College Memories

A nice progression from the last "college memories" post is a post about the class I mentioned last time: Scandinavian Mythology and Folklore. I took the class in the spring term of my sophomore year, 2001. It was taught by my teacher in Norwegian class, Linda. As soon as I heard about it, and learned that Linda would be teaching it, I knew I wanted to take it. She encouraged me to take it, and so I signed up for it when the time came.

The class was held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 P.M.-1:50 P.M. Because my Norwegian class was held from 11:00-11:50 A.M., I had a very short time to each lunch (as detailed in the previous post). So each Tuesday and Thursday I'd come into class with my smoothie, sipping away as Linda talked to us about the day's lesson.

On the first day, our class got a rude surprise. We all gathered room we were first assigned to, only to discover that people from another class were coming in that room too. The room was a bit too big for us anyway, but apparently there was some mix-up in room scheduling. After that, we tried to get assigned to the correct room, only to discover then that on one of the days class was held, our new room was assigned a different class in the last half of our class period!! So on one of the days we has class in the room the entire time, and on the other day we had to move to yet another room for the last half of the class. All of these classrooms were in the same building, by the way. What craziness!!

After we got the room scheduling figured out, we set to the business of learning about Scandinavian myths and folk tales. There were only about 15 people in the class, I'd say. The class was divided into four units, based on which textbook we'd be reading. The first book was about ancient Nordic mythology - Thor, Odin, Ragnarok and all that. It was highly interesting! And the textbook was fun and easy to understand. The second book was about Scandinavian superstitions and folk beliefs. HIGHLY interesting stuff!! Basically, we learned about the little rituals and beliefs that people hundreds of years ago had in the Scandinavian countries. The book for that was very informative.

The third book we read was a little compilation of Nordic ballads and songs. That unit interested me a lot, because some of the modern Scandinavian music I listen to is based on old ballads. I set up a day with Linda where I would bring in some of my Scandinavian CDs and play some of the ballads that have been modernized for my classmates. I even printed out translations of the lyrics for them and gave each student a copy. That was a fun day!! I love sharing my music.

The fourth book was about Norwegian folk tales collected by Asbjornsen and Moe. Three Billy Goats Gruff is one tale you would all recognize. I read Billy Goats Gruff in Norwegian for the class one day, and that was kind of nerve-wracking!

The final project for the class was something that each student could select. We each had to write a paper and present it in some way to the class. I chose to research the Finnish national folk tale known as the "Kalevala." I figured that I'd done so much research on Norwegian things that I ought to give Finland a try too.

I ended up getting an A in the class!! It was a blast, and I'm so very glad I took it.

College Memories

I think I'll start a new thing where I'll tell little stories and recollections about my days in college from 1999 to 2003. This will give me something to blog about as well as provide a break from my nonstop music talk. I might talk about some of my actual academic experiences but, for the most part, these posts will be about the things that happened outside the classroom. Let's face it, that's the kind of stuff that's usually more exciting to talk about.

My first little story is about that favorite college activity: eating. My first three years at the University, the student union (which is a HUGE building) had one restaurant in the food court called Jamba Juice. The place sold lots of delicious fruit smoothies, as well as pizza and a few other things. I'd often eat there for lunch and get two of their BIG slices of pepperoni pizza. Many napkins required!! Sometimes I'd only get one slice. Other times I'd get two cheese slices to go, which only cost me about $4, and take them to my room to eat.

Another favorite was their "Strawberries Wild" smoothie. The ingredients according to jambajuice.com are apple-strawberry juice blend, nonfat frozen yogurt, frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, and ice. Strawberries Wild was SO DAMN DELICIOUS!! It was sweet and full of strawberry goodness, and it made my tastebuds very happy. I rarely drank any other flavor of their smoothies; Strawberries Wild was the one for me.

I was at Jamba Juice so often that one guy who regularly worked there knew me by name! And knew what I'd likely want to order. That came in handy my sophomore year when I took two classes that were only a half hour apart during the lunch hour, Norwegian and Scandinavian Mythology and Folklore. That meant I had to get lunch and haul myself off to class as quick as I could. The second class, Scandinavian Folklore, was a class that I really wanted to take, and it was on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So, every Tuesday and Thursday I would hurry over to the student union, get a Strawberries Wild smoothie, and take it with me to class so I wouldn't be hungry all afternoon. The classroom(s) we were in technically didn't allow food or drink, but I didn't care! I didn't have any time to eat lunch. It was worth the trouble, though, because it was a class I wanted very much to take. I was willing to make sacrifices for a satisfying educational experience.

The dining room that Jamba Juice was located in was VERY nice: Lots of light, coming from these circular light fixtures on the ceiling. Tables all around, and a few booths. It was very open and bright. I don't know why, but I've always enjoyed that dining room.

Last memory about Jamba Juice: One night in my junior year, around 7 or 8, I was sitting in my room studying when I get a call on the phone. It was a Jamba Juice employee, informing me that I had won a pizza!! They called a random number on campus every night and gave that person a free pizza. So I went over and claimed my prize. They were gonna give me a free soda too, but my hands were full from carrying the pizza! So I had to decline. That was a nice evening for sure.

*8/30/04* I forgot to mention that Jamba Juice left the student union before my senior year, so that was the end of the Jamba Juice experience for me!! The restaurant they put in JJ's place also served smoothies, but I never bothered to try any of them because I knew they wouldn't compare to my memories of JJ smoothies. AND the new place did not serve pizza! Oh well, at least I had three good years of smoothies and huge slices of pizza.

I've nothing to talk about lately. Suggestions? Otherwise maybe I'll pick songs to talk about, or something like that. Or perhaps talk about something that isn't music-related for once.

Someone you need to hear

Maria Mena is an 18-year-old Norwegian gal who is starting to take the U.S. and the world by storm. She's a singer-songwriter in the style of Chantal Kreviazuk, Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, and Ani DiFranco. Her voice is fresh and sounds unlike any other in today's music scene. Her lyrics are beautiful, insightful, and personal as would be expected of an artist playing this style of music. Musically, she's backed by semi-heavy guitars as well as softer acoustic sounds. All in all, she's an amazing artist and I highly recommend her debut album "White Turns Blue" with the hit single "You're The Only One."

Yes, I know this sounds like something some P.R. person wrote, but I swear to you these are all my words and thoughts! I just want to share my love of good music.

Wait In The Fire

Today the Legacy Edition of "Grace" by Jeff Buckley was released, and I purchased it for $28.89 at a local record store. It's excellent, for the most part. I don't really see much change in the remastered songs, except maybe a bit more clarity and better mixing of the instruments. As for the bonus disc, I don't think they needed to include two versions of "Dream Brother." But us fans can't exactly choose what we get, because Jeff only left so much behind. So we had better be grateful for what we do have, even if things are repeated.

Another thing about the bonus disc I don't really like is the inclusion of "Kangaroo." Sure it's a good song, and one of the more famous songs that Jeff performed live. However, even though I don't argue with its inclusion, it's not a song that I like very much. The vocals on this version are very soft and hard to hear, and only the first five minutes of the song even have vocals. The rest of the 14 minute song is the band playing the same thing over and over, with freshness coming in from Matt Johnson's drumming. Other than that, it's ten minutes of the same guitar riff over and over. I know it was a good song to see live, but the experience just doesn't translate to CD.

Don't get me wrong: I am VERY happy this package was released, and I'm thankful for any scrap of Jeff we get, good or bad.

Now that I've talked about the NEW "Grace," I'd like to recall the day of my purchase of the first version: Monday, September 9 of 2002. It's a day that will always live in my heart, that's for sure.

Months prior to buying the album, I had heard some songs by Jeff and was very impressed. I decided to buy "Grace" at least when I got back to school, or for Christmas. On September 9, I was at our local store Fred Meyer looking at CDs because I wanted to buy my sister a birthday gift. I picked a selection out for her, and then looked a little for myself. I thought to look and see if they had Jeff Buckley available, and to my delight they did! "Grace" was only $10.99, and I decided right then to buy it for myself that day.

I bought it, but I didn't get to listen to it until later that day because I was going clothes shopping after my CD shopping. I went shopping, and came back home. When I got home, I sat down and put "Grace" in the CD player and started listening to this amazing album. After the first couple songs, my sister wanted me to go to the store for something, so I took the CD player and "Grace" along and listened to the next few songs on my way there and back. When I got home, I finished listening to the rest of the album, and was blown away by how incredible it was. Over the next few weeks, "Grace" was in my CD player and in my head nearly all the time. I was officially a Jeff Buckley fan.

Not much to say lately. As I said below, I'm going to pick up the new Jeff Buckley CD next week. I'm also expecting a package from a friend. She's so cool to send me stuff! In other news, my blog is nearing its two year birthday. If I can remember, I'll do a celebration post when that time comes.

I've added a dedication for my blog, one that is long overdue. "Welcome to the Pond" is now dedicated to the memory of Ty Eppley who I knew in High School. He died of Hepatitis C in 2002 and many people miss him a lot. I found out about that website yesterday, so that's mainly why I chose to do this now. Rest in peace, Ty.

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but I'm going to talk more about Jeff Buckley whether you like it or not.

The expanded re-release of Jeff's debut and only full album, "Grace," is arriving on Tuesday and I am very excited indeed. Included in the package is the original, remastered "Grace" album; a bonus disc of mostly-unreleased material from the cutting room floor of the "Grace" sessions along with some live material; and a DVD including all of Jeff's music videos, a new video for "Forget Her" (a song that was left off "Grace" but is now being released on the bonus disc) and an expanded version of the Grace Electronic Press Kit with new interviews and unreleased footage.

I can't wait to buy the new "Grace" and see and hear even more of Jeff. Whether he would want all of this material released is a pertinent question, but as it is this is what we have of the man. I'm sure Jeff would approve if the release of these songs and images brings his fans happiness, and I'm sure the fans will be happy. I think that's what matters, that and keeping Jeff's memory and legacy alive.

My Favorite Jeff Buckley Songs

If you're a regular reader, you know that one of my biggest musical heroes is the late singer-songwriter-rocker Jeff Buckley. I've decided to list my favorite songs of his (so far anyway) and why I like them so much.


- Grace (from Grace)
This is very much a rock anthem for Jeff, a dramatic song about not fearing death and holding on to love. The guitar parts in the introduction are quite catchy, and Jeff's voice gets a workout. His big scream near the end is probably one of my favorite Jeff Buckley moments of all time.

- Last Goodbye (from Grace)
The rocking, emotional breakup song that came after Grace is another of my favorite songs. This is the second Jeff song I had ever heard, and I loved it from the start. Again, the guitar intro is catchy and maybe even more famous than "Grace." It's something that, if you've heard it before, you know you've heard it the second it hits your ears. Jeff's vocals are tender and vulnerable through the first couple verses, then he sings with more and more conviction until the end of the song when everything comes to a high. It's the kind of song that builds and builds, the kind of song that Jeff wrote quite a lot.

- Hallelujah (from Grace)
This is the first Jeff Buckley song that I've ever heard. It's one of his more famous songs, and he didn't even write it. He made the song his own by singing it better than anyone else so far. It's a gorgeous song with thoughtful lyrics beautifully sung by Jeff's soulful voice. What else do you need to know?

- Lover, You Should Have Come Over (from Grace)
Another love song that builds, but this time Jeff sings with a little more emotion. You can feel the pain in his voice as he talks about the love he might have lost. But, as Jeff sings in the dramatic, uplifting part of the song, "It's never over." This song often brings a tear to my eye, because it's so full of love, pain, and power.

- Morning Theft (from Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk)
This is just a beautiful song. Jeff's voice gets more and more soulful and heart-gripping as the song goes on. Somehow he had the gift of using the sound of his voice alone to put emotions in his listeners' hearts and minds.

- Vancouver (from Sketches . . .)
A powerful, rocking love anthem. Both the guitar and Jeff's vocals aim for the sky and never stop for the entire song. Unlike some of his other songs, this one maintains the energy the whole way through. Except for the end when Jeff brings it up ANOTHER notch. Catchy, powerful, dramatic, energetic and fun to sing along to, this could easily have been a single if Jeff had finished his second album.

- You & I (from Sketches . . .)
Except for maybe a keyboard, this is all Jeff and his voice. With the studio echo effect, his voice has a haunting, eerie quality. I think this is one of his finest singing moments because of his talent and simplicity.

- I Know We Could Be So Happy Baby (if we wanted to be) (from Sketches . . .)
This was presented on Sketches as a 4-track demo that Jeff never lived to complete. It's rough, but I definitely see the potential. It has a wonderful contrast between his low-key vocals on the verses and his power on the choruses. I imagine this song with a loud, singable chorus. This would be a pick by me for a single if the song were ever finished.

- Back in NYC (from Sketches . . .)
This is a cover of a Genesis song (which I've never heard before). The lyrics are kind of silly, but Jeff's powerful voice makes them sound good.

-Jewel Box (from Sketches. . . )
Another gorgeous song by Jeff. This time it's not quite a "ballad" type song as it is a low key rocker with beautiful vocals. It's very simple, but yet still emotional.

-Night Flight (from Live at Sin-e Legacy Edition)
This is Jeff's cover of a Led Zeppelin song. Led Zep was a big influence for Jeff and it shows. His guitar is very folky and happy, and his vocals are, as usual, awesome. I especially like the little scream he lets out at the end. No one could scream like Jeff Buckley.

-Dink's Song (from Live at Sin-e LE)
Jeff's cover of a traditional folk/blues song. Did I mention Jeff knows how to build up a song to a dramatic conclusion? He does that VERY well on this song! He starts with some blues-y guitar and then goes into the start of the song with quiet vocals and a lovely little guitar riff that he repeats through the whole song. Usually something being repeated would be boring, but not with Jeff. His vocals get louder and louder and more dramatic and emotional as the song builds, until the end when he's virtually crying the lyrics and screaming in agony, pleasure or both. After the song is done, I never fail to say "What the HELL just happened?" because the experience was so powerful.

- The Way Young Lovers Do (from Live at Sin-e LE)
Jeff's cover of the Van Morrison song is long, energetic, jazzy and full of soul. The guitar here is my favorite part, but his vocals are good too. He does some jazzy scatting in the middle of the song, and it's very cool. And you have to love his drawn out, high pitched "dooooooooooo" at the end of the song.

-Sweet Thing (from Live at Sin-e LE)
Another cover of Van Morrison. Another excellent performance by Jeff. Here he goes for beauty instead of just power. The middle of the song has Jeff singing very quietly and beautifully, until he brings the song to a close by singing louder and louder and bringing the emotional level back up to a high. This is one of the most gorgeous performances I've heard from Jeff, and I love it.

-What Will You Say (from Live in Chicago DVD)
I don't think Jeff ever recorded this song, and it's a pity because it's so powerful. The lyrics are sharp and quite sad and introspective. I don't believe Jeff wrote this song, but it mentions fathers and mothers so I'm sure it had a personal connection for him. His vocals were SUPERB in this performance, and he screams and cries his heart out. Just an all-out vocal ASSAULT the likes of which the world may never see again.


Those are my favorites so far. I left out MANY deserving songs (especially from Sketches), but I can't put them all on here. But each of these songs has a place in my heart for various reasons, the most important of which is they each sound great!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!

The Afro Celts have FINALLY put their official website at afrocelts.com back online!! It already looks awesome and I'm sure they'll put a lot of content on there in the months to come. I just hope they KEEP it online this time!

In other news, I have a new post at my poetry site!

Uff Da!

I went back to the Scandinavian Festival today with a friend, his brother, and my sister. We had some good times watching the various dancing groups and looking at all the cool crafts and art. I also had a LOT of good food including some YUMMY cod fish and chips, a strawberry lemonade smoothie, and two pieces of lefse!! Lefse is the Norwegian potato version of a tortilla for those of you who don't know (and that's probably most of you).

Grammar Police!! Spread 'em!!

It's not that I'm trying to be anal about anything, but I thought I would help you all out today with a little grammar lesson. There's a problem I see FAR too often from writers who appear to be excellent in almost every other aspect of the English language except this one. The problem is this:

If you are describing something you can COUNT, like apples, pencils, or dogs, for example, you use the word FEWER.

Fewer apples, fewer pencils, fewer dogs.

If you are describing something in amounts, like sugar or water, or something that is not in a plural form, like sandpaper, you use the word LESS.

Less sugar, less water, less sandpaper.

But if you're describing how many SHEETS of sandpaper you need, you say you need FEWER sheets of sandpaper because you can count how many sheets you need. If you're saying you need a different amount of sandpaper but not a specific number of sheets, you say you need LESS sandpaper.

I suppose an easy way to remember these rules is to consider whether you're describing something in a plural form.

I hope I've informed you all today, and hopefully I haven't confused you. I just wanted to clear that up because I see less and fewer misused more than they need to be.

REALLY exciting news!!

Today I found out some GREAT music news for me, and hopefully for you as well. Beausoleil, the innovative, popular, critically-acclaimed cajun music band, is a favorite group of mine. They will be releasing a BRAND NEW studio album called "Gitane Cajun" on September 14!! This is their first studio album since their 1999 smash hit "Cajunization" and their first non-compilation album since their live album released in 2001. It has been a LONG few years since they released any new material, and I was getting antsy for them to do so. Now my wishes are going to come true, and we'll get something new to listen and dance to in just ONE month!!

Links:
Gitane Cajun Press Release
Gitane Cajun story

Today I went out to the Scandinavian Festival, and had a blast! I ate lots of Danish pancake-balls known as "aebleskivers," drank a lot of water because it was HOT outside, and bought some things for a friend of mine. I also looked at many of the crafts for sale, and the artwork on display. I'm gonna go back this weekend and get some more food! There's so much food at the festival that one does not even KNOW where to begin eating!

No jury duty for me!!! I called the number we were supposed to call, and they did not ask for my number. So I don't have to do a thing. I'm rather relieved, and will try my best to enjoy this week. I certainly will enjoy this weekend, because the Scandinavian Festival is coming!!

Ch-Ch-Changes

Take a look at the sidebar on the left, scroll down, and you'll notice that I have added a brand new link section. It's called "Cool/funny sites" and it's for me to post cool or funny random links to sites that I think are worth checking out.

I've also added a few new blogs to my list of blogs I like.

Enjoy!!

He was Rick James, bitch

R.I.P. Rick James. The biggest superfreak of them all.

In other news, I saw "The Bourne Supremacy" today. It's just as good as the first one, with a few little exceptions that I will not go into so that I don't give away any spoilers.

Well folks, I don't really have much to talk about lately. There is a new poem on the poem blog though, so you might wanna go check that out.

In other news, I'm not really looking forward to the possibility of jury duty next week.

My dad recently bought a new fishing boat, so we headed out to the lake yesterday and took it for a few spins. It's very nice, with cushy seats, two motors, and a steering wheel. It can go FAST and can make some pretty tight turns. Other than that, we swam a bit with the dogs. We stayed for a few hours and then headed back home for a steak dinner.

That's all the news for now, so I hope everyone has a good week.