You Say Inconvenience/I Say Inconvence

Actually, you respond to my little typo but claiming that what I referred to as an 'inconvenience' my initial email is actually so much more and that, no, there is not a job for a person with my training and experience at your school. Then, and here's the part I can't figure out, how does one go about attaching a venomous rejection, a spit in the eye, and a swift kick in the nuts to an email? Ouch!

It Helps With The Commute.

I've started back on the audio books. I'm working on the other side of the Beltway again and wrestling with an annoying, sometimes overwhelming commute. The audio books help pass the time, as does the satellite radio when my receiver is working. When it isn't I upload books on cd to my new phone which serves as an MP3 player and I escape the commute as best I can.

The funny thing about audio books is the narrator. A good narrator can make or break a book. In the past I've listened to some Isaac Asimov books in which the narrator's voices for women seemed to distract from the story. I'm sure he was trying his best but I couldn't invest in the female characters because their voices were so odd.

I just finished listening to 'A Wrinkle In Time' narrated by none other than the author, Madeleine L'Engle. This woman's voice, I can only compare to nails on a chalkboard whilst red hot pokers are being slowly shoved up the anuses of a million alley cats during a tone-deaf diva's aria in an opera performed in the bowels of Hell! Her voice was torture; unbelievably shrill, stilted, and she has the lisp where it sounds like her tongue is stapled to the roof of her mouth! I would step out of my car after my morning commute and have a headache because her voice had cause me to clench my jaw the entire ride. I wasn't sure I would make it through the 5 discs of the book but I did. Some of my students are reading the book in class and I thought how fun it would be to be able to talk with them about it. Unfortunately, now I have less of an appreciation for the book which I remember liking as a child and I can't get that harpy's squawking out of my head.

Not Really A Book Review

I recently picked up MOM'S CANCER at the library. The title, for obvious reasons, jumped out at me as I was walking by the shelf. A graphic novel of sorts, created from many different comic strips about the author's mother's battle with lung Cancer. The story covers every step along the way from diagnosis, to treatment, to recovery and all of the stages of hope, uncertainty and doubt that bombard a family dealing with Cancer. I enjoyed reading it and was a little sad to finish the book. Although the sadness could have been because the book made me miss my own mother.

'Frozen' Closing Night!

Tonight is the last performance. The rehearsal process, and character research was intense. Dealing with the production delays, all weather related, was a challenge. Our last weekend unfortunately hasn't gotten the audience we were hoping for because of the postponed opening. The backstage antics of the cast have been as equally entertaining as the acting onstage.

To be quite honest I wasn't quite sure how our production was going to be received. We've been pleasantly surprised. Audiences have seemed to enjoy the performances even if they didn't particularly enjoy the subject matter. The two reviews we received were overwhelmingly positive. Many patrons have approached me in the lobby after the show to engage me in conversation and compliment my work profusely.

I will miss this production. I am honored to have been a part of 'Frozen' and share the stage with a very talented cast. I am fortunate to have worked with a brilliant, sometimes too brilliant, director and a good friend of mine. It's a very dark, disturbing show but the end resonates with a positive message and I have enjoyed the ride.

Rough Day

I was flying up and down the radio dial on my morning commute. I happened upon a local morning show, usually pretty obnoxious, and the dj was discussing the recent death of his mother. I was instantly sucked in.

He discussed being at the hospital with her. Her suffering. Being in the room as she slipped away. Remembering the good times, the childhood memories, and just dealing with the grief. It was good to hear but hard to listen to at the same time.

It's been just under 8 months since my mother passed away. I still think about it a lot and miss her everyday. It has not been an easy year - employment problems, financial matters, life decisions, etc. There are times when I feel like we're barely treading water; struggling to stay afloat. We are trying to turn things around, and get us back on track. We're fighting to get our feet back under us, and sometimes it seems like an impossible task.

Who's Keeping Track?

1 step forward. 2 steps back. 2 steps forward. 1 step back. Left, Right, Left, Right, Left. About Face! Walk the line. Don't stray from the path! We're all lost together!