IrishOboe

I visited brass band after school to rehearse for the Live in Shirane concert I’m doing with them in March. We’re doing to pop tunes (one from a TV show) that are kind of cheesy and I don’t know at all, but we’re also doing a Fanfare by a ninensei student, which is actually quite good. It was fun to be in a rehearsal with them for a few reasons.First, it has been more than half a year since I’ve rehearsed in an ensemble! The last time I went that long was when I was twelve! Second, it’s all student directed. Someone comes in very occasionally, but usually they practice and rehearse on their own. The discipline was a little lacking, but they pretty well. Whenever directions were given they always answered with “hai.” I think I like that part of Japanese culture. You have to stay active! Third, it was all in Japanese and very heartwarming attempts to use English. Student still think I am incapable of learning Japanese, which is a little frustrating, but I appreciate their attempts to use English. I learned how to say measure, line, note names and values, and the like in Japanese. They were shocked when after the first reading of the Fanfare I asked in Japanese if the note in a certain measure was correct and it turned out to be a mistake. That might indicate to me how much they use their ears, or it might indicate how they don’t think of me as a musician, but won’t make the judgment now. Considering how I don’t understand why they spend much of their practice time the way they do, they aren’t a bad group. I wish I could find a way to help them. I’ll practice with them a few more times before the concert and we’ll see if there’s opportunity. In any case, it was fun to be with students and hear them play. The oboe part to pop music is not often challenging or exposed, so it’s good to have the other stuff to keep me entertained.

When I got home it was still a bit warm even though it was dark so I got the foolish idea in my head to go running into Kofu and watch the Olympics at Courtnay’s. It only took me about half an hour and I stayed until 11:30 watching skiing, snowboarding and some skating reruns. I really enjoyed the snowboarding even though the favorite for the Snowboard Cross lost the gold because she decided to show off with a twist on her last jump and fell . . .

Instead of taking the train back I decided to run, and I made it home safely, though perhaps it wasn’t the brightest move. The traffic was a lot better, though!

Saturday was a good cleaning day and church was great. I really enjoy the company of so many different people afterwards. Leslie and I stayed up until 1am searching the Bible and praying together again. I’m glad she lives so far away that she has to stay over every time! In the morning we went running together before she left for home.

Still tired out from my ski trip two weekends ago I just hung around my apartment doing various jobs the rest of the day. I discovered that though my legs are stronger than ever my abs are deplorable. On Thursday it rained so all the sports teamed practiced inside the school. A picture just can’t capture how funny it is to see them all running in the halls! As I left I saw the hockey team walking up the stairs with their hands while buddies held their legs on their shoulders. Please excuse the pronouns. I thought it looked like fun and thought I’d try to see how much arm muscle I had left. I was surprised how easy it was at first. My arms got tired after one flight of stairs, but when I stood up again I realized that the real strain had been on my abs! I was so sore the next day. Ugh, what happened to all the crunches I did when I was doing Irish dance? I realize now (duh!) that that’s why my lower back has been giving me trouble. Strong abs keep you balanced and take the pressure off the lower back. So, next time you talk to me ask “Have you been working on your abs?”

It’s just my bedtime and my apartment is decent and I’m caught up with the blog. I might have the chance to actual get ahead instead of further behind this week!

Oh I can’t read a clock! I have another hour before bed. Hurray!