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, 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.