IE Chris (FA20)

Grind : As I sat in front of my music stand, I realized that I have so much to do. I have audition tapes due at the end of this month, a prelim competition performance at the end of this month, a recital next month, more audition tapes due at the end of next month. The list goes on and on. I've made my spreadsheets to organize my practice schedule. Every session is detailed down to the half hour at least (some parts of a session are detailed down to the minute). I am being intentional with everything that I do and I understand that refining any ability takes consistent and dedicated effort. I will get better. Just you wait and see.  Dust: "Why am I not better yet?" Author's Note: I decided to write a little story about what I've been experiencing lately. I wanted to write an autobiographical fiction about the mental battle I've been going through. I think that the dichotomy of thought here is important. It's good to grind, but you have to understand that p...

Tech Tip: Google Reverse Image Search Earlier today, when I was doing research to update my story in my storybook, I found an image that I really liked: (Hanuman Devours the Sun -  Image Credit) However, I could not find the image credits. I used Reverse Image Search and found the website it was originally posted to, which I used above. I think that there is still an issue because the site seems to be glitchy, but it at least gave me a link, which was more than I had before. 

  Story Lab - Week 6 Empoword I really enjoyed the comparison of writing to music composition. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but in addition to my primary instrument (tuba), I'm in my fourth year of taking composition lessons. I completely agree with the blurb there: Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique  is a well-known example of a "wordless opera" (Berlioz's words).  I also like the differentiation between flat/round and static/dynamic characters. This is really helpful because I've been doing some independent research as to what makes a good character/cast good. "It may seem counterintuitive, but we can often say more by digging deep into a few ideas or events, instead of trying to relate every idea or event" Freytag's Pyramid: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution (denouement) (Different Perspective - Carlos ZGZ -  image credit) While I agree that restrictions can breed creativity, sometimes it's m...

  Mahabharata Reading Notes Part B link Sources used:  Arnold ,  Besant ,  Devee ,  Dutt ,  Ganguli ,  Kincaid ,  Macfie ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Seeger , and  Tagore . 21. Here, we become familiar with the character Vidura. Vidura is the brothyer of Pandu and Dhritarashtra. He is not eligible to be king since his mother is a servant. He is loyal to the sons of Pandu. He warns them of Duryodhana's plan to burn them alive, so they build an escape tunnel.  22. The Pandavas are living out in the forest. Here, Bhima meets the rakshasa chief Hidimba, who plans to trap the Pandavas. The two go and fight in the forest. 23. Hidimba's sister, Hidimbi, meets Bhima and becomes smitten with him. She betrays her brother for Bhima and they have an affair. Hidimbi has a child as a result: Ghatotkacha. 24. Kunti and the Pandavas go out to the town of Ekachakra, where they find that the chief Baka is terrorizing the village. Bhima decid...

  Mahabharata Reading Notes Part A I really enjoyed using the PDE version of the Ramayana, so I'm going to continue using the PDE version here. link Sources used:  Arnold ,  Besant ,  Devee ,  Dutt ,  Ganguli ,  Kincaid ,  Macfie ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Seeger , and  Tagore . 1. We are introduced to Vsaya as a narrator and a character. The elephant god Ganesha is taking notes.  2. We meet Devavrata, who we learn is the byproduct of an... interesting relationship between King Shantanu and Ganga. 3. After his entanglement with Ganga, King Shantanu falls in love with Satyavati, who will soon become the mother of Vsaya. 4. Devavrata learns of a predicament with his father. Any children born by Satyavati will not be eligible for the throne. Then Devavrata makes a vow and renounces his claim to the throne.  5. After Satyavati passes, Satyavati's eldest, Vichitravirya is in line for the throne. Devavrata (Bhishma) kidnap...