Recent Events, a Review, and Words of Wisdom

March 16, 2006 at 7:45 PM

Well, now that the Great Joshua Bell Scandal has been worked out, I am left with nothing to do. No souce codes to read, no email addresses to finagel. Just lots of school that I don't feel like doing anyways.

Injuries and illness have been flying fast and furious down here in the wetlands of Florida. I have only just recovered fully from the flu (although I stopped throwing up two weeks ago, I've had other symptoms which I will not mention, along with varying degrees of muscle weakness) along with the rest of my family. My dear friend just had his wisdom teeth out on Tuesday and his sister got the flu. My baby sister has had a sour stomach for the past few days, and I got (what I think is) the beginnings of carpal tunnel in my left wrist from holding her. Needless to say, it is undergoing intensive care (i.e. Ace bandages, ice packs, hot water, muscle salts, etc.)

I resumed my yoga sessions, since that seems to help my body pains overall and it definately improves my posture. I checked out several books from the library on the Alexander technique, as I'm considering taking a course, should I go to a camp where it is offered (and, provided I have $150 to spare).

I was engaged to play a gig in late April for a private dinner at Ave Maria, for which I will receive a small stipend. Since I've been accumulating a small fortune (in the eyes of a 15 year old), I opened a savings account and learned what a pain in the a** banks can be (including but not limited to social security number problems...long story).

I registered for a competition coming up in April with the Naples Music Club; I won some money from them last year and I sincerely hope I get some more. I'm aiming for $500, but I won't complain if I get more than that. :-)

In my private practicing, I'm experiencing a practice "high"; everything is going smoothly, I'm not frustrated, and everything is sounding good. This may have something to do with the fact that I haven't been practicing the Kabalevsky Mov. I...my teacher has told me to leave it alone for another week so that I don't tire of it.

I was very privileged to receive free tickets to a concert by Phillipe Quinn several weeks ago; what a show! He played the William Schumann Violin Concerto; a very odd concerto indeed. Although I wasn't fond of the piece, I was amazed by his expression, his tone, and his remarkable bow control! I can safely say that he is the best violinist I have ever seen in concert. As an encore, he played on of the Paganini caprices. It was absolutely amazing!!! He totally "shredded" it (to use a friend's termonology). I was able to meet him after the show and found him very friendly, presonable, and gentlemanly. He willingly signed a brochure spoke for about five minutes with each person, and inquired as to their musicality. He was very impressed that I was playing the Kabalevsky and went on to wish me lots of luck. If any of you have a chance to see this man perform, I strongly urge you to do so!

One very important lesson has been learned this year; take your time and practice SLOWLY to set up a good foundation for the music. It is well worth the effort. Because of an early competition, I didn't properly prepare the Kabalevsky in its beginning stages, which has led to all sorts of problems and difficulties, especially in the intonation zone. To contrast, I spent no less than two hours practicing the third page of Praeludium and Allegro (that one section...you know what I mean) at a SUPER SLOW speed with PERFECT intonation. Within four days, I could play it at almost top speed with accurate pitches. I'm never going to forget that!

With these thoughts I will leave you. Comment lots to amuse me.

~natasha

From Colleen R
Posted on March 16, 2006 at 8:17 PM

Haha... yes you have NOTHING to do now that the JB scandel is over... ;)

From Sydney Menees
Posted on March 16, 2006 at 8:23 PM

I'm kind of at a loss about what to do now that the JB Scandal is over also! The JB Scandal...I think that will go down in the violinist.com record books!

From Sydney Menees
Posted on March 16, 2006 at 8:24 PM

Sounds like you're having a good time!

From Sydney Menees
Posted on March 16, 2006 at 8:25 PM

I shall use your words of wisdom and apply them to my practice.

From Sydney Menees
Posted on March 16, 2006 at 8:25 PM

I am commenting lots to amuse you ;-) Have fun with all these NON-SPAM comments.

I DO NOT SPAM! I'm not talking to you, Knot.

From Colleen R
Posted on March 16, 2006 at 8:51 PM

Haha...way to comment four times in like 3 minutes syd ;)
Of course, non spaming comments!! :P

From Karin Lin
Posted on March 17, 2006 at 3:48 AM

SOURCE code? To what? If you have access to AOL Messenger source code, I'm impressed indeed. :)

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on March 17, 2006 at 4:08 AM

Speaking of aim and source code, a good friend I haven't seen in years wrote the first versions of Netmeeting, by himself. He never really grasped why it got snickers. The big original plan of course was to enable net business meetings. He was working for Lotus at the time I think, then a chain of acquistions and whoever has it now has it.

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Recent Events, a Review, and Words of Wisdom

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