tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75488708951791357802024-03-13T02:39:00.429-05:00Melissa's JourneysAs the title says this blog is all about journeys. The progress of life in general, my musical progress, my thoughts on living with R.A., and anything else I can think of.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-79605819028184342302008-12-01T14:28:00.000-06:002008-12-01T14:29:08.249-06:00<div style="width: 400; text-align: center; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><p style="margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #7F0000;"><b>Goths</b><br />Circle I Limbo</p><p style="margin-right: 10; margin-left: 10; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #8F0000;"><b>PETA Members</b><br />Circle II Whirling in a Dark & Stormy Wind</p><p style="margin-right: 20; margin-left: 20; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #9F0000;"><b>Rednecks</b><br />Circle III Mud, Rain, Cold, Hail & Snow</p><p style="margin-right: 30; margin-left: 30; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #AF0000;"><b>Parents who bring squalling brats to R-rated movies</b><br />Circle IV Rolling Weights</p><p style="margin-right: 40; margin-left: 40; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #BF0000;"><b>General asshats</b><br />Circle V Stuck in Mud, Mangled</p><p style="border-style: solid none; border-color: black; background: white; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">River Styx</p><p style="margin-right: 50; margin-left: 50; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #CF0000;"><b>George Bush</b><br />Circle VI Buried for Eternity</p><p style="border-style: solid none; border-color: black; background: white; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">River Phlegyas</p><p style="margin-right: 60; margin-left: 60; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #DF0000;"><b>Creationists</b><br />Circle VII Burning Sands</p><p style="margin-right: 70; margin-left: 70; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #EF0000;"><b>Republicans</b><br />Circle IIX Immersed in Excrement</p><p style="margin-right: 80; margin-left: 80; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; background: #FF0000;"><b>Osama bin Laden</b><br />Circle IX Frozen in Ice</p><p><a href="http://www.gaydeceiver.com/misc/hell/" style="color: red;">Design your own hell</a></p></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-40769782608580110092008-11-20T19:39:00.001-06:002008-11-20T19:39:38.971-06:00<a href="http://www.collinwood.net/quiz/" target="new"><br /><img src="http://www.collinwood.net/quiz/carolyn.jpg" /><br /></a><br /><br />Take the <a href="http://www.collinwood.net/quiz/" target="new">Dark Shadows Character Quiz</a>, hosted by the <a href="http://www.collinwood.net">Dark Shadows Journal Online</a>.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-54432332081721200032008-10-07T14:27:00.000-05:002008-10-07T14:28:13.439-05:00A Comparison of McCain and Obama<a href="http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/10/3/f_MvOcomparem_72d39c2.jpg&srv=img29" target="_top"><img border="0" src="http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/3/10/3/f_MvOcomparem_72d39c2.jpg" alt="???蓜1793, mvo compare, Image Hosting" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-24929373351596038722008-10-03T10:56:00.000-05:002008-10-03T10:58:37.774-05:00Less practice timeI am still trying to practice but the Remicade leaves me so tired. All I want to do is sleep. Trying not to but practicing when exhausted is difficult. I fear I have made no progress this week. Saturday will tell.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-89611235622878911892008-09-22T11:09:00.001-05:002008-09-22T11:10:42.533-05:00Piano shaped buildingA building shaped like a piano. Too cool.<br /><br /><a href="http://spluch.blogspot.com/2007/09/building-shaped-like-piano-and-violin.html">http://spluch.blogspot.com/2007/09/building-shaped-like-piano-and-violin.html</a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-86443517502090265492008-09-22T10:55:00.001-05:002008-09-22T10:57:20.546-05:00New MusicI wish I could play like this. *Sigh* One day I hope to at least have all of the notes and not the baby music. I can hope for that. <span style="font-style: italic;"> Liebestraum</span> by Liszt<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ubVVSWHkxs8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ubVVSWHkxs8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-18318185782338380062008-09-21T10:26:00.001-05:002008-09-21T10:26:52.383-05:00Sarah Palin on Wolf Killing<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EQobIUE1zTU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EQobIUE1zTU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-48834019906231914002008-09-16T11:39:00.000-05:002008-09-16T11:41:11.875-05:00Still working...On all three. These are hard but I will get there. <span style="font-style: italic;">In the Hall of the Mountain King </span>is coming along best. I wonder if it helps or hurts when playing if you already know the melody?Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-77257202372993609542008-09-08T11:14:00.001-05:002008-09-08T11:19:29.891-05:00New MusicI am so excited. I nailed the Dvorak piece and now have a bunch of new music to learn. I have 3 and probably won't make it all by the weekend but it will be interesting to try.<br /><br />From the Bastien book: <span style="font-style: italic;">Careless Love</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">She Wore A Yellow Ribbon.</span><br /><br />By Grieg <span style="font-style: italic;">In The Hall Of The Mountain King.</span> I am really excited about this one even though it is a baby version it has always been one of my favorites.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-20473659098760067462008-09-01T13:25:00.003-05:002008-09-01T13:31:22.611-05:00Still working on scalesI can tell when I am practicing enough. I hear scales in my sleep. I am doing well with the Dvorak piece and plan to have it ready by next Friday. I have an edirol so I plan to upload it here when I think it is good enough. If I get really brave I will have to upload it into one of the recitals on PW. Also I am still annoying my neighbor with my music. She loathes classical music. I want to move.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-28557435183812677072008-08-26T21:23:00.002-05:002008-08-26T21:28:00.562-05:00DvorakNew World Symphony is coming along nicely. The very last measure is a little difficult but I think I will have it by this weekend. Other new music is Careless Love which introduces 2 new chords that feel very weird. Hopefully I will have this down after Memorial Day.<br /><br />In other news my daughter who also plays the piano has joined the band and will also play the clarinet. We got her a very nice one. I wonder if I can find any music with a piano clarinet combination? It would be cool to play with her.<br /><br />With 2 instruments in the house and my fetish for collecting sheet music it may be time to invest in a sheet music cabinet of some sort.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-23771639230362941412008-08-11T17:45:00.002-05:002008-08-11T17:47:28.946-05:00New World Symphony is coming along nicely. The scales are boring me to tears. On a positive note the remicade is really helping the R.A. I can do so much more now.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-90277521338092537252008-07-24T12:56:00.003-05:002008-07-24T13:03:50.267-05:00New things to learnI am putting the finishing touches on <span style="font-style: italic;">On Wings of Song.</span><br />Beginning Dvorak <span style="font-style: italic;">New World Symphony (Theme from the 2nd Movement).</span><br /><br />Starting half steps and whole steps<br />C major Scale<br />Scale prep drills<br />Scale Melody drills<br /><br />Working on <span style="font-style: italic;">A Little Bit of Rock </span>in the Bastien Book<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-28727633460064151552008-07-21T18:08:00.002-05:002008-07-21T18:12:08.594-05:00New Post FinallyI have not ben lazy in posting just more time on the piano than in front of the computer. On the positive side I have finished up On Wings of Song. It needs a bit of polishing but I have it down. Yay for me. My next song will be Dvorak's New World Symphony the slow movement. It is not baby music.:) I am so excited I can hardly stay away from the piano.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-40971768571851885242008-06-11T10:19:00.003-05:002008-06-11T11:14:50.220-05:00Bastien staccato touch <span style="font-style: italic;">Jingle Bells</span> and broken chords.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On Wings of Song </span>last 3 bars.<br /><br />My neighbor ought to love hearing <span style="font-style: italic;">Jingle Bells</span> in the middle of June.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-24835633740180281322008-06-11T10:17:00.002-05:002008-06-11T10:33:24.446-05:00Why Vote Republican<p class="style4"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FiQJ9Xp0xxU&hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FiQJ9Xp0xxU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-67820108456951811702008-06-07T18:57:00.001-05:002008-06-07T18:58:16.792-05:00side effects are kicking in. Remicade causes major nausea. Wanted to write that down to keep a log of whats going on.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-91180929033450074952008-06-07T10:29:00.003-05:002008-06-07T10:35:10.488-05:003 bars leftBastien 15 min<br />On Wings of Song 60 minutes<br /><br />I think I finally have those chords beat. The transition is not as smooth as I would like but it is awful close. If I ever nail it I will post it. Maybe I will even be brave and post it on <a href="http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi">Piano World</a><br /><br />In other news i began Remicade yesterday. Not much is happening as far as I can tell. I slept almost all day yesterday, It really took a lot out of me. No adverse side effects and hopefully none show up. I want to be the girl who runs marathons on this stuff. Ok I never ran a marathon before but I want the option openMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-84472216554236214852008-06-02T12:19:00.002-05:002008-06-02T12:22:34.465-05:00What a weekendPractice time<br /><br />Bastien 45 min<br />On Wings of Song 15 minutes<br />scales 0<br /><br />I really hate scales<br /><br />This weekend my little girl had her recital. She did fantastic, no worries at all. I however was a nervous wreck. My dad came and so did her grandmother. Her uncle didn't make it cause of the cable guy.<br /><br />My arthritis is flaring like crazy I can barely type. So I will keep this post short<br /><br />Ta for nowMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-14941010263821579292008-05-30T13:51:00.000-05:002008-05-30T13:52:03.415-05:002 of a kind<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gUBDM16ylvU&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gUBDM16ylvU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-3817442965923487162008-05-29T15:02:00.002-05:002008-05-29T15:15:03.370-05:00Sore handsToday I played pretty well for sore hands.<br /><br />Bastien 40 minutes <span style="font-style: italic;">Michael Row the Boat Ashore</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">All Through the Night. </span>I remember singing that to my little one when she was a baby. So it is really cool to be able to play it. It goes something like this:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sleep my child and peace attend thee all through the night. Guardian angels god will send thee all through the night.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On Wings of Song</span> 20 minutes, The chords are getting a bit easier but still not smooth.<br /><br />I bought <span style="font-style: italic;">Hallelujah</span> for easy piano. They lied. It is not easy. I will have it for when I can play it though. Interesting enough it is the same melody repeated five times. I didn't realize pop songs were so repetitive. Anyway I will bring it to class on Saturday so my teacher can look at it and tell me when she thinks it will be a good time to begin playing it. I am waiting for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Raider's March</span> to come in. I really think it will be easier and that I could play it sooner. Hopefully it will come in tomorrow.<br /><br />My little one was home sick again. She will be out again Friday because of an allergist appointment. Her face swelled up and the dr. wanted me to take her to the allergist ASAP. At least I can find out where this guy is. I am familiar with the area. My husband is going to La. to get his mother's car and help his brother pack up. So now my in-laws will be within a few blocks of us. On that note I am going to do laundry. YippeeMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-2185293054412116422008-05-28T12:29:00.004-05:002008-05-28T12:50:21.260-05:00YeaPractice log<br /><br />Bastien 45 minutes <span style="font-style: italic;">All through the Night</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Michale Row the Boat Ashore </span><br />Dotted Rhythm notations.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On Wings of Song</span> 35 minutes Chord progressions getting easier but still not smooth. I feel awkward.<br /><br />I got a call today that the insurance company got off of its butt and approved the Remicade. Maybe now I will get some relief. My left wrist, shoulders and hands really hurt. Thank god my hips and knees are ok. I really need to lose weight. Maybe that will help. as of right now my diet starts. Maybe when the Remicade starts I will be able to ecercise more. Although I understand nausea is a side effect of Remicade. Maybe I won't have that or if I do it will go away soon. I have enough nausea from the methotraxte. (sp) I just found this wonderful site <a href="http://www.creakyjoints.org/">Creaky Joints </a>I think I will join. I would love a support group.<br /><br />Speaking of doctors my little one now has to have an allergy test. Thankfully it is a blood test and not all of the little needles. She goes Friday. I know more school missed but at least next week is the last week of school. They can't possibly be doing anything important. I hope not anyway. So let's see she was off Monday, missed today and will miss Friday. Oh and she will also miss next Tuesday too. At least the Tuesday appointments are a bit apart. I have an appointment in the afternoon she has one in the morning at the dentist. Mine is the eye doctor. I just had Lasik and cataracts removed. I see great now but still need reading glasses.<br /><br />Now for the neighbor. At least she did not complain today. *Grin* I heard her radio since eight this am. Wonder if I ought to go complain? Probably not. As much as it kills me I will be the mature adult. I just wish she would play something other than Christian rock. I have now added a genre of music that I don't like. If I play the stereo low I can't hear her. Good thing I usually keep it on. :)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-70863018340508946352008-05-27T12:41:00.002-05:002008-05-27T12:52:09.636-05:00Doctor timeWell my little girl is sick. Darn allergies. She can't go to school and I am hoping she can go tomorrow. She hates t miss. Although the school year is nearly over so I think it is ok now. She hasn't missed much school.<br /><br />Her being home has thrown off my practice schedule.<br /><br />10 min Bastien<br />10 minutes On Wings of Song.<br /><br />Maybe I can practice more later. Tomorrow she may be home and my Dad is getting new furniture. FOr some reason he wants me there when they deliver so I have to go to his house from 12:30 to 3:30. Problem is my daughter gets home at 3. So I hope the furniture is here soon.<br /><br />I may write more later writing keeps my mind off of the RA. I am feeling fairly nauseous from the meds. Now I find out that Remicade has nausea as a side effect. It also has other nasty side effects that may show up. I am hoping that they don't. THen again I will not have to worry at all if the doctor does not get approval from the darn insurance. You would think that if the doctor said you needed something than the insurance would pay for it.<br /><br />I am wondering if I could get more lesson time? It is so nice to have that 30 minutes just for me spent doing something that I like. Probably not cause life in mommyland just doesn't seem to work that way.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-77392746629291667592008-05-26T20:57:00.001-05:002008-05-26T20:57:34.198-05:00wierd facts I found on the web<p><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:180%;color:#008000;">Just in case you need more proof that we live in a crazy world . . .</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:180%;color:#008000;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;color:#008000;"><br /><b>In Lebanon, men are legally allowed to have sex with animals, but the animals must be female.<br />Having sexual relations with a male animal is punishable by death.</b><br />(Like THAT makes sense.)<br /><br /><b>In Bahrain, a male doctor may legally examine a woman's genitals, but is prohibited from looking directly at them during the examination. He may only see their reflection in a mirror. </b><br />(Do they look different reversed?)<br /><br /><b>Muslims are banned from looking at the genitals of a<br />corpse. This also applies to undertakers. The organs of the deceased must be covered with a brick or piece of wood at all times.</b><br />(A brick??)<br /><br /><b>The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is decapitation.</b><br />(...so they'll never know they went blind?)<br /><br /><b>There are men in Guam whose full-time job is to travel the countryside and deflower young virgins, who pay them for the privilege of having sex for the first time...<br />Reason: Under Guam law, it is expressly forbidden for virgins to marry. </b><br />(Let's just think for a minute; is there any job anywhere<br />else in the world that even comes close to this?)<br /><br /><b>In Hong Kong, a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her adulterous husband, but may only do so with her bare hands. The husband's lover, on the other hand, may be killed in any manner desired.</b><br />(Now this is justice!)<br /><br /><b>Topless saleswomen are legal in Liverpool, England -<br />but only in tropical fish stores.</b><br />(But of course!)<br /><br /><b>In Cali, Colombia, a woman may only have sex with her husband, and the first time this happens, her mother<br />must be in the room to witness the act.</b><br />(Makes one shudder at the thought.)<br /><br /><b>In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, it is illegal for a man to have sex with a woman and her daughter at the same time.<br /></b>(I presume this was a big enough problem that they had<br />to pass this law?)<br /><br /><b>In Maryland, it is illegal to sell condoms from vending<br />machines with one exception: Prophylactics may be<br />dispensed from a vending machine only "in places where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises."</b><br />(Is this a great country or what? Not as great as Guam!)<br /><br /><b>Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.</b><br />(Who volunteers for this stuff?)<br /><br /><b>Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.</b><br />(Is that why Flipper was always smiling?)<br /><br /><b>The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.</b><br />(Hummm....I won't touch THAT one!)<br /><br /><b>The ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30<br />times its own weight and always falls over on its right<br />side when intoxicated.</b><br />(From drinking little bottles of...? Wonder how much the the govt.<br />paid for this relevant bit of research??)<br /><br /><b>Butterflies taste with their feet.</b><br />(Ah, geez)<br /></span></p> <span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;color:#008000;"><b>An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.<br /></b>(I know some people like that.)<br /><br /><b>Starfish don't have brains.</b><br />(I know some people like that, too</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548870895179135780.post-32476063359612473632008-05-26T19:56:00.005-05:002008-05-26T20:06:07.079-05:00Music ComplaintsMy neighbor did not take the news that I wanted her garden fixed well. I told her about the letter and all she did was complain about the homeowner's association. What a %^$#*. (My daughter reads this so I have to keep it clean:) )<br /><br />I am not asking her for a lot of work. I really ought to post a picture if I could then you can see what I am complaining about. *sigh* She is still complaining about the music. Seems she was outside and heard it during her memorial day party. Big whoop. I think I am going to ignore her. I am not doing anything against the rules. I really want to move. This makes me feel bad but I am GOING to play regardless of if she likes it or not. After all she can always move. I guess she doesn't like <span style="font-style: italic;">All through the Night</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">On the wings of Song </span>the 2 pieces I am currently working on. She can go stuff it.I think I am going to play and GASP it is after five.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110518349076655159noreply@blogger.com0