A week from Wednesday at 6pm, I will be singing my guts out (sit a few rows back) for over an hour, in completion of my Master of Music degree.

Come hear me.  Don't fear me.  Or spear me.  Ow.



Seriously, though... the recital is a bit darker than some you may have heard before.  I like the depth of a lot of the music in my program.  Interesting harmonies, depressing lyrics, cynical characters, beautiful melodies.  What more could one ask for, but free refreshments afterward?  What's that I hear??  Ah, yes!  There WILL be free refreshments afterward.  So come for the food, but come early and pretend you're listening.  I'll pretend you aren't snoring. 

She and I have been engaged for over a month now!  We have asked many questions, talked about some serious stuff, but today was the KEY conversation.  The only potential "deal-breaker" that we had not yet discussed...

We have agreed- toilet paper OVER THE TOP of the roll, not coming from behind the roll.

*WHEW!*  Finally, I can sleep without that weighing on my mind!

Remember this commercial? 



All these commercials making all the major cellular providers look like wimpy little dorks, while Chad, the Alltel spokesman, is so cool it makes you wanna slap your momma (follow the link- I love my mom).

I never liked Chad, and not just because my cell service is represented by one of the geeks, but because he's cool and trendy.  In general, cool guys weren't nice to me growing up, and I tried a trendy haircut once, only to get chronic headaches.  Stupid Chad and his stupid face.

So apparently Verizon is acquiring Alltel.  BOO-YAAAAHHH!  Can I get a what-what?  Ohhhh smack!  This is the bomb-shizzle.

Eat THAT, ya little blond shrimp!

Music has been working its way back into my life, and I'm pretty ok with that.  This includes some weird nostalgic times, some trying times, and some exciting times.  I haven't written in a month, and I don't think I'm gonna get too deep on this one, but it's something to say, so that's an improvement.

Celebrate Christmas- I went last night with Charmaine, her parents, her brother and his wife, and my parents.  This was the first time our families had met, and it went well, I think (I hope).  While the school of music is already very different than just a few years ago, I still greatly enjoyed the concert.  UCO did "I Have Seen the Light", which Rod and I had thought was permanently laid to rest a few years ago, but they had a great trio lead the group in an excellent performance of it.  The highlight of the concert for me, however, was during the song that the Symphony Orchestra played.  It was a medley of several well known Christmas tunes, including Jingle Bells.  I was watching my friend Moses playing violin when they got to "Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh..." and Moses and his stand partner quietly interjected "HEY!" at the appropriate moment.  It was not planned by the conductor, the arranger/orchestrator, the school of music, or anyone else in authority... it was a simple outpouring of joy and goofiness that couldn't be stifled by the formality of the evening.  This, friends, is just what makes music worth doing.

Jury- This, friends, is just what makes music a pain in the snarfblatt.  Two weeks ago, my voice teacher mentioned that I need to choose the songs I will claim to have prepared for my vocal jury.  Last time I had a jury was two years ago, and I was certain I'd never have another.  Well, folks, I'm filling out jury sheets in octuplicate as soon as I finish this blog posting, then scooting off to APU to practice for a time when I perform before a panel of folks who are my coworkers every other day of the year.  People I hound for turning in registrar paperwork and guide to their seats at commencement.  These are the people that will evaluate me.

WCHS- For those who don't know, I played piano at my old high school choirs for two years post-baccalaureate-ly.  At that point, it was time for me to move on.  The thing is, no staff accompanist has been a regular since I left 2 1/2 years ago.   Thus, I have been called several times to play for their concerts.  This is far more fun than the average rehearsal, but it's a mite strange to be back and have audience members assuming that you've never left.  Oh well.  Anyway, I'm playing again this year for their Christmas concert.  Yay!  (yay?)

NewSong- I am on the band rotation at my church.  This means that I play keyboard for the Sunday services once a month.  I love this.  I have grown a lot as a member of an ensemble and in many other ways.  It's fun.  I even start next week as a mentor to another young player... should be fun.  Lately, though, I seem to have become the guy that they call first when they need something extra.  It's not a problem- I love doing that stuff.  I just find it funny, because a little over a year ago, hardly anyone knew that I played, or even who I was.  Suddenly being in demand is probably not great for my ego.  So please pray that the swelling of my head decreases.  :)

Seven- The worship band that my boss and girlfriend both sing in is called "Seven".  On many Sunday evenings (I'll let you deduce what time the service is), they lead music at a local church.  Let me tell you, this band kicks some serious boo-tay.  I quickly became a fan of the group when I started dating Charmaine, and not just because she's in it.  Seriously, they are GREAT.  Once they were missing a sound guy, and their leader asked me to sit in.  It was fun.  Once they were missing a tenor, and again Perry asked me to join them.  Once they needed a keyboard player, and I got a call to come fill in.  Since then, I've had a standing invitation to join in, and I've been going.  My role is a small one, but it's a thrill to be a part of something with such quality.  I'd play in that band every day if I could.

I like music.

That's really all I'm gonna say.  Vote!

...but make sure you vote for the right ones.  Or the less horrible ones.

Seriously.  Take the time.  Spend the energy.  Trust me, it's worth it now to put in your $.02.  Might get a heckuva lot pricier if you don't go out and punch those little squares.

It's good to know that no matter what, God is sovereign.

In an internet full of frivolity and endless bickering, it is comforting to know that there are still some profoundly thoughtful people making worthwhile posts for the benefit of society.

 Check out what I mean.
 

This morning at work, a student was driving a small electric cart past our office for his job with the technology department on campus.  He hit a mud puddle and momentarily lost control.  Upset, he looked back angrily at the puddle, while still driving.  Little did he know that the worst was yet to come.

BAM!






And that's why we now only have one moldy, rusty bench in front of our trailer.

The End.

A few weeks ago I attended a "music party" at a friend's house.  They're more friends of Charmaine, but her friends are becoming my friends, and they're pretty darn cool.  So there.

Anyway, this party consisted of some fun fall-inspired foods and beverages, but the main focus was to jam.  The host family had two keyboards, a few guitars, a bass, a drum set, random percussion toys, microphones and a basic sound system set up in their dining room (the table was moved to the backyard).  Anyway, we played all kinds of stuff, mostly things I didn't know.  Eagles, Beatles, all the stuff that maybe I oughta know but don't.  It was good practice for me, and they were good collaborators.

One of our hosts was also a keyboard player, so we switched off.  Sometimes when I wasn't plinking away, I'd play second keyboard, claves, or voice.  Then, the guy playing bass left.  We didn't have anyone, so I decided to give it a shot.  Mind you, I've never had a bass lesson in my life, I'm not that good, but I know where the notes are, if I think about it enough.

So we're rocking out, I'm keeping up, holding it down, as they say...  and someone knocks on the door.

Someone says, "Haha, what if it was the police?"

The door opens.  It's the police.  We're being too loud.  Please turn way down.

They were nice about it, and it wasn't THAT late, but yeah, we were being loud.  So no, we didn't actually have to stick 'em up or anything.  They didn't take names either, they just asked for more quietness and less obnoxiousness.

I put down that electric bass and grinned.  I had rocked that night-- hard enough to get a visit from the cops for my first time.  EVER.

And then we had s'mores.  Sometimes being a disturbance is sweet.

Ok, let's consider what these music degrees actually MEAN.

Bachelor of Music - You are an unmarried man.  (And flat broke.)
Master of Music - You are perfect, and you never need to practice again.
Doctor of Music - You get paid lots of money to fix other people's tunes.

Apparently I'm almost perfect... but some things go without saying, right?  ;)



Story time!
Once upon a time, sc0tlas was really close to finishing his M.M. in Vocal Performance.  All he had left to do was his recital.

The plot thickens
sc0tlas decided to take time off to explore other opportunities.  The time commitment it would require to pull off the recital by the end of the year was just too much.

Dark days
sc0tlas established himself in a new world- one of making a living and having car payments.  This, while important to the overall progression of his life (and the ever-thickening plot), took its toll on the time he spent practicing or doing much music at all.

Turning point
Finding new resolve (and understanding that he would have to re-apply if he took more than a year off), sc0tlas decided to suck it up and sing.  Finding the right teacher could be a challenge, but it was worth a shot.

Conclusion?
sc0tlas enrolls in voice again, hoping to finish his recital well, taking as much time as he needed.  Hopefully he'll finish in time for May '09 Commencement.

Now if I can just sell the movie rights...



Seriously, though... I have been told that if I get this recital done, I will likely be the first man to give his Master's vocal recital at APU.  Others have come close, but they have all fallen.  I am rising again, and I shall do this... for history.  For mankind.