Holy Spirit And Rehearsal

Got to Holy Spirit early, but found the principal right away.  "Linda," a teacher or guidance counselor, took me to the library where other Career Day participants gathered.  She showed me the printed sheet given to students, with about thirty presenters' names and their specialties listed on a grid. Students could chose the four in which they were most interested.  I found my name (correctly spelled, too) about halfway down...
...and was stunned to see my topic was listed as "Arts."  I was prepared to speak on my former career, human resources, of course, and can't imagine how the error happened, but hey, I'm flexible.  I went to the assigned classroom, explained that my presentation wasn't as listed, but could prove valuable anyway and launched into my twenty-minute spiel.
Actually, the students were quite interested--or, if not, they were at least courteous.  During the question-answer period, I asked what type of art they pursued and found that quite a few were in the performing arts.  It was fun to tell them about our production of Hedda and to find they're doing Sound of Music in Match.  Maybe I'll see if Aline wants to go.
After my last (of four) talks, I met Susan W. in her office.  She's the development officer--I think they call it "organizational advancement" now--at H.S.H.S. and we met four years ago when I endowed a scholarship at Rider.  Had a nice chat for a half hour or so.  Stopped at Santori's on the way home for a supply of necessities: lettuce, tomatoes, feta, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.  Made a big salad, nuked the broccoli, and had them for lunch--so good.  Later, I took a turkey tenderloin roast out of the freezer and put it in the oven.  Had some for dinner--doubleplus good.
Got to rehearsal early and Ellen V., Desi, Mary, and Brittany followed soon after. I was pleased to see Tara C. there; Desi said she's going to work with actors to develop their characters.  Tara directed me in my first real stage effort--Steel Magnolias four years ago--and I respect her expertise.
Busy, full, and productive day.

             

Snow And Rehearsal

We got another three or four inches of snow and Susan came to the door, but yet again, I didn't walk.  Although it didn't seem to be slippery, I was wary of ice, curbs, and other opportunities for stumbling being covered, hidden, and tripping me up.
Spent time outlining what I'm going to say at Holy Spirit's Career Day, for which I'll leave shortly.  I had e-mailed Sue W., the development officer there, to see if she was available for lunch.  She wrote back that she's booked, but said she's also presenting and maybe we could meet up after.  I'll look for her then.
Picked up Aline and we went to the board meeting  Discussed that a lot of the nitty-gritty is done, including hearing that we've hired somebody (a Stockton student) to oversee publicity, gotten members committed to set, props, costumes, and the front of the house, and that Desi has finally made up a full rehearsal schedule.  
It was news to me that we're doing the first act (I appear only in that and the fourth) tonight, but it's fine by me.  I'll be glad to get into a regular rehearsal routine, especially as we're meeting at the community center, rather than out in the woods at the H.'s.

Lovely, Lovely, Lovely*

A lovely day.  Early on, had a virtual visit with son, Mike, and his precious girls. Excitedly, Vivian, 9, told me she had gotten "a call-back" (she knows the jargon!) and was cast in Wind In The Willows as Freddy, the ferret.  I'm so proud of her.
Little sister Violet, 5, then shared her big news: She can ride a two-wheeler! What fun to see and talk to them and how I wish I could be with them in person.
Picked up Aline and we got down to Betty's new digs in Margate at 12:30.  Long time friend and former St. James inmate, Alice Wayland E., joined us and we took the tour of the apartment where Betty is staying.  It's pretty basic and a bit dated, but not bad at all: two bedrooms, bath, and well-equipped kitchen. We then went to Johnny's just a few blocks away and had a nice lunch, seafood Caesar for me.  Lingered for almost two hours and had a great time.  

Took Betty over to Somers Point to pick up her car, then drove up Tilton Road, my favored way to go home.  We stopped at the cemetery on the way--I'm been remiss about going there lately, but maybe that's okay.  There was still snow and ice on the ground so we didn't get out of the car; just looked at Pat's and Jay's stones from the road and talked a bit about them.

Dropped A. off--I'll see her for board meeting tonight--and went directly to Sunset Nails for a new jell manicure.  To get the old off, they have to use pure acetone, then wrap the nails in foil, then scrap it off.  Hmm...that doesn't sound as if it's too good for your nails, does it?  Oh, but I picked a terrific shade of purple-red--or reddish-purple--which sounds gross, but is very attractive.  It does cost thirty bucks with tip, but should last for weeks and I have a lot coming up in February, so will be all prepared down to my fingertips.

Got an e-mail from Grey to the effect that he went to the doctor and is on a wide spectrum antibiotic (have no idea what that means, but it sounds impressive).  I fervently hope things will be smoothed out between him and Neil and that we can get on with preparing for Hedda.  We have a board meeting tonight, so hope to find out more then.

*That's a catchphrase for Aline and me.  It's in my dialogue as Aunt Julia and when either of us says "lovely" in ordinary conversation, we chant in unison: "Lovely, lovely, lovely."

A Hedda Headache

Oh me, oh my, we're having all kinds of problems with Hedda.  The clash is between those who want to do some judicial cutting--Grey and me, for two--and those who don't--Neil.  Kathy D. was with him at first, but now it's hard to say.  I don't even know where the others stand, as they haven't chimed in.  We're all going to do what Desi decides, of course; he's the director and he has to call the shots. What a headache--but that's par for the course for any LETCO production, it seems.  (I managed to include four, or maybe more, cliches in the paragraph--darn!)
Aside from throwing and fielding e-mail messages, I talked on the phone to Julie L., Jeanne P., and Betty, with whom I made a date for today to see the apartment where she's staying.  I'll take Aline, and we'll go to lunch, too.
Went to Wal-Mart and got a get well card for Dennis F., who has some kind of blood problem and Valentines for the kiddies.
I was delighted to get a Skype call from darling little K., who's getting cuter and more alert and active by the day. He smiles and laughs and is diligently drooling all the time--those teeth may be popping out soon.
Guess I'll  keep my commitment for Career Day at Holy Spirit, but I'd better get crackin' for something to talk about for twenty minutes.

Strauss And Dine Around

Picked up Aline and we went to the Das Fledermaus operetta presentation at the clubhouse.  The video was from Covent Gardens and the performance had been staged about 35 years ago on January 1.  Interestingly, Placido Domingo didn't sing, but conducted.  I really enjoyed it, including the (special for New Year's Day) variations, which included the incorporation of four languages (German, Italian, English, and French, with a smattering of Hungarian), spoken dialogue,  ballet, and other innovations.
It lasted until after 4:30, though, and I had to hustle to get home, change into a different top, then get Aline and me to the Tuckerton Grille for Dine Around.  I had told Leslie I'd to early to reserve seats for her and Dennis, plus Barbara and Frank, who were joining us for the first time.
We got there in plenty of time and, in fact, were able to drive down the street to the bay and witness a beautiful sunset.  Got back and enjoyed a delightful dinner, good conversation, and Judy's silly games.  (She had asked me to provide a list of easy trivia questions and I lifted them straight off the Internet.)
Anyway, it was a fun day and I got to see darling daughter, Ellen, on Skype at the end of it.    

Hedda And Cuisine

We walked yesterday, as the streets are clear--or were; it started snowing about 2:00 in the afternoon and now I'm not sure if it's slippery or not.
Did a lot of e-mails back and forth over whether we should do some revision on Hedda--especially act one, which is talky and repetitive.  Geez, it's a three hour play as it stands (plus intermission) and Grey sensibly suggested cutting.  Neil then got on his high horse and exhibited his usual stance of nobleman against the peasants, arguing passionately that the great writer couldn't be treated that way and it's a sacrilege (well, he didn't use that word), and so on and so forth.  I pointed out that almost all writers have editors and that plays are routinely revised, sometimes drastically (e.g., Night Must Fall).  I found on-line that Hedda itself has been staged in altered versions--at least once, as a lesbian drama and at Princeton U., Hedda was changed into a man--talk about revision.  Anyway, it's so satisfying to be in a position where I can argue back and forth with like-minded people, whether they agree with me or not.
Later, I finally called up trivia questions for Judy to present at Dine Around today. Sewed a button on my new blouse and did some wash.  Went to the bank and the drugstore, but aside from that, stuck close to home.
I was pleased to get a message back from the restaurant manager at Cuisine On The Green.  I had sent one pointing out the poor service, somewhat misleading menu, the hefty five-buck charge for Blue Moon, and the blonde woman's silent, unsmiling exchanges with me (I didn't realize she was the one who'd read the message and respond).
Well, she did, and promptly, too.  She apologized and among other things, wrote that training would be held weekly for servers.  To make amends, she said, she would treat me to a Blue Moon when I came in again.  You can be sure I immediately wrote back thanking her for her prompt reply and said I'd come in sometime next week and introduce myself.
Now that's the way a business should be run.  I'll definitely go back and will tell my friends about it.  

Hedda And Lunch

I'm a little late getting to this; Susan and I already walked.  I spent some of yesterday writing a bio of my character, Juliana Tesman, and sent it to Desi.
On a different topic, Grey wrote that he thinks we should cut out some of act one in Hedda.  I heartily agree, and wrote my colleagues to that effect.  Neil disagrees, holding that what a great writer writes is sacrosanct--silly on the face of it when you consider that most had editors and more to the point, many plays are altered, some drastically, by people other than the playwright.
Picked up Naomi at 1:00 and we went to Cuisine on the Green.  Now I've been there five times and I'm falling out of love with it.  The service was pretty perfunctory yesterday, it seems to me, and I was incensed at the sneaky extra charges that aren't evident until you get the bill.  To wit: I ordered a hamburger and was asked if I wanted French fries or potato chips with it.  I order fries, assuming they were covered under the charge of seven bucks.
They weren't.  I found that out when I questioned the bill of $9.50 for the hamburger--nope, fries are an extra buck fifty.  Of course, the Blue Moon was five, more than I pay at any other place I've been lately, (guess I don't frequent fancy restaurants), but I knew that when I ordered.
In addition, the blonde floating around whom I assume is the shift manager, seemed rather sullen when Naomi asked for a spoon for her tea.  She brought it over without a word or a smile.  When I asked her to lower the blind, as the sun was in my eyes, she did, but again without a "Sure" or "I'll be glad to," or "drop dead," or any other response.
After, I accompanied Naomi back to her condo and we chatted for an hour or so. She told me she's often visited by her husband's ex-wife.  True, the ex died years ago, but she comes around anyway.  Naomi smells cigarette smoke and neither she nor Wayne ever smoked, so it must be the ex, right?  There are also mysterious bangings and thumpings and doors closing on their own, and a little girl with curly hair who fades into the wall...
Preserve me from these crazies!  There are just too many of them, from Lillian whose niece's deceased mother-in-law has a tendency to blow out candles to Elaine, who gets advice ("should I buy that car?") from her grandson, dead these twenty years.  It isn't that I don't respect those honestly searching and seeking, but these apparitions seem to have no rhyme or reason.  Frankly, I find it tedious to express interest, as if I take them seriously.  Sorry, but I don't.