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Tonight, thanks to two ridiculous Perspectives classes, Anna and I were required to attend "Ballads and Breakdowns" described to me by one professor as a dueling fiddles concert. Now, when ever I hear of any string instruments dueling, I tend to try and avoid it...too many nightmares from "Deliverence" haunt that banjo song. But because our grade was dependant upon attendance, and honestly how scary can a fiddle be, unless of course I hold the bow, we prepared ourselves in cute winter outfits with our super long scarves (we take advantage of every cold moment in Valdosta...I bought 2 new sweaters yesterday and I probably won't have an opportunity to wear them...that's shopping on the college budget alright) and geared up with a notebook each. We were going to this concert Rory Gilmore style....minus the great reserved seats of course. We arrived to find the Bio/Chem auditorium packed...who knew so many people cared about fiddles? Valdosta must really be this boring...I saw several people walk in for a date. The overheated room was helping me drift off for a great nap during the 30 minute introduction (I ought to take that lady to my communications class...a good intro is 1 to 3 minutes and is used solely to establish credability. I don't need to know that you once met their dead uncle and loved to hear him play in the 80s.) I was jolted awake by the involuntary trebles of my feet. Yes, the perpetual Irish dancer had heard the bluegrass music and wanted to test out her treble reel...pathetic. So I switched back into reporter mode and copied the details I had missed from Anna's notebook and then started to pay attention. And actually, these men were pretty good! So after their set, an old ballad singer from the Appalachain Mountains came on stage to a glowing introduction about her songs and ability to play the banjo and how her husband crafts instruments and he will accompany her, etc. so I'm expecting a great musical set as before...but it is only a graying lady is leggings who strolls to the mike and proclaims "Howdy y'all!" I'm back in Kentucky...this is hell...it turns out they only play with the instruments for one song at the very end, the rest of the time was spent rambling about old family stories (I can tell you anything you ever wanted to know about her Granny...including that she owned a double seater outhouse and the two of them spent much time thinking there...) and singing a few Irish inspired tunes...all about lost loves and the woes of immigration...that country needs a new theme to their music. Sleepiness returned to Anna and I after a few of these country tales, so once her teacher left the end of our row, we slipped out the back and headed for home...without the chance of being published in the Yale newspaper, I'm afraid I lacked the devotion Rory had for the horrific ballet and Gospel show. It was an interesting experience but I think I will stick to just reporting things that happen to me...yea, I'm that shallow...but it's allowed, I'm only 18!
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