Training Time

Well, this morning was yet another run for me as I train for the City Chase Yesterday, my Hill Training and today was an Easy/Recovery Run. Tomorrow, I rest with Friday being my Speed Training/Yasso 800s leaving my long run for the weekend. I'll keep this up until program up and gradually increasing my hills, laps and most importantly, mileage right up until a week before the race. Here's hoping for no problems. My main concern has been my left ankle which I had injured in January and rehabed for about 6 weeks. Because of this injury, it has been difficult getting back into the swing of things.

Folk Choir Performance Reflections

Well, all the hard work paid off. The folk choir performed the other night and did a great job. We all had a fun time performing and all that came out to listen enjoyed themselves. As I look back on all the work that we all put into it, I can't help but feel like that as a group, we took a gigantic step forward musically and as friends. Don't get me wrong, there were some rough patches along the way, but it was something that, as a group, you overcome. I have a great deal of pride knowing that I was part of something special. Individually, I'm sure that each person exceeded they're own expectations of them selves. Whether it be sight-singing, working on blend and tone or just keeping up with the pace that we were learning music was a great accomplishement for each of them.

Anyway, I'm ready to start working on some new charts and for our next performance.

"What's next."

Always take advantage of a good day

You never know what can happen if you take hold of the day. Over the weekend, I decided to do a little walk through the beaches at Ash Bridges Bay. It was a gorgeous sunny day and it seemed like everyone was out to get a little sun down on Queen St. With that being said, I bumped into an old friend of mine whom I used to sing with. She was sitting out on one of the restaurant patios having lunch and, like me, was just enjoying the weather. We were catching up on a few things and it turns out she has her own website that is up and running. She's a wonderful vocalist and musician and above all a fantastic human being. If you'd like, take a look at her website at www.hannahpurkiss.com

Practice last night

Well, I was unable to make a couple of practices for the past few weeks, so it was nice to be working with the folk choir again. We started working on our stuff again. It was good to hear improvements in my absence with all the songs but there's always those "trouble notes" that seem to always re-occur. I find that my problem is not hearing where the problems are, or pointing out where there needs improvement or keeping a good tempo in practice. My problem is trying to help people get over their mental barriers with those "trouble notes". I love working with these guys, but I would love to try to find a way to help them through those difficult areas. I guess that's where you need to help understand where each individual is coming from musically and to walk them through these trouble spots. Too bad time is always against you and all you can really do is ask everyone to practice.

Maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist, but I believe deep down that they have the ability to make each song fantastic. Good thing there not far from there. But it's the last little bit that makes it hard to make it fantastic. I'm glad that they all haven't settled for just getting by and giving a mediocre effort because hard work will pay off.

Show's over

Another year, another success. Things went very well during each show and I had a great time working with every one. I can't help but feel like an anti-socialite, but due to some other duties, I was unable to make it to Spotlight's post-show parties. I'm sure the cast understood my situation. Hopefully next year I'll be invited to work with them again; it was a great honour and a privelidge. You can never complain about opportunities to better your musical skills and to be able to display them in front of a live audience. Furthermore, it is a great chance to play with differnt musicians and performers from within the community. Most of all, we had a good time putting this production together.