Happy Words

Happy Words. I have a request for happy words about college. Enough with the depressing stuff.

How about "excellent!"

That was the word the wind ensemble conductor said to me after my piccolo solo.

Or how about "impressive", the word by spoken by faculty members after my scholarship audition.

Or how about "twenty-five".

That's the guess that one of my classmates said when asked how old he thought I was. (He was 18.)

Or "beautiful", a comment from my flute teacher.

Things are looking up in the college department.

Empathy

The word of the day: Empathy

em·pa·thy (ěm'pə-thē) n. Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives.

It's been a while since I've been a college student, or any kind of student. But now because I am a student again I can empathize with those of you (my kids!) who are in school. It's hard! I will say that my life is probably a little more complicated being a wife and mother and (supposed) homemaker. I know it's hard to get homework done, to read those chapters, to attend everything you are supposed to attend, etc.

In my theatre appreciation class when I was talking with my instructor, he said he liked the older, non-traditional students because we are more focused on learning. We want to be there. I don't think it makes it any easier though. My flute teacher said to all the music majors in a masterclass that now, this time in your life as a young college student, you will have more time to practice than you ever will again. I remember when I was a freshman music major, I didn't think I had time to practice. I had a social life! Now I realize that I really could have made the time to practice. But I think in music at least, you have to have the passion, the huge desire to be a music major.

I'm not sure I'm there. I hope I can do this.

At least I understand my kids better! If not a better musician, college is making me a better mom.

Starting from the Bottom

Okay, so when you are feeling depressed may not be the best time to blog. Just thought I'd throw that out as a warning.

There's a saying in the world of band: "being last chair means you can only move up."

Right now I'm feeling very last chair-ish.

I had my first flute lesson in years. I had one about ten years ago, and then before that was when I was in college. It's funny how you can feel exactly the same way so many years later. And the way I feel is like I am the worst flute player on the planet. Maybe it's like boot camp... they have to tear you down before they can build you up. There's nothing like having all your weaknesses brought to the forefront.

I know I'm not a really good flute player. But I thought I was better than how I feel now. I have lots to work on, that's for sure! It's the little things, ripping apart a piece, note by note, interval by interval. And Tone. It's all about tone and breathing.

I'm in need of a confidence booster. I think I'll go eat chocolate.

And practice. Yes. Practice. Okay, I'll skip the chocolate. It'll just make my keys sticky.

Back to School!

Usually you see that phrase around in August and September, but for me it applies in January. I'm back in school after a 25 year break.

My first day was a little nervewracking. I had feelings of nervous excitement and apprehension.

I left the house 40 minutes before class started, and got there about 20 minutes later. But there was no where to park. I mean no where. People where parking on the curbs. I was warned not to do that. After driving around a bit waiting in vain for someone to leave I decided to go to a diferent parking lot. I drove all the way to the back and found a spot. Hurray! But then I had to book it in to class.

I had been encouraged by the fact that UAH has quite a few "non-traditional" (read: older) students. But as I walked into class I realized that none of them were in this class: A bunch of Freshmen. I felt very out of place. It is a 100 level general ed class called "Theatre Appreciation", so I expected a lot of young kids. I didn't expect to be the only one over the age of 20 though.

I did sit in the front row, the only one at first. I greeted the teacher. I'm such a suck-up. When he asked if anyone had any theatre experience, I was the first to raise my hand. I think I made a good impression. The teacher asked later if I might be interested in helping with one of their plays. For extra credit, to boot.

It should be a fairly easy class, except for the part on the last two days of class when I will have to ACT in a two minute excert from a play we'll be studying. I don't ACT. That's why I do make-up. Behind the stage. That's my place.

School Part 2.

Later that day I drove back out to school. I had to come home to teach a flute lesson. I'm working on changing that one. Parking was easier at 3:45 in the afternoon. I went in to the Wind Ensemble Class. The flutes were all sitting in their chairs from the last semester I presume, so I just sat in the last chair. I've never in my life sat last chair. Luckily, some student came in late and had to sit below me. There were two more flutes there than expected. I don't really care about chair order, as long as I'm not LAST! He said he would have chair placement auditions, but then he said he wasn't sure what he was going to do, but would I play picc on the trombone concerto? Sure. Whatever. I'm easy.

The music wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. So I think I'll be okay.

And there were old people, I mean "non traditional" students in Wind Ensemble!

Dynamic Dialogue and Wasting Time

I'm not normally a television viewer... meaning I'm not a prime time TV watcher. I don't like TV shows. There are a few that are okay because you can watch one show and get the whole story like the various Law and Order series. I like to use the television to watch movies though. I love a good movie: a complete story in one nice little package. (Excepting the *to be continued trend*... like have you seen Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest? Totally set up for a sequel.) Anyhoo, as I was saying, I don't usually get into television series. I tried my darndest to get into Grey's Anatomy (McDreamy and McSteamy, no explanation needed) this past Fall, but I'm not a schedule follower. I am a spontaneous tv watcher. (or maybe I'm just impulsive... sorry, I digress.) But when you just tune in at random, you don't understand what is going on.

I have found a solution, albeit a semi-detrimental to your life for a couple of days solution if you get caught up in these things like I do. I have a point really. I'm getting there.

My daughter received, compliments of her mother, two complete seasons of the Gilmore Girls. That is around 21 or 22 Forty Minute Shows (yes, one hour shows have 20 minutes worth of commercials). When she was a freshman in college she'd watch it with some of her roomies. I've tuned in a few times... but, as referred to above, I cannot always remember to watch a show at a certain time. Problem solved! You buy the complete season on DVD (make sure you don't spend full price though... I got a great deal!) and be prepared to block out say-- 15-16 hours of your life. No dinners fixed, no Christmas trees taken down, no pleasant family conversation, and alas, no blogging. But the drama and dialogue of Gilmore Girls makes up for your social abandonment.

This show is witty, fast paced and laced with fun references to pop culture. On the special features dvd that comes with season one, the writer said most one hour shows have 45 to 50 pages of script and their scripts run around 65 to 70 pages. That's a lot more dialogue crammed into one show. But I really enjoy the verbal sparring, the made up words.

Examples from imdb.com for your blogging entertainment:

Lorelai:You lost me at carrots, which was the first draft of 'you had me at hello'.

Luke: Are you okay with the guy thing?
Lorelai: Yes.
Luke: Really?
Lorelai: Okay-ish.
Luke: That's not okay.
Lorelai: That's okay with an "ish."
Luke: Whatever you say.

Richard: Focus, please.
Lorelai: I am a camera.

Lorelai: Can I use the fun cutter thingy?
Luke: Not if you call it the fun cutter thingy.
Lorelai: Please?
Luke: Cut the boxes, not your hands.
Lorelai: Good tip, you should teach!

Lorelai: My shoe broke! I need you to fix it!
Luke: Do I look like a cobbler to you?
Lorelai: If I say yes, will you fix it?

Rory: So, is this party Grandma's having going to be a big deal?
Lorelai: Not really. The government will close that day. Flags will fly at half-mast. Barbra Streisand will give her final concert... again.
Rory: Uh-huh.
Lorelai: Now, the Pope has previous plans, but he's trying to get out of them. However, Elvis and Jim Morrison are coming and they're bringing chips.

Lorelai: Hey, I'm studying in there...
Rory: I know.
Lorelai: Yeah. I have, like, 6,000 pages of case studies to memorize and this whole big test on the Wal-Mart phenomena coming up on Friday and because I have a life and a job and business school's not the only thing I have to concentrate on I'm behind, and I'll probably fail and then that little 18-year-old annoying gnat who sits behind me will get another 'A' and make that 'I'm smart you're dumb' fact to me for the rest of the week and I'll be very upset and will possibly cry.
Rory: The music's too loud.
Lorelai: Yes.

Luke: Very romantic.
Lorelai: Says the man who yelled "Finally." at the end of Love Story.

Rory: Please, don't walk away like that.
Dean: Sorry, I'd do a silly walk, but I'm not feeling very John Cleese right now.

Andrew: I'd rather have bird crap fall on my head.
Lorelai: There it is - our new town slogan.
Rory: I like it.
Lorelai: I see coffee mugs, T-shirts.
Rory: Don't forget stuffed shish-kabobbed birds.
Lorelai: That moan when you squeeze 'em.

Rory: When's soon?
Lorelai: When the big hand hits the "S" and the little hand hits the "OON."

Lorelai: Ugh, Rory, my brain is full. It has reached capacity. It's Shea Stadium when the Beatles played. It's cramped and girls are screaming and I think George is fighting with Ringo.

Rory: Why me?
Paris: Because people like you. You're quiet. You say "excuse me". You look like little birds help you get dressed in the morning.

Lorelai: [on Michel] He's snarky.
Sookie: And sarcastic.
Lorelai: He's snarkastic.

Lorelai: Hey, you didn't wake me up.
Rory: I set the clock.
Lorelai: Yes, but see, the clock stops ringing once I throw it against the wall giving me ample time to fall back to sleep. You, however, never stop yapping no matter how hard I throw you, thus insuring the wake up process.

It's a fast paced rhythm that the actors have aced in this show. In order to *get* Gilmore Girls, you have to pay attention. It also helps if you're over the age of 35 to get some of the jokes. Or a pop culture junkie. I wish I was that witty. Maybe some of this time spent watching the ENTIRE first season in two, no three sittings won't be a complete waste of time. Hey, I actually used a quote from the movie the other day.

Me: You bought two pepperoni pizzas! We always get one cheese, one pepperoni. You know I don't like pepperoni.
Bryan: So take the pepperoni off! Then you'll have cheese pizza.
Me: But it's "fraternizing with the enemy!"

I'll keep working on that *witty* thing.

The new problem is that they are on the SEVENTH season of this show. That's alot of dvd's. And when you get to the end of the season... there's a cliffhanger! Maybe I'll go back to movies.

5000!

On January 1st, 2006 at approximately 7:45 pm I had my 5000th page view. So I guess Becca wins the prize! She was the closest in guessing when I'd hit that.

The person who viewed it lives in Huntsville, Alabama, has a Comcast ISP and uses a Mac computer. I have no idea who it is. It's fun to see where all the viewers come from! Looking over the stats, that person is the most common visitor, and ties with my daughter in Nashville for most hits. I've had hits from all over though... Utah, Arizona, Tennessee and Alabama being the most common. But I've had several from foreign countries including Great Britain, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Romania in the past week or so.

I'm not feeling very bloggerly right now, it's the holidays I'm guessing. More later.