It's been far too long. I've been posting a few technical and musical items, but I've been meaning to write about what's going on in my life since the end of last semester, or the beginning of this semester, or after my course schedule solidified, or before spring break, or during spring break, and so on. One thing I know about myself is, my tendency to laziness gets indulged more often when I'm happy. And I'm happy. Still, the profound laziness of spring break comes to an end today. Back on the wagon with me.

What am I all enhapped about? Last semester was a full one, marked by many high points. I declared my music major, composed my first piece, and performed Medtner in recital. On the language front, I won the bad poetry contest, completed the Czech and Yiddish sequences, and suddenly find myself halfway to a linguistics concentration. And amid eight courses (three musics, two languages, three linguisticses), I started dating a sweet lass to whom I remain very much attached.

Fall semester's crazy eights were partly intended to position me to work part-time this spring. That situation didn't pan out (though no harm done), and as it happens I'm taking eight courses again, all music this time. In addition to being fun — mostly — this positions me well for my senior year: with major requirements met, my only classes will be in linguistics, a few remaining core requirements, and anything else that looks at all interesting. This semester's eight:

• Orchestration
• Music History
• Ear Training
• Music and Language
• Advanced Composition
• Intro to Music Cognition
• Jazz (which I may drop, as it's been a disappointment)
• Piano

Usually I don't stay lazy-happy for too long; the laziness breeds self-dissatisfaction and that knocks me off my perch. But it seems the equation is perturbed by happiness deriving from an external source. As always, there's a better me to be made. After last semester's successes, more than ever, I'm aware of how and where my shortcomings are holding me back.