This year I will... or might...

[elspeth]

Hmm, new year resolutions. Load of nonsense generally, nobody I know ever manages to maintain them.

Earlier in the year I posted a few things for myself, while thinking about something else entirely - that I was going to study harder for my professional exams, practise my piano more and get round to staging a photography exhibition. I'm doing pretty well, the first two are coming along nicely and the third has stalled because I can't find a suitable venue that I can afford. So I'll just have to keep trying...

I have been wondering what to do with myself this year though, resolutions apart. I quite fancy a new job, but I'm going to have to stay put for another three months while I see how some office politics work out as there may be a promotion in view for me which would be good. And travelling... I can't afford abroad this year so I'm going to have to do some homework about places in this country it'd be good to go see, apart from my regular stamping grounds of Yorkshire, Scotland and London. And I quite fancy going to college for something non-work-related. Maybe I'll finally go learn to speak Latin, I've been wanting to for ages.

Anybody else got anything exciting lined up for the next twelve months that they have a reasonable chance of actually doing?

[thalbergmad]

Well, I was planning to climb Mt Blanc, but according to pianistimo i will need 1 week, 5 tons of equipment, a team of sherpas and blow up snowshoes.

Next year will be my year of travelling, but not abroad. I will spend a few days on St Kilda and then go island hopping in the Hebrides. After that, a couple of days respite on the Scottish mainland at my favourite Hotel in Durness. Also, i intend to climb the Cheviot, so i can tick that one off my list.

Thal

PS If you need a model for the photo exhibition.......................

[pianistimo]

to clip coupons and find them again
to switch out the magazine holders and put up magazine racks on the wall in the bathrooms.  (the shower makes magazines stick to the floor like some kind of paper mache).
to find all the manuals for everything that is unworkable.
to learn lots of new piano music.

ps good luck on the modeling, thal.

[elspeth]

Thanks for the offer, Thal - I'm sure there must be some very tasteless jokes in there somewhere considering the size, furriness and number of teeth/claws most of my subjects have, but I'll leave them well alone!

[pianowolfi]

I might travel finally to the USA in the Summer. 5 weeks bicycling hee hee. Pianistimo, do you have a place for one night? Okay that's one thing. The next lofty plan is to make two cd's, hope it will work. And the third...well I really would be very happy to get closer to my big goal, THE MUSIC. I mean the music I always feel in myself and can not yet bring out fully. Just getting a bit closer would be very fine already. Sometimes it drives me crazy.

[pianistimo]

5 weeks?  wow.  are you crossing the usa from utah?  or just want to do circles here around philly?  we have some gorgeous trails here.  but, you have to watch out for the squirrels, woodchucks, skunks, and turtles.  they cross the trail at inopportune times - so if you are going 60 mph - they can be deadly.  also, we have a certain kind of bird here, that likes to dare itself to see how fast it can fly at an angle in front of you - from tree to ground.  other than that- yes...it's really great bicycling. 

i'll put you up at the hotel risolee.  it's about $200. a night - but if you play the piano they'll let you stay for free, i bet.  my husband just reminded me not to talk to strangers on the internet. 

[pianowolfi]

5 weeks?  wow.  are you crossing the usa from utah?  or just want to do circles here around philly?  we have some gorgeous trails here.  but, you have to watch out for the squirrels, woodchucks, skunks, and turtles.  they cross the trail at inopportune times - so if you are going 60 mph

Wow do you really think I am that fast? 

- they can be deadly.  also, we have a certain kind of bird here, that likes to dare itself to see how fast it can fly at an angle in front of you

Yep that will be fine. Just last year i had a race with a bat here.

i'll put you up at the hotel risolee.  it's about $200. a night

Pianistimo!I am a piano teacher, not a manager

- but if you play the piano they'll let you stay for free, i bet.

Ok let's give it a try.

  my husband just reminded me not to talk to strangers on the internet. 

well yes he might be right. 

[pianistimo]

a bat?  must have been a night ride - or getting back in the evening?  what i hate is when you ride at night and hit a log or something.  i need  light on the front of my bicycle.  usually, the fireflies light up the trail pretty well.  but, one time i was coming back and thanked God because my eyesight wasn't that good at dark and i almost did hit this piece of wood.  (the trail has a lot of overhanging trees and branches randomly fall off). 

nighttime riding is so peaceful - though.  and, when it's warm enough - it's ok.  just that if you don't have a light- other people can't see you either and more likely head on collisions. 

don't worry.  my husband is sick and when he's sick he wants the world to stop.   he doesn't want me distracted by computer.  and, well - maybe he is slightly jealous?  but, no reason to be really.  i mean - i love him to death.  but, when i suggested we take you for a ride on the perkiomen trail - he starts calling you a stranger and how dangerous that could be.  so, i'm sorry to say - that if you came and visited it would have to be at west chester university - which is an all steinway school.  i'd  listen to you play and then, i'd try to find something to play - then, i'd show you the bike trails and let you go with your wife or girlfriend.  obvously we don't want them mad.   i mean - whichever it is you have.  and, well, my husband, too.

[pianowolfi]

cool!