Thursday, January 29, 2009

Split Personality

I have, for much of my life, felt like I have lived multiple lives. Not multiple PAST lives, but I've felt that there are parts of my life that are quite separate from the rest. I think we all do this to some extent. We have the work life and the parental life and the church life and whatnot. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. And I don't think that I behave without integrity: the person I am in the theatre is NOT a person with different morals and ways of operating than the person I am at church. However, I do feel that where I am and who I am with effects greatly what areas of my personality are at the forefront. At church, particularly as the pastor's wife, I'm less political. I speak up, surely, but I am ever aware that most people have a different political take on things. On this blog I'm "Painted Maypole" and, as in real life, I choose which parts of me I'll put out there. But I've kept it anonymous so that I can speak a bit more freely. And I figure that if you don't like what I have to say, you'll read a different blog.

Now that I've joined Facebook I'm coming up against this. I first got on it when a dear friend from high school was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. I knew I would enjoy getting in touch with old high school and college friends. And I have. I also had wanted to do it because I felt it would get me more plugged into the theatre community here. And it has.

But now I have friends from my mom's group. And friends from church. And friends that are really people my hubby knows way better than I do, but he doesn't have his own account. And now my insurance agent wants to friend me. MY INSURANCE AGENT. Granted, we're rather friendly with him, and have a church connection. But still. (I haven't accept it yet. The invite just sits there. Nagging at me).

Facebook is quickly becoming a dilemma for me. Because it feels like it is no longer a space for me. Before I post ANYTHING or join any group or post any pictures I have to think about all the hundreds of "friends" who will see it.

And in some ways, that's wise. Because what do I really want to be putting out there on the internet for all the world to see?

But in some ways, well... I dunno. It's making me come face to face with the different lives I live. And how they really are quite separate. And I don't know how to make them come together.
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I'm sorry I haven't been around to your places very much. We've had daytime performance for schools and I've started rehearsals for a new show and I spent several nights down in the city this week to cut down on commuting.

Monday's Mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write a post in the style of a greeting card.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Dear Diary,

I can't bear it. I simply can't bear it! G has asked B to MARRY HIM. I can't believe it. What does he see in this new girl? She's so peculiar. And she's always READING. What is that? How boring!! She doesn't have pretty hair or fancy bows. I suppose she might be a LITTLE pretty, but not any prettier than I am! And just the other day G was all over me, and I really thought that finally my time had finally come. And then he goes and asks her to marry him. BUT.... SHE TURNED HIM DOWN. She must be crazy. So maybe I still do have a chance. I'd do anything for him... even spend the rest of my life crawling after him. Oh, why oh why oh why oh why doesn't G see what a great thing he as right in front of him? He's so dreamy. I'd be the perfect wife.
(G and I at a happier time)
Maybe I am a silly girl to even love him. But how do I stop?

Sigh.....

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Dear Diary,

Tonight, we had a GUEST for dinner! A lovely mademoiselle. We pulled out all the stops for her meal and entertainment. Fortunately I did NOT have to just lay about and serve food, but I got to sing and dance! It was great fun to get all dolled up again!It was the most excitement we've had in the castle in forever! I wonder what we'll do as our encore at breakfast?

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This post has been a Monday Mission. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write a post in the style of a diary entry. Play along and post your link in the widget below.




Missions for February: Your mission, should you choose to accept it (and oh, Dear Diary, I really hope they accept the missions!) is to write posts in the style of....

Feb 5 - A greeting card

Feb 12 - an ode (perhaps to your valentine? here's a definition of ode that I liked: "lyrical poem exalting someone, often in a formal and dignified style")

Feb 19 - a brief biography (like a bio in a theatrical program or the back of a novel...) Does not have to be a biography of YOU.

Feb 26 - a sign (street sign, business sign, airport sign... you decide...)

Opening Night

There's a brief moment where I am alone on stage, on my knees. I yell "He's mine!" and crawl offstage in pursuit of Gaston.

As I exited I heard The May Queen laugh, and I am pretty sure that it was the BEST. SOUND. EVER.

She loved it. My mom said she was enthralled the whole time.

And it did go fairly well. The neighbor girls said their favorite part was the mug banging dance (my bloody knuckles thank them...). My plate even worked tonight, for the first time ever.

A good night.

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Monday's Mission is to write a post in the style of a diary entry. As I type that now I think to myself "and how is that different from most blog entries??" I'm sure you will show me with YOUR Monday Mission. See you then!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Wiggin' Out

Here I am getting ready to put on my wig:
To put on a wig I put my hair in pin curls and then put on this attractive wig cap.
But isn't the wig ADORABLE?
Unfortunately, it is not only hot and itchy, but it is so heavy and sits on my forehead in such a way that it gives me a massive headache every night, despite copious amounts of ibuprofen. As if the banged up knuckles and bruised knees weren't suffering enough for my art!


I thought it might be fun to take a little walk down memory lane...
let's take a look at my history in wigs.
Here I am as Rapunzel. In case you're contemplating making a long braided wig out of felt let me give you these sage words of warning: Felt is Heavy. We did have a lot of fun with this wig, though, and another character not only climbed up them but would swing on them like vines. All the braids were attached by Velcro, so could be "cut" off at each performance. I have to say, though, that I was outshone by the pink wig on my evil stepmother.


My first REAL wig was for Anything Goes. This is where I learned that wigs are really not as fun and easy as I thought they were.
(excuse the hands. we were modeling the very difficult "sunshine, rain" dance maneuver)


One of the dresses I wore for that show looked a lot like one worn by Princess Leia, so we thought that my wig should look more like this...
Help me Obi Wan. You're my only hope.

In Richard III I wore a hairpiece as Queen Elizabeth. My hair was short at this point, so we curled the pieces around my face, and attached the hairpiece on top. During one performance as I was arguing with Richard the hairpiece started to come loose, and I finished the scene holding it onto my head. I should have just taken it off and thrown it to the floor.
In that same Shakespeare fest season I played the hostess in a 60's version of Two Gents.
You've seen my angel wig from Angels in America
But I also wore this wig as Sister Ella Chapter. Not a great color or fit, but that's OK as in the script there's a reference to her wig being crooked.



As I was writing this I realize that I don't have a picture of me wearing the Queen Elizabeth wig from a living history piece I did. Hmmm....





Tonight is our final dress rehearsal, and I'm hoping we'll actually make it through the run without having to stop for technical difficulties. And that I don't fall on the floor. Again.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A prayer

I missed the We Are One event on Sunday (too many rehearsals, not enough time..turns out I even knew someone performing at it! Sorry, I digress...). But even if you watched it on television, you missed the invocation, which was given by Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. I found this on the Sojourner's blog. I find it wonderful and challenging, and I ask you to join me in this prayer...


O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will…

Bless us with tears — tears for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women in many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.

Bless this nation with anger — anger at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

Bless us with discomfort — at the easy, simplistic answers we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and our world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Bless us with patience — and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be “fixed” anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.

Bless us with humility — open to understanding that our own needs as a nation must always be balanced with those of the world.

Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance — replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences.

And bless us with compassion and generosity — remembering that every religion’s God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable.

And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.
Give him wisdom beyond his years, inspire him with President Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for all people.
Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain.
Give him stirring words — we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.
Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.
Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.

Give him strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters’ childhoods.

And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we’re asking far too much of this one. We implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand — that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity, and peace.

Amen.

(see it on youtube by clicking here)

A New Day

Tears of joy.
Clapping.
A huge grin.
Quiet "Amens" and lots of nodding.
Singing along.

Who needs to be on the mall? I had it all right there in my living room.
(OK, it still would have been cool to be there)

This song has been in my head since The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery quoted it in his benediction:

Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet,
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered;
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee.
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,
True to our God, true to our native land.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Overheard at the birdfeeder...

Ahhh, look. The sweet nectar of life. Mmmm.... red... tasty....





slurp, slurp, slurp... wait a second....



Begone, you usurper! There is not enough nectar in this giant bottle for both of us.



Whew. She is gone. I think. Must look about and check to make sure that no one is trying to steal my nectar. Wait... I think I hear something...




Damn... I was hoping I could sneak in behind her.




I chase you away, you nectar thief! Take that!





Don't even think about it....


Do you never give up?
I figured YOU would give up, eventually, and let me have a drink!





Fine, have a drink. But I don't like it. Or you.
But wait... what is that I hear behind me?
What fresh hell is this? 2 usurpers????




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Can you tell I miss my hummingbirds? Even here in Louisiana it gets too cold, and they have gone further south for the winter.

This post is a Monday Mission! This week's Mission is inspired by the fabulous posts at Ewe are Here wherein she imagines the conversations between her boys as she tries to get their picture. Your Mission is to write a post with photos and give the conversation that goes along with them. The conversation does not have to be between people (obviously). Ewe wrote a great post linking to her series. check it out for some inspiration.
Write your own Monday Mission post and link to it in the widget below:


Next Monday (Jan 26th) your mission is to write a post in the style of a diary entry.
(Any ideas for next month's missions? Share them with me!)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Post rehearsal ramblings

I'm teetering on the edge of Tech Week, but found myself with more time than I'm used to having this week, and so enjoyed (??) digging myself out from under some piles in the office and getting the house into a vaguely presentable shape. I spent some time curled up in a chair with a mug of tea, a cat, and a new bible study. I played games and even the dreaded Polly Pockets with MQ. Next week will be a rush of long and exhausting rehearsals as we add in the enormous sets and costumes, pyrotechnics, orchestra, etc, etc. I get to be a red head courtesy of a wig, so that will be fun, although wigs are very hot and itchy, in case you were ever wondering. The first time I ever had to wear a wig for a show I was all excited that I wouldn't have to do my hair every night. I got over that quite quickly. The magic of the stage will happen in fits and starts and very boring cue to cues, and in a week we'll be putting it all on for an audience, and as long as my wig stays on it should be a fun ride from there on out. Singing and dancing are not my strongest suit, in fact I never dreamed I'd find myself doing musicals again. It makes for a lot more work during the rehearsal process, as none of it comes easily to me. Most nights I come home sore and tired and claiming to be too old for all this craziness, and do you realize that it's been over a decade since I've taken a dance class??? But here I am, in my 34 year old 5'10" and xxx pound glory, being tossed in the air during a dance number for the first time in my life. And to think I nearly turned the show down.

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Monday's Mission is inspired by the fabulous posts at Ewe are Here wherein she imagines the conversations between her boys as she tries to get their picture. Your Mission is to write a post with photos and give the conversation that goes along with them. The conversation does not have to be between people. Ewe wrote a great post linking to her series. check it out

Monday, January 12, 2009

Should I start my own cult?

Teaching preschoolers is interesting. Like Monday morning, when after 20 minutes of music class a sweet little girl was giving me a hug goodbye and said to me "Your name is Jesus."

"No," I said, "My name is Miss Painted."

"And Jesus," she insisted.

(maybe I'm not doing so well at leading chapel...)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

The door said to the window...

It's Monday Mission time, and I'm feeling... tired and uninspired. I know you've had those days yourself, so I know you'll forgive me. Hopefully I will get on the ball and get one written tomorrow. BUT I don't want to miss the chance to get YOU writing yours, and give you a place to link. I'd be thrilled beyond words if you would take the ball and run with it. Today's mission is to write a post in the style of a sales pitch for your house, from the point of view of your house (if these walls could talk...). Idea courtesy of Bayou Belle. (if you want to actually SEE my walls, though, you can get a gander at the crayola colors and even the polka dot bathroom at this old post)

Post your link in the widget below:




Upcoming Missions:
Jan 19th - A photo (or series of photos) with the conversation that goes along with it. I have totally stolen this idea from the fabulous posts at Ewe are Here wherein she imagines the conversations between her boys as she tries to get their picture (like this one ). The conversation does not have to be between people.

Jan 26th- A diary entry

Friday, January 9, 2009

Feeling beat up

I've been trying to take pictures of my hands, bruised and scabbed. I was going to post them and ask you "Barroom brawl?... or dance rehearsal?" But the pictures don't show the discoloration on the knuckles or do justice to the blood that flowed at rehearsal, or the pain when they get touched the wrong way. Clanking mugs and dancing is not easy. Nor is being lifted, doing kicks, or letting LeFou stand upon my back to look over Gaston's shoulder. I am very sore today. (but, you know, it's all good)

Anyhow...

Instead of the photos I'll give you this quote, which I heard last night on the drive home while listening to Alan Alda's book on CD, Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself. The book is actually reminding me a lot of Jen and Mad's constant call for us to DO something... I highly recommend it. You'll laugh and cry. At least... I'm laughing and crying. This quote, from 56 years ago, struck me in particular considering the war and our economic woes:

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.

Dwight D Eisenhower
April 16, 1953
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Reminder: Your Monday Mission for Jan 12th, should you choose to accept it, is to write a post in the style sales pitch for your house, from the point of view of your house (if these walls could talk...). Idea courtesy of Bayou Belle

Thursday, January 8, 2009

auld lang syne

The most fabulous Joy, who will be going underground soon (so visit her NOW!), did this Meme and I'm stealing it.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

I went to Disneyland. I made a snowman with my daughter (in Louisiana, no less!). I joined Facebook.


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

no. i failed UTTERLY at my resolutions, which is why i hardly ever bother making them, and didn't make any this year, either


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nobody close, but several friends from college who live far away.


4. Did anyone close to you die?

My brother in law died last February, and several friends from church (it was a funeral heavy year for me)


5. Where did you travel?

ROAD TRIP! We drove through and/or visited: Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, West Virginia and Tennessee. We also went to California, Michigan and Acapulco.


6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

more sleep


7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Nov 4th. Yes we did!


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Having a child, a husband and a cat in my care and not causing serious injury to any of them.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I really feel like I've been letting a lot of things slide the last several months. Not big things, but too many little things falling through the cracks.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

I might have to go with new jeans. That go PAST my ankles. Very exciting.

11. What song will always remind you of 2008?

I can't think of one, and this is weird for me, because I used to be very connected into music, and I feel like I'm not as into it right now. (although the other night, so technically it was 2009, The May Queen was in her bed singing Angels We Have Heard on High, and it went sort of like this "something something something something Glooooooooo -oooooo-oooooo ria (long pause) in egg shells (long pause) see day-o" The Big Guy and I were in our room across the hall stifling our giggles. (she gets the "something something something" from me... I will sing that for parts of songs I can't recall)

12. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Creative projects

13. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Sitting in front of the computer. I need to find a better balance with this.

14. What was your favorite TV program?

Last year's season of Lost was great.

15. What was your favorite movie?

Oh, i see so few these days. I don't remember any that were amazing, but I did really like Juno and Australia.

16. What was the best book you read?

To Kill a Mockingbird (how did I get to be 33 before I read it? No idea. But it was fantastic!)

17. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?

Close friends nearby. I have lots of friendly acquaintances, but not a close friend nearby, and I really feel that hole. I keep wanting to cultivate it, but it just never seems to happen.

18. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

The year I decided to branch out from the same cut of jeans I've worn since college.

19. What kept you sane?

I'm not sure that anything did or could.

20. Who did you miss?

Way too long of a list... I have too many friends and family that are scattered about.

21. Who was the best new person you met?

That's a tough one. I worked with several people in the various shows I've done this year that I really enjoyed. But then again, maybe it was The Little Mister.

(there we are with The Dragonfly and her Little Mister! isn't he CUTE!?)

22. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2008.

That a three week road trip with my family is highly enjoyable.

23. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I've got nothing for this one. No overarching theme becoming clear, no soundtrack playing in my mind. I've been mulling it for two days. Crickets.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Monday, January 5, 2009

worth the click

This year in review musical video is quite fun.

(and if I could figure out how to embed it in my post I would.,, what happened to the easy little "share to blogspot" link on youtube???)

Sunday, January 4, 2009

My future's so bright...

In the bottom of my cup the leaves are starting to clump in a clear indication that this week I will be highly productive, full of energy and creativity to attack rehearsals, planning, cleaning, organizing, decision making, wri ...zzzzzzzzzzz........ zzzzzzzzzzzz........

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This non-post was a Monday Mission. Your Mission, should you choose to accept it (and I predict that YOU WILL...) is to write a post in the style of a prediction. (Imagine yourself as Nostradamus, read your tea leaves or just try to predict the weather). I predict that your post will be a wee bit longer and far more interesting than mine. The tea leaves show that after you have finished typing and publishing your brilliant mission you will come back here and post a link in the widget below, and I see... yes, the leaves are clearly indicating that hundreds, perhaps even thousands of readers will click over to your post and it will bring you much fortune in the new year.




I predict that you will also want to participate in the Monday Missions for the rest of the month, and so I therefore have predicted what they we will be, in order to facilitate your participation (isn't that nice of me?).

Jan 12th - A sales pitch for your house, from the point of view of your house (if these walls could talk...). Idea courtesy of Bayou Belle

Jan 19th - A photo (or series of photos) with the conversation that goes along with it. I have totally stolen this idea from the fabulous posts at Ewe are Here wherein she imagines the conversations between her boys as she tries to get their picture (like this one ). The conversation does not have to be between people.

Jan 26th- A diary entry

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Missions for a New Year

I've been having a wonderful week with family and friends in Michigan. This afternoon I'll get to see The Dragonfly for the first time in almost 2 years, and I'll meet her Little Mister for the first time ever. I'm psyched. The May Queen has been playing in the snow, playing (and fighting!) with her cousins, and is being spoiled by grandparents and other relatives. I've been marveling at how my high school friends don't possibly look old enough to have teenagers themselves (we don't look like our parents did, do we?) and reminding myself, via old photos, that permed hair really ISN'T a good idea (not that I was planning on it, or anything...).

And now it's a new year, and, as promised, it's time for some new Monday Missions. I'm terrible at resolutions, as evidenced by my complete failure last year, yet still I will put before you the friendly challenge to try to do at least one mission a month. Trust me, they're fun!

Your Monday Missions for January 2009, should you choose to accept them, are to write posts in the style of...

Jan 5th - a prediction. Imagine yourself as Nostradamus, read your tea leaves or just try to predict the weather.

Jan 12th - A sales pitch for your house, from the point of view of your house (if these walls could talk...). Idea courtesy of Bayou Belle

Jan 19th - A photo (or series of photos) with the conversation that goes along with it. I have totally stolen this idea from the fabulous posts at Ewe are Here wherein she imagines the conversations between her boys as she tries to get their picture (like this one ). The conversation does not have to be between people.

Jan 26th- A diary entry

I wish you all a very Happy New Year!