Finally beautiful weather.

This week is shaping up to be beautiful.

I spent most of the weekend with friends and it was well spent that way.  Yay for amusment parks and water slides and early bed times! 

This week is going to be busy with bass playing for the upcoming shows.  I'm so happy about this!  There's part of me that suspects that this could be what gets me writing again.  A jump start of sorts.  Yesterday I tackled 5 songs out of 8.  Today I try to figure out bass lines for the last three.

Working out is becoming a routine and I'm feeling so much better about myself.  It feels great to get stronger.  It makes me want to run around ninja-kicking and air-punching.

I wandered around looking for old fabric today to make pillows, found some beautiful old linens, and then put them down.  Why did I do this?  No, really, why?  I blame my tired-face and headache.

A friend-lunch date was exactly what I needed today.  Kelli is someone I love very much and do a terrible job with keeping in touch.  We have plans next week!  Imagine that, it really is that simple. 

Headache headache headache nap. Hello new begonias!

A new job.

It's been a busy couple of days!  I interviewed for a job on Wednesday and learned that I got it by 1 in the afternoon.  I've been trying to get hired full time for years, it's such an amazing thing to finally have it happen.  The kids at Lincoln will be greatly missed though.

In sewing news, I altered a dress and a shirt.  I know absolutely nothing about sewing, so this is a pretty big success. 

I'm struggling with getting any music done.  I restrung my guitar and played a little, but it's something I prefer to do when I have long, quiet stretches of time.  That time simply hasn't happened.  Friend time is always too appealing to turn down.  I'm playing with the Lonelyhearts next weekend though, so I will absolutely have to get practicing.

Yesterday was spent in Ames seeing Mark.  Happy day!  We parked it, walked it, ate it, record stored it.  Today I'm putting serious goals aside and going to the beach FINALLY.  The recent two weeks of constant thunderstorms really didn't allow for beach parties.

I've taken a lot of pictures over the last few days, but i'm totally lazy and I'm not going to bother.  Beach beach beach beach beach...

A Little Break

So I'm going to be honest, I slacked a lot over the last three days and there's no way around it.  I figure that's sometimes necessary.  I DID manage to fill my time with action rather than inaction, and that's the whole point.

Saturday: Impromptu stranger wedding!  Andre and I  drove out to a beautiful farm house and spent the day eating, talking, seeing a wedding, playing ping pong and croquet, and dancing to samba music.  Success.  No reading, no working out, no making music.  A lot of being happy.

Sunday: Family day!  I drove up to Cedar Rapids to spend some time with Mom and Dad on Father's Day.  I made some pizza, which is ALMOST like making something new because it is very involved and I've only attempted it a couple times over the years.  No reading, no working out, no music.  A lot of being happy.

 Monday: A day of trying to get things together.  Nicole and I had a workout date in the morning and certainly made it worth the trip to the gym.  After that, I cleaned up a bit at home and did a little reading (finally! geesh, loser).  I did some major TV time with Klang once she got back into town and lazed around with Andre.  Reading? Yes.  Working out?  Yes.  Making music?  No.  Ugh.

Today: Another work out date with Nicole.  We did an hour of yoga that made me swear like a sailor and doubt that there is good in the world.  I think I need to work on my concentration and breathing, yeah?  Felt much better when it was done.  My teaching book came in the mail so I starting getting some professional reading in.  I also managed to buy guitar strings to replace my broken and worn down ones.  Little steps.

Here's hoping tomorrow's weather allows for some beach time, right?  It's criminal how little I've been able to go this summer.

Yesterday and today.

I finished the in class part of my class yesterday and don't have to worry about it again until I start the school year.  Glad it's done, glad I have an interview next week, glad to have work ducks in a row.  I like the sound of that: work ducks.

The rest of the day?  A little reading, a True Blood episode, a lot of dancing.

Today is this: lunch with Gables/Geoff, Toy Story 3, radio show (klangandmer.blogspot.com), burlesque, more dancing probably.

Master your face!

Today I went to my first class that gives me graduate credit.  Actually moving towards a masters?  I'd say that's a decent enough accomplishment.  I have homework even.  Then?  Then I'm going to read this:

Then some music maybe?  Definitely a bike ride at least.

Let's reconnect with friends.

I managed to play clarinet, read, and start a new song (that frankly has zero potential but I'll take what I can get).  Nicole and I went to the gym and got all sweaty all over everything in the best way.  Thai vegetarian lunch buffet happened to my delight.  I did some major pouting which should have been avoidable.  Major success though?  Calling my dears Sean and Kellie, emailing Kelli, and chatting with Matt.  I'm notoriously bad at staying in touch so this was a big accomplishment.

Now it's time to eat chocolate and think about going to bed.

Yesterday's Accomplishments

What a good first start!  Yesterday I managed to:

1. Find my favorite clarinet book and play
2. Work out
3. Read
4. Take photos
5. Have some entrigue
6. Apply for a new teaching position
7. Clean
8. Start looking for a volunteering gig

Here's hoping I can keep up this pace (probably not going to happen).  My teaching class tomorrow and Thursday is totally going to cramp my style.

Free Summer

One of my biggest faults is my inability to actually do all of the things I tell myself I will do.  This summer is one of the last summers I will have that is completely free.  Thanks teaching career!  No job, no big responsibilities, no impending move.

I want to accomplish so much but I'm afraid I'll squander this time by watching movies and dinking around online.  My plan is to use this blog as a tool to track what I do with my day and keep myself moving.  Will it work, or will I let this little blog tool fail as well?  Only time will tell.

My big plans:

1. Write an album (already started!) and play a show or two
2. Work out every week day (ugh, necessary)
3. Take two teaching classes
4. Cook something new once a week
5. Start painting and drawing again
6. Get my clarinet chops back
7. Read daily
8. Explore a new place once a week
9. Learn to sew
10. Start writing again in some form
11. Travel
12. Learn more about photography
13. Swim as much as possible
14. Spend time with my parents
15. Find a volunteer gig to be excited about

I'm sure I can think of more and will add to it as necessary. I've spent a lot of the last few months not feeling particularly inspired, creative, healthy or kind.  Let's do this, summer!