don't tell anyone, but as of this moment, around 8 pm on 12/30, THE CHICKS ARE WINNING!![/b]

Not by much, I agree, But I think we're going to end this year with a BANG and not a wimper.

Kathleen

Wow, someone's been working. I knew the Chicks were just busy with gift buying, wrapping, card-writing, baking and merry-making and would be back to practicing/logging before the end of the year!

Nancy

Pssst, Kathleen... Nancy... Monica


over here...


I just signed up for us chicks -- my usual "Nevue" marathon will be even longer now since I ordered nine more songs 2 nights ago -- hee hee.

AND

take a look at my Christmas gift to myself: my secret weapon [/b].

Daria

Hey, Daria, that looks great. My hands might finally be warm with that!

A little competition has pushed me to practice more than I might have otherwise, so it's a good thing.

Nine more songs? How do you decide where to start? I guess that's where the marathon comes in!

Nancy

Thanks to all.

I want to put some pieces into the time capsule, so I've been practicing like a "mad scientist" try to get them ready. Of course, I forgot to enter the last few days on the practice log. Today, I play to spend as many hours as it takes, giving it the last "college try." :rolleyes:

Daria: Let us know if your gift helps warms your hands enough so that you can stretch your fingers to cover some of those impossible chords. And thanks for coming aboard. We're happy to have you.

Normally, we (Chicks) are not competitive by nature, but the Dudes really make a big deal about who is winning, so we have decided to give them a run for their money. (Boy, do I use the cliches).

As always...this should be our mantra "So much music, so little time."

Kathleen

Hi Nancy (my rockin' buddy),
I actually ordered it to help deal with my Osteoarthritis of the Hands . When it finally arrives I plan to use it after my long evening walk with my Sheltie. She LOVES cold weather and her poor Mama has to remove her warm gloves to "properly" use "the bag." -- Sometimes my darling Pansy delights me twice! :p I've been soothing my stiff joints in a Dead Sea Salts warm water soak each night before I can even play. I started taking GNC Triflex about six years ago when I couldn't even make a fist -- 'though it doesn't work for everybody it's certainly been a life, er, HAND saver for me!
My "Nevue marathon" just keeps growing -- it was 12 and last night I printed out 3 more of the 9 new songs and started on 2 "new" ones! Now I am sleep-deprived -- but, you know how it is, once you start playing you just can't stop!!

Daria

Go, chicks!

I need to enter my times for the past couple of days.

Daria, do you have any piece in particular of the 9 you downloaded to work on? Now that I'm putting "God rest ye merry gentlemen" away for the year (never did get that one as polished as I would've liked ), I'm ready to start a new Nevue piece.

Hi Kathleen,
Last night, after posting here, I went downstairs to let Pansy out for her "tinkle." I then started "putting my piano to bed" but stopped, lifted the fallboard back up and played until I heard Pansy softly whimpering, "Mama, PLEASE take me up to bed." When I ran to the kitchen to look at the clock I'd realized THIS:
The "chicks" just got 140 "bonus" minutes!![/b]

So true!! But the BEST "quote" I've picked up on the AB forum is one that I keep repeating OVER and OVER to myself when I get carried away as I play and then have to stop, curse and thump my head:

It's Frycek's signature:

Slow down and do it right. [/b]

Daria

I'm with you on that one, Daria. I now say that to myself whenever I'm impatient and tempted to give a tough passage a lick and a promise. It really does make me think, "If I'm not going to do this right, why practice at all?" Maybe I should even post it on the piano itself.

Nancy

That's the most difficult thing for me...slowing down. I want to play it at tempo immediately. And, of course, fall on my face and get consumed with hopelessness. Wow...am I a sorry case.

But I do everything fast; it seems to be my nature.

But playing the piano has taught me a good lesson (after 67 years). "Slow and steady wins the race." Really ssssssslllllloooooooowwwwwww!

So sorry to learn about your hands, Daria. Did your condition result from too much time at the keyboard (if you don't mind my asking)? The same thing happened to me with our dog. I let her out in freezing weather and forgot about her for an hour. I thought, for sure, I'd had a dogsicle. But she didn't seem to mind; she has a lot of fur. So now I set the timer.

Kathleen

I've just entered my practice times. Happy New Year 2007 to all of you- chicks esp

Irina

Well, unless the dudes clock in a lot more time in the next few hours, we've got this one locked up! Good work, ladies!

Thanks for reminding me!

Happy New Year!

I wasn't able to see the final total for 2006, but I have a feeling that the Chicks reigned supreme!

I have to congratulate you all...with all the other responsibilities you have. Work, home, children, husband (not necessarily in that order). You all deserve a medal, in my opinion.

Kathleen

So what was the final result? I admit that I did (actually "committed") a little playing in an alcohol induced haze at around 11 or so but I wouldn't call it "practice" by any means

Can't see the result of Dec 2006 now. But as of around 12:15 am this morning (Jan 1, 2007), the dudes won with 26,645 something minutes and the chicks had 25,835 something minutes. I practiced to 11:50 pm last night and got my 275 min in for the day and the dudes.

*expletive deleted*

er, I mean, congratulations, dudes!

Jeez, LisztAddict--275 minutes? Is there any chance you'd consider an operation so we could get you on our team?

Grrrr....mumble...Con..grat..u...la...tions...dudes....

On the bright side, I must admit I practiced a good bit more during the busy holidays than I would have if not trying to down the dudes, so I feel a little like a winner despite our final total. Nice work, everyone!

Nancy

Dudes surged ahead about 500 min. at 11:10 PM when I brought my log upto date for the month (thanks Chicks! would have forgotten othewise

We are the champions my friendssss
and we'll keep on fighting till the end!!!


Matt

In my case, osteoarthritis is a "gift" from my mother and definitely NOT from any time on a keyboard! My goal is to be proactive and do everything I can still do to avoid the prescription drugs. I'd even heard that drinking emu juice would help!


Kathleen, Can we still post practice minutes for Dec. 2006 on the practice log?

Daria

Daria[/b]

Sorry to hear about your hands. I once suffered from repetitetive strees injuries on my hands several years ago when I was working computers heavy duty at one of my jobs at a hospital. Here's my advice:
Parrafin Wax Machine .........use on your hands
Dead Sea Salt products........good to use on hands
Eat one banana a day (potassium and B vitamins good for hands)
Eat one can of water packed tuna a week (Fish oils)
Drink alot of water
Eat one container of yogurt a day (calcium)
Walk 30 minutes a day and keep your arms straight , swinging them slightly
Light a candle and listen to soft music , close your eyes and lay flat on the floor for 15 minutes.
Get plenty of rest.
Hope this helps

Daria: I'm sorry to learn of your condition. I hope the hot wax bath helps some. I have the same problem...only in my back (4 surgeries and still counting.)

Sorry to say, we can't get back into 2006. But do sign up for 2007.

Petrof: Your advice sounds so good...for everyone.

Kathleen