So with one arm in a sling and with both wrists bandaged and in a brace, I had to sub in for two out of the four people that are supposed to be helping me backstage, and I did it with ease. No one even noticed their absence because everything went so smoothly. Awesome, right?
But where’s my thanks? I was onstage for less than a minute before being pushed into a herd of actors looking for their moment of spotlight while thanking everyone that helped them with their play.
Where’s the thanks for the people with AP classes that gave up on their homework and projects for over a month just to have amazing live music for the performance? Where’s the thanks for the everyone that gave up their time and money and energy and wellbeing just to make the actors look even better? Where’s the thanks for the people that sprained their wrists, got a concussion, broke their bones, put up with the pressure of being perfectly perfect only to get so little thanks?
Crew and pit band were in more danger overall than the actors. If an actor fell, into the orchestra pit, then they could get seriously hurt, but they would be putting more people in danger than just themselves. Who knows how many people they could’ve hurt just by falling on them and their instruments?
And I’m sorry for not being empathetic enough when an actor got accidentally punched in the face. But he could still see, he didn’t have a concussion or broken bones, and he could still perform onstage. I let him have his moment, but he wasn’t crying. I’m sure he liked the attention, but he’s onstage. He gets hours of attention and pictures in newspapers and people stopping him telling him how amazing he did. I’m sorry I told everyone to “calm their shit” because he was okay.
He gets his recognition. He gets people hovering over him, making sure he was okay. And why is that? Because he’s an actor. His injury won’t put anyone in any danger.
What about the flymaster who hurt his shoulder and wrist? His injuries could’ve put people’s lives in danger.
So why does the actor with a punch to the face get more attention than anyone in the crew?
-go out for a 3 x 1k against u of r, our rival school
-have some pretty ballin’ starts
- go to line up for the start
-THUNK
-totally rip out skeg, rudder and speedcoach on a shifty-ass log that was hiding and ready to strike
- fuck we’re 5k from home
- coach gives me a paddle to steer
- spend 10 minutes hating myself for being an idiot, almost cry
- stroke seat tells me “you can do it, Lianna, it’s okay.”
- fuckin Pocahontas steer all the way home with the paddle, guys think it’s hilarious
- no one is too mad at me, all the guys busted on me but not too hard, I don’t feel so horrible about myself
- long story short I fucking love my boat for not holding the fact that I lost the skeg against me
- today can still be good.
