Hello.  How are you?  I hope you are doing well.  I am killing time until it is time for student teaching to start. It is just a few more days, really. Then I will go spend everyday with middle and high schoolers.  All day long.  Woo hoo.  Then I will go home and make dinner and do lesson planning or perhaps teach, and then go to bed.  I am really looking forward to having a nice schedule I can look forward to, some predictability.  Do I sound boring?  Then the year will be over, and then I will go be camp director.  Oh that sounds like fun!  And then I will get a real job as a teacher, hopefully elementary strings (how I will swing this is unknown), and everything will be jolly.  Hurrah!

To not overdraw my account.  Baby steps, you know.

Leave a comment and I will:
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f) Tell you my favorite user pic of yours.
g) In return, you must post this in your LJ

Well I promise I'm going to go and practice in just seven minutes.  JUST SEVEN MINUTES! 

So, I'm back in school.  WHOA!  Yes.  Yes I am.  I'm getting my teaching certificate so I can be more gainfully employed.  Not that I'm not employed.  I am employed!  I'm still in the RSO.  Here's how this all came about:

So here I am, in the RSO, needing a second job to pass the time and to pay the rent.  I think to myself: self, it doesn't matter what job it is because you have your orchestra job that makes you happy, you just need a stupid job that won't really affect your life!  Yay!  Harris Teeter came and went, and then there was Border.  GEEZ what an awful job.  So then I said to myself, SELF, stupid jobs are stupid!  The problem with a job that any idiot can do, is that any idiot WILL do it, and then they are your general manager.  Get a better job.  What better way to supplement my music income than with a MUSIC job.  I am so smart.  That is why I have two degrees.  So in three semesters I will have a teaching certificate and I will be able to teach K-12 orchestra, band, choir, and general music, in many different states, including yours.  Maybe.  Depending on where you live I guess.  So there's that.

Other than that, my life is pretty ducky.  I play my viola, and I try to play the bass and the saxophone.  Then I try to conduct (then I cry a little, but it's okay).  Then I go to bed early.  Yay sleep!

That's enough of that.  I have to go practice!  Have a super day!

Apparently I'm supposed to update my journal now.  I've discovered that shorter entries are better because they are more interesting.

Vegan popcorn, hot chocolate, and macaroni and cheese from Jack's Corner are delicious. 

I am going to Boston for New Years!  Hurrah!

I have nothing to do for the next week and it is awesome.  I'm SO glad I quit my job.  (I quit my job, btw!  I have little to no patience for retail, apparently)

I am earning money by doing a gig, working for Tiffany (Ha!) and donating plasma.  These take up not nearly as much of my time as working a job does. 

Jon and I have worked all the way to the beginning of the third season of Buffy so far.  This is impressive for him.

I can type 68wpm I found out!  Hurrah!

Bye!

I know I've been absent from the blogging world for some time now, but it was mostly due to my lack of a working computer over the summer.  Once I got it back in semi-workable condition, I lacked something so monumental to blog about.  But I feel compelled to write about this, so LISTEN!

I just started a new job at Borders, and one of the perks of the jobs is that we get to "check out" books.  So I can take home all those books I want to look at forever and don't want to read in the store because I think it's rude (unlike most of the rest of the world, but whatever--they think we're a library).  So I was shelving (what I do...all day!) in the cookbook/health/diet section when I came across this book.  It is called Skinny Bitch.  And it may well have turned me into a vegan, which is something that I never ever would have thought could possibly happen. 

The book is so good, because it used plain common sense to explain changing your eating habits.  Why shouldn't we drink milk?  Because milk was designed to help a 40lb calf turn into a 2,000 lb. cow, that's why!  Why shouldn't you eat meat?  Because slaughterhouse conditions are horrible, no matter how free-range the meat was before (even in Kosher slaughterhouses, which is terrible to think about).  It was written by two women, both former models, and one with a masters degree in holistic nutrition.  I am not a writer, so I'm not the best person ever to try to explain all of this to you.  It's a short little book, you can read it in a few hours.  I bet the library has it, or you can just sit in Borders and they probably won't throw you out, especially in Greensboro.  Go read it, and you can decide for yourself, but I can just say it was the most logical explanation for why I should stop putting chemicals other crap into my body.  And that is all. 

Tomorrow is Jon's birthday.  Wish him a happy birthday, and come to the cookout tonight if you have any idea what I'm talking about.

Also I have my first concert this weekend with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.  Wish me lots of luck!

Bye!

to tell you that facebook finally figured out that my name wasn't really Lindsii LaKeesha Laverne LLParsons.  Disabled until further notice.  Oops...

In case you have no idea what I'm talking about:

That last blog was about how I failed a section of my comps and have to do a rewrite.  HOWEVER, let's look at the facts of the situation, because I'm so fucking pissed off right now I can't seem to function, also I'm hungry and poor.

FIRST OF ALL:  comprehensive exams are supposed to be a reflection of what you learned while you were at UNCG.  Usually the professors take a look at an unofficial transcript of your classes and assign questions based on that.

SECOND OF ALL:  Engebretson asked me two questions.  The first one was to do a complete theoretical analysis of Ligeti's Viola Sonata.  I haven't taken a theory class since my sophomore year of college, and I do believe that we basically ended at Brahms, a good century or so before Ligeti's Viola Sonata.  In short, I haven't had a twentieth or twenty-first century theory class and I had to do a lot (A LOT) of work on that question to even begin to be able to answer it (re:  had nothing to do with any class I ever took).

THIRD OF ALL:  In recommending that I go talk to Dr. Priore about this Darmstadt school in order to understand it, which one of these things is Engebretson acknowledging?
                   1) that this topic is something that I would have had to have a class on, or maybe a lecture on in order to understand it, and he's acknowledging that I have received no such lecture or class? Or,
                   2) that the library does in fact, not have satisfactory resources on the topic?

Either way, it would seem that he's conceding that there was no way for me to answer the question correctly, and he failed me for his mistake.  I hate, hate, when people make mistakes and I have to fix their mistakes.

FOURTH OF ALL:  Let's not forget that about four days before my exam, Engebretson more or less told me to my face that he intended to fail me, in a conversation that went something like this:

Him, looking for volunteers the weekend before my Monday comps for some saxophone thing:  Here, take one of these.
Me:  I'm busy.
Him:  I know and it's all my fault.
Me:  Well, no, I have other questions to answer, and other stuff to do that weekend, like gigs and stuff.
Him:  Well, you should definitely cancel your gigs.
Me:  Well, I kind of need the money.
Him:  That seems a small price to pay to actually get your degree.

What a fucktard!  And what, was he thinking that I should volunteer my time freely for his stupid saxophone thing instead of working a gig with DR. RAWLS?  Remember how my degree is in PERFORMANCE and NOT in composition?  Sad, (not really) but true!

And of course this is all on top of his constant remarks about my apparent lack of intelligence (re:  I don't have a penis) and my inability to think.

So I'm completely livid with lividity, to the point where I can't seem to concentrate right now, so I'm at home trying to resolve this anger before I go back to the music building to work and accidentally commit a homicide. 

ARG!!

(in response to this:  Generally, the response to my question is not well written.  The introduction to Ligetti reflects a poor understanding of the so-called "Darmstadt School," and does not draw connections between Ligetti and Stockhausen (and only to a limited extent with Boulez).  Remedy:  a) Discuss Darmstadt with Dr. Irna Priore, b) re-write the beginning of Part A to reflect a more even, less biased understanding.  Include references/connections to Stockhausen and Boulez, and c) revise the entire Engebretson question, using good writing style.)

You are the biggest dickhead ever known to mankind.  Fuck you.  Fuck you.  Fuck you.  Sorry you think my response to your question was "biased" in context of the so-called "Darmstadt" school (I'm using your quotes here, what is that even supposed to mean, oh, and you misspelled Ligeti in your sentence when you called my response poorly written, now who's poorly written, dipshit?!), but I was quoting Grove, fuckwit.  I don't know much about the stupid school because the library has practically no resources.  But yes, GROVE said that it eventually became a pejorative.  Why don't YOU read the article on it.  And while you're at it, please remove whatever stick is up your ass and coming out your trachea. 

Fuck off, I'm not wasting Priore's time about Darmstadt when I can just read more resources that we don't have...and oh yeah...fuck off. 

Lindsey

This was a good weekend.

Happy Zombie Jesus Day was yesterday!

CANDY!

Bucks vs. Gators ROUND TWO!

It occurs to me as I am reading different scholar's interpretations of why Ligeti was doing what he did and what was influencing what he was writing that these people are completely full of shit.  Maybe it's because it's late, and Leah I'm looking at you to tell me why I'm wrong, but something tells me that you can't just attribute Ligeti's love of polymeter with the fact that he was exposed to Central-African music.  Something about that tells me that the evidence wouldn't hold up on Law and Order.  I mean...I haven't seen Ligeti's memoirs...where do they even get this stuff?!  Composers lie all the time about stuff.  I have one piece that I chronically lie about.  It's fun to tell people stuff that's just wrong about compositions...because music doesn't have specific roots all the time...why do we need to know why he did things?  Isn't it just awesome that he did?

I need to sleep...I'm getting angry at Grove.

Kennedy and Hindemith died in the same year.  About a month after Kennedy was assassinated, Hindemith died from acute pancreatis, which can be brought on by excessive alcohol, according to Wiki, the absolute source of all knowledge.  I think a more accurate theory would be, from a broken heart, perhaps?

And since the last four digits of my phone number are 1963 (the year in which they both died), I think we can safely say that I am in a position of authority to debate these matters.

Carry on.

Hello friends!  It is I, Lindsey, the super spiffy.

I'm supposed to be working on my song cycle right now.  But guess what...I'M NOT!! Because I'm a bad kid.  Mostly entirely.  And strangely hungry, which is unfortunate considering that my dinner supposedly had enough protein in it to keep me not hungry forever.  I made tempeh, which I had never had before, and never even heard of before, but it was delicious, I think, or at least moderately so.  I marinated it in soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, onion, and garlic for about 5 hours, and then roasted it with some mushrooms.  I liked it.  Mushrooms make things better. 

Anyway, this past weekend was quite spectacular.  I had my masters recital on Saturday evening, and I think it went pretty well.  I guess I'll find out tomorrow at my debriefing, and when I get my CD.  But the feedback is pretty good so far.  A lot of people seemed to like the third movement of the Schubert, which was funny, because about halfway through that movement I was thinking "god, this movement is sooooo long!"  My parents were there and my friends, so that was also great.  We (the cool kids) went out to dinner afterwards and then to drink.  The weekend was also good for other reasons too, quite mishtastic.  I am happy.

It's weird to be done with the recital.  I feel like somehow I thought I'd be lost without this eternal driving anxiety that was my recital program, but as it turns out, my info for my composition recital is due at the end of the week, as well as another $35, so that's going to be awesome, since I haven't finished all the music and/or secured all the performers.  Technically it's just the pno. trio that I have to get a definite for, and locate a pianist for my solo piano piece which is not remotely finished.  I guess I should get off my ass and finish that.  But I got an awesome violinist for my solo violin piece, so I'm happy about that.

Damn, I seem to be pretty happy about everything right now.  What the fuck is up with that?

So next year...let's talk about that.  My PREVIOUS plans were to move to Boston with a certain Margaret, but she has decided to stay in Japanland, so that plan is basically out the window, as I'm 100% positive if I tried to move to a big city like that without the funds or connections all by myself I'd go broke real fast.  So for now I'm staying in the Greensboro area, where I have friends and connections and the ability to make enough to live here until I'm sure what I want to do with these next few years of my life.  After almost 2 years in the south, I'm finally getting used to it, and it doesn't cause me to want to evacuate the state as fast as possible at every moment of my life. 

Anyway, the point is, I think it will be nice to have a few quasi-leisurely years or months of my life before I purely give into adulthood.  We'll see how that goes.  It will also give me a good opportunity to improve my composition portfolio and things.  That's my plan.  I like it.  I like my viola, I like composition, and I love my friends.  All of these things are here, so I'm happy. 

Speaking of, I gotta go imput things into Sibelius.  Have a spifftastic evening. 

Peace!

It occurs to me that I haven't really done a real entry in awhile.  So I will.   I guess.  I'm on spring break, which means that after I practice my brains out, I'm pretty much at a loss as to what to do.  I'm incredibly incredibly broke (thanks Wachovia, you've one again dicked me out of $35 I certainly didn't need...you asshole), and most of my friends have left.  But the ones who remain are the cool kids, so I guess I lucked out...I guess...or something. 

My recital is on March 17th at 5:30pm in the Organ Hall.  If it's possible, you should consider attending.  I will love you forever, and as it's been said, Lindsey Love is the BEST kind of Love.  Ask anyone!

Man...I really don't have anything to say.  Such a lose-face.  Last night I had chocolate cake.  That's interesting, right?  Right?  I'm not sure how I'm going to pay my car bill in 12 days.  That's cool, right?  Anyone want to loan me $31?  That reminds me that I should probably immediately try to sell my student viola.  Like right now.  I'm going to go post an ad immediately.  Peace out bitches.  Come to my recital.

You have harshed my mellow.

So in the last 24 hours I think I have learned an important lesson.  The lesson is:  if your friends are in trouble, DON'T HELP THEM!!!  Of course you know I'm kidding, but first let me explain.

Last night, after the Varga Cello Celebration finally settled down, Christen and Katie went to church together.  Christen has been having some car problems, but after taking it to the shop, it seemed like it was going to be fine.  But, her car was, once again, having the same problem (not moving out of park), so she called me and I picked her up and dropped her off at Ryan's place.  THEN!  As I was pulling out of my parking spot, I totally swiped a telephone pole!  What the hell!  That pole came out of nowhere!  Stupid telephone pole. 

I then dropped Katie off and she proceeded to find LaTannia, who we had left earlier, who could NOT find her keys.  Katie was a good friend and took LaTannia to a hotel for the night.  On the way back, Katie got a ticket for a rolling stop. 

THEREFORE!  You should not help a friend in need, because you will fuck yourself over too.  My little nudge with the telephone pole is estimated at  $1101.06!  Because I hit it in just the right spot that they have to replace like three different body parts.  What ever happened to a good ole hammering it out??  Stupid assembly lines making things difficult. 

Yeah, I'm kidding, and I would do anything for my friends, so please still call me when you're in peril.  Because I love you.

Also, I want to lay out the difference between my mother and my father, which is something that I couldn't really tell until they had to do the parenting thing on their own.  Okay, first of all, let me just lay it out there that I failed my senior recital jury the first time, largely due to politics.  Whatever.  My recital jury for my master's recital is tomorrow  and I am a little nervous. 

Me:  Yeah, my recital jury is tomorrow, and I'm really nervous.
Dad:  Yeah, you had some trouble with that last time, didn't you?
Me:  Uh...yeah...but it was mostly stupid...I mean...uh...

Mom:  How did your jury go??
Me:  It's Tuesday.
Mom:  Oh, well call and let me know!  I think your Grandmother is going to come.  Good luck!
Me:  Thanks!

There, I've laid out the difference between my parents.  This can also be illustrated from the occasion when I auditioned here and they told me I got in, a practice they apparently don't do anymore.  My mom:  completely excited for me.  My dad:  oh, did you even want to go there?  Grrrr....stupid parents. 

Okay, so send me good viola vibes, and good nomadic vibes, because my car is in the shop for an indefinite period of time. 

Peace, love, and mish

~Lindsey

I want you guys to know that I SO CALLED IT!  This past week on the O.C.  Kirsten found out that she was preggers.

Read this, and THEN try to tell me that I'm not just awesome and predicting O.C. trashiness!

That is all. 

Since last semester, I have knocked my average electricity bill down from around $32 a month to $22 a month!  GO ME!!!  I am going to save the world!  And all I did was:

1. Not turn on my gas, ever.  I'm only using a space heater sometimes
   
2. Turn space heater OFF at night
3. Turn computer off at night
4. Put plastic insulation sheeting on windows to conserve energy
5. Turn off most lights, most of the time
6. Use kittens for warmth instead of coal.

All in all, I think it's working.  And I'm not even cold most of the time, except in the mornings, when I'm very happy to get in the shower. 

Anyway.  I was just happy that my electricity bill went down because of my awesome energy conservation skills.  YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!  LET'S SAVE THE WORLD TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!