I am not one but I would LOVE to do it..now that I am not working I TOTALLY have been thinking about it. I miss performing!!!!! Ps. My husbands family lives in Brookhaven MS.... Alisa 318/270/??

I'm an oboist/Eng horn in Tallahassee FL and I play in the community orchestra, wind ensemble and a woodwind quintet. I am hoping that losing about 150 lbs will allow me to play and not become so fatigued. It's not just getting winded or tired. It's more like hitting the wall. I'm just starting the process, 3-1/2 weeks post-op with the adjustable band. Of course, the visual thing gets me too. I just won't audition for anything, or apply for better jobs. Playing is almost the only thing that really gets me out of a depressive funk. Being heavy is almost expected in opera. I wonder why?

there was always music playing when i was growing up and as far as i can remember the first time i ever performed in front of a audience was when i was about 6 yrs old. it was the day before our summer break began and the kids brought in records. and i was a huge elvis presley fan then so i got up and started doing the bop ; ) and did a bit of singing and the whole school were just knocked out!! because i was always very shy and introverted. but when i heard elvis's records playing i just got up and did my thing and everyone cheered and clapped and i was the star from that day onwards!! people kept saying do the bop trev!!! it was fun!! i still admire what elvis did but now im more into playing drums. i love rock drums, big band jazz drumming, whatever, if i can feel it, ill beat out a ryhthm!! still got some weight to lose but im trying not to let it get me down. but lately i find walking even just to the shops does my waist in. i get a really bad pain in my waist and every step i take is very painful. i wear jeans now cause its the only pair i got that will fit my waist and thighs and i can see the crotch starting to turn a white or grayish colour which means very soon the crotch will tear, just like my trousers did recently. and the problem is i am unemployed after loosing my job back in april and im living on benefit till i can find a new job and the benefit i get on welfare is very little i can hardly survive on it for 2 days let alone 2 weeks. so when these jeans go i dont know what im gonna do? i notice nearly all my jeans or trousers tear in the same way and same place all the time. i dont know if its because i sweat alot in my crotch area or is it just one of those things? either way its very frustrating and expensive. is there a brand of mens trousers which is guranteed to to tear at the crotch and ass? sorry for being so straight talking but qusetions have got to be asked ; ) thanks trevor

Hi Sue Zq, Welcome to our sadly neglected music board. Yes, it would be fun to get everyone together here - but you neglected to say WHEN that would be. Also - tell us about yourself - what kind of musician are you? Set a time and I'll try to be there. I'm a night owl so late evening is best - but our performing musicians may be busy then. Thanks for trying to pull us together - a difficult job at best. Good luck! Gail violin teacher from Wisconsin

that's strange - I don't know why...I'll add your address to my addressbook - that will keep it from bouncing. In the meantime, e-mail me here at work (I sent you my work e-mail address)... O.k., I'll call the record store and tell them to hold it for me til this weekend. Donna