I’ve been doing this far too often, but real life calls. I’m dealing with some personal stuff & nursing a sick kitty, but I’ll return to regular posting soon. In the meantime, spend some time in reflection & listen to the falling rain. See ya later!

‘Tis my favorite time of year, when brilliant colors light up the sky & burn through the grey rain. I wanted to adorn my desktop with images of autumn, as I’ve not a window in sight at my desk. Enjoy!

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» Aren’t these earrings gorgeous? I just love that you wear them upside down! Honestly, I’m pretty much in love with everything at the Modern Bird store.

» In the spirit of I can haz cheezburger & all those other fabulous animal sites: Animals with Lightsabres. I personally love the squirrel lightsabre duels myself!

» Here’s something kinda weird, yet cool: The Human Calendar. Note that everyone is looking at today’s date!

» The Daily Puppy certainly brightened my week. A new puppy is posted each day, & there are more pictures of each puppies after the cut. I clicked back through months of archives, squeeing all the way.

» Did you hear about the 104 year old woman who’s on Twitter? Good for her!

Happiness for a reason is a form of misery because the reason can be taken away from you at any time. To be happy for no reason is the happiness you want to experience. Vedanta teachings

» I posted this last week, but it’s just so fantastic I have to post it again: Roly Poly Puppy!

» The second New Moon trailer is live. I’m rather excited about the plot changes featured, & I’m crossing my fingers that Chris Wietz pulls off as perfect a movie as Catherine Hardwick. I still say that Twilight was one of the best film adaptations I’ve ever seen.

» Tina Su of Think Simple Now is back! She was at an ashram in India for 90 days this summer, & she reports on her life-changing experience.

» Most of the time, I enjoy not having direct access to television. We get to watch stuff without commercials, & we don’t have to wait week to week as we usually just watch stuff from DVDs. But, I do miss some fabulous things, like Hugh Jackman’s big musical opening at this past year’s Oscars. Someone posted it on LiveJournal, & it made me laugh & laugh! There’s also this hilarious number by Will Ferrell, Jack Black, & John C. Reilly – it’ll brighten your lunch hour!

» I made chicken parmesan for the first time ever this week, & I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what I did, but it was divine. I’m going to make it again in a couple weeks, & I’ll be sure to share the recipe (with pictures) then!

» Look at all the cute Bento!

Happiness is like the penny candy of our youth: we got a lot more for our money back when we had no money. Mignon McLaughlin

Today I realized, with jolt of surprise, that it’s been almost three and a half years since I last touched my trombone.

Alright, so back-up: In fifth grade I eagerly joined band, with the flute as my chosen instrument. I actually chose it because after watching other band students struggle with gigantic instruments on the bus for five years, I wanted to play the smallest instrument available. Hence the flute, which I loved to play – still do, I suppose, if I was enough certain where that pesky little case has got to. Anyways – in junior high, the OSU Marching Band came to town, & I was hooked. I’ll not get into that story today, but needless to say, a flute doesn’t cut it in an all-brass band. In high school I switched to trombone, & once I chose to study music in college, I devoted my life to the silly & haunting sounds of that instrument.

I was never what one would call a “good” trombonist – heck, I was never even a good musician. I dislike practicing on my own (sectionals & full ensemble rehearsals? bring ‘em on!), which of course made lessons rather painful, & my ear is less than spectacular. I do remember a moment midway through my third year when I had that amazing ephiphany every music student has, when you realize why there’s so much history & theory & ear training & etc – I remember falling back in love with music then. I also realized, however, that I really do lack the talent to be a great teacher, & that I also lack the discipline to work for it in lieu of natural talent. But, I understand music from a place only a precious few these days truly can, & my life is better for it.

Thankfully, I had a wonderfully patient trombone professor who didn’t kick me out of his studio (as so many other teachers would have), & due to my increasing performance anxiety, allowed me to perform a pseudo-senior recital at my parents’ church back home. I did this, surrounded by friends & non-judgemental faces, & then I took apart my trombone, zipped up the case, & packed it away.

That was in May 2006. & this, my friends, is a tragedy. I think it’s time to dig out my Bach 42B (given name Percy), & get to work on those long tones & lip slurs. It’s going to take me a good long while to reach that G once more; even longer to hit pedal Bb, but three and a half years is far too long a time to be away from music. Eventually, I’ll have access to a piano & will re-learn to play (third time’s a charm, right?), & mayhaps I’ll finally learn some basic chords on guitar.

Can you hear that? It’s Rochut, calling me home.

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. The 13th Dalai Lama