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      <title>Randomness abounds</title>
      <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/</link>
      <description>Random thoughts about current events, and life living in the twin cities by Bill.</description>
      <language>en</language>
      <copyright>Copyright 2010</copyright>
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      <item>
	
         <title>Abandonment</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p>I have abandoned this blog.</p>

<p>Please visit me on blogger.</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2010/02/abandonment.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2010/02/abandonment.html</guid>
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         <pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:29:11 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title></title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/IMG_0279.html" onclick="window.open('http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/IMG_0279.html','popup','width=2272,height=1704,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false">View image</a><br />
</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/post.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/post.html</guid>
         <category></category>
         <pubDate>Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:46:28 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Curry and Beer Club</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p>So, I have decided that it is time to start my own social organization.  The Curry and Ale club.  This due to the fact that I have an infatuation with Indian Fodd (me loves) and a deep love for good beer.  This also pertains to my AngloPhile self, wanting to be in a Football firm, and connected to the world of Football.</p>

<p>Bad News, Ashlyn was brought in to the Hospital yesterday after having a couple of Fainting Spells.  She is now in the Pediatric ICU at Fairview.  They are not completely sure what is going on yet, but no doubt it is her heart.</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/curry_and_beer_club.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/curry_and_beer_club.html</guid>
         <category>recreation</category>
         <pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:27:28 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Grapes of Wrath</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p>Last night I squeezed my behind into a suit and headed to the Ordway Center for MN Opera's production of The Grapes of Wrath.  I have severely mixed feelings, on the singers, the story, the production, and not so mixed views on the music.  </p>

<p>The music was bad, moving between upbeat, chirpy muscial theater moments, to stodgy, tonally ambiguous hours.  I just didn't get it.  IT was dramatic enough, and I thought there were some nice moments (Especially between Rosasharn and Connie), but then they would sing somehting together and the writing would be complete shit.  Complete shit!  Most dissapointing was Tom Joads I will be there scene.  I have to say there were 2 scenes that I really enjoyed and that I thought were well done. </p>

<p>1. When Noah Joad, drowns himself.  Maybe it is just because in someway I have a connection to Andy who played Noah, but it was good.</p>

<p>2.  By far the best musically dramatic, and probably best performed (will bad vocal technique that was perfect)  was the burying of Baby Moses by Uncle John.</p>

<p><br />
Singing-<br />
Well, I don't know what to say.  There were moments when some people were great, and other moments that ought not be mentioned.  As a stand out - Andy Wilkouske, and the man who played Casy.  I did't think anything good about the man who played Uncle John, until the burrying scene- I was impressed.  Rosasharn, had the bright clear voice that I love to hear in that hall, unlike most others who have full but not pointed sound that is difficult to hear.</p>

<p>Most of the music seemed to be sung as written-difficult to make a line, difficult to comeplete a thought.</p>

<p><br />
Lighting-Bad</p>

<p>Sets- Minimal, but generally better than most MnOp productions.</p>

<p>Chorus.  For a group that size, there just should have been more sound.  period.  Why can't they watch also.  Wankers.  </p>

<p>Orchestra-  It was fair.  For the most part, they stayed together, and followed the conductor. </p>

<p>Would I go again?   Probably not.  It is a long, depressing story.  You also miss many of the political commentaries and hidden Gems found in the book.  </p>

<p>And on another note- The Libretto was Awful.  Just Awful, he should be ashamed of himself.</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/grapes_of_wrath.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/grapes_of_wrath.html</guid>
         <category>Opera</category>
         <pubDate>Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:03:58 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Why so glum?</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p>On a positive note, days are getting longer, Dunn Bros. has moved in, and I am my own person.</p>

<p>Democrats have control of the senate, I am going to New York, and I think I finally know who my friends are.</p>

<p>Chocolate is no longer comforting, so I feel no need to eat it, and soon fresh produce will be around.  </p>

<p>I know that I am a good singer, and my musical thoughts are my own.</p>

<p>I am strong, I am invincible, I am Bill.  Listen to me go.  </p>

<p>I need to find a better place to blog, and figure out how to post pictures.</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/why_so_glum.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/why_so_glum.html</guid>
         <category></category>
         <pubDate>Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:00:41 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>February Thoughts</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p>So, I haven't blogged in a long time, which is fine because nobody reads me, Thank God.  Why is it that sensitive souls think about war and music and love and hate, and food.  Always Food.</p>

<p>Oh that I could justify getting cable so I could sit mindlessly in front of the food network ; Alton Brown explaning the mechanics of Meringue, while Giada orgasms over another bean and tomato salad.  </p>

<p>Could we have more vietnamese restaurants in St Paul?  Have I frequented any of them yet?  Could Boca Chica move to the Burbs, or India Palace next door?  </p>

<p>Simply hearing the word<strong> "Curry"</strong> makes me crave a warm bitter in a pub, and a spicy vindaloo, that I miss.  Jacket potatoes and beans have replaced grilled cheese, and Branston Pickle is nowhere to be found.</p>

<p>February Sucks.</p>

<p>There are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all that needs to be done.  Taxes will be due in a couple months and some of us owe the government a lot of money.  The need to buy new shiney mac products hang over our heads, and what can we do about it.  Nothing.</p>

<p>Extremely profound thoughts enter my mind and finally, marathonning and die Schone Mullerin make sense.  Coffee has replaced the blood flowing through my veins and trying to understand what the cat is actually thinking is becoming possible.  Lent is looming while brooding thoughts of recent Advent soul searching is fresh in my mind.  Can I explain this?</p>

<p>Mangos are on sale, but trying to decide if cutting around the stoney pit is worth the juicy flesh is a struggle.  I eat apples because they are less work than their juicey citrus friends, and leftovers in the fridge are eaten until they are gone, for moral and financial reasons.  </p>

<p>Music is now a career, not an art.  The Love is taken out for financial gain, while artistry is pushed aside for the good of the group.  Doesn't anybody understand a musical phrase?  Schubert's legato berceuse echoes in my cavernous throat grasping for air to float effortlessly to the inevitable conclusion.  </p>

<p>May is around the corner, so are days of warmth, nightly running, and Iced Tea.</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/february_thoughts_1.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2007/02/february_thoughts_1.html</guid>
         <category></category>
         <pubDate>Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:33:22 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Christmas Shopping, When is enough enough.</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p>So, <br />
we all work hard for our money...some of us are Frugal and squander,  and some of us are generous and giving.  I would like to place my self in the middle of the spectrum.  In fact, I would almost put myself in the generous collumn.  Having said that, I hate Christmas Shopping.  I wander the malls and department stores for hours on end trying to find that perfect gift for those special people.  Once I find something that is passable, as we can never find that one perfect item, I write down what I bought on the list of doom.  Upon further examination of the list I realize that the monetary value of gifts to my brother and sister and mom and dad vary widely...I mean alot.  The question is, do I have to rectify this and even out things?  I mean, I don't want my brother to think that he is getting less, when in essence the gift I picked out for him is more meaningful than the large box under the tree for my sister.  Every year I feel the need to top my giving from the last year.  This also includes Charitable contributions, and cards and Birthdays.  </p>

<p>Truly this all hearkens back to the greatest holiday movie ever, The Charlie Brown Christmas, where Charlie Brown Laments over the over corporatization of American holidays.  Have we truly lost the meaning of Christmas?  In essence, no.  The reason many of us put our financial resources to the test in the holiday season is to show those who we give to, how much we love them, how much thought we put in to their gifts, and to hopefully see that happy look of gratitude on their glowing face when we unwrap those bright bowand ribbon-clad boxes of goodies.</p>

<p>What does this oration mean?  Sometime in the near future, I am going to have to set guidelines  to how I spend money, and how I "equal out" the value of holiday gifts.  After all, If I cannot afford to live, no one is going to get a gift!</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2005/12/christmas_shopping_when_is_eno.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2005/12/christmas_shopping_when_is_eno.html</guid>
         <category>Holiday</category>
         <pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:40:54 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>So much to do, so much procrastination</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p><u><strong>AUDITIONS</strong></u></p>

<p>Why am I so lazy...Is it fear that I won't succeed?  Is it feer that I will have to change?  </p>

<p>No.  I am just one lazy ass son of a bitch.  I have so many auditions to think about now, and no time to do anything about them.   Currently, I would like to send in a tape to <a href="http://www.chanticleer.org">Chanticleer</a>, send in a tape to the <a href="http://bachfest.uoregon.edu/">Oregon Bach Festival</a>, prepare an audition for the Stuttgart Festival, and Cantus.  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!</p>

<p>All the while I am trying to pay my bills, and singing for money.  I fear that I will never become a rockstar.  </p>

<p>Maybe this is why so many people commit suicide during the holidays.  That is when all of the opera auditions are and theyare so everwhelmed by the fact that they can't get a job as an opera singer that they decide..If I can't be a classical singer, I'll never be a rockstar, and they jsut pull the trigger.  Truly, I could never do anything like that.  I guess it is time for me to do some retail therapy (instead of actually preparing for anything)</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2005/12/so_much_to_do_so_much_procrast.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2005/12/so_much_to_do_so_much_procrast.html</guid>
         <category>Music Career</category>
         <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2005 22:57:12 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Cyber Stalking</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<p>So-Cyber stalking, I am all for it.  How else do you get to find out what former friends of yours do nowadays without actually talking to them.  Right?  Being a socially inept person I never want to talk to people or be in public.  Stalking them on the WWW allows me to be an introverted weirdo, and still stay in touch with the rest of the world.  Right?  Who are the latest subjects of my cyber prowling you ask.  All of the people that I used to talk with when I lived in duluth.  they are obviously having much more fun than I am, but I am not bitter.  <a href="http://www.zosiablue.com/">Jen</a> amazes me in her constant typing and keeping up with things.  Sometimes I regret leaving Duluth, not that I ever really hung out with these people, but I could have.</p>]]></description>
         <link>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2005/12/cyber_stalking.html</link>
         <guid>http://blog.lib.umn.edu/pede0055/random/2005/12/cyber_stalking.html</guid>
         <category></category>
         <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2005 22:45:47 +0000</pubDate>
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