So I've been thinking a lot lately about how I've changed since key points such as the end of high school, the end of 1st year undergrad, and even how I've changed in the last 3 months of being at grad school. My questions is this:
Do you feel like you've learned anything?
And I don't mean learned in just the sense of what you've been taught, though that could be part of the answer. But rather what you've learned about yourself and what you've learned about people in general.
Clearly most of us are smarter and more knowledgeable. But intelligence and wisdom are two different things.
"The fool doth think he is wise. The wise man knows himself to be a fool."
Thanks Will. You're pretty on top of things for a 500 year old dead guy.
November 29, 2005
November 26, 2005
Letter Explanation (for Stu and anyone else wondering)
Why London Transit Sucked:
Wednesday 5pm. Snow Storm, Very Cold. Freezing Wind, Frostbite Fun.
Waiting for #10 Wonderland Bus. Supposed to be there at 5:02pm. Bus does not arrive till 5:35.
Normal Bus Ride Home: 10 minutes.
Bus Ride Home that day: 40 minutes
That Day: Time arriving home 6:15.... 1 hour and 15 minutes to get from campus to my house. Approximate distance 4km. Walking time: 30 minutes.... this is why London Transit Sucks
Other News:
As if I wasn't good at procrastinating and wasting time on my own, my professor is now lending a helping hand. Today's 1 hour meeting became a 2 hour meeting followed by being asked to get lunch at the grad club. Always a good idea to join a prof for lunch... hence 3 1/2 hours gone...
Saw Rent at the theatre. Fantastic to say the least. Almost as good as the stage version. Something about that show rings a bell with me. (As much as bohemian life style is appealing...I really hope I don't end up being a struggling artist wondering how I'm going to pay the rent and burning stuff when the power gets turned off for warmth).
Sloan on Sunday. Hopefully... they're playing at the Drink and providing I get enough work done, I will go see them. And enjoy them as they make mistakes and continue to be the ambassadors of Canadian Nerd Rock.
Wednesday 5pm. Snow Storm, Very Cold. Freezing Wind, Frostbite Fun.
Waiting for #10 Wonderland Bus. Supposed to be there at 5:02pm. Bus does not arrive till 5:35.
Normal Bus Ride Home: 10 minutes.
Bus Ride Home that day: 40 minutes
That Day: Time arriving home 6:15.... 1 hour and 15 minutes to get from campus to my house. Approximate distance 4km. Walking time: 30 minutes.... this is why London Transit Sucks
Other News:
As if I wasn't good at procrastinating and wasting time on my own, my professor is now lending a helping hand. Today's 1 hour meeting became a 2 hour meeting followed by being asked to get lunch at the grad club. Always a good idea to join a prof for lunch... hence 3 1/2 hours gone...
Saw Rent at the theatre. Fantastic to say the least. Almost as good as the stage version. Something about that show rings a bell with me. (As much as bohemian life style is appealing...I really hope I don't end up being a struggling artist wondering how I'm going to pay the rent and burning stuff when the power gets turned off for warmth).
Sloan on Sunday. Hopefully... they're playing at the Drink and providing I get enough work done, I will go see them. And enjoy them as they make mistakes and continue to be the ambassadors of Canadian Nerd Rock.
November 24, 2005
November 20, 2005
Weekend = Good
I grabbed the 3:45pm train out of London on Thursday and had one of the best but busiest weekends I've had in a long time. A short recap follows:
Thursday: First snowfall of the year, made the train ride kinda nice. Did some counterpoint as the train whipped through the snow covered wilderness. Got home around 8pm for a delicious filling home cooked roast beef dinner, followed by more counterpoint till 4am.
Friday: Went into Oshawa for lunch, despite the horrible weather. Was going to drive into Toronto but decided to take the train in order to avoid the destruction derby the 400 series highway had become. Met Denis at his apartment and went for Indian food. 2 jugs of Sangria and a round of tequila shots followed with Laura at the Green Room (the art student hang out in Toronto). Watched classic episodes of ST:TNG and fell asleep around 4am.
Saturday: Got up early and headed back to Oshawa on the Go Train. Met up with Aunt and Uncle and gave them my housekeys. Took the car from Oshawa to meet my parents at my cousins place in Whitby. Saw my cousin's new baby, Megan, and found out that I'm going to be known as "Uncle Matt". Left and headed back to my house in Port Hope. Aunt and Uncle had done a great job and the surprise party for my folks was in full swing. Lots of goodies, food and wine available. Parents arrived to their family and friends for the Surprise 50th B-Day Party. Needless to say they were surprised. Good times were had. The party wrapped up around 9pm and I headed into Bowmanville to meet Ian, Joe and Laura for cards and food at the Village Inn (sort of in honour of Ian's Birthday). Everybody seemed to be in good spirits and it was nice to be temporarily transported back to the way it was in the year 2000.
Sunday: Headed back to London, parents bought groceries and I've been doing homework since. Took a short break to enjoy the Fox Sunday lineup but missed Family Guy due to a phone call. However, Azereus will solve that problem tomorrow.
Thursday: First snowfall of the year, made the train ride kinda nice. Did some counterpoint as the train whipped through the snow covered wilderness. Got home around 8pm for a delicious filling home cooked roast beef dinner, followed by more counterpoint till 4am.
Friday: Went into Oshawa for lunch, despite the horrible weather. Was going to drive into Toronto but decided to take the train in order to avoid the destruction derby the 400 series highway had become. Met Denis at his apartment and went for Indian food. 2 jugs of Sangria and a round of tequila shots followed with Laura at the Green Room (the art student hang out in Toronto). Watched classic episodes of ST:TNG and fell asleep around 4am.
Saturday: Got up early and headed back to Oshawa on the Go Train. Met up with Aunt and Uncle and gave them my housekeys. Took the car from Oshawa to meet my parents at my cousins place in Whitby. Saw my cousin's new baby, Megan, and found out that I'm going to be known as "Uncle Matt". Left and headed back to my house in Port Hope. Aunt and Uncle had done a great job and the surprise party for my folks was in full swing. Lots of goodies, food and wine available. Parents arrived to their family and friends for the Surprise 50th B-Day Party. Needless to say they were surprised. Good times were had. The party wrapped up around 9pm and I headed into Bowmanville to meet Ian, Joe and Laura for cards and food at the Village Inn (sort of in honour of Ian's Birthday). Everybody seemed to be in good spirits and it was nice to be temporarily transported back to the way it was in the year 2000.
Sunday: Headed back to London, parents bought groceries and I've been doing homework since. Took a short break to enjoy the Fox Sunday lineup but missed Family Guy due to a phone call. However, Azereus will solve that problem tomorrow.
November 15, 2005
Healthier
So I just ate a big plate of chicken nuggets and french fries. I wasn't intending on eating this kind of food tonight. I was under the assumption that when I got home I'd chop up some veggies and have a delicious stir fry for dinner tonight. But I was at school from 10:30-10:00... And I just didn't feel like cooking or putting effort into anything.
You see, when I started grad school I decided to be healthier. I started taking vitamins everyday, flossing and rinsing with listerine everyday. I made a decided effort to eat healthier, more vegetables and more fruit, less unhealthy foods. I decided I would be active, get a gym membership and bike to school until it got cold.
I was doing very well back in September. I was on that bike all the time, back and forth to campus, and around town. I was walking when I wasn't riding. It was good. Then I got sick in October, and decided while I was sick to suspend my riding. When I became healthy again about 2 weeks later I just didn't feel like bike riding anymore. And it had gotten colder so I began to use the bus. I still tried to walk everyday and have been moderately successful at that.
In terms of the vitamins, and tooth care, I've been perfect about that, and haven't missed a day. A pat on the back for me.
I've also been very successful in the eating healthier department. I've had veggies in my diet everyday. At the bare minimum I'm eating more greens and drinking a glass of V8 juice everyday. I've also increased the amount of fruit. I'm eating a piece of fruit everyday at least. Bringing fruit salad in my lunch has become common place.
School has gotten busier and I've been putting in long hours in the buildings and I've been good. Today my lunch consisted of a peanut butter and banana sandwich, fruit salad and a V8. However I seem to have this tendency after being so healthy during the day with my eating, that when I come home and eat I have the nuggets and fries, or something equally unhealthy. This wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that I'm eating that kind of unhealthy food at 10:30pm at night. If it was midday at least I could burn off a great percentage of it.
As for the gym membership I haven't gotten one because of time constraints due to school and lack of money... Also due to school. But next term I have one less class and 4 day weekends and as well I got a boost in my funding. So in lieu of the more free time and mroe cash next term I have decided the following in advance....
45 Days before New Years Resolutions:
1) Buy a gym membership and go 5 times a week, no exceptions. It's open 24 hours a day so nothing should stop me.
2) Start eating more at regular times. No food after 10pm.
3) Keep doing the stuff I did well above. (to think I actually like the taste of V8 now)
You see, when I started grad school I decided to be healthier. I started taking vitamins everyday, flossing and rinsing with listerine everyday. I made a decided effort to eat healthier, more vegetables and more fruit, less unhealthy foods. I decided I would be active, get a gym membership and bike to school until it got cold.
I was doing very well back in September. I was on that bike all the time, back and forth to campus, and around town. I was walking when I wasn't riding. It was good. Then I got sick in October, and decided while I was sick to suspend my riding. When I became healthy again about 2 weeks later I just didn't feel like bike riding anymore. And it had gotten colder so I began to use the bus. I still tried to walk everyday and have been moderately successful at that.
In terms of the vitamins, and tooth care, I've been perfect about that, and haven't missed a day. A pat on the back for me.
I've also been very successful in the eating healthier department. I've had veggies in my diet everyday. At the bare minimum I'm eating more greens and drinking a glass of V8 juice everyday. I've also increased the amount of fruit. I'm eating a piece of fruit everyday at least. Bringing fruit salad in my lunch has become common place.
School has gotten busier and I've been putting in long hours in the buildings and I've been good. Today my lunch consisted of a peanut butter and banana sandwich, fruit salad and a V8. However I seem to have this tendency after being so healthy during the day with my eating, that when I come home and eat I have the nuggets and fries, or something equally unhealthy. This wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that I'm eating that kind of unhealthy food at 10:30pm at night. If it was midday at least I could burn off a great percentage of it.
As for the gym membership I haven't gotten one because of time constraints due to school and lack of money... Also due to school. But next term I have one less class and 4 day weekends and as well I got a boost in my funding. So in lieu of the more free time and mroe cash next term I have decided the following in advance....
45 Days before New Years Resolutions:
1) Buy a gym membership and go 5 times a week, no exceptions. It's open 24 hours a day so nothing should stop me.
2) Start eating more at regular times. No food after 10pm.
3) Keep doing the stuff I did well above. (to think I actually like the taste of V8 now)
November 10, 2005
A professional
So apparently I'm a professional in my field now.
Did you know this? I didn't. But apparently I'm a professional.
How delightfully absurd.
I discovered this fact in an interesting discussion I had with Kevin, the other grad student, and professor Omar Daniels. We discussed in details the "creative process" and how different people work to create music. We discussed the "moment" when you realize that you're no longer just indulging a hobby but actually developing a skill. And we discussed what defines a graduate student in comparison to the Undegrad. Apparently the key difference (besides age, skill and experience) is in the mindset. An undergrad composer, no matter how dedicated, may never do composition as a career, as it may just be a hobby. He/She may never ever compose again in what follows after their degree is complete. The graduate student, in coming back, has decided to embrace composition as a career. Suddenly, at Grad school, you are a professional working in your field. It's now a job, a career, not just school.
I never gave that idea much thought till today but it's true. This is like a job, and school combined (which may explain why it's so insanely busy all the time). But it's true, Grad school is a lot like a job, but without the benefit of being paid. But, at least in my case, my classes are essentially taught as an advice based assessment on what I may be called on to do in a future commission or job.
How very interesting to realize that I'm finally learning real world skills I can apply to getting work after this. Whether it be in teaching via the PhD route or freelancing, it's nice to know now I'm actually learning in a "hands on" approach.
2 Other Unrelated Tidbits:
1) For those of you who watch Lost... How cool was tonight's episode? Who do you think is dead?
2) Why are girls so confusing?
Did you know this? I didn't. But apparently I'm a professional.
How delightfully absurd.
I discovered this fact in an interesting discussion I had with Kevin, the other grad student, and professor Omar Daniels. We discussed in details the "creative process" and how different people work to create music. We discussed the "moment" when you realize that you're no longer just indulging a hobby but actually developing a skill. And we discussed what defines a graduate student in comparison to the Undegrad. Apparently the key difference (besides age, skill and experience) is in the mindset. An undergrad composer, no matter how dedicated, may never do composition as a career, as it may just be a hobby. He/She may never ever compose again in what follows after their degree is complete. The graduate student, in coming back, has decided to embrace composition as a career. Suddenly, at Grad school, you are a professional working in your field. It's now a job, a career, not just school.
I never gave that idea much thought till today but it's true. This is like a job, and school combined (which may explain why it's so insanely busy all the time). But it's true, Grad school is a lot like a job, but without the benefit of being paid. But, at least in my case, my classes are essentially taught as an advice based assessment on what I may be called on to do in a future commission or job.
How very interesting to realize that I'm finally learning real world skills I can apply to getting work after this. Whether it be in teaching via the PhD route or freelancing, it's nice to know now I'm actually learning in a "hands on" approach.
2 Other Unrelated Tidbits:
1) For those of you who watch Lost... How cool was tonight's episode? Who do you think is dead?
2) Why are girls so confusing?
November 07, 2005
Sunset and Soon Forget
So...
It's been over a week since I blogged something... I guess I've found way to fill my time.
I have been incredibly busy as of late, mostly with work but with social stuff too. Which is good. Since my last blog entry I have been really productive in my classes and work ethic. I have logged a lot of hours in the studio working on a cool piece for two oboes and live audio processing effects, committed 300 bars of piano music by Beckwith into an arrangement for Orchestra, got good at minventions, wrote an invention, collected works for the syllabus for MUSC350 next term, and finally got something good done for my composition for piano, french horn, and violin.
I have decided to create even more work for myself by applying to music direct Sweeny Todd next term for Theatre Western. If I get this I'll be applying a large amount of stress opera style and combining it with my insane work load meaning the social stuff I've done as of late will fly by the wayside. But even my professors say I should do it. Despite the exhaustion it may cause.
I saw Elizabethtown yesterday. What a great movie. Makes you feel good about life. Also confirmed the fact that I need to go on a roadtrip at some point in my life. Going on a roadtrip is now a priority to be added to the list of things to do when grad school is dead in 2007.
Started playing through Final Fantasy III (aka VI). What a freaking amazing game and soundtrack. Forgot how much fun video games are. Must remember to rent Soul Calibur 3 and to acquire a copy of Civilization 3 for my Mac.
Mac's are amazing. One day I will write a post on how amazing my Apple computer is and why everybody should switch. Mac's are almost a quasi-religious experience.
Made firm plans to go to New York City for a few days in December to explore the Big Apple. Have never been but am making a list of things to do and see... And trying to figure out how cheap I can make it to New York City for. Got to see MOMA, Guggenheim, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Broadway show (hopefully Spamalot, Rent or Avenue Q), and etc.
This post was all over the place topic wise. But so am I. The insanity of work is making me lose my mind... I'm operating on many levels as my brain blows fuses and I count the days till classes die for this term.... Only 30 days.... "Pray for mojo"
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
It's been over a week since I blogged something... I guess I've found way to fill my time.
I have been incredibly busy as of late, mostly with work but with social stuff too. Which is good. Since my last blog entry I have been really productive in my classes and work ethic. I have logged a lot of hours in the studio working on a cool piece for two oboes and live audio processing effects, committed 300 bars of piano music by Beckwith into an arrangement for Orchestra, got good at minventions, wrote an invention, collected works for the syllabus for MUSC350 next term, and finally got something good done for my composition for piano, french horn, and violin.
I have decided to create even more work for myself by applying to music direct Sweeny Todd next term for Theatre Western. If I get this I'll be applying a large amount of stress opera style and combining it with my insane work load meaning the social stuff I've done as of late will fly by the wayside. But even my professors say I should do it. Despite the exhaustion it may cause.
I saw Elizabethtown yesterday. What a great movie. Makes you feel good about life. Also confirmed the fact that I need to go on a roadtrip at some point in my life. Going on a roadtrip is now a priority to be added to the list of things to do when grad school is dead in 2007.
Started playing through Final Fantasy III (aka VI). What a freaking amazing game and soundtrack. Forgot how much fun video games are. Must remember to rent Soul Calibur 3 and to acquire a copy of Civilization 3 for my Mac.
Mac's are amazing. One day I will write a post on how amazing my Apple computer is and why everybody should switch. Mac's are almost a quasi-religious experience.
Made firm plans to go to New York City for a few days in December to explore the Big Apple. Have never been but am making a list of things to do and see... And trying to figure out how cheap I can make it to New York City for. Got to see MOMA, Guggenheim, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Broadway show (hopefully Spamalot, Rent or Avenue Q), and etc.
This post was all over the place topic wise. But so am I. The insanity of work is making me lose my mind... I'm operating on many levels as my brain blows fuses and I count the days till classes die for this term.... Only 30 days.... "Pray for mojo"
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
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