List Time at the Circus

So much to do and remember! Time to make lists.

Let's start with stuff NOT related to music/opera/etc:

Alex starts kindergarten on Wednesday!!!!!!! I can't believe it. Still have to get some things together for him - they gave us a long list! I have everything on the list except a 4x6 photo. Who prints photos? So tomorrow I'll have to run out to one of those photo stands in the local pharmacy and print a pic. Maybe I can get Husband to do it in the morning... Hmm...
I have to fill out a bunch of forms and stick them in a folder, then I have to get that and all his other stuff together into his backpack.. Then I have to sleep without having another one of those "OHMYGOD it's Alex's first day of school and we're going for a walk in the wrong direction and he's still in his pajamas and the other kids are on their way and there's no way we'll get home, get him dressed and get his stuff together to make it to school on time and then we'll get lost on the way there and by the time we get to school they'll be leaving for the day," dreams, like I had the other night. I thought I was done with those once I graduated from college. I guess now I'll have them for Alex until he's old enough to have them himself.

Whew.

That's really the only non-opera/music thing on the list. But it's pretty much the biggest thing on my mind this week, and it has temporarily replaced opera as the thing that's keeping me awake.

The rest of the list:

• Prepare for Saturday's voice lesson - music, CDs, blank tapes
• Call my voice teacher to see if we can tack on the extra time this and next week before Alex starts HIS music class.
• Call that local opera/singer group to find out about potential opportunities
• Possibly attend an "(local town) Friends of Opera Meetup Group" meeting/reception on Sunday... must RSVP by Friday.

Ok I think that's it, list-wise.

Alex has been into Adam and the Ants lately. That, and he likes the thunderstorm scene in the Met's version of La Cenerentola, when the umbrella catches on fire. Adam and the Ants... Rossini... Adam and the Ants... Rossini... It's like a circus at my house.

I've Got a Little List

Ah I wish it were little and that there were only one.

So much to do, so little brain space to remember it all, hence the lists.

1. Alex has a follow-up appt with the pediatric neuro tomorrow.

• Must make photocopies of all reports.
• Send a note to school to pick him up early

2. Final voice lesson of the semester is Thursday.

• Bring book that Alex borrowed from HIS music teacher
• Write note to his music teacher w/gift (earrings?) as we will be missing the last class because...

3. Alex's birthday and party are Saturday.

• Clean the house
• Clean the backyard
• Organize the goody bags (beach balls, sunglasses, silly straws, etc.)
• Make cupcakes on Wednesday for him to bring to school on Thursday.
• Make a cake Friday morning, decorate Fri evening.
• Shop for cake ingredients and party supplies.
• 20 guests total (8 kids, 12 adults) - Pizzas? How many? Chili? How much? Hummus? Make or buy?
• Clean up and organize the backyard (ie, put toys out)
• Shop for food, beverage, snacks, etc. (this requires more lists)
• Clean the bathroom
• Clean the kitchen
• Do some more cleaning

4. Studio recital is Sunday.

• Still need exact location!
• Figure out what to wear.

5. For the shopping - must make lists!! Cake ingredients, etc.

6. Keep track of all the lists.

7. Find the time to practice in front of the mirror.

Ok now that I've typed it all out and sorted it into manageable bits it doesn't seem as daunting. Oh wait, yes it does.

Here's this weekend's creations. Click to enlarge the photo.

Therapy

So to get over my disappointment, first I went and made a whole bunch of earrings.

Next I tried some online shopping. Didn't buy anything, but loaded up a few carts here and there.

Now here I am, blogging. Actually, first I sang. I sang sad songs to fit my mood and happy songs to lift me out of it. Then the earrings, then the non-shopping and NOW the blogging.

I was feeling all pathetic and sad and made a mental list of all the operatic disappointments I've experienced. I realized that there was no point to that, and I should instead focus on the opera joys. After all, isn't that the advice I'd give someone else? So to be fair, I'll list both.

Disappointments:

Um... in no particular order:

• Didn't get the part for this summer.
• Backstage at Firebrand. Oh wait wrong list, that should be on the other, right? Right.
  
• Conversations with mean people. You know, in person, on the phone, whatever.
• Threats about my blogging jeopardizing my relationship with my local opera co. Don't think that didn't flash, no, imprint itself on my mind as soon as I got the email today.
• Juan Diego Florez dropping out of Barbiere because of that darn Fishbone (although that later became a joy)
  
• Struggles with singing as I study voice
• The realization that I'll never be an opera singer. I'll never be that good. Or anything close.
  

Ok ok enough! Joys, in no particular order:

• Supering in Romeo
• Supering in Traviata
• Meeting fabulous, wonderful people while supering
• Being onstage surrounded by incredibly talented people
• Making fabulous friends I otherwise would never have known
• Seeing Magic Flute in HD at the movies - damn did that ever change the direction my life took after that! Supering, voice lessons, adventures, travels... Don't even know what to link to this one - the entire blog!
• Seeing Barbiere in the movies - another life-changing experience!
  
• Being able to afford to see live opera
• All my operatic adventures
  
• Seeing Romeo at the Met
  
• Going to Chicago
• Seeing Barbiere
  
• Going backstage in Chicago
• Going backstage in Chicago
• Did I mention that backstage visit?
• Meeting Nathan Gunn in Chicago
  
• Going out for drinks after Barbiere in Chicago
• Seeing Nathan and Julie at Zankel Hall
• Chatting with whatshisname and his wife after the ZH performance
• Seeing La Fille at the Met
• Meeting Juan Diego Florez
  
• Going to dress rehearsals for La Cenerentola and Merry Widow
• Crawling across the stage during Traviata
• Studying voice
• Learning how to sing
• Improving my singing
• Amazing myself with how far I've gone vocally
• Excitement about how much more there is to learn
• Performing in any way shape or form
• Sharing excitement with others about performances, events and music
• Making new friends via fan groups, youtube, the blog and facebook
• Being silly
  
• Anticipation of future performances
• Taking my mom to see Nozze in Florida
• Seeing Nozze in Florida
• Seeing Firebrand of Florence at Alice Tully
  
• Seeing La Sonnambula at the Met
  
• Seeing Lucia at the Met
  
• Loving live opera
• That feeling you get when the sound washes over your body and just fills you with joy at the beauty of it
  
• The amazement you feel when you realize that the sound is coming from a human being
• Sharing my experiences and feelings here on the blog with both friends and strangers
• Having readers recognize me!!! Next time I'll take photos, like Nat at CommunityChannel. (my secret guilty pleasure! Watching her hilarious videos!)
  
• All the Beethoven's Wig videos we've made
• Sharing my love of opera with my son
• Hearing my son sing with perfect pitch
• Hearing my son say he wants to be an opera singer when he grows up

Look! The joys list is much longer than the disappointment list, and I've probably left stuff off. Just go back to the beginning and read through the entire blog.

Ok I'm crying now - those last few posts about Alex did it - damn maternal hormones - so it's time to post.