Sunday

Violets, Feb 12/L Herlevi 2015

I found myself a little nervous before rehearsal today, even though it wasn't in front of anyone else, and it was my own material.  Oh, well.  Forgot to bring my script, too.  Ended up improvising, which was better in the long run, I think I know what it's about now.  That space was fabulous.  I think I might sing for part of the piece, and the acoustics in there were fantastic: I liked the sound of my own voice, singing.  I can't always hear it well, and I could there.  (We also had breath and voice work in the other singing rehearsal this afternoon, which helped.  It's exhausting, but I always feel I sing better after.  We have one tomorrow as well.)  I want to find excuses to rent it more often, which means I need to write more, and not eat out so much so that I can afford it.

I need to rewrite this tonight.  I think I'll show up at the other space tomorrow and see if the confirmation I got was a mistake (wrong date.)  I want to work it again with the rewrite before turning in the draft.

I stopped by grocery store on the way home and was excited to see they had a seed display up.  A man walked over and we talked about what to grow.  Bought peas and arugula.  I can't plant yet because my garden is being rebuilt (it's needed that for years, and we just got a grant for maintenance.)  Found this chocolate chai tea as well.  I figure as long as there's no sweetener it should be okay.  I'm only giving up: wheat, soy, sugar, coffee, dairy, alcohol, and solanaceaes.  Been feeling physically like crap (my body hurts) for the past few days, so not so hard to give those up.  The worst it's been in eight years.  Not sure if it's a lingering result of the virus from last week, the stress, or food.  It's scaring me enough to take better care of myself.

It was sunny and warm earlier.  Now it's still clear and the stars are out.  The earth seems to be rushing into spring.  Here are pictures of some flowers (and one decided to put itself at the top of the post.  My internet connection is spotty, so I'll leave it there.)

Tree in Bloom, Feb 14/L Herlevi 2015

Quince, Feb 14/L Herlevi 2015

Happy Weekend

I feel odd.

Here's a picture for the day, magnolias in the Quad, my cherry tree pictures weren't as good, too far away.

Magnolia tree/L. Herlevi 2013

Also, a song. In honor of Billy Bragg playing the Neptune later this week. It's not really a video, mostly just a picture of one of the Oasis guys. But I like this version of the song, the hollowness of the room.  Accident Waiting to Happen. It reminds me of driving across the Franklin Mountains between El Paso and Las Cruces with my aunt and uncle a long time ago. They had found an old Billy Bragg tape somewhere and we played it in the car, because it reminded them of when my sister had visited them in England in the early 90's. I haven't heard his music lately, I used to listen to him a lot in the late 80's and early 90's. I listened to Workers Playtime alot, it had all the "love" songs on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCCnNqyrgmI

Gonna go see if I need a benedryl.

Trying to purge stuff. Got rid of a box, then took two large bags of clothing to a Goodwill drop-off. Walked 40 blocks home. The sun was warm, the air slightly cool, smelling clean of balsa and rockrose. I love late afternoon when the sun begins to slant toward the horizon. My favorite time of day.

Presidents' Day

I think there are plum trees, and hellebores and crocuses blooming now.  Got most of the homework done, but not the essay or the room descriptions, nor did I practice balancing outside. I'll post a picture of the chicken I was pet-sitting shortly, and the cat.

Managed to sing out of my belly last night.  It was nice having the accompanist (?), I have a lot to think about.  I need to find a copy of the script/score/libretto.  I don't want to watch someone else's version, so I don't want to rent the movie. Although, I did watch part of the song on youtube, but it was totally out of context.  I need to see what the location was script wise. I was just trying to find a motivation for the character based on the words, but of course, this is an acting class, so context matters.  Only 3 weeks left.  I really should have chosen a song in a higher octave, I can sing this, and I find the character interesting, and I was trying to give my throat a break, but in the end, I am a soprano, and this song could be an alto.  (I don't know how to love him-Jesus Christ Superstar.) It's also pretty old.  In the future, I think I'd like to try doing Defying Gravity  from Wicked.  Only three weeks left for both classes (I think.) Sigh. What will I do with my free weekends?

Incidentally, I don't know how the crow (Spot) knew I was home today. Sat outside cawing.  Eventually, it jumped onto the eave and looked at me through the window. I fed it some leftovers, it invited friends and suddenly I had a yard full of crows.  (And a cleaner fridge....need to put out the garbage and get to choir rehearsal now.)