For those in the Portland Oregon area....

Jazzer — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 20:36:06 +0300

Here's a concert that I'm going to be in:

The Portland Gay Men's Chorus presents:

Metamorphosis

Saturday, March 25, 2006 at 8 pm
Sunday, March 26, 2006 at 2 pm

Kaul Auditorium
Reed College

We spotlight important compositions written for gay choruses. The title work, "Metamorphosis" (written in 2004), is an expansive choral/orchestral song cycle that centers on the coming out process of those inside communities of faith. Also featured will be the "AIDS Requiem" by Portland composer David York.

"The Last Castrati Singer"

Jazzer — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 03:35:17 +0300

Hi kids,

Open up your Windows Media Player and point your browsers to this link.

It's a recording of a castrated man (really!) singing the Gounod setting of "Ave Maria." It's rather interesting, to say the least. This recording was made when he was an old man at the end of his career, so his technique isn't flawless, but I'd imagine he was pretty good in his prime. The high note at the end is pretty damned good: controlled (if not understated), in tune, and tasteful.

New Year's Update

Jazzer — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 22:44:35 +0300

Hi kids,

As usual, it's been much too long since I've written. That said, let's get right to business!

Not-very-organized thoughts

Jazzer — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 00:51:36 +0300

At work, the holiday season is in full force. There are lots of decorations, and people are coming in by the droves. On the weekends, we're booked solid--we don't even have room for the people who've made reservations, let alone walk-in customers.

There's lots of music (remember, I work at a restaruant with singing waiters), and there's lots more people. Lots and lots of people. I can't even begin to express how many people there are.

Coming out for some light

Jazzer — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 00:53:56 +0300

Hi kids,

Haven't posted since last month, so thought I'd give you the skinny on what's been going on these past few weeks.

Momma is SO through with being stressed out!

Jazzer — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 04:31:52 +0300

Hi kids,

Last time I wrote, it was about a week before my big performance. It seemed as if though the day would never come, but sure enough, last Sunday did come, and it certainly was a day to remember.

Just to refresh your memories, I was asked by my gay-friendly church to arrange a piece for All Saints' Day, a special church holiday. So, I did, and I orchestrated it for brass, organ, percussion, and choir. From conception to execution, the project took about a year. It was a big project for me! I learned so much, and by the end of it all, I think I came out a better musician.

Only one more week

Jazzer — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 03:11:44 +0400

Hi kids,

It's high time I wrote a journal entry and let you all know what's been going on as of late. And like all my other journal entries, there'll be pearls of wisdom and words of opinion regarding all the peppered throughout, so read on and enjoy!

First off, my new hobby of knitting has been going pretty well. I finished one scarf and I've started another one with alpaca this time. It's a very soft wool, and so far, I'm moderately pleased with the results. Since I'm a beginner, there are a few things that I still need some work on (mostly getting nice and even edges), but I'm making some definite progress. Should this turn out acceptably, I hope to give this to my friend for his 18th birthday that's coming up next week. He's the one I spoke about last journal entry: the not-quite-yet-out-to-himself friend of mine. If not, I'll just go and buy him something fabulous. :)

School, work, and other delights

Jazzer — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:52:52 +0400

Hi kids,

The boyfriend and I have pretty much settled in to our new place, and we're really liking it here. It's really close to school--he bikes to school and I ride the bus on days when I'm not feeling like a princess. ;) Anyhow, let's read what I've been up to these past couple weeks....

Getting settled in

Jazzer — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 10:36:46 +0400

Hi kids,

Last time I wrote, I was busy getting ready for school and moving into my new place in SE Portland. Lots has happened between then and now, so let's not waste any time getting into the nitty gritty....

Momma's new place

Jazzer — Sun, 25 Sep 2005 00:06:49 +0400

Hi kids,

As some of you may have noticed, I've not been on the past week or so posting my usual rude comments in the forums. I've been packing up my stuff and moving! Ack, I'm scarred for life! Let me tell you all about it....

First off, I should say that I'm never moving again. Ever. It's the most dreadful thing anybody could ever want to do. You have to pack up all your worldly possessions, put 'em in some sort of vehicle (in my case, a U-Haul), and then drive that damned thing over to your new place and unpack it all again. I tell ya kids, that's just much too much effort for a princess like me!

Waiter's rant

Jazzer — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 01:15:58 +0400

Hi kids,

I've actually wanted to start writing something like this for quite some time, but as you all know, life gets in the way of such things. It really doesn't have anything to do with queer issues, but it's something that deserves a better look at, I think. Consider this part rant, part etiquette column, and part autobiographical. I'm hoping to have people comment and perhaps get a discussion going. Enjoy reading, "From the Other Side of the Table: The Joys and Misfortunes of the Restaurant Industry."

A quick thought to share

Jazzer — Sun, 28 Aug 2005 00:22:59 +0400

As I may have mentioned in previous journal entries, I've started becoming addicted to iTunes. Yeah yeah, I know the sound quality isn't CD and all that business, but it's not horrible, either.

Anyhow, it's nice, because I can download all sorts of music that might come into my head. It may horrify some to know that up until very recently, I had not my own copy of Ethel Merman singing "Everything's Coming Up Roses." Let me tell you, everytime I hear her sing it, a huge smile comes to my face. Poor gal, she was louder than God, and if she hadn't died of cancer, she woulda died of a heart attack from all that exertion!

What did he do this week?

Jazzer — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 22:40:32 +0400

Hi kids,

I thought I'd post and let you all know about the crazy, fun and debaucherous (at times) activites that I've been up to lately. From family to meeting Adrian to productive things to sex, I think I've got it all covered this week. Read on....

A little bit of this....

Jazzer — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 10:10:21 +0400

What a fantastic evening of good company, music, and laughs!

Momma was asked by one of her good friends to come over and play in a little piano quintet (for those who aren't in the know, a piano quintet isn't five pianos...it's a piano, flute, clarinet, horn, and bassoon). We played for almost two hours (it was a long piece!), and we had such a blast doing it (it was a Rimski-Korsakov quintet; the same guy who wrote "Flight of the Bumblebee")! I hope that everybody reading this is involved with some sort of activity that can give you that euphoric natural high--it really is a fabulous feeling.

Staying out of trouble

Jazzer — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 23:42:26 +0400

Happy July, kids!

My summer's been going pretty well and I've been keeping pretty busy, and I wanted to let you in on what's been going on since my last posting. It's been a rollercoaster of adventures, excitement, drama, romance, deception, lies, cover-ups, and conspiracies...well, not really. But read on, anyhow. ;)

I have to say, not being slammed with things to do has been a nice change of pace. As you may remember, I was conducting a musical and getting ready for the gay men's chorus concert, along with other work and life-related responsibilites. Since my musical commitments are over with, I can take it easy and do what I want to do. And so far, that's been what I've been doing.