I has a kwestion fr u

Caturday is a special time of the day when Bucket and I bombard each other with cat pictures like this. Man I love manipulated pictures of animals.

Helmand, I cheated on you

My favorite restaurant in Baltimore is The Helmand. Hands down. For the value, you won't find better service, food, or atmosphere. Now, I haven't been out to eat in Baltimore in a year, so perhaps some new joints have opened up, but as far as I'm concerned, The Helmand is still where it's at. I've been looking for a decent Afghani place in New York- there are very few- and went here last night. The verdict? Me likey. Me likey a lot. If you're over sushi and Thai for the week, you should really give this a whirl. The price is right (we did the dinner for 2, at $38), and the amount of food is really something else. In fact, the waitress refused to bring us our tea and desserts (included in the price) until we finished every piece of lamb and every spoonfull of basatami rice on the entree plates. I didn't even have room for the rice pudding- not to mention the fact that it's still Lent, so I can't eat it anyway- after all of the meat we ate. The prix fixe dinner included: soup, 2 appetizers, the entree (which was really two different entrees), tea/coffee, and dessert. That's a friggin' deal. Plus, the company wasn't so bad either. ;)

Worked it

I would like to direct your attention to Boccismo's blog, which hasn't been active as of late. However, thanks to our loving Captain, we've got some new material. There's really no stopping us. Really. No. Stopping.

Why do I work at Columbia?

Here's why. If the horror of healthcare in this country doesn't scare you shitless, it should. For anyone who does not believe that healthcare should be free, or incredibly cheap, I especially urge you to read this article. And if that still doesn't convince you that the greatest country in the world is falling apart, you're a lost cause.

A few more things

1) I was a bit surprised to see my name printed on the front page of last night's concert program, as a soloist. I mean, I did have a solo (actually, a duet), but I didn't expect to be recognized as a featured soloist. I must admit, it made me feel pretty good. My first official debut as a soloist in New York City- apparently hard work and determination does pay off. So yay for me. I'm so modest.

2) Mew totally and completely rocked my face off. I made it to the show just after they started, and the club was totally packed. It was also a million degrees inside. The only way to determine if a musician is any good is to see them live. If they sound completely different than they do on a recording, they ain't all that. Mew sounded exactly like they do on their recordings. In tune, together, clean- just ROCKIN. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Also, rock shows in New York always bring out the hottest boys. Mmmm cute boys.

3) In light of Robert's birthday present extravaganza to himself, I've been trying to decide what to get MYself for my birthday. I do need a few things, like some new clothes, and a new pair of black pumps. I also want a bike, but I need to do some research before purchasing one. I almost bought a plane ticket to Vegas, to visit my sister, but there is a chance I'll be hired to do another concert on my actual birthday, so I had to postpone that idea. However, Vegas in JUNE is on. We're going to stay one night at the Golden Nugget- with the fancy new pool- and then my sister will take me to all of her haunts. So maybe I'll just save it for June, and treat myself to a nice spa package at the Bellagio or something.

And now you can all sleep at night, knowing what is on my mind.

A few things

1) I got my hair cut last night in Astoria- at a salon recommended to me by a fellow curly-haired gal, for $30.00. Oh, and that included the 45 minutes he spent blowing out my hair. THIRTY DOLLARS. I was so excited, I asked him if I heard him correctly, so I gave him a $10 tip. Plus, he handed me some straightening balm if I ever want to attempt a blow-out at home. Or should I say, if Robert ever wants to do my hair at home, because I can't do shit with my hair.

2) Tonight is the concert I've been rehearsing for all week, and I'm a bit nervous. I have a small duet- not really a big deal- but it's all straight tone and pretty naked. I just have to remember to breathe. Yeah, that's it- breathe.

3) After the concert, I'm running over to Irving Plaza to see Mew. I'm a big fan of this band, and I've missed them the past 2 times they have come to New York, so I'm pumped. I will also be exhausted, but remained pumped!

4) Uhhhhh, no #4. That's pretty much it.

Right on

So true.

Please Shut Up

I consider myself very fortunate to have been raised (musicianally [I think I just made up that word]- speaking) in a professional environment. UNfortunately, when I encounter complete unprofessionalism, it nearly sends me through the roof. The older I get, and the more experience I tuck under my belt, the more it makes me want to stab someone.

Last night, during rehearsal, a particular woman in the choir- she will remain nameless, mostly because I don't think I know her name- would not stop talking. Would not stop. She talked through every rest, she talked through every section of every piece in which she was not singing, and she missed entrances because she was talking. The worst part is, she has to be at LEAST 50 years old...probably older. This is someone with (presumebly) 30 years of singing experience. And she wouldn't fucking stop running her annoying little mouth. To make matters worse, her "s's" were SSsssssooooo sssssssibilant that they practically echoed throughout the church.

I'm new to this group, so I held my tongue. Besides, it would be rather unprofessional of me to call someone out, and I don't want to make a bad impression. But come on- it's SO disrepectful to talk during rehearsal, especially when other people are singing! It's right up there with running one's mouth backstage- if you really have something important to say, I'm sure it can wait. And if it can't, then excuse yourself from the rehearsal.

If I ever become a director, conductor, or leader of some sort, I will make talkers' lives a living hell.

Me sing pretty one day

I'm doing a concert with Voices of Ascension next week, and I must say- I'm pretty jazzed. My church gig is AT the Church of the Ascension, the same venue where Voices performs, but the two groups are not related. Although they share some of the same members, they're seperate. I was pretty excited when I learned that my director (the same for both groups) wanted me to do this concert next week. I was even more jazzed (I'm also trying to see how many times I can type "jazzed") when I learned that part, if not all, of the program will be recorded on the Naxos label.
Apparently, one of the pieces we are doing- the cornerstone of the concert, in fact- has only been performed once; in 1911. It's a piece for piano, organ, and choir, by Granados. (The entire concert features music by Catalan composers). The piece was apparently lost, then recovered, and the pianist interested in performing this work specializes in Granados. He is on the Naxos label, so in turn, we will be on the Naxos label. Pretty sweet, right?
I guess this concert will be attended by important Spanish people, and I think one of our rehearsals will be featured on the Barcelona news. So if anyone is headed to Barcelona next week, tune in for sure.

I promise

Having a really great voice lesson is one of the finer joys in life- at least for me. After working with my teacher for about 5 months now, I'm finally starting to hear and feel the difference between what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong. I'm sure no one cares about my technical changes, but I'll just say that learning how to keep that darn larynx down is on the top of the list. My teacher has given me several exercises to help with this problem- all of which sound completely strange. I'm usually afraid to do them at home because I don't want my roommates to think I'm choking or something. However, I realize now that I must do these exercises daily- for at least the next 2 weeks- in order for it to just naturally work. I have, afterall, been singing essentially the same way for the last 13 years. Making a change to one's technique after a long period of time does not come easy, or quick.
The good news is, I felt the difference- and I really did, I wasn't just saying that- last night my lesson. Who knew that sound could come out when I'm totally open! (No comment.) So, I'm taking a 20 minute break this afternoon, going down to the chapel in my building, and doing my strange-sounding exercises. This larynx is stayin put!

Ouchie

When you don't do ab work for, ohhhhh 3 months or so, it shows. And by shows I mean hurts like hell when you start doing abs again. There was a time when Robert and I did a medicine ball ab routine- and I do mean routine- several times a week. We would encourage each other by yelling commands in German in a gym full of hot Johns Hopkins lacrosse players. We would often be the recipients of glares and stares, as we were screaming "Schneller!!! SCHNEEEELLLLERRRR!!" I have no idea why they were staring. Working out is serious business.
Anyway, I've started doing abs again because I really need to. Also because summer is coming up and I don't even want to THINK about putting on a bathing suit right now. Besides, if Ryan and Nikki are going to stuff me in their suitcase when they go to Hawaii in August, I have to be small enough to fit.

Still funny

I love it.

And NO, it's not more dino comics, although I LOVE THOSE TOO.

What what

I can't be positive, but I think I might have befriended the boyfriend of a certain guitar player for a band that rhymes with Mizzer Misters. I also think that I saw a dude last night who was supposed to take me out on a date several months ago, but since we never actually met face-to-face, it was hard to tell. We had exchanged pictures and info, and he just never got back to me. Shocker. Looks like Union Hall is the place to be. Oh, and Boccismo! won again. :)

Dino comics

Quite possbily my new favorite website, Dinosaur Comics provides the "LOLs" daily. Thanks to Bucket for bringing it to my attention.

Here's one of my favorites.

My So-called something

Damn.

Woah.

um.

Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen

Leonard Bernstein said, "Mahler's marches are like heart attacks, his chorales like all Christendom gone mad. Mahler is German music multiplied by n."
Last night, I had the distinct pleasure of hearing my favorite Mahler symphony, 5, at Carnegie Hall. The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra played two nights of concerts at CH- the first of which I wish I could have heard as well. I don't really have ONE favorite composer, as one cannot compare Mozart to Chopin, but Mahler holds a special place in my heart.
My father is a professional trombone player, and as a child, my siblings and I memorized every major orchestral trombone solo in the repertoire. As you may or may not know, Mahler made use of brass and percussion- and lots of it. It's balls-to-the-wall sound, and it's amazing. So, I grew up hearing a lot of Mahler, and seemed to have inherited my father's love for this composer.
I'm sure no one really wants to know biographic facts about Mahler. If you're still reading this, kudos to you. I'll just say that Mahler suffered a great deal in his life- both mentally and physically- and this is reflected in his music.
In the 5th symphony, the Adagietto- undoubtedly Mahler's most famous movement- reflects the calm after the storm. The program notes from last night's concert professed a very interesting point. I had never thought of this before, but after reading it, it totally makes sense. (BTW, sorry if this alienates anyone who is not familar with Mahler's song repertoire.)

Robert Markow writes, "In the Adagietto, scored only for strings and harp, we return to a romantic dream world familiar from Mahler's earlier works, a world of quiet contemplation, benign simplicity, inner peace, and escape from harsh reality. The spiritual, textural, and harmonic relationships to Mahler's song, "ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" (I am lost to the world...I live alone in my heaven, in my loving, in my song) are too close to be ignored."

Ich bin der Welt is my favorite song in the Ruckert cycle. I've performed this piece several times, auditioned with it, listened to it, and still- I have trouble conveying the absolute profundity of this piece. I never thought to compare the Adagietto with this song, but it makes total sense. If you aren't familiar with either piece, do yourself a favor and have a listen. It's peices like these that reassure my faith in being a musician. It don't get any better than that, folks.

Bizzy

I've nothing terribly exciting to report, and I'm kind of "swamped" at work. BTW, where did "swamped" come from when referring to being busy? Are swamps busy places? Or does it have nothing to do with an actual swamp?

A few points:

-Boccismo! won again last night. We're on the path to even more greatness.
-Mahler 5 at Carnegie Hall tonight. My favorite Mahler symphony. I'm psyched.
-I think my friend Danno is coming to visit me in a few weeks. Should be good times.


See? Nothing wonderfully exciting.

Moving to Bed Stuy!

Or not.

Ok, I wouldn't move to Bed Study, even though it's "supposed" to be "gentrified". "Up and coming", they say. Well, "yeah right", I say. """""""

Anyway, this listing is pretty funny.

Bad Hair Day...

...among other things.

This morning's commute was the shittest I've had in a long time because of the following reasons:

-It took me an hour-and-a-half. On a normal day, it takes me around 45 minutes. That's why I leave early- to beat the hour-and-a-half crowd.
-Monsoon-like conditions.
-Frizzy hair because of the humidity.
-Local trains not running- waited for 25 minutes at Time Square.
-Finally got on an express train, running local, with 1,000,000000,00000000034 other people.
-That took forever.


Thank God I'm leaving early today to board a bus to Philly. I need to get out of this place, even if it is just for one night.

I <3 Carbs

Wait a minute, I eat sushi, do hot yoga (OK, so I haven't done that in a year), eat at Whole Foods, AND enjoy Tasti D: why am I not skinnier?


Don't answer that.

What's wrong with this picture?

A snippet from the University-wide email I received this morning:

"For the first time this year, daylight saving time begins three weeks earlier (March 11) and ends one week later (November 4) than usual, as required by a federal law intended to save energy."

Hmm.

For the first time this year? Am I missing something? Do we have daylight savings time more than twice a year? Where am I?