Okay, that was embarrassing

So I went to the RUF art/coffee house thing last night. Mostly enjoyable I must say.

I was a bit late due to making a taco dinner for three of my good friends. Monsieur Maine, Blue Hen, and Night Fox all enjoyed good tacos, even if the tomato I selected was a "bit too green."

The acts were amazing! The Italian Stallion appropriately played an Italian waltz on the accordian, which he's been only playing for three months. Nice appearance, too. The Polymer Potter played a song from the Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece anime, Castle in the Sky, on the piano AND sung the lyrics in Japanese. Very beautiful. (Hehehe, she's so humble that she asked everyone how she did. She nailed it, what else could we say?) A group called Orpheus Wire (or Lyre...I can't remember) played a nice string quartet of songs. After resolving some technical difficulties, a group performed a HILARIOUS dance interpretation of Bonnie Tyler's "Eclipse of the Heart."

Mixed in were poetry readings, several acts from the master of ceremonies, and a rather awesome rendition of the Hall of Fame "Who's on First?" Abbott and Costello joke.

I was supposed to be towards the end, and suddenly I begin to feel this great trepidation. Normally, I don't feel this kind of worry but I usually play the piano for myself, not for a group of over forty people (even if I know more than half the crowd). Besides, there was the minor detail of me forgetting my sheet music.

Well, actually, I remembered in the BSU. I had been busy doing work for my campus newspaper that I didn't have time to pick it up until shortly before the event. But when I went to pick my sheet music, I found the BSU building locked and dark. Oh, the intern must not be in for the night.

[censored]

I had promised to play a song though, so I went ahead and signed up. And then the M.C. announced that I would be the final act for the evening.

Oh crap, people are going to remember this one because I was the last one. You save the best for last, right?

Wrong. Dead wrong.

I smiled, explained that "Where Do I Begin" is the theme song to Love Story, an old 1970 movie that won an Academy Award for best musical score. I then proceeded to try to play the song from memory.

They probably thought I was lying as I got through the first fourth of the song decently well, but then I started jumbling it after that. I stopped and restarted, but I still couldn't do it. I was getting really really really nervous at this point.

What do you do when everyone else has nailed their acts and you've just screwed up yours...twice?

Smile, and try to play a different song. So I tried playing the Star Wars theme...but by this time my nerves were shot and I couldn't focus enough to remember the song. I was flustered with embarassment. Everyone started cheering though, so I smiled and decided to play the song I knew I couldn't screw up.

I went with "Battle Hymn of the Republic", a song that I played for a recital when I was ten years old and kept playing every since. I may have played it twice as fast as it should have been played, but at least I played the right notes. After I was done, I shook my head and scurried off the stage as fast as I could.

Afterwards, people were polite. They said I did a good job, even though I managed to bungle not one, not two, but rhree songs. A lot of people asked me how I recollected myself.

Just how did I recollect myself?

I am going to say that it was by the grace of God, because I wanted to run off the stage after my first two screwups.

Note to self: Don't leave home without your sheet music.

Spending time with a person I hate

So, shortly after I embarass myself thoroughly on the piano, I get a phone call. Oddly enough, it's the red headed Brigid, my friendly nemesis. I was tempted not to pick the phone, but I did out of politeness.

B: Hey, you should come over to my apartment. Quite a few people are here for my birthday bash. Come on over for a drink!
D2: I don't drink.
B: Daniel, it's my birthday.
D2: Fine, I'll come over, but only because it's your birthday.

I have to explain something. I do hate the red headed Brigid, if only somewhat facetiously. I actually really admire her. She's really smart, can play the piano well, and ain't willing to take crap from no one. It's just that we are diametrically opposed when it comes to religion and politics, which we all know are the dividing lines in America.

So I come over and quickly realize I'm the only guy there. Besides Brigid's roomie, there are three of Brigid's sorority sisters. Liberally minded sorority sisters, at that. I had this sinking feeling that my embarassment this night could only continue.

A half hour after my arrival at the party...

Drunk: You're a f***ing a**hole!
D2: Um, okay.

So, yes, this drunk person whom I have never met in my life just calls me some curse words. I guess I should be less straightforward when dealing with drunks. I just shrugged went to play the piano.

Drunk: No, wait, I've changed my mind. You're not an a**hole, because an a**hole couldn't play the piano so well. A**holes wouldn't care about playing the piano.
D2: Careful, you might be surprised.

More random conversation, wherein I am reminded that the red headed Brigid wore these dreadful dreadlocks her freshman year. Another sorority girl and her boyfriend shows up.

Drunk: Okay, I want to apologize. I think you're a really cool person. You see, the people I think are cool, I call them a**holes. As for real a**holes, I treat them politely.
D2: Well, since I'm an a**hole, I'm going to have to refuse your apology.
Caleb: Oh, he just went old school elementary on ya!
Drunk: [laughs] See, you're so cool, you make old school new school!

Thankfully, the drunk passed out. And it was soon decided that we should go to a bar. Again, the birthday excuse was used to coerce me to go (sigh, I'm too polite sometimes).

So at the bar, the red headed Brigid tells me she's singing at a local Episcopalian church. She invited me come, Hmmmm, I wanted to refuse but I knew what excuse was coming. So I agreed to go in lieu of my normal Sunday excursion to First Baptist.

The service itself was different than your typical Episcopalian service. That's because they were celebrating Black History Month with the remnants of a Black congregration. Apparently, this black bishop (not the chess piece mind you) started preaching a message of "inclusiveness", and shortly thereafter he lost half his church and the church building itself. They were welcomed to use the facilities at Trinity Episcopalian, however, and it has turned out to be a huge boon by mixing fresh blood into the congregration.

I didn't take communion. Instead of holding my hands out to receive the bread, I crossed my arms to receive a blessing. Quite frankly, Baptists don't do communion. We do the Lord's Supper.

My time with the red headed Brigid concluded with lunch and our usual political tiff. She was none too happy to find out that I was planning to apply for a Republican internship this summer. Funny, I'm none too happy that she wants to be a tree hugger.

I had a good time, as I don't get to intelligently discuss religion and politics too often. However, she thinks that the stories I tell in Senate are a waste of time.

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate tree hugging liberals?