"Life is no cabaret...just sing something!"
An arbitrary LiveJournal comment left me waxing poetic, and the article on Midsummer that I just wrote for the Citizen (entitled "Shakespeare Meets Ellington: Midsummer And All That Jazz) left me in a rather writing-y (for lack of a better word) mood.
I won't go into heavy detail with all the school stuff since I last posted, but I will say that I'm feeling a lot better now than I was (probably because it's vacation), with the exception of the impending death that is May (AP tests and EDITING LIKE WHOA).
Last week was drama-tastic. I'm really starting to get sick of it. I don't want to say much here except that people are stupid and petty and self-centered. It'll all work out in the end I'm sure, but until then, it seems like everyone is determined to create as much of a stir as possible.
I had an awesome Passover dinner though, and last Friday was just...summer. It was like Stagedoor and Mendon all in one--with the ambiguous clarity and painful bliss of potential and confusion all mixed together.
Hmm...speaking of potential, electric potential (a.k.a. voltage...hey Kayleigh, did you know? this chapter is really about something else!) is the one concept of physics that I still don't get. Luckily I have time, but AP review = gross. Oh Kayleigh, when are we getting Varsity Physics shirts? Speaking of Physics too, I have your Holt book, which I need to get you. And I need to talk to you about Prom, because I think I want in on your limo.
Oh, and speaking of Stagedoor, one of my roommates from 2 years ago (year of the best room ever) is going the same sessions as me, so I could have a really awesome room this year. Heck, anything beats last year's misplaced jock, sexually confused asshole, and 2-AM shirtless Raman Noodle maker. The good thing is that I actually have a few friends who are going back this time, so I should be okay.
Today I did very little actual work, but it was my first day back home, so I'm justified. I slept in, and then spent my morning getting organized and figuring out what I have to do this week. Then Sara and I went to Harvard Square and I bought the first two seasons of Coupling (which is the funniest show EVER) and the new Dresden Dolls CD. I can't go to the concert tomorrow, which is sad, but I just have too much other stuff to do, and they'll be in town again. After all, they're from here. Anyway, Sara and I got Felipe's, Ben & Jerry's, and then left.
We picked up Alycia on the way home and hung out, watching Coupling and Veronica Mars. OH! And we picked a name for our movie. "Progress Report" is now entitled "Laughing on the Inside," produced by Mr. Preston (a.k.a. flake-muffin who has our tapes and didn't realize that we needed them for editing) in collaboration with Touch-My-Monkey Productions.
Now, for the real reason of my post: CALIFORNIA TRIP!!!!
I'll try not to bore you all with trivial details, and stick to the highlights. Let's see...Sunday we got in and that night was Easter dinner with the cousins, including 2-year-old Nathaniel who is SO CUTE (pictures to follow). He spent the first few days referring to me as "this man" (I had never met him before), but learned my name eventually, as we pretty much spent the whole time I wasn't visiting colleges together. He spent pretty much the entirety of Monday night pointing to a yellow part of the wall and going "yellowfalldown" and then falling down and laughing. It was really adorable. Miriam called and I let him talk to her. It was his second birthday and he kept insiting that he was turning five.
Monday I drove out to see Pomona College, which is actually a really good liberal arts school. The kids seemed kind of spoiled though (the campus was GORGEOUS and the lounges in the dorms had giant TVs, pool tables, and brand new grand pianos), and the theatre department is crap. They have really good communications though. I sat in on the class "Into to Media" and it was kind of amazing. We watched a clip from the Simpsons, discussed the topic of "the fan" and considered fanart, fanfiction, slash, PWP, and just fandom in general, with which the professor (this really awesome woman who was no more than thirty) was very familiar. It was awesome--we had a whole talk about Joss Whedon and the philosophy of Serenity, and I felt all proud because she asked who the character was that the Ken doll had been made into in the picture she was showing and I raised my hand and answered because it was Lorne. I just found it hilarious that there was a college lecture on, well, porn. And that she actually explained the history of slash, gave current examples, and gave both definitions of PWP. I want to take that class. Despite that, though, I don't think it's the best school for me. Oh, I also think it's funny that Pomona has Frasorities which are co-ed Fraternity/Sororities...kind of a cool concept. The other really funny thing is that one of the buildings there was used to be Yale in all those episodes of Gilmore Girls where Rory was at Yale. Cuz, you know, it's kind of easier to film things in southern California than in Connecticut.
The drive there was really cool though. For anyone who knows the Rilo Kiley song "Glendora," I actually saw signs for an exit to Glendora, CA, which could very well be the same place. Also, the song mentions a Denny's and there was totally one right by the Glendora exit. And I drove on Route 66!!! Like from the song. Which made me think of Jazz Choir which made me lose the game. OH! That reminds me, my iPod was on shuffle yesterday and "Some People" from Gypsy (Bernadette Peters of course) came on, and the way she was talking ("Anyone that stays home is dead...if I die it won't be from sittin'; it'll be from fightin' to get up and get up!") and spitting reminded me of Ms. Morgan and it was really scary. Anyway...
Tuesday was UCLA day, which was actually really well planned out for me because my uncle is a professor there and has mad connections. The theatre department set me up with a whole schedule of the theatre major track, starting with a singing style class at 10:30. The class was actually really interesting, and a lot like Stagedoor, because it wasn't just singing. It was a lot of physicality and other aspects that you don't think about but are critical to performance. Everyone was really talented too. And I'll take a moment here to say, and then not have to say again, that everyone at UCLA is INCREDIBLY ATTRACTIVE. Maybe it's a California thing, but because I went to the theatre classes, I got the same kids in pretty much all of them, and I had a few crushes by the end of the day.
After that class, I had lunch, and then a Junior dance class. It was really intense and impressive, especially considering that it was ballet and many of the guys in it only started dancing their freshman year at UCLA. The dance director was really nice and I met with him and the singing director after the class. They both encouraged me to try applying to a combination of theatre and non-theatre programs for college and not limit myself. The good thing about UCLA is that it's a BA, not a BFA, so there's more variety and academic classes. Also, even though it's a big school, the theatre department is small, and everyone gets really close apparently. I got the email address of one girl who was really nice, so that was helpful, and I can ask her more questions about it. I was a little worried about not being on the same level as these kids, but I need to keep in mind that they're juniors in college--four years older than myself--so the fact that I can even comprehend myself in their position is impressive. The one real problem with going to UCLA is that if I wanted to do any theatre, I'd have to audition and go in as a theatre major. Which I could do, and then switch to film my junior year (because you can't be a film major until then anyway), but I don't know if I want to. I think I'd rather find somewhere where I can major in communications and minor in theatre, or double major or something. As far as I know, you can't do that at UCLA. It was a really nice campus though. I went to an acting class in the afternoon too, which was really good, but nothing more advanced than what I've seen, which is good. I do think I want to study theatre at least a little in college, but I'm hesitant to go to a conservatory or even if a BFA program. I think most of my interest lies in directing anyway. It was really comforting to talk to the UCLA people because they were really friendly and were like "honestly, I don't understand people your age who know exactly what they want to do." So I still have time. And the dance teacher said he didn't even start dancing until he was eighteen, so you DON'T have to start early, despite what everyone says.
So that was UCLA. Not a bad school, but I'm not sure it's the right program for me. California is a little far anyway.
Wednesday was pretty much just the trip back--I lost six hours to the flight and then three more to the time difference. At least I got some physics done (though not enough). Oh well.
Busy few days up ahead, but I'm excited. Just hope I have enough time to do my work and see everyone that I want to see. After vacation, it's AP-time, Prom, and lots of editing. Then, with the exception of finals, there isn't much between me and camp. Time flies, yes it do.
//EDIT:
Here's a meme for YOU!
~~~~~~~~
Reply with your answers...
1. Tell me something obvious about you.
2. Tell me something about you that many don't know.
3. What is your biggest fear?
4. Do you normally go the safe route or take the short cut?
5. Name one thing you want that you can't buy with money.
6. What is your most treasured possession?
7. What is the one thing you hate most about yourself that you do often?
8. Tell me something sexually about you that I don't know.
9. Tell me something sexually about you that everyone knows.
10. What is your favorite lie to tell?
11. Name something you've done once that you can't wait to do again.
12. Are you the jealous type?
13. What is the one person, place or thing you can't say no to?
14. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
15. If you could do something crazy right now, what would it be?
16. When was the last time you cried?
17. When was the last time you felt so good that nothing else mattered?
18. Do you feel comfortable in public with no shirt on?
19. Name something embarrassing you did while being drunk.
20. If you post this in your journal would you like me to answer it?
I won't go into heavy detail with all the school stuff since I last posted, but I will say that I'm feeling a lot better now than I was (probably because it's vacation), with the exception of the impending death that is May (AP tests and EDITING LIKE WHOA).
Last week was drama-tastic. I'm really starting to get sick of it. I don't want to say much here except that people are stupid and petty and self-centered. It'll all work out in the end I'm sure, but until then, it seems like everyone is determined to create as much of a stir as possible.
I had an awesome Passover dinner though, and last Friday was just...summer. It was like Stagedoor and Mendon all in one--with the ambiguous clarity and painful bliss of potential and confusion all mixed together.
Hmm...speaking of potential, electric potential (a.k.a. voltage...hey Kayleigh, did you know? this chapter is really about something else!) is the one concept of physics that I still don't get. Luckily I have time, but AP review = gross. Oh Kayleigh, when are we getting Varsity Physics shirts? Speaking of Physics too, I have your Holt book, which I need to get you. And I need to talk to you about Prom, because I think I want in on your limo.
Oh, and speaking of Stagedoor, one of my roommates from 2 years ago (year of the best room ever) is going the same sessions as me, so I could have a really awesome room this year. Heck, anything beats last year's misplaced jock, sexually confused asshole, and 2-AM shirtless Raman Noodle maker. The good thing is that I actually have a few friends who are going back this time, so I should be okay.
Today I did very little actual work, but it was my first day back home, so I'm justified. I slept in, and then spent my morning getting organized and figuring out what I have to do this week. Then Sara and I went to Harvard Square and I bought the first two seasons of Coupling (which is the funniest show EVER) and the new Dresden Dolls CD. I can't go to the concert tomorrow, which is sad, but I just have too much other stuff to do, and they'll be in town again. After all, they're from here. Anyway, Sara and I got Felipe's, Ben & Jerry's, and then left.
We picked up Alycia on the way home and hung out, watching Coupling and Veronica Mars. OH! And we picked a name for our movie. "Progress Report" is now entitled "Laughing on the Inside," produced by Mr. Preston (a.k.a. flake-muffin who has our tapes and didn't realize that we needed them for editing) in collaboration with Touch-My-Monkey Productions.
Now, for the real reason of my post: CALIFORNIA TRIP!!!!
I'll try not to bore you all with trivial details, and stick to the highlights. Let's see...Sunday we got in and that night was Easter dinner with the cousins, including 2-year-old Nathaniel who is SO CUTE (pictures to follow). He spent the first few days referring to me as "this man" (I had never met him before), but learned my name eventually, as we pretty much spent the whole time I wasn't visiting colleges together. He spent pretty much the entirety of Monday night pointing to a yellow part of the wall and going "yellowfalldown" and then falling down and laughing. It was really adorable. Miriam called and I let him talk to her. It was his second birthday and he kept insiting that he was turning five.
Monday I drove out to see Pomona College, which is actually a really good liberal arts school. The kids seemed kind of spoiled though (the campus was GORGEOUS and the lounges in the dorms had giant TVs, pool tables, and brand new grand pianos), and the theatre department is crap. They have really good communications though. I sat in on the class "Into to Media" and it was kind of amazing. We watched a clip from the Simpsons, discussed the topic of "the fan" and considered fanart, fanfiction, slash, PWP, and just fandom in general, with which the professor (this really awesome woman who was no more than thirty) was very familiar. It was awesome--we had a whole talk about Joss Whedon and the philosophy of Serenity, and I felt all proud because she asked who the character was that the Ken doll had been made into in the picture she was showing and I raised my hand and answered because it was Lorne. I just found it hilarious that there was a college lecture on, well, porn. And that she actually explained the history of slash, gave current examples, and gave both definitions of PWP. I want to take that class. Despite that, though, I don't think it's the best school for me. Oh, I also think it's funny that Pomona has Frasorities which are co-ed Fraternity/Sororities...kind of a cool concept. The other really funny thing is that one of the buildings there was used to be Yale in all those episodes of Gilmore Girls where Rory was at Yale. Cuz, you know, it's kind of easier to film things in southern California than in Connecticut.
The drive there was really cool though. For anyone who knows the Rilo Kiley song "Glendora," I actually saw signs for an exit to Glendora, CA, which could very well be the same place. Also, the song mentions a Denny's and there was totally one right by the Glendora exit. And I drove on Route 66!!! Like from the song. Which made me think of Jazz Choir which made me lose the game. OH! That reminds me, my iPod was on shuffle yesterday and "Some People" from Gypsy (Bernadette Peters of course) came on, and the way she was talking ("Anyone that stays home is dead...if I die it won't be from sittin'; it'll be from fightin' to get up and get up!") and spitting reminded me of Ms. Morgan and it was really scary. Anyway...
Tuesday was UCLA day, which was actually really well planned out for me because my uncle is a professor there and has mad connections. The theatre department set me up with a whole schedule of the theatre major track, starting with a singing style class at 10:30. The class was actually really interesting, and a lot like Stagedoor, because it wasn't just singing. It was a lot of physicality and other aspects that you don't think about but are critical to performance. Everyone was really talented too. And I'll take a moment here to say, and then not have to say again, that everyone at UCLA is INCREDIBLY ATTRACTIVE. Maybe it's a California thing, but because I went to the theatre classes, I got the same kids in pretty much all of them, and I had a few crushes by the end of the day.
After that class, I had lunch, and then a Junior dance class. It was really intense and impressive, especially considering that it was ballet and many of the guys in it only started dancing their freshman year at UCLA. The dance director was really nice and I met with him and the singing director after the class. They both encouraged me to try applying to a combination of theatre and non-theatre programs for college and not limit myself. The good thing about UCLA is that it's a BA, not a BFA, so there's more variety and academic classes. Also, even though it's a big school, the theatre department is small, and everyone gets really close apparently. I got the email address of one girl who was really nice, so that was helpful, and I can ask her more questions about it. I was a little worried about not being on the same level as these kids, but I need to keep in mind that they're juniors in college--four years older than myself--so the fact that I can even comprehend myself in their position is impressive. The one real problem with going to UCLA is that if I wanted to do any theatre, I'd have to audition and go in as a theatre major. Which I could do, and then switch to film my junior year (because you can't be a film major until then anyway), but I don't know if I want to. I think I'd rather find somewhere where I can major in communications and minor in theatre, or double major or something. As far as I know, you can't do that at UCLA. It was a really nice campus though. I went to an acting class in the afternoon too, which was really good, but nothing more advanced than what I've seen, which is good. I do think I want to study theatre at least a little in college, but I'm hesitant to go to a conservatory or even if a BFA program. I think most of my interest lies in directing anyway. It was really comforting to talk to the UCLA people because they were really friendly and were like "honestly, I don't understand people your age who know exactly what they want to do." So I still have time. And the dance teacher said he didn't even start dancing until he was eighteen, so you DON'T have to start early, despite what everyone says.
So that was UCLA. Not a bad school, but I'm not sure it's the right program for me. California is a little far anyway.
Wednesday was pretty much just the trip back--I lost six hours to the flight and then three more to the time difference. At least I got some physics done (though not enough). Oh well.
Busy few days up ahead, but I'm excited. Just hope I have enough time to do my work and see everyone that I want to see. After vacation, it's AP-time, Prom, and lots of editing. Then, with the exception of finals, there isn't much between me and camp. Time flies, yes it do.
//EDIT:
Here's a meme for YOU!
~~~~~~~~
Reply with your answers...
1. Tell me something obvious about you.
2. Tell me something about you that many don't know.
3. What is your biggest fear?
4. Do you normally go the safe route or take the short cut?
5. Name one thing you want that you can't buy with money.
6. What is your most treasured possession?
7. What is the one thing you hate most about yourself that you do often?
8. Tell me something sexually about you that I don't know.
9. Tell me something sexually about you that everyone knows.
10. What is your favorite lie to tell?
11. Name something you've done once that you can't wait to do again.
12. Are you the jealous type?
13. What is the one person, place or thing you can't say no to?
14. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
15. If you could do something crazy right now, what would it be?
16. When was the last time you cried?
17. When was the last time you felt so good that nothing else mattered?
18. Do you feel comfortable in public with no shirt on?
19. Name something embarrassing you did while being drunk.
20. If you post this in your journal would you like me to answer it?