In 2002, I came down with the worse case of Influenza I have ever had! Up to that point, most of my illnesses were kidney, bladder, and/or Urinary Tract related. I was miserable!
I went to my voice lesson with Dr. B. I wouldn't have gone, but my friend Joey was coming to work on a duet with me. We started singing, and waves of nausea started flooding over me! She looked at me and said, "You're green! What's wrong?!"
I looked at her and said, "I'm sick! I need to go home!"
She stated something about, yes, go home. She didn't want to get sick, or something like that. This was the week the choir was going on a tour. I walked into Dr. Z's office, which he had a student in there, but I didn't even care. I looked at him and said, "I'm sick. I'm going home. I'm not coming to choir rehearsal today!"
He looked at me and said, "Umm, ok." I walked out and went home.
Around this same time, the Broadway musical "Rent," one of my favorite shows of all time, was in town. I had already bought a ticket to go. My friend R. and I had already decided we were going to Applebee's for dinner. We went to Applebee's. All I ordered was tortilla chips with ranch and a Sprite. I could barely stomach them, but I still ate. After dinner, we headed over to Tilson Auditorium.
We get in our seats, and it turned out, a bunch of our friends and fellow music students were sitting around us. We all had the cheap seats! The guy in front of us, M. had brought a date. I recognized her, but didn't know her very well.
Here's the thing, it was like she had dumped a whole bottle of patchouli oil on herself. We sat down, and were waiting for the show to start. All the sudden, the patchouli smell got to me! I ran to the restroom! It wasn't fast enough! Those red and white tortilla chips where coming up now! And of course, there's a line in the ladies restroom! Finally, someone leaves, and as I open the door, the vomit hits the wall of the stall. It was disgusting! As I'm puking, I can hear the opening notes of the show starting. That would be the SECOND time I've missed the opening of that show!
I cleaned myself up and the wall of the stall, and headed back into the theater. From that day on, the smell of Patchouli makes my stomach churn! I had a co-worker that used to wear it. As soon as I walked in the door for work, it didn't matter if she was in the room or not, I could smell it! I told her the vomiting story more than once, to try to get it through to her, but she still wore that scent every once in a while.
What brought on this memory is, a customer came in wearing a perfume that smelled like it. Now, this is an older customer. She's not someone I would have thought would wear that smell, but she did.
And now, I have to go think about something else, as to not make myself sick.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
My Greatest Anxiety
I had a dream this morning. It went like this.
I showed up for a wedding, and when I got there, I found out I was supposed to be singing a song for this wedding. Well, the accompanist shows up, and here I am sight reading the music, and freaking out! At the same time, I'm supposed to be meeting with the seamstress for the alterations on my dress.
This created some anxiety ridden sleep for me!
I had a dream a month or two ago.
I was at Showchoir Camps of America and performing in the teacher show. I knew the music they were singing, but I didn't know the choreography. I was standing with all the people dancing, yet, I was not moving!
It was pretty awful!
I have dreams like these every once in a while. I know my greatest stage freight inducing fear is, not knowing something on stage, and panicking.
I'll have to contemplate this and remedy it somehow!
I showed up for a wedding, and when I got there, I found out I was supposed to be singing a song for this wedding. Well, the accompanist shows up, and here I am sight reading the music, and freaking out! At the same time, I'm supposed to be meeting with the seamstress for the alterations on my dress.
This created some anxiety ridden sleep for me!
I had a dream a month or two ago.
I was at Showchoir Camps of America and performing in the teacher show. I knew the music they were singing, but I didn't know the choreography. I was standing with all the people dancing, yet, I was not moving!
It was pretty awful!
I have dreams like these every once in a while. I know my greatest stage freight inducing fear is, not knowing something on stage, and panicking.
I'll have to contemplate this and remedy it somehow!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Pop Divas: An Obsession from a Young Age
I've been obsessed with Pop Divas ever since a I was a little girl. I wanted to be one. I would buy their cassette tapes and learn every note, swoop, and run they would sing! I wanted to be one! Now, I'm a classically trained singer.
One of my biggest heart breaks was being told by my college voice professor, I was never going to be one. Also, she pointed out, she was NEVER going to train me in that style. See, one of my fellow college students had ratted me out to her, telling her I wanted to be a pop diva. (And whoever that was, jeese, thanks!) So, I remember we had a whole voice lesson where, I was lectured that it wasn't going to happen!
Now, that I'm older, I see, I probably should have found the money for an actual vocal coach. One that would have actually, trained me how to sing and belt properly. But I didn't.
So, I've been training myself.
One of my biggest heart breaks was being told by my college voice professor, I was never going to be one. Also, she pointed out, she was NEVER going to train me in that style. See, one of my fellow college students had ratted me out to her, telling her I wanted to be a pop diva. (And whoever that was, jeese, thanks!) So, I remember we had a whole voice lesson where, I was lectured that it wasn't going to happen!
Now, that I'm older, I see, I probably should have found the money for an actual vocal coach. One that would have actually, trained me how to sing and belt properly. But I didn't.
So, I've been training myself.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
9/11/01: Where was I?
I, of all people, woke up early. I had nowhere to be. I turned on the Television. I soon realized, something terrible was happening. There was smoke billowing out of one building, and the news anchors were describing that a plane had hit the building. I sat there watching the events unfold. At some point, my roommate Justin came in and said, he was going to class. I told him what had happened, and he just looked at me like I was overreacting, said, "OK," and left. About that time, the second plane hit the second tower, and every second of it was shown on television! I sat there as long as I could, watching things unfold. This is when, the news anchors started announcing, the United States is under attack! Reports started coming in of other planes that were having issues. Then, all flights were grounded.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the music department had blocked at time for convocations and recitals at 11:00am. I walked into the recital hall that day just a little before 11am. It was really quiet. No one was talking. Finally, Dr. Todd Sullivan came out and stated something. I don't really remember what he was trying to say, because I was in my own head at the time. I'm sure all of my fellow students were, also. His statement was something about staying calm. We were all going to be just fine. It all seems so trite now. I have no clue what the recital was that day. I know I sat through it. It may have even been a vocal recital, now that I think about it.
Afterward, the men of Phi Mu Alpha were having one of their cookout fundraisers out in the back of the Center for Performing and Fine Arts, the CPFA. We all went out back to eat, and finally started talking to each other. Some people were scared. Some people were angry. Most of us were just confused. Why? Why would someone do this? Why would they attack buildings in New York City? Why the Pentagon? Why kill so many innocent people? The questions just go on and on.
I'll be honest. Seeing all of these people saying, "NEVER FORGET!" really annoys me. This is why. How could I ever forget? All of us that were alive on that day, and over the age of 5, will always remember. We will never forget the friends, the family, the coworkers, the firefighters, the EMT's, all of those people that died.
Then, there was the war that came from it. All of the men and women that have died to fight for our freedom. The freedoms to be religious or not. The freedoms to love who we want to love. The freedoms to vote how we want to vote.
How would I ever forget?
The problem is not forgetting. It's teaching the next generation about that day. As soon as the generations that were alive die out, then, the forgetting begins. Teach the children about freedom. Teach the children love.
It shouldn't be, "NEVER FORGET!!!"
It should be, "Teach the children!"
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the music department had blocked at time for convocations and recitals at 11:00am. I walked into the recital hall that day just a little before 11am. It was really quiet. No one was talking. Finally, Dr. Todd Sullivan came out and stated something. I don't really remember what he was trying to say, because I was in my own head at the time. I'm sure all of my fellow students were, also. His statement was something about staying calm. We were all going to be just fine. It all seems so trite now. I have no clue what the recital was that day. I know I sat through it. It may have even been a vocal recital, now that I think about it.
Afterward, the men of Phi Mu Alpha were having one of their cookout fundraisers out in the back of the Center for Performing and Fine Arts, the CPFA. We all went out back to eat, and finally started talking to each other. Some people were scared. Some people were angry. Most of us were just confused. Why? Why would someone do this? Why would they attack buildings in New York City? Why the Pentagon? Why kill so many innocent people? The questions just go on and on.
I'll be honest. Seeing all of these people saying, "NEVER FORGET!" really annoys me. This is why. How could I ever forget? All of us that were alive on that day, and over the age of 5, will always remember. We will never forget the friends, the family, the coworkers, the firefighters, the EMT's, all of those people that died.
Then, there was the war that came from it. All of the men and women that have died to fight for our freedom. The freedoms to be religious or not. The freedoms to love who we want to love. The freedoms to vote how we want to vote.
How would I ever forget?
The problem is not forgetting. It's teaching the next generation about that day. As soon as the generations that were alive die out, then, the forgetting begins. Teach the children about freedom. Teach the children love.
It shouldn't be, "NEVER FORGET!!!"
It should be, "Teach the children!"
Sunday, September 9, 2012
A New Opportunity, and it involves music!
I'm going to be the new choir director at Crooked Creek Baptist Church! I'm really excited to take on this position! The people at this church are amazingly kind and generous. They do so many things to try to help out their community. They have breakfasts and lunches where they make sure that people in the community have enough to eat. They let community groups meet in their building, which is where my choir meets on Thursday nights!
I visited their music library, and it's actually in pretty good shape! I can't wait to meet the people and get started!
If you'd like to sing in a choir on Sunday mornings in the Indy area, contact me! I know a great place to do that!
I visited their music library, and it's actually in pretty good shape! I can't wait to meet the people and get started!
If you'd like to sing in a choir on Sunday mornings in the Indy area, contact me! I know a great place to do that!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Conversation About Google Wallet
Coworker: I read an article in Time magazine about how, sooner or later, no one is going to carry a wallet. It's all going to be on their smart phone! Well, what about all of those people that don't have smart phones!?!
Me: That generation (the ones that don't want smart phones) is going to die out sooner or later! I mean, no offense!
Coworker: But they're so expensive! I refuse to pay for that!
Me: You can get a smart phone package at Walmart for $30!
Coworker (Completely changing the direction of this conversation!): Well, then, people on well fare are going to be buying Smart Phones on my dime! I don't want that to happen!
WTF?!?!?
So, you are more worried about people on well fare buying smart phones, and trust me, they already do, than, figuring out that you should get one yourself!?
One of those moments in life when I stand there with a gaping jaw.
*My niece E. and I will tell you, WTF? stands for Where's the Food!?
Me: That generation (the ones that don't want smart phones) is going to die out sooner or later! I mean, no offense!
Coworker: But they're so expensive! I refuse to pay for that!
Me: You can get a smart phone package at Walmart for $30!
Coworker (Completely changing the direction of this conversation!): Well, then, people on well fare are going to be buying Smart Phones on my dime! I don't want that to happen!
WTF?!?!?
So, you are more worried about people on well fare buying smart phones, and trust me, they already do, than, figuring out that you should get one yourself!?
One of those moments in life when I stand there with a gaping jaw.
*My niece E. and I will tell you, WTF? stands for Where's the Food!?
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Nails... Maybe I'm a Little Vain
I have this weird obsession with my nails. They are brittle and flimsy. This comes from years of biting, which I don't do anymore, and playing the violin, which I don't do any more, either.
I want them to GROW! I manicure them, file them, paint them, try new treatments and lotions that claim to "Strengthen!" and it never happens!
I love the way a good clean french manicure looks, but my nails never really grow long enough that a french manicure looks OK on them. I'll get them all to a good length, and the start bending over the edge of my finger and breaking. It gets really frustrating!
I used to get acrylics all the time in high school and college. My orchestra director loved that! The woman that did them in high school worked at the Natural Way Nail Shop. It was a business she and another woman ran out of a home. They had random pets every where, like a huge glass cage with an iguana! She would do the most beautiful hand painted designs, even with french tips.
The last time I had them done was for a wedding in August of 2009. That woman did a horrible job! The last time I drove by that shop it was closed. I still have one nail that won't grow in correctly after that experience.
Right now, I can barely spend the money to get hair cuts, let alone have my nails done.
It's soothing to do them myself, but I always mess up the paint somehow. They never look perfect.
I want them to GROW! I manicure them, file them, paint them, try new treatments and lotions that claim to "Strengthen!" and it never happens!
I love the way a good clean french manicure looks, but my nails never really grow long enough that a french manicure looks OK on them. I'll get them all to a good length, and the start bending over the edge of my finger and breaking. It gets really frustrating!
I used to get acrylics all the time in high school and college. My orchestra director loved that! The woman that did them in high school worked at the Natural Way Nail Shop. It was a business she and another woman ran out of a home. They had random pets every where, like a huge glass cage with an iguana! She would do the most beautiful hand painted designs, even with french tips.
The last time I had them done was for a wedding in August of 2009. That woman did a horrible job! The last time I drove by that shop it was closed. I still have one nail that won't grow in correctly after that experience.
Right now, I can barely spend the money to get hair cuts, let alone have my nails done.
It's soothing to do them myself, but I always mess up the paint somehow. They never look perfect.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)