Another day, another revelation. I was a 'roadie' today. For those who don't know what a 'roadie' is, they are the people who go in before a concert, haul in and set up all the equipment, check all the equipment to be 'show' ready, and then monitor and move things around during a show as needed. I'm finally getting dry after working up such a sweat that I looked like I had been in the rain. So becoming--the sweat dripping off your red, chubby cheeks. Each time a performer finished, a microphone needed to be moved, a stool placed in front, a light turned on, a microphone stand moved, etc. ! So there I am (how I got elected for this job, I do NOT know), at the end of each performance, running out there, moving something around, trying NOT to be seen. This happened about 9 times, as we had 9 performers in our school talent show. I didn't run the spot light....that was a' stand there and point' job. I didn't run the sound system....one much younger and smarter than I did that....it was 'sit there and turn knobs' job. No, there I am: running out center stage after each act moving and pushing and hauling and clicking.
It was only when the whole thing was over when I am red-faced, hair wet, clothes wet, out of breath and probably stinky that I came to myself and said "I'm WAYYY too old for THIS!" The thoughts occur to me that there is no one in the wings learning (and laughing) as I do these silly things. Now, that gives me a fiendish delight to think of another that will eventually take my place as a roadie. After all, 5 more years and this roadie finds a new crew, a new stage, a new tour! It will then be someone elses turn to sweat, run, pant, and worry.
So, tote that speaker, wind those wires, unplug those microphones and roll that cart. This roadie had better take her vitamins and slop on some extra deodorant tomorrow, because we get to do it three more times for the student body!!! I just know they will appreciate all my hard work and efforts......yeah....I'll just flip a bead of perspiration on them. Better not quit my day job~wait: this IS my day job!!! *singing* "On the road again"!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Halellujah!
Well, I'm tuckered out. My singing stamina has up and gone. We're doing the Easter section of the "Messiah" on Palm Sunday. I used to could sing all day and half the night, but alas, my vocal cords are screaming something at me right now....say it with me "I'm too old for this!" I'm thinking that Mr. Handel hated sopranos, anyway. He must have had some grudge against an aunt, sister, governess, or even Mom to put those Ds up there and just hang on. For crying out loud, it's inhumane! To make one scream on a constant pitch and then run all over with it you control is like cutting your finger and getting it to bleed in one spot!
This is one thing I won't give up, though. My friend (who sits beside me in choir) and I have made a pact: when one of us starts sounding like an injured cat when we sing, the other will lovingly and gently say "You're too old for this" and then we will graduate ourselves on up to the seniors' choir. Not to say that the seniors' choir is bad, mind you, but the discipline it takes to sing something as heavy as Handel ain't for sissies or old people. In fact, I may be graduating sooner than I think. I was standing there tonight just screaming my guts out and the thought occurred to me just how heavy that book was that I was holding. I'll admit it....I have a 'sissy' streak. I whine alot, too. I'm getting really good at whining, so I suppose that's one of those things you graduate into as well.
Maybe the day when I can't stand up for the Halellujah Chorus will be the day I really AM too old for this...or maybe I'll be in Heaven then and it won't really matter. Halellujah!
This is one thing I won't give up, though. My friend (who sits beside me in choir) and I have made a pact: when one of us starts sounding like an injured cat when we sing, the other will lovingly and gently say "You're too old for this" and then we will graduate ourselves on up to the seniors' choir. Not to say that the seniors' choir is bad, mind you, but the discipline it takes to sing something as heavy as Handel ain't for sissies or old people. In fact, I may be graduating sooner than I think. I was standing there tonight just screaming my guts out and the thought occurred to me just how heavy that book was that I was holding. I'll admit it....I have a 'sissy' streak. I whine alot, too. I'm getting really good at whining, so I suppose that's one of those things you graduate into as well.
Maybe the day when I can't stand up for the Halellujah Chorus will be the day I really AM too old for this...or maybe I'll be in Heaven then and it won't really matter. Halellujah!
Monday, March 16, 2009
The show must go.....really.
I've hit another milestone...I just can't teach these children to dance. Some have rhythm, more do not. In an attempt to let them experience a quasi-show choir performance, I allow students to learn and choreograph a song. I'm thinking, "This may be a mistake." Every semester I question myself, and then the new semester I give it another go. Well, THIS time, I decided to enable them to really understand a performance sequence; I'd give them a 'dress' rehearsal. Oh Lord, give me grace (and oxygen). I'm actually surprised by some of them; they did well. Some, oh my. Reminds me of my days as a child when we'd sing along to "Stop in the Name of Love" at my peeps' house in the afternoon after school. In fact, we did a better job than some of these sweet babies. Bless their little hearts.
Getting to the point, I saw probably 20 groups today before lunch, and gave them critiques for a better performance for their show tomorrow. As my knee starts to give out about 11:00 am and I'm running to find the groups to perform, getting CDs, plugging stuff in, moving tables around, I just realized (say it with me) I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS! Pass the Advil and get me a chocolate bar!
I ask my colleagues, why do I do what I do, and they say, "so the students will have an opportunity to be creative" to which I say they can't even spell it. Man, we've come a long way from 'the Day'. To conclude this tyrade....moving sound equipment, setting up same, finding groups spread along the hall, getting them to perform, giving suggestions (including demonstration of dance moves)...all in the name of 'better teaching practices' so the darlings will enjoy an 'outside the box' experience.....leaves me dripping in perspiration and panting for breath. Again I say, I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS....but that last 5 years will fly by and then I'll be looking for something else to occupy my time and what's left of the energy. Perhaps I could teach an aerobics class: it would be very similar!
So I say....put those tennis shoes back on, get the music cranked up. If I live through the next two days of exams for these darlins, I can at least have a respite before exams roll around again. Meanwhile, I WILL slug the next person that says "perhaps you need some exercise"!!! I'll make sure I take my vitamin C.
Getting to the point, I saw probably 20 groups today before lunch, and gave them critiques for a better performance for their show tomorrow. As my knee starts to give out about 11:00 am and I'm running to find the groups to perform, getting CDs, plugging stuff in, moving tables around, I just realized (say it with me) I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS! Pass the Advil and get me a chocolate bar!
I ask my colleagues, why do I do what I do, and they say, "so the students will have an opportunity to be creative" to which I say they can't even spell it. Man, we've come a long way from 'the Day'. To conclude this tyrade....moving sound equipment, setting up same, finding groups spread along the hall, getting them to perform, giving suggestions (including demonstration of dance moves)...all in the name of 'better teaching practices' so the darlings will enjoy an 'outside the box' experience.....leaves me dripping in perspiration and panting for breath. Again I say, I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS....but that last 5 years will fly by and then I'll be looking for something else to occupy my time and what's left of the energy. Perhaps I could teach an aerobics class: it would be very similar!
So I say....put those tennis shoes back on, get the music cranked up. If I live through the next two days of exams for these darlins, I can at least have a respite before exams roll around again. Meanwhile, I WILL slug the next person that says "perhaps you need some exercise"!!! I'll make sure I take my vitamin C.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Winter Retreat
Well, just dropped my 'adult' daughter off at church to be a chaperone/counselor for the Winter Retreat that is an annual big deal at my church. Different this time, in that SHE was the one going to counsel, to feed, to guide. Yes, I've been there, done that, got several t-shirts to prove it, but the last one nearly killed me and so I've decided (say it with me) I'm too old for this! I knew several years ago that my time had come to pass the toothbrush, er torch and let the 'younger generation' take over in that position. Let's see, the last one I went to was that cabin that was so dusty, I had bronchitis for about a month afterwards. Lovely setting, deep in the woods, lake nearby, and lots and lots of dust. This was 'the cabin that time forgot.' I expected any minute that some 'Jason'-like character would come crashing through the window with a chain saw. Oh, I enjoyed my sofa-bed couch/mattress thingy, just had those two bars in my back and behind all night. Needless to say, this retreat weekend is one that eludes sleep. There are stories, oh yes, many stories of the shenanigans that went on during those retreats. Some I can tell, some I'd rather not, some I'll never know and that's just fine with me.
Sleep is something that has become very precious to me. When I was younger, it was the norm to sleep until 10 on a Saturday morning. Now if I get past 7, I'm sleeping late: which brings me back to my point.....the need for sleep. If there are people under 40 reading this, you just won't get it for another 10 years. Deprive me of my sleep (which sometimes commences at 9:00 pm - don't laugh...it will happen to you) and I am NOT a nice person. In fact, the word Nazi comes to mind. Winter Retreat is a synonym for NO SLEEP. Oh, I know, you can catch up on it later. No, can't. Once that sleep bank is overdrawn, LOOK OUT!
You can't imagine what the time change does to me. Affects me much like Winter Retreat used to do. So, God, please bless them. Let them get to know You and grow closer, growing as Christians and being bolder in their faith. As for the counselors, I'll have their sleep medications ready. Don't look for them at work Monday, or if you do see them, check for a swastika on their sleeve!
Time for my nap!
Sleep is something that has become very precious to me. When I was younger, it was the norm to sleep until 10 on a Saturday morning. Now if I get past 7, I'm sleeping late: which brings me back to my point.....the need for sleep. If there are people under 40 reading this, you just won't get it for another 10 years. Deprive me of my sleep (which sometimes commences at 9:00 pm - don't laugh...it will happen to you) and I am NOT a nice person. In fact, the word Nazi comes to mind. Winter Retreat is a synonym for NO SLEEP. Oh, I know, you can catch up on it later. No, can't. Once that sleep bank is overdrawn, LOOK OUT!
You can't imagine what the time change does to me. Affects me much like Winter Retreat used to do. So, God, please bless them. Let them get to know You and grow closer, growing as Christians and being bolder in their faith. As for the counselors, I'll have their sleep medications ready. Don't look for them at work Monday, or if you do see them, check for a swastika on their sleeve!
Time for my nap!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Fail
Hello, and welcome to my blog. I have created this blog to vent about those things that I 'used' to do frequently, but now for some reason, don't. I really believe that getting old is in your mind, but aging creeps up on all of us. I'm 54 and pretty proud of it, but there are some things that I'm just not going there to do anymore. A therapist once told me that it would do me good to write it down, so I'm thinking that I'm not the only one that is frustrated with used to's.
Today's special is "Fail". It started this morning when I was supposed to pay a bill online. I knew it was there...had it in a special place....did my 'morning' thing, and then came home after a melt-down day and there she sat....unpaid. Well, logged on and paid it, it was about 6:00pm. Cut off was at 3:00pm. Late charge, here you come. I used to could remember stuff. Now I suffer from that disease my cousin told me about....CRS: Can't Remember S*$#.
Now that's toward the end of the day. The first FAIL came today at school (I teach middle school Chorus class) when I encounter students who just don't care, don't appreciate, don't try, ...you get the picture. I melted down. Time for a nerve pill. *yeah, those things my grandmother and aunts used to take when life got hard...I've joined those ranks - more on that in a later chapter!*
So, once the melt-down begins, it continues. Nothing can stop it...think of a nuclear reactor, and put that in your brain. So, the pity party begins, and I'm thinking...say it with me ''I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS!" Five more years until retirement, so I'd better tie a knot and hang on.
On the positive side, there ARE kids that want to do right, want to learn, and do care about their classes and their teachers. Must dwell on those and let those who want to FAIL! I'm very thankful that the earth still rotates, the sun will go down, and the moon will rise. About 7:30 or so in the morning, that sun will rise and another opportunity will be given to try again. Ah, but we must remember what that Jedi Master Yoda said..."Do or do not. There is no try." So, we will do. We will do a better job tomorrow. Meanwhile, that nerve pill is kicking in. Make it a good night.
Citykitty
Today's special is "Fail". It started this morning when I was supposed to pay a bill online. I knew it was there...had it in a special place....did my 'morning' thing, and then came home after a melt-down day and there she sat....unpaid. Well, logged on and paid it, it was about 6:00pm. Cut off was at 3:00pm. Late charge, here you come. I used to could remember stuff. Now I suffer from that disease my cousin told me about....CRS: Can't Remember S*$#.
Now that's toward the end of the day. The first FAIL came today at school (I teach middle school Chorus class) when I encounter students who just don't care, don't appreciate, don't try, ...you get the picture. I melted down. Time for a nerve pill. *yeah, those things my grandmother and aunts used to take when life got hard...I've joined those ranks - more on that in a later chapter!*
So, once the melt-down begins, it continues. Nothing can stop it...think of a nuclear reactor, and put that in your brain. So, the pity party begins, and I'm thinking...say it with me ''I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS!" Five more years until retirement, so I'd better tie a knot and hang on.
On the positive side, there ARE kids that want to do right, want to learn, and do care about their classes and their teachers. Must dwell on those and let those who want to FAIL! I'm very thankful that the earth still rotates, the sun will go down, and the moon will rise. About 7:30 or so in the morning, that sun will rise and another opportunity will be given to try again. Ah, but we must remember what that Jedi Master Yoda said..."Do or do not. There is no try." So, we will do. We will do a better job tomorrow. Meanwhile, that nerve pill is kicking in. Make it a good night.
Citykitty
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