Back to Target yet again to return an item and purchase others. Ran a few more errands in Manahawkin. Aline called to ask if she could accompany me to Arsenic And Old Lace "auditions" (why quote marks? Read on). She was going to see Life of Pi in Manahawkin in the afternoon and invited me to go, but I just had too much to do. We arranged that I'd pick her up at 6:00 on Route 9.
As long as I was in the general area, decided I'd better check out the location for the Arsenic tryouts in daylight, as I'm not all that familiar with Barnegat. Drove to Donahue School where they were scheduled to be held.
Geesh, what a trek! It's way, way out to the end of the road, which actually ends with a barrier across. Good thing I took a dry run, as I'd never be able to find it in the dark.
Home, I wrapped my purchases in Christmas paper, then brown, and mailed all at my trusty post office. Finished up my "theatre experience" resume and had a bite to eat, then took off to pick up Aline.
We arrived at the school amid hordes of children dressed in pajamas. They were having some kind of holiday gathering--very cute for the kiddies, but we thought it an odd, out-of-the-way place to audition. We were directed to the faculty room and went in to see two women and a man, who immediately asked us to wait outside.
Now the information on Facebook said auditions were from 6 to 7:30 and this was about 6:20. However, I, the soul of patient agreeableness, said nothing and we just waited outside.
One of the women left and we were called in. We met Lou M, the director and Sherry Something, who seems to be the contact person, and the four of us chatted pleasantly. I gave Lou my resume and we were asked to jot down info on a sign-up sheet, along with our preference for roles. Did so, and we were then told auditions would be held shortly in the same place, about which we would be notified.
What the hey? The FB page lists auditions as being held on Thursday, the thirteenth and I was given the same information on the phone. However, we naturally said nothing but thanks, and left for the long, dark ride home.
Something tells me Our Gang is even more sloppily run than LETCO. Oh, well, that's show biz, I guess.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Christmas Luncheon
During our walk, Susan asked if I wanted to ride with her and Bessie to the women's club Christmas luncheon, so I did. It was at The Carriage House in Galloway, a beautiful big white building and a wonderful place for gatherings. Food was good, service excellent, and I had a terrific time. Sat with Mary, Lee, Anita, Alice, and Judy, women with whom I'm friendly, but not intimate.
As favors, everyone got a gift card for ten bucks to either Acme or Shop-Rite. Don't know who thought of it, but it's a terrific idea, much better than the candles and others of that ilk that of which everyone already has a slew. (Sorry, Sister Gabriel, that was an awkward sentence.)
Home about 4:00, I got a call from Sherry, of Our Gang Players, in answer to my question about where auditions for Arsenic And Old Lace would be held tonight. It's at a school in Barnegat from 6 to 7:30 and I'm pretty sure I'll try out. Got a call from Aline, who said she isn't auditioning for a speaking part, but wants to go anyway, in case there's a "face in the crowd" possibility for her.
I had run into Aline's sister, Susan, at the post office earlier and she asked if I wanted to go to the Democratic Club's dinner tomorrow night. Told her I was an independent, but would consider it and decided I'll go. Told Aline I will and will give her the twenty bucks tonight. Spent the balance of the day researching some Arsenic quotes and working up a "theatre resume" to give the director.
As favors, everyone got a gift card for ten bucks to either Acme or Shop-Rite. Don't know who thought of it, but it's a terrific idea, much better than the candles and others of that ilk that of which everyone already has a slew. (Sorry, Sister Gabriel, that was an awkward sentence.)
Home about 4:00, I got a call from Sherry, of Our Gang Players, in answer to my question about where auditions for Arsenic And Old Lace would be held tonight. It's at a school in Barnegat from 6 to 7:30 and I'm pretty sure I'll try out. Got a call from Aline, who said she isn't auditioning for a speaking part, but wants to go anyway, in case there's a "face in the crowd" possibility for her.
I had run into Aline's sister, Susan, at the post office earlier and she asked if I wanted to go to the Democratic Club's dinner tomorrow night. Told her I was an independent, but would consider it and decided I'll go. Told Aline I will and will give her the twenty bucks tonight. Spent the balance of the day researching some Arsenic quotes and working up a "theatre resume" to give the director.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Birthday Lunch And Torture
Early on, I called Mary S. to see how she was getting to the Women's Club Luncheon today. Found that Lee S. was driving, but already had five in her car. Will call her, but maybe will drive by myself, then make some stops in Atlantic County.
I was so sorry to hear that a neighbor and friend, Sid S., has died. Sid was in the theatre company for a time and was a wonderfully warm, decent man. He had been ill before, but had pulled through; guess he just couldn't this time. Funeral is on Friday--sigh.
Aline, back from the city (in these parts, that's NYC), called, and we chatted, then made a date for dinner on Monday at ScoJo's. She had taken her nine-year-niece to see The Nutcracker, and had a wonderful time.
Changed and left for the Betty birthday lunch. Stopped at Santori's for feta beforehand, then met Betty and six friends at Italian Gourmet on Jimmie Leeds Road. It was low-key, but pleasant, and we had a good time. Parted after and I drove directly to Manahawkin where I again exchanged, had remedied, and bought anew. Looked for a coat at Kohl's and found many I liked and some that fit, but wasn't able to put the two together. Did buy two shells (not the kind on the beach).
Didn't get home until after 5:00, called Betty to hash over the day, then just hung out and puttered.
WIDER: Here's info on a movie that illustrates why I have no expectation at all this country will ever become more than a wasteland inhabited by savages:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/10/zero-dark-thirty-torture-awards
But audiences will apply critical thinking to this tripe, won't they? They'll research the subject and find that it rests on a diabolical lie. They'll boycott the thing and let others know the efficiency of torture has no basis in fact.
Yeah, sure.
I was so sorry to hear that a neighbor and friend, Sid S., has died. Sid was in the theatre company for a time and was a wonderfully warm, decent man. He had been ill before, but had pulled through; guess he just couldn't this time. Funeral is on Friday--sigh.
Aline, back from the city (in these parts, that's NYC), called, and we chatted, then made a date for dinner on Monday at ScoJo's. She had taken her nine-year-niece to see The Nutcracker, and had a wonderful time.
Changed and left for the Betty birthday lunch. Stopped at Santori's for feta beforehand, then met Betty and six friends at Italian Gourmet on Jimmie Leeds Road. It was low-key, but pleasant, and we had a good time. Parted after and I drove directly to Manahawkin where I again exchanged, had remedied, and bought anew. Looked for a coat at Kohl's and found many I liked and some that fit, but wasn't able to put the two together. Did buy two shells (not the kind on the beach).
Didn't get home until after 5:00, called Betty to hash over the day, then just hung out and puttered.
WIDER: Here's info on a movie that illustrates why I have no expectation at all this country will ever become more than a wasteland inhabited by savages:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/10/zero-dark-thirty-torture-awards
But audiences will apply critical thinking to this tripe, won't they? They'll research the subject and find that it rests on a diabolical lie. They'll boycott the thing and let others know the efficiency of torture has no basis in fact.
Yeah, sure.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Bean Stew And Busy
Hoo boy, busy day. Got to the post office when it opened at 8:30 and sent off the big package. Had breakfast, then got a slew of domestic chores done, such as paying bills on-line, washing clothes, straightening up the guest room, and so on.
I've been wanting to make a "rosemary mushroom bean stew," the recipe for for which fellow Breeze contributor Lee S. had submitted to the paper. Gathered all the ingredients only to find I didn't have enough mushrooms, so I put that on my pretty substantial list of errands.
I'll just draw a curtain over the middle of the day except to note that I visited Wal-Mart, B.J.'s, Target, and one or two other stores to pick up medication, exchange, return, and buy new during a driving rain, and I didn't get home for lunch until three o'clock.
Found something else I wanted to send to the U.K., dug out a box for it, packed and wrapped it and went again to the P.O. Was taking a breather on the computer when the doorbell rang; it was the mailman bringing a large box which I had been expecting. I had been asked to open, remove price tags from the number of darling little-girl clothes inside, then re-pack and re-send. I did, and made it to the P.O. just before the 4:30 close.
Finally got around to the bean stew after that. Recipe called for a half cup of red wine, but I accidentally added a full cup (heh, heh). Also added more beans, as it seemed a bit thin. It includes fresh rosemary and a bay leaf, too.
Well, yummy, yum, yum! Had it for dinner and it's delicious. It makes a fair amount and even though I gave myself a generous first portion, I have three bowls in the refrig for three more meals.
But wait: Today, I'm meeting Betty and friends at Italian Gourmet for a birthday lunch and tomorrow is the Women's Club luncheon. Okay, then I'll have the bean stew for dinner.
I've been wanting to make a "rosemary mushroom bean stew," the recipe for for which fellow Breeze contributor Lee S. had submitted to the paper. Gathered all the ingredients only to find I didn't have enough mushrooms, so I put that on my pretty substantial list of errands.
I'll just draw a curtain over the middle of the day except to note that I visited Wal-Mart, B.J.'s, Target, and one or two other stores to pick up medication, exchange, return, and buy new during a driving rain, and I didn't get home for lunch until three o'clock.
Found something else I wanted to send to the U.K., dug out a box for it, packed and wrapped it and went again to the P.O. Was taking a breather on the computer when the doorbell rang; it was the mailman bringing a large box which I had been expecting. I had been asked to open, remove price tags from the number of darling little-girl clothes inside, then re-pack and re-send. I did, and made it to the P.O. just before the 4:30 close.
Finally got around to the bean stew after that. Recipe called for a half cup of red wine, but I accidentally added a full cup (heh, heh). Also added more beans, as it seemed a bit thin. It includes fresh rosemary and a bay leaf, too.
Well, yummy, yum, yum! Had it for dinner and it's delicious. It makes a fair amount and even though I gave myself a generous first portion, I have three bowls in the refrig for three more meals.
But wait: Today, I'm meeting Betty and friends at Italian Gourmet for a birthday lunch and tomorrow is the Women's Club luncheon. Okay, then I'll have the bean stew for dinner.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Concert
As I do every single year, it seems, I had second thoughts about a number of Christmas gifts I'd bought, and returned them. Selected others for the London contingent, got them home, and spent an hour or so wrapping and tagging. Was able to fit them all in a large box, wrapped that in brown paper, addressed, and will take to the p.o. this morning. Had a quick bite for lunch, dressed, and got out the door by two.
I had been invited to a Christmas concert up north and was happy to attend. What an incredible experience! This was no Rudolph and "Silent Night" with sleigh bells, but was composed of two Trenton choral groups singing serious classical music, such as the Kyrie, Gloria, and Agnus Dei of the midnight mass for Christmas; a selection from Messiah, and Amid The Cold of Winter. Several were in Latin, of course, a familiar language from my R.C. youth, and all were beautifully arranged and presented. What's more, there were real live instrumentalists on violin, flute, cello, and clarinet, and their renditions were exquisite.
The concert was entitled Winter Songs VI and was held in St. David the King catholic church in Princeton Junction. It's a new, incredibly large, and very ornate venue, which soars practically up to the heavens and is decorated with a decidedly Asiatic tone. That seems appropriate to me, as the red and gold, of which there was plenty, reflects, I assume, the eastern territory where Jesus is said to have lived.
Anyway, it was a lovely evening. I declined an offer to stay for dinner and drove home in the dark, rainy night, glad to arrive safely. Enjoyed my usual Sunday call from Ellen, who will be here next week--yay!
I had been invited to a Christmas concert up north and was happy to attend. What an incredible experience! This was no Rudolph and "Silent Night" with sleigh bells, but was composed of two Trenton choral groups singing serious classical music, such as the Kyrie, Gloria, and Agnus Dei of the midnight mass for Christmas; a selection from Messiah, and Amid The Cold of Winter. Several were in Latin, of course, a familiar language from my R.C. youth, and all were beautifully arranged and presented. What's more, there were real live instrumentalists on violin, flute, cello, and clarinet, and their renditions were exquisite.
The concert was entitled Winter Songs VI and was held in St. David the King catholic church in Princeton Junction. It's a new, incredibly large, and very ornate venue, which soars practically up to the heavens and is decorated with a decidedly Asiatic tone. That seems appropriate to me, as the red and gold, of which there was plenty, reflects, I assume, the eastern territory where Jesus is said to have lived.
Anyway, it was a lovely evening. I declined an offer to stay for dinner and drove home in the dark, rainy night, glad to arrive safely. Enjoyed my usual Sunday call from Ellen, who will be here next week--yay!
Sunday, December 09, 2012
Twenty-Four Hour Theatre
Hastily put in my car my "costume" for the twenty-four hour theatre and left for Stockton State about 8:15. When I arrived, I was delighted to find Louise and Dayle from my Players & Playwrights group, as well as Dave S., from Little Egg Theatre Company. Dave was directing, the rest of us acting.
We all got our scripts, then dispersed to various rehearsal places on campus. I found I was to be "Carol," a kind of kooky earth mother to three undergraduates. Don't think it didn't cross my mind that I'm old enough to be, not just their mother, but their grandmother.
Howsomever...we were directed by Tyler, who is the art gallery director at the college, a very nice, congenial guy and unobtrusive director. Rehearsed the short (of hardly ten-minute duration, I think) play most of the day, but also had time to chat and explore the campus a bit. I didn't know where Dayle and Louise were rehearsing (they were in different plays), but was pleased to meet up with the former at what seemed to be the only venue for lunch, a pizza joint, and we ate together.
More rehearsal later, then we gathered at the theatre for one on stage. The place is a dream, compared to anywhere else I've perfomed. It boosts a large backstage area and a "green room" where performers wait before going on. This is furnished with comfortable chairs, several tables, and wonder of wonders, two adjoining areas with a make-up rooms, restrooms, and even showers, for heaven's sake. What luxury!
Anyway, we went on as the fourth of five short plays. The idea was that the playwrights would be given only twenty-four hours to write a play, and each had to contain a reference to a particular entity. Last night, the phrase "snooze button" had to be included and was worked into each--cute idea and lots of fun.
We had a fairly good audience--the large theatre certainly wasn't filled, but there were enough people to laugh and applaud so you could hear them. Our little play, o my darlings, was written by John P. (he often uses the affectation of lower case titles; silly, if you ask me), who teaches at Stockton and is also our leader in P & P. We all agreed it went very well.
It was a fun day, to say the least, and one more interesting aspect of the art of theatre of which I love being part.
We all got our scripts, then dispersed to various rehearsal places on campus. I found I was to be "Carol," a kind of kooky earth mother to three undergraduates. Don't think it didn't cross my mind that I'm old enough to be, not just their mother, but their grandmother.
Howsomever...we were directed by Tyler, who is the art gallery director at the college, a very nice, congenial guy and unobtrusive director. Rehearsed the short (of hardly ten-minute duration, I think) play most of the day, but also had time to chat and explore the campus a bit. I didn't know where Dayle and Louise were rehearsing (they were in different plays), but was pleased to meet up with the former at what seemed to be the only venue for lunch, a pizza joint, and we ate together.
More rehearsal later, then we gathered at the theatre for one on stage. The place is a dream, compared to anywhere else I've perfomed. It boosts a large backstage area and a "green room" where performers wait before going on. This is furnished with comfortable chairs, several tables, and wonder of wonders, two adjoining areas with a make-up rooms, restrooms, and even showers, for heaven's sake. What luxury!
Anyway, we went on as the fourth of five short plays. The idea was that the playwrights would be given only twenty-four hours to write a play, and each had to contain a reference to a particular entity. Last night, the phrase "snooze button" had to be included and was worked into each--cute idea and lots of fun.
We had a fairly good audience--the large theatre certainly wasn't filled, but there were enough people to laugh and applaud so you could hear them. Our little play, o my darlings, was written by John P. (he often uses the affectation of lower case titles; silly, if you ask me), who teaches at Stockton and is also our leader in P & P. We all agreed it went very well.
It was a fun day, to say the least, and one more interesting aspect of the art of theatre of which I love being part.
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Christmas Dilemma
Here and there at Manahawkin stores, I got a few more Christmas gifts, some of which I already know I want to return. Darn, it's crept up on me as it does every year, and I'm getting frantic, especially as I have to worry about weight and sending early enough.
Talked to Betty and did a few preparations for the "Play In A Day" twenty-four hour theatre at Stockton State in which I'm participating today. I'm not quite sure why I said I'd do this, but guess I'm game.
Made a nice shrimp/garlic/onion/mushroom stir-fry for dinner and assembled the ingredients for the bean stew I'm anxious to try. It's called "Rosemary Mushroom Bean Stew," which drew my attention.
Was pleased to receive class photos for both Violet and Vivian; hope they'll print out all right.
Aside from the annual Christmas dilemma and the rest of the above, not much went on aside from the norm.
Talked to Betty and did a few preparations for the "Play In A Day" twenty-four hour theatre at Stockton State in which I'm participating today. I'm not quite sure why I said I'd do this, but guess I'm game.
Made a nice shrimp/garlic/onion/mushroom stir-fry for dinner and assembled the ingredients for the bean stew I'm anxious to try. It's called "Rosemary Mushroom Bean Stew," which drew my attention.
Was pleased to receive class photos for both Violet and Vivian; hope they'll print out all right.
Aside from the annual Christmas dilemma and the rest of the above, not much went on aside from the norm.
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