Me in NYC!?!

This whole NYC business started just over two weeks ago when UUCS Music Director Keith Plumley, who I had been putting off a bit regarding "an idea" he had for me, said he wanted to send me to New York to meet and write a story about this fabulous pianist from Spartanburg who will be playing at UUCS this summer. I immediately told him I couldn't do it, couldn't afford it. "No, no. I would pay for you to go," Keith said. "But I just don't know if it will work with your busy schedule."

"I, I, I could probably find some room," I heard myself say, my throat tightening, my stomach doing somersaults. This was before the service. I have no idea what the minister's sermon was about that day. I was reeling, reeling, reeling, alternately ecstatic and terrified, smiling and tearing up. OMG, OMG, OMG this can't be real. Is he serious? I knew the answer to that. Yes, Keith was serious. But I've never even been on a plane before. And NYC! Me in NYC? Breath, breath... Wheeeeeeeee. I wanted to shake my head vigorously while blowing my breath out audibly, letting my jowls flap in the breeze. I had a hard time being quiet during silent meditation!