Monday, June 25, 2007

So I have this Gackt theme up now. I'm not even a terribly huge fan of him, but nevertheless he has a very "big" voice and can play the piano and guitar respectively well. Since it's Gackt themed, here goes: 1.What's your favorite Gackt song?: Vanilla 2. What's your favorite song on my music player?: It's my player, hombre. 3. Random comment about Gackt: He can actually sing, unlike many J-singers. (I won't say any band names; you'll probably already know the really bad ones ::coughcoughglamourbandscoughcough::)

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Sunday, June 24, 2007

For some reason, I want a pinstripe suit.. I don't have much to say. Hope everyone is doing well.

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Thursday, June 21, 2007

First, we're leaving for vacation on July 1st. That means I'll miss an orchestra performance, plus two rehearsals. Wowie. And secondly, I'd like to switch to a Lord of the Rings type attitude. Number one thing I’d like to address: Just finished reading The Children of Húrin {pronounced ‘Hoorin’}, by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by his son Christopher Tolkien. And I must say the book was absolutely outstanding. As always, his writing and histories/stories/characters/events leave me in awe. I think I’m going to reread it. (And on a random note, the illustrations of Allan Lee make it even more wonderful.) The next LOTR item on the agenda: I’m going to see Howard Shore again. This is so thrilling. (On a crappier note, I’ll be on vacation during Franz Welser-Möst’s evening of conducting Beethoven’s Ninth. Blah.) So because there is no survey [whinny comment], I’ll just ask a multilayered question: What makes a good book good? In other words, what qualities make it worth reading over and over again?

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Friday, June 15, 2007

Youtube is cracking down on the movies and other things that are littered about their site. Personally, there are no surprises here. It was bound to happen. --- The “Two” Survey Part Two; please take this survey (requested by Ms. Sunday) Two books you like: 1. A Storm of Swords 2. Einstein’s Violin: A Conductor’s Notes on Music, Physics, and Social Change Two people you think are good-looking: 1. Franz Welser-Möst 2. Kenneth Branagh Two hair colors you’d have: 1. Silvery blond 2. Blackish brown Two tattoos you’d have: 1. Ivy (the plant) 2. "Musica delenit bestiam feram." Two things that annoy you: 1. People that get really close when they talk 2. Crowded, damp, muggy buses Two places you’d never cry: 1. School 2. Public Two types of people you dislike: 1. Quick to judgment 2. Homophobes Two songs you like: 1. Half Jack by The Dresden Dolls 2. Symphony No. 8 in G Major by Antonín Dvoøák Two guilty pleasures: 1. Warioland 4 [it’s so stupid and SO ADDICTING] 2. J-dramas [rarely] Two celebrities you can’t stand: 1. Keanu Reaves 2. Tom Cruise Two hobbies: 1. Music 2. Reading --- So I hope everyone is at least trying to enjoy their summer. And as always, if there’s anything anyone wants to say, the go ahead and say it. I love to hear random thoughts/comments.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Howard Shore is coming back to Cleveland this year. Either Franz Welser-Möst will be in Zurich for most of the summer (which would be terribly unfortunate), or… Cleveland just loved him. Yeah, I think that’s the reason. Anyhow, the schedule for Blossom this year looks really promising. For anyone who cares: July 7 is Beethoven’s Ninth July 8 is called a ‘Viennese Evening’ with just a plethora of Richard, Josef, and Johann Strauss. Mahler is later. All conducted by Franz Welser-Möst with the Cleveland Orchestra. I’ve already bought two sets of concert tickets for any two performances this season. And it’s looking good. --- Anyhow, a random ‘two’ survey complied by me (and please take this survey): Two names you’d rather have: 1. Constance (female) 2. Benedict (male) Two movies you like: 1. A Beautiful Mind 2. Pan’s Labyrinth Two people you admire: 1. Franz Welser-Möst 2. James Horner Two things you’ll never understand: 1. Calculus 2. Close-minded people Two places you’d like to live: 1. Austria (where there’s a 40 degree difference between night and day!) 2. New Zealand Two personality traits you cannot stand: 1. Arrogance 2. Recklessness Two pet peeves: 1. People that twist witticisms 2. Excessive cynicism Two things you think you know about me or conclusions you’ve drawn: 1. [THIS IS ME] 2. [DITTO]

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Friday, June 8, 2007

Well, here are the responses to the last question, compiled. It was very interesting to me. --- My response: I think I'd like to go out to lunch with Franz Welser-Möst. He really fascinates me. I've seen him conduct, and watched his lectures, but he is very difficult to understand. In him, I see simple elegance expressed in a handsome, glinty-eyed fashion that some people might not like. He seems rather tyrannical, but only because he loves what he is doing. He isn't one of those ridiculous conductor "humbugs". He's brilliant, and I'd love to ask him a few questions about his opinion on the music repertoire of some conductors. You know, get his input? I'd probably ask him for advice on conducting too, since he has a special talent for pouring his soul into the music. It's really unbelievable to me. I think that I want to know what his favorites are, compared to mine. After all, he started out as a pianist and violinist, just like me. But maybe if he was busy I'd want to meet James Horner. That'd also be really cool. In fact, I think I'd ask Mr. Welser-Möst if we could possibly go fly out to wherever he was, and meet him. (Mr. Welser-Möst is a frequent flyer, I'm guessing; he is the music director of the Zurich Opera House in Austria.) There are so many other people I'd like to meet: Joshua Bell, Marin Alsop, and others. Yet...maybe Paolini...oh, the thing's I'd ask him. --- YumiHardy23’s response: ummm...scott speedman i love scott speedman we would go to whatever he wants to go and i would just talk about movies that he's been in and make him feel comfortable. --- Le Kun’s response: Damn you and your awesomeness for grand music tracks. x3 Curses! *hugs* Been a while. That's a good question or series of questions should I say, that you ask. Hmm... *thinks for a short moment* That person would be my mother. I don't see her as often as I want to. Even though she lives with me, is motherly, cooks, does her homework, and makes sure I'm somewhat okay. I want to be with my mother sometime. I want to take time for her. Y'know? Taking her out to lunch would make her mind at ease for just that short time and we could talk about how retarded my step-dad is and how he resembles my sister so much to the point that she hates our guts when we say 'they are alike'. :] That's what I want. --- RedViolin’s response: would go with Orson Scott Card, the author of my favorite military sci-fi novels. He is a great inspiration for my own work. We'd talk about creative writing, of course. As for where we'd go... hardly matters, I'd probably be too nervous to eat! --- response: Oh wow. That's a diffcult one. I would probably go to a coffee cafe with my fav celebrity, Johnny Depp. I would probably just ask him how does he get into character so well. --- TalimSoul’s response: wow that's a hard one. Well, if you would have asked me last year, in a flash I would have said Elijah Wood. But now.. hmmm.. lets see here. steven hawking --- Takoyaki Power’s response: I compltetely bombed that last exam **cries bitter tears of sorrow** Yeah, but what can you do. I guess I'll just have to live with the shitty grade I get. Oh god! What will it be! Anyone...well, that's really hard. I have to sit down and think about it. Fictional peoples: Codename "V" - Because he's so frickin' sweeeet!!! Dead peoples: Tolkien, Epicure, Steinbeck - because they were awsome!!!!! (still are in my mind) Stupid peoples: Paolini - so I could knock the plagerizing bastard on his ass and maybe knock some of that self ego our of 'um. Inital Question peoples: Seriouslly, after all that I can't think of anyone! Well, I can, but I'm not able to narrow it down to anything near ten. TT_TT Sorry! They're all authors, though, if you were wondering. **love** Ack! Maggie, Ash, Chiyo and Joe all came over my house because I couldn't leave **watching 6-year-old** and we played outside until we couldn't move. Went inside, and while I was sittign on Joe's lap he fell asleep...holding my foot?!?! Whatever. T'was weird...but kind of funny. He slept through a whole shit load of noise, but woke up when I pulled a feather out of his hair?!?! **shrugs** Then we ate Strawberries :K **love again** Milesian Go Here:http://www.abu.nb.ca/courses/GrPhil/Milesians.htm I never knew there was a philosophy associated with the Milesian invasion of Ireland. Boy, am I ignorant! Off to the communal site to comment on Gaelen and your poems **wonders off to DA first** --- And on a random note, I'm very glad Paris Hilton is headed back to jail. All hail American Justice.

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Wednesday, June 6, 2007

School is almost over. Finalmente. Question: If you could meet anyone in the world, who is currently alive, and go out to lunch with them, who would it be? What would you talk about? What would you do with them? Where would you go to lunch? Et cetera. --- Mañana=Der Rosenkavalier

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Friday, June 1, 2007

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey Name: Catalina Birthday: Un dia en septiembre Birthplace: Somewhere but not here. Current Location: My computer room Eye Color: Greenish/grayish/bluish Hair Color: Silvery dark blond Height: 5'3" and a freaking half Right Handed or Left Handed: Left Your Heritage: German, English, Polish Your Weakness: Um…if you know me, you could answer this easily. Your Fears: Really strange things Your Perfect Pizza: Pepperoni pan pizza Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Less stress Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: I don’t IM Thoughts First Waking Up: ::go shut the door, go back to bed for 20 minutes:: Your Best Physical Feature: …um… Your Bedtime: 11-12 PM Your Most Missed Memory: NOT Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi MacDonald’s or Burger King: Neither but if I had to choose: McDonalds Single or Group Dates: DON’T CARE Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Nestea Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla Cappuccino or Coffee: Cappuccino Do you Smoke: No Do you Swear: Occasionally Do you Sing: Only when there’s something really catchy stuck in my head Do you Shower Daily: I shower at night. Have you Been in Love: I doubt it Do you want to go to College: Yes Do you want to get Married: Perhaps Do you believe in yourself: Somewhat BUT SOMEONE DOESN’T. Do you get Motion Sickness: In cars, occasionally. Do you think you are Attractive: … Are you a Health Freak: Not really. Do you get along with your Parents: Usually. Do you like Thunderstorms: Yes Do you play an Instrument: Violin, piano, and minimal acoustic guitar Ever been Drunk: No. Ever been called a Tease: Of course not. That’s ridiculous. Ever been Beaten up: No. Ever Shoplifted: …no… How do you want to Die: When I’m not young. What do you want to be when you Grow Up: I’d like to pursue orchestral conducting in college. --- Bear with me people. I never post this things. And if you'd like, please take this survey and post it in the comment box. 6 more days until Der Rosenkavalier.

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End Review 7/10 stars The movie begins with a hanging. The sky is black and the scene is ominous. People crying—brought to the gallows, in rows. The executioner is relentless, pulling the lever. Moviegoers get a view of the rows of feet hanging limply after the life has been strangled out of them. And a little boy, not older than ten, is brought to the gallows. He sings. He dies. And the signal to call the Brethren Court is heard. So starts director Gore Verbinsky’s third installment in the Pirates trilogy. With loads of amusing humor from old friends— Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and enemies—Captain “Hector” Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), this movie was sure to prove an exciting end to the series. The only actor who felt unworthy of extensive praise was Will Turner (Orlando Bloom). Up to the personalities of Knightley, Rush, and Depp, he proves very uninteresting and dull. His dialogues are false enthusiasm. The worst part: while I’m trying to make amends and excuses for his acting, Geoffrey Rush starts to talk. I give up immediately. Pirates had its moments, to be sure. Jack Sparrow and his ridiculous stand-up comedy lines, bickering pirate friends. The list goes on. Unfortunately, so did the movie. After a whopping 2 hours, 39 minutes (not counting the 9 minute credits), I left the film with more questions than answers. First, after such a well-crafted and dark entrance, the movie was sure to be good. Perhaps Gore Verbinsky has never heard the statement before—I found it once on a fortune cookie: It is good to begin well, but better to end well. Yet I will not even venture to say that if you enjoyed the first two movies you’ll enjoy this one. Because after watching and having fun with the first two installments, this one did not ring true for me. Secondly, the film was just too long. I found myself shifting in my seat occasionally, wiping my buttery hands on the coldness of the metal panels on the sides of the seat. It is disappointing that I can remember the many distractions of my experience—a good movie should wipe those from the mind. The action was brilliantly done. The fight scenes were also very realistic, with the camera swerving in and out at hundreds of different angles. Nevertheless, for such realism (disregarding the fact that supernatural individuals were crossing swords and any other item they happened to have to fling at one another), there is a cost. These said scenes were confusing to view, and occasionally dizzying to my mind. It is very difficult to distinguish what is happening, besides the occasional pan-shot. At these rare moments, I found myself finally swallowing the whole picture—only two seconds later it’s again jolted from my view. Overall, I found this to be irritating and dissatisfying. If you could pin a theme to this movie, it would be: “Take what you can—give nothing back.” It seems to be the theme and code of what the pirates govern themselves with. However, as a general rule (and theme, as so to provide a tie-in) to directors trying to break tradition: do not end a trilogy with more questions. It’s a bad idea and really annoys filmgoers. Since I’ve been dwelling on mainly negative aspects of the film, stay for the credits if you wish to see a two minute scene. I will not disclose the content of it here. Also, Han Zimmer’s score was fantastic. The man is a genius, and is almost god-status to me now. I stayed for the credits expecting a scene at the end, but the real reason that kept me glued to my seat (or bouncing in it, whichever you prefer to partake in) was the incredible, powerful and awe-inspiring music of Mr. Zimmer. To sum things up, this movie has an identity crisis—it gets lost in the glorification of action and adventure, and loses sight of what made the first two truly enjoyable. Verbinsky combined a little action, love, humor, suspense, plot-twists, supernatural curses, gold, dialogue, and rum to make the moviegoer leave the theater laughing and talking. Pirates 3 had major imbalances of many of these, and the combinations proved fatal to the life of the movie. --- I'm reading The Children of Húrin! Der Rosenkavalier on June 7th!

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Friday, May 25, 2007

Let’s start off today’s chat session with this: To you, what is an annoying quality in a person? (Bossy, shady, overly philosophical, overly simplified, etc.) Just curious how people think. And I saw the new Pirates movie on Thursday night. It was…well, I’m not going to say anything because I don’t want to spoil it for any fans out there, but I’ll give a quick opinion, nevertheless. My final feelings: I have more unanswered questions about this film than I did with the second one. How does that make any sense? They’re supposed to wrap up all loose ends. Yeah right. Yeah freaking right. But on a better note: Hans Zimmer’s score was absolutely phenomenal. It was so good that I’d stage a fake hoax saying they were making a fourth movie, just to see what he can write. In other words, Hans Zimmer: keep writing that music. It’s astounding. Gore Verbinsky: You should have made some changes. I won’t say what, because there are people reading this who haven’t seen the movie yet.

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