...in other words, it's my self-absorbed ranting

I done been tagged.

ten things that make me happy.

1)My wife.
2)Hanging out with friends (alcohol is optional).
3)Reading a good new book, hearing a wonderful new piece of music, reading a new webcomic (new to me, not necessarily new in general).
4)Succeeding at something I have tried really hard to complete (video game, finally teaching a kid something, etc.)
5)Finishing a new composition.
6)A scrumptious meal when I'm hungry.
7)Random, wonderful surprises.
8)Pulling off a kick-ass performance as part of a group.
9)Receiving a well-needed massage.
10)Christmas caroling.

Tag, you're it:

planetx
raidingparty
maggiemac
karishi
star_ash
scattywah
deathtosmurfs
kitsuchan
n8understanding
elvish_dreams

(Remember to tag 10 others when you're done.)

Current Location: apartment
Current Mood: yippee-ki-yay
Current Music: Die Hard - Guyz Nite / Tchaikowsky's Fourth Symphony

( dream post )

Current Location: apartment
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: Claire de lune - Debussy, performed by Julian Bream and John Williams on guitar

Egads, is nothing sacred?

In the tradition of Krypto, and Ace the Bat-Hound, we now have an entire animated series devoted to K-9, sans Doctor.

This was the whole point of K-9; a man and his loyal dog -- who can play chess together. Not to mention, the first version is with Sarah Jane Smith on Earth, the other is with Romana in Eve Space. Where did this abomination come from?

Current Location: office - skunk
Current Mood: disgusted
Current Music: Futurama

Had most of a post all ready to go; it was about the week I spent moving.

But between me being lazy, trying to set up the house, seeing my wife for the first time in a couple of months, and the computer sort of dying (it got better), I have yet to post it. I will link it when I do.

I have arrived...in New Jersey.

No job yet, but several leads, including possibly becoming "the music store guy" again.

The apartment is mostly set up. As I type, the second load of laundry in as many days is finishing up in the kitchen. Soon I will be able to use the kitchen sink again!

theatreannie is in Connecticut until Sunday, and I can't wait to get her back full time. We've found both the ghetto grocery store and the fairy-tale one. I much prefer the fairy-tale one, even if it is a bit farther. It's magnificent. When you come up north, make a point to visit Shop Rite.

Of course "close" is a relative thing here. In Atlanta, ten miles took twenty minutes on Sunday morning, but forty-five minutes during weekday rush hour. (This is to the Church in Buckhead, mind you.)

Up here, thirty miles can take an hour to drive on the back roads, but four and a half miles can take about ten minutes because we live spitting distance from a divided state route. I have to admit, the whole "no turns" thing is awkward, but you kind of get used to it after a while.

The kitties are adjusting pretty well to the apartment. Herbie is trying to make up for the affection he missed this summer by being my little furry affection lamprey. Not quite as cute as a fur slug, but pretty accurate description.

Bun-bun escaped a week ago tonight. I didn't miss him for a few hours because of other stuff around the apartment. But I really freaked out when I figured out what had happened. I was hanging a curtain rod above our patio door, when a neighbor dropped by. I went out, shot the breeze for about five/ten minutes with (completely forgotten) the patio door and screen, wide open.

I ran out of the house looking for him, to no avail. I had a bunch of possibilities running through my mind: did he get lost? did he get in a fight with another cat, or worse--a skunk? (Yes, we have skunks here. That's a topic for another time, though.)

Then, I came up with a brilliant solution: tie a leash on Herbie, cart him out into the wilderness, and wait for Bun-bun to come to the rescue. Or at least watch in curiosity. And it worked!

He came back unscathed, save a wretched case of fleas, which have since been dealt with. Needless to say, the patio door, or screen door are always shut when visiting the patio.

And...Annie came home last theatre weekend (Mon-Wed) to help set up the place, and she brought peaches. Mmmmm, tasty, fresh peaches. They have been a wonderful treat.

Now I have run out of things to say for the moment, so I hope to post later with something more interesting.

Current Location: apartment
Current Music: Baroque two-part keyboard piece of some sort.

Trackside Tavern

Friday, July 27

9:00 PM

If you want to see me before I leave, come on by, have a drink, shoot the breeze, and let's have a few laughs.

I am specifically looking at fushi, and pinksugardemon.

Current Music: End of the Drew Carey Show

I was told in no uncertain terms that I should post more.

I am posting. Let the emotion flow!

For those who do not know, I am moving away from Georgia at the end of this month. This is not temporary, but probably a life-long decision to follow my esteemed wife in her career pursuits. We're moving to New Jersey. Which means I'll finally get to meet "The City;" the home of all those lovely teams I love to hate.

If I'm ever at a Yankees game, I'll have my Braves cap on and be rooting for the opposing team.

But enough digression, I will be having a going away party of some sort on Thursday, July 19th. The venue will depend on the amount of people who can come, so please leave a comment or call me if you can make it.

Mind you, this is not the last night I'll be in town, but it's a good time to have a party, and it still allows me time to recuperate from the party before I have to pack the moving truck.

...which reminds me: if anyone wants to spend the last couple of days packing a moving truck, please let me know. It'll probably take one day, and with enough people might only last an hour or two.

Current Mood: wistful
Current Music: Just What I Needed - The Cars

As a note to anyone in a relationship, be advised. If you safe your significant other from certain death, they will have to do whatever you wish from then on.

Try not to abuse the power though.

Now bear in mind, this is not what I'm experiencing. I'm just happy to be alive, having been nearly drowned in the briny depths (five and a half feet to be imprecise.)

I went into the ocean to enjoy body surfing with my wife, and ended up in over my head; pun intended. Fortunately, I called for help, and even more fortunately theatreannie came to my rescue and dragged my sorry self to a depth where I could walk back up to shore.

Note to all: nearly dying sucks. Don't do it.

That is all.

Current Location: St. George's Island, Florida
Current Music: And the glory of the lord--Elijah

( meme )

...just add performer."

So said the flyers for this week's Always on Friday concert.

Thursday at noon, eight composers drew names out of a hat (a non-adjustable baseball cap, can't remember what team though) and wrote a piece for the ensemble, to be performed on Friday at noon. My ensemble was mezzo-soprano, classical guitar, and alto saxaphone; and as I told everyone else today, one of the hardest pieces I've ever written was rehearsed for only one hour, and written in about ten hours.

I finally found a poem that sort of fit the mood I was going for: Percy Bysshe Shelley's "The Birth of Pleasure," posted below for your reading...enjoyment.

The Birth of Pleasure

At the creation of the Earth
Pleasure, that divinest birth,
From the soil of Heaven did rise,
Wrapped in sweet wild melodies—
Like an exhalation wreathing
To the sound of air low-breathing
Through Aeolian pines, which make
A shade and shelter to the lake
Whence it rises soft and slow;
Her life-breathing [limbs] did flow
In the harmony divine
Of an ever-lengthening line
Which enwrapped her perfect form
With a beauty clear and warm.

It was a whole lot of fun, and I think I can use the piece again.

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: the Birth of Pleasure

...until my recital jury. I still have two pieces to write/finish.
I put a double-bar on the percussion solo earlier today, which leaves the remaining two brass quintet movements, and a string quartet/soprano tango.

I'm also singing this semester. I'll probably be performing at the Staff Singer's concert at my church in two months; I'll audition for solos at school this semester, and I will perform a setting of Psalm 90 by a fellow composition student at GSU in April.

I'll see everyone in about a month...

...ish.

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Flight of Fancy - Foley

...and I apparently missed the rush.

Here we go:

Composition Lessons: A-
College Algebra: A
Concert Attendance: S (last semester of this dagnabbed class)
Group Piano III: A
Basic Improv: A
University Singers: A
Composition Seminar: A
Advanced Aural Skills: A
Music History: C
World Music: B-

I am thrilled. Apparently the killer finals week was worth it. Now I just need to go compose more "Music" and finish up a couple of other projects.

Current Location: home, in front of the computer
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: A Poison Tree - Foley

...my new userpics

...I'm just checking out...

Don't mind me...

I just found this while looking through one of my news feeds. I figure I know at least three folks on my friends list who will find this interesting.

( sorting hat quiz )

It gives new meaning to the phrase "the Quick and the dead."

(Don't worry, it's short.)

Current Mood: silly
Current Music: Vespers - Foley

Well, there are several bits of news that are relatively recent developments.

First of all, I'm in a film again.
This one could win me money, so don't be shy about watching and voting for it.
Not work safe. Feel free to comment and tell me what you think, or e-mail me.

Also, Three Byron Songs was one of over 250 works selected to be performed at a conference in Missouri this coming February. Go me! Feel free to listen to the first song at some point. (It's down at the very bottom of the page.)

School is still a pain in my butt, however it will all be over soon. Ah, so soon.

I will see y'all later.

Current Location: Home, in front of the computer
Current Mood: resigned
Current Music: Good-bye Sweet Night -- Kubilay Uner (ugh)

I have actually met one of my New Year's Resolutions.
On September 12th, I became a licensed Georgia Driver.
Other Drivers beware! here comes another crazy Atlanta Driver.

I am trying to clean up my language. As most who know me can attest, it has gotten progressively worse over the past few years. As I have oft remarked, this does not become an elementary school teacher. A possible scenario:

Mommy, mommy! The teacher taught us a new word today: &#%@!

This does not look good.

School happens. Oh does it ever happen! I am somehow staying afloat. I don't care to think about how.

Off to work on music again.

Which reminds me: Mark your calendars for March 2nd. It's my senior recital, and I expect to see you all there. Or some of you...

maybe...



please?

Current Location: the computer
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: Dona Nobis Pacem - Foley

Ah yes...I hate it when I misplace my oily rag collection.

Current Mood: quixotic
Current Music: I think it's by Dvorak -- 8th symphony?