A little something about Zeta... it's been so long!

I haven't mentioned Zeta in awhile.

She's grown into a beautiful teen with few adolescent issues.

In fact, tonight I was killing a wasp hanging out on the door leading to the patio in my bedroom. She stayed right where I told her to whilst all the distractions of my frenetic swatting occurred right in front of her... and she didn't move, even as I scooted the dead thing out the open door. She was terrific. I knew she was trained but this was a situation when I needed to really count on her.

I see the value of training -- otherwise one or both of us could have been stung!

Yay Zeta! I am so proud of both of us!

Interview Questions

Marsha sent me these interview questions quite some time ago. Life got away from us, so to speak. I have finally done them.

1. What was the first show you ever directed? Would you like a do-over or are you happy with how it went and what it taught you?

I count Agnes of God as the first show I directed. I did scene work and short plays throughout my education and the Directors Workshop at Sam Bass Theatre in Round Rock -- so erm... officially, I did Agnes of God. It was amazing. It taught me the most important thing about directing: Choices. Make only those choices that you can back up with logical evidence that is clear to an audience. I also, for lack of a better way of putting it, experienced the show romantically. I was deeply in love with what I was doing, in love with the cast, in love with the work, the script, the characters. I was very fortunate in that respect. That's not the case in every show, as we all know. Good thing new works keep rolling off playwrights pens, or the list of plays that I would love to direct would be awfully short. That, along with Artistic Directors who will actually work to marry you with a show you love is helpful, though rare.

2. You have been into directing these last few years. But I know you are an actor first. What role you would most like to play in what show?

Role? Not roles? Pssst... a secret... I've only just tapped into singing and am now getting secure enough to feel I won't scare off anyone if I sing in at least the chorus. I fantasize about doing a musical ( I have recently learned I am a soprano whilst all these years I thought I was an alto!) As I evolve, maybe I could play an adequate Mona in Best Little Whorehouse. That would be a grand fantasy! Then there's a fantasy of playing Rose in Gypsy or at this point being in any musical at all. But let's discuss the non-musical: Sabina in Skin of Our Teeth -- but no one will produce that behemoth -- it's so long. I could cut it! And I could look ten years younger too. ;-) I'd like take a shot at Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf in a few years and if he ever finishes his stage adaptation of it, I'd do Aurora Greenway in Larry McMurtry's Terms of Endearment, eventually. Finally, I would love the opportunity to reprise my role as Lorraine Sheldon in The Man Who Came To Dinner (without 9/11 dust all over it this time!) I LOVE it when the integrity of the character actually REQUIRES me to chew the scenery in a role.

3. What is one thing about being a step-mom that took you by surprise?

This week?

One thing? ONE thing? Ok, I'll give you the top two:

1) How I knew it would be harder than I thought and it was harder than I thought than I thought that I thought!

2) Nurture is as valid as nature. We think I may have actually birthed GMan P and erased it from memory, as his personality, sense of humor, and temperment resembles mine so much more closely than his own parents.

4. Tell me about your favorite book or author. Fiction or non-fiction, but not a play.

Gone With The Wind -- don't laugh! (Also, The Stand and Mysts of Avalon) My grandmother instilled in me a love for that grand story -- and it remains with me to this day. If you haven't read it you really should. It was indeed the grandmother of romance novels, but remember, it did win a Pulitzer prize for literature -- it is an epic story, not just a romance. It broke my heart. I stayed up night after night at my grandparents in my 13th summer reading the book and I remember weeping as if in personal grief. It's a lot more powerful and grand in scope than the movie, and is about survival and the courage of a woman. The film did more romanticizing of the whole thing. AND! It has sold more copies worldwide than any other book except the Bible. Don't knock it until you try it.

5. If you were in a band, what kind of music would you play and what would your role be?

Ack! Lawdie, I dunno. Er... boring, but... I'd play brass (and I love the french horn) in a big band and make some money working in the pit for musicals.

Steel Magnolias

Yesterday the SB and I planted a magnolia tree. So... I've been pining (no pun intended) for a magnolia tree for my yard for several years, first for several Mother's Days past as a gift to one another, then, as a Memorial for my mother. Wouldn't you know, it would occur in the most unceremonious possible way.

"Hey! These 5 gallon Southern Magnolia trees are only twenty bucks," I said.

"Ok, let's get it. Grab it, let's go," SB replied, as she was at the register already, paying for the eight bags of red mulch some of which she insisted putting around the tree prior to my snapping a pic. So insistent was she, that she rose from a nap and put her clothes on to ensure her magnolia was adorned properly, and, er... her gnome was positioned properly.


We do not have a pool in which the magnolia blossoms can float, but our neighbors do. We're saving that for the next house. Unlike in the production of Steel Magnolias, there will be no question as to whose side of the fence this tree lives.


BTW, we also bought this plant.


In other Magnolia news, here's the full cast of Steel Magnolias. In this photo Shelby is portrayed by the brilliant Nikki Zook.


I would imagine this production as being a powerful one for any cast that performs it, if, imho, they've done it right. With this production we had our own plot that was similar to the plot within the show down to Marsha, who originated the role of Shelby, being the one who got sick! A friend who played Ouiser in another recent production said a similar circumstance had occurred during the run of the production she did. I'd say Steel Magnolias, based on certain circumstances, holds potential to be the modern day "Scottish play," but I can't -- because in the face of said circumstances, we all had a ball, and came to deeply cherish the experience and one another.

This is NOT commonplace in the realm of theatre, but in my estimation as a director of this particular show -- chemistry offstage should be as much a requirement as onstage. I'm not talking like everyone should hang out together, but that the cast for this show should be the kind of women who have a high regard for one another, their work, and the good of the play.

I couldn't have asked for a better cast. Or a better review, except that the review outright swore the actress playing Truvy was channeling Dolly Parton and she was in no way shape or form doing such a thing! We received the reviewers highest praise and rating, broke the record for highest attended non-musical for the Georgetown Palace, and the cast had a wonderful experience. Couldn't ask for better.

And so... now I proceed again with NxNW Theatre and it's first production: The Nerd.

Oh, and maybe get a job or something. Seriously, I might take up photography occupationally -- it's become a great financial supplement. Let me know if you want me to do some photos for you. ;-)

Authenticity

I appreciate the Sexy Beast today.

I am in one of those fatigued and, oh, I'll admit it, cynical, moods. She's been my positive outlook lately.

I stand on a sort of precipice and I am well... frankly bored and burnt out on this sort of white bread world of manufacturing where I have gotten most of my work experience. It is sometimes so lacking in heart that I can barely stand it. Don't get me wrong. I am grateful for those who buy things that go on the assembly of an ATM so that I can have cash on the weekends but damn it all -- I don't want that person to be me if it involves... dare I say it... dull people or a reckless need to simply produce results. Blech.

Don't get me wrong, not all companies who make and build things are boring, nor are all the people who work there. I've come across several where the people are more than interesting enough!

Nevertheless, I stand with my feet in both the creative and "corporate" worlds. The Sexy Beast described me yesterday (and I paraphrase) as someone who brings a creative and artistic personality to play to the work force and that that is my true contribution. Some such thing like that. And I realized I am not really a buyer, or purchaser at all. I realized that I'd be fine with doing that, sure... but... the more I interview in the field, the more I feel like everyone is more interested in results than authenticity and I just can't produce results unless I'm being authentic. And to be entirely authentic, I don't know that I care to produce results for the company that funds the war, aerospace engineering, half the world's banks, etc...

I am facing it. I am a people based person, much more well versed in the ability of being authentic than I am in producing results in an industry where it's impossible to be authentic unless you are into producing results instead of making people happy. I don't mean this in a codependent way. I just have a hard time getting into having been a part of a team that "streamlined logistics processing 30%" or "improved efficiency by 60%." What does that really mean in the grand scheme of things and for whom does it make a difference.

I really do admire in this sort of alien way, the people who can do both, but it's growing harder and harder for me to do both myself. I suppose because I am growing more and more into this driving need to be authentic.

So I'm wrestling with this one. How does authenticity produce results? How does my particular authenticity produce results? Why do I separate the two when it comes to creating financial and career success? What is it I truly should be doing to marry the two?

The Sexy Beast says I'm an Artist. She's right. I'm an artist. But I'm even more interested in being authentic.

And there's still this office supply sales thing. Intriguing.

Stay tuned.

Bald Headedness For Marsha

I told Marsha I'd make a list on being bald -- just a list of things... she's pissed about losing her hair because of chemo. I'm not so grand as to say I wouldn't be pissed too!

This one's for Marsha.

Let's see:

You can be a Conehead for Halloween.

You can play The King of Siam in the all female version of "The King And I at Vassar" -- if you went to Vassar.

You can get together with another bald headed person and make an appearance -- and the radiologist, who doesn't know your ass from your head, won't know the difference. (Really, if you're going to mess with someone's ass for any length of time, I'd think you'd at least introduce yourself.)

You can claim a legitimate reason for your pate, unlike Britney.

It's manly. Wait... wrong gender... or... erm... sexual orientation, too.

You can tell everyone that you really WILL lose your hair if you do It too much.

If bald men make better lovers...

I saw something on a website when researching this list about men who have no testicles never go bald. What if a man has only one testicle? Wonder why the same wouldn't stand to reason in women?

Anyway -- I'm sorry Marsha, that you're gonna lose your hair. Thank GOODNESS it won't grow back on your palms.

Divine Order

I suppose titling this post "Divine Order" is appropriate. I've been so busy I have no way to put things in order so I suppose the Divine will have to do it for me.

I haven't blogged since I lost my job. First things first: How did I EVER manage to put 40 hours of work in and do everything else I've been doing? OMIGOSH.

So what's been happenin'?

I should just make a list:
1. Lost my job, don't care to find it again.

2. Beast Boy 1 returned home for a brief stay.

3. Unity Church of The Hills needed a publicity person to manage some vast amounts of collateral and bestowed upon me "Volunteer of The Month" -- I think it is a ploy to keep me at the desk doing all those documents ;-)

4. Steel Magnolias rehearsals and production started. THIS was a lot more work than anticipated -- but I'm not complaining. Directing theatre is a true pleasure but when you have to do some of the producing, too it's like walking through wet tar. In the case of this production, it was like walking through tar that had dried while I was walking through it. Mercury went retrograde through the rehearsal process -- and as most of my friends know by now, my lead and friend the AMAZING Marsha was diagnosed with lymphoma during the final week of rehearsals -- we added another week of rehearsal after opening for the FANTASTIC actress who is standing in for her. Here is the amazing Marsha in a publicity photo for Steel Magnolias. Yeah I took it. BTW, later, I will post the review -- which was also AMAZING. And the houses have been selling out!



I don't usually gripe about Mercury retrograde, and before you go calling me airy fairy, I don't let them bother me either -- they happen three times a year so it makes no matter to me if I'm rehearsing or not. Nonetheless, this one seemed to create a very real drag on the communication. Misunderstandings abounded.

5. Beast Boy 2 has been at TSU -- Theatre Camp. It's like he's in college already. I called the other day and he answered the phone, "May I help you?" and I said, "Is this Burger King?" We'll be catching his shows and picking him up this weekend.

Sexy Beast may have to pick him up alone. I have a hair appt. We can't miss those now can we?

So... back to this Divine Order thing. Seems interviews and calls from potential employers ceased for about two weeks. I think it's interesting that they started up again once we got Steel Magnolias propped up and ready to go. Next week I have an interview with Wincor-Nixdorf. Do I want to work for a company named Nixdorf? We'll see. I also have an opportunity to sell office supplies. Sexy Beast couldn't be more bored with such a thing. But me? I LOVE office supplies. I am a office supply geek. That's weird isn't it? Pens, especially. Groovy post-its. There's nothing like opening the office supply order when it arrives at the office!

6. Photography. Lots of it. Enough to supplement my income. I'd have thought admin work or something less creative would supplement my income (something to fall back on, as we used to say, back in the day) but as Divine Order would have it, everyone has wanted a photo! I have to thank Marsha for handling the headshot clinic I did for the Palace. I am so resistant to starting my own business in this way, but for Whatever Reason this photography thing has been the only thing that hasn't presented me with a number of annoying obstacles in the last few months. Should I take that as a Sign? Sheesh...

Here is an ad I did this week, just in case Divine would have it that I should proceed with this endeavor:
(btw, not one of these people has agreed to be used as a model, so if you know them, don't tell 'em... ok? LOL)

Wanna picture? I'll take yours. OMIGOSH -- what if I sold office supplies and took photos while I was at it?

7. NxNW Theatre -- we've compiled a realistic first season and found one or two -- not so particularly perfect but acceptable -- locations to perform. Now it's time to ask for money. Will you give us money? Say yes and go to the NxNW Theatre website. Click on the "donate now" button. It's easy. You may as well do it now and save me asking you later, because I will.

8. FINALLY! I have been enjoying a terrific week with the AMAZING Sexy Beast. How she does all the amazing things she does gets me... she is like the most superior buyer for Solectron, and she's singing with an acapella group at the moment and is about to sing with the "FUN Singers" at church again. She even outrageously suggested I join her for the FUN singers. I told her I'd do it if she'd do Gay/Lesbian salsa lessons with me. :-D. This is also a warning to anyone else singing with the FUN Singers.

The most AMAZING thing about the Sexy Beast, aside from her ability to disappear entirely from view in a 1/2 second when she is in a Target, and her... erm... well... I can't blog about that here -- is that, as mother of Beast Boy #1, she is able to function when being so challenged by his adventures.

I don't tell her enough that she is amazing. Oh wait. She has been pestering me to blog so now she knows. Whew.

Finally -- in case you were wondering:

Zeta is doing fine! Brilliant dog. You can tell from the photo. She is definitely wondering what that idiot is doing. The human one, not the canine.

I Was Tagged

Marsha tagged me. See the Marshalogues at right. Whee.

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. The biggest random fact about me is that I am a prayer chaplain and that I am sometimes embarrassed to share that with certain people. As chaplains we just "hold spiritual space," -- and pray with people. It is some of the most important work I do -- and it keeps me humble and honest. Nothing has changed my life so much for the better than being of service in this way... except...

2. I tithe 10% of my income -- that totally changed my life too. It's not bullshit. Pick a theatre, a church, a needy organization -- even Suze Orman agrees. It Works.

3. I tithe to Unity Church of the Hills, a church considered outside the "Christian" realm -- a pantheistic, perverted, cult. I feel proud. Join us next Sunday for worshipping and pagan animal sacrifices. LMAO. My devout Episcopalian grandmother subscribed to the Daily Word from the day I could remember being able to read -- which is published by Silent Unity -- the very same pagan, pantheistic church a branch of which I attend.

4. I miss my mother and grandmother. Not an interesting fact -- but a true one.

5. I am a native Austinite -- third generation.

6. Capt Krunch

7. I so want to be in a show again. I've been directing for the last four years and I haven't acted in a play in that long. Sigh...

And Marsha and Ronni have already tagged everyone I know who has a blog so there.