| One more thing... |
[Jan. 16th, 2010|10:00 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  awake | ] |
One more thing that's been keeping me busy - playing in the pit orchestra for a semi-local synagogue's winter fundraiser show, Oliver. It's been fun rehearsing, it's a short run, and I'm learning all sorts of neat things about the Jewish faith. If any of you in the nearby area are interested, tickets are available here. |
|
|
| What I've been up to |
[Jan. 16th, 2010|09:43 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | shocked | ] |
OK, so it's been a little stressful - at least on my personal scale - since the holidays. Survived Christmas at Mom's, which is no small feat. At least twice on christmas eve and two or three times on christmas day I of course could not do anything right, including being accused of smacking her bratty dog when the dog in question had knocked me off balance, and in trying not to fall over I flailed and tapped her with the leash I was holding. Peeling potatoes wasn't going nearly fast enough since I don't do a whole lot of that, so she had to reach in and do some of it for me. This is life with my mother, and she doesn't understand why I never want to come over just to visit.
New year's eve I chickened out, worried about more stupid drivers on ice than normal, so we stayed home.
Meanwhile one of the bands I play in was gearing up for beginning of rehearsals on Jan. 8. Our director of 8 years has moved out of the area, so a new director was needed. When no-one stepped up, I said I could give it a try if no-one else came forward. A couple others did, so "auditions" were held at the first two practices, with each of us leading the band for an hour or so, then elections last night.
Yeah, it went that way. So now I have to learn how to lead a bunch of adult-sized kids, and attempt to instill a bit of discipline without being a right b!tch about it. This will be interesting - in the manner of that delightful Chinese curse. On the other hand, if I survive this, I'll have one shoulder bulked up by the end of the summer.
I also have finally gotten my student loan paid off. Interesting how on their graduated repayment plan it should have been paid off in may of 2008. When I was gainfully employed, I would make double payments when I could, and suddenly the monthly due dropped. After I was only semi-employed, I still made extra payments whenever I could. Ironically, in this month they decided to increase the monthly payment to almost 150% of the old payment, which was MORE THAN WAS STILL OUTSTANDING. When the final payment went through, not a peep, no notification that it was done, just the note about the amount increasing. I love beaurocracy.
And of course now that I have car payments do deal with, the number of my private music students is dropping. Some of it is the after-holiday chaos, some of it is the economy, some of it is kids with no time because of sports and other activities. Le sigh. Tossing around some other ideas to make a few bucks on the side, still tuning the occasional piano.
Still want to move as soon as I can get this house de-cluttered and ready to put on the market. May need to borrow the former boss' Bobcat and let Cam clear things out that way. Amazing how mush STUFF accumulates over the... 6? 7? years we've been in this house.
So yeah, that's been me for the past few weeks. I know, I know, more frequent posts would keep this from being so long-winded. |
|
|
| Aaaaah! |
[Dec. 5th, 2009|10:03 am] |
Teh frozen skywaters! Oh noes!
At least I don't have to drive far in it, with idiots on the road and a new car. |
|
|
| Official |
[Dec. 2nd, 2009|01:49 pm] |
|
Got the permanent tags for the car, so I guess it's really official now. |
|
|
| One down |
[Nov. 16th, 2009|11:23 am] |
|
Bank has deducted the first car payment right on schedule. Only 59 more to go. Hopefully my permanent plates will be in soon... |
|
|
| Oops |
[Nov. 9th, 2009|01:49 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  disappointed | ] |
So I had this brilliant idea of taking some stickers intended for a car and mounting them on sheet magnets, so I could take them off for cleaning or when they wear out. Got the magnet sheets. Carefully mounted and cut out. And... there's not enough metal in the back hatch of the car for the magnet to stick.
Rassafrack. |
|
|
| I'm a big loser! |
[Nov. 5th, 2009|02:44 pm] |
|
Somehow managed to top the list of Biggest Losers at Curves in october. Only gained back a whole pound since then. I blame the halloween candy and my lack of self-control. |
|
|
| Uh, who? |
[Nov. 3rd, 2009|12:47 pm] |
After a rather long time off, I've decided to give this thing one more try before I just delete the account altogether. I'm going to attempt to keep the whining and complaining out. I don't wanna hear it from other people, so why should anyone wanna hear it from me? So, general observations, news, who knows. Perhaps the occasional bit of bad fiction.
News.
Well, I bought a car a week and a half ago. Finally got the Prius I'd been after for, oh, a year. Probably could have held out a bit longer, but every time I got one thing fixed on the old car something more expensive broke. It's taking getting used to, I'm not too comfortable with the console layout yet, and pushing a button to go into park instead of moving the shift lever up is odd. But neat. And not having to buy gas every week is a big plus.
Bird news: Migrants have started to arrive, both white-throated sparrows and juncos. Still have a stubborn pair of robins.
Latest obsessions:
king.com games. Free if you want, or optional paid membership. Went for the paid membership, not sure if that was a wise move. Just one more game...
Dungeons & Dragons Online Eberron.
Yep, I finally gave up and tried an MMORPG, something I didn't think I would ever do. It's free, that helps. It's an Eberron setting, which helps immensely. My serial ranger is back in yet another incarnation. The pluses: It's free. It's a neat world. You don't have to interact with other people if you don't want to. Quests can be selected at different levels for more or less challenge.
The minuses: Doesn't follow any set of D&D rules I'm familiar with, all the way. Some things are definitely from 3.5, others definitely from 4. Others... *shrug* something else for the online version? Perhaps. |
|
|
| Driving Test |
[Jan. 7th, 2009|01:36 pm] |
Two non-commercial vehicles traveling opposite directions approach a traffic light. One intends to turn right, the other to turn left, which puts them going the same direction on the new road. Both have a regular green light, not an arrow. There is no non-turning traffic in the way. Which has the right of way?
A. The one turning left
B. The one turning right
C. Whichever is larger and therefore more important
And for the bonus point - see if you can figure out why this is being asked! |
|
|
| Road Rage |
[Jan. 5th, 2009|12:08 pm] |
Dear Driver:
In the great state of Maryland (if You can dream it, We can tax it), right turns on red are legal unless posted otherwise. However, nowhere in this state, and I believe in any state, is U-turn on red legal, no matter your age bracket nor ethnic identity.
Love and Kisses,
Me |
|
|
| Mars Rovers celebrate 5 years |
[Jan. 3rd, 2009|08:55 am] |
This month marks the 5th anniversary of the MER, Mars Rover mission landings. Spirit and Opportunity, expected to work for 90 days, continue to send back data today. Found a delightful article written by an MER fan in the UK here. |
|
|
| (no subject) |
[Dec. 24th, 2008|11:16 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  stressed | ] |
Cam's already said it, but hey. Working on laundry, have a couple of students to teach, then pack up the hubby and the dog and too many presents into the car to head for Mom's.
Stress Level: High
So, for what it's worth, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Yule, and Happy Non-Secular Day Off. |
|
|
| Canine Philosophy |
[Nov. 5th, 2008|09:19 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | dogs | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | depressed | ] |
Down in the dumps today. Trying to buck it up so I don't take it out on the students later. I need to convince myself to think more like the dog.
Her concerns? Does she have a home and family? Yep. Comfy place to sleep? Several. Regular good meals? Yep. Treats? Probably more than she ought to. Her biggest problem at the moment? It's the third straight day of overcast, so she hasn't had any sunbeams to lay in.
Need to be like the doggie. |
|
|
| Weekend ramblings |
[Oct. 25th, 2008|08:29 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  grumpy | ] |
Not enough coffee in the world. At least not in my house. Agreed to do early lessons this morning because I was planning on going to mom's house. After this was agreed, mom changed her mind. Again. Yes, I'm grouchy.
Feeling downright nauseous about the upcoming election. Both of the main-party candidates disgust me, and the third-party folks aren't doing much better in my eyes. I fantasize about the day when there might actually be an honest, competent, SANE candidate out there somewhere. Oh yes, I will vote. Still doing research, attempting to sift through the heavy biases in the various media. Will need to follow links provided by Slothman when I'm less grumpy.
Tempted to do a long rambling post about the things I believe and how they apply to this country, but I'm afraid I'd have to lock it to all comments. Not in any way shape or form in the mood to listen to "I disagree so I'm right and you're wrong and how can you think that way?!!1!!" from anyone.
Maybe I should take a nap after my lessons.
Lots of laundry to do. Should continue working on figuring out how to play the flute. Yeah, I got a flute a while back. Figured since I play most of the other woodwinds, I may as well add that, and there are times when it could be helpful to one of the bands I play with. It's taking some getting used to. Probably ought to spend some quality time with the keyboard too, I've been slacking off on the practicing there.
Concert sunday. Need to figure out what kind of costume to wear. Grumpy enough that I wish I could get out of it. |
|
|
| Friday Randomness |
[Oct. 17th, 2008|09:21 am] |
Seen on a t-shirt in a catalog that I order music teaching supplies from:
"Consort not with a female musician, lest thou be taken in by her snares" - Ben Sira, c. 190 B.C.
Want! |
|
|
| Needlework supplies |
[Oct. 2nd, 2008|11:16 am] |
Since Mom's store closed a while ago, she and I have a LOT of leftover supplies. Prominent are:
Knitting needles - straight, mostly 10-inch length, bamboo or polymer, assorted sizes
Cross-stitch/needlework fibers: DMC, Anchor, and probably some overdyed somewhere. Standard skeins and super-size cones.
Fancy yarn - intended for scarves, but could be used for highlights as well.
Perle Cotton - size 8 and 12 on balls
Cross-stitch/needlework patterns and kits - I have 4 big shopping bags full
Paternyan tapestry wool
Aida, linen, and related fabrics (cross-stitch/needlework)
There is probably more too. If anyone is interested contact me, most of you have my email address or at least Cameron's. I will ask a small price, but mostly they just need to GO AWAY. |
|
|
| Eins, Zwei, g'suffa! |
[Oct. 1st, 2008|11:30 am] |
Despite its name, Oktoberfest actually starts in September in Munich, so this is probably a little late. Ah well. I've already played one Oktoberfest concert this season, and hopefully I'll see one or two more.
Genieße das Leben ständig!
Du bist länger tot als lebendig!
Constantly enjoy life!
You're longer dead than alive! |
|
|
| Go Go Red Robots! |
[Sep. 25th, 2008|07:50 am] |
OK, I remember enough geo-geekery that I've become fascinated with the Mars exploration robots and satellites. I think it's so cool that the rovers on Mars now (Spirit and Opportunity) have survived two years when they were expected to last 90 days. Especially after the failed missions several years ago. I love seeing what the scientists here are thinking up to explore next, while the little guys are still functional.
OK, I saw a life-size model of one in a museum, they're not that little, but still.
The latest with Opportunity - a 7-km drive to a much larger crater than the one it's been exploring for the past 2 years.
No, I don't understand the science of the robotics. I leave that to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) telerib and the other "real" scientists out there. |
|
|
| Go Green With Grammar! |
[Sep. 20th, 2008|11:15 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  silly | ] |
So every once in a while I have ideas for alternative fuels. Way out there. Some I don't dare post here, cause I'd get thrown off lj so fast I'd bounce. But this one...
Elissa, make sure you don't have anything in your mouth.
Fuel cars with extraneous apostrophes! |
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| [ |
go |
| |
earlier |
] |
| |
|
|
sick
geeky