How things change after a while!!

Just have to let you know how life can change for the better after this surgery! I have just returned from the most amazing sunday afternoon adventure. We were standing around after church when a friend came up and asked me if I had a dark suit and shoes. I responded that I did, and he said, "be at my place in 45 minutes...we're going to the opera!"...well, I'd been to one or two, but it wasn't my favorite thing to do, but I knew my friend was an avid fan...but I did not know his total involvement until yesterday. Arrived at his place, and there were 4 of us all total, and he drags out fur coats...it seems that it is mandetory that fur be worn to the opera, there was mink, *****hilla, russian sable...you name it , it was there. And these are guys coats, mind you...we pile into his humongous lincoln town car and we head for the opera. Suits, ties, fur coats and all. Policeman tries to direct us to a side street, and he pulls out a permanent plate on the dash board and the boys in blue snap to attention, and take away the barricade, and nearly salute the guy, directing him to park, 3 spots from the front door! We then enter the opera house, and are taken to an upstairs mezzanine that is roped off, waiters and wet bars, tables spread with cavier, cheeses and such, flutes of champagne, scotch, you name it, and not a register or tip bowl to be seen, it's part of being in the 'benefactors lounge'. We then settle in for a 45 min, private discussion with the director, producer and conductor of the opera, in which they go over all the really interesting details of what is to come, what to look out for and what to listen to really closely. We then are taken to our seats, front row center stage, so close that you can reach out and touch the conductor!, (who turns around and smiles at my friend and shakes his hand, and tells him that he'll see him after the show!)...and then the opera begins. It was Bellinni's Norma, great show! In between each act, it was back up to the benefactors lounge for more champagne, cavier and such, then back to our seats. After the show was done, we sat for about 10 minutes, taking it all in, discussing the sets, the music, the lighting, everything, then we head backstage, and all along the way, nearly everyone is saying "hi..how's it going!', "glad to see you!" ,,,'call me'...really bizarre, who does this guy NOT know? He gives us a tour of the stage, and we get to meet the principles and the rest of the cast, one on one, small talk, and then we go to the conductors lounge, where there is more of the same, drinks and such, and the lead tenor and sopranos and conductor comes in and are relaxing, all the while, I am awe-struck by this amount of talent and proximity to these people. He then takes us on a detailed tour of the back stage to see the sets, the lighting and everything that is involved in a production of this magnitude. When we finally made it home, after 7 hours of being immersed in this atmosphere of art I was able to come back to my small, humble abode. I can tell you that in all my life, I have never been privvy to this type of attention and have any kind of access to this kind of talent. But I think that this surgery has had an indirect effect on my ability of enjoy this type of celebration. I would not have been able to even fit in a seat pre-op, and certainly would not have been involved with any aspect of that day, personally or monitarily speaking. So this surgery changes lives, and the results of how you look at and respond to what life throws you, well, you'll never know what will come down the pike! Now, where did I put that tux for opening night???

What a terrific experience! When Wagner's Ring comes to town, left me know! Good early mornin'! Lois

Wagner was a few years back, this coming season has Carmen, Il Paggliachi (sp?) and a couple of more. I have a feeling that I shall be attending on a regular basis...all the more reason to make sure those pesky pounds don't slip back into my life. I mean, between a tux and a russian sable...pretty good incentive to banish those sugars and carbs to the fifth ring of hell for good!

Wow Track.. her Old man (love the new name) Sounds like quite an adventure. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Definitely a once in a lifetime special event by the sounds of it. You're right, things do change, and its awesome to be able to be spontaneous and do things without fear and planning! Glad you enjoyed Wendy

Well, it was a once in my lifetime, but the way things are going, it looks like I may be a regular attachment in the group. They were on the look for a fourth who could appreciate the opera, and when immersed so totally, how could one not appreciate it all? I mean, on my limited income, cavier, champagne, benefactors lounge?...waaayyyy out of my league...however..being an information specialist does tend to smooth the way ...so I will have to bone up on upcoming performances and have my chops down pre-performance! If the opportunity comes around again, I'll let you know all the details!!

Thats wonderful. When there is a will there is a way, especially when a passion is involved. I have no doubt you will make it happen Enjoy! Wendy

G'morning Track!! Loved your post - lots of wonderful moments to submerge in, enjoy, get lost in. Reading and sharing in your experience(s) was ALMOST as good as being a part of it. I have to admit, I don't have the attention span it takes to sit through an opera. Tried to "enjoy" several that I went to in Chicago and New York and just couldn't (to give you an idea, me and the friends I was with actually left during the 4th act of "Phantom of the Opera" ...which is one of the EASIER opera's to follow!) ..yah yah, there is NO hope for this Polynesian Redneck, I know! Anyway - I enjoyed the experiences through your eyes and descriptives! Hugs - Lei Psssst... can I pet your *****hilla over lunch? Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner, Ive had company keeping me busy - but Friday at NOON sounds GREAT! .

Well, I have to say that I didn't know if I was going to 'enjoy' it, but I wasn't going to miss the opportunity, and then this situation arises, and total immersion, hob-nobbing with the gentility...brie and cavier..(I was wondering where the protein shakes were??) and it becomes an entirely different experience when the person you are with is an ex-tenor, and a benefactor! I would suppose it would be like going to see the The Barber of Seville on a budget ticket and find yourself sitting next to Andrea Boccelli!...his presence would change your entire perspective of the experience, and it sure did for me! Wow!...that sable was awesome, but the *****hilla...I could make a bed of that and would never want to get up and out of bed!!...'scuse me...I'm having a moment..... well...back to the subject...friday, noon, fresh fare..I'll bring the logan bread. Now, you have to realize that it is not supposed to taste 'great'...it is a nutritionally complete, portable meal. Sort of like a homemade MRE. Tastes good enough when you need nourishment, but not so good that you want to eat more than one. Don't want you to get your hopes up on something like 'death by graham cracker' or something like that! See if anybody else wants to venture over to the 'dark side' of soy and tofu and organic jibber jabber...they might find that really like it! Well, got to go, have to take my mother-in-law and aunt to the rec center to work out. Yeah...that's right...can't seem to get you out of the house to go work out...but I have the ability to draw dreda's kin down 500 miles and to the gym to work out!... See ya friday... noon... fresh fare... be there... or be organically deficit... and upset the order of whirled peas...

Psssst.... don't rule me COMPLETELY out (as far as the gym goes) ...yah yah, so you've heard me say it a gazillion times, yer' point? I'm TRULY wanting to stay active - put five miles on my feet on Saturday, six miles on Sunday and 4 miles on Monday. Walked EVERYWHERE and did lots of touristy stuff with the outta' town family and it actually reflected a LOSS on the scales. Gee, ya' think "Exercising" has a DIRECT relationship with "Losing"?!? Anyway - let's get IMMERSED in exercise/rec center chat on Friday, I want to know your exact schedule so I can work on duplicating it. Fair warning, if I start joining you in the mornings, you are my keeper and will have to COACH my high maintenance butt, probably on a daily basis. Hey? Start small (rec center) and end big (kayaking)? It COULD happen!

Oh Sweety how wonderful is that . Many years ago I dated a man that played in the Erie Pa Philharmonic . I loved traveling with him to the Opera and all that it has to offer ... It is amazing sometimes what we are given as new life experiences... So glad you had an amazing time ... Hugs, Tink