Monday, May 4, 2009

The Drama That Is My Life

So by now most of you know that I've been on a performing/auditioning "hiatus" for a while now. Well, recently I decided that it was time to "get back out there" and with the support of my wonderful husband I have been taking small steps towards doing that. 
Recently I took a "rep session" with someone who was highly recommended to me by several friends and she turned out to be someone highly respected in the business with great projects in the works and great connections as well. A "rep session" is basically where I sing for someone so they know what kind of voice I have and see what "type" I am (what I look like) and they pick a bunch of new music for me to learn, work on, and use for auditions. This rep session was amazing!!! It was worth every penny and totally boosted my confidence when I realized some of the things she thought I could pull off. So I decided to take the next step and sign up for an audition class with her.
So I have been saving up so I can take this audition class which starts this Thursday. I have been so excited, listening to my song picks over and over again, learning the words and personalizing the subtexts in my head and just taking it all in. I scheduled myself for a voice lesson so I could work on the vocals this past Friday. I like to be as prepared as possible.
Last Tuesday I started coughing.  The next day It was a little worse. By Thursday I had a cough, a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and tons of sneezing. So I made an appointment to see a doctor on Friday afternoon. (Let's not forget that the freakin' SWINE FLU is going around so I'm a little bit nervous about all this!)
On Friday morning, on my way to the voice lesson, I realized I forgot to bring the address of where my voice teacher lives. I called her up and mentioned I was sick and she said "well don't come here! I have a gig this weekend and I can't risk getting sick. Let's reschedule". UUUGGGHHH!!! This is mostly frustrating because I haven't had a chance to work on my new songs with her yet. But I understand completely at the same time. Singers have to take very good care of themselves, so I get it.  But I'm still PISSED!! Not at her of course, just at the situation. So we agreed I would call her after my doctor's appointment to fill her in and we would figure out a time to get together.
By 3:30pm I was in with the doctor and he said " well I have sort of good news for you, you're not sick. It's Allergies." I'm sorry, WHAT?? ALLERGIES????!!!!  WHAT THE... ? I had no idea that ALLERGIES could make me feel like I had THE FLU! So now I'm thinking, maybe the reason I get "sick" all the time is because I'm not actually "sick" and my whole life I've just had Sever Allergies!!! Because, let's be honest people, I get sick more often than anyone I know. Even my elderly relatives!! It's pretty ridiculous. I was so upset that I was getting "sick"AGAIN too because I was sick, no joke, 3 weeks ago during Easter. I mean, COME ON!!!! 
Anyway, he put me on Allegra 24hour and some new nose spray. I had told him that the only thing that normally works for me is Afrin but I knew it wasn't good for me and I hoped I wouldn't have to use it. Well the stuff he gave me didn't work. So, since it was the weekend and I couldn't just call up my doctor, I had to resort back to Afrin. 
 I tried to get in to see him today (Monday)  but he wasn't coming in until 1pm and by then I had to work so that pushes me back another day. Hopefully tomorrow I will either be feeling better or seeing the doctor in the morning. 
Well I've been trying to sing through my songs and it's just not working out. I can sing soprano, but not the big belty stuff. I can't get through the belty songs without choking and coughing. So I called up my voice teacher and she told me not to sing anymore. That my vocal cords are most likely swollen and the more I sing, talk, hum, anything, the longer it'll take for my cords to heal. We're squeezing in a voice lesson on Thursday afternoon just in time for my class. This is KILLING me! I hate being unprepared!!! I never go to an audition unless I'm FULLY prepared!! And these classes are meant to be treated like auditions.  I'm just frustrated. I was really looking forward to this. I really wanted to make a good impression on her. And that my friends is the drama that is my life!

7 comments:

  1. Oh, dudette! Do not stress - the class is a great learning tool, but really, just focus on getting better first & then worry about the lesson, etc...

    I think you'll be fantastic! (and it's good to practice auditioning sick - sometimes you gotta do that, too!)

    You'll be swell! You'll be great!

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  2. And breathe!!!! This, too, shall pass! You know you're going to be wonderful for your class! I have no doubt. You're one of the most talented singers I know!

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  3. My expertise in music is nearly nill, but I know what I like. I could listen to you sing all day, every day. I bought the cd 3 coulours (sp?) just so I could hear your beautiful voice on a regular basis. I still remember you singing to Andy at your wedding and get goosebumps thinking about it!

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  4. I'm assuming that the nasal spray you got from the Dr. is one of the cortisone sprays and the Dr. should have told you that it can take about 2 weeks to get to full strength. It won't work instantly like Afrin does, so keep using it and you can use the Afrin sparingly while you are waiting for it to kick in. Also the Allegra works best if it is taken every day so try to do that for at least a month and see if it takes care of your allergies. And, break a leg! Good Luck from your family pharmacist.

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  5. Thanks for all the great advice and support guys!!!

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  6. Hey honey I am crossing my fingers for you and know once you relax a little it will all come together. Love ya

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  7. So it is Thursday... What happened today???? I am ready for chapter 2 in this drama.

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