Thursday out and about Paris with Debra

St. Martin du Vivier

Ok...the little hotel I found for my side trip turned out to be so freakin' charming! It was nestled in the hills above Rouen, and once I figured out the bus system, I was minutes from everything I wanted to see. I spent a good deal of time in the ancient cathedral--lit lots of candles and said lots of prayers for all of my peeps. There is something eternal about these places...they even speak to my protestant soul! Don't tell Rabbi!

Peace and love,

Paul

Pics from around Rouen and St. Martin du Vivier

Pour Christina et mon classe!

Tuesday in Rouen

Today I took the train (and why the hell don't we have a decent train system in the US? HUH??? The Europeans have this amazing system and can get anywhere cheaply and quickly)....anyway...today I took the train to Rouen. My hotel is actually a village over in the charming hillside town of St. Martin du Vivier. I plan on exploring both it and Rouen all day tomorrow. I am staying at the Best Western La Berteliere and it has this pastoral inn quality that has me already in my PJs and ready for bed. I ate at my first 3-star restaurant tonight (and l'addition proved it!) and it was so delicious. In fact, I have yet to have a meal that wasn't tasty. Even the McDonalds fries I ate one day were really great. I think it has to do with NO preservatives and NO high fructose corn syrup. These people know how to eat! AND I have yet to see a single FAT French person. There are some thick folks, but not like we have in the states. I really think there is a link between the preservatives the US puts in its food, and how fat stay in our systems. ANYWAY, enough of that.

Peace and love,

PJ

Being a new diabetic in Paris.

It turns out that Paris is a GREAT city in which to be a diabetic. There are pharmacies on every corner and they each have at least one English speaking clerk. I bought some glucose tabs, but have discovered a tastier way to raise my blood sugar. The one time my blood sugar got really low, I didn't panic, went to the closest boulangerie and had the most delicious crepe du chocolat. My blood sugar was fine tout suite. In fact, I have yet to run a high blood sugar this entire trip, and while I know it makes my mom a little nervous, I just make sure I have a pastry shop or bakery in sight AT ALL TIMES. Delicious! (I know the amount of physical activity I am engaging in keeps my blood sugar in the mid to high 90s usually.) OK--enough about my diabetes!

Pax!

Paul

Monday Morning

Place de Bastille with Mitterand's 70's National Opera in the background.

Rue de Charlemagne in the Village de St. Paul. A quaint neighborhood near the Marais. This morning it was filled with energetic high-schoolers heading to their various Lycees.


Exterior of the Picasso Museum. Inside were some wonderful Gauguins and of course tons of terrific Picasso works.

Sunday in Paris

I awoke to the sound of hundreds of church bells ringing all over Paris--calling the faithful to worship. I slept in. I'm on vacation. I'm sure God will understand...n'est pas?

The picture above is from the most amazing market on rue de Richard Lenoir. I have never seen so many people shopping in one place. It was fabulous.

Afterwords, I took myself to the cinema to see the latest James Bond flick and let my aching feet and legs rest a bit.

A plus demain!

Pax.

Paul

A funny tale....

So today while I was looking for Shakespeare and Co. (I got off at the wrong stop and was, yes, once again, lost) I found a small bookstore where the proprietor was setting out his books for the day. In my very best attempt at politeness (and in my limited Francais) I told him I was lost and asked for directions to the road that Shakespeare and Co. was on. Imagine my shock when the THICKEST Texas drawl I have ever heard came out his mouth and said "Straight ahead two blocks and turn right". I would NOT have been surprised had he added a pardner to the end of that. Just goes to show....you can't tell a book seller by his french apparel.

Pax!

Paul

Saturday Afternoon at the Arch de Triumph

Paul at Shakespeare and Co.

Thank you, Bill, for the heads-up!

rue de la Huchette

Notre Dame

More pics from Friday

Vendredi

Friday morning near the Eiffel Tower.

A special post for my French class

You all will appreciate this little story:

My first night here, while dining with my friend Debra and her boyfriend Marc, I was telling a story about when Debra and I were in college and how I was a real "a**hole" one time at a bar. Well, I ended up calling myself a word similar to the French word for a**hole instead of an a**hole and the look on Marc's face was priceless. He was too polite at the time to correct me, but was so curious as to why I would compare myself to a duck. Finally, he started laughing, made the correction, and since then I have a new nickname....yes, both of them now call me "The Duck". I am just going to play it off as my secret spy call name.

And that's---the rest of the story.

Peace!

Paul

Ce matin a' Paris

This morning I have spent most of my time exploring the neighborhood. The apartment is on Passage Beslay in the 11th arrondiesment. The church in the preceding picture is Saint Ambroise and it appears we are enmeshed in the St. Ambroise parish. I got wonderfully lost earlier when I was looking for a bike shop--but never fear--my language skills actually worked! I stopped into a small bookstore and got directions. Of course, I had to ask 3 more people, 3 more times before I literally stumbled onto my street. But nevertheless, I made it home. This afternoon we are getting my train tickets for Rouen next week and for Debra's trip to Normandie tomorrow. Au Revoir!

Pax

Paul

The view from my balcony window in the 11th.

Premiere Nuit A' Paris

Tonight Debra and her boyfriend Marc took me to this terrific Senegalese restaurant for dinner. A wonderful first "official" meal in Paris. We sampled a variety of traditional dishes and then went to Sacre Coeur to take in the night view. What an amazingly beautiful city! My trip is off to a great start.

I promised my mother I'd get her a picture of the Mona Lisa....so, this one's for you, Mom!

Debra's lecture this afternoon centered on French restoration art--I learned so much. It is one thing to read about a picture or have a prof lecture you--but to have the work of art in front of you as a very knowledgable teacher helps you make connections--not only to the work but to the times it was created in--well, to me THAT is the true art of teaching.

Pax

Paul

J'arriverais!

I landed this morning at 10:30 and promptly went to the Louvre to attend a class given by my friend Debra. I am about as exhausted as can be....so I will post more later!

Pax!

Paul

O'Hare on a Tuesday afternoon

Well...the first leg of my trip was just fine. No complaints. Sitting at O'Hare waiting on a transatlantic flight. Woohoo!

Peace and love and more soon...

Paul

Countdown to Paris

Ok....the packing is almost done. This time tomorrow I will be in the air on the first leg of my Paris trip. I am scheduled to arrive at Charles De Gaulle around 9 am Wednesday morning and a shuttle will take me to Debra's school. Stayed tuned for more updates!

Peace and love!

Paul

Last French Class

Tonight was my last French class before I head to Paris (on Tuesday). I was a little sad to say goodbye to this fun group of people...but happy to know I will probably see them next semester. It was enjoyable to recall my French vocabulary from my KU days and I feel pretty confident in my language skills for the trip. It was an excellent lesson in being a student again...I forget how hard it can be to learn something new--and the very uncomfortable chairs didn't help any. Anyway--I will be posting regularly about my Paris adventures right here...so stay tuned!

PAX!

Walt Whitman on Election Day

ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER, 1884

If I should need to name, O Western World, your powerfulest scene and show,

'Twould not be you, Niagara - nor you, ye limitless prairies - nor your huge rifts of canyons, Colorado,

Nor you, Yosemite - nor Yellowstone, with all its spasmic geyserloops ascending to the skies, appearing and disappearing,

Nor Oregon's white cones - nor Huron's belt of mighty lakes - nor Mississippi's stream:

This seething hemisphere's humanity, as now, I'd name - the still small voice vibrating -America's choosing day,

(The heart of it not in the chosen - the act itself the main, the quadrennial choosing,)

The stretch of North and South arous'd - sea-board and inland - Texas to Maine - the Prairie States - Vermont, Virginia, California,

The final ballot-shower from East to West - the paradox and conflict,

The countless snow-flakes falling - (a swordless conflict,

Yet more than all Rome's wars of old, or modern Napoleon's): the peaceful choice of all,

Or good or ill humanity - welcoming the darker odds, the dross:

- Foams and ferments the wine? it serves to purify - while the heart pants, life glows:

These stormy gusts and winds waft precious ships,

Swell'd Washington's, Jefferson's, Lincoln's sails.

Uncle Walt

Halloween

I just had the best time with Dominic and Ronan tonight...we went trick or treating and then hung out at Stan and Sue's house...(the boys' grandparents) and it was such a beautiful night. One adult was dressed as Michael Myers and he really gave Ronan a scare. He retreated to the porch for the rest of the night and talked about the mon-ter. Really great little guy!!!!

Pax!

Gas Prices??!!??

I just filled up my little Ford Focus for 20 bucks at $1.98 a gallon. How long has it been since I have been able to do that??? Granted, I receive a 10 cent discount for using my Dillons card at Kwik Shop...but still....amazing!

Prepping for Paris

OK...my trip to Paris is a little more than two weeks away and I am starting to get very excited about it. I will be staying with my old friend, Debra Thimmesch, from Nov. 11 to the 22nd in her apartment in the heart of the city. I have been a little anxious about taking this trip with my new health issues, but after careful study and reflection I have decided to go. I ain't gonna let a little diabetes stop me from doing what I have planned for my life--and I have been planning this trip for almost a year now! I plan to post daily to this blog while I am in Paris and will keep you updated on my adventures! Yahoo! And....let's see.... j'ai sera a' Paris bien tot! And I am tres psyched about it!

Pax!

First Post in a While

So....I have been away from posting for a bit as I get my footing back on this new life of mine. Today I started feeling more like my old self--which is good. It's been a tough couple of weeks and I have been filled with amazing feelings of doubt and regret and sadness. Having said that, I also have been blessed with the gift of amazing friends and a wonderful family, so the journey thus far has been better than it could've been. Thank God for that! I will post more later as I continue coming to terms with this new development....

PEACE!

Life is what happens to us...

....while we're busy making other plans. No? Got some great pics of my brother and his family in China....one is posted.

Instead of bemoaning the fact that they are 1/2 a world away, I need to celebrate every picture they send me. Instead of worrying about tomorrow, I really need to pay attention to today--which I spent with various tribe members in a variety of amazing activities. Instead of waiting for my future, I need to continue to make it happen--moment by moment, day-by-day, relationship by relationship--life is good.

PAX!

Mary Jane Teall Awards

So....I just won Best Actor in a Comedy/Drama tonight for my work in "Moon Over Buffalo" this summer and I am genuinely humbled. The ceremony was very cool and it was such a wonderful celebration of live theater in Wichita. I am so honored to be a part of this amazing community of talented people.

Pax!

Mom at Botanica

Every year my mother has a booth of her art at Botanica's Gallery in the Garden. You can actually see her booth here: http://www.botanica.org/

I always look forward to this event (I help her set up and tear down her booth) because I get to see her new work or her works in progress. This year she had two beautiful new pieces that reflect a different tone for her. The first was a study on layered stones that was magnificent, but my favorite was a complex study on leaves that was so understated. I say complex, because when you first glance at it the painting appears very simple, but the more time you spend examining it and being pulled into the study, the more detail appears. It is a very splendid work of art and I am so proud of my mom who painted it!

PAX!

Closing night

I posted a little while back about "opening nights" and how I love the excitement and momentum as we rush towards the first night of a theater project. Tonight we closed "Tuesdays with Morrie" at my church, and while I was disappointed in the small crowds that attended, I am very proud of the show. That I was able to hold my own with Tim Robu meant the world to me! I mean that guy can act--even tonight we were discussing one of our scenes and he hit on some terrific motivation for me that helped me nail it tonight. Anyway, I loved being able to do this show and I hope Tim and I can maybe work on it again in the future.

PAX

Counting down to Paris

I can't believe that I will be in Paris for two weeks in November. My last trip to Europe was amazing, but not taken during a particularly good time in my life. Don't get me wrong--I loved it--just not what happened on my return. Anyway, this trip will be completely different...staying with a dear friend....no plans at all for anything--just going to wing it. Oh...and I started my French class a couple nights ago....FUN!

PAX

How do I say....

.....how grateful I am for my tribe? My family? My friends? My life? I suppose I could start with a simple....thank you. All of you....

What a way to burn....

In spite of copious amounts of sun screen, I have managed to get some sun--but you won't hear me complaining--it feels GREAT! Today we were visited by old friend Gary and new friend Phillip. Old friend Betsy left shortly after lunch (she is trying to get back to Houston before Gustaf hits) and then there are always lots of sunny, funny young people around as Q's daughter Julia has her teenage friends in and out of the house. We are getting ready to grill steaks for our last official meal together as the rest of us will begin our various travels early tomorrow. I do know that I have soaked up enough sun and love to last me to our next gathering.

Peace and love,

My tribe...

This place and my friends are so very good for me....I have spent the entire day in the pool as old and new friends have dropped by...or landed at the airport....or driven up from Houston....it's an odd mix of comings and goings as we all spend time together. Happy in each other's company. If only the ENTIRE tribe were here....but then, where we we put everybody????

Late Friday at the Q Lagoon

We arrived in Dallas about 10:30 tonight only to find a delicious tortilla soup awaiting us. We've been in the pool and getting the late-night lantern tour of the new landscaping. Ahhhhh.....music, Coke Zero, good food and my tribe. I am in heaven....

Pax

Saturday in the Park

Just in from an evening at the park with Dominic and Ronin--Sinda's boy's. My, my, my...what energetic little guys. Dominic went ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP of the rope ladder and his little brother Ronin spent most of the evening sliding down slides. It was a beautiful evening and just right.

PAX

New pics of my nieces on the farm!

Tuesdays with Morrie

I will be performing the role of Mitch in UCC's upcoming production of 'Tuesdays with Morrie". This simple play is touching and timely and I look forward to working on it. Tim Robu will be playing Morrie and I am also composing an original score for the piece. We open Thursday, September 11th and run the next two nights (closing on Saturday, September 13). This is an additional production to augment our usual spring musical--which will be "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" which I will be musical directing. "Joseph" opens Feb. 19, 2009 and runs through Feb. 21. Call the church office at 634-0430 for more information and to make reservations (for "Morrie" only at this time).

The Summer Sampler from Hotel Abandon

My friend Q's new summer sampler of music rocks!!! It might be my favorite (but don't tell the other samplers--they'll be jealous).

PAX

Great News!

I can't say much, but my college had some really great stuff happen to it today concerning its accreditation status. Oh yeah, and my online stuff got accredited too--so I am just a little happy--and smug!

PAX

Entheos

My friend Shanna accuses me of being "too hype-able"--whatever that means. Actually, I know very well what she means. I love hype and I am often swept up in the wave of the moment. She has some validity to her criticism--my "hype-ability" has led to some disastrous trips to the movies for the tribe! But as I thought more about it, I felt I had to really delve into this part of my psyche. I admit readily that I am easy to hype--that I am often on the bandwagon early of new things. But I have concluded that this part of me is actually born from a deep held belief that things can be better. I am not so much hype-able as hopeful. The Greek root of enthusiasm is entheos (inspired, or more literally, possessed by a god) and I like to think that my enthusiasm for the new is simply my soul's response to the possibility--the newness--that what-may-be--held within the kernel of new endeavors. So--yes, I will always be hype-able, but it is tempered with dear friends who help me see the wisdom is caution and yet let me dive in head first--enthusiastically--into all the amazing and bright things life sends my way.

PAX

Ali Jafari and lunch time chat

So--yesterday at the Campus Technology conference I was sitting and eating a quick bite for lunch, when a very animated group joined my table (it was a big conference lunch and Trish had gone ahead while I waited for the line to dwindle--you know how much I LOVE standing on line) anyway, this animated group introduced themselves all around and I soon found myself chatting with Ali Jafari for most of the lunch. Long story short--it turns out that Ali is the man behind ANGEL learning--the new LMS that my college is using. I learned tons about the creation and marketing of this powerful software and even more about Mr. Jafari's latest venture--more on that in another blog!

PAX

Olin College, Needham, MA

Trish Schmidt and I are in Boston attending the Campus Technology convention. Yesterday we we went out to Needham, MA, to spend some time on the campus of Olin College of Engineering. We were fortunate to be able to meet with Rick Miller, president, and Mike Moody, VPAA, and a host of faculty and staff. This small (300 student) private college touts itself as "reinventing engineering education"--and I must agree. Their curriculum is "project" based in theory and mostly in practice (there are a number of faculty who lecture, although they know they must be innovative). President Rick Miller told us the fascinating story of the genesis of this institution and it quickly became clear that because of a very large amount of resources (mostly money) the leadership was able to take the time and care necessary to actually develop it programs and courses from the ground up. There is lots more to report on this school--watch future blogs!

Boston--Big City--Big Heart

I am having a great time in Boston thanks to some very friendly locals who went out of their way to show this Kansan a great time. Beacon Hill, South Boston, the local arts scene, lots of great stuff-- and it was just my first day here. Because the conference is only during working hours (evenings free) I will have more free time than I expected. I want to go to Salem and see where the witch trials occured and then I want to visit Harvard yard. Oh yeah....and I will post about the tech conference too...it doesn't start until tomorrow. Trish (my co-worker) and I were sent up a day early to visit Olin College--which we are about to do here in a few minutes.

PAX

Show Closing and Boston

Tonight we close Moon Over Buffalo and I am a little blue about. Mostly because it has been such a rich and rewarding experience and I love this cast. But there will always be another show, no? We close Moon at about 10 tonight and then I am on a flight to Boston first thing in the AM. Trish (a co-worker) and I are heading to the Campus Technology conference for the week to see what is coming in....well...technology on campus. Should be great! I will try to post from Boston later in the week.

Pax,

Paul

Summer Musing

Here we are...mid-summer--and what have we done with the time? Oh...you know, the usual! I re-open Moon Over Buffalo tonight and am looking forward to seeing that wacky cast again. It looks like my sister and her girls might make it to town to see the show this weekend. Fun!

Pax!

Paul

Opening Night

I have been performing in live theater for as long as I can remember. Hardly a year goes by where I don't have at least one if not half a dozen opening nights (except for 2003 which by all indications was a very dark time in my life--I don't remember much of it!).

This year I have been blessed with three opening nights (so far)....Cotton Patch Gospel in February, The Grapes of Wrath in April and Moon Over Buffalo, tonight. I have always loved the excitement building towards curtain and today is no exception. I am sitting here at my work computer, actually getting lots of work done, but taking this break to write about tonight.

A few things come to mind--first, my body actually aches after rehearsals. This is a very physically demanding show for me and I am not as young as I once was. I recall learning the bottle dance from Fiddler on the Roof and doing it 4 or 5 times a week for almost two months! That was nothing!

Second, I am doing this show for the Wichita Community Theater (WCT) out of my love for theater in general, and good community theater in particular. While I lived in Lawrence, KS, I performed often with their excellent community theater, but the chance to perform with WCT never presented itself until now. Its a great group of people and I am honored to be a part of it.

Third, I am madly in love with this script. George Hay, my character in Moon Over Buffalo has an awful lot in common with myself. Come see the show and I think you will see what I mean.

PAX!

My Tribe

Here's a pic of some of my tribe from the July 4th Extravaganza at Powell Gardens and the Confused Castilian.

Check out the link below for more!

What a holiday!

Here are some pix from the 4th of July extravaganza at Powell Gardens.


























I think one of the best things about the event was the fact that my sister Teresa and her daughters, Mattie and Ellie, joined us for the fun!

UPDATE

Ok.....whew....life is what happens to us while we are busy making other plans! Here's what is going on:

I leave tomorrow to spend the weekend with friends in KC. My job at WATC was upgraded to Manager, Distance Education. The WCT production of "Moon Over Buffalo" opens next Thursday--come see it!

Peace and love

A Beautiful Family

My sister Teresa took this great pic of me and my other sister Valerie and my niece's Mattie and Elizabeth (Teresa's girls). What a beautiful pic and what a beautiful family. I am such a lucky man. And I love them all very much!

I Love Paris in....

.....November! I did it! I bit the bullet and bought my tix to Paris. I will spending a couple of weeks there in November. For those of you who don't know--my dear friend Debra Thimmesch teaches for KU and is in France about 1/2 of the year. She invited me there for my birthday, but I was unable to go at that time--due to a number of reasons. Anyway--November is a go, because, well, they are non-refundable tickets, so I kinda HAVE to go now, don't I? So...let's see....Paul sera a' Paris' dans Novembre'. Oui Oui!

Updates

So....sorry for the delay in posting--it's been a very busy time in my life. At work I am in charge of a major software change and I am working in the evenings on Moon Over Buffalo (opening July 10 at the WTC workshop). It also seemed to take me a long time to totally recover from my ear infection--but, thankfully, I am feeling better each day. Not much to say except--PAX!

The Wedding Singer

I just sang with my friend Karen Robu for a really lovely wedding at our church. There was a sweet story about how they met and on their first date they walked into an Italian restaurant and Frank Sinatra's "Love and Marriage" was playing. So, guess who got to sing that song as their recessional???? HMMM? It was really fun and really sweet. One of my biggest honors in life is to get to share my voice with young (and some older) folks as they embark on their lives together--it is such a blessing to be able to do that!

PAX

June is busting out all over!

OK--I am finally recovering from a NASTY ear infection--I will never enter the Q lagoon without ear plugs again as it seems my aged body can't recover from things like it used to!

Anyway...starting to feel much better....but you know, even though I wasn't at work, the work didn't get done, so I am twice as busy. Go figure!

PAX

Home from the Big D

Wow....what a whirlwind, roller coaster ride of a weekend! From various illnesses and trips to the ER (glad you are better Q!) to some of the BEST coconut curry EVER to amazing swimming and time with Miss Julia--it was just a great weekend. That my circle of friends grew by one this weekend made it even better. Thanks, J-man!

Pax

Indy!

Juila and I will be heading to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Jealous????

Sunday...

...in the Pool with Friends. Great show!

Ahhh...Dallas

Just out of the pool....getting ready for a delicious lunch...then to a spa for a pedicure and then back to the pool. Ahhhh.....very happy to be here surrounded by my dear friends....old and new. Pax

Graduation day at WATC

Tonight we graduate a whole bunch of terrific students...my college awards certificates of completion, technical certificates and associate degrees. I am not sure how many people know how difficult our programs of study really are. I do--and I am extremely proud of those who manage to complete the curricula and go on to find meaningful employment. Check out our website at www.watc.edu and check out our college blog at watconline.blogspot.com Congratulations Graduates!

Moon Over Buffalo

I will be making my Wichita Community Theater debut in Ken Ludwig's hysterical comedy "Moon over Buffalo" opening July 10 and running until July 26. It is directed by my dear friend Shaun-Michael Morse and has a really top-notch cast (yes, I know I included myself in that compliment). The script is a hoot and it promises to be a fun evening of theater. Pax!

New Music

Lots of good new music in my life right now. Bought the new Indiana Jones soundtrack...lots of good cuts on it--brings a big smile to my face. Surprised at how rich the score is for the West End "Lord of the Rings" musical. Really rich themes--Celtic and Indian and they work very well. Love the new samplers from Q and still in love with the new Carly Simon CD. Peace!

Home

Home from Dallas. Hopefully today will bring my contract for our new learning platform at WATC. I have an HMU class first thing and then I will spend the rest of the week dreaming of the Hotel Abandon and the Q lagoon! Of course, I will be back there on Friday night, so my dream will come true.

Pax

Lake Dallas High School

So...if one of our challenges as educators is to pass the existing culture on to the next generation, the folks down here in Dallas are doing a fine job. Tonight's concert of music and dance was top-notch and had lots of talent and energy. Well done! And Q's daughter Julia brought the house down with her amazing rendition of 'Autumn Leaves". Woo-freakin'-hoo!

Saturday in the Big D

Just out of the pool....heading to the mall to buy a new shirt for tonight's concert. Perfect 82 degree tempature and the pool is even better. Just the tonic for me! Of course, Q's crazy family will be arriving soon (we are attending Julia's spring concert tonight) so the mania will begin shortly. Chaos and drama....ugh. Oh well! I will hide in the bedroom with my tribe and watch Torchwood....woohoo!

Peace!

Prepping for a Dallas Trip

I leave tomorrow for the first of two consecutive weekends in Dallas. Saturday night is Julia's (Q's daughter) Spring Concert and a bunch of us were invited to attend. I am excited about hearing her terrific voice (which always, always, always reminds me of her mother's beautiful voice) but I am also looking forward to a little down time and some quality time on my floaty in the pool with my tribe.

Peace!

Mid-Week

Been listening to Carly Simon's new CD. Love it. The second cut is a really beautiful song--listen to it! Been working on my WATC Online Website today and trying to get all of my new classes arranged wtih faculty. It's a good day.

Pax

A Perfect Day?

What would be your perfect day? Would it include spending some time with those you love? Would it have some good work in it for you? Would you sing out loud on occasion? Would you praise your God? Would you be thankful that you have a day at all? Would your perfect day include little children to make giggle? How about a crowd of happy Wichitans at a Riverfest event that was just right? Or a bike ride through west Wichita that left your legs with that small amount of pain that lets you know you are alive? Or sharing a chocolate mocha sundae with someone special? Would your perfect day include the anticipation of a dinner someplace special with a group of friends? How about buying gifts for your beloved mother? Does your perfect day include just a bit of television watching? Does it have you writing a blog entry about your perfect day? I am just wondering what your perfect day might include because mine had all of the previous and more!

Pax

Frazz

At lunch today one of my faculty members mentioned a comic strip that he enjoyed called Frazz....I LOVE it. Here is a sample!

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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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