Of all the places I visit online, I just found out by reading John Mackey’s blog (a guilty pleasure) that Shadow Rituals has been officially added to the Texas UIL Prescribed Music List. To be perfectly honest, I’m not even sure exactly what that means. I’m not even exactly sure how the piece got to where it is. It is freaking pretty cool though. John’s pieces Redline Tango and Strange Humors have also been officially added to “The List.” Oddly enough, all three of these piece were on the same concert in Florida a little over a year ago. Hmmmm….. *high five*!

Last night at the Modified Arts art gallery/venue in Phoenix, I helped by buddy Ryan and his comedy troupe doing lights and sound (with the aid of Brian Weeks). The show went over great with an estimated turn out of about 85 people! Not bad considering the venue holds probably about 50 comfortably. Brian and I also filmed the show so I’m sure Ryan will be uploading a sketch or two to YouTube within the coming days/weeks. If you didn’t make it out to see them last night, make sure you’re there for their next show. I’m sure there will be many more to come! And now, for the highlights:

My best friend, Ryan, has been working hard writing and rehearsing his first independent sketch comedy show whom he collectively calls “Bully Mammoth.” They are having their first show (with yours truly doing tech and filming) a week from this Friday on July 13 (Friday the 13th…. oooo…..). I sat in on their rehearsal last night and I gotta say Ryan and Ricky’s (co-writer) material is very original, and very funny, not to mention that the cast is amazingly talented. Probably the best thing they have going for them is that they haven’t fallen victim to the perilous trap that is “family-oriented material” or “wholesome improv comedy.” No, be prepared for awesomely edgy, scripted material (including a few swear words!) and probably a laugh and a half. So, if you’re in or around Phoenix that night, come check it out. The details are below:

This month is going to be crazy busy with work, music, and movies all coming together in perfect harmony to create one miraculous headache. Thank God I don’t have school on top of that! I move next weekend, just finished cutting a dance recital that I now have to author the DVD for, music, music, music, reading about engraving so I can engrave Turkey in the Straw, music for short films, long films, some as big as your head!, beginning principle photography on my own collaborative film, filling out S.A.G. paperwork, working 9 - 5 Monday thru Friday, trip to California in early August with friends to see Whitacre’s Paradise Lost and hit the beach, arranging music for a Judy Garland musical, and crying myself to sleep at night. I think this is Karma for all those days I slept in past noon.

I quit.