Party animal

This week I played approximately 30 billion notes in a program of Wagner and Rouse. It was very stressful trying to learn those notes--there were some that remained a mystery to me, and some which I knew well at slow tempi, but which escaped me during the performance. I know it was good for me to have done that practicing, but I didn't enjoy the process. I rewarded myself by going to a party after the concert last night, which is unusual, as I haven't been to a party in several years. I've been at small gatherings of friends, but a real party with lots of people crammed into a room with food and drink and raucous laughter has been a delicacy beyond my reach for several years. At first, it was awkward--there were only a few people to start, and I am out of practice in forced small talk, but as the party grew it became easier to get into a conversation. It helped that we all sang Canada's national anthem in honor of our new violist--singing unifies a group. There were cheeses, viola-shaped cookies, a fantastic hot onion dip, and some Twinkie Sushi rolls! There were not a lot of non-alcoholic choices, but I did manage to get my hands on an Orangina--yum! The teenage son of a percussionist did Canada Dry shots, amusing us all, and perhaps overstimulating himself. I noticed that those in their 20's seemed to arrive much later, and I guess it was because they haven't had the experience of getting up early because of children. I left while the party was still in full force, feeling a little worn out and overstimulated, but glad that I had the chance to taste some of that carefree youth again.