1223 (because I keep track)

No voice still today.

Phone talking is um... well, doesn't work.

I've got it bad. The post-production blues.

I miss my tribe. 

It's just like let down after the festival... but it's a lot stronger. I'm thankful that I've had the festival experience behind me- I'm a little better prepared  than some others new to the Players. (the show was put on by 'Umberland Players... I don't know that I ever mentioned that...)

So I'm coping ok... I just don't WANT to cope. I want my tribe.

This morning I woke up (mind you, I slept through my alarm) and for a second breathed a sigh of relief that it was monday... because "if it's Monday, that means Wednesday reHAIRsal is only two days away...... heeeeeyyyyy... wait a second. CRAP".

Milk (the movie) and cookies night with some of the cast on Friday... I'm pretty excited.

Hairy.

I don't know if you facebook... but if you want to see some of the photos from the play, you can catch them here....

http://www.facebo

ok.com/photo_searc

h.php?oid=2928654

9793&v

iew=all

but, since I know you

 can't all do that....

Photo Credits!!! The Handsome Gerry, and Dancing Alina.. 

flung

It feels like spring.

I know it's just a tease, it's still pre-Marchbreak.. the magical moment in the month that can have you one moment in shorts and swimsuit, catching the first heat- laying out on the back deck, or skipping rope in hand.... and the next shoveling on the hour, trying to keep up with the drifts plotting to hold you captive.

But for today.

I've got the front door, the back door, and all the windows that work... open. wide.

and I'm sitting listening so some of my favourite quiets. after an hour of dancing in the galley. I've justified my facebook time. (again) by leaving the computer on the counter in the galley leading to the kitchen. so I stand. and dance. and type. and when I have voice... sing.

I had to leave the cast party early(ish) (does 6am mean early... or late?) to get some stronger drugs... I've been taking such good care of my throat for the past few days- and after the final show.... I just .... stopped. 5 hours later and I felt like I couldn't even swallow. breathing was becoming a problem. Nothing a few Advil (thanks Grey) some gargling with salt/tylenol, and some cough meds couldn't fix.

Much better now. I sound like a man. But... no pain.

I should be all better by Tuesday.

I have so much to work thru from the play still.. I don't know what I can share yet.

take 6

we only have two shows left.

I'm holding it together so far.

Tonight, though rough in a number of ways (still some pretty sick peoples) it was probably one of our best, if not our best show. Maybe it was the audience. They were so into it. Laughing, clapping, singing... so great to have the feedback.

I love those little flowerpots.

wash rinse repeat

so, after last Sunday, I lost my voice. It's only the second time IN MY LIFE it's happened. The first time.. just a month ago. 

I always get sick when I'm too wrapped up in something.  So, the constant late night reHAIRsals, combined with getting over some illness, combined with the smoke onstage... = me in pain. 

Dr.NoGood says it's laryngitis. 

I broke down and saw him on Wednesday- he didn't help much- other than to say "well, I guess you won't be singing". And, after some serious prompting, he gave me a high powered cough suppressant- I'd been coughing so hard I was throwing up, or unable to breathe back in.. very scary.

SO, here's what the past two days have looked like (well, other than a brief visit to work)

gargle with warm water, salt, and a crushed aspirin

drink a cup of "throat ease" tea

drink two cups of hot water with lemon and honey... and whisky

sip some cough meds (depending on what I need to do- high octane Narcotic or over the counter if I need to go anywhere)

take an Advil

oil of oregano drops

take slippery elm capsules.

repeat every 3-5 hours.

oh.... and no talking.

that's the part that's killing me.

odd ear

so, My eyes are broken from the lights and the smoke... and if I go to bed right now, I'll be awake at 4am.

instead, I'm listening to "free to be you and me" on youtube. well, the video is playing, but my eyes can't take too much, I'm typing with my eyes closed too.

the video I've never seen before, so the parts I'm watching are pretty new to me..  I grew up with the record and didn't even know there was a film version of it till a few weeks ago.

Here's the crazy thing.

the music.

of course, I remember all the words to the stories and songs... but the entire album is a third lower than I remember.

I wonder why.

hee hee

ok, MUCH MUCH better tonight.

it feels like it's really coming together... a few pretty funny things happened tonight... ok, a ton of funny things are always happening- but some that stuck out::

Horner forgot to wear underwear (don't laugh... it happens) in one scene where he's in a dress... and the dress is suppose to be lifted.... nothing was seen- there were some kids of cast members in the group....

I forgot where we were in the play at one point, and decided to go up on the bridge... as soon as I got up there... I realized I was suppose to be sitting right at the front of the stage... oops. I wandered around on the bridge for a moment or two, pretending to look for something... then wandered back to where I should have been... thankfully, an easy cover up when you're pretending to be high.

Someone popped a button on stage- somehow, I managed to pick it up with my toes (ok, it's a talent) and threw it at the band. I was aiming for Grey, but I missed (well, it's not a talent that'll get me on star search or anything...)

During a rather sad part of the play, in a moment where we need to be pretty collected- each of us trying to console the others in a time of loss.... DC2 and I are in each others arms, DC2 reaches down to grab my hand, and somehow ends up with a handful of boob. 

and I nearly miss singing my part of the duet because I'm laughing so hard. 

oh my.

little sleep

ok.

sleep is evading me now.

figures.

I slept thru my alarm clock(s)

ReHAIRsals are going ok... well, actually- tonight was a little rough. Ok. the sound was terrible, I made some pretty stupid mistakes. And the dynamics of the tribe were a little off.... 

an aside about tribe dynamics... someone once told me about the experience of being in a play (any play) being like this time of falling in and out of love. In and out of love with the story, with the characters, and with the cast... it's so true... you love each and every person in their own unique way....  some probably more than you should. But it's just a matter of proximity. 

I worry (because that's what I do) about how things will change when the play is done, and I look forward to the way they'll change....

I lie

so there I go, saying you likely won't hear from me with the crazy of the play taking over my life... butta... I'm too wound to sleep soooooo.

One of the girls in the play had the best idea... a "Hair" journal. 

I wish I'd thought of that.

That I'd chronicled what was going on, my feelings about the play- how my thoughts about things may or may not have changed. The things I've worried about, my triumphs... all that.

It's a little late for that now. 

But, I can still capture this week.

Biggest things today:: I was a bundle of nerves getting ready to leave the house, and getting dressed in the dressing room- I didn't get lost in the bowels of the building today, so that was a good thing- I only got tangled up in the curtains twice coming on stage... so those were good things.... the buzz in the dressing room was contagious, and I dropped my nerves there... we got Mic'd up, and did some warm ups... then jumped in. 

Have I mentioned how much I love the tribe? 

Anyway, I finally got that stupid "Air" dance figured out... had a slight wardrobe malfunction... my cowboy outfit walked away from where Chrissy and I had left the pieces... but thankfully, we've been given two full extra bars of music to get dressed... so I think it's going to work out just fine!

We got some tobacco less, nicotine free, tar free, fruit stuff for our pot pipes, so we get to smoke on stage... it kinda reminds me of those herbal smokes- but the after taste is worse than any cigar I've ever tasted... I had to be shown how to use the pipe.

Only draw back.. I mean other than the breath that reeks of stank... is that it really dries me out... I only had a few puffs... and my voice was drydeadgone by the end of the run thru....

finally found a good harmony/rhythm for "Let the Sunshine"... so I'm feeling good about that too...

all in all... 

it's going to be just fine.

and frig, I just can't wait to have an audience sitting out there.

AND, my sister is coming to see the show... I'm excited about that.

countdown!

I had several witty posts in mind today. 

but... my brain was eaten by hippies.

In case you missed the news, I'm in a play. 

my first.

well, the first that I'm IN... I've helped with plays in High School... I worked the second spot light- with my partner in crime "Grey" working the first. 

The circle is complete- I'm in a play, and Grey is playing in the pit band for it. The thought makes me smile- I like there to be symmetry. 

So yes, I'm in a play. Yes, it's controversial.

yes, there's swearing, sexual innuendo, over the top use of drugs, offensive dialogue- issues of race, wealth, gender, sexual content... nudity.

yeah

nudity.

as in .. no clothing.

and at first, I had a big problem with that (the nudity).... but now, I think it's more the issues of race that I have a problem with... it's SHOCKING. The way some scenes are taken over the top...

I'm interested to hear other people's thoughts after they've seen the play. The number of parallels between the 60's and today- and I'm curious to hear "the talk". 

You know "the talk"...

and, at this point, I don't really care about the criticism... or the offense taken. I figure, you're an adult- it's a play- it's a statement about the time it was written in... I have to admit that when I first started rehearsals, I was worried- about how people took the play- that they would question me and my choices.. maybe even my faith... but... as time's gone by, it's something that's slid away. I'm having fun instead.

You probably won't hear too much from me over the next two weeks. We moved into the theatre today, the set was built, and we ran the show start to finish a few times. We'll be practicing every night now... People have traditionally called the week before opening night "hell week" ... (eeek, we open this Friday night)..  but I love this group of people. And I love what we're doing.. so instead, I'm calling it "Hippie week"

I know this is all over the place.

But so is my brain.

this is 1968 dearie, not 1948.... what have you got 1968 that makes you so damn superior, and gives me such a headache? 

I'm more frightened by the slide on the stage than I am of the audience.

oh. 

by the way

yes, I go naked too.

Reason #2

Reason #2, why my Roommate should hate me.

I shed.

**what's really going on here? Pontouff Pony had grown this giant hairy matt on both sides of his tail after his last moult... starting into a random moult (not sure why he's having another this winter) and his tail was twice it's normal size... I put him on the couch and tried to hold him in a head lock- it didn't work so well. He's too big for a head lock- and still be able to reach his tail... so it ended up being a big bear hug around his middle.. with lots of squirming.

in the end... his tail looks normal again.

ha. 

in the end.

lyrics to be heard

eyes look your last

arms take your last embrace

and lips, oh ye the doors of breath....

sealed with a righteous kiss... the rest is silence.

(for those of you who knew within moments of reading this where it's from... hush for a second and enjoy my oblivion)

So we've finished up learning all the songs for the second act.

And I'm blown away by some of the lyrics used in the songs.. there's some really beautiful stuff in there, and I'm afraid that most people will miss it just hearing it one time thru... I missed it hearing it on the sound track...

So while we were learning one of the pieces I was ready to melt down. (see the opening piece) The lyrics were stunning. The harmonies painfully lovely.

And I was losing it because it was a background piece in a play called Hair. Who would ever get to hear these incredible words? Who would ever feel the song?

I made it my mission to tell everyone about this amazing bit piece we'd learned, and convinced myself that it was my duty to share it with the world. seriously... If I've seen you in the past three weeks I'm sure I quoted it to you.

And if I did, thank you for being so gracious as to humour me and not humiliate me.

Last week I had some time... and some money. So, I did what came natural... I bought some movies.

It was while I was laying on the couch watching one of them that I realized what a putz I can be.

Did I absorb nothing in grade nine English class?

Romeo holds his dear Juliet's hand to his face, and whispering thru the tears utters

Eyes, look your last

arms take your last embrace

and lips oh you the doors of breath....

To put you in my Pocket

Sometimes there are lovely people that I wish I could have with me all the time.

People who have lovely hearts and ooze awesome.

These are the people that I want to put in my pocket.

Carry them around with me.

So I can just look in on them while they do their thing in my pocket any time I need a smile.

But then I'd be using them... but I'd be using them for good- not evil.

Most recently is a woman from the play.

She takes the time to connect with everyone, is super level headed, ultra artsy, writes children's literature... and as I just recently found out... acted as a surrogate for a couple she's friends with.

seriously... she's fantastic.

The Show Must Go Om

the spelling error is on purpose.

That's right folks, the time is drawing near... and tickets are ON SALE NOW and you can sit and be transported back in time... back to a time where "if it feels right, don't think twice" was the norm.

I'm talking about that little play I've been rehearsing for with a few others....

HAIR

um... yet again. I'm failing you in the photo department.... so instead let me leave you with this.

(random shots of a rehearsal a few weeks ago, photo credit to lovely Jer)

ho ho ho

Did I mention the Santa Clause parade?
Well, there's another one this weekend, Port of Hope has theirs on Saturday... watch for me there... crap. I just realized I forgot my costume at the firehall.


also. the last parade was lovely.
quite
lovely

plans for next year's new year's resolution is already in the works.
scale back on my main love language.

mister tambourine man

ok, so the thing that had the potential of being the most embarrassing element of the play for me (um... aside from that other thing) has been resolved. 

And I am SO totally ok with it now.

ok?

In other news... I'm on my way to the royal winter fair tomorrow, and I know you wish you were going.

Ain't Got No:: Reprise

ok, the marathon of all marathons... 

I can barely even read it without my mouth tripping up and over itself.

You'll have to hear (here) it to fully get it.... it's my favourite song in the show... but it's (so far) the hardest.

Vietnam, Johnson, high school, sex, coffee, books, food, scissors,
magazines, news, cigarettes, Hollywood, T.V. Tuesday Weld,
Burton-Taylor, pop art, pop off, popcorn, Popsicle, Andy Warpop, pop
paper, pop up, Popeye, poppers, napalm, England, outer space, astronauts, Jesus,
air, air, air, air, air, air... 

Try to sing that!

Marathon Wednesday

Marathon ... but of my own making.... please don't think this complaining- just a quick recap of how Wednesdays work now.

6:40am- alarm
6:47am- alarm
6:54am- alarm
6:55am- roll up bedding, stumble to shorty's room, turn on his lights, go pee, brush teeth.
6:59am- try to convince shorty to get out of his bed, or at least put both of his feet on the floor
7:04am- satisfied that shorty is awake, stumble to the office to get dressed
(for the next hour and a half pretend to like people while trying to gain full wakefulness)

fast forward....
8:30am- go home (cause, unless you didn't guess it, I was at work) wash face, eat breakfast, (maybe)comb hair.
8:45am- go to work.
4pm- home from work... and cooking for GTI
6pm- GTI dinner (yummy!)
7pm- rehearsal..... (this is making my week bearable)
10pm-finish rehearsal, get home, shower(maybe), pack
11pm- go to work.

It's not likely you'll catch me on a Wednesday.

stay tuned for tonight's "marathon song"....pop-cicle pop-up pop-art Andy war pop pop-a-per......
whew.

not quite the 4-H

In my haste to not lose my train of thought, I loosed it from the caboose, and left thoughts behind... or ahead... or at the very least... lost.

Remember how I always say I wish my life was a musical? And then I proceed to sing for the next hour (month)?

So, I may or may not have said: "theoretically" if one were to try out for a musical what should one sing as an audition piece? (and I may or may not have said that just a few weeks ago). But I'm here today to dispel any rumour, any thought to the contrary...

I did indeed try out for a musical. 

And I did sing "Patricia" at the top of my lungs, from the bottom of my toes.

And I was given a part in the play.

And I did decide to do it.

And I did go to the first rehearsal yesterday after first meeting a chunk of the cast and crew at the director's place for a little par-tay earlier in the weekend.

And that was a run-on sentence (though small)

And I may have much love for most of the cast/crew already.