Down time...

For the past week or so I've been trying to kick this cold. I thought that it had taken its toll and moved along, however this morning it reared its evil head again. Ugggh! Oh well, the sun will come out, tomorrow....

So, recently I have been trying to get my lawn looking green so that it somewhat resembles grass. Apparently the people that owned this house before me didnt water their lawn in 4 years. Hmmm....what WERE they watering? Anyway, I'm sure that with a little TLC the patchy dead stuff claiming to be Bermuda Grass in my front and back lawn will soon void itself of weeds and start to grow and be like Kermit, with the help of "Weed and Feed" turf builder. Speaking of, I should probably water the lawn again today.

I've also recently taken up racquetball again. I took racquetball in college as my FRA requirement. Dont ask what FRA means. We also had to take 36 hrs of POK...I do remember that stood for "Prospectives on Knowledge". Hahaha, whats with all the Acronyms? Is it acronyms or anacronyms? I dunno. Anyway, I like playing racquetball and so far have proved to be 1/2 decent AND its a great workout, so there ya go.

I guess that the question has finally been answered, "What do opera singers do when they are not working?" I've also been racking up more debt, which is always fun. I wish that money really did grow on trees. That would be the best. Oh well. I think that things have a way of working out. I mean, there is a reason that I have a gig on April 15th that will pay my taxes on April 17th....right? Thank GOD! For all you young singers that might be reading this...hey, ya never know?! SET ASIDE A PORTION OF YOUR CHECKS FROM GIGS TO PAY TAXES WITH IN APRIL. They always say 30%...and I never do, and then come this time I'm like, HELP!!! So, yeah...I'm going to start taking 30% off the top and put it straight into savings for April.

Ok...das ist alles. Dont get sick, start playing a sport that you did in college, and save 30% for taxes...I leave you with this.

Ups and Downs

I tell ya, if this career isnt a rollercoaster, I dont know what is. What is it about the unknown that drives us, or rather, possesses us to continue down its path? Yeah, it all starts with a love of music and singing, but then something happens along the way where some days you want to be a gardener or an architect but then you think that this would be too straight forward...where's the craziness in those projects? Yes, folks, singers are crazy. We're nuts. But, in a good way, I think. Someone should start an ad that says, "Hey, you like to sing? Do ya have a good voice? Are you a little bonkers? Well, then being an opera singer might be for you! Come get 3 or 4 pointless degrees and spend a ton of money on lessons and coachings hoping that your wildest dreams might come true and you too can learn about things that have absolutely no worth in the real world. So, come join us in our make believe land of giants, queens of the night, and castle-jumping divas. We want YOU!

Seriously though, it is fun. ...and it gets better every day. Well, most of the time. At the current moment I have a cold. I must say that it sucks getting sick...I am very fortunate that it happens to me about once every 2 years, and it seems that I have been able to control it so that it only happens during my down time. I have the next 3 weeks to just prepare for my next engagements. But, other than having a little stuffiness and sore throat I'm looking forward to these next projects. It MIGHT be because after the second gig I will have 2 months off! I havent had that much time off in I dont know how long! My current plan is to get a dog. I've already named him. And yeah, its gunna be a boy. His name will be Duke Bauman Hurt. (named after my best friend David Bauman) - and he will be a yellow/white lab. I have wanted my own dog for years and now I will have one if it kills me! I WANT A DOG!

Its getting late and I must take the car into the shop in the a.m. so I shall say, nighty night night!