"Resolutions"

Hey friends!

I was sitting in class this morning and thought, "I should write a blog post today," so here we are. January 8th, folks. How're the New Year's resolutions coming? Still going to the gym? My resolution last year was to drastically increase my intake of sushi (I'm not kidding, that was actually my 2012 resolution) and I succeeded! I don't really have one specific resolution this year, but I have a couple things that I'd like to work on.

The first thing is that I would like to get in that habit of composing every day. I've been feeling a bit musically uninspired in the past month, and it's easy to just say "oh, I've got writer's block blah blah blah," but writer's block is nothing more than a really bad excuse. 99% of the time, writing, composing etc does not come in flash of creative inspiration, but rather comes from just starting somewhere and practicing everyday, and working diligently on it. So I want to get in the habit of working on my music every single day, even if it's just getting one measure further on a piece, or just quickly jotting down a melody. Just something. 

My second "resolution" is to read more. I didn't read much last year. So I'm going to try to read 40 books/plays this year. Seems like a steep goal, cause it's almost one book/play a week, but I'll see how it goes. I'd also like to write more, so maybe I'll try to write a response here once I'm done each book?

The first book I'm reading is a book of interviews with one of my favourite composers, Stephen Sondheim. It's called Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions.

The next few books I'd like to read are:

1. Life of Pi (I read this a few years ago, but I'm reading it this term for a literature class, so I'm looking forward to rereading it.)
2. Pride and Prejudice (I've been enjoying the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on Youtube, which is a great vlog-style modern adaptation of the novel (excellently done), and I've seen a stage production of P&P but I've never actually finished the book. I've tried multiple times, but never really gotten into it, but I'm determined to finish it. Then maybe I'll read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? ;P)
3. Cloud Atlas (I just watched the film, and thought it was fascinating, and thought-provoking, so I'd love to read the original.) 

Any other book suggestions?

Oh! And I'm going to try to write a blog post once a week! I'm not naive enough to believe that I will be consistent, especially once the term workload gets heavy, but I'm really going to try.

Hope all is well with y'all! 

Dan

Book Review: Starclimber

Hi everybody! So, I haven't had a book review in a while, so here it is. I just recently read Starclimber, by Kenneth Oppel! It's the third book in his Airborn series. They are fantastic books. They follow the adventures of Matt Cruse, and his romantic interest Kate de Vries. The books are full of excitement, energy, suspense and really great characters! I don't want to give much away in the book, but it's the kind of book that you don't want to put down!

Here's a brief overview from Amazon...
"It is the beginning of summer in Paris. Matt Cruse is looking forward to spending time with Kate de Vries and piloting an aerocrane for the Celestial Tower--France's great project, which will allow the nation to be first in outer space. But Matt and Kate's idyllic time is shortlived. Matt narrowly survives an attack by fanatics who are opposed to humans reaching the heavens, while Kate is summoned back to Lionsgate City by her wealthy parents. It's time she began to think about getting married. But things look up when the Canadian government makes an exciting offer to both Matt and Kate. Canada wants to reach space first, and the Canadian Minister of Air wants Kate to join the first expedition as an expert in aerial zoology. There's a place for Matt, too--if he can pass the gruelling tests to become one of the world's first astralnauts onboard the incredible ship Starclimber. The third book in Kenneth Oppel's bestselling Airborn series vaults readers into another thrilling adventure, with all of the exciting twists and vivid imaginings that Oppel's fans have come to expect--and a little romance, too. From Paris to Lionsgate City, from the Pacificus Ocean to the depths of space, Starclimber is an exhilarating ride from an author who soars to rare heights."
(From the Amazon product review)

Anyway, Starclimber is a fantastic read, and stands on it's own (but you owe it to yourself to read the first two, Airborn and Skybreaker first. You don't want to miss them.). So that's my pick of what to read! :)

BOOK REVIEW: How Doctors Think

So at at good friend's suggestion, I read How Doctors Think, by Jerome Groopman. I found it very interesting, and enjoyed it a lot. I'm a big nerd when it comes to books on psychology and how people think (which is why I find books by Malcolm Gladwell fascinating!). This one is pretty similar in thought process and in writing style. It offers some very interesting insights into what affects diagnoses and what can affect misdiagnoses. And it certainly isn't only for people in the medical field, or for those interested in the medical field. It gives lots of suggestions on how patients can help with diagnosing and questions to ask your physician. It's a good read. I'd recommend it.

What have I been up to lately?

Well, for starters, I'm writing a whole bunch of music for a youth production of The Tempest with Celsius Youth Theatre which is the theatre company that I co-founded. I'm writing a fair amount of music, in a relatively short time, so it's rather challenging, but hey, deadlines are good. We're having some live musicians that will be playing the live music on stage with the production, so I think it will be really great. We have 1 bass guitarist, 1 classical guitarist, 1 violinist and 1 recorder. Funky combo, huh?

I'm also doing some reading. At Kelsey's suggestion via the comments section, I'm reading How Doctors think by Jerome Groopman. I'm finding it really interesting, and I'll be sure to post a review once I'm finished. I'm also reading Richard II by Billy Shakespeare. I've only just started reading it, but again I'll post a review when I'm done.

BOOK REVIEW: Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell

Okay, so I recently read Malcolm Gladwell's most recent book, Outliers. I'm a big fan of Malcolm Gladwell, and although I often disagree with what he says, I find his books very interesting and thought-provoking. I've read all of his books (The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers), I've definitely agreed the most with Outliers. It's worth reading. It's all about success and what makes some people successful. "Oh no!" you probably are saying. "Not another book about being successful!" Actually, this one is really good. I'm not going to go into much that he says, so you should just read it.

Anyway, a couple things that he says is that to be successful in your field, you need 10,000 hours of experience, and you need opportunity. So basically, you really just need a lot of hard work to make you an expert, and you need opportunity.

Thats all I'm going to say for now, because I'm tired, just had a full day of auditions (from the other side of the table! Ahh!) and I want to go to bed now. Good night!

Brisingr

Okay, so I finished reading Brisingr. If you are not familiar with it, this is the third book in the Inheritance Cycle, by Christopher Paolini. I have enjoyed reading the first two books, (Eragon and Eldest) and even liked the movie that came out last year. So I was anticipating reading the next installment. I absolutely loved it. It was one of those books that you just don't want to stop reading. It even has some (IMHO) classic material and brings up some good topics of revenge, justice, heroes (and what makes one) and other such things. It makes for a very interesting, entertaining read, and it made me think, which is what a good book should do. I can't wait for the fourth and last book!

How to be selective about what you read, and why.

I have recently been rather busy, and I've been feeling like I haven't been having enough to really read the books that I really want to read. In the precious time that I do have to read, I want to read great stuff, soI've made some criteria, for selecting material.
I'll start with why. I've heard that the brain retains everything you hear, read, experience etc. and it affects us unconsciously. I'm going to try and find a link to an article, but until then...
If we retain every thing, then thats great for all the great stuff, but what about the bad media? We are retaining all that too! Thats not so great! So I've decided to be more selective about what I read and make sure I'm not retaining any junk!

So heres the criteria that I'm going to push a book through.

1. Reputation. Do I know any one thats read it? Did they have favorable reviews? Even they didn't like it, I'll still ask if it was well written and if they think its well written.
   
2. Did they learn anything? If they didn't learn anything, I will definitely reconsider if its worth reading.
3. Relevancy. Is it relevant to where I am in life right now, what I'm interested in at the moment or whats happening in the world? If not, it may have to wait.

I'll likely keep refining this, but its just a basic idea. And this isn't set in stone. Just because it doesn't mean I won't read it. I'm just trying to be more selective, so that I'm only reading the best.

-Dan

King Lear

I finished reading King Lear for an online course that I'm taking. Its a pretty neat book, and its fascinating to see how a small thing that we do can trigger big things. A good reminder that all our actions have consequences and that we need to be responsible for all our actions. A very smart man that I know once told me and some others that you are an adult when you take responsibility for all your actions. Hmm...I know a couple "adults' who don't do that...

Vimy Ridge/ World War I

As many of you know, last Monday (April 9) marked the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, in which the Canadians took the ridge where many other armies failed. I realized how little I really knew about Vimy and WWI and after watching a documentary that was shown on CBC Television, my interest was piqued! The next time I was at our local library, I got a bunch of books out about WWI. One particular book, which I am currently reading, is Vimy by Pierre Berton. It is an excellent book, and although I am not done it yet, I would already recommend it! Anyway, looking back, I am disappointed with myself about how little I knew about a battle that changed our nation. I am happy to say that I know considerably more now, and if you don't know much about Vimy, I suggest that you read up on it!

Signing off...