Circles Within Circles.. Jewish Boys and Flying Nuns...

"Evita" rehearsals are moving quickly. Yesterday we staged "Goodnight and Thank You", which through the use of a revolving door, symbolizes Eva Duarte's "sleeping" her way to the top. There are a series of lovers (based on actual men) who come through the door, each one more powerful than the next. Each time Eva appears, she is in a nicer robe, finally winding up in white satin with marabou feathers. We then spent the remainder of the day on vocals for "New Argentina" and the balcony scene at the top of the second act. Today is the "Charity Concert" sequence where Peron and Eva Duarte first meet and the beginning of the staging for the Aristocrats. The military portion of the number has been staged.

The circles I refer to are in friendships which I am making through Live Journal. After rehearsal yesterday, I made my way to the stage door of the Belasco Theatre so that I could meet John_NYC and his partner Chip. Chip is playing "Dracula" and we had a nice opportunity to visit and get to know each other a bit and compare notes:) John, who knows me through Live Journal, is Chip's partner; Chip and John are friends of Joel and Scott; Joel is in the "Evita" tour with me; Chip worked on "La Boheme" for several months and is friends with my friend Bill, whose apartment I'm staying in here in NYC and who was in the cast of "La Boheme". John and Chip are also friends of Gary (fuzzygruf), Steven (doubleohsteven) and Cameron (handlebear) in San Francisco with whom I spent a wonderful day in Muir Woods a month ago. In addition, Chip is familiar with Bob (lowfatmuffin) through another forum. Like I said.....circles....

I really enjoyed the visit with John and Chip last evening. As we stood in the outdoor backstage area, John who worked as a personal assistant to the musical staff during the preparation and rehearsal period for "Dracula", was able to greet folks he had become fond of during that several months period. I wasn't prepared for the hirsute bundle of energy LJ named john_nyc; he's really a very sweet man, full of ideas, questions and mischief. Chip was delightful and charming, our talks centered on our mutual love of theatre and our common experiences. What a nice couple! Oh... though he had to take a phone call just before Chip was going to introduce me, I was able to stand by while Chip and John got to visit with composer Frank Wildhorn. Frank is a very handsome straight bear. Maybe next time:)

Chip had to go to work, so John and I walked across the street and went for Mexican food, chattering away like old friends. I can't explain how rewarded I've been by meeting the men who have come across my path through Live Journal. I feel blessed... After dinner, John went way out of his way to walk with me from Times Square up to 71st and Broadway where I am staying. Sights during the walk, which greatly aided our digestion, were colorful. John and I kept seeing dozens of young Jewish men in long black coats, white shawls, white shirts with tails sloppily askew and soft black floppy hats, running the streets. It looked like a casting call for Yentl chases the bulls in Pamplona:) As we turned the corner of my street, there were dozens of Nuns leaving a theatre under a nearby Catholic church. The performance was titled "Women Who Have Served". I don't think the nuns were from America, as their dress was very traditional... even old-fashioned... think Sally Field in "The Flying Nun" with the big white hats:)

Another adventurous day completed in New York... chock full... completing circles within circles... new friendships begun... midst Jewish boys running...and flying nuns....

Circles Within Circles.. Jewish Boys and Flying Nuns...

"Evita" rehearsals are moving quickly. Yesterday we staged "Goodnight and Thank You", which through the use of a revolving door, symbolizes Eva Duarte's "sleeping" her way to the top. There are a series of lovers (based on actual men) who come through the door, each one more powerful than the next. Each time Eva appears, she is in a nicer robe, finally winding up in white satin with marabou feathers. We then spent the remainder of the day on vocals for "New Argentina" and the balcony scene at the top of the second act. Today is the "Charity Concert" sequence where Peron and Eva Duarte first meet and the beginning of the staging for the Aristocrats. The military portion of the number has been staged.

The circles I refer to are in friendships which I am making through Live Journal. After rehearsal yesterday, I made my way to the stage door of the Belasco Theatre so that I could meet John_NYC and his partner Chip. Chip is playing "Dracula" and we had a nice opportunity to visit and get to know each other a bit and compare notes:) John, who knows me through Live Journal, is Chip's partner; Chip and John are friends of Joel and Scott; Joel is in the "Evita" tour with me; Chip worked on "La Boheme" for several months and is friends with my friend Bill, whose apartment I'm staying in here in NYC and who was in the cast of "La Boheme". John and Chip are also friends of Gary (fuzzygruf), Steven (doubleohsteven) and Cameron (handlebear) in San Francisco with whom I spent a wonderful day in Muir Woods a month ago. In addition, Chip is familiar with Bob (lowfatmuffin) through another forum. Like I said.....circles....

I really enjoyed the visit with John and Chip last evening. As we stood in the outdoor backstage area, John who worked as a personal assistant to the musical staff during the preparation and rehearsal period for "Dracula", was able to greet folks he had become fond of during that several months period. I wasn't prepared for the hirsute bundle of energy LJ named john_nyc; he's really a very sweet man, full of ideas, questions and mischief. Chip was delightful and charming, our talks centered on our mutual love of theatre and our common experiences. What a nice couple! Oh... though he had to take a phone call just before Chip was going to introduce me, I was able to stand by while Chip and John got to visit with composer Frank Wildhorn. Frank is a very handsome straight bear. Maybe next time:)

Chip had to go to work, so John and I walked across the street and went for Mexican food, chattering away like old friends. I can't explain how rewarded I've been by meeting the men who have come across my path through Live Journal. I feel blessed... After dinner, John went way out of his way to walk with me from Times Square up to 71st and Broadway where I am staying. Sights during the walk, which greatly aided our digestion, were colorful. John and I kept seeing dozens of young Jewish men in long black coats, white shawls, white shirts with tails sloppily askew and soft black floppy hats, running the streets. It looked like a casting call for Yentl chases the bulls in Pamplona:) As we turned the corner of my street, there were dozens of Nuns leaving a theatre under a nearby Catholic church. The performance was titled "Women Who Have Served". I don't think the nuns were from America, as their dress was very traditional... even old-fashioned... think Sally Field in "The Flying Nun" with the big white hats:)

Another adventurous day completed in New York... chock full... completing circles within circles... new friendships begun... midst Jewish boys running...and flying nuns....

Began with a Bang, Ended with a Whimper of Relief...

My day began full of promise. My rehearsal day didn't start until 12:30pm and I was able to get some bills paid, make a couple of calls and have a nice leisurely morning. From there on, the tenor of my day began to shift and slide downward.

I've been conceiving a plan to consolidate and eliminate debt and bring my investments and retirement funds under one umbrella. I followed through on all of the details, but today a snag in the plan reared its ugly head and I will have to pursue the issue long distance, always a hindrance in effective action. Any time my financial plans get sidetracked, I get a little out-of-sorts, so that started the shift in attitude.

Rehearsals were fine, but after only four days, some of the high-maintenance personalities are emerging... making themselves known. We learned most of the choreography for the Aristocrats today, which is very difficult for everyone, but it gets even worse when there's a diva fit; or worse yet, someone in the number who cries and makes it "all about them". Oh well (sigh), at least I've learned that there are two people to avoid when I'm not at work... I suppose it is better to know early on who will want to be the victim or the center of attention in every situation. My tolerance for the "crazy-makers" is very limited, so maybe I did better than I thought at just staying quiet and letting the bullshit play itself out without my imput:)

I got a call from my sister tonight after I got home from work. My Mom fainted in a store in Brenham and was taken to the local hospital. They didn't find anything major wrong, but have moved her to a hospital in Bryan/College Station. She is going to have tests run tomorrow and be seen by a cardiologist.

Seems that my Mom has been telling us one of the medications she takes is for her kidneys, when in reality it is for high blood pressure. Colleen is pretty knowledgable about meds and says that the blood pressure medication could actually be interfering with Mom's kidney functions. Mom isn't in any danger; it may simply be a heart flutter, but when I'm this far away, working a job I need to complete, I've got to admit a bit of anxiety over Mom's health, my distance and any number of scenarios. Bottom line - Mom has to make permanent changes in her diet and she is incredibly stubborn about the subject.

Finally, I am really irritated by the problems I'm having with Live Journal. I'm on my G3 Powerbook which is about four years old. My access is through AOL 5.0 and everything about the site is different, or difficult, except for creating posts. The dates are off and change to January 2106 every time I post. I am often not allowed to comment on friends' posts. I want my LJ friends to know that I am doing everything I can to read everything and often have comments to make, but I just can't get them to post properly. It may be a long tour unless I can update my equipment in some way, so as to be better able to keep in touch.

So this day went to hell in a handbasket. It began with a bang, but is ending with a whimper of relief. Just know I'm out here in cyberland, reading you words and sharing in your lives. I'm sure that tomorrow will be a better day and that Mom will be fine....or else:)

Began with a Bang, Ended with a Whimper of Relief...

My day began full of promise. My rehearsal day didn't start until 12:30pm and I was able to get some bills paid, make a couple of calls and have a nice leisurely morning. From there on, the tenor of my day began to shift and slide downward.

I've been conceiving a plan to consolidate and eliminate debt and bring my investments and retirement funds under one umbrella. I followed through on all of the details, but today a snag in the plan reared its ugly head and I will have to pursue the issue long distance, always a hindrance in effective action. Any time my financial plans get sidetracked, I get a little out-of-sorts, so that started the shift in attitude.

Rehearsals were fine, but after only four days, some of the high-maintenance personalities are emerging... making themselves known. We learned most of the choreography for the Aristocrats today, which is very difficult for everyone, but it gets even worse when there's a diva fit; or worse yet, someone in the number who cries and makes it "all about them". Oh well (sigh), at least I've learned that there are two people to avoid when I'm not at work... I suppose it is better to know early on who will want to be the victim or the center of attention in every situation. My tolerance for the "crazy-makers" is very limited, so maybe I did better than I thought at just staying quiet and letting the bullshit play itself out without my imput:)

I got a call from my sister tonight after I got home from work. My Mom fainted in a store in Brenham and was taken to the local hospital. They didn't find anything major wrong, but have moved her to a hospital in Bryan/College Station. She is going to have tests run tomorrow and be seen by a cardiologist.

Seems that my Mom has been telling us one of the medications she takes is for her kidneys, when in reality it is for high blood pressure. Colleen is pretty knowledgable about meds and says that the blood pressure medication could actually be interfering with Mom's kidney functions. Mom isn't in any danger; it may simply be a heart flutter, but when I'm this far away, working a job I need to complete, I've got to admit a bit of anxiety over Mom's health, my distance and any number of scenarios. Bottom line - Mom has to make permanent changes in her diet and she is incredibly stubborn about the subject.

Finally, I am really irritated by the problems I'm having with Live Journal. I'm on my G3 Powerbook which is about four years old. My access is through AOL 5.0 and everything about the site is different, or difficult, except for creating posts. The dates are off and change to January 2106 every time I post. I am often not allowed to comment on friends' posts. I want my LJ friends to know that I am doing everything I can to read everything and often have comments to make, but I just can't get them to post properly. It may be a long tour unless I can update my equipment in some way, so as to be better able to keep in touch.

So this day went to hell in a handbasket. It began with a bang, but is ending with a whimper of relief. Just know I'm out here in cyberland, reading you words and sharing in your lives. I'm sure that tomorrow will be a better day and that Mom will be fine....or else:)