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Thursday, July 24, 2008
Political Aspirations
Although my conscious mind has no political aspirations...apparently my sub-conscious does. I had a dream last night that I was trying to marry the governor of some Southern State (it wasn't clear which one...but we're talking DEEP South). That wasn't working...and then suddenly I was the governor.
I got to live in the mansion all by myself, and my friend Kathi was my personal assistant. She was in charge of helping me get ready for my inauguration...especially the Ball. She and my other advisors suggested that I wear a wedding dress, since most of the people of the State had been hesitant to elect a single female...and wearing a wedding dress might give them hope that I would one day get married (never mind the fact that they apparently voted for a 29 year old woman with no political experience...). I refused to wear a traditional wedding dress, but did get an ivory crocheted gown. When I type that...it sounds horrible...but in my dream it was beautiful. I gave a great speech and outlined my goals for the term which included saving the environment (understandable) and legalizing marijuana (no joke... I have no idea where that came from..definitely not on my political agenda!).
Then I woke up...and I was laughing. I have no idea where that dream came from, but it sure was entertaining!
I got to live in the mansion all by myself, and my friend Kathi was my personal assistant. She was in charge of helping me get ready for my inauguration...especially the Ball. She and my other advisors suggested that I wear a wedding dress, since most of the people of the State had been hesitant to elect a single female...and wearing a wedding dress might give them hope that I would one day get married (never mind the fact that they apparently voted for a 29 year old woman with no political experience...). I refused to wear a traditional wedding dress, but did get an ivory crocheted gown. When I type that...it sounds horrible...but in my dream it was beautiful. I gave a great speech and outlined my goals for the term which included saving the environment (understandable) and legalizing marijuana (no joke... I have no idea where that came from..definitely not on my political agenda!).
Then I woke up...and I was laughing. I have no idea where that dream came from, but it sure was entertaining!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thomas Point Park
It was a great idea to head down to Thomas Point last night. What a lovely place....surrounded by water and unbelievably peaceful. There were a few people fishing while I was there, but other than that it was just me. I sat on a bench and read the Word, journaled, and prayed. It truly was just what I needed to renew my spirit. And I got a nice 8 mile bike ride in. :)
Thomas Point Lighthouse from the Point
The Bay Bridge (which I am no longer ready to throw myself off of)
My view while I was reading
The Rocks
The South River
All in all, it was quite a refreshing time. I'm ready to ride down there with a picnic soon...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Random Bulletpoints
- Apparently I've lost weight. I don't see it and the scale only shows about a 3 lb difference...but I've had 4 people comment recently that I look like I've lost weight. I'll take it...I suppose what people see is probably more important than what I feel anyway! Must be all the triathlon training.
-Now that the show I was in is finished, I feel a bit at loose ends. I can't remember all the things I put off "to do after the show is over". It's funny- when I don't have a lot going on, my to do list gets so long that it overwhelms me. Yet, when I'm busy, I don't have a to do list and my world doesn't fall apart. Makes me wonder if the items on my to do list are THAT important. Maybe I should do away with the to do list...
-Now that I have unstructured time again, I realized that I need some thinking, reflecting, and praying time. Just to recharge, re-evaluate and figure out what I'm doing again. As long as the storms hold off tonight, I think I'm going to hop on my bike and ride down to Thomas Point Park. I've never been inside the park, but I've heard it's beautiful...surrounded by the South River and the Bay. I love seeing a beautiful place for the first time, so I'm looking forward to getting down there. I'll probably take my journal and my Bible with me. So, I'll get an 8 mile ride in, as well as some good Page and God time. Nice.
-Now that the show I was in is finished, I feel a bit at loose ends. I can't remember all the things I put off "to do after the show is over". It's funny- when I don't have a lot going on, my to do list gets so long that it overwhelms me. Yet, when I'm busy, I don't have a to do list and my world doesn't fall apart. Makes me wonder if the items on my to do list are THAT important. Maybe I should do away with the to do list...
-Now that I have unstructured time again, I realized that I need some thinking, reflecting, and praying time. Just to recharge, re-evaluate and figure out what I'm doing again. As long as the storms hold off tonight, I think I'm going to hop on my bike and ride down to Thomas Point Park. I've never been inside the park, but I've heard it's beautiful...surrounded by the South River and the Bay. I love seeing a beautiful place for the first time, so I'm looking forward to getting down there. I'll probably take my journal and my Bible with me. So, I'll get an 8 mile ride in, as well as some good Page and God time. Nice.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A Break, A Bike, and a Swim
The first two Gondoliers' performances are out of the way and I am glad! I've had a lot of fun with the show...but I needed a break! I thought both performances went pretty well, all things considered. Saturday evening was the Opening night cast party- lots of fun...but I always find it odd to eat midnight meals at cast parties! Yet, I am always starving by the time I get there!
After the show on Sunday, a few friends who had attended the show and I took Sharon to Petit Louis for her birthday. Yum, yum!
I've had the past few evenings with no rehearsal or show, and they have been lovely. Monday evening I met some of the girls for wine and appetizers on the deck at Severn Inn overlooking the river. We had our typical, fun girly time...chatting about life, music, and other interesting topics.
Tuesday evening I met some friends in Crofton for a very hilly bike ride! I was glad to have a break from the show so that I could actually get some good training in. We rode about 11 miles around 450 (especially the portion closed to cars) and my friend Jenny's neighborhood.
Last night was probably the best of the week so far...I finally got to try some open-water swimming! One of the other members of our running club lives on the Severn River, so we met at her house and swam off her dock. It wasn't half as gross as I expected- a bit of grass and a muddy bottom- but no McDonald's cups floating past! :) It took me a little while to adjust to the murkiness of the water and settle into my breathing pattern, but once I got there it felt like I could swim forever! I don't love open-water swimming, but I think I'll be fine for the triathlon.
After the swim, we sat on the deck eating fruit and watching the sun set over the river. If only we'd had some champagne or wine...:) So I headed home and joined another group of friends for a glass of wine and some dinner on our back deck. What a terrible evening...:)
The next four nights are back up in Baltimore. Should be fun, but I have a feeling I will be exhausted by Sunday!
After the show on Sunday, a few friends who had attended the show and I took Sharon to Petit Louis for her birthday. Yum, yum!
I've had the past few evenings with no rehearsal or show, and they have been lovely. Monday evening I met some of the girls for wine and appetizers on the deck at Severn Inn overlooking the river. We had our typical, fun girly time...chatting about life, music, and other interesting topics.
Tuesday evening I met some friends in Crofton for a very hilly bike ride! I was glad to have a break from the show so that I could actually get some good training in. We rode about 11 miles around 450 (especially the portion closed to cars) and my friend Jenny's neighborhood.
Last night was probably the best of the week so far...I finally got to try some open-water swimming! One of the other members of our running club lives on the Severn River, so we met at her house and swam off her dock. It wasn't half as gross as I expected- a bit of grass and a muddy bottom- but no McDonald's cups floating past! :) It took me a little while to adjust to the murkiness of the water and settle into my breathing pattern, but once I got there it felt like I could swim forever! I don't love open-water swimming, but I think I'll be fine for the triathlon.
After the swim, we sat on the deck eating fruit and watching the sun set over the river. If only we'd had some champagne or wine...:) So I headed home and joined another group of friends for a glass of wine and some dinner on our back deck. What a terrible evening...:)
The next four nights are back up in Baltimore. Should be fun, but I have a feeling I will be exhausted by Sunday!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
July 4th, A Sleepy Weekend, and What Feels Like Nonstop Rehearsals!
In the midst of a crazy week, I thought I'd take a moment to breathe and step into blogland. My July 4th was great...fun and relaxing all at the same time! Some dear friends had a few of us over for a Yoga brunch- a 1 hour yoga session with my friend Alicia and then what turned into a 3 hour (longer for some) brunch. I went home and slept for 2 hours. After my much-needed nap, some friends came over for an impromptu cookout, which turned into a cook-in. No matter. A lively game of charades ensued. Quote of the evening: "Sounds like amputee!" (I'm still laughing at that one...). Saturday involved a swim, watching the Wimbledon Ladies' Final, a shopping trip, and another nap. Sunday was dominated by rehearsal...and that has set the tone for this week!
The invited dress rehearsal for the show is this evening...and then only performances from here on out! It's always nice when the rehearsals are over...
So that is an update from me. Sorry that I have no coherent and interesting thoughts to present...that would require sleep- which seems to be in short supply in my world!
A quick aside: I saw a sign in a shop window the other day that said, "I'm lost in my own little world...but it's ok, they know me here!". That is definitely how I feel sometimes!
The invited dress rehearsal for the show is this evening...and then only performances from here on out! It's always nice when the rehearsals are over...
So that is an update from me. Sorry that I have no coherent and interesting thoughts to present...that would require sleep- which seems to be in short supply in my world!
A quick aside: I saw a sign in a shop window the other day that said, "I'm lost in my own little world...but it's ok, they know me here!". That is definitely how I feel sometimes!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Musical Musings
A non-musical person asked me the other day, "So when will I get to attend a concert somewhere and hear you sing a solo?". I laughed. "Hopefully never," I replied. You see, I hate singing by myself in front of a group in a non-casual setting. I hate auditions. Anything that requires me to sing by myself. I'm self-conscious that way. My non-musical friend was somewhat taken aback. "So you don't aspire to be a "real" singer and sing by yourself? Then why do you sing, especially in a chorus where you get no glory?" Why do I sing?? Ha! Why wouldn't I sing? I love to sing. I love music. I get to perform some of the most amazing music ever created without the nerve factor playing a part.
It never occurred to me that people don't understand the idea of choral singing. It's not about standing out or being a star, but making a beautiful sound with others. Sticking out is usually a bad thing.
I don't aspire to be anything more than a choral singer. Would I love to have the voice of Anna Netrebko and get the glory she does? Of course (and while I'm at it I'll take her face and non-pregnant body, too!). But, I know my limitations...and singing by myself is one of them. Not to say that I don't or wouldn't sound good singing by myself, but the nervous process of getting there is not worth it for me.
Some have suggested voice lessons to get rid of the nerves. That might help, but I still don't want to be a soloist. I think I would still enjoy making music with others rather than singing alone. I'd like to take voice lessons to improve my technique for singing in general, but not to sing on my own. Also, voice lessons require a thick skin (which I don't always have), and patience. Often when one begins lessons, there is an awkward transition where your voice sounds yucko as you are deconstructing bad habits to then build good ones. I'm not sure if I want to go through that...although I know the finished product will hopefully be worth it in the end. Maybe voice lessons should be my project for next summer.
For now, I'll enjoy singing in a chorus and having fun!
It never occurred to me that people don't understand the idea of choral singing. It's not about standing out or being a star, but making a beautiful sound with others. Sticking out is usually a bad thing.
I don't aspire to be anything more than a choral singer. Would I love to have the voice of Anna Netrebko and get the glory she does? Of course (and while I'm at it I'll take her face and non-pregnant body, too!). But, I know my limitations...and singing by myself is one of them. Not to say that I don't or wouldn't sound good singing by myself, but the nervous process of getting there is not worth it for me.
Some have suggested voice lessons to get rid of the nerves. That might help, but I still don't want to be a soloist. I think I would still enjoy making music with others rather than singing alone. I'd like to take voice lessons to improve my technique for singing in general, but not to sing on my own. Also, voice lessons require a thick skin (which I don't always have), and patience. Often when one begins lessons, there is an awkward transition where your voice sounds yucko as you are deconstructing bad habits to then build good ones. I'm not sure if I want to go through that...although I know the finished product will hopefully be worth it in the end. Maybe voice lessons should be my project for next summer.
For now, I'll enjoy singing in a chorus and having fun!
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