running, i keep running.

oh you’ll like any aged thing

oh you’ll like any newfangled thing

oh you’ll like the coming of the day

oh you’ll like periphery of the day

oh you’ll like proffering hands

you’ll resent your duty at hand.

Holy Hiatus

It is safe to say that I have not thought, considered, desired, intended, or executed writing a blog in…what is it? Eh, almost a full year. What’s with the annual vacation? Most of the reasoning probably comes with the fact that being in school, college no less, doesn’t necessarily lend itself to documenting all the extraneous shenanigans that ensue. Besides, most days through the course of the year are completely uneventful in terms of making an impact in the scheme of life itself. I consider it beneficial almost; all that time I didn’t spend typing, I used for playing the violin, piano, bassoon, written theory dictations (woo hoo),  flashing gang signs, hand modeling, shadow puppets, picking my nose….ok not really that last one… and oh yeah, facebook (sheesh).

So here I am, “onward to the cusp of novelties” and all its friends, giving you a BROAD update on my existence. The big kahuna of prominent news is the fact that I am in a band. This band’s name is called VIA, and I am more than blessed saying that I am a part of it. The trio of myself, Stephen Stonestreet and John Poole have been diligently working on writing music for the Open Arms Foundation. At the expense of blabbing all the live long day, I will post links that better describe the work the foundation is doing, and also what our band is achieving in these next few days. 

In a nutshell, this is ultimately what I want to do with my music. Sure, it’s fantastic playing in an orchestra. Sure, it’s more than phenomenal that I get to study what I love during the course of the year. But what it all boils down to is giving back. Being in music education will further accompany this; sharing my love for music and reciprocating it to all those willing to acquire that love, but doing it for a worthwhile, convicted cause is blowing my mind. 

Starting tonight at 7pm- ET, the first of seven videos will be released, hand in hand with one of seven original songs written by VIA. You can follow all of it here at http://openarmsfoundation.com/seven | http://www.theviaband.com. And indeed, I hope you will follow and take a stand in helping the street children of Colombia.

Dynamic Duo.

Your ears will like.

The songs that have been on repeat, repeat, repeat. All have a significant meaning; but that’s not the prime intent. When I hear songs, I just want to share. Take a listen!

The playlist:

•Sundress – Ben Kweller

•Something Good Can Work – Two Door Cinema Club

•Dragonfly – My Brightest Diamond

•Tsunamo Is Snowed In – Deep Sea Diver

•Strawberry Swing – Coldplay

•Get Away From Me – Couch Forts

•Moth’s Wings – Passion Pit

•We Will Become Silhouettes – The Postal Service

•Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare – Matt & Kim

•Normandie – Shout Out Louds

•Southern Point – Grizzly Bear

•Twice – Little Dragon

•Honey in the Sun – Camera Obscura

•Work All Day – Portugal. The Man

•Lua – Bright Eyes

•The Good Life – The Week That Was

•Evening/Morning – Bombay Bicycle Club

•Tiny Dancer – Elton John

ALL AMAZING.

Hands.

“These hands are small I know, yet they’re not yours; they are my own.”

Blessed.

Just a few of the people who reside so near and dear to my heart. All-time favorite shot.

Intent.

We are all traipsing ahead with the arrant yearning of jumping from one sun beam to the next.

Cut. Copy. Delete.

Alterations are coming to my life. Not that anyone really reads these posts, but that’s besides the point. Who cares if they do or don’t? Words are words, and I am writing them just to convey what’s up there in my dome. This lightning fast year is terminating, and new horizons await. Trite phrasing? Not in the slightest. This year has developed me into something I take pride in, something I take shame and disgust in, something I can reflect back upon and LEARN from. Intrinsic analysis has been a lengthy affair. I’m wiping the scum off of the view, I’m dusting off those  fragile layers so-long forgotten. I am stepping out into the light. Though I may squint at first from its blaring rays, I will adjust and radiant for moments to come. Here’s my conclusion:

Cutting: The image people paint of me. I am not innocent, I am not naive. I have grown up; not to the extent of which I am a final product, but close enough to where you may not recognize what you used to know.

Copying: The traits of myself that I am proud of and know will be beneficial. I am going to copy the essentials and let them multiply; love, dedication, firm directness, focus, consistency.

Deleting: Areas of concern that hinder. People who don’t allow me do grow. I am going to disconnect maybe from those close to me. After all, those who I thought I knew (even the closest one to me) I don’t know anymore. Such is life, and the attachments of separation (wow, an oxymoron, but one that makes a hell of a lot of sense). 

So go on with yourselves, I’ve been getting along fine without it. Life is still good; if you make it that way.

Violin Virtuosi

Mind boggling.

These 5 virtuosi are coming to Pittsburgh this 2009-2010 season. Life is so good, I am so close to Pittsburgh.

{THE Anne-Sophie Mutter}

{THE Joshua Bell}

{THE Itzak Perlman}

{THE Hilary Hahn}

{THE Gil Shaham}

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

Stable.

The moment I quit trying so hard, all things fall into their right place.