exercise, gas prices, and music

Today I bought a bicycle on sale at Target for a mere $64. I plan to be riding it to and from work by the end of next week (about 3.5 miles each way) and using it for most errands. I've actually been wanting a bike all summer; every time I saw someone on one I got this weird longing to be on a bike, too. I suppose it's because I spent at least 40% of my childhood racing up and down the neighborhood on various forms of bicycles. The fact gas is skyrocketing just fueled me into action. I can't afford to spend $5/gallon on gas and just drive wherever, not with an average of 23mpg. And I get in some exercise all at once (something I'm in dire need of).

Of course when I got home today I had to try my new Magna out. I was a little wobbly at first, but I'll blame that on the various tree branches and rocks in the back yard. I started around the block and soon found myself careening down a steep hill, hitting the brakes repeatedly to slow down. Then I realized I was a big chicken, because there was a time when I would have pedaled as hard as possilbe down that hill and turned into the unexpected without thinking twice. By the end of my ride (maybe .5 a mile) I was feeling more daring and comfortable on a bike again. I still need to purchase a bike lock and a tire pump, which I'm going out to do shortly. Part of me thinks it would be wise to get a helmet, too. But most of my brain just can't believe styrofoam coated in plastic is that much protection.

On the music front - I am a glutton for punishment and agreed to play in this big church Christmas production (again). 13 rehersals over 2 months, and 6 performances the beginning of Decemeber. Crap pay, but good times. I'm carpooling with Holly since it's about 17 miles one way.

I also agreed to help Brent write pop music. I've never written pop music in my life, and I'm pretty sure he hasn't either. But he's good at a melody and lyrics, and I can bang out some chords on the keyboard and probably write some bass stuff at the same time. It should be an interesting experiment. Then we'll take it to his friend/producer (who is apparently a little on the tone deaf side) and see what he makes of it.

slow but thirsty

slow but thirsty
Originally uploaded by SilverTurtle.

This amused me on my way to work this week. (The person driving behind me was not amused when I stayed at the stop sign long enough to take out my camera, roll down my window, and snap this photo).

Word on the street is that we'll have our internet fully functioning Thursday or Friday of this week.

impressed

Last night I went to see a friend's gig; she sings jazz standards. We went to college together, and a few of the guys in her band were at school with us, too.

She was just enjoying the band with the rest of us, letting them play a few tunes before she joined in. There were 3 guys on stage when I arrived: guitar, bass, violin. I kept thinking that something was missing from the equation, but couldn't put my finger on it. It was apparent the violin player didn't usually play with them, because in between songs he would ask basic questions such as "how fast do you take this?" in regards to the next tune. The guys were trading off solos, and then the bass player took his turn. That's when I realized what was missing - there was no drummer. These guys were playing together so tight that I didn't notice the missing drums, keeper of the beat.

Eventually a drummer did arrive, and the show just got better and better. From the introductions, I gathered that the drummer was a fill-in, making 1/2 the band "new" to the music. And they were incredible. They played off each other and with each other like it was nothing.

What is it I had said before about jazz... it's a conversation. That's exactly how these guys played. It was impressive and inspiring.

still here

Just wanted to pop in and assure my tens of readers that I'm still around. Silver Turtle Boyfriend is in charge of the internet access at home, and for whatever reason it's still not on.

I had some really good things to blog about, but of course have forgotten them. So check out the folks over there on the blogroll ------> and hopefully I'll be back to my regular randomness early next week.

tag your pets

Silver Turtle Boyfriend and I share a my car. So every morning, I get up about 4:30 a.m. to drive him to work. Yesterday we were driving down the dark road, and a puppy was walking very slowly toward us. I slowed the car to about 2 mph, but the dog just kept coming. Finally, I came to a complete stop, and the dog apparently did the same, because I couldn't see him (and since there wasn't any "thunk" I knew I hadn't hit him). I opened my door to move him, and he was right there.

From up close, it was obvious he couldn't see well, if at all (maybe he wasn't a puppy, but an elder dog) and was lost. He got super close to me and the car and was sniffing like crazy, trying to orient himself.

I felt around his collar, hoping to find out where he belonged, but there was no tag. After double-checking and brief hesitation, I managed to shoo the dog far enough away from my car to commence the drive to Silver Turtle Boyfriend's job.

On the way home I saw the same dog padding just as slowly up and down the same street, obviously trying to find his home.

Moral of this story: PLEASE pay a few buck to get a tag for your pet. Silver Turtle Boyfriend and I worried about that poor dog all day, and even kept our eyes out for him this morning. We hope he found his owners.

memo from behind the boxes

Yesterday we removed the final items from our old apartment and turned in our keys. With only about 10 boxes left to unpack, I can say with much joy that we're finished with the move!

We're going to pick up some items this weekend, and I've already got some rearranging in mind, but we're pretty much finished. I can't wait to play around in my new music studio.

Internet won't be on at home for about a week, so my updates will be sporadic at best until then.

on the move

Silver Turtle Boyfriend and I are moving this weekend. It's all very last-minute, not at all planned - we saw a few apartments yesterday, got confirmation this evening that we got the apartment we wanted, and we're meeting the landlord to get keys, etc. Saturday morning.

The next few days will be spent hauling heavy furniture and all of our excessive belongings to the new digs. I don't know how we accumulate so much junk, and moving is just a reminder that we should get rid of a lot of stuff. (It doesn't help that Silver Turtle Boyfriend tends to "collect" a lot of things).

We'll probably be without home internet access for a week or so, depending on when we can schedule a time to get new stuff hooked up.

Don't expect too much blogging from me for the next week or so. I'll be busy playing with the new kickass apartment.