Ink is black, the page is white...

441. These numbers mean nothing to most, to me, they have been the bane of my existence for the past 6 plus weeks. The numbers stand for the theory review class I am taking to advance my degree and go to 541, the music analysis seminar, I will take in fall. Music theory is not my strong suit, but I like it. I hadn't taken a class in it since 1994, and have used very little in my "music career," so it is understandable why I might be a bit deficient in it. Well, a month ago our professor for the class had to take an emergency leave and the class has not met in 5 weeks. I have been meeting with my tutor to keep it fresh in my mind, but without any assignments I am not on top of the game. This morning me and my fantastic tutor went over the piece we are studying today, the Waldstein by Beethoven. Of course it is not a typical piece and there are all these chords I recognize after they are pointed out to me, but when I look at them they are just a bunch of notes that are not a I, IV or V chord. Neapolitan chords!? Why do you forsake me?

Hot Child in the City

Yoga. I am into it, but not just any kind of yoga. Bikram. Here is the deal-yoga in 90 degree heat. I am simplifying of course, lets just say it is awesome in a kombucha tea kind of way.
My husband who isn't so down with exercise seems to like it. The room smells like katmandu-no not Bob Seeger or Cat Stevens. Not even the city in Nepal. I mean it smells like a cat-man and doo doo. Namaste.

Freebird

When I was a teenager I lived in the front bedroom at my mom's house. It was big and outside of it was a tree which was nice because it kept my room shady. However, there were birds in the tree. So what right? Ah, they chirped all night long---they were some kind of "night" bird. I told my mother and grandmother about it. I think my grandmother believed me, but as my mom and I have talked about it in the past she did not. She probably thought I was high, which I might have been but it had nothing to do with the birds. Anywho, I moved out of the house and my grandmother moved into my room. Those birds sang for her for four years. After she had passed away my mother eventually made it her extra room. She stays up late so sometimes she would stay in there....Guess what!? I was not making it up. She had the tree taken out. Why this story? Well, 2 days ago I was getting ready for bed around 11:30pm and I heard birds chirping. To make sure I wasn't having some kind of flashback I asked B and he confirmed that yes, I did hear birds.
Last night they were at it again. WTF?

You've got to let love rule!

2009 is the year of tough love and the ox.
With the economy sucking a dirty hole, military conflicts, social unrest abroad, the environment gasping for air, it is only natural to be sitting at the meal table with a bowl of uncertainty, a rock and roll side dish, a suicide note as a napkin and utensils made of hope. People it sucks out there, but I am forever an optimist. Sure this year is going to be tough, but since I love I can put the two words together and make it work. Yeah, I am going to be 39 and I have no (real) job to speak of--I live in a small (and moldy) apartment, I am up to my eyeballs in debt and as broke as I was when I was 23. Cool. But I have the best husband in the universe whom I love so much I feel like vomiting sometimes. Also, great friends who never cease to amaze me with their awesomeness, some cool family members and crazy/fun/gifted band members who I think are great. So if you are feeling down, stressed or on the verge give it your best shot to think of something positive in your life.
It may not be a "happy" new year, but it can be an "all right" new year.
Tough love 2009, deal with it.

A place where nobody dared to go...

I haven't been to a midnight movie in a long time---long time. Xanadu is not your typical movie, but gosh darn it, it is a good one. This winter break so far as been a good as well. Been to SF to see good friends, hung out with family, recorded some music, played a party and relaxed with the husbando. I have a few weeks left and now I have to get back into the swing and finish some work I have pending. Get back to work Watson!

I'm only happy when it rains...

School is out and I have a month before classes start back up.
I have loads of things I could be doing---baking interfaith cookies, sewing my friends birthday present that is now 3 weeks late, looking up sources for my annotated bibliography, or cleaning the bathroom.
I am going to lay on the couch and do nothing for now.

G-L-O-R-I-A..Gloria..G-L-O-R-I-A

I am finishing my final paper for a class today. I have been working on it for a week and I am in the home stretch. My window faces a backyard where there is a wedding reception going on right now. The live band that is playing is very good, but I like to write in silence. Kind of difficult when the harmonica player's microphone is so loud. If they play "House of the Rising Sun" I might have to punch someone in the throat.