my day was just so great there aren't even words

My dressmaker bailed today. We were supposed to meet at 3 for a supposedly final fitting. From what she'd said before, I was expecting it to be all but done. What she dropped off was an unfinished dress, and a note of apology that she didn't have the time to get it done, and that she was very sorry.

Can you guess hown much dress sorry makes? None. So my mom and I, after a bit of stunned silence, called the tailor who made a vest for Donald as well as several alterations for mom. Then we rushed over to the tailors before she left at 4. She's taken the pieces to fix it all, but is (justifiably) not too pleased to be picking up in the middle of someone else's work.

The part that I'm most pissed about, is not that the original dressmaker couldn't get it done, but that she could have TOLD US SOONER. WHY did she fucking wait until now?!! So many chances to tell me sooner!! Day before yesterday, when we talked on the phone. Week before last, when we talked before. ANY TIME before now would have been better. And I'm going out of town for a week and won't be able to see the new dressmaker again until I get back.

On a lighter note, if there was a prize for first RSVP back, it goes to Jim and Amy! My mom got it in the mail today. Way to go, speedy response types!!

Today I went and exchanged the graduation gown they gave me for one that goes past my knees. I remember doing this same thing in the past too. But I can't just reuse any old graduation gown, I gotta wear one with silly looking sleeve danglies. Gah.

Quixotic is doing a fundraiser April Fool's ball Saturday, which I can't go to because I'll be in tech for Black Snow, but I'm still doing the lights for somehow. Basically, I'll set up whatever there is on Friday, and then leave it to them. From what I understand, there won't be much of anything to leave anyway. This is a pretty teeny setup, in a smallish art gallery. But I still wish I could go. They're doing 4 or so dance pieces, one of which had about 15 people in it last time I saw it. I'm guessing the art gallery isn's TOO tiny. Anyway, it's sure to be more fun than tech.

I worked on my portfolio all afternoon. I spent a lot of time thinking about layout. I'm basically rearranging all the stuff in my 11 x 14 presentation portfolio so my strongest pictures are first. I'm starting with dance, then the opera simply because most people haven't done one, then on to plays. I really need to work on some of these pictures before they'll be ready to reprint. The quality just isn't what I'd like. I wish it wasn't so hard to take good theatrical pictures. I have a few really great ones, and a lot of pretty good ones, and some that just suck. I guess before I work on reprinting, I should print pictures from the 2 shows that I haven't printed at all yet. I've already got the layout planned, Including the size to print. I just need to go do it. Shit, I just realized that if I don't do it tomorrow it'll have to wail until after I get back from Dallas. Oh well!

The shower went just fine. There were not 22 people. There were about 12. It was weird, but not too weird. Everybody was really nice, and they planned out a few games that were kind of fun but not too stupid. I just don't really know what to do in situations like that. It's so very not my thing. I really appreciate that they set all this up for me. Donald's grandma did decorations and stuff, and there was punch and a cake. It's just so strange to be given presents by a bunch of people you don't really know.

I think I did a good job acting like I didn't wonder WTF at a few of the presents. In my opinion, you register for stuff so that people who don't know you know what to buy. Instead, I got (a few) people who don't know me that bought me stupid ass things that I've already put away in a cabinet, never to be seen again until I decide to sell them on eBay. I'm not saying that one should be required to buy somebody ONLY things they registered for. But if you don't know the person you're buying something for, wouldn't you get something you know they want? I would. Instead, I got a pair of crystal candlesticks, in a style that Isn't Me, and a crystal pillar with cutesy children laser etched inside it that sits on a light up pedastal and rotates, (seriously, wtf) and a couple of other random but not as weird things.

Today I was productive. I got the invitations finished up and sent out, picked up a couple of books at the library, got my taxes done, washed some dishes, tidied up the house, and sorted through some of the shower stuff. Donald and I went to Muddy's, and I set the VCR for Scrubs but screwed it up by setting the timer from 7:55 to 8:05. Dammit! I wish I could say that was the first time I've done that too.

In closing, here's a picture of when it snowed on my first daffodils of the season.

buzzed

We did board notes this morning, and got done about 11. Tech "starts" at noon, so Jon suggested we walk down to Muddy's. He offered to treat me to coffee, so I requested my usual, 12 oz latte with Irish Cream. Well, he came back with a 20 oz. Holy crap, I'm already hell of buzzed and I've only had half of it. If I make it through the whole thing, it will be the most espresso I've ever had at once. So caffeinated...

Also, I wish I was playing Oblivion. I've been playing it for a few hours at night when I get home from rehearsal. Even if my laptop coud run it, (ha!) I wouldn't be able to play it here. I can board op and talk to someone, or board op and read, or board op and do a puzzle. But my multitasking skill doesn't extend THAT far. I have plenty of down time sitting here in the booth. In the last 2 days I've read 2 magazines, drawn in my sketchbook, done some puzzles, and done a lot of vicarious living by reading threads about other people playing Oblivion. Argh! All is well though. Today is my last day board op(erat)'ing.

Tomorrow I will have presents and feel uncomfortable. Donald's grandma told me there will be 22 (!) people there. Hooboy. I told her that we should have nametags. Seriously. I don't remember the names of my own relatives, much less Donald's which I may have met once. Luckily, Robyn and my mom don't know any of them, so I'll at least have that as an excuse to hear their names once.

Dear Stomach,
I'm sorry I put all those onion rings in you last night. I know there's nothing in there that you want. But they just taste so good that I can't resist. You understand, right? I have needs. And the needs are for deep fried things. I promise today to put at least one vegetable in you that isn't fried. I appreciate your cooperation.
Love,
Margaret

I was thinking today that I really miss art. In general, and doing artsy stuff myself. I really enjoyed my art classes at CMSU, and life drawing here. I don't get to do that stuff any more. I also really enjoyed walikng through the art buliding at CMSU, looking at the stuff up in the hallways from classes, and looking in the gallery. Just miss it.

In what-I did-all-week news, Tuesday I went to a light focus. We got done at a very decent time. I got home and sat in front of my computer for a bit, looking at news about Oblivion, which came out Monday. I'd preordered 2 copies for us from Amazon, but they hadn't shipped and the anticipated ship date wasn't until next week sometime. Screw this, I thought. I called the EB on the Plaza to see if they had any copies. They did, so I asked them to hold them for me. Then I cancelled the Amazon order, and went to buy my damn game. Donald was at his grandma's, working on her computer again. When I got back with my game, I had to eat dinner and go to another damn preview. When I got home from the preview, Donald had installed our shiny new game. We played for a bit, then watched our Scrubs tape. (Mike, we have this week and last week for you.) We're getting accustomed to the new game. There are a lot of different things that we don't like, but we'll get used to it. It's pretty sweet, generally.

Wednesday, I hoped to play Oblivion all day. Instead, Donald and I went to his other grandma's to have lunch and work on her computer. We got home in time for me to eat and go to a work call for the opera. I got done with that, and happily played my shiny new game for about 4 hours. That's really no time at all for this game. During that work call I found out that apparently I'm the board op for the opera. I had entirely forgotten that. So I'm looking forward to playing my new damn game, but no, I'm stuck pushing buttons in the dark all day through Saturday, when I'll hand the job off to someone else. Sigh.

Today, I went to pick up a cap and gown and hood, because holy shit I'm graduating in a month or so. It turns out they gave me the wrong color so I have to go back tomorrow. Bah. Now I'm going to play that game. :)

khajit has no time for you

I spent the end of last week largely goofing off, then reluctantly going to rehearsal at night. I swear, I've never done so little in a tech. The last night before the preview, I did a crossword puzzle. The first preview, I didn't have enough light to do a crossword puzzle, so I dozed off a couple times. Last night, I used a flashlight to do a crossword puzzle. You can clearly see it isn't an exciting tech. But I say again, at least it's short. The play used to be an hour an ten, and has worked its pausing way up to an hour and a half, but that's still short. I've worked on too many 2 1/2 - 3 hours shows.

Saturday we decided to see a movie. Mike and I picked 1:15, V for Vendetta. Donald whined a bit that we should do it later, but I'm damned tired of wasting all my days sleeping in. Robyn was done with her tournament in time to zip up and join us. I think we all enjoyed it. I'd like to read the comic now, to compare. Afterwards, Mike wanted to make steaks. Never one to say no to steak, I was all for it. Mike and I went to Costco to eat samples and buy stuff, Robyn went to Grendview to get her tournament results, and Donald stayed home.

Mike and I tasted many fine samples at Costco, and decided that roasted chicken is a much cheaper but still tasty alternative to steak. Like, one chicken was $5.99, and one steak was the same price. We got side dishes too, then went home. Dinner was happily consumed, then I went off to the preview, the one I dozed off in.

When I got home about 9:15, Robyn and I went to a little party that I'd been invited to by some friends of mine from high school. Let's just say that I owe Robyn big time. I was friends with 2 of them years ago, and now have absolutely nothing in common. I felt like I should go because I was invited, and be a good sport, but in the end I was super glad that I had to work the next day se we could leave about midnight. They had good nibbles at least.

Yesterday was hang for the Opera in White Hall. It went pretty quickly, so after lunch just a few of us went back to finish up. All that was left to do was finish making sure all the lights lit up and that we'd written down where they were plugged in. It should have taken about an hour. Then I discovered the huge fucking mess of cable that had been left up in the catwalks by a couple of unnamed idiots. It took a bit of time to fix. We were trying to get done quickly so we could go down to Union Station to help hang lights there, and we eventually did, just about an hour and a half later than anticipated.

All weekend, we students had been gettin e- yelled at by Victor because SMJ said there was missing stuff in Union Station. General overreacting ensued, and Victor is oh so helpful being, of course, out of town again. We made it to Union Station about 5:00, and 30 seconds later, I located some of the "missing" equipment. Granted, we didn't leave it where we should have, but SMJ said that he'd already checked everywhere. Clearly, he did not. I like the guy and greatly respect him professionally, but damn does he get bent out of shape when he think we students have screwed up. I also found a power strip of his, which led him to belive that the other supposedly missing item was never there in the first place. So take that, Victor! He gives us all this shit about borrowing thing without asking, but he personally swipes stuff for outside shows that he's working on. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

I had to leave Union Station at 6:30 to get back to school for the preview in 116, but in the hour and a half I was there I got a good bit of work done. And located "missing" equipment. After the preview, Donald picked me up, we watched our taped TV show, and lived happily ever after.

tidbits

I got an email yesterday, I didn't make it as a finalist for the Hemsley Internship. I'm disappointed, but also relieved. It would have been a lot of work in a short time just to get ready for the interviews, and I would have had to fly out of Dallas and then back there.

I'll be in Dallas for Lost Highway April 4-13. Does anybody know anything fun in Dallas? We'll have a day off.

My cousin's baby makes a lot of the same squeaky sounds that my cat, Anna makes.

Thank you Robyn, for the Scrubs reminder call. I set the VCR yesterday so we could enjoy fast forwarding the commercials when I got home from rehearsal.

Also, thank you Robyn for sending a nice plant. I will do my best to keep it alive. :)

my weekend by Margaret

Sunday I went to rehearsal at noon. We started teching at 12:30, and almost got through the whole thing when I left at 2. From the rehearsal report I received later, all was well. There were a few raindrops plopping when I went outside, so I called Donald who offered to come pick me up. As I was waiting for him in the lobby, I overheard people in the lobby talking about the weather, and the egg sized hail some people were getting not too far away. I didn't even know it was supposed to rain that day. Meanwhile, the sky was looking grayer and more ominous by the minute. Donald picked me up, and I thought we should put his car in my parents' garage if it was going to hail. There was room, since dad's van was already up at the farm.

Then we watched the news. If we'd left right then, we probably would have gone right between 2 big storm cells. Mom was having none of that. There were 3 big cells, moving generally northeast. The news reported a possible wall cloud downtown, amongst other proclamations of doom. I think the weather guys just love this stuff, so they can feel important for awhile. We waited until the map showed the colorful stuff on the east side of downtown. This whole time, there wasn't enough rain in our area to get the pavement even very wet. We left about 3:30.

Donald was in the passenger seat, with mom and Lucy in the back. Therefore, my mother couldn't tell me to drive slower. The drive was okay. Once we'd passed downtown KC, the roads weren't even wet. My family was only moderately annoying. We got to Hiawatha and went to the funeral home for the visitation, where everyone congatulated Donald and me for our engagement. There was mingling, and lots of hugging. I've come to accept the fact tht they all know who I am even though I can't remember their names. Eventually everybody cleared out and we went back to grandma's to eat around 7. Lots of people had left food, and oh so many sandwiches. The minister came over, and everyone told him stories about grandpa. Around 9 we retired to our rented cabins to sleep. These are actually quite cute little cabins just a short drive away. My folks have been staying there recently when we visit because there isn't enough room for everyone to stay at grandma's. Donald and I shared one with my cousin and her fiancee, and we ended up with the pull out sofa bed. It was one of those weird things where you share sleeping arrangements with people you don't really know. At least we only had to share the bathroom with 2 people. At grandma's we would have shared with 4.

On Monday, they got up at 6, and were out the door by 7. Donald and I got up and made it to grandma's for breakfast about 8:45. The service started at 11, but we were supposed to be there at 10 for some reason. So we sat around at the church for half an hour until everybody got there. It was a nice service. My grandpa worked hard all his life, and made a lot of friends. Everybody said nice things. He will be missed. We drove to the cemetary, and Donald was a pallbearer. There were army guys there who did a rifle salute. It was windy as hell, and my cousin's baby started crying at just the right time to break the tension. The church had a lunch afterwards, more sandwiches, then we went back to grandma's.

In the aftenoon, I got a phone message from Jen that there were police at my folks' house. Apparently, the garage door was malfunctioning, and decided to open itself at some point after we left. The neighbors noticed it, and went over to look. They found the door to the house unlocked, which they thought was wrong, because they always lock that door on their house, but we never do. Anyway, they called the police to come check it out, and the police went all through the house to make sure no burglars were there. Then they made rigged the garage door to stay shut.

We hung around grandma's until early evening, then came home. Donald rode with my dad in the van, in case dad was too tired to drive. I drove the car with mom, who made me drive at least 5 under the speed limit because they think they get better gas mileage that way. That was annoying, to say the least. I was in front to begin, then dad got in front, and couldn't seem to make up his mind what speed to drive. I hate following people on the highway. Especially 2 lane country highway with no lights. We got home around 9.

There it is. Thank you everyone for your nice thoughts.

thinking of titles is hard

Friday morning I went to focus the lights for my show. It took about 2 hours, the shortest focus I think I've ever been involved in. It only took that long because we were moving slowly. I just can't get in to this show. It continues to seem like not a real show. It's so short, and the tech is so light, that I just don't have anything to DO for it. I wrote all the cues for it last night. That rehearsal was scheduled for 7-11, and I was home at 9. I'm not complaining about that, no no! It's just weird. Today is the theoretical 10/12. It's theoretical to me because I'm going to only be there from noon to 2. I'm pretty sure they'll cancel the evening part anyway, and Rocco can take over for me just fine while I'm gone.

At about 2:30 we're driving up to Hiawatha for the visitation because my Grandpa died Friday. He had been in the hospital a lot lately, but at least he got to be home for awhile at the end. The funeral is Monday, so we'll be back Monday evening. I miss him, but there's not really anything I can do, so.

In other news, Donald and I went to Odessa yesterday to hook up a router for his Grandma, who is getting DSL. On the way there, we lost a tire, and had to pull off of 40 Hwy to change it. Good thing Donald knows what he's doing. I was very good at standing there though, and occasionally handing him things. He's got it down, it only took about 15 minutes. After we changed the tire we continued on our way. Donald's dad fixed the tire and put it back on, then we went and installed the router, then we dropped by Donald's folks' house because we had to see the baby. Donald's sister successfully produced another offspring. I guess we're supposed to be excited or something, but to put it bluntly, it doesn't take much talent to get knocked up. In fact, I think it takes a lot more effort to NOT get pregnant. Forgive me for not being all "oooh, a baby," but when you don't have a job, you still live with your parents, you already had one baby with no daddy, do you really need another? And the babydaddy left her too, shortly after his son was born. Oh, the baby's name is Caiden, and he's reddish and wrinkly.

Donald and I had a nice time with Robyn Friday night. We went to O'Dowds for happy hour and hung out and such. Mikey had to work late, so our ritual coffeehouse going didn't work out. Hopefully Mike won't have to work so late next weekend and we'll do our coffee thing then.

That's about it. I'll be back tomorrow. Bye internet- I'll miss you!

again productive

This morning we dropped off fabric at the tailor for Donald's vest, and went to Hobby Lobby. I now have everything we need to make more tiny bouquets of flowers. :) I also went to the chiropractor and got adjusted.

This afternoon, Donald and I went for a long walk to get out some and enjoy the lovely weather. We were out for about 45 minutes, so it was a good bit of exercise. Tonight, we worked in invitations more while watching West Wing again. They're pretty close to done at this point. And we did the dishes.

Now for the Morrowind.

feeling productive

Today I printed all the invitations and RSVP cards. I went down the street to the computer lab, where I happily used someone else's ink to print 90 of each. :) Hey, I paid my student computer fee, dammit. When we got home I also stamped the silver corner borders and swash on both of them. I made a mini factory on the coffee table, and used Donald as assistance. He'd set 3 in front of me, I'd stamp them and set them aside to dry, and he'd put three more in front of me. While one corner dried, I did the rsvp cards, then I did the other corner. It was a pretty efficient process. I'm considering giving Donald a raise. (Nothin' times nothing, carry the nothin') The West Wing provided entertainment for my brain while my hands worked.

We got coffee and played some cards, and when we got home I decided I needed some new music. I've requested 9 CDs from the library so far. I have hundreds of songs in my library, but iTunes just likes to play the same ones over and over. It's very annoying.

I'll leave with this very fine quote from Robyn:

"And, if you're somewhere where you think there's 2-way mirror, it probably is."

surprise visit

Today turned out busier than I thought it would. I got up at my usual lazy ass time of about 10, (for this I blame Donald) and eventually got cleaned up and dressed by noonish. Donald left for his job interview about 12:30, and I'd settled in to waste a few hours playing Morrowind when my phone rang. It's Victor, and he wants me to come up to the theater because Dan Parks is there with his portfolio taking a tour.

So I went, and looked, and then, joined by Rocco, we kind of puttered around looking at stuff in the PAC until it was time to go to Grant and do a bit of work there. That took until 5:30, when I went home and met up with Donald to go to 75th Street Brewery for our dance critique. I had half a tasty cheeseburger. I think Dan enjoyed his tour. This place isn't top of his list, (a good thing) but he wanted to check it out because it's close to home. (I know the feeling.) He doesn't actually graduate until December, so the earliest he'd be starting would be next fall. He has plenty of time to visit schools and make up his mind.

When we got home, my mom wanted to talk about wedding stuff so I went over there for a bit. When I got back, Donald was asleep on the couch, not to be moved. So I left him, and went back to the Morrowind. He got up maybe an hour ago, and now we're going to bed.

Thus, my boring life. :)

I'd like to take a moment to mention that I love my bed. It's so soft and pleasant. If my bed was less comfy, I might feel more inclined to get up earlier.

Tomorrow I plan to print off wedding invitations.

Saturday

Robyn and I went to a nearby thrift store yesterday afternoon. I'm always amazed at some of the things I find there. It really makes me wonder, who donates the clothes? I came across several 6" long tube tops. You don't find them all at once though, because the clothes are sorted by color. There is the usual assortment of weird stuff that hasn't been in style for 10 years. The surprising part is the selection of things that aren't hideous. I think they actually have a lot of things I'd like to wear. They're never in the right size of course. That would be too easy.

About 5 the 3 of us went to Westport. Robyn and I wanted to look at the costume jewelry store there. We were kind of disappointed to not find as many things that we liked as we did when we were there before. Maybe in a couple of months they'll have a new selection again. After that, we wandered down to a restaurant to meet Sam and Chrissy. The plan was to eat, and see a movie at 7:15. We got to restaurant, and were surprised to see Nick and Kelly as well. Mike joined us too, but he'd already eaten. By the time the waiter graced us with his presence, it was 6:30, and there was no way in hell we were getting to the movie at 7:15. We decided to go for the 9:45. We took our time to eat and even ordered dessert, which was delicious. The movie was a Russian vampire flick called Night Watch. It was pretty good, although a bit draggy towards the end. It was subtitled, so at least we didn't have to deal with crappy dubbing. It was fun to see friends.

My involvement in Lost Highway wrapped up nicely. I also finally found out I will be going to Dallas for a week at the beginning of April. That's a good and bad thing, because a lot is going on here at that time that I'll miss. On the good side, I get to travel again on the Rep's dollar, and it's to another new place. Then again, it's in Texas, and it'll probably by hot in April. Well, it's only a week anyway. I was in Tucson for much much longer, but in Dallas the LD is only staying until after the first preview. The hotel is said to be not within walking distance, so I'll ride around with the LD, and leave the same time he does. All told, I'll be gone for 9 days, and 2 of them are travel. I'm very glad for it to be shorter, once the show goes into previews my usefulness is pretty much done.

We did more wedding stuff this week. I worked on the invitations, we met with the photographer and florist. Donald has had several phone interviews and is getting prepared for an on site interview next week. I'll leave that to him to post about on his OWN DAMN BLOG.

Robyn and Mike came over last night. It felt like we hadn't hung out in forever because I was working last weekend. I think we're all pretty satisfied with our lack of motivation. We've come to terms with the fact that we like getting together, doing nothing, and drinking coffee. Now I know we'd love to expand our ranks, so if you'd like to join us send a resume and SASE with an essay on how you just can't bring youself to actually DO anything. Applications will be reviewed, and you will be contacted if we're interested.