I really need to be more diligent about updating. I really haven't had that much opportunity to post, honestly, but still. Anyway, the audition went extremely well--I don't have enough time to get into the details of it right now--and the hurricane did indeed miss Sarasota, though some of the sewers were flooded. It's a really cool city, in case you haven't been there, but I'm sure it's way too expensive to vacation there in the busy season (winter). The day after my audition I woke up with a sore palate and immediately knew I had dodged a huge bullet. The head cold which followed made me miserable for four days and hacking my lungs out for the next three. (Product plug: did you know you can get guaifenesin--active ingredient in Robitussin--in time-release tablet form over-the-counter? Perfect for someone like me, who can't keep that vile liquid down long enough to digest any of it...) Today, lesson day, was the first time since last Wednesday that I sang for longer than three minutes--and even then it was just to assess the progress of/recovery from the cold. But everything went okay this morning. I'm working on one new piece--a Britten aria which sits surprisingly well--and reviving my SOB Barber aria because one of the apprentice programs is doing Vanessa. The latter is so much easier to sing now--still no walk in the park, but it's amazing to think my technique has improved that much in the six months since I've even thought about looking at that thing. Oh, and speaking of hard music, Gianni Schicchi is quite a bugger! I forgot how challenging it was to memorize ensemble music, and that's all this is. And there's this one trio where I have the middle part--all crazy intervals while the other singers move in octaves around me. Well, I'm up to the challenge. Tomorrow morning I'm getting measured for my costume; the opera's being updated from its original setting (13th century) to the late 1940s. That sould make for a really cool costume, at least. Oh, and speaking of getting measured, I'm finally going to buy my wedding dress (and get measured for it) today. My mother will have to give the credit card number over the phone, but it's apparently no big deal. I guess waiting for David's Bridal to have a sale has paid off! I'll be asking again about the bridesmaid dresses, by the way--almost time to get your butts to the store, ladies!--And my mother and I met briefly with a florist last week; next time Mark and I are down there, we'll spend a little more time. Mark is in Michigan right now, by the way. I have the whole house to myself, all weekend. Perfect environment for me to finish the last Dark Tower book, which I got from the library this week! It's so incredible. Say what you want about Stephen King, but the man can tell a story...

I've been a little busy. Next week I'm going to Sarasota for that audition (if there still is a Sarasota by this time next week...); my mother and I are driving down. Twelve hours in a car with my mother...wish me luck. And remind me to take my MP3 player. :)

Last week I talked to someone at a music school--hopefully I'll get to start teaching there. And I got together with some people to talk about young artist programs for next summer. Maybe I'll even get into one of them...

And Mark just got back from the convention. It was less exciting than the Democratic convention, though a certain Democratic senator did make things a little interesting. (Did you hear he all but challenged Chris Matthews to a duel? The man is bonkers.) Today is Mark's first day back at work; he seems to be acclimating well. Oh--last night we finally saw Fahrenheit 9/11. I liked it, though there wasn't anything there we didn't know already. Too bad he wasn't able to put in all the Abu Ghraib stuff and the disappearing WMD. But maybe that would've made the movie too long.

On a related note, I think Mark's going to dress up as Michael Moore for Hallowe'en--rumpled suit, unshaven, baseball cap, holding an Oscar... But what should I dress up as? We wanted our costumes to be somewhat related. The only thing I could think of would probably offend lots of people.

That reminds me...I got a part in one of the local opera company's productions. Not the part I was hoping to get--but this one will probably be more fun, and certainly less stress. And my friend S. got the part she wanted--one she's always wanted. I'm so happy for her!

The wedding planning seems to have stalled. Still waiting for David's Bridal to have another sale! But I think we're meeting with a coordinator this weekend. And there's a bridal show in October which hopefully will hook us up with a DJ. I think we're using my mother's friend's daughter for the flowers. I could care less about the flowers, honestly...