NaBloPoMo (Day 1)

OK, this was totally stolen from Lisa (who may be the only remaining reader of this blog). It will get me writing more here, and I am starting a day late (figures - but it's me, so deal). In her honor, I'll use the same starting points:

Day 01 - Introduce yourself
Day 02 – Your first love
Day 03 – Your parents
Day 04 – Your music
Day 05 – Your definition of love
Day 06 – Your hobbies
Day 07 – Your best friend
Day 08 – A precious item
Day 09 – Your beliefs
Day 10 – An inspiration
Day 11 – Your siblings
Day 12 – What’s in your bag
Day 13 – Your mode of transportation
Day 14 – Where you live
Day 15 – Something you love about yourself
Day 16 – Your first kiss
Day 17 – Your favourite memory
Day 18 – Your favourite birthday
Day 19 – Something you regret
Day 20 – Your morning routine
Day 21 – Your job and/or schooling
Day 22 – Something that upsets you
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better
Day 24 – Something that makes you cry
Day 25 – Your sleeping habits
Day 26 – Your fears
Day 27 – Your favourite place
Day 28 – Something that you miss
Day 29 – Your favourite foods/drinks
Day 30 – Your aspirations

So, here's Day 1 - Introducing myself

Well, let's see. My name is John, and I am 30 years old (31 on Thursday!) I've been married to O for 8 years 4 months and we've been together for 11 years. I was born in Tucson, AZ but moved to Utica, NY when I was 8 years old so I really count myself as a Yankee. I currently live in Denton, TX; I moved here 8 years ago (the month after my wedding, to be exact) to start graduate school at the University of North Texas in music. After 3 years, I graduated with a Master's degree in Orchestral Conducting - and decided to stay for my Doctoral degree (in the same discipline). So, in 2008 - I left school for the final time with my third degree (which most of my undergrad professors probably thought I'd never get) and have since been primarily freelancing around the North Texas area as a musician. 99% of thee gigs I've gotten have actually been as a music director for various theatres - for the longest time I worked primarily with a group in Denton, but recently I've been branching out to other communities. I mostly enjoy the work, but my true love is really classical music, and I've been looking for either a professional posting or a university job. Its been frustrating (sometimes VERY frustrating), but I have faith its a matter of when, not if.

Other than music, I love to read - I have a special passion for Star Wars novels (I know - GEEK) but will also read almost anything that interests me; some of my favorite non-SW authors are Jasper Fforde, Max Brooks, JRR Tolkien, Douglas Adams, and Bill Bryson - but, again, I will read almost anything. On the movie front - I love sci fi and I LOVE horror (as long as it isn't gratuitous gore for the sake of gore). Music? Well, I listen to mostly classical and musical theatre - but also have the entire Queen discography on my iPod as well as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Genesis, Van Halen, some old school Walter Murphy (5th of Beethoven fame).

When I'm not working a show (hahahahaha, well - in theory) - O and I try and get outdoors. We're both avid scuba divers and have been certified up to the Rescue Diver certification. We've dived lakes in Texas, Arkansas, and Maine and have dove the islands around Bimini in the Bahamas. In the next year or so, we hope to head to Florida to dive the Keys and to South Carolina to possibly do some wreck diving.

At home, we have a cat and 3 red eared slider turtles. The cat (named Bella) is truly the queen of the household and she graciously allows us to exist in her domain. Luckily for me, she likes me because I'm a snuggly person (at least, I hope that's why - and that she's not trying to kill me in my sleep).

I'm a bit of a talker when around close friends, but can get quite introverted around people I don't know. That being said - I don't really like discussing religion and politics. So here's all I say about them:

Religion - I am a believer. I have issues with the church and as such am not a practitioner per se (I don't go to services and such) but I believe. That's all I'll say there.

Politics - Growing up, I was a staunch Democrat (which was quite easy, growing up in a fairly liberal part of upstate NY). I don't know if age has mellowed me or not, but I find myself being a bit more of a fiscal conservative but a social liberal. In the end, I guess I'm the quintessential soccer mom - I sit right in the center generally. I passionately support equal rights for all. I believe in pro-choice but think there's an important distinction between what people think that term means and what it really means. In general, I think the government is too big but I also (some would say naively) think that it has our best interest in heart. I think the idea of states' rights is a bit absurd in the modern age, and that provincialism is a major threat to our national identity.


In general, I'm an outgoing guy - at least I try to be. A little bit of a pessimist, but I am trying to work on that. I consider myself a foodie, but need to learn how to cook a bit better before I really try and claim that too publicly. I love a good wine or brew (in moderation, naturally). I love taking photos with my iPhone as well as my trusty digital camera. I am madly in love with my wife.

That's all for now, at least until Day 2.