Saturday, September 27, 2003
Damn Good Pianist
Today I was wondering about Mr. Atchison. I wondered how he was doing. If he had found a good job and perhaps began playing piano for a really upscale orchestra or musical ensemble.
Mr. Atchison is an extremely talented pianist. I first met him in the 8th grade, when he played accompaniment for our mixed choir. When I went to high school, our accompanist was Mrs. Roberts, a delightful Christian woman whose adopted son Benjamin was also in the choir. When she and her family packed up and moved to Austin that summer, Mrs. Roberts was replaced with Mr. Atchison. His playing made a world of difference to the choir.
There was no worse perfectionist than the soft spoken pianist. He rapped on keys when he heard wrong clashing tones emitting from the choir. He practically gouged out his eyes when he heard the slightest off note. There was obvious competition for respect between him and our director Mrs. Jaffurs. But, since he was the meek, thin-as-a-rail wispy-haired man and she was the loud, beat-you-with-a-stick-if-you-don't-get-this-note go-getter, she won the conflict always.
Mr. Atchison's breath smelled of Clorox... you know that smell your great aunt has when she tries to give you a kiss and you squirm away? His right thumbnail was always green and moldy looking. He was tall, thin, balding and had deep acne scars across his face. His lisp taught everyone to stand at least a foot away, since he often had cotton mouth. You were bound to get wet. The creep factor was high, but he was a great pianist.
When our Spring Show choreographer suggested he change the end of "Oh Fortuna" from Carmina Burana to better match her steps, he looked at her blankly and scoffed, "You want me to change Orff?" When performing Dello Joio's "A Jubilant Song" for contest, he never faltered nor did he miss a note at the high-speed finale. He was awesome.
My senior year, I worked on the director's computer, inputting music to create midi recordings for other students. That period was a free period, so he'd come in and sit on the desk with one foot propped up on my armrest. He'd make casual conversation and offer to help with the input, but he knew nothing of computers, so I always turned him down.
The day we were being fitted for our new tuxedo uniforms, I was running late. I had classes at the college and rarely did I make it on time for choir. Mr. Atchison knew this by now, and since he took attendance, he knew not to mark me absent or tardy. Afterall, it was the bus driver's fault if I was late, not mine. By the time I made it to class that day, everyone had already tried on their new tuxes. So, I went into ensemble room "A" and undressed as quickly as possible. The choir was already warming up. I tried to hurry but I fumbled as I was pulling on my tux pants.
It was then that I looked up and saw through the narrow window on the door that Mr. Atchison was eyeing me up and down. He had the attendance slip in one hand and and was biting the index finger on his other. He saw me notice and he hurried down the corridor. I finished changing and joined the choir. About half an hour later, Mr. Atchison returned to the choir hall and sat at his piano bench, pounding out correct notes during our mediocre sight-reading performance.
I graduated a couple of months later, and the following autumn, some of my good friends returned for their senior year. It was strange for them, when one day, Mr. Atchison didn't show up for class. The next morning, I was reading the newspaper and saw the headline "High school music teacher arrested."
According to the newspaper, Mr. Atchison had been arrested for soliciting sex at a local McDonalds and park nearby. My friends said that the rumors began to fly around the school. So many different stories. That evening, Vanessa called me to tell me that her dad had was the one who arrested Mr. Atchison. He told her that Mr. Atchison had been to a local McDonalds and approached a young man asking him if he'd seen his friend. Mr. Atchison proceeded to show him a picture which was in a magazine called "Inches." The man was freaked out and called police. They tracked Mr. Atchison down at Pendelton Park, which is about a mile away. Witnesses said he was approaching men with the magazine in hand.
The next day that story was printed as a follow-up in the newspaper. It contained all the details and witness tesimonies. Mr. Atchison was fired from the school, and shortly after disappeared from town. That's the last I ever heard of Mr. Atchison... that damn good pianist.
Mr. Atchison is an extremely talented pianist. I first met him in the 8th grade, when he played accompaniment for our mixed choir. When I went to high school, our accompanist was Mrs. Roberts, a delightful Christian woman whose adopted son Benjamin was also in the choir. When she and her family packed up and moved to Austin that summer, Mrs. Roberts was replaced with Mr. Atchison. His playing made a world of difference to the choir.
There was no worse perfectionist than the soft spoken pianist. He rapped on keys when he heard wrong clashing tones emitting from the choir. He practically gouged out his eyes when he heard the slightest off note. There was obvious competition for respect between him and our director Mrs. Jaffurs. But, since he was the meek, thin-as-a-rail wispy-haired man and she was the loud, beat-you-with-a-stick-if-you-don't-get-this-note go-getter, she won the conflict always.
Mr. Atchison's breath smelled of Clorox... you know that smell your great aunt has when she tries to give you a kiss and you squirm away? His right thumbnail was always green and moldy looking. He was tall, thin, balding and had deep acne scars across his face. His lisp taught everyone to stand at least a foot away, since he often had cotton mouth. You were bound to get wet. The creep factor was high, but he was a great pianist.
When our Spring Show choreographer suggested he change the end of "Oh Fortuna" from Carmina Burana to better match her steps, he looked at her blankly and scoffed, "You want me to change Orff?" When performing Dello Joio's "A Jubilant Song" for contest, he never faltered nor did he miss a note at the high-speed finale. He was awesome.
My senior year, I worked on the director's computer, inputting music to create midi recordings for other students. That period was a free period, so he'd come in and sit on the desk with one foot propped up on my armrest. He'd make casual conversation and offer to help with the input, but he knew nothing of computers, so I always turned him down.
The day we were being fitted for our new tuxedo uniforms, I was running late. I had classes at the college and rarely did I make it on time for choir. Mr. Atchison knew this by now, and since he took attendance, he knew not to mark me absent or tardy. Afterall, it was the bus driver's fault if I was late, not mine. By the time I made it to class that day, everyone had already tried on their new tuxes. So, I went into ensemble room "A" and undressed as quickly as possible. The choir was already warming up. I tried to hurry but I fumbled as I was pulling on my tux pants.
It was then that I looked up and saw through the narrow window on the door that Mr. Atchison was eyeing me up and down. He had the attendance slip in one hand and and was biting the index finger on his other. He saw me notice and he hurried down the corridor. I finished changing and joined the choir. About half an hour later, Mr. Atchison returned to the choir hall and sat at his piano bench, pounding out correct notes during our mediocre sight-reading performance.
I graduated a couple of months later, and the following autumn, some of my good friends returned for their senior year. It was strange for them, when one day, Mr. Atchison didn't show up for class. The next morning, I was reading the newspaper and saw the headline "High school music teacher arrested."
According to the newspaper, Mr. Atchison had been arrested for soliciting sex at a local McDonalds and park nearby. My friends said that the rumors began to fly around the school. So many different stories. That evening, Vanessa called me to tell me that her dad had was the one who arrested Mr. Atchison. He told her that Mr. Atchison had been to a local McDonalds and approached a young man asking him if he'd seen his friend. Mr. Atchison proceeded to show him a picture which was in a magazine called "Inches." The man was freaked out and called police. They tracked Mr. Atchison down at Pendelton Park, which is about a mile away. Witnesses said he was approaching men with the magazine in hand.
The next day that story was printed as a follow-up in the newspaper. It contained all the details and witness tesimonies. Mr. Atchison was fired from the school, and shortly after disappeared from town. That's the last I ever heard of Mr. Atchison... that damn good pianist.
Mikey was being stupid at 9:12 PM ::
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Vanessa Gossip
Vanessa's latest crush has done something to her that no man has ever done before... left her speechless. He went up to talk to her today after class and she froze up and just took off. Her plan was to act all coy, then like she didn't care... But it all came crashing down when he attempted to make conversation and she just bolted. Oy, I'm sorry, I had to chuckle.
She also mentioned that Amy has finally gone all the way with her fiance... the remaining two inches. For the first year and a half they were together, it was anal and oral... because she and her fiance believed that wasn't REALLY sex. And it would be a sin to do it before marriage. Again, I say Oy. A couple of weeks ago she called Vanessa telling her that they'd made it to the next level with "half-way sex" ... He'd only go in a few inches. She called last night to tell her they'd gone ALL the way. Oh God.... these two kids are so deserving of each other... epitome of "ditz." Oh well. Have fun you guys.
Vanessa's other big news was that her brother is going to be married. The kid just turned 18 and regardless of test scores, he's just a dumb shit. He has no life skills and is in for a rude awakening. His mom has never met his girlfriend, yet demanded that she move in to his room with him. His mom said, that if anything she would have to stay in JR's room (who's in Iraq at the moment).
"But that's how it happens in our family... get married, then bring her home to meet the parents" Vanessa said. His mother's refusal to let Amber into his room, had Chris rampaging and preparing to move out of the house. Tell me exactly where he's going to get the money to do this. Here's another "OY!" for good measure.
I just love Vanessa gossip.
She also mentioned that Amy has finally gone all the way with her fiance... the remaining two inches. For the first year and a half they were together, it was anal and oral... because she and her fiance believed that wasn't REALLY sex. And it would be a sin to do it before marriage. Again, I say Oy. A couple of weeks ago she called Vanessa telling her that they'd made it to the next level with "half-way sex" ... He'd only go in a few inches. She called last night to tell her they'd gone ALL the way. Oh God.... these two kids are so deserving of each other... epitome of "ditz." Oh well. Have fun you guys.
Vanessa's other big news was that her brother is going to be married. The kid just turned 18 and regardless of test scores, he's just a dumb shit. He has no life skills and is in for a rude awakening. His mom has never met his girlfriend, yet demanded that she move in to his room with him. His mom said, that if anything she would have to stay in JR's room (who's in Iraq at the moment).
"But that's how it happens in our family... get married, then bring her home to meet the parents" Vanessa said. His mother's refusal to let Amber into his room, had Chris rampaging and preparing to move out of the house. Tell me exactly where he's going to get the money to do this. Here's another "OY!" for good measure.
I just love Vanessa gossip.
Mikey was being stupid at 7:24 PM ::
Monday, September 22, 2003
Mikey's Photo Album
Mikey's Photo Album
Self-explanitory really.
Self-explanitory really.
Mikey was being stupid at 4:19 AM ::
Sunday, September 21, 2003
Doppleganger
 |
Now, I see the guy is still modeling for Hot Topic.. unless this is an old picture. I don't know. It's kind of scary.
I think later on tonight, I'll take a new cam pic... just for the sake of comparison.. to see if this guy really looks like me. I think I've been convinced that he does. But maybe that's just my subconscious thinking, "Hey, if this guy is good enough to be a model... maybe you've got the looks." ... Then I remember I'm a scrawny yet love-handle-y, short twirp with a crooked jaw.... Cold reality sets in. :P
On a related note, I now have a wishlist from Hot Topic... Just in case you are feeling generous.
Mikey was being stupid at 12:43 AM ::