Forgotten tale of the faire

[fbhjr]

Monday after we did our second show and woman came up to me.
“Do you sing?” She asked. “I’m a professional singer and you have an excellent voice and it sounds like you’ve been trained.”
“I used to sing,” I replied. “But, it’s been a very long time.”
“You project so well, it can’t have been that long.”
“It’s been half a century.”
“What?”
“My last singing performance was for my home town’s bicentennial concert in 1976. That was 50 years ago. Before that I sang in a few concerts with a glee club I was in and had a part in a production of HMS Pinafore. As a sailor, not one of the major parts.”
“The Gilbert and Sullivan one?” She asked.
“Not original cast!” I told her. “I’m not that old!”
She looked like she thought I might be just that old and wandered away.

The vendor who talks with me a lot (Ivan) came over to me.
“When did you start performing?” He asked.
“1971 when I was 7. Group performances that spring. Solo that fall.”
“Singing?”
“No violin. I didn’t sing for another 3 or so years.”
“You played the violin? What were you some kind of idiot savant at that age?”
“I’m only sure about the first part, not the savant. But, I did memorize more songs than anyone else in the school. But, that was to cover that the dyslexia made it hard for me to read music.
“After that I got into a patriotic youth group and became a national officer and traveled around doing shows, talks and presentation.
“Eventually, I picked up the sword stuff around 2000 and here we are.”
“There’s no way you’re a Scorpio,” he said, shaking his head.
“I don’t know anything about astrology, but I assure you I was born in November.”
“You must have some weird rising sign,” he said and went back to his booth.

It was nice to be complimented on my voice.
Not sure why Ivan does not believe me about knowing my own birthday…

Comments

[palusbuteo]

I'm sort of surprised you didn't slap him in the face after he said "idiot savant"

Tim and I were supposed to be born in October but came out in late August.
When I casually looked at astrology in late grade school I figured maybe there was something to that "missed mark"
But after College and some Psychology courses, thinking more it was hereditary traits from my parents with my many quirks.

Also, that whole astrology thing is bunk since the calendar was changed from the Julius guy to the Gregory guy, although the Chinese version isn't any more reliable :P

[fbhjr]

Back when I was 7 was when I was in the special needs classes. Everyone called me an idiot. I kind of associate that with that age.
Besides, I wouldn’t hit him. He’s not the pope…

[ravena_kade]

Pope...Ha!

[brisus]

For people to notice your voice after all this time, you must be really good!

What instruments have you played besides violin?

[fbhjr]

The violin was the only instrument I performed with, although I played around with others.
Then I sang.
As a teenager I was in a national “patriotic” group and traveled the US giving talks and presentations.
I also got into things like D&D and ran games at conventions and such.
So, I have spent a lot of time doing things in front of folks watching.
And I can certainly be loud. I’m not sure about good.