Relaxing Before the Big Return (Summer - Day 84)

So far, this has been a slow-paced relaxing week... which is just what I need before the semester begins. I've been reading, drawing (a cover for Duck Town), and going through the audition sheets. (We'll be having call-backs on Thursday).

And I watched the Americans amaze the world in the Olympics games -- mainly the women's beach volleyball.

Cheri and I met with a college guide to talk about her potential plans for the future. Very exciting stuff! She received lots of great advice and information. I don't want her to fly away from the nest, but at the same time I can't wait to watch her soar.

Emily and I watched the second episode of "Stranger Things" -- a show that totally reminds me of 80's film-making, such as Poltergeist and E.T. (I'm going to have to find out who these Duffer Brothers are, I guess I'm out of the loop.)

And, of course, we watched a couple more episodes of My Little Pony. (This does not make me a Brony. I am just watching it to support my daughter's interests.)

Second Day of Auditions (Summer - Day 83)

This evening another group of wonderful people arrived at the theater to read from the script, Around the World in 80 Days. It's going to be such a fun show...

But the not-so-fun part is that there are only five to six people in the show, which means that most of the people who audition won't get cast. :(

Cheri and I streamlined our list, and we'll be meeting with some people again this Thursday for a call back, of sorts.

Emily is very excited because Season Six of My Little Pony has just been released on Netflix.

I am almost finished with the Author Questionnaire. Slow and steady. 

And speaking of slow, I'm still reading this book... 

I'm taking my time, but I should be done before the school semester begins... and then it's back to academic stuff! (You know, like Charles Dickens and Stephen King.) 

Oh, I almost forgot... We met with our friend Keri at Stonefire Grill. I had my usual: 

Keri will be working as our assistant director, possibly even our stage manager! We're lucky to have her on board. 

One Week Left (Summer - Day 82)

It's Monday, August 8th -- I have just one week left until it's back to the grindstone.

Today I continued to work on the Author Questionnaire. I'm embarrassed that I don't have any media contacts to list... although I'm going to reach out to Facebook. Perhaps I have some I'm not thinking of...

What else did we do... ?

• watched bits of the Olympics (including water polo, volleyball, and twin diving)
• met with a sales/repair guy & discussed getting a near air conditioning system from Costco 
• decided we are getting the new system on Aug 19th (HWHL)
• dropped the girls off at karate (Kenzie first day back at the studio)
• attended a Board Meeting for the Canyon Theatre Guild
• watched a new Netflix show called Stranger Things (intriguing first episode)

Around the World (Summer - Day 81)

Today I began to work on my author questionnaire for my upcoming picture book, Around the World in a Bathtub.

It might surprise you that I don't like writing about myself. At least not in an official business/marketing sort of way. So I only got about halfway through the question material before I just needed to stop and take a breather. Hopefully I'll finish it tomorrow.

While I've tinkered with that project I've also been watching the Olympics. I'm so thankful that NBC has offered live coverage on their website, because we don't have cable anymore. The downside is that if we want to watch the Olympics as a family we need to gather around the office computer... but it's better than nothing!

The big event of the day: Cheri and I held auditions for Around the World in 80 Days (lots of global titles, no?). Twelve people showed up... but because we have only five roles to fill, that's not a bad amount. Hopefully we'll have at least that many on Tuesday's audition. It should be a fun show. Very imaginative.

Speaking of which, we watched The Little Prince on Netflix.  It was an intriguing and ultimately engaging adaptation with an entirely new story built around it (and I was surprised that it worked so well).

Back from Space! (Summer - Day 80)

Okay, maybe not back from outer space... but she's back from Space Camp!

We're so proud of her... and so happy that she has returned home. Mackenzie won the Right Stuff Award -- a very prestigious accomplishment considering how many amazing young people are also deserving of such an honor. (But it's no surprise to us -- we always knew she was awesome!)

What else did we do today? Well... most of our day was preoccupied with Kenzie's arrival. (She didn't get in until 10pm at night.) But we did pass the time by working on our yard -- which is very dead and very dry. I also worked on "Around the World," read a couple chapters of Ready Player One, and met with Randy and Chris to continue our work on the Radio Play.

Prepping for "Around the World in 80 Days" (Summer - Day 79)

August 5th... Today Cheri and I stopped by the Canyon Theatre Guild. In addition to picking up some stuff from our mailbox, we also walked around the stage and talked about potential ideas for our upcoming show, Around the World in 80 Days. It's a lively adaptation of Jules Verne's classic. Hopefully we will rise to the material.

I'm thinking of using some shadow and animation effects, but I've got very limited resources on this ol' computer. With a little luck, I'll be able to find an assortment of geniuses at the theater who will know how to bring to life what I'm thinking of...

Oh, yesterday Emily and I watched "Suicide Squad." Wacky -- and strangely paced -- plot holes aplenty -- but we had a great time watching it, regardless.

Emily did something very Californian. She hanged out with her friends at the mall. Cheri and I did something very suburban; we had a lunch date at Peiwei.

Mackenzie's last official day at Space Camp was today. (She'll stay the night and fly home tomorrow. We can't wait to see her!!!) They had a graduation ceremony and they selected her to receive the RIGHT STUFF AWARD for the Advanced Academy cadets. We're so proud. I'll post some more photos of her adventures very soon, but for now, here's what her team wrote on the final day of camp...

"We are team Copernicus! Starting as a team full of nerds from all over the country, we've become family over this long, 12 day journey. Forever in history, we will live down as one of Space Academy Advanced Elite's most epic team. Thanks to our crew trainers who helped us though this milestone of an adventure, and nurturing our passions to always reach for the stars above." 

In the evening, we treated ourselves to Dairy Queen. I had a Butterfinger blizzard, the ladies had buster bars. Then, we watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on our computer. 

I've been reading Ready Player One. It's the ultimate geek-dream-come-true. 

Summer Vacation Highlights (Summer - Day 78)

All right, people -- time for a slide show. Here are some of my favorite moments from my trip to Washington state.

We arrived at the end of June and were greeted by this beautiful view. This is my mom's place on Camano Island, our home away from home.

Meeting the neighbors.

Tons of Bald Eagles in this area called Barnum Point. Here are a few of them disguised as my family. 

Lake Chelan combines scorching hot temperatures with freezing cold water.

Spencer the Therapy Dog may need therapy after this.

We ran in the warrior dash. I may not have had the fastest time, 

but I definitely had the cleanest T-Shirt

Mucking about in the pond at Sun Country Golf Course.

Visited our Canadian friends!

Played Canadian Frisbee (or they just stared at an invisible hummingbird, I can't recall which)

Emily's new hair color.

Mackenzie's new job.

Two Arch-Geeks and their family.

Aqua-Sox! Minor League Baseball at it's best! (And cousin Kayla is down there dancing to YMCA!)

Attended yet another sporting event (very unlike me). At this one, cousin Cameron was a referee for a Sounders soccer game! PS -- Soccer fans scare me.

Mackenzie got her senior photos taken... Chase the dog looks quite noble here, 

but don't let the image fool you. He's a dum-dum. 

And we met a new member of the family. Our new nephew-dog, Kato!

It's been one of the best summers ever. And still 13 more days of left for me -- man, do I feel blessed.I better make the most of it.  Carpe Diem!