Mookie Riffic

Last week was midterms, and for once I actually did as well as I thought I did. But alas there are some funny bits. But first, here's what I took and my grades so that you can properly enjoy the following bit:

Key: 2nd marking period/midterm grade/ semester grade.

AP Stats: B+ / B+ / A
Construction Tech: A / B / A
IB English 1 (HL): B / C+ / B
Tech Drawing (CAD): A / A / A
PIB Physics: A / A / A
IB History: * / A / *

In stats there was a 16 point curve and I have the third highest score.

In Construction there is a 30% passing rate, and I have the highest average. Most of the guys were happy if they had a 65. I'm annoyed with myself for blowing through the midterm so fast, I missed a bunch of stupid stuff.

I didn't even finish the history exam, and I still did better then most of the other kids. It was a Document-Bassed-Question (DBQ) exam, and each was rated as mark 1, mark 2, mark 3, or mark 4. The mark 4's being worth the most points. Yeah, well I left two of the mark 4 questions unanswered.

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Yes, already, its time for me to choose which classes I will be tortured in endure gladly partake in for my senior year of high school. Now of course I must mention that out of 7 classes I'm only required to take three: a History, an English and a Science. Now since I'm not required to math, I was planning on not taking one, but the fates (namely my stats teacher, my parents, and my counsler) are against me, and I have been informed by my stats teacher that I am taking IB Math Studies with or with out my consent. I've also been informed/recomended for IB History 2, IB Physics, and IB English, and I lack any choice what-so-ever. But thats fine, the only one I'm kind of annoyed about is the math class.

So now I must choose my electives. I get three and I've narrowed it down to 7. So in the resulting poll (My first!) choose my future class. And vote as much as you want, after all, I may be a stats student, but who cares about a random unbiased sample? (Hum..maybe thats why I'm not doing so hott in that class...).

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(Click for an enlarged version)

Created at Atom Smasher's Error Message Generator, found via Susie

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At my high school our spring show is going to be Oklahoma and in the past month since we've started it I've realized a couple things about the show in general. Mainly I've noticed that I personally do not like the story line itself or some of what happens in it. I've watched the 1955 version on VHS when I found out we're doing it, and I figured I might as well familiarize myself with it seeing as I'm going to be a stage manager, head of stage crew, and possible assistant director (why yes, I am crazy, why do you ask?). Well when watching the movie my initial thoughts were as follows:

-I really don't like sopranos much... too much air not enough actual voice...
-That’s not a dream dance... that’s a Crack Dream!!!
-Brilliant.. Kill a guy and then sing about it being a beautiful morning.... Humm...

So in general when rehearsal started I wasn't to thrilled with the show, and I was a bit pessimistic about the whole thing. But it’s growing on me. The guy playing Curly is actually a very good singer and actor, but its so hilarious because I don't think the boy can sing and dance simultaneously unless he really knows it well. Also the guy playing Curly, Joe, is louder then the whole ensemble, and he isn't even trying yet! Our show is fraught with hilarity and internal drama trauma, and its only going to remain so.

The most hilarious moment was when Joe had to skip rehearsal for a doctor’s appointment, and for most this isn't a big deal, but with Joe gone his understudy had to step in. Joe's understudy is the boy that plays Jud Fry, and Jud's Understudy is the Judge, and the Judge doesn’t have an understudy. So not only were all of the lead boys shifted around, and none knew their parts- shame on them, yours truly had to fill in for the Judge. And let me tell you that in itself was hilarious because A) I make cats howl when I sing, B) I have no rhythm, C) my dancing partner is taller and weighs more then me, and she expected me to be able to lift her up. Next time Joe is absent I am refusing to fill in.

So anyway, back to my point. The show as a whole I think will be good, but I personally don’t like it. Though I am really excited about our set. The songs are starting to grow on me too, even if the plot isn’t, but mainly they are growing on me because they are such earworms. Oh… the Farmer and the Cowman should be friends… Oh the farmer and the cowman should be friends. *Bangs head* That one is a personal nemesis now because I can’t get it out of my head!

One of the teachers in charge of the show says that it’s my time to blossom. And I kind of agree, because I’m really enjoying my new responsibilities. But in a way I don’t quite think I’m ready to “Blossom”. Since I’m the most experienced Stage Manager (1 has done a show before, and 2 are rookies whereas I have 4 shows) and I’m in charge of organizing who does what there, and I’ve actually gotten to run a few of the rehearsals with out a teacher around, I’m not sure I’m ready for everything. Most of the kids in drama now come to me to ask about things like costumes, and I’ll admit I like being able to answer their questions or being able to direct them to the right person I sometimes wonder if I’m doing everything right. Its just a little niggly thought at the back of my head that constantly whispers “Are you sure?” And to be truthful, I have no earthly idea. At least once a week I get asked a question where I don’t know the answer and the directors aren’t around so I’m forced to make a split decision. I’ve yet to decide wrong when I make these “executive decisions” but that’s mainly through luck and talking to the directors/teachers on almost a peer to peer level instead of student to teacher. I don’t want to mess up, even though I know its bound to happen I’m constantly worried.

It is kind of cool though how as the cast realizes that I know what I’m doing (even though I mostly fake it) they are starting to come to me for more then just drama-related stuff. My friend Liz (whom I’ve replaced as stage manager) said that a stage manager not only keeps track of all the technical stuff, but they keep track of the emotional/personal stuff. I didn’t really think she was serious, and I just thought that it was because she herself is such an awesome friend to so many, but its true. Its almost like the more competent people think I am, the more people come to me to rant, cry, worry, and get comfort. Its not really something I’m used to doing for so many. I actually googled up a stage manager’s desired qualities, and Liz was right! The website (I lost the link) said that an effective stage manager needs to be able to be a stern task maker, while being able to be a friend, confidant, parent-figure, and authoritative. I hope I have those qualities, for I think working in theater as a stage manager or technical director is where I’m headed.

I’m going to do fine, I think. I have to, I mean if an actor can memorize all their lines and blocking then surely I can do okay. Now I just have to get Farmer and the Cowman out of my head!

Yes I know I ramble quite a bit, but I really don't care. :)

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I don't understand why, but all the reviews I've read or heard about it say it stinks. I've seen it twice, and I have the sound track, and I love the movie. I think quite a few of the critics are bad mouthing it because they think Emmy Rossum is a royal... Witch. The DJ on Sirius even said (let see if I can quote this right) "Don't waste your money. Save your $12.95 and wait for it to come out on DvD. Better yet, steal it once it comes out. Or even better! Come up to Time Square and buy it Bootleg!!". What I really want to know about this quote, is "Who the hell pays $12.95 to go to the movies?!" I only pay 8 bucks. 5 if I remember to show my student ID.

But back to the subject: The Phantom of The Opera. This movie is everything I had hoped for. For months prior to the release it was all me and one of my friends could talk about. When we all went to go see it (it was me, 2 friends that graduated, and my English Teacher) we were all crying at the end of it. The second time I saw it, I knew the story well enough that I could look at the more subtle aspects of it, and I enjoyed it even more the second time through! By the end of the 1st Act I was crying (I knew it was the first act because I listened to the CD), and I didn't stop until the end. The only other movie that has made me cry in the past 5 years was The Notebook(it comes out on DvD February 7th-ish!).

For those that don't know the story line, I'm going to attempt to summarize it with out fawning too much over it:

The Phantom Of The Opera 2004 movie starts out at in the year 1917 at an auction where an old, graying man bids on a music box. The old man recognizes another one of the bidders, and while they don't talk to each other, they both show respect. The scene is done with a sepia coloring, so it looks like an old photograph brought to life, and at the end of the scene the auctioneer asks the workers to raise "the very chandelier that figures in the famous disaster. Our work shops have repaired it, now perhaps we can frighten away the ghosts of so many years ago with a little illumination." As the chandelier is raised, color comes to the scene and with some wonderful special effects we see the cast and crew getting ready for rehearsal of their latest show. We come upon Carlotta, an Italian woman, played by Minnie Driver, who is the lead soprano. She is, to say the least, obnoxious, but plays an important role as comic relief. The cast is informed that there are new owners of the Opera house, and as Carlotta sings for them, a back drop falls on her, knocking her down. She is infuriated and storms out, leaving the Opera house with out a lead on opening night. Panicking, the owners decide to humor the ballet instructor when she suggests Christine Daie to take Carlotta's place. Christine, needless to say, does splendidly, and performs on opening night, where her child hood sweet heart- Viscount De Chaney- Raoul falls in love with her all over again. The Phantom then makes his first appearance that night in her dressing room right after Raoul leaves, and takes Christine down to his Lair and they sing the trademark song The Phantom Of The Opera. The song is closely followed by Music of the Night, and the Phantom, played by Gerard Butler, casts a spell of sorts upon Christine. Christine is infatuated [and rightly so since he's mad Hott]. This show progresses, and Carlotta comes back to take back the lead role- but the phantom is having none of it. During the show he sabotages Carlotta and then kills a man with the "magical lasso". The poor fool forgot to "keep his hand at the level of his eye". Upon the fool's death, Christine and Raoul run to the roof top and have their wonderfully sweet song, All I Ask Of You, and the Phantom witnesses their love. The Phantom is crushed, and in the reprise of All I Ask You he curses both Christine and Raoul.

The Phantom Of The Opera, in my opinion, is not a bad movie, its not even close. And I suggest seeing it, even if all the critics don't. After all, What does a critic know? They've only studied for several years and have worked their way up to their current position... but hey, who ya gonna trust? Them or Me?

Trust me. It's worth it.

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