New Cheer's Eve

I write to you this evening from a frost covered Yorkshire, on the eve of 2009. I am sitting in an alcove of my grandparents' bedroom, in a warm red jersey, 2 pairs of socks and slippers. To tell you the truth, it's lovely and warm inside. There's a big fire roasting, and lots of people make lots of body heat, but I went for a walk earlier which was amazingly beautiful, but bone-shatteringly chilly, so I'm still all wrapped up from that.

There are only 4 and a half hours to go until we all watch the fireworks on the TV and Gramps walks outside just to come in again carrying bread and coal (an ancient tradition...apparently...). I'm talking to Becky as I write, because I know the board games will be starting in the very near future. She's made the last 5 weeks of 2008 go with style, and makes me look forward even more to 2009.

This year really has been an excellent one. I think everyone who knows me would agree that I have grown up a lot, and that's a good feeling. Everywhere I go, I've noticed that I'm being treated much more adultly, and I think that's also helped by the fact that I'm significantly above average heightwise. Whatever people say, not being vertically challenged is a good thing. It's nice to look everyone directly in the eye. Generally, it's impossible to be patronised from below you. I say generally - there are some exceptions to this rule...

You all know what my NYRs are for 2009, and I must say that I am already sticking to them. I haven't gained a shred of weight over this holiday period, and now I can work on solidly losing it. My first goal is for a noticeable difference to have happened for February half term week, because that's when my next AYM course is happening. Not that I need to be especially fit to do it or anything. It's just that they get professional photographers in for every course, so I want a marked improvement to be noticed. It would make me feel even more wonderful than I do presently.

Yorkshire

So here I am. In the lovely village of Grassington, North Yorks. I come here on average about once every sechs woche, to visit my grandparents and other extended family. Most of my family are based north of where you can start saying "I'm up north," so it's just little old us in Cambridgeshire. Would I come and live up here and leave our area? Not for the world.

We always come up here for New Year though, and it's good fun. I play board games with one particular Aunt for a somewhat extortionate amount of time, and have more than a little Champagne. Not that I actually like bubbly that much, it's just handed around several times during the course of the night. I'm enjoying myself at the minute very much. There is, contrary to my fears, an internet connection (though not one strong enough for the iPod to pick up...) and my grandma makes Apple Pie like you wouldn't believe.

Just generally, my life is excellent currently. Really wonderful. I haven't put on an ounce of weight over Christmas (through sheer will and a lucky hatred of mince pies), I have an incredible girlfriend, and great friends.

Off for some Poirot on ITV3 with my grandparents now, I think. xx

The Dead Days.

It's funny. This blog post isn't actually a depressing one at all. I just remembered the title of a book I read - well, started to read - a few years ago. In it, the "Dead Days" are the days between Christmas and New Year, and are supposed to be haunted. I'm sure it was a very good book, but I didn't finish it. That is something that's been troubling me for a few years now: the fact that I very rarely finish the books that I've started. Currently my head is filled with reams and reams of vague character introductions and first chapters, but no plot developments or meaty conclusions. In the last 2 years I would say I have finished only about 10 books tops. Shameful! I can always rely on Rowling or Horowitz to produce books that I will finish, but with the Harry Potters finished and new Alex Rider books extremely thin on the ground there is not even much of that to be enjoyed any more.

Having received a stack of books for Christmas that would comfortably fill a small car, I have decided to include "reading more books" in my list of New Year's resolutions. Where is this list, I hear you all ask. Because I hear voices in my head which aren't really there. Well, the truth is, it hasn't been written yet. So, partly for my benefit and partly because I like to satisfy my readers' natural inquisitiveness, I am going to write my official list of New Year's resolutions for 2009.

Well, first on the list can be to read and, importantly, finish more books. That goal should be an easy one to achieve, as the afformentioned pile of Christmas books included "Big Bangs" which is about the most groundbreaking discoveries in musical history. You may well be sitting there sniggering,  but each to their own... Other books include Barack Obama's autobiography, which looks very interesting, and QI's "Advanced Banter," which is essentialy a book of quotations, but fun nonetheless.

Another thing on this spontaneous but comprehensive resolution list is to slim down for the summer. Not because I'm particularly planning anything this summer. The thing is, I can not remember a time in my entire life where I felt felt truly comfortable in swimming trunks. I don't have a long way to go: Since last summer I've lost over half a stone, which is saying a heck of a lot when you consider I've grown 3 inches since that time. There is still room for improvement, though, and 2009 is going to be the year that I fill that space. For good.

Next resolution: to never miss a coursework deadline. Not that I actually ever have, but I having lots of friends a year my senior has forwarned me to a certain extent of the rapid increase of pressure that begins to start around this time of life. I want to, shall we say, buy a fire extinguisher and not have to call the firemen out. 

Also in 2009, I want to do a great deal more composing. Once I get in the flow of it, nobody can stop me, but until I reach that point I find it hard to concentrate. And it's a tricky point to reach. I think I'm going to achieve this by entering as many composition competitions as I can find. This started earlier this month with the Cambridge Young Composer competition, for which I'm still waiting for the results. There are at least 3 other immediate comps. for me to enter, and more come up all the time.

But enough, for now, of the future. Let's concentrate for a brief period on the past. Christmas this year was wonderful, mainly because I've been spending a lot of time with my lovely parents, which is great. Also, my presents this year were amazing. They included an iPod Touch, which is marvellous in the true sense of the word, and Sibelius 5, the best composition software in the world. I got Wii music, which is a laugh and a half, but for some reason has a very homosexual Japanese guy narrating a lot of it (or at least that's what we deduced in our house...). I've recently got into Family Guy, so I was pleased to uwrap a DVD box set on Christmas Day. (My Mum really doesn't miss a trick...) Doctor Who was pretty good in the evening, and Wallace and Gromit made me laugh. Boxing Day brought the best TV in our house though, as we watched 24: Redemption, which I got the day before, and Mamma Mia, which my dad got the day before. 

The only bad thing at the minute is that I don't think I'll be able to see Becky for nearly 2 weeks. I feel really bad about it, but I'm in Yorkshire for a week, starting tomorrow, then on a Choir course for the final weekend of the holidays. From an optimist's point of view, I suppose it will mean that we'll make the most of when we finally do see each other again, at school, but that doesn't stop me missing her very badly.

Wow, this is by far my longest blog post to date. The little elves inside my head won't be able to produce this much on a regular basis though, so don't be disappointed if I choose not to write an essay a day! x

Today

Lots of today has been quite dull. It's funny how all term you wait for some breathing space, then when it finally comes you don't know what to do with it. There have been a few interesting things so far today, though. I played MarioKart on the Wii, which I haven't touched for several months because of being tremendously busy. It was good fun. I have also been playing several songs today, most prominently Coldplay's "Violet Hill." I'm afraid that is probably Jamie's influence on me. 

Also today, I've come to a stage in my life I thought I'd never reach. Becky knows what this is. I am bubbling over with happiness today, and my smile isn't fading. It's so frustrating, though, talking so much yet not being able to see each other face to face that often.

So actually, while for me this day has been a tad on the dull side, I am happier now than ever before. I have an incredible girfriend, amazing parents, wonderful friends, and Christmas is almost here! (Only 3 more sleeps before Santa...!!) 

Charities Morning

Charities Morning itself was actually slightly disappointing today. The stalls get more and more tacky each year, and the staff scooter race was odd. It was excellent for another reason, though. I feel closer to Becky now than ever before, if a little pressured from certain people. 

3 of my friends got into St. Cecilia today! Great for them, but it does make it St. Cecilia 33... Not sure how big it will get before the quality suffers.

All in all, though, a good day, with lots of hand-holding, hugs, and ... more. 

Happiness

Have I found it? I would definitely say yes. Firstly, there is the incredible person that is Becky. She puts a big grin on my face when nothing else can, and I love her a ridiculous amount. 

Another reason I am happy is because tonight is the first night without having to worry about any schoolwork or upcoming musical performances. My shoulders feel suddenly light. See, the thing is, I actually do an incredible amount for a 13 year old. I got a Christmas Card from my head of music today. It said "The music department is a richer place with you in it, and I am a happier person and teacher." That doesn't come easily. I know I need to slow down, but I wouldn't enjoy life as much if I just let it fly past me. January is the easiest time in the musician's year anyway, so I am planning to miss a few unimportant rehearsals. Not to relax though. Oh no, I'm going to meet up with the rest of Brunel House ABBA band and extend our set quite considerably.

But that's after Christmas. For now I'm just going to enjoy Charities Morning (and not just for the fundraising...) then have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with my family at home and in Yorkshire.

Who am I?

My name is Alex Woolf. I live near the beautiful city of Cambridge, England, and music is pretty much my life. Not that I will solely talk about music in my blogs, you understand - (though I admit that may become a sizeable chunk of it eventually.) On this page you will find my thoughts on life, the universe and everything, plus some insights into my fields of expertise.