During the concert, there was a very good and strong Tenor right next to me. He is an excellent singer, but he tended to lead me astray during the places where the basses or baritone parts diverged (depending on whether the piece was SATB or TTBB) from the tenors. I would be singing along and his words would different and I would either sing his words or just be confused.
All of the conductors told us that we should look at them. But in my opinion, it is difficult to read the words ( especially if it was in Swedish) and figure out how to pronounce it, then see the note, and duration; while also watching them all of the time! What is interesting to me is that, the good singers can do exactly that!
Today was an off day with only a banquet and awards at night (since they usually don't give awards for the number of mistakes {though that might a good idea so they don't discouraged} I won't be getting any awards tonight). We just took some walks around the Yale campus and a little around town. Hopefully when I get back home I can add some pictures, it might be able to do it from my iPad but I don't know how at the moment.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Grand concert
Last night was the Grand Concert for the AUSS (American Union of Swedish Singers). I wish I could say that I sang beautifully but honesty leads me to say that I was at best adequate. I did OK on the English pieces but made a few errors on the Swedish ones.
The ladies sounded great especially my LW (actually I was too far away to hear her, but I know that she is wonderful). On Wednesday, the Waukegan Swedish Glee Club (my group) performed "Embracable You" and my LW came up (after a little coaching before hand, pleading actually before hand) and allowed me to sing the last few lines to her ( it was a surprise, only the conductor and I knew it ahead of time). We (my LW and I) received quite a few compliments about it (it was so cute). Interestingly, none of the other singers noticed that she came on stage, but the audience all saw it!
It is a lot of fun to sing with a large group of very good singers. Today is a free day except for the banquet later today. And then we go home tomorrow. After four hours of practice every day, it is nice to have a day off. We will probably walk around town and visit the college from "Gilmore Girls" ( Yale for those not familiar with the TV series). Unfortunately, we are done singing for a while, choir practice and Glee Club won't restart until September!
It will be good together back to home and our poor dog, since it has been over 90 degrees at home!
The ladies sounded great especially my LW (actually I was too far away to hear her, but I know that she is wonderful). On Wednesday, the Waukegan Swedish Glee Club (my group) performed "Embracable You" and my LW came up (after a little coaching before hand, pleading actually before hand) and allowed me to sing the last few lines to her ( it was a surprise, only the conductor and I knew it ahead of time). We (my LW and I) received quite a few compliments about it (it was so cute). Interestingly, none of the other singers noticed that she came on stage, but the audience all saw it!
It is a lot of fun to sing with a large group of very good singers. Today is a free day except for the banquet later today. And then we go home tomorrow. After four hours of practice every day, it is nice to have a day off. We will probably walk around town and visit the college from "Gilmore Girls" ( Yale for those not familiar with the TV series). Unfortunately, we are done singing for a while, choir practice and Glee Club won't restart until September!
It will be good together back to home and our poor dog, since it has been over 90 degrees at home!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Got Here
After a loooong delay at Philly and at least two planes arriving but not leaving, we eventually left for New Haven and got to the thriving airport. It is one small building and uses signs as security measures.
The baggage area opens from the outside to the "baggage ramp" and the bags are thrown in to the area.
When we got outside there were some taxis so we could get to the hotel, but there were not enough for all of us and we were left with two other people waiting outside with no taxi in sight. Eventually another cab came and we got to the hotel and registered for the convention.
Most of the days so far have consisted of practice. We are glad that there is a Subway just down the block.
I have been going for an hour plus walk in the morning when I can't sleep after waking up in the very early morning. Actually, one of the hotel security guards was suspious of me when I came back from the first walk! I didn't realize how shifty of a character I look like!
Tomorrow is the Grand Concert that we have been practicing for. More to follow when I am not so tired!
The baggage area opens from the outside to the "baggage ramp" and the bags are thrown in to the area.
When we got outside there were some taxis so we could get to the hotel, but there were not enough for all of us and we were left with two other people waiting outside with no taxi in sight. Eventually another cab came and we got to the hotel and registered for the convention.
Most of the days so far have consisted of practice. We are glad that there is a Subway just down the block.
I have been going for an hour plus walk in the morning when I can't sleep after waking up in the very early morning. Actually, one of the hotel security guards was suspious of me when I came back from the first walk! I didn't realize how shifty of a character I look like!
Tomorrow is the Grand Concert that we have been practicing for. More to follow when I am not so tired!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Starting to Travel
I am presently waiting for à delayed flight in Philadelphia. Every other part of the travel has gone well. We left for the bus at our Church at the time we wanted to (0515). The bus left for the airport at the time it was supposed to(0615) and we got to the airport ontime.
The flight into Philly even got in early. Plus I was able to get all of our stuff in one checked bag.
So things were going great until we got here. At first, they delayed to 1350 from the original 1330 departure. Then it was 1410 then 1425.
Now they say they will tell us when they know when we will leave. The original plane is not there now, so we may be here for a while.
Have I mentioned before how much I hate flying?
The flight into Philly even got in early. Plus I was able to get all of our stuff in one checked bag.
So things were going great until we got here. At first, they delayed to 1350 from the original 1330 departure. Then it was 1410 then 1425.
Now they say they will tell us when they know when we will leave. The original plane is not there now, so we may be here for a while.
Have I mentioned before how much I hate flying?
Monday, June 25, 2012
Trip Packing
We don't go on many trips. We have a dog which we have to get someone to watch. we have a lot of inertia, I like home and various other reasons.
We go on even fewer airplane trips. The last one was to Portland OR four years ago.
We are preparing for a trip now (and it is an airline trip even). So we have to figure out how many bags to take and how to pack them.
I tried to check in online, which is much easier than at the airport and print boarding passes and pay for the bags (I hate paying for bags, if it was up to me and I needed to fly, I would take Southwest Air, each bag is $25 that we check [it is well known how cheap I am, plus I bet we don't even get peanuts on the flight]). But the tickets are a group fare for over 6 people and it said to check in at the airport.
This trip I need to take an uniform so I will need more space than I usually do. I hope to cram all of our stuff into one big checked bag to save the extra $50!
I bought a sport's coat for this trip (the suit I have is from my high school graduation and the "sport coat" I have might be older then that). I hope folding it is OK (so it will fit).
If we had planned ahead, maybe we could have driven there. It is only 960 or so miles, so it is an easy 2 day trip. I'm sure I will have more to write about it in the next few days, so stayed tuned to the same bat channel!
We go on even fewer airplane trips. The last one was to Portland OR four years ago.
We are preparing for a trip now (and it is an airline trip even). So we have to figure out how many bags to take and how to pack them.
I tried to check in online, which is much easier than at the airport and print boarding passes and pay for the bags (I hate paying for bags, if it was up to me and I needed to fly, I would take Southwest Air, each bag is $25 that we check [it is well known how cheap I am, plus I bet we don't even get peanuts on the flight]). But the tickets are a group fare for over 6 people and it said to check in at the airport.
This trip I need to take an uniform so I will need more space than I usually do. I hope to cram all of our stuff into one big checked bag to save the extra $50!
I bought a sport's coat for this trip (the suit I have is from my high school graduation and the "sport coat" I have might be older then that). I hope folding it is OK (so it will fit).
If we had planned ahead, maybe we could have driven there. It is only 960 or so miles, so it is an easy 2 day trip. I'm sure I will have more to write about it in the next few days, so stayed tuned to the same bat channel!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Computer Talk
Whenever my LW is on the computer she talks to it. She tells it, that that is not what I want! Or why did you do that?
She is so cute! She sings everything! I am rather taciturn and it complements me!
I have loved her for over 40 years and my life is much better off with her! They say that opposites attract, we are different people but not complete opposites. I have changed since we got married and am a better person because of it!
She hasn't started singing to the computer yet, but there is still time for the music to begin!
She is so cute! She sings everything! I am rather taciturn and it complements me!
I have loved her for over 40 years and my life is much better off with her! They say that opposites attract, we are different people but not complete opposites. I have changed since we got married and am a better person because of it!
She hasn't started singing to the computer yet, but there is still time for the music to begin!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Perfect Woman
 |
| My LW after a triathlon |
But this got me thinking about the "Perfect Woman."
For me the perfect woman, would have to be intelligent. And pretty. And a good mother to our children. And adventurous. And athletic. And want to bicycle when the weather was good. And kind.
Intersting my LW has all those qualities (who would have thought it, I guess I would!)!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Drought Advantages
There are many advantages of a drought.
The grass does not grow as long or fast, so it doesn't need cutting as often!
There are less mosquitoes, obvious advantage!
No flooding of the basement!
Don't feel bad about gardens not growing (obviously not your fault but the weather's).
Just wanted to cheer myself up after having no rain for so long! It is intersting looking at the radar maps which show rain all around us and seeing dark clouds, but no rain here! Plus I don't want to think about our well!
The grass does not grow as long or fast, so it doesn't need cutting as often!
There are less mosquitoes, obvious advantage!
No flooding of the basement!
Don't feel bad about gardens not growing (obviously not your fault but the weather's).
Just wanted to cheer myself up after having no rain for so long! It is intersting looking at the radar maps which show rain all around us and seeing dark clouds, but no rain here! Plus I don't want to think about our well!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Spam
Normally I have 10-25 emails in my spam folder, but today I had 125! There were 3 emailers that sent 20 or more copies.
I am happily married, so I'm not sure why eHarmony sent me 23 copies of an email (I certainly hope that they don't know something that I don't).
I can't remember what the others were for, but hint to spammers sending more copies of the same email does not endear yourself to me!
For some reason my email program decided to call some emails as junk that I receive everyday (this is different from the spam folder).
A couple of emails got though the spam filter the other day including F***Book and Married Women looking for men; I can understand how some things can get thru the filter but not those.
I like to look thru the spam folder everyday or so to ensure that vital (or maybe more likely OK) email isn't short stopped there.
I am happily married, so I'm not sure why eHarmony sent me 23 copies of an email (I certainly hope that they don't know something that I don't).
I can't remember what the others were for, but hint to spammers sending more copies of the same email does not endear yourself to me!
For some reason my email program decided to call some emails as junk that I receive everyday (this is different from the spam folder).
A couple of emails got though the spam filter the other day including F***Book and Married Women looking for men; I can understand how some things can get thru the filter but not those.
I like to look thru the spam folder everyday or so to ensure that vital (or maybe more likely OK) email isn't short stopped there.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Age
When I look at the number of my age, I wonder how I got to that high number.
After all I am not even middle aged yet! When I was slightly younger, all people over 30 were not to be trusted. Slightly older, I realized that 30's were ok to trust. And even slightly older, I realized that 30's were a great age to be.
Then the realization that 40's and 50's were good ages with all sorts of advantages. Disregarding my closeup vision, I am lucky to be in good health(as a not yet middle aged man should be).
I guess that whatever number your age, it is how well you feel about yourself that matters. As long as we keep active, we will be at the correct age, the number is irrevelant. Though is hard to come to grasp with the fact that my baby girl is approaching her fourth decade!
After all I am not even middle aged yet! When I was slightly younger, all people over 30 were not to be trusted. Slightly older, I realized that 30's were ok to trust. And even slightly older, I realized that 30's were a great age to be.
Then the realization that 40's and 50's were good ages with all sorts of advantages. Disregarding my closeup vision, I am lucky to be in good health(as a not yet middle aged man should be).
I guess that whatever number your age, it is how well you feel about yourself that matters. As long as we keep active, we will be at the correct age, the number is irrevelant. Though is hard to come to grasp with the fact that my baby girl is approaching her fourth decade!
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