Reflections...

Somehow I mean to blog, but never find the time to sit down to actually WRITE even though I have the time, but just never take it. I don't know how writers over the generations managed to spin things out, but then again, they didn't have stuff like Facebook, MySpace, online gaming, or any of those other vices that have become such a major part of our culture. Then again, I find myself quite the Facebook freak!! Then again, I want to have something interesting to write, but either loose it in the depths of my mind, or it just evades me kind of like when I wake up in the middle of a really good dream.

Nevertheless, it's been a relatively quiet 2010, as well as uneventful. Been so immersed with my music theory, music history, applied music classes and with both choirs I'm in that time just flies by. The classes are going great, but intense, especially as I prepare for my audition to University of the Pacific in Stockton for January. Finally got the Italian art song, "Star Vicino" down, but now working on Robert Schumann's "Widmung," Gabriel Faure's French art song, "Le Secret," Ralph Vaughn Williams' English art song, "The Vagabond" from "Songs of Travel," as well as a couple arias from oratorios or operas. Not to brag, but I am very proud of how my voice has developed and the operatic quality it has. While I enjoy showtunes and Broadway, I think I've found a new vocal niche with the art songs. Also may have a couple new opportunities if I audition for Kurt Weill's "Berlin to Broadway" at City Theatre, or take up the invitation to sing in the chorus of the Sacramento Ballet's production of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana." I wish I could do more with my music right now, but job kind of gets in the way. Am hoping to try and leave the grocery business soon!!

Oh, and I can't go without talking about one of my favorite events, the Olympics! I was excited about Vancouver hosting the games and even though four years seems far away, it always creeps up on us. In fact, it still seems like last year that I watched the 2006 games in Turin and gawked at those god-awful dresses the placard bearers wore during the parade of nations (ironically set to 1970's and '80's American dance music). Doesn't seem that long either watching the children of the light skate across the stadium or the 1980 Miracle on Ice men's hockey team light the cauldron in Salt Lake City in 2002. However, the opening ceremonies for this year's winter games topped the last several with all the special effects and such (especially with the whales!). Or that one guy who danced while suspended above the various images. However, what I was most curious about was how they were going to light the cauldron, being that the ceremonies were indoors for the first time ever. Was disappointed to see the glitch at the end, but was totally taken back when Wayne Gretzky was being driven to the visible cauldron. It was also quite a moving sight to see ordinary people join in the Olympic spirit and just start spontaneously running alongside and behind the truck with Gretzky and the torch. It'll be kinda sad tomorrow night when watching the closing ceremony, but at the same time, we have the summer games to look forward to in London in 2012 (although I like the winter games better, but do watch the swimming, diving, wrestling, and basketball in the summer games). Will be interesting to see the presentations from Sochi, Russia tomorrow night, as Sochi will be hosting the next winter games in 2014. And let's also keep our fingers crossed for Reno-Tahoe as they explore a bid for the 2022 winter games.

Well, that's enough random thoughts for tonight. Looking forward to my much needed break from work after this next week, a trip to SF, and seeing "A Flea in her Ear." G'night, pleasant dreams, and a happy tomorrow.