There are, however, some things that I have not yet learned how to do:
- pack lightly (I am a “just in case I need this” packer)
- not squeeze as much in as possible (see above)
- not be annoyed when I need to show my boarding pass eight times
- not be continually surprised that all nice elements of flying (including maybe not having paper
cups only at every turn in an airport!) have been disposed of
When I was little, I would travel by bike to my neighbor’s house to play. The neighbor was about a 45-second bike ride away. I would also insist on bringing lots of other things with me. Would we want to play ponies or jewelry? It’s better to be prepared.
In order to be prepared, I needed to bring everything. I would balance bags on opposite handlebars, and wiggle my way down our cul-de-sac (apparently with my mother watching from the door).
There is still some truth to this four-year-old girl. She has grown up, but not grown-out-of, being a bag lady.
Yet there are some problems to be solved on the current trip:
CLOTHING AND ATTIRE
1. I am headed to Wisconsin for ten days. Weather there, at this time of year, is inconsistent. I have a coat, scarf, and gloves with me. Also packed are coordinated (black-and-color) palettes of pants, sweaters, tops, that can be layered easily.
2. I will be staying with a friend, who is a work-out fiend and we will go to the gym often. Also in my bag are: sneakers and workout attire.
3. Part of the gig is the playing of two concerts - I will be in a long black dress. This also means that the right shoes, hosiery, dress, and jewelry are there.
4. My day-to-day existence on this trip is one of musical authority, at a university where I am a guest. This also requires me to be appearing professional (the same jeans and sweatshirt every day won’t cut it on this job). Attire: classy professional or business-semi-casual (see #1).
PORTABLE OFFICE
5. The gig is to music-direct three one-act operas. Each of these is an entire book.
6. I have an audition coming up which will require me to play-and-sing an entire opera. That score, and its libretto notebook (another post, later) are in the wheeling bag. I will have some time to practice, and that audition is approximately one month after the closing of this gig.
7. I just got a new laptop (!) and I want to do more video-editing and website-editing and professional work while I’m gone. That came with me.
8. I have only one paperback novel with me, along with my Kindle. While I love books, the Kindle for purposes of travel is a god-send.
9. I will want to do some recording of myself playing rehearsals, so I can adjust anything I need to. I can listen back, take notes, and make corrections to myself or others. My weapon-of-choice here is a Zoom H4. I also don’t leave home without this - I’m recording myself during most days, on either harpsichord or piano.
I normally don’t name names on this blog, as to keep a professional tone. However, United Airlines (with American Airlines a close second) have appeared to be a combination of Sleeping Beauty’s Malificent, Dido’s Sorceress, Benedict Arnold, and Circle of Friends’ Sean Walsh.
First of all, no notification on my flight-change from United. Nothing. They emailed me *while I was in the air* to tell me that my flight from O’Hare to Central Wisconsin was canceled. Customer service? Non-existent. Then, my carry-on, containing my scores (it was heavy, so I packed it in something that wheeled) didn’t fit beneath my seat, so they …
CHECKED IT ALL THE WAY TO WI.
I have been waiting in Chicago for the bag to be released, but no … the music and my clothing will beat me to Wisconsin.
A while ago, I would have really flipped out about this … there is nothing to be done. So the rest of my afternoon will consist of:
finishing this blog post
finishing my cappuccino (though I’m drinking it out of a paper cup - my inner European hates this)
going through airport security for the third time today
enjoy the wait
And then … doing some writing … recovering from the most intense six months that I can remember (wedding planning, wedding, tour, written comps preparation, job applications, written comps, waiting for written comps, orals). In fact, I may very well get an airport massage and invest in a travel pillow (those micro-bead, soft foamy ones) … I can either be stressed or I can relax and wait for my plane … being stressed won’t solve anything …
PHOTO: From an audition trip in 2008 - the best way to wait for a flight (or other mode of transportation) ...
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