Uh oh, Nonet.

Well, the good thing is you can't hear the cello :)

Cello Thoughts

A friend asked me the other day about my cello playing. I tried to explain that I had an upcoming recital that was way too hard for me. The friend said "Can't you just practice more?". Truth be said, this is a hobby not a vocation.

I'm probably not willing to put in more than an hour a day. Trying to explain it to my friend helped me understand the process better. If something is too hard -- that is -- I don't have the skill set for it, it is like trying to lift 50 pound weights. If I am used to doing 5 to 8 pound weights for 20 reps at a time, no matter how much I "practice", I'm not going to be lifting 50 pound weights anytime soon.

Another example, I gave was, that practicing the cello is like running a marathon. Playing an instrument not only requires knowledge and musicality, it's also very physical. Playing too much hurts if you're not used to it.

A Friend's Grandson

I received a cute photo in my email and thought it I'd try to draw it.

5 x 7 pencil.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Checking in - It's November Already

What shall we do for my bday this year? I can't remember what we did last year. Hubby says "Well, there's a stamp show in Bulgaria". Sure, why not? We have friends to visit, cheap dentistry besides great food and historic tourism.

It turned into two weeks off from work and school. I was planning on doing my online class and some work remotely. However, on the first day of the trip (having just punched in the wireless key for the hotel) the netbook crashed and wouldn't get up again. Thus, I had Enforced Vacation.

It was worth it. Friends took us to classical music concert -- Schumann's Manfred Overture, Strauss' last four Leider, and a very crisp Brahms Symphony #4. This orchestra gives a 30 concert season. Hubby was jealous.

Some pics at: https://sites.google.com/site/2010bulgariasofia/home

Chamber Music teacher wasn't amused by my two week absence. I did take the Martinu Nonet seriously enough to actually see a cello teacher for some tips on how to tackle it. The class ran through it this week and I think I will need to memorize one section because it just flies by too fast to sightread.