Time to catch up!

It's Tuesday here in Phoenix, and although some of you might be getting darn-right-cold by now, it is a sunny 70 degrees. Today is one of my work days, but I am taking a break to talk with all of you. I am trying to fulfill my promise to update my blog more than once a month. Sometimes, you just run out of things to say, you know?!?

The store, Just For Brass, is taking a lot of my time right now. We are almost done getting all of the products into the online store. I think about 95% of them are in there right now - definitely all of the 'big sellers'. Business is good. We are shipping everyday to the far reaches of the globe. Although I am getting a bit tired of telling people that I can't guarantee their packages arriving unless they paid for guaranteed service! Geez! You pay for 1st class mail, and that's what you get! ;)

Anyway, ASU had their OcTUBAfest a few weeks ago, which went well. We had 5 recitals over the course of a week, and I played an entire second-half to myself. It went pretty well, I think. Later that week I was in the finals for the Concerto competition at school. I played the 3rd mvt. of Martin Ellerby's Euphonium Concerto, which for those that have played it is one of the toughest slow-movements to play well. It is extremely taxing and long, but definitely worth the work. They chose one person in my category, and I finished second to him. Didn't win, but came close - I applaud the person who won though, he played a great piece - and nailed it to the wall. It was his day, definitely. But, I think I'm gonna steal the piece he played....see something good did come out of this!

I found some new music the other day that I think will work well on the euphonium. In 1730, Handel was in Mexico and wrote a series of Recorder Sonatas. These are great pieces - full of life and energy, and I think they would work EXCEEDINGLY well on my instrument... Now, just have to find a copy.

Salt River Brass had their 2nd concert of the season on Sunday - Veteran's Day celebration-type Patriotic Concert. Had a GREAT crowd, and we played pretty well. These concerts are great. This one wasn't too taxing on me, unlike the Circus Concert that we did before this one, but the concert was a lot of LOUD playing, which is difficult in itself.

So, I'm painting my house right now, and I have had my first run-in with the HOA. For those that don't live under an HOA (Home Owners Association) - consider yourself lucky. You would not believe how hard it was for me to get permission to paint MY house. First, I had to submit paint colors... fine, no problem - here you go. Oh, wait - you mean that I don't have enough colors? My house was 3 colors, and it has to stay 3 colors. Ok, so I just have to submit the extra one, right? What do you mean I have to resubmit everything and wait another 2 weeks. But my painter is coming in 5 days! UGH! Well, finally everything did work out, but not after I got EXTREMELY frustrated with the nice lady on the end of the phone. These people will probably come hang a scarlet letter on my mailbox to warn people about the 'jerk from the midwest' who lives there... ;)

Mary has a recital with her quintet this week, so I've been hearing a lot of bassoon chamber music exiting her studio recently. It's nice to hear other instruments other than my own. Hmm. Oh well.

Plans for the wedding are coming along. It really seems like a lot of work. My vote is for Vegas. Definitely Vegas, save $ - less work. Right... my parents would be pissed. ;)

Back to work. Have a great day!