Games and Museums

I got an apartment! It was actually the first place I looked at, posted on Jobwohnen. The landlord had chosen another renter, but he ended up finding another place. The location is amazing (near the Prater) and I'm paying for some furniture and dishwasher, which is much preferred to paying a provision to a realtor. The previous tenant is a jazz pianist and said he has never had any complaints about his practicing, which is a relief. He was very helpful explaining what I need to do. He drove us down to meet the landlord where he lives in Böheimkirchen. I will only remember that because I'm a Syracuse fan. I did briefly consider whether I was being tricked in some awful way, but the landlord seemed relaxed and everything went smoothly as the guy moving out translated. I should be able to move in Monday, and once I get a mattress I can start settling in and setting up everything I need long-term.

Thursday, after signing my new lease, I went to orchestra from 2-5. Chelsea, one of the student conductors and violinist, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity come up through a NASA astronaut who had attended a previous concert of hers. He offered to put a recording of her ensemble on the next flight into space! Unfortunately, the offer came with only 2 weeks notice, so it was a bit of a scramble to assemble an ensemble in time. We only had one cellist and one bassist, but we did the best we could. Carolyn had to talk Chelsea down from trying to put together Tchaikovsky Serenade, and we played Andante festivo by Sibelius. I think it went as well as it could have for just one hour of rehearsal and 2 takes in the hall. Speaking of which, the hall at Prayner is beautiful and so wonderful to play in! Ben thought that Prayner was likely built around that hall.

Yesterday, after a late lesson, Ben and I went over to Carolyn's new apartment for a welcome party she and her roommate were having. Ben brought Dutch Blitz and Carolyn was able to borrow Cards Against Humanity. It was really nice meeting new people and with CAH you got to know everyone very quickly. I had never actually played it before, but with the right people it's better than Apples to Apples. Carolyn's roommate has the sweetest black lab puppy named Snow White. I will go over as often as they will let me for my dog fix. I haven't played Dutch Blitz since my early music festival days. It's essentially the same thing as Nertz. Once Chelsea and Eric left we had uneven teams and I was by myself. I still won 3 times in a row. It was a great night and I already feel like I've made a good impression and have found a place in a good group of friends.

Tonight Ben, Nick, and I went out for Die Lange Nacht Der Museen around 5:30. The museums open from 6 until 1 in the morning. We met James at the Kunsthaus or Hundertwasser Haus. I had never been inside to see Hundertwasser's other works, but the house itself is bizarre and just crazy enough to be wonderful, though it's hard to explain why I like it. Over the course of the next 7 hours we went to the Albertina, Gemäldegalerie, Secession, Schmetterlinghaus, and the Leopold Museum. I am exhausted and even if I had the time I could not describe all the things I saw. A lot of the night felt rushed, unfortunately, and it really was an overload of art. I think I managed to get several good pictures. 

I'm glad I have had the freedom to re-experience the city again before things get hectic. Getting my residence permit will take some time and effort but until then I can't really start trying to find gigs or students. Eventually I want to take German lessons again as well. But for now, all I have to worry about is moving, and practicing.