This Could Be A Photo Finish

It's definitely a sprint for the finish line; a 3 way battle. Who will crap out 1st? Our home computer or either one of our cars? The laptop's slowing down and the screen has been going for months now - this morning we finally lost 1 6th of our screen space. Sara's VW has been a lemon ever since we bought the thing. My CRV has had a good life but at almost 245,000 miles it's starting to get a little iffy. Stay tuned folks this one isn't over yet!

A Day Off

Today I woke up and started to get ready for work when I decided to check my facebook account and noticed that a fellow employee commented on getting the day off. What? I did some quick checking and it turns out that Montgomery County Schools activities are canceled for today! No School!

The storm yesterday was so powerful it knocked out power all over the DC Metropolitan area. There was a fatality related to the weather. Thousands are without power! I get an unexpected day off to clean the house for a visiting guest this weekend, read a little and walk my pooch. I should also make sure that my car is full of coolant because the radiator seems to be leaking again.

'Something's Missing'

This evening we attended a performance of my latest produced one act The Wrong Package. The one act is being produced as part of the Colonial Players of Annapolis' Singular Sensations One Act Play Festival. My script, among several other well-known, and original plays were put together for an entertaining 2 week run. The Wrong Package, directed by my friend Jacki was pretty well-received as it closed the 1st act of the night.

How did it go?

Well, 1st let me say that as a playwright whom had minimal involvement with the rehearsal it's always exciting, and nerve-wracking to see your script finally make it's way to the stage. I've always been happy that someone I know and trust was directing the play. Jacki gets my humor and understands where I'm coming from whenever we collaborate. The sound designer, however, is another story all together. Apparently, the sound person decided that the sound cue, music, that ends the show needed to come in earlier than it was written, and or director to be and so covered the last line of dialogue.

I think it's an important line.

Now I'm not one of those writers who takes themselves and their 'words' too seriously. I don't think. I understand that lines may be changed night by night in tiny little ways, or even misspoken. That happens. But when a playwright purposely book ends his script - begins and ends the show with the exact same line of dialogue - it is done for a purpose; it isn't an accident. Then again if a botched sound cue is my biggest complaint about the performance than I guess things could always be worse. I enjoyed seeing the characters come alive onstage, and I acknowledge the hard work and preparation that went into the production. I was pleased... except for the sound cue.

'Chi-Town, Baby!'

This past Thursday Sara and I got up at the crack of dawn and hit the road; Chicago Bound! One of her best friends from college was getting married and Sara was not only a bridesmaid but singing in the wedding as well. We made excellent time and arrived in the city just in time to sit in afternoon rush hour traffic on 90/94 but at least we had a great view of the city. We did make a small detour off of the PA Turnpike to visit the site of the World's Largest Big Mac, but that didn't affect our travel time too much.

We then got to Bert and Stephanie's apartment, in our old neighborhood, dropped off our bags, made a few calls and headed out for a tapas dinner at my old job, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba. It was delicious. It also helped that several of my old friends are still working there. A few hours later we were riding the EL Train back to the couch and a much needed good night's sleep.

Friday Sara and I went to an old neighborhood hang out for a cup of coffee and some breakfast. We just sat on the patio and watched the traffic go by as we enjoyed our scone and caffeine. A few hours later I dropped Sara off to take care of some Wedding errands, and I was given the rest of the day off. After driving back to the city - the hotel, and Wedding Reception where I left Sara was over an hour south of Chicago - I walked around the old neighborhood, visited a few haunts, and chilled out for a bit. Later on that evening I met up with some married friends and met their son, Logan, for the first time. He was a cool baby. Then I ran over to a nearby bar and visited with a buddy before Bert and Stephanie showed up for a few drinks. We toasted our mother after realizing that it was her birthday, and then went home and played their WII until the sun came up.

Saturday, I awoke a little worse for wear, and eventually worked my way into my suit, dragged my butt into the car and then drove over an hour west, out North Ave, to Oak Park, IL, and the Wedding. It was a beautiful church, Catholic ceremony...long, and Sara sounded amazing with her 2 songs. Soon our friends were husband and wife, and I got back into the car to drive over an hour south to the hotel. Then I took a 20 minute shuttle to the wedding reception. Needless, to say my patience was pretty thin at this point, and the wait at the bar did not help. However, it was a very important day for our friends so I had a few beer, let go of my tension, and danced the night away. I split my time between my lovely wife, and a 5 year old girl who thought I was an amusement park ride. Sara split her time between her tired husband and a pack of gay men who thought she was fabulous.

Sunday, we woke up, checked out and drove up to a White Castle! Hmmmmmm! Then we drove all the way back to the north side of the city. Bert and Stephanie had planned a cookout and some friends showed up and we just enjoyed a nice sunny day in Chicago. Sara and I really miss it. Several hours later, many Old Styles, and some quality time with the Bellas, friends, we went to bed dreading the long drive back.

So bright and early Monday morning we get up, pack the car and head out of the city. We stopped by our coffee shop and bumped into an old friend. Then we hit rush hour on Lake Shore Drive, and it was wonderful. I sit in traffic on the Beltway here in MD every day, but Lake Shore Drive as the sun's shining down on the lake, and the city is waking up was not so bad. Then we headed east! 15 hours later; after several traffic jams, pit stops, and, did I mention 15 cramped hours in a car?, we arrived home.

It's always hard leaving the Chicago; driving away and watching the skyline disappear into the background. It was a wonderful, jam-packed few days in a great city that we both love.

Well, Shit!

I wish I had a more eloquent title for this post. I don't!

Yes, today marks 1 year since my mother lost her battle with Cancer! 1 whole year! It's amazing to me that 365 days, yes that is 1 year folks, has passed. All this weekend I keep reliving that weekend, moments in the ICU, and being with my family as she passed away. The sting may have numbed a bit but the wound is still there.

Many things have happened in the last year, and it was not an easy year to get through. Slowly things are starting to improve job wise, 'life direction' wise, and 'moving on' wise. Unfortunately, were still in the shitter as far as the almighty dollar is concerned but that's probably going to be an ongoing battle for us so we're trying not to sweat that too much... it doesn't always work out that way.

Oh, and that play that I did back in February, 'Frozen', was completely overlooked today at the Ruby Griffith Awards! Actually, 2 plays that I have been in this past year were eligible today - 'Frozen' was supposed to be a sure thing but we did not win. Disappointing. I am not a big believer in awards but I had hoped for some recognition for this incredibly challenging play. I was more upset for the director who obviously had anticipated a win. We'll see if the show still gets the accolades it deserves.

F*#king Quack C*@ts!

I'm Not Avoiding My Blog.

I'm not. But this is going to be a hard time for me and my family. This weekend it'll be a year since mom died. Inside I feel as if I'm a reeling mess but outside I feel like I'm containing it pretty well.

Yesterday I took my students rock climbing at Earth Treks' and it was great. While we were there I got a call from one of my favorite cousins. I couldn't pick up because I was halfway up a rock face. Obviously I realized the call was from her after I got back to the ground, but anyway I knew why she was calling. She wanted to check in on me this weekend specifically.

Later on I called my father because Sara and I had thought that maybe he would like some company this weekend. Pops and I chatted for a bit and he's keeping busy this weekend with work, but he said Sunday afternoon he's going to just hang around the house and have some 'Suzie Time'. Sunday I will be in Frederick, MD at a theatre awards ceremony, and so will have to find my own way to have some 'Suzie Time' or, I dunno, maybe I'll just say some 'Mom Time'. ('FROZEN' the last theatrical production I was in is nominated for a Ruby Griffith Award.)

We'll make it through this weekend, obviously, but I'll have to wait and see how blog-friendly my thoughts will be over the next day or two.

4th Of July

Happy Birthday America! I will celebrate this weekend by sitting on the Chesapeake Bay, shooting off some fireworks, hanging out with family and picnics! Oh, and there will be beer, too and apparently tacky patriotic glitter messages!



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