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Sep. 19th, 2009 12:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wlotusI haven't finished sorting, tagging, and editing my photos from our trip to VA/WV. There are hundreds of them, and between taking an exam this Monday and dealing with anxiety before today's photography assignment, not to mention loads of time relaxing my mind via Facebook's FarmTown and FarmVille, I haven't made much progress. I don't feel bad about it, though. I'm too busy living life out loud (as one friend put it) to beat myself up over something so inconsequential.
My exam on Monday did not go well. I'll have to retake it, after I study some more. I'm glad my school allows free retakes. Since I don't have a photography assignment next week, I'll use the week to study and take practice exams.
In happier news, Dad is finally home from rehab and is learning to get around on his prosthetic leg with the help of a walker. I haven't seen him, yet. Maybe later this year I can take a trip to see him. It depends on how my money flows.
My recent interest in FarmTown and FarmVille on Facebook surprised me. I have avoided Facebook apps, because...well, quite frankly, I found the whole idea stupid. But while we were visiting T's friends in VA, they mentioned enjoying the games because they are mindless. I decided I could use more mindless entertainment in my life, so I can take life a little less seriously and have a lot less anxiety. I think it's working. In spite of having normal anxiety over starting the new job this week, I have felt calmer and better able to still my mind when anxiety arises.
One of the things I did for myself this week was attend Wednesday morning's free open rehearsal for the NY Philharmonic. I rode into Manhattan with T and went to Lincoln Center when she went to work. I was there by 7, so there were probably only 50 or so people in front of me. This year I was smart enough to bring a folding stool, so I sat comfortably and enjoyed my iPod and book and journal while waiting for the Lincoln Center staff to pass out tickets and open the doors. I could have used a warmer jacket and some hot chocolate, though; there was a brisk wind, along with drizzles. I was quite happy when they opened the doors promptly at 9, so I could find a seat front and center and catch a few winks before the rehearsal began.
After two modern pieces, which I didn't enjoy as much--I don't understand most modern music; it sounds like a jumble of discordant notes and random percussive interruptions--they performed Berlioz's Fantastic Symphony: Episode in the Life of an Artist. I am new to Berlioz's music, and I fell in love with that piece, much like I did with Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony when they played it during last year's open rehearsal. As soon as I can stop being so stingy with myself, I will purchase a recording of it. It seems the first couple of movements gave them a bit of trouble; Musical Director Alan Gilbert had them stop and replay several portions before they made it through the entire movement. They played the last movement straight through without stopping, and at the end of it we immediately leaped to our feet and cheered, it was that good. Mr. Gilbert had the entire orchestra stand up to accept our applause, then he exclaimed to us, "That was damn near perfect!" After having them run through and fine-tune a few passages, he dismissed the rehearsal, and I headed home, flush with the excitement of having attended two consecutive open rehearsals and discovering yet another composer whose music I enjoy.
It almost seems ridiculous, now, to remember that I felt guilty that I was able to be there, when![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
labyrinthnight and T were working at full-time jobs. I think that same imp was whispering the same things in my ear last year. But I want to minimize the likelihood of going into my next full-time job mourning the opportunities I did not take advantage of during this more flexible phase of my life, so I kicked the imp off my shoulder and focused on my moments of contentment, instead, and I had a wonderful time.
My exam on Monday did not go well. I'll have to retake it, after I study some more. I'm glad my school allows free retakes. Since I don't have a photography assignment next week, I'll use the week to study and take practice exams.
In happier news, Dad is finally home from rehab and is learning to get around on his prosthetic leg with the help of a walker. I haven't seen him, yet. Maybe later this year I can take a trip to see him. It depends on how my money flows.
My recent interest in FarmTown and FarmVille on Facebook surprised me. I have avoided Facebook apps, because...well, quite frankly, I found the whole idea stupid. But while we were visiting T's friends in VA, they mentioned enjoying the games because they are mindless. I decided I could use more mindless entertainment in my life, so I can take life a little less seriously and have a lot less anxiety. I think it's working. In spite of having normal anxiety over starting the new job this week, I have felt calmer and better able to still my mind when anxiety arises.
One of the things I did for myself this week was attend Wednesday morning's free open rehearsal for the NY Philharmonic. I rode into Manhattan with T and went to Lincoln Center when she went to work. I was there by 7, so there were probably only 50 or so people in front of me. This year I was smart enough to bring a folding stool, so I sat comfortably and enjoyed my iPod and book and journal while waiting for the Lincoln Center staff to pass out tickets and open the doors. I could have used a warmer jacket and some hot chocolate, though; there was a brisk wind, along with drizzles. I was quite happy when they opened the doors promptly at 9, so I could find a seat front and center and catch a few winks before the rehearsal began.
After two modern pieces, which I didn't enjoy as much--I don't understand most modern music; it sounds like a jumble of discordant notes and random percussive interruptions--they performed Berlioz's Fantastic Symphony: Episode in the Life of an Artist. I am new to Berlioz's music, and I fell in love with that piece, much like I did with Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony when they played it during last year's open rehearsal. As soon as I can stop being so stingy with myself, I will purchase a recording of it. It seems the first couple of movements gave them a bit of trouble; Musical Director Alan Gilbert had them stop and replay several portions before they made it through the entire movement. They played the last movement straight through without stopping, and at the end of it we immediately leaped to our feet and cheered, it was that good. Mr. Gilbert had the entire orchestra stand up to accept our applause, then he exclaimed to us, "That was damn near perfect!" After having them run through and fine-tune a few passages, he dismissed the rehearsal, and I headed home, flush with the excitement of having attended two consecutive open rehearsals and discovering yet another composer whose music I enjoy.
It almost seems ridiculous, now, to remember that I felt guilty that I was able to be there, when
labyrinthnight and T were working at full-time jobs. I think that same imp was whispering the same things in my ear last year. But I want to minimize the likelihood of going into my next full-time job mourning the opportunities I did not take advantage of during this more flexible phase of my life, so I kicked the imp off my shoulder and focused on my moments of contentment, instead, and I had a wonderful time.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-09-19 04:46 am (UTC)I am really interested in your photos from WV ... can't wait to see them.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-19 12:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-19 01:18 pm (UTC)I like FarmTown's ability to interact with and more quickly earn money by working with others.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-20 05:49 pm (UTC)*hugs*
K.