we’ve been go-go-going nonstop since christmas, with the midwest trip, the houseguest, lots of singing and the circus this weekend. today’s a big audition day, and then maybe i can finally find a minute to take down the christmas tree and put the tinsel and Santas away for the year. i have one week before rehearsals begin for another opera, and i seriously need some downtime to get everything in order.

not to say i’m overwhelmed by the second week of january, just that i’m really really trying to preserve my sanity and keep the “no stress” policy i managed to live by in december. my new ipod is music-less, we haven’t sent invites for emma’s birthday tea party, and the new bedding and curtains aren’t even out of the bag yet. where does the time go?!

anyway…..2009 is, among other things (the year of the playlist, the year of Hope, the year of reaching goal weight…) The Year of The Snapshot, the year i post – and even print – thoroughly imperfect pictures just because they bring me joy. if you fancy imperfection and happy pictures as much as i do, CLICK HERE to see a gallery from our day at the Big Apple Circus. it was more of a Vaudeville Tent Show than i expected, and that made me miss my Gramps and Great-Grandparents (Vaudeville performers at the end of an era), and also made me remember how badly i have always wanted to be a performer; strange as it seems, sometimes i forget that it’s not just a job.