post-application

I guess we'll see. Its hard to figure out my next moves for some reason. I think I should probably start on the second robot...probably.

I'm going to be working with dancers, again. First rehearsal is tonight.

I think I need my own project, though... and need a day-job.

I've started to learn Irish folk songs... First one, Bedlam Boys... then, 'whiskey before breakfast'...

update on grad school messessssssssss

I am almost finished with applications. Last is this damn UCSD application which demands two writing samples. The first one is easy: my thesis. But the last time I wrote a lot of papers was in undergrad, now almost ten years ago. Although, I think my Shostakovich paper could have been great for this... partly since it contrasts with the experimental nature of my thesis. GAH. But I just realized that I wrote a paper about the dsp involved in my 'balancing act' piece... I have to download Open Office again to read it... but I have it, at least.

Hopefully this one will work out, because then I might start have to use my reader's response papers to the biomusicology class last semester @ Dartmouth, and basically consist of rants. At the very least, I'm not making any real arguments or taking any positions I have to back up... DSP papers tend to be pretty cut and dry. I did just re-read one of the biomusicology papers (Miller, G. F. (2000). Evolution of human music through sexual selection. In N. L. Wallin, B. Merker, & S. Brown (Eds.), The origins of music, MIT Press, pp. 329-360.) and damn if it doesn't still make me see red.

This process is hella exhausting. But part of it is my fault. I finished and recorded four accordion parts for "Origami Cranes" -- aka. the origami piece. It turned out better than I thought it would at first. It turns out that piece really needs practice before you perform it. Associating pitch with color did NOT come naturally to me.... although the rhythm part was relatively straight-forward. I think it would take even more practice to be able to sightread it and create the music on-the-fly as per my original vision (this is still an option in the score).

I also re-recorded the dancing chair robot and spliced that footage with my previous performance. Its a reel that lasts for about a minute. It was a bit of work, but I wasn't extremely picky... the sound conditions for the second recording were abysmal, though. So much feedback.

Also, everything takes longer than you think, it seems...

Even though I desperately want to get in one, I fucking hate grad programs right now.

No, I haven't done anything for a next project. Talk to me after this is DONE.

brief update

1. I wrote the most compelling SoP EVAH. And it starts with a conversation with an ex... but I say 'pianist' instead of 'ex-lover' which probably works better for academic settings.

2. I am working hard recording the origami piece. I am definitely going to have to tweak it. I hate myself for composing this argh!

3. Robot piece is being re-recorded in VA. On Wednesday. I think.

I have too many things up in the air. I am so far behind!! Oi. Why does stuff take so long? Why is my laptop starting to crap out on me? Blah!

No I still haven't booked any shows yet. Grad apps are taking oveh my liiiiiiiiiife. And also! also my sleeping schedule is FUCKED UP. I need to get back to more normal hours pronto.

tired

So, origami piece is almost finished. I'm going to record all the parts for my portfolio next week... I think.

Also, I am going to re-record the video for my robot piece since I really don't like the video from the show.

I am tired.

Looking for dayjob or really just contract work... 20-25hrs is nice... actually way less stressful than having to look for a source of income but having all the time in the world.

Trying to get grad. apps. together. Gah, it is depressing. I am trying to be optimistic, tho.

Justin & I are putting together some exciting stuff. Hopefully will have proposal & THEN a show booked for it soon.

I think I do need to book my own stuff, but will do it after I have a good robot video.

not really post-show post but kinda

So, it happened. Robot mostly worked, etc. Blah, don't want to talk about it. Probably going to try to edit footage tomorrow.

Just got a reply from an artist I asked if I could work with & he is only in BK for the last ten days of this month. I... will be in VA for most of the that time GAH. GAH! well. maybe we could at least have coffee or something for the 2 overlapping days but grrrrrr, bad timing.

Coming out of a stupor and will be emailing / applying way more tomorrow and in the coming days.

Thinking of buying a snare drum and then making a percussion robot out of that... THEN doing my weird bicycle/percussion idea... we see.

Maybe I will actually book a show. I am also thinking of applying for the floating cabaret thingy. I should book a show. Better than just waiting post-grad-app ack. Good to have something to work for. I should also book a tour. Robot tour. Thinking of calling it 'fragile objects' something like that gah. I know its like provocative objects but I wanted to use objects in the name before being/hearing about that show 'object' is generic! I am going to do robots, broom piece, stuff I mentioned in an earlier post.

werkz, 1 robot, 5 days.

beta dancing chair!! yaya! from Courtney Brown on Vimeo.

what's left?
soldering, contact mic'ing... will slightly alter previous program, etc.
unless soldering goes horribly wrong (ack!!!) I'm home-free!

robotic chair is robotic.

12 days, 1 robot.

I am very close to getting this thing going I think. Changed my ideas for locomotion... was actually my dad's idea. Turns out what I wanted to do was too complicated... at least for the time frame.

Bluetooth chip is up and working.
Servos are up and working & I via bluetooth, I can control them wirelessly.
Started on the Supercollider program / framework for controlling the robot.
Still thinking of programming a particular rhythm / dance beforehand... maybe I will do that.. and also sort of let myself correct / add things live. Or maybe I will just do the sound processing live.
Ordered spare servos, another arduino, some moldable plastic, battery cases, etc.
Feeling less panicked than I was feeling the last two days.

2ish months is actually quite a short timeline for building one's first robot for performative purposes.

I feel like I need to take some basic mechanical engineering courses now though. Also, its funny how I completely started working on stuff like the arduino, bluetooth, control, etc. issues but totally neglected the mechanical part until recently. Maybe that's not funny, its just that I'm a programmer, etc. so I did all the things I *knew* about and that I should tackle but I was like, oh I'll just wing that silly mechanical shiz! (hahahaha!!!!)

ETA: just read over my blog, and its bit disturbing how many things I *say* I'm gonna/should do and don't... like 'in transit', 'n is for neville', 'incognito choir'... are all projects that have been floating around and always put off for another... I mean... hopefully after this robot thing, and this round of grad apps, I'll at least start recording the subway for 'in transit'... but I think maybe my expectations are too high. I can't do 2 projects at once like I think I can, really. And it *does* always make sense to work on the project that has a performance scheduled... so...

ETA2: I think, post-robot-show I should really book an NYC cabaret show for Feb or early March. That why post grad-apps, waiting for shiz, etc. I have music project, etc. to buffer the inevitable crushing rejections...

ETA3: I was thinking about writer's block and how I hardly ever have it... and when I do, its because I have this fixed idea of project/piece and/or it has to be PERFECT etc. I was thinking maybe others have writing blocks because they aren't absorbing enough outside the box information and experiences... because laser specialization on subjects, etc. isn't so good for creativity (maybe). I think I'm thinking of a specific person that I used to talk to a lot years ago. HMM... tis late I must be getting slightly judgmental.