Thank you Sammie and Xiao, the two people who I know read this. I'm sorry I havent updated in a loong looooong while but I've been too busy to even update my regular xanga, besides the fact that my computer isnt working for crap so I use the school one which wont let me get into Xanga.

So how's life? Oh btw Xiao I tried to send you an ecard for your b-day but it said your email address doesnt work :(    But I saved the card so I will send it to you when I get your email address.... And happy (really belated) birthday!

Went to Fidd's last night.... played a couple old ones because I made the mistake of trying to learn and polish 2 new pieces a couple hours before I had to leave.... But the other fiddler guy, Paul Baker, was there and I got to meet him. That was cool, except my teacher flaked... grrrrr.... but anywhoo... I always figured that if there was another fiddler there then I would see about playing Ashokan Farewell with them. Well he goes up and plays a song, then he starts introducing the next, and guess what....... yeah. What are the odds?? So I joined in and it was awesome. Put an ad on their board, hopefully SOMEONE will call... I want money to fix up that fiddle I have in my closet.

I dont know why I bother.... it's not like anyone ever reads this..... or like I ever practice... practicing is just so depressing now... I'm one of those people who never practices and then complains that I cant play better... I really really care though... I'm just lazy I guess.....

Man, didnt practice today.... didnt feel like it and neither did my fiddle. It's just so hot in my house, and heat gives me a headache.. (whine whine whine) Oh well, tomorrow I really AM gonna get started on that piece for my concertmaster auditions. My teacher didnt seem too happy when I told him I spent a week practicing half a page.

Oh btw last night was great. Rebecca couldnt come, so we didnt do our "duet", but I did my two pieces, and after anxiety during practicing that day about my bow arm cramping up a lot, I was afraid the pieces wouldnt work out, but it was great. During "Durham's Bull", the one I learned the day before, I did ok, but after that I asked everyone to clap in time to the music, and they did, and it was great!! I had forgotten how great it was to play for an audience that is actually participating. You feel less like something everyone's staring out, out there onstage all by yourself, trying to make the melody and the rhythm work without accompaniment; and when they start clapping you know they're really having fun. Also, it keeps you on your toes trying to keep up with their erratic rhythm. These people were pretty good, though, being musicians themselves. And when we had enough time for everyone to play a 3rd song, I played the "Beaumont Rag", a great little piece that really doesnt get the credit it deserves (yes, i feel guilty with pieces also....). Anyways, a few people started clapping while I was playing, and so I nodded and smiled, and pretty soon almost everyone was clapping or stomping along with the music!! I dont think anyone even noticed that I screwed up a bit (I didnt think I needed to practice this one... guess I was wrong..). It was fun, I hope I can make it next week. Next week... I shall play Irish!!!! such as the stuff I played at Irish Christmas Carol last December.