Taiko Night Again

Excerpt from email: 

"So the book is not so much a comedy.  The stories are well done...but super creepy.  Better for October than February, or as I like to call it - The Ninjawinter.  It approached stealthily and attacked when we were least expecting it.

Personally, I think someone up [north] must have left a gate open or something, and a feral winter wandered into my neighborhood.  I hope someone comes to collect it soon!  I want to buy flowers!!! No one out here is selling them yet, because of the wintry conditions.  Boo."

And how are you, Friends?

It's trash day, and we forgot to set out the trashcan.  I should probably mind, but I don't seem to.

Been busy with taiko, even without playing.  A lot of it you don't want to hear about, but I have also been trying to collect photos from Celebrate the World to make an album of.  Not much luck there.  I think they are mainly going to be from one person...and largely of one person.  Also, our new and fancy website is up!  Wanna see?  Of course you do:

http://stltaiko.com/

What do you think?  Nice, huh?  I was directly involved with nearly every photograph, and nearly every member bio on the About Us page.  It doesn't sound like much, but it took a long time.  I was also involved in the creation of the press kit, and also in giving general feedback.  Not bad for volunteer work, don't you think?

Practice tonight, but I am going to try to leave half way through, because of the photo galleries that I still need to get up for CTW.  I have been spending SO much time on stuff like this.  I think it should be allotted taiko time. 

By the way, what are you doing Saturday?  Would you like to learn what this taiko stuff is about?  If so, click here:  http://www.stltaiko.com/workshopadult.php

In a minute I must go and get ready.  I'm working at the preschool this afternoon.

Josh was home sick yesterday, but instead of taking a sick day, he just worked from home.  He made grilled cheese for dinner, too.  What a guy!  Although, he didn't find all the funny t-shirts I was shopping for as hilarious as I did.  Wait.  I promise I was busy all day yesterday.  That was just after dinner. 

Awkward.....

In other news, I made Grant his first orthodontist appointment.  It will be next week.  I'll have to let you know the verdict. 

I'm going to sign the kids up for baseball tomorrow, as well.  Summer baseball.  They should have swimming lessons, too. 

As you can see, I'm already starting to plan for the summer.  Sadly, I have not been offered so much as an interview for employment.  Should I assume that I'm staying home?  Maybe I should.  I think it will be the last year of that...

Sending happies to those who are sad!  Off I go to get ready to play with kids all afternoon.  Trying to be excited, but mostly I'm just tired.  ;P

Peace at Last!!

Wowie!  That was fun.

Well.  The snow storm really did come.  It started snowing much earlier than forecasted, and the snow was very fast, and stuck well.  Then came the sleet on the top.  Josh came home about 3, and couldn't even make it all the way to the house.  He had to leave his car up by the entrance to our subdivision and walk the rest of the way.  The kids did not, in fact, have school.  Taiko practice was cancelled, too, even though it was our last practice before Celebrate The World.  We re-scheduled it for Sunday morning.

Friday we didn't have school, either.  The roads were okay-ish by afternoon, though.  Grant had a dentist appointment at 4, but they called and asked if we would mind coming in early.  Naturally, they all wanted to get home before dark, and since we were out of school anyway, I said yes.

No one said much about Grant's remaining baby teeth.  I know that there are tons of old cavities, but it seems that all the permanent teeth are doing well.  He has a new toothbrush and floss, so he's happy.  I've been recommended an orthodontist in Troy.

Saturday I was busy all day, but it's really hard to remember the details.  We went shopping, and we also had lunch at Two Dudes Barbecue.  I did laundry.

Yesterday was Sunday.  I got up early, picked up Michelle, and went to practice that started at 9.  We practiced, loaded all the drums up into cars, and drove to Maryland Heights.  We unloaded in a temporary location, then moved everything to the stage wings.  At that point, I had a chance to go and eat, but my husband and kids had already eaten, so I sat with a bunch of taiko people.  I even met Joel's family.  The performance was at 2:10. 

Slight hiccup at the very end of Tobihi, but not with the playing - with the bowing.  No big deal.  The rest of the set seemed really good.  I don't know if I was any good on Kagura - I'll have to wait and watch the video.  Hope it looked okay.  I DID come in SUPER sloppy on Tenchi, but I fixed it, and did the rest of the song without messing up.  Whew.

Then - race to get offstage in less than 5 minutes.

We had some time after that, and I got to see lots of wonderful friends who had come out for the show! Molly was there, and Amanda and my brother's old roommate, William....  It was great.

Our workshop was scheduled at 3:30, and it was fun...but most of our fans left right after the show, so I can think of better timing for a workshop.  My job at that was to do PR and get names on a sign up sheet for our newsletters.  I got two names.

Then!  Then, we loaded everything up and drove back to the studio and unloaded.  We thought about going out for sushi afterward, but the sushi place that was nearby was closed.  Boo.  I think some people went out or drinks, but Michelle doesn't drink.  Besides, I didn't know if my family was waiting for me to come home and cook.

I fell asleep before the kids last night.

Today I have been giving more taiko feedback and editing bios again.  We have a taiko meeting on Tuesday.  I hope it involves food. 

This morning, Abbie really was hoping I'd let her stay home from school.  She didn't actually ask, but she did do stuff like pretend she was going to throw up and hide in the bathroom for 5 minutes.  By the time we were in the car and on the way, though, she was perfectly cheerful.  Maybe she's just not a morning person. 

I didn't really set my brain for anything past Celebrate The World.  I think....this weekend is the first one day workshop.  You should totally do that.  It's amazing.

I finished reading The Silmarillion last week.  Then, I re-read The Girl Who Chased the Moon on Friday.  Haven't started anything new yet.  I did order a book last week, though.  It's called Vampires in the Lemon Grove.  I bought it for the title.  It is a collection of short stories.  I expect it about Friday.

I feel....ready.  I guess it's a kind of spring fever.  It's time for something.  I shall start with cleaning my whole house.  Not today of course - too much taiko and snow shoveling.  I don't want to injure my back.  But I have plans!  I want to clean.  Maybe go to Michael's and buy stuff to make a new wreath for my front door.  Get those bulbs I wanted to plant.

I should buy a lottery ticket while I'm at it. 

Have a great week, everyone!

Forecasting Adventurous Weather

Hello, Friends!

I hear that we are to expect a winter storm tonight/tomorrow.  They say it will snow sometime after midnight, and then around noon we will get an ice and sleet storm.  I'm halfway planning for there to be no school tomorrow.  Very dangerous assumption.

I am teaching Grant to play "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" on the piano.  Slow going, but very fun.

Went on Friday to my Mom's house.  We had a wonderful Valentine's Day tea party with real tea.  The snack menu consisted of fresh strawberries, chocolates, and those little round mini cheeses with Melba toast.  We also had a fancy turkey lunch on Mom's china.  The kids went swimming at The Center, and I even saw Jenn's brother!!!! 

Sunday was a disaster.  Here is an excerpt of an email I sent out just after practice, with the expletives deleted:

"Thursday he talked about changing the practice time today but when I left it was still "maybe", so when I got home from Rolla last night I DOUBLE CHECKED the website. It said practice started at 10, so I left my house at [deleted] 8:40 to get there at 10. Aaaaaaand, I was late. Because it started at 9:30, and no one emailed me...and the website said 10. So, I was annoyed. Super annoyed. And then.

Then.

THEN....the [deleted] Afriky guys DIDN'T SHOW UP! Later, in the car, Michelle was all mad and said, "I could have slept in!!"  [deleted]! I could have stayed home ALL LAST WEEK! AND slept in."

Yes, it's true.  I signed up (under duress) for a "performance" for the benefit of Andrew's collaborators, and they didn't show.  I don't think anyone appreciated that at all.  However, on a better taiko note (Bwahahaha!!! Get it?  Note??), we had a very decent performance practice last night for the Celebrate the World show!  It's looking pretty good!  You're going to come, right?  It's FREE.

Still applying for jobs.  Applied for three of them today instead of resting, like I was supposed to.  Whoops.

The flowers Josh got me didn't hold up too well.  I'll be sad to throw them out.  Maybe I can press a few of the daisies?  They'll look a little pale without roses next to them, but the roses are beyond drying already.

And I almost bought plants at Wal-mart, but didn't. 

Abbie is singing, "Two to Tango" in the kitchen. 

So....just in case we have a snow day tomorrow, I am trying to decide what movies to watch with my kids. 

Well, who can help hoping?  >_<

Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day.

I say this without shame, and knowing that many of you are out there today with your fingers in your ears, singing, "LALALALALAAAA!!  I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"  or perhaps you are singing Love Stinks.

Not me.

How can you not love a holiday that is centered around spring flowers and unhealthy desserts?  And love, too, but you don't need to force it into the romantic love of couples.  I used to get candy from my grandfather on Valentine's Day.  Russell Stover chocolate with mixed nuts.  They don't sell it in the stores anymore...

I have every intention of sneaking to the store to buy bulbs today.

The kids (and I) made their Valentine boxes yesterday.  We used foil, and then added lots of hearts.  I also made a Valentine for Josh today.  Wanna see it? 

I think the dogs are particularly good.

I'm going to attend the kids' school Valentine's parties today.  This evening is taiko, which I am hoping against hope I can leave early from.  Tomorrow, I go to Rolla.  I get home Saturday evening, and then Sunday I have taiko again.  After that, though, I can rest a little, and Monday there is no school. 

Anyway, I hope that I have successfully let you know all year long in person, but...

I LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Colder on the Inside

This February has been colder on the inside.  Weather-wise, you see, it has been moderate.  Possibly even "unseasonably warm".  This February, though, has found other ways to get us.

First of all, I am trying very hard not to lose patience with Josh.  I know it must be hard to work full time and take classes.  However, I cannot make myself think that he is really a college student.  I know you are scowling in disapproval at my saying it, but I really can't help it.  I went to college.  I sat in classes.  I walked in all weathers.  I was homesick.  Yes, that's "went" to college stuff.  But how about the just college stuff?  I bought a blue book for nearly every test.  You know what that means?  It means short answer.  It means writing a sentence that sounds like it came from a college student, not a kid.  It means a certain standard.  It also means a lot of reading, and a lot of remembering.  Josh has his books read TO him online.  His tests are multiple choice.  And he doesn't read.  He just has the book next to him when he does homework or tests.  And you know what else?  He'll have a specialized degree, and I won't.  It's his last semester.  I'm sick and tired of the complaining.  First of all, if you are a senior, it is SUPPOSED TO BE HARD.  Second of all, my Freshman work was that hard, so I don't wanna hear it.

But I am still trying like hell to be supportive.  He also has a lot of work that he has to do at home.  I, as you may recall, have been helping with that.  However, he gave the kids new chores to do this week, and I can't help but notice that they are the ones he was supposed to be doing all this time (not that he did).

Well, all of that is an undercurrent.  We maintain, like we always have.  No big changes have occurred. 

Not so, my friends.

An old friend of mine announced yesterday that his mother died.  I'd met her, years ago.  It's very sad, because he was one of those guys who was a grown-up long before he graduated high school, and I think he defined himself a great deal by how he took care of his mother.

Even sadder, a sweet man, who I wish I knew better, recently lost his wife.  His facebook posts are real tear jerkers. 

I guess I've finally achieved the age where my friends' husbands and wives die.  It's awful to think of.  Worse than divorces, really.  Sorrow and grief are just so much harder to turn into motivation than anger is.

Such a nice man.  Such a nice family.  4 very sweet kids.  I thought so when we all ran into each other at the store a few years ago, but didn't pursue the friendship.  Really, he was Josh's friend, but Josh always pursues friendships in the same way.  He says, "Give me a call sometime!"  If he gets a call, they hang out.  If not, he just thinks of them fondly from afar.  I am the inviting sort.  How did we ever get married?

Speaking of inviting, Look what I've got:   http://www.marylandheights.com/index.aspx?page=613

Please come, it will be a great festival.  It's free, you know, and family friendly. 


A little introspection is a good thing, especially on Ash Wednesday.  Whatever your beliefs, it is healthy to consider the excesses of your life, the need of the lives of others, and contemplate changes you can make that could benefit both.  Or even just to ask yourself, "Am I the best person I could be, given what I am and what I have?"

Me?  No.  Not really.  I could do more.  I could give more.  I could complain less.  I could resent less.  I could reproach less.

I think I am a reproachful parent.  I try to avoid violent explosions of temper.  I try to praise the positive.  I could be better.

We've already addressed that I'm a crappy wife.

Apparently, I am also a bad daughter.  See, Josh is taking me to Baltimore for our anniversary.  It's the first trip we've taken together since we moved to MO.  Josh made all the arrangements, and possibly from lack of experience, didn't make them in the optimal order.  When my mom called and I told her, she assumed the only reason I told her was so that she would watch the kids.  I assumed that Mariah would be doing that, mainly.  I guess I shouldn't have called until that was all settled.  Enough of that for now.  She also cancelled a lunch with her friend because I am going to Rolla on Friday.  See?  You didn't believe me, but it's true.

You know what?  I'm going to go.  I think I need to lie down.  I've been busy with research, newsletters, PR stuff, web site feedback, Josh's survey, checking homework, helping with music lessons, laundry, cooking, and all my own stuff.  Maybe I'm not so much contemplative as I am cranky and sensitive.

Let's try this again later.

Creepy Dreams

Before you ask - no, I'm not pregnant.  But I have been having creepy dreams this week. 

The other night I had a dream where I WAS pregnant, and knew the baby was a girl, but I didn't know where I was, and I didn't know if it was my second or third child.  My mom was there sometimes, but mostly I was alone in a room that probably doesn't exist in reality (white lacy day bed) and the thing that bugged me most in the dream was that I had picked a name, but couldn't remember it.  I was about to ask my mom if I had named the baby Odette, and then my grandmother and uncle walked in, and I was distracted by the hugging, and the fact that I was suddenly in her den.  My uncle had lost an unhealthy amount of weight.  I was alarmed, and then woke up.

Last night I was at a party in a public place....like Chuck E. Cheese or something...with Rhashita and her family.  Then, when I left, suddenly I didn't have the kids anymore, and I was looking for my car, which wasn't where I'd left it.  And it was raining.  And I got a ride to a different parking lot from some guys I went to high school with, who I did know, but probably never would have got a ride from.  Then, I was being walked to class with a guy we knew in Yuma, who said he had heard that Hitomi was taking some class that he was also going to take.  Then Heather was walking by and was telling me an inappropriate joke when her mom walked by, so I taunted her with the very clever and original, "I know why you got quiet!!"  Then, someone was in a tree, and it was still raining, and it was St. Pat's week on the UMR campus and the St. Pat's court were passing by, and there were signs in chalk on the sidewalk and I walked up to a door I know I used to go in for a lab at Mizzou.

It was like confetti from a bunch of different times in my life, all shuffled together and mixed.  Very kaleidoscopic.  The thing is, all the events, minus the missing car, were so carefree - but there was an underlying bad feeling.  I was very troubled in the dream.  In fact, both dreams were like that.  It was like the movie where the heroine is drugged and can't function normally but she knows that she desperately needs to do something fast or all will be lost.

Doesn't make for great rest.

Still Jobless, But Not Bored

Hello, Friends! 

I am exhausted but in health.  My back doesn't feel too bad, either.  I was not at 100% for taiko practice, but I was well enough to play, so that is progress!  Helena's thumb is still broken, Julie's wrist is still in a brace, and Theresa had some muscle pulled in her head/neck area, so as far as broken-ness goes, I wasn't even top of the list.  We played Andrew's collaborative African blend song, and worked on the large ensemble version of Tenchi.  Not my best ever, but I've played worse.  Plus, I looked great.

That snide comment was directed at the career fair, and subject of my last post.

I got up and took Abbie to school, and got my sick boys all situated, showered, did hair, put on hose and a wool skirt - very snappy, if I do say so myself - and even applied make-up.  I stepped into some heels (possibly responsible for back pain later in the day) and drove for an hour to the job fair.  I didn't have trouble finding it, and since I pre-registered, I could walk right in.  So I did.  It was....small.  I wandered a little, looking for the two companies I was particularly interested in.  I only found one of them, and there was a line, so I kept walking.  I ended up in a shorter line for the Art Institute, between to ladies who chatted a little with me.  When I got to the front I introduced myself, handed my resume and asked if they had any support staff positions.  Her response, "We're not actually hiring right now..."  She told me that she would take my resume and I should fill out a profile on their website, so if they decide to hire this summer, I would be notified.  Yes, that's right.  At a job fair, and not hiring.  Just recruiting.

I stood in line for the one company I had been considering, too.  Behind me was a grey haired man in a sport coat.  He asked if I knew anything about the company.  I told him the name, the city they were located in, and what they did, ending with, "What I don't know is what they are looking for today.  If it's skilled laborers, I'm out of luck."  I was done talking, and turned away. 

Not so, this guy.

"See that woman sitting over there?  Know what she's doing?"  I didn't.  In fact, I thought the lady he was indicating was probably just sitting there to finish her coffee.  I hadn't really spent a long time contemplating her.  "She's looking for managers for those places over on the east side!" 

For those of you not living in or familiar with the greater St. Louis Metro Area, the "East Side" typically refers to strip clubs, etc.  That's where the bulk of them are located.

My response was, "Well, no wonder she doesn't have a big sign.  But - I guess someone has to do it, and I'm sure she'll find someone eventually.  Not me, though.  My husband wouldn't let me near that area after dark."  There.  He mentions strip club, I go immediately to HUSBAND.  He was not deterred, though.  He moved on from there to the fact that he was near retirement when he was laid off, and that lost him, "half a million," because he was making, "a very good living," and wasn't sure he really needed the work, except maybe to get his house paid off......

How do these people find me?  Seriously.

Thankfully, I was soon able to excuse myself, it being my turn in line.  The guy told me that they were only looking for outside sales, and that was a very short conversation.  I went on to the Kaplan University table.  That poor girl was very pregnant.  I'm surprised she still shook hands with everyone.  Germs, you know.  She wasn't so much sweet, though.  I asked about support staff again, and she mentioned an office coordinator position.  I asked a few questions about it, but she glanced at my resume and recommended the receptionist job.  Not tactful.  They are located an hour away from me.  There would have to be a lot of money involved to tempt me, and I don't think there is.

On the whole - a bust.  I asked on the way out about the other company I'd been expecting.  The registrars told me that several companies hadn't shown up.  On my way home, I stopped at some random places to hand out resumes.  No one was hiring.

I still haven't received my official "NO THANK YOU" email from Josh's company yet.  Dare I hope?  Naturally, since I'm not crazy about the job....

Tomorrow we start practicing for Maryland Heights.  I'm excited.  Well, I mean...I will be, as soon as Andrew tells us what we're playing.  He usually doesn't have so many problems with that, but it sounds like a few people dropped out of the performance.  Don't forget - you are invited!  Maryland Heights Convention Center, February 24th.  We go on at 2:10, but if you want good seats, you should come a little earlier. 

I've been giving feedback on the group's new web site (coming soon) for taiko, and also on an internal survey for Josh's work.  Actually, feedback might be misleading for that second one....I WROTE IT, and now I'm making comments and edits about THEIR feedback.  The joke between us is that this survey is the reason I haven't received my rejection letter yet.  They want me to finish the project before they tell me I'm not hired.

Still reading The Silmarillion, but haven't had time these last few days.

This weekend our family will celebrate Mardi Gras.  I'm going to make a jambalaya and some kind of fancy dessert - possibly pudding pie - and we will watch The Princess and the Frog.  It's the only Mardi Gras movie I can think of....  Anyway, laissez les bon temps rouler!

Career Fair Nerves

Hi.  Career Fair today.  I have my resume printed.  I have some snappy but classic clothes set out.  I even have gas in the car.  I am so ready!  ...right?

I also have some other things:  a son and a husband home sick.  Intestinal virus.  I CANNOT GET SICK RIGHT NOW!!

That would be my number one fear of the day:  Becoming sick in any way.  I have taiko tonight, too, you know, and Celebrate the World is coming very soon!  It's a great festival.  You are all invited.  So, I can neither miss taiko, nor become ill at the career fair, nor become ill this morning and miss the career fair.  Not allowed.  And I am so afraid that I might!! 

Eep!

Other fears about this career fair are less obvious, unless you know me, which I assume you do.  I am afraid that I will be noticeable in a negative way.  I call it being a weed in the garden of life.  I am also afraid of being offered something really horrible.  I know that doesn't sound so scary, but you have to remember my position.  Josh is basically standing behind me, looking over my shoulder and waiting for me to get a job.  He doesn't much care what the job is.  He always accepts the first thing he is offered, and I can't see him not expecting the same of me.  So, if AVON wants me to work evenings for $8.65/hr, he would want me to say yes - even if it is totally wrong for our life, and totally wrong for me.

Want me to tell you what I DO want?  Well, there are problems with the times, because I still want to get the kids after school.  It's practically impossible, but since we are asking what I want, we will pretend that it is actually somewhat likely.  There is a landscaping company that will be there.  They are located in O Fallon, MO.  That's only 40 minutes from me (Long drive, but not bad when you consider that the job fair is in St. Louis).  It's actually the same drive I made for Citi.  Let's pretend they have a job available for the same shift:  5:30-2.  Now lets pretend they want to pay me 12 dollars an hour.  Yipee!

Anyway, that's what is going on today.

We went to the Frankes for the Superbowl.  Lots of old friends there, and two guys I hadn't met yet.  It was super nice.  The only bad - I made this awesome cake, but John Phillip's oldest is allergic to nuts, so NONE OF THEM could eat any.  I felt like a criminal.  It never occurred to me to ask about nut allergies.

Friday we went out with Josh's work friends.  They are pretty awesome, too.  In fact - they would like our friends.  I think I should have a picnic as soon as it's nice.  All the taiko friends and old wonderful friends and Josh's work friends can all drink beer and eat food in a park together.  Cool.

Well, I feel better.  Off I go to destroy the competition with my extreme awesome-ness!  GRR!