I signed up for a writing course today with Gotham Writers. They're based out of NYC but have online courses as well. Although I'm sure it's not the cheapest online writing course, they have good ratings on Yelp.com and a "test class" to see how the course works. Now, you may be wondering, if I graduated from OSU as an English major why the heck am I paying more money for a writing class. That's a valid thing to wonder about.
I decided that since I have to work a mundane 9-5 job for at least a couple more years, I need a little something else in life. Something to spark creative juices; if I have any that is. So I decided a writing course was the way to go. Hopefully. If not I just threw away some money that could easily go towards a couple months of Texas rate car insurance.
The class starts May 5th and is a ten week course. If my blog writing improves, we know it's working as I will be learning (or relearning) writing skills. Although if my blog gets worse, it could also be working since I'll probably put more time into the required coursework. I'll keep you updated.
In other news: I've been home sick in bed all day... I bet you were wondering how you were so lucky to get two blogs in the same day.
Monday, April 27, 2009
This blog is for Just you!
In 2005, Clay Aiken had his Jukebox tour. Which if you recall I wrote a blog about my experience there. During the tour he "tested out" songs that might be on his then upcoming CD "A Thousand Different Ways". Although everything was new to me, it was fun to hear music that was not yet on a CD, and no doubt even more enjoyable for those who had been fans from day one of American Idol. He did not sing each song every night, Clay likes to switch things up a lot. (Have you noticed how many hair styles and colors he's gone through?!?) I'm sure this was just fine by fans that went to more then one show, but I only had access to watch the other songs not performed in Columbus via internet downloads. One song in particular that I missed was "Just You".
Unfortunately it was never put on the CD and we were left without a great song.
Let's jump to Friday (as in 3 days ago). Clay got online at the Official Fan Club and started a "Questions FOR Clay" thread. He was online from 1:37 to 8:41pm (not sure what time zone) answering questions ranging from silly topics such as owning a pair of orange crocs (His answer: "UNEQUIVOCALLY, ABSOLUTELY ... NO! NO! NO! NO! So ugly!") to more serious questions about being bullied and Unicef. May I also add that we both share the same favorite song from his newest CD "On My Way Here". :) At 8:41 (OFC time) he mentioned that it's a shame his homework in highschool couldn't keep his attention for so long, he was signing off, but to check his blog for one more answer.
During the course of the day someone had asked the question "Clay, will you ever record... Just You?" The surprising answer... he already had, it was one of the first songs he recorded for his CD "A Thousand Different Ways"! He stated, "It was recorded before the label asked me to do the album of cover love songs and before the budget was officially approved, so I actually paid for it myself." Apparently though it did not fit the concept of the CD and was left out. To his knowledge Clay owned the one and only copy of the song. Crazy right?
And then what happens, this amazing entertainer GAVE us the song. He writes,
"Since I didn't write it or produce it, I can't sell it to you... but I hate to encourage getting music for free. You all have always been SOOOO ethical when it has come to downloading music. I know my fans are probably some of the most scrupulous in the country..."
For example, I bought FOUR copies of his last CD. :)
There was just one stipulation. He was in fact giving this to us for free but he wanted it to count for someone. He encouraged us to make a donation towards the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. Only if we wanted to and/or could afford it. (even 5 cents helps!)
The studio version is amazing, which you can download (right click, open in new window) here and you can also donate here.
Thank you Clay! You're an amazing man who no doubt loves and appreciates your fans.
Unfortunately it was never put on the CD and we were left without a great song.
Let's jump to Friday (as in 3 days ago). Clay got online at the Official Fan Club and started a "Questions FOR Clay" thread. He was online from 1:37 to 8:41pm (not sure what time zone) answering questions ranging from silly topics such as owning a pair of orange crocs (His answer: "UNEQUIVOCALLY, ABSOLUTELY ... NO! NO! NO! NO! So ugly!") to more serious questions about being bullied and Unicef. May I also add that we both share the same favorite song from his newest CD "On My Way Here". :) At 8:41 (OFC time) he mentioned that it's a shame his homework in highschool couldn't keep his attention for so long, he was signing off, but to check his blog for one more answer.
During the course of the day someone had asked the question "Clay, will you ever record... Just You?" The surprising answer... he already had, it was one of the first songs he recorded for his CD "A Thousand Different Ways"! He stated, "It was recorded before the label asked me to do the album of cover love songs and before the budget was officially approved, so I actually paid for it myself." Apparently though it did not fit the concept of the CD and was left out. To his knowledge Clay owned the one and only copy of the song. Crazy right?
And then what happens, this amazing entertainer GAVE us the song. He writes,
"Since I didn't write it or produce it, I can't sell it to you... but I hate to encourage getting music for free. You all have always been SOOOO ethical when it has come to downloading music. I know my fans are probably some of the most scrupulous in the country..."
For example, I bought FOUR copies of his last CD. :)
There was just one stipulation. He was in fact giving this to us for free but he wanted it to count for someone. He encouraged us to make a donation towards the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. Only if we wanted to and/or could afford it. (even 5 cents helps!)
The studio version is amazing, which you can download (right click, open in new window) here and you can also donate here.
Thank you Clay! You're an amazing man who no doubt loves and appreciates your fans.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Whoa, that's a long way down!
I realized the other day that I never actually wrote down my fun and exciting adventure of being on the roof of Hughes Hall. Or maybe I have and lost it. Or I lost it but you've already read it. If that's the case leave a comment and let me know where you've seen it.
But Hughes Hall. One of the oldest buildings on THE Ohio State University's campus. Hughes is one of the two buildings for the School of Music. Obviously this story is from quite a years back because at the time of this story I actually was a music major.
As a music major it should be assumed that you have to practice a lot. And if it's not assumed now you know. I don't remember how many hours a week you should practice, or I did, but it's a lot. Anyhoo. The fourth floor of Hughes hall consists merely of practice rooms. Every practice room has a piano, music stand and chair. Sometimes a mirror to make sure you're standing up straight and your hair is in place. Ok maybe not so much for hair placement but more to work on your embouchure. And if you don't know what that is I provided a nice wikipedia link for you.
So one day I was upstairs for my daily practicing ritual. Good times. When I was finished I packed up, and was headed out the door. Now, let me digress for a moment. Remember how I said Hughes is one of the oldest buildings on campus? To make the rooms "sound proof" the only extra step taken was to put two doors on the rooms. One opens inwards, the other outwards. As of my time in the music school, no updates had been made to those doors so they were about 1000 or more years old. Give or take a year or two. Because of the age, the doors can be difficult to close and/or open. And in one circumstance, not to open at all. As such was the case on one sunny afternoon. But no worries. It was just a little stuck. Let's try again. Not opening. And again. Um, the door was seriously not budging. Now what? I heard someone practicing a couple rooms over but I knew banging on the door would be pointless and who knew how long it would take for someone to walk back to where I was practicing. Great.
I had only one option. Maybe there could have been other ones but I had the idea of only one option at that time.
The window.
I was on the fourth floor but there was a pretty nice gutter that i could crawl around on to find someone to assist me to get back in the building so I could continue on with life. So out the window I went. They make that type of thing look so easy in movies! Geez. But I got out. I decided to head towards the sound of another saxophone player. Thankfully it happened to be one of my better friends in my saxophone class. I knocked on the window and seriously thought I might have scared her to death. I was rather grateful I didn't though or else I would be stuck outside in the gutter of this stupid ancient building.
I gave a two second explanation of what happened. The sooner I was in the building the better. Amazingly enough, I think, it was harder and more of a pain to get back IN the building then out. It was probably safer to be inside though so I gave up on trying not to get bruises and stuffed myself through.
Once I was inside and both my friend and I were composed I went back to the room that I had been securely locked in. It opened with no problem from the outside. That was quite annoying.
I must say though that the experience made for a very interesting, scary, yet fun story to tell.
And now you know.
But Hughes Hall. One of the oldest buildings on THE Ohio State University's campus. Hughes is one of the two buildings for the School of Music. Obviously this story is from quite a years back because at the time of this story I actually was a music major.
As a music major it should be assumed that you have to practice a lot. And if it's not assumed now you know. I don't remember how many hours a week you should practice, or I did, but it's a lot. Anyhoo. The fourth floor of Hughes hall consists merely of practice rooms. Every practice room has a piano, music stand and chair. Sometimes a mirror to make sure you're standing up straight and your hair is in place. Ok maybe not so much for hair placement but more to work on your embouchure. And if you don't know what that is I provided a nice wikipedia link for you.
So one day I was upstairs for my daily practicing ritual. Good times. When I was finished I packed up, and was headed out the door. Now, let me digress for a moment. Remember how I said Hughes is one of the oldest buildings on campus? To make the rooms "sound proof" the only extra step taken was to put two doors on the rooms. One opens inwards, the other outwards. As of my time in the music school, no updates had been made to those doors so they were about 1000 or more years old. Give or take a year or two. Because of the age, the doors can be difficult to close and/or open. And in one circumstance, not to open at all. As such was the case on one sunny afternoon. But no worries. It was just a little stuck. Let's try again. Not opening. And again. Um, the door was seriously not budging. Now what? I heard someone practicing a couple rooms over but I knew banging on the door would be pointless and who knew how long it would take for someone to walk back to where I was practicing. Great.
I had only one option. Maybe there could have been other ones but I had the idea of only one option at that time.
The window.
I was on the fourth floor but there was a pretty nice gutter that i could crawl around on to find someone to assist me to get back in the building so I could continue on with life. So out the window I went. They make that type of thing look so easy in movies! Geez. But I got out. I decided to head towards the sound of another saxophone player. Thankfully it happened to be one of my better friends in my saxophone class. I knocked on the window and seriously thought I might have scared her to death. I was rather grateful I didn't though or else I would be stuck outside in the gutter of this stupid ancient building.
I gave a two second explanation of what happened. The sooner I was in the building the better. Amazingly enough, I think, it was harder and more of a pain to get back IN the building then out. It was probably safer to be inside though so I gave up on trying not to get bruises and stuffed myself through.
Once I was inside and both my friend and I were composed I went back to the room that I had been securely locked in. It opened with no problem from the outside. That was quite annoying.
I must say though that the experience made for a very interesting, scary, yet fun story to tell.
And now you know.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
I should live where?!?
I was on facebook the other day and noticed a friend had taken a "quiz" to see which state he should live in; or which state best suits you. I decided to take the quiz. Maybe it would confirm that I should be in Texas, or maybe I should be moving to California, or NYC. It was only a five question quiz. And I end up with...
OHIO?!?
OHIO?!?
What the heck does that mean I wonder.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)