We got Disneyland passes a month ago.
I have mixed feelings about this. Cheri and I used to work at Disneyland, and I have mostly good memories of my two-year stint as a cast-member (with the exception of angry dads on vacation -- they are the worst!)
I also admit that like most little kids, my 6-year old self was obsessed with getting to Disneyland. And when my parents took me there it was the fulfillment of countless childhood dreams.
That said, Disneyland has just gotten too damn busy. Too many people. Too much crowd not enough magic.
Still, I am enjoying spending time with the girls -- even if it is waiting in line. (And if it's the Indiana Jones line, who cares if you're waiting, the line itself is one of the coolest places at D-Land!)
Cheri stayed home so she could work on the show. (She's co-directing Hello Dolly!)
Before journeying to the Magic Kingdom, I took care of a few projects -- mainly registering the girls for fall semester. Speaking of college, both girls have made great strides this week. Emily earned 100% on a history essay. Mackenzie scored well on her ACT, without even prepping for the test! They definitely got their intelligence from their mother!
Friday, May 20, 2016
Summer 2016 - Day Two
Woke up at 6:30 am -- no alarm clock, just my body thinking that I need to go to work -- even though my summer break has begun.
I wrote and revised until 10am. Sent off a draft of the picture book to the agency. By 10:30am it was sent to the publisher. Things are happening fast! Which is funny, since I haven't come up with a decent picture book idea throughout the whole school year. As soon as the semester is over -- BAM! -- a good idea does a crash landing in my brain.
Cheri and I have been walking the dogs everyday for about six months now. Today was no exception.
The morning was pleasant because I didn't remember... I didn't remember I had a dental appointment today! Cheri reminded me in the afternoon -- so I got to have a filling from Dr. Brian. As luck would have it, his dental assistant knows Brendan at Vet Clinic. Go figure.
Chris Flowers and I went to a Chicago Deli. We shared our outlines of the different play ideas. Chris outlined five different projects. I had only the one. We watched the girls play dodgeball. I took them home, but was uncharacteristically cranky when I found out I was supposed to take Kenzie to rehearsal. I didn't want to be late for the world premiere.
That's right, my one-act comedy-drama... STRANGERS.
Not sure how the audience felt about it, but it worked for me. Lots of theater folks were there (probably to see Shawnee Badger -- but I felt supported by my friends, nonetheless).
I almost ran over a bunny rabbit. I came charging at the Prius! Fortunately, when I looked around the car, there wasn't a rabbit in sight. I think it was a phantom bunny.
I wrote and revised until 10am. Sent off a draft of the picture book to the agency. By 10:30am it was sent to the publisher. Things are happening fast! Which is funny, since I haven't come up with a decent picture book idea throughout the whole school year. As soon as the semester is over -- BAM! -- a good idea does a crash landing in my brain.
Cheri and I have been walking the dogs everyday for about six months now. Today was no exception.
The morning was pleasant because I didn't remember... I didn't remember I had a dental appointment today! Cheri reminded me in the afternoon -- so I got to have a filling from Dr. Brian. As luck would have it, his dental assistant knows Brendan at Vet Clinic. Go figure.
Chris Flowers and I went to a Chicago Deli. We shared our outlines of the different play ideas. Chris outlined five different projects. I had only the one. We watched the girls play dodgeball. I took them home, but was uncharacteristically cranky when I found out I was supposed to take Kenzie to rehearsal. I didn't want to be late for the world premiere.
That's right, my one-act comedy-drama... STRANGERS.
Not sure how the audience felt about it, but it worked for me. Lots of theater folks were there (probably to see Shawnee Badger -- but I felt supported by my friends, nonetheless).
I almost ran over a bunny rabbit. I came charging at the Prius! Fortunately, when I looked around the car, there wasn't a rabbit in sight. I think it was a phantom bunny.
Summer 2016 - Day One
Maybe if I keep track of these days of freedom they will last longer...
Although, the first day of summer vacation wasn't exactly free. I had a honey-do list to take care of... Took the kids to college and karate classes.
Cheri and I took the dogs to get digestible flea pills. Fun, fun, fun. Brendan -- one of the employees at TAGS scolded me because I let Chase meet another dog and, "if two dogs get caught in their leashes, no matter how friendly they are, it can turn ugly - just food for thought." He's a nice enough guy, but he shames me as a dog owner every other visit.
Oh, yesterday I finished inking Ducktown. Now it's all about scanning and photoshop.
Today was not about creative stuff. It was about the honey-do list. (Like signing Mackenzie up for her Space Camp.)
Emily had an academic triumph. 100% on her history essay (a comparative analysis of Episode Three of Roots.)
Prince has been dead for almost a month, so I've been slowing going through his catalog, honoring him in my own pathetic way, and thoroughly enjoying listening to his earlier work (I actually didn't became a fan until the early 90s).
I stopped by the theater to drop of the Hello Dolly lighting designer (Mackenzie) gave a kiss to the director (Cheri) and play a couple improv games with the improv impressario (Pat Mannion).
Around 10pm I noticed an email from my agent (who is on maternity leave). A publisher is looking for a winter themed picture book... I have a couple old drafts that might be a good match. That night, I dream of snow in the summertime.
Although, the first day of summer vacation wasn't exactly free. I had a honey-do list to take care of... Took the kids to college and karate classes.
Cheri and I took the dogs to get digestible flea pills. Fun, fun, fun. Brendan -- one of the employees at TAGS scolded me because I let Chase meet another dog and, "if two dogs get caught in their leashes, no matter how friendly they are, it can turn ugly - just food for thought." He's a nice enough guy, but he shames me as a dog owner every other visit.
Oh, yesterday I finished inking Ducktown. Now it's all about scanning and photoshop.
Today was not about creative stuff. It was about the honey-do list. (Like signing Mackenzie up for her Space Camp.)
Emily had an academic triumph. 100% on her history essay (a comparative analysis of Episode Three of Roots.)
Prince has been dead for almost a month, so I've been slowing going through his catalog, honoring him in my own pathetic way, and thoroughly enjoying listening to his earlier work (I actually didn't became a fan until the early 90s).
I stopped by the theater to drop of the Hello Dolly lighting designer (Mackenzie) gave a kiss to the director (Cheri) and play a couple improv games with the improv impressario (Pat Mannion).
Around 10pm I noticed an email from my agent (who is on maternity leave). A publisher is looking for a winter themed picture book... I have a couple old drafts that might be a good match. That night, I dream of snow in the summertime.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Duck Town - The First Draft is Complete
Sorry, little blog... I know I've been gone away for so long, but I haven't forgotten you. I've just been incredibly busy this semester, which is a good thing.
About a month and a half ago, my agent told me how much she liked the first chapter of Duck Town, and that she's anxious to show it to people, so that lit a fire under my you-know-what. Ever since then I've been penciling away... and last week I penciled in the words THE END.
But there's still tons of work ahead of me. I've got to ink three chapters, and I still need to scan and edit about seven chapters. Not to mention touch-up work. So, on the one hand, I'm very happy with my progress, but on the other hand, I'm frustrated that I can't work faster (and that I've got a full time career -- can't forget about that!)
Good things have been happening in the theater world too... Bullshot Crummond had a successful run. The Bullshot crew has met a couple times to try to develop our next project. Cheri did an excellent job (of course) directing CSI: Wonderland. It's approaching its third week of performances. (I'm running sound, Mack did the lights, and Emily filled in as lighting tech more than a couple times -- not to mention filled in on Happy Days the Musical). Cheri's now working on Hello Dolly!, I am the co-chair on John Lucewich's children theater production of his original "Impossible Adventures," and it looks like next season Cheri and I might be directing "Around the World in 80 Days" -- that's a big maybe; I'll let you know when it's official.
I've got about 40 days left of school... and during the summer break, I have no idea what my next project will be... But I already miss being in Duck Town. I might just stay there.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Having a Blast with "Bullshot Crummond"
We're in the middle of the second weekend of the Canyon Theatre Guild production of Bullshot Crummond, and we are having way too much fun on this show!
This is one many scenes in which we try (and fail) to not crack up. Chris Flowers is an excellent choice for the debonair yet idiotic leading man. Tyler Joy always lives up to her joyful namesake, and has truly blossomed as a leading lady. And then there's me, the supposed master of disguise, taking on eight or nine roles -- I lose count.
Of course, there's the villains too... I'll post a photo of Barry andSanya very soon -- but right now I'm off to run some errands and then do another show!
This is one many scenes in which we try (and fail) to not crack up. Chris Flowers is an excellent choice for the debonair yet idiotic leading man. Tyler Joy always lives up to her joyful namesake, and has truly blossomed as a leading lady. And then there's me, the supposed master of disguise, taking on eight or nine roles -- I lose count.
Of course, there's the villains too... I'll post a photo of Barry andSanya very soon -- but right now I'm off to run some errands and then do another show!
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Happy February! (2016)
Hello, Internet People!
School and rehearsal have kept me busy. I'm going to do my best to keep on blogging, and perhaps more importantly, to take more photos of my daily life, especially with my family. That was one of my most important New Year Resolutions.
So, with that in mind, here's a photograph from Monday -- our very first rehearsal of CSI; Wonderland.
As you can see, it's our table read session. You can see Cheri and her ponytail. She's directing -- which means I get to relax as a regional playwright and executive consultant!
School and rehearsal have kept me busy. I'm going to do my best to keep on blogging, and perhaps more importantly, to take more photos of my daily life, especially with my family. That was one of my most important New Year Resolutions.
So, with that in mind, here's a photograph from Monday -- our very first rehearsal of CSI; Wonderland.
As you can see, it's our table read session. You can see Cheri and her ponytail. She's directing -- which means I get to relax as a regional playwright and executive consultant!
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