Well it's about time! I haven't spoken in years! (Yet I remain my twelve year old self. Ponder that thought...)
Anyway, Halloween has FINALLY arrived. It took for-EVER for it to get here again. Ever since the last Easter chocolate mousse peep went down my throat, I've been looking forward to the next holiday sugar rush. And boy, does Halloween ever pay off in bulk!
I've been debating my costume for months now. It has to be the perfect costume. I absolutely HAVE to beat Timmy Walters at all cost. He dressed up as SpongeBob last year and was the "it" kid on Fifth Avenue.... I'm NOT going to lose to that bed wetter this year... Sigh.... I get a little worked up sometimes. Besides, it's not like Walters is going to amount to anything.
Where was I? Right! My costume! It's fool-proof for the most amount of candy action. I'm going as a wall street broker. It's perfect, right?!? I'm going door-to-door in my sharp little vest with matching Prada loafers, and I'll yell out, "Bailout pleeeeease!!!" It'll be perfect because I'll get massive amounts of candy and eat it all in one sugary, diabetic-inducing binge. There's no way that I'm going to share any of my candy or learn from my previous binge experiences... It'll be SWEET!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Coolness factor
A lot of people will come up to me and say, "HEY REED!... How do you stay so cool?..."
And I respond, "...Music..."
That's right. And if you want in on all the coolness I've accumlated, take a listen to some of these cool repositories.
St. Vincent's new cd Actor has reminded me a lot of Sufjan Stevens with hints of rock riffs and minimalist interludes reminiscent of Steve Reich. I know what you must think, "What? Minimal music and rock and roll? They can't blend together!" And I say that they can, good sir. My favorite song off of the cd is Marrow, which best exemplifies what I've been saying.
Next is Wicked. I can hear it now.... People up in arms saying that Broadway is uncool. Well, you can shut your bearded pie holes. Wicked has some fantastic stand alone music, and I've been in a Wicked mood considering one of the Broadway tours are here in town. That's a major factor of why I'm listening to it at the moment. Defying Gravity is just a standard. Period.
Some singles of the week that I've truly enjoyed as well are Raindrops, Sweet Disposition, and Big Bird in a Small Cage.
Now that I started this post, I've thought of a lot of great songs. But they'll have to wait for a later post. Also, if you think you can rival the coolness that I've listed, don't hesitate to let me know. Also, if you feel sick of the high pitch male falsetto singing, then find me something that doesn't have that, and then we'll talk.
And I respond, "...Music..."
That's right. And if you want in on all the coolness I've accumlated, take a listen to some of these cool repositories.
St. Vincent's new cd Actor has reminded me a lot of Sufjan Stevens with hints of rock riffs and minimalist interludes reminiscent of Steve Reich. I know what you must think, "What? Minimal music and rock and roll? They can't blend together!" And I say that they can, good sir. My favorite song off of the cd is Marrow, which best exemplifies what I've been saying.
Next is Wicked. I can hear it now.... People up in arms saying that Broadway is uncool. Well, you can shut your bearded pie holes. Wicked has some fantastic stand alone music, and I've been in a Wicked mood considering one of the Broadway tours are here in town. That's a major factor of why I'm listening to it at the moment. Defying Gravity is just a standard. Period.
Some singles of the week that I've truly enjoyed as well are Raindrops, Sweet Disposition, and Big Bird in a Small Cage.
Now that I started this post, I've thought of a lot of great songs. But they'll have to wait for a later post. Also, if you think you can rival the coolness that I've listed, don't hesitate to let me know. Also, if you feel sick of the high pitch male falsetto singing, then find me something that doesn't have that, and then we'll talk.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The idea of friendship
Here's a really odd question. How can you start a friendship with someone without seeming weird or intrusive?
I seem to have issues with starting friendships with other guys.... Period.
I've really wanted to start some friendships with some other guys that I've seen come into work all the time. I have been trying to show them respect by giving space, just a couple of comments, smiling and saying hi... But I don't really see these guys that often to where I could feel comfortable just asking to hang out.
My problem is the aftermath. The awkwardness of seeing that person who rejected you again and again.... and again.
I almost wish I could get some feedback on me, and if they are just as interested in starting a friendship. I just want them to ask me to hang out with them. That would be so much easier.
But I'm an awkward fish, and the fish always flops first......
Just roll with me on that phrase.
AND THEN, I never thought that I would find myself in this situation, but I'm finding myself really interested with someone's writing. I have been regularly following Patrick Klepek's articles at g4tv.com. He just has been making some great insights into video games and movies, and I really enjoy his writing. I'll even check out his twitter page. I know! It's weird.
On the other hand too, it's weird to know so much about a person without even meeting said person. (I guess I'm feeding the flames to that problem, but STILL!...)
I seem to have issues with starting friendships with other guys.... Period.
I've really wanted to start some friendships with some other guys that I've seen come into work all the time. I have been trying to show them respect by giving space, just a couple of comments, smiling and saying hi... But I don't really see these guys that often to where I could feel comfortable just asking to hang out.
My problem is the aftermath. The awkwardness of seeing that person who rejected you again and again.... and again.
I almost wish I could get some feedback on me, and if they are just as interested in starting a friendship. I just want them to ask me to hang out with them. That would be so much easier.
But I'm an awkward fish, and the fish always flops first......
Just roll with me on that phrase.
AND THEN, I never thought that I would find myself in this situation, but I'm finding myself really interested with someone's writing. I have been regularly following Patrick Klepek's articles at g4tv.com. He just has been making some great insights into video games and movies, and I really enjoy his writing. I'll even check out his twitter page. I know! It's weird.
On the other hand too, it's weird to know so much about a person without even meeting said person. (I guess I'm feeding the flames to that problem, but STILL!...)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Needing to talk. Let's talk.
I haven't blogged in such a long time, but there was just such an overwhelming need to blog that just surged up inside of me.... at 2:52 in the morning....
I do have to say that creating this post right now has already had a calming effect. Just to be able to get some ideas off of my chest seems very therapeutic at the moment.
Anyway, it seems the question of the moment is "Reed, what are you going to do with your life?" And the honest question is that I don't know. I feel like an old pocketwatch where the gears turn slower and slower in its repetitious routine. Tick.. tick... tick.....aaand you get the point. I am completely sure that a move will be in my future, but to where? There's Seattle. (Nathan and Katie simultaneously raise eyebrows.) There's Wisconsin. (Amber thinks, "Is he actually gonna come?") And then there's also just here in Wichita. (Meghan and Milissa rejoice.)
But another oppotunity popped up for me. Kim brought up the other day at Unit Convention that the registrar position at Louhelen was available. At first, I scoffed at the idea, but then I really thought about it. Michigan is an area that I would like to be heading towards. (Maybe, I haven't truly experienced snow like that in Michigan. So I have no idea about up north.) It would give me some time to use as a stepping stone to bigger plans, and I would be of service as well.
What's keeping me back from persuing these options? Well, mainly me. When I move, I want to have some sort of battle plan (ANYTHING) about what to do with myself. Because I do not want to end up like the pocketwatch in a different environment.
So here I am with my floaties on, skimming the top of the water, and I struggle to dive deep. I need to get rid of some baggage before I can continue. More on that later.
I do have to say that creating this post right now has already had a calming effect. Just to be able to get some ideas off of my chest seems very therapeutic at the moment.
Anyway, it seems the question of the moment is "Reed, what are you going to do with your life?" And the honest question is that I don't know. I feel like an old pocketwatch where the gears turn slower and slower in its repetitious routine. Tick.. tick... tick.....aaand you get the point. I am completely sure that a move will be in my future, but to where? There's Seattle. (Nathan and Katie simultaneously raise eyebrows.) There's Wisconsin. (Amber thinks, "Is he actually gonna come?") And then there's also just here in Wichita. (Meghan and Milissa rejoice.)
But another oppotunity popped up for me. Kim brought up the other day at Unit Convention that the registrar position at Louhelen was available. At first, I scoffed at the idea, but then I really thought about it. Michigan is an area that I would like to be heading towards. (Maybe, I haven't truly experienced snow like that in Michigan. So I have no idea about up north.) It would give me some time to use as a stepping stone to bigger plans, and I would be of service as well.
What's keeping me back from persuing these options? Well, mainly me. When I move, I want to have some sort of battle plan (ANYTHING) about what to do with myself. Because I do not want to end up like the pocketwatch in a different environment.
So here I am with my floaties on, skimming the top of the water, and I struggle to dive deep. I need to get rid of some baggage before I can continue. More on that later.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Dear World,.... I'm Not Dead Part Five (three, sir) Three!
9. Seriously, I'm not dead..... I'm just out of commission.
So,... the spider bite on my hand had been giving me a problem for about a week. It's been a never ending sore, and then on Wednesday, I found another "bite" above my elbow. Needless to say, I had to go to the doctor's office. There, they told me that my "spider bites" was a virus. A culture was taken to the lab, and I'll know the results on Friday. (In other words, they didn't know what the heck I have, but they'll know if I'm contagious.) Because of the unknown factors with these sores and the possibility of being contagious, I can't teach or work for three days.
Great.
10. On the one hand, it is kind of nice to catch up on other things. I've been able to practice (or putz around on) my bass, and I started an abstract watercolor painting. Right now, it looks kind of ridiculous, but as I add more layers, my ultimate dream is for it to become a translucent Jackson Pollock-esque painting. We'll see...
11. Brass instruments are ridiculous.... Blasted embouchures.....
12. I have fallen in love with the music coming from the dear human known as Andrew Bird. He reminds me of Sufjan Steven with a little more of a rock beat. Right now, I'm really loving "Yawny At The Apocalypse", which actually is airy and more meditative. Although it's a stretch from his main style of music, that song just pulls at my emotions if I allow it. Like a dying rose petal, I curl up and slowly fall away into the sound of the unknown...
That's my schmultzy line of the day....
On a side note, can anyone tell me about Santogold's album? Has anyone really liked it? (Does anybody know what I'm talking about?)
So,... the spider bite on my hand had been giving me a problem for about a week. It's been a never ending sore, and then on Wednesday, I found another "bite" above my elbow. Needless to say, I had to go to the doctor's office. There, they told me that my "spider bites" was a virus. A culture was taken to the lab, and I'll know the results on Friday. (In other words, they didn't know what the heck I have, but they'll know if I'm contagious.) Because of the unknown factors with these sores and the possibility of being contagious, I can't teach or work for three days.
Great.
10. On the one hand, it is kind of nice to catch up on other things. I've been able to practice (or putz around on) my bass, and I started an abstract watercolor painting. Right now, it looks kind of ridiculous, but as I add more layers, my ultimate dream is for it to become a translucent Jackson Pollock-esque painting. We'll see...
11. Brass instruments are ridiculous.... Blasted embouchures.....
12. I have fallen in love with the music coming from the dear human known as Andrew Bird. He reminds me of Sufjan Steven with a little more of a rock beat. Right now, I'm really loving "Yawny At The Apocalypse", which actually is airy and more meditative. Although it's a stretch from his main style of music, that song just pulls at my emotions if I allow it. Like a dying rose petal, I curl up and slowly fall away into the sound of the unknown...
That's my schmultzy line of the day....
On a side note, can anyone tell me about Santogold's album? Has anyone really liked it? (Does anybody know what I'm talking about?)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Dear World, I'm not dead... Part II
5. I definitely have related to the title of this blog entry way too much. All I have to say is.... student teaching. Actually, there are way too many thoughts in my head, since I have just started the program a little over a week ago. I will tell you that it has pushed me in every aspect of music that I have learned. In one day (like this Friday), I'll have zero hour jazz band, symphonic band, orchestra, theory (composing/arranging), then fifth grade samba band, third grade singing, first grade singing/Orff Instruments, fourth grade recorders, and THEN back to high school for two basketball games with the pep band.
I'm pooped.
6. I do have to say I'm getting ready to do some REAL teaching. I got a taste today with the band and orchestra. My cooperating teacher was recruiting at middle schools around the area with the jazz band and top orchestra, and I had to teach the students left behind about sixteenth notes and how to count certain rhythms. I have to say... I kind of tanked with the band. I just didn't have gumption, and you NEED gumption with that group. Don't get me wrong. I got the job done, but I got sucked into "Hurricane Band" with its F4 winds. I have to say.... I recovered well. I definitely had gumption with the orchestra, and I had them (pretty much) in the palm my hand. But then again, orchestra kids generally want to follow directions. It's a proven theory. Of course, they tried to push the same buttons that the band did, but I was ready and prepared. I just wish that my cooperating teacher was there to see it.
7. I had my first spontaneous hug from one of my elementary students this week. He is a first grader, and he is so PRECIOUS! I've really enjoyed my time with my elementary students. Sometimes, they can be just as bad as my high schoolers, but when they focus on music, it is solid gold. (That was for you, Nathan.)
8. On a side note, I'm going through audiobooks like none other. Since I'm in my car all the time, I've appreciated the wide selection of books on CD from my local library. Right now, I'm in the middle of the book What is the What, and I have to take breaks from it! It's based on a real -life story of a boy from Sudan. Although the actual story is fictitious, most of the events actually occurred in some capacity with the boy. It's rough. Flat out rough. The situations that this boy continually faced on a regular basis seems like it came out of some modern-day epic poem, except the hero is just struggling to survive. I keep forgeting how YOUNG the boy is in the story. With all the harrowing experiences that occur, it's hard to imagine that this is happening to just one CHILD. It's very disheartnening. It's a good story, but I have to take breaks.
I'm pooped.
6. I do have to say I'm getting ready to do some REAL teaching. I got a taste today with the band and orchestra. My cooperating teacher was recruiting at middle schools around the area with the jazz band and top orchestra, and I had to teach the students left behind about sixteenth notes and how to count certain rhythms. I have to say... I kind of tanked with the band. I just didn't have gumption, and you NEED gumption with that group. Don't get me wrong. I got the job done, but I got sucked into "Hurricane Band" with its F4 winds. I have to say.... I recovered well. I definitely had gumption with the orchestra, and I had them (pretty much) in the palm my hand. But then again, orchestra kids generally want to follow directions. It's a proven theory. Of course, they tried to push the same buttons that the band did, but I was ready and prepared. I just wish that my cooperating teacher was there to see it.
7. I had my first spontaneous hug from one of my elementary students this week. He is a first grader, and he is so PRECIOUS! I've really enjoyed my time with my elementary students. Sometimes, they can be just as bad as my high schoolers, but when they focus on music, it is solid gold. (That was for you, Nathan.)
8. On a side note, I'm going through audiobooks like none other. Since I'm in my car all the time, I've appreciated the wide selection of books on CD from my local library. Right now, I'm in the middle of the book What is the What, and I have to take breaks from it! It's based on a real -life story of a boy from Sudan. Although the actual story is fictitious, most of the events actually occurred in some capacity with the boy. It's rough. Flat out rough. The situations that this boy continually faced on a regular basis seems like it came out of some modern-day epic poem, except the hero is just struggling to survive. I keep forgeting how YOUNG the boy is in the story. With all the harrowing experiences that occur, it's hard to imagine that this is happening to just one CHILD. It's very disheartnening. It's a good story, but I have to take breaks.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Dear World,.... I'm not dead.
Hello, everyone! Yes, it is true. I'm coming at you live and in color. I haven't given up on the blogging world. (It just wasn't at the top of my to do list....)
SO! I thought it would be good to kill two birds with one stone by talking about the past... three?... (really?...) months with the sixteen random thoughts Chuck asked me to do on facebook. That way, I can appease Chuck and the masses who want to know about me (all 2 of them). Here we go:
1. I survived this semester. I got A's and B's with the exception of one C (, but we WON'T go into that hot mess because I want the water to go under the bridge). I'm so glad with how the semester turned out. Now, could they have been better, yeah. But considering I had two jobs, teaching private lessons, and school, I'm DANG proud of those grades! I do have to say that I was dead from the eyes down.
2. Chicago was amazing. For that small time I was there for the Baha'i convention, I was so glad that I could go. Originally, I wasn't planning on attending because I was so busy with school and work, but then Nathan and Katie came back from pilgrimage and said how one of the International Teaching Center counselors compared this conference to those of the Ten Year Crusade in the 1940's (or was it 1950's... oh gosh...). So, I just HAD to go! I couldn't miss this opportunity. Anyway, it was there that the idea solidified that I'll be doing a year of service after I graduate in May. I feel really good about this. (It makes me feel optomistic about my future! Weird.) Not only would it be good to reflect on what I want to become, but I will also be focusing on furthering the Baha'i Faith as well, which is so much more important!
3. I think I'm going to switch to macs instead of pcs after my laptop kicks the bucket. Don't get me wrong. My laptop is doing ok. It's just that I'm finding myself frustrated with each pc that I get. While my laptop runs smoothly in one capacity, it has to have something else go wrong. Allllways. Besides, I like how macs come with video cameras in them for video chatting. That's a huge perk. So once my laptop fizzles out (or gets thrown out a window....), I think I'll switch to macs. (Right now, all the mac people are cheering...)
4. I've come to the conclusion that I can't do sixteen random thoughts.... in one sitting. There's too much to talk about and in such little time. So, I'll break it up into four different sections. That way, I won't kill myself trying to write down everything, and you won't have to look at an obscenely long post. It's a win-win!
SO! I thought it would be good to kill two birds with one stone by talking about the past... three?... (really?...) months with the sixteen random thoughts Chuck asked me to do on facebook. That way, I can appease Chuck and the masses who want to know about me (all 2 of them). Here we go:
1. I survived this semester. I got A's and B's with the exception of one C (, but we WON'T go into that hot mess because I want the water to go under the bridge). I'm so glad with how the semester turned out. Now, could they have been better, yeah. But considering I had two jobs, teaching private lessons, and school, I'm DANG proud of those grades! I do have to say that I was dead from the eyes down.
2. Chicago was amazing. For that small time I was there for the Baha'i convention, I was so glad that I could go. Originally, I wasn't planning on attending because I was so busy with school and work, but then Nathan and Katie came back from pilgrimage and said how one of the International Teaching Center counselors compared this conference to those of the Ten Year Crusade in the 1940's (or was it 1950's... oh gosh...). So, I just HAD to go! I couldn't miss this opportunity. Anyway, it was there that the idea solidified that I'll be doing a year of service after I graduate in May. I feel really good about this. (It makes me feel optomistic about my future! Weird.) Not only would it be good to reflect on what I want to become, but I will also be focusing on furthering the Baha'i Faith as well, which is so much more important!
3. I think I'm going to switch to macs instead of pcs after my laptop kicks the bucket. Don't get me wrong. My laptop is doing ok. It's just that I'm finding myself frustrated with each pc that I get. While my laptop runs smoothly in one capacity, it has to have something else go wrong. Allllways. Besides, I like how macs come with video cameras in them for video chatting. That's a huge perk. So once my laptop fizzles out (or gets thrown out a window....), I think I'll switch to macs. (Right now, all the mac people are cheering...)
4. I've come to the conclusion that I can't do sixteen random thoughts.... in one sitting. There's too much to talk about and in such little time. So, I'll break it up into four different sections. That way, I won't kill myself trying to write down everything, and you won't have to look at an obscenely long post. It's a win-win!
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