To Trip. Or Rather, Two Trips.

As was previously mentioned, I went to audition for regional choir, and made it. I also recently went to audition for all state choir, and did not make it.

Chorally speaking, regionals was not a walk in the park, what with several 5 hour rehersals strung together over 2 days and followed promptly by the performance. Quite grueling.

However, much more pleasant things can be said for the the trip there and back, as well as the night spent in a motel. As usual, the person I spent the most time on the bus with was Eugene-san; it's so fun to sit next to him, because whenever you say innoucuous things (e. g. "I like my mind") It can turn into the most interesting arguements (whether physical changes to the body affect the emotions). Choir trips also usually result in a trip to the 'local' mall, which gives an excellent opportunities for self-styled video game connoisseurs such as myself a wider selection more likely to be within price range.

To make it less fancy, I bought a really awesome game (Genji: Dawn of the Samurai) for ten bucks. It's single player, and saddeningly short, but the graphics (what, I'm admiring graphics? shame on myself, but it's true) are quite excellent, and the gameplay is intriguing (Who doesn't want to slow down time when you are a samurai?). Many hours were spent using the PS2 in the motel that night, and other days afterwards. Maybe I'll start reviewing video games. . .

All in all, quite jovial.

(Just to clarify, the auditions were a one day, there-and-back type of deal, while the actual rehersal and event combo was overnight.)

The all state audition started out much rougher (I was supposed to be at school at 6 am and woke up at 5:57 to my friend saying "Where are you?") but proceeded well enough. The results turn out to be 60/100 pts, no all state choir slot, and Samurai Warriors 2. I bet you can guess which part was the most satisfying.

If you couldn't guess, or perhaps are unsure (well, is 60 a good score [no, not really]) it is Samurai Warriors 2. A very cheesy name disguises a well developed game. With 26 playable characters that have their own story modes and growth patterns, as well as a playing style combining hack and slash and role playing with optional co-op, and a 4 player monopoly game japanese style all rolled into one AND rated T, it has been truly awesome. Spring break allowed me to rack up a nice fat 70 hours with multiple friends and the game still isn't finished. The game also includes historical facts about Japan (although it doesn't tell you which parts are fact and which are fiction) and allows for playback of the cinematics. The only thing that I have regretted is that you can't turn on the original Japanese audio, but that makes sense (I suppose) and is minor enough.

Quite the time I've had.