"Oh Say Can You See. . . "

I meant to write this the other day, but, alas, I got distracted so it didn't get done on time. This is becoming rather of a regular occurrence. Oh well! Better late than never.

So there I was sitting just off the court of the EnergySolutions Arena. I couldn't help thinking that if I were sitting here for an actual game I would have quite an awesome seat! These weren't even the plastic seats but the padded folding chairs. But I digress. Before I get on with my story already though, I have to add just one more thing -- I also thought how much bigger everything looks from this viewpoint instead of miniature from the nosebleed seats where I usually end up. The players would actually look their height and everything!

A panel of judges was sitting about a hundred feet in front of me. I watched as the next singer was called up. She walked to the front clad in black pants and a nice blouse. She pulled the microphone out of the stand and started singing, "Oh, say can you see. . ."

She didn't sound too bad, but one of the judges raised her hand just after "rockets red glare" to stop her. She walked quickly off the floor as the next person was called. Again I listened as the strains of the national anthem began all over again. I was fascinated at first, especially as I listened to each person's take on our country's most famous song. I was also quite interested to note the mode of dress. Some people went completely professional while others took the jeans and T-shirt route. The Fasionista informed me those jeans wearers hadn't read the Web site, however, because it says to dress professionally. . .oops!

You may be wondering just what I was doing on a Friday morning listening to 40 people sing the national anthem. Well, the Fashionista was auditioning to sing it at one of the home Jazz games. We were planning to go to lunch afterwards, but she didn't want to go to the audition by herself so I accompanied her. I found it interesting, but you can only listen to so many people sing the national anthem before it starts sounding tedious. And I was worried about just how long those famous words were going to be stuck in my head. . .

After listening to 30 people, finally it was the Fashionista's turn. She walked confidently up and took the microphone. She put a bit more interpretation into her version than most, and I thought she also added more emotion. Either way she is a talented singer, and I hope it works out for her. The judge cut her off after "rockets red glare" so I'm not sure what that might mean. She cut a number of people off (some deserved to be cut off, particularly those that changed keys where they weren't supposed to--insert wince here, or who dragged it out so you thought it would never end) and others were allowed to continue. In any case, I found it to be an interesting experience and am glad I went with the Fashionista.