I stayed in to study Path tonight, by which I mean that I went to go see Shutter Island with Nick and Lindsay. It. Was. So. Good. I mistakenly thought that it would give my brain a rest and just provide me with a few hours of cheap entertainment, but my mind was practically racing the entire movie. So many twists! So many surprises! So many girls screaming in the audience!
If I learned one thing from the movie, it's that perhaps psychiatry really is the ideal field for me. Shutter Island is set in 1954, right after the development of chlorpromazine, the first typical antipsychotic medication. The drug is used by the psychiatrists in the movie, and it's still in the UVA formulary today. Less new drugs to learn? At this point, that sounds like the perfect specialty to me!
EDIT: I just realized that the basic premise of Shutter Island is about uncovering the truth behind a mysterious island where nothing is as it really seems while trying to get off of the island and return home. Sound like something else I'm totally obsessed with?
Nah.
What Else Could Go Right?
I am pleased to announce that, for the first time I can recall since I moved to Charlottesville, the Subway on the Corner is participating in the Footlong Nation Appreciation promotion. For some reason, they've always refused to honor the deal where the $5 footlong price is extended to every sandwich on the menu. But they've finally done it, and I can truthfully say that it was well worth the wait.
I am also pleased to announce that Nisha is still the most absurd person I know. I logged onto Facebook earlier today to discover that she had written on Tina's wall the following statement:
actually something came up and i'm back in tanzania!!
Okay, what?? The phrase "something came up" does not logically precede the phrase "i'm back in tanzania." You don't just pick up your things and fly from Richmond to Tanzania on a whim. I can only presume that the soccer team that she was following for her documentary is finally playing in the international competition that kept getting postponed. Nisha, if you're reading this, I hope you're getting some awesome footage!
But that doesn't change the fact that you are without a doubt the craziest person I know.
I am also pleased to announce that Nisha is still the most absurd person I know. I logged onto Facebook earlier today to discover that she had written on Tina's wall the following statement:
actually something came up and i'm back in tanzania!!
Okay, what?? The phrase "something came up" does not logically precede the phrase "i'm back in tanzania." You don't just pick up your things and fly from Richmond to Tanzania on a whim. I can only presume that the soccer team that she was following for her documentary is finally playing in the international competition that kept getting postponed. Nisha, if you're reading this, I hope you're getting some awesome footage!
But that doesn't change the fact that you are without a doubt the craziest person I know.
Epic Fail AND Win!
The Punch Brothers concert last night was amazing (as you may have already gathered), but there was one low moment in the night. The band had just come out to play an encore, and luckily for us, we were sitting up close in the fourth row. As they were setting up for their final set, Jon nudged me to ask them where the after-party was going to be. While the rest of the audience was completely quiet, I yelled out, "WHERE ARE YOU GOING AFTER THE SHOW!?" Sadly, they completely ignored my query. Alas.
I didn't give up on hanging out with the band so easily, though. A few of us stuck around the Jefferson Theater lobby after the show hoping to see them come out, and they actually lined up to meet the fans and sign autographs. I didn't really have anything on me that I could get them to sign, but like any good second year medical student, I happened to be carrying around my First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 study book in my track bag. Chris Eldridge, the guitarist, told me he wanted to sign a cool page, so he flipped around until he found the Pharmacology section regarding alcohol toxicity. And now I have all five of their signatures on page 236 of First Aid 2009. Guess this is one book that won't be going into next year's book sale!
I didn't give up on hanging out with the band so easily, though. A few of us stuck around the Jefferson Theater lobby after the show hoping to see them come out, and they actually lined up to meet the fans and sign autographs. I didn't really have anything on me that I could get them to sign, but like any good second year medical student, I happened to be carrying around my First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 study book in my track bag. Chris Eldridge, the guitarist, told me he wanted to sign a cool page, so he flipped around until he found the Pharmacology section regarding alcohol toxicity. And now I have all five of their signatures on page 236 of First Aid 2009. Guess this is one book that won't be going into next year's book sale!
Concertgod > USMLEgod
Tonight I sacrificed four hours of my time to Concertgod, and he has greatly rewarded me for my selfless offering. I just saw one of the best performances of my life, put on by the Punch Brothers. Their musicality is literally beyond words, but you know how I love talking/typing, so I'm going to try to describe it anyway.
The night actually started with Christina Courtin, a young singer with a voice that sounds a lot like Regina Spektor. Almost too much like Regina Spektor, if you ask me. But she was charming in a quirky way, and her acoustic set won me over in the end. I was worried for most of the time that she and her guitarist might be having seizures onstage, though. Those jerky movements they made while they performed... those can't be normal. Anyway, you can check out her music on her MySpace page, and I highly recommend her song Foreign Country.
But then the Punch Brothers came onstage, and my, what a show. I mean it when I say that these guys have to be some of the best musicians out there. Led by mandolinist and vocalist Chris Thile of Nickel Creek fame, the band blew me away with their unpredictable harmonies. Listening to them play was like walking through a haunted house, but in a good way, because you never knew what was going to come at you next. Several songs involved more than three time signature and/or key changes, but they were incorporated so seamlessly that I wouldn't even realize what had happened until several seconds later. I don't know how they were able to play off of each other so well, but I'm going to chalk it up to an endless well of talent combined with what must be hours upon hours of rehearsal.
I think my favorite part of the show was watching how the musicians all fed off of each other's energies. They all knew what everyone else was about to do at any given moment. The best example I can think of was during their cover of the Stanley Brothers' The Lonesome River. They bent and scooped the notes just the right amount and somehow always hit the final chord at just the right time.
Wait, I lied, that wasn't my only favorite part. My other favorite part was how they were able to use cliche little band tricks like suddenly getting quiet and building the dynamics and tempo back up in a frenzy, but making it sound totally naturally and unplanned. To compare, one of Christina Courtin's songs was written in major but for some reason she decided to end it on the minor chord. IMHO, it just didn't work. On the other hand, the Punch Brothers ended several of their songs on the dominant chord or even the first inversion of the tonic(!), and it didn't sound gimicky at all. It was almost as if the music wanted to flow that way of its own accord, and the musicians were just a channel of this unstoppable force flowing towards me from the stage.
Okay, I could literally go on and on about how much I enjoyed the show for hours, but Neil just sent me the link to tonight's episode of LOST that I missed because of the concert, so obviously I need to go watch it immediately. I'll leave you now with a video of the Punch Brothers performing Rye Whiskey, a song off of their new album. Sadly, the audio isn't quite synched with the video, but I trust that you'll enjoy it nonetheless.
The night actually started with Christina Courtin, a young singer with a voice that sounds a lot like Regina Spektor. Almost too much like Regina Spektor, if you ask me. But she was charming in a quirky way, and her acoustic set won me over in the end. I was worried for most of the time that she and her guitarist might be having seizures onstage, though. Those jerky movements they made while they performed... those can't be normal. Anyway, you can check out her music on her MySpace page, and I highly recommend her song Foreign Country.
But then the Punch Brothers came onstage, and my, what a show. I mean it when I say that these guys have to be some of the best musicians out there. Led by mandolinist and vocalist Chris Thile of Nickel Creek fame, the band blew me away with their unpredictable harmonies. Listening to them play was like walking through a haunted house, but in a good way, because you never knew what was going to come at you next. Several songs involved more than three time signature and/or key changes, but they were incorporated so seamlessly that I wouldn't even realize what had happened until several seconds later. I don't know how they were able to play off of each other so well, but I'm going to chalk it up to an endless well of talent combined with what must be hours upon hours of rehearsal.
I think my favorite part of the show was watching how the musicians all fed off of each other's energies. They all knew what everyone else was about to do at any given moment. The best example I can think of was during their cover of the Stanley Brothers' The Lonesome River. They bent and scooped the notes just the right amount and somehow always hit the final chord at just the right time.
Wait, I lied, that wasn't my only favorite part. My other favorite part was how they were able to use cliche little band tricks like suddenly getting quiet and building the dynamics and tempo back up in a frenzy, but making it sound totally naturally and unplanned. To compare, one of Christina Courtin's songs was written in major but for some reason she decided to end it on the minor chord. IMHO, it just didn't work. On the other hand, the Punch Brothers ended several of their songs on the dominant chord or even the first inversion of the tonic(!), and it didn't sound gimicky at all. It was almost as if the music wanted to flow that way of its own accord, and the musicians were just a channel of this unstoppable force flowing towards me from the stage.
Okay, I could literally go on and on about how much I enjoyed the show for hours, but Neil just sent me the link to tonight's episode of LOST that I missed because of the concert, so obviously I need to go watch it immediately. I'll leave you now with a video of the Punch Brothers performing Rye Whiskey, a song off of their new album. Sadly, the audio isn't quite synched with the video, but I trust that you'll enjoy it nonetheless.
Best Gchat Status of All Time
Katie's new status message - I made one little comment to my family about "moar snow" in charlottesville and spent the next 20 minutes explaining lolspeak to them via text message. Apparently knowing Sam Zhao has warped my sense of the appeal of obscure internet memes to the general public. 2:14 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, my work here is done.
Ladies and gentlemen, my work here is done.
Important Announcement
It has just come to my attention that it has been over a month since I have driven my car. The last time I remember using it was when I drove back from the Jefferson Scholars Regional Interviews in Richmond on January 11th. And, aside from going to the grocery store once in Lee's car, I haven't needed to drive at all since that day. I mean, the several feet of snow we've gotten in the past few weeks and my reluctance to shovel my car out of the driveway and general lazy demeanor may have had something to do with it as well. But no matter what, carbon footprint win!
To celebrate, I'm going to rent a personal jet and fly it to class tomorrow.
To celebrate, I'm going to rent a personal jet and fly it to class tomorrow.
Kissy Kissy Smoochy Smoochy
In the midst of all the excitement surrounding Chinese New Year, I completely forgot that today is also Valentine's Day. I ended up having a most romantic dinner with Matt, Richie, Cameron, Hassan, and Liz at Christian's Pizza, followed by dessert at Arch's. Who knew that polyandry could be so fun?
Of course, being Valentine's Day and all, I have to take a moment to honor the true love of my life: stop-motion videos. Here's one I came across today on Geekologie that makes me smile and feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. At least I think that's how love is supposed to make me feel. But I wouldn't know... cuz I'm a robot! DUN DUN DUN!!
Of course, being Valentine's Day and all, I have to take a moment to honor the true love of my life: stop-motion videos. Here's one I came across today on Geekologie that makes me smile and feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. At least I think that's how love is supposed to make me feel. But I wouldn't know... cuz I'm a robot! DUN DUN DUN!!
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