I thought Hump-day would hold as the challenge. But Thursday, Day 4, ended up draining me even more.
I got home late on Day 3, so Thursday’s 5 am alarm was not welcomed. But there it was, so there I went. Mister and I P90-X-ed, I grabbed a super-quick shower, then I hit the road. In the rain. That’s right. L.A. decided to rain. Traffic was snarled, but for some reason I still made it downtown on time. As I neared the Camp location, I was thinking how much I would enjoy that first burst of morning caffeine. And though my mind was thinking coffee, my arms were steering toward Burger King. Before I knew it, I was ordering a jumbo-sized Dr. Pepper. I walked back to my car, carrying a mondo D.P. and dodging rain drops. I drank the whole thing while greeting the campers in the parking lot. And then the day began.
Vocals class was amazing. Instructors broke off with individual students and helped them work on their lyrics. I had such fun helping them! The lyrics these girls have written are astounding. Helping them figure it all out was just a blast. And an honor. Big time.
Then came lunch. Since it was raining, all the day’s activities were moved indoors. That included the lunchtime concert: King. I’ve seen this amazing group of women before, and they floored me then. This show was no different. Their harmonies, their rhythms, their grooves – all are beautiful. Powerful. Moving. The campers were so into it, and asked King such emotional questions, we Volunteers couldn’t help but get misty-eyed a few times.
The afternoon brought band practice and DIY silk-screening. (I’ll have to share a photo soon, as the band I’m working with did an amazing job on their logo.) I went around and checked in with the various vocalists in each band, and I got to hear so many of the band’s songs. Exciting! Then I attended band practice with our band and they must have run through the song about a jillion times. As tomorrow’s the last chance to practice before Saturday’s showcase, repetition is vital. And it’s a confidence-builder.
By the end of the day, I was beat. It wasn’t as if there was a lot of drama or anything, the day just seemed to take it out of me. Maybe I’m starting to dread the end of it all. I’m not sure. But no matter why, I didn’t have a lot of go-go left. I hit the highway just after the end-of-the-day staff meeting. The rain had stopped, and the sun was barely peeping through the clouds. Traffic wasn’t nearly as jammed as in the morning. I got home at a reasonable hour, had time to do a few things around the house and even relaxed. It had been a draining day. And I had survived. Intact. Whole. Maybe even more so than before the day began.
That’s part of the magic of Rock Camp. I love magic.