Saturday, November 18, 2006

Warren Civic Orchestra Concert



I will be playing in this concert tomorrow and encourage those who live nearby to attend. Part of the concert will be to memorialize our late-conductor, Dr. Jaropolk Lassowsky. Dr. Lassowsky passed away suddenly on October 22 (my 30th birthday). Here is the write-up that appeared on Violinist.com:
10/22/06 – Violinist and violist Jaropolk Lassowsky, longtime faculty member at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, died after a brief bout with cancer. From the university’s web site: “Dr. Lassowsky was the long-time University Symphony Orchestra director and violin and viola instructor, and took on the responsibility of teaching all strings lessons and techniques courses for the last 9 years. …Dr. Lassowsky was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award in the summer of 2003 to travel to Ukraine to conduct and teach at Kherson State University. During his summer stay in Ukraine, Dr. Lassowsky conducted four different orchestras, taught courses in computer applications in music and music publishing, and premiered several of his music compositions and arrangements with the Kherson orchestras. At the conclusion of his summer appointment, the authorities supervising his activities in the Ukraine were so impressed and pleased by Dr. Lassowsky’s work, they requested from the Fulbright Foundation an extension of his stay to include the Fall ’03 semester.”
The Warren Civic Orchestra will be playing Dr. Lassowsky's arrangement of Pachelbel's Canon as part of our performance. This is a free concert, with a small reception afterwards.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

And the 2006 Effing Brilliant Album Award Goes To...

Sometimes a band's sophomore album exceeds the wildest expectations set by their debut release. The Format has put forth a record of songs that have earned my "effing brilliant" award for 2006. Dog Problems is melodic-pop filled with hooks and lyrical genius that comes from breaking up with your significant other.

While "The First Single" off Interventions & Lullabies is a great track, I found the rest of the album lacking. This is definitely not the case with Dog Problems. Best of all, you can download it off of eMusic where a subscription of $9.99/month gets you about 40 downloads every month.

Past winners of this award can be found in the following posts:
2005 - Exciting My Musical Ear
2003 - When Six Degrees of Separation Becomes Three

Pierogi Party 2006


This Saturday was the annual pierogi party at my grandparent's house. This is where some of the women in our family get together to make about 300 pierogi for Christmas Eve dinner.

My cousin, Rachel, joined us for the first time. I was literally up to my elbows in flour for a good chunk of yesterday.

For all the pictures, visit my Kodak Gallery (registration may be required).

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

It's Election Day!!!

The day has finally come. This is your shot at contributing to the political process by entering a voting booth and recording your vote for who you think should lead us.

Don't like anyone on the ballot? Do a write in.

Either way, just get out and let your voice be heard. If you don't vote, don't complain. And if you're really unhappy, maybe you should consider running yourself next time.

For some fun and frivolity, Test Your Midterm Election IQ
(ht to All Things Jennifer). I scored a 9 out of 10 and was deemed a "political junkie."

And just think, the ads and phone calls are done after tonight and the signs should be gone by the end of the week.

Friday, November 03, 2006

From Glory Days To...

I've had a chance to catch up on some new blogs, including Rochester Junto. While I loved the 1963 video in the post: Rochester - Then & Now, it was heart wrenching to think of where the city is today. I am optimistic though that things will turn around for my hometown.

Cutting to the Scene with the Pixie

Ten years ago, I decided to do one of the most drastic things I had ever done to my hair. I went from a long style (below collarbone) to a p...