tonight was tea and knitting with fi.. although we drank diet coke and didnt actually knit. I must have drank 6 glasses of diet coke at least.. I didn't keep track but I remember there being 3 rounds where she brought us 2 glasses each... so in all honesty, I had 7, most likely.
Fi brought her global political economy readings and I brought my compositions,and we were productive... I finished one of the pieces. Now I have 2 of them finished. I have 2 more in the works.. and Im super excited, I think I'll only do 4 all together... I'm working with a deadline of Feb 20'th(right after reading week) that I have to have the compositions finished so that the singer and pianist can learn them. Then, I can concentrate on my recital, and maybe even get a start on my second composition requirement for this independant study.
I actually feel like i learned a fair bit tonight from Fi. SHe informed me as to some of the broad principles of how different political theories look at the world. It's amazing how even knowing how you can look at different situations can change what you think about them. But ya, I should be getting to bed, or doing some analysis, or reading, or anything except for practicing, which I actually really need.
It's lesson day tomorrow, always an interesting day for my blogging. I dunno, I'm supposed to have mozart completely learned and Memorized for lesson tomorrow. Also because I have MRMTA on sunday. OI! It will be interesting to see how it goes tomorrow. At the very least, it will get David to tell me bluntly exactly what I have to make better for Sunday... or as he will put it, how I should have been playing it from the get-go... {I'm already behind on EVERYTHING on that practice guideline...grr} and how to make them so. Gee, more and more examples of how I could never cut it as a performer. ANyway, this weekend will be a great test for my ability to multitask.. Accompanying singers on Saturday(as wellas ballet in morning), my own performance on Sunday, as well as my Analysis paper and composing and trying to keep up with my other practice goals. But Michael, don't get ahead of yourself, there still lots of time before the weekend. I will be super prepared and all will be splendid!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Wow, things have been intolerably busy lately.. well not really, but yes they have me going constantly. Also, I've been concentrating on practicing quite a bit lately, that I've let other things sneak up on me. I still haven't really done any worthwhile work on my analysis paper, but the general concensus in the class is that we're all handing it in late, and the prof is ok with that. In that realm.. I personally don't like the fact that I have pushed aside academics for the sake of performance.
I was actually worried for ballet class yesterday. It was the one that I had gottent he 70 page book to learn, and in a last minute dash to make sure it was secure yesterday, it wasn't. I had to leave the school anyway, but over supper I wrote in all the bass notes so I wouldnt have to worry about that, and it sets up the piece's structure which helps. Nevertheless, the class went very well. Once we were started, it was more clear exactly what she wanted: only the set exercises (half the music or less). She was very happy that I improvise, and liked what she heard. She informed me that she wanted me to do improvisations in the style of whichever piece it is. The music was published as the necessary music in 1985, and she's taught this exam every year since... so you can understand she's sick of it... RAD syllabus music is bad music too, seems to be the general concensus among ballet students, teachers, and musicians. Oh well, I will make do with it, and improve it within the variations.
A good/bad news mix. I didn't make the Genser finals. Sadness = I really could use that money...(providing I would be best or second best...) Happiness = without the lure of that money, I can at least let one piece slip away for now (until jury) and concentrate on all the other stuff I have going on. LIKE RECITAL. If I had been doing Genser, the majority of my recital would have needed to be prepared to the same level 3 weeks earlier... While this would make the recital that much more secure, I can do without the added stress and rush. Now, as a result, I will aim to have my pieces completely prepared just a bit later, but still well in advance.
On that subject, staying on schedule for recital as well as MRMTA this weekend, my whole sonata is supposed to be prepared and wonderful as of tomorrow. It is not. The finale is there, because I've already played it, but the second is still en route and the first has some holes.
That, is what today is for! Im not going to run and take a shower and eat lunch, then its practice practice practice... I'm gonna concentrate solely on Mozart today, unless I get really bored, then I'll be productive on other pieces. here we go!
I was actually worried for ballet class yesterday. It was the one that I had gottent he 70 page book to learn, and in a last minute dash to make sure it was secure yesterday, it wasn't. I had to leave the school anyway, but over supper I wrote in all the bass notes so I wouldnt have to worry about that, and it sets up the piece's structure which helps. Nevertheless, the class went very well. Once we were started, it was more clear exactly what she wanted: only the set exercises (half the music or less). She was very happy that I improvise, and liked what she heard. She informed me that she wanted me to do improvisations in the style of whichever piece it is. The music was published as the necessary music in 1985, and she's taught this exam every year since... so you can understand she's sick of it... RAD syllabus music is bad music too, seems to be the general concensus among ballet students, teachers, and musicians. Oh well, I will make do with it, and improve it within the variations.
A good/bad news mix. I didn't make the Genser finals. Sadness = I really could use that money...(providing I would be best or second best...) Happiness = without the lure of that money, I can at least let one piece slip away for now (until jury) and concentrate on all the other stuff I have going on. LIKE RECITAL. If I had been doing Genser, the majority of my recital would have needed to be prepared to the same level 3 weeks earlier... While this would make the recital that much more secure, I can do without the added stress and rush. Now, as a result, I will aim to have my pieces completely prepared just a bit later, but still well in advance.
On that subject, staying on schedule for recital as well as MRMTA this weekend, my whole sonata is supposed to be prepared and wonderful as of tomorrow. It is not. The finale is there, because I've already played it, but the second is still en route and the first has some holes.
That, is what today is for! Im not going to run and take a shower and eat lunch, then its practice practice practice... I'm gonna concentrate solely on Mozart today, unless I get really bored, then I'll be productive on other pieces. here we go!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Wow, I'm hardcore bitchy right now. not really, but ya, I am.
This morning my dad called to wake me up and also to let me know that my great Aunt Betty died yesterday. A few weeks back we were informed that she had terminal cancer and was given 6 months to live. She was my grandma's sister in law. I was never terribly close to her, but I am still sad to see her go. In all honesty, I don't even know what to say about her, not due to a lack of words, rather I only actually spoke with her a few times. Im noticing that there are many people in my family that are more like statues that I can recognize, but not actually know. I don't feel this is right, so I'm going to make an effort to better know the members of my family.
I decided that I would exercise this morning. I don't do structured things very well, so my exercise routine is random flailing, in the guise of dance, to music. The first time I tried this, it was to Scriabin piano music.. which was hard to be regular and actually get good exercise.... so this time, I looked around for a good cd to dance to.. and what did I find...
DANCE MIX 95!!!!
wow.... what a blast from the past.. I remember that my sister listened to that kind of music... and I recognised some songs, but ya, it was hilarious. I was totally like Richard Simmons or something. Anyway, I was only able to last for 40-someodd minutes, I'm really out of shape. SO here goes the fitness brigade!!!!
The exercise has already put my sugars at better numbers, but it makes me hungry, which makes me bitchy.
Anyway, tonight I go to see my teacher play in his Chamber Music ensemble, it will be delightful, and Deena is coming, so we will both enjoy the wonderful music!
This morning my dad called to wake me up and also to let me know that my great Aunt Betty died yesterday. A few weeks back we were informed that she had terminal cancer and was given 6 months to live. She was my grandma's sister in law. I was never terribly close to her, but I am still sad to see her go. In all honesty, I don't even know what to say about her, not due to a lack of words, rather I only actually spoke with her a few times. Im noticing that there are many people in my family that are more like statues that I can recognize, but not actually know. I don't feel this is right, so I'm going to make an effort to better know the members of my family.
I decided that I would exercise this morning. I don't do structured things very well, so my exercise routine is random flailing, in the guise of dance, to music. The first time I tried this, it was to Scriabin piano music.. which was hard to be regular and actually get good exercise.... so this time, I looked around for a good cd to dance to.. and what did I find...
DANCE MIX 95!!!!
wow.... what a blast from the past.. I remember that my sister listened to that kind of music... and I recognised some songs, but ya, it was hilarious. I was totally like Richard Simmons or something. Anyway, I was only able to last for 40-someodd minutes, I'm really out of shape. SO here goes the fitness brigade!!!!
The exercise has already put my sugars at better numbers, but it makes me hungry, which makes me bitchy.
Anyway, tonight I go to see my teacher play in his Chamber Music ensemble, it will be delightful, and Deena is coming, so we will both enjoy the wonderful music!
Saturday, January 28, 2006
I totally had a wonderful sleep last night.. so i was feeling refreshed ish today.
Genser prelim was good. Not, quite perfection, but thats alright. I felt good about the performance as a whole, and you know... the more I do this, the less wrong notes there are that seem to slip in there. Maybe this whole dedicated practice thing has something going for it...
Trying to get realistic commentary, that might be vaguely helpful in any way from my parents is like pulling teeth out of a Swedish whore with lockjaw... I just need to stop doing it. They came in and watched me play, as well as Deena and Brendan watched from above. so, I've done the best I could do at that particular moment, so now it's up to the judges to decide if I am worthy of the finals. Now, over the next very short little while, I have to finish learning and perfecting the rest of my Sonata, learn a ton of ballet music, and do tons of composing for the lesson I ...might have on monday. Oh ya, and all the other practicing I need to be doing in general.
The timing of getting to the university for the audition on my lunch break was great. I wasn't rushed either way! Ballet classes were good. The kids and the teachers were funny today.
Wierd, but Im beginning to sorta enjoy the musical theatre class almost... except when the kids are annoying, or when they play games, or when I have to sit around not doing anything for an extended period of time, or when they are singing some crap that needs to be burned, or when they aren't singing well and the teacher doesn't fix it, or when Im there.... ok, so I'm trying to be positive... but ya, the teacher and I have our moments when we just laugh at ourselves and whatnot.
ANyway, I'm off to get everything accomplished in one evening.. wish me luck
Genser prelim was good. Not, quite perfection, but thats alright. I felt good about the performance as a whole, and you know... the more I do this, the less wrong notes there are that seem to slip in there. Maybe this whole dedicated practice thing has something going for it...
Trying to get realistic commentary, that might be vaguely helpful in any way from my parents is like pulling teeth out of a Swedish whore with lockjaw... I just need to stop doing it. They came in and watched me play, as well as Deena and Brendan watched from above. so, I've done the best I could do at that particular moment, so now it's up to the judges to decide if I am worthy of the finals. Now, over the next very short little while, I have to finish learning and perfecting the rest of my Sonata, learn a ton of ballet music, and do tons of composing for the lesson I ...might have on monday. Oh ya, and all the other practicing I need to be doing in general.
The timing of getting to the university for the audition on my lunch break was great. I wasn't rushed either way! Ballet classes were good. The kids and the teachers were funny today.
Wierd, but Im beginning to sorta enjoy the musical theatre class almost... except when the kids are annoying, or when they play games, or when I have to sit around not doing anything for an extended period of time, or when they are singing some crap that needs to be burned, or when they aren't singing well and the teacher doesn't fix it, or when Im there.... ok, so I'm trying to be positive... but ya, the teacher and I have our moments when we just laugh at ourselves and whatnot.
ANyway, I'm off to get everything accomplished in one evening.. wish me luck
Friday, January 27, 2006
tired
I can't remember the last time I was so tired. Still, I won't get a full 8 hours of sleep. I have to work at 9am tomorrow, and I still have to do practicing for Genser tomorrow.
At least ,my practicing will be focussed, in hopes of getting to sleep soon. After tomorrow's preliminary audition, I can concentrate on my other rep, and specifically the Mozart Sonata for MRMTA the next week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOZART!!
I have a feeling, I won't be feeling rested for quite a while to come... all for the sake of good music!
At least ,my practicing will be focussed, in hopes of getting to sleep soon. After tomorrow's preliminary audition, I can concentrate on my other rep, and specifically the Mozart Sonata for MRMTA the next week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOZART!!
I have a feeling, I won't be feeling rested for quite a while to come... all for the sake of good music!
Thursday, January 26, 2006
obliviosity
Sometimes, we miss the simple things in life... if you're me... you fail to take notice of some things that are so common and taken for granted that people won't even care to hear me say it... but I will anyway. The following is a short account of my obliviousity.
I came home tonight and saw a dark street, except for my front house light. It's not that there was a power outage, simply that other people didn't have lights left on. I'm not going to make this meaningful and say that i realised that my parents care for me and left it on for me.... I just now, finally, realised that lights go off at nighttime....
I have never walked in the house and thought, now that I am home, we don't need this outside light on anymore... I guess I don't seem to care about the waste of electricity, nope, i'm just oblivious to it. If the outside light goes off at night, it's because I have mashed the lightswitches to turn off the inside light, later on... which brings us to the next point:
I, after living here for 22 years and using the lights on a daily basis, still don't know which switch controls which light on either the front or back ones.... They each have 3 switches: one for the inside light, one for the outside, and the other is for the tv/vcr outlet(front) or the basement (back). I usually manage to avoid the tv one at the front, simply from learning from the mistake resulting in having to reset the VCR clock, but I couldn't tell you which one it is.
I don't really intend on fixing this major character flaw, but now that I know the outside light goes off at night, I might force myself to learn which one is it, so that I can turn it off upon my safe arrival home.
I came home tonight and saw a dark street, except for my front house light. It's not that there was a power outage, simply that other people didn't have lights left on. I'm not going to make this meaningful and say that i realised that my parents care for me and left it on for me.... I just now, finally, realised that lights go off at nighttime....
I have never walked in the house and thought, now that I am home, we don't need this outside light on anymore... I guess I don't seem to care about the waste of electricity, nope, i'm just oblivious to it. If the outside light goes off at night, it's because I have mashed the lightswitches to turn off the inside light, later on... which brings us to the next point:
I, after living here for 22 years and using the lights on a daily basis, still don't know which switch controls which light on either the front or back ones.... They each have 3 switches: one for the inside light, one for the outside, and the other is for the tv/vcr outlet(front) or the basement (back). I usually manage to avoid the tv one at the front, simply from learning from the mistake resulting in having to reset the VCR clock, but I couldn't tell you which one it is.
I don't really intend on fixing this major character flaw, but now that I know the outside light goes off at night, I might force myself to learn which one is it, so that I can turn it off upon my safe arrival home.
I'm a "pretty babe"!
Okay, so pick the Third letter in your first name...
A-Beautiful
B-Ugly
C-Pretty
D-Jewish
E-Sexy
F-Hot
G-Boyish
H-Preppy
I-Girly
J-Gothic
K-Punky
L-Popular
M-Geeky
N-Nerdy
O-Retarded
P-Gay
Q-Lesbian
R-Gorgeous
S-Lesbian
T-Emo
U-Christian
V-Wonderful
W-Slutty
X-Bitchy
Y-Under-appreciated
Z-Over-appreciated
Now the Third letter in your last name......
A-Alcoholic
B-Boy
C-Bitch
D-Obsesser
E-Sex machine
F-Retard
G-Girl
H-Jew
I-Geek
J-Goth
K-Nerd
L-Motherfucker
M-Sweetheart
N-Skater
O-Beauty Queen
P-Princess
Q-Queen
R-Babe
S-Crackwhore
T-Fucker
U-Asshole
V-Jackass
W-Slut
X-Whore
Y-Coward
Z-Chocoholic
Now who/what are you?
A-Beautiful
B-Ugly
C-Pretty
D-Jewish
E-Sexy
F-Hot
G-Boyish
H-Preppy
I-Girly
J-Gothic
K-Punky
L-Popular
M-Geeky
N-Nerdy
O-Retarded
P-Gay
Q-Lesbian
R-Gorgeous
S-Lesbian
T-Emo
U-Christian
V-Wonderful
W-Slutty
X-Bitchy
Y-Under-appreciated
Z-Over-appreciated
Now the Third letter in your last name......
A-Alcoholic
B-Boy
C-Bitch
D-Obsesser
E-Sex machine
F-Retard
G-Girl
H-Jew
I-Geek
J-Goth
K-Nerd
L-Motherfucker
M-Sweetheart
N-Skater
O-Beauty Queen
P-Princess
Q-Queen
R-Babe
S-Crackwhore
T-Fucker
U-Asshole
V-Jackass
W-Slut
X-Whore
Y-Coward
Z-Chocoholic
Now who/what are you?
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
It was a good day.
I didn't go to first class cause sleep was more important at that moment.
Tiffy made cookies, they were delicious. Deena missed out because she refused to eat the cookie since tiffy had made a comment that they were only for people who voted. I can't decide if this was genuine spite, or she just wasn't hungry and decided to play up the cookie refusal card... (the oldest trick in the book).
Um, lesson was good. It wasn't inspiring really, at the end, David concluded that my pieces weren't as good as he'd like, nor would I like them to be.. but he wasn't as negative about it as I would expect. I'm not sure if its because they're really not that far off, or is he's beginning to back off the pressure and whatnot. For my own benefit, I'm going to imply the pressure and work extra hard so that my Genser audition is spectacular!
After lesson was chamber rehearsal. I practiced for about half an hour and then we practiced. The first half of the piece was rather good, expecially for only our second or third time playing it. We were really picky on it and got some really food ensemble stuff happening. I love having Sarah in group. We had so much fun. Delightful is the perfect word for her and our rehearsal. I laughed a lot... perhaps too much for a rehearsal context, but thats alright. We ran through the second half completely, cause we still hadn't made it to the end. Things were rough, but now we've done it and have a better idea of what happens. I showed the piece we're doing to David, and he informed me that it's basically a piano concerto, but not a whole orchestra accompanying. This first run of the second half really pointed that out. I have lots of work to do on my own part, before we can do the ensemble stuff.
I like the group... but I'm still sensing some personality clashes ish.... I swore at my music and Sarah was offended and dissapointed. I think the cellist is put off by the leadership role Im taking with the group. The other one is German, although there are not as many communication problems as I thought. I think I'll be a little less driven, and give the others a chance
I got a ride to downtown from my friend Janine. This year has been bad for me not talking to people as much. Not being in Univ Singers means that i don't get to see a whole chunk of people on a regular basis. I say my hellos and stuff, but this was really nice to actually talk with her for half and hour or whatever it was. I didnt' even have to wait 4 minutes before my bus came, and I was home quick as a jiffy tonight.
I practiced and stuff tonight. I also got super organised. The schedule I had originaly done with my practice goals and stuff was outdated already...so I did one up that takes in consideration where I am now, and competitions and the sorts. Today I've gone between both extremes of confidence in my preparation, and fright at my lack thereof at least twice at both extreme... right now, I just practiced some more, and I feel good, but an hour ago, I didn't, which is why I practiced more in the first place.... therefore, more practicing will make all well!
I didn't go to first class cause sleep was more important at that moment.
Tiffy made cookies, they were delicious. Deena missed out because she refused to eat the cookie since tiffy had made a comment that they were only for people who voted. I can't decide if this was genuine spite, or she just wasn't hungry and decided to play up the cookie refusal card... (the oldest trick in the book).
Um, lesson was good. It wasn't inspiring really, at the end, David concluded that my pieces weren't as good as he'd like, nor would I like them to be.. but he wasn't as negative about it as I would expect. I'm not sure if its because they're really not that far off, or is he's beginning to back off the pressure and whatnot. For my own benefit, I'm going to imply the pressure and work extra hard so that my Genser audition is spectacular!
After lesson was chamber rehearsal. I practiced for about half an hour and then we practiced. The first half of the piece was rather good, expecially for only our second or third time playing it. We were really picky on it and got some really food ensemble stuff happening. I love having Sarah in group. We had so much fun. Delightful is the perfect word for her and our rehearsal. I laughed a lot... perhaps too much for a rehearsal context, but thats alright. We ran through the second half completely, cause we still hadn't made it to the end. Things were rough, but now we've done it and have a better idea of what happens. I showed the piece we're doing to David, and he informed me that it's basically a piano concerto, but not a whole orchestra accompanying. This first run of the second half really pointed that out. I have lots of work to do on my own part, before we can do the ensemble stuff.
I like the group... but I'm still sensing some personality clashes ish.... I swore at my music and Sarah was offended and dissapointed. I think the cellist is put off by the leadership role Im taking with the group. The other one is German, although there are not as many communication problems as I thought. I think I'll be a little less driven, and give the others a chance
I got a ride to downtown from my friend Janine. This year has been bad for me not talking to people as much. Not being in Univ Singers means that i don't get to see a whole chunk of people on a regular basis. I say my hellos and stuff, but this was really nice to actually talk with her for half and hour or whatever it was. I didnt' even have to wait 4 minutes before my bus came, and I was home quick as a jiffy tonight.
I practiced and stuff tonight. I also got super organised. The schedule I had originaly done with my practice goals and stuff was outdated already...so I did one up that takes in consideration where I am now, and competitions and the sorts. Today I've gone between both extremes of confidence in my preparation, and fright at my lack thereof at least twice at both extreme... right now, I just practiced some more, and I feel good, but an hour ago, I didn't, which is why I practiced more in the first place.... therefore, more practicing will make all well!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
So I think that Wednesdays have become my busy school days now. I have class at 9:30 then at 11:30, then a lesson at 2:30 and a chamber rehearsal after that at 4:30. Monday counts as my long day, because I have class either 9:30 (or 11:30) -12:20 and a composition lesson at 1:30 and then I stay at the school until I have to leave for the Contemporary dancers for 5-6:30 and then right after dance class, I have to head straight back to the university for our chamber coaching at 7:30. Fun!
Wow, I never realised how full my schedule was until I just mentioned it... earlier it seemed light, but thats because I hadn't figured in lessons and rehearsals and coachings... then theres always practice time which has to weasel its way in there somewhere.
Anyway... I went for tea and knitting with Fi tonight, it was wonderful. I got home after 11ish and since parents hadn't quite gone to bed yet, i practiced... at which point dad went to the bedroom... Just around 12:20, I got the official shush from mom, so I stopped. During this time, I got caught up (to last weeks tempos) on the Bach prelude as well as the Brahms Capriccio. I came to the realisation that I had been ignoring the Brahms.. and I will need them to be prepared sometime... soonish. I realise that Im getting back on track with everything except for the Bach fugue and the PDQ Bach stuff. But, in my defense, I haven't planned on playing those for the Genser finals, so I have a few extra weeks for them.
I keep alternating between feeling confidant about this recital when I feel things are on track... and the other feeling is fear that I'm not going to have everything prepared and its all gonna fall to shit. Right now, Im having the good feeling.
I also have the good feeling about my poster. I've decided the fun poster will only exist in small form (5x7). I sent Jon the picture I want him to use... its the most inspiring picture I've ever seen of myself. I can't wait to see it on a super sexy woman lying atop a piano... He says it won't take much effort to make it happen and that he'll probably have something for me in a week. As for the serious one.. it's hard for us to be serious, but ya he'll make something soon enough.
SO ya, that picture I sent him... I took it this morning.. i had a little photo shoot... it was hard to find the perfect of things to stack up so that the camera would be at just the right height for a headshot. I really like the picture, but the resolution is really high.. and that means that you can look in fine details at my face... and it's not quite pretty... if he needs a better picture, I'll put the effort into shaving and whatnot, so I don't look quite as grody.. but thats why the fun pic will only exist in small form....
alas, it is late and class is early tomorrow.
guten nacht
Wow, I never realised how full my schedule was until I just mentioned it... earlier it seemed light, but thats because I hadn't figured in lessons and rehearsals and coachings... then theres always practice time which has to weasel its way in there somewhere.
Anyway... I went for tea and knitting with Fi tonight, it was wonderful. I got home after 11ish and since parents hadn't quite gone to bed yet, i practiced... at which point dad went to the bedroom... Just around 12:20, I got the official shush from mom, so I stopped. During this time, I got caught up (to last weeks tempos) on the Bach prelude as well as the Brahms Capriccio. I came to the realisation that I had been ignoring the Brahms.. and I will need them to be prepared sometime... soonish. I realise that Im getting back on track with everything except for the Bach fugue and the PDQ Bach stuff. But, in my defense, I haven't planned on playing those for the Genser finals, so I have a few extra weeks for them.
I keep alternating between feeling confidant about this recital when I feel things are on track... and the other feeling is fear that I'm not going to have everything prepared and its all gonna fall to shit. Right now, Im having the good feeling.
I also have the good feeling about my poster. I've decided the fun poster will only exist in small form (5x7). I sent Jon the picture I want him to use... its the most inspiring picture I've ever seen of myself. I can't wait to see it on a super sexy woman lying atop a piano... He says it won't take much effort to make it happen and that he'll probably have something for me in a week. As for the serious one.. it's hard for us to be serious, but ya he'll make something soon enough.
SO ya, that picture I sent him... I took it this morning.. i had a little photo shoot... it was hard to find the perfect of things to stack up so that the camera would be at just the right height for a headshot. I really like the picture, but the resolution is really high.. and that means that you can look in fine details at my face... and it's not quite pretty... if he needs a better picture, I'll put the effort into shaving and whatnot, so I don't look quite as grody.. but thats why the fun pic will only exist in small form....
alas, it is late and class is early tomorrow.
guten nacht
Election results taste like crap!
We now have a conservative minority government. This is unsatisfying because a) they are Conservative and their leader is a scary man and b) minority governments can't really effect all that much change.. they are dependant on who will team up with them. The Conservatives are strongly opposed to the Liberals, and pretty much the diametric opposite of NDP. Im not sure about the bloc, so whatever.
I just don't understand why there weren't new leaders in this election. It was the same as last election, people either voted Liberal because they hated Steven Harper, or they voted Conservative because they didn't trust Paul Martin due to the Gommery Report.
I will take this opportunity to reinforce my belief that we need either less parties (2 party system) or more parties, more candidates and basically INDEPENDANT candidates..... hnmm scratch the first one. We just need a system of true representative democracy where. m The politicians get a huge salary allotted for communication with their constituents.. but how many times do they call you up and ask you for your thoughts on important issues? I recieved TWO phone calls yesterday alone from the conservative party, reminding me to get out and vote. Also several calls earlier in the election asking if I had decided.
Why is it so ridiculous that I would expect my representative to have samples of his constituents called when it comes to important issues that are hotly disputed?!? But no, that won't happen. Because 33% of the people in my area decided that they no longer trusted the Liberals and want change, laws might change, and it will be so that now gays in this end of town will be allowed to get married.
I also find it disgusting that with a voter turn out of 70%, my region of winnipeg is fairly high! thats ridiculous! lazy asses. That means that while our mp got 40 some percent of the vote... it actually only reprensents 33% of the registered eligible voters.. which doesn't include all the people who hadn't yet registered.
grrrr. oh well. I will just go on living my life and trusting that our government actually can't make any real difference in my life, or that of others.
I just don't understand why there weren't new leaders in this election. It was the same as last election, people either voted Liberal because they hated Steven Harper, or they voted Conservative because they didn't trust Paul Martin due to the Gommery Report.
I will take this opportunity to reinforce my belief that we need either less parties (2 party system) or more parties, more candidates and basically INDEPENDANT candidates..... hnmm scratch the first one. We just need a system of true representative democracy where. m The politicians get a huge salary allotted for communication with their constituents.. but how many times do they call you up and ask you for your thoughts on important issues? I recieved TWO phone calls yesterday alone from the conservative party, reminding me to get out and vote. Also several calls earlier in the election asking if I had decided.
Why is it so ridiculous that I would expect my representative to have samples of his constituents called when it comes to important issues that are hotly disputed?!? But no, that won't happen. Because 33% of the people in my area decided that they no longer trusted the Liberals and want change, laws might change, and it will be so that now gays in this end of town will be allowed to get married.
I also find it disgusting that with a voter turn out of 70%, my region of winnipeg is fairly high! thats ridiculous! lazy asses. That means that while our mp got 40 some percent of the vote... it actually only reprensents 33% of the registered eligible voters.. which doesn't include all the people who hadn't yet registered.
grrrr. oh well. I will just go on living my life and trusting that our government actually can't make any real difference in my life, or that of others.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Voting is delicious!
So, i just voted... now its supper and time to run back to school for chamber music rehearsal... what a rush.. all for the sake of acknowleding my democratic right and responsibility.
So, I decided not to eat my ballot, as I don't really want a criminal record.. perhaps at a protest or something, but not really at a voting station. Yet I was hungry. In terms of the regulatoins, its illegal to deface or destroy a ballot willingly.. but sometimes you dont need to eat something to enjoy it and savour it....
I took my ballot and went to the little voting cubicle... I marked my choice and then proceded to smell and then lick my ballot. I made sure that all candidates were touched by my tongue, as I feel they all need a taste of my version of election reform!
This is not as much a little secret as I make it out to be.... when I got my ballot, I asked the polling officers if it was illegal to LICK a ballot, as it does not constitute the willful destruction or whatnot. His immediate response was no, but then he replied that there's nothing to say that I can't . To this I responded "Excellent, thank you" and went to cast my lick and X.
Anyway, supper awaits me.. the ballot lick wasn't as filling as it could have been if I outright ate it.
Fun fun fun, practice and coaching and all sorts of fun tonight!
So, I decided not to eat my ballot, as I don't really want a criminal record.. perhaps at a protest or something, but not really at a voting station. Yet I was hungry. In terms of the regulatoins, its illegal to deface or destroy a ballot willingly.. but sometimes you dont need to eat something to enjoy it and savour it....
I took my ballot and went to the little voting cubicle... I marked my choice and then proceded to smell and then lick my ballot. I made sure that all candidates were touched by my tongue, as I feel they all need a taste of my version of election reform!
This is not as much a little secret as I make it out to be.... when I got my ballot, I asked the polling officers if it was illegal to LICK a ballot, as it does not constitute the willful destruction or whatnot. His immediate response was no, but then he replied that there's nothing to say that I can't . To this I responded "Excellent, thank you" and went to cast my lick and X.
Anyway, supper awaits me.. the ballot lick wasn't as filling as it could have been if I outright ate it.
Fun fun fun, practice and coaching and all sorts of fun tonight!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
swhoosh
hmm... a whole weekend without a post... it must have been busy.. i guess it sorta was... not much time at home.
there was a fondu, a symphonic/oratorioic experience of religious fervour, rehearsal, potluck, and ballet.
I recorded myself playing for dance class on saturday... then, I spent quite a bit finding useable parts and smacking them together.. I just finished making up a cd of some of the exercises and some solo piiano stuff.
I think it turned out well, and it will show what Im like s a ballet pianist... if they dont like it, then I'm probably not the ballet pianist for them. So ya, I'm sending this as part of the application procedure for a summer program far away from here.
It seems like I spent the entire weekend running around and not getting much done.... absolutely no practicing since friday mid afternoon.... oi! so i was at the school tonight and making sure that I got a little bit done. I looked at my pieces.. and I'm completely off track with my practice regime... the Scriabin didn't get to full tempo even though it was supposed to be there last wednesday.. oh well. I will work more on shaping so it sounds impressive at the audition. I made a good go at relearning the Rachmaninof Prelude. It feels comfortable, but I have to reforce the memory to be more secure. Of course there much more to be done. The Mozart still needs a touch more speed, but it is very accurate and has the finesse that will help me out in a competition scenario
So ya, the good thing about tonight.. is that I learned a big chunk of the Bach fugue. The second half wasn't even close to the point that I could play through it at any tempo.... Particularl y the second half was bad... so out of the 12 lines on the last two pages, I have learned 8 of them securely at a slow tempo, but now with that stability, I can start moving the tempo up. Once I get to that point.. I just move the digital metronome up one at a time, and eventually it will be to full tempo. I'm noticing that that part isn't that hard at all... most of the work comes in getting to that point... oh well.
I was made aware today that our Analysis paper is due in 1 week... eep. I have to start on that and oi, i have afeeling its going to take longer than Im willing to commit to. but ya, I will get a move on that, otherwise this time next week, I will be dying of tiredness and still writing it (BASTARDS!)
Um ya, its 2am.. i go sleepy
there was a fondu, a symphonic/oratorioic experience of religious fervour, rehearsal, potluck, and ballet.
I recorded myself playing for dance class on saturday... then, I spent quite a bit finding useable parts and smacking them together.. I just finished making up a cd of some of the exercises and some solo piiano stuff.
I think it turned out well, and it will show what Im like s a ballet pianist... if they dont like it, then I'm probably not the ballet pianist for them. So ya, I'm sending this as part of the application procedure for a summer program far away from here.
It seems like I spent the entire weekend running around and not getting much done.... absolutely no practicing since friday mid afternoon.... oi! so i was at the school tonight and making sure that I got a little bit done. I looked at my pieces.. and I'm completely off track with my practice regime... the Scriabin didn't get to full tempo even though it was supposed to be there last wednesday.. oh well. I will work more on shaping so it sounds impressive at the audition. I made a good go at relearning the Rachmaninof Prelude. It feels comfortable, but I have to reforce the memory to be more secure. Of course there much more to be done. The Mozart still needs a touch more speed, but it is very accurate and has the finesse that will help me out in a competition scenario
So ya, the good thing about tonight.. is that I learned a big chunk of the Bach fugue. The second half wasn't even close to the point that I could play through it at any tempo.... Particularl y the second half was bad... so out of the 12 lines on the last two pages, I have learned 8 of them securely at a slow tempo, but now with that stability, I can start moving the tempo up. Once I get to that point.. I just move the digital metronome up one at a time, and eventually it will be to full tempo. I'm noticing that that part isn't that hard at all... most of the work comes in getting to that point... oh well.
I was made aware today that our Analysis paper is due in 1 week... eep. I have to start on that and oi, i have afeeling its going to take longer than Im willing to commit to. but ya, I will get a move on that, otherwise this time next week, I will be dying of tiredness and still writing it (BASTARDS!)
Um ya, its 2am.. i go sleepy
Thursday, January 19, 2006
ELECTIONS!
I remember the first time I voted... I wasn't registered to vote so I had to bring ID and show that I was from that riding. This got me thinking... I know every citizen has the right to vote, but they limit which riding it is in. This made me think of homeless people, or people of no fixed address... What is their procedure? After some prodding on the Elections Canada website, I found part of an answer, regarding homeless people, assuming they are living homeless within a riding.
This is taken from that wesite.
" Can a person who is homeless vote?
This is taken from that wesite.
" Can a person who is homeless vote?
Yes, an elector who is homeless or without a fixed address can vote, if he or she registers on the voters list during an election. To register, the elector must provide proof of identity and the address where he or she is staying.
Proof of identity can be an official document bearing the elector’s name and signature. For residence, the address of a local shelter is acceptable, if the shelter has provided food, lodging or other social services to the elector. Without such proof, a person who is homeless can register on election day by taking the prescribed oath as to identity and residence, as long as another voter who is registered in the same electoral district can vouch for that person."
When it comes down to it, if you truly are of no fixed address... if you want to exercise your right to vote, you are limited to voting ONLY in a riding where you know someone who can vouch for you. But... what if you are a person of no fixed address and on election day, you are in a new town where you don't know anyone. Anyone who were to vouch for you, not knowing you, is a disgrace to the trust we must have in the electoral system. And trusting that there aren't people like that, our friend... the wandering person of no fixed address has been denied his right as a Canadian citizen to vote.
And truly, is he not just as much a Canadian, if not more than we others... ?
I proclaim this to be a huge injustice to our friend, the vagabond! and on a broader notion,, if it effects him, it effects me, and the whole nation!
I will not stand for this!!!!!!!!!!!!
I demand ELECTORAL REFORM!!!
Im actually think I might call up my candidates closer to the election and saying something like " I would like to inform you of an injustice. I would like to vote for you in the upcoming election, but alas, I am but a meager vagabond who has arrived in a city where I know noone. I have noone to vouch for me, and therefore do not have the right to exercise my right to vote. What am I to do. Surely if you value my vote as that of a Canadian citizen, you will demand electoral reform."
anyway, thats for later.... also on that page of questions... I found the following:
Is someone allowed to eat a ballot?
please go there... they give FAR too much effort into answering this question.. nevertheless, I wonder what they would say if I asked if I could eat my ballot when I went to vote. I also wonder what the penalty is for eating a ballot, or other wise commiting a serious breach of the Canada Elections Act?
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
I am stupid and insane.
Ok, so a little while ago, teachers started putting up the lists of their students who are doing festival, and I laughed at the people who were registered for like... 5 or six classes... cause in all honesty, thats a little excessive, especially in the higher levels where the rep is difficult and its always the same adjudicator. You work your ass off to hear generally the same comments 5 times over, albeit with a different spin.
While at the time, I laughed... I laugh no more.. until the weeks of Feb28-March3 and then March 13-17 come... when I might devellop a constant laugh or cackle or something from stress... I'm accompanying a few of my friends as well as students from 2 teachers of the Mb.Conservatory. From the conservatory all the kids are young and in lower levels, so im doing some musical theatre and little art songs... so it won't be too taxing to learn them. My friends are doing harder rep, so it will be a little more to learn, but my friends are worth it.
Oh yes, between those two weeks.. guess how many classes I'm accompanying for...
oh ya, thats right... 23, twenty-frickin three!! and I still have a few more to pencil in.. and three of those are on March 14'th.....
"but michael, why do you emphasize THAT day?"
BECAUSE ITS MY RECITAL!!!
oi vay... Im sure I can handle it.. I'm so glad that Im doing the preparations such that I will be prepared 2 weeks in advance... as well I have the week in between where i only play for classes on one day.
The reality of the situation is that I just won't be going to school with any regularity during that time. All time other than accompanying will be spent preparing for recital.
I hope I make it....
While at the time, I laughed... I laugh no more.. until the weeks of Feb28-March3 and then March 13-17 come... when I might devellop a constant laugh or cackle or something from stress... I'm accompanying a few of my friends as well as students from 2 teachers of the Mb.Conservatory. From the conservatory all the kids are young and in lower levels, so im doing some musical theatre and little art songs... so it won't be too taxing to learn them. My friends are doing harder rep, so it will be a little more to learn, but my friends are worth it.
Oh yes, between those two weeks.. guess how many classes I'm accompanying for...
oh ya, thats right... 23, twenty-frickin three!! and I still have a few more to pencil in.. and three of those are on March 14'th.....
"but michael, why do you emphasize THAT day?"
BECAUSE ITS MY RECITAL!!!
oi vay... Im sure I can handle it.. I'm so glad that Im doing the preparations such that I will be prepared 2 weeks in advance... as well I have the week in between where i only play for classes on one day.
The reality of the situation is that I just won't be going to school with any regularity during that time. All time other than accompanying will be spent preparing for recital.
I hope I make it....
Monday, January 16, 2006
Davey commented on my super hot picture located at the top right hand side of this page in the about me section. It does look super ghetto (would you expect or accept anything else from me?) for a few reasons. The resolution is terrible cause i guess you can only have 50 kilobytes of picture file or something.. so it took some resaving and stuff.
The picture originates from this summer. Fi and I went on our super road trip, and this was one of the 5 pictures that survived. Thats right, we went on a two-week epic roadtrip and this is all that survived. This is due to 2 reasons: 1)flail and 2)ezonics
1) my camera was rendered unuseable after there was a flailing incident in transit between me and fiona early on in the trip
2) the other camera we had was fiona's. doesn't ezonics just sound like a super high quality camera brand? it's not really that bad.. its mostly that fi's had it a while, and its showing the signs of wear... mostly a battery slider that doesnt close all the way, so you have to hold it when the camera is on... we realised this, but not the fact that if you let go right after, it would shut off and not save any of the pictures we took. Oh well, no biggy cause fi and I will remember this trip forever, and relive it from time to time to keep it fresh in mind.
The picture: I still had my sandals, and theres a "cruisecanada.com" van in the background and a visible green, presumably parliamentary roof in the background as well. therefore it must have been early in Ottawa. The stupid cutout man was wearing a safety vest similar to my shirt and pointing to his right, so I decided to stand by him and point to the left, thus creating an artistic balance... we never did find out what he was pointing to.. there was no sign or anything...thus a legend is born!
Wow today was busy and productive. I had class, comp lesson, then a meeting at the modern dance school, which took all of maybe 5 minutes, just to get music I will need to learn... 70 pages of it..! Nevertheless, thanks to the transit system, this meeting took me away from the school for 3 hours. I returned to the school at 6, and practiced until 9:30, and i actually was at the piano playing for 3 hours out of that time! go me! I got a huge chunk of work done on the Mozart, and ya, greatly productive all around.
I have reached a point of stress with the Scriabin etude. The metronome marking on it says 152. I am currently playing it at 134, and I feel it won't be getting much faster.. The recording I have of it doesn't go near that tempo either, and takes a lot of time here and there. it might be at that tempo between 2 or three of every 10 notes, each phrase accelerates then backs off. I feel confident that i can produce a good performance of it as things stand, but I feel obligated to be able to play it at that tempo, strictly with the metronome, simply because it is an etude. Nevertheless, I will continue to work at it, and make it better, because that's what pianists do.
I realised yesterday that I have to play the Rachmaninoff prelude for this audition in a week or two, and I haven't touched it in months.. so i need to do a nice spiffy touch up job on it. Today I pulled it out, and didnt even try to play it, I worked just on the finger work that I know needs to be done. I also worked on the 2nd page, which needs to be block chorded, to remember to where the hands are moving... I would prefer if I hadn't left it quite so late, but it's definately manageable..
ooh ooh and the Scriabin pieces are almost solidly memorized.. that is they are, but not perfectly. only some small hesitations here and there, but at the speed the etude rips along at, anything seems like a huge gap. When I take time for the phrases, the memory doesnt cause problems, but if I can have it perfectly memorised while metronoming, there will be no problems with the performance. The middle movement (ironically the PRElude) is still the least secure memorywise.. its just not as cut and dry harmonically as the other ones... but really, this is Scriabin, nothing is cut and dry.. it's jujst a little more... 'modern' than the other ones.
All in all, I feel good at the moment about my preparation, butI still have so much more to do.. the second movement of Mozart needs much attention, and LEARNING of notes...oops. but I have a whole week after Genser prelims to worry about that! Ha ha huh... I also have a fair bit of music to learn for accompanying singers for the MRMTA scholarship auditions on top of my own sonata to finish learning... oi vay, I sure have become quite the busy little beaver.
hmm, enough blithering for one night...
The picture originates from this summer. Fi and I went on our super road trip, and this was one of the 5 pictures that survived. Thats right, we went on a two-week epic roadtrip and this is all that survived. This is due to 2 reasons: 1)flail and 2)ezonics
1) my camera was rendered unuseable after there was a flailing incident in transit between me and fiona early on in the trip
2) the other camera we had was fiona's. doesn't ezonics just sound like a super high quality camera brand? it's not really that bad.. its mostly that fi's had it a while, and its showing the signs of wear... mostly a battery slider that doesnt close all the way, so you have to hold it when the camera is on... we realised this, but not the fact that if you let go right after, it would shut off and not save any of the pictures we took. Oh well, no biggy cause fi and I will remember this trip forever, and relive it from time to time to keep it fresh in mind.
The picture: I still had my sandals, and theres a "cruisecanada.com" van in the background and a visible green, presumably parliamentary roof in the background as well. therefore it must have been early in Ottawa. The stupid cutout man was wearing a safety vest similar to my shirt and pointing to his right, so I decided to stand by him and point to the left, thus creating an artistic balance... we never did find out what he was pointing to.. there was no sign or anything...thus a legend is born!
Wow today was busy and productive. I had class, comp lesson, then a meeting at the modern dance school, which took all of maybe 5 minutes, just to get music I will need to learn... 70 pages of it..! Nevertheless, thanks to the transit system, this meeting took me away from the school for 3 hours. I returned to the school at 6, and practiced until 9:30, and i actually was at the piano playing for 3 hours out of that time! go me! I got a huge chunk of work done on the Mozart, and ya, greatly productive all around.
I have reached a point of stress with the Scriabin etude. The metronome marking on it says 152. I am currently playing it at 134, and I feel it won't be getting much faster.. The recording I have of it doesn't go near that tempo either, and takes a lot of time here and there. it might be at that tempo between 2 or three of every 10 notes, each phrase accelerates then backs off. I feel confident that i can produce a good performance of it as things stand, but I feel obligated to be able to play it at that tempo, strictly with the metronome, simply because it is an etude. Nevertheless, I will continue to work at it, and make it better, because that's what pianists do.
I realised yesterday that I have to play the Rachmaninoff prelude for this audition in a week or two, and I haven't touched it in months.. so i need to do a nice spiffy touch up job on it. Today I pulled it out, and didnt even try to play it, I worked just on the finger work that I know needs to be done. I also worked on the 2nd page, which needs to be block chorded, to remember to where the hands are moving... I would prefer if I hadn't left it quite so late, but it's definately manageable..
ooh ooh and the Scriabin pieces are almost solidly memorized.. that is they are, but not perfectly. only some small hesitations here and there, but at the speed the etude rips along at, anything seems like a huge gap. When I take time for the phrases, the memory doesnt cause problems, but if I can have it perfectly memorised while metronoming, there will be no problems with the performance. The middle movement (ironically the PRElude) is still the least secure memorywise.. its just not as cut and dry harmonically as the other ones... but really, this is Scriabin, nothing is cut and dry.. it's jujst a little more... 'modern' than the other ones.
All in all, I feel good at the moment about my preparation, butI still have so much more to do.. the second movement of Mozart needs much attention, and LEARNING of notes...oops. but I have a whole week after Genser prelims to worry about that! Ha ha huh... I also have a fair bit of music to learn for accompanying singers for the MRMTA scholarship auditions on top of my own sonata to finish learning... oi vay, I sure have become quite the busy little beaver.
hmm, enough blithering for one night...
Sunday, January 15, 2006
hmm, still sick
I've been sick since like October or November or something.
I was on the roids (ster, not hemm) for 2 months, and they only masked the sickness. At the end of the first month, i was running out of the prescription puffer, i could tell cause I was coughing again. I went to the doctor and he told me to keep taking them. mumbly mumbly, I don't trust him anymore, because I didn't even show signs of getting better, if i missed my drugs, I felt like shit. it was more of a cough suppressant thing than anything.
Today I was woken by a feeling of nausea that in spite of my efforts to ignore, resulted in mild to moderate puking. I've spent most of the rest of the day feeling ick. I'm better now, but trying to keep hydrated. I don't think this is directly related to my bronchitis. The Bronchitis still hasn't gone away, but Im just more aware of it when other things are wrong with me.
I probably shouldn't have gone to my _____ practice today, my voice hurt, so singing was a bit of a stretch. Apparently other people who should have been there were also having the sickness.
Im not enjoying my mothers excessive new eating thing. She was diagnosed with borderline type 2 diabetes, she can cantrol it with diet and excercise and has been quite well, so hats off to her, but BOO. They wen't grocery shopping today, but you wouldn't notice. No cookies, no snacks, no granoly bars, no luncheon meats... what the heck am i supposed to do. those things make up the bulk of my lunches... I cannot survive in such an atmosphere
If she wants to starve herself (of unhealthy deliciousness), fine! but I will not be sucked into this intolerable abyss of (health inspired) starvation.
I also have no money, so I can't even afford to be going out to eat either... i suppose I will be a healthier person for it. grr I blame the lack of deliciousness in the house to making me sick...
I was on the roids (ster, not hemm) for 2 months, and they only masked the sickness. At the end of the first month, i was running out of the prescription puffer, i could tell cause I was coughing again. I went to the doctor and he told me to keep taking them. mumbly mumbly, I don't trust him anymore, because I didn't even show signs of getting better, if i missed my drugs, I felt like shit. it was more of a cough suppressant thing than anything.
Today I was woken by a feeling of nausea that in spite of my efforts to ignore, resulted in mild to moderate puking. I've spent most of the rest of the day feeling ick. I'm better now, but trying to keep hydrated. I don't think this is directly related to my bronchitis. The Bronchitis still hasn't gone away, but Im just more aware of it when other things are wrong with me.
I probably shouldn't have gone to my _____ practice today, my voice hurt, so singing was a bit of a stretch. Apparently other people who should have been there were also having the sickness.
Im not enjoying my mothers excessive new eating thing. She was diagnosed with borderline type 2 diabetes, she can cantrol it with diet and excercise and has been quite well, so hats off to her, but BOO. They wen't grocery shopping today, but you wouldn't notice. No cookies, no snacks, no granoly bars, no luncheon meats... what the heck am i supposed to do. those things make up the bulk of my lunches... I cannot survive in such an atmosphere
If she wants to starve herself (of unhealthy deliciousness), fine! but I will not be sucked into this intolerable abyss of (health inspired) starvation.
I also have no money, so I can't even afford to be going out to eat either... i suppose I will be a healthier person for it. grr I blame the lack of deliciousness in the house to making me sick...
Last night was the Opera Workshop preformance put on by the U of M Music people and whatnot. It was muchos entertainting. I love how they are able to make things so hilarious. I think it's out of necessity, because let's face it, we all know that the world at large is not an Opera inspired place. Those who really love Opera that much, are already in the program, or performing in operas.... most of the audience is fellow students and parents who can use a good chuckle to remind them that just because it's opera doesn't mean you have to be so snooty and serious.
Apprently said chuckles were well appreciated. Those of you who know me, know my laugh... i guess it's somewhat distinct.. perhaps even a little louder than the standard guffaw. At least half of the cast, afterwards, came to me to tell me that they could hear me in the audience. All of them said it in a way that made me think they enjoyed it... at least no one was like "wow, you were so tacky..." but i guess that would be a matter of tacty....
It was wonderful to see my friends doing something they love and having fun. and seeing quite a few people in hilarious drag never hurts anyone. I think my friend Andrea won for the best trouser role (out of all the crossdressers) because she didn't just rely on the costume to make the situation hilarious. In fact, the costuming looked pretty realistic, as far as trouser roles come. Nevertheless, every moment she was on the stage, she owned it, yet without taking attention away from the action or characters around her. Hats off to Andrea. The other cross roles were well done, and were hilarious on the costuming.... like when Lawrence was knitting... that had a special spot in my heart. And L and Chris's dancing... wow. But Chris, you are a damn ugly woman, just to let you know.
After that was the Opera workshop party. It was so much fun, just like the years before. Just like last year, there was henna, so I got a naked woman on my arm. Last year she was Ethel, this year, I named her Gertrude. We had so much fun with the henna.. poor little jonny.
Ya the party was fun, lots of music and good times, and food and stuff.
Anyway, I have stuff to do.
Apprently said chuckles were well appreciated. Those of you who know me, know my laugh... i guess it's somewhat distinct.. perhaps even a little louder than the standard guffaw. At least half of the cast, afterwards, came to me to tell me that they could hear me in the audience. All of them said it in a way that made me think they enjoyed it... at least no one was like "wow, you were so tacky..." but i guess that would be a matter of tacty....
It was wonderful to see my friends doing something they love and having fun. and seeing quite a few people in hilarious drag never hurts anyone. I think my friend Andrea won for the best trouser role (out of all the crossdressers) because she didn't just rely on the costume to make the situation hilarious. In fact, the costuming looked pretty realistic, as far as trouser roles come. Nevertheless, every moment she was on the stage, she owned it, yet without taking attention away from the action or characters around her. Hats off to Andrea. The other cross roles were well done, and were hilarious on the costuming.... like when Lawrence was knitting... that had a special spot in my heart. And L and Chris's dancing... wow. But Chris, you are a damn ugly woman, just to let you know.
After that was the Opera workshop party. It was so much fun, just like the years before. Just like last year, there was henna, so I got a naked woman on my arm. Last year she was Ethel, this year, I named her Gertrude. We had so much fun with the henna.. poor little jonny.
Ya the party was fun, lots of music and good times, and food and stuff.
Anyway, I have stuff to do.
Friday, January 13, 2006
WHY DON'T YOU COMMENT!?!?
pourquoi est-ce que personne repond a mon blog? vous n'interessez plus? ok...
au'jourd'hui c'etait le "friday the thirteenth", un jour dont les etranges evenements se passe. vraiment, rien comme ça s'est passé. Je ne me suis pas levé pour l'ecole.. mais ce n'est pas etrange de tout. J'ai pris l'apres-midi me practiquer du piano... jusque un peu mais j'ai reussi aux taches d'aujourdhui, et je reste en route d'etre bien preparé pour les competitions qui viennent bientot.
Mais.. il y reste beacoup à faire avant mon recital:
Mardi, le 14 mars, 2006
20h, Eva Clare Hall
Université de Manitoba
mais je travaille bien fort(aussi bien piano..) avec anticipation!
mais je devrais aller a l'ecole practique ce soir,
à bientot mes amis
au'jourd'hui c'etait le "friday the thirteenth", un jour dont les etranges evenements se passe. vraiment, rien comme ça s'est passé. Je ne me suis pas levé pour l'ecole.. mais ce n'est pas etrange de tout. J'ai pris l'apres-midi me practiquer du piano... jusque un peu mais j'ai reussi aux taches d'aujourdhui, et je reste en route d'etre bien preparé pour les competitions qui viennent bientot.
Mais.. il y reste beacoup à faire avant mon recital:
Mardi, le 14 mars, 2006
20h, Eva Clare Hall
Université de Manitoba
mais je travaille bien fort(aussi bien piano..) avec anticipation!
mais je devrais aller a l'ecole practique ce soir,
à bientot mes amis
Thursday, January 12, 2006
new discovery!
so, did I mention that I have discovered suspenders? I know I didn't, but I ask for dramatic emphasis! They are wonderful.
It all started a few days ago. I had bought my new jeans and had worn them around the house or something... but when I ran out the house to go to school, and had to run for my bus, my pants felt uncomfortably loose. The jeans i had before were a size smaller, so I didn't thinkof wearing a belt. The next day, I couldn't find my belt so I suffered the same hardships as the day previous. That evening, I remembered I had a pair of suspenders in a drawer. They were from a play or something in high school.
The moral of the story is that I'm happy I decided to give them a try. The first evening i wore them, I realised why undershirts can be a good thing. Today I wore them to school over another shirt and wore a sweater so all was well. The only downfall of them is that you have to tuck in whichever shirt you wear... which often highlights my belly... So perhaps I might not wear them as oft as I might plan.. or maybe they will give me new inspiration to not be fat.
Another good thing about them is that they give me gentle reminders to lower my shoulders and not tense up. And they even sort of help my posture somehow.
Hmm, while Im talking about random things sort of fashion or style related...
Today my hair looked pretty shitty. The good thing about long hair was that it could be messy and it gave me that dissheveled look. It is currently not long enough to have that effect. Normally my hair just falls into place but not when it's oily. I'm making it oily by choice.
"But why, Michael?" you may ask. the answer is as follows:
I have washed my hair pretty much every day, with shampoo and stuff for years and years. I thought nothing of this until a while ago, I was informed that you shouldn't wash every day, because it gets rid of the natural oils in your hair. This is true, and to make up for it, my head replenishes those oils quickly, so if I don't shampoo in the morning, my hair gets oily. My theory is that I will stop washing daily, maybe only every second or third day. This will cause my head to adopt a new cycle of oil replenishment, as I dont think the high paced current cycle is a good thing. I might run out of oils.
If anyone knows about hair and would like to give me some actual info, feel free.
I figure that its better to have oily hair now with relatively short hair, otherwise long and greasy is just nasty. The theory is that it will only be oily for a while, then the body will readjust.
Hmm, I think thats all. Yes, yes that's it.
It all started a few days ago. I had bought my new jeans and had worn them around the house or something... but when I ran out the house to go to school, and had to run for my bus, my pants felt uncomfortably loose. The jeans i had before were a size smaller, so I didn't thinkof wearing a belt. The next day, I couldn't find my belt so I suffered the same hardships as the day previous. That evening, I remembered I had a pair of suspenders in a drawer. They were from a play or something in high school.
The moral of the story is that I'm happy I decided to give them a try. The first evening i wore them, I realised why undershirts can be a good thing. Today I wore them to school over another shirt and wore a sweater so all was well. The only downfall of them is that you have to tuck in whichever shirt you wear... which often highlights my belly... So perhaps I might not wear them as oft as I might plan.. or maybe they will give me new inspiration to not be fat.
Another good thing about them is that they give me gentle reminders to lower my shoulders and not tense up. And they even sort of help my posture somehow.
Hmm, while Im talking about random things sort of fashion or style related...
Today my hair looked pretty shitty. The good thing about long hair was that it could be messy and it gave me that dissheveled look. It is currently not long enough to have that effect. Normally my hair just falls into place but not when it's oily. I'm making it oily by choice.
"But why, Michael?" you may ask. the answer is as follows:
I have washed my hair pretty much every day, with shampoo and stuff for years and years. I thought nothing of this until a while ago, I was informed that you shouldn't wash every day, because it gets rid of the natural oils in your hair. This is true, and to make up for it, my head replenishes those oils quickly, so if I don't shampoo in the morning, my hair gets oily. My theory is that I will stop washing daily, maybe only every second or third day. This will cause my head to adopt a new cycle of oil replenishment, as I dont think the high paced current cycle is a good thing. I might run out of oils.
If anyone knows about hair and would like to give me some actual info, feel free.
I figure that its better to have oily hair now with relatively short hair, otherwise long and greasy is just nasty. The theory is that it will only be oily for a while, then the body will readjust.
Hmm, I think thats all. Yes, yes that's it.
good day, in the end
well, the day didn't start on the most inspiring note, but for all intensive porpoises (or is that intents and purposes...) it worked itself out.
school was good, only one class. Before that, I got my recital form signed by David and I handed it in to the office, so unless I screwed something up royally on the program, my recital is set to go, only at 8pm instead of 7:30. apparently I don't get a say in the time, despite the fact that there was an open space for the time. So yes, that is one concern less in my life... now I just have to do is learn my music, then organize food and get on the advertizing bandwagon. I need to make posters and handbills and whatnot. I've had some ideas float around, but it's time to actually get around to them.
After class, I practiced a bit, talked with Deena. I actually accomplished my dailt practice goals for Mozart and Scriabin, so all is well in that dept. Now, I will get on the other rep tonight.
I went out for dinner with parents to the Elephant and Castle downtown. Yummy!
On the way home, we picked up my midi-USB cable, so my keyboard actually can work with the computer now! the frustrating bit is that now I have to relearn to use the progam, using the new technology. oh well, all is good!
school was good, only one class. Before that, I got my recital form signed by David and I handed it in to the office, so unless I screwed something up royally on the program, my recital is set to go, only at 8pm instead of 7:30. apparently I don't get a say in the time, despite the fact that there was an open space for the time. So yes, that is one concern less in my life... now I just have to do is learn my music, then organize food and get on the advertizing bandwagon. I need to make posters and handbills and whatnot. I've had some ideas float around, but it's time to actually get around to them.
After class, I practiced a bit, talked with Deena. I actually accomplished my dailt practice goals for Mozart and Scriabin, so all is well in that dept. Now, I will get on the other rep tonight.
I went out for dinner with parents to the Elephant and Castle downtown. Yummy!
On the way home, we picked up my midi-USB cable, so my keyboard actually can work with the computer now! the frustrating bit is that now I have to relearn to use the progam, using the new technology. oh well, all is good!
phooey!
Well, a little earlier this morning, I had a phone conversation with the ballet lady.
It turns out her reason for calling was close to number 2, but with ruminations of number 1. Well, not really, let me explain.
She said that because I am a student still enrolled in classes, she wanted to make sure that I understood the requirements of the position before we went any further with the application process. Apparently the position is full time, and they have an expectation of high availability. These two points basically killed my chances. I explained to her that next year, I would be taking a limited number of courses, and would be able to probably fulfill the playing requirements.
My assessment that they would be willing to compromise for the remainder of this year was proven wrong with her response "Well, we are hiring to fill this position now, not in the future."
In order to take get this job, I would have to basically drop out of school, so I think we know that I won't be doing that.
The job posting never explicitly mentioned that it was a full-time position, and even from my experiences, I never realised that it was that commitment, i guess I need to pay closer attention. I never had time to ask questions about the position before hand, and I think I had made assumptions about the job in place of asking questions anyway. In the end, if I had known the importance of availability for the job, I wouldn't have applied. Nevertheless, I did apply, and got myself excited about it to some degree, so there is still a small degree of disappointment. For what its worth, she told me that she will keep me in consideration for the future and that many opportunities will be available to me when I am out of school. Im not sure if this was meant to be a compliment or just what you say to an unsuccesful applicant.. probably somewhere in between.
It's on with life from here. Now I can get back to the immediate concerns of practicing and reading and composing and analysis... all the fun things I need to be doing at this point in life. In all honesty, I don't think I'm ready to sit down to a full time job anyway. If it had been more part time like I had envisioned it, I would have madew time for it, and gone crazy with business, all for the sake of making good money, but alas I am forced to live in that foreign world of logic and common sense..
It turns out her reason for calling was close to number 2, but with ruminations of number 1. Well, not really, let me explain.
She said that because I am a student still enrolled in classes, she wanted to make sure that I understood the requirements of the position before we went any further with the application process. Apparently the position is full time, and they have an expectation of high availability. These two points basically killed my chances. I explained to her that next year, I would be taking a limited number of courses, and would be able to probably fulfill the playing requirements.
My assessment that they would be willing to compromise for the remainder of this year was proven wrong with her response "Well, we are hiring to fill this position now, not in the future."
In order to take get this job, I would have to basically drop out of school, so I think we know that I won't be doing that.
The job posting never explicitly mentioned that it was a full-time position, and even from my experiences, I never realised that it was that commitment, i guess I need to pay closer attention. I never had time to ask questions about the position before hand, and I think I had made assumptions about the job in place of asking questions anyway. In the end, if I had known the importance of availability for the job, I wouldn't have applied. Nevertheless, I did apply, and got myself excited about it to some degree, so there is still a small degree of disappointment. For what its worth, she told me that she will keep me in consideration for the future and that many opportunities will be available to me when I am out of school. Im not sure if this was meant to be a compliment or just what you say to an unsuccesful applicant.. probably somewhere in between.
It's on with life from here. Now I can get back to the immediate concerns of practicing and reading and composing and analysis... all the fun things I need to be doing at this point in life. In all honesty, I don't think I'm ready to sit down to a full time job anyway. If it had been more part time like I had envisioned it, I would have madew time for it, and gone crazy with business, all for the sake of making good money, but alas I am forced to live in that foreign world of logic and common sense..
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
phew!
Lesson today went quite very well! The only bad part came right at the beginning: I informed David that I had changed my PDQ Bach piece. There are two in the book that make fairly blatant reference to the Rondo alla Turka that Im playing. The original one I was going to play was pretty much the main material quoted and played around with as the subject of the fugue. The piece I have decided on however, uses the rolicking major-section theme of the piece as its prelude. The fugue is based 'unser Nomme Bach'(Bb A C B which spells BACH) and it has episodes exhibiting the familiar melody 'for he's a jolly good fellow'. I think they're both good, BUT I decided the second was more showy and delightful.
Despite his disappointment with the piece selection, he approves of my recital program. All I need to do is to make some formatting adjustments and then hand in the forms for my recital which will be
Tuesday, March 14'th, 2006 at 7:30 PM
in Eva Clare Hall, University of Manitoba School of Music...
don't worry, I'll remind you!
The lesson was good, we covered Mozart and Scriabin, cause they're coming up soon. He seems satisfied with the Scriabin and my style of playing it... and we worked on some strong methods of forced memorization, as it's not quite soming naturally.
The Mozart however, is being memorized quite nicely, and I haven't a worry about that.
The real excitment of today came when I got home. There's nothing better than getting home from a long day and there actually being dinner ready... I'm spoiled and lucky. My parents have given up on me coming home regularly for dinner, cause it is pretty random, I usually just eat the leftovers later on.
Then, I was told that I had a phone message I should check on the machine. After eating I checked it, and ...................
It was the director of the ballet school saying that she wanted to get in touch with me. Now, I'm not going to get all excited about the prospect of getting this job and start tittering like a school girl, tee hee hee hee, but I am presuming that she wants to set up an interview, which would we great. I guess there are three possibilities of what she wants to say.
1) "Michael, you suck, and go away. You can't have this job, in fact, give us back the old one"
2) 'Michael, would you please come in for an interview so we can assess your assets"
3) "Wow, you are so wonderful, I would be CRAZY to not give it to you, take it... now!"
and of those options, I'd be happy with 2 of the 3.
Well, I have to keep on track with my practice regime I've set up, so I'll do a little of that tonight, I don't have school til late tomorrow afternoon, so I can be up lateish, although I need to await that phone call tomorrow.
Despite his disappointment with the piece selection, he approves of my recital program. All I need to do is to make some formatting adjustments and then hand in the forms for my recital which will be
Tuesday, March 14'th, 2006 at 7:30 PM
in Eva Clare Hall, University of Manitoba School of Music...
don't worry, I'll remind you!
The lesson was good, we covered Mozart and Scriabin, cause they're coming up soon. He seems satisfied with the Scriabin and my style of playing it... and we worked on some strong methods of forced memorization, as it's not quite soming naturally.
The Mozart however, is being memorized quite nicely, and I haven't a worry about that.
The real excitment of today came when I got home. There's nothing better than getting home from a long day and there actually being dinner ready... I'm spoiled and lucky. My parents have given up on me coming home regularly for dinner, cause it is pretty random, I usually just eat the leftovers later on.
Then, I was told that I had a phone message I should check on the machine. After eating I checked it, and ...................
It was the director of the ballet school saying that she wanted to get in touch with me. Now, I'm not going to get all excited about the prospect of getting this job and start tittering like a school girl, tee hee hee hee, but I am presuming that she wants to set up an interview, which would we great. I guess there are three possibilities of what she wants to say.
1) "Michael, you suck, and go away. You can't have this job, in fact, give us back the old one"
2) 'Michael, would you please come in for an interview so we can assess your assets"
3) "Wow, you are so wonderful, I would be CRAZY to not give it to you, take it... now!"
and of those options, I'd be happy with 2 of the 3.
Well, I have to keep on track with my practice regime I've set up, so I'll do a little of that tonight, I don't have school til late tomorrow afternoon, so I can be up lateish, although I need to await that phone call tomorrow.
Lesson day
hmm,
today is my lesson day and even though I got myself hardcore organized for recital and competitions and stuff, I can't help but feel slightly unprepared.
I think it's just because last week I covered Mozart, Scriabin and Brahms; this week the Brahms will not be making an appearance. I have been doing some work on him, but never enough.
On the other hand, I will have the entire sonata to play for him, versus the last movement... so ya, thats a big difference... approximately 19 minutes of music difference... ok, I don't feel so bad.
Anyway, today is a long day and it is far too early in the morning already. I will drink white hot chocolate on the way to school and hopefully that will make everything better.
I got a call from my boss at the Modern Dance school I work at, and I have another ballet class, meaning I will work monday AND friday, 1.5 hours each. I could have had another day, but I said now because it would have been out of the way. I couldn't justify rush hour driving for half an hour and then the subsequent parking, just for 1 hour of work. Nevertheless, this means an extra 100$ a month, which is VERY welcomed!!
Back to the lesson thing, I think I've finally taken the approach to thinking about practicing that David has been encouraging.. let's see if I actually got it right...
today is my lesson day and even though I got myself hardcore organized for recital and competitions and stuff, I can't help but feel slightly unprepared.
I think it's just because last week I covered Mozart, Scriabin and Brahms; this week the Brahms will not be making an appearance. I have been doing some work on him, but never enough.
On the other hand, I will have the entire sonata to play for him, versus the last movement... so ya, thats a big difference... approximately 19 minutes of music difference... ok, I don't feel so bad.
Anyway, today is a long day and it is far too early in the morning already. I will drink white hot chocolate on the way to school and hopefully that will make everything better.
I got a call from my boss at the Modern Dance school I work at, and I have another ballet class, meaning I will work monday AND friday, 1.5 hours each. I could have had another day, but I said now because it would have been out of the way. I couldn't justify rush hour driving for half an hour and then the subsequent parking, just for 1 hour of work. Nevertheless, this means an extra 100$ a month, which is VERY welcomed!!
Back to the lesson thing, I think I've finally taken the approach to thinking about practicing that David has been encouraging.. let's see if I actually got it right...
Monday, January 09, 2006
Recital organization!
So, im getting organized for this recital thingy and I just typed up my recital program. The time requirement is something ridiculous like 'between 42 and 45 minutes of music". I read that and laughed at how specific it was... but it goes on to say the total time of the recital is to be no more than 60 minutes.. so ya5-8 minutes of clapping and walking on stage and stuff seems like an excess of wasted time.. but oh well.
Funny as it may be, my time estimates add up to exactly 43 minutes... and I didn't even have to doctor it at all. Im quite happy, it is going to be an incredibly well balanced program, if I do say so myself, which represents me quite well!
In terms of the organization, David wants me to be hyper organized for it... something I've never been. nevertheless, I actually sat down and did it today for some of the pieces and realized that its not as crazy as it sounds... well it is, but it makes sense.
I realised today that I have to have my entire Mozart sonata, as well as the Scriabin pieces learned and memorized and ready to play for the end of this month.. According to the organization calendar, I should be ready to play them in that state by the 18'th, a week from my next lesson.
This frightened me a little, so I wrote down some numbers to see if it is plausible.. some of the pieces are simply needing speed and accuracy to go along with it. These are the mozart turkish rondo and the Scirabin etude. the mozart will be fine, i made a note of how fast it needs to go, and reasonably... it will be easy to get there. The etude needs to increase by 8Beats per minute starting on wednesday, each day. This might be a challange.. theres bound to be a point at which it just doesn't want to get faster, and I have a feeling it will be before 154BPM, but that's alright. Other issues within the pieces are accuracy and memory. I've thought about them, and I'm going to need David's help devising a plan of attack, so yes, all will be well.
For the first round of the school's big performance competition, I need to have the mozart last movement, the scriabin pieces, and the Rach Prelude I played last term... Then a few days later, I will have to do the entire sonata. I think this will be a challange for me, but it will turn out well! Go positive thinking! The best part of this is that by the end of the month, I will be well prepared with over half of my recital. I just have to make sure that I also find time to put in work on the other parts of the recital, else it will be a bit of the scramble to also learn those works in less than a month... but i have made good strides already on the Brahms, and the PDQ is on the way... Bach needs some time and gentle lovin' but he will come around.
The moral of this story is that I am looking at this only from the angle of practicing... completely ignoring all other aspects of life. Hopefully life and homework and stuff won't get in the way yet... I want it all to work out just perfectly. I really do hope I will be well prepared a week and a bit in advance... but at the very least, this method will buy me an extra week and a bit to catch up! (Bad michael... be more responsible..) See, I'm finally my own conscience.
Good night world!
Funny as it may be, my time estimates add up to exactly 43 minutes... and I didn't even have to doctor it at all. Im quite happy, it is going to be an incredibly well balanced program, if I do say so myself, which represents me quite well!
In terms of the organization, David wants me to be hyper organized for it... something I've never been. nevertheless, I actually sat down and did it today for some of the pieces and realized that its not as crazy as it sounds... well it is, but it makes sense.
I realised today that I have to have my entire Mozart sonata, as well as the Scriabin pieces learned and memorized and ready to play for the end of this month.. According to the organization calendar, I should be ready to play them in that state by the 18'th, a week from my next lesson.
This frightened me a little, so I wrote down some numbers to see if it is plausible.. some of the pieces are simply needing speed and accuracy to go along with it. These are the mozart turkish rondo and the Scirabin etude. the mozart will be fine, i made a note of how fast it needs to go, and reasonably... it will be easy to get there. The etude needs to increase by 8Beats per minute starting on wednesday, each day. This might be a challange.. theres bound to be a point at which it just doesn't want to get faster, and I have a feeling it will be before 154BPM, but that's alright. Other issues within the pieces are accuracy and memory. I've thought about them, and I'm going to need David's help devising a plan of attack, so yes, all will be well.
For the first round of the school's big performance competition, I need to have the mozart last movement, the scriabin pieces, and the Rach Prelude I played last term... Then a few days later, I will have to do the entire sonata. I think this will be a challange for me, but it will turn out well! Go positive thinking! The best part of this is that by the end of the month, I will be well prepared with over half of my recital. I just have to make sure that I also find time to put in work on the other parts of the recital, else it will be a bit of the scramble to also learn those works in less than a month... but i have made good strides already on the Brahms, and the PDQ is on the way... Bach needs some time and gentle lovin' but he will come around.
The moral of this story is that I am looking at this only from the angle of practicing... completely ignoring all other aspects of life. Hopefully life and homework and stuff won't get in the way yet... I want it all to work out just perfectly. I really do hope I will be well prepared a week and a bit in advance... but at the very least, this method will buy me an extra week and a bit to catch up! (Bad michael... be more responsible..) See, I'm finally my own conscience.
Good night world!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
better picture this time...
Here I am.... it took tiffy a while to get the pictures developped, but this is a picture of my mullet in formation! I really enjoyed that one long strand of hair in the front, and wouldn't let her cut it! As you can tell, I was really impressed with the job she was doing and highly approved of the hair!Anyway, this is now a thing of the past, but I figured I'd post this, cause the first picture from a month ago didn't really give a good idea of how hot I really looked!! This one isn't the most mullet-revealing, but I like it anyway.
Today was the first day back to the Ballet, so I wasn't in my weekly routine of being used to the little children and their headache effect. Most things went well and the kids were generally well behaved. I've come to the realization that asking one teacher to explain everything about the ballet class to me.. is a bit much to ask.. so I'm gonna get a book and do the reading myself, and then I'll have something to work from and make clarifications from there.
I talked to the experienced musical theatre teacher at the school today, and asked her if it was plausible to make a living as a musician during the summer. Apparently her husband runs a bunch of theatre camps and programs in the summer, and she referred me to a couple places and said she'd give me a good reference and told me which gigs paid the best.. she also guarunteed me hours with the summer adult program at the ballet. It's looking more and more plausible as we go. As it stands, Im gonna work 2 months at the factory and then fill the rest of the summer with programs.. but who knows, I might be able to find more opportunities than I had thought. This way, I'll have a solid base of tuition money I will make at the outset of the summer, and then I can do music for the rest, something I really enjoy! yay!
Friday, January 06, 2006
Thursday, January 05, 2006
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I've been pantsed!!!
ok, i guess more accurately I have been panted.
A while ago, my jeans ripped in the crotch, and sewing really doesn't do much for jeans... so I've stopped wearing them.. most of the time...
Yesterday, I got a ride to school from dad, and as I sat down in the car, I heard a rip, my first thought was that it was the crotch *Looks between legs* but it was not so, it was atop my right leg... above the knee. A four-inch canyon of a rip! I caught a draght from the cold arctic wind we've been having here in Winnipeg (approx. -2 celcius) and realised it wasn't good. Nevertheless, I wasn't indecent (at least not my pants) so I went to school the way I was.
I went to the library, because Heather the librarian is always able to help me with whatever... usually library related, BUT i felt she could extend this to other areas of life. I asked if she had a little sewing kit, and she thought she did, but after looking, she couldn't find it. We settled for book binding tape. I put a strip on the inside of my pants and then on the outside which solved my problem for the day.
This could not be a permanant solution though, as black tape on light brown pants is not so pretty. I had to wear pants from one of my suits today to school(the comfy suit that i got for 8$ from a salvation army type store).
This evening, my dad took me pant shopping! I ended up buying jeans from Warehouse one... oh my gosh golly, there are entirely too many styles and cuts and types of jeans. Why can't they just have simple style names like "fat man pants" and "skinny man pants" rather than having names like Devon and Luke which have specific traits... I was confused.
I got my pant-pants from American Eagle... more money than my dad would have liked to spend, but they fit me perfectly. In fact, they fit just like the last pair I just broke yesterday.... perhaps because they are the exact same, just a darker colour. mmm corduroys! In all honesty, if they keep making the same style... I will have a pair of lifelong pants.. I'll just keep buying them when they rip *checks crotch*, I don't need variety..
So ya, other than pants, pretty uneventful day. I woke up twice. The first time was at 8am, and I called my prof to see if he got my email and hadn't replied, but he wasnt inhis office, so I left a message saying we would talk about a new time at another time, and ya. I don't feel too bad because we said we were changing time anyway, and I wasn't sure if he could even do that time. I went back to sleep and woke again at 11am, feeling much more rested.
When I made it to school, I returned cd's to the library, played through Chris's song for him... badly but it gave him an idea of it, I think he likes it, he said he did. I hope he likes it as much when he learns it... There is a fair amount of cross rhythm in it, which we had fun with when we did a Liszt song last year.
After Chris, I went and talked with my comp prof and we picked a new time, Monday's at 1:30. I gave him a copy of Chris's song for him to look over before next lesson. I'm still open to making changes and I'm needing feedback and pointers on notation... there's a lot to get to know.
I had a revelation.. ish today. Despite thoughts about academic studies and composition and all that, I have never mentioned anything to David.. I had always given him the impression that I wanted to aim at a performing carrer, with delusions of becoming a concert pianist. Today, there were some key things said that make me feel a lot better and solid about some things. After piano rep, we ended up talking about my paper that I wrote for him. He was very impressed and mentioned that it was incredibly clear and well written. He asked me if I enjoyed writing to which I replied that I did. I cant remember how he put it, but he encouraged me to give some thought to doing music writing or something. In response to this, I mentioned that i have been interested in some of the academic fields of music lately and it's definately possible. I also mentioned that I had come to the conclusion that I'm not going to become a concert pianist. Im not sure what I would have done if he said "Oh, yes you will mikey", I'd probably be filled with self doubt mixed with delusions and whatnot. Very tastefully he said that 'that assesment is probably accurate'. I respect him so much, and I could see how that could be crushing if the situations were different, but i've been secretly waiting and hoping for such a vote of non-confidence for a while, so that I can get over whatever delusions I've had.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning any drastic change, Im certainly not silly enough to stop playing because Im not going to be a performer. If anything, I'm going to work just as hard or harder to accomplish as much as I can in this undergrad performance degree. I think that today's discussion, however brief, has freed me of any self-imposed restrictions or limitations I have from 'what-ifs' or whatnot (tee hee, punny).
Alas, new pants, and a new lookout on my musical career.
Im also thinking of writing a book, have been for a while. There is NO book on playing piano for ballet class, NONE. I think that this is a book that needs to exist. At the same time, I still need to learn more about ballet. I have decided to put these tasks together. I want to put effort into learning about aspects of the class in detail and what kind of music would work and how it effects it. I think I will talk to some ballet teachers and see if they are willing to help me out... I can do it over a long term, even one class exercise a week. I can write out notes on the exercise from a ballet teacher's perspective and then eventually compile all the info into a textbook type thing. I think this will be a very good thing for me. If it works out super well, I will have made a lasting impression on part of the ballet world... and at the very least, I will learn more about what I do for ballet class, and will be able to make a better lasting impression on the kids and teachers with whom I work.
A while ago, my jeans ripped in the crotch, and sewing really doesn't do much for jeans... so I've stopped wearing them.. most of the time...
Yesterday, I got a ride to school from dad, and as I sat down in the car, I heard a rip, my first thought was that it was the crotch *Looks between legs* but it was not so, it was atop my right leg... above the knee. A four-inch canyon of a rip! I caught a draght from the cold arctic wind we've been having here in Winnipeg (approx. -2 celcius) and realised it wasn't good. Nevertheless, I wasn't indecent (at least not my pants) so I went to school the way I was.
I went to the library, because Heather the librarian is always able to help me with whatever... usually library related, BUT i felt she could extend this to other areas of life. I asked if she had a little sewing kit, and she thought she did, but after looking, she couldn't find it. We settled for book binding tape. I put a strip on the inside of my pants and then on the outside which solved my problem for the day.
This could not be a permanant solution though, as black tape on light brown pants is not so pretty. I had to wear pants from one of my suits today to school(the comfy suit that i got for 8$ from a salvation army type store).
This evening, my dad took me pant shopping! I ended up buying jeans from Warehouse one... oh my gosh golly, there are entirely too many styles and cuts and types of jeans. Why can't they just have simple style names like "fat man pants" and "skinny man pants" rather than having names like Devon and Luke which have specific traits... I was confused.
I got my pant-pants from American Eagle... more money than my dad would have liked to spend, but they fit me perfectly. In fact, they fit just like the last pair I just broke yesterday.... perhaps because they are the exact same, just a darker colour. mmm corduroys! In all honesty, if they keep making the same style... I will have a pair of lifelong pants.. I'll just keep buying them when they rip *checks crotch*, I don't need variety..
So ya, other than pants, pretty uneventful day. I woke up twice. The first time was at 8am, and I called my prof to see if he got my email and hadn't replied, but he wasnt inhis office, so I left a message saying we would talk about a new time at another time, and ya. I don't feel too bad because we said we were changing time anyway, and I wasn't sure if he could even do that time. I went back to sleep and woke again at 11am, feeling much more rested.
When I made it to school, I returned cd's to the library, played through Chris's song for him... badly but it gave him an idea of it, I think he likes it, he said he did. I hope he likes it as much when he learns it... There is a fair amount of cross rhythm in it, which we had fun with when we did a Liszt song last year.
After Chris, I went and talked with my comp prof and we picked a new time, Monday's at 1:30. I gave him a copy of Chris's song for him to look over before next lesson. I'm still open to making changes and I'm needing feedback and pointers on notation... there's a lot to get to know.
I had a revelation.. ish today. Despite thoughts about academic studies and composition and all that, I have never mentioned anything to David.. I had always given him the impression that I wanted to aim at a performing carrer, with delusions of becoming a concert pianist. Today, there were some key things said that make me feel a lot better and solid about some things. After piano rep, we ended up talking about my paper that I wrote for him. He was very impressed and mentioned that it was incredibly clear and well written. He asked me if I enjoyed writing to which I replied that I did. I cant remember how he put it, but he encouraged me to give some thought to doing music writing or something. In response to this, I mentioned that i have been interested in some of the academic fields of music lately and it's definately possible. I also mentioned that I had come to the conclusion that I'm not going to become a concert pianist. Im not sure what I would have done if he said "Oh, yes you will mikey", I'd probably be filled with self doubt mixed with delusions and whatnot. Very tastefully he said that 'that assesment is probably accurate'. I respect him so much, and I could see how that could be crushing if the situations were different, but i've been secretly waiting and hoping for such a vote of non-confidence for a while, so that I can get over whatever delusions I've had.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning any drastic change, Im certainly not silly enough to stop playing because Im not going to be a performer. If anything, I'm going to work just as hard or harder to accomplish as much as I can in this undergrad performance degree. I think that today's discussion, however brief, has freed me of any self-imposed restrictions or limitations I have from 'what-ifs' or whatnot (tee hee, punny).
Alas, new pants, and a new lookout on my musical career.
Im also thinking of writing a book, have been for a while. There is NO book on playing piano for ballet class, NONE. I think that this is a book that needs to exist. At the same time, I still need to learn more about ballet. I have decided to put these tasks together. I want to put effort into learning about aspects of the class in detail and what kind of music would work and how it effects it. I think I will talk to some ballet teachers and see if they are willing to help me out... I can do it over a long term, even one class exercise a week. I can write out notes on the exercise from a ballet teacher's perspective and then eventually compile all the info into a textbook type thing. I think this will be a very good thing for me. If it works out super well, I will have made a lasting impression on part of the ballet world... and at the very least, I will learn more about what I do for ballet class, and will be able to make a better lasting impression on the kids and teachers with whom I work.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Bastards, the university is stealing my dime.... literally! The payment did go through for my tuition,so all is well there. BUT, I see this thingy for a credit of 10 cents and beside it, it says 'do not pay" grr... Oh well, i suppose I can manage without the dime.
So ya, first actual day back to school was good for the most part. It was nice and fun and exciting to see everyone again, the building was so full of people and energy. Unfortunately, this meant no practice rooms, although I did sneak one for a little while. Oh ya, first class was cancelled, which is ok, but a little urking on account of it being so bloody early in the morning.
I had my first lesson back after break. It started out well. I played the Scriabin for the first time. it went relatively well. actually ya, it was good. David strongly suggested that I need to listen to lots of Scriabin stuff.... to get some style clues.... the recordings I've heard are dramatically different from what I play.. and from what i see on the page... I honestly dont' have any idea how it got translated as such, but hopefully listening to other things will give me a clue.
two and a hlaf minutes of music... didnt translate into a long portion of the lesson... unfortunately. My rendition of Mozart's rondo alla turka from his A major sonata, was criticised as being incredibly sloppy, so we went over ways to make sure it is reliably clean. These are things that I have been learning all along, and I thought I was making use of them on this piece... but apparently not. This has to be the worst feeling ever: when you go to a lesson and you are proud of something, and then to be told that it's crapola. It's good though, I need to learn to better handle criticism. Also, if I'm playing badly, I need to be reminded... it's far to easy to fall into old habits of playing just for the enjoyment of music.... I could sit for hours sightreading stuff, or half ass playing things, but that doesn't improve my technique.. or playing.
Luckily, its not that I just suck.... well too much.... rather David was able to (as a Dr. (tee hee hee))diagnose the problem; I was using the correct methods... but at bad tempos or whatnot... not thinking about them enough. I was using rhythmic practicing too fast..not giving it the opportunity to be absorbed into my fingers.
What I think of as a rather good change... I practiced tonight what we talked aobut in my lesson. normally after a bad lesson, I get grumpy and take the night and some of the next day off... I was still grumpy as all hell, but that was also hunger.. I ended up practicing, and feeling good about what I can accomplish, despite the less than inspiring time earlier.
After the Mozart, I played my new Brahms for him, he said "this will be fine", which was a huge vote of confidence considering what had come before. We also covered how to approach the third page, which I've been kind of lost... The super slow method has not been rewarding, but he reassured me that it will work. when it works out to about 30BPM.... thats fricking slow!!! There are a lot of notes on that page and its awkward... nevertheless, it is the most beautiful part of my recital program, and I'm using it for competitions too, YUMMY thats all I can say aobut it!
Alas, it's getting much later than I wanted to be up tonight, so I bid you all adieu!
So ya, first actual day back to school was good for the most part. It was nice and fun and exciting to see everyone again, the building was so full of people and energy. Unfortunately, this meant no practice rooms, although I did sneak one for a little while. Oh ya, first class was cancelled, which is ok, but a little urking on account of it being so bloody early in the morning.
I had my first lesson back after break. It started out well. I played the Scriabin for the first time. it went relatively well. actually ya, it was good. David strongly suggested that I need to listen to lots of Scriabin stuff.... to get some style clues.... the recordings I've heard are dramatically different from what I play.. and from what i see on the page... I honestly dont' have any idea how it got translated as such, but hopefully listening to other things will give me a clue.
two and a hlaf minutes of music... didnt translate into a long portion of the lesson... unfortunately. My rendition of Mozart's rondo alla turka from his A major sonata, was criticised as being incredibly sloppy, so we went over ways to make sure it is reliably clean. These are things that I have been learning all along, and I thought I was making use of them on this piece... but apparently not. This has to be the worst feeling ever: when you go to a lesson and you are proud of something, and then to be told that it's crapola. It's good though, I need to learn to better handle criticism. Also, if I'm playing badly, I need to be reminded... it's far to easy to fall into old habits of playing just for the enjoyment of music.... I could sit for hours sightreading stuff, or half ass playing things, but that doesn't improve my technique.. or playing.
Luckily, its not that I just suck.... well too much.... rather David was able to (as a Dr. (tee hee hee))diagnose the problem; I was using the correct methods... but at bad tempos or whatnot... not thinking about them enough. I was using rhythmic practicing too fast..not giving it the opportunity to be absorbed into my fingers.
What I think of as a rather good change... I practiced tonight what we talked aobut in my lesson. normally after a bad lesson, I get grumpy and take the night and some of the next day off... I was still grumpy as all hell, but that was also hunger.. I ended up practicing, and feeling good about what I can accomplish, despite the less than inspiring time earlier.
After the Mozart, I played my new Brahms for him, he said "this will be fine", which was a huge vote of confidence considering what had come before. We also covered how to approach the third page, which I've been kind of lost... The super slow method has not been rewarding, but he reassured me that it will work. when it works out to about 30BPM.... thats fricking slow!!! There are a lot of notes on that page and its awkward... nevertheless, it is the most beautiful part of my recital program, and I'm using it for competitions too, YUMMY thats all I can say aobut it!
Alas, it's getting much later than I wanted to be up tonight, so I bid you all adieu!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Back to school-ish
Today was the first day of classes of the second term... and WOW it was a toughy!
I don't have classes on tuesday... ever! so I didn't quite sleep in as much as I have been lately, but til 11 or so. Tomorrow I have class bright and early at 9:30 am, but I get a ride to school, so it will be ok. Oh it's going to hurt gettin back in routine of waking up... thats it, just waking up.. I haven't had to use an alarm for a month!
I have to remember to buy a bus pass tomorrow... I always forget that when I really need to remember, then I have to pay fare or use tickets for a day.
I also have to check with the school... my tuition was paid directly from the government via my student loan, but it still hasn't shown up on the university records as shown on my web registration... but i'll give them some leeway, the school just reopened yesterday. Nevertheless, I do want to be sure that the money hasn't been lost or something and they cancel my classes. that would suck.
Anyway, it's back to the grind tomorrow, and I have a lesson in the afternoon... but I've had a whole month to prepare.. so theres lots of stuff he's never even hears before... much less ME playing it. FUN FUN FUN!
I don't have classes on tuesday... ever! so I didn't quite sleep in as much as I have been lately, but til 11 or so. Tomorrow I have class bright and early at 9:30 am, but I get a ride to school, so it will be ok. Oh it's going to hurt gettin back in routine of waking up... thats it, just waking up.. I haven't had to use an alarm for a month!
I have to remember to buy a bus pass tomorrow... I always forget that when I really need to remember, then I have to pay fare or use tickets for a day.
I also have to check with the school... my tuition was paid directly from the government via my student loan, but it still hasn't shown up on the university records as shown on my web registration... but i'll give them some leeway, the school just reopened yesterday. Nevertheless, I do want to be sure that the money hasn't been lost or something and they cancel my classes. that would suck.
Anyway, it's back to the grind tomorrow, and I have a lesson in the afternoon... but I've had a whole month to prepare.. so theres lots of stuff he's never even hears before... much less ME playing it. FUN FUN FUN!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Well, noone seems to be commenting anymore... I guess I've lose my adoring audience for the time be, oh well.
Last night was a wonderful new years celebration. Dinner was at an overpriced restaurant with some friends from school. The food was really good, and I don't even feel bad about dropping nearly 40$ on my own dinner. Then Deena, Brendan and I picked up Tiffy and we started off our evening of drinking, eating, and watching movies:
America's Sweethearts
(National Lampoon's) Christmas Vacation
Uncle Buck
Priscilla, queen of the desert
We each picked one, and it's actually quite predictable of who picked which, if you know us. The classic funnies were Deena and I, then the girlie ones were Brendan and Tiffy.
Anyway... the movies were done by 6am ish, then we slept, til 2pmish (I stress the importance of a full 8-hour sleep each night, if not more). Tiffy made cheese (and crab) dips and baked brie. There was also some ice cream and chocolate... wonderful.
When we woke up, Deena and Tiffy and I decided to go to Frisco's (which apparently was a popular idea, quite busy) for wake up food. They both went in pyjama pants... which neither of them felt bad about, compared to my SUPER HOT HAIR.
I never have to comb my hair... I rarely do it. This is beacause I just shower and dry my hair and it finds its place... but it's not messy... only when it gets really long does it start to look a little scruffy. My hair just does the one thing it does best, lies in place. EXCEPT when I dont shower in the morning.... It was a wonderful displayt of morning hair..... and I should have learned my lesson..
BUT, what did I do when I got home? I showered. What did I do, with wet hair, as soon as I got out of the shower? I napped.
Therefore I am in a similar situation right now... though not nearly as hot. Just a little messy.
Yesterday I finished creating a present for someone that has been in the works since the summer. I had set the original goal of finishing it for the end of summer, but oi, that didnt get done. I set the next goal for Xmas, but moved it to the end of Xmas Break. I actually did finish it as of yesterday, and got it all presentable like. I was going to give it to him at dinner, because I was under the impression that he was going to be there, but I guess he wasn't, so I have to wait.. I suppose it should not be a big deal... I've waited all this while, but Im excited to give it to him. Soon enough. I'll see him at school. I still speak of it with such veiled secrecy, I dont know why... I've written about it on here enough that Im sure he knows, but oh well. I will be surprised even if he isn't!
Last night was a wonderful new years celebration. Dinner was at an overpriced restaurant with some friends from school. The food was really good, and I don't even feel bad about dropping nearly 40$ on my own dinner. Then Deena, Brendan and I picked up Tiffy and we started off our evening of drinking, eating, and watching movies:
America's Sweethearts
(National Lampoon's) Christmas Vacation
Uncle Buck
Priscilla, queen of the desert
We each picked one, and it's actually quite predictable of who picked which, if you know us. The classic funnies were Deena and I, then the girlie ones were Brendan and Tiffy.
Anyway... the movies were done by 6am ish, then we slept, til 2pmish (I stress the importance of a full 8-hour sleep each night, if not more). Tiffy made cheese (and crab) dips and baked brie. There was also some ice cream and chocolate... wonderful.
When we woke up, Deena and Tiffy and I decided to go to Frisco's (which apparently was a popular idea, quite busy) for wake up food. They both went in pyjama pants... which neither of them felt bad about, compared to my SUPER HOT HAIR.
I never have to comb my hair... I rarely do it. This is beacause I just shower and dry my hair and it finds its place... but it's not messy... only when it gets really long does it start to look a little scruffy. My hair just does the one thing it does best, lies in place. EXCEPT when I dont shower in the morning.... It was a wonderful displayt of morning hair..... and I should have learned my lesson..
BUT, what did I do when I got home? I showered. What did I do, with wet hair, as soon as I got out of the shower? I napped.
Therefore I am in a similar situation right now... though not nearly as hot. Just a little messy.
Yesterday I finished creating a present for someone that has been in the works since the summer. I had set the original goal of finishing it for the end of summer, but oi, that didnt get done. I set the next goal for Xmas, but moved it to the end of Xmas Break. I actually did finish it as of yesterday, and got it all presentable like. I was going to give it to him at dinner, because I was under the impression that he was going to be there, but I guess he wasn't, so I have to wait.. I suppose it should not be a big deal... I've waited all this while, but Im excited to give it to him. Soon enough. I'll see him at school. I still speak of it with such veiled secrecy, I dont know why... I've written about it on here enough that Im sure he knows, but oh well. I will be surprised even if he isn't!
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