Friday, March 20, 2009

Singing.

I can't sing. I'm not just being modest here, as if I would ever be backwards about coming forwards. My ability to hold a tune ranks in the serious deficiency realm. My voice itself might just about pass muster but I am flat and have a unique way of arranging the notes so they have very little in common with the original song. Honestly me singing is a crime against the ears.
Before you switch off totally and go and search another blog there is a point to this. On March 17th, (St Patrick's day, to those in the know) We - my two colleagues and some people we'd met went to the Hobbit House here in Manila. It's a bar where the wait staff are all dwarfs. Anyway there was a band playing. Wonderful I thought and settled down to listen. My new friend scribbled something down on a piece of paper, gave it to the waitress who took it up to the stage, the next thing, my name is being called and I am being invited to go up on stage and sing. Oh fellow bloggers can you imagine my utter horror. This is a public space. I don't even sing in private without issuing a warning to the local surroundings. I attempted to locate my invisibility cloak but I'd left it at home. I then prayed desperately for an earthquake or some other disaster to save me. I don't even drink so there was no alcohol buffer to offer immunity from embarrassment.
All the while my new friend, relegated to mere acquaintance by now, is leading me resolutely towards total annihilation. Somehow, I swear I don't know how I found myself standing on the stage with a microphone in my hand and being asked what I wanted to sing. Well My mind was in lock down and the only song title I could think of was Top of the world by the Carpenters, purely because I'd seen it on TV the day before. By now it was very clear that there was only one thing to do and that was to sing and get it over and done with. So I did. I sang in public, in front of at least 50 people, 48 of whom I will thankfully never see again. I am sure it was awful, but the funny thing is I really, really enjoyed myself. I loved being on the stage and even knowing that my voice was awful didn't matter.
So I have learnt to sing as though no one else can hear you. It's fun. But out of respect for other people I have been going to the local Time zones where they have private booths and you can sing along for just 50p a song. Brittany Spears watch out!!

8 comments:

Kitty said...

Let's see you in your Britney outfit then ;-) x

SissySees said...

That sounds like fun!

Willow said...

I'm that way about dancing. In private, yeah, but in a crowd, it's agonizing.

Jane said...

oh dear poor you, I can sing but put on the spot i don't think i'd have liked it either. Well done for trying your best though. Jane x

Renee said...

You're a great sport.
Sing like no one is listening, dance like no one is watching and enjoy!

Tracy said...

Such fun...good for you--brave girl! I can't sing, I can't dance...all in all musically and rhythmically challenged--LOL! Happy Days ((HUGS))

knittingdragonflies said...

Congratulations!! I wouldn't have been able to utter a squeak!!
Vicki

Claudia Bugh said...

I too can NOT sing. Not being modest either. I kept hoping you were going to say it was all a dream/nightmare and you woke up - LOL

Your ending is so much better! So glad you conquered a fear of yours :)