Floor Routine: The Waiting Game

Before every performance you always have to hurry up and wait.

I'll just say it flat out right now.

I don't like the waiting game.

When I was in the high school orchestra, my teacher always told us to expect to do "a lot of hurry up and wait."  Performances and festivals were rarely on schedule, but we always had to be ready as if they were--just in case.  So we would rush to the hall.  And stand.  Then to the warm-up room. And sit.  Then back to the hall.  And stand.  "No talking, please!"  Then around the corner into a new hall.  And stand some more. "Quiet, children!"  Then on stage.  And sit. "psst...someone should yell BOO!" And more sitting.  Perform.  Back to the hall.  Stand.  "Pay attention!!"  Pictures.  Stand.  Load the bus.  Sit.

See? The whole hurry up and wait thing gets a little boring.  Every action is preceded and followed by a large waste of time.  Things should just GO!

But then I guess we would have missed out on all the fun we had together as friends.  For example, "psst...someone should yell BOO!" was a suggestion from my good friend that I believe we laughed over for a good ten minutes.  Oh, how we laughed at performances!  Particularly those of us fortunate enough to sit in the viola section!

So I guess as long as my friends were around it wasn't so bad.

But jump-rope performances? Oh dear, those bring with them the worst waiting game ever!

I don't do anxiety.  Actually, in all honesty, does anyone do anxiety?  I guess not.  But from my viewpoint, I do it especially terribly.

As I stand and wait for a jump-roping performance I get all jittery.  And I get nervous.  Then I'm excited, then tense, then thirsty so I get a drink.  Then I pace.

Back and forth.  Back and forth.  Back and forth.  Back and forth.  Back and forth.

Naturally this makes me more thirsty, so I get another drink.  More pacing.  Talk with one friend.  Another drink.  See a different friend.  "Hey! Good luck, man!" "Thanks!"

Pace pace pace pace pace pacepacepacepacepacepace.............

"Hey Mike!"

GAAAAAAAHHHH!!! It's time already!?!?!

"Hey Mike! You're gonna wear a hole through the floor!"

...Darn it.  You really shouldn't scare people like that!  More waiting.  Another drink (At least I won't be dehydrated...).

So you see, the waiting game can be tiresome and quite stressful.

Waiting for a mission call is tiresome.  And stressful.

They've always come on Wednesdays, yes?  At least, for the past six years I believe they have.  So why should they now suddenly not come on a Wednesday?! The suspense just might kill me!!!

So please Mr. Mailman or Mrs. Mailwoman, please come soon with a big white envelope? Okay?