Jury Duty
It's about time I wrote something here. I've had a lot on my mind lately. A lot of little things came up this week and a lot of big things as well. I'm a little confused on a few major things and one of them is my education. others are things like finding a place to live next year, relationships, jobs... pretty much the usual. But for me, right now, I need to relax this weekend and do absolutely nothing... clear my head... take a load off and watch some TV... play some PS2... call my dad and catch up with him... maybe even take a little trip to the mall or something.
...
But wait... I can't do any of that because I have about 48 hours worth of shit to do in the next 48 hours. 
And I'm smiling because I can't think of anything better to do than make the most of it and hope that the week ahead will be an easy one.
First off, one exciting thing about the week ahead is that I don't have to teach on Tuesday. In fact, I won't be teaching Tuesdays anymore this semester. Thank God. I needed to move some kids around and cut some too. Well, I basically only cut the kids that kept skipping out on me. I don't put up with that. it's like 3 strikes and you're out.
So, brass ensemble rehearsal tomorrow from 10:45-noon or something. That's gonna be cool. I like the music we're playing. And the recital/concert for that is Sunday. I don't know what time yet. Then there's Rylan's recital tomorrow also, someone else's recital, someone else's recital, etc etc. It never ends. Then there's the PMA/SAI formal tomorrow night at Jakes. I'm looking forward to that, but I haven't decided yet if I'm gonna actually go. For numerous reasons, which I won't go into. But it would be a great time, but after such a long day of rehearsals, recitals and practicing, I hope I can still party!
Sunday is just gonna be a dirge. I have to practice SO much for my piano class. My teacher, as great as she is, loves to pile a shit load on us for the weekends. We have class there on M and F and we never get stuff assigned on Monday for Friday. It seems she's a little dillusional that we have more time to practice over the weekend than we do during the week. Screw that! I have more time on Tuesday ALONE than I do on most average 2-day weekends. I'd be lucky to cram in a meal here and there. 
But my jury is in a week and a half... gonna play Rustiques. Call me crazy, but I went into my lesson the other day barely having learned the tune and now I'm gonna do it for my Jury on the 4th. It's not too terribly difficult but it's just a lot of notes and a lot of potential to just suck ass if I don't figure it all out. I talked to Mr. V like 2 weeks ago about what I wanted to start working on for my recital in the fall. Rustiques was one I mentioned... So, I pulled a copy out and started it up. After my lesson this week, he said "this would be great for you to play for your jury... ...just figure out a few things and you should be fine." I guess that's a good compliment that I did well on it for the lesson, but damn it's still very new to me and have little time to get more comfortable with it. No biggie... bring it on!!!
There's like 5 other things/recitals going on this Sunday also, but I'm too worried about the stuff I have going on tonight to think that far ahead. yikes.
So, next weekend is just gonna be rough. Besides being thankful I don't have to teach Tuesday, which will give me a better prep for my Wednesday trumpet jury, it's a good thing next weekend is open and full of time for me to work hard on my jury piece.
Wait... I forgot, we have a 4-hour recording session on Saturday and concert Sunday. ;-) hahaha... And if this recording session goes anything like the one we had last Wednesday, those 4 hours could turn into 6! 
I know it probably sounds like I'm complaining but I'm really not. I just love how easy this semester has been for me (schedule wise) until now and it's all piling on hard core. I know this always happens, but for me, a guy that hasn't been in school for almost 5 years, I kinda forgot about that stuff.
Also, on my plate I'm about to start drill... and that presents a whole other can of worms that spills all over the place. I lost the band I had in Colorado. They decided to go with a local guy that they would pay much less and would be there for the season and their camps. I'm happy for them that they got what they wanted, but they waited until mid-April to cancel on us when we signed them in December... then the guy has the nerve to ask for the deposit back. Fuck that... good thing Mitch doesn't take that shit and won't budge on him unless lawyers go knockin' on his door.
So, I'm now down to 8 bands for the summer. It'll make me enough money for what I need it for, but losing a couple thousand dollars kinda hurts. Plus, I'm hoping to purchase an Eb and a Pic this summer with some of my earnings. That's gonna be more of a fantasy if I don't pull off a few miracles... and one being finding a roommate or a couple roomies and getting a good place that's cheaper than what I pay now. Figuring out a few numbers, I spend on average $55 per week on gas, commuting to school and stuff. over thelast 3 months, I've probably spent something like $700 on gas alone... $640 per month on rent/utilities for my place... $70/mo. for my cell phone... and my school tuition out of my pocket... I won't even say how much that is.
The only point I'm trying to make here is that once my money starts rollin' in this summer and I've moved out of this apartment (and in with Andy), I'll be saving about an average of $600/mo. on my expenses!! that's pretty kick ass, huh?! I know it's not really something to brag about, but shit I went through a rough semester, barely being able to have the time or freedom to do things other than all the commuting and living on my own paying the bills.
I actually love living alone. I won't ever complain about it. But now that I'm back in school, paying things like tuition, parking permits, meal plans, stuff like that, getting a place with a friend, splitting some bills, driving MUCH less to get to school... all will really make things for George so much better than they are now.
Well, I wanna say lots more, but they are blinking the lights here at the library and I should get going before they close.
I've had an amazing semester here and I like this school a lot. I'm really thankful to be here among such great people and teachers.
So, in case I don't get a chance to update for a while again, take care everyone. Come see up on Sunday, May 1 @ 3pm. It'll be the longest concert EVER!
And wish me luck on my jury. And moving to Houston. And whatever else I'm forgetting. (just make something up. )
bye!
Star Pizza
I'm trying to motivate myself to practice trumpet, but instead I find myself spending more time practicing piano (for fun) rather than warm up on trumpet. So, I had to reloacate myself to a room without a piano. Probably the best thing to get me to practice for my lesson this week. Although, Mr. V set me up for a double lesson... whatever that means. We'll have to wait until Tuesday to see what that's all about.
So, what a weekend so far. I played my first softball scrimmage on Friday. I don't think I've picked up a bat or thrown a ball for about 5 years... litterally. Man, only if they had an IM roller hockey league. Anyway, my team lost by something like a bazillion runs... actually something like 5, but I guess we played okay considering none of us had ever played together or practiced before. I had a lot of fun though. I was 2 for 3 with a single, triple and something like 3 RBI's. Not too shabby for my first time back in a while.
So, after the game I went to David's recital. He was pretty awesome. That's all I can really say.
Afterwards, Lizz invited me out to get some pizza and ice cream with a few friends. Went to Star Pizza and then Amy's. We had a blast. Although, I was broke and unfortunately couldn't really pay for much, but luckilly Danielle was kind enough to treat me to dinner and dessert. I had the best time that night.
Well, Danny just distracted me long enough that I have to cut this short and get back to my trumpet. I've procrastonated long enough and it's time to get back with my friend, Mr. Charlier.
bye for now.
Sunshine
yo... what up world of bloggers.... I'll have to take time out of one of these days and post something real but that'll have to wait a while... or until I get some of that valuable "time".
Things have been good the past few days. Funny how the weather outside can influence your mood that day. At least it does for me. I got to sun bathe a bit the other day and I'm a tad darker. I hope to get another day in the sun this weekend.
Softball starts friday... sweetness!