Bizzay...

Wow, my schedule book looks like someone has been working advanced calculus on it. Yesterday was my dad's birthday. I worked until early afternoon, then ran home and changed, got some flowers and a card for The Batzman for his birthday party (his official day was Thursday). I ran down to see him, then turned right back around again and zoomed up to Santa Rosa to see my friend's play.

Helene is doing a one-woman show in which she plays nine Iraqi women, telling their stories in the context of Saddam and the US tearing the country apart. I heard her on the radio with her directors, and she did a bit from it that was astounding. The show is even more incredible live. The stories are intense, the characters well-developed, and the craft and hard work it takes for her to do this sort of show are nothing short of phenomenal. Go see it. Seriously. Are you still here? It's a short run. Get tickets and then come back and read the rest of this.

Anyway, I went home after that, and got up Saturday to go with my parents to teacakes ("dim sum", for you round eyed folk). We had a great time in the city, and my folks dropped me off in Mill Valley so I could go to a cast party for Oz. Hung out there until about 4, then back up to Sonoma County. Having stayed up entirely too late the previous night, I stumbled around trying to get errands done for the rest of the night (laundry, dishes, cleaning--the house don't clean itself).

Tomorrow, I have a performance of Oz, and several folks are coming, including Thing 1, Thing 2 and the Ex & her beau. Gotta crash.

Dad's big day...

My father turned 70 years old today.

I am extremely grateful, as he was given 3-6 months to live when he was diagnosed with cancer a few years back. Needless to say, he is still around, still bailing me out of trouble, giving me excellent advice, and helping me with math and finances. He is a bit the worse for wear because of the chemo and radiation, and the fact that the tumor (which was metastasized) was in his brain. But still feisty, funny, and...well...my dad.

To celebrate, we are going to the Flower Lounge in Millbrae tomorrow for dim sum and Peking Duck. If you have never been to dim sum before, this is the place to try it--not some podunk place with poor food, service and prices. This place treats you like royalty, feeds you the most amazing stuff, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Happy Birthday, pop!

Good heavens!!! I'm in print...

I just realized I have posted nary a peep about the show I am doing on the top of Mount Tamalpais. We have had some heavy press coverage, including some (gasp!) photos of yours truly. Here they are, for your perusal:

Pre-show article featuring the director and myself in an interview in the Bohemian newspaper.
Pre-show article featuring The Batzman in an interview in the San Francisco Sentinel.
Pre-show article on the director in the San Francisco Chronicle.

...and here are some reviews:

"Magical sweetness on Mt. Tam with 'Wizard of Oz'" (from the Marin Independent Journal)
"Crowd on Mt. Tam revels in spirit and music of the afternoon at Mountain Play" (also from the Marin IJ)
"A wiz of a 'Wiz'" (from the Pacific Sun)
"Into the Land of Oz" (from the Novato Advance)

There are more coming, and I will post them here (not in a subsequent post, I hate talking about myself) when they come up.

What is this world coming to? I need a loan...

I just paid $4.01 9/10 per gallon for a fill up. And I was ecstatic. "Only $4.01 per gallon? Woohoo!" Then I thought, what the aitch? Only four bucks a gallon? I remember the good ol' days when it was a buck and a quarter a gallon, and we were happy. (Well, it was higher for a couple of years, and then went back down...what are the chances of THAT happening again?) I was also excited because (a) it was in Mill Valley, where it has been about $4.20 (pun intended), and (b) the guy was literally switching the price up as I was filling up, so I got the last 4.01 gas. But still.

The gig at The Redwoods was delightful. The folks were very appreciative, and enjoyed what we brought. No one brought an axe for me, so the groundskeeper gave me a ten pound sledge (which I could not do the dance moves with). A guy in the ensemble fashioned something for me from a piece of baseboard, a spackle knife, and some masking tape. No one seemed to care. It was a blast.

I wish I could do more stuff like that. Maybe this is the year I go caroling at a convalescent home again. Want to join me?

It's a good thing...

My schedule for Oz listed tonight as a commitment from 6-10 at "The Redwoods". Having not done a show with the Mountain Play before, and having done several promo-type appearances with them already this season, I assumed this was going to be something much like. Wrong. When I found out, I teared up a bit.

Every season, the Mountain Play puts on a "concert version" of the show at a care facility in Mill Valley. No costumes (just our official tee shirts), no lines, just the songs. The show is for the benefit of those previous season subscribers who are no longer physically able to go up the mountain to see it. I know, right? Someone is doing something good and kind and giving back. I am proud to be part of it.

Memorial Day observed...

I am not a big fan of how we blow off the reason for our "celebrations" in this country, and Memorial Day seems to be one of the worst. Instead of adopting a soldier, voicing my opinion about the current state of military involvement and/or government, or just plain sidestepping it all to barbeque and drink, I try to spend some time remembering the fallen.

Today, I sat down and read several chapters from Letters from the Front, a book of correspondence from soldiers to their homes, peers, and commanders from the Revolutionary War to present. Having worn the uniform for a bit, I feel a thin connection to them, and feel as grateful for my life as I am respectful of their sacrifice.

Clip of the week:



Please take some time to pay your respects.

Looks like [I] made it...

Whew. The Ex left on Friday morning very early for a trip over the weekend, so I had the boys from Thursday night. Friday I dropped them off at school, did a promotional appearance in San Rafael for Oz, had lunch with The Batzman and Bruce, picked the kids back up from school, and went to see Iron Man. Saturday I did two shows (Guantanemo, if you weren't paying attention). Today I did another performance of Oz on the mountain, then raced home and fed the boys, took a shower, and did the final performance of Guantanemo. I didn't know exactly how I was going to make it, but make it I did. Now I am exhausted and VERY much looking forward to relaxing tomorrow and getting caught up on some chores that have long gone neglected.

Oh, the irony...

Today marks what would have been my 16th wedding anniversary. Instead of celebrating it, I am (sometimes not-so-) patiently awaiting the completion of the divorce paperwork. Everything is filed; there is a six month waiting period before it becomes legal and complete and all that. It feels kinda weird. We were together for seventeen years when we realized it might be over, and we have been living separately for over a year now. But it was a pleasant enough break up--the kids are better off (I am convinced), she has a live-in boyfriend, and I have met someone I am very interested in. As I am fond of saying, it wasn't one of those splits where you come home from work one day and all your stuff is on the sidewalk and the locks have been changed.

The irony hit me because I am doing a play today about the detainment facility at Guantanemo Bay. I called the ex to tell her it was fitting--her long, wrongful incarceration was finally over--but she didn't pick up. I doubt she reads this blog, but I hope she wasn't offended. Just found it ironic.

Gotta run--had just enough time between shows to run home and feed the boys. Going back up to do another one tonight.

Next gig up...

...and I haven't even finished this one.

For those of you who don't know, I am currently in the Mountain Play's production of The Wizard of Oz. I am the Tin Woodman. It opened last weekend, and has been a fun journey. If you are in the Northern California area and would like to come see it, it is a blast. The venue is a 3,750 seat outdoor amphitheater on the top of Mount Tamalpais. People arrive early (there were about 50 people there on opening day when I showed up for my call at 8:30am), bring their lunch, and make a day of it. If you decide to come, let me know and I'll reserve you some seats--it is first-come-first-served on where you get to sit. The only down side is that most of the seats are in direct sunlight for a good portion of the day, so check out the website for survival tips.

Also, this weekend I am in a staged reading in Santa Rosa. The show is Guantanemo, and it is about the craziness that is the Detainment Facility. It is based on actual letters and transcribed statements from prisoners and their families, politicians, activists, and reporters, and generally puts a good overall view of the entire mess out there for you to judge for yourself. It is quite the thought provoking piece. The shows are Saturday matinee and evening, and Sunday evening this weekend.

Now that you are caught up to yesterday and this weekend, let me tell you what happened today.

I was offered a part in Taming of the Shrew way back in February. They had already pre-cast the leads, so the part I was offered was a supporting role. A solid, wonderful supporting role, but supporting nonetheless. I love working with this theater company, not to mention that it was going to be a stellar cast, so I was really looking forward to it. I was supposed to get the script back in April, and we were going to do some table work in June and start rehearsals in July for an August launch.

I also went to the general auditions for another theater company about a month ago. (For those of you who don't know, generals are an audition for the entire season, and all the directors show up--a little intimidating, but you only have to do it once instead of several times.) The first show on their plate: The Music Man. I have always wanted to do the lead role in that show, so I put it down on the "I'm interested" list without knowing when it was being held. You guessed it: at exactly the same time as Shrew.

It was pointed out to me after the generals, but I was so convinced they were going to offer it to another particular actor that even after I went to the callback I was sure I didn't have a chance. No big deal. It was all about doing the process--audition, callback, move on, nothing to see here. Then they called today and (you guessed it again) offered me the lead. I was elated, and dejected at the same time. I went and signed the contract, and immediately called the Shrew folks to respectfully and apologetically withdraw. I hated it--they really are wonderful folks, but this is a rare opportunity, and something I have wanted to do for a long time, and a lead role. Hopefully they will understand and I won't be blackballed from working there ever again for being such a douche.

That said, however, I AM VERY EXCITED to be playing the part of Harold Hill in The Music Man. I will keep you posted on dates and times as it draws nearer (opens in mid-August and runs through mid-September).

The nature of "here"...

(a) I've been on this forum for a little while now, and it's been fun. Reading posts, getting to know new people in a very different sort of environment, learning a lot and firming up some of my own opinions. One of them just recently started blogging also, and her blog is personal and honest in a very inspiring way.

(b) I received an e-mail from one of you, my dear readers, who commented on the blog I posted here. The original post had to do with side effects of a recent drug on the market used to treat bipolar disorder, and my views on the cure being worse than the disease. Her (valid) feedback was that people with the disorder need to know those things before they take the drug, so they can know what to expect. I wrote her back to say that I meant no disrespect whatsoever to people who struggle with that sort of thing, especially as *I* have bipolar disorder as well.

This brings me to (a) + (b) = this blog. As much as I hope you will be entertained by some of my posts, and hope that some of them will cause you to think and/or question the world around us, some of these posts will be personal in nature. Very, very personal. If you know anything about me, I am unapologetically open and honest about things. If you ask me how I am doing, I will very rarely say 'fine'--I will actually tell you exactly how I really am doing. (This will make an interesting blog some day in the future.)

I try not to hurt anyone (which has occassionally gotten me into trouble), so I will always use aliases here if I need to tell a story that involves someone else. In fact, I time travelled into the past and posted a Cast list. If you want to see who I am talking about, check the April 2008 archive--everyone I reference by nickname in this blog will end up on that list. If your nick is on the list, and you would like me to hyperlink to your blog or profile, let me know and I will do so. Otherwise you will retain your anonymity for as long as it takes for someone to do the math. :o)

I have left the comments settings on the blog so that anyone can comment at any time on any post, and I welcome any and all sincere feedback. I only ask that you observe the same parameters that I do. I *will* remove your comment if I deem it is flameworthy or offensive. But knowing my readership, I don't expect that ever to be the case.

So, buckle your seat belts...'cause this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!

...aaaaaaaand WE'RE OFF!!! And almost running...

So. I joined Facebook yesterday. I have been hesitating for a long time, since I have had a Myspace account for years, and didn't want to duplicate work. I am tired and busy and overwhelmed enough as it is--maintaining *two* sites for social purposes seemed like too much. But then I thought, why not?

Actually, it was peer pressure. The Batzman coerced me to, by dangling a carrot in front of me like this: 'Well, Dotentot has photos from our opening weekend up in her Facebook album, you should join so you can see them.' Sigh. I caved. So, here I am, in all my facebook-ish glory.

In filling out my profile, though, I had a revelation. I have this blog now, see, and can use it for everyone, since you don't have to be a member of anything to see the posts here. I'll link this blog to both pages tomorrow, and continue to check them for other folks' stuff (bulletins, events, etc.), but if you want to know anything about me, it will now be coming from here.

Yay! I less-than-three organization. :o)

Red Wings win...

Detroit beat Dallas tonight to advance to the Stanley Cup finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, so I thought I'd post this in honor of the sport. It's an oldie but a goodie, so apologies if you have seen it already:



Englewood Jack!

What the EFF?!? I don't get it...

One of the latest drugs for bipolar disorder is just too much. The name? Abilify. What the hell?!? Did George W. Bush come up with the name for this drug? "Abilify"? Seriously. I took a gander at the site to see what the drug was all about. Its chemical name--which is aripiprazole--sounds like some sort of crazy Italian dish. Also borders on the ridiculous. Perhaps their strategy is to make you laugh at the absurd names to forget about your troubles.

Anyway, I don't know about you, but I'm just about sick of all the drug infestation out there. We are an overdrugged society, certes. In most cases, the side effects are just as bad as the problem the drug is supposedly treating. Here are some of the "possible side effects" from taking Abilify:

CONTRAINDICATION: Patients should not use ABILIFY if they are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY. (hmmm...and how would I know if I'm allergic to it if I don't take it?) Allergic reactions have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.

Serious side effects can occur with any antipsychotic medicine, including ABILIFY. Tell your healthcare professional right away if you have any conditions or side effects, including the following:

--An increased risk of stroke and ministroke has been reported in clinical studies of elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
--Very high fever, rigid muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, or increased heart rate and blood pressure. These may be signs of a condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a rare but serious side effect which could be fatal
--Abnormal or uncontrollable movements. These may be signs of a serious condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD), which may be permanent
--Diabetes, risk factors for diabetes (for example, obesity, family history of diabetes), or unexpected increases in thirst, urination, or hunger. Increases in blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), in some cases serious and associated with coma or death, have been reported in patients taking ABILIFY and medicines like it. Ask your healthcare professional about the need to monitor your blood sugar level before and during treatment

Lightheadedness or faintness caused by a sudden change in heart rate and blood pressure when rising quickly from a sitting or lying position (orthostatic hypotension) has been reported with ABILIFY.

Medicines like ABILIFY can affect your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you know how ABILIFY affects you.

Since medicines like ABILIFY can impact your body's ability to reduce body temperature, you should avoid overheating and dehydration.

If you have suicidal thoughts, you should tell your healthcare professional right away.

Medicines like ABILIFY have been associated with swallowing problems (dysphagia). If you had or have swallowing problems, you should tell your healthcare professional.

Tell your healthcare professional if you have a history of seizures, or are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, and about all prescription and non-prescription medicines you are taking or plan to take.

Most common side effects (≥10%)(so that's more than 1 in every 10 people who take it) from all clinical trials involving adults or pediatrics include:

ADULTS: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness, an inner sense of restlessness or need to move (akathisia), anxiety and insomnia.

PEDIATRICS (10-17 years): Uncontrolled movements, headache, sleepiness and nausea.

Wow. I think I'll pass, thanks.

Way to cash in, McDee's...

Wow. I thought I had seen it all in terms of corporations riding the Wave of Whatever to appeal to more dimwitted folks. But this takes the cake. It is supposedly Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and McDonald's secured the webpage "I Am Asian (dot com)". Consider that I have not even heard of this obscure nod to the people who make up a vast majority of the minorities, and you will understand my puzzlement at McDonald's taking up the banner to promote it. But perhaps, I thought, McD's is really trying to do something to honor the Asian people. Perhaps they *aren't* just trying to paste the artwork on their site to sell you more food that is really bad for you. Perhaps they are really sincere this time.

Guess what food they are marketing on the I-am-Asian url? I know what you're thinking: It has to be their Premium Asian Chicken Salad. Guess again. The item being featured in the promo slot on the page the use honor Asian Americans is (drum roll, please): the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich. Sigh. So much for all those "perhaps" statements. Guess I will have to continue going to Chang's Dynasty drive thru for my hamburgers.

Clip of the week...

New feature: Clip of the Week

Get yer tickets for Stunt City:



Wish I was there now.

ew. Ew. EW...

I frequently listen to this radio show on my drive in to work in the morning. Today they were discussing an article one of them had read pertaining to the disgusting things people leave and do on airplanes. The grossest story, hands-down, was about a woman with flaky heels in flip flops who [warning: not for the weak of stomach] picked the flaky bits of skin off her heel and...wait for it...ate the bits. Can I get an ew, brothers and sisters?

I simply had to read about this myself, so I found an article online from today's Baltimore Sun. The story was focused mainly on the disgusting crap you find in those pockets on the back of seats in airplanes. Apparently, people leave everything from used tissues to dirty diapers in those things. Of course, the print article also had feedback-y quotes from everyone from flight attendants to passengers to a "clinical flight psychologist" (whatever the hell that is). A spokesperson for an airline workers' union posed the question: "Would you hand that off to your server at a restaurant?"

My initial response to this was: "No, but restaurant servers (a) still serve food, which airlines no longer do, and (b) don't charge me hundreds of dollars to occupy a seat for a couple of hours." The more I thought of this, however, the more I realized how that thinking like that is probably the justification of most of the people who leave this unpleasant detritus in planes. Let us all acknowledge the fact that airline ticket prices are a lot of money--it is an expensive business to run. But we can also acknowledge the fact that the way we are treated on airlines is pretty inconsistent with what one might call exceptional customer service. I don't know about you, but I have never, ever walked down a jetway after a flight and thought to myself, 'wow, that was some awesome customer service.'

But then I thought, no--this is a much bigger issue than that. This is a reflection of our society. Who are the people who suffer from vengeance-based seat-pocket-infestation? Our fellow passengers. Yes, I don't like the way the airlines treat me. Yes, I think I should be able to throw that stuff away somewhere (part of my justification for putting my wrappers in that pocket is that the attendants only come by twice during a six hour flight, and there is no place else to put them). And yes, I firmly believe the airlines should spend a couple of bucks to have someone actually clean the effing plane before someone else gets in that seat--or between the last slob and when I get in the seat. But is subjecting the next person to my wrapper leaving fair to them? Nah. It is just more of that inconsiderate, self-motivated behavior that is more and more pervasive in American culture. The bumper sticker says it best: "Common Courtesy is an oxymoron."

So I ask you--nay, beg you, fellow traveler: please, consider the next person when you are disposing of your garbage or other personal detritus on the plane. Or, if you have to clip your toenails on the flight, at least do what that one lady did--eat them. So I don't have to find them in my Skymall magazine.

Conference Semi-finals start tomorrow! Game on...

Tomorrow night the NHL playoffs move to the penultimate round in the quest for the Stanley Cup. Conference semi-finals--in the east, Philly vs. Pittsburgh; in the west, Detroit vs. Dallas. My two teams were both knocked out last round, both in overtime--the New York Rangers fell in game five to the Penguins; the San Jose Sharks lost in game six to the Dallas stars in the eighth longest game in NHL history--FOUR overtime periods!

Now it is down to four teams I really don't give much of a puck about. (See what I did there?) Normally, if one of my teams isn't in the contest, I root for the original six team that is. But in this case, that would be Detroit, and I don't like them much. After original six, I try to root for a Canadian team, since I feel pretty strongly that they have been ripped off consistently for nearly three decades now. But there aren't any of those left, either.

That would leave the Rangers' archrival Flyers, the who-cares-about-hockey-in-Texas Stars, or the upstart Pens, who just knocked my dreams out of the realm of possibility. Hrm. Tough call. It will be fun to watch the Battle of Pennsylvania for the next few games, but only in that sense. Prediction: Wings vs. Pens in the finals, with the Pens taking it all in six games. Not what I want, mind you, but that's my guess.

Guess I'll just watch for the strategy, gameplay, saves, hits, goals and excitement. Like I always do. And to hear the sportscasters screaming in that high-pitched way they do only for this sport.

Well, I did it...

...but I didna like it. Today I filed the divorce paperwork. The ex and I were in rare form, joking and having a blast. The guy helping us at the courthouse was perplexed, but relieved to see us not at each other's throats, as I assume he sees on a frequent basis. (This based on the conversation going on in the cube next to us.) We actually saved a couple of weeks by going there, as he could serve her with the paperwork personally. Now I have to wait 31 days before filing the final forms. The dissolution is finalized as of six months and one day--which would make November 7 of this year the big day.

It was good, in the sense that it gets "official" things like legal paperwork, etc. on their way to resolution. It was really hard emotionally, however. She has a boyfriend she is moving in with, and I am seeing someone frequently, so it isn't like we are going to get back together or anything. It is just difficult to think that the fifteen years we spent married is just...over. Too much emotion for one day.

What a RUSH...

Dude. I try to go to one major concert a year, which makes me nervous that it not suck. Like spending $20 to see an effin' movie, for pity's sake, but on crack. But this one was more than worth it. RUSH was amazing--everything a concert should be. They played a wonderful mix of old and new--here is their set list and a review. And such musicians! I forget constantly that there are only three of them, they produce such a wall of sound.

We had great seats, which was a huge plus. (Although some asshead kept standing up in the front row of our section, which prompted the asshead behind him to stand up and block the view of my friend, who is small and would not have profited from the same inconsiderate standing-up activity. But I digress.)

We were close enough that we could see the performers quite clearly--and Blender brought binos, which made it even more stunning. Just hearing Neil Peart on "Tom Sawyer", Alex Lifeson on "YYZ" and Geddy Lee on...well, everything...is one thing. You can tell with your ears how skilled, precise and immensely talented they are. But it was no less incredible to actually see them do it. More incredible, actually, because they all look so effortless in their play.

Here are some phone-pics (sorry they're not the best quality in the world):







Great seats, great company, great concert. Now if I can just get the marijuana smell out of my clothes and the secondary smoke out of my lungs....

What a weekend...

So, this weekend promises to be a wonderful one. Yesterday was work, hockey and work, followed by rehearsal for the show I'm currently in. Hockey was great, but only ten guys showed up, so it was 4-on-4 for an hour, with one sub and no goalies. Tough, since the boards they put in the goal mouths for just such an occasion are much harder to score on than humans. I woke up rather sore today, and wore the back brace just to make sure I didn't injure myself two weeks before opening.

Rehearsal was very productive and I had a blast. Got home late, slept a little, got up and did it again. The weekend rehearsals are on the mountain now, so we are outside and running around on the heat in the sun, at the top of this gorgeous mountain that overlooks the San Francisco Bay area. The drive up is a little rough--very windy and steep--but the air and the view are worth it. Just got back, and am getting ready for....nothing.

On the slate tonight: a wonderfully relaxing evening, which I have not had in a looonnnggg time. I am going to have a friend over, grill some marinated pork steaks, some potatoes and bacon-wrapped asparagus, watch some of those playoff hockey games I have recorded on my DVR, and generally relax. It looks like it's going to be chilly tonight; may even make some s'mores.

Tomorrow is rehearsal again, then I am going to see RUSH in concert at the Concord Pavillion with Blender and his wife, and one of my best female friends in the whole world. I'll post some photos and a report when I get back from the concert. Or Monday...I suspect I will be hard of hearing and exhausted after the show.

Happy Beltane, Walpurgis, International Workers' Day...

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow
Don't be alarmed now
It's just a spring clean for the May Queen...

It's the first day of summer in the Auld Calendar. That bustle in the hedgerow? Me reshaping my life, in an effort to make the May Queen more comfortable.

This month, I am doing two shows, working two jobs, part-time single parenting for two boys, and generally being too busy. (See what I did there?) But, as much as it seems like the end of many things (not just the shows going up, but the finalization of my divorce) it also seems like a start of something. Violent and painful, like giving birth, but ultimately beautiful and good.

I wanted to go to the Apple Tree Morris dancing event this morning at 0530 to celebrate May Day, but as I was still awake at 0200 fretting about things over which I have no control, and as I will be working and/or rehearsing all day and will not return home until 2300 tonight, I opted out. Here are some May Day festivities from last year in Dorset, for your quasi-spiritual viewing pleasure:



Happy May Day!