December dizzies

Thanksgiving was quiet for us. We went to The Old Warsaw for a nice dinner. While the food was excellent, we were disappointed in the service. When we had to request bread (all the other tables had it) and ask for water refills, they lost me. I really think our waiter wrote us off because we didn't order drinks.

The next three days were tied up with Nutcrackers. We have played all 20 productions with this company - they keep getting better and better. What an honor and thrill to be associated with them :-)

This was a positive note in a fall filled with disappointing orchestra news.

The Richardson Symphony, a group with whom I have played for 20 years decided to no longer bargain with the local chapter of the AF of M. It is an unfortunate turn of a professional orchestra into one made up of amateurs who call themselves professional but do not sound so. A colleague attended the first concert and said how tedious it was - while the strings played pretty well, the winds and brass played with no conviction and had intonation problems. I have mixed feelings - on one hand, I want to the orchestra to continue since it has been in existence for 49 years and is in my home town. On the other hand, we professionals were treated poorly and thrown away with no consideration for our loyalty and abilities. So I hope they sound horrible and fold. Unfortunately, the untrained listener can hardly tell the difference.

It is situations such as this that make me feel like when I stop playing professionally it will be a relief. I am usually a positive person, but this situation has really been eating me up.

On to knitting news---- I have finished two pair of Fiber Trend Felted Clogs for Christmas gifts for my cousin and his partner. And one pair for me too :-)

Yarn Bowl!!

My friend Terry made this exquisite yarn bowl just for me!!

And here it is in use :-)

You can see a bit of Swallowtail..... I am on the last lace rows and will post photos and details when it is done.

My schedule for the next 9 days is pretty nuts - it starts with Richardson Symphony this weekend. And since Kelli is off playing elsewhere, I will be principal. :-)

Then Monday and Tuesday is Lord Nelson Mass with the Ft. Worth Baroque Society. Also Tuesday I have to drive out to TAMU-C and listen to my students play their juries.

Wednesday is Sing For The Cure. I played the premier in Dallas 10 years ago, so this is a special occasion. Also, with so many friends who have or have had breast cancer, it has more meaning than ever.

The rest of the week is rehearsal for the Sunday performance of the B Minor Mass by Bach. I am thrilled to be working so much but wish it wasn't all jammed up together.

I will see you when I come up for air.... til then, happy knitting.

Bamboozle and Zeidwig

Here is Bamboozle so far - the shoulders are seamed, sleeves are sewn on and one side pinned. I think it will fit :-)

We had Richardson Symphony this weekend and it was like an out of body experience. Our guest artist was Mitchell Zeidwig and his act can be seen in part if you click this link. Go to the one titled "The Original" - it is the last one.

Not only is the act unique, but I read an article where he states he is from a small town NY. So on break, I introduced myself to Mitchell and here is our conversation:

Me: "I saw you are from a small town in uptsate NY, so am I - from Monticello."

Him: "I graduated from Monticello High School."

Me, eyes growing larger by the second: "SO DID I! What year?"

Him: "In the 19##'s." (The dates have been changed to protect the innocent)

Me, incredulously: "I graduated in 19##."

Him, with huge eyes by now: "19##!"

We were one year apart in our graduating class.

After we got over the incredible coincidence, we had a lovely conversation. We probably passed in the halls and never knew each other. The Executive Director take a picture of us with the Maestro:

Crazy, eh?!