Final Week

Hi everyone. It is Sunday night, which means I have only three full days before my defense, Nov. 21st. A day which will live in infamy. Well, probably not. I believe it will go fine. I have been reassured from numerous sources that if there was true worry about me not being ready my committee would have informed me by now. That being said, I guess it is important that I feel I am ready. I would assume that I need to go in to this defense with my guard up, fully prepared to thwart any attempts from the opposing forces to throw me off of my horse. I will need to bring a horse. This might get complicated.

Honestly, I am comfortable that I am ready, excited to have completed what I consider my best works. I cannot express how hard I have been working. Here are my books:


And it is crazy how much Nicole has helped to support me in this endeavor. I think Dylan is ready to write me off as an absentee father. I am sure if she hears me tell her one more time that I can't take her to the park because I have to work she is going to start recruiting the neighborhood men to take my place. Just kidding of course.

BOO!

Well, I have been tested, and will be for another few days at least. I wish I could be more eloquent right now, and tell you everything we have been doing, but that will have to wait another week. I will report in soon. Until then:

Michael Jackson Mashup

One more new (non-professional) recording, this one of the string trio Simply Three playing the arrangement/mashup I wrote for them of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” and Earth Song.” They have been performing it in their live show. Great group!

MICHAEL JACKSON MASHUP

Portrait of Invisible Man

Video from the performance of my piece “Portrait of Invisible Man” performed at the 10/24/13 United Nations Day celebration:

Thanks to Howie for the awesome "picture" of the invisible man!

September '13

Yes, I now title my blog posts by the month, because I am lucky to get one done. Life is busy. I am working hard, teaching, working on my piece and my paper. Making progress. Graduating in December is still a possibility.

I got the recording from the ASU Wind Ensemble's performance of my piece "Summer Lullaby" last year. This was written for Dylan, so keep that in mind as you listen. They did a pretty good job, especially the second half of the piece. Enjoy...

Fastest Growing Jobs

Thank you USAToday! Best news I have heard in a while!

Check out #3 - 10 Fastest Growing Jobs!

Haboob!

Dylan and I were caught in a dust storm yesterday! That's right, a haboob! Or, to be specific:

We had just gotten in the pool, which was full of bugs, and some little flies were following us around. Next thing we knew the sky turned dark orange and the wind started blowing. We quickly jumped out of the pool and scrambled to get our stuff and back into the apartment. Before we could get back, the dust started to blow, and we had to run to get back to safety. Fun!!

In honor of this event, here are two new videos:

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEOS (GOOGLE+)

Happy New Year, sorta

I guess we are still at least a week away from Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year for those wondering), but it feels like the new year already here. I started school yesterday - I am only TAing this semester, no classes - and the weather is starting to break:

I got a job teaching at a local college - I'll be teaching three music technology classes this fall. Classes start August 3rd for that school. And Dylan is getting bigger, talking more, etc. I just gave her some hummos. She said "Daddy, this hummos is too much good! And it's almost gone!" She sure is cute. And she got a kitchen!

She is accepting new dishes and aprons...

Nicole is working on getting her photography business going again, and is going to advertise at ASU. I am struggling through my dissertation, but have made some amazing progress this summer and I believe that I can finish in December if I stay on task. We are so busy! It is so Hot! Hoping to get back to running once the temperatures come down a little bit further. 

What else is new, hm. I have been working on my website - you can hear more music and see some blog postings up there. www.elliotsneider.com

Hope everyone is enjoying the end of summer. It has been a good one!

Recent Adventures

We have now been back in Arizona over three weeks, and it seems like a lot longer. The transition was a tough one. Because of the daily heat we have to have different plans than we are used to. For instance, if we are going to the park or even the pool with Dylan we usually have to wait until after 6pm or so, otherwise the sun is too hot and it is no fun. In fact, if you go to the park anytime before dusk there is absolutely nobody there expect for a few homeless people. Not the most pleasant experience. 

We did find an indoor place which is set-up like a small town, with a supermarket, a doctors office, a train, etc. Dylan loved it, I am thinking we might go back today, as it is already 102º out and will be up to 108º in the next couple of hours. 

I have a couple of job prospects, although I am waiting for the final word. Hopefully I will be teaching at Paradise Valley Community College and Collins College this fall.

It is amazing how often Dylan references her adventures this summer: flying on an airplane  playing on the beach and in the ocean, taking a shower at grandpa's house,  playing at Ga and Nani's house, tes party at Grandma's. Sigh. Her life here is less exciting, but that is why they call these the dog-days of summer I guess. We are looking forward to this heat letting up soon and getting back into enjoying the outside. 

Anyway, here are some random pics from the past week. 

Flagstaff Day

We took a great little day trip up north to Flagstaff on Thursday. It was 109º in Phoenix, and only 82º in the mountains. Flagstaff is at almost 8000ft elevation. It was beautiful. And we drove back through Oak Creek Canyon. Scary!

Back in the Desert, (Take 2)

(Sorry, first version of this blog post did not have the video...)

Well, we have made it back to Tempe. We arrived early Wednesday morning, and are still adjusting to the time-change. It is hot here, in the high 90s, but it is actually in the high 90s back in Niagara Falls and NYC too! And hey, no humidity here :). Sorry to rub it in. Feels good. We were out on the patio this morning, playing with the water table and the hose. Out of the sun it just feels like a really hot day. In the sun, it feels like you are slowly cooking and you can almost watch your skin change color. Scary.

Our apartment is in the same shape we left it. Dylan is happy to see all of her toys, puzzles...shopping cart.

Again, it was an amazing two months. Here is a video slideshow, one for remembering a summer that has been unforgettable so far.

We are lucky to have such amazing families, and friends. Love you all!

Nearing the End of our East Coast Trip

We are nearing the end of our time on the east coast. I have yet again failed to provide proper coverage. I blame technology for allowing me to capture too many incredible photos these days and stifling my ability to decide which to share. However, I will jump into the fray and pick a few which represent our travels.