Noli Me Tangere

polkalogue 2005

encouragement

This came up in conversation recently, regarding the nature of self-worth, specifically how it is derived. It occurred to me that we might not all agree on this. Which compliment/encouragement would mean more to you, if you were able to choose?

"You have done a really good job."

or

"You are really talented/gifted."

Take your pick, then I'll reveal the correct answer.

bad day / good day

yesterday was one for the ages. a brief timeline, or comedy of errors, or series of unfortunate events:

10:23am - was casually informed by GSU admissions that my acceptance would be delayed by 4-6 weeks due to missing transcripts.

"but i already got an acceptance letter."
"sir, you got accepted to the music school, but won't be allowed to register until admissions completes your file."
"in 4-6 weeks? from the day you get the last transcript???"
"yes, sir."
"the semester starts in 4 weeks! were you guys going to tell me my file was incomplete??"
"um...sir, a letter should have gone out last month."

11:03am - aware that we don't have time for delays, i immediately contact the CCSU Registrar. naturally, they are currently relocating and therefore cannot handle transcript requests. they will be up and running soon, the website tells me, "but please expect some delays."

11:14am - talk to the CCSU Registrars office. after some grovelling, they inform me that if I slip them some extra cash, they can rush my transcript by mail. "ok," i think, "it's only money," and i pay the fee.

3:12pm - the school of music informs me that they have placed me in freshman voice lessons. i've lost a semester of lessons. this is bad for my schedule, but worse for my pride.

4:07pm - visit the GSU admissions office, where they quickly warn me NOT to have my transcript mailed because the GSU post office will delay it 2-3 weeks.

4:08pm - &$#*@%!!!!

4:35pm - a nurse jabs a strange needle in my deltoid while i pretend to calmly read up on the risks and benefits of Tetanus/Diptheria immunization.

4:36pm - the needle is still there. i develop violent thoughts toward this woman.

4:37pm - "you may experience some tenderness in your arm," the once-malicious nurse cooly informs me. sure. but how bad could it be?

5:01pm - i try to call the Registrar to tell them NOT to mail it, only to be told that "office hours are from 8-5pm."

5:05pm - i try to register, only to find out that, as threatened, admissions has prevented me from continuing my education.

5:30pm - rehearsal for the massive and unwieldly Christmas Gala. we begin by sitting on risers and staring into space while those in charge discuss placement.

6:02pm - still sitting. still staring. i wish i had brought a book.

6:17pm - still sitting. still staring. the kid next to me, without warning, begins to recount his tragic internship history. also, he hates his professors.

6:22pm - we sing through Personent Hodie twice.

6:24pm - we practice "processing". otherwise known as walking slowly. there are problems with spacing, with line breaks, with placement. i ponder the value of an industrial engineering degree.

8:02pm - finally, 2.5 hours later, we have this walking thing down pat and are allowed to leave. total tally:
singing practice - 2 minutes
standing around - 82 minutes
walking practice - 66 minutes

12:37am - all i really want is for the day to be over. but alas, the nurse was right. my arm hurts, and i can't sleep on my side.

that's probably a personal record for most whining in one entry. but today presents infinitely better prospects. in a few hours, i'll be channelling freddie mercury and barry gibb, defying physiology in the process. i'll be in my acid-washed jeans and high-tops. chad will be in his very-gay purple and black new-wave ensemble. my mullet will be so awesome that i won't even care that my arm is still locked up with Tetanus. and Marijane will be burning up in that disco inferno, and that will be good.