Today's question for A Bit of Me(Me) over at There's a Book is:
Tell us about a job you just couldn't stand or one that was embarrassing to you.
I've had fairly normal jobs through my life, nearly all of them secretary related (for the mall, a grocer's association, the hospital and now the library.) But my very first "real" job was playing the piano for a ballet school. I had just barely turned 16 (this I know because driving to this job was the first place I ever went alone in a car!) when I stumbled across this job. The teacher felt strongly about the girls warming up to "live" music. So I had to play this little electronic thing for all their stretching exercises. She didn't give me the music either. I had to just get a book with random (and easy) classical pieces, and she would just say what time signature she wanted, and I would pick something and play for them. For their dances, they then turned on the tapes or records (no CDs back in those old days!)
It was interesting, but very scary for me, and sometimes embarrassing, because I wasn't very good and I was pretty clueless about it all, but I got the hang of it and soon it wasn't that big of a deal. Still, I pretty much dreaded going there the whole time I worked there.
However, I did get some good reading done! For the second half of their lesson, I'd sit and read! I remember reading The Count of Monte Cristo while sitting at that piano, and loving it. I'm so excited to pick that one up again next month for book club. And I know that just reading that book again will bring back memories of playing the piano for the ballet school!
What job did you hate/dread going to? Join us over at There's a Book!
I love your answer, I would I have been one of the ballet students loving that you were there :-) my memory is having old retired ladies playing.
ReplyDeleteVery nice memory, thanks for sharing.
You know, I would have hated that job, simply because I lack the patience required for piano! This sort of seems like the kind of thing people would do for volunteer work too, it really is a nice gesture to play for the kids while they're warming up :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny thing to ask someone to do! I would have thought if she felt that strongly about it for warm-ups that it would have been that much stronger for actual rehearsals. People can be so funny! At least you got to read for some of it! :o)
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! I never had the guts to play piano in front of people (recitals were a nightmare) so good for you.
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to warm up to live music in dance class, but I can see why it would be a drag;)
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