Yesss!

I went in to take the mathematics assessment test today after a total of 10 days of study/review. It had everything on it from pre-algebra word problems (which I almost aced) through Trigonometry, which left me feeling quite humbled by my absolute cluelessness. But guess what? I placed at the college algebra level (a level above the minimal requirement for my accounting degree), so now I don't have to spend a semester and several hundred dollars of tuition just to catch up to where I should have been. Yay me!

I picked 3 classes from the first semester sequence* and registered and paid online. (Just in time, too--2 of them were already almost filled.) I'll be taking 10 credit hours starting August 27.


*College Algebra (I'll be taking the web-based course), Intro to Business, Business Math Applications

Meltdown

Last Wednesday evening, while Paul was teaching his Aikido class, I opened the algebra book and began reading the definition of a function. It was hot in the room (82 degrees) and a little humid, but I hadn't minded it all day and was enjoying being cheap and saving on air conditioning costs. Now this was pretty abstract stuff and I had to read the paragraph over again. It made even less sense the second time. Oh no, I thought; it seemed I had slammed my intellect against the brick wall of its limitations. (And I had been doing so well until now, too!)

I started breaking a sweat as the words ran together on the page. It was suddenly unbearably hot in there. Then and there I gave up on economizing, slamming the windows shut and moving the AC from "off" to "cool." I couldn't believe how hot I was; I felt a little dizzy, almost feverish, and totally unable to string together a coherent thought. I was actually mopping my face with a hand towel. My entire body was soon soaked, as if I had just finished an intense workout. It lasted about 30 minutes.

I think I had just experienced my first hot flash! I guess no matter what your age, the study of mathematics and hormonal insanity are inextricably linked.

You Forget a Lot of Math in 26 Years

I've spent the last week

• futzing around the Tri-C website gathering information--how to apply, assessment test information, class schedules, etc
• sleeping on this some more and finally deciding that, yes, I really do want to do this, not just think about doing it
• realizing that, though I was pretty good at math at age 16, I haven't taken a math class since, and, boy, have I forgotten everything I don't use in my everyday life.
• buying The Complete Idiot's Guide to Algebra and reviewing the first 14 chapters, filling up pages of legal-size paper working out problems and mostly understanding it at least as well as I did before.
  

I need to take the math assessment test for placement since I never took math in college and I will be totally lost in my accounting classes if I don't know this stuff. I'm supposed to take a math class at the Intermediate Algebra level or above during my first semester. Last week I looked at the sample assessment test questions online. I aced the basic calculation section (basics, fractions, decimals, easy geometry, etc.) but even the "beginning" algebra questions stumped me.

What a difference a few hours of concentrated attention make, especially with a good guidebook that explains it in everyday English with a bit of humor thrown in. I now remember how to do things like graph a linear equation, factor a polynomial, and solve a quadratic inequality. When I have the explanation in front of me, I tend to do very well on the practice problems. My mistakes tend to be arithmetic oversights, like forgetting that one of the numbers was negative, and I am understanding it well enough to realize where I made the mistake.

I think I am well into the Algebra 2 part of the book (only 5 chapters to go) and after I finish the book, I just need to practice. I need to take the test soon (like next week) so I can register for my classes and get all of the pre-enrollment tasks done before we leave for Europe. Classes start the week of August 27 so I'll be hitting the ground running.

Today I went down to the Admissions Office and officially applied. Also, I sent a transcript request form to CIM so they can send Tri-C my transcript from my Bachelor of Music degree. At least the credit from my English class should transfer, although I don't think anything else will.

Doors Closing and Windows Opening

Last week I got my contract paperwork for one of my regular jobs. My stomach flipped unpleasantly when I saw that I was only offered classes 3 days a week instead of 6. I can't say it was a total surprise, since I know there have been financial issues.

This isn't the first time this has happened. In 2000, the Cleveland Ballet folded, everyone lost their jobs, and we found out about it by coming to work one day only to find the doors padlocked and the electricity cut off. That was definitely the worst.

Then in the fall of 2003, I lost a third of my hours at one of my jobs because classes were condensed due to low enrollment (bad economy, fallout from No Child Left Behind, etc.). Now I'm down another 8 hours. At this rate, the next time this happens, there will be no more hours left to cut.

I lost some sleep the first couple of nights, thinking first of all, how am I going to make up that lost income? All of the surviving dance companies in town are so financially lean they can't afford an accompanist. Freelancing (shows, weddings, parties, etc) are a nice supplement but aren't a steady source of income. Yes, I know, I have Paul, but I really need to be doing something more than 22 hours a week. I'm not old enough for this Lady of Leisure lifestyle and won't be for at least another 25+ years. Besides, his job won't be there forever either--once his boss retires, he'll need to find something else, which will probably involve a substantial pay cut. It would be pretty ugly if I have a long-term pay cut at the same time.

I'm starting to think that the career of dance accompanist will become obsolete pretty soon as budget cuts force schools and companies to save money by using CDs for music. And pretty much what's out there as steady jobs for musicians involves teaching. "Why not do that?" I'm sure you're asking. Well, because I hate it. I mean, really hate it. I'd rather go back to school and train to learn how to do something else, that's how much I hate it.

I started thinking about this on Thursday when I was browsing the want ads on cleveland.com. All of the available music-related jobs involved teaching in the schools. I also checked out entry-level general office jobs which could be part-time and make a dent in the lost income, but they really don't have a future. I really don't want to get stuck in that path--I know I could do better than that if I'm willing to take a little risk.

So I thought about other things I like to do that, with some education or training, could become a marketable skill, preferably one that would never become obsolete. I do enjoy anal-retentive detail work, computers, numbers and money, and have an aptitude for all of those things. Just for fun, I went to the Tri-C (our community college) website to see what programs they offer. I looked at the accounting program and actually started getting inspired.

You're probably thinking, that sounds so boring. Some parts probably are. But I'm good with numbers. I've been keeping track of every cent of my own money, income and spending, for almost 14 years straight, because I like to. I like all those graphs and reports in the Money software. If I get an Associates degree in accounting, I could get a job as a bookkeeper while keeping my other music jobs. If I decide I want to later, I could transfer those credits to Cleveland State, get a Bachelors and become a CPA.

I could totally do this. We have savings left even after the Europe trip, including most of my inheritance from Grandma. What better use of it than investing in my future? The whole 2-year program adds up to about $5000 in tuition, so I wouldn't even need loans. And heck, it would be easier to do this now than it would if I were, say 57 years old.

I feel smiled upon by fortune that I've managed to have a 20-year career in my dream job. Most people in the arts never got the lucky breaks I've had, and have had to have "day jobs" to pay the bills. I'm not giving up or anything--my other music jobs are still there. For now. But I'm ready to diversify my marketable skills for the first time in my life, and I find this incredibly energizing.

I Can Finally Post Photos Again!

You've probably noticed that I haven't posted a photo since last year. It's because our stupid IE browser freezes on certain sites, one of which is the photo uploader tool on Blogger. IE has been getting more and more temperamental lately, freezing multiple times a day. I'm afraid our 4-year-old computer is clogged with crap inadvertently downloaded, perhaps through security holes in IE. When Paul's Aikido Journal subscription link became one of the frozen sites, I finally decided to get Firefox (yesterday). Wow, what an improvement!

The computer is still slow. I just finished backing up all our documents and photos in case it dies on us. I'm gonna post some photo highlights from the last few months for your viewing pleasure, now that it's possible again.

From my Christmastime(!) trip to Portland, with Mom

Christmastime, with Paul by our tree

I just realized, I've hardly taken any pictures since Valentine's Day. It's just been one of those years. But I do plan to make up for it this summer, especially on our Europe trip!

Successful Debut and a Visit

Last Sat (June 23) was my first time playing through the whole show with the cast--and in front of a paying audience. Can you say adrenaline rush? It was fun anyway, though, and my mess-ups were pretty small. The Actors' Summit folks were, I think, pleasantly surprised that I did so well after only knowing the music for 9 days.

I checked my voicemail on the way home after the show and learned that Gene and Judy Lynch, family friends from Portland, were in the area and would like to meet up with Paul and me and take us out to an early dinner the next day. Unfortunately, Paul was teaching aikido, as usual, and I had a Windsong potluck at 4 pm that day, but they were still able to stop by in the afternoon and we caught up for a couple of hours.

Paul was a real sweetheart and cleaned the first floor of the house that morning since I didn't have time. We should have company more often--the kitchen table still had Christmas cards stacked on it.

Total Immersion

Finally coming up for air. Last Wednesday, I went out to Actors' Summit to play for the directors, which entailed learning the two hardest passages from the show in about 20 minutes to give them a rough idea of how fast I could learn. I liked their energy and we have an easy rapport. I did get the job. I got a copy of the original Broadway cast CD, the piano score, and a contract for one rehearsal this Wednesday night and 11 performances, starting Saturday. Some of the CD recording is different from the score, and whenever it's different we're doing it like the CD.

Starting last Wednesday afternoon, I have been eating, sleeping and breathing this score, practicing up to 4 hours a day, taking breaks every hour to go for a bike ride or do a little yoga, listening to the CD constantly, and writing out the parts that are different in my lazy, music-score-free code that nobody else can read. Most of it I can now play well enough to play along with the CD so I can get used to the vocal parts, cues and tempo changes. It's working. Snippets of the show are now the soundtrack of my subconcious, which means it's sinking in. I still have things to clean up, but now I can play the whole thing (well over an hour of music).

Good thing, too. My first--and only--rehearsal is the day after tomorrow, and I really want to make a good impression and do a good job. I've been really physically tired from this, especially the first 3 days, but also energized. It couldn't have come at a better time in my schedule, as last week was my week off from CSD before the summer session started today, and I would have had nothing to do. I am just not used to that kind of intense practicing, though. I can't do more than 4 hours or the fatigue gets to be too much. My brain can only absorb so much information at a time anyhow. I think without the workouts I would have much less focus and stamina, yet another reason to keep it up.

Today, I went back to work at CSD. It was muggy and hit 95 degrees (our hottest day so far this year), but I still managed two round trips there by bike (I had a 3-hour break between classes) for a total of 16 miles riding. My first ride there, a month ago, took me 26 minutes to get there, and today's second trip took me only 21! (It takes about 12-15 minutes to drive, depending on the traffic.) It still feels strenuous (lots of hills) but it is noticably easier. I like seeing that sort of progress in such a short time.

Got Myself a New Gig!

My profile listing at www.artistschair.com is finally getting some nibbles after languishing for two years. Last Friday I was selected at random to be the "featured artist of the day", and someone from the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre called the same day to ask if I could play for a production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. I had to decline, unfortunately, because half of the run is during our Europe trip (boo!), but at least I was able to give him the name of another pianist and get on the call list for next summer.

Today, I got an offer from Actors' Summit to sub for 10 performances of The Musical of Musicals from June 23-July 15. If I'm lucky I'll get 10 or so days to learn the music and one rehearsal before being thrown onstage with the actors for a funny, fast-paced hour and 45 minutes in front of a paying audience. Wowie!

Baby's First Bifocals

Though not in denial of the fact that I've reached middle age, I mostly feel (and I like to think look) young for my chronological age. But there are some things in this "slow slide into decrepitude", as Paul and I like to refer to it, that no amount of lifestyle changes will ever have any control over.

Yesterday I had my annual eye exam. Because I'm cheap, I usually stretch the appointment frequency to every two years, but this year I actually took the doctor's advice and came back after only one year. The reason: last fall, I started noticing that, especially in dim light while wearing my contacts, sometimes it would take a few seconds for my eyes to adjust when reading a restaurant menu or the phone book. Once when writing the mileage in my logbook by the light of the car overhead at night, I just couldn't see well enough to write at all. Paul lent me his reading glasses, and wow! Everything was so big and clear, and it took no effort to see! I realized I've been in denial for quite a while and promptly went to Walgreen's to buy some compact reading glasses that fit in my purse.

When we go out to eat or the theater, now we each don our respective specs to peruse the menu or program. I still feel like I'm impersonating a "young grandma" whenever I do this, a little self-conscious but not unduly upset at this undeniable sign of aging. I've already been practically blind for decades anyway, so it's not that huge of an adjustment. My friends who've already gone through this transition have been known to smile and say, "Our little Karin is growing up."

I got my new glasses prescription yesterday, and for the first time there is a number under the ADD column. +100 is about the mildest bifocal prescription possible--it's like a training bra for reading glasses--but still, it does make it easier to see.

Still, I feel compelled to add, I rode my bike 14 miles round trip to get to my appointment, and still had the energy to ride the 8 mile round trip to work later the same day. And it was all uphill. Both ways.

New Cycle Nut

Well, I never did update about the RDA Festival. Here's the short summary: I worked really hard, playing only my very best and original stuff while world-class teachers, newspaper, TV and Dance Magazine reporters observed classes. I met and mingled with other dance accompanists and saw lots of strong, talented young dancers from all over the country. Now they want me to play for the regional RDA Festival again next year. If only it weren't during Memorial Day weekend, which is almost sure to be the performance time of Cleve. School of Dance. (Why can't they hold these things in August, when I'm unemployed for a month?) Anyway, I had a good time and came out ahead a bit in the financial department for the week.

The weather has finally warmed up, and as usual this time of year, my thoughts turned to alternative forms of transport to work (other than the car, that is). Last year, I intended to walk to work at least 3 times a week in the summer. The problem is, the school is 4 miles from home and it takes me about an hour each way. With my classes starting at 9 am every morning, I just never got up early enough to leave on time.

This year I thought, maybe it's time to get a bicycle. I've been resisting for years because 1) Every bike I've ever had except one has gotten stolen, admittedly because I got lazy just for a minute and left it unlocked in public and 2) helmets are hot and mess up your hair. I can solve 1) by being conscientious about locking, much easier now that I'm a grownup and 2) helmets nowadays are much lighter, more ventilated, and surprisingly, don't mess up my hair at all.

After doing some online research for a week, I went to Century Cycles to buy this bike, and I just love it!! It's the first really high-quality bike I've ever had, and now I'm in shape enough to pedal up the hills without having to get off and walk. The first day I had it, I rode to work (8-mile round trip including steep hills). My legs were rubbery afterward and certain muscles were sore so I had to take a day off the next day. Now, two weeks later, I've ridden to more distant destinations, such as downtown or Beechwood Place (15-mile round trip) to run errands. To stay off of the scary, busy, non-bike-friendly main roads I've been exploring the parallel quiet neighborhood side streets.

I really enjoy smelling the flowers and feeling the breeze (which makes riding even on a 90-degree day surprisingly pleasant), as well as the good feeling of being active and saving gas in the process. My body has gotten used to it quickly and now I can ride several days in a row without feeling like I'm overdoing it.

I'm skipping today though because 1) it's raining and 2) I have an extra Windsong rehearsal tonight for our performance tomorrow.

What a Difference 2 Weeks Makes

Lots of exciting things are happening lately. Our church has just called a new full-time minister (the vote, unanimous with 1 abstention, just happened this afternoon)! Our ministerial candidate, Colin Bossen, has spent a week with us, preaching 2 Sundays and sharing potlucks, sitting in on committee meetings, etc. so we could get to know each other. Our search committee has spent two years of hard work to get to the point of selecting him, and I can't imagine anybody else being a better fit for our congregation. So happy it worked out.

It certainly didn't hurt that it was a beautiful, sunny, 78-degree day. I was able to wear some summery clothes and I painted my toenails for the first time since last September. For most of the year, my feet get so cold I wear two pairs of socks everywhere except to shower and sleep, so why bother doing my toenails--even I don't get to see them anyway! It's a mood lifter and a ritual to welcome the warm part of the year.

My biggest news: Tomorrow I drive to Pittsburgh for the week to accompany at the Regional Dance America National Festival. 2,000 or so youth ballet company members from small towns across America, 12 pianists, 5 adjudicators and 24 instructors will be converging for days jam-packed with master classes and performances. I will be playing for 21 classes over 5 days (Tues-Sat). There will be a 3-hour performance every night (I won't be playing, just have the option of attending) in the historic theater district. We're staying in the hotel connected to the Convention Center, which happens to include an 8,000-square-foot gym and a pool. Lodging, meals, mileage/plane fare, and tickets to all performances are included in addition to our pay. I'm actually going to come out ahead financially!

I looked at the hotel web site, and evidently, my room will have a fridge. So today I went to Target and bought some snax for my stay, including a 2-liter bottle of Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper, my current favorite soft drink. We're getting a flat reimbursement for breakfasts and incidental snacks, so why not try gaming the system a little and save some money up front?

I won't have internet access the entire time I'm there, unless I'm willing to pony up 30 cents a minute in the 24-hour business center. I may do that once or twice, but mainly just to check email and clean out my spam box. I'll have my cell phone with me, and it will be on 24/7 the whole time, as that is the only way anyone, including Festival staff, will be able to get in touch with me. I'll fill you in on the deets when I get back.

Just When They Thought It Was Safe To Bloom...

Merry Easter, everyone. Greetings from the freakishly Frozen North, where the temperature dropped 50 degrees in 24 hours last Wednesday and hasn't climbed out of the 20's since. The calendar may say it's April, but it looks a lot more like January out there. We're under a lake-effect snow warning. We tried to drive out to go dancing tonight, only to turn around because of blizzard-like conditions and the scariness of sliding around while going only 25 mph on the freeway. Three more inches have fallen just in the 2 hours since we got back.

I think we've entered a wormhole in the time-space continuum and emerged somewhere in the thick of winter. Eight inches of snow on the ground and more falling every hour--check. Wearing sweaters, down parka and waterproof boots to go outside and the formation of snotcicles when walking for more than 5 minutes--check. A nasty gust of wind that snapped our front storm door open so violently that it yanked several screws out of the wood on the door jamb--check.

But taking a closer look, something's not quite right. Our mostly bare magnolia tree is sporting shriveled blackened husks that were fragrant blossoms only 4 days ago. Shrubs that were bursting with tender baby leaves or yellow blossoms are now freeze-dried. Daffodils that were popping open like popcorn at the end of March are now bowed down all the way to the ground in defeat. The cherry, apple and peach blossoms were just starting (a good two weeks early) and are now ruined for the year.

Easter is supposed to be a time of resurrection of new life and new hope, but I'm just not feelin' it this year. It feels like we're Charlie Brown and Mother Nature is Lucy holding the football. When it hit 79 degrees on Tuesday, I considered risking taking my down parka to the drycleaners, and then she swoops in, cackling evilly, "Haha, you thought it was spring! Suckers!"

An Amazing Recovery

It's been seven days since the mugging, and I am pleased to be able to report that things are almost completely back to normal. We went to East Aurora on Thanksgiving as planned, Paul doing all of the 3.5 hour drive because my neck and head were sore and got stiff easily. For once we didn't have to deal with the threat of a blizzard on the drive--the weather has been beautiful for 7 days straight--sunny and 55-65 degrees. I feel like we're on spring break or something.

The company was pleasant and the food excellent. (The pies got rave reviews and Betty sent us home with two dinners' worth of leftovers!) I took my drugs dutifully as the pain was most fully developed after about 48 hours, but neither of us mentioned the mugging to anyone. This allowed me to really enjoy getting away from everything and put the whole experience in perspective. (For those of you interested in TMI details, I only took the Orphedadrine once a day right before bed, even though I could have taken it twice, and suffered no constipation.)

By Friday morning the pain was mostly just stiffness, so I was able to quit the drugs entirely after taking 1 Motrin in the morning, and I did all but one hour of the driving. We got home around 4 pm. Paul went to work on some stuff in the lab while I finished organizing the details for the service I had volunteered to lead on Sunday. Needless to say, I was just a teensy bit behind, but still managed to get it done not at the last minute.

By now I really felt the need to physically move after 2 full days of inactivity. A walk would have been ideal, but it was already dark and I was understandably hesitant to walk around the neighborhood by myself. So I did my gentlest FitPrime workout, FlexPosture, which is mostly yoga and pilates moves, and without the advanced modifications I usually do. I took it a little easy and made sure to support my head and neck more than usual when doing ab work. I felt better after.

Saturday we got up early with the intention to visit A Christmas Story House the morning of its grand opening. A Christmas Story is one of our favorite holiday movies, and it was partly filmed here. The actual house in the film is just across the river from downtown, and maybe 4-5 miles from our house. We parked at Clark Field and took a Lolly the Trolley shuttle to the house. Lolly has great sentimental memories for us--we haven't been on one since our wedding day.

When we got there, there was a line of about 100 people just waiting to buy tickets, and another snaking down the entire street and wrapping around the next block to get into the house itself. It was already 10:30 by now, and we had a dance lesson at 1:00, so we decided to just get tix (good anytime) and come back another day. Of course it was crowded--grand opening, Thanksgiving Saturday, California-like weather....

All weekend I continued to recover. I didn't even need over-the-counter pain relievers. I was able to do some cardio by Sunday and strength training today. I did take the weights down a notch, 10 lbs instead of my usual 12, but I can still do push-ups on the toes as long as there aren't too many reps. My neck is still a little not-quite-right but everything else is completely recovered. I think I bounced back this quickly partly because my body is used to stress and recovery from my workouts, and I probably would have gotten hurt more seriously if I hadn't been in shape.

I have been gradually replacing more cards. Now I have a new car insurance card, 2 grocery cards and library card. Losing the cell phone finally got me off my butt to switch us to a pay-as-you-go plan (roaming included!) which I should have done long before now. I still don't have my new credit card or ATM card yet, though, which is a major inconvenience. I had to go to a teller to deposit my paychecks and get major cash back so I could buy the cellphones, and I can't really start my holiday shopping without a credit card. Oh, well--I'm sure it will come before another week goes by, as the credit card company surely wants to make it easy to spend more money ASAP.

Mugged!

Last night I was getting gas at a station near downtown because it was 8 cents cheaper than the one near our house. As usual, once I got the pump going, I got out my PDA to enter the mileage. (In other words, preoccupied.) Next thing I know, my purse was being violently yanked by some asshole. Like an idiot, I instinctively refused to let go, so the force he used to take it knocked me to the ground. On my head. On solid concrete. A kind bystander helped me into the cashier area. I think I got up by myself but I honestly can't remember. I never lost consciousness or anything, but I was very disoriented at first.

The police came and I filed a report, but I couldn't help them much since I didn't get much of a look at the guy and didn't even see the getaway van since I was too busy hitting my head at the time. I was of course crying by this time and shivering uncontrollably from the adrenaline. I borrowed a cellphone (mine was in my purse, of course) and tried to call Paul, who wasn't home. I was upset at missing my ballet class at the Masonic Temple, where I had no way to get ahold of anyone to let them know I wasn't going to make it.

An EMS ambulance came by next, took my vital signs, suggesting the idea that they should take me to the hospital, just in case. I was reluctant to just leave my car there--if it got vandalized or stolen, it really would make the evening suck. We kept trying to call Paul every two minutes. It happened at 6:30 and he still wasn't home by 7:20, which was extremely unusual. My panicking mind started worrying that something had happened to him, too.

I was able to drive home (at least it was only about 3 miles away) and I called Paul at work, where he answered. It turned out that he was stuck in the lab because stuff wasn't working. As soon as I told him what had happened, he just left the mess as it was.

After canceling my cell phone, credit card and ATM card and eating a quick dinner, we drove to the emergency room at the Cleveland Clinic (8 blocks from home). Good thing we brought books. It took almost 3 hours between checking in and finally getting seen. It's a good thing it turned out not to be too serious or the delay might have complicated things. Mostly I just have a nasty bump on the head with strained neck muscles from the impact. They gave me two presciptions, one for heavy-duty Motrin and one for Orphedadrine, a muscle relaxant. Of course, I couldn't fill it then since it was now 12:30 am. Good thing the pain wasn't too bad.

I was exhausted from the ordeal but couldn't sleep until at least 3 am, worrying about all the pain-in-the-ass things I would have to get replaced immediately (driver's license, proof of insurance, etc.) When I did finally sleep, it wasn't very good sleep and I had to get up for work only 4 1/2 hours later.

At least the weather was beautiful--sunny and 50 degrees. I drove to Case (which I never do) so I would have time to get stuff done between classes. I was able to get to the bank to get cash and get the prescriptions ordered. After class, I picked up the drugs. Armed with my passport (thank God we had those, or I would have been sunk) and my tax return (couldn't find anything else with my Social Security # on it, lost track of the card years ago) I drove down to the BMV, thinking it would be a zoo on the day before Thanksgiving. Surprisingly, there was only one person ahead of me. The bad news is a tax return isn't an official document--it has to be something officially from the government. They suggested I go the to SS Administration building and get an official printout and then come back.

I drove out of there with a big black cloud over my head, with tears of frustration, fatigue and low blood sugar. It was a race against time. I had to get the license before closing time today because Paul and I are driving to East Aurora, NY tomorrow to visit Betty and Kurt for Thanksgiving, and every minute I drove without it I was breaking the law and tempting fate should I have an accident or get pulled over.

The SS building's parking lot was nearly empty. Oh no, I thought. Did everybody go home early for Thanksgiving? But no, thank God, there were only 2 customers there, and I was in and out with my printout in 15 minutes. Bonus: a new card will come in the mail within 10 days or so.

So back I went to the BMV, which was slightly busier now, but I was still out of there with my new license after about half an hour. By the time I left, it was quite busy, so at least I managed to beat the rush!

When I got home, I went online and printed insurance verification documents and temporary insurance ID cards directly from the Progressive website, then ordered a new AAA card online. I am thankful I only have one credit card, and that I only had $10.51 cash in my purse. All the other cards (grocery store discount cards, Blockbusters, etc.) are trivial so I can deal with them another day.

I still had the energy to bake 2 pies tonight, one pumpkin and one apple-cranberry-orange. Paul had to teach tonight, but he had time to help make the crusts, which he's really good at. I am really looking forward to tomorrow, when I can just relax, get away, and not have to deal with any of this stuff. And be thankful I'm in good shape now so didn't break anything, and that no weapon was involved, and no abduction or worse.

Now I'm off to take this drug which has some lovely side effects. I hate taking drugs. Side effects--collect 'em all! I usually do. I don't mind drowsiness or dizziness (hey, maybe I'll sleep harder!) but I sure could live without the constipation. Who wants to be constipated on Thanksgiving?

Married 3 Years

For the first time ever, we were not on vacation on our anniversary (Aug. 17th) this year. Paul worked all day and I played for Troy's class until 8:00. Though we did a lot of our celebrating during our Calif. vacation, we wouldn't think of letting the actual day pass unobserved.

When I got back from class, we drove 2 miles up the hill to the scene of much of our wedding weekend, the top of Cedar Hill. The door to the Alcazar Hotel was wide open. We walked right in, and after asking the guy at the counter for permission, walked out to the central courtyard in the fading light. Nothing had changed since that sunny afternoon 3 years ago, and we had the place to ourselves. We even found "our bench" and took a couple of pics.

Then (August 17, 2003)

Now (August 17, 2006)
And without a flash:

We had dinner at The Mad Greek (the scene of our rehearsal dinner) and shared a glass of very good Napa Valley Chardonnay, then went home and finished the other 2 truffles from our trip.

We have an unbroken tradition of going out dancing on our anniversary weekend wearing our wedding attire. This year, I was afraid I wouldn't get to wear my dress because it's 8" too big around on every measurement. In fact, it's so big, I'm not sure it's alterable without taking the whole thing apart, resetting the shoulders, etc. But I tried it on anyway, and lo and behold, I can get away with it because it's so light and it's supposed to be flowy! The sheer outer layer disguised the extra folds of fabric underneath quite nicely. So it hangs a little low--that I can deal with.

On Saturday, we got to dance in our duds, including the hats, which was romantic and great fun. Paul always looks gorgeous in head to toe blue striped seersucker!

Day 7--Points South + Bonus Pictures

Technical note: As you know, I am one of the slowest writers on the planet. It is now actually Aug 22. I am still backdating these so I don't have to keep saying, "and the Sunday before last, we did such-and-such." Last night, Mom emailed me her pics from the trip. Great photos, by the way, Mom! My intention was to re-edit my previous entries and insert them into the appropriate places in the narrative, but the Blogger photo-uploading software is (surprise) not cooperating. It did, however, deign to let me add 10 of them to today's entry and no more. Maybe 10 is the limit? Anyway, here are some, mostly from the 8/12 family party and the next day.

Here's a really nice one of Mom, Paul, and me on Day 1, right after our first lunch together in Sausalito: At the family party with Aunt Barb
Mike, Uncle Jack, Jill
Rob and Alex
Eric and Rusty
E & R enjoying Rusty's B-day gift from us--Scrabble-themed mugs and wine charms!

On Sunday (our final day), we spent the day with Mom & Ron driving from San Jose to points south, including a stop in Carmel for lunch. It was a lot chillier than I expected close to the coast. We were at this lovely little Italian trattoria and sat on the patio. Our waiter turned on the outdoor heater, which was needed! Mom took this pic of us across the table.

Now I have to tell you a funny story here. When the sun came out and shone on my hair, Mom asked me with bemusement if that was a silver streak she saw in my bangs. I'd never noticed it, so I said I didn't think so. Paul and Ron said they could see it, too, so I insisted on checking it out in a hand mirror.

I wasn't freaked out or anything--actually, I thought it was sort of cool. I have noticed a lighter-colored area there, but in the incandescent light of the bathroom, it just looks like a lighter-colored variant in my mix of (natural) dark blonde shades. But in the sunlight, it had a definite silvery cast. We could see a few other little streaks in the sides, mostly in under-layers. You should have seen us parting my hair in different places, holding up the mirror, and exclaiming delightedly.

A woman watching us from the window inside was pantomiming what we were doing and shaking her head with a dismayed expression. I caught her eye and enunciated exaggeratedly, "But I like it!" Clearly she didn't believe me.

We did a little window shopping before getting back in the car to drive along the coastline, including the scenic 17 mile drive at Pebble Beach. In the late afternoon we turned around to head back to San Jose to make a cameo at Rusty's 40th birthday party at Eric & Rusty's.

The Birthday Boy
"Oh, it'll be a mid-afternoon party. We're not going to feed them or anything. Just some chips and salsa and birthday cake." Famous last words.
With Eric and Rusty's dad, Al
Because of the extra pain-in-the-butt security measures, ban on liquids, etc, we arrived at the airport 3 hours before our flight left. Which was fine--it was kind of nice to have a little time to just sit and read. It was a red-eye--we got in at 7 am, went home and slept until noon. I didn't feel too bad after that, though Paul was a little discombobolated. All in all, a great vacation and we had a fabulous time!

Day 6--The Family Party

Wisely, we decided not to try to cram in an activity this morning, but instead, took some much-needed down time just hanging out, enjoying a late breakfast, reading and chatting. We left for San Jose around 2 pm. Good thing, too, since parts of Highway 101 were inexplicably bottlenecked and came to almost a standstill, adding at least 1/2 an hour to our time. We still got there early enough to check into our hotel before the party at Eric's (and dump our stuff, including a generous bag full of fine chocolates that would have melted in the heat of the car!)

We were responsible for providing the dessert. We went to a nearby bakery Eric had recommended and Paul and Mom picked out a decadent tiramisu cake that later earned raves from everyone. We got a bit turned around and lost trying to get to Eric's, but figured it out after a phone call from the road and actually arrived right on time.

This was my first time seeing Eric's new house, which is gorgeous and furnished with beautiful things. Eric always had an eye for quality even as a little kid (unlike myself--I was always too frugal). I didn't take any pics of the house, but Dad did on an earlier visit this year--click here to get an idea.

My cousin Jill was there with her husband Rob and son Alex, soon followed by Uncle Jack, Aunt Barb, my cousin Mike and his wife Laura. Rusty's parents, Al and Peggy, were also staying for a few days from North Carolina. It was great to see everyone again (hadn't seen them since Eric & Rusty's wedding 2+ years ago) and get a chance to catch up.

This family can cook kick-ass food! Eric grilled chicken and chicken sausage on his giant, state-of-the-art gas grill. We had a beautiful layered fruit salad in a trifle bowl and 2 Mediterranean-inspired pasta salads.

Jill, Laura, and Mike:

Here's everybody just hanging out after dinner:

As it got dark, we all sat in a big circle on the huge, covered patio talking and throwing around a glow-in-the-dark Koosh ball. Around 9 pm, we decided to take a "cousins" picture. Here are, from left, me, Mike, Jill, Eric, and Alex:

During dinner, I had particularly enjoyed the sweet, hot, pickled peppers in a salad that Eric and Rusty had made. They were just hot enough to widen my eyes without bringing tears to them. When I picked up my purse at the end of the night, there was a cylindrical mystery package crammed into it. "Hey, look, a gift from the Un-Birthday Fairy!" I said.

"Well, some kind of fairy," Eric replied. (It turned out to be a new jar of the special peppers--that was sweet of them.)

We got Rusty to open his birthday gifts from us early, which was fun.

The hotel has in-room jacuzzis in every room. Paul and I enjoyed ours for about 15 minutes, along with 2 of our truffles, getting a head start on our anniversary celebrations.

Day 5--The Chocolate Factory and Yoshi's

Ron is a genius. From his AA Tour Book, he discovered that the Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory, which just so happens to be located in Berkeley, is the only chocolate factory in the country which offers tours not behind sealed glass to the public. Now, I have been enjoying our winery tours like a good little adult, but if I had to choose between a good wine and good chocolate, you know what I would choose in a heartbeat. (Hint: it's not the wine.)

After a morning of downtime while Phyllis and Alec packed and got ready for their weekend camping trip, we said our goodbyes and headed down to the factory. We got there right on time (15 min before our 2:30 pm tour started). As we entered the gift shop area, the wonderful smell of premium chocolate in the air made me giddy with good feelings. Instant aromatherapy! The store was full of various products from this fine factory, and I already knew I was going to spend some serious money on our way out.

When the tour started, we sat in a classroom for an hour while the guide explained all the steps from bean to bar. Turns out that cacao is just the seed part of the fruit and tastes a lot like an aspirin in its raw, unprocessed state. It needs to be processed, aged, and roasted before that familiar chocolate scent and flavor as we know it comes out. We got to sample a delicious milk chocolate (42% cacoa, much higher than most), a 62% bar, an 82% bar (a little too dark even for me), and nibs, which are pieces of the roasted bean covered in dark chocolate.

Next (the fun part) we got to don hair nets (some of us needed beard nets as well!) and bright red protective earphones and walk right into the factory.

Now, if I had to have a factory job, this is definitely the one I'd pick. I was always concious of (and never sick of) the heavenly smell. Here is some chocolate being mixed with extra cocoa butter to give it smoothness.

Here are some ladies packaging the bars as they come off the conveyor belt.

Paul and I went a little wild in the store, even buying a box of 4 truffles for private anniversary celebrations later. There was a cafe on the other side of the building, where the 4 of us stopped in for hot chocolate and/or coffee. Mom said she was chocolated out afterwards. Such a state is an impossibility for me!

When we went home, the folks napped, Paul played his horn for a while and I went out for a 3.5 mile walk. It was a brilliantly sunny day with a foggy view of the bay from the high hills. I got to enjoy the chocolate smell all over again as it sweated out of my pores!

Evening saw us on another adventure, this time to Oakland to meet a connection of Paul's and see a zen monastery where she is a Buddhist nun. Pam is the founder of the dojo where Paul teaches on weekends. Years ago she left her sister Debbie in charge and moved out to the Bay Area. She has been out here for visits and always says to Paul, "Hey, if you're ever in San Fransisco, come out and visit me." We took her up on it. She is a delightful person, down to earth and full of joy. Her tea ceremony teacher, Yoshi, is also a shrewd businesswoman and founder of the famed Yoshi's Restaurant and Jazz Club, a fixture for some 30 years that features an unlikely combination of excellent Japanese cuisine and top-name jazz acts.

After seeing the monastery, which is austerely beautiful, we took Pam with us to Yoshi's as previously arranged. Yoshi herself was behind the counter, and greeted us and showed us around a little before seating us. The place is huge--about the size of a city block--and hopping. Pam knew just about everybody who worked there and it was fun listening to their banter. The food was absolutely first rate--at least as enjoyable as the Culinary Institute! Paul & I shared a dinner for two that had a little of everything--sashimi, tempura, vegetables, grilled fish on a stick--and was a delight of flavors, colors and textures.

We opted not to stay for a show as we were all feeling the need to get to bed at a decent hour. I'm really glad in retrospect because we got lost twice on the way home and didn't get back until after 11!

Musicale--Bonus Pics

This is an extra edition of Aug 10's post. I was so busy playing during the musicale that I didn't take any pics, but happily, Mom & Ron did. So here they are for your viewing pleasure!

Me playing my solo

Alec with me accompanying
Paul
Eric
Ron describing his version of "My Way" and how it is meaningful for him

Deborah bowling us over!
Mom and Phyllis doin' the Java Jive
Phyllis and Richard

Day 4--Muir Woods and Musicale

Last night was our last at Deborah's. We invited her to come join us at tonight's family musicale, on the condition that she perform something (as all of us were doing). She seemed a bit taken aback at first, but proved to be game. After a lovely breakfast of oatmeal and cinnamon toast, we spent a little time going over maps for the day's trips and set off in Mom's car for Muir Woods National Monument. (They went home with Phyllis last night, so we had the day to ourselves with the car.)

We wanted to do something seriously active, like hiking or biking. Paul had seen Muir Woods when he was out in S.F. for a martial arts convention 20 years ago, but I had never been. What could be more quintessentially California than The Redwood Forest from This Land is Your Land?

It was blessedly cool so near the coast after yesterday. I was the only one I saw there in a sleeveless shirt, but we walked so much, I was never cold. I had brought my pedometer with me (gadgets are fun!) so I had proof of the 7 total miles we walked. Well, 2 of them were just getting back and forth from the car, but still.

It was extremely crowded--the crowd was so thick around the monument boardwalk area that we could only shuffle helplessly along at about 1.5 mph. We took the first turn-off for a hiking trail we saw, a 3.5-mile loop up a steep hillside. It felt so good to walk our normal speed (we finished it in an hour) and work up a bit of a sweat. It was almost entirely in a deep woods, which was beautiful and smelled good.

By the time we returned to the boardwalk, we were in the mood to slow down and the crowds were smaller. Here is a redwood so tall you can't see the top from below:

An interesting growth pattern on one of the trunks:

We were really hungry by the time we got back to the car at about 2:30. We had lunch at the Pelican Inn at Muir Beach just a few miles down the road, as Phyllis and Alec raved about it. It had the atmosphere of an old English pub (Tudor architecture, etc.) and they served hearty fare that actually reminded us of Cleveland food (shepherd's pie and other "mitten season" favorites).

Afterwards, we took a short 10-minute walk to the beach itself. A bracing sea breeze whipped all around us--I was glad I had thought to bring a light jacket. All around the street there were signs warning people that they would get in deep doo-doo if they parked--here's one that's not exactly world peace.

We managed to get to Phyllis' house in Richmond in one piece in spite of rush hour and a wrong turn that led us on a maze around the back end of San Quentin. Eric had left work early in San Jose to come and join us. Phyllis' neighbors across the street, who were in the Netherlands for a month, had offered to let Paul & me stay there, as there isn't enough room at Phyllis'. They also have a well-tuned piano, which gave us the idea of having a musicale.

Alec, who is 14, has been playing the violin since he was maybe 5. Usually when I've been out for family get-togethers, he's played something with me accompanying. But this time, all of us played, sang, or did a reading. As soon as we arrived at about 5:30, a buffet of salads was set up at Phyllis', and people grazed and came over to rehearse as needed. I felt a little like I was on the job, as I was accompanying 2 pieces with Alec, 2 with Paul, one song with Eric (sightreading, but at least my part was easy) and the Java Jive by ear with Mom and Phyllis. Not to mention my solo, a live rendition of my latest composition Galion, which I had to practice for at least 20 minutes because at first I forgot a huge chunk of it. I ended up only having 10 minutes to eat.

I was originally planning on recording it with my new digital recorder and microphone, which I had brought on the trip especially for the occasion. But, unfortunately, I had overestimated my ability to remember how it worked after not using it for 2 months. Of course, I hadn't thought to bring the manual or even read it before the trip. I couldn't even figure out how to listen to what I had already recorded last time! Slightly frustrated, I said to hell with it. Instead, Phyllis used a mini cassette recorder.

The evening got to be fun as the performances started. The tedium of rehearsal always pays off--everybody played, sang, and/or did their readings well, and I thought, we have such a cool family! Deborah really surprised us with 2 solliliquies (in character!) and a song from My Fair Lady. She says she's never done anything like that before in front of other people. You'd sure never guess it as far as I could tell.

Afterwards we were all pretty wired. We enjoyed a dessert of homemade lemon cake with homemade whipped cream and organic strawberries while Eric entertained us with funny stories about cats, snakes, and snake phobia (all true).

Here's a pic of us with Deborah:

We want to be sure to stay in touch!