Play like a tiger

I had my violin recital on Sunday- played Fiocco's Allegro. This was my third violin recital. Per my usual style, used very little bow and played very softly- possibly the complete opposite of how the piece was intended. I've been working on that but my nerves always get the better part of me. My friend in the audience was about to throw something at me- so he says- to energize me.

I always have this problem in that when I listen to the performers before me, I get their melodies stuck in my head. And when it is my turn, I get into a panic and I can't remember how my piece goes. So for the initial few notes if not few measures I feel like I'm sight reading the piece. Added to the initial stress of playing solo violin, I feel like my heart would leap out of my chest. During the piece, I feel an out-of-body sensation. I would know that something would be off- say tempo for example- and my outer conscience would tell my inner being to correct it, but I would have no control and only muscle memory would take rein.

Disgruntled as usual about the performance but not as pissed as last season's Shostakovich piece. This was a replacement piece with not a lot of time to prepare. I was planning to play Kreisler's Leibesleid, but sucked it up on that piece. Maybe next recital.

My teacher always tells me to play like a tiger and not like a kitty, but I played like Mademoiselle and Blondie.

Kingsley and the Girls at conference... and Brandon, too

It's a long drive to New Orleans

Picked me up in the van. Still tired. Need power, hurry and finish graphs for meeting. Adrienne, need another "A", stupid game. Central time zone, Tallahassee picnic table lunch, I110, Pensacola, whadabout ice cream? DJ Adrienne reliving the 90's.

Ready- play. Sweet Home Alabama.

There's a missile here. That's a door, Kingsley. Smell the flowers.



If you go down, I won't be able to catch you. Battleship, airplanes, corrosion. Trucks. Olive Garden. Tunnel. Fire.

Chinese guy scared away white lady. Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.


Mississippi Free soda. Biloxi is on the way. Just one bet in Biloxi: to Boomtown, baby! Penny slots are no fun. Total amateur at roulette- Excuse me sir,can I take this chip home... (table operator rolls his eyes). Did you tip the guy? No, were we supposed to? I dunno. I was the only one that lost money, anyways.

Almost there to New Orleans!
Yeah! Bridge piles. Where are the Raymond Piles?

Exhaustion catching up on me- tired, close my eyes for a while. Oops, there goes Tallahassee lunch and Skittles. Ugh. What happened to that plastic bag anyways?

Finally in the city, Umm... better make a U-turn here. Hotel in French Quarters.

Bourbon Street and Vieux Carre

Fine dining next to gentlemen entertainment establishments. Probably not a good idea to go with the girls. Tacky gift shops galore. Walgreens rocks.

How did we end up paying $70 for gator and calamari and three beers?

In the city with corrosion buddies, et pas avec les mecs fracais qui toujours flirter avec mes copines.



Brandon's cover to Led Zeppelin?

Kansas Jayhawks? Boo!!


Great food. Crawfish eating contest. I so won that. I ate the claws! Beignets and hot chocolate at Cafe du Monde. Jambalaya, Gator. Moroccan in Mederie. Abita brews. Dixie beer. Free biscuits. They were free.

Before leaving, drove around Garden District. What are we supposed to be looking at again? Ah, right how to get on the interstate to get out of here before we get mugged. Just kidding, it was once beautiful and will be again beautiful, I'm sure. Missed the cemetery tour and jazz club.


At conference We continued our tradition of last minute poster printing. Thanks guys. The girls won prizes. The boys presented. Took care of business. Watched the prophet D.D. give a lecture. Didn't get to see the astronaut though, aw. Met old and new friends. But now for the long drive home.



I10 and I75: The longest journey Let the crew rest and drove the whole way back. Everyone was sleeping. Oh no, Beach Boys making me sleepy too. Change the music.

My buddy, My buddy.. Wherever I go, you go. Played car tag with other drivers. Stopped in Mobile for lunch, got lost trying to find onramp, but drove over new bridge. Extradosed or Cablestayed? Racing to Gainesville for Brandon's Purim party. Home late that night or early next morning?