a day in the life of piano monkey

today i ordered new glasses for dad.  he's been rather fond of the idea of paying the absolute minimum (as i have done) for the new glasses and finally, the other day, he was on the phone, eager to yell out those random numbers to me.  funny thing is that i think because he's seen both ends of internet glasses: success (i had three pairs that fitted me well) vs. fail (my bro's glasses were a slight misfit, somehow), as soon as he's been to the optometrist, he just had to see how it will turn out. well, little does he know. mom's been nudging, blackmailing, pleading, asking and appealing to me for weeks to get dad's glasses- with a catch: get him a stylish new one!  it has been somewhat traditional for koreans to spend quite a bit of money on appearance-related things, such as clothes, shoes, glasses, etc.  there are girls who eat package ramen noodles to save up for a designer bags.  ladies who spends dollars and more dollars on cosmetic procedures and 'co

last couple weeks were some spectacular blur of things. i dont think i have eaten so many notes in a given time period- and i am somewhat glad for it, as i now have a better method of approaching speed-learning.  most performances had some good things to it, and of course, i look forward playing these pieces again- hindemith, strauss, jolivet, martinu, you name it.  some days began as early as 8am at the work bench and often i left while the custodians were having their 'lunch' break- near midnight. by the end, the stage didnt really bother me most of the time nor the microphones.  weirdly enough, the practice/rehearsals were more demanding and draining; i suppose that's the 'right' way to prep- to do the hard works so that one can actually perform.  i did drop many notes, enough to probably build gaudi-style tower of 'spontaneous misinterpretation.' ah well, at least it would be entertaining. and just like sangra familia, it'll go on, for days and week

for years and years, ive been in the kitchen, making and sharing food.  we used to throw a huge party for everyone in nebraska.  somehow, there always was enough food to feed anywhere from two to crowd of fifty.  if i have an hour, i can whip something out decent.  if i have fifteen minute, i can still whip something out decent.  from the empty fridge, i would raid the cupboard to make a dinner, out of 'nothing.'  i would dig things out from friends' fridge, in the depth of 'ooh i dont really know what that is-' into a nice post-drinking nosh.  i will take leap of faith with spices and turn things around to 'mysterious' to 'tasty.' and people asked many times- where did i learn to cook?  well, some knew that i worked at a kitchen- starting from veg prep to the hot fires of the dinner service kitchen.  many know that i like good food and likes to hunt down things in old and new places.  in my heart, however, i know where i have learn it- my mother&#

funny coincidence today.  it's mother's day in canada/us.  and it's also parents day back in korea.  traditionally, every year, as elementary school student, we would make paper flowers (eventually graduating to make small carnation thingies that never stayed on anyone's collar) and write letter to take home, to thank our parents.  most of the time, these letters contained heart-felt points that were expressed in a rather limited sentences.  whenever i think about what we mustve wrote on the letters, it makes me smile: line 1: mom/dad, happy parents day line 2: thanks for giving birth to me line 3: im sorry that (whatever you get yelled for) line 4: i will be better line 5: thank you line 6: i love you line 7: (sign) of course, all these letters were inspected by the teachers (so private eh).  many letters would be decorated with paper folds, pictures and failed attempts of some sorts of flowers.  and with hands sticky with glue, we would bring them home, prou

ive been wanting to write for a bit now- blog, letters, emails, postcards... but it's been a busy whirlwind, ever since i got back from reading week. and hasnt finished yet.  in fact, when one thing is done, i think at least one more thing pops up. but it's good to be busy- financially but also personally. because it is hard to pin down where i actually physically am at (uk? canada?), most of the works that i get to do are either difficult repertoire that people tend to run away from or the last-minute rescue operations.  talking to many of my friends in the business, apparently my fees are too low for what i provide; i am hoping that at some point (may be it could be closer than i think?!)  i can find the balance of quality of work - quantity of work - self/partner satisfaction.  a balance: everyone talks of the balance and we all wish that we have it. whenever i take a good look at my friends who i admire professionally (as there also are a few who i think could do bet