Day 68

Guys and Dolls.

Or.

When bad shows happen to good people.

When you are directing a musical that requires a specific stylization, and you disregard that stylization in an effort to make the show 'realistic', you risk losing the heart of the show.

And the audience.
And its a damn shame.

Day 67

Dr. Nemeh.

Dr. Nemeh is a healing Doctor. Blessed by the Holy Spirit, he has the ability to heal the sick.
Seriously.
He holds large prayer services around the United States and prays over anyone who is in need of healing.
He has worked several miracles in his career thus far and most likely assisted in healing many sick folk.
He is holding a healing service at my home parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in June.

I got to thinking on my drive to Sandusky last night:
Suppose you are someone relatively famous for being able to do something special.
You have a gift.
People all over the world recognize your abilities and honor your talents.

Suppose that gift is gone one day.
Finished.
Nothing happens.
The spirit has left you.
You ask for God's help to restore the powers but get no answer.

What do you do?
Do you continue to pray over people and offer your services, unsure if God is within you any longer?
Do you go into a quiet retirement?
Do you get angry?

Just a thought.
People say I love to play devil's advocate.
I think of it a different way. I like to imagine a twist, that would make a good story.
Devil's advocate sounds so heartless.
I prefer to think of myself as a journalist of life, trying to nab that one great story.

After all, its just in my imagination.
Isn't it?

Day 66

The Red Exerciser.

Maybe the saying that pets keep you young has some truth.
The kitten began day II of the uncle Brian/uncle Pierre stay by hiding under the couch.
By 10:00 pm, Sondheim hopped, jumped and climbed on every piece of furniture he had access to, claws at the ready.
I found myself laughing and using far more energy playing with him than I would have on a typical Tuesday.
A bizarre feeling.
I may actually be sad to see him go.
Possibly.

But seriously Dan, must you have suggested naming him Sondheim?
What kind of a cat name is that?
Its so archaic and somber.
Besides, I played some Sweeny Todd today and he much preferred a little Judy.

Day 65

Sondheim.

An idea.
Just a fleeting thought, really.
Bring two lonesome souls together.

Would it be a welcomed union?
Would the balance of their lives be upturned?
Would it fill a gap?

And how do you explain that the unification, which may be deemed truly random.

One girl named Cindi.
One kitten named Sondheim.
A world of possibilities.

Day 64

Outburst.

When your day begins with an unattended board meeting and concludes with a friend's emotional breakdown during a game of Balderdash, you know something is in the air.
Or the water.

When things are just 'off' and there is no apparent rhyme or reason, what do you do?

Let it be?
Work aggressively to solve all unanticipated glitches?
Get frustrated?

Or just laugh it off and trust that tomorrow, your universe will be back on its appropriate axis.

Day 63

Hellboy.

One of the most difficult things you ever has to do in life is say goodbye to a loved one.
Perhaps the hardest.
Especially when there is no definite date when your paths will cross again.

All we can really do is wish them well, say a prayer, and say another prayer that until we meet again, that person will stay safe, happy and healthy.

Goodbye Kyle, God Bless.

Day 62

It's Today.

A brilliant director once said that 75% of the success of a show is dependent on casting.
Casting is a very difficult, tricky and often trying business in the theatrical world.
When the obvious choice isn't available how to pick from what you've got left?

Do you pick an actor with a voice you could listen to all night long but may not have brilliant acting chops?
Do you go with the one who has a charisma and presence that draws you attention but possesses unsure vocal ability?
Do you go instead with a specific physical type that fits the mold of the character perfectly but may take some extra work?

Do you stress when someone doesn't have all of the above?

You bet your ass!

Day 61

Kalahari.

Who names an indoor waterpark after one of Africa's largest deserts?
Who names anything water-related after a desert?
What inspiration gave us such odd choices of names?
Next we will have people naming their children Apple and Atache!

Names.

Something is very odd with out world.

P.S. Indoor waterparks shed a good 15 years off the moment you cross the threshold - amazing!

Day 60

Stop, Time.

You.
A pianist (or combo if you have the budget and the desire).
A songlist.
The audience.

Cabaret.

Tonight, after witnessing a slightly disjointed high school senior music theatre recital, it was discussed that the cabaret could potentially be the most difficult performing art form of all. Just you and the audience, for an hour or two. You are in control. You hold the ability to stop the time,even for just a single song, and allow escape from the outside world.
You must connect.

Stop, Time.

Day 59

Rototiller.

The pain of physical labor.
The agony of blistered hands.
The sting of a sunburned neck.


The contentmet of job accomplished.

Day 58

Shrek III

When a trilogy's final installment is disappointing, and they inevitably are, wny do we continue to watch them?

The familiarity of the characters?
The hype?
The conclusion to a story line you already comprehend?

Do we ever go to the movies hoping the movie will be rotten?
Not likely...only community theatre and show choirs get that attention.

We hope, as do the writers, directors, actors, and producers, that this final installment will be the best one of all.
In our lifetime...please!

Day 57

Parties and Kidney Stones.

I can't decide if having been through cancer makes me more sympathetic to sick people.
I assume its got to be the case.
Or maybe I just always was.
Except when I think people are faking.
Then watch out!

As painful as battling leukemia was, a kidney stone seems far more painful.
Ouch!

Just the thought makes me hurt ... you know where.
The best solution for kidney stones (and we heard plenty at the graduation party today) is to drink enough beer to make you pass out. The beer will numb your senses. the liquid will help push the stone forward, and you will be drunk.

Can't think of a better solution.

Day 56

Graduation.

Today at Kyle's graduation, both keynote speakers, as well as all other faculty adresses, spoke of graduation as a beginning, not an ending.

What if we lived each and every single day that way?
Could it hurt?

Every morning you awake into a new day, with new challanges, new choices and new decisions just waiting for you.
Its not just another workday.
Or one more day until the weekend,
Or a continuing rough month.

But a brand new day.
One that holds the many twists and turns that make your life interesting.
Brand new.

A beginning.

Day 55

ROTC.

Have you ever been called a nag?
Been told you are too much to handle?
Been accused of making every conversation into a todo list?

I have.
And for good reason.
I am, I do, and I apologize.
I get nervous.
I want wonderful things for everyone and am not trusting enough that others will find their way without my reminders.

I am trying.
Learning to let go is hard.
Perhaps one of the most difficult things in life.
(Especially to us control-freaks!)

But if you give me your patience, I will give you my trust.
Work with me.

Day 54

Road Trip.

Are long journeys more fun when you are in the driver's seat?
Are long journeys more fun when you are 18 and filled with youthful energy?
Are long journeys more fun when you aren't stuck behind your grandfather's girlfriend in a minivan for 5 hours when she is bound and determined to fill you in on each and every pet she and her neighbors have ever had, met or heard about?

I wonder!

Day 53

Trout Farms.

Because trout farms are amazing places.

Thats all.

Day 52

Groceries.

Sometimes you make decisions that are unpopular.
Even when those decisions were made to keep everyone happy.
Sometimes you just can't please everyone no matter how hard you try.
And you try hard.
All the time.

What do you do when people are mad you?

Do you beg forgiveness and keep at it until its assured?
Do you let them work on it themselves until its out of their system?

Do you lose sleep?
Probably.

Day 51

Otani.

Sometimes your friends change.
For the worse.
For the better.

But when the change is obvious, it can be quite shocking.
Especially when it involves serious, grown-up thinking and advice.

Almost mind-boggling.
But quite refreshing.

(K. Thanks for making us look at ourselves and our situations in new light. You are quite remarkable.)

Day 50

Mother's Day.

Trying to come up with thoughts on this day, only one word comes to mind:

Grateful.

Day 49

Willow.

Midgets, cliches, and action flicks.
What was Ron Howard thinking?

Then years since first viewing and Willow hasn't ripened with age.
Truly abismal and miserably addictvie.

However, it did unlock one mystery of the past.
The phrase, "tempting...but, no!", an answer to nearly any question back in High School days, has finally found its origin.

Another piece of the puzzle.

Day 48

The ER.

Tonight, sitting in the Emergency Room at Hillcrest General Hospital, I found myself becoming extremely paranoid.
Every cough, every sneeze, every sigh brought me back to my own ER times.
I became anxious that I would catch all ailments in the room.
I found my throat tightening, my breathing becoming heavy and sweat pouring from my neck.
The memories flooded me.

Luckily, it was fleeting.
And even luckier, Pierre's mother is going to be fine (bad fall down the stairs).

But accompanying the paranoia came an overwhelming gratitude for my family for all the time they spent in the waiting rooms on my behalf.
And a caring family...thats, the luckiest of all.

Day 47

The Importance of Being...Handy.

Skills are useful.
Willingness to try anything is even better.

Thirty-six hours ago I had never wired nor circuited an entire production out of clip lights and garden spot lights.
I had never wired anything at all.
But when given a budget of less than the average haircut, one can either step up to the challange or walk away.

As luck would have it, I carpooled.

Will the new skills become useful in future projects?
I cannot guarantee.

But I'm not complaining...next step, free HBO from the next door neighbors!

Day 46

Black and White.

Colors change the world.
We use them in every way everyday.


Red means stop.
Green is universal for money (or go).
Even orange tells us that terrorists are plotting.

It was once said:
Purple is not a color.
The color is lavender.
Purple is an attitude.

Go with it.

Day 45

The caged bird sings.

When financial troubles hit, and hit hard, how do you keep a smile on your face?
Do you run to your parents and ask for assistance?
Do you turn to your peers and seek comfort from others in similar situations?

Are you proactive in making a change?

Keep your head up.
Be determined to make that change.
And maintain a square jaw...its strong and sexy.

Day 44

Spidey's Back.

What do you do when a bill collector calls you at 8 pm?
On a Monday night.
While you are at the movies.
And having no clue as to what he is collecting for.

Do you stress over it all night?
Do you regret ever paying $28.00 for the Plain Dealer (which you never received)?
Do you worry how this will affect your credit score?

Or do you simply say..."Call back in the morning."

Day 43

Charm School.

What is the appeal of being bad?
Of being naughty?
Of being un-pc?

To some, not much.
They are called saints and we love them.
For others, its a way of life.
They are our politicians, celebrities, and even best friends.
Quite possibly they, are us.

Infectious.

Day 42

Detour.

Somtimes a friend tells you to take a new path home.
On an already lengthy 9+ hour drive.

Sometimes that friend tells you it will only add 15 minutes on your drive.
When perhaps he meant 115 miles.

Sometimes you decide to not get angry and just roll with it.
And take pictures.

And get home in no rush.

Sometimes you actually become glad about said friend's suggestion.

Day 41

Seasons of Love.

5th season (or is it 6th now) at Virginia Musical Theatre comes to a close.
9th season of Mercury Summer Stock on the horizon.

Love is in the air.

Day 40

Chinese Food.

Sounds like a good idea before.
Regrettable after.

Always.

Day 39

Biloxi Blues.

Anticipation/Dread:
It never ceases to amaze, that such completely different emotions can be running through a body simultaneously.

At 7 pm this evening, dread was prevalent while driving to see a community theatre production of Biloxi Blues, but anticipation was not to be left out. The 3 hours in the theatre would signify the bringing a loved one's visit 3 hours closer.
As those 3 hours wore on and the World War II drama unfolded, thoughts of dread slowly drifted away and were replaced by feelings of contentment in the decent production being witnessed.
Anticipation, however, crept up bit by bit until nearly overwhelming the brain in the middle of Act II.
Get here already!

The human body is an amazing piece of work. Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally.
Way to go!

Day 38

Tuck Everlasting.

The first week or so of the cancer fight saw me in and out of sleep.
Everytime my eyes were able to open and register who, what, where and when, I would notice I had a bag of blood coarsing through a tube and into my veins.
As I would drift back to the realm of sleep, I would inevitably dream that i was some form of vampire.
A creature, thriving on human blood to maintain existance on earth for eternity.
Living forever must have had fantastic sub-conscious appeal during those first weeks.

What would it be like to live forever?
Would it be a blessing?
A curse?

A combination most likely.
Would you be able to love as fully?
Would your love be burdened by the constant knowledge of imminent departure?
Would you get bored?

Seeing as the likelihood of this oocuring wages on...never, is it even worth pondering?
I personally can't think of anything else worth dreaming of tonight!