(no subject)
Homecoming has come and gone. Let me see if I can the highlights down before I forget.
Thursday, Sean gave me a ride to Wooster from the Akron bus station. Every sign pointing to Wooster got a "Woohoo!" or something similar as we sang The Proclaimer's "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" on loop the way back. Once we got there, we spent the whole day practicing for my Common Grounds show.
I learned about me playing at Common Grounds that Tuesday evening around 10:00, so I this was the shortest notice I've ever had for a gig. That, and I had a bit to live up to after my last show while still in college. But, come hell and high water, I put on a show, and here's the setlist:
1. Common Grounds [working title]
2. Code Monkey (Jonathan Coulton cover)
3. My Name is Tim
4. You Don't Know Me (Ben Folds cover) (with Cara Haxo on piano!)
5. Mr. Moon (Kate Miccuci cover) (ukulele)
6. Only You (Garfunkel and Oates cover) (ukulele)
7. One Step Closer (Linkin Park cover) (ukulele)
8. Get Off The Lowry Stairs
9. Only The Good Die Young (Billy Joel cover) (with Sean Bouyack on French Horn!)
10. One Prarie Outpost (Carbon Leaf cover) (with Sean Bouyack on lead vocals and me on backup vocals!)
11. Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead cover) (ukulele)
12. half past eight
13. Soul of Fireflies (Norwegian Recycling cover) (ukulele) (with Marten Dollinger and Maddie Socolar doing backup vocals!)
14. Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rogers cover) (no instrumentation)
"Fake Plastic Trees" was scrapped because so many people came by Common Grounds early to see me that the song was kind of beaten into the ground by the time I was ready to perform; everyone had heard it already. Well, that's not true - about thirty something people filled the little coffee shop that day. But still.
Let's see... other points of interest. "half past eight" was played by request of the crowd. With "Only You"'s line about the perfect husband, I replaced the four male names with "Sarah, Catie, Liz or Audrey" in tribute to Apples' main group of friends.
There were a fair number of freshman there - ones that had never met me before today - that had somehow still known "Get Off The Lowry Stairs." These kids went nuts when I was like "Since you're freshman, I have to let you know how things work around here. There's a grave injustice that goes on at this school [everyone who knows what's going on cheers]. There will be those that will take away one of your fundamental rights [more cheers]. In your time here, some COMMIE BASTARD WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO EAT [even more cheers]. You'll be on your way to lunch, unable to get there before your class starts because these folks will be sitting there, blocking the Lowry stairwell just chitchatting away. This song is for all who have felt this pain, and it's called 'Get Off The Lowry Stairs,' a'ight!" [crowd goes nuts, probably the most applause I had all night]
Oh, and I also called Jonah Comstock twice that night (I tried to call Nathan, but he didn't pick up). The first time was before my show started, saying I refused to start playing until he sang into my cell phone's speaker phone (put next to the mic) in order to open up for me like he always did in school. He sang a number from Chess the musical. I called him one more time at the end of my set, telling him that the last song was dedicated to him and his brother. From now on, I said, rather than ending with "Illusions," a Matt Nathanson song that reminded me of an old high school friend, I'd end all future shows with "Mary Ellen Carter" to remind me of them. Jonah sang along via Skype video chat.
After the show, Karl and I went to Mom's Truck Stop together, chatted about life, and then went to bed. Since Maddie was putting me up, we stayed up until 3:00 a.m. talking about girls. And boys.
On Friday, I woke up early to have breakfast with Aaron Yi. That was when I met that one freshman from last entry.
From there, I went to hang out with Sean and play some classic Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in Aaron's room, where he had a Sega Genesis (this was where Sean was staying for the weekend). Sean had never seen the level select code before, so I felt super cool for getting him to all his favorite levels (and by super cool, I mean dorky). I left to play some Brawl with Chad and then hang out with Ari during his Friday screamo radio show on Woo91.
From there, Sean and I went for a run on Military, a classic five mile course through Wooster forestland. Both of us were determined to prove we could run the courses we could back when we were students, and although we were a little rough around the hills we still passed with flying colors.
He, Bill and I went to Wendy's, and then I went to go hang out with Anna Mudd for a bit before we all met up again at Wooster's weekly Friday swing dance sessions. Bill and Sean were pre-gaming into drunken messes while I was gone, so Bill's conversational skills were a little different than usual.
Me: Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Chalkey.
So-and-so: My name is [forgotten by now].
Me: Nice to meet you.
Bill: CHALKEY! I have a very important rule about swinging with someone you don't know.
Me: Yes?
Bill: [imitating Jeff Murdock from Coupling] Only smile at her faaaaaace.
[So-and-so walks away]
Me: Thanks, Bill.
In revenge, I wrote "Bill is a Terrible Person" on a piece of paper and submitted it to Pocket Lines, a Don't Throw Shoes improv sketch that I later found out Bill was invited on stage to do as an alum. Drunk Bill still stole the show, despite his belligerent comments to the audience that loved him so much the last few years.
Carrie [current Shoe member]: Okay, we need a scenario for this next skit.
Bill: THE FLOOR IS LAVA!
Carrie: [sighs] Anyone else?
Other person: The floor is lava!
Bill: OH, REAL ORIGINAL!
I'm pretty sure that comment got more remarks than many of the skits that day. Bill also appeared in a Dating Game Show skit, which got the most applause of the night. As Bill soaked it up, I bragged to people in the audience about how, when we were freshman, he originally hesitated to audition for Shoes until I offered to audition too for support. I also told the story about how my first skit was Party Quirks, with me being assigned the role of a Pokémon Trainer and that being my only successful skit of the night.
After Shoes, I went to hang out with Apples, where I got some much needed cuddling - something I've been deprived of since leaving Wooster. Normal people aren't as affectionate as college students, and when they are it has to mean something. So I treasured every second with Apples, soaking up every time she had little quirks from her affectionate side, like nuzzling against me with her nose when she was really comfortable. That was kind of nice.
I woke up still intertwined like vines with Apples the next morning, then hung out with Libby and Kathryn all morning, cuddling some more and catching up with her. When they both left, Apples and Alyssa and I had lunch together, then I followed Alyssa to her new carrol - real close to where mine used to be. She and Libby now share this one, just like the three of us shared mine when I was a senior.
From there, I went to hang out with Catie Gullet, at least until I accidentally fell asleep while talking with her in the Oak Grove grass. Miss Corwin bumped into me at some point, and then kicked me awake. I told her about Steph (oh, right, I still need to write about her here), and then went back to Common Grounds, where Corey and Thomas were catching up with people over Skype Video chat. Corey lamented how he'd tickle torture me if he were in person, forcing Tristan and Colin to do it in my place. Corey was placated, and I'm pretty sure I was soiled.
From there, I went to hang out with Ashley and Tom, and then Kylie and Gillian, and then I went to see Much Ado About Nothing, which Ari was directing for the Shakesperians on campus. Ari did a great job - the visual humor in the play kind of made the show what it was.
On Sunday, I had breakfast with Tristan at the Shack (the Hungry COW has since been taken off the menu at Mom's, so we recreated it with breakfast food at the Shack). We then spent the morning playing Melee, and then I went to go have lunch with Anna Mudd, followed by frolicking in the leaves with Apples and then going for a walk with Miss Corwin. Apples and Miss Corwin coincidentally both brought up a confession of curiosity regarding my sexual orientation, which they had never heard me explicitly say to them. I responded to each with something like "Well, maybe I just never mentioned my exact orientation to you because you've never asked." In both cases, I wrapped up conversation and left before they could ask just to be difficult. I enjoy antagonizing them.
From there, Kathryn drove me to the bus station, and I rode another twenty hours on the bus to get back here to Boston. Grace and I exchanged weekend stories, and I cleaned my room.
Okay, so that was a little more rambly than "highlights" that I planned on writing. Amusingly, it still kind of looks like highlights since I only mention everything briefly with little commentary. But the important thing for right now, in my opinion, is getting it all down so I don't forget. The feelings I felt this weekend will be harder to fade in my memory. I'll always remember how happy it was to be back, as well as how peaceful I felt when I left.
I realized this weekend that I greatly missed being with these friends that I loved, but I didn't quite miss being a college student. As terrifying as this transitory period is, I like where I am. I think I'm on my way to something good.
until next time,
Chalkey
Thursday, Sean gave me a ride to Wooster from the Akron bus station. Every sign pointing to Wooster got a "Woohoo!" or something similar as we sang The Proclaimer's "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" on loop the way back. Once we got there, we spent the whole day practicing for my Common Grounds show.
I learned about me playing at Common Grounds that Tuesday evening around 10:00, so I this was the shortest notice I've ever had for a gig. That, and I had a bit to live up to after my last show while still in college. But, come hell and high water, I put on a show, and here's the setlist:
1. Common Grounds [working title]
2. Code Monkey (Jonathan Coulton cover)
3. My Name is Tim
4. You Don't Know Me (Ben Folds cover) (with Cara Haxo on piano!)
5. Mr. Moon (Kate Miccuci cover) (ukulele)
6. Only You (Garfunkel and Oates cover) (ukulele)
7. One Step Closer (Linkin Park cover) (ukulele)
8. Get Off The Lowry Stairs
9. Only The Good Die Young (Billy Joel cover) (with Sean Bouyack on French Horn!)
10. One Prarie Outpost (Carbon Leaf cover) (with Sean Bouyack on lead vocals and me on backup vocals!)
11. Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead cover) (ukulele)
12. half past eight
13. Soul of Fireflies (Norwegian Recycling cover) (ukulele) (with Marten Dollinger and Maddie Socolar doing backup vocals!)
14. Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rogers cover) (no instrumentation)
"Fake Plastic Trees" was scrapped because so many people came by Common Grounds early to see me that the song was kind of beaten into the ground by the time I was ready to perform; everyone had heard it already. Well, that's not true - about thirty something people filled the little coffee shop that day. But still.
Let's see... other points of interest. "half past eight" was played by request of the crowd. With "Only You"'s line about the perfect husband, I replaced the four male names with "Sarah, Catie, Liz or Audrey" in tribute to Apples' main group of friends.
There were a fair number of freshman there - ones that had never met me before today - that had somehow still known "Get Off The Lowry Stairs." These kids went nuts when I was like "Since you're freshman, I have to let you know how things work around here. There's a grave injustice that goes on at this school [everyone who knows what's going on cheers]. There will be those that will take away one of your fundamental rights [more cheers]. In your time here, some COMMIE BASTARD WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO EAT [even more cheers]. You'll be on your way to lunch, unable to get there before your class starts because these folks will be sitting there, blocking the Lowry stairwell just chitchatting away. This song is for all who have felt this pain, and it's called 'Get Off The Lowry Stairs,' a'ight!" [crowd goes nuts, probably the most applause I had all night]
Oh, and I also called Jonah Comstock twice that night (I tried to call Nathan, but he didn't pick up). The first time was before my show started, saying I refused to start playing until he sang into my cell phone's speaker phone (put next to the mic) in order to open up for me like he always did in school. He sang a number from Chess the musical. I called him one more time at the end of my set, telling him that the last song was dedicated to him and his brother. From now on, I said, rather than ending with "Illusions," a Matt Nathanson song that reminded me of an old high school friend, I'd end all future shows with "Mary Ellen Carter" to remind me of them. Jonah sang along via Skype video chat.
After the show, Karl and I went to Mom's Truck Stop together, chatted about life, and then went to bed. Since Maddie was putting me up, we stayed up until 3:00 a.m. talking about girls. And boys.
On Friday, I woke up early to have breakfast with Aaron Yi. That was when I met that one freshman from last entry.
From there, I went to hang out with Sean and play some classic Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in Aaron's room, where he had a Sega Genesis (this was where Sean was staying for the weekend). Sean had never seen the level select code before, so I felt super cool for getting him to all his favorite levels (and by super cool, I mean dorky). I left to play some Brawl with Chad and then hang out with Ari during his Friday screamo radio show on Woo91.
From there, Sean and I went for a run on Military, a classic five mile course through Wooster forestland. Both of us were determined to prove we could run the courses we could back when we were students, and although we were a little rough around the hills we still passed with flying colors.
He, Bill and I went to Wendy's, and then I went to go hang out with Anna Mudd for a bit before we all met up again at Wooster's weekly Friday swing dance sessions. Bill and Sean were pre-gaming into drunken messes while I was gone, so Bill's conversational skills were a little different than usual.
Me: Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Chalkey.
So-and-so: My name is [forgotten by now].
Me: Nice to meet you.
Bill: CHALKEY! I have a very important rule about swinging with someone you don't know.
Me: Yes?
Bill: [imitating Jeff Murdock from Coupling] Only smile at her faaaaaace.
[So-and-so walks away]
Me: Thanks, Bill.
In revenge, I wrote "Bill is a Terrible Person" on a piece of paper and submitted it to Pocket Lines, a Don't Throw Shoes improv sketch that I later found out Bill was invited on stage to do as an alum. Drunk Bill still stole the show, despite his belligerent comments to the audience that loved him so much the last few years.
Carrie [current Shoe member]: Okay, we need a scenario for this next skit.
Bill: THE FLOOR IS LAVA!
Carrie: [sighs] Anyone else?
Other person: The floor is lava!
Bill: OH, REAL ORIGINAL!
I'm pretty sure that comment got more remarks than many of the skits that day. Bill also appeared in a Dating Game Show skit, which got the most applause of the night. As Bill soaked it up, I bragged to people in the audience about how, when we were freshman, he originally hesitated to audition for Shoes until I offered to audition too for support. I also told the story about how my first skit was Party Quirks, with me being assigned the role of a Pokémon Trainer and that being my only successful skit of the night.
After Shoes, I went to hang out with Apples, where I got some much needed cuddling - something I've been deprived of since leaving Wooster. Normal people aren't as affectionate as college students, and when they are it has to mean something. So I treasured every second with Apples, soaking up every time she had little quirks from her affectionate side, like nuzzling against me with her nose when she was really comfortable. That was kind of nice.
I woke up still intertwined like vines with Apples the next morning, then hung out with Libby and Kathryn all morning, cuddling some more and catching up with her. When they both left, Apples and Alyssa and I had lunch together, then I followed Alyssa to her new carrol - real close to where mine used to be. She and Libby now share this one, just like the three of us shared mine when I was a senior.
From there, I went to hang out with Catie Gullet, at least until I accidentally fell asleep while talking with her in the Oak Grove grass. Miss Corwin bumped into me at some point, and then kicked me awake. I told her about Steph (oh, right, I still need to write about her here), and then went back to Common Grounds, where Corey and Thomas were catching up with people over Skype Video chat. Corey lamented how he'd tickle torture me if he were in person, forcing Tristan and Colin to do it in my place. Corey was placated, and I'm pretty sure I was soiled.
From there, I went to hang out with Ashley and Tom, and then Kylie and Gillian, and then I went to see Much Ado About Nothing, which Ari was directing for the Shakesperians on campus. Ari did a great job - the visual humor in the play kind of made the show what it was.
On Sunday, I had breakfast with Tristan at the Shack (the Hungry COW has since been taken off the menu at Mom's, so we recreated it with breakfast food at the Shack). We then spent the morning playing Melee, and then I went to go have lunch with Anna Mudd, followed by frolicking in the leaves with Apples and then going for a walk with Miss Corwin. Apples and Miss Corwin coincidentally both brought up a confession of curiosity regarding my sexual orientation, which they had never heard me explicitly say to them. I responded to each with something like "Well, maybe I just never mentioned my exact orientation to you because you've never asked." In both cases, I wrapped up conversation and left before they could ask just to be difficult. I enjoy antagonizing them.
From there, Kathryn drove me to the bus station, and I rode another twenty hours on the bus to get back here to Boston. Grace and I exchanged weekend stories, and I cleaned my room.
Okay, so that was a little more rambly than "highlights" that I planned on writing. Amusingly, it still kind of looks like highlights since I only mention everything briefly with little commentary. But the important thing for right now, in my opinion, is getting it all down so I don't forget. The feelings I felt this weekend will be harder to fade in my memory. I'll always remember how happy it was to be back, as well as how peaceful I felt when I left.
I realized this weekend that I greatly missed being with these friends that I loved, but I didn't quite miss being a college student. As terrifying as this transitory period is, I like where I am. I think I'm on my way to something good.
until next time,
Chalkey