Princess Sparklefists

So researching what types of piano music Lady Mary could conceivably have learned how to play has led me to reserving and checking-out piano music (that is quite possibly too difficult for me to play) from work. But I don't own a piano, so then it led to me researching digital pianos, which though less expensive than there acoustic counterparts, which I was also looking at for shits and giggles, still cost more money than I have to spare right now.

I guess I could go over to my mom's house and play there? This was not a very well thought-out plan.

I can't remember if I said this already, but I've started playing some music again! I haven't played much of anything since marching band ended... so about three years.

First I pulled out my flute, which I discovered is pretty badly in need of repair. It's hard enough being so out of practice (that feeling of "I used to be better than this") without a crappy instrument dragging you down. So now, of course, I'd like to buy a pretty new one. Like maybe one of these Muramatsu's. Now, to find some spare cash lying around. In the meantime, my boyfriend dug out his old flute, and I'm learning to play this pretty little ditty by Mozart as well as a flute & guitar piece we're playing together.

Yesterday I finally dragged out my oboe and was amazed, as I always am, by the fact that I am so much better at playing the oboe, even though I learned flute several years earlier. Unfortunately, I don't have any good reads at the moment, and I'm crap at making them, so I won't be able to do much until I can order some new ones. (They sell them online now, how cool is that.) I haven't picked out any oboe pieces yet, but I have plenty of sheet music to work from.

I'd still love to be in an actual ensemble, but it's a start!

Oh hey! It's random music video time (again)! I've heard it on CD101 and (I think) the Current, but mostly my mom got me hooked on it during spring break. I am addicted to the whistling.



d4ni, there are horns. Just sayin'.

I took the day off from work today, but actually got up on time and managed to knock out three assignments in less than three hours, with significant breaks for Facebook and Autotune the News. Maybe I'll go do something novel now, like actually go to the gym.

My gift to you: the song stuck in my head. Happy Monday!

Today feels like the "old days"—that is, a time when I wasn't busy all the time with stupid grad school. I'm just chilling in my living room, listening to music on my laptop and reading, with diversions to throw a tennis ball around for the dog or to clean up my iTunes metadata.

I've had this song stuck in my head all day and California on the brain thanks to my job hunt, so have a San Francisco themed video:

It's a tribute to this Brooklyn version which is in turn a tribute to this Brat pack movie mashup, all featuring Phoenix's single Lisztomania which is, I guess, a tribute of sorts to Franz Liszt.

Don't you just love the internet?

Brief update: It stopped snowing, finally. The city's still not really back to normal though. Also, after being cooped up with sick people for a week, I ended up with the flu and had to take an extra day off work. It's been a busy week and I'm beat!

Random question: Why does are all the figure skaters skating to Scheherazade? Don't get me wrong, I like the piece, but it's kind of repetitive—I heard it twice during pairs, and again now during men's. I don't know what the rules are about music, but everyone using the same classical repertoire is boring. It's an interesting contrast to the women's halfpipe competition, which was on just before this, where you could here the Black Eyed Peas playing in the background. (Fewer sequins in halfpipe too... but jumps and spins in both.)

New geek project: d4ni and I were texting last weekend and we decided to start a book club with chuunthor to re-read The Courtship of Princess Leia, our favorite Star Wars book. And blog about it. It's going to be awesome.

We're heading into the second week of November, and it's 75 degrees here! (That's like, I dunno, 24 or something for Canadians and Brits out there.) I'm wearing shorts because it was so hot in my room earlier when the sun was streaming straight in the window. I guess this is what it'd be like if I moved to Texas, or some other warm all the time climate. Of course, Target is decorated with Christmas trees and snowflakes, like it could totally start snowing in just a moment here. I don't buy it!

Usually there's a point in the semester when I start obsessively watching TV or anime episodes. It tends to be during the last few weeks of class, leading into finals. It seems this year I've hit that point early. Over the past two weeks I've watched the first three seasons of The Office then finished off series 2 of Spooks. Priorities, what?

Don't get me wrong, I've also written a few assignments, gave presentation in class, and accomplished a bunch at work. This week I've taught my student assistants about Depeche Mode, Top Gun, and, um... metadata. No amusing videos for that one.

Because it has nothing to do with anything, I really like the new Weezer single (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To much better than their previous couple of singles.

Also, new Doctor Who in a week. I've decided I really don't like this whole spread out specials deal. I'm kind of out of the fandom loop right now. I do at least have a few Whovian friends in the area to geek out with.

ETA: I want some new icons, but I am lazy. Suggestions are very welcome for fun icons posts for Bones, Doctor Who, Dollhouse, PGSM, Harry Potter, Star Wars, 30 Rock, BSG... anything awesome, basically.

Ah, summer vacation. I love it. Finally, I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, with no guilt. Not that I didn't still have an agenda for my day, it just doesn't involve school things!

• I went on a bike ride this afternoon, and when I got into town I discovered there's some sort of festival going on this weekend. Now that's fun and all, but it also meant that part of the bike trail was blocked, and the rest was very crowded with families and young children. My last big bike crash was caused by little kids veering left of center on a bike trail, so this was worrisome for me. There was one near miss when a kid swerved out in front of me, but I made it home okay. (And for once, I wasn't totally drained because I actually followed my own advice not to push myself past my limits.)


• We now have an official chore sheet at home, not that it makes much of a difference. Derelict housemate selected cleaning the bathroom from the list, but apparently his idea of "cleaning" means wiping down the countertop two days after making a mess cutting his hair. I decided I've had enough, so I spent some quality time scrubbing the floor, and basically anything else in sight, with bleach. It was a bit labor intensive, but there really is something satisfying about accomplishing a physical task.


• I need to stop watching Fringe while I'm eating, cause it grosses me out. Also, in the department of "Eeewwww," I am very lucky that I don't have a particularly sensitive stomach. Yesterday I decided to risk the sour smelling milk cause I was in a hurry and had already poured the Cheerios in the bowl... today I dumped out the rest and it was kinda chunky. Blech. I discovered earlier this week that the temperature in the fridge wasn't low enough, so at least now I know why everything has been going bad.


• I have time to read again! I went to the library (I had to hurry to get there before they closed for the weekend!) and checked out a stack of books, including a couple recs from friends before we got shooed out by some John Philip Sousa (there's some holiday spirit for ya!). I had my usual reaction of "Hey, I've played this!" And on more than one instrument, no less.


• There's an article about zambonis in the New York Times! :D

I'm trying to write my digital preservation exam, and I've got Britney Spears' "If U Seek Amy" stuck in my head. It is not helping!

ETA: Also not helpful is the seemingly endless stream of high school students tromping around up here, none of whom seem to understand that you can't have food or drinks in special collections. Why are you having a party in a library conference room? And didn't anybody tell you that cupcake-cakes are ugly?