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

Catharsis

I'm ready to shirk this, and I think that talking about it will help. Being in a relationship with someone who has depression is very difficult. Not only does that weigh heavily upon the person who has depression, but it also affects all of those involved. When times were good, things were good as well. But when times were bad,  it felt as though I alone was carrying the emotional weight of two people. I will now admit that I think that 4-year experience had a profound effect on me. I think that it has made me less emotive; more guarded and closed. I spent my high school years, years that are supposed to be filled with fun and friends, trying to help my significant other through her disorder. I gave much of my time, doing what any boyfriend would do and much more. That's why this next part is so hard.

I thought that we would be together for a long time. I knew that most couples who go off to college break up or have a bit of a strain. I am probably the most realistic person you know. We promised each other that if we felt the desire to date around, then we should talk about it. Finally, the day came when we had that conversation; the result was the end of our relationship. No big deal, people get over those things. I was a little hurt by the fact that she started seeing some guy right away. Makes you feel insignificant. But later, via her, I would learn that not only were the dating before she and I broke up, but that she had cheated on me with this guy.

That should've been the end of us ever talking. But, being an idiot caught in a mix of emotion, I chose to keep contact. I realize now that I should not have done that. It would've been better for me. It's hard to see someone so happy with the person with whom they cheated on you. Suck.

I feel much better having gotten this off of my chest. This is stuff that I haven't told anyone. So this is between me and like...no one. Oh well. I just feel like I deserve a little more respect than I was given. Maybe someday I will have someone who respects me. I know she's out there.

Japan

If you have been paying attention to the news at all in the past week or so, I'm sure that you have seen the terrible events unfolding in Japan. First a major earthquake which was initially graded an 8.9 (now regraded as a 9.0), followed by a devastating tsunami, both of which wreaked major damage on the city of Sendai and the entire Miyagi region. And now, a horrible catastrophe is unfolding as the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (福島第一原子力発電所). My thoughts go out to those who have felt this disaster. I have full faith in the efforts of the Japanese and U.S. governments to deal with such a fragile issue.

On a different note, there was something that just pissed the hell out of me. I'm sick of all this divine shit. People who say that this is a sign from God are fucking idiots. They have this notion that it is payback for something. What? Hmm? For what is this payback? I cannot think of one thing that the people of Japan have done that would warrant such wrath. All this is is you being a huge fucking douche. You don't really care about the Japanese people because you are crazy and racist. I'm looking at the two of you, Limbaugh and Beck. Fuck both of you. I hope you both die by some divine action. It would make the world a much better place. 

People, do what you can to help. Text 'REDCROSS' to 90999 to donate $10 to the relief effort. Send positive thoughts in whatever manner you choose. Let's all just hope that the people of Japan are able to pull together and get through such an awful time.

Have a good one, folks.

Very Funny, Guys...

I came home earlier this morning to kick off my Spring Break. When I walked into my room, I noticed an interesting surprise on my bulletin board. But first, back story. Some time ago, Taylor Swift was on SNL. Sarcastically, I quipped that I was a closet T-Swift fan. My mom thought it was hilarious. She also decided to give me shit about it rather consistently since. So, when I went into my room and looked at my bulletin board, there was picture of Taylor Swift, which appeared to have been clipped out of a magazine. And on it, my brother Korbyn's girlfriend thought it funny to write, "To My Biggest Fan." She even signed it, "from Taylor." Ha. Ha. Funny.

Ugh, it's late. I'm gonna hit the hay. Have a good one.

This is the fucking cutest thing ever.


What the fuck is up with Bryn's suit???


Auld Lang Syne as Burns meant it to be performed.

For the Young Lady in the Laundry Room

I just remembered something that really pissed me off a while back, but that I never blogged about.

I fucking HATE it when people take up a ton of washers or dryers during busy laundry times. It was a Sunday night, a couple of weeks ago, and I decided to do some laundry. Now, being a guy, I usually just throw all of my stuff into the washer at once (I'll do two loads if I HAVE to). So, I took my basket down to the laundry room. When I arrived, there were two girls who, together, had occupied 8 of the 11 washers. Now, make no mistake about it; it was definitely a "what the fuck" moment. As my oldest brother, Nick, would say, "that is a load of bitches." I just stood there in disbelief that two people, during rush, could justify using 4 washers A PIECE. I wanted to kill them. Instead, I quipped a sarcastic, "really?" They looked at me and copped some attitude like a couple of C U Next Tuesdays. I went back up to my room and quickly complained about it to my roommate.

An eclectic mix of videos. I like many of kinds of music.

Long Time

Wow. It's been quite a while since the last post. Not quite a "daily" thing. Oh well.

Tomorrow morning after my 8 a.m. Computer Science lab, I will be heading over to Ferguson Hall to meet with an advisor about adding a second major: a Bachelor of Arts in Music. I really have a passion for music as well as history, and I feel that they compliment each other very well. Music is an important part of culture and society, and can tell you a lot about the time period you are studying. I'm thinking that I will be able to do both majors in 4 years. Let's hope.

Spring break is coming up pretty quickly. However, I'm not going anywhere. I'll just be hanging out around the cities, catching up on my reading and potentially writing a research paper. That, and I have two rugby practices. It's getting to be that time.

Now, I have to be studying for my written Chinese Midterm that I will take tomorrow. But I will leave you with these two excellent King's Singers videos: "La Guerre" by Clement Janequin, and "Say Love If Ever Thou Didst Find" by John Dowland.