day forty-seven - post
Today has been an amazing day (but all running on 3 1/2 hours of sleep)!
First off was the City2City accompanied by my friend Kim. There was a wonderful sense of community as we lined up at the start line. We did the 10km walk and talk event, both resplendent in our Kilt Life Crisis shirts (but only one kilt). We walked briskly, and chatted the whole way. There was also both Albury Wodonga Pipes and Drums, and the Scots School Pipe Band! Kilts ahoy!!
1:46:12 later, and we had reached the finish line.
After a quick shower and change, I headed down to the Fire-Aid benefit concert to get ready. There was an intimidating array of absolutely world class performers. The entire concert was classical, and I was a little concerned about how out ‘Water Music’ may fit in (as it’s a strange pseudo art nouveau, post-classical soundscape).
If the other performers weren’t intimidating enough, Dad and I were first! I was more nervous today than I have been playing in well over 3 years. My heart was racing, my fingers shaking and not listening to the signals my brain was trying to send them, and my heart felt as though it may leap out of my chest.
As we started into the first movement, I tried so very hard to control my brain and body. I wanted nothing more than to disappear into the music, but apparently, that wasn’t going to happen.
By the third movement, I’d racked up 3 bung notes, but other than that, felt it was a decent performance. We got a lot of very generous applause, and got the 3 hour show off to a good start.
After we had finished clearing the stage of my pairs of instruments, amps, and pedalboards, I felt I needed to get out of there. The tell tale signs of a panic attack were palpable; light headed, racing heart beat, mild paranoia, uncontrollable shaking. All up, it’s a pretty attractive look, so I sequestered away to the fresh air outside, but still within earshot of the incredible music happening within.
Ten minutes or so later, I was ok, but it was disappointing to have these feelings and emotions about performing which I though I’d been able to leave behind.
The other performers were magnificent, and as is the case with artists of that calibre, they were wonderfully warm, and gracious. Dad and I received some beautiful compliments about the work with was very humbling.
During the interval, I spoke briefly with the MC for the afternoon, ABC radio’s Gaye Patterson, and mentioned that I was planning to get in touch about Kilt Life Crisis. Within seconds, she was behind the project and moments later, as the second half was starting, she got me up to talk to everyone about it. It felt like a blur of words… I’m quite unsure of exactly what I said, but I remember the response from the crowd. There were warm, interested and engaged faces looking towards me, loud applause at times throughout, and some lovely comments at the end. Gregory was there taking photos (I’m pretty sure he’s from the ABC as well), and he took me aside afterwards to get some shots. All in all, just the best kind of response you’d expect from Auntie, our National Broadcaster.
So… a big day done. The first of the physical events for the year, a significant spike in my anxiety, and a lovely way to be a small part of the bushfire recovery effort in the Upper Murray.
Kilt of the Walk - Weathered Black Stewart Hiking Kilt
Kilt of the Performance - My old faithful, Ross Modern Hunting Tartan Kilt
Soundtrack of the day - Live Stream from today’s performance of Water Music - James & John Ross
https://www.facebook.com/107561554028186/posts/170492467735094/?d=n
Thanks of the day -
A massive thanks to Kim for putting up with me for 10kms, and for being such a huge supported of this project
Dad! You legend! It’s a huge honour to have worked together with you on this work, and was incredible to perform with you again. Hopefully, this leads to so many more.
To Fr. Peter - one of the most vehement and passionate supporter of the arts I’ve ever met, and amongst the finest and most joyful concert promoters in the region!
To all the performers at the Fire-Aide concert - It was an incredible experience to perform alongside you all at this wonderful event. You musicality, professionalism and humanity were awe-inspiring to be around, and you were all so gracious and kind. Unending thanks.
To my family - thanks ever so much for putting up with me, for being the support crew and ferrying us across town, and backing it up by sitting through the concert. I know it was a long day, but it was wonderful to have you all along.
To all of you reading this, and supporting this project. It means more to me than I could ever express.
