Failed Icebreakers

Think back to your first day of College.  You're in a new place with new people, ready to show the world who's boss.  Ready to experience new things, write your own story, and live a life that you can call your own.

When I first started LSU, I was terrified of all the new people.  At the time, like everyone else, I was still figuring out who I was and super, super awkward.  I had somehow convinced myself that every time that I met someone new, that was the most meaningful interaction that I'd ever have with them.  You can't undo first impressions... right?

Wrong.  I found out pretty quickly that these people would eventually accept me even if I didn't make the best first impression.  As a result, I became more secure in who I am.  Happy story.

Fast forward 7 years & when time came for me to start over again at Belmont, I started having classes and meeting strangers.  I thought: "Now Hays, you've already done this once.  You shouldn't be awkward this time around.  Just relax and be yourself."  Easy enough, right?  False.

Just as awkward as the 1st time around, if not more so. I'd try to talk to my classmates, only to realize that I had little to nothing in common with them.  At least when I started LSU, the other people were my age.

Here are just a few of my failed icebreakers:

"Cool binder.  It looks like a Trapper Keeper... Wait, 'What's a Trapper Keeper'?  It's like a binder, but way awesomer (Insert blank stare from classmate)"

"Yeah, my night was pretty crazy too.  My wife & I stayed up til midnight, watching 'Top Chef' on Bravo.  I think that I actually fell asleep before the elimination..."

"Y'all are like the Breakfast club.  (again, blank stares)"

"Nah, you guys go ahead to eat.  I packed some sandwiches for lunch... No, I'm not kidding.  They're right here."

"No, I don't think that I've ever purchased a Katy Perry album."

"Does anyone else think that the Dean looks like Mr. Belding?... You know, the principal from... Nevermind (sigh)"

"I can name all of the characters from Nickelodeon's 'Doug' and their color.  Wanna hear?"

Classmate: "How old are you again?"

Me: "24.  Almost 25"

Classmate:  "That's cool.  My theory professor's 25"

Me: "Oh... Cool..."

Me:  "You ever just wake up & your back aches?"

Classmate:  "No, my Dad used to have problems like that all the time.  He had surgery."

Me:  "Yeah, me neither..."

So, there's that.  I'm super awkward.  Big surprise.  It's ok, because just like before, they'll come around... right?

Audition Day...

So, today is my first day to do stuff "officially" as a Belmont Student.  As of 5:15 today, I'll be auditioning on drumset for one of the 20-30 some-odd small groups here at Belmont.  After today, there'll be a cut and call-back auditions are tomorrow.  Assuming that I make that cut, I'll audition then and be placed in a group.

Needless to say, I'm super nervous about the whole process.  It's my first time to go "toe-to-toe" with some of these great musicians and see how we stack up.  Pretty intimidating.

It's been strangely humbling to walk around the halls here.  To listen to everyone else in the other practice rooms and to hear how good they are.  It's scary to walk by a room, hear someone playing stuff that I've never heard of and then to look and see that they're only 19 years old... Woof.

But, as humbling as it is (and it should be), it's actually pretty reassuring too.  I mean, I auditioned just like them.  And just like them, I got accepted to this school, to play drums, just like them.  So, I suppose that I can pull my own weight as well. In the words of my father-in-law: I Belong.

It's not going to do me any good to speculate and to wax hypothetical about who can play what until we get in the classes and start playing together.  Start taking lessons.  Start meeting people and playing in new groups.

That is super exciting.

So, I'll keep you updated.  By the time most of you find out that this blog exists, the auditions will be over and I'll be placed (or not) in an ensemble.

It's time to get real and put up or shut up.  Bring it, Belmont.

Update:


I made the first round of auditions and will be competing again today at 1 and 6 for a spot in the groups.


2nd Update:


I made a group!!!  I'm in Jazzmin, which is supposed to be a really great group that tours and records, so, that's exciting.  Either way, it's an honor just to have been selected for any group.  Super big deal.