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Janelle's Journal

janelle
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12/03/2007 08:36 #42376

Buffalo Symphony Orchestra
Category: buffalo
Drew and I had the awesome opportunity to see all 6 of the Brandenburg Concertos performed by the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra with some guest artists when an acquaintance couldn't use their subscription tickets.

It was our first visit to the symphony hall . We we were curious because everyone has told us it's a "must see" building, but from the outside it doesn't look particularly interesting. The inside does have a clean fresh look - bright and airy - and designed so that it will stand time. I don't think you can look at the symphony hall and say, oh, yes, this is so reminescent of the cheesy architecture from the such and such decade. We had terrific seats in the center of the bacony with nice leg room. I was pleased.

The music was good. It's not the PSO or CSO, but I'm still happy to live in a city with a quality orchestra that plays in a hall 5 minutes down the road from me. Now, is there a classical ballet troupe in town?

I am disappointed at the ticket prices at the BSO, but it turns out that I was spoiled by the PSO. They had this section called the Family Circle. They were basically nosebleed seats and the seats were big long wooden benches that you crowded into. But you could get a clear view of the symphony, the sound was fine and the tickets cost $15. BSO tickets cost $30 for the cheapest seats. Boo. But I like the symphony enough that I'll scrape up the money a few times a year to go see them.

janelle - 12/05/07 10:58
jbeatty, I think some symphonies have endowments or financial situations that allow them to have a small range of tickets at a subsidized price so to speak. Mrmike pointed out that the BPO had some financial problems, so the ticket prices make sense to me now. But like I said, it won't stop me from going to see the symphony. Like (e:Jason), Pictures at an Exhibition is one of my favorite pieces and I will definitey be paying to see that concert.
jbeatty - 12/05/07 10:27
I would love to go see them. $30 doesn't seem all that steep to me considering most of the musicians are probably living off of that as a major chunk of their income. I'm not sure about BFO but the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra starting salary is only $25,000 a year. I have paid more than $30 to see four guys play for the same amount of time and didn't get a seat for that. I would also guess that quite a few of them make more than $25,000.
metalpeter - 12/03/07 17:18
(e:jason) You want to make that trip even cooler I'll ad someting to it for you. After you cleveland trip take a little drive to Sandusky (not sure how far maybe it is quicker to go on the way) and go to the Football Hall of fame. I went many years ago and had a great time.

In terms of the BPO I don't think I ever seen them, even any of the cool stuff they did like the music of Pink Flyodd or any of that.
ladycroft - 12/03/07 16:38
awww. i had my first dance recital there. also, brandenburg concertos are my favorite to play on violin -specifically 2nd and 3rd. always reminds me of 'die hard' when i hear them too. ha! glad you had fun :)
jason - 12/03/07 10:56
You are also very close to Cleveland, and their orchestra has long been regarded as one of the best in the USA if not the best. Joshua I am sure can elaborate on that.

Actually, that would be a pretty cool trip - go to the Rock and Roll HOF, see a concert.

I agree that the prices are high - You would think it makes sense to have a lower priced area, for students and the like to enjoy. My decision to see a show depends far less on that than the programming, really.

I see that in April they have Wagner (although no link to see what they are playing), and also later on Pictures at an Exhibition. I love that piece.
mrmike - 12/03/07 09:48
The BPO is a good time depending on the programming. They were in danger for a long time and are finally on some solid financial footing.

12/01/2007 09:37 #42351

Slip n Slide in the truck
Category: snow
Yeah for Snow!

Yeah for trucks with rear wheel drive!

I love the slip n slide fun of a snowy wintery day in a rear wheel drive!


Time to get sandbags for the truck, grumble, grumble...
drew - 12/03/07 10:13
Tiny, those are the best cars for everywhere, but it seems only a limited number of people are smart enough to drive them.
fellyconnelly - 12/02/07 10:44
i'm not even leaving my apartment today. not even going to look out the window for fear of getting hit by a sliding car. yes i know i'm on the second floor - that is irrevelant.
tinypliny - 12/01/07 23:35
Hmmm... funny. I think cars from my country are more suited for weather conditions here. Most of them are small (anc cute :)) and front wheel drives and for the most part, fuel-efficient.
james - 12/01/07 11:19
The first snow fall is always crazy. People drive like they have never encountered snow before. In a few weeks though driving in two feet of snow with mutant snowmen lobbing ballistic snowballs at them is not a problem.

11/30/2007 10:37 #42341

Life in the Cubicle
Category: cubicle life
The woman in the cubicle behind me thinks she's the shit. She has to think she's the shit to have disgruntled phone conversations about work laced with my favorite 4-letter words openly on the phone. Loudly and with her door open. Basically, from her conversations it appears that everyone here is an idiot but her. After six months of working with her, I've learned that she offers you jovial smiles and jokes to your face but spits on your name and work behind your back. I have to work with her. I offer very little about myself to her. But I'm sure she's found something about me to spit on. She's tremendously good at what she does, but I find it difficult to respect her.
tinypliny - 12/01/07 23:36
Ignorance is bliss. That is the ideal mantra for all of my office-life. :)
james - 11/30/07 17:23
pony, that is my favorite 4-letter word. And next time she bugs you, just think of ponies and everything will be better.

11/27/2007 15:35 #42305

?
Category: work
Supervisor can hardly look me in the eye today. Didn't say hello or greet me. That makes me nervous. Maybe I should think of a reason to go talk to him about the program so I can reassure myself that the program will be moving forward and I'll still have a job.
tinypliny - 12/01/07 23:37
Most of the times that has happened to me, it is the supervisor who is having a bad day, so don't worry too much!

fellyconnelly - 11/27/07 22:59
i'll key his car for you!
no seriously... i hope everything is okay!
changeisgood - 11/27/07 16:52
We are keeping our fingers crossed for you.

11/23/2007 23:38 #42266

Thanksgiving Highlights
Category: holidays
A few fun highlights of the holiday...

1. Being at my family's home without (e:drew) so I can be as loud and obnoxious with my family as I want to be without offending or embarassing the husband.

2. Not having to do anything.

3. Great time with family on Thanksgiving Day and decorating the Xmas tree on the day after.

4. I sleep really well. It's so dark and quiet where my parents live...unlike where I live...where Ricky is always outside hollering during the hours through which most people sleep.


A few un-fun highlights of the holiday....

1. The silence that followed my statement of, " Next year at Thanksgiving..." Oh, yeah, there's won't be a next year.

2. The last year decorating the Xmas tree at my family's home. Next year, there won't be a childhood home anymore...

3. The sideways figure eight pattern the turbo prop made while it was in process of landing Good god, I thought we were going to crash! I think everyone on the plane thought we were going to crash. And I have to ride the same plane back to Detroit! Don't ride turbo prop planes...seriously, it's miserable. I don't know how I'm going to convince myself to get back on one to fly back to Detroit.

Reading the posts, it sounds like everyone had a great holiday! Cheers to all!
imk2 - 11/24/07 14:22
just because they're getting divorced doesnt mean that they cant do holidays together. my ex and i did holidays/birthdays for most of the years after we split. they dont have to do exactly what is expected form divorced couples, they can go against the current and for the sake of the family, commit to spending the holidays and important family dates together. i bet they would actually enjoy it more than they do now. it would give them time to heal, move on and get over many of the things that are causing them to dislike each other now. they actually could bring any significant others that they may acquire between now and next year to the family events, which can have very positive effects for all parties involved. (i've actually done that as well and have found it to be pretty painless and rather nice, although my present significant other is completely opposed to this idea, and this really, really saddens and hurts me)
janelle - 11/24/07 10:56
It will probably be sold as part of the divorce settlement and then my parents will join the flocks of old people who own condominiums... I'm not sure I"m ready for this...it's like some signal that they're growing old... the next stop after condominium is assisted living...sigh...
fellyconnelly - 11/24/07 08:52
awww sadness! is it being sold?
paul - 11/24/07 01:04
What happend to your parents house?
drew - 11/24/07 00:41
miss you. See you soon.