Month: March 2003

Tempus Fugit

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It’s 4:00 already. Time flies when you take an hour out of the day to go listen to a 1000-member band (made up of students from 18 high schools) play in front of a theater downtown. I saw a bunch of old coworkers and friends from my prior life, fraternized with a fellow Sinfonian from old, and talked to a few band directors I knew.

As soon as I heard the first note of music, I knew where it is I want to be, even though that note was particularly bad. The trumpets were way too loud, everyone was out of tune, and later on you couldn’t even hear the woodwinds with the melody who had been sequestered to the back behind the brass and in front of the percussion. And don’t even get me started on the “sound quality” (apparently this phrase is an oxymoron) of those fiberglass sousaphones.

In any case… onward and upward.

Spirited Away

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Weekends are never long enough, unless they are too long. Becca came home for the weekend, and there was much socializing. In addition, I saw a fantastic movie, Spirited Away (or literally, The Spiriting Away of Sen and Chihiro). I’m not surprised that the first Disney movie I really like* in a long time is a movie the huge media corporation had nothing more to do with than to buy the distribution rights and then fail to promote it until it won an Academy Award. Technically, I guess they also secured actors to dub the English version, which as far as I’m concerned is unnecessary. I would have liked to watch the Japanese version with English subtitles.

* Note: Lilo and Stitch was also good, but it was a more typical merchandise-friendly Disney movie, but Spirited Away just blew it out of the water as far as quality animated movies go.

It’s That Time Of Year

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As it is the spring, it’s time for me to start taking advantage of our apartment complex’s weight/work-out room, the use of which is included in our rent. I’m going to do two nights a week, Tuesday and Thursday… and maybe a few hours on a weekend morning. Instead of sleeping in until 11:00 or 12:00, I can get up early and do something constructive for a few hours and then have more energy to get things accomplished before the afternoon. That’s what I’m hoping I can force myself to do.

Something Different

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Here is a little diversion from all the news that hits the airwaves, such as coalition forces killing Iraqis, Iraqis killing Americans, Americans killing the British, etc. It’s a joke, but it’s short. And probably won’t be funny to you. But you might say it’s tasteless. Or you might not. Okay, on with it:

Saddam Hussein phoned President George W. Bush.
“I had a dream about the United States,” he said. “I could see the
whole country, and over every building and home was a banner,” said Saddam.

“What was on the banner?” asked Mr. Bush.

“LONG LIVE SADDAM!” answered the dictator.

“I’m so glad that you called,” said President Bush, “because I too
had a dream. In my dream, I saw Iraq and it was more beautiful than ever; totally rebuilt with many tall, gleaming office buildings, large residential subdivisions with swimming pools in every yard; and over every building and home was a big, beautiful banner.”

“What did the banner say?” asked Saddam.

“I don’t know,” answered President Bush, “I can’t read Hebrew.”

Pink Floyd Tuba

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Tubist Sam Pilafian will be a clinician for Phantom Regiment (a drum and bugle corps) this summer. Sam lists in his credits playing with Pink Floyd. A little research into his biography leads me to believe he played with Pink Floyd for the Atom Heart Mother sessions, and possibly joined them for a few live performances. It doesn’t seem to be he would have been in the orchestra that recorded The Wall or The Final Cut since he would have listed that particular orchestra in his credits. In addition, he played in the original performance of Bernstein’s Mass.

It would be great to see Phantom do an arrangement of the Atom Heart Mother suite. I’ve wanted to use part of that as a basis for a marching show for a long time.

Asuhpuhring Is Here

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I think the loveliest time of the year is the spring.
I do, don’t you, of course you do.

Well the weather was fantastic over the weekend. On Saturday I sat at a picnic bench and taught Denise the game of Chess. She proceeded to make me think she was going to beat me, but after a few minutes I came back and totally destroyed her. I’m sure she will seek her revenge.

That night we went to a party held by one of my coworkers. She and her live-in-boyfriend have a huge house in Freehold. We had a nice time and drank some wine. The drive home was pleasant, too.

Today it was a bit cooler and breezier. We went to the shore to see Denise’s niece and nephews (and sister and brother-in-law) for a bit of a barbecue.

When we got home, there was the Oscars®. One guy, displaying his guts, almost started a riot. Some others managed to get their message of peace across in a much more peaceful manner. I guess Michael Moore was never one for subtlety. Now I have to see his Oscar®-winning movie.

Not Too Much Stock

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Here’s my horoscope for today:

Someone who lives far away, whom you haven’t heard from for a long time, could give you a surprise phone call today. You’ll be delighted to hear from her, and you’ll probably stay on the phone all too long. You might need to run a few errands, but the weather may keep you indoors. Don’t worry about it, dear Pisces. You will still have time to take care of other pressing matters. You should be feeling especially artistic right now. Be creative!

So are you going to call me? I’m waiting… But it’s completely wrong about the weather. It’s beautiful outside and that’s where I’m heading.

Tip Of The Day

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This is from CNN Money‘s tip of the day (which is a veiled advertisement for Money Magazine):

Act like a millionaire
If you’ve always wanted to be a millionaire, you might start behaving like one. Psychologists have found that self-made millionaires tend to turn negative situations into opportunities, surround themselves with people who believe in them, and have in mind a master plan of their financial goals.

(Italics added by me.) The philosophy is appopriate for more than just money. It can be related to all good things in life. Having friends who support you instead of drag you down by saying, “It’ll never happen. Give up,” is invaluable and I’m thankful I have that.

In other news, an ex-girlfriend of mine emailed me yesterday. She mentioned she and her boyfriend are engaged as of last weekend. That’s cool.