I was looking at my phone and I realized I hadn’t uploaded all of my LOTR pics…I had actually meant to bring my actual camera, in fact, I even put new batteries in it!  Then I left it on my desk next to the box of batteries.  Smart.  (Should have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, I suppose.)

You can read my earlier post here where I talk about going to see Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring with live music performed by the SLSO.  Obviously I attend a lot of SLSO concerts (and you should too!  they are fun!) but this was different.  Firstly, I actually had to pay (half-price) for the tickets rather than getting in for free (hey, dating a musician needs to have some perks), and secondly, it is one of my all-time favorite movies!  (List includes the other two LOTR movies, Titanic, Sound of Music, Airplane, Indiana Jones Trilogy…)  In any case, I loved the movie.

My only complaints:  the credits were super boring to sit through especially as I didn’t care for the soprano, and my seat was really uncomfortable.  Not only was it the tiny balcony seats I am accustomed to where my knees touch the seat in front of me even when I am sitting up as straight as possible, which I am loathe to do for a concert, but my seat was located directly over an air-conditioning vent, which was blowing cold air on me the entire time.  COLD!

Okay, here’s a few more pictures from the lobby:

I did not have this.  It looked weird.

I AM NO MAN! (apologies for the reflection…seriously was bad lighting for pictures, stupid glass)

I took this one very surreptitiously so the usher (pictured in the bottom right corner) wouldn’t come yell at me for taking photos like he did once.

Oh, and here’s another photo from my camera:

No.  The correct spelling is “potatoe”.  We learned that from Dan Quayle.

Oh, I forgot another thing Mike and I talked about yesterday.  He has actually lost 7 pounds (of the 10 he planned to lose in two weeks).  Jerk.  Though I questioned him whether that was wise.  He said he wanted to lose 12 or so so then he could gain back 2.  People are crazy. (Actual statement:  it’s not hard to lose weight since I usually eat so much.) Then he mentioned he wanted to take my measurements on Friday.  I suppose that will help with my online shopping…and self-esteem…  Maybe he’ll forget.  (I am aware that I’m an adult and could refuse, but I like to presume the expert knows what they are doing…as I expect my adult students to do for me!)

AND!  I made some tasty pork chops last night.  I didn’t use the cumin seeds, I simply used ground cumin.  They turned out great, and I paired them with broccolini and polenta.  The broccolini I sautéed with some salt and pepper and then added some lemon zest to it.  In any case, I’d definitely recommend the pork chops.

Follow ups (I read somewhere it is annoying to readers when you introduce topics and never continue them):

Wasn’t the NCAA men’s basketball final super boring?  Boo!

My calves still hurt a bit, but they are much better.  Tuesday they were super rough still and Mike stretched them before we worked out.  It helped!  Today I stretched them periodically during my run.

My diet this week is going pretty well overall.  I have hopes for some weight loss this week or next (this weekend will be carb-festy).

I still have puny-violin-player wrists.  I continually fail at a variety of wrist exercises.  I’ve decided to be okay with this.

I have now voted as many times in St Louis as I did in Cleveland—and I lived there many more years.  I suppose I’ve become more civic minded as I’ve grown older.

I was actually voting because of one thing on the ballot and hadn’t done my research on the other races. (I guess I’m not THAT civic minded).  Upon arrival at the polling place I was accosted by three different people (one a CANDIDATE) who wanted me to vote for them or their candidate.  All three were for the same race!  I didn’t know what to do…so I just left it blank…and felt a bit like a loser. 

That’s okay.  I voted for what I intended to.  And there were no lines! 

The last election I was going to vote in Cleveland for was for the last presidential primary.  I wanted to go and vote for Hillary Clinton…but when I got done teaching there was 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice on my car and after scraping that off (and it was still freezing raining) I decided it would be safer to just go home.  So I never did get to vote for Hillary. 

(my favorite election motto)

Enough politics!  If I went the rest of the year without hearing about politics I would be a happy camper.  (That’s a strange expression…I don’t even like camping!)

Here’s a story from MSNBC about a girl whose parents wouldn’t let her get a horse to ride so she learned to ride a cow instead.  I highly recommend taking a look!

Here’s my boring monthly goals post (boring to you, probably, not as much to me as each new month brings new HOPE.)

Monthly Goals:

Books: one classic, one related to teaching violin or children, one non-fiction.  Great Expectations, The Social Animal, and Moonwalking with Einstein

One or more new restaurants:

Weekly activities with friends:  Anybody up for stuff?  You have my number.  Or at least my blog address.

New recipes (three):

Fitness Classes:  Yoga—let’s do it, two classes! And maybe spinning…I guess I got bored with my class…

Race:  April 9 Go! St Louis Half Marathon.  Goal:  2:30 or bust. 

Mileage:  90 miles (run or walk)

Lose a couple of pounds:  under *redacted* by April 30 or bust. (I do have a number in mind, and this month I will meet or beat it).

Career: Schedule Student Recital for Early June.  Plus some other stuff that will happen in April.  You’re on a need to know basis.

Fun: Who wants to go to the South Grand House Tour April 16/17?  Also, I’m open to other social engagements, hit me up!

Financial: Well…I did MY taxes.  But I promised Chris I’d do his, so that’s this month.

Fingernails/finger biting: Must continue trying to stop…gah, so difficult as I usually don’t notice I’m biting until it’s already been going on for a little while. 

March…

Overall a good month.  Two solid races.  Some great teaching, good times with friends and FIANCEE.  Weather was up and down.  Did lots of great reading…cooking…eating…how did my goals go?

Monthly Goals:

Books: one classic, one related to teaching violin or children, one non-fiction.  Sense and Sensibility, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, and The Warmth of Other Suns. CHECK!  Finished all by March 16–

One or more new restaurants: Trattoria Marcella (just had drinks/apps, but definitely want to go back for dinner), California Pizza Kitchen, The King and I (yummy Pad Thai!), The Highlander (there can be only one), Market Pub House CHECK!

Weekly activities with friends:  Too many to list here! CHECK!

New recipes (three): Goat Cheese and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken, Goat Cheese Grits, Shrimp n’ Grits CHECK!

Continue attending Spinning Class, do some Yoga–shoot for at least two classes.  Went to one spinning class, couldn’t go to another…and then was too tired… FAIL.

Two races:  March 12 St. Patrick’s Day 5 miler and March 26 Alton half marathon CHECK!  Plus I ran (some walking) 100 Miles this month—today I realized if I did 4.4 miles I would be at 100 for the month, so I couldn’t resist.

Get rid of 11 things from one room—I need to tackle the middle room and the book situation. Already did some of each, check!

Lose a couple of pounds (I have a goal weight in mind for the end of March but I’m not putting it here ) FAIL! but I already blogged about my failing…

Career: Attend SIUE teacher workshop with Susan Kempter.  Schedule Student Recital for Early June.  HALF/CHECK and plan to deal with recital shortly.  I’ve penciled in a date, just haven’t ‘set’ it.

Fun: Have friends over this month?  CHECK

Financial: TAXES this month CHECK

Fingernails/finger biting: Must continue trying to stop…gah, so difficult as I usually don’t notice I’m biting until it’s already been going on for a little while.  FAIL, but will keep trying..