...Izee's Thread

[MageNathaniel1]

As I recall, it was the captain who said that whwn they introduced the eternals into the show and he was with one of them shortly after detonating the nuclear bomb on the shadow base.

One of my office had to be evacuated due to fire alarm. I was the office manager and has to secure the computers and files on the way out. Turns out it was just a smoke detector set off by someone who accidentally burned some popcorn in a microwave lol.

[Izee]

https://youtu.be/Qp62CN8X30k

This Artist is AMAZING, truly AMAZING!!!   

I was laughing, and actually crying at times.  Music hits me in a place that affects my whole body.  That is why I would be exhausted, or full of energy after performing.  I would slink off to the green room, load my cello up, and walk to my Apt, or dance around in the green room, wanting to get back onto the stage.  And, it didn't depend on how I performed...I would be called out for curtain calls...and be horribly depressed because I missed a few notes or didn't play a phrase EXACTLY how I had practiced it.  Other times, I would bow, and laugh as I did a cute curtsy...my Cello and Piano Professors scolded me when I curtsied...they said that women didn't do that anymore.  I would look at them in the audience, wide eyed, and nod...and go out and curtsy.   ...even though I missed some notes.   

[Izee]

...We performed the Canon at a fun concert.  I actually had a 'page turner', even though I was playing the same 8 notes, at the same tempo, over and over again.  I would pretend to get panicked, and look up at him, and he would turn a 'page'...we had 50 of them on my stand...and I would breathe with relief...and continue to play the same notes.  He dropped the pages, and I was looking down at the floor, my mouth wide open with concern, as he pulled up a page, and held it out to me, and searched the floor for the next page.

I laughed my ass off, when I received the music for a wedding.  The Canon was in the list...but the music wasn't there.  There was simply a note that said...

..."If you haven't memorized this by now, call your Alternate."

[MageNathaniel1]

Music whether performing or listening to it has a way of affecting the emotions of those involved.  When I was acting on stage, I was often left drained and needed to be alone for a bit after to recover so can relate.

Lol on the same 8 notes for the song and the note left for you for the performance smiles.

[Izee]

,,,When I ALMOST gave up playing the piano...

I was a cello performance major in my Frosh year of college, but I could play the piano fairly well.  The Professor of Piano I was assigned...not gonna say his name...but he was also a Composer...encouraged me to major in piano, too.  I eagerly accepted the challenge...at that age...like everyone...I was up to any challenge, and figured that if I worked hard enough, I could major in both Instruments.  I envisioned Graduation, the formal ceremony had the performance majors perform a work, and I thought that it would be GREAT if I came out, and performed on the cello, AND the piano.  Nobody had ever done that before.   

I was assigned this work, and had no idea of what it was, I had never heard it before.  I walked the three miles, downtown, to the music store, bought the score, and walked back.  I was sweating like a pig, it was hot, and so I just tossed the package on my bed, and went into the communal shower in the dorm and got cleaned up.  I then drank a Tab, and laid on my bed, and then opened the package and looked at the music.  My eyes got wide...I would turn back to the 1st page, and look at the meter marker, and my watch, and get an idea of how fast it needed to be played.   

I actually thought..."Fuck this shit, gonna just stay with the cello."  But, I laid on my bed, and read the music, envisioning what fingers to place, and where...and groaned.

I did steal into a practice room, late at night, and at about 2:00 am decided..."I just might be able to play this."

I practiced it at night, no one else were in the practice rooms, until I got it partially under my fingers, and then practiced it during the day.

I did perform it, and Rags can imagine how I looked, holding onto the side of the piano, nodding my head, and just wanting to get back to my Apt...although I did play it well...and the audience gave me a lot of applause.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=2BBF60BA9B5F2393159F2BBF60BA9B5F2393159F&q=beethoven piano somatas&shtp=GetUrl&shid=e7641590-f328-4601-be40-b512d6627e85&shtk=QW5hc3Rhc2lhIEh1cHBtYW5uIHBsYXlzIEJlZXRob3ZlbiBQaWFubyBTb25hdGEgTm8gOCBpbiBDIG1pbm9yIE9wIDEzIFBhdGhldGlxdWU%3D&shdk=QW5hc3Rhc2lhIEh1cHBtYW5uIHBsYXlzIEJlZXRob3ZlbiBQaWFubyBTb25hdGEgTm8gOCBpbiBDIG1pbm9yIE9wIDEzIFBhdGhldGlxdWUgKiBJLiBHcmF2ZS9BbGxlZ3JvIGRpIG1vbHRvIGUgY29uIGJyaW8gMDowMCAqIElJLiBBZGFnaW8gY2FudGFiaWxlIDk6MjEgKiBJSUkuIFJvbmRvOiBBbGxlZ3JvIDE1OjAxIE1hcnJ5IENocmlzdG1hcyB3aWxsIGNvbWUgdmVyeSBzb29uLiBUaGFuayB5b3Ugc28gbXVjaCBmb3Igc3VwcG9ydGluZyBtZSB3aXRoIHlvdXIgc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9ucywgY29tbWVudHMsIGxpa2VzIGFuZCB2aWV3cyB0aGlzIHllYXIsIHlvdSBtYWtlIG1lIHNvIGhhcHB5Ie2gve24gyBBcyBhIC4uLg%3D%3D&shhk=hIBvHnhfG4XKU2aM9pehOCe4oUwXSZqZAmm%2FOC%2FBK74%3D&form=VDSHOT&shth=OVP.-FQKub7CbLpigPUm-4EEpAHAD-

[Izee]

...Pissing off my private piano teacher in H.S.   

I took private piano lessons starting in my Soph year of HS, and got pretty good.  I was also studying the cello.  I didn't have any close friends, and didn't like just hanging out and talking...I would get bored.  So, I would go into my room, and practice the cello, and go into the living room, and practice the piano.  (And I wondered WHY I wasn't asked out on a date... ).  My private piano teacher would have a recital of his students every year, and his Star Student would play last.  I played early, and as my skills got better, I waited to play.  In my Sr year of HS, the teacher said that I would play last, and we worked on a Haydn Sonata.  I asked if we could work on a transcription of Rhapsody in Blue, by Gershwin, that was for solo piano.  He said, "No, your technique isn't up to that level."

I got pissed...I get pissed, easily...

I worked on the Haydn, but worked on the Gershwin on my own.  I went to the County Library, and strapped on headphones, and listened to it, as I followed the score, and practiced hard on my insights into the work.

At the recital, I was called last...I was ALL DRESSED UP...after all...I was THE STAR STUDENT!!!      He introduced me, and said that I was going to perform the Haydyn.  I smiled, and curtsied, and set my butt on the bench.  I moved it back and forth a few times, holding my hands over the keyboard, and got everything set right, and looked down at my hands for a moment.  Righty was saying, "OK, we know the Haydyn, just let us loose."  Lefty was saying..."Go Girl, Go Girl, Go Girl!!!"   I let lefty loose, she started it, and I played the Gershwin. 

I did it well, at times my face was just above the keys, other times I was straight up, bringing my hands down hard.

I stood at the end, the audience was very happy, and my teacher was GLARING AT ME!!!   

I looked at him, and said...

..."I forgot the Haydyn"...    "Best I can do"

I went on to the Music Conservatory...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-5vrQKWBbg
 

[MageNathaniel1]

At least the audience liked it even if the teacher didnt lol.  You are very multitalented to be sure.

[Izee]

...Almost SCARED TO DEATH in a commuter train...

...I had an interesting experience one morning.  I had a Court Appearance in a city a ways away, and just didn't feel like driving, plus, I wanted to study the file.  I knew that the train station was close to the Courthouse, so, I parked my car, bought a ticket, and got into the train.  I am not very socialable when alone, and so I went into the rear of the train, and sat in the back.  The back had a curved bench, and so I plopped my butt in the middle, and did my best to exude an evil aura, so no one would want to sit near me.  It worked...people took other seats forward, and I was alone...I was happy, and was reading my file.

...Then, a rather weird looking guy came in, and set a trunk beside me, and ignored me.  I moved over a bit, not wanting to be close to the trunk, and he opened it, and took out some rope and cloth.  I was beginning to get VERY WORRIED as he strung the rope across the car, and then attached the cloth, hiding us from the rest of the car.  I put my file down, and moved over a bit, figuring that I would need to rush out.   

...He reached into the trunk, and brought out TWO, VERY CUTE HAND PUPPETS!!!

...He then put on a puppet show for the rest of the riders, he held them above the curtain, and had them speak, and do things.   

...I almost had an attack of the 'Atomic Giggles'...I ignored my file as I watched.

...He got me into the act, he gestured at the trunk, and I pulled out a hand puppet, and joined the show.  I stayed on the train, after we passed my stop, I was having so much FUN!!!  Plus, my appearance was in the afternoon. 

...He offered to share the tips with me...I did take a dollar...I mean...I had WORKED for it!!!!

...*Shrugs*  I have always worked during my life, caddying, waitressing, accounting, musician, being a lawyer...but...I also earned money...

...As a PUPPETTER

...When I can earn money, I GO FOR IT!!!!  I have no sense of dignity...

[MageNathaniel1]

If it is fun. Is it really work though. Smiles

[Izee]

,,Being a starving student..

At times, I wasn't responsible with the check my parents send me each month, in college, for my food.  I would cash it, and go to the grocery store.  I would carefully buy what I needed, and eat healthy during the month.  But, at times, my "Izee" mind would take over, and I would buy salmon, steak, and other things.  I would run out of money the last week.

I would live on crackers and cheese for a week.  I would actually go to the place that had food for starving students, and pick up a sack of crackers, and some cheese, and thank the people.  I especially liked a bakery, and would buy 3 day old rolls...sometimes...the owner just gave them to me...when I had money, I bought the crossants. 

...*S*...That bakery was later a client of mine, I got the Owner out of a dispute.  He was amused, I had been a starving student, and now I was an Attorney, and getting him out of a lawsuit.

He gave me a sack of fresh crossants, when the case was over.

...I ate them...with cheese

[MageNathaniel1]

Kindness often returns upon those who have shown it. He helped you and later you ended up helping him. Smiles. I just completed the PhD and am preparing for board exams hopefully to take them by end of next month.

[Izee]

...Performing music...can have so much PAIN!!!   

...I am a soul player, I don't just look at the notes, and stick my fingers down on the keyboard, or the neck of my cello.  I try to bring out the music, and don't CARE how I look.  I will look down on my hands on the keyboard, and SNARL at them.  I will look at lefty on the neck of the cello, and glare at her...she was off tune in a note.  I also glared at righty, she was holding the bow, and needed to use her 'paws' to shape the note.  First finger made the note loud, and strong, fourth finger made the note expressive. 

I would leave the stage, and be unhappy, although I got curtain calls. 

My piano professor pointed it out to me..."Music has so much pain and pleasure, but I have never seen someone at your level who has so much pain."

I went into a practice room, and opened the music I wanted to practice, but then just laid my head on the keyboard...and cried.

I changed majors...and didn't cry as a CPA and an Attorney, and a Judge Pro Tem.

But, I do cry when I take out my cello, or sit at my piano...and can't play well.

I need to just practice, more...and put the past behind me.

[MageNathaniel1]

The word for that is passion and it can be a good thing

[Izee]

...I got Katherine, Pavane, and Rose out of their cases today, and polished them, and tuned them.  I also opened my case, that holds eleven bows, and looked them over.  I searched my room, and found my cake of rosin in a desk, and got the bows ready.  (Usually, my rosin was in a tab in my cello case.   )  Two failed, the horsehair fell off as I tightened the nut.  Katherine is 112 years old, Pavane is 41, and Rose is the baby...Katherine and Pavane are cellos, Rose is a Viola de Gamba, and the Luthier made her especially for me.  The grumpy old man had me play Katherine for him, and said, "You have NO IDEA of how to play a Gamba."  I said, "I am studying it," and hauled a borrowed Gamba into his shop the next week, and sat, and played as best I could.  He snorted, but said, "Let me look you over."  I was a little nervous as he had me sit, and stand...he didn't touch me...but said,  "OK, I will make a Gamba for you."  I wrote him a deposit, and signed the purchase agreement...and GOT THE HELL AWAY!!!

...I practiced on the borrowed Gamba as much as I could the next month, waiting for a call. 

...I was a bit nervous when I drove back, I had deposited money from my savings into my checking account to pay for the instrument...it was $6,000.00 ...but I hadn't seen the Gamba, yet.  I did my best to smile, when I entered, I was VERY NERVOUS...but the nerves left when he opened the case, and ROSE was standing...and I SWEAR  she was smiling at me!!!   I squatted in front of her, and admired her...the laquer glowed, and the wood and ornamentation was lovely.  There were also TWO bows in the case.  I untied her, her neck was strapped in the case, so she wouldn't fall out, and picked her up, and looked her over.  I asked, "Is she tuned?"

...He laughed, and said, "I did my best."

...I held her between my thighs, and ran a bow over her, and he remarked..."You are playing better."  I just smiled and nodded, and played a sonata.

...I wasn't upset when he asked if we could do a wire transfer of the $6,000.00, I called my banker, and he got his on, too, and the money got into his account.  I had actually thought of bringing cash, but, being a young woman, I figured that I would just hand over my purse if accosted...but didn't want to have $6,000.00 in it...and the idea of stuffing that much money into my bra and/or panties just didn't fit my idea of dignity.  I didn't want to be screaming, and cursing a mugger, who ran off with my purse, while my 'naughty bits' were stuffed with cash.  But...I got the gamba, and called a friend to get me home.

...So, we got Rose home.  She has a red, hard case, which suits her.  I would walk into the concert hall, the bright red case hanging on my right shoulder, and other musicians, would smile, and call out...

..."Hello Rose, good to see you"...

...They ignored me...

[Izee]

...I performed this work several times...it really resonated with me.  I could play other works, and smile and leave the stage, and feel OK.  When I performed this, well, I got hot.  I entered our Apt, after a concert, all wet, it was raining, and set my cello in her corner, and looked at my boyfriend, and said..."Upstairs"  I had walked across the campus, and decided to take the longer, paved path to our Apt.  Usually, I would slide down the dirt levee, and walk across the field...but I didn't want to slip and slide down, face first.  I had done that once...and my boyfriend was highly amused.  My face and front of my body were covered with mud...I just shrugged at him, and said...

..."I got gang raped, I need to clean up...they held me face down."  He just laughed, and said..."Hope you held something back for me."

...Well, i got naked...and he did me.  I was listening to this, in my mind, as I was did.   

...https://youtu.be/nioKJNp8ADE