Random ramblings for no real reason

melodyisageek @ 2008-08-13T05:34:00

2008-08-13T09:35:37Z

I just had a rather realistic dream that there was a schedule change and I was doing some funky survey that allowed me not to go to work until 2. Alas, it was not to be, and here I am up at 5:30. Bleh.

Fun with traffic counting

2008-07-27T06:59:44Z

I was about ten metres from getting hit by lightning today. Kids, don't sit under an umbrella, under a tree, under a large power line, holding electronic equipment. Lightning had been getting progressively closer to myself and the other counter as we were contemplating whether it was safer to dart across traffic into my car or stay put, when it hit the next hydro pole over. We promptly shat ourselves and RAN LIKE HELL into the gas station. Needless to say, we exercised the "it's okay to go home in a thunderstorm" clause today.

However, seeing as we weren't actually hit by lightning, it's totally my new favourite anecdote. It also makes an excellent rebuttal to random pedestrians who feel the need to comment on our job. "Wow, you've got the cushiest job ever! Sign me up!" Snarky response: "See how cushy it is when lightning's blowing up the transformer you're sitting besides!"

Other frequent exchanges:
"Wow, I wish my job let me sit and tan all day!"
"Well, if you like farmer's tans! *rolls up sleeve or tugs on neckline to show extreme pastiness*"

*pedestrian turns and stares with bewildered expression on face* "What are you DOING?!!"
"Counting traffic."
"Really? What are you counting?!!"
"All of the traffic that goes through the intersection. Cars, heavy trucks, pedestrians, cyclists..."
"Did you count me?!! How would you count ****?"
"*sigh*"

When counting alone in the country:
"*creepy men in wife beaters drive by in beat up car. leer. roll down window. slow down to stare longer. return numerous times. repeat ad nauseum.*"
"*glares back and nervously calculates estimated amount of time to RUN LIKE HELL to car and lock the doors*"

Also common is the honk and wave. Every half hour or so, I get someone who sees me/us (often sitting on top of a hill, quite out of sight for the average driver that's WATCHING WHERE THEY'RE GOING) honk repeatedly. And then wave, grinning like an idiot. Maybe I should be glad that people are friendly and not looking like they're calculating the best way to pull you into their car, but seriously, is it THAT exciting to see a couple of bored students trying not to fall asleep in their lawn chairs?

Traffic counting

2008-06-07T02:14:17Z

I just worked a 14-hour day. After a full week of starting at 6:45, I'm ready to go to bed... before 11. Yeehaw.

Anyways, so I'm working Jeanne D'Arc and Innes on Monday. Seeing as I get three hours of breaks, will either of you guys (Keisha and Erica, obviously) be home?

On a less irritable note...

2008-06-03T00:22:02Z

This is my new life ambition. Oh Youtube.

Did I mention I bought a viola? I'm in love. It has yet to have a name, but it's a 100-year old German instrument paired with a Schaeffer Brazilian bow, and it is wonderful. I think I will go play now.

DJ Shostie

2008-04-18T18:08:16Z

I am going to let this video speak for itself, for it is GLORIOUS.

This is how I spend my Tuesday nights

2008-04-15T18:58:33Z

I present to you: gamelan degung.

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v6370077DhbkNSQ3

Edit: fine people, ask me about the sanity of mystery people named Arick, and comment on icons of random butt-grab (?), but don't bother actually glancing at the video. :P

*not upset, just snarking*

Next summer

2008-04-09T02:18:54Z

I am seriously considering applying for this next summer. It's pretty much exactly what I've been looking into for grad school, and the price is on par with any study abroad programs that York offers.

Now, to learn Spanish.

http://www.pucp.edu.pe/dric/fieldschool/03s.html

Final jazz performance of the year

2008-03-20T03:24:32Z

So, Lorne Lofsky, Barry Elmes (I'm surprised he even knows my name, given that he's notorious for forgetting people's names), and Barry Romberg all just told me I played very well tonight.

Head asplode.

Jazz

2008-02-25T07:56:50Z

See Melody procrastinate.

Procrastinate, Melody, procrastinate!

Melody is hungry.

Eat soy yoghurt, Melody, eat!

---

Christian Howes has eaten my brain. Not in a zombie-like manner, but in a manner of me losing any coherent thought. I can't wait until I get started on the Billy Bang transcription...

Blogging about Shostakovich! Shostablogging? Blogakovich? Er...

2008-02-06T00:38:17Z

I'm not sure what's stranger: the article that KC just emailed me from a 1983 New York Times (WHAT she was researching, I have no idea, but her degree is based in digging up obscure articles, so I'm not going to ask.) theorizing that Shostakovich received inspiration for his compositions from a piece of German shrapnel embedded in his brain during a battle in Leningrad; and that a portion of his compositions were ghost-written as propaganda while he recovered

...

Or that Google's ads are offering me flights to the Soviet Union. I dare not ask.

I am updating...

2008-01-12T01:39:50Z

but I am going to let this article speak for itself. It is very good.

http://www.luakabop.com/david_byrne/cmp/worldmusic.html

---

Unrelated, but I am starting drum lessons next week with Barry Romberg. Exciting! Also exciting is that a friend gave me her pass for the IAJE conference; effectively saving me 200 bucks. (She got in free for performing). Tomorrow, there will be jazz, and lots of it.

melodyisageek @ 2008-01-08T19:32:00

2008-01-09T00:33:51Z

I just bought return airfare from Toronto to Ottawa with Air Canada for February 8th to February 17th for $115. Fare was 20 each way before factoring in the surcharges. Aw yeah. That's cheaper than the train! Marginally pricier than the Greyhound, especially once you factor in taxi fair, but still. This rocks.

(apparently I didn't actually post what's written above last night. Doing so now, but adding...)

This is the single creepiest thing I've ever watched.

Looping pedal

2008-01-07T00:08:29Z

I was NOT expecting to be assaulted with a hair metal backing track when I chose a random empty track on my looping pedal. At all. I felt like I was temporarily caught in a game of Guitar Hero.

What is the point of a full-band backing track on a looping pedal, anyways? I realize some people use them as a practice tool, but I was under the impression that guitarists record the rhythm tracks themselves. Anyways.

I think I'm going to play drums instead. No risk of hair metal assault.

*** This is what I'm talking about, by the way. Coolest Christmas present ever. http://www.bossus.com/index.asp?pg=1&tmp=137

When in Rome, blog as the bloggers blog?

2007-12-31T08:29:47Z

I may as well make some sort of effort to create a year end list, but I'm still trying to catch up like crazy on everything that's come out this year. My biggest musical discovery was Mihirangi - Kulcha Nation (saw her twice at the Bluesfest and was blown away), but alas, that was released in 2006 and therefore gets an honourable mention.

I might be able to narrow these down at some point, but for now, I'm just going to sort into some vague groups.

1. Stuff I really like!
Radiohead - In Rainbows (Hyped, but I love 15 Step too much not to include. Both albums are really solid.)
Sigur Ros - Hvarf/Heim (I saw the screening of Heim, but haven't heard the album yet. BRILLIANT film.)
Dirty Projectors - Rise Above (Most intricately produced indie I've ever heard; really unique group. My next project is to properly listen to the Black Flag album that Rise Above was inspired by.)
Tomahawk - Anonymous (Not only does it have Mike Patton, but it's an alternative metal interpretation of 19th century native songs. I could happily write a thesis based on this album, and I just may.)
Bjork - Volta (I'm surprised this album didn't get more attention, but it's great!)
Akron/Family - Love Is Simple (Ed Is A Portal might be my song of the year)
The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain (I'm not just biased because they're from Ottawa; it wouldn't be a stretch to call this my favourite indie album of all time. Fantastic concept, huge leap from their earlier work, and bonus points for marimba. This is the lead contender for my album of the year.)
Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
Holy Fuck
Battles - Mirrored (By far the catchiest and most distinctive album I've heard this year. Fuels my insomnia, but in the best way possible.)
Gogol Bordello - Super Taranta! (Nothing groundbreaking, but a solid album from the most FUN band I've ever seen.)
Autorickshaw - So The Journey Goes (My other contender for album of the year. Breathtaking fusion of styles.)
Ulver - Shadows of the Sun
Buck 65 - Situation
Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet (Not as strong as their earlier albums, but nonetheless plenty of moments of brilliance from Steven Wilson and Co.)
Porcupine Tree - Nil Recurring EP (I prefer this over Fear of a Blank Planet. Four fantastic songs, easily some of their best work.)
Devin Townsend - Ziltoid The Omniscient (What else to expect from one of the most idiosyncratic and talented men in metal but a concept album about a time-travelling alien in search of the perfect cup of coffee? After a few more listens, this will probably round out my top three. I mean c'mon... COFFEE! On first listen, it's not his strongest work, but it's not a fair comparison to previous albums since this is ALL DEVIN. Amazing solo effort.)
Efterklang - Parades (This album merits many repeat listens, and I find something new every time. Very distinctive sound. Another competitor for the top 3)
Caribou - Andorra (The best description I could come up for this the other day was had Vaughan Williams decided, instead of writing The Lark Ascending, to sit down with a laptop and create the perfect pop album. Mind you, I'm a huge violin nerd, but "the perfect pop album" still fits.)
J'envoie
The Bad Plus - Prog (No one does jazz covers better than them, except maybe Brad Mehldau, and their originals are stellar compositions.)

Stuff I need to give further listens to:
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?; Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity; LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver; Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam; Grizzly Bear - Friend EP; Jesu - Lifeline; Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover; M.I.A. - Kala; Low - Drums and Guns; Eluvium - Copia; !!! - Myth Takes; Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha; Sir Richard Bishop - Polytheistic Fragments; Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone; BSS Presents Kevin Drew - Spirit If...;
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky; Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara; Jesu - Conquerer; Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works; Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Quintet - Se Dice Bistone, No Bufalo; Melt-Banana - Bambi's Dilemma; The Polyphonic Spree - Fragile Army; Miles Davis - Complete On the Corner Sessions; Robert Plant/Alison Krauss - Raising Sand; Herbie Hancock - River: The Joni Letters; Angela Hewitt - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier (and other Hewitt releases this year?)

I think Boris brought some stuff out as well this year? Yeah, I've got a lot of catching up to do.

You know you're a violin nerd when...

2007-11-17T10:51:04Z

You find yourself picking up a classical guitar as much, if not more, to build up your callouses rather than playing for sheer love of the instrument.

No, I did not stay up until 6 in the morning playing guitar when I'm supposed to be recovering. Totally not. N'un uh.

P.S. Despite how much I may gripe about classical violin playing, someday I want to be able to do this. And on a related side note, my violin teacher was telling me how she played this piece in a master class in Italy for Salvatore Accordo in the 70s, and while she was playing (note that she was the only woman in the room), Salvatore had his back turned to her the entire time and was chatting with all the male violinists. As she finished, all he said was "you need to practice more" before turning back to the boys. I don't think I'm going to be able to listen to my recordings of him anymore.

P.P.S. Erica, see why I nerd out over Ysaye? Or is it just me? (It's probably just me.)

OK, NOW I'm going to bed. Yeesh.

York

2007-10-20T05:07:50Z

I'm coming to realize just how awesome a feeling it is to discover that there's no place I'd rather be at this given moment. I love the school, I love my program, I love the people here. Sure, I may complain (counterpoint, sleep deprivation, being in the suburbs, counterpoint), but honestly? Everything rules right now. I love being a student.

...

Wow, improv soirées put me in a really fantastic mood when I have a good performance, hang out with awesome people, make some contacts, and meet new people. Yeah, I'm happy right now.

melodyisageek @ 2007-09-09T12:57:00

2007-09-09T16:58:54Z

Allow me to express my love for the practice drum set I have set up in my room this year. This own's last year's (sometimes non-existant) practice situation so hard.

<33333333

You may now return to your regular programming

Gah

2007-09-07T17:26:11Z

Would it be considered bad form to walk over to my suitemates' door, yell, "You're vapid, shut up!" and slam it closed?

lykeohmigawd.

Fire! air drums to Hendrix song

2007-03-29T10:46:46Z

Yeah, so this is the earliest I have been up in a very, very long time for quite a good reason: fire alarms went off in my building around 3:45 and we weren't let back in until 6. However, this wasn't your typical "asshole pulls the fire alarm for kicks right at the end of semester" thing; there were actually a bunch of synchronized fires in my building. Fun.

My floor (third) was hit the worst, three or four different doors were scorched, especially ones that have a lot of papers taped to them, and two bulletin boards were set on fire. The worst fires were on one of my friend's doors, as it was completely covered, including with a feather boa. One of the girls woke up a few minutes before the fire alarm (which is almost inaudible. GREAT!) and saw orange under their door, woke up her roommate and boyfriend, and they put out the fire on their door, which was coming into their room through the carpet. Her poor boyfriend was putting wet towels on the door, so he had to go to the hospital because his hands got burnt. I haven't checked out the other floors, but apparently the laundry room(s?) were hit the worst, with a couple of phone books lit on fire, as well as a couple more scorched doors on the first floor.

It's really scary knowing that there's multiple arsonists that snuck into/live in my building, and targeted areas near major fire exits. I first woke up to the happy-sounding alarm thinking "Aw, shit, what's iTunes doing?" when I realized it was a fire alarm, grabbed my glasses and room key, sweater, and threw on some shoes. My next though was, "FUCK! 1200!" as I was really proud of myself for being in bed before 12:30, since I've got a test/exam worth 10% at 8:30. It's not the biggest exam of the year, and my essay on Tuesday (Which is going to OWN) is worth more, so it's not the end of the world, but needless to say, there's about a dozen music students in that class (mandatory) living in this building that are going to go talk to the prof a bit before the exam and try to get a deferral.

My parents are coming down from Ottawa today, and picking up Nat in Oshawa for my orchestra concert tonight, which should be pretty good with the concerto competition and whatnot. Last semester, I pulled an allnighter the night before my orchestra concert, so I went to sleep from about 11-5 right after handed in the essay I was working on, and I think I'll do something similar today. It's going to suck sleeping through my parents and Nat getting in town, but I already told my parents what's up so they'll understand.

OK, there's people vacuuming up the mess in the hall now (I took some pictures of my floor, but it seems kind of inappropriate to Facebook them :P) so I think I'm going to go hit the shower before getting the nice big breakfast that everyone was craving while sitting in Winters college across from our residence.

Wow, I'm really fucking wordy even when I'm sleep deprived. :P

Edit: More pictures.

,asfdljkanewweirasdnk

2006-11-23T09:51:13Z

I'm still working. It's quarter to five in the morning.

A) I am writing WAY TOO MUCH for a measly little tutorial assignment.

B) DAMN NAPS TO HELL for screwing with my sleep patterns to this extent. I've gotta fix this before my orchestra concert and finish ~~start~~ my goddamn essay knock me unconscious for a week.

Oh yeah. Because York gives us off Jewish holidays, they're making up for a missed Monday earlier in the year by cancelling Wednesday classes next week, and making it a second Monday. Which means I miss a fucking violin lesson. Sooo no more violin lessons until January for me! I got York'd.

WHEEE SLEEP MADNESS! /Jeph Jacques. I read Questionable Content way too much. :P

The real reason why I'm up so late is well, asides from getting back from orchestra and talking to Emma in Iqaluit for a bit under an hour and a half, is that for some reason, I impulsively did a Google search on Allan Miskell. To clarify, I had known him for several years, and he was an absolutely fabulous percussionist studying at Ottawa. He's been a huge role model of mine since the first day I held a pair of drum sticks (he attended and later taught me at the Ottawa Youth Orchestra's summer music camps), and his inspiration was a big part of majoring in music myself. He passed away from leukemia in March at the age of 22. I hadn't seen him in over a year, so I had no idea he was even sick until my mother saw his obituary in the newspaper. Since then, I've always wished that I could just thank him, and tell him how important he was to me, despite not knowing him very well. I'm wearing my Rush shirt right now, and I can't wear it without thinking about him - they were his favourite band, and he even met them backstage at their most recent concert in Montreal.

This has just been a string of coincidences today which may not seem too big, but make sense in my mind. I don't wear this shirt too often, and for whatever reason, I did the search for his name today. It turns out that tonight, Thursday the 23rd, is when the University of Ottawa orchestra, along with two of the best percussionists in Ottawa, JS Lacombe and Reynaliz Herrera, are performing a memorial concert to raise funds for leukemia research and a scholarship in his name. It absolutely crushes me that I can't make it, and I hope that my mom isn't busy tonight, since she also knew him to a degree, and took me to his wake back in March. http://www.media.uottawa.ca/mediaroom/news_details-e.php?nid=1020

Anyways, my roommate's back from showering (she has to catch an early flight to New York for the US Thanksgiving), and A) I'd rather not explain to her why I'm crying and B) I really do want to finish this dumb little assignment and get a few hours of sleep before I'm up at 9.

Because all the cool people have posted this!

2006-07-11T06:24:16Z

Haha, wow, I never update this thing. Go Livejournal that exists for commenting purposes. :P

So yeah, prom kinda sucked, but Canada Day was amazing. The Jazz Fest blew my mind, and Bluesfest is currently blowing my mind. Asides from a shitty job hunt, everything else is better than I could possibly imagine. I have the intention to post an overview of the concerts I've seen up to date this summer, since I never got around to it last summer, and I really should keep track of which artists I really enjoy live. But not right now, I'm freaking sleepy. Aw shit, and I have to get up for a road test tomorrow as well.

(Click here to post your own answers for this meme.)

✓ I miss somebody right now.	✓ I don't watch much TV these days.	✓ I own lots of books.
✓ I wear glasses or contact lenses.	× I love to play video games.	× I've tried marijuana.
× I've watched porn movies.	× I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.	✓ I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
✓ I curse sometimes.	✓ I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.	× I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.

* * * * *

✓ I have broken someone's bones.	× I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.	× I hate the rain.
✓ I'm paranoid at times.	× I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.	✓ I need/want money right now. (Gooo job hunting and expensive music degree. :P)
✓ I love sushi. (Vegetarian, w00t!)	✓ I talk really, really fast. (at times)	× I have fresh breath in the morning.
✓ I have long hair.	× I have lost money in Las Vegas.	× I have at least one sibling.
✓ I was born in a country outside of the U.S.	× I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.	× I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
✓ I like the way that I look. (at times, in any case)	× I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.	× I am usually pessimistic.
× I have a lot of mood swings.	✓ I think prostitution should be legalized.	× I slept with a roommate.
× I have a hidden talent.	× I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.	✓ I have a lot of friends.
✓ I have pecked someone of the same sex. (And then some.)	✓ I enjoy talking on the phone.	× I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
× I love to shop and/or window shop.	× I'm obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal.	× I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
✓ I have a mobile phone.	× I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.	× I've rejected someone before.
✓ I currently like/love someone.	× I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.	× I want to have children in the future.
× I have changed a diaper before.	× I've called the cops on a friend before. (been pretty damn tempting)	× I'm not allergic to anything.
✓ I have a lot to learn. (Always!)	× I am shy around the opposite sex.	× I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.
× I have at least 5 away messages saved.	× I have tried alcohol or drugs before.	× I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past.
× I own the "South Park" movie.	✓ I have avoided assignments at work/school to be on Xanga or Livejournal.	✓ I enjoy some country music. (I enjoy something from every genre.)
× I would die for my best friends. (Perhaps.)	✓ I'm obsessive, and often a perfectionist.	× I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
✓ I think Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.	× I have dated a close friend's ex.	✓ I am happy at this moment.
× I'm obsessed with guys.	✓ Democrat. (If by Democrat you mean unabashedly left-wing/NDP.)	× Republican.
× I don't even know what I am.	✓ I am punk rockish. (emphasize the ish.)	✓ I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
✓ I study for tests most of the time.	× I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.	× I can work on a car.
✓ I love my job(s). (Musician? CHECK. Student? Check. Volunteering? Check. Paid work? NAY.)	✓ I am comfortable with who I am right now.	× I have more than just my ears pierced.
× I walk barefoot wherever I can.	× I have jumped off a bridge.	✓ I love sea turtles.
× I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.	✓ I plan on achieving a major goal/dream. (Musician!)	✓ I am proficient on a musical instrument.
× I hate office jobs.	× I went to college out of state.	× I am adopted.
✓ I am a pyro.	✓ I have thrown up from crying too much.	× I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
× I fall for the worst people.	× I adore bright colours.	✓ I usually like covers better than originals.
✓ I hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.	✓ I can pick up things with my toes.	✓ I can't whistle. (Fuck you, braces.)
× I have ridden/owned a horse.	× I still have every journal I've ever written in.	× I talk in my sleep.
✓ I've often thought that I was born in the wrong century.	✓ I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.	× I wear a toe ring.
× I have a tattoo.	✓ I can't stand at LEAST one person that I work with.	✓ I am a caffeine junkie.
✓ I am completely tree-huggy spiritual, and I'm not ashamed at all.	× If I knew I would get away with it, I would commit at least one murder. (Tempting as it is, human rights much lately?)	× I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical, the better.
× I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.	✓ I'm an artist. (Or at least, I ASPIRE to be a musician.)	× I am ambidextrous.
× I sleep with so many stuffed animals, I can hardly fit on my bed.	× If it weren't for having to see other people naked, I'd live in a nudist colony.	× I have terrible teeth.
✓ I hate my toes.	✓ I did this meme even though I wasn't tagged by the person who took it before me.	× I have more friends on the internet than in real life.
× I have lived in either three different states or countries.	× I am extremely flexible.	× I love hugs more than kisses.
× I want to own my own business.	× I smoke.	× I spend way too much time on the computer than on anything else.
✓ Nobody has ever said I'm normal.	× Sad movies, games, and the like can cause a trickle of tears every now and then.	✓ I am proficient in the use of many types of firearms and combat weapons. (Used to take archery lessons, have fired guns. Go country living.)
✓ I like the way women look in stylized men's suits.	✓ I don't like it when people are unpleased or seem unpleased with me.	✓ I have been described as a dreamer or likely to have my head up in the clouds.
× I have played strip poker with someone else before.	× I have had emotional problems for which I have sought professional help.	× I believe in ghosts and the paranormal.
× I can't stand being alone.	✓ I have at least one obsession at any given time.	× I weigh myself, pee/poo, and then weigh myself again.
✓ I consistently spend way too much money on obsessions-of-the-moment. (LOOK at my CD collection.)	× I'm a judgmental asshole.	× I'm a HUGE drama-queen.
× I have travelled on more than one continent.	× I sometimes wish my father would just disappear.	✓ I need people to tell me I'm good at something in order to feel that I am. (Still don't believe them.)
× I am a Libertarian.	✓ I can speak more than one language.	✓ I can fall asleep even if the whole room is as noisy as it can be.
✓ I would rather read than watch TV.	✓ I like reading fact more than fiction.	✓ I have pulled an all-nighter on an assignment I was given a month to do.
✓ I have no piercings.	× I have spent the night in a train station or other public place.	× I have been so upset over my physical gender that I cried.
× I once spent Christmas completely alone because there was a miscommunication on which parent was supposed to have me that night.	× There have been times when I have wondered "Why was I born?" and may/may not have cried over it.	× I like most animals better than most people.
× I own a collection of retro games consoles.	× The thought of physical exercise makes me shiver.	× I have hit someone with a dead fish. (I wish. A baguette, however...)
× I am compulsively honest.	× I was born with a congenital birth defect that has never been repaired.	× I have danced topless in front of dozens of complete strangers.
× I have gone from wishing I was a girl to revelling in being a boy to feeling like a girl again in the span of five minutes, and not cared a whit for my actual sex.	✓ I am unashamedly bisexual, and have different motivations for my desires for different genders. (Motivations? I fell in love with who I fell in love.)	× I sometimes won't sleep a whole night or eat a whole day because I forget to.
✓ I find it impossible to get to sleep without some kind of music on. (CBC Radio Two/Three is never turned off in my room.)	× I dislike milk.	× I obsessively wash my hands.
✓ I always carry something significant around with me.	× Sometimes I'd rather wear a wig in day-to-day life than use my own hair.	✓ I've pushed myself to become more self-aware and thereby more aware of others.
× Even though I live on my own I still cry sometimes because I miss my mother. (I can see that happening.)	× I hand wrote all the HTML tags in this document.	✓ I've liked something which a majority of people claimed was either bad or weird.
× I have been clinically dead for a brief period of time.	× Instead of feeling sympathy/empathy with people and their problems, I simply become annoyed.	× I participate/have participated in auto drag races and won. (I lost to a guy on foot! Go Josh!)
× I do not 'get' most comedy acts.	✓ I don't think strippers are money-greedy or slutty for dancing.	× I don't like to chew gum.
✓ I am obsessed with history/historical things and can't wait for someone to build a time machine so I can be the first to use it.	× I can never remember for the life of me where I parked the car.	✓ I had the TEEN ANGST thing going for at least 2-3 years.
✓ I wish people would be more empathic and honest with each other.	× I play Dungeons and Dragons weekly. (However, I do listen to a concept album based upon the 8 schools of music fairly religiously. Owen Pallet is the shit!)	× I love to sing.
× I want to live in my mother's basement when I grow up.	✓ I have a custom-built computer.	× I want to create a certain someone's babies, even though there's a 0% possiblity of ever achieving it.
× I would be in a relationship with one of my pets if they were human.	× I've gone skinny-dipping.	× I've performed in three plays.
× I enjoy burritos.	× I'm Irish and loving it.	× I have a thing for redheads.
× I am a twin!	✓ Most of the times, I'd rather do something intellectual instead of doing something generically 'fun'. (HELL YES.)	× Once I set out to finish something, I always stay at it until it is completed before I move on to something else.
× I wish there were a way to erase past mistakes.	× I sleep more than 12 hours a day. (Hahahahaha.)	✓ I wish I could be prouder of what I've accomplished, but it's never enough.
× I need more time to myself.	✓ I wish I was more open-minded.	× I hope that I go really prematurely grey.
✓ I download songs from the internet. (Piracy!)	× I've just reenacted chapter 58 of Death Note with my best friend.	✓ I say random things to freak people out.
× I'm still a little mad about the ending of Death Note.	× I love playing Truth or Dare.	✓ I love listening to slow music, but I hate singing to it.
✓ Music helps me remember that I am not alone.	× Playing my favorite sport makes me temporarily forget my problems.	✓ I think this survey is particularly long.
× I prefer my LJ friends to my real-life ones.	× I can only hate someone that I love.	× I've ordered an extra two shots of espresso to an Americano at Starbucks.

This is the update where I...

2006-05-22T20:12:47Z

...gloat for not having a Data Management summative to do.

*gloats*

Haha, that's about all I've got to say. Life is great! :P

OHEMGEE!

2006-03-30T04:03:56Z

This news merits an LJ update!

I only just finished off my last audition this Saturday, and about an hour ago, I found my acceptance to the York Faculty Of Fine Arts, B.F.A., Specialized Honours in Music.

Not only did I get into the music major, as opposed to a BA style program which wouldn't give me as many opportunities, but York had become my first choice after my audition on the 17!

Initially, Concordia Music was my first choice, because they really impressed me with their tour during the open house, but my audition left me with the impression that I be shoved into one stream or another (jazz or classical). Also, their degree is a bit less flexible since they don't offer any education courses, or an Honours option. However, the two profs that auditioned me at York totally kicked ass. They were really friendly and took an interest in me as a musician, and not just a violinist, and made some helpful suggestions. Best of all, York was the only school that gave me the impression that as long as I'm taking lessons with them, it wouldn't be any issue whatsoever to switch over to study percussion as my primary instrument, even without a supplementary percussion audition. :D

Queen's was the friendliest during the auditioning process, and the students weren't the snobs I was expecting (really, they were just the world's biggest band geeks), but they seemed the least friendly to the idea of me studying two instruments until I chose between violin and percussion, and the heavy emphasis on classical seemed like it could become a bit stifling. Don't get me wrong, I love classical performance, and plan to continue in university, I just don't like seeing it being placed on a pedestal.

Oh man, this was a totally awesome way to finish off a day that was rather mediocre as I worried about a sort of unspoken argument with a good friend. However, this news totally seemed to get rid of the cold shoulder I felt I was getting, so hopefully I can further repair things. :D

*bounces* York Fine Arts! York Fine Arts!

Now, if only their web page would respond properly so I could apply for residence... *impatiently awaits letter in the mail*

OMG UPDATE ONEONE!!!11

2006-02-24T01:23:36Z

I'm quite sure this is the first update since November. Let me try to be brief: got pwned by my Grade 7 RCM violin exam, procrastinated like mad, still managed to get decent marks, visited Concordia and fell in love, had a car crash and got grounded for a month, started the new semester, had a love/hate relationship with Writer's Craft and proceeded to switch into Challenge and Change, and uh... that's about it.

So the point of this post? Shostakovich's Eighth String Quartet is the greatest thing EVAR (though easily rivaled by his Violin Concerto! The evening I saw that was just AWESOME.) and therefore, my next goal in life (once I get accepted into a music program somewhere - I've applied to Concordia, York, and Queen's for music) is to perform this.

I don't care how long it will take me to learn the piece, I WILL play this.

(Using Shostakovich's DSCH motif as the basis for my composition in music class last semester was nerdocity defined in 16 measures.)

Enough procrastinating, though whether I'm better off practicing or finishing off all of my assignments that are due tomorrow is still undecided. Boooo homework!

Bleh

2005-10-27T23:56:09Z

I always have less and less energy towards the end of the week; I really don't feel like doing anything right now, though I know I've got to write another reading log, not to mention catch up in the bloody harmony booklets and sit down and do my Salieri essay. Don't even get me started on my new practice routine...

Zukerman's playing the Berg violin concerto at the NAC tonight, and I was originally planning on going, but here I am because my mom knows (for a change) that my music essay is overdue. The rest of the program is quite bleh, as it involved Mozart and one other composer whom I can't name at the moment, but Pinchas playing a concerto is always worth seeing. Also, the Skalloween show with Catch-22 is Sunday, and there's back to back shows, so I could see Catch-22 and be back in my car by 8:30, but my Mom won't let me go until she sees a finished copy of this essay. Hopefully, I can convince her to break her "no going out on school nights policy" for one night because A) It's Devil's Night! and B) the concert ends at 8...

Also, I never get any more exercise now that I've quit hockey (school season started today, haha) than I do at a ska show. I think it's impossible to be in the same room as Sasha when there's ska playing and NOT skank. For the uninformed, skanking is not a derogatory term when used in conjunction with ska music, it is a dance that essentially just involves alternately flailed limbs and looking like a complete idiot. :)

On the bright side, my mom's boss, who knows that I'm into prog rock, randomly gave her this CD that he bought for one song before realizing that he hated the rest and said I could have it. The CD, Noise, is by this prog rock/trip-hop group called Archive that I believe is from the UK, and it's surprisingly decent. I don't think it's suitable driving music, as the whole CD is quite slow and mournful sounding, but for a cool mix of downbeat electronica, with a Pink Floydish or maybe Radiohead vibe, and the occasional string section, it's pretty cool.

This random girl off of Punkottawa added me to MSN and wants to jam, but keeps on signing off before I get a chance to really talk to her, so I'll see how that goes.

Well, enough rambling for now. Look, it's under 1000 words!