65817.5

So, I'm working on some research, "Baroque Performance Techniques as they apply to the Bow," for Bowing Class, and I feel I deserve a short break.

It's that time of year when no one wants to do anything.  Summer is around the corner, and all I want to do is be lazy.  Mind you, that's not so different from how I usually am, but this feeling, this need, is accented by warming up of the weather.  What makes matters worse for me, all my friends at WSU are already in finals week.  How fair is that?  I'll tell you... pretty fair because UC started in September, way after everyone else did.  So we get out in June.  UC sucks.

However, even with this increasing sense of larthargicism, I'm finding there's still plenty to learn when it comes to my practice.  Did you know you shouldn't skip steps or rush through the learning process and move on the the next step before completely finishing the step you're on?  I know, it seems rather obvious; however, I've been finding I've been doing exactly that.  I think it stems from the fact that I've been so anxious about learning things quickly I feel like I need to rush things.  This, unfortunately, hasn't been working out.  I spend longer on pieces, etudes, and excerpts than I should because I keep having to relearn them.

Another thing I've learned, I have no control over what people think of my playing.  This has been freeing as of late.  I've decided I no longer care what people think of me and my playing because the only person that matters in the end is me.  If I'm truly happy with myself and my playing, it stands that others will too. But there will always be that one who, for no other reason than because, will hate.  That person can go shave a kiwi for all I care, just as long as it's far far far away from me.

***

I just ran my first half-marathon last Sunday.  I've never had so much fun running before.  I went ahead and signed up for another in October.  I wanted to sign up for a full, but with me going to Aspen for the summer, I'm not entirely sure how this will affect my training, and I think it would be good to have one more half under my belt.  I learned quite a bit about my running that I want to try and fix before I run a full.  For instance, electrolytes!!!  I ran (no pun intended) out of GU and I didn't think I would need more than I packed.  Wrong.  Next time, I'll pack one more than I think I'll need, and I want to try out these things called "Sports Beans."  They're made by Jelly Belly and they've got carbs, caffeine, and electrolytes and they release it into your system fast.

***

Saw "The Avengers" this past weekend.  One word, "AWESOME!!!"  However, I feel like I need to say it, if you're expecting a deep impact on your cognitivial processes, causing one to contemplate the complexities of existence in our universe, this is not the movie for you.

I say this because the former Miss Kansas, Ms Deaver, hated the movie.  She said the movies she liked best were like "Tree of Life," which is a thinker.  Don't go into the movie expecting great things, instead expect fun.  That's what it is, an extremely fun movie.  ENJOY!

***

As always, be sure to check out my other blog: "I Write on the Side"

Final thought:
"THUNDER UP!"