We all say how busy we are, don’t we? And there are many articles out there about being busy. When asked how you are, often we say, oh, busy as usual, or something along those lines. And the articles say, well, that’s not a good thing…busy in itself shouldn’t be the goal. And we don’t need to be busy and overwhelmed (do the two go hand in hand) in order to feel important or do good work. (And we don’t have to start EVERY sentence with “and”.)

I range from being busy to having too much time. When I only teach my students (“only”!) and practice, I do end up with enough time to feel like I need more to do. I’m never bored in these times, of course, because I have so many things I WANT to do. For instance, this week I started thinking about how I want to plan a solo violin recital, and I’m working on that idea, in addition, I’d love to have a piano trio that I perform semi-regularly with. I love my quartet, I love playing sonatas with Jen, and I want more (I often want more than what I have, more kitties, more delightful students, more beautiful music to play–I think it’s okay to have goals, right?)

I even posted on Facebook about this, and then deleted my post in a moment of panic (what will people think, won’t they judge me for advertising for chamber music partners, shouldn’t I already know these people, won’t I sound desperate and pathetic?). Chamber music is funny. It’s supposed to be this fun activity with friends but so often people feel left out, judged, passed over, fraught with insecurity, etc. If you are a local professional musician reading this and want to play some music together, please reach out. Daytime availability a plus! Like I said, a piano trio would be great since there’s a lot of rep, but I’m open to other combinations and short term projects, as always.

Okay, and on the cat front, I don’t have any good pictures. Chloe has a bit of an eye thing going on too (yay!) so she’s got running eyes, which perhaps isn’t the cutest. Poor girl. It’s been a year, I tell you what.

Throwback Tuesday photo of the Fatness in Charlotte. That was my old violin case. It had a combination lock, because that would deter thieves? (“I stole this violin but I can’t open it so I guess I’ll return it?”) Oh, and I’m pumped because I got an email that the cat urn I ordered is being shipped. I’ll share it with you (unless I detest it, but I’m sure that won’t be the case) when I get it.

I still can’t believe she’s gone!

And here’s Mackenzie from the other day. This is where she sits while I’m teaching. She really loves violin music! I still can’t believe how much of a dog person I’ve become since meeting her (and Louie, I guess…)

Miss Baldy, I guess. Hopefully soon we will get to the bottom of why she’s losing her hair!

So this is a random and boring blog post, but I got up early to try to get a Fed Ex shipment (not here yet) so I have a little extra time. I’ll get back to practicing, I guess…Perseid Quartet concert this Saturday at the Tavern of Fine Arts. Come out and enjoy some Czech Music. And seriously, don’t be shy if you are local and want to read some chamber music—let me know. I guess I’m not too proud to sound pathetic and desperate on my blog