Bootleg Pictures Of The Play!

Weekend One of "Wait Until Dark", the current offering by the Hart County Community Theatre... and you probably missed it, but I had the best/worst seat in the house... for the radio show, that is. The photo tells the story... yes, I was a stowaway on the set of "Wait Until Dark"! I thought about popping out and adding an character to the play, but the play was just too taut and together and my villainy wasn't needed. So I just... did my job... and took a picture instead! On the sly! Oh, how I love the I-phone. It just put the I (me!me!me! that is) into WaIt UntIl Dark.

To add to the suspense of the play, I shall not reveal my position in the theatrical lineup! (Clue No One: Swing low... swing way down to the bottom) I confess I am in the program and figuring it out is a no-brainer, but even so, I shall not cooperate!

And to my friends who are clueless... just what is "Wait Until Dark?" It's the dark, suspenseful, Halloween offering by the theatre... a contemperary take on the movie that Audrey Hepburn starred in, back in the day. It takes place in the swinging sixties (but be assured, no actual swinging goes on, only some hand wringing both onstage and off... and much bell ringing, and much hat wearing, but no cat in the...) in the apartment of Sam and Suzie Hendrix, a young couple just trying to keep from answering that doorbell...

The photo below is of Jay Gordon and Jennifer Donald. I'm sorry, dear reader, that the picture is too small and that you too can't look for blood, but i can't work my iphone. Sometimes the i fails the me,me,me, then youyouyou...

Having the best/worst seat in the house is interesting... You hear snippets of conversation before, during and after the show... Jennifer Donald, playing Susy Hendrix, the lead actress, injured her foot. How? Dwayne Donald, one of many leading men... smacked his head on an unforgiving surface... as he was tumbling towards... who? (Alas, I have only my faulty hearing as a source. Oh, if only the Hartwell Sun had covered this episode... but since no reporters were present, you'll have to go with my hearsay.) Was there blood? If so, it was scooped up and saved for a future production. (HCCT Theatre is a nonprofit organization, after all.) I didn't see any though... or did I? Kinsey Ethridge, the lead in oh so many ways, was wielding a mop after the show today.... Hmmm... I shall have to count the cast on Friday. We might have lost one.

I hate it when that happens.

More on the play tomorrow... which has three more times at bat... October 17 and 18th at 8pm (sharp! due to the the theme of the play...) Get your tickets by calling 706-376-5599 or email hcct@hartcom.net

Things People Say To Bikers

I LOVE blogging with pictures. There's something about... not having to write as much? Or perhaps am I just trying to keep up with the Shoefields? A member of that court has inspired me to add a little documentary effect toward my tall tale of the day. So without further ado, I'll introduce my new bike! The Jamis Commuter 3!

The bike came with a beautiful, black metal basket, but alas, it fell off the bike mid transport and left me with a gaping... gap... and an ugly, cheap basket that sigh, will never take its place. I shall replace it! I shall!

But this is not about my projectile wallet. This is about the random bits of conversation that come your way while pedaling in different locations. While scrambling past the front of Bell's Grocery Store last week, a man paused and let me pass, reflecting on the possibility that, "It'd just be my luck to get hit by a bike."

Tonight I took a ride to Lavonia, on behalf of Cookie
(see Exhibit A where subject cat is spewing hatred because wacko owner dared to leave the sofa where she was happy). I wanted to check out Pedi Paws, a new pet store that surely would have eco-responsible cat litter. No clay mined toxic spew for Cookie! Well! I risked my gas, my time for so little. The shop seems to cater to iguana or would be iguana owners. No cat litter at all! So... all I could do was ride the Jamis. People seemed to react as though it was the first bike ever seen anywhere. One man said my flashing bike light looked like a police light. Hope I didn't make him nervous.

Okay so maybe people in Hartwell are funnier than those in Lavonia, but oh, I had fun spinning my wheels tonight. Lavonia has some good, low traffic roads... I will surely return... if that whole gas thing works out, that is.

Wrap Up Of The Summer That... Was or Wasn't?

I've been way too busy to blog this summer. It's been a summer of change! I'm still 5k-ing... although my challenge of late has been how to get to one on time. I've acquired a cat! The 11 year old Cookie as of July 4, 2008. I've taken up chair yoga! And it's redheaded stepsister, the more traditional forms of yoga. I refer you to the accompanying picture of shoes, cat and mat as evidence to support my claims.

Thanks to some biker friends, I now possess an Iphone, so until I drop it and watch it explode into jigsawed pieces, I'll be posting pics of my adventures. The phone makes life so much easier... I really wanted to be a Steve Jobs snob, but alas, I am now in the freak cult. I may change my middle name to Apple... hey, do you think that's what was behind Gwyneth Paltrow's name choice for her firstborn????? I thought she was a fan of her local farmer's market, but possibly it's more due to that freak obsession...

So anyway, I've been doing. This photo below taken in Colbert Ga. I bought a folding bike this summer... the Cayne Rambler and now when I travel, I stop and get some about 30 minutes
of biking in. It comes in handy... when you don't make it to your early riser races. I must be a unaware vampire as I am a-feared of early morning light!. Two weeks ago, I got up at an absurd hour, drove to Athens and drove right into the middle of a 5k being held at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church. They had no sign out front advertising their 5k, so I went up this narrow, winding driveway... and here are 150 or so runners ambling toward the starting point and the race director is trying to wave me through... all of those bodies. Somehow I parked and decided I didn't want to run that badly... It's not good when you're the star of bad driving behavior of the 5k. So... I park and before I can escape, a police car blocks me in... then 150 runners run very slowly past me.... just as I was plotting my escape, 150 runners ran even slower past me again. Never has having front row seats to insta replays of my bad decision been so painful. But I had the last laugh! On the way home I took this beautiful ride. Colbert is such a good area for biking. It's flat, there are few cars about and no aggressive dogs... although I did see some adventurers.

Enjoy the view.

I joined The Slow Biking Movement this weekend! An appropriate group for me since I am the slowest cycler alive... Today I went to the grocery store which was 1.7 miles away... took me 15 minutes and my average speed was 6.5 miles per hour. Yeah, I think I qualify. Anyway, I'm going to track my savings/freedom from Big Oil. Yes, I still take the car to work but it's turning out to be a real joy to commute by bike after work.

The bike however is just an environmental mission. The real purpose of this blog is to track activities in our area. I jogged the Firecracker Frolic 5k in Easley, SC today for the fourth... Easley is a great town... with good coffee and great bacon and cheese biscuits. Next time I go, I'm checking out the Twisted Bean. If I'd had a folding bike, I could have checked out more of the town, but oh well, I covered a certain amount by foot.

Well tomorrow if you are so inclined, get up early and go run in this beautiful race... July 5, Lake Rabun - Rabun Ramble 5K & 10K, 7:30am. Info: Sandy O'Brien (706)782-7043, (917)903-8961. One year I'm going to make it.

Idina Menzel (from Wicked! And Rent?) is going to appear 7/18/2008 8:00 PM in the Chastain Park Amphitheatre inAtlanta, GA Should I go? Are they sold out? She's a magnificent singer, so there may be no more tickets at this point. anyway, this goes on my hmmmm.... list.

And Urinetown is on in Atlanta so I need to put that on my definite to do list... I'll find the url later on. Right now I'm on the hunt for fireworks. I think I want to find some...

Slogging Onward With The Blog

My community spirit died a few months ago, but heh, I feel the phoenix rising... even as I gag on the ashes pouring down from the blackened sky. Oh well, "the host is the bit player in my world" says the parasite.

okay, okay enough psycho-rambling. I've been so busy the past few months... running... a few 5ks here and there, lots of training run... lots of whining about not being able to run... but the big news was my turn as stage manager of the HCCT Theatre's production of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown." I did a lousy... er nonjob of promoting it... heavy sigh... but I was so tired! I'll do better next time. At any rate, I had a blast and met some incredible people. I love the theatre!

Okay, back to running... there's a 5k in Cartersville this weekend that I'd like to run in just for the t-shirt... The M*A*S*H 5km on Sat 06/14/2008 But alas, I'm having relatives swoop in so that won't be possible.

I'm toying with the idea of getting my brother hooked on this one... before he comes home for the weekend.... The GA 400 Road Race in Atlanta, GA Sat 06/14/2008 It's a four miler and I really like those. And we could do brunch afterward!!!!! Oh, what a glorious idea! I doubt it'll happen, but I can dream...

And I'd really like to do this Sunrise Run 8k in Greenville, SC on June 14th. But alas, I fear I lack the early morning wakeup gene.... And staying up all night and driving for an hour, sweating, straining, groaning for one more is not always advisable when the coffeehouses are closed.

And last I leave you with news of the Saturday Swat Trot, a 5K run, 5K walk, 1K fun run in Snellville, GA. That would probably be more to my brother's taste. We shall see if I can stick this on the to do list...

Your weekly reading assignment is at http://www.birdandmoon.com/55words/story30.html

So get to it! I'm way ahead of you. This week must be book week. I went shopping this weekend and kept picking up discount books... I'm going to try to read 4 or 5 books at one time as my Goodreads/Shelfari shelves are lacking... and my friends are speeding past me in the book count. At Shelfari, I joined a short story group that is reading BASS 2007 and the first story out was an interesting clunker, Louis Auchinclosss, "Pa Darling." (That's what happens when Stephen King edits? The jury is still out. I'm willing to give the ole fopdoodle a chance... but selection no. 2 must be brilliant or else! And the inserting of the word fopdoodle was no accident... that is a gift from book no 2, "Poplollies and Bellibones, a Celebration of Lost Words" by Susan Kelz Sperling. It's not a good word... but it's not a bad word, just a mean 'un and is entirely unfair to the editor. So, I'll not give the explanation... Let's just say that when I'm cruising 'round the square tomorrow and I get cut off in traffic like I did this morning (I did! I did!) I'm going to hang my head out the window and shriek, "Hey you worthless fopdoodle! Where did you learn to drive?!? Or did you? Maybe you never got beyond parking? Maybe you drive like I program my dvd player, like I work my cell phone (barely, that is.)" Well anyway, because of the fopdoodle in the opposite lane, I had to park halfway to Anderson. Volksmarching in the the early morning! That's all I'm saying.

And speaking of Anderson! Thursday offers some entertainment there. Thursday means that it's time for Downtown Sounds! See the schedule at http://www.mainstevents.com/downtownsounds2.html

The music scheduled for this week is "ANDERSON'S OWN" MISS WANDA JOHNSON
If you like passionate vocals, powerful stage charisma, great original songs, and a soulful performer who really connects with her audience, you will love Wanda Johnson. She is accompanied by Charleston-based pianist/composer Shrimp City Slim (Gary Erwin) and his band.

Influences: All the great women blues, soul & gospel singers. Sounds Like: Uniquely herself, but Wanda has drawn comparisons to the young Irma Thomas, Nina Simone, Norah Jones, and (believe it or not) Amy Winehouse

Check her music out at http://cdbaby.com/cd/wandaj2

I liked her style... but I think I'll sit this one out. Price of gas isn't exactly going down... We must be choosy on behalf of the addled republic.

I did some interneting this weekend and I found this site: http://www.shopforthelibrary.net/
If you shop at the participating stores, you can earmark a certain amount of money for the library of your choice. I haven't checked out the fine print yet, but it looks interesting...

And as far as the theatre goes... my vote goes to the Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta... A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Drew Reeves
April 11-May 4
$12 General Admission Preview April 10
Fairies, woods, and miscommunication…need we say more? Yes! Tickets go “swifter than an arrow from the Tartar’s bow!” Join the cast and crew members for a Question and Answer session on Sunday April 20 after the show!

I luv this play! I must see it again. Why, it's been years... since I saw my first Shax play and laughed my head off. The tavern is on Peachtree St and serves dinner with the play. Oh the Shepherd's pie... I would herd goats for the chance to eat that again... And the blondie brownie at intermission! And the best actors anywhere. Yes, I must put that on my schedule...

Good night!

An Animal Theme

Breaking news! I noticed that Anderson, SC is starting their downtown music series this week: http://www.mainstevents.com/downtownsounds2.html I LOVE their downtown music jams! I discovered a couple of interesting bands last year and I didn't even attend one fourth of the shows. This year... well, this year is the year. Of the early bird. Of the go-getting go-pher it! Having said all of that nonsense, I doubt I'll make this first show. HA!

Well, I would, but the first group up is a band called The Nightcrawlers (yet another animal!). If you want to sample their music, check out http://www.nightcrawlersband.com/Home.html

From the website: April 3 - NIGHTCRAWLERS
A four piece from the Asheville NC area, they bring an improvisational blend to their blues, soul and rock and roll material while still maintaining the directness and vitality of a good dance band. Featuring guitar, sax/keyboard, bass, and drums – the band members provide a solid rock groove along with powerful vocals and tasteful solos.

I listened to a song about Katrina and I liked it, but not enough for the price of gas. On the other hand, I need to buy BASS (le animal once more!) 2007 for a reading group, so if I remember to buy it... well, anything could happen. I really like going downtown, walking around and listening to the music or sitting around the courthouse and listening to music. And for the foodies who might be reading, they do have beer... which is...er practically liquid bread. And wine... which is er... smushed grapes. (Not to mention... roadkill! Sorry, but your roundup of current events has been interrupted by your subliminal animal theme!) Well okay, real food is... a restaurant away. Myself, I usually go and get the OREO Speedwagon from the E City Coffeehouse... which is gobs of ice cream and just enough coffee to singe my eyebrows.

But if you are traveling in another direction, you might do well to check out Atlanta Shakespeare tavern and their production of "Of Mice (OOOH! OOOH!) and Men" By John Steinbeck. April 6 is the last day so clutch your credit card now and put your credit limit in overdrive... The cost is $12 General Admission. From the website: A tender (yes! I think it counts!) and heartbreaking story of two emigrant workers who end up victims of forces beyond their control. In Steinbeck’s lovingly created adaptation of his classic novel, Lennie, a large, strong man with the intellectual capabilities of a small child and his short stocky companion George struggle to seek their own utopia in California during the Depression.

I do hate to be a total naysayer... but you know, I read the book so, I don't think I'll be making the trip (price of gas you know). It's a beautiful book, blah blah blah and I love-love-love the Tavern... but eh... I'm getting my funk on just thinking about the whole depressing, distressing, Depression of the plot, that whole ultra-reality thing which could bring on our looming recession just by way of... thinking about it all, so... I think by way of antidote, I'll watch 36 Lifetime movies instead. Or maybe the E channel... they're probably still showing old profiles of Anna Nicole. Surely I haven't learned everything...

And I vowed not to cover running since I've been doing so well with it, but since I ran (from... an animal????? ) tonight (3.6!) and since there's nothing really going on in the theatre world until next week... well, I might as well mention the Doug Harris Memorial Half Marathon and 10K on April 5th. Both races are trail runs through the Issaqueena Forest (loads of animals there!) in Clemson, SC

And in another direction, on the same day, Athens, Georgia is hosting the Saturday Red Carpet Day 5K Fun Run/Walk

Since I'm not really covering running tonight, you're on your own! Go to Active.com and check out the details in greater de-tail. And so we end with a tail! The animal theme sticks around to the bitter end!

Good night, night owls! (Oh, Oh! Oh!)