Scary Rite Aid Santa

Everytime I walk into the Rite Aid I normally shop at I come face to face with this guy. And every time I do I am startled. Every time. For just a split second he seems real and he doesn’t seem friendly. He looks like he’s about to punch or tackle you.

Santa: Just stop right there! What do YOU want?
Me: Nothing, I swear. Just picking up some shampoo, Santa.
Santa: No. Go away. Get out of here. But first, fix my feet.

Scary Rite Aid Santa, New York City

I Get to do a Wonderful Thing AGAIN!

Our performance last night went quite well! No mistakes that I picked up on. (I’m sure we all made our own personal flubs, I know I did. My apologies to those around me.) This is a screen grab from a short movie I shot at the end, that’s why it is so grainy. But it was so glorious, and I just can’t get over the fact that I get to do it all again, in just few hours!!

Life is good. Especially for those who sing. And play an instrument. And conduct.

Choral Society of Grace Church, 12/5/2014

My Spot in the Choir Lineup

I posted a few days ago about how I was anxiously waiting to learn where I’d stand in the concert. Most people like to be in the front, and I’m often in the back, but that was okay. I said:

“My only preference is to be surrounded by singers. I want singers behind me and on either side of me, so I can be right in the middle of the harmony. When you’re in the very back row or on the end of a row there are fewer singers around you and you just don’t get that same resonance with your fellow singers.”

My spot is pictured below. Not the back row, but the end of a row!! There were only two places I didn’t want to be and I got put in one of them! What were the odds?? Look at all those other spots. AND, I’ve got a soprano beside me and a soprano behind me so I don’t get to be in harmony with my fellow singers.

That said, I’ve had worse spots. There are a lot of great singers around me (including the sopranos). Also, I’m close to the people who are singing a beautiful quartet at the performances. Their voices are absolutely exquisite. And it’s the holidays and I’m singing great music, so what am I complaining about?? Nothing. I’m good.

Choir Line-up, The Choral Society of Grace Church

Tiny Drama at the Christmas Tree Stand

The little girl, a future engineer, is curious about the machine which will wrap the tree (although she is momentarily distracted by me). Her brothers are more intent on killing each other. The tree wrapper is thinking, “Wait, what? Should I intervene?” The parents are all, “NO. Just let them kill each other.” Kidding!

Christmas Tree Sales, New York City