HAPPY HALLOWEEN

...or Hallowe'en, if you go with the NorthEastern contraction. (Having information like that cluttering up my head is why there's no room for anything remotely related to money-making, self-improvement, or any other vaguely useful topics...:-)

Reflecting on some of my favorite Halloween costumes as a kid...Thurston Howell III (which has been used several times as an adult,) Charlie Brown (ditto,) one year I was Yoda, complete with foam-rubber-filled three-toed feet, several years as a pirate or ghost when inspiration was low...

I am old enough also to remember the really cheesy plastic-smock-and-mask boxed costumes that all of us kids from the 1970's wore in our grade-school years. Yeah, that's right, kid, you look just like Spiderman...if Spiderman wore a plastic smock with a painting of himself on the front of it...

A few Halloween parties stand out in my mind, notably one from my senior year in High School. We'll keep this a family-related post, but let it suffice to say that a very friendly young lady demonstrated just how nice the dark corners of the Haunted House can be...another good year was in college, going as the seven castaways with 6 of my friends to a bar in Tuscaloosa and winning $300 as first prize. We more than drank away the prize afterwards, but the fun was in winning...and in seeing Thurston Howell III sing "Satin Sheets" as his karaoke selection (a definite side effect of having spent the brize money at the bar!)

On that lovely note...Happy Halloween, Hallowe'en, or whatever you call it. :-)

FLT3

Looking Ahead To Spring

Okay...today is in many ways one of the toughest of the year for me. It's the dreaded day when we go back to Standard Time and off Daylight Savings Time. It portends the coming of cold weather, dark at 5:00pm, and all sorts of other unpleasantness. I usually cope by computing the days to various landmarks on the road to the blessed Spring...Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, the 1st day of Lent, etc...all the way up to Easter and Spring.

Have I mentioned before that Easter is my favorite holiday? From the first strains of "Welcome Happy Morning" to the bright pastel colors to the smell of freshly-emerging grass...I love Easter. And I can't wait for it...I'm already counting the days...

The 1940's Radio Hour continues apace, as does Cinderella. Both shows are shaping up to be quite good. I have enjoyed working for Jack Mann, and have accepted the role of The Professor in his upcoming South Pacific. I have recommended my good friend Raymond Quintero for the role of Stewpot, and hopefully we will be doing the show together.

I had church and breakfast with my parents as usual this morning, and as always, it was very nice.

Last night was the annual Halloween party at Ron & Kim's, and everyone assembled had a good time. Their party has become a tradition, and is always fun.

I have been a bit slack over the past few weeks re my postings. As always, I enter the new week with the best of intentions of submitting daily entries. We will see...

FLT3

Dial "M" For Murder

Went with Melissa to see the Hitchcock classic Dial M For Murder tonight at The Alabama Theatre. I am always mesmerized by the beauty of this classic movie palace from the 1930's. Opulent is the only word I can use to describe it. For those who have not been there, it's well worth the trip. Gilded chandeliers, velvet-covered (and endless) stairways and an aura of bygone glamour define the surroundings. It would be a treat simply to tour the building and walk around. Even the restrooms are lavishly appointed.

As for the movie itself, I was pretty darn impressed. First of all, it was shown in 3-D, so everyone in the audience wore the silly but fun paper glasses. I'm sure I have seen the film before on television, but I couldn't remember much at all about it. I won't spoil the ending for those who may have never seen it, but it is definitely Hitchcock at his best...very suspenseful and clever. Grace Kelly was a bit wooden in her performance, but wow...as lovely as we all remember. The rest of the cast (including Ray Milland) was quite good, and the film itself seemed to perfectly reflect the baby-boom era's fascination with high glamour and chills. Compared to today's blood-n-guts horror movies, it was nice to see a truly spine-tingling but intelligent murder/mystery.

FLT3

1940's Radio Hour

I just realized that in the flurry of commentary over Phantom and Cinderella, I have said very little about The 1940's Radio Hour, which I am now performing with Hoover Library Theatre. Rehearsals are coming along very well, and the show itself is a fun, fast-paced visit with the songs of the 1940's WWII era. I play the role of Clifton Feddington, the stressed-out manager of WOV radio. More details on the production as we head towards a November 10 opening...

FLT3

The Phantom Of The Opry - Review

Check out the following site for a very nice review of The Phantom Of The Opry by Maree Atchison:

www.ebhm.org/theatre/

Just click on "link to reviews" and it should be right there.

As always, I promise a substantial post is coming soon...hopefully tomorrow.

FLT3

Cinderella Dresses and Phantom Films...

Today is a busy day...trying to get everything ready for "BOO at the Zoo," including finding a Cinderella dress that will fit the three different Cinderellas (Cinderellae?) that will be handing out candy over the next 2 weekends. Also trying to arrange for a second filming of Phantom Of The Opry, as the cast has really fine-tuned the show since opening night. All of this is do-able, but not if I sit at the computer all day...

I promise a detailed, more substantial post is coming very soon.

FLT3

The Half-Way Point...

Well, The Phantom Of The Opry has now had three solid performances, and the audiences seem to be enjoying it. Lloyd has left Birmingham for a couple of days to pursue the possibilities of the show having a Nashville run, in association with The Grand Ole Opry. Hopefully this will work out. It would be very exciting for the show to go on to something bigger and better, with CenterStage having been the petri dish for it all. This one will be worth watching.

This weekend is "Boo At The Zoo," which is a program sponsored by the Birmingham Zoo, inviting kids to come in costume and trick-or-treat in a safe, controlled environment. We will have a booth in place for Cinderella, which is kicking off rehearsal this week. This is always a fun event, and I am looking forward to our being a part of it.

FLT3

Just checking in...

PHANTOM has opened, and is a great success. All is pretty much running smoothly at this point, and both audiences that have seen the show have been appreciative and fun.

CINDERELLA rehearsal starts tomorrow. Onward, onward...it, too, promises to be lots of fun, and has a great cast.

Will do my best to write more tonight. Details of the weekend to follow...

FLT3

Another Weekend Arrives...

...and the world rejoices. Today brought the first truly chilly weather of the year. The temperature hovered in the mid-60's all day, and sweaters & jackets mysteriously appeared from closets across the city.

Lloyd Schwartz joined us tonight for the final week of rehearsal leading up to opening night of The Phantom Of The Opry. He seemed happy with the condition of the show, and I think we are in good shape for the week ahead and opening. Lloyd will be in town for the run of the show, and it will be nice to have him here.

I had a nice telephone conversation with my grandmother this afternoon. She is still going strong at 84, and is quite a special lady. She sometimes reads what I post here, so I guess I'd better try and keep it reasonably clean!

On the political front, it's interesting to see that Karl Rove is finally being held at least somewhat accountable for his sins, and that Dubya's approval ratings are going through the floor. I suppose that's what happens when you lie to the people on a daily basis, break the law with impunity, and start a senseless war. Hopefully the reign of the Republicans is about to be over. The 2006 midterm elections should start the ball rolling, making way for Hillary in '08.

The Clintons will be back. Let the party continue.

FLT3

Just to keep my posts current

It's late...it's been a long but very good and productive day. Tonight's entry will be short.

Lloyd Schwartz joins us tomorrow for the final week of rehearsal going into the show. We're in good shape, and I know the show will be a success.

Not much else to mention. All is well, and I am tired. That's all for now...

FLT3

NO MOORE!

Well, the inevitable seems to have happened. Roy Moore, national joke and former Chief Justice of The Supreme Court of Alabama has announced his intention to run for Governor.

I am trying to keep myself from throwing up.

For those who are fortunate enough to have been spared exposure to his idiocy, this is the same Roy Moore who placed a 2000-pound hunk of granite bearing the image of The Ten Commandments in the State Rotunda and refused a court order to remove it. After much flailing, wailing, and bad theatrics, Moore found himself removed from office. Now he wants to be Governor. What a joke. How laughable.

How sadly possible.

Moore has learned his lessons well. Alabama politicians have known for years that if you can convince the hysterical religious fanatics that you are on "God's side," you will get elected. The brand of Christianity preached by Moore and those of his ilk is big on the concept of God taking an active role in daily affairs of state and government. Never mind all that nonsense about loving your neighbor and showing compassion and forgiveness for your fellow man, just make sure that you can carry a gun and that your children can pray in school, and all is well.

I have wanted to move to England for years, and this just may send me there once and for all. Even the thought of living in a state governed by Roy Moore, in a country presided over by George W. Bush is enough to make me physically ill. Fanatical puritans rejoice...your day may well be coming.

On the other hand, I may be underestimating the people of Alabama. Perhaps most of them will have the sense God gave a turnip. Perhaps they will realize that a right-wing lunatic who uses the name of God to further a third-rate political career is "taking His name in vain" in the worst way.

Anyone who reads my posts is well aware that I believe in God. I go to church. I am not some Godless heathen, nor am I some sort of whacked-out atheist. I just have a HUGE problem with a dumbass like Roy Moore placing himself above the law and trying to hide behind The Bible to justify his own unfounded sense of importance.

If you live in Alabama, PLEASE VOTE when the time comes. I'll most likely be voting for the Democrat (probably Don Seigelman, if things stay on their current path.) If you don't like Seigelman (or whoever) then vote for the Republican (Riley, unless something bizzare happens.) Vote for an independent. Vote for the Green Party candidate. Vote for the Reform Party candidate. Write-in Mickey Mouse, Curious George or Dennis The Menace for all I care, but please do not vote for this idiot.

FLT3

Random Monday Musings

It feels like summer today, with a predicted high temperature of 88 degrees. I can live with this.

I have my first test in Educational Psychology today. I feel prepared, and I think I will do well. It's an interesting class, and the teacher is very lively, so it's easy to pay attention.

"Cinderella" auditions seem to have gone well. Melissa should be posting a cast list relatively soon.

"Opry" had its' first night in the theatre last night, and while there were many of the expected train wrecks, overall, we got a lot accomplished. I am sure that subsequent rehearsals will go more and more smoothly.

Church and breakfast yesterday avec mes parents. As always, after I got over the horror of getting up in the middle of the night (6:30am) it was very nice. I have come to really look forward to our weekly visits.

Last night was also the read-through for "The 1940's Radio Hour", which is being presented by Little Theatre Players, another Bham arts group. I am playing the role of Clifton Feddington, which should be great fun. The cast seems to be particularly strong, so it should be a good show.

More later...

FLT3

Off To The Ball...

This morning was the first round of auditions for Cinderella, which Melissa is directing. It will be nice to have a little break before I direct The King & I in the spring. There was a pretty good turnout today, and as there is another audition tomorrow afternoon, I am sure she will have no difficulty in assembling a good cast.

The Phantom Of The Opry continues to develop quite well. Lloyd will be joining us in about a week for the last few rehearsals before opening. It's exciting to work alongside the playwright, and I think we're going to have a very good and enjoyable show.

It's shaping up to be a nice day outside, and I may have to do something outdoors. There are at least two or three very nice little parks within walking distance, so an afternoon stroll may be in my future. The couple downstairs has about ten million dogs, and I can hear them all excitedly heading out for a walk. Remember the neighbor's dogs in the movie A Christmas Story? Well, substitute pug puppies for scruffy hound dogs, and that's a fairly accurate description of what now heads down the back stairs. The pups are cute, but I can only imagine the smell inside that little apartment. Actually, scratch that...I don't WANT to imagine the smell...

I have my first test in Educational Psychology on Monday. Piaget's Theory and Maslow's Hierarchy of Need, and other enjoyable, light reading. (To tell the truth, it's not so bad...even kind of interesting.) I haven't taken a test since law school, which was over 5 years ago, so it'll be interesting to see just how many brain cells I have left. I would guess around 7 or 8 at least...

Today is the first day of October. Celebrate accordingly. :-)

FLT3

OPRY Publicity

We seem to have hit a small gold mine in terms of publicity for CenterStage's upcoming production, The Phantom Of The Opry. Two television stations are doing feature spots, along with two radio stations and The Birmingham News. I am quite hopeful that this will bring a good solid audience base through the doors. The show itself is going to be very good and entertaining, so all seems to be flowing in the right direction.

It's Thursday again...they do seem to come round with great frequency, and the little emotional uplift that comes with Thursday is as always pleasant. There is a slight chill in the air this evening, which for some bizzare (and welcomed) reason is making me rather cheerful. I'm sure I will always prefer Spring and Summer, but maybe I am finally getting over my complete distaste for cooler temps.

FLT3

Just My Opinion...

Some random thoughts:

. Peanut butter is particularly good on toast, which ever-so-slightly melts the peanut butter, creating a tasty treat with a glass of cold milk.

I read Joan Didion's memoir on death and dying in last week's New York Times Sunday Magazine, and was shocked to realize that I really enjoyed it. I remember reading Play It as It Lays years ago, and liking it, too. I should read some of her other work.

. The Doors recorded the background music for almost everyone's college years, even those of us who were not even born in the band's heyday. I still can't hear "Riders On The Storm" or "Break On Through" without being immediately transported back to 1989 or thereabouts.

. Ditto the B-52's "Rock Lobster" or "Love Shack."

. I hardly ever read a book cover-to-cover without jumping around. I always finish a book when I start it (well, I guess I should say "usually" instead of "always," but there you are.) The point is that I frequently jump around and read the most interesting parts first. I used to think this was strange...now I don't really care.

. Technology intimidates me...I would love to own an iPod, a Blackberry, a digital camera, etc., but I know I would just stare at them and never figure out how to use them.

. I miss Bill Clinton. Politics aside, there was an optimism about the country during "Brother Bill's" tenure, and I attribute much of this to the fact that America had a true LEADER, with a charisma unseen since Kennedy. Clinton had an almost rock-star aura of celebrity about him, and there was no doubt that this guy was THE PRESIDENT. Bush will never have that kind of style. (HILLARY IN '08!)

. There's something kind of nice about an older shopping mall. I'm talking about the ones that still have that 1970's decor and atmosphere. Even if the stores are less than first-rate, it's fun to wander through a mall with individuality and character. Oddly enough, there is almost always a bookstore in an older mall, and I love bookstores.

. HBO has started a new original series, Rome, which I enjoy. I love The Sopranos, and really liked Six Feet Under, Oz, and Carnivale. I have never been able to get into Deadwood or Entourage. I was sort of neutral on Sex And The City... I usually enjoyed it when I happened to watch, but never really got hooked. Curb Your Enthusiasm has got to be one of the funniest shows ever created.

. I've never been a sports fan, but for some reason I can enjoy watching a couple of innings of baseball. I went to an Atlanta Braves game once, and had a great time watching the crowd, drinking beer, and generally being a part of the experience, but I don't think I watched very much of the game.

. There's a feeling of accomplishment that comes with washing clothes. Seeing a pile of wrinkled, smelly, used-up clothes become fresh and renewed in less than an hour always makes me think I have somehow made good use of my day.

. There used to be an ice cream parlor in Birmingham called Farrell's. It was in the old Brookwood Village, downstairs by the parking deck. When I was a kid, it was a real treat to go there. I have no idea why I just thought of Farrell's, but there it is...

. I like the smell of Glade air fresheners...the little rotating plastic-cone ones. Do they even still make them? I remember in particular that I like the smell of the green freshener in the tan cone.

Enough free-flowing thought...signing off until tomorrow.

FLT3

Birthdays, Comments, England and UAB

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER, RONEE NELSON!!!! She celebrates her special day today, September 27, 2005. No, I won't tell you how old she is. Ask her yourself, if you really want to know. :-)

I'm still smiling over the comment on Sunday's post by Paul McCracken. Apparently it appears that I give excessive and gushy praise to attractive females (ie Connie, Siusan, Ashley, etc.) who write responses to my entries. The implication is that I would somehow give preferential treatment to a reader just because of her beauty and feminine charms...that I could somehow be swayed from total objectivity by a beautiful girl.

Well...yeah.

In all fairness, however, I have to give a shout out to Paul. He's a good guy and a good friend, so thanks, Paul, for reading and commenting. I'm glad to hear that you & Nancy will be going to New Orleans in December. As soon as possible, all of us who love The Crescent City need to start going down and pumping some life and commerce back into the infrastructure.

I made a new friend today via email...the sister of a girl I interviewed for "Tapestry" a few weeks ago. She is studying at Wadham College, Oxford, which is where I spent an AMAZING summer through the "Alabama At Oxford" program when I was an undergraduate at UA. It will be nice to have an e-mail pal in the UK, especially one at Oxford. Anyone who has ever been there knows what a truly magical place it is. I will definitely live in England someday...I have never been as blissfully, completely, soul-fulfillingly happy as I have been on that "Sceptered Isle." It's ironic that even as much as I dislike cold, gloomy weather, I have never found the grey London winters anything but cheerful.

School is going well...in case I have never mentioned it, I have gone back to school to get yet another degree...this time in Education (Secondary/Language Arts.) Pretty soon I will be able to wallpaper my house with diplomas, yet I still seem to have trouble deciding what to be when I grow old. (Having "grown up" years ago, I had to amend the expression! :-) I like my classes, and I think I will enjoy teaching. After this degree, Medical School is about the only option left, and I can say with 100% certainty that this is NOT an option! (I think I finally passed "Biology For Idiots" after the third try!)

FLT3

I Always Thought A Hurricane Was A Drink...

More destruction in New Orleans, now that Rita has made herself known. I don't think I have ever been to the 9th Ward per se, but I do love New Orleans. The irony is that I used to have a t-shirt that said "I love New Orleans for the weather...especially the HURRICANES!" (Obviously in reference to the beyond-potent beverage so often associated with Mardi Gras.) That shirt was donated to Goodwill years ago, but I remember it well.

The good news appears to be that the flooding is not as severe as that experienced with Katrina. Hopefully everything will get back to normal soon.

As usual, church and breakfast with the parents. We had our customary nice visit, which is always one of the bright spots of my week. There is an older couple who sits in front of us every week, and the husband (Walt)& I usually crack a few jokes together. Today there was no priest waiting to greet the congregation at the back of the church (there usually is) so Walt extended his hand and indicated that he would be willing to serve as interim pope, allowing the congregants to kiss his ring as they exited. He's a nice and funny guy. (Although I did have to remind him that we're Anglican...our allegiance would be more to Canterbury than to Rome.) Oh well, it did make a good joke.

PHANTOM OF THE OPRY continues apace, and will be quite a good show. More details as they arise. Happy Sunday!

FLT3

Thursday Returns

Well, once again, it's Thursday...they seem to be coming round more and more frequently. )I wonder if they've added a second Thursday to the week?) The previously discussed feeling of happy anticipation is here as usual. It's kind of nice, and seemingly reliable, having lasted for almost 20 years. Another reliable feeling is the absolute inner peace I always feel in Westminster Abbey...I have even entered it on occasion with some fear that I would NOT feel utter and complete peace, only to find that it is seemingly eternal...(much like what The Abbey represents!) I haven't been to London in a couple of years, and I am eager to get back there soon. The Abbey will most likely be my first stop...

Today has been a long day. The ONB promo went very well, and we managed to put CenterStage brochures in approximately 200 hands. All assembled seemed to have a good time, and in spite of a somewhat befuddled preparation period, we managed to present a quality product. Time will tell if we sold any season tickets.

I am listening to "Coast to Coast" as I write...as usual, the freaks come out at night. (Well, at least they pick up the phone.) Radio really is the one true public medium. (Translation: any idiot with a telephone and a willingness to stay on "hold" for a few hours can have his/her 15 minutes of fame.) God bless 'em, though...they sure are entertaining!

FLT3

The Show Must Go On...

Before anything else, thanks to Ashley for the sweet comment on yesterday's post. It's always nice to know that people are reading what I write. :-)

Now, on to today's subject...

Tomorrow morning at the beyond-ungodly hour of 7:00, our merry little band of performers from last weekend's Bravo Festival will be presenting the same little preview show at a breakfast meeting of ONB (Operation New Birmingham for you out-of-towners.) This group seems to be comprised of largely monied and influential business-types, all with disposable incomes (and presumably at least a passing interest in the performing arts) so we will certainly try and make a good impression. Our contact person is Diane McNaron of "Politically Incorrect Cabaret" fame. She has been dealing with all sorts of headaches from the organizers (some unnamed advertising firm, if I understand correctly), including incorrect performance times, inaccurate directions to the venue, and all around we-don't-have-our-shit-together mistakes. However, all seems to have finally been worked out, and I'm sure we will be warmly received. This is apparently a new "Random Acts Of Art" venture, so one can assume that such mistakes will happen less and less with time.

Initial steps are being taken to record a "Christmas Album" by the members of "Down Home Opry" (aka the cast of The Phantom Of The Opry.) More on this as it develops, but the working title is "Carly's Country Christmas." We plan to record it in time to sell cds at intermission. It should be great fun, and will certainly make a wonderful keepsake as well as a truly nice Christmas album. Fa-la-la-la-la...

Daylight Savings Time is drawing to its' inevitable close, and I feel depression looming on the horizon. I have to tell myself that Spring will return, and that Winter is not inherently evil...please help convince me of that, dear readers. If anyone has cheerful, good winter thoughts, I'd love to hear them. All I can think of is cold, gloomy, desolate months of no sunshine and depressing dead trees. I'm usually OK until after New Year's, and then about a ten-week period of complete lethargy and sadness settles in until mid-March when things warm up and start blooming. Easter is my favorite holiday, and always one of the very last mileposts on the Sprint to Spring. For those who are curious, these include:

.Halloween - The first halfway happy/fun event in the Fall.
.Thanksgiving - The first major holiday of the "Holiday Season."
.Christmas - Usually somewhat happy, despite fleeting moments of depression.
.New Year's Eve - Festive most of the time, provided there's a party. Even if there's not, it's
the end of the "end of the year months" of Winter.
.New Year's Day - Almost always HORRIBLE (hangovers, cold weather, and I don't like
football...this day is beyond bad!)
.Valentine's Day - Can be good, bad, or uneventful...but February is half over.
.March 1st - THE FIRST DAY OF MARCH!!!! No matter how dismal, rainy, or cold it may be,
this day always brings a little lift...a parting of the psychological clouds.
.March 9th - My mother's birthday. Always a landmark. Spring is getting really close
.March 22nd - The First Day of Spring. A sigh of relief is heard. Things are getting green.
.Easter - MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY!!!! "Welcome, Happy Morning" and "Hail Thee, Festival
Day" are heard in church...eggs are colored, jelly beans eaten. Halleluiah!
.Daylight Savings Time returns - Life seems bearable again. Spring is in full bloom.

Someday, I will buy a house on the equator.

FLT3

Thoughts on Wal-Mart

Walking through Wal-Mart at 11:00 at night definitely gives one some insight into the sheer freaking magnitude of consumer culture in Western Society. The Wal-Mart on Lakeshore Drive was one of my frequent haunts during Law School, when I lived at Wildwood Crossings, but after moving to Southside, I haven't been there as much. Tonight I went there with Melissa while she shopped for Alabama and Auburn memorabilia to decorate for her blood drive tomorrow. (I guess they assume people will be more likely to donate blood if there are college football items sitting around.) Anyway, the store was PACKED, not with customers, but with workers stocking shelves, unpacking gigantic boxes, etc. It was almost like watching Santa Claus and the elves making toys for Christmas...a sort of glimpse at the secret creation of what we take for granted.

That's enough deep thought for tonight.

FLT3