The New (Winter) Semester, Part Two

So I went in for my first lesson this last Thursday.


I asked the Lord for help and that the spirit would be there, that I would know what should be said and not let my feelings control the conversation. As a result, it sort of ended in a different way than I thought it would, or maybe even wanted it to.


The lesson ran as it normally might, and to my surprise he was completely ok with trying to run the lesson in the way that I wanted. He didn't pull out solos, but helped me with one of my symphony pieces. He didn't insist that I do his warmup, but tried to mix it with the one that I like better.


At the end of the lesson, I asked him about an trumpet mouthpiece that I had that was good for jazz, but I don't play jazz. He said he might buy it from me. Then I mentioned to him that I was concerned about taking lessons, that I wouldn't have enough time to dedicate to practicing. I explained to him about my Monday and Wednesday schedules, and told him that maybe I wasn't dedicated enough to try and practice another hour on top of my 10 hour school day. He said he understood my situation, and with two-hour rehearsals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday he felt that since I was taking nonmajor lessons that as long as I put an hour in on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday then he would accept that.


I felt hugely relieved, and so grateful that he was willing to use the lessons for what I wanted and willing to be flexible with my practicing. There was one harsh moment, when I said that I had trouble remembering to practice on Saturday (it's Saturday, for pete's sake- who cares about school on Saturday??) and he told me that that concerned him and there was some growing up to do. I felt uncomfortable with that, but I didn't say anything. I don't feel it was a bad decision to let it slide. I guess in my mind, if it and other instances need to be addressed, then the opportunity will arise in due time.


I suppose I overreacted just a little, but I was really unhappy with how things turned out. I feel like I can manage what I've been given now, I think.

 In other news, the new tv didn't fit in our old entertainment center. Husband Man was sad (it was like two inches too wide). It brought back horrible memories of dissembling that entertainment center and the desk at DI so that we could fit it in the Malibu. Fortunately this time we knew someone who had a truck, so a short trip to DI and a phone call helped us replace it.

 We feel really lucky because this entertainment center is nicer than the other one. It's made out of real wood I think, not particle board, and I sort of like that it's bigger. Husband Man was also so excited about the tv that he ordered a few two dollar hdmi cables so that he could hook his laptop up to the tv. He was like a kid at Christmas all over again! It was so fun to watch him hook it all up!


We also discovered that my laptop has no hdmi slot, so my lappy can't hook up to the tv. The sound has also started to go on it- it has this stall noise it makes, and it's really annoying. We're starting to seriously consider getting rid of it and finding a new one somewhere... I don't think I can stand to watch it suffer Ok, I can stand to watch it suffer. I just don't think I can deal with its slow, painful death anymore. Anyone want a used laptop? Computer parts?