After our walk and an early breakfast, I spent the next five hours slaving over a hot P.C. Revised two of my four plays--one slightly, one significantly--and started writing a fifth. I'm going to call it Ladies Who Lunch and it will be funny (I hope). I'm just patching together a lot of old material I wrote when I played Ivan Trunkel, the Hungarian Psychic, in a murder mystery at the Surf City Hotel. Added a few gags from Tony and the Heiress, plus some stolen goods lifted from the Internet and it's shaping up okay. Also assembled and organized a lot of stuff for Listen to This! We're opening in less than a week--yoicks!--and I need to mark my script with cues to get my players on stage at the right times. It's not going to be easy riding herd on nine of them.
At about two, I just had to stop and clear my head, so thought I'd drive to Manahawkin. However, my car sounded worse than ever, so I turned back. I just hope it lasts through this week, as I have at least one obligation every day--rehearsals, my acting course, teeth cleaning, the insurance woman, and a Players & Playwrights meeting. Next week, I hope to get my poor baby up north to consult my friends' mechanic.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Sunday, November 09, 2014
Memorial Service and Wine and Cheese
It was a pleasant, if slightly melancholy day. Got up to my friend's at 9:30 and she, her husband, and I went to the memorial service for his mother at St. Paul's Lutheran in East Windsor.
It wasn't exactly a "service," I guess. We stood in the "Cremains (odious word) Garden" with the (Lutheran) minister. Except for one friend, there was only family there: her two sons (one had died), her grandson and his wife, their two children, the granddaughter-in-law's parents, Frick and Frack, and me.
It's funny that I like F. and F. They're close to my age, although they're at my friend's generational level, and on the face of it, they don't seem my type: homey, staunchly conservative, very active in the Moravian church, and thoroughly conventional. Yet they appeal to me, they seem so simple and clear,* and the distaff F. makes wonderful cookies.
Minister read a few passages from a prayer book and talked about how Mavis and her husband, Lee, who was interred there twelve years ago, were pillars of the church. He asked if anyone wanted to say a few words and the elderly friend was the only one who did. She had been Mavis' neighbor at The Ponds, a pricey gated community where they had lived until Lee died and strokes sent Mavis back to the farm in Minnesota--in her mind, that is.
That really wasn't a bad thing. She lived for ten more years at Care One, but was no longer elderly and infirm. She was a young wife and mother, raising three little boys, and teaching Sunday School and darn it, where is that Lee--he only went into town for a loaf of bread.
After, we went back to my friend's for a nice lunch and talked and laughed. The friend brought out two beautiful wool and fur coats that had been her mother-in-law's. Both from Flemington Furs, they were tried on and exclaimed over. Ditto with a peculiar fur hat and a Scottish skirt; Mavis was a clothes horse. My friend's husband was good enough to take my car for a drive. He doesn't like the sound of it and pretty soon, I'll go up there and we'll take it to a guy they use and trust.
I was home by 3:00 and just puttered around with this and that until it was time for the wine and cheese party at 7:00. That turned out to be a lot of fun. It had been awhile since I had seen some of my neighbors and it was enjoyable chatting with them. It was free, too, and you can't beat that.
Home, I finally got to see Ellen on Skype and had a good session with her.
* I should be ashamed to write that--as if "simple and clear" describes peasants of the mind, as opposed to Mimi, so augustly intellectual and impressively obscure. That's not what I mean, though. They seem to have such a solid certainly about life, an afterlife, and what constitutes both that maybe I'm envious. That attitude usually annoys me, but somehow, I find the F.'s version appealing.
It wasn't exactly a "service," I guess. We stood in the "Cremains (odious word) Garden" with the (Lutheran) minister. Except for one friend, there was only family there: her two sons (one had died), her grandson and his wife, their two children, the granddaughter-in-law's parents, Frick and Frack, and me.
It's funny that I like F. and F. They're close to my age, although they're at my friend's generational level, and on the face of it, they don't seem my type: homey, staunchly conservative, very active in the Moravian church, and thoroughly conventional. Yet they appeal to me, they seem so simple and clear,* and the distaff F. makes wonderful cookies.
Minister read a few passages from a prayer book and talked about how Mavis and her husband, Lee, who was interred there twelve years ago, were pillars of the church. He asked if anyone wanted to say a few words and the elderly friend was the only one who did. She had been Mavis' neighbor at The Ponds, a pricey gated community where they had lived until Lee died and strokes sent Mavis back to the farm in Minnesota--in her mind, that is.
That really wasn't a bad thing. She lived for ten more years at Care One, but was no longer elderly and infirm. She was a young wife and mother, raising three little boys, and teaching Sunday School and darn it, where is that Lee--he only went into town for a loaf of bread.
After, we went back to my friend's for a nice lunch and talked and laughed. The friend brought out two beautiful wool and fur coats that had been her mother-in-law's. Both from Flemington Furs, they were tried on and exclaimed over. Ditto with a peculiar fur hat and a Scottish skirt; Mavis was a clothes horse. My friend's husband was good enough to take my car for a drive. He doesn't like the sound of it and pretty soon, I'll go up there and we'll take it to a guy they use and trust.
I was home by 3:00 and just puttered around with this and that until it was time for the wine and cheese party at 7:00. That turned out to be a lot of fun. It had been awhile since I had seen some of my neighbors and it was enjoyable chatting with them. It was free, too, and you can't beat that.
Home, I finally got to see Ellen on Skype and had a good session with her.
* I should be ashamed to write that--as if "simple and clear" describes peasants of the mind, as opposed to Mimi, so augustly intellectual and impressively obscure. That's not what I mean, though. They seem to have such a solid certainly about life, an afterlife, and what constitutes both that maybe I'm envious. That attitude usually annoys me, but somehow, I find the F.'s version appealing.
Saturday, November 08, 2014
Errands and Such
I had a long list of errands and accomplished all but one. Got a flash drive, salt, computer paper, and other supplies, then stopped at Pat's Automotive (now my bosom buddy after a rocky start) so he could check my oil and water levels. Said both are okay.
Looked in three stores for (artificial) white poppies (I intend to wear one on the eleventh; see yesterday's entry), but couldn't find any. I'll just make one myself.
Completed my info for the Holy Spirit directory*--don't know if I'll order one or not--and did a bunch of other on-line stuff. Betty called late (for me, that is--after 8:00) and we chatted.
I'm going to skip our walk this morning, as I'm leaving for my friend's at 8:30 for a memorial service for her mother-in-law. I suppose there'll be lunch after; I'm also attending the wine and cheese party tonight at our clubhouse, but that's not until 7:00.
Looked in three stores for (artificial) white poppies (I intend to wear one on the eleventh; see yesterday's entry), but couldn't find any. I'll just make one myself.
Completed my info for the Holy Spirit directory*--don't know if I'll order one or not--and did a bunch of other on-line stuff. Betty called late (for me, that is--after 8:00) and we chatted.
I'm going to skip our walk this morning, as I'm leaving for my friend's at 8:30 for a memorial service for her mother-in-law. I suppose there'll be lunch after; I'm also attending the wine and cheese party tonight at our clubhouse, but that's not until 7:00.
Friday, November 07, 2014
Nothing Much and Red Poppies
Nothing much coming down yesterday except rain. We walked with umbrellas, but I managed to get out late in the afternoon; bought a nightgown and a set of full-bed sheets. Of course, I haven't bought the bed yet, but all in due course.
Stir-fried lunch of garlic, onions, mushrooms, and sausage--very tasty--and worked a bit on my acting course. I need another short play with two females and haven't been able to find one I like on the Internet. Decided to write it myself, as I did the other four.
The only highlight of yesterday was a long phone conversation with my Florida brother, Larry. Very enjoyable, although I'm still somewhat concerned with the results of his bypass and heart valve replacement. It's been months now, and he's still having pain some of the time; also, isn't as energetic as he used to be. I hope that passes.
WIDER: Department of Beyond Belief: The red poppy thing has been transmogrified into yet another pro-military symbol. In Britain, the anti-war stanza in the song, The Green Fields of France, has been omitted in a campaign to promote the wearing of red poppies. Originally meant to commemorate those who died in WWI--not all those who fought--the paper flowers are now used to "honor" all the hired killer sibs of the U.S.--and to perpetuate the idea that they're engaged in a good and noble enterprise.
Here's the link:
Stir-fried lunch of garlic, onions, mushrooms, and sausage--very tasty--and worked a bit on my acting course. I need another short play with two females and haven't been able to find one I like on the Internet. Decided to write it myself, as I did the other four.
The only highlight of yesterday was a long phone conversation with my Florida brother, Larry. Very enjoyable, although I'm still somewhat concerned with the results of his bypass and heart valve replacement. It's been months now, and he's still having pain some of the time; also, isn't as energetic as he used to be. I hope that passes.
WIDER: Department of Beyond Belief: The red poppy thing has been transmogrified into yet another pro-military symbol. In Britain, the anti-war stanza in the song, The Green Fields of France, has been omitted in a campaign to promote the wearing of red poppies. Originally meant to commemorate those who died in WWI--not all those who fought--the paper flowers are now used to "honor" all the hired killer sibs of the U.S.--and to perpetuate the idea that they're engaged in a good and noble enterprise.
Here's the link:
Thursday, November 06, 2014
Rehearsal
Cut up, seasoned, and slow-cooked the big cauliflower I had bought the day, and ate half. Still not veggie-sated, I also had the Brussels sprouts.
Went to Manahawkin Mattress to look again at the full mattress. He seems to have the best deal, so will probably buy there.
Frank picked Aline and me up for rehearsal at 7:00. We wore our costumes (just thirties clothes) and Rick was there. He took some pictures, but left before our after-intermission time, so not mine. Fine by me, as I don't like having my picture taken.
Jim brought his sound effects, which are wonderful, including a large, very authentic-looking electrical sign with "ON AIR" on it. Mary handled the background music, actually playing it on an electric keyboard; I'm not sure how that will work, considering she's in Shadow, which I'm directing.
Mary H. distributed handouts. She has us doing ten commercials, with several players involved in each, plus the two ads incorporated into Shadow and Husband. A lot of us think that's much too many and I'll go further: I think the show is too long. We didn't get out of there until well after ten and we didn't even pause to approximate a real intermission.
In my opinion, a show with just three "radio program episodes," plus maybe five or six added "commercials" would have been considerably better than what we have. I don't see the advantage in two Husband programs, plus so many commercials. Better to have people saying, "I wish it had been longer" than "Is this thing ever going to be over?" I'm mulling over whether to send Desi and the H.'s an e-mail to that effect.
Went to Manahawkin Mattress to look again at the full mattress. He seems to have the best deal, so will probably buy there.
Frank picked Aline and me up for rehearsal at 7:00. We wore our costumes (just thirties clothes) and Rick was there. He took some pictures, but left before our after-intermission time, so not mine. Fine by me, as I don't like having my picture taken.
Jim brought his sound effects, which are wonderful, including a large, very authentic-looking electrical sign with "ON AIR" on it. Mary handled the background music, actually playing it on an electric keyboard; I'm not sure how that will work, considering she's in Shadow, which I'm directing.
Mary H. distributed handouts. She has us doing ten commercials, with several players involved in each, plus the two ads incorporated into Shadow and Husband. A lot of us think that's much too many and I'll go further: I think the show is too long. We didn't get out of there until well after ten and we didn't even pause to approximate a real intermission.
In my opinion, a show with just three "radio program episodes," plus maybe five or six added "commercials" would have been considerably better than what we have. I don't see the advantage in two Husband programs, plus so many commercials. Better to have people saying, "I wish it had been longer" than "Is this thing ever going to be over?" I'm mulling over whether to send Desi and the H.'s an e-mail to that effect.
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
Coaching Bob and My Sister, Gene
Susan and I stopped at the clubhouse to vote during our walk. I wanted to be sure to vote for Steve Shaffer for school board; Steve was "Tony" in Tony and the Heiress and is a Latin teacher at Pinelands High. He's a neat guy, too.
Brought Aline to my place at 11:00 and Bob arrived shortly thereafter. I'm always sensitive to his feelings when I coach him and try to as kind and careful as I can. However, it's frustrating to point out over and over that, although he's reading, he isn't supposed to sound as if he is. I suggest certain ways to deliver a line, he repeats it reasonably well, then when we go over it again, he reverts back to his plodding, word-by-word rendition. I noticed that it's natural to him to point at each word with a pen as he says it--like second grade, I guess--and I think that encourages the artificiality of his delivery. Asked him to try it without the pointing and he actually improved a bit. Soon, though, he went back to the pointy thing, and in fact, to exactly the way he said the lines before.
So--the hell with it. He'll do as well as he can and I'm just glad he has a small part.
A. and I then went to Olive Garden for lunch (and I got a free one because my Blue Moon was so late in getting to me), then to Wal-Mart for a few items. We also went to Sleepy's, where I looked at mattresses; however, I was so turned off by the snotty salesman--not to mention the sky-high prices--that I intend to look elsewhere.
Took A. to her clubhouse to vote and didn't get home until 5:00.
Yesterday was my big sister's birthday. She was the oldest of us and would have been ninety. She suffered some tragedies; the horror of having her two oldest sons die in accidents within a span of three years can hardly be imagined. Her marriage was not entirely happy, especially as the years rolled on. She was never a light-hearted person, except perhaps when she was a pretty, petite cheerleader at Holy Spirit High School and all the boys were crazy about her. We were good friends for a little chunk of time and I wish she was still here.
Brought Aline to my place at 11:00 and Bob arrived shortly thereafter. I'm always sensitive to his feelings when I coach him and try to as kind and careful as I can. However, it's frustrating to point out over and over that, although he's reading, he isn't supposed to sound as if he is. I suggest certain ways to deliver a line, he repeats it reasonably well, then when we go over it again, he reverts back to his plodding, word-by-word rendition. I noticed that it's natural to him to point at each word with a pen as he says it--like second grade, I guess--and I think that encourages the artificiality of his delivery. Asked him to try it without the pointing and he actually improved a bit. Soon, though, he went back to the pointy thing, and in fact, to exactly the way he said the lines before.
So--the hell with it. He'll do as well as he can and I'm just glad he has a small part.
A. and I then went to Olive Garden for lunch (and I got a free one because my Blue Moon was so late in getting to me), then to Wal-Mart for a few items. We also went to Sleepy's, where I looked at mattresses; however, I was so turned off by the snotty salesman--not to mention the sky-high prices--that I intend to look elsewhere.
Took A. to her clubhouse to vote and didn't get home until 5:00.
Yesterday was my big sister's birthday. She was the oldest of us and would have been ninety. She suffered some tragedies; the horror of having her two oldest sons die in accidents within a span of three years can hardly be imagined. Her marriage was not entirely happy, especially as the years rolled on. She was never a light-hearted person, except perhaps when she was a pretty, petite cheerleader at Holy Spirit High School and all the boys were crazy about her. We were good friends for a little chunk of time and I wish she was still here.
Food and the Scum of the Earth
It occurred to me that Bob needs another coaching session (actually, more like two hundred of them), so I called and asked him to come today at 11:00. Asked Aline to come, too, as I don't want him to feel singled out.
Drove to Shop-Rite and went a little hog wild in the grocery-buying. Got a whole chicken, salmon, Brussels sprouts, lots of salad stuff, and a bunch more to the tune of sixty-some bucks. However, I figure if the ISIS invades and imprisons me in my home, I can last for--uh, two or three years when it comes to food.
I actually sat and read for a bit. I'm deep in Unorthodox, about a young woman who broke out of her Hasidim community. Truly fascinating.
Speaking of fascinating religions, I filled out an application for the Holy Spirit Alumni Directory. It asks for a essay on grads' lives and I briefly described mine, adding that I'm a "happy and relieved free-thinker." Will that be left in? Dunno.
Edited down both Frank's commercial for Goodrich Silvertown Safety Tires and Aline's and mine for Grove's Emulsified Nose Drops. I think they're funnier this way and not as draggy.
So far, my car is tooling right along--what a pleasure.
What isn't a pleasure are the political ads of which I got eight yesterday. What's so infuriating is that all but one was a recording. The other was some moron who said he was with somebody's--didn't even catch the name--campaign and did I need a ride to the polls? I told him I didn't need a ride because I was never going to vote for his candidate or any other of scum of the earth running.
Drove to Shop-Rite and went a little hog wild in the grocery-buying. Got a whole chicken, salmon, Brussels sprouts, lots of salad stuff, and a bunch more to the tune of sixty-some bucks. However, I figure if the ISIS invades and imprisons me in my home, I can last for--uh, two or three years when it comes to food.
I actually sat and read for a bit. I'm deep in Unorthodox, about a young woman who broke out of her Hasidim community. Truly fascinating.
Speaking of fascinating religions, I filled out an application for the Holy Spirit Alumni Directory. It asks for a essay on grads' lives and I briefly described mine, adding that I'm a "happy and relieved free-thinker." Will that be left in? Dunno.
Edited down both Frank's commercial for Goodrich Silvertown Safety Tires and Aline's and mine for Grove's Emulsified Nose Drops. I think they're funnier this way and not as draggy.
So far, my car is tooling right along--what a pleasure.
What isn't a pleasure are the political ads of which I got eight yesterday. What's so infuriating is that all but one was a recording. The other was some moron who said he was with somebody's--didn't even catch the name--campaign and did I need a ride to the polls? I told him I didn't need a ride because I was never going to vote for his candidate or any other of scum of the earth running.
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TUESDAY
As mentioned, I slept well. Did my morning stuff, then went to the 10:15 Bone Builders class. As ever, Lulu* came in when it was three-quar...
