well, this is going to be the last update for a while. i'm going home to duluth tomorrow and my parents home on wilderness trail road doesn't have internet or cell phone service. there's a lot of trees, and the stars are friggen amazing up there, but just a simple phone line to communicate with the outside world. hence, i won't be in touch with most of my friends for a week or so. :-( sad...
couple things to talk about. first of all, i was talking to my friend katelyn tonight (she was a dancer at dorney and she's pretty awesome) and i was telling her about the northern lights and she said she had never heard of them. it reminded me that there's a lot of people that have either never heard of them or seen them live. if you're one of those people, you gotta check out this link to a photo gallery of the northern lights over lake superior. here's the link http://northernimages.com/webgallery/list.php?exhibition=39. Even if you have seen them before and know what they're all about, you should check it out because there's some amazing pictures in there. i'm hoping to see some when i go home this week.
went christmas shopping today. my whole family is getting sweaters. i asked them what they wanted, and they were way stubborn, so i decided i'm going make a statement and give them all sweaters. i bought them today, and don't get me wrong, they're not ugly christmas sweaters, they're actually nice and somewhat expensive, but the fact that they're each getting the same thing should get the message across. if you're going to be stubborn about telling me what you want, you're going to get a sweater. it'll probably backfire and they'll think they're the greatest gifts ever.
got a call from my ex-girlfriend, jennifer, tonight. boy was i surprised to hear her voice. i usually talk to her about once a year or so, which is somewhat unfortunate, but i'm probably better off that way. she was out with all of our friends that we used to hang out with in high school and i'm sure they asked her to call me. they passed the phone around and i got to talk to about 6 different friends that i hadn't seen or talked to in forever. it was really nice, especially since i'm in eau claire all by myself today, and somewhat on the lonely side. about half an hour later colin's dad called me to tell me that colin had just pulled an 'evan.' i laughed pretty hard. you know your friends are cool when their parents are calling you to tell you about stupid stuff their son or daughter has done. i guess they also called to say merry christmas too, but mostly to tell me about colin.
well, i guess that's it. i've got some stuff to do before i leave tomorrow. dishes, laundry, takin' out the garbage, all on the fun list of things to do. i hope you all have a wonderful break and that santa is good to you all.
thanks for stopping by san diego,
james
Friday, December 23, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
what are you doing new years eve
so i stumbled across something pretty sweet that i need to share with you. if you like music at all, you should definitely check out this video with diana krall singing 'what are you doing new years eve' accompanied by the clayton/hamiton jazz orchestra. great singing, absolutely beautiful orchestration. here's the link: http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/player.aspx?fid=1365&ftyp=3&pgid=6&hid=2701&pl=72&fp=wmp. enjoy!
so here's my plan for the break...
time off mixed in with some gigs and a trip to new york. doesn't get much better than that as far as breaks are concerned. hopefully some of you will be around for some lunch dates and some much needed hanging out time. don't ever hesitate to call because i won't hesitate to call you back.
merry new years, happy christmas, shalom, peace, and everything else,
james
so here's my plan for the break...
- dec. 24 playing a gig in hastings, mn then home for christmas
- dec. 31 playing a gig in menomonie, wi then to eau claire for new years
- jan. 1-9 hanging in eau claire, practicing, working on my cabaret set
- jan. 10-15 in new york city for the iaje convention
- jan. 15-whenver, cabaret rehearsals and performances
time off mixed in with some gigs and a trip to new york. doesn't get much better than that as far as breaks are concerned. hopefully some of you will be around for some lunch dates and some much needed hanging out time. don't ever hesitate to call because i won't hesitate to call you back.
merry new years, happy christmas, shalom, peace, and everything else,
james
Monday, December 19, 2005
answering some questions
well, it seems to be that time when the people who don't know me very well start asking me lots of questions about myself and my future. so, i'm going to answer some of them here. before you read on, i must admit, some of these questions have annoyed me, but most have not. i'm not trying to lash out, just trying to write some thoughts down. it's more for me than anyone else i suppose.
1) what are you going to do now that you've graduated?
answer: the same stuff i've been doing since i got here. practicing, taking lessons, hopefully getting better, trying to get a job playing trombone. i'll still be living in eau claire, i'll still go to the joynt, and i'll still be the same person.
2) when are your grad school auditions?
answer: february and march. i've applied to eastman, manhattan, and indiana. still contemplating either northwestern or depaul. i won't know a thing about acceptance until late april.
3) are you going to get a job?
answer: possibly. if i do, i'm going to try to hold out till after auditions are over. i have some gigs and i'm returning as a web designer and have a few projects lined up including a site for Brian Thorstad's Prescott Middle School band and a site for Maestro Nobu Yasuda. i'm in the process of building an online portfolio at www.jamesyardley.com, but it won't be finished for another month or so.
4) why are you still single?
answer: this one annoys me a little, but, since it's usually asked by people that don't know me too well (like my parents or friends from high school) i tend to let it roll off my back. the answer is that i haven't found a girl that i'm in love with and that loves me back. i think it's a good idea to stay single until i do. i also don't tend to invest a lot of time towards such a goal. i think it'd be great and rewarding to be in that kind of relationship, but right now, i don't have the time to look for that. i don't want to force anything, so i don't spend my time pursuing a serious relationship. i'm happy enough with my friends and confident enough in myself to live without it for the time being. and if you don't believe any of that, then i'll give you answer b; i'm intimdating. don't buy that one either? fine, answer c; my trombone is my girlfriend.
well, when i first started writing this i had intended on addressing a few more questions, but after answering those ones, i've realized that i just shouldn't worry about those people that think i'm not doing the right thing with my life. if you're reading this, you're probably one of those that knows me well and doesn't really question my life path. i guess those are good questions to think about sometimes, they're just hard to swallow coming from someone else.
on a happy note. i really felt like i nailed my jury today. i'm pretty sure i heard Bach clapping for me when i got done playing the sarabande from cello suite no. 5. either that or it was the sigh of relief coming from dr. o signifying 'finally, james doesn't sound like crap on that piece.'
that's pretty much it. until next time, keep your stick on the ice,
james
1) what are you going to do now that you've graduated?
answer: the same stuff i've been doing since i got here. practicing, taking lessons, hopefully getting better, trying to get a job playing trombone. i'll still be living in eau claire, i'll still go to the joynt, and i'll still be the same person.
2) when are your grad school auditions?
answer: february and march. i've applied to eastman, manhattan, and indiana. still contemplating either northwestern or depaul. i won't know a thing about acceptance until late april.
3) are you going to get a job?
answer: possibly. if i do, i'm going to try to hold out till after auditions are over. i have some gigs and i'm returning as a web designer and have a few projects lined up including a site for Brian Thorstad's Prescott Middle School band and a site for Maestro Nobu Yasuda. i'm in the process of building an online portfolio at www.jamesyardley.com, but it won't be finished for another month or so.
4) why are you still single?
answer: this one annoys me a little, but, since it's usually asked by people that don't know me too well (like my parents or friends from high school) i tend to let it roll off my back. the answer is that i haven't found a girl that i'm in love with and that loves me back. i think it's a good idea to stay single until i do. i also don't tend to invest a lot of time towards such a goal. i think it'd be great and rewarding to be in that kind of relationship, but right now, i don't have the time to look for that. i don't want to force anything, so i don't spend my time pursuing a serious relationship. i'm happy enough with my friends and confident enough in myself to live without it for the time being. and if you don't believe any of that, then i'll give you answer b; i'm intimdating. don't buy that one either? fine, answer c; my trombone is my girlfriend.
well, when i first started writing this i had intended on addressing a few more questions, but after answering those ones, i've realized that i just shouldn't worry about those people that think i'm not doing the right thing with my life. if you're reading this, you're probably one of those that knows me well and doesn't really question my life path. i guess those are good questions to think about sometimes, they're just hard to swallow coming from someone else.
on a happy note. i really felt like i nailed my jury today. i'm pretty sure i heard Bach clapping for me when i got done playing the sarabande from cello suite no. 5. either that or it was the sigh of relief coming from dr. o signifying 'finally, james doesn't sound like crap on that piece.'
that's pretty much it. until next time, keep your stick on the ice,
james
Saturday, December 17, 2005
the graduator
welp, i'm gonna take a page from the book of dr. phillip ostrander and start with some positive comments about graduation. lets see, well, i got to sit next to two cool people, kara sorenson and sacia jerome, instead of next to people i didn't know. nicole's speech was excellent. and the last positive comment i have about graduation is that it is now over.
now how about a couple um...other...thoughts about the ceremony. orchestra sounded fine, but i certainly didn't expect the "hiccup" in the national anthem. it's okay, because i love nobu and the rest of the orchestra and it paled in comparison to the speech given by that grant writing lady. hmm...what can i say without being too harsh...how about..that was about the worst speech i've ever heard in my life. i can't remember the last time i wanted to punch myself repeatedly in the face just to dull the pain of having to listen to someone speak. i'm sure she's a very nice person, and i certainly don't have any hate towards her, but good lord. i would rather hear a speech given by a 12 year old about the finer points of bubble tape bubble gum.
oh well. i graduated, it's over, and time for me to move along. even though i'm not leaving immediately, which is what usually happens when normal people graduate, it's gotten me to think about what i'm going to do without all these amazing people i've spent the last 5+ years with. too many to name here, but you know who you all are. in a perfect world, i would keep in close contact with you all and maybe even be fortunate enough to live in the same areas as some of you too. i guess i shouldn't be saying my goodbyes yet though, because i'm still going to be in eau claire for a few more months. i hope to enjoy them to their fullest.
well, it's time to look over those loan papers and take note of how much money i have in my bank account. i think i need to write that stuff down so that when i'm rich and famous i can start my autobiography with "when i graduated from college, i had x amount of dollars in my bank account and x amount of dollars to pay back to the federal government that funded my education." maybe i'll just flee to mexico instead....i hear they have awesome tacos down there.
that's all for now.
james 'the graduator' yardley
now how about a couple um...other...thoughts about the ceremony. orchestra sounded fine, but i certainly didn't expect the "hiccup" in the national anthem. it's okay, because i love nobu and the rest of the orchestra and it paled in comparison to the speech given by that grant writing lady. hmm...what can i say without being too harsh...how about..that was about the worst speech i've ever heard in my life. i can't remember the last time i wanted to punch myself repeatedly in the face just to dull the pain of having to listen to someone speak. i'm sure she's a very nice person, and i certainly don't have any hate towards her, but good lord. i would rather hear a speech given by a 12 year old about the finer points of bubble tape bubble gum.
oh well. i graduated, it's over, and time for me to move along. even though i'm not leaving immediately, which is what usually happens when normal people graduate, it's gotten me to think about what i'm going to do without all these amazing people i've spent the last 5+ years with. too many to name here, but you know who you all are. in a perfect world, i would keep in close contact with you all and maybe even be fortunate enough to live in the same areas as some of you too. i guess i shouldn't be saying my goodbyes yet though, because i'm still going to be in eau claire for a few more months. i hope to enjoy them to their fullest.
well, it's time to look over those loan papers and take note of how much money i have in my bank account. i think i need to write that stuff down so that when i'm rich and famous i can start my autobiography with "when i graduated from college, i had x amount of dollars in my bank account and x amount of dollars to pay back to the federal government that funded my education." maybe i'll just flee to mexico instead....i hear they have awesome tacos down there.
that's all for now.
james 'the graduator' yardley
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
holy monkeys it's an update!
ok, this one's for you andrizzle.
haven't updated in a long time, but it's for good reason...sort of.
i've been too friggen busy. so here's the brief summary,
nov. 21-24 trip to NYC
nov. 24-26 back to school to finish work i missed while in NYC
nov. 28&29 worst jazz 1 tour ever
nov. 29-dec. 1 being very sick, jazz 1 concert on dec. 1
dec. 2-dec. 14, working madly on service learning, web design, and alexander technique class projects, while trying to improve my health, while trying to get my chops back from the time i took off while i was sick.
ok, so we're totally up to date now. graduation happens on saturday. i'm happy to graduate, but damn i'm gonna miss this place. don't worry kids, i'll be around all next semester.
current and future projects;
www.jamesyardley.com - this is going to be my online portfolio of the web design work i have done and will be doing. should be fun. check out www.jamesyardley.com/FancyPants to see my latest project. web design projects on the horizon include a web site for Brian Thorstad's Prescott Middle School Band and possibly a web site for Maestro Nobuyoshi Yasuda.
working on my ricky martin set for cabaret. it's fun but i know i'm going to struggle with guitar, piano, and drum parts. the horn lines are great and i have tons of different ideas on how i'm going to work some subtle unison instrumentation with the vocals.
playing a new years gig at the mabel tainter theatre in menomonie. it'll be my first new years in eau claire, and i can't wait to spend it with my college friends.
off to nyc again jan. 9-15 for the iaje convention. been keeping in touch with george flynn and certain i'll see him when i get out there. can't wait.
grad school auditions are on the horizon. manhattan, eastman, indiana, and possibly northwestern. holy money/time/travel/practicing. gotta keep tellin' myself it's going to be worth it once it's all over with.
well, i think that's about it. cheers!
james
haven't updated in a long time, but it's for good reason...sort of.
i've been too friggen busy. so here's the brief summary,
nov. 21-24 trip to NYC
nov. 24-26 back to school to finish work i missed while in NYC
nov. 28&29 worst jazz 1 tour ever
nov. 29-dec. 1 being very sick, jazz 1 concert on dec. 1
dec. 2-dec. 14, working madly on service learning, web design, and alexander technique class projects, while trying to improve my health, while trying to get my chops back from the time i took off while i was sick.
ok, so we're totally up to date now. graduation happens on saturday. i'm happy to graduate, but damn i'm gonna miss this place. don't worry kids, i'll be around all next semester.
current and future projects;
www.jamesyardley.com - this is going to be my online portfolio of the web design work i have done and will be doing. should be fun. check out www.jamesyardley.com/FancyPants to see my latest project. web design projects on the horizon include a web site for Brian Thorstad's Prescott Middle School Band and possibly a web site for Maestro Nobuyoshi Yasuda.
working on my ricky martin set for cabaret. it's fun but i know i'm going to struggle with guitar, piano, and drum parts. the horn lines are great and i have tons of different ideas on how i'm going to work some subtle unison instrumentation with the vocals.
playing a new years gig at the mabel tainter theatre in menomonie. it'll be my first new years in eau claire, and i can't wait to spend it with my college friends.
off to nyc again jan. 9-15 for the iaje convention. been keeping in touch with george flynn and certain i'll see him when i get out there. can't wait.
grad school auditions are on the horizon. manhattan, eastman, indiana, and possibly northwestern. holy money/time/travel/practicing. gotta keep tellin' myself it's going to be worth it once it's all over with.
well, i think that's about it. cheers!
james
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