Too busy having fun!

Hey all! I'm happy to report that Brenda and I have been having a blast with her family over the last several days. The downside is that we ran out of time to write the blog entry today. We'll write the entry you deserve tomorrow. Until then, have a great night!

The family resting after a successful hike.

getting gussied up

Another week filled with opera and visitors has flown by in Santa Fe. My parents and several of their college friends joined me at Brenda's performance on Friday night. The show was a hit even though there was some serious rain, lightning, and thunder happening during the second half of the opera. I heard some people say that they liked the storm because it added drama to the performance. I'm pretty sure none of those people were sitting in the seats that were getting rained on.

I've known my parents' college friends my whole life, and they are more like aunts and uncles to me than friends of my parents. A few of them were seeing Brenda perform for the first time and, we think, even meeting Brenda for the first time. We had a great time with them and, barring an interaction they had with a very drunk local, it seems like they had a good time too.

My parents and their friends with Brenda in her dressing room after the show.

On Saturday night Brenda and I went to Santa Fe Opera's annual fundraising gala. In fact, Brenda was an honorary host along with numerous other musicians, actors, and politicians. (We had our eyes peeled for famous people, but we didn't see any.) We did have a very nice evening, though. We had dinner with some very nice opera supporters, we danced, and we even went to the after party in the presidential suite.

Brenda and I at the gala posing with our friend Adam.

My parents took off early this afternoon and headed for Taos. We're excited to get a full report on Taos because Brenda and I are considering a trip up there ourselves before the summer comes to an end. After they left we decided we should get a little activity, so we went for a hike. Shortly after returning home, Brenda's Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Ron came over for dinner. In fact, they brought all of the ingredients and made us dinner (what great guests!). They went to Brenda's opera last night with several friends and even tailgated before the performance. We had a great time catching up with them over their delicious dinner.

All of us getting ready to chow down.

Before I say goodbye for the week, I wanted to share a couple pictures of local critters Brenda and I see regularly around town. I don't know why, but there are some prairie dog homes (at least I think they're prairie dogs - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) near busy streets in at least two different places in Santa Fe. Every time we drive by one of these places, Brenda lets out one of the happiest noises I've ever heard a human being make. And I totally understand why. These are some cute prairie dogs.

Try to imagine Brenda making an incredibly high pitched squeak as you look at this prairie dog.

We see lizards regularly on our hikes and in our yard. This one posed nicely for my Dad.

Well, I should call it a night. Brenda and I are looking forward to more guests (her parents and Drew all arrive later this week - YAY!) and another performance on Saturday. I hope you all have a great week, and we'll talk to you next Tuesday!

more guests and fests

Hello all! I'm sitting here in our living room with Chad and his parents, and life is grand! Our third Traviata performance was last night, and I was delighted to have them in the audience! They'll be coming again on Friday night with a bunch of their college buddies. Apparently that's the performance that press from all over comes to, so I've told them to yell "Bravo!" loudly and often, so everyone thinks I've got lots of fans.

After our friend Dan left us last week, our next guests were our friends Barb and Michael from Frankfurt. Now, even though they're American, and we're American, this was the first time that we were actually seeing each other in America. Rather surreal! They came to the opera with Michael's family, and we enjoyed getting to know them a bit more. Other than Michael's family, we had another special guest in the audience. If there are any Downton Abbey fans out there, you'll be jealous to hear that Matthew Crawley, otherwise known as Dan Stevens in real life, came to our performance with his lovely wife, and I got to meet both of them! I stepped offstage after taking my final bows, and there he was, waiting for me in the wings, with arms open. My makeup artist told me I shouldn't ever wash my face again, since he kissed both my cheeks. I think she is rather smitten with him...

On Saturday, I had what I call "the perfect day off". It started with a lazy morning, drinking coffee on our sunny back patio, reading my book, and then Chad and I went on a beautiful and intense hike on some trails just a 15 minute drive from our house.

We climbed over 1,000 feet in one mile! Our top altitude was 9,440 feet!

The easier part was going down!

After the two hour hike, I cleaned up and went and had a hot stone massage (my first ever!). Heavenly! Then Chad picked me up and we went to a movie. Technically I'm not on vacation, but somehow, it seems like I am! 

On Sunday, after having a lovely brunch with some of the Apprentice Artists here in the opera program, Chad's parents arrived! We took it rather easy that night, opting to buy groceries and make a tasty meal at home! Since Monday was a show day for me, I stayed in and stayed quiet, but Chad and his parents went hiking on the trails that are nearest to our house. The overachievers hiked 3.7 miles! Way to make me feel like a lazy bum! Although, I suppose I made up for it during the show, since people have likened my staging to a mountain goat climbing a mountain... I'm not sure that's a compliment!

Fit and active parents! Glad that Santa Fe is giving them some nice weather!

Tim and Chad participating in the time-honored tailgating before the opera! 

In my dressing room after the show. I think Chad's regretting swearing to love me in sickness and in health...

My indefatigable in-laws and husband outdid themselves today and walked over 6 miles. However, this was all in-town mileage, as they walked from our house to the downtown area and back. Where was I, the lazy bum? Well, I got to go to the design presentation for the operas that I'll be doing here in Santa Fe next summer! I was very glad to meet the director and get an idea of what the production will be like. Should be both beautiful and humorous! I stayed on the opera campus after the presentation, because I was invited to a dinner with some of the opera donors. Honestly, the donors for the Santa Fe Opera are some of the nicest I've ever met! 

Well, that was our week! Hope yours was as fun as ours. :-) 'Til next time!

the show is up and running

Hey all! It has been an eventful week. Brenda had her first performance of La Traviata at Santa Fe Opera on Saturday, and it was a hit. I don't want to give anything away, but Brenda's character is alone on stage at the end of the opera when the lights go out. The audience then starts clapping and when the lights come back on Brenda is standing alone on stage to receive a solo bow before the rest of the cast comes out to take their bows. When the lights came up on Saturday to reveal Brenda standing by herself on the stage the audience leapt to their feet. There was an immediate standing ovation, which apparently isn't a common occurrence at Santa Fe Opera. Brenda was quite moved by the audience's reaction, and I must admit that I had to fight back a tear or two myself.

Our friend Dan arrived in New Mexico late Friday night and was able to join me at the opera on Saturday. We had a great time seeing him and wished him well as he prepares to head off to Japan for the next five months. His wife, Whitney, has been teaching English there for the past year, and Dan was able to take some time off of his studies to be with her for several months. He is obviously very excited for the trip for many reasons. We are very happy that he decided to spend a few days with us before crossing the pond.

We wanted to give Dan a little taste of what New Mexico has to offer, so yesterday we headed off to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. We ended up doing around 4 miles of hiking and were able to take in some amazing sights. Such as...

I'm assuming these are the "tent rocks" the monument is named after.

 The first part of the hike was quite flat, but the latter part involved some uphill climbing that lead to some gorgeous views.

 We did come across some interesting creatures along the way.

Dan at the peak. We made him carry the supplies - we're nice hosts.

Well, that was our week. We're looking forward to seeing our friends the McCowns tomorrow, who are also going to Brenda's performance tomorrow night and bringing quite the entourage with them. We are also very excited to see my parents when they arrive on Sunday. (We are thrilled that so many people are coming to visit us this summer!) Before I sign off, I wanted to share an article with you about Brenda's performance at Santa Fe. You can read the article here. Until next time, have a great week!

Show time!

Hey all! I'm writing to you from Brenda's dressing room at Santa Fe Opera. Brenda is having her first of two full dress rehearsals tonight. This is probably the biggest dressing room Brenda has ever had because the room is designed for about 15-20 performers. However, being a diva, Brenda demanded a dressing room all to herself, so the other female performers have to get ready somewhere else. OK, that may not be entirely true. The truth is, Brenda is the only female soloist who is not in the young artist program (young artists get ready somewhere else - probably in their cars), so she gets the dressing room to herself. Except for nights when I'm around bugging her.

 The theater as seen from the artist parking lot.

A look inside.

The first performance of La Traviata is this Saturday, although these last two rehearsals will feel like performances because there will be audiences. I believe the audience tonight will be comprised of a bunch of young people and the audience Thursday will be filled with friends of the opera company. I've got a ticket to the rehearsal on Thursday but not to the one tonight. But I'm not going to let a little thing like a ticket keep me from seeing Brenda perform. I'll just pretend to be a high school kid and hope that no one notices the gray hairs that have started appearing on my head.

Starting Friday, Brenda and I will be converting our house into a bed and breakfast, which is booked up for the next several weeks. We have loads of friends and family coming to stay with us, and we can't wait. It will be a great opportunity for us to get to know Santa Fe better as we show our guests around town.

So for the next week we'll be neck deep in opera. Personally, I can't wait for opening night on Saturday, and I'm pretty sure that Brenda shares my excitement. I'll be sure to give you a full report on the opening performance next Tuesday. Until then, have a great week!

time for the mainstage

Hey all! Another week has flown by in Santa Fe. Brenda and her fellow cast members have finished learning all of their blocking for La Traviata and have moved on to reviewing and polishing. Their first rehearsal on the main stage is tomorrow, which is where their rehearsals will likely remain until the show opens on the 20th. In addition to rehearsing, Brenda has done a couple of interviews for newspapers to create some publicity for the show.

On Independence Day, Brenda and I went to see the Santa Fe fireworks show with her British cast-mate (we encouraged him to use his American accent just in case there were any revolutionary types around). We couldn't figure out exactly when the show was supposed to begin, so we arrived shortly before sundown assuming it must start around then. We waited, and waited, and waited, until we finally saw some fireworks in the distance that appeared to be coming from the other side of a mountain. We decided that those couldn't be the fireworks we were looking for, so we waited some more. Our patience was finally rewarded, and Brenda's cast-mate was able to take a little video to send to his five year-old son back in Scotland. 

A few days ago Brenda and I decided to walk to downtown Santa Fe to explore more of our summer city. It is a pleasant twenty minute walk from our house to downtown, although it involves a little bit of off-roading. We found a lot of shops selling momentos, cowboy boots (Brenda wants a pair), and pretty much anything you could want in turquoise. We also came across several appealing restaurants, one of which we tried tonight (two thumbs up!). There is more exploring to be done, but it may have to wait until Brenda's show is up and running.

 Brenda and I enjoy spending time on our patio where we see plenty of birds (including hummingbirds), lizards and butterflies. 

Brenda snapped this picture of me on our hike last week. I haven't been able to go out for a hike this week, but I plan on getting out there in the next couple of days. 

Next Tuesday Brenda has her first orchestra dress rehearsal. Between now and then Brenda will be busy rehearsing and I'll continue to fill my time with hiking, reading, and trying to learn how to build a website using Dreamweaver. I hope you have a great week, and I'll talk to you next Tuesday!

the clouds come rolling in

Hey all! Sunny Santa Fe hasn't been quite as sunny this past week, although we really can't complain. Monsoon season has officially begun, which the locals apparently look forward to every year (this tends to be a rather dry place, after all). Last Friday, the opening night of the Santa Fe Opera season, we experienced our first rain shower since arriving. Apparently the heavy winds and rain were too much for the power lines because a large part of Santa Fe, including our house, was without power for a few hours. That meant I had to go to the opera with a couple of wrinkles in my suit and Brenda had to wear a different outfit, but we managed. The opera was The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein starring the famous mezzo-soprano Susan Graham (no relation) and Brenda's friend from Juilliard, Paul Appleby. The opera is a comedy, and it was nice to be surrounded by hysterical laughter for once instead of weeping.

 Santa Fe Opera's front gate. 

On Saturday, Brenda and I went to a dinner hosted by some opera supporters. There were a couple of really famous opera singers there, a whole lot of rich people, and us. Everyone was really nice. A couple of the opera supporters were surprised (and dare I say disappointed) to hear that I'd given up singing to go to law school. They seemed equally surprised to hear that I'm from Iowa. I think I represented Iowa well though, especially when I explained the differences between Iowa, Ohio and Idaho.

Brenda has been rehearsing from 10-5 (with an hour for lunch) on most days. The building she is rehearsing in is open on two sides, which makes for a nice breeze and allows the singers to hear the other operas being rehearsed in nearby buildings.

 The view from the building Brenda is rehearsing in.

I've gone for a couple more hikes since last week. There are maps along the way (like this one) that help me not get lost. 

 Some ominous clouds during one of my hikes.

Our next week looks like it will consist of more of the same. Brenda wants to find a fireworks show to celebrate the 4th of July (by the way, Happy Independence Day!) and we may go see The Marriage of Figaro on Friday. I hope you all have a wonderful week, and we'll talk to you next Tuesday!