Barnes N' Noble

Today I took a trip to Barnes N Noble with my dear friend L-dawg.

Both of us avid book lovers, L and I were very excited about this trip. We usually don't have the time or money to go, but since I recently received a very nice gift card for my birthday, and since this was the last day of classes, L and I decided to celebrate by going book shopping.

Going places with L is pretty much guaranteed to be a good time. Between his odd sense of humor (quite similar to mine) and vivid imagination, I never fail to be entertained. So here, for anyone interested, are some of the things that happened on our trip:

• After arriving at the store, L and I spent the first 15 minutes reading children's books aloud to one another. We found some really good ones, including "I Want My Hat Back" (which we both bought a copy of) and "I Have a Trumpet!", an elephant and pig book. 

• L walked around the store for 5 minutes trying to found the "Essays" section, insisting that asking for help was a sign of weakness. When one of the employees finally asked if we needed help finding something, I had him guide us to the section. Cue the dirtiest glare I have ever received from L-dawg.

• It turned out the "Essays" section was exactly where we had been standing when L decided to go looking for it.

• L laid down and cried on the floor because there were no essays by E.B. White.

• L complained that the essay shelf was not big enough.

• L cried some more about E.B. White.

• L kicked a display in his E.B. White rage.

• L yelled at me for not buying enough books (even though I already had 3 in my hand and have a shelf full at home that I still need to read).

• L, still upset about the lack of E.B. White essays, told me "Thanks for nothing ERIN"in his typical, grateful fashion.

• L asked the woman at the checkout counter if they had discounts for students. Upon receiving a negative response, he proceeded to ask, "Well, do you have discounts for male students?"

Thus, as expected, it was an entertaining trip. On the drive home, L-dawg read me "I Want My Hat Back" one more time, and then sang me (along with his ipod) everything from barbershop quartet to Sting to Stevie Wonder.

I dedicate this post to Princess Meghan, the third member of our little family, who had to go and graduate and move to (sort of) far away lands. We miss you Meggers!

-ErBear

Roller Coaster

I hate roller coasters. Roller coasters make me nauseous.
I like swings. Even though swings also make me nauseous.
But I'm getting off point.

This semester has been a roller coaster of emotions for me.

As January rolled around and I was getting for my last semester of college, I was convinced that this was going to be an easy semester. I had it in my head that I would have way more free time than I knew what to do with.

The first few weeks were pretty nice. I didn't have too much work and I was just enjoying getting back into the swing of going to class after a semester of student teaching.

February came around and with it Roberts Concerto/Aria competition and Wind Ensemble tour. I was excited for both, and things ended up going pretty well (obviously), but I could slowly start to feel myself slowing down a bit.

March arrived, and I realized the free time that I once imagined was now long gone. In fact, I began to wonder if it had ever even existed at all. My schedule was suddenly filled with performances, concerts to attend, and rehearsals for my recital. Not to mention still going to work and my classes!

Even though I was so busy, I still felt like my trumpet playing was the best it had ever been. I felt on top of the world. Nothing could get me down!

As my recital date approached, I was filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement. This was the real deal! My LAST recital of my college career!

Then, as all recitals do, it came and went in a flash. Months of preparation. Hours of practicing. Late nights. Long rehearsals. All over in 45 minutes. 

I got hit with a mild case of the post-recital blues. I was worn out, completely exhausted, and my body basically begging me to get sick with the cold-bug that had been going around... but no. I could not let it! Wind Ensemble & Chorale concerts were next weekend, and then Concerto Aria the weekend after that. I had to keep going!

I made it through the Wind Ensemble concert and Chorale concert this weekend, and my physical being is finally feeling like it is at wits end. RWCCO concert Saturday and 2 major papers due on Monday and Tuesday are all that stand in between me and actually getting to relax a little. I'm trying to find that great "nothing can drag me down" attitude I had back in January, but I have occasionally found myself slipping and starting to settle for lower standards. 

So here I am on a Wednesday night. 

This morning I had big plans of spending my evening working in the library on my theory paper.

This evening after wind ensemble I barely managed to drag myself back to my apartment.

This morning I planned on making a great dinner for myself after wind ensemble rehearsal. 

This evening I somehow found the number for Bill Gray's and managed to order food that I barely had the energy to pick up.

This morning I figured that before heading the library tonight I would do laundry, dishes, and some apartment cleaning.

This evening I threw 2 loads of laundry in and then started watching TV.
That reminds me...I started 2 loads of laundry that I need to finish before bed. Dang it. 

- Erin D.

A Plea of Pain

Throbbing, Throbbing, goes my head
As I arise from my bed.
A headache it seems is beginning to form.
This is not usually a post-nap norm.

To practice, To practice, I must go
But as I step out into the ice cold snow
Sharp pain pierces through my skull
This headache is now a migraine in full.

Piccolo, Piccolo, high and shrill
Stabs through my cerebral cortex like a drill
I try to switch to my E flat
My brain becomes a baseball, the trumpet is the bat.

Advil, Advil, I need to take
For the outcome of my evening is at stake
Down the hatch with some water
To hopefully perform a headache slaughter.

Pounding, pounding in my head.
"Go away!" I sternly said.
"The advil  you took is not helping!"
My brain started painfully yelping.

Sadly, Sadly on my couch.
I sit while my shoulders slouch.
Nothing seems to be the cure
This will be the death of me, I am sure.

Migraine, Migraine, go away
For my trumpet, I must play.
Tonight's rehearsal is my dress,
So do me a favor, and depress.