Deal

Ash and I made a deal.

She spent her life as an athlete, training, practicing, working out. And she wants to get back into it - however, the thought of doing what is necessary to get the result she wants is daunting because of the AMOUNT of work that has to go into it.

I feel the EXACT same way about trombone. I know what I have to do to win a job. But I am also well aware of my current state of ability.

We both want results now, and we both know that won't happen. Thus begins the accountability. She works out, I have to go practice. I practice, she has to go work out. This could work.

Workin

It seems like it finally has happened. I am having to actually WORK for my DMA. Who woulda thunk right? Apparently, outside the lovely state of New Jersey, Rutgers has a stellar reputation as far as academics are concerned so I guess it only fits that the work is hard now.

I am taking an "intro to music research" class, which is required before I can take performance practice and my history courses. We read a long excerpt out of an article called "A Critique of Textual Criticism." I read a criticism of criticism. Sometimes I don't get academia.

Trombone is going well - i've realized that this is probably the last year I can afford to really spend the time practicing like I want to. Time to buckle down. I made an excerpt book. and am scheduling a lesson with Joe Alessi. zoikes. He is going to own me.

Y

Rest in Peace Micah. May you fly with the angels. You were my acquaintance and yet my sister. You are now where we long to be, where our final goal is. Why is not a question that anyone can necessarily answer, for His ways our not our ways. But one day we'll meet. We'll talk. We'll worship. And that day is the day that "why" will not matter anymore.

hidden

Only a few people read this blog - so it's confession time. For those of you who may not know toooo much about me - here we go.


1. Since moving here (again) it seems as though my mouth has become dirtier. I can't blame this on my surroundings, but only on my lack of resolve to stand my ground. Never did I think that was going to be a slippery slope for me.

2. I'm in the arts, and though surrounded by it, I do not think homosexuality is right or even OK. But let me add this as a suffix. I am a Christian, believe it or not (my deepest apologies to those who don't know, that means I'm not living how I should). Christ's gospel is a message of love, not the judgement with which so many people associate Christianity. The Miss California of 2009 stood her ground on national television. I agree with her. BUT - this doesn't mean that she and I are any different in regards to Sin(see #4). Do I do wrong things? On a daily basis. Am I any different as far as Sin is concerned? Absolutely not. No one is perfect, not even one. And that provides the basis for a realization the God's Grace is amazing and simultaneously sufficient.

3. Even though I thought I grew out of having a "pleaser" mentality - I definitely haven't.

4. I believe in absolute right and wrong. Sin is a reality. Unless you believe that there is such a thing as absolute truth, you can't fully understand the gravity of sin. It weighs heavy on the heart, and eats at the soul. And that sucks.

5. Tolerance is not a virtue I strive for. If you want to ride the fence - be my guest, but the wedgie is a pain to pick out. Compassion is what I will strive for.


Part of me feels like this is a huge post. Part of me feels like all of this should be a given. Ugh.

a little late - but good nonetheless

Christmas Poem by an Old Friend Melissa "Daniel" Orr
written December 24th, 2008

A bright and shining proclamation
Waited for since the fall of creation
The shepherds at first full of freight
Then joyfully followed and found Messiah in the night
You came to us by the light of a morning star

From up on high to a world full of danger
The fate of mankind lay swaddled in a manger
Men from the East came searching for a king
Guided by a light as they were traveling
All who will see must look to the morning star

We, too, were once full of fear
Coming from afar and wanting to be near
Looking up in the heights we have found a truth to engage
It is shining on us in the night of this age
And now you are the morning star

Cut down and stripped, this dying tree
A cross for the man from Galilee
And cursed he was hanging there on Calvary
That guilty men might go free
Now blessed, that hill, where stood the tree of life

O worship Messiah! Even so gentile
No longer do we roam in exile
For we have been grafted in and die to our selfishness
That abiding in Christ we may become oaks of righteousness
Now we belong to the tree of life

Gather all, ye cedars of Lebanon
Come and see, you cypresses from Hirom
There planted by the river, ancient and true
With healing for the nations and life anew
Away, oh curse! Triumphant is the tree of life!

the line

This is hard. I don't know whether to launch in headfirst, or refrain as I always have done. Unfortunately, I'm starting to actually care about some of it. 

UGH.  Come on phone. RING dangit.

Interesting Thought on a daily activity

Practice

It is a privilege—
to have a situation
where you can practice

It is a joy—
it was in the beginning
and it must remain a joy

It is improvement—
one must strive to improve
with each practice session

It is relaxed—
in the arms, in the face,
and in the breathing process

It is beautiful—
settle for nothing less
than your most beautiful tone always

It is expressive
show something of yourself
in everything you play

It is forever—
if you wish to improve and grow as an artist

--Buddy Baker, March 1995

up we go

The airforce has by-far my favorite military anthem. Ever since I was a little kid I've wanted to be a fighter pilot. I used to have this dark-blue jumpsuit that said airforce on it, and I can remember wanting to wear that to Church because I thought it was dressy enough. I also had a red jumper but it was to be a firefighter which I didn't think was as cool as flying planes. I do however remember when I discovered that the airforce wouldn't allow you to be a fighter pilot if you had the need for corrective lenses, which I had. It was a sad day. Today on the other hand is a happy day - because tomorrow I get a chance to join the airforce! Of course I have to wade through 2 - 4 rounds of stiff competition...but!...the positive news is that they will allow a trombonist with corrective lenses to be in the airforce band. yahoo! Prayers please. thanks!

T-minus 16 hours.