It's Been A While

Wow, it has been an extremely long time since I wrote an entry. Things have been going well for me. Move-out form the U was fairly uneventful, and now all of the junk is in the basement. The house is a little emptier now that one of my older brothers, Korbyn, bought his own place and has moved the majority of his things there. My oldest brother, Nick, has purchased a new place in downtown Chicago and will be moving there soon. Big things for the older Doucette brothers. My May-term class has started. Music Theory every day from 9 am to 10:45 am, followed by Ear-Training and Sight-Singing from 11 am to 12 noon. After that, I have my daily performance exam. This will be a fun semester crammed into 14 class days. I hope I survive. Once this is over, the Summer term will start. Then, I will have Music Theory 2, the corresponding ET&SS, and British History to the 17th Century.

Things on the Glasgow front are moving relatively slowly. I have yet to hear back about the classes I expressed an interest in. However, they have gotten back to me about where I will be residing. It is called the Kelvinhaugh Street residence. Super excited! There are still quite a few things to do (getting a visa, power converters, etc).

I am looking to spend a lot of time with friends this Summer, as I will not be seeing any of them, face-to-face, until next Summer. Perhaps I will have to pick up a video blog while I am there. That way everyone can see my shining face lol. I am very nervous about how well I will fit in. Hopefully I will acclimate quickly and get right to making friends. I will certainly be taking in the local happenings, including going to a pub or two to get my drink on!

All I know now is that I am very excited and anxious about going, and that I will miss my friends and family very much. I look forward to things being more clear in the near future.

See you soon!

Relief

Today was the due date for the 10-page research paper in my History of the Vietnam Wars class. Although it was a hard writing process, I now feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Just one less thing to worry about going into the last couple weeks of school. The end is almost here; I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Once the term ends, I'll have about a week off until May term starts. Then, it is Music Theory 1 every day for about three weeks. After that, Summer Term starts and then it is Music Theory 2 and British History to the 17th Century.

Hopefully, within the next couple of weeks, the University of Glasgow will get back to me about my learning abroad opportunity for next school year. Hopefully, I will be attending their fine establishment for the entire academic year. I'll be taking two year long courses, one in music composition and one in the Scots Gaelic (Gàidhlig), and then two semester classes, one on early Scottish History and one on music of the classical period through the study of Bach and his Lutheran Passion settings (P.S. the St. John Passion is an amazing work of music) DISCLAIMER: I am not religious in the least. There will be the opportunity for extra-curriculars as well. Perhaps I will sing in a choir, or play a sport such as Rugby, Cricket, or Curling. Of course, that is all pending that I am accepted. I cannot wait to hear back.

Two weeks ago, the rugby team traveled to Chicago to play Bowling Green State University for the Midwest Cup. We lost, but good times were had. Specifically, a program that we listened to in the van on the way down there. On Saturday, NPR does a program where they analyze music of seemingly disparate genres that shares a common theme. The theme that Saturday was money. Among the tracks played was one by Johnny Cash called, “After Taxes.” Finally, they got to the last track, prefaced like this: “Now, for the last track of this program. Our theme throughout has been money and its power in the world. We come to a group of the finest MC's who have ever existed. The RZA, the JZA, ODB, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. The Wu-Tang Clan and their debut album hit, “C.R.E.A.M.” discusses the power of money in the inner city. Let me read you a particularly powerful set of lyrics. “But as the world turns I learned life is hell/ Living in the world no different from a cell.” It just goes to show that no matter how much money you have, the world is still a harsh place.”

I nearly shit myself when I heard some nerdy white guy reading Wu-Tang Clan lyrics and busting his nut about what a “prolific group of MC's they were.” Freaking awesome.

I leave you with that thought. Have a good night.

I don't think that I get it

I hate Donald Trump. You know why? He's an asshole. First of all, he's an uninformed douche who plants the most absurd idea in the political discourse. It is these ideas that are like masturbatory aides for the most prejudiced, hateful conservative radicals in America. And, when someone calls him on it, he has this bizarre, histrionic reaction. I don't understand why anyone takes him seriously. But, nonetheless, the latest polls show him tied with Mitt Romney, who I believe is the only sane person thinking of running for office on the Republican side. Ugh.

Speaking of Mitt Romney, it is fiver years ago today that he signed a piece of legislation into law that reformed the healthcare system in the state of Massachusetts. Because of this legislation 98% of people in Massachusetts have healthcare coverage, which includes 99.8% of children. Massachusetts is still a state. It hasn't imploded, or fallen off the face of the Earth. In fact, they have a balanced budget. They aren't bankrupt. So, what is the issue with implementing this at the national level. All conservatives talk about is how it will kill the insurance industry and bankrupt the country. Well, neither of those things have happened in Massachusetts. And I do not think they will ever happen to our country.

In other political news, Republicans don't understand economics. Go figure. Wisconsin Republican Representative, Paul Ryan, released the GOP plan so resolve the debt crisis recently. In it, he proposes cutting 750 million dollars from Medicaid, and privatizing Medicare. In addition, Republicans look to defund Planned Parenthood, PBS, and NPR along with other programs they do no agree with socially.

I am upset about this for several reasons. Firstly, the GOP is trying to make a social issue out of budgetary matters. You cannot just defund everything you disagree with. Planned Parenthood provides women's health services to 5 million women every year that they would not otherwise be able to afford, including breast and cervical cancer screenings. Yet, the GOP seeks to pin Planned Parenthood as the #1 provider of abortion services in America. Secondly, Republicans need to understand that the cuts the seek to make are just wiped out by the tax  cuts that they give to wealthy individuals and large corporations. Cutting spending alone does not fix debt problems. You also have to raise taxes to create a compound effect. In fact, going back to the tax structure under President Clinton would produce the same effect as all of the spending cuts in Rep. Ryan's plan. Think about that.

I think my blood pressure is elevated now. I'm going to rest up so I can get just as worked up tomorrow.

News Flash

I realized how long it has been since I lost blogged. Seems like forever. I have some things on my mind; some old, some new.

As you may know, members of Congress are attempting to draft and pass a budget in order to avoid a partial shutdown of the government. What is getting my goat about this whole issue is the absolute ridiculousness with which this is being dragged out. Our budget deficit for next year is estimated at  1.65 trillion dollars. Senate Democrats and House Republicans are fighting over the difference between 33 billion dollars and 61 billion dollars. Firstly, in the grand scheme, both of these numbers are negligible amounts compared to the total deficit. They are virtually the same number. Also, Republicans are not willing to make cuts that will really affect the budget. We spend 500+ billion dollars a year on the defense budget. That is more than every other country in the world, COMBINED. China comes in a distant second, spending only about 200 billion dollars. We could cut a ton of money from the Defense budget without negatively impacting our nation. But, the Defense budget is sacred to the Republicans. Instead, their preferred method is to defund programs that they disagree with socially, and save almost no money doing it. PBS and NPR have a liberal bias, so defund them! Pro-life? Then defund Planned Parenthood. The list goes on. Republicans, if you are really interested in compromise, then bring everything to the table and let's talk cuts. Otherwise, go suck a dick.

In related news, I hate Donald Trump. He's a fucking idiot. He thinks that he is the second coming of Christ. Apparently, he would be the best president ever. I have news for you, my friend. Running a government is nothing like running a business. To be completely honest, you can't even run multiple businesses well. All that you bring to the table is disgusting hair, an inflated ego, and birtherism. Go jump off of a fucking cliff.

And now, sports! In today's match-up between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees, Twins Second Baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka received a broken fibula after Yankees Right Fielder Nick Swisher slid into second base trying to break up a double play. Not only did he show no sign of attempting to touch the bag, he also kicked his foot out as Nishioka attempted to move out of the way in order to trip him. Swisher, you're a fucking dick. You should be suspended. You just put someone on the 2-month disabled list. Nishioka might not be able to come back this season. I hate you. Something needs to be done to stop such irresponsible play.

Lastly, my Chinese class. Apparently, the girl that sits in front of me in discussion still has not discovered the vibrate function on her phone. Almost every day, her phone goes off at the same time in the middle of discussion and she scrambles to silence it. Put it on fucking vibrate before class starts. It has happened three times this week alone, and multiple times in the past. Get with the program.

Someone will pay for this

Today was a dark day, indeed. You and I both know how much Lite Ranch dressing sucks. I've blogged about it before; you know of my disdain. So, I was SHOCKED to find that someone put Lite Ranch in the bottled labeled, "Ranch" at the salad bar in the Comstock dining hall. Let's just say that I was less than pleased. I think I gagged a little when I ate it. Gross.

In other news, I was pretty entertained in my Chinese discussion today when the professor attempted, in his poor English, to explain the difference between "remembering" and "recalling". It was a nice little psych lecture lol. In English, those terms are used interchangeably. But, in Chinese, they have different meanings. In Chinese, 記得 (ji de, to remember) is the act of perpetually remembering something. Whereas, 想得起來 (xiang de qi lai, to recall) is the act of retrieving something from memory. I think I get it. We'll see once the test comes around.

On Sunday, the next U of M concert is going down. It is called "Music for a Grand Space." It will include performances by the Men's Chorus (that's me!!!), the Women's Chorus (they're alright), and the Campus Singers. The Men's Chorus will be performing an eclectic mass, a mix of mass movements from across musical history. Following the mass pieces, we will be performing a spiritual, "Ride the Chariot."

Here is a preview of a couple of the pieces:

This one is alright. They're a little flat. Plus the conductor's hand motions scare me a bit.



We aren't doing this one, but I have a man-crush on this guy. Enjoy, despite this being recorded on the worst VHS tape ever.

Divulgance

So, I'm sitting here, drinking some coffee because I have actual work that I should be doing. Instead, I'm writing another blog entry, hoping that my CSci homework will do itself. But I feel like there is something else that I need to get off of my chest.

I have this friend. I went to high school with this friend. We never talked much then, more or less just small talk. Small talk doesn't really give you great insight into a person. All I really knew about her was what I heard from others (namely Paul and Steven...both are douchey). So my impression of her came to be that she was very attractive, but not all that substantive or intelligent (how much more errant could I have been?). After college had been under way for a while, I decided through Facebook's suggestion that I would restore contact with her.I must've missed the small talk.  In the ensuing correspondence I learned how off-base I had been.

I soon came to realize that this was a person who was not only physically attractive, but also intelligent, caring, and funny. The person had goals, and strove to achieve them. I had been an absolute fool for basing my opinion of this person almost solely on what I had heard from others; others who were not acting in her interest, who didn't respect her. I was ashamed, and still am, for how ignorant and foolish I had been. I only hope that if she reads this, that she forgives me for being such an asshole.

She is one of the most amazing people I know, and I cannot imagine having to continue on without her. There are a lot of people in this world, but few, if any, compare.

Now, for that CSci homework. Goodnight, all.

My Recent Feelings

How hard is it to not talk? Think about that for a minute. I think that it is pretty easy. Maybe it takes some tact. I just feel that there are some times when you need to be quiet. Among those times is when people are trying to get things done. Case in point: choir rehearsal. We have a concert this Sunday. That means that this Wednesday and Saturday are our last rehearsals. You would think that there might be a sense of urgency among the members. I could not be more incorrect. I understand that we sound really good as a group and that there is nothing drastically wrong with any of our pieces. But can you just not talk every time the director cuts us off? The kid who sits behind me responded to my seriousness with the statement, "well, this is Men's Chorus." Yeah, but there was more discipline in my high school concert choir. If we would've talked every time our directors cut us off, they would've eaten our faces off. In all seriousness, I feel like they pushed us to a high level of musicianship. That obviously was not the case with the programs from which my fellow Men's Chorus members come.

Now, I'm not a total choir bitch. I know those people. All I want is for people to use rehearsal time to its full potential. I feel like this would definitely be the case if I were in one of the more advanced choirs. However, they are thick with choir bitches. And I HHHAAATTTEEE those people. I put up with several of them in high school without physically harming a single one. Way to go, me. However, I do not think that I could restrain myself now. Whatever. We'll see.

So, this May-term I am taking Music Theory 1/Ear Training and Sight-singing 1. I feel like the material will be easy enough, but it is a semester's worth of class time in like, two weeks. I guess that is why you only take one class during May-term. Then this Summer I will be taking Music Theory 2/Ear Training and Sight-singing 2, History of Western Music 1, The Viking World, and Ancient Civilizations: Rome. I'm pretty excited.

I have yet to meet with a study abroad advisor. I should definitely do that this week. Need to get that sorted out. I want to be in Glasgow next year.

Have a good one, readers