Sliding

It was another rainy, cloudy, altogether depressing British day today. Which typically means only one thing: we'll practice sliding in baseball. Lo and behold, we did in fact. I ended up soaked to the bone and covered from head to toe in mud. My socks actually turned brown. Once again, it was established that I am in no way a threat to steal. I think all 5 or so people who braved the rain to show up had a good laugh at my lame attempts to slide, which typically include some weird hesitance, followed immediately by a sprawling, out of control, glorified fall. I laughed myself, it must be a ridiculous sight. It's been good though, as the last few days we've had some coaches come in to help. One guy, who was there Monday and today is a local guy who coaches Little League. I smugly looked down upon his Braves jacket in my Twins hat. He had tried to show me some hitting tips on Monday, but I seem stuck in a slump of swinging half assedly and 2 seconds too late. I'm sure I'll break out. Monday, the British national team coach was there too. He was an American, natch. Surprisingly enough, he actually lived in St. Paul for 3 years, and coached in Apple Valley. It's a small world. I was instantly recognizable thanks to the ever present Twins hat and in this case, "Twins Territory" t-shirt courtesty of Chase credit cards. But baseball's going good overall. I had a very good (trombone) practice session tonight. I don't know if I'd say productive necessarily, but definitely enjoyable. I spent quite a bit of time listening to "Cry Me a River" performed by J.J. Johnson, then trying to play the same stuff back by ear. Being an ear training idiot, it took me a long time. But after about 20 minutes, I could play the first couple lines of the song, and I was quite pleased with myself. I'm also working on the 3rd movement of the Larsson concertino, which is full of ridiculous double tonguing, and have been trying to work out the first page. I made improvement, I think, which is always good. I didn't go to brass ensemble tonight because I have a fairly large essay due tomorrow for Islam (50% of the grade). So, I wanted to finish that up, and I did get in around an hour and a half of practice, which was good. The paper is currently finished, but it needs a good reading through and tinkering with. It's really hard to consciously perform to your best when you feel like so little is expected of you. Academically, I feel as if this year is a cakewalk compared to Luther, but I'll probably get a bit of a wake up call after this semester is over. Hopefully not. It's not as if my essay is bad or anything. Anyways, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. And as one of my fellow Luther people put it, it's a challenge celebrating Thanksgiving in the land of historical American oppression, where no one cares about the holiday, there are no parades, work and school goes on, and there is no football. I'll probably go to my history lecture, but in order to more fully celebrate, I did cancel my trombone lesson. Quite a different experience, to be sure. We of course are holding a big dinner/American party in the flat. Unfortunately, I will probably have to cut out early to go to band, but such is life I guess. Immediately upon arrival back at the flat tomorrow night, I'm watching Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. But make no mistake, Thanksgiving is better at home by far. Can't even compare. It's an item I should put on my list of "American stuff I should appreciate more," which also includes Taco Bell, stores open later than 6, Rainbow Six 3 with Corey, that one huge practice room near Dr. Smith's office, and a host of other things. I think (well, I know) pretty much everyone in the flat is going through some homesickness, especially with the holiday, and I'm no exception. It'll be nice to have the break coming up, where we can get out and I can see my mom as well as one of my best friends. Following is the trip to Vienna to catch a couple Luther folk, which is going to be great. So anyways, wish me luck with the Islam paper, and hope everyone else has a great Thanksgiving. Wait, hold on, I forgot something. This should be common knowledge by now, but every reader should be aware that the Minnesota Twins are currently in possession of the AL Cy Young, the AL batting champ, and the AL MVP. Although my joy is ecstatic, how did we get swept in 3 games? I know, I'll be in the country next year. All will be set right again. Quick shout out to the Luther Trombone Choir, who I'm sure played exquisitely at the IMEA conference in Ames last weekend. Good job those of you who are competent, you know who you are. Later folks.