First, I have allowed other more urgent (but not necessarily more important) things take up my time. In the last week of January I started teaching again after a lovely eight-month sabbatical, and I am afraid I had forgotten how difficult it is to balance work and creative life outside of work (as well other important aspects of life, like self-care and quality time with loved ones!). At any rate, I put the blog aside, and I also have not lived up to my goal for Challenge no. 2, that is engaging one of my creative projects every day. I am not happy with myself for this.
Second, I received some constructive criticism on a composition I had written (details need not be disclosed) that I was not anticipating receiving, and ultimately it upset me more than I should have let it. For a moment, receiving this unanticipated feedback closed me up, and I didn't want to engage my projects. I have since gotten over it, for criticism (whether solicited or not, whether welcome or not) is part of life and part of sharing one's creative work. So I am going to continue to post, after these several weeks of self-reflection and in spite of not living up to my goals associated with Challenge no. 2.
Creative barriers aside, in the time since my last post, I managed to write two more songs as a means of therapy trying to cope with stresses of my academic life. I don't have recordings of them (yet), but they may be making a cameo at some point.
And a quick thank you to my friend and former student, Alex M., for urging me to post movements three and four of Vestiges. It is nice to know you are listening, and that you want to hear more. Thanks also to my Aunt Lynn, who is a constant inspiration.
Without further ado, movement 3 of Vestiges:
This is my favorite of all four movements.
