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This post covers the weekend.
--- --- --- --- --- ---FRIDAYIt was a frustrating Friday for me. Up early with Jameson and felt ready to post about our lovely night at Disney and then make some cookies...but first
facebook froze on my post while it was loading, then after the second time I typed it up I accidentally hit the AI assist button and it rewrote my whole thing with no apparent option to go back to the original...then I typed the whole thing out again and it finally posted...only for me to see that the one I'd thought was initially lost had posted too! GAH. This is how you know you're old and losing it.
Jameson left for rehearsal so I had breakfast and frantically typed up my blog...and had a similar experience where some bizarre html code was preventing me from changing the font from Normal to Bold unless I went in and
manually removed the wonky html code. There were SIXTY-THREE instances of wrong code, but it was either find and delete all of those, or copy the whole thing into Notes to get the plain text and then re-insert all of the links and media one by one. It was hell no matter how you slice it.
Suffice to say, my whole morning was wasted because I was so insistent on doing my usual online oversharing. I'd meant to finish Houston Foodie Finds but it was 10am and I HAD to get started on the cookies. I made the Christmas Crack and I think it turned out all right. While that was setting in the fridge I rolled out the magic window cookie dough and made those.
And guess who accidentally bought SUGAR FREE CANDY for the window cookies!! ME!! I'm an idiot!! Had to run out and re-buy all of the candy, hurriedly crush it and get the cookies finally in the oven. And all the extra time it took to do that meant that I would not have time to practice the trombone before Jameson came home...
and then I realized as well that I'd forgotten to bring my practice mute home, so couldn't even muffle myself for him.
At this point I was so flustered and disappointed and angry with myself that I was looking for anything at all to feel like I had accomplished something for the day besides ruining everything I touched. I remembered that I hadn't wiped the ceiling fan blades when I'd dusted, so grabbed the stepladder and did that. It only took about 3 minutes. When finished I folded the ladder and propped it against the back of the couch, as I've done many times before.
But when I came around the corner of the couch with the vacuum to clean up my mess, my sandal caught under the edge of the ladder that was sticking out...and
the leg of the ladder went right through the back of the couch, leaving a big hole. I screamed in anger and punched the top of the couch until my hand hurt. When I calmed down, I took a photo and sent it to Jameson, explaining what had happened. I said I'd pick up a patch kit and/or do whatever was needed to fix it. He wrote back to say that the couch is 20+ years old and is well past needing to be replaced, and why don't we go look at couches together after he was done at work? I was relieved that he wasn't angry, but also had another flash of rage at myself...now my whole evening was gone. Everything else I'd planned to do for the day would have to be pushed to tomorrow. But it's entirely my own fault. And clearly The Universe, having treated me so sweetly and generously for most of this year, has chosen this day to humble me and remind me that I'm just a tiny ant. My screaming and crying has as much impact on events as an ant's. Clearly, there was no point in trying to do anything else today
since literally everything I'd done since waking up this morning had been a disaster.So, ok. When Jameson got home from work we drove to a furniture store 30 minutes away. Put our butts in a bunch of couches and loveseats, and found one that we agreed was comfortable and perfect for us. For US. It means a lot to me to be included on these major purchase choices (never mind that this major purchase was
my fault, sigh) We aren't married, it's Jameson's house, and I'm barely home because of touring. But we've been together for 11 years. I love him. I want to be a part of his life, and contribute to US as a couple and as a team. So when he includes me in these choices, and wants to get my opinion, and will split the cost of the thing with me, it does make me feel happy, and like he understands and appreciates MY need, to be a team, with him.
The couch can't be delivered for like a month, but Jameson's going to get a friend to help him move the old one out. We picked up dinner at our favorite Greek place on the way back, and watched the first episode of the new season of Fallout together. And I typed up this post to get this all off my chest, hoping that tomorrow will be a significantly better day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------SATURDAYTL;DR: It was thankfully just a normal day and not a repeat of Friday. Good god. What kind of karmic spiral was THAT.
I was up early, determined to finish my cookies, and I did. It took until noon, but it was finally done.
Here they all are: Christmas Crack up top in the bag, then in the box there were Apple Butter Snickerdoodles, Stained Glass Cookies, and Peanut Butter Blossoms (kisses intentionally smooshed to make them easier to store.)
And literally just as I had packaged them in tins for the neighbors, our doorbell rang...our neighbor, bringing us cookies!!
You see? The timing was meant to be! We exchanged and then walked together over to our other neighbor's house, but they seem to be out of town and will be back tomorrow. No worries.
The rest of the day I spent being nervous about Candlelight. Packed myself dinner and some snacks, and practiced the bass (I don't need the bass until tomorrow but have never played Candlelight on it and wanted to check it out.) While I did that Jameson started assembling a new desk in his office. It's specifically for keyboardists/music programming, so it's very large and shaped to fit a keyboard plus a whole bunch of gear. It looks really great! The living room is aclutter with the old desk and much of Jameson's stuff while he works, but that's ok, we ate lunch around his guitars lol.
At 3:30 I drove to EPCOT, clocked in. Brought my Christmas Crack (the recipe made A LOT) and set it on the table backstage along with many snacks from other members. Had a little time to chat with the other trombones and some trumpet buddies before it was time to line up and go perform!
Tonight's narrator was Brendan Fraser, who is very popular, so there was a huge crowd and it was standing room only in the back. I was working so obviously could not take pics or record, but will post when something becomes available.
Jeff Thomas is the principal trombone for Candlelight, and he's also principal trombone for the Orlando Philharmonic. Playing as the only trombone in a Broadway pit is very different than forming chords with an orchestral trombone section, so I have to change how I play for Candlelight :) I listen very carefully to Jeff's articulations, note lengths, dynamics, and style, and try to match that as best I can. Apparently I did a good job because he was very pleased, and our local AFM president (who plays trumpet and was sitting directly in front of me for all three performances tonight) exclaimed many times over how well Jeff and I locked in together. This made me feel really good about my performance tonight :) :)
Brendan did a great job as narrator. He didn't expound on his own career or showboat (which some other narrators will do), he had excellent pacing, and told the Nativity Story in a contemplative, emotional way that had some audience members tearing up. The audience roared for him when he took his bows. All three shows were really excellent.
After the last show, we took a low brass photo in front of the Christmas tree on stage. From left to right: Harry (bass trombone), Me, Jeff, and Robin (Tuba).
We also realized that we had an unusual number of WOMEN in the brass tonight with both Robin and I there, so we took a ladies-only photo too (I don't know everyone's names yet so will redact lol):
Tomorrow, Sarah is supposed to be filling in on trumpet, meaning we'll have one woman in EVERY brass section!! So we are DEFINITELY taking another photo tomorrow!!!
And on the way out, my friend Jacob came to say hello! We only had a brief moment, but it was so cool that he attended our show and that we got to see each other. Quick selfie (he's all the way on the left and I'm all the way on the right and everyone else is photobombing lol)
One last thing: my Christmas Crack is GONE! Those musicians DEVOURED it and were begging for the recipe (it's literally sugar, butter, chocolate, and saltines haha.) I'm secretly glad it's gone, we have more cookies than any other year prior and it's been too much for just two people! In fact when I got home my stepmom had sent a box with cookies and candy! Sheesh!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------SUNDAYI was up at 8:30 which is late for me, but I could have slept longer. But I have so much to do all the damn time on this layoff. It feels like there hasn't been a minute to stop.
Breakfast, typing up this post, working on Houston Foodie Finds
and finally effing finishing it, oh my god it should have been done a week ago. Wrapping one of the last of Jameson's presents that showed up yesterday. Practiced bass, playing through the Candlelight stuff twice because I'm a bit nervous. The new tenor trombone case that I ordered (because a latch broke on my other one) showed up, and I spent some time transferring the stickers over to it. And I'd meant to finish finding stocking stuffers for Jameson, but just wanted an hour to lie still. So I did.
When it was Candlelight time I grabbed my packed dinner and drove over. The first show was a bit wonky for me as it took my ears some time to adjust...I don't know how to describe this for non-musicians, but when you switch instruments even if you're playing the same music there is an adjustment. Some people can adjust instantly, but switching is still rather new to me. I've played tenor for almost 30 years, and have been doubling/switching back and forth between bass and tenor for less than a year. And so adjusting for the way the bass sounds and feels, and what to listen for in the context of playing a different part with these musicians, takes me longer than it might take other more skilled/experienced musicians.
Anyway, during the second show I was able to lock in better, and by the third show I really had it down...but then we were done! LOL. Everyone seemed pleased with how I'd done, and that's all that matters. I've successfully played bass for Candlelight. Yay!
We also took our Female Brass Section photo because Sarah was here, but no one has shared it just yet. Just think...in the 65-year history of Candlelight, there has probably never been one female brass musician in EVERY section on the same night, until now. After the picture as we were walking back, we discussed this, and how it felt both good to be making progress as a sex, and also how embarrassing it is that 2025 is the first time this has happened.
Additionally, if (and ONLY if) I were to be called to sub on Christmas Eve or Day, we'd have TWO women on trumpet, two on French horn, myself on trombone, and Robin on tuba, for a majority-female brass section, which DEFINITELY has not happened in the history of Candlelight. Truth be told I'd rather not be called on the holiday...but if it happens at least it'll be HISTORIC!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Monday: An actual free day, but I have a lot to do. Last minute Christmas errands, prepping for Epic Universe, laundry and house chores mostly.
Tuesday: Full day at Epic Universe. We will see how much has changed.
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