This was the moment I had been waiting for, for weeks. Dave Furst was kind enough to arrange for me to ride in an Indycar 2-seater. Many people told me this would give me a true perspective of just how fast those cars are going on the track. I had no idea what I was in for.
When I got to the track, I was like a kid in a candy store. The cars, the equipment, and then those racing suits. For a moment I thought I was an actual driver. After I put on the suit, other participants and I walked toward the track to wait our turn.
When I sat in my car, driven by Arie Luyendyk, Junior, I barely had room to turn my head. Talk about a tight squeeze. Then Aurie and I went around the track at what I thought was a pretty pedestrian speed. He was zig-zagging the car and I thought, “Geez. Is this it? This isn’t fast at all.” Then, for some unkownn reason, I yelled “Come on, I know you can go faster than this!” Little did I know he was just warming up the car and the tires. And then, a few seconds later, BOOM!!!! We reached speeds no human should go without taking off.
As we approached the wall I thought to myself “It might be a good idea for him to slow down now!” Are you kidding. That was the last thing on his mind. He hit that turn and kept on going. It was FANTASTIC. I was screaming like I had just gone down the first hill on a giant roller coaster. I was told we went about 180 miles per hour.
I now have a newfound respect for the drivers and their crews. Imagine, they often go about 50 miles per hour faster than I did today while jockeying for position with 32 other drivers just inches apart.
So it’s official. I am now hooked on the Indy 500!!!! Heck, I’ve even given myself a nickname. “Open Wheel Wallace” recommends this experience for anyone who isn’t afraid of speeds and likes to live on the edge! I assure you it will be an experience you will never forget.
Some musicians I know (including this rather cute one I married 7 years ago) might argue it’s not truly a gig if you’re not getting paid.
But I think it’s more fun to call it a “gig” than a concert, let me tell you a little bit about the not-for-profit singing gig I have this weekend. (If nothing else it will prove I do occasionally try to have a tiny bit of a life outside of kids and work, challenging as it is!)
Encore Vocal Arts (which used to be known as the Indianapolis Arts Chorale) has asked me to be a guest soloist in their concert this Friday and Saturday, at 7:30 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
It’s not quite fair to call it just a concert. Their website bills ”Inherit the Earth” as a ”multi-sensory experience” with visual images, nature sounds intermingled with the music, and even an earth fair happening outside the concert area. The featured piece is Paul Winter’s Gaia Missa/Earth Mass. The part I’m singing is a really beautiful and simple gospel melody, accompanied by the choir and orchestra. Tonight after the 7pm news I rehearsed with the instrumentalists (they gave me chills) and later this week I’ll practice with the whole 150 member choir.
If you’re curious, check out more on the concert and a youtube preview here! http://www.artschorale.org/event_earths-mass.html
Friday night Rafael Sanchez will be the emcee (thanks, Raf!!) and I’ll actually dash over between newscasts to sing my piece! But apparently that’s not nerve-wracking enough, so on Saturday, I will be emceeing and singing.
As my husband reminds me when I get a little (or a lot) frantic and stressed-out, I do get myself into these things. But there is nothing quite like singing with a choir. If I feed my music habit just once in a while with something really beautiful, I can make it quite a while just singing in the car, or shower, or to my kids, before I get that familiar itch to lend my voice to something grander.
Sometimes with the heaviness of the news we report on, it really helps to have a way to get your mind and soul in a more positive place. Music therapy seems to work pretty consistently for me. (Example: I have found it’s scientifically impossible to feel stressed out if you’re listening to James Taylor. Try it - I dare you. James lives in my car, just in case, all the time.)
I also wrote a brief “little something” to read Saturday night that fits in with the evening’s nature theme, as the conductor asked me to do. If I’m brave enough I’ll share it on this blog.
But I may chicken out. So if you really want to hear it, come to the show.
Oops - I meant ”gig.”
Hope to see you there.
Trish
P.S. Thursday night update: My kids and husband came along to dress rehearsal tonight. The choir and organist serenaded me with a grand rendition of “Happy Birthday.” They sound amazing! Clara clung to my leg as I tried to rehearse my solo on stage. Quite a moment.
I keep thinking to myself, 10 years ago this May 15th, I was turning 24, and probably wouldn’t have felt nearly this exhausted after such a long and busy day!
Time to go count my new gray hairs.
This was the moment I had been waiting for, for weeks. Dave Furst was kind enough to arrange for me to ride in an Indycar 2-seater. Many people told me this would give me a true perspective of just how fast those cars are going on the track. I had no idea what I was in for.
