24 March
I had a flashback today to my musical comedy childhood. Anyone else out there have a musical comedy childhood?
Okay, I'll explain, a musical comedy childhood was, for me, ten years of ballet, seven years of tap, singing lessons from the age of nine, and acting, dancing, jazz dancing, song interpretation and musical comedy lessons every Saturday from the age of seven or so.
I took ballet from the age of five until fifteen, when I tore a muscle in the my thigh doing a split in a children's theatre show of some sort or another (I have a vague memory of telling an audience participation song about a hippo named Henry, but that may be a nightmare that I had once), and lest you get too impressed by that, let me emphasize that that was the only time I ever did a split, and I was so poor at ballet that I was only moved into the advanced class because I got so old and tall that it was embarrassing to all concerned to keep me with the intermediates.
I was better at tap and jazz, but I never particularly shone at them, either, though I can be standing in the aisle at the supermarket and I will start tapping without thinking about it. I was a decent enough singer for a kid, but my voice didn't really start to develop until it changed at 13 or 14 or so and I turned into a soprano. One of the best teachers I ever had was my album of Carnival--singing along with Anna Maria Alberghetti taught me more about my head voice than anything else.
Musical comedy class was everything put together, dancing and singing and song interp and smiling.
Sometimes I find it astonishing that I am as normal as I am, since a musical comedy childhood makes freaks of us all.
And what was the flashback? I was in the bathroom at work and I suddenly started singing a song called "Hey Look Me Over" from a somewhat obscure Lucille Ball musical called Wildcat, a song I had not sung in more than twenty years.
I remembered every single word. Had I let my mind wander in that direction, I would have remembered the movements, too, but I resisted, horrified at the thought.
There are dances that I will remember forever, there are songs that are hard-wired into my psyche. "Getting to Know You", "Do Re Mi", "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", "Bosom Buddies", "My Best Girl", "Billie", "Mira", "Where is Love?", "I Ain't Down Yet", these are the songs that I will be singing on my deathbed.
I needed to get that song out of my head, and fortunately when I got home I found my very first mix tape waiting for me!
And o, I must tell you, my other little participants, David in England has set the bar pretty high, since this is a flat out great tape, full of lots of fairly obscure (to me) British folk music, a style to which I am partial.
Which doesn't mean that I want everyone else to send me British folk, too, (unless you were already planning to), as the fun bit is discovering new artists and new styles and the things that you like!
I am sending out David's tape today. I have sent no others yet, as I have decided to make them all first (all 94! What was I thinking?) before sending any out, except for to reciprocate for ones that I receive.
This is so much fun! I can't wait for more!
I wish I could figure out why this burb has been getting 150 hits a day lately, while this one is getting a more normal 10-15. Is everyone suddenly fascinated by the elderly?
I won the Oscar pool at work!
Well, tied it, and I only won 16 dollars, but still, that's bragging rights for a whole year!
Today's horoscope:
A friend needs some extra support today. Your warmth and assistance will be very important.
One year ago today:
I'd have given a kidney if Titanic had not won Best Picture, just to see the entire membership of the Academy faint like goats.
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Last Updated Wed 24 March 09:39:09 1999