That random Facebook note.

I got tagged in a bunch of those popular notes on Facebook that are like..."16 things you didn't know about me!" And it sounded like an interesting thing to explore. I'm hoping to encounter some thing new about myself...but even sharing something new with YOU will be a challenge because I'm generally an extremely open person and I don't really hide anything.

Maybe you'll learn something, maybe you won't. I actually quite enjoyed reading these as people posted them, but didn't feel like putting mine on Facebook. I have to be anti-fad somehow, right?

That's a good start...

1. I'm loudly anti-trend sometimes. Even if I secretly really like something that's "in", I'll either pretend not to or just generally ignore it. It's sort of like FORCING myself to be "unique".

2. Perhaps number 1 is the reason for this second one. I find the obsession with this fictional "Edward" person (er...vampire, rather) absolutely ridiculous and make fun of the fan base pretty regularly. Not the content of the book, just its fangirls. But the REAL reason I haven't read the book? I'm too afraid I'll actually enjoy it. Stupid, right? But you know, even if I do end up liking it I'll probably just keep that a secret or at least tone it down.

3. On a different note, I absolutely love winter. For the snow. And One-Act season.

4. I really, really want to sing with a band someday. Hopefully jazz.

5. I'm terribly, terribly lazy sometimes.

6. I love politics but I would NEVER want to be a politician. I'd way rather be a pundit.

7. I greatly desire to have a radio show. I'll probably pick up timeslot at KUMM over the summer.

8. I constantly seek approval.

9. Butterflies in my stomach for a positive reason if one of the best feelings.

10. This winter and spring, I'm going to memorize Debussy's entire Suite Bergamasque.

11. If I could travel time, I would go back to the year 1960 and just live through that entire decade.

12. Bari sax is one of my favorite instruments, even though I don't play it. Well...no. I CAN play it, I just don't have the opportunity to.

and good-mooded, too

I am giggling right now

Because Chris from Culligan and I just had a very awkward, tense conversation in my kitchen

And my cat just laid there the whole time between us, chilling out and ignoring us.

Cuddling with my shoes.

I love cats.

They don't feel social awkwardness.

Sunday, Dec. 14th, 2008: The Day of Many Important Essays

Today I was overwhelmed with essays for the grand majority of my time. In fact, I am not yet finished. I had to write three essays in eight hours as part of a take-home final exam...that was fun. I started at 8 AM and finished right before 4 PM (the only reason it took me so long is because I took a break to bake cookies with my mother =P).

Following these hellish writings, the next most important thing is this stupid bloody scholarship essay for UMM. Actually, it's not stupid. It's quite important. And due tomorrow. I need at least 234 more words before I turn it in, though. And I really...REALLY want to do well. I think I secretly want to go to UMM quite badly (mostly because of the professors I already know there. They rock. Rah rah UMM) and getting a knock-out scholarship for this school would give me almost an excuse to attend.

"They gave me so much money, how could I refuse?" I'll say.

If I get it. If I finish this essay. Tick tock tick tock.

What else made today monumental?

It has been snowing and blowing around -40 degree weather since before I got up this morning. (And I actually got up in the morning!) It's...ridiculous here.

School had better be canceled tomorrow. Knock on wood, I guess. But I met some people in New Mexico that said if you can't find any wood nearby, it also works to knock on someone's skull. So...knock on wood or skull. Take your pick. Just hope for the best, huh?

I am starting to hate....hate writing essays and papers.

Today KUMM made me happy.

KUMM, for those poor suckers of you deprived of the glorious experience, is UMM's student-run alternative radio station. There were four separate instances when I was driving somewhere and heard a unique/bizarre/wonderful song.

The first came when I was en route from my piano lesson to play rehearsal. They finished playing a song from the musical "Hair" and moved right on to the song in "Rocky Horror Picture Show" sung by Meatloaf. Three cheers for obscure musicals and even weirder songs.

The next came as I drove home from rehearsal...or rather from the Common Cup. I turned up the radio after dropping a friend off at home to discover a sort of grunge-rock song playing. Pretty normal, pretty expected, right? On a college radio station? Except for the fact that it was being sung in Japanese by a soprano. It was CRAZY and DELIGHTFUL.

About an hour later, on my way back to pick up the same friend to head to Bad TV Night at yet another friend's house, I had the strangest audio experience of my life. It began with a woman saying "There were many, many of them. They all stood in the same room, and they had arrived at the building at more or less the same time. And they were all free. And they all had the same question on their minds: "What is behind that curtain?" At that point a few assorted percussion rhythms started and the woman said "Because you were born, you are free. Happy birthday." Then the violins kicked in.

I don't know what it was, but it was scary.

The last little surprise came on my way home for the last time this evening. A rock version of "I'm Just A Bill". You know, the School-house Rock song. It was really happy. :) I would listen to that all the time if I had it on an album.





I just thought I should share with you the bizarre tastes of today's KUMM DJs. You never know, I guess. They could have been theme shows.

Update on status of photo project

New Year's Resolution:
Actually complete 365 days.

I'm going to start over.

And I'm going to finish this time.

Starting January 1st.


Until then, I'll entertain whomever cares to read with anecdotes about life, the world, the universe.

I am in heaven

I
LOVE
My
Job.


Right now, the Common Cup is buzzing with happy chattering people. Students studying or playing board games, the occasional professor grading some papers, parents with children. All of my favorite eccentric regulars are here...dreadlocks, piercings, overalls and all.

And there is live music.

At about 1 o'clock today, the rhythm section of UMM's Jazz 1 came in to jam. Guitar, stand-up bass, and small trap kit. It..was...glorious. I've scarcely heard such a talented collection of young musicians. They played for more than three hours, only stopping to grab some sandwiches to fuel their art. What's better: Guest artist appearances. While they ate, a friend of mine (another student) stepped up to the piano on the stage and entertained us with some smooth French impressionist music. And once the trio got going again, they were first joined by Jazz 1's lead trumpet followed by a musician from out of town. Young blond jazz trumpeteer VIRTUOSO who attended UMM for one year then transfered to a music school in the cities. Holy. Shit. It was awesome. Nice background type music, but occasionaly bursting into something more lively.

This is the best shift of my life, despite the papers and exams looming over my head with work on them being prevented by my being here.

I heart live music.

P.S. An elderly chap just came in wearing tap shoes. I don't know why. But I find him pleasant and unexpected.