saga is RPGs taken to the Nth level and beyond.  You must play to believe.
3. Lunar II: Eternal Blue- Sega CD.  The depth of the story and characters alone earn it this standing, let alone the gameplay, challenge and too many other factors to list.  Find it.  Buy it.  Buy a Sega CD for this game only, if need be.
4. Lunar I: Silver Star Story- Sega CD.  If it weren't for the sequel mentioned above, this would definitely be the 3rd on the list.  Amazing.  (Again, for both Lunar games, the Sega CD versions stomp the life out of the so-called "enhanced" Playstation versions- though they'll do in a pinch).
5. Skies of Arcadia- Sega Dreamcast.  You don't know true RPG gaming until you've played this baby on the DC- too bad most missed out on it and opted to waste their time with Playstation games.

Honorable mentions (those that couldn't fit within the constraints of "5"):  Phantasy Star II (Genesis), Phantasy Star IV (Genesis), Vay (Sega CD), Grandia II (Dreamcast), Albert Odyssey (Saturn).  Not to say other truly great RPGs don't exist. 

After these games and their era of classic gameplay, RPGs went to crap, and fast, exchanging "traditional turn-based battle systems" for "real-time" fighting- which goes against everything *real* RPGs stand for.  That is why there was always a distinction between an "RPG" game and an "Action/RPG".  The closest to a "true" RPG in recent years has been "Lord of the Rings: the Third Age" for X-Box.  The Final Fantasy series may have started well on earlier consoles, but "jumped the shark" with 8,9,10,11, etc., as has the (as much as I hate to say it) Phantasy Star franchise.  "I might be 'old-school', but at least I was trained in the *best school*".  Newer hardware made game makers feel the need to break everything that didn't need fixing just to show off gratuitous crap that the newer machines were capable of displaying onscreen, for no reason other than graphical "glitz" in exchange for *real gameplay and storylines*.  The day of True RPGs may forever be gone, but their legacy remains for those willing to seek them out.         

*November 15/05- Greetings!  Thanks for stopping by!  Any who may have caught the briefly posted news from earlier will see I've changed my mind, and decided to wait and put new articles like this on an alternate webpage I'm working on.
 

*November 13/05- Ba-Weep-Gran-Na-Weep-Ninnybong!*  Today's topic is the commercially available "protective skins" for CDs/DVDs/ anything else of the same dimensions (and some thoughts on Scientology, further below).  These disc skins claim to protect your purchases, as well as are readable/writable by computers and stereo systems.  This is a novel and welcome idea.  An even more novel idea is to make *durable discs*, but that is a fantasy, despite the ability to actually make them.  Heck, I myself am (literally) on my 6th commercial copy of The Cure's "Wish", as well as the 4th and 5th copies (respectively) of Underworld's "Dubnobasswithmyheadman" and "Second Toughest in the Infants" on CD.  I could name so many more that I've had to re-purchase over the years because the originals just don't hold-up to extensive play (despite nice statements found in earlier CD books that claim the disc will "last a lifetime" when cared for...).  Well, we *all* know by now that CDs and DVDs are as prone to scratches as vampires are to sucking blood.  *Sorry* Robert Smith or Underworld, I did my best.  Same goes for my Joy Division "Heart and Soul" box set.  CDs will scratch/print/spot easier than a Trainspotted Manhattan Street Girl. 

*(if this makes no sense to you, congratulations, as you are not as big of a Transformers geek as I am.  If it *does* makes sense to you,  you're much cooler than the others previously mentioned within these parenthesis, and deserve an energon goody).

These new(ish) CD coverings sounded very promising- the thought of protecting my $10-18 investments with a $1 snap-on sleeve was almost too good to be true.  And from my own personal experience, is.  I (being the smart fella I am) purchased a 5-pack of these disc protectors in the hopes of protecting my most cherished albums of all time and save the money on buying them again .  What I found when using these disc protectors was the following:

1. Really expensive for cheap plastic film, when you consider it.
2. *2 out of 5* discs I put these on *would not read whatsoever* in my car's CD player (a Sony Xplode deck; a common model from a major manufacturer), and the rest were hit-and-miss, playing only a few tracks from any CD before causing an error.
3. *All* discs I "protected" when put in my car-player would not properly eject, and required ridiculous and careful 'tugging' to free from the machine (lest I lose the disc and my player forever).

My car player is the most used of all of my CD players, and, as most, is "slot-loading", which may have been the reason for many of the problems I encountered (especially ejecting).  This makes some sense, but the commercial I saw advertising these protectors featured them being used in an automotive, dash-mounted CD player.  Play on tray or top-loading players yielded very hit-and-miss results; for me, not enough to warrant purchasing more.  I can only speak for myself and my own experience, and truly hope other consumers have had better experience with them.

I gave them a fair chance, and tried these disc-protectors in many players (car, computer, home DVD player, gaming console, etc.) in the sincere hopes that they would be the answer to not having to buy my 5th copy of Suzanne Vega's "99.9 Fahrenheit Degrees" or my 7th copy of The Cure's "Wish".  While I am glad to support bands/artists like Vega, The Cure, Underworld, Depeche Mode and New Order, I don't think I should have to pay over and over (and over and over) again for for their albums because manufacturers are *too lazy* to add a true (get this, it'll blow you mind) *protective coating* to commercial CDs straight out of the factory.  Apparently $15 bucks isn't enough for a freakin' Scotch-Coat. 

This begs the question (at least one of many); "why aren't CDs/DVDs as scratch-resistant as the cheap eyeglasses I just bought from Wal-Mart?"  Apparently manufacturers DON'T WANT THEM TO BE!  This is was gets real music aficionados like you and me to buy albums at inflated prices over and over again (pricing typically isn't the artist's fault, btw, and I don't blame them a bit).  The technology is certainly there to make more durable, longer-lasting, scratch/scuff/print-resistant discs than what we buy now.  Why don't they implement this technology?  Because of morons like *ME* who actually *love* the music enough to keep it in my personal collection for more than 2 years, and are willing to pay again and again (insert extra "agains" as applicable) for replacements because *WE LOVE THE MUSIC*, for *music's* sake. 

Point being that CDs/DVDs should be (and easily can be) produced to be much more durable than they actually are, and the liner-notes claiming the durability of CDs is hog-wash, as evidenced by the copy of Medicine's "Her Highness" playing skippily on my PC as I write this.  (Yes, I did just coin the phrase "skippily", and hold all rights to this term- I will, as an American, sue your buttocks if I hear you use it!).  I take extreme care of my music collection whenever possible.  I just wish the manufacturers would do the same.  Considering the retail price Vs. production cost (at most $1.00, including disc, case, art and packaging), consumers deserve a higher quality product.  One theory is repeat business.  All such disc manufacturers use the same mentality as automobile-makers: "Create something that'll work for a few years (if lucky), then break...The consumer will then be forced to buy a new one, and we make more money via repeat business!"  Some call it "Built-In Obsolescence", or "Built to Break".  After all, if automotive companies used their *existing knowledge* (yes, the technology *does* exist) to build/sell a car that would literally last you your entire life (and longer), where would repeat business come from?  No repeat business = no future profits, which in turn results in the economical failure of such companies.  It just makes good business sense from their perspective.

P.S.- at the time of this writing, my own American Made car is working GREAT!  Except for the A/C.  And the Cruise Control.  And the rear-defroster and rear washer-fluid dispenser.  And the electronic thermometer.  And the electronic gauges on the dashboard like "MPH" (whatever that means), thermostat, oil pressure, gas gauge, battery-charge, and odometer/trip-meter, etc.  Also the EGR valve gets stuck open at least once a year.  Oh, and the Cruise Control broke.  And the seat-belt locking mechanisms. 

Please direct any questions or concerns to the Almighty "Xenu" (though I must warn you, as Scientologists are warned, that if you read documents such as "OT3" before reaching the "appropriate" level and spending tens of thousands of dollars to do so, " you will die".  Just a friendly warning as given by the Church of Scientology.  Please, don't mind the fact that the originator of this "church" was by valid accounts a heavy user of hardcore hallucinogenic/ mind-altering drugs, and, before finding his self-made "religion" was a pulp science-fiction writer who is undeniably quoted as saying: "the only real way to make money is to create your own religion." 

These minor details are not important.  Just trust L.R. Hubbard and his belief in Xenu (or sometimes translated "Xemu"- due to the drug-induced, shaky, nonsensical scrawling of L.R. Hubbard, which can be found scanned from Hubbard's own handwritten works, page-for-page, on the Web on rare sites).  Xenu, the ultimate tyrannical ruler of the galaxy, who (due to galactic overpopulation) collected the humans from 76 other planets of our solar-system and trapped them in an alcohol/glycol-based form of "suspended animation".  These folks were then sent to Earthly volcanoes and trapped within them.  After this, Xenu attached and/or dropped H-Bombs on these volcanoes in effort to eradicate them.  However, the souls of these nuked bodies stuck around, forming into clusters/groups, and began attaching themselves to the remaining humans on Earth.  These souls are dubbed "Body Thetans", and the enemy of Scientologists, as these "BT's" (as all the hip Scientologist kids, aside from those in hard-labor camps, are calling them these days) meant to harm the remnants of humanity by making them do "bad things" (this is, after all, why humans sin- there is no "real Devil").  It is the duty of any good Scientologist (i.e. anyone with enough money to pay tens of thousands of dollars <per "enlightening" course, of which there are *several*> for this brainwashing crap-load of bull-drops), to rid themselves of these Body Thetans in attempt to gain some true understanding...  Who'd have thought "enlightenment" for the good/greater-good of humanity costs money, but what do I know?  Even many famous "Christian leaders" encourage the giving of *money* to ensure salvation.  Last time I checked, Jesus wasn't charging admission to his gatherings (i.e. "the Sermon on the Mount" or the "Feeding of 4,000/5,000" (in fact, Jesus even provided free food for attendees, including, among fish and bread, the Bread of Life and Living Water), nor were any of his other apostles/disciples in order to be "saved".  Real salvation is free.  Never let *anyone* claiming *anything* take your money to guarantee the salvation of your soul from Hell. 

It should also be noted that in his last days, the creator of this "religion" (L. Ron Hubbard/ Captain Dianetics) was said by many staff members and personal attendants to be constantly mumbling and uttering gibberish about said "BTs" (or "BMs", depending on your view).  He also lived on the sea in a ship for many years after starting his "religion", and the ship carried a large quantity of drugs in a suitcase that most modern addicts haven't even heard of.  Evidently, the originator of this "faith" failed himself in defeating these Body Thetans (perhaps because they were actually *demons* which he had no chance of controlling as they in fact controlled him; but that is speculation, eh?).  Though according to Scientology, YOU can overcome these Body Thetans by paying the "Church of Scientology" massive amounts of money, allowing yourselves to be brainwashed, and even submitting yourselves and children to horrific forms of tortuous labor and "training/ corrective camps", taking course-after-course (all costing thousands of bucks per course, even more when you reach OT3 or higher levels like OT 5,6,7), and anything else the higher level "Operating Thetans" (those who claim to have gained control and/or have defeated the BTs) tell you/ command you to do.  Of course, they need your money.  If you join and question or resist their teachings, you may be subject to "therapeutic" camps where you perform hard labor, are locked in cells or earthen pits, and psychologically beaten into submission until you accept the "truth" of their message. 

Hubbard, while alive, in his own documents (sent from Scientologist office-to-office), demands that any who resist or try to expose Scientology as any kind of "crock", are to be threatened, beaten, or even killed (along with their families)- "anything it takes" to promote Scientology and silence its detractors.  "Take whatever measures are necessary...to quiet resistors" as such "ignorant" folks "do not deserve to live, and are impeding the spread of True Understanding and the growth of enlightened humanity".   (Research will reveal several inter-office notes of Hubbard and his crew giving such direct orders, even authorizing the *killing* of those who defied or tried to expose his "church".  Look it up yourself, it's out there).

This is all *real Scientology*.  No joke, no altering of Hubbard's teachings.  This is what they believe.  Actually, they don't believe this unless they reach at least OT3 level (for to delve into OT3 or higher levels prematurely is stated to result in your imminent DEATH).  I'm quite sure the uppermost levels (OT8-54) are comprised of nifty Unicorns, Leprechauns, rainbows, and streets made of delicious candy.  Who knows what is in store for the highest-of-high level Scientologists (besides money)?  Well, in my opinion, Hell, but then again I've been wrong before, and wish for true Salvation for all.  And I don't have the $30+ thousand dollars to apply for an actual OT3 course (OT3= "Operating Thetan Level 3, of which there are currently 7 levels, though more levels are sure to come as the recent surge in Scientology will require even *higher* "planes"/ numerically named levels of existence and understanding besides a paltry "Level 7 Operating Thetan", as you can't bilk folks for money if you allow them to reach "the top".  Thus the "top levels" will continue to grow in numerical value, or else become harder/ more expensive to reach in accordance to Scientologist teachings.  

Frankly, I suggest we all sign up NOW before Xenu returns to exact his revenge (the mountainous holding-tank he was locked away in will not last forever!).  Though, theoretically, the Galactic Empire, lead by Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine may challenge Xenu for supremacy...  Not to mention the Klingons, mind you.  (Darn Klingons have been torturing my laundered socks for many decades).

Personally, I myself am a devout follower of the Church of Daffy Duck.  Yes, he is connected to the Omniscient "Marvin the Martian", but it would take you hundreds of thousands of dollars and many years to understand the True Message of Daffy (a very complex duck).  If you would like to learn more about Daffy Duck, please email me for vague information (please include your bank account and credit card numbers and expiration dates) that may well lead you into worship and especially money-giving, to this Divine Animated Quack.  You can even learn about the shocking truth that cartoons are reality, and what we deem "reality" is essentially a cartoon in human form.  But I promise it won't cost as much as learning about the *other* Divine Quack, "L-Ron Hubbard" and you might even laugh a bit more when Anathema Elmer Fudd blasts Daffy in the head with a shotgun, causing the re-alignment of planets and their forces in accordance to the spin-velocity of his beak around the circumference of his head!  Fudd is one to truly watch out for, as he always carries a gun and tries to shoot our Leader.  The rabbit, on the other hand, is a false prophet- hence the age-old saying "Kill the Wabbit!"  (this "W" is nothing more than a lie to mislead the Children of Daffy, as we all know in our heart that "Wabbit" is actually spelled with an "R", making it, in reality "Rabbit"- a small, fury woodland creature). 

If you wish to join the Church of Daffy Duck  in order to counter Xenu and his evil plans, please register at animuspugna@hotmail.com, and instructions will be promptly sent on exactly where to send your money.  Keep our children and our future safe!  Pray to Daffy and send him cash (non-local checks not accepted).  Credit Cards accepted after standard evaluation to see if you actually have any money for us, I mean Daffy, to use to further our enlightenment of humanity.

Praise Daffy!
(check out www.xenu.net for more)

*November 11/05- (A RANT by yours truly).  First off, I must acknowledge that a very dear friend of mine reminded me recently (to her deserved and earnest credit) that I too, am a hypocrite in claiming to be "non-judgemental", as surely I am not, being as human as anyone else.  I sincerely thank this friend (you know who you are, M.K., and I love ya for it!) for bringing me "back to Earth" on the matter.  But good gravy, so many so-called "Christian Leaders" of America today are frankly pissing me the flippity-flip off.  Whether it be Dobson, Falwell, Robertson...  Sorry, it's just after reading a number of automated emails I've received recently (without asking for them, btw) from their organizations, I'm not happy.  One of their collective main messages can be summed up by saying: "Hate 'faggots' and 'Arabs', give us money and buy our endless waves of mail-order brainwashing literature, CDs and tapes!".  They've turned the Gospel into a well-oiled money-making business machine, and broken it to pieces along the way with their distortions of Divine Truth.  Salvation is FREE, not a $14.95 CD (plus tax, shipping and handling).  Sorry if I've offended anyone, but the type of material I've been sent recently from said "leaders" and/or their organizations makes me literally want to vomit.  It is no wonder that Christians have a "bad name" in modern Western culture, considering these "Men of God" are the popular front-runners of (what too many believe to be) "modern Christian theology".  Ack!  Blah!  Ick!  AGGG!  God save and forgive us. 

Any non-Christians reading this, please know and understand that we (Christians) are not all this way! (though none of us are perfect and get it "right" all of the time:  it's impossible).  In fact, many are trying to return to the roots of our faith despite the horrific, hateful, perverted version that has been shown to the world over the past several decades (if not centuries).  Please, keep your minds open and be able to separate what Christ Himself intended His Church to be from what it has unfortunately become in today's rotted, opportunistic culture.  What many "leaders" seem to have forgotten is that they are no better than *anyone* else, be it you, me, or the person next door, and neither are *any* of us.  Righteousness and Salvation is NEVER, EVER earned by what we do or say.  It is a *Gift* given freely to those who have only to choose to accept it, regardless of their own pasts, and cannot be revoked despite what mistakes any of us may make in our futures.  This again is further reason for me, as a Christian, to not claim *any* denomination or "faction"; but only claim Christ as my Savior, through God the Father, even though I do not by any means deserve His grace and mercy (Lord knows I deserve to burn).  If I were a non-Christian looking in on what the majority of the publicized "Christian Community" is doing in this day and age, I would also most likely reject it.  Thank the Lord God I have been shown and believe better than what I've seen in this twisted life.  The majority of modern American "Christian" culture scares me.  As a child in "Christian" school, we were taught that either Russia or China were likely the new "Babylon" as foretold in Revelations.  Now I realize that America is *at least* as likely to be this Neo-Babylon as any other country, if not more.  Yes, America is a "free" country.  We're also free, via separation of Church and State, to neglect God and defy Him any which way we choose, even when we use His name to rectify our actions...  I'm not saying conclusively that America is the Revelatory "Babylon", as the world may go on for many more thousands of years.  I'm just saying that many of us fail to realize (or choose not to) what we have done, are capable of doing, are currently doing, and may well do in the future to truly earn us this "title".  Love it or hate it, or be on the fence, undecided, but this is my opinion on the Church in America as of November 2005. 

I grew up in a church (meaning a specific congregation that held services in a specific building of brick and mortar) that had a sign over the entry/exit door which read (as you exited) "Now You Enter The Mission Field".  The question lingers not whether or not we've entered the "mission field", but what have we done in it?  Honestly.  Myself included.  Again, I want to puke, for the sake of Christ, who allowed Himself to be *nailed to a friggin' cross of wood*, die in unimaginable pain, and take the sins of us all with him as He died in agony- being Himself blameless, sinless and innocent.  Only by His resurrection (the utter defeat and overthrow of death and the Devil) are we able to hold any hope at all.  And look now, in 2005, in the midst of "man's science" and it's rule, what we have done with the sacrifice of Christ- God Himself hammered hands and feet to a wooden cross, left to bleed, suffocate, die, and eventually be stabbed with a spear after His own mortal death.  Friends, if any of us (myself included, likely at the *bottom of the list*) cannot today, in 2005, see what this means, we are truly lost.  God bless us, as He has before, for our sins, our complacency, our arrogance, pride, hedonism,  materialism, greed and overall resistance to His relentless Love.

Call it a rant, a rave, whatever you wish.  I just know that I needed write this, not for myself (I hope, or I am as blasphemous and pompous as any other), but for my Lord, my Christ, my God; neigh, Our Lord, Our Christ, Our God.  Judge each of you for yourselves, as Free Will is given to us all.  I pray I haven't misspoken, and if I have, I pray God will show me my error and/or pride, and that I may correct it- or at least try, as soon as I can write again.

It's so easy for modern Christians to believe the Bible (and we should believe it) but not apply the same basic spiritual principles that applied 2,000-8,000 years ago to what happens in our world today.  Not many, including Christians if you ask them, can even "define" or tell you what "real" role the Devil plays in today's culture and society (let alone God Himself)- we have in light of Science written off the Devil and even God as being "real" or "relevant".  Our mindset in this Western, "modern" world is that if we cannot (yet) prove something in a laboratory, it *does not exist*.  What folly belies us all.   

*November 08/05- Just a quick note to again assure folks that changes are in store for the site, as soon as I can get to it.  Also, I emailed Carson, head of Flaming Fish Music/ Automata Magazine, and he said there's been some stresses with getting Automata 9.0 ready for release, but that it *should* be available in a few more weeks, if not sooner!  I'll be sure to post as soon as it is released.  I must again thank everyone at Flaming Fish/ Automata for going through all of the effort to produce such a high quality magazine with a free compilation CD for such a (comparatively) small audience of highly devoted fans.  Cheers!  (Take your time, Carson & crew, we know it's worth it!).

Also, as it is already November, I fear I may fall short of my "by Christmas" mark for the release of my upcoming album "I Wanted Us to be a Family".  Unforeseen, foreseen, neglected, pseudo-neglected, and generally ignored or uncontrollable factors have lead to the delay...hmm...I'm starting to speak like a politician!  I feel a change of Calling coming on!  The key is to use as many vague or nonsensical phrases/words as possible to hint at a point, purpose, or promise, but without semantically *guaranteeing* any kind of real result.  If that fails, play dumb and refer the question to a superior.  If you *are* the superior, pass the buck onto someone from another country who is unlikely to be questioned.  Alternatively, if you are the superior, blame a subordinate who you coaxed, threatened, and/or paid to lie for you and let *them* take the heat and/or public shame and prison time.   Remember- always shift the blame to somebody you can make look at least a bit worse than yourself in any given situation; assuming "Acts of God" or other "unforeseen" factors aren't available to play the "Political Scapegoat" game (a wildly popular game from the makers of other fun classics like "Manifest Destiny", "Kill all the 'Injuns' **", "Pre-Emptive Strike", "We Don't Know Jack", and "'No New Taxes!'"). 

(** No "Injuns" <racial slur Copyright General Custer, 1876>, "Indians", Native Americans, American Indians, buffalos, bears, squirrels, beavers or other Indigenous Peoples were harmed in the typing of this notice- we already slaughtered well over 90% of their populace, so for me to attempt to harm them would be overkill <*ahem*- cough, cough- slink behind subordinate scapegoat, take secret passage to private jet>.  The only people harmed in the typing of this notice may be those who are overly sensitive and offended by any form of criticism of the U.S. and its gory history and present state)  

*September 20/05- HELLO!  It's been a while, and though I don't have time tonight, I hope to do some decent updating soon!  Still waiting on Automata 9.0 to be released (read last post below, 9/06/05)), but I don't want to "nag" the publishers about it either- that wouldn't be very nice, would it?  Automata, the most highly regarded magazine in this niche genre sought me out; I didn't have to solicit myself to them (still can't believe that!).  It is all by grace.  If all goes as planned, the review of Animus Pugna: Pugnacious (2001-2005) will surely appear in print in this upcoming magazine!  I've no idea how I've been "rated", but hope that regardless of rating some folks out there will enjoy my sound!  Anyone who wants to hear more, email me at animuspugna@hotmail.com and I'll set you up with some music.  You can also hear current material on Balaam's Miracle- "Rivet-Bat Radio", which recently changed its web addy to a more efficient www.balaamsmiracle.com, as well as Flish Radio (part of the Flaming Fish site) and Christian Industrial:  www.christianindustrial.net. <note: I will soon be changing all of Balaam's links to his new web address; old links to Balaam's Miracle on this site may not work for a few days>.

I know I promised more changes to the site in store, but haven't yet had the time to do much.  Don't worry, I'll keep my promise and improve the site and add more content as soon as I can!  It's been a busy life, to say the least!  I chose the new album name long before the "fit hit the shan" in my own family, but I know, though utterly bittersweet, it will hopefully inspire many heartfelt songs and floor-stompers.  Prayers are always welcome as my family could use them, and I'm more than willing to reciprocate.  Got something heavy on your mind?  Email me and I promise I (if not more than myself- with permission) will pray for you.  It's the only hope we have, and it certainly can't hurt!

I'm also still determined to have another *brand new* 10-12 track Animus Pugna release ready by Christmas 2005, and am sticking with the title "I Wanted Us to be a Family" (cover art is on the "home" page).  I've recently upgraded my software a bit, added some instruments and FX, taught myself more (through research, books, and expert advice), and hope that the next release will be even better than the last.  Life is learning, and I'm trying!  I'm not VNV Nation, Covenant, or Apoptygma Berzerk, but I *am* Animus Pugna.  I'm a bit stubborn, but I'm determined to make music the way I want to with or without regard for any established methods, and to use my music to express myself.  As I said, I hope to have more lyrics/vocals this time around, but I'm sure there will still be some instrumental tracks (instrumentals allow any listener to interpret songs via their own experience, which I love).  I've been busy this summer, but now that Fall and Winter are coming, I'll be spending much more time holed-up in my apartment in cold West Michigan, USA (Look up Holland, MI USA on Google Earth if you have it; high-speed required).  This will inevitably lead to cold-gray-shut-in madness, which always leads to songwriting!  Some material is roughed-out for the new release, but I'm going to focus on finishing and developing a set of brand new songs (as soon as I get myself together and whip myself into shape).  No more remixes or re-builds of previous material on the new release (for now- though I may revisit older tunes in the future; the possibilities are literally limitless). 

"I Wanted Us to be a Family" will be all new material, with album photography by Lisa W. and Logo design by Becky S.  Thus far I've done all of "Animus Pugna" on my own, and *may* do my second release alone.  However, I'm currently commissioning local favorites like "Big Oil", "Super Sarah", "Mr. Chris D.", and "Chevrock" to contribute stellar vocals and/or guitar/bass work to my tunes, and hope to snag the infamous Tommy "Two-Tone" Wagenaar for additional work (he's done many shows in Miami, FL as well as Grand Rapids, MI and can play anything you put in his hands; piano/keyboard, drums, hand drums, guitar, bass, harmonica, and even baby seals if asked in the right way!- (my very first attempt at recording was with this amazingly talented guy!- that recording might pop up as an "Easter Egg" someday...). 

I just have to teach these incredibly talented classic-rock/hippie rockers to conform to my style...they will submit or pay the price...(I won't give them presents this year).  I don't want to add to my collection of fingers-in-jars ;-)  (OK, so I revere *all* of them for their extreme talents, and was blessed enough to meet and befriend them all in life's course).  I'm mostly alt-rock/electronic, and most of them are "classic rockers".  Hope it works out however it's meant to.  If it ends up sounding too different from Animus Pugna, I'll just come up with another name and call it a "side project".  Wherever the music leads me (us).  As long as it's real, authentic, and heartfelt.

I should state that said-collaborations are not yet solidified and may change.  It depends on whether or not they want to keep all of their fingers!  <insert snipping sound here>.  (Call it initiative to get them to work with me).    

Keep checking back!  Thank you all SO much for coming here in the first place!  If you like what you hear, pass it on.  If not, I understand- I can't judge anyone's personal taste in music and wouldn't dare to.  I can just point you all in a few interesting directions....

Thanks again for coming by,
Bryan Stradley (Animus Pugna)- keep your own Spirit Battle raging.  Trust me, it's more than worth it, even when we fail or falter.  God's will always, not our own.

*September 06/05- Again, still no official word on when Automata 9.0 will be released, but it will be soon!  The date Carson gave me (the editor) was approximate, saying that they hope to have it out in the next month, and we all know how unforeseen factors can come into play!  I'll let everyone know as soon as it is posted on Automata's site for order, but please be free to check Automata's site yourself for further updates!  Hey, even if Animus Pugna doesn't get the greatest review my first time out (who could expect that?), check out this mag anyway and discover an entire world of music that might just change your life, or at least your listening pleasures! 

-Special note to thank an old, dear, can't-be-beat friend, Lisa for looking me up recently, so if you read this, it's for you and you alone, Lisa!

I still intend to have a "fresh" release of brand new material out by Christmas at the latest (I'll lock myself in my apartment as soon as it gets cold in Michigan and crank away at it until it's done!).  I'm determined to do all new material, implementing what I've learned/ haven't learned lately as far as programming and production is concerned.  As I've said before, Animus Pugna is a "one-man-band", so I have to develop not only my programming and writing abilities, but also mix, effect, and master all of my material myself.  There aren't really any "studios" or highly-trained techs in my area, so I'm trying to learn all of it.  It's a language unto itself, as is music theory (though thus far I've "bucked" music theory in favor of composing tunes that *I* like the sound of!!!).  I'm hoping the next release, titled "I Wanted Us to be a Family" (see the Home page for cover art) will show a decent measure of progression from my last official release (Pugnaciaous: 2001-2005), and add more vocals, as well as the subtler, but no-less important aspects of production. 

Anyone who knows music making is familiar with all the fun junk like proper micing. compression, gating, limiting, as well as EQ, FX, and everything in between.  Please be patient as I learn more and more (as Tom Shear of Assemblage 23 told me, all this constant learning "keeps it exciting.")  Thanks again, Tom, if you read this.  You're not only one of my very favorites, and am in awe of you, but have been SO kind as to help when you can with tips and input, and just encouragement in general.  Who could ask for a better mentor?  Also a big thanks to Nicnevin for taking interest in my stuff.

I've also been contacted by an Icelandic-based music company to *potentially* contribute some instrumental work to what they're doing!  From what I can tell, it is a sort of music-collective, where someone starts a song, then passes it on to someone else who makes additions, and passes it on from there!  This could be a lot of fun, and result in exclusive tracks as well as remixes.  I'll post their web addy as soon as I can get to it again (at the time of this writing, my computer isn't in the mood to connect back to their site).

Thanks to *everyone* in the music community (listeners, fans, and professionals alike) who've helped kept Animus Pugna going for the past couple of years!  Cheers to you all!    

*September 03/05- Still no known release of Automata 9.0 (set for release Sept. 1st).  The editor initially said  it would be out September 1, though it is not yet listed on the Automata page.  It *should* be available in the next week- I'll mail the editor again if there is no release set on their page by this Saturday.  With a magazine like this, targeted to a niche audience, many factors can cause delays...

In the meantime, pray for *everyone* affected by Hurricane Katrina.  Those stricken by the storm need much more attention and consideration than *any* musician.  

*August 28/05- Changes are coming in the near future.  So is the long-awaited "Automata 9.0" Magazine, with a review of Animus Pugna's "Pugnacious- (2001-2005)", set to hit the market on September 1!  This will be my first print-review, for better or worse!  Thanks to everyone at Flaming Fish/Automata for approaching me and asking for s submission!  No matter how the actual review turns out, rest assured that Animus Pugna is just getting started...  Keep checking back for more news from the AP camp!

*July 23/)5- I'm still here, alive and kickin'!  I'd like to thank Matrus, Nicnevin, MoT/Barqs for checking out my site and giving me much-appreciated compliments on my music!  Thanks, guys!  I should have a review coming up in the next issue of Automata Magazine (though I'm not sure of the release date) coming soon!  More new music is coming in the near future, to be sure!  Though I have a few more songs almost ready, it will be another 2-3 months (give or take 2-3 months) before I make another official release!  Please stay tuned, or mail me anytime at:  animuspugna@hotmail.com  any comments or questions are more than welcome!  Thanks again to my BB buds!

*June 01/05- Yeah, I haven't updated much as there hasn't been much to report (current projects are strictly classified until further notice).  But I did add a Picture to the homepage, which will serve as both the cover and title of my upcoming 2nd release as Animus Pugna.   You can all have fun with a newspaper, a copy machine, and some tape!  (Don't forget the safety-scissors, don't need any accidents, kids!).  Try it!  Yes, the next Animus Album will be titled "I Wanted Us to be a Family", and should hit around fall or early winter (subject to change with as little notice as possible)!  I intend to make a totally fresh list of tracks, add a bit of guitar bits, more vocals, and expand on the Animus Pugna sound while staying true to my roots in programming.  Email me anytime at animuspugna@hotmail.com for whatever (decent) reason.  All I need is someone to write the music and sing for me so I can get the credit...now taking applications (well, possibly for a vocalist in West Michigan area; Holland, Zeeland, Grand Haven, etc.).  Make no mistake; Animus Pugna is Animus Pugna.  I create music the way I want to and am not too concerned with fitting-in anywhere in certain electronic "scenes", *except* hopefully in the ears, hearts and minds of my listeners! 

A good friend  asked me the other day if I was a Christian (as he held a different view).  Fans and listeners are friends, so I'll give you the same answer I gave my buddy:  "Yes.  Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and through him only do I have salvation from eternal damnation in hell."  Just the facts.  I'm open minded and don't judge or hide from those who don't believe as I do, and have a wonderful, dedicated and much-loved eclectic set of dear friends with different beliefs to prove it (thank God).  My view is that the same almighty God created *all* humanity.  We only have to choose to accept Him and his freely-given gift of redemption through Christ, or reject it.  One father, all people.  I try my best to accept everybody for who they are and respect their personal beliefs.  Come one, come all, just enjoy the music if you like it!       

I've also included a direct link on the About Fibromyalgia page to a comprehensive list of symptoms with many brief explanations of how these symptoms affect daily life for those with FMS.  Just trying to spread awareness!!

*May 11/05- Wow, it's been a while again, and I'm sorry!  A lot's been going on on my end of things and I haven't been able to devote as much time to the site as I had hoped. 

Things are progressing and I'm still waiting for the release date of the magazine Automata 9.0, which should be available soon, and will contain a review of Animus Pugna's "Pugnacious"; a collection of my material from my very first song in 2000 to my newest projects through 2004!  "Pugnacious" again, is a collection of what I feel is some of my better material through my earlier years.  The follow-up is still a ways off and I cannot guarantee a date or month, but hope to have another release completed before the end of the year.  Much has happened and much needs to be expressed.  I am determined to make my next release better than the first, and am planning to incorporate more sounds the next time around (including some synth-electric guitar to add an edge to a few tracks). 

My music is now available on Balaam's Miracle Gothic Industrial Pages, as well as Flaming Fish "Flish Radio" (click "Radio"), and "Christianindustrial.net".  Please check it out!  A big "thanks" to those at Flish and Christianindustrial.net  (as well as good old Balaam) for hosting my music.  I couldn't thank them enough.  I'll be sure to let you all know as soon as Automata 9.0 is available (including a free compilation CD of amazing Christian EBM/Synth/Futurewave/Goth/Industrial artists!).  The other day I tuned into "Flish Radio" while working on my PC and was dumbstruck when one of my own "Animus Pugna" songs started playing!  Thanks to everyone who has supported me and given my material a good listen; I hope to do nothing but improve in the future!  It may be a few months before I make any more public releases, but I encourage you to keep checking in at this site, as you never know what might show up!  Regardless, I am dedicated to music and promise to continue to produce the best material I can for as long as I can do it, God willing.  Thanks again for showing up, and enjoy the rest of the site!

In the meantime, If you haven't heard any Animus before, check out the "Finding My Music" page for direct links to .Wav clips of some of my songs.  Feedback is always welcome at animuspugna@hotmail.com.  Thanks again.  Last note; a good friend's poem will be posted in the "Personal Poems" section tomorrow, pending the author's approval.  It's an amazing piece from an amazing mind, let's hope he let's me post it!

*April 27/05- Many things are still the same, though I have been working on NEW material created with the updated software I now have.  I'll continue to use Fruityloops (V.5.1) in combination with Cakewalk to produce the best music can.  Please stick with Animus Pugna as it continues to expand and explore more territories.  Also of note, I may be considering guitars in my music.  Thus far it has only been computer/techno, but now I have the ability to add some rockin' guitar to my material.  In the end, Animus Pugna will *always* be an electronic band, but I'd love to explore the possibilities of using guitars to accent my sound.  Again, "Pugnacious" will be my final release until I have another 10-15 tracks that I feel are worth releasing, and hope to the Lord that my next release will be a big improvement (not to say that "Pugnacious" isn't worth your time and several listens!).  My overall goal is not to be "number 1", but to express myself as best I can as a Christian living in the current American society, without forgetting what all others throughout the world are also dealing with.  The only answer is God.  Despite the intricacies of any and any other situation, the best way to deal with them is to pray and to find within yourselves what Christ himself would do if he were in you position.  I preach peace- not war; understanding rather than division, and hold with all of my heart and soul that none of the petty issues we expend so much energy on disputing means absolutely *Nothing* in the long run.  What most humans fail to realize and truly understand, is that our time spent in this physical earth (world) is not even the tip of the iceberg.  Take this life for all it is, love and care as much as you can while we're here, for when all of the physical is gone, only the emotional/spiritual ties will remain.  Everyone:  choose your battles.  Understand that this life and all of its trouble is only temporary.  Eternity should always be our focus.  More so, the redemption we have through Jesus Christ and how to share it should be our first and foremost example and "job".  If we view this mortal life as "true life" we have deceived ourselves, no matter how much money, clout or influence we may have gathered, this life is NOTHING compared to eternity.  Realize earthly life for what it is and what it is not.  Please, all of us, choose wisely.  The biggest mistake a mortal can make is to see his earthily-life as his "true life".  Only when we understand that this only the preface to *real* life can we possibly understand the differences between earthly words/action Vs. what is REALLY important in the eyes of the Lord.  Just a reminder, spurned by recent situations within my own family.  Don't let it happen to you.

*April 26/05- It may be several more weeks or months before I post NEW Animus Pugna material here or on other sites (not to mention mail-order albums).  I'm learning, growing, and writing new material that won't be finished for a few months yet.  In the meantime, I suggest you request a copy of "Pugnacious" on the "Finding My Music" page, free for a limited time.  After that I will be making a larger release of new material.  I've plans for much more original (tweaked out and freaky) material before the end of this year.  Maybe 2-3 singles every 2-3 months, or an album per year...Not sure yet.  Email Animus Pugna anytime.

*April 25/05- Well, I've done a bit of software upgrading, and can promise that the next Animus Pugna release will be filled with many pure-electro songs, as well as some tunes with heavier guitar parts added.  I'm resolved to not create any more music unless it is truly worthy of creation, and I'm learning more all the time.  I promise to put out another "official release" before the end of the year, and may have some singles ready before that.  You'll be the first to know when I have anything new, ready for preview (actually I've done 2 songs, but I"m gonna make you wait a couple more weeks while I tweak them!).  God bless human expression.  Also HUGE new releases from both New Order (Waiting for the Sirens' Call) and Nine Inch Nails (With Teeth).  Both albums are amazing and must have records.  I cannot yet say from listening to them that either one has gone any further beyond what each respective group/artist has done before, but they both have an "in your face" and "We created Synth-Pop, bitch!" (respectively) sound to them.  We have one uber-band and one mega-band releasing close together.  While there would never have been a NIN without resulting from New Order, NIN's newest effort is good listening to understate, and the Newest New Order continues to define exactly what intelligent British Synth-Pop-Rock-Alternative always has been:  New Order! 

*April 21/05-  I was enthused to receive an email from Carson Pierce, the owner of Flaming Fish Records, saying that a number of my songs are now in rotation on "Flish Radio" found at www.flamingfish.com (click "radio"), and also on Christian Industrial (www.christianindustrial.net)!  A giant "thanks" again to everyone at Flaming Fish and Christian Industrial.  As mentioned before, the material found on the current radio shows (including Balaam's Miracle where you make your own playlists) is the last you will hear from Animus Pugna until I am ready to release fresh material (shouldn't be too long!).  This may include a combination of existing tracks put to full or re-worked vocals, and/or brand spankin' new songs fresh from the electronic oven.  I'm "taking measures" to ensure that my next release will improve upon the first, and to hopefully grow from there into what the Lord wishes Animus to be.  The moment I take God out of the context is the moment my music utterly fails.  Please send any and all comments, suggestions, opinions, viewpoints, etc. to me directly at: animuspugna@hotmail.com.  The review of Animus Pugna: "Pugnacious" is scheduled to appear in Automat 9.0 (print edition).  "Pugnacious" is a collection of what I feel are my better material from 2001-2005 (from my first song through my most recent) and consists of 20+ tracks.  When I was contacted by Automata to submit a copy of my "album", I was honestly surprised and in an artistic bind (though a more than welcome one), as I had not yet finished a "proper album".  Thus I compiled material from my "DEMO-Lition" CD and remixed versions and fresh new songs to form "Pugnacious".  If you're new or haven't tuned in since "DEMO-Lition", "Pugnacious" is a major advancement and is available FREE in limited quantities on the "Finding My Music" page!  Don't hesitate or wait

I continue to work, but my attention is unavoidably divided among different parts of my life and interests.  I've been doing a lot of brainstorming for my writing endeavors and sketching out a piece of art here and there.  I still work on music, and will always do so.  However, it is clear to me that I produce my best material (in all areas) when it just "hits" me instead of being forced.  I am committed to releasing only my best to the public.  Animus Pugna will be around as long as I live, and hopefully I will be producing more new and improved music very soon.  Keep checking for updates, and thanks again for supporting Animus Pugna! 

*April 13/05- I am now uncle to 7 at age 26!  Congrats to my brother and his wonderful wife on the birth of their first child, Braden Daniel, on April 5, 2005.  All is well, and I've never seen my big bro this beamingly happy in my life!  Keep your eyes peeled for Automat #9, coming soon!  This will be Animus Pugna's first "album" review, though I must remind you that the "album" they are reviewing is really a collection of songs from around 2001-2004, which have been re-worked, remixed, new tracks, and a new song with vocals.  This will be the *last* release of these particular songs unless I decide to do further serious rebuilds/ mixes in the future.  After "Pugnacious", I hope to continue to create fresh material as well as add vox to a few songs that have been in my roster for a while.  Thanks for stopping by, and keep checking in on Animus Pugna!

*March 24/05- I've added 2 more sample clips!  One is for "Emerge", a rather easy-going tune, along with "Giving Up", which has full vocals and is a bit more on the darker side of life...Check them out on the "Finding My Music" page!

*March 23/05- I'm sending a copy of my CD to Flish Radio (Flaming Fish's free web-radio) tomorrow, and should be on their radio rotation soon.  I'll be sure to let you know when this happens!  Hope you're enjoying the new sample clips!  I hope to add a couple more soon.  I'm even considering posting 1-2 complete songs in the same format (what do you think?  Good idea or bad idea?  Input is more than welcome!).  I can't post everything, as that defeats the purpose of offering full CDs, but I want people to have an idea of what they're gonna hear! 

* March 22/05- NEW!  As of today there are a few sample audio clips available right here on this site.  They are located on the "Finding My Music" page.  The samples are 64KB/sec stereo .MP3 files that should play when you click on the song name.  Any trouble, let me know right away at animuspugna@hotmail.com.  Enjoy!  I may add more in the near future.

*March 14/05- I've just made a few minor changes here and there, including a link from the "My Music" page to the track listing of my newest release, "Pugnacious".  If all goes as planned, "Pugnacious" will be reviewed in the print magazine Automata (issue #9), available soon! 

*February 25/05- Hi guys, I've got some exciting news!  At least I'm excited!  Thanks to Johnny P., an avid underground electo fan who emailed me to request a copy of my CD, I've learned that I'm listed on Flaming Fish's website and was also listed in the current issue of Automata Magazine (#8) in their "New Band Directory"!  Flaming Fish Music is probably the most well known and respected label and resource for the underground Christian electronic music scene.  Automata happens to be the most well respected print magazine that covers the same styles of music.  As if that weren't exciting enough, I also received an email from Automata Magazine and they would like a copy of my CD so they can review it for their next issue!  For a guy like me doing everything out of his small apartment, this is more than I could've dreamed of.  I want to extend a huge "Thank You!" to Johnny P, Flaming Fish and Automata Magazine, as well as to *everybody* out there who has been listening to and supporting my music.  I feel beyond blessed.  Email me anytime with any questions or comments at animuspugna@hotmail.com.   All glory belongs to God.

*February 04/05- Hello!  If you've visited this site before, you may notice that I've made a bunch of changes.  I mainly cleaned the site up a bit and took a few things off (for implementation in other projects).  Most of the original content is still here, including info about Animus Pugna's music, as well as short stories, artwork and more.  I hope you like the changes, and more are on the way.  I always welcome feedback and questions at animuspugna@hotmail.com!  Thanks for stopping by and take another good look around.

*January 05/05- I know it's been a while again, and not much has changed as far as the website goes, but things are moving along behind the scenes!  I've been learning and studying more on music production and mixing/ mastering techniques so that I can bring you the best I can offer.  I do all writing, programming, sequencing, mixing and mastering myself, which requires a wide knowledge base, as most "pop" or "mainstream" artists have the means to simply hire audio technicians to do much of this for them.  So for now, I'm continuing to learn and develop my skills, as well as working on new tracks.  It may yet be a while before I release more material, but please, if you haven't already, check out what I've done thus far on Balaam's Miracle (web radio- More info on "Finding My Music"), or email me to request a CD of your own at animuspugna@hotmail.com.  At this time I am still offering the CDs at no cost, except for shipping.

If you own a United States flag and/ or pole, please take the time to visit US Flag Alert found at www.usflagalert.com.   This is my brother's rapidly growing and extremely economical service for those with flags who wish to ensure that they are flown properly at all times.  Those who register receive email updates for any national or state occasion during which the flag should be flown at half-staff (scheduled and emergency), as well as when the flag should be raised to full staff again, in addition to a monthly newsletter.  This site is also a source for accurate and  proper flag etiquette, history and facts.  If you take pride in flying your flag, please check it out!  

*December 16/04- Hi gang, hope you're all doing well!  I've been making serious progress on my fantasy/fiction novel, just have a few key story concepts that need to be worked out and a lot of re-editing on my computer, but I hope to have the first major chunk of text (about 80 pages, not including the short stories) done by Christmas.

I have also been asked by the local Set-Free Ministries chapter if I would like to go through training and officially be a part of their organization as someone they could call to guide struggling folks through the Steps to Freedom in Christ.  It is something I've been thinking of doing for years, but have always talked myself out of.  I'm asking for your prayers concerning this, so that I make the best decision I can.  I want to help others, but need to be sure I can really handle it and stay committed- as it is more than gratifying, but can at times be quite intense.    

*December 05/04- Wow, it's been a while!  Sorry about that everyone!  My attention's been drawn in several different directions lately, though I must say I've been plunking away at a couple more Animus Pugna tunes and further tweaking/re-mixing some pre-existing material.  I've been spending the brunt of my time working on and re-editing my fantasy fiction story (it's about time!).  I jump from interest to interest as the Spirit moves me, but hope that over the winter I'll be cranking out material in all my areas of "art".  Please enjoy what's on the site thus far, and rest assured I will return to it again in full force soon.  I'd been working a job where I stared at a computer monitor for 9-10hrs/day, so when I got home the last thing I wanted to do was sit down at my own computer.  That is all changing.  If I don't post again beforehand, MERRY CHRISTMAS!  And try not to lose site of what Christmas really is- it makes it all the more sweeter.

*November 14/04- I've made several small editorial changes throughout the site, as well as adding a link from the Home page describing why this site is so simple in design instead of flashy.  No major changes today.  Thanks for stopping by!

*November 12/04- Wow, it's been a while again and I have a lot of happy news to report!  First off, many close friends have recently had babies!  My close friend Ryan and wife Erin recently had their first child, Aiden Paul.  My friends Mark and wife Jen just had their new baby boy, Japheth, and close friends Patti and 'Tavo just had their first baby, Gael, a wonderful baby boy.  Congrats to all of them!  Another couple I'm friends with is expecting to have their child any day now, and I'll be sure to add it to the news.  Babies are everywhere!

As for Animus Pugna, I was excited to find myself listed on Flaming Fish Records' links page!  I have no idea how they came across my music, but am grateful that they have!  I do not (yet) have a contract with Flaming Fish, but they are well known as the biggest "indie" label for "Underground Christian Electronic" music.  Just having a link from their page to my own is a huge blessing.  I hope to submit a formal demo to Flaming Fish in the near future and go from there.  There are obviously no guarantees, but if I could release an album on even a small independent label and make $200, I'd be thrilled.  I don't care about making big money with my music, I just care about making music that connects with other people as well as being a personal outlet for my own thoughts and feelings.  Thank you Flaming Fish!  I feel truly honored to have made it onto your "Synthpop" links list!  Hehe, some people are "underground music" freaks, but hey, you can't get much more "underground" than never really having been heard of before!  Consider yourselves the hardcore "underground" Animus Pugna fans!  :-)  Thanks for everyone's support and encouragement, I couldn't have done any of this without my friends!

*October 23/04- It's been a while, but I'm back (sort of).  The biggest bit of news I have is that Tim, whose poetry was hosted on this site, seems to have found a publisher for his work!  I knew it would happen, and it happened soon!  Congrats to Tim and best wishes- he really has what it takes to make it.  As a result of this, Tim's poems on this site are going offline at least for now.  Thanks to everyone who took the time to read his stuff, and I'll be sure to let you know when and where you can find it next! 

I've started working on my fantasy novel again after taking a 7 year pseudo-break from it.  I've continued to develop the story and characters in my mind continuously over all these years, often typing out my ideas in many different "lore/idea" files, but I have only recently sat back down at the keyboard and written actual story text.  I'm hoping to make this fall/winter a prolific one.  I live in western Michigan, and staying home a lot due to the weather is a fact of life for most Michiganders, but a great time to cozy up and get creative (and watch TV and gain weight, let's be honest).

And...I'm poking around with another new song or two as well...

*October 09/04- My uncle passed away yesterday afternoon, and it was swift.  Again I ask that anyone willing pray for the family, my uncle's children, and his remaining siblings (my mother and other uncle).  Thank you.

*October 07/04- The decision has been made to take my uncle off of life support.  This will happen tomorrow (Friday) or the next day.  After he is taken off, no one knows how long he'll survive; minutes, hours, or days, but it will likely be swift.  Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.  I ask now that you direct them toward my family, especially my uncle's two children, my other healthy uncle (his brother), and my mother (his sister) who are having the hardest time of us all.  I have hope and faith that my uncle, upon his passing, will find Eternal peace in Heaven.  Thanks again to all of you.

One addition I have made is the "What About the Gothic?" page, where I more fully explain my own personal take on the term "Gothic" and its implications.  As some may have noticed, I've slowly cut back the usage of the term "Goth" on this site...here's why.

*October 05/04- Due to family concerns, I've had to put the site on the back-burner for a bit.  I have an uncle in the hospital with less than a 50/50 chance of survival due to extreme pneumonia and blood poisoning.  Any and all prayers are welcomed.  Thanks, and I'll resume work on the site soon.

*September 28/04- Not much today (I'm taking a night to loaf and watch TV).  Feeling down?  I soon hope to write out and articulate more of my own beliefs soon, as I wish to keep this site focused, but not without explanation.  I also hope to make more progress on the Steps to Freedom.  Also, the hotly anticipated new Assemblage 23 album, "Storm", has now been let loose!  I haven't gotten my copy yet, but based on how stellar his previous albums have *all* been, I can't wait to hear it!  A23's new single "Let the Wind Erase Me" also recently made it onto the Billboard Hot Dance Singles chart at #17, which is really quite rare and exciting for an EBM-based artist, so congrats to Tom Shear on this accomplishment (Tom- it really is something to brag about, don't feel bad!  Oh, and I'm ordering my copy tomorrow.  Cheers!).  He even beat out Madonna, Britney Spears, and D.J. Tiesto!

Also, from the Animus Pugna perspective, I have to say, *please* don't judge EBM/ Goth/ Industrial by what Marilyn Manson has done to tarnish these genres (though he isn't really a part of them), many people assume that he is and make judgments from there.  His new cover of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" is pure mockery- as opposed to the legendary Johnny Cash, who covered the same song before his passing.  Cash performed this song to show his true faith, despite his struggles as "the Man in Black", while Manson has done the exact opposite with the same song.  I used to even like *some* of Manson's material, until I learned that he was once given the title of "reverend" from the founder of the Satanic Church.  Manson also in interviews has stated that he utilizes certain sound frequencies (binaural beats) to attempt to alter the human consciousness and bend it to clearly evil results in his music.  Be careful.  To take such things lightly is to tread very treacherous ground (the devil works both overtly and covertly).  Don't mess with this stuff!  There is *nothing* "innocent" about it!  This is *not* what most EBM/ Industrial acts stand for, as evidenced by such successful bands like Monolithic and Apoptygma Berzerk.  Everyone (including Manson) has the *right* to create whatever music they want.  I just advise fans of true EBM/ Industrial to stay away from this crap.  For every blatantly evil musical act, there are several more that contrast this ideology; filled with spiritual content that encourages listeners to find faith and hope, despite dark circumstance.

*September 26/04- I'm happy to say that my friend is doing very well and is home.  Thanks to everyone who prayed!  I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, and any way you look at it, prayer certainly cannot hurt.

I hope to do further updating and editing of this site soon, possibly yet today. 

*September 22/04- I haven't heard any more about my friend mentioned in yesterday's news, and am not sure if or when I'll be allowed to visit.  Please keep her and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.  It is a dreadful situation, but one that can be mended (and I believe will be).

I can now also tell the world that my older brother and his wonderful wife (very courageous to marry into this family!) are going to be having their first child in the Spring!  Congratulations you two!  This will officially make me "Uncle Bryan" to 7 wonderful munchkins!

For the site, I've re-edited most pages yet again.  Still trying to refine them, give the information I wish to share, and trim the fat.  I've made changes to every page except "Lyrics", "Stories", "Personal Poems", and "Tim's Poetry".  I hope to continue work on the Steps to Freedom in Christ tomorrow, time permitting. 

I also received an email from a dear friend, Doug V. that was very encouraging, sincere and the highlight of my week.  So thanks again Doug; God bless you and your family.  And thanks to all of you who continue to visit my page, and to those who've also supported Balaam's Miracle; another great site for "Christian Misfits".

*September 21/04- Hello all.  First I must tell you of a serious prayer request I have.  I learned on Sunday that a good friend that I've known for years was hospitalized after a suicide attempt.  This is very unsettling news, to say the least.   Any and all prayers are more than appreciated.  I have very few details aside from the fact they ingested a large quantity of various strong medications, but they are now safely under the watch of professionals at a Christian mental health provider.  This person is a Christian, and their salvation is secure, but I am concerned for their overall safety, and am frankly pissed-off at the devil for setting up and executing such a destructive plan via his lies and distortions of truth (some say "chemical", I say "spiritual"- which transcends any and all chemical factors).  Whether he be subtle or obvious, the devil still strives to destroy the beauty of life as much today as he ever has.  Again, to say that the devil/demonic plays no real role in such incidents is beyond blindness.  If the very real spiritual powers of darkness and destruction are not involved in situations like these, they may as well be sitting around sipping tea and nibbling biscuits.  Get real, friends, cuz Satan is, like it or not.  But remember always that God is far stronger and the Ultimate Victor.

As for the site, I've made several changes to many pages (hey, a rhyme!), re-editing and re-writing some text throughout.  I also divided my "Bio Info" page into two sections: one that is short and basic, and the other other which contains all of the text of my earlier "Bio Info" page and goes more in depth.  I did this to give visitors the option of checking either one (or both), and to essentially put a sock in the mouths of critics who have expressed that they feel my "Bio" page was little more than self-righteous and pity-hungry.  I think it may be a little off-putting to some to be blunt and honest, though others are seeking such frankness.  So now I hope to please both (without "watering-down" my site and my mission).  I've also started to finish a couple of my unfinished drawings I have posted on this site; particularly "Mal-Kalech Triumphant" (2004), I've almost finished his shield and wings, as well as touched-up other spots!  I'll let you know when the "finished" version is online!   

*September 19/04- Things are starting to calm down and life is good!  I tend to be most productive musically during the fall and winter, so I expect that I'll be working on some fresh Animus Pugna music again very soon!  I intend to record vocals for many existing songs, as well as write fresh, new material in the coming months.  I'll be sure to keep you posted!  In the mean time, I'm going to finish re-typing the "Steps to Freedom in Christ" for download for those interested, add some more content to Tim's Poetry and my Beliefs page, and find a way to shed 10-15 pounds ;-)  without being a carb-free freak!  (Tests are starting to show that low-carb, high-protein diets can cause you to lose weight short term, but many gain it back, and have less energy in the end!).

*September 15/04- I've begun work on re-typing the "Steps to Freedom in Christ", which is based directly from the Bible, and was "condensed" into a short, 7 step process by Christian author Neil Anderson.  These 7 steps can be beneficial to absolutely anyone and everyone; from the light-moderately troubled, to those experiencing full-blown spiritual warfare and the attacks of the devil (i.e.-demonic oppression/ possession, demonic manifestations, dark and or suicidal ideology, and everything else that can hurt or torment you on a mental and spiritual level).  It will be a while before I'm finished, but all 7 steps will be available as individual downloads, or one download of the whole thing.  You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain.  This goes for any and all Christians and non-Christians alike, regardless of what troublesome issues you may face (from "normal" stuff to the more extreme "what the **** is going on, I think I'm going crazy" stuff).  Links to these steps are already on my "Battling the Demonic?" page, but I'm working on re-typing each step so that by one visit to this site, you can find your Christian freedom again, become a Christian if you are not, and have the solutions you need to make your life better; to escape both the covert and overt attacks of the demonic which impact your daily life. 

Did I forget to mention my new and updated Animus Pugna songs are now online at http://www.balaamsmiracle.com "Rivet-Bat Radio"?  Of course not, but here's a reminder:  look for songs labeled "Build 2", plus "Somatacize", "Panic Attack" and new "Until You Have Seen (Lord of Destruction Remix)".  Enjoy and give me feedback!  Check the "Finding My Music" page for complete instructions on listening to and obtaining these Animus Pugna songs.

*September 12/04- The little "incident" that appeared in the news yesterday has been moved here.  I figured it was eating up too much space and was really only of potential interest to a few visitors anyway.  So far so good, and I'm much less "on edge" now that nothing has happened for a couple of days, and I haven't seen the van or the individual since.  I've done some more "tweaking" to fix errors and re-edit a few things here and there, but no major changes, aside from (as reported yesterday) the announcement that my new and "rebuilt" songs are now online at Balaam's Miracle!  Let me know what you think!     

*September 11/04- Hi!  My new and updated songs are now online at http://www.balaamsmiracle.com !  Just visit his site, click radio, tune in, and request a song by finding Animus Pugna in his artist-search!  Look for any song labeled "build 2" plus "Somatacize", "Panic Attack", and the new mix of "Until You Have Seen".  Many "lighter", more uplifting and upbeat songs are posted (like "Third Heaven: Build 2", as well as my more "stark" fare.  I also did some more revamping today, just re-arranging and editing some stuff, especially the "Finding My Music" page...The "other" news I had posted here has been moved here because it was long and only of potential interest to a few people.

*September 9/04- Howdy!  I did a ton more editing on virtually all pages on this site today, cutting a little of the fat, and hopefully makings some other things a bit more clear for everyone!  Much of the text on this site (at least half) is/ was first draft material from last winter (when I began construction of the site but had no web host), and I've revised a bunch of the newer stuff again too!  Enjoy, and don't hesitate to email me at animuspugna@hotmail.com for any reason!

*September 7/04- I actually made some updates today!  I added a poem/ song lyric that I just wrote tonight, called "Deliver Me from Evil" (found on the "Lyrics" page), and added 3 more poems to "Tim's Poetry" as well.  I have also re-edited my "Battling the Demonic?" page in hopes of making it a bit more clear.  Lastly, I've touched-up the "My Music", "Finding My Music", "Bio Info" and "About Fibromyalgia" pages!

*August 31/04- Yes, I've been neglecting the site, but I've been doing other stuff!  Anyway in Animus Pugna Music News I have recently explored some of Fruityloop's power that I had not tapped into yet, and will be using this to likely enhance (possibly considerably) *some* of my pre-existing material, and will surely be applied to many new songs I write.  This could really have a big impact on my overall "sound" (hopefully for the better...).  It'll take me a while to do more experimentation and make any actual changes or create new tracks.  The proof will be in the pudding.  In the meantime I hope to add to Tim's Poetry, and a larger goal is to re-type the pages of the "Steps to Freedom" and make them available in an easily accessible/ downloadable way. 

*August 26/04- Nothing new, just wanted to Neeva for "besting" me in knowledge of the Cure!  I have met my match and been defeated (and also owe her $5.00 for answering a quiz question I was sure she wouldn't know!).

*August 24/04- I added a few more photos to the "Artwork" page, including pictures of my pets!  My friend Becky wanted to see them, so here they are!  There's also a photo of when I pierced the webbing of my left hand, all by myself (Mom, don't have a heart-attack).  I had to take it out 3 days later because I "bumped" a nerve and I was losing feeling in the entire left side of my body...I never said I wasn't stupid!  By the way Becky, I'll say again, it was great to talk to you!  And thanks again to Eli and Becky both for taking the time to "find" me again!  You've both been a HUGE source of support, encouragement, and Light, right when I needed it most!  Quite refreshing (I guess that makes you  kinda like minty gum....yes, I AM CORNY and proud of it)!  Seriously, a gigantic "thank you" to everyone who's been supportive lately (you know who you all are!), you know what's currently "eating me", and have been so great about it!  Further proof that God is real and does care, and does work in "mysterious ways".

*August 23/04- Just some minor tweaks and updates today!

*August 20/04- I have made some updates and added more detailed  information to the "Bio Info"  and "About Fibromyalgia " pages well worth checking out!  I also re-designed the "Lyrics" page (finally), so now when you visit that page you can click on a song title and be brought directly to those lyrics, without having to scroll-down one big page.  This should help streamline things more.  Even if you've already read the "Bio Info" and "About Fibromyalgia",  I encourage you to read them again, as some significant changes have been made!  And again, thank you all for visiting "Animus Pugna." 

*August 17/04- I've decided to make some changes to the site and re-write a lot of the material on it, as well as add fresh stuff.  This might make my site unavailable periodically for a few days.  Sorry for any inconvenience, but I encourage you to come back soon and check it out!

*August 17/04-I have removed some stuff on my site that I should never have put on it in the first place.  I am very sorry to those who were hurt by my words.  I made a big mistake, actually several lately, and I am not proud of myself.  I ask forgiveness from those I hurt, and from God, as I became angry and chose to take the "low-road" instead of the "high-road".  I regret much. 

*August 16/04- Sorry, no new stuff yet, but I promise I'll have more fresh content in the coming week! 

*August 14/03-Again, no new real content today.  To say the least, I'm again just not in the mood to work on the site today.  I will be (finally) sending my updated CD to Balaam on Monday and will let you all know as soon as the new material is online at "Rivet Bat Radio" found on Balaam's site (links are on several other pages).  On the plus-side, I got my email from Becky (mentioned in yesterday's news), and am elated to have re-connected with her.  She said I "forgot" to mention some of my (what she may call "better") personal attributes in my "Bio Info" section.  Though I'm much more than flattered, It seems my life has unfortunately proven her beliefs to be wrong...

*August 13/04- I have the "Home" link working in the "link bar" on the left of the screen again, even though it shows an "x" instead of a "bullet", it still works.  I'm going to leave it as-is for now.  I'll fix it as soon as I can, but at least for now, the link *does* work!  This means you don't have to scroll to the bottom of each page to get back to the index/"Home" page of my site.  Frontpage is a great program, but man, I've been having some issues with it...

*August 13/04-Ok, no new content yet, I've received some upsetting info about some friends and frankly, I'm just not in the mood to do much tonight!  However, I've also had some GREAT news, as my old close friend from high-school, Eli (formerly Elizabeth, or "Betsy") emailed me after we'd lost touch for years!  So I'm really excited about that, as I've lost touch with too many friends over the years.  Also, I'm eagerly anticipating an email from another very special friend from high school, Becky, very soon!  If either of you two are reading this, keep the email flowing!  I've missed you both and thought of you *often*!  If anyone else has found my site and want to re-connect with me, please do!  There are a few people in particular I'm trying to "find" again (like Jodi K., and a different Becky S. from HCHS class of '98).  Also, I was given approval to have a link granted to me from www.fibrohugs.com to my little site here.  They viewed my site and said it was full of great info, which was quite flattering.  This means that I might get increased traffic, as Fibrohugs gets millions of visitors and only allow "worthy" websites to be added to their "links" list!  I'm quite happy about that!  Remember to visit their site for anything FMS related that I don't cover on my site!

*August 12/04- Wow, the concert last night was AMAZING.  We ended up getting seats in 4th row- center (we "upgraded")!  I could've spit on Robert Smith!  Interpol opened for The Cure with a stunning set and were spot-on; not a single flaw that I noticed, and they even played a few songs from their upcoming album (September).  I can't wait until Interpol reaches the legendary status of bands like The Smiths, and I can sit back and say "I was there way back when...".  And The Cure drove their set into the stratosphere!  Amazing, mostly composed of their more heart-wrenching, beautiful, sad, and goth-rockin'  tunes (they did "Shake Dog Shake", "100 Years" and "A Strange Day"!!!).  They spanned their entire career from the classics "Boys Don't Cry", "Close to Me", "Push",   "Disintegration", "From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea" and "Labyrinth"; all decked out in hay-stack hair, make-up, and dressed in black with great lighting!  Maybe soon I'll post the show's track listing in full.

For the site itself, I've added 1 more poem to my "Personal Poems" section and made a few more very minor tweaks.  My best buddy's getting married this weekend, so it may be a few days before major updates to the site!  I will be mailing my CD of NEW and REVISED songs to Balaam early next week, so keep checking back here to find out when they're online (about a week or so).  I don't want to boast, but I think you'll hear some big improvements!  I've decided that this will be my last release to Balaam until I have more songs with completed lyrics.  Bare with me!   

*August 10/04- A big thanks to everyone who's supporting this site!  Pass it on!  This site was conceived as a means to promote my music, but it has become much more than that!  I made just a few tiny adjustments today, but didn't add any new material.  Tomorrow I go to see my favorite band of all time (since I was 12 years old), The Cure, for the first time ever live!  Interpol is also going to be there, so I'm really excited!  When I get back from Detroit I plan to start cranking out more new stuff and updates for this site, so check back soon!  And for some reason, the "Home" link has disappeared from my link bar, but I hope to have it back up very soon.  Not sure what the problem is.

*August 6/04- I feel ready for another break! but fear not, I have not succumbed!  I have added a page all "About Fibromyalgia", changed some things on my "Bio Info" page, and updated the "My Music" page as well as adding some more bands to my "influences" list on that page!  I also put a photo of my ugly mug on the "Artwork" page, way at the bottom!  Warning:  I've gained a little weight since the pic...I'm no manatee, but I'm not a waif either.  Good thing Coca-Cola came out with "C2"!

*August 5/04- I re-vamped much of the "Battling the Demonic?" page, adding more information and explaining things a bit better (I hope).  Check this page out!!!  Also fixed some minor spelling errors in the "Artwork" page and "Tim's Poetry" page.

*August 4/04- I added several more poems to "Tim's Poetry" Page for you to enjoy!  He really is a great poet and can rhyme like nobody's business.  Many dark clouds, yet many silver linings as well.  As for Animus Pugna, I intend to get a decent update of my music to Balaam to be heard online, but I'm currently having some hardware issues (speakers, amp, or soundcard...think it's the speakers...the sound's a bit distorted esp. on high-range).  I still hope to have an update in the mail to him very soon, I just can't guarantee a date yet.  I've also been playing around a little more with some songs and have added some samples to "Until You Have Seen" which I like (and for the careful listener, it may sound distantly familiar).  Still no more vocals on anything...but soon!

*August 4/04- I added 3 poems to the "Tim's Poetry" Page, as well as changing the personal poem I posted a couple of days ago (new way of "digging through" the collection of poems!  More poems on the way soon!  And don't be afraid to send in your own poems!

*August 1/04- I added a few direct links to the Assemblage 23 website (with A23's permission) and added 1 poem to the "Personal Poems" page.  Some other minor changes made on other pages.  I need to decide how to approach the format for having multiple poems, lyrics and articles so that visitors don't have to scroll down one huge page to read what they want to...

*July 29/04- I made a few little updates today that you may have already noticed on the "Home" page.  Just tweaked and re-ordered some text, and added a hyperlink or two.  I also added to the "Artwork" page (some cool but dark stuff) and "Beliefs" page.  As for my "Battling the Demonic?" page, I may have to change plan a bit.  I don't want to do .PDF files, or at the moment  re-type all 40 pages of the "Steps to Freedom in Christ", let alone get all the formatting right!  For now at least, I will maintain a hyperlink to www.setfreeministries.com, which is a chapter in Western Michigan, but can put you in touch with chapters all around the world!  And if there is no chapter in your area, you can count on them to do whatever it takes to get you set free.  These people are highly dedicated and completely non-judgmental.  If you still for any reason have trouble, email me at animuspugna@hotmail.com , and I'll do my best! 

*July 26/04- Yippee!  I got all the glitches figured out!  All the thumbnails, links and banners/linkbars are working great!  No more new content for today, I'm getting burned out and am going to take the night off to watch some TV!

*July 25/04- I made even more (slight) changes to the "Artwork" page.  basically I made the .jpegs smaller so downloading/ viewing is faster.  I still can't get the thumbnail pictures to show up (though clicking still takes you to the full size picture).  Also, I can't get my "Battling the Demonic" page banner or link (on the left) to show correctly.  I'm using Frontpage 2002 and when I "preview in browser" everything from the thumbnail pics to link and banners all show up perfectly instead of being nasty "X's".  If you know how to fix this, PLEASE email me at the address below!  It's driving me mad!  Oh, and the "Photographs" page is gone for now.  I may put up a couple at some point, but I want to reserve my web space for music, artwork, poems and stories (mine and others') 

*July 24/04- I made further updates to the "Artwork" page and added to the character bios with each thumbnail.  I also made getting to Balaam's Miracle (great site!  Visit it soon!)  much easier by making it several working hyperlinks.  Finally, I added the "Battling the Demonic?" page, which is about 1/3rd done already.

*July 23/04- I added many more pictures to the "Artwork"  section!  Many (most, actually) are unfinished, but check them out!  Most are from my fantasy novel-in-the-works.  I also updated the character info beneath each thumbnail to be more uniform and extensive.  Let me know what you think!  I also made some minor tweaks to some of the other pages.  "Tim's Poetry" still isn't up- that's a LOT of typing, but will be WELL worth the wait.  The "Photographs" section is still empty, though I plan to update that this weekend, so check back!  And please download and read the "Short Stories", I love any input I can get- remember, these 3 shorts will be grafted into my larger fantasy epic, so some changes may be made in the future.  Here's your chance to read the "originals".

*July 16/04- My site is finally up and running!  Thanks for stopping by!  It isn't finished yet and there are some things missing, especially in the "Artwork", "Photos", and "Personal Poetry" sections.  Enjoy what's here as I work on the rest of it.  Comments are always welcome at animuspugna@hotmail.com  .

As for music news, I'm taking a little break from writing and revamping my material while I finish reading some more books on music production and increase my skills.  To hear some of what I've done so far, click "Finding My Music".  Keep in mind that the songs posted on Rivet Bat Radio are old versions of songs in progress, which have been overhauled and tweaked since they were first posted, and I have written new material that is not yet available on Rivet Bat.  Soon...

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