Fummer or (if you prefer) Sall

There is something about smells that bring back memories.

Here are some Karen associations:

exhaust = New Orleans/childhood
freshly cut grass = summer
Freesia = show choir
paprika = Hungary (of course!)
bergamot coriander = Evan
dead fish = Venice

And the one related to now is...
burning wood + grass = Fummer or (if you prefer) Sall

I adore these days between summer and fall. When you grow up in the South it simply doesn't exist. So when you get to have it for only a short time the experience is savored.

It is an interesting mix and you must admit there is a smell and feel to Fall that is distinctive. But people have lost the appreciation of right now, where the sweaters start to come out at night and the air has a mix of seasonal smells.

Enjoy it while you can, my friends, it only last for a short time!

Porn in the Car?

The airlines complain that free wifi on airplanes will cause people to look at porn, but did we ever think of it in a car?

Yes, my friends, 'tis possible. For I saw it with my own eyes.

Upon leaving work one day, day dreaming about going to my new apartment and eating with my hunny, I looked up at the car stopped in front of me. And noticed he was reading...wait, not reading, look at a magazine?

At first I thought it was an ad, but then he kept flipping the pages and on each one was a picture of a lady, usually scantily clad. Usually the page flip was followed by him taking off his glasses, wiping his forehead, and then putting them back on.

Gross.

And even when the line of cars started moving through the stoplight, he would look up to drive forward a little and then continue to look down.

More gross.

So, beware! Porn can happen anywhere.

Life's Twists & Turns

Ah, my friends it has been too long! Forget the fact that I totally skipped out during the month of August, I have had so much happening that I go to sleep in the single digit hours! Aren't I suppose to be young and healthy?

Well, here is the the quick details of right now:

I got a new job! I teach music (K-6) in the Cleveland area (not in Cleveland, but the area) and it is draining my life. Besides the fact that I work 8+ hours writing lesson plans and teaching, there is all the hall duties and lunch duties and recess duties...and let me tell you the name "duties" describes how I feel about that.

I joined the COC again! We have a seven hour rehearsal tomorrow night that I am praying gets cut short because I need to get some sleep in...

MY NEW APARTMENT! Yes friends, I am moving out of the nest and to a new place. The big reason is that I currently live an hour+ commute away from my job and that is no fun. So Ev and I have found a lovely little place that combines the historical with the new kitchen that I want.

My very good friend Ashley got engaged! So now, two of my bridesmaids are getting married next year (after me, of course) and I am so thrilled for them. Plus, I get to go to Florida for the wedding!!!

So that is the basics, though there has been ever so much more. Life is just exhausting and right now I don't know if I am cut out for this teaching thing. I mean, I like it, but especially as the "music" teacher, I don't feel very respected. I know that I am training the kids, but it is like everyone things that a good music program means instruments and they just don't understand the value of being able to ::ahem, ahem:: read the music. Being told what to do by people that aren't professionals is like telling a architect how to build a house. TRUST THE EXPERT PEOPLE!

On that note (pun intended) I promise to write more in the coming month about all my shenanigans and how things progress. Just as soon as the Internet is installed at my new place:). Keep watching!

Two important things!

C'mon did you think I wouldn't be mentioning this? The girl that listened to Mugglecast?!

On the Project Runway side of things...

And WHAT ARE THE JUDGES THINKING! Oye, they have to wake up. I definitely thought that there were much cuter, beautiful outfits that were totally overlooked. And I HATED the dress that won tonight. And what about last week's pick? Sigh, they best be starting to weed some people out and get their eyes in straight.

Rejected by email

So I have been interviewing all over and for all different types of jobs. The process is excruciating and not only have I gone through a lot of mental strain but also a ton of gas. Meaning, I have also put in a ton of money.

But the worst part about the whole thing, apart from the rejection and that I still don't have a permanent music position, is getting it in an email. And it isn't even from the person who interviewed me. It is just a generic letter saying thanks for the interest, as if they didn't spend an hour with me talking about the school, my teaching and the position.

Ah my friends, it is rough to be professional with these people when they don't have the spunk to send personal letter. What a fracking joke.

Is this good for my inner wino?

So, I have found a summer job! I am working part time for a wine distributor. That's right, if you buy wine in Ohio I probably sold it to the people who sold it to you...or one of my associates. Anyway, this doesn't mean I can buy cases and cases from them to feed the inner wino, but I am learning about all these different brands and how the process works.

But I believe the hardest thing of all was yesterday when I went up to the kitchen to have my break. Since there was a tasting earlier in the day, there were two carafes of wine (one white, one red with lots of tannins) sitting on the table and I knew that I couldn't touch them. Sigh, all that wasted yummy goodness!

I'm the diet coke of Christianity/Officially on my loathing list

Yes, apparently I am not Christian enough. Ah, it is a sad sad feeling. When a woman has gone through life with emotional turmoil and has had a normal, rocky relationship with her Deity that makes people doubt her faith. Oh, then there is my second topic for this blog, people that suck.

So, I had an interview last week for a christian school. I came in amid a flurry of activity that I was told was track and field day. I was asked to wait in the office and while I was there, a boy with a bloody elbow and knee came in, looked at me strangely, then went off with the secretary to find a band-aid that would stick. After this I was led into the office to start my interview. The first question was:

"Tell me about how you came to know Jesus as your personal Savior?"

Not a typical question for an interview, but then I knew this wasn't a normal situation. I answered her question very honestly and it was a bit emotional for me since it is a very very personal topic. And got these comments about it. "Wow, you were quite young weren't you?" (I was entering high school) "So you don't remember the exact time it happened?"(Most people have a "moment", I don't remember a day, just a month and general realization) "Well, have you prayed for forgiveness?"(Obviously she doesn't believe me now.)

And so on and so forth. I didn't talk much about the music side of my teaching and what little I did say she didn't seem to keen on. In general, she told me what the current teacher did and could I be an exact replica of that person please (right down to finding a husband who would build a set for the annual musical since he was a carpenter)? Then there was a lot of little side comments and looks like I wasn't a good enough christian and I have never felt so judged in an interview in my entire life.

When I got home and reflected on the interview, I realised that I probably wouldn't get it.
1. Let's face it, christians like that can be the most judgemental people on the planet. Speaking as a christian, I think I can say that my number one problem with strong christians is there superiority while wearing a humble mask. Not being like that and my very "love everyone as you love yourself" and my respecting people of all faiths didn't match up with the christian bubble the kids needed.
2. I am a process teacher and that was a product environment. I have done the big shows with the dancing and the modern music and the "look at the little monkey's perform!" and I respect that. But my main goal with my students is to give them something they will learn, not mimic. While I was interviewing, I was to understand the most important event of the year was the spring musical and to me that is hypocritical for the school. I would think that Jesus would want us to learn and be the best students possible, not to have an event showcasing themselves while pretending to focus on God.
3. She seemed extremely fake. I have met and befriended many different types of teachers, including christians and this lady made me feel very awkward and not at all at ease.

A few days later I received me "thanks, but no thanks" letter and that was that.

In other news, it is has been hot as hades in my house after our air conditioner broke on Friday. The repair man came out, spend almost two hours trying to "cool down the compressor" then said it should work and he would come back to check it out in a week. An hour later, it was not working. After calling up and asking what was going on, we found out the compressor was broken and needed to be replaced. But, at the time of the call, it was too late for them to come back out and they wouldn't be able to do it till Monday. We found this out when we got patched through to the person that was at the house an hour earlier.

The jerk KNEW that it was broken and that what he did was a temporary fix that would last twenty minutes. How convenient that by the time we called and found out that information it was too late. It has been in the nineties this weekend and my poor cat looked like he was on death's door until I picked him up and kept him in the basement to cool him off. Thankfully, this evening it finally rained and has cooled into the seventies.

This hasn't been the best weekend for me. Basically, lots of people suck and I am trying not to generalize. Because, really, that would be very un-Christian of me.

Just for your Josie!

i before e except after c...sound familiar?

Perhaps I am being a bit hypocritical, but lately one of my biggest pet peeves is people spelling the word "receive" like this: "recieve". AHHHHHHH! People, I watched Charlie Brown and I learned this rule: i before e except after c. Besides the fact that a big red line should show up under the word "recieve" to indicate that it is indeed incorrect, I would hope that people would remember this simple rule.

Now, I have been known to misspell words on this blog where I have had to go back and re-publish it to make sure it was right. However, the majority of websites that I have seen this egregious error on were PROFESSIONAL websites where people are SELLING things. (once again) AHHHHHHH! I am not selling anything, except for my brilliant ideas and the price is free!!

So, we shall review this:
CORRECT :): RECEIVE
INCORRECT :'(: RECIEVE

Oh, just one more for a word I saw misspelled at a deli:
INCORRECT!
desert: "v. abandon in a way that is disloyal or trecherous..., n. a dry, barren area of land"
CORRECT!
dessert: "the sweet course eaten at the end of a meal"
(definitions from the dicitionary application on my Apple)

The rule for this? We always want more deSSert, thus it gets TWO "s's".

Thank you for your time!

Hannah's Graduation

Congrats to the Grad & my future sister-in-law/bridesmaid Hannah!

Artistic photo by me at brunch.

Hannah walking to her spot.

Here comes the grad!

The expensive piece of paper is in there.

The Clan!

Evan, Hannah & I

The sibs. 

You can see Hannah in the reflection.

You think I could resist taking a picture of the black squirrels???

Chillin' before dinner.

Sweet smell of success

Ah yes, it is finished. I have done my Graduate recital and it was pretty good I think. It is very odd that it is done now and just a touch bitter sweet. So, with one final left (which happens tomorrow) I have to leave the world of student and enter the real world.

I will add more (how many times in the last month have I said "I'm going to totally blog about that" with no follow through) but this has been a very difficult month for me and the family. Now I have a single grandmother left since my dad's father died Thursday morning. The morning of my dress rehearsal. The creepy thing is that my mom's father died the morning of my opera dress rehearsal about four weeks ago. It is a sick, twisted thing.

So the tension of my recital is gone, but the tension in the family is choking me at times. Prayers would be much appreciated of course. Keeping my head above the emotional water.

On top of this, I am looking for a full time job, hopefully in teaching, for the fall. Most likely it will be something in the K-12 area since I won't be able to do the collegiate thing yet. It is looking more and more like I won't be able to graduate until the Fall due to testing conflicts. Sigh.

Stress, stress, stress, stress!

To the creeps that ripped down my recital posters:

Dear creeps,

I would thank you not to rip down anymore of my recital posters. Apparently you get some sick jollies out of destroying other people's work and that there is a vendetta against me for some reason, seeing as you felt the need to leave up every other poster in the elevator. Perhaps it is because you are intimidated by my ability to sing in every language on the planet, to understand at least five of them by translating them on the spot in a basic form and to do all that in heels while not hiding behind my music. Yes, I can see how my ability to sing in any concert setting, in any style and genre and to enjoy working with voices and instruments makes me a person of whom to beware. Or could it be my ability to acknowledge my audience after I sing with a smile, the way I dress appropriately for all performing situations, that I am actually intelligent and and can sight read and find it highly enjoyable to teach my audiences while simultaneously entertaining them? Or perhaps you don't realize that I have the utmost respect for all instrumentalist, seeing as I have learned how to play every single instrument in the orchestra since I also have a degree in education. And for this reason I have sung with various instrumentalist throughout my vocal studies.

Ah yes, it is all so much clearer now! The fear is what drove you to do it of course.

Or perhaps you are just a :::insert expletive here:::.

Going a little crazy

Okay, I haven't written for a while. In the mean time, I had a show and here is a pic to prove it:


Look at how creepy William looks! Ah, beautiful.

Anyway, so I had a 15 page paper that was due two days ago (just got that done,), program notes I have to send out this weekend and then my recital is in little over a week. I am going slightly crazy. Plus, this weekend is insanely busy!! I have a little break on Friday with not too much to do (just a concert to see!) and then..well... there is this:

Saturday:
12 - go pick up my wedding slip
1ish- take pictures at Springvale (my possible reception site)
3 - SIMONE's RECITAL! (I have the extreme privilege to have this very talented lady with me on my recital)
6 - Jen's Wedding...

Okay, so maybe it is more like my crazy Saturday. Simone will be fun. I don't know how Jen's wedding will go. I haven't seen her for over a year now and I haven't even met the guy she is marrying. I think I heard last summer that she was engaged, but she was usually too busy to meet up with me. Yup, it is one of those things. But we are invited, Evan, me and my parents, and I have known her for well over a decade so I will go and hopefully not feel too uncomfortable. If I do, I'll start running my recital music in my head. Maybe I should bring it along to review my music...jk!

A little laugh in a somber week

I have just finished my time in the opera last night as a lead and it has been a very rough week for me and the family. My grandfather, whom we have called "Sir" for as long as I have been in existence, died early Tuesday morning. From there, I had to do a hearing for my recital a few hours later and my final, and only, dress rehearsal for the opera. He was the head of our family on my mom's side and it has been very strange to think of life without him. My mom was with him for the last two weeks as he was dealing with failing health and now most of the family is there too. So, it has been a bit lonely here for me.

But, I have wonderful friends and a fantastic fiance who has been so supportive and I thank you for all the love and prayers

Life has lots of little ways to perk me up as I keep moving. Such as...



I know this has been out since the Super Bowl, but I laugh every time I see it. If only it was that simple (and inexpensive)!

Top Ten Reasons to Watch the New Season of Battlestar Galactica starting TONIGHT!

How hot is Apollo's English accent...VERY HOT!!!!!!

This is the last season. ::sniffle, sniffle:: Tonight folks. Here are the details.

Five Years with Evan & Jessica's Birthday Extravaganza!

On Tuesday Evan & I celebrated FIVE (!!!) years of being together by going to Bucci's, one of our favorite Italian restaurants.


My view of Evan while cutting up his steak.


My FAVORITE meal from Bucci's, the homemade gnocchi in a blush sauce.


Evan's view of me while discussing politics.

Then, this past Friday Jessica turned a year older. It would be rude to tell a lady's age without her consent, therefore that information is for a privileged few.

First, we started off at Wooster's Acres of Fun to go roller skating & arcade playing. Except for the billions of tweens and teens that were there, it was lots of fun. Jess was in a sexy little number circa Florence Henderson and Josh even had a 'fro wig on. But while I was trying to skate backwards, I fell & hit my head :o(. It still hurts and my neck is killing me!

After racing Evan at the arcade and getting him a little toy solider and myself a tootsie roll, we went back to Jess & Jim's place.


A diva with wicked long legs.


Sexy ladies on a couch, an artistic photo by Evan.


The gang (I hate how I look in this, but it is the only one that has all of us in it!)


Birthday hat & tissue paper, an artistic photo by Evan.


Josh when he doesn't get his way.


Cups & empty plate, an artistic photo by Evan.


A picture of Sarah taking a picture.


Karen eating cake, an artistic picture by Evan.


Judgie with his ladies.


Poor Jess! What an evil trick to play.


Um...you'll have to ask Sarah to explain this...


The cutest thing ever with Josh & Thomas!

Prayers

My weekend started off very well. I went to Brides Against Breast Cancer and got my wedding dress! (see my other blog for details). I found out I did awesome on my mid-terms and got to see Evan.

But, this past week my maternal grandfather, whom we call Sir, found out that he had a lump on his liver. We found out yesterday that is is cancer. He also has leukemia (this has been on going for the past two years) and diabetes. My grandmother is not handling it well and there is going to be surgery later on this week. The doctors are optimistic about the success of the operation, since it has shown to work in previous cases. My mother is wreck over it and probably will be going to see them later this week.

Then, yesterday evening, we received a call about my paternal grandfather. He had a stroke and is currently paralyzed on one side of his body. My uncle and aunt are on their way to see him. Everything is still up in the air about how his condition is and how he will be in the next few days. My dad will probably go out to see him as well.

Needless to say, this is becoming a difficult time for the family. If you could please keep us all in your prayers, that would be much appreciated. The suddenness and the timing is what makes this quite hard. I am thankful that my wedding dress has cause a little ray of sunshine in the household and everyone adores it, but it is still a tough. Thanks for any thoughts you can send my way.

This is for you Alisha!

Today was spent studying...the rest of the time I heard Sarah and Alisha sing this song...



And here is another little skit about Hilliary and Obama that I love...is it wrong to put this after the other skit? Oh well!

ROFLMAO

Okay, so if you watched Project Runway this season you probably also are obsessed with one of my favorite websites covering it in all its fabulous & fierce glory.

But if if you haven't seen this yet (from NBC.com), you should watch it. Even if you have seen this, you should just watch it again. I guffawed at it. And I don't always do that for SNL these days, but darlings this is spot on!

Apples & Oranges...in the end we are all sopranos!

This week has been quite exhausting for me with the ice storm on Tuesday/Wednesday that made my poor Honda a car-cile. Oh yeah. Then there was several group rehearsals for my recital and of course two runs of the opera. I got home Thursday night and practically fell over.

So, I am at the point that I finally am in my own skin when it comes to singing. I am happy with how I sound and I don't feel the tension as much, though I am still having issues with posture. One step at a time. I also have had some AMAZING practices with my sax player, Nick, for my Laitman pieces. Those pieces are going to be HOT!

When it came time to do the opera, I was quite tired. But, being the good little solider I am, I did it. And, as usual, was not happy with it. The opening sits low at times and some of the entrances I have had limited times to do by myself that, after several weeks, I still feel unsure. So I felt like I pushed and forced some of the moments and overall was very unhappy. Plus, as much as I don't want to compare, Jessica (my counterpart!) was amazing as usual. Not that I begrudge her, it just made me beat myself up a little inside. While we are both sopranos, we are apples and oranges. I need to love my apple-ness, or orange-ness. Mostly, I have to stop being so hard on myself. Are we noticing a trend people?

Sigh.

Plus, this weekend C-land has been whooped by a HUGE amount of snow. I was going to go dress shopping with my mom tomorrow, but that isn't going to happen. I am bunkering down with my books to read the weekend away...I mean to study the weekend away. Did I mention I have two midterms on Monday??? Oye! Think of me darlings!

I love BSG, deal with it!

I rebelled against the idea of watching BSG for a long time until I finally gave into Evan's wishes and watched it...and LOVED it! The plots and the actions sometimes mirror to our times, which it can be eerie and just the humanness of the whole thing is quite touching. And what would you do if you were forced to leave a life of comfort with all your memories and loved ones because of war? Perhaps we aren't dealing with it on a planetary scale, but some people face these choices daily.

Anyway, here is my result of who I would be:

Which Battlestar Galactica Character Are You?

More on Battlestar Galactica. Created by BuddyTV

Oh yeah, Kara. Not that I would cheat on you, Evan darling, and have two men dangling on a string. But perhaps I do have a greater purpose in life.

If you haven't ever seen an episode of BSG, you must watch the following trailer for the first season. Then you can find various websites and watch the full episodes. But start with the mini series that shows life leading up to the attack... I'll quit rambling now and just watch this:

One of my favorite episodes

After listening to the classic Chicago song on American Idol (yes, every once in a while it ends up being on the television and I end up watching) I thought of one of my FAVORITE Sex and the City episodes, Boy Interrupted:


Part One


Part Two


Part Three


Part End

I adore David Duchovny (reminds me of X-Files) and he was great in this episode. Then how Miranda and Charlotte act like total girls, not watching the Knicks when they have court side seats but talking about her sexy neighbor. (I would have watched the game, then I would have done what they did at half time). Of course, Samantha being totally ballsy getting in the exclusive club by pretending to be someone else. I love the outfits, I love the drama but mostly, I love the ending prom scene and I ADORE the dress that Carrie wears. How she looks when she is just grooving by herself is so classy! Now I just have to wait till May to see the movie!

I would be cruel to leave this out...

Happy Leap Year!

So, I should be in class right now, but Cleveland in general, particularly my town, is a winter wonderland. Once again, every school in Cleveland is closed since the roads are bloody awful, but classes at Akron are still on. I don't relish the idea of driving 20 mph with my heat full blast praying to God that I don't get run off the road. Thus, I stayed home instead of attending my morning classes. I hope to go in later for my lessons since the weather was suppose to clear up, however it hasn't yet.

But I digress. Happy Leap Year! In celebration, a little diddy from Pirates of Penzance:

Summer Graduation/What is happening with the world?

Because only 11 credits can transfer from Longy, I am one (elective) credit short of being able to graduate this spring. Thus, I am having to take a course this summer and will graduate in the summer. I feel like I should be horrified. Why wasn't I informed? Should I have asked sooner if there was more I should have instead of finding out from word of mouth?

I should be mad or frustrated that I wasn't told I had to put together a committee to do testing questions that I must pass before I graduate. I should be mad for not being told that I was suppose to apply to graduated in the fall for a spring date. But, that would be "shoulding all over myself".

In reality, at least I don't have to rush the process and I guess I just got lost in the shuffle. Finishing 2/3 of a degree in one year (and a one credit summer now) is an amazing feat and I am proud that I am pulling this off. And I am loving my experience at Akron despite this.

Once we went though everything and the meeting was concluding I turned to the dean. I told him how I really was pleasantly surprised at how great the classes & teachers are at Akron's. I have learned so much and each teacher I have had thus far is so caring and genuine in their teaching. But, I mentioned that the damper on my experience was how so much information is by word of mouth and how hard it is to figure out what exactly I need to do to graduate. He then took my comment, thought about it and saw how even having a simple sheet with a checklist for transfer students would be so beneficial for everyone.

Perhaps that sounds like I'm being a bit of a brown noser, but I felt that he needed to know his teachers are great and that the downfall of the school is the lack of organization when it comes to class expectations.

On another note, while there is rampant crime at Akron (we have had several bomb threats, various muggings, a shooting over a robbery) between the gravel lot and the music building I haven't felt threatened. But you never know.

With yet another shooting at school, at another university, it has become such a scary world for people that simply want to learn. From the educator side of my life, it makes the idea of taking a teaching job a bit more risky than being cussed at by hormone driven teenagers. It is becoming a very scary epidemic and one that I hope our generation is not known for starting.

I GOT MY DRESS!!!!!! (my recital dress that is!)

So, on a quite boring Friday I was driving to Evan's place to spend some time with him when I thought I would visit Catan's Fashion in Strongsville and see if I could find anything (as well and look at their bridal stuff).

I was quite bored and after looking at a whole lot of nothing, I visited a neighboring Borders, where the sales guy was really rude to me and I got a copy of Real Simple Weddings...which was way over priced, but I wanted it for too long and I didn't want to give the snotty sales clerk the satifaction of watching me walk away. (I guess I'm being vague about that story, but really it isn't anything to tell.)

Dejected and upset, with my coveted,expensive magazine in my car I saw a David's Bridal, remembered my friend Rachael bought her hot recital dress at one and stopped in.

After trying some dresses on with my consultant (you can't go in and just look, you have to be consulted) I told her that while I loved the dresses, I am a student and is there anything on sale that I could get???

VOLIA!

My dress is exactly what I wanted from the first moment I started grad school. It is pink, long and not strapless. And, of course, I look gorgeous in it! Now sweetlings, I would put a picture up of it, but that would spoil the surprize.

But you can just be happy that I got a wonderful gown for an insanely low price. Now I just need to learn the music and I'm all set!

WAY TOO MUCH!

So I have been having trouble sleeping. It isn't that life is particularly hectic at the moment, more of a hectic year to come. There are two HUGE events that are going to be happening in the next 365 days or so that need careful thought and lots of planing.

ONE: My Master's recital.

TWO: My Wedding.

So I won't go into much detail about the wedding, you can just visit my other blog for that and know that it is on my mind.

The recital is another matter. I lay in bed and stare at the ceiling wondering what the heck I am going to do. Right now two of my selections have been cut due to another person singing them on her recital. Okay, one of the songs I just mentioned casually to the Lash who then told me, um, someone else is doing it.

But that isn't as upsetting as the first song. It was going to be a part of a beautiful set that I had planed and told her about IN OCTOBER!!!! But I realize that in the world of music politics, I am a rather quiet person that hasn't been favored since... The point is, even though the person who is now singing this piece just decided to do so last week, I cannot win this battle.

So, since this was the only fast song in the set, I have had had to cut two slow selections and find two faster pieces to "make it work". The worst part? It is the same person for both songs. Not that it is her fault, just really rotten luck on my part. Sigh.

Evan pointed out to me that I should do whatever I want, it is my recital and while I want my audience to enjoy it, it should be about what I want to perform and not too worry if they have heard the same song over and over again. But I do not enjoy being compared to other sopranos if I don't have to. Particually since I am not feeling so hot about my voice at the present moment.

Which brings me to my next point. I also lie in bed thinking "God, I hope that I can get everything together by May". The Lash also tells me that I cannot be too hard on myself and this attitude will get me nowhere. But, this isn't like a paper or a project or anything where if I put in a lot of time and brain power it will be beautiful. The voice is a funny thing. It takes years and years of careful practice just to get it almost right. And a cold, a break, a badly picked song can throw all of it off. And now I have no closer (for the reason, see above).

So this is where you come in my darling reader. Most of you are sopranos yourself (don't deny it) and probably have many ideas of what I can sing for my final piece. PLEASE SUGGEST!!! It would help me out greatly. Meanwhile I will pull a Stuart Smalley.

Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!

What is Sexy

On the way home from class tonight I heard lots of boy band music circa all my high school homecoming dances. And they reminded me of several qualities I consider very sexy for a man to have.

1. The ability to sing (especially if it is to me). Nothing is sexier to me than being serenaded by a guy. It doesn't have to be in front of a hoard of people and I really like it more if it just the two of us. And I happen to LOVE the male voice. MMMM!

2. Playing the piano. There is something about watching a man's fingers glide along a keyboard. If a guy can't show emotions all the time, then it is there is Chopin or even Billy Joel.

3. Beautiful eyes.This doesn't have to be blue, though that is my preference. I have dated people with chocolate brown eyes. Any eyes can be beautiful if the soul is too.

4. A single long stem rose in your hand. I don't need a bushel. The thought of one perfect, long stem rose caressing me cheek is so nice.

5. A nice scent. Gentlemen, this does NOT mean to take daily (or multiple in some cases) baths in your cologne. But, to pick up a slight scent when you lean down to hug me or as you pass in the hall just does it for me.

6. An accent. (Sorry Evan) I love a good accent, particularly from overseas and particularly from England. Colin Firth, I could just sit and listen to you talk all day, every day!

7. A good sense of self fashion. While the J Crew guys are cute, it is when a guy feels comfortable in his own skin and his own clothes that is extra appealing. Perhaps it is a confidence thing and trust me it translates.

8. Don't be embarrassed to show some emotion. No woman wants a man that cries all day so stop thinking that is what I mean. It is when a guy isn't afraid to kiss me on the cheek or my hair in the middle of a party showing me (and subtly everyone) that he cares . It is when a guy gets so scared of life that it is okay if I am the person to hold him and say it will be okay. Don't be too stoic.

9. Chivalry. Some women vomit at this, something about equality, but I happen to love being put on a pedestal and getting doors held, chair pulled out, etc. for me. And all it is really is common courtesy. Sometimes, I do it right back.

10. Total adoration of me. Of course the sexiest guy is the one who is in love with me! When I can feel it radiating from his eyes, from how he holds me and how he looks at me it makes me feel sexy.

So, I didn't include some of the other things (i.e. nice butt, glorious hair, smart, funny, etc.) and it isn't based upon one guy. It is just a plethora of thoughts that came spewing out of my fingers and on to this blog. And, gentleman, I am curious. How do you rank with my 10 items?

Our trip to Cooperstown!

My Christmas gift to my fiancé (OMG! Not boyfriend, fiancé!) was to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum in Cooperstown, New York. I know, I am the best.

We started by driving to Syracuse where we stayed at the Embassy Suites on the east side of town. We were starving and I decided we should go out to Carrabbas but we didn't have free internet access! ($10 for 24 hours) So, we found our way the old fashion way and called and looked at a map to plan out our way.

When we got there, we saw a boy kicking the wheel of a car, he let out a explative, then ran way. It looked like a promising evening. There was a thirty minute wait so we went to the bar for a drink. Of course that was crowded too, but what pissed me off was a lady that had her kid (9 or 10 years old?) sitting at the bar with her entertaining himself with his video games while she chatted with a friend. We found a seat open and had a drink. At dinner we talked about our engagment and ideas and had a wonderful time!

The next day we woke up and had our breakfast (with lots of kids running around looking at the "fishies") and headed out to Cooperstown.


Evan & I in front of the museum!


Look at the parking spot I got!


Players advertising beer.


Evan with Lou Gehrig's locker


Me watching Jackie Robinson slam a ball out of the park.


Yeah the Indians are awesome!


What women want.


Mmm, hot dogs...


and popcorn!


Look, I put Slider together!


The program from the 1948 World Series, the last time the Indians won the World Series.


Have I mentioned that I love the Indians?


THE bloody sock!


Cal smiling for the camera while he throws the ball.


Evan's a baseball star...


and so am I!


The best locker of all the teams, the Indians' locker.

That night we went to Kitty Hoynes, an Irish pub where there was live music. I would recommend the kinsale calamari and the local beers!

The next day we went out to see the Christmas decor at a really old house that was decorated for the holidays. While we were there, we got yummy cider and peanut brittle. Mmmm! However, they wouldn't let us take pictures inside the house, so these are a few from the other venues.


Part of Lorenzo House.


Evan wishes he had the rule book that is in the upper part of this picture.


I love the color of the cloth here.


Evan with one of the many carriages.

Afterwards we were going to tour Ommegang Brewery, but that didn't happen since it was closed (though they said they would be open...grrr!). Instead, we went back to the hotel for the evening to relax. There was a wedding going on so the noise was very loud, but we still had a lot of fun.


Evan opening a bottle for our own tasting! We got a sampler of beers by the Middle Ages Brewing Company which was very nice!


How could I not love a beer called "The Duke"?


Watching the game with pizza & wings.


The perfect room service dessert!


Aren't we cute?