BAM.

Ode to the HFAC

Tonight I was at the HFAC (Harris Fine Arts Center, the music building at BYU) turning in a final project for one of my classes.  I went to the familiar 5th floor mail room to shove my assignment under the door with a note that said "put this in Neil Thornock's box" because OF COURSE I finished my assignment after the mail room already closed...I'm such a slacker.


As I was walking through the HFAC I passed a glass case that had all the professors that had ever worked in the BYU School of Music.  I read through each name, searching for the professors who had been here the longest or professors that I've had experiences with.


Richard Anderson.  Piano Professor, Theory.  Been here since the 70's.
2008.  Theory 1.  Professor Anderson tells me that if I wasn't tardy every day I would be receiving an A in the class but because of my sleep habits, I will receive an A- (as if that will make me change...I am secretly cheering for that A-).  He was such a nice and gentle giant.  Heart of gold.  When I received my grade for the class, it was an A. 


Jeremy Grimshaw.  Music History.  Pretty new to BYU.
2009.  World Music Cultures.  After 30 minutes of passing notes and writing quizzes that say "which of the following animals does Prof. Grimshaw most resemble?", Professor Grimshaw makes us stand up and practice the Ra music in India.  Although most of that class was spent giggling, I still remember a lot about what we learned.  Grimshaw made things fun and interesting.  He was just a good guy.


Randy Boothe.  Music Dance Theatre.
2008.  Voice Technique.  A rambunctious group of acting and media majors who don't know how to keep their mouths shut get told for the fifth time that we need to behave and take this class seriously.  We then proceed to all sing a phrase from "Memory" using the "belt singing" technique that we just learned.  It's a good thing our class is so light-hearted, because there were many cracks and yells and sorry singers.  Randy Boothe was very patient with us and such a fun teacher.  And oh-so talented.


Ron Simpson.  Media Music.  Been at BYU since the 80's.
2007.  Songwriting 1.  I'm the girl who sits in the middle of the classroom and tries not to look Ron in eye so he won't get mad at me for a potential stupid question I could ask.  The other songwriters are so intimidating to me.  For some reason Ron makes me, the shy little freshman girl, feel special.  Ron has been my mentor in college.  He's a man who has a lot more to him than meets the eye.  He truly cares about each and every single student.  He's retiring this year and he will be tremendously missed at BYU.


When I finished reading the names of so many influential people, I turned around and looked down at the HFAC lobby.  My heart skipped a couple beats.  It was like the reality of my life set in right there.


The HFAC had never looked so beautiful to me.


It was empty at night, but I imagined what it was like mid-day.  Choral majors practicing their conducting on the slab for everyone to see (and for everyone to sneer at) were right below me.  To my left, on the opposite side of the building, were the art majors.  Guys in converse shoes and girls wearing funky hats and yellow tights walking to class with their canvases.  On the floor right below me were the group of students about to head into concert choir.  The ridiculous flirting that was going on was apparent to anyone standing within 30 yards.


This has been my life for the past 4 years.  I smiled as I thought of the good times I had had in this wonderful building.  Tonight was one of my last times being in the HFAC.  I wanted to soak it all in, to let myself get emotional over saying goodbye, but then I realized,


Life doesn't wait for you to catch your breath.


It just keeps going, without even asking your permission.  You just have to go with the flow, and try to make it out on top.  I looked down at my left hand and felt the ring on my ring finger with my thumb.  I smiled.  Life has been so good and it will only get better.


And I left.

I guess this is old news...

How did I miss this YouTube video!?

The lyrics are incredible...especially the bridge ("and Sunday comes afterwards...").

Oh and don't even get me started on the rap section.  

Did you know that this video has the most "dislikes" on YouTube (almost 2 million)?  Justin Bieber's music video for "Baby" comes in second place for most disliked videos on YouTube.  

HAHAHAHAA officially the worst song I've ever heard!!!


Next to Aicha, that is. :)

"A royal flush, in your honor!"

Have you ever been overwhelmed with a long list of tasks you have to complete?
Things that will change your future if you don't complete them (like graduation projects and wedding planning)???
Then, instead of completing this long to-do list, you do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING???
I have been playing Solitaire all day long while listening to Ke$ha.

Story of my life.

P.S. I will be super impressed if you know what movie I'm quoting in the title of this blog post.

Home, home on the RANGE

As if it wasn't sad enough to say goodbye to this chump:

I also had to say goodbye to Ben's Range Rover.  For good.  Heated seats, satellite radio, pre-programmed seat adjustment just for me, and all.  Ben's selling it for a dumb truck.

Not happy.

Range, it's been good, and it's been real.  Memories of sweaty summer days selling pest control, first dates to Uncle Julio's, midnight runs to Walmart, nice and warm seats waiting on cold Utah winter nights, and blasting rap (that immediately gets turned to top 40 when I enter the car) will always remind me of you.  I'll never forget you.

Then again, I guess all of those memories could be had with any car.  It's the people you have the memories with that make the biggest difference.  Aw shucks.  I will still love the Range always and forever.

Sincerely,
Heath

This guy sings every voice.  Absolutely amazing!!