I just don't know what to do with myself

Whew. What a long day. I mean, yes, I get the rest of the afternoon, evening, and night to relax (sort of). But wow. Two midterms in one day have completely drained me of all energy. My mind was a numb as I walked out of Savery. I really *didn't* know what to do with myself. I kept stopping on the Quad, and then I walked to the Hub, walked to McMahon 8, didn't buy anything, and came here so I could blog about it. LOL! Man, I'm so exhausted.

I'm a little sad that the jazz midterm is over. I have grown attached to Teddy Wilson's "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," Duke Ellington's "Take the A Train," Chick Webb's "Stompin' at the Savoy," and Frankie Trumbauer's "Singin' the Blues." Even though I was required to listen to these tunes, I'll still miss them.

I've been out of in-class-essay-writing shape. Let's see. I haven't used a blue book (they're really green... the recycled ones are, at least) since Poli Sci and American Ethnic Studies during Winter '03. I hope my essays today were at least halfway decent. I had all these epiphanic moments about the texts last night and earlier this morning, but once I got to the real exam, the name of the game changed because we had to answer specific, difficult questions. Anyway. It's kinda funny. We had to write an extra credit question on Monday, and my instructor used mine on the midterm. Heh! So at the end of class today I asked, "Does that mean I get the extra credit?" Pause. "Did you write the answer down?" Me: "No!" So I grabbed my green book and jotted down the answer and added a smiley face.

Two midterms down, one to go. Thankfully, it's a week from today. I need a break.

Sleepy in Seattle

P.S. Congratulations to my big bro, Jason! :)

It's Too Darn Hot

No, I am not listening to Kiss Me Kate. But it *was* (and is) really hot today. My English class was like a sauna today. I couldn't concentrate on studying for the midterm and wound up with a minor headache. Anyway, it's beginning to cool down now.

ALIAS rocked last night! Vaughn's torture was, indeed, torture to watch. But it was a breath of relief to see Sloane sinister again -- the way he truly is. I thought it would be weird that Sydney has a half-sister, but Nadia's cool with me... for now. :) And I consider that a good thing. We've got everyone in the family except Irina. Hmph. Anyway, back to the Passenger/Syd's sis, the fight scene showed just how the two sisters are alike when they use whatever objects are around to their advantage. Ooh, the Prophecy that Vaughn told Syd reminded me of Harry Potter, except it's much more grim. "Neither shall survive." Yikes. Double yikes.

Hmmm... Harry Potter. I have my Harrius Potter book here, but honestly, I have forgotten practically everything I learned in Latin. How sad is that? Maybe when I have more time, I'll relearn and then finish the Wheelock book (grammar). That's my goal. If I ever read/translate HiusP, that's just icing on the cake.

Listening to: Josh sing "Caruso"

Midterm season has begun. Where did the first four weeks of spring quarter go? All three classes are keeping me busy right now. No need to make a long list. Let's just say I'll be glad when it's Friday evening.

I am extremely excited for the soundtrack of Troy. Yes, yes, I look forward to the movie (we had discussions about it in my Latin classes [well, enthusiasts talked, and I listened]), but who knew Josh would record a song for the movie??? WOOHOO!!! It's called "Remember" by James Horner (is there anything bad that has been written by this guy? He's such a successful composer of haunting melodies [think Titanic, Legends of the Fall, Beautiful Mind, etc.]) and Cynthia Weil (who also wrote "For Always" and other great songs).

What's on my mind: Jennifer Hudson should *NOT* have been kicked off American Idol on Wednesday. This is going to bug me for this rest of the season.

Listening to: Hotel Paper by Michelle Branch
Random thought: Having HP play in random order doesn't work so well. The intro before anything but "Are You Happy Now?" just doesn't make me happy. Now.

Score four! The Friends of Josh Groban (FoJG) pre-sale worked! I'm impressed. We are front and center pretty much! Section 4. Row 12. WOW. And, in case it rains, we're covered. I'm soooo happy right now. LOL! I answered Michelle Branch's question.

The Ritual

Want to know what it's like to register for classes at UW these days? I don't know if anybody/everybody gets as wound up as I do. I set my alarm at least 15 minutes (sometimes, even close to 5 AM) before the 6 AM registration period starts online. (Yeah, there's no more STAR, or whatever the phone registration system was called. I never used it.) Turn on my computer in the dark. Feel the fatigue for the lack of that "extra" sleep. And start hoping. I usually plan out quite a few alternate schedules, but I always hope that the first one works out, of course. Sometimes I really stress out if there's a class I want. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes the schedule doesn't. It was really difficult even with sophomore status to get into some classes. Ever since I became a junior, it became easier. I get so nervous and so excited about new classes when I register. Today I registered for one class during summer quarter. Yay! It all worked out. That class is usually difficult to get into. Time to go back to sleep. :)

Listening to "Non Sara" by Mario Frangoulis

I feel like watching my Freaks & Geeks DVDs now. Why? I'm reading an excerpt from Jack Kerouac's On the Road. I can't get into it. It's part of my reading for my English class, which so far has been pretty interesting. Yeah, I'm thinking of the scene where Lindsay and Kim are in English class, and they're discussing On the Road. Methinks I shall never read the entire book. Two chapters is good enough.

I can't wait to play the songs from Closer on the piano. Hurry, sheetmusicplus.com! Love your budget shipping and lack of sales tax. :) I can play the opening of "Mi Morena" on the guitar. Sadly, that song isn't in the book because it's only on the limited/fan edition CD versions and not the "regular" 13-track CD. That goes for "You're the Only Place" as well. I remember Josh saying something along the lines that the piano for that song was easy to memorize and play. Darn! Maybe if either one is or both are released as a single, then I have a chance to get my hands on the sheet music. Heh heh, could you imagine "My December" solely on the piano? Weird. Gotta have the drums for that song.

Other news on this Monday evening

Josh Groban is returning to Washington on August 28th! To Auburn of all places!!! :) I can't wait. I'm not looking forward to the ticket-buying process, as I have not been able to repress the memories of last November's frustration. :) I smile and I joke a little, but seriously, I don't want to come out of the pre-sale(s) empty-handed. I think I have a slightly better chance this time because the White River Amphitheatre is humongous. And the worst case scenario is that we'd get general admission tickets to sit in the lawn area. So it's not that bad. I'd prefer a seat, of course. You never know if somebody'll sit right in front of you at the last second in a grass setting. Or start standing throughout the entire performance.

What's the price of one rare Lara Fabian song? $18. Oh my gosh, I'm a little crazy. Ever since I heard the ballad version of "I Will Love Again" on a local radio station, I've been trying to get my hands on a CD that has this version. Janice gave me Lara Fabian's CD back in the day (remember when Celine Dion was on her break? They called Lara the next Celine), and it has the upbeat version of the song. Maybe just last year or the year before, I heard the ballad version and started singing along. How on earth did I know the words? Then I recognized I had known this song all along. Love it. Anyway, I placed a marketplace order for it on amazon.com. For many months, nobody was selling. I wasn't going to continue my pre-order anymore, but somebody's selling it. So yay! The CD better be in good condition.

I *must* tell this story about my cousin Gizan. I don't know if I can capture it with justice, but he did one of the most genuinely kind things anyone has ever done for me. And he is only four years old. Well, he'll be FIVE really soon, as he likes to point out. :) When we were picking up Tita Beata on Saturday, he was really energetic and wanted me to see his room. I was reluctant to go at first ('cause we needed to head to Issaquah), but he took me by the hand and led me upstairs. He was proud to show me his clean room. (I'm giving this back story, but bear with me) So I spent a few minutes taking a look around and said that I had to go but I promised I'd be back. We went back downstairs and he showed me his scooter and bicycle. Again, I promised I'd see him later. After the show, we were indeed back to have dinner at their house.

We had bought Krispy Kreme donuts, and Gizan showed me his Krispy Kreme hat he'd gotten on a previous occasion. I told him that I used to have one but didn't have it anymore, and he really listened. "You don't have yours anymore?" I said, "No, but it's okay." He wore his "hatty" at dinner.

After dinner, Dad played a little bit with Gizan. It took us a little while before we left. Gizan didn't want us to go, but he was understanding too. So he ran to his room and came back with his miniature American flag that he had just received. He said I could have it. I was touched. I said, "No, it's yours so you should keep it. Plus, I have one at home." Then he thought for a moment, took it back from me (lol), ran to his room, and came back with *his* Krispy Kreme hatty. And he gave it to me because I didn't have one anymore. Oh my gosh. I was really moved, and I almost cried because Gizan was really sweet. My four-going-on-five-year-old cousin giving up something he liked because someone else didn't have hers. I'll return it to him on his birthday... and am trying to think of a good birthday present for an awesome kid. If anyone has a suggestion... pass it my way. Props and hugs to Gizan. :) Thanks for making my weekend.

"This is my quest: To follow that star no matter how hopeless, no matter how far" Man of La Mancha, "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)"

On Saturday Mom, Dad, Tita Beata, and I saw Man of La Mancha. I give the production 3 and 1/2 stars out of 4. :) A very solid cast delivered a fine performance. We, the audience, loved when Don Quixote sang "The Impossible Dream." People really cheered afterward. But what really got to me was the finale -- the reprise of the "Impossible Dream" sung by the ensemble. I literally got chills. It was one of the best theatrical moments I've ever experienced.

So why not a full four stars? Sorry, I guess I'm picky at times (and while I don't like to, I couldn't help compare the show to the Broadway version [Brian Stokes Mitchell is the quintessential Don Quixote/Cervantes to me]). I did really enjoy the show on Saturday. We had a good DQ/C, and Dulcinea/Aldonza can sing. I mean, SING. Charlie Parker is her name. Watch out, Broadway. :) (Charlie Parker. Charlie Parker. Where had I heard the name Charlie Parker? Today, I was reading my jazz textbook, and they mentioned Charlie Parker. Not this Charlie Parker. Anyway...)

The seats were great, the stage at Issaquah's Village Theatre is intimate, and I love that. The actors don't need microphones at times, especially if they can project. The set was pretty cool, but it's like apples and oranges if I compared the Broadway set to this one. Both are awesome in different ways. Seeing the show again made me see and hear new things I hadn't really picked up before in the dialogue. I can't provide a specific example, but I think when they are in the dungeon/prison, Cervantes says some really philosophical, profound (and maybe a bit cynical) lines. It still went over my head, but I just sensed the tone of bitterness in the actor's delivery. I wonder what the creators of the musical had in mind as their message. What's the context? Not really sure. Anyway, the show's certainly not at all happy, if you think about it; thank goodness for comic relief in Sancho and the hope of Don Quixote though.

When I listen to the 2002-3 revival Broadway recording, I like to skip to my favorites: "I Am I, Don Quixote," "Dulcinea," "TID," and the reprises of all three songs. Charlie Parker delivered on all her songs. I was really eager to hear her sing them, and I usually just skip over those songs when I listen to Man of La Mancha recordings. No offense to any Dulcineas/Aldonzas out there! In a way, it's almost unbearable to hear this character's strife. And to see the men torture her the way they do. It makes Don Quixote's character all that more admirable. It's like, thanks a lot Doctor Whoeveryouare for ruining Don Quixote.

Again, the Village Theatre production has a solid cast. When I heard them sing the finale, I knew they deserved the standing ovation that we gave them. :)

Listening to: Miss Saigon

What a day. I woke up to the radio ('cause I can't stand beeping alarm clocks), and as usual I listened for the Freeloaders password of the day. It turns out that today is the 106th day of the year (it's a Leap Year, so we're early). It's listener appreciation day, so they're giving out bonus codes every hour. I originally joined Freeloaders last summer so I could win the acoustic guitar autographed by Michelle Branch. Earlier this year, they took it off the prize list and auctioned it off for a good cause. I can't complain about that. But still, I'm collecting more points, and hopefully something cool'll come along to buy. Or rather, I redeem the points for a prize. That's why it's called Freeloaders. And Janice has been cool with calling me about the passwords.

In between class and work, I studied history of jazz in the Reading Room. Love that room. It's beautiful, inspiring, and quiet. :)

Today after work, I went to buy a sandwich at Subway. The line was long, so as I was deciding what kind of sandwich to get, I was also thinking I might get a cookie & I'd use the MySubway Card points to buy it. As I approached the Subway artists (hehehe), I saw a sign that said April 15 is free cookie day. Yay! It's a very delicious chocolate chip. Mmmm.

I added a comment feature recently in case anybody wants to leave a message.

Dad said to say that -- and I quote with minor edits -- "the new Dell computer now has cable modem speed downstairs as I have installed a wireless connection to the cable modem upstairs via a router." Hehehe. You better let me use that computer sometime, Dad! :))

"You lift upon the notes and slip away." -Josh Groban, "Mi Morena," Closer

I need a break. Thinking about the future wears me out. I keep telling myself to take it one day at a time, and I'm doing that, but still, from time to time I stress about the future. Anyway, I'm just listening to "Mi Morena" to relax and unwind.

I just finished my housing application. There's a new system in place this year, but I already know who I want to room with... I don't want to search for a stranger. Unfortunately, housing told me flat out that we couldn't room together due to our different priority levels. It's so frustrating, but we're not giving up.

Oh man, I'm still full from last night's birthday buffet dinner at Todai's. That place is great, but I should have stopped at the peach crepe. LOL! No, seriously, I ate so much that this morning I didn't really feel like eating anything. But I said to myself, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." So I took out the Asian pear Mom gave me and cut it open. Though it was stored in the refrigerator, it had a nasty gray color, so I had to throw it away. Ate my last banana instead. It was kind of overripe. Not having luck with the fruits lately! Mmm... oh wait. At Todai's, they had cute oranges. Really, they made a bowl out of half of the rind, and placed orange wedges back in. C'mon now. It doesn't get much better than that. :) I tried the eel sushi yesterday for the very first time. It wasn't that bad. Not that I had low expectations or anything. I won't eat the raw-fish sushi. But the eel was all right with me. Why am I talking about food so much? Just the thought of it makes me full.

American Idol's on tonight. It usually airs on Tuesday nights. "Gilmore Girls," one of its timeslot competitors, was finally new; I missed the first ten minutes, but it was a good episode overall. That one guy that Rory was eyeing looked too much like Jess for my comfort level.

Well, as the saying goes, "There's no time like the present." Gotta get a move on my reading.

[Are you catching my time references? Just want to make sure. The title of my blog -- though subject to change -- has multiple meanings. Okay, at least two meanings: 1) Finally, you started a blog. 2) Past, present, and future: what I did, what I'm doing, what I will do. 'nuff said {'cause 'nough said just looks funny} :) -notsosubtle Allison]

It's official! Janice and I are going to San Diego and L.A. in June! We get to visit my cousins/relatives, and I get to visit Brittany at USC. Finally, this year I get to see Miss Saigon. It'll be my first time seeing it in L.A. The ninth total. I haven't seen it in a lonnng time. I actually haven't seen a musical since November. That will change soon because we're going to see Man of La Mancha on Saturday, April 17th, at the Village Theatre in Issaquah.

Happy birthday, Mom!

Body and Soul

Right now, I'm listening to the Benny Goodman Trio recording of "Body and Soul." I'm playing catch up for my history of jazz class. This quarter is keeping me busy. And I seem to have spring fever 'cause I can't wait to go to San Diego and L.A. in June! Woohoo! It's something to look forward to when school ends.

Had a happy Easter. :) My family and I went to church at 7:30 AM yesterday. That's a little too early for me, but it was all good. I loved that the homily was about music. "Music speaks to the soul and to the heart." I couldn't say that any better. It made me think of the lyrics I've been working on and the music I've been creating. Slowly but surely. I'm getting there.