I've been keeping a pretty low profile since Christmas. I did survive, voice intact, but I'm very, very tired, so I'm trying to keep tabs on my sleep habits. My big singing related task right now is to get my communion solos together up through Easter, so I'm off to do that now. I also have 3 concerts in the works to sing with friends, so I've got that music to work on too. Not much to report on with Artist's Way right now, but I'll do a brief To Do list to get myself going for the new year.


Artist Way CheckIn:


1. Set up diction coachings with my Spanish speaking friends for the FUUS concert

2. Get back into a good warmup routine both physically and vocally. including eating right.

3. Keep decluttering

4. Work in journal

5. Don't forget the novel

6. Artist's Date: ushering Big River at Syracuse Stage.

7. Decluttering

8. Music: communion solos

FUUS Spanish concert

Viennese music for concert in Feb with John English

Pull together ideas for benefit concert with other soloists from Atonement

Rosina from Il barbiere di Siviglia

9. Keep working through Boundaries

10. Mail out apps for remainings summer programs and company listings from Opera America Career Guide

Ok - in case there's any question, 3 performances in 12 hours is a bit much. We did two performances of Amahl on Friday, plus a group that several of the adult cast members belong to had a concert that night, and the kings and I were invited to join them and sing the quartet as a promo for Amahl. A very generous gesture, but a couple of us are utterly exhausted. I've been keeping it pretty low key since then, and am only posting this brief note to remind myself to be more careful in the future. Fortunately, all I am is exhausted - not sick. Now that I've pampered myself a bit this evening (a nice mineral bath), I'm headed back to sleep. Rule #1: Always take care of yourself! Don't let your health suffer!


On a positive (brief) note - Amahl is such a wonderful experience for me personally. It's the first time an opera and my faith have intersected in such a direct manner. It's nice to be able to present such a positive message!

Just got back from a thoroughly enjoyable evening of caroling at the Linklane House in Cazenovia for the Chanson Fundraiser for Syracuse Opera. The carolers truly sang for their supper (interesting singing inbetween the courses!), which was fabulous. A couple of us had a portabello mushroom and pasta dish that was to die for, not to mention the truffles for dessert that several of us just picked up and ate with our fingers, as they otherwise would have spent the better part of the dessert course sliding around our plates in the cream sauce as we attempted to pierce the yummy dark chocolate exterior with our knives! I was even able to fit into a smaller dress than I had in the past, which was my high point, actually. It's been so long since the weight has really wanted to come off. Every little bit I can do to help myself lose the weight is going a long way right now. I know, I know, the chocolate truffles were probably not fantastic for the diet, but they were small!! And I've discovered that if I treat myself now and then, it isn't too bad. Back to work on Amahl!

Sigh. So many people have so much crap hanging on - illness wise, that is. I've got to get healthy for this show. I'm spending the evening sucking down soup and juice. Yay. The neti pot is my best friend right now, followed by the cool mist vaporizor and eucalyptus and peppermint essental oils. Must stay healthy.


Great link of the day:


FitDay


Free nutrition and fitness tracking. Great site!