However, it seems I crossed some sort of Catholic liturgical line. I was told that because it was part of the Mass only three narrators could be allowed. Huh? So at the second rehearsal (out of 3 total) I put the kids' names into a hat and pulled out the three. Fortunately none of the three girls who never showed that night were picked. Two kids were disappointed and I looked like a heel once again. I had already severely let down a couple of little girls who had their heart set on being Mary. I had anticipated that one. But it was probably made worse because I picked my daughter who, I swear, was by far the best one for the role (based on her peformance AND her height relative to the actors playing angels and Joseph).
Unfortunately, at the time of the actual performance I missed most of it as I was corraling and educating all the last minute "ancilliary" shepherds and angels--about two dozen kids who, as they were told to, just showed up that evening at Mass and put on a make-shift costume and who had little to no idea what they were supposed to do. Still, from what I saw and from what I heard, it seemed to come off well.
I wish my singing solo earlier did as well. It was before Mass as people were coming in and taking their seats. I was to sing this solo written from Joseph's perspective. However, with all the commotion and the placement of the mikes relative to the piano, I could not hear the piano and could not pick out my starting note. We had to stop and start again. How embarrassing. But once I got going on it, it went quite well. But, boy, we could sure use some monitors back there.
Please, God, let this be the last year of Santa!
My youngest daughter insists on sleeping on the couch by the fireplace on Christmas Eve. My middle one, who due to her disabilities has maintained her Kringlistic beliefs, just would not fall asleep. Finally I was sneakily schlepping stocking stuffers past her open bedroom door at three o'clock in the f-ing morning! Then I had to load up the stockings and sneak them back to hang them, ever so quietly, about two yards from my sleeping young 'un. After that, I got to drag out the biggies from the Jolly Ol' Elf: a PS2 for the littlest one, a nifty telescope for Miss Middle girl, and a TV/DVD/VHS combo for the oldest. They were all well-received in the morning, or so I imagine as this was the first year where the missus and I were not up before the kids.
I bought Mrs. Koko several smallish items (a Christmas pin, a cologne sampler collection, a Wizard of Oz DVD, etc.) but her biggie was a nice leather coat that she was in no way expecting. She was way impressed and pleased. I received Metal of Honor: Rising Sun for the GameCube (and was up until 1am last night playing it), the Star Wars trilogy in DVD (what a cool bonus disk!), and a way, way, way cool black pork pie hat.
Man, I LOVE this hat. I've been wanting a pork pie for over a decade but could never justify spending that kind of money on something so trivial for myself. I'm not a "sexy, gorgeous" guy type but this baby brings out my "charming and cute" qualities. Then from my ma-in-law I got a healthy gift cert from the local music store which I'll be putting toward an acoustic guitar amp. And my big bro bought me a couple of guitar lessons at Sacramento's premiere guitar store. Too cool.
On a downer note, my godmother was in a minor traffic accident and suffered six broken ribs. That meant that her planned open house on Sunday was cancelled and I'm without my Christmas tamales this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment