20 May 2023
It was a busy week this week Chez A. As you’ve already read, I was in the city on Tuesday morning. I went back into the city on Thursday morning to have some bloodwork done and to get another COVID booster. That means that I was up early every day this week – by 6 at the latest!
A few weeks ago, I got a text from Walgreens saying that I could be eligible for another COVID booster. I messaged my doc and he said, yes, do it. So I made the appointment and zipped over to Walgreens. But when I got there, the pharmacist wouldn’t give me the shot. She said that it was the same one I got in September and that I didn’t need a second one. I let my doc know, and he said, “stop by the office next time you’re in the city and we’ll boost you here.” So that was Thursday morning. I got down there on the train and saw my doc’s nurse as soon as my blood was drawn.
I got the results yesterday. I thought they were going to run a lipid panel to check my cholesterol, but they didn’t – and everything else they did check was great! Yay Me!!
The thing that took most of my attention this week was that I made my storytelling debut at Homewood Stories on Tuesday evening. This is me, in my garage, on my way to the show. I’m always very happy to get a good selfie, because I’m not really all that photogenic. I was wearing some of my Iona stones to help me stay heart-focused.
I told a story about memories, my stepson, and being a holiday stepmom. I got a lot of positive feedback, both from the audience and from the other storytellers on the docket that night. There are always five storytellers, one of whom is always the producer of the show (she’s on the stage above us). Here we all are, taking a curtain call. (Like I said, not particularly photogenic . . . )
It was wonderful and terrifying at the same time. I opened the show, and as I walked to the mic, I realized it was too low for me. I don’t know how that happened, because we set it for my height before we started. The sound guy came out and adjusted it, and that did throw me off. The opening line of my story completely left my head for a split-second. Probably only the producer realized that. At least I hope it was only the producer ;-D Thankfully it was only a split-second and it came right back. I managed to get it out and stumble over the next line – and then the energy in my Iona stones kicked in and I was able to drop down into my heart and just let the story come out. I am hoping to participate again in the future – I’m already sifting through some of the more interesting/colorful stories of my life to see which one might become my next story.
It takes me time to put a story together. I’m much more a writer than an oral storyteller – and even though I was an actor and singer in another life, telling a story in front of an audience is completely different than being in a play. For one, you don’t usually interact with the audience when you’re in a play (unless you’re playing the Stage Manager in Our Town). For another, you usually have a lot of lights on you in a play, which makes it very difficult to see the audience. When you’re telling a story from your own life, you have to be able to see the audience to see if they are getting it or if you need to change it up a little – on the fly. For someone like me, that’s terrifying.
I don’t actually write my stories out – I make notes, craft bullet points I want to hit, and then start practicing the story out loud. When I’m feeling like I’m close, then I look for people to tell my story to to practice. I participated in a month-long story workshop that the producer of the show taught. It was very helpful, and the four of us in our workshop have become friends. We practice with each other. Anyway, I’m hopeful to return to Homewood Stories at some point later this year. In the meantime, I will attend with one or another of my cousins every month just to enjoy the stories :-)
While I was downtown this week, I was reminded how beautiful Chicago really is, with window boxes, small gardens, and container gardens all over the city..
Take a look . . .
“City in a Garden” for sure :-)
I’m enjoying a relatively quiet weekend and working on my Find Your Fade. I’m considering just knitting tomorrow when my friend, P, comes over to spin. I’m not quite sure yet.
I’m still listening to vintage Jennifer Warnes today. A little time travel back to 1979. This album was my favorites of hers. This is the title song.