New Favourite Thing Ever:

And today in the news of What Was The Web Designer THINKING?!?!,the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's webpage.

Looks pretty okay, by web design standards. A lot of colours, a few that don't match, but whatever. Overall, the website is pretty passable. But take a look at the source code:

Not so bad? Take a closer look:



Okay, as a web design student, I was guilty of doing that a couple of times. Spacing was sent from hell to make web designers miserable. But take one more look...



North Korea wants you to know this: they're strong, especially in web design.

Compensating?

Things That Piss Me Off: Attack Ads

I'll be the first to tell you that I'm a political junkie.

I love presidential elections. I love gubernatorial elections. I care about pretty much every office...except the Water Authority. I'm still not entirely sure what they do. But with politics comes a considerable amount of lashing out. Politicians have claws, on both sides. But this time, the Republican party's candidate for Georgia Governor John Oxendine has gone too far. Here's a Macon.com article that details Oxendine's attack on Handel: Macon.com-- Oxendine's Attack Ad

In a recent ad, Oxendine attacks Republican Karen Handel, accusing her of being a "liberal democrat." Where I live, that's considered an insult, and at this point, I'm no longer offended by it. What I am offended by, however, is how Oxendine demonises Handel for supporting equal benefits for domestic partnerships.

I don't care if you're liberal or conservative, pro gay marriage or against it. It doesn't matter. Homosexuals are people, and they deserve--no, they are required to have--equal rights. As most of you know, gay marriage is illegal in Georgia. Fine, conservatives, you can keep your terms. But don't you DARE tell me that gay people don't have the same rights as straight people.

Just like during the civil rights era, separate is not equal. And right now, Georgia is not only dealing with an issue of separate laws and separate rights; we're dealing with unequal and unconstitutional circumstances.

Okay. I'm stepping down from my soapbox now.

1776: Twelve Angry Men, Colonial Edition

So I'm officially a freelance musician.

I am playing in Theatre Macon's production of 1776 as Reed III: Oboe, English Horn (transposed to oboe), and Clarinet. I'm also getting paid for it. If you do the math, it's actually a little under minimum wage...but I'm getting paid. To do something I love. This is excellent!

The first night went off with only two minor disasters on my end. First, the cork on the top joint of my clarinet came off, and unsurprisingly, this makes the clarinet STOP WORKING. In the least legitimate fix of all time, it is currently attached with Elmer's Glue until I can take it into the shop to get it fixed. Second, my shoe and the side of the stage got into a fight. Guess who won? Hint: not me. I hit the side of my knee--the muscle that holds on the kneecap--on the corner of the stage. After limping to the kitchen, I iced my knee for Act Two. Luckily, today I can walk on it with little pain. Stairs, however, are another story.

Well, it wouldn't be theatre if something disastrous didn't happen.

The music for the show is FANTASTIC. The more I hear it, the more I love it. There are many parts in the show that, on first read, come off as "wait, does he really want that?" But the way the pit supports the vocalists and some of these chord progressions...so beautiful, despite horrendous amounts of flats. I wish I could describe the incredible rush I get from performance in general, but there's something about pit...it's thrilling, being a part of a show...having such an important role as both an accompanist and a soloist. It's such a great high.

In other news, I am making a new blog, Birthmother in the Back Room. Those of you who know me know that I'm adopted. For nineteen years of my life, I had no contact with the woman who carried me...until today. I'm meeting her in early August, and today I got the chance to talk to her on the phone. It's strange and wonderful and overwhelming and definitely one of those things that people like to call "a journey" or some other cheesy thing like that. This blog is for the benefit of me making sense of my brain.

Things I Learned from SIMF:

So I spent three weeks in Bryn Mawr, PA at the Strings International Music Festival. Yes, I know I'm an oboist, but they needed me for chamber music. It was lots of fun. I ended up befriending a lot of string players and participating in an excellent trio (of woodwinds! Go figure!).

There was also a great amount of ridiculosity that ensued from this festival, such as taking a friend to the emergency room and then going clubbing, hanging out on rooftops, a Gay Council meeting that lasted until 4am, and salsa dancers invading my room. And hanging a pirate flag from the great hall.

Without further ado, Things I Learned from SIMF:
1. An accompanist can make or break a performance.
2. Think less. Feel more.
3. Lose your ego and you'll lose the nerves.
4. Being on top of someone's shoulders who is standing on top of a bass stool while trying to dodge campus security is TERRIFYING.
5. It is possible to throw pants onto one's body.
6. If you're up at 5:30 and have to wake up at 7 to catch your plane, it's best just to not sleep.
7. Three weeks of rehearsals and seminars and practice without weekends will make one a) insane, and b) coffee dependent.
8. Trains are a MUCH better way of transportation than buses.
9. Check to see if the club you're going to is 18+ or 21+ BEFORE you go there.
10. Sometimes, you just need a new shoulder rest for your flute.
11. Sometimes, friends are more important than practicing.
12. It is possible for a dining hall to screw up peanut butter.
13. Sometimes, it's not your reedmaking ability.
14. Most of the time, it is.
15. People *will* listen to you practice. Practice as if someone's listening.
16. 13 blocks in Philadelphia heat is a LONG WAY.
17. If you want something to happen...you have to make it happen.
18. Madness? This is CHAMBER MUSIC!
19. Singing RENT loudly in public places will make people stare at you, as if this wasn't obvious.
20. 90s music is good for singing on buses.
21. BRING SUNGLASSES TO OUTDOOR CONCERTS.
22. Madness happens, and it's awesome.

Here's to all of my crazy-awesome friends from SIMF: Ello, Addie, Patrick, Ilya, Chris, Alex, Nina, Paula...heck, everyone!