taxes | temptation conquered | easter news
I think this may be the one and only year my estimated federal tax return will be MORE than the entire amount of $$$ I have to pay out to the State of Illinois. I could hope this is a trend-setter, but I'm not that optimistic!
Even though Lyric Opera Chicago keeps sending me warnings after the renewal deadline, I have managed to resist its beguiling charms. I just couldn't bring myself to spend more money just for the sake of a series that was more convenient (i.e. not on Wednesday). It's just not practical what with the cost of living lately. Thus, I have modified the plan:
1. See Die Frau ohne Schatten (and possibly a January/Fleming Traviata) at all costs.
2. Possibly see (or be willing to give up) Eugene Onegin.
3. Give up seeing Barbiere altogether.
Frau is the most enticing of them, and all because of the powerhouse trio of Voigt, Brewer and Hawlata. I still want to see Renée Fleming live, even though I think she makes some egregiously bad choices. Onegin could be a nice day trip if I could sneak it in somehow. As bollocks as it sounds, I've learned to be content with having seen Florez and Donato in Barbiere via the Met HD broadcast. Granted, live experiences can't be beat...but alas...everything goes back to managing a living budget.
Easter Sunday marked the return of Union Avenue's congregation to its newly-renovated sanctuary. Since Christmas Eve service, the sanctuary underwent a co-sponsored (i.e. the church and the opera co.) renovation which included:
a.) Excavation of an orchestra pit underneath the chancel. The new orchestra pit is huge and deep, and conveniently attached to the UACC basement.
b.) New, enlarged chancel floor, complete with removable apron segments for a fully- or partially-exposed orchestra pit. It looks like the floor of a freakin' symphony hall! Let's hope the scratches are kept to a minimum.
c.) Colorful paint scheme on the walls, dome, arches and trim--most of which had been a dull off-white for years. The rose windows got some touch-ups as well, and the overall effect is very satisfying.
d.) new, moveable organ. Thar she blows!!!
The choir sang hymns as well as selections from Handel's Messiah...a piece I have grown to hate. As a transitioning tenor, I do not appreciate Handel's masochistic choral writing. For the particular selections sung at this service, Handel wrote 90% of the tenor line in the F-F#-G area. In short, I tire easily on these pieces...almost to the point that I'm actually looking forward to the high A-natural on "...and HE shall reign..." Oh well...at least it's done and over with. I still don't like it though.
After church, I joined my family in Freeburg for Easter dinner. Unfortunately, I missed William's easter egg hunt...where, reportedly, the 3-year-old dove and military-crawled underneath my parents' picnic table for an egg that he could have just walked around the table for. Mind you, he had no competition either! I so would have loved to see that. My niece is as cute as can be, especially when she opens her lovely blue eyes for all to see. I even saw her crack a smile for the first time...at least to me. So very adorable, that kid.
This week is busy. Tomorrow, I have to mail off my taxes and get a haircut, cuz I'm such a hippy right now. You should smell the patchouli! Wednesday is Church Choir + Dressels. Thursday, I pick up my tux for Dave's wedding, then attend the SLSO for Debbie Voigt, et. al. Friday is the Rehearsal and Reh. Dinner, then Saturday is the Wedding. Then I have to sing Sunday morning. (Somebody please remind me not to drink too heavily at the reception.)
I only mention all this because I may not see this blog until after the weekend, so have a great week everyone!
Even though Lyric Opera Chicago keeps sending me warnings after the renewal deadline, I have managed to resist its beguiling charms. I just couldn't bring myself to spend more money just for the sake of a series that was more convenient (i.e. not on Wednesday). It's just not practical what with the cost of living lately. Thus, I have modified the plan:
1. See Die Frau ohne Schatten (and possibly a January/Fleming Traviata) at all costs.
2. Possibly see (or be willing to give up) Eugene Onegin.
3. Give up seeing Barbiere altogether.
Frau is the most enticing of them, and all because of the powerhouse trio of Voigt, Brewer and Hawlata. I still want to see Renée Fleming live, even though I think she makes some egregiously bad choices. Onegin could be a nice day trip if I could sneak it in somehow. As bollocks as it sounds, I've learned to be content with having seen Florez and Donato in Barbiere via the Met HD broadcast. Granted, live experiences can't be beat...but alas...everything goes back to managing a living budget.
Easter Sunday marked the return of Union Avenue's congregation to its newly-renovated sanctuary. Since Christmas Eve service, the sanctuary underwent a co-sponsored (i.e. the church and the opera co.) renovation which included:
a.) Excavation of an orchestra pit underneath the chancel. The new orchestra pit is huge and deep, and conveniently attached to the UACC basement.
b.) New, enlarged chancel floor, complete with removable apron segments for a fully- or partially-exposed orchestra pit. It looks like the floor of a freakin' symphony hall! Let's hope the scratches are kept to a minimum.
c.) Colorful paint scheme on the walls, dome, arches and trim--most of which had been a dull off-white for years. The rose windows got some touch-ups as well, and the overall effect is very satisfying.
d.) new, moveable organ. Thar she blows!!!
The choir sang hymns as well as selections from Handel's Messiah...a piece I have grown to hate. As a transitioning tenor, I do not appreciate Handel's masochistic choral writing. For the particular selections sung at this service, Handel wrote 90% of the tenor line in the F-F#-G area. In short, I tire easily on these pieces...almost to the point that I'm actually looking forward to the high A-natural on "...and HE shall reign..." Oh well...at least it's done and over with. I still don't like it though.
After church, I joined my family in Freeburg for Easter dinner. Unfortunately, I missed William's easter egg hunt...where, reportedly, the 3-year-old dove and military-crawled underneath my parents' picnic table for an egg that he could have just walked around the table for. Mind you, he had no competition either! I so would have loved to see that. My niece is as cute as can be, especially when she opens her lovely blue eyes for all to see. I even saw her crack a smile for the first time...at least to me. So very adorable, that kid.
This week is busy. Tomorrow, I have to mail off my taxes and get a haircut, cuz I'm such a hippy right now. You should smell the patchouli! Wednesday is Church Choir + Dressels. Thursday, I pick up my tux for Dave's wedding, then attend the SLSO for Debbie Voigt, et. al. Friday is the Rehearsal and Reh. Dinner, then Saturday is the Wedding. Then I have to sing Sunday morning. (Somebody please remind me not to drink too heavily at the reception.)
I only mention all this because I may not see this blog until after the weekend, so have a great week everyone!