Do you know what I love right now?

I love that the ivy growing up the side of our house is turning red with Autumn, so when I look out our bedroom window I see these beautiful orangey-red leaves clinging to the panes. Yeah, that's what I love right now.

Frank Bought a Camera

This post would be sooo much more effective if I would have included photos from said camera...

BUT, Frank bought a camera and just got it in the mail yesterday! He was very cute all night when he came home and couldn't stop playing with it. He even took it to bed and took portraits of the stuffed animals while I fell asleep. Hehehe.

So, you know what this means? It means Frank is going to have a photo shoot with me on Saturday. I'm totally excited. What could be more fun than that?

Bahh, don't worry

Sorry for all my recent depressed posts! It's really not all that bad here. But it's impossible to find a job. And, when I DO find a job opening, I'm usually too lazy to jump on it right away. But we'll see what happens with all that.

In terms of the tooth, I just went in for the final appointment today. Haha, yes, it took 4 dentist visits to fix this puppy up. But now it's all good and maybe someday I'll be able to bite into an apple again! The crazy thing is, I think I developed some TMJ issues that stemmed from all of the tooth trauma. I normally tense up my jaw a lot, but all that jaw tension has been worsened when I've been trying to isolate that tooth when I've been chewing. You know, messing with my bite and stuff like that. Well, not my jaw is suuuuuper sore, so I'll try to get that figured out. Man, I am a HOT.MESS.

But things are going well despite those two issues. Frank and I have been having a lot of fun here: cooking, baking, singing, goofing, etc. And I've been trying to make more time for things I really love, like knitting, singing, baking bread, and things like that.

So just really wanted to let you know that NO I'm not hanging myself in depression. NO my life is not terrible. It's all okay... And hopefully it'll be a lot better soon :)

D-d-d-d-d-downer

Don't get me wrong and all. The Frank part of my life is awesome.

But everything else... Hmmm...

Yup. That's it.

The Epic Tooth Saga

Let me warn you, this entry is merely therapeutic for me and is NOT well-written or interesting or funny.

This time of the year is always one of the worst for students. I remember this time two years ago--I had my first breakdown at IU. I went back for a gig last week and everyone was in the middle of a busy semester, bogged down with coursework and performances, stressed to the max. And for the first time ever, I'm not in the middle of it...because I'm not a student anymore!

The avoidance of mid-October mania was a comfort to me until I had my own mid-October, non-school-related breakdown last week.

As I said, I went to Bloomington for a gig with Vox Reflexa. It was a little weird to travel to Bloomington this time around, I think mostly because I used to do it so many times last year after having visited Frank for a weekend or so, and every time the voyage back to Bloomington was bittersweet. But now this was a business/recreation trip. It was nice to make the drive at a more leisurely pace and see all the leaves changing in Indiana (they haven't changed here very much yet), and stop at places like Traders Joes--I even bumped into Matt on i70 and we had dinner at a Sonic in Vandalia, IL. I stayed with Laura (as she is my only friend without cats...that and she has a spare bedroom) and Joel, and Laura was in the middle of the most stressful semester of her life. It felt like all of Bloomington was like this. The only people who seemed to be getting along well were Brian and Amanda, who just had their baby a week earlier. I had knit him a little pumpkin pie hat with matching booties and got to hold him for two hours while he slept. I could probably write a whole blog about that, but I won't. :)

Anyway, I sang the gig (it went well, big crowd), met up with a few friends I hadn't seen in a while, caught up on the latest EMI gossip, and had breakfast with Laura and Arwen before hitting the road on Friday morning.

I called Frank from the road to tell him I had left, but I had to cut our conversation short because of an atrocious toothache. Thinking it was merely my sensitive mouth's reaction to Bloomington allergies, I bought a few advil and kept driving. But the pain got worse and worse. Frank had grilled a whole meal for me for when I got back home, but I showed up on our doorstep in agonizing pain. That night I couldn't sleep and kept waking him up as I grabbed more pain pills, so I finally moved myself to the guest bedroom and put a frozen bottle of gin on my cheek.

Let me explain: I am ridiculously afraid of the dentist. I think because my parents didn't really take me to the dentist much as a kid, and as a result I only went for serious problems, not normal check-ups. My most recent visit was two years ago when I had a terrible toothache that needed a root canal, but I didn't have insurance, which resulted in a filled cavity instead. And now, this recent toothache was that SAME tooth. And because of my previous problems with it, I knew it was going to be a big issue. Frank and I spent all Saturday calling dentists in Kansas City, calling our parents to ask them to call their dentists, calling friends for their recommendations, but for some reason we couldn't get in anywhere for emergency treatment. Finally, we got a tip to go to an urgent care clinic and ask for pain meds so I could make it through till Monday when dental offices were back open. So we spent two hours waiting at the Urgent Care in the Shawnee Mission mall (I know, it was really awkward) and I ended up with some crazy pain pills and a bunch of amoxicilan. I was drugged up and sick the entire weekend, with puffy chipmunk cheeks, and was only able to take small sips of milkshakes for food.

Monday I went to a dentist that Alan recommended and got a root canal. It turns out I had a huge infection behind the cavity in that tooth from two years ago. Everyone says a root canal is really awful, but I've had bad pain before and didn't believe it could be so terrible. OH MAN, it WAS! The root canal procedure was horrible and I felt so much pain during it (probably because the novacaine didn't work very well on my infection) that afterwards I was almost in tears. They left the tooth open for a day to drain the infection (GAHHHHHH!!!!!) and then filled it in temporarily on Tuesday. Now I'm doing a lot better, but I'm still on antibiotics and have to go back again in a week. There was such drama with this whole situation, but I'm really indebted to Frank for everything he did to help me out. Not just during the pain, but it's his insurance I'm on (as his "domestic partner" hehehe), and we just set up my plan a few weeks ago. If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't have been able to afford the care I needed in this emergency... And, come on, Frank was REALLY sweet too :)

So now I'm back in the pain-free real world, right in the middle of concert-week for the Chorale. We had our first concert yesterday, and it was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. Seriously. I don't know why... it's not like I'm an amateur choral singer or anything. This should have been a breeze. But it was so hard. I didn't sing my best, and the concert wasn't all that amazing...so I keep blaming it on myself (which is dumb, by the way). It was all ooey, gooey, sustained, "filtered" singing--none of this laser-pointed, consorty early music stuff. And since I spent the past two years of my life doing almost exclusively the latter, I felt sufficiently out-of-shape for this concert. We have another one tomorrow night and hopefully that will be better for me and for the group.

But the funny thing is, I'm still having that huge mid-October stress fest all of my school friends are having. The parallel is somewhat interesting to me, but I'm sure it's not to you, so congratulations if you made it to the end.

Who knew...

...that you had to be a full-time student to get music jobs in this world.

Wedddddddding

So, my big sister is getting married on Saturday. For some reason, the only thing I can think of is what I'll be wearing to the rehearsal dinner... Being the maid of honor for my posh, sylish, successful older sister freaks me out a little bit--I have to really up my game in the wardrobe department...

So clothes are on the brain. Unfortunately, there is no money to be spent, and somehow none of the dresses in TJ Maxx actually fit. I don't think they really fit anyone. It's weird. Maybe that's why you shouldn't shop at TJ Maxx...

So I suppose I'll have to wear something I already have. I mean, I have about a hundred dresses. But this is the big time, people. If I'm gonna wear that purple one, I have to stitch up the tear under the boobs. Cuz it's a fricking wedding...

Ohhhhh no.

Okay everyone, I have a confession.

I am addicted to yahtzee.

I played it for the first time in the bed and breakfast with Frank less than a week ago. And now I feel the need to play it all the time. Monday I made a pogo.com account just to play yahtzee, and now I find myself playing it all.the.time.

I even like to play on the laptop so I can take it with me when I go to the bathroom--never gonna miss a turn!

I'm serious.

The last game on pogo, I got 375 points. And three of the five members in my little yahtzee game room were like "gg linds!" which I guess means good game? And I enthusiastically responded "ty!" which, of course, means thank you! Oh man, that just makes my day.

The One-Year Wonder

Frank and I celebrated our one-year anniversary this weekend. Actually, the anniversary isn't until tomorrow... but we celebrated early, and it was one of the best weekend adventure's I've ever had!

We spent Friday night at a sweet Bed and Breakfast in Pleasant Hill, MO called the Mulberry Hill Bed and Breakfast. It was a in a huge Victorian house in a small town a few miles south of Kansas City. Even though our room was decorated like my grandparents' house, we absolutely LOVED it there--we watched Food TV for the first time in months (no cable here!), played Yahtzee (my first time--can you say "addicted?!"), and watched a movie on our new MAC BOOK PRO while playing in the jacuzzi! They also had a hot tub right outside our room, but it stormed all night and we just spent the evening in.

We went to dinner at a little Italian restaurant in Greenwood (a few miles away) called Perazelli's. You wouldn't think that you could order the best Italian meal of your life in small town Missouri, but this place was amazing! Our breakfast was provided at the B&B, of course, and it was ridiculously amazing (oh, forgot to add that we got complimentary dessert in our room before bed, and this innkeeper KNOWS how to make brownies!!!!).

We drove back to Kansas City on Saturday and spent the 100+ degree day at Oceans of Fun! Unfortunately just about everyone in KC had the same idea, so it was a little packed... but we really enjoyed ourselves! After spending six hours at the park (no joke!) we made a take-n-bake pizza at home and watched the sixth Harry Potter movie (which ended our marathon...). I, of course, sobbed like a baby for about an hour afterwards. Poor Frank...

Sunday started off normally with the typical four hours of church choir, but afterwards we had lunch at Sweet Tomatoes (literally across the street from our backyard--score!) and bottled our homebrew. Then we went to a pool party with Frank's chorale friends, drinking beer and basil mojitos in the water until we couldn't stand the cool evening breeze (WHAT? Finally!) any more.

Of course, in a party for chorale folks, my month-old chorale audition was foremost in my mind. I still hadn't heard yay or nay and after a month's worth of waiting, I was worrying it wasn't going to happen. BUT, strangely, as soon as Frank and I got home that night, I had an email from the group's assistant that I had been offered a position in the choir! Talk about coincidence! And good news! I am now officially a professional choral singer--I get paid for this gig--in a grammy-award-winning chamber choir! With my boyfriend. Woot!

Wednesday, for the actual anniversary, we have to go to church choir rehearsal... But we're making the best of it by going out for fondue afterwards. I think? What a great weekend--I'm happy with it all. And what a nice relaxing break, probably the only time to relax before Cortney's wedding in less than two weeks... wish me luck on THAT rollercoaster!

Peace-out!

Woody Strikes Again

I love that even if a Woody Allen movie is absolutely terrible, I'm always bawling by the end. Because somehow Woody has managed to wrench a beautiful ending out of every circumstance--good, bad, or poorly acted.

I'm saying this because I spent the past two hours watching one of Woody's recents (Whatever Works, which, by the way, stars the amazing Larry David) with my newly-sprained foot icing on a pillow. Frank and I decided to check out a sushi bar across the street, and after an amazing meal, in the euphorea that ensued, I stepped in a hole on the way home and sprained the BALLS out of my ankle. I have terrible ankles and have sprained each one quite a bit, but this was one was particularly painful. And poor Frank, who has to be out of his apartment by tomorrow, went by himself to clean and move his stuff out...

I feel awful. The poor thing. There's so much work to be done, and I can't even stand on my own! But he just called and agreed to bring me home ice cream. And I realized, even if the day ended in a sprain, poor luck, and even this terribly-written blog, it was still beautiful in the end.

Thanks Woody.

In Which Lindsey Slowly Loses Her Mind:

Okay, here comes a rant. I think...

I have been officially living in Kansas City for two weeks, now! As in, I am living with ALL of my stuff in my new residence, with an actual Kansas City address!

(By the way, when I just typed Kansas City, I typed "cansas city". Seriously).

I started the moving process four weekends ago, over the weekend of July 4th. It was exhilarating to pack up and move out of Bloomington, and Frank and I lit a fire under ourselves to make the move really efficient. I was crazy proud of us.

What we forgot, however, was that Frank also had to move out of his place. So, after we were completely moved in with my stuff, we realized that Frank had a whole other apartment of HIS stuff waiting to be packed and hauled. And neither of us wanted anything to do with it.

Fast forward to this week, almost a month later: have we packed Frank's apartment yet? Not really... We STARTED last night, and gave up when I saw just how many cups he has (yes, Frank has a LOT of cups). We have to be out by Saturday. And Frank works an insane amount this week. But then, once we DO pack it up, where are we putting these boxes? In our adorable living room? Uh, no. Does this mean we're shoving the 20 lb boxes of kitchen ware in the basement until I know what to do with them? I suppose so. Thank god we have a basement.

Last night we were so frustrated by the prospect of MORE MOVING, that we went to the garden instead. And spent an hour or so there, weeding, picking, rearranging pumpkin vines... Pumpkins, by the way, take up a LOT of space. I mean, we planted 4 pumpkin plants, and now they've taken over our entire garden, wrapping around tomatoes and crushing peppers. No one even knows what to do. But our garden is awesome and is now supplying us with endless cucumbers, adorable patty pan squashes, cherry tomatoes, okra, and enough other goodies for us to get excited about SOMETHING during the mess of this move...

Hopefully next weekend we will be DONE. And I will take a thousand pictures because this townhouse is too gosh darn cute not to document on the internet.

I write like...

I write like
James Joyce

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

...as was determined by analyzing one of my blog posts. So, there you go.

It's amazing what technology can do. During one of our many road trips to and from Indiana for our big move, Frank and I got really in to Radio Lab. You NEEEEED to listen to it. It's interesting, funny, provocative, ecclectic. I can't say enough about it. Anyway, we were listening to a short about a computer program that is being used to analyze whole books and use this data (about word usage, vocabulary, etc) to infer things about authors' brains. And basically a study was done about Agatha Christie and her magnum opus of mystery novels, and the data showed that at a certain date her vocabulary took a sharp drop and kept getting more sparse until her career ended. And using this information, researchers inferred that she developed Alzheimer's at this time. She never went to a doctor for these symptoms and therefore was never diagnosed, but sources say she was sure something was deeply wrong with her and she was becoming lost.

This example is poorly written, but it's amazing to me that computers can be used for these things. And what an interesting Radio Lab! Go listen to it, and others. And call me :)

Any way, Frank and I have officially moved in to our new townhouse/duplex in Kansas City. We LOVE it here, despite the outrageous temperature in our master bedroom. It's huge, all hardwood floors, two bedrooms/two baths, a basement, two garages... and, just like Frank's old place, there's chipmunks who live outside our front door. It's a dream. Maybe pictures later for anyone who actually reads this.

So, now I'm here. So long Indiana. It was fun while it lasted... kind of...

Corn Chowder.

I went to Berkeley and San Francisco for the first time about two weeks ago. I suppose I won't really blog about that (at least yet) since I haven't blogged at all in a few months... but what I really wanted to say was I went to the best restaurant EVER.

We were rehearsing in Berkeley for the afternoon and needed lunch, and Dominic stopped in his tracks when he saw a Smart Alec's and begged us to go in. It boasted great soups, which made me a little weary, because I almost never crave soup. But whatever. Dominic was about to have a heart attack, so we went in.

Thank God for his palpitations, because it was one of the best meals I ate in California. Smart Alec's advertises itself as a healthy fast food place with amazing burgers and sandwiches and its famous air-baked french fries (sweeeeeeeet). But when I saw corn chowder on the menu (AND it comes with fresh baked bread!) I knew that was the route I was going to take. Well, I also got a half a sandwich. But that's not the point.

Us chowing down.

The point was this ridiculous corn chowder. Right after I ordered it I realized it was vegan. How can a chowder have no dairy? I freaked out a little, but MAN was it amazing. The best texture I've ever put in my mouth. Not too creamy/watery, BURSTING with sweet corn flavor. This thing was my new boyfriend (sorry Frank).

And the first thing I cooked when I got back to Missouri was what I hoped would be a replica of that amazing bowl of chowder. I searched online for "dairy-free corn chowder" and got a lot of weird-looking things, but then I stumbled upon something that looked a little more like what I had. And I cooked it (omitting the greens). And it was fabulous. And here it is.

One pot of this stuff made about 6 servings and it kept for about 5 days in the fridge. Each time I warmed it up I added some more soy milk. Warning: Frank tolerates it, but doesn't really like it. But then again, he's not really a soup person, or a vegan person, or a polenta person. But man, it's my new favorite thing.

Spring Meal Extravaganza

Despite all its beauty, Holy Week was ridiculously exhausting. I've never worshiped through this holiday as an Episcopalian, so this past week of singing at Trinity was unexpected to say the least. At the end of a very busy Easter day, after each taking extended naps, Frank and I decided to cook an Easter meal together (over the phone, of course).

For some reason I was craving red meat BIG time, so I thought Lamb would be the perfect protein to cook up. I found some cheap, beautiful lamb chops at Kroger (who knew??), but Frank couldn't find anything he'd want to sink his teeth into after going to two different stores and settled for pork loin instead.

At a farmer's market last year, a lady selling locally-raised lamb told me that the best way to cook it was to sear it with apple cider vinegar until it was thoroughly caramelized on both sides. Having done it several times since, I can confirm that it's my FAVORITE way to cook and eat lamb. So I did just that, and served it alongside mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus.

Frank did the same thing to his pork, and rumor has it, it turned out pretty good.

After the amazing food I returned to reality and somehow made it through an insanely busy week of school. Yesterday I randomly sprained my ankle and made the mistake of walking on it all day, thinking it was okay. Well, by the afternoon it was the size of a watermelon and I couldn't put any weight on it... And seeing as how when I wrap it, my foot won't fit inside my rainboots (I can only wear open flats), the past two days of monsoon rain were very unpleasant for me. And tonight I rewarded myself and my ankle by cooking up the rest of my Easter asparagus into a creamy asparagus soup. I used this epicurious recipe and pretty much followed it exactly, except not making as much.

The PERFECT bowl of soup. I want it every day. Maybe I will when Frank and I start up...our new garden! Well, we won't be able to grow asparagus, but that was really just a transition into my exciting news! I feel like I'm announcing that we're having a baby, but really it's just a garden. But the anticipation is just as intense. We searched for weeks and weeks and couldn't find a community garden. In Bloomington it's easy to rent a garden plot--you just contact Parks and Recreation. But in Kansas City you have to call around and search through cryptic internet postings and blogs. Finally a kind man at the Kansas City Community Gardens center suggested we check with an Episcopal church (now the story comes full circle, eh?) a few blocks from where Frank lives. And sure enough, they had one more half plot, and we're going to start planting when I'm in Missouri for the Bach B Minor in two weeks. I'm ridiculously excited. Taking care of my garden last year was one of the most gratifying and amazing experiences I've ever had, and I can't wait to share that with Frank (who seems a little scared!). I hope to be a little more daring this summer with my vegetable-growing. Hopefully having a year of experience will help me get more out of the plants! So just wait, in a few weeks this blog will officially turn into Garden Blog!!

Well, I'm off. Gotta borrow some crutches from Brian and Amanda to take with me to Saint Louis tomorrow. Meeting Frank at the Best Western--how romantic!--and spending about 24 hours with him until I have to drive back to start an even busier week...

Vivaldi

I did a concert a while back for my friend Go (an awesome Baroque violinist) of a virtuosic soprano motet by Vivaldi, "In Furore Guistissime Irae." I don't do Vivaldi very much, so the piece kind of freaked me out. I personally think his music is a little too acrobatic and aggressive for my voice... But Go posted the videos from the concert and I actually think they're pretty good!

Here's the third of the four movements. I like the end a whole lot. If you're looking for something more impressive, check out the last movement (or the first, I suppose). And, if you like it, you should listen to the other pieces from the concert, like the Bach triple concerto.

Ahh... don't you love the Baroque??

Lasagna Date

Frank and I decided to make the world's most extravagant and labor-intensive lasagna EVER last night. Used this recipe from Food Network and decided to get more protein and veggies by adding brined and boiled chicken and sauteed zucchini. Oh my gosh, so decadent and so amazing, although I think it would have been better by ditching the tomato sauce and adding something creamier and less acidic to work with the spinach and chicken. Soooo good, though. It was funny because we both made out own while talking over speakerphone, so we ended up with pounds of lasagna! How will I ever be able to finish? Anyone hungry?

My lasagna, fresh out of the oven.

The ooey gooey first slice.

Frank's first homemade lasagna experience--it looks great, I'm so proud! Do you enjoy the mountain dew in the beer stein?

New Kitchen Gems!

While in Bloomington I try to cook as much as possible to save as much money as possible, (and I freaking love to cook!) but usually I get home from a long day and watch south park on my computer and consequently cook up the same thing over and over. I mean, it's awesome food (sauteed black beans, onions, and brown sugar over rice, anyone?) but I'm often too tired to be adventurous. As of lately, however, I am absolutely smitten with the smitten kitchen blog, and after cooking all week for my honey over break, I came back to Bloomington rechargedand ready to try new things. I'm one of those cooks who scoffs at recipes (cuz I'm just so darn creative) but sometimes a cook's gotta have guidance, so I've been embracing the smitten kitchen inspiration and trying her awesome dishes. And I've GOT to get you to make this amazing chicken salad. Okay, okay, I know chicken salad sounds lame and boring, but this stuff has walnuts, cranberries, shallots, tarragon, and of course juicy, brined chicken. You have GOT to make it, and eat it. I am obsessed. And you will be, too!!

Speaking of cooking, I just got back from Spring Break, which was spent with the Frankster (and a freak spring snow storm) in Kansas City.

He was crazy busy the whole time, so I cooked for him almost every night (he even cooked for me!!), and the visit culminated with our collaboration meal, pictured here:

On the plate was the orange honey mustard chicken breast, Lindsey's famous mashed potatoes (they really are famous), and Frank's newest creation, which I will call the broccoli surprise--the surprise being that the broccoli is actually sauteed with prosciutto and shallots and topped with asiago cheese. He made it up all by himself, and I couldn't be prouder!!

Mmmmm Morning

I think that iChat is basically the coolest thing ever, and Frank and I found out that video chatting makes missing each other 20 times better. And because he's a computer genius, he set up our iChats to automatically video chat with each other without the other's consent. So that means surprise popping in on each other whenever we're at home. It's kind of the best idea he ever had!

So this morning I slept in a little and then roused myself out of bed to make banana nut pancakes and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. Such a great morning!! And I plopped down in front of my computer to pop in and share my breakfast with Frank, who looked so cute I couldn't help but take this picture!

In less than 24 hours he and I will be spending a busy weekend together--our first visit in a month!

Conversation at 4 pm CST

Me: Hellooo!!

Frank: ...Hi...

Me: Uh? Are you asleep?

Frank: Yes...

Me: I'm sorry!

Frank: Yeah, I love you tooooo.

Me: Frank, I didn't say I love you.

Frank: Mmmmm...

Me: Do you want to go back to bed?

Frank: Mmmmmm. Goodnight.

Happy Valentines!!

For the first time in a looooong time I was with someone on Valentine's Day. Not just anyone--a REALLY special person. And as I've neglected to tell Blogger, we're moving in together this summer! As in we're getting our own place. It's very exciting.

Being with someone so wonderful makes me feel lucky that I didn't end up with anyone else, especially all those creepsters and crazies I was always trying to hook-up with the past five years. I don't date very much, but I most certainly have pursued some f'd up guys. I'm not naming names, but I remember spending about six months of my life casually dating a guy who bailed on me so much that we really only went on 4 real dates in that half-year span. He was nice--always walked me to my car after opera rehearsal and kissed me on the cheek...but come ON. How could I have wasted so much time on that? Dozens of teary evenings, being stood up again and again--a new excuse each time. Lost phone. Grandma in hospital. Grandma had stroke. Grandma lost phone. Lost phone while visiting Grandma in hospital...

And then there was the guy that Dominic teases likes to sleep with she-males (which is probably true). I mean, I pursued that hot mess for an entire semester. And he was a douche!! He seriously shushes my collegiate choir when we talk too much in rehearsal. Yes, he shushes. Constantly. And wears pleated pants.

It's not like when I was pursuing these guys I didn't recognize these undesirable traits. Trust me, I NOTICED she-male's shushing. And in my heart of hearts I knew it was annoying, but I just kept convincing myself that it was something I could put up with.

But really, in a successful relationship, you don't have to compromise THAT much. If the guy shushes, by all means (unless you like that stuff) don't settle! What is wrong with us--women, adults, humans in general--that we ignore the unforgivably terrible traits of our potential mates. I mean, we ignore this stuff for months, or even years. And then when we break up or stop pursuing or whatever, our friends always ask "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??" And really, what WERE we thinking? Why could my friends see he slept with she-males well before I could, and more importantly, why weren't they telling me?

And this brought about two serious questions: 1) At what point do you tell your friends that their boyfriends/crushes are douches? and 2) How can you be sure, when you think someone is really good, that they really ARE a catch?

I'm going to be honest here. I usually don't approve of the people my friends date (luckily, however, most of my friends are currently dating good people that meet my stamp-of-approval and they are all very happy). I most certainly don't tell them I don't approve. I learned that the hard way when I tried to interfere too much in BFF Mark's relationships. To be honest, I think the reason I don't let my friends know their dates are spazzes is because I really WANT them to be able to put up with those terrible traits. I really WANT my friends to be in a relationship, which often means settling for a while until the right one comes along. It's sad, but I encourage my friend to date shushing she-male-lovers. And when they break up (and they always do), I always ask what the HELL they saw in these freaks.

So if no one is speaking up about their friends' trashy dating choices, how do we know when we've found someone worth spending our time with? This is going to sound cliche, but you just KNOW. I just KNOW that Frank is amazing. And boy is it nice to know that he'll never stand me up on a date and never shush a group of his peers. I'm not settling. What a weird feeling, eh?

Bach Christe

Here is a video my friend's husband took of the B Minor back in November. This duet it surprisingly good, despite the fact that it was the 5th time we'd performed the mass in 6 days... Never again.

Dude, Edgard Varèse always seems to pop up on my iTunes Party Shuffle at the most inopportune times.

Baby got Back (to School)

Hello, dear blog-that-nobody-reads! I'm back. Back in Bloomington over a spectacular break. Back in school, brought here almost kicking and screaming. Back in my busy schedule already with a concert this week, and a concert every subsequent week after (that I can see). It was a stressful beginning to the semester, as I hadn't registered yet. And I'm still not registered, but I atleast KNOW what I'm taking. No one knows how I get myself into these messes!

Just got an email as I writing this that the IU opera needs a female super to play the part of Lucia di Lammermoor's ghost. What an odd request, and how amazing would that be? Getting paid to be Lucia's ghost? Too bad she needs to be tall(ish)!

As I already said, break was amazing. I'm not going to turn this into Frank-blog, but he was the reason it was so great. How weird that I met him in Prometheus in August, and traveled to KC on a whim to visit him two weeks later... Who knew that he'd be buying me soup and spaceheaters when I got the flu, or letting me borrow his car to drive to Columbia safely during a Christmas eve snow storm. The whole thing is hard for me to wrap my head around (in a good way). It was cool doing the second VOP tour with him as my boyfriend, although I suspect it probably freaked Dr. C out a little ;) You know, this guy is a keeper! He bought a plane ticket to visit this weekend, which is really great--with MLKJ day we both get a Monday vacation, and he's going back on Tuesday (a day on which I miraculously have no classes!). That's almost four whole days of him in Bloomington, enjoying a bit of the calm before the storm. Hopefully he'll be back for V Day, as cliche as that is, but that's the weekend of the Monteverdi Vespers.

Oh MAN, the Vespers! That is one big stress attack after another! I have a lot of solo work in it (including the Pulchra Es), which is a good thing, but I just found out about it yesterday and coachings start tomorrow. I don't have a lot of experience with Monteverdi. I have a bit more with Schütz, but he's a completely different animal really... And there's a lot of tension around this production. Whatever, that's not for blogging... But you get the gist.

I have a dress rehearsal in an hour, and I'm singing a Hildegard chant. It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to sing, for reasons that I can't really figure out. I guess it's just really taxing and I'm never sure where the phrases go... but I've got to figure that out in an hour. So I'm off? Okay.