A Few More New Things

Well, I've got a few more things that have happened to me for the first time.

1. I went to a wedding shower. It was actually more fun than I ever expected! I got to model a toilet paper wedding dress! But seriously...what is it with everyone around me going and getting married?

2. I did helium on my birthday! I've finally got the video to show! Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1764137702093

3. And I got a buzz cut. Actually, I gave myself one. I started off this afternoon pulling at my long, annoying hair, as usual. I thought to myself, "I really don't want this hair in my tour pictures, but I don't have the money for a barber..." So then, I finally did what I was pondering for a few weeks now: cutting my hair myself.

So I grabbed my electric shaving razor and comb, and went at it in front of the mirror. Problem was, the razor was nowhere near powerful enough. So, having already committed to the task in my mind, I did the only other thing that made sense: I grabbed a pair of scissors.

I started on the sides. I wanted the side hair to be short. Problem was, I don't do well with scissors, and I got it TOO short.

So I kept going with it, trying to make the rest of my head match. It was awful.

Finally, my suitemate came back to the apartment, and offered to let me use his actual good razor, with the length attachments and everything. THANK YOU! I smoothed it all out, went for a full buzz cut, and ended up with this:

It's definitely different, and I have VERY mixed feelings about it. But I love change, so all in all, I'm happy with it. Its new, exciting (for now), and different.

Landmarks

It is an important time in my life right now! I've just recently hit my 20th birthday...a new decade in my life. I'm a few days away from being in a relationship for 6 months for the first time ever! I'm about to go to New York for the first time in my life during our 2 week chorale tour to New York and Washington D.C...I've also had 1,000 views on my blog since its creation last year. I have you, the viewers, to thank for this. So, thank you very much!

Yes, I am no longer a teenager. It feels about the same...but whatevs. I had a great birthday, and that's all that matters! See, the chorale sang "Happy Birthday," I didn't die that day (I didn't even sneeze!), I got cards from my family, and I had my first surprise party that evening (another landmark)! Yes, my girlfriend Becca cleverly organized a little get-together with some good friends of mine in the Lawson Pavilion. She bought a delicious chocolate cake and had cupcakes as well! She got me two presents: a semi-formal white shirt and a new wallet! We all chatted for 2 and a half hours, and I did helium for the first time as well (another landmark)! There's even a video of it. As soon as I get the video, I'll post it! There was some crazy fun at that party. It was awesome! No booze of course. That's going to be NEXT year! ;)

And I have Becca to thank for all of it! She's been the greatest girlfriend to me. And not just because she gets me stuff and does stuff for me. She's been there for me throughout these crazy last couple of semesters. She is completely honest with me. She really cares about how other people feel, almost to a fault! She loves to worry, but never worries if she worries to much, which worries me, because I worry if she worries too much, because worrying too much is a worrisome thing! Is the word "worry" starting to sound strange to you? No...she doesn't worry too much. It's just Becca being Becca. And I'm glad Becca is Becca, and not who she thinks I want her to be, or who she thinks her parents or friends want her to be. What you see is what you get. She's pretty awesome that way. Self-confident, but completely caring about others. I was lucky enough to be given an angel...which means I better step it up! Six months together on the 30th (it went by so fast!): the best 6 months of my life.

Our T-shirt design, by Tim Giddens

It's finally happening! A week from now, I'll be on a bus heading towards Nashville (first time to be there, as well!), sitting next to Becca, probably playing cards, or watching a movie, or sleeping, or having some sort of religious debate with the people around me, or having some sort of debate on how to best help those in Japan, or (most likely) debating what movie to watch next! Tour is going to be great. For the first time since I've been here, we've actually got all of our songs memorized (except for the guys' song, but even that one is really close). Our concert two nights ago went pretty well, I thought. We got through it, and people enjoyed it. That's what I call a successful performance. I had no voice going into the concert, so I lip synced. That way, I would have time to recover between the songs when I really had to sing (aka solos!). So anyway, New York better watch out because the OC Chorale is going to blow your minds!

Also in New York is going to be another landmark for me besides the Statue of Liberty: I'm going to finally see Phantom of the Opera live! Yeah...that's about all the explanation that needs...

And of course, my blog finally hit 1,000 views after all this time. I know that's nothing special but...I like numbers...so...yeah. Just keep reading and leaving comments and stuff. Writing stuff down is therapeutic for me, but I am also better at communicating this way. I'm not much of a talker (unless I'm crazy on sugar or something).

So until next time, when I'll probably have lots of pictures of tour to post, this is me saying bye: BYE!

I'm a Flickering Flame

Hello everyone. So much has happened...

Rather than explain why everything has happened, I'm simply going to tell you WHAT has happened.

I am down to 6 hours for this semester. Good news is...I'm finally passing all 6 hours. I need a semester GPA of 2.8 to get back half of my major scholarship again. Unless I got all A's in my classes that I was taking this semester, I would have had to appeal my scholarship anyway.

I had to drop Music History again. Duh. I had to drop some other classes that otherwise would have been gimme A's because of all the trouble I was having with Music History. I had to drop enough classes to give me a final total of 6.

I calculated my GPA and it turns out, those 6 hours of A's would get my GPA halfway back to where it needs to be. 2.6 to 2.7.

But what was I to do about Music History? Well, I decided to take it elsewhere during the summer. Trouble is, it's not offered during the summer. My plan? Take it during the school year online. There's lots of options for that. Maybe a different learning environment and style will be good for me. I'd have rather taken it during the summer so I could focus myself on it with no other classes getting in the way, but since it's not offered during the summer, and I can't seem to pass it here, and I have to have it for my major, it seems that I don't have a choice.

I'm working as a lifeguard over the summer as an MOD (manager on duty), which means I get better pay for working where I want, when I want. So that money will all go to school and help out with what my scholarship would have been paying for.

Still no car...

It didn't end up working out so that my planned roommate and I could stay in the same apartment. Oh well. I registered with someone who I don't know AGAIN...I really wish I could have one of those years when I look forward to my roommates and not have to go potluck. I bet it's a special feeling to feel like someone WANTS you to room with them.

It's been another tough semester. And this time I wasn't in any shows to help keep my spirits up...thank goodness that I have my girlfriend. Most of the time, I feel like she's all I care about anymore.

Scheduled to see a psychologist soon. Don't know specifically what for...probably everything...poor guy.

Looking forward to tour. Posts on tour to come soon.