I spent 5 summers working at the then National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan. Best summer job ever! Four of those summers I was the manager of the high school choirs. We used the large Kresge Auditorium for rehearsal space. There were multiple performance venues at Interlochen, but Kresge was the big one. Each venue had its own stage crew that was responsible for setting the stage with whatever was needed for each rehearsal or performance each day. As the choir manager, I had to work closely with the stage crew to let them know our needs for risers, piano, stands, etc.
On really busy days, the stage might be used continually. Sometimes rehearsals and performances were literally back to back. That is when the stage crew had to perform something they called the "blivet." I never knew if it was a real word, or just something they made up. A blivet was when a major stage change had to take place really fast, usually with an audience watching. For example, if a choir rehearsal or performance was followed by an orchestra, the crew had to knock down all the choral risers and set up the orchestra chairs and stands to the specifications of the incoming group. Usually in less than 5 minutes! The blivets were always fun to watch. They were planned like the battle of Normandy, and the crew prided itself in switching the entire stage within minutes. Every step had to be executed perfectly for the time limits to be adhered to. At Interlochen, performances did NOT start late. Often the crew received a huge ovation from the audience at the end of a blivet. Well-deserved, I might add.
Well, anyway. . . after that long explanation. . . I feel like I'm in the middle of a personal blivet of my own. Mine does not have to take place within minutes, but even 36 hours seems tight. I returned from my Christmas celebration with Casey at the Wisp Ski Resort at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. We had a delightful Christmas celebration with Cortney's parents and her son Jordan. I left this morning at 7 AM to drive back to Afton. Between now (Monday evening) and tomorrow evening when I turn in at Sandy's house prior to our leaving the following morning for our trip, I will have to unpack all the clothes I took to a ski resort with temps in the low 30's each day, and repack my suitcase with enough temperate weather clothes to last me for an 11 day trip to the much more temperate climes of Florida. Luckily, when I changed over my clothes for the seasons, I kept the lighter clothes here at Jean's and did not return them to my storage area. But 11 days worth?
I'll do laundry at Sandy's tomorrow and hopefully have done this switcheroo in a way that does not result in my having left something important behind. In the midst of all that tomorrow, I will work out at 7:30, check on possible bathtub delivery at the Crappy Little House, put a hold on the mail, say fond farewell to Jean as I won't see her again in her house while I'm still living here. . . she leaves for St. Thomas V.I. while I'm gone. I took her to dinner tonight as a farewell gesture.
Tomorrow night is the broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors which I will watch at Sandy's. Have no idea if the choir will get camera time, but I am anticipating that we will. But the show will be worth watching anyway. CBS - 9:00 EST - December 27. This will no doubt be my last Honors appearance so I can't miss watching! Between now and then. . ..BLIVET!
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