Welcome to Glenn's Blog!

Here I will periodically post random thoughts and stories about what's going on in my life and the world around me. As if anyone cared. But seriously, you've found your way here, so hopefully you will enjoy at least some of what I have to say, even if you aren't entirely interested in it. At the least, it should be a good way to waste time.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Rain Rain Rain

Well we just got back Tuesday night from our final Disneyland trip...at least for now as our annual pass has officially expired. And we didn't renew this time (though I'm planning on going back in March and will get a new one then...) Never have I seen so much rain in Disneyland! It rained from the time we arrived on Saturday till the time we left on Tuesday. There was only two breaks in the rain...from 9pm-10pm Sunday night and from 9am-10am Monday morning. The first one was actually perfectly timed, as I had reserved a dinner package at Ariel's Grotto which included fastpasses to see World of Color from the 'premium' standing area. We had seen the show only once before, and that from the side as we did not have those special passes. 

 Boy, I tell you, the show is leaps and bounds better from the front. You can't see any of the projections from the side, and without that the show is just a bunch of random lights and bursts of water. It fortunately stopped raining just in time for the show, though by then the rains had driven crowds away to the point where the standing area was less than half full. In any case, we had a great viewpoint. The rains got so intense at some point that even with a rain jacket and umbrella it was impossible to stay dry. We found that we had to got back to the hotel for a few hours in the afternoon just to dry off and change out pants and socks. Many of the public sidewalks were starting to flood at one point, and even Main Street in Disneyland was taking on more water than the poor workers could shove down the drains with their push brooms. But hey, it was Disneyland after all, and you can't beat a trip to the Magic Kingdom. I was actually worried about crowds, being that it is after all the week leading into Christmas. The only time is was really crowded was that one hour on Monday morning where it stopped raining. Most of the time, waits on rides were negligible at best. I think I saw Space Mountain get up to 45 minutes once, which is a far cry from the 100 minutes you often see in the summer. 

The downside of the trip - at it was quite a downer! - was that the rains prompted cancellations and closures of many shows and attractions, including all parades, Fantasmic, Electronica (whatever that is!), and unfortunately the evening fireworks and snow. That was a disappointment certainly; no white Christmas in Disneyland! 

World of Color seemed to go on the whole time despite the weather; I guess that makes sense as it's a water-based show with no live actors. One cast member actually told us that it's BETTER in the rain. Something to do, I think, with extra light refraction from the falling water. You'll have to ask a scientist for a better explanation. But now we're home, dry for the moment, and enjoying some time off from work for the holidays. Which reminds me, now that it's two days till Christmas, time to do some last minute shopping!

Friday, December 17, 2010

And.....Done

So it's Friday of finals week here at Sacramento State. And of course it's dead quiet. I rather like that... Tomorrow begins two weeks of time off, which of course we're starting off right with a three-night trip to Disneyland. Unfortunately it started raining today, and is supposed to rain the whole time we're there. But to treat myself out and make up for that, we went to Kohl's last night and bought me a new winter jacket. It's really quite nice, and now that I think about it, I think it's the first new jacket I've bought in at least 5 years. Well the last one I bought was at Mervyn's anyway...but we got a great deal as they're having a three day sale right now. Originally marked $100, we paid $38 after tax. Nice. 

But that wasn't the best part of the day. I was sitting in bed last night watching TV. To back up for a second, we got a new 42" LCD TV for the front room as a Christmas present, so the old TV from the front room is now in the bedroom. Since I haven't yet re-programmed the Dish satellite remote to operate the "new" bedroom TV, I was using the TV remote to turn up the volume - and there was a beep from the bathroom. Pause. Sit up and look around. Did I really hear that?? So I turn up the volume again. Another beep. This one gets the cat's attention, so you know it's serious. So, I get up to investigate and discover that the portable space heater in the bathroom is on. Apparently the 'up volume' button on the TV remote will turn on the space heater in the bathroom. And it's not even a "universal" remote! Boy that's weird. That was certainly the funniest thing that happened yesterday, unless you count calling Lorraine retarded on Facebook...

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Dead Week? What's That??

I wonder if anyone remembers the 'dead week' concept? It was still around when I was in college 15 years ago, though even then it seemed to be waning. Still, folks still mention it these days on occasion, even if it doesn't get recognized in practice. It used to be the week before finals week in school - well it still IS the week before finals week - but it was a slow week where no new material or homework was assigned, so that you could start getting ready (ie. study) for finals.

Of course in the music world, this concept has little meaning. This is traditionally our busiest week of the year, and this year is no exception. Although this semester has been, dare I say, light in comparison to other semesters, we have this week 10 concerts from Monday-Friday. So it is pretty busy around here these days.

Which reminds me - I have to go tear up the recital hall stage to get ready for tonight's big wind ensemble concert...

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving Break

For some reason it seems I always manage to come down with a cold when we have a break from work. Case in point: right now. It's the end of Thanksgiving break, and I've had some sort of sinus congestion and cough since Thursday. I blame Whitney. She had it first. It's good in some ways, since I have the time to lounge on the couch all day and catch up on the 46 episodes of CSI, Law and Order, and House that have been collecting on the DVR throughout the fall. Bad in other ways, since I can't make much progress on all the projects I was originally intending to pursue during this time. 

 Still, we managed to have a somewhat productive four-day weekend. Although we didn't go out at 3am with the rest of the insane people to try and get bargain deals on Black Friday, we still managed to get a bit of holiday shopping in. And we still managed to get some deals - thanks to Target's 2-Day Sale. I truly believe it's the best place to shop after Thanksgiving. No insanity of being trampled when the doors first open, no lines around the building, no waiting outside in the cold and rain as the store slowly lets people in one at a time. We went twice, on Friday and Saturday, and both times the store was only mildly packed. Both times there was no more than 2 people in line at any register. 

 So, the holiday shopping is underway.... And, on Saturday, we went and saw Harry Potter 7! Can't wait for the rest of it to be released... Today, I think, me and the couch will become good friends again. Later it's dinner time at the old folks. And then tomorrow...well, back to the grind. I'm sure my cold will clear up just in time for that!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Ease On Down The Road

Well yesterday marked closing day of The Wiz at Runaway Stage, and also essentially the end of a very busy time with chunks of concerts and festivals and marching band and so forth. The Wiz was my second career directorial job, after having completed my rookie show with Meet Me In St. Louis last November. And it was good! I have to say, coming into October I was not at all excited about doing this show. I had seen two productions previously from different community theatres, and it was always just a bland slanted retelling of the Wizard of Oz. 

 But for this production, we were blessed to have a top notch cast and orchestra, which together made the show really shine. Or so I think. When you get so invested in a project and have it ingrained in your mind for weeks on end, it does tend to grow on you. It was a little odd this time; with most shows you see reviews from various sources, including audience reviews submitted to SeeAPlay.com. For this production: nothing. Not a single one. There was one brief snippet in the Sacramento News and Review, mostly a calendar listing really, which just mentioned the "impressive orchestra". I guess I'll just have to take that. It's better than what the orchestra usually gets, which is usually a mention about how it's too loud... But it's all done now, and time to move on. To what? Well, who knows really. Sac State is doing this same musical in April, and their music director did say off the cuff at one point that I should play bass for it. My wrist is still fairly shot from Rent in September, but it is getting better, so maybe I can play again. Well, as usual, time will tell....for the moment the calendar is free and clear for the foreseeable future, and with it being Thanksgiving week now I'm looking forward to some time off!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Santa Cruz

Well, this past weekend we went to Santa Cruz, joining the Sac State Marching Band on their tour. The band played at the Santa Cruz band (parade) festival, a standstill on the beach prior to the festival awards ceremony. It was a pretty good trip, the band played well and the rain held off at least until the festival was done.

Though for some reason I just didn't sleep too well. Even at the Hilton, which was quite a nice hotel.
But we stayed an extra night after the band left Saturday evening, in a hotel right on the beach, and got to spend some time exploring the area a bit. It's an odd town, Santa Cruz. The kind of place where bums wedge themselves into small garbage cans with the lid still on and panhandle for change. The kind of place where other bums wander into a pizza joint and strike up a conversation with folks at a table, and those folks get up to go get a to-go box to send the guy away with some food. The kind of place where folks talk on their cell phones on the beach, wearing heavy cold weather clothing but with open-toed sandals.

We got to walk along the beach Sunday morning, and marvel at the crashing waves and cliff-like edges of sandy beach being eroded away by the water. It certainly is calm and peaceful there...when the boardwalk isn't open yet. I'm not much into the boardwalk really; to me it's just a run-down dumpy Disneyland. But it's good I guess, for it's purpose. We walked a good distance and made it all the way to the Walton lighthouse before turning back.

Woody's on the Wharf, by the way, is a cool place to grab some lunch, and includes lovely ocean and coastline views. It was raining by then, on Sunday afternoon, and rained most of the way home as well. But hey, it was a nice weekend getaway.

Now back to the grind, and The Wiz is looming around the corner...

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Rent

Rent, Rent, and more Rent. That's been the story of this month. No, not the monthly payment towards to real owner of your current residence. I call that "mortgage". But I've been playing the musical at the 24th Street Theatre - two of them in fact: the mainstage version and the school edition version.

So this weekend wraps up the end of the runs of both, and by tomorrow we will have played the show in tech rehearsals or performances 11 times in 10 days. And that's a lot of Rent.

It's actually quite a fun show to play, and very challenging for me since I'm not a rock musician by nature. The parts offer a lot of variety, a far cry from the oom-pa bass parts you see in a lot of classic musicals. But it has been tiring, and my left wrist has been hurting for a week now (tendinitis anyone?) It's been so bad that I've had to resort to taking ibuprofen just to make it through some of the shows.

Due to the playing position needed for the left hand on a electric bass, my wrist stiffens up after most numbers and I have to slowly bend it back to a straight position and loosen it up between numbers. And don't even get me started on the loss of dexterity I'm having on those fast moving rockin' bass lines!
But it's been really fun to play, as I've said, and the cast is uber talented (some folks have told me it's the best production they've ever seen RSP put on).

If you missed it, too bad for you. At the moment there's less than 30 tickets available for the final two shows, tonight and tomorrow afternoon. Then I'll get a bit of a break to rest the wrist before the next project begins: directing The Wiz from October 29-November 21. Good thing conducting uses the right hand...

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

There Went That Month

So, here we are in the first week of school, and indeed the first day of September. Where did August go? It must have been a figment of my imagination. But, a lot has been going on. Some recaps... First and foremost, I am currently sitting in the jazz studio at school, literally babysitting the room to make sure nothing gets stolen. The door was removed by the locksmiths today so they can router it out and install a new digital door lock. The old one crapped out in June, and after months of filing and emailing requests and generally being ignored, they finally got back to us a couple of weeks ago with an estimate. And now, finally it's being fixed. So life can move on. At least for the jazz folks anyway, who will now be able to access their studio instead of canceling classes since there was no way for them to get in the room.

This is also tech week for me; after a year and a half hiatus I am back at Runaway Stage Productions to perform in this month's production of Rent. Now, I'm not really a rocker, and this book is pretty intense, that is to say there's a couple spots that are really kicking my ass. But, if it doesn't kill me, I should be a better player by the end. I've also been arranging music for the marching band (oh yeah, THAT'S where August went!). Their pregame and halftime music is done, and i think the arrangements turned out pretty well. The drum staff has them now to write in their parts, though the pregame is done and the band is currently rehearsing it. It sounds really good! I think they like it. At least I hope they do. 

The other part of August disappeared with a camping trip to Rollins Lake and a subsequent cold that was fairly nasty for (fortunately) short period of time. Our camping spot had a little trail behind it that went off into the woods and eventually came to a dead end. So I put my hammock up at the start of it and enjoyed several afternoon naps. One day, I awoke and looked up at the trail and a deer was standing there, about 25 feet away maybe, just staring at me. So, we stared at each other for awhile, and he eventually decided I was okay and proceeded to wander off a little bit and munch on some plants. I watched him for about a half hour or so. Well that about sums up the last month. Is it kind of sad that one month of your like can be squeezed down into one online blog? Hmm. Perhaps that should be debated another day...

Monday, July 26, 2010

Weekend Folly

So I just got back into the office after a nice weekend spent mostly at home. Over the weekend the custodial staff apparently came in and waxed my office floor. Unfortunately they left my refrigerator unplugged, causing it to spontaneously defrost.

So I came into the office today to find that I was now sporting a small lake on my office floor. Had I known, I would have brought fishing tackle. Thankfully my fridge was not too frosted over to begin with, nor did it have a lot of food left over the weekend. So the puddle wasn't too bad, nor was the smell of rotting food.
After spending a little while on my hands and knees mopping up with paper towels (we aren't trusted with things like mops - those are only entrusted to folks who don't believe in plugging in refrigerators...), order has been restored, and I can now continue with my regularly scheduled office work.

But, should I trust the yogurt that was left warming in my fridge over the weekend??

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Shape Up

So yesterday we did the unthinkable. We joined....a gym. Yes, it is true. We live right down the street from a new California Family Fitness, literally just a 5 minute walk away. We had actually been considering joining for awhile, but had yet to even step foot in the place. You know how it goes; the typical stereotype is that once you join one you never go. And hence you just end up throwing money away.

So last night we stepped foot inside and took a tour, then got the sales pitch, then talked over the sales pitch, then finally decided to go for it. It wasn't really a bad deal; we're on a month to month plan which for the both of us is $87 per month. No registration fees. No processing fees. That's it.

The facility, being a newer one, is actually quite nice. Two stories of equipment, three racketball courts, a full size basketball court, a rock climbing wall, and indoor pool and spa, two outdoor pools, and numerous additional rooms where special classes are held. All included in the membership.

So today, a Wednesday at 5pm, we walked over to - and here I sound more like a yuppie - 'hit the gym'. The girl we had signed up with was there, and she admitted that it was just about their busiest hour. But it wasn't that crowded really, or at least the vastness of space helped spread the people out so it didn't seem crowded.

I spent 10 minutes on the stationary cycle while watching a half inning of baseball and cycling 3 miles, then did some reps on the various apparatus, before hitting the pool and spa areas. All in all it was quite a pleasant experience. Now let's see if we can keep it up from day to day...

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

And....Layoffs

So last week was a historic one for the CSU. For the first time ever - layoffs were announced. Granted, on the staff side of things, it's not as bad as it could of been. Their plan for 12% reduction calls for only 8 staff members campus wide to be layed off. Beyond that, many positions which have been vacated - really all of the positions that have been vacated - will not be rehired. This will amount to a staffing reduction of over 90 at our campus.

Guess the rest of us will just have to work a little harder...

I'm not sure, but I think by this point those special 8 individuals have been notified. At least, we are seeing anti-establishment graffiti right now on campus. Reminds me a little of the Hate Week portrayed in the novel 1984 (my current 'leisurely' summer reading...)

The card readers to the faculty/staff garage entrance were spray painted over, rendering them virtually useless (good thing I took the bus in today...). And, graffiti appeared both on the garage wall ("I was raped by Sac State!") and on the back of a state pickup truck, something "my life and job" sucking. I didn't get a real good look. Nor did I stick around to see what else there likely was.

In the words of Vonnegut...and so it goes.

Today I am leaving work early to go to the doctor's office - my first visit in over a decade if you don't count to one to get new prescription glasses a few years back. I sprained something in my knee fairly badly on Saturday evening, and now, although I can walk just fine, I can't bend my leg well enough to sit down without experiencing sharp pain. Nor can I get in and out of a car very well. Or put on my own shoes and socks.

And so it goes.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A Chorus Line

So we went and saw A Chorus Line last night, at the Community Center Theatre. It's not one of my favorite musicals really, to be honest. Nothing against dancing per se, I just don't find the storyline to be particularly engaging. You get some brief snippets about most of the 16 or 20 or however many characters are on stage, but not quite enough to really care about most of them, nor to care whether or not they actually make the cut at the end. I couldn't even say which ones made it at the end - 4 guys and 4 girls - but really who makes it is fairly irrelevant.

But anyways, it was a fabulous production. The cast was exceptionally talented; not the best singers I've heard, but certainly remarkable dancers and great actors as well. The music itself, was of course, great. You couldn't see the musicians, they had a black drape drawn over the top of the pit. BUt you could hear them, and they sounded great. All in all it was a very worthwhile time.

So now I'm back at work, on a Wednesday but really a Friday since I'm furloughed the next couple of days. And with Memorial Day next Monday - well that means a 5 day weekend for me! What should I do?? Ah heck, I'll probably just be lazy and lie around at home. That that in itself is a nice treat after the hustle and bustle of the end of the semester.

If the weather would clear up I could go sailing...I finally went last Friday with Anyssa after over a year absence. What a great day it was for it! Sustained winds at 24 knots or better most of the time. We sailed under the Bay Bridge, which I had never done, and saw up close and personal the current construction underway as a new bridge is being built. I won't mention that I almost got us run into the pillars of the bridge...just got a little TOO close, and the strong current certainly did its part in trying to send us to our doom. Good thing the boat has a motor, that's all I can say. Maybe Friday we can go again...

Monday, May 24, 2010

Welcome to Summer - Sort Of...

Well this week begins the long summer, finals having been finished at Sac State last week. You wouldn't think it looking at the weather. It's been abnormally cold and cloudy, really bizarre for late May. Don't get me wrong, I rather like it. The weather forecast calls for rain actually from Tuesday - Thursday and temperatures in the mid-60s. And it's May 24! Crazy.

Other than that, the signs of summer being upon us are certainly here at the university - it's been suddenly transformed from what was a bustling hectic environment to a virtual ghost town. And the squirrels are all out in force wondering where there food source disappeared to. But it's such a relaxing campus when it's quiet. Almost like you have a private park all to yourself. Too bad it can't be like this year round!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Wait - Where Did April Go?

It's May already? How did that happen?? I was sure that it was only yesterday that I was lamenting about how rough April was going to be, how we have 23 concerts in a two week period. And now it's over.
Well, April turned out to be not so bad after all, I guess. What I remember of it anyway.

Now we have just two weeks left before finals, so it's time for the final push of the semester. April had several concert cancellations, which really freed up chunks of time for me. This week - 12 concerts. Well 11 more I should say, since one was yesterday. I guess I will have to be resolved to driving in almost everyday these next two weeks, as I'll likely be here later than the bus runs.

We got through tech week and opening weekend of The Wedding Singer at Oakmont High School without many hitches. There's spots here or there where the singers aren't anywhere near the tempo (or location in the music) as the band, but all in all I think it went pretty well. It's actually a rather entertaining show, and has some good fun music to boot. One more weekend to go...

And then another week of school...

I suppose I should seriously start working on my final paper for my grad class. This is the last grad class I'll have in I don't know how long. Next semester I'm not enrolling in any classes, simply because there aren't any offered that I actually need for my Masters. Maybe there will be something in the spring of 2011 again, who knows. Wait and see, wait and see.

Other than that, things are well and moving along. Welcome to May!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Back to High School

So, these days, and at my age, it is pretty rare to find myself on a high school campus. But this week I have been, as I'm currently playing for The Wedding Singer at Oakmont High School in Roseville (and it opens tonight!).

It's been an interesting experience, to be sure. On one level, it's been a chance for me to work up my chops on electric bass, which I've not had many occasions to play on in the last decade. Which is good. On another level, it's been a little surreal being in a high school environment. It certainly isn't something I do on a regular basis, playing at high schools.

It all came about as a friend of mine from my Sac State undergrad days happened to be hired on as the musical director there. And for whatever reason, they elected to hire out most of the musicians rather than use the school's kids. Can't say I blame them really, the book is a pretty tough heavy rock show. I don't think I could have played this part when I was in high school. Heck, I can barely play some of it now!
But anyways, the tech week, such as it was, concluded last night with our very first full run through. It cam in at about 2.5 hours. I guess that should be so bad. It took 3 hours to get through one act two nights ago...
So in the end, a lot of progress has been made in a very short time, the actors have calmed down their talkative spirits enough to actually get some work done, people are now done pulling their hair out, and I think the sets are even (almost) done. We open tonight, for better or worse, and we'll see what happens...

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

First Day Back

So yesterday was the first day back to work after spring break, and the first time I can remember that I've spent an entire week - and two weekends - away from the music building at Sac State. Boy that was nice!
I tell you though, having a week off re-energizes your spirit, more or less. Before the break, I drove to work almost every day for two weeks straight. Sometimes out of necessity - I often stayed late to work concerts. But often times I just couldn't drag myself out of bed to make it to the bus stop on time.

Not that it was entirely my fault - the bus was actually showing up a couple of minutes early almost everyday, a clear indication that they were jumping their previous timetable stop a bit. I mean come on, if the timetable stop says you leave at 6:48 and you're arriving at the stop 2 miles further down the road at 6:48, something is wrong.

Still, I was pushing my luck by getting out of the door much later than normal, and then having to rush to the stop only to see the bus go whizzing by.

But after spring break - well, I got up early enough to enjoy my shower, actually have a respectable breakfast, and still get out of the door on time. No, not on time. Early even. I was ready on Monday - a nice leisurely walk to the stop, arriving there six minutes before the bus was scheduled to make it there. There's no way I was going to miss that bus yesterday! It could show up early and I was there! I was ready!

And then the bus was late.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Busy Time

Well yet another month has passed in 2010. Can you believe it? We're already a third through the year. Amazing.

Well I just keep getting older, having turned 35 last Wednesday. It was the first time I actually spent my birthday in Disneyland. And of course I got the complimentary Happy Birthday button to wear around the park, so complete strangers could congratulate me on successfully aging.

It's been spring break here, and for once it actually coincides with Easter as well. I must say it's been a relaxing yet rather productive week off. Though I'm still not looking forward to going back to work next week. I actually managed not to step foot anywhere near Sac State at all this week, which for me is quite an accomplishment.

But Monday we all start back, after having furloughed through our break. It's going to be a really busy month. I actually counted concerts and discovered that in one 13-day period we have 23 concerts scheduled. Yikes!

Just thinking about that makes me wish I had another spring break.

Friday, March 12, 2010

CMEA Conference

So I went to part of the CMEA state conference yesterday, thanks to Whitney who got me a discounted pass by listing me as a spouse...but it has been many years since I've been to one of those. It seems like they've really scaled back, just less stuff happening and, I would imagine, less people attending. Times aren't as good as they used to be.

But it was a very good day for me; I attended a session on Finale 2010, which was supposed to be geared towards using it in the classrooms but really it was a session on "here's all the ways you can enter stuff in now". Not that it was bad - my 2005 version was feeling more and more obsolete as the session wore on.
At the end though - they raffled off a new copy of Finale, and of the 15 or so people who were at the session, I won! That was exceptionally exciting. It left me speechless really. The software normally retails for, at the academic price, $350. Wow! I'm stoked. This will hopefully take my composing to a whole new level...

But now I need a new computer to run it. Ha! Well, it's a good enough excuse I suppose.

The day ended with a feature concert that began with our Sac State Vocal Jazz Ensembles. They never disappoint in a concert, and this was truly no exception. SPECTACULAR groups. They are completely deserving of all of their Downbeat awards and then some, and are clearly one of the best collegiate vocal jazz groups around.

Too bad the program is being cut after this year to the California budget woes. Well, really, it's technically because the director is moving to Colorado to pursue doctoral work - at least that's the convenient excuse for dropping a program that was already being cut down again and again. But can you blame him? No. One can only work so long - part time - at something like this, which should be one of the ambassador programs of the whole system and could EASILY justify a full time position.

Does the University seem to care that one of its elite ensembles is just unceremoniously being scrapped? Nope.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Going Home in Two Days

So it's a quasi-furlough Friday here at Sac State. I'm in obviously, and so is Teresa our budget officer, but the rest of the staff is out enjoying a four day weekend - Monday is an all campus furlough closure day. But I'm going to one up them - on Sunday I leave Sac for home. Disneyland, that is. I'm taking off furloughs on Monday and Tuesday and using up some of my accrued overtime from last semester (I still have 50 hours on the books!) for Wednesday and Thursday.

I think this will be the longest trip I've ever taken to Disneyland, a total of four nights. Though as we're leaving on Valentine's Day, and that day happens to be a blockout date for our Annual Pass, we won't be hitting the park until Monday morning. And then on Tuesday we have some other business to attend to...
But it's going to be a nice escape in any event, and I'm sure I'll eat plenty of double chocolate chip brownies. So much for weight loss.

Today is my last day here for a week, and so I have to spend a lot of time getting everything in order for every event that's going to happen while I'm gone. Not a big chore, but enough to keep me busy for now. Off to work!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Super Bowl Sunday

So yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday, and unlike many years, I actually knew who was playing in this one. Not that I cared much. But I was hoping the New Orleans would win, simply as they were the perceived underdog and it was their first trip to the Super Bowl.

And they won all right, despite having a fairly weak defense.

We actually went over to Brian Aguilar's apartment and hung out with some old friends, drank some beer and had tons of munchies. Oh, and prime rib. It was a delightful afternoon, and the game was a good one to watch too. I think it was the first NFL game I had watched in a couple of years.

Our music department actually had their Open House Brunch yesterday - and boy if I had a nickel for every time someone remarked, "It's on Super Bowl Sunday??". As if we were insane for even thinking to schedule something on such a sacred day. But I didn't pick the date, and in the end I didn't even end up going. I could have put some hours of work in for overtime. Well, when I say 'overtime' I really mean Compensated Time Off - no one gets paid for overtime. But I have enough hours already in my account that I need to take off.

So we did the 'American' think and watched the Super Bowl while ingesting lots of not too terribly healthy food. And a good time was had by all.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

January. Done.

Woah - it's February already?? It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating New Year, and now the month of January is done and gone.

We're now in the second week of school here at Sac State, and so far it's been relatively quiet. The normal hustle and bustle of students needing to be reminded of their locker combinations and scrambling to finish their recital paperwork and/or change their date to a late time. But other than that - it's been slow. This is perhaps an omen of things to come, as the CSU is making a concerted effort to reduce student population and in the process make a lot of (mostly part-time) faculty obsolete. This is the final semester of Vocal Jazz here, for instance, after garnering national attention with a half dozen Downbeat awards and growing to be one of the best vocal jazz programs in the nation. Next semester: gone. Just one of many examples of cutbacks as the system struggles to stay afloat.

Meanwhile I just piddle along doing my job and little else. There isn't much incentive to go the extra mile anymore, after all.

Outside of school, I did have the unusual occurrence of having to turn down a good paying gig because of another good paying gig I already have lined up. It appears that I will be playing in a production of The Wedding Singer in late April/early May. Yes, the Adam Sandler movie has been made into a musical. This particular production is a high school one, but surprisingly still pays well, and is being directed by an old college friend of mine whom I haven't seen much of in the last few years.

So that's a brief perspective of what's on the horizon. I could write more on other topics, but I figured it's better saved for a future blog. Hopefully I'll find time to post more faithfully in the future...before another month or more just flies by!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

New Year

What? We're already two weeks into the new year?? It's amazing how time seems to fly by. I've spent most of this year so far doing, well, not much. Sporadic bits of work here and there as I try and whittle down my accrued overtime in order to appease the dean. In addition to the 1000 plus hours I have of accrued vacation and sick time, I have about 75 hours of CTO overtime which somehow needs to be taken off in the next 40 hour work week.

So, here I am sitting at home on a Thursday when I'd normally be at work. At least I'll have time to have a decent breakfast as I didn't have to rush out the door at 6:42am to catch a bus. Of course I could drive to work, but I like to think I'm being both economical and environmentally conscious.

Anyway, the New Year was fun. We almost did nothing, as we had made no plans. Fortunately Whitney's best friend Melissa bailed us out, as she had reserve a few extra spots at the Rocklin Bowl for their New Year's celebration. So we went bowling on New Year's, and did our champagne toast among throwing strikes and spares.

Well, admittedly, there weren't that many strikes or spares happening. It had been, after all, many years since I had bowled. But I'm starting to get back into it now; we've taken to going to the late night specials at Country Club Lanes, where it's $10-12 for all you can bowl after 11:30pm. So tonight, we may do that again, since tomorrow is a furlough day for me, and I'm just now starting my five day weekend (it's Martin Luther King Day on Monday...)

Hopefully my scores will improve...