Don't worry...I'm still alive

This morning I received more validation that this blog matters to people. You the public have spoken up and I have heard you. Caledonia Gerth came into class this morning looking rather distraught. I aksed her, "Caledonia my dear, what puzzles you?" With a tear forming in the bottom left corner of her eye she replied, "How come you haven't posted lately?" My heart was broken. I have let you all down (all four of you who actually read this) with my negligence. But rest assured, I'm back and here to stay.

In other news, Last week a wonderful gift was bestowed upon me. May must be the month of acquiring new things. First, a new (at least to me) blue sport coat which I informed you of last week, and most recently, a set of poems by a friend. I shall give you some backstory on how I came to acquire these poems. Last year...correction, many moons ago (much more epic) I met a girl who was wearing green pants. I feel in love...with the pants. I bargained with the lass night and day just hoping that eventually she would get so sick of me that she would have to give those pants to me. Alas, she was far to strong willed for me. I decided to offer something in return. That's right...I would earn the pants. What resulted was the finest original, atonal piece of work ever written on Concordia's campus. It was centered around a musical style known as "sprechstimme". I wrote this atonal musical as a surprise for her in hopes that she would be moved to part with the pants. In the end...she was. I wore the green pants to school the next day...and then twice in my room over the next year and a half. Life was good...but then something magical happened.

Earlier this semester, the lady and I collided in the lunchroom. We got to chatting about a myriad of things and somehow we ended up on the topic of those pants. She asked if there was ever a chance that she could get them back because of the sentimental nature she had for them (and since I had only wore them once in public). I knew that those pants originally belonged to her father and how much they truly meant to her. Being the business man that I am, I decided to cut her a deal. It just so happens that I had been toying around with the idea of writing a song cycle. I'm talking straight up Schumann and Schubert. I needed some original poetry though. I asked the gal (eventually I will reveal her name) if she would write a set or original poems for me in exchange for the pants. She gave me that smirk she always gives and said, "You got it" (This quote may or may not be accurate). Anywho, Last week she made good on her end of the bargain and posted them works on my facebook wall. I encourage you to check them out. I can't wait to get started on setting them!

That being said, I now have three different pieces I will working on this summer (Basho, Psalm 139, and the Dermody Cycle).

Special thanks to Rachel Dermody who not only provided me with some loverly poetry, but also a great story to tell and an even sweeter memory. Here's to you pal. Cheers!