Reading

Entry tags:

insomnia

(no subject)

I had a bad night last night. I tried to sleep in my usual side position with a pillow under my knee and it didn't work; my leg just felt uncomfortable, and my back ended up spasming anyway. Then I tried sleeping with both legs drawn up and a pillow between my knees and that wasn't comfortable either. My legs felt tense, which was weird. I ended up being awake for at least a couple of hours, but finally managed to get to sleep with both legs drawn up and no pillow between my knees. I am going to have to keep sleeping in this position I guess, so I'll have to force my body into submission. I plan to take some melatonin tonight (which I haven't done for a long time) hoping to be able to fall asleep more quickly. I'd really like to get caught up on my sleep before the weekend because I'm driving up to my daughter's in Connecticut on Sunday.

In better news, I had what I hope will turn out to be a good customer service experience this morning. I finished a puzzle yesterday and to my annoyance, there was a piece missing. The company had thoughtfully put a card in the box with instructions about how to contact them if there was any problem with the puzzle, so I sent them an email this morning. An hour or two later I had a reply telling me they would like to send me a different puzzle if I could just supply a few details of the faulty one, such as name of the maker, where it was made, the tracking number (found on the box), and a few other things, which I sent off straight away, and a bit later I had another email saying my substitute puzzle would be shipped in four to six weeks. So it seems like a very good experience so far, but the proof will be when the new puzzle arrives.

It's a very pleasant day today except that it's dull and cloudy and very humid. The temperature is hovering around 23°C/73°F; I can't remember when it was last this cool except overnight. It's funny how this temperature feels perfect during the day but oppressively warm overnight and in the early morning. I actually pulled up some weeds out the back earlier because it was so inviting outside.

Entry tags:

books,
brian

She Had Such An Inventive Mind

Finished David McCullough's extraordinary biography of John Adams.

Actually cried at the scene where the old curmudgeon opens his eyes on his deathbed for the last time & croaks, Thomas Jefferson survives! before expiring.

This one I didn't read; I listened to the audiobook on innumerable drives to Middletown, and then back & forth & around in Ithaca. I'd been wanting to tackle the book since I watched the excellent HBO miniseries John Adams, but it was the kind of book I knew I wouldn't be able to read as it contains hundreds of pages on John Adams's theories of governance, & I mean, Zzzzzzzzz.

But I also figured those theories of governance are relevant—particularly to the political situation today—& that if I were driving, I wouldn't fall asleep while parsing them.

###

Literally speaking, John Adams was wrong: Jefferson died about five hours before Adams did.

Figuratively speaking, though, Adams was right: Jefferson (despite the business with Sally Hemings) remains far more influential today than Adams—a bit weird when you think about it because Adams was a fanboy of iron-fisted federal control, all the rage right now, whereas the Rosseau-influenced Jefferson was an ardent supporter of individual rights & frequent revolution. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants, Jefferson once wrote in a letter to Adams's son-in-law.

On the other hand, Donald Trump only wishes he'd legislated John Adams' Alien & Sedition Acts.

###

In other news, Brian-Palooza went well. Good in-person turnout; people driving from as far away as Boston, Vermont, & Pennsylvania; a respectable Zoom contingent.

Brian's niece turned up! A lovely, 30-ish young woman. I was so glad to see her.

I spent most of the time I wasn't emceeing chattering with Brian's neighbor Willie (not his real name) who turns out to have been the chairman of Manhattan's Democratic Party for 15 years. We talked politics! Why are Democrats such losers? And he asked me for my phone number—no, nothing like that! He is a billion years old and very, very gay; in fact, he retold his story about knocking on Brian's door to borrow lube when it came time for us to share remembrances. (Water-based or silicon-based? was Brian's reply)—because, "You have such an inventive mind!"

If only I weren't planning to be cremated! She Had Such An Inventive Mind would look so good on a tombstone.

###

Tranquili-Tea put on a good spread!

Just look how adorable & The-Importance-of-Being-Ernest-ish these cucumber sandwiches are!

Vinnie, the husband of the woman who runs the tea shop, stood listening to our Brian remembrances with tears in his eyes.

Mind you, Vinnie is a very conventional guy who's lived a totally conventional life.

I was actually rather terrified that he & his wife Vicki would recoil in horror at some of the stories that were being shared.

But afterwards, Vinnie sought me out. "I felt so privileged that you chose us to be a part of this," Vinnie said.

And that was Brian's great gift, you know. He saw the multiplicity of dimensions that people exist on and he focused them into something singular and beautiful through the generosity of his own enormous heart.

Brian, I will miss you...

Monday

Noelle has taken to leaving me little notes on my shelf. Yesterday her first one was a long rambler about how she had baked something - I forget what - for Hazel but couldn't find her and wanted to know this and that. I sent her a text and said talk to Bonny. The second one was 4 hours later and even longer about how she had run into Hazel ramble ramble and then "I'll let her tell you what they decided but her husband wants to come home" and then some stuff about God's will. I texted her "thank you for the note." Leave me alone, Noelle. You have Jesus. You don't need me.

Martha popped in last night and said she had run into Hazel at Costco - her son had taken her.

The Phillies won. The Mariners lost. Today (tomorrow and Wednesday) they play each other.

Today is aqua yoga. Tomorrow is volleyball and house cleaner day. Wednesday is the Food and Beverage committee meeting. Thursday is volleyball. Friday is pretty open if you want to schedule something.

Also Wednesday is the Fall Google hardware announcement. I'm on the fence about a new phone. So I'll watch the announcement and decide.

Last Piece of the Fall Puzzle

I hate to see summer go, but the season is winding down. I'm doing my best to get to the pool as much as possible and otherwise milk what's left of the season. The County Fair is Wednesday and I'm looking forward to that. I hope to have a good report on it in my next post.

I have my big project for the fall now with my new play. I also have to figure out if I should take time off for our anniversary and Kevin's birthday. Since we did so little traveling this year, it makes sense we should take some staycation days.

My big question mark is dance class. Linda closed the studio, but said she would rent space and freelance teach for students who request lessons. At the end of the last season, she said she would be renting space in the social hall at a nearby synagogue where one of her friends works. We had a couple of recitals there. She said she would keep the time and day the same and the fees would be the same.

I set aside the amount I paid last year and formed my August budget around that. It's really tight though. I may have to take money from savings. But now I'm not sure if I will need to or not.

I haven't heard from Linda all summer. She and Armelle and Franscene and I have a group text chat. I was expecting her to get in touch with us this month given classes usually start the week after Labor Day. She has been quiet. I'm wondering how long I should wait to reach out. I have to admit I am a little reluctant to do so.

The first reason I am reluctant is I wonder if Linda is quiet because of her health. She was treated for breast cancer twice in the past few years. Maybe her last remission didn't last. I worry she wasn't treating it aggressively enough. She is one of those people who is suspicious of doctors and modern medicine. I don't want to ask, "Hey Linda, are we having class again?" only to be told, "Sorry. My cancer is back." Granted, she was teaching the whole time she went through her previous treatments, but if she finally gives in and goes for more aggressive treatment, she may not be up to teaching. I really really really hope this isn't the case. She's been through enough!

The second is I wonder if she even wants to keep teaching our class. Maybe she would rather stick to teaching her ballroom students. She may hope we don't want to come back. If I come back asking when we can start classes again, she may feel obligated to do so. It's money in her pocket after all.

The third is I don't know if Armelle and Franscene want to take the class. Aremelle herself said a couple of years ago she is getting tired of it and would rather take a break from dancing or else take lessons at a studio where she can take classes at her leisure instead of being tied to Linda's regularly scheduled classes. She said she kept up Linda's class out of friendship for both Linda and for Francscene and me. Franscene takes lessons at another studio. She's a dynamo who takes lessons in ballet (even started pointe a couple of years ago), modern, Afro-Caribbean, and praise dance, but took Linda's classes to round out her training in jazz and tap, which her other studio doesn't offer. She doesn't need Linda's classes if she wants to keep dancing. If I say I am coming back, Armelle and Franscene may feel they should too even if they don't want or need to.

The final reason is it's possible Linda wasn't able to rent the space she wanted. Maybe something changed at the synagogue and Linda can't have the space anymore. Maybe she won't be able to get it on Tuesday nights anymore. Who knows? Maybe she hasn't found another space yet.

If I don't hear from her by Labor Day, I will check in with the group text and hope that if either Linda or my classmates don't want to do the class anymore, they will feel comfortable saying no.

I do have an alternative if Linda's class doesn't happen. Dance Cavise, a studio within walking distance of me, has open adult classes. They have classes in tap and jazz and also modern and ballet every week. I am not locked into registering for one class and having to show up only for the class I pay for. I can buy a 10-class card and take whatever class I want. Tap is on Monday. Ballet, hip-hop, and jazz are on Wednesday. Modern is on Thursday. I can go to one or multiple classes during the week. I can switch things up if I feel bored. I won't feel like I'm throwing money out the window if I miss a class due to rehearsals or illness or other conflicts. I have no idea how much that card will cost though. I'm not sure what I need to budget for.

I don't want to stop dancing. I know it's not the best thing for my knees, but I like to have it as a way to cross train with my regular workouts. It's much more fun than the hamster wheels at the gym. After Labor Day I won't be able to swim regularly anymore. I only ride on weekends. I want to have a fun activity in there. I also want to keep up dance because it keeps my skills sharp for theater. The main reason I started taking tap and jazz classes regularly in the first place was because I thought it would make me more castable.

Entry tags:

just one thing

Just one thing: 18 August 2025

It's challenge time!

Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.

Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!

Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!

Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.

Go!

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Bouncing Back a Little

I'm looking at hotels in New York City, and fuuuuck, they're expensive. I'm leaning towards the Hilton Garden Inn because it has a refrigerator. Okay, the Hotel Indigo has a minifridge and seems a little cheaper. I’d like to take the train there if I can spare the time. There would be an eight-hour layover in Chicago, but I would have a roomette, so I could use the lounge. I’m not booking anything until we get the “all clear“ from the vet.

I’m thinking of what I’d want to do in NYC:

Ground Zero
Go to the top of One World Trade Center (same day)
Go up to Central Park and pay my respects to John Lennon across from the Dakota Building
Cruise (boat) around Manhattan
Hang out in the Village
Go to a terrific bookstore
See the High Line
Go to Katz’s deli
Eat great cheesecake
???

I need to buy a guidebook (ordered).

Oh crap. My singing teacher is stopping online lessons, so I need to find a new teacher. That explains why her availability has been limited. I found someone that I would like to try.

I tried to put Bella’s food in a cat dish, so it’s time to go to bed. I took Bella and Gracie out, but I’ve been having problems with my front door, so I’ve been leaving the door a little ajar with the screen door closed. Oliver usually goes in the doorway but backs off when Gracie comes in. This time, he got out. Luckily, I was able to grab him. I guess that I’ll have to go in through the back door.

Woke up a little after 9 AM. (I wound up staying up late.) Dogs (to the tune of “Baby I Love Your Way”): “Mommy, I want your food. Want to tell you I want your food….” Fed us all.

It rained last night, so I don’t need to water the outdoor plants. I need to check on the big fern on the porch though. It needs water.

Drat. Bonnie Raitt is going to be in Chicago in early September, but it’s in the middle of the week, so I can’t go.

I bought a nice wallet that includes a passport holder for my next trip.

Napped and dreamed that my father was being an asshole. He was pretty bad when I was a kid, but has improved with age. Took the dogs out, and Oliver tried to get out when I was bringing them back in. He’s being a pain. This is why he has an AirTag collar.

I want to stay home today and clean off the porch and work on the kitchen.

I think that Gracie is annoying Bella. I heard a small yelp from Gracie, but now they’re happily chewing stuff side by side. I bought them some tug-of-war toys because they like to play tug, usually with something of mine that they shouldn’t be into!

The New York Times suggested traveling with a small carbon monoxide detector, which sounded like a good idea so I ordered one.

I’m feeling tired but I hope that my shower will help. It helped a little. Now it’s feeding time at the zoo.

I’m experimenting with visualizing how the house will look when it’s organized so motivate me to work on it.

Started cleaning off the porch until my back started killing me. Now I’m drinking some flavored carbonated water.

Hmm. A massage. That’s what I need to calm down. And try out the sauna. Okay, I booked one on the 30th.

Got my old stoneware downstairs. (I’m hanging onto it until I find the small plates and bowls.) Now I need to eat something (done). Got my new stoneware put away with help (NOT!) from Oliver. I need a white sugar bowl and creamer to go with it (ordered).

Crud. The dining chairs that I liked have been sold. Need to look for others. Okay, I found a set on Overstock that I like. I need to finish cleaning up the kitchen before getting them.

The cats are starting to tell me that they’re hungry. I'm going to feed the beasties and crash. At least I got some stuff done today.

Current Mood: pissed off
Current Music: Death in Paradise

Entry tags:

Writerly Ways

Before I get into the writing stuff, let me tell you about today. I finally got to see my BFF from college and her kid. We had a great time talking and finally exchanging gifts (she fell and broke bones over the holiday). I got a skele-kitty pillow and some of bath and body works vampire blood products

I then stop by CVS and we're lucky I wasn't on the 6 o'clock news. A few days back I called in my meds and they told me they had to call my doctor for my insulin needles. I was puzzled. I usually check that. Sure enough I have NINE refills until December 2026 (but now my endocrinologist is texting me to find out what's up. CVS is stupid was explanation enough).

So there's no further communication about it. I get there and don't get my needles. Excuse me, where are my needles?

Pharm tech - there's no needles

me - why

Pharm tech - can't tell you. We can only see the screen for what IS here (WTF?) you need to go to consultation and ask.

I do this and ask what's up, why did you tell me I had no refills and why did you NOT refill it?

Pharm tech - I don't know why and it says it's no a covered service.

since when?

Pharm tech -I can't tell

well, my horrible insurance HAS done this before to force me to use their pharmacy only

I come home call my insurance and they said 'what do you mean they didn't give you your needles? It IS a paid service and CVS billed us at 14:20 today (which is when I was there). So you're telling me that they billed you and then DID NOT give me my needles

Yes. So I call CVS and they call me back (they no longer pick up the phone) and I say my insurance said you billed them making it impossible for me to get them elsewhere so where are they?!?

Pharm tech - oh your needles are right here. You can come pick it up.

THEN WHY DID YOU TELL ME THEY WEREN'T THERE.

Pharm tech - I don't know who told you that.

YOU told me that (she's the only Middle Eastern woman there with a heavy accent so I recognize her voice)

Pharm tech - well I don't know why that happened because they're here.

It's a twenty mile drive to get back there. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?

Me going out the door on fire.

Dad: don't be me, don't go off

It was definitely a what would Spock do moment when I got there. And yes my needles were there.

I am trying to p ull everything off my faulty flashdrive which took 10 tries to get it to read (talk about giving me a heart attack) Finally got my new flash, still transferring data.

So on to the writerly ways (who's still here with me?) It's more a question than any advice. I just started an arc (The Atlas of Unknowable Things) and it's not just first person, it's I don't know the technical term for it, I'd call it conversational first person.

It feels like the person is sitting in the room with you, talking to you, sort of throwing in a few fourth wall breaking stuff like they're expecting you to answer.

I know a lot of people don't like first person (I do) and I was curious what people would think of this. WOuld you like it? Have you ever written it (I have not) How did you handle it if you did

I have aggravated my bad knee, seriously messed it up (not a surprise. I overworked it, the cartilage is burst into at least three pieces, it will need replacing) Even having the lap top sitting on it hurts a lot.

Here's about 2 weeks of links

Open Call

Toad Shade Zine

Three-Lobed Burning Eye September 2025 Window Speculative fiction with strong narrative voices

A Coup Of Owls Winter 2025 Issue Stories you’ve poured your soul into but haven’t been able to find the right home for. We do not have set issue themes but feel free to be inspired by the season, seasonal occasions and events.
Note: Only publishes creators from under represented and/or marginalized communities.

Cloaked Press is open to Novels and Novellas Fantasy, science fiction, and horror novels and novellas

Eavesdrop Resistance: Queer-focused stories of any genre: space opera, niche cryptid horror, experimental formats, and anything in between!

5 Paying Literary Magazines to Submit to in August 2025

Of Swords & Roses

The First Line – Winter 2025

Clocks Dark fiction, speculative fiction, near sci-fi that deal with clocks, or a clockmaker

Bog Matter Magazine Fall 2025 Issue. the in-between

Translunar Travelers Lounge Fall 2025 Window
Speculative Fiction in the science fiction or fantasy variety

Trunk Stories Reprints or original stories: Shorts that have been rejected 20+ times, Novelettes that have been rejected 10+ times

Hearth Stories 2025 September Window Speculative fiction that explores connection, family, relationships, comfort, and the natural world.

Dreams Divine Romantic fantasy stories set in or about dreams due next week if you have something like this

No Gods No Masters Stories that are ready to get their hands dirty in the making of a newer, fairer world.

50 Romance Publishers Open to Direct Submissions

Nine Manuscript Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in August 2025

Twin Flame Literary: Now Seeking Submissions

28 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for August 2025

From Around the web

How Editing Shapes Storytelling in Fiction and Memoir Writing

How to Prepare a Manuscript for Publishing

13 Book Binding Types to Know

Optimizing eBook Metadata for Authors in Competitive Niches

When Should I Use a Colon, Semicolon, and Dash?

How to Plan a Book Tour on Your Own

How to Choose the Right Editing Service for Your Genre and Goals

First-Time Authors: Overcoming Common Challenges When Writing Your First Book

Setting Up Your Book for Future Growth.

How to Start Dictating Fiction (Even If You’ve Tried and Failed Before) pro tip from someone who did her whole sabbatical this way PROOF READ the next day. This stuff is good but half the time it's also on crack. It's like close but no cigar.

Why Your Amazon Book Page Isn’t Converting — and How to Fix It

How to Pair Your Book’s Beginning and Ending to Satisfy Readers

What happens to book characters when the book is over?

Plotter Vs. Pantser: Which Is Right for You?

9 Dos & Don’ts of Book Proposal Formatting

How to Begin a Sequel Without Confusion or Boredom

The Sentence as a Spine: How Syntax Shapes Story

From Betty

Getting Feedback On Your Writing

Five Tips for Characters That Go Against the Flow

Eight Dos and Don’ts for Making Magic Interesting

Twelve Sources of Wish Fulfillment for Your Story

Six Stories That Make Great Use of Their Premise

“In Medias Res” Means in the Middle, but What Is the Middle?

The Power of Dialogue: More Than Just Spoken Words

How to Write Killer Chapter Endings That Hook Readers

How to develop character wounds and misbeliefs

5 Paths to Plotting Your Novel

ARGGH! Words We Love to Hate

Steinbeck on Writing

How to Pair Your Book’s Beginning and Ending to Satisfy Readers

How to Use the Four Levels of Conflict to Strengthen Your Story

Online Scam Protection for Writers: How to Stay Safe and Protect Yourself in 2025

How Carousels on Instagram Help Writers Increase Visibility & Connect with Readers I know nothing about this. I need to sit down and look this over

Entry tags:

I Want It That Way | "& Juliet" @ CTG/Ahmanson

& Juliet (CTG/Ahmanson) When I think about & Juliet, the musical I saw last night at the Ahmanson Theatre, three musicals come to mind:

Mamma Mia, which is a wonderful jukebox music of female empowerment and love, set to very catchy pop tunes.
Some Like It Hot, which we saw two weeks ago at the Pantages, and which is a wonderful musical about acceptance of people for who they are
Something Rotten, which sends up Shakespeare and exposes him as the egoist we all know him to be.

From the opening notes, & Juliet was a thoroughly enjoyable and fun musical. It was a delight to watch, with extremely strong dancing and singing, and some great underlying messages. But it is really hard to describe.

But let’s try.

To start off: This is a jukebox musical, featuring the music of songwriter and producer Max Martin. If you’re like me (especially if you’re older, like me), you’ll go, “Who?” So let’s put it this way: He’s a Swedish songwriter (hence, the reason ABBA came to mind), who has written almost 300 songs, made famous by artists from the Backstreet Boys, Brittney Spears, Katy Perry, Jessie J, Robyn, Ke$ha, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Bon Jovi, Adam Lambert, Céline Dion, *NSYNC, Pink, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, and… well, you get the idea. Essentially, the music in this show is a soundtrack of the early 2000s and late 1990s. This is why Mamma Mia comes to mind, and the tunes are so poppy and energetic.

The basic plot of the musical is inspired…. by William Shakespeare. The basic premise is: What if Juliet, at the end of Romeo and Juliet, hadn’t killed herself, but instead lived and reclaimed her power? At least, that’s what Ann Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife keeps push, although William, ever the egoist, keeps meddling back into the story to get his way. Insert various humorous impacts and conflicts here. This is why Something Rotten comes to mind.

But this is a modern musical, with modern sensibilities (although perhaps not so modern, as Shakespeare was someone gender-bending in his characters anyway). So one of Juliet’s friends, May, is trans/queer (it is never made explicit). And, this being a love story, May falls in love with one of the leading men (and you can predict where that leads). This goes heavily with the notion of acceptance of us for who we are and whatever we choose to be. This is why Some Like It Hot comes to mind.

So you have the basic idea of the show. I could go into the details of the plot, but you can get that by reading Wikipedia, or going to the & Juliet page.

I do want to highlight some cast members: Rachel Simone Webb was outstanding as Juliet. Boy, does that girl have a set of pipes. Ishmael Gonzalez, swinging up to play May, did a remarkable job. They have wonderful movement and a great voice. Teal Wicks was great as Anne Hathway; I particularly liked her facial expressions in response to Will (Corey Mach)’s antics. Notable in the ensemble was Kate Mina Lin and Shelby Griswold.

We really enjoyed this show. Even with the large number of cast substitutions (one mid-show that I didn’t quite catch), the cast was very strong (and I was impressed by the number of larger folks in the cast, which is also a form of acceptance). The dancing was remarkable, and the costumes superb. There was one costume change near the end I couldn’t figure out how they did it. It was just a lovely afternoon.

There were, however, two problematic aspects:

First, enough with the glitter or confetti cannons. It seems like every show I’m going to these days has one of these things raining bits of paper or mylar on the audience. It makes a mess for the theatre to clean up and throw away (it can’t be reused or recycled). We just don’t need it.
Second, the audience at this show was a problem. Perhaps it was that this music drew in a newer and non-theatre crowd, but people would walk and stop, unaware of folks around them. People had no idea where to go, and kept going in and out of the theatre. There also, evidently, was a couple that had had too much to drink in the middle of the row behind us. They were being loud, and people were constantly leaving the row to complain to the ushers. The ushers, of course, couldn’t do anything about it as they were in the middle of a row and the show was going on, so these people who kept complaining were simply just disturbing even more people. There’s no good answer here, other than: DON’T GO TO THE THEATRE IF YOU CAN’T HOLD YOUR LIQUOR!

But these are minor aspects, and one day shows will learn about glitter/confetti cannons and they will go out of vogue. I hope.

& Juliet continues at the Ahmanson through September 7, 2025. Tickets are available through the CTG Website or TodayTix.

Credits

& Juliet. Book by David West Read. Music and lyrics by Max Martin and Friends. Directed by Luke Sheppard. Choreographed by Jennifer Weber.

Cast [underscores indicate “at our performance”; ~~strikeouts~~ indicate “not at our performance”; ↑ indicates “swung up”]: Rachel Simone Webb Juliet; ~~Paul-Jordan Jansen~~ ↑ Usman Ali Mughal Lance; Teal Wicks Anne; Corey Mach Shakespeare; ~~Nick Drake~~ ↑ Ishmael Gonzalez May; Kathryn Allison Angélique; ~~Ben Jackson Walker~~ ↑ Josh Jordan Romeo; Mateus Leite Cardoso François, Naima Alakham Lady Capulet, Nell; Camille Brooks Judith / Rosaline; Kate Mina Lin Eleanor / Benvolio / Portia; Lois Ellise Susanna, Swing; ~~Ishmael Gonzalez~~ ↑ Jourdan Ibe Gregory ; Kenneth Onesimus Goubran Augustine; Shelby Griswold Lucy / Helena; Christopher Robert Hanford Henry / Bathroom Attendant; ↑ Jourdan Ibe ~~Lennox~~, Swing; ~~Josh Jordan~~ ↑ Kyra Smith Richard; Nicole Lamb Margaret, Swing; Yoshi Maysonet Dion; ~~Usman Ali Mughal~~ Francisco Thurston Lord Capulet, Sly; ↑ Kyra Smith ~~Titania~~, Swing; ↑ Francisco Thurston ~~Cuthbert~~, Swing. There was no indication of who took over the roles of the Gregory, Cuthbert, or Richard, or whether the ensemble just go smaller. There was also an announcement after intermission that someone named “Nicole” was joining the cast, but it was unclear if that was Nicole Lamb swinging into her understudy role of Anne (although that actress didn’t seem to change), or Nella Cole, who was in the original tour cast, taking over as Eleanor / Benviolio / Portia, although that actress didn’t seem to change either. Folks that seemed to disappear from the cast between the program printing and update sheet: Michael Canu Romeo; Nella Cole Eleanor, Benvolio, Josh Ferman u/s François, Romeo; Virgil Gadson Crosse, Swing.

Music Department (♯ indicates local): Max Martin and Friends Music and Lyrics; Bill Sherman Music Supervisor, Orchestrations, and Arrangements; Andrew Cerullo Music Director; Dominic Fallacaro Additional Orchestrations and Arrangements; Michael Aarons, M² Music Music Coordinator; Haley Bennett Associate Music & Supervision; Andre Cerullo Conductor / Keyboard; Kelsi Fulton Assoc. Conductor / Keyboard; Clay Nordhill Guitar; Tabari Lake Bass; Zack Albetta Drums; ♯ Jennifer Choi Fischer Violin / Viola; ♯ David Mergen Cello ; ♯ Brad Gardner Keyboard 2 Sub; ♯ Dan Fornero Music Contractor; Anja Wood, M² Music Assoc. Music Coordinator; Emily Grishman Music Preparation, Adriana Grace, and Alden Terry Music Copying; Pre-Broadway Copying Mark Cumberland; Phij Adams Music Technology & Ableton System Design; Randy Cohen, Randy Cohen Keyboards U.S. Music Technology; Scott Wasserman Additional Ableton Programming & Music Production; Matt Farnsworth Vocal Studio Vocal Coach/Consultant.

Production and Creative: Luke Sheppard Director; Jennifer Weber Choreographer; Francisco Thurston Dance Captain; Kyra Smith Asst Dance Captain; Soutra Gilmour Set Design; Paloma Young Costume Design; Howard Hudson Lighting Design; Gareth Owen Sound Design; Andrzej Goulding Video & Projection Design; J. Jared Janas Wig, Hair, & Makeup Design; C12 Casting Casting; Susanna Wolk Assoc. Director; Joel Rosen Production Stage Manager; Annelise Castleberry Stage Manager; Chloe Rose Schweizer Asst Stage Manager; Danny Daniello Company Manager; Juniper Street Productions Production Management; RCI Theatricals General Manager; Bond Theatrical Tour Booking, Marketing, & Publicity.

Administrivia

I am not a professional critic. I’m a cybersecurity professional, a roadgeek who does a highway site and a podcast about California Highways, and someone who loves live performance. I buy all my own tickets, unless explicitly noted otherwise. I do these writeups to share my thoughts on shows with my friends and the community. I encourage you to go to your local theatres and support them (ideally, by purchasing full price tickets, if you can afford to do so). We currently subscribe or have memberships at: Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre; Broadway in Hollywood/Pantages Theatre; Pasadena Playhouse; The Soraya, and 5-Star Theatricals. We’re looking for the right intimate theatre to subscribe at — it hasn’t been the same since Rep East died (it’s now The Main, and although it does a lot of theatre, it doesn’t have seasons or a resident company), and post-COVID, most 99-seaters aren’t back to doing seasons (or seasons we like). I used to do more detailed writeups; here’s my current approach.

Upcoming ♦ Theatre / ♣ Music / ◊ Other Live Performance – Next 90ish Days (⊕ indicates ticketing is pending).

September: ♦ Shucked at BIH/Pantages; ♦ Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish at The Soraya; ♦ Eureka Day at Pasadena Playhouse. I’m seriously considering One Man, Two Guvnors at A Noise Within, and possibly Just Another Day at the Odyssey (simply so I can go up to Dan Lauria afterwards and ask if he’ll ever bring back Meeting of Minds, which stopped when he went off to do Lombardi many years ago).
October: ♣ Fly Me to the Moon at The Soraya; ♦ Hairspray at 5-Star Theatricals; ♦ ha ha ha ha ha ha at Pasadena Playhouse
November: ♦ Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at CTG/Taper; ♦ Paranormal Activity at CTG/Ahmanson; ♦ Suffs at BIH/Pantages;

This entry was originally posted on Observations Along the Road as I Want It That Way | "& Juliet" @ CTG/Ahmanson by cahwyguy. Although you can comment on DW, please make comments on original post at the Wordpress blog using the link to the left. You can sign in with your LJ, DW, FB, or a myriad of other accounts. Note: Subsequent changes made to the post on the blog are not propagated by the SNAP Crossposter; please visit the original post to see the latest version. P.S.: If you see share buttons above, note that they do not work outside of the Wordpress blog.

Postcard of the Day

Let's have some multiple lakes, including one with the message.

( Click here for the back of the above card. )

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Week in photos

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I'm learning

Yesterday, at elbow coffee, Ingrid showed up for a while. She comes late, complains about the latest Timber Ridge insult, and then leaves early. She once screamed at me, during elbow coffee, because I did not check on her when we had an alarm go off. "You are my neighbor! You are supposed to look out for me!!" It was ridiculous. Yesterday, her complaint was that every time she forgets to open her door, Timber Ridge calls "or worse yet, comes to my door". This is a horrible thing to her. She has now lived here more than 5 years and this has been going on every single day for those 5 years but I guess, yesterday, she couldn't conjure up any new offenses.

Others tried to jump in with solutions (which she did not want) and I just kept my lips zipped. Finally she finished ranting and left.

Joan called last night clearly looking for me to say 'if you need anything, let me know' but, aha! I have successfully wiped that phrase out of my playbook. I listened and ummed and aha'd at appropriate places and then said goodbye.

Yesterday, Jim (across the hall - not the Jim of Jim and Gail) came out while I was puzzling. He had his TV remote with him. Jim's problem or part of it, is that he cannot express himself. He says all the words correctly - he does not mumble or slur - but the word strings rarely make sense. I explained that there was no joy unless we were in front of his TV so we went there. He really couldn't tell me what he wanted. There was a ribbon on last watched channels that seemed to bother him because of the six, he only wanted 3. "I want to watch the UC one there on the far right." The one on the far right was NBC. He said his buddy who helped him set up was coming over today and he'd show him. I did remove some of the last watched. But never did figure out what he wanted. But he had a car race to watch so when I left he was happy. He never wants much and is always so pleasant.

Martha says that the neighbor care requirement here is greater than the rest of the complex. She thinks it's because we are on this shorten floor. Most floors have 20+ apartments and we have only 10. But, I'm learning how to do it. Lips zipped, hands not raised, response, not volunteer. I think I can do it.

My friend, Steve, told me yesterday that he turns his thermostat down to 65 at night and then up to 72 during the day - every day. Seems like I tried that when I first moved in and it did not work. I was getting heat when I wanted cool. But, hey, Steve's been here for a lotta years. So I tried it last night. Heaven. It was just perfect for sleeping. My bed said 92 out of 100. This morning I turned it to 72 - too hot. So back down to 70 and I opened the door to the patio which thrilled Julio.

The Phillies game is about to start. The Mariners are playing at Williamsport, PA - the home of the little league world series. I might watch some but for sure on mute. I do not approve of baseball games in these silly places like car racing stadiums and little league parks.

No big plans for after the game. Just the usual. I might run a couple of errands and I might save them for next week.

365 Questions 2025

16. What’s the best decision you’ve ever made? Having grandchildren. Oh wait, that wasn't my decision. Marrying S.

17. What’s your favorite true story that you enjoy sharing with others? One of them is about the time my younger sister (who was maybe nine or ten at the time) sat on the toilet but a frog had got onto the seat before her.

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The Interview

Back from Ithaca.

I liked Justine, Nelson, Joannah, & Caitlyn—the residents of the co-op house.

And they liked me!

In fact, the three women and I had a pretty remarkable conversation, sitting out on the back porch overlooking the beautiful flower garden (wild flowers, echinacea and black-eyed Susans), sipping lemon water. We talked about conflict resolution and it evolved into a discussion of a highly toxic situation Joannah has been involved with at her chiropractic school where a horrible instructor had taken an extreme dislike to her and there was absolutely nothing she could do about it except stay calm & resolute & stay the course.

Of the three women, I liked Justine, the Cornell professor, best because she, too, has the Bread & Puppets Why Cheap Art Manifesto hanging in her bedroom:

But Joannah has this absolutely seraphic quality that I can't recall ever coming across before. If there are angels who occasionally have business dealings on earth, honestly, they'd manifest like Joannah.

She also has a rare blood cancer that requires monthly interferon infusions on a monthly basis. She walks with death. Literally. Maybe that accounts for her otherworldliness.

"I have a hard time with conflicts," I said. And explained that usually I let conflicts build until they reach some kind of critical mass & I can explode in anger.

"But I'm working on it," I added.

They were all very bemused by this. Why? they wanted to know. Was it because I was afraid people would stop liking me? Was it because I thought what was upsetting me was too ridiculous?

No, I said. It was because I thought the people who were upsetting me wouldn't care that they were upsetting me, that either they would laugh at me, or I would be invisible. Anger gave me the ballistic force to make sure I'd be taken seriously and that I'd be seen.

"Ah, childhood traumas," Joannah said gravely & gently.

###

At the end of the conversation—it went on for an hour and a half—Joannah said, "It's sort of like the future me is looking at the four of us and saying, Yes, we belong together."

And we embraced.

BUT there is a sticking point, and this is it: Nelson is somewhat allergic to cats.

I told him there is an anti-allergenic cat food that is quite successful. RTT, who is allergic to cats, uses it with the kitten he adopted a month ago and reports he is now completely asymptomatic:

And if that didn't work, I'd rehome the kiskas.

"I'll think about it," Nelson told me with a sweet smile.

And I believe he will.

###

Molly & Mabel, though, would actually be very difficult to rehome.

They are such mistrustful kiskas! They hiss at strangers! Not because they are aggressive, but because they scare so easily.

It's obvious they love me in their idiocyncratic kiska way, but occasionally, they will still hiss at me. They must have been abused or otherwise traumatized as young cats.

I'm fond of them.

I certainly don't love them the way I loved Sybyl or Rutger.

But I feel very strongly that the Universe assigned me to be their Protector, and it's a covenant I can't voluntarily break.

So!

What will be will be.

("But you did say you would rehome them if it doesn't work," said Joannah frowning slightly. I think she will advocate on my behalf.)

###

There's a lot more to write about, including the immensely beautiful Airbnb I stayed in and the absolute panic attack I worked my way into on the drive up to Ithaca.

I texted the BoyZ: House interview is tomorrow morning & I am having an anxiety attack a la “I’m such a loser, so who would want to live with ME?” Hopefully my self-esteem returns by tomorrow—

—and the two BoyZ offered reassurance in typically characteristic ways:

Ichabod: Don’t worry about being a loser. I think if this person was going to think you were a loser, they would already and you wouldn’t be going to visit. Also if she thinks you’re a loser it’s not where you want to live anyway so better get that out of the way.

RTT: Don’t be a pussy mom. You got this big dawg. You’re gonna come in there and impress her so much she questions whether SHE belongs there

But I have a huge amount to accomplish today and have already wasted too much time writing.

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back pain

(no subject)

Apparently I'm going to have to change my sleeping position, even though it's been working well for me up till now (more than 45 years). I sleep on either side (alternating through the night) with the top leg drawn up and that knee resting on the mattress, but it seems that that position twists my hips in a way that causes lower back pain, especially when I'm on my right side. The left side seems to work better, fortunately. Last night I was on my right side in that position, and when I woke up during the night I had sudden intense pain across my lower back just the same as a few nights ago. (It wore off quickly though, unlike last time.) I turned over onto my left side and slept with my legs bent but together, one knee on top of the other, and the pain had more or less gone by morning. This isn't as comfortable as with one knee drawn up, but apparently I need to do this to avoid the back pain. However, when I'm on my right side it leads to my legs getting uncomfortable and restless as the night goes on, and this disrupts my sleep. Urgh, I can't win.

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conventions

Delicious Gundams & Whatnot

M, Boycritter, & I went down for the local-enough Gunpla Builders World Cup event, which was about an hour away. Getting there was fairly straightforward, and we had time to look around the hobby store it was being held at. (And will be returning to, they had many things!)

Lots of fun conversations in the car (it has been awhile), and the actual Gundam models on display were all fantastic. (We actually got asked to help judge if we wanted to but there was no way - I thought they all had something truly great about them.) Aside from the modelers, the audience was the three of us + one other guy who knew the modelers, but we were delightfully enthusiastic and the store owners were great, too. A lot of fun. There were extra Participant pins, so we each were given one. (I'm also fairly sure I promised to bring an entry next year, so I guess I have four months to plan something and another eight to make it? Or something like that?)

We left and had to take a somewhat meandering route back, because road construction, and also having to cross Woodward on Dream Cruise weekend. But we did get to see a lot of cool cars at various points, including a Datsun, a yellow VW Beetle, a VW Bus, etc. Lots of yellow cars, which made for a lively game of Yellow Car. We also saw a Cybertruck and all burst out laughing because nothing could make that design salvageable.

Stopped at... a conveyor sushi restaurant! AMAZING! I had no idea there was one in reasonable distance (possibly that there were any in the US, tbh) and we had a blast. Ate ourselves stuffed because there were so many things we wanted to try. A++ would do it again when properly budgeted for.

All around fantastic day, though we didn't get back til ~3pm and I didn't get to sleep til after 4pm. Definitely going to have to do some mad science to get back on schedule.

I ended up snagging 00 Gundam + XN Raiser which I heartily debated on until 'weird 00 sidestory shit' won out. Also a 30MM Spinatio, HG Command Quanta, and MG Shenlong because that kit has been following me around for weeks now. And some accessories including a pack of little metal HO-Scale gravestones that will need some work and me learning how to trim up metal. ;_;

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just one thing

Just one thing: 16-17 August 2025

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I've Had It with Today

Left a message at the boarding place. They aren't great about returning their messages though, so I might need to call back again later. I also sent an email.

I am just sitting here, staring out into space. I should get moving.

Everything that I read on Google says that to not board dogs with active Giardia infections. I’m wondering if the rest of my critters should be tested for it.

I already posted that the boarding place won't take Gracie, so I can't go to Sardinia. I'm trying to figure out what my next move will be after everyone is treated. I really would like some beach time somewhere. I'm eying a cruise to Bermuda that leaves from New York City, so I could add some time in New York also. It's fairly inexpensive, even with a single supplement. It's on a cruise line that I've never been on (Norwegian). Another possibility would be to go to St. Lucia.

I need to cancel my bookings, but I'll wait until after my nap. I need to let this sink in. Napped.

Gracie rolled in the grass for the first time. She liked it!

Oliver was cuddling on my lap, and Bella and Gracie jumped on my lap and bugged him. He smacked Bella. They make me laugh.

Okay, I canceled everything. The airplane ticket was not refundable "although I should be able to get the taxes back". One hotel was not refundable. The other one was. So I'm out of pocket for a lot. Sigh.

I don't want to run errands today. In fact, I want to take another nap. There also is a heat advisory today (95F/35C). So I'll stay in. Napped.

I’m feeling kind of depressed, which is not surprising because I was looking forward to the trip. I’m feeling like watching TV after I feed all of us.

Oh fuck. I knew that the bedroom TV had fallen, but I hadn’t turned it on. It’s ruined. I need to doublecheck the dates for the electronics recycling.

I have had it with today. I think that I’ll just order a new TV and go to bed.

Current Mood: worried
Current Music: Death in Paradise

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science

The layers of anxiety

Must be time for classes to start as the anxiety builds. I got most everything ready. Working on the online stuff. I don't know how the summer is gone. I am very much not ready to go back. The sabbatical showed me how ready for retirement I really am. Sigh.

Made some major strides ahead on one of my

wipbigbang stories. I'm feeling so behind on everything including my

fandomtrumpshate I should have only done the owl house story for this instead of the Hazbin story too so I could have concentrated on this (I think the real problem is with events like trumps hate is you write for someone you don't know and sometimes you get prompts that don't sing to you. At least with things like

fandomgiftbasket you can pick and choose. There is nothing about this story that sings to me.

And I did say it was going to be Science Saturday so here are some links

Could a new vaccine help prevent colorectal, pancreatic cancer recurrence?

Diabetic man produces his own insulin after gene-edited cell transplant This is amazing (it's also a very slippery slope with what we can do with gene editing)

Archaeologists locate 'La Fortuna,' a Spanish ship that exploded in 1748 along North Carolina's coast

A braided stream, not a family tree: How new evidence upends our understanding of how humans evolved

one down, one ?

John is giving up treatment. BUT Bonny has picked up the support wagon. She and Hazel agreed that Hazel is going to keep Bonny updated and Bonny is going to report to everyone else. This is a fabulous arrangement. For me. Ok so new news, as I type that sentence, Bonny just came in to say that John is going to have some sort of treatment today to look at his stomach 'so he's not pulled the plug yet'.

Joan did not spend the night at the hospital. But she did not come to elbow coffee. Her grandson and grand-daughter-law and her son have all arrived today. No word on that. But, I am not on the hook there, either.

Dick (of Jan and Dick) has found out that instead of an outpatient procedure to work on his heart, he now needs a bypass or stent or something, they haven't decided, and has been told to be careful about exercise.

Jim got a paper cut from his airline luggage tag at the airport last week and, thanks to blood thinners, nearly bled out standing in the TSA line.

Elbow Coffee was interesting today - at least no one bitched about the weather.

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Milestones

[LiveJournal Achievement banner: 24 years of blogging]

A number of milestones have passed in recent weeks, including the above. With the exception of a few weeks here and there, I have been blogging continuously in the same journal for 24 years. Most of the rest of the world has moved on to various socials, none of which I have been able to find fulfilling. I deleted all the associated apps off my phone in January and I don't miss them. This community of stalwarts, on the other hand, I cherish, especially as we all navigate middle and old age together.

The other other important anniversaries:

Five years of being an academic and three years since being promoted and taken off probation. I have one more rung up the ladder to climb.
Thirteen years since moving into this house. This is the longest I've ever lived in one place. I was never going to do so unless I had kids. My childhood was so disrupted by repeated moves, I was determined for my children to have as much stability as possible.
Twenty-one years since moving to the UK. I thought I was only going to be here for a year and a half, maybe two. Lol. I've now spent far more of my adult life in this country than the one I was born in.