I saw my vocal chords!

Not my vocal chords, but the left is an example of chords with laryngitis. The right is an example of chords healing after a few days of vocal rest. Thanks google image search.

I finally dragged myself to the ENT, and the diagnosis is bronchitis and mild laryngitis. In the midst of a week of heavy singing. Thanks karma, what did I do wrong this time?

The cool part of this was that the doctor put a camera up my nose that went down my throat, showing a live video feed of my vocal chords. How fascinating! That is where is the magic is made. I could have stared at that TV all day. I unfortunately could not get a DVD of the experience.

With all these sicknesses, I am on steroids and antibiotics, both of which are driving me a bit crazy. If I snap at you in these upcoming days, please just forgive me.

Like I previously mentioned, I'm singing the Messiah with all of these vocal issues, as lightly as I can muster. Its difficult for me to hold back, because this is the most talented 300 person choir I have sang with in the past 5 years, and it brings new light and excitement to this piece. Also having a world-renowned orchestra backing you up helps. I've only ever sung Messiah in churches, or when I was 15, or on a mediocre scale, but this - this is something special. I am challenged and ready and well, moved. Too bad I'm not a Christian....lol.

Something I think is hysterical is that the woman in front of me sings while nodding. With every accent or emphatic moment in the music she nods her head and shakes her body with such vigor, I am not sure how she is singing! Anyways, when I get bored, I like to just watch her. She is clearly enjoying herself.

Also, in the "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" there is a great buildup to the chorus which declares [rest rest] Wonderful!! [rest, rest] Counselor! [rest rest] ...etc. Anyways, there is a huge rest before the very loud declamatory section, but the orchestra is playing these bells that to me sound like a "Dinner's Ready!" type of bell. In between the "Dinner's Ready" and the woman in front of me spasming with every "Wonderful!" I almost lost it. "Dinner's Ready!" Shake, Shake, Shake "Honey, I'm Home!" Spaz, Spaz, Spaz. This is my internal monologue, folks.

(Again I apologize for my crazy writing tonight as I am on STEROIDS.)