The Speech I Didn't Give

Traditionally at musical, all the seniors give speeches at the cast party.  When thinking about what to talk about, I considered two options in my mind.  I felt that this one was a lot more coherent and thought out, but I didn't give it for two reasons:

• It would have spent most of the time talking about people who weren't there, and the underclassmen may not have even known.
• It would have simply been an excuse to make people cry, starting with the seniors and working its way down to the freshmen

Why am I putting it here?  Because it is dedicated to the people who have had an important impact on my life.  Without further ado...

Seven People I want to thank who aren't at the cast party (all who have done QV shows in the past)

Senior of Crazy for You: MG
Primarily because she was the first (and only) person to ask me, "[NM], why aren't we dating?"  I couldn't take that as a proposal, she had another boyfriend at the time, but it was nice to be noticed like that.

Senior of Guys and Dolls: BT
Always someone I could talk to at just about any time.  And what he wrote in my yearbook may be the greatest thing ever: "[N], Ever since I've known you in Honk, you have been a great friend to me! I know you are going to do well in whatever you set your mind to! And just remember one thing, no matter what may be said to you in your life, God loves you, and your friends will always be here! God Bless! -[BT]"

Senior of Anything Goes: RG
Going back to freshman year, early on I didn't really talk with anyone all that much.  However, a half day came along and I didn't exactly want to walk down to Subway alone before rehearsal started.  Basically, what happened was I asked him and a group he was with if I could walk down with them.  I got a weird look from everyone else, but RG was all, "Why wouldn't it be okay if you came with us?"  I really think that what he did there really speaks well to musical, that anybody can really talk to anyone at just about any time, and eat lunch together.  Back to the whole accepting thing.

Current Senior: MS
MS is someone that I can still always talk to without fear of judgement.  A lot of the times when I'm feeling down, I'll just text her, vent for a little while, and get cheered up.  Fortunately, it doesn't happen that often, but it's nice to know that I have a great friend like that who's always willing to listen.

Current Junior: TH
Current Sophomore: J
These next two kind of really go together, so I'm going to cover them at the same time.  These people I have to admire for not doing musical.  People say all the time that anyone can join, and we will be accepting of anyone.  However, some people just have other things they want to do.  We can be accepting of anyone, but some people just feel like they don't belong.  It has nothing to do with talented, both of these people are as talented musically as can be.  Furthermore, both come from families that have always done the shows, musical families.  But they have had the strength to do what they want to do.  And I admire and respect that.

Current Freshman: BF
BF is the embodiment of the happiness that comes out of doing musical.  The fulfillment of putting on a show, the joy that comes out of the accomplishment, and the spirit of doing it.  She is also the spirit of JF's wisdom, that we aren't competing against each other, and is quite proud of her ability to be satisfied with what she gets (especially seen in The Little Mermaid).  She has also been a great friend to me, and always seems to be excited at any chance we get to see each other.  I love being around her, and she's been a great friend to me.

I would have concluded by saying how much I loved everyone, and how I didn't mean to offend anyone here, and then put out the same address/letter offer that I actually gave (and meant!).  I think the speech I gave was less thought out, but fit better into the context of the evening.  At any rate, it's been a great four years, and I'm going to miss it.

-NM

Final Preparations

Well, the final week arrives.  The show opens tonight.

I can not say that I have had as strong of a case of Tech Week as last year (see my diagnosis).  I don't know why, maybe it's just that it is hard to get four times without figuring out how to make it through it.  Either that, or it's going to hit me in the next few days.

I must say, I think the show is going well.  The cast is into it, and we're all having a good time.  I only sense that good things are to come.  There's been a strong sense of unity, hardworking spirit (even commented on by Mr. V), and general enthusiasm.  I love working with this cast.  It's a lot of fun!

There has only been fun coming out of this show.  I am excited to go to rehearsals and perform.  Quite a contrast from last year.  The cast has a lot to do with it, and I feel a lot of it has to do with the fact that Pirates of Penzance is a much funner show to do than Anything Goes.

I also like the fact that we've changed several traditions that most people weren't happy with.  The Green Room is no longer strictly for seniors and principals only.  And the parts of the pre-show rituals that made everyone feel uncomfortable have been removed (to the delight of the majority) and replaced with a focus-generating moment of silence.  I personally think that this is a good thing, and am quite happy with it.

I must say that I think that the show is going to be good.  Those who have seen it like it, and I am only expecting better things to come.

There have been two extremely special moments so far this week.

The first was at notes on Tuesday.  Mr. C said, "[N], it took me four years to say this, but you are doing a really good job!"  That's always nice to hear.

The second was that I actually led our pre-show traditions for the senior citizens show.  Who knows that I could ever have authority over high schoolers?

-NM

PH

Ah, yes.  How do you fit all of PH into a single post?

Well, let's start at the beginning.  We first met when I was in 7th grade, him in 6th, during the-show-that-must-not-be-named.  He played a very overdramatic role.  And so it began.  That summer and the next year we were both in my first two PAC summers and Sound of Music.  I can't say that any real friendship formed at that point.  Sure, we knew each other, but were never the best of friends.

PH is the kind of person that everybody likes.  For some reason or another, everyone wanted to be around him.  For a while, I couldn't figure it out.  Always just assumed it was his flamboyant nature that did the trick.  It's true that people are generally pleased and entertained by that sort of thing.

High school arrived, and we didn't really see each other much my sophomore year.  My junior year, it began.  Now, we were in ensemble together, and most importantly musical, which is when it started.  We were both in Anything Goes, and I get the sense that at times he was as displeased as I was.

This past year, I think I've finally figured him out.  I've seen and gotten closer to him than I feel I ever have before.  We have identical singing voices, are in the same section for ensemble, and the same section for chorus of the same chorus class.  If that doesn't lead to a bond, nothing will.  And it did.  We've talked, helped each other out, and pushed each other along the way.  Through that, and through musical.

And I think I've finally figured him out:

3 Reasons People Like PH

1. He's funny, with a sense of humor that everyone appreciates.
2. He's entertaining, as his personality is so original.
3. He makes everyone feel special.  This reason is probably the biggest one of them all.  He will always go out of his way to pay a compliment to someone.  Yesterday at rehearsal, backstage, we were talking about the show, and he made me feel like I was the greatest thing to ever go on stage.  He makes just about everyone feel like that.  Just think about it.  If you know this guy, you probably have had some experience with him where he has said something that you really took to heart in a good way.  

So there.  Hopefully we will only get closer, but for now, we've got a show to do!  Away away!

-NM

My 18th Birthday

So, the dramatic transition from childhood to adulthood.  I assure you, I don't feel any different.  I'm still the same person.

Woke up to numerous happy birthdays from family, and several others over text.  I tell you, it was nice to know that people remembered.  Even though the signs weren't quite up when I came down the stairs.

School was nice.  I got several happy birthdays, even though I feel a lot of them were prompted by the fact that I was wearing the cape (for one of the last times too).  Still, overall, a remarkably good day at school, though moderately uneventful.

After school was a nice, easy rehearsal.  That was great.  All week, it seems all we have had is one intense rehearsal after another, and that's going to continue into the next two weeks almost nonstop.  Now, it's easy rehearsal yesterday, and today and tomorrow off, so we can completely regroup before the hard stuff really starts.  If only that didn't mean missing every single dance class...

After rehearsal, our whole family went out to dinner.  It was nice, and we all had a really good meal, even though it was a Lenten Friday.  Good conversation, and a nice atmosphere.

Then came presents when we got home.  I didn't really ask for anything, and I didn't really expect anything either.  I got some nice sweatpants, some shorts, a nice shirt, and then the present from A and V.

What A and V did was go through old photographs of shows that I had been in ever since first grade, and created scrapbook pages for all of them.  This had a huge range of time (literally ranging from 1st Grade's E-I-E-I-Oops! to this summer at PAC), and had a lot of pictures.  It was fun to look at all the old pictures, both of me, and of me with others (including AG and I in When Silents was Golden, and KM and I in The Wizard of Oz, and various other photos).  There are still more pages to do, they didn't quite finish, but it really was something special.

After that, I had a piece of cake, and went to bed as happy as ever.  It had been a good day, and had ended on a great note.

-NM

P.S. I find it extremely funny that for all the blogs I follow, everyone either hasn't posted in a long time, or their most recent post has apologized for how long it has been since they last posted.  I guess it's that time of year!