About Time

Time flies doesn't it? I got to thinking it was about time I made another post. Kyle Gann hasn't posted in a while and I think he's taking some time out for obvious reasons. Things have been all of a change recently, and as last time, I don't know where the time's gone since I was away in Sussex. It's nearly a week since I last posted, and since then, looking back in my diary, a lot's happened. The dreaded Thing concert has come and gone with nothing inasmuch as a whisper, almost as if we've become accustomed to the rigmarole of contemporary concerts, something that was probably to be expected given the number that occurred last week. I think the Thing gig may have been overshadowed somewhat by the opera on at the Academy, the opening night of Don Giovanni across the road and another sold-out concert at the Royal Concert Hall. So much for contemporary music taking the lime light, which I guess it's never really done. At least we got a half decent review, and I get mentioned (hint: I'm the piano). Well at least it's a start in the world of showbiz, a daunting and pock-filled lifestyle. I'm really glad we had an opportunity to take a large part in a festival of new music, and that we're not just doing any old music. Aside from the Thing gig that week, there were three other concerts I managed to get to: an electroacoustic gig on Tuesday that opened Plug, which featured some really high quality ideas and forward thinking, even if some of the electronics didn't go quite to plan (always a problem if you're doing something experimental). They were pretty much all loud and boisterous affairs, with something quite unique to say in each one, and even the head of electro said they were all on their own in the ideas phase. I'm glad to see he has the mettle to push students in their own direction, to encourage them against their own grain. Following that there was Gareth's infamous opera on Wednesday, along with Simon's new music theatre piece, both really quite substantial and impressive pieces in their own right, that stood out as some of the real quality moments of the week. It just smacked of the fact that someone's done their homework, and they were rewarded by a quality 5-star review. Not that they care about reviews. Last of all was the RSAMD Sinfonietta gig on Friday, with three excellent pieces. I've got to say I was most impressed by the two 'least mature' composers' works, which displayed a certain quality I've not really experienced elsewhere. I'm not sure what it is, just that it's impressive, loud and slightly intimidating. I think the concert was let down by a programming error, that is a brass quintet played a Souster piece, which didn't fit in the slightest with the seriousness (if that's something music can be) of the other works. I would liked to see it on its own, but it just didn't work with the others, and may even have detracted from them in some way or another.

My teaching on Friday went well, and I'm sure my students will be on track by the time we get to this Friday, at least they'd better be because it's possibly the last lesson before hand in time. I think they're all aware of the amount of work that is required of them. It was glorious weather on Friday, and I'm sure some of them were dying to be outside, as I was. The view out the office window is truly amazing, and you can see the Royal Mile, the castle and Arthur's Seat, as well as the sea. The sky was a deep blue colour, and no clouds obscured it at all, much like today. I journeyed back towards the train station, basking in the glorious colour and vibrance as and when I could. I arrived just past Tollcross near Greyfriars, and walked round to the University library to return the dreaded Kramer book, that I sourced just in time for the lesson on Time Analysis with my students. No emotion betrayed itself despite the journey I passed in order to obtain it, and I returned outside to the University garden and sat under a tree reading 'Carry On, Jeeves' until six o'clock. I was hardly aware of the time passing, and it was still as hot as it ever was at that time as I passed the museum and over the Royal Mile towards Waverley station. I still had a few minutes before my train so I rested awhile in Princes Street gardens, before the train tracks, under the monument and on the slope of the grass. There were quite a few people seated there, observing carefully the cordoned-off area, respecting the need of the turf to revitalise. As I was waiting, two groups of kids converged on the path just above me, and a representative from each stepped forward. One punch was thrown, and the kid nearest me hit the ground pretty quick. A girl started screaming for help and both groups meandered away while she cradled him. It seemed like the offending gang weren't bothered about being noticed, and even his gang had disowned him for one reason or another. A few people nearer than me crowded round at the screams, and a policeman was called to judge the damage. I realised it was time for me to leave, and I crossed the road towards the station just as a police car pulled up. I stopped at Marks and Spencer's and picked up refreshments for the journey back, as I knew I wouldn't have time to stop for dinner between train and concert. I can recommend the banana smoothie, much to my taste, except that it contained reduced fat yoghurt, whereas the mango smoothie contains full fat - bizarre anomoly or judgment on the part of the M&S chefs? My train arrived back in ten minutes before the concert at the RSAMD was due to start, and I hot-footed it across town to take my seat just as the doors were closed and the evening started.

After the concert and subsequent trip to the pub I had what I might term a 'last meeting', at least a parting of ways. I'm not sure of the direction we'll both take but I certainly feel like a change has taken place. Maybe for the best but I'm not sure of my emotional state regarding this one. We'll just have to see how things move forwards, or if they even go in a particular direction. I'm quite happy just getting on with my own thing at the moment, and I need some time to stabilise, that's obvious enough to anyone.

The rest of the weekend was taken up with copious amounts of socialising, starting with tea and well... no go with Helena, although I did feel thoroughly revitalised afterwards, especially with the vegetable noodle soup that tasted simple and fresh. After that I journeyed to the park to be surprised by heavy rainfall, and took shelter and solace in Beanscene none too far away. From this point onwards things became increasingly blurred, and I can only really account for any time after meeting Leasha today and visiting the park in blissful weather and enjoying Thai Sweet Chilli crisps. I remember visiting Blue Dog and having several cocktails, including a prematurely abandoned Martini on Saturday night. I'm back on the planet now and the internet has reinstated itself so hopefully I can fill in regular updates. I'm on for the interview in the Hague for definite two weeks tomorrow, but I still haven't decided when I'm returning from Sussex to Glasgow, as I haven't booked tickets after my return from the Hague on the 24th. Perhaps I can take some time to recuperate and plan following whatever decision they make regarding my application. Time to write a proper Max patch that works as well...

Since my agency hasn't found me any work for this week I'm home bound, although the weather's great so I'm going to take advantage and spend it in the park if at all possible. I think I'm needing some time to read all those things sitting on the book shelf requiring my attention. And now for Ginseng tea with honey for a pick-me up.