Random January stuff

I've been too busy with the start of the semester to keep up much here, so here's a quick "drive by" on what I'm up to besides teaching:* Practicing the soprano solos in Mozart's Vespers, which I am singing at Christ Church Cathedral on January 28. For those of you in Indy, it's at 7:30 and free! Does anybody want to buy me a third lung so I can get through the long phrases in the Laudate Dominum like Emma Kirkby does in this recording?* Getting back into exercise. Yes, I've been walk/jogging at the gym a few times, weight machines once, and today I took Laverne's evil Pilates class. I hope I can walk tomorrow. Now, the key is to keep all of this up regularly. If I can keep up with the aerobic things, maybe I won't need that third lung after all.* Reading books: The Margarets by Sheri Tepper, which I enjoyed immensely. She's one of my favorite writers for "idea books" but her writing can be uneven and sometimes the message becomes more important than the story. I've got a few plot quibbles with this book, but it's brilliant, thought-provoking, and fun. I can't ask for much more than that. Also, Maledicte by Lane Robins and Bitterwood by James Maxey, both of whom are fellow Odyssey graduates. Maledicte was a provocative dark fantasy with odd glimpses of light that kept me reading on, and a skillful ending. I'm not done with Bitterwood yet, but he packs in some really interesting things that I'm afraid to say too much more about without getting spoilerish.* Writing: well, in theory I'm editing the novel but in practice I haven't gotten much done this month except letting ideas stew in the leaf mold.* Shopping: I'm so tired of the cold I'm hankering to buy a bright, fun spring outfit. I'm not usually much one for polka dots but I'm currently drooling over the skirt and top on the right. Is it me?* Cooking: I'm determined to make Sopa di Lima after having it in Mexico - a delicious soup with lime, chicken, etc. I'm going to try this recipe.