home, sweet home.

I got back to Cleveland at tonight around 5:30. Hell of a drive. Actually, I must admit that it was pretty painless. (I-80 rocks! no construction, minimal tolls. I love you, I-80. I-76, go to hell. I'm done with you.) But, driving for 6 1/2 hours is pretty crappy no matter how amazing the conditions.

My Thanksgiving week was great. I loved seeing all my family, and getting away from everything was exactly what I needed.

Unfortunately, Que (my belly...yes, I named my belly...from Suzi-Q...get it?) also loved getting away from everything, namely exercising. I ran a few times, but it was all pretty damn pathetic. The good news is that now I appreciate my normal state of being so much more...not exercising makes me antsy and lethargic at the same time, if that's even possible.

I took a couple of pictures, but for some reason I didn't get shutter happy this time around...I'll post the few I have soon.

I went to Philadelphia and Connecticut for lessons. Connecticut was with the teacher at Yale, who I really enjoyed. I was surprised at how much I learned, actually. I haven't had that productive of a lesson in way too long of a time, and I didn't expect that. I really hope Yale works out. The good news is that the teacher liked me and my playing. Bad news is that they only have one flute spot. Typical. Argh. I'm not going to get my hopes pinned on this one option though, I promise. If Yale doesn't happen this year, then perhaps the next year. Life is long, right? Isn't that what they say?

I'm having a glass of white wine that I had been saving for a 'special occasion'. Being at home alone and blogging is just about right, don't you think?

Baruch got fed way too much turkey on Thanksgiving and the day after, and then consequently got the appropriately named 'mudbutt'. She's basically feeling better now, I think, although the car ride today probably didn't help anything.

Oh. OH! I'm going to play in an orchestra again. It's been since March. It's no big deal...I just got asked to play 2nd flute in the Akron Symphony Family Concert on December 11, but I'm excited nonetheless. Imagine...playing with OTHER people! yeah! And yes, I get paid!!!

To answer the deserved inquiries about typing without a screen...there was a screen, of course...it was just completely fuzzy and so I could see general shapes (enough to get me to my Blogger 'Dashboard), but accurately seeing the type was another story. Hence my hesitation to write anything of length.

Moronic moment of the week: Taking the wrong bus from Port Authority to Mountain Lakes. Ending up in Bayonne (drug capital of New Jersey, I'm told?). Having to ride the bus back to Port Authority. Finally catching the right bus back at 1 (after buying 2 more $8 tickets) in the morning. very very sad. I thought I was capable of functioning rather well in the city, but that episode proved otherwise. I would have been fine with staying out until 1 if we had been just hanging out in the city, but attempting to take the 10:30 back, and then ending up on the 1 am bus is just LAME! In my defence, I had been to both Philadelphia and New York in one day, and was absolutely exhuasted mentally and physically. But-I know, I know...it's still pretty dumb. But, why do they change the platforms after 10 pm anyway? Just to screw with people like me, I know. But why else? I don't get it. I want my $16 back.

Derek--I would have loved to run with you. Sorry it didn't work out this time. I'll give you some advance notice next time around and we'll do it.

Santa Claus parades: Anyone heard of them? When driving from New Jersey to Connecticut on the supposedly busiest traveling day of the year, I encountered ZERO delays...until I got into the small town where I was headed...at which point I sat gridlocked for an hour while I craned my neck to watch the parade go by. I had left PLENTY of time for extensive traffic jams, so I was fine...and perhaps I would have been better off leaving a bit later. Anxiety might have been higher, but I wouldn't have had to wait for the parade. I was very patient though; not a usual virtue of mine. I'm working on it though, and was quite proud I managed to make it through the wait without jumping out of the car and hurrying the middle school marching band through their routine.

Cool moment of the week: I found out that my cousin, David Strathairn, won best actor in the Venice Film Festival for his new movie Good Night, and Good Luck. I haven't seen him in years, so I feel a bit funny claiming him, but I did spend a summer in Vermont with him and his kid, Tay...called him Uncle David back then, so I've spent the last 10 years saying he was my uncle and then having to correct myself. Cousin. He's a cousin. Got it. Anyway, let's hope this gives some hints to the Academy Award nominators. It's time he got some real recognition!

I was in Philadelphia for 2 hours, but I must admit that I really love that city. I don't know what it is...the brotherly love, perhaps? Ahhh...I love being a cornball sometimes. I can't move there yet; I don't have the resources or the will; it would just be Cleveland all over again, without friends or students. But someday, I know I'll live there. The place calls to me.

I think that's a pretty good rundown of my week away. Thanks for staying patient, oh loyal readers. I'm back, and I'll be writing.