The song goes "tra-la, it's May", but I've appropriated the title for June.
I guess the biggest item in my life this week has been my participation in a neighborhood project. This year is the 100th anniversary of Watts-Hillandale, and among the many markers of the event has been a collaboration between the neighborhood and the Summer Workshop of Duke's Center for Documentary Studies. This summer's students were all assigned to work on a documentary about our neighborhood. I was interviewed & videotaped by a team of students. It was quite revelatory......God knows I can talk, but their questions really prompted me to offer some fairly profound thoughts. Looking at the finished product, I feel rather humble, and proud. It seems I've been doing some pretty important things with this life of mine, and while it would be disingenuous to say I was completely unaware of it, it would be equally so to say I wasn't surprised by how well "Ellen" came across in the video. I *do* think that my creative side and my scientific side pollenate each other in deep and often unexpected ways, and I *do* think it would be harder to be effective in each without the input of the other. But somehow it all came across more vividly on film. I know Mom will like it, and I know the kids will be happy to have it (maybe more so in later years). Arturo told me it made him proud of me. Kinda makes me proud of me, too.
I'm tired, but it's a good tired, after a weekend filled with good things: a date with Arturo (dinner, movie, love), work in the yard, time with the crossword, a visit with Carol, and exercise time too. Back to work tomorrow, saving lives and stamping out disease......and singing.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Catching up, sorta, after way too long
Bless me, Blogger, for I have sinned........it has been three months since my last posting.
Of course there's no way to actually catch up on three months of life, etc. (especially the "etc."), but here are a few high spots. And low spots.
Laura, my sweet older daughter, has graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. Mom came to Durham for a long weekend to share the great day with everyone. We had a fab party for Laura and her love, Darwin, who also graduated that weekend (but from NC State in Raleigh). There was lots of good food and good company. I'm so glad I decided to use a caterer for the party--saved me a LOT of work and grief. I was actually able to enjoy my own gathering! Laura looked beautiful and I am so very proud of her. She's worked hard, has a great GPA and strong college career, is happy with the guy she loves, has an idea of what to do with her life, and she even has a job--this last a pretty amazing achievement in today's melt-down economy. Arturo and I bought a car for her for graduation and she was so very excited! (Why not?) And, lucky for me, she will be staying in Chapel Hill for the next year as she works & contemplates her next life decision: graduate school.
Mom looks more than fantastic. She is absolutely youthening rather than aging as the years go by. I need to make more time to spend with her--she's such good company and such an amazing role model. Our party guests were just enchanted by her!
I've had, I think, three singing engagements since I last posted. One at the Regulator Bookshop, one at the home of Bill Hampton, and one at The Scrap Exchange. There's also an upcoming gig (6/18) at the ever-popular "Capt. John's Dockside Restaurant" with a group called Chris Reynolds Swing 'n' Jazz. Chris is the pianist, and while he's a bit flaky, he's a really good musician, plus he likes to sing duets, which adds quite a lot to the mix. The bass player & drummer are great guys, too. And cute!
Inevitably, I guess, after almost 20 years of nursing, I hurt my back last month at work. It was "Ellen vs. the bookwalter retractor", and Ellen lost. I was lifting the bookwalter up onto an overhead shelf when I felt a "pop" in my back, followed by breathtaking pain. At the same moment, someone else in the room said, "What was that weird noise I just heard?", and I knew right then the result wasn't going to be pretty. After a trip (via wheelchair) to employee health, I was sent home for a couple of days. I found out that old standby treatment---ibuprofen, rest, and alternating hot and cold packs---is really the best. The muscle relaxant didn't work and strong pain meds just make me loopy. It's been about 3 weeks and I finally went back to the gym & had a good workout yesterday. There are still a few twinges, and some movements I make in a very gingerly manner, but other than that I'm OK. Which is good, because the last thing this family needs is another person with back problems.
Arturo and I spent Memorial Day weekend with our friends Dean & Kay Michaels. The four of us went to Williamsburg, VA. We toured the historic area, ate at good restaurants, drank great wine, enjoyed the ambience of a quirky & fun little Bed & Breakfast, played pool, and went to a concert by Patti LuPone. I'll save my LuPone review for another post. We had a wonderful, relaxing time and it was a much-needed break for me. Arturo will be taking a trip to California in mid-June, one of his usual "press junkets", and I think it will be good for him to get out into professional world again. I'm just jealous that nobody ever sends ME on a "nursing junket"!!
Finally, I found out that I had been accepted to a cabaret workshop in July in NYC! I'm excited. I've been thinking over the past few months that I really need to hear from someone else besides Arturo and Glenn about how I sound, what I'm doing right and wrong, etc. A "tune-up" (ha, ha) for lack of a better term. This is a short (5 days) workshop with about a dozen other folks so I think I should have a good amount of time for personal feedback. Of course it costs money but I can always tell my family that they can contribute to it for my birthday present! I will drive both ways, though, so that I don't have to spend extra money on an airline ticket. Anyone want to hitch a ride to NYC from Durham the last week of July? Warning: driver will be singing!
Hugs to all,
Ellen
Of course there's no way to actually catch up on three months of life, etc. (especially the "etc."), but here are a few high spots. And low spots.
Laura, my sweet older daughter, has graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. Mom came to Durham for a long weekend to share the great day with everyone. We had a fab party for Laura and her love, Darwin, who also graduated that weekend (but from NC State in Raleigh). There was lots of good food and good company. I'm so glad I decided to use a caterer for the party--saved me a LOT of work and grief. I was actually able to enjoy my own gathering! Laura looked beautiful and I am so very proud of her. She's worked hard, has a great GPA and strong college career, is happy with the guy she loves, has an idea of what to do with her life, and she even has a job--this last a pretty amazing achievement in today's melt-down economy. Arturo and I bought a car for her for graduation and she was so very excited! (Why not?) And, lucky for me, she will be staying in Chapel Hill for the next year as she works & contemplates her next life decision: graduate school.
Mom looks more than fantastic. She is absolutely youthening rather than aging as the years go by. I need to make more time to spend with her--she's such good company and such an amazing role model. Our party guests were just enchanted by her!
I've had, I think, three singing engagements since I last posted. One at the Regulator Bookshop, one at the home of Bill Hampton, and one at The Scrap Exchange. There's also an upcoming gig (6/18) at the ever-popular "Capt. John's Dockside Restaurant" with a group called Chris Reynolds Swing 'n' Jazz. Chris is the pianist, and while he's a bit flaky, he's a really good musician, plus he likes to sing duets, which adds quite a lot to the mix. The bass player & drummer are great guys, too. And cute!
Inevitably, I guess, after almost 20 years of nursing, I hurt my back last month at work. It was "Ellen vs. the bookwalter retractor", and Ellen lost. I was lifting the bookwalter up onto an overhead shelf when I felt a "pop" in my back, followed by breathtaking pain. At the same moment, someone else in the room said, "What was that weird noise I just heard?", and I knew right then the result wasn't going to be pretty. After a trip (via wheelchair) to employee health, I was sent home for a couple of days. I found out that old standby treatment---ibuprofen, rest, and alternating hot and cold packs---is really the best. The muscle relaxant didn't work and strong pain meds just make me loopy. It's been about 3 weeks and I finally went back to the gym & had a good workout yesterday. There are still a few twinges, and some movements I make in a very gingerly manner, but other than that I'm OK. Which is good, because the last thing this family needs is another person with back problems.
Arturo and I spent Memorial Day weekend with our friends Dean & Kay Michaels. The four of us went to Williamsburg, VA. We toured the historic area, ate at good restaurants, drank great wine, enjoyed the ambience of a quirky & fun little Bed & Breakfast, played pool, and went to a concert by Patti LuPone. I'll save my LuPone review for another post. We had a wonderful, relaxing time and it was a much-needed break for me. Arturo will be taking a trip to California in mid-June, one of his usual "press junkets", and I think it will be good for him to get out into professional world again. I'm just jealous that nobody ever sends ME on a "nursing junket"!!
Finally, I found out that I had been accepted to a cabaret workshop in July in NYC! I'm excited. I've been thinking over the past few months that I really need to hear from someone else besides Arturo and Glenn about how I sound, what I'm doing right and wrong, etc. A "tune-up" (ha, ha) for lack of a better term. This is a short (5 days) workshop with about a dozen other folks so I think I should have a good amount of time for personal feedback. Of course it costs money but I can always tell my family that they can contribute to it for my birthday present! I will drive both ways, though, so that I don't have to spend extra money on an airline ticket. Anyone want to hitch a ride to NYC from Durham the last week of July? Warning: driver will be singing!
Hugs to all,
Ellen
Thursday, March 19, 2009
An Interesting Life
You know, I've been thinking, and I lead an interesting life. Of course in some cultures this is the ultimate "backwards compliment", kind of like "may you live in interesting times".....obviously, "interesting" can cut both ways. But in the past two weeks I've watched someone die and I've held a newborn. Not your usual circumstances.
The death was that of a gentleman at my work, UNC, who died after three surgeries on three successive days. By the end, I'm sure death was a release for both him and his family. The new baby arrived in the home of my sweet next-door neighbors: it's a girl, Annabelle, and it's their first. By the end of the pregnancy, I'm sure the birth was a release for both her and her family!
These events, and so many others, combine to give me a perspective on life that, I think, is not available to many. I'd like to imagine that I appreciate things more, savor life, pay attention to more nuances. I'd like to think it informs my singing and my interpretation of lyrics. Impossible to know, I guess. However--I am grateful for the opportunities and the inspirations, good and bad, positive and negative, sweet and painful.
The death was that of a gentleman at my work, UNC, who died after three surgeries on three successive days. By the end, I'm sure death was a release for both him and his family. The new baby arrived in the home of my sweet next-door neighbors: it's a girl, Annabelle, and it's their first. By the end of the pregnancy, I'm sure the birth was a release for both her and her family!
These events, and so many others, combine to give me a perspective on life that, I think, is not available to many. I'd like to imagine that I appreciate things more, savor life, pay attention to more nuances. I'd like to think it informs my singing and my interpretation of lyrics. Impossible to know, I guess. However--I am grateful for the opportunities and the inspirations, good and bad, positive and negative, sweet and painful.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Blah week so far
I don't know, I'm very blabby (as Johnny Carson used to say) this week. Just out of sorts, a little grouchy, a little tired, unfocused. Can't explain why. It would be easy to explain everything away using PMS but that doesn't seem to fit. I'm kind of aggravated that Diana is back with Griffin, I know that. I still have to work on the taxes and that's a looming responsibility that won't go away. I feel at a standstill with my working out at the gym, plus my new sneakers gave me a monster heel blister and I can't even use the elliptical or the treadmill until it heals. Work's been crazy, with management obsessing over every "wasted" minute plus all the crapola about overtime. Nobody will tell me--or anyone, for that matter--about raises.
At least the weather is nice!
At least the weather is nice!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Just stuff....
Of course I have singing on my mind. When do I not? Yesterday I went to the station of WCOM in Carrboro and was a guest DJ on the "Tom Arnel Show". I talked a bit about myself & my singing, and played tracks by Ella, Jo Stafford, Rosemary Clooney, Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, Nancy LaMott, and ME! ("I Happen To Like New York"). It was great fun and one of the other regular DJs, a guy named Rocco, asked me to be a guest on HIS show, too. It may turn into something semi-regular, who knows? Anyway, they all said I sounded good on the radio, which was nice.
I'm working hard on my upcoming performances, which will feature music by "W" composers such as Warren, Weill, Wilder, Waits, etc. I'm so enjoying going through the Kurt Weill stuff, he worked with so many lyricists, and the music is just gorgeous. I think I was born to sing "I'm A Stranger Here Myself"!
Kinda late, that's all for now. More later!
I'm working hard on my upcoming performances, which will feature music by "W" composers such as Warren, Weill, Wilder, Waits, etc. I'm so enjoying going through the Kurt Weill stuff, he worked with so many lyricists, and the music is just gorgeous. I think I was born to sing "I'm A Stranger Here Myself"!
Kinda late, that's all for now. More later!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
More movies, pre-Oscar thoughts, etc.
Arturo and I went to see "The Wrestler". I was totally prepared to hate it--not a big fan of Mickey Rourke, hate wrestling, don't like sports movies in general, etc. I also thought that nobody could be a better contender for Best Actor than Sean Penn in "Milk". Well, I was completely sucked in, just bowled over by Rourke's performance. I don't know where he pulled this one from but it is an extraordinary piece of work. I was in tears during one scene, he was so brutally, brilliantly honest and exposed as an actor. If he doesn't win the Oscar it will be a major robbery. According to imdb.com, Marisa Tomei is 45. While that's not exactly over the hill, it ain't young either. She looks completely fantastic--don't know how much time she spends at the gym to get that body but it must be substantial. It's embarrassing, really.
Wrote the Oscar quiz over the weekend. Arturo says it's a tad easier than previous years, which is good, because people often tell me it's very hard. I think this one is full of giveaway questions but then again.....I'm the one writing the quiz! We'll see what the reaction is this year. I think things are pretty much under control for the big night; all I have to do is the usual furniture rearranging and of course borrow the projector again. Last year I offered to buy the projector from Bill but he wants way too much money for it--$1000!--which is crazy, since it's hardly new. But he's funny about stuff like that, so I won't ask again this year. Personally, if I were in his situation, I'd rather have $200 in my hand than a projector which might be worth somewhat more to a different person, but which I never used. Oh well.
I've been doing a lot of cleaning out and rearranging over the past months. I think the house looks better (at least to me), and I have the satisfaction of knowing I've done a lot of good work. My next job, after the Oscar party, is to work on the TV room. I'd really love to radically re-think everything about it. I think it would be fun to paint it a wonderful, warm, tomato-soup red, and make it feel like a little jewel box theater. We'll see what happens. I have a lot of ideas percolating.
My picks for the Oscars: Picture--Slumdog; Actor--Rourke; Actress--Winslet; Supporting Actress--Davis; Supporting Actor--Shannon (this is actually an "anyone but Heath Ledger" vote); Director--Boyle. I think Winslet will win but in my opinion she's nominated for the wrong role; she was much better in "Revolutionary Road". Oh well--less than a week to wait!
One singing job in March and two in April, which makes me very happy. I am much better when I have something to prepare for. Arturo's Schubert concert was last night, and he played so very well! I was so proud of him. He looked calm and collected, all the little things I've heard him practicing came off without a hitch, his intonation was perfect, and he was so musical. Plus he looked very handsome in his tails! A lovely evening.
TTFN. Comment away! I love to know what everyone thinks....or even if they're reading at all. xoxo
Wrote the Oscar quiz over the weekend. Arturo says it's a tad easier than previous years, which is good, because people often tell me it's very hard. I think this one is full of giveaway questions but then again.....I'm the one writing the quiz! We'll see what the reaction is this year. I think things are pretty much under control for the big night; all I have to do is the usual furniture rearranging and of course borrow the projector again. Last year I offered to buy the projector from Bill but he wants way too much money for it--$1000!--which is crazy, since it's hardly new. But he's funny about stuff like that, so I won't ask again this year. Personally, if I were in his situation, I'd rather have $200 in my hand than a projector which might be worth somewhat more to a different person, but which I never used. Oh well.
I've been doing a lot of cleaning out and rearranging over the past months. I think the house looks better (at least to me), and I have the satisfaction of knowing I've done a lot of good work. My next job, after the Oscar party, is to work on the TV room. I'd really love to radically re-think everything about it. I think it would be fun to paint it a wonderful, warm, tomato-soup red, and make it feel like a little jewel box theater. We'll see what happens. I have a lot of ideas percolating.
My picks for the Oscars: Picture--Slumdog; Actor--Rourke; Actress--Winslet; Supporting Actress--Davis; Supporting Actor--Shannon (this is actually an "anyone but Heath Ledger" vote); Director--Boyle. I think Winslet will win but in my opinion she's nominated for the wrong role; she was much better in "Revolutionary Road". Oh well--less than a week to wait!
One singing job in March and two in April, which makes me very happy. I am much better when I have something to prepare for. Arturo's Schubert concert was last night, and he played so very well! I was so proud of him. He looked calm and collected, all the little things I've heard him practicing came off without a hitch, his intonation was perfect, and he was so musical. Plus he looked very handsome in his tails! A lovely evening.
TTFN. Comment away! I love to know what everyone thinks....or even if they're reading at all. xoxo
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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.
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.
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