Tomorrow night, 8 pm.  Audience Choice concert (it’s already been chosen, you don’t get to choose on the night.)  Chamber Project St Louis.  I’m playing on way too many of the pieces.

June 1, 2012 8:00pm
Third Annual Audience Choice Concert!
The Chapel Venue
6238 Alexander Dr. 63105
www.chapelvenue.com
$12 includes concert and two drinks
purchase tickets online here or at the door

At least I figured out what to wear.  I think.  And then I noticed one of my favorite shoes has a little tear in it.  Guess I won’t be wearing those.  I need to find a good shoe repair place.

But seriously.  5 hours of rehearsal.  And that really isn’t enough.  I’m icing my shoulder.  I’m not in the mood for this.  But you should probably come out anyway, I always manage to pull these things off 😉

Plus all the teaching…I have one more week of regular teaching and then it’s into the summer schedule, which will be a much needed lighter schedule.  And going back to City Academy to check on the violins that should have already been returned and weren’t, and doing report cards.  And having a student recital at the house this weekend, and a photo shoot, and a gig, and makeup lessons…to say that I am overwhelmed and stressed out would be an understatement. 

Good news:  we found a house for next year.  We are moving in mid-July.  That’s one stress that I don’t have to worry about.  And we booked tickets for a trip to Boulder, Colorado at the end of July.  So…July should be fun, right?

And I like my new haircut.  Today it was much easier to get ready for work.

Good riddance to May though.  And there was a general overall gain of approximately 4 pounds this month.  That definitely helps my mood. 

Okay.  This is all not really a problem.  I’m just tired.  Everything will be fine, right?  I know what this post needs.  Pictures of cats.

Maru sitting on a cow.

Oh man, I already feel better 🙂

I got my haircut. She took about six inches off. In lieu of an actual post today since I’m so busy, and so stressed out about various things including Friday’s concert that I actually cried all the way to Chesterfield…here are some mildly creepy pictures I took of myself in the car. And my snack today since I’m having major food planning fails.

Of course you know I can’t just have pictures.  But I’ll be a woman of few words.

Fish tacos and street corn at Milagro Modern Mexican with Melissa and Steve.

A wedding at Trinity Lutheran Church in Soulard.  Then a quick drive to the Loretto Hilton to play Sweeney Todd with the St Louis Symphony…my last engagement of the year.  Let’s all cross our fingers they call me again in the fall!

Then Chris headed to see the Indy 500 with our friend Will and Vanessa and I hit up Vin de set for drinks and dinner (well, dinner for her).

She had some fun with a lemon twist.  This is what happens when you hang out with low brass players, evidently.

Can you tell what this is?

And then it was bedtime.  Now it’s my dad’s birthday, it’s time to run again, and I have another wedding. 

Weird.  No pictures of me 😉

Today.  Friday.  My last day at City Academy.  And then…I finish teaching at 5 pm today.  Like one of you normal people who works regular jobs.  CRAZY.

It’s been an adventure teaching at City Academy.  I am not sorry I did it, but I will not be sad to be done either.  It cements my feelings towards teaching groups (do not like.)  But, I know it’s important to do things outside my comfort zone and to push myself.  I love the feeling of accomplishment after putting myself through challenges.

Oh who am I kidding.  I have been through enough stress lately.  I need a break!  I’ve accomplished enough in my life.  I’m tired.  Bring on summer vacation!

A few weeks ago I asked Chris to snap a few pictures of me performing with Chamber Project St Louis for the blog. He took some, including one of me playing…and then his phone ate the pictures.  Tonight they reappeared.  It’s a miracle!

This was before our latest concert at the Tavern of Fine Arts.  I was about to go "onstage" to perform the Prokofiev Solo Sonata.

And here I am performing!  I love how fast my bow and arms are moving—they are a blur!  Also I look like I’m in pain. 

Oh wait, I was.  I was okay there at the beginning, but by the end of the concert I was nearly in tears every time I played at the frog.  It’s nice to think how far I’ve come in my healing since then (late April).  The human body is an amazing thing.

And that polka dot dress.  My goodness.  Would it be inappropriate if I wore it every day?  I can’t think of an occasion it wouldn’t be amazing for. 

Next Friday, June 1 and 8 pm is our annual "Audience Choice Concert".  The program in this concert is chosen by YOU! our audiences voted in our concerts throughout the season, and now everybody can return to hear the most popular pieces of the year.  It will be our last and most fun concert of the season!

(overused stock photo)

The exact program will be announced at the concert.  If you are a local reader, please come out to the Chapel to see Chamber Project St Louis perform!  I’ll be playing for sure :)  Honestly, it doesn’t matter if you consider yourself a classical music lover or not—we try to make our concerts fun and accessible for everybody.  Plus there are drinks involved—both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me!  I’d love to see you all there.

Okay, I promised you babies.  Well, one baby.

You can see he is testing out his natural conducting skills.

Little Benjamin is already internet famous!  I bet his parents are proud :)  He’s growing so fast. 

But seriously folks, please mark your calendars for June 1.  It’s so much more fun to play to a packed house!