My Return To MCM&VCo., Week 1

I really wanted to write a daily blog entry (or at least one blog entry per rehearsal) for this "event" or "happening" or "insanity"... however you want to label it. However, I found that was a wonderful pipe dream, and nothing more.

So, instead, I'll try to type an update every Sunday. We'll see how long that lasts.

Rehearsals started last Sunday at noon. I had to skip church, as I can't make it from church to MCM&VCo. by noon. I met the two people I didn't know, and we pretty much dove in with the blocking of the first few scenes.

The best news is how few lines I have. The shows are usually pretty evenly broken up, and having one-sixth or one-seventh of the lines makes for a pretty light line load. This show is less evenly broken up, so my line load is even lighter... but I get to play several goofy characters, which is the sort of thing I enjoy.

While offstage, I'm doing origami, which is not new to me, but new to my MCM&VCo. experience. It makes the time go quickly.

We finished blocking the first three scenes, were told to have them memorized by Wednesday, and I got to go home, because I was not slated to be in the opener of the vaudeville, and that was all that was left to rehearse.

Monday evening, I learned I'm going to be in the opener after all. So, I got to learn it on the fly.

Rehearsals are pretty much as I remember them. Maybe it's too early to say, but I don't think I'll have the frustration level I had the last few shows I did at MCM&VCo. The frustration mainly came from me having a bit too much passion about doing things a certain way. Now, embarrassing to admit thought it may be, I'm in it for the money. So I can go with the things that used to make me insane. Or more insane.

By the end of Thursday's rehearsal, we'd blocked the entire show, and had made a lot of headway with two of the vaudeville numbers.

I've learned a lot of my lines, and I've also learned that some origami projects do not translate well onto paper... I mean as far as the "how to" instructions go.

Oh, and I learned that Saturday rehearsals can still be a killer.

By the time I got home last night (rehearsal was from 10 to 6), I thought my legs were going to stage a rebellion and leave me (and they probably would have, were it not for the whole "having to walk to get away from you" element--oh, and because they can't survive without my circulatory system and so forth).

And bonus: watched Steve Jones perform a number from Pet Pizazz several years ago. I've got to remember to go post a comment about that on Mrs. Jones' blog.

The show opens on the 15th of February, which means I have about 4 more weeks of rehearsal. Everybody wish me a leg-breaking--the theatrical kind, not the actual.

Another Holiday Season Down

And I mean taken down. I just got the outside stuff down a couple of hours ago. I'm working on the tree (I stopped so I could get a new plastic tub for the tree parts, so the tree may stay up a while longer).

Another teacher and I were talking the other day, and this past holiday season wasn't as holiday-season-y for us. I had been thinking it, but hadn't really put my mind's finger on it until she expressed it.

While I was taking down the lights I kept thinking "Next year, I have to remember to..." and then I'd remind myself that hopefully next year these lights would be going up at some other place.

Hope hope hope...

Anyway, I got on here to upload some pictures over at the other blog, and thought I'd so some more "nothing to say" posting over here.

Have a good one!

Friday Already?

Well, Friday is here, and hooray for that! (Because it's always hooray for Friday, right?)

Lots of things to get done at school, and lots of good things happening there, as well. Grade cards went home today, so I need to brace myself for the onslaught of phone calls about that... which means things I need to get done on Monday will maybe be put on hold... but that's the way it goes, eh?

Anyway, I was thinking today how I'm posting more on here lately, and I think I've figured out why: I always wait until I have something to say to post on here... but recently I've realized I never have anything to say. So, why not post whenever, right?

I'm trying to watch a TV show on the net. It's not working out very well for me, and I'm talking loudly at the screen, which might be confusing Killian (the dog), but he's taking it in stride.

Bingo tomorrow (I think) and in a little over a week I start rehearsals for the MCM&VCo. show!

Be good, folks!

House- (and Dog-) Sitting Again

I'm off house- and d0g-sitting again tonight. So feel free to stop by my house and steal lots of stuff--just be sure to steal that drain clog, while you're at it.

I kid. ONLY steal the drain clog.

Nothing new to report here. I'm tired, and will be going to bed soon. Today was a good day at school (which is to say no major trauma or unexpected policy changes, etc.).

There are so many crazy things going on that I'd love to type about, but I'm actually going to choose discretion and self-censorship for once, and close my eyes and hope it all just goes away.

In a related story, keep an eye out for my new one-man show in a clock-tower near you.

I kid, again.

So, good day, kids are back and I'm happy to see them again, and tomorrow is Friday! Life contains stress, but this is not news to anyone over the age of... birth.

Oh, and if you called me today, I didn't return your call because I left my phone at home and picked it up on my way here, then forgot to check messages until a few minutes ago.

That is all.

Happy 3rd to you!

Eat, Drink, And Be Merry, For Tomorrow The Kids Return To School

Well, it's not as bad as all that. Mainly it's the whole "waking up to the alarm" thing that I'm not a fan of.

God, in his/her infinite wisdom opted to make sure I was childless, and this "liking to sleep in" thing may have been a primary reason. Or a primary cause. Or one of them, anyway.

Anyway, tomorrow the whole thing kicks back in. There will be two days, a weekend, a full week, then a partial week (well, I think the Friday is a half day), another partial week (MLKJ day), then another couple (or few) full weeks, then a couple of partial weeks (Presidents Day), then a couple of full weeks (maybe three), and then Spring Break. Then it's several full weeks (which will include the MAP test), one partial (that's a half day on a Friday), then all full weeks until school is out.

Second semester is longer, but it goes by very quickly, sometimes.

Let's see... what else?

Oh, nothing new to report on the kitchen nightmare, other than some progress in the slow drainage of the standing water department.

And I forgot to buy a bunch of pencils today. I'm debating right now whether to go do it right now or wait until morning (and leave extra early) to stop by The Wal-Marts up north that's open 24 hours. Or, better yet, to just get a handful from the office in the morning until such a time as I can get to The Wal-Marts.

Yes, we have a winner.

Things are crazy right now. Just in my head, mostly. I'd be more detailed, but too many people behind the crazies read this blog, and... well, I've already said too much. Get it?

Okay, I'm off to bed, because my foot is about to freeze off. (Do you think I should get the computer out of the sun room?)

A Hope For Resolution (Not To Be Confused With A Resolution For Hope)

Just to catch you up, those of you playing along at home:

Went to Strasser's, got what I needed, and still not clog-free. However, there is hope... it's showing improvement, and at this point I'll take what I can get.

However, now my home smells like a fate worse than death. Hooray for holiday candles to mask the smell!

Today I went to the traditional welcoming in of the new year at Patrick & Leigh's. This was after running to Ben & Tricia's to borrow their kitchen, as mine is still on the fritz, as it were.

I'm glad gas is so cheap right now.

Anyway, that party pretty much wraps up the end of the holiday running-around, typically. I'll be taking my lights down on the 7th or so, and that will be it for this holiday season for me. Well, except for finally taking the tubs of holiday stuff down to the basement in March or April or so.

I kid. (I hope.)

I have a few resolutions. I'm not going to share most of them, but I do plan to be out of this home by the end of the year. Too many issues here, and they bring me down.

I mean, I've got enough issues of my own without my domicile adding to the mix.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great 2008, and you have four weeks to figure out what you're getting me for my birthday!