All posts by hannahviolin

I am a violinist. I also enjoy running, working out, reading, and hanging with my friends and cat.

Feeling like Cinderella

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Last night I went to the Veiled Prophet Ball with my friend April. Her boyfriend Joe had to work at the ball and she had an extra ticket for a guest (not for dinner after, but just for the ball and festivities until dinner.)

I knew a few things going into the ball: I needed to wear a long gown, and I needed to wear long white gloves. And that there would be rich people doing those weird crazy things rich people do, like having balls at all, presenting their daughters into society in that weird debutante way (and of course, the organization has a history of racism and obviously classism, and sexism…), but that it would be a fun night with my friend April.

Posing in front of the ironing board is always a good place!

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No, the axe didn’t belong to Gimli. But it might have.

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My friend Sarah did my hair. Before and after—it held up pretty well!

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The lighting was terrible in this location.IMG_8652

It is always important to wear white gloves when yielding an axe. Easier to wash the blood stains out after the carnage, am I right?

What did we do other than take pictures? Well, we sat and watched the grand spectacle of the ball. The girls were paraded out accompanied by live music (I recognized several friends in the orchestra though didn’t get a chance to say hell0…maybe another year I’ll be asked to play!) and the members of the secret society did all kinds of weird things, dressed in costumes, covered by veils, and all that good stuff that accompanies being a member of a secret society. I didn’t even know what was going on most of the time, and just enjoyed the show as a fashion show—so many gorgeous dresses, hair, and jewelry! The lights were terrible for taking pictures from my seat so I didn’t get any good ones.

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After the ball there was champagne and a receiving line for the girls (women?) who were presented. There was a dinner later, but I didn’t want to buy a ticket for it (hundreds of dollars—I think it was a little out of my budget, ha!) so I left…exhausted, hungry, and covered in eyeliner! It was a fun night.

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I am probably lame but I don’t care

Some people blog to hold themselves accountable. I blog for the sheer embarrassment of it and to have a place to put all my thoughts and words down for eternity. IMG_8545

I was excited about the Hot Chocolate Race, and even when I got the first “extreme temperature advisory” email I wasn’t going to let it phase me. But then on Saturday I did some walking around outside in the cold, and then Saturday evening I was outside in cold temperatures that weren’t even as cold as they would supposedly be Sunday morning, and I just started freaking out. I remember running a few times in extreme (well, extreme to me, it’s all relative, I imagine) cold and one time in particular that I ran a 5k and honestly, the entire time it just really sucked. My legs were frozen, my feet were basically numb. And that was old Hannah. I used to be way more hard core.

So much to the disappointment of many people, and with the full support of others, I decided NOT to run the race this morning. It isn’t, as other races have been, because I didn’t want to run, because in fact, now that it has been light for many hours and the temperature is back up to a normal winter temperature, I will be running…but because the idea of getting up and being cold and running (at my current slow pace) for a long time…I just wanted to tear out my hair and cry. Plus the idea of dealing with the ice and snow getting to my car and the race…just everything about it made me say…not today.

If that makes me lame, I’m fine with it. At least fairly fine. You can totally call me lame in the comments.

I hope the race went well for those that ran, and I definitely applaud those of you who were far more hearty and determined than I am! I think for me, I’m just going to focus on my next plan, which is…the Go Half Marathon in April. I spectacularly failed last year at training for it, and this year is going to be very different. And I know it won’t be cold—it’ll probably be unbearably hot, but at least that doesn’t make me cry. (Okay, it might make me cry, but that’s just me.) I want to do the half again to give myself a new goal and a focus. I’ve been floundering for awhile, and it’s been a very tough year (for reasons I haven’t outright said on the blog especially, and I’m sorry for not being more open), but I know that I need to pull myself back together, and a spring half marathon will help. Blah blah blah. Really, I just want to dream of the days where I come here and complain how HOT it is outside and how awful that is. I should bookmark this blog post to read then that happens 😉

So that’s it. Me rationalizing my lame behavior. Eh. *shrugs*. It’s just a race. I did pick up my hoodie and travel mug, so I did get something for my entry fee at least!

How was your weekend? What did you plan to do and then bail on? Or even more impressive (perhaps)…what did you achieve?

I figured I ought to do a gift guide too

It seems like many bloggers do gift guides, telling us what to get people we (evidently) don’t know at all. I wasn’t going to do one, but today I saw that “The Onion” had so I really didn’t want to feel left out. (Also, I would like the crate of otters, just FYI.)

Okay: obviously this is just all stuff I want, as all gift guides are, right? But let’s pretend I’m giving you ideas for people you know. Or at least, if that person you know is very much like me.

Here are my top Gift ideas for Christmas 2013.

1. Kittens! Who wouldn’t love a bunch of kittens?

2. Money. That way your recipient can buy something they really need, rather than having to return your gift first.

3. Amazon gift cards. I know this sounds a lot like money, except that you use it to buy goods or services rather than just risk losing it when your wallet gets stolen.

4. A new car. I feel like all the people in the TV commercials…for cars…get brand new cars for Christmas. Don’t you want your loved ones to feel as special?

Plus you always need a giant bow for it.

5. Cow Figurines. One can never have too many.

7. A brand new TV. In fact, that’s what I recently got myself, thanks to a nice Cyber Monday sale, or some catchy day of that week. I guess everybody goes back to work after Thanksgiving and spends all their time shopping? (I get confused as to what it is people actually do at work, as I either pay violin or teach children, and both are very active things to do while working…)

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32 inches of fun.

Anyway, those are my gift ideas for you to get your loved ones. I’m sure this list will be a great help!

P.S. Read this: 33 of the greatest things that happened on Tumblr in 2013

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

 

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I had my annual Cookie Swap Party over the weekend. There were only 7 people there but it was great fun and we still ended up with plenty of cookies!

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Please ignore the dirty plate. I don’t know what is wrong with me. That did contain spinach artichoke dip though, so it was a winner.

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I made Cranberry Orange Poppyseed Shortbread cookies. They were delicious, albeit a bit smaller than I think I would have liked.

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I also made this pomegranate jeweled white cheddar, toasted almond and crispy sage cheeseball. It was delicious!

Other menu items: Apple cider in the crockpot (take apple cider, add some cinnamon sticks and a clove studded orange, simmer for 4 hours) and Sweet and Salty Pecans.

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No tree this year but a lovely garland on the built in bookshelf.

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After I cleaned off the table for the party the cat wasn’t sure what to do with herself.

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I don’t like taking selfies from so far above but it was the only way I could fit all the words in. And my face, which is important so you can see where my zits are. I bought this sweater at Old Navy during a pre-Thanksgiving sale for ridiculously cheap. I can’t decide if it’s ironic when I wear it or not. Then again, I get paid to teach and play the violin, and make a few measly $$ shilling Tide Pods and Wendy’s Sandwiches and Yogurt…so maybe I am following my heart.

PS This weekend I am running the Hot Chocolate 5k here in St Louis. Any readers doing it too? I’m hoping it isn’t too too too cold, and I’m just not even checking the forecast beforehand.

Still tired from running

Running is hard, you know? But when it’s over 60 degrees in December you have to go outside. Today I did intervals of run 3 minutes/walk 1 minute, and I am beat. I feel very accomplished and whatnot though.

This week is flying by. It’s that whole: hey, I’m just back from vacation AND it’s almost vacation again, that the whole “work” thing just seems really easy. I suppose January and February will be long…one day at a time though!

Since I got back I’ve played a few weddings. And yes, people get married in November too. Not everybody has to get married in April or October!

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This was at Westwood Country Club. My car never feels quite fancy enough to be at a country club.

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This was a tent set up on a private residence. I loved the plastic chairs and the flowers.

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And then I had a rehearsal in the Cathedral Basilica for this weekend’s concert. I find the history of the Basilica fascinating. For instance, they started the mosaics in 1912 and finished in 1988, and the mosaics cover 83,000 feet and contain 41.5 million pieces of glass. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

I’m also prepping for this year’s cookie exchange party. I’m doing it on a smaller scale than in the past, but I’m really looking forward to it. I think I’ve figured out what I’m making for it! I’ll tell you after the fact so as to allow for mistakes/mind changing (who, me?) AND as to not give anything away to any guests who might be reading. Suffice it to say the cookies will contain BUTTER.

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Vacation Recap

Oh hey there.

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So, I’m back to work and all, after being gone for a lovely part of a week in Phoenix visiting my sister Leslie and her husband Peter.

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If there’s a suitcase, it must be filled with cats.

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They live next door to this big pile of dirt.IMG_8366

I went for a run and took a picture. I look like a sparkly vampire, don’t I. Note the palm tree in the background. I couldn’t find the beach though.

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The first morning I woke up and this stuffed monkey was outside my door. I’m not sure whether it was a gift or a threat.

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I need this print for my house too.

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Peter and the cats hanging on the couch.IMG_8339

Albergo and Catalunya like to help each other clean and groom. It’s adorable.IMG_8402

Leslie made the crusts. I think she was possessed.

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We did some serious baking. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie.

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Dutch Apple Pie and Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake.IMG_8455

Martha Stewart’s Mac and Cheese. I stirred the bechamel sauce for over 20 minutes waiting for it to thicken. Tears were welling in my eyes, but it did finally thicken and tasted AMAZING.IMG_8448

We did some serious wine drinking. That giant bottle was a housewarming gift that they saved to serve at Thanksgiving. I can’t tell if the picture is blurry or if the effects of the wine have yet to wear off.

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Lots of food was made, brought, and eaten. It was a wonderful day.

A few days before Thanksgiving we had lunch with the Boring Runner. It was delightful, and I’m glad I finally got to meet him after reading his blog for years.

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Naturally we had to take photos. We all wore blue so we’d look good in the photos.

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Why yes, my head IS bigger than everybody elses. And I was looking at a different camera, apparently.IMG_8377

This is my laugh or my “I’m poopin” face.

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After our blogger lunch Leslie and I decided we had to get fro yo to really feel like bloggers. Then again she’s absolutely NOT a blogger, but I like to pretend I am. It’s weird that we sat outside to eat eggnog fro-yo in November, but that’s Phoenix for ya.

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I don’t think I got enough toppings to count as a real blogger.

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Did you know Trader Joe’s sells cats?

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