Hey guys, I just logged onto Facebook and found out it's Thanksgiving... sooooo....
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tim
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Weird stuff...
So I'm mostly writing this down for my sake, but you can read it too, if it pleases you.
I had just finished writing an essay and was about to submit it to on an online essay forum for peer review, but then the forum told me that before I could submit another one of my essays I had to make corrections on two more essays- it's a good system- you only get feedback if you give feedback. Anyway, I corrected one, and then read another one. It was about dreaming, and very intriguing. Anyway, I was wandering through Wikipedia, following links, and I came across sleep paralysis.
I had forgotten until now, which is partly why I want to write it down, so I don't forget again, but last week I had a funny dream.
When I do dream, I always know that I'm dreaming. Always. Usually I don't remember them, but when I do, they're pretty cool. With full consciousness, I also have full control: If I don't like you and you're in my dream, poof! No more. If I don't like where the dream is, poof! it's somewhere better now.
Anyway, last week my dream was at a high school reunion, 10 or 15 years from now. It started off pretty normal, chilling with the guys, etc. Then I saw the father of one of my friends, but my friend wasn't there. I asked his dad where he was, and he responded by saying he had died, and invited me to follow him. I followed him, and he led me into a smaller conference room, where there were six or eight other people I hadn't seen before, in suits, gathered around a table. The father of my friend explained to me that his son had died after experiencing something very popular, and he was trying to expose that very popular thing and demonstrate its accountability for his son's- and, he said, other peoples'- deaths. Anyway, he then handed me an ipod and asked me to put the headphones on, so I obliged.
Now, keep in mind that this whole time I was totally aware that I asleep and dreaming, and totally in control of my dream the whole time, and intensely curious what this guy was about to show me.
Anyway, he played a song that I know very well, and for the first eight or ten seconds nothing happened. Then I was totally paralyzed- I woke up, and was aware that I was awake, but was completely paralyzed. I had full waking consciousness (not really any different from dreaming consciousness, except I wasn't in control of my surroundings any more)- the only things abnormal were that I was totally paralyzed and I could still hear the song playing. I panicked- it's scary to not be able to move- and started to hyperventilate. I was lying face up on my bed, looking at the ceiling, arms by my side (sort of like the Petrificus curse in the Harry Potter movies). I was really freaked out- I think it's the only time I've ever hyperventilated from fear.
Anyway, then the song ended and I could move again. It was some weirdass stuff, though. Very weird. I didn't like it.
I had just finished writing an essay and was about to submit it to on an online essay forum for peer review, but then the forum told me that before I could submit another one of my essays I had to make corrections on two more essays- it's a good system- you only get feedback if you give feedback. Anyway, I corrected one, and then read another one. It was about dreaming, and very intriguing. Anyway, I was wandering through Wikipedia, following links, and I came across sleep paralysis.
I had forgotten until now, which is partly why I want to write it down, so I don't forget again, but last week I had a funny dream.
When I do dream, I always know that I'm dreaming. Always. Usually I don't remember them, but when I do, they're pretty cool. With full consciousness, I also have full control: If I don't like you and you're in my dream, poof! No more. If I don't like where the dream is, poof! it's somewhere better now.
Anyway, last week my dream was at a high school reunion, 10 or 15 years from now. It started off pretty normal, chilling with the guys, etc. Then I saw the father of one of my friends, but my friend wasn't there. I asked his dad where he was, and he responded by saying he had died, and invited me to follow him. I followed him, and he led me into a smaller conference room, where there were six or eight other people I hadn't seen before, in suits, gathered around a table. The father of my friend explained to me that his son had died after experiencing something very popular, and he was trying to expose that very popular thing and demonstrate its accountability for his son's- and, he said, other peoples'- deaths. Anyway, he then handed me an ipod and asked me to put the headphones on, so I obliged.
Now, keep in mind that this whole time I was totally aware that I asleep and dreaming, and totally in control of my dream the whole time, and intensely curious what this guy was about to show me.
Anyway, he played a song that I know very well, and for the first eight or ten seconds nothing happened. Then I was totally paralyzed- I woke up, and was aware that I was awake, but was completely paralyzed. I had full waking consciousness (not really any different from dreaming consciousness, except I wasn't in control of my surroundings any more)- the only things abnormal were that I was totally paralyzed and I could still hear the song playing. I panicked- it's scary to not be able to move- and started to hyperventilate. I was lying face up on my bed, looking at the ceiling, arms by my side (sort of like the Petrificus curse in the Harry Potter movies). I was really freaked out- I think it's the only time I've ever hyperventilated from fear.
Anyway, then the song ended and I could move again. It was some weirdass stuff, though. Very weird. I didn't like it.
Hallo!
Hey everyone.
On Donnerstag I had a concert with the Luebeck Swing & Fun Band. That was pretty sweet. We played some great songs, here are my favorites:
"I Wish"- richtig fantastisch, with some fantastic Bone parts. LHS Jazz band could take this on for the last concert of the year, if it's feeling daring. Really a fun song.
"Spain"- a very cool song, with cool Sax & Bone parts alike. Very catchy.
"Thieves in the Temple"- Also very cool, and a little simpler. Sweet bone parts. LHS Ensemble really should play this, it's very cool.
"Summertime"- A standard, and fun to solo on
"Chicken"- Fast and catchy
"Sam's Boogie"- another really simple one, would be great for solo practice for the Ensemble.
These songs are really great, check out the links if you've got time.
The set was very long- like, two and a half hours. I don't think I could have played much more, my lips were pretty numb after that. Anyway... some photos to follow.
I should be finishing up my USC and UCLA & USB apps today or tomorrow, and then there's only UPenn, but that can wait til January. Of course, then there's scholarships.... :( it goes on.
Ciao!
On Donnerstag I had a concert with the Luebeck Swing & Fun Band. That was pretty sweet. We played some great songs, here are my favorites:
"I Wish"- richtig fantastisch, with some fantastic Bone parts. LHS Jazz band could take this on for the last concert of the year, if it's feeling daring. Really a fun song.
"Spain"- a very cool song, with cool Sax & Bone parts alike. Very catchy.
"Thieves in the Temple"- Also very cool, and a little simpler. Sweet bone parts. LHS Ensemble really should play this, it's very cool.
"Summertime"- A standard, and fun to solo on
"Chicken"- Fast and catchy
"Sam's Boogie"- another really simple one, would be great for solo practice for the Ensemble.
These songs are really great, check out the links if you've got time.
The set was very long- like, two and a half hours. I don't think I could have played much more, my lips were pretty numb after that. Anyway... some photos to follow.
I should be finishing up my USC and UCLA & USB apps today or tomorrow, and then there's only UPenn, but that can wait til January. Of course, then there's scholarships.... :( it goes on.
Ciao!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Munchen II
So.
I had some free time Friday night, so I did some wandering around the city, looking for something to do. There was a poster on a wall by the subway that said there was a Jazz Jam, so I followed the signs and ended up at the University- which, Nelia, happens to also be called LMU, except it's Ludwig Maximilian Universitat, not Loyola Marymount University. Fast, though.
Anyway. There was a strike and a student demonstration, there- Christian told me later that it was because the Stadt wanted to raise fees for going to university, and the students didn't like that. I can see why. Anyway, the building was totally taken over by students- I don't think I saw a single person over 25 there that night. There was a big central hall, with maybe 200 students in it, and they had a big demonstration in there talking about their rights and their plan of action and their objections and all sorts of fun stuff. It was funny, though, how absolutely un-American that was: every single student had a beer in hand, and ninety percent were smoking.
Anyway. In all the hallways kids had set up little booths either with information on the strike or with food, so I have some nice literature now.
In the other end of the building the jazz band was setting up. Check out the guy's sweet bass in this picture... it was very cool. Anyway, they weren't ready right when I got there, so I left and bought a beer, and talked to some of the students in one of the main halls. Anyway, by the time they did get going they were really good. It was these three in the photo, but later a trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and another guitar came. They played a lot of songs I knew, too, which was cool. They opened with Chameleon!
Anyway, they were literally playing in a hallway- it wasn't a concert hall or anything. After they started playing, kids started flowing in. By 10:30 it had gotten sort of crazy- not like, out of control, but just in the sense that I had no idea what was going on. I mean, everyone was still smoking and drinking, but all the sudden there were dogs running around, and everyone was dancing, and some guy was yipping into a portable microphone, and then the lights went out, and there were fire dancers, and then fire dancers with more fire... I have no idea where all of the stuff came from, but it was a really good time. A really great night. I took a video, here's a link.
I had some free time Friday night, so I did some wandering around the city, looking for something to do. There was a poster on a wall by the subway that said there was a Jazz Jam, so I followed the signs and ended up at the University- which, Nelia, happens to also be called LMU, except it's Ludwig Maximilian Universitat, not Loyola Marymount University. Fast, though.
Anyway. In all the hallways kids had set up little booths either with information on the strike or with food, so I have some nice literature now.
Anyway, they were literally playing in a hallway- it wasn't a concert hall or anything. After they started playing, kids started flowing in. By 10:30 it had gotten sort of crazy- not like, out of control, but just in the sense that I had no idea what was going on. I mean, everyone was still smoking and drinking, but all the sudden there were dogs running around, and everyone was dancing, and some guy was yipping into a portable microphone, and then the lights went out, and there were fire dancers, and then fire dancers with more fire... I have no idea where all of the stuff came from, but it was a really good time. A really great night. I took a video, here's a link. |
| From Munich |
Munchen I
Sorry guys, I meant to post Monday about my weekend in Munich, but it just didn't happen. Sorry.
Anyways. I'm not going to lie, Munich was pretty sweet. South Germany has a totally different character than the North. Based on my short and sweet three-day visit there, I'd say it's more like the US.
We stayed with Anke's sister, Ina, and her husband, Christian, and her children, Oskar and Olivia. They live right in the city, in the student district. I really liked their neighborhood- filled with small niche shops and cafes, and just a few blocks away from the university, it had a very cool character.
The first day Ina treated Lotta and I to a traditional Munich breakfast, and it was fantastic. White Wurst with sweet mustard, Brezeln (pretzles), a cheese dip, meats, and vegetables. I was surprised to learn that the White Wurst is traditionally only eaten for breakfast, and even more surprised to hear that breakfast is served with beer. Go figure.
Ina made it very clear that food is very important in Munich. It seems like every ten minutes is Brot Zeit (bread time), and it's time to stop and get a snack. Sounds like a good way of living for me. Anyway, Ina showed us some of the city, and we got a brief tour of some of the most important things. We were treated to a beautiful blue sky, and it was warm and sunny almost the whole weekend. There's a goofy picture of me below, when we stopped for a drink after a little sightseeing. My hair isn't red, that's just glare.
I thought the poster above was funny... everything you need, right? Upper left is Lotta, with Oskar, and left is just hilarious.
Okay! I'll make another post for the rest. Ciao!
Anyways. I'm not going to lie, Munich was pretty sweet. South Germany has a totally different character than the North. Based on my short and sweet three-day visit there, I'd say it's more like the US.
We stayed with Anke's sister, Ina, and her husband, Christian, and her children, Oskar and Olivia. They live right in the city, in the student district. I really liked their neighborhood- filled with small niche shops and cafes, and just a few blocks away from the university, it had a very cool character.
The first day Ina treated Lotta and I to a traditional Munich breakfast, and it was fantastic. White Wurst with sweet mustard, Brezeln (pretzles), a cheese dip, meats, and vegetables. I was surprised to learn that the White Wurst is traditionally only eaten for breakfast, and even more surprised to hear that breakfast is served with beer. Go figure.Ina made it very clear that food is very important in Munich. It seems like every ten minutes is Brot Zeit (bread time), and it's time to stop and get a snack. Sounds like a good way of living for me. Anyway, Ina showed us some of the city, and we got a brief tour of some of the most important things. We were treated to a beautiful blue sky, and it was warm and sunny almost the whole weekend. There's a goofy picture of me below, when we stopped for a drink after a little sightseeing. My hair isn't red, that's just glare.
The Rathaus
Okay! I'll make another post for the rest. Ciao!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Que pasa?
I think it's really funny- in the US, I think just about everyone would know what you mean when you say "Que pasa?". Here, though, I say that and people look at me in wide-eyed horror.
Okay, that's a slight exaggeration. But it really goes to show that the US is a veritable mischmasch (our German word of the day) of cultures and languages. Here, only Jochen has any idea what I'm talking about.
Today I finished my suesses klienes schaechtelchen! It's ganz pupsiges. Maybe tomorrow you can have a picture.
I was thinking about New England the other day- I don't really think that our leaves are brighter than anywhere else, I think that it's just the quality of light that makes them so famous. The leaves here in Germany get very bright, but because it's a perpetual fog they don't appear so. New England's unique indian summers are why we're famous for foliage, I think- we have sun! Or, at least, a little more than some other places.
That being said, all the leaves are gone here, now. We've had snow, too, but it only lasted for a day, thank goodness.
German weather this time of year is a little depressing. It rains almost every day and gets dark around 4.30, if not earlier. I just need to keep in mind that it's always dark this time of year, though, regardless of whether I'm in Germany or Boston. And it's not too too kalt yet, so that's good!
Anyway. I can't find the song of the day! It's Desengano, by Los Panchos... maybe you can find it on iTunes or something. Sorry folks. In the meantime, this is pretty cool.
Okay. Bis Morgen!
Okay, that's a slight exaggeration. But it really goes to show that the US is a veritable mischmasch (our German word of the day) of cultures and languages. Here, only Jochen has any idea what I'm talking about.
Today I finished my suesses klienes schaechtelchen! It's ganz pupsiges. Maybe tomorrow you can have a picture.
I was thinking about New England the other day- I don't really think that our leaves are brighter than anywhere else, I think that it's just the quality of light that makes them so famous. The leaves here in Germany get very bright, but because it's a perpetual fog they don't appear so. New England's unique indian summers are why we're famous for foliage, I think- we have sun! Or, at least, a little more than some other places.
That being said, all the leaves are gone here, now. We've had snow, too, but it only lasted for a day, thank goodness.
German weather this time of year is a little depressing. It rains almost every day and gets dark around 4.30, if not earlier. I just need to keep in mind that it's always dark this time of year, though, regardless of whether I'm in Germany or Boston. And it's not too too kalt yet, so that's good!
Anyway. I can't find the song of the day! It's Desengano, by Los Panchos... maybe you can find it on iTunes or something. Sorry folks. In the meantime, this is pretty cool.
Okay. Bis Morgen!
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