the graduation

we'd been invited to our friend's graduation. it was nothing like we'd imagined. we all thought it'd be something big with hundreds of students and lots of family and friends and it turned out it was very small with just 6 graduates. that said, it was fun. disorganised, but fun. after they received their diplomas and the pictures were taken, there was a small buffet of food and drinks and a great pianist. somehow, one of us (not me) started asking the pianist for specific music and it suddenly turned into karaoke. unfortunately, M.  sings completely out of tune (i'm an amazing singer in comparison, and i don't really sing in tune either), which was slightly embarrassing as people's ears were clearly being killed. but then the Dean took over and although his voice was better, his rhythm was completely off, and i mean completely, and after that, getting SL away from the mike (she'd never done karaoke before) was near impossible. we eventually made it back into town to shoot some pool, which was fun. well, until the next thing happened.

improvising on the bus

we had just finished our improv session and were about to take the bus to the bar we were having drinks at when our leader suggested we use the bus to do some improv. there was a longer discussion as to what to do but in the end, we couldn't make up our minds so we decided we'd improvise once onboard. 

5 of us got onto a bus as if we didn't know each other and sat in different spots. F. pretended to be drunk and walked into C., where they hard a short argument about being polite. C. then came to sit next to me. M. was sitting a little further and S. was standing in the bendy part of the bus. C. then stood up and went to M., pretending to recognise her from long ago. they had a short chat and he returned to me, explaining she was an old friend. i pretended to be polite but not to care. by this time, F. had sat down close to us whilst also bumping into S. there was only a stop left and i was the only one who hadn't really done anything so i stood up and walked up to S., asking him if he took this bus often and, after some chit-chat, getting invited for a drink. although we'd all had a couple of laughs during the short trip, we stayed in character all the way to the bar, and then kept going for a while as everyone turned up, pretending to be other people. it was a lot of fun.

the coffee incident

i was having a drink with a friend in a coffee shop when a woman bent over to take a paper on the table...and lost her balance. her freshly brewed coffee spilled all over my back and it was hot! she was very apologetic but i was in pain so couldn't really deal with her. luckily, the guy behind the bar had some antiseptic/antiburn cream so after a few minutes with an ice cold dishcloth on the burn, i was able to cover my back with the cream, which felt much better. that said, it was damn uncomfortable wearing wet clothes (i'd taken off a layer but couldn't exactly walk around in my bra) and although i really like the smell of coffee, only in small doses and this was pretty permanent until i eventually got home and was able to change.

the news

our boss called an extraordinary meeting. we'd never had one of those, and he'd set it at a time that was after most people's lessons, making sure we technically could make it. of course, this started a whole load of rumours as to what this was all about. cost-cutting, change in strategic positioning, his departure..., there was lots of choice. the extended management team didn't say a word so i was left to guess like the others, which several people didn't believe. 

the big day came and the meeting started with a TED video on the merits of different musical conducting styles. as the video progressed, i could see where this was going, but was still shocked when, once it was over, the boss announced he would be leaving us. he had trouble containing his emotion over the news and was slightly sobbing and if there's one thing i can't do, it's not cry when others are crying. 

once the announcement was made and a few more details shared, we were all invited to a drink in the big room. unfortunately, i had other commitments so i couldn't stay, which in a way was just as well because my head was full of questions and i didn't know how i was supposed to feel about it all. 

the party

i was hoping i'd be able to practise the waltz at the wedding party. the groom's father had, after all, been my mother's dancing partner for 6 years so i was confident that he'd be able to recognise a 3-step rhythm even if modern. that didn't happen. what did, however, was him making me dance quickstep (he said - it wasn't on this year's programme) on various other songs including, i kid you not, a Sean Paul one. i can't stand Sean Paul music, but T. came to me all ready to go and i just couldn't say no. he looked so happy! and i must say i was impressed. for a 72-year old, he danced most of the time with most of the women there and stayed all the way till the 2am closing of the restaurant we were at.