Tuesday, March 21, 2006
ECS - JURY DUTY - SWEEPS!
Sometimes there's people in your life that you KNOW were placed there for a reason. I really think Shah and Ben are two people who are meant to be in my life. We had a great weekend, and I know much of it had to do with the company I kept.We arrived in Oswego, NY on Friday after a 6 hour drive. The ride wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and was especially fun because of those two clowns. Even if we're irritated with each other, it always comes out in a way that makes us all laugh and the problem is fixed. I think that it's rare for people to be able to communicate and laugh at and with each other the way we do, so I'm thankful that we have that between us.
I'm also happy to report that Oswego is not an iceburg. There was a little snow, but mostly it was a sleepy little town. Our $45 a night hotel rooms were not swank at ALL. Liveable, but barely. We definitely got what we paid for. The first night there, we all hung in the boys room (I had my own room!), got beer and chinese food takeout, and watch both "Rush Hour" movies.
On Saturday, we headed over for our soundcheck and noon-time performance. Wes Sat in with us, and we had about 15 minutes to go over the new arrangements with him. He's so good, though, that it all gelled and we had a great performance. I also mentioned to Wes that sometimes I just want to touch his chest. He laughed and thanked me, but did not allow me to touch his chest. Oh well.
After that, dinner at Ruby Tuesday where we all ate WAY TOO MUCH FOOD. I was a big, fat gluttonous pig all weekend long. We all took naps after dinner and the boys barely woke up in time for the show!
The evening show ROCKED. They were a really great audience to being with, but they were incredibly enthusiastic about our set - which is the same set we'll be using for Sweeps - so that gave us some positive reinforcement. Even one man/part down (Dan couldn't make it), we gave a good show!
Saturday night afterglow part went til about 2:30 am, and we drank and made merry and danced to a cappella music. That definitely confirms my status as a geek. Sunday we were on a panel for a "Composers Forum" and talked about writing.
Overall, a fun weekend. There are lots of things I'd change about the summit and the educational aspects of it, but I can't say much if I don't bother to help, I suppose. I am glad it happens, though.
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Monday, I had to report to Jury Duty at 8:30am. I know it's my civic duty and all, but what a FUCKING WASTE OF TIME! I was in a small room with about 35 people that was too hot and too boring. I kid you not when I tell you that we waited in there with the door closed (they don't want you hearing anything about any trials) for SIX HOURS. At 2:30, the judge came in and told us that there was a computer glitch and they couldn't assign juror numbers to us and therefore couldn't assign us to a trial - so we had to go home. I was both happy and pissed. Happy to get out of that room, but pissed that my time was wasted.
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The Boston Regional Harmony Sweepstakes competition is this Saturday. Eight groups compete to win an all-expense paid trip to California to compete in the Nationals. Back in 2003, Shah and I won when we were in AAB. It would be VERY cool to win again, but there's some serious competition this year. There's an EXTREMELY talented group called 5-Alone that does similar music to what we're doing. Also, there's a group named Traces that won the NY regionals last year competing in Boston this year. We're also on first, but we've come to be comfortable with that slot.
All I know is that I'm really proud of how much we've worked and the new songs we've written and arranged. We're opening with a new original that we just finished writing and arranging called "Just Like Birdland", a new arrangement of Gershwin's "Summertime," and an original of mine called "Gay Boyfriend." I'm hoping that the original music gives us a few extra points.
In any case, if you're in the Boston area and want to go, just click on the link above for more info.
Sorry this entry was so boring. I'm still tired from the weekend, and I'm fighting a cold with heavy doses of Airbourne. I'll try to bring on the funny in the next entry. For now, Taunia - out.
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