Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.

cazmanian_minx

AlexLK wrote: »

I don't know anything about flutes, I'm afraid but I hope you continue to enjoy it and perhaps start playing it a little more.

Were you a professional at some point?

Thank you, one day maybe

I wasn't a professional, no - I would have loved to have been, but I loved performing more than I loved practicing and my Dad was dead set against me going to music college. He wanted me to read maths at Cambridge, I wanted to go to the Royal Academy. We compromised on me studying music at university (not Cambridge - I didn't *deliberately* sabotage the interview, but I didn't try that hard either...) and studying at summer schools with people like William Bennett and Trevor Wye in the holidays. Let's say 'talented amateur' In my second year at uni, I went for a private assessment lesson with Trevor, who is not known for mincing his words, to have my chances of getting a post-grad conservatoire place assessed. His opinion was that I was good enough (proudest moment of my life up to that point, I think!), but I would have to essentially stop doing any work towards the non-performance part of my degree and concentrate solely on practicing and the thought of eight or nine hours a day of scales, studies, tone exercises and orchestral excerpt practice just killed the dream for me really.

AlexLK

cazmanian_minx wrote: »

Thank you, one day maybe

I wasn't a professional, no - I would have loved to have been, but I loved performing more than I loved practicing and my Dad was dead set against me going to music college. He wanted me to read maths at Cambridge, I wanted to go to the Royal Academy. We compromised on me studying music at university (not Cambridge - I didn't *deliberately* sabotage the interview, but I didn't try that hard either...) and studying at summer schools with people like William Bennett and Trevor Wye in the holidays. Let's say 'talented amateur' In my second year at uni, I went for a private assessment lesson with Trevor, who is not known for mincing his words, to have my chances of getting a post-grad conservatoire place assessed. His opinion was that I was good enough (proudest moment of my life up to that point, I think!), but I would have to essentially stop doing any work towards the non-performance part of my degree and concentrate solely on practicing and the thought of eight or nine hours a day of scales, studies, tone exercises and orchestral excerpt practice just killed the dream for me really.

:rotfl: You and me both with regard to enjoying performing more than practising. However, I was always more interested in the academic side and in many ways regret not doing Classics instead.

I too was rejected by Cambridge and remember the interview being the most nerve wracking thing I'd ever experienced at that point because I REALLY wanted to get in.

LondonGal

I loved practising and did the 8 or 9 hours a day. I decided not to perform as I simply got too nervous. Having been forced to do it from a young age I think others assumed I didn't get nerves, but although I don't think I ever gave a really bad performance, I very rarely enjoyed one either, even if the audience did.

I now play more piano and organ for the local Church when they have a wedding or something important. I did 9 years as a Church organist with three services every Sunday in addition to a full time job, so declined the offer when it was made after moving. Funny thing - I'm not a keyboard player really.

Nice to see other musicians on here. :beer:

somyagilberts

Good luck to both of you.It really nice you start together and hopefully you will get good result.

AlexLK

Well, after a great day yesterday (for me), I'm really on edge today for no reason whatsoever, at the forefront of my mind is whether or not I will ever manage to get and stay financially solvent. I know I could earn quite a bit more from the business if only I could cope with it on a day to day basis. However, that has been an impossible task for a number of years now. "Catch 22" and I feel as if I'm failing my wife and son.

bess1234_2

Well stop thinking then:rotfl:

Go do something useful instead. Ideally physical so you can unwind your muscles .

AlexLK

bess: Thanks.

Not had a very good couple of days, today I'm mostly regretting spending far, far too much money yesterday meaning that technically I owe my business in the region of £4,500. However, I really cannot face that so am calling it a "bonus" . Really need to get myself back on track somehow.

heartbreak_star

That's a hell of a spree, Alex! Did you buy another car??

HBS x

AlexLK

HBS: No. Fortunately, what I have bought is worth more than what I paid. However, I know I'm losing control over this whole idea of living within my means. I have today realised how we manage to find ourselves in debt, it's not everyday "stuff", more buying things on a "whim".

maman

AlexLK wrote: »

HBS: No. Fortunately, what I have bought is worth more than what I paid. However, I know I'm losing control over this whole idea of living within my means. I have today realised how we manage to find ourselves in debt, it's not everyday "stuff", more buying things on a "whim".

So is this something to do up/sell on or just a gift to yourself?