Day 4: Insights and Sightings

Aha:
Kind of an interesting day. Today was the performance for the choir I joined here in Calgary. Fortunately for me, the house we're house-sitting is located only about 6 miles from the concert hall so instead of having to pay $20 for parking, Clinton was able to take me and pick me up. Plus it was -37 Celsius (windchill) so the close drop-off/pick-up was a big blessing!
The choir actually did better than I thought they would. I think the adrenaline of performing helped a bit, it still wasn't wonderful, but enjoyable for sure! I had a great time and performed to my heart's content. I guess I was so lively in fact, that quite a few total-strangers came up to me afterward and thanked me for my animated performance. They said I was so fun to watch, a great performer with a great voice. How nice are they? I had a small solo/duet in "People Will Say We're in Love" and really got to flirt with the audience. It felt good to sing and it felt good to know I was entertaining to the members of the audience.
I had one older couple flag me down and ask me how the choir found me. When I told them I found the choir they were amazed. :)
They asked if I performed in any other choirs and when I told them I don't, they said, "Not even church?"
Me: Oh, yah, but it's just a little church choir.
They: Which church is it?
Me: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
They: Oh, that's a lovely church. We went through there when they had their open house.
Me: Oh, the temple? Yes, it's very beautiful.
They proceeded to tell me every Mormon they knew in our area, especially those who are musically-inclined, and told me I needed to contact them and perform more often. Ha!

Ha ha:
Did you know that Jesus works at the Costco in NW Calgary? Neither did I.

Me: Clinton, oh my gosh. That guy looks just like church video Jesus.

He: A bit, yah.

Me: I have to get a picture.

He: No, that'll be weird.

Me: I'm doing it.

He: Well, if you must, wait till I'm not around. (Leaves)

I take a couple shots next to the grapefruits. Hoping for a straight-on, but ended up with profile instead. I go find Clinton to show him my paparazzi work.

Me: I couldn't get a good straight-on pic. It kept turning out blurry.

Clinton: Yah, I've heard it can be hard to get a good picture of Jesus.

LOL!

Day 3: Hummm-dinger

Aha:
It's simple, but I had to wake up early for a choir rehearsal this morning and I did not sleep well last night. Even though I had little sleep, when my alarm ding-donged its tune I was able to get out of bed quite easily and was able to get to my practice with about 10 minutes to spare.
Yay for alertness despite fatigue!

Ha ha:
So, I joined a "choir" here in Calgary cause I really missed singing. There's a whole story behind auditioning for this choir and at first I felt really flattered. I contacted the conductor and asked if I could audition. He told me to come to their practice that week, sing along and then if there was time I could audition. He sat near me during the rehearsal and after rehearsal was over he said, "If you want it, you're in." I felt so special that I got in with no audition!
Well, over the last couple months I have come to understand why I didn't require an audition. This choir kinda sucks. Maybe I've just been spoiled having participated in some really good choirs throughout my life, but honestly, this choir stinks. I got in with no audition because I can actually sing.
I feel like I could end the post here knowing you and I have both had a good chuckle, but there's more.
At last week's rehearsal the conductor had the pianist play the soprano's line of music. Very quietly to myself (notice the emphasis on "very") I hummed my part to make sure I matched what was being played. Two hums in the lady to my left let out a loud, "Shh!" Sure she couldn't be shushing me, I kept quietly humming. "Shh. Shh! SHH!, I can't hear!"
Baffled and befuddled at the realization I had just been shushed by a grown woman for softly humming, I looked at her in disbelief. Without looking at me she leaned over and said, "Sorry, I just can't hear the piano with you humming." I was too shocked to reply.
A few minutes later we had a break and she got up. I turned to my neighbor on the other side of me and said, "I just got shushed!"
"Yah," she said, "some people have a hard time hearing the piano when people hum."
0/2
I had to remind myself I was in a room of adults and not 13-year-old catty school girls.
If I hadn't already paid the $175 fee to sing in the two remaining concerts this season, I'd've taken my obnoxious humming elsewhere by now. Ha!

Update: I read the above haha to Clinton expecting a laugh-along from him.

0/3

He: Well, you know how I'm always saying you're talking or humming or whispering too loud?

Me: Oh, thanks.

He: I'm just sayin'. Now there's proof it's not just me that thinks you can be too loud at times.

Me: (humph)

Ha!

Please, Lord, tell me I'm not as bad as this guy!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ch7MZtRmNU