vision

I just went to the eyedoctor - and apparently my vision has gotten worse. from -3.25 to -4.25. This is fairly encouraging - because it means my perscription hasn't changed in about 5-6 years.
Weird thing though - I only actually sat with the eye doctor for about 5 minutes. He checked the fit of my contact lens - and then proceeded to charge me 89 dollars for it. That essentially means that he's making about $1068 per hour on me alone. Why the heck am I getting my degree in music???


I miss small town america. I could get out of the eye doctor for 100 bucks. that INCLUDED boxes of contacts. I just spent 114 - and I don't even have a box of contacts to show for it. And I have a headache from my eyeballs bein' dialated.

*END RANT*

the future

Coming Soon - Itinerary for Little Women. Unfortunately for places I have lived the most - being Texas, Arkansas and Memphis, TN....we aren't coming there. BOOO.


I love bein married.

New Horizons - and black Chihuahuas

Sorry for the lack of updates (to all 5 of you who read :-p ) but here I am again. My last day at work is in exactly 7 days. It has been a great job - but I supposed it's time to start on that path again.

I'm wondering why I haven't utilized the beauty of the world wide web as a tool for promoting my playing. Not that I would want to now - but it could be a good thing to do. I know alot of people use myspace for that - but I think that I want something that looks a little snappier. Anyone know of a good webhosting service? Kelly Neill has one. I like it - and he's spectacular. I was reminded the other day that every one is human. This wasn't a profound thought, it was a funny, encouraging observance. Apparently - a VERY famous principal trombonist for a premier orchestra Kacked the most notable note in the trombone solo for Bolero. 2 things about that - 1. I still respect that man incredibly, because 1 out of 2000 high Db's is not bad, it's excellent... 2. Makes me feel better about the times I screw up huge! I'm gonna be that caliber of a player one day. I think i'm gonna keep a log of how many times I botch something in the Show. Expect an update on that every now and then - but don't be dissapointed if I forget!

So I auditioned at Rutgers last month. Apparently, there is competition for the one trombone fellowship slot. We'll see what comes of that. Stonybrook application is almost done - just trying to find an old term paper to send them, and hopefully that will come to fruition. I'm just praying for God's will, and i'm gonna let that be that. Sound good?

Cirque de Soleil is looking for musicians for a stationary 2 year show in Macau, China and Tokyo, Japan. Thoughts anyone?


I love being at home with my wife. And when we're somewhere where it's feasible - I'm gonna buy her a lil black Chihuahua puppy named Bubble.

Connect 4

Last night - I was totally dominated in a fierce game of connect 4. Paul Schappert, a minor league pitcher for one of the Chicago Cubs feeder teams, absolutely destroyed me. Now I know I must be a little rusty on strategy...but wow. I need to brush up on my Connect 4 skills.

Speaking of connecting - here is another example of how small the world is. I grew up in texas, went to school in Arkansas/Tennessee/N.J. - and then moved back to texas and married a lovely redhead named ashley. Ashley used to go shopping at a small boutique in Southlake where she went to high school. The store owner was a friend of her's named Melissa, hence the store name "Charmed by Melissa." She and melissa got to be very close and now melissa actually works with Ashley at Anthropologie. Melissa married Paul, of recent Connect 4 fame, who also happened to grow up in Southlake. Paul, in 8th and 9th grade was really good friends with a guy who played soccer in Southlake named Andrew Rivas. Andrew Rivas has been one of my best friends since I was old enough to comprehend the concept of friendship. In this case - it's connect 5. heh.

Good story!

Tagged

I got tagged.
here we go -

20 years ago....
I was 5 - this was around the time I decided that playing basketball in the cast iron BBQ grill was a good idea. If anyone has ever looked closely at my two middle fingers and seen how one is misshapen...then you know why it wasn't a good idea. I was best friends with Andrew Rivas, who was an usher in my wedding, and is a very successful business man now.

10 years ago.....
In texas, you can get your permit at 15 (or at least when i was that age). I remember the happy day - we lived at 12203 Old Stage Trail out in Northwest austin. The drivers license place was just around the corner, and I remember going and getting my permit the day I turned 15. I also remember dad taking me out for a drive that night to go and get a fountain drink from a nearby gas station. It was then that I realized that a 1979 Plymouth trailduster does not take 90-degree turns at 45 m.p.h. very well. I haven't done that since. This was also around the time that I made all-state band in Texas. As geeky as you may think it is/was - i was/am proud of it.

5 years ago.....
Junior year at harding. This year came on the heels of one of the best in my life. AJP and I had quit bickering by now and we were friends - previously (unbeknownst to most) for some reason we only got along under forced pretenses...moving along - I really started to get serious about trombone and preparation for the future. I had goals, dreams, and a steady group of friends who loved to practice and hang out in the music building like i did. Mandy, Eric and Misty Curry (now Colgrove), Of course Brian, AJP. I lived with brian and bryant in the back room of the edwards house. Brian and I decided we would probably be better friends if we weren't roommates after this year. And perhaps it was better - because we are good friends still to this day :-). I gave my first trombone recital.

1 year ago...
I had been engaged to the beautiful Ash for a few months. I was studying with one of the most amazing trombonists. It was cold, but good. I made friends with some of the nicest, most genuine people. My musicianship was challenged and I grew. Powell put me back on the Greg Black 5G. I gave a recital that I was finally proud of after 2 years of struggling at Memphis.

tag....Brian?

Amusing, yes.

I can't win a job in the "New Philharmonic of Irving" - but I can win a job for a Touring production of the Broadway Musical of Little Women. I can win a job based on my resume and a recording for a show that is going to tour 30 states and 3 Canadian provinces...but I can't seem to play for a non-paying orchestra that meets around the corner from my apartment in the suberban metroplex. I am not upset about that, i think it's freakin hilarious. And the playing scene in Dallas sucks.

Oh the light...

down below, about 3 posts, you'll see a 7 things list. Scott drew attention in his comments to number 6. he stated that it's not gonna happen. I am more than ok with that. And I laughed out loud, while at work, at the blutness of the statement. It just means he knows me. I don't see the point. I'm grown up enough for whatever I need to do. I pay bills, have insurance, have a "real" job, make financial decisions for the family. blah blah blah blah. I still play video games (WITH my wife, we both enjoy Halo 3 thank you very much), like to hang with the guys and do kid stuff like have dart gun wars every now and then in the house. So yes - there it is. I guess in most ways, or at least some, I will never grow up.

I talked to Ryan Rice last night - he's deciding between staying in midland - playing and teaching, or moving to Louisiana to pursue his Certified Flight Instructor position and practice for upcoming auditions, and actually finish up his DMA stuff so he can get the fancy starchy piece of paper that dictates his new title of DR. Rice. As much as I say,"Dude - you don't know what you have till it's gone, keep playing!!!" I also know he has a love for aviation, so that's a tough call.

I might get to tour. With a Broadway show. Holy Moly.