CG1 (the livejournal)

First Entry In A Long Time
I finished my first year at Cal State Fullerton and I really enjoyed it. I met all the composition teachers and will have a class with each one of them next semester which is good because when I go to audition for the composition program next fall they will all know me.

Now I need to find a job. The cash is really dwindling, especially with my expensive medication, which I should only be on for another month or so. I would like a steady job that I can depend on, as opposed to odd jobs which may not happen all the time, because I really need money, and it may also help to have a job that is reflected in the federal government so when the time comes for the government to issue financial aid, they will see that I have been trying to pay for what I can.

I've seen Star Wars Episode III four times now and it's still amazing. I went to the midnight showing, the very first showing at the Block in Orange and it was a lot of fun. Nothing can compare to that experience or the energy of the crowd from that night because everyone there was pretty much a die-hard Star Wars fan. The other times I've seen the movie, the crowd wasn't cheering wildly or getting all the inside jokes like the people at the midnight showing were. The movie is awesome and everyone should see it, and see it several times if they can so that it will take as money records as it can.

Hear Ye
I can't remember the last time I posted an entry. My spring break was pretty nice in that I got a lot of sleep, but I didn't really do all that much. I've been struggling to get back on a school sleep schedule since then though, and I have been tired quite a lot lately. I signed up for this one day class in L.A. about how to break into the film and television music industry. Composing music for films is the main thing I would like to do, so hopefully this class will offer some practical advice that school won't teach me. I got the class schedule for next fall and am trying to draw up my schedule for next fall. I want to take some summner classes at Mt. SAC (a junior college close to my home), but I need to make sure the classes will count. You see when I transferred to Fullerton, I transferred over 100 units, and I don't know if there is a limit for the units that can be transferred, and if there is, can the classes fulfill requirements even if the units don't transfer? My friend Sean's birthday is this Friday and my friend Ryan's birthday is this Saturday. That class I signed up for is on saturday from 9am-5pm and there's this concert at my school that I want to go to so I don't know what I'm going to do for Sean and Ryan. Plus I have so little money I don't know what I will be able to get them. I want to get a job, but I feel like I should wait until the semester is over so I can study and keep my grades up. I just hope I can make it money-wise until the end of the semester. Does donating a kidney give you any money?
I have spoken

My band is playing tomorrow night at this coffee place in Rancho Cucamonga called Coffee Klatch. We will start playing at about 8pm. There should be directions on our website www.cg1online.com if anyone would like to come. We have been recording for about three months and this will be our first show since New Year's Eve. I am looking forward to playing because we haven't done a show in quite some time and I miss playing with the band. Plus playing lead guitar makes me feel like a Super Hero, like I can fly higher than an eagle, becuase you are the wind beneath my wings, etc. etc.

Oh yeah, I had my last class today and just started spring break!
Yippy-Skippy Handlebar Jacks [and such]!!!

P.S.
Why do people sometimes put words in [brackets] like that?
Anyone? Anyone?

Current Mood: relieved

Back in the Studio
The band was back in the studio today. We recorded three songs today that will serve as our scratch tracks. A scratch track is a track where the entire band records together. The playing doesn't have to be perfect, the scratch track merely serves as a reference point to play along with when individual members of the band come in to record his part. I think we are done with scratch tracks for now, and tomorrow Lars, our bass player, is going to record his bass for as many songs as he can do. It takes a while to set everything up and make sure you're getting the sound you want in the recording, but once everything is set up, Lars should be able to move through things pretty quickly. We're recording the bass first because Lars starts school again on the 5th of January (I think that's the right date), so we wanted to get his stuff done before he goes back but normally the drums would be recorded first.

Current Mood: tired

Fine del Semestre
Happy Birthday Kelley! I always look forward to reading your journals, they are usually hilarious and make me laugh. They were something cool to read when I was at school studying.

I had my last final today! Yeah! Now I have six weeks off. I started my break by washing my car because it had some nasty bird poo on the back. Hopefully I will get some Superman car mats for Christmas, I asked my sister for them, and I think they would look nice in my car and help keep my floors clean too!

I found a little nick in the front of my car which I think is probably from some flying rock or other debris (heh heh, that's a funny word) from driving on the freeway. Two months old my new car is (that was Yoda-speak).

Current Mood: relaxed
Current Music: Nothing - Peace and Quiet

Preparing to Study
CG1, the band, played a show last night which went pretty well, but I felt like I wasn't putting out a lot of energy. I was playing pretty well and the band was sounding great as a whole, but I didn't seem to have that "show drive." I'm curious to see how the recording came out. We threw some Christmas tunes into our songs, so hopefully those turned out well; the Christmas addition made our first song's intro even longer, possibly five or six minutes of intro before any singing, for possibly a ten minute song. Long songs rock. No one I invited from school showed up. next time I see them I will have to smack them with lamp stand, or whatever happens to be available to me at the time.

I had this weird dream last night that I was digging a whole in front of my house. I was trying to dig out this tree stump, but I couldn't see the stump, but I kept on digging anyway. There wound up being huge piles of dirt everywhere and the whole was enormous. It was very strange.

Something, Somewhere Smells like Sawdust? Huh?
I managed to finish my paper, which turned out to be a little under 17 pages. The in-text citations really helped, not just by adding pages ot my paper, but by stimulating my brain to start writing. I managed to start thinking about what I was writing and get into some mofe so I had things to talk about.

School is winding down too, and I have a nice six week break to look forward to. Maybe I will find a job for the break, or maybe I'll try and write music like crazy for my audition into the composition program next fall. It's a long ways away, but the more I have, the better. I think I will be taking a lot of summer classes next summer, so I may not have a lot of time over the summer for writing music.

Current Mood: ThisIsTheIconForFrustration!HA
Current Music: Alter Bridge

Since I only have about six pages out of 15-20 required for my finance paper, I have decided to use citations. Lots of citations, so many you'd think it was a book written by somebody else, but as long as I give credit to the sources it's no big deal. I still have a conclusion to write, which may add an extra page or two, but that still leaves me a bit short. I just can't seem to get into this paper. I hope I'm not turning into one of those stupid music students who can't do anything that isn't performance-based. I don't think that's true because I'm doing REALLY well in my biology class, but this finance is giving me some trouble. It is an upper division G.E. class so that may be why, but still, I can usuaully handle papers. Then again, I've never had a paper this large to write, and I did put off doing it until the three days prior to it being due. Oh well, at least I've got John Williams to keep me company. Oh yeah, I ditched three classes this morning to work on this paper, that was kind of fun (not the paper but the ditching class), except that my right eye was swollen when I got up this morning. The swelling has gone down since I've gotten up (I think laying horizontally let all the blood settle in one spot and sitting upright has let gravity pull it down) so I don't look like somebody hit me in the eye because if somebody did hit me in the eye I'd be very angry and I would have beaten them to a gelatenous bloody puddle that somewhat resembles The Blob, except they would still have their skin on them, and how's this for a long sentence chief; not quite a two page sentence, but still pretty good and I managed to throw in a semicolon too!

Current Music: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

In the Gravitational Pull of Venus (I'd Rather Be Doing Homework, Wait, That's Not Right...)
Back to school I go. I had a week off and enjoyed it, I did get bored sometimes, so it's kind of nice to be back in my "routine", even though I have a 15-20 page paper due thrusday that I haven't started yet. Hopefully I'll get all my research done today (staying at school a while) so I can bust that sucka out tomorrow. We'll see. First eat, them work, well. maybe rest first too, and maybe watch some TV in the student lounge first, and maybe go home first . . . nah, I think I'll just eat first and get to work, that other stuff sounds boring.

I just found out that I get all of next week off for Thanksgiving. That is so cool! I could use the time to do my research paper for finance. I could also use it to sleep. Yeah, sleep, my estranged friend.

I also have a test in finance tomorrow that I was studying for, but I got so tired I could barely hold my eyes open. I was sitting in the cafeteria when I was studying, and as I was nodding off, my head kept bobing up and down. Do you know what I mean? It's when you're trying to stay awake, but are drifting off into sleep and your head slips off your hand or falls backwards. The fall usually jerks me awake and I look around to see if anyone noticed my nodding off.

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Born on the Fourth of July - John Williams

Recording some music
The band is supposed to start recording this weekend. It will be nice to record the rest of our songs. We have a three song demo as well as several live recordings, but it's nice to have a clean, and mastered, version of our songs. There are times, though, when I don't like our music. I listen to it, and it just doens't move me, or even gets on my nerves. Then there are times when I totally groove to our stuff. Maybe I'm just overly critical of our music, and maybe it's like that for everyone and their creations, but then again, maybe not.

I am feeling sick right now, so maybe that has to do with it as well. I enjoy playing with the band and have a good time hanging out with them, but it seems as though I am enjoying the music less these days. Maybe it's just stress from school as I get closer to finals, but maybe not. Maybe I'm nervous about the band getting a manager and starting to take things more seriously. Playing in a rock band is not really what I want to do as a career. I do want to do music, but as a composer of orchestral music (for films).

If the chance came up to where the band did get signed I don't know what I'd do. I will finish school, and nothing will get in the way of that, because in order to compose good music for an orchestra, it requires a lot of knowledge and skill. On the other hand, I might make some good connections in the music industry while being in a famous rock band, which could help me get into doing music for films.

I'm not sure how to get where I want to go, and if side opportunities arise. I'm not sure if I should take them. Everyone else in the band is so serious about getting signed anf I really don't care. I'm happy just playing in Ryan's house because I love hanging out with the guys. I really need to pray for some guidance becuase I'm feeling a bit confused about what I should do.

Current Mood: good, but eh as well

Yesterday I was invited by Elise (the girl in my piano class whom I posted an entry about) invited me to to study with her and some of her friends after piano class. Apparantly I didn't make too much of a fool of myself to where she doesn't feel comfrotable around me, so there's hope that we can be friends. It turned out to be a let's eat pizza and jibber-jabber as opposed to an actual study session. It was pretty fun, they were attempting to study music theory, which, without sounding arrogant, am rather good at, so I didn't need to study anyway. Then we played some pool together which I haven't played in several years. I forgot how much I enjoy playing pool. I started to get back in the groove after a little while too, making a few nice shots. Anyway, the point of this entry (after a paragraph of meandering thoughts) is that I hung out with some fellow students from school. I may be on my way to making some friends at Fullerton. I haven't made friends there yet, just acquaintances, so that will make my time at school much more enjoyable.

Current Mood: good

The True Nature of the Force
I have noticed that when I am around a girl that I like, or people I get nervous around (which is most people), that I am not myself. I forget who I am and try to be who I think the person would like. This might be the reason I have trouble with the ladies, because it's hard to like someone who kisses your ass. Besides, a woman should know who I really am from the start because the real me is bound to come out sooner or later, and if things get serious, and/or permanent, with a woman, she should know AND like who I really am. I think I behave contrary(wise?) to who I am because I'm worried the person won't like who I really am. There are some occasions when my true self comes through, and it seems like people really enjoy it. I have trouble remembering that people like my real self, but that may be a confidence issue which is another entry (or rather a series of entries). I have found that when I trust and focus more on God that I am not afraid of what others think of me. Ultimately it all comes down to the Lord because in the end (or when it seems like things are at their end) He is the only one left standing there. It's very hard to remember that, though, because I get caught up with everyday life and all its mundane details.

Current Mood: Contemplation . . . Hmm . . .

Yippey-Ity-Day For Piano Concerts!

There's this girl named Elise in my piano class that is really cool. She always wears the coolest shirts; today she had a shirt that said "I have a wocket in my poocket." I don't remember what book it's from, but it's from Dr. Seuss (the library at UCSD is called the Geisel Library, Dr. Seuss's real name [does anyone know if you're supposes to put an extra 's' on the end of a possesive like Seuss's?]). Anyway. she also reads Richard Matheson, who is one of my favorite authors. I lent her 'I Am Legend' today, which is a book wherem everyone on earth tunrs into vampires and there is only one man left. It's really good. But anyway, this was supposed to be an entry about a girl and it's turning out to be about everything but her. I'm trying to talk to her more and today went pretty well. I don't remeber everything we talked about, but I was trying to maintain strong eye contact (not INTENSE eye contact, but focusing on looking into her eyes) and attempting to remain calm. I tend to get rather nervous around when I am attracted to, so this is a difficult task for me. Although I asked God to help me not stutter over my words and act like a total retard and he definitely helped me out today. I'm trying to be casual around her, but at the same time I want to show I'm interested in her, but not Jimmy Stewart obsessive about her. NO wait, actually, it would be a Richard Collier obsessive disorder, not Jimmy Stewart, but so far, I don't seem to have either!

Current Mood: good
Current Music: country playing in the comp lab, not TOO terrible

Midterm Drag
It's a little past halfway through the semester and I am feeling quite lazy. I'm not doing my readings ahead of time and even my guitar practicing has slowed down a bit. I think buying my new car has also put a huge extra distraction on top of midterm laziness. I find myself staring at my keys sometimes in class.

Current Mood: uppity giddy blah
Current Music: The Planet Krypton - Superman - John Williams

Un Coche Nuevo (Part II)
I have purchased my first new car. I bought a 2005 Honda Civic. I got it for $15k out the door, so I was pretty happy about that. The dealer tried to screw me in the rear every chance they got, but luckily my dad was with me and he was loud, bitchy, obnoxious, and fortunately for me, was well knew all about new cars and car deals. The car is dark gray (grey? I don't know the difference), has 4 doors, and is an automatic, which will be very nice because I sit in traffic a lot going to and from school (and a manual transmission like my last car can be very annoying when you sit in stop and go traffic for an hour and a half). This new car will also be the first time I have had air conditioning. Most of you are probably like, "Air conditioning? That's a standard feature and I'm so used to having it!" Well my last car was a 91 Ford Escort and it didn't have air conditioning, so I'm not used to having it. It's a nice car and I like driving it. I'm trying to be very nice to the engine for the first 500 miles though, so the engine can break and well. Not that I'm a speed maniac or drive insanely, actually, I probably drive an old lady. Heh heh.

Pushy Car People
My mom borrowed my grandpa's truck to move some furniture. When he died about three weeks ago she continued to borrow it becuase it reminded her of my grandfather.
My uncle Paul would like to take the truck from my grandmother and make the rest of the payments on it. But my mom won't return it until I get a new car.
So my grandmother is pushing me to get a car soon. She only told me that she would help me buy a car this past Sunday. I have three finals this week (two I have taken, and one more tomorrow) so I haven't had a lot of time to check out cars.
I scoped out some cars online that I like, but I need to go and look at the cars in person. I want to sit in them and test drive some so I get a feel for which ones I like the most.
My dad is pushing the PT Cruiser and Toyota Matrix (or Scion Xa) because they are on sale and will have a good resale value. I really like the PT Cruiser; it's very comfortable and I can store a lot of band equipment in it, but I'm not sure about the mileage that it gets. I drive 30 miles each way to school, 5 days a week, so I need a car that gets good gas mileage and has good temperature control. I hardly use air conditioning, but when I turn on the fan, I would like the air to at least be cool.

Musical Mashoegans
My band is playing this Saturday night in downtown Upland. It should be pretty fun. We're starting around 9pm at Boomers Cafe (not the miniature golf place that used to be the Famiy Fun Center, but a coffee shop). Anyone is welcome to come. Check out our webiste www.cg1online.com for directions and other info (and to make sure I said the right time and place, sometimes I forget where I am...). The show is free, which is always nice, and we'll be playing for around two hours. I'm still not sure what to do for a solo piece. Maybe I'll play a grind-box and have a rhesus monkey do a little dance.

Current Mood: blah

Un Coche Nuevo
I am looking to buy a new car. My grandmother gave me two thousand dollars yesterday so I could put a down payment on a new car so that I could drive to school safely every day. I also have about 2Gs of my own I could throw in. I don't know what kind of car I want. I'm not even sure what kind of cars I like. If anyone has any ideas let me know. I won't buy anything for a while becuase I want to do my homework first and not get raped in the ass on the price.

Current Mood: bueno
Current Music: Annoying music somone's playing to loudly in the comp lab

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