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January 2007Clarence’s World During 2006 From Clarence: Thank you for your well wishes over the festive season. Watching the fireworks on TV during the last few minutes of 2006, I paused to think with gratitude over the previous twelve months, and an excitement knowing I cannot predict my year ahead.
It was tiring but really rewarding, especially with a London nomination for a new instrumental award. (I came second) During 2006 I wasn’t able to get away as usual for my intense physio weeks due to my specialist Gloucester physios being lured suddenly to America. Daily workouts continued as normal which did help to keep me fit and healthy resulting in some new strange sensation occasionally being felt to parts of my left knee. Work has been done to my house giving me electronic automatic doors (again). This means I don’t have to wait patiently in front of every door and shout for the carer. The odd door needs some tweaking much to the amusement of some of my less frequent visitors. This year I became independent at work, (to a degree) with my computer work station being duplicated in my shared office. I can now take my laptop to work and use disabled facilities in the office to prepare projects, make phone calls and send emails etc. I have had the chance to enjoy a significant increase of directing, coaching ensembles, youth orchestras and amateur orchestras over the past twelve months. The BBC young musician of the year semi-final and finals were broadcasted from my work, allowing me easy access to hear these amazing young people as well as an opportunity to adjudicate an earlier round of the competition again. Meanwhile the The Clarence Adoo Trust still amazingly continues from strength to strength. Life doesn’t go smoothly every dayWhilst charging around in my wheelchair a leg rest broke. So as not to miss any appointments that day, I spent the day uncomfortably cross legged. Another busy day led to repairs being made to my chair whilst still sitting in meetings. One of the more amusing events of recent weeks was getting stuck in the bath. My reliable ceiling track hoist of seven years decided it needed a rest. In such situations one is suppose to call on the fire brigade but my amazing carers hauled me out in a sling similarly like a fishing net being retrieved from the ocean (some may use other analogies). Recently I’ve held three 8.15am breakfast meetings in my bedroom whilst waiting the regular nursing visit or been on my telephone headset whilst getting washed and dressed. Sometimes I wonder if my schedules are a little ambitious. Everyday jobs seem often to take an age. The stimulation and adrenaline I get from working hard keeps me motivated and continues my hungry zest for life. I’m not sure what the alternative is. Have a Peaceful, Happy and Blessed 2007
Yours,
Clarence
February 2007Date for Portugal The fame of Clarence's new performing group, Headspace Ensemble (www.headspaceensemble.co.uk), is spreading and Clarence has announced that they are to perform in Portugal over Easter. The gig will be in Portugal's second city, Porto in the north. At the time of writing there were no details, but when they are known, they will be posted on our events page.
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February last year was the first English performance of my Headspace computerised instrument (
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