A Circle Completed

Day 13: Mad Dogs And Englishmen Go Out In The Noonday Sun.

A disclaimer for anyone who might read this. IT IS NOT DEPRESSING, I PROMISE. The way today's reflection starts out might lead one to believe that a tear-jerker approaches, but that's not the case.

Today I spent a great deal of time at my parents' house. Many of you know that my dad is in terrible health, and has been for some time. Well over a year ago, his doctor said he only had a couple of months left, so we have had him much longer than anticipated, which is truly a gift from God. At any rate, his condition is quite bad, and he's basically bedridden.

One of the challenges we face in dealing with dad is his unwillingness to eat. He seldom takes more than a bite or two of anything, and eating half a bowl of soup is cause for celebration. Today, out of nowhere, he said he thought he would eat some boiled shrimp. I beat a hasty path to The Fish Market, and said shrimp were procured. By the time I got back, he was a little groggy but still slightly hungry. To facilitate matters, I told him I would peel them and all he had to do was enjoy his lunch. Here's where the flashback begins...

When I was maybe 7 or 8, I remember dad coming home from work one day with a large plastic bag full of boiled shrimp he had bought at some sort of fund-raiser (Lion's Club, maybe?) and asking me if I would like to have some. At this point in my life I was a fan of fried shrimp, but boiled...not so sure. After a little coaxing, I agreed to try one, and was immediately a fan.

Never having been the most dextrous of kids, I soon found myself struggling with the peeeling process. Ever indulgent, dad got a little white bowl that I used to eat cereal from (wow, the things you remember) and peeled about a dozen, dropping the ready-to-eat bites into the bowl for me. I can't tell you a single thing we discussed, but I remember realizing(even at such a young age) that this was one of those really sweet and special moments in life. I can still see the crackers, tobasco, and cocktail sauce on the table, surrounded by newspaper and shrimp peelings, a large lemon slice dominating the center of the table. I can still smell the pungent scent of crab boil. I can still hear the wind blowing in the trees. (We had to eat on the patio, as my mother is violently "allergic" to the smell of anything that once swam. :-)

This little tableau dominated my thoughts as I made dad's meal easy to eat today. Now, if this was a tear-jerky "movie of the week" scenario, I would have left the room, leaned against the wall and cried piteously. However, the exact opposite took place. I felt happy.

Yes, believe it or not, I felt happy.

Those of us who are lucky enough to have long-lived parents will eventually face the role of caretaker to they who once took care. It's natural, appropriate, and the way of things. My parents have done a tremendous amount for my sister and me, and we're all too glad to give something back. Is it fun? No. Do I wish my dad could be the same funny, vibrant, happy, playful guy he was even 10 years ago? Absolutely.

Do I gladly and happily give back what little I can to a person who, patriarchy aside, was also one of my very best friends? Without a doubt.

Enough of that...I promised it wasn't sad, and I think that promise was accurate. If you found it sad, send in a refund request and you can have your money back. ;-)

In today's News From The Motherland...drunken teens run wild.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8227443.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

Rainy Sunday

Day 12:
IRVING: Now, I may need your assistance in giving this shot. Are you by any chance a registered nurse?
LILA: No...but I used to be a junkie.
IRVING: Would it endanger your amateur status if I asked you to use a sterilized needle?
(from Blake Edwards' brilliant Hollywood spoof, S.O.B.)

Today has been wet, rainy and grey. While that might be a perfect prescription for depression if it happened every day, it has actually been quite cozy and cheerful. I always feel close to The Motherland when it rains, although I have spent quite a few beautiful, sunny days in Mother England. Motivated by the gloom as well as my anglophilia, I have had Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd on a constant loop while I have done various things such as cleaning the kitchen, folding clothes, etc. It's been quite nice to hear songs about murder and cannibalism while doing domestic chores.

In today's News From The Motherland...a well-attended art show.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/8230301.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

Randomness Redux

Day 11: Mind The Gap.

I am passingly certain that I have titled at least one previous post "Randomness," hence the title of today's post, which I can already tell will be somewhat...well...random.

It is good to let the mind wander sometimes. While I can't say that I have created any great works of literature whilst (I know, it's affected, but I love the word "whilst") just letting my focus roam, I do believe that it has helped nurture my creativity. Free-flowing rambling can do that...

Today's newspaper has the usual assortment of cute pet photos in the LifeStyle section. Every Sunday the sweet little animals are there. There's something comforting in that.

Speaking of the newspaper, the crossword puzzles are getting too simple. I don't require a Sunday New York Times level of challenge, but neither do I want to finish in five minutes.

While (ok, I'll indulge myself) whilst still a huge fan of Jim & Nick's, I have been slightly disappointed in my last couple of trips to the bbq mecca. They appear to be getting a bit lax in re the basting of the meat in sauce while it cooks, leaving the meal as simply smoked pork with sauce poured on at serving time. REAL bbq afficionados know that the slow-cooked process involves much application of sauce during the process. The little scorched bits of end meat and caramelized sauce add immeasurably to the flavor. For the record, however, the coconut cream pie remains brilliant.

When I strike my fortune (however that may come to pass) I would love to have a driver. I know that sounds ridiculously self-indulgent, and will most likely never happen, but one of the greatest luxuries of which I can conceive is to have someone to drive me wherever I need to go. I really don't like to drive very much. I am also bad at it, as the multiple dings and scratches on my car can attest.

It's been raining a lot lately, which may portend the arrival of an early fall, which would suit me fine. I used to hate cool weather, but over the past couple of years, it has truly grown on me.

...enough randomness for now. :-)

In today's News From The Motherland...the Notting Hill Carnival begins!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8228270.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

He's A Lumberjack And He's Okay...

Day 10: Ma! Ma! Where's my Pa? Gone to The White House! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
- (Slogan referencing President Grover Cleveland, who openly acknowledged and supported an illegitimate child.)

On one of the seemingly limitless excursions I make to Wal-Mart, that great temple of All That Is Needed Immediately, I ran across a DVD of Monty Python's And Now For Something Completely Different, which has always been one of my favorite films. (The fact that it was in the $4.95 bin sort of surprised me...I assumed that everyone shared my anglophiliac tendencies and love of '70's-era comedy. Go figure.) I bought the movie, took it home, and somewhat absent-mindedly started it playing while I puttered. I was vaguely aware of the passing of several well-known (and funny) Python sketches, and was enjoying listening in a somewhat passive sense. However, my ears soon perked up and I had to stop and watch The Lumberjack Song.

For the uninitiated, here it is. Watch and then continue reading...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zey8567bcg

Hilarious, isn't it? I still crack up at this song every time I hear it.

In the repeated re-watchings of the song over the fifteen or so minutes after it first played, I found myself realizing just how powerful a memory trigger music can be. When I first discovered Monty Python as a teenager, I had a cassette (yes, I'm THAT old) of Python routines that I kept in my car tape player. I probably played that tape a thousand times, and I will always associate certain Monty Python sketches with the late 1980's. Just hearing the familiar chords at the start of the song will remind me of that time, and of my first car (which also smelled strongly of Polo Green cologne, which, in the fashion of many young men of the day, I splashed on liberally and with a heavy hand. More on smells as memory triggers later.)

Just for the record, I also love The Philosopher's Song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1MgCV6uGuc&feature=related

Knights Of The Round Table...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfGpVcdqeS0&feature=related

Every Sperm Is Sacred...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0kJHQpvgB8&feature=related

and The Universe Song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWVshkVF0SY&feature=related

...and many, many others. The intelligence of the lyrics is a joy, and the humor is first-rate. Enjoy the links!

In today's News From The Motherland...a prisoner extends his furlough.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/derbyshire/8228400.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

What A Hoot

Day 9: Coffee is your friend.

Tonight I went with my good friend Goldstein to Hooter's for dinner. While pretty much everything on the menu is fried and/or full of sugar, the food tastes good and the atmosphere is fun. Yes, Hooter's remains one of the last bastions of blatant non-PC-ism, with waitresses in hot pants and tight t-shirts, and countless examples of trite "hooter as euphemism for female breast" humor adorning the t-shirts, wall plaques, and menu. What's actually quite interesting is how...well...innocent the place actually is.

While Hooter's obviously wishes to appeal to the frat-boy crowd (a crowd which swills copious amounts of beer, coincidentally) the clientele tends to include quite a few families. Kids are frequently seen at Hooter's, and I do believe birthday parties are even offered. I have seen plenty of middle-aged couples enjoying the heart attack inducing bill of fare, the women seemingly unfazed by the gentle chauvanism that prevails throughout the room. The waitresses seem to take it all with a grain of salt, maintaining a good humored but not inappropriate familiarity with the customers. I have never seen any misbehavior at a Hooter's, which bespeaks volumes...

Hooter's appears to reflect our American obsession with sexuality repressed. The sophomoric humor and oddly wholesome atmosphere seem to legitimize the playfully horny theme, allowing for a dash of naughtiness offset by childlike silliness. One can easily see why Hooter's has never spread to Europe. The Europeans have a much more grown-up and relaxed attitude towards sex, and would see no need to try and blend it with a modifying quasi-innocence.

...or maybe the Parisians and Viennese just don't like greasy wings and fried pickles.

In today's News From The Motherland...a dust-up over a comment from Madonna...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8225989.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Day 8: In The Jungle, The Quiet Jungle, The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

As all both of my readers may have noticed, I have semi-established a pattern of beginning the day's commentary with a non-sequitir. A strange little comment, unrelated to the subject at hand will generally follow the day's count. Today we vary from that pattern, given the somber nature of the subject. The sleeping lion is, indeed, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

Given my politics, it is probably no great surprise that I am in mourning. Ted Kennedy was duly dubbed "The Liberal Lion" during his tenure in The United States Senate. Upon his passing, only two senators in the history of that august institution had served for more years than Ted. He was a fixture, an icon, and a beacon to those of us who embrace the politics of the left.

I won't digress into partisanism tonight. That is for another time, and God knows Ted had his faults and excesses. However, wherever there was a cause in favor of the little man, the oppressed, or the weak and erring, Ted was leading the charge. Whatever his issues, this son of tremendous privilege and wealth never stopped pushing for a better life for those among us who (for whatever reason) fell through the cracks. His compassion will be his legacy.

Rest in peace, Teddy. You did a good job.

In today's News From The Motherland... Mr. Brown honors Senator Kennedy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8221801.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

Comedy Tonight

Day 7: Fall is in the air.

I suppose a more apropos title for today's musings would be "Comedy Last Night," but then the reference to the song would fall apart. At any rate, last night was open mic comedy night at The Barking Kudu, and Lovey & I went to see our friend Jack Roberts perform his routine. While Jack was very funny, as were a couple of others, the overall impression I got was that the new generation of up-and-coming comedians (at least the ones doing open mic on Mondays at the Kudu) seem to think that mere repetition of profanities will pass for comedy.

Lest I appear hypocritical, I will freely admit that I can have a potty mouth. I also enjoy crude humor, but there is a BIG difference in vulgar comedy and plain vulgarity. Richard Pryor used every word in the book in his act, and some of his material was absolutely filthy, but it was hilarious because of the strong (sub)text beneath the language and subject matter. When there's nothing funny in the routine, however, tossing in a few dozen GDMFs does very little to help.

One of the things that impressed me about the good comics (Jack included) was the obvious preparation that they put into their acts. Stand-up is deceptively simple...like improv, it has to appear effortless, yet requires a huge amount of technique and talent. It seemed last night that there were several people who literally just wandered up onstage and started talking about whatever came to mind.

Not that they asked my opinion, but I think The Barking Kudu could actually turn this into something quite good. Although it is technically "open mic," there should probably be a screening process of sorts just to weed out the 20-year-old college kids who think mumbling about sex and drinking and saying f**k 300 times in one sentence equals inspired comedy.

In today's News From The Motherland... a mayor has underwear issues...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/8219619.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

I Want A Bulldog

Day 6: Collect $200 for passing Go.

It will come as no great shock to all several of my readers that I want a bulldog. To be perfectly clear, I want two bulldog puppies, to be named Churchill and Atlee or Thurston and Lovey, depending on the day. That is to say that on different days I envision them as having either set of names. Their names, once set, will not change from day to day.

Bulldogs are a sort of love-em-or-hate-em breed. Yes, they are celebrated for their flatulence, they are frequently spittle-flecked due to an alarming tendency to slobber, coupled with ownership of a tongue that usually seems to outsize a small automobile, and they require a tremendous amount of care and upkeep. Fine. I can live with all of that.

One only has to look into the scowling maw of a fussy bulldog or to gaze upon the toothy, open-mouthed smile of a joyous one to understand just how adorable these creatures can be. It may sound strange to describe their wrinkled jowls, squat bodies, and overall fireplug appearance as beautiful, but that's exactly how I see it.

For the moment, I live in an apartment which is much too small for a large dog, and Lovey has yet to completely warm to the idea of adding another pet or two to her household, which already includes a dog and a cat. That notwithstanding, I adore these sweet, pugnacious, delightful animals, and I have no doubt that one (or more) will have a place in my life at some point in time. :-)

In today's News From The Motherland... a new Olympic stamp.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8218667.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

Ten Times Your Money...

Day 5: It's interesting to note that in today's television climate The Brady Bunch would not be a large enough family to qualify for a reality show.

I thought I had struck it rich today. I was given my change at the Piggly Wiggly and among the coins was a 1944 Mercury dime. Visions of a coin collector offering thousands fueled my avaricious fantasies. I was going to make my fortune on a stroke of luck...having been handed a priceless coin as change...

After consulting Google, I now know that the coin is worth a staggering TEN TIMES it's face value! (Which is a dollar. ;-)

Lesson for the day, kids...it may sound like a great deal, multiplying your money by a factor of ten, but if all you start with is a dime, it's not that impressive.

In today's News From The Motherland...UK casualties in Afghanistan continue to climb...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8203711.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

FLAT

Day 4: Keep On The Sunny Side.

Today I had a flat tire. I don't recall the last time I had one, but it's been a while. After pondering the cosmic injustice of my having been afflicted with a problem about whose solution I know very little, I started the process of getting it repaired. That will be accomplished by tomorrow. On Monday, I re-join AAA. (Note to those who know me...take careful notice that the letter "A" appears three times.)

In today's News From The Motherland...BT discontinues recruitment plan...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8216762.stm?lsm

Cheers!
FLT3

Rain

Day 3: If tin whistles are made of tin, what do they make foghorns out of?

Last night brought a somewhat torrential downpour, along with the thunder and lightning that make summer storms so glorious. Having always loved thunderstorms, I spent as much time as possible standing on my balcony, watching the sheets of water billow their way across the sky. There's always a feeling of anticipation that comes with a good storm...a hunch that something grand is about to happen.

Rain is something that has always fascinated me. I remember as a very small child rigging a garden hose to the top of my swing set so that I could stand beneath the spray and hold an umbrella. The fact that my parents found this behavior neither strange nor out of character should probably tell me something...

Sleeping during a thunderstorm comes very naturally to me. Of course, sleeping under any conditions has never been too difficult for me, either.

Enough about rain...it's just nice that we are having some. Maybe it will cool things off...I used to hate cold weather with a passion, but over the past few years, I have grown to appreciate it.

On a completely unrelated topic, a big shout-out to my good friend Darrell Cartwright, who posted the first comment yesterday, following my absence from blogging. Confirmed readers...1 and counting... :-)

In today's News From The Motherland...chicanery surrounding festival tickets.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/berkshire/8214352.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

A Shrew Tamed...

Day 2: So Far So Good.

Last night Lovey and I went to final dress rehearsal for Park Players' The Taming Of The Shrew, which is directed by a very good friend who invited me to come and be part of a small test audience. It was a very enjoyable, well-acted show, and I recommend it highly to any and all. Particularly impressive to me was the pacing of the show, which never slowed down. Shakespeare can become quite slow and plodding without proper pacing, and this group keeps the show moving to the unheard beat of a brisk metronome.

Tonight will take me not to the streets of Petruchio's Verona, but back to Grovers' Corners, NH, where we have 4 remaining performances of Our Town. Several friends will be there tonight, and we've all had a few nights off, so the performance should be fresh and energetic. I have truly grown to appreciate this little play which has been the bane of countless high school drama clubs. The reason for this turnaround is simple. I had never before seen anyone older than a college student play these roles, and there are points that can not be made about adulthood by those who have never experienced it. Seeing the characters come to life through the performances of age-appropriate actors has cast the entire script in a new light. I have enjoyed the experience.

In today's News From The Motherland... a crackdown on free drink night.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8212870.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

A Marathon Begins With The First Step...

Welcome back, old readers (all five of you) and greetings to what I hope will be many new followers of my random musings! As some of you know, I have kept this blog in a very on-again-off-again manner for several years now. Well, under the influence of Julia and Julie (or is it Julie and Julia?) I am making a vow to blog every day for a year.

Do I promise anything amazing? Not at all. Will there be a running theme? Absolutely not. Will each day continue to feature the oh-so-beloved "News From The Motherland" segment? You can count on it!
For the newcomers, expect the following:

.Utterly random observations on utterly inconsequential (but hopefully interesting) everyday items and occurrences.
. Political ranting with a decidedly liberal bent.
. News of the various goings-on in the Birmingham, AL, theatre community.
. The occasional soul-baring emotional diatribe.
. Many references to "Gilligan's Island," England, Musical Theatre, Witty Things Said By My Friends, and Current Events Of The Day.

...I hope you will all enjoy and comment as often as you like. If I know someone is actually reading, I might even make it 365 days!

And now... in today's News From The Motherland, a crackdown on fund-raising "chuggers" in the London streets...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8210496.stm

FLT3

After A Long Absence...

I am finally knocking the dust off my blog. Apologies to those five or six readers out there...I will (as I always do after slacking off a bit) promise to do better in future.

There is much to report...a holiday trip to Venice with Lovey was delightful. Details to come, but photos can be seen on my Facebook page (which is as addictive as crack, btw.) Rehearsals are underway for HARVEY, in which I have been cast as Dr. Chumley. I was not, alas, cast in the Gilligan tour, but c'est la show biz, I suppose...

Tonight should be fun. A group of us are singing in a concert benefitting two good friends of ours. "Lucas & Talia's Love Concert" should be very entertaining, and will hopefully give them a little something extra for their honeymoon and new life together. It's delightfully low-key but organized, and takes itself seriously enough to be good, but still retains a sense of fun.

Subbing today at VHHS. As usual, it's fairly easy, if mundane. I had hoped to catch the BCT production of GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER, which also features several good friends, but will see it later this week.

In today's News From The Motherland... a quaint museum up for sale...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/gloucestershire/7907798.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

Coming Soon...

Lots of interesting postings, tales of adventure, breathtaking photographs, witty insight, and seat-perchingly good information about my world...stay tuned...

In todays News From The Motherland...a disrespectful footballer's uppance has come.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/7831735.stm


FLT3

An Absent Friend

Happy Christmas Eve!

As I sit and think over the holiday and anticipate a wonderful Christmas Day tomorrow, my thoughts keep returning to my dear friend, Walter Brown McCord. WB passed away earlier this year, and this is the first Christmas season in over 20 years that has not included a special time with Walter Brown. Usually I would drive down to his home in Greensboro, AL for a visit. WB loved gin, so I would usually have a bottle of Gordon's or Beefeater in hand when I arrived, and we would toast the season together.

WB was in his late 70's, and had lived (as the saying goes) a rich, full, life. His stories were enchanting and engaging, and he had met, befriended, or known almost every major celebrity of the 1960's. His voice and delivery were as distinctive as they could be, and his soul was one of the sweetest and most kindly that I have ever known.

The point of all of this is to encourage my readers (both of you...hee hee hee) to appreciate and enjoy the time you have with those around you. Cherish it, hang onto it, and love it. It is, in the end, all too fleeting. I would gladly give back every Christmas gift I have ever received if it meant I could spend one more Christmas visit with Walter Brown McCord.

In today's News From The Motherland...smart monkeys! :-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7797776.stm

God Bless Us, Every One!
FLT3

Happy Christmas Eve!

Another Picture and Update

Here we have another look at the cast and crew of The 1940's Radio Hour, which closed last Sunday at VST. I had a wonderful time doing the show, but have enjoyed having a couple of nights to relax before Christmas. There is talk of re-mounting the show next year, so I may be returning to the "Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade" relatively soon.

On the CenterStage front, we are alive and looking optimistically forward. Some fairly substantial changes are underway, but overall I think we have at least started down the path to solving some of our problems. Time will tell, and the patient is still on life support, but for the moment at least, we're still forging ahead.

I continue to "hold" waiting to hear about the Gilligan's Island tour. I have not heard anything, but I am keeping my hopes high. Every day without a "thanks for auditioning, but..." is a good day. Maybe today will bring good news...

Must be off to finish up some Christmas shopping. Fa-la-la-la-la...

In today's News From The Motherland... a facelift for the Ashmolean.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7796875.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

1940's Radio Hour

Just a pic from THE 1940's RADIO HOUR, which has been running the past two weekends at VST. This is of Zoe (Debbie Mielke), Clifton (FLT3) and Pops (Sam Chalker.) We have had a great time doing the show, and look forward to the third weekend coming up. We got a very good review from The Birmingham News, which has led to good houses.

On the CenterStage front, we are in a world of hurt. This week has brought serious discussion of canceling the rest of this season and trying to raise money to move ahead in a year or so. HOWEVER, several wonderful individuals have said that they are willing to try and help us survive, so...fingers are crossed.

In today's News From The Motherland... are you a Spock or a Homer?http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7793369.stm

Cheers!

FLT3

Renewed Optimism...

Well, I finally broke down and emailed my friend Lloyd Schwartz and inquired about the "Gilligan's Island:The Musical" casting. His response was not exactly what I had hoped for (ie "your script is in the mail,") but the show has not yet been cast and I am, apparently, still in consideration. My optimism remains intact, and I sincerely thank everyone who has sent prayers, good wishes, and crossed fingers!

"The 1940's Radio Hour" opened this weekend to a good review. I am a bit concerned about the fact that tonight's performance competes with SEC Championship Saturday, but maybe we will have a good house.

"A CenterStage Christmas Celebration" also opened this weekend. It has been a logistical challenge, with a large cast, etc. but I am hopeful that it will do well.

If that wasn't enough theatre talk, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" (which I directed) opened at BCT this week. All seems to be going well on that front.

In keeping with the recent "Gilligan" theme, I have been searching for new jewels online...I have managed to locate the original cartoon theme song (this time in English, not German.) :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvTDDta0rUs

In today's News From The Motherland...good deeds from biker Santa(s)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7769327.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

More Stag...

On this Thanksgiving week, I am thankful for many things, one of which is...

TWO NEWLY-DISCOVERED MR. MAGOO STAG BEER COMMERCIALS FROM THE 50's!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLNhH2F3mb0

Enjoy! I am hopeful that this latest invocation of the spirit of the late, great Jim Backus will spark some response from the universe on the "Gilligan" tour...when they said "no immediate decisions will be made," I wasn't sure if that meant "not this week" or "not till mid-December." Oh well, I will continue to wait...

In today's News From The Motherland...sardines as protest tools...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7747873.stm

FLT3

A Fateful Trip, or Shipwrecked Part II

Okay, I have now rested and recouped after my whirlwind NYC trip (which did, indeed, resemble the voyage of the SS Minnow in the sense of being fraught with mishap.) Here's the basic lowdown on what happened. It's funny now, but was not so much at the time.

After making a mad dash to the Atlanta airport after BCT rehearsal on Thursday, I found myself too late to board the plane. This was aggravating, but not entirely unanticipated, so I got a hotel room near the airport, had a snack and watched tv, and booked a seat on the 6:40am for LaGuardia. The nice little hotel shuttle dropped me off at 5:15am, I checked in, had breakfast at the airport, and nestled into my seat for takeoff.

6:40 - no takeoff.
7:00 - "Ladies and gentlemen, it will be a few more minutes before we depart."
7:25 - "It will be a few more minutes."
7:50 - "LaGuardia is fogged in. Please exit the plane.

At this point, distress is beginning to settle in. I managed to get a 9:30 flight to JFK, which would get me there in just enough time to grab a quick sandwich and take the train into the city to my 1:00 audition.

The 9:30 flight left promptly at 11:05.

Distress has now become a full-blown ulcer. I have now left several messages for the contact person at the auditions (who turned out to be amazingly sweet and understanding) and the thought of an affordable train ride has been tossed out the window. I finally disembark (now at JFK) at 12:52. I jump into a cab, beg the driver to go as fast as possible, and make my third or fourth "I swear, I'm on my way" phone call. I arrive only 25 minutes late, which is bad, but not awful. When I burst through the door of the audition, there is an extremely nice, pleasant-looking lady waiting for me. She introduces herself as Nancy, and says that she has been asked to wait and read Mrs. Howell opposite my Mr.Howell. Great. We have a few minutes to look over the scene, and then we go into the audition area.

I had a chance to share a hello and a hug with Lloyd Schwartz (my friend who wrote the show) and to introduce myself to the accompanist. After singing, I read the scene with Nancy (who made a GREAT Mrs. Howell, by the way) and assumed I was done. To my happy surprise, I was also asked to read for The Professor and The Skipper (guess I'm waaaaay too old for Gilligan) and after a quick "good to see you" with Lloyd, was off on my way.

Did I mention my head shot and resume were in my bag, which I left at the airport? Luckily, I had emailed both of them in to the production team earlier.

By now, I decided that it was all up to God, the universe, and the casting team, so I looked forward to a couple of nights in NYC. I called my friend Jonathan Goldstein, with whom I was staying, and we arranged a meeting place just off Times Square. For about an hour I wandered blissfully in the drizzle and grey of a New York November afternoon, thrilled to be in the city again. Once I connected with Goldstein, we had a great time catching up while we rode the train back out to JFK to get my bag...

...which had been sent to LaGuardia.

Yes, this was annoying, but after a couple of beers in the airport Sam Adams Cafe, we decided just to laugh it off and consider our train trip as good an environ as any for visiting. We finally got back to Goldstein's place (on 191st Street, about 2 hours from JFK) had some dinner, and crashed. I slept on a small loveseat with a chair pulled alongside for stretching-out purposes. No king-sized bed has ever slept better...I was out like a light.

The next day (Saturday) dawned cool and overcast. I borrowed a shirt from Goldstein, and we set out for the Museum of Natural History, which was ridiculously crowded, so we wound up at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was delightful. While we were there, Delta Airlines called and asked to deliver my bag. Since I had less than 24 hours left in town, I decided just to send it back to JFK, where I would pick it up for departure. The rest of the visit was great...a nice hearty dinner, drinks at some fun East Village bars, getting lost on the subway twice (another funny story) and keeping my fingers crossed not only for myself, but for Goldstein, who was up for the role of (no joke) Rev. Billy Graham in a play.

Sunday morning came, and I trudged back to JFK, only to find that my luggage had been sent BACK to LaGuardia. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Fine, just send it to Birmingham. I made it back to Atlanta, and drove home without incident.

Indeed, the "tiny ship was tossed," in keeping with the Gilligan theme, but all ended well. I got home just fine, Goldstein did, indeed, get the role, and I am still hopeful that I will be among the "seven stranded castaways" on tour this spring.

This has turned into an epic posting, so I will close for now. I would, however, like to return a shout-out to my friend Aaron, who is performing in a professional production of "A Christmas Carol" right now, and sent me a nice break-a-leg on his blog. Thanks, Aaron, and God Bless Us, Every One!

In today's News From The Motherland...man cuts off own head with chainsaw to protest eviction...I would have thought a strongly-worded letter would be sufficient...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7737721.stm

Cheers!
FLT3

Shipwrecked...?

Well, this has been an eventful few days! Yesterday I arrived in New York to audition for the touring production of "Gilligan's Island:The Musical." I think the audition went well, and I was asked to read for the roles of The Professor, The Skipper, and Thurston Howell III. While I would obviously be thrilled with any of the three, anyone who knows me well (or at all for that matter) can guess what my first choice would be! :-)
It was nice to see my friend Lloyd Schwartz, who wrote the show and was at the auditions. We did not get to do much more than say hello, unfortunately, as I got into the city yesterday afternoon and he flew out last night. Oh well, hopefully I will see him at rehearsal in January (fingers duly crossed!)
I am staying until Sunday with another good friend, Jonathan Goldstein, who lives here now. We had a good visit last night, and are going to hang out in the city today and possibly see "Young Frankenstein" tonight. I think we are going to try and go to the Museum of Natural History today.
While NYC is always fun, the actual process of getting here has been rough. Between fog, delayed planes, etc. I barely made it. I have no idea when I will get my suitcase, which wound up at LaGuardia while I flew into JFK. They are supposed to deliver it to Goldstein's, but they're going to call me first...which will be difficult because my phone charger is in my suitcase and my phone is dead. C'est la vie, I suppose... it looks like I will be buying yet another charger today...

In other news, OBAMA WINS PRESIDENCY!!!!!!! (I can still see the headline! :-) I have a feeling of optimism and hope for the USA that I have not felt in years...and if Hillary becomes Secretary of State, well, that's not a bad consolation prize. I still wish she had been nominated/elected, but President-Elect Obama will do an outstanding job.

In today's News From The Motherland... Her Majesty gets a look at Facebook..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/berkshire/7728760.stm

FLT3

At Last, Election Day...

Well, after approximately four years of anticipation, Election Day is finally here. I feel good about our chances today. Barring some unforseen chicanery from the Republicans, we should coast to victory. I am going to vote in a few minutes, and encourage everyone else to do the same.

In today's News From The Motherland... election coverage, of course!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7707581.stm

OBAMA IN '08!!!!
FLT3

My Top Ten...

I had a delightful lunch today with Lovey and some friends...one of them (Lindsey) brought up the subject of everyone's top ten favorite musicals. That seemed a blog-worthy topic, so here are my top ten picks:

. My Fair Lady
. Bye Bye Birdie
. The Music Man
. Gilligan's Island:The Musical
. Kiss Me, Kate
. Oliver!
. Les Miserables
. Me And My Girl
. Thoroughly Modern Millie
. Anything Goes

Honorable mention also goes out to The Phantom Of The Opera, A Little Night Music, 42nd Street, The Secret Garden, Hair, Sweeney Todd, Camelot, The King And I, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and Grease.

So...assuming that my readers (all 12 of you) also have your own lists, I send out a call for submissions... what are YOUR top 10 favorite musicals?

In today's News From The Motherland... rowdy behaviour closes a pub in Kent.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7690684.stm

OBAMA IN '08!!!
FLT3

Update

Wow...it has been too long since I posted! Lots of exciting things going on...GREASE opens Friday, and lots of other projects are in the works. I am literally heading out the door right now, but just wanted to let all of my readers (who now appear to number in the double digits) know that I am alive, well, and will be returning to the blogosphere next week at the latest...

In today's News From The Motherland... Chunnel repairs near completion!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7671126.stm

Obama in '08!!!!

FLT3

Back To The Grind...

Well, RAPUNZEL has opened successfully, and today I am back at Vestavia High School, subbing for an English teacher. The kids are all seniors, and the largest class is 12 students, so it should be a very easy day...

GREASE is making its' way towards a 17 October opening, and we are on schedule. We have no time to waste, but we're completely blocked and choreographed as of last night, so we are ready to start running the show and finding the characters, etc. We have a talented group, so all should be well.

Tuesday night brought a fun event, singing with 5 friends at "The Club," a venerable Birmingham institution that has apparently changed very little since the Rat Pack era (and may it ever stay there! :-) Broadway tunes were offered after a seated dinner in a large ballroom...one could almost see Frank, Dino, and Sammy snapping their fingers along with the little piano/bass/drum combo.

This weekend is the annual Sidewalk Film Festival, which Lovey and I are planning to attend. The films usually range from brilliant to "what the hell," but are almost always entertaining for one reason or another...plus, it's a chance to wander around and drink beer in the daytime without being considered a complete reprobate...

On the political front, John McCain is suspending his campaign to try and straighten out the $700 billion bailout kerfuffle. Whatever. It sounds like he's running scared, in my opinion. Also interesting is the sudden proclamation from King Dubya that the economic sky is falling... (no sh*t, Sherlock.) One wonders how we went from a resilient, strong economy to the pits of despair in just a week or two.

Caribou Barbie continues to alternately amuse and disgust.

In today's News From The Motherland...Busta Rhymes detained at airport...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7635992.stm

OBAMA IN 08!!!

FLT3

TGIF

Oh yes, it is once again Friday...and there is joy in the air. The breeze is cool and soothing, and people on the street seem to have a bit more of a spring in the step. Smiles come more easily, and manners and courtesy seem heightened...

Okay, maybe that is a bit of a stretch, but people do seem happier on Friday. I would hazard a guess that fewer violent crimes take place on Friday. Let's hope so...

A grand and glorious greeting goes out to my good friend Selina, who found my blog through the increasingly ubiquitous Facebook. Hey, sugar!!!!! Counting Selina, my readers now number in the high single digits... woo hoo!!!!

Must make my way into the theatre for the next-to-final day of dress rehearsal for BCT's RAPUNZEL. The cast has done a great job!

In today's News From The Motherland... asteroid-a-rama!!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7623411.stm

OBAMA IN '08!!!

FLT3

Chez Pancake

Just returned from a Birmingham landmark...The Original Pancake House. Lovey and I indulged in (and I quote) "ridiculously sugary pancakes." For those who are unfamiliar with this pinnacle of skillet-baked breakfast comestibles, the OPH is to the IHOP what London is to Dubuque... the latter may be pleasant and enjoyable, but there is, quite simply, no comparison.

The OPH is snugly nestled in the Five Points area of Birmingham's Southside, so named for the confluence of five streets. The food is amazingly caloric, indulgent, and oh so good...pancakes slathered with butter, fluffy eggs scrambled in butter, toast with (you guessed it) butter, and so forth. This is not a place to visit if you are on a diet.

Okay, this paragraph is being written about eight hours after the preceeding text was saved as a draft, so I can now comment on the rest of the day. We had our final performance of I DO! I DO! today, and it was well received. Now I can turn my full attention towards BCT's production of RAPUNZEL, which I am directing (opening next week) and CenterStage's GREASE (opening 17 October.) I have no doubt that there will be more discussion of each of these in days to come.

Turning towards things political, the inevitable Republican flag-waving and rallying around McCain/Palin has begun. My thought is this... haven't the last eight years demonstrated the inefficacy of an idiot president being led around by a soulless and malevolent second-in-command? To quote my good friend and unsung philosopher Jonathan Goldstein, "I'm just sayin'..."

McCain seems an affable enough moron, but then so did Dubya in 2000. Palin gives me the shivers one would get in the presence of any despotic would-be dictator. Take it from me, friends, this woman is baaaaaaad news. Anyone who inspires hordes of people to revel in backward-assed provincialism is bad enough, but when she looks like an ill-tempered middle school librarian who enjoys kicking puppies? No thank you...

In today's News From The Motherland... the Black Pudding Toss is underway!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7615418.stm

OBAMA IN '08!!!
FLT3

Who knew "Das Boot" was the S.S. Minnow?

The things one can find on YouTube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYoRt33t8HQ&feature=related

Not much to report today...just a new treasure from the world of the internet.

In today's News From The Motherland... "Rule, Britannia" once again graces the final night of the Proms...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7613188.stm

OBAMA IN '08!!!

FLT3

Remembering WB

Today's post could easily go sad, but my goal is to keep it bright, funny, and enjoyable...just like the person it honors.

I lost a very good friend this week. Walter Brown McCord was a very special person. We first met 21 years ago when he was costuming Guys And Dolls for Theatre Tuscaloosa. A friendship was struck up immediately, and we were extremely close from that day on. The past 21 years have been richer for my having known him.

It is almost impossible to describe WB. He spoke with an inimitable (well, extremely imitable, actually) cadence and vocal inflection that was somewhere between British aristocracy and low-country Carolinian by way of New York. He was one of the most educated and sophisticated people I ever knew, yet could enjoy a ribald joke or silly humor with enthusiasm. Physically, he was somewhat of a scruffy John Gielgud with longer hair. His laugh was somewhere between a growl and a cough, no doubt a result of the cigarette that was seldom out of his reach. I sincerely thank God for all the laughs we shared.

WB was easily irritated in a comedic manner. He was affectionate and extremely kind, but his compliments were as often followed by "you little shit" or "sumnabitch" as not.

There are thousands of celebrity-filled stories surrounding his years in New York. I have no doubt that many of these stories were...shall we say...embellished a bit, but who cares? Each and every one was a gem, and some of my happiest memories involve sitting up well past midnight listening to his tales as WB slaved and cursed over a sewing machine, far behind schedule on whatever show he was costuming. He always promised that nobody would go onstage naked, however, and to my knowledge nobody ever did.

We had not seen each other as frequently over the past few years, as his health declined and he approached 80. We did, however, talk on the phone at least once every couple of weeks. (God, how I wish I could call him one more time...) I will always be grateful that when we hung up the phone, we always said "love you" and "love you too." Those were literally the last words we ever exchanged, and I can't think of a more appropriate adieu.

I will, no doubt, write more about WB in posts to come. His story is far too rich to be told in a single sitting. I am sad, I mourn his passing, but I also celebrate his life, which is exactly what he would have wanted me to do. Sumnabitch.

No News From The Motherland or YouTube today. This post is all about Walter Brown McCord.

FLT3

Oh Labor Day...

Apologies for the two-week hiatus. Between I DO! I DO! and a few other projects, I have been absent from the blogosphere. I will embrace the feeling of "back to school" that permeates the air and endeavor to write regularly.

Lovey and I went to a very nice party last night, given by some theatre friends. It was a relaxed, poolside affair with a convivial group. We enjoyed it as a nice ending to a full weekend.

Speaking of weekends, this is, of course, Labor Day Weekend. It was exactly 17 years ago (Sweet Mother of God) that some friends and I went Labor Day Caroling. Yes, you heard (read?) correctly...Labor Day Caroling. After a few festive beverages, we decided to compose our own carols...I can't recall the entire song list, but I do remember a snippet here and there. A particular favorite was "Rufus The Trash Man," sung to the tune of "Frosty The Snow Man."

"Rufus the trash man
Doesn't work on Labor Day.
He barbeques with his best friend Bill,
And a plumber named Jose..."

Also favored was "Oh Labor Day," to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree."

"Oh Labor Day! Oh Labor Day!
With joy we celebrate you!
Oh Labor Day! Oh Labor Day!
Although the bosses hate you!"

Yes...we were creative in those days. We even had a Labor Day tree, made of a wicker broom and cotton balls. Oh, the joys of youth and beer...

Tomorrow I begin rehearsal for RAPUNZEL, which I am directing for Birmingham Children's Theatre. The script is charming, and the cast is talented, so it should be a very successful project. I am looking forward to it. Also on the horizon is GREASE, which I am directing for CenterStage in October, The VST production of THE 1940's RADIO HOUR which opens in December (playing Clifton Feddington) as well as the BCT production of THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, which I am also directing. Add to this the monthly performances of ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE at Vulcan Park, and I have a busy fall theatrically speaking.

I believe I hear Lovey stirring about, so I will close for now. In today's News From The Motherland... UK shutterbug arrested for camera theft....okay, it's a slow news day... ;-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7591526.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Back To School...

I am subbing today at Vestavia High School...the first day "back to school" for me. I am always sort of sad at the end of summer (a holdover from so many years in school, I suppose.) That sadness has, over the past few years, been softened by the realization that now when I come to school, I get paid. That helps.

I DO! I DO! is coming along well. GREASE was just cast, and I am looking forward to getting started on it.

Life is good. Lovey is getting ready to begin teaching her fall classes, and has been hard at work on her syllabuses (syllabi?) In all, there is a feeling of preparation in the air...I am teaching an acting class at VST this fall, and must start the prep work for that this weekend.

In today's News From The Motherland... Faustina The Elder makes a re-appearance.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7560833.stm

And in more News From The Motherland... "Crazy Larry" quoted by the BBC...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7560392.stm

Obama In '08!!!

FLT3

More Spanish Gilligan and Midnight Special

I don't know why this amuses me so much...it just does...The Skipper's voice is too funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrTEAfd2oI0&feature=related

In another moment of joy... Andy Griffith sings "The Midnight Special." This is gold!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvYDpXfiDuQ

Just a quick post while taking a break from getting scenes prepared for GREASE auditions, which are tomorrow and Sunday. If rumor is to be believed, we are going to have a very large turnout. I am sure I will probably hear ten thousand renditions of "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee," but that's part of the game... I am leaning towards casting with an eye towards the movie in terms of age. With all of the "mature" subject matter, I would be much more comfortable with twentysomethings as opposed to actual 16-year-olds. That said, the role of Sandy is already cast with an actual teenager (Kimberly Piazza) but she is very mature and can hold her own with the older "kids."

Lovey and I attempted to watch "Zoolander" last night with IV and V. We both fell asleep halfway through, not because it's a bad movie (it's very funny) but because it was 11:00. Of course, after driving home I was wide awake and stayed up until almost 2am. C'est la vie...

Cool weather is supposedly on the way. The weather forecast predicted lows in the mid-60's tomorrow night. That should be refreshing...

If I have started to discuss the weather, it's time to close. In today's News From The Motherland... Snoop Dogg takes Bollywood by storm!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7549301.stm

Obama In '08!!!

FLT3

Shaking My Head...

As much as I enjoy blogging about fun, happy things, I am on a serious rant today...

A Birmingham woman has filed a lawsuit following the death of a two-year-old in a house fire. According to the news report, the fire was started by a five-year-old playing with a cigarette lighter. The woman is suing the store that sold the lighter, as well as the manufacturers and distributors of the item.

Sweet Jesus.

The death of a child is one of the most horrific things I can imagine. I can't even think about it too much, or I will literally burst into tears. My heart goes out to the family and loved ones who have lost someone so sweet and innocent.

That said, I can only shake my head in wonderment at the opportunism and cynical actions of this person. WHY THE HELL WASN'T SHE WATCHING HER KIDS? WHY WAS A LIGHTER LEFT WITHIN REACH OF TWO TODDLERS?

Worst of all...why is this woman trying to make money off such a terrible thing? To quote Rex Harrison in Dr Doolittle, "I do not understand the human race."

If you have small people in your world, please look after them. Here endeth the sermon.

Okay, deep breath... happier thoughts...

Rehearsal is progressing nicely with I Do! I Do! and the show should be in good shape by opening night. I have not heard the score in years, and I am constantly reminded of how much I love the music. It amazes me that the show isn't done more often. Yes, it's a bit dated, but if done as a museum piece, it works very well. There are also several comments and references that have stood the test of time.

Lovey received a nice little gift in yesterday's mail. She had some Texas friends in for a visit a couple of weeks ago, and they sent her some fun photos from their evening out. I have enjoyed looking at the pics...I need to take more photos of my friends and our activities. I used to be a camera bug, but have gotten less attentive to picture-taking over the past few years. I suppose if someone ever decides to chronicle my life, it will look as if very little happened between around 1997 and 2007. "The lost decade" does have a certain ring to it... :-)

In today's News From The Motherland... those wacky British teenagers...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/7546558.stm

Obama In '08!!!
FLT3

Viva!!!

Ever wonder what the Gilligan theme sounds like in Spanish? This made me smile... I love the way Thurston is described as "El Millionario!" :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HzmC5xX9pU&feature=related

Wonderful way to segue...today is Lovey's birthday, which is a very special day indeed...many happy returns, my dear! :-)

I have recently taken the plunge into the world of Facebook. I am still a newbie, but I can see where it could get addictive...like I need anything to keep me on the computer more hours per day...

In today's News From The Motherland...good news for the butterfly...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7542779.stm

Obama In 08!!!
FLT3

Doot Dooty Dooty Doot, Doot Dooty Dooty Doot...

Well, I must admit that my attempt to represent on the printed page (screen?) the opening riff of "We Go Together" might have been a bit cryptic at best, but there you are...

Lovey and I took Thurston IV and Thurston V to the historic Alabama Theatre this afternoon to see Grease, that wonderful film that shaped the childhood/adolescence of many a Generation X-er. I remember getting the record (for those under 25, that's a big disc that played music) when I was in the 4th grade. I think I literally wore it out within a year. Aside from a HUGE crush on the actress who played "Marty" (Dinah Manoff if memory serves) I absolutely loved the music, and wanted to be a T-Bird...or Vince Fontaine...or third nobody from the left...

One thing that I had never really noticed before is how well the film creates an amalgam of the 1950's (when the show is set) and the 1970's (when the movie was filmed.) There is a definite touch of funk in the score, and some of the fashions veer dangerously close to a sort of Lamont Sanford-meets-Sonny Bono sensibility. This little pastiche of period is, in a word, delightful.

I had NOT forgotten that Stockard Channing, as Rizzo, looked like everyone else's grandmother.

At any rate, everyone left the theatre humming and singing. Grease is, to this day, the word. I will be directing the stage version this fall, and today's screening has given me a good boost of enthusiasm. I anticipate a fun project...

In today's News From The Motherland... a farewell to Alexander Solzhenitsyn. I remember reading and enjoying One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich when I was in the 7th or 8th grade.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7540038.stm

Obama In '08!!!!

FLT3

Third One Today...

Yes, I am nothing if not prolific...

Dear Lovey has decided to take the plunge and join the blogosphere...well done, my dear!

For a look at Lovey's thoughts on relevant social topics of the day, please visit....

www.texaschick1.blogspot.com

Will let News From The Motherland rest on the third posting. Rule, Britannia!

In honor of Lovey, News From ANOTHER Motherland... Yee Haw!
http://www.dallasnews.com/

OBAMA IN '08!!!

FLT3

Aboard This Tiny Ship...

Yes, it's time again for one of the seldom-seen SAME DAY POSTS!!!! :-)

This one was too good to hold until tomorrow. My darling Lovey in her infinite knowledge of all things cool and neat, found (and forwarded to me) this article about a certain famous seagoing vessel...

http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/07/31/how-would-you-like-a-ride-on-the-s-s-minnow/

She is a very special lady. :-)

In the second of today's installments of News From The Motherland... a bit more "Potter" for all of us fans...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7535162.stm

OBAMA IN '08!!!

FLT3

Finally Facing My Waterloo...

At least I hope I'm Lord Admiral Nelson and not General Bonaparte...

Lovey and I saw "Mamma Mia" and I am still reeling from the ABBA-fest. ABBA has always been one of my favorite bands (yes, I'm that old) and hearing all this beloved music in an entirely new framework was exhilarating. No, Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan are not A-list singers, but it just didn't matter...they sold the songs, and the entire movie was a joy. I never stopped smiling! I was a bit disappointed when my favorite-of-all-time ABBA song (Waterloo) was not included in the film...and then at the very end, Meryl's character looks directly into the screen (4th wall shattered all to hell, but so what) and asks "Do you want one more?" Guess what...WATERLOO!!!! I was, to say the least, very pleased.

For those who love the song as much as I, a link...funky fashions and dance moves are a bonus treat!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUz5zXywhY

In today's News From The Motherland... Prince William update.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7534769.stm

OBAMA IN '08!!!

FLT3

Ersatz Europe

I just read a posting by my friend, Aaron. He and his girlfriend recently moved to Kannapolis, NC (which sounds somewhat faux Greco, but that's not where we're going today...) It seems that Aaron endured a rather grueling (note the cheeky reference to yesterday's post) experience in the dreaded Newark airport. Following said experience, however, he has arrived in Montreal. One can only imagine the rush of overwhelming relief he must have felt upon arrival...

Aaron's blog, btw, is well worth reading. You can check it out at http://www.butdonttrytotouchme.blogspot.com/

Never having been to Montreal (or any part of Canada) I am forced to rely on the rhapsodic praise I have heard re the city from several friends who have visited it. From what I have gathered, it is a very Francofied (sp?) city, with everything from language to architecture mirroring La Belle France (which I have visited several times and love!) I have no doubt that Aaron and Laurie will have a delightful time in such a place.

Now...given my admitted anglophilia, I have started to ponder the case for an American London. Rule, Britannia! (Yes, I just stood, faced Oxford, and sang the first two lines of the song... "Rule, Britannia! Britannia rules the waves!") Okay, maybe I'm lying about that...or maybe not...

Anyway, if Crazy Larry can push to have Birmingham host the Olympics in 2020, perhaps I could get him on board for "West London, Alabama." To wit, my ideas...

. Annex one of the outlying areas just beyond the Bham city limits...preferably someplace with very little development. West London needs to be built from scratch, both literally and figuratively.

.With the exception of "Little Ben," "West Westminster Abbey," and a Harrod's satellite store, any attempts to recreate actual London landmarks should probably be avoided. This is a refuge and an homage, not a theme park. The architecture and overall essence of The City is what we seek to replicate.

.Strong financial incentive should be offered to hire as many British expats as possible to work in the community. Hearing the dulcet tones of The Motherland will be part of the experience.

.West London would be the obvious locale for Alabama's arts and cultural center (The Western West End?) With all due (not much) respect to the City of Montgomery, the ASF should be relocated. Toss in a couple of first-rate local performing arts groups and a healthy touring schedule, and we're set. A lovely museum along the lines of the V&A would be nice...not sure what Larry's wife is named, but we could easily call it the "L& (whatever her first initial may be.)

. Pubs. Lots of them. This is not to say that West London will be some sort of lawless college-bar metrop. On the contrary, civilized drinking and social interaction will be the order of the day. The requisite brass and red-curtained "look" will be in place, as will the more civilized Euro-views on alcohol consumption. (Hand to God, the only drunks I have ever seen in the UK have been Americans... those of The Motherland are raised with fewer taboos, and therefore far fewer instances of gross overindulgence.)

.Fish and Chips stalls and Kebab vans. Enough said.

. While American Law will certainly still prevail, West London judges will wear powdered wigs in the style of their British counterparts. Attorneys will, of course, be called "barristers," while paralegals will be "solicitors." (The comparison isn't exact, but close enough...)

.British holidays will be observed, including Boxing Day and 5 November ("Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason, and plot...") 4 July will be a bit awkward, but good will and civility will certainly prevail.

...and the list goes on. This idea has about as much chance of ever happening as the 2020 Olympics in Birmingham, but Crazy Larry has taught us Birminghamians to think big. If nothing else, it's been a fun way to start the morning...

In other news, Lovey and I both auditioned for the commercial/tv show/whatsit yesterday, along with Thurston IV. I enjoyed the audition, but there was something decidedly sketchy about it. Nobody in authority seemed able to explain exactly WHAT the show was/is. All we gathered was...

. It has something to do with the environment.

. There are significant corporate sponsors (Coca-Cola and Nike were mentioned.)

. There is a large green bus that travels the country promoting "green" activity.

...and that's about it. The people in charge were extremely nice, very welcoming, and seemingly sincere. They just seemed unable (or unwilling) to tell us if this was an audition for a tv show, a live performance, or something in between. Oh well, we'll see if we hear back from them...

In today's News From The Motherland... The RSC and Sci-Fi fans collide...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7523210.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Gruel To Go...?

Having spent the past few days working on a children's theatre script adaptation of Oliver Twist, I am in a decidedly Dickensian frame of mind... fair warning that today's posting will most likely be verbose, flowery, and follow the "why use one word when ten will do" philosophy... (for those smartasses among my readers who were considering posing a question along the lines of "why should today be any different," too bad...I just beat you to it... ;-)

With said Dickensian bent firmly established, I have allowed myself a few minutes of silly reverie before starting the day... I have an image in mind of a Dickens-based fast food place... "Gruel To Go." It could easily be twinned with a bookstore (excuse me...it's Dickens Day...I meant to say a book-shop) along the lines of the cafe in Little Professor (a Bham book-shop for those out-of-town readers.) The menu could feature Oliver's Gruel (oatmeal,) the Cratchit Special (very little food for those watching their waistlines,) Uncle Pumblechook's Wine List (a bottle of port and a bottle of sherry, if memory serves,) and the Sydney Carton Health Plate for those who wish to be oh-so-virtuous (" 'tis a far, far, better thing I do...") And the list goes on... Little Dorrit's Kidney Pies... Miss Havisham's Wedding Cake... and the requisite Budget Deal (for those who have fallen upon Hard Times.)

Okay, so the place would probably not have a huge initial appeal beyond English nerds and academic types, but isn't that sort of wonderful? I think a little exclusivity is good for the soul, but that's just me...

As I forge ahead with this idea, I am envisioning a Tex-Mex establishment immediately adjacent. (The Brits and The Texans tend to mix rather well.) Perhaps a large advert of Charles Dickens arm-in-arm with Sam Houston would make for an interesting image... or possibly Annie Oakley (was she Texan? Oh well, if she wasn't, she should have been) holding a gun on Ebenezer Scrooge... oh the tie-in... "Did my 3-Alarm Texas Chili cause you to have heartburn and acid indigestion? Well, pard, get rid of the "Ghost Of Christmas Past" with new and improved Rolaids!"

This is getting bizzare, but I am following the lead of Mayor "Crazy Larry" Langford... sometimes you've just got to think outside the box...

Not much else to report from Lake Wobegon... I am auditioning today for a television show in the making...something about environmental concerns, etc...not sure if anything will come of it, but I figured it was worth a shot. Darling Lovey is going to accompany me for moral support. Perhaps I can convince her to audition as well...

In today's News From The Motherland... Nazis and orgies and hookers? Oh my...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7523034.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

#X!@* - ha ha ha

I started to title this "Feet: An Addendum" but the peals of profanity followed by laughter inspired an alternate header...

Darling Lovey continues to have pretty feet...however, one "pinky" has become somewhat disfigured due to a toe-stubbing incident. Such cutting-edge medical inplements as scotch tape are being utilized. (I might have suggested scotch as a viable anesthetic, but it is only 9am...anything heavier than a Bloody Mary would just be...well...tacky.)

She will live.

In today's News From The Motherland... Python ban lifted...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/7514423.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Feet

I have been thinking a lot about my feet lately. I am just reaching the point in life (40 looms imminent...oh God...) where the statement "my feet hurt" is starting to pass my lips with alarming frequency. I have never given a great deal of thoght to my pieds before now, and it's sort of amazing when you consider just how much our feet really do...assuming I learned to walk somewhere around the age of 1, my feet have been picked up and put down thousands of times each day for the past 37 years. That's a lot of punishment for a body part.

In one of his finest moments on "Hollywood Squares," the late great Paul Lynde was asked the following:

"What is the most abused and neglected part of the body?" (The answer: the feet.)

Lynde's response: "Well, mine has certainly been abused but never neglected..."

Perhaps it loses something in the re-telling in typeface, but insert Lynde's delivery and nasty snicker and you've got a comedic bon mot of epic proportions. The fact that he was wearing a leisure suit somehow made it even better...

Lovey has very pretty feet. Just thought I'd mention that.

My own feet are unremarkable, but slightly large. (Size 10 1/2) They are certainly not freakish, but just large enough that my shoes have been compared to boats on occasion.

Enough about feet. In today's News From The Motherland...those noisy scouts strike again...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/leicestershire/7509198.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Reefer Madness and Fried Food

I suppose today's header sounds like a party from just about everyone's college days... however, the real story is a bit different...

Last night Lovey and I saw "Reefer Madness:The Musical" at TNT, one of Birmingham's outstanding local theatres. My good friend Jan was in the cast, and I must admit that my initial impetus for seeing the show was to be supportive of her. I had seen the made-for-Showtime (HBO?) adaptation of the stage musical, and found it mildly entertaining, but it never really grabbed me.

I have no idea whether the show just works better on stage, or if I was just tired/distracted/etc when I watched the dvd, but wow...this production was HYSTERICAL! The staging was tight and fluid, the performers all bought in to the silly "over-the-top" quality of the script, the musicians were superb, etc etc etc...I could go on, but will settle for saying "this is an outstanding and entertaining show." Kudos to the cast and director, Carl Stewart.

Anyway, following the performance, Lovey and I joined a group of friends for a bite to eat. Obviously, most food readily available after 10pm is going to most likely be fried bar food. Okay, no problem...I can eat onion rings and other fried things and go home to bed with no problem... I did it all the time in college...sure, pass me the hot sauce, it'll make my sandwich taste soooo good!

Ugh.

The British have the most wonderfully evocative term... "gyppy tummy." My tummy has been beyond gyppy this am. Clearly, my days of eating a whole Domino's pizza washed down with a few beers and then drifting off to blissful sleep are left waaaaay back in the distance, along with "Don't Worry, Be Happy," Crocodile Dundee, neon clothing, the first President Bush, The Spice Girls, and "Matlock."

Enough about my digestive issues. Today is slightly cloudy, a little muggy, and bears the aura of a comforting, soft, reassuring blanket. If one has to feel a bit less than top drawer, this is the sort of day that will accomodate and soothe.

In today's News From The Motherland... apples and pears...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7501420.stm

Obama in '08!!!!

FLT3

Hot, Hot, Hot...

Great...I thought that was a clever title that I could tie into the fact that it has been hot as all-get-out for the past few days, and now I have that song stuck in my head...oh the bane of every wedding reception...the conga line to "Hot, Hot, Hot." There's always at least one (usually amusing) slip and fall, generally from an inebriated octogenarian. Bonus points if said oldster bounces up and says something wonderfully anachronistic like "whoop de doo" or "23 skidoo."

No, I have never seen this happen, but I'd like to.

The week is going well. I have been teaching at the CenterStage summer theatre camp, and all is going smoothly. We have a large group of very good kids...even the extremely hyper ones are good natured, sweet souls...not a mean spirit in the group, so they're just fine.

My best friend, Brent, is getting married next month, and plans are underway for the wedding. I got the info today on getting measured for tuxes, etc. That should be fun. (I will have to find out how one goes about acquiring a drunk 80-year-old who hollers epithets from the jazz age.)

Not much else to report...have spent some time with Lovey, which is always delightful. I had lunch yesterday with a good friend at a little drug store which still has (hand to God) a functioning soda fountain/lunch counter with the best hand-pressed limeade on Earth. If you ignore a few of the more modern amenities (which are few, indeed) it would honestly be possible to imagine a scene from the early 1950's. Cool place.

In today's News From The Motherland...churchgoers shamed by sham.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_east/7497411.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Back In '58, I Was Hell...

Home again after a delightful weekend getaway with Lovey. Details on said junket to follow, but first a story which bears repeating...

We encountered one of those delightfully nonsensical "snapshot of life" moments that make life worth living...imagine, dear reader, if you will, an elderly gentleman on the street. While slightly scruffy around the edges, he held no menace or threat...perhaps a bit tipsy in a sort of "livin' large and lovin' life" way...a 75-year-old man about town who may have gone a bit down at heel, but retaining an affable charm that most likely served him well back in the day...if Redd Foxx and an aging Richard Pryor could have borne a child, this would be him...you get the picture...benignly naughty and infinitely endearing.

Said gent was holding a pineapple. This is not a euphemism. He was literally carrying a whole pineapple.

Engaging in conversation with said chap was an attractive young woman of 25 or thereabouts. She was shapely, and slightly provocative in an appropriate way...a little plump in the best of ways...sexy/cute with just a hint of hoochie mama tossed deliciously into the mix.

These were not sketchy people...just worldly.

I can't remember what the fellow's exact words were, but he was clearly after the girl in a harmless, old-timer sort of way. I would hazard a guess that the flirtation was his end goal in and of itself. The girl never really stopped walking, but she slowed her pace, spoke back, and gave "Pops" a winning smile. He was apparently offering the pineapple as some sort of prelude to courtship...and amusingly so.

This was a very heartwarming scene which could have broken bad in so many ways, but it didn't. The old man was mildly lecherous but lovably so. The girl was rebuffing his advances but with a coquettish twinkle. No threatening aura here, and no broken hearts...just a dirty old man and a sweet young thing exchanging lighthearted words on the street.

In continuing the script after witnessing the moment, Lovey & I decided that somewhere in the conversation, the old gent had uttered...

"Damn baby! Back in '58, I was hell!"

Indeed he was.

In today's News From The Motherland...Mr. Brown encourages food conservation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7492573.stm

Obama in '08!!!
FLT3

Honoring A Giant...

While today is a very happy day (leaving for a weekend with Lovey, sun is shining, birds are chirping, etc.) it is also twinged with just a hint of sadness. It was today, 3 July, 1989, that James Gilmore Backus went to that great deserted island in the sky...

It's always sad when our childhood idols start to pass away, and Jim Backus was the first true "celebrity loss" I experienced. (Two years later, at the death of Rex Harrison, I experienced the second.) I remember being sad, but my first thought was "man, was he still alive?" Due to complications from Parkinson's disease, Backus had been out of the public eye for some time.

I won't go into a lengthy essay, but it should be noted that the man who gave us Thurston Howell III and Mr. Magoo was also a celebrated and talented golfer, who could have easily gone pro. He also suffered from depression and spent some time in a treatment facility, helped back "into the light" by his loving wife, Henny. (Did I mention that Henny Backus played the overbearing Native Mother in the episode "Gilligan's Mother-In-Law?" Okay, enough showing off...) Backus was also a great raconteur whose nightclub act never failed to draw capacity crowds...he got his start in his hometown of Cleveland, first on radio, and then as (no joke) a rabbi in a hassidic stage play. His Howell character was based on a similarly mega-wealthy character he created on the radio...Hubert Updyke III. (There was also clearly a large dose of Updyke in Mr. Magoo.)

Enough trivia. Today I celebrate the life of one of the great character actors of the mid-20th century, who also happened to have been a personal hero of mine. Rest in peace, Jim Backus...I am sure that somewhere up there on a cloud you are making everyone laugh. :-)

In today's News From The Motherland... oh happy Dane! (Okay, that was bad...)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7487143.stm

OBAMA IN '08!!!

FLT3

The Lights Of Long Ago...

I'm sure I have expounded upon the "music can take you back" theme before, so apologies in advance if some of this is familiar ground...

Had a delightful day yesterday, which included an afternoon visit from Lovey for cocktails... I am sort of proud of myself for having created a "Tangerine Sublett," an homage to the great actress of the same name. It makes a lovely and refreshing summertime treat...

One half jug orange/tangerine juice
One bottle dry champagne
One healthy slosh of gin
One twist lemon

Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with lemon slice, leaving a little room in the glass. Top off with Perrier. Enchanting!

Now, back to the story...while mixing said Tangerine Subletts, I put on some background music...Sheryl Crow, for the record, but that's immaterial... later on in the evening, I started to flip through the cd folder and came across a blank, unlabeled cd. When I played it, I realized it was the soundtrack from the Alan Mencken version of A Christmas Carol, which I directed a couple of years ago. For whatever reason, (Christmas in July?) I decided just to let it roll.

There is a particular song in the show, "The Lights Of Long Ago," which is sung to Scrooge by The Spirit of Christmas Past...the tune is very sweet and pleasant, but the lyrics of one verse spoke to me...

"...a child! Is this who you used to be?
A scene shining from your past?
The vast vistas of a memory?
The shadows you cast?
Mr. Scrooge, hold fast......

Onward through the night!
Onward towards the light!
Onward, to a place your heart will know...
Come remember the lights of long ago..."

At first glance, simple...but oh so significant...

I grew up in the same house from the time I was 6 years old, the house in which my parents still live. Whenever I contemplate the lights of long ago, they always seem to surround that house. While listening to the song, there was a rushing wave of memory that can only be described as a tsunami... birthday mornings from the 1980's...huge cookouts with my dad dutifully cooking enough bbq to feed an army...quiet Sunday afternoons that seemed hideously boring to a 15-year-old but now seem idyllic...sitting way out beyond the trees in the backyard drinking a "stolen" beer (from my parents' fridge) with my best high school friend...thousands of regular, normal school nights that seem so cozy in retrospect...a big family dinner the night before I left for 6 weeks at Oxford...the occasional snow from childhood, where muddy snowmen and sloppily-executed snow forts dotted the front yards...and so forth...

This story really has no point. Consider this a free-flowing observation as opposed to a plot-driven short story.

In today's News From The Motherland...elementary, my dear Borat...?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7484948.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Crazy Larry

Given that several of my handful of readers do not live in Birmingham, I have decided to devote a posting to the adventures of Larry "Crazy Man" Langford, who continues to make headlines on a daily basis. Larry is entertaining. Larry is zany. Larry is whacked-out.

He is also the mayor.

Having risen to his lofty height following the two-term administration of the sleepy, affable, but ultimately do-nothing Bernard Kincaid, Larry made the following statement during last year's mayoral campaign...

"Birmingham needs a crazy man to run this city...and I am that crazy man!"

Larry Langford was elected without a runoff.

In the less-than-twelve-months since his term began, Larry has...

.Placed inexpensive laptop computers in the hands of every public school child in the city. (Good Larry)

.Gotten indicted by the SEC for alleged financial wrongdoing. (Bad Larry)

.Proposed that the Olympics be held in Birmingham in 2020, made the statement that "a good old fashioned butt-whoopin' " would curb gang violence, fought with the city council, refused to speak to anyone from The Birmingham News, campaigned for the oft-defeated domed stadium, and flashed his trademark toothy grin at anyone who will stand still. (Crazy Larry)

I do not live within the city limits of Birmingham, so I do not, as the saying goes, have a dog in this fight. I can sit back and enjoy Larry's antics yet remain oddly untouched by them. This is a good place to be, in the reviewing stands, so to speak.

Long live Crazy Larry. Long may he reign.

In today's News From The Motherland...those wacky Swedes...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7482551.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Tangerine Sublett - Part 2

As I start my day, I find my morning coffee filled with Tangerine... (no, that's not good...)

While the dawn approaches, Tangerine... (no, too flowery...)

Oh Tangerine, where art thou... (Sweet Mother of God, no...)

Let it suffice to say that I am starting my morning with Tangerine on my mind. (That wasn't an epigram worthy of Wilde by any means, but it'll do.) Yes, the career of Tangerine Sublett seems to have been a fairly brief one...

http://www.tv.com/tangerine-sublett/person/177775/summary.html

Above is a link to her admittedly short bio at tv.com. Her credits include...one episode of "Sanford & Son." That seems to have been the one jewel of a performance she gave the world. Her imdb.com listing (below) is equally succinct...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2341076/

One sometimes entertains flights of fancy, and I am no exception...I have the sudden urge to purchase an apartment building, paint it light orange and call it "Tangerine Sublet(t)s."

Chances are, I will control this urge.

Onward, onward...I am teaching at an arts camp for the first three days of this week, and then taking a weekend getaway with Lovey...a three hour tour of sorts...I am really looking forward to it.

This has nothing to do with anything...just a photo of a bulldog surfing. It made me smile. :-)
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080628/photos_us_rank_afp/7e6670231653a2a685648e51eb2692ac/

In today's News From The Motherland...advertising pays off...with a cute baby! :-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7480748.stm

Obama in '08!!!
FLT3

Tangerine Sublett

No, I have not discovered a new citrus-based cocktail or an original flavor of Icee...I was just indulging in an evening of "Sanford And Son" with Lovey, Thurston IV and Thurston V. There was upon the screen...a classic...a joy...an epic episode of one of the greatest tv sitcoms this side of the island...

"A Pad For Lamont" tells the story of young Lamont's fledgling attempt at independence. The great actress TANGERINE SUBLETT (hand to God, I'm not kidding...to quote Thurston IV, "he's really not kidding...") played Fred's paramour in the episode. While Lamont pursues the lovely Darlene (with predictably tragic results) Fred re-establishes himself as a "playa" while romancing the widow Earnestine. We laughed. We cried. It was better than "Cats."

Not much else to report.

In today's News From The Motherland... man sells life. I would say something along the lines of "take my life...please," but I fear Lovey might groan at that one...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7479836.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Forty Seven Ginger Headed Sailors...

Two new YouTube treasures to share...two versions of the song immortalized for contemporary audiences by Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster in the BBC series Jeeves And Wooster...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqzzHwuseaM&feature=related - Jack Hylton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKAoet-wtws - Tommy Handley

It is quite impossible to hear this song and not smile. :-)

The following snapshots sum up my life right now. God is, indeed, in His heaven and all is right with the world...

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/gilligan_s_island___the_complete_first_season/_group_photos/jim_backus3.jpg

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/schwitz/healthnews/jim_backus_gilligans_island.jpg

http://espn.go.com/i/abcsports/mnf/2001/1008/photo/a_backus_i.jpg

Yes, there is someone special in my life...more on "Lovey" in subsequent posts...

What else? Obama continues in his quest for The White House, and I have accepted him as my candidate. There is still a titch of Hillary-grief in my psyche, but I am beginning to catch the wave of Obama momentum. He will be a fine president.

The Music Man has closed, quite successfully, and I Do! I Do! looms on the horizon. As far as things theatrical go, I have taught at one workshop this summer, and have two more lined up. Between those will come a couple of writing assignments to keep the wolves away from the door, as well as a trip or two. I have spent much of this week helping my dad put up a fence in his back yard...hard work, but rewarding...and good exercise!

In today's News From The Motherland...a well-deserved tribute to Nelson Mandela. I love Hyde Park, BTW... ;-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7475717.stm

Obama in '08!!!!

FLT3

Um...er...yeah...uh...right...

I just got this link from a friend of mine...I'm not exactly sure what the point is...did using this particular gasoline change a professional athlete into Tina Louise? Or did it give her the good sense to abandon football for acting? I'm so confused...still, though, a cool museum piece...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHxwjsjJRhY&feature=related

In today's News From The Motherland...a farewell to George Carlin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7468681.stm

Obama in '08!

FLT3

And the spaceship jumped over the shark...

Okay, I'll admit it...I watched it...I liked it...but I was a kid, and even then I had to admit that the series had started to stretch it a bit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JkWhlMJh0

For those who actually follow these musings with any regularity, I have not forgotten the "getting my thoughts together" comments of last week. I am still composing my thoughts, but have come up with the following...

.Sometimes you can blindly stumble into the happy place you thought could never exist.

More later.

In today's News From The Motherland...perfect weather for Ms. Poppins...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7467236.stm

Obama in 08!
FLT3

More Mr Magoo...

Second post of the day...this one is classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjjD94KYJOY&feature=related

FLT3

Defying The Block

Once again, a potentially incomprehensible header...one could easily be led to believe that I am standing up to some sort of tyranny (sp?) imposed by the other residents of my immediate neighbourhood (sp purposeful, Rule Britannia!) However, nothing so dramatic is meant...merely that I have been grappling with a delicious bout of writer's block. There is a lot going on in my life...substantial, good things are happening. Unfortunately, every time I try to put fingers to keyboard for the purpose of illuminating my readers (all eight of you) I can't find the right words to do my feelings justice. To steal a line from Harold Hill in the film version of The Music Man, "It isn't often I find myself at a loss for words..." The proper words will find their way to the page, but it may take a little while longer...

In the meantime, here is today's News From The Motherland...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7461764.stm

FLT3

Non-Political

It was recently pointed out to me (by someone whose opinion I respect) that my posts of late have been rather politics-heavy. With that in mind, today's post will not discuss the upcoming election. (Yes, it will be tough, but I can do it...)

I started a new book this week, a new offering by one of my favorite authors, David Sedaris. His tongue-in-cheek diatribes about his family are touching, humorous, and ring frighteningly true to anyone who grew up with slightly eccentric siblings and parents (as did I.) Having been most entertained by Me Talk Pretty One Day and Barrell Fever in particular, I picked up the new book with great expectations (lower case...I did not purchase Dickens and Sedaris in tandem...) So far, it has not disappointed...

The Music Man opened to great success this weekend. We have an amazing cast, and the group has come together beautifully. I could not be more proud! We received a good review from The Birmingham News...
http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2008/06/music_man_gets_rousing_centers.html

Tomorrow (well, today, actually) I start a week-long gig teaching at the Clay County Arts Camp. I will probably wind up spending half my salary (admittedly, a generous one) in petrol, but I am looking forward to it. I will be doing quite a bit of improv, which is a particular favorite of mine...

Not much else to report...the temperature continues to inch perilously closer to 100 degrees...and it's only the first week of June...ye gods, as Zaneeta Shinn would say...

Off to sleep for a few hours and then the work week begins...c'est la vie!

NOTE: I only just now realized (11 June) that I did not include News From The Motherland previously...consider the oversight corrected as we look at George W.'s final trip as president...thank God... (okay, I promised no politics, so I'll stop there.)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7447428.stm

FLT3

Citrus Compact Cars...

"Nothing too wild, now...maybe a runabout like that little white one over there..."

There's no great insight to the human condition contained in this cartoon...just a Mr. Magoo adventure that made me smile...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plyWxrHLE14&feature=related

"The Music Man" opens tonight, and I think we're in good shape. I am hopeful for a large audience, and the final dress last night went well. There were a few glitches...just enough to keep us on our toes tonight.

Not much else to report. Enjoy the cartoon! :-)

In today's News From The Motherland... "BBC The Musical?"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7437391.stm

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Gettin' Old...

Yesterday (4 June) was my birthday...and it was very pleasant. I received good wishes, lovely gifts, and sincere warmth from family & friends. As birthdays go, it was great.

I am also a year older. While 38 is not exactly dotage, I am starting to notice a few early signs of wear. The fact that I am doing "The Music Man" again just points out some of the inevitable signs of aging. My first time to play Harold Hill (not counting high school) was 11 years ago. At 27, I pretty much glided through the role, barely breaking a sweat. Going out for drinks and fun after rehearsal was a daily routine. At 38, I still feel confident in my ability to bring Professor Hill to life with appropriate zest, but by the end of the performance, I'm pooped. The energy level just isn't as high as it once was...oh well...

My girl Hillary has accepted the inevitable and graciously conceded to Obama. From this point, he is my candidate, but I am still hoping for a VP slot for Hillary. I honestly think that's the only way he can win. In honor of (and hopes for) the running mate, I will continue to conclude these missives with "Hillary in '08!!!"

In today's News From The Motherland... Spock plays The Fringe...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7436374.stm

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3