yo, new year?

There's something immensely satisfying about sitting down and reading a book cover to cover all at once. I can only do this on breaks, because during the school year, I'm lucky if I can get more than three sentences in before falling asleep. And while I'm reading in the semester, I always have this feeling of guilt such as, I have other WORK I should be doing or, I was tired two hours ago, why am I reading when I could be sleeping. However, I still think that a book is a great way to relax and forget about the real world for a while. The other way I used to do this was by running, which I am really really ready to get back into, bad knee or no. Those of you who check this thing regularly are probably gasping with surprise that I am writing now, AND that it's more than a few sentences. But, I like to dangle a little bit of bait to keep you all on your toes-just when you think I'm never going to post anything EVER AGAIN, I do. So you better just keep checking, and maybe someday I will become more reliable. And perhaps more entertaining as well. I would now like to take a moment to note that the Steelers have made it into the playoffs (wOOt) and that my brother Matt gave me a Steelers jersey for Christmas, which I will be sporting for the game. Huzzah.

rawr

Well, I moved home today, back to the life of dial up. Remind me never to complain about my wireless connection ever again. It is still stupid BUT, at least it's faster than this one I'm on over break. This break should be nice though, visiting, relaxing, and hopefully getting over the cough that I have probably infected eveyone else with. (sorry about that...)Tomorrows goal: Christmas shopping. I haven't done any of it yet. Ouch. Oh well, I'm good at throwing elbows and such.

ok I'm going to get killed

if I don't write SOMETHING on this. Even though 5 people tops read it...it's only fair. This being the day after my last final, I (of course) have a ridiculous cold. Coughing and hoarseness, and general inconvenience. I have to play in church tomorrow, so I'm going to try to get a good night's rest. My one final went well, and my jury on Monday went very very well. So that's the update. I'm on break now, so be assured there will be many rambling and uninformative posts in rapid succession to this one.
PS- I (just) found out that ridiculous is spelled the way it is... I always thought it was REdiculous. I feel like a clown.

AAAAAH!

The best thing about making lists is crossing things off of them. Since this week is going to be the craziest of the semester, I decided to make one of all the things I have to do. Keep in mind that music students have all their finals the last week of classes for some strange reason, so that's going to be rough, since I still have to still go to all of my other classes. Here we go:
Teach 7 lessons
Theory Composition project
Aural Skills dictation exam
Theory Exam
Orchestra Audition
Aural Skills performance exam
Trumpet lesson/masterclass (which means I'll need to meet with my accompanist sometime.)
Wind Symphony Concert (7:30 pm, thursday, KCPA)
Work at Appearances for 11 hours
Bass Quintet Concert (7:30pm, Saturday, MB auditorium...come to this!!it's fun!)

UISO Concert Sunday

*whew* Think I can do it? I hope so.....

This is a picture of me last year after my first recital. We were decorating Stratford House for Christmas, and I found this wonderful apron shaped as a stocking. I was also in a really funny mood because I had played so well that night...and I haven't been sounding good at all lately, which is really depressing. SO, I'm trying to psych myself up for this Jury I have to play in a week, by remembering how I probably sound better than last year.

Get Your Blog On

The word "blog" baffles me. I think it just sounds like something else...some other word. Like, "I bet that frog lives in the blog." Or, "throw another blog on the fire." How bout, "I can't smell anything, cause my nose is all blogged up." Maybe in a song such as Blogolicious, or that new album by the Bloggy Bottom Boys...(that one's for you, Grant)
These are the things I think about while I should be sleeping. I can't help it, I really am trying. I get in bed, turn off the lights, and miraculously come up with 40 words that Blog's secret identity could be, if it were working undercover. It's sad that I'm up still. I should be sawing LOGS right now, not blogs. It can be helpful, however. I hadn't been able to come up with anything for my composition project yet, till tonight. Who knew all I needed to do was turn out the lights and try to sleep to come up with a melody that is in rounded binary form, uses secondary dominants and modulates at least once to a closely related key? I think I've created a monster....or a blogster, har har. At least my middle of the night antics have gotten me one step closer to finishing this project that has been looming for the past couple of weeks.
On that note, I think I'll "blogoff."

Let it Snow...

I was unprepared for the cold today. It was completely uncalled for. Yesterday was perfectly nice, and today it's freeeeeeeeeeeezing. If it's going to be this cold, it needs to be snowing. As sorely disappointed as I am with the weather, I am more so with my Steelers. Come on, guys! Yes, the Colts are really really good, and I can see them going all the way, but last night's game was purely painful.
And now, for something completely different: I was relieved to notice that this thing has a spell check. I am a terrible speller. In second grade, I got an "NI" (needs improvement) in spelling, which basically means something along the lines of "failing miserably." Ever since I've had a complex about it. It's hard to have an extensive vocabulary when you can't even spell the words you want to use.
Band was cancelled today, which means I have lots of time to write my paper and practice before the game tonight. So I will leave you with a (drumroll please,)Food-Related Comment of the Day: Vanilla Yogurt Protein Plus Powerbars are complete and utter GARBAGE. Don't let anyone persuade you otherwise.

nutella pancakes?

I've recently developed this horrendous habit of eating in front of my computer. My excuse is that I'm multi-tasking, but really I don't do well at typing while eating, and eating while typing. In a completely unrelated comment, I just tried to type an 'o' and typed a 'p' instead....so I deleated and tryed again, only to type the 'p' again. This might be normal, but I literally re-typed that dang 'p' 8 more times.
As long as I'm on the topic of food, I might as well mention that I invented a new food today....Nutella Pancakes. They are simple, you just spread nutella on your pancakes, but the nutella turns the pancakes into REALLY GOOD pancakes.
Inventing food is fun, and I think I have a slight knack for it. Anyone who has tried my ultra cheezy mac with hot dogs would most definately agree. Solid. hahah, I can't believe I just typed that. This means that it's bedtime for Bobbino. Lata, fools.