I've been worried about it because I like to keep things organized, especially when it involves scheduling of other people. I got all the major work out of the way by Wednesday. I had mailed out a schedule to all of the DJ's and everything seemed to be fine except, I wasn't hearing any feedback, which worried me. I don't like when things go too smoothly, it doesn't feel real. I was starting to get a little paranoid ... like the calm before the storm.
Add to all this, I've had a cold since Sunday (why do I always type "Sinday"). It's not a major debilitating cold or anything, but it's one of those coughs that lingers. Whenever I go to bed or wake up, it's at it's worst. It's all the gook in my chest repositioning itself. mmm... yum.
Conflict mounts ... Last night, I went to bed around midnight - 1 AM. I had a flight scheduled this morning at 7:45 AM. & set my alarm for 5:30 AM. As I resigned myself to sleepytown last night, I noticed my cough. It was worse than it had been all week. I remembered that I had been administering the Nyquil all week. There was no way I could do that last night. I had less than 6 hours to sleep, and I didn't want to miss my alarm in the morning (which I do from time to time). So, I suffered, for hours. Coughing myself awake, staring at the ceiling until about 3 or 4 AM. Awesome. So, when my alarm went off at 5:30 AM, I think my body involuntarily chuckled at it, and ignored it completely.
Conflict hits hard ... Come 6:50 AM, I woke in a panic, let out a silent scream, straightened my bangs, brushed my teeth, woke up Justin, packed up the last minute necessities and hauled ASS to John Wayne airport. I got there by 7:15AM, but being that my flight was to leave a half hour later, there was NO WAY they were going to help me get on my flight. Interestingly, there were two other people behind me who were also scheduled on the same flight who had to be rebooked as well. I know they could have gotten us on that flight. John Wayne is a super small airport, and they have magical ways, but I'm not Hannah-Kate Ashley Lohan so that's not gonna happen. I"m fairly certain (kinda because the lady told me as much) they overbooked the flight, and once they had a chance to fill our seats they did so immediately, and we got assed out.
The result... I got rebooked on a flight at 3:45 PM and I'll arrive in NY at 12:04 AM. I was a little panicky, but Justin picked me up, we headed over to a Denny's with some of the rudest patrons I've ever witnessed, drank coffee, ate, but more importantly ... I heard Hall and Oates's "Kiss on my List", and Paul Young's "Every time You Go Away". I take those as grand omens that I will have a stellar weekend. Case closed.
Conclusion ... meh, it's fine. I managed to work out the schedule so well that I've already got my DJ shift covered. Organizational skills totally do pay off. Also having awesome people to work with (the DJ's I'm in charge of) helps a SHIT - TON!
Pictures and blogs to come!
You rock...in writing and organizational skills... *hugs*
ReplyDeleteHi, I found your blog while searching for stuff related to ALHC. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts about how it went this year especially with the perspective you have.
ReplyDeleteI'm more than happy to share what I thought. I'd like to have a better idea what you're looking for though.
ReplyDeleteIn general, I can say that I had a great time, but I always do.
I haven't been there for a few years now and the turnout has definitely dwindled. From what I hear, that's true everywhere. I feel like the lindy hop world, while it's always growing, isn't big enough to fracture itself and faction off like it has, but everyone is absolutely entitled to do whatever they want and to spend their time and money wherever they deem worthy.
I also feel like (and this isn't just in regards to ALHC) the scene as a whole has creatively/artistically stagnated, but that's just me. I've never been afraid of letting people know when they need a little push, but that also keeps me quite unpopular. ;) It's the way I roll!
If you have more specific inquiries let me know. I'm happy to answer whatever I can.
I'm just curious about your general feelings about the event compared to when you used to go especially after not coming for a few years. What you think of the comps, the music. I'm really interested in how the whole Amateur Athletic Union partnership worked out. Did a lot of people show up just for that?
ReplyDeleteI went to every ALHC from 2001 to last year. I even worked as one of the dj's selecting the competition music for the past three years. I didn't go this year because it was just getting sad watching the event decline, but I'm still curious about the event. I should note that I'm one of the people that helps put on ILHC, so I won't be offended if you take what I have to say about ALHC with a grain of salt.
As for the stagnating creativity in the scene, I won't disagree. I'm still a big dance nerd I'm posting a paper I wrote about the way creative dialog has developed in the Lindy scene over the past 10 years or so on my blog http://jsalmonte.wordpress.com/.
There is a lot to be down about concerning the way people rehash the same stuff over and over again, but on the flip side it makes the truly unique stuff stand out that much more.
I'm also getting used to the idea that not everyone is going to be super innovative and unique; that just a few people will be the "leaders" in the scene, while most people will be "followers." Mostly because that's just the way most group dynamics work out. That's the short version at least.