give me the joy of summer wine

So I think my schedule is finally solid now. I’m taking Abnormal Pyschology with this awesome professor, so I’m really excited about that class. I’m also taking Italian to fulfill my foreign language credit. I’m also thinking that if I do end up going to Europe for grad school, it might be nice to know a little bit of other languages. Enough to say, “Hello, my name is Rory. I’m an American and I’m an idiot. Can you help me?” The professor is pretty cool, mixing her lectures with English and Italian, so we are constantly hearing and repeating and talking. I’ve heard good things about her, so I’m excited. I’m also taking a Tech in Music class which could go either way. He’s a new teacher and a little boring, but this was just the first day. I’m also taking a class called “The Baroque Period in Music” which is on Thursday nights, so I don’t know how thats gonna go yet. I’m also doing a bit of playing. I have my recital in 8 weeks, and lessons and Chamber Orchestra. At first I was a little disappointed I only made Chamber, cause I wanted the Opera. But tonight my outlook greatly changed. I’m principal in Chamber and the bassoon player is cool, as is my second. As rehearsal wound down tonight, my shoulder started to hurt – the same shoulder that I hurt in the car accident. It was pretty bad for a few minutes, but then the class ended and it started feeling better. I also practiced today for a while. So having rehearsal only once a week and only playing in two pieces doesn’t seem so bad anymore. It will also give me lots of time to practice. If it seems like a light load, it kind of is, especially compared to past semesters. But I’m doing my recital and a double concerto this semester. I’m also teaching an oboe technique class to the freshman, so that will take some of my time as well. My pastor at St. Mark’s also just left, so I’m now in charge of picking out hymns for every Sunday. I also want to do a better job at church than I did last year. I did fine, but I know if I focus a bit better the program could be better. There are also a couple of people in the school of music who want to start a handbell choir and have asked me to lead the charge. I haven’t gotten that far yet, but I’m going to start talking to the President of the School of Music soon and seeing if I can find a church that has a set of handbells we can borrow or something. One day at a time.

These are the days that I’ve been missing
Give me the taste give me the joy of summer wine
These are the days that bring new meaning
I feel the stillness of the sun and I feel fine

Sometimes when the nights are closing early
I remember you and I start to smile
Even though now you don’t want to know me
I get on by, and I go the extra mile

These are the times of love and meaning
Ice of the heart has melted away and found the light
These are the days of endless dreaming
Troubles of life are floating away like a bird in flight

These are the days
These are the days
These are the days

I’ve thought you said that love would last forever
Leave and that the tears would end for good
I told you that we get through any weather
Maybe that didn’t work out, but we did the best we could

These are the days that I’ve been missing
Give me the taste give me the joy of summer wine
These are the days that bring new meaning
I feel the stillness of the sun and I feel fine

These are the Days ~ Jamie Cullum