4-5k?

No, not new versions of the jc3k (there is only one).

If i were to guess, I'd say that I've copied about about 4,000 to 5,000 mck pages since December 2002. I've been in his faithful employ since then and I have to say that I've just about had my fill of it. Today I finished note entry on his Clarinet Symphony Concerto (yes, you read that correctly). As with other pieces, it is over written, poorly orchestrated, and overall a waste of my time. But, there is a reason as to why I do it and so I do it.

The one thing I do like about copying is that it is mindless work. I find that I am quite focused on the tunes I queue up in iTunes and listen to while copying. In fact, I seem to listen most intently when I am not. Let me rephrase that - I tend to listen without bias if I am doing more passive listening. This seems to be a good way for me to slip into a piece of music. Pieces I listened to today that I don't know too well:

Feldman, Rothko Chapel
Copland, Piano Variations
Harrison, Piano Concerto

I sort of know the II. Stampede movement of the Harrison. It is quite balls out in a Northern -California-hippie-smokes-too-much-dope-and-loves-Eastern-stuff kind of way. The Copland is a piece that seemed to always be on the i500 list at ol' IU. I only know the "theme" because it is a one of those classic pitch-class set themes. As for the Feldman, this was the most fun to listen to. It is quite rainy today and the ambient sound of the rain mixed with the keystrokes of the computer and Rothko made for a neat listening experience. I ended up queuing this one up a few times and thought "this would be nice to listen to while getting a massage." Of course I've never had a professional massage but maybe if I do I'll bring this in. It surely would beat the shit that one normally associates with massage (synth pads, water drop samples, pan flute virtuosity).

A larger problem with the listening is that I am restricted right now to what I've got on hand in my iTunes or CD collection. It has been forever since I regularly bought CDs. I did take advantage of the going-out-of-business sale at Tower Records but besides that I've been very lazy about seeking out new music and recordings.

What else...

I made a Don King/Chris Rock Mii last night! It is a pretty cool looking Mii, I must admit. He's got this shit-eating Chris Rock grin with crazy gray Don King hair. I wish there was a way I could put a pic of him online.