What I've been up to.

Discovering that I really, truly, do not like jazz. I knew that last week's concert was not going to be bluegrass, because Chick Corea is not a famous bluegrass artist. I knew that Bela Fleck pushes the boundaries for banjo, because I read a lot. I am glad that I went. And I left after the first set, because my feet had begun their "get me out of here" dance.

The Majestic Theatre is a beautiful venue, and I hope that future adventures take me there again. The seats are comfortable, and the acoustics are good. My two favorite songs they played were improvisations on two piano sonatas by Scarlatti. I'm not sure that there's any Italian (instrumental) composer I do not like. Respighi is almost but not quite too modern (i.e., shapeless, dissonant, and painful). I like his "Pines of Rome" and companion pieces, and I don't know if I've heard anything else of his. Rossini, Scarlatti, and Vivaldi? Bring it on!

We've already established that I don't have much patience for opera, largely because of how uncomfortable the seating is at the Winspear Opera House. I loved Carmen. Even though I found the choreography a bit shocking. I loved "The Marriage of Figaro," because it was simulcast, and I got to see the singers' faces and the costumes clearly.

So I paid a modest amount to hear technical virtuosity, and I learned more about what I do and do not like in music, and I had an adequate but unmemorable dinner out beforehand, and a great experience with the valet parking, and I met another fiber artist in the loo after dinner. We exchanged contact information.

I took Thursday off, because I'd been expecting to be out later than I was, and I slept in, and it was delicious. Later in the day, I took Fourthborn back to the apartment for a second load of stuff, and I bought five books on Zentangle techniques, and we had dinner at IHOP.

Saturday I finished the sashiko-inspired mending of the holes near the hem of my favorite teal skirt, and Sunday I wore the skirt to church. Yesterday I wore it to work. Saturday I also began basting the lace to the hem of my tunic. I haven't touched it since then, but I'll probably work on it some more tomorrow night.

Saturday we made one last trip to Fourthborn's apartment, and she left the keys in the kitchen for J. He and his mother will be cleaning up the apartment. Our part is done. (Fourthborn has helped him move his parents more than once, so she's already done her share.)

I've already adjusted my withholding at work, but it probably won't take effect this pay period. First of the month, I'll add Fourthborn to my healthcare reimbursement account.

I'm starting to fade, so this will have to do.