Another very sketchy update, yes, but I still don't have an internet connection of my own and when I can get one it's been sort of spotty on the speed end.
First things first, school is going very well. I've worked my way up the ladder of sorts, and I'm now playing soprano in both my school's top quartet and in the Boston Saxophone Orchestra. Just last week we had our masterclass with Jean-Marie Londeix and Bill Street, and it was amazing. Londeix has such mastery of the instrument, such knowledge of the repertoire, that it's impossible not to learn something profound when you hear him speak. One thing he was particularly concerned with was the historical background behind every piece. Taking into consideration that most of the standards in the saxophone repertoire were comissioned for him, he knows the history extremely well. He brings in so many outside inspirations - authors, directors, other instruments, poets, colors, moods - that one could never run out of places to find influence.
Picture? OK.
Sorry for the low quality and lack of focus, but I (obviously) didn't take the photo. In any event, that's Londeix in the center, flanked by the Boston Saxophone Studio (comprised of the students from New England Conservatory, Longy School Of Music, Boston Conservatory, and Berklee, all students of Ken Radnofsky).
The apartment is great, the location is as awesome as I expected it would be, and so far the cats seem to like it. I also joined Gold's Gym and have gotten back into the swing of my workout routine, and so far it's been going great as well. I'm down another couple pounds since I arrived in Boston, but I can't be sure whether that's getting back into working out or walking about 3 miles a day. Either way, if it isn't broke, don't fix it.
All in all, I enjoy Boston.