Regionals was yesterday and I’m not sure I’m too crazy about a cappella competitions, but I guess I have to deal with it if I’m going to stick around. We ended up getting second place overall, which means that we will advance to the semi-finals. However, Aubrey was not happy with the results because our score sheet showed that we barely beat the Sockapellas – a group that I kid you not sings with sock puppets on their hands – and that just shows how bad we actually were. Aubrey somehow attributes this near-failure on Fat Amy for adding her own flare to her solo – and thus stepping one toe out of Aubrey’s control even though we sang that boring old set again. I personally think Fat Amy's excitement is what enabled us to beat the Sockapellas.
On another note, the Treblemakers placed first because they always execute new exciting mixes. So, we are advancing to the semi-finals alongside the Treblemakers. BUT the cherry on top for the evening was when Fat Amy entered into a physical altercation with some old man a cappella group, I stepped in to help her, accidentally broke a window, and was arrested.
But wait, the best is yet to come!
After I was arrested Jesse of all people came to the police station to bail me out, only to tell me that my dad had bailed me out because he called him! I mean, who does he think he is? I mean, yeah I was grateful that he tried to help, but my dad was so not necessary in that situation. I didn't ask him to help me, he's not my boyfriend! I kind of snapped at Jesse, but I have yet to feel bad about it – the reason being that my dad said, and I quote:
“If you think I’m paying for you to go to LA after a stunt like this, I'm not.”
I was "making memories" like he asked me to, sticking up for my friends! So now I’ve put all of this time and energy into this joke for what? However, a small amount of redemption came when I came back to my dorm and all of the Bellas stayed up for me - for Aubrey to berate us more.
While training was important, this organized competition is important tot the Bellas’ quest as a whole because their quest is on the line. If they fail here, they cannot proceed with the rest of the competition. Regionals is the first formal test that the Bellas face on their way to the finals for the ICCAs, thus fitting into the quest expectation of trials and tests: their success is on the line, not just their reputation. Again applying the methodological approach of competition and performance, it reveals that in this situation the Bellas are competing against themselves, not just the other teams. The tension between Aubrey and Fat Amy shows this, and parallels a foil seen in The Story of the Grail. Where Sir Kay is a foil for Perceval’s character, Aubrey and Fat Amy are also at odds because they have two completely different approaches to performing: Aubrey sticks only to what was rehearsed, and Fat Amy is spontaneous.
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