March 2006

Ultimate Shame

I don't know how it happened exactly. In fact, I'd like to pretend it never happened at all. You see, somehow I was sitting on the couch watching t.v. and then it happened. The horror of it all kept me from being able to change the course of events. I sat in stunned silence trying to comprehend what had possessed me, trying to determine who's invisible hands were guiding me down this wretched path. After enduring my 60 minutes of personal torment and shame, it was over as quickly as it began. With a click of the remote I hung my head low and vowed Curt to never tell a soul that I had not only watched, but actually enjoyed an episode of Wife Swap.

Delivery

Time Machine

Oh the Drama

Management doesn't really think they want to hire a supervisor for the graphics department. They really just want all the staff to kind of pick up the slack and make sure things get done. BRILLIANT plan. Basically we'll all do extra work, but not get paid anymore plus there'll be no one to go to with problems, no one to lead the department out of the chaos, no one to interface with the multitude of outside departments...

Oh, wait. You know how in groups a leader sort of informally emerges from one of the fold? Yeah. That'd be me so far. So now I see my options as fight to #1. get paid to be official supervisor, #2. be the unofficial supervisor without the pay or #3. run from the newspaper screaming obscenities while throwing Molotov cocktails over my shoulder. Here's hoping for the sudden appearance of a door number 4...

A Time to Rest

Dave Luck passed away early this morning. I hardly knew him, yet find myself moved to tears. He was a friend of my family for most of my life. A sweet man who had suffered for years with health issues. Now he's finally home.

Lady Justice

I know that justice is blind, but does it have to be showing so much tata?

With Deepest Sympathy

A new guy was hired at the newspaper. He's not hired as supervisor, though there is potential that he could become that (and would actually want it). While I'm thrilled to have him join us I do feel the strange need to offer him my condolences.

Nuclear Cleansing Anyone?

The mensroom in the printing press warehouse...

Spelling Bee

Curt and I saw The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee last night. What a riot. It's one of the most clever, funny and enjoyable musicals I've seen in a long time. In fact, the non-stop laughter was enough to make me want to see it again before it leaves San Francisco.

It's an elementary school spelling bee with all the characters played by adults. From the A-Type Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre who adds sign language to everything she does (including the "ooohs" and "aaaahs" in musical numbers) to the easily distracted Leaf Coneybear who has a licking fetish and likes to make his own clothes, to William Barfee with the magical spelling foot... I couldn't stop laughing.

That's not to say it was all stereotype and no substance. The characters were solidly real and the acting brilliant. And when you add audience participation: how could go wrong? I definitely recommend the show. Anyone want to come for a visit and give me an excuse to see it again?

Why Can't I Be a Play-a-Holic?

Hm. I'm back in the work 24-7 mode. Full-time hours at the newspaper, rehearsals most every evening and now my weekend is full of freelance jobs which I didn't have time to do during the week. It's great to be active and doing what I love, but once I get on a stable path again, I'm going to seriously have to cut some stuff back. I have no intent on returning to the days of having no personal/social life. BUT... the stuff I'm doing is genuinely fulfilling and fun. So I've just got to keep myself awake long enough to enjoy it.

Scraps for You

Alright. I've been a bad blogger. I know that you, my loyal fans, have been sitting in front of your computers all week long just waiting for a morsel of posting from me. So here ya go:

Life's been a bit crazy for me on all levels actually. Last week I started working full-time at the newspaper. It's not been bad, but the extra hours have taken some getting used to.

This week I started music rehearsals for Kiss Me Kate. They've gone very well and it has been fun to get back into using those parts of my skills. It has also made for very long days. Still, I'm having a good time and thus far am glad that I took on this responsibility.

Yesterday the graphics supervisor at the newspaper turned in his two weeks notice because he's fed up with a job that pulls him 100 differnt directions. Management has decided that a co-worker and I will take over those responsibilities until something more permanent has been put in place. Management also made it clear that he'd love for one or both of us to take over permanently. Coincidentally a part-time staff just gave notice as well since his other job is now requiring more time. So we're under staffed again and suddenly I've got a lot more responsibility (at least temporarily). It's so exciting to work at a place that's constantly in the midst of upheaval.

I don't have a lot to do this weekend which will be a wonderful break. Who knows, I might even find the energy to post something again before summer hits....

Thrust

Affirming Terminology for the Modern Terrestrial Being

"Heterosexism," "ableism" and whole host of other "isms" were terms that were bountifully tossed about in a church service I attended yesterday. The Oakland Easy Bay Gay Men's Chorus (the choir I've joined) was invited to sing at a church in Oakland as they were having a service to celebrate the fact that they are "open and affirming."

I felt like I needed a handy gay friendly, politically correct dictionary with me to sort through the all the terminology of the service.

Hydrate

Fallen Brethren

Make Your Move

Does everyone but me thrive on the "Reply to All" button? Do you just sit around salivating over the opportunity to hit that most sacred of all buttons? I so can't stand the whole decision-by-committee routine in the first place, and when it becomes an e-mail free-for-all of useless opinions I feel the need to go e-postal on your ass. You've been warned. The next move is yours.

Fields of White

Hold Me

The Last Stand

The Crazies Have Invaded the Workplace

Damon: "I just licked your orange."

Nikki: "It's a pumpkin."

Damon: "I just licked your pumpkin."

Nikki: "It's a magical pumpkin."

Damon: "..."

Damon: "Magic doesn't taste very good."

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

I just found out that a part-timer here at the newspaper is getting canned today. I can't tell anyone (which is why I'm telling you), but this means that I'll be moving up to full-time. While an even more packed schedule doesn't sound thrilling, the extra income and actually getting benefits certainly does.

Tickle 'Em Good

I filled in for the pianist at choir last night... Huh? What's this choir I've talking about? You mean I haven't told you? Do think I could fill an entire post with questions??

In January I joined the Oakland/East Bay Gay Men's Chorus and it's been awesome. I've never sang in a men's choir before and I'm loving the sound we're getting. I joined really just for the social contact and the opportunity to get into the bay area regularly. To my surprise the group has a high musical quality as well. Who knew?

To get back to the topic of this post (I hate when you get me side tracked like that): I played piano for the chorus last night. The music isn't easy, especially with several songs that have the four part written on all different staves. I had enough warning that I could practice so I felt pretty good about the music going into it. I was a bit nervous going in, but after about 15 minutes I was soaring and loving every minute. It looks like I'll be playing for them in a small concert we have on March 12th since the regular pianist is unable to be there. It's fun to be getting back into my music again after a "dry spell" after the move.