gurdymonkey | Random acts of Tuesday

Taiko was a mixed bag tonight. My left arm felt weak and sloppy. Shannon-sensei gave me some constructive form critique on "Hiryu" that was useful. "Shinkyoku" continues to gel. Then Shannon-sensei and Sean-sensei put "Mifune-san" up on the odaiko stand and we ended class with "Jishin." I was extremely nervous about it because I've only ever played it a couple of times and everyone rotates up to the odaiko and gets a turn to improvise a solo. My first turn seemed to go OK - Tracy commented on it after class - but my left arm was wet linguine by the second turn and I felt my stroke coming apart, so I wimped out and played the cue for the chorus before it could get too bad. I need to get comfortable with "Jishin" - I normally enjoy improvisation and if I didn't have to think so damn hard about getting through a chorus that just isn't in my hands yet, I'd be eating those solos for lunch with extra wasabi.

Discovered after I got home that Sweeney Todd was on HBO. I missed its theatrical run. Having seen it on Broadway with George Hearn and Dorothy Loudon, I give Johnny Depp a big thumbs up. Alan Rickman gives good villain as always, I wasn't wild about Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, but she wasn't awful. Dang, I'd forgotten how lush Sondheim's score was too.

You know the meme where you post a list of ten wishes to your LJ because someone who reads it might actually give you/make you/buy you [insert desired object here]?

Don't you have to keep a wish secret for it to come true?

Two weeks ago, someone (and you know who you are!) on my f-list looked me dead in the eye and said, "You do know that if you ever need anything, you can count on us." I do know - and I didn't have to wish for it either.