So Long 2011! Hello 2012!

Another year gone! Where has the time gone?

It occured to both Sara and I tonight that the last few New Years we've been happy to see the old year pass. I reviewed my blog and noticed my posts seemed to echo that sentiment. This year was different.

It wasn't a perfect year, by any means, but it was an eventful one! The pregnancy and birth of our daughter has made this year one that we will always remember. It also has had the strange effect of making me feel... what's the word?... Hopeful! I feel hopeful. Optimistic! I'm actually looking forward to the coming year and seeing what amazing things will happen with this wonderful little girl we are living with. She has changed our lives so much in the short time we've had her and I can't even begin to imagine the changes that still lie ahead.

Best Xmas Gift Ever!

It wasn't the most exciting of holidays but the addition of Evie Sue to our family really made this year special! I cannot imagine what today would have been like, or even what this last week would have been like without her in our lives. (This is apparently the post where I make completely obvious observations!) Words fail me to express my love for this wonderful little lady, or her mother.

Update!

So Much Has Happened Lately!

It has been one wild ride this last week and according to everyone I've talked to it is just the beginning. This is my 1st post as a parent! (Can you believe it?) The baby came 6 days late but when she decided to show up she made a dramatic entrance.

Our official due date was December 10th but, as you can see from the last post, we didn't deliver on time. We were scheduled to induce last Friday the 16th but when I arrived home Thursday night, Sara was already in labor! We putzed around until 4 in the morning when the doctors said it might be time to come in, and then we had to triage and see if we were indeed in labor or not! We were so they let us stay!
Around 11:30 AM we were still in labor but not a lot of progress had been made - I mean besides the epidural, and the 7 CMs dilation but the labor hadn't been moving along as they'd hoped. The baby's heart rate would drop whenever the doctors tried to speed things up so they decided that a cesaerean section was needed! Wham! That was it! 'Here's a jumpsuit and a mask! Follow us into this tiny little room where we will numb up your wife, and 'gently' retrieve the baby from the womb.' (Actually I was surprised by all of the shaking, tugging, not very gentle yanking that seemed to be happening on the other side of the curtain.)
Through it all Sara was a warrior. Even though she was terrified she held it together. Eventually there was a pause, a cry and then the anesthesiologist said, "I hope you were expecting a girl." I sprang to my feet peeked over the curtain and all I saw was this little gore covered goblin being held up before my eyes. There are no words to express all of the millions of thoughts that rushed through my mind in that instant although I do remember thinking, 'Wow! There Really was someone inside there all this time!'
Anyway, Evie Sue was brought into the world at 11:42 AM on December 16th 2011! She is wonderful! From the start she appeared to be alert, her beautiful eyes open and looking all around! I still have a hard time believing that I am a father to this amazing little person! It boggles my mind.
Our stay in the hospital was a little longer than we had anticipated, due to the surgery, but we brought our little girl home on Monday. The 1st couple days have been an adjustment, obviously, but thankfully with my mother-in-law's help we have been figuring everything out... for the most part. Sara's recovery is slower than she would like but everyday she seems to get stronger, and more accustomed to her role as 'Tap Wench'. Thankfully Dad took Tootsie for a couple days so we didn't have to deal with a neurotic dog on top of everything else.
Xmas is a few days away and we haven't really shopped at all. We are looking forward to spending time with family and introducing Evie Sue to her cousins, and Tootsie will eventually come home to discover how the hierarchy in the household has changed. The mother-in-law will stay through the holiday and then return to the Midwest to relentlessly torture our extended family with pictures and story of her beautiful new granddaughter! Luckily I have one more week of vacation from school and will cherish every minute I get to spend home with my family.

That is all for now.

+ 5 Days

So, here we are, 5 days overdue! Not a big deal, I'm told by countless others who apparently know so much more about 1st time pregnancy than I do. 5 days seems like an eternity! As long as it feels for me I'm sure it seems even longer to Sara, who has been dealing with everything like a champ. She's been incredibly strong and patient.

Tomorrow morning we will head into the hospital and get this show on the road. Sara will be induced, and hopefully by this time tomorrow we'll be in labor! I'm not sure how things are going to play out. Neither one of us is sure of anything except that this thing is going to happen and we are just going to hold on for dear life and ride the wave.

Nothing Yet!

Damn! Saturday - this one that just past - was our due date! No baby to speak of, not yet anyway. Everyone we speak to seems to have an opinion on when the baby will come. Some said the full moon. Some say, of course, we'll go late the 1st time. Others reassure me that Sara could go any minute.

No one knows anything.

Now I, as a 1st time father, am impatiently waiting - patiently - on this baby! One frustration in a long, long line of frustrations to come I am told.

When asked if she's 'sooo ready' to give birth Sara will just smile, tear up a little and say, "I'm just ready to meet her." I couldn't agree more, but I'm being selfish. Sara's carried this baby around for +9 months and I want a chance to carry something, to hold something, and to be a bigger part of this. We'll see how I do with the messy diapers.

Freaking Out In Tiny Little Increments!

(Sorry if you, my few readers, are getting tired of my posts about our impending parenthood but lately it seems that it's all I can think about.)
Are we ready for the baby?
Am I ready for the delivery room? I hope I don't faint!
Is Sara ready for delivery? I hope I don't faint!
While I'm sure that we'll come through the whole delivery ordeal better for the experience there is the fear of the unknown, you know?
And what about this car seat? Will I install it correctly?
What happens when I cut back on hours at work so I can spend more time at home but then my paycheck suffers?
What if my gag reflex is so bad when it comes to poopy diapers that I vomit on my baby?
What if I'm a bad father?
What if this child hates me?
Millions of tiny little panic attacks every minute; all self-contained and all bouncing around inside of my head.
That's what's going on with me these days.

Can You Believe It?

We have less than 2 weeks until the baby arrives! Today is the 1st of December and according to our doctors we're looking at December 10th for our due date... on or around that day!

It seems like just the other day we were hearing the heartbeat for the 1st time and now, very soon, we will be holding a little person to be named at a later date. Within weeks I will be changing poopy diapers, holding the baby, and waking in the middle of the night to get the crying baby and hand it to my lactating wife! (I won't be much help when the little one is hungry. Not at 1st, anyway.)

4 Years With This Turkey?

That's right! Today marks our 4 year Wedding Anniversary! We've been together for 4 years as man & wife! SO much has happened over the past 4 years, and as we all know, within the next few weeks a bigger change is expected - just over 2 weeks until baby comes. But for now we will spend this day, Thanksgiving, with my family, eating turkey, watching some football and celebrating our Anniversary down on the Bay.

Since we probably won't be going out much once the baby comes Sara and I went out for a celebratory dinner earlier in the week. We head back to the site of our 1st Anniversary; Osteria 177 here in Annapolis. We did not take a picture to commemorate the night because... well for 2 reasons Sara would tell you. 1st of all, we normally take a picture that we end up using for our holiday cards, this year we're waiting for our new addition and 2ndly, Sara ended up dripping some of her Pumpkin Ravioli onto her shirt. (The Pumpkin Ravioli with crushed Amaretto Cookies was AMAZING!)

A Few Free Nights...

...But not really! It is true that I was off from job #2 for the last 4 nights but that's only because job #1 crept into my evenings for a few days. I'm helping our with the school's holiday theatrical production so after school rehearsals are needed. Also we've had parent/teacher conferences these past 2 weeks and I've had to be available for a few hours into the evening for 4 days. It was funny to hear some co-workers complain about being at work until 7Pm or so when usually if I'm on a double I work until midnight.
Getting home around 7:30 or so was a nice change of pace. I could have dinner with Sara, relax on the couch and go to bed at a halfway decent hour. It also made me think how I'm really going to want that time at home once the baby comes - in 3 weeks! How can I make that happen? Hmm?
If I'm working close to or over 70 hours a week now trying to prepare for the baby is it possible that once the baby comes - in 3 weeks - that I can cut back on a few hours so I can see the baby that's coming in 3 weeks or am I going to need to continue to work 70 hours a week just to keep us a float while Sara is out of work? Logic seems to say I need to keep working. So I guess that's what I'll do for the time being. Until something else comes along, I guess I'll savor the free nights I get when I can get them.
By the way, there's only 3 weeks until the baby comes. (In case you didn't get that already.)

T-Minus 1 Month!

Here We Go! Not as prepared as we'd hoped, and not as ready as we'll ever be!

Here's the pic I shot during the video

BOO!

Halloween is here and once again I do not know how it snuck up on me. True I've been busy but I'm always using that excuse these days. I had some great costume ideas but not the time or finances to put them together. I carved a Jack O'lantern that has slowly been nibbled on every night by some local wildlife. I worked the whole weekend and today. I didn't get to see the niece and nephew dress up, hand out candy or even just give someone a good scare. We did get a chance to watch a few classic silent film horror movies such as The Phantom of the Opera, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Nosferatu!

Oh, and I kinda gave half-hearted attempts at dressing up at work for the weekend. My most popular costume was my normal work attire - company shirt, name tag, etc - and a pair of butterfly wings. Every see the little girls running around with fairy, or butterfly wings strapped to their back? I did that. I got many different reactions.

(Reposted from my social network page.)
'You're a fairy,' said this cute little girl noticing my butterfly wings.
'No, I'm a butterfly,' I replied. 'I'd look pretty silly as a fairy, wouldn't I?'
She paused, opened her mouth to speak, paused again and then said, 'Um, you still kinda look silly.'

Tomorrow is November, the holidays will be here before we know it, and hopefully we'll be enjoying our little present soon. I'll try and post again before that happens.

I Should Also Add...

...That a year ago I was nowhere near being ready to have a child. I'm still not as ready as I'd like to be. But ready or not we have 6 weeks left until this baby makes its grand entrance. Much has changed in a year, and I'm betting that the year ahead will be full of even more changes!

A Year Ago...

The worst thing about my job was my commute. Nowadays, the best thing about my job is the commute.

Maybe I've Been Working Too Hard!

'Obama put troops in Africa. You didn't know?'

'You've heard about these Wall Street protests, right?'

'Guess you saw that Ghadafi was killed?'

NOPE! I didn't know, I hadn't heard and and I haven't seen! I've been getting up and hitting the grindstone pretty hard the last month or so and realized I really hadn't taken the time to sit down and watch a news program. I think I'll spend tomorrow, before I have to head into work, catching up on some current events. Oh, and I should also try to get more done on the baby's room - 7 weeks to go!

Another Video Post

I should be working on cleaning out the room, setting up the room and getting the room ready for Baby Cobb but I took a little time to record a message.

Where Have I Been?

The simple answer is that I've been B U S Y ! There's not much time to blog when you're holding down 2 jobs, working close to 70 hours a week, and preparing for a baby! There' not much time for anything, not to mention the fact that I've committed myself to read a certain number of scripts a week in order to help a local theatre company pick out its next season. I have been busy.

In the last month, besides working, Sara and I attended a wedding for a friend of mine. It was our 1st coutry wedding - the groom wore cowboy boots - and Sara I were hoping to share a slow dance between two steps. Last Sunday, my last day off, I went to the NOCC Annapolis Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer 5K & 3K Walk, had brunch with the family, and took my father and increasingly pregnant wife to the Renaissance Festival!
Here's Sara and I heading towards the finish line during the Walk.








Sara left this morning to visit her family in Minnesota. I stayed behind to work, and watch the dog. I know she'll have fun visiting with her family, they'll love experiencing pregnant Sara, and I am disappointed that I could not go with her, but sometimes life is about sacrifice. Now I must go to sleep so I can get back to being busy.

No Isabel!

Irene has come and gone and while it was an 'experience' it wasn't as devastating or as frightening, in my opinion, as Hurricane Isabel back in 2003. During that hurricane I was trapped in my parents' house with my dad as the Bay waters kept rising, the waves crashed over the sea wall, and the wind thrashed and roared all though out the dark night. This time around we hosted my dad, and he sat with us in a darkened, powerless apartment as we listened to the storm raging outside. I don't think the storm hit us as hard as I was expecting.

With that said we did lose power and remained powerless for several days; the electricity just coming on Monday evening. What an inconvenience/pain in the butt that has been. Fridge filled with suspect foods, weird smells, and prepared meals just going to waste! School is still out here in the county, and many homes are still without power. It is in sympathy with these unfortunate souls that I am raiding my pantry today and eating stored Hurricane rations of potted meats/fish and crackers for lunch, instead of running out to the grocery store with money I don't have... well, okay so maybe the finances do have something to do with it.

Many trees in the neighborhood are down, cars and houses damaged, power lines still down and people wandering the streets surveying the destruction. I'm not sure what has happened to the rest of the eastern seaboard since I haven't seen a news broadcast since before Irene came ashore, but I know that it could have been much worse around here. I did have a minor heart attack when I awoke to find a tree gently resting on my car. It wasn't a large tree, didn't cause any damage and was quickly and easily enough removed. We were fortunate.

What's Shakin'?

The earth, apparently.

The projector started to shake. The water in the fish tanks started sloshing all around. The students looked around the classroom bewildered as my knees or the floor buckled several times. Then I blurted out, "Earthquake!" That doesn't have the calming effect one would think it might have!

An earthquake, you might ask, unless you were living on the East Coast yesterday and felt the effects of the 5.9 shaker that originated in Mineral, VA. I've never been in an earthquake and, I have to admit it was pretty surreal. Time between the 1st rumblings and the last trembles has warped for me; it seems like it took forever but was over in the blink of an eye.

And now the area is bracing for the approach of Hurricane Irene! Will she or won't she, that little tease?

My Evening On 'Ensign Point'

Tonight Sara and I agreed to help out some friends and perform a little role-playing, interactive game at a local sleep away camp. Campers would walk around and deliver messages to and fro, ask questions of mysterious characters, and try and help solve the mystery. My post was on the southern most point of camp and surrounded by the Rhode River. Here are some snapshots, that do not include me in my pirate costume.
My station along for the evening. I waited for campers to find me.

Sunset over Sheephead Cove! Beautiful!


Once I actually had a fire, and the insects left me alone, the evening was quite fun.

This Might Be Hard To Believe...

... But I don't really like discussing myself. ('Then why do you write a blog?' you might be wondering.)

That's different. I like telling stories. I like writing scripts, and short stories. I do not like discussing personal details with strangers. I do not like answering questions about myself or my health when approached by professional question askers.

For example, today I had a doctor's appointment, a check up with my general practitioner, and I was not looking forward to it. I suffer from 'White Coat Syndrome' - meaning that my stress level jumps as soon as I walk into the waiting room. My blood pressure shows that anxiety, and I am not comfortable until I walk out to my car afterward.

Today I was especially uncomfortable, due to the fact that I have been rather lax lately in following through with my health care. I'm taking prescriptions for my health problems but did not follow through with a few appointments I was supposed to schedule. So sue me! I got busy living life. Preparing for a baby, finding a new job locally, paying bills, and finding a second job to help pay those bills has been occupying my time.

Having said that my appointment went pretty well. My weight has dropped, without trying, and my blood pressure is at a healthier level. The doctor was surprised that I hadn't followed through on his recommendations and that I let so long go between communicating with him. It wasn't a big scene or anything but I felt a little uncomfortable. This worsened when the doctor popped back in to the room as I was having my blood drawn and mentioned a new program that I might benefit from.

Basically, through my insurance I qualify for a new program. A case worker will help me stay on top of my healthcare. The representative will communicate between my doctors, and specialist, help arrange appointments, tests and procedures and will help make sure that I pay attention to the passage of time between appointments. The new program doesn't affect my insurance premiums, and I can cancel the option at any time.

Sure, why not. A representative came into ask me a few questions. Great! My blood pressure rises again. Medical history? Family history? Prescriptions? Lifestyle choices? Work? Finances? Question after question! All reasonable and logical! Still I felt uncomfortable with all this attention focused on me. Why does she need to know all about me to effectively help me? Silly question.

Oh My God, There's Something In There!

Tonight I felt the baby kick for the very 1st time! Lately, Sara has been feeling all kinds of movement from Baby Cobb. She'll start suddenly, or gasp or squirm and mumble something about baby doing a back flip. Sometimes she'll even grab my hand and throw it on her belly and ask, "Did you feel that? What about that? You had to feel that?" But I never did.

Until tonight! Baby's been kicking up a storm and Sara swears she could see her belly move. So I tried again and WHAM there was a bump, a kick, a punch something against the palm of my hand! Then another and another! I lowered my face to Sara's belly and wouldn't you know my daughter caught me with a roundhouse kick to the head! She's moving in there, alright. She's like some kind of Bruce Lee/Ballerina and she is getting ready for opening kick off!

A Tired Future

I think I have some long days and nights ahead of me. Everyone says when you have a baby kiss a full night's sleep good bye! There will be months when the baby doesn't sleep the night through, and we'll be up soothing, feeding, and rocking the baby all night long. That's fine... well, not fine but expected. We'll have to spend those sleepless nights with the baby. That's pat of the deal, I know, but I'm still not looking forward to missing all that sleep.

Oh, and I've started working a 2nd job at a local 'Neighborhood Grocery Store'. It's hard work, a lot of work and I'm enjoying being busy and working with my hands but it is job #2! Job #1, the school, starts up again next week and I'll be working Monday through Friday full time. I'm not quite sure yet what my schedule will be in the afternoon and evenings but several of those days I will, more than likely, leave one job and drive directly to the next one.

I'm not complaining - not yet anyway. I'm just saying there's a good chance that I am going to be pretty worn out in the next couple years or 18! I'm going to have to get good at catching little power naps here and there, or when ever I am able. Maybe I should go and take a nap now in preparation for the long days ahead.

Good Question

"Enjoying your vacation?" he asked.

"It's okay," I replied, "I'm starting a new job tomorrow though, so hopefully I'll get a few shifts next week."

"Well, how are you gonna do that when you have the other job?"

"I'll work at the school during the day and then the 2nd job will be more in the evenings and weekends," I explained.

He shook his head and looked down at the wet pavement. "I guess you have to do what it takes."

Yes, I do. So I will be starting job #2 tomorrow. It will be part time and, hopefully, be flexible enough to work around job #1. Unfortunately, neither job pays particularly well so at this stage in the game I need them both. I'm excited though. This new job is a company that my wife and I both support, it seems like a good place to work, and it's right around the corner. We'll see how it all works out, especially when I start taking classes in the fall.

Post # 700!

To mark my 700th post I thought I'd try a little video blog, and maybe even start a small series of posts concerning our upcoming family member. This will be the 1st concerning changes we will have to make to accommodate a little one in our abode.

What will become of the guest room in our current apartment? Good question. Let's see what happens over the next few months. Baby's due in December remember.



PS. I would've panned the camera around some to show you the room but it is a trainwreck right now.

My New Hobby

I like to check and see how bad rush hour traffic on the Washington Beltway is before or after my commute to and from my new job. I check a local website, www.wtop.com, and it shows me traffic routes and speeds. The map shows green when the traffic flow is good, yellow when it's slow, and red when it's bad news. Today I checked the site about the time I'd normally be heading home from my last job and, wouldn't you know it, that Beltway was RED & YELLOW all over the place! The inner loop along the north side, my daily route, looked like the freakin' Flag of the Soviet Union! I'm sooooooo happy I'm not sitting in that nightmare!

Currently Reading:

It's an odd time for me reading wise.

I'm trying to read a few play scripts because I'm on the play selection committee for a local theatre company. I'm trying to bring a few options to the table. Some of the scripts I've had for awhile and others I've tried to get from the library but with money tight right now I have not been ordering new scripts to peruse.

I'm also reading a biology review book. I'm assistant teaching high school biology this year and am trying to brush up on my scientific knowledge.
In preparation for our upcoming baby, we're currently sitting at the halfway point in Sara's pregnancy, I'm also reading a book that was sent to me by my mother-in-law:
For fun I've been taking my time reading an interesting book about the death of God. It's not a philosophy or religion book. It's a fiction in which God's corpse has been found floating in the middle of the ocean and the Vatican is trying to keep it quiet. A supertanker is hired to tow the Corpus Dei to the arctic in an effort to preserve the dead deity, and keep the public from finding out that the laws of morality may or may not apply any longer.
Then, of course, there is the backlog of books I have resting on bookshelves, piled in corners, or recently handed to me by family or friends. I always try to have something I'm reading, but lately I'm having a hard time focusing on finishing an entire chapter much less a book.

A Poem I've Always Liked

O snail
Climb Mount Fuji
But slowly, slowly!

-Kobayashi Issa

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Today is my Mother's birthday. It's also the 2 year anniversary of her funeral. 2 years ago today friends and family packed my Mom's church and celebrated her life! I keep saying how hard it is to believe that it's been 2 years. I think about her all the time, and miss her more. Lately she has been even more on my mind because of the baby we're expecting this winter. I still have the urge to pick up the phone and speed dial her whenever I have news to share.

This is a pic of Ma and Savannah at my last birthday party she attended. She was already on the oxygen but she tried not to let that slow her down! She was a tough lady!

In other news, the new job is going well but the adjustment has been difficult, particularly, financially speaking. It will all even out in the long run, hopefully, but money continues to be tight. As I get down on myself for yet another stumble, and try to figure out a way to bring in some extra money - I'm applying for part time work locally - I often get down on myself. Today I got some advise from Dad. He thinks I should try a more positive mental attitude and in the best case adopt a "Every day is a pretty day" outlook and in the worst case say, "I think this positively sucks!" Thanks, Pops!

How Should I Feel?

You tell me.

Today is the 2 year anniversary of my Mother's passing. It's amazing to think that it has been that long since I hugged my Mom, or heard her laugh. I don't know how all of that time has past since I last stood by her bedside in the ICU Ward but it has. Her birthday is on Sunday. So July has been and probably will continue to be a hard month for me.

Then on the other hand I did find out today that Sara and I are having, %90 sure, a baby girl! I guess nothing's a sure thing, but the ultrasound technician and the doctor agreed that it appears to be a female baby. The baby was rather uncooperative with the whole procedure and kept turning away from the ultrasound, so we didn't even get a good look at the face either.

SO it's kinda a mixed bag today. Missing my mother, of course, but super excited for the daughter that she would have spoiled and loved unfailingly. That's not to say that she wouldn't have loved another grandson, she would've been just as please. But I believe that I could hear my mother's laugh as Sara and I opened the envelope and unfolded the note that read, "Congratulations, You're Having A Baby Girl!" She'd get a kick out of me raising a daughter!

How Goes it?

It's going well. I've been at the new job for over a week now. As previously stated I am enjoying the shortened commute in both the morning and the afternoon.

The school is run differently than what I am used to but it isn't necessarily a bad different. I definitely feel like much more of a teacher, as opposed to a babysitter, than I did in my last position. That isn't entirely fair - the last student needed one to one assistance and attention getting him through his daily routine, and help him achieve his goals. This job I am responsible for the instruction of many students in subject of Science. I will actually be teaching.

I miss some of my old coworkers, of course. I miss some of the students. However, I have met new students of whom I am already fond, and I will develop relationships with my new coworkers. In the long run I am sure that changing schools, and choosing to work closer to home will end up being a wise decision.

A slightly uninteresting side note - once again students, and also a staff member have found making fun of my last name amusing. 'Corn on The Cobb' has been a name that has followed me around since preschool, I believe, but people always think that they're the 1st person to come up with such a clever title for me. It doesn't bother me anymore, but I'm always entertained by the smirk that crosses over a student's face as they say, "Good Morning, Mr. 'Corn On The Cobb!'" No points for originality.

Happy 4th!

It's July again and once again, we celebrate our country's independence with fireworks. Saturday night our neighborhood had a fireworks show. Sunday we drove down to North Beach to enjoy a day on the Bay, stood on the dock and watched the fireworks compete with the thunderstorm that was blowing through. Tonight we're off to visit some friends who're throwing a little 4th of July get together - I'm not sure if there will be fireworks but I kinda expect a few.

Ummm... okay I have to interrupt, and rework this post to report that we just got home from our friends' house and the fireworks were amazing. Amateur fireworks but holy crap they were impressive tonight in Londontowne. It was just people shooting off from their docks, public beaches or sailboats but there were fireworks everywhere for over 45 minutes. 3 guys seemed to be in contention for master of ceremonies but there were at least 3 times as many people firing off fireworks of all sizes and descriptions.

I was giddy. There were so many bright colors and loud explosions that I didn't know where to look or what to say except, "Oooh! Aaaah! Wow, look at that!" Afterward I realized that I had probably just seen several times my annual income in fireworks from people who were just celebrating being American! Must be nice to be so patriotic and have such a large disposable income.

Orientation

7:10 AM - Just finished eating my breakfast. The dog has been walked. Soon, in the next 15 minutes or so I will be heading out the door and driving to my 1st day on the new job! I will let you know how things go later on in the day when I get home from my 'commute'.

3:25 PM - Home from my orientation. Morning commute took 17.5 minutes. I spent the rest of the day being handed forms and packets with the assurance that' "You'll understand everything eventually." I think I am going to enjoy the new job!

The Calm Before The Storm?

Or maybe it's just having a little bit of downtime before starting my new job, and then there is, of course, the impending birth of the baby. Did I mention that we're having a baby? Well, we are!

Sara and I are expecting our firstborn this Winter, and there is a whole helluva a lot to get done before the baby comes! It's still a little surreal at this point! We've had a few doctors appointments, we've heard the heart beat, seen the ultrasounds, but it all seems so foreign.

I've had the last week off from work as I gear up to start at the new school, and figure out my new schedule with, possibly, a 2nd job, and, hopefully, evening classes. Everyone keeps telling us that life as we know it is going to change but we were actually hoping for a change anyway. Time keeps on ticking, and the expectations are growing!

Farewell Washington DC Beltway!

I hope to never have to see you again on a regular basis, and especially not for a daily commute!
Yesterday saw my last 2 Rush Hour Commutes on the Washington Beltway EVER! E V E R!! I signed all the paperwork, received some parting gifts from some coworkers and left Ivymount for the last time as an employee. Starting in just over a week I will be a new employee of the Harbour School here in Annapolis! As I've written before that means I'll have to commute 11 miles to my new job! ELEVEN MILES! When I clocked it I can get to work in less than 20 minutes! That's will save me tons in gas money, and hours of my life stuck in the car going to and from work!

I am excited for this new opportunity! I am sad to leave behind students and staff whom I care about but it was time for me to leave... again. A couple years ago when I quit my drama teacher job it was to, hopefully, move back to Chicago. This time I'm walking away for a chance to better my situation, and further my career, again, hopefully. I am in such a different place nowadays and I hope that this streak of good luck holds out. It's been a rough couple years.

Hush Puppies and Body-Surfing!

Sara and I got back earlier this evening from our most recent trip to North Carolina; this time to the Eastern part! A quick weekend trip, even though traffic did its best to lengthen our journey.


It was a fun time spent with family, both immediate and extended. We chatted, spent some time playing on the beach, ate some good southern foods, and laughed alot! It was another much needed getaway! When people ask me what I did this past weekend I'll say, 'I ate hush puppies and went body-surfing!'

On The Road Again!

Sara and I will be hitting the road once more heading back down to North Carolina for the weekend. This time we'll be on the Eastern side attending a Cobb family reunion with our nearest and dearest! Road tripping down with my little brother and his wife, to join the rest of my family. First I must get through a Friday work day before leaving for our trip.

Speaking of work, I've started counting down the commutes I have left at my current job. Tomorrow morning will mark Number 11! I am not counting the afternoon drive because we're not coming home - don't misunderstand, tomorrow's afternoon rush hour will probably still be torturous but we'll be heading in the opposite direction. Then next week I have 5 more work days which equals 10 more rush hour commutes before I bid farewell to Beltway driving! I cannot wait!

Snatching Opportunities From The Passing Days!

The actual quote from Horace is, "Let us my friends snatch our opportunity from the passing day."

Without revealing too much at this point I would like to say that I have recently snatched an opportunity which will hopefully make life a little more pleasant these days. I have accepted a job, similar to my current job, at a school, similar to my current school, but instead of commuting all the way around the Beltway to Rockville it is here in Annapolis! That means no more nightmare commutes, and spending 3 to 4 hours a day in my car just getting to and from work! I will now be able to get to work in less that 20 minutes, and, hopefully, I will be able to cut way down on fuel costs! I will be starting at the end of June and am looking forward to this new adventure, and appreciative of the potential changes for the better.

The Message Read,

"The show is canceled my friend."

The 'show' being a remount of my 1st original produced stage play: 2002's 'Lumpkin's Big Top'. The reason why the remount has been canceled is because it was being produced, this time, in Joplin, MO! In case you haven't heard, or are reading this sometime in the distant future Joplin was recently hit by a monster tornado.

According to the Joplin Globe the tornado, an EF-5, was the 8th deadliest tornado in US history, and killed at least 122 people. My friends in Joplin were unharmed by the storm but the town will never be the same. In light of current events, I am completely understanding as to why the play would not go on. In fact, when I 1st heard the news the 2 things that ran through my head were, "I hope my friends are okay." followed by, "Guess the show won't go up."

This play, which had it's fair share of problems the 1st time around, will have to go without a 2nd production for the time being. That's just the way things are. I hope the good folks of Joplin are on their way towards recovering from this horrible disaster.

Techno-Rage!

What's the point of all this fancy new, cutting edge and ever changing new technology if when your fancy touch screen cell phone screen breaks you can't retrieve any of the media saved on the damned device? I have pictures and video on the phone that I want to keep, some with sentimental value, but the people at the corporate cell phone store told me they couldn't transfer the data because the screen is broken and they can't access the menu! Argh!
Be Ready! Skynet will soon become self-aware and we'll all be in for it!

Since The World Didn't End Today...

...I guess I'll read:

















I've been on a Memoir kick lately. I just finished:










and before that:









by Carrie Fisher

Of Course The World Is Going To End Tomorrow!

I sense a change in the air. I've had a few dice start to roll my way. I'm feeling kinda positive about life in general. I'm anticipating an eventful year...

World's gotta end! Sky's gonna fall! Rapture! Judgement!

Hey wait a minute I just resigned my benefits package at work; should I have added some AFLAC: END OF THE WORLD Insurance?

Oh, and, to top it off Randy 'Macho' Man Savage died today in a car accident! (Unofficially, I heard he had a heart attack, and then crashed his car.) The Macho Man is dead! Another one of my childhood heroes has died. What really pisses me off is that he missed the Rapture by 1 day! We could've used Randy Savage against the evil legions! I'm just saying...

It's So Easy

To get wrapped up in my own little world. Sometimes I'm dragged down by the undertow of my self-pity.

Tonight I saw a Facebook "Friend's" status alerting everyone that he was home and recovering from a kidney transplant. Wow! Yes, I have kidney issues. I've had medical ordeals, but this guy, younger than me, has had a kidney transplant...

I guess I'm doing okay. Good luck to my "friend".

Today At Work

We were given our contracts for next year, then had a mandatory meeting about changes in our benefits package, and told we had one week to finish all the necessary paperwork. That's a lot t take in. People were not happy. I'm just confused. and frustrated. I don't suppose the gas prices will recover in that week...

It was a good weekend!

Considering I ended the work week stressed out, once again, about money and my current job, and sick with a head cold the weekend turned out to be surprisingly refreshing.

Saturday I got up early, took some cold meds, and headed out early with Adam to play paintball! A friend of mine was throwing a big guys weekend retreat for friends from out of town and invited me along to play some paintball. It was a much needed day of fun, strategy, and Terminator quotes! Then I came home to have dinner with Sara and watch date movie.

Sunday, I just lazed around the house. I straightened a tiny bit, went for a long walk with Tootsie, and enjoyed the weather with a book. Very relaxing. I'm still not feeling 100% but I definitely feel better.

Change Of Plans

I was writing a post that would address the negative vibe from my birthday post, but then the rebuttal post became overwhelmingly negative. I started going on and on about financial stress, bad decisions, and shell-shock. I was hoping to end the post with some positive words, or thoughts but the negativity kept seeping back in. So I scrapped it.

Then this morning I wake up to pictures and videos of people partying in the streets! Facebook statuses celebrating! Osama Bin Laden is dead! That's a good thing, I guess. He was the cause of so much grief and tragedy! He wounded this country and her citizens so deeply! I'm okay with his death. I'm not gonna run out into the streets and start swinging from streetlights, or crowd-surfing though. The evil SOB is dead, but do we need to throw a frat party to celebrate?

Oh, and I'm disturbed by the images of young children celebrating and holding up homemade poster board signs that usually would read, "I love Justin Bieber!" or "The Wiggles Rocks!" but today the sign reads, "Yeah, Osama is Dead!" That's weird.

It Happens Sometimes...

Sometimes life just gets in the way.

I had planned to complete another one of my scripts by today, my birthday, but I didn't.

There were many factors that contributed towards my delinquency, and none too exciting: work matters, money matters, personal matters, Spring Break, etc. Life encroached on my plans and I didn't follow through with my goal. I am easily distracted these days. It's gotten to be a familiar tune to these ears of mine. Life, lately, hasn't been what we had once hoped it would be, and so then I begin to doubt decisions already made, steps to be taken, and directions to be followed. With all of this in mind it is hard to focus on a pet project that, more than likely, will not better our situation. Am I willing to keep expending energy on, spinning my wheels for these fruitless minor undertakings? Am I?

Who knows? Today I enter into my late/mid 30's and I am no better off than I have been in years past. This doesn't apply to every aspect of my life, obviously, but many that I always hoped would improve with time. I am still trying to figure out my finances, my career, my direction in life, and my identity as an artist, if that is what I claim to be. These gray areas, smudges of uncertainty, in my life weigh me down beneath their burden as if I were a smaller scaled Atlas being punished for some unknown transgression that, when it eventually is brought to light, will be revealed to be caused by my own self.

In summation, I guess I'm just feeling a little blue about another year passing me by and leaving me still holding my sack full of unanswered questions. This long death of life moves on and I, like many many more, have no idea of how to manipulate the rudder effectively and so must hope for favorable winds and gentle currents. I don't mind the occasional swell, or passing storm but this aimless drifting grows weary. I must somehow find my way forward before I fall off the edge of the world.

Ramps?

Have you heard of these? According to theforagepress.com a Ramp is a wild leek. The kept popping up during our recent trip. A friend of mine tempuras the ramps at his restaurant in Pine Spruce, NC. The caretaker of the cabin we stayed in up near Buladean, NC came back one day from a hike in the woods, with his family, carrying a bunch of ramps. He gave us some and I sauteed them with some olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper, and a handful of almonds I'd toasted before. They were delicious. I'd never heard of them before a week ago.

And We're Back...

Sara and I spent most of Easter Sunday on the road driving back from North Carolina. We had a wonderful time. As I predicted it was a much needed and appreciated break from our everyday lives. It has been years since I visited this area of the country and I forgot just how much I enjoy it.
1st let me say a few things about my friend, Justin. He is one of the most genuine, and caring people I have ever known. He's been this way since we were roommates back in college. He opened his home to us this past week, chauffeured us around Asheville, and was a giving host. Our good feelings about Asheville are reinforced by the knowledge that we have such a good friend there.We enjoyed the Asheville. It's a cool little mountain town with a city-like atmosphere. You can walk the streets, catch a bite to eat outside on a patio, and look up and see mountains a few miles away. It has a great variety of restaurants, cool shops, attractions, artwork and beautiful scenery.Then there was the cabin. Our friend Heather got us access to a cabin in the mountains on the Tennessee border. The mountains were beautiful, the cabin was rustic, and we enjoyed our time up in the woods. The cabin was on what used to be a Woman's Retreat, had a few spring-fed watering holes, some friendly dogs, and was extremely close to the Appalachian Trail. It was the perfect way to end the vacation.Now we're back from vacation wondering when we can go back. I've uploaded a lot of pics between this page and facebook and there's probably still more to come.

1st Things 1st

(Read the post directly beneath this one, and then come back to read here.)

With the below sentiment in mind Sara and I will be heading out of town this Tuesday. Money is tight, it's true, but we are going anyway. I'm on Spring Break, and we need to get outta Dodge for a few days. We need to. We need to have a little adventure.

So we're heading off to the Smoky Mountains of west North Carolina; more specifically, Asheville! I haven't been to this area of the Tar Heel State in many years. A good friend, college buddy of mine, has been there for quite some time and has offered to put us up for a few nights. Another friend of ours is doing some work study program, I believe, in the same area and so we've made plans to visit her. Maybe we'll hike a little, see some sights, visit with friends, and enjoy being together.

This should be a fun getaway. I'll update the blog as soon as I am able. We'll be back sometime Easter Sunday.

I Agree

"Well, well, a good and wholesome thing is a little harmless fun in this world; it tones a body up and keeps him human and prevents him from souring."
- From Mark Twain's 'Joan of Arc'

What Does It Mean?

When I see my wife on stage killing a role... singing her ass off... knocking it out of the park... well, I'm as happy as I can be! I mean, I'm a performer. I do plays with local theatre companies; for heaven's sake, I just won an award for my efforts! I am an actor, a performer, a person who thrives on the attention I get from an audience. I absolutely love sitting in that same audience and watching my wife shine on stage! She is an inspiration!

Yes, I Know It's April Fools

Does that mean we all have to be paranoid? Apparently so.

This morning the office staff was convinced that I was pranking them because a man kept calling the school before classes began and asked to speak to, "Mr. Cobb". I could not be found. I hop all around the school before the kids get there. I pop into the art room to talk to the art teacher, I go into my old class to visit with staff, and I may even use the restroom before the students arrive. When I finally heard I was receiving phone calls I went to the office and inquired. This caller had called a handful of times already, always asking for, "Mr. Cobb", never using my name. I became suspicious. No one would call me at the school repeatedly, and not leave a message. I though perhaps someone was trying to play a joke on me.

At this point the office staff, seeing that I wasn't really concerned with who might be calling for me decided that I must be the jokester. They became convinced that I was calling the office and asking for myself sending them on a wild goose chase. I knew this wasn't the case but I couldn't convince them. I spent time in the office hoping the mysterious caller would try again. They didn't. I returned to the classroom since now the students had arrived, and, wouldn't you know it, I was paged to the office.

Turns out it was a concerned parent calling to discuss a personal matter that had happened yesterday. They wanted to discuss it with me and didn't think to leave a message or ask for a return call. Okay, so that cleared it up. Except one receptionist still claimed that I was playing a prank. She said that I was pretending to have the 10 minute conversation on the phone with a cohort to cover up my guilt. (Like I have that kind of time or energy.)

A side note - Besides all of the ridiculously lame April Fool's jokes perpetrated by my students the day went pretty smoothly. A coworker did feel the need to warn me away from the Beltway for my afternoon commute due to a truck fire that had screwed things up. I believed her completely but she still felt the urge to say, "This is not an April Fool's joke."

Everybody relax!

Bad Day

It just was. I should've stayed in bed. Financial stress. Job stress. Cell phone battery died on the morning commute. It was one thing after another.
I did see something on the morning commute that made me smile though - a tiny smile.



Then on my afternoon commute I spotted a pair of Bumper Nuts. For some reason that always gets me smiling too.



Two smiles during the course of a bad day is not a bad total I guess.

I've Made A Decision!

After spending the last few hours bumming around the house and procrastinating from my duties I have decided positive steps are needed. I meant to clean more of the house. I've barely straightened at all. I wanted to read my book. Less than ten pages have been turned today. I planned on working on some of my writing and have put a minimal amount of effort into that today. I did review a script I've been tinkering around with for a couple years now, and have chosen this script to finish.

Before my next birthday, April 28th, I will have finished a rough draft of the aforementioned script. I don't remember when I started writing this particular project but it has sat unfinished for too long; as have many of my other writings. I attack a script or story with vigor during the beginning stages but, inevitably, life gets in the way, or my attention waivers and I stop working on developing the idea. This is a pattern for me as a writer.

Earlier in the year when I gave myself a deadline to write a One Act I rose to the occasion. Maybe deadlines are what I need. Maybe.

"The Real Japan"?

I recently read 'Wrong About Japan: A Father's Journey With His Son'. The author, Peter Carey, wrote the book after being sucked into his son's fascination with Anime and Manga. The book is about the father and son visiting Japan in an attempt to nail down the Japanese Culture behind the art forms.
I read it because someone I know is fixated on the same types of things, and I was hoping to gain a little insight. The quote below is attributed, in the book, to Hayao Miyazaki, a prominent animator, film director and manga artist.

"...One of the most important of man's abilities is the imagination, so the purpose of his creative activities is to develop the imagination of children, the coming generations. Imagination can create a totally different world,depending on its use. It can give birth to virtue, or destructive weapons which threaten the whole world."

At First Glance...

... I was inspired by this story. This young man, minus a leg, just won the NCAA Wrestling Championships! Wow!

Then I start thinking about it. I thought some more, and I remembered how I bad I was when I tried wrestling for a season back in the day. Then I got kind of annoyed. He's only got one leg! I sucked and I had 2 legs! I lost every match, except one and I only got that decision cause the kid cried every time I flipped him over!
Yay for people who excel in the face of adversity... I guess!

Embarrassing Yet Flattering!

So tonight, St. Paddy's Day, I ran straight from work, Job #2, to see a show in Annapolis. I've not done a show with Colonial Players this season but I try to support local talent, and my friends. The show, a musical, was a musical and not one I am in love with but I enjoyed my friends' performances.
Anyway, after the show I was approached in the lobby by a random young man who wanted to talk about 'Frozen'. Yep, that's right readers - you few and faithful - this young man approached me to talk about my 'Award-Winning' role in last season's 'Frozen'! I was just chilling after the show and the kid recognized me and 'had to say something'! It was really a nice surprise! (Sorry if I keep coming back to this but winning the award is still fairly fresh and to have a guy approach me out of the blue to tell me how much he enjoyed the show he saw a year ago makes me very proud!)

What Am I Reading?

Finished recently:


Just started:

Closing Night - "Sight Unseen"

Another curtain falls on yet another show! Tonight was the closing performance of "Sight Unseen". (I'm obviously writing this after midnight.) It has been an pleasure to finally do a show for Dignity Players! An honor to work with the director, and to share the stage with 3 very talented actors/actresses! This show presented its own challenges that we were forced to meet, and overcome as an ensemble. That's one of the things I love best about live theatre; the working together.

We ended on a high note, I believe. Sure it was closing night and there were a few flubs, and line errors that always happen on the final night but the show felt good! We all turned in solid performances - once again this is all my opinion - and made the director proud. That's the thing about a short, 2 week run, you peak and then the show ends. I will miss this show, and hope to keep in touch with everyone but as I've written before that isn't guaranteed.

(Here's is the review from the Baltimore Sun. The Bay Weekly also gave the show a favorable review!)

The above painting is by an artist named Julian Schnabel. I have it on good authority that the play was based, loosely, on his career. My best friend, Adam, was an art major but hated art history so I don't believe I ever heard of this particular artist!

The Results Are In!

It was a very surreal moment! Surrounded by cast-mates, crew, and other theatre friends I heard my name read aloud as the winner and then things got kinda fuzzy. I know I got to my feet as all of my supporters were cheering, and applauding. I made my way to the stage, accepted my award and proceeded to give thanks. It's all a blur. Then I found my way back to my table and into several very earnest and secure hugs. Sara later told me I gave a great acceptance speech; funny, sincere, and short.

I won the W.A.T.C.H. Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play!

'Frozen', a show that we performed just over a year ago had been nominated in 6 categories. Sadly enough, I received my award but the other nominees did not! It was a bittersweet evening. I was glad my work had been acknowledged, but sad that the show, which I was honored to have been a part of, did not end up winning other awards. I was confident that we would at least take home most of the Awards we were nominated for! Who knows how the scoring worked out? It could've come down to just a few points. That's the way I hear it works.

I am honored to have been a part of this production, to know these people and to have received the award.

Interesting side-note for the evening; I was being congratulated by a young man whom just recently played the exact same role that I had just won an award for, Ralph Wantage, when I was approached by a 2nd individual. This man, I must admit I missed his name in all of the excitement, identified himself as one of the WATCH Committee Judges. He shook my hand, congratulated me and proceeded to shower me with some the most generous and passionate compliments I've ever received! He told me he had been waiting an entire year to shake my hand and thank me for my performance. It was, he said, THE best acting performance he had ever seen in his life, community or professional! His sincerity was overwhelming! All I could do was offer my thanks, shake his hand and accept the unbelievable compliment. (Even now I feel slightly embarrassed writing about it.)

It's An Honor Just To Be Nominated!

That's what they say. I guess it's true.

Tomorrow, after my 3PM Matinee, I will be racing down to Alexandria, VA to attend the 11th Annual Washington Area Theatre Community Honors presentation ceremony. I've written previously how the last show I did, Frozen (2/10), has been nominated for numerous awards including my role which is being considered for best lead actor in a play. We've got a big group of cast and crew driving down to the awards show and we're all keeping our fingers crossed hoping for the best.

We'll see what happens when the W.A.T.C.H. Award winners are announced. I'll keep you updated.

Opening Night - Sight Unseen

Tonight is opening night for Sight Unseen, my latest theatrical production. I am excited to put this show up in front of an audience. We need the audience.

We've been rehearsing this show since before the New Year - actually, that isn't entirely correct. We originally started out doing another show but then lost the rights - long story - and wound up working on this particular script. As it turns out, we've all... most of us, anyway, seem to have grown really attached to this script, and have put a lot of time and effort into the production.

The show is about a successful artist/painter who has lost his way and is trying to rediscover what made him become an artist in the 1st place. He pays a visit to his ex-girlfriend/muse and her husband in an attempt to get in touch with his past but discovers he cannot go backwards through life. It is a provocative script, a talented group of actors, and a theatre company worth supporting.
Hopefully, all of the hard work and dedication will be rewarded with crowded audiences who appreciate our efforts! Even without that I am glad I took a chance to audition for this theatre company and, in particular, this director. It hasn't turned out the way any of us foresaw but it has been an adventure, and I am proud of the work I've put into the show.

Art with a Capital A has come to the shopping mall generation!

PS. I got into the car this morning to start my commute and the 1st song on the radio is The Animals 'Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood'. A song which I feel is very appropriate for my character in the show. Then 'The Dock Of The Bay' by Otis Redding follows on the radio. A song which instantly makes me miss my mother and think about how proud of me she always was whenever she would come to watch me perform. It was quite the fortuitous beginning of my day.

I Feel Bad... Really, I Do...

...but all of these revolutions happening in the Middle East are killing me and my wallet! I know how selfish and self-centered that sounds but it's true! I filled up today and gas was almost a quarter more expensive than it was before the weekend! It doesn't seem possible. I know that we, as a nation, are reliant on that area of the world for our oil supply, and so it only makes sense that the unrest there would affect fuel prices here at home. I can't help feeling, however, that somewhere along the line someone is taking advantage of the situation and hiking up gas rates! People are dying in the streets in Libya, Egypt, and other countries; demanding a new way of life and some fat cat somewhere is raking in the dough! Things can't go on this way.

T Minus 7 Days

Is Opening Night really next week? Really?

The answer is YES! The show opens in 1 week!

My latest show, Sight Unseen, with Dignity Players opens on March 3 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis. I can't believe it's it opens next week. It's been an interesting journey - we originally started rehearsing a different show but lost the rights - and it will be great to put it up before an audience!

The show is about Art in case the picture didn't tip you off!

A Month To Write: Results!

"Dear Playwright:
Thank you for submitting your play... I am sorry to say that your play has not advanced to the next round... We appreciated the opportunity to read your play... Thanks Again!"

The above notice was extracted from an email I received last night from a theatre company. If you've been keeping up with this blog recently then you remember that I used the month of January to write, revise and submit a ten minute One Act for production. Obviously, it will not be a part of the upcoming festival.

It's a little disappointing, but half expected. This theatre company has rejected scripts from mine in the past, and, unfortunately, their supportive and polite rejection emails don't really specify on the particulars. That just leaves me wondering about my script. Is it just not good? Was it too long? To difficult to stage? Did it go over their heads? Who knows? I'll probably never know, and that's how it often happens.

New Day

Yesterday was not my favorite day of the week, or the year for that matter. Important meetings I'd been stressing out about all week went off without a hitch. More meetings. 2nd job kicks in again but on a new day, Thursday, and then I'm late to rehearsal on top of that! Oh, and I felt completely unprepared for said rehearsal because of being preoccupied with everything else. It was a bit overwhelming!

Let's see if today runs any smoother.

I Shit You Not!

I heard 2 bits of radio news during my morning commute. Maybe this will prove educational and amusing.

The 1st being that this Saturday, 2/12/11, there are plans to stage a 'Nurse In' at Washington DC's Hirschhorn Museum. The protest is in response to a mother being asked to breastfeed her infant in the restroom, and thus having her rights violated, and DC’s 'Child’s Right to Nurse' Law disregarded. The participants have been dubbed 'LACTIVISTS'! Really!

Also, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the town is having a new government building constructed. The mayor decided to hold an online contest to name the building. The front runner in the contest is the name of a former Fort Wayne Mayor: MR. HARRY BAALS! Really!

Just Under A Month

I am finished. Earlier today I submitted the 10 Minute One Act Script I have been working on recently. A little over a month ago I gave myself the goal of writing, revising and submitting a One Act for a Play Festival in Illinois. I met my deadline, early, and am happy to have done so.

The script? The idea? Is it genius? Probably not. It's hard to cram genius into a 10 minute production, especially given the month long development time-frame. I sometimes work on projects for years. This particular script meets the specifics of the festival for which it was written, and, I hope, is different than most of the other submissions that the company will receive.

I am not sure as to whether or not this script will be selected as a finalist, and receive a staging in the festival. Who can predict these things? Right now that isn't as important to me as the fact that I completed this short term goal I set for myself back before the New Year. This latest script was more of an writing exercise than an inspired venture, but it was step in the right direction. Hopefully, I will ride this momentum and contemplate, nay, actually work on some of my other writing projects that have had many hours of creativity, and effort invested in them.

An Artist Playing An Artist?

Or maybe it's more a matter of an unprepared actor playing a self-involved painter who runs off at the mouth... A LOT! We were forced to change scripts, and the size of my role has increased considerably. (I've killed 2 highlighters working on this script.) The show opens the 1st week in March and I feel a little pressure because we've had to start all over from square 1. It's a good group of people, an interesting play, and a tight deadline. That doesn't always make for a relaxing, exploration rehearsal process. It's going to be interesting.

How's It Going So Far?

Well, I finished writing a rough draft of a ten minute One Act Play for the contest I mentioned below. Now I have a few days to read, revise and submit it for consideration. How is it? That remains to be seen. It will definitely need some revising.

I've been nominated for a W.A.T.C.H Award! I was in a play almost a year ago; 'Frozen'. That play was nominated for Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Featured Actress, Sound Design, Direction, and Outstanding Play Of The year! The Washington Area Theatre Community Honors Award Ceremony will take place the 1st weekend in March. Keep your fingers crossed.

Oh, and the theatre company that I am currently working with decided on a new, completely different script to mount this March. Let the line memorization commence. I also replaced my cracked windshield, and got a MD inspector to sign off on the repair; so that's taken care of... anything else? That's about it.

2 Memorable Quotes From The 1st Week Of 2011

- "Sir, I pulled you over because I'm concerned for your safety."

- "The rights have been pulled."

The 1st quote was uttered by a Maryland State Trooper after he had pulled me over during my afternoon commute for having a cracked windshield. The windshield has been cracked for years, and yes I realized it isn't the safest thing but this Smokey was on the hunt. When I passed him he had just finished ticketing an Infinity, then he found me and pulled me over JUST for the windshield, nothing else, and finally we saw him pull over another driver 2 miles down the road. Hope he met his quota. I am being ordered to replace my windshield. Oh joy!

The 2nd quote came only a few hours later when I was informed, along with the rest of my cast-mates, that the show we'd recently started rehearsing is no longer going to happen. Long story short, the rights were yanked, and we're now exploring other options. Whether that means a different script with the same cast and director, possibly a different director, or we all just go our separate ways and leave the stage dark is yet to be seen.

Yay 2011!