Okay, I admit it!  My BRAIN is FULL!

I seem to have packed in as much information and pulled out as many ideas as I can for now.  I’m getting signals that the old noggin is filled to the brim.  It’s time to vacate!

For the past 4 months I have written 10 new compositions and arrangements, rewritten a few others, jotted down pages of  notes of drill and visual ideas, planned many flags, created color designs, assisted in costume planning, and consulted for hours on show ideas.  I love doing this, but I am presently tapped out.

At the same time I’ve had the great thrill of helping to launch a new podcast about the marching arts, (The Marching Roundtable), spending countless hours writing emails, discussing podcast guest possibilities, recording podcasts, writing scripts, creating a Facebook page, assisting with the new website….and enjoying every second of it.

I’ve also spent countless hours in the gym moving iron, pumping up, feeling great, hurting, rolling my eyes at bad form, laughing at the witty comments by my great workout partner, and feeling wonderful as my body improves and I work toward my goals.  But my body is tired!

So it’s time to vacate.  There is great healing power in taking time AWAY from activities, no matter how much you love them, and allowing your head and heart to clear.  In other words, it’s vacation time!

Nothing is more rejuvenating and healing than to travel with someone you love to a beautiful exotic place and soak it UP!  Slowing down, meandering, marveling at the history, gaping at the architecture, staring in awe at the art, swooning over the food, relaxing by the Seine!  Yes, we’re going to experience “April in Paris!”

A trip to Paris, and then Venice, is sure to clear my head, rest my soul, and bring mountains of inspiration.   It’s great to work hard doing things you love, but it’s also good to change the scenery and take time off.  The music, the podcast, and the gym will all be there when I return, but I feel confident that I will be inspired and full of ideas to carry me through the rest of the year and beyond.

And hey, maybe we’ll see our favorite gondolier!!!! (see picture)

Bon voyage!