"In measured hundred-weight and penny-pound..."

Adieu, 2005.

Bonjour, 2006.

May there be peace for everyone, everywhere.

Amen.

And the Results are In!

I've decided not to audition for anything over the next couple of months, partly because of my Dad but mainly because of several timing issues. So let's run down the list:

Assassins. The big strike against this show is that it has performances over our fifth wedding anniversary. We are attempting to plan a small vacation over that time (bear with us, we're not that good at this sort of thing!), so there you go. Hugh's observation that "Assassins is timeless, and will become more popular with age" is spot on. So this won't be the only opportunity I'll have to audition for this show. It is one of my favorite shows and not just because of its subject matter.

Company. Another timing strike against this one. The early May performance dates absolutely terrify me because that's when my allergies kick into warp drive and render my voice all but useless. Unless someone's got some real good suggestions on how to sing such a difficult show while battling nasal and upper respiratory allergies, this one's out. And that's too bad because this show has got some really good music. (I did get a weird feeling when I read that audition information sheet, so that was another strike against this show.)

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? So that leaves this classic. Yes, I'll probably audition for it come the spring time. And yes, Alison, I'll gladly audition for the role of Nick because I find small parts like that fascinating. I really enjoyed playing Mitch in "Streetcar" several years ago because it was a chance to do some interesting work without the pressure of being one of the leads (although I welcome that kind of pressure in the future!). I imagine that Nick will offer a similar experience, just more intense. And if I hope to play George someday, then I had better have at least one production under my belt.

Thanks for all of your comments! It was fun reading your responses to this poll. And Hugh, this'll be in the Lab Theater. Sheesh...

4x4

Four jobs you’ve had in your life: Men's Clothing Salesman, Line Cook, Actor, Data Entry Clerk.

Four movies you could watch over and over: "Pi", "The Godfather Part II", "Blade Runner", "Midnight Run".

Four places you’ve lived: Gambier, OH; Garrison, IA; Adelphi, MD; Fairfax, VA.

Four TV shows you love to watch: "CSI:", "Mythbusters", "Good Eats", "Lost".

Four places you’ve been on vacation: Ljubliana, Slovenia; Clear Lake, IA; New York, NY; Pasadena, CA.

Four websites you visit daily: washingtonpost.com, Eschaton, Salon, Crunchland.

Four of your favorite foods: Channa Masala, Pulled Pork BBQ, Fried Chicken, Waffles.

Four places you’d rather be: New York, NY; Clear Lake, IA; Gambier, OH; Seattle, WA.

Four albums you can’t live without: "London Calling" by The Clash, "Achtung Baby" by U2, "1200 Curfews" by The Indigo Girls, "Blue" by Joni Mitchell.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

Theatrical Poll Time

Tommyspoon should audition for...?

Assassins

Company

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Leave your response in the comments.

On a Lighter Note...

As you can see, my Sweetie has adopted deer-like characteristics and has joined a group of like-minded "deer people." It'll be awfully lonely around the house this Christmas. Looking on the bright side, however, I can at long last cook fish in the house!

Early Christmas Present

Dad came home on Wednesday, and everything seems brighter and clearer as a result. He's still got some recuperation to do, but he's in good spirits and is in better health than he was a few weeks ago. I know that we're all happier that he is home.

Top 25

Rock Songs!

1. "What's So Funny 'bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" Elvis Costello

2. "Gimme Shelter" Rolling Stones

3. "Let's Have a War" Fear

4. "indifference" Pearl Jam

5. "Hey Joe" Jimi Hendrix

6. "Highway 61 Revisited" Bob Dylan

7. "No Surrender" Bruce Springsteen

8. "Love Reign O'er Me" The Who

9. "We Are the Champions" Queen

10. "When the World is Runnin' Down You Make the Best of What's Sill Around" The Police

11. "Fame" David Bowie

12. "Mr. Self-Destruct" Nine Inch Nails

13. "Broken Wings" Mr. Mister

14. "Killing in the Name Of" Rage Against the Machine

15. "Fresh Tendrils" Soundgarden

16. "Julie's Been Workin' for the Drug Squad" The Clash

17. "Love is Blindness" U2

18. "Joy" The Sundays

19. "Still Can't" The Cranberries

20. "Dig Me Out" Sleater-Kinney

21. "Down by the River" Indigo Girls

22. "Big Yellow Taxi" Joni Mitchell

23. "Do You Wanna Touch Me?" Joan Jett

24. "Never Take the Place of Your Man" Prince

25. "San Quentin" Johnny Cash

1 and 40

Good news! Dad's doctors have finally isolated the sole bacteria that is responsible for his infection. They are currently administering 1 antibiotic to kill this bacteria. This is down from 4 antibiotics they had him on last week, and that number was reduced from 12! Still no target date for coming home, but he's getting better. Feel free to applaud noisily.

More good news! I've officially lost 40 pounds according to this morning's weigh-in. That's equivalent to the rubberband ball pictured below.



No applause is necessary for me.

Wearing a Bit Thin

Dad's undergoing a procedure sometime today to drain some suspected abscesses. I wish there was a procedure to drain the exhaustion from my body. I am so sick of feeling tired. These last eight months have been really tough, much tougher than the eight months before Mom died. And now that the holidays are here, I just don't know if I have the reserves to make it through.

My apologies for the self-pitying nature of this post. But writing about it seems to make me feel better. So, I promise more uplifting stuff later.

Thanks.

And special thanks to Hugh for the suggested edits.