In the beginning...

Hey ya'll!! I've started this blog as a way to keep all of you updated on what's going on here in good ol' Ireland. I don't get to talk to all of you as much as I'd like, so I figured this will work as a way to keep you in the know.

Most likely, this will hold a fair amount of ramblings as well. Everything from everyday stuff, to random thought vomit, to academic ideas and theories that I'm pondering in my research here. Which I can guarantee you there will be some of that (sorry in advance). I'm not sure how often I'll be writing, but I'll update it as often as I can.

Aaaaah, where to start... Well, I've been here nearly a month now. I'm happy to say that I'm getting acclimated nicely. The weather hasn't been too bad really. We've had warm sunny days for the last 10 days or so, and it looks like it'll be that way for at least another week! The campus is great!! Its situated right on the River Shannon, which is one of Ireland's largest rivers. Its gorgeous!! The lingo has taken a little getting used to, but my array of Irish roommates has been kind enough to explain the occasional phrase that makes no sense at all. One thing that gets me is when instead of saying, "Can I help you?", they say, "You alright?" One of these days I'm just going to burst into telling the poor lady at the lunch counter all my problems and sins, my disconcerted feelings about todays misguided youth, and how the fish-n-chips fish tasted a bit too fishy the day before.

The roommates of 38 Dromroe village. We've all decided that we've been given a gift. We all get along really well and everyone (so far) takes care of their own shit and cleans up after themselves. There are many horror stories going around about housing nightmares on campus, so we're super stoked to have a cool house. (Oh yeah, I've come to realize that my use of words like: stoked, rad, sick, bitchin', and sweeeeeeet, quickly label me as being from California. Being proud of this, I'm doing my best to teach these poor depraved souls (Irish and American alike) the wondrous joy of saying "RAD"!) Back to the roommates...Leah: from Nashville, fiddler, working on a MA in Traditional Irish Fiddle. Super cool girl and becoming a good friend. Tony: from Michigan, fresh out of High School and working on a double BA in Traditional Irish Fiddle and Guitar (this kid makes me weep at my lack of musical ability). All around good kid. Evan: home grown in Killarney, County Kerry. Age 25, just coming back to school after living in Australia for two years. Studying Applied Languages with a focus on Irish, Spanish, and Japanese. This guy is 200% personality!! He's absolutely hilarious to the point where he should have a cartoon character made out of him!! Andrew: a 20 year old Galway boy, already has a Music BA in Traditional Irish Piano, Guitar, Banjo, and Fiddle. He's got a few All-Ireland titles under his belt for piano accordion, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. Very modest and nice guy. He's now going for a second BA in Mechanical Engineering. Susan: from Cork City, working on her MA in International Business and Consumerism (I think). Super sweet girl.

The program. Kate (Irish step dancer) wasn't lying when she told me my program was the hardest thing that the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance had to offer. Its gnarly! I'm gonna come out of this with one hell of a mental storehouse of knowledge, but damn, it ain't gonna be easy. Lots of reading, lots of research, lots of theory. The library is already my second home. At least the music section of the book-house has huge windows and a nice view! I've started taking mandolin lessons from a guy by the name of Sean Keegan. Probably only 22 or so, and absolutely insane!! He's gonna teach me Trad (Irish tunes), classical mandolin, banjo, and whatever else seems cool. I think I'll get a lot from him. I've come to find out that the people they have giving lessons here are, for the most part, living legends of traditional Irish music. The greatest in the world teach here. Or, they come here when they can to teach master classes and give lectures. Its fair to say that I feel quite intimidated around the caliber of the musicians I'm around, as all the students here are amazing musicians. Oh, I also might start playing bass in Trad this coming spring. I just need to find myself a bass. There's a cellist here who plays trad...she is amazing!!! Everyone and their grandma is already trying to get her to record with them!

Well, there's the first installment. Yes, its all boring stuff. But, I had to get it out of the way. The ones to follow will be more exciting...I promise I'll do my best to make them so!! Next time I'll tell you about the guy that tried to convince the Garda (cops) that I was selling drugs to students!! But, thats for another time. Keeps your eyes peeled for future installments kiddies!!

Sláinte!

r