A Delay

Well...I had hoped to be able to go to Paris for my 45th birthday, but it appears the trip will have to be delayed until the fall. By the time I got around to getting a ticket for a June trip, the prices had trebled....so, after much debate, I am postponing my trip until November. C'est la vie!

Grad work update

I know you are all dying to know where I am on the road to my doctorate, so here's an update: I am almost done with my first year and still love my program. The readings, assignments, discussions and papers have been rigorous, challenging and very rewarding. I mostly work with two mentors (as HMU calls their professor); Chad Redwing and Robert Burns. Both men are brilliant in their own right and we have had some amazing discussions--mostly on the philosophy of education and how people actually learn. It's been a terrific year and I look forward to the remainder! (Remind me of this post in a few years when I am sick of this program! LOL)

PAX!

Another Grapes of Wrath Pic

OK...I like this pic much better than the other one! It must be because of the smile!

Cotton Patch Gospel Pic

Here's a terrific pic from our production of Cotton Patch Gospel in February. It was such a terrific show--I can't wait for the chance to doit again!

The End of Grapes and New Beginnings

So...we have closed Grapes and struck the set. The costumes are packed away and the props returned to the closet for their next use. I was so honored to be a small part of this important and amazing show--honored to have so many friends who love me and put up with my own special brand of insanity--honored to have gifts that I can share in many, many ways--blessed to have family that love and support me (hi, Mom!) --but mostly, I am so lucky to have a second chance at this rich, thick, amazing, important, tedious, lovely, happy, God-given life. Knowing how lucky I am makes it even better. Knowing that some of you out there love me makes it even richer.

As I was driving home Q called to talk about Torchwood and Julia's concert in May and all of the things happening in Dallas and he pointed out kindly that I don't often receive the love from the people in my life. All of the love from my family and friends that I tend to take for granted--well, not take for granted, but I don't always acknowledge that I know I am loved. I appreciate this feedback more than Q will ever know. I KNOW that people love me, but I think I am afraid that if I acknowledge the bounty of love in my life that it might go away. Now, I know that is crazy, unhealthy thinking--but it is there--at the core of who I am. How to fix that? It will take time--but at least I know that I am not broken and that I am loved by lots and lots and lots of people. Know what? I love them all more than they could ever know!

PAX

Paul and Ms. Mouse

Here is a pic of me and the Nonny Mouse.

The band in Grapes of Wrath has been terrific to work with...really great musicians!

A Grapes of Wrath Pic

Here is me and Nathan Houseman in the Weedpatch Camp scene. The show has turned out quite well and it was a blast to work with Nathan and others....especially The Nonny Mouse--even thought Ms. Mouse refuses to admit that she is indeed Ms. Mouse. LONG STORY!

Pax

Grapes of Wrath--Final Dress Rehearsal

What is it about the theater that I love so much? Here I am, responsible for the equivalent of 3 full-time positions right now at work, and I have managed to find the energy to do these terrific character roles in this show. I am exhausted...but also the happiest I have been in years. It must be the way my brain is wired--I am usually at my happiest when I am in the middle of a production. This show has come such a long way in such a short time. I was mentioning to someone the other night that Shaun-Michael's vision (the director) is ALWAYS worth the amount of effort it takes to get there. He is meticulous in his craft and the show reflects that. I certainly am looking forward to some down-time on Saturday, however!

PAX

Lafitte

Last night at rehearsal, Joyce Cavarozzi (retired WSU theater professor) walked up to me with a file in her hand and told me she had been cleaning out some of her files and came across something she thought I would like. I proceeded to read my journal that I had submitted to her for class credit from my month in New York in the fall of 1984 while we were working on Lafitte for it's NYC preview. I am so thankful for this! I will post some of the entries in coming blogs.

PAX

New WATC Office Location

So...I just got moved into my new house when my VP tells me that I am moving my WATC office today....LOTS of location changes, huh? But that is just fine. I will still be on the Grove campus, just in a different building (B). This is just for a few months until the new Jabara Campus is built (late 09 or early 10) and I will be moving out there....this move does come with a new title though--Manager, Distance Learning. It's a nice step up for me! I'll post more about that when more is made official.

PAX