What's up in your life right now???

[go12_3]

I thought I'd throw in a new topic here, we need something *new* to post about. You can let us know what you are doing in your lives, like going to college,  any travels , or doing a recital, or having an interesting hobby to share about, or whatever you would like to share:

My life is good right now,  my playing piano and violin has been great this week; I've  enjoyed playing my instruments.  My students are doing well in their lessons.  It has been raining a lot a week ago which is typical in the Spring in Idaho.  Right now I am up at 2:20am(my time) due to an allergy and typing this.  I have chatted with two members last night.  And, of course, I am looking forward to the weekend of relaxing!   

best wishes,

go12_3

[pianowolfi]

Lol do you really want to know it? I could write a huge fat book every day

In a nutshell: I am weaving a carpet of thoughts and sounds that is supposed to connect past, present and future and is also supposed to make sense when it's done. That means I'm every day changing many times. That means I am connecting informations from many different times and places which seem to meet in my everyday life. I have ended my piano break and started again to work on my program "Styx. A Long Journey" which I want to overhaul and optimize. 

[db05]

What's up, what's up? (Have you any Zen?)

After a blissful encounter a couple weeks ago, my life is back in the dumps. I guess what comes up must come down. Summer vacation means not having to do anything except band practice every Monday and piano lesson every Wednesday. It's been raining all week (a typhoon passed) so i was barely able to practice piano, or do anything for that matter other than sleep and keep myself warm.

Finished reading Sun Tzu - Art of War yesterday, now I'm reading Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Chronicle of a Death Foretold. I have many books lined up; I've collected a lot, but hardly read more than a few favorites. So I got some books I haven't read before and put them on my desk so I would read them first.

I plan to watch a movie each day this month, and I started with a bunch of movies with Ashton Kutcher. I like him. He's always the guy who gets into trouble, but is so sweet that things go right again... somehow... fun movies yeah... Except for The Butterfly Effect, that was REALLY screwed up. But in a sense, it's the same, it's still him getting into trouble, only it's not quite a happy ending.  

I'm watching a couple Japanese movies that a friend suggested. Just finished Swing Girls, so now it's Heavenly Forest. But Forest felt so dragging, and it's cold again so I fell asleep... Oh well... *yawn*

[iroveashe]

now I'm reading Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Chronicle of a Death Foretold.

Good book, I should re-read it soon.

[cherub_rocker1979]

I'm working on my final presentation for theory on Monday and then I should be graduating with a MM degree in Performance!  I'm starting to prepare for DMA auditions, which will take place in February.  I've been living in Greensboro, NC, for 2 years and I love it so much that I've decided to stay here for now.  I hope to spend the summer playing lots of gigs and finding a nice apartment away from campus.

[pianowolfi]

I'm working on my final presentation for theory on Monday and then I should be graduating with a MM degree in Performance!  I'm starting to prepare for DMA auditions, which will take place in February.  I've been living in Greensboro, NC, for 2 years and I love it so much that I've decided to stay here for now.  I hope to spend the summer playing lots of gigs and finding a nice apartment away from campus.

Oh yeah, Greensboro is such a nice place, it's really so green

[db05]

What's up, what's up? (Have you any Zen?)

I played piano today, after 3 days of not touching it. It felt brand new. After half an hour though, I had this numbness at the right backside of my head. And after 2 hours, my back and hands were strained. I stopped to find that not only did I have those pains, I also had a little headache and stomachache. Was it the sandwich I left on top of the piano while playing, and then forgot about for like, 30 mins? 

Starting to watch Atashinchi no Danshi. Other than that, nothing new under the sun.

[sharon_f]

After being laid off for 4 months from the job I've had for almost 17 years, my boss changed my schedule, which I've also had for the past 17 years, so it is impossible for me to continue to take piano lessons. It also means I have to cancel my upcoming recital.

My husband is still out of work and has been unemployed since last July. He may be getting called back in June at which time I plan to quit my job and look for another part-time position. I won't be able to work full time since I will be starting college in the fall. However, right now life sucks big time. (Oh and my beloved cat is getting sicker and sicker and I will probably have to have him put to sleep sometime soon.)

[weissenberg2]

(Oh and my beloved cat is getting sicker and sicker and I will probably have to have him put to sleep sometime soon.)

I am so sorry   

[db05]

After being laid off for 4 months from the job I've had for almost 17 years, my boss changed my schedule, which I've also had for the past 17 years, so it is impossible for me to continue to take piano lessons. It also means I have to cancel my upcoming recital.

My husband is still out of work and has been unemployed since last July. He may be getting called back in June at which time I plan to quit my job and look for another part-time position. I won't be able to work full time since I will be starting college in the fall. However, right now life sucks big time. (Oh and my beloved cat is getting sicker and sicker and I will probably have to have him put to sleep sometime soon.)

I feel for you. Hope everything gets better.

[go12_3]

Right now, I feel more content with my life....my music is going well.  My violin sang so sweetly all last week.  My piano pieces are coming along, even the difficult pieces. 
I enjoy this forum very much and the new *friends* I have made here.  And it's a wonderful Spring time here where I live.  Love the beauty of my backyard.  Been working outside the past few days.  Life is good now......and full of joy and love, too .   

[csharp_minor]

After being laid off for 4 months from the job I've had for almost 17 years, my boss changed my schedule, which I've also had for the past 17 years, so it is impossible for me to continue to take piano lessons. It also means I have to cancel my upcoming recital.

My husband is still out of work and has been unemployed since last July. He may be getting called back in June at which time I plan to quit my job and look for another part-time position. I won't be able to work full time since I will be starting college in the fall. However, right now life sucks big time.

I feel for you and understand the frustration about having no job. I also lost my job back in January 08 and for some stupid reason ( the recession?)  Can’t get a job too as everyone seems reluctant to take juniors on or do internships. I have only just have a tiny bit of freelance work this year. Its seems so stupid I worked really hard at university left with a 1st, seemed to have a good future ahead of me and this. Warning to you other university students: its VERY VERY VERY hard to get a job even if you have done well  , I think geting a job is down to dumb luck most of the time, and being in the right place at the right time and having contacts. So right now I would say my life is pretty shite.

The only happy thing keeping me going is my piano study and getting ready to do my grade 2 in July, oh and this Beethoven quote: 'I shall seize fate by the throat, it will not bend and crush me completely ' If Beethoven kept going and he lost a lot more then me then I should keep going too. 

(Oh and my beloved cat is getting sicker and sicker and I will probably have to have him put to sleep sometime soon.)

I am also sorry to hear about that...

[cherub_rocker1979]

After being laid off for 4 months from the job I've had for almost 17 years, my boss changed my schedule, which I've also had for the past 17 years, so it is impossible for me to continue to take piano lessons. It also means I have to cancel my upcoming recital.

My husband is still out of work and has been unemployed since last July. He may be getting called back in June at which time I plan to quit my job and look for another part-time position. I won't be able to work full time since I will be starting college in the fall. However, right now life sucks big time. (Oh and my beloved cat is getting sicker and sicker and I will probably have to have him put to sleep sometime soon.)

I'm so sorry to hear this!  Hang in there, Sharon.  These are tough times we're going through.

[cherub_rocker1979]

Oh yeah, Greensboro is such a nice place, it's really so green

You've been here? It is very green indeed!

[go12_3]

Right now I am working on some pieces for piano/violin from the Secrect Garden Collection.
The music is composed by Rolf Lovland.  As I played through the book last Saturday, on the piano, and most of the pieces are just wonderful.  I found a few that are comfortable with my violin though because of the melody appeals to me:  "Nocturne,"  "Adagio,"  and "You Raise Me Up."  I already knew the "Song From the Secret Garden"  (for violin) a few weeks ago.
My Chopin's Fantaisie Impromtu and Etude 10/1 is coming along.  My right hand on the Etude is more familiar with those running arpeggios. 

best wishes,

go12_3

[Bob]

Change.  Lots of change.  I just can't tell if it's good or bad yet.

[pianowolfi]

You've been here? It is very green indeed!

Yeah I've been there in 2007. Visited some former student's families and started my bicycle trip from Greensboro to Philly. Great place. I loved all those birds that are so different from our European birds and singing so wonderfully

[m19834]

Wow, you know, I really have no idea what is going on in my life right now !  It could be everything, it could be nothing at all !  I could be going at warp speed, I could be standing still !!!  I don't know !  I am going to just try and enjoy the ride .

HELLO !!  Right into your very soul .  ha ha !1  You can't escape it, I said hello to your very soul ... muah ha ha ha haaaa !

[db05]

HELLO !!  Right into your very soul .  ha ha !1  You can't escape it, I said hello to your very soul ... muah ha ha ha haaaa !

My soul just a splode. 

[freeakinisteer]

Right now I am working on some pieces for piano/violin from the Secrect Garden Collection.
The music is composed by Rolf Lovland.  As I played through the book last Saturday, on the piano, and most of the pieces are just wonderful.  I found a few that are comfortable with my violin though because of the melody appeals to me:  "Nocturne,"  "Adagio,"  and "You Raise Me Up."  I already knew the "Song From the Secret Garden"  (for violin) a few weeks ago.
My Chopin's Fantaisie Impromtu and Etude 10/1 is coming along.  My right hand on the Etude is more familiar with those running arpeggios. 

best wishes,

go12_3

have the score nocturne secret garden?

[go12_3]

have the score nocturne secret garden?

Yes, I do   

[littletune]

Right now i still have winter holidays   . But I don't have that much time for everything i want to do. We have one more doggie at home now because her owners are on holidays for 2 weeks.  And she needs to go for a walk ALL the time. And she needs a lot of attention too
Yesterday I had piano lesson and it was kinda interessting . In the house where i have piano lessons (my music school) also lives this really cute and great and beautiful and cool doggie. I mean he is a huge dog and sometimes i just want to kidnap him cause he is sooo cool! And usually he is not in the house but outside. And everytime after my piano lesson we eat my lunch together And yesterday he was in the house and i was really happy to see him so i petted him and hugged him even though he was all wet because it was raining outside really a lot. And right at that moment my teacher opened the door. And she was like: oooohhh nooooo! and then you're going to touch the piano with hands like that! And she really didn't look too happy. Well its not like i was going to play the piano with wet hands  i was going to wipe them in my clothes, but she made me go wash my hands  I was afraid she was going to be angry but she was ok after that . And then i was playing on yamaha piano and now im sure that the keys on yamaha pianos are a lot easier to press than on kawai. I noticed that when we were buying my piano and i first tried playing on yamaha and then on kawai (the one i have now ) . And usually i play on kawai in my piano lessons too and yesterday when i played on yamaha it was really funny
And then it was someting else too I kinda thought that my teacher didn't like very much how i played. Because a lot of times she looks kinda annoyed and like she doesn't like my playing and she tells me sooo many things im doing wrong. And yesterday at the end of the lesson she was looking at some pieces that she said I was going to learn next. And for one piece she said that maybe i would play it for the exam at the end of the year because she said it had a lot of different dynamics and she said that would be really good for me because im good at that and i could show a lot. I was really really surprised And she said that not everybody is good at that and that some just play forte and piano and nothing else but that I listen to what i play and so im good at that i was soooo surprised she said that!!! and happy And she said it in kinda funny way, like she shouldn't have said it or something…
And yesterday it was raining but today its snowing again
And my mum wants to learn to play the piano too and i said i would teach her well i know i couldn't really teach her a lot but maybe at least some things i know and maybe i will teach my toys and imaginary friends and we'll have piano lessons and they would have a recital then oh and im having a recital on march 13th .
ohh and im talking soooo much and i feel kinda stupid because of that but im talking anyway 

[point of grace]

i want to marry my boyfriend but i have not a job to save money and have a proper party and house

[go12_3]

I'm glad to have 10 great piano students inspite of the struggling economy that has affected 9 students to quit a year ago.....

[Bob]

I'm just waiting.

[pianowolfi]

I'm done with waiting.

[oxy60]

My heart goes out to all those who have posted here and are experiencing tragedy and/or are out of work. It's tough, it's discouraging, but you must keep pushing. You never know when the next open door will yield a result.

Just before winter set in I completed a road trip around the US. It was really time to do it. Slept in a different hotel every night and drove about 4 hours a day. Started in the most SW corner of the US then up to the NW corner, followed the 47th parallel to St. Mary's Falls, then South to Nashville and then I40 home. It took about a month but was worth it.

Yes traveling Europe is fantastic and you see fabulous things. Traveling the US is totally different because you can (whether you wish to or not) get into conversations and read local newspapers in your own language, thereby getting a real local insight into how people live, issues, etc. The US is more diverse than you might think.

[point of grace]

God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, for the ones who believe in him, will not perish but have everylasting life!! J. 3:16 (The Bible)

He is so good to me! 

[synthex]

?

[point of grace]

is that all the bible for you? i was talking about when jesus came to earth.
i dont want a religiuos debate... is not worth debating...
you take it or not... is simple.

[synthex]

?

[smithreeseii]

I thought I'd throw in a new topic here, we need something *new* to post about. You can let us know what you are doing in your lives, like going to college,  any travels , or doing a recital, or having an interesting hobby to share about, or whatever you would like to share:

My life is good right now,  my playing piano and violin has been great this week; I've  enjoyed playing my instruments.  My students are doing well in their lessons.  It has been raining a lot a week ago which is typical in the Spring in Idaho.  Right now I am up at 2:20am(my time) due to an allergy and typing this.  I have chatted with two members last night.  And, of course, I am looking forward to the weekend of relaxing!   

best wishes,

go12_3

You are an Idahoan?  What area of the state?

[littletune]

Well I will have a job well sort of Some people have a dog and would like him to go to a doggy school, but they don't have time to take him so I will be taking their doggy to doggy school and they will pay me And that will be for almost three months (from april to june) twice a week! So I will have my music school mondays and thursdays and doggy school wednesdays and fridays I hope I will still have enough time to practice piano a lot!! well i will have too!! But I am a little woried what if the doggy doesn't like me or something and what if he doesn't listen to me at all?  I mean it would be kinda bad if those people paid me to teach their doggy something and then he wouldn't learn anything!  Oh well I hope it will be ok!

[Bob]

Everything is up in my life.  I'm getting sick of this.

[go12_3]

I've been drawing portraits and more artwork; being busy in another forum that I'm
a member of.  A piano student quit 2 weeks ago...looking forward to next week
with no students to teach because of Spring Break.  Starting to learn Bach's
Partita No. 1....and glad that Winter is behind me....and have more energy to do
things. 

[db05]

- Thinking of learning piano again after a year of not touching the thing or reading notes.
- Teaching my girlfriend Tagalog.
- Reading self-help articles/ ebooks plus my girlfriend's autobiography and a couple other books.
- It's Holy Week, so I'll be away in the province for a while (Wednesday - Friday).
- What's up everyone? I hope someone here still remembers me. If not, HELLO. 

[db05]

It's been a good week, although a bit quiet. I'm starting to regret having my routine as I'm getting a little bored.

I think I need your help. About my future, I'm still thinking and daydreaming about playing and teaching music but I've stopped practicing. Anyone who's seen me on Pianostreet knows how frustrated I am with music. I quit music school and went to college, and now I'm doubting if I made the right decision. What am I going to do? Quitting college and going back to music school would be so awkward. I'm running in circles.

At first I thought, suppose I start a practice routine on my own. When I've firmly established it and climbed back to my previous levels, I will find a new teacher to guide me to the higher levels. Now I can't even start practicing. It seems I am so afraid of failure, I can't even touch my books or the instruments. I used to play piano and guitar and started with violin.

I know I gotta do something about this. I just don't know what and how. Should I quit music totally? Should I pick up an instrument (which one?) and focus on that? Or should I pick everything up from scratch and see how well I do before I decide to drop anything?

[goldentone]

I've been drawing portraits and more artwork; being busy in another forum that I'm
a member of.  A piano student quit 2 weeks ago...looking forward to next week
with no students to teach because of Spring Break.  Starting to learn Bach's
Partita No. 1....and glad that Winter is behind me....and have more energy to do
things.  

Go, would you share any of your artwork with us?

[go12_3]

It's been a good week, although a bit quiet. I'm starting to regret having my routine as I'm getting a little bored.

I think I need your help. About my future, I'm still thinking and daydreaming about playing and teaching music but I've stopped practicing. Anyone who's seen me on Pianostreet knows how frustrated I am with music. I quit music school and went to college, and now I'm doubting if I made the right decision. What am I going to do? Quitting college and going back to music school would be so awkward. I'm running in circles.

At first I thought, suppose I start a practice routine on my own. When I've firmly established it and climbed back to my previous levels, I will find a new teacher to guide me to the higher levels. Now I can't even start practicing. It seems I am so afraid of failure, I can't even touch my books or the instruments. I used to play piano and guitar and started with violin.

I know I gotta do something about this. I just don't know what and how. Should I quit music totally? Should I pick up an instrument (which one?) and focus on that? Or should I pick everything up from scratch and see how well I do before I decide to drop anything?

Hey, db,
I think most people go through a period of not knowing what they want to do and making that decision can be difficult.  The best thing is what is your passion?  What is the one thing that makes you happy.
Pick out that one thing and focus upon that for a while.  I know I even go through periods when I don't touch my violin and guitar for weeks, especially the guitar.  I think when we are creative it makes it harder for us to focus upon ONE thing and then we try to do so many things to fill up our empty time and days. Then it becomes harder to make a decision on what to do.  About college and music school, which one have you enjoyed the most?  I have heard you play piano and guitar.  I feel you have a talent in playing the guitar in my opinion.  Pick it up and play it for awhile and see how you feel.  Sometimes we go through periods in our lives that we may not feel productive and it's okay.  There are periods in our lives we have to rest our minds from so much activity, I know I go through those times when I don't feel like I'm going anywhere with the pieces I'm learning on the piano or whatever I create with my mind and heart.  I hope you can find something with your piano or guitar that will bring fulfillment within you always.

[db05]

Hey, db,
I think most people go through a period of not knowing what they want to do and making that decision can be difficult.  The best thing is what is your passion?  What is the one thing that makes you happy.
Pick out that one thing and focus upon that for a while.  I know I even go through periods when I don't touch my violin and guitar for weeks, especially the guitar.  I think when we are creative it makes it harder for us to focus upon ONE thing and then we try to do so many things to fill up our empty time and days. Then it becomes harder to make a decision on what to do.  About college and music school, which one have you enjoyed the most?  I have heard you play piano and guitar.  I feel you have a talent in playing the guitar in my opinion.  Pick it up and play it for awhile and see how you feel.  Sometimes we go through periods in our lives that we may not feel productive and it's okay.  There are periods in our lives we have to rest our minds from so much activity, I know I go through those times when I don't feel like I'm going anywhere with the pieces I'm learning on the piano or whatever I create with my mind and heart.  I hope you can find something with your piano or guitar that will bring fulfillment within you always.

Perhaps that's my problem. I don't know where my passion is. I am trying to live without passion and it's starting to get boring. I don't know how I'm going to cope once the school year starts. Part of my dilemma is figuring out my schedule if I do decide to squeeze some music in.

I want to learn more about music somehow. I've told you about wanting to become a teacher. This hasn't changed... Thanks for listening...

[thalbergmad]

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE, i have got a new banjo.

Thal

[ahinton]

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE, i have got a new banjo.

Excellent! All the more reason now to get someone to try to commission Elliott Carter to write a concerto for it.

Enjoy!

Best,

Alistair

[oxy60]

From db05's avatar:

Don't look ahead, just run to me
Each step will find the next one recklessly
We'll find ourselves on the safest ledge
Well pardon me, I couldn't help myself

"We know why you rubberneck..."

That's pretty powerful stuff. Could you source that for us?

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE, i have got a new banjo.

Thal

I know this forum should be about piano but I would like to know more about that instrument. Is there another forum somewhere dedicated to banjo? Let us know how you are doing with it.

[thalbergmad]

I know this forum should be about piano but I would like to know more about that instrument. Is there another forum somewhere dedicated to banjo? Let us know how you are doing with it.

I have tried various styles and banjos, but it is impossible to learn all of them well (for me anyway).

Therefore, I have decided to concentrate on Plectrum Banjo which always felt more natural to me. It just sort of fell into my arms perfectly.

Banjohangout has a thread dedicated to 4 string banjos, but outside of US, I don't think many people play a plectrum. Most tend to go for either tenor or 5 string.

I guess i like to be different.

Thal

[pianowolfi]

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE, i have got a new banjo.

Thal

That's neat 

[m19834]

*sounds the trumpet* du, du du duuuuu

I am cramming like mad before going to see Maestro tomorrow ... soon it will be a weekend by myself (except for my lessons) dedicated solely and completely to music study ... ahhhh ... in some hotel room in a city which has become a home away from home.  I will take a few walks but other than that, I will live, move, eat, breathe, sleep music ... and then it will ooze out of me  .  Magical Musica !!  (I'm pretty sure that music often wears a mask and a cape and probably even has a wand !)

[m19834]

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE, i have got a new banjo.

Thal

ah !  Cool and congrats, ThalyB .

[thalbergmad]

I will live, move, eat, breathe, sleep music

Thats the way i feel at the moment, but it never seems to last long with me.

I have started to actually play a lot more and last night was one of those rare occasions when everything seemed effortless. It was as if Thalberg himself was guiding my fingers.

I dare not touch the piano tonight in case it has all gone.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

Excellent! All the more reason now to get someone to try to commission Elliott Carter to write a concerto for it.

I would settle for a Fantasy on "Yes, we have no bananas".

Do not think that is his "style".

Thal

[db05]

From db05's avatar:

Don't look ahead, just run to me
Each step will find the next one recklessly
We'll find ourselves on the safest ledge
Well pardon me, I couldn't help myself

"We know why you rubberneck..."

That's pretty powerful stuff. Could you source that for us?

Those are lyrics from Copeland's song, On the Safest Ledge.
"We know why you rubberneck..." is from Palahniuk's book, Rant.