Kristi Wachter.com

I've been trying to reinvigorate my language skills, so I've started reviewing some of the languages I've studied, switching to a different one (Spanish, French, German, Italian) each week.

I thought music might help reinforce the vocabulary I was picking up, so I trawled the library for pop CDs in other languages. I had no idea what any of these bands would sound like; I figured I'd just check them out and give a few repeat listens to anything I enjoyed.

I grew up on top 40 radio with minimal knowledge of jazz. I've come to really enjoy a lot of jazz, but I often feel like I barely speak the language. So far, this is giving me a lot of new understanding - a lot of pathways into appreciating the music more.

I had the great pleasure of seeing and hearing Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan perform at Herbst Theatre on Thursday night.

I've been listening more and more to Pandora, the online music site that lets you define your own radio stations.

Having a few days off around the 4th has really been a treat.

Yesterday, feeling like I had a bit of spare time to spend on something I'd enjoy, I sat down to restring my acoustic guitar.

I had the great pleasure of seeing Sweeney Todd at ACT this week. It was actually my second time - I was so amazed the first time that I wanted to see it again. I'm glad I did (although I had a better view the first time).

One thing led to another this evening, and before I knew it, I was listening to the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You." This, in turn, led to a web search for info on two of the men behind the Partridge Family's music, Wes Farrell and Tony Romeo. Romeo wrote a hit for the Cowsills before writing several songs for the Partridge Family, including "Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque."

He died in 1995. I'm amazed, and a little dismayed, that I can't find more info about him on the web.