Frozen Socks

Day twenty-three~ 15 facts about you

2011-06-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hoo boy. Here we go

1) I have been married for a month and a half!! :) Very happy.

2) I teach piano lessons.

3) I love to sing, solo but especially as a part of a small ensemble

4) I wish I could play the drums. I want to so baaaad.

5) I have two cats, Boots and Moses.

6) I am addicted to vegetables. I just love them.

7) I also really love seafood. Except not shellfish ick.

8) I am so lactose intolerant I might as well be allergic. (oh how I miss cheeeeeese)

9) I am probably one of the more disorganized people on the face of the planet. But I feel like I have made progress!

10) I am really excited to be moving into our house in October (hopefully) It will make my commute so much easier and we will have way more room to spread out.

11) I like listening to classical music, but I really love rocking out to symphonic metal :P It's the only thing that makes cleaning tolerable.

12) I really wish that I was closer to my extended family. I was SO SO SO excited to have them at my wedding.

13) I hate carrots and watermelon. I know right? UNAMERICAN (oh and brussels sprouts too yuck)

14) I can't wait to have a garden to grow fruits and veggies in. As much self-sufficiency as possible is my goal!

15) I wish UNT were closer so I could feasibly get my PhD. :/ Maybe later I guess.

Ok that was kinda tough. Hope it is interesting?

Day 22 - A letter to someone who has hurt you ... except not.

2011-06-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

Yeah. Not going to do that. Instead I will talk about a friend of mine who is hurting instead. I have known Ann Michele King since we danced together in highschool and she is the amazing graphic designer that put together our wedding invitation. She has been battling cancer for over 7 years and it has come to a very grim prognosis. She has recently begun a very aggressive course of chemotherapy and radiation and homeopathic medicine and her family is really feeling the financial strain. I am about to leave for a concert where I will be donating to the cause. It is at First United Methodist Church of Richardson. I know that a lot of people who read this would not be able to go, but if you can see it in your heart to donate a little to this amazing family, you can mail a check. If you can't, I know that prayers and good thoughts will be just as welcome.

Here is the address

The Kings
5804 Edinburg
Richardson, TX 75082
note "Ann Michele gift" in the memo

Thanks :)

Day twenty-one~ A photo of something that makes you happy.

2011-06-25T07:29:00.001-07:00

I love the piano, but I love more when I can help someone else love the piano too. My favorite lessons are the ones where the students comes prepared and eager to learn more and I keep going because I can't wait for the day when a former student calls me and tells me piano or music at all is a part of their life because of what I taught them. It will probably be awhile haha!

Day twenty~ The meaning behind your blog name.

2011-06-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

Ok I actually decided to answer this one. My friend Amalia (http://blog.amaliadillin.com/) and I were debating a name to stick to this little project and she suggested the name. Because I guess she puts her socks in the freezer. No lie. I know right? GENIUS.

Ok so now I have 7 people on board with my BIG project. I am SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED. There is more amazing news with that but I am going to keep it to myself (and a few select other people I have squee-d about it to) until this project is a little further along. I am planning a trip to the library on Saturday morning to gather resources but before I go I have been perusing the ONLINE card catalog. How amazing is that?

Life is good. :) Off to the gym. I am getting pretty ripped (relatively) these days. *FLEX!*

Day 19 ~ NOT another picture of me.

2011-06-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else have trouble taking multi-vitamins? I tried several brands and every single one made me throw up exactly 10 minutes after I took it. Seriously. If you think I have eaten something poisonous, just shove a One-A-Day down my throat and I will just get rid of it post haste (within 10 minutes. no joke)!! So today I took a Centrum Women's Multivitamin. That was a half hour ago. I had some very mild nausea but so far I have not felt the need to rush to the bathroom. TRIUMPH!!

Ok enough about my non-exciting and extremely dysfunctional stomach.

I am getting super excited about this project I am putting together. I have no less than 5 OTHER PEOPLE on board and also excited about it!!! This includes an ex-boyfriend of mine who is quickly rising through the ranks of early music experts and performers as an extremely talented performer on the natural horn. "What the heck is a natural horn?" I hear some of you say. LET ME SET YOU STRAIGHT!!

This is a valved horn. Some people call them FRENCH horns. Which is WRONG. It originated in Germany. I don't even know why they are called French horns but I hope that none of my friends call it that in the future!! Anyway. This horn is descended from the hunting horn used to call dogs and communicate with other hunters. (James you may correct me if I am wrong). At some point (I am too lazy to look it up) the hunting horn moved into the parlor and became the natural horn.

Do you see the difference? No buttons! Those buttons are called valves and because I am NOT a horn player, I have no idea how they work but the horn player can use them to play different notes. A natural horn player can only rely on his mouth to play different notes on his or her chosen instrument. This limits them to notes in the harmonic series and only one key (look it up on wikipedia. I conveniently linked you!). That is why there are all sorts of different coils there. By changing them out, they can change the key in which they are playing!

Anyway that is just a brief intro and actually that's about all I know myself about them. I have only touched the surface of the exciting world of HORN THEORY. ... I'll just get back to this when my research gets past the middle ages.

Day eighteen~ I am tired of these stupid things.

2011-06-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

Uh... Ok these things are starting to get tiring.

I am going ROGUE!!! From now on I am making up my own things to say. So here we go...

DAY 18 ~ AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ART HISTORY

Did you know that the very earliest artwork (something aesthetically created that serves no other practical purpose) that we have found can be dated to approximately 25,000 BCE? It is the Venus of Willendorf. She is tiny!! Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. No one knows if she is a Goddess or a specific woman or an amulet for luck but there are many many many Venuses that have been found across Northern Europe and a few in Southern France and Spain. If nothing else, it is clear that prehistoric homo sapiens sapiens revered and worshiped the female form. By constantly emphasizing breasts and belly and minimizing arms, legs and head, it is obvious that early man revered woman early on for her ability to produce and care for his progeny. Some historians are certain these figurines are religious in nature because other fairly detailed carvings of faces, female and otherwise have been found at the same sights and date from the same time. But because of the very nature of being PREHISTORIC, there is no way of knowing.

You might wonder why I am interested in this sort of thing...(besides the fact that I just love it)... Actually I am about to start work on a HUGE undertaking. It is an animated series on music and music history that will be part of my website. (http://www.karenhpiano.com if you were curious) If you are wondering what large-breasted Venus carvings have to do with that, you will just have to wait and see!

Now wasn't that more interesting that reading about something I crave regularly?

Day seventeen~ A photo of you and your family.

2011-06-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

I guess this is when we knew that Mom was not going to make it. I am getting some warm fuzzies though that the reflection of my hand holding my phone clearly shows my wedding band :P I am really glad that my Mom and Chris got along so well and that Mom knew we were getting married... I know she was absolutely devastated that she couldn't be there to help me make a dress or for the wedding itself. :/ I am sure if they are anywhere that she and Chris's Mom are up there hangin out watching us.

And here is the new family. :) Maybe it will get bigger in a couple years. Who knows?

Day sixteen~ Your celebrity crush.

2011-06-19T06:16:00.001-07:00

Pretty sure I already made this OBVIOUS but it is something to do while I finish my morning chai. I HEART Nathan Fillion. He is smart, funny and always entertaining. I don't tend to like the super sexy celebrities though I appreciate the scenery. That's all they are though, scenery :D Nathan Fillion is awesome in all ways shapes and forms.

Day fifteen~ Something you don't leave the house without.

2011-06-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

I actually absolutely HATE the umbilical chord that attaches me to my phone. I really don't want to be so reliant on a little chunk of technology. But it really does help me keep track of studio things on the run. However, come April I think I am going to try very hard to replace it with a small flip type phone (stupid touch screen ugh I hate it) and get some sort of tablet that is solely devoted to storing studio information and things.

Day fourteen~ A TV show that you are currently addicted to.

2011-06-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

Oh Castle. Nathan Fillion is my favorite actor right now. I will consume anything and everything he is and has ever been in. But if it can't be Firefly, it can be Castle. I love this show!! The stories are funny and heartfelt and I am attached to every character! (Unfortunately ;_;)

I absolutely love this show. It is the only reality type show I am willing to watch. Knowing exactly how much hard work and talent has to go into it, I just love to watch every single contestant. If they made it through the auditions, it is guaranteed that they are an amazing dancer. I also think that the judges in this show are much less cruel in their critiques of performances. If they didn't like it, they give lots of suggestions for improvement instead of focusing on tearing that person down.

Whew. This HBO show is INTENSE. I am always left breathless and wide-eyed at the end of every episode. If you are one of my more sensitive/modest relatives or friends. DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW. My mother would have had to cover her eyes half the time. But it just feels very real and very raw so I am enjoying it quite a bit. Definitely better than the book. I loved some characters in the book that I am really disliking in the show and vise versa. Craziness.

Day thirteen~ Your favorite musician and why?

2011-06-16T08:26:00.001-07:00

OK so after spending all day keeping this post in the back of my mind, I guess I will just have to keep it to the music I most often have on my playlist. Seriously... there is just too much music that I love to talk about it. Ask Chris.

Freddie Mercury is my favorite musician that has ever lived. He was amazingly talented, he was so charismatic, and he was proud of his craft. I love watching him perform. I love watching his music videos. ... ok I'm just a Freddie Fangirl. Oh and Queen is awesome too. :D

My favorite music to play on the piano is that composed by Claude Debussy. His music is just so freeing and lovely and just makes me happy.

Oh Victor. How the world should miss you more. The world lost a bright star both as a pianist and as a comedian in this man. I have a soft spot in my heart for Victor Borge.

... ok... I really am not sure how I narrowed things down to just these. There are so many more. Beatles, Alicia De LaRocha, Beethoven, Carpenters, Simon & Garfunkel, John Williams, Gershwin, and on and on and on... Don't even get me started on historical musical figures that I admire.

Day twelve~ A photograph of the town you live in.

2011-06-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

I actually live just on the other side of downtown from where this picture was taken. It's nice living downtown but my life will be WAY easier when I live in the house and have a smaller commute. OCTOBER YAAAAY

Forgot to mention yesterday that it was Chris and I's first monthiversary!! Seems like the first month has just flown by. We have both been working really really hard and I think it is paying off not only personally for each of us but in our relationship as well. I love him more than ever.

I really hope we can take a honeymoon soon though... I want to get out of Dallas :(

Day eleven~ What's in your makeup bag?

2011-06-14T17:11:00.001-07:00

Um... A bunch of Mary Kay makeup. With which I am COMPLETELY disenchanted. I have used it for awhile now and I cannot see any quality in it that makes it worth any more than good grocery store makeup. Which makes me a REALLY BAD Mary Kay saleswoman. I do really like the skin care stuff but again, not enough to pay as much for it as I would as an MK client. I am so cheap lol!!

I really don't wear much makeup anyway and I am lucky enough that my skin stays pretty clear as long as I wash it every day. I only put on makeup if I am going out or just feel like looking sexy that day. I do not see that it adds anything to my ability to teach or interact with my students so I would rather just not bother and not have to worry about washing it off that night.

So. Makeup. I don't really like it. The End :P

Pesto Pasta Salad

2011-06-13T12:23:00.001-07:00

For my own records and for someone who has already asked me for the recipe, I thought I would go ahead and record what I did for that salad last night.

INGREDIENTS:

16 oz brown rice pasta (Used shells but think I will use rotini next time.)
20-30 leaves of basil
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
ground sea salt
4-5 cloves garlic
1 coarse chopped yellow bell pepper
1 coarse chopped orange bell pepper
2 coarse chopped roma tomatoes
5-6 sliced crimini mushrooms
1/4 vidalia onion (Did not have this when I made it but thinking of adding it or the same amount of a purple onion next time)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cook pasta according to package instructions. The package I had said 14-16 minutes over med/hot... I think next time I will go for something a little more al dente so 12-13 minutes. While boiling that, pick all the leaves off the basil stems and throw them in whatever pesto-maker you have along with garlic cloves, olive oil and salt. I would tell you how much of that but I am an eye-ball cooker so I have no idea. I used the Magic Bullet that we got as a wedding present (THANKS PETIE and MICHAEL!) and it came out fabulous!! I also chopped and sliced all the veggies and things while the pasta was cooking. Once pasta is cooked, drain thoroughly and dump into whatever bowl you plan to serve the salad in. Mix in enough olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking to itself and then dump in the pesto mixture and vinegar (To taste or however you eyeball things) Cover the bowl and put in the fridge to cool. Store the chopped/sliced veggies in a separate container. Because I started way before I needed to, my pasta stayed in the fridge for 3 and a half hours and I think that allowed all the pesto to really soak into all the pasta. I took everything out about an hour before serving and mixed in all the veggies along with summore vinegar because it tasted a bit too salty. Then put everything back in the fridge so the veggies can soak in everything too. When you're ready, take everything out of the fridge and serve!

TRIUMPH

Day ten~ A photo of your favorite place to eat.

2011-06-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone was curious, my gluten-free vegan pasta salad that I made for potluck dinner last night was DELICIOUS. I think I am becoming a pretty good cook!! Not to toot my own horn or anything...... TOOOT TOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!! Hehe.

Ok so favorite place to eat:

We have not eaten here in a really long time, but Simon's Sushi up in Plano is hands-down my favorite restaurant. The fish is always fresh and delicious (or they do not serve it) and Simon's recipes are always spot on. Also they have pokee. I have not found that delectable Hawaiian dish anywhere else in Dallas. Possibly because it is hard to get fish fresh enough to pull it off.

Hey Chris... *shifty eyes* Not to you know... whatever... But I could go for some sushi sometime soon. Just sayin.

Day nine~ A photo of the last item you purchased.

2011-06-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

Only a little bit upset that I couldn't take a picture of something cooler but food is where most of the money goes! Hopefully, the pasta salad I am making out of all this stuff will prove it's worth!! (my first pasta salad ever... if you are someone who is going to eat it, Don't Judge!!) <3

Day eight~ A song to match your mood

2011-06-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

Ok because I am SO EXCITED that I got my website up and running today:

Please go visit http://www.karenhpiano.com (SUBTLE HINT RIGHT HERE)

Anyway it make me feel like DANCING because I have CONQUERED the technologies!!!

So here I present my current favorite song and music video. All about similar subjects :)

LOVE YOU CARAVAN PALACE PLEASE COME DO A CONCERT IN THE US OF A PRETTY PLEASE

Unlikely :(

EDIT: They are playing in CHICAGO on JULY 7!!! *SOB* I how I wish that it was further in the future so that I could plan to go and at the same time see my friends in Chi-town!!! Everybody go do this concert so they can see how much America loves them and come back when I can go see them!

Day seven~ Your dream wedding.

2011-06-10T16:49:00.001-07:00

Well, seeing as I am fresh from the MOST PERFECT WEDDING ON THE PLANET. This is an easy one. Smallish, about 70 guests, in my future in-laws' beautifully gardened back yard with delicious food and just a hint of dancing. Spending time with some of my closest friends and family is also a MUST. I really wish I could have spent more time with my extended family actually but there just was not time. :( Hopefully I can drag Chris up to Utah and around California sometime soon.

Oh right so anyway there is my dream wedding. Hey look a PICTURE TOO!? Oh it must have happened. Nope wasn't a dream :) Ok you guys can PLEASE STOP PINCHING >: I am awake.

Day six~ A photo of an animal you would like to keep as a pet.

2011-06-09T09:02:00.001-07:00

I have always wanted a dog that, when people look at it, they say "What the heck kind of dog is that!?" And I would have to reply "No idea. A good one." I want a mutty mutt mutt that I can just love for who he or she is!! Someday :)

Day five~ A photo of yourself two years ago.

2011-06-08T19:11:00.001-07:00

Wow. I am not sure why I thought the short hair looked good. I guess I'm glad Chris asked me to grow it out :P It was especially bad when I met him lol. This was at Chelsea's wedding several months before we even knew each other existed. I was also a little overweight at the time. Lifestyle changes work wonders! Ok so the point of all this is that long hair looks better. Maybe I will try bangs just to see!

Day four~ Your favorite photograph of your best friend.

2011-06-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

First of all... So sorry I missed it yesterday!! I was BUSY BUSY BUSY!!! o_o Ok excuses over.

OK this is a tough one. I guess I'm going to have to stick to a couple.

Let's start off with my best friend, my lifelong companion, my dearest love and my confidante :) I expressed in my last entry how amazing I think he is and I won't change that at all. We have our problems just like anyone else but I love him forever and cannot wait to see what life brings us.

Kaitlyn. What do I say? I have never had a relationship with anyone that has swung so many drastic ways and always come down to a solid foundation in the end. We have shared all of our deepest darkest secrets. We have been there for each other through thick and thin. We act like children when we get together and there is hardly anyone else who can make me laugh so easily. She totally saved me in the minutes before my wedding when I was getting nervous and antsy. Couldn't have done it without her.

My Dad. We are closer now than we ever were and that is pretty close since I was always a Daddy's girl. We talk for hours several times a week and, unlike some, I am very happy and relieved that he will be living so close to us. I do not think either of us would have made it through Mom's death without each other and I know he is someone I can always go to if I need to remember her. Sorry the photo is a bit blurry but we were DANCING. :)

.... I miss her so much I can hardly stand it. There are so many things that she had going for her. So many things I needed her for. So many things she has and is going to miss. It was completely unfair for her and everyone else that she was taken away from the world. I don't care what you say about being in a better place. She was in a good place right here. And there was no reason she had to suffer so much on her way out. Ok seriously, I am really not that bitter. I still talk to her when I need to and I think she's probably somewhere listening. I just see this picture and how sick she was when it was taken and it hurts that she knew she was going to die. :/ Ok enough of that!!!

Seriously there are so many other good friends. Kevin, Amalia, any and every one of the Cats and several of my past teachers. I just don't want to take up any more space with photos and it has taken a lot of photo browsing to find all these guys!! Sorry they are ALL from the wedding but I guess that was KINDA IMPORTANT!! :P

I will put my Day 5 post up this evening!! Chow!

Day three~ Your idea of the perfect first date.

2011-06-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

Easy. Sitting in a cafe, eating a sandwich, sipping some coffee and getting to know each other... FOR 5 HOURS.

Oh yeah I had that one :)

Luckily, he liked me since my hair looked awful at that time in my life. It was all about the winning personality, I am SURE. :)

Charlie Sheen has nothing on how much I'm winning in my life. Tiger blood, Adonis DNA? Nothing.

Love you, Chris. <3

Day two~ A photo of something you ate today.

2011-06-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

So. I had my phone all ready to take a picture of the DELICIOUS dinner I made. And the moment I had it out and plated (too much Iron Chef) I promptly FORGOT. Oh well I will just tell you all of my dietary choices for this day!! EDIT: Ok look how huge that fish is? Yup Chris and I ate a chunk of one of those.

Breakfast: A banana and a cup of Cascade Fresh yogurt. Thank goodness yogurt is not a food that my stomach has denied me. I would not be able to live without Cascade Fresh or Kefir in the morning.

Lunch: I cooked up the last of the brown rice macaroni pasta and cooked some cremini mushrooms in some basil/garlic sauce. It was deliciousness. But it will be even more delicious next time when I cook it with the brown rice shells and the mushroom sauce I bought at Central Market today. Next time... NEXT TIME... I have to say that I am actually thankful in some ways that Chris developed an intolerance to gluten. I kinda like this brown rice pasta better. And I don't feel bloaty after I eat it!

Dinner: THE PIECE DE RESISTANCE!!! The whole reason I was at Central Market today was to get some salmon for dinner. Perhaps I should explain... Chris and I are absolute salmon SNOBS. If it is not wild caught or from one of the Atlantic farms in Maine, we will probably not eat it. For this reason, this is one of our favorite times of year because the best (of the best of the best) salmon are swarming down the Copper River in Alaska and we get to EAT IT UP. At outrageous prices. Anyway. They had Copper River Sockeye AND Copper River King. I bought two fillets of the King and some broccoli and cremini mushrooms. Don't ask how much the King cost. But it was actually cheaper than the Sockeye they have at Whole Foods. Ridiculous. Anyway I made a pesto out of the rest of the basil I bought the other day and slathered it all over the salmon which I wrapped in foil and put in a casserole dish. Then I put the broccoli and mushrooms on top with some water in the bottom so they would steam.

It was perfection. I even made sure Chris admitted this. Although he decided the veggies could have used some broth on top to give them more flavor. I am pretty sure he just wanted to try to find any reason that it wasn't absolutely perfect. WRONG. The perfection is why I forgot to take a picture... obviously... *shifty eyes*

In other food news, Andrew Zimmern ate the biggest scallop I have EVER SEEN. He was in Seoul. I have added this city to my wish list of places to travel.

Alright!! See you guys again tomorrow!!

P.S. Go Mavs.

Day One: A photo of yourself and a description of your day.

2011-06-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Today was pretty unexciting. I woke up around 8 and had a banana and a small cup of green kefir. Deliciousness! Next I was having brunch (more like lunch) with the ladies (and a couple gentlemen now!) in the Brookhaven Handbell choirs. They all tittered about my wedding and we watched a video of our spring concerts. It was fun.

But it was a bit disappointing that they had nothing for me to eat but fresh fruit. I suppose I should just get used to always making due with the few things my stomach can tolerate anymore. Honestly, I cannot WAIT to talk to a doctor about my problems. Now that we have the marriage license back, we can prove our marriage and I can finally have MEDICAL INSURANCE. Amazing. I haven't had any since college. (P.S. Rock on Obamacare for extending parents medical insurance to 26. I may not agree with everything but that would have been awesome)

So anyway after that I just drove on back home and promptly ate the breakfast taco that Chris gets me almost every morning from Taco Joint. I wish they were open on Sundays too so I could have one every day! Oh well I guess everyone needs a day off. :) So right taco. I topped it with Daiya Cheese (best vegan cheese ever) and habanero sauce and scarfed it.

I left a little early to teach my afternoon lesson because I needed to pick up the non-perishable type groceries and then I taught my buddy Yoni at 3! He is definitely a great kid but his 4th grade teacher this last year was working him to the bone!! Seriously I have absolutely NO memory of doing 5 hours a homework a night in 4th grade. I am pretty sure that never happened until highschool. I am hoping that teacher gets it together and remembers that her students are still CHILDREN and still need time to live their life as such. Anyway we are looking forward to a summer of heavy practicing and hoping for a 5th grade teacher who is a little more lenient.

Ok and then I came home and made a vegan pizza and I'm currently sipping at a glass of merlot. $3 bottles of wine from Newflower? Brilliance. Particularly when they are a more expensive wine on special. :)

And so far that is that!! Getting ready to furminate the little feline terrors while Cesar Milan tells me how to control a dog I don't have.

I will get back to you tomorrow with Day Two! Peace!

30 Day Blogging Challenge

2011-06-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

OK!! Seriously guys. This time I'm going to DO THIS. My cousin has started this 30 Day thing to get her blog going so I will too. Here is the outline. I will start a little later today!

30 day blogging challenge

Day one~ A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.

Day two~ A photo of something you ate today.

Day three~ Your idea of the perfect first date.

Day four~ Your favorite photograph of your best friend.

Day five~ A photo of yourself two years ago.

Day six~ A photo of an animal you would like to keep as a pet.

Day seven~ Your dream wedding.

Day eight~ A song to match your mood.

Day nine~ A photo of the last item you purchased.

Day ten~ A photo of your favorite place to eat.

Day eleven~ What's in your makeup bag?

Day twelve~ A photograph of the town you live in.

Day thirteen~ Your favorite musician and why?

Day fourteen~ A TV show that you are currently addicted to.

Day fifteen~ Something you don't leave the house without.

Day sixteen~ Your celebrity crush.

Day seventeen~ A photo of you and your family.

Day eighteen~ Something you crave a lot.

Day nineteen~ Another picture of yourself.

Day twenty~ The meaning behind your blog name.

Day twenty-one~ A photo of something that makes you happy.

Day twenty-two~ A letter to someone who has hurt you lately.

Day twenty-three~ 15 facts about you.

Day twenty-four~ A photo of something that means a lot to you.

Day twenty-five~ What's in your purse?

Day twenty-six~ A photo of somewhere you've been.

Day twenty-seven~ A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?

Day twenty-eight~ Your favorite movie.

Day twenty-nine~ Something you could never get tired of doing.

Day thirty~ A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past.

In Response...

2011-02-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

I recently did a guest post on Amalia Dillin's blog and got a response from Gary Corby who is a FOR REAL author. (because I am a fake one.)

Anyway, he made an interesting point and I feel as though I need to respond. Here is the comment:

"This is terrific stuff!I suspect there's a certain amount of extrapolation in that music sample, even granted that the modal system makes it possible to guess how the rest ran.Every ancient music sample I've ever heard goes for something sombre, yet based on random comments from ancient sources, most Greek music must have been bouncy for dancing. This is the highbrow stuff, like the ancient equivalent of opera!"

Besides being completely FLATTERED that he thinks my "stuff" is "terrific", I am also COMPELLED to explain why the majority of music that survived and can be performed with some degree of accuracy is of a somber, ceremonial nature and not the dancy fancy music that many Greek writers and artists depicted. (Know that some of this is my own conjecture, not fact)

First and foremost: Music in ancient Greece was most often improvisational in nature and that is how musicians were trained to perform it. In case you don't know what that means, improvising meant making it up on the spot and mixing and matching it to fit the event that it was supposed to accompany. A wild orgy-tastic dance party would require a different sort of music than music performed simply to accompany a lavish banquet or entertain an important personage.

As you can imagine, this music was NOT written down. And if it was, whatever it was written on was probably not meant to last. Music like that did not have to ever be performed twice.

What music that we HAVE uncovered, particularly the oldest of songs and fragments of songs, were either carved into stone or stored in such a way that it would last and someone could pick up the music and perform it exactly as it was written.

For example, the song featured in my guest post (A fragment of a chorus from Euripides' Orestes) was written on parchment. I am not sure if I am correct in this, but I think the fact it was written on partchment is pretty significant and the fact that it was written down at all is even more significant. Regardless, it is obvious that Euripides wanted the song performed the same way for every performance. Also, because the song involved multiple performers, it was probably a fast(er) way for everyone to know what to sing or play.

One other famous example is the Song of Seikilos (pictured above), actually one of the only songs that we have found completely intact. This song was carved into stone in Seikilos' wife's grave which is probably the only reason it has survived.

Both of these were songs that were MEANT to stand the test of time, whether for repeated performance or as a rememberance to a loved one. Since this performance was of a pretty depressing drama and the song came from a grave, both were understandably somber and sad. The majority of other songs that we have found are of the same ilk so that is why the majority of songs we can perform with any accuracy are these types of songs.

Here this song is probably pretty accurate. And a little more upbeat!

Sappho's Wedding Hymn

Wow.

2011-02-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

Well last week was the WRONG WEEK for me to get ambitious. I had tons of commissions come in and tons of unusual appointments and lesson makeups and... well there were just LOTS OF EXCUSES TO PUT IT OFF OK!!

I will try to do better this week. ;_;

2011-02-13T08:52:00.001-08:00

I hope you all enjoyed my guest post on Good to Begin Well; Better to End Well. I thought it was of extreme interest! If you didn't enjoy it, go do so right now! There will be more to follow in that line.

Well then!! Today is my first MTNA Theory Test. I have only one student taking it but that is a start!!! It also helps that I am completely unworried about how she is going to do on the test. She has pretty much aced every practice test I have given her. But everyone keep their fingers crossed anyway. I know I am also supposed to be monitoring another exam about which I know NOTHING until I get there. No pressure.

Things coming up this week:

1) A compare and contrast article about all of the different keyboard instruments (THROUGHOUT HISTORY) ... That makes it epic.

2) Some new Quilt commissions

3) Some character designs for a children's book that my fiance and I are going to work on. (If I have time)

Stay tuned :)

Music of Antiquity

2011-02-11T09:02:00.001-08:00

Yep. I wrote a guest post for Amalia's Blog with some BASIC EDUMACATION about music in Ancient Greece. I think it's a fascinating subject as well as the transition from Music in the Greek and Roman Empires to music in the early Christian church. Also I have recently done some comparing and contrasting with music developing at the same time in China and other eastern countries. I am sure I will be talking about it sometime soon.

But in the meantime!!

Go here and read my post!

Good to Begin Well; Better to End Well: Music of Antiquity

2011-02-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

Hello, people who might be coming here from Amalia's blog. I know there's not much to see yet but there will be lots more in the future. I have PLANS.

So follow me if you like.

Particularly since it will motivate me to get off my ass and actually follow through with this.

IT WILL HAPPEN

Returning.

2011-02-09T18:18:00.000-08:00

Well, hello blog, that I wrote in like... TWICE. I have to say. I have excuses. Personal victory followed by personal tragedy... But now I'm ready to be back and start WRITING AND DRAWING AGAIN.

Also I'm about to write a guest post for someone else so we gotta make this look GOOD.... in 3 days.

Not gonna happen.

But if you are interested in Music History and coming here from Amalia's blog. I am planning on putting up lots of musings about my research and interest in the subject. Oh if I could go back to school..... again....

Maybe someday.

2010-07-30T19:32:00.001-07:00

Umm... I'm not sure about the hair.

But the important thing is that I MADE MY DUE DATE!!!

VICTORY!!!!

Next up: Quilt store commissions... Put down the comic books, pick up the cutesy...

First one has to be done this weekend.

READY.SET.GO.

omigosh

2010-07-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

Ok so it's not QUITE done. But it sure is CLOSE!!! All that is left is my hair and my shoe!!!

BUT LOOK AT THE WATER FILTER THAT I FINALLY MASTERED AHAHAHAHA

CARE BEAR STARE!!!!

2010-07-26T08:36:00.001-07:00

Alright. The new due-date is this Friday!!! I am going to steal my boyfriends computer and software if I have to!!! ... or possibly just sneak onto my Mom's Gigantic Graphics Computer of Awesome.

The date is now JULY the 26th!!!

I must have PROOF OF WORKMANSHIP by JULY the 30th!!!

Hold me to it!!

2010-07-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

Yes. Here it is Saturday, July 24th and there is no beautiful high resolution piece of digital artwork upon which you could feast your eyes.

HOW COULD I!?

1) Graphics card failing.
2) Mom in the hospital so am dog-sitting.

You may proceed to be furious with me though if you wish. I certainly am annoyed with myself already. One due date I give myself and I can't even make that!

Grr.

I will get it up as soon as possible!

Update on that DUE DATE

2010-07-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

So. My computer (a Gateway I got in 2007... this should tell you something right off the bat) has decided that it would like to refuse to work with Photoshop CS4 anymore.

In fact... I am sitting here watching in slightly horrified bemusement as my computer reboots for the second time today after Photoshop kicked it's ass.

And now that it is rebooted, it's about to crash again.

I think I broke it.. :(

HOWEVER WILL I MAKE MY DUE DATE!!! I know you are all on the EDGE OF OUR SEATS!!!

Stay tuned....

... Dot cooooooooom

2010-07-19T07:46:00.001-07:00

Ok so.... I'm going to make a list in this entry of all the options I feel are acceptable for my piano studio website.

karenspianobasics.com (It has been pointed out to me that this might bring more of the type of student that just wants to learn the "basics." At this point I will take it.)

crazyforpiano.com or crazy4piano.com (Not professional? I dunno. It could be fun)

learnpianobykaren.com or... learnpianowithkaren.com (seems pretty long...)

pianowithkaren.com (someone suggested pianobykaren.com to me but someone already has that one! Argh!)

misskarenspiano.com ? .. ? ........

And that's all I've got at the moment. I really am not crazy about any of these options. I guess I'm still waiting for my lightbulb. :( Comments? Suggestions?

DUE DATE

2010-07-17T15:46:00.001-07:00

Alright, followers. Few though you may be.

I expect you to be absolutely FURIOUS with me if I do not post up a fully-colored if not finished version of Chris's 2009 Christmas Present by THIS FRIDAY. This Friday means JULY TWENTY-SECOND in the year TWO THOUSAND AND TEN.

For those of you that don't read, that's 7-22-2010.

Yes. It is a Christmas present 7 months too late... but JoAnns is having a Christmas in July sale so I figure I'm off the hook.

EDIT: um. Friday is actually the 23rd. Sweet!! It's like getting an extension!

Buz-i-ness

2010-07-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

I don't know about most bloggers, but I totally had a really awesome post worked up in my head while I was driving around today. And then I eagerly sat down here to craft my paragraphs of EPIC ADVICE.... and it's completely gone.

Every sentence that I snickered at all by myself has fluttered out my left ear and been lost on the wind. Or maybe NPR shoved it out. That happens when people argue deafeningly about what is Racist and what is Not Racist.

... OK so back to the subject I was going to talk about....

RUNNING A BUSINESS.

I have approached a point in my development as a Piano Studio (all by my onesies!) Where I am in need of a Website. A veritable DOT COM.

There are quite a few options for making this happen. ... ok actually not that many but a few... or just two. I could teach myself the entirety of HTML and Flash in NO TIME. Or I could just be lazy and use software that will do it for me. In the long run, writing my own code will be cheaper but paying more per month to have the software do it for me keeps my To-Do List from Exploding.

Uh.

Also.

No wait I just need to get back to work. If anyone has Dot Com Advice, please leave it for me to pick up later. I feel a bit overwhelmed!

-K

Peer Pressure

2010-07-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

So! Due to POPULAR DEMAND...

I have added calendar-like gadgets there on the right hand side for your viewing pleasure.

I have yet to figure out how the heck it works.

FEAR NOT! I shall do my best to bombard you with my hectic life!

<3

Things to Do

2010-07-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

Well. Here I am, blogging finally... I resisted this sort of nonsense for a long time.

But I find myself with so many things to do that I need a way to keep myself accountable for all of the due-dates that I will be setting.

How many things am I doing? Let's count, SHALL WE!?

1) Finishing a piece for my boyfriend
2) Working on a comic book with some friends
3) Making concept artwork for an online video game
4) Commissions for a local quilt shop
5) Teaching piano lessons (technically this is my meal-ticket... maybe I should have put that first)
6) Making concept artwork for a trading card game. I haven't even started.
7) Writing a novel.
8) Not sleeping.
9) Reading too many books.
10) Trying to get accepted into a couple of music teacher associations (Wait... I should have put this up earlier...)
11) Teaching Music Together (http://www.musictogether.com)
12) ... Forgetting everything else that I know is also on my to-do list.

Gosh.

13) Oh yeah. Forgot laundry. And eating. And not sleeping summore.

Well you can follow me or not, if you are interested in any of these things. I just gotta stay on top of things.

HERE WE GO.