Oh yeah, it all has to be memorized

I sing with the Boise Choristers. I don't want to guess at the average age of the women, but it would be kind of high. That's okay. I know that. Besides, I'm one of the old ones.

But it's not as fun or--can't think of the word--as I thought it would be. I've stopped being green-eyes critical of the director, although I would do things differently. And I like most of the music (working on Christmas now). So what's the big deal?

1. I sing 2nd alto. I can do it, and that's what they need, so I am doing it. But it's not me. I grew up a soprano, mezzo soprano, actually. So some of where we sing is uncomfortable for me--you know, my middle range--and F below middle C is pushing it.
2. We have to learn the choreography for the Sugar Plum song. My instruction time is next Monday. Okay. I will hold my mind at least half open.
3. We have to wear the official costume. I now have it--someone's from some other year. I have to pay $50 to use it. I'm not crazy about the outfit: red turtle neck, black vest (WHY?), black pants with tuxedo stripe sewn down the side seams. Long dark blue dress with some kind of scarf in the front. No, we don't wear the dress at the same time as the red and black outfit.
4. It costs $25 dues for half of the year.
5. The woman I sing next to is a fine musician, but she sings flat. That's hard.
6. I hear a lot of things the director doesn't, apparently. Some I mention, Most I don't.
7. We have a long Christmas program at Centennial High School, not for the school, but in that school's  auditorium on Friday, the 13th of December. Did I want to do something else that day? Maybe.
8. We also have eight, so far, other singing engagements here and there throughout the city in December. Am I not busy enough at Christmas time? 
9. Wait a minute. I just read the thing again. That's 11 or 12, two of them outside the hockey game on the 7th and 11th. I don't even like hockey.
10. Long program. Lots of music.

That's only ten reasons. On the other hand, that's 10 reasons.

I have said--to myself--"I said I'd do it, so I will. But after Christmas I'll probably quit."

Check with me then.