update

the pillowman closed this past sunday. it's one of the best theatre experiences i've ever had. i was never anxious before going onstage. though i'd get slight butterflies, i was never worried about dropping lines or things going wrong. i imagine this lack of anxiety was a result of feeling comfortable with my fellow actors as well as the fantastic script we had to work with. every night i was able to play with the lines, changing inflection, experimenting with pauses in different ways, drawing out a moment of eye contact or discovering a new area of realization. this play renewed my faith in myself as an actor.
this past saturday i attended a luncheon of the constance allen heritage guild, a local women's club, and was given an award, along with about 14 other local educators, called the yellow rose of texas education award. i was very honored, as most of the other honorees were at least 50 years old and had been in education for many years. my mom and dad came, as well as one of my bosses at work, two of my past teachers, and the man who nominated me.
now i turn my attention fully to our production of the royal family and i attempt to build this magnificent set and collect these magnificent costumes. i have no idea how i'm going to pull it off, but in actuality, i never do; so, this is nothing too different.

the best $20 i ever spent

last year during south pacific i was sitting in my office at around 6 pm and was reminded of the existence of Nerds Ropes. for those of you who haven't had the pleasure, Nerds Ropes are long strips of chewy stuff covered in Nerds candy. i suddenly had an overwhelming craving for a Nerds Rope. so i asked one of my students if she would go to the store and get me one. she said sure. as i looked in my wallet, i realized i had only a twenty dollar bill. the moment of decision had arrived: either forego the craving, or plunge in. i chose the latter.
"take this twenty," i tasked her, "and buy as many Nerds Ropes as you can."
she and two friends presently returned with two plastic shopping bags full of Nerds Ropes, 81 of them to be exact, which we proceeded to enjoy and disseminate.
it was the best twenty dollars i ever spent.

labor

school starts.
play rehearsal for the royal family.
classes.
performances of the pillowman.
friend beth visited.
discussion of acting.
she gives me a note that i try, and it works.
day off for labor day.
look at this.
cough and congestion.
feelings of gratitude while washing dishes.
later, sinking self-hatred over scrambled eggs.
i let it pass.
and worry hovers like smoke i blow away.
on a student's MySpace, he has cited me as one of his heroes; i find out by chance.
i update my own space.
i stay up till 2:30 am.