The Topic of Great Randomness

[marina salem]

Hola Gryph! Man, I haven't seen you on in forever.

And sheesh, people, I didn't mean to insult/offend your sensibilities with the food comment It's just me and my dad weren't all that impressed. But it was acceptable. I could eat Pennsylvanian food for 4 years. At least it was better than Boston *runs for cover*

So we got back last night from New Orleans. Jambalaya! Pralines! Broad accents that I had to quasi-translate for my friend! Swamp and voodoo tours! I didn't get any beignets, though, because the line was way too long. There was a festival of some sort, which I really should know the name of but I can't remember. It was a choir trip, so of course we performed at a few schools, as well as at Loyola. The underclassmen had to go on a campus tour, but since us seniors are pretty much decided our director set us free (thank God), and we went to the park across the street, whereupon we mobbed the ice cream truck, sat under a tree and talked about college, and played hackysack. That was the best part of the trip, I think, just relaxing for an hour or so with our friends.

We also went to see Wicked while we were there. It was so amazing! My friends have been going on about how good it was for years, but this was the first time I'd seen it. Now I can understand their obsession. Except for the part where they waited by the stage door for the actors to come out, 'cause they kept the rest of us there until 11:30 at night. Go see it again some day, wait on your own time, I'm tired and want to sleep.

In other news, March Madness is over, and we won the pot! It's something like $565, and it was our mascot bracket, of all things. Mascot bracket meaning that, with some exceptions, we pitted the mascots of each team against each other and decided which one we liked better. We only won because we had Michigan State beating Kansas and getting to the Final Four, and we had Duke winning the championship. Spartans and Blue Devils are beast. We = me and my sister, so we have to split it, but it's still about $100 better than I did last year, when I got third with a legitimate bracket. It's a pool of 200 at my mom's work, and she says we've ticked off a lot of people (we're pretty much the youngest ones in the pot, and it's a MASCOT bracket), but we don't care

[Garrett Fitzgerald]

*passes around celebratory blue food*

You know, I read all the way through Percy Jackson and the Olympians without making the "blue food" connection until I got back here. *headdesk*

[Gryphon]

Hunrgy:
Holy cow Gryph, I was just wondering what happened to you earlier today! Someone on another website had a username similar to yours, so I thought of you. Glad to hear you're doing fairly well! Incidentally, what were you thinking of in terms of your writing website? I'd be interested...

Allo! It probably wasn't me. If I'm online at all, I go by "sllewely" and various forms of misspellings and mispronunciations. I play first person s******* now.

Welll, for those of you unfamiliar, I used to run a text-based role play called VGDawn or Dawn of the Conquerors Age. It was fantasy, and each member had characters they created. The project was more or less like one giant story with multiple simultaneous plotlines and authors. Later, I added boards for personal journals, poetry, and fiction. I'd like to do something similar again, but I don't currently have an idea for a premise, and my heart isn't set upon it being fantasy.

I was kinda prepared to find so many people younger than me when I returned... I'm 20 next month.

Oh, *content sigh.* I used to be so innocent when I went here.

Well, I have to take a shower. We're having a sifu in monkey and drunken style kung fu visit us today.

@Wolf: My friend who went by the alias wildflower42 or something like that was known was "the newb who read the entire ToGR." It was pretty significant at the time... but I've read it all too before I quit.

[SilveredBlue]

Thanks for the great advice, guys! Watching part of the opera really helped me to get in tune (pun intended ;]) with the emotions in the scene. So I re-read the synopsis, listened, then went outside and sat under a tree and played it from memory. And I think something clicked. Now I have an image and a feeling, of the green leaves and sunshine and the bittersweet mood, to draw on, and it makes all the difference. My teacher noticed, too. YAY. *huggles advice-givers* *passes around celebratory blue food*

[Cait]

Wow, y'all need to lay off the caffeine. I leave for a week and... Daaaaaaaaang, I'm not even reading all those pages. Just not happening.

I just finished AWOM 'bout two hours ago. FWEEEEEE. That is all I'll say about THAT.

SilveredBlue- I could never play solos on my flute. My teachers were always saying, "All you're doing is playing notes. You're just playing what's written, you're not playing music." Now, as a smart alecky high schooler, I always wanted to say, Well, of course I'm playing the notes! That's what's written on the page! I can't play what isn't written! But I never did. I just couldn't do the alone thing. I needed to be in a group. I had slightly more success with singing solos because I find singing more emotional than playing my flute, maybe because I don't have to think as hard. But I'd still rather sing with a choir than sing a solo. From what I gather, that's kind of unusual. It's just something about being a part of a whole that's so much more rewarding than being alone. So I have no advice for you. I'd say close your eyes and play it, but of course then you'd have to have it memorized. Might be worth a try with a phrase or so, though, if you thought that'd work. I've noticed I can't actually make anything musical unless I know it so well I don't have to read the notes.

[crazy_bookworm]

Wolf: Mkay, sounds good about Eureka! Also, I just found a handy dandy Fahrenheit to Celsius converter on the net, and it says 18*C is 64.4*F, which is pretty warm for spring. And now it's really windy, and the snow stuck to the ground. Ick.

SilveredBlue: I haven't researched the opera at all, but have you tried sitting down with a recording and just getting lost in the music? Or, if you've already done that, I agree with Garrett. Find a clip of the scene the song come from and sit down and really watch it. Ask yourself, "What is her motivation for doing this? Why is she feeling this way at this time?" I think if you really dig into the scene, you'll be able to figure out how to make yours personal. Just my opinion.

[Garrett Fitzgerald]

So, does anyone here know the piece Meditations from the opera Thais? (With two dots over the i, but I don't know how to do it.) It is a gorgeous violin piece that is theoretically 'easy' for me, but..I don't know...I'm having problems. See, when I play a piece, I need a picture or a feeling or a mind-shape, and usually I have zero problems with that in piano. But violin- I can't find the right picture, somehow, to make it personal. I've got the NOTES, sure- I've even researched the opera. But that's all it is- notes. I've heard recordings and they are intensely personal, but mine ISN'T and the competition is coming up. Cheer me up, comrades, and tell me I'll find something soon.

Did your research about the opera explain how the Meditation fits in? As I see it, this monk has just preached to the courtesan Thais, and after he leaves, she sits alone, thinking about God, and how her meaningless life has just had meaning added to it.

I've played a clarinet arrangement of it, but not lately -- and it doesn't have that gorgeous high note at the very end.

[Wolf]

Sooooo guess who missed Literature today?
I hit the snooze twice, and then after the second time, decided "screw it" and just put the whole phone on silent. It's 12:18. I just woke up. I just slept for about 12 hour. I am *definitely* sick. Cool. Soooo now I have to go to science and tell my professor that the online-thingy he wanted us to do doesn't work, and that's why I couldn't do it, and yeaahh I coulda just e-mailed him but I was kinda doing it at 11 pm last night. Oops.

crazy_bookworms - Ok. Celsius means nothing to me. I work in Fahrenheits, and anything else makes my brain go all "OoOoOoOoOoooO". Heehee. Oh, and when I'm done classes today (around 4 or 5 EST), look for a special Eurkea-themed message in your inbox. =D

SilveredBlue - *bows, bows* Thank you, thank you! ^_^
--The small and cute thing? I do it all the time! Doesn't work as well when you need to stand on a box to reach the [expletive] cameras, and then the cameras need to move, buttt.... ya know. It works otherwise. =D So keep at it!
--You tried to read the ENTIRE ToGR?! Are you... ok yeah I know you're nuts. Holy shnikies your brain must've hurt after that! (Not to mention your eyes, which I can totrally understand..)
--As for Meditations from the opera Thais... I'll try to get it from the interwebs and give you an opinion when I'm done classes... from the sound of it, it's been covered so many times, there isn't a one-composer-kind of deal. But I'll see if I can find a good version of it anyway.

[SilveredBlue]

Wolf: *bows down in awe at the sheer size of post* What it TAKES to reply to everyone...well, all I have to say is, here's thank you and all hail the Queen! And as for the camera thingy: I love it when you can just walk in and help with something cool! I go around with a giant grin on my face after I'm allowed to do something or other, like take supplies back into the labyrinthine depths of the librarians-only section. Fun! (I think it helps to be small and cute-looking. I've been practicing that lately. =)) And I promise not to breathe a word of the awesomeness which is AWoM. *crosses heart, hopes to die, stews and fries*

Gryphon, Nita_Kit, Seabiscut! (Which last one I am mis-spelling.) I know you from that insane night when I, a newbie still wet behind the ears, tried to read the ToGR from beginning to end. (I think I got to like 800 pages before my eyes staged a rebellion.) See, my internal prophecy came true. I predicted that AWoM would cause an influx of newbies and return-bies, and it did. All hail my awesome oracular powers.

So, does anyone here know the piece Meditations from the opera Thais? (With two dots over the i, but I don't know how to do it.) It is a gorgeous violin piece that is theoretically 'easy' for me, but..I don't know...I'm having problems. See, when I play a piece, I need a picture or a feeling or a mind-shape, and usually I have zero problems with that in piano. But violin- I can't find the right picture, somehow, to make it personal. I've got the NOTES, sure- I've even researched the opera. But that's all it is- notes. I've heard recordings and they are intensely personal, but mine ISN'T and the competition is coming up. Cheer me up, comrades, and tell me I'll find something soon.

[crazy_bookworm]

To Gryphon and Nita_Kit: Welcome back! It's great to have you back, although I can't remember you from my lurking days three years ago...

For all of you talking about the weather, I think I have you beat. It was 18*C out earlier today, and it is now windy and snowing. No joke.

I was going to come on and squee over having AWOM when I get it, but I don't think it will come until tomorrow or Monday, so I'm dropping by to say hi!

Trialia: Does Great Britain have any other political parties, or are those the only two? 'Cuz it sucks if that's it for choices.

I'm done physics, yaaaay! Just have an assignment to hand in and a final and then I never have to worry about it again, woot! Also, two more days of class, then finals, then I'm done, whoo hoo! First year of uni over with!

Wolf: I tried to find an episode of Eureka on YouTube to watch just for you, but I haven't found a complete one yet. I DID, however, find a Eureka "Won't You be my Neighbour" commercial and then squealed over the fact that there was a guy in there that resembled Ethan Peck. I don't think it was him, though.

Just a general question: who here watches 10 Things I Hate About You the TV show? Canada started showing it three weeks ago, and now I'm hooked. The States has started it up again on ABC Family on Monday nights at 8/7c, and I've watched all the episodes now on YouTube. Kat is my favorite character, and same with Patrick. Kat's a strong feminist teenager, some say the only character like that on TV right now, and Patrick is hot and mysterious and a bad boy-ish. I can't wait til Monday: Kat and Patrick are going on a date.

And on Tuesday, Glee comes back, so I'm excited for that too!

[Wolf]

Holy carp! Why are there so many gosh darn posts! Slow down people, slow down! (I literally said, "How many pages are there?!" when i had to go onto the next page.) I've only been gone for.. well.. not that long!!!!!! Sheeze. I go to work and Hawk TV and see what happens. Insanity. Heehee. I like it!

Daisy - Pouring?! Well, maybe we're getting your rain. I'm in northern NJ right now, and it's supposed to rain overnightish - Friday - whateverish. Weather.com keeps changing its forecast. O_o

SilveredBlue - Love you, love you, love you! (Mainly glad I won't be the only one scolded for using caps! hahaa) Oh. And tell us ANYTHING and you die. Lovingly.

Tuttle - Ow. Brain. That sounds hardcore. Guess you're saving money on the whole not-having-to-be-in-college-for-four-years thing then, huh. xP And ohhhhhmygosh kitty. <3 Do you want to get a kitten-kitten or a cat? (i use that phrasing cuz my cats are 8 and I still call them "my kittens" and "my kitties.")

Trialia - Hooooly shiz monkies! Do you have to vote?! I mean, I've heard the phrase "better of two evils" before, but that's really extreme...

illiriam - AAAAAHHHHH I FEEL THE SAME!!!!!!
(Teehee skin cancer. But I still think I'm the only 20 year old in my county who wears jeans "jus cuz". Hahaaa)
I'm transferring in-state -- gotta call them tomorrow and see if I can talk to someone and find out ahead of time to make sure all my classes transfer. That would be bad otherwise. >_<
And... your FIRST library card?! Where WERE you when you were a kid??!!!! (I actually lost mine all the time, so I kept having to get a new one.. lol)

Gryphon - HI!!! You don't know me, but I'm Wolf and I'm funny and eccentric. The site sounds cool... tell us more!

Nita_Kit - Yoooou don't know me either. But I'm still saying hi. Was it customary when you were a member to give new members straightjackets and cookies? We do it for returning members too now. So you may have a straightjacket. And cookies. Any kind. Unless you're allergic. In which case you will get brownies. And if you're allergic to THEM, we just give up and bring you to the Banquet of Blue Food and let you go crazy there. =D

seabiscuit1009 - Whoo! Scotland! Rooming situations are hard. I'm gonna be out in the cold if/when I transfer for next fall. Ugh. Ahwell, I guess. But.. O_o Good luuuuuckk....


Nobody better post two freaking seconds before *I* do. Cuz I'm not editing this thing!!!!
ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So at work today, I learned that I broke my gameboy. My DS. Which, in all fairness, the poor thing has taken enough abuse as it is. I mean, let's face it, I literally beat up my old computer. But I don't remember it *looking* this way before work, and I don't remember *dropping* it at work, but now the hinge is all... brokey. I mean, really brokey. And I can't fix it. It's still playable and everything, but... it's sad. I can't fix the poor stupid darn thing.

Oh. And... Hawk TV. *hides*
Ok. So for you guys who don't remember what Hawk TV is, it's my campus-run TV station, where we do sport and such and blah blah blah. (As you can tell, I observe and work BEHIND the scenes.) So todaaaaay, I got there a few minutes early (I come straight from work) and luckily they needed people! So my name will be on the credits for Camera Three - whoo! Um. But. Ok. Ya know how when things go wrong and in the end ya go, "Well, at least things didn't blow up!" ? Um. Things blew up. I'm really, really not kidding.
So. We have three cameras, and can add a forth if we want. Camera 4 becomes Camera 2, and we just move the other camera out of the way. So, the "new" Camera 2 is now.. well, basically it's a handheld camera, on a giaaaant ..erm. Stick-thingy. Ok. You know those huge stands they have for the really long mics on tv? It's like that, except for cameras. And really, really tall. And a helluva lot more intricate and complicated. (Yes, I know that's kinda redundant.) Aaaand... my friend was trying to.. white-balance it, I think. At any rate, he was moving it. And there are like, three wires that control its movement. I think. And it moves kinda fast. And. Um. It started heading down. And. Erm. It crashed. Hard. So... we tried to see what damage was done, and then had to do the whole show without it. And it was INSANE. I mean, usually ya move, ya stay on the person for a while, then ya move again... tonight.. tonight was CONSTANT MOVEMENT. Ohmygod. But luckily the Director for the night was a really really nice girl, and she was incredible at keeping our spirits up. Oh. And her nickname is Kat. Yes, she's as awesome as she sounds. =D

So now here I sit in my dorm, wondering what the HELL has been going on inside my ears for the past few days that cu-tips can't get out, and realizing that in the TIME it took me to write this loooooong freakin post, I could've showered. Crikey.

[seabiscuit1009]

Holy cow Gryph, I was just wondering what happened to you earlier today! Someone on another website had a username similar to yours, so I thought of you. Glad to hear you're doing fairly well! Incidentally, what were you thinking of in terms of your writing website? I'd be interested...

This week has been insane. My friends and I had housing all figured out for next year (some of us are going abroad, so we had to do a lot of organizing) and it all went caput when someone decided to tell us at room draw that she was no longer going abroad. So we've had a lot of drama, and very little sleep, and frustration because I've had a lot of homework and am trying to finish my application for study abroad in Scotland at the moment. And now I'm exhausted. One more day of classes before the weekend...

Even I feel old on this website, and I won't be 20 until June. I think it's just because I've been here for almost 5 years; also, I'm already in college when quite a few of you guys seem to be younger than that. I'm not used to feeling old!

Other than homework, I haven't really been doing much lately; I want to reread AWOM, but I haven't had time to, sadly. Went on an awesome bike ride the other day, since my Mom dropped my bike off at school. I kind of forgot how much I love riding my bike, and it's really hard to ride it in the area around my campus because sidewalks are too bumpy, and the roads are very narrow and have a 35 mph speed limit, so it's not really safe to ride on them. I just suck it up and ride on the sidewalks now, and be careful of the bumps. Fun stuff!

[Trialia]

Hello, all.

I haven't been here in a while -- years, at least. I "dropped out" of YW.com during highschool, and since then, I've become enrolled in a liberal arts college, went to London, fell in love, had my heart broken, and was recently accepted into a 10-week research program for the coming summer. Needless to say, things have changed in my world. Looks like this forum has gone through an aesthetic upheaval too :P

Sounds mostly like fun! Welcome back

And... heh... would anyone be interested in joining a website for writing if I started one?

That entirely depends on what kind of "website for writing". No offence, but I could do with more details first, please.

[Nita_Kit]

Dai everyone! I haven't been on here in ages either. It's so nice to see everyone again To think it's been 4 years.... Seems longer for some reason. How has everyone been?
Gryphon, I would be interested in the website, actually

[Gryphon]

Hello, all.

I haven't been here in a while -- years, at least. I "dropped out" of YW.com during highschool, and since then, I've become enrolled in a liberal arts college, went to London, fell in love, had my heart broken, and was recently accepted into a 10-week research program for the coming summer. Needless to say, things have changed in my world. Looks like this forum has gone through an aesthetic upheaval too :P

Miss you guys I went back a few pages to see who has been posting, and it's nice to see some familiar faces. I think I joined this site when I was in middle school (wow).


And... heh... would anyone be interested in joining a website for writing if I started one?