Catching up

Almost two weeks since my last post. Sure wish the time didn't slip by so fast!

I've seen a lot of movies in the run-up to Oscar night. So far I've been most impressed by "Doubt" and "Frost/Nixon". Incredible performances in both movies. This past Saturday night, Arturo and I went to see a show called "Souvenir", which was put on by a local acting company. It's about Florence Foster Jenkins, the infamous no-talent society opera singer from the 30's, and her hapless accompanist, the very oddly named Cosmie McMoon. The acting was really good and the story actually turned out to be quite touching and even thought-provoking. What is more lofty, anyway? Telling someone they are not only not talented but positively painful to listen to? Or letting them live out their fantasies and dreams? The actor/musician who played the pianist was quite touching when he tenderly reassured Florence that she wasn't hearing laughter after her performance of the Schubert "Ave Maria", but rather people were giggling because they were so nervous in the face of such beauty. It was sweet, and moving.

Work has been very busy, I guess it's the "new year/new deductible" rush, or something. Overall I'm still happy at UNC, and convinced that the change of jobs was a good thing. I'm certainly better paid! Got my W-2 form for the year and I even impressed myself.

My singing job on Sunday (fundraiser for the Healing Tree Foundation) went well. Arturo was very complimentary, which is always nice. But there were a few folks there like George Christie, who made a point of saying that he had heard me sing perhaps 4 times, and I keep getting better. Now, THAT was praise I can take to heart! Glenn seemed a little "off" on Sunday, especially at the beginning, but then he focused and we had some nice moments. I even managed to get through my encore number, which was "Over The Rainbow", a suicidal choice if there ever was one. I just thought it would fit with the aims of the foundation, plus I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could do it. Overall I think I acquitted myself admirably. The lady who runs the foundation wants to hire us again, for another fundraiser in April, so there's a vote of confidence.

Arturo is worried about his fast-approaching Schubert performance. I know he'll be fine but he does have to work through things in his own way. I just wish he didn't suffer so.

Went to see Adriana yesterday--she looks tired and drawn, and of course sang her usual plaint about wanting to die, why was she still alive, etc. I didn't make any effort to talk her out of it, I just listened. (All my nursing school psych professors would have been proud--it was truly reflective listening! I kept saying things like, "It sounds like you're depressed.") God save me from being so selfish and miserable when I'm her age. I know my mom is younger, but she looks and acts so vibrant now, I just don't imagine her ever being essentially different (barring catastrophe, of course). Now SHE'S my role model!

Anyway, off to the salt mines--three days in a row this week, ugh.

Rehearsing today

Gee, it felt so good to sing again! Glenn and I are working on a short program for January 25th. Mostly things I've sung before, but a few new ones. I can't believe how a few hours of rehearsing can change my whole outlook on life. I know all about endorphins and mood, but the way I feel afterward......well, I think scientists should recruit me for studies. (Paid would be nice.)

I am in love with the song, "The Gentleman is a Dope". Just the cleverest, the most swinging, the best. So VERY unlike Rodgers & Hammerstein. I actually checked the Rodgers & Hart book first. I googled "Allegro", which is the musical for which the song was originally written, and I can see from the [non] plot why it didn't go over well with audiences. This song, though, is a gem.

Mom's birthday was yesterday, and I spoke with her for 40 minutes or so. She sounds lively and healthy, she looks terrific, and I consider her a role model in most every way. I hope I have her health and positive attitude when I'm her age. Congratulations, Mom, on another year, and here's to very many more.

Done! Finished! Finito!

Well, it's done--there is a huge pile of junk at the curb, the house is de-Christmased, the attic is re-organized, everything is clean and tidy, and I spent last evening basking in the pleasant exhaustion that comes from very hard work. Many thanks to Max Gottleib, neighborhood college student who needed cash and had muscle and stamina to trade for it! Together we made about 40 trips up and down the stairs, but by God, it's all done.

The funny thing is, when I got home from work tonight, I noticed that much of the stuff we put out at the curb was gone. All the old drapery rods--which was mildly surprising, since they were so tangled I cut a lot of the cords to facilitate transport. The two absolutely ancient bed springs and bed frames, which, by the way, were left in the attic by the previous residents of ol' 2423. Maybe there's a big market for scrap metal? Who knows. Certainly NOBODY would be hard up enough to actually use them for mattress rests. Anyway, it works for me.

Now, if I could just get Diana to clean her room......

Lazy day

I have had the laziest day today, at least the part after I went to the gym. I paid bills this morning--always a wonderful way to start the day--then did a few little errands and went to the gym. I came home with the idea that I would take down the Christmas tree, but instead went to lunch with Diana, then talked with Alan for a while, then joined Diana's friends while they all made hula-hoops, then bailed on taking in a movie with Karen, then got on the computer and have been assiduously wasting time for the past hour.

The Christmas tree is still up, my set list for the 1/25 concert is still in limbo, and I am STILL IN MY GYM CLOTHES!!

There are still 5 hours left in the day. Still time to reform!

New Year, New Post

Wow, it's been quite a while since I wrote here. A lot has happened, mostly all good.

The holidays have come and gone, and it's back to work tomorrow. We had a lovely trip to NY, where we saw beaucoups of friends and relatives, ate too much, and got to experience real snow and REAL cold too! (New Years Eve was marked by temperatures in the low teens, with a wind chill factor near zero degrees. Not that anything as common as the weather kept the crowds away from Times Square, mind you.)

Arturo and I had a lovely day in the city on Dec. 30th. First we had lunch with his old friend, Joe Smith. Joe lives on W. 82nd Street. We met him at his apartment and then ate at a lovely little brasserie. It was fun for me to just sit back and listen to them reminisce, and observe their mutual delight in being together for a while. Arturo & Joe have known each other since they were both 16--a pretty long time. Then we walked around Central Park for a while, and saw the new building/museum at Columbus Circle, and ended the afternoon at Christophe Landon Fine Violins. Arturo was trying to sell a violin which had belonged to his Dad. Monsieur Landon was the soul of gallic charm as well as an extremely learned luthier. He spent about an hour talking to us about the violin and, while [politely] declining to purchase it at the moment, gave us information on how to further research its pedigree. Even though we still had to carry around the case for the rest of the day, it was a very interesting visit.

Then we went to see the revival of "Pal Joey" at the Studio 54 Theater, courtesy of Mom. (Thanks, Mom! Great Christmas present!) I have to say I was underwhelmed for many reasons, but it was, as usual, a great experience to be in a NY theater, enjoying live performances. No wonder legions of young people are seduced into trying to make their living as actors.

Gotta go===more later. Keep reading! And, Happy 2009 to all!