Moving on up
So, I handed in my notice at Boots. It’s simply not worth it, to give away three mornings of my week to earn about £90. I’m going to have to be a bit broke for a little while, but you know what? I’m so happy I’ve made this decision. I have to invest in Me for a bit, and I deserve to give 45% of my attention to singing, 45% to the final year of my degree, and the other 10% to Jez. By the way do you know how you test decisions? You make it, and pretend it’s your final decision, and see what feeling washes over you. If it’s panic, it’s not the right decision. If it’s relief, then you should go ahead! So simple.
I’ve also been offered a £1k a year scholarship to sing in a local cathedral. Hope this works out, as I need the cash!
I did a concert last week and got a lovely review in the paper (although I look stupid and pregnant on the photo) - you remember when I had to find a pianist in a matter of hours? It went absolutely brilliantly, well, apart from me forgetting one song but I shoved it in at the end along with all the other encores. You read the review of course. I loved premiering Rusalka’s Song to the Moon, because I realised it’s so very simple and so very moving if done with good taste. I also realised I prefer singing in Czech to singing in German - strange I suppose, but in my case it stands to reason.
Then a few days later I supported a brass band - who bless them, were doing their best but were never going to win many prizes - and then a few days after that was my Old Lady Cabaret. My pianist and I arrived at the church 30 minutes early for an 8:15 start. However, the old ladies were taking longer than expected over their dinner, so my pianist and I just sat patiently in the room next door, drinking the sherry they’d kindly left us, and catching up on old times. 8:15 came and went. We had another sherry. My pianist asked me if I’d like to sing at a World Aids Day service in the cathedral. A solo. I said yes of course. 8:30 came and went. We had another sherry.
At 9, I stood up and started singing "I feel pretty" to these ladies, who, to be honest, looked like they just wanted to go home and feed the cats. We got lost and sang about 5 verses, trying to catch up with each other. Then in "Tonight" I got the giggles, in my Cole Porter numbers they were joining in so enthusiastically, I left it up to them to remember my words, likewise the Jerome Kern, then I did "La vie on rose" and "Autumn leaves", and finished with a couple from My Fair Lady.
Then we took the money, finished the sherry, and left. They absolutely hated me. It was hilarious!
Now I’ve got two essays to write for next week, and a lovely house to enjoy.
Sorry for the mememememememe-ness of this, I just wanted to let you all know I was ok!
I’m off to find out what you’ve all been up to now!
can I just completely agree with that decision making method - it showed me that teaching wasn’t where I’m at at the moment. And as it turns out everyone involved seems to have ended up respecting me more because I was brave enough to make the call :-)
Comment by thetallone — November 26, 2007 @ 12:56 am
Wow! It seems like you’ve been very, very busy. Congrats on the reviewed concert and all the happenings! Happy to hear all’s well.
Comment by Kinuk — November 26, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Sounds like you’ve been tres busy! Glad the gigs have gone well! (And yeah, good call kicking Boots into touch…)
Comment by concertmaster — November 26, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
You have been a busy bee. Out of interest what songs did you sing from My fair lady, as it is my fave musical in the whole world. It was based on the book ‘Pygmalion’ wasn’t it?
Comment by sugar007 — November 26, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Well done, my tall friend.
Kinuk, I’m always very very busy! I hope baby A is feeling better!
Maestro, why don’t you write more about your gigs? I for one would find it fascinating!
Sugar, I did “On the street where you live” and I always always finish with “I could have danced all night” - it’s a great encore piece! (Get you giving us all a music history lesson! You should have a guest spot on here :p)
Comment by missdespina — November 26, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
I was going to say what thetallone said - you and me both friend! After 30 years in the business it’s not where I’m at either. Stay away, owiseone. Couldn’t agree more, Despi. Every day since I made my decisions all I’ve ever felt is relief, and no panic. So old age, poverty, retirement - here I come!!And a daily dose of happiness, smiles, calm, and finding the real me. “Meet me on the other side.”
Comment by mum — November 26, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
Love your way to check whether you’ve made the right decision. After reading your blog yesterday, I use this method to help me decide something today …
x
Comment by Stratford Girl — November 27, 2007 @ 11:10 pm
I love the description of your old ladies concert - sounds like something out of Alan Bennett. Take the sherry and run!
Mya x
Comment by Mya — November 28, 2007 @ 8:47 am
Hi sweetie. This all sounds fun. The old ladies gig sounds mad and yay on the decisions. I must remember that.
Comment by Jo Beaufoix — December 13, 2007 @ 11:08 pm