Life Goal: Sing in the Conference Center...check!

This year the BYU Men's Chorus, along with the men of the Concert Choir, BYU Singers, and various alumni of the choirs were asked to sing in the Priesthood Session of General Conference. I've always dreamed about having the opportunity to sing in that marvelous building. We prepared three wonderful pieces: God Loved Us So He Sent His Son arr. Danny McDavitt, Choose The Right arr. Rosalind Hall, and finally The Iron Rod arr. Dr. Ronald Staheli. Each song had a unique feel and spirit involved. Danny's arrangement was simple, elegant, reflective, and humble. It was a great way to open the conference. Sister Hall's arrangement was lush, dense, Eric Whitacre-ized, stunning, and unlike anything I've ever heard at conference. Dr. Staheli's arrangement was moving, powerful, spirit filled, energized, and the perfect way to end a session. It was such a joy to learn and sing these pieces.

As Saturday arrived we headed up to the Conference Center in SLC. We went into the Little Theatre on the north west side of the large edifice and began to rehearse.

This was actually my first time ever going into the Little Theatre. It was lovely. We rehearsed there for a little over an hour. Then The conference center staff surprised us with some Luncheables, carrots, water and some candy.
There was of course a wild frenzy over who could get to the left overs first. As policy dictates, seconds are on a first come first serve basis.

After our rehearsal we lined up in the tunnel and headed up to the choir loft in the main auditorium. As we rounded the corner and headed up the choir loft, looking out was quite the site. This marvelous hall is unlike any other in the world. Seating 21,000, the space was absolutely enormous.

As we sat in our seats and did our quick run through of the music for the technical team, it was hard to not marvel at the space and the experience. This was to be our biggest performance ever. Not only to the full auditorium, but to the millions watching around the globe. The hall quickly filled to capacity.

It was quite the site to behold. We were all so excited to share our musical message to the world that would be listening to us.

This was an intensely spiritual experience for all of us. The session was definitely one of the best I'd ever attended. As we all stood in quite reverence to usher in the Prophet, the spirit rested upon us. We knew he was the Lord's anointed servant. I greatly enjoyed the discourses shared. As we sang The Iron Rod at the end of the meeting, the spirit once again swept over me. What a marvelous opportunity it was.

At the end of the session, we all stood quietly allowing the general authorities time to exit the auditorium. Clay Christianson was on the organ, quietly playing. He had but a hymn book in front of him. This man is absolutely amazing. He played very simply at first. Then he began modulating all over, introducing imitation, pulling more and more stops. What an amazing musician. Few noticed this organist having a bit of fun on his instrument.

Dr. Staheli and I both looked on, enjoying watching this masterful musician show us what that organ could do. His modulations because more complex, the volume increased, the counterpoint more apparenty, the stops kept being pulled out. Until a huge ending rocked the whole building. I could feel the vibrations from the organ as he played that last huge chord taking the pedal down an octave. I was in utter awe.

As things calmed down and we began exiting the auditorium I passed by the huge conductors podium. I had the distinct feeling that some day I would be atop that podium, conducting an ensemble in that building.

This was the completion of a life goal. Now, I just have two more to accomplish: sing in the Tabernacle and direct a choir in the conference center and/or tabernacle.

Here are the videos:

Political Love Letter

The Following unique letter was written by a Greenfield young man to a young lady in Lockwood. It's a good example of how fun flirtation can be:

My Dear Miss,

I hereby announce myself a candidate for your hand and shall use all fair and honorable means to secure the nomination. I know there are many candidates in the field, and I hesitated long before entering the race, but now I am in it to stay.

My view on love and matrimony have often been stated in your hearing and now I need not repeat them here. You know I favor a gold standard of love--a 100-cent dollar love--and a maintenance of that standard after marriage.

If you decide to confer upon me the honor I seek, please fix a date for a caucus with your mother. I have no objection to her acting as temporary chairman, provided it is clearly understood that I am to be chairman of the permanent organization. Should the result of the caucus prove satisfactory we can soon hold the primaries and select the date and place of holding the convention.

I have never believed in long campaigns so if you decide to honor me I would ask you to fix the convention date as early as possible.

Devotedly Yours.

The following was telegram answered it:

Caucus unnecessary; nomination unanimous. Come at once and fix date of ratification.

Creme Brulee vs Jello

We're all looking for different things in life and in love. Some of us are enticed by the elegant, powerful, wealthy, and luxurious. Others of us are satisfied by the simple beauties all around us. Some of us are looking to find that elegance in a companion and others just want a simple love.

Sometimes however those worlds inexplicably collide. The simple ends up with the powerful and wealthy. The tall with the short. The beautiful with the. . . not so beautiful. Sometimes these matches end up to be surprisingly perfect: a real match made in heaven. Sometimes however, we look at these combinations and think to ourselves "How did that happen. . . mismatch!"

You can't deny it. We've all seen it. We've all felt uncomfortable at the sight. We've all secretly hoped that we too could be with someone way too amazingly hot for us. But, it really just comes down to finding what we each need, what we are truly comfortable with. Some people are Creme Brulee and others are Jello.

It reminds me of one of the best parts of the movie My Bestfriend's Wedding. This great scene between Cameron Diaz and Julia Roberts illustrates perfectly the point. Allow me to set up the scene. Julia has just successfully thwarted the pending wedding between Cameron and Dermot. Dermot sends Julia (his best friend) to see how Cameron is holding up. Cameron doesn't understand what happened. This is how Julia explains the situation. Enjoy.

Julia: Ok, you're Michael. You're in a fancy French restaurant. You order. . . Creme Brulee for dessert. It's beautiful, it's sweet, it's irritatingly perfect. Suddenly, Michael realizes he doesn't want Creme Brulee. He wants something else. . .

Cameron: What does he want?

Julia: Jello.

Cameron: JELLO? Why does he want Jello?

Julia: Because he's comfortable with Jello. Jello makes him comfortable. I realize compared to Creme Brulee its Jello, but maybe thats what he needs.

Cameron: I could be Jello.

Julia: No, Creme Brulee can NEVER be Jello. YOU could never be Jello.

Cameron: I have to be Jello.

Julia: You're Never Gonna Be Jello.

Master Spindler?

Have you ever had one of those weeks where it feels like everything you've worked for your whole life is culminating to one dramatic moment ? One of those days that define the kind of person that you are and will be? One of those moments that decide the rest of your life? Or perhaps one of those instances where you thought, hmm I'd sure like a nice bottle of strawberry Fanta! Well, this happened to me last week.

It actually started the Thursday before. I was preparing for a concert when Dr. Staheli pulled me aside and said that he wanted to set up our interview for the following Wednesday. He said to prepare a hymn to sing, and be ready to sight read a Bach chorale on the piano. He also added that they don't need to see me conduct because they've already seen me conduct. A few minutes later, as I walked on to the DeJong Concert Hall stage, I thought, one day I might be conducting on this stage. I went to find Sister Hall to see where she wanted us to be. As I approached her, Dr. Staheli also came up to tell her that he had set our interview time for Wednesday at three. Sister Hall looked at me in her very Hallinian way, and said, "You'd better not mess up either!"

As Monday came along, I went into hard core preparation mode. I was sight reading as many hymns as I could. Thank goodness t0 my dream team for helping me prepare. They've been a huge support through out the journey. Isaac, Sarah and Candace decided to have a mock interview to prepare me fore Tuesday night. It was one of the hardest interviews of my life. Their questions: thought provoking and required substantial introspection. Their sight reading test: near impossible for me. Their confidence and support for me: overwhelming.

As the sun came up Wednesday morning the shaking began. You see, I'm one of these people that gets ridiculously nervous. Then I get these shakes and tremors which are pretty intense. I met with my friends in Concert Choir at two as per usual. They wished me luck and decided that they would pray for me in choir.

At three I showed up at Dr. Staheli's door. He and Sister Hall invited me in and told me to sit in the hot seat. They reminded me that this is a safe place and that I don't need to be nervous. I said that I'd try, even though I was nervous anyway. Then they talked for a while about the provisional acceptance guidelines and how it would work etc for about five minutes. Then, after asking me about my voice, they invited me to sing. I sang Savior May I Learn to Love Thee. Dr. Staheli accompanied me on the piano. They had me sing it in the key of D and C. Sister Hall commented on how much my baritone voice has improved, and how I was doing a much better job at keeping it in tune. They then had me sit in "Papa Bear's chair" to sight read my Bach Chorale. After absolutely slaughtering the first line, Dr. Staheli asked me to stop, saying that I really needed to practice my piano playing. I explained that I taught myself piano in the last few years, and that I've made huge improvements, but still have a long way to go, and that I am excited about learning more. Sister Hall then asked what my long term goals were. I told her I wanted to get my PhD and be a professor. They then took turns giving me compliments about my conducting, my dedication and my natural talent. And that was the end of the interview. Twenty minutes.

As Friday evening came along, I was sitting on the benches of the HFAC Slab. I was getting ready to see a documentary in the library with a friend. As I was looking over some music, Dr. Staheli walked by and, putting his hand on my shoulder whispered, "You've been accepted provisionally" and walked away. After a few minutes of getting myself together from the shock, I wandered over to their offices. As I turned the corner I saw Dr. Staheli at Sister Hall's door. They were having their usual chat. As I approached Dr. Staheli spotted me, and quickly turned back to Sister Hall and said, "I've already told Lee." I looked around the door and saw her and Nathan. Sister Hall looked at me with much pride and said "Welcome to the team." I blushed slightly and said thanks. Nathan gave me a big two thumbs up and said congratulations. I tried to express my appreciation and my hope to live up to their expectations. Sister Hall replied with, "Well, we expect to see great things with you, great things." I was in utter shock.

Dr. Staheli then quickly outlined the terms of my provisional acceptance, that I needed at least B+s in each of the theory core classes. I told them that it wouldn't be a problem and went on my way. I'm still kind of in shock about, and I'm so excited. Anyway, thanks for indulging me in this long tale of my acceptance. This is my blog, after all. I do have the right to indulge:) Such is Life.

Corn Chowder

Corn Chowder

1 pkg of bacon

1 onion

2-3 clove garlic

2 carrot

8 russet potatoes

1 can vegetable broth

2 can whole kernel corn

2 can creamed corn

1 quart heavy whipping cream

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup fresh sage

Tabasco to taste

cayenne pepper

Cut bacon in to diced cubes. Put in large pot and cook until done. Cut onion into 1/8 inch dice. Add to bacon and cook until caramelized, using the bacon fat. Smash 2-3 cloves of garlic with knife and add to pot. Salt. Cube potatoes and carrots and add to pot. Pour in can of vegetable stock. Bring to simmer and cook covered until potatoes are tender. Taste for seasonings, add salt when needed.

Season with Tabasco liberally and with cayenne pepper. Add cans of corn and slowly incorporate the cream. Bring to a simmer. Taste for season. Add more salt, pepper, tabasco or cayanne as needed. Rough chop the sage and add before serving.

Notes: Remember the onion chopping technique. It is also vital that you taste every step of the way. If it doesn't taste good, that means something is missing, and it needs to be seasoned better. Also remember to always use different cutting boards for meat and veggies. We don't want transference of bacteria. This would be wonderful served in a bread bowl or with toasted garlic bread to dip in the soup. Enjoy!

Oh, isn't that just touching...

Recently I've noticed a disturbing and completely destructive trend beginning here at BYU. For some reason people are no long comfortable touching each other, even at those times when touching is most appropriate. As if . . . it were wrong or something. It makes absolutely no sense. Indulge me as I explore this issue in a little bit of detail.

The following is an excerpt from a conversation that I recently had. While the conversation may contain some specific points just for the person involved, the general idea is one that I've had with so many. Please note that I have changed the name of the girl to protect her identity.

Zelba: He says he feels he needs to learn how to build a friendship with a woman first...and see if he is ready for another relationship then. His last serious relationship was 8 months and apparently went really slow. Then he got really scared after a little fling with this girl last November. In his terms, it was "too physical." Basically, he's confused on what he wants.

Ottis: oh dear...

Zelba: He was planning on dating around and easing back into things...

Ottis: Hmm. I think some guys here are WAY too cautious. Its not like holding hands constitutes a future marriage, nor does it make you slutty. It just kills me.

Zelba: I know. It drives me crazy too.

Ottis: There is nothing wrong with being physical, as long as its appropriate physical, innocent physical.

Zelba: I agree. Considering my interest with this guy, I would have held his hand on the first date even.

Now don't get me wrong, I think that physicality such as hand holding, cuddling, and the likes should be reserved for people that are . . . worthy of it. Not just any Joe or Jane. But, if you actually have feelings for someone, why hold off? Why reject the urge and notion to touch them? It can only add to the intimacy and connection that you may already be feeling.

Now, you might wonder when this is appropriate. That brings me to what I call "The Rule of 3s." The Rule of 3s deals primarily with what should happen in a relationship and when. The first 3 deals with hand holding. By 3 successful dates/encounters its completely appropriate to go for the hand hold. Note that 3 is on the slow/conservative side of things, you may want to go there sooner.

So, how do you do it? How do you touch people? There are many ideas and thoughts on these questions. At the end of the day, I say just do it. I have my fleeting/lingering rule that I enjoy. There are zones that are more appropriate than others including the back, shoulder, arm, top of the hand, and knee. However, at the end of the day we all just need to get comfortable touching people. This note goes out especially to the girls in the audience. Men need to be touched. It's how they know they're being flirted with, and how they know you're attracted to them.

It should be said that there are people who feel uncomfortable being touched too much, or at all. They will most certainly let you know--if not verbally, by body language and neuro-linguistic cues. So, be aware.

Touching is one of those great things that can bond people together. Even missionaries hug to preserve that bond in their own special way. Let us all learn to be more bonded through touching. Let us all remember that sharing those moments with someone we care about is important to the growth of that bond. Let's remember that I'm right, because after all . . . such is life.

Valentine's Day

"Love is in the air everywhere I look around. Love is in the air, every sight and every sound. And I don't know if I'm being foolish, don't know if I'm being wise, but it's something that I must believe in and its there when I look in your eyes."

~John Paul Young

Valentine's Day is one of those special holidays that comes around every February 14th. As spring slowly begins to blossom and the birds and bees begin to flutter about--couples end up needing a day when they can show each other they care. You see, they don't need to show it on a daily basis or anything. Rather they need a special holiday to do the job for them. Interestingly enough, this tells us something indisputably clear: Valentine's day was created by a man. A man that didn't want to have to be all mushy with his wife regularly. He'd rather just have one day when he can go all out. Now, don't get me wrong, the logic is ridiculously followable. It utterly genius even. Especially because back in the day, it was normal for an 18-year-old boy to marry a 14-year-old girl, thus minimizing the effects on the already microscopic single adult population. Unfortunately, in today's society, that is no longer the case.

Here at BYU when in the realm of singledom, Valentine's Day is often referred to as "Singles Awareness Day" a day when each and every single is bombarded by visions of BYU lovers, sharing their...-ness with one other. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a big hater of PDA. I think that it has its uses and benefits. But, it gets to be a little overwhelming on Valentine's Day. Indeed, one can scarcely even go outside without being reminded of one's status as a single at BYU.

I was at Smiths on Saturday night with my friend Andy. He forgot his wallet and ran out to his car to grab it, meanwhile I stood inside waiting, observing, contemplating. Near the entrance of the store there was a huge Valentine's section/stand, where people could buy flowers, cards, chocolates, and other such nonsense. Each man was awkwardly looking for the perfect arrangement of flowers, the perfect box of chocolates, that perfect card to share his sentiments. A little beyond this stand stood the embittered single lads glaring caustically at the men at the stand. Their disdain was palpable. I was in observational heaven. The single men were increasingly aware of the ones at the stand, while the ones at the stands were completely oblivious to the vibes of hatred being sent their way.

I'm not afraid to admit that Valentine's Day is not one of my favorite holidays. I think its damaging to the psyche of so many. Mine as well, and I even had a valentine that I spent the evening with! Let us each become more aware of the damage being done, and acquiesced to being more gracious in our dealings to the singles in our lives on Valentine's day. And while we're doing that. . . lets show our love more often than just V-day. . . huh. I mean. . . come on people! I will continue to struggle to overcoming the damage caused by this horrendous day but--such is life!

Dear Ottis,

I have an important question. I am a member of a minority ethnic group here in Provo. Recently I have noticed a guy who is of similar ethnic origin but has more knowledge of the culture than I do because I was adopted. I went to high school with this guy and now he has returned from his mission and works at the bank I go to. I want to approach him and talk to him but I am too scared to do it. The easy way is to avoid him by going to the teller that I'm familiar with and just avoid talking to him. So should I approach him or not?

Sincerely,

Very Shy

Dear Very Shy,

Thank you very much for writing in. I've enjoyed pondering your question. I think the answer is simple: yes! Go for it!

Now, it seems to me like you're a pretty shy person, though I could be wrong. I have my very shy moments myself. But, I hope you realize that you can take great confidence in yourself as you approach a guy. This is actually an ideal setting, if I do say so. You have this added bonus of a legit reason to go talk to him. Ask him about your shared culture. You can learn a lot about yourself that way, and get close and flirty with a guy all at the same time. And if you can approach that situation with confidence, then that will come off as even more attractive. I know that it can seem like a daunting task, but its one that gets easier with time, practice, and confidence. So, just go up there, and be you.

I hope you have wonderful success in this. Please keep me updated on the situation, and I hope I can offer you more advice in the future! Happy Flirting!!

Ottis

Notice

I've once again been asked to be a judge, this time for BYU Idol. It will be taking place Wednesday January 25th, 2010 in the Varsity Theater at 7pm. Everyone should come!!!

Rolled Pork Florentine

10 pork chops

1 pkg. frozen spinach

1 small bag pine nuts

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup bread crumbs

salt and peper to taste

olive oil

Preheat oven to 375. With a mallet, tenderize and flatten 10 pork chops. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Set aside. In a small frying pan, toast pine nuts. Make sure not to burn or over cook them, just allow them to get nice and toasty. You should be able to smell that beautiful nutty smell. Once they are toasted, remove from frying pan and place them in a bowl to cool. Also microwave the spinach as directed on package. Allow to cool. Once cool squeeze out all excess liquid. You can use a cheese cloth for this. I just use my hands.

In a mixing bowl combine spinach (thawed), cheese and cooled pine nuts. Combine well. Drizzle in olive oil (about 1/4 cup) until you reach your desired consistency (this should be just on the wet side, with out becoming soupy). Place a tablespoon of the spinach mixture onto one end of flattened pork chop and roll. Secure with twine or tooth pick. Place in casserole. Continue with all 10 pork chops. This should take about half of the spinach mixture.

Once all chops are rolled and in casserole, salt and pepper the tops. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Spread remaining spinach mixture over the top of the pork chops. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 30 min. Allow pork to rest before serving.

Tips: Using a white roux, you can make a bechamel sauce. From there, you can add parm and make a cheese sauce that would accompany this dish wonderfully. If you make your bechamel just after putting the pork in the oven, it should take about 15 min. Once done, poor bechamel over pork in the casserole and let pork continue cooking the remaining 15 min. Serve warm, but remember to let the meat rest before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meet wonderfully moist and succulent. Enjoy!