I think it's about time I talked, as it's been a while. I've even been prompted to blog by a friend, so it's high time. I was thinking about explaining what's happened over the last few days. It seems like it's been a busy time. I didn't even feel like like talking today because I almost had too much to say. Maybe that's crazy but sometimes it seems like there's so much to say it's not worth saying anything. That said I had a good time, enjoyed some music - particularly good piece by a friend of mine.
Right - so on Wednesday I arrived back in Scotland from my blissful time in Chichester. I left Merston at approximately 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and got into my flat here in Glasgow at 7.30pm. Not bad going methinks, and it seemed like the easiest trip ever. I'm quite pleased I'm back because the weather here on Friday and Saturday was nothing short of idyllic. The sun was out in full force, and unlike the previous occasions this year it was having an impact. My students were out playing ball in the field outside the department, and it certainly didn't seem like a day for analysing bizarre 20th century music. However, they were good spirited and we had an excellent and productive lesson. Backtracking a little, on Wednesday evening I received at about 11 o'clock, by email, a score for the rehearsal the following day. You'll find the details of the concert on my website, but suffice to say I'm playing a solo (albeit short) at the beginning of the second piece. I wouldn't have been so bothered if a) he'd sent it to me at least a week before so I could at least practice it on a real piano and b) it wasn't _so_ difficult I had to go and have a cup of tea to recover after just looking at the score and tempo marking. We were playing it the next day, and I had till 10 o'clock in the morning to learn it, if only for the rehearsal. I did my best, and although it's better now I don't like not being able to play things in rehearsals. We received one of the other works as we sat down to start, and although this is all very 'new music' and exciting to get a score hot off the press, it's good to have a look over it before starting the rehearsal. The rest of the rehearsal went very smoothly and I was reasonably happy with the results. We went out for a coffee and then pizza afterwards, and it wasn't until about 9pm that I realised I was so dog tired from having travelled so far the previous day, then having spent the whole day in a rehearsal that I just needed to go home and collapse. Which I promptly did. I've pretty much mastered the piano part now, and given that I've had it for four days, I think it's pretty good going.
On Friday after I finished working in Edinburgh I travelled back to Glasgow by train, and stopped at Vroni's where my flatmate works. It's a pretty nice wine bar in the centre of Glasgow, and if you're passing through it's worth a look, if only for the wonderful staff there. I only called in to say hi, but I agreed to meet Helena later there, and although I managed to distract myself suitably and the time seemed to just disappear before I had to return, I was in high spirits because of the weather. Also I like wearing lecturing clothes (jacket and smart trousers with a smart top - not shirt). I was only going to meet Helena for a drink and hang out for a bit as it was a Friday and felt I should do something, but we ended up staying till closing, and I drank copious amounts of wine and thoroughly enjoyed myself. We then - I know not why - proceeded to Blue Dog to get totalled. I bought G&Ts, which Helena has no recollection of, and talked to an old friend I bumped into for a while before I found my dancing shoes and then staggered back with Helena before realising it was 4. Helena berated me on the return journey for having accompanied her because apparently women should be safe to walk home on their own in the middle of the night. I tried to point out that I simply chose to leave at the same time as her, and on prior reflection you're generally safer in twos than on your own at night, male or female.
I woke up at nine to remind Helena she had to orchestra, but she was already awake and walking around in a dazed and ponderous fashion. I offered her cereal but she said she didn't want sweet things or milk, so opted for the empty stomach and hangover. I think she'd probably have only settled for porridge anyway, and I didn't have any of that. I spent the rest of the morning learning the piano part and remembering funny things from the previous night, after which I dozed, and then we spent the afternoon in the park enjoying the wondrous rays of heavenly bodies. And eating ice slush drinks which made me completely hyper for about five minutes before I crashed, but that was ok because the sun was out. Later I fell asleep in front of Howl's Moving Castle - dubbed in English and not as good as the Japanese - before I crawled into bed for a much needed kip.
This week holds concerts, rehearsals and the planning of the end of May, which is becoming increasingly complicated. Actually I won't start about that because I'll never finish writing...
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Mangoes and Passion Fruit
Today I prepared an application for the Hague Conservatoire (Holland). I realised I had everything with me in order to do the application, so I went ahead. No application fee and no problem, it's all basically in the bag in a day. There's hardly a chance in hell of me actually being able to attend the course, due to financial difficulties and other complications, but it's good experience to put it in in the first place. Of course if they ask me for interview it's an excuse to go abroad as well, especially to go to Amsterdam for a day.
I've been assessing the 'further study options' situation with my parents over the last few days, and came to the conclusion that I have several options - not a new conclusion, but let's look at it like this.
The Hague has the people I would like most to study with, a lively music scene (to say the least) and first rate facilities. However it rains a lot and can be a little grim. The food's not up to much either - I've never eaten so many grey dishes.
Italy (Bologna, Firenze, Roma ecc.) have good facilities, a pretty much nonexistent contemporary music scene and a few people I would consider studying with. However the bonus here is that it's an amazing place to live, somewhere I would definitely think about spending some upcoming years in.
UK:
The Academy in London has first rate facilities, an unparalleled music scene (to be disputed see last post) and plenty of people to study with. However they can be very snobby about stylistic elements, although there's no reason to think I couldn't carve a niche, but the conservatoires are very stuck in their ways. Weather's better than Glasgow at least, but the major problem here is the cost - too much to shelf on my poor little shoulders unless something major happened in the way of funding or lucrative job prospects.
University of Manchester recently acquired first rate facilities, a growing and burgeoning music scene including a voracious appetite for electronic music. As for friends I seem to have plenty still hanging around from my time there as an undergraduate, and I'm sure I'd meet plenty in the time to come. The weather is manageable (stuck it out for four years, can't have been too bad) but the major problem here is the staff. There's noone there in the Classical department that I'd feel happy studying with [again] so I'd probably end up doing electro-acoustic as my major component, not an unwelcome prospect.
York - the outsider - first rate facilites, but an ageing staff and cold weather. Sleepy but particularly beautiful town, with a great bakery.
From this analysis, it looks like I have to make either a compromise or an informed choice. Italy is my first option: great food and lifestyle but I compromise on the scene, unless I create one for myself. Hague for great music making but nothing interesting about the lifestyle - I'd probably want to move again, plus I wouldn't get a PhD, no small thing to ignore. UK for home territory, home cooking and a burdensome expense, but some great friends and plenty of already established contacts.
Oh! There are too many things to think about, especially as I still don't know what I'm doing for the next year. I think, though, that the first thing is to settle my debts and get a decent salary for the coming months, and see what comes my way while I'm doing whatever life throws at me. Best just to watch this space and do everything I can to enjoy life, especially as the summer is coming. Time to practise the piano, play bass and drink tea. I'm playing bass, and piano in the upcoming Thing gig. Doesn't worry me too much, as I'm reasonably confident about my bass playing skills, but playing in a concert is something I haven't done for a long time, maybe 5 years - I suppose it'll be something to put on the CV! First rehearsal Thursday, I'll let you know how it goes.
Oh and I forget... I've put music from Crisma and the last Thing gig on my website so if you get bored you can go listen. I'll be getting the Crisma DVD soon, and it's been entered for the Premio DAMS della Universita di Bologna - fingers crossed. I'll put a short streaming excerpt on the website, as soon as I figure out how to do that on my Mac.
I've been assessing the 'further study options' situation with my parents over the last few days, and came to the conclusion that I have several options - not a new conclusion, but let's look at it like this.
The Hague has the people I would like most to study with, a lively music scene (to say the least) and first rate facilities. However it rains a lot and can be a little grim. The food's not up to much either - I've never eaten so many grey dishes.
Italy (Bologna, Firenze, Roma ecc.) have good facilities, a pretty much nonexistent contemporary music scene and a few people I would consider studying with. However the bonus here is that it's an amazing place to live, somewhere I would definitely think about spending some upcoming years in.
UK:
The Academy in London has first rate facilities, an unparalleled music scene (to be disputed see last post) and plenty of people to study with. However they can be very snobby about stylistic elements, although there's no reason to think I couldn't carve a niche, but the conservatoires are very stuck in their ways. Weather's better than Glasgow at least, but the major problem here is the cost - too much to shelf on my poor little shoulders unless something major happened in the way of funding or lucrative job prospects.
University of Manchester recently acquired first rate facilities, a growing and burgeoning music scene including a voracious appetite for electronic music. As for friends I seem to have plenty still hanging around from my time there as an undergraduate, and I'm sure I'd meet plenty in the time to come. The weather is manageable (stuck it out for four years, can't have been too bad) but the major problem here is the staff. There's noone there in the Classical department that I'd feel happy studying with [again] so I'd probably end up doing electro-acoustic as my major component, not an unwelcome prospect.
York - the outsider - first rate facilites, but an ageing staff and cold weather. Sleepy but particularly beautiful town, with a great bakery.
From this analysis, it looks like I have to make either a compromise or an informed choice. Italy is my first option: great food and lifestyle but I compromise on the scene, unless I create one for myself. Hague for great music making but nothing interesting about the lifestyle - I'd probably want to move again, plus I wouldn't get a PhD, no small thing to ignore. UK for home territory, home cooking and a burdensome expense, but some great friends and plenty of already established contacts.
Oh! There are too many things to think about, especially as I still don't know what I'm doing for the next year. I think, though, that the first thing is to settle my debts and get a decent salary for the coming months, and see what comes my way while I'm doing whatever life throws at me. Best just to watch this space and do everything I can to enjoy life, especially as the summer is coming. Time to practise the piano, play bass and drink tea. I'm playing bass, and piano in the upcoming Thing gig. Doesn't worry me too much, as I'm reasonably confident about my bass playing skills, but playing in a concert is something I haven't done for a long time, maybe 5 years - I suppose it'll be something to put on the CV! First rehearsal Thursday, I'll let you know how it goes.
Oh and I forget... I've put music from Crisma and the last Thing gig on my website so if you get bored you can go listen. I'll be getting the Crisma DVD soon, and it's been entered for the Premio DAMS della Universita di Bologna - fingers crossed. I'll put a short streaming excerpt on the website, as soon as I figure out how to do that on my Mac.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Let's trust in the little ones
Still at home. I must say that it's still being very therapeutic. I spent yesterday evening and a lot of today in London seeing an old friend. It seems like she's been away for as long as I can remember, and although she's been working in the capital for a month or two now I haven't had the chance to see her. It made the prospect of moving away from Scotland even more complicated, now that she's rekindled my interest in London. This was initially nipped in the bud by the London-skeptic crowd resident at the RSAMD. Little was I to know about the harsh feelings towards the scene down there until I touched the water a few months in to my time at the Academy, when I discovered the strong sentiments evident in many peers. However this would never stay me from moving or studying there, or at least giving it a try. What would keep me in my place is the chaotic life, and dependency on a regular income that is required there. There is just no way that anyone without a decent salary could even afford to stay there for a month or two. That and the fact that just getting from A to B is a major expense and hassle for the city dweller. Despite these two glaring barriers to my move, I would still consider it because it offers an unprecedented array of... well everything you could possibly ever want or imagine in terms of material possessions and entertainment. Plus it's near to many people I know, and my family if I want to endure weekend trips to rural parochialism.
It's funny when someone's been away for so long, how you slip back into talking about things that happened so long ago with a sense that it really was only last week. We reminisced about trips to the pub as if we could just walk in there right now, almost as if we still lived around the corner and everyone was still there that we knew. We ate chinese food in china town, had a truly abysmal bottle of wine - we tried to send it back but were told it was just 'like that' - and then proceeded to a very English pub for a few pints of imported lager and chit chat. A most pleasing evening in all, and we trekked back to Brixton to kip in a most surprising house. I can't really find words to describe the ambience of it, but it was just so very 'London'. Painted white staircase - very shiny, slanting door frames and a stained glass front door panel. It seemed to remind me of many houses I've been in before, but from a long time ago. I'm not sure what it was that made it so familiar, but perhaps it was something about the staircase. I remember visiting a friend of my parents' house in Brighton, which had four floors, and a similar winding staircase with woven, rough carpet that only covered the centre section, and was held down by brass fittings. There was something about the way that the rooms had a different layout on every floor, and it had a lived-in feeling that you felt extended for several centuries. I think that's the type of property I'd like to own when I get to the appropriate time in life. Somewhere I feel I can do justice to the previous owner's efforts, and somewhere that has a little history and mystery. It's almost like it's the quintessential townhouse that I would like, on a street that's just far enough away to not be city centre, but close enough to not be on the periphery. Somewhere that I could have as a base that I could return to at any time, without the necessity of having to feel I lived there.
Having said this, I'm sitting in a little cottage in rural Sussex, under the eaves in the study, which used to be my first bedroom in this house until my brother moved out and I could have the bigger room. Times have not changed as much as I'd ever expected since we moved here. I remember sleeping soundly through the big storm in 1989 in this room, then being in the next room watching the water proceed during the flooding a couple of years later. We've been through a lot, this house and this family, and since my parents are thinking of putting the house on the market again in a few weeks, I thought it due for a little reflection of the times I've been here. I think my favourite memories are sitting in the patio at the back and drinking coke in the blazing sunshine in the summer, or having that party on my 17th birthday where everyone stayed over and slept in the bouncy castle. I remember driving the sit-on mower around the garden when we first came here and it still worked (long since disposed of now), and when we had ducks for many years in the garden, and having fresh duck eggs almost every morning and them being like nothing else I've ever tasted.
My niece was here today for dinner, and my mum, my brother, my niece and I all walked up to the duck pond in the village and then along to the church. I reflected that I must have done this same walk when we first moved to Merston when I was about the same age as Chloe is now, and must have had about as much fun feeding the ducks that she had today. It's funny how things change, and others stay the same, that we still rely on the same activities, but for different reasons. I feel like I should stay here to carry on the legacy, show my children the duck pond and drive them around the garden on a tractor, but then I remember that my parents moved about a lot, and it's only _my_ family home, and not theirs too. Which makes me think that maybe it's time to wipe the slate clean again, forget the past and look to the future with a new house, a different style of life and a renewed maturity. Not that it's even my house, but I still feel that this is our family house since this is where we spend Christmas, and where I return to home-home when I want to get away from things.
But enough reminiscing, I've got 'Selva', 'Crisma', the electro project and the Synthesis Project to worry about, not to mention 'Thing' are having a gig the week after next. Better get my busy socks back on (Spanish nuovo style), and tackle those much needed tasks. Let's go and make a list... first: eat rest of Easter eggs.
It's funny when someone's been away for so long, how you slip back into talking about things that happened so long ago with a sense that it really was only last week. We reminisced about trips to the pub as if we could just walk in there right now, almost as if we still lived around the corner and everyone was still there that we knew. We ate chinese food in china town, had a truly abysmal bottle of wine - we tried to send it back but were told it was just 'like that' - and then proceeded to a very English pub for a few pints of imported lager and chit chat. A most pleasing evening in all, and we trekked back to Brixton to kip in a most surprising house. I can't really find words to describe the ambience of it, but it was just so very 'London'. Painted white staircase - very shiny, slanting door frames and a stained glass front door panel. It seemed to remind me of many houses I've been in before, but from a long time ago. I'm not sure what it was that made it so familiar, but perhaps it was something about the staircase. I remember visiting a friend of my parents' house in Brighton, which had four floors, and a similar winding staircase with woven, rough carpet that only covered the centre section, and was held down by brass fittings. There was something about the way that the rooms had a different layout on every floor, and it had a lived-in feeling that you felt extended for several centuries. I think that's the type of property I'd like to own when I get to the appropriate time in life. Somewhere I feel I can do justice to the previous owner's efforts, and somewhere that has a little history and mystery. It's almost like it's the quintessential townhouse that I would like, on a street that's just far enough away to not be city centre, but close enough to not be on the periphery. Somewhere that I could have as a base that I could return to at any time, without the necessity of having to feel I lived there.
Having said this, I'm sitting in a little cottage in rural Sussex, under the eaves in the study, which used to be my first bedroom in this house until my brother moved out and I could have the bigger room. Times have not changed as much as I'd ever expected since we moved here. I remember sleeping soundly through the big storm in 1989 in this room, then being in the next room watching the water proceed during the flooding a couple of years later. We've been through a lot, this house and this family, and since my parents are thinking of putting the house on the market again in a few weeks, I thought it due for a little reflection of the times I've been here. I think my favourite memories are sitting in the patio at the back and drinking coke in the blazing sunshine in the summer, or having that party on my 17th birthday where everyone stayed over and slept in the bouncy castle. I remember driving the sit-on mower around the garden when we first came here and it still worked (long since disposed of now), and when we had ducks for many years in the garden, and having fresh duck eggs almost every morning and them being like nothing else I've ever tasted.
My niece was here today for dinner, and my mum, my brother, my niece and I all walked up to the duck pond in the village and then along to the church. I reflected that I must have done this same walk when we first moved to Merston when I was about the same age as Chloe is now, and must have had about as much fun feeding the ducks that she had today. It's funny how things change, and others stay the same, that we still rely on the same activities, but for different reasons. I feel like I should stay here to carry on the legacy, show my children the duck pond and drive them around the garden on a tractor, but then I remember that my parents moved about a lot, and it's only _my_ family home, and not theirs too. Which makes me think that maybe it's time to wipe the slate clean again, forget the past and look to the future with a new house, a different style of life and a renewed maturity. Not that it's even my house, but I still feel that this is our family house since this is where we spend Christmas, and where I return to home-home when I want to get away from things.
But enough reminiscing, I've got 'Selva', 'Crisma', the electro project and the Synthesis Project to worry about, not to mention 'Thing' are having a gig the week after next. Better get my busy socks back on (Spanish nuovo style), and tackle those much needed tasks. Let's go and make a list... first: eat rest of Easter eggs.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Merston for no reason
Well I'm back in Sussex for a short break. I wasn't quite sure what I was doing on the plane back, till I realised when I got here how many things I have to do that require time, quietness and appreciative parents. I think quite a considerable time will be spent on the phone doing organising things and catching up with people that deserve some attention.
I have to finish the score this week of the film we were working on in Italy, for the University of Bolognia Premio DAMS. The submission date is this Saturday so I'll have to finish it pretty sharpish. But now, to many other things including more exciting projects. Improvised electronic music, meditation, world travel and drinking of copious amounts of high quality tea. All in the week at home (at least the planning of the world travel will be).
I'll get to see my niece, growing at a rapid pace, this weekend. She's fast becoming an insatiable brute, and she's taking riding lessons (how middle class), although she's precocious and does particularly well at school. I've also heard through the family grape vine that I'll be giving her instrument lessons at some point, although this hasn't been discussed with me as of yet. Maybe she'll learn a string instrument and then I can feign ignorance and pass her on to someone qualified and nearer.
Right as my parents went to bed long ago, I think I'm going to find the remote control and slouch on the warm leather sofa with some crap tv.
The cats will be dreaming by now.
I have to finish the score this week of the film we were working on in Italy, for the University of Bolognia Premio DAMS. The submission date is this Saturday so I'll have to finish it pretty sharpish. But now, to many other things including more exciting projects. Improvised electronic music, meditation, world travel and drinking of copious amounts of high quality tea. All in the week at home (at least the planning of the world travel will be).
I'll get to see my niece, growing at a rapid pace, this weekend. She's fast becoming an insatiable brute, and she's taking riding lessons (how middle class), although she's precocious and does particularly well at school. I've also heard through the family grape vine that I'll be giving her instrument lessons at some point, although this hasn't been discussed with me as of yet. Maybe she'll learn a string instrument and then I can feign ignorance and pass her on to someone qualified and nearer.
Right as my parents went to bed long ago, I think I'm going to find the remote control and slouch on the warm leather sofa with some crap tv.
The cats will be dreaming by now.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Un giorno più lungo
C'è qualcosa del questa giornata, ma non so cos'è. Oggi è il compreanno di Helena. Sono molto felice, dunque spero lei possa provare un po' di meglio, perche lei ha detta che sentire come era vecchia. Adesso lei vada ai negozzi con Leasha, per trovare una maglia nera. Dopo, cucineremo qualche cibo, anche abbiamo una torta grande, ma senza candeline.
Domani vado alla mia cassa, per videre i miei genitori e per pensire del mio futuro, ancora. Penso di mandare una domanda al Hague, ancora, perche no lo so cosa fare, eccetto che devo lasciare da Glasgow. Non io possa essere qua per un altro inverno, è giusto che è troppo freddo, benchè ho molti amici. Speravo tanto di andare alla università di Columbia, ma non è possibile. Li chiamerò questa settimana, per invenire il ragione perche non hanno accettato la mia domanda.
Allora, ho qualche formaggio che pozza molto, ma molto gusto!
Domani vado alla mia cassa, per videre i miei genitori e per pensire del mio futuro, ancora. Penso di mandare una domanda al Hague, ancora, perche no lo so cosa fare, eccetto che devo lasciare da Glasgow. Non io possa essere qua per un altro inverno, è giusto che è troppo freddo, benchè ho molti amici. Speravo tanto di andare alla università di Columbia, ma non è possibile. Li chiamerò questa settimana, per invenire il ragione perche non hanno accettato la mia domanda.
Allora, ho qualche formaggio che pozza molto, ma molto gusto!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Let's stay up all night
Let's go to Glasgow, let's stay up all night, let's drink a suspicious brown liquid in a bottle labelled 'white rum'. Where do I get these decisions from? I'm sure someone must make them for me as I don't remember making some of the above. Well, at least I'm still here as the distinctly ginger flavoured stuff hasn't killed me, even if I feel like I've been up for most of the last couple of days. Notwithstanding my appearance, I had an amazing time last night. I think the highlight was Leasha returning home at gone 5, Helena and I realising that we'd misjudged the time by at least a couple of hours and that Leasha was completely trashed. She proceeded to dance with herself in the kitchen until I walked Helena home. By the time I got back I was a little more sober and realised it was nearly six, so at that point made the right decision and dug out my transcriptions of the Bach Cello Suites for Bass and had a play through - really quite sublime.
I forgot how great it is playing the bass, and I recently discovered there are loads of transcriptions on the internet, so I think I've found a reason to practice properly again. That and trying to get this gig off the ground where I plan to do live bass improvisation with electronics, that should get me a little better. I think people don't realise how much of a versatile instrument it is, since a lot of the bigger bands simply have a bassist 'plonking' away in the background, and the fact that most bands recruit their bassists on a "can you hold an instrument" basis. There have been so many amazing bassists that really do the scene justice, both in the double and electric circles. Take Charles Mingus for example, heralded as a great musician and one of the first to put virtuosic popular bass playing on the map. Of course there's also Jaco Pastorius, who put electric bass playing on the map (at least to bassists), with such a distinct sound.
I digress. The sun is shining today, it's Easter Sunday and I'm leaving for warmer Sussex on Tuesday, much to my delight. Perhaps today is a day for a walk in the park and some light relaxation. It's a nice feeling when you don't have anything planned, and it doesn't really matter. As I was discussing with Lara, it's best not to worry too far into the future, as noone really knows how long they have to live that out. Best to take each day as it comes, and of course make plans for the future but not worry about where you're going to be in ten or twenty years time. If you've done the right things now, you'll certainly be in a place you deserve to be.
But now back to practice and translating Tamara. Baci.
I forgot how great it is playing the bass, and I recently discovered there are loads of transcriptions on the internet, so I think I've found a reason to practice properly again. That and trying to get this gig off the ground where I plan to do live bass improvisation with electronics, that should get me a little better. I think people don't realise how much of a versatile instrument it is, since a lot of the bigger bands simply have a bassist 'plonking' away in the background, and the fact that most bands recruit their bassists on a "can you hold an instrument" basis. There have been so many amazing bassists that really do the scene justice, both in the double and electric circles. Take Charles Mingus for example, heralded as a great musician and one of the first to put virtuosic popular bass playing on the map. Of course there's also Jaco Pastorius, who put electric bass playing on the map (at least to bassists), with such a distinct sound.
I digress. The sun is shining today, it's Easter Sunday and I'm leaving for warmer Sussex on Tuesday, much to my delight. Perhaps today is a day for a walk in the park and some light relaxation. It's a nice feeling when you don't have anything planned, and it doesn't really matter. As I was discussing with Lara, it's best not to worry too far into the future, as noone really knows how long they have to live that out. Best to take each day as it comes, and of course make plans for the future but not worry about where you're going to be in ten or twenty years time. If you've done the right things now, you'll certainly be in a place you deserve to be.
But now back to practice and translating Tamara. Baci.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Fresh
I almost forgot to post about Sunday night. I had possibly the best night I've had so far here, and I think it's fair to say I danced my heart out and thoroughly saw off those demons at the door. All in the best possible company, and to great music. Nothing beats something to dance to for releasing those endorphins. It's true that you do forget where you are, and how the time is passing when you're enjoying yourself. I think there may be a few more of these nights in the coming future. What's life for if not to dance to?
Sun through windows
Long train trip today back from York. Slept very well on the Virgin Voyager, despite previous bad experiences and screaming children around me. It wasn't really that I particularly needed sleep, just that I'm a bit sick of staring out the window contemplating what life has to offer me. I must say that the past few days have been perfect, in almost every way. A short walk along Scarborough beach, followed by lemon twist ice creams (in wafers instead of cones). We sat on wind swept wave breakers and talked about Indian dancing workshops, and laughed at the tackiness of the shops. A true fish and chips, with mushy peas from a very small and provincial shop, later followed by writing postcards and getting sand in our hair.
It almost seemed like it went too quickly, and it seems like our friendship hasn't changed in the time since we last saw each other. Like it's frozen, perhaps because our friendship groups have never mixed, and we've never been anything other than just the two of us. I'd like to think it'll continue like this for years to come, regardless of where we are and what we're doing, just like the best friendships. It's not even that I'm being nostalgic, because there's nothing static about it, and there aren't that many memories to be nostalgic about (albeit few great ones).
While I'm on the subject of York, I would recommend anyone to visit, as it is a beautiful and historic city. I had a brief and truncated tour of York, and discovered its history is even older and more quirky than I first thought. It would be a really great city to live in although I guess (as I previously suspected) that it is a little sleepy, as only small cities can be.
Still haven't come to any decisions about what I'm going to do come September, although the options present themselves more clearly. It's amazing how simply being away somewhere can clarify your thought processes. Anyway I'm going to sort my weekend and find something to eat. Here's to holidays with friends... maybe we can see some better weather soon?
It almost seemed like it went too quickly, and it seems like our friendship hasn't changed in the time since we last saw each other. Like it's frozen, perhaps because our friendship groups have never mixed, and we've never been anything other than just the two of us. I'd like to think it'll continue like this for years to come, regardless of where we are and what we're doing, just like the best friendships. It's not even that I'm being nostalgic, because there's nothing static about it, and there aren't that many memories to be nostalgic about (albeit few great ones).
While I'm on the subject of York, I would recommend anyone to visit, as it is a beautiful and historic city. I had a brief and truncated tour of York, and discovered its history is even older and more quirky than I first thought. It would be a really great city to live in although I guess (as I previously suspected) that it is a little sleepy, as only small cities can be.
Still haven't come to any decisions about what I'm going to do come September, although the options present themselves more clearly. It's amazing how simply being away somewhere can clarify your thought processes. Anyway I'm going to sort my weekend and find something to eat. Here's to holidays with friends... maybe we can see some better weather soon?
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Future and beyond
Well I'm sitting here in work today waiting for my lunch break to finish, thinking about the coming weeks. I have exciting plans, and things are changing again. Finally I get the chance to go home in little over a week. It's a scary thought given that my students will be handing in their final projects when I return after their Easter break. I'm feeling confident though, although many of them have so much to do.
I'm feeling positive about going home. It's been long overdue to see any of my family, but especially my little niece who's more than a precocious little wonder. I think what I'm looking forward to more than anything is the opportunity to take a step back and look at my options for the coming year, and assess the state of affairs with regards to my 'career' in music. Perhaps I'll also get paid and then I can stop worrying about my finances as well. It's going to be an opportunity to sit on that lovely brown leather sofa and chill out to the tune of a couple of good movies too.
Next week I'm off to York for a long overdue reunion with an old friend. It seems like so long since we last physically saw each other, and again before that it was at least half a year. We need a chance to catch up and see what we're both doing in our lives, where we're going and where we want to go (a common theme at the moment). It'll also be good to have a wander and a break from Glasgow before I go home. It seems like we've moved along in our lives, but that our communication hasn't. Maybe I'm in a different place than where I was when we last were together, but that doesn't change the connection that we have. I think that she's the most down-to-earth person I've ever known, but maybe that's just my memory tinting things for me. No use being nostalgic anyway.
Let's go to... somewhere I can chill out and drink coffee, or that revitalising tea that I drank last weekend. I'm coming to the conclusion that offices in general are bad for your health, and that spending a third of your life in them can only have a detrimental affect. Perhaps I'll go and repair wells in Japan and achieve total serenity. My positive thought for today is that I don't have a reason to be sad, so I will achieve purpose in some way or another.
I'm feeling positive about going home. It's been long overdue to see any of my family, but especially my little niece who's more than a precocious little wonder. I think what I'm looking forward to more than anything is the opportunity to take a step back and look at my options for the coming year, and assess the state of affairs with regards to my 'career' in music. Perhaps I'll also get paid and then I can stop worrying about my finances as well. It's going to be an opportunity to sit on that lovely brown leather sofa and chill out to the tune of a couple of good movies too.
Next week I'm off to York for a long overdue reunion with an old friend. It seems like so long since we last physically saw each other, and again before that it was at least half a year. We need a chance to catch up and see what we're both doing in our lives, where we're going and where we want to go (a common theme at the moment). It'll also be good to have a wander and a break from Glasgow before I go home. It seems like we've moved along in our lives, but that our communication hasn't. Maybe I'm in a different place than where I was when we last were together, but that doesn't change the connection that we have. I think that she's the most down-to-earth person I've ever known, but maybe that's just my memory tinting things for me. No use being nostalgic anyway.
Let's go to... somewhere I can chill out and drink coffee, or that revitalising tea that I drank last weekend. I'm coming to the conclusion that offices in general are bad for your health, and that spending a third of your life in them can only have a detrimental affect. Perhaps I'll go and repair wells in Japan and achieve total serenity. My positive thought for today is that I don't have a reason to be sad, so I will achieve purpose in some way or another.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Tea and Go
Well. I've just spent the last few hours in a very pleasant tea shop, playing go. I think it's managed to take my mind off things for a bit, and remember how to play a game I didn't know the name off before. I'd completely forgotten what to do, but it's simple enough to start with.
I'm still in the quandary though. What should I do and where should I go. I'd resolved to spend the next year travelling and doing whatever I please, but an opportunity presented itself at the University of York for me to do a PhD there. It started me thinking about what I want out of a place. Obviously York is a little sleepier than Glasgow, and I get the sneaking suspicion that although I'd have a great time doing research there in their state of the art facilities, I'd want somewhere with more of a scene. There's that and the fact that I don't know who I'd want to study with there, if anyone. Which brings me to the second opportunity in Manchester, where there are state of the art facilities, a more vibrant scene and some people I already know. Reasons not to go - I know all the staff there already and I know there's noone I'd feel happy studying with compositionally, which is a problem. I think I just don't know who'd appreciate my influences or understand or be able to encourage me to develop the areas I'm interested. Perhaps I need to find someone whose work I like, and find somewhere to study that way. Which leads me to think I'm approaching this PhD from the wrong aspect: finding somewhere that has an opportunity and then checking whether it fits my criteria. This in turn leads me to my approach - I'm just rushing something that I should feel comfortable with its premise before I even decide that there's somewhere I want to carry it out. At the moment I only know of a few people who are doing things that interest me in the fields I'm pursuing. Why don't I just follow those up instead of deciding that I need to be in an institution and tied to their rules before I can do what I want. I think the freedom is sitting right here in front of me and I haven't seen it yet. I'm distracted by the golden framework of doctoral study, and I've fallen in love with its seeming flexibility.
I think the keywords are 'don't rush'. What's the sense in being in York if there's nothing to entertain me there (the obvious aside). What's the sense in returning to Manchester if it's just to become part of something I don't think I'll enjoy. One thing I can't stand is dogma, and I have the feeling I'd be subject to that if I studied there. Let's go and review the options.
The summer months are coming soon. I have a summer jacket to teach in and I'm feeling confident that Glasgow's going to be more amenable till it starts getting dark again. All the more excuse to take my time planning. As a certain someone said to me today "why not go to New York". Why not indeed...
I'm still in the quandary though. What should I do and where should I go. I'd resolved to spend the next year travelling and doing whatever I please, but an opportunity presented itself at the University of York for me to do a PhD there. It started me thinking about what I want out of a place. Obviously York is a little sleepier than Glasgow, and I get the sneaking suspicion that although I'd have a great time doing research there in their state of the art facilities, I'd want somewhere with more of a scene. There's that and the fact that I don't know who I'd want to study with there, if anyone. Which brings me to the second opportunity in Manchester, where there are state of the art facilities, a more vibrant scene and some people I already know. Reasons not to go - I know all the staff there already and I know there's noone I'd feel happy studying with compositionally, which is a problem. I think I just don't know who'd appreciate my influences or understand or be able to encourage me to develop the areas I'm interested. Perhaps I need to find someone whose work I like, and find somewhere to study that way. Which leads me to think I'm approaching this PhD from the wrong aspect: finding somewhere that has an opportunity and then checking whether it fits my criteria. This in turn leads me to my approach - I'm just rushing something that I should feel comfortable with its premise before I even decide that there's somewhere I want to carry it out. At the moment I only know of a few people who are doing things that interest me in the fields I'm pursuing. Why don't I just follow those up instead of deciding that I need to be in an institution and tied to their rules before I can do what I want. I think the freedom is sitting right here in front of me and I haven't seen it yet. I'm distracted by the golden framework of doctoral study, and I've fallen in love with its seeming flexibility.
I think the keywords are 'don't rush'. What's the sense in being in York if there's nothing to entertain me there (the obvious aside). What's the sense in returning to Manchester if it's just to become part of something I don't think I'll enjoy. One thing I can't stand is dogma, and I have the feeling I'd be subject to that if I studied there. Let's go and review the options.
The summer months are coming soon. I have a summer jacket to teach in and I'm feeling confident that Glasgow's going to be more amenable till it starts getting dark again. All the more excuse to take my time planning. As a certain someone said to me today "why not go to New York". Why not indeed...
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