Are we there yet?

4.5 more classes, and then my college career is OVER!

ASU lost on Saturday, which was pretty depressing. I was really hoping to go for four. At least my toes will stay attached next weekend, but still. After ending the season at the championship game for the past three years, it was quite unpoetic to finish my marching band career with such a pathetic loss. Eh. So it goes. I was trying very hard not to care after the fourth interception.

My new fervent hope--please, please, not JMU...anyone but JMU...I just couldn't handle it.

On a completely different note...there was a span of time last week where I was completely bummed. It was a combination of weather and crap going on and everything else. I wasn't sure exactly why I was getting so down, so much more than I have this semester (especially since I've started dating Derek.) I took an afternoon to just relax and hang around Derek, and try to piece my brain back together. I finally figured out what it was that was getting me so down.

I started taking everything too seriously again, all this shit in university that doesn't matter. I forgot how absurd it all is, the hoops we have the jump through and the games we have to play to get the accreditation we need to have an affect on the world in the way we hope. Everything became so important again, the rubbish papers and the endless memorization.

As soon as we stop laughing at the ridiculous it holds power over us. When we don't recognize the insane we begin to think it holds credence. We have to always hold in our hearts what really matters--who we are, the people we love, centering on God, finding ourselves in the mess we have to wrap up in to get through this world. You have follow the rules of this world and keep it from touching you, play their games and don't let it in your soul.

So laugh at some authority figure, even while you're writing a paper. Celebrate that you see how inane the busywork is. This is your life, your soul. They can make you stay up all night studying. They can force you to piece together stuff you'll never use again.

But as long as you're laughing, they can't touch your heart.

Can't type. Fingers frozen.

I have been a bit slack on the blogging front, as my mother has noticed. (To which I say, "Do you comment?" "No..." "Then how the hell do I know anyone reads it?" "Um...")

Life is wonderful except when it's not. Snow is OK except when it isn't, like football games and marching band rehearsals. I am mostly over my devastating case of ANTHRAX, which basically kept me out of commission for a month. Sometimes I don't suck at trumpet.

However, I do have one question, administrators: exactly what that is covered in an hour or two class at university is more important than the safety and health of your students? Where do you draw the line between, "We keep school going when it snows!" and "The AppalCart can't get out of Mountaineer Village without sliding down the hill?"

Because seriously. This effing sucks and you don't give a damn about your students.

/end rant.

College Kid's Guide to Dirty Dishes, part deux

1. Say, "There is NO WAY I'm letting it get that bad again."

2. Clean dishes right when they get dirty.

3. Live in this delusion for approximately eight days.

4. Repeat previous entry.

Not exactly the plan, but OK...

Here's the pre-recital scene:

Somehow, because God likes to pick on Amanda when she's freaking out, the water main on River Street burst Sunday morning. There's no water in the music building at three. OK. No problem. I just hope no one who comes to my recital has to pee.

Three thirty.

We're all in our places with bright shining faces. Cheesecake has been brought in. Tracy and I are dressed, warmed up, and ready to go. I'm sounding really good. Parentals are all present and accounted for. The first wave of friends have begun to arrive. I'm standing in the hallway near the recital hall, chatting with Blake, Derek, and various company. All there is to do is wait for four PM to arrive.

BLAAAAAARRRRRREEEE.

The door I'm leaning against begins to close on me. Strobe lights are flashing.

Me: What the FUCK?

Yes. Twenty minutes before my recital, the freakin' FIRE ALARM GOES OFF.

We spend a solid three minutes not going outside, all kind of glancing at each other with stupid looks on our faces. Finally we all meander outside, standing just outside the doors, all forgetting our Elementary School Fire Drill Safety. (Fifty feet from the building, everyone!)

After awhile, we hear the sounds of the Fire Brigade coming to rescue us from the flaming (and when I say flaming I mean, "completely not on fire at ALL") music building. So they wander around in there for a few minutes, basically scratching their butts and mumbling into walkie-talkies. Finally one of them steps outside and says, "Does anyone know where room 119 A is?"

So here's the problem with having a boyfriend who is in the employ of the music building and is not an asshole. He says "Of course I do! Here, let me continue to freak out Amanda and go inside to find it for you!"

I would like to take this opportunity to summarize: It is now ten minutes before my recital is supposed to happen. It's freezing cold outside and my lips are slowly but surely drying out. The music building might be on fire, which would put our awesome cheesecake buffet in serious danger. To top that off, my boyfriend is going into the music building TOWARDS THE FIRE.

All in all, not one of Amanda's more calm, cool and collected moments.

Well, in the end, the water had cut back on, which for some reason made the music building shit itself and set off the fire alarm. So we went back inside and the recital went as planned.

But more importantly, the cheesecake was safe.

College Kid's Guide to Dirty Dishes

1. Walk in. Smell. Say, "I have to do the dishes TODAY."

2. Watch a movie.

3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 for a week.

4. "OK, seriously, I have to do the dishes."

5. Have a beer.

6. Call Derek/S.O. of choice.

7. Watch House.

8. Repeat steps 6 & 7 at least 4 times, replacing "Derek" with "Mom," "Dad," "John," "Connie," or "Shirley."

9. "OK. No more procrastinating."

10. One more beer.

11. Empty the sink, moving all dirty dishes to the side.

12. Clean the mold out of the bottom of the sink.

13. Using the Sponge of Questionable Nobility, use cold water and destroy all ecosystems out of the first sinkful.

14. Once the chunks have washed away, use scalding hot water, the Most Honorable Sponge, and liberal amounts of Dawn to clean each plate, fork and spoon individually.

15. Repeat steps 13 & 14 until the hot water runs out.

As this was all happening, I kept thinking, "There has GOT to be an easier way to do this."

Oh, wait. Maybe...DO IT AS IT HAPPENS LIKE SHIRLEY HAS TOLD ME SINCE I WAS FOURTEEN.

Sigh...

I fail at this game.

Amanda's Brain: It was cold yesterday! I will prepare for today.

Amanda's Wardrobe: Sweater, Courderoy Jacket

Amanda's Marching Band Tempurature: 78 degrees.

FAIL.

In other news, I have been insanely busy of late. But I passed my recital jury, and didn't completely suck at the Wind Ensemble concert, so that's all going well.

Life is pretty fantastic right now, even if my internet time is currently "Check CNN...check BBC...go to class." So that kinda sucks, but the Parkway is amazing on clear early-autumn nights.

"You don't have to stretch before you do shit-ups!"

Wonderful accidental quotes from Amanda.

I'm trying to think of things amusing to write, but I'm severely sleep deprived and there's a Connie leaning on me. Which is awesome, but her left knee does somewhat impede typing.

Wow, I need to go to bed.

BUT, if you ever have burning questions about Literacy, and want to see John and Connie be famous, here's a happy video for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeR4yvnfOFA

The Difference Between Macs and PCs

There is a very basic difference between Macs and PCs. It doesn't have anything to do with graphics, creativity, gaming, or any of that. It's a much more critical, "personality" difference.

PCs know they are stupid. PCs know that they will crash, they will lock up, and stuff will get destroyed. So they build in things like "auto-save" and "restore," to help fix their mistakes.

Macs are like those irritating hippies that always think they're right but never, ever are. So there are no fun things like "auto-save" and "restore" to the almighty Mac. But they still lock up, crash, and eat your work.

For those of you wondering, yes, I did just lose over an hour of work on a BLOODY MAC WITH NO RESTORE FUNCTION!!!

*swears incoherently*

IS IT DECEMBER YET?

So, the thing about recitals...you kinda need a piano player.

And the thing about mine...I don't have one yet.

DILEMMA.

We'll see how that all works out. In other news, ASU football needs to wake up and stop sucking. You should not lose if you have a 21-0 lead at halftime, no matter how awful the refs are.

Fun story! Last night I was practicing the E-flat trumpet, which I'm playing one of my recital pieces on. (It's basically the same as a B-flat, but in a different key and a little different to tune.) It's AWFUL. The stuff that was open worked fine, but anything using any valves was dreadfully out of tune.

Blake was there with me, and we couldn't figure it out. Finally I look in the case, and there's another set of slides.

We stare at each other for a minute.

I switch the slides.

AMAZING! It's now actually an E-flat trumpet, as opposed to an F trumpet with an E-flat bell! So one part of my recital might suck a little less than previously thought.

But the piano thing is still a problem.

Um...wait...recital?

It has come to my attention that my recital is six weeks away.

This is unfortunate, since I have no accompanist or repitoire.

HOWEVER, once I'm done with it I don't have to think about it anymore, which will be splendid.

I'm now looking up music, which has a delivery time of TWO WEEKS.

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT.

Geez, can't I just count Concerto-Aria? Who wants to come to my effing recital anyway?

Things That Suck

1) My Rubik's Cube fell out of my locker and exploded into 29 multi-colored and difficult to corral pieces.

2) I have blisters on both feet, thanks to the fact that I had to dress up and walk two miles to an interview that lasted about ten minutes.

3) BEN FOLDS FIVE REUNION SHOW. Sounds AMAZING, right? Chris and I were planning on going because A) Ben Folds Five is redonkulously great, and B) Ben Folds Five being redonkulously great is about the only thing Chris and I can 100% agree on.

However...tickets sold out in THREE. MINUTES. FLAT.

But I could "buy it now" two tickets on ebay for the low, low price of $1,299!

*sad*

Coasters and Cemeteries

I dream I'm driving down a road, with several people.

I dream we are driving and we find an amusement park, but it's only two roller coasters. And they're split apart, and there is a graveyard in between them.

I wake up.

I drive down a road with several other people.

We are driving and we find a huge roller coaster, with another behind it, with a cemetery in between. And I realize that I just dreamed this, and now we're here.

And I wake up again.

Not really hard, just soul-crushingly lame

"What do you think?After completing this module write a 500-word (one page, single spaced) response addressing these questions (below).For full credit, summarize/refer to the module content in your own words and take time to brew up a thoughtful answer.

- How can I articulate how a theatre performance affects me?

- What do all works of theatre have in common?

- How does my past experience shape my perception of a theatre performance?"

I need a degree...I need a degree...

God says "GO HOME!"

We have the most unpredictable and inconsistent weather in the world, except the first week of class.

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN. NO STOPPING.

*sigh*

I should be practicing...

As usual.

I just glanced at the last thing I posted, and it was hellaciously long. I DID try to condense the summer into one post...I think I failed a bit there.

BUT! I am now the problem child in the trumpet section. Mwuahaha...I now have no idea why I was EVER a section leader. Seriously, it's WAY more fun to just cut up in the back and not be responsible for anything. I just know my part and don't worry about anything else. Pretty awesome.

Auditions are in a couple days--I'm having a hard time caring. I guess I care abstractly, but it's hard to really care that much when you don't like ANY of the pieces they're playing. So what happens, happens.

Being back in Boone is really nice--coffee shops and cool weather, great friends and practice rooms. Hopefully I won't get sick of it too soon. It is my last semester, after all.

Currently reading: Smack, Melvin Burgess.

Read over the summer:
Twilight Saga
Reading Lolita in Teheran
What Was Lost
Four Spirits

I'll update when I can recall the rest.

The Woman Formerly Known as Ms. Amanda

Summer...camp...is...OVER!!!


There are no words to describe this awesomeness.


So now, in true YA style, I'll do a summer update in list form!



Five things I will miss about this summer:



1) Mom and Shirley

How many people are lucky enough to have a family that they actually LOVE hanging around? Or a mom who's willing to play DDR with you on the boardwalk? C'mon, that's straight-up AWESOME.


2) Geocaching

The permanent end to the, "What do you want to do?" debate. Treasure hunting--high-tech style.

3) Seeing Dani frequently.

More than once a year is "frequently." So I'll definitely take what we've gotten this summer, and it's been great to spend more than three "HIBYE" days with her.

4) Kicking major ass at Egyptian RatScrew.

I spent most of my freshman year getting beaten into obliteration by Seth Carson at Egyptian Ratscrew in the Vortex. Seems that I absorbed some of that greatness, though. I completely dominated everyone at work on it. (No, not just the ten year olds, thank you smartasses.)

5) Not having to practice so hard-core.

OK, I know I really shouldn't be happy about this one, but it was so nice. I could just go do my own thing after work and not have to worry about having a trumpet on my face three hours a day. It will kill me in about a week, but for now, I'm comfortable floating down Denile River.


Five things I will NOT miss about this summer:


1) Band-aids.

Band-aids are badges of honor. They are not just blood-stoppers. They are a seven year old's Purple Heart. No matter how small the injury, any child will swear on their mother's honor they need a Band-aid. And guess who has to stop what she's doing to explain WHY the bruise doesn't need a Band-aid?

2) Driving a 15-passenger van full of kids begging me to turn the radio to 102 JAMZ.

They simply don't understand why I won't let them listen to the almost unedited version of:

She getting crunk in the club I mean she working
Then I like to see the female twerking taking the clothes off BUCKEY nakedATL.
Hoe don’t disrespect it
Pa pop yo pussy like this cause yin yang twins in this bitch
Lil Jon and theEast side boys wit me and we all like to see Ass and tities
Now bring yo ass over here hoe and let me see you get low if you want this Thug
Now take it to the floor (to the floor) and if yo ass wanta act you can keep yo ass where you at

Yep. I'm unreasonable.

3) Having NO internet.

Seriously, there's a reason I haven't posted lately. I've been a terrible friend via Facebook AND Blogger AND Absolute Write. We just got wireless in my house--right in time for me to leave.

4) Writing total for this summer: 3.5k.

'Nuff said.


5) High-strung parents.

Your child flung four scooters across the gym at another kid and you want to know why the OTHER kid didn't get suspended? You want us to ignore your child's punishment because it's his birthday and you brought cupcakes? You think I told your child to pick up a stray cat? The list goes on and on and on.



Five wonderful memories from this summer:



1) IRELAND.

No post I ever make will do that trip justice. I've never been somewhere with no family ties and been positive I'd be going back.

2) Meeting Jamie.

Jamie was a friend Dani brought from working at TIP. I clicked with her almost the fastest of anyone I've met in the past few years, which was wonderful.

3) The Fourth of July in Ocean City, Maryland.

Talk about a PARTY. The fireworks were awesome, the boardwalk was always crowded, and the weather was great (except the downpour imediately after the fireworks. But you know, we'll take what we can get.) Also I had my first experience of gorging myself on crab. Blue Crab, to be exact. AMAZING. First time--but NOT the last.

4) Having Mike, John, Kathryn, and Marie over.

OK, so the bonfire ended up a bust, but it was still great to have everyone over. It was just a very chill, good time. Even though nothing really striking happened, it was just a very nice time.

5) Finding the skunk Geocaching.

That was really TOO funny. I pulled back a bush to grab the cache, and WOW! Pepe le Phew was HOME! I don't think I've ever moved that fast in my life.

Finally, the most satisfying part of Summer 2008:

Turning in my City Employee's badge and saying, "Nope. I'm not coming back next summer."

"Are you su--"

"Yes. I'm positive."

On to Band Camp.

"POMP AND CIRCUM..STAAAAAAAAAAANCE"

If I hear Pomp and Circumstance one more time, I'm going to poop on someone's car.

ASU Commencement Ceremony Hoopla nonsense always has brass ensembles playing (for every graduation EXCEPT the school of music...go figure.) Anyways, of course I was a member of this esteemed group. (By "esteemed" I mean "poor kids who will subject themselves to twelve hours of graduation ceremonies for 60 bucks a pop.")

So...yeah. If I never hear Pomp and Circumstance again, I will not cry. It will be a stretch to even go to my kid's graduation. I guess I could purchase those ridiculous sized headphones they sell at NASCAR races, and hope the band director doesn't get offended.

Oh, shit. What if I'm the band director?

OK, well, hope my students aren't offended.

Anyway I'm currently in the middle of my highly-efficient, organized country-leaving preperation. This looks a little more like, "Oh, shit! I'm leaving TOMORROW!" (throws everything in sight into a suitcase.)

I have no idea what internet will be like in Ireland (but rest assured, I will NOT be spending much time on it even if it's availible.) So have a lovely 2 1/2 weeks, and I'll be updating again before long!

CONCERT!!!

OK, I'm going to say it quick--I rocked that shit OUT.

I flubbed a couple spots, but you know what? I jumped right back on like nobody's business. And I kept a good sound and it was fairly musical...yeah. I am OK with a couple flubs, because it still went really, really well.

And most importantly, IT'S OVER!!!

In other news, I have nine papers to write by Wednesday.

I might do one or two today...you know. Don't want to stress myself out, here. :).

Besides, yesterday John, Mike and I went wandering and engaged in our usual deep discussions (when/if the world will end, what would happen if we ran out of oil tomorrow, whether X sin is really a sin or not, the place of religion in goverment, the nature of evil...you know. Usual college conversations.) and another novel has been born in my mind. Doesn't that sound much more interesting than Psychology research write-ups?

COUNTDOWN

T minus 2 hours and 16 minutes!!!

Holy crap, I'm excited. I'm like, can't-sit-still, peeing-my-pants-a-little excited.

(For those of you totally lost right now, I'm performing a concerto with the wind ensemble this evening. In--checks watch--2 hours and 15 minutes.)

(Well, actually more like 2 hours and 30 minutes, since I'm the second piece.)

For those of you who are halfway across the country or just don't like me enough to drive an hour, if you click here: www.music.appstate.edu there is a yellow button that says Rosen Hall Broadcast. If you click on that, you can get a live feed of the concert!

OK, I'm going to go start to get ready a little...send lots of prayers around 8:15!!!

A decent assignment, for once

So, for a change, we are reading an excellent and relevant book in Foundations of American Education, Walking on Water by Derek Jensen. It's absolutely amazing, and I recommend it to anyone who is going to/is teaching.

Now, in addition to that (it's almost too good to be true!) we have a wonderful assignment for the class--to use any medium we wish to answer--what is the most important question we have to answer for ourselves?

Obviously, I'm writing. Here's the first few paragraphs:

Will you walk the labyrinth?

I freeze. It's a dingy billboard, posted on the wall of the subway station. I haven't walked a labyrinth in years--I've long since given up following winding paths, searching for feelings that aren't there. My mother cried, my father sighed, but in the end, it does nothing but wear down your shoes.

The tram in front of the sign pulls way, revealing the bottom. It's a movie add, some new torture-porn flick. I turn quickly, boarding the train back to my apartment.

My home--Queens Shithole. In some ways, I suppose it's fitting--my building is so similar to my cases' homes--but it's pretty bad when you consider I left behind a beautiful Georgia town and home for this. Now, the most glamorous thing I see is the subway.

Whew!

Completed:

1 Psychology in the Media paper

2 Random Psychology papers

Studying for Psychology Test

A theory composition using no musical notation

A bullshit Foundations of American Education Reader's Response (no, I didn't leave those in middle school)

Practicing

Remaining for Tomorrow:

2 Conducting Observation Papers
2 Conducting Score Analysis Papers

And for Tuesday:
3 Psychology research participant write ups
Another Bullshit Reader's Response


I WILL SURVIVE. AS LONG AS I KNOW HOW TO LOVE...shut up Amanda.

Orchestra Concert and AHHH

Today was my last orchestra concert ever. HOORAY!!! I'm never going to play in an orchestra again if I can help it. Sorry, my idea of a good time is not "count rests and then play really loudly for two measures." But such is the way of life for an orchestral trumpeter. Sigh...

In other news, I am no longer diseased (as much.) But, regrettably, I am now so far behind I don't know if I'll ever catch up. This isn't just from being sick, this is the culimination of a semester's worth of "I-really-don't-give-a-shit-about-jumping-through-these-hoops." So now, to reward my utter lack of work ethic, I have to do tomorrow:

2 Conducting Observation Papers
1 Psychology in the Media paper
2 Random Psychology papers
Studying for Psychology Test
2 Conducting Score Analysis Papers
3 Psychology research participant write ups
A theory composition using no musical notation
A bullshit Foundations of American Education Reader's Response (no, I didn't leave those in middle school)

AND...I really need to practice, since we are six short days away from THE CONCERT.

*breathes...*

Blerg...

I am sick.

I am a zit on the face of humanity when I am sick.

I am utterly sore, boring, and useless. Ergo: I went and purchased Final Fantasy X Tuesday to occupy myself during my infirmaty.

So far, I've played about 26 hours of the game. I'm already to Zanarkand--yes I know this is unhealthy.

But you know what? I don't care. Because it's not like I'm going to accomplish anything else.

Ten Easy Steps to Having a Nervous Breakdown

1) The list is posted, the wait is over! Dash to the board and glance at it.

2) Barely read the names—yours isn’t there.

3) Go to the elevator. Go directly to the elevator. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.00.

4) Beat head against wall of elevator on your way to the fourth floor. Punch wall, swear at your hand for hurting.

5) Walk through the fourth floor lobby. Do your very best to avoid eye contact. In the event of eye contact, a small raise of the eyebrows is a good substitute for a friendly smile, since your face is broken.

6) Find an empty practice room at the far end of the hall. Lock the door, prop the broken piano bench against it.

7) Sink to the ground behind the piano, so no one in the hall can see you from looking in the window.

8) Listen to Sweeney Todd soundtrack. On repeat.

9) Solve Rubik’s Cube. Screw up Rubik’s Cube. Solve Rubik’s Cube. Screw up Rubik’s Cube. Solve Rubik’s Cube. Screw up Rubik’s Cube…

10) Cry. A lot.

I rock hardcore.

I just solved my Rubik's Cube--WITHOUT CHEATING (i.e. looking online and finding the patterns to use.)

I reek of awesomeness right now.

Flipshit #1

As anyone who saw my blog before (all three of you) may have noticed, all my posts have been deleted. The reason for this is simple: it kinda sucked. I mean, there was one good entry, ("Lab Rats," which I may post later,) but otherwise it was not very amusing. So...I deleted everything.

Instead, I wish to write about something very near and dear to my heart: being a music major. It's pretty much a pain in the ass. For example, my schedule this semester:

M,W,F:
8:00--Psychology
9:00-Music Theory V
10:00-Foundations of American Education
11:00-Biology I
12:00-Lunch
1:00-Trumpet lesson/Seminar
2:00-4:00: Bio Lab
4:00-Wind Ensemble Concerto Rehearsal

T, R:

8:00-9:30-Conducting
9:30-10:30-Band Techniques
12:00-1:45-Symphonic Band
3:30-5:45-Orchestra

And that's without the extra rehearsals, hour or two of practicing, concerts to attend and play in, auditions, juries, basketball games, volleyball games, homework, conducting practice, and practicing your secondary instruments. It's not for the weak.

And to top it all off:

Elementary Ed Major: Oh, it really sucks, I have three classes today! I hate being so freakin' busy!
Music Ed Major: #$%!@$&*$%*$@#$%$*$!!!

Expect to see a lot of rants here about:
A) The Reich College of Education
B) Stupid Director(s)
C) Stupid Vocalists
D) Stupid other Ed Majors
E) The Reich College of Education

Now, keep in mind that what you see may not be a good representation of the insanity of all music majors. I have worked my ass off up to now, and consequently, this is my most slack semester ever. (Seriously, I'm done by SIX! Is that even POSSIBLE?)

Today, however, WAS good representation of this insanity. Today was (drumroll please) drum major auditions. And even though we went through *almost* everyone, we won't hear the results until TUESDAY. *Amanda falls down dead.* Thus: Flipshit #1.

So I'm going to go clean up the filthy den that is my apartment, since I have people coming over to hopefully take my mind off agonizingly going over the auditions in my mind. I will leave you with this thought for the day:

When I skip one day of practicing, I can tell,
When I skip two days, my roomates can tell,
When I skip three days, my neighbors can tell,
When I skip four days, my dog can tell.

Happy weekend!