Easter weekend is over for my family already. This evening we ate Easter dindin... it was very good... we had ham, not dindon....
This has been a kick-ass weekend with Heather and Gareth in town. I don't get to spend enough time with them, so it's fun while we have the chance.
The weekend included: the zoo, gelati, a movie, drinking.... ya, the weather was also beyond awesome.
They leave tomorrow, back to Thompson.
we also had a birthday dinner for my dead grandmother, she paid... yesterday. Grandma's birthday was always the time of year that my aunt Linda would come in town.. so why let a tradition die, Linda came in this week, and Heather and Gareth being here was a perfect opportunity for a family-fun filled weekend. Grandma's tax return brought a close to her financial existence, which outlived her by quite a bit! The last of her monies were spread between her children, some charities, her church, and then one final birthday dinner.
It's been good weekend so far, but yes, not very productive... I've been very easily distracted from my studies and assignments.
BUT I've been making good progress on my viola composition AND I got Sarah to play it for me, to make sure that it's a plausible piece. There were no technical impossibilities, and she was glad that it was "playable", in contrast to a lot of modern music that is awkward to play on... well really any instrument. I was very glad to hear it, and I have written a fair bit more since then, so yay!
umm tonight I went to the opera! Marriage of Figaro. It was wonderful, but oh so long! 3 and a half hours! I was also tired, so interest was not at an all time high, but I didn't fall asleep AND I was able to clearly understand the actions and story the entire time! I'm too sleepy to give a review at the moment, but overall it was a successful performance. Nothing was really spectacular, but everything was acceptable and enjoyable.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
I think I really enjoy modern dance.
I've had really good experiences these last 2 days accompanying modern classes.
If I am going to have continued experiences in dance, it will be in the modern vein.
I slept last night, almost 8 hours. I feel good. Last night I felt bad... I had only slept 3 and a bit hours, then there was a long day with stress and some not-so-happy feelings. I felt like I was going to die. Yesterday morning, I just thought I was coming down with some kind of sickness... then I woke up this morning and realized that it was just pure unbridled exhaustion. It's insane how much effect it can have on you to simply not have slept enough.
Today, after dance class, I took back a bunch of books to the library and went for lunch with Deena. It's been a good day.
My aunt comes in town today, for a week long stay. Tomorrow Heather and Gareth are in for the weekend.... 6 people in the house.... eek!
I've had really good experiences these last 2 days accompanying modern classes.
If I am going to have continued experiences in dance, it will be in the modern vein.
I slept last night, almost 8 hours. I feel good. Last night I felt bad... I had only slept 3 and a bit hours, then there was a long day with stress and some not-so-happy feelings. I felt like I was going to die. Yesterday morning, I just thought I was coming down with some kind of sickness... then I woke up this morning and realized that it was just pure unbridled exhaustion. It's insane how much effect it can have on you to simply not have slept enough.
Today, after dance class, I took back a bunch of books to the library and went for lunch with Deena. It's been a good day.
My aunt comes in town today, for a week long stay. Tomorrow Heather and Gareth are in for the weekend.... 6 people in the house.... eek!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Well, I'm consistent.
I got an 82 in both round of CMC. The thing is that while it's good enough to get to the second round, its not sufficiently good to go any further.
The comments from the same judges as last time seemed like it was from completely different judges... but thats because I probably sounded like a completely different pianist today. Everything that all 3 judges said leads me to believe that I didn't listen to myself at all today. I played very heavy, therefore Mozart was uncharacteristic and Rachmaninoff sounded blasty and insensitive.
It's odd that I felt terrible about Sunday, and they liked it; today I felt a lot better about it, but they didn't like it. I need to be more in touch with my own musicality. While you should be able to lose yourself in a performance, you should be able to look back on it objectively... something I've lost sight of.
Anyway, I've actually learned a ton from this experience, and their comments are extremely well put and helpful, I just wish they reflected on my normal playing, but that's my fault for not playing that way today.
The true excitment of today is that, having finished with this weekend, I can say goodbye permanantly to:
Mozart Sonata K.331
Brahms Intermezzo(and Cappriccio)
Scriabin Op. 49
Bach Prelude and Fugue in G Major
PDQ was already gone, but added to the list is Rubinstein, which I won't have to relearn this summer.
In fact, in 2 weeks time, I will be completely done with all of this years rep and ready to start on next years!
However, still on the waiting list for this year is my Jury of 10 minutes of music(Rach and Scarlatti), a paper on Brahms, a paper on Kindertotenlieder, and a viola composition, plus the actual process of printing and binding my compositions. I just called the university copy centre and I should be able to get them done for cheap there.
I got an 82 in both round of CMC. The thing is that while it's good enough to get to the second round, its not sufficiently good to go any further.
The comments from the same judges as last time seemed like it was from completely different judges... but thats because I probably sounded like a completely different pianist today. Everything that all 3 judges said leads me to believe that I didn't listen to myself at all today. I played very heavy, therefore Mozart was uncharacteristic and Rachmaninoff sounded blasty and insensitive.
It's odd that I felt terrible about Sunday, and they liked it; today I felt a lot better about it, but they didn't like it. I need to be more in touch with my own musicality. While you should be able to lose yourself in a performance, you should be able to look back on it objectively... something I've lost sight of.
Anyway, I've actually learned a ton from this experience, and their comments are extremely well put and helpful, I just wish they reflected on my normal playing, but that's my fault for not playing that way today.
The true excitment of today is that, having finished with this weekend, I can say goodbye permanantly to:
Mozart Sonata K.331
Brahms Intermezzo(and Cappriccio)
Scriabin Op. 49
Bach Prelude and Fugue in G Major
PDQ was already gone, but added to the list is Rubinstein, which I won't have to relearn this summer.
In fact, in 2 weeks time, I will be completely done with all of this years rep and ready to start on next years!
However, still on the waiting list for this year is my Jury of 10 minutes of music(Rach and Scarlatti), a paper on Brahms, a paper on Kindertotenlieder, and a viola composition, plus the actual process of printing and binding my compositions. I just called the university copy centre and I should be able to get them done for cheap there.
Well, I'm consistent.
I got an 82 in both round of CMC. The thing is that while it's good enough to get to the second round, its not sufficiently good to go any further.
The comments from the same judges as last time seemed like it was from completely different judges... but thats because I probably sounded like a completely different pianist today. Everything that all 3 judges said leads me to believe that I didn't listen to myself at all today. I played very heavy, therefore Mozart was uncharacteristic and Rachmaninoff sounded blasty and insensitive.
It's odd that I felt terrible about Sunday, and they liked it; today I felt a lot better about it, but they didn't like it. I need to be more in touch with my own musicality. While you should be able to lose yourself in a performance, you should be able to look back on it objectively... something I've lost sight of.
Anyway, I've actually learned a ton from this experience, and their comments are extremely well put and helpful, I just wish they reflected on my normal playing, but that's my fault for not playing that way today.
The true excitment of today is that, having finished with this weekend, I can say goodbye permanantly to:
Mozart Sonata K.331
Brahms Intermezzo(and Cappriccio)
Scriabin Op. 49
Bach Prelude and Fugue in G Major
PDQ was already gone, but added to the list is Rubinstein, which I won't have to relearn this summer.
In fact, in 2 weeks time, I will be completely done with all of this years rep and ready to start on next years!
However, still on the waiting list for this year is my Jury of 10 minutes of music(Rach and Scarlatti), a paper on Brahms, a paper on Kindertotenlieder, and a viola composition, plus the actual process of printing and binding my compositions. I just called the university copy centre and I should be able to get them done for cheap there.
I got an 82 in both round of CMC. The thing is that while it's good enough to get to the second round, its not sufficiently good to go any further.
The comments from the same judges as last time seemed like it was from completely different judges... but thats because I probably sounded like a completely different pianist today. Everything that all 3 judges said leads me to believe that I didn't listen to myself at all today. I played very heavy, therefore Mozart was uncharacteristic and Rachmaninoff sounded blasty and insensitive.
It's odd that I felt terrible about Sunday, and they liked it; today I felt a lot better about it, but they didn't like it. I need to be more in touch with my own musicality. While you should be able to lose yourself in a performance, you should be able to look back on it objectively... something I've lost sight of.
Anyway, I've actually learned a ton from this experience, and their comments are extremely well put and helpful, I just wish they reflected on my normal playing, but that's my fault for not playing that way today.
The true excitment of today is that, having finished with this weekend, I can say goodbye permanantly to:
Mozart Sonata K.331
Brahms Intermezzo(and Cappriccio)
Scriabin Op. 49
Bach Prelude and Fugue in G Major
PDQ was already gone, but added to the list is Rubinstein, which I won't have to relearn this summer.
In fact, in 2 weeks time, I will be completely done with all of this years rep and ready to start on next years!
However, still on the waiting list for this year is my Jury of 10 minutes of music(Rach and Scarlatti), a paper on Brahms, a paper on Kindertotenlieder, and a viola composition, plus the actual process of printing and binding my compositions. I just called the university copy centre and I should be able to get them done for cheap there.
I did not sleep well last night at all. 3:30-7am is not nearly long enough.... BUT, I couldn't handle any more time in bed anyway. My jaw tension was at an all time high, I can feel it down into my chest and back. I know I could feel much better if I just took one of my muscle relaxant pills, but here's the thing(s):
I recently finally read up on them, and it seems that prolonged use of methocarbamol can cause the following:
-inaccurate blood testing results in diabetics
-breathing difficulties and respiratory problems related to bronchitis and whatnot
In other words... I haven't been sick with bronchitis for months and months.. my body has just been telling me to stop taking this drug. Well, it's a theory; side effects are always possibilities, but I stopped taking them just incase.
I'm trying to decide to what degree I am addicted to them, but I don't think it's high, if even at all.
On a brighter note, today is the second round of CMC. I fell pretty good about it. I practiced last night and almost went home not feeling confident about certain sections in the Mozart. I ended up reconsidering, and then staying just under an hour longer, but during that time, I kicked those sections' asses! Unfortunately, its the hard parts that have never really been perfect, so I'm not sure if one night of hard work will magincally fix everything. It's the kind of thing where I should have been working with that kind of intensity everyday, day after day until the section felt completely comfortable, dare I say, played itself.
I had worked on the Rachmaninoff earlier in the evening, only technical stuff, so I was unsure if everything would stick in the memory... It was SO good. Im super glad it's my closer...either one could have been closer:
The Mozart Turkish Rondo- energetic and flashy close...but it's not feeling all that secure
Rach- not flashy at all, but it has a tremendous power in the mood and colours, It will have the audience eating out of the palm of my hands, but they won't be holding food obviously, I'll be playing piano, silly!
Now, I'm off to work... subbing for some dance classes today. My first experience playing for a modern class setting.. and its for the senior professional program.. so it's a bit of a big thing. Nevertheless, I feel good about it, and I will learn so much, just in this first hour!
toodles!
I recently finally read up on them, and it seems that prolonged use of methocarbamol can cause the following:
-inaccurate blood testing results in diabetics
-breathing difficulties and respiratory problems related to bronchitis and whatnot
In other words... I haven't been sick with bronchitis for months and months.. my body has just been telling me to stop taking this drug. Well, it's a theory; side effects are always possibilities, but I stopped taking them just incase.
I'm trying to decide to what degree I am addicted to them, but I don't think it's high, if even at all.
On a brighter note, today is the second round of CMC. I fell pretty good about it. I practiced last night and almost went home not feeling confident about certain sections in the Mozart. I ended up reconsidering, and then staying just under an hour longer, but during that time, I kicked those sections' asses! Unfortunately, its the hard parts that have never really been perfect, so I'm not sure if one night of hard work will magincally fix everything. It's the kind of thing where I should have been working with that kind of intensity everyday, day after day until the section felt completely comfortable, dare I say, played itself.
I had worked on the Rachmaninoff earlier in the evening, only technical stuff, so I was unsure if everything would stick in the memory... It was SO good. Im super glad it's my closer...either one could have been closer:
The Mozart Turkish Rondo- energetic and flashy close...but it's not feeling all that secure
Rach- not flashy at all, but it has a tremendous power in the mood and colours, It will have the audience eating out of the palm of my hands, but they won't be holding food obviously, I'll be playing piano, silly!
Now, I'm off to work... subbing for some dance classes today. My first experience playing for a modern class setting.. and its for the senior professional program.. so it's a bit of a big thing. Nevertheless, I feel good about it, and I will learn so much, just in this first hour!
toodles!
Monday, April 10, 2006
just a quick update
yesterday was the first round of CMC. I actually got really nervous before I played..... this never happens! As a result I didn't play my best. During the Bach, it seriously felt like every 15 seconds I felt like I was going to completely crash and burn. As a result, my rhythm was not steady at all.. and I tensed up. Their comments both reflected the rhythmic instability and lack of varied texture...things that I had worked really hard on getting right! BAH! I really don't feel good about the performance, but as I had said earlier... I got whatever I needed to get on to the next round.. so now I just have to work hard to get past the next.
Nevertheless, I got a high enough mark to go through to the next round, so on tuesday I compete again.
The judges' comments were great, and I got a chance to talk to them afterwards. They told me that I was an excellent musician, and commented on how they enjoyed being able to just sit back and enjoy the musical ideas I was presenting.
I'd like to say that today would be devoted to practicing for it.. but I also need to get work done on my composition, and my papers. But tonight, I'm going to the school and I'm going to practice these pieces until they are perfect!ish.
Outside of that, I managed to pick up a few extra shifts this week subsitituting for dance classes, so yay money!
Some spring cleaning has been forced upon me, though not very successfully. I got a new (very old) bookcase which now houses all my paperback books...it was crazy to realize how many books were lying on the floor.. and just how many books I have in general.
oh well, back to the books and the keys
Nevertheless, I got a high enough mark to go through to the next round, so on tuesday I compete again.
The judges' comments were great, and I got a chance to talk to them afterwards. They told me that I was an excellent musician, and commented on how they enjoyed being able to just sit back and enjoy the musical ideas I was presenting.
I'd like to say that today would be devoted to practicing for it.. but I also need to get work done on my composition, and my papers. But tonight, I'm going to the school and I'm going to practice these pieces until they are perfect!ish.
Outside of that, I managed to pick up a few extra shifts this week subsitituting for dance classes, so yay money!
Some spring cleaning has been forced upon me, though not very successfully. I got a new (very old) bookcase which now houses all my paperback books...it was crazy to realize how many books were lying on the floor.. and just how many books I have in general.
oh well, back to the books and the keys
Saturday, April 08, 2006
great lesson today. I played the pieces for my second round of CMC and David was quite happy. The Rachmaninoff was not so comfortable in the memory, so I'll keep working on that... but David was most impressed with the Sonata.
I was early in thinking a month ago that I could be done with some rep... but after tuesday, I will be officially done with these pieces... except for the Rach for Jury.
Tonight I played on the piano they are using for the competition. It's not an ideal situation. The sound is hard to manage... the piano gets really mushy in such a live accoustic. The church is oddly shaped and the sound at the keyboard sounds nothing like the sound in the audience. It was good though to have some other pianists in the audience for the sound checks, and the lady running it gave some good pointers. She told me I seem to have a good handle on the piano, so thats good enough for me.
Tonight I did a little little bit of practicing, then watched a movie with Deena.
good night
I was early in thinking a month ago that I could be done with some rep... but after tuesday, I will be officially done with these pieces... except for the Rach for Jury.
Tonight I played on the piano they are using for the competition. It's not an ideal situation. The sound is hard to manage... the piano gets really mushy in such a live accoustic. The church is oddly shaped and the sound at the keyboard sounds nothing like the sound in the audience. It was good though to have some other pianists in the audience for the sound checks, and the lady running it gave some good pointers. She told me I seem to have a good handle on the piano, so thats good enough for me.
Tonight I did a little little bit of practicing, then watched a movie with Deena.
good night
Thursday, April 06, 2006
delightful day
i finished that musical theatre recording last night-dropped it off for her today and got paid 25$. I also got paid 25$ from a singer for festival accompanying. I ALSO got my GST cheque... so I'm rolling in something.... mmm dough... mmm cookie batter!
speaking of that musical theatre piece... the music was totally lifted from a Grieg Norwegian Dance for piano, 4-hands.... Eleanor and Kim played it in recital the other day..... and the music I was given doesn't make mention of it... maybe I could cause a copyright scandal... meh, not really worth the effort. Just another example of how musical theatre ruins music in general.
Tonight I have to kick my own ass and make all my repertoire shiny and well prepared for this weekend... I have my lesson tomorrow and I have a feeling David will not be happy with my level of preparedness. This is not a good feeling, and it really doesn't reflect well upon me. The conceptual plan was that I was going to keep the momentum of the recital going, and apply the dedication I showed to everything I do. It appears I have failed at that task. Nevertheless, it is not too late. I have been known to do great things in a short period of time... and I shall do so tonight. I know that David won't be happy for tomorrow's lesson, but tonight I will have started the ascent to the high level of kick-ass that I will have reached by this weekend.
Before practicing though, I have plans to go to Value Village for fun times. I want to buy overalls...and I think they have gone out of fashion, therefore there is a chance that I might find some there. I also need to buy some t-shirts for summer!
SPeaking of summer.. the weather is amazing... perfect weather right now. Not too warm, but warm enough that you can wear just a long sleave shirt or sweater and be comfortable without a jacket! I thrive in this weather!
On the summer work front... I still haven't heard back from the factory job... so I'm a little worried, but I'm getting creative about things to do for work if I can't... I'll still look for a full time job... but the contemporary dance school is still running for a few months... I might get work there... I could add on a part time evening job... also I might get a job as a lounge pianist.
It would be exciting if I could work all music related jobs.. although I am aware that it would be hardest just to find the job opportunities.
ANyway, off to do things!! new (used) clothes and practicing galore await!
speaking of that musical theatre piece... the music was totally lifted from a Grieg Norwegian Dance for piano, 4-hands.... Eleanor and Kim played it in recital the other day..... and the music I was given doesn't make mention of it... maybe I could cause a copyright scandal... meh, not really worth the effort. Just another example of how musical theatre ruins music in general.
Tonight I have to kick my own ass and make all my repertoire shiny and well prepared for this weekend... I have my lesson tomorrow and I have a feeling David will not be happy with my level of preparedness. This is not a good feeling, and it really doesn't reflect well upon me. The conceptual plan was that I was going to keep the momentum of the recital going, and apply the dedication I showed to everything I do. It appears I have failed at that task. Nevertheless, it is not too late. I have been known to do great things in a short period of time... and I shall do so tonight. I know that David won't be happy for tomorrow's lesson, but tonight I will have started the ascent to the high level of kick-ass that I will have reached by this weekend.
Before practicing though, I have plans to go to Value Village for fun times. I want to buy overalls...and I think they have gone out of fashion, therefore there is a chance that I might find some there. I also need to buy some t-shirts for summer!
SPeaking of summer.. the weather is amazing... perfect weather right now. Not too warm, but warm enough that you can wear just a long sleave shirt or sweater and be comfortable without a jacket! I thrive in this weather!
On the summer work front... I still haven't heard back from the factory job... so I'm a little worried, but I'm getting creative about things to do for work if I can't... I'll still look for a full time job... but the contemporary dance school is still running for a few months... I might get work there... I could add on a part time evening job... also I might get a job as a lounge pianist.
It would be exciting if I could work all music related jobs.. although I am aware that it would be hardest just to find the job opportunities.
ANyway, off to do things!! new (used) clothes and practicing galore await!
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Ich bin so stupid!
I had such great plans of getting that recording done this evening after jonny's recital..but alas no.
I left the laptop at home, so I had no means of making a quality recording!
I did practice the piece some more, so it will be that much more secure tomorrow night when I try again. And I practiced the Beethoven... I started with a few key areas that I know are tricky... but I played it through planning to stop when I had flubs.... even just little ones..... I barely had to stop!! It felt so good to know that I can make it through the whole pieces with minimal problems...
Tomorrow is going to go well! Then there will be another thing completely finished for the year.. bringing the total to 2; cantata, and chamber music... ooh all done with ensembles.
Jonny's recital was great... and with a grrrreat closer... hopefully we have set the trend for others to follow. I think its a great thing to have a nice professional and serious recital with a quirky finish that really highlights the performers love for music and the enjoyment they get and give with a performance.
I left the laptop at home, so I had no means of making a quality recording!
I did practice the piece some more, so it will be that much more secure tomorrow night when I try again. And I practiced the Beethoven... I started with a few key areas that I know are tricky... but I played it through planning to stop when I had flubs.... even just little ones..... I barely had to stop!! It felt so good to know that I can make it through the whole pieces with minimal problems...
Tomorrow is going to go well! Then there will be another thing completely finished for the year.. bringing the total to 2; cantata, and chamber music... ooh all done with ensembles.
Jonny's recital was great... and with a grrrreat closer... hopefully we have set the trend for others to follow. I think its a great thing to have a nice professional and serious recital with a quirky finish that really highlights the performers love for music and the enjoyment they get and give with a performance.
I'm sitting here thinking about how insane it would be to have a recital still looming over me at present. Granted, I picked a stupid time to do it, but any later would have been silly.
Tonight I'm going to my friend Jonny's recital. After that, I need to record an accompaniment for a musical theatre song. The piece isn't difficult, but since the recording is going to be used in public for a dance festival, I am aiming for perfection as the starting point. I just hope it won't take me a million takes due to little mistakes randomly here and there. The other top priority for practicing tonight is my Beethoven Piano Quartet, which we perform tomorrow. I really enjoy playing with string players! In terms of preparation, I need to really drill the technical bits that are a little tricky so that they will go smoothly tomorrow.
Also tomorrow is Jason and my presentation on Arvo Pärt. We both feel pretty confident that it will go well. It's going to be very off-the-cuff, but we know the broad topics we will cover and each of us has the responsability of talking in detail about certain aspects. Anyway, I won't spend too much time here on that subject because I feel well informed and prepared to teach the areas on which I will focus tomorrow, which are:
-playing a piano piece as an example of his early tintinnabuli style
-leading/accompanying a class singalong using the tintinnabuli technique
-presenting a walkthrough of the formal analysis of Pärt's Magnificat
I think I won't worry about other things until after I have presented and performed tomorrow.
Once these things are done, next on the list is the CMC on April 9 and 11th. Pieces needed to be ready and in good shape are: Scriabin etude, Bach, and Brahms Intermezzo; then Mozart complete sonata and Rachmaninoff. Of these, I need the most work on Rachmaninoff, then mozart, then tidying on Bach, and the other two just need to be rebuffed.
I need black ink for my printer so I can print my now premiered* piece and get it bound for submission to my prof.
* The performance on monday was great! I got such positive feedback from both the performers and members of the audience. The performance was true to what I intended, so I know that what people thought of the piece was actually a reflection of my work. I talked with my comp prof and he had good things to say, as well as some suggestions as a discussion about what I can learn from the situation and apply to the future.
I think the big thing is that the piece was very tonal, and comfortable for the composer, the performers and the audience. Not to say that it shouldn't, but I need to step out of my comfort box and do things that aren't necesarily just due to habit. This is the big task for my viola piece. I have a gesture/main concept which I am both supposed to hold on to steadfast, but also branch out from. This will give the piece a kind of unity, yet also have variety and tension. It will be a very interesting experience, this viola piece.. but yes, exciting.
Tonight I'm going to my friend Jonny's recital. After that, I need to record an accompaniment for a musical theatre song. The piece isn't difficult, but since the recording is going to be used in public for a dance festival, I am aiming for perfection as the starting point. I just hope it won't take me a million takes due to little mistakes randomly here and there. The other top priority for practicing tonight is my Beethoven Piano Quartet, which we perform tomorrow. I really enjoy playing with string players! In terms of preparation, I need to really drill the technical bits that are a little tricky so that they will go smoothly tomorrow.
Also tomorrow is Jason and my presentation on Arvo Pärt. We both feel pretty confident that it will go well. It's going to be very off-the-cuff, but we know the broad topics we will cover and each of us has the responsability of talking in detail about certain aspects. Anyway, I won't spend too much time here on that subject because I feel well informed and prepared to teach the areas on which I will focus tomorrow, which are:
-playing a piano piece as an example of his early tintinnabuli style
-leading/accompanying a class singalong using the tintinnabuli technique
-presenting a walkthrough of the formal analysis of Pärt's Magnificat
I think I won't worry about other things until after I have presented and performed tomorrow.
Once these things are done, next on the list is the CMC on April 9 and 11th. Pieces needed to be ready and in good shape are: Scriabin etude, Bach, and Brahms Intermezzo; then Mozart complete sonata and Rachmaninoff. Of these, I need the most work on Rachmaninoff, then mozart, then tidying on Bach, and the other two just need to be rebuffed.
I need black ink for my printer so I can print my now premiered* piece and get it bound for submission to my prof.
* The performance on monday was great! I got such positive feedback from both the performers and members of the audience. The performance was true to what I intended, so I know that what people thought of the piece was actually a reflection of my work. I talked with my comp prof and he had good things to say, as well as some suggestions as a discussion about what I can learn from the situation and apply to the future.
I think the big thing is that the piece was very tonal, and comfortable for the composer, the performers and the audience. Not to say that it shouldn't, but I need to step out of my comfort box and do things that aren't necesarily just due to habit. This is the big task for my viola piece. I have a gesture/main concept which I am both supposed to hold on to steadfast, but also branch out from. This will give the piece a kind of unity, yet also have variety and tension. It will be a very interesting experience, this viola piece.. but yes, exciting.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
I spent about fifteen minutes on a couch tonight very angry at my phone because I couldn't figure out how to use the voice dialing thing.... I was under the impression that you had to record a voice tag for the phone numbers and that was what the phone could relate the voice to. I finally figure out that no... it jut recognises the language/// super smart technology.
But I shan't rave about the smart tech stuff.. it got me in trouble.... When it asked for a name.. I yelled "whore" into the phone and the first name on the list of possible matches was Deena.. I thought it was hilarious.. she was less impressed. My friend Amy from school came in second...
It's not my fault that this technology is so smart.... haha jk.
Anyway, it's very late, in fact it is one hour later than I wish because of daylight savings and whatnot. Tomorrow is a busy day with choirs and choirs and more choirs.... from 2:30-9:30 my day will be overrun by choir type things.
good night.
But I shan't rave about the smart tech stuff.. it got me in trouble.... When it asked for a name.. I yelled "whore" into the phone and the first name on the list of possible matches was Deena.. I thought it was hilarious.. she was less impressed. My friend Amy from school came in second...
It's not my fault that this technology is so smart.... haha jk.
Anyway, it's very late, in fact it is one hour later than I wish because of daylight savings and whatnot. Tomorrow is a busy day with choirs and choirs and more choirs.... from 2:30-9:30 my day will be overrun by choir type things.
good night.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Today was pretty darned awesome... Spring Break means no ballet, meaning I didn't have to work or wake up for work.
Last night was the quasi practice-a-thon... cause it got cancelled, but Dianne, Brendan, Deena and I were there at the school all night. We actually didn't practice, rather watched dvd's. It was fun, but a bit of a waste. Getting home from knitting with Fi at 1am, I would have done some composing, or gone to sleep had I known that there wasn't actually going to be any practicing.
Nevertheless, there were pancakes this morning. Banana Chocolate Chip... yummy! That made it all worthwhile.
Tonight I'm going to a BBQ for a friend I haven't seen in a long time. After that, who knows. If my parents are out, I will practice at home, if not, I might go to the school, or who knows.
Today I practiced My Beethoven Quartet, and I feel good about it again.. still more tweaking to do, but it will be great for wednesday. I also worked a bit on the Pärt piece for 20'th century.. it's short and easy notes, but i just played it over and over again to get the feel of it. It's starting to make sense to me, so I can make the phrases mean something to the listener. I still want to do lots of work on Mozart this weekend, and I should be working on Rach, and Bach, and Brahms, oh and that Scriabin etude... sure.
Oh ya, I have a cell phone, now Im all technological! It's a necessity, and I don't know how I feel about it quite yet. At the moment, it's seeming too much like a toy.
anyway, bye
Last night was the quasi practice-a-thon... cause it got cancelled, but Dianne, Brendan, Deena and I were there at the school all night. We actually didn't practice, rather watched dvd's. It was fun, but a bit of a waste. Getting home from knitting with Fi at 1am, I would have done some composing, or gone to sleep had I known that there wasn't actually going to be any practicing.
Nevertheless, there were pancakes this morning. Banana Chocolate Chip... yummy! That made it all worthwhile.
Tonight I'm going to a BBQ for a friend I haven't seen in a long time. After that, who knows. If my parents are out, I will practice at home, if not, I might go to the school, or who knows.
Today I practiced My Beethoven Quartet, and I feel good about it again.. still more tweaking to do, but it will be great for wednesday. I also worked a bit on the Pärt piece for 20'th century.. it's short and easy notes, but i just played it over and over again to get the feel of it. It's starting to make sense to me, so I can make the phrases mean something to the listener. I still want to do lots of work on Mozart this weekend, and I should be working on Rach, and Bach, and Brahms, oh and that Scriabin etude... sure.
Oh ya, I have a cell phone, now Im all technological! It's a necessity, and I don't know how I feel about it quite yet. At the moment, it's seeming too much like a toy.
anyway, bye
Thursday, March 30, 2006
So, I have been pretty good at ignoring the things I have to do over the next little while, but now I have realised just how much there is.
It affects me thusly:
-I am very very glad that I don't have to deal with preparing a recital and a full jury on top of all of this.
- I really need to get working on things so everything isn't in a last-minute shape when it comes to doing it.
For piano: CMC is coming up. I have to resurrect my Mozart Sonata as I have ignored it since my recital, The Bach has deteriorated a bit since recital.. but all needed is a matter of playing it over and over. Brahms and Scriabin are needed to be ready soonest, a week sunday night, but they are in acceptable condition. David told me that I shouldn't be worried about getting to second round, but I should make sure my second round stuff is really in good condition. If second round goes well, I get to play at the nationals in Rimouski this summer.... so that's what I'm aiming for. I'm going to concentrate exta hard on the Mozart and Rachmaninoff pieces for the second round. The Rachmaninoff is iffy at the moment... I haven't played it in months, I've started dusting off the moths, but yes, I am still working hard at it, and it will be spectacular on the day.
For Composing: The premiere is coming up, on monday! It's odd that I don't have to be prepared for that... but at the same time, I need to get the final copy ready to hand in for marks. It's all editorial stuff like fixing spacing of notes, making sure all the details are in there and then getting it bound. The hardest part for me is the program and performance notes. Trying to sum up the purpose of my music and then making everything that I haven't marked specifically in the score clear. I also need to hand in the same type of final copy of the second viola piece... but I have to write it first. I had been lacking direction for that piece, but then....
yesterday we saw a videoconference with a composer who had a lot of valuable things to say, and I found it very interesting. One of the things that he showed us was the way he drew out the format or shape of the piece, before he ever thought of composing notes or whatnot. Last night, before i went to bed, I did something similar. I couldn't be as vague as to draw lines and squiggles and know what I wanted them to mean.. so I built myself an architectural frame, in which I described in words what I want to happen. This way, I can build the whole piece out of the opening gesture that I have already composed..... OK, so it's not really all that related, but oh well, I have direction now!
For Academics: Jason and I have our presentation next wednesday... we're not going to have it scripted or whatnot, rather it's going to be a by-seam-of-pants flying experience. Nevertheless, we still have to know our stuff so the topics we choose to cover can actually be covered in our presentation/lecture. I have a paper to write for Piano Rep, topic=my Brahms pieces, or just one of them really indepth.... I don't know yet. I have the big paper for Advanced Analysis, on the second of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder. It's not really big...6-10 pages... but it needs to be very indepth, and I will probably be using it to apply for grad studies. I also have an exam for 20'th century to study for.. I missed some classes, so I will acutally have to teach myself that stuff, consult the text and whatnot.
Most of the academic/composition stuff isn't due til late April, but I don't want the quality of anything to suffer... plus I would love to have things done soon so I can start enjoying the summer as soon as possible.
I'm going to be starting back at the factory job pretty much as soon as school ends.. ie May 1'st-ish. As planned, I'll be working there for as much of the summer as I need/can stand. It will be an interesting balance... I think I'll force myself to stay until I have 3,500 or 4,000$ in my savings account. At that point, I will decide how much longer I want to stay, based on other musical employment opportunities available, desire for extra spending money, and how much working there makes me want to kill myself on a daily basis, or stress or whatever.
While I'm categorizing my life... here's some goals for the summer:
1) make lots of money
2) lose 80 pounds
3) have lots of fun
4) get better control of diabetes and health
5) learn at least 50% of recital rep AND all of Concerto(fist half jury)
6) compose songs for everyone who actually gives me a poem(will this ever actually happen)*
* I put this star there to announce a tangent!
TANGENT
What the Fuck!? Is it really so difficult to pick a frickin poem?
I have made the offer to at least 6 or my friends that I will write them an individualised song for their voice, all they have to do is provide me with a poem and tell me a little about their voice... even if they just give me a poem, I will do this....
I originally made this offer 1 year and 2 months ago. I have reminded people, but nothing.
Since then, I have written two songs, one of which is to be performed/premiered on monday based on poetry that I have picked myself.. but still they are personalised for the voices of the persons for whom I wrote them.
If you are a singer and you want a song... get me a poem. This is something I would love to do, but I'm going to stop reminding people of the offer.
I'm going to assume that people aren't coming with poems is that they don't want some crappy song by someone who has only written 2 songs... I'm terribly sorry that I am not Fauré, or Mahler, or Schubert... really how can I expect that people would want to sing my songs when they have hundreds of years of classical repertoire to choose from already.
In conclusion, I will offer this, my apology to my singer friends:
"I am sorry for trying to entice you to perform, or even welcome into existence, substandard music which will obviously not satisfy your musical needs, and certainly could not broaden your musical horizons. I should understand that you are musicians of a celestial sphere, and shouldn't be burdened with music written by mere mortals, you deserve only the music of the gods, and I humbly appologise for wasting your precious time."
translated as the following:
"You are all lazy-ass cunts. Get off your fat mother-fucking arses and PICK ME A FUCKING POEM"
Wow, writing posts these long cause me to meander a bit... so I will conclude there.... hoping that at least someone enjoys my sarcasm and debauchery.
It affects me thusly:
-I am very very glad that I don't have to deal with preparing a recital and a full jury on top of all of this.
- I really need to get working on things so everything isn't in a last-minute shape when it comes to doing it.
For piano: CMC is coming up. I have to resurrect my Mozart Sonata as I have ignored it since my recital, The Bach has deteriorated a bit since recital.. but all needed is a matter of playing it over and over. Brahms and Scriabin are needed to be ready soonest, a week sunday night, but they are in acceptable condition. David told me that I shouldn't be worried about getting to second round, but I should make sure my second round stuff is really in good condition. If second round goes well, I get to play at the nationals in Rimouski this summer.... so that's what I'm aiming for. I'm going to concentrate exta hard on the Mozart and Rachmaninoff pieces for the second round. The Rachmaninoff is iffy at the moment... I haven't played it in months, I've started dusting off the moths, but yes, I am still working hard at it, and it will be spectacular on the day.
For Composing: The premiere is coming up, on monday! It's odd that I don't have to be prepared for that... but at the same time, I need to get the final copy ready to hand in for marks. It's all editorial stuff like fixing spacing of notes, making sure all the details are in there and then getting it bound. The hardest part for me is the program and performance notes. Trying to sum up the purpose of my music and then making everything that I haven't marked specifically in the score clear. I also need to hand in the same type of final copy of the second viola piece... but I have to write it first. I had been lacking direction for that piece, but then....
yesterday we saw a videoconference with a composer who had a lot of valuable things to say, and I found it very interesting. One of the things that he showed us was the way he drew out the format or shape of the piece, before he ever thought of composing notes or whatnot. Last night, before i went to bed, I did something similar. I couldn't be as vague as to draw lines and squiggles and know what I wanted them to mean.. so I built myself an architectural frame, in which I described in words what I want to happen. This way, I can build the whole piece out of the opening gesture that I have already composed..... OK, so it's not really all that related, but oh well, I have direction now!
For Academics: Jason and I have our presentation next wednesday... we're not going to have it scripted or whatnot, rather it's going to be a by-seam-of-pants flying experience. Nevertheless, we still have to know our stuff so the topics we choose to cover can actually be covered in our presentation/lecture. I have a paper to write for Piano Rep, topic=my Brahms pieces, or just one of them really indepth.... I don't know yet. I have the big paper for Advanced Analysis, on the second of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder. It's not really big...6-10 pages... but it needs to be very indepth, and I will probably be using it to apply for grad studies. I also have an exam for 20'th century to study for.. I missed some classes, so I will acutally have to teach myself that stuff, consult the text and whatnot.
Most of the academic/composition stuff isn't due til late April, but I don't want the quality of anything to suffer... plus I would love to have things done soon so I can start enjoying the summer as soon as possible.
I'm going to be starting back at the factory job pretty much as soon as school ends.. ie May 1'st-ish. As planned, I'll be working there for as much of the summer as I need/can stand. It will be an interesting balance... I think I'll force myself to stay until I have 3,500 or 4,000$ in my savings account. At that point, I will decide how much longer I want to stay, based on other musical employment opportunities available, desire for extra spending money, and how much working there makes me want to kill myself on a daily basis, or stress or whatever.
While I'm categorizing my life... here's some goals for the summer:
1) make lots of money
2) lose 80 pounds
3) have lots of fun
4) get better control of diabetes and health
5) learn at least 50% of recital rep AND all of Concerto(fist half jury)
6) compose songs for everyone who actually gives me a poem(will this ever actually happen)*
* I put this star there to announce a tangent!
TANGENT
What the Fuck!? Is it really so difficult to pick a frickin poem?
I have made the offer to at least 6 or my friends that I will write them an individualised song for their voice, all they have to do is provide me with a poem and tell me a little about their voice... even if they just give me a poem, I will do this....
I originally made this offer 1 year and 2 months ago. I have reminded people, but nothing.
Since then, I have written two songs, one of which is to be performed/premiered on monday based on poetry that I have picked myself.. but still they are personalised for the voices of the persons for whom I wrote them.
If you are a singer and you want a song... get me a poem. This is something I would love to do, but I'm going to stop reminding people of the offer.
I'm going to assume that people aren't coming with poems is that they don't want some crappy song by someone who has only written 2 songs... I'm terribly sorry that I am not Fauré, or Mahler, or Schubert... really how can I expect that people would want to sing my songs when they have hundreds of years of classical repertoire to choose from already.
In conclusion, I will offer this, my apology to my singer friends:
"I am sorry for trying to entice you to perform, or even welcome into existence, substandard music which will obviously not satisfy your musical needs, and certainly could not broaden your musical horizons. I should understand that you are musicians of a celestial sphere, and shouldn't be burdened with music written by mere mortals, you deserve only the music of the gods, and I humbly appologise for wasting your precious time."
translated as the following:
"You are all lazy-ass cunts. Get off your fat mother-fucking arses and PICK ME A FUCKING POEM"
Wow, writing posts these long cause me to meander a bit... so I will conclude there.... hoping that at least someone enjoys my sarcasm and debauchery.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
The letter V
There's been lots of blogging about this new "V is for Vendetta" movie, but I haven't seen it, nor do I intend to, nor do I intend to blog on it, just the letter.
Sometimes I feel guilty for saying 'vee'. I think it's part of the zee versus zed conditioning.. but V is the only other letter I feel this way about, and I don't know why... oh well.
I am Canadian, and I always read the letter Z as 'zed' when isolated, but I strongly feel that in the alphabet song, the letter MUST be sung zee in order to preserve the rhyme scheme.
for example:
a b c d e f GEE
h i j k lmno PEE
q r s t u VEE
w x y and ZED?!?!?!
the zed doesn't cut it, and while there is an argument that the change to the rhyme scheme presents some form of finality.. that argument ignores the closing 2 lines of the poetry:
now i know my a b CEE's
next time won't you sing with MEE
which continue the set rhyme scheme.
There exists the possibility that this song was invented in early american colonies, and when the rhyme scheme and melodic rhythm didn't line up, they changed their pronunciation guidelines for the alphabet in order to make them feel more succesful in their musical endeavours...
wow, perhaps one of the most fundamentally inportant songs of american folk music is ABC..!
Sometimes I feel guilty for saying 'vee'. I think it's part of the zee versus zed conditioning.. but V is the only other letter I feel this way about, and I don't know why... oh well.
I am Canadian, and I always read the letter Z as 'zed' when isolated, but I strongly feel that in the alphabet song, the letter MUST be sung zee in order to preserve the rhyme scheme.
for example:
a b c d e f GEE
h i j k lmno PEE
q r s t u VEE
w x y and ZED?!?!?!
the zed doesn't cut it, and while there is an argument that the change to the rhyme scheme presents some form of finality.. that argument ignores the closing 2 lines of the poetry:
now i know my a b CEE's
next time won't you sing with MEE
which continue the set rhyme scheme.
There exists the possibility that this song was invented in early american colonies, and when the rhyme scheme and melodic rhythm didn't line up, they changed their pronunciation guidelines for the alphabet in order to make them feel more succesful in their musical endeavours...
wow, perhaps one of the most fundamentally inportant songs of american folk music is ABC..!
Monday, March 27, 2006
Im excited for tomorrow.
Tuesday had been my day to sleep in, then stay in and practice all day, having the house to myself, all first term and part of the second. Unfortunately, there have been many things to get done involving much running around and stuff, which took away from my tuesday schedule... but not tomorrow!
Tomorrow is practicing and sleeping, probably not in that order. I have to make some calls to secure work for the summer, but those will be quick.
So much practicing to do, but I have a good basis on everything, it's mostly a matter if re-finishing the pieces... and even the Scarlatti is feeling good. It's already in the memory.. not secure, but there nonetheless.
I'm so excited about rep for next year's recital: heres the prelim list...
Bach-Overture in the French Style (approx 30 minutes)
Beethoven- Sonata in A major, Op.101 (approx.20 minutes)
Liszt- Vallée d'Obermann (13 minutes ish)
on top of that will be my chamber music... which shall make up about 20 minutes of material or less. So many possibilities... I would love to do a larger PDQ bach piece... there's a Cantata, or could do some opera excerpts... who knows.
Alas, enough from me for now.
Tuesday had been my day to sleep in, then stay in and practice all day, having the house to myself, all first term and part of the second. Unfortunately, there have been many things to get done involving much running around and stuff, which took away from my tuesday schedule... but not tomorrow!
Tomorrow is practicing and sleeping, probably not in that order. I have to make some calls to secure work for the summer, but those will be quick.
So much practicing to do, but I have a good basis on everything, it's mostly a matter if re-finishing the pieces... and even the Scarlatti is feeling good. It's already in the memory.. not secure, but there nonetheless.
I'm so excited about rep for next year's recital: heres the prelim list...
Bach-Overture in the French Style (approx 30 minutes)
Beethoven- Sonata in A major, Op.101 (approx.20 minutes)
Liszt- Vallée d'Obermann (13 minutes ish)
on top of that will be my chamber music... which shall make up about 20 minutes of material or less. So many possibilities... I would love to do a larger PDQ bach piece... there's a Cantata, or could do some opera excerpts... who knows.
Alas, enough from me for now.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Happy Saturday
yay, done with ballet for over a week now!
today was a good day.
The second class of the day was superb... the girls had planned a secret potluck, bringing donuts and pancakes and cake and all sorts of fun, so that took their first class... then when I got there, they had just started to watch a movie... not completely unrelated... it was The RWB's movie version of "The Magic Flute" which they had staged a few years back. It was cut down to about an hour, very entertaining. I learned some new terminology and it was a good time all around... oh ya and then we had a 20 minute ballet class before I left.
The muscial theatre classes were also easier than usual. Realizing that it would be 2 weeks before she'd see the kids again, the teacher decided not to teach them anything new, so they did their warmups and whatnot, then ran through some of the dances they had done earlier in the year, and then they played games for the rest of class... and I got to leave! Although I actually did stay for the first game, which had some musical involvement.
For lunch I went to Moxie's and had the 3-dip med bread = best appetizer ever. It was nice and filling, and quite reasonably priced. I think I know the server from the Winnipeg Boys choir some 16 years ago... but oh well.. it would have been awkward to have double-checked, and it wouldn't have made a difference. During lunch, I filled out my RWB employee survey.. who knows if it will have any bearing on anything. I also took out some music staff paper, and started just some sketches for the viola piece. I actually had to find an orchestral score from 20th century class to remember how to draw and alto clef.... oopsie! Oh ya, 20th century project.. I did some research tonight, finding websites about Arvo Pärt. He's still alive and he has a website... what better info can you get?!? That's hardcore primary source material. Nevertheless, Jason and I need to actually get together and pool some info and start to organise what should turn out as a presentation.
Tonight I've been at home doing not a whole lot. I've done some good solid productive practicing on the Scarlatti, so I'm happy with that. Fi and I will be knitting and teaing tonight whenever she gets tired of writing, or loses her train of thought.
oh, here she is!
today was a good day.
The second class of the day was superb... the girls had planned a secret potluck, bringing donuts and pancakes and cake and all sorts of fun, so that took their first class... then when I got there, they had just started to watch a movie... not completely unrelated... it was The RWB's movie version of "The Magic Flute" which they had staged a few years back. It was cut down to about an hour, very entertaining. I learned some new terminology and it was a good time all around... oh ya and then we had a 20 minute ballet class before I left.
The muscial theatre classes were also easier than usual. Realizing that it would be 2 weeks before she'd see the kids again, the teacher decided not to teach them anything new, so they did their warmups and whatnot, then ran through some of the dances they had done earlier in the year, and then they played games for the rest of class... and I got to leave! Although I actually did stay for the first game, which had some musical involvement.
For lunch I went to Moxie's and had the 3-dip med bread = best appetizer ever. It was nice and filling, and quite reasonably priced. I think I know the server from the Winnipeg Boys choir some 16 years ago... but oh well.. it would have been awkward to have double-checked, and it wouldn't have made a difference. During lunch, I filled out my RWB employee survey.. who knows if it will have any bearing on anything. I also took out some music staff paper, and started just some sketches for the viola piece. I actually had to find an orchestral score from 20th century class to remember how to draw and alto clef.... oopsie! Oh ya, 20th century project.. I did some research tonight, finding websites about Arvo Pärt. He's still alive and he has a website... what better info can you get?!? That's hardcore primary source material. Nevertheless, Jason and I need to actually get together and pool some info and start to organise what should turn out as a presentation.
Tonight I've been at home doing not a whole lot. I've done some good solid productive practicing on the Scarlatti, so I'm happy with that. Fi and I will be knitting and teaing tonight whenever she gets tired of writing, or loses her train of thought.
oh, here she is!
Friday, March 24, 2006
I know it's a busy time of year, but really... how can I be expected to keep providing inspiring updates when noone else is updating, or anything on their blogs...
It's lonely.
I actually haven't been all that active anyway, but I will make my effort to keep at it.
Next week is spring break for school kids. This translates directly into, no dance classes of anykind for Mikey.
I don't really work much anyway, but it's just that little bit less to think about. I met up with my parents for supper today, to which I walked from work. It was only about 15 minutes, and I really enjoy walking around downtown, especially when the weather is so gosh darned wonderful as it has been lately. Mom treated for dinner, provided that dad and I would go to a few furniture stores with her to look at sofabeds/loveseats for the "sitting room", aka sister Heather's old bedroom. The shopping wasn't all that bad, though it took more time than the 45 minutes it would have taken me.
Arriving home, I did some listening to Beethoven Sonatas to see if any of them really stand out to me.... It's hard finding that mix of something that is challenging enough, but not too challenging; and of course David's stipulation, that I must love it. I feel bad that I'm not really terribly inspired by any particular Beethoven Sonata. Therefore, I think I will stick with the one he recommended. I only played piano a very short bit tonight:
Last night and today, I made good progress on both the Scriabin etude and Bach. In masterclass I played the Scriabin and the Brahms...therefore I have touched on everything for the first round of CMC. Of course I will continue to touch them... I just need to be reinspired and spend more time practicing.
I also need to make a start on the Viola piece for my composition course. I have some ideas in the head, but they need to make it on paper... On the other side of that particular course, I sat in on the rehearsal with my singer and pianist for "Songs for Nana" today. Things are coming along. I left a lot of the choices up to them, which I know they are a little uneasy about, but I think they have made good ones, and are pulling it off well. It's still early on in their ensemble work, so I'm not worried about the little things which will come, certainly as they have more time with the piece. Im really excited, and they both really enjoy the songs, so there is no better feedback that I could be getting at this point!
OOH! good morning today, my income tax return was in the mail! The verdict is=
Finances are stable-ish!
I've gotten almost all of hte money from festival accompanying and income tax. Looking at the balances of savings and newfound money, I am able to afford to pay off the student loan as soon as the account hold has cleared. With my next cheque from ballet(either), I will be able to pay off the recenty acquired credit card charges from the last few weeks.
Translation: both my assets and debt will be at ZERO!!
I never wanted to have to take out a student loan for school, but I did because I wasn't organized. I think I have learned my lesson.
For the rest of this year, cheques from ballet and whatever else will be going straight into savings... continued into my summer job. I will work at the factory until I have enough money saved up to pay for school completely. After that, I will work only what I desire: I will stay at least 2 months at the factory, then I won't feel obligated to stay. I will be free to work musical jobs during the summer. I am getting my connections set up so I can know when to expect income over the summer. I will also use time during summer to prepare rep for next year. I wasnt to be as well prepared for the recital as possible, as I need to keep my resources open for dance related collaborations.
Well, there was a fairly stream of consciousness tally of my life at the moment. I hope you enjoyed!
It's lonely.
I actually haven't been all that active anyway, but I will make my effort to keep at it.
Next week is spring break for school kids. This translates directly into, no dance classes of anykind for Mikey.
I don't really work much anyway, but it's just that little bit less to think about. I met up with my parents for supper today, to which I walked from work. It was only about 15 minutes, and I really enjoy walking around downtown, especially when the weather is so gosh darned wonderful as it has been lately. Mom treated for dinner, provided that dad and I would go to a few furniture stores with her to look at sofabeds/loveseats for the "sitting room", aka sister Heather's old bedroom. The shopping wasn't all that bad, though it took more time than the 45 minutes it would have taken me.
Arriving home, I did some listening to Beethoven Sonatas to see if any of them really stand out to me.... It's hard finding that mix of something that is challenging enough, but not too challenging; and of course David's stipulation, that I must love it. I feel bad that I'm not really terribly inspired by any particular Beethoven Sonata. Therefore, I think I will stick with the one he recommended. I only played piano a very short bit tonight:
Last night and today, I made good progress on both the Scriabin etude and Bach. In masterclass I played the Scriabin and the Brahms...therefore I have touched on everything for the first round of CMC. Of course I will continue to touch them... I just need to be reinspired and spend more time practicing.
I also need to make a start on the Viola piece for my composition course. I have some ideas in the head, but they need to make it on paper... On the other side of that particular course, I sat in on the rehearsal with my singer and pianist for "Songs for Nana" today. Things are coming along. I left a lot of the choices up to them, which I know they are a little uneasy about, but I think they have made good ones, and are pulling it off well. It's still early on in their ensemble work, so I'm not worried about the little things which will come, certainly as they have more time with the piece. Im really excited, and they both really enjoy the songs, so there is no better feedback that I could be getting at this point!
OOH! good morning today, my income tax return was in the mail! The verdict is=
Finances are stable-ish!
I've gotten almost all of hte money from festival accompanying and income tax. Looking at the balances of savings and newfound money, I am able to afford to pay off the student loan as soon as the account hold has cleared. With my next cheque from ballet(either), I will be able to pay off the recenty acquired credit card charges from the last few weeks.
Translation: both my assets and debt will be at ZERO!!
I never wanted to have to take out a student loan for school, but I did because I wasn't organized. I think I have learned my lesson.
For the rest of this year, cheques from ballet and whatever else will be going straight into savings... continued into my summer job. I will work at the factory until I have enough money saved up to pay for school completely. After that, I will work only what I desire: I will stay at least 2 months at the factory, then I won't feel obligated to stay. I will be free to work musical jobs during the summer. I am getting my connections set up so I can know when to expect income over the summer. I will also use time during summer to prepare rep for next year. I wasnt to be as well prepared for the recital as possible, as I need to keep my resources open for dance related collaborations.
Well, there was a fairly stream of consciousness tally of my life at the moment. I hope you enjoyed!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
dirty fingers.
So, I'm not really a manly man... I'm fine with this. One male tradition that I'm ok with and practice, is shining my shoes. I haven't done this in a long while though because my dress shoes have been new-ish for a while and the ones before this pair had a pattern in the leather, thus you couldn't use polish on them.
We didn't have shoe polish in the house. I asked my parents to buy some, and they bought this liquid shoe shine crap. The shoe market has been flooded lately with special cloths and buffers and sprays which are supposed to shine your shoes.... NO, they don't. They coat your shoes with some kind of pussy ass oil that makes them look shiny because you're high off the fumes.
On principle, I refused to use this on my nice shoes. At a shoe store, I was assured that it would indeed would shine the shoes and fill in the little cracks like a polish would. The shoe lady then took the shoe to demonstrate, and did a poor job of trying... only gunking up and subsequently dimming what shine there had been on my shoes. I was not amused.
Tonight, lo and behold, a container of shoe polish appeared on the table! It took me 10 minutes to wash off all that shoe liquid gunk which seemed to keep seeping from everywhere on everything and ew.
Nevertheless, I sat on the couch for 15 minutes shining the hell out of the toes of my dress shoes and they look a might fine!!! When I need them for a performance or something, I'll finish the other parts that I want to be shiny and all will be spiffy!
Im realising now that shoe shining is probably the least redeeming example I could use for my manliness, or lack thereof. oh well, thats just the type of man I am.
We didn't have shoe polish in the house. I asked my parents to buy some, and they bought this liquid shoe shine crap. The shoe market has been flooded lately with special cloths and buffers and sprays which are supposed to shine your shoes.... NO, they don't. They coat your shoes with some kind of pussy ass oil that makes them look shiny because you're high off the fumes.
On principle, I refused to use this on my nice shoes. At a shoe store, I was assured that it would indeed would shine the shoes and fill in the little cracks like a polish would. The shoe lady then took the shoe to demonstrate, and did a poor job of trying... only gunking up and subsequently dimming what shine there had been on my shoes. I was not amused.
Tonight, lo and behold, a container of shoe polish appeared on the table! It took me 10 minutes to wash off all that shoe liquid gunk which seemed to keep seeping from everywhere on everything and ew.
Nevertheless, I sat on the couch for 15 minutes shining the hell out of the toes of my dress shoes and they look a might fine!!! When I need them for a performance or something, I'll finish the other parts that I want to be shiny and all will be spiffy!
Im realising now that shoe shining is probably the least redeeming example I could use for my manliness, or lack thereof. oh well, thats just the type of man I am.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Cookie Postlude
WOW GOLLY GEE
those are some of the best cookies I have ever made!
because there weren't 2 readily accesible cookie trays(sauf making lots of noise), the cookies fall into two categories:
1) Regular, i made them nice and big... soft and gooey... although they don't quite have that saty-together type mentality..which is fine really.
2)Mini cupcakes, while these also don't have that stay-together quality.. they create 2 items which are both superlatively delectable
i)top-'o-the-muffin cookie type thingy.... thin and crisp on the top, but with a slight soft fluffy layer just underneath... the perfect texture.
ii)random cookie ish fluff underneath... doesn't hold together at all, except for the gooeyness of the chocolate chips which seem to haev ventured to near the bottom of the tray...
in conclusion.... delicious no matter how I go about eating them!
PS, has anyone ever thought about how wonderful it would be if Betty Crocker hooked up with Mr Christie.....
Oi, it's still not midnight.... I think I might call it an early night tonight.... otherwise I will have posted excessively.. even for me...and I will have eaten far too many a cookie.
those are some of the best cookies I have ever made!
because there weren't 2 readily accesible cookie trays(sauf making lots of noise), the cookies fall into two categories:
1) Regular, i made them nice and big... soft and gooey... although they don't quite have that saty-together type mentality..which is fine really.
2)Mini cupcakes, while these also don't have that stay-together quality.. they create 2 items which are both superlatively delectable
i)top-'o-the-muffin cookie type thingy.... thin and crisp on the top, but with a slight soft fluffy layer just underneath... the perfect texture.
ii)random cookie ish fluff underneath... doesn't hold together at all, except for the gooeyness of the chocolate chips which seem to haev ventured to near the bottom of the tray...
in conclusion.... delicious no matter how I go about eating them!
PS, has anyone ever thought about how wonderful it would be if Betty Crocker hooked up with Mr Christie.....
Oi, it's still not midnight.... I think I might call it an early night tonight.... otherwise I will have posted excessively.. even for me...and I will have eaten far too many a cookie.
Im totally brilliant!
Betty Crocker and I make a great team.
We were in the kitchen making some of her secret recipe cookies (chocolate chip) and I said
"Hey, Betty. Why didn't you include bananas in this recipe?"
to which she replied,
"why Michael, it is because fruit doesn't keep well in a plastic, dry cookie contents bag, and dried banana chips dont have the desired consistency for cookie baking"
"But, Betty, there just happens to be a ripe banana on the counter..."
"By golly gee Michael, we'd be fools to not use them"
At this point there was an instrumental interlude and Betty and I frolicked around the kitchen while cutting up banana chunks to put into the cookie dough..
(note: the use of cutting utensils while frolicking is not advised by the surgeon general)
...and delicious banana chocolate chip cookies were enjoyed by all!
the end
We were in the kitchen making some of her secret recipe cookies (chocolate chip) and I said
"Hey, Betty. Why didn't you include bananas in this recipe?"
to which she replied,
"why Michael, it is because fruit doesn't keep well in a plastic, dry cookie contents bag, and dried banana chips dont have the desired consistency for cookie baking"
"But, Betty, there just happens to be a ripe banana on the counter..."
"By golly gee Michael, we'd be fools to not use them"
At this point there was an instrumental interlude and Betty and I frolicked around the kitchen while cutting up banana chunks to put into the cookie dough..
(note: the use of cutting utensils while frolicking is not advised by the surgeon general)
...and delicious banana chocolate chip cookies were enjoyed by all!
the end
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