Ang update ... it's been a while!

Hello Blogland!! It's been forever since I posted so I thought I would give my readers an update on what is happening in my life. Not a ton of excitement but the world is still here and I'm still walking on it.

My kitties are doing good. Spaz turned 16 this past April! yay! She had a life expectancy of 10 years but has beat the odds ... I am blessed with her crankiness every day. I no longer wake up every morning with her 15+ pound body on top of mine. She has difficulty climbing the steps onto the bed ... she no longer tries. So I moved her steps to a perch in my big bay window ... sometimes she can climb up there. She's usually sleeping these days but once or twice a day she comes for her dose of snuggle ... she loves to snuggle! Here is a recent pic of this feline with attitude ... she posed for this pic ... seriously ... she loves the camera!

Sir Oscar turned 13 this past July. He's my bud! If I'm not out of bed in the morning by a certain time, this is what I wake up to.

Spaz and Oscar asked me to post this video for them :)

As for work ... I'm still teaching piano and have been busy getting my fall schedule set. This past January I also started teaching voice at a music store. I went into the store to inquire if they needed another piano teacher and I left with a job teaching voice. It's a bit out of my comfort zone but the up side is that I exercise my voice regularly ... something I neglected. So now I teach piano and voice privately at my home and at the store. And because I document silly things, here is a pic of me in January on my first day teaching at the store.

Three weeks ago I sent an email to a restaurant that has live piano/vocal entertainment to inquire if they needed another entertainer. This is the only restaurant around here for miles that has a piano bar and I thought my chances were slim on them needing anyone. A few days later the owner phoned me and asked me to stop by and bring a CD with me. So I did. He phoned me the very next day and asked if I would start the following Sunday. It's a fancy restaurant (male waiters in tuxedo's) but they have a Sunday brunch and haven't had an entertainer for that in a long time.

So I practiced non-stop for four days! This past Sunday was my first gig ... two sets ... each set an hour and a half long. I'm working hard to build my repertoire but it will take time. I had no idea if I would be asked back ... but I guess they like me. The owner introduced me to a few people who are regulars at the restaurant ... and my pay cheque had a few extra dollars on it as well. :D My goal this week is to utilize the tip jar. There is a huge glass bowl on the piano ... I need to put some cash in it so it looks active. (An entertainer friend gave me that idea ... hope it works!)

This photo is my view from the piano before the hungry guests arrived ...

... and the very first song I sang ... SMILE by Charlie Chaplin :)

July 23rd marked a big day. It was my moms birthday ... thankful to have her here another year. (almost lost her last year) But July 23rd also marked another big day for me. It was the day my divorce was final. I didn't take any pics to commemorate ... not an event I want to flaunt. But it is what it is.

I've dated a bit this year ... not sure I fit into that ... but it gives me some funny stories to tell. Like the guy who took me to a movie and used coupons that his brother had given him ... or the guy who insisted we watch Brokeback Mountain together. LOL! That same guy took me to a local event and spent $5 on me ... no big deal ... but I then discovered someone had given him $400 to spend that day. That date didn't last long ... I'm sure he had other plans for his $400. lol! There was a guy that had an anxiety attack while we waited in line at the theatre ... I found out later that he had some health issues. Poor fellow. :/ I can't forget about the guy that was charged with fraud ... my neighbor recognized him ... what a hoot!

To be honest, I'm not emotionally available ... and I guess guys don't view me as someone they can just hang out with. I need a gay friend. I don't know any around here. Well ... maybe the Brokeback Mountain date. :O I have been blessed with some good friends this year ... a friend from my college years is back in my life ... and I've gotten to know one of my neighbors and her daughter. As for men? The closest I've gotten to butterflies is when I'm gazing at the Edward Cullen poster on the back of my office door.

I'm certainly not hardened toward love ... this un-doctored photo was taken earlier this year ... can you see the love in my eyes? ;) [click photo to zoom in]

I'll end this post with a video that was sent to me a few days ago ... my new favorite! Music is my language ... the way to my heart. Listen and you will know ...