Aug 13, 2011

26 A Delightful Encounter

I was travelling on the train to work one morning when I encountered Paulette an opera singer. I sneezed and was searching fiercely for a tissue. I was about to give up when I remembered another compartment in my purse that may have one. I looked and hit pay dirt; it was a large napkin, since it was the only one I had I tore it in two and put the other half back in my purse. She (Paulette) looked at me and said. “Smart, I forgot mine at home, are you getting a cold?” I answered no it just allergies. The conversation continued:

Paulette: Do you take medication for your allergies?

Me: Usually I do however this time after speaking with the pharmacists I decided to forgo the regular medication and use the recommended sterile Saline Nasal Mist and Opticrom-a sterile anti-allergic eye solution. Its working very well and I have the added benefit of bypassing the endless drowsiness.

Paulette: really, oh I am so glad that I met you then, I too suffer with allergies and sinuses and it is a killer for me right now because I am a singer.

Me: hmmmmm…..really, what kind of singer are you?

Paulette: I am a opera singer, have double vocal cords, one of a few in the world.

opera singerI had no idea that people could have double vocal chords in any event she ended up singing for me on the train and giving me a mini vocal lesson on techniques, range, verses the natural gift. She used Celine Dion & Whitney Houston as her examples of Talent verses Gift (the ability to exceed excellence). While she was impressed with Celine and how successful she has managed to become she did not consider her a natural gift and critiqued her lack of precision in some of her notes and pronunciations etc. Whitney Houston on the other hand according to Paulette has the “gift”, range, talent, technique and vocal ability to surpass even what she has done before.

It was quite interesting listening to her, some of the terminologies she used went completely over my head as I am not knowledgeable about the vocabulary intricacies used to classified the varying areas of singing but I was delighted with the songs she sang for me turned down 90 decibels according to her or the people in the train may have been covering their ears, as it was they were already staring but I didn’t care. I was enjoying her company. We exchanged numbers promising to keep in touch and said our goodbyes as she departed before me going to her practice in preparation for her upcoming concerts. Even if nothing comes of it, I enjoyed meeting her and the small concert/lesson on opera.


Share what are you thankful for today in my… Gratitude Journal

26 comments:

  1. I met her too actually… I was looking through the internet to search for any show she is currently doing in toronto as she didn’t tell me if she was, and I stumbled to your blog. She sang to me a piece that was as long as it took from Finch to Dundas. All the while, explaining to me the techniques and terminologies in singing. It was a 45 minute Vocal Lesson and it such a pleasure listening to her. In the end of it all, she told me to follow God and always persevere and never be lazy… I never got her last name… if you know it could you please email me it?Thank you

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  2. How nice to have met such an interesting person on the train. Hopefully, you two can keep in touch and share your interests and talent with one another. Maybe you’ll get a chance to attend one of her performances. I hope you gave her your blog info so she can read your transformative writings.

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  3. What a wonderful first encounter, I hope you have a lasting relationship, though as you said this would be enough for sure.I love meeting people with far different skills, talents blessings than I and finding common ground.You are one of those I hope you knowHugs from Alaska from me

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  4. I’m baaack! With apologies! Computer problems (Iknow, I know that’s a sorry excuse) are the culprit for me on your other blog. I’m over here to let you know my computer is in the shop (thank goodness) for repairs, it had a serious virus. Thank you for the lovely award and beautiful words, I really appreciate that. I now know to check to make sure my comments go through before I move on.

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  5. WOW! What a joy!! I’m tingling just from your description of the meeting, can’t imagine if it had happened to me in person. Love this post! Love it, love it, love it! Let us know if you see her again and what happens next.

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  6. What a lovely thing to happen, a chance meeting with a star!

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  7. That was a GREAT encounter. I would have LOVED to meet her and have such a treat!

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  8. We sure should "train" to keep our eyes and ears open, as we make friends and acquaintances in the unlikeliest of places :)

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  9. Haha that sounds quite interesting ….We learn a lot from complete strange people …and train is one such platform where we get them for a longer time …you had the last laugh of course…tc

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  10. Indeed! Many people are not so open. And in a train … must be a special lady! I’m glad you met her. Maybe you’ll discover you have a hidden talents.Hug,T

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  11. Never knew one could have double vocal cords,well what do i know,not my field .A nice encounter though. :)

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  12. What a wonderful experience for you!

    I will have to google double vocal chords.

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  13. Wow, I've never heard of double vocal chords either! But right now, I'm stuck on what works for you and your allergies, lol. I have terrible allergies and am definitely going to give what's working for you a try!

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  14. wow! .........interesting...talent & gift..thought they were they same...dunno anything about music :)

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  15. @Sandra WinnThanks for sharing your view. Like you I have new there was such a thing as double vocal cords, lets face it before meeting Pauline this was a foreign concept. As for my allergies, the saline spray has and continue to work wonders and I have not had to supply the drug companies with a wag load of my hard earn cash - works for me.

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  16. @Ibhade Blessings my friend is that a new profile pic of you? You look wonderful. My knowledge is very limited as well.

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  17. Great piece I like the gratitude journal idea I think everyone should do it.

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  18. Lucky you! You should sneeze more and meet more people. Aaarchiiiii!!! Bless you! LOL

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  19. Hey lady, how are you doing? I hope you had a fantastic weekend. I’m just checking in to say hello. Have a wonderful week!!

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  20. @Thomas C B Chua Blessings....luckily for me i don't need the insentive of a sneeze as i often strike up a conversation and talk to people.

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  21. @DIDI You and me both darling, before Pauline I was clueless on the issue.

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  22. @Beth hmmm, good idea, Please let me know your findings.

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  23. Teaching strangers lol- she must really love her profession! Double vocal cords? are you for real???

    Adiya
    Muse Origins Features
    Muse Origins

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  24. @AB

    I just met her this morning. Just before she talked to me, she had also told someone else about her talents and everything. I actually thought she was kind of weird for showing off so much and I too tried looking her up. I did not find her youtube account yet.

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