Quality Time with Artist

Sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my brain, like volunteering with the theatre group to help out the runners group with a marathon. "All we have to do is stand on a corner and tell them where to go." "Its only for two and a half hours." Okay, sure, yeah I can help out, sure I can find someone to take with me. Hello Artist, whatcha doin on Sunday?

So off we go. First thing, it wasn't two and half hours it was three and half hours. The joggers were slow this year so the time had a variance factor they did not tell us about. The weather was windy, chilly and slightly spitting on us. Good for the runners but crappy for the volunteers. Artist says if we take the first check point then we will be done sooner. Good thinking, I'm all in. It was great fun along the highway with the wind and of course the wakes of huge frieghter trucks just to add to the frivolity of the event. Our friend Leo was saying how they were blocked by the wind. Great, but we were done first damn it. We sat huddled with the umbrella as a wind barrier with our luke warm coffees and smokes. (Aren't we setting a good example for the jocks) We waved to on lookers rather giving us the questioning look. Its amazing how many people actually waved back and some waved first. The old biddies were the best, if they didn't stare straight ahead, they would give a smile and wave. Artist at times was too busy yelling at the drivers with cell phones connected to their ears. The highlight of the morning was watching a lovely young policeofficer change his shirt. I might have embarrassed him when I called over that I was just admiring. Oh and to the guy in the ancient blue four cyclinder tin can with the whiny muffler, sorry Buddy but Artist and I are taken.

I did learn a lesson today. There is not only a generation gap in communication but there is a gap between activity groups. For example, during this morning's event one of the runners was talking to us trying to find out how many runners had passed. (Three, it was really easy to keep count)I asked how long the marathon was and he answered it was a relay (and my mind went blank)...something kilometers. I cracked a joke about being in theatre and not understand runners lingo. The guy says, "Oh that 22.8 miles" Gap? I'm thinking Grand Canyon size gap. Gotta love Jocks, even when they grow up they have one track minds.

All in all, I have to say inspite of the weather, I had fun. Artist made it so. Come to think of it, with Artist at my side and a coffee in my hand, its always fun.

Hats off to Hubby

So, the long and the short of things are, I quit my job after a manager called me at home to bawl me out. So I called back after hanging up on her and spoke to my direct supervisor and quit. I had a verbal altercation with a new employee and she complained to her manager that I had been rude. (Of course nobody mention the three apologies afterwards) I was angry not rude and I was angry at the very person who called me and bawled me out. I don't have respect for a so-called manager who yells across the floor in front of cashiers and customers, "Should tell her not to bother coming in." (I called in after a reaction to meds for the head that resulted in the head in the toilet for three hours with a migraine. Not nice) And I should have said something at that point and I didn't. I should have said something when the general manager asked if there was anything I needed to discuss with him. I didn't so now I don't have a job. Sucks too because I was rather enjoying that one.

Hubby just spent the last eight hours getting my new computer to work. Let me tell you I was ready to ship the thing back. Its the windows vista and its crap. It won't let you on to secure sites like this one and of course it also blocks your email. I kind of need both for the blogs and the publishers if I want to keep in contact. But he finally got it. Got what? I don't know but things are working and life is a little better at the moment. I like some of the features but I really do not like the vista program. XP was way easier to navigate from someone who can turn things on and off like me.

Hubby is my Hero!!!

Mother's Day Ponderments

The play ended last night and I will be happy if I never hear the name Sweeney Todd again. I, for one, was more than happy to pitch in at 'Tear down' and do as much as possible to make the finality of it happen.

I think the best thing that came out of this play was that all pulled together to make sure the production hit the stage. The other thing was meeting the props lady and the new light tech was pretty cool too. It gave, Leo, Aquarian and I more private jokes for future events and it even included a little more bonding time with my daughter. Another good thing was I got to watch Artist's daughter test the waters for another avenue to let out her artistic side. I got to reconnect and get energized about next season. So I guess all in all it was a pretty positive experience inspite of all my grousing.

When you think about it, that is what creativity is all about. Its the birth of the idea then growing pains of putting it together; overcoming the mental blocks and hurdles getting to the mental image to put it out there. From there the energies take hold and if the energies are of the same intent whether it be from one soul or thirty, art breathes its first gasp and then takes flight. What ever the venue, medium or words are there seems to be a process. And for each journey, we seem to keep doing it.

Today of course is Mother's Day. I had a lovely morning coffee with Artist as Hubby went golfing with our future son in law. (It was a birthday gift for him and I figure a perfect Mother's Day gift for me. Although that was not his intent.) I went to my mom's, dropped off a card then came home and continued writing. So all in all it has been a relaxing day and after this last play, really well earned.

On that note I think I will go relax in the jacuzzi tub for an hour with a really good book.

A Little of This and a lot of That

One more, two to go and then Sweeny Todd is done. As much as I am looking forward to the end of this show and already planning next season's audition, I have to say that this cast is bringing them to their feet. And in a good way.

I can't say I haven't learned a few things about this as well and not things I was expecting like safety of the set. Who ever designed this thing was not keeping in mind back stage or the actors. Parts of the stage are black and we can't light the part or the audience will see back stage. I hate open sets for that reason. I can't wait until I direct again. I just want to get a little more experience in different mediums before I do again.

Did you see Scribble's mushrooms? They look really good. I was salivating looking at the pretty white globes. I'm on the hunt for a kit here. I love the idea of growing your own food and being somewhat self sufficient. Although I'm beginning to question if our garden will see the light. No pun intended there. I found chemical free dirt and manure. Hubby hasn't called yet. He has to leave the week we should be putting in the garden and there may be budgetary reasons as to why. We are hoping to have a bill paid off at the end of the month but getting there seems like it will never happen. We have been worse off. We couldn't even afford to think about paying off bills.

Oh yes, and who says Karma doesn't rear its ugly head. Not me. Nope. I'm a firm believer that once you get it, it should be driven in with a sledgehammer until there is nothing left but mush.

Okay long ago in the blogging world I posted about a certain nun I had to deal with during the production of the Sound of Music. To sum up the situation in a nut shell, she was playing childish high school games and was an overall Bitch. No other word for it. (Sorry if I offend anybody) She tried with me and after I thought about it, I was going to call her out and say lets keep it respectful. Holy Crap! I walk into work the other day and guess who is starting? Ugh! Now I know I have been good lately. I've been really working on the zen thing and with this play its been very difficult at times. Honestly, I am wracking my brains trying to figure out where something went wrong.

I'm not getting any sympathy either. Not that I'm expecting any, but the laughter and giggles that is a result of my telling others who know and encountered the 'Nun from Hell' as we affectionately called her, is really not helping.

Okay so here's my little problem. The Cosmetics Manager and I don't get along. Actually to be really honest, I have no respect for the ditz who is more interested at playing the manager and being the manager. She loads off work onto others, leaves early, comes in late, and for the first six months she worked there. I never saw her. (I do shop there) She is too big a girl to be pulling the cutesy act which I have no use for. And she knows it.

So if I ask not to work with her, I know CosLady will schedule her just to wreak a little havoc in my life. If I don't say anything I will end up working with the Nun from Hell. Either way, I'm not sure there is enough Zen to help me through this. I will be talking to my Cash Manager. We may not like each other all the time but I have a lot of respect for her and her position. She is a damn good manager and I respect her for it. If nothing at all, it will give her a laugh along with the rest of them.

I really need another cup of coffee.

Just Unloading

Its Sunday. The sun is shining, the wind is blowing my almost dry laundry, the crows in the back ground make for an interesting sound against the traffic. I do not want to move. Every part of my body is in pain. My hip I can't discern from my knees at the moment but I'm sure when I walk I'll be able to tell the difference.

Three more shows to go. Not that I'm counting. Oh no, that would imply I want this brutal experience to end. Why no, I don't want to quit until I'm in a bodycast being rolled out on to stage to flog the freakin' flowers.

I must say this though, Leo and Aquarian, are in this venture with me so at least they help to make the experience fun. Both have a wicked sense of humour so you never know what might happen. We have the coolest Props Lady though. She is so much fun. I'm going to ask the director if we can keep her. She is just a doll and unfortunately for her she has a wicked sense of humour too. That makes her perfect for the club. She's already warped. And that's hard to get prewarped.

Hubby is not to happy though. We haven't seen each other since Wednesday. And to add to the guilt, his birthday is tomorrow. He already got his birthday gift. He bought a laptop (of course the trade off is he has to get rid of a few other computers)(And no more doom and gloom talk)Normally I would have had at least his dinner figured out. But my attitude today is, that's tomorrow and I'll deal with it then.

Okay the sun is disappearing and the clouds are looking a little ominous. I think today I will bury myself in the corner of my house and go get lost in another world. After I grab more coffee.

I know I said It Before

But I will be so glad when this play is done. No I really mean it. This play was cursed from the beginning. And it just keeps getting better. Tonight was Hell. There is no other way to put it. And yet the cast managed to get a standing ovation. I think it might have been a sympathy standing ovation as the lead actor, fell off the stage.

Now I mentioned that the original director quit and two others stepped in. There was a shift in stage-managers on move in date that upset the applecart so to speak. Last night our Front of House manager resigned as a result of an argument so I'm not really sure what happened there. Tonight the lead missed his cue cause he was still in the dressing room then blamed the stage manager because he missed the call for returning upstairs. Two of the props (Pies) got squashed and the set change had already taken too long so the director watching from the booth cause he is also the sound tech is having fifty fits, and then of course is a little choked because the two edible pies (that are needed) wasn't there. I'm freaking because I can't find the pies that I had ready to go. Then I get an argument from the lead Actress that nobody eats them. I tell her that's what the director wants and she still argues. To top it all off, I smashed my hip into part of the protruding set. (Note to self, when directing make the set safe. I am mainly back stage with a couple of bit parts as a bystander.) Our producer who is also is doing a bit part, thought I broke my hip. All I can say now, is I am in a lot of pain and its only the second night. We have four more to go.

I can't wait until its over.

Artist's daughter is also in the play and is doing a great job. Tonight she was really animated. I called over and confirmed if she needed a ride. Once it was confirmed she didn't then I asked to talk to her mom. Here's the response I got. "She's out for coffee with someone. I don't know who she is cheating on you with."

Alright Artist, I just want to know one thing. Is her coffee better than mine? If so I understand. Its hard to refuse the seduction of a good cup of coffee. The scent that calls to the tastebuds awakening the hidden desire for that bold, succulent liquid...

Okay I think I need a coffee. I'm just hoping to get enough in my system to ride out the next four shows