Whys and Reasons

Gosh I haven't blogged in like forever, not like me. Perhaps things are too daunting. A 10percent unemployment rate in CA is enough to wake someone up. Magic Theater did make their goal and aren't closing which is Good news, Sears apparently IS closing, which is "I can't believe it" news. No more power tools department in Sears? The Inaugural did bring some positive vibes for sure though. Enjoyed walking on campus and seeing all the T shirts (has that ever happened before? T shirts for an inaugural?... I don't think so) But of course shadowed by so much other stuff going on. While I do work for the University, I am not considered a State employee so the possible mandatory furloughs won't count for me. But we do wonder how long that will last All of us at work think and talk about this often. It's always "there" with us where ever we go. That awareness that things are bad. I spent a rough week wondering about my friends who work for Sun.

On another note, things are on their way in the play I am directing. I refresh I am directing a short play for Marin Fringe festival. I am not entirely sure why I am doing this. In the documentary "Man on a Wire" about the guy who did the tight rope walk between the World Trade Center buildings, the press apparently shoved a microphone in the guys face right after he was done (and being rushed off in a police car) and asked "Why" to which the guy thought "Man you Americans, you always ask why? Here I have done this amazing thing and all you can do is ask why?" So I took that to heart. I don't fully know why I am doing this directing thing. I am not dying to direct, probably never will again. Am I doing it to distract myself from fears lately? Perhaps. Am I being kind hearted because the playwright is quite elderly? Maybe, it does feel good to know she appreciates this. Am I seeing myself in the playwright and hoping some 40 something whipper snapper will direct MY play when I am 90. Perhaps. Do I just want to hang out with Flora Lynn my assistant in all of this -could be. But why ask why? I am just having fun too. So to update, we cast the play on Friday. We heard several people read on Wed and called back 3. Two already told me they couldn't do it. So that left one, we need two roles filled. So Friday night this wonderful actress came in and read and was great. So we cast it at 7pm Friday, auditions went for another half hour. 2 minutes AFTER we cast it, asked the actresses and they accepted someone Flora Lynn invited to read shows up. Apparently this woman has a reputation for being difficult. Well she throws a fit that we cast it. Well I am thinking if you show up at midnight at the bar and all the good looking women are taken whose fault is that? But the scene was hilarious.

So onward ho. We have a cast, we have a rehearsal plan. So things look good! Stay tuned I will blog more about it as it goes along. A play production at the fringe is always entertaining, often more OFF stage than on even.