Back in the UK

Remember what I said about sleeping on the plane? Well... it didn't happen for me... I think I might have dozed for an hour or so, but as soon as I started to nod off - I would get this horrible pain in my neck/back/arm/leg anywhere that would wake me up. Also, that damn little airline pillow is the work of the same person who invented the tuxedo - - - I swear!

Anyway, I am back. And, I have so much to do. Not as much as one of the other euphonium players here - as he keeps reminding me - but enough to keep me busy, mind you. I am in the process of completing my SPS requirements. At the beginning of the school year I signed up for 3 SPS requirements (you have to sign up for 3). These being: (1) Preparation for External Competition (2) Directed Ensemble (3) Chamber Music. Now, in the next 2 weeks I am being examined on number 1 and 3. No big deal, although I still have to learn one piece on the External Competition list, and the quartet needs to rehearse - BIG TIME! Couple that with the piece that I have to learn for the Senior Cup (next brass band competition) and you have one stressed-out-Pat!

But, the weekend is almost here... and the weather is actually tolerable today. The sun has come out twice this week (a new record, I think), and until the sun goes down you can actually wear shorts and survive - - - not quite sandal weather, but we're getting there. I am sure that once I get to Phoenix in July I will be cursing the sun and praying for snow - but for now I'm looking forward to it!

I finally have all of my plans for the summer laid out and it is going to be a BUSY summer. I have to go back home to the US after my parents/Mary come over here to the UK, then move to Phoenix, come back to visit friends/family, meetings for TA at ASU, and somewhere in there - find time to practice... right... ;)

Anyway, that's about it for now. I have my first lesson with Steve since I came back, and I wanted to polish up a few things before it - so more info later!

last trip across the pond! - - - bye bye USA

I seem to find myself with a lot of time on my hands when it comes to airports. At least I can update my blog and work on things that matter other than the euphonium. I had a great trip home for 3 whole weeks, and it was really hard to step on that plane in Evansville earlier this afternoon - - - but, now I'm in Atlanta and the humidity would be horrible if I just stayed here, so I guess I'll go back to Manchester.

Anyway, when I get back I have so much to do. First, Besses has a concert on Friday (or is it Saturday?) that myself and Aaron Tindall are soloing (actually, duetting - Brilliante!) and we haven't really (well, actually I haven't really) learned the solo part, yet. But - - - there is plenty of time, right?

I hope that I can get a little bit of sleep on this flight. If you ever fly to Europe from the US. Here is the trick: you need to sleep on the plane a little bit. If you do, it just seems like you had a horrible nights sleep and you are semi-ok for the next day. If you don't sleep, then you get to your destination and then sleep. Only problem is that your schedule is totally screwed for the next 4 or 5 days. So - - - lesson learned, sleep on the plane!

Right now I'm hanging out in the airport and there are some Army service men next to me. They don't seem to be very happy about going wherever it is that they are going - which makes me feel not-so-horrible about going back to the UK. At least I can call my loved ones whenever I want (or at least unless the +6 hour time change would wake them up). Oh well...

Anyway, thanks for all of the words of encouragement about the (-) review on amazon. I had my little tirade (spelling?) and now it is over. So, that is it for now. I have a nice comfy 8 hour flight ahead of me starting at 8:20p this evening. If you are really bored you can look up Delta flight 64 from Atlanta to Mancester and follow me across the pond... just like my mother does... love you too Mom and Dad.

Hope you all have a great day, and I'll let you know what is up with my life once I get back to it in Manchester!

All the best!

3 weeks home - back to the UK on Sunday

I have been home almost 3 weeks, and I have been getting spoiled by being here - but, a lot has happened! Sorry for not updating while I was back, but I was having too much fun relaxing and catching up with loved ones.

I made it back safe and sound with 2 euphoniums in tow. I decided to bring my new horn back with me to get used to it while I was back in the US - and then only take that one back with me. I have had quite a few people ask if I wanted to sell the old Prestige - but, it's like a member of the family. I made my first 2 CD's on it, and I just don't think that I could ever get rid of it. Oh well...

After I got back I headed over to Lawrence to spend some time with my Mary. She is finishing up her degree at the University of Kansas - where she will graduate next month. She is definitely feeling the senioritis (I had it too during my undergrad - but, I had to contend with student teaching) but I think that she is ready for a change of pace (and scenery).

I just got back from Phoenix where I did find a house for next year. That was a huge load off my mind - and now I just have to do all of that fun paperwork involved in buying your first home. Really - this is much harder than I thought it was going to be. Oh well...

Not much else is going on. I did, however, have a revelation. I have decided that you can't make everyone in the euphonium world happy - so, don't even try. If you go onto Amazon.com and search for Stepping Stones for Euphonium, Vol. 1 - my first CD - you will find 2 not-so-nice reviews of my disc. Now, everyone that I have talked to about my disc has loved it - actually, has raved about it. So, these 2 people obviously don't like it. That's ok. The really nasty one has about 20 spelling errors in it - so I'm guessing that they put about as much time into that review as they did listening to my album. He doesn't like my tone. Or, as he put it - my toan. There are a lot of people out there that do like my tone, myself included. Now, I'm not Steven Mead and I don't pretend to be, but blasting someone for wanting to help students get better? That is just insane. If you don't like my tone, cool - but you can't say that there are obvious mistakes - I mean, go ahead and find one. I spent 3 days recording that CD so there are no mistakes. And for the comment that you think I'm consistent from one recording to the next, GOOD! That's the point. I have been fuming about these 2 reviews for the last week, and was not going to comment on them on the forum - but, here I can say what I want, when I want to say it. So there you go.

Anyway, now that I'm off the soapbox, I'll just say goodnight. It has been a great trip home and I am finding it difficult to return to the land of coloUr, but I need to go. All I have to do is play a recital and I'm done - paper in had. So, wish me luck - more posting once I'm back in the UK! Cheer-e-o!

;)