tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77295834819984336612024-03-20T05:48:11.076-04:00The B-OnThe place for the Music and Eccentricities of RobUsa BRobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-71291118338379775822012-05-26T09:59:00.001-04:002012-05-26T09:59:40.608-04:00It's been a while....<div><p>So both semesters (and one super compresses summer semester) are finished and I haven't blogged at all.</p>
<p>Later.  Animazement now.  \>ロ</</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCoZW8e3RskJkyC2UrfZ63OwrgXTtjTOKXIU3Ypr0rdC38OG-Rlg9LM13vhbj577AVC7q5Ay0Tyxdsko3iRUzIRnmYrSJObBkt5lvFeAeXMsN3F9g4oAh9KpPpuwukqMhLoz6NMESpegB/' /></div>RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-29170308222352283382011-09-04T21:04:00.000-04:002011-09-04T21:08:01.758-04:00Old School<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJH4nM1ASvmycHMGeMyfo6uyZu6uaMABV6M5-g4ibBCFke2bd9xjLokAPuPT9LBQq9krkt8vgMBjalvr8aB3o1IZCP7ApVulMcPi_9XBz_RlAc48Zi15E_k2uHGk8VpuWyv7awOwWxBQz/s1600/2011-08-22_15-37-16_312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJH4nM1ASvmycHMGeMyfo6uyZu6uaMABV6M5-g4ibBCFke2bd9xjLokAPuPT9LBQq9krkt8vgMBjalvr8aB3o1IZCP7ApVulMcPi_9XBz_RlAc48Zi15E_k2uHGk8VpuWyv7awOwWxBQz/s400/2011-08-22_15-37-16_312.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new WCU Courtyard. This area used to be busy road. The grass and fountain is a nice upgrade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Allow me to apologize for the lack of updates. I've been rather busy for the past month and half, preparing for graduate school. I do have some non-school related projects that have been put on hold for now:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Producing a real recording of <i>High, High, High</i></li>
<li>Revising the sheet music for <i>High, High, High</i> and <i>Resuscitated Hope</i>.</li>
<li>Per a few requests on youtube, I also intend to post midi files of these songs. </li>
<li>I am considering arranging <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaTTz2nKFwk">Cras numquam scire</a> from <a href="http://www.crunchyroll.com/the-mystic-archives-of-dantalian">Dantalian no Shoka</a>. It has already been arranged for piano however, I don't think I could add very much. I may do a literal transcription as a learning exercise, and because I like it. </li>
</ul>
As I said, these projects have been put on hold due to Graduate School, which is what the rest of this blog article is about. Hit the jump to read more!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
On August 18th I made the six hour drive to <a href="http://www.wcu.edu/">Western Carolina University</a>. On August 19th was the Music History and Theory proficiency assessment. Generally speaking, I have been historically weak at History (sorry, couldn't resist). I have considered myself strong in music theory though, at least the music theory concepts that have been presented to me and I have practiced. But, it has been six years since this knowledge has really been applied. Study I needed, and study I did for several weeks before the assessment. Despite that, sitting through the history assessment was pretty harrowing; all sorts of concepts, ideologies, and stylistic practices that I barely touched on in my study. The theory assessment was better, but definitely still rusty.<br />
<br />
The results: Failed history, passed theory. This means I need to retake almost all of music history (except for the 20th century history, which I passed). I definitely would have preferred to retake music theory III and IV. Oh well.<br />
<br />
As I said, August 18th was when I arrived on campus and finally saw the dorm room. I should mention here that it has been nearly impossible to obtain information on the graduate dorm. Residential living apparently does not have keys, so they referred me to the Graduate School, who also didn't have access and referred me back to Residential Living. Apparently the only way to get a tour of the dorm and get real answers is to find a graduate student and visit. Except for that during the summer there are no graduate students in the dorm.<br />
<br />
As it turned out I did meet one graduate student before the move-in, a brother of <a href="http://www.sinfonia.org/">Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.</a> He informed me the fourth floor rooms are tiny, the third floor rooms are bigger with full sized beds, the handicapped rooms are huge, and there is no shared kitchen. I arrive on the 18th and find that, damn, he's exactly right. My room on the 4th floor was so very small. It was further impacted by the sloped ceiling, which made it impossible to conserve space with a bed loft. I had reduced the volume of belongings I accumulated in the past 6 years, but obviously I hadn't reduced enough.<br />
<br />
Well, I made-do for a week. My family, who thankfully helped me move in, took a few things back home that would not work in this room. And then I applied for a room change first chance I had. I mean this quite literally -- I was informed that my room change request was the very first submission the day room changes opened, at 7am. So I moved again! Which makes 3 moves in a month and a half. It took me three days to move my belongings between classes. The new room is about 3 times as large, and has a full sized bed. Things are still a little cramped, partly due to the large writing desk that is useless as a computer desk (if you're concerned about ergonomics like I am...my study is computer intensive and carpal tunnel is DNW). If you ignore the space issues, the dorm is actually quite nice. It is designed similarly to a hotel, and there is a nice lobby, all of the (private) rooms are carpeted, and each has a private full bath. If only there was a kitchen.... Oh well, soon I'll have everything settled in my new room, and I can finally concentrate on my studies.<br />
<br />
Oh...my studies. -.-''<br />
<br />
My class situation is unique at WCU. I am a Graduate Student, but since I have large deficiencies in Commercial and Electronic music, all of my classes are the prerequisite undergrad classes (in addition to Music History). I don't have a problem with this, in fact I welcome it and look forward to addressing these deficiencies; but since I am essentially taking the entire C&E undergrad program in a year and a half, it has put me in an awkward position. To put it simply, I am taking several courses that a normal undergrad would spread through several semesters in <i>one semester</i>. Additionally, though I am not sure of this, I think I am enrolled in one specific course that no C&E major can get into until they've completed some of the courses I am taking <i>right now</i>. This is causing some overlap in the workload that I've already experienced; I had to write one short song for one class, and for my master lessons I have to write another more involved song. The former is not so complicated now, but it'll only get worse with time, especially when I'll need to make use of two different MIDI labs to complete my assignments. <br />
<br />
<br />
But, I have no complaints. I may sound like I'm whining, but I'm just laying out reality. Truthfully, I really can't complain, as the head of the C&E program and all of my supervising professors are making all sorts of exceptions for me to study here, and I am grateful. <br />
<br />
<br />
And then there's Japanese 101! I've been told that as a graduate student I can't get another undergrad degree in anything, like a minor in Japanese Studies. Whatever, I can still take the class, and I am. Our Sensei has a dry sense of humor, and I like him for that, but it's pretty obvious that additional study outside of the class is absolutely necessary. There is no way I'll learn the hiragana just by repeating them in class. <br />
<br />
<br />
One more thing: I have to get a job. I have bills to pay! And things I want to go to (like <a href="http://www.magfest.org/">Magfest</a>). This problem might be resolved soon; I am waiting for paper work to go through. But you know, don't count the chickens before yadda yadda. But soon I may have to balance work, classes, <b>real</b> studying, time intensive projects, AND hopefully some personal projects. Boy, do I look forward to <i>that.</i>RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0Cullowhee, NC, USA35.3137111 -83.176533335.2877971 -83.216015300000009 35.3396251 -83.1370513tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-83396213477771146002011-08-01T18:47:00.003-04:002011-11-12T15:22:46.461-05:00Post Otakon 2011Well Otakon 2011 is over. The count for the convention is still growing, but last I read there were over 31,300 people attending. That's a lot of people. Thoughts after the jump.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Let's start with the matsuri. That was a bit of a bust. It was pretty much a handful of stands under some tents sandwiched in the Hilton courtyard, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pressman-Toy-0055-06A-Lets-Fishin/dp/B00004YO0Y">games like this.</a> For food there was a Thai stand, a stand selling water and cotton candy, and a stand with had all sorts of Japanese candy, odango, and onigiri. The first two stands had minimal or no lines, and the third stand had a line 20 people deep at all times. I stood in line for onigiri, which were all out by time I got there so I settled for odango and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramune">Ramune</a>. There was music, which was probably good, but I didn't stick around for any and I don't think many other people felt compelled to either. I realize that a matsuri in downtown Baltimore would have to be limited in scope, but this showing was rather disappointing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-AaEe7Cj2Zu2UCIcqh-cVurbxA3V7IaoahXa59Y_hwhVce676q78il9cA-pSU5hbcrJlTblkc8BWIngEG2NcxyKlUheCGzKetiP730hRiAn9Am2_DNRCFqZKshydJI0CStOMvamtmw_J/s1600/2011-07-29_14-37-14_295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-AaEe7Cj2Zu2UCIcqh-cVurbxA3V7IaoahXa59Y_hwhVce676q78il9cA-pSU5hbcrJlTblkc8BWIngEG2NcxyKlUheCGzKetiP730hRiAn9Am2_DNRCFqZKshydJI0CStOMvamtmw_J/s320/2011-07-29_14-37-14_295.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nobuo Uetmatsu: a tiny man the center of attention of a sea of people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A thing I learned: If you want get the autograph of huge personality, and there is a Q&A session just <span id="goog_1756445522"></span><span id="goog_1756445523"></span>prior in a different locations, then skip the blasted Q&A in get in line for the autograph. I did not, and though I left the Nobuo Uematsu Q&A 45 minutes early, the autograph line was already full and closed. I could have waited nearby for an hour and forty-five minutes for a <i>slight chance</i> of getting in line and getting an autograph before the session ended, but I decided to get a sandwich instead. I did purchase <a href="http://store.na.square-enix.com/store/sqenixus/en_US/pd/productID.232432900">DISSIDIA 012 FINAL FANTASY Original Soundtrack -Limited Edition- box set</a> from the dealers room for the autograph (and according to that link, I overpaid), but at least it's good music and a nice set that I will have available for future chances. <br />
<br />
The <a href="http://ffdistantworlds.com/">Final Fantasy Distant Worlds</a> concert was fantastic. The Baltimore Symphony was wonderful. Nobuo Uetmatsu obviously attended this also, and at the end he joined the choir on stage and sang with One Winged Angel.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJBUVC_GlP_RWXUl3MbLubMDGJteGbhAn5RR5OlYbx1m6sIiaBldv2KygTIdNpieby6ij9HSbHHrnyry-1mrNhLeDGNbpqjPLXz9QzNZI6B9n0VNw28adHz5wpU0bzEwveA4i86yEvBif/s1600/2011-07-30_16-28-25_414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJBUVC_GlP_RWXUl3MbLubMDGJteGbhAn5RR5OlYbx1m6sIiaBldv2KygTIdNpieby6ij9HSbHHrnyry-1mrNhLeDGNbpqjPLXz9QzNZI6B9n0VNw28adHz5wpU0bzEwveA4i86yEvBif/s320/2011-07-30_16-28-25_414.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The K-On Band! AZUNYAAAN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Speaking of concerts, let's speak of <a href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-07-13/k-on-invades-otakon-2011">K-On Invades.</a> By this point in the convention, I learned and got in line an hour early. Consequently, I got a pretty good seat near the front. Now I didn't know what to expect here: this was a concert by the English voice actors that portray the characters of the fictional Japanese band <a href="http://k-on.wikia.com/wiki/Ho-kago_Tea_Time">After School Tea Time</a> from K-on. It turns the voice actors got on stage cosplaying as their characters, and they sang popular songs from the anime (in Japanese) to the karaoke tracks. That's right, they were <i>pretending</i> to play the instruments in their hands. <i>And I loved it</i>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfTkIYU0wW9j7LwqrQ8fKUhUjbFRVkgzrKhlVKFF56PdtZEjqQFxhsUhJQV8ztWjL5XG9BFtRafJxbTvtLyHr_J8czcEhcdqBp2xdWfjeUjwUzoSxJRgiTTG7Sol4lyF401PtvWy72O3F/s1600/2011-07-30_16-59-28_695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfTkIYU0wW9j7LwqrQ8fKUhUjbFRVkgzrKhlVKFF56PdtZEjqQFxhsUhJQV8ztWjL5XG9BFtRafJxbTvtLyHr_J8czcEhcdqBp2xdWfjeUjwUzoSxJRgiTTG7Sol4lyF401PtvWy72O3F/s320/2011-07-30_16-59-28_695.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mio, Yui, and AZUNYAAAAN from the mosh pit. Sorry, Mugi and Ritsu fans!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now I'm sure a lot of people feel cheated here. One of my hotel roommates said he heard that it sucked because they weren't really playing. Come on everybody: we are all here at an anime convention where everyone dresses up and pretends to be their favorite anime character, and we all came to this dark conference room to listen to the music of a make-believe band. The Japanese voice actors sang the original songs, but it was even then a different band that recorded the instruments. At what point do we stop suspending reality so that we can be outraged at the fiction we knowingly embraced? These people are professional voice actors, not professional musicians, and they put on a great show. They also sang pretty well, though I note with irony that their "lead singer" "Yui" was easily "Mio's" inferior.<br />
<br />
I found the workshop on video game music largely uninformative for me. This is probably because my previous convention experience is largely academic music conventions, but of course Otakon has a different audience attending its workshops. Still it was kind of fun to watch the guy throw together 2 bar loops in FL studio that fit some kind of crazy game scenario. I left early for the K-On concert, so I may have missed some amazing revelatory information, but I'm not going to stress over it. At the very least, I have been validated: This head panelist ALSO uses FLStudio, in Windows, on a MacBook. I'm not alone.<br />
<br />
The OverClock Remix panel was something else. They basically showed off their newest releases and their new live performance group, and sold tee-shirts. And they sold out quick. But I think the most important part of this panel were these people:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHGf1DbGY2OB_pgAzXZEZBGPApWMKQnPGIJwYQHyCeQJQEatZpHdVmhzrzCrf2o1304N-ko4Bd0Or3bR7hN4kvForWhIQkw8dhQl_Ji308s-qObupsowbayoETAVSe0Ge1yQ4yTT2Yz8U/s1600/2011-07-29_20-08-17_283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHGf1DbGY2OB_pgAzXZEZBGPApWMKQnPGIJwYQHyCeQJQEatZpHdVmhzrzCrf2o1304N-ko4Bd0Or3bR7hN4kvForWhIQkw8dhQl_Ji308s-qObupsowbayoETAVSe0Ge1yQ4yTT2Yz8U/s400/2011-07-29_20-08-17_283.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Avatar ready to Con!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Katara there is <a href="http://www.amyhsieh.com/">Amy Sieh</a> of <a href="http://www.flickerfall.com/index.php?page=bio">Flickerfall</a>. Zuko is <a href="http://ocremix.org/artist/4588/palpable">Vinnie</a>, also of Flickerfall. Everyone here I believe was an active participant of the OC Remix panel. Katara played violin with the live performance, and Toph was at the merchandise table. <br />
<br />
Overall I think I had a successful Otakon 2011. I want to go back but I think my studies and limited income are going to make Con-going a limited experience. I want to hit <a href="http://magfest.org/">MagFest</a> on the new year, and also I'm thinking of shooting for <a href="http://www.dragoncon.org/">Dragon*con in 2012</a>. And not to mention other professional conventions I'm sure I'll want to go to once I discover them.<br />
<br />
One last thing - I played <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsune_Miku:_Project_DIVA">this</a>:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4YZCasmkzbYIA9F8AvJkJAcG4zQsHGdKsoVz3c7r1fcSU9PulfGXNkH0XPxWr5K0bDEhY9qUv0JZ1vXWMB_OXL2HLVhcoqBMERWIN40v1bugMlfI3GgV2rJwqnO9xMmo5QI2NIuT6ufW/s1600/2011-07-31_11-22-40_368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4YZCasmkzbYIA9F8AvJkJAcG4zQsHGdKsoVz3c7r1fcSU9PulfGXNkH0XPxWr5K0bDEhY9qUv0JZ1vXWMB_OXL2HLVhcoqBMERWIN40v1bugMlfI3GgV2rJwqnO9xMmo5QI2NIuT6ufW/s400/2011-07-31_11-22-40_368.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MIKU.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-62878464735989717092011-07-27T22:19:00.002-04:002011-07-27T22:23:48.769-04:00RobUsa B is going to Otakon!I'm going to <a href="http://www.otakon.com/">Otakon</a>! An anime convention in Baltimore, Maryland. I signed up for this a year ago and it isn't until recently that I've built up excitement for it, mostly cause I know what will be going on there. A few of the things I'm looking forward too:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_festivals#Local_festivals_.28matsuri.29">Matsuri Festival</a> on <a href="http://www.otakon.com/events_matsuri.asp">Thursday afternoon</a>. These festivals are typical events in nearly every anime ever, so I'm excited to actually participate in one. I will be search-and-destroy mode for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoyaki">takoyaki</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakisoba">yakisoba</a>. Down side: Bright, Summery, and Hot afternoon.</li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu">Nobuo Uematsu</a> will be speaking and providing autographs. Nobuo Uematsu is a huge name in the video game music industry, and is responsible for the most popular tunes from Final Fantasy I-IX. The autograph session is also a benefit for Japan tsunami relief. </li>
<li>Music industry panels. There seems to be two music panels that I can find. One of the appears to be a sort of show-and-tell of awesome music from talented artists. Another one appears to be a panel about making video game music (it's called <i>Let's Make Video Game Music!</i>) and will talk about the creation process. Cannot miss that one. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-07-13/k-on-invades-otakon-2011">K-On! Concert</a>. I am currently over-infatuated with K-On music, so this is awesome. It appears that the English-version voice actors are participating in this concert, and that kind of scares me. As far as I could tell (and I didn't really put a lot of effort into it), the English dubbed release did not translate the music. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.otakon.com/events_clubotaku.asp">Otakon Jamspace</a>. It's a room! And all it's for is jamming out! ON INSTRUMENTS (real ones)! That's cool. I'll check it out though I'll probably be too self-conscious to actually play something and have fun. </li>
<li>And of course the cosplay, anime showings, manga library, the cafe, and the other random panels. </li>
</ul>We set out early tomorrow morning, and it will be a blast. I'll have a few copies of my (two) arrangements to give out should the occasion arise (I can't imagine how that would happen but it is good to be prepared).RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-10550439934972453202011-07-27T15:38:00.001-04:002011-07-27T15:53:24.260-04:00New Arrangement: High High High (Usagi Drop Ending 1 - TV Size)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> RobUsa B is proud to present: Karasinchu's <i>High, High, High</i>. This is the first ending theme for <a href="http://www.crunchyroll.com/usagi-drop">Usagi Drop</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/m6EuR3MEKVs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?igkjayoa3ipfad7">Download Sheet Music (PDF)</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4o-cIs8pzU">Watch the original ending theme (YouTube)</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>High, High, High</i> is a different style than what I usually listen to or work with, so it was an excellent learning opportunity. I took drafts to a piano much more frequently than I did for <a href="http://robusab.blogspot.com/2011/07/piano-arrangement-of-resuscitated-hope.html">Resuscitated Hope</a> (which was almost never), so the final product has less awkward voice leading and is closer to my personal playing ability (after much practice). I smudged the rhythm of the melody around in places for easier performance. A specific example is in measure 5: The original recording here is syncopated on the 16th notes, which feels very natural when singing. On the piano however, I thought it made things unnecessarily busy, and caused the difficulty to exceed my intentions. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was hoping to have an actual piano recording of this finished before I go to <a href="http://www.otakon.com/">Otakon</a>. I leave for Otakon tomorrow -- so much for that. Now my goal shall be to have a recording done by time I leave for graduate school. </div>RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-89674195487928277312011-07-16T13:00:00.001-04:002011-07-16T13:00:04.659-04:00MAC or PC? Or, how I hate my computer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I did it. I bought a MacBook Pro. Actually, this happened much earlier in the Spring, but I was so slow with creating The B-On that I only now get to talk about it. But first for something completely different.<br />
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I have always been a Windows user. My dad uses it, and then I used it better, and then I supported it with my "temporary" Help Desk job. Actually, I can't say that I've always been a Windows user. I started dabbling in Linux (Ubuntu) when Windows Vista was released. At the time, I found that Ubuntu was more modern, more useful, and (potentially) better looking than Windows XP. I also sure as heck did not want to mess with Vista. Then Windows 7 was released and I upgraded again.<br />
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Nearly everyone knows that in any creative artsy industry, the tool of the trade will be Macintosh. Or at least, that is the line that is always trumpeted by Mac users. I won't bother digging up statistic and making some kind of point/counter-point on that regard(maybe another day). The point is that I grew tired of receiving this reaction at Graduate school interviews:<br />
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I get it! I understand! I acknowledge it and even embrace it: I need to get to know Macintosh. Then, I recieved an acceptance letter, and it was time to buy a Macintosh. A MacBook Pro in fact, for portability and power. And sooner rather than later, to have time to become acclimated to OS X and incorporate it into my own little network. It'll be fun! I had fun becoming a comfortable Ubuntu user, OS X will be just as interesting! <br />
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Too interesting.<br />
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It's been...something. I tell people that I have a love/hate relationship with my MacBook. There are things about it that just annoy me, or make no sense, or causes why-the-hell-is-it-like-that kind of reactions. I very much wish I had had The B-On ready earlier, as it would have been easier and more interesting to write about these things when I first came across them. I also admit that there are things that I like about OS X. I use bootcamp with Windows 7 when needed, but most of the time I roll with OS X.<br />
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A part of this blog will be my experiences working with new technology, or old technology in ways new to me. So be ready. Be ready for the rants to come as I whine and complain about awkward GUI, and raves when I endlessly praise obscure functions of some MIDI controller. It'll come. But for today, this is enough.RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-91258369164556277242011-07-16T00:59:00.001-04:002011-07-17T22:07:44.008-04:00Deathly Hallows, Part 2 UPDATED 7/17/2011Caught a matinee showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 today. The theater was using film, and the showing was slightly out of focus (enough that I suspected it through the whole showing and confirmed it when I saw the credits). I didn't intend to geek about about this movie on The B-On, but it cannot be helped. The thoughts: there are so many.<br />
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UPDATE 7/17: Had a second viewing today. This time there was constant drone from the air conditioning in the theater. And I truly mean a "drone," the sound was a Perfect 5th interval and definitely in the bass registers. I couldn't hear it until everyone hushed for the movie, so I thought it might've been a part of the film score. Nope, 15 minutes later: droooooooooooooooooooone. My updated thoughts are scattered through out the article, so read on.<br />
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Reader beware, here there be uninhibited spoilers. Hit the jump to read more.<br />
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Note, this is not really intended to be a review. Just a collection of my thoughts after watching the movie. Also note that all the quotes are paraphrased.<br />
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<b>Music </b><br />
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The music in Part 2 caught my notice only a few times (not a negative), and when it did it was appropriately dark and strong. The first minutes features a solo soprano with a sorrowful melody that immediately brings back all the events and tragedy that ended Part 1. 2 minutes into the film, and already there are tears. That good. <br />
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After the release of Part 1, there were rumors of bringing back John Williams to score Part 2. This, I firmly believe, would have been a mistake and I am very glad Alexandre Desplat scored both parts. It is not a question of John Williams' skill -- who would question that -- but a question of style. John Williams has unique style that employs several modern 20th century techniques. Most other composers employ a simpler, though effective, language. Williams can score for dark and tense action, certainly, but it would have been stylistically very different from Desplat. Switching composers between the two parts would have compromised the whole. <br />
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Proof of this stylistic difference is even present in Part 2. The end credits starts with a reprise of William's original score (it might even be taken straight from Sorcerer's Stone). Immediately following is Desplat's work for Deathly Hallows, and the difference is stark. <br />
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I think the epilogue (the 19 years later) at the end could have followed different rules. I was too distracted to notice what the music was like here; for all I know, there was no musical score for the majority of the epilogue. Hypothetically speaking though, if Williams was to return in Deathly Hallows, this would have been the place to do it. With the Trio's (plus Ginny's) children all departing on the Hogwarts Express in a Voldemort-free era, Williams' score would have signaled a return to the innocent magic, fun, and wonder of The Sorcerer's Stone. This feeling is certainly present on screen. I did notice the music that accompanied the very final shot of the epilogue; a shot of the Trio with Harry dead and center, looking very content and worry free. It sounded very much like a cue taken straight from John Williams triumphant and magical cadences (immediately followed by the end credit music mentioned above). It felt out of place to me, which leads me to suspect that just prior to this cue there was either no score, or a very-Desplat score followed by a Williams-esque musical cue. I will certainly see Part 2 again, so I'll try to not be distracted by the on-screen sparklies and pay attention to the musical score.<br />
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UPDATE 7/17: Paid attention to the music in the epilogue this time. There is definitely a score through the whole scene, and it does sound like John Williams. I am not sure if it is a new score by Williams just for this scene, if it's taken from a previous film, or if it is Desplat emulating Williams effectively. The music is very subtle though, and the fanfare in the last shot still seems awkward to me. But maybe Yates tried this scene with a less subtle Williams-esque backdrop, and it comes out as even more out of place. OH WELL. Time to move on.<br />
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<b>Breaking into Gringotts</b><br />
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I have mixed feelings about breaking into Gringotts. Aside from the questioning at Shell Cottage, Part 2 essentially starts with this mini adventure. Somehow I feel that getting to this point felt rushed, but that might be because I know the Trio spends a significant time (at least a week, maybe a month or more) at Shell Cottage in the book, where in the movie it seems like only a day has passed. Gringotts itself feels very awkward, but then it again, it should: "We plan and plan and all Hell breaks loose!" Very true Harry, so I'll take the awkwardness as it is. <br />
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<b>The Battle of Hogwarts (or, the rest of the movie)</b><br />
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Part 2 does this battle justice. Part 2 is essentially the last 20% of the novel spread over a 3 hour movie, and the director really used this extra time to allow this battle to be presented to its fullest. Yates even employs some bullet-time in these action sequences (slow motion doesn't really describe it). Lots of shots with flashing spells and wand-work and giant dramatic shields and fiery destruction. And Giants. And Spiders. Plus explosions. <br />
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Part 2 omitted the visit to Ravenclaw common room and the following semi-private confrontation with Snape. Instead, we have a much more dramatic presentation that takes place in the great hall. In front of all the gathered students, Harry steps out of the crowd of students, surprising everyone, and directly confronts Snape. Probably one of my favorite scenes, but it comes at the price of Ravenclaws common room. What's worse is that we're teased with the possibility of still seeing the common room, until Luna Lovegood rushes in and tells Harry a cheat code.<br />
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Also, they kill Lavender Brown. That's a low blow. At least in the novel, her fate is ambiguous. Not so much on screen.<br />
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UPDATE 7/17: So twice now I've completely missed the reason why Neville Longbottom is searching for Luna Lovegood at the beginning of the battle. I basically hear "BRITISH ACCENT BRITISH ACCENT and we all might be dead by morning." Lovely. I inwardly suspect that the producers threw in a bit of Neville-Luna romance here, all though J.K. Rowling firmly rejects that idea (last I heard). <br />
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<b>The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore</b><br />
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I'm completely disappointed here. Part 2 did nothing to shed light on the mysteries surrounding Albus Dumbledore's family. In Part 1, the last we hear is that there was a sister who was hidden from the Wizarding world, and that she died under mysterious circumstances. The rumors paint the Dumbledores' as a pure-blood-only anti-muggle/squib family, and insinuates that Albus may have played a hand in Ariana's death. I do not remember it clearly, but I believe Part 1 also established a mysterious connection between Albus and Grindelwald. This is true to the events in the novel. <br />
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In Part 2, all we hear about this is that "Albus sacrificed Ariana in his search for power," spoken by Aberforthe himself. That's certainly true in a sense, but not in the sense presented in Rita Skeeter's "biography." As it is, the uninformed movie-goer must only assume that Dumbledore really did play a direct, intentional hand in his sisters death; and his family was just as abusive and hateful as the rumors say. The truth that is never presented in the film is much more tragic. Without it, I think a critical humanizing element in the character of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is missed.<br />
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UPDATE 7/17: Yup. Still disappointed.<br />
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<b>King's Cross</b><br />
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The same problem carries over into the King's Cross scene. All of the superficial elements were present: white room, Harry (looking weird with no glasses), Dumbledore, Voldemort's dieing soul, and a bench. Harry and Dumbledore have a conversation about Harry and what he's going to do next. That's it. <br />
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Interestingly, though King's Cross is "Harry's party," in the novel this is where we learn the most about what motivates Albus Dumbledore: his relationship with Grindelwald, his fascination with the Hallows, and his guilt over his sister's death. With its omission from the movie, we are left with the secretive Dumbledore who might have killed his sister in pursuit of power showing up in Harry's white light saying pleasant things. Whaaat?<br />
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UPDATE 7/17: So yeah, I remembered that we are also supposed to learn about the protection Harry received from his mother, and how Voldemort took in the protection. Basically, the explanation for why Harry survived the Killing Curse back then AND now. Dumbledore also explains why Harry's wand is so powerful against Voldemort at critical times. <br />
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<b>19 Years Later</b><br />
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I can't say I'm completely happy with the epilogue either. Visually, it's great. All the players are here, and they're all aged wonderfully, with their own children and whatnot. However, the novel's epilogue is just a handful of pages where we learn an amazing amount of information about Harry's, Ginny's, Hermione's, and Ron's families. I would only add to that link that we also learn a little about the personalities of all the children. In the film, all that can be gleamed is that Albus Severus Potter is afraid of being sorted into Slytherin. Perhaps this direction is to compensate for the inexperience actors portraying the Trio's children. If so, that is unfortunate and disappointing. This being the final moment left to all the Potter fans -- the final farewell, the last hurrah, the moment that will last forever -- I think the scene should've taken the effort to be more complete. <br />
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<b>Other Nitpicky Complaints in Bullet Form</b><br />
<ul><li>Percy Weasley did not make a triumphant return. Or, he was just kinda around and I never noticed. UPDATE 7/17: Still didn't notice, so I'm just gonna say he's no where.</li>
<li>Luna Lovegood is at shell cottage. Next thing we know, Luna Lovegood is at Hogwarts, no explanation. The intervening time frame feels so short (the Gringotts heist, see above) that there really isn't a plausible explanation for this. </li>
<li>In the novels, near the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, the defenders are suddenly reinforced with the appearances of the Slytherin families, and the centaurs in the forbidden forest. This was completely omitted from the film.</li>
<li>No house elf insurrection. Then again, house elfs always got the short end of the stick in the films.</li>
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<b>Awkward Observations but not Really Complaints</b><br />
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<ul><li>There is an extra and appreciated scene where Ron and Hermione destroy the Cup of Hufflepuff in the Chamber of Secrets. With the cup's destruction, the surrounding water comes to life and completely soaks the two. At this moment, this is what I'm thinking:<i> That water has been at the bottom of the dungeon for centuries, in this sewer looking place inhabited by a giant evil snake, stagnant and probably incredibly filthy. </i>Then they kiss. Grody.</li>
<li>The Bellatrix dies via the most annoying way to die in any Final Fantasy game.</li>
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<b>Things Done Really Well</b><br />
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<ul><li>Snape's memories in the Pensieve</li>
<li>The walk into the Forbidden Forest</li>
<li>Snape vs. McGonagall duel</li>
<li>Bellatrix vs. Molly Weasley</li>
<li>Neville vs. Lord Voldemort (and the rest of the battle to the end)</li>
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<b>Best Lines</b><br />
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<ul><li>"Not my daughter, you Bitch!" - Molly Weasley</li>
<li>"Harry Potter, you will listen to me!" - Luna Lovegood</li>
<li>"I always wanted to try that spell." - Minerva McGonagall</li>
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<b>Final Thoughts</b><br />
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This seems like a really long article about a bunch of things to complain about in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and you might get the impression that I am full of disappointment. This is not true, it is simply easier to express negatives than it is to find the positives. Overall, I am satisfied. I will see this one more time for sure, possibly twice, and I completely look forward to it. For the end of this saga, justice has been done. I will miss the the prospect of new movies. But let's not forget about Pottermore, so future is not completely without news of our favorite wizard friends.<br />
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UPDATE 7/17: Still like this movie, complaints and all. I just feel like the fans who have stuck through 8 whole movies, the most recent of which were definitely 3 hours, deserve and are quite capalbe of an extra 15 minutes to flesh out the King's Cross and Epilogue. Remember <i>Lord of the Rings: Return of the King</i>? That "epilogue" (basically everything after the ring was destroyed) went on fooorever, and it's length was never really became a complaint so much as a conversation piece. Same thing here. Oh well, perhaps that will all be fixed in the Blu-Ray editions. RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-80185056624301681522011-07-15T20:00:00.002-04:002011-07-15T20:00:02.782-04:00When I Grow Up, I want to be a DinosaurSo people like to ask me what I want to do after graduate studies. Answer: More graduate studies!<br />
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As you may know if you read the <a href="http://robusab.blogspot.com/p/about.html">FAQ</a> (it comes highly recommended), I am studying Commercial and Electronic Music. I won't go into depth here, but if you really want to know what that is all about, read the <a href="http://robusab.blogspot.com/p/about.html">FAQ</a> (seriously, do it.) In short, I will study the music industry, play with a lot of music tech (software and hardware), and get a lot of writing experience on the way. A lot of people ask what kind of job can I get with that, and that answer can be pretty long (if not easy). My real answer is that it doesn't matter -- this degree is a waypoint, not a destination. <br />
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The key is in the previous paragraph: get a lot of writing experience on the way. Procrastination and inactivity has always been my enemy, so with school I am putting myself in a position where I have to write. When I'm done, I will have a portfolio that will be the key to the next waypoint: Graduate studies in Music Composition! That's right. Graduate school to force myself to write, so that I can write stuff that will be strong enough to get me into more graduate studies where I will learn to write better. Oblique! Round about! Awkward? Sounds about right. <br />
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And let's not forget that I want to study Japanese and minor in Japanese Studies also (<a href="http://robusab.blogspot.com/p/about.html">FAQ</a>). At this point, I am not even registered for the all the classes I need for C&E Music (more on that on a later day), so the Japanese Minor will take a back seat until I'm all settled in my first priority. But it can't be ignored, because when I'm ready for that second graduate degree, I want to earn it in Japan. You might say that's my destination, for now. <br />
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But always we return to this: what job can I get after all that? I don't know. This I do know: I am forging my own path via methods that I have chosen for myself. Knowing that, I can only guess that my "career" might be more of the same, a unique path that can't be classified as a job. Or maybe I'll bus tables at Denny's. There's also the flipside to this crazy plan: What if this does not work? What if constant, reliable, and quality writing is an impossibility for me? Well, should that come to be then I will have tried, I will know, and I will be satisfied. <br />
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TLDR: I want to be in school forever, have fun in Japan, and who knows if I can make a career after that.RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-91482515034193890952011-07-15T13:00:00.002-04:002011-07-15T13:00:00.832-04:00Grad School!! RobUsa B runs away from the world!<div>So yes, Graduate School! That place of growing debt, endless work and study, free labor, and -- yes, again -- dormitaries. I'm <i>so excited let me tell you why.</i><br />
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First a short history lesson. I graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree and license for teaching Instrumental Music (band). And then I didn't do anything of the sort. Oh, I got interviewed and was offered jobs but I had no interest in actually <i>running a band</i>. I'm talking about the behind-the-scenes blood-sweat-and-tears administrative work that makes it possible for that pep band to play Smoke on the Water 15 times per ballgame. Do Not Want, and it scared me off.<br />
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So I took a temporary job on an IT Help Desk with an outsourcing company, where I tell people how to launch Microsoft Word for a third of the pay a non-outsourced Microsoft-Word-Launching-Technician receives. Just temporary! The plan is to work on my music writing skills and apply to Graduate School ASAP!<br />
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Fast forward 4 years. I've barely written anything and I'm "highly valued" at this soul-sucking and unrewarding help desk job. Luckily, I've had the opportunity to direct a local choir, and was good at it, and started to think that maybe now running a band or choir doesn't seem like such a scary thing. But now there is a whole new problem...<i>there are no music jobs.</i> The economy has tanked, competition is stiff, and <i>there are no music jobs.</i><br />
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My only options were to find teaching jobs out of state, get into graduate school, or find a new and better IT job (the hell with that!)<br />
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And here we are. I have been accepted to a graduate program at WCU. The semester hasn't started yet and I have still have preparations to make and hurdles to leap, all while whiddling away time at the help desk. But soon, my life will move forward again, after taking a giant step backwards.</div>RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-72694798157807654532011-07-14T20:00:00.000-04:002011-07-14T20:00:00.480-04:00Harry Potter, Harry Potter, ooh! Harry Potter, Harry Potter, yeah!In a list of things that I like very, very much: Harry Potter, and all things Harry Potter. I don't really plan to geek out on Harry Potter in this blog, but it cannot be ignored that tomorrow is the USA premier of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2! The excitement it cannot be contained.<br />
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I thought Part 1 was amazing and surprisingly faithful to the novel. Of the events that were omitted, most were were either so inconsequential or replaced so well that I didn't notice until a long (months) time later. <br />
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Going by the trailers, it looks like Part 2 will be taking some heavy liberties with the Battle of Hogwarts. And I'm okay with that, as long as I still get to see Harry and Draco crash headlong into a wall at breakneck-broom-speed. Oh oh and Kreacher leading an army of disgruntled House Elves! <br />
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I'm catching the matinee tomorrow (in 2d, thank you). Until then: <i> </i><br />
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<i>tick tick tick tick tick tick tick</i>RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-11117484810372446322011-07-14T18:46:00.000-04:002011-07-14T18:46:54.620-04:00More MusicIt's becoming crunch time. In the next month I will have to move (twice!), attend <a href="http://www.otakon.com/">Otakon 2011</a>, study for a rather nasty pre-assessment, <i>take</i> said pre-assessment, and get my class scheduled sorted out (it's broken right now). I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things. But before I do all that, I want to put out at least one more arrangement before I go on hiatus.<br />
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I want to choose something from the 2011 Summer Anime Line-up, and I'm very strongly leaning towards <a href="http://www.crunchyroll.com/usagi-drop/episode-1-the-bellflower-girl-580582">Usagi Drop</a>. I think the open and close themes are both good, and different from my usual tastes. It will be good practice for me. I will have find time to crank this out this weekend though, or it probably won't happen at all (or for a whole month). Stay tuned.RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-29232320602198867182011-07-14T00:55:00.002-04:002011-07-14T18:25:11.411-04:00So, hey, you are still coming right? UPDATED 7/14UPDATE 7/14: I called RL today. The person who answered told me that someone told him that my first contact at RL told her that my issue is resolved. Uh...great? Who can I talk to really confirm that??? Anyways, I left a message and the contact called me back and everything is fixed. Crisis Averted. I asked when will I get an email about it, and she said I already did 2 weeks ago. Huh? Checked my school email and there's nothing of the sort. Turns out I had, purely coincidentally, confirmed my room assignment online without even receiving the email about it. I even remember confirming it, though I was on the website for a completely different reason and didn't know what I was doing. Anyways, I have a room, but no email that says as much. RL said they will re-forward the email. 8 hours later, still no email. Called them again, discovered that my contact has now left for vacation. Ok...who else can help me? Her assistant, great! So I leave a message for the assistant. An hour later, no email, no call. Call RL again to discover the assistant has now left for a day. Sigh. Well, the problem is resolved, I just really want the email, so I'll keep bugging them until I get it or discover a whole new problem preventing me from receiving the email. I'm probably done talking about this here unless whole new realms of ridiculousness is achieved. Hit the jump if you wish to read up on yesterday's phone call.<br />
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Residential Living just called. They asked if I was still planning to attend WCU in the Fall. Um...Yes?<br />
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For the past two months, anytime conversation approached my "future place of residence," I always hesitated to say I will be living in the graduate dorm. I was always careful to say use words like "if" "unless" and "hopefully." Maybe I somehow self-fulfilled this prophecy, but I had always felt something would go wrong. <br />
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To the people at Residential Living (RL), I do give them this credit: They recognized something wasn't right and contacted me. That's good, because now I know something is wrong. RL said my admission application is withdrawn, and therefore I have been "kicked out of residential living." Alright, I can follow that: There had been some doubt on my chances to get into the graduate program, and I was more than happy to take the pre-grad route and earn another pre-grad degree in a related field; so I had submitted a graduate and pre-graduate application at the same time. It makes sense that my pre-graduate application has since been withdrawn, though I don't believe I ever contacted anyone to do so.<br />
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So I was advised to contact admissions. I contacted admissions, and was put in touch with someone who was helpful. The end result was that the "system" indicates that I had indeed applied to pre-grad and graduate, was accepted to graduate, and withdrawn from pre-grad. Furthermore, my "Student Record," which I took to be the system that really means the most, firmly shows that I am in a graduate program and there is nothing that should cause a problem. Except for that there is, evidently. He suggested that my contact at RL should also contact him too figure this out.<br />
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Then I called RL back, my contact was unavailable. I left a message with the person who answered, and then they closed (promptly at 5). To be continued....RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-23822418524928863182011-07-13T18:22:00.008-04:002011-07-14T01:28:48.386-04:00Where I actually blog about something....<div>...and that something is the blog itself. Welcome to The B-On, my space about music, graduate studies, tech, and whatever else.<br />
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The idea of this blog formed several months ago, when I was finally making some headway into Graduate School. I was inspired by a couple of my friends; Endor, who long ago blogged about her studies abroad in Japan (and has since disappeared from the internet though now safely ensconsed in The States), and more recently Rach who writes about her living and teaching in a completely different culture and hemisphere. I knew I wanted to eventually take my studies to Japan, and thought: "I should blog about it, too!" But it didn't stop there...<br />
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<blockquote>Why should I wait until then? Why not write about my current studies? Wait wait, just my studies -- so boring! I could also blog about stuff like anime and video games and other silly stuff. And music too! I am studying music, after all...oh oh oh I should <i>put my crap online. </i></blockquote>Something like that. Thus, The B-On! Here there be music, rants, diatribes, and probably a vocaloid or two. Already, prior to this post you will find the first of more to come, my <a href="http://robusab.blogspot.com/2011/07/piano-arrangement-of-resuscitated-hope.html">arrangement of a popular anime theme song.</a> Be sure to come back for more!<br />
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And if you would like to know the meaning of The B-On, I suggest you read the <a href="http://robusab.blogspot.com/p/about.html">FAQ</a>.</div>RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-5759548435702369432011-07-07T11:57:00.001-04:002011-07-14T01:06:46.540-04:00Piano arrangement of Resuscitated Hope (GOSICK)RobUsa B's first upload: Resuscitated Hope by Lisa Komine.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7KqIqWaZrxM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?4f929vbv7fr3hgd">Resuscitated Hope, piano arrangement sheet music (pdf download) </a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSMWLTb-JKs">Resuscitated Hope, Lisa Komine - Original (youtube)</a> <br />
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This is the first season ending theme for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gosick">GOSICK</a>, which finished airing earlier this month. It details the mysteries surrounding Victorique and her friend Kujo, in the fictional European country of Sauville just prior to the second world war. It is basically Sherlock Holmes but with a touch of Gothic fashion and a touching love story. I highly recommend it.<br />
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I can talk about how I chose to arrange this because of the dark tones and dramatic hits juxtaposed with airy motifs of hope and light, but really I just think it sounds cool. Also, I felt it was pretty simple and fun. I tried to go beyond "right chords" and incorporate some of the characteristics of the orchestral/rock accompaniment. The solo in the middle is loosely adapted from the original guitar solo, and I think it takes on an interesting flavor on piano. The final arrangement is slightly beyond my ability to play without lots of practice time -- if anyone wishes to perform and record (and credit me for the arrangement...), feel free to do so and please send it my way.<br />
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I will definitely have to work on my ability to arrange for specific difficulty levels; and I also would really like to play this song easily, so I will probably make an easier arrangement in the future. I also think Resuscitated Hope would work with with a solo instrument and piano accompaniment -- which offers opportunities for the pianist to play more of the colorful ornaments in the orchestra. We shall see, so stay tuned!RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729583481998433661.post-55345059822504504242011-06-19T14:35:00.001-04:002011-07-14T01:06:24.315-04:00My New Blog!<div>Welcome to my grand entrance to the Blogosphere! Here I will write about my studies, music, technology, and whatever else interests me. More to come later!</div>RobUsa Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578218507543678128noreply@blogger.com1