Busy busy

Obviously it has been awhile since I've written. Not that nothing has happened, actually, pretty much everything has happened. I've basically been working on Marine band music since I last wrote. Most of December was pretty much uneventful, except for the fact that my husband was extremely sick for most of the month. That was a big distraction from practicing, having to take care of him. I did get in to see Mr. Grant and have him listen to my excerpts, but I still felt like I had a mountain to climb before I was ready for the audition.

Christmas time was a little crazy. We went home to Colorado for the first time since we moved out here. It was nice to see everyone, but a little stressful mostly because EVERYONE wanted to see us (on his and my side of the family) so we were constantly pulled in several directions. I can't complain though, it was a lot of fun, and it reminded me of how much I miss Colorado. I wish we could move back, but it is not looking good for that right now or in the future. Looks like we could end up down south next year, either in Mississippi or in North Carolina...or in DC...lol! (DC...yeah right). I brought my clarinet to Colorado with me, but I ended up not practicing AT ALL!!! Which kind of sucks, because I was hoping to get some time in. But its ok, we were on vacation, right?

Unfortunately, my reed tools did not make the trip back. Somehow TSA or United took them out of my bag, and they never made it back in. (I know this because I got the piece of paper that said my bag was chosen to be searched). I am still very upset about this, especially because there is nothing about them that would pose a threat to security. In fact, that is why they were in my checked baggage, because they are metal and pointy objects that could definitley be used as a weapon, but certainly not a bomb. I've been trying to get in touch with TSA, but nobody is returning my emails/phone calls. Very frustrating! I had some expensive tools in there....reed knife, reed clipper, my glass plate...grrrrrr.

Anyways, since I've been back from vacation I've been super busy. Between my full time job at the hospital, teaching, and my new job at H&R Block (which has been a ball of stress, let me tell you), I've hardly had time to practice. I'm trying the best I can, though. This week is my last week before the Marine band audition, so I'm going to have to push through. This also happens to be my busiest week since I graduated from Eastman. Here is the schedule:

Monday (today): I work 8-4:30, then go to HR Block and work 6-9. My plan tonight is to work on reeds/practice for an hour before I go to bed...hopefully that will actually happen. Tuesday: work 8:30-5, then race to Penfield to teach 5:30-6:30, then race to Fairport for a rehearsal 7-9. Then another reed working/practice session before I go to bed (hopefully). Wednesday: work 8-4:30, teach 6-7 at my house (yes!), then lesson with Ken Grant at 7:30 which will go to who knows when. Thursday: work 8:30-5, HR Block 6-9...reed working/practice session before bed. Friday: work 8:30-5....probably will have to stay a little late though, we're moving offices on monday and need to make sure all of my stuff is packed up and ready to go, since I will be gone on Monday, then a dress rehearsal/concert in Fairport. Of couse I'll probably try to stick in a reed working/practice session before I go to bed. Saturday: work HR Block 9-3, then come home and put in one last practice session, and then RELAX. Sunday: leave for DC!

Holy shitballs - I didn't realize I was that busy until I wrote it all out!!! I hope I have time to breath/sleep/eat! The bright side is that all this stuff will help take my mind off the fact that I have an audition on Monday!

I'm not leaving DC until late Tuesday night (the audition is supposed to be both days), so I'm hoping to get some sightseeing in on Tuesday afternoon if I can.

Here's to the start of a crazy week, I hope I end up on the other side unscathed. Ready, set, GO!