Public Performance Nerves ... Fact or Fiction?

I have a habit (probably not a great one considering everything I really need to be getting done). I spend part of my morning catching up on news headlines and reading any new blog postings from friends on my list. There was a definite theme happening today as several of my friends posted their thoughts and feelings about being part of a small musical production we are working on (The Parable of the 10 Virgins). The really funny thing is that they all seem to think that being nervous or "twitchy" is because they have never gotten onto a stage before. So, I thought I would post my comments and thoughts so that they know just how normal this is. Here is MY reaction to being asked to be part of this production:

YIKES!!!!! People around here seem to think that I have this gorgeous voice and really, if someone who had actually had voice lessons came to listen they would probably fall over laughing. Honestly, it has happened before. Not only that, but people really seem to miss that I am seldom right on key (certainly not when I am singing for the first time) and the only thing I do really well is sing loud - which can also be a problem in groups since I tend to stand out which is not a great thing. I can get around all of that, usually, or at least in my own head which is where the real battle with a performance takes place, but for this production we are using pre-recorded accompaniment. That means that I have to mold my voice to a certain "style" or at least that is what I feel I have to do because I have these women looking at me with the expectation that I will show them how it is done, and let me tell you that at least 8 of them can sing better than I can in this forum. So there!

Now that I have taken the time to react, here is what I have done about it .... just put it out of my mind. These lyrics I have been given have the most amazing message in the world. I know that whether or not I am off-key or too "operatic" for the recorded style, if I just loose myself in those lyrics I will have all of the choirs of heaven to pad out the difference. So that is what I am doing (for those of you who are still working past stage nerves) ... just focusing on the lyrics. I promise you that when it comes to performance night, I will have an upset stomach and my right eye will more than likely twitch to the point that I will be convinced that the people in the front row will believe I am winking at them, but when it comes time ... those lyrics will be all that I see. Ladies, it is going to be great!

Birthdays ... and more!

Today was Benjamin's 3rd Birthday - I goofed and put a #2 candle on his brownies though, can't imagine why I would think he was turning 2. Anyway, since we have soooo many birthdays in January (Grandpa Bob, Byron, Angie, Robert, Ben - and that's just from the CA family) we celebrated them last weekend with the extended family. This year was made extra special by my parents being able to attend too. Some memorable moments include all of the adults (and I do mean ALL of us) being driven crazy by a matching puzzle game brought out by Grandpa Bob (aptly entitled "Crazy Trains"). You have to line up all 9 blocks in a 3x3 format so that all of the trains match. The really sad part is that none of the adults could do it (and we all really tried) but the kids could put it together in no time flat. Personally, I think there is some sort of trick (like pulling the stickers off the Rubix cube), but I never caught them at it ... most likely I can't admit to my own limitations, but then I was in excellent company! When we started singing to the kids, Robert used his advanced "fire power" to get warm - looks like he needs a bigger cake next year! Ben didn't know what to make of either the candles or the attention. He literally dove under the table when it was his turn. I didn't quite get the picture timed right - I was laughing too hard. Every time he peeked he had the funniest look on his face - a cross between a smile and abject terror. Apparently I have a shy child - at least when Happy Birthday is being sung. Today, I called Mimi and she started singing to Ben over the phone ... he went right under the table. I called Papa, who also started singing ... Ben ran behind a chair. Wanting to test my theory, I pulled out the camera (which my kids absolutely flock to with cheesy grins). This is what happened:

Ben's celebration today was rather small since Grandpa Bob is in the hospital recovering from surgery (doing very well), Daddy was very sick (as you will see), and Robert was visiting with friends. Still, we had fun. I clipped together a bit where Ben is unwrapping his presents (Yes it is Christmas paper ... I had a whole stash of various birthday paper that did not survive the move, but I didn't realize that until this afternoon and, face it, Ben didn't know the difference and Josh has been calling every present a Christmas present since the beginning of December so why stop now?). Here is our big little helper:

After the fun and brownies (which nobody ate - I should have just put a candle on a gallon of milk this time since I will have to eat the entire batch of brownies myself ... can you feel my pain?), I set up the train tracks and distracted Ginny (who loves nothing better than ripping train tracks apart to watch the boys scream) while the boys played trains.

As a personal birthday present to his brother, Josh let Ben have his way for nearly 30 minutes before they began bickering - I think that is a record! All in all, despite sickness and even rain, it was a good day. Happy Birthday Benjamin ... we love you!In pulling pictures from the camera, here are a couple from Byron's birthday last week. The kids got him this card with the red sports car, which Josh immediately claimed. Josh said that he was going to get the red car because Daddy HAD to drive the bug and Mommy GOT to drive the blue car (Durango) - oh, and Robert could go with Josh as long as he understood that Josh was going to drive ... from the mouth of babes!

And here is the handsome patriarch of our birthday brood ... he doesn't particularly care for how he is looking lately (remembering back to times with more hair on top and less in his ears), but I personally think he is getting more and more handsome each and every day. Yes, he does tell me my eyesight is failing, how did you guess?

CHP and Playgroup

We got to see Officer Reiswig in his nifty patrol car during playgroup today. All of the kids were fascinated with the light bar (especially Ginny) and he let the kids climb up and talk into the loud speaker attached to his front bumper. Ben and Josh, of course, had to climb in at the same time. Ben wouldn't talk, but Josh wanted to. Danny (excuse me, Officer Reiswig) told him to "tell your Mom to put her hands up" but Josh wasn't having it. With a scared look at me, he said (into the loud speaker) "I don't want to tell me Mom ..." So there! (I think)

The he opened the back seat and the kids had fun climbin around and hanging on the grill.One of the mom's, Krissy, asked for the whole "arrested" experience - including being handcuffed. I thought she put her hands into the appropriate position a bit too expertly ... hmmmmm what do you think?

While the rest of us were watching Officer Reiswig "arrest" Krissy, Ben took the opportunity to slip into the driver's seat and he was ready to go! He didn't want anything to do with the back seat - no fun buttons to push. What a fun day for all, thank you Officer Reiswig!