Top 10 Things I Saw Last Year

I'm moving on to a new life phase, and it's been quite a year, (speaking in the "revolves around school" sense), and so I'd like to do a little review...*

10. Niagara Falls. I'd put this higher, but it's the 2nd time I've seen it. This time, it was from the USA side, and we went on the "Maid of the Mist," which was awesome. This is an incredible natural wonder, and I highly recommend it to anyone.

9. I conducted once again in Maine. (sigh, I heart Maine) It was kind of awkward and really pretty hilarious, but it was nice to see the support of those around me. All the conductors got a kick out of my attempt, and I remembered once again that it's cool for me to do that... once a year.

8. I got to spend all sorts of time at the Smithsonian this year. Some highlights included Abraham Lincoln's special exhibit, Julia Child's kitchen, Kermit the Frog, the Star-spangled banner itself, WWII propoganda posters, and Whistler's Peacock Room. I love DC, by the way, and the last trip included the bonus of seeing my friend Alexis get married and seeing my old friends Ashley and Stuart. Pretty great trip!

7. Florida. Oranges off trees. Golfing. Golf carts. Massages. Gourmet cooking. Quartet.

6. Above all else, I will miss the art and the Park in NYC. I spent many, many hours walking through Central Park towards Museum Mile last year. On one of my last days, I went to the Met Museum, and I cried because I had to leave it. I still get monthly emails from the MoMA, and it makes my heart frowny that I can't be there. [sigh]

5. I went to see "A Man For All Seasons" on the second night of the run. My friend got me an amazing ticket, and we both absolutely loved it. Frank Langela was the lead, and it was a stirring, thought-provoking performance. Broadway is one thing I'll definitely miss about NYC.

4. Juilliard Commencement. I'm done. [insert smiles and rainbows here]

3. Tesla Quartet premier recital in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Big doin's, and it was a fantastic experience.

2. Have I mentioned how much I love Maine? After spending three delightful weeks there, I spent another several days traveling down the coast, from Bar Harbor (pronounced bah-ha-bah) to Boston. The coast is amazing, and we saw things like Plymouth Rock and lighthouses and ate lobster and stuff. All good.

1. I kind of really sort of absolutely love my family. So, enter the cheese, they have to go at the top of the list. As much as I travel, I love coming home the best, especially when everyone is there. I'm lucky to have them.

*The order of these things is subject to subjectivity. The order does not necessarily reflect the views of the author or readership.

I'm On A Bus...

...And I'm blogging. Technology...what will they think of next? I know, I know... join the 21st century, Megan. But, I've been in the backwoods of Maine for the last month, so it's understandably weird for me, right?

Excuses over. Now to the serious business. First, an update. FactMan is now better known as my morally-beklemmt alter-ego. I've seen the softer side of Brawny, now that he has learned to use his words, at least with me. As for the Mouse House... the mice, moths, carpenter ants, and spiders continued to bug us up till the last. Anyone know what kind of spider has a round, black body with a white dot on it? I saw one two days ago, and I'm pretty sure it's poisonous. I decided not to pursue it until after leaving, though.

In the past four days I have seen Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Katherine, a sign that says "Unattended children will be given cookies and a kitten," The Pants Family, Boston, and lots and lots and lots of kitchy stores. It was a great road trip!

Next stop, Utah then Colorado!

*Correction: The sign actually said, "Unattended children will be given espresso and a free kitten." Even better.

An Update

1. Things in the mouse house have gotten furry. There are tails of all-out war. Some have taken the bait, some have not. There has been carnage. There has been cleaning and tenting and mothballing. There have been poop-free periods of rest, and there have been days of gory glory. The mortality rate is high, but still they keep on coming. The bionic mouse leader keeps coming back for more. So far us=4, mice=400. We are determined though... and creative. And slowly feeling a lot less bad for defending our turf. Seriously, it's like the Jets and the Sharks in there.

2. FactMan has a new catchphrase... after he says "and that's a fact!" he says, "Google it." I like it. We're still encouraging Brawny to "use his words, not his fists."

the Maine Event

Hello from Maine! I'm in residence at the Conductors' Retreat at Medomak right now, and I'm enjoying this lovely state. Or at least I would be if it would warm up. While things rarely go as anticipated, it's been a very...um...interesting beginning to these three weeks.

Interesting factoid #1: My friend Yuki and I are staying in what has affectionately been dubbed the "Mouse House." Sleep has eluded me for a couple of nights because of the scurrying, pooping little critters, and we had two caught in traps this morning. Yuck. Thankfully, our friend Chris came to the rescue and emptied the traps for us. Bless him and his kind soul.

Interesting factoid #2: I have come up with comic-book character nicknames for two of the musicians. They are FACTMAN!!! and Brawny. Fact Man has the brains, and he tells us super fly factoids whenever we ask. He fights the power of his arch nemesis, Brawny the Pumping Iron Man, with knowledge. And that's a fact. Brawny prefers brute strength, but he tends to have 'roid rage, brought on by his addiction to peanut butter (gotta have his protein). There will be more on them later. Trust me.

Anyway, I have to go rehearse. I'm supposed to be practicing right now. Oops?