West Bay Opera August 4, 2013

During my scientific career, I espoused the motto “never miss a grant deadline”, or something to that effect.  During the coming year, I hope to modify that intention to “never miss an audition”, and actually, the two pose quite similar problems.  Both take a lot of preparation, both dates loom with trepidation, and both are more likely to culminate in rejections rather than acceptances.  But still, they must be attended to, for without the grant application or the audition, there is no funding or no performance. 

After my fun with Pirates of Penzance, I surfed the web looking for other interesting singing opportunities in the Bay Area and decided to audition for the West Bay Opera.  Located in Palo Alto, West Bay Opera is almost as old as I am, and Tosca, one of my top five favorite operas, was planned for the fall.  So I downloaded the audition music, worked on it for a week, and drove down 280 for the audition.  Within a week or so, I was offered a spot in the chorus, and I’m thrilled!  

Estrogen August 2, 2013

This entry may fall under the category of TMI, but as it constitutes a new adventure and embodies something dear to the hearts of us boomer females, I’m posting it.

A few weeks ago, I started to take estrogen in response to a disappointing bone density report of osteoporosis.  Somehow I had assumed, as an avid yogini and walker/hiker, that I might dodge that post-menopausal insult.  I had done the bone scan as part of my 60^th birthday stocktaking, which also included, subsequently, a rare visit to my gynecologist.  “What about taking estrogen,” I asked her?  As it happened, I was an excellent candidate for a variety of reasons, and so I started on an estrogen patch.

I have no idea if this estrogen protocol will improve my bone density, and I won’t know that for several years, I suspect.  Nor will I be able to separate it from the effects of vitamin D or calcium supplements, which I’m now taking, or bisphosphonates, which perhaps I’ll take in the future.  But I know that the estrogen is “working” because I already have experienced a number of bodily changes:  First, I got a yeast infection, and I haven’t had one of those in decades; I had the worst migraine I’ve had in years, for two; and third, I suddenly need deodorant again.  So far, there seemed to be a few down sides to this adventure with estrogen!  But fourth, I sang a remarkably high note… and it was beautiful.  Could the estrogen also be helping my vocal chords to regain their amazing flexibility?  Again, time may tell.

Zumba August 2, 2013

When I logged into the fitness center yesterday to find my “yoga flow” class completely booked, my eyes locked in on the Zumba button.  Zumba is certainly the worldwide rage right now, the Jazzercise of the 2010s, so why not give it a try?

I failed to bring sneakers to the class and my back isn’t all that sturdy, so I launched into the relentless hopping and hip/shoulder swiveling, led by our tiny, midriff-exposed, belly-button pierced instructor, with some caution.  Soon I was flailing about in a decidedly uncoordinated but enthusiastic fashion, trying to keep up with the “regulars”, women of all ages, sizes, and ethnicities, including one wearing a hijab and three amazing Latinas who whooped and clapped at the end of each number.  Next time I’m going to stand right behind them!

Epiphany #1 July 14, 2013

I am only two weeks post “R” date, and already I realize that shedding my scientist/professor mantel will be easier than I had feared.  Pirates helped me learn that.  It doesn’t matter a hoot that I was a scientist.  And I can imagine that I could actually move to Point Reyes!  Wouldn’t that be something!

Pirates of Penzance July 14, 2013

In late 2011, when I was beginning to anticipate retirement, I decided to work with a life coach to stir up some options.  It was an exciting few months and my coach, Cathy Akiyama, strongly encouraged me to start singing again.  “Sing every day for a month”, she advised, and so I decided to open myself back up to that.  Singing had always been an important part of my life, but I had purposely shut it down for two decades to attend to other commitments in life – running a laboratory, attending to an ill husband, raising a child.  Anticipating retirement this summer, I auditioned for this Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, being produced at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station, as way not only of dipping my toe back into music making, but also as a way of meeting members of this West Marin community.  “Oh, rapture!”  Am I ever having fun! 

Yoga Toes July 11, 2013

When I’m in Point Reyes Station, I’m generally too lazy to join a yoga class, but today was the moment to turn that around.  I dropped into the “gentle yoga” class taught by Nicholas Giacomini, and it was gentle, and lovely!  The studio was long, narrow, and atmospheric.  I grabbed a mat and a pile of props, slid into a slot somewhere in the middle, and began bending, twisting, and breathing.  Ah!  I’ll be back!