Well, here I am. The other side of the country does have its fair share of culture shocks, like the fact that Mexican food is made with American cheddar cheese, but in general I am loving my time seeing and absorbing a different part of the world. I guess I have an accent. Who knew? At Clark University I have met a variety of people who are definitely going to have a vital role in my next four years. My friend David is a fellow guitar player who is really getting his music off the ground. If any readers can stomach anything except pure Appalachian genius, then I highly recommend giving his band, the Melephants, a try.
I was going into college assuming that I wouldn’t be able to have a lot of familiar items and ideas from back home, but I was mistaken. In my first week here I already met somebody from Santa Cruz (we complain about the numerous culture shocks together) and I met a celtic/bluegrass player. (I could not express my excitement when she called it a fiddle instead of a violin)
By far the biggest surprise of being here at Clark University is the numerous claims and pseudo claims to fame I can take part in. My roommate’s name isBill Murray (no relation), and on a much cooler note I am friends with the roommate of Alex Gould. Alex is most well known for being the voice of Nemo in Finding Nemo and as the borderline psychotic Shane Botwin in Weeds. (Which just happens to be a show I have watched all the way through at least four times.) Now to top it all off, Matthew McConaughey is filming his new movie ‘Sea of Trees’ in the science building of my campus. And guess who got to see them?
What I love about Clark is how dedicated they are to getting their students to participate in numerous clubs. What I have decided to do is try to get my own radio show. I am not sure of the time yet, but I am sure that I will title it “The Old Dusty Trail” to follow in the footsteps of my pops. Just like my music taste, it won’t solely be traditional bluegrass, but I plan on keeping it in the big tent so that the listeners will learn to appreciate my genre as something more than Mumford and Sons.
The biggest issue for me (and my guitar) so far has been the bipolar and uninhabitable weather. I recall one day last week when it was 90 degrees and humid throughout the afternoon until cloud appeared along with lightning and rain. Like a Californian I decided to run back and get a jacket only to discover that it is sunny again and I am about to die from heat stroke.
So I guess I should get to my classes at this point. This semester I made my classes very specific to my interests outside of the classroom. Except for biology (which I thought I would get out of the way early), each of my classes is incredibly interesting. I am taking a baseball history class which will give me an opportunity to play against a team that plays by the old school rules of baseball. I also get to go to Fenway Park later this year! I am also taking a music & modernism class which has begun with studying Messian’s “Quartet for the End of Time” which sounds suspiciously like Punch Brothers at moments. My other interesting class is trial advocacy. There we will be giving our opening statements on a faux case that is going to be used by the mock trial national tournament in 2015.
The highlight of my time in the north east definitely has to be the night I spent in Boston. It was my first time there and I was amazed by all of the history and unique architecture that one can’t find in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. They also have some delicious sea food which I can’t live without.
There are many other things that I will recall to tell you Californians with each article, but I thought it was necessary to give you all a gist, and telling you that I am having an incredibly rewarding experience here at Clark University in Massachusetts. Thanks to those who supported my YouCaring campaign!
