Today at work I heard a really good talk on the neuroscience of prejudice, then I was going to walk with my colleague at one instead of our usual time of 12:30 to accommodate her schedule, but as I was heading to our meeting spot in front of the Limnology Building, she texted that she couldn't walk until 1:30. I said too late, I'm already out walking, and I can't do it at 1:30. At that time I had a Very Important Meeting with the Chair for her to make some double-caffeinated coffee for me so that I wouldn't fall asleep during the department meeting. And do you know, it worked? Then right at the end of the day my boss told me that I was going to get my promotion from Financial Specialist II to Financial Specialist III. This won't come with an immediate pay raise, but it does raise the high end of the salary range for me, and it also should mean I will be salaried instead of hourly for the first time in my life. Yay!
This evening I talked Travalon into taking me to Awildan Distillery for a slow Irish session. It's actually called "Learn-a-Tune," and I went once (back in June maybe?) and then hadn't managed to get back again until now. I figured Travalon would have a good time tasting the delicious cocktails and talking to the friendly bartender, and he did. (I had the pumpkin pie cocktail.) Meanwhile, I was the only one who showed up for the session, so I got a private fiddle lesson and learned a slip jig called "Cock and Hen" and reviewed a polka called "Mickey Chewing Bubble Gum," or "Bill Reilly's Polka." (A lot of Irish tunes have multiple names and multiple versions - we were trying to find the version of "Rocky Road to Dublin" that I know, and every one the teacher found online was a little different.) Apparently at some point my bridge had fallen off and I'd put it on backwards, so the teacher fixed that. She also said not to be afraid of fine tuners, which the Early Music types were very scornful of so I had long since gotten rid of them. I also don't know where my chin rest and shoulder rest are, since the Early Music people didn't approve of those either. The teacher said she thought I should find and/or replace them, and get new strings since I randomly have a gut string for my D but none of the others, and she said at least the E string should have a fine tuner. I have neglected this poor violin for far too long, since the Early Music Festival no longer happens and it's been years since they have needed me to play fiddle in my band. It's time for me to play it again, and this monthly session will help. If I get brave enough, I'll bring it to the big Irish session sometime.
Last month my aunt sent me videos of her cousin playing in an Irish session in California, a snippet of "Rocky Road to Dublin" and another of "Drowsy Maggie." I more or less know both tunes, and I texted back that I'd love to play with that session, and my aunt said if I'm ever out there, they play every Monday and Thursday and would love to have me. Hmm... it might be time for another trip to California.
Famous Hat
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