Realizations

S and I were up in Beloit last weekend to catch a show of You're a Good Man... After the show we were chatting with an older friend up there, he happened to mention that he's made the realization that he's at the age where the ladies that he might look at "in a certain way", are never going to see him in the same way. This was a big realization for him. I'm wondering what took him so long. He's about 60. I came to that realization about 40. But S was impressed that he even made that connection. I don't think she understands what a big thing it is for us guys. It's a huge milestone. I guess that's another symptom of the age gap between S and me, She's in her 20's and is often told (either outright, or implicitly) how attractive she is. Men don't hear that as often, even at that age, and even less as they get older. So to finally realize that what wasn't being said, isn't even being thought anymore is a bit of a cold shower to our psyche (and our egos).
Well, at least I've gotten used to it. And I also find that some of the ladies I look at "in a certain way" are also getting older.
Some, not all.

I think I've mentioned before, I really like the word Avuncular.

Setbacks

Well, I finally sent another email off to NIU, basicly saying: It's past when you said you'd make a decision, I'm assuming you went with somebody else, if you didn't, let me know soon 'cause I have other options. They sent back quickly, well, it's not final yet, but Yes, we did go with somebody else who's expected to accept.

So it's back to pounding the internet pavement. I got D's ArtSearch online subscription until September, so that's a plus. I got a lot of good leads off of that. I sent off an application for the same basic job as NIU at the University of Oklahoma at Norman. That was a trip! The only way to apply is online. You have to register at the OU website, then apply for the job, which entails a 5 page application, including little drop down forms to add Schools and Job experiences. Then, after that, you're still not applied. you have to upload your coverletter, resume, and references. That converts them to a PDF (that you can view to make sure they got it. The formatting was minorly messed up, but it was pretty complete). Then after that's submitted, they give you a confirmation number to finish your application. The whole thing took maybe an hour. Sheesh.
Another wild job opening is out in Seattle. Teatro ZinZanni. In the loosest sense of the term, it's a dinner theater. More specificly, it's a 5 course gourmet dinner, with a three hour cirque-du-soleil style show happening around, among, and above the diners. All for $130 per ticket, plus drinks. Oh, and all under a circus tent. In downtown Seattle. The job is Lighting supervisor, which is a fancy name for Master Elec. and Board op. I'd be running the show every night (wed-sun), programming new acts into the show, and maintaining the equipment. How bizaare. Yes, I applied. Another online application.
Yesterday was the first rehearsal/read-thru for The Foreigner, up in Beloit. After the initial read-thru, I sat at the table and composed coverletters for half a dozen places to go out this week. Most of them can be emailed at least.
Charlie Brown is a pretty decent show. When the cast isn't sick, as they were last weekend. This could be the best show of the season. Now that I've seen the cast of Foreigner, I'm sure that won't surpass it. The first two characters we see are two British guys, about 40. Well, the two actors in those roles are 20 and 60; on average they're ok. One of those, the 20 yr. old, is the twin of the other main character in the show. We'll see how that comes off. We'll see if the fabulously crafted script can save it. If you don't know the show, find a copy and read it, it's the funniest bit of theater since Noises Off.

The biggest annoyance (beyond being terminally unemployed) is that I'm spending a lot of time up in Beloit and they don't have Wi Fi up there at the college. Well they do, but they don't give out the password to summer guest artists like us. Grrr. I've got a few more pics to upload to Flickr, but can't (well, ok, won't) upload them via dialup. I've gotta find a hotspot up in Beloit.

That's all for now.

Time flies...

... when you're bored out of your skull, but still busier than you have any right to be.

Lets see, its been what? two weeks? geeze. Why do you let me go on this long without posting...

Well, first I was busy striking Red Herring. Big strike. Everything must go. All the drapes down and folded (not bad except that they're 20'x60'). Every light had to be removed and stacked neatly in the other theatre. All platforming had to be removed and stored, and the risers had to be replaced to their preferred configuration. Bah. Humbug.

Then right away, I started in on You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Up in Beloit, 25 minutes away. not too bad, at least it's an interesting drive on back roads. Last weekend was design weekend, and Monday was light Hang. I'm getting an amazingly little amount of help from the staff of the college where they perform. It was like pulling teeth just to get a lighting inventory (and the one I did get, I had to make, but they didn't show me all the units, so not everything got counted.).
But in the middle of all this,... this week was the Mayors Arts Award Show. I got roped into 'volunteering' to do lights for it. The fun part is that it's at the big Italianate revival vaudeville theatre down the street. Gorgeous 3 million dollar renovation or some such thing a few years back. I got pictures to go up as soon as I get to a hot-spot. Their staff ME had a basic plot that I could use, with only minimal re-focusing and re-coloring. Yesterday was hang and sit around while they host a tour or two, then start focus. Today was finish focus, figure out what I can do, and start writing cues for the show, knowing that there will be LOTS of 'unforseen circumstances' to deal with. The rehearsals went well (plural, because none of the acts could be there at the same time.), and the show tonight went well. The biggest hitch was the little old lady who wandered all over the stage before deciding where to give her speech (evidently that podium thing didn't interest her). I kinda followed her around with light for a bit, and then just put up a full stage wash.
Tomorrow, now that Charlie has my undivided attention, is Focus in Beloit.

Oh, I also played in my first 'for real money' poker tourney. There's a group in the area that hosts poker tourneys for charity. They have one in Rockford every other week or so, in addition to lots in surrounding areas. Of course it's leading up to WSOP time, so they're offering 'feeder' tourneys to that. Not for me. I can't afford to throw away the 150-175 dollars for a multi-table tourney, so I entered one of the $50 sit-and-go tables. One table, 10 players, payout to the top 3. I didn't win, or even place in the money, but I wasn't the first to get the axe. I left right in the middle. And my big mistake was not being agressive enough at the right time. I had 8-9. See the flop cheap. Flop Q-Q-8. I bet 200. One guy calls. Turn is inconsequential, so I check. So does buddyboy. River comes up A. I bet 500. Buddyboy worries about my Q, but calls anyway. He's got an Ace. SHIT. I was crippled after that, because if I'd bet on the turn, he'd have folded it. I was left with 5o, which was the small blind. I'm all in, and quadruple up the next hand. But then two hands later I'm gone. Really a hoot to play though. I'm saving up for more. I've also started playing "play money" on Full Tilt Poker. If you wanna join me, sign up, no money involved. It's really fun to play tourneys with real idiots, and not just the Hoyle Casino idiots. Let me know your screen name and I'll tell you mine.

More news. I got a membership to Anderson Gardens. 40 dollars, so if Wife wants to join me, we only pay 6 dollars anytime. But I can go whenever my heart wants to. At first, I didn't tell Wife about it. The one time she joined me, I made a point of buying the ticket while she looked at the gift shop stuff. I've also been there twice already without her. Then, last night she asked about how much it would be to join, and I 'fessed up. Family memberships are $75, WAY out of our range.
You know what that means? Yep, LOTS of garden pics on Flickr.
Now the dilemma is who to give my (still secret) Free Guest Pass for two to. If S had a significant other, I'd give it to her, but it is for two, not one, twice. Possibly S-and-S. I'll probably give it to S anyway, she can always bring her brother or mother.
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and still no job news...