Today has been frustrating.

Well, technically the last few weeks have been. A few weeks ago, my car was rattling like crazy, so I took it in to a nearby (read: able to walk home from) shop. Got some major stuff fixed up, and then…two days later my check engine light came on. Took it back a few days later, they fixed something else…two days later, check engine light on again.

So yesterday I took it BACK in, and they had it all day. They called yesterday and said they were trying some things and would get back to me. I said, sure, but I really need it by noon (I was supposed to have a rehearsal). Well, this morning they were just finishing the diagnosis. So I’d already gotten up and showered with the idea that I’d get it and go to rehearsal…so I asked could they please have it done by the time I needed to start teaching. Well that time came and went and they were not quite done, which meant that I was going to have to wait until tomorrow.

(The good news is they are only charging me for parts for this current problem, since it’s been such a mess and seemingly their fault for perhaps repairing the last part wrong, or possibly breaking stuff while doing the original repairs. I’m very pleased with that aspect of the car saga.)

Then my first student showed up and had forgotten her violin. Which meant that I probably COULD have gotten my car in time for my second student. Sigh. Such is life, right? So I’m popping online to write a quick post about how stuff doesn’t always work out the way you planned. The good thing is that now I can also check “blogged” off my (short) list of accomplishments.

On the bright side: I have a great dinner planned. Salmon Frazer, kale, and something new: Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend. And I did some good violin practice, washed all my dishes, and spent some quality time with the cat.

Never enough time though. Never enough.

So it has been a pretty good day so far anyway. Honestly I barely need the car as I do primarily work from home, but I was bummed to have to cancel my quartet rehearsal…I could probably have planned this all differently, but you can’t plan everything! At least we already had an extra rehearsal scheduled and now it’s just a rehearsal 🙂

(this post needs a selfie, as that’s like, the word of the year or something)

I’ve been debating getting a shorter haircut. I cleaned out the vacuum cleaner the other day (the roller part) and it was pretty ridiculous (edited to add: SO MUCH HAIR WRAPPED AROUND THE ROLLER). I’m not sure if shorter hair (chin? shoulders?) would actually help. Leslie got a cute haircut though and I’m a little jealous…we’ll see how I feel after next week.

I got this anti-aging treatment to try from Influenster. I’m not getting any younger but I’d love to look like I am! Maybe I’ll let you know how it turns out. Maybe it’ll be obvious.

1. Thanksgiving is just around the corner… I can’t wait. I am really looking forward to getting out of town…and finally meeting this little guy (the black cat. The other one I already know. Yes that is two cats.)

2. Related: that picture really makes me want to get another cat for the fatness to cuddle with.

Mini blinds and cats are a terrible idea. So far these are surviving, but for how long.

3. I made this recipe for mushrooms, onions, spinach and goat cheese polenta last night for dinner. I think it didn’t need as much goat cheese and the onions take longer than the recipe says, but it was a great idea and inspiration for future meals. I didn’t take any pictures though, but it looked much like the pictures on Natalie’s blog.

4. I probably should have saved those pictures for Caturday…oh well! There are always MORE!!  *maniacal laughter*

5. Pumpkin Spice Eggo Waffles are pretty good. Also, use real maple syrup. It’s great. No butter needed. I didn’t take a picture recently, but you can imagine Eggo waffles right? (spellcheck is suggesting ego or ergo, but I’m pretty sure that’s correct. Ergo waffles?)

6. So far Season Four of True Blood is better than Season Three. In my opinion. Suggestion: Less Tara. She annoys me to no end.

Don’t forget that I am running a giveaway through Friday. Enter to win if you haven’t!

You’ll be relieved to hear that I got a new computer. After about a week without one, it is a relief to have a real computer to type on. I do have a lovely iPhone, but typing important emails and blogging on it is just a real pain, so I had a lot of catch up to do (and more still, as much of yesterday was spent trying to figure out how to use this newfangled piece of machinery.)

The new computer runs Windows 8. I spent a bit of time yesterday moving things around so that my computer makes sense for my needs—I’m not a huge fan of the initial start screen for Windows 8 as I don’t have a touch screen—I think it seems to be geared towards those who do, and with a regular old timey laptop it just doesn’t make as much sense to me, but hey, I’m old, I know. I finally have everything set up pretty much the way I like it, and I’m starting to learn my way around.

It’s not as easy to copy and paste pictures into Windows Live Writer but I’ll figure it out, I hope. That took way longer than it should have, but I suppose there’s always a learning curve, huh?

It’s a busy weekend ahead: three weddings and six hours of rehearsal for Winter Opera St Louis. We are performing Gounod’s Faust next weekend (Friday night and Sunday afternoon) and tickets are still available. It’s a fun show–

“Based on Goethe’s “Faust”, Mephistopheles promises Faust his every desire on Earth in exchange for his servitude in Hell. What would you sell your soul for? “

I’m not falling for that. I wouldn’t sell my soul for anything. How about you?

Totally unrelated, but it’s November now and that means time to think about Thanksgiving. I found this article on Buzzfeed about “Thanksgivukkah” fun!

It’s raining today. Which is weird because I made grilled cheese and tomato soup last night, which would be perfect rainy day food for today. Is that ironic?

I have a new laptop on order. I’m very excited. I got a great deal on it and it should be an improvement over what I had, not even meaning that the computer will start up, which is an automatic improvement.

I did a short run in the rain. I’m almost smiling!

I’m still doing walk/run intervals but the running is getting longer and with this cooler weather, it doesn’t feel too awful. If I lose some weight it will feel even better and yeah, I’m working on that. I find that eating more vegetables helps.

I had a discussion with a friend yesterday about avoiding things for fear of failure. I could write a long post about fear of failure and how it can hold us back, but I won’t. I will say that generally I don’t worry too much about it, but I know many who do. For me failure is a big part of life, but I generally find that the upside of trying your best trumps any fear of failure. At least career wise, though I’m still riding high on a successful audition…that I really didn’t want to take because I was tired of failing. I’m glad I did. Now I’m trying to incorporate that idea into my diet and exercise routine: tired of feeling like a loser so I just need to get back to it and I know I will succeed.

Typing on my phone is harder. That paragraph didn’t really make cohesive sense but perhaps you get my drift. If not I’m sorry. Perhaps a picture of a cat will help.

I never said it would be a good picture of a cat.

When did winter arrive? Ok I’m being overly dramatic but MAN we went from nice warm weather to cold temperatures really quickly. Luckily my apartment has central heating! Also cold temperatures mean my cat does a bit more snuggling which is an added bonus.

I’m typing this from my phone. My laptop is having some issues and I need to figure out my best course of action. I was sent home from a place today to make sure my files were backed up (evidently I have lots of music though I’m pretty sure that’s all backed up) and was given a few more small tasks to do before returning. I will have to see if the problem is worth repairing or if I’ll be shelling out for a new laptop. This is only a nightmare because I went cable free recently and so all my entertainment is computer based! I started re watching Alias though since I have that on DVD and do have an old TV and DVD player. My life is incredibly hard.

If it weren’t for my fancy smart phone I would be far more upset but I find that I can do most of what I need on it and honestly, being somewhat computer-less for two days has shown me how much time I was wasting. I will need to get something to replace it but I need to consider spending my time more wisely in the future. If nothing else I could be sleeping more!

Then again. I enjoy my internet time. Why take away life’s small pleasures? And I get plenty of sleep anyway.