On Austria

Note: OK, I'm actually back in NY now, but I'm too wiped to write something original. Here's my open letter from Austria that most of you have probably already seen. I'll post an update with further thoughts on the whole experience and a few comparisons soon. Here's a short tidbit though -- Austrian cabbies speak better English than their NY counterparts. Scary...

Graz has been wonderful. The town is beautiful; there's amazing
shoppping; there are so many amazing voices, and I have been blessed
to work with some truly fabulous musicians, directors, coaches, and
instructors. On the down side, I caught some plague about 12 days ago
and was out of commission for a week and missed A LOT of my German
classes.

Here are a few little tidbits should you choose to come visit Graz:

1. It is about 2 hours from Vienna. Graz is the heart of Styria, and
the Styrians pride themselves on not being "citified" like the
Viennese. In fact, a few weeks ago, the governor of Styria invited
all of the musicians to a special ball at this historic castle on the
outskirts of Graz. Normally it's a museum, but they opened it
especially for us. It's full of gorgeous paintings and tapestries and
is surrounded by acres of gardens stocked with peacocks!

2. There is no air conditioning ANYWHERE (this is probably why I got
sick). Today it was only in the 70s, but we had a crazy two-week heat
wave not long ago, and it just about killed us all. I have decided
that if the Europeans would just invest in air conditioning, their
productivity would seriously increase.

3. No stores are open after 6pm, and nothing is open on Sunday. It's
no wonder the Austrian economy is kind of whacked. Nobody works ...
except for those in the food industry, which leads me to the next
thing you should know:

4. Ninety-percent of the food here is fried. They fry EVERYTHING.
All main courses come with either potatoes or fries; there is no
escaping the starches. However, the fried cheese is pretty awesome.
Instead of mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, you can have
camembert or emmentaler with cranberries. It's a real treat. Plus,
I've discovered that it helps to become a regular somewhere and make
friends with the cooks and/or waitstaff. You get the delicious things
they save for themselves (like this awesome juicy stuffed rotisserie
chicken I just had) and little extras like choclate rum sundaes...

5. Speaking of chocolate, if you have not had Mozart Kugeln, you're
missing out. Therefore, I'm bringing lots home for all of you. :-)

6. The Graz Opera has a huge season, so you should all definitely
check it out should you choose to visit. The Grazers also love their
Viennese operetta, and I've really enjoyed getting to explore more
operetta tunes here. I've been able to work with one of the most
famous Adele's (Die Fledermaus) of all time, and she definitely knows
her operetta. She coached me on an aria from Lehar's Paganini that
sang this evening at the St. Leonhard Pfarsaal (don't even ask me what
that word means, but St. Leonhard is the "suburb" in which we are
based), and I ROCKED. Just thought you'd all like to know. Anyway,
I'm bringing all of this wonderful music back with me, so we might
just have our own Operettenabend very soon... :-)

Should you decide to visit, I'm here for two more weeks, and I can get
you a great rate on a dorm room (sad but true, my room is only
slightly larger than my laundry room in Abilene). Heh.

Well, that's all for now. I must get to bed and continue to rest my
rather tired voice. I can't seem to rid myself completely of what our
staff doctor has termed "The Graz Gunk." Plus, the antibiotics make me
sleepy. You should all send me positive vibes, thoughts, prayers,
etc., because I would really like to be healthy for the next couple of
weeks.

Love to all and know that I appreciate all of your encouragement and support,
Opera Barbie

Cupid's Challenge

Although I've taken a longer-than-usual hiatus from the blogosphere, I actually started several different posts that I just couldn't see through to conclusion. I've been working on one about Micah, one on how much these church of Christ gender roles "debates" bug the crap out of me, and one remembering my father, who died six years ago last week. I'm going to blame the heinously frigid weather and the gloomy entropy it brings for the fact that my brain can't muddle through anything of real depth right now, so I'll deal with a less angst-ridden issue.

Here's my current conundrum: I'm not sure where to take the Musical Genius for Valentine's Day this year (we alternate, and it's my turn again). For our first, we had Ethiopean. I don't remember exactly what we did the next year, but I think that we stayed in and ordered takeout on account of abysmal weather. In 2005, I picked Cafe Mozart -- excellent food, but very cramped quarters. Plus, it gets a little loud with the "special Valentine's jazz combo." Last year, MG chose Korean barbecue (which is actually just a spicier take on fondue and was much more romantic than it sounds), and I want to find something different and interesting for next week. I've checked out Citysearch, but nothing is really a sure thing. Some of the places that have the most appealing websites and menus receive some of the worst reviews. Any suggestions?

True Grits

One would think that you could find a wide variety of grits -- and I do NOT mean the instant kind -- in a Georgia grocery store. However, I discovered on Saturday night that if one assumed this, one would be very wrong. I wanted to serve baked garlic cheese grits, which are delicious, as one of many side dishes at our Christmas Eve dinner. I assumed that procuring grits would be fairly simple. After all, I had made it to the South, where grits are a staple -- right? In actuality, I had to go to three different grocery stores before finding anything other than Quaker instant grits (which you cannot bake and which would not be appropriate to serve as a side), and the only option I finally found was a beaten up box from Aunt Jemima.

In contrast, every New York grocery store offers several types of grits. Odd.

Fum Fum Fum

No, I have no idea what that actually means, but someone thought it would make a great title for a carol.

Today I think I spent about $70 on Christmas music at the iTunes store. This is a bit frightening, and I blame Auntie Amanda, whose Christmas craziness must be contagious (it also manifests itself in an uncontrollable urge to bake the most delicious confections imaginable). For Christmas, she gave me two CDs full of holiday tunes, and I just couldn't stop amassing more. I bought a whole Robert Shaw Chorale Christmas CD just for the nostalgia factor (I grew up singing in the Atlanta Symphony "Christmas with Robert Shaw" concerts -- amazing stuff).

And I just remembered one more that I need -- "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues. Sadly, this song fits my current mood, brought on, of course, by chronic vocal schizophrenia (luckily tempered by Christmas almost-cheer -- my mood not my other issues), so it's definitely worth the $0.99.

Anyway, I'll leave you all with a list of the next 10 songs on my Christmas playlist (at 107 songs and climbing!) before I go cheer myself up with some of Auntie Amanda's bourbon balls and eggnog cookies (stolen from last night's Christmas fest).

1. "A Mad Russian's Christmas" from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Eve and Other Stories (it's the Nutcracker hyped up with electric guitars)
2. "Auld Lang Syne" by Guy Lombardo (this one's from Auntie Amanda)
3. "Winter Wonderland" interpreted by Macy Gray
4. "Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You'" by Billy Squire (also from AA; I was totally unfamiliar with this one)
5. "Christmas Is Coming" from John Denver & the Muppets (courtesy of AA again; so fun that it makes me feel 5 again)
6. "Es Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen" by the Trapp Family (aka "Lo, How a Rose" as sung auf Deutsche by the Sound of Music fam)
7. "Corpus Christi Carol" from Jeff Buckley's Grace (It's a carol, so that makes it Christmas-y)
8. "O Holy Night (Minuit Chretien)" sung by Luciano Pavarotti (no Christmas collection is complete without this)
9. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" a la Mariah Carey (More Christmas Music from Amanda)
10. "Here Comes Santa Claus" from the Andrews Sisters' Christmas album (LOVE it)

And that's just a smattering. Now go make your own!

The One Word Quiz

Since I am not feeling like doing expenses today (or anything else for that matter) and am too tired to write about my Thanksgiving or the Musical Genius' broken arm (broken on Thanksgiving and occassioning a visit to the St. Luke's ER that lasted until 4am!!!), I am taking a cue from Timesmacker and Little Light. Without further ado, the One Word Quiz:

From Udge. A kind of word association if you're looking for busy work.You can only answer with one word. No explanations.

1. Yourself: anxious
2. Your spouse: beloved
3. Your hair: blond
4. Your mother: precious
5. Your father: missed
6. Your favorite item: chair
7. Your dream last night: bizarre
8. Your favorite drink: red
9. Your dream car: spacious
10. The room you are in: soul-sucking
11. Your ex: fat
12. Your fear: shaming
13. What you want to be in 10 years: singing
14. Who you hung out with last night: love
15. What you're not: awake
16. Muffins: pumpkin
17: One of your wish list items: camera
18: Time: drags
19. The last thing you did: yawned
20. What you are wearing: red
21. Your favorite weather: sunny
22. Your favorite book: undecided
23. The last thing you ate: cantaloupe
24. Your life: okay
25. Your mood: sleepy
26. Your best friend: encouraging
27. What you're thinking about right now: pants
28. Your car: nonexistent
29. What you are doing at the moment: thinking
30. Your summer: unknown
31. Your relationship status: sustaining
32. What is on your TV: nothing
33. What is the weather like: spring
34. When was the last time you laughed: yesterday

Mystic!!!

So after my last post, I figured it was definitely time for me to get out of the city for a little while. My sister C-Lovely kindly obliged and whisked me off for a weekend in Mystic, CT, courtesy of her firm's rather generous alt travel policy. Having spent countless hours over the last four years (pretty much since my family went without me) planning a Mystic minibreak, I was over the moon when she suggested it. And, minus the hassle of getting there, it was everything I thought it would be. Here are some observations from my trip:

1. Never, EVER take the George Washington Bridge if you want to go to Connecticut. It's not the 95 you want, and it will add HOURS to your trip.

2. A Cadillac is a nice way to go, but OnStar is pretty useless.

3. The Inn at Mystic: I'm not sure why it's featured in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, but it was a charming and convenient place to stay, with gorgeous harbor views. It's not a bed and breakfast, but it comes close and provides more privacy and better amenities. Plus, the full breakfast buffet at the Flood Tide restaurant is delicious (and comes with your room). Dinner at the Flood Tide is quite a treat, as well. Down side -- the not-so-friendly staff and the power issues. Warning: Do not try to use your own hairdryer.

4. Penguins: The highlight of our visit was the Mystic Aquarium's Penguin Contact Program. Ten of us sat in a very small, relatively sterile room with a seventh-month-old penguin chick named Green Pink (colorful naming convention, right? Each penguin has a two color combination name and wears those colors in a beaded wing braclet), who waddled among us, played with buttons and tassles on our clothes, hair, strings, camera cords, and anything she could wrap her beak around. We were able to pet her back and scratch her neck and even listen to her heartbeat with a stethoscope. Since we sat near the door, she seemed to gravitate towards me and the man next to me, so we had TONS of penguin contact. It was amazing. Run, don't walk to participate in a program like this if you ever have the chance.

5. Mystic Pizza: Truly a slice of heaven and not remotely on my diet. Strangley, we ran into the special agent's favorite IT guy there on his way back from the WVU/UConn game and a detour to Gillette Castle (which I am saving for a future trip. Bottom line: Delicious pizza, great service, and the movie's not bad, either.

6. Paolo Coelho: He has nothing to do with Mystic, CT -- unless discovering Mystic is my Personal Legend (Although Mystic is delightful, I rather hope this is not the case). Sister C recently discovered The Alchemist, and we explored every bookstore in town in search of more Coelho books for her. After much urging, I decided to buy myself a copy of The Alchemist (I borrowed Dawne's a few years back, but I don't remember much about it) and rediscover it for myself. When I finally update my links in the sidebar, it might appear under "What I'm Reading," along with several other books, including one by my hero, Coach K.

7. B. F. Clyde's Cider Mill: The last steam-powered cider mill, this anacronistic gem was pretty nifty. We watched them press apples, and I picked up a half-gallon of cider for Thanksgiving, along with homemade, no sugar added strawberry preserves and maple pumpkin butter (way too sugary, but who cares?).

Well, folks, that hits the highlights. Definitely worth repeating. Maybe I'll retire there...

Grouchy Smurf

Tonight I hate New York. I hate whiny nieghbors with their screaming kids. I hate leering doormen and security guards. I hate the infinite exercise in torturous tedium that passes itself off as my job. I hate Times Square with its tourists walking slowly four abreast. I hate the crappy grocery stores with their half-dead produce and illiterate cashiers and stockers who don't know the meaning of customer service, let alone how and when to employ the phrase, "excuse me." I hate my ass of an associate who tried to blame his utter incompetence on me this afternoon when he forgot to include labels on a chart. I hate loud people on the subway. I hate whoever knocked on my door and left a nasty note this evening while I was singing in the shower. I have to suck up all the noise in this godforsaken apartment building -- your kids, all the running and jumping around, the drummer upstairs, the screaming boys on four, all of the yippy dogs, and the car alarms that go off at 3am. The least you can do is grin and bear it while I finish rehearsing what I have to audition with tomorrow evening. It's called New York. If you can't take it, move to Purchase.