Odd Day

Wow... interesting.
I couldn't be motivated to get out of bed for my first class today, so i went for 11:30. Luckily, when i arrived, Deena informed me that the prof for that first class must have felt the same as me, so i really didnt miss anything.
Im glad our group is done the 20th century presentation. They are all going overtime and he's getting a little pissy about it, but he said if you went early, he wouldnt care... YAY! The presentations today, including Deena and Breandan's, were incredibly informative, much more than normal classes have been. I actually took notes, mostly because I got off my ass and stuffed new loose leaf paper in my binder. In all honesty, thats the reason I haven't been taking many notes lately... cause I had no paper... Anyway, On monday, all the presentations were incredibly entertaining, complete with song and dance and jokes everywhere. Today was packed with info, still presented in a captivating way, but much more how do you say?.. academic. Its a good thing.
There was an all student convocation today, we met the new interim dean who will be our dean until I graduate. She seems bullheaded in a good way, an excellent administrator I'm sure. Im actually impressed, and I really don't care that she doesnt know a drop about music... it will make her all the better for the position.
At 1:30, there was a chamber recital and I went to see Brendan and Deena. I was not informed that i would have to sit through 2 (TWO) brass quintets. It was some kind of bizarre torture. I can handle the Canadian Brass, in fact I enjoy them a good deal. HOWEVER, non professional brass players are nowhere near what i expect as basic musicality. once again, this is basing things on comparing them to how I was in high school. Im not going to go as far as to say that i could play better, because who knows, but they were definately not the amount ahead of my level of trumpet playing was back then enough to warrant being in university. TUNING people, tuning. Tone people, TONE! and for gosh sake, know your embouchure well enough to centre it and start the pitches hopefully ON, but at least close to the right harmonic!!! BAH. Moral: not impressed. On the other hand, I have to give props to Gerard for some righteous tuba playing. Excellent tone and sensitive line and shaping. There were also other exceptions, but I really hadn't the patience for that much brass.
Over the last few days, my cough has come back... probably because I missed one dose of steroids a few days back... but I had to leave after the second brass group because of a coughing fit. I fet phlegmy, so I went to the washroom, where it got worse. I coughed up phlegm and bile and fun stuff. I felt naxious as well as week and warm. It sounded just as bad apparently from outside the washroom as it felt. As my doctor told me to call him if my situation changed, I called the office and they told me the only appt in the next week was at 4:30.
I watched Deena and Brendan play their flute piece, which was excellent. Brendan, if you had actually adjusted your flute up the necessary 14 cents when you played the tuning note at the beginning, those few crucial moments would have really sparkled. But nevertheless, it was some grade A playing on both of their parts. All of the parts which sounded like they would have been a nightmare working on ensemble with were great and together. AWESOME!
Just at my lesson time, I went to David to tell him I would be leaving to go to the doctor in lieu of a lesson. He told me to wait a few minutes; we just had to talk about a few things. Eventually the other lesson was over and he offered me a ride home. He had to clear a few things up at the school, like finding out when my jury would be (Friday between 10 and 11:30ish) then we left.
I was super greatful for the ride, as it saved me time and hassle. Also it gave us an opportunity to talk. The beginning of the ride was much like we talk at lessons, but as we went along bishop we talked about other stuff. I asked him what it was like coming back to little ol Winnipeg after travelling as a performer and whatnot. We also had a talk about improvisation, and David seems excited about my Special Area Recital-Lecture on Improvisation idea.
I went to the doctor, and he basically said not to be worried. He told me to keep taking the medication regularly, as if its clearing things up, then I am getting better. He drew a distinction between coughing up bile and cough induced vomit, the latter being the one I experienced which is not as serious. So while I felt like shit for a short while today, all is well and improving apparently.
I need to practice lots today and tomorrow for the jury. The 10 minutes or so I will be playing on friday will decide 30% of my mark for the whole year. So off to practicing for the moment!

So, the piano student was quiet, much quieter than I had expected... I never know how to approach quiet people, so foreign to me. We basically had to start at the basics, she took some lessons as a child, but its been a long time. She seems like she'll put in the necessary work to make things work. She took me seriously though, even as I wore the mullet. I had planned on donning a touque for the lesson, as to be a respectable figure, but I forgot and she came earlier than I expected( on time, that is).
Anyway, I dropped off my MRMTA application on my way to the university to meet with Tiffy who finished off the haircutting. I now have a super stylish short haircut, I look like my student card again... although not as skinny as I was 3 years ago, not that I was skinny even then. Honestly though, Tiffy does an amazing job of haircutting! GO TIFFY!!!! Maybe Deena might not cringe when she looks at me now that the mullet has gone away.
Sorry to all of you who didnt get to see the mullet in person, but soon tiffy will get pics develloped and we'll have even better pics of the former mullet!
Oi, I feel that this day was not productive, I didn't get the paperwork done for student aid AND I didnt actually touch my concerto, and I have a lesson tomorrow, possibly my jury on thursday. I have been working on other piano stuff though, so I can brush up on the concerto tomorrow and still have something else to play. I also did get some ground work on computer notating my compositions, and I am actually learning more as I go along... one day Sibelius will make me only mildly cringe instead of yelling in anger (It would be better if it had a mulet).

I have a piano student!

In half an hour, I have a random person coming for piano lessons. Through the new office worker at the RWB, I haev acquired this new student, apparently she is 20ish and wants to relearn how to play. It sounds like shes serious about it, we've already set up tuesday nights as her lesson time for an hour a week.
ONE STUDENT IS BETTER THAN NONE
I'm also happy that she is not a little kid with hectic schedule and parents who should be sedated. At least I don't think that is the situation... Anyway, at the very least this will generate 100$ a month income.
So today, I planned it so I would be finished with my student aid running around today. To make sure it would work out, I called the RWB accounting office to make sure that they didnt need to look up the info in advance, she told me just to bring it down and it would be fine. So I get there and a different lady (I assume, cause she said she never talked to me on the phone) tells me she's the only one who can do that, and she was busy, so she could have it done for tomorrow. I tried to reason with her, but nope. She singlehandedly fucked up my whole day. So now getting the stuff done, will have to wait until next tuesday, as tuesday is my only day for running aruond. GRR
Speaking of next tuesday though, I booked myself a well-needed massage appointment. Hopefully it will hurt a lot! Im far too tense for my own good, and for other people. I scared my dad today when I had a swearing/yelling fit at the computer because SIBELIUS is the fucking biggest load of devil cunt EVER!!!! I need to learn how to use the program, but there is no comprehensive manual for it on the computer, therefore I have to learn as I go, but I just want to go. It seems there are no easy ways to do anything. Whatever!
Tonight, the mullet is going away. After I teach, Im going to meet up with Tiffy, and finish the haircut. It was fun while it lasted, but it needs to go byebye. Plus this blasted one long hair in the front is driving me batty, and I don't want to be the one to cut it...

MMMUUULLLLLEEEETTTT!!!!!!

So the big surprise was a mullet! Not just any, this is grade a prime mullet! I basically look exactly like Billy Ray Cirus ca. Achy Breaky Heart! Tiffany did a superb job on my hair. She left it nice and long and luscious at the back, nice and short at the top and front, but we left one long strand of hair right at the front! Seriously the hottest and ugliest haricut I have every had!
Besides being fairly ugly I don't honestly know what the big deal is with them. Then again, I am not picky about my hair. I view hair as a functional thing, so I go without stress between long and short, I've never understood how some women can have a canniption if their stylist takes off an extra inch off their scalp (hair that is, I believe it is a big deal if the stylist is scalping people).
I do not believe I have ever inspired such passion in people as I did today. Some people laughed, some people were absolutely disgusted, some thought it was wonderful, but everyone EVERYONE had a strong reaction. What is it about the mullet that causes people to react so strongly. If I had been as drastic as to shave my head, people still wouldn't have been so undeniably strongly opinionated about it. At the same time, people felt that they could make judgements about my personality based on it. People that I don't normally talk to felt obliged to be louder and more involved in my life today. Also, some people assumed that there was some big reason for my doing this: that I had some motivation or alterior motive; furthermore, that I would need to have some strong reason in order to desecrate my head in such a fashion.
honestly, my reasoning was "why not?".
It certainly has been an interesting day in that department. One person I know brought a camera to school just for the occasion, which is awesome, I want the event to be memorable. Here is the super hot pic.
This pic doesn't really do the -do justice, You see the one strand of long hair as dominant, so the from hair doesnt look all that short, but I assure you it is much tackier in person. The mullet will only be around for tomorrow, I'll get Tiffy to finish my hair when she has time tomorrow night. It was only ever intended as an interim thing, I really did want short hair, so I will have that soon enough.
The presentation was today. I sat next to Chris, and we both had that nervous laughter of embarrassment thing going the whole time. The prof seemed to enjoy it and commented that it was entertaining as well as informative. I was worried that it was going to seem incredibly immature and not professional, but all in all, we did have a fair chunk of info in there and were able to answer the questions posed to us afterwards. We're glad it's over. It was fun, but now it's one thing less we have to worry about.
Later on this afternoon, they posted the results of the Concerto Competition. Unfortunately I will not be making my debut as a soloist with an orchestra next year. Neither will Deena, and neither will any of my close friends, really there weren't that many of us in there to begin with. Of the 4 pianists that auditioned, one will be playing next year. She is in her 4'th year and is a brilliant pianist, so good for her. Lots of good players won, so I don't feel all that bad about the results, although I would have been happier to see my name up there. Oh well.
I practiced a fair bit today. I was really tense, and still am. Yuck. Im gonna have some liquor and muscle relaxants tonight and see if that can help things. I learned more part of the new Brahms piece Im working on. Its the most gorgeous and stunning piece ever, I can't wait to play it for my recital. Im doing a set of pieces by Scriabin, late in his life, so they are odd and hard to understand. I had a breakthrough today and I completely understand the second piece, and I learned moreof it today. I worked out all the notes, I would say that I KNOW at least 2/3's of it. Just a little more to clean up, then ya! I also improvised one hell of a tango today. I think the tango is the form that I feel most comfortable improvising. The ballet teachers are always impressed with my tangos I do for dance class, but the free form tangos I do are so much better. If you ever want, take me to a practice room at the school or somewhere and I will give you a special musical treat... after all, it's fine to do on my own, but it really takes 2 to tango! hahaha! im punny
that is all

Haircut, but shshhh, it's a secret!

I got a haircut tonight by my friend Tiffy!
I've been talking about getting one for a while, but I've been too cheap and too lazy to really do anything about it. After Beckie's recital tonight, Tiffy offered to do it.
I can't divulge anything about it, or it will ruin the surprise, but it's a very special haircut! Super sexy!
If you are in my classes or school, bring a camera to school tomorrow, you won't regret it...
Speaking of Beckie's recital, it was wonderful. She is a collaborative artist in the Collaborative Piano program at school. She does a lot of accompanying of art song, and choirs and stuff like that around the school, so it was extra nice to hear her playing much showier and complicated stuff that really showed off her technical command and musicality as a collaborator. Im really glad for her that she has that real passion for collaborative work. It might be something I will develop as I grow, but I still prefer the solo stuff. Although on second thought, I think that might be changing, but maybe not. Yes, Im THAT vague on the subject.
Anyway, no more blabbing, I'm going to go oggle my own hair in the mirror and then maybe sleep. Tomorrow is the big 20th Century presentation and I want to be rested so I can really get the most enjoyment out of it!

Whores, every last one of you!
Yesterday was Concerto Competition. I worked half of my day at the ballet and then had lunch and came to the school. This left me with 3 hours to practice before the competition. I used a fair chunk of the time and was feeling prepared. I listened to a few friends play and was impressed.
I don't know if I've ever watched Brendan play as a soloist, and I've heard lots of him bitching about how things aren't good and whatnot, so in all honesty, I took his word and didn't have high expectations. Nevertheless, I was quite impressed. It was a very musically involved performance with excellent tone and musical line. The technical elements of the flute are far different than that of piano, and fast runs and all that left me in awe. I've tried playing clarinet/flute before, and the coordination of which fingers to lift and to place down always throws me off. So yes, hats off to Brendan.
Every time I hear Deena play the Grieg concerto, it gets better, which is a good natural progression that musicians always aim for. Her cadenza was super terrific. She had done a masterclass with my teacher about a week or two ago, and it was exciting to see what a difference can be made in one sitting. She had been unsure of how much of the changes she could incorporate on her own, without someone coaching her in the background, but I think she found a way to incorporate most of them in a way that was comfortable to her. This was an impressive chunk from the Romantic Repertoire and it was performed very well! Yay Deena!
When I first came out of my performance I drank water and went piddle, but then I opened my score and made a listing of all the little things that went wrong in the concerto. Just as an acknowledgement so that when I have to play this again for my jury, I know what to work on. Once I finished making the list, I was able to affirm to myself that none of the misplaced notes or shaping of phrases were that big of a deal. I felt, and was reassured by Deena, that I had pulled off the piece quite well. And that is how I felt about it: quite well! I made one mistake, which in my mind was unforgiveable; I cut the orchestra (Beckie) off early for one of my entries. I know exactly why it happened. It was right before the big octaves section that I had worked so hard on, so I was anxious about that as well as the fact that I've never really counted how many phrases actually go in that orchestral tutti. This is something I need to rectify. As a result, I was leniant about taking the octaves as fast as I should have, so this section was further, less impressive than it should have been. Nevertheless, the octaves were at a speed that was still impressive, a noticeable speed up from the orchestra heard right before. Overall, I think I was more expressive than I have been other times playing in lessons and whatnot, and I paid much more attention to the musical line. In Rubinstein's own writings on his own music, he exclaims that the music is less about the exact notes as it is about what they mean. This statement totally does not line up with modern performance practices, but to hell with that, I'm justifying my actions here, phooey on that!
I had decided going in to the performance that if things had been going badly in the first half, I would just improvise my cadenza on a theme of 'mary had a little lamb'. I even went as far as playing through that theme in the opening key of Gb major and knowing how it related to the harmonic progressions suggested by Rubinstein. I could feel the anticipation of Beckie beside me, and my own as I was playing the Gb Major chord and wondering if I actually should...
I ended up not doing it, regrettably, but oh well. The cadenza went well the way Rubinstein had intended it. I think next year, when I do this competition, I will improvise my own cadenza. Maybe by then, I will be good enough to pull it off.
All in all, I felt very good about this competition and now we all play the waiting game. I really hope I am one fo the winners, because next year will likely be my only chance to play with the U of M orchestra. Anyway, there were a lot of great performers from what I've heard and others heard. Good luck to all!

I know you're reading.

Hmm, so noone seems to be commenting lately...
If I took this as a lack of interest in my life, I'd probably stop writing... actually no I wouldn't, I'd continue to ramble. But I know there are many annonybloggers out there. So, this buds for you!

So, reading what I wrote yesterday... today seems not to have been productive.
We were told that we absolutely shouldn't skip today for the only class I had, even though it would end early. He lied. It turns out we didnt cover anything important and certainly not in any detail. So I ended up on the bus for and hour and a half both directions so that I could sit in class for 30 minutes!! Not Impressed. I did,however see two fellow performer/students play concertos today in preperation for the competition tomorrow. They did very well, and I wish them the best of luck tomorrow.
When I came home, most of the day had gone by, and I was tired, I ended up eating late lunch and falling asleep on the couch. I practiced the first page of my concerto... I could try and sit here justifying how making a good first gesture in the piece is very important, so the work I did on the opening was important.. but not as much as it would have been to address the other issues in the piece. Nevertheless, I have quite a bit of time in the afternoon which I will devote to last minute perfections and rehearsing with Beckie before the competition. The university singers concert tonight was nice. I really wasnt all that in the mood for choral music. My only beef really was the overly white choir trying to sing gospel. As much as I joked about it being cause there were too many mennos in the choir, I still don't understand why more effort isn't spent getting beyond the notes. Singing in an academic choir is great when the notes on the page are the art form and the performance is meant to represent that masterful creation (ie Bach and Brahms choral pieces), but in gospel or african or native american pieces, more attention needs to be paid that the notes are western music's attempts to reflect the art form, whose notation we are often not fluent in.
Other than that, all is well

Wow, long day.
9:30am "Les Six' project organising and writing
11:30- Chamber group rehearsal
11:45-Composition lesson
1:30 Chamber Music Performance Exam
2:30 Piano Repertoire
4pm bus to Polo Park to meet Fiona for 5pm
5:30 Maestro Project Dinner at The Norwood Hotel
8:30 IGA to buy green koolaid/absynthe
9:30 "les Sis" project filming.
midnight-finished filming and therefore finished the project.

Tomorrow will be good. only the one class, possibly masterclass stuff, but Contemporary Class was cancelled but I will still be paid for it, yay! Im gonna spend the whole day practicing for Concerto, and going to Univ. Singers concert as an audience member in the evening... then drinking most likely.

All in All today went much smoother than I feared. It wasn't as tiring either, else I wouldn't be writing this. Composition lesson was good, I got some nice compliments from the Prof, which is nice to know that Im not sucky at it. Always a good sign. I felt good about the Chamber Performance.. Oleg, our coach, was the only prof there , andit went as good if not better than usual, so we will do well with this as our exam. The free food at the dinner was good, but there were no free diabetic supplies.. kinda the reason I brought Fi. Shes a good eater adn loves heping me shop for drugs.... oh well. I learned a little more about diabetic retinopathy and its emminence for diabetics. One (out of date) chart they showed, made it clear that after 20 years of diabetes, 100% of the sample had appearance of some retinopathy, not neceisarily problematic, or symptomatic, but present nonetheless. Not very inspiring, but oh well, I still have 4 years to go...

Reminiscing

I'll get to the reminiscent bit in a little while.
This morning Chris, Jason and I worked on our project for 20th Century for 3 hours. We got a good start on it, and now we know what has to get done for certain.... we are filming it on thursday night and finishing writing it on thursday morning. It's a tight schedule, but Im sure it will all work out in the end. The best part of working on the project was that we decided that the school would have too many distractions for us, so we went and worked at Perkins, which is now Frisco's, but they have the same food and stuff.
Now, this afternoon, I had lots of running around to do. For student loan, I need to get all my workplaces from the summer to sign a form and say how much I made. I went to AOV, but it has to be filled out by a district manager, so I'll get the form in a week or 2. Winpak was efficient as usual. I will hopefully get my ballet one done on saturday or whenever... No real rush, but I'd like to have money sooner than later. I talked with my old manager at AOV for a short while and everything seemed to be exactly the same with her. Apparently after me, there were 5 other people who worked for about a month and then left because they found a better job or similar reasons. She stands her ground that she can't bear ill feeling towards anyone of them cause she want's people to go for something better. Nevertheless, it's unfortunate that she gets stuck working 6 days a week with double shifts and whatnot while trying to find new people all the time. Oh well. She's very pleasant and it was nice to say hi and whatnot.
My experience at Winpak was different. When Iwas working there, I always felt like just an employee, just a manual labourer. Im not sure if that was truly the was we were treated, but thats the picture of myself I painted while I was working there. Whenever I went to Human Resources, I felt like such a tool, so needy and like I needed to grovel. Today, I felt more empowered. I believe its because I'm no longer part of that union. There was something about being part of that socialist coallition that made me function less as an individual, more as a small meager part of a larger power. Kinda like a Borg... in conclusion: Unions are evil.

Creative bursts

So, it hadn't been a productive weekend for practicing really, and I realised that I still hadn't gotten any actual composition done yet, and I think he sorta expects to see something on thursday so I sorta started this weekend.
I had decided I wanted one of the poems (Old Dame Trot) to be in sprechstimme style (half sung/half spoken) so I started mapping out the shape of the words and thinking of what kind of piano accompaniment I wanted. I wrote down stuff vaguely for the first line and decided I wanted the piano to be rhythmic punctuation for the vocal line. It's been ruminating in my head for a few days so this afternoon I actually made time to do something, and the rumination paid off. I also had a creative outburst and started on another one of the poems. It's going to be a very simple setting of the poem with a very ethereal feel to the poem, very contrasting to the other.
Today was an ok day for practicing. Im not sure if I've mentioned it on here, but there is a terribly evil section in my concerto. It is a passage that includes fast running octaves, sixths as well as thirds. Bitches, all of them. Anyway, at last lesson, I could only play the passage at 150, and that was where it had truly maxed out... since then, David sanctioned me making a technical alteration to what the composer intended, which makes the passage easier to play without sacrificing too much of the sound. Really, the difference will be unnoticable, especially since noone knows this concerto. Today, I can play it up to 175. still a far cry from the 208 on the recordings I've heard.. but Im sure I can still get it faster, and it doesn't sound slow like it previously did. There are still a few areas that could be more secure in the memory, but I feel ready to perform it. I still have a week and I will do a lot of work in this week. The competition I'm playing it for isn't for money or scholarship, rather the winners get to play a piece with the orchestra or wind ensemble the following year as a soloist. I'd cross my fingers, but then those sixths passages won't happen!
I did some sight reading accompanying for a friend in a bind last week. She was super greatful and asked what I wanted to be paid... I said it didn't involve any prep or rehearsal so, I didnt want money or anything. She asked if I liked chocolate, I said yes, of course. Today she had brought me one of those big 2 layer Pot of Gold chocolate boxes!! I was extra generous and gave some to many people, otherwise I definately would have eaten the whole box. I used it to tide me over before supper because I now refuse to take the bus home during rushhour. It's also a great way to convince me to get more practicing done.
In closing, chocolate = productive day... I need to have more chocolate at my disposal. Also when practicing, I should drink more... I've gotten completely out of that habit. I think Im going to pour myself a snifter of Irish Whiskey and take a relaxing bath or something. Im feeling rather tense.
Good night

Recently, I've discovered that there is a whole new world of people who read my blog and never comment. One of these annonybloggers recently told me that they were secretly doing this, but they were enjoying it, then told me they had one too, but it was too private to share. What a withholder! nevertheless I respect that and enjoy the idea that I never know who is reading. Another friend of mine also started reading it, and caught up on my life, I didn't even know she was aware I had one...
New subjects, like that of the warmest joy in life.... Spite. The folllowing is a short account of real life events that have inspired me!

Scene: 20'th Century class

Professor: Ok, I am going to set the order for presentations at the end of term, so I need to know about any conflicts you or your group members might have. I'll go through each group now, and trust that you won't make up something to avoid going on the first day.
Chris (leans to me): Michael, we can't go on the first day, we won't be prepared...
Me: Well ya, but why? do you have any reason
Chris:
Me: (snickers)
Chris:
Michael: Well, Im not saying anything, if you want, you can
Prof: And the group of Chris, Michael and Jason?
Michael:
Chris: (in stern, 'i'm completely lying' voice) We can't go on the Monday
Prof: oh, and is there any particular reason?
Chris: I have a big thing, all day long.
Michael, Jason, people in general, and partially Chris:
Prof: Ok...
Michael and Chris: Speculation as to the hilarity and fittingness of the possibility that he would spite us and place us on the first day
--now, fast forward to the next class--
Prof: Alright, I have finished the order of the presentations. Please let me know if there are any conflicts, but otherwise, this will be the order.
Overhead Projector: Monday (the first day):
first group-Michael, Chris, and Jason

As a result, Chris and I have developped a whole new respect for this man!

Realising that this project is happening in just a little over a week, we have started working on the project with a bountiful vigour. It's going to be very fun, and interesting filled with really cool historical and analytical information about "les six". I'll keep you informed.

I feel so classy, yet also like a pirate.
I just got back from the dentist where they cemented in my new crown on my very back molar. It's GOLD!!!! I've never owned anything gold before, and even knowing that it is one of the cheaper types of dental material they can use, I can't help but feeling like a big man.
Im also frozen, but I don't know why they needed the freezing as it was a dead tooth. I think it's part of modern dentistry's catering to the pussies who can't handle a little dental pain. Suck it up bitches, I went through a root canal and my root wasn't even fully frozen. Maybe its that dental pain fetish I have... Perhaps I should go to Jerry Seinfeld's dentist, yes that's it, I'll go there!
Also, hooray for snow. You should have seen me, it was a full body production to get all of the snow off the top of my car, and there were wind gusts with snow in my face as well as ending up with more snow on me than was originally on the car... I rather like winter, not as much as fall, but quite a bit.
I think Fi and I have planned a snow fight for this evening, most likely in Rogan Park, so I get to test out my new bright orange winter jacket. Im excited!

one of the best sites on the internet

I had almost forgotten about this website, but was reminded of it today.
The website is called CryingWhileEating and the content is precisely that, people crying while eating. It is brilliant in so many ways. Many of them are heartbreaking, many are endearing, most are bloody hillarious.
Today, I went for hot smoothies at Timmy Ho's with Deena and Diane. She was talking about her boy problems while eating sushi and she was very near bursting in tears. I thought it would be perfect to have had a video camera there at that moment, just perfect. This is not to say that I am insensitive to her problems, but I think even she would laugh if she saw herself crying while eating.
I highly suggest everyone go there, theres lots and lots of examples, about 20 seconds each. It's even entertaining to read their name, what they're eating and why they are crying.

Aside from that, it was a very good day. Deena and other people from her teacher's studio played in a noon hour recital, and she was fabulous, YAY DEENA!!! The whole recital was great, no major screw ups and lots of variety in music!
Today was also (and still is) 50% off day at Value Village, so I went and bought 5 shirts, at least 2 have snap buttons up the front so im super happy. In fact, I just might go by the other Value Village later this evening if I'm heading out to that area.
Once again, I didn't actually get any practicing done today, so I'll get on that a little this evening. I found out I will be playing for a friends 3'rd year recital, yay flute accompanying. I sight read for her a week or so ago, so I take this as a big compliment on my accompanying. Mostly Im glad that the experience didn't leave her feeling that she never wanted to collaborate with me ever again...

Ooh Knitting- Im making slippers. It's a really cool pattern made up of 7 individual squares for each slipper, and you sew them together. So far I have 3 and a bit squares.... but soon enough, I'll have made enough for a whole slipper, and wander around pretending Im some Prince Charming.. or a foot fetishist....hmm, fun either way!
Fi mentioned that we need to have another knitting party, we just haven't made time for it lately: soon to be rectified.

Weekend description

This weekend was weekendy...
Sister Heather (mine,not a nun) was in town. She and mother got along swimmingly and all was well.
I spent my remembrance day at home, probably practicing, but to be completely honest, I can't exactly remember what went on. I was fully intending on sleeping in, but didn't want to be completely disrespectful, so I set my alarm for 11am on the radio quietly. I don't think I actually woke up, but when I arose later on, I had vague recollections of a dream about remembrance day so I did listen and it encorporated itself into my sleep world. Despite not going to a service, I made sure to allow thoughts of the sombre and reflective nature into my head throughout the day.
Saturday was ok. The two dance teachers I work with were both absent, so I had substitutes for those classes. For the little kid class, the subwas the infamous choreographer. I was very impressed, she taught an excellent class, but there were some clashed between her and the assistants who are in the same program as her. I know there are personality between her and just about everyone there, but her teaching was better than other student teachers I've worked with. For the older classes, I was playing for the principal of the school. She was serious and had high standards. I think twice she complimented me on my playing/music whatever, so I know Im doing something right. We have a history [she was the first teacher I played for, it was a class of all little boys, and I didnt know what I was doing, so now she doesnt have high expectations for me, so when I play for her, she was pleasantly surprised]
I had lunch (during my 2 hour break in the middle of the work day) with Heather and Fiona. I finally got Fi to the twist cafe, cause they have this amazing Veggie Burger, so now she knows. Heather was draggin Fi around shopping for linens.... WOOHOO. Apparently Fiona shared my excitement, so we made fun of Heather. Add to that that heather had to park 10 minutes walking away, so she was super mad when she finally go there. But it was the kind of anger that Fi and I enjoy.
On Sat night we had a Cantata performance at the Manitoba club [which is a group of old rich white people having a fundraiser for... rich old white people]. It went well, and after they gave us food and wine... I wish I wasn't planning on driving later, or else I would have stayed longer and gotten just tanked. I had some wine and some food, then got a ride home and then went to Deena's. We rented Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... SHIT it was bad. I remember people saying that they didnt like it cause it was so different from the original, or saying that if you got over the differences it was pretty good.. I've never seen the original, and was fairly ignorant as to the book or story, so my idea wasn't tainted, it was just crap. I imagine that as a classic tale,there must have been some kind of moral presented, but how could anyone take those cracked out oompa-loompa songs seriously?!? That movie would have been much better either piss tanked or stoned.
Today was good, I slept in. Reign of Sound happened, and Sandra was there. Andy had mentioned that she was joining, but I didnt believe him, as I don't quite understand why. I was under the impression that Sandra and Richard both had a dislike going for one another unknowing of the others feelings... so maybe this will be interesting. Either way, I won't read too far into this, as it's good to have a nice powerful voice in the soprano section.
This evening, I had the strong feeling that I didn't get any practicing done this weekend, which aside from a little on friday, I didn't. Im not even sure if I got any done on thursday so i went to the school and practiced tonight., I got there around 7:30 and left just after 11, so I did at least 3 hours. Im happy with that. Anyway, Im gonna cut this short here...

warning- long post, be prepared

Im just sitting here thinking that life is going pretty well in general. Im taking my medicine for my bronchitis, so that is presumably getting better. The coughing has definately lessened. Tonight I went out with my family for Indian Food. There's just nothing quite like an Indian Food buffet. The food was good and there was a drum and wind instrument ensemble playing in the background. It was the perfect atmosphere, as the music was not too loud as it would be intrusive, but it was present enough to have good rhythm and fun inspiring. My sister is in town for the weekend, and she wanted to go for Indian food. So far my sister and mother haven't had their usual emotional blow up at each other, so it's all good, perhaps it just won't happen.
In terms of music, I haven't had a bad lesson in quite a while. All year, nothing has even come close to the type of lessons I was having last year. I do believe I have made that shift in practice methods and dedication that David has been looking for and because of it, we are able to concentrate much more on musical rather than technical aspects. David derived a rather odd comment/conclusion at my last lesson, where we only worked on the Mozart. He has decided that I am a wonderful natural Mozart player and Im doing a lot of musical things naturally, BUT- and theres always a but-he's concerned that I don't have reasons for what Im doing, or that Im not aware of those reasons. The goal is to play Mozart beautifully and intelligently. David says that Im playing it beautifully, but theres room for showing more understanding.
It was exciting, we worked on shaping individual shorter phrases, but then shaping those phrases in a grander sense, in comparison to one another, to show their relationships. I guess the exciting part is that we're adding more and more levels to the piece and the performance.
There's less than (I think) 2 weeks until the concerto competition. This is a little worrisome, but I feel good nevertheless. There are just a few little areas that could be a little technically stronger, faster, clearer, but the memory is good. Once again, theres just a few key spots that I have to set in stone in my memory. It made me so happy the other day because my accompanist came up to me and told me that she loves the piece. The piece is not well known (I'll talk about that later) so she'd never heard it before, so it's a major boost of confidence knowing that Im not the only one with such passion for the piece.
K, now we'll use that piece as a segue into another topic. Short version = theres a kick ass competition this year that has a first prize of 10 thousand dollars, and the top three competitors play one concerto movement with the symphony orchestra for the final round. In the details, it says that repertoire choices are based on availability of orchestral scores. I checked, and was not surprised to hear that the scores are not available, and I will not be able to use the piece for the final round. I will not be telling this to David out of spite; he warned me that it wouldn't be a good piece because no orchestras would ever be playing it. I suppose theres some argument for him being right, but phooey on that. I CAN however use the piece for the preliminary CD audition, which I will. If I get to compete as one of the 12 semifinalists, I can use the concerto I did last year.
Next topic is this independant study course. Since the outset, it has been more hassle than I would have liked. Now the only thing thats being a bug is the paperwork, the new Dean decided I needed to be super detailed in my course proposal, so now I have been, and I'll hand it in on monday and all had better be fine. Basically, my prof and I are treating it as a first year composition course. The only difference is that it's going to be done in half the time, and for half the credit, but the same amount of work. All in all, Im super excited. It will result in two compositions, the smaller of which will be a chamber piece for 1-3 instruments... we haven't figured that out yet.
This is the big project: Im doing a voice and piano piece for my friend Jenn. The text is going to be from Mother Goose, making use of all the poems about "old mother.." or "there was an old woman". I plan on using a variety of compositional styles in order to emphasize the different character of each poem. This is going to be a super fun project and will be performed in a noon hour recital later this year.
Lately, I have been not at home much. Since I don't have piano lessons to teach or any real obligations during the week, I'm finding myself spending evenings at the school, following a long line of pianists that have done that in the past around the School of Music. In terms of socializing, I haven't really been. Luckily, Deena is also in the same line of dedicated pianists so we're able to spend time together practicing and hopefully try and motivate each other or whatnot. It's her birthday coming up, so If anyone has suggestions of something to get her (Deena, you can comment annonymously and I won't know its you) it would be very much appreciated.
I hung out with my friend Evan the other night and it was just odd to see how different we both are. We always have been, but ya, it's been a while since I spent any time with him. Basically, right now I am feeling more focused on music and feeling better about it than at any other time in my life. Right now, Evan is realising that he isn't all that passionate about pure mathematics, and furthermore, he is doubting whether the world really has any more need for another abstract mathematician. I think his plan is to get just a job job when he graduates so he can get his head on straight. This is sorta like me working in the factory this summer to reaffirm my love of the non physical-labour world. Only problem is that Evan doesn't have that mindset going in. He's just at a loss, he was so passionate about math when he started... but like he said, it's hard for a 20-something male to be inspired by a life of paper and calculations. Anyway, at the end of this year he'll have a BSc, so he can get a reasonably good job, hopefully though not good enough that he won't go back to school. In all honesty, he could apply at any school he wants, and get in with full scholarships. Damn smart people...
Another topic- Improvisation. Im still really loving it, and I've managed to get another fellow pianist at school, Kate, to start improvising, and it's very promising. Im also still practicing it, and trying to be more organised about it but I discovered that Im really not that special, or even that good at it:
Theres a resource on the net for pianists where you can post recordings of yourself and get comments from other pianists. This guy posted himself improvising a set of classical variations (8 minutes in length). The story= Every year, his undergrad school in brazil has a concert where all the piano majors have to improvise in a style picked from a hat. Every style from latino pop music to a full out fugue is included. He spoke very modestly about it, and raved about how the other people were much better, and that the guy who did the fugue was amazing. I listened to it, and from the way he spoke, I was expecting something not nearly as well put together as what he played. It was not completely beyond my current abilities, but beyond what I've been attempting.
Now I realise that in a lot of Latino cultures, improvisation is much more embraced in all areas of music and life, so it should come more naturally, but it made me realise that I am nowhere near as special as I thought, and made myself out to be in terms of this practice.
The result is that Im going to start pressing harder on my own abilities. I encourage those of you to suggest styles and then make me play them for you. It's a completely different thing when you play for someone, as opposed to randomly playing around alone in a practice room.
Wow, just in writing this portion of the blog, I've gone from being discouraged about improvising to being reinspired, YAY!
Hmm, what else can I take up internet space with? End of term assignments are starting to creep up on me, I should start to be more aware. I've fallen into that trap of being one-track mind, only concerned about the concerto, but I also have a 20'th century group presentation to get started on, I assume theres an Analysis paper coming up, but we're talking about that next class, so that will bring it into reality. Piano rep paper won't be due for a while yet, after the break I think he said. Chamber music performance is the thursday 24th Novermber, so right around the same time as Concerto competition. I really need to get off my ass and fix up those few little spots that need to be tidy. If not, they will make me look bad and technically weak, and I'd prefer that I not be the one to look bad. This Chamber group is a little frustrating because the violinist is not really technically advanced enough, and has had issues making it on time, if at all, to rehearsals. I would be fine with it if he just didn't play all that well, but its the ensemble things that are suffering. Anyways, we'll make sure to have extra rehearsals so that all is well.
Oh ya, back to composition, I'm thinking that's what Im gonna end up doing with my life. This doesn't really mark a huge change in my life, cause Im still doing the performance degree, but provided my comp prof doesnt tell me Im a terrible composer, Im gonna start looking into what I would have to do to get into a Masters Comp degree, aside from doign a comp undergrad. I know that by the end of next year, I won't have a big enough portfolio, but I could take a year or whatnot to work and travel and compose, then it would be good... we'll see. My main passion is still piano and performing so I'll do that as long as I can, but ya, just keeping my doors open.
I've started doing some score reading and looking into composition styles since my meeting on thursday with the prof... two general statements 1) George Crumb is weird ass! just crazy shit, and I couldnt get recordings to match up to the scores, so i was further confused... i don't know if I'll like what I hear...
2) I LOVE ARVO PÄRT! His music is SO gorgeous. We're gonna talk about his style and methods at my next lesson. It makes me want to write really luscious choral music.
Ok, I've written a fair bit tonight, and I think Im gonna go eat a samosa and watch tv.

Io sono diagnosi

J'ai visité le medicin aujourd'hui, et apres beacoup des tests, il m'a dit ce que j'ai.
Ich habe die Bronchitis.
It was super fun, this morning I went to get tests done.. I got to pee in a cup, I got to bleed for them, I got to blow something, and rub my chest against a flat metal plate. So SEXY!
The blood tests were good, breathing was not good compared to normally, but it was acceptable for my age standard. The doctor said that it didnt appear to be an infection, but there is some inflammation in my chest or whatever, so it's Bronchitis.
He gave me an inhaler that i get to use for a month, then he's gonna doa follow up. I damn well better be feeling A.O.K. by then. Anyway, the inhaler is a steroid which will reduce the inflammation so I wont have congestion and coughing and whatnot. Hopefully after a new days of taking the inhaler, it will be working its wonder and all will be well.
Anyway, Im a little relieved that it was what I thought all along. My mom speculated that it was proabably a chest infection, my dad said it was legionaires disease which were all justifiable from the symptoms I had. Some of the other not so applicable attempted-diagnoses were mono, syphilis, and crabs...
Aside from going to get the tests done, then later the actual doctors appointment, I managed to get a fair bit of practicing in today, as well as a nice little nap just before Ma 'n Pa got home. Mostly, I practiced Mozart today. I hadn't actually touched it since close to the beginning of the year, and I had forgotten how delightful of a sonata it is. And come to think of it, I dont think I ever got around to playing it for David yet this year(at least not the firts movement) so it will all be new and good when I play it for him on wednesday!

Blah

Im updating, but theres really nothing of interest to comment about, and Im feeling almost too lazy to come up with anything interesting, so I'll just fill you in on some daily events.
I worked at the Ballet today, I was tired for the 9am class and so was the teacher. Normally, the class of 6 year olds are able to fill the room with energy, but nope; they were also very sleepy. Apparently this was a common feeling all day. Later when I played for the same teacher, the other class was not really tired, but they were whiny and all teenage girl like and they were driving us crazy. I actually enjoyed it, Kristina is really funny when tired and crazy.
In the middle, I went for lunch with Dale because she also had a break. My usual practice on saturday is to go and eat at the twist cafe or wherever and have some quiet time, it was nice to have company today. On top of that, Dale slyly paid for my lunch. It was a super wonderful nice surprise and I love her for it.
Musical theatre happened today, which Im not happy about but at least it was with a different teacher. Result = music was actually actively involved in about 85% of the class, versus the normal 40-50%. By keeping them involved in the class and not letting them walk all over her, they were somewhat better behaved. Also, we started on a new song in the first class, which helps me get away from the debillitating anger I have for the musical Annie, but it starts a new hatred for Wizard of Oz.
Tonight my parents tried to take me to a fall supper at one of the random churches in the area; they don't really like God, but they eat his food. Unfortunately, the fall supper was sold out when we got there. I suggested a local restaurant called 'Hyjinx: Epicurious Eatery". I kinda knew it was a shithole to begin with, but sometimes that is an endearing quality. The server was nice enough, but one of those thatwas just daft enough to be noticeably so. The bread was stale-ish, my caesar salad was disgustingly overdressed and the croutons followed suit with the bread. Odd thing.. even though the croutons were soggy with dressing, they still managed to be hard from the stality. The main course was served in three stages, as in: my mother's, then mine 8 minutes later served with an appology for my dads food (future proche) being tardy... apparently the restaurant in which we were the only patrons was backed up in the kitchen.... then my father's food was served about 10-15 minutes after mine. By then my mother had finished eating what she was going to eat of her meal and I, having made an effort to wait for dad's meal, became disgusted with the new cooling state of my sandwich. I kept picking at my fries.
All in all the meal took far longer than it should have. The food was not very good at all. Mother didn't get her soup, nor her dessert. My dad kept his patience, because... well, thats what he does; stays tollerant in the face of all incompetence BUT when he finally got his fish, it was over cooked, and ya. Oh ya, the coleslaw was well.... nasty beyond even what Salisbury house serves up. Heinous factor of eleven(11).
Anyway, feel free to look up the word epicurious, or epicure and enjoy the irony as it relates to this situation.

tee hee hee

You Are A: Puppy!

Beloved by all, puppies are energetic, playful, and loving. Your playful and outgoing nature is part of what makes you a puppy. Known for their loyalty, puppies make great pets for young and old alike. And an innocent puppy face can melt anyone's heart!

You were almost a: Duck or a Bear Cub
You are least like a: Chipmunk or a GroundhogWhat Cute Animal Are You?
This is totally right on the money! I love ducks so much, although they tend to get mad when I throw food at them rather than giving it to them in a less violent way... oh well. What's the point of throwing corn kernels into a pond if you dont try and hit something!?!
Anyway, let me know what cute animal you guys are, its very entertaining.
-Michael

Health related topics!

Well, I haven't had a General Practicioner for a very long time. Now that I'm ill, I need one. I called the phone number that tells you which doctors are accepting patients.
Assholes, apparently only one doctor in the entire city is accepting new patients... thats bullshit!
Before this service was available, or that I knew about it, I tried randomly calling doctors in the area asking if they would take me as a new patient, and they all said no.
Today, I won. I rose above the beaurocracy of the healthcare system! I phoned my moms doctor and said that I needed an appointment with my doctor(this was a lie, he's not really my doctor). She said she couldn't find my file, I said 'really?'. Then she looked up my name on the computer and said that I wasnt listed as a patient of his... I was almost caught redhanded. She mentioned that it only made sense if I hadn't been there since they became computerized 5 years ago... I verified that and long story short, I have an appointment with my family doctor on Monday.
In case you can't tell, Im very proud of myself.

Also health related, Today is the first day of November which is National Diabetes Awareness Month. This evening I volunteered by handing out info-cards to people at the local Giant Tiger. Generally people were not terribly receptive, often thinking I was selling something or taking donations, but really what do you expect from the class of people that shop at Giant Tiger. Notably, when I got home from volunteering, my mom was soon heading out the door to go to... you guessed it, the neighbourhood Giant Tiger store. I also have been known to shop there, but I'm just being aware of my roots!

Anyway, I will be making an effort to educate people about diabetes this month, because as a diabetic, it pisses me off when people don't know what they are talking about. I encourage everyone to go on the internet, perhaps start at the site I was canvassing for today which is slanted towards Type 2 diabetes. Here's some Michael Style info about diabetes, I encourage questions!
There are 3 types of diabetes:
1) Type 1 (my kind); aka Juvenille Diabetes, Insulin Dependant Diabetes, Diabete Mellitus.
In this kind, the pancreas does not produce any insulin and therefore cannot metabolize the energy from food, the patient is reliant on injectible insulin.
Left untreated: The body, unable to get energy from food, the body starts metabolising fat tissue, then muscular tissue, then if you haven't died yet, organ tissue.
Poorly treated: Blindness, Loss of limb, kidney failure, increased risk of heart disease/stroke.
2)Type 2; aka Non Insulin Dependant diabetes, Adult Onset Diabetes.
In this kind, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or is otherwise less capable of metabolising food by its own methods. Sometimes this type can be treated by diet and exercise alone, but there are also pills which can be taken to aid in the bodies production of insulin.
Left untreated: May progress to Type 1 Diabetes.
Poorly treated: Blindness, Loss of limb, kidney failure, increased risk of heart disease/stroke.
3)Gestational Diabetes- I dont know too much about this type, but it is only applicable to pregnant women. The added stress of pregnancy causes elevated blood sugar levels and it is treated with insulin while the woman is pregnant. I believe it goes away when she is no longer pregnant. But there is an increased risk of Diabetes in the mother and child.
The NUMBERS:
2 million - number of Canadians with Diabetes
10% of those are Type 1, 90% are type 2, Gestational Diabetes effects 3.5% of all pregancies.
MICHAEL GETS POLITICAL
obviosuly 1.8 million people is a big number so the Type 2 population gets much more attention. Most of the funding for studies is aimed at research on Typ 2 diabetes.
WHY THIS PISSES ME OFF
In the early stages, if caught, Type 2 diabetes can be managed by diet and exercise, as in not being so lazy and sugarcrazed. However the majority of people with type 2 are on pills either because there was not enough info out there and they didnt catch it til later when pills were needed, or they were unwilling to change their lifestyle.
I have type one, Juvenille, meaning that I develloped it as a child and they still dont have an explanation for it. It was not my choice to be dependant on insulin, so it quite pisses me off when people dont take care fo themselves when they have the opportunity and then end up on insulin.
Anyway, enough about that for now.... feel free to askany questions and leave comments, my goal is to educate people so they know the risks and effects of diabetes.

Jack of all trades, Master of none.

This is why our society has not produced anyone of real excellence in a very long time. This century really has no mega composers like Bach or Beethoven or Chopin. No scientific greats like Einstein. And where are the great poets like Goethe and the sculptors and painters and everything good that our history has to offer!
I blame society and its effect on parents. Kids these days have their lives filled to a disgusting extent. They have soccer on this day, hockey the next, scouts and girlguides, swimming lessons, extracirricular school stuff and then piano lessons and voice lessons, and ballet class and whatever the hell else kids do. It leaves them no time to show what they are really interested in and good at by their simple displays of creativity and interest that they will find on their own. Not only are we stifling their creativity, but we are forcing them to devellop a mediocrity complex where they try to put equal effort towards everything in which they are involved. It doesn't matter if they would rather be painting flowers over and over again so that they make the flower more and more realistic and it comes more naturally... they are made to feel guilty about not spending their time having practiced their clarinet fingering or done their homework for social studies.
Our society tries to convince us that this builds better well rounded people that function better in our society... yes if our society wants a bunch of non specialists that can go from on unskilled labour job to the next, then YAY! we have quite the successful system....
BUT when we go to the opera, do you care if the soprano can kick a 30 yard field goal or if she can calculate the mass of 17.2 moles of graphite?!? NO,the only mass we care about is she is the fat lady and that she can sing like nobody's business!
Child prodigys were probably useful at some point in history... they could get a head start on learning rep and what not so they could develop a sense of musicality from their basic learning of the music. Now we don't even have specialised schools. There used to be music schools where you could send your kid and he would learn music and some basics so that they could get by, but not any more.
Mumbly Mumbly this world sucks.
And the worst part about it is that when the stupid parents realise their child is doing too much crap... what gets cut, is it the soccer that they paid in full for resigtration at the beginning of the year? is is the sports at school, or the homework? NO its the piano lessons that they end up dropping because it's the easiest.
WHORES, now I can't even come close to paying tuition without going into debt! BASTARDS