So, work today (I clearly find it necessary to blog this).
A most amusing situation took place today.
So, I get this email that lands in my inbox that is from my direct supervisor that says, "Hi Gladys, when you have a bit of time today, could you please drop by my office."
Right.
So, I don't really have anything to fear.
But when you get called to somebody's office, very soon, you start speculating on how all the things you have done could be mis-construed into bad things, and other various offences.
So I'm thinking, "Oh no, perhaps he didn't approve of me adding an extra hour even though the Director said to, and the employment agency has rung him up." Or perhaps, "Oh no, I'm going to be told that I'm violating email privileges at DOCEP and to better stop this behaviour, or I'll be fired."
Eek.
Really, I haven't actually been naughty or anything.
So, I go to his office (cut this story a bit shorter...considering the full story actually involves me asking about recycling, so that I can discard the big cardboard boxes that my stationery order came in!).
And he's very friendly, asking me to take a seat, so I'm thinking, "This can't be too bad..."
And it actually turns out to be quite good.
He basically says (paraphrased here):
"Ah, you've been doing very well here...you've obviously got the hang of things quite quickly. And as you know, Shelley (who is the Director's PA) is going to be going to Osborne Park next week, and we don't really have a replacement. I'm not sure what your current employment situation is, but I just wanted to ask you whether you were interested in taking this position. This would be Shelley's Level 2 position, and a contract of three to six months. Now, I'm not sure about Integrity (the employment agency) [considering they usually place temporary employees, and long-term contracts are not really their thing] but perhaps we'd employ you without the need for a third party. David (the Director) was thinking of asking you to take this position. Would you be interested?"
To which I am shocked, amazed and most amused.
And I have to tell him, "Ben, uhh....unfortunately, three to six months won't really work for me, because I will be leaving town in February.....uhh..I have to go back to university, which is over east, in Melbourne..."
"Ah, I supposed so....David will be most disappointed."
"Yeah, unfortunately, that is the nature of my work....I'm on my summer break, so......and I'm usually home for the holidays, the summer and the middle of the year."
"Well, I guess we'd be interested in having you in the department working...."
"Yeah, that is the nature of it, university takes up the majority of the year..."
"Well, I guess you're not about to give up university to work full time in the government! Oh, I guess we could only ask. David will be disappointed, I think he was quite keen to have you around for a while...I'll let him down gently"
"Yeah, tell him I'm really sorry! Actually, I'll tell hi myself too..."
"Hmm...perhaps I should provide grief counselling...." (HAHA!)
So, I found this all to be most amusing.
Looking back on it, I think perhaps I could have pushed the, 'I'd like to work with you guys again if the opportunity arises in the future, keep me on file, I'd love to.' line. Perhaps I'll do that tomorrow. And perhaps even volunteer to work this Director's PA job for as long as I can - I could keep earning, and keep myself busy, really...perhaps......(depends on how gutsy I feel hehe!). Because they don't have anybody specifically coming in at the moment......which is a bit of a conundrum for them...
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
it's been a while...
since I last blogged.
I'm still working; I got four days off over the Christmas weekend, which was very exciting for me, and back to work today..! No rest for the wicked...?! Hehe :P
My contract just got extended today, till Tuesday 9 January, so I shall be working till then! They actually have somebody coming in on the 10th, so I shall be done by then.
So, working...is about all I can really talk about in great detail now....
I do enjoy it. Although it's tiring, and sometimes boring...I mean, it doesn't really take that many brain cells to stuff envelopes....although that does mean that I can day-dream, think, plan etc. while I do it. So there are up-sides to it too!
There have been major printing issues as well, which has been very annoying and most inconvenient. There are something like three printers, but due to certain things, like printing on letterheads and the like, there are different procedures for selecting specific trays and what not. And of course, they had to completely break down.
Right in the middle of printing mail merge letters. Blergh.
Anyway, today wasn't much better....it will be fixed tomorrow, so hopefully it will work fully! *fingers crossed!*
On Friday, I was sitting around at about 4pm, and the Director of Industry and Consumer Services (so yeah, pretty high ranking!) asked his PA (who sits at the desk next to me) "Have we sent Gladys home yet?" to which she replied in the negative.
And he actually told me, "Go home. Go on..."
So I went to get my timesheet signed and all, and had put the final time as 4pm. I came back to my desk, and he said to me "I hope you put 5pm on that.." and I said, "No, because I'm going home now, and it's 4pm.." but he insisted, because he had "ordered" me to go home. Which was very kind of him (to order, and to tell me to go home...!)
So I can't believe that I actually worked for 37.5 hrs last week. It's a full-on, full-time job! Hehe. I get home and I'm so tired...I think I'm getting old too quickly..hehe!
I've learnt several new systems (for entering data etc) and the procedures for opening/closing files, for entering bond lodgements, for writing specific types of letters, and so much! I don't really know what to do with it all sometimes!
Anyway, so to my Christmas....
On Sunday, for Christmas eve, we went to our cousin's for the usually time-honoured tradition of the Tan and Chua family Christmas eve dinner.
This year was no exception, and was a splendid affair, with the addition of the Moh family.
The table was beautifully set, everything was matching, the candles were lit, the menu beautifully printed.
And we ate soo well!!!!
IT went something like this....:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scallops and prawns with asparagus
on a bed of roquette
Herb and garlic rolls
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
West Australian crayfish
Salad
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roasted turkey with Mediterranean
-style roasted vegetables
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
White chocolate ice-cream with cognac-
infused cherries
Selection of seasonal summer fruits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Premium selection of coffee and tea
with chocolates and shortbread
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All accompanied by a fine selection of
assorted alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was so extravagant, and oh-so-good! And I ate all the way through it, because it was so good....mmm..
Then we stayed up, well past 12....
playing poker,
and also opening pressies. :) (part of the Tan/Chua tradition on Christmas eve)
Christmas morning, we went to church at 9am (argh..so early!!!)
but came home pretty quick, because we had a whole lot of cooking to do! We hosted a Christmas dinner at our place.
The menu was something like this:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whole roasted turkey
Fresh cold prawns
Pasta salad (made by yours truly!)
Green salad
Lasagna & Canneloni
Ham
Rolls
with dessert being:
Lemon cheesecake
Almond and chocolate cake
Christmas cake
Fruits
Orange cake
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No wonder I am so full...all I did for two days was eat...! (Okay, I did help prepare and clear up too, but I did eat so much!)
On Boxing Day, yesterday, we all slept in quite late (like, 11.30am...mmm...!) but then we went out for a picnic in the afternoon. We (us, and a stack of family friends, and friends of friends etc) went to Woodman Point, which was probably one of the worst ideas ever, because half of the 'multicultural' society of Perth decided it would be a good day to go there too! It was dreadfully hot, so relaxing in the shade of a tree was an excelltn idea. So too was going swimming at the beach...Yay! I can actually say I went to the beach over my summeR! woot!
I held a starfish that some other girls had caught..Lydia and I were really amused, then freaked out!
We played a bit of cricket (I got out in spectacular fashion, but not before hitting a few runs...I'm quite proud of myself hehe!) and ate leftovers (as you do...)
So, I am pretty much quite burnt out. And ti's work work work here on in, which is not a bad thing, I guess. I already have the plan for what I'm saving up for, which includes a digital camera (of my own..ooo!) as well as a holiday to Europe and America in the near future. If there is any more I guess it'll go towards spending money in Melbourne, shopping momey, eating out money etc. I guess plans for a new violin are not really on the cards, unless I'm taking up violin more seriously, which isn't at this point in time, but we'll see!
Alrighty, should head off to relax on the couch a bit, watch some tv (because I don't have any study...!!! although I should practice........eek!) and then head to bed, for another long day at work tomorrow! Yep, getting old too fast!
I'm still working; I got four days off over the Christmas weekend, which was very exciting for me, and back to work today..! No rest for the wicked...?! Hehe :P
My contract just got extended today, till Tuesday 9 January, so I shall be working till then! They actually have somebody coming in on the 10th, so I shall be done by then.
So, working...is about all I can really talk about in great detail now....
I do enjoy it. Although it's tiring, and sometimes boring...I mean, it doesn't really take that many brain cells to stuff envelopes....although that does mean that I can day-dream, think, plan etc. while I do it. So there are up-sides to it too!
There have been major printing issues as well, which has been very annoying and most inconvenient. There are something like three printers, but due to certain things, like printing on letterheads and the like, there are different procedures for selecting specific trays and what not. And of course, they had to completely break down.
Right in the middle of printing mail merge letters. Blergh.
Anyway, today wasn't much better....it will be fixed tomorrow, so hopefully it will work fully! *fingers crossed!*
On Friday, I was sitting around at about 4pm, and the Director of Industry and Consumer Services (so yeah, pretty high ranking!) asked his PA (who sits at the desk next to me) "Have we sent Gladys home yet?" to which she replied in the negative.
And he actually told me, "Go home. Go on..."
So I went to get my timesheet signed and all, and had put the final time as 4pm. I came back to my desk, and he said to me "I hope you put 5pm on that.." and I said, "No, because I'm going home now, and it's 4pm.." but he insisted, because he had "ordered" me to go home. Which was very kind of him (to order, and to tell me to go home...!)
So I can't believe that I actually worked for 37.5 hrs last week. It's a full-on, full-time job! Hehe. I get home and I'm so tired...I think I'm getting old too quickly..hehe!
I've learnt several new systems (for entering data etc) and the procedures for opening/closing files, for entering bond lodgements, for writing specific types of letters, and so much! I don't really know what to do with it all sometimes!
Anyway, so to my Christmas....
On Sunday, for Christmas eve, we went to our cousin's for the usually time-honoured tradition of the Tan and Chua family Christmas eve dinner.
This year was no exception, and was a splendid affair, with the addition of the Moh family.
The table was beautifully set, everything was matching, the candles were lit, the menu beautifully printed.
And we ate soo well!!!!
IT went something like this....:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scallops and prawns with asparagus
on a bed of roquette
Herb and garlic rolls
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
West Australian crayfish
Salad
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roasted turkey with Mediterranean
-style roasted vegetables
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
White chocolate ice-cream with cognac-
infused cherries
Selection of seasonal summer fruits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Premium selection of coffee and tea
with chocolates and shortbread
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All accompanied by a fine selection of
assorted alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was so extravagant, and oh-so-good! And I ate all the way through it, because it was so good....mmm..
Then we stayed up, well past 12....
playing poker,
and also opening pressies. :) (part of the Tan/Chua tradition on Christmas eve)
Christmas morning, we went to church at 9am (argh..so early!!!)
but came home pretty quick, because we had a whole lot of cooking to do! We hosted a Christmas dinner at our place.
The menu was something like this:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whole roasted turkey
Fresh cold prawns
Pasta salad (made by yours truly!)
Green salad
Lasagna & Canneloni
Ham
Rolls
with dessert being:
Lemon cheesecake
Almond and chocolate cake
Christmas cake
Fruits
Orange cake
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No wonder I am so full...all I did for two days was eat...! (Okay, I did help prepare and clear up too, but I did eat so much!)
On Boxing Day, yesterday, we all slept in quite late (like, 11.30am...mmm...!) but then we went out for a picnic in the afternoon. We (us, and a stack of family friends, and friends of friends etc) went to Woodman Point, which was probably one of the worst ideas ever, because half of the 'multicultural' society of Perth decided it would be a good day to go there too! It was dreadfully hot, so relaxing in the shade of a tree was an excelltn idea. So too was going swimming at the beach...Yay! I can actually say I went to the beach over my summeR! woot!
I held a starfish that some other girls had caught..Lydia and I were really amused, then freaked out!
We played a bit of cricket (I got out in spectacular fashion, but not before hitting a few runs...I'm quite proud of myself hehe!) and ate leftovers (as you do...)
So, I am pretty much quite burnt out. And ti's work work work here on in, which is not a bad thing, I guess. I already have the plan for what I'm saving up for, which includes a digital camera (of my own..ooo!) as well as a holiday to Europe and America in the near future. If there is any more I guess it'll go towards spending money in Melbourne, shopping momey, eating out money etc. I guess plans for a new violin are not really on the cards, unless I'm taking up violin more seriously, which isn't at this point in time, but we'll see!
Alrighty, should head off to relax on the couch a bit, watch some tv (because I don't have any study...!!! although I should practice........eek!) and then head to bed, for another long day at work tomorrow! Yep, getting old too fast!
Monday, December 18, 2006
an update
So, during the week, I actually have full access to a very fast computer with very fast internet.
The downside? I hear you ask.
It's at work.
Where I'm not going to blog, nor check my personal emails. Pooh.
Where do you work? I hear you ask another question.
At the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.
In the Consumer and Industry (or something like that) section. More particularly, in the Building and Tenancy section.
Okay, roll your eyes now. Or laugh.
At least I'm getting paid!
Work is from 8.30 to 5 every day, with a one hour lunch break.
It's a fairly ok environment to work.
And I'm doing a job that is specifically the 'Administration Support Officer'. And my supervisor just told me today that I'm actually kinda important, particularly in relation to opening files (because they aim for a three day turnaround. Pity I haven't had training to use the software yet..I will tomorrow.)
So, I do data entry, type letters (using a template), filing, stuffing envelopes (LOTS of them!) etc. Which is ok.
So yeah, that might explain my downtime here for a while. But you guys can live with that.
I'm supposed to be there till the 29th, but they have somebody else actually to do the job (because I'm a temporary for somebody) on the 10th of Jan, so my supervisor told me that if I want to work till 9th Jan, I can do it. Which is pretty darn cool.
Yay for pay!
The downside? I hear you ask.
It's at work.
Where I'm not going to blog, nor check my personal emails. Pooh.
Where do you work? I hear you ask another question.
At the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.
In the Consumer and Industry (or something like that) section. More particularly, in the Building and Tenancy section.
Okay, roll your eyes now. Or laugh.
At least I'm getting paid!
Work is from 8.30 to 5 every day, with a one hour lunch break.
It's a fairly ok environment to work.
And I'm doing a job that is specifically the 'Administration Support Officer'. And my supervisor just told me today that I'm actually kinda important, particularly in relation to opening files (because they aim for a three day turnaround. Pity I haven't had training to use the software yet..I will tomorrow.)
So, I do data entry, type letters (using a template), filing, stuffing envelopes (LOTS of them!) etc. Which is ok.
So yeah, that might explain my downtime here for a while. But you guys can live with that.
I'm supposed to be there till the 29th, but they have somebody else actually to do the job (because I'm a temporary for somebody) on the 10th of Jan, so my supervisor told me that if I want to work till 9th Jan, I can do it. Which is pretty darn cool.
Yay for pay!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Layers
Stolen while surfing links on friends' blogs... from http://forgiven-soul.blogspot.com/
Layer One: On the Outside
Name: Gladys
Birthdate: 21 April 1987
Eye colour: Dark brown
Hair Colour: Black
Righty/Lefty: Righty, although I'd really love to be ambidextrious
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Layer Two: On the Inside
Your heritage: Chinese
Your fears: Failing
Your weakness: Chocolate, music, ideal romance
Your perfect pizza: is yummy. A chocolate dessert pizza mmm....
Layer Three: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Your thoughts first waking up: What is the time? Do I have anything on today?
Your bedtime: is fairly late. Normal is something between 12-2am.
Your most missed memory: Erm, I"m not sure if I have one..!
Layer Four: Your Pick
Pepsi or Coke: Either. Cola is cola for me, in the greater part.
McDonald's or Burger King: Either. Although I can't confess to liking either too much.
Single or group dates: Well, I don't really have experience in either. But I like the idea of single.
Adidas or Nike: Neither, really..!
Nestea or Lipton: Twinings!
Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate. But I wouldn't rule out vanilla either.
Coffee or cappuccino:Well, technically neither. I like the smell of coffee. But I could see myself with a cappuccino much more.
Layer Five: Do You...
Smoke: Nup
Curse:Only on the inside
Take a shower: Of course!
Have a crush: Errm.....*blush*
Go to school: Yeah, in terms of 'I go to an educational institution' school.
Want to get married: Yeh, someday...to the right guy!
Believe in yourself: Yeah, I guess, most of the time!
Think you're a health freak: Far from it.
Layer Six: In the Past Month
Drank alcohol: Maybe a sip?
Gone to the mall: Yep.
Been on stage: Past month..? Yes! Melba Hall!
Eaten sushi:Yup.
Dyed your hair: Nup. Not much really works on my hair (see Layer One)
Layer Seven: Have you Ever?
Played a Stripping game: Nup
Changed who you were to fit in: Yeah, but that didn't really last long. I think I wear y heart on my sleeve sometimes, so it's kinda hard to keep that change up.
Layer Eight:
Age you're hoping to get married: Erm sometimes in my mid-late 20s?
Layer Nine: In a Girl/Guy
Best eye colour: Whatever. As long as they're beguiling!
Best hair colour: Really, whatever. Although I have a track record for blond... :S Although that is by no means an exclusion zone, also demonstrated in the past.
Short or long hair: Preferably kinda short. But short grows long too..
Layer Ten: What were you doing?
1 minute ago: This
1 hour ago: Eating dinner/finishing dinner
5 hours ago: Having a nap :)
1 month ago: Finishing exams. Enjoying Melbourne. 'Schmoozing' with musos
1 year ago: At home. Wondering how first year of uni had passed by so quickly!
Layer Eleven: Finish the Sentence
I love: my friends. Music.
I feel: a bit bored, frankly.
I hate: not having fun. Wanting something I can't have, because it's just physically impossible, or the time has already passed.
I hide: some of my feelings. From people that don't need to know it.
I miss: Melbourne. The con. The craziness that it is.
I need: my piano teacher to ring me back!
Layer Twelve: Tag 5 people
Mel
Gina
Jon
Jaz
Liza
I'm gonna cheat..I'm gonna tag a 6th...Sam :)
Layer One: On the Outside
Name: Gladys
Birthdate: 21 April 1987
Eye colour: Dark brown
Hair Colour: Black
Righty/Lefty: Righty, although I'd really love to be ambidextrious
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Layer Two: On the Inside
Your heritage: Chinese
Your fears: Failing
Your weakness: Chocolate, music, ideal romance
Your perfect pizza: is yummy. A chocolate dessert pizza mmm....
Layer Three: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Your thoughts first waking up: What is the time? Do I have anything on today?
Your bedtime: is fairly late. Normal is something between 12-2am.
Your most missed memory: Erm, I"m not sure if I have one..!
Layer Four: Your Pick
Pepsi or Coke: Either. Cola is cola for me, in the greater part.
McDonald's or Burger King: Either. Although I can't confess to liking either too much.
Single or group dates: Well, I don't really have experience in either. But I like the idea of single.
Adidas or Nike: Neither, really..!
Nestea or Lipton: Twinings!
Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate. But I wouldn't rule out vanilla either.
Coffee or cappuccino:Well, technically neither. I like the smell of coffee. But I could see myself with a cappuccino much more.
Layer Five: Do You...
Smoke: Nup
Curse:Only on the inside
Take a shower: Of course!
Have a crush: Errm.....*blush*
Go to school: Yeah, in terms of 'I go to an educational institution' school.
Want to get married: Yeh, someday...to the right guy!
Believe in yourself: Yeah, I guess, most of the time!
Think you're a health freak: Far from it.
Layer Six: In the Past Month
Drank alcohol: Maybe a sip?
Gone to the mall: Yep.
Been on stage: Past month..? Yes! Melba Hall!
Eaten sushi:Yup.
Dyed your hair: Nup. Not much really works on my hair (see Layer One)
Layer Seven: Have you Ever?
Played a Stripping game: Nup
Changed who you were to fit in: Yeah, but that didn't really last long. I think I wear y heart on my sleeve sometimes, so it's kinda hard to keep that change up.
Layer Eight:
Age you're hoping to get married: Erm sometimes in my mid-late 20s?
Layer Nine: In a Girl/Guy
Best eye colour: Whatever. As long as they're beguiling!
Best hair colour: Really, whatever. Although I have a track record for blond... :S Although that is by no means an exclusion zone, also demonstrated in the past.
Short or long hair: Preferably kinda short. But short grows long too..
Layer Ten: What were you doing?
1 minute ago: This
1 hour ago: Eating dinner/finishing dinner
5 hours ago: Having a nap :)
1 month ago: Finishing exams. Enjoying Melbourne. 'Schmoozing' with musos
1 year ago: At home. Wondering how first year of uni had passed by so quickly!
Layer Eleven: Finish the Sentence
I love: my friends. Music.
I feel: a bit bored, frankly.
I hate: not having fun. Wanting something I can't have, because it's just physically impossible, or the time has already passed.
I hide: some of my feelings. From people that don't need to know it.
I miss: Melbourne. The con. The craziness that it is.
I need: my piano teacher to ring me back!
Layer Twelve: Tag 5 people
Mel
Gina
Jon
Jaz
Liza
I'm gonna cheat..I'm gonna tag a 6th...Sam :)
Saturday, December 09, 2006
stuff?
watch out, people...MSO is celebrating 100 years.
so, all next week, In Performance is featuring the orchestra. Cool.
Anyway, so got my results on Thursday.
First up, hope everybody did well or at least ok.
i don't think i'm one to publically share my results. just coz that's not my thing.
but i have to say, i think i have exceedingly high expectations of myself.
my average has dropped a good 4 or 5 per cent since last semester *gasp!*
Oh well, it's still pretty good, although personally, i'm one of those people that expects to get like, exceedingly good grades all the time.
whatever.
i should put things into perspective.
because although my average has dropped that 4 or 5 per cent, i've had a most amazing semester. i've made lots of uni friends.
i've played lots.
i've performed lots.
i've done stuff i REALLY want to do.
and that counts. :)
so, all next week, In Performance is featuring the orchestra. Cool.
Anyway, so got my results on Thursday.
First up, hope everybody did well or at least ok.
i don't think i'm one to publically share my results. just coz that's not my thing.
but i have to say, i think i have exceedingly high expectations of myself.
my average has dropped a good 4 or 5 per cent since last semester *gasp!*
Oh well, it's still pretty good, although personally, i'm one of those people that expects to get like, exceedingly good grades all the time.
whatever.
i should put things into perspective.
because although my average has dropped that 4 or 5 per cent, i've had a most amazing semester. i've made lots of uni friends.
i've played lots.
i've performed lots.
i've done stuff i REALLY want to do.
and that counts. :)
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
wow!
I just came home from the Julian Rachlin (vln) and Itamar Golan (pno) concert that I won free tickets (through the ABC) to. It was amazing.
I went with Jas, we had really good seats! And I even got a free programme, thus having no need to really fork out anything for the night. Pretty sweet.
It was such a good concert. I think I was speechless for a little while! They played two encores at the end, which were amazing.
It was a good night :)
I went to an employment agency today to register and all.
Apparently my skills tests were really good (well, the results were, anyway). And I did pretty well on the Word and Excel tests, even though I've hardly ever used some of the things they asked me to do. And my alphanumeric skills are like, off the radar of a normal person. Apparently the normal, average person gets something like 600-800 keystrokes per hour. I got 12 300. That is abnormal. Hehe. All good. Probably because I spend wayy too much time at the computer hehe. :P Well, at least all those people I talk to on msn, and write emails too (sometimes very long!) - that has all helped my typing, I assure you!
I also called up Harro today, to ask about the possibility of staging a concert/recital thingy at St Mary's. He said that January or February was a bit too early (sorry, T, D & C)...but was willing to think about the middle of the year. And that we could work on it. And he thinks that Mrs T would be willing to support it. The only thing it'd cost is electricity, so basically at no extra expense to the school...and being an Old Girl and what not...! It would be....wrangled sounds bad, but essentially that's it. But in a good way.
And then Harro suggested perhaps playing at Recital Night. And then I mentioned about a bass who's thinking of coming over. And he said "What about vocal night?" Perhaps Nick could sing at vocal night? Just as like, a guest artist thing..? In addition to his own recital? It'd be kinda cool. :)
Anyway, they're just ideas and potentials at the present moment. As for a recital in Jan/Feb, I'm still looking for a place. It's looking kinda hard, if we don't want to fork out a lot of money. Particularly if my friends are coming over, either by plane, or driving over. It's going to cost a lot there. And I'm not willing to fork out a fortune either.
I went with Jas, we had really good seats! And I even got a free programme, thus having no need to really fork out anything for the night. Pretty sweet.
It was such a good concert. I think I was speechless for a little while! They played two encores at the end, which were amazing.
It was a good night :)
I went to an employment agency today to register and all.
Apparently my skills tests were really good (well, the results were, anyway). And I did pretty well on the Word and Excel tests, even though I've hardly ever used some of the things they asked me to do. And my alphanumeric skills are like, off the radar of a normal person. Apparently the normal, average person gets something like 600-800 keystrokes per hour. I got 12 300. That is abnormal. Hehe. All good. Probably because I spend wayy too much time at the computer hehe. :P Well, at least all those people I talk to on msn, and write emails too (sometimes very long!) - that has all helped my typing, I assure you!
I also called up Harro today, to ask about the possibility of staging a concert/recital thingy at St Mary's. He said that January or February was a bit too early (sorry, T, D & C)...but was willing to think about the middle of the year. And that we could work on it. And he thinks that Mrs T would be willing to support it. The only thing it'd cost is electricity, so basically at no extra expense to the school...and being an Old Girl and what not...! It would be....wrangled sounds bad, but essentially that's it. But in a good way.
And then Harro suggested perhaps playing at Recital Night. And then I mentioned about a bass who's thinking of coming over. And he said "What about vocal night?" Perhaps Nick could sing at vocal night? Just as like, a guest artist thing..? In addition to his own recital? It'd be kinda cool. :)
Anyway, they're just ideas and potentials at the present moment. As for a recital in Jan/Feb, I'm still looking for a place. It's looking kinda hard, if we don't want to fork out a lot of money. Particularly if my friends are coming over, either by plane, or driving over. It's going to cost a lot there. And I'm not willing to fork out a fortune either.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
At Home!
So, I had managed to convince Pete to drive me to the airport for my 6am flight. Many thanks :D
Managed to pack up my entire room...weird, the other night I had this weird dream that I had to pack up my room again. And that I was paranoid about leaving stuff behind and locking my door behind me and then forgetting something was in there, and then not being able to get back in. Weird. At least it wasn't real!
So, came home on Friday morning, after not really sleeping at all on Thursday night. Was really out of it. I did sleep on the plane, but it's kinda hard - I find it quite difficult to sleep on a plane for an extended period of time. It was a fairly full flight, and I think the Polynesian Music something were on it haha.
At the airport, I checked myself in (as is now customary for me), then went to the Baggage Drop. And my suitcase was 28 kilos. I had to pay $20 extra... :S Grrr....
And the lady asked me, "Are you carrying a tennis raquet?" Huh?! Oh, my violin. She asked me to open up the case, probably just to prove it was a violin, and didn't have anything dangerous in it. And I told her, "I've travelled with my violin before, never had any problems...I've even been abroad with it!" Haha. She warned me to hang on to it. Hah. Like I wouldn't. At least I was amused.
I was really in no mood to make small talk or anything, so I did my thing on the plane, you know, put my stuff up (stepping on the seats...eek!) and promptly plugged my headphones in.
I got to listen to the 3rd and 4th Mozart Horn Concertos, played by Barry Tuckwell. I was happy. And excited. But didn't have anybody to share my excitement with - pooh!
Oh well, had to wait at the airport at the other end (home) because my parents think that I take a long time to check out. Blergh. It was very early (about 7am). I came home, did my thing. Was soo out of it becuase of the time, but decided I needed a nap, so had one at about 10am. Woke up at about 3pm...I like naps :) But still felt weirded out by time. That's not the best flight coming home either... :S
So, I haven't done much at home except for a bit of practice. Checked email a couple of times (yes, I am not as connected, that's ok). Watched TV (yay!). Slept a lot! I keep pressing snooze, I'm not even sure if setting an alarm is worth it anymore!
Last night I went to the Hale St Mary's Service of Six Lessons and Carols. It was held at St Joseph's, Subiaco, rather than St George's in the city, because St George's is undergoing major reconstruction. Oh well. It was a pretty church. Quite different, but still good.
The choir sang pretty well...I don't think I'll go into details...my reviews tend to be long and painfully drawn out (just look at any of my Concert Report forms)
But it was nice to see some people I knew, including some teachers and some students. It's starting to dawn on me that I'm starting to get a teensy bit old, because there are less people I know than don't know in the choir.
Ern, Jasmine and I went out afterwards (after Nat and Andy went home) and we stayed at Dome talking for a while. If there's something I desparately want to hear just after Christmas or in the New Year, it's to hear that Jas is coming to Melbourne. And that she's going to be at Ormond. And the con. That would make me really happy.
Apart from that really, I haven't been doing very much.
It's nice to see this clustermap thing on the right...I do check it..!
Nice to see hits from England (who there is checking this..?!), is that Malaysia I see (dunno?!) couple from NZ, Asia, across Australia (surprise at some of the locations, but oh well!) as well as a couple from the USA (including a region I have visited..yay!)
Keep clicking, my friends! hehe :P
Managed to pack up my entire room...weird, the other night I had this weird dream that I had to pack up my room again. And that I was paranoid about leaving stuff behind and locking my door behind me and then forgetting something was in there, and then not being able to get back in. Weird. At least it wasn't real!
So, came home on Friday morning, after not really sleeping at all on Thursday night. Was really out of it. I did sleep on the plane, but it's kinda hard - I find it quite difficult to sleep on a plane for an extended period of time. It was a fairly full flight, and I think the Polynesian Music something were on it haha.
At the airport, I checked myself in (as is now customary for me), then went to the Baggage Drop. And my suitcase was 28 kilos. I had to pay $20 extra... :S Grrr....
And the lady asked me, "Are you carrying a tennis raquet?" Huh?! Oh, my violin. She asked me to open up the case, probably just to prove it was a violin, and didn't have anything dangerous in it. And I told her, "I've travelled with my violin before, never had any problems...I've even been abroad with it!" Haha. She warned me to hang on to it. Hah. Like I wouldn't. At least I was amused.
I was really in no mood to make small talk or anything, so I did my thing on the plane, you know, put my stuff up (stepping on the seats...eek!) and promptly plugged my headphones in.
I got to listen to the 3rd and 4th Mozart Horn Concertos, played by Barry Tuckwell. I was happy. And excited. But didn't have anybody to share my excitement with - pooh!
Oh well, had to wait at the airport at the other end (home) because my parents think that I take a long time to check out. Blergh. It was very early (about 7am). I came home, did my thing. Was soo out of it becuase of the time, but decided I needed a nap, so had one at about 10am. Woke up at about 3pm...I like naps :) But still felt weirded out by time. That's not the best flight coming home either... :S
So, I haven't done much at home except for a bit of practice. Checked email a couple of times (yes, I am not as connected, that's ok). Watched TV (yay!). Slept a lot! I keep pressing snooze, I'm not even sure if setting an alarm is worth it anymore!
Last night I went to the Hale St Mary's Service of Six Lessons and Carols. It was held at St Joseph's, Subiaco, rather than St George's in the city, because St George's is undergoing major reconstruction. Oh well. It was a pretty church. Quite different, but still good.
The choir sang pretty well...I don't think I'll go into details...my reviews tend to be long and painfully drawn out (just look at any of my Concert Report forms)
But it was nice to see some people I knew, including some teachers and some students. It's starting to dawn on me that I'm starting to get a teensy bit old, because there are less people I know than don't know in the choir.
Ern, Jasmine and I went out afterwards (after Nat and Andy went home) and we stayed at Dome talking for a while. If there's something I desparately want to hear just after Christmas or in the New Year, it's to hear that Jas is coming to Melbourne. And that she's going to be at Ormond. And the con. That would make me really happy.
Apart from that really, I haven't been doing very much.
It's nice to see this clustermap thing on the right...I do check it..!
Nice to see hits from England (who there is checking this..?!), is that Malaysia I see (dunno?!) couple from NZ, Asia, across Australia (surprise at some of the locations, but oh well!) as well as a couple from the USA (including a region I have visited..yay!)
Keep clicking, my friends! hehe :P
Friday, November 24, 2006
Leaving Melbourne..but before that..!
So, another recount.
Sorry for the incredibly linear progression in these posts, but that's just the way I think mostly, and it's a good way to recount stuff.
Can I please also note that my computer is kinda doing funny things, and sometimes misses a few letters. So, if I miss any letters, it's probably a computer error more than me. Seriously, I'm one of those kinda-nazis about letters, particularly at this moment in time.
So....
Monday
Packing
Returned horn
Returned a stack of library books to the music library
Packing
Sam helped me pack
Sent some stuff to Flick's place..she said, "Is that it?!" when she looked at my apparently measly pile of about 5 boxes and a bag. I said, "In that case, sure, I'll put more stuff!" haha.
Didn't go to MSO with Steph (Loz went though, completely unrelated to Steph and me going or not, but same concert..!)
Tuesday
Went and saw Kathy at uni to get my $200 back (will be sent cheque)
Packed
Had lunch with Steph at Corretto's. I'm gonna miss Lygon St....just even walking down there!
Page-turned for Anne's organ exam at Trinity. She (her feet and legs) went nuts - it was fantastic! I don't think I've ever really seen an organist in full flight.
Ran down straight after to see Rowan's final trumpet exam - missed the first piece (a full trumpet concerto, although managed to catch the 2nd and 3rd movts from outside the door. Then went in for the 2nd piece). He played well :)
Came home.
Called Flick, got her to pick up even more stuff of mine. Am eternally grateful for her taking my stuff.
Had dinner at Martin's place with Martin, Hilary and Xing. Ate well, had good conversation, fun times.
Wednesday
Packed.
Piano lesson was cancelled. But am thinking about pieces to be working on for next year - should be another amazing year of playing solo piano repertoire (hopefully really cool stuff!), chamber music (yay for trios etc!), as well as hopefully doing a stack of accompanying. As Trev said, "There's no reason why you can't do a Stefan and combine solo stuff with accompanying stuff!" Haha.
Even walked down to uni to get a Concert Report form, because I felt that I should get out of college for a little while. And it was a nice day.
Packed.
Went to Eddie's recital - dragged Jon along with me. (Dylan, Trev, Chris, Loz an Em couldn't come. Pity, oh well). His parents remembered me; his mother said, in the context of inviting them to my piano recitals, "Do tell us, we'd really love to hear you play, you're special to us!" Hehe. Very cute.
Watched an episode of House.
Thursday
Woke up early to do more packing and the washing.
Had to pack like crazy.
Have since sent away my stuff to Shelley's and Martin's.
Had Mag's birthday bash at College Square. Finally, went to College Square, after two years and many friends telling me about it.
Set up, cooked (I BBQed!) Haha. Very cool - although I don't cook!
We started heaps late, so Loz and I ended up only staying for a little while, but oh well, at least we were there!
Met an American dude (forgotten his name...would anybody like to enlighten me? I know he's from NJ, but goes to school at Ithaca...cool! Facebook..?!)
Came home, got ready very quickly - at least I had planned what I was wearing and everything, plus the 'game plan' of what had to go where.
Rushed out, to meet Sam and Kristen for dinner at Il Gambero.
Had dinner, had a lovely time chatting and dining :) Went to The Original Lolly Store. Unfortunately this year, I have not had the time to go shopping for Christmas or other pressies from Melbourne. Other things shall have to suffice. I also have unfortunately spent wayy too much this year, particularly in the last couple of weeks, as I have been going out, celebrating end of exams, end of year, seeing people before we all leave town etc. All this has amounted to not being very healthy for my bank balance. Where is that $200 from uni? Or the I-can't-quite-remember-how-much-$-I'm-supposed-to-get-from-Queen's-Choir-money?
Then headed to the opera.
Went to my first OA production!
It was the Marriage of Figaro. It was WONDERFUL!
I'm debating whether to write a whole thesis/review about it. But perhaps that can wait. Or I could just rave about a few things.
For example, I went with Kristen, Sam, Matt, Xing, Judy, Sum, Martin, Gareth, Ben, Tamzin, Anne, Hannah, Meg, Jesse, Ben L, Yas, Lynchy, Mel G and Nikki. I was incredibly lucky to have my hands on four tickets..! And I was incredibly happy because I knew everybody in that group, plus it was opening night at an opera I actually know about! And enjoy! (yay for B&C history!)
And we got to dress up hehe :P Which involved a dress and all.
Unfortunately, I got sunburnt during the day while cooking things on the BBQ (hey gina/gowri, could you pls send those pics hehe :P). And only noticed halfway through, when I went to the bathroom, and looked at myself. Argh! I am pink in certain areas..eek! I hope it doesn't peel...
anyway, keep raving...
Teddy Tahu Rhodes sang the role of the Count...I was so excited that I actually got to see and hear him in opera! I think he's coming back next year in Don Giovanni, so I shall have to go see that!
More raving....it was an incredibly lavish production, well, I mean, comparative to the MCO version last year (who obviously have a much smaller budget) The set was beautiful, the costumes were great, the orchestra was great (yay for the harpsichord!), the singers were wonderful. It was a great production! So, it was a great opera experience (particularly first times for several friends!). It was a great OA first for me too :) I was very excited.
At interval, saw Nick Carter, talking to Anne and Hannah and RICHARD GILL!
I so wanted to introduce myself to him, but unfortunately didn't and didn't really have the chance to.
There are so many Richards in opera hehe :P
Richard Gill is a big name in opera, and particularly is the Artistic (or musical?) Director at the WA Opera. And is a great conductor....two of my friends (Nick is not a 'friend', he's a 'person I know'. There's a difference...) get to work with him, as part of coming places in a conducting competition thingy......'twill be cool.
Perhaps Richard Gill or Mark Shiell could be my next musical person I have to meet, due to several occasions of 2 degrees of separation...! (this was like Stephen..)
Many thanks to Ben for obtaining these tickets, and for giving me so many, because I managed to invite a few friends. Unfortunately, I didn't have more, because I had a number of friends who wanted to come, and I am also a bit disappointed that some couldn't make it anyway (for various reasons, including at home - ie. not Melbourne, leaving for Sydney this morning etc! Alas, our opera experiences shall have to be another time!)
So, we decided to get some coffee (or equivilent). Kristen and I both got an iced chocolate, which was very yummy (yay for such a substantial dollop of ice-cream!).
then came home to give stuff to Martin to put in his flat, went to Ormond to give Loz her CD player back (sorry so late, my friends..!)
And ended up talking to a few friends for a little while.
Then decided it really wasn't worth trying to go to sleep for a couple of hours, because I'm afriad of not waking up and missing my plane.
And perhaps thought I should blog all this, because internet at home is a little limited.
And perhaps should try to use some of 300mb, although I have about 45 mins to do so..and I don't really know what to do with it. I can't really download stuff, coz I don't have any more space, really, on my computer haha. Youtube videos? I really don't know....Oh well, doesn't really matter.
And I guess my next post shall come from Perth.
So, to all my Melbourne friends (like, even if you're not from melbourne, but 'melbourne friends' refers to the people I hang with in Melbourne), thank you for an amazing year. I have loved this year soooo much, and I'm really sad to be leaving so soon, despite me also missing home very much.
Thank you for all the fun times, for the thoughtful things you have filled my life with, for the chats we've had, for all the laughs, for the spawning of new and extravagant ideas, for being there, for randomness, for being new friends (yay particularly musos! and those special freshers at qc, you know who you are :) ), for being good old friends, for funny musical times, for concerts, recitals, performances, for playing together, for finding and discovering new music together, for going to concerts, for helping me.
i love you all - you have all made me smile a bit more, have a bit more fun, love life that much more. thank you. i am indebted in so many ways to all my friends.
signing off from melbourne for the last time, 2006.
To yet another year of fun, laughs, music, good times, thoughts and the like. 2007, roll on.
xoxoxo
Sorry for the incredibly linear progression in these posts, but that's just the way I think mostly, and it's a good way to recount stuff.
Can I please also note that my computer is kinda doing funny things, and sometimes misses a few letters. So, if I miss any letters, it's probably a computer error more than me. Seriously, I'm one of those kinda-nazis about letters, particularly at this moment in time.
So....
Monday
Packing
Returned horn
Returned a stack of library books to the music library
Packing
Sam helped me pack
Sent some stuff to Flick's place..she said, "Is that it?!" when she looked at my apparently measly pile of about 5 boxes and a bag. I said, "In that case, sure, I'll put more stuff!" haha.
Didn't go to MSO with Steph (Loz went though, completely unrelated to Steph and me going or not, but same concert..!)
Tuesday
Went and saw Kathy at uni to get my $200 back (will be sent cheque)
Packed
Had lunch with Steph at Corretto's. I'm gonna miss Lygon St....just even walking down there!
Page-turned for Anne's organ exam at Trinity. She (her feet and legs) went nuts - it was fantastic! I don't think I've ever really seen an organist in full flight.
Ran down straight after to see Rowan's final trumpet exam - missed the first piece (a full trumpet concerto, although managed to catch the 2nd and 3rd movts from outside the door. Then went in for the 2nd piece). He played well :)
Came home.
Called Flick, got her to pick up even more stuff of mine. Am eternally grateful for her taking my stuff.
Had dinner at Martin's place with Martin, Hilary and Xing. Ate well, had good conversation, fun times.
Wednesday
Packed.
Piano lesson was cancelled. But am thinking about pieces to be working on for next year - should be another amazing year of playing solo piano repertoire (hopefully really cool stuff!), chamber music (yay for trios etc!), as well as hopefully doing a stack of accompanying. As Trev said, "There's no reason why you can't do a Stefan and combine solo stuff with accompanying stuff!" Haha.
Even walked down to uni to get a Concert Report form, because I felt that I should get out of college for a little while. And it was a nice day.
Packed.
Went to Eddie's recital - dragged Jon along with me. (Dylan, Trev, Chris, Loz an Em couldn't come. Pity, oh well). His parents remembered me; his mother said, in the context of inviting them to my piano recitals, "Do tell us, we'd really love to hear you play, you're special to us!" Hehe. Very cute.
Watched an episode of House.
Thursday
Woke up early to do more packing and the washing.
Had to pack like crazy.
Have since sent away my stuff to Shelley's and Martin's.
Had Mag's birthday bash at College Square. Finally, went to College Square, after two years and many friends telling me about it.
Set up, cooked (I BBQed!) Haha. Very cool - although I don't cook!
We started heaps late, so Loz and I ended up only staying for a little while, but oh well, at least we were there!
Met an American dude (forgotten his name...would anybody like to enlighten me? I know he's from NJ, but goes to school at Ithaca...cool! Facebook..?!)
Came home, got ready very quickly - at least I had planned what I was wearing and everything, plus the 'game plan' of what had to go where.
Rushed out, to meet Sam and Kristen for dinner at Il Gambero.
Had dinner, had a lovely time chatting and dining :) Went to The Original Lolly Store. Unfortunately this year, I have not had the time to go shopping for Christmas or other pressies from Melbourne. Other things shall have to suffice. I also have unfortunately spent wayy too much this year, particularly in the last couple of weeks, as I have been going out, celebrating end of exams, end of year, seeing people before we all leave town etc. All this has amounted to not being very healthy for my bank balance. Where is that $200 from uni? Or the I-can't-quite-remember-how-much-$-I'm-supposed-to-get-from-Queen's-Choir-money?
Then headed to the opera.
Went to my first OA production!
It was the Marriage of Figaro. It was WONDERFUL!
I'm debating whether to write a whole thesis/review about it. But perhaps that can wait. Or I could just rave about a few things.
For example, I went with Kristen, Sam, Matt, Xing, Judy, Sum, Martin, Gareth, Ben, Tamzin, Anne, Hannah, Meg, Jesse, Ben L, Yas, Lynchy, Mel G and Nikki. I was incredibly lucky to have my hands on four tickets..! And I was incredibly happy because I knew everybody in that group, plus it was opening night at an opera I actually know about! And enjoy! (yay for B&C history!)
And we got to dress up hehe :P Which involved a dress and all.
Unfortunately, I got sunburnt during the day while cooking things on the BBQ (hey gina/gowri, could you pls send those pics hehe :P). And only noticed halfway through, when I went to the bathroom, and looked at myself. Argh! I am pink in certain areas..eek! I hope it doesn't peel...
anyway, keep raving...
Teddy Tahu Rhodes sang the role of the Count...I was so excited that I actually got to see and hear him in opera! I think he's coming back next year in Don Giovanni, so I shall have to go see that!
More raving....it was an incredibly lavish production, well, I mean, comparative to the MCO version last year (who obviously have a much smaller budget) The set was beautiful, the costumes were great, the orchestra was great (yay for the harpsichord!), the singers were wonderful. It was a great production! So, it was a great opera experience (particularly first times for several friends!). It was a great OA first for me too :) I was very excited.
At interval, saw Nick Carter, talking to Anne and Hannah and RICHARD GILL!
I so wanted to introduce myself to him, but unfortunately didn't and didn't really have the chance to.
There are so many Richards in opera hehe :P
Richard Gill is a big name in opera, and particularly is the Artistic (or musical?) Director at the WA Opera. And is a great conductor....two of my friends (Nick is not a 'friend', he's a 'person I know'. There's a difference...) get to work with him, as part of coming places in a conducting competition thingy......'twill be cool.
Perhaps Richard Gill or Mark Shiell could be my next musical person I have to meet, due to several occasions of 2 degrees of separation...! (this was like Stephen..)
Many thanks to Ben for obtaining these tickets, and for giving me so many, because I managed to invite a few friends. Unfortunately, I didn't have more, because I had a number of friends who wanted to come, and I am also a bit disappointed that some couldn't make it anyway (for various reasons, including at home - ie. not Melbourne, leaving for Sydney this morning etc! Alas, our opera experiences shall have to be another time!)
So, we decided to get some coffee (or equivilent). Kristen and I both got an iced chocolate, which was very yummy (yay for such a substantial dollop of ice-cream!).
then came home to give stuff to Martin to put in his flat, went to Ormond to give Loz her CD player back (sorry so late, my friends..!)
And ended up talking to a few friends for a little while.
Then decided it really wasn't worth trying to go to sleep for a couple of hours, because I'm afriad of not waking up and missing my plane.
And perhaps thought I should blog all this, because internet at home is a little limited.
And perhaps should try to use some of 300mb, although I have about 45 mins to do so..and I don't really know what to do with it. I can't really download stuff, coz I don't have any more space, really, on my computer haha. Youtube videos? I really don't know....Oh well, doesn't really matter.
And I guess my next post shall come from Perth.
So, to all my Melbourne friends (like, even if you're not from melbourne, but 'melbourne friends' refers to the people I hang with in Melbourne), thank you for an amazing year. I have loved this year soooo much, and I'm really sad to be leaving so soon, despite me also missing home very much.
Thank you for all the fun times, for the thoughtful things you have filled my life with, for the chats we've had, for all the laughs, for the spawning of new and extravagant ideas, for being there, for randomness, for being new friends (yay particularly musos! and those special freshers at qc, you know who you are :) ), for being good old friends, for funny musical times, for concerts, recitals, performances, for playing together, for finding and discovering new music together, for going to concerts, for helping me.
i love you all - you have all made me smile a bit more, have a bit more fun, love life that much more. thank you. i am indebted in so many ways to all my friends.
signing off from melbourne for the last time, 2006.
To yet another year of fun, laughs, music, good times, thoughts and the like. 2007, roll on.
xoxoxo
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
The Classic 100 Mozart countdown
Get into it. On ABC Classic FM.
One of the announcers said..."Donyanhi...friend....wait, that might be too far...okay, he MET Beethoven."
haha.
And I am please to see the cluster map (to the right) is effectively showing hits from different locations.
The places I can confirm are:
NW USA (Somewhere in Oregon..?!)
Western Europe (who..?!?!)
Hong Kong (?! I can pick that one :) )
Malaysia (I think..!)
two hits from NZ (who?!?)
Perth
Central Australia (hah)
a massive blob at about Sydney - WHO is there...?!?!?!!
I am a bit confuzzled by that one, but nevertheless excited. I am just surprised that the number of Melbourne or Perth hits is not the highest. Go figure...
To the mysterious anonymous man, do NOT post rude messages to 'Mel'. And I never said that you have to abide by the list of things that Men should do for Women. Fine, don't feel like being a good person. That's you're loss.
One of the announcers said..."Donyanhi...friend....wait, that might be too far...okay, he MET Beethoven."
haha.
And I am please to see the cluster map (to the right) is effectively showing hits from different locations.
The places I can confirm are:
NW USA (Somewhere in Oregon..?!)
Western Europe (who..?!?!)
Hong Kong (?! I can pick that one :) )
Malaysia (I think..!)
two hits from NZ (who?!?)
Perth
Central Australia (hah)
a massive blob at about Sydney - WHO is there...?!?!?!!
I am a bit confuzzled by that one, but nevertheless excited. I am just surprised that the number of Melbourne or Perth hits is not the highest. Go figure...
To the mysterious anonymous man, do NOT post rude messages to 'Mel'. And I never said that you have to abide by the list of things that Men should do for Women. Fine, don't feel like being a good person. That's you're loss.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Haha.
That's three people who thought I was in first year...
Mischa, Chris, Andrew.
Haha.
And the reason was, "Well, you're in all our classes!"
Correction....I was in TWO first year subjects. That just happened to be across the year.
Haha.
That amused me.
Perhaps we didn't exude enough superiority!
Mischa, Chris, Andrew.
Haha.
And the reason was, "Well, you're in all our classes!"
Correction....I was in TWO first year subjects. That just happened to be across the year.
Haha.
That amused me.
Perhaps we didn't exude enough superiority!
Monday, November 20, 2006
See below...
for some random photos.
That I took while I was supposed to be studying.
And a little celebration that occurred after (my real) exams. Yummy :)
That I took while I was supposed to be studying.
And a little celebration that occurred after (my real) exams. Yummy :)
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Facts from last night
1. Johannes, the Swedish violinist that kristen was playing with in her quartet, is not who I thought it was. I met the real Johannes last night. Who was very nice.
2. And I met Matt's girlfriend last night, Julia. Very nice :) At least they're two really really nice people.
3. Anne and subsequently, Amy's, mission for last night was to get me drunk. They failed. :P I only had one glass of punch and that was sufficient to make me happy and talkative (not that I'm not already..!)
4. Mishca studied chemistry in high school, and finds it "really interesting and applicable to everyday life" (okay, I might have reworded that, but that was the basic gist).
The reason this came out was that he was explaining that he knew about disinfecting things with alcohol. To be more precise, ethanol, a pure alcohol.
The reason he was doing this was because he wanted to do some self-surgery, as he had a growth on(in?) his foot, and decided that he'd get rid of it himself.
At least he disinfected the knife.
He ended up giving himself a secondary infection.
Silly Mischa. :P
5. Toby hadn't gone home in two days..and hadn't changed his clothes. Although he washed his hair...! Which julia and daffyd thought would be good to plait. :)
6. There were lots of oboists last night. We're talking Daffyd (sp?), Mary, Mischa and Tilly. Four. That's a lot....
7. We formed a piano circle. Then Mischa decided to invade.
8. The string players formed circle. This included Chris, Bec, Rhianwen, Emma, Michael and THEM string players....
9. Tim has cut his hair.
2. And I met Matt's girlfriend last night, Julia. Very nice :) At least they're two really really nice people.
3. Anne and subsequently, Amy's, mission for last night was to get me drunk. They failed. :P I only had one glass of punch and that was sufficient to make me happy and talkative (not that I'm not already..!)
4. Mishca studied chemistry in high school, and finds it "really interesting and applicable to everyday life" (okay, I might have reworded that, but that was the basic gist).
The reason this came out was that he was explaining that he knew about disinfecting things with alcohol. To be more precise, ethanol, a pure alcohol.
The reason he was doing this was because he wanted to do some self-surgery, as he had a growth on(in?) his foot, and decided that he'd get rid of it himself.
At least he disinfected the knife.
He ended up giving himself a secondary infection.
Silly Mischa. :P
5. Toby hadn't gone home in two days..and hadn't changed his clothes. Although he washed his hair...! Which julia and daffyd thought would be good to plait. :)
6. There were lots of oboists last night. We're talking Daffyd (sp?), Mary, Mischa and Tilly. Four. That's a lot....
7. We formed a piano circle. Then Mischa decided to invade.
8. The string players formed circle. This included Chris, Bec, Rhianwen, Emma, Michael and THEM string players....
9. Tim has cut his hair.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
the recount
So....what a busy week it has been!
Where did I leave off?
Ah, yes.
Monday night....had dinner with Lauren quite late. She wanted some company to walk down to the con to hand in her final two assignments. And I wasn't really doing much myself. Then we hung (after doing some sort of happy dance accompanied by lots of grinning!). So, we went out down Lygs (Il Gambero) and ate well :)
Tuesday night...went room-shopping with Renee. We think we have it figured out. Hopefully it'll all work out...
Wednesday.
Had a rehearsal with me, Jacquie and Matt. The Bruch took a bit longer to get at the VCA, but we finally all convened..and bashed through some stuff. The actual Mozart. A Reinecke trio (which apparently was horribly edited..! Haha..). As well as four out of the eight pieces by Bruch. We are keeping the Bruch yay!!!! :D
They were the ones that I actually wanted to play.....so I'm glad that we are! They're just gorgeous!
Then had a tute for Trio Reginae with Mardi. Who gave us lots of feedback - she was especially (and constructively!) critical, which was very good. I was EXHAUSTED though, by the end! Physically, because I hadn't really played piano in a while...and also intellectually, because I hadn't played piano in a while too! Haha. Well, I have been on pseudo-holiday mode since the end of my piano exam...! So it was kinda hard...
Thursday....
Had long rehearsal for Trio Reginae. After our tute, we were like, "we have to fix things!" This was scary. Because we started getting 'cold feet' and questioning our rhythm in the first movement. We laboured over parts of the third movement. We decided which repeats to cut and which ones to keep.
went to Trev's recital in the afternoon. He had quite a few people there! He did very well, even getting impromptu applause from Bill after the first song. The Vaughan Williams songs were particularly excellent :) They're great songs. And 'The Roadside Fire' brings back good memories :) Then had this little reminiscing time with Alvin about Musicianship Grade 5. Haha. Fun times, particularly tapping out Haydn parts..!
Then hung around the con for wayyy too long. talked to lots of people.
Realised that I have a lot of friends who are first year musicians.
Realised that I have a lot of friends who are singers.
Go figure.
Lauren: "I haven't met you, I'm Lauren."
Peter: "Hi Lauren, pleased to meet you. I'm Peter Hurley."
Lauren: "Hi Peter. Nice to meet you too. I've heard lots of things about you."
Nick: "Ah, big reputation before you meet the man."
Gladys: "Right back at you, look who's talking, Nick..."
Gladys: "Tim, you are an idiot...
Tim: "I'm more than an idiot....I'm a tenor!!!"
Wow. Singers......! Haha....
Then went to dinner on Thursday night. Went to Cafe Segovia, a Xing-initiated dinner, at a Xing-tried-and-tested-good-restaurant.
The place is at Block Place, which is an alley off Little Collins St between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. It was a great place! We had the 'private function room' (which fits about 20 people) to ourselves, and there were these two guitar guys playing awesome music. I'm thinking about having a do there, something involving all my music friends coming out and having dinner. Just to...hang...because I keep talking about so-and-so-music-friend but some don't know the others and et cetera. And they should all meet each other.....so that they know all my other muso friends, and don't get weirded out when I talk to a variety of people at the Con!
Friday.....was very busy!
Got up early for a number of reasons.
I have been offered, and turned down to do a violin teaching job the previous day, but had ten realised that I was available, so had messaged friend who was trying to get me to do it, but hadn't got message back, and what if she called in the morning?
Planned to do something with Mel that morning (coz Mel leaves Saturday... :( )
Practice before exam.
So, I fulfilled all of those. I practiced, got a message back while I was practicing, and managed to go out with Mel for coffee - catching up before she left town.
Then managed to get back for another Trio Reginae rehearsal before having lunch and then heading down to the con to do this Chamber Music exam. Finally!
We had a little crowd, it was awesome!
Thanks to Sam, Nick, Jon, Alvin, Dylan, Chris and Trev who came and watched us. Thanks for coming to hear us on several occasions. Thanks for putting up with the same piece for the majority of this semester. Thanks for trying to find our examiners for us...! Thanks for applauding :) And thanks for the suport - it is greatly appreciated. :D
then came home to hang with Sam, which involved us reading through some music. :) It was cool, but unfortunately, I was incredibly tired and couldn't really play very much or very well. I obviously didn't end up teaching....Phoebe had found that Kristen had found somebody else to teach. So that was probably good, because I was so physically exhausted after playing the Mozart.
Then went out with Trev, Dylan and Chris to this MSS party that I'd half-organised. Funny blokes haha. Fun times. All college boys, all first year, all musos. Wow, does that put a funny spin on it all? We went to the Lion Hotel at Melbourne Central. It was pretty bad. The music was insanely loud, the pub was playing fairly bad music, was a sports bar (at least it had TV showing soccer..!), had lots of old people :P as well as families. And was generally kinda boring all up. We ended up moving to the Night Cat instead. Which was much better. Which had that band that was there last week as well (that funk/rap/fusion one..). And I bumped into some college friends there. Haha. Good times.....except this time I was out with uni friends :) Yay!
Came home, painfully in heels with Chris, Gina, Gowri and Mags.
Ouch. I keep saying that I'll never wear heels again...I should never promise myself something like this again!
Right..and now I should go to bed. I was exhausted to start off with, before I went out....I was kinda hesitant to go out at all tonight, because I was so tired. But I felt obliged to go to this party. But I had a good time nevertheless. It is really time for bed......!
Where did I leave off?
Ah, yes.
Monday night....had dinner with Lauren quite late. She wanted some company to walk down to the con to hand in her final two assignments. And I wasn't really doing much myself. Then we hung (after doing some sort of happy dance accompanied by lots of grinning!). So, we went out down Lygs (Il Gambero) and ate well :)
Tuesday night...went room-shopping with Renee. We think we have it figured out. Hopefully it'll all work out...
Wednesday.
Had a rehearsal with me, Jacquie and Matt. The Bruch took a bit longer to get at the VCA, but we finally all convened..and bashed through some stuff. The actual Mozart. A Reinecke trio (which apparently was horribly edited..! Haha..). As well as four out of the eight pieces by Bruch. We are keeping the Bruch yay!!!! :D
They were the ones that I actually wanted to play.....so I'm glad that we are! They're just gorgeous!
Then had a tute for Trio Reginae with Mardi. Who gave us lots of feedback - she was especially (and constructively!) critical, which was very good. I was EXHAUSTED though, by the end! Physically, because I hadn't really played piano in a while...and also intellectually, because I hadn't played piano in a while too! Haha. Well, I have been on pseudo-holiday mode since the end of my piano exam...! So it was kinda hard...
Thursday....
Had long rehearsal for Trio Reginae. After our tute, we were like, "we have to fix things!" This was scary. Because we started getting 'cold feet' and questioning our rhythm in the first movement. We laboured over parts of the third movement. We decided which repeats to cut and which ones to keep.
went to Trev's recital in the afternoon. He had quite a few people there! He did very well, even getting impromptu applause from Bill after the first song. The Vaughan Williams songs were particularly excellent :) They're great songs. And 'The Roadside Fire' brings back good memories :) Then had this little reminiscing time with Alvin about Musicianship Grade 5. Haha. Fun times, particularly tapping out Haydn parts..!
Then hung around the con for wayyy too long. talked to lots of people.
Realised that I have a lot of friends who are first year musicians.
Realised that I have a lot of friends who are singers.
Go figure.
Lauren: "I haven't met you, I'm Lauren."
Peter: "Hi Lauren, pleased to meet you. I'm Peter Hurley."
Lauren: "Hi Peter. Nice to meet you too. I've heard lots of things about you."
Nick: "Ah, big reputation before you meet the man."
Gladys: "Right back at you, look who's talking, Nick..."
Gladys: "Tim, you are an idiot...
Tim: "I'm more than an idiot....I'm a tenor!!!"
Wow. Singers......! Haha....
Then went to dinner on Thursday night. Went to Cafe Segovia, a Xing-initiated dinner, at a Xing-tried-and-tested-good-restaurant.
The place is at Block Place, which is an alley off Little Collins St between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. It was a great place! We had the 'private function room' (which fits about 20 people) to ourselves, and there were these two guitar guys playing awesome music. I'm thinking about having a do there, something involving all my music friends coming out and having dinner. Just to...hang...because I keep talking about so-and-so-music-friend but some don't know the others and et cetera. And they should all meet each other.....so that they know all my other muso friends, and don't get weirded out when I talk to a variety of people at the Con!
Friday.....was very busy!
Got up early for a number of reasons.
I have been offered, and turned down to do a violin teaching job the previous day, but had ten realised that I was available, so had messaged friend who was trying to get me to do it, but hadn't got message back, and what if she called in the morning?
Planned to do something with Mel that morning (coz Mel leaves Saturday... :( )
Practice before exam.
So, I fulfilled all of those. I practiced, got a message back while I was practicing, and managed to go out with Mel for coffee - catching up before she left town.
Then managed to get back for another Trio Reginae rehearsal before having lunch and then heading down to the con to do this Chamber Music exam. Finally!
We had a little crowd, it was awesome!
Thanks to Sam, Nick, Jon, Alvin, Dylan, Chris and Trev who came and watched us. Thanks for coming to hear us on several occasions. Thanks for putting up with the same piece for the majority of this semester. Thanks for trying to find our examiners for us...! Thanks for applauding :) And thanks for the suport - it is greatly appreciated. :D
then came home to hang with Sam, which involved us reading through some music. :) It was cool, but unfortunately, I was incredibly tired and couldn't really play very much or very well. I obviously didn't end up teaching....Phoebe had found that Kristen had found somebody else to teach. So that was probably good, because I was so physically exhausted after playing the Mozart.
Then went out with Trev, Dylan and Chris to this MSS party that I'd half-organised. Funny blokes haha. Fun times. All college boys, all first year, all musos. Wow, does that put a funny spin on it all? We went to the Lion Hotel at Melbourne Central. It was pretty bad. The music was insanely loud, the pub was playing fairly bad music, was a sports bar (at least it had TV showing soccer..!), had lots of old people :P as well as families. And was generally kinda boring all up. We ended up moving to the Night Cat instead. Which was much better. Which had that band that was there last week as well (that funk/rap/fusion one..). And I bumped into some college friends there. Haha. Good times.....except this time I was out with uni friends :) Yay!
Came home, painfully in heels with Chris, Gina, Gowri and Mags.
Ouch. I keep saying that I'll never wear heels again...I should never promise myself something like this again!
Right..and now I should go to bed. I was exhausted to start off with, before I went out....I was kinda hesitant to go out at all tonight, because I was so tired. But I felt obliged to go to this party. But I had a good time nevertheless. It is really time for bed......!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
I can't read my own writing..
I've written in for this Friday, "*********'s last exam"
The pity is that I don't know who ********** is.
So, if you'd like some recognition, please let me know. Also so that I know who to congratulate on Friday night.
Speaking about Friday night....
The MSS (Music Students Society) presents the 2006 end-of-year party!
Lion Hotel, 3rd Floor, Melbourne Central, 7.30 onwards (this Friday 17th November)
See you there!
And another invitation....
Trio Reginae do their Chamber Music Exam.
Melba Hall, 2pm
Friday 17 November
Would be nice to have support :)
The pity is that I don't know who ********** is.
So, if you'd like some recognition, please let me know. Also so that I know who to congratulate on Friday night.
Speaking about Friday night....
The MSS (Music Students Society) presents the 2006 end-of-year party!
Lion Hotel, 3rd Floor, Melbourne Central, 7.30 onwards (this Friday 17th November)
See you there!
And another invitation....
Trio Reginae do their Chamber Music Exam.
Melba Hall, 2pm
Friday 17 November
Would be nice to have support :)
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Da Con
I've been there so much (when I didn't really need to...) that it warrants its own title and post.
So, I've been there lots.
Ran into muso friends there.
Had a chat to Matt.
Had a chat to Chris.
Ran into Chris and Dylan at the Comm cafe. Dylan invited me to his recital today.
Chris thought I was in first year! (So did Mischa.....)
Perhaps we should have exuded a greater sense of superiority..?! Haha. Oh well. All good.
Watched Dylan's recital. He went pretty well!
Ran into Nick. Had a chat to him. A very good one.
He knows Perth!!! And I have such invited him to come over and stuff and perform. That'd be totally cool.
And I sent him the details about Hamilton gigs.....
Ran into Clinton - looked very smart in his suit and all! (So did Dave on the way in, in fact..)
It's so cute when the boys get dressed up for their recitals. The girls just look hot. The guys look like they've gone to HEAPS of effort. Hehe :P Aww..!!!
Talked to Aaron about his recital...poor thing, I think he might be a bit worried...because people can't onto Dean...! Eeek! At least he had a run-through with Marie...!
So, I've been there lots.
Ran into muso friends there.
Had a chat to Matt.
Had a chat to Chris.
Ran into Chris and Dylan at the Comm cafe. Dylan invited me to his recital today.
Chris thought I was in first year! (So did Mischa.....)
Perhaps we should have exuded a greater sense of superiority..?! Haha. Oh well. All good.
Watched Dylan's recital. He went pretty well!
Ran into Nick. Had a chat to him. A very good one.
He knows Perth!!! And I have such invited him to come over and stuff and perform. That'd be totally cool.
And I sent him the details about Hamilton gigs.....
Ran into Clinton - looked very smart in his suit and all! (So did Dave on the way in, in fact..)
It's so cute when the boys get dressed up for their recitals. The girls just look hot. The guys look like they've gone to HEAPS of effort. Hehe :P Aww..!!!
Talked to Aaron about his recital...poor thing, I think he might be a bit worried...because people can't onto Dean...! Eeek! At least he had a run-through with Marie...!
Monday, November 13, 2006
my week is filling up quick! get in before time runs out!!!
Yep, it's Monday...and I'm technically, well, -ish, free.
Yet, I find that appointments are cropping up. And it'll be determined by a first-come, first-served basis. Unless it's incredibly urgent.
So, at the moment, it looks like this.....
Wednesday morning - rehearsal with Jacquie and Matt (before Jacquie and I leave town..haha..)
Wednesday afternoon - Tute for Trio Reginae with Mardi
Thursday afternoon - Trev's recital?
Friday afternoon - Chamber music exam
Friday afternoon - Jam with Sam (hehe. that rhymes. I'm not a poet though...!)
Friday night - proposed MSS end-of-exams party at Naughto's
Saturday afternoon - Maybe MSO with Jacquie.
Saturday night - thought about going to free Academy Concert at Iwaki
Saturday night - No, have party at Kristen's
And somewhere in there, I am supposed to fit in:
lunch with Lauren
lunch with Chris
lunch/picnic/get-together with con friends
rehearsals for Trio Reginae (hey, I'm not the one doing it for credit, so I'm not the one that's going to be running around organising rehearsals. It is not high at all on my priority list. Sorry to be harsh, but that's the way it rolls. The person/people concerned should be the ones making the effort - can't expect everybody else to for you.)
dinner with Hilary and Martin
dinner with Xing etc (proposed Thursday or Friday night)
See why it's starting to get busy..?
So, my weekend.
Was relaxing. I slept quite some. Furiously emailled. Particularly to secure a violist for next year :)
On Saturday, played at Em's recital. Was pretty good, she played well.
We played pretty well. Considering we haven't rehearsed in a while.
It'll all be different........we won't lose focus, we will keep enjoying it. And we'll work productively together.....
And we'll eat carrot cake :)
So, all I do is eat and sleep. No wonder I keep feeling sick....probably because I eat too much...junk food. Haha. I keep promising myself that over summer, I'll eat healthy :) And go for walks. Perhaps with mum.....
We played at Jude's last night, it was cool. We (the music team, minus Mel, coz she had an exam) went out after, to University Cafe. Was good. Was very hungry. Ate quickly, felt sick after. Chatted candidly about Gina and pregnancy.....Pete was highly amused. Haha.
worked in the library this morning. productive....there were heaps of books! haha...as people finish a subject, they return a whole stack of related books..hehe :P you can see patters in study by looking at patterns of books in/out of the library..
Went to get a whole heap of scores this arvo, decided to drop into the Con (because that's what I do....) and luckily so, because I ran into Matt there..!
Yet, I find that appointments are cropping up. And it'll be determined by a first-come, first-served basis. Unless it's incredibly urgent.
So, at the moment, it looks like this.....
Wednesday morning - rehearsal with Jacquie and Matt (before Jacquie and I leave town..haha..)
Wednesday afternoon - Tute for Trio Reginae with Mardi
Thursday afternoon - Trev's recital?
Friday afternoon - Chamber music exam
Friday afternoon - Jam with Sam (hehe. that rhymes. I'm not a poet though...!)
Friday night - proposed MSS end-of-exams party at Naughto's
Saturday afternoon - Maybe MSO with Jacquie.
Saturday night - thought about going to free Academy Concert at Iwaki
Saturday night - No, have party at Kristen's
And somewhere in there, I am supposed to fit in:
lunch with Lauren
lunch with Chris
lunch/picnic/get-together with con friends
rehearsals for Trio Reginae (hey, I'm not the one doing it for credit, so I'm not the one that's going to be running around organising rehearsals. It is not high at all on my priority list. Sorry to be harsh, but that's the way it rolls. The person/people concerned should be the ones making the effort - can't expect everybody else to for you.)
dinner with Hilary and Martin
dinner with Xing etc (proposed Thursday or Friday night)
See why it's starting to get busy..?
So, my weekend.
Was relaxing. I slept quite some. Furiously emailled. Particularly to secure a violist for next year :)
On Saturday, played at Em's recital. Was pretty good, she played well.
We played pretty well. Considering we haven't rehearsed in a while.
It'll all be different........we won't lose focus, we will keep enjoying it. And we'll work productively together.....
And we'll eat carrot cake :)
So, all I do is eat and sleep. No wonder I keep feeling sick....probably because I eat too much...junk food. Haha. I keep promising myself that over summer, I'll eat healthy :) And go for walks. Perhaps with mum.....
We played at Jude's last night, it was cool. We (the music team, minus Mel, coz she had an exam) went out after, to University Cafe. Was good. Was very hungry. Ate quickly, felt sick after. Chatted candidly about Gina and pregnancy.....Pete was highly amused. Haha.
worked in the library this morning. productive....there were heaps of books! haha...as people finish a subject, they return a whole stack of related books..hehe :P you can see patters in study by looking at patterns of books in/out of the library..
Went to get a whole heap of scores this arvo, decided to drop into the Con (because that's what I do....) and luckily so, because I ran into Matt there..!
it was amusing....it was kinda like, "hey"..."hey!!!!!!!!! stuff!!"
and i loaded him up with a biullion scores.. :) (well, viola parts. and a billion is too many. try
about 5). and spoke very quickly (as happens when i'm really exicted!) and was like,
"blah blah blah..was going to email you....blah blah blah...went to the library...blah blah blah...
about a rehearsal....blah blah blah....time, longer, place, queen's?.....do you know how to get
there..? blah blah blah...directions....this is my number, call me if you get lost....can you
go to VCA to get bruch? thanks...blah blah blah....."
he probably just heard white noise...oops..! haha. so now that he knows i'm officially crazy....!
Oh well. All good....
************************************************
EDIT:
loz msn-ed me this arvo and was like, "do you feel like walking in the rain to the con with me to
hand in my final assignments?" so we did :)
because i just go to the con.
we walked round uni a bit, but it was cold and windy...so we went back to ormond to hang a bit.
talked a bit to trev.
decided to go out to dinner tonight....so we're going out...real soon....
just waiting for her call, am expecting it in about 6 mins.....
might not end up reading through trio stuff tonight. oh well. :) i can do it tomorrow.
after i go to the con and berekley to put up posters for the MSS party on friday night..
Saturday, November 11, 2006
so this is what it's like...
*to fall in love....
I was listening (and am again!) to some of the 8 Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano (op. 83) by Max Bruch....and found them to be so BEAUTIFUL! Seriously, you have to hear them. And it makes me want to go out and find myself a viola player. Because I HAVE to play these. They're stunning.
I also fell in love when I listened to the Brahms Horn-Violin-Piano Trio in E-flat. Wow, I HAVE to play this too. I just have to make sure the people lined up want to do it..! That is stunning too. Wow. I'm fully for this trio thing..!
And I guess it's good to play with a variety of people - this is perhaps one of the only times one gets this freedom to do this. I HAVE to do these.
*to enjoy music for music's sake.
Yesterday (Friday) I went to three friends' prac 2-2 recitals.
First up was Sam's flute exam. Apart from Mardi (her teacher), her examiners, and her accompanist (in a manner of speaking) I was her audience :). It was great to listen to her - I've never actually heard her play in performance (and yeah, playing together where she gets to transpose-at-sight horn exerpts/exercises, or playing together, just for kicks....doesn't count!)
Then we listened to Michael's exam. Yay for pianos! Hehe.
Then we sat around in the con foyer for a while, bumped into a few people, sat down and talked to them for a while.
We asked Nick, who's looking like a no at the moment, but we HAVE to have him!
This was another "fall in love" moment....I remembered that Phil had given me about six pages of the score of a Durufle trio. And yes, the trio is scored for piano, flute and viola. Hehe. :P Ideal, you say? I haven't actually heard a recording of it, but it looked interesting!
Then went to library to borrow more horn orchestral excerpts books...and then went home for lunch. Bummed around with Sam for a while. Then headed back to uni to see Amy's recital. Amy is AMAZING.
Had a very brief rehearsal with Trio Reginae before dinner. We were all tired and hot, so that didn't go very well. Am playing in a recital this afternoon/evening in Northcote..it's Em's recital, and her trio (which includes me.. :P ) is playing! hehe. Talk about getting gigs popping up!
Then went to another concert last night. It was held at Queen's, and featured Anne and Matthew. Anne played Brahms, Haydn and Liszt, as well as accompanying Matthew for Faure and a song-cycle by Martin (receiving its premiere last night!). It was a FABULOUS concert :) I page-turned for the Faure and Wright - I always underestimate how nerve-wracking it is! Haha. Oh well! At least some people (including Ron hehe!) congratulated me on my page-turning technique, and I think I am going to be Amy's page-turning protegee. What fun :)
Then went out last night with Jenny, Fi, Jac, Jonty, Sal, Ace, Flick, the Mulherrin boys (Ben & Tim), Steph, Jess and Miranda (plus a stack of the boys' friends..?! Dunno...I didn't actually meet them...) to the Night Cat. :) It was a great night! We danced the night away (ok, in a room filled with smoke urgh. But you know, it's not going to last for long, I think!) The band was this kinda fusion of rap/funk/something else. They had this DJ person, couple of singer/rapper dudes, a sax, trumpet, guitars and bass and the like. Very cool. :) We tried to make Ben dance, but apparently he's not into dancing....we even dragged him to the dance floor, where he kept insisting "No, I'm not going to dance! I'm just going to stand there!" and he unfortunately was true to his word, although a few times (throughout the night) I caught him moving to the beat..! :P
Ah, fun times. It was great to be out with those friends! Next time, I envision more of us...more people from Jude's, music, stuff....it'd be totally awesome.
Got home at about 1.30, ate some chips (thanks Jacquie!) and chocolate (thanks Plunkett!) and then I decided that I really needed some sleep, but not before having a shower to get rid of the yuck smoke smell from me. (I always find the need to do this when I go out.....which may be one reason I don't go out very much...! So much effort!)
So, I had a great Friday filled with music and friends :) There is little else I could have wanted yesterday. Tiring, but fun.
Okay......I'm done now about one day.. :P
I was listening (and am again!) to some of the 8 Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano (op. 83) by Max Bruch....and found them to be so BEAUTIFUL! Seriously, you have to hear them. And it makes me want to go out and find myself a viola player. Because I HAVE to play these. They're stunning.
I also fell in love when I listened to the Brahms Horn-Violin-Piano Trio in E-flat. Wow, I HAVE to play this too. I just have to make sure the people lined up want to do it..! That is stunning too. Wow. I'm fully for this trio thing..!
And I guess it's good to play with a variety of people - this is perhaps one of the only times one gets this freedom to do this. I HAVE to do these.
*to enjoy music for music's sake.
Yesterday (Friday) I went to three friends' prac 2-2 recitals.
First up was Sam's flute exam. Apart from Mardi (her teacher), her examiners, and her accompanist (in a manner of speaking) I was her audience :). It was great to listen to her - I've never actually heard her play in performance (and yeah, playing together where she gets to transpose-at-sight horn exerpts/exercises, or playing together, just for kicks....doesn't count!)
Then we listened to Michael's exam. Yay for pianos! Hehe.
Then we sat around in the con foyer for a while, bumped into a few people, sat down and talked to them for a while.
We asked Nick, who's looking like a no at the moment, but we HAVE to have him!
This was another "fall in love" moment....I remembered that Phil had given me about six pages of the score of a Durufle trio. And yes, the trio is scored for piano, flute and viola. Hehe. :P Ideal, you say? I haven't actually heard a recording of it, but it looked interesting!
Then went to library to borrow more horn orchestral excerpts books...and then went home for lunch. Bummed around with Sam for a while. Then headed back to uni to see Amy's recital. Amy is AMAZING.
Had a very brief rehearsal with Trio Reginae before dinner. We were all tired and hot, so that didn't go very well. Am playing in a recital this afternoon/evening in Northcote..it's Em's recital, and her trio (which includes me.. :P ) is playing! hehe. Talk about getting gigs popping up!
Then went to another concert last night. It was held at Queen's, and featured Anne and Matthew. Anne played Brahms, Haydn and Liszt, as well as accompanying Matthew for Faure and a song-cycle by Martin (receiving its premiere last night!). It was a FABULOUS concert :) I page-turned for the Faure and Wright - I always underestimate how nerve-wracking it is! Haha. Oh well! At least some people (including Ron hehe!) congratulated me on my page-turning technique, and I think I am going to be Amy's page-turning protegee. What fun :)
Then went out last night with Jenny, Fi, Jac, Jonty, Sal, Ace, Flick, the Mulherrin boys (Ben & Tim), Steph, Jess and Miranda (plus a stack of the boys' friends..?! Dunno...I didn't actually meet them...) to the Night Cat. :) It was a great night! We danced the night away (ok, in a room filled with smoke urgh. But you know, it's not going to last for long, I think!) The band was this kinda fusion of rap/funk/something else. They had this DJ person, couple of singer/rapper dudes, a sax, trumpet, guitars and bass and the like. Very cool. :) We tried to make Ben dance, but apparently he's not into dancing....we even dragged him to the dance floor, where he kept insisting "No, I'm not going to dance! I'm just going to stand there!" and he unfortunately was true to his word, although a few times (throughout the night) I caught him moving to the beat..! :P
Ah, fun times. It was great to be out with those friends! Next time, I envision more of us...more people from Jude's, music, stuff....it'd be totally awesome.
Got home at about 1.30, ate some chips (thanks Jacquie!) and chocolate (thanks Plunkett!) and then I decided that I really needed some sleep, but not before having a shower to get rid of the yuck smoke smell from me. (I always find the need to do this when I go out.....which may be one reason I don't go out very much...! So much effort!)
So, I had a great Friday filled with music and friends :) There is little else I could have wanted yesterday. Tiring, but fun.
Okay......I'm done now about one day.. :P
assuming I've passed all my exams...
I am now done with second year uni!! Eek..!
So, because I am a lazy bum.....I have copied, and tweaked for an account of my last exam on Thursday (my piano prac exam)
So, because I am a lazy bum.....I have copied, and tweaked for an account of my last exam on Thursday (my piano prac exam)
ran into andrew in the morning (he was waiting for a rehearsal with his accompanist)
Who else did i run into..? well,lots of people. hehe. i like the con.
Anyway...the exam....
it went *pretty* well. as expected, I got cut off in my Bach (too many repeats..?)
but I got to play the ravel and liszt all the way through. And some ppl came,
including hilary, my-hong, elise and michael, and unfortuantely, anne and amy
were like, 2 minutes later, but they sat outside listening to me! so that was
all good. :) unfortunatley no platonically heart-warming faces (of monday 10am)
were present. Although i ran into dave in the foyer after.
elise and i went to get ho-chos after...and sat with anne and amy and michael,
as well as kathy and mark (shiell). hehe :P and their kid :) awww!
and ppl came and went...including mischa, whose exam was on thursday too. and ran
into ben ellwood, as well as ben and tim (the mulherrin boys) from church. heeh.
clearly, uni is the place to be! :) (i like it so much..!) and then anne, amy and
i were stretching in the con foyer (getting funny looks from ppl haha) and tim
mckenry walked in. we were in the middle of stretching.. "Hi tim!" haha. :P
So I was clearly at uni for much longer than i really needed to be. but it was fun!
That arvo I had a nap :) ooh..!
Then thursday night, i went out to dinner with mel and pete (jonty hadn't read my
email. oh well).
unfortunately we didn't find a 'steak shop', but instead went to gigi on swanston
st.
it's an alright place. although we started getting really annoyed at the large
group of girls who'd been to the races and were really annoying and loud.
i saw sally on the tram down (should go out with her...) sorry for not introducing.!
haha...
"nice to meet you sal". haha. that didn't even embarrass me, it just made me amused
and laugh!
and then when we were eating our meal, i was looking around (as i do) and saw tom
(piano tom) hehe! he saw me and came over and sat down with us for a little while.
and yes, i did the introduction, thank you very much! but see, you've heard lots
about him..!
we walked around the city abit trying to look for dessert. i suggested max brenner
because we were already in the city. we didn't end up having dessert there, but it
was so worth it just to walk in and smell the shop. seriously, it's like, you smell
and breathe chocolate. wow.
we went to the QV one, and it's situated on the 'top', where there are these funky
restaurants/cafes/bars etc. around this fairly open space, where it'd be perfect
to hold a massive party :) hehe. i could see it. it'd be totally awesome.
then we went to the International Cake store, next to stalactites, which i've
incidentally never been to..! mel bought some cake.
we wondered some more.
we couldn't really decide...
so then, i suggested we walk up lygs..and get gelate :) which we did.
we went la casa (because we went to freddo's last time)
pete was so impressed that we'd made a decision. haha. like he did...*scoff!*
haha. just kidding :)
anyway......so mel came home with us....talked a bit to her.
then talked to eddie about.....music/living/myo stuff. hehe. fun times.
so, on thursday night i felt incredibly relieved. it was good to have prac over and
done with, because i think i was ready to just get it done. as for how much work
there was there probably could have been more, could have played a little better.
but oh well. anne and amy enjoyed it - that was worth a lot to me (not that my other
friends didn't or didn't tell me, but i guess becuase it's anne and amy. they them-
selves are amazing pianists. almost not so, because they're friends, but it's kinda
like...people like ewen, michael b-r and michael d. don't talk to people like me,
because they are just amazing themselves, and don't. Anyway..)
Holtham was surprised that I started with the ravel. actually, so was i in a way (if
i was examining me, that is...) but oh well. whatever! haha.
alright...the next post awaits...(update about friday..)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
I am one for-credit exam away from the end of 2nd year.
This worries me. Oh, perhaps 'worry' is not the word here...I'm a bit freaked out!
Firstly, I ain't old enough to be in third year. Secondly, I definitely don't know enough to be in third year. And thirdly, am I even ready to be in third year?! Weird...
And so, I've already had three exams (not including my horn exam last week). The Techniques Listening Test was fairly easy. There were technical hitches and so the pass mark has been altered to 50% (as opposed to 75%...this is the test where if you fail it, you fail the subject. And have to re-take the subject, and it's a core unit.)
There was no cold water on Monday morning. So I took a pseudo-shower (hot) and had to run to exams. Urgh. Even Julie asked "Have you had a shower yet, Gladys?" Haha. Georgia and Emma reprimanded her with a "What kind of question is that?". She had every right to ask it though! I'm sorry if I smelt really bad..!
Mischa didn't realise that Sam and I are in 2nd year. Hehe. Well, he had no reason to believe so. I think.
Anyway, I found out that he's even cooler than I thought. He took a gap year, and went and taught some real hard subject (not music..I'm suspecting something like physics..haha!) in a boarding school in England. Totally awesome. See, I find that musicians who take gap years (between school and uni) must be really dedicated to come back and study music. Because if you don't keep it up, you start losing some of it. And what's even more amazing in this case is that he is such an amazing musician. And he's fully into folk music, particularly BULGARIAN FOLK (the bells are ringing in my head!!!!! Yay!!!) and other folk, and he's got his own band that do sorta folk/fusion stuff! How awesome is that? And he's an environmentalist.....not that that concerns me a great deal. Oh well.
Anyway...so I've just blabbed on about somebody I think is totally awesome. Platonic love, they (I) say. You just have to meet this guy, totally cool. Ok, I'm going to shut up about mischa now..
And then we had our Techniques written exam in the afternoon.
Nick: "Let's just get this nut-baggery over and done with!"
Andrew: "I didn't realise you were so short, Gladys! I guess coz I've never really stood next to you..."
Errr....thanks, Andrew....! Even Nathan caught on. Gargh!!
So, the written exam was alright. I even managed to put a French 6th in, I was so proud of myself. And when I looked at the analysis question, I almost laughed out loud. Yep, I knew it :) It was the 2nd movement of the Bach Double Concerto in d minor (although I think it must have screwed some people around, because the 2nd movement is in F Major...I think some people started out with /III. That makes life much more difficult!) And it's the piece I really want to play!!! (2nd movement all the way...although I love the whole piece!) And the excerpt had an altered bar at the end, so that it could go Cad 6-4 -- V -- V7 -- I. Hehe. The piece actually keeps on evolving, not ending like that! Oh well, I enjoyed the piece :)
Saw Steph at Wilson Hall too....she came back to Queen's with me after our exams. We hung.
Had OB exam yesterday. Kinda freaked out, but oh well. I made some stuff up - I couldn't remember everything! Oh well. It's over, I'm so glad for that! It was held at REB, again, very beautiful. It's such a pity that I don't get the time (short of wasting precious exam time!) to explore this historical building! But I was so excited, because the 1st year musos had their Baroque and Classical exam there too!
See, you must understand....in commerce, the only people I know are perhaps the people in my tute, and the people I know who take Commerce/OB, because they're friends or acquaintances etc. But in music, you see, I tend to know most people, whether they're in my class or not. (So-and-so is the friend of so-and-so, or so-and-so played the so-and-so piece, or so-and-so is playing with the friend of so-and-so etc.) Music is much more family-like :) And they're all equally crazy and beautiful! So I was excited. Just knowing that the musos were there, makes me happy :)
And newsflash (but I don't think that he, or the people really 'affected' will read this..!):
Thanks Sam for the info! :)
Apparently Matt is taking Major Prac on viola next year..! We're trying to nab him to play with us.....because he's a violist and violinist, and apparently really good. And a real nice guy too. And it's good to work with a variety of people, until you feel convinced that this is it. Kinda a bit like a marriage (although you didn't hear that analogy from me..!), but with less rules, less sanctity and stuff like that.
Okay, I have my piano exam tomorrow. To tell you the truth, I'm a teensy bit practiced out....I'm quite tired, it's a cloudy, cold day and all I feel like doing is sleeping.
We (me, Mel, Pete and Jonty) are apparently going out for steak tomorrow night (at a steak shop?!)....and I'm having a 'date' with Lauren when her exams are over (next week?) and going to hang in McCaughey (McCrappy) with my/her Ormond/music friends :) What fun :)
Firstly, I ain't old enough to be in third year. Secondly, I definitely don't know enough to be in third year. And thirdly, am I even ready to be in third year?! Weird...
And so, I've already had three exams (not including my horn exam last week). The Techniques Listening Test was fairly easy. There were technical hitches and so the pass mark has been altered to 50% (as opposed to 75%...this is the test where if you fail it, you fail the subject. And have to re-take the subject, and it's a core unit.)
There was no cold water on Monday morning. So I took a pseudo-shower (hot) and had to run to exams. Urgh. Even Julie asked "Have you had a shower yet, Gladys?" Haha. Georgia and Emma reprimanded her with a "What kind of question is that?". She had every right to ask it though! I'm sorry if I smelt really bad..!
Mischa didn't realise that Sam and I are in 2nd year. Hehe. Well, he had no reason to believe so. I think.
Anyway, I found out that he's even cooler than I thought. He took a gap year, and went and taught some real hard subject (not music..I'm suspecting something like physics..haha!) in a boarding school in England. Totally awesome. See, I find that musicians who take gap years (between school and uni) must be really dedicated to come back and study music. Because if you don't keep it up, you start losing some of it. And what's even more amazing in this case is that he is such an amazing musician. And he's fully into folk music, particularly BULGARIAN FOLK (the bells are ringing in my head!!!!! Yay!!!) and other folk, and he's got his own band that do sorta folk/fusion stuff! How awesome is that? And he's an environmentalist.....not that that concerns me a great deal. Oh well.
Anyway...so I've just blabbed on about somebody I think is totally awesome. Platonic love, they (I) say. You just have to meet this guy, totally cool. Ok, I'm going to shut up about mischa now..
And then we had our Techniques written exam in the afternoon.
Nick: "Let's just get this nut-baggery over and done with!"
Andrew: "I didn't realise you were so short, Gladys! I guess coz I've never really stood next to you..."
Errr....thanks, Andrew....! Even Nathan caught on. Gargh!!
So, the written exam was alright. I even managed to put a French 6th in, I was so proud of myself. And when I looked at the analysis question, I almost laughed out loud. Yep, I knew it :) It was the 2nd movement of the Bach Double Concerto in d minor (although I think it must have screwed some people around, because the 2nd movement is in F Major...I think some people started out with /III. That makes life much more difficult!) And it's the piece I really want to play!!! (2nd movement all the way...although I love the whole piece!) And the excerpt had an altered bar at the end, so that it could go Cad 6-4 -- V -- V7 -- I. Hehe. The piece actually keeps on evolving, not ending like that! Oh well, I enjoyed the piece :)
Saw Steph at Wilson Hall too....she came back to Queen's with me after our exams. We hung.
Had OB exam yesterday. Kinda freaked out, but oh well. I made some stuff up - I couldn't remember everything! Oh well. It's over, I'm so glad for that! It was held at REB, again, very beautiful. It's such a pity that I don't get the time (short of wasting precious exam time!) to explore this historical building! But I was so excited, because the 1st year musos had their Baroque and Classical exam there too!
See, you must understand....in commerce, the only people I know are perhaps the people in my tute, and the people I know who take Commerce/OB, because they're friends or acquaintances etc. But in music, you see, I tend to know most people, whether they're in my class or not. (So-and-so is the friend of so-and-so, or so-and-so played the so-and-so piece, or so-and-so is playing with the friend of so-and-so etc.) Music is much more family-like :) And they're all equally crazy and beautiful! So I was excited. Just knowing that the musos were there, makes me happy :)
And newsflash (but I don't think that he, or the people really 'affected' will read this..!):
Thanks Sam for the info! :)
Apparently Matt is taking Major Prac on viola next year..! We're trying to nab him to play with us.....because he's a violist and violinist, and apparently really good. And a real nice guy too. And it's good to work with a variety of people, until you feel convinced that this is it. Kinda a bit like a marriage (although you didn't hear that analogy from me..!), but with less rules, less sanctity and stuff like that.
Okay, I have my piano exam tomorrow. To tell you the truth, I'm a teensy bit practiced out....I'm quite tired, it's a cloudy, cold day and all I feel like doing is sleeping.
We (me, Mel, Pete and Jonty) are apparently going out for steak tomorrow night (at a steak shop?!)....and I'm having a 'date' with Lauren when her exams are over (next week?) and going to hang in McCaughey (McCrappy) with my/her Ormond/music friends :) What fun :)
Monday, November 06, 2006
A reply
Dear Mysterious Anonymous Man,
May I please inquire into your identity? (Are you the one and same....?)
Women do pretty well, I agree. But men do get out of it too. The satisfaction of being a good person, yes. I agree with that one. Trust, honesty, perhaps even love.
Is that insufficient for you?
May I please inquire into your identity? (Are you the one and same....?)
Women do pretty well, I agree. But men do get out of it too. The satisfaction of being a good person, yes. I agree with that one. Trust, honesty, perhaps even love.
Is that insufficient for you?
Sunday, November 05, 2006
i spend too much of my life online
REally i do.
anyway....
i have two exams tomorrow. one the next day. and another one two days after that.
and that is the end of my exams for credit. next friday i have a chamber music exam to do too.
so, i'm not incredibly stressed for my two tomorrow. i think it'll be ok. even though i know it's going to be hard - we've been told that. there are 38 people who are in the running for only 18 H1s. I have to be one of those 18 people.
i went to the allen house recital on friday night, put on by the ormond kids. :)
it was cool, coz i knew a few people - that makes me excited.
and it was a nice night.
although my friends were debating whether i came to see them, or came to see stephen accomapny almost everybody. haha. i confess to both!
sam: "and gladys is our token non-ormondian, outside person." hah. yeah, after andrew piked..!
we had a supper afterwards, then i went back to mccrappy with loz. where we hung out and talked for ages. then we joined trev and laura in the corridor. and ended up talking till 1am. haha. yep, i was at ormond for that long...! oops..there goes the study plan for that night! oh well. it was fun! and my friend insisted that he walk me home (all three minutes of it), because it was dark and late. well, i appreciated it. and i was too tired to even think about arguing. (see post from a little while ago: "Things guys should always do for girls. Period."
Haha.
And then did study yesterday (saturday). met up with erica. ended up talking to her for AGES...i got home at about 12 (we started at 8). we were joined by chris too. it was fun :) always go0d hanging out with them girls....it feels v. odd that they're not going to be at the vic next year....i guess that's what i associate them with. again, i feel sad that i'm not going to be there, in such a fantastic house - those housemates would have been the most amazing, i think. still love them to bits, and will make every effort to hang out and stuff there!
erica and chris insisted on walking me home too. (I feel v. special at night..! haha) visited pete, didn't want to wake him, so left a note. (really random one, in fact!)
ok...should get back to study. urgh.
am feeling a bit unmotivated (this happens all the time).
i keep sleeping through my alarms. cannot happen tomorrow..(will be v. bad!)
i promise that i'll go to bed early tonight...if any of you see me still online, tell me that is a bad thing!
anyway....
i have two exams tomorrow. one the next day. and another one two days after that.
and that is the end of my exams for credit. next friday i have a chamber music exam to do too.
so, i'm not incredibly stressed for my two tomorrow. i think it'll be ok. even though i know it's going to be hard - we've been told that. there are 38 people who are in the running for only 18 H1s. I have to be one of those 18 people.
i went to the allen house recital on friday night, put on by the ormond kids. :)
it was cool, coz i knew a few people - that makes me excited.
and it was a nice night.
although my friends were debating whether i came to see them, or came to see stephen accomapny almost everybody. haha. i confess to both!
sam: "and gladys is our token non-ormondian, outside person." hah. yeah, after andrew piked..!
we had a supper afterwards, then i went back to mccrappy with loz. where we hung out and talked for ages. then we joined trev and laura in the corridor. and ended up talking till 1am. haha. yep, i was at ormond for that long...! oops..there goes the study plan for that night! oh well. it was fun! and my friend insisted that he walk me home (all three minutes of it), because it was dark and late. well, i appreciated it. and i was too tired to even think about arguing. (see post from a little while ago: "Things guys should always do for girls. Period."
Haha.
And then did study yesterday (saturday). met up with erica. ended up talking to her for AGES...i got home at about 12 (we started at 8). we were joined by chris too. it was fun :) always go0d hanging out with them girls....it feels v. odd that they're not going to be at the vic next year....i guess that's what i associate them with. again, i feel sad that i'm not going to be there, in such a fantastic house - those housemates would have been the most amazing, i think. still love them to bits, and will make every effort to hang out and stuff there!
erica and chris insisted on walking me home too. (I feel v. special at night..! haha) visited pete, didn't want to wake him, so left a note. (really random one, in fact!)
ok...should get back to study. urgh.
am feeling a bit unmotivated (this happens all the time).
i keep sleeping through my alarms. cannot happen tomorrow..(will be v. bad!)
i promise that i'll go to bed early tonight...if any of you see me still online, tell me that is a bad thing!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Check out the Melbourne band, Duckdive
From http://www.newherenowlive.com/duckdive/rowan.htm
Wishes Duckdive sounded a bit more like: Mozart, Bartok
But is glad that we don't sound like: Schoenberg, or worse still, Stockhausen
One topic you should never ask me about, cos I won't shut up: Jesus
Special geek power: The ability to hear consecutive fifths in any pop song. And no, they do not ever, ever sound good.
Yep, taken from my friend's profile. Haha. This amused me greatly. :D
Wishes Duckdive sounded a bit more like: Mozart, Bartok
But is glad that we don't sound like: Schoenberg, or worse still, Stockhausen
One topic you should never ask me about, cos I won't shut up: Jesus
Special geek power: The ability to hear consecutive fifths in any pop song. And no, they do not ever, ever sound good.
Yep, taken from my friend's profile. Haha. This amused me greatly. :D
confuzzlement
how come melbourne does not have the most amount of hits on my cluster map?
i'm a bit confuzzled......
and how come it hasn't updated to tell me that there have been more than 23 people to visit my blog?
please leave a nice comment. it'd be nice to see if i can actually track where ppl come from...
lemme take a stab...the one from N.America is from near portland, OR..? At a school by the name of lewis and clark..? if that is you, leave a msg!!!! (miss you!)
wow. i have wasted so much time.
i need to blog about something else..
i'm a bit confuzzled......
and how come it hasn't updated to tell me that there have been more than 23 people to visit my blog?
please leave a nice comment. it'd be nice to see if i can actually track where ppl come from...
lemme take a stab...the one from N.America is from near portland, OR..? At a school by the name of lewis and clark..? if that is you, leave a msg!!!! (miss you!)
wow. i have wasted so much time.
i need to blog about something else..
Friday, November 03, 2006
whadda ya know?
i was out shopping the other day, and got stopped by a lady who was wearing a Red Cross shirt. she asked if she could talk to me for a little while, then proceded to ask:
"are you over 21?"
YES!!! She seriously thought i was over 21. and was almost shocked and disappointed to hear that "I'm only 19!" Haha.
it's looking up...! :)
"are you over 21?"
YES!!! She seriously thought i was over 21. and was almost shocked and disappointed to hear that "I'm only 19!" Haha.
it's looking up...! :)
Thursday, November 02, 2006
wow!
23 visits since yesterday.
coming from melbourne, i understand. but from sydney..? and central australia? those two completely are beyond me. but oh well. at least it's getting hits. now i can kinda moniter where hits come from, this is quite exciting.
okay, so my horn exam....
well, i sounded good this morning when i was warming up! and i walked in the rain to berekely, which is really far, particularly in the rain. urgh.
and then warmed up again.
and i played. she said that i had every chance of passing if i had done my written and audio folio. which i had. check one.
then i had every chance of passing, based on scales, pieces and sound quality.
she said that she'd be impressed if i got a sound out of the darn horn, considering i haven't played brass before.
so, i felt ok. i knew i could get a sound out.
and so, my pieces went....er.....not great. but oh well.
my scales went quite well. my first scale, the first thing i played, was a concert F major. After I'd played it she kinda looked shocked at me and said "Wow, you shouldn't be able to do that!" meaning, "For somebody who's never played brass before, this is excellent!" Hey, I felt quite special. And so, it turns out that my setting of the embouchre is quite old-school, almost top-lip style, almost on the inner bottom lip. apparently really good for creating a nice smooth sound. which is nice. horn players will vary on their embouchre, and their RH position (which i haven't really mastered, as displayed by my 'March Slav' today. oh well!)
we talked for most of the exam. haha. she's the female version of.. "he's such a dude!". she really is. :)
and then i had to do a mock teaching thing. where i had to teach her how to put her RH in the bell. and i think i did alright!
she said that it was exactly right, and she complimented that i'd be a great teacher. that's nice to know :)
so, i really think i could run away with this horn! i love playing it, i love the tone of it. even though it's really really hard, i enjoy it so much..!
seriously, i'm one of those people that has to try every single instrument. at least just for kicks.
coming from melbourne, i understand. but from sydney..? and central australia? those two completely are beyond me. but oh well. at least it's getting hits. now i can kinda moniter where hits come from, this is quite exciting.
okay, so my horn exam....
well, i sounded good this morning when i was warming up! and i walked in the rain to berekely, which is really far, particularly in the rain. urgh.
and then warmed up again.
and i played. she said that i had every chance of passing if i had done my written and audio folio. which i had. check one.
then i had every chance of passing, based on scales, pieces and sound quality.
she said that she'd be impressed if i got a sound out of the darn horn, considering i haven't played brass before.
so, i felt ok. i knew i could get a sound out.
and so, my pieces went....er.....not great. but oh well.
my scales went quite well. my first scale, the first thing i played, was a concert F major. After I'd played it she kinda looked shocked at me and said "Wow, you shouldn't be able to do that!" meaning, "For somebody who's never played brass before, this is excellent!" Hey, I felt quite special. And so, it turns out that my setting of the embouchre is quite old-school, almost top-lip style, almost on the inner bottom lip. apparently really good for creating a nice smooth sound. which is nice. horn players will vary on their embouchre, and their RH position (which i haven't really mastered, as displayed by my 'March Slav' today. oh well!)
we talked for most of the exam. haha. she's the female version of.. "he's such a dude!". she really is. :)
and then i had to do a mock teaching thing. where i had to teach her how to put her RH in the bell. and i think i did alright!
she said that it was exactly right, and she complimented that i'd be a great teacher. that's nice to know :)
so, i really think i could run away with this horn! i love playing it, i love the tone of it. even though it's really really hard, i enjoy it so much..!
seriously, i'm one of those people that has to try every single instrument. at least just for kicks.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
There Are Some Things Guys Should Always Do For Girls. Period.
Stolen from the Facebook group of the same name...
Sometimes, guys, we gotta be men, not guys. Step up. Seriously... it's getting annoying.
0. But... there are exceptions to these rules, if she REALLY wants to do something... you have to let her. See rule 32.
1. Open doors, whether it be to a building or a car, that's just a given.
2. When in a place of worship (or other places that have aisles and pews), if a man is at the end of the pew, when exiting he should stand in the aisle and let all the females go before him.
3. A man should tolerate the occassional chick flick (or musical, or opera, or ballet.. whatever her preference is) *without* bitching about it!
4. Play one of the songs that would make any woman weep like the little girl she once was (but in a good way). A brief list includes, but certainly isn't limited to: "You & Me" Lifehouse, anything by Frank Sinatra, any rendition of "Everything I Do, I Do it for You", "Collide" by Howie Day, "Out of my League" Steven Speaks, and MOST IMPORTANTLY "Question" by the Old 97's (if you propose to a girl with this song, she is putty in your hands).
5. Talk! The strong & silent bit goes from intriguing to boring quite fast.
6. Find out what her favorite flower is & buy them for her randomly (or if you're in the doghouse...). Good rule of thumb: a single rose says more than dozens of anything else.
7. If you miss her, or love her, TELL HER! Even your friends like to hear it every now & again.
8. Re-enact Zales commercials (the ice is nice but certainly not mandatory).
9. Remember: the best gifts you can give are usually free of cost.
10. Leave a note (or send a message) just to say "hi".
11. Ask her questions about herself.
12. Dress nice every once & a while. Any girl likes to see her brother/friend/boyfriend/etc. in a well-ironed button up with some nice slacks.
13. PRIDE & PREJUDICE ...that's all I have to say about that (I mean, that should speak for itself).
14. Tolerate small children as best you can. Meaning, put up with the things that can get annoying. They're children after all. Show them love and care, teach them how to become a better man than you.
15. Learn to dance! There is nothing sexier than a man that can dance really well. If God did not bless you with the grace of Fred Astaire, at least put forth the effort, it will be greatly appreciated. Always slow dance (even if its just like you danced in middle school). Also, men, sing to a lady. Even in you're terrible, suck it up! They love to listen to it and will not care what you sound like. It's the thought that counts on this one. Unless you're just downright terrible, nothing sexy about that. haha, thanks Jade!
16. Kiss her on the forehead.
17. When she's sick, stay up with her. If you can cook (which is *always* a plus), make her some soup. If you can't cook, there's Campbell's soup at hand for you.
18. Pretend to throw her in the pool (or fountain/pond). She'll fight you, but seccretly she loves it. If you really do throw her in, you better jump in yourself.
19. Hold her hand while you talk, drive, or just for the heck of it (it's the small things that win you big points).
20. LOOK IN HER EYES, NOT AT HER CHEST!!!!!
21. Stupid jokes= awkwardly adorable moments.
22. Tickle her, tease her, let her tease you back with out getting all bent out of shape about it
23. Don't call her hot, or pretty, or cute, call her beautiful because that's what she is.
24. Offer her your jacket/sweatshirt. (Note: you may not see that particular item of clothing for a while, if ever again).
25. Don't be too proud to apologize.
26. It's not stalking to watch her sleep if you fall asleep watching a movie. It is stalking to watch her sleep if you're standing outside her window with night vision goggles.
27. When she feels at her worst, tell her she looks her best.
28. If you're trying to get more than friendship out of the relationship, take it slow.
29. Because you're a guy doesn't mean you are completley incapable of calling when you say you will; it just means you are highly incapable of it. There are few acceptable answers to, "Why didn't you call?" & being male is not one of them.
30. Don't check out other girls in front of your girl friends/sisters/mother, unless you are sincere when you later ask them if you think she could introduce the two of you for more reason than you "want to get some". Pull this in front of your girlfriend/fiancee/wife, she has every right to clock you in the jaw.
31. Guys- Always pay for the date. No matter how expensive it gets or how much money you DON'T have.
32. Always do everything in your power to keep her as happy as you can. And cheer her up in any way possible.
33. When walking on the sidewalk, always walk on the outside near traffic.
34. At least do everything in your power to keep cursing to a minimum while around her. If you can, cut it out period while around her, or cut it out of your vocabulary. Women don't want to hear it, guys don't care about it, adults don't want to hear it, it doesn't impress employers, and you sure won't want your children or someone elses to hear it!
35. Sometimes you have to take the initiative. don't always wait for her to come to you, because if that's how it always is you're going to lose her.
36. If any lady is walking alone to her car in a dark parking lot/garage, or is carrying a heavy load, always offer to help walk her to her destination and carry things, if not the entire load. **This may work a lot better and come off non-stalkerish if you at least know the girl you're trying to help. haha Thanks to a LOT of people on this revision.
37. If a woman says no, let that be her final answer. Do not pressure or force her in any way. Don't make her give in to something she doesn't want to do.
38. Always be honest with her. No woman wants or likes a dishonest man. If you can't be honest with her she can't trust you, and shows you don't trust her enough to be honest. Trust, honesty and intergrity are just as an integral part of a relationship and just as important as love.
0. But... there are exceptions to these rules, if she REALLY wants to do something... you have to let her. See rule 32.
Not because I'm lazy, but because I'm a hopeless romantic at heart....!
Sometimes, guys, we gotta be men, not guys. Step up. Seriously... it's getting annoying.
0. But... there are exceptions to these rules, if she REALLY wants to do something... you have to let her. See rule 32.
1. Open doors, whether it be to a building or a car, that's just a given.
2. When in a place of worship (or other places that have aisles and pews), if a man is at the end of the pew, when exiting he should stand in the aisle and let all the females go before him.
3. A man should tolerate the occassional chick flick (or musical, or opera, or ballet.. whatever her preference is) *without* bitching about it!
4. Play one of the songs that would make any woman weep like the little girl she once was (but in a good way). A brief list includes, but certainly isn't limited to: "You & Me" Lifehouse, anything by Frank Sinatra, any rendition of "Everything I Do, I Do it for You", "Collide" by Howie Day, "Out of my League" Steven Speaks, and MOST IMPORTANTLY "Question" by the Old 97's (if you propose to a girl with this song, she is putty in your hands).
5. Talk! The strong & silent bit goes from intriguing to boring quite fast.
6. Find out what her favorite flower is & buy them for her randomly (or if you're in the doghouse...). Good rule of thumb: a single rose says more than dozens of anything else.
7. If you miss her, or love her, TELL HER! Even your friends like to hear it every now & again.
8. Re-enact Zales commercials (the ice is nice but certainly not mandatory).
9. Remember: the best gifts you can give are usually free of cost.
10. Leave a note (or send a message) just to say "hi".
11. Ask her questions about herself.
12. Dress nice every once & a while. Any girl likes to see her brother/friend/boyfriend/e
13. PRIDE & PREJUDICE ...that's all I have to say about that (I mean, that should speak for itself).
14. Tolerate small children as best you can. Meaning, put up with the things that can get annoying. They're children after all. Show them love and care, teach them how to become a better man than you.
15. Learn to dance! There is nothing sexier than a man that can dance really well. If God did not bless you with the grace of Fred Astaire, at least put forth the effort, it will be greatly appreciated. Always slow dance (even if its just like you danced in middle school). Also, men, sing to a lady. Even in you're terrible, suck it up! They love to listen to it and will not care what you sound like. It's the thought that counts on this one. Unless you're just downright terrible, nothing sexy about that. haha, thanks Jade!
16. Kiss her on the forehead.
17. When she's sick, stay up with her. If you can cook (which is *always* a plus), make her some soup. If you can't cook, there's Campbell's soup at hand for you.
18. Pretend to throw her in the pool (or fountain/pond). She'll fight you, but seccretly she loves it. If you really do throw her in, you better jump in yourself.
19. Hold her hand while you talk, drive, or just for the heck of it (it's the small things that win you big points).
20. LOOK IN HER EYES, NOT AT HER CHEST!!!!!
21. Stupid jokes= awkwardly adorable moments.
22. Tickle her, tease her, let her tease you back with out getting all bent out of shape about it
23. Don't call her hot, or pretty, or cute, call her beautiful because that's what she is.
24. Offer her your jacket/sweatshirt. (Note: you may not see that particular item of clothing for a while, if ever again).
25. Don't be too proud to apologize.
26. It's not stalking to watch her sleep if you fall asleep watching a movie. It is stalking to watch her sleep if you're standing outside her window with night vision goggles.
27. When she feels at her worst, tell her she looks her best.
28. If you're trying to get more than friendship out of the relationship, take it slow.
29. Because you're a guy doesn't mean you are completley incapable of calling when you say you will; it just means you are highly incapable of it. There are few acceptable answers to, "Why didn't you call?" & being male is not one of them.
30. Don't check out other girls in front of your girl friends/sisters/mother, unless you are sincere when you later ask them if you think she could introduce the two of you for more reason than you "want to get some". Pull this in front of your girlfriend/fiancee/wife, she has every right to clock you in the jaw.
31. Guys- Always pay for the date. No matter how expensive it gets or how much money you DON'T have.
32. Always do everything in your power to keep her as happy as you can. And cheer her up in any way possible.
33. When walking on the sidewalk, always walk on the outside near traffic.
34. At least do everything in your power to keep cursing to a minimum while around her. If you can, cut it out period while around her, or cut it out of your vocabulary. Women don't want to hear it, guys don't care about it, adults don't want to hear it, it doesn't impress employers, and you sure won't want your children or someone elses to hear it!
35. Sometimes you have to take the initiative. don't always wait for her to come to you, because if that's how it always is you're going to lose her.
36. If any lady is walking alone to her car in a dark parking lot/garage, or is carrying a heavy load, always offer to help walk her to her destination and carry things, if not the entire load. **This may work a lot better and come off non-stalkerish if you at least know the girl you're trying to help. haha Thanks to a LOT of people on this revision.
37. If a woman says no, let that be her final answer. Do not pressure or force her in any way. Don't make her give in to something she doesn't want to do.
38. Always be honest with her. No woman wants or likes a dishonest man. If you can't be honest with her she can't trust you, and shows you don't trust her enough to be honest. Trust, honesty and intergrity are just as an integral part of a relationship and just as important as love.
0. But... there are exceptions to these rules, if she REALLY wants to do something... you have to let her. See rule 32.
Not because I'm lazy, but because I'm a hopeless romantic at heart....!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Plethora!!!
Perhaps I use that word too much..I need a new one..!
But, it is an ideal word to describe the number of photos I have just posted. Enjoy, and sorry for the great delay in some of these...I have been lazy and busy. (Go figure..)
Feel free to save them yourself :)
But, it is an ideal word to describe the number of photos I have just posted. Enjoy, and sorry for the great delay in some of these...I have been lazy and busy. (Go figure..)
Feel free to save them yourself :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
