Redbird! and un-id’d deep pk flwrs, abt 1-1/2″ diam. on bush. butifl day!
Outdoors
29 Wednesday Apr 2009
Posted outdoors
in29 Wednesday Apr 2009
Posted outdoors
inRedbird! and un-id’d deep pk flwrs, abt 1-1/2″ diam. on bush. butifl day!
29 Wednesday Apr 2009
Posted on the road
inStarbucks has “shaken” iced tea. Huh?
28 Tuesday Apr 2009
Posted outdoors
inTrees that smell like honey, Margaret introduced me to them when we were in college.
26 Sunday Apr 2009
I have so much music to learn, but you know what? Beats typing! (So many notes, so little time…)
It was WARM outside today! Lots of birds ~ different species ~ flying around & singing their heads off. : )
The busses were running 45 min. late today. Since my car is my feet, that matters, especially on weekends when busses only run every hr. OK, there was a big event in town, but from what I saw, that would only affect the routes that go through Amherst College. My route doesn’t, so why was it so late???????
Tomorrow I’m wearing BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK all day. Well, shorts (red) in the morning to practice, then concert clothes. Going out for dinner after the concert, then home.
And NOW, gotta go to sleep so I CAN get up & practice. G’nite!
24 Friday Apr 2009
Going to bed before midnite & getting up before noon works out much better than very late hrs. More energy, better practice capabilities, more sunshine…
This afternoon I practiced for 3-1/2 hrs., and spent very little time on the phone. Felt good. Woke up before alarm, feeling… well… awake!
However, practicing don’t pay, & I need to spend time on the phone to find work.
A robin is singing outside my window for the 1st time this season. The window is closed, and it’s singing very loudly. Nice.
22 Wednesday Apr 2009
Staying in today. Enjoyed practicing longer than the time I had to spend on the phone, following up on drivel for the 95th time… And was able to cut my list of meaningless tasks down to size.
It’s still cold and rainy. The prediction is for warmer temps & sun… soon! Everyone I know is ready.
Looking forward to getting lots of sleep tonight. There is always the possibility that, when I’m more awake, I’ll write more.
22 Wednesday Apr 2009
Posted Uncategorized
inGreat lunch on a gray day. On a sidewalk in Easthampton, there was a menu board listing tuna melt. So I went into the place. On the board inside, there was something even better ~ chicken salad whole wheat wrap w/walnuts and cranberries. Totally unexpected ~ I’d had pizza on my last trip ~ and very, very yummy. I think I’ll go back!
Later on the same sidewalk, a young father was walking along holding his baby son. The baby didn’t want to wave, but he had the best smile.
Another nice surprise was the bus that was sitting @ my stop long before the one I was expecting to take. There’s an entire bus line I didn’t know about!
And it’ll warm up any day now…
This morning I spent 2 hrs. on the phone taking care of business stuff, then practiced for 20 min. What’s wrong w/this picture????? Will have plenty of time to practice on Wed. & Thurs. The list of remaining biz stuff can be done over 2 days.
21 Tuesday Apr 2009
Why is it so freakin’ COLD outside? This afternoon I was early for a rehearsal, so sat outside txting. It was so cold & windy, that didn’t last long…
Gigs are happening! This is good! Musicians say they’re looking forward to working together. In “real” jobs, that doesn’t happen so much.
I saw a college kid practicing tightrope walking. He had a day-glo green cord strung between 2 trees, near the ground. He was doing very well! Maybe next time the cord will be higher. Maybe that’s his Plan B? Quit school, run away & join the circus? (Don’t tell Mom…)
Big gig tomorrow. Gotta go to sleep.
G’nite!
20 Monday Apr 2009
YES! I’ve still got it. This afternoon I was sitting near the back door of the bus. At one stop, a mother stood up, wanting to exit w/her son in his stroller. The driver only opened the front door. So I brazenly yelled, “BACK DOOR!” like any self-respecting (former) New Yorker, and things proceeded very well.
People who live here think that’s out of line, but I don’t care. It works. (Actually, it works sometimes. At other times, people look @ me like I’m nuts, and they don’t move any faster ~ i.e., getting a phone still took 4 days.)
Later, @ CVS, raisins were on sale, 4 pkgs. for $5. I took 2. After leaving the store & walking 3 blocks, I discovered that the cashier had charged me full price. A $4.50 refund seemed worth going back for, so I did. I got a different cashier, who went to look @ the sale sign. Turns out it was on the wrong shelf, intended for the smaller pkgs. Not my fault, so she GAVE me my 2 larger pkgs. for FREE! I saved 8 bucks! Definitely worth the 2nd trip.
Last nite I finally made it to bed by midnite. Woke up tired this morning, tho. Plenty of sleep, and the people upstairs went to bed b4 I did (their kids did, too). So maybe I need to try being in bed by 11. Hopefully that won’t need to change to 10….
Practiced well this afternoon. There are 4 difficult pieces on the 2 chorus concerts coming up. Today I totally conquered 1 of them, w/a week to go til the concert. : )
Didn’t quite finish practicing everything, but left @ the most convenient time for the bus sched. It’s impt. to have balance, too. I need to go outside, and can’t practice ALL the time.
19 Sunday Apr 2009
Today I practiced very well. Didn’t want to stop! That’s a good sign.
There’s sightreading, playing through the music, slow practice, medium tempo practice, and “performance” practice. Today I took a step back and was analytical about the mechanics of fingering, big jumps, and phrasing. It makes a significant difference. It also takes patience, focus, and discipline.
Forsythia is out in full, and dogwood is, too. Beautiful! My computer said today was going to be sunny, though. Never happened. Cloudy and much cooler.
Last night I stayed up til 2:30. That seriously cuts into the next day, and I really, REALLY need to stop.