Do you ever make a decision about something and then all of a sudden, good things start happening for you because of that decision? I had a good time working at the Sligo Feis but came to the conclusion that some proper training in the discipline of accompaniment would not only be useful, but help me get a secure job also. I spoke to some people in the know and the reaction I got was two-fold: an initial yes! and then a complainy-type statement that there just aren’t very many trained accompanists knocking around. Lots and lots (and lots) of singers but nobody to play for them. Since deciding to pursue this vein of thought, I have: been asked back to Sligo Feis for 2009, gotten an extra week’s work accompanying practical exams where I teach, arranged with a singing teacher to play for her students’ lessons coming up to said exams, and been asked by the same teacher to help her learn three roles in two operas (neither of which I know but since she is willing to pay me, it seems like a good reason to learn them now) during the month of June. So over the next year, I’ll be applying for a few courses that I have researched and in the meantime, building up some skills to help me on my way.
Here’s some knitting to give you a break from all the heavy stuff. I finished a pair of socks on Monday night.
Trekking XXL … notice anything funny about the left sock?!
I have been going great guns on my Aura cardigan. I separated off the sleeves when I got home from knitting with Heidi last night. I am really feeling the love for this guy. Doesn’t it look so soft and warm?
And I can’t remember when I did this, but I obviously did at some point… half a back of the Sampa top.
This has to be the nicest cotton I have ever worked with. It is so soft and really knits up wonderfully. I haven’t steeked my Grey Cardigan yet because I just haven’t had the time to (that, and for some reason, I keep thinking that I should hoover before I steek it so maybe I should give up on prioritising it because if steeking it hinges on the hoovering, it’s going to be a few more months at the rate I’m going).
Socks look lovely, even with the double blue stripe. Love that aura cardigan and the sampa cotton is looking good too.
The photo you took of Juliaca makes her seem as if she should be walking down the catwalk – she looks so good. The colourplay in the yarn really comes across. Thanks!
Great news about the accompanying work.
A good accompanist friend of mine says exactly the same thing – mind you don’t go snapping up all the work there is on the Western seaboard! Though I suspect there’s more than enough work for the two of ye. That Aura cardigan looks looooovely – can’t wait to see what it turns into…
Funny, I didn’t notice the two blue stripes until Mary said it. I did notice that the left toe looks narrower and has a bit of black on the very top, though…
Ha! I looked and looked at the left sock before I finally Saw the double blue stripes!
What’s the color/number of that Trekking XXL?
Great socks! I love all the different colours.