COLLEGE MEME

Tagged by Lyn

Well, I did do three semesters at Berklee College of Music (common nicknames at the time: "Berzerklee", "Berklee Pool of Mucus") in Boston, MA. So, I'll base my meme answers on that...

When you attended Berzerklee, where did you live?
The first six weeks or so was spent on the sixth floor of the Mass. Ave. dorms, above the main building of the school. After that, and throughout the second semester, I was on the second floor of the Hemenway St. dorms. For the third semester, I was back on Mass. Ave., on the eighth floor. The first day was so hot, that after showering in an attempt to cool off, I landed up blowing chunks shortly after.

Who was/were your roommate(s)?
When I was living on the sixth floor, my roommates were a drummer from Staten Island, NY, named Scott and a Russian-born sax player who moved to San Francisco, CA, named Feliks. The sax player and I never hit it off. Not because he was Russian, because I try to get along with everyone. This guy was just very picky about everything. I mean, one time I went home for the weekend and when I got back he left a note on my bed: MAKE YOUR F**KING BED! Sheesh! I forgot! Anyhoo, after conferring with the RD, it was best I moved, so I did.
I landed up with three roomates when I moved to Hemenway - a bass player from Indiana named Doug (he looked a lot like David Lee Roth back then), another bass player from Cleveland named Larry, and a guitarist from New Jersey named Joe. Larry was a nutcase. Doug and Joe were more laid back. I remained there for the year.
My roommate on the eighth floor was a really funny dude named John. He was from Pennsylvania, though I forgot what he had played. I want to say it was drums, but I'm on a total brain fart right now.

Do you still talk to them?
Let me put it this way --- it's amazing I remember who these guys were. We're talking about 25 years ago at this point.

Ever get in trouble in the dorms?
Just what I mentioned about my dealings with Feliks.

Something you remember when you lived on campus?
Let's start with the cafeteria below the Mass. Ave. dorms --- all-purpose potatoes, standing O's anytime someone broke a dish, lousy food overall. You ain't seen nuttin' till you've eaten a cheese pizza there. They would slap a load of American cheese on top of the regular pizza cheese. I mean, how the hell can you screw up a cheese pizza?
Video games at Cosmo's across the street --- when I played my best Donkey Kong!
Bowl Haven in Cambridge --- my first encounters with candlepin bowling was just a "T" ride away!

Your campus phone number or other number?
I remember the area code - 617. That's about it.

First party attended?
Never did. I was home on the weekends (I was only an hour or so away - well, when the traffic was decent).

Favorite Pizza Place?
There was one in particular but I can't remember the name. It was closer to Northeastern than it was to Berklee, but their Sicilian slices rocked.

Favorite place to go out to eat?
TIE - the above-mentioned pizza joint and Church's Fried Chicken.

Did you go to the library?
Yes - the college library, and the Boston Public Library, near Copley Square.

What was your Favorite Floor you'd always be on?
First floor - it had all the best practice rooms.

Where did you buy your books?
The office products store that was on Boylston St. at the time (again, the name eludes me), just a block away from the main dorm - and a block away from St. Clements Eucharistic Shrine, where our RPInet friend Ryan often plays.

Play any sports?
Candlepin bowling - scroll up a few questions.

Ever attend a sporting event?
Nope.

Ever attend a concert or comedic performance?
Once - my arranging teacher, Corey Allen, on piano, and a singer. Sounded pretty cool for getting my first real taste of jazz music.

Favorite professor(s)?
Yes - Norman David. He headed a course called "Listening/Analysis". We'd have guest speakers each week. I bunked half the classes that semester. Anyhoo, in lieu of a midterm exam, Norm gave everyone in the class an A-minus (he didn't believe in midterms). He figured, "it's high enough to get you on dean's list, but it's not like everyone's getting an A". We did land up taking a final, however (Norm's words: "I tried to get out of it!") and I still got a C-plus for the semester.

Have you ever spent the night on campus not in a residence?
Nope.

Favorite night to go out on, and where did you go?
Wednesday - to the Christian Science Church (Mother Church Extension) on Mass. Ave. Not to get into their "testimony meetings", mind you. I just wanted to hear that monster Aeolian-Skinner they had there. I clinged to my Catholic faith then, and I still do today.

Where did you buy your coffee?
Me no drinks coffee.

Favorite Year of Halloween?
Eh - they're all the same to me.

Favorite memory?
Getting my first music director's job - Sacred Heart Church in Woonsocket, RI, while still in school (which explains my going home on weekends).

Go see a play or been in one?
Nope.

What did you hate about your college?
Cost of living was a living hell!

What did you love most about it?
I got away from everyone at home for five days a week. :)

Where would you believe is the best location to live?
Definitely the Mass. Ave. dorms. I was closer to things there.

Graduated or still attending?
Left after three semesters. Couldn't afford to stay anymore.

Year of graduation?
Would have been 1986.

Will you go back?
Doubtful. I have a family to support.

How many parking tickets have you gotten there?
None. I commuted by train or bus.

Finally, ever gotten arrested?
Nope.

TAG YOU'RE IT! Anyone who reads this and wants to take this on!
Peace,
BMP