Attention to the small things matters

I had the opportunity to be in my favorite place (New York City) for approximately 24 hours recently. It wasn’t nearly long enough, but it was better than nothing.

I got to my hotel room around 2 p.m. on my arrival day, then had a couple of hours worth of work to do.

I had play tickets (“Hamilton”!!!) at 7 p.m.

You know what I did in my favorite place, where I could have possibly squeezed in a half hour at a museum, a very quick trip to The Highline (a treasured destination to me) or something I couldn’t have done in Tallahassee?

I got my gel manicure soaked off because there was a huge chip that was driving me nuts.

I only had time to get it soaked off (most of the places I looked into still require appointments). I got an appointment at a nearby place for 5:00 p.m.

When I arrived, the woman said she could possibly get my nails soaked off and a new manicure (which would have to drive). She suggested I come back for both the next day.

But the thing is: I refused to go to “Hamilton” with a chipped, gross nail.

I am sure this little discussion begs the question of why on earth it mattered. My seats were not the absolute cheapest in the place, but I was squeezed in with fellow audience members into the best seat I, an extremely frugal person, could justify. No one — and I mean no one — associated with the show would see my nails.

Here’s the thing. Seeing this show was a bucket list item for me. I have known it would be something special for a long time, especially since the night my daughter texted me as she and a friend were seeing it in December 2016, saying something along the lines of, “This is the best night of my life.”

Seeing the Disney Plus version in the summer of 2020 got me really wondering when I could find the time and money to go. I’ve listened since then to around 150 episodes of The Hamilcast podcast, which has given me detailed insights into so many of the performers’ lives and into all aspects of the show. I’ve read Ron Chernow’s book, “Alexander Hamilton.”

I’ve learned about so many choices that have been made by those involved in the show that reflected attention to detail.

No show is perfect. This show isn’t perfect. The performers aren’t perfect. The story isn’t perfect.

BUT my imagination is captivated by how much everyone involved in the show appreciates what a unique opportunity they’ve been given. I love stories about people who work hard and people who make it a point to be receptive and inclusive.

My nails weren’t perfect going into show day. But there was one that was ragged, chipped and ugly. Even though I didn’t have time to completely redo them, I had time to get rid of the chipped one that I couldn’t stop playing with.

In my head, even though I was the only one who knew that I had taken this tiny step toward having nails that weren’t a mess, it mattered that I paid attention to detail, something the creative team, crew, and performers of this show have done exceptionally well.