summer has officially begun...

it's summer for me when i go out to that first Mann Music Center concert. tonight was the opening night for the summer season for the orchestra, and they had Yo-Yo Ma. it was the most beautiful night for an outdoor concert, and of course, the music didn't disappoint either.

in the spirit of doing my part to save the planet (or just save a trip to the gas pump), i rode the bus. it was probably the most non-urban-dweller filled city bus i've been on...especially one that is headed out to west philly; i felt like i was on a school trip.

to speak or not to speak...

i've been very bad at following the directions for my vocal rehab....it's just very hard to keep track of when i speak and when i don't. this week at the office has been challenging, and i've not done what i needed to to. and today and tomorrow i'm in all day training meetings, and since i'm not allowed to whisper, it's hard to even talk to myself every 10 minutes if i wanted to...however, the meetings are with mental health workers, so maybe my outbursts won't faze them?

perhaps i should actually take more time off from work to do this thing right. i'm sure my speech txist will be very disappointed come next week.

talking to myself...

so i'm being taken off complete voice rest, and eased back into the world of sound. "ease" is the key word here, as i'm only allowed 5-6 minutes of voice use per hour. not just any way i would like to use those precious minutes, but i must use 1 minute every 10 minutes. so if you hear me talking to myself periodically, you'll know why.

according to the post-op voice use instructions:
"...you may want to keep a stopwatch handy to track how long you are speaking."

not only will i need to carry around a notebook to write with, i have to add a stopwatch as well. people will not only think i'm "special", but also crazy as well. great.

dietary restrictions (good friends, part II)....

according to the doctor, i'm not to have any tomato based foods, no fried foods, no cheese or dairy products, nothing spicy or acidic, and to avoid caffeinated products....

so i'm eating:
thanks to christina.

good friends...

recovering from surgery...i've been getting well-wishes.

I knew you wouldn't be able to talk or whisper, but not even mouthing words?!? I want you wear a chalk slate around your neck like the mute did in the good old days. I bet you could even do some panhandling for extra cash!!

did i mention i'm not allowed to laugh?

family cruise...

some pictures from the family vacation for mom's 60th bday: