Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2012-10-03 16:41:48 +0000 UTC]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you have a wonderful day!

To answer your question, yes, I am doing well, just super busy. I'm working 25-30 hours a week at a bagel shop down the street in addition to school, where I'm writing 2 orchestra pieces. So a couple days a week I have to be at work at 4:30 AM, work a full shift, and then go to class and do really mentally challenging stuff. I'm pretty worn out by the end of the day.

But! Today my school is hosting the first national presidential debate, so I have no classes, and I managed to get the day off of work, so this is my only day off of both work and school in months. So Jenny and I are heading into the mountains to avoid the whole mess of shut down roads and angry secret service men.

How are you, my dear? How is school?

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2012-10-05 14:21:56 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I had a good day I guess. Nothing out of the ordinary really since I don't really care about celebrating my birthday

Wow! Sounds really super stressful! I hope you're not taking water over your head.

I'm doing well. Lydia and Cicci has moved away for this year so I'm not seeing my friends as much but I'm spending most of my time with Viktor. School is fine. I'm getting to play with talented and mature people, finally Other than that I'm gonna start practice driving so I can get my license. Not that much is going on really except for rutine you know. But it's fine. I've decided that this year should be without any stress at all to compensate for last winter

So are you still biking a lot? Or can't you find the time? And I'm curious about how you're voting in the election although I'm guessing you're going for Obama...

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2012-11-07 19:01:03 +0000 UTC]

Highlights from yesterday, and really all you need to know: Obama was re-elected, two more states passed gay marriage, and the first lesbian senator was elected. I hereby dub this election The Time America Grew Up A Little Bit. And yes, I did vote for Obama. I think it's important to have a president who is willing to prioritize something other than money, and as more young people are able to vote and more old mean conservative people die off, it's becoming a much more common opinion. There's a huge generation gap here, and now that the baby boomers (people born just after WWII) are starting to die, we're leaning in a more progressive direction. Finally. My state and one other also passed legalizing marijuana, but it's still illegal on a federal level so all that means is the states can go to the national supreme court and fight it out there. That one doesn't affect me all that much, though.

Oh man have I been busy. Working a lot on both school and my job, it's been crazy. But the worst is over- one more week of classes and then I have my long winter break until January, when I won't be taking as many classes. I should be able to get a car by May, which will be great becauuussssee I will be moving in with Jenny and John, probably in a small house near a big park in the city! I'm super excited. For Thanksgiving, which is in 2 weeks, Jenny and I are cat-sitting for John while he visits family back in Georgia, and in return we get to use his much bigger kitchen and grill to make an awesome Thanksgiving dinner. Nom nom nom. Also, my parents decided that for Christmas this year, instead of doing the usual presents under the tree thing, we're all going for 3 days to a 5 star spa resort on the coast. heeeee it'll be so great. And Jenny's birthday is next week and I got us tickets to Cirque du Soleil, which will be great too.

I've been writing 2 full orchestra pieces, and one of them (a very short one for orchestration class) is finally done, so that was pretty exciting to have finished my first full orchestra piece. They're so time consuming it's crazy. Also! Last spring I wrote a gay rights piece for solo double bass, and I couldn't find anybody to perform it because it's pretty hard and no one wants to spend that much time and effort on it. So my professors banded together and got me the email addresses of several professional bassists they know, with permission to pull any and all strings necessary to get this thing performed. The principal bassist of the Colorado Symphony has said that he'll look it over and get back to me about playing it. Fingers crossed! He's one of the best bassists in the country. :3

How's life in Ye Olde Sweden? I'm sorry you don't get to see your friends, but hopefully you're making new ones! What are you working on? How's driving? Do try not to die.

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2012-11-15 16:59:56 +0000 UTC]

I've been following the election somewhat, and on the morning it was over I felt really happy and relieved. I mean, what kind of world would we end up with if Romney the stupid f*ck would b one of the most powerful men in the world? And congrats on the new law or right, rather, to marry Jenny (or any other woman at that) if you'd want to

You really aren't able to take it easy, are you? I'm glad to hear you're getting that break. Wouldn't want to have you breaking down due to business (see what I did there? ). And Thanksgiving, Christmas plans and Cirque du Soleil sounds awesome! I was watching That 70s show just now (I love that show) and they had a thanksgiving dinner and I got this urge to try a real American turkey dinner nomz. They all look so good on tv! When will you be moving, is that also in May? And where is it that Jenny is living now?

Wow! I hope you'll have that professional bassist play your piece! That would be so cool! What an achievment How is it again, what is your major? I don't remember if you switched? And I remember a long time ago when you said you'd like to play in a professional orchestra one day, is that still your dream?

Life in olde Sweden is okay. I'm seeing friends a little more now, which is very good for me. I'm kind of friends with people at school but I don't really see them outside. I've talked to a couple of them about going to a jazz club though. We'll see when that happens. I'm tired of school and my motivation for it is going up and down. Some courses are fine while others suck like this one where we have to write something similar to a college paper and I'm just not gonna do that. I simply don't care 'cause I won't be needing it for anything Also I'm super tired of being a singer in an ensemble with only boys who all play instruments. I feel kind of "specially treated" like I'm so very different from them and then when they have their sols I just sit there quietly for a long time and I hate when the teacher comes with a new song without any further notice and then I sit there not being able to sing along because I'm not able to sing a prima vista. I never practice my singing which sucks but I'm in a real low um, dip. I only feel bad at singing all the time and don't have any confidence about it. My voice teacher is great though and we talk about these things and she tries to help me. I do practice piano though and I'm getting better and better. Yesterday I got to borrow a trumpet from the man who teaches me and it's really fun to play. I want to get really good so I hope I'll keep feeling motivated to practice that.

It takes a lot of time and money to get your driver's license here. Gah. So now I just have to find a time to go to a class on 3.5 hours with both my parents so they are allowed to teach me driving. Then I can finally start practicing. After that I have to go to a few classes and THEN I just have to read theory books and practice more until I feel ready for the final test to see if I can get my license Is it that complicated in the US?

Viktor and I have been together a whole lot these past months and lately we've noticed that it's been a bit too much since we get tired of each other and stuff. And when we're together we're basically just occupying the sofa for hours and since I'm mostly hanging out with him I do that too much and get frustrated about never doing anything so we decided to be slightly more apart and it's been working wonders. I've even found some time I didn't realize I've been missing to live my own life with my own thoughts not concerning him. And I've been doing a little more school work.

I'm thinking that I might not apply to any schools this spring. Right now I suspect working at least for a year is better for a school sick girl like me.

I'm missing the US a lot. I've had thoughts about going to study over there. I've gotten a new teacher in jazz theory and jazz history who went to both MIA (I think it's called) in CA and some school in New Orleans.

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2012-11-22 01:10:10 +0000 UTC]

Well, it wasn't my state that legalized gay marriage. So I still can't get married in Colorado. We're a long way off from recognizing it nationally. More states legalize it each year but there are an awful lot of them haha.

We spent this whole afternoon looking up Thanksgiving recipes I can eat. We're going to smoke a turkey, and also have all this stuff:
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and broccoli, and pumpkin pie with a special nut-based crust :3 Wish you could try it!

Jenny is still living with me until January, when she'll move in with John in a new place we haven't decided on yet. Then I'll move in with them once I graduate in June.

It's no longer possible for me to play in an orchestra. My jaw is too messed up. My major is composition- just writing music. I'm looking into doing music therapy, which is a combination of music and psychology that uses music in various different ways to help people as a therapist. Everyone I've talked to about it thinks it'd be a great fit for me.

I'm sorry to hear you're not enjoying school as much as you thought. I also had trouble making friends with my classmates for a long time- most of my friends were through the video game club. It's actually only this year that I do things with other music majors outside of school, and they're mostly grad students 5+ years older than me. I think you're kinda like me in that regard. Maybe try getting to know some older people? I guess in your program that might be pretty hard though. But don't give up! There are awesome people out there somewhere.

I'd suggest you don't immediately dismiss the sort of academic work that college requires, like papers. Being able to write well and express yourself clearly is something very valuable for anyone who doesn't want to do manual labor the rest of their life. Say I want to get a financial grant from an organization that funds musical projects- I have to be able to write a clear, entirely grammatically correct, convincing argument for why I should get the money. You'll also need to be able to write about music for programs, bios, all sorts of things. I promise they're not idiots, asking you to do that. It is very hard to keep working when you're not motivated. Keep at it! You can do it and still learn a bunch, and that's the whole point of school, right?

Oh man I wish we had that many requirements to get a driver's license. There would be so many less awful, dangerous drivers. No, no it is not NEARLY that hard to do here. When you turn 15, you can take a short written test that shows you know at least 80% of the really basic rules. Then you can drive any amount you want as long as there's someone over 18 in the front seat. That's how you're supposed to learn. Then after a year, you take a practical test where you drive around a bit and do a couple different kinds of parking. You only have to get around 80% to pass the test. That's it. Most people get theirs within a few months of turning 16, although they probably won't have their own car for a while. Your driver's license is your official government ID- that's how much people are expected to have one. The tests are pretty easy. Nate said that in California he was never tested on parallel parking (parking in between 2 cars on the side of a street- also known as parking in any city ever) so I was the one that taught him how to do that. I had to do that for my driver's test in Georgia though, which is kinda funny. Here, driving is seen as a right, not a privilege, which I think is the entirely wrong way to go about it. Murica.

Glad to hear you and Viktor have figured out the closeness/distance balance that works for you guys. It is hard to walk that line. I think you both are pretty mature for being willing to back off a bit when you need to. Definitely a good thing for you.

Yeah don't push yourself to do something you really don't want to do. Maybe you could also take some time off to travel a bit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2012-07-22 21:26:39 +0000 UTC]

No, as far as I know they're all fine. Matt's friend was nearby but not involved. I'm in Atlanta though so I was nowhere near it.

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2012-07-22 21:47:23 +0000 UTC]

I realized you might have already gone by then, like an hour after writing you Anyway, I'm glad to hear that

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2012-04-09 15:51:49 +0000 UTC]

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-11-15 05:27:52 +0000 UTC]

Iwilliwilliwilliwill

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-09-13 21:59:42 +0000 UTC]

I'm sorry, I'm so bad at this. My legs are driving me crazy, and the only responses I've gotten so far are "Huh. That's weird. Nope, I can't help you." And just now I had an eye doctor appointment and they dilated my pupils and everything's really bright and painful and I just had to drive home like that without sunglasses, so I can't write you a good reply right now because I need to go lay down in the dark. I'm thinking of you though, I promise! I will get back to you really soon.

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-09-14 05:20:39 +0000 UTC]

I'm so sorry! I thought something like that might be going on I wish you the best, dear friend

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-08-22 11:41:24 +0000 UTC]

I'm sooooorrrrrrryyyyyyyy my legs have been awful and I've been waiting for them to calm down so I'd be in a better mood but they're not and it's really frustrating I will reply today!

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-08-22 15:30:09 +0000 UTC]

Just read your email. I'm sooo sorry 'bout your legs I hope they'll get better real soon

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Jess-9000 In reply to xxmusical [2011-08-02 09:56:37 +0000 UTC]

haha thanks

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-06-26 19:25:36 +0000 UTC]

Yeah we'll definitely talk. Have a fantastic time!

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-06-14 01:16:53 +0000 UTC]

0.0

I swear I replied to that. wawpe;ofsklja;slkdfbgijlkdfn sorry

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-06-14 10:24:25 +0000 UTC]

D:

Got it now though ^^

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-05-29 23:29:47 +0000 UTC]

hahaha yep! Ah, the joys of music nerddom XD

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-05-31 06:18:54 +0000 UTC]

I love music nerddom!!

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-05-11 23:34:57 +0000 UTC]

Oh no! Maybe it took a bit to show that I'd left...

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-05-12 15:45:40 +0000 UTC]

Yea probably =/ It seems to do that a lot D: All websites seem to do that actually

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-05-04 19:27:02 +0000 UTC]

huh. I shouldn't have been. Skype automatically starts when I turn on my computer, so, no idea. I wouldn't have been able to talk anyway, I had to get to class. I will respond to your email soon though!

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-05-04 20:55:41 +0000 UTC]

Okay, I'm looking forward to it!

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-04-13 00:17:24 +0000 UTC]

Yes! I meant to include a reply in my email, but obviously that didn't happen. That song is pretty :3 It doesn't really sound all that much like the song we were talking about, but I can see how they'd come from the same root. Thanks for showing it to me :3

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-04-13 08:19:01 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you liked it I thought you might find it interesting.

On another note, I'm sitting in philosophy class right now and my teacher is ranting about examples for an essay we're writing and he's making noooo sense xD
We just finished watching Matrix, which I have never seen before and it was awesome! We're gonna relate Matrix to Plato's ideas about a cave...
Oh and while we're talking about movies; I saw The Blues Brothers movie the other day and it's become one of my favorite movies! It's so brilliant!
You guys sure are great at film making

If you wanted to know... xD
<3

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Jess-9000 In reply to Preciousley [2011-04-06 00:21:50 +0000 UTC]

I'm not dead! I actually was just about to reply to your email. I am really busy right now but I have time today

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Preciousley In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-04-06 15:08:21 +0000 UTC]

YES

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Jess-9000 In reply to Elnamis [2011-02-18 16:16:29 +0000 UTC]

Hello! I dug through your gallery for a photo, and I do recognize you, although we never met. I was a freshman when you graduated. Nice to meet you! How do you know Julee?

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Elnamis In reply to Jess-9000 [2011-02-18 17:14:56 +0000 UTC]

Really? Awesome! Nice to meet you as well! I know her through a jewelry club I watch. I love her work. How about you?

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Jess-9000 In reply to Elnamis [2011-02-19 16:03:01 +0000 UTC]

I saw something of hers several years ago, back when she was part of the duo store Peacock Tres Chic, and I've been stalking and buying from her ever since XD. I have something like 6 or 7 of her pieces, and we've become friends as well. She's lovely

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