Fortunately, Unfortunately

[jere7my]

Fortunately, I played for a contra tonight, and had a great time. Elvie taught a workshop from 5:00 - 6:30, during which I learned a bit more about "walking up" the chord space for emphasis—that is, walking up the scale, but playing the associated chords instead of just their roots: I, ii, iii, IV, V(7). (In the key of A, that would be A, Bm, C#m, D, E7. Dramatic.) Then I and the rest of the band (another guitar, two fiddles, accordian, mandolin, and piano) played, and played fast, from 8:00 - 11:00. Whew. I tired myself out thoroughly, had a hell of a time, and, I think, played well, though the last dance turned into a musical train wreck. (I might have gotten a little too showboaty there at the end, which doesn't go well with Tired.) The other guitarist, Jeff, mockingly called me "Mister Plays-So-Cleanly-We-Can-Hear-Individual-Bass-Notes," which made me smile. It's nice to finally be approaching "good".

Unfortunately, I felt sort of alone and awkward afterward, as all the cute young thangs congealed into clumps to socialize while I stood about and felt old. It made me miss Swarthmore and Pinewoods—and, come to think of it, Ann Arbor. I loitered a bit, but nobody launched themselves at me and demanded to sit on my lap. I mean, what do I have the guitar for?

Fortunately, Google offered me a job today. I'm going to be a Quality Rater for them, which is a work-from-home part-time sort of job. It pays well enough for my purposes, and looks to be really interesting. Moreover, it's flexible, it fits my particular talents, and it allows me to spend more time with Penemue; it's really a windfall. That's about all I can tell you (I have to sign an NDA, which is not something I ever thought I'd have to deal with), but I'm quite excited. Big thanks to jedediah for the tip! Now to fill out the 26 pages of paperwork that the job comes with—and if you think I am exaggerating for comic effect allow me to gently correct you. (The comedically appropriate number there would have been eleventy-assbunch.)

Unfortunately, Miriam might not be able to come to Hogmanay, due to circumstances completely unrelated to either of us. This is rather a blow; I was really looking forward to seeing her, particularly since we won't have a chance to hang out in person again until Alumni Weekend. Things could still work out, but at the moment I am feeling rather gloomy about it.

Step right up, son!
Ride the Crimson-Whistled Gut-Thrumper!
Guaranteed to thrill you, chill you, and spill your lunch!
No ticket needed—just roll out of bed!
It'll find ya!

Comments

[creed-of-hubris.livejournal.com]

I know who the mythological Penemue is. (I used the variant "Penemuel" as a nick myself somewhere or other.)

I don't know who your referent is.

[jere7my.livejournal.com]

Penemue is my iMac.

[creed-of-hubris.livejournal.com]

Ha. Excellent.

That was my favorite entry, leafing through the Encyclopedia of Angels. (Which has actually been a useful reference text a couple times, most notably during Sandman readings and watchings of The Prophecy.)

[foxfour.livejournal.com]

pinewoods. why, my parents have spent some time there. i wonder if you would have run into each other...most curious.

[jere7my.livejournal.com]

That is curious. What are their names? Do you know if they went to Scottish sessions?

[foxfour.livejournal.com]

mair and david, and i don't think they did, but i might be wrong.

[superbacana.livejournal.com]

Will you be describing in more detail what the job entails? Or is even that confidential (beyond the basic description)>

[zorblak.livejournal.com]

(The comedically appropriate number there would have been eleventy-assbunch.)

That is, indeed, rather comical. I laughed out loud reading that sentence, and got some odds looks from coworkers.