November 29, 2007

Cool...so it seems as if some of you guys read this stuff...ok then! Back by such POPULAR demand here we go...ill split this between "music/trombone" and "athletics".

Well, school is rapping up for the fall semester and I can say this semester alone has provided me with a lot of experiences... dot dot dot.

I've met a lot of new people and especially happy to have met the people I would never imagined I would associate with. So that's great.

MUSIC/TROMBONE

Musically this semester was very good. I have taken strides in my playing (aside from BUSTING my lip hardcore which set me back quite a bit...more later) and also have learned a great deal from my auditioning experience in Cincinnati. Aside from just garnering "auditioning experience" I learned one VERY important thing from my audition in Cincinnati...and that is the fact that I CAN compete on a high level...and that I CAN do what I want to do....which is to play in an orchestra...the word "will" however...not gonna jump the gun on that won quite yet. But i did come to the realization that yeah, what I want to do and how I do it...and what I thought I was capable of...its there for the takin.
My lip////yeah, It got busted the hell out of...3 stitches and about a month off of playing is what it took. The inside of my top lip was dangling because it literally got carved out by my top teeth. I did get lucky, however...things could have been a lot worse. No, I really cant play the way I used to...some things will have to change in order for me to progress...but wow...I never knew how much I loved playing until this happened. My first few notes back were very emotional... i knew I had to keep playing...no matter what damage this injury might have done. But I am playing again now...things are kind fo squirly...but I am playing! thats all I care about...something I havent genuinely felt since i was eleven years old.
Lessons this semester have gone well as always and orchestra has been fun as always. However, sadly, a long-time friend of mine passed away. Someone who truly implanted and inspired the aspect of LOVE that I realize today. I first met him when he was only 13 and I was 14. An odd couple we were but what drew me to him was his passion for music....at the age of 13! Someone who I could venture to say might have been a prodigy on the trombone. Ryan exposed me to such beautiful things and music for me has a lot to do with him. I'm sad that he had to pass at such a young age, but he gave me a lifetime.

ATHLETICS

Discus training has been going well. Not a lot of throwing has been happening...pretty much all of my off-season training to this point has been strength and conditioning. Currently my weight is within the 270-273 lbs range. This is about ten lbs lighter than my originally intended weight for the season but my strength has maintained itself and the loss of mody mass isnt hurting my strength at all. Assuredly, this new weight will help my technique a lot and will allow my body to be a bit more efficient in the ring. The 2008 season is an Olympic year so my main goal is to qualify for the trials...which means I would have to focus on my season leaking well into the summer...thus me waiting later to begin throwing in order to avoid peaking too early. My season usually ends right when the summer begins so this will definitely require adjustments.
My season will likely start in mid- March in Austin, TX for the Texas Invitational. I have faith in myself. In both music and throwing...you have to go for broke. There is never failure...there is only learning, living, and loving.