Middle School Opening Gala

So, Monday was a very interesting evening...

The concert started at 6.  As I approached a place to sit, BF ran up and sat with me.  We talked as quietly as we could without disturbing the peace too much for the beginning of the orchestra portion.  At 6:30, we sneaked our way out of the auditorium so we could meet up with the rest of the cast in the chorus room.

So the mersisters were short two now with ES having an ear infection.  They had reworked the choreography on their own during the school day.  That relieved the stress.

Honestly, this was a no stress performance.  The show has been done for a month, and no one's ever going to remember what happened last night in the long run.  I was excited to see everyone again though.  And I'm glad that I did.

When they went on, it was okay.  We were cramped, and missing people, and hadn't worked it too much in a month.  Did they look good? No.  Did they need to look good? No.  The purpose was to tribute the musical at the grand opening of the middle school, and it did just that.

Then things got crazy.  After Little Mermaid went, I went to rejoin my family to watch the band portion.  But I found that they had had to give away my seat.  I couldn't find any more room in the auditorium.  So I didn't get to see A perform.

So then I went backstage to the room where all the Little Mermaid people were waiting for the America the Beautiful Finale.  A lot of people were there.  I hung out mostly with KR, JI, ER, BF, and AL, but I got DM and NB's numbers, and had a civilized conversation with GC and OB.

But the problem is that for some reason I was the only one in that room.  No one else was watching them, and things were getting out of hand as it is.  I knew that seats would have opened up after the 6th grade portion, but I didn't want to leave everyone on their own.  So, regrettably, I didn't get to see the band perform at all.  That was really disappointing.

I did get to see America the Beautiful, and that was kind of pointless.  They should have had the people who were in both band and Little Mermaid singing, and not playing, because the band was way too loud.

So after the show I said goodbyes, with hugs to all, and "hope to see you soon"s.  Although KR insisted on giving me a ride home, I got one with BF (when we finally left), because it was more convenient for her family.

All in all, a pretty disappointing night.  I would have loved to see everyone perform.

-NM

Les Misérables National Tour

One of the greatest shows I have ever seen.  Maybe the greatest.

I'm way behind on posting, so this is more of a formality.  I may put up more later (if you really want me to), but otherwise I'm just going to hit the main details.

You could tell that everybody was amazing.  Literally, from the lowliest prostitute to Jean Valjean, everyone was really good.  A lot of people complained about the Fantine, but I didn't think she was that bad.  And then, when I found out that Valjean and Javert were being played by their understudies, I was baffled.  They were so good!

Who was my favorite? Gavroche! The kid who played that part was incredible! And his death was so tragic.

And the sets were really cool, how they had the projections onto the back.  That was perfect! Not traditional, but actually more effective than traditional scenery and lighting would have been

All in all, I loved it!  And there was this couple sitting next to me, and you could tell that the girl was a huge Les Mis fan.  She was crying within the first number, and occasionally would start singing along, before stopping herself.

It's just an amazing show.  I thought NA's was good, but now I'm not so sure.

-NM

Response to Advice 1/26/13

I know it's a few days late, but I've just been so busy that I haven't had time to write this.

I'm texting KK.  Somehow the conversation turns to my life.  She tells me that I have a ton of friends, and that everyone likes me.  I feel the urge to counter the argument,

"Why do I always feel alone? Why do I just sit in the corner at lunch after failing to get engaged in conversation? Why am I always that one person who wasn't invited? Why do entire musical rehearsals go by without me saying a word to anyone?"

And she responds with this long text:

"Sometimes you have to sit there and listen. I know youre probably sick of listening cuz thats what youve been doing a lot anyways, but its more of laughing at the moments and being there to show people you care. Even if you sit there, people have you in their head that you can be trusted, but it takes just patience i guess. Youre not invited because you dont have a facebook, brahh. I didnt used to be invited but i got more involved in facebook and communication. And now youre finally texting so you can do those things. Its about networking. Musical people talk to talk. You talk for a reason. I admire the "reason" talking more but you have to talk to be heard. And again if you dont wanna talk you listen again. Youll gain knowledge and people will remember the trust. I realize how stupid this all is. I hate it. Its societal pressures and social difficulties but thats firking high school. And you have so much going for you that sometimes people just dont see you as the kid round the corner. Youre gonna be something so special and so much bigger that high school networking doesnt even matter and people know that. If you want to get involved, your questions are welcomed but this is how i see all of it. And i hate it."

I've thought about it, and I think I need to try it.  What she said is true in many ways.  Maybe I should just accept the fact that I'm quiet and embrace it.  But I can't help but wonder what I should do/

-NM

St. Sava Day

I go to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.  January 27th is the official commemoration of St. Sava, so our church has an annual banquet on the closest Sunday to that date (this year it worked out perfectly).  He's known for leaving his position as heir to the throne to join the monastery, inspiring his father, St. Simeon to do the same, building churches all throughout Serbia and Greece, and establishing the Serbian Patriarchate of the Orthodox faith.

To commemorate him, in addition to the banquet, all the Sunday School children have to prepare a speech.  However, this year instead of being given speeches in Serbian, we had to write our own.  The good news is that they were in English, and didn't have to be memorized, but this required an actual writing of our own.  

They were due to be handed in a week before the program.  V just used our nightly prayer.  A worked with a girl in her Sunday School class to do one together.  I wrote mine and was ready in time for the due date.  J wrote his on the car ride to church on the day they needed to be turned in.  None of us were that bad.  About half of the people didn't have theirs done, and had to write it during Sunday School.

Here's mine...

You had all the earthly glory

Man could ever own

But you were still not satisfied

With prospects of the throne

So you gave away the Earthly Cares

To worship God alone

And now you have all heavenly glory

And your name on Earth's still known

The program itself was today, and was very quick.  One speech right after the other.  None were that memorable, and I hope they go back to giving them to us next year.  But the reception was great!  Some of the best food that I've had in a long time!

-NM

Last Rehearsal + Following Events

Déjà vu, right?  Isn't another post already called Last Rehearsal? That's because I thought it was...

So as I mentioned on One Month After, (Not giving details again) Little Mermaid has two more mini performances.  Today was the one rehearsal on the new stage.  I loved it.  The new stage itself was not great, though better than the complaints I had heard about it, but the rehearsal itself was so much fun.

You can guess what I was wearing (Hint: I mentioned it in the post titled The Cape).  That got a reaction, and so many people came up to hug me that Mr. V had to stop them to keep the rehearsal going.  We ran through all the major numbers twice, and even put almost everyone in "Under the Sea". I couldn't find it in my heart to give ratings.  It would have just been cruel.

So afterwards, as aforementioned, we got a group and went into town.  After last minute recruiting of people that may have been able to come (LW, ER, among others), we finally set out.  At one point, the group consisted of CG, CP, ES, AN, BF, RD, MC, KD, KR, and me.  And the story of why each person had to leave can detail everything that we did.

Ten good friends went into town...

So CG never intended to stay long.  He basically just walked with us from the Middle School until we turned down the street to KR's house (she had to drop off her stuff). And then there were nine.

CP had to go as we passed the library.  That was unfortunate, and BF tried to get her to come with us, but couldn't get her to stay. And then there were eight.

Then we went to B.  Once we got there, ES got word that she couldn't stay, and so she had to leave.  And then there were seven.

Afterwards, we actually went to the library, and played Apples to Apples.  MC beat BF in a sudden death tiebreak.  As we were leaving, AN had to go.  And then there were six.

As we were on our way to PA, BF gets a call saying that now she has to meet her family at the Hospital (no problems, just a checkup).  After an interesting series of events, we all agree to walk with her.  As we approached the hill, BF practically insisted that we leave.  And then there were five.

The rest of us, (KD, KR, MC, RD, and I), went to S to get some hot drinks, though KR got a frappuccino.  There we were rejoined by AN, who had a awkward experience that I don't want to relate.  And then there were six again.

Then, as we all decided to go to the candy store, RD agreed to meet her dad there.  And then there were five.

After we shopped around the candy store, MC had to leave for swimming.  And there there were four.

Then we went to P Bookstore.  We hung out, the four of us who were left.  Then the rest of our time doesn't exactly follow Agatha Christie.

KR had to go home, and I agreed to walk with her.  AN had to go home, and KD stopped by the library.  While I was walking home with KR, I got a text from KD asking if she wanted to work on the story at the library.  I agreed.

Then I met KD at the library, and we worked on the story for a while.  While we were there, CK and VB walked in, and we talked for a while.  I even saw Mr. B for the first time in a while.  And at about 5:00, I left to go home.

I love my friends.  I really do.  And I consider this a personal accomplishment as well.  This may be the first time that I have ever gotten a group of friends together to hang out.  Granted, I did need some help for the people who's numbers I don't have, but I still feel a little proud of myself.

I can't wait for Monday.  I get to see everyone again.  And after so little time in between seeings too!

-NM

A Day in the Life

A lot has happened during the past 24 hours. I feel the need to mention some of it, starting at about 8:00 last night.

• Started texting MS
• Texts with KR
• Watch two episodes of the Odd Couple.
• After two-hour period of no response from MS, confess to her that I haven't been a very good friend.  About how I've barely kept in touch with her, and that she has no reason to try and keep in touch with me.  Is about 9 texts long, and I'm starting to cry by the time I'm done writing it.  
• Sleep a little
• Wake up the next morning, see text from MS as follows:
• "Oh darling, I didn't forget about you. ... Nick, you are so amazingly sweet.  And I love you.  And you know, you are incredibly important to me.  You always have been.  And we aren't going to lose touch.  I love you.  And when I come back to visit, we are going to get lunch and hang out and talk for hours.  It'll be wonderful. :) sleep tight, Nick. Sweet dreams. You are not a bad friend. You are wonderful."
• That was all I needed.  I felt a lot happier after that, having only my long, distressing text on my mind all night.  
• Christmas carols in orchestra
• Back-to-back subs, 3rd and 4th period
• Alone again at lunch, but I find comfort by texting MS (why she was free at that moment I don't know)
• Get e-mail from my dad.  I got into NHS! Though I would have liked to open the letter myself...
• Rehearsal after school.  Finish "Anything Goes", with a classic quote by MG
• "You have now learned all of Anything Goes.  Don't celebrate, because it sucks!"
• Completely tired after rehearsal, and already late to ballet.  Decide not to go to acting.

It was just a crazy day, and in many ways atypical.  And now I'm blogging, after I've finished all my homework.  Even though that's the condition I'm using to explain why I'm not at acting, the fact that I had too much homework.  I'm completely dead.  And now I'm going to text my friends, and not do anything tonight.  Because tomorrow's the end of the term.  And I'm going to see everyone from the middle school show.

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.

-NM

Response to a List 1/23/13

I was feeling lonely.  I was texting KR.  I was telling her about how sometimes I feel like I don't mean anything to people.  She tells me that she can easily name 10 people who adore me.  I felt the need to put her to the test.  Here's what she came up with:

1. BF - "[BF literally loves you. We have had conversations about how wonderful you are.. Don't doubt [BF]."
2. KD - "[KD] adores everything about you! She has told me."
3. JI - "She loves talking to you an considers you a close friend"
4. MC - "She sees you as a big brother"
5. NB - "I know she seems the least likely.. But she admires your choreography a lot more than others"
6. DM - "She honestly has spoken to me about how fond she is of you."
7. KM - "...He keeps saying if [NM] doesn't do the choreography for the next show he's going to have a mental break down... Weird kid..."
8. ES - "She likes you almost as much as [BF] does"
9. AL - "Don't know her too well... I do know she likes hanging around you."
10. AN - "She thinks you are the 'ideal human being'"
11. KR - Who wasn't about to leave herself off of the list.

This just brightened up my day.  I had to share it with everyone.  I wish I had a list like this from someone in high school, but this is enough.  Part of the reason I wanted to put this list on the blog is so I can see it whenever I want to.

I have to apologize for anyone KR may have left off.  Feel free to comment.

-NM

MC

I know that I know 4 MCs.  This one's the 7th grader who was in The Little Mermaid.

We saw each other today.  Me, KR, and her met at B up in town.  Then we went over my house, where V joined us and we watched The Aristocats.  Afterwards, we played/sang a few songs on the piano, and then went downstairs for ping pong.  She and V were on the same team.  Every time they scored a point, they would do A's "skill skill" dance, followed by "Doing the Rat" from Pied Piper.  They beat me and KR.

She is such a character.  I couldn't place it for the longest time, and then I realized that it's characterized by the fact that she speaks in stacatto.  Every sentence ends with some sort of sharp ending, sometimes followed by a laugh.  

She is just one of those people who I could never picture being sad.  Seriously, if I saw her crying it would blow my mind.  She always is smiling, and is normally ready with a "schmeh" of a "huzzah" when necessary.  It's just impossible to be sad around her.

Not to mention that she and V get along so well together.  Seriously, they could be almost the same person.  When they were on the same team for ping pong, they both had the same dancing instinct, and had no reserves doing it.  

Although, I feel that KR is the link holding us together.  Whenever we talk, KR is always there.  I can't tell whether she really likes me or not sometimes.  I assure you, I like her, and would love to spend more time together.

We had such a good time today.  You have no idea.

-NM

One Month After

Today was exactly one month after the show and cast party of The Little Mermaid.  I think it is appropriate to give an update on how well I've been keeping in touch.

• ES: We're still in acting and musical theater class together, and have a good time with those.  She's the only one from the show that I see on a regular basis now.
• ER: We ran into each other at WDA, but that's not uncommon.  We'll keep seeing each other 30 seconds a week for a while.
• RD and RS: Both good friends of A.  I've seen and will continue to see them at my house.
• JI: I've texted her a lot.  She's one of the few people who actually contacts me first sometimes.  We've just had a lot of brief conversations.
• KD: We've kept in touch by text.  We've been working on the story together, though we haven't been able to work as much on it as we did when we first started.  I haven't actually seen her since the middle school winter chorus concert.
• MC: Although we haven't really texted, we've actually seen each other on more than one occasion.  She was at the Disney Marathon, and also there when us and KR went to see Les Miserablés.  I feel though that KR is the bond holding us together.
• BF: As I mentioned, she was there on 12/22/12 when we went into town.  However, we haven't seen each other after that.  We've kept in touch, and she's been working with me to discover both who sent that mystery note, and who is Another Generation Jump (see To My Readers:), both without success so far.  We agreed to see each other more, now that she has to leave, though I don't exactly know when that's going to happen yet.
• KR: Of all the people, I've kept in touch with her the most.  I've seen her several times, between the Chorus Concert, when BF, she, and I went into town, at the Disney Marathon, and when we went to see Les Miserablés.  Although I haven't (and don't plan to) elaborate on what happened at Les Mis, we both had a great time.  She currently makes up more than half the total texts in my phone, and almost always texts me both in the morning, and after school.  I truly feel that we've become really close with each other, and that will always remain.

The sad thing is that other than that, and the few people I also saw at the chorus concert, I haven't really kept in touch with anyone.

The good news is that I'm going to see everyone one last time.  For the grand opening of the new middle school, numbers from Little Mermaid are going to be performed twice, at the Open House on 1/26, and at the Music Gala and 1/28.  Although I can't go to the open house, I will be rehearsing with the cast the day before, and should be able to attend the Gala.  I'm going to love seeing everyone again. But hopefully that won't be the final time.

-NM

Not Again

I got a text from BF last night.  After this year, their family is moving to W DC.

It's just all so sudden.  She never said anything of it before.  I just can't believe it.

What happened to her doing ensemble next year?  What happened to us being in the same school together?  What happened to her doing the musical theater class?  What happened to us finally being in the same show together?  What happened to her taking my job as choreographer?

We have hardly known each other a year.  She was there on some of the best times I have ever had.  But why does it have to end?

She seemed remarkably calm.  I don't understand it.  She's going to be leaving everything behind.  I would be in tears.  Maybe its just the fact that we were communicating by text, but I could hardly believe it.  Maybe its the fact that she's going to have no problem making new friends.

But I'll really miss her.  We all will.

We agreed to spend more time together over these last few months.  I'm sure I'll cherish every moment.

And JF too.  Even though she was leaving for next year already, she won't ever be here anymore.  When she comes home, she won't be coming here.  Who knows when we'll see each other?

I really wish that I had classes with her this year.  We've hardly ever seen each other this year.  We'll hardly ever see each other ever now.  This year's musical will be it.

It's going to be rough.  I can't even count how many times I've wished MS were still here.  Not only that, but I've been pretty close with this year's senior class.  And now B and JF.  Next year's going to be hard.  And after that, I'm on my own.  I want to go to college close so I'm not leaving everyone and everything behind.  But how much of it's going to be left?

-NM

Winter Break

My faithful readers are probably wondering why I haven't posted anything for a while.  You just have to look at the Introduction.  Nothing interesting happened. Only a handful of people even tried to contact me.  I only saw about three of my friends.

Some nights I wish that this all would end.

Cause I could use some friends for a change.