I wish I had DVR'ed the WEG opening ceremonies

I had no idea they were orchestrated by Dr Everett McCorvey, of the UK voice faculty. It was apparently a blend of opera (including Lexington-based Greg Turay), bluegrass, country, and other regional music. Woodie Guthrie's daughter, according to a Twitter posting I saw, led the audience in singing her father's 'This Land is Your Land', and many voices rose to sing 'My Old Kentucky Home'.

I've always liked Dr McCorvey. I auditioned for him once and actually could have taken individual voice lessons at the school as a result, but didn't have the money to really put into it at the time.

One thing that happened (and it wasn't mentioned on any of the news channels that I saw, just on Twitter, was a rider fell and was receiving medical treatment during the show. (Apparently they moved some potted plants to block the view of the audience somewhat.) Here is the official statement on the Games website:

Near the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, a performer had an acute medical problem which required on site care. The University of Kentucky medical staff responded immediately, the patient was transported to UK Medical Center, and doctors have confirmed that he is in stable condition. No further information is available at this time.

That sounds better than it did making the round on Twitter, where CPR, possible fatality, etc. were bandied about. I hope all goes well for him.

I got up for a drink and an update on the rider. I guess I'll go back to sleep for another couple of hours, hopefully. Good night, again. I'm glad the opening ceremonies received generally very good reviews, although several people were upset that the full programme was not available on local television, and it apparently cut out about the time things really got going. But there is streaming video online as well. Just wish I hadn't missed it after all.

A BRIEF welcome to Lexington for those attending the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

The Games start tomorrow and Lexington is pulling out all the stops. Be sure to check out their main website. LexTran is offering round-trip shuttles to the Kentucky Horse Park for $2, and it's only $25 to get in to the grounds, and although yes, there are the venues/events, there are lots of vendors, art, jewelry, etc. I'm thinking about going just for the day sometime. Some of the events are pricey, but other are about $25 (that was one of the para dressage, for example, which sounds interesting). The website has event schedules and a little guide to coming to Kentucky for the Games that among other things describes what can't be brought into the park. Umbrellas are a major one. I guess they startle the horses. I'll think about it. Of course one must-have for me if I go is an inhaler--I'm terribly allergic to horses. And there's no way I can afford much of anything, but as one of my co-workers put it, it's definitely worth going down to see the sights. There's lots of stuff going on around Lexington, too, some of which is free. I picked up a paper today so I could look at what all was going on. I will be free the last weekend of the Games after all, so I'll concentrate on that Friday (I might be able to take off) and Saturday.

So

I've had very little sleep, I cleaned today, played several hours in the game, then went on the Kroger run of doom with friends but had to be the schlepping dromedary in terms of carrying in stuff since the others are having issues with carrying any weight right now. (Yes, we're in our 40s and 50s; we're all breaking down.) Anyway, I'm sticky, tired, and contemplating a shower. Despite this I feel better than I did earlier in the day, when I was just at the cusp of starting my period and just feeling, well, not well. I went over to the game master's house an hour later than normal but still got everything done before game time, despite feeling kind of crappy. I'm considering taking a shower, going to bed early, getting up and doing some laundry, and do my religious obligations tomorrow night.

On a completely different topic, yesterday I found out Brandon was leaving the store to return to his former job, which is in management. Hopefully we'll be able to stay in contact, but I have to admit, I'm considering quitting myself. I really feel like the store is going downhill, and with our car wash permanently dead now and being unable to do anything to the facility because the building isn't owned by the company, I have a sneaking suspicion that they might just shut it down. There is one other store on the road that I could transfer to, but it would mean a much longer walk home at night. I don't really care much for any of the other people I work with right now, I have to admit. And it would be nice to have a Saturday each week to have on my own. I think I can make it on what the hospital is paying, although the extra $250 or so a month from the store is nice. The main thing is that the hospital data entry job is expected to just last a year, and so I'd have to find another job when that is over. YKWIA thinks I should quit, and his advice is usually sound. I may just have to trust that I can find another job if needed, or that this might be extended. If I put in my notice next Saturday, that'll give them time to replace Brandon and get someone trained, plus handle any increase in traffic due to the World Equestrian Games, which start this weekend, which is kind of like the equestrian version of the Olympics and is being held in Lexington, the first time it's been held outside Europe since its inception. It runs from September 25th-October 10th. I don't know if we'll have any increase in business; we're on the opposite end of town from the Horse Park, but still. Plus my last day would be opening weekend for Keeneland's fall meet. Lexington is very horse driven, you may have noticed. (That same weekend is also a home football game for the University of Kentucky on Saturday and a Nickelback concert on Friday. I'd hate to be a traffic cop that weekend with everything going on at once.) As far as quitting, I guess I'll do some ruminating this week and make a final decision by Saturday.

Now that I've sat down for a little while I think I've recovered enough to get something to eat and check the news. If I don't write any more tonight, have a good one.