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!