| Book meme, stolen from Lexie |
[Jun. 28th, 2008|01:25 am] |
C
The Big Read says that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed (I have to say, this list is a lil arbitrary. Da Vinci Code cracking the Top 100? C'mon...). Anyhoodle:
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Put a line through the books you HATE.
5) Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've read 6 and force books upon them
( I cut because I care. )
Take THAT, Big Read. And really, most of those were read in middle/high school... |
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| Nothing better than a beer in the afternoon |
[Jun. 18th, 2008|08:42 pm] |
C
Today was the best day evar.
My summer schedule thus far has consisted of daily sleep-ins, rolling out of bed around 11AM, taking my time getting ready, and heading over to school around 3ish to practice. It doesn't leave a lot of time for doing anything else, but it seemed to be a pattern that worked for me, mainly because I luvs mah sleeps.
Anyhoodle, this morning, spurred to greatness, I got up at 7:30. I headed over to Furman at 9:00 to enjoy a walk around campus in the GORGEOUS weather with Michael. Srsly, today was retardedly beautiful--no hotter than high 80s, wonderful breeze, no humidity. Simply transplendent. After our constitutional, I spent some quality time practicing (not to mention a couple impromptu, ahem, duets), and headed home around 2:00 for lunch. Afterward, I realized that I had the ENTIRE day left to do what I pleased. All my practicing done, no errands to run, so what to do?
The answer was to grab my ipod and a book, and head downtown. I strolled up and down Main Street the rest of the day, enjoying the people watching and basking in the sun. I was slightly dismayed to discover that three of my downtown favorites--Ivy, the used bookstore, and Venti--had all closed down. Wreh. I consoled myself with a mid-afternoon beer and book reading at Mellow Mushroom. After that, I headed over to the Reedy River Park, found myself a grassy patch in the shade, and people watched some more. Now I'm back, relaxing on the sofa and watching Tivo'd episodes of Frasier. I'm curled up, content and happy as my cats.
Today is a pretty decent representation of how I feel about this summer. :) |
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| Sometimes I make Bad Life Decisions |
[May. 17th, 2008|11:53 am] |
C
Even though I'm constantly warning my students about Bad Life Decisions, sometimes even I fall victim to them. Case in point: today, I have no papers to grade, so what am I doing? Sitting on my duff, watching The Wedding Planner on TBS. Even though I hate Jennifer Lopez. Even though Matthew McCounaghgehghgehey is a knuckle-dragging neanderthal. Even though it is so effing bad. And yet, here I sit.
Year One is drawing to a close, and the closer the end nears, the further away it seems. Ugh, there's just so much to do before it's finally over. I don't even want to think about calculating final grades, because I may cry. Lots of testing, grading, and trumpet music (gaaaaaaaaaaaah) are on the docket, not to mention Clusterfuck '08 (i.e. commencement) with my favorite lame duck President evar.
Went to the Greek Festival last night with Emily, and holy crap, is that thing a lot of fun. Anne always went when we were at Furman, and for whatever reason, I never had time to go, so I vowed I'd go this year. On the con side, due to my non-existent knowledge of downtown Greenville's geography, I ended up parking near the Bi-Lo Center and hauling ass to the Greek Orthodox Church. Bygones, but I did not = happy camper. On the pro side, the weather was GORGEOUS. Just unbelievably crisp and cool with a wonderful breeze. And overall, it was just a really cool vibe--lots of vendors, lots of performances, and lots of people (which I normally hate) in a really good mood. We took in some Byzantine chanting, got a crash course in iconography, and had a bangin' gyro and Greek beer. Definitely something I'll check out again next year.
In Wii news, I've added Rayman's Raving Rabbids and Resident Evil 4 to my collection. RRR is such a bizarre little game, a collection of mini-games against the "Rabbids," which just look like effed-up versions of rabbits. Anyway, it's quirky and addictive. RE4 is AWESOME, though I can only play it in about 30-minute intervals before it starts to really freak me out, heh. Next on the purchase list are Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
In school news, last Tuesday was Spring Honors Recital, and it really and truly was wonderful. Not a weak moment on the program (though some pieces were better suited to the acoustic than others)--I'm so impressed with how the standard for this recital has continued to rise since I was a student here. Anyway, the unexpectedness of the evening was that I was given the Orpheus Award from Phi Mu Alpha--it's for the advancement of music in America. Needless to say, it took me completely by surprise (I literally jumped out of my seat), and I was truly touched. I have always loved the boys of PMA. The fact that they think highly enough of me to give me this award, well...it's just nice. :) I got a lovely plaque (expertly designed by the fabulous Michael McClimon), which I now proudly display in my office. One of the true highlights of my first year as a professional.
Summer should be good, as a handful of quality people are sticking around, and I'll certainly keep busy--jury duty, SKI, Theory Summit, etc. But with PLENTY of doing nothing, charging up for the next year.
And now, to do some much-needed Spring Cleaning. |
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| Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down |
[Apr. 27th, 2008|04:04 pm] |
C
Why is it I never discovered the WYSIWYG aspect of the Semagic client before? This is so much more aesthetically pleasing.
So, here's my semi-annual update. This comes in the midst of errand-running, lesson plan-making, and movie-watching (30 Days of Night, in case you were wondering. Which, by the way, is um, TERRIFYING. As if vampires weren't scary enough, now they can sprint like effing gazelles). I'm taking a bit of a breather before I have to head to campus for a trumpet dress rehearsal. Yay for one more thing to check off the list!
It doesn't seem like school should be coming to a close, but I guess it is, and then when I talk to OTHER people, whose semesters are ending, oh, now, I get antsy about being finished. It's hard to believe this first year as a Professional Educator is almost over, but there you have it. It's been a fulfilling, nerve-wracking, patience-trying, ultimately rewarding year, and I'm really glad I'll be back next year.
That having been said, it will be insanely nice to have a break. Yes, there will be Furman activities (SKI and Theory Summit 2008, to name a few), and other things to tend to (jury duty, oy), but to be away from the daily grind, mmm. I foresee a lot of practicing, Tivo, and sweet, sweet Guitar Hero.
My two biggest bits of news these days are that: 1) I got a new cat! and 2) I'm going to visit Anne in NYC and see Equus on my birthday! The new kitty is named Matilda, and she's had a bit of a rough transition. For starters, she and Olivia aren't BFF yet, though they are making progress (Olivia's fine with the new edition, but Matilda's still a little leery), and for another, she got a bad upper respiratory infection a couple days after I got her. She's on the mend, not fond of taking medication, and in kitty quarantine until she's better. Olivia's been visiting, though, and peace talks seem to be making way.
And ahhhhhhhhh, Equus. It all happened so fast--from hearing the news that it was coming to New York, to deciding we were going, to a frantic race to get tickets, but it's all final! Row Q in the orchestra, 18 rows back from Potter Wang, mmm. The following conversation occured once tickets were secured:
Anne: So, do you think binoculars or opera glasses would look better?
Carolyn: At 18 rows back, I'm pretty sure either one is going to send the same message.
So, yay, Dan Radcliffe! Yay New York! Yay birthday! Yay ANNE! And also snagged The Daily Show tickets, so yay for that, too! |
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| Return of the Snark |
[Mar. 3rd, 2008|11:55 am] |
C
[insert requisite, "Gee, I haven't posted in a long time," comment here]
So, today is the first day of Spring term. GOD ALMIGHTY, am I happy to see the demise of Winter term. Granted, I still loved my job, the kids, yada yada, but the workload and the constant stress--it really took its toll. Overall, I feel like I handled everything gracefully, but it's not an experience I hope to repeat. Ever.
Spring Break was blissful. I felt so relaxed and well-rested. I woke up relatively early-ish every day, and basked in the nothingness of morning--sipping coffee, listening to whatever music I fancied (lots of Schumann and Brahms). I went shopping and spent more money than I should have, did all the errands I'd been putting off, got my hair cut (bangs!), did some leisurely practicing, went to see Josh in Columbia, and overall just enjoyed myself.
And then, this happened:
( I survived bank fraud and all I got was this overwhelming fear and paranoia and RAGE ) |
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| Where's the snark? |
[Feb. 19th, 2008|11:33 am] |
C
Okay, so usually, I know I post and it's sarcastic and cynical and all that jazz. BUT, I had a major break-through with a student recently, something that made me feel so good about who I am and what I do, that I just had to post it.
( Beware: Cock-eyed optimism inside! ) |
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| Question |
[Feb. 14th, 2008|07:54 pm] |
C
Has anyone seen the trailer for Penelope? What...is it, exactly? Is she a pig-girl? Just a girl with an unfortunate nose? And it's...really just a movie about that? Am I missing something? |
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| I love them both |
[Feb. 1st, 2008|11:25 pm] |
C
Sarah Silverman's present to Jimmy Kimmel on the fifth anniversary of his show:
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| This shit is brillz |
[Jan. 31st, 2008|08:16 am] |
C
Keep these guys on your radar--all their stuff is hilarious.
Kudos to Stuart for the heads up. |
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| It's not just comments--sometimes I post! |
[Jan. 30th, 2008|09:48 pm] |
C
Ahoy hoy. Still alive and stuff. This term has been really kind of wretched. I mean, it's still great and rewarding and all that jazz, but it seems like I barely have a moment to catch my breath, let alone practice, and every night I come home to recuperate, I have a stack of papers to grade, oy. I'm hoping that things improve next term--same course load, but at least classes are only fifty minutes each, omg, and I'm just keeping my head up in the meantime. Things could be worse--I could be a student. :-p
My life is a hodge podge of reading, Tivo'ing, sporadic practicing, and even more sporadic social engagements. For instance, DG is back in town, and we had dinner together Saturday night. Can I just reiterate that this man is DELIGHTFUL? We sat in The Bohemian for 3+ hours, and it was exactly the fun, cultural, and uplifting evening I'd hoped it would be. The restaurant was really great, too--wonderful food and fabulous ambience. DG's such a positive influence in my life--it's a pity he wasn't around for my first year at Furman, though he seemed geniunely pleased that I'd be back next year. One downside of his return: where on earth are they going to put me? There are no other offices, no one's going on sabbatical (that I know of), and the fishbowl's full (not to mention impractical if I'm going to keep up the same accompanying load).
The same Saturday I took some initiative and decided to set out for a solo afternoon of theater. Sweeney Todd was playing at the Peace Center, so I splurged and bought a ticket. It was a relatively small crowd, but it was the matinee. I...liked it? I dunno...I mean, it really was phenomenally well-done--the fact that all the cast plays multiple instruments while singing is really quite staggering, and the story is delicious. All that having been said, I left kind of going, "...meh." I think my biggest problem with the show is that I really don't care for the music. And I hate to be the person who says this, because I truly do love musical theater, but having recently seen the film, I really didn't gain anything monumental from seeing the show. [shame] I have, however, been humming bits of the score lately, so we'll see. Perhaps it will grow on me.
In another bit of musical theater news, one of my new favorite things to do is sing along with the Wicked recording in the Kate Monster voice. Really puts a different spin on things.
Randomly, I've broken two wine glasses in the last three days. I used to pride myself on not breaking glassware, and it seems hubris has gotten the better of me. I had a set of six wine glasses that I lovelovelove--one got broken in a freak dish-washing accident, one broke the other day when I swept it off the counter, and one broke yesterday after I'd left the nightcap glass on my nightstand and knocked it over trying to turn off my alarm. Sigh. Now I have an odd number--let's hope I never throw a dinner party.
( Book blabber )
And now, I'll end with this, which made me lulz bigtime. It's the sequel to the original, which I didn't like nearly as much, but I do believe this is genius:
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| Oh also |
[Jan. 23rd, 2008|09:54 pm] |
C
Just in case you were not previously informed, Mike Rowe is my tv boyfriend, kthx. |
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| Sometimes I hate me |
[Jan. 23rd, 2008|09:54 pm] |
C
Okay, so I know this makes me a bad person, but I kind of can't wait until I can rent this movie.
Let the shaming begin. |
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| Jeez, Bill |
[Jan. 22nd, 2008|12:28 pm] |
C
At least try to stay awake.
This is from Bill Clinton's appearance at an MLK remembrance in an Atlanta church yesterday. |
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| Taking LOLcats to a whole new level |
[Jan. 16th, 2008|12:40 pm] |
C
An image used to link to www.PetaKillsAnimals.com
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. It's...funny? Maybe? Effective? I think I'll go with interesting...I never thought I'd see the animal rights activists catering specifically to internet nerdz. |
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| Prodigal Livejournaler returns, yada yada yada |
[Jan. 11th, 2008|08:15 pm] |
C
Ahoy hoy. You know. Here and stuff. Terribly busy and important. The usual.
So let's see. There was Christmas, and that was fun. I got TIVO, and I'm really not exaggerating when I say it's changed my life. It was nice to go home and seriously veg for two weeks solid, not to mention it was a veritable kitty commune. Mom and Dad recently adopted two cats, Storm and Shadow, and gah. Sweet cats, but talk about--ahem--exuberant. I mean, Olivia's a young cat, but I don't ever remember her being manic like that. S&S also have respiratory issues, which means they sneeze and snot all over EVERYTHING, including yours truly. Ugh. I have to say, it was disgustingly cute to see Olivia interact with them. She became all motherly, snuggling up and licking them. I think she's sad to be the only kitty in town these days, so I've been looking for a companion. No one's struck a chord yet, but I'm sure we'll find someone.
We're back at Furman, in the throes of the VERY LAST WINTER TERM EVAR, GAAAAAAAAAAAH. I'm busy--VERY busy. Two sections of frosh theory, two sections of piano proficiency, accompanying, and teaching private lessons. It's not unmanageable (yet), but I'm definitely already feeling the difference between last term and now. Anyway, I'm still enjoying myself, enjoying my kids, and think I'm making a difference (very Pollyanna of me, I know), so it's all good. The plan right now is teach two more years, savesavesave, trip to Europe, and then doctorate. And, as always, I'm interested to see what will actually happen.
Randomly, I'm really interested in cooking these days. I'm not doing a whole lot of it, mind you, but I'm Tivo'ing Barefoot Contessa and Everyday Italian like it's my job. Something about cooking/baking really intimidates me. Maybe it's the kitchen fires, who knows?
Also randomly, I ordered a bunch of things from Dover during their big post-Christmas sale: Totentanz in full score, a volume of Brahms lieder for high voice, a study score of the Mendelssohn piano trios, Weber's complete piano sonatas, and Scriabin's Piano Concerto in f-sharp minor. I got the package the other day, and even though someone had gone through the invoice, circling every item, the Scriabin was missing. In its place? Henry David Thoreau's A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. Um...quoi? I can't even begin to understand this one.
I think I'm calling it an early night. Tomorrow, I WILL be social! |
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| AWESOME |
[Dec. 12th, 2007|07:30 pm] |
C
I don't know about you all, but I found this ridiculously entertaining:
Giant Sticky Man Scales Skyscraper
Attempt #1
Attempt #2
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| Pitiful excuse for an update, I know |
[Dec. 11th, 2007|11:13 pm] |
C
Has the world reached new heights of dumbing down, or am I just an Über-Dork who deserves to have her happiness decimated?
You be the judge!
Envision...
Carolyn: *sits on couch, scrolls through tv menu*
Olivia: *purrpurrpurr*
Carolyn: *eyes glancing over an unknown channel currently playing "Beethoven's 4th"* "Quoi? A classical music broadcast? And it's not public access?? BUHHHH?!?!"
Carolyn: *gleeful clicking to said channel*
(slight pause)
Carolyn: "...huh? What the f--oh. OH."
Carolyn: *WRATH*
Olivia: *purr?*
Okay, so I may be a great big ol' nerd, but I contend that it's a PRETTY SAD REFLECTION OF THIS COUNTRY THAT THERE ARE FOUR OF THOSE EFFING MOVIES ABOUT THAT EFFING ST. BERNARD WHEN THE FIRST ONE WASN'T EVEN GOOD.
GAH. |
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| Gizzobble |
[Nov. 22nd, 2007|08:55 pm] |
C
Happy Thanksgiving (or as Alison likes to call it, "Hedonistic Day")! We've been eating, drinking, and sitting all day. Huzzah, America!
I really don't have much to report. Teach-meats are going well, but DANG! we're busy these days. Recitals all the time, and now Messiah and auditions coming up, bleh. Buuuut, there's only a week and a half left in the term, so I'll live.
Went to Greensboro last weekend to see everyone (except LAME people like AJ SCHRAEDER), and 'twas great fun! It was a Very Idiot Box Weekend, with me taking in three shows (guh). Not anything I want to repeat anytime soon, but it was still great to see all the people I missens. :( PLUS I finally got to see The Running Man, which is basically Robert in Last Action Hero.
Now I'm back at home, and it's not too shabby. It's nice to be here and not have a million projects to work on--just some grading and practicing. And video game playing. Finally introduced Alison to Guitar Hero, and she finally got to play God of War 2 today, so I watched her play and helped for a smidge.
It seems like these days, my relationship with my parents is better than ever. Me completely moved out = familial bliss? Meh, who knows? All's I know is my parents are turning into Silly Old People, which delights me. For instance, for those of you who know me know my mom loves her a box of wine. It wasn't until reflection later in life that I realized my mother spent a good chunk of her time delightfully tipsy. The most recent development is that Dad, in efforts to keep her from drinking all of it before he can get to it, siphons off his half of the box of wine, storing it in a one-liter Deer Park Water bottle. I'm half-amused, half-mortified by this whole scenario. (UPDATE: Dad just wiped his mouth with his socks. Further proof of Silly Old Peopleness)
( In other, non-whimsical news ) |
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| Monday, Monday, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh |
[Nov. 5th, 2007|01:12 pm] |
C
You know, without fail, no matter HOW many times I tell myself not to freak out, I inevitably wake up terrified the morning after DST. "OH MY GOD IT'S SO LIGHT OUT I OVERSLEPT OH MY GOD WHAT TIME IS IT??! IT'S...6:30?" And then even after I make the realization that I haven't slept in, I'm still suspicious of my clock--that I either set it wrong the day before, or, in an act of blatant mutiny, it set itself wrong. And even in the face of all that terror and suspicion, I still go back to bed, because if the clock doesn't say it's time to get up, I ain't gettin' up.
In other morning activity news, what actually woke me up was my cat chasing a roach. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. I'm not afraid of bugs, per se, but there's something about the presence of bugs, roaches in particular, in one's apartment that feels like a slight against one's cleaning/hygiene skillz. When I left, she was still chasing it, and I'm pretty sure she has no intent to kill it, because it wouldn't be fun to play with after that. I really really hope it's dead when I get home, because a) I have a hard time killing anything, period, and b) roaches are fracking HARD to kill! They move ridiculously fast, and I'm always afraid they're going to get on me somehow. *shudder*
So, this weekend was pretty much teh awesome. :-D Bob was in town because of Homecoming, and we just had a ridiculously fun time--going out on the mall Friday night (and, erm, seeing students in, ahem, a certain state), playing racquetball (even though Bob SLAMMED a ball into my nose), playing LOTS of Guitar Hero 3, and generally being Flabby McFat Kids (see: Zaxby's, Pden, Publix [x's 2], and California Dreaming). Also saw Saw IV, which did not disappoint in its twistedness and Scott Patterson-ness.
And now today, it's back to it. We just started figured bass in theory, and I always forget what a process it is to get used to it (one of my student's reactions to the weekend's homework: "NO ME GUSTA!!!"). We'll see how things go--me telling them enthusiastically it's like a PUZZLE! didn't seem to invigorate them. So far, I've spent most of the day getting all of my SCMTA Competition stuff together to mail out--GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH. SO MUCH. If I never see a "Participant" certificate again, I'll die a happy woman. And I know it's wrong, but I reeeeeeeally had to fight the urge to decorate any BJU prof's envelope with rainbows and devil paraphernalia. I resisted, though, because I am an adult.
And now I should really be an adult and, I don't know, go practice or something.
Or get coffee...
I really promise I'm going to practice. At some point. |
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