Yesterday we went to the Hemmens Auditorium in Elgin to see guest conductor Tania Miller lead performances featuring the symphonies of Ravel, Brahms & Shostakovich. Some friends had free tickets and asked us to join them, which we happily agreed to do. Artie and I were subscribers a couple years ago and enjoyed the performances by this amazing local symphony very much. Except for one thing...I always fall asleep during the performances! Each and every time we have been at the Hemmens to watch the ESO perform I fall asleep. Yesterday's performance held even more embarrassment for me because I actually commented to Artie as we took our seats that we were among the youngest people in the auditorium. When I looked around I thought we had accidentally gone to Del Webb's Edgewater clubhouse. There were so many elderly, white-haired folks in that auditorium that it tickled me a bit to feel so youthful...
Ha ha ha!? The laugh was on me! As I struggled to stay awake during the third "set" of Brahms, it occurred to me that none of the old folks around me looked like they were battling to stay awake. Not even the most geriatric ones in the house. They were all bright-eyed and busy-tailed compared to my war with my drooping eyelids!! Now, I have rationalized to myself that the reason I fall asleep is that orchestral symphonies are so beautiful, peaceful, and serene that it comforts me and lulls me to relaxation. What else could it be?? Staying up until after midnight on Saturday night? The "stress" of being retired? Huh? I was doing the head-bob thing and tried so hard not to let our friends see me doing so. Fortunately their seats were across the aisle from ours and their view was obscured by another couple. I also didn't want Artie to notice since he always teases me when I fall asleep during the symphony.
I think it's awesome the way life seems to humble me every time I get too smug...
No comments:
Post a Comment