Week Wrap-up

Yes, you read the title correctly. I was so busy last week, that I can't just do a "Weekend Wrap-up"!
Last Sunday marked the end of an era for me. I decided (after much thinking on my part) to stop playing in the flute choir. There were quite a few factors that came into play for my decision: I want to start playing for Mass, and I can't do both since both groups practice on Thursday. The "snarkiness" of one of the members also played into the decision. I tried to get past it, but when you get to the point where you dread going to something you pay money for, it's time to leave.

I'm going to miss that bass flute, though! They have a former member coming back, and she plays a mean bass, so I didn't feel quite so guilty knowing she would be stepping in.

Wednesday, I got to go to my first ever ASHA  Convention! ASHA is the national organization for Speech/Language Pathologists & Audiologists. I had the best time! I met some speech bloggers, and was a bit star-struck! 

A co-worker and I presented a Poster Session. It went amazingly well! We had a lot of people stop, read, and ask questions. I was amazed at the positive response we received. We're seriously thinking about expanding the topic into a talk for the school's convention for summer, 2016.

It was a 2-day whirlwind of being updated on the latest materials & techniques. We took time out for a little fun on Friday night. We went to Minus 5, which is an ice bar. It was a bit pricy, but I figured that would be the only time I ever went to something like that, so it was worth it! The whole room was incredible. To see our pictures, click HERE. Our pictures are #28-31. After that, we had dinner (& finally found Stella!), then walked back to the Convention Center, took the shuttle back to the hotel, packed, and crashed.

Sunday afternoon was the community band's fall concert. There were a couple of spots where I really thought the piece was going to fall apart (not the flutes' fault), but they managed to keep it together. After the concert, all but 3 of the flutes took a couple of pictures:

 Guess who insisted on a funny picture? (See below)

I've had a good time with this group this semester. As you can see, the band consists of musicians of all ages...from college to senior. 

I have another short week this week: only 2 days of school and then Thanksgiving Break! If you work outside the home, what's your schedule like for this week?

The Fun Keeps Going

Wow!  I don't know that I've ever had a month that was so full of such fun things!
Last night was one of the things I've been working toward since I bought my flute.  I was a bit nervous driving over:  what if I couldn't cut it?  What if the music is too hard?  What if I end up looking like I don't know what I'm doing?
I had no reason to question any of it.  Even though there were parts that I didn't get the first time, I wasn't the only one, and I got it the next time.  We had a total of 5 flutes last night; I made sure to sit in the last chair for comfort.  It was weird sitting there:  I don't think I've ever played the 2nd flute part in my life.  I kept having to turn my stand and chair to the left instead of the right.
At the break, the lady who sits in the 1st chair turned around and asked me about joining the flute choir in town.  So, I guess I didn't do quite that badly!  There's an informational meeting tonight; then there will be a try-out before practice begins.
At the end of practice, the lady who was sitting in the first chair for the 2nd flute part said that she is going to be out of town the week that we are having a couple of concerts, so she asked if I would take over the top spot for 2nd flutes.  Of course, there are only 2 of us left, but she didn't ask the other person!
So...between music and camping, it looks like I'm getting ready for that empty nest!

Friday Fragments: Spring Break style

~It's FINALLY here!  Spring Break!  Woo-Hoo!  (I still have to get through today, then I'm scott-free for the week!)  I'm afraid the week is going to go by waaaay too fast...don't they always when you don't have work?

~  My plans are some reading, flute-playing, cleaning, and maybe some painting.  Our kitchen area really needs it.  After 8 years, I think it's time to spruce the place up a bit.

~  The temps are suppose to be in the mid-70's!  I just KNEW we'd get snow next week since we haven't gotten any this year.  Maybe we'll get some the week after as a sort-of "last hurrah" for winter!

~ I e-mailed the person in charge of a local community band, and he gave me the date to meet for next fall, so now I have a date to shoot for.  I don't think my fingers will ever get back to be as fast as they were, but if I can just get a little close, I'll be happy!

~ Don't forget to set your clocks forward on Saturday night!

Free Weekend!

Last weekend was quite the "free weekend" for me.  It started on Friday, when I received a card in the mail from Starbucks.  I had earned enough "stars" for a free drink!  YAY!!!
Saturday morning, YS & I ventured into the  big city to go to a music store.  This store has been in the big city for what seems like forever.  They are the ones who go around to the schools and bring supplies to the band kids/band director, rent instruments, and fix what is broken.  I went in to find some music that would help me bring back my flute technique, and also to buy a polishing cloth.  There were a couple of places on my flute (my, that sounds nice!) that were tarnished.  I was keeping my fingers crossed that a quick polish would do the trick; I really didn't want to pay for major polishing.  The employees there are absolutely wonderful.  One of them is one of the "Big Orange Banditos":  an ensemble sponsored by a radio station that will visit someone first thing in the morning (on a Friday before a UT football game) and given them a "Wake up call" (Rocky Top).  Here's an example (you only have to watch the first minute to get a good idea of what this is about):

Of course this is put on the radio for everybody to hear!  They have waken up the likes of Pat Summit, Bruce Pearl (former UT Men's Basketball coach) and David Keith (actor from "An Officer and a Gentleman"). 
What was my post about???  Oh, yeah!  So, anyway, I went into the music store and told him what I was looking for.  Not only did he get the cloth for me, he and another employee shined my flute for me!  The tarnished spots came right off.  He helped me find the music I needed, and, $99 later, we were out the door.  The free part in that $99 was the polishing, and they didn't charge me for the cloth.  YS said he didn't need anything when we were driving over, but then he decided he needed a metronome/tuner, and a cleaning kit for his baritone.  That was the bulk of the charge.  He did remind me that he hasn't cost us nearly what his brothers have.
Sunday I went into Starbucks after Mass ('cause if you go to Mass, you get a reward!) to get my free drink.  As the manager gave me my drink, she asked me if I was the one who like the gingerbread lattes.  Oh, yeah; you bet I am!  She pointed to the shelf and told me to take one of these:

There were only 3 left, so I guess she just wanted to get rid of them!  After I told her how much I loved her, I walked out the door with my free drink and free gingerbread syrup.  She's just the best manager EVER!
And no, I'm not too proud to be given free stuff!