Despite my best efforts to avoid it, I make housecalls to teach many (most) of my students. Their mothers just can't muster driving their child to one more activity, I suppose. Since I'm just starting out, and since most of the students are located in the same general vicinity, I agreed to do housecalls. Once I build up my studio, however, I'm hoping I can let people know I won't be making housecalls anymore and they will have to come to my studio (which is at the church where I work, who lets me teach there for free), and hopefully by that point people will want to keep studying with me enough that they'll be willing to make the short drive. But until then, I am the lesson lady, driving around in her lesson mobile. The backseat has become a library of vocal and piano music, as most of my music ends up tossed back there as I travel from home to home. I stock plenty of healthy snacks and most days you can find a Big Gulp of Diet Coke in the driver's cup holder and the radio tuned to NPR. One of my friends (jokingly) suggested that I might like to paint a logo on the side of the car as an advertisement. I'm the lesson lady! It's a good life though, and I'm certainly not complaining. My day generally goes something like this:
9:00 am - wake up (on my own, without alarm)
9:15 am - make coffee, eat breakfast, watch morning shows, catch up on emails, check YAP tracker
10:00 am - gym
10:45 am - shower, make phone calls, work on YAP applications
12 pm - vocalize, practice audition pieces (this doesn't always happen every day as sometimes I am lazy or voice is tired)
1:30 or 2 pm - head out to teach
6:30 or 7 - finish teaching
8 pm - home, try to get dinner on table by now, eat with Nick
9 pm - watch shows, catch up on blogs (reading and writing), cuddle and chat with Nick
11:30 pm - bed (Nick has usually been asleep for over an hour by this point)
It's a pretty good schedule. I'm hoping to start teaching a bit earlier in the day with some of my NU undergrad non-majors, and will possibly be extending my schedule in Palatine until 9 pm one day per week, which would be nice, since money is certianly not flowing as I'd hoped it would. Unfortunately, the job at the high school in Waukegan fell through, due to lack of interest on the students' part. The choir teacher was really upset and surprised, but it is a blue collar area, and I guess their choir is going on a big trip this year that is costing a lot, and people just didn't think they could afford lessons. I guess I'm going to have to stick to the North Shore, where the parents don't bat an eye at my rates. In fact, one woman was like, "that's all you charge?" Which of course made me irritated that I hadn't charged more. Next year I'll raise my rates, I think. In the meantime, I need to find a job for Wednesdays. Every other day is pretty much booked, but I had kept my Wednesdays open for Waukegan, and now that that isn't happening, I need to find something else. I'm hoping to schedule some more students, but in the meantime...who will hire me to work one day a week? I'd love to work at the hipster coffee shop around the corner from my apartment, but I'm not sure they'd have me. I'd probably just consume my profits in the form of vegan cinnamon chip scones and lattes, but wouldn't it be fun to commune with the hipsters in a chill coffee shop all day? Plus, I'm starting to miss adult company...I spend most of my days alone or with children ages 5 to 13. I made a lunch date tomorrow with my friend Mark, because I was starting to feel a little crazy.
So there you go, a day in the life of the lesson lady! Maybe you'd like to spend a day riding around in the lesson mobile with me?
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
soapboxes
Ok, I am now watching an episode of the Simpsons where Homer becomes an opera star. When Mr. Burns brings him flowers on opening night, he says to Homer "You're a star!", to which Homer replies "Yay!", after which Burns says "An opera star", at which point Homer's face falls and he utters a solemn "Doh". Even the creators of the Simpsons know that becoming a famous singer in the opera world means nothing to most of the population. I have to ask myself if this infiltration of the art form into popular culture is due to that menacing Paul Potts. Every time I see his stupid commercial, my fangs and claws come out and I hurry to change the channel before I have to listen to one note of that horrid rendering of Nessun Dorma. If you bought Paul Potts album, or think his singing is "nice", well then, we are not friends. Or you don't have ears. Either way, I'm sorry.
Nonetheless, it's refreshing to see that opera is making it's way into popular culture. I just wish it wasn't through an idiot like PP. People tend to get a skewed view of what things are really like in the opera world through a "phenonmenon" like him. And, honestly, I just don't think his voice is at all pleasing! Truly, it's not my highly trained ears and snobbery saying this -- I admit that Andrea Bocelli has a pleasant and lovely instrument, as do Josh Groban and Charlotte Church. Anyways, I'm going to get off that soapbox and get on another one...
Generally, I love Chicago restaurants. I've had very few bad experiences at restaurants in this fair city. But somehow, during the past three days, Nick and I managed to have three of the worst meals known to man at three different Chicago restaurants, all located within a mile of our apartment. It started out innocently enough: we ventured out for lunch on Friday at a local restaurant that we had been to before for breakfast and thought the food was pretty good. And it wasn't the food that was terrible; it was the service. I've never had such a bitchy waitress in my life. I can't honestly understand why anyone whose wage depends on being nice to people would be so rude. First, she was extremely impatient when she couldn't hear Nick (he just underwent a throat surgery and can't speak very well right now). It was his first venture out of the house since the surgery, and she made him feel bad, which infuriated me to no end. When she brought our food, she put the plates down on the table without saying a word. She never smiled once, or spoke in a nice tone of voice, and made us feel as though we had done something horribly offensive by just sitting there ordering and eating. I complained to the management and we left her no tip. It was the first time Nick or I had ever left anyone nothing. But this woman could not be compensated for that sort of behavior. They tried to cover themselves by saying it was her first day, but a first day is no excuse for that kind of rudeness. Needless to say, we won't be going back there. And I don't think you should either: Taste of Heaven, Clark and Balmoral. WORST RESTAURANT EVER. I won't even talk about the food because it's pretty good and that's beside the point.
Second bad experience came just a few hours later when we ventured out for dinner. We had heard mixed things about a relatively new Italian place that had just opened up where a really delicious tapas restauarant had once lived (I still can't understand why it closed). We decided to give them a few weeks to iron out the kinks before we tried it. The atmosphere was nice, laid back but trendy and not too loud, just what we needed for a casual post-surgical evening out. I ordered a glass of red wine from the decent wine selection; I was pleased when a generous sized carafe of wine was placed in front of me for only $7. Back in Austria we called it a viertel. Basically, it's like two glasses of wine. For an appetizer we ordered fried calamari, which was decent but not spectacular. Then came the entrees: two of the most boring, bland pasta dishes I've tasted in years. I can cook better than this, people. And I do, on a regular basis. I had a seafood linguine that was so incredibly tastless. I was like, please, you couldn't atleast make an effort with some garlic or SOMETHING? The seafood was also rather chewy and not at all fresh-tasting. I could have walked across the street to the Hopleaf, and for just $6 more, ordered their bouillabaise which is ALWAYS fresh and amazing. Nick ordered shells in a red sauce with sausage and red peppers that tasted oddly like a pizza. With sausage and red peppers on it. It wasn't really a good thing -- if he'd wanted a pizza, he'd have ordered one. We decided to skip dessert (there anyway), and went on our way, stopping at our favorite neighborhood sweets shop for a slice of cake to go, which defintely redeemed the night a little (a bite of their butter cream cheese frosting would melt the heart of Hitler, and maybe some other scary world powers). So, while we probably won't go back there, it wasn't a ruined evening, more just a minor disappointment and disbelief that a hip new restaurant in the city could put out such bland and uninspired pasta.
By now you're thinking, just stay home and cook people! But no, laziness and putting off of grocery shopping until Sunday led us out of the house once more on Saturday night, to a nearby Pan-Asian cheap eats down the street from us. The menu is GIGANTIC, and they have Thai, Chinese, and Japanese dishes, plus a sushi bar. We ordered our one of our favorite Pan-Asian appetizers, the soft shell crab. We expected the usual tempura battered crab legs, but what we got was what looked like the crab had just been jacked over the head on plopped on the plate (ok, it was cooked, but the presentation made it look this way). We are quite adventurous with food, but weren't sure whether we were supposed to eat the "skin" or just suck the meat out or what... It was difficult to get the meat out, and the taste of the skin wasn't all that pleasant, so we just kind of made a big mess of it on the plate. The entrees were tasty, I had sweet and sour chicken that was not breaded or fried, but in a delicious light sauce with lots of stir fried veggies. Nick had the tempura, which was various vegetables and shrimps fried in tempura batter, probably his favorite Asian dish. Problem was, my entree arrived about twenty minutes before his tempura. Being the people we are, we just shared my entree until his arrived, then got to work on his tempura. If we hadn't had two bad experiences they day before, we probably would have just laughed it off, but by that time I was getting rather annoyed with the restaurant industry. I'm really not that type of person who complains about everything in a restaurant; I'm just spolied by what has come to be the standard in Chicago dining: excellence. My guess: these places won't be open for long.
So this week we are eating one restaurant and one restaurant only: Emily's Kitchen. Tomorrow I'm going to tackle meatloaf for the first time ever (albeit a very shi-shi meatloaf) and on Tuesday, Asian Ginger Chicken Soup (courtesy of crackhead Rae-Ray). And after that, we'll probably only venture out to our faves until we muster up the confidence to try a new place. The restaurant industry needs to check itself and then get back to me. Which reminds me of a saying Andrea and I used to have during "Single and Fabulous Life in the City 2004-2005" as I like to call it. Whenever a prospective new guy came a-calling, we'd say (to each other only) "Check your body, check your personality, get back to us." Which in retrospect seems a little silly and shallow, but hey...I got what I was looking for (wink, wink!)
(P.S. For those of you in the "inner circle", Nick is doing really well. His surgery went great and the doc said things were looking good. Now we just wait for the swelling to go down to see what sort of improvement is there! If anyone knows where we can find mens turtlenecks size XL or XXL, I'd really appreciate it. We spent several hours looking yesterday and could only find a $200 cashmere sweater (wayyy to pricey) and a $14.99 old man blouse-y hideous cotton blend thing from Macy's that I forbid him from buying. He'd like to have something for going out that covers his 2 inch incision scar.)
Nonetheless, it's refreshing to see that opera is making it's way into popular culture. I just wish it wasn't through an idiot like PP. People tend to get a skewed view of what things are really like in the opera world through a "phenonmenon" like him. And, honestly, I just don't think his voice is at all pleasing! Truly, it's not my highly trained ears and snobbery saying this -- I admit that Andrea Bocelli has a pleasant and lovely instrument, as do Josh Groban and Charlotte Church. Anyways, I'm going to get off that soapbox and get on another one...
Generally, I love Chicago restaurants. I've had very few bad experiences at restaurants in this fair city. But somehow, during the past three days, Nick and I managed to have three of the worst meals known to man at three different Chicago restaurants, all located within a mile of our apartment. It started out innocently enough: we ventured out for lunch on Friday at a local restaurant that we had been to before for breakfast and thought the food was pretty good. And it wasn't the food that was terrible; it was the service. I've never had such a bitchy waitress in my life. I can't honestly understand why anyone whose wage depends on being nice to people would be so rude. First, she was extremely impatient when she couldn't hear Nick (he just underwent a throat surgery and can't speak very well right now). It was his first venture out of the house since the surgery, and she made him feel bad, which infuriated me to no end. When she brought our food, she put the plates down on the table without saying a word. She never smiled once, or spoke in a nice tone of voice, and made us feel as though we had done something horribly offensive by just sitting there ordering and eating. I complained to the management and we left her no tip. It was the first time Nick or I had ever left anyone nothing. But this woman could not be compensated for that sort of behavior. They tried to cover themselves by saying it was her first day, but a first day is no excuse for that kind of rudeness. Needless to say, we won't be going back there. And I don't think you should either: Taste of Heaven, Clark and Balmoral. WORST RESTAURANT EVER. I won't even talk about the food because it's pretty good and that's beside the point.
Second bad experience came just a few hours later when we ventured out for dinner. We had heard mixed things about a relatively new Italian place that had just opened up where a really delicious tapas restauarant had once lived (I still can't understand why it closed). We decided to give them a few weeks to iron out the kinks before we tried it. The atmosphere was nice, laid back but trendy and not too loud, just what we needed for a casual post-surgical evening out. I ordered a glass of red wine from the decent wine selection; I was pleased when a generous sized carafe of wine was placed in front of me for only $7. Back in Austria we called it a viertel. Basically, it's like two glasses of wine. For an appetizer we ordered fried calamari, which was decent but not spectacular. Then came the entrees: two of the most boring, bland pasta dishes I've tasted in years. I can cook better than this, people. And I do, on a regular basis. I had a seafood linguine that was so incredibly tastless. I was like, please, you couldn't atleast make an effort with some garlic or SOMETHING? The seafood was also rather chewy and not at all fresh-tasting. I could have walked across the street to the Hopleaf, and for just $6 more, ordered their bouillabaise which is ALWAYS fresh and amazing. Nick ordered shells in a red sauce with sausage and red peppers that tasted oddly like a pizza. With sausage and red peppers on it. It wasn't really a good thing -- if he'd wanted a pizza, he'd have ordered one. We decided to skip dessert (there anyway), and went on our way, stopping at our favorite neighborhood sweets shop for a slice of cake to go, which defintely redeemed the night a little (a bite of their butter cream cheese frosting would melt the heart of Hitler, and maybe some other scary world powers). So, while we probably won't go back there, it wasn't a ruined evening, more just a minor disappointment and disbelief that a hip new restaurant in the city could put out such bland and uninspired pasta.
By now you're thinking, just stay home and cook people! But no, laziness and putting off of grocery shopping until Sunday led us out of the house once more on Saturday night, to a nearby Pan-Asian cheap eats down the street from us. The menu is GIGANTIC, and they have Thai, Chinese, and Japanese dishes, plus a sushi bar. We ordered our one of our favorite Pan-Asian appetizers, the soft shell crab. We expected the usual tempura battered crab legs, but what we got was what looked like the crab had just been jacked over the head on plopped on the plate (ok, it was cooked, but the presentation made it look this way). We are quite adventurous with food, but weren't sure whether we were supposed to eat the "skin" or just suck the meat out or what... It was difficult to get the meat out, and the taste of the skin wasn't all that pleasant, so we just kind of made a big mess of it on the plate. The entrees were tasty, I had sweet and sour chicken that was not breaded or fried, but in a delicious light sauce with lots of stir fried veggies. Nick had the tempura, which was various vegetables and shrimps fried in tempura batter, probably his favorite Asian dish. Problem was, my entree arrived about twenty minutes before his tempura. Being the people we are, we just shared my entree until his arrived, then got to work on his tempura. If we hadn't had two bad experiences they day before, we probably would have just laughed it off, but by that time I was getting rather annoyed with the restaurant industry. I'm really not that type of person who complains about everything in a restaurant; I'm just spolied by what has come to be the standard in Chicago dining: excellence. My guess: these places won't be open for long.
So this week we are eating one restaurant and one restaurant only: Emily's Kitchen. Tomorrow I'm going to tackle meatloaf for the first time ever (albeit a very shi-shi meatloaf) and on Tuesday, Asian Ginger Chicken Soup (courtesy of crackhead Rae-Ray). And after that, we'll probably only venture out to our faves until we muster up the confidence to try a new place. The restaurant industry needs to check itself and then get back to me. Which reminds me of a saying Andrea and I used to have during "Single and Fabulous Life in the City 2004-2005" as I like to call it. Whenever a prospective new guy came a-calling, we'd say (to each other only) "Check your body, check your personality, get back to us." Which in retrospect seems a little silly and shallow, but hey...I got what I was looking for (wink, wink!)
(P.S. For those of you in the "inner circle", Nick is doing really well. His surgery went great and the doc said things were looking good. Now we just wait for the swelling to go down to see what sort of improvement is there! If anyone knows where we can find mens turtlenecks size XL or XXL, I'd really appreciate it. We spent several hours looking yesterday and could only find a $200 cashmere sweater (wayyy to pricey) and a $14.99 old man blouse-y hideous cotton blend thing from Macy's that I forbid him from buying. He'd like to have something for going out that covers his 2 inch incision scar.)
Monday, September 24, 2007
and how are you?
I can feel my blog getting less popular by the minute. First I make it private, then a bout of writer's block strikes -- what has happened to make the Midwest Princess the new boring stop on the internets? All the signs point to one fact: I am happy. Blissfully, unabashedly happy. I'm the fattest I've been in several years; I'm sleeping Ambien free and sounder than I have in ages; I'm not taking any prescription medications (besides birth control), my mood is generally fantastic (besides that troublesome time of the month); and I am actually excited to get out of bed in the morning and start my day. I guess I'm the new cheerleader for "don't do something you hate" and "do what makes you happy." Because right now, I am doing EXACTLY what I want to be doing. I'm teaching music, I'm working as a singer, and I'm avidly plugging away at my career. The money situation is a little sticky, as it would be for anyone just starting their own business. Thankfully, I have a wonderful support system; people who believe in me and my ability to make this all work. And boy am I working -- teaching is exhausting! It requires an incredible amount of energy and patience, especially with the younger ones. But the outcome is extremely satisfying: when one of the kids gets excited about their progress; when I can hear the improvement and growth in one of my high schooler's voices. Each day presents new and different challenges, and I'm having a lot of fun rising to meet them.
My personal life is pretty darn fantastic, too. According to the Today Show (yes, I tuned in this morning) love makes you fat. And Nick and I are a prime example of love = fat: we are both currently the heaviest we've been in a loooong while. Since we are both quite tall and could afford to gain a few, it's not too big of a deal, but as you know, I've got a bridesmaids dress to fit into next month and neither of us wants this to escalate into a weight problem, so we're trying to eat healthier and exercise lots. It's going quite well, as both of us feel our clothes getting looser and frankly, I'm really enjoying the exercise regimen. I used to love to exercise in college (ab ball!), but lack of funds and laziness set in during the years that followed and I lost the habit. Now I'm back and swimming in endorphins and runner's high!
I do still manage to live a fantastic Chicago life -- Friday night we had a fantastic dinner at Cotes du Rhone, a new BYOB French place in the 'hood. They are trying to get their liquor license, so it probably won't be BYOB for long. It was scrumptious. Steamed mussels for the appetizer, beef tenderloin in a blue cheese reduction for me and venison in a delicious cranberry glaze for Nick. And a delectable chocolate bread pudding for dessert. After dinner, we headed to a local martini bar, a teeny tiny little place hidden away on a side street in our 'hood. Very classy joint and yummy, different martinis. Mine was a "Park Avenue" which was gin, pineapple, and blue curacao. Deeelish. Saturday we went to a baptism party for one of Nick's assistants, then met up with my friend Suzanne for all-you-can-eat sushi in Lincoln Park. I managed ot get a lot of sleep, watch plenty of HGTV (I can't get enough of House Hunters) and Flip that House on TLC (there was a marathon) AND take a long walk with my sweetie along the lakeshore. Really a perfect Chicago weekend. Now if only the heat would break and we could have some real fall weather.
So, this explains why my readership is dwindling. That and the privacy, but I can't have my eleven year old piano students googling me, reading this blog, and knowing every detail of my personal life. No, no, that wouldn't bode well. Nor do I want to censor my writing -- SO privacy was the only answer. But to all my loyal readers -- I love you! YOU are why I continue to write! Don't stop reading and commenting! I'll try to keep putting out the funny stuff. And you know me, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's putting out. See, I'd have had to censor that.
My personal life is pretty darn fantastic, too. According to the Today Show (yes, I tuned in this morning) love makes you fat. And Nick and I are a prime example of love = fat: we are both currently the heaviest we've been in a loooong while. Since we are both quite tall and could afford to gain a few, it's not too big of a deal, but as you know, I've got a bridesmaids dress to fit into next month and neither of us wants this to escalate into a weight problem, so we're trying to eat healthier and exercise lots. It's going quite well, as both of us feel our clothes getting looser and frankly, I'm really enjoying the exercise regimen. I used to love to exercise in college (ab ball!), but lack of funds and laziness set in during the years that followed and I lost the habit. Now I'm back and swimming in endorphins and runner's high!
I do still manage to live a fantastic Chicago life -- Friday night we had a fantastic dinner at Cotes du Rhone, a new BYOB French place in the 'hood. They are trying to get their liquor license, so it probably won't be BYOB for long. It was scrumptious. Steamed mussels for the appetizer, beef tenderloin in a blue cheese reduction for me and venison in a delicious cranberry glaze for Nick. And a delectable chocolate bread pudding for dessert. After dinner, we headed to a local martini bar, a teeny tiny little place hidden away on a side street in our 'hood. Very classy joint and yummy, different martinis. Mine was a "Park Avenue" which was gin, pineapple, and blue curacao. Deeelish. Saturday we went to a baptism party for one of Nick's assistants, then met up with my friend Suzanne for all-you-can-eat sushi in Lincoln Park. I managed ot get a lot of sleep, watch plenty of HGTV (I can't get enough of House Hunters) and Flip that House on TLC (there was a marathon) AND take a long walk with my sweetie along the lakeshore. Really a perfect Chicago weekend. Now if only the heat would break and we could have some real fall weather.
So, this explains why my readership is dwindling. That and the privacy, but I can't have my eleven year old piano students googling me, reading this blog, and knowing every detail of my personal life. No, no, that wouldn't bode well. Nor do I want to censor my writing -- SO privacy was the only answer. But to all my loyal readers -- I love you! YOU are why I continue to write! Don't stop reading and commenting! I'll try to keep putting out the funny stuff. And you know me, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's putting out. See, I'd have had to censor that.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
nothing ever happens on mars
In case you were wondering (all three of you), I made it through the concert without a hitch. The Mucinex came through, once again, and my cords were free of phlegm by 5 pm. I nailed the two high B flats and managed to keep my larynx in a comfortable position for three hours of singing above the staff. It was a very rewarding concert, and I had a ton of fun singing with this group. If my check arrives on time and is for the correct amount (which I have a feeling it will), the whole thing will have been an absolute dream.
The diet (or as I like to call it, starvation station) continues to go fairly well. I went to a Pilates class at the gym today with the notorious Norris (my cousin said a session with him would change my life), and I fear that I won't be able to move tomorrow. It was HARD. He gave us these round torture devices to put between our legs while we did the exercises -- my inner thighs were trembling like a...leaf in a hurricane? I need to work on my metaphors. Anyways, I weighed myself and I lost two pounds. It's probably just water weight but whatev. I continue to eschew carbs and only eat ridiculously high fiber things, like Kashi and these Fiber One bars I found. They have nine grams of fiber per bar, and I think they're responsible for the torrential gas I've been experiencing lately. TMI?
Sore abs, flatulence...yup, life is pretty exciting. I go to the post office pretty much every day to mail out more YAAAAAAP forms (it's much more fun if you say it really fast and just how it sounds. yap. yaaaaap.) And I write checks upon checks to opera companies who may or may not give me an audition. I think i've sent out eleven so far and have gotten word from one company who gave me an audition (!). It's in NYC on October 29th, which is a Monday, so I'll probably fly out Sunday night and back again Monday night. I'm hopeful that I'll get all the auditions to which I've applied, but it probably won't happen. Meanwhile, I need to get back on track with practicing my arias. I had to take a little break for the past few days in order to rest my voice after the Hadyn concerts, but tomorrow I have a voice lesson and I'm back at it. You have to kind of detach yourself from the stress of it all and pondering your odds and bemoaning the audition fees...it's the only way to get through it, really.
This post has been incredibly boring and for that I apologize. I'm looking forward to an uneventful weekend of no rehearsals or performances or going anywhere really, except out to dinner. So you can probably look forward to some more boring posts. :)
The diet (or as I like to call it, starvation station) continues to go fairly well. I went to a Pilates class at the gym today with the notorious Norris (my cousin said a session with him would change my life), and I fear that I won't be able to move tomorrow. It was HARD. He gave us these round torture devices to put between our legs while we did the exercises -- my inner thighs were trembling like a...leaf in a hurricane? I need to work on my metaphors. Anyways, I weighed myself and I lost two pounds. It's probably just water weight but whatev. I continue to eschew carbs and only eat ridiculously high fiber things, like Kashi and these Fiber One bars I found. They have nine grams of fiber per bar, and I think they're responsible for the torrential gas I've been experiencing lately. TMI?
Sore abs, flatulence...yup, life is pretty exciting. I go to the post office pretty much every day to mail out more YAAAAAAP forms (it's much more fun if you say it really fast and just how it sounds. yap. yaaaaap.) And I write checks upon checks to opera companies who may or may not give me an audition. I think i've sent out eleven so far and have gotten word from one company who gave me an audition (!). It's in NYC on October 29th, which is a Monday, so I'll probably fly out Sunday night and back again Monday night. I'm hopeful that I'll get all the auditions to which I've applied, but it probably won't happen. Meanwhile, I need to get back on track with practicing my arias. I had to take a little break for the past few days in order to rest my voice after the Hadyn concerts, but tomorrow I have a voice lesson and I'm back at it. You have to kind of detach yourself from the stress of it all and pondering your odds and bemoaning the audition fees...it's the only way to get through it, really.
This post has been incredibly boring and for that I apologize. I'm looking forward to an uneventful weekend of no rehearsals or performances or going anywhere really, except out to dinner. So you can probably look forward to some more boring posts. :)
Monday, September 17, 2007
Well, my voice chose today to finally give out on me. After a six and a half hour, larynx-crushing rehearsal on Saturday followed by driving an hour and a half each way to the 'burbs for a bachelorette soiree (at which I was very good and only had two glasses of white wine, which is basically water anyway), followed by getting up for church and singing, FOLLOWED by the first concert of the Haydn oratorio, and all of this on a pretty bad head cold, I'm amazed my voice made it this far. I felt fine after the concert last night, albeit a bit exhausted, but my voice still seemed to be in pretty good shape. HOWEVER this morning I woke up a bass. Maybe a bass-baritone. Problem is, Hadyn concert number 2 is tonight, and it's in the Harris Theater in Millenium Park, and I was really really excited for it. So as soon as I got up and realized I had no voice, I first panicked, then began the steps to voice restoration with hopes that in twelve hours I might be with voice. The steps are as follows:
1. No talking, unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. I am VERY good at this one. Once I didn't talk for eight days.
2. Tea. Lots and lots of herbal tea with honey. In this case, I chose the "Stress Reliever" Yogi Tea.
3. Steam. Run scalding hot water in bathroom and stay in it for as long as possible. OR boil a pot of water, put a towel over your head, inhale and repeat.
4. Mucinex. This drug has singlehandedly saved my life on several occasions. I'm hoping today is one of them.
5. Endless HGTV. Design on a Dime, House Hunters...I could watch it all day, really.
I just attempted some light warm ups and it seems that I can now phonate and make sounds above the staff. I'm certain that the cause of this is the mucous from the head cold moving onto my cords, as I can feel the thickness pooled in the back of my throat. Nasty. I also have a fair amount of fluid in my ears and can't hear anything. Sigh. Atleast I'm just in the chorus. This better go away quick because I have to get practicing for my upcoming YAP auditions. UGH the life of a singer.
In other news, I'm on a serious diet after weighing myself at the gym last week and positively freaking out. I haven't weighed this much in a long time. The fact was further driven home when I received my bridesmaids dress for Allison's wedding, for which I was measured three months ago, and it is VERY tight. I got into it, but just barely. So, the diet is on. Nick has taken on the role of being my calorie counter, which is very sweet but a little obnoxious at the same time. He wants to lose a few pounds as well, so it's nice to be able to do it together and hold each other accountable. But man, do I hate dieting. I'm basically cutting out most carbs, and the ones I do consume must be very high in fiber. And as soon as this cold dies down a bit I'll be back at the gym on the treadmill everyday as well. I have one month, and I figure I need to lose about five pounds for the dress to look nice. Wish me luck.
Alright, I'm off to the concert. Pray for a vocal miracle.
1. No talking, unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. I am VERY good at this one. Once I didn't talk for eight days.
2. Tea. Lots and lots of herbal tea with honey. In this case, I chose the "Stress Reliever" Yogi Tea.
3. Steam. Run scalding hot water in bathroom and stay in it for as long as possible. OR boil a pot of water, put a towel over your head, inhale and repeat.
4. Mucinex. This drug has singlehandedly saved my life on several occasions. I'm hoping today is one of them.
5. Endless HGTV. Design on a Dime, House Hunters...I could watch it all day, really.
I just attempted some light warm ups and it seems that I can now phonate and make sounds above the staff. I'm certain that the cause of this is the mucous from the head cold moving onto my cords, as I can feel the thickness pooled in the back of my throat. Nasty. I also have a fair amount of fluid in my ears and can't hear anything. Sigh. Atleast I'm just in the chorus. This better go away quick because I have to get practicing for my upcoming YAP auditions. UGH the life of a singer.
In other news, I'm on a serious diet after weighing myself at the gym last week and positively freaking out. I haven't weighed this much in a long time. The fact was further driven home when I received my bridesmaids dress for Allison's wedding, for which I was measured three months ago, and it is VERY tight. I got into it, but just barely. So, the diet is on. Nick has taken on the role of being my calorie counter, which is very sweet but a little obnoxious at the same time. He wants to lose a few pounds as well, so it's nice to be able to do it together and hold each other accountable. But man, do I hate dieting. I'm basically cutting out most carbs, and the ones I do consume must be very high in fiber. And as soon as this cold dies down a bit I'll be back at the gym on the treadmill everyday as well. I have one month, and I figure I need to lose about five pounds for the dress to look nice. Wish me luck.
Alright, I'm off to the concert. Pray for a vocal miracle.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
teachin'
Well, turns out even as a teacher I can get paid to sit around on the computer. I'm subbing for my friend Sarah in Palatine, and the last three kids haven't shown up. I get paid even when the kids don't show, but it can be pretty boring if you don't bring anything to do. Luckily I brought my computer, so I've been obsessively listening to the arias I recorded yesterday, deciding which ones to send to the various YAPS. Some require two arias, some three, and some absolutely ridiculous ones require four. I'd like to know what artistic director is going to sit around and listen to me sing four arias, but that's neither here nor there. Although the recording doesn't sound entirely professional (I used my voice teacher's CD recorder in the recital hall), it isn't bad, and I didn't shell out $150 bucks to make it. If it doesn't get me auditions this year, I'll know that I have to make a very professional one next year. I hope that isn't the case, however. I am also a GENIUS because I figured out ALL BY MYSELF how to edit a track on Garage Band. I spent an hour on the phone with my brother this morning trying to do it, but I kept f-ing it up. But this evening I figured it out! I was proud. See, my church records everything we do there, but in one big chunk, so the recital I did there last year with two other women was one forty-eight minute track, from which I needed to extract one aria. Garage Band is totally awesome -- GO MAC!
So, I'm busy being a voice teacher and singer these days. It really is a lovely life. Despite my headache and PMS, I am happy to be here teaching today. I forgot how funny and weird children can be. Some of the things that come out of their mouths really amuse me. Yesterday a girl, probably 10 or 11, told me that her friend was being "melodramatic" at school today because she spilled milk all over herself. I'm thinking, "did I know the word melodramatic"at age 10"? Some kids are like miniature adults I guess. I'm starting to get the hang of the piano teaching. I felt a little intimidated at first, since it's been like five years since I've had a piano lesson. All those lessons with Dr. Claudia Bossard at DePauw are coming back to me as I sit here correcting the kids' hand and wrist positions. Most of the kids are really young and just starting so it's basically just teaching them theory and how to read music.
The weekend is going to be another crazy one. Music of the Baroque rehearsal all day Saturday with concerts on Sunday and Monday night, plus my friend Allison's bachelorette party on Saturday night. Her wedding is just about a month away! I do hope I fit into the bridesmaids dress...I fear I've gained a bit of poundage since those measurements were taken three months ago. I better step up my workouts a little.
I'm off to teach one more lesson. Do something that makes you happy today!
So, I'm busy being a voice teacher and singer these days. It really is a lovely life. Despite my headache and PMS, I am happy to be here teaching today. I forgot how funny and weird children can be. Some of the things that come out of their mouths really amuse me. Yesterday a girl, probably 10 or 11, told me that her friend was being "melodramatic" at school today because she spilled milk all over herself. I'm thinking, "did I know the word melodramatic"at age 10"? Some kids are like miniature adults I guess. I'm starting to get the hang of the piano teaching. I felt a little intimidated at first, since it's been like five years since I've had a piano lesson. All those lessons with Dr. Claudia Bossard at DePauw are coming back to me as I sit here correcting the kids' hand and wrist positions. Most of the kids are really young and just starting so it's basically just teaching them theory and how to read music.
The weekend is going to be another crazy one. Music of the Baroque rehearsal all day Saturday with concerts on Sunday and Monday night, plus my friend Allison's bachelorette party on Saturday night. Her wedding is just about a month away! I do hope I fit into the bridesmaids dress...I fear I've gained a bit of poundage since those measurements were taken three months ago. I better step up my workouts a little.
I'm off to teach one more lesson. Do something that makes you happy today!
Monday, September 10, 2007
weekend=crazy
Whew! That was a crazy weekend. Fun, but crazy. My sister was visiting from Fort Wayne, and we had a great time. Friday night she got in around 7:30 and we proceeded out to the Hop Leaf for Belgian beers and the best damn fries with garlic aioli this side of the Atlantic. Saturday morning I had to get up for a loooong rehearsal from 10-1:30. I have Hadyn on the brain now. In the afternoon we went out to lunch and shopped and walked around in the beautiful fall-ish weather. I took her to a gem of a store called Pocket Puppies in Lincoln Park, where they sell teacup and miniature breed dogs and all the things that go along wih them (Luis Vuitton carrying cases, little outfits, collars, etc.). Elaine is a dog lover, so I knew she'd get a kick out of holing the little fur balls. I can never get Nick to go in with me; he hates that store with a passion. I think it's because of his size: at 6'5'' he's afraid he'll just squash one of those things without even realizing it. Saturday night we went out for small plates and wine in Wicker Park at bin wine cafe. I know small plates are supposedly on the "out", but I think it's a great way to taste a lot of delicious food.
Sunday I had to get up (again) for church. First Sunday of the church choir season. I got a big raise at church this year, which makes it an even more wonderful job. I thank the Lord every Sunday for my wonderful church job -- the volunteers are precious (and not bad singers and readers to boot!), and I enjoy my fellow paid colleagues as well, in fact, some of them are dear friends. Our director is a fantastic musician and person with an enviable career as a conductor, educator, and singer. And she has one of the cutest babies ever. She's a great contact and is always looking out for us soloists, providing opportunities to sing with orchestras and passing along gigs whenever she can. I'm doing the Messiah in December with a chamber orchestra she's put together, so I'm really excited about that. It'll be my first full Christmas portion Messiah -- a must-have for the rep of any singer, as you can usually count on doing it every year.
After church, Elaine and I went for a quick brunch at The Bongo Room South Loop before I had to rush off to another rehearsal. It was our first rehearsal with Jane Glover, the conductor for the Haydn oratorio I'm doing. In three rehearsals with the chorus master, we had put together a pretty damn good piece to give to Ms. Glover. I was a little starstruck when she came up to me and introduced herself (I'm one of the only newbies this year). It was an amazing rehearsal -- everyone was on top of their game, giving their all for her. Now I know why she's in demand and receives such terrific reviews. She is a FANTASTIC conductor. It felt so good to sing with her and make such high-quality music with these people. I'm so excited to rehearse with the orchestra next week! What a great experience -- and I get to do another concert with them in February/March, hooray!
When I'd finished singing, I hurried off to meet Elaine at the Folk Festival, the primary reason for her visit. I didn't get to hear much, but what I did hear was great. The band she came to see, Girlyman, was really good. Going from one awesome musical experience to another was really uplifiting for me and made me feel good about life. We left the Festival a bit early so Elaine could get on the road. She is doing a long term substitute teaching job at our old high school, so she had to be up at 5:30 am on Monday. It was great to spend time with her, as we don't get to do nearly enough of that.
So, after all that singing and entertaining, I'm exhausted. By some act of God, my voice held up pretty well through it all, despite singing notes above the staff for a collected amount of eight hours over the course of the weekend (go technique!). I'm granting myself a lazy morning today and probably not singing all day. I have to teach two lessons a little later on, but that's all. I need to go to the post office to mail some YAPS. Those God damn YAPS. It's like I apply to college every year, sending recommendation letters and applications and screening CDs and checks (grrrr) and letters about why I want to be an opera singer. I know that they need a rigorous screening and weeding out process, but sometimes it gets really depressing, not to mention breaks the bank. I'll stop now, because on any given singer's blog you'll find them bitching about this, and I don't intend to be part of the masses. I'm going to suck it up and get myself to the post office.
Hope you all had a delightful weekend. Back to watching The View -- Whoopi's getting fitted for a bra!
Sunday I had to get up (again) for church. First Sunday of the church choir season. I got a big raise at church this year, which makes it an even more wonderful job. I thank the Lord every Sunday for my wonderful church job -- the volunteers are precious (and not bad singers and readers to boot!), and I enjoy my fellow paid colleagues as well, in fact, some of them are dear friends. Our director is a fantastic musician and person with an enviable career as a conductor, educator, and singer. And she has one of the cutest babies ever. She's a great contact and is always looking out for us soloists, providing opportunities to sing with orchestras and passing along gigs whenever she can. I'm doing the Messiah in December with a chamber orchestra she's put together, so I'm really excited about that. It'll be my first full Christmas portion Messiah -- a must-have for the rep of any singer, as you can usually count on doing it every year.
After church, Elaine and I went for a quick brunch at The Bongo Room South Loop before I had to rush off to another rehearsal. It was our first rehearsal with Jane Glover, the conductor for the Haydn oratorio I'm doing. In three rehearsals with the chorus master, we had put together a pretty damn good piece to give to Ms. Glover. I was a little starstruck when she came up to me and introduced herself (I'm one of the only newbies this year). It was an amazing rehearsal -- everyone was on top of their game, giving their all for her. Now I know why she's in demand and receives such terrific reviews. She is a FANTASTIC conductor. It felt so good to sing with her and make such high-quality music with these people. I'm so excited to rehearse with the orchestra next week! What a great experience -- and I get to do another concert with them in February/March, hooray!
When I'd finished singing, I hurried off to meet Elaine at the Folk Festival, the primary reason for her visit. I didn't get to hear much, but what I did hear was great. The band she came to see, Girlyman, was really good. Going from one awesome musical experience to another was really uplifiting for me and made me feel good about life. We left the Festival a bit early so Elaine could get on the road. She is doing a long term substitute teaching job at our old high school, so she had to be up at 5:30 am on Monday. It was great to spend time with her, as we don't get to do nearly enough of that.
So, after all that singing and entertaining, I'm exhausted. By some act of God, my voice held up pretty well through it all, despite singing notes above the staff for a collected amount of eight hours over the course of the weekend (go technique!). I'm granting myself a lazy morning today and probably not singing all day. I have to teach two lessons a little later on, but that's all. I need to go to the post office to mail some YAPS. Those God damn YAPS. It's like I apply to college every year, sending recommendation letters and applications and screening CDs and checks (grrrr) and letters about why I want to be an opera singer. I know that they need a rigorous screening and weeding out process, but sometimes it gets really depressing, not to mention breaks the bank. I'll stop now, because on any given singer's blog you'll find them bitching about this, and I don't intend to be part of the masses. I'm going to suck it up and get myself to the post office.
Hope you all had a delightful weekend. Back to watching The View -- Whoopi's getting fitted for a bra!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
update
Well, I survived the high schoolers! It was a little terrifying -- the school where I will be teaching is mostly blue collar, and myself and the choir director were definitely the minorities in the room. I presented to three class periods of choir, probably about 120 kids in total. There were lots of interesting questions, such as "How high can you sing?", "Don't you lose your voice a lot, singing like that?", and "Do you have lots of pressure in your life?" (HA! If you only knew, kid). One girl was taking pictures of me with her camera phone while I was singing, There do seem to be a few gems though, so I'm looking forward to helping some talented kids prepare for college music careers. I ended up singing an excerpt of Je veux vivre for them to show off some high stuff, and Can't Help Loving 'Dat Man from Showboat (while I was singing the second one, I realized that it is written in "black language", and I was a white person singing for a room of black kids -- I tried to play down that dialect a bit). I think it will be a good experience, and fairly lucrative to the budget for just one day of work per week. I'm not charging as much as I do for private lessons, but almost. Regardless, it's more than twice as much as I ever made temping.
Now I will post a feast for your eyes: pictures of Traverse City.
Lighthouse at the 45th parallel -- it kind of felt like we drove to the end of the Earth.
wine grapes! We went to three wineries.
mmmmmm Emily likey wine.
barrells of fun!
Ok I ran out of time to upload any more now. I'll leave you in suspense!
Home.
Don't worry everyone, I didn't fall off a dune into the Grand Traverse Bay. Nor did I decide to stay in Traverse City forever, eschewing computers and technology. Although it was lovely not to open my Macbook for three whole days. Beautiful as upper Michigan turned out to be, I would have to be heavily medicated in order to live there. My sinuses were going crazy all weekend. It didn't ruin the trip, but it did severely annoy me. I thought my allergies were getting less severe as I aged, but apparently it's just living in the city where there isn't as much pollen to be inhaled that has fooled me. I've gotten away with using only herbal remedies (ie: neti pot) to cure some minor sinus blockage along with the occasional Benedryl, but I realized this weekend that if I'm ever to move out of the city, I'll probably need to go back on something a little heavier. And that could be sooner rather than later -- Nick was so taken with the beauty and green and peace and tranquility that was upper Michigan. I hadn't seen him that happy and content and excited in awhile. He scaled some ridiculous 90 degree angle dunes in order to take photos. At one point he vanished from my sight, and I seriously thought he had plummeted into the bay. But no, he was fine. It was truly beautiful; I've seen a lot of these United States (thanks Mom and Dad!), and it was definitely one of the most gorgeous panoramas I'd seen on this continent. The B&B where we stayed was delightful, sparkling clean and cozy, and our host was super nice and cooked us three delicious breakfasts. Our only disappointment was with the food. We found it a little over-priced and not spectacular for a resort town that boasts fantastic restaurants. I'll post some pics later on. Right now I'm trembling in my sensible Nine West black pumps, because I'm due to give a "presentation" to sixty high schoolers in about two hours. I found a job teaching private lessons at a north suburban high school, so I'm going in today to hand out info and talk about voice lessons and sing something for kids. Now, it hasn't been that long since I was in high school myself, but for some reason I'm feeling a little terrified. High schoolers are a tough crowd. I'm still going back and forth about what to sing (musical theater - opera aria??). I know there are already many kids who are interested, and it's going to be a lucrative part of my income this year, so...I need to do a good job. Time to put on my teacher outfit and make copies!
More later kiddos. Ciao.
More later kiddos. Ciao.
Friday, August 31, 2007
holidayeeee...celebraaate!
I'm enjoying a quiet morning here at the apartment before we leave for vacation in a couple of hours. Nick went to work for a few hours, and I have been doing the last minute packing, cleaning, and errands. It's absolutely beautiful weather here in Chicago, the sort of weather that makes you feel amazing and alive and say kind things to strangers on the street. Yesterday, on my way to a lunch date with my cousin in Wicker Park, I drove with the windows down and my arm hanging out the window. Likewise, we opened the windows in the house yesterday, despite my fear of waking up unable to breathe and/or sing due to my intense ragweed allergy. Our decision to open up the house might have something to do with the $140 electric bill we received this week as well, but that's neither here nor there. The breeze blowing through the apartment feels wonderful, and I like hearing the noises of the street and the cricktets rather than the sound of the airconditioners churning. It's starting to feel like fall, and fall in Chicago is a wonderful thing. I can't wait for the leaves on our street to start changing -- it's my first time living on a truly residential street; in the past I've always lived on busier streets.
This week has been a good one; I had a great job interview on Wednesday. It felt so great to really talk about singing with this woman, to talk about my philosphy of singing and teaching. I guess this was really the first interview I've been on for my "real career", besides auditions, and the first time my knowledge of singing and pedagogy was verbally put to the test (outside of school, of course). I was really proud of myself, and even if I don't get the job, I'll be happy with how the interview went. Wednesday night, Nick and I celebrated by scalping tickets to the Cubs game and meeting up with my Dad, who was in town for business, for a beer before the game. Although the game sucked, we had a great time drinking beer, eating hot dogs and peanuts, and socializing.
Last night I had another rehearsal with Music of the Baroque, this time with the entire chorus. It was a lot of fun, although my voice was completely exhausted by the end of the three hours. I think I'm going to have to learn how to mark a little better if I'm going to be doing some chorus work (marking, for those not in the know, is a term we singers use for singing half-voice, or just backing off the intensity a little so as to save the voice. I also really like taking things down an octave when I'm first learning it, but most chorus directors do not appreciate this). After rehearsal, however, I had a rather nasty fall and I'm in a bit of pain today. Being new to the group, I wasn't sure where everyone parked their cars, so I had parked my car a bit away from everyone else. The rehearsal is in a rather shady neighborhood on the south side, so I was making haste to my car, even jogging a little, when all of a sudden my body hit the ground at full force. I tripped on a crack on the sidewalk and landed on my bad knee. My hands were scraped up pretty bad, too. Nick took care of me when I got home, cleaning my wounds and affixing bandages on them. He's so sweet. But my knee is absolutely killing me today, as it was already fairly tender from the dancing I was doing in the show this summer. I took some Tylonel and have been icing it and am hoping for the best--I was planning on doing some hiking this weekend in TC!
I hope you all have wonderful holiday weekends. I am so excited to get out of the city -- I haven't left in over two months, and I need some time away to regroup. With all the career changes going on in my life, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, so I'm looking forward to just relaxing and forgetting about things for a few days this weekend. Enjoy, everyone!
This week has been a good one; I had a great job interview on Wednesday. It felt so great to really talk about singing with this woman, to talk about my philosphy of singing and teaching. I guess this was really the first interview I've been on for my "real career", besides auditions, and the first time my knowledge of singing and pedagogy was verbally put to the test (outside of school, of course). I was really proud of myself, and even if I don't get the job, I'll be happy with how the interview went. Wednesday night, Nick and I celebrated by scalping tickets to the Cubs game and meeting up with my Dad, who was in town for business, for a beer before the game. Although the game sucked, we had a great time drinking beer, eating hot dogs and peanuts, and socializing.
Last night I had another rehearsal with Music of the Baroque, this time with the entire chorus. It was a lot of fun, although my voice was completely exhausted by the end of the three hours. I think I'm going to have to learn how to mark a little better if I'm going to be doing some chorus work (marking, for those not in the know, is a term we singers use for singing half-voice, or just backing off the intensity a little so as to save the voice. I also really like taking things down an octave when I'm first learning it, but most chorus directors do not appreciate this). After rehearsal, however, I had a rather nasty fall and I'm in a bit of pain today. Being new to the group, I wasn't sure where everyone parked their cars, so I had parked my car a bit away from everyone else. The rehearsal is in a rather shady neighborhood on the south side, so I was making haste to my car, even jogging a little, when all of a sudden my body hit the ground at full force. I tripped on a crack on the sidewalk and landed on my bad knee. My hands were scraped up pretty bad, too. Nick took care of me when I got home, cleaning my wounds and affixing bandages on them. He's so sweet. But my knee is absolutely killing me today, as it was already fairly tender from the dancing I was doing in the show this summer. I took some Tylonel and have been icing it and am hoping for the best--I was planning on doing some hiking this weekend in TC!
I hope you all have wonderful holiday weekends. I am so excited to get out of the city -- I haven't left in over two months, and I need some time away to regroup. With all the career changes going on in my life, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, so I'm looking forward to just relaxing and forgetting about things for a few days this weekend. Enjoy, everyone!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
brilliance
Ok, I'm starting to get a little nervous--things are going a little TOO well here, kids. I've got another interview tomorrow at a performing arts school in Plainfield. I found the job posting from Career Services at Northwestern, applied last week, and the woman emailed me today to come in for an interview! It's a bit of a haul, forty miles outside Chicago, but if there's not much traffic I should be able to get there in an hour, which is about what it takes to get downtown. I'll just have to get some books on tape. And I'll always know exactly what's going on in the world, what with my radio constantly tuned to NPR. She wants me to sing for her, so tonight I've been trying to decide what to take. And getting my resumes in order, now that we have...drum roll, please...a printer/copier/fax! I haven't had a working printer in about 2.5 years, so this is an amazing addition to the home office. I printed resumes and directions tonight, and it felt so good not to be at Fed Ex/Kinkos!
I just re-read that first line and laughed at myself. It's just like me to belittle my success and think something awful is going to happen at any moment. Ah, the wonders of psychotherapy. I can now recognize these flaws in a heartbeat. And then they become less like flaws and more like...an old version of me creeping out. Well, that old version is history because the successful me is here to stay! So I'm going to go do a bang-up job tomorrow, and then Nick and I are going to celebrate by going to the Cubs vs. Brewers game tomorrow night. We decided this evening to scalp some tickets for tomorrow's game, so I've been doing some craigslist bidding. Nick keeps telling me to wait until tomorrow and people will drop their prices. Good thing there's one patient person in this relationship. And one neat person, else our apartment would be a pigsty. I'll let you figure out which is which.
I just re-read that first line and laughed at myself. It's just like me to belittle my success and think something awful is going to happen at any moment. Ah, the wonders of psychotherapy. I can now recognize these flaws in a heartbeat. And then they become less like flaws and more like...an old version of me creeping out. Well, that old version is history because the successful me is here to stay! So I'm going to go do a bang-up job tomorrow, and then Nick and I are going to celebrate by going to the Cubs vs. Brewers game tomorrow night. We decided this evening to scalp some tickets for tomorrow's game, so I've been doing some craigslist bidding. Nick keeps telling me to wait until tomorrow and people will drop their prices. Good thing there's one patient person in this relationship. And one neat person, else our apartment would be a pigsty. I'll let you figure out which is which.
Monday, August 27, 2007
light
It's amazing what can happen when you start to take action. In the two business days since I quit temping (ok, was "let go"), I have accomplished so much, and lots of things are starting to fall into place. The music store in Palatine where I was subbing this summer is hiring me for a permanent position. I'm not sure yet how many hours they are going to give me, but the woman who is in charge said she'd start building up my student base and have me work as much as possible. It's a good time to start teaching, since the school year is just starting and kids are signing up for music lessons. The money at this place is really good, twice what I was making temping, and I get paid even if the students don't show up -- win, win, win situation. In addition to that, through some hefty networking, I found a job teaching private lessons at a high school in Waukegan one day a week. I'm going in next week to make a "presentation" to the choir classes about private lessons, and the teacher (whom I spoke with today, and is extremely nice) said there were four or five kids who definitely wanted lessons already. This career makeover is making me feel fabulous -- I'm sleeping better, more relaxed, cheerful, and confident than I've been in ages. It feels so light to be doing what I WANT, doing what I've been trained for so many years to do. It helps that I have the time now to go to the gym every day, do yoga a few times a week, practice, and get audition stuff together. The icing on the cake was the first rehearsal tonight for the concert gig I'm doing. It was a sectional, just the eight sopranos, and I was very impressed with the musicianship and amount of work we accomplished at the rehearsal -- nearly read through the entire oratorio!
So, the summer has almost come to an end. It was rather trying, most of it, but there were some good times. And I learned some important lessons about what sort of work I will and will not accept in the future -- performing and otherwise. I didn't reach any of my financial goals, but I'm still working on it and doing a pretty decent job. I did manage to obtain a fabulous new apartment in a fantastic neighborhood with my wonderful boyfriend, so that's a plus!
Here are some pics of the show to close out. The costumes were tremendously grand, as well as the wigs. I met some great people...and that's that!
me and Alicia, the amazing woman I understudied
Laura, my partner in crime--our witty background dialogue onstage kept me going most days
My long-lost (gay) brother, Adam
Our twenties wigs...
Emily the "Prater Girl"; ie: can-can dancing, booty flashing floozy
More later kids. I'm outtie.
So, the summer has almost come to an end. It was rather trying, most of it, but there were some good times. And I learned some important lessons about what sort of work I will and will not accept in the future -- performing and otherwise. I didn't reach any of my financial goals, but I'm still working on it and doing a pretty decent job. I did manage to obtain a fabulous new apartment in a fantastic neighborhood with my wonderful boyfriend, so that's a plus!
Here are some pics of the show to close out. The costumes were tremendously grand, as well as the wigs. I met some great people...and that's that!
me and Alicia, the amazing woman I understudied
Laura, my partner in crime--our witty background dialogue onstage kept me going most days
My long-lost (gay) brother, Adam
Our twenties wigs...
Emily the "Prater Girl"; ie: can-can dancing, booty flashing floozy
More later kids. I'm outtie.
Friday, August 24, 2007
news from the unemployed
That's right, I'm now unemployed. Can lawyers read minds? That or they found this blog, somehow...regardless, yesterday they informed me that they would no longer be needing me. The office manager assured me that it had nothing to do with my job performance, but that they were just concerned that I would get a better offer (performing) and leave them high and dry (not her exact words, but you get the gist). It's a blessing really. Although I was a little peeved that they broke up with me before I could break up with them, I feel very free and ready to take on the challenges of building my business: as professional singer and voice teacher. I made a to-do list a mile long yesterday, and today I am beginning to tackle it. I was joking the other day that it was my temping Schwanengesang (swan song).
I feel very refreshed and energetic today after a solid eight hour night's sleep. I'm blogging, emailing, drinking coffee and watching Oprah until it becomes an acceptable hour to start making calls, then working on my audition CD and application materials. Yoga at the gym at noon, followed by practicing, lunch, and a bit of house cleaning. My parents are coming in to see the show tonight, so the apartment must get the ritual "parental visit cleaning". God forbid they see the pile of crumbs under the coffee table --they'll know that Nick and I eat every meal in front of the television! I may treat myself to a pedicure -- my mom sent me a little "opening night gift" check last week and told me to treat myself to something. Lord knows I won't be able to afford pedicures for awhile.
It's going to be a busy weekend of three shows, but I think it will be enjoyable. And next week I start rehearsals for the Haydn concert with Music of the Baroque. I stopped by their office to get my score yesterday, and it got me so excited!!!! The chorus is pretty small, just eight per section, and I don't recognize a single name on the roster, so it will be fun to meet some new people and work with PROFESSIONALS! Weehoo! Next week at this time we will be on our way to Traverse City for vacay! Hooray!
Have a great weekend everyone. Do what makes you happy.
I feel very refreshed and energetic today after a solid eight hour night's sleep. I'm blogging, emailing, drinking coffee and watching Oprah until it becomes an acceptable hour to start making calls, then working on my audition CD and application materials. Yoga at the gym at noon, followed by practicing, lunch, and a bit of house cleaning. My parents are coming in to see the show tonight, so the apartment must get the ritual "parental visit cleaning". God forbid they see the pile of crumbs under the coffee table --they'll know that Nick and I eat every meal in front of the television! I may treat myself to a pedicure -- my mom sent me a little "opening night gift" check last week and told me to treat myself to something. Lord knows I won't be able to afford pedicures for awhile.
It's going to be a busy weekend of three shows, but I think it will be enjoyable. And next week I start rehearsals for the Haydn concert with Music of the Baroque. I stopped by their office to get my score yesterday, and it got me so excited!!!! The chorus is pretty small, just eight per section, and I don't recognize a single name on the roster, so it will be fun to meet some new people and work with PROFESSIONALS! Weehoo! Next week at this time we will be on our way to Traverse City for vacay! Hooray!
Have a great weekend everyone. Do what makes you happy.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
In case you were wondering, the opening went really well. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures yet, but they are forthcoming. You can read the Sun-Times review here. Amazingly, there was no mention of the pink-clad one-liner bridesmaid named Gloria! (However, I am a part of the fanny flashing can-can mentioned in the article -- yes, you can see my bloomer clad bootie if you come see the show. If that ain't a way to sell tickets, I don't know what is!) Ah, well. We had a matinee today, and I am pretty exhausted, and since tomorrow I'm back to being a slave of the lawyers, I must end this post and get some beauty rest.
Hopefully after our closing performance on Sunday, I can return to some semblance of normal life. Cooking meals from scratch, gymming, practicing, and the start of fall television -- goody goody! I can't wait.
Hopefully after our closing performance on Sunday, I can return to some semblance of normal life. Cooking meals from scratch, gymming, practicing, and the start of fall television -- goody goody! I can't wait.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
a Saturday morning post
Ah, Saturday morning. I'm participating in my Saturday morning ritual: sleeping 'til eleven, watching the Food network, and drinking coffee while waiting for Nick to come home from work. He works half-days every other Saturday, which is annoying, but usually I sleep so late it's only an hour or two after I wake up that he comes home. I must admit though, I enjoy the alone time. I've always been one who treasures her alone time.
Tonight is the opening of the show. Yesterday was our final dress rehearsal/"Senior Preview" -- so basically a performance for about a thousand elderly people. I thought it went pretty splendidly, considering that Thursday night there were some messy costume and wig changes that resulted in people not getting onstage in time, which were remedied yesterday. The director(s) -- there seem to be about eighteen directors in this show; we get a "note" about every other second from someone or other -- immediately shot down my good feelings about the show during the hour long notes session afterward. I know they are trying to make the show better for us, but a compliment every once in awhile would be nice. We've all been busting our asses onstage for six weeks now, and I haven't heard the words "you're doing a good job" muttered once. It's pretty disheartening.
Other than that, yesterday was a lovely day. I slept until 9:00 am, went to the bank and gym, then headed to the theater for the rehearsal/performance. We were released at five, and then some of us proceeded to Chili's for $3 margaritas. I can't knock Chili's anymore -- getting tipsy for $6 is unheard of! I really do enjoy some of the people in the cast; they're a good bunch. I'll have some pics to post soon -- you've got to see my wigs, they are pretty freaking fabulous!
And lastly, I made a decision last week. After the understudy rehearsal on Tuesday, I became inspired. I NEED to be singing, it makes me feel happy and complete, and I am going to go full throttle this fall and make my career happen. I know that singing and teaching singing is what I was put on this earth to do. I'm going to quit temping. I'm going to try to make it work as a singer and voice teacher ONLY. I'm going to ask for help if I need it. But having a full time "day" job is getting me nowhere; in fact, I feel like I'm regressing every day I'm there. I'm not going to let this Masters degree go to waste. Cliche as it may sound -- WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY. I have my will back. I decided that I will temp until Labor Day, and then I'm going to force myself to get creative and make things happen. Nothing happens while I'm editing or filing documents in a law office. I will perhaps take the occasional week-long temp job in order to make a little money, but screw this full-time permanent position crap. It's over.
So here's what I say to you, readers: Make something happen. Do what you want. Be irresponsible if necessary. Because this is all we get, and it's too short to waste it in an office that you hate. Maybe you think I'm naive and stupid for saying so, but I'm willing to take this risk. I'm willing to give up some of the ridiculous material things that this country and its marketing schemes insist that I need. I'm ready to make things happen. WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY.
Tonight is the opening of the show. Yesterday was our final dress rehearsal/"Senior Preview" -- so basically a performance for about a thousand elderly people. I thought it went pretty splendidly, considering that Thursday night there were some messy costume and wig changes that resulted in people not getting onstage in time, which were remedied yesterday. The director(s) -- there seem to be about eighteen directors in this show; we get a "note" about every other second from someone or other -- immediately shot down my good feelings about the show during the hour long notes session afterward. I know they are trying to make the show better for us, but a compliment every once in awhile would be nice. We've all been busting our asses onstage for six weeks now, and I haven't heard the words "you're doing a good job" muttered once. It's pretty disheartening.
Other than that, yesterday was a lovely day. I slept until 9:00 am, went to the bank and gym, then headed to the theater for the rehearsal/performance. We were released at five, and then some of us proceeded to Chili's for $3 margaritas. I can't knock Chili's anymore -- getting tipsy for $6 is unheard of! I really do enjoy some of the people in the cast; they're a good bunch. I'll have some pics to post soon -- you've got to see my wigs, they are pretty freaking fabulous!
And lastly, I made a decision last week. After the understudy rehearsal on Tuesday, I became inspired. I NEED to be singing, it makes me feel happy and complete, and I am going to go full throttle this fall and make my career happen. I know that singing and teaching singing is what I was put on this earth to do. I'm going to quit temping. I'm going to try to make it work as a singer and voice teacher ONLY. I'm going to ask for help if I need it. But having a full time "day" job is getting me nowhere; in fact, I feel like I'm regressing every day I'm there. I'm not going to let this Masters degree go to waste. Cliche as it may sound -- WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY. I have my will back. I decided that I will temp until Labor Day, and then I'm going to force myself to get creative and make things happen. Nothing happens while I'm editing or filing documents in a law office. I will perhaps take the occasional week-long temp job in order to make a little money, but screw this full-time permanent position crap. It's over.
So here's what I say to you, readers: Make something happen. Do what you want. Be irresponsible if necessary. Because this is all we get, and it's too short to waste it in an office that you hate. Maybe you think I'm naive and stupid for saying so, but I'm willing to take this risk. I'm willing to give up some of the ridiculous material things that this country and its marketing schemes insist that I need. I'm ready to make things happen. WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
MIA, nature
I'm sorry I've been MIA, everyone (Elaine). I know your life is hanging by a thread, as you anxiously refresh and hope for new words from this brilliant head of mine. The reason(s) I haven't written anything in a few days are good ones, though:
*I've now obtained the prestigious position of "legal assistant". I'm fairly sure that the guy who I'm taking over for pretty much kept the office running, so I'm a bit worried that my flip attitude toward temp jobs will not fly with this one. The perks of this job have greatly outweighed the (lack of) perks of my last job: better location (don't have to change trains and right next to Millenium Park!), fanTASTIC view, a few people to converse with that aren't middle-aged men, free diet coke, and a (very slight) sense of accomplishment when tasks are completed. The lawyer people, although a strange breed that I haven't quite figured out, are nice and actually seem to care that I exist. There probably won't be a lot of posting at work, but I'll try not to leave you hanging for more than a few days.
*I survived doomsday, better known as the understudy run-thru of the show. I'd been dreading this day for weeks. While our "understudying" was completely ignored for the entire rehearsal period, not even a single coaching given, today we were expected to do a run of the show. With only the other understudies, so minus all the chorus people and secondary characters, since there are only understudies for the leads. I was dreading it for two reasons: 1. I felt unprepared, since I refused to pay a coach out of the meager fee I'm being paid to do the role, and 2. the understudy for the male lead is about two heads shorter than me, and well, awkward. I've always disliked romantic situations with short men, whether on stage or in real life. It makes me feel like a giant beast, and I know it looks stupid to the audience. I'm sure there are plenty of women out there who are perfectly happy with men who are shorter than them, but I'm not one of them. Maybe it's some latent adolescent angst -- I was never very popular with the boys until I was seventeen or eighteen. Hence why I made a rule about five years ago that I would never date anyone under six feet. My last two boyfriends have been six foot three and six foot five. But I digress.
But you know what...it was actually kind of fun. I was in good voice, and I sang the hell out the songs. It felt good to be up there, on stage, singing my ass off, playing the leading lady. I dropped lots and lots of lines, but I know where the problem areas are, and I feel like I could go on if absolutely necessary. I might even want to. Just a little bit. But tomorrow I go back to being Gloria, feisty cousin and bridesmaid of the leading lady. Always a bridesmaid...
I'll leave you with some pictures of our trip to the Chicago Botanic Gardens on Saturday. It was rather hot, but we spent about two hours exploring the gardens. It really is a sight to behold.
waterlilies
fountain in the rose garden
waterfall
i got a bit hot
aquatic garden
Ahhhhh nature.
*I've now obtained the prestigious position of "legal assistant". I'm fairly sure that the guy who I'm taking over for pretty much kept the office running, so I'm a bit worried that my flip attitude toward temp jobs will not fly with this one. The perks of this job have greatly outweighed the (lack of) perks of my last job: better location (don't have to change trains and right next to Millenium Park!), fanTASTIC view, a few people to converse with that aren't middle-aged men, free diet coke, and a (very slight) sense of accomplishment when tasks are completed. The lawyer people, although a strange breed that I haven't quite figured out, are nice and actually seem to care that I exist. There probably won't be a lot of posting at work, but I'll try not to leave you hanging for more than a few days.
*I survived doomsday, better known as the understudy run-thru of the show. I'd been dreading this day for weeks. While our "understudying" was completely ignored for the entire rehearsal period, not even a single coaching given, today we were expected to do a run of the show. With only the other understudies, so minus all the chorus people and secondary characters, since there are only understudies for the leads. I was dreading it for two reasons: 1. I felt unprepared, since I refused to pay a coach out of the meager fee I'm being paid to do the role, and 2. the understudy for the male lead is about two heads shorter than me, and well, awkward. I've always disliked romantic situations with short men, whether on stage or in real life. It makes me feel like a giant beast, and I know it looks stupid to the audience. I'm sure there are plenty of women out there who are perfectly happy with men who are shorter than them, but I'm not one of them. Maybe it's some latent adolescent angst -- I was never very popular with the boys until I was seventeen or eighteen. Hence why I made a rule about five years ago that I would never date anyone under six feet. My last two boyfriends have been six foot three and six foot five. But I digress.
But you know what...it was actually kind of fun. I was in good voice, and I sang the hell out the songs. It felt good to be up there, on stage, singing my ass off, playing the leading lady. I dropped lots and lots of lines, but I know where the problem areas are, and I feel like I could go on if absolutely necessary. I might even want to. Just a little bit. But tomorrow I go back to being Gloria, feisty cousin and bridesmaid of the leading lady. Always a bridesmaid...
I'll leave you with some pictures of our trip to the Chicago Botanic Gardens on Saturday. It was rather hot, but we spent about two hours exploring the gardens. It really is a sight to behold.
waterlilies
fountain in the rose garden
waterfall
i got a bit hot
aquatic garden
Ahhhhh nature.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
the homeless, other stuff
Sometimes, if I am in a really good mood, I buy food and/or beverages for homeless people. In Evanston, the homeless people are extremely friendly and "well-off" (Contradictory as it sounds, it's true. If I were a homeless person, I'd want to be in Evanston). The Northwestern students are always striking up conversations with them, giving them spare change, and buying them a Starbucks or a candy bar. They are smart by constantly hanging out in the same place, so that the kids get used to Rasta Man at Starbucks, Small Bald Man in front of CVS, and Crazy Yelling Man in front of Buffalo Joe's (he actually kind of scares me). I've heard rumors that some of them are not actually homeless, but that's neither here nor there.
The homeless people in the Loop, however, don't have it so good. Largely ignored by the indifferent and down-trodden office workers, they sit on the corners looking pretty beat-down and rarely do I see anyone offer them anything. Although yesterday I saw this one fat homeless man who is usually shoe-less wearing a pair of white Crocs. So maybe there are kinder people in the Loop than I realize. Today, as I walked into Dunkin Donuts to get an iced coffee and a bagel, I heard a raspy voice next to the door say, "spare a small coffee?". I'm wary of giving these people money(my mother always said "They will just go and buy booze with it, Emily!", but a small coffee is a different story. Certainly I can spare a dollar every now and again to allow this person a cup of joe. When I brought it to him, the look on his face was truly grateful, and I was glad that I did it. I wanted to whisper to him "Get yourself to Evanston, the promised land for homeless people", and give him the $2 for the El, but then decided against it. Who I am to tell this homeless man where to set up camp? Surely, being on the street, he knows better than I do where is best for him.
In Emily news, I am changing temp jobs, woohoo! I had a rather intense interview with a small law firm on Tuesday, and apparently they liked me, so I am starting there next week. It sounds like I will be much busier than I am here (thank GOD), and I won't be in complete isolation like I am here, with only WXRT to keep me company (fine company it is, but sometimes I just want to talk to someone). It is a long-term job, with the possibility of permanent employment, so we'll see how it goes. The office manager, whom I'll mostly be working with, seems really nice, as do the two attorneys. They told me that they don't like to hire "career admins", as in, people whose highest career goal is to be an administrative assitant. I took this to mean that they prefer to hire over-qualified, highly educated people such as myself and most other actors/performers who will take the job seriously enough but view it mostly as a vehicle through which to maintain a certain lifestyle while pursuing their real passion. So I will join the ranks of two of my favorite bloggers, Jason, and Dan, who work for lawyers in NYC.
Last night was our last rehearsal in the dingy, disgusting, unairconditioned YMCA childcare center cafeteria. Thank heavens. The heat had become rather unbearable this week, and I think the filthiness of the room was starting to get to everyone. It had certainly gotten to me (weeks ago). I cringed whenever I had to sit on a piece of furniture or touch really anything. I've disinfected any and all of my belongings that entered that room with Clorox wipes. Call me a germaphobe, but if you saw this room, you'd do the same. Luckily (or not so luckily, depending on how you look at it), tonight we move into Cahn Auditorium for a six hour re-spacing rehearsal. Directors always get a little skittish during these first rehearsals onstage. I think they are concerned that their "vision" of what the show should look like won't be realized, so they start to freak. So I'm expecting tonight to be rather...trying. Re-spacing rehearsals are extremely tedious, as you don't fully "act", or sing or dance any of the show, but rather just walk through everything to make sure you know where you go onstage. I was saying to someone yesterday that I wish I could send a body-double, a proxy, if you will, to stand around and be me, but I don't think anyone would be too happy about that (except me). So I guess I'll have to suffer through it.
Not sure what the plans are for the weekend -- it's a short weekend since I only have Friday evening and Saturday off, and Nick has to work Saturday morning. We're thinking about Ravinia or the Chicago Botanical Gardens if it's not too hot. And probably a good restaurant or two. And several drinks. Only three weeks 'til the Labor Day vacay. I'm counting 'em down.
The homeless people in the Loop, however, don't have it so good. Largely ignored by the indifferent and down-trodden office workers, they sit on the corners looking pretty beat-down and rarely do I see anyone offer them anything. Although yesterday I saw this one fat homeless man who is usually shoe-less wearing a pair of white Crocs. So maybe there are kinder people in the Loop than I realize. Today, as I walked into Dunkin Donuts to get an iced coffee and a bagel, I heard a raspy voice next to the door say, "spare a small coffee?". I'm wary of giving these people money(my mother always said "They will just go and buy booze with it, Emily!", but a small coffee is a different story. Certainly I can spare a dollar every now and again to allow this person a cup of joe. When I brought it to him, the look on his face was truly grateful, and I was glad that I did it. I wanted to whisper to him "Get yourself to Evanston, the promised land for homeless people", and give him the $2 for the El, but then decided against it. Who I am to tell this homeless man where to set up camp? Surely, being on the street, he knows better than I do where is best for him.
In Emily news, I am changing temp jobs, woohoo! I had a rather intense interview with a small law firm on Tuesday, and apparently they liked me, so I am starting there next week. It sounds like I will be much busier than I am here (thank GOD), and I won't be in complete isolation like I am here, with only WXRT to keep me company (fine company it is, but sometimes I just want to talk to someone). It is a long-term job, with the possibility of permanent employment, so we'll see how it goes. The office manager, whom I'll mostly be working with, seems really nice, as do the two attorneys. They told me that they don't like to hire "career admins", as in, people whose highest career goal is to be an administrative assitant. I took this to mean that they prefer to hire over-qualified, highly educated people such as myself and most other actors/performers who will take the job seriously enough but view it mostly as a vehicle through which to maintain a certain lifestyle while pursuing their real passion. So I will join the ranks of two of my favorite bloggers, Jason, and Dan, who work for lawyers in NYC.
Last night was our last rehearsal in the dingy, disgusting, unairconditioned YMCA childcare center cafeteria. Thank heavens. The heat had become rather unbearable this week, and I think the filthiness of the room was starting to get to everyone. It had certainly gotten to me (weeks ago). I cringed whenever I had to sit on a piece of furniture or touch really anything. I've disinfected any and all of my belongings that entered that room with Clorox wipes. Call me a germaphobe, but if you saw this room, you'd do the same. Luckily (or not so luckily, depending on how you look at it), tonight we move into Cahn Auditorium for a six hour re-spacing rehearsal. Directors always get a little skittish during these first rehearsals onstage. I think they are concerned that their "vision" of what the show should look like won't be realized, so they start to freak. So I'm expecting tonight to be rather...trying. Re-spacing rehearsals are extremely tedious, as you don't fully "act", or sing or dance any of the show, but rather just walk through everything to make sure you know where you go onstage. I was saying to someone yesterday that I wish I could send a body-double, a proxy, if you will, to stand around and be me, but I don't think anyone would be too happy about that (except me). So I guess I'll have to suffer through it.
Not sure what the plans are for the weekend -- it's a short weekend since I only have Friday evening and Saturday off, and Nick has to work Saturday morning. We're thinking about Ravinia or the Chicago Botanical Gardens if it's not too hot. And probably a good restaurant or two. And several drinks. Only three weeks 'til the Labor Day vacay. I'm counting 'em down.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
i need back up, i need company, i need to be inspired
So little time for anything these days...what happened to lazy summer days of porch sitting and catching fire flies and going to the swimming pool? They have been replaced by rushing around, trying to keep up with bills and house cleaning and rehearsing and day jobs and working on my "real career" and the myriad adventures that adult life presents me with on a daily basis. I've never really been one who yearns for the past -- honestly, I'm usually delighted and surprised I made it this far! -- but lately I've been reminded of the carefree days of my childhood, and my heart aches for them. Perhaps it's these trips to the suburbs, be it for a voice lesson or a housewarming party, as was the case this weekend. The abundance of green, the smell of freshly mown grass, the cornfields (nevermind the urban sprawl or ridiculous SUVs), it all reminds me of being a kid. The responsibilities of adulthood have been rather overwhelming lately, particularly because I'm choosing a life that isn't down the beaten path of Corporate America and the amenities that come along with it. Every day I seem to hit some sort of road block, a slap in the face for not being like everyone else. But I take it all in stride, and I keep moving forward -- every day that I get slapped is another day that I meet someone who is doing what I do, who is making it work. And they inspire me.
After spending several hours at my friends Adam and Stasi's new house in Aurora, we drove around the suburbs a bit, stopped in downtown Geneva, and just sort of...wished. And hoped. Atleast I did, and I think Nick did, too. For me, moving to the suburbs and having a house will be sort of like re-living my childhood, albeit as one of the heads of household this time around. I will run and frolic in my yard with my dog, grow things in the garden (herbs! and tomatoes!), plant flowers and trees and rose bushes, sit on the porch, and do all the things I did when I was a kid. It will be glorious, and I can't wait. In the meantime, you can find me here in Chicago, battling the "man" at every turn, finding a way to make beautiful music that touches people while being paid what I'm worth. Paid enough so that some day I can frolic in the garden of the house I OWN.
So I can stick it to the "man."
After spending several hours at my friends Adam and Stasi's new house in Aurora, we drove around the suburbs a bit, stopped in downtown Geneva, and just sort of...wished. And hoped. Atleast I did, and I think Nick did, too. For me, moving to the suburbs and having a house will be sort of like re-living my childhood, albeit as one of the heads of household this time around. I will run and frolic in my yard with my dog, grow things in the garden (herbs! and tomatoes!), plant flowers and trees and rose bushes, sit on the porch, and do all the things I did when I was a kid. It will be glorious, and I can't wait. In the meantime, you can find me here in Chicago, battling the "man" at every turn, finding a way to make beautiful music that touches people while being paid what I'm worth. Paid enough so that some day I can frolic in the garden of the house I OWN.
So I can stick it to the "man."
Friday, August 03, 2007
i'm tired of thinking of blog titles -- untitled.
Many exciting things going on here at Midwest Princess. I will present them to you in a list, because I think it will appeal to the attention span of my Gen-Y readers who, like me, can barely read a paragraph let alone a book anymore due to wanting everything FAST FAST FAST. (In researching the last sentence, I found that Gen-X includes people born from 1961-1981, and Gen-Y includes people born after 1981. Which would mean I am a member of Gen-Y, while most of my friends are members of Gen-X. But there is much controversy surrounding the boundaries of these generations. And you thought this blog was all fluff).
1. I got confirmation on Wednesday about the gig I'd been holding out for. I am now on the roster for two concerts this season with Music of the Baroque! I'm doing Hadyn's The Seasons in September and St. Matthew Passion in Feburary/March. It's a chorus job, of course, but this company is phenomenal and it hasn't been unheard of for choristers to move into soloist positions with them. The pay is fantastic; the conductor, Jane Glover, is acclaimed world-wide; and I'm told that the musicianship and professionalism is phenomenal. Which is just what I need after my experience this summer. Also, it means that from January through April 2008, whatwith the Opera for the Young tour and this gig, I will probably be able to work ONLY as a singer for three or four months. Unheard of!
2. In case you were wondering, I didn't blog yesterday because I didn't come to work. It was glorious. After a scrumptious breakfast with my dad and brother at Ann Sather, I decided it was just too hot to go to work, so I called in. Obviously they did not care, since I mostly sit and read/write blogs all day. Was my afternoon of getting things done around the house, consolidating my loans, and napping worth the $50 or so I lost by not coming in? Yes, yes it was.
3. I'm not even going to talk about my loan payments. It frightens me in a way that I haven't felt since I was a child and went through a phase where I thought my parents would die every time they stepped out of the house. Someday I'll understand why I chose to get a Masters degree at one of the most expensive institutions in the country, but right now I'm just beating my head against the wall and cursing my idiotic decision making.
4. But the good news is I got my diploma in the mail and it's oh so lovely. It came in a beautiful purple box. And it made those seizures I've been having every time I think about loan payments dissolve completely. (Note sarcasm).
5. It was so nice to have my dad and brother stay with us. It made me feel like a real grown-up, putting them up for the night. Mom sent two tupperwares of cookies and several boxes of my things -- "now that you have a big apartment", she says, "you have to get all of your crap out of our house!" It wasn't a lot, just a few boxes of textbooks from college and some "memory items", one being a photo of me and my ex-boyfriend that happened to fall out onto the floor. Upon returning home from rehearsal, I found this picture face down on my desk. "What the hell?", I said to my brother. "Oh", he said, "that fell out when we were bringing things up the stairs. Oops." Awkward. I thought I threw all pictures away, but apparently not. It was quickly wadded and thrown in the garbage. There are some memories that don't need to go in the box.
6. It is Friday, but unfortunately I am not off the hook until late tonight, as I have rehearsal. The show opens in two weeks and people are starting to panic. I'm not one of them.
7. I started reading this book this week:
I will tell you how good it is: I was so involved with it this morning on the train, I forgot to transfer to the brown line and had to walk 6 extra blocks to work.
8. I am counting the days until this temp job is over (Aug 24). The boredom has become unbearable. That's the beauty of the temp jobs -- they end. City Staffing called yesterday about a possible new job that sounds ok. Considering the state of my finances, I will probably need to take it.
Well, I hope you got to the end of that without falling asleep. I nearly didn't. Monday--tales of our trip to the exurbs (Aurora) for a housewarming party. A real-life, "we own this house" housewarming party, not just an "I've got a great new apartment that I'm paying way too much money for but want an excuse to have people over and drink" type of housewarming. It's sure to make me feel inadequate, jealous, and the slew of other emotions I feel toward people who seemingly "have their shit together."
Someday...
1. I got confirmation on Wednesday about the gig I'd been holding out for. I am now on the roster for two concerts this season with Music of the Baroque! I'm doing Hadyn's The Seasons in September and St. Matthew Passion in Feburary/March. It's a chorus job, of course, but this company is phenomenal and it hasn't been unheard of for choristers to move into soloist positions with them. The pay is fantastic; the conductor, Jane Glover, is acclaimed world-wide; and I'm told that the musicianship and professionalism is phenomenal. Which is just what I need after my experience this summer. Also, it means that from January through April 2008, whatwith the Opera for the Young tour and this gig, I will probably be able to work ONLY as a singer for three or four months. Unheard of!
2. In case you were wondering, I didn't blog yesterday because I didn't come to work. It was glorious. After a scrumptious breakfast with my dad and brother at Ann Sather, I decided it was just too hot to go to work, so I called in. Obviously they did not care, since I mostly sit and read/write blogs all day. Was my afternoon of getting things done around the house, consolidating my loans, and napping worth the $50 or so I lost by not coming in? Yes, yes it was.
3. I'm not even going to talk about my loan payments. It frightens me in a way that I haven't felt since I was a child and went through a phase where I thought my parents would die every time they stepped out of the house. Someday I'll understand why I chose to get a Masters degree at one of the most expensive institutions in the country, but right now I'm just beating my head against the wall and cursing my idiotic decision making.
4. But the good news is I got my diploma in the mail and it's oh so lovely. It came in a beautiful purple box. And it made those seizures I've been having every time I think about loan payments dissolve completely. (Note sarcasm).
5. It was so nice to have my dad and brother stay with us. It made me feel like a real grown-up, putting them up for the night. Mom sent two tupperwares of cookies and several boxes of my things -- "now that you have a big apartment", she says, "you have to get all of your crap out of our house!" It wasn't a lot, just a few boxes of textbooks from college and some "memory items", one being a photo of me and my ex-boyfriend that happened to fall out onto the floor. Upon returning home from rehearsal, I found this picture face down on my desk. "What the hell?", I said to my brother. "Oh", he said, "that fell out when we were bringing things up the stairs. Oops." Awkward. I thought I threw all pictures away, but apparently not. It was quickly wadded and thrown in the garbage. There are some memories that don't need to go in the box.
6. It is Friday, but unfortunately I am not off the hook until late tonight, as I have rehearsal. The show opens in two weeks and people are starting to panic. I'm not one of them.
7. I started reading this book this week:
I will tell you how good it is: I was so involved with it this morning on the train, I forgot to transfer to the brown line and had to walk 6 extra blocks to work.
8. I am counting the days until this temp job is over (Aug 24). The boredom has become unbearable. That's the beauty of the temp jobs -- they end. City Staffing called yesterday about a possible new job that sounds ok. Considering the state of my finances, I will probably need to take it.
Well, I hope you got to the end of that without falling asleep. I nearly didn't. Monday--tales of our trip to the exurbs (Aurora) for a housewarming party. A real-life, "we own this house" housewarming party, not just an "I've got a great new apartment that I'm paying way too much money for but want an excuse to have people over and drink" type of housewarming. It's sure to make me feel inadequate, jealous, and the slew of other emotions I feel toward people who seemingly "have their shit together."
Someday...
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
hump day
I'm here in the office for a pointless four hours of blogging and blog-reading before I go up to Evanston to teach lessons for the afternoon and get a hair cut and brow wax at Art + Science = Hair. Yes, that's really the name. I totally cannot afford it right now, but if I have to spend another day with these bloody bangs in my face or look at my hideous eyebrows one more time, I'm going to explode. A good hair cut and brow wax is worth it's weight in gold (that makes no sense, but I'm tired today and thus the cliches), and I've been feeling like a troll lately, so it's going to do me a lot of good. I've learned the hard way that a haircut is not something you scrimp on. There's a reason that cranky Russian woman who can barely speak English is cutting hair at Hair Cuttery--she sucks at it. Then it's off to rehearsal tonight, which is becoming much more fun now that we are just running portions of the show as a whole -- moving onto the stage next week is going to be a different story. Four words: Seven. Hour. Re-spacing. Rehearsal. I can't get over just how MANY gigantic chorus numbers are in this show. Off the top of my head, atleast ten. Torturous as the rehearsal process has been, it is going to be a highly entertaining show. Great singing, (mediocre) dancing, beautiful costumes and sets, a duel, a dramatic death scene, flappers and soldiers and "ladies of the night" and big ball gowns. The script is absolutely absurd, but it's fun and it's entertainment. My mother is going to love it -- I think deep in her heart she always wished I had pursued a career on Broadway or something. She comes to my operas and concerts and is a great supporter of my career, of course, but whenever she sees a Broadway musical (which she LOVES), she says to me. "You could do that, Emily!" Thankfully, I did not pursue that career, as I'd be up shit creek even more than I am now. I recently read an article about the extinction of the Broadway soprano, whatwith all the pop musicals so popular in recent times. And it's true -- there's a very small number of women with legit soprano voices singing on Broadway right now. Thank goodness I stuck with opera.
And now I must do a shamelss plug for my little sister's blog, Blah Blah Blog. My sister was a journalism major and is a fantastic (published!) writer, so expect great things. No pressure or anything, Elaine. :) And to end this post, I will continue the "image profile" she included on her post today.
Place You Grew Up:
Place You Live Now:
Your Name:
Your Grandmother's Name:
Favorite Food:
Favorite Drink:
Favorite Song:
Favorite Smell:
Pics of my hair cut tomorrow. Happy Hump Day!
And now I must do a shamelss plug for my little sister's blog, Blah Blah Blog. My sister was a journalism major and is a fantastic (published!) writer, so expect great things. No pressure or anything, Elaine. :) And to end this post, I will continue the "image profile" she included on her post today.
Place You Grew Up:
Place You Live Now:
Your Name:
Your Grandmother's Name:
Favorite Food:
Favorite Drink:
Favorite Song:
Favorite Smell:
Pics of my hair cut tomorrow. Happy Hump Day!
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