So, I just had my first paying gig last night. I ran audio for the Bhangra Competition at the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center (it’s a type of traditional Indian group dancing - pretty neat, actually), and I must say I didn’t do a bad job. Heh, it ran about two hours longer than it was supposed to, but it was fun (and plus I get paid). Wearing a headset and counting down, “And, prepare lights for fade in 10 seconds. Lights in 3-2-1, aaaand fade out” - pretty much the coolest experience I’ve had in months. Maybe I can do it again sometime! Jay was actually talking about doing some sort of internship thing in the PAC next year… definitely would be interested.

Speaking of audio, I’m cranking down on the sound design for The Martian Chronicles tonight. I’ve picked up my mom’s old laptop and I’ll be installing Adobe Audition on it later today, and I’m about to go get some cables for the catwalk mixer. I was going to do this all last night, but how could I say no to my first paying engineering job?

I’m worried about WNRN. Ever since the Corner opened up, I’ve heard less and less people talking about it, and now there are all sorts of personnel problems at 91.9… The Spring Funddrive is soon - I guess we’ll see what damage we’ve taken then….

So I watching TV yesterday, and realized something about car commercials (or “automobile advertisements,” if you like that alliteration better) - they are some of the most expensive commercials to produce, yet those who actually sell the cars have the most pitiful advertisements ever. Just a thought.

w00t - I’ve finally made my way to the first page of results when you search for “michael strickland” on google (just slightly behind on my name without quotes, at number 11)! It really is a sad sign when your goal in life is to be the first result when your name is googled… Ah well, at least I admit it. I remember a few years ago when I’d put up my first websites (mostly fan pages for the video game Banjo-Kazooie)… I was so excited when I discovered I was number 80-something on a google search of my name. Well guys, only 9 more spaces to jump up! I will be very happy person if that ever happens…

short post.

I really shouldn’t still be up - but I’m too hyped up on chocolate and Imogen Heap to be rational. Mary Poppins was excellent! It was hard to miss how similar some of the characters looked/sounded like their counterparts in the Disney movie, but I suppose that’s not really a criticism. The set = amazing. It was essentially a gigantic doll house, with everything on cables; the acting was superb as well.

But of course I was a bit more excited about what I saw tonight. We were really bored and stopped by tkts to see what shows we could see - so I went to RENT! I’ll admit that during the first hour, I was mostly thinking about how little movement there was on stage - kind of rediculous for a Broadway production. But, I got into it and loved the second half. It made me really annoyed that the online production of it was in never made it off the ground… But I was surprised at how many children there were there; seven- and eight-year-olds sitting down and watching a play about AIDS and survival - that’s pretty intense.

Now in the theatre mindset, I’ve been obsessing over next year’s musical, Dessert Theatre 2007, and of course, sound design for the Martian Chronicles.

Visiting New York always make me way too ambitious…

Well, I’m in New York, looking outside at the hopelessly cold air hitting the 15-story posters for Tarzan (you realize how big those image files must be? Someone’s using vector-based-graphics…). And, using my mom’s laptop, I’m using Vista. I really can’t tell you what I think of it at the moment. For one, it’s a business version, and it’s also on a Sony Vaio (which my family seems to be obsessed with for some reason) which I despise. Your keyboards suck, Sony!

I’m watching Miss Cogeneality right now (wonderful movie) waiting for us to go see Mary Poppins - apparently, it’s a darker version of the story. These next few days are going to be way too busy… And on top of that, I’m missing both a history and english test on Wednesday, for which I’ll have to find a time to make up. Starting to panic a bit about college applications. It’s quite scary. I don’t want my grades over the next few months to determine what college I get into. Damn the application process. You can’t judge me based on a few letters given to me by teachers over which you have no control…

Note, I realize that my coplaints against the American education system are largely based on my attempts to rationalize the “C” I have in AP US History. But hey, at least I admit it.

I hate to sound like a stereotypical teenage girl, but what the crap is with New York having so many cute boys? It’s pretty rediculous. Did I say pretty yet? Okay, I’m gonna shut up now before I start sounding like a complete idiot…

Anyway, what’s everyone doing this long weekend - going anywhere, seeing anyone?

Haha - I didn’t realize SAT scores would be back this soon - it hasn’t even been three weeks! I’m not entirely sure how to put my number in perspective, but I think I did pretty well - 2160. Not exactly level with my letter grades at school, but I’ve already spoken about the inaccuracies and biases concerned with tracked education. My college search process kind of officially begins this weekend, since I’m going to New York to visit NYU. Yes, it’s a cliche: a film/media major looking at NYU. But whatever, make fun of me on your own time.

Since school was canceled yesterday due to snow, we presented the a cappella valentine’s day serenades today instead. I’d like to point out that our group had the most to present (47 - we rock). I hadn’t realized how much fun it could be to literally run around the school all day singing Backstreet Boys to students and teachers of all genders. I’d post a clip of a song by us I recorded, but Blogger doesn’t host audio…yet… But I have to say - stripping down to muscle shirts may have been a bit too much for some of the teachers. I realized this when Mr. Irani came up to us and told Patrick to “stop gyrating.”

I’d like to take this opportunity to express how impressed I am with Monticello High School. For the past month, I’ve been feebly trying to get an interview with a chemistry teacher or administrator that deals with curriculum development at the Charlottesville City Schools - they’ll have nothing to do with me. Even though I’m in a rather unique position to offer an unbiased account of their curriculum reforms by someone who’s very well informed on the educational reform movement. But Monticello, on the other hand… I emailed their principal Tuesday night at 10PM. Within 12 hours, I had a response with the phone number of a curriculum supervisor to request permission for interviews. Keep in mind, there wasn’t even school that day. To the administrative staff of MHS - I salute you.

Kudos to people that actually responded to my last post, by the way. Waldo - I had no idea you’d read my blog. Anonymous - I won’t lie, that was a little creepy. But all’s well.