What Is Going On?

I don't know what's up with the Twins. I really don't. I know this, they better play better in Oakland, or they are done. And after such an amazing season, it would be really depressing for them to exit the playoffs in 3 games. So Brad, tape your arm on for one more start, and give it your all. God knows you've already pitched with more heart this season than most people use in their whole lifetime. And all those guys on the team who supposedly score runs and play solid defense, it would be really nice if you could start doing that again. Mauer, get a couple hits, Morneau, get some RBI's, Torii, do some more of that 10 home runs in 15 games business. Win three for Kirby. I'd really appreciate it, and I'm sure he would as well. I've definitely worn my Twins hat constantly for 2 days, and used my Twins credit card both days. I'm not going to use it the next few, in an effort to reduce any sort of hex it may have put on them.

In English news, two days of class have passed. Tomorrow Rise of the West is on deck, then nothing. I have to finish this essay for Paideia capstone, but then I'm going to check out the Goose Fair at night. It's basically the Dakota County Fair, on a smaller scale. Same rickety rides, same greasy food stands, same big fuzzy stuffed animal prizes. Also featuring such fun filled activities as an American rifle range, complete with Confederate flags and "The South Will Rise Again" slogans. I went to the first brass ensemble rehearsal tonight. It went well. All the music is in B flat treble clef, so that will present some transposition challenges I'm sure, but it went fine tonight. We played Jurassic Park as arranged for brass band. The conductor is a 3rd year student, who actually is studying history. Her name is Chloe, she plays trumpet, and she is absolutely gorgeous. Also has a boyfriend, natch. Afterwards, we went to the on-campus bar for a little social. I met some guy named Chris who is finishing up his Ph.D in chemistry, and plays bass trombone. For Luther people, he's a lot like Luke (trombone playing Luke) in the fact that he has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the world's orchestral trombone players. So we talked for quite a while about the different musical emphasis in American and England, be it orchestra, jazz, brass band, etc. We also discussed bass vs. tenor trombone, and in honor of Dr. Smith, we did talk about Shires trombones. He was a good player too, really good. I found a wind instrument music store today, and checked it out. I ended up buying a solo called "A Life in the Day of a Trombone." I'll post a photo soon. I also ordered a book of orchestral excerpts. In the process, I saw a notice that the Nottingham Symphonic Winds (a Medalist band-esque type group) is in need of trombone players. So I e-mailed the lady questioning about auditioning and what times the rehearsals are. If it works out, I might give that a go. A lot of Luther people had socials for their respective groups tonight. Brandon went out for crew (rowing), Mary, who made the first line basketball team, had a basketball social, and Kevin and Hilary did a cross country thing. I didn't have anything save the short brass ensemble thing. So later on, Ryan, Anna, and I hit up this local pub called The Lion that came highly recommended by some of the neighbors. I have to say, it was very very nice. I probably had the most fantastic ale up to this point. Just a really great atmosphere. Plus, they have live music on the weekends, and Sunday afternoon is always jazz. Thursday night apparently is open mic, so there might be a chance of some jazz trombone/piano showing up during the course of the year (provided sufficient improvement is made in soloing). After that, we took the tram downtown and went to McDonald's (first time in England). It was mostly the same, but the ketchup on the burgers was definitely sweeter. But in general, the same. It was kind of refreshing to have french fries actually referred to as fries, and not chips. We're going to north Wales this weekend. I'm going to miss my first softball practice, which is quite unfortunate. I'm really looking forwards to playing. Like, a lot. I haven't played baseball for such a long time, it only seems natural that I play the game I love so much. I know, it's softball, not baseball, but whatever. You get the idea. I'm psyched. Smelling those RBI's. Next Wednesday is the first softball social, and they supposedly have a reputation for partying harder than they play, so it should be fun.