Back from Christmas!

We had a great trip to Colorado Springs to visit Kate's parents and a great visit in Albuquerque to visit my parents. This was the first time in almost two years that our entire family was together. We had a great time and laughed all four days we were there.

Now, back to the grindstone....

Domain Disaster!

I woke up this morning to a domain disaster! Somehow I had managed to let my domain name renewal slip, so someone picked it up! Who else would be looking for jonathansayreallen.com? Strange. They were trying to sell it back to me for too much money, so I was forced to change my url. I don't know why they picked it up, I think only my mom checks my website anyways!
So, I am now with a new host and my url is now: http://www.jsayreallen.com with an domain email of jonathan@jsayreallen.com.

Tomorrow: Off to Colorado Springs to start the Christmas festivities!

School's out for the winter!

This week has been remarkably slow. I only had one final, but it was not accumalative. Besides that, I am taking a week off the horn, so I watched all eleven episodes of Heroes and did some shopping, but that's about it! Kate and I leave for our giant holiday triangle (Salt Lake City to Colorado Springs to Albuquerque to Salt Lake) on Monday. We're excited to see our families and be able to spend time with them.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Recital 1 - Done!

Last night was my first masters recital. It was quite a taxing program for me. I played the Wagenseil, Hidas, Grondahl, Casterede and a jazz duet by Michael Davis. Larry Gee was on piano and Larry Zalkind played bass trombone on the Michael Davis.
There was a decent turn out. I am grateful that Kate, my parents, my brother nicholas, my students, and many friends were there. Thank you all for your support!

End of Semester NOT Woes!

Everything is done! Except for my recital on Thursday and one final next Wednesday. Piece of cake!

End of semester woes

Woe is me!

Stress is almost entirely self-inflicted, it seems. Why schedule an end of semester recital? To have MORE time to prepare, not less. But with the amount of work I put off to the last full week of classes, my recital preparation time has plummeted! I suppose that, in some way, it's a good thing since I was getting bored with most of the music. I am excited for something different to work on.

It's about 1 am and I have just finished my annoted bibliography on Gesualdo for my Bibliography course. Now, on to the review of literature! Wahoo!

Also, I have homemade pumkin chocolate chip cookies to keep me company!! Wahoo x 2!

Grad School Apps

Well, round two of grad school apps has hit me. This time, it's something fierce! It seems like application fees skyrocketed in the past three years. At least this will be the last time I have to do this!! Ever! That's a somewhat comforting thought; although the idea of not being in school is somewhat terrifying. I have, for the most part, been in school (minus two years as a full time missionary) full time since I was four. I am now 26, so take out the mission and one year for post undergrad burn out, and thats 19 years, with this year being my 7th year of college. Only three more to go!
I wonder if colleges can do anything to simplify the application processes though. It's nice that all the forms are online now. I would think that the process is less error prone this way, but it just takes so long! I know that the schools have to weed people out some way, but man... those apps are long.

I don't think that I have posted this yet. My short list is:
Yale
Indiana
Iowa
Michigan

wish me luck!

New phone

So my treo is dead.....
I have really come to rely on my phone as a calendar as well as a phone, so I felt that I needed to get something that would be comparable. I didn't want to fork out the money for another Treo, so I got the Nokia e62. It was less than half the price of the Treo and has everything the treo does minus a touch screen. It's a little wider, but thinner. So far, I like it. Navigating with the joystick instead of touch screen isn't that bad. I have 30 days to decide, so we'll see what happens.

favicon.ico!

I finally figured out how to make the little icon to the left of the url in the url bar! I have been looking for a while, but I finally found it. And even better, it's a piece of cake!! all you have to do is take an image or create an image and save it as favicon.ico and put it in your main directory. And, bingo! check out my icon in the url bar here.

Another one bites the dust!

Yesterday my Treo 600 decided to stop working. This is especially terrible since I bought the 600 as a refurb, so it is not covered by Cingular. I have tried to get it serviced, but it seems there is nothing they can do. I bought a $20 Motorola C139 and it is a piece! What do expect for $20 though? I really love the treo, but I don't want to throw down the money for another one. There is another place here in Salt Lake that services phones, so I am going to see what they can do. If not, this place also sells refurbs, so maybe I can find something on the cheap or do a trade in. I am definitely returning the C139.

They just didn't get it

Tonight Kate and I went to see the new Will Ferrell movie "Stranger than Fiction". We are both huge Will Ferrell movies, but this wasn't typical Ferrell. The closest comparison I can come up with is Jim Carrey in "The Truman Show". It's a drama with funny moments, but it's not a comedy. The theatre was pretty full and there were hundreds of people laughing throughout the movie. The thing is, they weren't laughing at the funny parts. I will not say anything to ruin the movie for those who wish to see it, but a majority of the laughing occurred during the most dramatic moments. All I can say is that those people are still waiting for the punch line. The came to a Will Ferrell movie to laugh, so gosh darn it, they are going to laugh no matter what it takes. Even if it means missing the point of the movie.
It was a great movie. Kate and I discussed it and we would like to own it. Not because we laughed ourselves silly, but because we thought it was a well written movie with a good message. I recommend it, but please, don't go to in order to see a comedy.

Wal-Mart drops "Happy Holidays" for "Merry Christmas"!

Finally, someone is standing up to political correctness. That arcaic beast that is destroying Christmas and allowing everyone in the world but white adult males to be an exception, thereby allowing them to not take responsibilities for their actions or self determined situation.
Here's the link on cnn.com

Awesome

I know that the Democrats just won the house and all, but funny is funny.
Enjoy.

Dear Mike:

Tell your friends that your phone number has changed! I have had this number with Cingular for almost 2 years and still at least once a week I get a call for Mike.Figure it out already!

Today the world is a better place

Fund Raising Gala

One thing they do well at the University of Utah school of music is raise money. This program has so much money and so many scholarships, but I have one gripe about the way they go about it.
There is an annual Gala concert to raise funds for scholarships. This is a normal event for schools of music. However, instead of displaying the talents of the school, the University of Utah sells out. Apparently, someone gives alot of money to the school to hear Mack Wilberg's arrangement of "Come Thou Fount" every year. It's a great arrangement and a great hymn, but it's place is not neccesarily in the concert hall. They can go down the street and hear it almost once a month but the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 
And show tunes.... This year some wealthy benefactor offered a large sum of money for us to perform "I enjoy being a girl" from some Broadway musical.
I understand the need to raise money (I benefit from the scholarship fund!), but I feel there is a greater need to show those who donate what we can really do with what they have so generously given. Next semester the orchestra is performing Mahler 2. That is something to show off. Last year we did Dvorak 9. Again, something that could show off what the school can do. 
But money trumps all.
Well.....it pays the bills.

Stairs

I hate stairs. Yesterday fell up the stairs with my trombone. Today I discovered a nice little crease in the bell section. Suck.
Today, I fell down two different stairs in about two minutes. Double suck.

Yes, that is not an entire key.....

Today was interesting...

Kate had her first 5 a.m. shift. She first got up at 4. She was gracious enough to let me sleep until about 4:40 when I had to take her to work. After getting back I was unable to get back to sleep. I think this is the longest I have been awake since traveling to Europe a few years ago. Sad, I know, but it's true.

After Kate got off work we went to Brigham Young Memorial site to take some pictures with me and my trombone (the park is just across the street). When we came back in this happened:


Not awesome. Luckily, the maintenance man was able to get it out without a hitch. It's too bad the maintenance man doesn't also teach karate, because that would be a beautiful 80's throwback that I would most definitely have to take part in! And then I would definitely have to dress up as the shower curtain for Halloween tomorrow night. As it stands, there will be no dressing up tomorrow since I am in class in the evening. Sad. That's ok, I had my share of dressing up last weekend (see post below about Halloween concerts).

Cheers.

Shostakovich 11

Last night Kate and I went to the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall to listen to Shostakovich 11. It was phenomenal! This orchestra is one of the more underrated in the United States, in my opinion. The brass and winds are top notch. I was extremely pleased with the performance and now I am looking for a good recording!

New iPod today....

While listening to the second movement of the Wagenseil Alto Trombone Concerto in the car yesterday, my iPod starting clicking quite loudly. Since I was on the way to pick up Kate at work, I stopped in at the Apple Store just a few doors down. They would not see me, which I understand: retail stores are always busy on Friday nights. The thing that I found to be most strange was that I was not able to set an appointment for Saturday. You have to do it by the day. Very strange.
That was ok, I had the Halloween Concert Friday night anyways. Late Friday night/early Saturday morning I set an appointment for Saturday when Kate was working, so I only had to make one trip. 
I simply let the genius know that the hard drive was toast. He looked at me like I was an idiot and says "that doesn't happen". So, I handed the "genius" the iPod and let him play with it. After about two seconds, his eyes popped open and he says "yeah, that doesn't sound good". I simply said the exact same thing I had before with identical inflection "The hard drive is toast".
He fills out some paperworks and then goes to the back to get a replacement. The one he brings out looks a little thicker than mine, so I say "I think that is the 5th generation, not the 5.5 like mine". He says "no, this is the right one." Ok. As he types the serial numbers into his computer, an error message comes up that he isn't familiar with, so he had to get someone else to help. The 'help' states that the error means that he got the wrong iPod from the back. 
Jonathan 2: "Genius" 0
He went back and got me another iPod and all is well.
This bizarre customer service situation was nothing more than comical. I am amazed that such basic skill as listening to the customer completely failed this individual. 
Genius? Not today.

Halloween Concert 2

Tonight was the second of the Halloween Concerts. It went quite well. Here is a picture of a few of us in our costumes. 

From left to right: James Boyer (yes, that gladiator costume is made entirely from Coors cans, oh frats....), me on my trusty steed, Matt Laube as...... Matt, Lindsey Woods as a flapper, and Mandy Glettler as Cruella de Ville. Cut off on the right is David Balandrin as a communist. Great costumes, great concert.

The stars have finally aligned!

It has taken way too long, but my first masters' recital at the University of Utah is finally scheduled!
I will be performing works by Wagenseil, Hidas, Casterede, Grondahl, and Michael Davis.
The recital will take place in Dumke Hall, located in Libby Gardner Hall. (Northwest corner of President's Circle on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Utah.) at 5:30 pm Thursday, December 7, 2006.
Everyone is welcome!

Halloween Concerts

Last night and tonight the University of Utah Symphony Orchestra performs thier annual Halloween Concert. This year's concert features works by John Williams, Alan Menken, Gluck, Mozart, and Berlioz. Tickets are $7 for non-students and $5 for students. Tonight's concert is nearly sold out, so get there early! Pictures to follow!

October 25, 2006

Today was kind of a down day. When Kate and I woke up this morning she was feeling really sick. She has had some health problems in the past, so we didn't want to risk it. We went the IHC InstaCare here in Salt Lake. Several hours later we find out that she was ok. huh. Unfortunately I had to miss Orchestra and Wind Ensemble today. I especially bad since we have a concert tomorrow night. There is still one more rehearsal tomorrow, but still.

October 22, 2006

I stayed up way too late working on this site yesterday. I started around nine and worked straight to almost one. I got much of the content that want as of now. I still need to work out some kinks in the photos page. Right now it is very blog-y. I would much rather have it be thumbnails opening to larger images. It's not a problem, I just haven't taken the time to do it yet.

October 21, 2006

Today is my 26th birthday! I can't believe another year has gone by. I am up way too late too! Couldn't sleep.
 I have had a good birthday though. Kate had to work way to early at her new job for Old Navy. Even though the shifts start really early, I think she is going to like it. After I dropped Kate off, I came back to the apartment and finished reading "Speaker for the Dead" by Orson Scott Card. The whole series is so well written. It remains one of my favorites. After that, I got cleaned up, went to CompUSA to spend my birthday money from my parents! And I decided on the Shure e2 headphones. They have pretty good reviews and people seem to like them, so I thought that I would give them a try. They come with several adapters for different size ear canals for the best fit. I think that I have really small canals. We'll see. So far, the sound is great, but the comfort level is less than perfect. I need a few days for a true test.
After that, I got a haircut and then headed home to re-clean up post hair cut. After that whole shindig, I treated myself to a game of Super Mario World (I love emulators! So many great, classic games at your disposal without having to search for the old consoles, controllers and games!). That was fun. Once kate got off work, she let me open my presents! Yeah! (still a kid, I know!) Got some goodies! Then she took me to Texas Roadhouse for steak. Yum!! She sure treated me well today!
Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!

Today is my 26th birthday! I can't believe another year has gone by. I am up way too late too! Couldn't sleep.
 I have had a good birthday though. Kate had to work way to early at her new job for Old Navy. Even though the shifts start really early, I think she is going to like it. After I dropped Kate off, I came back to the apartment and finished reading Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. The whole series is so well written. It remains one of my favorites. After that, I got cleaned up, went to CompUSA to spend my birthday money from my parents! And I decided on the Shure e2 headphones. They have pretty good reviews and people seem to like them, so I thought that I would give them a try. They come with several adapters for different size ear canals for the best fit. I think that I have really small canals. We'll see. So far, the sound is great, but the comfort level is less than perfect. I need a few days for a true test.


After that, I got a haircut and then headed home to re-clean up post hair cut. After that whole shindig, I treated myself to a game of Super Mario World (I love emulators! So many great, classic games at your disposal without having to search for the old consoles, controllers and games!). That was fun. Once kate got off work, she let me open my presents! Yeah! (still a kid, I know!) Got some goodies! Then she took me to Texas Roadhouse for steak. Yum!! She sure treated me well today!
Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!

The joys of emulation

The joys of emulation! Recently, I have discovered a great emulator for Mac OS X for the original NES. There are a bunch of emulators, SNES, TurboGrafx 16. Man, they are so sweet! The trick is finding ROMS that work. I have found a site that I will not publish here that has tons of sweet, free ROMS. Our favorite right now is the original Super Mario World. Add a USB game pad for $10 and we are good to go! Awesome! 
But then I realize I am just as bad at Mario as I was when I was 8. Sad, but true.