Saturday, March 24, 2007

Sempre Libra

This past week has become a dedication to socializing. And I am not talking only about the casual cup of coffee with a friend or the little get together; I'm talking big plans; Huge dinners of huge parties in huge restaurants, meticulously planned (and hosted) semi-official dinner parties, half to entire days of visits with dear friends, as well as the twenty minutes in- between spontaneous coffee grabbing with long lost people who happened to be around at the right time to fill up an empty slot and a much not-needed caffeine ( and the sweets that go with it) overdose.
New York is crazy like that; It's either NOBODY is around or NOBODY is available, (you can die of loneliness and no one would even notice that you're gone), or they are ALL here, at one time, and they all absolutely want to see you. And since everybody's schedule is ticking like a bomb in this spastic town, we all know very well that we have GOT to make it happen. Now.
I like socializing, and I truly love seeing my friends. But this whole 90 MPH breeze of daily events means, that being good and back on track, hasn't happened yet .
I haven't practiced my voice, nor exercised my body, nor started to watch my diet again, nor looked at my score (which as it's been lying on the piano unopened for days, at least I finally DUSTED, while cleaning the apartment spotless for the party) .
I also haven't stopped for a minute to meditate and think positive thoughts about my upcoming three months away from home.
To sum it up shortly; I've been shamelessly flying around like tinker belle turned Martha Stewart, if a bit less skillful than either one of them.
This coming week, this stuff has got to stop. I need to concentrate on my duties. The good Libra that I am; I am starving for balance, again.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Il est doux

Yes, it IS nice to finally get a good, very good mention in my hometown paper. (And with a 5x7 photo in the printed addition!); People I haven't heard from in years, called my home phone to let me know, some sent Emails... I exist again!
In all seriousness though, I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to sing this marvelous piece in that intimate setting at Weill hall. I would love to get some more chances to perform there regularly.
I simply love being able to see the eyes of my audience and know they can see mine. That means that our souls are not too far apart either.
I love to be able to play with colors and volume, and know that none was lost in the space between us. (or underneath someone's garbage bag of expectations that singing is about decibels).

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

French kiss to my week

I have been so busy lately, I almost forgot to shave my armpits. I was traveling to sing COSI in the evenings and then traveling back to rehearse for my concerts ( happening tonight and tomorrow) during the day, and I am pretty happy about returning to some kind of normalcy after Friday, where I get back to doing my TAXES, my GYM routine, (and all else neglected).

Rehearsing for Chansons Madecasses (Ravel) is the exciting part of my past week; I find that I am in love with them and, re-creating them, is a true joy. Three gifted musicians and I; we seem like 4 painters working together with colors and textures, giving birth to something new; Gentle and savage. (On purpose I didn't listen to any recording of the piece more than maybe once, so I can be un-influenced).
Have a happy Wednesday, wrapped in a chanson.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

"Our Chef's specials"

A word of warning: Your Chinese Take-out in-take, can effect your mood.
Being located in a downtown area which I can only describe as: "Nasty" (from what I can see), I was falling into the habit of ordering in from the only valid menu I could find around: "Peking Garden" !
Eating Moo Shoo 2x daily and some old broccoli flowers soaked in brown grease, brought me back again to my old state of mind of negativity and sourness. I tried to go on the treadmill to mix the MSG and the oil, but ended up punching the screen by mistake and breaking my pinky. (It's OK; I am still performing Dorabella, but with less pinky movement than usual...)
I am heading back home for a few of our Off days, to rehearse for my upcoming concerts. I think I am going to go with: Fresh, raw vegies for a while...