So...went to the Lyric Opera today to see Eugene Onegin by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It was a fantastic way to spend a day in Chicago and take in a marvelous 3 hours of Romantic Era Chromaticism. I recieved the offer to go at 11:15 and boarded a charter bus leaving for Chi-Town at 11:30, nothing like last minute decision making and a free 3 hours of entertainment. How weird is a plot which ends with the two lovers not being together and not being dead in a Shakesperian fashion either? The woodwinds and horn were absolutely phenominal as well as the bass and lead woman.
I noted while watching the super-titles that opera moves extremely slowly, as I already knew from years ago, but that I am also capable of understanding the underlying thematic musical development as it applies to the libretto. 5 minutes were taken to ponder how two men who were once best friends could be dueling to the death in a somber and moving duet. However, equally "silly" was the aria during which day turned to night and back to day in the span of about 7 minutes. It is great to listen to something and realize that 5 years of education has not been for nothing, but rather that I have learned much, maybe I am actually becoming prepared to enter the professional career path I have chosen.
Other important news from that trip includes:
Starbucks tastes better in Chicago.
Coach buses are capable of making U-turns on an interstate when bus drivers miss exits while on their cell phones.
Valparaiso students are content with lunch at McDonalds while in Chicago for 50 minutes prior to taking in something as high brow as an opera (a fact which I greeted with much disdain on my walk to Starbucks).
Appropriate dress to the Lyric includes, but is not limited to, jeans and a t-shirt, Suit and Tie, a tuxedo, jeans with sportcoat and turtleneck, and even a rather fancy gown and waaaayyyy too much perfume.
That is all.
DSSotD:
When confronted with the need to pull a U-ey on the interstate, ponder a comparison between Starbucks and McDonalds to a somber tune for at least 5 minutes, but dress however you wish.
February 27, 2008
early perception
All is well as usual, though it'd be quite nice to begin rising when my alarm goes off. THe past two mornings in a row I have awakened to see the clock saying I have 15 and 20 minutes to get to class respectively. That's pretty ridiculous. Why do I have an internal clock waking me in time to make it to class a little late rather than early enough to actually shower and prepare myself for a day or late enough to decide it's not worth it?
Through a course of events today which I am to tired to outline for you, I spent a bit of time considering whether or not there is any significance to what we perceive as children before our long-term memory developes. Do things that occur to us really have an effect on us if we don't remember them? Are we preconditioned to become what we now are...or are we just born this way? Sigh, I decided after a short bit of deliberation...that this does not matter and I am, in fact, done with CORE and English and therefore should not have to worry about nature vs nurture any longer as it does not pertain to the field of Music Education at the secondary level.
That is all.
DSSotD:
Preconceived notions of Mahler's first symphony have led me to feel like I am in CORE again today. I think it is safe to project that I will once again rise later than planned tomorrow. I think this is like some mathematical proof...
Through a course of events today which I am to tired to outline for you, I spent a bit of time considering whether or not there is any significance to what we perceive as children before our long-term memory developes. Do things that occur to us really have an effect on us if we don't remember them? Are we preconditioned to become what we now are...or are we just born this way? Sigh, I decided after a short bit of deliberation...that this does not matter and I am, in fact, done with CORE and English and therefore should not have to worry about nature vs nurture any longer as it does not pertain to the field of Music Education at the secondary level.
That is all.
DSSotD:
Preconceived notions of Mahler's first symphony have led me to feel like I am in CORE again today. I think it is safe to project that I will once again rise later than planned tomorrow. I think this is like some mathematical proof...
February 20, 2008
business sets in
Yeah, it's been a while since my last post. You would think that means I should have lots to talk about in my blog, wouldn't you? Sorry to dissapoint, nothing much is new on this front. You all know of the joys of the former roomate being in town this past week. Much beverage consumption, rock band, and VU Basketball was had by all. I am a stellar drum set player on medium, just fyi.
Life has gotten busier with a lot of reading and writing for my courses, I read a lot about Gustav Mahler, so if you ever wonder about his history when you listen to his fabulous symphonies (I like them, but doubt the rest of you will ever care)...ask me and I'll fill you in on his life and work. I also designed activities for my high school music students which complete all nine of the national content standard areas, woo hoo...great stuff, I know.
Jimmy John's pong set up to 7 glasses thanks to generous donations and my having gone there another time.
I feel quite old because my niece just uploaded pictures of her going to winter formal at my former high school. I suppose it does not feel like yesterday that I was doing that same thing, but it does feel like she shouldn't be there yet. She looks gorgeous by the way, I am a proud uncle.
My final note for today has to be a report on the most recent embarassment and will go right over the head of many of my readers. I had to sing for Dr. Friesen-Carper (DFC as the music department throng endearingly refer to him as) today to complete a sight singing requirement for a course I'm in. The embarassment ocurred when I realized that I had gotten off key and stopped to awkwardly inform him of this, as if he wasn't aware, before continuing on to actually regain where I was going. I informed my instructor that I made a mistake, which actually resulted in my having gotten a higher grade than if I had just ran with it and kept plowing forward like you are taught to do if you make mistakes in an ensemble or solo performance. Of course, this was a slightly different situation because I was being graded in ear training. Hence, when I made a mistake and noticed it and was able to identify, what it was AND where it happened in the music, he realized that my ear has been well trained. Herein ends the "boring" part of my post for today. However, if I can't post about what I want to say, why have a blog at all, right?
DSSotD:
Who can frown upon a rocking drummer drinking out of his JJ pong set with his gorgeous niece after an embarassing singing experience at the winter formal? What else was he supposed to do? Listen to a symphony by Gustav Mahler? Please!!!
Life has gotten busier with a lot of reading and writing for my courses, I read a lot about Gustav Mahler, so if you ever wonder about his history when you listen to his fabulous symphonies (I like them, but doubt the rest of you will ever care)...ask me and I'll fill you in on his life and work. I also designed activities for my high school music students which complete all nine of the national content standard areas, woo hoo...great stuff, I know.
Jimmy John's pong set up to 7 glasses thanks to generous donations and my having gone there another time.
I feel quite old because my niece just uploaded pictures of her going to winter formal at my former high school. I suppose it does not feel like yesterday that I was doing that same thing, but it does feel like she shouldn't be there yet. She looks gorgeous by the way, I am a proud uncle.
My final note for today has to be a report on the most recent embarassment and will go right over the head of many of my readers. I had to sing for Dr. Friesen-Carper (DFC as the music department throng endearingly refer to him as) today to complete a sight singing requirement for a course I'm in. The embarassment ocurred when I realized that I had gotten off key and stopped to awkwardly inform him of this, as if he wasn't aware, before continuing on to actually regain where I was going. I informed my instructor that I made a mistake, which actually resulted in my having gotten a higher grade than if I had just ran with it and kept plowing forward like you are taught to do if you make mistakes in an ensemble or solo performance. Of course, this was a slightly different situation because I was being graded in ear training. Hence, when I made a mistake and noticed it and was able to identify, what it was AND where it happened in the music, he realized that my ear has been well trained. Herein ends the "boring" part of my post for today. However, if I can't post about what I want to say, why have a blog at all, right?
DSSotD:
Who can frown upon a rocking drummer drinking out of his JJ pong set with his gorgeous niece after an embarassing singing experience at the winter formal? What else was he supposed to do? Listen to a symphony by Gustav Mahler? Please!!!
February 14, 2008
Oh Susanna
No complaints about my day except the amount of sleep I got or didn't get, take your pick. I finally got to have a trumpet quartet rehearsal and I practiced my guitar. I can now play about 8 songs in the strum and sing method, haha. The new trumpet solo is working out quite well. Kristin and I watched Men of Honor tonight...it was a good flick, somewhat slow moving at times perhaps, but it was the right choice for tonight.
Brett's coming into Valpo tomorrow, who else is excited...that's right, we're all excited. It's time for a weekend of drinking, bad basketball, and the pace the room and snap your fingers technique.
And now, quickly, to the main subject at hand. I had the opportunity to watch some Chinese musicians here for a concert being put on tomorrow night rehearsing in Deusenburg Recital Hall today. They were practicing some Chinese cultural music, but then out of nowhere they started playing things like Oh Susanna and Yankee Doodle. A guy who is going to sing with them was asking us the lyrics of Yankee Doodle, haha, quite funny. Hearing instruments such as the Erhu wail away on American folk music was quite hilarious. Tremendously talented musicians, just silly music. It was kind of fun to get to see all these instruments up close. I'm definitely hitting up the Confucious Institute concert in the chapel tomorrow evening to see them perform.
DSSotD:
Men of Honor play Oh Susanna on chinese instruments to celebrate Brett's return to Valparaiso, but I tend to just play the guitar and sing Yankee Doodle so what does that make me?
Brett's coming into Valpo tomorrow, who else is excited...that's right, we're all excited. It's time for a weekend of drinking, bad basketball, and the pace the room and snap your fingers technique.
And now, quickly, to the main subject at hand. I had the opportunity to watch some Chinese musicians here for a concert being put on tomorrow night rehearsing in Deusenburg Recital Hall today. They were practicing some Chinese cultural music, but then out of nowhere they started playing things like Oh Susanna and Yankee Doodle. A guy who is going to sing with them was asking us the lyrics of Yankee Doodle, haha, quite funny. Hearing instruments such as the Erhu wail away on American folk music was quite hilarious. Tremendously talented musicians, just silly music. It was kind of fun to get to see all these instruments up close. I'm definitely hitting up the Confucious Institute concert in the chapel tomorrow evening to see them perform.
DSSotD:
Men of Honor play Oh Susanna on chinese instruments to celebrate Brett's return to Valparaiso, but I tend to just play the guitar and sing Yankee Doodle so what does that make me?
February 13, 2008
puppet up
Today was ok I suppose. The highlight is currently on TV, so this may be a short post.
First though, may I ask...have you ever had a kid in one of your classes anywhere through your current or past schooling who feels it is necessary to tell a story at any possible opportunity during a class discussion, but those stories never relate to anything you've been talking about? Yeah, Mark Macaben is one of those kids. He may be the subject of another blog, so I'll save the content of his useless ramblings so far this semester in my School Music course for that story telling affair. Just a quick plug: join WWFMD on facebook if you aren't already a member of the safe haven for people who hate Mark Macaben.
So, the highlight of my day and the subject of my post is a TV show I just found on TBS called Puppet Up. It is absolutely hilarious. These random people are using puppets to basically do a who's line is it anyway rip-off and can I just say that swearing puppets are a riot?
DSSotD:
When you have a useless story-telling student in your class some day, you should have made a puppet called Mark Macaben to one up their useles story with a "hoe down" involving much swearing.
First though, may I ask...have you ever had a kid in one of your classes anywhere through your current or past schooling who feels it is necessary to tell a story at any possible opportunity during a class discussion, but those stories never relate to anything you've been talking about? Yeah, Mark Macaben is one of those kids. He may be the subject of another blog, so I'll save the content of his useless ramblings so far this semester in my School Music course for that story telling affair. Just a quick plug: join WWFMD on facebook if you aren't already a member of the safe haven for people who hate Mark Macaben.
So, the highlight of my day and the subject of my post is a TV show I just found on TBS called Puppet Up. It is absolutely hilarious. These random people are using puppets to basically do a who's line is it anyway rip-off and can I just say that swearing puppets are a riot?
DSSotD:
When you have a useless story-telling student in your class some day, you should have made a puppet called Mark Macaben to one up their useles story with a "hoe down" involving much swearing.
February 12, 2008
An Old Girlfriend's Not So Bad
Today went fine. One has to wonder why a prospy sits in on a 4th semester musicianship class in a visit to campus, but other than that, my day was rather uneventful. My roomate had his girlfriend in the room for the...as far as I know...second time all year. That was pretty exciting. I began work on a new piece for the trumpet which should be both a challenge and a joy over the next month or two.
But now to the subject. Kristin turned 21 today. Her class schedule was so jammed that true 21st birthday celebration was not available to us until after 11. However, once this time came, we made the best of it and hit up Northsides here in town with a good friend of ours. This was a fun time of socialization and drinking in moderation due to her having an 8am she didn't want to miss in the morning. For the final round, I wanted to get her a Hurricane, but the bartenders didn't even know what goes into that. I've had one, but it's not my job to know what goes into it. They actually started asking around the bar if people know what it was...what the hell? Anyway, what they came up with pretty much tasted like one and was largely just peach schnapps, so...what can you do? I believe Kristin felt she received the proper middle of the week 21st treatment, so all is well.
DSSotD may be less than stellar today because I am exhausted, but here goes:
Ear training learned in musicianship 4 would be very helpful for a prospy student to remember when celebrating their 21st birthday on the Northside of town because if Alan Jackson's Five O'clock Somewhere happened to be played at kareoke, they'd know what pitches to sing the word Hurricane on even after a few too many drinks with their roomate's long lost girlfriend.
But now to the subject. Kristin turned 21 today. Her class schedule was so jammed that true 21st birthday celebration was not available to us until after 11. However, once this time came, we made the best of it and hit up Northsides here in town with a good friend of ours. This was a fun time of socialization and drinking in moderation due to her having an 8am she didn't want to miss in the morning. For the final round, I wanted to get her a Hurricane, but the bartenders didn't even know what goes into that. I've had one, but it's not my job to know what goes into it. They actually started asking around the bar if people know what it was...what the hell? Anyway, what they came up with pretty much tasted like one and was largely just peach schnapps, so...what can you do? I believe Kristin felt she received the proper middle of the week 21st treatment, so all is well.
DSSotD may be less than stellar today because I am exhausted, but here goes:
Ear training learned in musicianship 4 would be very helpful for a prospy student to remember when celebrating their 21st birthday on the Northside of town because if Alan Jackson's Five O'clock Somewhere happened to be played at kareoke, they'd know what pitches to sing the word Hurricane on even after a few too many drinks with their roomate's long lost girlfriend.
February 11, 2008
Bacon v. Chicken
Today was a good day, I attended a phenominal guitar recital put on by my guitar teacher. The final number played was the overture to the Barber of Seville, which always makes me think of the classic Bugs Bunny rendition of this tune. The main melody always brings images of bugs on elmer fudd's head massaging him in the barber shop...hilarious.
Secondly, I watched American Pie, the Naked Mile tonight and if you haven't seen it...don't bother. Jim's dad is the only returning character from the ones that are actually funny.
Finally, down to the title discussion for this evening. As true Chicken and Bacon supporters will know...there is a fierce rivalry between the two meats. They are constantly competing with each other for rule of the most time during the day. As a general rule of thumb, Bacon gets the morning and Chicken controls the rest of the day, but the exact timing of the changing of the guard gets a little feathery. I'm going to attempt to weigh in on the situation using data gained during my research travels to Cedar Point in October of 2006 to discuss this topic with an expert in both Chicken and Bacon eating, Bill Witt. It just so happens Bill is a good friend of mine.
Bill strongly supports Bacon controlling the morning hours with its crisp, greasy, pleasure inducing taste. He, like many meat eaters around the world, enjoys his morning strips of bacon with any breakfast food. However, he feels strongly that once the clock strikes 12:00PM bacon's reign is done. Chicken rules from this point on. Chicken, with its vast number of tasty recipes, is also a wide crowd pleaser. Who doesn't like some chicken nuggets or a spicy chicken sandwich, or chicken in some casserole? The possibilities are endless. Alright, so all is well, right? We know which periods each of these titans of taste rule.
To quote Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend!" What food do we prepare for a man like Bill Witt at the exact moment that 11:59 is turning to 12:00? Ah, Bill even had an answer for this dilemna for the ages. He proposes we prepare a cross-breed of the two meats. He titles this proposal, Chacon. This may seem like a silly idea, but don't be shocked if you see this item on grocery store shelves in the near future. Americans need their Bacon and Chicken, why not combine the two into one amazing orgasmic experience for your mouth? The implications of this merger of two of the primary meat industries in the country are too big to consider in this post alone (especially when your friendly blogger is about to pass out from exhaustion), but any questions my readers may have may be posted in the comments section for this blog. Thank you.
So to summarize, or as I like to call it, DSSotD (Dave's Silly Summary of the Day):
Don't go to a guitar recital unless you are prepared to witness Bugs Bunny running atop Elmer Fudd's naked mile while nibbling on his new carrot, Chacon...That's All Folks!
Secondly, I watched American Pie, the Naked Mile tonight and if you haven't seen it...don't bother. Jim's dad is the only returning character from the ones that are actually funny.
Finally, down to the title discussion for this evening. As true Chicken and Bacon supporters will know...there is a fierce rivalry between the two meats. They are constantly competing with each other for rule of the most time during the day. As a general rule of thumb, Bacon gets the morning and Chicken controls the rest of the day, but the exact timing of the changing of the guard gets a little feathery. I'm going to attempt to weigh in on the situation using data gained during my research travels to Cedar Point in October of 2006 to discuss this topic with an expert in both Chicken and Bacon eating, Bill Witt. It just so happens Bill is a good friend of mine.
Bill strongly supports Bacon controlling the morning hours with its crisp, greasy, pleasure inducing taste. He, like many meat eaters around the world, enjoys his morning strips of bacon with any breakfast food. However, he feels strongly that once the clock strikes 12:00PM bacon's reign is done. Chicken rules from this point on. Chicken, with its vast number of tasty recipes, is also a wide crowd pleaser. Who doesn't like some chicken nuggets or a spicy chicken sandwich, or chicken in some casserole? The possibilities are endless. Alright, so all is well, right? We know which periods each of these titans of taste rule.
To quote Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend!" What food do we prepare for a man like Bill Witt at the exact moment that 11:59 is turning to 12:00? Ah, Bill even had an answer for this dilemna for the ages. He proposes we prepare a cross-breed of the two meats. He titles this proposal, Chacon. This may seem like a silly idea, but don't be shocked if you see this item on grocery store shelves in the near future. Americans need their Bacon and Chicken, why not combine the two into one amazing orgasmic experience for your mouth? The implications of this merger of two of the primary meat industries in the country are too big to consider in this post alone (especially when your friendly blogger is about to pass out from exhaustion), but any questions my readers may have may be posted in the comments section for this blog. Thank you.
So to summarize, or as I like to call it, DSSotD (Dave's Silly Summary of the Day):
Don't go to a guitar recital unless you are prepared to witness Bugs Bunny running atop Elmer Fudd's naked mile while nibbling on his new carrot, Chacon...That's All Folks!
February 10, 2008
Butter Lover's and Copeland
Today was a good day, mostly because it's the weekend, but still, a good day. The highlight has to be receiving a drunk dial from my good friend Meghan. Seeing as how she typically plays up being further gone than she is, it is debatable how drunk she really was. None the less, it was great to be invited to a late night Taco Bell run.
Thanks to the generosity of Kristin, I now have microwavable popcorn, Cheeze Its, and Dr. Pepper around the room, which is a great improvement over two bottles of beer and some Easy Mac which was all I had before. There really is no comparable popcorn that I've tried of the microwave variety that compares to ACT II Butter Lover's. It's just excellent stuff. Whatever the crap they have at the union is just doesn't compare and Butter Lover's is a huge step up from just regular butter or the kettle corn stuff. Though, real kettle corn at fairs or festivals is really where it is at and I love a good batch of popcorn popped by my dad back home.
Going along with the flavor of the rest of this random post, I went to a VUSO concert this evening and saw the three concerto competition winners perform their pieces. The best number of the concert was definitely El Salon Mexico by Copeland, however. I'm pleased to say that even in my absence from the VUSO, the trumpet solo near the beginning was well played.
So, to repeat from last night's post, here's my attempt to tie everything together into Dave's silly summary of the day:
Wouldn't it be nice to eat Taco Bell for a nice, classy dinner before an orchestra concert complimented by beer and Butter Lover's popcorn, which would obviously lead to a drunk dial to your friend from Mexico?
Thanks to the generosity of Kristin, I now have microwavable popcorn, Cheeze Its, and Dr. Pepper around the room, which is a great improvement over two bottles of beer and some Easy Mac which was all I had before. There really is no comparable popcorn that I've tried of the microwave variety that compares to ACT II Butter Lover's. It's just excellent stuff. Whatever the crap they have at the union is just doesn't compare and Butter Lover's is a huge step up from just regular butter or the kettle corn stuff. Though, real kettle corn at fairs or festivals is really where it is at and I love a good batch of popcorn popped by my dad back home.
Going along with the flavor of the rest of this random post, I went to a VUSO concert this evening and saw the three concerto competition winners perform their pieces. The best number of the concert was definitely El Salon Mexico by Copeland, however. I'm pleased to say that even in my absence from the VUSO, the trumpet solo near the beginning was well played.
So, to repeat from last night's post, here's my attempt to tie everything together into Dave's silly summary of the day:
Wouldn't it be nice to eat Taco Bell for a nice, classy dinner before an orchestra concert complimented by beer and Butter Lover's popcorn, which would obviously lead to a drunk dial to your friend from Mexico?
February 9, 2008
Jimmy John's and Loans
Today was a good day besides my waking up feeling ill. I guess the satelite tv going out before I could catch the end of the Fresh Prince episode was less than stellar as well.
Dinner plans to go to Lank and pick up junk food didn't work out due to Lank closing earlier than I remembered, so I hit up Jimmy John's tonight. This has led me to consider starting my Jimmy John's Cups for Beer Pong collection, only 19 more to go. Such excellent food...mmmm. While there Kristin and I led a discussion about where she is living next semester which led me to begin consideration of where I would like to live once I enter the real world in a little more depth, seeing has how that is no longer in the distant future. The appeal of a job in a city like Chicago, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, or Cleveland became apparent (teachers often receive assistance with their federal loans from the government to take a job in the inner city). I think I could handle a few years in any of those cities. Also, living in a city provides one the draw factor...aka...people will come visit to check out the city and stay with you for a weekend now and then. However, city life, on the other hand, is not ideal for a family or for a solid music program in a school and your job may be in danger at all times due to lack of funding for the school. Therefore, this is not a long term answer, but rather a ploy to live in a city (because it would be fun) and get loans paid off (which would be wonderful) in the short term scenario.
Tying all the elements of this post into one:
Once I get a teaching job in a city, you all must visit to eat Jimmy John's and play beer pong with what will hopefully by then be a complete set of Jimmy John's Cups for Beer Pong.
Dinner plans to go to Lank and pick up junk food didn't work out due to Lank closing earlier than I remembered, so I hit up Jimmy John's tonight. This has led me to consider starting my Jimmy John's Cups for Beer Pong collection, only 19 more to go. Such excellent food...mmmm. While there Kristin and I led a discussion about where she is living next semester which led me to begin consideration of where I would like to live once I enter the real world in a little more depth, seeing has how that is no longer in the distant future. The appeal of a job in a city like Chicago, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, or Cleveland became apparent (teachers often receive assistance with their federal loans from the government to take a job in the inner city). I think I could handle a few years in any of those cities. Also, living in a city provides one the draw factor...aka...people will come visit to check out the city and stay with you for a weekend now and then. However, city life, on the other hand, is not ideal for a family or for a solid music program in a school and your job may be in danger at all times due to lack of funding for the school. Therefore, this is not a long term answer, but rather a ploy to live in a city (because it would be fun) and get loans paid off (which would be wonderful) in the short term scenario.
Tying all the elements of this post into one:
Once I get a teaching job in a city, you all must visit to eat Jimmy John's and play beer pong with what will hopefully by then be a complete set of Jimmy John's Cups for Beer Pong.
February 8, 2008
uneventful (useless) day
Today was a pretty uneventful day on my front, so to prove how uneventful it was, I'm going to post an uneventful blog and attempt to make you all wish to never read the word uneventful again. During the midst of my uneventful day I flipped on the TV, mainly for the purpose of flipping channels. I stumbled upon a show on the same channel as that ninja show. Anyway, they were showing some other wacky competition where contestants have to walk through 7ish different obstacles on their hands. Holy crap, I can't even do a handstand, and they are walking up and down stairs, through water, and up ramps. It's pretty crazy stuff. Another competition they showed that same half hour was people walking up styrophome rectangles that fall so that the contestants fall, it was pretty funny. Has anyone else ever had an uneventful day which resulted in channel flipping landing their viewing pleasures on this show? You should try to catch it the next time you have an uneventful day if not.
The other proof I have of my day's uneventfulness is the fact that a 75 minute class consisted purely of going around the room and each individual student reading a prepared, one page outline of their classroom management philosophy. That was pretty miserable.
That's all I have for you today...due to the day's uneventful nature.
The other proof I have of my day's uneventfulness is the fact that a 75 minute class consisted purely of going around the room and each individual student reading a prepared, one page outline of their classroom management philosophy. That was pretty miserable.
That's all I have for you today...due to the day's uneventful nature.
February 7, 2008
sidewalks
Callouses are coming in strong from playing guitar. Ask me next time you see me and I have a guitar and I'll probably play and sing a couple tunes for you.
New mouthpiece for the trumpet is working out well, I'm quite pleased with my tone quality and attacks. Endurance is improving by the day. Made a 50 dollar order for music online from a webpage called Hickey Music...WTF?
Now the real subject of this blog:
So, for those of you who may for some reason not know or remember, Valpo converted to a walking campus, ripping out union street from the union to the VUCA so that you have to walk to get from one side of campus to the other quickly. This seems all well and good to the average person who visits during the non winter months, but for those of us still walking across campus, it sucks. Today was some of the crappiest weather I've seen in a long time. We got rain, sleet, snow, sleet, rain, and I think it is snowing again...and that was the order too. This was on top of the 3-4 inches of snow that melted yesterday. Hence Valpo, which must have a water table half an inch below the ground, was already flooded, and the sidewalks froze today. Then we added about 2 inches of slush to the ice making walking across campus wet, slippery, muddy, and all other things nasty. So, in summary, don't come here in the winter, it's not worth the new pair of shoes per day you'd need.
New mouthpiece for the trumpet is working out well, I'm quite pleased with my tone quality and attacks. Endurance is improving by the day. Made a 50 dollar order for music online from a webpage called Hickey Music...WTF?
Now the real subject of this blog:
So, for those of you who may for some reason not know or remember, Valpo converted to a walking campus, ripping out union street from the union to the VUCA so that you have to walk to get from one side of campus to the other quickly. This seems all well and good to the average person who visits during the non winter months, but for those of us still walking across campus, it sucks. Today was some of the crappiest weather I've seen in a long time. We got rain, sleet, snow, sleet, rain, and I think it is snowing again...and that was the order too. This was on top of the 3-4 inches of snow that melted yesterday. Hence Valpo, which must have a water table half an inch below the ground, was already flooded, and the sidewalks froze today. Then we added about 2 inches of slush to the ice making walking across campus wet, slippery, muddy, and all other things nasty. So, in summary, don't come here in the winter, it's not worth the new pair of shoes per day you'd need.
February 6, 2008
WTF Homer?
Why does Lloyd continue to see so much time on the floor? Why is he running point when Diebler's assist to turnover ratio is a full point assist better? Why do we give him the ball in pressure situations at the end of close games when he shoots 60% at the line? He screwed us over at the end of the Loyola game and did it on national TV tonight. If he doesn't see some serious time on the bench it's time to question Homer's job as head coach here at Valpo. Sure Lloyd is a senior and should get minutes, but he is not under any circumstance a clutch player. Even I would not AIRBALL A FREE THROW when my team has the lead in front of a home crowd of way over 5000 who did not allow a single possession to go by without coordinated noisemaking (otherwise known as cheering). All in all great game...one man screwed it up...as has happened to us enough times that Homer needs to get the clue. Also, one last thing, 7 seconds is enough time to run a play other than running the ball up court, making no passes, and jacking up a contested 3.
out...
out...
February 5, 2008
watch espn2 tomorrow night
Valpo-Butler
This should be a good game and look for me in the pep band on national TV.
Today was pretty boring as usual, though I am rather partial to 1 class Monday. I pretty much sat around, finished up a little homework and chatted with people all day.
Yep...and I'm fairly wiped out...all that hard work I suppose.
Check in tomorrow for comments on the game.
This should be a good game and look for me in the pep band on national TV.
Today was pretty boring as usual, though I am rather partial to 1 class Monday. I pretty much sat around, finished up a little homework and chatted with people all day.
Yep...and I'm fairly wiped out...all that hard work I suppose.
Check in tomorrow for comments on the game.
February 3, 2008
Superbowl Sunday
Great game! Perhaps the most entertaining Super Bowl I have every watched. It had all the elements. It came down to the last few minutes, great defense, amazing plays, New England lost...what could be better. It was the coming of age of Eli Manning. Kristin and I had our own party with Jimmy John's and lots of snack food. I have to say that surround sound is the way to go.
As far as commercials go, this Superbowl was pretty good, but nothing too special.
My top 3:
1. Bud Light allows you to blow fire. Absolutely phenominal.
2. Budweiser Clydesdale trains with the dalmation. Nicely done, nicely done.
3. Coke commercial with the two party representatives who then go off together through D.C. Pretty damn funny.
As far as commercials go, this Superbowl was pretty good, but nothing too special.
My top 3:
1. Bud Light allows you to blow fire. Absolutely phenominal.
2. Budweiser Clydesdale trains with the dalmation. Nicely done, nicely done.
3. Coke commercial with the two party representatives who then go off together through D.C. Pretty damn funny.
Ever have one of those days?
First off...this is my first post. I'm going to explore this whole idea of a blog...guess it'll kind of be like a journal and a way for people who I don't see as much to stay in touch with what's up in Dave World. So, to get a few formalities out of the way, I'm spending my 5th year here at VU pursuing that elusive Music Education degree with the desire to teach high school music and band. I'm taking my smallest credit load thus far in my college career and am therefore bored most of the time. I practice trumpet and guitar quite a lot and rarely have too much homework. I'm still with Kristin and things are good on that front.
Today, however, was just one of those days where people just frustrate you. It's not really their fault or yours, but they are really frustrating. I was very argumentative and easily pissed off. Sigh, I suppose it is bound to happen every now and again.
I went up to the dunes, so check out the good old facebook pics. It was pretty fun. I also played in the pep band for the first time in quite a while. Sadly, it was a women's game which VU lost by more than 20. It was an awful game, but 4 tumpets was better than 3 I suppose. On the note of pep band, however, recently electric violins with amps have popped up in the pep band, and that sounds like shit. I don't know what A. the violinists are thinking, B. what the directors are thinking, or C. how the crowd has put up with it so far, but I hope they stop soon on all fronts.
On a final note, I hope all is well with everyone and that you are all reading Brett's blogs and taking notes on how to make the best jagerbombs.
Today, however, was just one of those days where people just frustrate you. It's not really their fault or yours, but they are really frustrating. I was very argumentative and easily pissed off. Sigh, I suppose it is bound to happen every now and again.
I went up to the dunes, so check out the good old facebook pics. It was pretty fun. I also played in the pep band for the first time in quite a while. Sadly, it was a women's game which VU lost by more than 20. It was an awful game, but 4 tumpets was better than 3 I suppose. On the note of pep band, however, recently electric violins with amps have popped up in the pep band, and that sounds like shit. I don't know what A. the violinists are thinking, B. what the directors are thinking, or C. how the crowd has put up with it so far, but I hope they stop soon on all fronts.
On a final note, I hope all is well with everyone and that you are all reading Brett's blogs and taking notes on how to make the best jagerbombs.
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