Past Two Weeks

Been a while?  Yes it has.
In the last two weeks there have been a few very cool things that have gone down. I will fill you in the best that I can now. 
*Totalitarian Simulation
Started a 2 week phase in my American Problems class, where in we try to recreate the levels, inequality, fear, sadness, and unfair elements that were experienced under totalitarian rule i.e. Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Mao Zedong in his later years of rule.  Each member of the class (42 people) is assigned a number as their new name to signify their position in the State.  At top, we have Chairman, Jayme Warner, a fine lady :]  Under her is the teacher, #2, or Mr.Charon.  I was really lucky to get #3, which is also known as 1st magistrate who is in charge of the Secret Police (who monitor members of the state in and out of class without them knowing to see if they commit thought crimes, which are negative things about the Chairman, class, or State).  There are two other magistrates as well; #4 and #5 who are in charge of educating the members of the State in the 7 Principles of Totalitarianism (which define and embody exactly what Totalitarianism is), and also in charge of administering Propaganda to the state such as: A state anthem to sing, a motto to recite daily, and many other praises, poems, and songs about the Chairman.  Under the magistrates are 3 state police members who simply patrol the State during class writing down indictments on people for such things; smiling, coughing, sneezing, talking, laughing, or any other manner of conduct that they consider disrespectful to the State or Chairman.  The class is broken down into three clusters, The Chairman at top, the members of the Party (which are State police, magistrates, and any others who prove worthy through acts for the State), and the members of the People, which is the majority of the class.  During the duration of the school you must always where your number tag and if you're in the party you have to also where your Party arm band (similar to a Swastika).  You must also stand and salute any member of a higher rank then you whenever you see them and wait to be recognized.  If you fail to do any of these during the two week period in school, you lose a large amount of points when anyone who notices your failure to do so indicts you.
Confusing yeah?  Yeah, but a blast...only because I'm not a member of the party.

Rambling already?  Darn I had more to say.

Really quick.  In Acappella we spent the several weeks preparing for our Fall Concert which we performed in last week.  We sang The Ballad of Sweeney Todd, O Nata Lux, and Adonai Roi.  All great pieces.

Along with those songs, the Madrigals sang three pieces as well: Animal Crackers by the amazing Eric Whitacre, That Old Black Magic, and All My Trials.  Very fun.  Now we're cracking down to get our Christmas stuff learned and polished.

Next we had our Shakespearean Showcase wherein we performed the pieces from our team that competed in Cedar City.  The day of I was running back and forth between our teacher and the administration trying to get the building reserved for the night, which she should have done but when I figured out she hadn't I was rushing back and forth having her sign papers.  Next I found she hadn't created a program or order to the event, so I did that.  We also needed someone to host, so I did that.  At call time the Auditorium still needed to be unlocked, cleaned, and lit...so I did that too.  During the show the lighting had to be changed and a few people needed help with set elements...So I did that.  Very fun though :] Great experience to let our friends and families finally see what we had been working on for so long.

This is my scene, the ensemble scene, and Dash emceeing.

Between all these bigger things I have spent a lot of time with friends :]  Movies, lunch, Lagoon, Haunted Houses, and a very fun Iron Chef date...followed by glow-in-the-dark golfing.
Over and out.

Running

I tend to read, play the piano, and go jogging a lot when I have something to keep off my mind.  Jogging along the sidewalk, counting in time with each cement panel, and the conversations in my mind pushing through topic to topic.  Its almost my own little 'Auto Pilot' setting.  Trying to pace my breathing, feeling the air rushing by chill the trails of sweat down my face, keeping my step pattern in the sidewalk blocks 2-1-2-1-2, feeling the pressure on my calves, and every other tiny detail when running, I find myself focused on those things, and nothing else.  My mind is separately going over things in my head; sorting them, finding solutions, coping to new problems, deciding opinions on new life elements, and clarifying the rest.  When I hit the 2 mile mark I sit in the grass and join back to this separate conscience.  So much could be running through my head still, but this is the place that I stop all of that and look at my beautiful world.

Look at this!  I just sit there and stare.  It is amazing.  I don't know if everyone is the same, but as I sit there I really think about how anyone can simply drive or walk past this view and not acknowledge how magnificent it is.  Maybe I am crazy, but there is never an autumn mood mountain or a full moon that I catch a glimpse of and I don't stop and stare.  Never.  Maybe I am one of the few, but really next time you go out look up at the mountains, the clouds, the stars, the moon, and think about how consistent the Earth is with such glory.  It will always be there for us, to gaze at and appreciate, and for me, it will always be there when I am not realizing how incredible things are aside from petty problems here and there.  I love it.  I love running.  It gives me time to stop and think and gaze :]

Shakespeare

What a glorious trip!!>!  Oh boy.
The majority of the trip came down to "you had to be there"s but I'll fill you in a bit. :]

Bussed on down to Cedar and got settled into our hotel and quickly left for the THEATER to watch the incredible show, Tuesdays With Morrie, which while in, I am not afraid to admit this because not many read my posts, I cried!  Holy cow, it reduced EVERYone to tears.  For the final thirty minutes of the show the crowd was a symphony of sniffles and tissue blowing.  T'was great.

Next day got up early and practiced and short after performed our Ensemble scene.  We did well with it, 5th place out of 25, so not too bad for only having the script for 13 days.

After the competing we watched a second show at the theater entitled 'The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged', which was a very creative, cooky, humorous play.  Fun again.  Upon its closing we went to the Honk Kong Buffet and dug in!  I'll post the Shrimp genocide I committed later when I have the pictures.  Following the dinner we had an awesome dance party in Kate's room, quite fun, I miss dancing!!!

Next day we competed, did well, awards, then went home.  Thats all :]

St.Geezy

Left Saturday morning with 3 comrades to head down to the beautiful red rock town of St.Geezy (St.George).  My crew consisted of:

Hip-Hop King and Racially Confused Dallon Smith or D-Smitty

 

 

Ukulele Queen and the Island Diva Sierra Simeona

 

Piano and Voice Lick Masta Jaime Lynn Neeley

So that was the group, which was great.  Car ride with friends and a glove box full of Mix CDs made for the trip cant ever get boring, right?  Right.

When we arrived at my Grandparents house that afternoon we relaxed with some cards, Brian Regan, and a delicious pork rib meal cooked by my incredible Nanny (Faye Real, Grandma).  Afterwards, once stuffed with food, and after shaving... we headed over to Tuacahn Theater to see the show Aida, which was Great!  I was really impressed and impressed to make/lean towards certain decisions based on college because of it, so yeah, big deal.  After the play we went to Village Inn for some delicious Midnight pancakes :]

 

Next day we woke up and played some Tennis :]  Following that we drove to Zions National Park!!>! Ye-uh.  Very beautiful drive and fun little hike, very windy too.  Gorgeous, steep mountains that were full of rich color varieties and plants.  I already had a very deep appreciation for Utah, but going on this drive just really made me feel like, I need to keep thanking my lucky stars for such an amazing place to live.  If you're reading this and you live in Utah, think about it.  It is so incredible.  These pictures speak measures:

 

Amazing, Right.

 

 

Right.

 

Especially this one...

After Zions, we visited the famous In-and-Out Burger which I had heard talked up a lot but had not experienced it for myself...and it was everything it was talked up to be.  Amazing.  Cheap.  Fast.

That night we visited the beautiful St.George Temple and got to spend some time in the visitor's center and around the temple grounds

Overall...Great trip! :]  Came home at 5 this morning, nice relaxing drive.

October 2 - Official Madrigal Day

Knowing things is great, and today I know for sure has been grand.  Got to wake up this morn at 5:45 and get dressed up in a tux (minus the coat).  Made a good old sandwich cut diag-half and with plenty O' onions, for my snacking on later.  After getting that, my book, and the new friend in my life, Ukulele, I left to catch the 7:05 TRAX train.  Through texting I was able to hop on, hop off, and hop back on a train to end up with Steen and Austin from Mads to ride to the Energy Solutions Arena together.  The recently bearded Steen brought doughnuts and juice for the three of us, which was a great little pinch to my day.  Once in the Arena we sat around playing the Ukulele, eating, and singing.  Great times, yes?  Yes. 
After the rest of the choir showed up we went in and sang on the court.  Went great.  Promptly left.  Instead of immediately taking the train home, a select group consisting of myself, Emma, Christine, Claire, Alex, Dan, Cris, Ben, Austin, Dallon, and Spencer, went to the gateway to hang out for a little while.  Fountains, to the Union Pacific building, to Starbucks, and then left. 
Good talk about the new Just My Nature book I've been reading on the ride home.  I believe but I am not sure yet, that I am a dominant type 3, with a secondary type 4.  I know you dont know what that means but basically thats what Dash is.  Got back, made plans for frisbee and went home.
Went to play frisbee later which was great.  Played 2 ultimate games and 1 Jercle game, won all of them, good stuff.  Spencer, Cris, Rylee, Dan, Christine and Dash played. 
More will happen later tonight...Haunted house or a movie at Christine's so just assume that I gave some description of one of those events as if it already happened.
Good day.  Heads up for a big entry explaining the road trip with Dallon I will have gone on.

Audtioned to sing the National Anthem at a jazz game - with the Mads
Went to Gateway and hung out - with some Mads
Played frisbee for 2 and half hours - with less Mads, but still Mads
Going to do something tonight - maybe with Mads

MADS MADS MADS