Opportunity for rediscovery

It's official. I've lost my mind. \nJust because I've managed to get myself back into school; just because I'm actually a COAS junior with a student ID; just because my dusty GPA is gradually on the rise, does not, I repeat, not mean I'm 20 years old again. But I keep forgetting. \nI keep marching off to class with my head held high, like there's no risk of a stroke, like I can make it across campus in 20 minutes with a 50 pound pack on my back. Thirty years ago, it wasn't a problem. And I'm so tickled to be back in Bloomington, I keep forgetting what 30 years can do to a person. If my thighs weren't jiggling out loud with every step I take, I'd completely lose touch with reality. \nBut when I saw the audition notices for the Union Board's production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" plastered all over the kiosk outside the music building…well, I had to go. After all, 30 years ago, I was a Singing Hoosier, and just the other night I was a hit at Bear's. \nSo I dug through my music until I found something in a key I could still handle and marched off to the Indiana Memorial Union last Wednesday night. Well, of course the waiting room was packed with a bevy of young lovelies. They're everywhere, you know. And one of them actually knew me. "Marcia!" she cried. I'm sure she didn't mean to look shocked or amused or both, but I almost ran at that point.\nUnfortunately, she handed me a character breakdown, and there was one description that used the word "mature," so I stayed. Filled out the sheet, slapped number 57 to my chest, and waited while number 36 disappeared into the inner sanctum to face the inquisitors…whoever they were.\nWe won't review my rising anxiety as 36 became 46 and then 56. But eventually, there I stood with my legs hanging out, singing for a panel of six people who seemed to be totally confused by my presence. In an odd way, they each reminded me of my children, but they were much more polite.\nThey e-mailed me that night telling me I didn't get a call-back. \nI'm telling myself it's because I had a class conflict. Either that, or they know a diva when they see one. I am feeling bad for the make-up artist who's gonna have to "mature" any one of those beautiful faces. But they'll get the job done. And if what I heard spilling through the cracks is any indication, I'm sure it'll be a great show.\nI'm not the least bit sorry I went, and I fully intend to barge right into any campus activity that piques my curiosity. I'm not sure what it's like for other returning students, but I figure, as long as I'm preparing myself to reencounter the "real world" in more effective ways, why not take advantage of all the wonderful ways this campus provides to rediscover myself. Maybe I'm nuts, but maybe I'm not as old as I think.