Wednesday, October 31, 2007

10



Today is Halloween. I am proud of the fact that I have only eaten one piece of the trick-or-treater’s candy so far, and intend to keep it that way. AJS and I are hosting a very small get together for people who have nothing better to do tonight than watch scary movies and drink wine with us. We have a pretty fun crowd coming over and I am furiously cleaning the house in preparation.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

9

What began as a day filled with listlessness and halloween candy was salvaged by some students playing well, paying me to teach them, and raccquetball with Andrew. We played two actual games. In the first one he beat me 20 - 4 and the second 20 - 3. I'm improving.

Monday, October 29, 2007

8

I figured this might happen and it has: I’ve lost my mojo. I have a lack of energy that cannot be fixed by caffeine, exercise, or positive thinking Of course it was only a matter of time before I was sick of clean living and daily blogging about how together I am. Therefore, I am accepting of this anticipated roadblock but will plow through as best as I can. I had a moderately productive day of 4tet rehearsal, an easy time at the gym, and teaching in Annapolis where my student didn’t bring her music to her lesson. Then Andrew took me out to dinner which, needless to say, perked me up a little.

P.S. For some of the results of the 4tet photo shoot in the freezing wind click here and check out 1EGQ. Although I have a little too much tummy and bad posture to be completely thrilled, I think some of them are pretty cool.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Must-see

Andrew was absorbed for several days preparing for a gig of cheesy love songs. This was a jewel he came across in his studies on the genre.

Peter Allen

P.S. please be sure to watch at least until the trumpet solo

6

Saturday is always my hardest day. It begins with baby-dancing at the Peabody prep towson campus, and then continues at Music and Arts where I get to listen to all of my wonderful students who don’t practice. Actually, that’s not really fair, some of them do practice and are doing a really good job. But some of them forget what rest-stroke is. Several weeks in a row.

I can officially say that I’ve done nothing healthy today. I did not practice, I did not exercise (unless you count the baby-dancing), I watched reality tv shows about wedding dresses and real-estate, and I plan to go with my man friend and his (and my) opera-singing buddy to our favorite wine bar. Tomorrow morning I have a photo shoot that BEGINS at 9:00am. But that’s ok. Its my night off.



P.S. I've just been informed by my man-friend that I'm selling myself short in reporting my healthiness. Today, I have eaten an inordinate amount of hummus, quinoa bread, and baby carrots. So there.

Friday, October 26, 2007

5

Now on my fifth day I can say that I am utterly exhausted. The incessant rainy weather has dampened my spirits somewhat, and also made it hard to get out of bed this morning. Or rather, the gray skies AND a morning-after sense of poopiness brought on by drinks at the Owl Bar prevented me from jumping out of bed. I made it though, and managed to play guitar, racquetball (by myself again), and the elliptical machine. I also taught my guitar class which is comprised of two grown women and three teen-age boys that have a problem not talking every single minute they aren’t strumming in a group. It’s a good class though, and I’m hoping to get some private students out of it and make real money.

According to the forecast, it is supposed to rain again. In my imagination I can see the wood on my very old roof rotting away with each drop…maybe my next baby step should be summoning the courage to go into the attic.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Day 4...(thursday)

...was also not as good as day 1 or 2 and gray and rainy. Also, again I found myself strangely drawn to bravo reality TV. I did practice though, and since I had to fortify myself for Music & Farts I allowed myself some free time. The best part of all of this is that after abstaining all week. I will finally allow myself to partake in some beer drinking tonight.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Day 3...

...was not as good as day 1 or day 2. It began gray and rainy, progressed to grayer and rainier, and then finished dark gray and rainy. This caused me to sleep late and far too tempted by the "workout" marathon on Bravo. I did manage to change my strings and practice a bit. I also played racquetball by myself in preparation for games with Andrew. Racquetball is fun. Well, at this point it is. If I continue to be unable to score at least one point against my man-friend, I will probably feel differently. Right now though, running around like an idiot swinging at a tiny rubber keeps the heart rate up without being too dull.

Andrew and celebrated fitness and grocery shopping by making sundried tomato-spinach-chile pepper pizza. Three hours later, my fingers are still burning from chopping those little bastards.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Day 2...

...on the path of righteousness(?) I went to the gym AGAIN. Let me take a moment to say how much I love my ipod. I can load it with all of the silly music I want to and secretly rock out and sweat profusely to top 40 hits from 2001. And speaking of music; the F of the P-F-A fame is underway. Well, maybe its fairer to say that exposition and first episode are beginning to sound recognizable. Not memorized of course, but without a large-headed man hovering over me and singing loudly I feel like I can take my time in that department and do it my way. Its hard to imagine being able to perform them, but frankly, I suspect that I'll learn them better if I don't stress out about that yet.


I am the real slim shady


Monday, October 22, 2007

P.S.

I've logged in around 3 practice hours and not only joined, but worked out at very cool and very affordable (especially since I'm now "faculty") johns hopkins gym. I rule.

The Road To Wellville, day 1


After an emotional meltdown last night brought on by demons in Bach, my guitar, and my DMA auditions I realize that I need to start investing more in my well being. Unfortunately for you all, I feel the need to document my baby-stepping in public. When googling myself recently I came across a blog of a former student who complimented me(aww...) stating my belief that he would learn how to sight read by playing just a little every day would bear results. Three years later he still plays 20 minutes a day and loves it. If I can inspire a 64 year old retiree to begin his studies in music, why haven't I been able to really stick to an exercise or scale-playing regimen? My current habits are not working for me; my lack of exercise leaves me flabby and low, my choice to play scrabble instead of guitar leads me to be even more depressed about my playing AND teaching ability, and a 28 year old home-owner should not be throwing her clothes on the floor like a teen-ager. These are simple things that should be possible do achieve. I plan on posting my daily accomplishments in the field of self improvement for 21 days. I would love to lose 15 pounds (which won't happen in 21 days, but thats ok), have the entire PFA memorized, (which absolutely should happen in 21 days), and create some better habits for maintaining the house. Feel free to skip ahead to when I get around to posting pictures of trips things I cook again.

:)
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