Sunday, February 26, 2006

How It Went

I wasn't nervous, probably because I was just so relieved to not feel sick. The Butcher had asked me earlier if he was going to have to put on a dress and pretend to be me and go out there and read my lines. For most of the day, I was afraid that might be the case. Here's the thing, folks--in real life, I'm awkward. I feel awkward. And the women who were in The Vagina Monologues are extraordinary. And I kept feeling like the coolest stuff, for me, was happening behind the scenes, just getting to hang out with these women who kick so much ass. I just had two small parts, a happy cooter fact and a sad cooter fact, but these women were getting up on stage and telling long cooter stories, and then coming back stage and laughing and talking in hushed voices and everyone was constantly hugging each other and smiling and I just felt incredibly honored to be there with them. Any one of them could have read my two cooter facts and no one would have missed me. And so that made me feel deeply honored, too, that they would give me a little room on the stage. Even so, it didn't really hit me until I stepped out on the stage to give my happy cooter fact and there I was, bathed in light, and I couldn't see anyone else. Just darkness and a spot of light to stand in and a microphone with that waffle of silver wire over the head. And that's when I was awe-struck. Here I was, your lowly blogger, on the stage at the Belcourt Theater, once the home of the Grand Ole Opry*, where Miss J. and I saw Gillian Welch, and, according to the sign on the dressing room door, Raul Malo had been recently. It seemed pretty silly, frankly. Not in a bad way, but just in one of those "Wow, how the fuck did this happen?" ways. Weird things constantly happen to me, but it's been a long time since something really pleasantly strange has. And it felt good. I am all for the return of some happy fortuities around here, let me tell you. So, shoot, you want to throw me out on a stage used to bearing the weight of people I admire, and if that audience wants to laugh at and with me**, I'm not going to say no. It was amazing. And I feel very lucky. Then, afterwards, I was standing in front of the stage and I heard a familiar voice shrieking "B.! B.!***" and The Big E and the Butcher came running over to give me hugs. Then, I went back stage to get my stuff and I came out and said good-bye to folks and hugged everyone I could find and looked around and there was the Butcher standing in the back of the house, wearing his big brown leather coat, with a big smile on his face, and he lifted his hand to wave at me, and I walked up to him and he said, "No, that was really good." And I said, "I'm really glad you came." And he said, "I liked it." And I felt lucky to have him, too. I can't help it, y'all. Even when he drives me crazy, I feel like my brother is one of the best happy fortuities in my life. *Though, in all fairness, before the Opry settled at the Ryman, it seems to have made its home for a short time in just about every place in town. **Though, to the person who whooped when I mentioned that having your clitoris cut off can lead to death... Did you not get that that was a "not-so-happy fact"? ***Well, actually, she was shrieking my whole name, which most of you now know, but you know, in the beginning I was "Aunt B." and all of my readers knew who I was and it became a funny little joke after a while. And so, I reckon it's still a joke, just now everyone is in on it. It's probably better that way.

8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hooray! I'm so happy it went well, B. I'm so sad that I couldn't be there, but I'm glad my ticket got put to good use by the Butcher. I was sending you good vibes from my spot under the afghan on the couch. You rock, lady.

Miss J

2/26/2006 09:06:00 AM  
Blogger Newscoma said...

Congratulations. Not only where you blessed with a fabulous moment that will stay with you forever, you have made the word "cooter" a household word.
You make the world a happier place, Aunt B.

2/26/2006 10:11:00 AM  
Blogger Exador said...

just getting to hang out with these women who kick so much ass.

Someday you'll realize that you are one of those women.

Dumbass.

2/26/2006 10:27:00 AM  
Blogger Casey said...

Yeah! What a happy cooter-related story. Ditto to exador's comment--you kick ass (and since I didn't see the revealing information, I still don't know your name).

2/26/2006 11:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

B -- no way could anyone else have done those facts for this year's TVM. You belonged on that stage -- you were a vital part of stew. And, what YOU added backstage cannot be measured. Everyone is still talking about the TCP reading you gave at rehearsal -- about Demeter and Baubo. You helped make it the unforgetable experience that it was. I know. I'm the director.

2/26/2006 11:46:00 AM  
Blogger SuperGenius said...

I knew it would be good, but I am very glad to hear about exactly how. We were thinking about you this weekend so I will be glad to give a happy report tonight.

2/26/2006 11:55:00 AM  
Blogger SuperGenius said...

You know...if you ever want to take the show on the road our house is available for accomdations and as a venue. We're a lot smaller than the Belcourt, but we do have an open floor plan. :)

2/26/2006 12:01:00 PM  
Blogger Lee said...

Glad it went well.

2/26/2006 01:12:00 PM  

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