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Sunday, March 30th, 2008Young Things
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Archive for March, 2008
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Sunday, March 30th, 2008
I regret not blogwalking to the blogs of you bloggers who checkout my blog every once in a while. Thanks to those of you who visit my blog and leave comments; they warm this ex-teacher's soul. . .Maybe I will do that overdue blogwalking soon. . .Hope so.
Well, no news on the HR Consultant job other than I attended a face-to-face interview for that position early last week and learned I was one of four applicants still being considered for the position out of the original 100 applicants. The interviewer, the department manager for whom these HR Consultants work, said he intended to contact me Friday with an update on the status of my candidacy, but I heard nothing. . .I must be positive, must be positive, must be . . .
The out-of-the-blue job offer and interview that I mentioned in my prior blog entry turned-out to be another We'll Let Ya Know If You're Likely To Get This Job affair, but they have let me know nothing about their offer. Perhaps I mentioned in that entry that the job was for a sporting goods/outdoor equipment company. But you know, the job periodically involves lots of lifting of large barbeque grills and other equally heavy merchandise, sometimes from top shelves of a stockroom, and with my back ill-equipped for such work, it's probably a good thing that I am not now an employee for that company.
However, on Friday, I received my minute (pronounced "my-NOOT") check for the first 26 hours of my training in the deli and bakery departments of the large retail superstore where I am working. Let's say I did not need a Brinks truck to carry my check home.
This afternoon, I work the store's deli department "solo" for the first time. I'm trying not to stress myself out about how well I'll do my duties at this entry-level job, but my nature drives me to either do an exemplary job or to fret about how to achieve such excellence ASAP. That's just Richard, I guess. We all know that in this particular case I probably shouldn't go nuts (nuttier?) resisting what's unnatural for me. Remember: "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature."
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=LLrTPrp-fW8
On a similar note, isn't it odd that an ex-teacher who receives a relatively small monthly retirement check and miniscule paychecks from his supplementary job qualifies for a new vehicle? Well, I am now the owner of a 2009 Toyota Corolla.
http://www.toyota.com/corolla/index.html
Hey, which of you folks remember when car models bearing a particular year in its name appeared in September of the preceding year? For example, it was unheard of to test-drive, say, a 1970 Ford until September of 1969. . .
My Corolla doesn't get the mileage of small hybrids that I considered, but even without factoring-in my DW's income as a professional teacher, I paid no down payment and will pay a rather low interest rate as I pay-off the vehicle in coming years. American-made vehicle dealers had better financing deals available, but their vehicles do not maintain their value as well as Toyotas and most other imported vehicles.
On another matter--my home--the Scott's "Max" fertilizer I applied this year to my lawns was ineffective. I still have weeds galore, dang it! Last year, that expensive product made my lawns great: virtually weed-free and better yet, absolutely fire ant-free, so I bought more Scott's Max to apply this spring. Although I only bought one bag last year (I think) in order to achieve such stellar results, I suspect that the single bag that I applied a few weeks ago was somehow insufficient for my lawns this year. I intend to soon buy off-brand (lower cost) granular herbicide in order to kill my weeds in my lawns. Maybe the fire ant population will not be a problem, though, this year, thanks to the insecticide in the Scott's Max that I put down.
Oh, speaking of my home, a female mourning dove is once again nesting in a hanging basket in my backyard. (A photo of that nesting dove is still viewable on my blog here.)
On one final note, the beach house that my DW, family, closest friends, and I use in Galveston, Texas every summer (also previously viewable at this blog) has been renovated. New exterior stairs, a new deck, new railings around the stairs and deck, fresh paint inside and out, new hardwood/laminate flooring inside, new window treatments, new light fixtures, and new major appliances. One of my contributions to the restoration of this family property will be buying and delivering a propane gas grill for use there. Found a serviceable one for $90 at the store that offered me the job with all the heavy lifting.
Since I've sort of come full circle with ideas in this blog, I hereby bid you Adieu until my next blog entry.
"Y'all come back now, hear?"
Bat Boy the Musical: A Diary. SHOWTIME! AT LAST IT’S HERE!
Sunday, March 30th, 2008Thought for the day: Why didn’t I make more flattering photos of myself? Why must I be so goofy looking? Why must I be wearing unflattering clothes during photo-taking? Why must I grin so hard my neck cords lizard out? Why must my forehead butt show? Why didn’t I pose in a flattering pose as to make myself look better? Why did I sqrinch up my eyes like that? Why did I wear that sweater over that shirt-it looks stupid and makes me look thick in the middle when my waist is my smallest part?, other than my pea head, that is haw! Why why why don’t I ever take a decent photo when I’m not mugging and making a face and making myself look weird? Why why why? *sigh*
OPENING NIGHT was Friday! I tried to get in here yesterday to tell you all about it and MSN was being a Bee-otch and wouldn’t let me post.
First! A thanks to Rachel for filling in as sound person last night - she did a GREAT JOB! Whooohooo *clap clap*
Opening night my stomach was all a-twitter and jitter. All we girls were in the dressing room talking and laughing and putting on our make-up and costumes. I’ll say again that the camaraderie is one of the things I will miss. I felt such a part of something and that was cool as hell. Then, our director, Mark Jones, said, “You are one of us now…You are a natural…” and that made me feel so good. I did feel a part of everything—I felt as if I had something to offer.
Opening night audience was wonderful! First, it was a good-sized crowd, and second, they responded like a dream: laughing, sighing, responding, applauding, and at the end, standing ovation! As Act I progressed, I noticed my nervousness eased and I just did what I was supposed to do. I made a few goofs, but no one seemed to notice or care. Saturday night I didn’t make the same goofs and did smoother, and although I was still nervous, the nervousness didn’t linger. Saturday’s crowd was wonderful too, and we are getting more audience than expected for this time of year in the little mountain town.
Opening night had such energy to it; not that last night wasn't full of energy, it’s just that opening night feels so magical and special. I’ll never forget it. The energy, excitement—all of it will remain locked in my memory.
Clementine got some laughs! And the funny thing is, those laughs came from “mistakes” in the scenes that came during rehearsal when I had to "ad-lib" and then just stuck because they seemed to work. First, the one where Clementine shakes her butt and does her jig in the revival was when during an earlier rehearsal, Jackie forgot to dance with Clementine, so she just made up her jig and Mark liked it, so it stayed—and people seem to like it, Haw! Then, the other thing is when Clementine scampers down the aisle to go out the doors of the theater with the rest of the townspeople; well, one rehearsal Clementine couldn’t see the bottom step and so was trying to get down and all the rest of the townspeople were way ahead of her, and I had to stay in character as Mark taught me, so she hurried down the aisle saying “wait up! I’ll wrang that bat boy’s neck I will…wait up y’all” and all this stuff, and again, the director liked it, so it stayed, HAW! And the audience liked it, haw haw haw. I guess I’m more of a ham than I thought I was – or Clementine is anyway.
By the way, Clementine will be back probably tomorrow. She’s at church right now, but MADE me tell you all she will be here later to say howdy.
The Opening Night went so well; everyone did such a dang good job. It was just as everyone said, that everything would somehow just work out—and I’ll be danged if that’s just what happened…near flawless! Afterward, there was food in the lobby, something they do for Opening Night. They always serve food that goes with the theme of the show—and for Bat Boy that was Fritos, BBQ, hushpuppies, etc. We changed out of our costumes on Opening Night and joined the audience to have wine, beer, whatever, and some food. Last night, I kept part of my costume on and went out to join any audience members who came to greet the actors—yes! We love that! If your theater has that, go back and greet the actors and tell them you enjoyed the show…we do like it (I said “we” haw!) From now on, I will do this, because now I understand it.
Oh! AND! I got flowers! First, my friends in Indiana sent me Break a Leg flowers, then Francis gave Charles and me a beautiful rose, then Roger came to the girl’s dressing room and brought my favorite flowers: sunflowers. I felt like a princess. The feeling of opening night, I can’t stress enough, is like none I’ve ever felt. It’s almost enough to make me want to give up the lonely life of writing, the life of rejection and feeling as if my writing is not making a difference, as if my writing isn’t …isn’t….I don’t know…but, I know I’d be unhappy if I didn’t write, still…I get the attraction to acting in theater…*grin* (PS - and I want to make the distinction that I mean my fiction writing or essay writing outside of this blog! For all of you have been more than supportive of my writing - you all have been wonderful - and I feel as if I DO make a difference when I read your comments about my writing and writing life - just so you know how I appreciate that - and that my disappointment is in other areas of my writing life! *smiling at all of you!*)
Opening night I had to really concentrate, at first, not to look at the audience, I tried instead to look at some point over everyone’s head – most numbers that was easy, but a few numbers I could see the audience in the front rows and I had to make sure I didn’t look at anyone—I succeeded, but a few times it was close! Last night, Saturday, it was much easier to ignore the audience. But, when we’d hear the audience laugh or make a sound or comment, it is joy joy joy to us – do not be afraid to respond! When we’re off stage listening to the acts we are not in and we hear the audience respond, we turn to look at each other with big arse grins…we are happy! Don’t hold back your enthusiasm! The audience actually is an Entity - yes...the audience is a part of the play, an energy, a force - you as the audience are more than you think - you aren't just bodies sitting there - you are IMPORTANT to us! We've been waiting for you, needing you, wanting and desiring you.
Last night, Saturday, went great too. I heard several actors say “they weren’t feeling focused” but I thought everyone did a wonderful job. We were all a bit tired, and the break for the next few days before the next performances next weekend will give us some needed rest to re-charge.
I will say again – please support your theater. Go to the plays. Laugh, respond, sigh, cry, applaud, give the actors your love and support. They(we!) work harder than you may realize. I know I didn’t realize—oh, I knew they worked hard, but how hard, how much time and effort and love and intensity I could never understand until I was there myself. At the end of the performance as we are standing there and then exit, then come back on in stages to ready for our “bow” – we see all your faces out there and we hope that we have pleased you, entertained you, made you love us. Show us your love.
Theater Word of the Day: Standing Ovation: of which we received Opening Night and Saturday Night…wheeeee!
A review will come out on Wednesday....eek! Hope it goes well!
An article on Bat Boy: Take 5 Asheville
Why On Earth Did I Ever Move That?
Saturday, March 29th, 2008I knew when I moved that I was moving many things for which I had no need or even a desire to keep, but moved them anyway. For some of those things, there were good reasons. I moved many boxes of files that contained both (now) useless memos, forms, managerial materials, and the like from Elgin State Hospital, and mixed among them, occasional papers that contained bits of patient information that I am responsible for keeping confidential and private. This all requires looking over most pages to make sure a bit of Protected Health Information (PHI) is not somewhere on it. I found that, mixed among the blue memos from higher administration (which I had a personal policy of ignoring until I got a third one on the same topic,) are sign-in sheets for therapy groups, minutes of staff meetings which contain a patient's name or diagnosis, and even daily unit population reports containing PHI, length of stay, number of beds over capacity and the like.
Paper has become much less of a problem over the past year or two, as I have been saving "paperwork" as .pdf files and backing them up to an external drive or to CD/DVD disk. But I still have a cedar chest, a mobile hanging file frame, several boxes and a few file cabinet drawers full of material to be sorted and recycled, some of it after confetti shredding.
At first, when I was packing, similar things went into the same box, and would be easily located in the same place. This was logical and they were moved first. The unanticipated result was that when the "Oh my God I'm never going to get all this stuff moved" realization set in, very dissimilar and unrelated objects were simply stuffed into boxes and taped closed. If you give that a moment's thought, where would you expect the organized things to be, relative to the disorganized containers? Right, on the first try! Under them! This has been discouraging in that I have had to sort unrelated things and take them, one or two at a time, to where the will remain. On the reverse side of that coin, however, is the prize of knowing that when I finally reach the bottom layer of a pile of boxes, I will find one where the contents were packed logically and will go to the same place.
Other circumstances were simply not anticipated. I moved a TV/VHS tape player combo which was old, but in good working order. Then I bought a HD LCD TV. As I do not have a separate VHS player, I "must" keep the TV and the two dozen or so of my favorite VHS recordings that I culled from hundreds before the move, until I can transfer them to DVDs compatible with the new TV. Loosely related to this is the fact that I now have five remotes and require a 12 year old child to combine the functions of all into one.
Again, I logically realize that I do not need the massive amount of information I collected, or the psychophysiological recording equipment I built, for either my thesis or my dissertation. Keeping a single copy of the finished product (which will never be read by anyone, myself included) should be enough. When I discarded some of the statistics and original data tapes, I recalled one of my "top ten worst ever nightmares" in which the "they" in dreams found out that I had never taken an eighth grade history test and made me go back and do everything, from that test forward, over again. Just try to throw away something into which you put so much effort (useless or not) under those circumstances. One's brain hurts quite badly just before the panic attack.
Then, there are things that are taken for which one grossly overestimates the need. There were two unopened 52 piece boxes of Oneida stainless tableware. I was fairly certain I would not have need of 16 place settings and serving implements, so I gave one to Number One Son and took one myself. So far, I have used two sizes of spoons, one fork and one knife. All the rest are neatly arranged in the drawer organizer, still in their little, individual plastic wrappers. It is entirely possible that they will remain in that state for the next five to 10 years.
"Books" were a great problem for me. I love books. Only a few types were easy to discard or recycle. Old encyclopedias, out of date telephone books, moldy tomes and periodicals that didn't survive the "severe dampness" of the basement, children's books, and much of the trash science fiction that I had read when I was 13 (they had actual wormholes in them.) A first edition set of the works of Charles Dickens and a set of works of the great authors of the world went to Firstborn, along with an antique, handmade, glass front bookcase to house them. Many textbooks were so out of date that there was no point in keeping them. Other texts and reference books were so very out of date that they could not possibly be parted with, such as Cooper's Surgical Dictionary, printed in 1832. Finally comes the greatest problem of unread books, classics too worthwhile to dispose of, probably close to 100 binders full of topical articles to be culled, recent or special issue journals, yearbooks, and even a comic book here and there. I dread to think how many may still be in the rented storage space. If I had a garage, I'd have a garage sale.
Coming Attractions:
In the near future, we are going to hold an "Identify The Thing" contest. I will post a series of pictures of objects that remain in the apartment. I may or may not know exactly what any pictured thing is, so this may be of benefit to both reader and author alike.
There will be two or more posts on US30 Dragstrip and Doc's adventures there, the evolution of his 1930 Model A Ford coupe, from street rod to C/Gasser with photos and sound.
Of course there will be more of the occasional brain farts I refer to as haiku, more reminiscences and stories, and as the political scene and laws change there will certainly be rants, and also likely reports on the Internet and software. If my cognitive abilities take an unexpected vacation, there will quite likely be more posts like "Should I Write About Boxes?"
Peace, Doc
Copyright © 2008, Thomas A. Blood, Ph.D.
"I've known Pack Rats that are literally possessed by their possessions!" - Maria Gracia
Bat Boy the Musical: A Diary. Opening Night Tonight!
Friday, March 28th, 2008Thought for the day: In ancient Egypt, priests plucked every hair from their bodies, including their eyebrows and eyelashes. Good lord! I have trouble keeping up with plucking my stray eyebrows and shaving my legs, etc. Huhn. Sometimes I think about the Egyptians and how people go in and plunder their tombs and I think how if someone came and rummaged around in great great granny’s grave to study up on her, how everybody’d be all up in airs or in arms and cries of indignation. Does time allow for desecration? Time, space, and want for knowledge of ‘history’? Well, I’m going to be cremated, but if I were buried, I’d not care if someone dug me up; at least I wouldn’t be stuck underground for eternity in a box – eyewwwwww.
OPENING NIGHT IS TONIGHT! I finally am using the theater definition I have looked at for weeks—Break a Leg. I am so exited….yes, I really am. I want to feel the energy and the excitement, and I can see why actors, directors, et al, love this business. To hear the audience react, well, it makes all the work worthwhile. It makes one feel loved. Writers don’t get this immediate satisfaction—most times we don’t know who is reading our stuff and how they feel (but we love to hear from readers, least many of us do—so email writers, tell them how you felt about something you read; we really do love to hear from you, at least I do.)
Last night we had our “test audience” and my stomach churned around, but, once we got started, the terror went away, then finally the nervousness went away and I just let Clementine take over (“She did, bless her lil’ heart. I even did my jig, I did…hehehe…”)
To hear the clapping and laughing – it was wonderful! Audiences are so important, and your reactions are integral to our energy. During rehearsals, we look to our director, “How did we do?” and he tells us. During performance, we look to the director afterward, yes, but during the actual performance we listen to the audience—listen for your love! Remember that when you go to theater—remember all the hard hard work and time and love actors and directors and staff go through just to hear you sigh or laugh and then to applaud!
In answer to Doc’s question about wardrobe malfunctions and functions *laughing* - Clementine and I are modest to the end, except for last night when Beth wasn’t there and I had to be unzipped in the wings and then run back holding my dress up to get to the dressing room to change into my Bat Dress, then, after my SCREAM I had to change back to Clementine, run back to Sherry our Stage Manager while holding up my dress top and letting her zip me back up. *whew* And since I’ve added something under my dress, there’s not the concern that the audience can see Clementine’s drawers when she sits most unlady like and when she does her jig and when…etc…haw haw (“Huh. I sits like I sits that makes me comfrotroble. I done care what all any body have to say. ‘Sides, keeps it aired out down there when ye keeps ye legs opened up. Do you want things all stale down there? All trapped up? Huh. My momma tol’ me to keep the air circalatering down there so’s I stay fresh and airy. All that crossing the legs just cuts off circalation and keeps it all closed up-tha’s nasty.”)
And to Barb—younger looking? Haw! Now, if I could quit grinning so hard so that my neck cords don’t stand out with the effort – look like a lizard *laughing* And my forehead butt—that’s what my brother so brotherly called that line between my forehead that if I were into botox I’d sure get that botoxed—forehead butt…thanks Johnny! But, yoga and pilates and Flexitarianism and good mountain air will keep you sorta youngish… (“Now, whachoo worrying over lines and such—we’s earned them lines! We’s lived our lives and made faces to make them lines. Worry lines, laughing lines, crying lines, loving lines—they’s all the stories of our lives on our faces…”) Why Clementine, I believe you are getting philosophical and poetic on us! “You finally talking to me again out in the open air? Huh. You been ignorating me for days upon days. I was getting my feelings in a uproar.”
Well, Clementine, I have to say I am glad we have met. You are something else and I’m proud to be playing you on the stage.
“Wale, thankee Miz Kathryn. Hehehe. You is fun to be inside of, if a mite scary sometime. That head of yourn is filled with all manner of …of…stuff. I been poking round and studying up and trying to figure it all out.”
Don’t try too hard, you may uncover things you’d rather not see.
“Oh, done worry. I been in some them mem’ries and I runned oft the other way, I did! Wheee-ooo you got some things in there that give me the heebly jeeblys. Some them nightmares you done had that langers on in you brain, and that time that…that time…wale, I bes’ leave that be.”
Yes…leave it all be, Clementine. Leave it be. I guess tonight is it! Opening Night, Clementine! Are you ready?
“Huh! Is YOU ready, Miz kathryn. You driving the ship, I just be setting there waiting for it.”
Yeah, right, Clementine. You are a force to be reckoned with, I can tell you.
“Hehehe. Wale. I know you all done good good good las’ night, and tonight for that opener night, y’all gone do us all proud-the whole town, specially since we all was so shamed by what happen. Shame shame on us. Took us a long long time to get over all that tragical. We larned our lessons, we did. Should another Bat Boy come round, wale, I’ll be having it to supper! I’ll wrang up my bestest chicken’s neck—Rosie Lou—she’s plump and gone be juicy, I tell you. Been saving her for special o-casion. Been feeding her special too. Maybe I wrang her neck tonight and have some Bar be qued.”
BBQ…well….more on that later. Go to go.
“Aw. Already?”
Yes. Already. I have things to do. Goodbye Clementine. See you tonight for OPENING NIGHT! OPENING NIGHT OPENING NIGHT OPENTING NIGHT! IT’s FINALLY HERE—OPENING NIGHT!
“Wheee-haw! DANG but I can’t wait.”
Say goodbye Clementine.
“Goodbye Clementine. Hehehe.”
Theater word of the DAY! Finally here: Break A Leg. There are so many definitions, here is a link: BREAK A LEG.
A Dream Of Food
Friday, March 28th, 2008I had a dream. Just as I was waking up, or possibly I was waking because of it, it was very clear. I recalled thinking that it was humorous at the time, but fairly quickly forgot about it. When I read another blogger's post about dreaming of Mac and Cheese waking her, I was reminded of my own dream and thought it could be used as a marvelous example of problem solving in an altered state of consciousness (besides using just about the same amount of warped humor as I would have used in waking life to get what I wanted.)
As I recall the end of my dream, "They" had already placed me in "The Home" and I was not at all pleased about the situation. My lifestyle had been severely limited and I couldn't get any of my usual food preferences. Of course, the institutional cooking was institutionally presented and institutional tasting. I didn't so much stage a hunger strike as demand something I knew that they must have and I knew that I liked; Ensure, chocolate, eight ounces (cold, and shaken, not stirred!) The daemonic staff of the facility not only refused my simple request, but threatened me with nasogastric (NG) tube feeding if I did not eat their offal meals.
In the dream, I then thought, "Damn. How much more will it cost you to do that than give me a can of Ensure when I want it?" I'm relatively certain that the procedure and sterile tube would have cost roughly the equivalent of 10 cases of food supplement. (*stage whisper to staff* And you haven't seen how passive-aggressive I can become when I don't get my own way!) Not that I'm anything like that in waking life, of course. In the dream, I proceeded to write a letter of complaint to the manager of "The Home," explaining in a cost/benefit manner why he should capitulate immediately to my wishes, how I would do everything in my power to resist and/or later sabotage the tube, and who was receiving copies of the memo. The recipients were to include an attorney specializing in elder-law, the certifying/licensing bodies for nursing homes, the local newspapers, and most threatening of all, my friends on Spaces who would blog such victimization around the world!
Darned if I didn't wake up before I found out how this tactic worked, but I definitely considered it a good dream. The problem solving in it is so frighteningly similar to the actions I might actually have taken in such a situation that I have still more respect for Old Sigmund's masterwork, Dreams and Their Relation to the Unconscious. In the clear light of waking reason, it seems more likely that I would have asked Firstborn or Number One Son to bring me a six-pack ... and then sent the letters!
What did I do upon becoming fully awake, you may ask? I went to the refrigerator and got a can of generic food supplement, of course.
Peace, Doc
Copyright © 2008, Thomas A. Blood, Ph.D.
"If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. ... " - Zig Ziglar
Bat Boy the Musical: A Diary. Read all about it….
Thursday, March 27th, 2008Thought for the day: There are more chickens than people in the world. Huhn. How do they know these things? And who are the "they" that we always say "they" about? ("See there? More chickens than peoples...so I can wrang they's necks and eat them for supper all I want to and they's won't be missed. Huh.")
My new usb port is on its way from Dell and soon I will be back to laptop heaven. Last night went great--except for the first time I forgot to say "I'll bet that's one powerful critter!" there was a complete silence and to my horror I realized it was my turn ...EEEK! Luckily no audience - and for every mistake I make once, I obssess about it enough that I won't make it again. And, no one was mad at me, no one said "you suck!" - they all said, just move on. One further error was I didn't stay in character when I make the mistake, but put my head in my hands in embarrassment...nono...always in character, even if make a mistake!
Tonight we have a "test" audience! Dr. Hightower's office is coming - he made Bat Boy's teeth.
I'm putting links so if you want you can read in the Smoky Mountain News about Bat Boy - there are photos to scroll through too, just click on them and then click "next" -- Clementine is in one of them during the revivial scene. ("Oh! I'm on that there inner-net! Dang! Ohh, I'm soooo exciterated! My pic-ture is on there for all to see. I hope Miz Kathryn didn't mess up my hair ....huh.") LINK andLINK or HERE There was a good article in The Guide - with an "investigative story" by local writer Angela Dove - and Clementine was quoted several times ("Oh! I am? Ohhhh! Glory be...What'd I say? I just open my mouth and out the words fly...pop pop poppity...")
Also, I've put up a couple more photos of some of the cast and me before customes...hope to have more later. Yes, my silly goofy face is up there for all to see without touchup or artiface or photoshop -- tee hee...just a big arse goofy grin on my tiny head.
Theater word(s) of the day: Proscenium
The traditional picture frame type of stage, usually with a curtain.
Proscenium Arch
The actual opening of a proscenium stage.
Bat Boy the Musical: A Diary. Tech Rehearsals!
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008Thought for the day: Peanuts are one of the ingredients in dynamite. Huhn. How’d they figure to do that? Some guy was munching peanuts and dribbled some in the dynamite sauce and said, “Wait! Eureka! Peanuts may make it more dynomity!” I mean, did he try it before the peanuts and then after the peanuts and decided the peanuts just made the KABOOM better? Oh, what a world, what a world. (and is it just me, or does anyone over a certain age can’t help but say “DY-no-MITE!”)
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Oh, what a late night Monday night was. I got back to my log house after 11:30. Maybe 11:30 pm doesn’t sound late, but it’s late if you’ve been running all over the stage for hours and back and forth and trying to remember lines and choreography and putting on costumes and changing them (“Yep, Miz Kathryn; I can’t b’lieve how late all y’alls got back to ye houses! How you gone do the chores in the morning?”)
I have to get over my modesty. For when in the dressing room, all are in various states of undress and redress. There was one time I stepped out of the dressing room and there was Ian (Bat Boy) with nothing on but these tiny flesh colored briefs. I turned around to give him privacy, then later realized that’s part of his costume, teehee.
I have had wireless problems, so was written after Monday night’s rehearsal—Tuesday night (last night) went much much better!
I have to transform from Clementine to “Young Meredith” where I step from being a very old woman to a very young woman (and I am neither in real life) So, Beth, our stylist, had to help undress and dress me. Do you know how long it’s been since someone has had to undress and then dress me like this?
Beth said, “Well, dang—why can’t we get this dress over your head?” I shrugged—I knew, but I wasn’t telling. She said, “Hold up, hold up, I think I got it.” Then she helped me pull on my “bat dress” and I ran out to do my SCREAM! Then ran back to transform back into Clementine. Well, by then, Beth knew why we were having trouble getting the dress on and off…
She said, “My gawd, it’s like dressing a doll – a doll with big ass Ti—ies…” er….teehee…um….teehee….well, yes…the bane of my existence: THEM. Oh, how they get in the way. Squished in my Clementine dress, they stay immobile, I hope. There are moments of terror: are they oozing up out my bra? are they dancing at will? are they continuing to utterly undulate even after I am still? DANG! It’s as if they have their own identity: Kat, and Those Things On Her Chest.
I try to explain, “They’re annoying!” And I get looks of “Suuureee, Kat. I’d LOVE to have that problem.” No nonononononno, you don’t understand. (“Aw Miz Kathryn. I knows you problem. I gots the same things setting on my ribs! They’s what got me Bud, I reckon. Yep. Ain’t know’d what to make up them m’sef but they’s got me all kinder attention, hehehe. And since I ain’t had no chil’ren, they’s just as pert and purty as a fifty year olds breasteses is!”)
Well, Clementine is now transformed—the wig, the hat, the gloves, the dress, the rouge, the glasses, the shoes, the lacy socks, the attitude (“What you saying bout my attritude?”) Well, I looked the oldest one there! (“Huh. Wale…”) Everyone looks so cute and so pretty and there I was, Clementine (“Now, you hold on there, Miz Kathryn. I had my day. I did. I had my purty days. I was something else, I tell you. Ask Bud, he knows. He seen me nekkid! He did…now my momma and my daddy gone up to heaven, I can say that. I was nekkid in front a man…maybe more’n one for all you know…huh. Done be talking about how ever-body looked cute and purty and then there was Clementine. Slap you silly for that sass.”)
Monday, I messed up a couple times – yes yes yes I know that’s a shock! I know you can’t believe I’d mess up, seeing as I’ve done things so perfectly before now (“Hehehe…Oh Miz kathryn.”). One time I couldn’t hold the laugh—I had to turn my face and when I did, Adrienne, who plays Ruthie Taylor, began to laugh and then that set me off more-and this was during a tense scene! But last night I was able to stay in character without laughing.
On Monday, when I changed from my “Bat Dress” back to Clementine, as soon as I stepped on the stage I saw Margaret of the PowerHouse, my co-hort as Mrs. Dillon (“Ohhhh, that widder Dillion! They made her out all cute and sassy and made me look like an old woman!” [you ARE an old woman, Clementine…] but I…I…oh never you mind…) and saw her glasses, I immediately had my “Oh shit…” moment—I’d forgotten my Clementine glasses. Already my wig and hat were smashed on my head because the string broke on the hat to hold it on...heehee….and that wig! Can you say “Anthony Perkins in Psycho?” (“Huh. That hair doodle is easy…it’s what I do when I can’t get it right. I gots long thick hairs. Ain’t shorty like no boys like yourn. Shesh up you bellyaching and jes’ get on with the business of being me.”) But, Tuesday, I remembered the glasses, haw!
The lights and music really added to everything, but, as I’ve said before—it amazes me how much one has to learn in a musical…there are musical cues for lighting and sound and for movement and for the actors to sing or say their lines! It’s so much to remember and to get in the rhythm. Sometimes I forget to look at Anne for our cues as townsfolk. My brain goes in over-drive and sometimes into Huh? Wha? But, amazing how I never knew how these things worked. Like Allison, who plays Mrs. Parker and The Old Lady, said “Well, the audience isn’t supposed to know how hard we work, all that we do – that’s the magic of theater: we make it all look easy and natural.” Yes. Yes. The magic of Theater!
Tonight is another Tech Night rehearsal where we get more of the bugs out and then Thursday we have a “practice audience!” Then….Opening Night looms close. Close. Close. I try not to think about it. (“Naw, Miz Kathryn. You done go thinking on it. You do what that sweet Michiko say to do: you imaginary them punkins are setting out in the audience, jes big old punkin heads bobblering out there…but done you laugh or get tickled! I’ll he’p you stay me. Huh. I will.”)
DANG!
P.S.: I will be uploading some new photos and music today I hope…
Theater word of the day: Blackout (and it is really dark! Bust yer arse dark)--
Lighting term: switching all lights out at once, leaving the stage in complete darkness.
Firefox Is Back And I’m Gonna Have A Party!
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008Some things make me quite cranky and obsessive, indeed. One of those things happened on Monday. Somehow, I lost Firefox. The browser would load and display itself but would not connect to the Internet. Sometimes, like its owner, this computer becomes a little unstable and ... just does unexpected things. I would say I had no idea what caused this malfunction, but I really had about 20.
The first idea on my list was that Comcast might have done something "funny." Its toolbar will only install on IE7, so that's where I started. I switched to IE7 and was again in contact with the world, albeit at what seemed like a snail's pace. OK. I knew the computer could access the web sometimes. My next thought was that I had installed and removed several minor programs, any of which could conceivably have caused a problem. I also had done both a disk defrag and a registry defrag with software which came from a very reputable company, but I had no idea where the little 1's and 0's might have been placed. I did a sys restore to no effect other than moving a few icons on the desktop. I deleted several apps to DOD standards (seven overwrites of the data), but the problem remained. I ran every security program I have (at least 10) from rootkit searches to anti-virus scans to ad removers and spyware scans. I found nothing that I didn't already know was present. Even the low risk items were then quarantined or deleted, however. Still no Firefox.
At that point I decided to be tricky and try something different. I disconnected the cable service and plugged into dial-up. Everything else worked, but still no Firefox. Drat! There went my theories about the cable provider changing something. Somewhere during all this poking of keys and rebooting, I fell asleep. That was just as well, because I probably would have just continued to poke at things until I killed the computer. When I awoke, somewhat refreshed but crabby from a dream I had (which will be my next post,) I went back to work on the problem. I was at the point of downloading Opera or Safari to see if they would work, but I didn't want to do anything traumatic to the HP.
Trying to find Firefox help while using IE7 didn't work so well, and using what help Firefox could provide without being connected to the net was relative useless. It explained clearly what the acronym "URL" stood for and explained what the proxy - client relationship is. That is when I began semi-randomly poking keys and header tools. It is also when I solved the problem. I truly hate to admit how simple the solution was, once I stumbled upon it. It seemed reasonable to use the Firefox "tools" that were available. When I got down the list of options to "options," a screen opened with many, well ... options. I made my way through them until I hit upon "advanced options, network, connection." I proceeded to take the ultimate risk and poked "advanced network connection settings." Nothing blew up and I was given four choices. Although I felt that I was tempting fate to switch from the current setting to "Auto-detect proxy settings for this network," I did it. Firefox came online immediately.
I still have no idea what caused the problem to begin with, but I was absolutely thrilled to have solved the problem all by myself. This elation lasted just long enough for me to figure out that anyone who actually knew what they were doing would likely have tried this as a first or second choice in resolving the situation. I believe it was then that I uncovered another of those inconvenient, but basic truths of life. It is extremely difficult to feel elated and incompetent at the same time.
Peace, Doc
Copyright © 2008, Thomas A. Blood, Ph.D.
Firefox 3, beta 4 is available for free download, but I'm not quite recovered enough from this trauma to install it yet. Another portable version of Firefox 3, beta 4 is available as a free download with the feature of being able to install it on your USB thumb drive and test it without affecting the operation of your current version of Firefox 2, whatever version. That isn't my usual quote, but is likely to prove much more valuable to those who are interested. I might actually attempt that, as it has been downloaded and the installation icon is just sitting there on the desktop mocking me.
累与泪
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008哈哈， 我实在太累了，就随手玩了这个无聊的预算。日期我已经把他“XX”掉了，以免别人说我在引人注意。
June XX, 1984
| Lucky Color: | Amber |
| Personality Strengths: | Compassion, Savvy |
| Personality Weakness(es): | Impatience |
| Successful Career Path: | Literature |
| Sense of Humor Style: | Cliched |
| Adjectives to Describe You: | courageous, upredictable |
| Also born on June XX: | Coming soon |
|
Description: | |
Ok at least i made an effort to start it off in chinese. it really sux trying to type in chinese. So many things are happening this week. SUX + SHitty is all i can say VISA, Project, DIneer? LoL..
I have the sudden interest in going to China concerts, thanks to XY for oganising the Jay one, although i probably would rather see Jolin? hehe. This week i have taken leave 2molo as i need to settle the kuku visa. Pls pray that nothing happens. *SIGH
I really need to trim down more, can't lose to minky Chu~ can I? well i really wish for time to pass quicker so that i can embrace my parents. Most importantly, another week of holiday!! muhahaha..
Life is really getting boring already. I need to get out and start making neighbourhood frenz, probably start with the Kiddo whom i always meet, to play basketball? Or probably go swimming.. Whatever. 北苑really has no ammenities unlike Alan or Alvin's Condo. And here i was boasting about who good my place is. At least We got Peace Right JX? & the bird Nest and the 水立方. So many plans but no kakis to go, as i always have weird ideas out of no where ( Mooky & Tai ahould know better). I think before i leave China, i will go see one Olyampic Game, maybe the Gals Volley Ball match. Hmm.. All thoughts and no action Make Jason a KuKu Boi Nehy~
Next COncert: Declan Galbraith with my Collegues :) Party On Dudes..
