Thursday, August 30, 2007

Time Out

Karen and I are actually taking a little time off. Five straight days of not going to work. Tomorrow, Karen’s birthday, is a day for the two of us. We’ll have lunch together, take in a movie, and just be a couple for most of a day.

Friday is a family outing to Maine, and then we;ll meet up with extended family over the weekend.

It’s rare treat for use, and probably the last chance we’ll have to just take some fun time over such a long stretch until next summer. So we intend to get the most out of it.

In other news, the play is off to a good start. I went in tonight thinking that I knew my songs and discovered that, well, I do! Of course, the real test is next week, when I start learning to dance. Our choreographer is one brave woman! I’ll let you know how that goes.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Tom's Home!

I picked up Tom at the airport this morning. Before I left, I took the dog outside and looked over by the pond and saw a lunar eclipse in progress. I had heard, but forgotten, about it. I got Karen up to see it. By the time it had reached totality, though, the view was gone. Too much mist on the pond and then too much sunlight. But it was a nice surprise.

Tom's flight left about an hour late, and was a red-eye to begin with, so Thomas is, well, fast asleep. At least he was when I left the house early this afternoon.

He had a good time in California, and had lots to tell about for someone who is bone weary. He didn't unfortunately, take much in the way of pictures (he's not his monther, that one). But I'm sure he'll have more to tell when he's gotten some rest.

Hoping for some of the same myself tonight. Been going and going and not getting enough sleep. But it's been all for good cause: theater and family.

Had an excavation contractor looking over our home site today, and we'll apply for permits within the next week, I expect, once we have the paperwok in order.

Meanwhile, work, theater, and then some family fun for the long weekend. Tom's staying home. I think he's had enough of long drives to last him for awhile.

Monday, August 27, 2007

One Things and Another

Brooks Bunch

Considering all that's happened in the past few days, this will be a rather short entry, because I have to get up early in the morning to fetch Thomas from the airport. That's right, he's coming home.

Friday night was the opening of "Refund." I wouldn't say it went perfectly, but the audience laughed and I got a lot of compliments afterwards. Saturday's show was also well-received, although it started a bit late. The power went out in Wolfeboro at around quarter after 7. We agreed to call off the show if it didn't come back on by 8:30. Actors finished up their makeup in the dark, and we kidded around about lighting the show with flashlights (although we couldn't legally or morally put the audience at risk for the sake of one show). And the lights came on at 8:10, to cheers from the audience.

Blasting right from one show into the other, the first rehearsal for "The Pajama Game" was last night. I'm playing the part of Vernon Hines, the executive at the Sleep Tite Pajama Factory who's twin obsessions are time and the superintendent's secretary, Gladys.

And now I have to go to bed.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Blogging From the Park

You never know these days where you'll find a connection. I'm connected from a park in Wolfeboro. The wireless router is quite some distance away; I think the atmospheric conditions must be just right today.

Today is day 2 of what we lovingly refer to in the theater as Hell Week. Refund opens Friday, and we have only two more rehearsals. This is not going to be a week for sleep.

Especially since the day following the last performance is the beginning of rehearsals for "The Pajama Game." Yes, I got a part. Yes, I got the part I wanted. Yes, I'm excited!

And exhausted. But I'll get over that a lot faster than I'll get over the excitement of being in the show.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

A Calmer Day

Well, Tom made it safety to California, found his way to his shuttle, and has been spending fun time with Marylou and family in Burbank. Tomorrow he'll be headed up to Central California for more visiting.

Karen has the day off tomorrow, and we're just going to spend it at home. Well, most of it. I have a run of seven straight evenings with appointments, all in Wolfeboro, starting tomorrow night.

But unlike my work, all of the appointments should be stimulating and enjoyable.

Weather is starting to turn, though I'm sure we'll have plenty of hot days before fall really sets in. Too cold for swimming today, though. William and Danny will be happy to get into the water tomorrow if the wind isn't too stiff.

I tried to encourage Thomas to start his blog while he is on vacation. I've already set it up for him. So any of you who are in touch with him, why don't you give him a little nudge.

If he does make an entry, I will update the front page with a link so you all can read it.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Busy

Thomas is winging his way toward California as I write this.

It's been a long, busy day. I had Grand Jury service, which I begged off the afternoon session of to take Tom to Boston. But Tom walked around Dover while I served three hours in the morning. Then I picked him up, had lunch in Newington (on the way to Boston), hung around at the mall with Tom for an hour or so, and then headed down to the airport.

Getting Thomas checked in was so smooth that we had some time to stop at the Dunkin Donuts in the terminal, where Thomas got his second bad iced tea of the day (the first was at the DD in Dover) and we had to stand because the two remaining tables lacked chairs. Logan airport is so charming.

Tom had to make his way through security on his own this time, since I, not being a ticketed passenger, could not go to the gate area. He called me as I was getting ready to leave the parking lot to let me know that everything was fine. According to United's web site, his flight left on time.

It's raining and thundering here now, but Tom is well out of it, on his way to the sunny Golden State. It's going to be a bit strange having him gone for a while, but with him finishing high school in the coming year, I'd better get used to it.

Side notes: Refund opens a week from tomorrow. Panic time! Still lots of lines the actors are tripping over. And I'm auditioning for "The Pajama Game" on Sunday. I'll let you know if I get the part I really, really want.

I'm also joining sort of a panel discussion to help the Wolfeboro selectmen create a monthly television show on town issues.

Busy.

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Street Fair Day

Today was day two of the annual Huggins Hospital Street Fair. People donate their unwanted items which are sold, some flea-market style, some at auction.

I took the two young boys to poke around. We didn' buy much, but we did find some neat things. William found a Veiwmaster toys that doubles as a binocular microscope. And it really is binocular; I was amazed. Danny found several Matchbox cars, a perpetual favorite for him. Each boy bought two books, and I found some books that I hope will help me with the new house.

I also found a computer keyboard. Now, of course, I have all the keyborads I need for all of the computers we have, but this is one of those ergonomically-correct keyboards that are suppose the be better for your wrists.

I'm typing on it now. It takes some getting used to, especially if, like me, you have developed some bad typing habits, such as pressing the "B" key with your right index finger. Sorry, it's not there! The keyboard is split into two halves, angled away from each other and sloped so the your hands rest more naturally. But it's best suited to good typists. Perhaps it will help me break thos bad habits.

After a short trip to the Street Fair, we picked up some lunches at the local market and headed for the newest park, The Nick. There was a stiff breeze there, which made eating a challenge, though it certainly felt wonderful on this hot, sticky day,