I love you, Margaret.

Remember when I moved in December, and I was so fed up with my accumulations that I vowed never to buy anything again?

Well, as much as I loved the idea of rejecting frivolous bourgeois American consumerism (die, Brookstone!), I haven't done a very good job. Currently I'm in the middle of a buying spree... though I've managed to convince myself that my new items will in some way benefit myself and the universe...

My freshly acquired items this year:

-Skiing clothes: jacket, pants, thermal underwear, gloves.
-Skiing gear: goggles, boots.
-Little Tykes crocodile piano (didn't want to buy a new keyboard for Hawaii, so there ya go).
-CDs: KT Tunstall, Andrew Bird, Brahms: Complete Concertos.
-Books: The Mausoleum of Henry and Arabella Huntington.
-Biking gear: helmet, lock, and of course, a bicycle.
-Music gear: A mixer! For recording audition pieces and performances.

I guess all these items fall into the "personally enriching" category, as they are used for music and sporting about. Sigh! So... who's gonna help me move all this new stuff next time? :)

I skied the half-pipe!

And ate it!

***

Yep, that's right. I just got back from another great ski trip in Utah. This time, we were able to explore a lot more of the park (because I'm a better skier now :P). It was really tiring and really fun. It snowed A LOT! Now I know the joy of skiing over fresh powder -- you really feel like you're gliding on air! The half-pipe was a real thrill too... even though I fell. :P

After a full day of skiing, we lounged in the outdoor hot tub, and our hair froze. :)

Thanks again to Jeremy for letting us stay at his place. You've got a great house! Our room at the lodge, although conveniently located, was about 70 sq.ft. (not exaggerating...) and we crammed four people in there. Fun!

***

I'm currently listening to The Essential Neil Diamond. I love you Neil!

Travel Update:

This is gonna be fun.

March 10-14: Utah!

March 25-April 6: Hawaii, working days.
April 7-10: Hawaii, working nights.
April 11-20: Hawaii, resting/working days/Merrie Monarch Festival!

May 24-29: SPIE conference, Orlando!
May 30-June 1: Georgia!

June 5-June 10: Hawaii, working days.
June 11-June 14: Hawaii working nights.

Upcoming shows: The Black Rider, Arroyo Singers Broadway Concert (I'll be in that one!)
Oh, and I got asked to front an acoustic rock/folk cover band. Sweeeeet!

P.S.--Arrrrrrr! This is what happens when pirates learn to sing, dance, and do gymnastics. :)

Woooooo! Woooo! Wooooooooo! Woooooooo!

That is the noise I've been making for the last hour. Van Morrison, you still rock man.

Seriously. His voice has so much soul, I don't even mind that his diction makes him sound like he suffers from a permanent case of swollen-tongue.

Woooooo!

One of the interesting features of the Long Distance Relationship is its apparent bi-modality. When your honey is nearby, you have periods of extreme activity (like attending three concerts and going on a ski trip to Utah in the course of one week! Oh, by the way, we're going BACK to Utah on the 10th. That's how much fun we had!) The rest of the time, you enjoy some of the perks of singlehood (i.e. sitting around at home trying to figure out what to do. :P) So, since I haven't had any musical projects in the last few months, I've decided to get up off my couch and see what's out there!

Last night I attended a rehearsal with Arroyo Singers, a Pasadena-based women's choir who are gearing up for a performance of Broadway tunes this June. Despite the fact that the choir consists of OLD LADIES, I think I might give them a try and at least get some choral experience in. Besides, they charmed me with a grandmother's ultimate weapon: a homemade chocolate chip cookie!

Today, I'll be attending a Catholic mass for Ash Wednesday and seeing if I'd like to join the church choir. This is a group of trained singers who do sacred classics (and I lurrrrrve sacred classics) in addition to some more modern repertoire. Maybe it's finally time for me to get funky with Jesus!

Other stuff I should do: take a Yoga class, listen to one hour of good new music every day (thanks, Nic Harcourt!), and finish The Prisoner (only 7 more episodes to go!) :D

***

P.S. -- Happy birthday, Chopin!