bad things happen in "3"'s

A couple weeks ago my "aunt frieda" died. She's not really my aunt, I think she was maybe my mom's first husband's aunt or something? I never really understood what actual relation she was to us. But she's always seemed really old and really nice and I remember going there every Halloween for trick-or-treat. Even though I wasn't close to her, it's still sad.

Monday I found out that one of my professors died over the weekend. Tuesday night I went to the calling hours, since I couldn't attend the funeral due to work.

There was a line to get in the door, and to wait to talk to the family.

He died of cancer, and was relatively young - early 50s. There were family friends, colleagues, and students. One guy from my class flew out from California to be there. He was very well liked and respected. Even though I hadn't actually talked to him for a couple of years, I still feel a big sense of loss now that he's gone.

The weird thing about the calling hours was that there were all of these classmates of mine. Some I remembered and some I didn't. So while we were all really sad, we had these little mini-reunions going on at the same time. It's perhaps a testament to how fast news travels at a small school (and even smaller conservatory of music) that he died Saturday, and everyone found out Sunday or early Monday, even though we've all been away from school for several years now, and aren't necessarily "close" to him or the family.

happy comfest, everyone

In less than 3 hours I will be enjoying the best thing in Columbus: The Community Festival, a.k.a. ComFest. I would have been there all day if I could get away with it. And I will be there the rest of the weekend.

Don't worry, I'll be thinking of all my blogging friends as I hoist one of those giant beer mugs... over & over & over again.

reading rainbow

Two things for you to read, both of which I found over at the DDW.

Article about contraceptives

and

A blog response to the idea that women 'supremicists' are taking over your TV

Enjoy!

live music trading

I've found a lot of the bands I currently adore through trading live music. I tend to trade the most in the summer when it's concert and festival season, and then my interest wanes or I just get too busy.

If I had a cable connection and more reliable CD burner at home, I'd probably download most of my shows. But getting mail is fun and sharing good music just feels like good karma.

I thought I'd post my live show list and if you'd like to check out any of these bands, just leave a comment on this post. If you don't know anything about trading, here's a really thorough faq and here is a B+P faq. And if you want a good place to download shows, try the archive.

Happy Summer Music Season!

new sounds

I've been wondering how the tuba would record. So today I found out. I warmed up for a few minutes, hit the record button, and played whatever seemed right. I did just the one take and didn't do any editing - just left it to pure tuba goodness. If I find some free space to host it I'll share. Otherwise I guess you'll just have to imagine what Tuba Romp #1 sounds like.

When I play my tuba, I don't have to think about key signatures and time signatures and progressions*, I've played long enough that those things come naturally. I can't wait until the bass is as comfortable to me. Right now I still find that pesky music theory creeping in when I really want to be creative and let the music just flow.

I'm getting better though, the other day I played a series of jazzy little riffs with some potential. I wish I would have recorded that, I loved the spontaneity.

UPDATE: Tuba Romp #1

*When I'm sight reading I'm paying a lot of attention to these things

dang quesidilla

I just looked in the very empty fridge and noticed we have tortillas and immediately thought "...Napoleon, make yourself a dang quesidilla!"

So I threw a lot of shredded cheddar and a little pepperjack on one, folded it in half, and microwaved it for just under 2 minutes. It was actually really good. I'm naming my psuedo-creation "Danged Ghetto Quesidillas". Yummy.

bad movies

This weekend I learned that David Schwimmer is still annoying even when animated as a giraffe.

We saw Madagascar and I can't remember the last time I wanted to ask for my $ back at a movie. If you've got kids.... little 3 or 4 year old kids... they'll probably love it. Otherwise, Do. Not. See. This. Movie.