Unieuph

Universalist, Euphoniumist

"I guess I'm just attracted to talent"
-Gretchen Snedeker (d. 2008)

Sunday, September 24, 2006

More to come later... (Today's word: CCTV)

As always, I feel as pressed for time when writing on the blog. The computers at school are down (falling after the presentation on how everything we did would be finalized by an e-mailed report, and assurances the system wouldn't fail), so I am writing in a cafe for 1£/hour (the standard rate).

This is the third Sunday I've been here, but once again, I've failed to attend church. The reason was a bit better this time, though; as opposed to being tired and lazy, I attended a protest/conference this weekend.

Manchester is the home this year for the Labour party's annual conference. As is well known, Blair's popularity, primarily due to his conduct with the war, has fallen, and he has assured the people he will resign within the year. The demonstration started at this point, with the message "Time to Go", referring to Blair, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Trident missles. The walk went around the are where the conference was being held, and a simulated "die-in", where everybody lied down, took place. It then continued through the main shopping district (remember Arndale from my earlier post?), and concluded where it began, with more speakers to extoll the need to remove the double standards we've set for Arabs and Muslims.

Today was a continuation, with an "Alternative Conference" held at the University of Manchester. I was able to attend workshops and lectures about the current state of Iraq, Debt in Africa, and the need to reform Education on all levels. The speakers included leaders from various peace coalitions as well as MP's (Member of Parliament), authors, delegates from foreign organizations, and the like. I was able to make a slight correction to an MP, who described American farm subsidies as methods of appeasement to the mid-west famer's voting bloc. I pointed out that the farmers in America have fallen from 1/3 of the population less than 100 years ago to less than 2%, so the voting bloc theory would have been a waste of time (as Wendell Berry pointed out, there really isn't a "farm vote" anymore). But that's for another post.

Anyway, that has been my weekend, so I suppose some practice will have to creep in today. I've turned in my class requests, and will update as soon as I know what on Earth is going on. Take Care, and enjoy your day.

//End of Post//

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Random Ramblings

As all the hub-bub continues to patter along, I figure the best approach to the blog would be through out comments and observations in a seemingly haphazard way, hoping for a complete understanding at the end. Thank you Locke

I went out with two of the other euphoniumist postgrads yesterday. We've counted 6 total, figuring about 15 undergrad. That would put the number far ahead of Eastman's capacity, and probably over the bin for RNCM's music groups as well. I don't know how much playing I'll do in school, but I already have one gig lined up at the end of the month. Woo-hoo!

We had dinner at the "Curry Mile" a stretch of road full of Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants. At night, all the neon signs make it quite a spectacle. We were able to enjoy a nice, long meal with pleasant chatting and discussion about classes.

Classes (or, Supported Professional Studies) so far appear to be the most confusing part the program. No Theory, History, Aural Skills, etc. We have 60 credits to fill, but the minimum class credit is 20. So I will be enrolled in three classes this year. Ensembles and Chamber Music both count as one each, so I may only have one elective.

After dinner, we returned to school, looking to see what the Student Union was offering this night. It turned out to be "Drinking Games" so we passed, and went out to a bar with several saxophonists we happened upon. Much merriment ensued, until it closed (11:30ish) and I had to catch my bus.

Buses are another matter entirely. When I arrived, the Manchester Evening News was reporting massive clogs in the traffic because the buses were competing for the same routes. This is the result of Thatcherism, who deregulated the buses back in the 80's. Supposedly it lead to reduced fares (which I really haven't seen), but now it's costing massive financial blocs, as people are late to work/interviews/hospitals/etc. A one-way ticket from college to my stop at home is about £1.10, but for £2.50 I can take it, as well as any other Stagecoach bus line, for the day.

Finally, if you find yourself in England, and if you choose to take the bus, you must know that you have to flag it down like a taxi. They won't stop unless they see an extended arm, and you'll be stuck waiting for the next bus.

//End of Post//

Friday, September 15, 2006

Maybe a bit longer...

Dear Friends and Family (and people who read this blog),

Once again, my absence from the online world doesn't mean I am absent of thought while in England; to the contrary, it tends to be the case that I am too busy running around to keep an up-to-date diary about my adventures. Today marks the 1-week anniversary of my sojourn across the "pond", and I'll relate the changes that have taken place.

I arrived last Friday at Manchester's airport. After a grueling trek to the bus depot, carrying a massively full suitcase, instrument, and backpack, and after an equally grueling bus ride (in access of 1 hour), and after a shorter trek, I ended in the hostel.

When I visited Manchester last November, I stayed at the Hatter's. It's located in the Northern Quarter, which is sort of like the Chelsea part of NYC; artsy people creating their fashions in post-industrial warehouses. The hostel isn't the cleanest, but there is free toast and tea, and everyone you meet will want to talk with you. During my stay, I happened to meet people from Canada, Alaska, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Turkey, and Kenya. Many were students looking for housing, and most would disappear within the week (which was a good idea because Wednesday night was a large football match between United and the Celtics, so the hostels and hotels were over-booked with fans), and e-mails and phone numbers were exchanged.

After a slew of online searches (and several visits), I was finally able to pin down a house-share. It's about 15 minutes from school (although a bus runs down my street), and is across from a park. The room has more furniture than I am used to, and the closet is so shallow my shirts have to tilt against each other, but I imagine the elbow grease I intend to use will help its condition. The furniture that was provided includes a bed, chest of drawers, a vanity, a sink, two portable pantries, a fridge, a space heater designed like a radiator, and a bookcase. "When you need electricity" my landlady said, "just put a coin in this machine and turn the lever. The coin will fall right through and you can continue to use it".

I'll leave that last part to your thoughts.

I'm still debating about how much cultural difference exists here. Perhaps I have been enveloped in my own world too much, or perhaps my definition of culture is too out of the mainstream. What has intrigued me, though, is the ingenuity of design here. Manchester, like all industrial cities, has shown urban decline, poverty, and crime over the past 20 years. However, the city seems to have an enthusiastic spirit. There was an IRA bombing in the mid-90's that changed the city. There has been great care recently in urban planning (a student at the hostel was entering this field for his Master's at Manchester Uni), particularly with the development of the Arndale shopping centre (It is fascinating to see areas of a town that have streets which are closed off to vehicles), and Deansgate (where stores have been built underneath the arches of the railway; extremely impressive).

Expect posts on a more regular basis, as I am near an inexpensive internet cafe. Until then, pleasant dreams.

//End of Post//

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Short and Sweet II

I'm here. I arrived safely, and have been on my feet ever since getting off the boat (plane). I've got an apartment lined up, school shouldn't be a problem, and I've become the owner of a cell phone. E-mail me if you want the number (incoming calls are free for me)

Expect more later, as I have much to tell

//End of Post//

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Short and Sweet

I will be in England in 27 (or so) hours. Will post from there