![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
taz_39**Disclaimer** The views and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and do not reflect the views or opinions of my employer. DO NOT RESHARE ANY PART OF THIS POST WITHOUT PERMISSION. Thank you.
This post covers Tuesday.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
TUESDAY
Not surprisingly, tossed and turned, and every time I woke up I was halfway through part of my presentation haha. Got up reluctantly with my alarm. Coffee, and decided to eat breakfast on the road so packed it along with some snacks and water.
Around 7am I walked to get the rental car. It was easy and I was finished around 7:30...which I was banking on, because Sprouts down the street opened at 7! This meant I had time to pop in there and poke around. They always have interesting foods that I don't find elsewhere. I found two more flavors of Drizzilicious, Very Berry and French Toast, and picked those up to go in my trunk. I can try them in upcoming cities. Also picked up some hand lotion, fruit, and a new flavor of Mezcla bar which happens to be strawberry, like the new Koia shake flavor that came out a few days ago.
I'm sure this flurry of strawberry-flavored products were released intentionally close to Valentine's Day, but unlike Koia, Mezcla didn't at all advertise that there would be a new flavor, which I find odd.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Masterclass
Anyway, from there I drove 90 minutes to Delaware State University. A straight shot down I-95, eating my overnight oats and yogurt.
Arrived well on time and happened upon the organizer, who had just pulled up with catering trays of cold cut sandwiches and cookies. He wouldn't let me help carry anything but I held a few doors and followed him to the green room. He set up the food and got me comfortable. I ate a snack and listened to the presenter before me, who was giving a jazz clinic. It sounded great! There were several high schools visiting for the event, and some students got up to take solos with the presenter.
As they were finishing up, a tech helped me to get my laptop and PowerPoint set up backstage. We chatted and I felt nervous until it was time for me to go on.
There were maybe 40-50 students in the crowd, plus their teachers. The presentation went exactly as I'd practiced it in my hotel room. I only tripped over my tongue once or twice, and sometimes while gesturing I'd hit the lavalier mic because I'm not used to wearing one (but it was better than a handheld.) The PowerPoint went flawlessly which was a huge surprise. I wrapped up in plenty of time for the next presenter to set up while I was doing the Q&A. As far as whether the students got anything out of it...I'm honestly not sure :/ Several were making eye contact and nodding, or laughing at my little interspersed jokes. But others looked bored, or were clearly looking at their phones, and a few looked like they were half asleep. Most were high school students so this didn't bother me...kinda typical, you know?
I did see several students taking pictures of some of my slides that contained detailed information about application processes and contact info. And afterward pretty much all of the teachers/faculty made a point to tell me they'd enjoyed the presentation and found it informative...in fact, the teachers had more questions during Q&A than the students! I hope this doesn't mean my presentation wasn't a good fit for this audience...I hadn't been aware that high schools would be attending too. A lot of those kids haven't decided on careers yet.
Afterward I thanked the presenter, packed up my gear, wolfed down a catered sandwich and cookie, and hit the road. Whether anyone learned anything, I don't know, but at minimum it's good for me to get more practice doing these. Hopefully I'll get feedback from the presenter in a few days.
Drove all the way back, returned the rental car, and had just enough time to get dressed for the show and put away my Sprouts goodies before heading back out to meet Jonah and his fiancee's family for dinner.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Family Visit
They had chosen an Italian place near the theater. It was very small, but warm and inviting and the portions were HUGE. Danielle (his fiance) and I got gnocchi, hers was sweet potato with alfredo sauce and mine was regular with a 12-hour beef ragout. It was real homemade gnocchi and was AMAZING, pillowy and fresh. The ragout was incredibly flavorful and had chunks of tender beef. Everyone else’s food looked amazing as well (no pics because I didn’t want to be rude.)
This was my first time meeting Jonah’s soon-to-be in-laws. They seem completely pleasant; Danielle’s dad in particular was chock full of agonizingly awful dad jokes :p We talked a LOT, and of course they all wanted to know all about touring and the shows and whatnot. But I made sure to ask everyone at the table about their work, or wedding prep, or basic facts in the case of Danielle’s parents since they’re New Family.
This is maybe an odd thing to say, but as Jonah doesn’t really have parents—his dad/our stepdad is an absentee drug addict, and our mom has passed away—aside from my Aunt, I'm kind of the oldest family representative he's got. As such, I was a bit nervous to give a good impression. I certainly got a good impression of all of them!
After our lovely meal it was still a bit early, so we killed time at a nearby bar (I didn't drink.) When it was time I walked over and they followed to get their tickets.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Show
Backstage, we had a lovely surprise from Disney Theatrical Group and the venue for Lunar New Year:
(photo courtesy Darrel, ensemble)
The pretty envelope is called hongbao, and they are traditionally filled with money and given as gifts during the New Year to wish good fortune, blessings, etc on friends and family. These had New Years wishes in several Asian languages, and a chocolate gold coin :) There were also cupcakes backstage which I was too full to eat but took one for later.
The show went just fine. I am not shaking any more...it went away on it's own. And I was exhausted, having spent all of my adrenaline on that masterclass. Jonah & Co. enjoyed the show very much, but we didn't meet up afterward because everyone had to work early tomorrow. It was great to see my little brother and spend time with him and his soon-to-be wife and in-laws!
Additionally, housekeeping DID service my room today, yay!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday: Two shows so no plans.
Thursday: Meeting an online friend for lunch at a cafe, possibly visiting the African American History Museum, and an evening show.
This post covers Tuesday.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
TUESDAY
Not surprisingly, tossed and turned, and every time I woke up I was halfway through part of my presentation haha. Got up reluctantly with my alarm. Coffee, and decided to eat breakfast on the road so packed it along with some snacks and water.
Around 7am I walked to get the rental car. It was easy and I was finished around 7:30...which I was banking on, because Sprouts down the street opened at 7! This meant I had time to pop in there and poke around. They always have interesting foods that I don't find elsewhere. I found two more flavors of Drizzilicious, Very Berry and French Toast, and picked those up to go in my trunk. I can try them in upcoming cities. Also picked up some hand lotion, fruit, and a new flavor of Mezcla bar which happens to be strawberry, like the new Koia shake flavor that came out a few days ago.
I'm sure this flurry of strawberry-flavored products were released intentionally close to Valentine's Day, but unlike Koia, Mezcla didn't at all advertise that there would be a new flavor, which I find odd.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Masterclass
Anyway, from there I drove 90 minutes to Delaware State University. A straight shot down I-95, eating my overnight oats and yogurt.
Arrived well on time and happened upon the organizer, who had just pulled up with catering trays of cold cut sandwiches and cookies. He wouldn't let me help carry anything but I held a few doors and followed him to the green room. He set up the food and got me comfortable. I ate a snack and listened to the presenter before me, who was giving a jazz clinic. It sounded great! There were several high schools visiting for the event, and some students got up to take solos with the presenter.
As they were finishing up, a tech helped me to get my laptop and PowerPoint set up backstage. We chatted and I felt nervous until it was time for me to go on.
There were maybe 40-50 students in the crowd, plus their teachers. The presentation went exactly as I'd practiced it in my hotel room. I only tripped over my tongue once or twice, and sometimes while gesturing I'd hit the lavalier mic because I'm not used to wearing one (but it was better than a handheld.) The PowerPoint went flawlessly which was a huge surprise. I wrapped up in plenty of time for the next presenter to set up while I was doing the Q&A. As far as whether the students got anything out of it...I'm honestly not sure :/ Several were making eye contact and nodding, or laughing at my little interspersed jokes. But others looked bored, or were clearly looking at their phones, and a few looked like they were half asleep. Most were high school students so this didn't bother me...kinda typical, you know?
I did see several students taking pictures of some of my slides that contained detailed information about application processes and contact info. And afterward pretty much all of the teachers/faculty made a point to tell me they'd enjoyed the presentation and found it informative...in fact, the teachers had more questions during Q&A than the students! I hope this doesn't mean my presentation wasn't a good fit for this audience...I hadn't been aware that high schools would be attending too. A lot of those kids haven't decided on careers yet.
Afterward I thanked the presenter, packed up my gear, wolfed down a catered sandwich and cookie, and hit the road. Whether anyone learned anything, I don't know, but at minimum it's good for me to get more practice doing these. Hopefully I'll get feedback from the presenter in a few days.
Drove all the way back, returned the rental car, and had just enough time to get dressed for the show and put away my Sprouts goodies before heading back out to meet Jonah and his fiancee's family for dinner.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Family Visit
They had chosen an Italian place near the theater. It was very small, but warm and inviting and the portions were HUGE. Danielle (his fiance) and I got gnocchi, hers was sweet potato with alfredo sauce and mine was regular with a 12-hour beef ragout. It was real homemade gnocchi and was AMAZING, pillowy and fresh. The ragout was incredibly flavorful and had chunks of tender beef. Everyone else’s food looked amazing as well (no pics because I didn’t want to be rude.)
This was my first time meeting Jonah’s soon-to-be in-laws. They seem completely pleasant; Danielle’s dad in particular was chock full of agonizingly awful dad jokes :p We talked a LOT, and of course they all wanted to know all about touring and the shows and whatnot. But I made sure to ask everyone at the table about their work, or wedding prep, or basic facts in the case of Danielle’s parents since they’re New Family.
This is maybe an odd thing to say, but as Jonah doesn’t really have parents—his dad/our stepdad is an absentee drug addict, and our mom has passed away—aside from my Aunt, I'm kind of the oldest family representative he's got. As such, I was a bit nervous to give a good impression. I certainly got a good impression of all of them!
After our lovely meal it was still a bit early, so we killed time at a nearby bar (I didn't drink.) When it was time I walked over and they followed to get their tickets.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Show
Backstage, we had a lovely surprise from Disney Theatrical Group and the venue for Lunar New Year:
(photo courtesy Darrel, ensemble)
The pretty envelope is called hongbao, and they are traditionally filled with money and given as gifts during the New Year to wish good fortune, blessings, etc on friends and family. These had New Years wishes in several Asian languages, and a chocolate gold coin :) There were also cupcakes backstage which I was too full to eat but took one for later.
The show went just fine. I am not shaking any more...it went away on it's own. And I was exhausted, having spent all of my adrenaline on that masterclass. Jonah & Co. enjoyed the show very much, but we didn't meet up afterward because everyone had to work early tomorrow. It was great to see my little brother and spend time with him and his soon-to-be wife and in-laws!
Additionally, housekeeping DID service my room today, yay!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday: Two shows so no plans.
Thursday: Meeting an online friend for lunch at a cafe, possibly visiting the African American History Museum, and an evening show.
no subject
Date: 2026-02-19 02:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-02-19 03:42 pm (UTC)It's super rare to spend time with my elusive brother, so it was a special treat :)
no subject
Date: 2026-02-19 04:16 pm (UTC)