snapshots of the weekend

Moon over my house, opening night.

Our opening weekend went great! I had so much fun.

Leaving for the theater.

Almost there.

Arriving at the theater.

Our theater group had been in a fabulous space for over 35 years - big stage and backstage, lots of storage, decorated all quirky, bright, and fun. Two years ago we had to leave it because the ceiling was falling in - literally. The entire costume/prop room caved in from the water damage that the landlord just wouldn't fix, and other areas were constantly leaking and sagging. It was unhealthy and embarrassing, so we've been temporarily performing in a church. Next year we will have our very own place once again. Yay!

Volunteers set up the tables with candles and free popcorn.

"Carl" and "Dad" run a scene.

"Mrs. Enquist" looks over the list of shows the group has done since 1969.

"Jerry" gets his eyebrows darkened.

Side view of the stage.

Trying to work out last minute jitters.

"Backstage" (the church's kitchen), moments before the curtain opens.

"Jill" and "Michael" doing . . . something.

Our props lady takes a break.

"Mom" and "Mrs. Enquist".

Me ("Stacy") in the prop/paint room, in costume and makeup. I have huge rolled bangs,
two braids on each side of my head that join in the back, and big, baggy clothing.

It was fun, it was a rush, and it all went by in a blur. I tried to pretend that it was just another rehearsal, and that the only people watching were the directors and random members of the crew. But that wasn't the case; opening night we had almost 80 people in the audience, and Saturday night we were sold out at over 100. I was amazed that I wasn't nervous. Then that made me nervous, thinking that I should be nervous. I kept repeating my mantra "nothing is as scary as Lyme disease". And you know what? Nothing ever is.

Here is what the show looks like. These photos were taken during dress rehearsal.

The set - the Lundeen family living room and porch.

The Thanksgiving dinner scene.

The cast.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we are doing a special fundraising matinee for a huge group of men wearing kilts. I wonder if any of them are single . . .

scary moments

Me, with big hair and garish makeup, as "the reporter" in RCP's Run for Your Wife.

Last night's performance was filled with all sorts of nervous excitement, dread, worry, and joy. On Thursday, one of the cast members, Joe, was hospitalized for a blood clot in his leg. The doctors told him he was lucky he came in when he did, because he may have died over the weekend, it was that serious. 39 years old - how scary is that? Also in our cast is his twin sister and his wife. Needless to say, they were pretty freaked out and worried.

Everyone rallied around them with support, grateful that Joe was going to be all right. With Joe in the hospital, and Friday night's performance looming, the only option was to have our assistant director, Hal, play the part of Sgt. Porterhouse. He had to read from the script, since he didn't have the lines memorized. He put his script was in a little vinyl cover to make it more discreet, and since he played a detective, he was supposed to hold a pen and paper anyway.

There were a few fumbling moments onstage, a few dropped lines, and a bit of confusion, noticed mainly by those backstage who know the show so well. Overall, it went GREAT, and Hal really stepped up to save us all and let the show go on. Whew! Joe was released from the hospital last night, and plans to be onstage tonight. What a trooper.

I had a great turnout of coworkers who came to see the show, and even my boss showed up - he's never seen an RCP show in his life. They all had a great time, and one of them won the 50/50 raffle - $87.00.

Today I'm cleaning my house, since my parents are visiting tomorrow to see the matinee. Then I have to make cupcakes to be sold at the theater concession stand. I think a nice light blue frosting is in order - I haven't done blue before. Then I'll take the dogs out in the yard, and then maybe take a relaxing jacuzzi bath, before heading back to the theater and do it all again!

home

I am actually home tonight and it feels really strange. No more rehearsals, no more hours and hours at the theater. I'm a bit herxy today, so it's nice to be sitting here in my pajamas, watching it rain outside, and taking it easy.

Opening weekend went GREAT! I had so much fun and wasn't nervous at all. In fact, I couldn't wait to get on stage and make people laugh. My six lines and one minute of glory went by too fast, and then I was done. I need a bigger role next time.

What I had never experienced before was the camaraderie of the actors. Everyone supporting everyone else, forgiving minor mistakes and dropped lines, giving encouragement backstage. Making me feel important even with my wee six lines. And then when the curtain closed after our bows when the show was over, everyone started hugging each other with joy and doing little happy dances. I felt like such a part of a team. I loved it!

My theater readers will recognize the little spunky redhead in these photos, a daughter of two of the members. I was asked to photograph her after her first communion last Saturday. It was a gorgeous spring day with everything in bloom, and the sun came out after a rather overcast morning.

So as promised, here is another installment in Lisa's Wacky Medical Needs. Over the course of three appointments (two last week and one today) I've had 12 "suspicious" moles removed from my moley self, mostly on my back and arms. Nothing serious, just moles that were odd colors or shapes and could potentially lead to more dangerous things. It was not fun. The Mole Remover Dude numbed the area, then injected me with this stuff to make the mole pop up, then he razored it off. It leaves a fun little wound you have to take care of.

Bath time is annoying, because when I get out, I have 12 places to squirt antibiotic cream and cover with a band-aid. The ones of my back are especially challenging - living alone, and with the poms not so helpful in that area, I'm left to squirm and wiggle and twist myself around to get the band-aids on. All I can say is that I hope they heal quickly.

Ahhhhh. I am home. Did I mention that? I AM HOME. Did I also mention I'm in my pajamas? I'm off to eat fresh pineapple, sit on the couch, and watch Dancing With the Stars.

sunday shenanigans

Who is that ravishing creature? Why, it's ME, just before our first dress rehearsal this afternoon. We open this Friday. I play a pushy, loud, and vibrantly-dressed reporter/photographer. My hair will be much bigger on opening night.

After I got home, my cute little 18 month old neighbor came by to play with Sophie and Sadie. She's obsessed with dogs right now.

Of course, the poms were ALL OVER her, wanting to lick her hands and play with her.

She even got to see my neighbor's dog, Polaris. When she saw her, she said "Oooo! BIG doggie!" She's just adorable. She couldn't say "Sophie", but she called Sadie "Day-ie".


My Lyme appointment is tomorrow. I'm going in armed with the protocol I researched and wrote out for myself, taken from the book Healing Lyme by Stephen Harrod Buhner. I hope my doctor is on board with my plan. If not . . . well, I'll deal with that if it happens. Wish me luck. Regardless, this is the plan I intend to follow. It feels right to me.

because i loved it so much . . .

. . . here are more photos from last Sunday's performance in Detroit. (All photos from the Joffrey ballet blog.)

give me the wilis

All photos in this post are from the Joffrey Ballet blog.

Yes, I'm still here.

I've been kind of morose/moody/introspective/raging/empty/full/exhausted/planning/dejected/
renewed/thoughtful/frustrated all at the same time. And I haven't been blogging at all. I haven't even been talking much.

But that's a post for another day.

Today I want to talk about ballet. On Thursday, I was browsing through Ticketmaster online, and Giselle came up in my search. The only performances were this weekend, just three days. I thought about it, came back to the website, thought about it some more. Something kept pulling me back, something that told me I needed to see this. I didn't even tell anyone I was going - I wanted top secret, private, head-clearing Lisa time. So I sprung for the really good seats, just 4 rows back, and hauled myself downtown through the annoying twisted maze of construction to the Detroit Opera House.

Wow.

It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. It was just beautiful. The costumes, the set, the music, and of course, the dancing. It had all my favorite things: autumn, a rustic village, a harvest dance, a graveyard, fog, and vengeful screwed-over ghosts. It was only missing beer.

The first act was all harvesty oranges and yellows and reds, and the second act was all whites and blues. It was mesmerizing and otherworldly. I never wanted it to end. When it was over, I wanted to run onstage and ask them to do it again. And really, if they were going to perform it another night, I would have gone back - I loved it that much. I was meant to see it. And I am totally ready to become a "Wili" and roam the graveyards at night, dancing through the fog and flitting through the forest. I wonder if I can change careers at this point. Do the Wilis have an insurance plan?

I'm gonna guess there's not an opening for a klutzy 38 year-old with bad feet and Lyme disease. But one can dream.

Here's a synopsis of the ballet:

Act I - A rustic village

Giselle, a weak-hearted young girl who is adored by her native villagers, lives with her watchful mother, Berthe. Hilarion, the village gamekeeper, is desperately in love with Giselle. Prince Albrecht, a nobleman who is already engaged to a noblewoman named Bathilde, is bored and lonely with his everyday existence. Captivated by Giselle's frail beauty and innocence, Albrecht disguises himself as a peasant named Loys. After purchasing the cottage adjacent to Berthe's, he proceeds to shower Giselle with his affections. Hilarion, filled with suspicion and jealousy, becomes enraged when Giselle falls madly in love with Albrecht and believes that they are engaged.

Berthe has a vision that her daughter will one day become a Wili, a jilted maiden who dies before her wedding night. The Wilis emerge between midnight and dawn to vengefully trap any man who enters their domain by forcing him to dance to his death.

Hilarion exposes Albrecht's disguise and proclaims that he is already betrothed to Bathilde. Overwhelmingly distraught and horrified, Giselle dies of a broken heart.

Act II - A forest clearing

Hilarion is discovered just before midnight keeping vigil by Giselle's tomb. As midnight approaches, the Wilis appear with their leader, Queen Myrta. This is the night Giselle is to be initiated as a Wili.

Albrecht, laden with feelings of guilt and remorse, visits Giselle's grave. He sees a vision of Giselle and follows it into the forest. At this point, Myrta discovers Hilarion in the forest and orders the Wilis to dance around him until he dies from exhaustion. She then discovers Albrecht and demands that he share the same fate as Hilarion but is unable to permeate the invisible bond of love that Giselle has for him.

At dawn, when the Wilis lose their power and must retreat to their dwelling place, Albrecht is saved and Giselle forgives him. Giselle returns with the Wilis and recognizes that now she will be one of them for the rest of time.

detoxed, unherxed, and on the go

Cemetery in Royal Oak.

Well, Murder in Green Meadows is done, and you would think I'd have a little more free time. So far it doesn't seem like it. The afterglow wrapped up on Saturday night - a fun party that went to 4:30 a.m. And then Monday found me diving right back into the next show, Run For Your Wife. I am actually acting in that show, my first time onstage in a speaking role. I have six lines, two of which are "Hey!" and "Lovely!" So you might say that I have 1/3 of my lines already memorized. Yes, I'm a quick study.

Here's a synopsis of the play:

Enter John Smith, a London taxi driver. Husband by day, husband by night. Does it matter that his wife he sees during the day just happens to be different from the wife he spends his nights with? Of course not, as long as they don't know about each. But when circumstances (and two nosey policemen) start to unravel the double-life John has been living by, he has to enlist the help of his friend, Stanley, in order to prevent his two wives from ever meeting. What follows is a pure farce. This hilarious romp shows how complicated things can get as the two men keep spinning more ridiculous lies. Identities are mistaken, characters have to pretend to be what they are not, and great fun is had.

I play the reporter; I come onstage, say my lines, snap a photo, and leave. I'll have my camera and external flash with me, and I'm making myself a cool press pass to wear.

I'm also on the script committee, and am co-chairing set dressing. But with my tiny part, I won't need to be at rehearsals very often, and set dressing is only a few Saturdays. And the script committee (a group that chooses next year's plays) will be done in a week or so. I'll keep myself from getting too run down like I did last month.

My herx from hell has finally subsided. Three weeks of fun-filled torture. For me, the most key thing about getting through it is SLEEP, SLEEP, AND THEN MORE SLEEP. If I feel like napping after work, I do it. Going to bed at 7:30 p.m.? Sure. Take a Lunesta, plug in the electric blanket, and pass out. Plus, sleeping is great because it gives me a break from feeling all my symptoms raging. Other things that help are drinking lots of water, continuing to take all my vitamins, and very warm baths with Epsom salts to help draw out the toxic yuckies. Then warm jammies and more sleep. I set up camp on my couch, with quilts, piles of books, magazines, Netflix DVDs, a big glass of water, my phone, and my remotes near me. Beyond that, all you can do is just wait it out and take care of yourself the best you can.

I desperately need a haircut. And to do my nails. And work on my overgrown eyebrows. And give the dogs baths and trim their nails, too. We're all shaggy, hairy, and out of control.

opening doors

Marian, before rehearsal Monday night.

January is speeding by so quickly, and yet when I think of how much I've been doing, I have no idea how I was able to fit it all in. Many doors are opening. No, I take that back. I am opening my OWN doors for myself, taking advantage of any opportunities that are coming my way. I've been in a depressed, Lymie haze for years, and now I'm waking up and breaking open.

The girls are now living with their mother, as I last reported. I talked to Katie, and she doesn't like anything - where she lives, her new school, her classmates, her teacher. She misses her family, her pets, and her friends. I told her to hang in there and be strong, and that we're doing everything we can on our end. The court date is February 22nd. I'm not sure if the judge decides who gets custody on that date, or if it's to gather information for further deliberation. So a month from today.

Work has been busy but interesting. Our department is now part of another department, which gives us much more room to grow and get promoted. It's definitely a good thing. I'll be traveling more, which I love. I have a trip to Ft. Lauderdale coming up at the end of February. Unfortunately, that's about the time all the college kids go down for spring break. But if I feel like hanging out of a convertible in a bikini, drunk and screaming, it'll work out great.

I'm assistant directing our next show "Murder in Green Meadows." It's a lot of work but very rewarding and fun. Our cast is awesome and does a great job with the creepy script. We open on February 1st, a mere 1 1/2 weeks away. Yikes. We've been rehearsing 3-4 times a week, about three hours a night. Then there's set dressing or construction on Saturdays, plus I have to do the program, flyers, magnets, and marquee. I've barely been home, and when I am, I'm on the computer. My house looks like a tornado hit it.

I joined Weight Watchers online. This is the year. I'm a compulsive eater who uses food as comfort . . . so you can tell how painful these past 4 years have been just by looking at me. It's time I gain back my control and stop medicating myself with food. Weight Watchers teaches you portion control and better planning. I'm also reading other books to figure out foods that trigger my unhealthy eating (everyone's different - you have to create a program for yourself) and just basically working my ass off every day to get better and stay on the program. I'm trying to forgive myself and move on from slip-ups, because no one is perfect. Once the play is over, I'll have more time to get back on the treadmill, which I love. And soon it'll be spring, so then I'll be doing yardwork and gardening. I've lost 13 lbs. so far; I have a long way to go, but it's a start. I'll try to post some of my favorite point-friendly meals here eventually.

And that's about it for now. Lots of big goals that will take awhile to accomplish, but a good start to hopefully a better year!

epic evening

The 20 X 30" marquee I made for the show (click for a larger view).

It's opening night!

My flurry of taking photos, printing them, making the marquee, designing the program, making magnets, stargrams, signs, painting the set, helping make props, and general problem solving is almost done! At 8:00 tonight I can kick back, open a beer, and watch the curtain go up.

Here's the play synopsis: "Set in the 1930’s, two brothers Benny and Phil go to the Arizona desert to be extras in the huge Biblical epic Exeunt Omnes. Things move very quickly and before you know it, Phil is directing the movie, and Benny is starring in it. To complicate matters further, they both fall in love with Louise, the assistant director in charge of the extras. Along the way there are gladiator battles, the Ten Plagues, and a cast of thousands portrayed by four actors."

It's a really funny show with a great cast. See you there!

rainy october saturday

Birdbath in my garden.

Mini pumpkins I grew myself, sitting on my sundial.

I LOVE rainy, windy Saturdays in autumn. This morning I went to the theater to finish up painting the Epic Proportions set. The rain blew in spatters against the windows as we painted and outside the leaves were swirling against the gray sky. It was perfect painting weather, tucked away warm and creative in the church fellowship hall, music playing, and chatting with other members. Did I mention that this is our temporary theater home? We're renting out the fellowship hall until we find a theater to call our own. The church members have been so welcoming.

Leaves in my driveway.

Leaves all over my yard!

I went out to lunch with Jim and ate Chinese food, and here I am back at home, relishing one of those rare wonderful weekend evenings at home with nowhere to go. I'm planning on taking a short nap, cooking dinner, watching a movie on the couch, taking a jacuzzi bath, and maybe having a beer or two. Or three. Wearing my softest, least-flattering sweatpants. Hanging out, reading blogs, snuggling with Sophie and the cats.

I've been needing this so much!

life is whirling

Kendall, age 1.

Annabel, age 4.

Cerenna, at her 1st birthday party.

Sophie, shaved down to 1/8".

I'm so far behind with blogging, I don't even know where to begin. So much has happened. Maybe bullet points will suffice.

• I went to Washington, D.C. on business, then visited Laura in New Jersey.
• I went to Cerenna's 1st birthday party at Java Jungle.
• I saw my friends in the play "Steel Magnolias" at Hawthorne Valley.
• I had a blind date in a group setting. Didn't go so well, but at least I'm out there. I guess.
• I've been working feverishly on the set for Epic Proportions, painting camels and pyramid backdrops.
• I hurt my back lifting a fake wooden palm tree down from someone's garage rafters. Don't ask.
• Sophie got shaved at the groomer's.
• I almost went up in a hot air balloon, but it got canceled due to wind. We're trying again this Sunday.
• I saw Morrissey in concert.
• The older of my brothers (I'm the oldest) got engaged.
• My younger of my brothers is going to be a father. It's a long story.
  
• I herxed last week, the worst I have since spring. I'm better now. But it was a doozie that attacked my vision, speech, legs, heart, and breathing. Good times.
• I absolutely love the new shows "Samantha Who?" and "Pushing Daisies". And of course, "Grey's Anatomy" does not disappoint.
  

O.K., now you're up to date! I'm going to bed.