Busy weekend

This past weekend was my first KPhil concert of the season!  We had a pretty intense program... a Strauss that featured a soprano (the last four songs) and Mahler's Symphony 1, which is a major orchestral work.  We normally have dress rehearsal on Thursday but our soprano couldn't make it that day so we had it Saturday morning.  It. Was. Bad.  I thought that Andrew was going to strangle somebody... and you could see his frustration growing.  We finished up the rehearsal and he looked defeated.  So... that was almost 3 hours of playing already that day.





Then, I got home and got dinner started and did a bit of quick clean up before our friends came over.  Then as tradition has it our friends Quebra and Dizzy came over before the concert and hung out with the family.  They were even on time ;)  (haha... Love you Quebra!)  We did a lot of hanging out and being silly with the kids until I may or may not have fallen sleep in one of the kids beds as they were playing around me.  I woke up because it was time to make dinner and our other couple friends were arriving.  Dinner got made, eaten and then my family showed up.  Sister, her kids, mom and dad, and brother and girlfriend.  It was a bit of a madhouse!






The concert was wonderful.  We performed the best we had ever performed and it was amazing.  I got goosebumps a few times when playing.  And, for me, the best part was having two rows of support.  It was very touching to see so many people come and watch my concert because I invited them.  It also helps that we did a good job, but even if we didn't, its amazing that people would drive down (some a few hours) to watch.  It made me feel good.





I also got invited to play in BeethovenFest this year.  A lot of KSO members play and even though we're not getting paid for it, its a pretty professional gig.  My conductor of KPhil recommended me for it which was flattering!  We get our music ahead of time, we have two rehearsals and then we perform! So, Dec 28th if you all are free... come see another amazing concert!

Blister city... 

Best socks ever! I highly recommend

To top off the weekend I ran my first 9 miler since my running hiatus and it felt good!  The miles are definitely piling on and I am definitely getting some blisters to prove it.  I'm thinking of hitting up Gazelle sometime soon (before my next big run) and see if there are different socks out there for me.  I do have to get in 10 this weekend, so we shall see how that goes!

JVG