Sam Goldsmith's Index of Things That (Probably) Will and Will Not Happen

Ciao, Tutti!

For all those who are huddled in anticipation of the release of my post-graduation plans, I've compiled a list of probablies regarding ideas I'd been having and goals I've wished to pursue. Seriously, though, being asked what I plan to do after school is simultaneously the most stressful, exciting, and trite question in the entire world... it fills me with mixed feelings.

But what I want to do most of all is heroine... wait, did I spell it like a drug or a female hero?

That's a terrible pun, folks. Don't write like me.

Index of Probablies

WILL: Have my first East Coast Passover Seder with my cousin Alana and her friends and family.

WILL NOT: Tour Europe with Flaming Fire.

WILL NOT: Stay in New York for any part of the summer.

WILL: Begin classes for my TESOL certification in order to teach English abroad, starting May 10th.

WILL NOT: Attend NYU graduation ceremonies, which start May 11.

WILL: Walk the 13-mile-or-so length of Manhattan Island before I leave New York, even though my mother has an irrational fear that it is unsafe.

WILL NOT: Get mugged. Seriously.

WILL: Have my best semester academically ever, again.

WILL: Play pieces in at least two other people's recitals.

WILL NOT: Work at summer camp in El Cerrito as I have the past 3 summers, at least for the same amount of time as in the past. It's looking more and more like I don't have the 8 weeks I need to commit to be a full-time counselor.

WILL: Travel, within the states. I think my friend Courtney has gotten to me. I have events that would take me to Michigan, North Carolina, Yosemite, and even back to ugly old New York City.

WILL NOT: Ever warm up to New York City.

WILL: Continue to submit short stories, now to non-NYU affiliated journals. Opium and Bellevue Literary Reviews seem like good starting points, especially the BLR's contest.

WILL NOT: Know how I fared in the BLR's contest until December of this year.

WILL: Begin applying for English teaching jobs in Istanbul, Turkey, starting June.

WILL: Move to Turkey in mid-late August to stay for the year.

WILL: Apply for graduate school at some point once I'm done teaching in Turkey.

WILL NOT: Think farther ahead than that.

WILL NOT: Give Dr. Schroeder the benefit of the doubt anymore.

WILL NOT: Look back with regret.



-Sam goldsmith

My Dear (Live)

Ciao, Tutti!

I fell in love with a stranger. His eyes were golden and his smile was wide. Enjoy the newest live movie from March 7, and forgive the camerawork. I was on stage - I had nothing to do with it.



Featuring the amazing Greg Englar on the guitar.

-Sam goldsmith

New Live Music Videos! - "Rose-Colored Spectacles" and "Steel Woman"

Ciao, Tutti!

I've been working on some of the videos from the recital on March 7. Check it out!





Enjoy!

-Sam goldsmith

Memories From The Recital

Ciao, Tutti!

The recital was an unmitigated success! Not only did I have the best band in the world but I also had the best audience in the world, if only for about an hour and fifteen minutes. It was fun for everyone, even the musicians with their quite-challenging music, and even for those who had to spend a song or two standing in the doorway, scanning the crowd for empty chairs.



After the show me and the musicians and my wonderful family who traveled from far and wide to see the recital all went to the Three of Cups for a huge dinner. Those of you who know me know I'm not so good with groups, but I have to say it was a wonderful thing to finally be able to talk with these musicians without the scepter of recital hanging over our heads, to get to know each other a little better as more than musicians. We're people, too!




Eh, it could have been the wine.

The live recording of Justina Flash's "Rose-Colored Spectacles" is now on the official Owl Eyes MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/owleyesarewatchingyou You can reach the site from the sidebar on the left. The recording from Sunday's concert is labeled "Rose-Colored Spectacles (live)." Check it out! Julian Pollack and my all-star string section kicked some royal behind on this number.

One of my friends in the music technology program was so taken by Leo Birenberg's piece "Divertissement" that he wants to record it on the state-of-the-art NYU Steinhardt recording studio. The piece is a duet with me on vibes and the supremely talented Rob Jacoby on alto sax, and it is, needless to say, beautifully composed by Leo. I would be overjoyed to have a crisp, professional recording of the piece. Keep your ears peeled! It's in the talk stage right now, but it could happen!

More photos, videos, and audio tracks will be appearing here and there as I work on them. Keep your eyes out! As for now, enjoy these photos taken by my dad and my Aunt Linda.


I think we were playing "Snap" when this photo was taken. Leo Birenberg was an enormous stabilizing influence with his conducting. He's got his fist up in this photo. I guess we were on our way to a new section of the tune.




My dear Papa. How I love him!



In the last of the news for today, my two publications coming up in April, my essay for the Historian about Costa Rica and my short story for West 10th Street entitled "A Fascinating Line" have been sent to the publisher! The spring edition of the Historian is looking to come into print availability on April 14, and volume 3 of West 10th Street comes out on April 3! This is just another way of saying: this is a very exciting time of my life!

Hope all is well,

-Sam goldsmith

Owl Eyes Preliminary Publicity Photo

Ciao, Tutti!

With Owl Eyes looking for gigs we've started to take some rough photos. Eventually we'll do something more professional, ie. not taken from the seat of Jordan's toilet through his bathroom door. But, on the other hand, what we've got looks pretty great so far. Take a look!


Jordan





Me (Justina gave me those glasses! For keeps! They're called the "Owl Eyes Glasses." Pretty cool, no?)




Justina


We'll take some more once we have a fourth person to hold the camera. Stay tuned! And don't forget our first show is at Goodbye Blue Monday at 11:45 on April 8.

In other news, my senior recital is shaping up to be more and more awesome with each passing breath. In other words, I've started getting nervous! Which shows how much I care!

It also means no basketball playing for me until it's over. No crippling hand injuries, please! Also no Re:Write Review this Wednesday. I don't have time to be inspired to write short stories. I have rehearsals to organize, clothes to buy, pieces to tirelessly practice. Oh, and homework doesn't stop for my recital, either. And it's mid-term season. Yay...

But most importantly, it means you should come if you're still making up your mind. Again, it's in room 779 of 35 West 4th street at 6:00, Sunday, March 7. Free. There will be snacks. Come!

Final thought to share with all of you: I just bought TV On The Radio's "Young Liars" in CD form to make up for the rotten quality of the iTunes tracks I've been relying on so far. The difference between 5 MB and 50 MB sized song is enormous. 10x in fact. And I'm convinced that this 5-track EP is the most beautifully recorded piece of all time. When I listen to "Young Liars" or "Mr. Grieves" I can almost hear the walls of the Brooklyn bedroom it was recorded in. The sound is that rich. If you have the chance to listen to any music with full quality and a nice set of headphones or speakers, try "Young Liars." You all know how much I love TV On The Radio. This is by far their best work. Seriously. Do it.

Next stop: Vinyl!

One more image before I go:


Jordan and Hubert



-Sam goldsmith