Contest recap, Shiner, and games

As a colleague of mine said, "Hope in one hand and shit in the other...see which one fills up faster." I had *hoped* the bus for UIL would arrive as scheduled. Not even close. At 4:45 we were supposed to step onto the bus. At 5:00 I called the bus barn... they couldn't find a record of this trip (that's a load of crap- I had a copy of the bus ticket in my hand). Then when they managed to locate it, they called the driver and she said she was "just around the corner". So at 5:15 I'm livid, because the bus driver pulls up 30 minutes late, and came to the wrong side of the building. Now I have children in suits and dresses crossing through freshly mown grass, lugging gigantic instruments. I stepped onto the bus and aid we were suppsed to be arriving right about now. Step on it. She sassed me saying "I just got my bus a few minutes ago, there ain't nothing I could do about it being late." (Interesting... didn't the bus barn dispatch say she was "just around the corner" 15 minutes ago? Hmmmm.)  So the kids load up fast as possible, we race off to the contest. The hosts were so gracious, and they held the contest for us. We got our complete warm up time, and had actually a REALLY good warm up!

On stage: it turns out we wasted our good performance in the warm up room. It went to crap on stage and we came back with a 1-2-2 (overall 2). It is beneath my expectations for the group. If they had done their best and we got a 2, fine. However it was not their best and they knew it. I listened to the recording later, as did my students the following day, and they said they agreed that our performance was a 2, certainly not our best work. Too bad. I hate knowing we COULD have had a 1, but just didn't pull it out. Anyway, sight reading was next, and because I drill them relentlessly with hard music, the sight reading was beyond easy for them. They aced it, and came away with 1-1-1 and a cute little trophy that they all signed. :) So fun times I guess. The principal came to hear us- it's nice to be supported. She and I don't often shake hands, but at least she's aware of the work that we do, and the effort the students put into their UIL experience.

Apartment shopping: I think I found the next place I'm going to live. It's labeled "luxury condominiums" so how bad could it be? I toured it yesterday... I think "luxury" may have been applicable like 20 years ago, but it's certainly not junky, and it's a step up from where I am now, so yay. I was quite clear with the manager about my expectations- smoke free building!!! I want to see it as an addendum in my lease, if I decide to rent there. Don't know if that's possible, but I'll ask anyway. (Don't ask, don't get.)

My string quartet has been hired to play at the Dallas Film Festival this month- I'm feverishly working on arrangements for the music they requested. Getting lots of good work done. I love spring break! I also picked up another piano student recently, so all this extra cash is going straight into the Beijing trip fund.

I am a fan of Shiner beer (who in Texas isn't?) and got their seasonal variety.. Dortmunder style with honeyed hops, etc. Ohhhh so good! I made corned beef and cabbage for dinner (cheap but tasty Irish fare) and washed it down with few of those Shiners. Very nice dinner, accompanied by a good book. I like it. I have to say, I'm sad Matt and I are living apart still, but I'm really enjoying my solitude and I think I'm not entirely ready to give it up.

This morning I went to a listening party for a former student of mine who won a national scholarship for playing piano. He was featured on a popular radio programme for talented kids in the musical performing arts. I am so amazed at him! Anyway, his family hosted a listening party at the Soda Factory (very cool shop in the Arts District) and had a nice brunch, and had his show on the radio, so we ate, talked, then listened to his performance and subsequent interview, and then partied some more. It's so cool that I had a student who has won national (and international) acclaim! I'm thrilled. I think I like my job more and more, when I hear about students making their way in music, and making a name for themselves.

As it's spring break, I'm going to 1) clean, 2) shop for apartments, 3) cook a big pork loin the fancy way, 4) arrange music for my quartet, 5) and go fishing and to the zoo on Thursday. :) (To be clear, not fishing AT the zoo.) It's perfectly gorgeous weather and I want to spend it outdoors when possible. Meals on the patio I think, and some grilling (if I ever work up the nerve to make my grill functional again.) I'm still scared of that thing. Stupid exploding containers of gas!

Games: Civ Rev- got the tech achievement (finally!) and now working on King level stuff. I bought ilomilo.... the game is cute, but has a REALLY annoying soundtrack. I have to play it on mute. Even now the music is burning a hole in the cortex of my brain! It's a puzzle game, and they get really bloody difficult! You function in a 3D environment, so it's not as simple and left and right. It's left, right, down up, and sideways, in each direction. Mind boggling. I saw XBOX's
vote for your favorite arcade game". When I saw Limbo was up against ilomilo... I laughed. No contest. Limbo kicks ilomilo's ass twice in each direction! Still a cute game though. Saccharine perhaps.

Today I'm spending the afternoon with Matt watching Breaking Bad, then heading over to my friend's house for one last girls' night before my best friend moves to Italy. :( I'm already missing her. I've known her almost 15 years now and will really miss having her around. Luckily she's living in a really freaking awesome place so I plan on visiting her a few times over the next several years they're stationed there. :)

Happy Spring Break!