Dr. Lazenby, Recruiter Extraordinaire

Today was Teaching Fellows recruitment day here at Appalachian State. I had to get up earlier today then I do for school, 6 AM! It was ridiculous. Of course, we had to dress professional, so that meant my long black suit with dark gold shirt and black tie. I must say, I did look rather well in it....

The day however, was so long. It seemed to last forever, all the sessions and the meetings and constantly answering questions. I did however manage to excite most all the potential recruits into making App their first choice. Yes, maybe I am just that good...

I got back to the LLC around 3 in the afternoon, but my day was by far unfinished. I actually ended up giving tours of the LLC to three bus loads of people. I did get to see my room next year though. It's going to be so cool!! You will just have to come visit!

After all the tours were over, I've developed a mean headache. It just won't go away! I've napped and taken Tyelnol and Sudafed, and everything. Now my neighbors are in very good "spirits", and they are singing along with their favorite songs. That's really good for my head. My roommate isn't here, so I'm by myself, which seems to be a trend. There's some good comedy specials coming on though, so I'll see you all later. I'm going to try to get some sleep.

May God keep you this and every night.

Love is the best medicine, and there is more than enough to go around once you open your heart.

8 days until Valentine's Day...Where oh where is my Valentine?

Maybe I Am The Phantom of Appalachian

Actually, today wasn't as grim as the title makes it sound. When your 8 AM class is held in Trivette Hall so you can eat breakfast, you know the day is going to be good! In psychology, we didn't do much of anything. English was a breeze, and I even found out that it won't meet at all next week. Score!

Performance seminar was actually fun for once, since I got to be a stage hand. Global Perspectives was great since I got to play an excerpt from one of my CD's. Then my day was over. It was back to the room for rest and relaxation.

Around 5 PM, I went with Jon into the big town we call Boone. We went to Staples and then ate at Wendy's. It was nice to get out of the room for a change and see the outside world. When I went to check for mail, I found that I had gotten a lot. I love getting mail!

Now, as far as the title is concerned...
Today I was in a practice room. Part of the PMA pledging process happens to be dressing up on Fridays. So I'm sitting playing the piano in my suit, tie, and long overcoat. I was playing selections from Phantom of the Opera. Another student walking by actually stopped and said that I could be the Phantom of Appalachian. I actually like the idea.

Maybe I am the Phantom of Appalachian. Maybe I am a disfigured man, hiding behind his music. Maybe I am forced to watch his beautiful Christine fall for other heroes that come along. Maybe I am a mysterious musician who comes across as very charming, but underneath he's just a gentle, shy guy. Maybe...

But maybe I'm actually the hero. Maybe I'm the knight on the white horse who comes to his beautiful Christine's aid, defeating the Phantom and freeing Christine from his evil grasp. Maybe I'm the tall, handsome, dashing figure who is a true gentleman. Maybe I'm the hero, the true romantic.

Maybe I'm both....

What do you think? Phantom or Hero? Dark or Light? I'm dying to find out what you think. Leave me a comment and let me know....

May God keep you this and every night.

"Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition."
~Alexander Smith

The Weekend Ahead

Today really was a good day!

It started out well, and just kept getting better. All my classes went wonderful. My lesson had even been cancelled. So, my day was pretty free. Orchestra actually went by fairly quickly. We read "Romeo and Juliet" Symphonic Suite. It got me feeling all romantic. Too bad there's no one to shower those feelings on....

Then at seven I had to attend the housing lottery. Now, the outcome of this evening would determine where I would be living next year. Would I be staying in my current castle, the LLC? Or would I be forced to live down in the village?

Well, it looks like I'll be a prince for another year. I got a room here in the LLC! My own personal room!! I'm really excited about it, in case you can't tell. I'll be rooming with Jon, that should be fun. After the lottery, I had a nice practice with Perfect Octave, the newest men's barbershop group on campus. That's the group Jon started. No, I'm not singing, but I am playing the piano for them. Apparantly, I'm also their agent. You should check out their website.

After practice, I was able to see the full hour of Who's Line. I love watching it, it's does me and my heart good to laugh. So after what started out as a pretty dull/bad week, things are looking up. Maybe the end of the week will turn out good after all.

May God keep you this and every night.

Love is friendship set on fire
~Jeremy Irons

The Rollercoaster We Call Life

It's funny how the beginning of the week can start out rough, and then things start looking up. Monday and Tuesday were not very good days. They weren't very good days at all. Then I woke up today, and it just felt different.

I was worried I was going to be late again, but it seemed that time stood still while I got ready. So, I made it in plenty of time to my first class. Then the rest of my classes went by really fast. I got to horn studio to find out it had been cancelled. Then, I found out that my lesson tomorrow would be cancelled as well. Yeah!

One of the last things I had today was a sightsinging test. Now I don't like sightsinging, never have, and I doubt I ever will. It turns out though, that I made a 95 on it! I had a meeting with the Teaching Fellows, which I always enjoy.

Then I got back to the room and got to see the State of the Union address, and even caught a full hour of Who's Line is it Anyway. Then of course it was Leno and Conan. So tonight was a good television night.

I also spent a good long time talking to my favorite ECU girl. It's nice to have someone out there who really cares.

I guess what I got out of the day was that life can be like a rollercoaster. Up and down, up and down. So if your down, don't worry, you'll be up again soon enough. Oh and always remember to keep your hands and arms inside the car at all times. Thanks, and always enjoy your ride!

May God keep you this and every night.

"Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker."

Countdown to St Valentine's Day..12 days. And still no Valentine! Any takers?

A Countdown To Valentine's Day

Well, if you needed reminding, today was Tuesday. Better than Monday, but not quite as good as Friday. For starters, I was almost late to my 8 AM class this morning. Fortunately, I put some speed on it and made it in just before the professor started.

In my 10 AM class, I actually did decent on my cello skills test. That's right, I am learning to play the cello. I'm sure that's going to get all the ladies lining up...

At 11 I ate lunch with Jonathan. I actually had human companionship at lunch for once. Normally, a typical lunch involves take out and watching the Price is Right. Finally, I got to the one class I actually look forward to on Tuesday, Jazz Piano. I must say, I am catching on quick, and I think Todd Wright is pleased with my performance. I'll probably be in a Jazz band in the fall.

One of my biggest frustrations of the day was Symphony Orchestra. I got to go in late, and found out that Professor Anderson wasn't here today. Dr. Gora would be leading the rehearsal. We only played one of the pieces I play on, and all I have in the one we actually played was 12 notes. I wasted a perfectly decent afternoon for 12 stinking notes! Notes that weren't even important!

Then again, I actually had human companionship at dinner as well. Jon and I went to Trivette and I had some delicious Caesar chicken with rice. After that, I went to a concert that although very good, was very long.

Then I came up to the room and began talking to people, reaching out, trying to break my solitude. I tell you, another frustrating feeling is trying to explain your feelings to someone. It drives me crazy! As you must know, Valentine's Day is coming up. Before now, I've never had a reason to celebrate this holiday. As of the time I am writing this, I still have no reason to celebrate this holiday. I really hope that changes before the 14th.

Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go put on my mask and play my organ (metaphorically of course). The Phantom of Appalachian is feeling very sad and lonely.

May God keep you this and every night.

"Come, here am I, still holding out my hand. All I have to give is all of myself, and my all of my love. My hand is outstretched, who will take it and walk with me?"
~ Jeffrey Lazenby

Mondays Will Be Mondays..Until They Become Tuesdays

Today it was painfully obvious that it was Monday. It just felt like a Monday. I started off by going to my 8 AM class, and getting back a quiz that I didn't do so hot on. Unfortunately the rest of the day followed the same pattern.

My 9 AM class went by really without anything really great or bad happening. In my 10 AM psychology class, I was given a heavily involved, semester long project to do. La de freakin' da....

I didn't get a very good lunch like I usually do. All I got was cereal and ice cream. Not very satisfying. I was late for my noon English class. Fortunately, my professor likes me, so she didn't care. I ended up writing a somewhat disturbing short mystery, now everyone in there probably thinks I'm nuts.

My 2 PM class came and went without much fanfare. My makeup lesson today actually went ok. When I arrived back at my room, I had a huge headache. I was miserable! I tried everything. A hot shower, heavy duty tylenol, heated rice pack, naps, everything. Nothing worked! I had two meetings to go to tonight. One at 7 and one at 9:30.

I still had my headache for my 7 o'clock meeting, but it had eased off some for my 9:30 meeting. Both were fairly boring, and I would have just rather been asleep. I guess people just can't get enough of Dr. Jeffrey Lazenby...yeah, I wish.

If I found anything inspirational today, it was this. Monday will always be Monday, until it becomes Tuesday. If your ever having a bad day, always remember that tomorrow could be a great day. Monday can only last 24 hours..I'm sure we can all tough it out.

May God keep you this and every night.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
~ Helen Keller

The Phantom of Appalachian

So over the weekend I went to see The Phantom of the Opera. It was outstanding! I really managed to identify with the character of the Phantom.

Here is a man who is musically talented, charismatic, romantic, and mysterious. Yet, he sees himself as a monster that could never be loved. Therefore he is forced to love from afar, watching his beautiful love fall for someone else.

Yet, his genius is driven to madness, and he truly becomes the monster he believes he is. Let's hope that doesn't happen to me.

The song I have chosen to share is part All I Ask Of You

No more talk of darkness; Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you -- my words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you...
Say you love me every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime...
Say you need me with you, now and always...
promise me that all you say is true --
Love me, that's all I ask of you...

May God keep you this and every night....

Come, take my hand, and I shall be your angel. Your sweet angel of music....
~Jeffrey Lazenby