Surviving First Attempts

[ladysprite]

For all that I like trying new things, and having projects to work on, trying projects for the first time often terrifies me. Especially when said projects and attempts involve any kind of public contact. I can handle a first attempt at a new crocheting style or embroidery technique at home with very little problem, and I'm willing to make bizarre food experiments when noone but myself and my husband will have to taste the finished project, but being in the public eye scares me sick, especially when it revolves around something that I'm less than completely comfortable with.

I've spent the past few weeks helping to teach a dance that was performed as part of I Sebastiani's latest show (for those dreary, non-local souls who haven't had the life-changing experience of seeing them perform, they *are* the Greatest Commedia dell'Arte troupe in the Entire World). Real teaching, with people who didn't already know the dance, for a performance before an actual audience.

Yesterday I helped with the cooking for a local SCA event. Not a huge event, and not a big-deal involved feast, but given that my previous SCA kitchen experience has been limited to chopping, plating, and dish-washing, it was a bit intimidating. Especially given that, even outside of period cooking, I've never served food to non-friends - while I've got a known tendency to feed people, there's always the nagging question of whether the food is any good, or whether they're just nodding and smiling to make me feel better.

But the dance was beautiful, and fit into the show wonderfully. The day-board for the event was plentiful, and ready on time, and noone keeled over dead of food poisoning or made nasty faces and spit the food out. And most importantly, noone stared at me, or pointed and laughed, or said, 'What the hell is she doing here? Bring me someone with a clue.' And I survived.

There's probably a lesson to be learned in here somewhere. Once the pleasant shock of having failed to fail has worn off, I'm sure I'll be able to see it....

Comments

[johnprester.livejournal.com]

I know whereof you speak. When I finally dropped back in to college, I was surprised when I got the letter telling me I'd made the Dean's List. Year after year...

I think it's because the thing we're really afraid of is fear.

[mermaidlady]

I've spent the past few weeks helping to teach a dance that was performed as part of I Sebastiani's latest show

And thank you for that. By the time we had the tech rehearsal with the musicians I had moved from a hesitant skipping step to a very natural feeling down-up-up. Good choice of dance -- simple enough for the complete non-dancers, but interesting enough for the audience.

[goldenoak.livejournal.com]

I've spent the past few weeks helping to teach a dance that was performed as part of I Sebastiani's latest show

I saw your name in the program before the show and thought "go ladysprite!". The dancers were clearly well-taught. I loved the social nuances within/between each of the two groups, and the stage blocking of the piece overall. (And Petit Vriens is just so fun!) So two thumbs up to you from my little corner. :)

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Glad everything went well!

[spectoria.livejournal.com]

This is excellent! Be proud of yourself and know that you are a strong and beautiful person!

[jducoeur]

The day-board for the event was plentiful, and ready on time, and noone keeled over dead of food poisoning or made nasty faces and spit the food out.

And the almonds became the official snack-food of the event, with people noshing on them continuously, long after finishing their lunch. And the chickpea pie was good enough that I heard specific compliments from a couple of Serious Feast Cooks, who thought it was a particularly tasty dish.

You did really well, on both projects. (Not to mention on the lovely embroidery...)