Terry, I enjoyed reading all subjects you discussed here, and must thank you again for always making me laugh (except of course when you're being serious)! I enjoyed the noise abatement link too, only in my case it was blue jays outside the bedroom window and I didn't complain to the city. We read that hanging shiny ribbons deters them, and it did! But now they're in the front yard drowning out all the other lovely birdies. I loved your Samson and Delilah drawing, especially because I've been re-practicing one of my favorite arias from the opera of the same name ("Mon Coeur S'ouvre a ta Voix) the last couple of weeks--it features Delilah trying to entice Samson. I adore singing it, and it's so romantic, the listener almost thinks Delilah really is in love with Samson! (And now your cartoon is going to make me laugh every time I start to sing it. You have to fix this right now with another cartoon, okay? :) By the way I also have had to fight stage fright even after performing for audiences for some time, though I lost the fear briefly after a period of bad stuff in my life; it was so good to be out of that period that I decided I didn't care what people thought, and told myself, I just need to sing, dammit! (That helped. ) Then there was more bad stuff but it got better again. There's an interesting and hopefully helpful section on this in a book for singers that is useful for all musicians. The book is, "Power Performance for Singers" by Shirlee Emmons and Alma Thomas. The stagefright section starts on page 147, and the title of the chapter is "Dealing with Anxiety." I just found it and am still studying it. So far so good. (So just play your sax because you love it dammit!) Finally, your elections sound as painful as ours will be. I do hope they turn out well. I'll stop now because Boston's under a heat wave for 3 days starting now and I have to go drink stuff.
Thanks, Susan. Sorry I've ruined Samson and Delilah for you! But fear not, another great masterpiece is nearing completion, and will be unveiled to an eager public next Monday with a bit of luck. I hadn't heard of that aria, but I've just found it on Youtube and it is indeed very beautiful: https://youtu.be/eMadr61Wq_E?si=2Ip1tQeczNMxAugy
Thanks for tips about anxiety. The weird thing is that I don't consciously feel anxious, but everything goes to pot of its own accord! I looked up that book. My favourite library hasn't got it but will look in a different one. (I belong to several.)
I could tell you some really barmy things that some of our polly tishans have said, but as people these days issue death threats rather than debating I think I'll err on the side of caution. Enjoy the heatwave while it lasts!
"Polly tishans"--I LOVE that! And I can't wait to see your new drawing--thanks!! In case you can't find the book. I can say one sort of helpful thing I've learned from it so far is to write down a description of what you did on a day when performing went great for you (like what and when did you eat, what did you think about, did you take a walk, etc.) I think they're partly suggesting that doing/thinking those or similar things on a performance day might help. They also suggest writing down a few phrases that enourage you or make you feel pretty good about playing/singing such as something like "I've worked hard on this and I know it. I'm going to have a good time playing it." Then you say that to yourself on a day you'll be playing. They also say that some nervousness is a good thing, and that you have to find your own levels--not too much, but not so little that you aren't excited about playing that day. My own experience tells me that I need to get calmer as the hour approaches. I was so nervous before one performance (I was singing Dido in Dido and Aeneas) that my stomach cramped into what felt like a hundred knots and I had to lie down flat on the floor (there was no other place backstage) while the other singers, chorus, and dancers stepped over me for about half an hour. I did finally stop the pain and sang it all and enjoyed it! But I learned I have to do something close to meditating before going on, and did after that night. OK, back to the heat wave!
Thanks for that information. I'm keeping a music diary (at the suggestion of my sax tutor), which contains things like "Found it hard to play Low Bb but managed to improve it by tightening diaphragm...". I haven't put stuff in about what I ate etc, although a couple of weeks ago nothing went in during the lesson, and I figured out afterwards that it was probably because of low blood sugar due to not having eaten for six hours, so I can see the value in writing that kind of detail down. I like the idea of writing a positive statement too. I'll try and make those kind of notes and see what happens. Very kind of you to share that info from the book.
Wow, I don't think I've ever been that nervous. Glad you were able to sort it out and do a good job.
I'm looking forward to your improved version of the Mona Lisa! I read Rebecca's article and it sounds like your course was amazing. It would be a challenge to be a student in it so I can't imagine trying to teach it. Well done Terry.
Ooooh, such a great clue - I worked it out eventually and learned something - I can't believe that that I hadn't ever come across the letter L being described in that way. Really useful info - thank you!
Gosh - those accounts of your experiences with course evaluations are extraordinary! I'm still cross on behalf of the (brilliant and really lovely) teacher whose course I really enjoyed but whose job was made very, very difficult by participants who had thought they would be spending the weekend learning to illustrate children's books. The teacher was, in fact, a book illustrator, but the course was nothing to do with that - as the silly people with very loud voices would have known if they'd actually read the course description. 🙄
Thanks, Rebecca. I'd never come across that either, but found the clue easy to solve because of the circles bit. I ran a course on blogging, and the description made it very clear that it was a general introduction, not technical. At the start of the day, in a classroom that had no computers, I checked that everyone was clear that this wasn't about actually creating a blog and everyone nodded. Then in their evaluation someone complained that we didn't create blogs in WordPress. Astonishing. Thanks re music.
In the actual Bible text, Delilah didn't cut Samson's hair- she had to hire a male barber to do it (because of some Jewish religious edict about women cutting hair). But most people telling the story omit that part and make her seem more evil than she really was.
Oh really? I didn't know that. Thanks. However, I stand by my work of art because it is meant to be an improvement on an existing work rather than a new work in its own right!
Yes this was the justification in our house that prevented the take up of drumming violining etc although I did passably play the violin for a while. Do excuse the hyperbole.
I was once observed during an English lesson many years ago and marked down for not using my interactive whiteboard. Evidently not having such a device wasn’t an acceptable excuse!
Well there are those, undoubtedly, but the people I had in mind were the ones who reach the giddy heights and seem in the process to lose any semblance of common sense. Perhaps the air is so rarefied up there that not enough oxygen reaches their brain.not everyone of course🤣
"A lot of it is confidence and self-belief I think, and some knowledge of course". The tricky part for some of us is not letting the judgement of others cause us to lose confidence and belief in ourselves. I, personally, find myself constantly teetering on the precipice with my writing, ready to slip with the slightest snub or criticism. It is so ridiculous. I love your correspondence with Rebecca and look forward to it every week. You got the nose right, but you might want to go back and add some huge bulging muscles to poor skinny Samson! I believe he knocked down an entire temple with brute strength.
Terry, I enjoyed reading all subjects you discussed here, and must thank you again for always making me laugh (except of course when you're being serious)! I enjoyed the noise abatement link too, only in my case it was blue jays outside the bedroom window and I didn't complain to the city. We read that hanging shiny ribbons deters them, and it did! But now they're in the front yard drowning out all the other lovely birdies. I loved your Samson and Delilah drawing, especially because I've been re-practicing one of my favorite arias from the opera of the same name ("Mon Coeur S'ouvre a ta Voix) the last couple of weeks--it features Delilah trying to entice Samson. I adore singing it, and it's so romantic, the listener almost thinks Delilah really is in love with Samson! (And now your cartoon is going to make me laugh every time I start to sing it. You have to fix this right now with another cartoon, okay? :) By the way I also have had to fight stage fright even after performing for audiences for some time, though I lost the fear briefly after a period of bad stuff in my life; it was so good to be out of that period that I decided I didn't care what people thought, and told myself, I just need to sing, dammit! (That helped. ) Then there was more bad stuff but it got better again. There's an interesting and hopefully helpful section on this in a book for singers that is useful for all musicians. The book is, "Power Performance for Singers" by Shirlee Emmons and Alma Thomas. The stagefright section starts on page 147, and the title of the chapter is "Dealing with Anxiety." I just found it and am still studying it. So far so good. (So just play your sax because you love it dammit!) Finally, your elections sound as painful as ours will be. I do hope they turn out well. I'll stop now because Boston's under a heat wave for 3 days starting now and I have to go drink stuff.
Thanks, Susan. Sorry I've ruined Samson and Delilah for you! But fear not, another great masterpiece is nearing completion, and will be unveiled to an eager public next Monday with a bit of luck. I hadn't heard of that aria, but I've just found it on Youtube and it is indeed very beautiful: https://youtu.be/eMadr61Wq_E?si=2Ip1tQeczNMxAugy
Thanks for tips about anxiety. The weird thing is that I don't consciously feel anxious, but everything goes to pot of its own accord! I looked up that book. My favourite library hasn't got it but will look in a different one. (I belong to several.)
I could tell you some really barmy things that some of our polly tishans have said, but as people these days issue death threats rather than debating I think I'll err on the side of caution. Enjoy the heatwave while it lasts!
"Polly tishans"--I LOVE that! And I can't wait to see your new drawing--thanks!! In case you can't find the book. I can say one sort of helpful thing I've learned from it so far is to write down a description of what you did on a day when performing went great for you (like what and when did you eat, what did you think about, did you take a walk, etc.) I think they're partly suggesting that doing/thinking those or similar things on a performance day might help. They also suggest writing down a few phrases that enourage you or make you feel pretty good about playing/singing such as something like "I've worked hard on this and I know it. I'm going to have a good time playing it." Then you say that to yourself on a day you'll be playing. They also say that some nervousness is a good thing, and that you have to find your own levels--not too much, but not so little that you aren't excited about playing that day. My own experience tells me that I need to get calmer as the hour approaches. I was so nervous before one performance (I was singing Dido in Dido and Aeneas) that my stomach cramped into what felt like a hundred knots and I had to lie down flat on the floor (there was no other place backstage) while the other singers, chorus, and dancers stepped over me for about half an hour. I did finally stop the pain and sang it all and enjoyed it! But I learned I have to do something close to meditating before going on, and did after that night. OK, back to the heat wave!
Glad you like my mangling of English!
Thanks for that information. I'm keeping a music diary (at the suggestion of my sax tutor), which contains things like "Found it hard to play Low Bb but managed to improve it by tightening diaphragm...". I haven't put stuff in about what I ate etc, although a couple of weeks ago nothing went in during the lesson, and I figured out afterwards that it was probably because of low blood sugar due to not having eaten for six hours, so I can see the value in writing that kind of detail down. I like the idea of writing a positive statement too. I'll try and make those kind of notes and see what happens. Very kind of you to share that info from the book.
Wow, I don't think I've ever been that nervous. Glad you were able to sort it out and do a good job.
😁
I'm looking forward to your improved version of the Mona Lisa! I read Rebecca's article and it sounds like your course was amazing. It would be a challenge to be a student in it so I can't imagine trying to teach it. Well done Terry.
😃 thanks, Donna!
Ooooh, such a great clue - I worked it out eventually and learned something - I can't believe that that I hadn't ever come across the letter L being described in that way. Really useful info - thank you!
Gosh - those accounts of your experiences with course evaluations are extraordinary! I'm still cross on behalf of the (brilliant and really lovely) teacher whose course I really enjoyed but whose job was made very, very difficult by participants who had thought they would be spending the weekend learning to illustrate children's books. The teacher was, in fact, a book illustrator, but the course was nothing to do with that - as the silly people with very loud voices would have known if they'd actually read the course description. 🙄
Lovely to read about your music!
Thanks, Rebecca. I'd never come across that either, but found the clue easy to solve because of the circles bit. I ran a course on blogging, and the description made it very clear that it was a general introduction, not technical. At the start of the day, in a classroom that had no computers, I checked that everyone was clear that this wasn't about actually creating a blog and everyone nodded. Then in their evaluation someone complained that we didn't create blogs in WordPress. Astonishing. Thanks re music.
Oh goodness me! 🙄 There’s no helping some, is there?! 🤣
No, espcially considering that one of the requirements of the course was the ability to read.
🤣 Ah, well, that’s your problem, then. You’ve set your expectations for your students far too high! 😉
😂
Some people live to tear others down, sadly.
Yes indeed, Lucy.
In the actual Bible text, Delilah didn't cut Samson's hair- she had to hire a male barber to do it (because of some Jewish religious edict about women cutting hair). But most people telling the story omit that part and make her seem more evil than she really was.
Oh really? I didn't know that. Thanks. However, I stand by my work of art because it is meant to be an improvement on an existing work rather than a new work in its own right!
Clever cryptic puzzle. Easy when you have it laid out in front of you. So glad the sax is going so well. Would be exhilarating.
Thanks, Beth. I think it's exhilarating for other people when I stop playing! 🤣
🤣
Yes this was the justification in our house that prevented the take up of drumming violining etc although I did passably play the violin for a while. Do excuse the hyperbole.
🤣 what hyperbole? Should any of my neighbours complain, I'll threaten to take up the bagpipes!
I was once observed during an English lesson many years ago and marked down for not using my interactive whiteboard. Evidently not having such a device wasn’t an acceptable excuse!
😲 That's barmy!!! 🫣
🤣
Good grief! Words fail me. I hope you complained, either to him/her or about them.
This particular head was a certifiable idiot, so this wasn't an unexpected comment. She also wasn't a rare beast, I'm afraid.
🤣 No, sadly.
You couldn’t make them up - troubling really as we are meant to be delving into the realms of the imagination…
Indeed. Unfortunately, there are several kinds of people in education who have lost the plot, assuming they had it in the first place.
I assume Terry, that you are talking about people whose main aim in life is to ‘make money’.
Well there are those, undoubtedly, but the people I had in mind were the ones who reach the giddy heights and seem in the process to lose any semblance of common sense. Perhaps the air is so rarefied up there that not enough oxygen reaches their brain.not everyone of course🤣
I slightly think they are two sides of the same coin if that isnt stretching the metaphor too far.
I slightly think they are two sides of the same coin if that isnt stretching the metaphor too far.
"A lot of it is confidence and self-belief I think, and some knowledge of course". The tricky part for some of us is not letting the judgement of others cause us to lose confidence and belief in ourselves. I, personally, find myself constantly teetering on the precipice with my writing, ready to slip with the slightest snub or criticism. It is so ridiculous. I love your correspondence with Rebecca and look forward to it every week. You got the nose right, but you might want to go back and add some huge bulging muscles to poor skinny Samson! I believe he knocked down an entire temple with brute strength.
Many of us teeter on the precipice, Sharron. As for Samson's muscles, I did consider that, but wasn't confident about my ability to draw them!
ha ha ha silly boy
🤣
Da Vinci was okay. Maybe this is the killer line I need/ed when teaching irony!
🤣 Glad to have been of service, Lucy!