Visit from my parents!!!.. and a deer.

Finally, here is the post I promised a few days ago!

The weather in East Lansing Michigan now reaches about 45 degrees everyday. Some really dreary cloudy days it only gets up to about 35.

I’ve been working quite a bit (well quite a bit for me), around 30 hours a week. Tips have started to come down quite a bit. Up until about a week ago I would go home with an average of 4 to 5 bucks a delivery but now it’s down to about 2. People at work have all sorts of explanations as to why they’re getting low. The most common one is “it’s the economy!” the second would be “the kids money their parents gave them is starting to run out”…. My favorite is “Everyone spent so much money on candy for Halloween that they don’t have any to give us!!”…. All of these are unlikely. I am guessing that the dreary weather is bringing folks down and as a direct result of their mood they don’t tip as much. All that aside I’ve been trying to keep myself busy with music books and movies.

I a few weeks ago I had a lesson with my teacher Doug Ferreira. It was a blast. We spent about two hours together. The first half hour we just talked about music, goals and the bass program at MSU. Doug informed me of the talent pool and competitiveness of the studio. Intimidating but refreshing. After we talked I played a few scales for him to get an idea of my skill level. Doug then went to work and pointed out many parts of my technique that I need to work on. I really need this. It has only been 3 weeks and I feel like a much greater player than I did then.

One of the greatest things he fixed with my playing wasn’t one of technique but of the position of the bass. We lowered my bass by one notch of my end pin allowing me to shift more of my weight over the instrument. At first it was uncomfortable because I wasn’t used to it but after 2-3 days of playing my sound changed so much! It has become much easier to get a decent sound. Because of this I’ve decided not to look for a new bass. Now I know that I can get this good of a sound I think I’ll hold on to him for a bit longer… *My wallet sighs in relief…*

Here are the pieces Doug has me working on:

Koussevitzky Bass concerto (played by the great Furtok) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QprVU9gHxHg

Hindemith Bass sonata – (also Furtok…. ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C30ryePECU8

Two weeks ago on a Friday night was Sarah’s latest orchestra concert! The program was as follows.

Beethoven’s Leonore Overture - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJBepfu3VIM

Lorenz’s Viola Concerto Premier

Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an exhibition - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5tOVQsLKrA

I thought overall it was a great concert. They sounded great. I’m not too fond of the Beethoven but I love pictures, especially the huge brass chords in the Catacombs.

The Lorenz was brilliant. Sarah mentioned that the orchestra was having a hard time with it because of all of the mixed meters and crazy gestures but as an audience member it was really cool. The Thursday before the concert Sarah and I attended a talk with Ricardo Lorenz and the violist Roberto Diaz. They talked about the genesis of the concerto and the process of writing and rehearsing. I’m very glad we attended. It’s always interesting to hear great minds talk about the creative process. Here is a few links to Lorenz’s web page and a radio broadcast of him talking about the concerto. These are the things that were discussed on Thursday.

Lorenz’s page - http://www.ricardolorenz.com/

Lorenz talking about concerto - http://www.spartanpodcast.com/russ/Jara.mp3

Diaz talkng about concert - http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wkar/news.newsmain/article/6649/0/1715756/WKAR.Features/MSU.Symphony.to.play.world.premier.viola.work

Speaking of new music I finished the sketch of the woodwind quintet. I am now in the process of orchestrating it. This piece is becoming more and more difficult to put together. So far there are some VERY cool moments but others that I thought would be interesting are very hard to orchestrate with these instruments. I have found myself changing the music quite a bit to fit the instrumentation.

Most days I love the progress I’ve made but then there are some days that I get up to compose and it becomes so difficult that I feel that I should start over. I can’t do this though. I’ve already put so much work into it. I have to see it through to the end, if I leave it unfinished it will bother me until I do finish it.

Last weekend my parents came to East Lansing!! It was great seeing them!!!

On Thursday I picked them up from the airport in Detroit. We shared long hugs and started on our way to East Lansing. After picking Sarah up at school we took them to their hotel. Turns out their hotel was right down the street from our apartment, very convenient. That evening we had some cocktails and went out to a restaurant named Stillwater’s Bar and Grill. We all had steak… mmmmm

On Friday I dropped Sarah off at school and stopped by the hotel and shared breakfast with my parents. Later that day I showed them bits of East Lansing and Hawk Island.

Friday night Sarah made my parents Seafood Fettuccine! The side dishes were asparagus and garlic bread. The dessert was pumpkin cake.. oh yeah.

On their final day with us I unfortunately had to work at 12 but still managed to eat breakfast with them. After work we all met up and made our way over to Buddy’s! Sarah and I had to share the place we like to eat at. It was a great evening. Sarah and my mom had the nachos and my dad had a Reuben. I had the Gyro. The highlight of the night was definitely seeing Abe Lincoln. If Halloween wasn’t the next evening it would have been pretty strange but… well… it was still pretty strange… candid picture below.

On Sunday we drove them back to the airport. It was so sad seeing them go. It was like we were back in Kansas. Sarah and I had such a great time and can’t wait until Christmas! Luckily Sarah’s parents are coming soon so the feeling of home is right around the corner.

(I almost forgot, here are more pictures that my mom took.) http://picasaweb.google.com/gpatterson101/VisitToLansing?feat=directlink

On the way back from the airport we were getting off of the highway and were struck by a deer. It was very crazy. Luckily we were only going about 30 miles an hour. Sarah was in mid sentence when it happened.. Her story went from words to her screaming! We pulled over and checked out the damage. After it happened we were approached by two construction workers. I get the feeling they were chasing it out of the construction zone that was right next to the road we were on.

Luckily Sarah and I were both okay but sorry to say the deer didn’t make it. It trampled off to a fence and wobbled for a second before laying down. the construction workers were trying to help it but there was nothing they could do.

Also, Luckily, the insurance is covering all but $50 of it! All in all a scary situation but it all turned out okay. I have pics of the damage below…(sorry it was dark when I took the pics.)

Lastly I want to mention that I applied at MSU on Friday!!! The only things that I still have to complete are mailing recommendation packets to my old professors and sending in my composition portfolio. I have until December 1st to do all of this so it will be nice not to be rushed…(like last year…)

Have a great evening everyone! Stay warm…