You especially know you have lived a long time in a percussionist's world when you watch the online auction tick down to make sure your bid stays the high bid and then gloat when it is over and you have won. I will be picking them up later this afternoon about five blocks from here. They are a gift intended for the percussionist in my life. He already knows, so I am not giving away any secrets here.
You also know you have lived a long time in a percussionist's world when, in trying to describe how you feel, you revert not only to musical terms but also to tuning terms. (Because, among other things, I have acquired more than a passing knowledge of how tuning bars and crotales works.)
For the next few weeks, I am on a drug holiday from all (ALL) chemotherapy and related treatment regimens. Earlier this morning, apropos of nothing, I said, "Well, I think we can answer Dr. Leung's question about whether it was the chemo making me ill all this time."
Expectant pause.
"It's not. We all pretty much knew that. But it's different off the meds."
Oh?
"Well, the exhaustion is one long sustained chord now, instead of being broken up with a whole bunch of different dynamics."
Okay.
"And the sick feeling? Kinda the same. A steady pitch without any overtones. Does that make sense?"
Absolutely.
So you really know you have lived a long time in a percussionist's world when not only are you analyzing your incurable cancer in music terms but also your partner (the percussionist) understands what you are describing.
Warren and I are coming up on 11 years together. I have lived in his percussion world all that time, including but not limited to attending international percussion conferences, having a timpani room in the house in lieu of a family room (doesn't everyone?), having a machine/wood shop in what used to be a garage (ditto), and learning that absolutely anything—anything—can be (and often is) turned into a percussion instrument.
And you know you have lived a long time in a percussionist's world when that's the norm. And you're okay with that.
More than okay.
3 comments:
I can really relate to this, April. Growing up with an older percussionist brother in the house, the dinner table was often used as an instrument, among other things. Looking up to him, I also played percussion in the school band in elementary school a few years. These days, I have a basket full of shakers and various other percussion instruments that we break out on occasion. I love that you describe your health challenges in musical terms, and that he totally gets it. Music makes the world go round, don't you think?
I love the explanations. Always wanted a timpani room myself. I am jealous.
I'm glad you get a break from the side effects of treatment, and hope when it resumes again you will be feeling better and stronger. Sending love and melody your way!
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