Groovy

There was a feeling that everything was right as we drove along. The fading sun glinted off the puddles formed by the rain that had fallen just an hour before in a sudden spring storm. There was a calm that I had not felt in a while, something very hard to explain. But I felt very much in a good place, and heading in the right direction.

Last night was pretty awesome too. I went back to my old high school to do a guest spot at the spring orchestra concert. And let me say, it was good fun. I was very impressed by the groups that played, especially the Freshman Orchestra. They played a song that I played my first year in Chamber! That was impressive. It also brought back some memories of my days in Chamber. The solo that I had played some four years ago...

Then came Chamber and a few more songs I remembered. Then the big moment. Time to shine. During the song before my appearance, I had begun to psyche myself out a bit. I don't know why, really. I had played this song a few times before in front of audiences. I peeked out at the crowd, the largest I had ever seen at an OP orchestra concert. I began to feel those unmerciful lights just a bit more than I normally would have.

Then I was calm. The thought of someone who is many miles away, but always in my thoughts...

And I was introduced.

There were some cheers when the audience heard we'd be performing Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze." Some of the parents even got a little excited. I opened up with the last line of the Woodstock version of "The Star Spangled Banner," managing to choke a particularly important note, but making up for it with some distortion and whammy-bar trickery. The secret to being a great musician is covering your mistakes, I learned that long ago.

And then the opening tritone.

I quietly rocked out along with the orchestra through three verses of the song, and then it was my turn to shine. I usually built up the solo a bit, reaching a climax and then holding it there until the end of the song. But not this time. I went balls to the wall from the first note, hitting a shrieking B at the top of my guitar's register, and never letting up from there.

I knew I had done well when the audience was cheering and whistling at the end. It was a feeling I had not felt in a very long time, indeed. I've performed some acoustic bits for smaller audiences since then, mostly among close friends. It had been a while since about 100 people had heard me play, if ever. My dad's video camera caught my sheepish smile when the song was over. I couldn't help being a bit giddy with the whole thing.

Damn, it felt good to blow some minds.

I'll be back in the 'Burg on Saturday to say some farewells, as well as seeing a certain special someone :)

Until then...

Kelly is BRILLIANT

...at least it says so on my white board.

Haha, is this better, kiddo?

And the Sands of Time Slip Slowly Through Our Fingers...

Based somewhat upon requests (or just one) and mostly based on recent events, I have decided to break my month-and-a-half-long blog silence. So here's your update.

So much has happened in the past weeks it's hard to figure out where to start. Lately, life has been a whirlwind of fraternity responsibilities and final exams. A few weeks ago, I was elected President (or Master Alchemist, if you're so inclined) of the Fraternity. It was a huge honor and I was really excited to accept the position and set to work. My executive committee is awesome and I know I'm going to enjoy working with them. We have lots of ideas to make the fraternity better, and I know we'll be able to accomplish a lot.

Other than that, I guess there are a few other big things on my mind, especially the speed at which I am approaching the end of my undergraduate years here at Tech. I am now officially a senior. Wait. What? Didn't I just move into 246 Lee, meet the BLSC kids, and attend my first General Chemistry lecture? No? Seems like it...

I went to the College of Ag and Life graduation ceremony to see many of my friends graduate, namely Raz. He's basically the reason I stayed in town as long as I did after I was done with my exams. Seeing him walk across that stage brings to mind the reality that in one year's time I will be doing the same. I will be saying some tough goodbyes too. But at the same time, I must be mindful of the amazing years I have spent in this place, the amazing friendships with which I will leave this place, and the prospects of the future.

Congratulations Raz, you've been a true friend in every sense and you'll be truly missed in 1001 D.

Now that I've sounded like a Hallmark card, I'll reflect upon the past year. And what a year it's been. Both semesters were a blur, mostly thanks to 4000-level Biochem classes (lecture and lab). I remember finishing the fall semester in an all-out sprint to the last exam, running on fumes but still with the same tenacity as always. This semester began with me not being entirely recovered from said finish, since I had worked all Winter Break (mostly). Adjusting to new classes was somewhat difficult, exacerbated by adjusting to a new Biochem professor whose style just didn't click with me. Dr. Gregory is a tough act to follow, to be sure, and the adjustment took some time.

Biochem lab continually busted all of our asses this semester, but it was all worth it when I went to see Dr. Gregory yesterday to get my final exam back. That thing was a beast, but I handled it. He told me, with a warm smile, that I had earned an A in the class and commended me for my efforts. We talked for a while, and as I got up to leave and return home, he extended his hand to me, gave me a firm shake, and again congratulated me on my hard work. That alone made everything endured this semester, personal and academic, worth it.

I am happy again as I enter what will undoubtedly be an exciting summer. I've got a great internship that I'll be starting in a little over a week. Many of my friends will be here over the summer, so there will definitely be some serious hanging out. And of course, Kelly will be here :)

I'll be spending the next week at home, playing a guest spot with my high school orchestra, and decompressing from the year. After that, it's back into full gear when I start the SURP job. The roommates will all be here over the summer, with considerably less stress than during the year, so I'm looking forward to hanging out with these guys.

The hourglass may yet continue to empty, but it will not do so without plenty of memories.

Congratulations to the Class of 2006. You will be missed.