:smiles:

[thrihyrne]

Training was rather stressful today, mostly due to the ridiculous pressure I put on myself to learn everything all at once and sound confident about it [I must say; working for AAA in an area to which I've just moved 3 weeks ago does, perhaps, put me at a geographic disadvantage], but I'll buck up.

This evening post-work I called a couple of people and managed to make a dent in replying to fandom and, mostly, non-fandom-oriented emails. Then I met shinyholly for dinner in the rather eclectic Hawthorne district, where so many of the colorful people are. I'll keep this to a minimum, since she's new to my LJ and I want to respect her privacy, but this is one of those grand scheme unexpected serendipities. shinyholly and I sang in the same choir in the mid-to-late 90s in Nashville, and we've kept up ever since, primarily through occasional letters and some email. She moved to Portland in 2000. Tonight we saw each other for the first time in many years, but there was no awkwardness at all (at least not on my part!) and such a delight to get to renew a friendship in real time in an area far, far away from Nash Vegas. In speaking with her, my longing to sing again has been rekindled. Given my new schedule, I doubt a church choir would work, but there are many other singing groups in town, and she has contacts. This is a really great thing. It was a fabulous dinner, and then we parted ways, both walking home, albeit in different directions. That's another great thing about Portland, I must say, and where I live. As I ambled home, I passed all kinds of people out enjoying the balmy Thursday night, and didn't think a thing about walking the blocks home, many of them in the dark. The clouds overhead were a dusky grey against the near-black; we're supposed to get rain tomorrow morning. But there were always the echoes of voices, and as I approached my place, my hallmate was outside on the front porch swing with a big mug of tea, murmuring some discontent at her boyfriend who was an hour late. Still. So she asked me about my dinner and I told her how great it had been, and the social stuff in general.

"See?" she said. "Pretty soon you're going to be totally busy with that and work and writing, not that you could write more than you do." [during a kitchen-based conversation I gave her my website]

"Yeah," I said, feigning guilt. "I may even try to get into a singing group again. I'll try to keep it to just one."

It was an affirming evening. It's still so very, very early in my time here, but perhaps I'll end up picking up the vibe after all. I'm treating myself to a cruise on the Willamette River on the Portland Spirit boat Saturday, so I should be able to post some pictures again. I'm really looking forward to it. There will also be Ithiel-centric fic writing. And another Ikea trip to buy a decent mattress so I can sleep. :P

Comments

[fungus-files.livejournal.com]

Great to hear about your day - and lovely to know that you're building your social base so well. I must admit that Portland hadn't featured on my US radar at all until you started talking about it. Now it's attained a rather fetching vibe. ;)

((HUGS))

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed! And this kind of social base is really ideal: someone I've known from the past, where it's a re-connection, rather than starting from scratch. How funny that now Portland is popping up in your world! After I've survived a winter with months of cold rain, we'll see how I feel. :P

(((massive hugs)))

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

so much good stuff going on, thev. :~)

*hugs*

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

'Tis, indeed! And I began my morning with coffee and writing you a wee card, because you were on my mind.

(((warm hugs)))

[kaenguma.livejournal.com]

ah, I'd love to sing in a choir, too. but I fear I'm only good enough for my shower XD

and what do I hear about an Ithiel-centric fic? *wants*
ahem, I mean: when can I read this, dear writer? ;)

oh, and I still have to thank you for adding me to your flist =)

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

oh, and I still have to thank you for adding me to your flist =)

Happy to do so! Glad to have a few more Wraeththu-centric folks since that's primarily what I'm writing. As for the Ithiel fic, I've been conferring with freestylerocker, who gave me the vision of the art she wanted to create, which was about Ithiel's relationship to both Terzian and Cobweb. I'll write the set of vignettes, and she'll make art. :) I only began writing the first few sentences yesterday, but now that veloona's story has been completed, I can turn my attentions to Ithiel. Glad to know that you're already looking forward to it!

[kaenguma.livejournal.com]

oh, then I'll be even more happy to wait!
your writing and Kami's pic = love.

and I do like Ithiel very much, in fact I roleplay him recently with Kami as Gahrazel. at least, in my version of him since there's so little known about Ithiel.

[celandineb.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad things are going well for you. {{hugs}}

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

As am I! I am rather full of melancholic remeniscences these days, however; the walking around the Zoo, seeing Prince Caspian, and just sitting next to you on the couch, being friends and fen-kin, I do miss it.

But such is life. I'm grateful for the time I had with you.

((hugs))

[shinyholly.livejournal.com]

I had a great time, too! I went through the latest audition music for my choir, and I thought it might intrigue you that the one we want to hear your "solo voice" on is an irish ballad. I think we'll be performing it sometime this season. Hmmm.....

We are the Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland. The website is being rebuilt, but you might be able to find some articles and stuff about us online. I also have many a CD recording, if you'd like to borrow some.

Auditions are August 18. If you decide you're interested, I'll pass your info on to the scheduling person! We rehearse Monday nights. I can give you concerts dates, too.

But again, don't feel like you have to take this option--it's just the one I'm most familiar with!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Hey there! Welcome to the Haven! :)

I'd love to get in touch with the scheduling person, especially if it's August 18th. That's ages away. And I realized that there's a piano here in the house. Can't vouch for tuning, but it would probably be enough for an audition.

Thank you so much… I really do miss singing. Tremendously. I spoke with my landlord after you and I met up and it turns out that his daughter has sung in a children's chorus, and he, too, has sung in another group.

I do believe I'm in the right place, in other words. ;)

[shinyholly.livejournal.com]

Oh, and our choir dresses are glittery purple...

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

LOL. I'll wear that.

[elfscribe5.livejournal.com]

Sounds great, hon.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

It could be quite wonderful. I miss having music as an integral part of my life, and think that this could be quite grounding. I've always been a singer, was such way before I knew I was also a dancer and writer, much less the other 'er' things that I also possess. I'll keep you posted, of course.

[callumjames.livejournal.com]

Now, a couple of weeks ago did you ever think you'd be titling an LJ post with ::smiles:: ;-) Lovely to see tho.

I know I owe you an email...

CJ

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm very pleased about the turnaround in circumstances!!

And yes, you do owe me an email, lol.
XOXOX

[persephone100.livejournal.com]

How nice that you could reconnect with a friend! And getting into singing again sounds lovely. I wish I could hear it! Things seem to be getting better and better for you and you SO deserve it! Have fun!

***happy hugs!***

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Thanks so very much! For this post, for your comments about "Swooping to Landward," and your email. I'll write back, though it may be tomorrow, and I'll have your beta by then, too.

(((is happily hugged)))