Cosmic Bowling, Bibliographies and a whole lot of fun!

Hello Campers,

Its been a good week friends. I'm feeling better and over my cold, its fall in a beautiful city, I'm meeting people, and ive been productive. What more could I ask for. I am just getting in from a very adventurous night of Cosmis bowling and beer at this great place about twenty minutes outside downtown. It was my first time on the Ottawa bus system as I've never really had a need for it so far. Very nice. I got to pull the cord for our stop. Made me feel like I actually live here. It was a nice group of us who went tonight. A very nice guy named Ian, who apparently went to DAL and plays Bassoon, Derek the Pianist, Erin who is in musicology with me, Tina Beena, Megan and Ed! It was super fun.

Last night, was not as much fun. We had an assignment due for the introduction to musical research class. DEAR GOD. Basically, without boring you all into a stupor, it was a bibliography assignment. We had to find 22 different score, books, articles, etc but all related to Der Kunst der Fuge. It probably took...8?...solid hours all told to do. And then after we had all found them on our own, we got together last night at my place (about 8 of us from the class) to debrief and drink wine and talk periods, italics, underlines, publishers blah fricken blah. It was nice to be social, but the material was dry!

Anywho, the rest of my week was mildly eneventful in any real sense. I stayed in a lot, went to the lib a lot, wrote a lot. PS! Acadia music people....We may have had it bad in terms of libraries as far as sources went and such, but the music library here closes at 8 on weekdays, and is only open 1-5 on weekends!?!?!! Thats redic to me. The large arts lib where all the MT's and ML's are is open late, but what if you need scores?!??!  Anyway...

Tomorrow I am heading to the market with Megan and Ed with a possibility of dinner with my cousin and her husband tomorrow night. Unsure. Things are going well though. I pass in my grant applications on monday and start to pray to whatever god I know doesnt exist so that I get it. I gots big plans and they all require money! But once its in, its in. No sense worrying eh?

Things are finally starting to pick up a bit, but its funny, even with the 100+ pages of reading I have to do for the following week, writing and an article summary, I feel like that was about a two day span in  my undergrad. Granted, the level of everything is that much higher, but still...

I'll leave you with a quick story and a quote. When we got off the bus tonight around the corner from my place, there were drunk girls heading back to res (I assume) with a couple guys. One girl looked a little worse for wear, but then we noticed that someone had thrown up ALLLLL down her back, and the rest of it was on the sidewalk....Even on my worst nights I never had someone throw up all down me...Hope she got home, showered and went to BED!

This is a long one, and as usual it has nothing to do with anything other than I love it. Its from my faovite play by Tony Kushner called Angels in America. This quote is one of the closing quotes of the 5 hour play, and spoken by Harper for those of you who know the play.

Enjoy, love you all!

I dreamed we were there. The plane leapt the tropopause, the safe air, and attained the outer rim, the ozone, which was ragged and torn, patches of it threadbare as old cheesecloth, and that was frightening. But I saw something that only I could see, because of my astonishing ability to see such things: Souls were rising, from the earth far below, souls of the dead, of people who had perished, from famine, from war, from the plague, and they floated up, like skydivers in reverse, limbs all akimbo, wheeling and spinning. And the souls of these departed joined hands, clasped ankles, and formed a web, a great net of souls, and the souls were three-atom oxygen molecules, of the stuff of ozone, and the outer rim absorbed them, and was repaired. Nothing's lost forever. In this world, there's a kind of painful progress. Longing for what we've left behind, and dreaming ahead. At least I think that's so. 

GAH A WEEK

Its been a whole week since my last post. I swear I have good reason for not keeping as on top of it as I usually am. I've been sick with the cold/cough thing thats going around Ottawa. As a result, I have almost nothing new to say as I've been sitting in my apt. being anti social for fear of infecting the music dept further. SO, apart from going to my very few classes, and watching a TONNE of TV and movies, I havent anything to say.

Though, last night was interesting. Of course take the word interesting with a grain of salt as its coming from a guy who has been held up in his apt. for a day or two. Interesting to me has become a strong gust of wind! My internet died last night, and after an hour on the phone with Bell, they decided it would need tending to by a tech. So they sent one out this morning, and he fixed it. See. Not all that interesting. But when you have no motivation to do anything but watch movies online, having no internet sucks! Oh, she's back now and running better than ever!

I think i'm going to make spaghetti sauce tonight to have for the week.

I have an obscene amount of reading to do for wednesday, but in all reality it will only take a few hours, and because I have so little class, I'm likely to not even look at it till tomorrow. Its still taking a lot to get used to grad school scheduling. I have work to do no doubt, but none of it is ever practical, and I have a whole week do to it each time because all my classes are once a week-ers. I still keep thinking the shit will hit the fan in the coming days, but it never does. I guess I'm still in my undergrad mentality of having way more plates spinning at a given time, and waiting for them all to fall. Again, I worry about speaking prematurely, but I remember even in the first week of first year, being VERY stressed and even looking at that in second year I thought it was funny that I was stressed for that small amount of work. Maybe I've become desensitized to stress and workloads. Who knows. Time will tell.

I like my tuesday nights because I get to sit backstage while Dr. Woods does her non music lecture and plays sweet chant music and I can just read and do work. I like that me just being backstage reading counts as 3 of my 10 hours a week as a TA.

Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better today, so I hope I have better stories for you all by the next post!!

Hope youre all well!!!

XOXOXOXO Jacob

FIGS!

Hello campers,

Yesterday was the best day ever. Possibly the best day that there ever was. Maybe not, but it was great. Megan and I went to the market yesterday morning, and got so many great things. Multicoloured carrot, peppers, fruit etc. But the mission for the day was to find fresh figs. I've never had one, and I have been CRAVING one to try for EVER. So that was our goal. We came across the Byward Fruit Market, and wouldnt ya know? FIGS! And not just one stupid kind, no no. FOUR KINDS OF FRESH FIGS! It was great. I got a basket of black missions, and a couple green ones to try. So then we went in search of this coffee shop megan knew of to sit and eat figs. On the way there we came across the second huge find of the day. The French Baker. Oh Dear Lord. My life is done. This place is amazing. I want you all to google macarons. NOT MACAROONS, macarons. They had these there. I've never had one, but I've been trying to find a place that makes them for a year, but of course theres nowhere in wolfville or even halifax that males them. Anyway, It was great.

So then (as we were close) we dropped by Ed Ross and Jims place. It was my first time there, and let me tell you. Swankay! I like it. Not my type of area, but the house is great. So we hung out there while Ross sold a car to a man that he introduced us to.

That night, Alyssa Tina Megan and I went to this pub right around the corner from megans place for dinner. They have 50% off Sundays! We had legit full meals for like 8 bucks! So going there every sunday! Then we drove like 15 minutes outside town to get DQ. There are zero in the downtown city. Weird eh! Anyway, good night all round.

Today was a work day. I had a bunch of goals, and I got to a solid 3/4 of them. Go me! The library was stupid though. They are still renovating, and every 20 minutes they would drill holes or something dumb and distract everyone. NOT COOL LIBRARY, PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DO WORK! Anyway, I just came home to do work instead. No biggie. So naturally I made a tart. A Tart Tatin to be specific. I made it with fresh quebecios apples, and my figs. It turned out sooooo good! Very proud of that one.

So now, I'm just about to go to bed. This time I'll leave you all with another quote. The last one was AA Milne. This one is the drunk french girl who passed under my window a few minutes ago.

"french french french french french, I was Oh my GOD! french french french I have to take a SHIT! french french I HAVE TO TAKE A SHIT RIGHT, OUI! Oh my GOD. french french french." - all in a VERY thick accent.

I had no idea what she was saying in french, cus where I do ok with sober french, drunk french is its own thing! But I'm guessing the french bit was alone the same vein as the english.

Miss you all, and have a good day tomorrow!

XOXOXO

Best Bar in Ottawa

Hello all,
I'll work in reverse chronological order again as its been a few days! Last night Ed, Megan, Tina, Alyssa and I went to a couple bars. First on the list was Pub 101, which was fine, but a bit loud and kind of expensive. I'm really not used to playing covers in bars! It had three floors. The bottom floor was a pub, but it was really cold down there cus the doors were open. So up a level we went to the same vibe, but warmer floor. Above us was a dance club vibe, but there were all of 4 people up there....so we stayed where we were! After 101, Tina took us to this place on Rideau. BEST BAR EVER! I dont remember the name but on the side of the bar there is a big sign that says restarauntainment! Heres the bar in a nutshell. Arcade games, bowling, fun decor, and beer. UMMMM HELLO! It was a friggin hoot. Also, sidenote. Alyssa Michaud is an amazing DDR player. Like...she went to nationals...We had a table of guys betting on her, and even on an easier setting, each of the other four of us (tina, megan ed and I) taking one arrow each couldnt come close to remotely beating her. WHOA! It was a fun night. Then we ended up at the Metro again. For some reason, bar nights end in going to the grocery store. Its interesting, but always convenient.

We went out last night to celebrate our first official week of Grad studies being over. We've made it this far, we cant fail now right???? RIGHT???

Yesterday was also my first DimSum experience. My cousin, her husband and I went to the place in Chinatown. It was soooo cool. Very authentic if youre into that sort of thing. It was cheap, and good, and different and just fun. To those who have never dimsummed (which I am aware is not a word), GO. So good! Next sunday, we are going to go to Upper canada villiage. I am so very excited. As I've said before and I will most likely say again, period costumes, history and fresh bread are what I live for.

Today I think I will need to spend a good chunk of my time in the library. I'm in that phase where I know I have a lot to do research wise, and I know what I need my end results to be, but theres a missing link between what I know I need to be looking at and how to get the information to start to get to the point where I can look at the final topics... I guess this is what a research degree is all about huh! Wish me luck!

So here I leave you. All the best to you all! And I'll leave you with a completely unrelated quote to anything. I just really love it and thought you might all enjoy it too. Its comforting. And its from winnie the pooh, so it has to be great!

"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered. 
"Yes, Piglet?" 
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you." - A.A Milne


Jacob

March 2008

Hello Campers,

The last few days have been decently uneventful. Yesterday I did laundry. That will be happening as little as I possibly can get away with! WHOA! This is the first thing here that I'm not a fan of in regards to my living situation and school and such. Laundry is only 5 blocks away, but when you have 3 weeks worth, and a book or two to read while youre there...WHOA I say again! It took me a while to find too as it was my first trip, so that may have added to the shoulder pain. Also, I was unaware that there was no change machine, and that it only took quarters. The very nice eastern european lady who runs it took pity on me though as it was my first time, and opened up a dryer and got me out a bunch of quarters in exchange for my toonies. She was sweet. We will make good laundry time friends. We already talked about a chicken recipe that involves brown sugar and chilis! Sunday after laundry I took a stroll down Rideau St, just to see what was going on. Nothing really. Stores. Homeless people. A pizza place that was very very clean, but from the outside look disgusting! That was my monday.

Today was boring. Because I only take two courses (and I'm used to like 7-8 a few of which have practicums attatched and then bands on top), I'm a little bored at the moment. I'm sure it wont last long, becuase everyone keeps telling me that thesis work will get me very busy, and coursework gets to be a lot. I may regret saying all this though, but, I cant imagine! Seriously. Like Thesis yes. But I dont even take the course to prepare my topic defence till next semester. Until then I'm in what is basically an undergrad class, as theres only 4 of us in grad school and the rest are mainly third years. I think I can manage that. And the other one, is a class to prepare you for preparing your thesis proposal...Thats it. How much work can that possibly bring. PLUS, I met with my proff that I'm TAing for this semester, and the only thing she wants me to do is sit in the class tuesday nights incase something tech related goes wrong, and then hold office hours once a week, where I can sit and do what little work I have to do. I only have to do 30% of the grading because theres two other TA's for the class, AND...AND...its a survery class of all music history and theory (so, just a bare skim), for NON MUSIC MAJORS! Even she said, what little grading you will have to do, you will be able to do in about 2 hours. And they only had in assignments every three weeks or so...Sorry for the rant, but this is nuts! But again...now that I've said it my life will blow up with work!

In other news. I met my landlord finally. He is a very nice old italian man. He is going to come take the door out of my living room soon, and fix the burners on my stove as only two of them work. Thats my life in a nutshell. Nothing too exciting. Booked my flights for october though. I'm coming home the 22nd and heading back the 1st. Lots of nice Acadia time in my future. YAY!

Love you all, and wish you the best.

Jacob

Je vais à l'Université d'Ottawa, et je dois apprendre le français et l'allemand en mars l'année prochaine. Souhaitez-moi bonne chance.

OK...Strap yourselves in. This is going to be a long one...and theres a lot of pictures too. I'm going to go in reverse chronological order. Tonight, as I sit here, there is a MASSIVE concert happening at Tabaret hall, which is about half a block from my place. Its outside...and it is LOUD. And there are HUNDREDS of frosh running around drunk and silly. It may be a late night. However, I did just get back from what may be the coolest, most hip meeting of people ever. The MA musicology and theory dinner party. The coolest of the cool. All the current MA people met at one of our proffs condos (which was BEAUTIFUL. . . I want her life.) for a potluck dinner party. The only conversations all night were thesis topics, medievalists, Analysis, those damned performers, and other such cool topics. I'm sure you are all jealous. After a nice night, I walked Alyssa back up to her apt about 5 block from mine because she lives next to a hipster bar, and its a bit sketch haha. 

Last night was also quite eventful. Tina, Megan and I went down to the market and found a nice irish bar to sit at. It. was. packed. The summer nights are still warm here, so people are still flooding the market. We sat outside and people watched for a while and then the most amazing thing happened. Among the hoards of people came a pipe and drum band. At 11. On a friday night in the market in Ottawa. Let me tell you all, If I could have stood up, saluted and flown a NS flag, I would have. It was amazing. They played all the hits. Scotland the brave, Amazing Grace, youh name it. Such a good night. After that, we wnt to Zacks 24 hour diner. Such a cool little place. Awesome cheap after bar food, nice wait staff and a fun environment. AND THEN, after that, we stopped in at the Metro on the way home to get yoghurt for the morning. 24 grocery? SO CONVENIENT! 

Yesterday morning we had our first and only real "grad class" that all the music grads have to be in. Its an introduction to musical research and its taught by my thesis advisor, who I love. So thats a cool class. Its nice to finally know who is who and what everyone is doing. And now since we've had our super cool MA dinner party, I really know who the cool kids are to sit by in class. After that class was the school of music BBQ, which was actually a mild bust as 99% of the crowd were the undergrads who all knew each other. There were only a few of us grad students there. BUT we did end up going to lunch with a few grad students that were new to all of us. We went to the Horn of Africa, which is an Ethiopian place not to far from the school. We met a very interesting man named Bogdan who is from Romania! He is doing his second masters in composition and theory, but when he is not here, he teaches renaissance counterpoint at the University of Romania. You meet allllll kinds! Cool story though eh! 

Actually, as i'm finishing up this monster post, the music seems to have stopped. Maybe the concert is over? I hope. I hope they arent just setting up the next act. That would be awful. 

Well, good night and all the best to you all. I miss everyone dearly! 

Love, Jacob

We wanted yoghurt and soymilk at 12 30. What of it!? Its a 24 hour grocery, whatevs. 

Nostalgia for a period I wasnt alive in

Pouty Lips

Tina Alexander is amazing...so is Zacks 24 hour 50's diner

Megans sexy times in Ottawa

Bogdan and Alyssa at the Horn of Africa

Megans Veggie Version

Grad students go to Africa...SO GOOD !

Ditto

The frosh outside my window that I refered to a few days ago. Good god I dont miss it. 

When you get off the Elevator to the music lib section

The GRAD floor. If you dont have a degree already...GET OUT! 

Row 1 of the referance section of the Lib...and Tina...DROOOLLLL...not at Tina though...

Row 2. Awesome

Turandot, antimusicology and friends :)

Yesterday was my very first day of class! I was as excited as excited could be. My first class was a class called "in search of musical understanding". It was interesting. Without harping on it too much, it was a musicology class...that bashed musicologists. It made me feel weird inside. I was caught between intrigued and offended. I'm not sure how it will all play out yet, but it was...interesting. Yesterday wasnt too eventful. At the end of the day though, I was feeling a weird mix of unsurity (pretty sure thats not a word...) and a bit fallen. I think there was just SO much build up to my first class, and to leave it not being inspired and full of musical though left me feeling strange about it.

Today however, was VERY eventful and wonderful. I started my day by wandering to the Rideau to get an umbrella...to stand under. I love the rideau because EVERYTHING you ever need is there. And its so close I can SEE it from my window. Awesome. So I got an umbrella. Then, this afternoon, I had my first clarinet lesson. It was great. She is VERY nice, and kind and you can see it in her that she just likes to teach to see the result. I've lucked out with her. We had a great lesson, and I really feel I will be getting a lot from her, and that she will make me love my instrument again. So that was good. After my lesson, I had skype time with Nicole and steph AND Meggy Morrisey. It was a good afternoon.

Tonight though, tops the bill! As you may have read the other day, we all got free tickets to Turandot with Opera Lyra at the NAC. So megan, Alyssa and I got all dressed up and went over. Perfect night to see it. The place was practically empty. Like...that place is HUGE, and there were less than 200 people there. So cool. We sat up in the second balcony and had an amazing view of the pit (The NAC orchestra!!!) and the stage. It. was. beautiful. So beautifully staged, and the singing was lovely. Nessun Dorma would make a jaded heart cry. And Lui...WHOA SHE WAS GOOD. Very great night all round. We met up with Ed, Jim and Ross who had watched it from the floor below. As good a view as we had, its vertigo-y up there. They may have had a good plan on that one. It was nice to see the boys. Its been a while.

Tomorrow though, we all have our first actual grad student class together. Like, all the music grad students in one room. Awesome ! THIS I am excited for. I love those kinds of classes. And its called "an introduction to musical research". Sounds good to me! We have a plan to get everyone to go out after for lunch, then we have a school of music BBQ tomorrow supper time, and then hopefully some sort of social event for the grad students. That would be nice.

I'm sure I will let you all know how it goes though! Stay tuned!

Nighty Night all XOXO

Jacob