Ring Them Bells

It was my last "initiate" night at Sweet Adelines. We had a little graduation ceremony and got a certificate, plus we had to announce our names, where we were from and tell a special musical moment. Of course, never missing an opportunity to perform, I tried really hard to keep 'em rolling in the aisles. Most of it worked, but I backfired on my story and ended up making some folks cry. But they're like me, they cry at Hallmark and Oreo commercials and movies like 'Lassie' are just plain out of the question unless you need your lawn watered. Anyhoo...long story short [too late, I know], I told them about the first time I found people "like me", who were outgoing, not all that concerned about fitting in (although I was twelve at the time, so conformity was an issue), didn't care about who I was or whether or not I tried stuffing my training bra in third grade...musicians and actors. I was going for the "I am not an animal line", but instead turned it into "I may be a freak, but there's tons of freaks like me." Next thing I know, I'm giving a testimonial and feel like I should be saying, "Hi. My name is Paula and I'm a Singaholic..." and people are crying and saying "Yes, we all feel accepted here, too" and - woah! Then, of course, lots of people like me are walking up calling me 'freak' - but in a good way. Who knew it was possible.

But that's not what this post is about.

RRC (Royal River Chorus) rehearses 30 minutes south of here in Yarmouth. Women drive from all over. One, even, from New Hampshire, if you can believe that. One of the other new potential members doing this initiate thing is named Allison, and for the first time in all four weeks, I found out she's from Bath. In fact, one of the other established members, also from Bath, introduced us and said 'I think you live on the same street.' No! Yes! I moved in to my house in August. Allison moved into her house in October. I remember that day well because she's across the street from me (our street isn't even that long - about 7 houses and one mansion.) Yep, I had to travel 30 minutes south to meet my next door neighbor.

She's not from here, either.

Sometimes she's a freak, too.