That is hilarious.
I decided to dress up as my sixteen-year-old self for Halloween, but unfortunately nobody I ran into understood that I was trying to be a grunge-grrl. I probably just looked like it was laundry day...
Wednesday, October 31
Tuesday, October 30
Another awesome package from my Secret Pal arrived Saturday:
Some fun green Rowan yarn, hot cocoa mix, some chocolate and a Pick Up Sticks! Sushi Wallet Kit. My SP must be psychic, since I've loved that kit since the minute I saw it (on Knitty?) but I don't think I told anybody about it. I do love the felting--in fact I'm working on a felted project for my spoilee. It's going in the washing machine this afternoon...
In other news, Mark has accepted a job right here in the metro area--all I can say is that he'll be affiliated with a very prestigious local university--and we're both very excited. There will be an adjustment period as he moves out of journalism and into life as a private citizen (now he can pick a political party, for instance), and the first couple of months will involve long hours, but I doubt they'll be longer than what he does now. It's a really positive change, and it's been a long time coming, so I really couldn't be happier for him.
His first day at the new job (all-day orientation--fun) is the same day as my first audition of the season, and I'll be up in New York all week. This will probably be my last year auditioning for so-called young artist programs--I'm on the older side for them now, and larger voices tend not to be selected for them anyway (unless they're men--men can flub notes in auditions and still get hired sometimes!). I applied for a few YAPs and competitions, and also sent my materials to a handful of companies for mainstage auditions. I've only heard back from the early ones so far, but in the next few weeks I'll have more information.
In day job news, I interviewed for a teaching position at a music school last week--a good friend of mine teaches there, and she gave me a heads-up that they were looking for a new teacher. I would like to get back into teaching (and it pays really well!), but it's also kind of daunting...it's quite a bit of responsibility, and while I know I can do it I just wonder what I'd do with a twelve-year-old in an HOUR-LONG voice lesson. I had half-hour or forty-five minute lessons in high school, and there's a reason for that. Anyway, I haven't heard back yet, which probably means I didn't get the job. Things are getting a little interesting at the office anyway, since an entire journal is being handed off to me. It's more responsibility, mainly because it's a very new journal and the marketing infrastructure isn't there yet--so submissions don't come in as often as we'd like. Plus the editor is at best 1000 miles away (when he's not in Europe), so there's all these little organizational things that I'll need to stay on top of. I'm still not planning on upping my hours--and I don't think I'll have to, at this point--but teaching would mean working a minimum at the office, and eventually leaving altogether.
Anyway, that's what's news here. (Though I neglected to mention that it is officially COLD here now. WTF?)
Some fun green Rowan yarn, hot cocoa mix, some chocolate and a Pick Up Sticks! Sushi Wallet Kit. My SP must be psychic, since I've loved that kit since the minute I saw it (on Knitty?) but I don't think I told anybody about it. I do love the felting--in fact I'm working on a felted project for my spoilee. It's going in the washing machine this afternoon...
In other news, Mark has accepted a job right here in the metro area--all I can say is that he'll be affiliated with a very prestigious local university--and we're both very excited. There will be an adjustment period as he moves out of journalism and into life as a private citizen (now he can pick a political party, for instance), and the first couple of months will involve long hours, but I doubt they'll be longer than what he does now. It's a really positive change, and it's been a long time coming, so I really couldn't be happier for him.
His first day at the new job (all-day orientation--fun) is the same day as my first audition of the season, and I'll be up in New York all week. This will probably be my last year auditioning for so-called young artist programs--I'm on the older side for them now, and larger voices tend not to be selected for them anyway (unless they're men--men can flub notes in auditions and still get hired sometimes!). I applied for a few YAPs and competitions, and also sent my materials to a handful of companies for mainstage auditions. I've only heard back from the early ones so far, but in the next few weeks I'll have more information.
In day job news, I interviewed for a teaching position at a music school last week--a good friend of mine teaches there, and she gave me a heads-up that they were looking for a new teacher. I would like to get back into teaching (and it pays really well!), but it's also kind of daunting...it's quite a bit of responsibility, and while I know I can do it I just wonder what I'd do with a twelve-year-old in an HOUR-LONG voice lesson. I had half-hour or forty-five minute lessons in high school, and there's a reason for that. Anyway, I haven't heard back yet, which probably means I didn't get the job. Things are getting a little interesting at the office anyway, since an entire journal is being handed off to me. It's more responsibility, mainly because it's a very new journal and the marketing infrastructure isn't there yet--so submissions don't come in as often as we'd like. Plus the editor is at best 1000 miles away (when he's not in Europe), so there's all these little organizational things that I'll need to stay on top of. I'm still not planning on upping my hours--and I don't think I'll have to, at this point--but teaching would mean working a minimum at the office, and eventually leaving altogether.
Anyway, that's what's news here. (Though I neglected to mention that it is officially COLD here now. WTF?)
Wednesday, October 24
The show was a general success (my costume brought me no end of discomfort, and the costumer didn't seem particularly concerned, so whatevs) and the wedding was just beautiful. They are such a happy couple! And I was able to get through my song without crying, and even managed to write an entertaining toast. We even got to eat Swedish meatballs at IKEA. Oh, and I got my car back! It was a successful weekend. Now I can get back to normal life: there are about seven clean loads of laundry wrinkling on the upstairs couch, the kitchen is kind of dirty (Mark's domain!), I need to get the last little sections of my arias commited to memory and dramatically on the right track...
But of course I have been knitting.
I frogged my scarf from last year and reused the yarn in a pattern I found on Ravelry. I just love this yarn, and it was a lot end so I don't know what it is or where I'll ever see something similar again. Sad...
And there's my Wisp in progress! I love love love it. It is kind of my backburner project, since there's still a bit of holiday knitting to do (but most of it is really quick little things). This yarn can be pretty slippery on aluminum, but I think I'd go crazy if I were knitting this on plastic or (God forbid) wood. Too many stitches!
So anyway, I'm still here. And right now I'm enjoying the rain, which we desperately need...
But of course I have been knitting.
I frogged my scarf from last year and reused the yarn in a pattern I found on Ravelry. I just love this yarn, and it was a lot end so I don't know what it is or where I'll ever see something similar again. Sad...
And there's my Wisp in progress! I love love love it. It is kind of my backburner project, since there's still a bit of holiday knitting to do (but most of it is really quick little things). This yarn can be pretty slippery on aluminum, but I think I'd go crazy if I were knitting this on plastic or (God forbid) wood. Too many stitches!
So anyway, I'm still here. And right now I'm enjoying the rain, which we desperately need...
Wednesday, October 17
Busiest week of my life! Ugh! But I wanted to touch base anyway. My car is actually just fine--my father replaced a $40 part and the leak is history. (Now we just need to find a new mechanic here in town.) I've been pretty grumpy about the show, but things are looking pretty good (and my partner in the show has finally remembered his blocking), and my costumes are itchy but I think they look pretty good from the house. I'll be sending out my latest SP gift tomorrow, so long as this project I've been working on is finally dry. My Knit One Tea Two spoiler was Lauryn, as you may have read in the comments. Thanks so much! I am already enjoying my gifts.
The big news, of course, is Cathy's wedding. We are so looking forward to it! :) Try to stay relaxed...
The big news, of course, is Cathy's wedding. We are so looking forward to it! :) Try to stay relaxed...
Monday, October 8
It has been a tumultuous week. Early last Tuesday morning I woke up in considerable pain, having apparently re-irritated my perpetually sore right trapezius. Finally fed up, I went to my (A-hole) doctor, explaining that I've had chronic problems with my shoulder for FOUR YEARS and want to fix it, WITHOUT drugs. He did try to give me drugs (it doesn't really hurt that much after the first day! Why do I need to be on more medication?!), but finally gave me the proverbial Golden Ticket: physical therapy referral. I've gone twice now (my therapist is this cute guy from New Jersey), and I think it's helping already--but I did spend two rehearsals on the sidelines. I sang yesterday for the first time in almost a week...that's the main issue with the shoulder problems, of course. I'm really in a time crunch here with auditions coming up--I can't afford to take a week off singing right now! Maybe the week after Christmas, you know?
We're also having some serious car problems. My precious, precious car, all 190,000 miles of her, is leaking oil pretty heavily. I noticed the problem just over a week ago--and since it had been only three weeks since my last oil change I was quick to blame the lube place. They checked it out and didn't see any problems. Friday night we noticed it was down another two quarts, so we dropped the car off at our usual auto shop over the weekend. They called me this morning and said there were two significant leaks, and that fixing it would cost $675. Though it runs fine, the car is fourteen years old and has very high mileage; the trade-in value is not much higher than that. I called my father, and he was dubious about the diagnosis, so we'll be bringing the car to him this weekend. Plus he doesn't think we shouldn't drive it, so long as we check (and top off) the oil every time we stop. Should I take the car for my lesson Thursday, 200 miles round-trip? I need to ask about that... And we may end up renting a car to take to Cathy's wedding, just in case. Meanwhile, now we really need a new car. (Mark sometimes tends to over-deliberate over major purchases, then make really quick decisions when things get dire. So guess who's taking the reins here?) We're getting organized, and will be making some moves within a few days. Car payment, blech.
But here! Good news! I got the package from my Knit One Tea Two Swap pal.
Earl Grey green tea, chai, a few herbal teabags, teabag tongs (how fancy, since I usually use my fingers--gauche), empty teabags (fun! now I can blend), pumpkin and peach butter (we are fans of the fruit butters), lovely soft mohair, and some really yummy-smelling homemade sachets. Thank you so much! Unfortunately I don't know who you are, other than that you're from Pennsylvania. Please identify yourself (if possible) so I can properly thank you.
And in other happier news, someone here had a birthday.
Posing with some Finger Lakes wine, a book he's wanted for a long time, and some bay rum-scented stuff from Etsy. (Etsy is becoming a dangerous place for me.)
Must get back to the car-purchase planning. I'm also woefully behind in answering emails; I promise I will get cracking on that.
We're also having some serious car problems. My precious, precious car, all 190,000 miles of her, is leaking oil pretty heavily. I noticed the problem just over a week ago--and since it had been only three weeks since my last oil change I was quick to blame the lube place. They checked it out and didn't see any problems. Friday night we noticed it was down another two quarts, so we dropped the car off at our usual auto shop over the weekend. They called me this morning and said there were two significant leaks, and that fixing it would cost $675. Though it runs fine, the car is fourteen years old and has very high mileage; the trade-in value is not much higher than that. I called my father, and he was dubious about the diagnosis, so we'll be bringing the car to him this weekend. Plus he doesn't think we shouldn't drive it, so long as we check (and top off) the oil every time we stop. Should I take the car for my lesson Thursday, 200 miles round-trip? I need to ask about that... And we may end up renting a car to take to Cathy's wedding, just in case. Meanwhile, now we really need a new car. (Mark sometimes tends to over-deliberate over major purchases, then make really quick decisions when things get dire. So guess who's taking the reins here?) We're getting organized, and will be making some moves within a few days. Car payment, blech.
But here! Good news! I got the package from my Knit One Tea Two Swap pal.
Earl Grey green tea, chai, a few herbal teabags, teabag tongs (how fancy, since I usually use my fingers--gauche), empty teabags (fun! now I can blend), pumpkin and peach butter (we are fans of the fruit butters), lovely soft mohair, and some really yummy-smelling homemade sachets. Thank you so much! Unfortunately I don't know who you are, other than that you're from Pennsylvania. Please identify yourself (if possible) so I can properly thank you.
And in other happier news, someone here had a birthday.
Posing with some Finger Lakes wine, a book he's wanted for a long time, and some bay rum-scented stuff from Etsy. (Etsy is becoming a dangerous place for me.)
Must get back to the car-purchase planning. I'm also woefully behind in answering emails; I promise I will get cracking on that.
Monday, October 1
Woot! I just got on Ravelry! My screen name is divamaglia. There's nothing up yet (when I say I just got on, I mean like, fifteen minutes ago), but I'm so excited! More ways to waste my time... After cruising around for a few minutes, my brain is full. Folks, I think I've found a new time-waster at work. :)
Both my swap partners received their latest packages without incident, and they apparently like them, too! My SP pal must remain secret, of course, but you can visit my Knit One Tea Too pal's blog here. The dishcloth patterns were really cute--I got them from Knitting Pattern Central, of course. :) I haven't heard from my K1T2 spoiler yet, but I should hear back in a few days. (Getting excited.)
I have finished the mystery gift--it really took longer than I thought--and will be casting on for something new this evening at rehearsal. I'm thinking about making a stockinette/reverse stockinette Moebius cowl for my brother BJ...I guess I can give it to someone else if it's not manly enough.
So I am singing Flora in La traviata. It's a fun role dramatically (professional party girl, circa 1700 Paris), but vocally it's kinda suckage. I spend two-thirds of the time singing chorus parts with the sopranos, and the other third doubling the tenors. I'd rather this were the other way around (I've learned to do it out of necessity--and from my soprano days--but I don't love singing quiet high notes, and have strong feelings about my ever needing to do so for anything other than mega-dramatic reasons). And my solo lines are all very fast metrically. Both of these facts--tessitura and tempo--lead me to believe that this role would be much better suited for a lyric mezzo than for my big ol' honkin' voice. Elephant in a tutu, just like I told Alex. I can sing fast and high, I just can't do it all the time. This is why I don't sing soprano anymore, dig? Realistically, I know I don't have much reason to complain. Verdi on my resume can only be a good thing, and this is a short role with a comparatively large dramatic presence--plus I do love being onstage. Even if my dress is REALLY scratchy and makes me look like a lilac marshmallow. Sounds like a bridesmaid dress, doesn't it?
Which reminds me: Cathy's wedding is in less than three weeks! I am so totally excited! It's going to be wonderful. I will try to call you tomorrow, unless you're too busy with finalizing menus and collecting presents. :)
Both my swap partners received their latest packages without incident, and they apparently like them, too! My SP pal must remain secret, of course, but you can visit my Knit One Tea Too pal's blog here. The dishcloth patterns were really cute--I got them from Knitting Pattern Central, of course. :) I haven't heard from my K1T2 spoiler yet, but I should hear back in a few days. (Getting excited.)
I have finished the mystery gift--it really took longer than I thought--and will be casting on for something new this evening at rehearsal. I'm thinking about making a stockinette/reverse stockinette Moebius cowl for my brother BJ...I guess I can give it to someone else if it's not manly enough.
So I am singing Flora in La traviata. It's a fun role dramatically (professional party girl, circa 1700 Paris), but vocally it's kinda suckage. I spend two-thirds of the time singing chorus parts with the sopranos, and the other third doubling the tenors. I'd rather this were the other way around (I've learned to do it out of necessity--and from my soprano days--but I don't love singing quiet high notes, and have strong feelings about my ever needing to do so for anything other than mega-dramatic reasons). And my solo lines are all very fast metrically. Both of these facts--tessitura and tempo--lead me to believe that this role would be much better suited for a lyric mezzo than for my big ol' honkin' voice. Elephant in a tutu, just like I told Alex. I can sing fast and high, I just can't do it all the time. This is why I don't sing soprano anymore, dig? Realistically, I know I don't have much reason to complain. Verdi on my resume can only be a good thing, and this is a short role with a comparatively large dramatic presence--plus I do love being onstage. Even if my dress is REALLY scratchy and makes me look like a lilac marshmallow. Sounds like a bridesmaid dress, doesn't it?
Which reminds me: Cathy's wedding is in less than three weeks! I am so totally excited! It's going to be wonderful. I will try to call you tomorrow, unless you're too busy with finalizing menus and collecting presents. :)
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