So when I left off (about 6 days ago) I had started to tell you about my AI audition. I apologize for leaving a 6 day cliff hanger. It wasn't my intention to leave such a lengthy cliff hanger.......so without any further adieu.......
I left off as I was singing "I Hope You Dance". I thought I had done pretty well - hit all the right notes, knew all the words. But when I was finished the AI lady asked me to try a different song. She said she wanted to "break" the classical sound from my voice. She suggested I sing "I Feel the Earth Move".
As soon as I started singing it I knew things were going south. The song change did nothing to convert me into a more Pop sound. I pretty much knew it sucked and I regretted not having a backup plan. When I was done she asked me if I wanted to try "What a Wonderful Life". I am not even sure if that's the title, but I definitely did know the song well enough to sing it.
And that's where my audition ended. She basically said......
1. I had great pitch....better than most participants, but it was probably because I played the flute and flute players have good pitch. Yeah - I joked with her - because we are always trying to stay in tune. And that's the truth.

2. She said that she has asked the producers to add more classical and folk songs to the repertoire, but they reminded her that this IS American Idol and AI is all about pop music.
3. And then finally - the words I dreaded - "Its just not a good fit".
And that, folks, was the end of my audition. I felt a little shell shocked because I thought I did well enough to get into a show. But apparently I didn't! I felt a little like this.....

and I as a bent over to pick up my stuff for a fleeting moment I wanted to say, "Give me another chance". But I had visions of all those people on the real AI begging for one more chance. And that is never, ever a pretty sight.
So I thanked her and left. Everyone was very nice on the way out...."Thank you for coming" was the phrase of the day. But I just felt plain stupid for being there. I put my sunglasses on and I tried to avoid all eye contact.
Once I was outside in the bright sunlight I found a bench and sat down for a minute. I sent Denny a text to tell him that my voice was not pop enough to get into a show. I knew he probably wouldn't respond to me because he NEVER checks his texts, but I needed to tell someone.
Still feeling like a failure I decided to do the one thing I knew would take my mind off my defeat. I decided to ride ToT...ALONE...Yup, that's right. I figured what could possibly scare me now. I already failed my AI audition. I might as well free fall 13 floors. I am normally tentative when it comes to riding ToT, but I threw caution completely to the wind and I stepped in line.
I even managed a few pictures along the way......
The queue moved really fast and before I knew it it was time to load. I can't believe it, but I was barely scared. I think I was too busy still nursing my wounds. I actually ended up sitting next to a single rider. I asked him if he minded if I grabbed hold to the rail next to his seat. I don't like the part of the ride where you fly up out of your seat and I always try to pull myself back into the seat with the hand grips. I told him I was a major chicken and he didn't seem to mind. Of course, we shared a laugh and a eye roll at the girls behind us that were screaming their heads off. ANNOYING!!!!!!
I took a few more pictures on the way out. I was actually pretty pleased with myself for going solo on this ride. That was a big leap for me and it took an AI rejection to give me the courage.
After AI I skipped Rockin Rollercoaster because I had so much stuff with me - park bag and big camera case. I was too lazy to lock it up and I thought it was too much stuff to keep at my feet. So I skipped RnR and headed over to the Animation studio. I was hoping to draw a character.
I went into the animation preshow fully expecting to walk into a drawing class afterwards. But when I got out of the preshow it was still a 20 minute wait. Ummm....No....I am not going to wait 20 mins. I figured all I would do is feel sorry for myself, so I decided to head over to the GMR. In retrospect this was probably a bad choice because I waited almost 20 mins in that line and I don't even love GMR all the much. Its a great first timer ride, but it gets BORING with multiple rides.
At some point during the ride I think Denny texted me and told me the were heading to the park or just entering. I told him I was going to TSM when I got off GMR , so I would text him when I was done.
I am going to take a break here. I have to tell you that for about a month or so I was plagued by my AI rejection. I even started to strategize on how I could get into a show this September. I went as far as considering vocal lessons with an emphasis on singing only POP music. Then I realized I was being stupid. I am competitive by nature, so I had to lose, but I knew all along that I am not a pop singer. In fact, if I had my choice between AI and joining the Voices of Liberty its pretty much a no-brainer what my choice would be. I much rather sing classical music, so why am I trying to be something I ain't. As Cynthia said, the main thing is I went out on a limb and I tried out. Failure makes you stronger. Even Walt said that everyone needs a good, hard failure to make them a stronger person.
So with that thought in mind, I will bid you good night. In my next update I will talk about the rest of my day at HS!