James-
Declared halfway through a bowl of chili "Hey, guess what? I LIKE black beans now!"
Is excited to be back in his favorite pair of footie pajamas until next April. (His plan, not ours)
Fascinated by Owen toting a dirty George around everywhere, and insists that Owen's George needs a bath. (His George does not need a bath, by the way)
Has started an independent correspondence by mail with Alexa. (We are not allowed to look at their letters.)
Is decidedly into scotch tape as a toy.
Has been bringing a wrench with him to bed.
Owen-
Is now into "Wee-oos" (ambulances) just as much as garbage trucks and airplanes.
Figured out that pressing the power button on the laptop gets a satisfyingly attention-getting reaction from whichever parent is using it, because blogging isn't already hard enough.
Is decidedly into scotch tape as a toy.
Currently spending hours a day trampolining on the downstairs chair (with the cushion removed) to Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie on endless repeat.
Terrified/fascinated by the "wolf" (really a coyote) at Java's
Convinced that he will not need to wear a hat under any circumstances this winter.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Complaints
One of the advantages of keeping a blog is that you can use it to vent from time to time. Feeling particularly upset and stressed out about the state of affairs in the world in general and in my life in particular, here are some things I'd like to get off my chest.
I.
A New York Times photographer was snapping pictures of me in rehearsal this morning. I'd forgotten, of course, that the paper was sending a reporter to do a story on the orchestra and to take some candid shots in rehearsal. I had, fortunately, showered and shaved this morning, but was wearing an old flannel shirt and hiking boots. Chances are my photo won't be used, but I have found myself on the front page of a major news organization symphony feature before, and it makes you wish you knew you were going to be photographed in advance.
Whatever this person writes in the article, I'm very much hoping that the leading sentence isn't "As a frustrated trumpet player spectacularly missed the high note, the chorus swelled into the climax of the 1812 Overture." I currently have a mouth full of canker sores, and playing the trumpet isn't particularly easy or comfortable when you have to press against them. With a few days off they would probably go away, but I've been playing the 1812 Overture all week...and I have an audition (with a non-refundable plane ticket and non-refundable hotel room already booked) on Monday.
Speaking of trumpet concerns, I have four big folders of music to learn (on top of all the audition rep) for the next few weeks, including a Rossini opera I'm playing principal on (which is nearly as boring as it is immensely long, but will require preparing the whole thing ahead of time to get the starts and stops and tempo changes), a concert in Rochester with screechy piccolo notes, lots of mixed meter/minimalist rhythms and exposed soft playing, five kiddie shows in Syracuse, a family concert in Buffalo, and then a full Phils week back in Syracuse.
That's a lot of music to tackle. If this sounds ungrateful, it shouldn't. I'm really glad to have the work. But I want to do my job well, and circumstances are working against me.
II.
I was thinking on the drive in this morning about how much of what I see on a daily basis is just a grab at my wallet. To be fair, I VOLUNTARILY went to a mall yesterday to try to find some boots and shirts in my size. Perhaps it was being in a state of retail glut for several hours that made me look at my iPhone in disgust whenever I pulled it out to see that the News app (native advertisements), Facebook (razor advertisements) the Crossword (silly game advertisements), my email (messages from Amazon, Mint, Priceline, and my coffee bean supplier) were all trying to get into my wallet. I drove past endless billboards on the thruway, of course, and now I'm sitting at a Wegmans and typing on my computer, which keeps on flashing messages about upgrading my anti-virus software. So me writing this blog in a state of grumpy semi-disgust is my non-monetary contribution to the world today. And, yes, I hear myself, and I sound old.
III.
Much, much more seriously, at least 32 people were killed this morning in a suicide attack in California. Did I say California? I meant Baghdad. If this had happened in California, I would have heard about it right away, I'm sure. On the other hand, I wouldn't have known about 32 Iraqis dying from my News app, because the leading stories on that feed are about a certain television personality (who happens to be running for President, by the way) saying more horrible things about women, a College football preview for this weekend, 8 Hidden Benefits of Your Costco Membership (That's a USA Today feature, and apparently NOT a Costco advertisement), and a Bloomberg feature on how to "Stop Monday from Ruining Your Sunday."
So yes, 32 people died today in the al-Shaab market. To put that in context, that's four times more human beings who just died than there are Hidden Benefits of a Costco Membership.
<Stomach turning>
If the death of 32 Iraqi human beings wasn't upsetting enough, the Saudi government acknowledged today that they in fact were responsible for the bombing of a Yemeni funeral which killed 140 people and injured 600. (The bombing was, by the way, carried out with logistical support by the United States and used arms supplied by the UK.)
I don't think that the presidential race is unimportant, but I will say this about the Republican candidate: Please don't pay any more attention to him. Please don't click on any more stories that confirm what we all already know about him. Once this election is over and he's been soundly thrashed, let's make him go away. A year from now it is entirely possible that he will still be the first face I see on the front page of my News app, offering some crackpot line about how he WOULD have sorted out the bad guys if he'd been elected, or being implicated in some other scandal. This is what he wants. He doesn't want to be President, he wants people to pay attention to him. And let's not pay attention to him, so long as the Saudis are bombing funeral homes full of innocent people (and only apologizing when they realize that they didn't kill some Houthi leaders along with the innocents) and the Iraqi government security forces can't guarantee that there citizens are safe to walk down to the market to buy groceries.
So those are my complaints for today. I DO feel a little better, having written them down. Probably I just need a good night's sleep and a day at home with J and the boys, and I would be all sorted out. But at the very least, if there's a picture of me in the New York Times next week wearing an unironed shirt and making a strained-looking high note/pooping face, I feel a little better about knowing that apparently the news doesn't count for much anyway.
I.
A New York Times photographer was snapping pictures of me in rehearsal this morning. I'd forgotten, of course, that the paper was sending a reporter to do a story on the orchestra and to take some candid shots in rehearsal. I had, fortunately, showered and shaved this morning, but was wearing an old flannel shirt and hiking boots. Chances are my photo won't be used, but I have found myself on the front page of a major news organization symphony feature before, and it makes you wish you knew you were going to be photographed in advance.
Whatever this person writes in the article, I'm very much hoping that the leading sentence isn't "As a frustrated trumpet player spectacularly missed the high note, the chorus swelled into the climax of the 1812 Overture." I currently have a mouth full of canker sores, and playing the trumpet isn't particularly easy or comfortable when you have to press against them. With a few days off they would probably go away, but I've been playing the 1812 Overture all week...and I have an audition (with a non-refundable plane ticket and non-refundable hotel room already booked) on Monday.
Speaking of trumpet concerns, I have four big folders of music to learn (on top of all the audition rep) for the next few weeks, including a Rossini opera I'm playing principal on (which is nearly as boring as it is immensely long, but will require preparing the whole thing ahead of time to get the starts and stops and tempo changes), a concert in Rochester with screechy piccolo notes, lots of mixed meter/minimalist rhythms and exposed soft playing, five kiddie shows in Syracuse, a family concert in Buffalo, and then a full Phils week back in Syracuse.
That's a lot of music to tackle. If this sounds ungrateful, it shouldn't. I'm really glad to have the work. But I want to do my job well, and circumstances are working against me.
II.
I was thinking on the drive in this morning about how much of what I see on a daily basis is just a grab at my wallet. To be fair, I VOLUNTARILY went to a mall yesterday to try to find some boots and shirts in my size. Perhaps it was being in a state of retail glut for several hours that made me look at my iPhone in disgust whenever I pulled it out to see that the News app (native advertisements), Facebook (razor advertisements) the Crossword (silly game advertisements), my email (messages from Amazon, Mint, Priceline, and my coffee bean supplier) were all trying to get into my wallet. I drove past endless billboards on the thruway, of course, and now I'm sitting at a Wegmans and typing on my computer, which keeps on flashing messages about upgrading my anti-virus software. So me writing this blog in a state of grumpy semi-disgust is my non-monetary contribution to the world today. And, yes, I hear myself, and I sound old.
III.
Much, much more seriously, at least 32 people were killed this morning in a suicide attack in California. Did I say California? I meant Baghdad. If this had happened in California, I would have heard about it right away, I'm sure. On the other hand, I wouldn't have known about 32 Iraqis dying from my News app, because the leading stories on that feed are about a certain television personality (who happens to be running for President, by the way) saying more horrible things about women, a College football preview for this weekend, 8 Hidden Benefits of Your Costco Membership (That's a USA Today feature, and apparently NOT a Costco advertisement), and a Bloomberg feature on how to "Stop Monday from Ruining Your Sunday."
So yes, 32 people died today in the al-Shaab market. To put that in context, that's four times more human beings who just died than there are Hidden Benefits of a Costco Membership.
<Stomach turning>
If the death of 32 Iraqi human beings wasn't upsetting enough, the Saudi government acknowledged today that they in fact were responsible for the bombing of a Yemeni funeral which killed 140 people and injured 600. (The bombing was, by the way, carried out with logistical support by the United States and used arms supplied by the UK.)
I don't think that the presidential race is unimportant, but I will say this about the Republican candidate: Please don't pay any more attention to him. Please don't click on any more stories that confirm what we all already know about him. Once this election is over and he's been soundly thrashed, let's make him go away. A year from now it is entirely possible that he will still be the first face I see on the front page of my News app, offering some crackpot line about how he WOULD have sorted out the bad guys if he'd been elected, or being implicated in some other scandal. This is what he wants. He doesn't want to be President, he wants people to pay attention to him. And let's not pay attention to him, so long as the Saudis are bombing funeral homes full of innocent people (and only apologizing when they realize that they didn't kill some Houthi leaders along with the innocents) and the Iraqi government security forces can't guarantee that there citizens are safe to walk down to the market to buy groceries.
So those are my complaints for today. I DO feel a little better, having written them down. Probably I just need a good night's sleep and a day at home with J and the boys, and I would be all sorted out. But at the very least, if there's a picture of me in the New York Times next week wearing an unironed shirt and making a strained-looking high note/pooping face, I feel a little better about knowing that apparently the news doesn't count for much anyway.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Quick Hitters
I. Crosswords
You can do crossword puzzles on your iPhone. This seems like something I would have known about a long time ago, but I just came upon it last weekend while waiting around for a concert in Syracuse. It's become a thing for J and I. We lie in bed at the end of the day and work through them together, either congratulation ourselves on knowing who the Greek goddess of Peace is (Irene) or shaking our heads in amazement that we couldn't figure out what "Writer's Complaint, five letters ending in ---ck" might be. I don't know if Mom still gets the Sunday newspaper delivered or not, but the availability of crossword puzzles might be what finally pushes her into the smartphone era.
II. Ramekins
I've been doing a lot of work with ramekins recently. We had a pair of 8 oz ramekins for a long time, and within the last month I've started an institution of making baked oatmeal for breakfast. Regular preparations include cookie butter baked oatmeal, ginger/cardamom baked oatmeal (topped with a little raspberry jam and creme fraiche), coconut macaroon baked oatmeal (sweet and condensed milk with coconut flakes), maple pecan, peanut butter cup, and today cinnamon-graham. It's really the only way to start the morning. A little egg, milk, some oats, a dash of salt and baking powder, whatever sweetener and spices you're using, and then 20 minutes later you have a hot breakfast. We picked up a set of smaller ramekins for the most recent DNI. (J would blog about the experience, but I have the computer today). The 6 oz ramekins just BARELY contained the egg dish she made...spinach, tomatoes, garlic, and cream under gruyere and an egg. I picked up 2 baby 3 oz ramekins as well, and just last night made a mess of the oven by putting single serving brownies in them. It's mostly clean now, and the brownies tasted fine.
III. Running
The running season is winding down. I'll keep on running, of course, but I'll be running alone, or alternating runs with J. It's just getting too cold to take the boys out anymore. We've been bundling them up in winter coats and wrapping them under a blanket, but they are still complaining by the 2nd or 3rd mile of a run. It's really just James that complains, and I suspect his problem is more being bored than cold. Owen just sort of looks around for airplanes with a semi-frozen expression. We may still be able to sneak a few runs in on warm afternoons. Last year we ran on Christmas Eve, after all. But I think that the every-day season is just about finished.
You can do crossword puzzles on your iPhone. This seems like something I would have known about a long time ago, but I just came upon it last weekend while waiting around for a concert in Syracuse. It's become a thing for J and I. We lie in bed at the end of the day and work through them together, either congratulation ourselves on knowing who the Greek goddess of Peace is (Irene) or shaking our heads in amazement that we couldn't figure out what "Writer's Complaint, five letters ending in ---ck" might be. I don't know if Mom still gets the Sunday newspaper delivered or not, but the availability of crossword puzzles might be what finally pushes her into the smartphone era.
II. Ramekins
I've been doing a lot of work with ramekins recently. We had a pair of 8 oz ramekins for a long time, and within the last month I've started an institution of making baked oatmeal for breakfast. Regular preparations include cookie butter baked oatmeal, ginger/cardamom baked oatmeal (topped with a little raspberry jam and creme fraiche), coconut macaroon baked oatmeal (sweet and condensed milk with coconut flakes), maple pecan, peanut butter cup, and today cinnamon-graham. It's really the only way to start the morning. A little egg, milk, some oats, a dash of salt and baking powder, whatever sweetener and spices you're using, and then 20 minutes later you have a hot breakfast. We picked up a set of smaller ramekins for the most recent DNI. (J would blog about the experience, but I have the computer today). The 6 oz ramekins just BARELY contained the egg dish she made...spinach, tomatoes, garlic, and cream under gruyere and an egg. I picked up 2 baby 3 oz ramekins as well, and just last night made a mess of the oven by putting single serving brownies in them. It's mostly clean now, and the brownies tasted fine.
III. Running
The running season is winding down. I'll keep on running, of course, but I'll be running alone, or alternating runs with J. It's just getting too cold to take the boys out anymore. We've been bundling them up in winter coats and wrapping them under a blanket, but they are still complaining by the 2nd or 3rd mile of a run. It's really just James that complains, and I suspect his problem is more being bored than cold. Owen just sort of looks around for airplanes with a semi-frozen expression. We may still be able to sneak a few runs in on warm afternoons. Last year we ran on Christmas Eve, after all. But I think that the every-day season is just about finished.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Wegmans Day
It's the first solo Wegmans day of the year!
Yay?
These are the days when I get caught up on the backlog of reading, administrative work, listening, and even, rarely, blogging which has been neglected or left behind. The morning rehearsal lets out at around 12:30, and I don't need to be tuxedoed and back onstage until 8 PM. (Well, really more like 7:30) That 7 hour window is a good time to get things DONE.
Today was the first of the month, so a lot of my work was predetermined--pay all the bills, tally up all the numbers, write them up, and send out the Financial Update to J. (Sometimes, in the prosperous months, reading the Financial Update is like looking over your transcript and making sure that everything is all As. And then sometimes, in the dry months, it's like turning on the news for an update on Syria or Ukraine.)
I finished my book early this afternoon, Edward Banfield's The Unheavenly City Revisited. I've been reading quite a bit of political material recently, and as far as I can tell this one won't stay on the short shelf of conservative classics nearly as long as Rationalism in Politics or Capitalism and Freedom. It was worth the read though, especially for a perspective on the state of the conversation about urban crime and social difficulties in the 70s which led to the War on Drugs and some of the other programs of the 80s and 90s which are being reevaluated now.
There's also a good bit of listening to be done, so I've spent a good bit of the last few hours with earbuds in and a pencil and orchestra folder out getting ready for the second Masterworks concert in Syracuse next week. I'm not sure which former 2nd Trumpet player is responsible for the artwork in my parts, but I've enjoyed seeing the progression in his style through this particular folder.
A sampling of Wegmans cookies was in order, of course. A macaroon and a vegan lemon drop were particularly nice complements to my coffee.
I probably ought to do some more listening before I think about heading over to the hall, and I wouldn't mind visiting the liquor store across the parking lot either. We're almost out of wine, and I've recently been recommended the MacCallan 12 year old scotch by a very reputable source. I'd prefer to be home, but it isn't an all bad thing to have a day at Wegman's for deskwork, either.
Yay?
These are the days when I get caught up on the backlog of reading, administrative work, listening, and even, rarely, blogging which has been neglected or left behind. The morning rehearsal lets out at around 12:30, and I don't need to be tuxedoed and back onstage until 8 PM. (Well, really more like 7:30) That 7 hour window is a good time to get things DONE.
Today was the first of the month, so a lot of my work was predetermined--pay all the bills, tally up all the numbers, write them up, and send out the Financial Update to J. (Sometimes, in the prosperous months, reading the Financial Update is like looking over your transcript and making sure that everything is all As. And then sometimes, in the dry months, it's like turning on the news for an update on Syria or Ukraine.)
I finished my book early this afternoon, Edward Banfield's The Unheavenly City Revisited. I've been reading quite a bit of political material recently, and as far as I can tell this one won't stay on the short shelf of conservative classics nearly as long as Rationalism in Politics or Capitalism and Freedom. It was worth the read though, especially for a perspective on the state of the conversation about urban crime and social difficulties in the 70s which led to the War on Drugs and some of the other programs of the 80s and 90s which are being reevaluated now.
There's also a good bit of listening to be done, so I've spent a good bit of the last few hours with earbuds in and a pencil and orchestra folder out getting ready for the second Masterworks concert in Syracuse next week. I'm not sure which former 2nd Trumpet player is responsible for the artwork in my parts, but I've enjoyed seeing the progression in his style through this particular folder.
 |
| Watch the conductor, but in a troubled sort of way |
 |
| Watch unhappily |
 |
| Watch, with eyebrows |
 |
| Watch and be happy! |
A sampling of Wegmans cookies was in order, of course. A macaroon and a vegan lemon drop were particularly nice complements to my coffee.
I probably ought to do some more listening before I think about heading over to the hall, and I wouldn't mind visiting the liquor store across the parking lot either. We're almost out of wine, and I've recently been recommended the MacCallan 12 year old scotch by a very reputable source. I'd prefer to be home, but it isn't an all bad thing to have a day at Wegman's for deskwork, either.
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