Na-na-na-na-na-na

I should really update this thing. I think my lack of writing shows (to some extent) how much I am enjoying school. But I feel like I’m neglecting my OD friends (whom I adore) and I do want to have record of all this for the future.

So school…..Its going well, but its annoying on some levels. I’ve reached the point in my life where I don’t like pointless things. I don’t like pointless relationships, pointless friends or pointless studying. For example, if I know a relationship isn’t going to evolve (even slowly) I don’t really want to pursue it. Thats one of the reasons why I don’t want to even try and date Brian. I know it wouldn’t work right now. So why force something pointless when we are so much happier and better as great friends? Pointless studying?? Oh there is so much of that right now, its making me nuts. They want us to learn rhythms with their syllables. My argument is that I already know how to count; I just don’t use their system. If the point of that class is to learn how to count, why should it matter how we do it as long as we do it correctly. Now I’m told I’ll have points taken off my exam if I don’t learn their system. My system works. When my system fails, then we’ll talk. Interestingly enough, NONE of the directors I’ve worked with so far use that system either. So I’m really not missing much by not know their rhythms. Their system actually messes me up more than helps me. And I really wish I could have tested out of Theory Levels II. Its like being taught how to write all over agian. You already know how to make letters and form words and now someone is trying to go back and reteach you everything. Its very much annoying. I have a theory teacher who can’t teach – its his second semester teaching EVER and he’s making me nuts. I have an Aural Skills teacher who doesn’t know anything about Fredonia and teaches on a different level than our homework. The in class stuff is ridiculously easy and everyone is struggling with the homework. Makes me crazy. Shouldn’t the lectures in class help you with your homework. It amazes me that in high school my 42 minute theory class included dictation, sight-singing, chord progressions and more while in college I have a seperate class for each of them. Granted the sight-singing class will soon also include other applied musicianship tpye things, but still. I feel like I learned more in those three sections when I was in high school then here at a School of Music. Its just annoying.

But I like my music history class and Africian-American music class. I truly enjoy going to those classes, especially music history. The prof – Davis – is absolutly great. He’s funny and smart and one of those guys that loves what he teaches and in turn makes you love it as well. The ensembles are ok, but somewhat boring and ensemble-like. To some degree, I feel that neither my band or orchestra conductor knows how to rehearse. Every once in a while we’ll have a really good few minutes, but mostly I feel like its a waste of my time. Doc, the oboe professor is a lot of fun. I am learning a lot, but I also feel highly frustrated with myself and my oboe and my reeds and my playing in general. Part of it is because I know I can be better and part of it is because I don’t know how to fix it all the time. But the same thing sometimes applies to her as it does to the other professors. I feel like a lot of my time is wasted, that we could be doing more with the time given us. The only class I never feel like that is Music History. He gives us so much information and I never feel like I’m wasting time sitting in his class.

Anyways, I came out to Rochester this weekend to see my uncle and now its time to go back home. Ha. I’m calling that college home now. How odd.

1-2-3
Ow! Uh! Alright! Uh!

Got to know how to pony
Like Bony Maronie
Mash potato, do the alligator
Put your hand on your hips, yeah
Let your backbone slip
Do the Watusi
Like my little Lucy
Hey! Uh!

Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na
I need somebody to help me say it one time
(Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na)
Wo–ow!

Wow! Uh! You know I feel alright! Huh! I feel pretty good y’all
Uh! Huh!
Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na
Come on y’all, let’s say it one more time
(Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na)
Ooow!

Playing, it is a habit
With long tall Sally
Twistin’ with Lucy
Doin’ the Watusi
Roll over on your back
I like it like that
Do that Jerk-uh
Watch me work y’all
Ow! Do it!
Wow! Do it!
Just watch me do it

Aah help me
Aah help me
Aah help me
Aah help me

Land of 1000 Dances ~ Wilson Pickett