On a roll

I am almost hesitant to post this, seeing as I fear "la voce" will turn on me in coming weeks, but what the heck...
This week, I am on a roll. I have been good about the yoga, the walking/running AND the hermit life of not going out just to preserve the instrument. Needless to say, I am learning.

Here was my week: working like a dog, as is the norm in the wine business for the week before Thanksgiving. (which means a lot of talking)
-Voice lesson on Tuesday.
-Audition for KT on Weds for solo oratorio consideration (which was 4 arias worth - and I wondered why I was SO exhausted on Weds night).
-Drive to Annapolis, MD on Friday for a Saturday audition in Baltimore.
-Sing a killer audition on Saturday.
-Drive 4 hrs back to see RG at Avery Fisher in his big time solo debut (and out for a couple drinks).
-Church on Sunday with unexpected solos (and a lot of straight tone).
-Sing-thru of Le Nozze with SM and an amazing cast of singers!
-Ugh!

Here is my point: through it all, I remembered to breathe, to go home when my voice felt tired, and to pace myself. Although by the end of the read-thru I was tired, I hope that it wasn't noticeable. I came home feeling vocally taxed, but not to the point of exhaustion and collapsing. I do believe I'm finally learning something, for goodness' sake!
On another note, the audition in Baltimore was, in my feeling, the best I've ever done to date. I felt in the moment, breathing, connecting and relaxed enough to be myself (and not my nervous self). I would love it if I connected enough to garner a role, but if I don't, I know what I am capable of and I am content with that for now. I gave them a darn good performance. Days like this remind me that it is OK to be coming back to this life, to be starting again, to want to be making a living at this thing that I so love.
And if nothing else reminds me of this, singing pieces (like I did today) such as the final ensemble from Le Nozze di Figaro will: Contessa, perdono...Piu docile io sono, e dico di si...Ah tutti contenti saremo cosi...
It takes everything I have to not to get choked up while singing this sublime piece of Mozart's masterpiece. And this is why I do it.