Verbal Hangover

We had a cul-de-sac party last night. They're great fun - all of us who actually live on the cul-de-sac as well as most of the "street people" - folks on the street leading up to it. We pull a grill and tables and chairs out into the cul-de-sac. One family provides hot dogs/burgers and we all bring something to share and coolers full of beer and kids run around like mad. It's chaos. And this morning I am still so overstimulated I feel a bit ill.

You see, give me a beer or two and some adult conversation (which I am sorely lacking through the week) and the next morning I'm guaranteed to wake up with a verbal hangover. I feel like I talked everyone's ears off last night. They're probably all rolling their eyes at me and I feel so embarrassed. It's not that I talked about anything inappropriate, it's just that I feel like I talked and talked and talked and talked. I always feel that way after parties. I hate it. I wish I could "play it cool" like I used to be able to. I just get so excited to have people to talk to - I have to make up for days of my biggest conversations revolving around convincing Kate to let me change her diaper or stay seated in the shopping cart. I feel like such a dork.

Ugh.

How cool is this?

My blog is now listed on Cellomania and CelloBloggers. Yep. There's a whole community out there - 151 of us now - of cellists who blog. Whodof thunk it? I actually think it's pretty amazing, and is one of those cool ways in which the web enables people from all over to connect in surprising ways. I can't wait to check out some of the other blogs.

Thanks for including me!

little of this, little of that

This has been a lost week. Other than some "back-to-school shopping" (for my 21-month-old) I have gotten very little done.

Kate took full advantage of our hot weather this week by enjoying the neighborhood wading pools. Thankfully, at least 50% of the time I actually managed to get a swimsuit on her before she got in the water. Other than that, it's 2-year molar time and she's been perfecting her whine. Oh, and throwing things. Any time I tell her "no" for any reason, whatever is in her little hands gets flung with fury. Any thoughts on fixing that one?

I haven't practiced since Tuesday. Not so good. I've just been really tired this week and not getting anything done. I'm at the point where I've done "good enough" practice on my orchestra music, but that's not "good enough" anymore. We have a new conductor this year, and I would hate to give him any reason to think that he needs to reaudition my chair! The Stokowski is in reasonable shape, although the treble clef runs on the last page are still a bit sticky. We're doing a Mozart flute concerto that is sight-readable. I still have some work to do on the Respighi. I'd never even heard of that piece before, but it is really lush and beautiful. Not to mention the first movement has a really gorgeous cello line - and a teeny solo for me! Sunday we'll finally get our hands on Higdon's blue cathedral. Can't wait to check it out!

I'm enjoying Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. Although it really, really makes me want to go shopping. I still want to lose 10-15 lbs. before I do any major shopping, not to mention "major" shopping for me these days doesn't mean much. I need to get back on the treadmill. You know, with all my free time.