Symphony V

8:53AM

Okay ... here it comes. 36 hours before the biggest, possibly scariest thing I've ever done. an hour and a half of me, and piano, and ... no, that's it. Just me and piano. My accompanist is excellent and I expect, if any mistakes are to be made, he'll cover them.

This week has been stressful. Small minded people, lots of homework (not really lots, just a few assignments that take a lot of time), the education portfolio is due tomorrow and I'm only a about 1/3 through it. Maybe I can turn it in late ...

I'm glad Friday is my 21st. I'm going to need a drink when this week is over. *hides back under the covers*

8:26PM - Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Well, it's been a while since I posted. I had the best day today. I went to bed early last night; around 11:15. Woke up at 6:45 and just laid in bed. I got up, got dressed, walked to Presser, worked with a high school band, I even had breakfast.

I suppose that part of this good day was because I was productive. I finished a project for work, paid off my term bill, practiced for an hour.

And ... I started going to judo here on campus. Today we learned how to fall left, right, backward, and roll forward. We also learned one way to throw someone, one way to pin them after that, and how to avoid being pinned or to get out of it. We went for an hour and a half. When we finished, my legs were tired but I haven't felt this good in a long time.

I'm meeting with my accompanist tomorrow to go over my recital before Tuesday, when my teacher comes in to hear me for the first time since early December.

30 days before my recital. I'm not nervous yet, but it's settling in. You're all still invited, of course. February 16th, 8:00 pm.

5:36PM

Hah! One final down, *counts on fingers* four to go. *whew* And the Theory final wasn't that hard, go figure! I'm a little confused about the Woodwinds final, but I can clear that up soon.

*heads back to work*

10:57PM

Well, my x-ray results where negative, so I'm being referred to a hand/physical therapist in Richmond just as soon as I can make an appointment. Man, this thing is really beginning to get in my way. My whole hand went numb for a little while today. I ran it under some hot water until I got the feeling back in most of it. My fingertips still feel a little strange.

On a happier note, I had my recital preview today. It went well; I was actually disappointed when the faculty said they'd heard enough. I was ready to play, man! So, my recital is now offically set for February 16, 2007. That's a Friday night, y'all, so everyone come out.

Fred Phelps has made noise about trying to show up in Berea to protest a fallen soldier's funeral tomorrow. The Patriot Guard Riders are also going to be there, so I and several other students are going out to the funeral to help form a human wall between any protesters who might show (filthy pieces of shit) and the grieving family. My guess is that they won't show up, given the rally that this city mustered a few years ago when he made noises about showing up here to spew his hatred.

But, I only have finals week to go and then I'm done with this God-forsaken semester. *waits impatiently*

9:48PM - Goings-on on Berea's Campus

Each semester Berea has a large assortment of convocations. Some are concerts, some are lectures. I thought I would post the ones for this coming semester in case any one sees anything they're really interested in seeing.

Jan. 15, 3:00
Carl Ray--A Killing in Choctaw: The Journey to Forgiveness
Activist Carl Ray recounts witnessing his father's brutal 1962 murder by a white supremacist, his journey into darkness, and his willingness to forgive the murderer, his country, and himself. His presentation reminds us of the events and efforts of the Civil Rights era and challenges us to dialogue and to commit ourselves to achieving the dream of Dr. King. Mr. Ray is a former engineer, stand-up comedian, and the creator of the one-man play depicting his tragedy.

Feb. 8, 3:00
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie--A Journey to the Well
Bishop McKenzie shares her personal journey of successful leadership in overcoming racism and sexism to become the first female bishop in the nation's oldest African-American denomination, AME. Her presentation highlights the value of vision, perserverence and spiritual-centeredness in the transformation of lives.

Feb. 15, 3:00
Ciompi Quartet--Valentine's Special: Love Notes
An informance: In an entertaining lecture, Bryan Gilliam, Frances Hill Fox Professor in Humanities at Duke University, will explain Romantic elements of classical music while the musicians perform samples.
8:00 In Concert
Founded at Duke by the renowned Italian violinist Giorgio Ciompi, the quartet is celebrated for its musical sophistication and warm unified sound enhanced by the player's strong individual voices. The concert projects the heart and soul of Romantic music.

Feb. 22, 8:00
Mamadou Diabate and Ensemble--Blending African and African-American Musical Genres
From the West African country of Mali, Kora master Mamadou Diabate and his ensemble of balafon, bass, percussion, and guitar bring world rhythms to Berea as they meld traditional Manden music with American Blues and a rainbow of other influences.

Mar. 1, 3:00
Dr. Kenneth R. Miller--Reconciling Science and Faith: Finding Darwin's God
A biology professor from Brown University, Dr. Miller is a devout Catholic and evolutionist who believes God and science can coexist in the chapel and the lab. He is co-author of college and high school biology text books and author of "Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution."

Mar. 8, 8:00
La Guitara--Gender Bending Strings
In a ground-breaking performance of women guitarists, La Guitara explores the contribution of women to the evolution of the modern guitar. Patty Larkin, singer/songwriter and inventive guitarist, is joined in this concert tour by Badi Assad, who brings her innate musical sensibility to Brazilian guitar music, and slide guitarist Ellen McIlwaine, who combines gutsy blues with imfluences from the Far East.

Mar. 15, 3:00
Winona LaDuke--Seed Sovereignty and Indigenous Peoples
LaDuke (Ogibwe) is an internationally renowned Native American Indian activist and advocate for environmental, women's and children's rights. She is founder and co-chair of the Indigenous Women's Network and also founder of the White Earth Land Recovery Project on the reservation where she lives in Minnesota.

Mar. 22, 3:00
Rick Ufford-Chase--Is Peace Possible?
Ufford-Chase is director and founder of Borderlinks, an organizatin that takes people on US/Mexico border trips and encourages them to examine their faith, gain insight into poverty and injustice, and realize God's part in overcoming obstacles. His talk advocates Gospel-inspired thinking to respond to the fear and violence that overwhelms us in the world today.

Apr. 12, 8:00
Claudia Stevens--An evening with Madam F
Adopting the persona of an elderly concentration camp musician who had performed at Auschwitz, Dr. Stevens, the daughter of holocaust survivors, performs music actually played and sung by women inmates there, as well as first-hand accounts, to depict the physical struggle and ethical dilemma of those who survived the Holocaust through their musical performances.

Apr. 19, 3:00
Hollis Chatelain--The Emotion of Color and How it Affects Activism in Art
Textile artist Hollis Chatelain will present a slide show/lecture on her art which reflects worldwide social and environmental issues. Influenced by her years in Africa, Chatelain's imagery also depicts the joy, harmony, and pride of the African people.

Apr. 26, 8:00
Ron Jones Quartet--Hot Licks, Cool Jazz
Louisville's saxophone player and teacher Ron Jones leads this straight-ahead presentation of jazz, typically up-beat and swinging, performed by a talented group of musicians on piano, bass, and drums. They intersperse jazz standards and classics with Jones's original tunes.

May 3, 3:00
Tricia Feeney--Water Rights are Human Rights: A Berea Graduate's Journey to Justice in the Appalachian Coal Fields
Community organizer and 2005 recipient of the Compton Mentor Fellowship, Berea graduate Tricia Feeney spent her Fellowship year based in Boone, N.C., strengthening grassroots efforts for local change and developing a Citizen's Guide for Water Security in Appalachian Mining Communities.

In addition to these, the Modern Dance Troupe is performing May 3, 4, 5 at 8:00 pm; Country Dancers, April 10, 8:00pm; Black Music Ensemble, April 29, 3:00pm; Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Chamber Winds, May 8, 8:00pm

8:19PM - Keeping my hand in

As some of you know, and some of you don't, I'm having a lot of trouble with my wrist. The doctor says it's an RMI (repetitive motion injury) from practicing saxophone, piano ... and so on. Normally, with these things, you stop doing the thing that makes it hurt; that's not really an option for me.

So about a month ago I went to the doctor and she put me on some NSAIDs and told me to wrap it and ice it down after practice and all your usual sports-injury advice. So I did. I helped for a while.

Lately, my wrist hurts at random. I can often be sitting in my theory class and it will simply hurt. So today I went back to the doctor, explained everything, and I have stumped her. She has ordered an x-ray for me, which I will be going to get tomorrow morning. If the x-ray is positive for something wrong with my wrist, hooray and we can fix it. If not, she gave me two options: I can either probably go see a specialist, or I can think seriously about changing majors.

I don't think the x-rays will be conclusive, because if I had broken something in my wrist, I would think it would hurt all the time, and not just when I play or at random times. I'm hoping they find what it is, because I want to play. I have a hearing this Friday afternoon and I am hoping for a recital in the Spring. The doctor looked devastated when she asked if I had to play saxophone, piano, and clarinet next year and I said that I could go without clarinet, but saxophone and piano are very much required.

So, I have another Dr's appointment Thursday to talk about the results of the x-ray I'm having done tomorrow. Since I don't think there will be anything on the x-ray, does anyone know any good hand specialists?

1:36AM

*ahem* ... I LOVE BEING A MUSIC MAJOR!

Today I had Music Theory. Mr. Courter (our theory genius teacher) writes a version of Happy Birthday in four parts, including some jazz chords and secondary dominants. We then called one of the student's mothers in Nashville while she was at work and proceeded to sing it to her for her birthday. 15 of us. On pitch. In FOUR PART HARMONY.

So, in case you skipped over the beginning of this post, I say again: I LOVE BEING A MUSIC MAJOR!

On a secondary note (no pun intended), I was thinking about advertising my recital as a hot night of sax. If I ever get around to my recital ... *sigh* Or maybe making references to spending the night with a saxy lady ... or something similarly bad and having sufficient musical geekiness.

8:29PM

Midterm grades were posted today. Not as bad as I had feared. All of my A's are in my performance based classes (band, lessons, Woodwinds), but everything else is ranging from a B- to a B+.

Not sure how I'm pulling some of those off, but there ya go.

And now, for the rest of the semester.

12:19PM - What the hell was I thinking?

Well, it's been a month or so since I last posted. While I can't say nothing has been going on, I can say that the sme old shit has been going on. 20 hours of classes, 15 hours of practice, 10 hours of work a week. Then I get to study.

Last year, Berea College changed its curriculum. Being a sophomore then, I had the option of going with the new plan or staying with the old one. Fortunately, the Education department, (which can be just hellish at Berea), has decided that I can go with the old plan, so I won't have to take all of the classes they're trying to add. I'm not sure how this will work out in the long run, because a lot of the required classes in the old curriculum are no longer offered. BUT ... I shouldn't have to take 20 hours again next semester, a good thing since this semester is trying to kill me and Spring is always harder.

I am planning a recital, most likely for February 16 (my 21st birthday for those who know me). Everyone is invited, of course.

Some frustrating things are going on, too, but it's probably better I don't talk about them here.

The band has a concert on Tuesday night at 7:00. This should be interesting. We're using our new sound system, which we expect to peel the paint off the walls. Good luck to us!

8:36PM

Whoo, it's been a while since I've updated this thing. The semester started and I'm just kind of hanging on for the ride. For those of you who don't know, I'm taking 20 hours (5 credits) of classes, 10 hours of work a week, plus a minimum of 15 hours of practice on piano, saxophone (alto and soprano), and flute.

The semester has been hard. It's been a lot of fun, too, though. I'm discovering new things about myself, some of them bad, most of them good. I've already pulled a couple of nearly-all-nighters to get homework finished and had two mental breakdowns. One of those I sort of just went silly and ran around the building and tore up paper and scattered it in the hallways. The other one I threw my pencil in the air and stormed out of my theory class, slamming the door on the way out before breaking into tears. But Jesus, I love this place. I love being this busy. I'll complain about it until I get a good rhythm going, but I couldn't stand to be as unproductive as I was this summer.

I'm putting off my rectial until the coming Spring, just because I think it'll be better for me in the long run. Actually, I'm kind of thinking about putting it on February 16 (my 21st birthday). I think that would be huge fun.

My classes are some of the toughest classes I've ever had. I feel like I'm learning so much more now than I was in the earlier versions of these classes. Aural Harmony is trying its level best to kill me, and I think I might actually be in danger of failing my Music Theory class, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm actually inspired to study, because there's a chance I can't pass the class without it. And I really like theory.

I guess the last little bit of news is that I might be taking over the Hand Bell Choir at Union Church. Nothing official is happening on that right now, but it would be such a good experience for me. I'd get to be in a no-shit conducting position, picking out music and leading a group. I went to their rehearsal for the first time this past Wednesday, and although I'm the only person there under 40 years old, they're a great bunch. And it's a paying gig!

11:46PM - Swamped

And it's only been three days since classes started. All my classes are interesting, but eGADS are there a lot of them. Add in the working and the practice time and time to study and I'm positively overwhelmed. I hope this feeling doesn't last all semester. I'm already struggling to get my homework finished on time. And I realized yesterday that I had also already double-booked my time. Mr. Courter (one of the music faculty) wants me to play for the first Chapel Service on Tuesday at noon. I told him ok. Then I find out that I have a class then that I can't miss because it's a special session so we can all learn to play flute (Teaching of Woodwinds).

*sigh* So popular, only one me.

In better news, the band has grown to over 50 people. For those of you who don't know, that's friggin' huge for this school. That surpasses Duke, Yale, and Harvard. We're not even going to be able to fit on stage without some serious maneuvering. I'm beyond thrilled with our success. We're also playing harder music this semester, which we all hope will kick the band up a notch. Harder music, more people, stricter rules; we're actually beginning to sound like a group of semi-professionals, instead of a thrown-together joke.

Now, back to homework. And "Law & Order".

11:29PM

Well, it's been a while since I put in an actual post. I've moved back on campus again. Kind of nice right now; my roommate isn't here yet and I have the place to myself. It's funny: the older I get, the smaller my rooms get. This is the smallest room I've stayed in yet. And Mom and I had to rearrange all the furniture when we got here because it was just kind of piled in the room.

But like I said ... it's not too bad. I do have a working AC now. Hooray! But, *sigh*, I miss Tracker7.

Classes start next Wednesday, and as it is I'm hard at work trying to get things together before then.

Wish me luck!

11:28PM - Wow. Didn't see that one coming.

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9:44AM - Oh my god, there are baby pictures out there!

My father apparently has a million pictures of me and my sisters from when we were little. Here are some that he gave me.

  

  

  

  





I was soooo adorable. Not sure what happened ...

6:06PM

I spent very close to 12 hours yesterday playing Jak and Daxter. Not quite reaching 100% of the game, I did get to the end (defeated the main boss) of the fool thing. I was going to go back through and get more of the extra stuff, but Tracker7 sent it back in the mail this morning. No worries, though, I'll rent it sometime.

I have come to discover that I love games from Insomniac and Naughty Dog Creations. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank. Good, good stuff.

Hooray for summer vacation and not doing anything.

12:34PM - The Last Supper

I'm watching this really bizarre movie on FX called "The Last Supper". It's about this group of liberal grad students who invite right-wing extremists over to dinner and then poison them if they can't convince them to change their ways. But the plan is backfiring and they're at each other's throats.

This is one of the stranger movies I've seen in a while. Strange, yet though-provoking.

9:16PM - Urge. To kill. Rising ...

So far in the Horsemen v. Storm game:

Storm chose to kick off to the Horsemen, kicked it out. Horsemen start on the 20. Chad Spencer wide open downfield and Eviston hits him for a TD. Miss the point after. Basically, they've been trading TDs all game, though Lexington has missed three points after so the score is now 32 Horsemen, 28 Storm.

God help me, there will be more language and shouting in this apartment then I'm sure it's ever seen. I fully expect to see the cops show up at the apartment just to make sure Tracker7 and I aren't killin' each other.

I hate the Storm.

9:12AM

Woot! Third day in a row for feeling better. Hurrah! I hope this continues to go well.

9:56AM

Feeling better this morning. For the most part I'm going to stay home and relax today, but I need to get out and run a few errands, like running to all the music stores in town looking for some sheet music. I think that's all I have to do today so I'm probably going to just vege out on the couch and watch bad TV like I did a few days ok; like "D2: The Mighty Ducks" and "Touched by an Angel".

Tracker7 has 200 channels. Surely to God I can find either good TV or bad TV that doesn't hurt my brain on there.

Oh, right. And I need to practice. I am planning a recital for this coming Fall. More details as they develop.

5:17PM

Hooray for DVR, for I am now watching Eureka. Good stuff so far. It's only the first episode, and already there are characters I really like and characters I really hate.

Went to watch the Horsemen beat up on Rock River last night. Dear lord, but I missed minor league sports this summer.

Not sure what the deal is, but my hands have been shaking for most of the week. Sometimes it gets better when I eat, but only for a little while. Nothing else is wrong. I _am_ taking some antibiotics for a minor infection, so that could be part of the problem. If they don't stop when I finish the meds, I'll go have a check-up, just to be sure.

So far, I'm just enjoying taking a break and feeling normal again. Europe feels like years ago, and I've finally settled back into the life here. I did a little bit of work for my boss at school, so I did earn a few extra bucks. Nice to not be broke again.

I've been spending my time at Tracker7's for the most part, but I think I'll probably head back to Mom's soon enough so I can get things doen before the Rosepurr's wedding.