Oil on Canvas...
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Day 30 | Friday, January 30 | 2009
Frozen Bicycles...Woke up at 7:30 to go to Theory class. Class wasn't too bad -- we're now getting into various 7th chords and talking about how different triads are incorporated into them.
It was a clean brisk walk out of the door this morning and into the cold air. The weather is probably around 20F but I haven't checked.
Today should be really fun. Fun but busy. I'll go to starving artist's lunch (a vegan lunch held every Friday at noon), work on some homework, tutor a student for music theory, study some more, have dinner with Rem and Amanda, go see the movie Milk with them, maybe go say hello and happy birthday to Jen, maybe go say hello to Brian Koscho at the Union, and then home for bed.
There are a lot of things I need to be doing and seemingly not enough time to do them. I really need to finish recording this birthday present composition for Stacy by tomorrow too. It is a composition that me and Alex (a talented composer on piano) collaborated on and have been trying to set into a final recorded form.
For Spanish, we have to complete a take home midterm by monday and it is looking pretty dense. I am going to start outlining what I should be writing about and hopefully that will help when our class meets as a group on both Saturday and Sunday.
Day 28 | Wednesday, January 28 | 2009
Frozen Berries...Today has been altogether wonderful. I unofficially found out that I was accepted into the Cuenca program for this spring. That means that I'll be studying in Ecuador from March until June!! I am so excited about this opportunity in my life. I have so many questions about what it will be like to live there I am overwhelmed with joy. It will indeed be a wonderful time.
Also, everything worked out in a very kind, understanding, and loving way concerning the situation between me, Rem, and Amanda. We had all felt so stressed out that I believe we had taken it out on each other. Rem and Amanda remain to be very very good friends of mine. I am so happy to have them in my life and to have had the chance to live with them for the amount of time I have. Who knows what life will bring in the future but it is looking as though I will be moving out in June to live somewhere else in Athens for the remainder of my time here. I am really excited about this too -- I've already looked into a couple of places that might work for me.
This time around I am thinking about finding a single apartment for me to live. I know that it will be a little more money but I think that having my own place, even just for a little bit, could prove to be a very essential thing to me to have in my life right now. I feel like for the past 3 years I have been very adaptive to my living environments. I have spent a lot of time traveling with the band (in which we would spend our nights sleeping on hard wooden floors), I had lived with Leo and Box, I had lived with Rem, Amanda, and Jesse (Rem's younger brother), and I had also lived with Rem and Amanda. So, after three years of sharing space with at least 2 other people (and in some situations 4 or five) I feel like it is my time to have my own space for once. I think I will try to get a job this summer (even if it is transient) to save money to help pay for the rent. I am lucky to be in a situation where my parents will aid me in paying the rent but someday I will pay all of the debt that I owe my mother and father.
In other news, today has been pretty odd -- Athens county had declared a level three snow emergency and Ohio University closed all of its halls and offices which meant no school for today. This is the first time this has happened since 2003 when there was a blizzard in January (or February) in which 19'' of snow fell on the ground. I am slightly shocked that OU called off of school just because the weather conditions now at 3:00pm are not too severe.
I am feeling pretty happy right now -- time to get some school work done.
Day 27 | Tuesday, January 27 | 2009
Treads....I talked to Amanda today on the phone considering our housing situation. It was not a very pleasant conversation for either one of us. At one point she had told me that she thought it would be best if I moved out of the house as early as this week. I don't think that she really meant that, though, and I think she said that on account of being upset at me for suggesting the idea of having a sub-leaser live at the house for April and May (and a little bit of March and June). This was my mistake, though, because I had forgotten a part of me and Amanda's conversation on Thursday when she said she'd be against the idea of having a sub-leaser.
This whole situation is pretty disconcerting -- either way, there is going to be tensions between us. If either of us truly wants to work toward fairness, it is certain that we'll all need to not let our emotions get in the way of what's going on. Most likely, I concede to pay some sort of amount in the Spring to honor the understanding that we had all reached that I would represent myself financially until June.
Also, both parties need to stop distorting the other's position. Amanda has taken the fact -- that I had a question about whether or not I was actually signed on a lease -- a little far in insinuating that I am trying to find some loophole to screw Rem and her over. This is not the case at all. At the time it was only a small consideration; an afterthought -- as in me thinking to myself... am I technically signed on the lease? I think Amanda blew that idea a little out of proportion in thinking that I have motivations only related to money. Some of these ideas are starting look a lot like people labeling me and misrepresenting what I am saying.
What I am saying, however, is that we do achieve financial fairness. There was a slightly embarrassing moment in me and Amanda's conversation this morning. I had previously thought that the monthly payment was $650.00 but, in fact, I was corrected on account that it is actually $750.00 per month. When I was talking to Amanda, I felt pretty bad because I couldn't do the math in my head as to how much that would change the previous situation. So here is the breakdown:
August $337.50 / 250.00
September $337.50 / 250.00
October $337.50 / 250.00
November $337.50 / 250.00
December $337.50 / 250.00
January $337.50 / 250.00
February $337.50 / 250.00
March $337.50 / 250.00
Totals $3,037.50 / $2,250.00
Regardless, I'm still paying about $800.00 more than what I would have paid if the deal had been originally structured around the rent being divided by three, as opposed to the division of two. Even that, technically, is not what happened because I am paying slightly less (about $40.00 per month to be exact) that what half of the monthly payment is now.
I had lunch with Larry today and it was good to talk with him. It is always good to talk with Larry because he sees things through a clear lens, unobstructed by many of the biases that I have. What he told me was that he thought Rem and Amanda's perspective was fair -- that I should honor the fact that I had promised to pay the amount for the year. At the same time, he pointed out, that both parties should concede a little bit in order to make the situation work. He said that in the end no one would be happy if each of us would have it completely their way. And he is right. Not because of what Larry said made me see it this way but also because I think that paying some sort of an intermediate rate would be the fair thing to do. Sure, it might be more money that would be against the fiscal fairness in the numbers I had been keeping track of...but I think that is the only way for people to be happy in this situation.
I hope that this all ends well. I hope that Rem and Amanda will not show any needless hostility towards me and that I will not (or my father) be needlessly hostile towards them either. It would be a waste of everyone's time and energy to make this into that kind of a situation.
Later: I have been reflecting on this day for a while and I hope that there is no tension. I hope that there is no stigma applied to me, Rem, or Amanda. What a waste of time it would be to apply some value judgment such as `right´ ´wrong´ ´good´or ´bad´to this situation. I am aware that a lot of this situation was my fault -- when Jesse moved out of the house I agreed to pay more money for the room. It might appear that I am asking for two things at the same time. The truth is that I am in no way trying to manipulate nor have I tried to manipulate the situation. Perhaps I feel slight regret on my past decisions. What I should have done would have been to either find a place to live after Jesse moved out or find a new place for the summer of 2008. The reason why I didn´t do either of these was because I felt obligated to help Rem and Amanda out. Besides, I consider Rem and Amanda good friends and I like living with them. Things might have been easier in the long run in terms of avoiding interpersonal conflict if I would have left then but a large part of why I chose to stay was so that Rem and Amanda wouldn´t have had to work hard to adjust to their rent payments.
Later: I have been reflecting on this day for a while and I hope that there is no tension. I hope that there is no stigma applied to me, Rem, or Amanda. What a waste of time it would be to apply some value judgment such as `right´ ´wrong´ ´good´or ´bad´to this situation. I am aware that a lot of this situation was my fault -- when Jesse moved out of the house I agreed to pay more money for the room. It might appear that I am asking for two things at the same time. The truth is that I am in no way trying to manipulate nor have I tried to manipulate the situation. Perhaps I feel slight regret on my past decisions. What I should have done would have been to either find a place to live after Jesse moved out or find a new place for the summer of 2008. The reason why I didn´t do either of these was because I felt obligated to help Rem and Amanda out. Besides, I consider Rem and Amanda good friends and I like living with them. Things might have been easier in the long run in terms of avoiding interpersonal conflict if I would have left then but a large part of why I chose to stay was so that Rem and Amanda wouldn´t have had to work hard to adjust to their rent payments.
Day 22 | Thursday, January 22 | 2009
Caitlin...I feel like I am slowly going crazy. I don't know if I even want consolation but I just want to vent on my frustrations. I am lucky for the ones that love me and the ones I love.
I am writing this as I am sitting in my Documentary Genres class. We are watching a film called Valley Town about a small town in Pennsylvania dealing with the effects of mechanization on its local economy.
Tonight, Caitlin will play open mic at the Donkey and I am excited to see her! She is such a talented musician and writer. I can't wait!
LATER: Caitlin was great! My mood, too, is significantly better. My tongue, though, is hurting because of my lack of vitamins. Every time I try to incorporate a multi-vitamin into my daily diet this always happens. I go for about a week with regularly taking the vitamins then I forget to take them for a couple of days. The result? My tongue gets sore and develops little abrasions. And they hurt!
Day 16 | Friday, January 16 | 2009
Coldest Day of the Year......well, at least, so far. Woke up today at 5:30 and went for a jog. I wore a scarf around my neck and a scarf around my mouth so I would not directly be breathing in the frigid air. According to my thermometer, it was 3F outside my house this morning at about 7:45AM. Caitlin and I walked uptown to class and I went up to the parking garage rooftop to take this picture. It was even colder up there and my hands became numb. In the end it wasn't too bad because I was able to thaw out so to speak in the warmth of the music building.
Riley and Hadley have been good and bad so far. Hadley keeps pooping in the house even though I have let them out twice in 12 hours. I know that it is Hadley because there have been little white hairs (she is a white dog) around all the dog feces that I have to eventually pick up. All in all, this doesn't really bother me because I love taking care of these dogs, and, I simply love these dogs. Today I will let them out probably a little before noon and then later before we leave for dinner at around 4 or 5...and, of course, once more before we go to bed (I hoping it will be sometime before midnight).
The older I get, the less I want to stay out. I have never been one for a lot of partying or of night life but I used to be out and clubs and shows more often than now. Perhaps my behavior corresponds to the fact that I'm not playing music in the music scene much anymore or maybe it is because I am just getting more crotchety. Well, I don't think that I'm that crotchety anyways.
I'm looking forward to this weekend. I'll be going to Cincinnati tomorrow and then returning to Athens on Sunday. I'm going to see my parents and get a little homework done while I am there too...maybe even I'll get a free meal out of it too :)
Well that's enough for now...I'm feeling in good spirits today. Even though it is excruciatingly cold outside, at least the sun is out and there is very low cloud coverage.
Day 14 | Wednesday, January 14 | 2009
I Don't Mind Playing Catch By Myself..."My Uncle Mickey says I'm way too sensitive
as he taps his smoking pipe against his knee
the Catcher in the Rye will only make you cry
what you need now is a good documentary"
It's currently 14F outside -- cold. Woke up at a quarter to seven this morning to go to Theory. Today should be a moderate day -- just two classes. I am going to eat lunch with Caitlin at around 11...so I better pack it up.
Day 12 | Monday, January 12 | 2009
Campus...I remember when this used to be a woodsy walkway. How much things can change in just a matter of five years. Heres to you, David Bowie.
Woke up today at 5 and finished Theory homework and studied a little for the quiz. I didn't do too bad on the quiz (85%) but I could have done much better. I scheduled an appointment with my professor to meet tomorrow to get tutoring help. It is not so much that I don't understand the content but I need help in terms of speed and precision.
Things are going okay today. I realized that I did not manage my time very well this weekend and that I should adjust appropriately this following week.
Day 11| Sunday, January 11 | 2009
Darkness on the Edge of Town...Woke up today around 6 with one of Caitlin's residents knocking on the door. They had locked themselves out of their room and needed a key. They managed to wait for about 3 hours and then they knocked on Caitlin's door again at around 8. Thus, that is how the day was started. Caitlin and I got off to a pretty productive start -- I finished two of the papers I needed to get done and by then it was only 10:30.
I went home, got a bite to eat, talked to Amanda a bit and then did two modules of my tutor training exercises. So thus far, I have completed 6 out of 8 and should get them done for tomorrow.
Later, I went to the Donkey to meet and talk with Ellen. I hadn't seen her in such a long time and it was nice to hear what was going on with her. She is trying to get into a midwife school in Maine but will not know until February.
I am frustrated right now because I am really slow at getting my music theory work done. We will have a quiz tomorrow morning so maybe that will help me gauge where I am in the class.
I love you, Caitlin. :)
Day 10 | Saturday, January 10 | 2009
Jeff and Clare...
Today Caitlin and I put up some plastic covers on my bedroom windows, in an attempt to preserve some of the heating in my room. It isn't that cold but I presume it will get a lot colder as Winter progresses.
It was nice to talk to my parents today at length about some of the things that have been on my mind. I am looking forward to them being close by again, which will be happening soon.
Today was well spent -- with good friends at a pot-luck dinner at the Bruce Manor. The Bruce Manor is the name of a house on West Union street where a lot of local DIY (do it yourself) house shows are held. Musicians and other performance artists from all over the continent have come through to play to an intimate gathering of friends and/or otherwise associated people who dwell in Athens and beyond. Anyways, it was nice to see Larry, Jeff, Clare, Julia, Nicki, and Jaime and so many others.
Caitlin and I are now working on our respective school work at the library before we go to bed. I am feeling overall well and I am hoping this feeling lasts for a long time.
Day 8 | Thursday, January 8 | 2009
Windowsill...It's been a pretty cold day -- outside temperature is about 26F and falling. There is something about Winter that sucks the life energy out of me -- including any ability to focus on my hopes and dreams for the future. I think in times like these it is important for one to focus on the good things that are going on for them and all of the blessings they have in their life. Blessings is a loaded word of course but you get the picture.
These days I am feeling a little defeated but that will in time subside. I have spent most of my day working on schoolwork and trying not to be anxious. So far it has worked. This weekend will be a good time to relax and re-examine my priorities and plans.
Day 5 | Monday, January 5 | 2009
Fight the Rich...Today is the first day of classes at OU. Here are my classes for the quarter:
Personal Values in Media
Documentary Genres
Spanish American Civilization & Culture
Music Theory (2nd Level)
University Band
I have a lot of hope for the quarter but I also have a few reservations. Here is to a low stress and successful quarter.
February 2008
February was filled with important dates
1.) February 23rd -- first date with Caitlin! I love this woman with all of my heart. I will never forget that night. I know that this song is not really relevant on the surface (because the speaker of the song is talking about breaking up) but this song reminds me of Caitlin in every way.
"Birds" by Neil Young
Lover, there will be another one
Who'll hover over you beneath the sun
Tomorrow see the things that never come
Today
When you see me
Fly away without you
Shadow on the things you know
Feathers fall around you
And show you the way to go
It's over, it's over.
Nestled in your wings my little one
This special morning brings another sun
Tomorrow see the things that never come
Today
When you see me
Fly away without you
Shadow on the things you know
Feathers fall around you
And show you the way to go
It's over, it's over.
2.) February 20 -- My last haircut I have had. I vow to not cut my hair for at least one year from that date. So in theory the earliest time I will cut my hair will be no earlier than February 20, 2009.
There are not really any other momentous events in my life other than those, although my haircut is hardly momentous. I feel awkward trying to express how I felt about Caitlin at the time in retrospection now. For me, she had (and still is) the perfect friend. She is kind, she listens, she cares, she is warm, she is down to earth, and she is so loving. It is very easy for me to be myself around her. Even when we first met and when I first looked in her eyes, I felt something very pure and true that I have never felt before with anyone else. She understands me and I think I can understand her too. We are in step with each other in communication and talking to each other. We have had amazing laughs but we can also be sincere and earnest with each other too.
I have never met someone so amazing as I have with Caitlin. I am very lucky.
My friend Shana took this during an attempt to learn photography insights.*****Whale Mountain pt. 1******
There are some stories that I will claim as only mine.*****After the Goldrush*****
I love you so clearly / I love you so fearlessly / I'll wake you up in the morning so early ...*****Riley with Tire*****
Riley is the other dog of the Remnant/Torres household. If there ever was a dog representation of Good Cop vs. Bad Cop then such would be the case with Riley and Hadley (respectively). Riley is carefree, fun-loving, goofy, cute, playful and spirited. He is hardly ever unkind to new people (unlike Hadley) and has the most hilarious personality I have seen in a dog. Perhaps his only downfall is his hurried eating habits -- when he is fed, he eats the bowl of dog food in its entirety without stopping. His weight is a slight issue (poor guy) but his cuteness is overwhelming. *****Mama Renie's Pizza*****
One of our first dates, Caitlin and I volunteered at the Arcade Fire show in Nelsonville (Stuart's Opera House). It was such an amazing experience. Amazing because it was highly unusual for such a metropolitan and world-popular band like The Arcade Fire to play a FREE show in such a small and (most importantly) nearby town. We ate pizza before the show at Mama Renie's which is right across the street from the Opera House.*****Volunteers*****
Here we are wearing the Stuart's Opera House t-shirts that were given to the volunteers working the event. Best friend Jamie is behind us (who also volunteered that day).*****Up-Close*****
For one of the two free shows, this is where Caitlin and I stood. We were practically on the stage!*****The Arcade Fire*****
Although the full band was not there (it was 5 out of the 7 or 8 members of the band) the show was enthralling. The energy of the 300 or so people in that small auditorium was marvelous.*****The Arcade Fire II*****
*****Caitlin and Me with Win Butler*****
I asked Win Butler (lead singer of the band) if we could take a picture with him. He seemed a little cold to the idea but he said sure. Although the picture is out of focus (no one's perfect) it is still clear how much Win Butler towers over us. He has to be 6'4'' or so. Perhaps even a little taller.
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