Cool craaaaaap you've acquired/done lately

GWC Community Off-Topic/Other
#1441

Previously, on the “Life is ‘teh’ suck” thread:

“My group did not land the gig at the Strathmore music center that I was hoping to get. But…”

…they REALLY liked our proposal and have agreed that, if I can get the Dutch Consulate (this is for a major work by a major Dutch composer who turns 70 this year and is having celebrations throughout the world all season) to underwrite some of the costs they’ll put it on and be able to give some money towards the production.

This piece is like the ultimate dream piece of mine. I would drop EVERYTHING short of a kid’s graduation or other major family event (and even then I’d have to think about it) to do this piece. And if we do it, it’d only be the second professional performance of the piece ever in the United States, and the first by a professional American group (it was done by a college group a few years ago, then a Dutch group on tour before that). It’s still far from set, but it’s a step closer to happening, which is really frakking exciting.

#1442

Standing Ovation

Thank you for keeping the universe balanced by posting in the cool crap thread after you posted in the B & M thread. Sometimes it is hard to find the good in the bad but it makes you happier. The universe has been tipping to the B & M side so thank you for the help. :smiley:

#1443

Wow, Armando. We’re going to have to get you a hat with a peacock feather in it.

#1444

Oh, it wasn’t a moan at all. I was really surprised that they said they’d go in on the project at all. They just can’t afford to fund the whole thing in the current economy, since it’s not the easiest sell as far as the general audience is concerned. So now I just need to get a guarantee of support from the Dutch consulate, which I am hoping will be forthcoming seeing as how we’ve gotten a pretty high profile venue to express interest. We’ll see.

Heh heh. You don’t know the half of it: I just got an email from Bear McCreary! I heard a rumor that he’s putting together some BSG music together for classical ensembles the size of mine, and I would simply LOVE (along with a couple of other people in the group, mind you) to do a Bear McCreary concert with Great Noise. Not only is it cool music, it would be a hella fundraising opportunity for us. (And I’d fully expect a big GWC crowd at that concert.)

Now, let’s hope these prospects get solidified soon (along with my job interview. Remember: 3:30 Monday. Happy thoughts. Good karma. Etc.) :smiley:

#1445

Fingers crossed for ya!

#1446

I knew you were just messing with us but you were such a good example. When Life goes to hell you need to find something, no mater how small, good to think good about. That will keep you a bit happier in a hard time. I be thinking of you Monday.

#1447

I went out today, for the first time in weeks, it’s a lovely day and I’m just generally in a good mood, except for drumming (See bitch and moan) Lah-dee-dah.

#1448

Indeed. It gets hard sometimes, though. A LOT of the time. Especially when you’re pinning your work hopes on academia these days.

And yet, I’m going into tomorrow’s interview with a great deal of confidence, which is more than I can say for my last couple of phone interviews. Here’s hoping.

As to the non-contest winning bu still possible gig: it was just a matter of having the head honcho in charge on the phone and asking her for help in bringing the project together another way, since it’s something I really want to do more than anything else, and having her all of a sudden offer support if I can guarantee support from another organization. That was quite a surprise (I got a nice note from my Executive Director about it too). :smiley:

Then there was corresponding with Bear McCreary about possibly working together in a couple of years (how sweet would THAT be?). That was the cherry on the sundae that’s my weekend.

#1449

It’s been so lovely here too. I took my girls out to the playground yesterday morning and had a blast seeing Elena be obsessed with her shadow (six more weeks of winter!). She’d take sme tentative steps, looking down the whole time to see where this black blob under her would go and what it would do. Then she’d trip and get mulch all over her hands, which she didn’t know what to do with and would start freaking out a little until I wiped it off her hands. Then her sister and her would go play in the swings or the rocking toys or in the sand. Then we went out for ice cream.

What a great morning that was!

Enjoy the weather, TNM. Get out there and flaunt it!

#1450

Sadly, due to a combination of Irish genetics and being born and raised in Manchester, I burn in any form of direct light, anything i choose to flaunt will just cause me pain :frowning:

#1451

Is that real about the Bear McCreary corresonding with you??? Cool

#1452

I have not been on the B & M thread yet but it is good to know you were out in a lovely day. I find my little happy time sitting out back with the dogs running around listening to the birds in the morning. We have large birds as Eagles to small mocking birds and cardinals. They talk pretty songs and I get a bit of sun. Florida can be so calming in the morning.

#1453

Sunblock I live with it. I only get much color when my freckles get together. So get some and take a nice walk. Hats are great too.

I use face lotion with sunblock some people use make up with it in. Sun helps make you happy. I mean that scientifically not just because it is fun. I am glad you are getting out.

#1454

Yeah. It’s not the first time. I wrote him last year when Lady D and Barb went to one of his concerts in L.A. and were kind enough to snag some signed sheet music for me (I still cherish that little piece, even if I haven’t been able to put it up on a wall yet). I felt like I had to thank him and he was kind enough to reply and to say, very kindly, how much he appreciated kind words about his music from someone working in concert music. He’s a class act.

#1455

Ah, Conan O’Brien syndrome. Get some SPF 400. When you squeeze the tube, a sweater comes out. :smiley:

#1456

Cool Crap does describe that.

#1457

I’ve always hated the way sunblock feels, but I do use it, stupid genetics! I also have very many hats :smiley:

It does! Never used to believe it until I was trapped indoors for so long! :smiley:

#1458

Yep, pretty much!

#1459

Get creams that are for your skin that just happen to have sunblock in them too. They are not so thick and yucky. You may want to find water proof sunblock too. Ok, that was just silly but I could not help myself. I hope the thumb feels better. Say hi to dog.

#1460

The weekend was absolutely lovely, the conference panel went well, seeing my sister was fabulous, and social opportunities abounded.

The only bad side is that I’ve got a bad cold, and it made my conference experience less than ideal. Alas.