A Good Night

It was a good night last night. My girl did her homework on her own while I recorded. Did she do it right? Maybe I was a Bad Mom for the evening, because I only helped her when she needed help - the rest I told her to check over herself.  I'm usually more thorough than that, but maybe it's time for her to take more responsibility. Maybe she'll actually do better in the long run if I let her fail a few things. I mean, she gets mediocre grades as it is, but now we're offering Prizes! and Incentives! instead of taking things away (though she has NO VIDEO GAMES until she pulls the nose of the plane up!) But still, she had a huge science test on Thursday and if she gets an A, she gets 2 weeks of her Wii back AND a brand new game. Maybe it's pessimistic, but we don't expect to see an A - however, I will be way more than happy to fulfill her Wii prizes if she does. In fact, I'm really hoping that she brings an A home. No idea when it will be graded as it was a big test - but I'm trying to cross my fingers and eyes that it will happen. If she gets a B, she gets a day of the Wii back. And I'd be really proud of a B, but we want her to shoot for the stars. Because she has it in her.

Meanwhile, back in the studio...

I have 2 projects to work on with little direction. Good and bad. Both are tracks basically without horns. Both with no sketches, charts or ideas. I worked on one last night and have to try and complete it tonight. I'm excited about that one because it's a new artist that is super kick-ass, and I'm feeling like family already.

The other? An old friend asked if I would do it for his brother. This friend was my intern many, many years ago in a studio - he has since done well for himself as a composer. We haven't always seen eye to eye, but obviously we respect each other's work. So when I called him to ask for a tiny bit of direction, I found out that his brother wrote a bunch of tunes 10 years ago, was diagnosed with cancer (lymphoma) and HIV, and was told he would die. He went through hell and back, and survived, so now he wants to record all of this music. Now I have to do it! Holy shit. And I complain about MY cancer? Shoo.

On the burn victim status: I have peeled an entire layer of dead skin, well, most of it. It looks pink and disgusting. But I can move more easily because the tightness of that blackened skin is gone. I had some stinging in the shower this morning, but nothing I couldn't handle with a bunch of four letter words under my breath.  I know, it is supposed to be SINGING in the shower, but I didn't want to wake up hubby or girlie (I get up super early, get ready , practice a bit and THEN get her up! Yes, it's a very early morning for me, daily).

First day back in the gym since I don't know when. My pit hurts so much when I sweat, plus the whole unable to move and exhausted from the freaking radiation... well, today I worked my legs and did cardio for about 30 minutes. No real sweating so I made it. It's weird. I have to wear sleeves to cover the nastiness. I don't get to lift or push heavy things with my arms. I'm a girl. Jesus, has it come to this???

But I did it.

Now I'm home, having an iced coffee and a rice cake with fig honey (try it - trust me!), trying to rev up for more recording. I really want to get cozy, make popcorn, and watch a movie with a nice glass of Schmailey's. If I happen to finish this tune, I will.

I haven't seen my adorable hubby now for 3 days - except this afternoon for a few minutes. He's out again - working a LOT this week - and will be home around 1 or 2 am. I'm going to try and stay awake, but I've been so "Radiantly Exhausted" that I've actually fallen into a decent sleep pattern - with the help of sleep aids. But I need them for now. I've been switching between things, and am doing well again on the melatonin, though last night I took Advil PM because the skin is torturing me as it's peeling and healing. Suck ass, no?

Ok, a few more sips of iced coffee and I really need to motivate. I need a prize, like a new Wii game or some shit. It worked to motivate my girl to study.  What should I reward myself with? It's harder as an adult, especially with your own biz, your own hours, your own rules.  I just hate cramming for the test and I want time to fix things or change things. Prize... (besides the whole popcorn and Schmailey's thing...) any ideas? Anyone? All I can think of is shit like cleaning my own home, or organizing my taxes (a disaster for all of my readers who are freelancers!)  But that's not a prize, it's more work. Hmmm... can't get a massage or a manicure. I picked up some new clothes recently for the burn issue (owchies) and really don't need more - I'm actually afraid that my size will change. I realized I can't buy any swimsuits, or pants, stuff that might or will change in 6 months. And I've gone a bit shoe crazy this year - in fact I need to let some go.

Really, the prize I want is for someone to tell me that I shouldn't take the Tamoxifen. That I need nothing else other than what I'm doing. Even if I'm told to stop drinking alcohol and coffee, even if I have to go vegetarian (maybe one steak a month? Please?) Anything to stay away from chronic medication.

Here goes... last sips... have a great weekend!