Meeting

Today I met with the person who is looking to hire a music therapist and observed a session. It was great fun. I observed a session at a retirement community. The clients were fabulous. They were active and singing and playing. One lady told me to take care of myself... right after she asked me if I knew what she did with her husband. Then she told me "don't feel bad if you don't know. I don't know what I did with him either." What a hoot.

The whole situation seems really positive. It isn't official and I haven't signed anything. We will continue to see what happens.

It'd be a great way to get some real life work experience and work a few hours and save up some money.

In the meantime, I'm up at Ty's and we're watching trashy daytime television. It's wonderful.

Lessons

I'm getting on the lessons train here. I'm starting up piano lessons with a kid who lives down the street. I am actually getting kind of excited about it. I got some books and materials and am thinking about the best way to get started with note names and patterns and all that.

I learned by way of M&Ms. My teacher used to put M&Ms on the keyboard for note names... and then I'd get to eat them.

Boy, that explains a lot.

Woo hoo!!

I just got off the phone with someone who is looking to hire a music therapist in the greater bay area. After discussing my resume and the type of work to be done, this person invited me to lunch and observe a session later this week. It seemed positive, although I am a little hesitant to spare all the details as I'm sort of superstitious that way.

We'll see what happens!

Christmas Cheer

My christmas party gig last night went really well! It was a ton of fun and they seemed to enjoy the music. I'd call it a success.

Anyhow, as I awoke this morning from my peaceful slumber, I heard the sound of christmas music BLARING from the living room. I guess Christmas is here in our house. Aside from the music, there is one more tell-tale sign the season has arrived here in our house: Hanging Ornaments.

Mom and Dad got an already decorated christmas tree at an auction this weekend in support of Kids Discover Arts! Its a nice tree- for a fake one. We always get a big real tree. Always.

Mom and Dad decided to assemble this thing in the dining room this year. Its a lovely addition to the decor around here. Hanging ornaments is THE official sign that christmas has arrived and that "christmas cheer" is officially in season.

And by christmas cheer-- I mean phrases like, "NO! Don't hang that one there" and "No no, you see that hole there between that green thing and the dangling thing" and "This is so stupid. Who put the lights on this thing?" and "Really? No. That looks too gawdy" or "Geez these will look great stashed around Sissy's room." Tis the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy Holiday season everyone!

Getting Connected

I had lunch with an MT in Palo Alto yesterday. It was great sit down and talk with him about his own journey and his private practice. He says he hears of a few opportunities now and then and will pass some things on to me when/if they come. Other than that, he invited me to that group of MTs in the area that get together a few times a year. I guess there is a meeting in January. We'll see how that goes. I felt pretty good about getting connected and I think that is going to be a good thing. He is getting pretty established in the area and has a few feet in the doors of some places. I spent the rest of the afternoon in Palo Alto with Ty, Nicholas and Peaches. I was lonely for all three of them. They have been out of town for three weeks and I am very happy that they are home.

Tonight I am playing a christmas party gig. I have to finish up my final preparations for that. Load everything in the car and get ready. I just don't know what I will wear.

Gotta get going. But everything here is moving forward, just putting along.

Pictures!

Here's a few snippets from our Thanksgiving

Dad's beautiful turkey.

It was sooo delicious

Mixing drinks! -------->

<----- I'm helping. Sort of.

My Sissy didn't make it home this year. Her presence was missed. That's her usual chair. We thought this would be appropriate.

That's it.

New development today on the job front. I'll post about it a little later. I don't want to talk about it too soon. :)

I was lazy and didn't make my cold call today. Oops. But I did write a cover letter for my maybe upcoming meeting. I felt productive despite chickening out on the phone call today. I did however go down and help my mom decorate the office christmas tree.

Meeting with a MT guy in private practice tomorrow for lunch. I'm looking forward to it.

Preparation

Tomorrow I am going to make my first "cold" call.

Through some other contacts I was referred to an organization in the area that provides services to people of all ages with developmental disabilities. One of their campuses even includes "creative and performing arts buildings." I am very curious about what that means exactly and if they are using those buildings in the wide array of services they provide.

So I did a little research and I decided to give them a call tomorrow and find out more. They are looking to hire another therapist (speech/language) at this time, but maybe they are interested in what music therapy can offer their clients. I'm not sure. But it can't hurt to give them a call.

That's on the docket for tomorrow.

I have another phone call to make tomorrow to a music therapist who has been in this area for a while. I have a few questions for her. I've met her a few times at conference and she remembered who I was, so it will be nice to get connected.

I also have to finish up some materials.

Friday I am meeting a different music therapist for lunch. He just launched his private practice, so I'm sure he will be an excellent resource. He's already referred me to an email list and "support" type group of MTs in the area. I guess they meet a few times a year to get together and talk about how things are going, share resources etc.

Tonight I am headed up to my high school to catch the first christmas concert. My friend's sister is singing tonight and his mother invited me up for the concert and dinner afterwards. The mother has been instrumental in passing along my resume at her school and possibly getting a meeting with one of the directors there. I'm still waiting to hear about that. Anyhow, it will be nice to catch a concert.

I am finding that this process requires a lot of patience. A lot of waiting. I did happen upon a whole new list of organizations in my search today, so I have more research (and I'm sure cold calls) to do. I'm making my list. Checking it twice. Just like Santa.

So onward patience... I wonder if I can buy that somewhere. Perhaps I'll add it to my christmas list. Right under the shuffleboard set. :)