Another way to Vocalize . . .

A New Year's Reading . . .

2008-01-04T03:07:17Z

Five of Pentacles -- the broken window . . . normally with people underneath it . . . poor people. Financial loss and bad luck. Perhaps it's just a minor setback . . . I wonder if that means something about my residency issues?

Two of Cups -- The love card . . . I consider it like an extension off the Lovers (my astrological significator). But does it mean companionship on a deeper level? And how does this tie in to other things?

Seven of Pentacles -- Reaping what you sow . . . but the energy is out there in the world (Earth) and waiting for the right moment to be harvested. I guess really I've done all I can do at the moment and the time will come when it's supposed to.

Knight of Staves -- A quest . . . The staves are fire . . . a quest to re-find passion and to bring it to a tempered, constant state. Rather than let it flare. Perhaps my time here is to keep that flame alive regardless of set backs.

The Tower -- What needs to be torn down? Vanity? Something false I've put a lot of stock in . . . what? I admit it could be my talent . . . maybe my voice isn't as suited for the theater as I would like to think . . . Or maybe it's my attitude of I've had a taste of the real world I know . . . Much like what I had to do with Marge . . . swallow pride and tear down the ego and go at it again with a firmer foundation . . . building upon a rock and not sand.

Four of Swords -- Meditation card . . . couple that with the Seven of Pentacles and I guess a period of incubation just a bit longer is needed. Okay I can accept that . . . no need to get into a hurry and make sure things are done right . . . maybe that's why Chautauqua and Tanglewood weren't so great.

Queen of Swords -- Quite possibly my teacher. The person I really need to listen to for advice and knowledge. This doesn't feel like an even card. Hmmm . . .

Six of Swords -- A trip . . . over water maybe? To help restore balance and to find some type of solution.

The Lovers -- And the Two of Vessel's partner appears. Hmmm . . . love . . . but between people . . . maybe the paths must diverge or steer a little on the different way first.

Page of Swords -- News . . . solutions maybe . . . gossip . . . unfounded but there . . . it seems like it's saying things will happen in due course and if not the way planned then something else will pop up to help with an alternative.

Hmmm . . . Eve of something reading

2007-12-14T22:00:11Z

XII The Hanged Man -- The word I always think about and remind myself of (mainly from Aeclectic Tarot) is balance. Though it doesn't seem to fit this time around reading over the symbolism again it says suspension. Like limbo, meditation, a point in time where things won't go forward nor go back. I guess it could also mean incubation, I mean for an egg to hatch it must develop it's contents first it they are to survive. Perhaps I've been worrying too much lately about my problems and future and just need to let go for the time being and focus on the here and now, that which I DO have control over.

Page of Vessels -- Is this an event or is it a person? I'm inclined to think person . . . more specifically me. I don't make it a secret that many times, both myself and the cards tend to agree that in terms of water I'm the Page of Cups, young, inexperienced, naive and sometimes hyper-sensitive but in matters of affection tends to where heart on sleeve. I guess I'm still young in that matter . . . my star chart and the cards always seem to think so.

Queen of Vessels -- Let's throw a wrench into understanding shall we? After my revelations about the Page I'm inclined to think this is more an event or thought . . . but what? Aeclectic says it has to do with developing psychic power or creating a family. Hmm . . . psychic power would be right. It seems whenever I'm turned down in the physical world I'm tend to turn towards my spirituality and mysticism again. Granted it shouldn't happen that way . . . both should flow side-by-side each other and not back and forth.

Five of Pentacles -- Hmmm . . . a broken window with five coins in it. A loss card. But a card that says the loss is minor and that it's temporary and will pass. Much like stain glass . . . though it was beautiful it was an illusion . . . both the relationship and what I had talked myself into with my auditions. I should have learned but because I talk myself into it doesn't mean it'll happen . . . in fact I may just be deluding myself. But that means keep trying and keep on keeping on to make it better and line up again.

Ten of Pentacles -- A prosperity card . . . but almost one that doesn't include luck and temporary but more an investment or longer-term stability. Aeclectic is also telling me specifically prosperity. I wonder when that will come in . . . I have been worrying about it lately.

Ten of Staves -- It always makes me wonder when two of the same number are next to each other. Okay so I'm working hard at what I do . . . but there's no shame in me delegating out things to others. Being the boss and being in charge also means taking the responsibility load because it is much greater. It's winter and I'm wanting to incubate. Things may not have been appeared to be fruitful but I think that's a false thing I'm tricking myself into thinking because I was hoping to do more. But so much has already gotten done, personally, vocally, professionally.

IX The Hermit -- This card I've grown familiar with. Like the Hanged Man that started the reading, the Hermit also means a time to spend alone and think and organize. Not to be social. I'm not here to create roots and get comfortable . . . I'm here to learn and to better myself, vocally and personally, to continue pursuit of my dream. But it takes time . . . like Spokane did . . . I didn't see the good and all the work paid off until the end of my time there. This is the same time. It's okay to be alone.

Two of Vessels -- A recognition of love. Well that answers one question I've had. I just need to find the person. Maybe I know them but maybe I don't. It'll happen when it needs to and not when I desire it to, and it will be like the romances I've been daydreaming about.

Ace of Swords -- The raw energy of the mind . . . or as the Diamond would have said The Power of Intuition. My mind is still young and just awakening itself to the many possibilities of everything intellectual. But my mind is also clearing and much more sharp than normal. Tends to happen with disappointment, the enervating urge to clear out cobwebs and doubt to hit it again.

Ten of Vessels -- The happiness card. But a permanent joy. The rainbow shows it's happy and that it need not be sought out as just the sight of a rainbow gives up hope and makes a happy. Things will be okay . . . rough but then again, is life worth living if we didn't have something to remind us that?

I'm sorry . . .

2007-12-12T02:27:45Z

I'm sorry I was too young, but wise beyond my years,
I'm sorry I didn't have money, but never put a price on love.
I'm sorry I wasn't skinny enough, but I'm healthy,
I'm sorry I let you leave, but I knew you wanted to.
I'm sorry I didn't yield on my career, but I had passion.
I'm sorry I still like you, but I don't let go easy.
I'm sorry I still think about you, but you were special.
I'm sorry I'm apologizing, because you're not worth it.

Looking for a bit of clarity

2007-10-09T23:37:31Z

I really need a clarity spread for my cards. Though my 10-card flow tends to help with that nicely. And for those of you that don't know . . . Aeclectic Tarot is an awesome reference site.

Five of Swords -- Hmmm an arguement and quarrel card. But it means to be fighting against a braggart or one who will not compromise. I think I know who that is but then again I could be wrong. Or is it me? Hmmm . . . I'm thinking the learning to play nice and silently be a conscientious objector might be the name of the game with this one.

Nine of Staves -- Reserves of energy again. Yes I'm tired and worn out but what I crave is right there. This does fall in line with my Tuesday being a good day because of my lessons and how inspiring I often find them to be.

Judgement -- Hmmmmm . . . healing from the past in order to move forward. How many times do we get this? But I think I finally have the courage to take them on. And it's ruled by that scary planet Pluto.

King of Staves -- Taking reigns and going forward with a new career plan. But is it new if it's about my music? Or am I just wanting to take more control of my career?

Ace of Staves -- New spark of energy and a new passion. New found cause and career idea. Hmm . . . just new energy

Temperance -- Patience . . . tempering . . . finding a middle ground and being alchemical. Mixing the opposites that is.

Six of Swords -- The trip card. A trip . . . a change of scenery to re-focus.

Here are the last three . . . decipher for yourself:

Queen of Vessels, The World, Nine of Vessels.

What do you make of this?

2007-10-01T15:50:35Z

Strength -- Okay . . . be strong . . . finding my own strength. If that means I've been angry and a little irritable along the way then yes that has been happening. I mean . . . more a let's not fuck around attitude. I guess given recent instances that is true.

The Chariot -- News? But also a card meaning moving forward, and determination. The two combined I'm sure is a great force to be dealt with. Am I finally leaving my insecurities behind?

Nine of Staves -- The staircase card. Climbing and climbing and wondering if I'm ever to reach my goal. Yet it's also the final push that will get me there. Okay . . . three cards that tie together . . . I think I'm seeing the picture.

Two of Vessels -- Hmmm . . . the love card. So is my goal different from what I think it is? Someone friend, lover, whatever who "gets me."

Six of Vessels -- A reflection of the past to bring present harmony. Interesting. And yet it seems as though things are blossoming.

Eight of Staves -- mhmm . . . the card of news and movement. Connected to Strength. Seems like again time for movement. But not just a movement that needs to be forced . . . there's also mention of travel . . . does that mean my auditions will happen? I guess there's no point in asking at the moment because I've just set them in motion. We'll see

Four of Swords -- the First thing I've gotten that's not Staves, vessels or Major Arcana. A card of rest and meditation . . . getting away from it all. Hmm . . . I wonder if that would mean not worrying about the future. Basically if I just take the time and extend energy later on auditions.

So where is it all going?

Nine of Swords -- OKay so I overthink things to a point of blowing them out of proportion. How many times have I known they would work out even thought I fret about them *no answers from you Shawndra.* I'm thinking that just letting them take care of themselves by doing what I'm doing . . . focusing on now and preparing for the future . . . not fretting the future.

Death -- How many times has he shown up? There's an interesting story of being stripped to bare bones to build up again. It's like Spokane all over again. My ego was popped and my vocal technique just torn down to rebuild. It seems like each teacher has had to do that but . . . not starting over from scratch rather stripping away bad habits and buildling on solid technique. Mardene, Mari Jo, Marge, and now Patrick and Karen. They all gave me something to work with. Hence why vocal study is fascinating to me.

Three of Pentacles -- The craftsman card. Interesting that this one would signify using my trade to create more work (vocal study) but also a new physical regimen. Hmmm . . . things are looking up.

I'm still taking it all in. Sounds like things are going well.

In the meantime please check it out

So now what?

2007-09-07T20:05:43Z

I am missing some mental stimulation. I don't wanna work tonight but hey . . . it's money in the bank. On the bright side I have all my Direct Deposit set up and ready to go from last spring. So I'll be getting paid next Wednesday I hope. Oh well . . . things will be moving along nicely once school starts up I'm sure . . . hell it's doing that now. I need to find some stuff to keep busy . . . I should try to get to the tennis court tonight after work if I can. Or at least do Yoga.

Requiescat in pacem

2007-09-06T13:06:16Z

ROME - He was the son of a singing baker and became the king of the high C's.

Luciano Pavarotti, opera's biggest superstar of the late 20th century, died Thursday. He was 71.

Pavarotti, who had been diagnosed last year with pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment last month, died at his home in his native Modena at 5 a.m., his manager told The Associated Press in an e-mailed statement.

His wife, Nicoletta, four daughters and sister were among family and friends at his side, manager Terri Robson said.

"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer," Robson said. "In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."

Pavarotti's charismatic personna and ebullient showmanship — but most of all his creamy and powerful voice — made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since the great Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame as a popular superstar.

"He has been, of course, one of the greatest tenors ever, one of the most important singers in the history of opera," colleague Jose Carreras told reporters in Germany. "We all hoped for a miracle ... but unfortunately that was not possible, and now we have to regret that we lost a wonderful singer and a great man."

For serious fans, the unforced beauty and thrilling urgency of Pavarotti's voice made him the ideal interpreter of the Italian lyric repertory, especially in the 1960s and '70s when he first achieved stardom. For millions more, his thrilling performances of standards like "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot" came to represent what opera is all about.

"Nessun Dorma" turned out to be Pavarotti's last aria, sung at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006. His last full-scale concert was at Taipei in December 2005, and his farewell to opera was in Puccini's "Tosca" at New York's Metropolitan in March 2004.

Instantly recognizable from his charcoal black beard and tuxedo-busting girth, Pavarotti radiated an intangible magic that helped him win hearts in a way Placido Domingo and Carreras — his partners in the "Three Tenors" concerts — never quite could.

"I always admired the God-given glory of his voice — that unmistakable special timbre from the bottom up to the very top of the tenor range," Domingo said in a statement from Los Angeles.

Pavarotti, who seemed equally at ease singing with soprano Joan Sutherland as with the Spice Girls, scoffed at accusations that he was sacrificing his art in favor of commercialism.

"The word 'commercial' is exactly what we want," he said after appearing in the "Three Tenors" concerts. "We've reached 1.5 billion people with opera. If you want to use the word 'commercial,' or something more derogatory, we don't care. Use whatever you want."

In the annals of that rare and coddled breed, the operatic tenor, it may well be said the 20th century began with Enrico Caruso and ended with Pavarotti. Other tenors — Domingo included — may have drawn more praise from critics for their artistic range and insights, but none could equal the combination of natural talent and personal charm that so endeared Pavarotti to audiences.

"Pavarotti is the biggest superstar of all," the late New York Times music critic Harold Schonberg once said. "He's correspondingly more spoiled than anybody else. They think they can get away with anything. Thanks to the glory of his voice, he probably can."

In his heyday, he was known as the "King of the High C's" for the ease with which he tossed off difficult top notes. In fact it was his ability to hit nine glorious high C's in quick succession that turned him into an international superstar singing Tonio's aria "Ah! Mes amis," in Donizetti's "La Fille du Regiment" at the Met in 1972.

From Beijing to Buenos Aires, people immediately recognized his incandescent smile and lumbering bulk, clutching a white handkerchief as he sang arias and Neapolitan folk songs, pop numbers and Christmas carols for hundreds of thousands in outdoor concerts.

His name seemed to show up as much in gossip columns as serious music reviews, particularly after he split with Adua Veroni, his wife of 35 years and mother of their three daughters, and then took up with his 26-year-old secretary in 1996.

In late 2003, he married Nicoletta Mantovani in a lavish, star-studded ceremony. Pavarotti said their daughter, Alice, nearly a year old at the time of the wedding, was the main reason they finally wed after years together.

In the latter part of his career, he came under fire for canceling performances or pandering to the lowest common denominator in his choice of programs, or for the Three Tenors tours and their millions of dollars in fees.

He was criticized for lip-synching at a concert in Modena. An artist accused him of copying her works from a how-to-draw book and selling the paintings.

The son of a baker who was an amateur singer, Pavarotti was born Oct. 12, 1935. He had a meager upbringing, though he said it was rich with happiness.

"Our family had very little, but I couldn't imagine one could have any more," Pavarotti said.

As a boy, Pavarotti showed more interest in soccer than his studies, but he also was fond of listening to his father's recordings of tenor greats like Beniamino Gigli, Tito Schipa, Jussi Bjoerling and Giuseppe Di Stefano, his favorite.

Among his close childhood friends was Mirella Freni, who would eventually become a soprano and an opera great herself. The two studied singing together and years later ended up making records and concerts together.

In his teens, Pavarotti joined his father, also a tenor, in the church choir and local opera chorus. He was influenced by the American movie actor-singer Mario Lanza.

"In my teens I used to go to Mario Lanza movies and then come home and imitate him in the mirror," Pavarotti said.

Singing was still nothing more than a passion while Pavarotti trained to become a teacher and began working in a school.

But at 20, he traveled with his chorus to an international music competition in Wales. The Modena group won first place, and Pavarotti began to dedicate himself to singing.

With the encouragement of his then-fiancee, Adua, he started lessons, selling insurance to pay for them. He studied with Arrigo Pola and later Ettore Campogalliani.

In 1961, Pavarotti won a local competition and with it a debut as Rodolfo in Puccini's "La Boheme."

He followed with a series of successes in small opera houses throughout Europe before his 1963 debut at Covent Garden in London, where he stood in for Di Stefano as Rodolfo.

Having impressed conductor Richard Bonynge, Pavarotti was given a role opposite Bonynge's wife, Sutherland, in a Miami production of "Lucia di Lamermoor." They subsequently signed him for a 14-week tour of Australia.

It was the recognition Pavarotti needed to launch his career. He also credited Sutherland with teaching him how to breathe correctly.

Pavarotti's major debuts followed — at La Scala in Milan in 1965, San Francisco in 1967 and New York's Metropolitan Opera House in 1968.

Throughout his career, Pavarotti struggled with a much-publicized weight problem. His love of food caused him to balloon to a reported 396 pounds in 1978.

"Maybe this time I'll really do it and keep it up," he said during one of his constant attempts at dieting.

Pavarotti, who had been trained as a lyric tenor, began taking on heavier dramatic roles, such as Manrico in Verdi's "Trovatore" and the title role in "Otello."

In the mid-1970s, Pavarotti became a true media star. He appeared in television commercials and began singing in hugely lucrative mega-concerts outdoors and in stadiums around the world. Soon came joint concerts with pop stars. A concert in New York's Central Park in 1993 drew 500,000 fans.

Pavarotti's recording of "Volare" went platinum in 1988.

In 1990, he appeared with Domingo and Carreras in a concert at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome for the end of soccer's World Cup. The concert was a huge success, and the record known as "The Three Tenors" was a best-seller and was nominated for two Grammy awards. The video sold over 750,000 copies.

The three-tenor extravaganza became a mini-industry and widely imitated. With a follow-up album recorded at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1994, the three have outsold every other performer of classical music. A 1996 tour earned each tenor an estimated $10 million.

Pavarotti liked to mingle with pop stars in his series of charity concerts, "Pavarotti & Friends," held annually in Modena. He performed with artists as varied as Ricky Martin, James Brown and the Spice Girls.

The performances raised some eyebrows but he always shrugged off the criticism.

Some say the "word 'pop' is a derogatory word to say 'not important' — I do not accept that," Pavarotti said in a 2004 interview with the AP. "If the word 'classic' is the word to say 'boring,' I do not accept. There is good and bad music."

It was not just his annual extravaganza that saw Pavarotti involved in humanitarian work.

During the 1992-95 Bosnia war, he collected humanitarian aid along with U2 lead singer Bono, and after the war he financed and established the Pavarotti Music Center in the southern city of Mostar to offer Bosnia's artists the opportunity to develop their skills.

He performed at benefit concerts to raise money for victims of tragedies such as an earthquake in December 1988 that killed 25,000 people in northern Armenia.

Pavarotti was also dogged by accusations of tax evasion, and in 2000 he agreed to pay nearly roughly $12 million to the Italian state after he had unsuccessfully claimed that the tax haven of Monte Carlo rather than Italy was his official residence.

He had been accused in 1996 of filing false tax returns for 1989-91.

Pavarotti always denied wrongdoing, saying he paid taxes wherever he performed. But, upon agreeing to the settlement, he said: "I cannot live being thought not a good person."

Pavarotti was preparing to leave New York in July 2006 to resume a farewell tour when doctors discovered a malignant pancreatic mass. He underwent surgery in a New York hospital, and all his remaining 2006 concerts were canceled.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of the disease, though doctors said the surgery offered improved hopes for survival.

"I was a fortunate and happy man," Pavarotti told Italian daily Corriere della Sera in an interview published about a month after the surgery. "After that, this blow arrived."

"And now I am paying the penalty for this fortune and happiness," he told the newspaper.

Fans were still waiting for a public appearance a year after his surgery. In the summer, Pavarotti taught a group of selected students and worked on a recording of sacred songs, a work expected to be released in early 2008, according to his manager. He mostly divided his time between Modena and his villa in the Adriatic seaside resort of Pesaro.

Just this week, the Italian government honored him with an award for "excellence in Italian culture," and La Scala and Modena's theater announced a joint Luciano Pavarotti award.

In his final statement, Pavarotti said the awards gave him "the opportunity to continue to celebrate the magic of a life dedicated to the arts and it fills me with pride and joy to have been able to promote my magnificent country abroad."

He will be remembered in Italy as "the last great Italian voice able to move the world," said Bruno Cagli, president of the Santa Cecilia National Academy in Rome.

The funeral will be held Saturday inside Modena's cathedral, Mayor Giorgio Pighi told SkyTG24

Sad . . . this is kinda scary . . .

2007-09-05T21:34:32Z

I just read this about a tenor

I feel powerful today . . .

2007-08-23T21:24:01Z

Despite a sluggish beginning I had a wonderful day of business ahead of me that was taken care of and I'm very happy about that. I've determined that my days before class starts up should start with a trip to the Wexner center for coffee and maybe breakfast or lunch and a walk to the music library to get myself going during the day. So that goes well . . . ooh and a few days ago I got a workstudy position at the Wexner Museum store which is right up my alley because it's close to where my classes are and in the realm of my experience. So that made me happy to get some stuff turned in and to pick up some DVD's of operas. The Wexner for lunch and I run into my teacher asking me a few questions about the upcoming year and further problems I've been having with my e-mail account sending messages back to her. So we discussed some things and then I had lunch and learned some stuff for an oratorio competition. Fun times. Then the library, then an interview with sports clubs for work study. Well it was more go in and say sorry I've been offered a job elsewhere. Which was acutally not too hard to say . . . the person was gracious and it felt good saying it person to person. So all in all it's been a good day. I feel productive and like the future is an awesome exciting thing to be experienced. BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!

Cast list . . .

2007-08-18T05:01:05Z

So part of my late spring/early summer resolution for myself was to create a cast list of roles in one of three categories: 1. Roles I can sing now, 2. Roles I can sing later on as my voice matures and would therefore warrant studying and working if not performing them in public right now, and 3. Roles I shouldn't be too worried about studying because they are probably out of the realm of possibility. So let me know what you music nerd friends of mine think . . . and if you want an idea of what I sound like now check out www.myspace.com/patrickandersontenore.

So first column--Roles I can sing now:
Pretty much most Comprimario tenor roles from Verdi, like Gastone (La Traviata) and Borsa (Rigoletto). Comprimario tenors from other repertoire as well like Tales of Hoffman (Andres, Cochenille, Frantz, Pitichinaccio), El Ramendado (Carmen), Parpignol (La Boheme), and Goro (Madama Butterfly). I'm thinking the range of comprimario tenors is a sure way to get roles at a young age. Also worth looking into right now would be Alfredo (Die Fledermaus) and Jaquino (Fidelio), as well as Mozart and Bel canto tenor roles. I thought this would be a list but comprimarios are numerous. In terms of actual leads I think the following would certainly be attainable: Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Ferrando (Cosi Fan Tutte), Nemorino (L'Elisir D'Amore), Ernesto (Don Pasquale), Tamino (Die Zauberflote), as well as much of the Baroque and Classical oratorio repertoire.

Second column--Roles I can work on and possibly sing later on in life:
So many of these roles and the first column of roles can bleed over depending on size of the opera house and orchestra. But I figured that more lead roles I could definitely sing at this stage. Say the Mozart roles from before and add The Duke (Rigoletto), Alfredo (La Traviata), Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor), and maybe even traipse into Puccini like Rodolfo (La Boheme), Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi), and Cavaradossi (Tosca).

Third Column--Roles I should never sing:
For the most part tenore robusto and Heldentenor roles. Meaning no heavy Verdi, Puccini, and definitely no Wagner.

It's hard to say right now where my fate will lie because my voice is still growing and changing. But I think with Italy I've gained a realistic view of what's going to happen in the coming years. So we'll see when everything happens and all is said and done.

The first since I have the time now . . .

2007-08-02T00:06:13Z

Well Summer is flying by and I'm ready for school to begin. In a nutshell there was 7 weeks in Italy studying, singing, coaching, vacationing, living, learning, loving, and all those other -ings. I sang in a chorus, understudied a role, and had a lead which I had fun creating the character for because it was small with little to work with whichs means imagination takes over. Which was fun. I took two weeks off and vacationed in Italy with the parents, almost killing them but controlling the fist of death just long enough. And I did get some cute clothing from Italy.

On top of that I know have some new direction in my career. Realizing that some roles are almost within reach and that being 26 has its perks to opera singing. Mainly in that I can start to perform more. Now if I can just get that damn contract with Columbus Opera I'd be happy. And my teacher gave me things to look over and learn on my own because they are things I could sing professionally in her ears *which is very yay to hear* That's it in a nutshell at the moment and as time goes on I'll add more here. Ciao all.

Update since it's been forever . . .

2007-07-29T16:43:16Z

Ummm yeah seven weeks in Italy have been amazing . . . four operas and several concerts later and a lot of travelling.

bustopher04 @ 2007-07-07T22:24:00

2007-07-07T20:24:43Z

You are The Magician

Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.

Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing,
you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.

The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Update time . . .

2007-06-24T10:04:32Z

I have survived my first week in Novafeltria, Italy. I wish I could say this has been a restful time but its anything but. Here is a normal day:

9-12 Italian Language everyday. Depending on the day there are also lessons (2 a week for 45 minutes) and coachings (2 a week for 30 minutes on days you donàt have a lesson). Then rehearsals for opera every evening. I am in three of the four operas and that tends to mean a lot of singing. I think one day I sang from one to nine at night. Crazy. But the city is beautimis and Iàm in Italy so I shanàt complain. Okay short update with a picture. Later all.

This is it . . . Dieses ist es . . . C'est lui . . . Cio e esso . . .

2007-06-15T03:41:54Z

Funny how it seemed so far off and now just like that I leave for Italy tomorrow!!!!! I'm nervous as hell because all my music isn't totally learned but then again I'm hoping some leniency will happen since our school year was longer than many. I'm trying not to freak out about it but I think I'm ready to go. So I do have time on the plan and in airports to look over music and just in case I have time I brought an Agatha Christie five novel compilation book to read. You know just in case. Wow I feel so excited I'm sure sleeping will be hard tonight. Remember what it was like being a kid on Christmas Eve? That's kinda how I am now . . . always have been before trips. I love to travel. Anyways . . . from here on in I think I'll be journaling the old fashion way because I won't be able to access the Internet very easily (I can but it'll cost a little so e-mails will be my only correspondence I'm sure). But yeah . . . I'm ready . . . This will be the longest stint I've had in Italy and we'll see if I decide to come back or not. That's all for now . . . until later on when I've had some adventures to talk about . . . night all . . . see you in August.

Update on grades

2007-06-13T06:05:56Z

Voice Lessons: B+
Research Methods and Bibliography: B+
Opera Performance: A
Chorale: A
Navigating Your Music Career: A

Current GPA for the year: 3.70 Yay go me!!!

I've finally done it . . . twice . . .

2007-06-13T05:54:07Z

First off the good part

Masters Recital Repertoire Ideas

Selections from Magnificat ......................... Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Deposuit Potentes

Et Misericordia

Guest Artist, Brandon Ring, Countertenor

Aria di Sordidone ............................... Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739-1799)

Il Mio Core Poverino from Arcifanfano Re De’ Matti

Liederabend.......................................................... Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

O Wüsst ich doch den Weg

Meine Liebe ist Grün

Dein Blaues Auge

Intermission

French Set

Mandoline....................................................................... Gabriel Faure (1845-1924)

Phidyle........................................................................... Henri Duparc (1848-1933)

Priez Pour Paix............................................................. Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

Serenade Italienne...................................................... Ernest Chausson (1855-1899)

It Was A Lover And His Lass................. Ralph Vaughan-Williams (1872-1958)

Guest Artist, John Eley, Baritone

Songs by Vittorio Giannini (1905-1965)

Waiting

If I Had Known

I Shall Think Of You Now

Tell Me Oh Blue, Blue Sky

Little Girl in Blue

In other news I stood up for myself in the realm of . . . attraction. But I'm not sure how I feel about divulging it on here . . . let's just say that there was someone I liked that was pursuing me and someone else at the same time. I told him how I felt and said please let's give it the summer of silence so I can move on . . . what happens will happen. Kinda feels odd because I really liked him and it didn't end in fighting nor in cutting him out of my life *like many others who have done this to me.* He apologized which was refreshing I must admit and was truly . . . repentant? I mean truly sounded like he was sorry. But I'm not going to dwell on it . . . which is why I said silence for summer . . . we'll see what fall brings.

The year in review . . .

2007-06-02T16:02:06Z

Wow it's been awhile since I've posted anything. So let's see . . . the first year of my masters was . . . interesting to say the least.

Going back to school was exciting I must admit. Being able to take advantage of some of the things in academia that just aren't available in the real world without severe cost. The autumn quarter was a nice start, retaking vocal pedagogy and relearning everything about it, not saying I enjoyed it this time around but at least I understood it better. I also took a vocal literature course on the Winterreise song cycle analyzing and presenting another self-made Winter's Journey song cycle. That was an interesting way to do a final, not complaining at all either although the music was kinda difficult. That cleared us up all the way to December, when I finally got to go home for Christmas and then to LA for New Years and my parent's anniversary (the 40th). I come back and it's TIME FOR MADNESS. 13 credit hours isn't much on paper but I tell you doing a show, and another section of vocal pedagogy that's reading intensive, plus the managing an arts organization with added project of creating our own organization on paper. That with the opera director running things like a young artist program to mount Elixir of Love and keeping afloat with everything else I was quite amazed that anything was getting done. I was very happy I made a 3.71 GPA for the two quarters. When spring break hit I was very happy. I got to spend time on the Oregon Coast, one of my favorite places, and I didn't care we went anywhere exotic and just got away and relaxed for a week and a half. Enter Spring term and the insanity ensues again. This time with La Calisto, a bibliography class that involves a TON of reading (at least it's on a subject of our own choosing), and a new class aimed at navigating a music career and what kinds of things a singer should have at their disposal (business cards, CVs, resume, etc), which was one of my favorite classes. On the bright side now that I'm done I don't have any finals and have to sing for a jury but it's all stuff I know thankfully. I'm hoping to have made it unscathed GPA wise this quarter. Being the overacheiver that I am I want the damn Latin phrase cum laude after my name. Translation just means I'm pushing myself to death . . . but next year will be a part-time year . . . and for now it's time to go shower and get ready for a pool party.

Very me . . .

2007-05-17T20:26:15Z

<td align="center"> Pat --
[noun]:

A master of storytelling

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com</td>

Well that cinches it . . .

2007-05-02T00:11:23Z

As of now I once again have no financial aid for the last year of my Masters. It's such a pain . . . I wish this school did something to help out the students more readily than this. If it's not medical, business, or football seems like nothing else is able to function . . . what does one do?

One more review . . .

2007-04-28T21:00:18Z

But no mention of one-half of the comic relief

History texts report that mythological subjects were favored by composers of baroque opera, which tends to make it sound frightfully boring.

Experiencing these works onstage, however, can be a surprising, amusing experience. One suspects that a major appeal of setting divine characters in operatic dramas was their susceptibility to all the naughtiest human vices, and what a rich palette that offered the creative imagination.

The Ohio State University School of Music's production of Francesco Cavalli's La Calisto, which opened last night at the Drake Performance Center's Thurber Theatre, has great fun with a story of gods and goddesses whose divinity is slipping badly. Many of the elements that have persisted throughout the history of opera – seduction, jealousy, forbidden love, concealed identities – help make this mid-17th- century piece both historically interesting and entertaining.

Director Peter Kozma, whose production earlier this season of The Elixir of Love was a big hit, once again has his cast performing as if this recitativo style of singing were as natural to them as breathing. He uses contemporary reference points to lighten and liven up the action.

The opera opens, for instance, at the Cave of Eternity, here depicted as a beach with waiters serving margaritas as body guards stand watch.

The small baroque orchestra, directed by Lucas Harris, does a superb job of accompanying the singers through every twist and turn of the quickly changing and freely flowing melodic lines. The occasional outbursts from the two recorders proved especially delightful.

The large all-student cast includes several strong countertenors, especially David Radames Toro as the bawdy Satirino. Giove – or Jupiter, King of the Gods – appears in this staging as a CEO giving an annual report as Mercurio, his messenger, takes notes. James Van Rens as Giove and Robert W. Bux as his sidekick Mercurio enjoy plotting seductions, making trouble and sometimes breaking out into duets like a couple of American Idol contestants.

Jodi Burns as the “chaste” goddess Diana has her strongest musical moments when she appears in the sky as the rising moon and sings of her love for the mortal Endimione (Brandon Ring). Burns also proves a convincing actress when she switches character to pretend to be Giove pretending to be Diana for the purposes of Giove's seduction of Calisto.

And in the title role, Leah Anderson ranges easily through many moods, adapting her light, agile soprano to convey them in the notes as well as in her acting.

bustopher04 @ 2007-04-27T12:18:00

2007-04-27T16:33:58Z

And I can't wait for it to be going and gone. I've never felt that way about a show before but then again I've never had the least amount of fun as I'm having with this cast. Oh well. It's a resume notch and I'll be good afterwords with my evenings off again (yay for gym time). And then the whole learning my private repertoire from last quarter and this quarter. I've decided to not sing for OSU opera again, especially if Columbus Opera will offer me a contract and I can gig more and start building up a little studio for voice students. That way I have some thing already started and set up for auditioning . . . oh the time I'll have with my evenings free again . . . and to focus on my own studies and my own repertoire. The only other question I continue to ask myself is what to do about my studio teacher. He's good when it comes to art song and especially 20th Century American music . . . which frankly I'm getting burnt out on. The nice thing about summer in Italy is studying with another teacher from here and maybe seeing if she'll take me on as a student next year. I may try the first teacher I wanted to study with but it's damn near impossible to get in with him (unless he actively pursues and recruits you). I'm hoping . . . I really am. I consult my cards to see if they can give me some guidance but I'm thinking drawing up a spell might be the better way to go. This whole coming back to school thing has been a real test to what I let bog me down and what I don't . . . and I tell you being a slave to homework is no way to feel like you're still in control. TIME FOR MAGICKAL STUDIES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know if I can do this anymore . . .

2007-04-24T18:15:39Z

I want to be keeping up with the workings of the studio but I don't know if I can do this whole academia game anymore. I'm afraid that all this time I'm putting in, digging myself into debt is going to end up being bunk in the end. My lesson sucked, I feel like I'm on the fringe of this entire department, I'm not able to sleep, I'm putting in too much time in the opera, and I'm not sure my studio teacher sees eye to eye on what I want to do with my voice. He throws all this 20th Century music at me and tons of art song but . . . I'm not sure I want to do that . . . in fact I'm trying to wrestle with why he doesn't give me arias. Am I trusting in him too much? I don't know anymore . . . I don't know if I can finish out like this . . . I want to be a good student and performer but how can I when I have no time and no more brain space to cram anymore shit?

While sipping a mai tai at the MoJoe . . .

2007-04-22T23:18:13Z

I like the bar what can I say?

Four of Vessels: To contemplate love . . . boy isn't that the truth? I've been wondering lately about past people that have shown interest and me not acting on it. Not sure if I would get myself locked into a what if game but you have to wonder.

Death: DUN DUN DUN . . . What now? Another change . . . am I still holding on too much to my past self? Grrrr . . . I don't know where this card is pointing me. I'm social then reclusive and it semes that nothing is quite working . . . although . . . maybe what happened last night . . . hmm . . . perhaps that's the next step.

Knight of Swords: The quest for knowledge. Well Masters and schooling . . . I guess that's pretty self-explanatory . . . I do wonder if it means what I realized last night as well as a part of it . . . hmm . . .

Ace of Vessels: The chance for love . . . or so it would seem . . . maybe next year or even in winter . . . who's to say . . . hmmmmm

The Moon: Of course I am not going to know until it happens . . . that's the frustration and excitement about the Moon. You never know what's going to happen . . . mainly because you can't control it and

Queen of Pentacles: Hmmmm . . . another money card . . . maybe focusing on putting it to good use and and creating a home for myself.

The Sun: Okay that's odd . . . The Moon and The Sun in one reading? What does it mean . . . or is my Gemini-ness coming into play? Okay maybe I'm being told to focus on what I can see and not what I can't . . . control what I can now.

Three of Staves: Journeying again . . . I wonder if this Italy trip will open more doors for me. I hope so . . . maybe more than one.

The World: Seems to reinforce the previous card doesn't it?

Page of Pentacles: Now still young with money but it will happen and come in when it's needed. Oh thank heavens.

Last three cards: Seven of Vessels: Dream Nine of Staves: Fight and believe Six of Staves: And victory will be yours.

In an effort to stop working day jobs . . .

2007-04-18T13:11:15Z

I am sick of being at the mercy of other jobs to gain hours and money. So I've decided that now since I'll be entering into a year with a little more down time, I'm going to start gigging more and start teaching again. Granted I haven't done that since undergrad and it was a little rough because I knew so little but how am I to get the experience if I don't try and get out and do? On the bright side, the show will be over soon, as we're continuing tech week and started to do run throughs. I'm to a point where I don't really need to review the score that much which is nice because it will allow me to focus on my personal stuff and learning that role in May for June. And I've been approved for funding to pay for the trip so it'll be great. Granted I'm digging myself into more debt but hey, if I need to teach more lessons or if I can stay in Columbus and continue singing at the church and teaching privately, maybe with a part-time job. I've done it before and I can do it again while saving up to audition. So . . . here it goes . . . proactive streak and counting . . .