yay

Sibling comes to town tonight - his flight doesn't get in until almost midnight, but I will be there to get him! I am so glad. He just has no idea what this week has been.

During my many trips shuttling back and forth between home & the hospital in my dad's SUV, I've had the company of XM radio. I found a *ridiculous* station called "SpecialXMAS" and it's been great.

It's Christmas music. Nontraditional and comedic songs only.

For example:
Leroy the Redneck Reindeer
Santa Got A DWI
Indian 12 days of Christmas ("5 bollywood fiiiiiilms . . . ")

My favorite so far has probably been the rip off of the Bing Crosby/David Bowie Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth duet. Instead of "pa-rum-pum-pum-pum", it was "and pour me some run"...etc etc.

I've enjoyed listening and cracking up on my travels.

it is so bedtime

We are all exhausted...mentally, physically, everything. God is good though, and He has sustained us thus far!! And shall continue to do so.

I think I have to put myself on vocal rest. The combo of no sleep, dry air (altitude!) and almost non-stop phone talking is starting to take its toll on my voice.

I am soooo looking foward to a real sleep and not getting up in the middle of the night. Mom, Uncle Horn and I are all staying in our own beds at the house - dad is doing that well - but we'll head out to be at the hospital for 8:30am.

I have chocolate for dad (Maison du Chocolate from Aunt F!!) and we have fudge for all the ICU nurses. Good times. AND Sibling comes in tomorrow. We are all VERY much looking foward to that.

whew. and Amen!

thanks

thanks for all the kind words, prayers, texts, calls, etc etc etc. you are all diamonds and i appreciate you :)

gotta get a little sleep in before another long day.

Pray for Dad today!!!

Here is a picture of dad getting "liquored up" on our cruise to Alaska.


[Full disclosure: that was a funk-nasty pina colada - he was just posing with it for giggles . . . ]

fitting

Just a short while ago, while trying to be helpful, I managed to explode an entire canister of whipped cream all over the place. All over me. All over the counters. The floor. The cooktop. The rug. Seriously.

But it was soooo funny, too. I cleaned it up laughing hysterically, on the verge of tears. A fitting dissolution into a safe hysteria.

Thankful!!

I am so thankful for God's blessings in the form of friends, family, and prayers. From my family to all of yours - thank you all for you support.

Today is dad's last day at work, and then tomorrow we'll leave this house at 4:30 am. He has to be there at 5am, two hours prior to the scheduled surgery time. I'm going to *try* to go to bed early tonight...we'll see if that happens or not :)

Lucky number 7

So, yes, my dad has definite OCD tendencies...he taps the coffee pot, turns all the mug handles *just so*, taps the dials and knobs in the car as well as on his alarm clock. Mostly, we rib him about it a little bit here and there, and he is good humored, but still the rituals remain.

Well. Let's kick it up a notch. I think maybe because he's nervous, he's a little more "in" to his rituals - or at least letting us know about them. Since I arrived on Thursday, I have been let in on not ONE but TWO other 'rules' as they were.

In showing me where all the various and sundry important papers are kept (savings, retirement, wills, living wills, life insurance, etc), he showed me his check book. There are ALWAYS seven (7) rubber bands around the check book. And he made sure to point this out, several times. I asked him what happened if there were not exactly 7, and his response was "well, you just don't want to find out." So. That's that.

In taking out the garbage tonight (dad's usual chore - but he's not allowed to lift more than 10 pounds), I was tying the garbage bag shut, and asked if I did it correctly. "Well, no. Not exactly," was the reply. I asked what was wrong. "Well. I usually tie it seven (7) times." I was like REALLY? Seven again?

And his reponse to me was, "Why do you think we live at 77 [xyz] Drive??" And honestly - I *think* he was kidding around with me - but I'm not sure!

I'll make sure to have seven squares of chocolate ready for him to eat when he's finally able to eat something after his surgery :)

procedure

From the Texas Heart Institute Website:

Biological [replacement heart] valves, which are made from animal tissue (called a xenograft) or taken from the human tissue of a donated heart (called an allograft or homograft). Sometimes, a patient's own tissue can be used for valve replacement (called an autograft). Patients with biological valves usually do not need to take blood-thinning medicines. These valves are not as strong as mechanical valves, though, and they may need to be replaced every 10 years or so. Biological valves break down even faster in children and young adults, so these valves are used most often in elderly patients.
You and your doctor will decide which type of valve is best for you.

During valve repair or replacement surgery, the breastbone is divided, the heart is stopped, and blood is sent through a heart-lung machine. Because the heart or the aorta must be opened, heart valve surgery is open heart surgery.

What to Expect

The operation will usually be scheduled at a time that is best for you and your surgeon, except in urgent cases. As the date of your surgery gets closer, be sure to tell your surgeon and cardiologist about any changes in your health. If you have a cold or the flu, this can lead to infections that may affect your recovery. Be aware of fever, chills, coughing, or a runny nose. Tell the doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

Also, remind your cardiologist and surgeon about all of the medicines you are taking, especially any over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin or those that might contain aspirin. You should make a list of the medicines and bring it with you to the hospital.

It is always best to get complete instructions from your cardiologist and surgeon about the procedure, but here are some basics you can expect when you have valve repair or replacement surgery.

Before the Hospital Stay

Most patients are admitted to the hospital the day before surgery or, in some cases, on the morning of surgery.

The night before surgery, you will be asked to bathe to reduce the amount of germs on your skin. After you are admitted to the hospital, the area to be operated on will be washed, scrubbed with antiseptic, and, if needed, shaved.

A medicine (anesthetic) will make you sleep during the operation. This is called "anesthesia." Because anesthesia is safest on an empty stomach, you will be asked not to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. If you do eat or drink anything after midnight, it is important that you tell your anesthesiologist and surgeon.

If you smoke, you should stop at least 2 weeks before your surgery. Smoking before surgery can lead to problems with blood clotting and breathing.

Day of Surgery

Before surgery, you may have an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), blood tests, urine tests, and a chest x-ray to give your surgeon the latest information about your health. You will be given something to help you relax (a mild tranquilizer) before you are taken into the operating room.

Small metal disks called electrodes will be attached to your chest. These electrodes are connected to an electrocardiogram machine, which will monitor your heart's rhythm and electrical activity. You will receive a local anesthetic to numb the area where a plastic tube (called a line) will be inserted in an artery in your wrist. An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted in a vein. The IV line will be used to give you the anesthesia before and during the operation.

After you are completely asleep, a tube will be inserted down your windpipe and connected to a machine called a respirator, which will take over your breathing. Another tube will be inserted through your nose and down your throat, into your stomach. This tube will stop liquid and air from collecting in your stomach, so you will not feel sick and bloated when you wake up. A thin tube called a catheter will be inserted into your bladder to collect any urine produced during the operation.

A heart-lung machine is used for all valve repair or replacement surgeries. This will keep oxygen-rich blood flowing through your body while your heart is stopped. A perfusion technologist or blood-flow specialist operates the heart-lung machine. Before you are hooked up to this machine, a blood-thinning medicine called an anticoagulant will be given to prevent your blood from clotting. The surgical team is led by the cardiovascular surgeon and includes other assisting surgeons, an anesthesiologist, and surgical nurses.

After you are hooked up to the heart-lung machine, your heart is stopped and cooled. Next, a cut is made into the heart or aorta, depending on which valve is being repaired or replaced. Once the surgeon has finished the repair or replacement, the heart is then started again, and you are disconnected from the heart-lung machine.

The surgery can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours or more, depending on the number of valves that need to be repaired or replaced.

Recovery Time

You can expect to stay in the hospital for about a week, including at least 1 to 3 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Recovery after valve surgery may take a long time, depending on how healthy you were before the operation. You will have to rest and limit your activities. Your doctor may want you to begin an exercise program or to join a cardiac rehabilitation program.

If you have an office job, you can usually go back to work in 4 to 6 weeks. Those who have more physically demanding jobs may need to wait longer.

Life After Valve Replacement

Most valve repair and replacement operations are successful. In some rare cases, a valve repair may fail and another operation may be needed.

Patients with a biological valve may need to have the valve replaced in 10 to 15 years. Mechanical valves may also fail, so patients should alert their doctor if they are having any symptoms of valve failure.

Patients with a mechanical valve will need to take a blood-thinning medicine for the rest of their lives. Because these medicines increase the risk of bleeding within the body, you should always wear a medical alert bracelet and tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking a blood-thinning medicine.

Even if you are not taking a blood-thinning medicine, you must always tell your doctor and dentist that you have had valve surgery. If you are having a surgical or dental procedure, you should take an antibiotic before the procedure. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream during these procedures. If bacteria get into a repaired or artificial valve, it can lead to a serious condition called bacterial endocarditis. Antibiotics can prevent bacterial endocarditis.

Patients with mechanical valves say they sometimes hear a quiet clicking sound in their chest. This is just the sound of the new valve opening and closing, and it is nothing to be worried about. In fact, it is a sign that the new valve is working the way it should.

A world away

My good friend (and Ty's cousin) P called today. He ships out for the Middle East on Monday with the Army. I'm really glad he called - it was good to talk to him for a little bit. It's weird to think that for 15 months (at least!) he's going to be in the desert somewhere, with his life on the line.

Living in SF, where there is a monthy protest against The War, I find I can be desensitized to the whole thing...I just don't even think about it anymore, because I feel like I'm constantly surrounded by anti-war, anti-American, anti-almost-everything ALL THE TIME. I guess personally, I am not *for* the war - but I *DO* support the troops.

Knowing people involved gives some perspective. Another close friends' husband is in the USAF...He is safely home - praise the Lord - and about to welcome their first child into the world!

So. I will do my best to support P as he's out there a world away . . . all we can do from home is pray, write letters and send Fudge (well - my mom's going to send fudge!). I encourage those of you who know folks in the forces to do the same...

Casseroles

At our carols and lessons rehearsal on Wednesday, I had a conversation (with the hilarious CT) about Casseroles. Did I grow up eating them? Did I cook them now? It's a generational thing, I think - our parents and parents' parents made them often.
So - in answer to her questions, yes I did grow up eating them, but no, I had never made one myself.

We went on, talking about how bad they can be for you, as they all call for "CREAM OF [fill in the blank]" soup, cheddar cheese, and lots of starch...but also how creative one can be with casseroles...adding random things you might never think to put together.

Well. Fast forward to this morning, in my mom's kitchen. She asks me - "Do you like King Ranch Chicken?" and my response was to immediately start giggling. King Ranch Chicken is indeed one of those aforementioned casseroles. Then, my mom asked if I would please help her make them. THEM. We made THREE of them. One for lunch today, and two to freeze. I was cracking up the whole time I was grating cheese, chopping celery and opening the cans of (lo-fat) cream of mushroom soup.

I tried to explain what was so funny, but I'm not sure if I was making any sense. As soon as we finished, I sent an email to CT - I knew she'd crack up hearing the story after our Wednesday conversation.

Oh man. Good times. I can smell it cooking in the oven now...!

fireside

I'm sitting by the fire right now. It is COLD here!!

Went to Borders today - found a gift for my dad (per his request) - an Ike & Tina Turner box set of CD's. I'm glad it's something he wants...other than chocolate, he's hard to shop for...

Mom and Dad are doing okay. Mom's in a bad mood though - her nervous energy and fear surrounding Dad's forthcoming surgery do not for a happy household make. I told her today that I wasn't going to last the next 2 weeks if we couldn't come to some sort of happy agreement in which she didn't take out all of her anxieties on me. Seriously. At this point - it's not even my dad I'm worried about, but my mom...ack.

Anyways. In other news, we're trying to track down a Wii...but that is no easy task!!

Sights seen

Wednesday night: ATM run to Lucky supermart. While there, saw several young bachelor types stocking up on Thanksgiving necessities: 6 packs of beer and cases of beer. Oh. And did I mention the beer?

Thursday morning (though it was so early it may as well of been Wednesday night): SFO airport. Woman running back towards security. Same woman walking back a few minutes later, suitcase now in tow. I can understand...it *was* 4:30 a.m., and I know I hadn't had *my* coffee yet, either.

Thursday mid-morning, M.S.T.: DIA airport. A string of SUV's dusted with snow, slowing winding their way along to Passenger Pick-up.

Thursday afternoon: Greenwood Village, CO. Family and Friends!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Scattered thoughts

I'm *almost* done packing. AZ is picking me up at 4am for my 6am flight. EARLY.

I'm - mostly - looking foward to being at home. But it will be hard, too, in it's own way.

I love Borders. And coupons. And coupons for Borders.

Life is funny. I know many funny people.

I would like to get a new computer. Mac vs PC...any thoughts?

Happy almost Thanksgiving, everyone!

My socks are too small

They are those little anklet socks - and they have only been covering half my foot all day long. They slipped off of my heels early this morning, and I just haven't taken my shoes off to adjust!

ANYWHO.

Here is a hilarious get-the-season-kicked-off video for you all, courtesy of AZ. I hope you laugh as much as I did...Enjoy!

Shy people of the world - get thee to a drama class!

This last Friday, I came home from work, turned my cell phone off, put on my pj's and wrapped up in blankets. I was ti-red. It had been a looong week in many ways, and I was just drained.

So. Fortified with hot tea, soup and my issue of People's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue, I hunkered down for a wild and crazy Friday night . . . not!

Yes - so the magazine was mostly fluff, but there was one little quote I really enjoyed. In the "Sexy Nerds" section (I know - I am just diggin' myself a hole . . .) Reggie Hayes, who stars on the CW's Girlfriends, answers thusly in response to the question, "Why Do Geeks Act?"

It's the perfect job for shy people. They tell you what to say, pick out your clothes and comb your hair.

I thought this was interesting; this is how I feel a majority of the time, as a performing artist. Seriously? I'm really shy. Stick me behind a podium and ask me to speechify? Hell, no. Stick me in a dress cut down to there and prance around on a stage stark, raving mad? SURE, sounds like fun to me!

What's the difference, you ask? The difference is that on stage and in character - I am free to be whatever and whomever I choose.

I am not restricted to the confines of my physiognomy, physicality, personality, credo, nor age.

There is no pressure of people-pleasing, making a good first impression, over analyzing, or "OMG did I just answer his question with something that doesn't make sense"?

I have time to research a character; time to get to know a persona - almost a courtship of sorts.

When I have the opportunity to play the same role more than once, meeting up with that old character is like reuniting with an old flame; I remember the times past, but as we've both aged and changed, new layers emerge.

You ever have those times when you think of a snappy comeback to something somebody said two days ago? Well, in theater - those comebacks are written *for* you! There is always invective ready to be flung caustically across the boards. Brilliant! How often have I wished for that in my real life?

And, as probably any drama coach worth his/her salt would say "Half - if not more - of acting is listening and responding". Shy folks - we spend most of our time listening to people, especially in large groups, especially with unknown people. As a child, other kids used to think I was stuck up, because I wouldn't talk to them. In reality, I was terrified and didn't know what to say.

Those of you who know me - and know me well - may argue with my self-assessment of being shy. I've become less so as I've aged, and as I've learned to have a public persona. But I'm still quite private. My freshman year of college, I went away to a school where I didn't know anyone. I made myself - I had to physically choose - to become more outgoing, or I would never have any friends. It was a distinct moment; an inner dialogue held standing outside of my dorm room in Snyder Hall; a moment I will never forget.

. . . . so if everything is already "there" and in place (for us shy folks, as it were) what makes theater such an art? Why are the performing arts so competitive? The magic comes when a performer is able to take what they are given and make their character come to life. To transport/convince/trick? the audience into believing that the person they see onstage is - without a doubt - a pirate king, a madwoman, a son in love with his mother, a star-crossed lover.

Bringing someone from being one-dimensional, written in a screenplay, libretto, a score, to a being a living, breathing, bleeding, soul-filled person. Therein lies the talent and skill of an actor. It is not something that is fully attainable - but rather, a constant pursuit . . .

I wish I could find my camera cord, and other ramblings

I have some really funny backstage pics from our show....the LL Gala
"Harry Patter and the Willing Suspension of Disbelief, or A series of Unfortunate Musical Numbers". It was a trip of a show - very silly, crazy, chaotic fun.
- - - - -

I can't believe this is Thanksgiving week, already. KOIT radio station has started playing their 24-hour Christmas music, and I have started listening to it a little bit. I like the old school Christmas singers (Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra) and yes, even Barbara Streisand's Christmas album makes me gleeful (I know, I know)!
- - - - -

Saw "Lars and the Real Girl" last night with AZ. It was totally quirky and odd - but heartwarming, too. If quirky and odd is your thing - go see it :)

Things I've learned (today)

1. That Air Supply has A Christmas album

2. Where to locate the ice skating rink at Embarcadero Center

3. That it really is worth turning off one's cell phone from time to time

4. That the smell of cigarette smoke through the stage door can be strong enough to cover up the smell of - for example - backstage flatulence

5. That the Embarcadero Cinema is still located in EC1 (I can never seem remember that)

6. That I can pull off a beehive wig

401 Foto Friday

According to my blogger dashboard, this is post number 401. Cool. And, as I am crazy tired from my strange week (yeah - it's also been tech week for my show...ha!), I am submitting a photo for my blog today.

Last week when I went to the dentist, she took an impression of my teeth and made this mold, so that I could have flouride trays made for me. mmm. flouride. Anyways. The office doesn't keep the clay molds onsite, because they take up too much room, so I am now the proud owner of my own set of teeth. Twice over.

Ta da:

Miscommunication

My coworker and I had to make an "emergency" run to Copy Station today (that's a whole other story).

Anyways.

MM and I had two large boxes of stuff to take to Copy Station, so I drove my car down to California street. Now, during the work day, there metered parking spots on California are only for commercial vehicles. Being that my precious Volvo is NOT technically a commercial vehicle so to speak, I elected to stay in the car while MM took the boxes in.

"Do you need me to come with you?" I asked.
"No, I got it" MM said as he shut the door.

So. I find myself in the car listening to the radio, playing games on my phone, checking voicemail, etc. About 20 minutes go by. Copy Station must be a happening place today...and our copy job is quite complicated. I resume my game-playing.

20 more minutes pass.

WTF?

I decided to call MM's cell phone. He doesn't answer. I wait 5 minutes. Get out of the car and
*stare* at Copy Station - a half a block behind where I'm parked. I try MM's cell again. No answer. I get back in the car. I start to think . . . and call the office.

Me: "Hi, it's [MezzoSF]. I'm still waiting for MM."

Coworker X: "What do you mean?"

Me: "Uh...I'm at Copy Station. What? Is MM THERE?"

Coworker X: "Well, yeah!"

Me: "WHAT? Put me through to him...!"

So, yeah. I sat in my car (nary a block from Tuesday's Incident) for a solid 45 minutes. For no reason. What.so.ever.

Good times.

I know I'm stubborn, but . . .

I'm the woman with the volvo.

Tuesday was rough . . . I'm glad it's over.
Praising the Lord for:
His Mercy
My Volvo automatic locking doors
My Volvo strong-ass windows
My sibling, coworkers and friends for their support and prayers!
(Sibling and I haven't yet told the parents . . . they are under a lot of other stress at the moment. I guess if I end up testifying in court, I'll have to tell them at some point...hmmm.)

Two pair

I have a show this weekend at the Herbst. It's a Harry Potter send up, and I'm playing Ivana Trump (a.k.a. The Witch Le Fay). We have our first run with costumes tonight, so I've been getting all my stuff together for that.

After much experimentation, pushing, pulling, tugging and strapping down, I now have my final costume in order:

-Long, black, low-cut dress
-Sparkly, spangly velvet cape-of-many-colors
-Sparkly, spangly costume jewelry (from my grandma)
-Black heels
-Black tights
-Platinum beehive wig (complete with bees!)
-Two pairs of socks

Go Team!

On many days each week I do the crossword puzzle over my lunch hour. As such, I was sitting outside today doing just that when I overheard the following snippet of conversation:

FDC #1 (Financial District Clone): My little joke about him being an athletic supporter didn’t seem to go over too well.

FDC #2: Yeah…I didn’t really get it . . .


Don’t feel too bad, Mr. FDC#1 - *I* thought it was funny!

Checklist for a rainy weekend afternoon

Rainy weekend afternoon . . . check

Red Wine . . . check

Arrested Development on DVD . . . check

Rona and The Queen . . . check and check

Fashion show . . . check

Girl talk . . . check

Cupcakes . . . check

Combine all ingredients and gently mix. Gradually add red wine until saturated. Fold in three eggs cupcakes. Bring mixture to a boil giggle. Let sit for 3 hours.

I can't sleep. So I'm taking tests on the interwebs!

ESFJ - "Seller". Most sociable of all types. Nurturer of harmony. Outstanding host or hostesses. 12.3% of total population.

Take Free Jung Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Brain Lateralization Test Results

Right Brain (46%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain. Left Brain (54%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain

Are You Right or Left Brained?(word pair test)
personality tests by similarminds.com

Just a little rain . . .

(not kryptonite, whew!)

Vaccinated

Lucky (née Albertsons) was hosting flu shots this morning. I get one every year - and have for as long as I can remember - because of my asthma. It gets out of control scary when I have the flu.

I arrive at Lucky at 10 on the dot, and was the second person there. Until this crazy lady on a cell phone cuts me off and steps right in front of me. I didn't say anything to her - she wouldn't have heard me anyways, jabbering away like that. The nurse and I made eye-rolling contact.

I get my paperwork, finish it quickly (before Cell Phone Woman does...who's still chattering away and not filling out her form) and step back to the table. I sit down in the shot chair and suddenly there are like, 10 people waiting around for a shot. Ten people, most of whom - if I just streched my legs out - I could kick.

So, there I am, rolling up the arm of my STAR WARS shirt, getting prepped, swipped and stabbed with ten pairs of eyes staring. I'm not gonna lie - it was a little awkward. I looked at one lady and shrugged just before the nurse stuck the needle in my arm. The woman seemed a little embarrassed to have been "caught" staring at me. I was proud of myself, though.

I didn't even flinch.

Lessons learned

It is almost impossible - practically Sisyphean - to play Scrabble in Italian when your letter tray holds 7 consonants and hence, no vowels.

Despite the 28 years I've been on this planet - there will still be times when I forget about half of those years and act 14. Especially around boys men.

Grande green teas have caffeine in them. Especially those enjoyed at approximately 9:00 p.m.

What have *you* all learned this week?

Mug Shot

This is my favorite mug at work.
I have no idea who Robert is - by the time I started, he was no longer working here - but behold! His legacy remains.

I just really the shape of this mug, and how it fits nicely in the hands. I'm always sad on days when I get to work and another coworker has snatched Mr. Robert out of the cupboard before me.

I've placed Robert next to the Eiffel Tower. (For scale).

Pirate Jesus

So, we're doing a "Lessons & Carols" Christmas program at our church (December 16 during morning service - in case you're interested...) and we had our first staging rehearsal tonight. The way things are set-up, we've little vignettes interspursed with musical offerings. AZ's roomie Lisa is directing, and she is awesome!

Yours truly is Mary; AZ is Elizabeth and Ty-lar is Joseph. Other friends (read: comedians!) round out the cast of characters, and tonight's rehearsal was a lot of fun . . . and highly amusing.

It started off with Ty-lar wanting to be Pirate Joseph because he happened to be wearing his stripey pirate pants (something about Mary being a lusty wench was thrown around). And CT decided Ninja Herod would be appropos. Once we got to the part where Mary magically has a baby, I was in tears with laughter. How in the *world* do you make a baby(doll) appear without actually having a "birthing" scene...?! Our scenery is simple and scarce, we don't have a lot of bulky clothing items in which to camoflauge the baby, and I was practising with a football-shaped bundle of gold-lame' costume. There was much talk of having the baby thrown in from the wings; Ty-lar having it strapped to his leg under his robes; me carring it diguised as a mystery bundle tucked under my arm, only to be magically revealed as a baby later on. I think we finally decided upon having the baby hidden behind a bale of hay. [Oh Look! A baby! Behind that bale!!

AZ and I were giggling our way through lines as Mary & Elizabeth. First AZ (as directed) read them like some wisened, aged, mentor, with NO emotion whatsoever. Like "kit" on nightrider or something. And then she put on an old lady yiddish voice. It was HILARIOUS. Meanwhile, running commentary from the peanut gallery of spectators did not make it any easier to keep a straight face!

But by the grace of God endeavor we to set this nativity scene. It will be great once we all know what we're doing! But the first crack at things was really funny. I am looking forward to doing this with my friends!

Post-script: AdSense

I don't know if - by the time I post this entry - that this will even still be relevant...but oh well...whatev!

Upon posting my last entry on "HMS Pinafore", the Google AdSense machine put up an ad for "gaywheels.com". This made me chuckle! There's a joke in there somewhere about musical theater and gay men . . . but I'm too tired to mine that gold. It just made me giggle when I saw that.

That is all!

H.M.S. Pinafore: redux

So - it's about 99.9% confirmed that our summer production of H.M.S. Pinafore has been hired to put on a private show in December for a small, private audience. Of two people.

A couple weeks ago, someone (we'll call him Bob) called the LLHQ to enquire about getting a fully-staged, fully-paid cast (including chorus) performance of Pinafore WITH orchestra in a theater. When our flabbergasted Artistic Director informed Bob that that would cost tens of thousands of dollars...Bob basically said "okay".

So, after much scrambbling of emails and coordinating of schedules, LL is renting the Julia Morgan in Berkeley on a random Monday night, and we're going to revisit Pinafore. I think we have 1 rehearsal planned.

I'm still just . . . in disbelief of all of this. As long as Bob's check clears the bank this week, we're on! I'll have to find my score...

Paint it black

I've had Paint it black stuck in my head for about 3 days now. I heard it on the radio Friday, and it has been with me ever since.

I love this song. I don't even know what half of the words are, but I love the music. It's a great, catchy, sexy melody. It's minor in key (harmonic, I think?), which I've always preferred to major keys, for the most part. And there's a sitar. You can't go wrong with sitar/rock fusion. (Hello, George Harrison).

I was watching the afore-linked live clip of the song from the '60s. And DAMN if Mick Jagger just isn't hot-to-trot what with his shagtastic hair, gleaming eyes, and big lips. I mean...this is nothing new...everyone knows he has "IT"...whatever that elusive "IT" is that gives people star quality. "IT" is one of the major reasons the Stones are still around.

So, since starting this blog entry, I've been listening to Paint it black, over and over, whilst going back and forth between blog, emailing, facebook and youtube. (ADD, much?) Do you ever have songs you listen to over and over? Or that you could listen to over and over again? Complete albums, perhaps? I used to do this a lot more frequently than I do know. Mostly, it's just time constraints, not anything else, which keep me from repeatedly listening to something in particular. Sometimes it's the lyrics which speak to me; sometimes just the harmony or melody; other times both...but no matter what it is, I find myself compelled to keep listening. Like, there's a jog in my brain that just can't get enough (Satisfaction, natch) To listen...to soak...to drown (metaphorically speaking, of course) in the sounds emanating from my speakers.

Other songs which have drawn me in like this at one point or another in the last 20 or so years:

Barber: Adagio for stings (performed by voices)
Cake's cover of I will survive
Peter Gabriel: In your eyes
Coldplay: Politik
Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Radiohead: Creep
The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (the entire album)
Salsa Fresca (the entire album)
Chopin: Nocturnes...all of them as a set
Una furtiva lagrima from L'Elisir d'amore
Buena Vista Social Club: Dos Gardenias para ti
Cesaria Evora: Beijo roubado
Janis Joplin: Piece of my heart
U2: With or Without You and Love Rescue Me
R.E.M.: Shiny Happy People (Oh yeah - this was on a cassette tape. Loved it as a kid.)
Bobby Day: Rockin' Robin (Also on cassette)
Meditation from Thais
Big Bopper: Chantilly Lace
Bei mir bist du schoen from the Swing Kids soundtrack
Billie Holiday: Strange Fruit
Blues Traveler: Hook
INXS: Kick (the whole album)
Barbara Streisand: A Christmas Album (I know, I know....)
Juanes: La Camisa Negra
Marc Anthony: No me conoces
Aerosmith: Dream on
Steve Miller Band: Joker
Amalia Rodriguez: Com Que Voz

So, this list is longer than I anticipated it would be...but I just kept thinking of definitive songs...there are more, I'm sure, but I'll be up all night if I don't stop somewhere . .

Not-so-silent Awkwards

Elevators.

We all ride them - probably several times a week, if you live in a metropolitan area, like myself. And, most of the time, I am in the elevator with strangers.

There is the normal, run-of-the-mill awkward moment of do I make eyecontact? Smile? Say hello? Just keep my head down and stare at the paneling? We've all been there.

But is there anything *more* awkward than riding an elevator with 4 other people, two of whom are making out with each other? Now, I'm all for the elevator snog . . . but not when there are OTHER people on the elevator with you.

People. There is NOWHERE to run when you are trapped in an elevator - and there is nothing less appealing than the smacky-smackity-suck of strangers snogging behind you.

I hope it's not genetic

In conversation with my mother yesterday:

Mom: I'm ready for you to have a boyfriend. Someone you can go to the movies with.

Me: Uh. Okay.

Mom: Are you a member of xyz online dating service? Because I heard they sent out thousands and thousands of rejection letters to folks they couldn't find matches for!

Me: I've experimented with them in the past.

Mom: OH! Well. Were you one of the people who received a letter like that??

Me: *Sigh* No, mother.

Mom: Oh. Well. I just worry about you - it just can't be safe meeting up with people from the internet.

Me: . . .

(This coming from the person who - unbeknownst to me at the time - signed me up for an online dating site. I kept getting email from random people, and I had NO IDEA WHY for seveal months).

Okay . . .

. . . does embedding a youtube video actually count as a blog entry? I'm going to go ahead and say that yes, yes it does. That counts as my first entry for NaBloPoMo...National Blog Posting Month. I don't think I could ever participate in the National novel writing month (which...I believe Jennifer did last year)...but Blog Posting, I think I can handle.

One post a day. Every day...no matter what?!? I'll try it, I'm game.

In the interest of full disclosure . . . I *am* counting this as my Friday, November 2nd post...even if it is after midnight already. I'm still awake - not having gone to bed yet, so it feels like it's still Friday night to me. So there. I'm backdating this time - but I'll try my best not to do that if I can help it. I guess that is the downside to staying out and staying up late. One's days and nights get all mixed up.

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Sibling, Shanna and I just saw "American Gangster". Denzel Washington is freaking awesome...he knows how to play a badass. An - almost - likeable badass, too. Go see it, you'll not be disappointed!

You're gonna wanna go ahead and turn up your speakers for this one . . .