When I met my now husband, then boyfriend, we moved from California to Seattle less than 4 months after dating. We were fresh out of college, had no job experience, and we were broke. Our first year was spent living in a studio apartment the size of box. Understandably so, we had a terrible time finding jobs in the first months. Our days were spent at a coffee shop, browsing the free internet and checking craigslist every two minutes.Our luck changed after 4 months. TJ landed a job as the web producer for the Seattle Opera. He was in so far over his head, it now seems hilarious to think of all the things he didn’t know. Of course, he busted his butt and figured it out. Now four years later, he’s running the website ship.
Anyways, to my point . . .
One of the perks of his job is getting to go to the opera. As a girl I never thought I would get to go to such a performance. You see, rich people go to the opera. Older folks go to the opera. TJ and I, young studs straight out of school, we don’t do opera. And we didn’t.
It has taken 4 years of TJ working for the opera, and finally tonight, for the first time, I sat through the entire performance of The Marriage of Figaro. When I walked out the door I felt a sense of gratitude. I have taken for granted the 4 years that I have had access to such art. I have overlooked the benefit to seeing such performances. And because of my, “I have cooler things to do”attitude, I’ve missed out on La Boheme, Don Giovanni, Tosca, Carmen, Aida, and I could go on.
If you love opera, you want to smack me right now. And for the first time, I walked out of the opera and wanted to smack myself.
Point being, it’s never too late to change your mind. Learn to see things differently. And appreciate the things you've got.
17 comments:
here, here!
When I was in labor with my youngest daughter, we had opera blasting. Cute hubby thought I had lost my mind, but stayed with the rule "women in labor get whatever they want". I'm so glad you discovered the joy of opera.
How about ballet? I love that, too. I am always amazed at how fluid the dancers are.
this is the boost I needed for my day. Inspiring, Thank you!!!
you live and learn right?
glad it was a wonderful experience.
i can totally relate! i knew next to nothing about opera until i took voice lessons, and my teacher made me sing arias instead of the standards (like ella fitzgerald) that i wanted. under his guidance, i fell in love with opera, and certain arais can move me to tears. you're such a lucky duck! enjoy every performance!
how amazing!
I agree with Diane...next up ballet.
I'm glad you finally enjoyed it. It was way better having you there!
I'm going on the 13th! Glad to know you liked it :)
aaah i have never been to the opera! but i will definitely have to go. it's on my to-do list!
just stumbled upon your blog today - so glad I did - very cute posts.
I have always thought of going to the opera, but never had, I don't know what to expect. But I know the bf has tix to a couple of shows this year, maybe we should actually go!
http://fab.typepad.com
After seeing Opera in almost every single Opera House in Italy... it is such a passion and a joy! I cannot always afford it now, with children, and everything that goes with them...AND we have no fabulous Opera House here in Las Vegas (best acoustics, yes, but history??? Noooooo...)
ENJOY each and every one while and when you can!
Do the Diva...
Great post!=)
Thank you for this... I have been trying to live my life this way for so long. Having perspective is life changing.
What an inspiring post! Your hubby's job sounds beyond cool. Attending the opera can be intimidating, but the experience overall is pretty great, right?
Just saw this -- glad your first was one of the best.
In college I did a speech on opera and beer. Perhaps your first taste is a little bitter... but if you keep trying it, it gets better; and eventually you can taste the differences between brands.
Of course, you can only carry the analogy so far... but hey... the jocks in the music-for-non-music types loved it :D.
*and for the record... much funner to SING than to listen to ;-)
xx
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