All Play, All Day

Yesterday was all play, play, play...that is, the plays in the "Area 22" production, including "Interstellar Galactic Management, LLC," which I'm in. However, none of them were staged, except in tiny segments, as this was another cue-to-cue tech day, as we're still working on lights, sound, and blocking. 

I texted Paula, who had been picking me up, as she had said she wouldn't attend until Saturday. When I asked if she'd pick me up (cast and crew had been called for 11:00), she rather casually said she'd skip and come today. I don't want to go into more of this, but the upshot and result of it was that I bused to the site, leaving home at 9:15 and getting there at 11:00.  (It takes about twenty minutes by car.)

A lot of it was, of course, sitting around and simply being called on-stage for short times to modify lights and add sound effects. I went on only for my final lines (four words: "It's not my fault!"), but that was okay. Pizza was delivered and we all sat and had lunch. I rarely eat pizza and this tasted so good, I had two slices.

The full band--"The Conspirators"--was there and they were in great form. I remembered James, the drums player, from the earlier production and we chatted together. I also talked for some time with a darling girl named "Magnolia," who's twenty and goes to Ventura College.  

We didn't end until 5:30 and, as mentioned, a lot of those five plus hours were filled just waiting around. But so what? I was glad to be there with my tribe. Ken took me home and I stopped at Suzanne's to ask if she'd take me today if Paula doesn't come. Ever the good friend, she said she would. We go in at 1:00 and will probably be there until 5:00 or so. Director Shannon called at 9:00 and, unfortunately, the situation with Paula is still not resolved. I videoed The Conspirators, but it wouldn't transfer, so here's a pic:

 

Friday

Yowza--2.3 pounds down at home to 130.6 and 3.1 at T.O.P.S. to 129.4.! That made me the biggest loser, although there were only four of us there: Lora, Beverly, Bobbi, and me (Sharon had called to say she was sick and Julie had a dentist appointment). I was supposed to conduct the meeting, but suggested we just skip it after we got weighed--all approved.

Home by 9:30, had breakfast, then prepared for Jim coming for lunch. I made ham and turkey breast sandwiches, heated up the applesauce, and used the bender to puree some blueberries. I had some homemade whipped cream in the freezer, whisked that up with a little milk, and topped a slice of lemon cake with it. 

Jim came at noon and we had our usual talk, including about books we were reading--in my case,  Salman Rushdie's essays and Jeff Cohen's on the ever-so-corrupted cable news.  I showed Jim the cards listing fallacies; he read several and, since I don't have much use for them, I gave them to him.  He left about 3:00 and I puttered around until it was time to go out and wait for the Access Van to take me to rehearsal. 

It was late, but I got there about 6:40 to find only Jeff and some of the band setting up.  What? Where was everybody else? They weren't there because we didn't have rehearsal yesterday--rather, we'll have a full run-through today, Saturday, at 11:00! I just didn't read some of the emails Jeff sent, thinking they were just repeats of the earlier schedule, but they were revisions--damn and double-damn!

Jeff insisted on taking me home and kept telling me it was no big deal--what a doll. When I got in the gate, I stopped at Vickie's and we had a nice chat. She just had a scan and will get results in a few days.  I went from there to get my mail and met Suzanne doing the same. We walked back together, then sat outside for about 45 minutes, chatting about minor and major topics. 

Home and I called to cancel the Access Van I had had scheduled to take me home. I'll text Paula to be sure she's going to rehearsal today and will pick me up. Otherwise, I'll bus there. 

Thursday

I slept badly, for some reason, and lay down after breakfast, hoping to nap for a bit. I couldn't though, so got up. Suzanne stopped in and we had a nice chat for a half hour or so.

Called the Access van and made arrangements to be taken to rehearsal and picked up after. Decided to bus to town, since I had an off day (no rehearsal or other  commitments) and wanted to put an Area 22 poster up at the library; plus go to the produce place. I was pleased to see how well stocked they were this time and bought a lovely big loaf of whole wheat and honey bread, Irish soda bread, mozzarella cheese, ground turkey, and a ready-to-eat prepared Caesar salad. I had brought a bottle of water with me and thought it would be nice to eat the park, so that's what I did. It was so pleasant to sit in front of the mission near the fountain in the sunshine, and eat my lunch. I'll do this again and just bring a lunch from home.

Went to the library to ask if the poster could be put up and was taken aback to be told they don't usually allow them if there's a charge for the event. I told them it was a non-profit, charitable organization (is it? I think so) and the person at the desk said she'd ask the librarian. Okay.

From there, I stopped in several shops and when I saw this, I naturally snapped up two of them:

Am I nuts? I need it like a hole in the head, but Jim's coming for lunch today, and I like to present him with amusing little surprises like this.

Talk about surprises, but not amusing ones: I got a call from Primary Medical that Dr. Lazzarotto would like to talk to me about my recent blood test. Made an appointment for the sixteenth at 1:00 and opted for a tele-meeting. I'll just put it out of my mind before then.  

This is one of my three-event days: T.O.P.S. at 8:30, Jim at noon, and rehearsal at 6:30. 

Wednesday

After breakfast and a quick clothes wash 'n' dry, I took my cart to the Hill Street library branch. For a pleasant forty-five or so, I sat and read Salman Rushdie's book of essays, Languages of Truth, then took it out. If he isn't rated in the top echelon of writers, nobody else deserves a place there, either. 

Walked there and home, so I got three miles in. Good, because I knew I'd be sitting in rehearsal later. Speaking of: Paula texted me to the effect she was going to "isolate for a few days" and should be back by "hopefully Saturday." I assume she decided to do this because her husband developed COVID. She also asked if I've heard any "scuttlebutt" about her and that she's "puzzled about a few things." I have an idea of what's brewing here, but won't go into detail.

To get to rehearsal, I took the 6 bus to the transit center, then the 11 to Market Street and walked the mile or so left to go. Rehearsal went very well and I actually got a hand from the rest of the cast. Ken took me home; it isn't very far out of his way. 

Called Jim and invited him for lunch on Friday. I asked him to come at noon instead of his usual 12:30, as I have rehearsal at 6:30. We chatted and caught up with each other's doings.  Since Jim teaches philosophy, I decided to add the philosophical note following:  

Got an email from SO-FI Apartments to all residents, saying there was some kind of screw-up with automatic rent payments and would we bring a paper check over. What in hell is wrong with this outfit? And also, what in the name of all that's--well, in this case, unholy--wrong with all these big companies? I had that long travail with SO-FI about my non-existent failure to pay various charges, plus the crapola, finally resolved, I hope, with Chase about my mortgage and property insurance--I'm beginning to think the empire is crumbling. Yeats had it right: "...Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold/Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world...The best lack all conviction, while the worst/Are full of passionate intensity...." As for the rough beast slouching toward Bethlehem, who knows what that could be--the anti-Christ? But it's coming ever closer, I believe. 

On a much cheerier topic: Here's the gang Monday evening at dinner:

It's hard to believe, judging from the picture, but Greg actually was his usual pleasant self--exactly like my late husband, he simply doesn't smile for photos. (But in the one I ran yesterday, he did--only because I mentioned it!)

Yesterday was one of the best! 

...after, that is, my 7:20 am Quest appointment. I had assumed that Regina, the blood drawer, was an R.N., but no--in conversation, she told me she had been an "interior designer" (well, she sold window blinds) and then made the decision to become a phlebotomist. Interesting and, although, according to headquarters, my last sample had somehow been misprocessed, I like her and we had a nice chat.

Mike, Ellen, and Violet got to my place at noon, bringing leftovers of their Monday night dinner for lunch. This included part of a roast chicken and various side dishes; I happened to have bought some sliced watermelon, so served that for dessert. After lunch, we all changed into swimwear and set off the for the pool. Remarkably--and happily--we were the only ones there most of the time: 

After we got out, we sat at an unbrella-ed table and played B.S. the card game Violet had taught us, with great hilarity. Back to my place about 4:00, we changed and took off for Ojai.

There was a lull after we reached El's: Mike had yet another business meeting in the guest room, Violet became absorbed on her tablet, El changed clothes, and I took a short nap. We three females that set off for OMG (full name "Osteria Monte Grappa," which means something like "a restaurant on Mount Grappa"), where we had reservations. Greg met us there, as did Mike after his virtual meeting:

I'm constantly being shocked at the cost of eating out, and this was no exception. However, since my generous youngest kid picked up the tab for all of us--hey, I should worry.  Mike also had the server take a pic of all of us, which the legions of fans of this blog can be assured will be posted as soon as I get it. We sat for a long, leisurely time in the lovely outdoor patio, so by the time we left, it was getting dark.

Back to El's for a half or so, then the emotional goodbyes. Mike and Violet leave LAX at two today to fly to Hawaii; there, Paula and Vivian will join them and Vivian will enter U of H.  El--I'm so glad to have her!--drove me home and came in to get an Area 22 poster re the show, which she'll put up outside The Rainbow Bridge in Ojai. 

So my almost-month-long period of family visits is at an end and it was so good. Now I'll concentrate on the show and my entry in the Western Poetry Contest at the Ventura Fair.  My life has its ups and downs, but never, never, never would I want any but this one.

 

Monday And A Run-Through

I continued my back-and-forth with the property insurance people in the morning. I've outlined that ordeal in an extra entry here, which I may or may not post. Left at 11:00 and bused to Telephone Road; walked the rest of the way.  Arrived at Stone Fire Grille at noon and was enthusiastically greeted by Vera, Gayle, Greg, and others, as I hadn't attended for a month. It was so good to see all of them, especially dear Vera, whom I admire greatly. Ordered a child's portion of mac and cheese and, of course, a pale ale. After a good, leisurely time with my tribe, we parted and I bused to the other shopping center. Picked up a nice box of mushrooms at Sprouts. Stopped at Target and just got a grapefruit.

Home and talked to Ellen, with Mike in background.  The horseback riding hadn't occurred yet, as it was to be an evening one. We made plans for them to come over at noon today and we'll go to the pool. Jumped in the shower and dressed to go to rehearsal. Paula picked me up and we got there a little late, as usual.

This was a run-through for all plays, not just for ours alone, so it took quite a while. It was fun to perform in front of an audience, although it was composed of only cast members and crew.  Paula decided to leave after ours was over, but I wanted to stay and did so. Here are some scenes from "The Wedding Planner, a really funny play. The blonde in the third pic is writer and director Shannon herself who plays the mother of the bride:

Had a terrible time sleeping last night. I woke up at 3:99 and didn't fall back for at least two hours; got up at 6:15. And I have to leave in twenty or so for my blood test. Well, I'll try to nap before the gang gets here.

Fun With Mike And Violet

The Sunday crossword was annoyingly difficult--or else I just wasn't interested. After I finished, I walked over to Von's and picked up some watermelon. Gayle B., from Soaring Spirits, called to ask if I was okay, as I hadn't been at the lunch or dinner meetings recently. I explained about the boys and Mike being here, plus the show, and then listened to a long soliloquy that included her intention to watch the Dallas Cowboys practice in Oxnard. (Why would anyone want to do that?)

I did some food prep: washed, sliced, seasoned, and roasted five small zucchini and did the same with the four large apples I had. Those I put in the smaller slow cooker and they were finished by the time Paula picked me up. She was a bit late--not unusual with her--having left her daughter and grandchildren at the beach. 

Rehearsal went well and, finally, we're on stage and not in an adjacent room. The sound effects were added, props added and substracted, seating arrangements changed and so on, but we had time to run through it twice.  I flubbed here and there, but so did almost everyone  else, and I'm not concerned. 

Home at 4:30 and I just had a few of the zucchini, plus hummus, and some soda; didn't want to spoil my appetite. Mike and Violet (Ellen opted to wash her hair, instead of accompanying us) arrived at 6:30 and, in the important discussion about where to go to eat, Mike said he had never been to Olive Garden (incredible!) and we went there.

It actually was very good--I had angel hair with shrimp--and we enjoyed it. After, we went back to my place and played a card game called "B.S.," which new to me--very simple, but fun. Today, Carolyn and Claire will come down from Santa Barbara to go horseback riding in Ojai with Mike and Violet, so I'll go to the Soaring Spirits lunch and rehearsal after all. I'll be with M. an V. tomorrow, as they don't leave until Thursday. Here they are after dinner last night--Mike with an odd protuberance growing out of his head: