MOM I'M UPDATING MY BLOG

ok. what follows is a post that should have occurred around 02/18/12.  I just found it on my desktop, and since my mother pointed out that I am woefully behind in updating, I thought I'd post it anyways.

at this point, i was in the height of DMA audition insanity... please bear that in mind and judge accordingly.  also, i will update slightly more relevant things SOON.

It turns out that "Southern Hospitality" is actually, well, important to me.  If Chicago seemed slightly brusque, the Northeast seems downright aggressive.   People in New Haven love honking their horns.  It’s an art form, a commentary on someone’s driving speed, or lane changing.  Or perhaps it’s just a cry out to the universe, who knows?  

Not me, that’s for sure.  Driving in New Haven has been quite the adventure.  It turns out that “lanes” are merely decorative, speed limits are hypothetical, and pedestrians are completely fearless.  

Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen at least 5 accidents (there isn’t any ice or condensation on the roads, for the record), a dozen police cars racing down the road, a few ambulances, and more pedestrian-driver confrontations than I would have imagined. 

Apparently, there are also different definitions of “complimentary” between the north and south.  When I saw that my hotel offered “Complimentary Guest Parking,” I naively assumed that meant it would be free.   Oh, no.  Definitely not free.  $20 a day, as it turns out. SIGH.

I was also flatly informed that the “Hotel Restaurant” was in fact a snack bar,  as if there was nothing unusual in advertising a full service eating establishment and providing instead a broken vending machine, fritos and pop tarts.

Ok. I didn’t hate New Haven quite as much as it sounds, it just turned out that everything in my carefully planned trip fell completely apart at this point, when I had absolutely no patience for it.

Let’s back up:

New Haven has the tiniest airport I’ve ever seen.  If you’ve seen an episode of Wings, you should be equipped to grasp this.  THERE IS ONE GATE.  They unload your luggage on the tarmac and you take it, personally from the baggage people.  It’s adorable, and they take it VERY seriously.

When I failed to immediately snatch my bags from them, it became a “security issue” and they confiscated them.  “Unattended luggage is a serious issue, Ma’am.”  YES. This was not unattended, it was unreachable in the 30 second time frame I had.  

Semantics.

On to better times:

48 hours in an impromptu sorority

the ever delightful anna parks luce offered me a warm bed/airmattress/couch as i journeyed from New Haven to Baltimore for my flight back to the ATX.  Delightfully, a few other friends of anna’s were also staying with her: Heather, Karen, and Sarah Claire. 

I drove down from New Haven on Wednesday morning.  I spent quality time on the New Jersey turnpike (even less exciting than it sounds), drove on the George Washington Bridge, and in total covered the following states in my journey:  Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland.  (with Anna’s help, Virginia would be rapidly added).

Fans of HIMYM will be pleased to know that DOWISTREPLA exists, or at last, a vast portion of the NJ Turnpike smells like it is in such a place. gross.

I also had the opportunity to drive in a bay tunnel...which was as claustrophobic and unpleasant as I had always imagined.  I am impressed by the engineering, don’t misunderstand, but I will choose to be impressed from above the weight of a harbor bearing down on a man made tunnel from henceforth.

*possible exception, the Chunnel (english channel tunnel).  JUST COOL*

I digress.  Back to travels:

First, let me just say: ANNA’S APARTMENT IS AMAZING, PER ALWAYS.  This girl has a keen eye for decor, let me tell you.   Not only is the place tremendously styled, it feels exactly like the home of my favorite Luce family should.  

Also, Zoe was there.  This dog defies laws of cuteness, and isn’t an ambi-turner.  

Having all of us in the apt felt like a glorious, rapidly assembled sorority of awesome people, and I had an absolute blast.   There is nothing better than spending time with a dear friend, and, in this case, getting to know new ones!

We savored delectable treats like Bubble Tea, hint-of-brown bananas, hint-of-green bananas, retirement center food, hot tea, peanut butter dipped in chocolate, and Elevation Burger- which is pretty much amazing.

Also, because of these ladies I’ve started watching Downton Abbey.  HELP.

I also had the opportunity to check out Ars Nova, the awesome conductor-less orchestra that features Anna as concertmaster.  So proud of that girl.  Karen and Heather were playing as well, so I was the only person not working that evening.

Post-concert we ventured into downtown DC and to the bar RFD for a quick night-cap/pre Sarah Claire/celebration beverage.  My drink of choice was Framboise...it was on tap, which is just impossible to refuse. 

It was a truly fantastic conclusion to my traveling escapades.  

Well... almost conclusion.   I was scheduled to leave BWI at 3:35 pm.  Everything seemed perfect until we were taxi-ing to the runway, and were informed we’d be delayed at least an hour due to crazy psycho weather in the south.  Those weren’t US Airway’s official words for the situation, but it was strongly inferred.

We were, however, offered complimentary alcohol beverages to assuage our irritability.  Hooray.   I currently sit in Charlotte, curious that my flight appears to be leaving an hour later than my boarding pass indicates...yet this is not expected to effect our anticipated arrival time.

Dear Marshall, 

If you are reading this and I am wrong about that, I apologize.  Truly.

I’ve had some wonderful experiences on these travels, but I am definitely ready to be coming home and not live out of a suitcase any longer.

Travels: or adventures of the lone snark, Part 1- Los Angeles

 I'm in the midst of a rite of passage that many of you musicians are all-too familiar with: Graduate School Auditions.

(cue dramatic music) 

Basically, I've been working my way from the west coast to the east coast, parading myself in front of total strangers, attempting to find some direction for my life.  Sounds fun, right?

Well, some of it has been, actually.

The journeys started with a trip to USC, and visiting the amazing P Blake Cooper. 

I did not expect to enjoy Los Angeles.  In my sheltered mind, Los Angeles conjured up the following mental image:

[Earthquakes + mudslides + (unbreathable smog)] x (Paparazzi + Celebrities) 

______________________________________________________________

                                        (Too many people in one city)

To make a long story short: I WAS WRONG.

The city is gorgeous.  There were no earthquakes while I was there. I didn't see a single famous person* or paparazzo.

Oh, Hi, Los Angeles.

I mean, there are WAY too many people there, but it didn't feel claustrophobic until Blake and I stood at the viewing platform on Mulholland Drive and observed just how big the city is.  MEEPS.

Also, P Blake Cooper is a wonderful individual.   He let me crash at his place, drove me around LA, gave me the best tour a girl could ask for, answered my many many questions,  provided personal cheer leading, and reminded me of what a blessing good friends really are.

P Blake with the glint of awesome reflecting of the bell of the LARGEST TUBA I've ever seen

I kind of fell in love with the place, and the sunshine, and the possibilities.  It was a good trip. 

I also ended up flying first class on this trip (not on purpose)... and it was amazing.  Coach will never be the same again.  I know how the 1% live, and I want to go to there.  

(don't judge, if you haven't flown 1st class you just can't understand)

Also, on my flight I was seated next to a lovely lady named Tina.  We will discuss Tina more at a later time, but for right now, what you need to know is that she looked so much like Tina Fey that my mind has replaced her completely with Tina Fey.  So, when I tell these stories for years to come, I sat next to Tina Fey on the flight to Burbank.

 *ok, we might have seen Ewan McGregor at brunch on Sunday.... but I'm not sure 

I don't remember what this building was,
 but it's really cool, and it's on Wilshire Boulevard

In other news, people in LA drive like crazy people.  Bumper-bumper at 80 miles and hour.  WHAT.

I feared for my life a little bit... then I got used it, and felt like a super aggressive driver the first few days back in the ATX.

Overall, my trip was fantastic, and I can't wait to go back! 

Cut that out, Nose.

Apparently, while I was sleeping, my body had a board meeting to discuss the state of the AMC.

They must have decided that I was doing such a bang-up job of managing stress, staying focused and getting ready for auditions, that I could used a little cold to get me "amped up" for peak performance.

Monday, my sinuses and I had a talk.  They demanded their right to a good night's sleep and healthy amounts of vitamin C.  I conceded, napped,  and we jumped back to work.

Last night, I was feeling pretty good.  This morning, I woke up with what seems to be a 5 pounds of marbles in my ears, and a only one functioning nostril.   (Gross, Sorry)

This should be fun.

Ready, set, echinacea?

Of Gratitude, Humility, and Terror

Hello Hello Hello,

Let's face it: I suck at blogging.  Thus, this will be another ginormous update. Fortunately, I promise not to mention jewelry or craft projects :)

First is first:  I'm auditioning for some really cool stuff. 

Back in December, after I left my UT job, I decided to throw my hat back into the academic arena, and audition for graduate programs.  Hoo-ray DMA (to be chanted with moderate enthusiasm).

Now, I had been living in the complicated land of Administrivia for the last 16 months, and had the old adage "every moment you are not practicing, some one else is" floating in my mind.  I was confident that I would not be invited to a lot of places, especially to the places I was interested in.

So, I put together a punch of tapes, and sent them off.  Much thanks to Muldoon Baptist Church, Martin & Lora, Liz Love, and Dennis Llinas for helping me make it happen.  The list was:

Yale
Northwestern
USC
Michigan
Ensemble ACJW (awesome fellowship in NYC)
and New World Symphony

When it came down to it, I could not muster the sanity/fortitude/focus/will to put together one last tape, so New World didn't happen.  The other 5 sailed off alone into the inter webs.

And I waited.

AND WAITED.

and waited


and FINALLY, started hearing back.

Good News:  I'm invited to audition at all of them!!!
Bad News: I'm invited to audition at all of them...and some of them have terrifying tests (I'm looking at you, Yale)


must practice, must practice, must practice, must practice, must practice, must practice

Second: One Woman's Epic Quest to Reread the ENTIRE Norton Anthology of Music...in a month

Oddly enough, no networks have offered to pick this up as a reality TV Show.  I mean, it's got to be vastly more interesting than all the Kardashian nonsense on the air, but whatever.  America isn't ready for the Guidonian Hand.

Anywho, as aforementioned, Yale is known to have a terrifying and beastly entrance exam.  Thus, I am endeavoring to remember all of the music history that has ebbed in my mental tide, and relearn Italian (ha... haha ha ha) so that I can "translate scholarly documents"... all before 02/24

to that I say: Vorrei una birra, per favore

I don't think that the kind of "language abilities" that Yale is expecting... sigh


Third: I'm teaching, and I love it

Ok, I might be the luckiest person alive. I quit a paying job with benefits (and watched my poor Dad age 5 years overnight because of it) and leapt into unemployment with my fingers crossed, expecting January to be a waste land of stress.

Amazingly, Austin Soundwaves (a very very cool program sponsored by the Hispanic Alliance for the Performing Arts) needed a horn teacher, and even more amazingly,  I have the opportunity to check it out, and work with some fantastic kids and colleagues.

:)

Once upon a time, I was a Music Ed major (I think for 2 weeks....seriously) and then I switched, convince d that classroom teaching was not for me.  GUESS what I'm doing?   What's that you say, Irony?  2 hours of classroom teaching a day?  HA.

Lesson learned:  20 year old AMC had no idea what she wanted, because this is awesome.

Note: it's probably also awesome because I only do it for 2 hours a day.  All you full time teachers: GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR AMAZING PATIENCE.

So, right now, I'm insanely busy, but love everything I'm doing... well, ok, I don't love ready 100 pages of the NAWM a day, but this too shall pass.

Thanks for reading!

Gratitude for Power Tools and A Fuller Understanding of the Elbow Grease Concept

I am grateful for my former-friend/former-student/former TA/current friend Marshall Todd Wootton for many reasons.  For example, in his blessedly organized way, he can interpret my incoherent babblings...and untangle my ridiculous pile of trendy/cheap necklaces.

To illustrate the ridiculousness, I give you this picture:

You are seeing Marshall and I's (*henceforth, team WootSnark) previous attempt to organize the jungle of costume jewels by hanging them on the wall in my apartment.   My landlady wasn't exactly thrilled about all of those holes when I moved out, but she thought it looked "so artsy and intriguing" (her words, I swear) that it compelled her to use my apt as the model for all prospective tenants.

(side note: I'm not sure if she believed that my artsy things could cancel out the dinge of the building, or if all of my neighbors were just that messy. . . .)

(also, in the spirit of full disclosure: I didn't have instagram when i originally took this picture, but since instagram makes the world look better, I may have utilized it here.  Walden filter for the win)

ANYWHO.  This solution was simple enough (nails + jewelry = quick art), but did a number on sheetrock, so I have decided against reimplementing this in my current abode.   The other night, when I was getting ready to go out with Becky, I realized that all of these necklaces were currently amassed in a web and impossible to separate.   Something had to be done.

THIS POST WILL GET MORE INTERESTING AND LESS JEWELRY-ORIENTED I PROMISE


Coincidentally, Marshall and I were both exceedingly bored on Tuesday, and decided to meet up for lunch.  Though the day started out innocently enough, poor Marshall was soon roped into project mode.   The studios of WootSnark would produce a board of vintage looking knobs and hooks on which I could hang the jewelry, and transport anywhere!

With aforementioned knobs, some wood, a can of spray paint and extra nails and screws in hand, we ventured back to my house to get started.

You will note that our supplies did not include power tools.

We believed we could nail starter-holes then screw things in by hand.  Theoretically, this plan is flawless...efficient, not so much, but feasible, yes.

Marshall constructed the frame, spray painting commenced and we munched on pizza while we waited for paint to dry.

Each coat dried for 15 minutes until the last, which we let dry for 30ish. That's a total of an hour of paint drying, folks.

Before we go any further, I want to say that the day had started so beautifully.  I mean, this was a part of our day:

Back to our trail of tears, Marshall and I begin to realize that solid oak is a little more robust than we had imagined...and that we were about to do this 11 times.  On that chilly January night, we sat there, applying body weight for torque on these little screws, wielding a hammer and contemplating the true beauty of power drills.

The first 2 knobs were easy.  The fourth, fifth and sixth were much more difficult.  Seven and Eight were total jerks.  Team WootSnark reached an impasse.  These two screws would not go into this wood.  While I searched high and low for any tools that might aid us, Marshall pleaded with the wood to cooperate.  We were close.

By this point we might have been delirious.  I found a gigantic nail and Marshall suggested that with larger starter holes we might make more progress.  That was when this happened:

Followed quickly by this:

Thus, with sore hands and sweat on our brows, we accepted our defeat.  We shall reconvene, with the appropriate tools, and try again.  In the mean time, the pile-o'-necklaces remains, and the Craft Project of Broken Dreams taunts me from it's final resting place.

I am reminded of the importance of having the right tool for the right job...or not bringing a knife to a gun fight...or something.

SIGH


We did have fun though.... I think.

Oh, hi again.

It's been a deplorably long time since I posted anything.   It seems only fair to now complete the "update of all updates" and then carry on as if I was a real blogger who knew how to write reasonably lengthen posts.  Fair?

In no particular order, here are things that have happened since September.

MARTIN AND LORA HAD A BEAUTIFUL BABY!!!!

Caroline is pretty much the best person in the world.  I am not even exaggerating in the slightest.  She looks like a miniature snow white, has an awesome set of lungs and the most amazing little fingernails in the history of fingernails.   I honestly had no idea that it was possible to instantly love someone so much as we all love this beautiful little girl.  Clearly, I am about to devote serious energy to spoiling her.

Also, Martin might be the cutest dad ever.  He didn't exactly (see: not at all) give me permission to post this picture, but I'm fairly confident the world needs to see this.

On a side note, Lora looks fantastic, like all the time. Can we talk about this?  Even right after that kiddo was born, Lora looked like she's waltzed out of a salon or something.   Giving false hope to women everywhere, my sister-in-law.   :-)

There will be amazing pictures of this lovely family later, taken by a real photographer (Liz Love), but rest assured, you will not believe the all around cuteness.

I QUIT MY JOB

Yep.  In the middle of an economic crisis, and with "only" degrees in Horn Performance, I quit a stable job with brilliant cohort of students, delightful coworkers, and possibly the coolest boss ever.  

First, let's address the "only" part of that sentence.   I was privileged to attend one of the top research institutions in the world.  This is fact, not just school spirit.  Now, in my time there, I chose to study Music.  At the beginning, I had absolutely no clue why I was doing it, only that it felt right.  Along the way, I flirted with other subjects (linguistics, Italian, art history, theatre and dance) but at the end of the day I loved what I was doing, so I persevered in my academic course.

It pains me when I hear anyone disparage education in the arts.  Though I fully intend to work in my field of study, let's take a moment to pretend that I don't, and examine if I wasted my time.

As a music student, I was required to devote immense hours to tutoring myself, and crafting many approaches to the problem before me.  My experiences in ensembles mandated an incredibly high level of personal accountability (if you don't believe me there, try being a horn player and cracking a note in an ensemble, soul crushing...) that equipped me with a personal standard of excellence and an understanding my own work in the context of the larger product.  I wrote papers, participated in discussion based courses, presented to large audiences and cultivated a stage presence to better communicate with my audience.

When I walked out of music school, I carried a degree and a broad set of skills that many of my peers in other disciplines never experienced.

The onus for arts graduates, then, is not to acquire skills that make them hireable, but rather to showcase the skills their endeavors have afforded them.

Rant over, sorry.

Getting back to why I quit my job.... it was time.  I had a wonderful time, truly, but I knew I needed to do other things and challenge myself, and I just wasn't going to do that in the place I had grown so very comfortable.  

So, now?  Grad school applications are in (DMA, here we come! fingers crossed) and I find myself waiting anxiously for word on prescreening results, etc.   I'm free-lancing as much as possible, and hope to pick up some students for the spring.  We'll see where life takes me, good places, I hope.

I'M ADDICTED TO INSTAGRAM

I don't take very good photos, really.  The filters in this app are designed to help hacks like me feel like artists.  Here is a sampling of my "work," and by work I mean "pictures I obsessively stop and take while I should be doing other things."

THE MUPPETS

I had a chance to catch up with a dear old friend and see the new Muppets.   I'm fairly confident the equation for magical movie experience is

 [(The Muppets) + Jason Segel] x Musical Numbers 

I simultaneously loved this movie and wished for so much more.  Hoping for many more Muppet adventures under the helm of Jason Segel.

I DID NOT WIN A TINY TEXAS HOUSE

After much deliberation, the judges finally announced the winner of an essay competition I entered a while back...'twas not me.  Which is probably for the better, because I don't really know what I would do with my own tiny Texas house.   On the upside, the essay I wrote for that contest got me a part-time writing gig (details some other time). 

I've also entered another essay contest, and am excited to have an outlet to write! 

BAD CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Dear Pop Singers,

Stop slaughtering Christmas classics.  It's upsetting. 

Dear Record Labels,

Please try a little harder to find "talent" that actually has talent.

Dear Majic 95.5

I hate the way you spell your name.  Also,  you need to expand your collection.

Thanks.

and, finally

PRETENTIOUS COFFEE SHOP PEOPLE, A TRANSCRIPT

This morning I ventured to Austin Java to check email, read the news, and have a reason to change out of PJ's before noon.  

I love coffee shop culture.   The delightful aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the camaraderie of increasingly jittery people, the fantastic people watching.

Unfortunately, I seated myself in a corner next to table of gentlemen in the midst of some form of pseudo-intellectual duel to the death.  I have taken the liberty to paraphrasing their conversation, below:

Guy 1) I'm a pretty big deal, but I don't want to just say that outright.  Instead, I will reference my many accomplishments

Guy 2) I have not accomplished as much, but I'm a visionary.  Let me tell you about why everyone else's plan to improve things is not worthy

Guy 1) Oooooh....That's kind of impressive.  I match your smartness by relating my many connections to famous humanitarians.  We're quite good friends, everyone famous and myself. 

Guy 2) I will continue to patronize you with my brilliance.

UGH.  This went on for at least 45 minutes.  At the end, these two fellows were quite impressed with themselves, and everyone else was ready for their 15th cup of coffee. 

Thank you, if you made it all the way to the this part of the post.  You're a trooper.  Really.

Happy Holidays!!!!! 

MY HOUSE IS TRYING TO KILL ME. I'm serious. Last week, a piece of asparagus caught fire in the oven -- genuine chaos ensued in the efforts to get the cat safe, not get eyes clawed out by said cat, find the fire extinguisher, determine there isn't one (cool...), open doors to get the smoke out of the house, find a container for water to put fire out, remember that grease fires don't like water (oops), and miraculously NOT make things worse. That was fun. FOND MEMORIES in the making. The cat is still pretty upset about it, actually. Don't mention asparagus around her. Also, the ceiling fan in the TV Room mysteriously turns itself on. Which is really cute when you light a candle (fan decidedly OFF at this point), walk into the other room, and return to find the fan on GALE FORCE WIND setting, and the flame on the candle equivalent to a solar flare. Last night, the house decided for a stealthier plot --- carbon monoxide leak. Now, to clarify, i LOVE having a gas powered stove. All five glorious burners of it. To make it better, house reserved this trick for the moment a friend was over to cook. Liz and I were on a mission from God: make healthy delicious food. Agenda: Banana Muffins for a quick "grab on the go" breakfast (preventative measure to avoid frequent trips to Starbucks) Vanilla & Zucchini Cupcakes (truly brilliant recipe. seriously. yum) and Chicken Parmesan with Zucchini "pasta" Those of you that know me are probably thinking one of two things: 1. I didn't know she liked zucchini that much (neither did i. it is truly a wonderful thing, though) or 2. She doesn't ever bake. TRUTH. You see, inter webs, when I lived with Becky we had an unspoken contract agreement regarding the kitchen: I handled all raw meat, she baked. It worked wonderfully, and stuck with me. I just don't have the patience for baking. It takes precision, and delicacy. If i was interested in that, I would have taken up neurosurgery or ice-sculpting. However, I do enjoy baked goods, and found an AMAZING cook book that uses healthy things and makes super nutritious things. It seemed like an appropriate time to try being a real grown up. Agenda items 1 and 2 went quite well actuallly. By the time Chicken and Zucchini rolled around (note: i might have been deliriously tired to cooking and measuring at this point) things went awry. Liz Love was going above and beyond the call of friendship and playing kitchen assistant for me. As she patiently stirred the tomato sauce, ALL OF THE BURNERS STARTED CLICKING. As in, there wasn't enough gas in the kitchen to blow us up, so the stove had to get to work. SIGH. 20 Minutes of panic later, I gave up on this recipe and settled into a dinner of cupcakes and wine. I tried to be healthy, I promise. At least I still got eat some zucchini-- that counts, right?