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You are here: Home / Anastasia / A Good Day

A Good Day

August 14, 2019 at 10:52 am by Claudia

Well, this was alarming.

Mother Nature: I’m happy that it’s cooler right now, but don’t assume that means I’m ready for Fall. I will be soon, but please don’t rush me. Okay?

Yesterday was a strange and good day. Don drove down to New Jersey to buy more film for his Crown Graphic camera. Fuji has stopped making it and, consequently, it’s getting more expensive. There are photographers who swear by it – and it’s really true, there’s nothing anywhere near the quality of this film for polaroid photography – and they hoard it knowing that the supply is finite. There’s someone out there trying to develop an alternative and we have our fingers crossed that he succeeds.

Anyway, on the way back he called me with the news that he had booked the job he auditioned for last week. It’s a small role, just a day’s work, but it’s significant because it’s the first job he’s booked since Margaritaville. He needed that. We were celebrating when an email came up on my laptop from the Anastasia National Tour asking if I was available to coach a couple of actors next week – in Las Vegas, no less.

So, while I was talking to Don about the job he just booked, I booked a job myself!

Good news for the Hill-Sparks household.

I’ll be jetting off to Las Vegas next Wednesday and I’ll return on Saturday. Crazy, right?

It’s always a good day when two freelancers book a job. In the 25 years we’ve been together, we’ve never booked jobs on the same day.

Just saw our pair of mourning doves. One is looking for food on the ground, the other is sitting on the edge of the birdbath. They were there yesterday evening, as well.

Okay. I got a late start this morning, then I had a phone call with Darko, and I’m just now getting to the blog!

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: Anastasia, Don 44 Comments

Comments

  1. Donnamae says

    August 14, 2019 at 11:26 am

    It was indeed a good day! So happy for you both! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      Thank you, Donnamae!

      Reply
  2. Dottie says

    August 14, 2019 at 11:29 am

    I noticed some yellow leaves yesterday on some of our trees. Fall is my favorite season so I am ready. Glad you both have work coming up – good news for the budget!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      Thank you, Dottie!

      Reply
  3. Dee Dee says

    August 14, 2019 at 11:30 am

    Great news for both you and Don! There’s a definite nip of Autumn in the air, it’s raining yet again and the temperature is only 58F, the long range forecast is more rain and highs of mid sixties!

    Saturday, I’m off on a day trip with some ex co-workers to a flower show which is in its 90th year,(think Chelsea on a much smaller scale). It’s about an hour’s drive to the coast but we’re travelling by coach so by the time it’s picked everyone up from various stations, we can at least double that time😂

    Happy Wednesday

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      Have fun at the flower show – it sounds lovely!

      Reply
  4. Priscilla says

    August 14, 2019 at 11:35 am

    Congrats on your jobs!!
    Yikes! Autumn already?!!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      Thanks, Priscilla!

      Reply
  5. Wendy T says

    August 14, 2019 at 11:56 am

    Claudia, So happy for you and Don about the jobs! Yikes, Vegas in August. Well, at least you’ll be inside. Hope both of you will enjoy your experiences.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      I know! I’ll be staying indoors as much as possible!

      Reply
  6. Janie F. says

    August 14, 2019 at 12:02 pm

    Oh Claudia, what great news! A job for you and Don on the same day. What a sweet blessing!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      Thank you, Janie!

      Reply
  7. Cara in S.FL says

    August 14, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    YAY!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      Thanks, Cara!

      Reply
  8. Janet in Rochester says

    August 14, 2019 at 12:29 pm

    Hey, great news! When it rains, it pours, huh? Well, work is terrific anyway it comes, so congrats again! Las Vegas, hmmmm. Somehow I don’t see it as a Claudia-kind-of-town, but I bet you’ll enjoy it anyway. I’m sure of one thing, you find a completely new take on something you’ll see there. Looking forward to a post or two from there. Yah, that bright red leaf IS shocking! Come on, Mother Nature, we’ve got 5 full weeks of real Summer still to go. I love Fall – it’s my favorite season – but don’t sweep Summer out the door before her time, please. Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday, my friend. Peace.
    🌿🌳☀️

    #Resist
    #ImpeachTrump

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      No, I’ve never had any desire to go to Vegas. Ah, well. I’m going!

      Reply
  9. jeanie says

    August 14, 2019 at 12:42 pm

    Very good news for you both! Three cheers!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks, Jeanie!

      Reply
  10. Linda Mackean says

    August 14, 2019 at 1:17 pm

    Wonderful news for both of you! I know you both enjoy your work and have a good time in Las Vegas. My favorite thing in Vegas (besides the Paris hotel and Eiffel Tower replica where I was gifted my trip to the REAL Paris) …is the Bellagio Fountains. I just got such a kick out of it.

    Still very hot here but inside most of the day resting, reading and chores. How is that resting I’m not sure! Hugs!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks, Linda!

      Reply
  11. Jayne says

    August 14, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    Congrats to you and Don!! What wonderful news, and well deserved!! Anastasia is coming to Denver, but I’m not sure I’ll get to see it. I’m going to try.

    I’m also not ready for Fall, but definitely am ready for slightly cooler temps. The nights are getting back down into the 50’s again, which is always so nice for sleeping.

    Don’t melt in Vegas!!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      Anastasia is in Denver right now, Jayne!

      Thanks!

      Reply
  12. Lea says

    August 14, 2019 at 1:55 pm

    This is wonderful news, so happy for you both. You two deserve all the best that
    life can offer.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks, Lea!

      Reply
  13. tammy j says

    August 14, 2019 at 2:06 pm

    Kudos to BOTH of you darling bean!!!
    a good omen for a new beginning.
    it just feels like that to me. :D XOXO

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 4:21 pm

      Thanks, Tammy!

      Reply
  14. .Melanie says

    August 14, 2019 at 2:13 pm

    Great news all around – except for that red leaf! I am in no way ready for fall. I’m trying to hang onto every last bit of summer that I can! I know you feel the same.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 14, 2019 at 4:21 pm

      You’re darn tootin’!

      Reply
  15. kathy in iowa says

    August 14, 2019 at 5:51 pm

    yay! so happy for you and don; congratulations!

    fall is probably my favorite season and i am ready for it!

    hope you have a nice night!

    kathy in iowa

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 15, 2019 at 10:53 am

      Thanks, Kathy!

      Reply
  16. Marilyn says

    August 14, 2019 at 5:51 pm

    So happy for you and Don. I mowed the lawn this afternoon and my sister and me trimmed and cleaned up the front a little. Now it is raining. I like to mow the grass before it rains, makes things look sparkling.
    Marilyn

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 15, 2019 at 10:54 am

      You’re right, Marilyn. It does!

      Reply
  17. Vicki says

    August 14, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    Just never know what a day will bring, right? Congrats on the gigs. I sort of feel thru your words that it’s infused you two with some real energy (not just about the money). It’s always gratifying/satisfying to do what one does best; utilize your well-honed skills. Be productive and of benefit. Really empowering. And it’s been awhile since you’ve gotten away from the cottage, true? An adventure! Please send us some photos of the bright lights of Vegas; I don’t think I’ve been there in 35 years; of course, today, I’d barely recognize the place. I feel excited for you and Don! You’ll also have to let us know about his role once you can, so that we can watch for him (of course I’m assuming it’s TV or film).

    Gosh, I hope you don’t blister in Vegas heat; I’ll look up the weather service and see what you’re facing there but, you know, as ‘they’ say, it’s a ‘dry heat’ which is the more tolerable as one dips in and out of air conditioning.

    Wow, a fall leaf. Nothing I’m seeing here of course in SoCalif; maybe you’ll have a really beautiful autumn, Claudia; we’ll hope so — a long season, so that you’ll have much good weather yet in the Northeast!

    Your post made me feel happy today. Glad to share in your enthusiasm; it’s infectious!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 15, 2019 at 10:55 am

      The series that he’ll be on is on the new Apple streaming network. I know very little about it!

      I actually have NO desire to visit Las Vegas, but that’s where I’ll be. I’m staying indoors!

      Reply
      • Vicki says

        August 16, 2019 at 10:32 pm

        I get you on that; Vegas holds zero appeal for me. The only reason I was ever there was because it was on the route when I’d be with my first family, as a kid but also even in my younger adulthood, when we’d visit other relatives out of state (road trips). I know that some of the newer Vegas hotels are supposed to be quite beautiful but I’m not going to travel somewhere just to see a hotel, unless it was something famous like the Waldorf Astoria (I’ve always wanted, too, to have tea at The Plaza!) or The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan; the Inn on the grounds of The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. I know The Venetian in Vegas is supposed to be fun but my husband couldn’t stand the smell of the chlorine for that indoor water, last time he was there on business. (Can you imagine how much they must fight mold?) And odors don’t usually get to him the way they do me with my asthma; so, no way.

        You’re wise to just work and stay indoors; get your views on the plane when landing! I imagine tickets to see some of the headliners are vastly expensive (you’re already used to Broadway shows anyway, best of the best). What else is there to do but eat and gamble; ugh, reminds me of the one & only ocean cruise I ever took (when I was bored out of my mind by it; thankfully it was only four days).

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          August 17, 2019 at 10:08 am

          I have no desire to take a cruise. (Or to be in Vegas!) But since most of my time there will be filled with work, I’ll hang out in my room the rest of the time. Thanks, Vicki.

          Reply
  18. Jane Krovetz, NC says

    August 14, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    Great news! So happy for you!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 15, 2019 at 10:55 am

      Thanks, Jane!

      Reply
  19. Nora in CT says

    August 15, 2019 at 7:48 am

    Congratulations to both of you! And a fun little jaunt to Sin City. I know you’ll be working a lot, but a change of scenery can be a boost.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 15, 2019 at 10:56 am

      It’s the time zone change that makes it hard. I have to take notes on the show when it will be well after my bedtime here.

      Reply
  20. Linda Piazza says

    August 16, 2019 at 7:18 am

    Great news for both of you!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 16, 2019 at 10:19 am

      Thank you, Linda!

      Reply
  21. Hélène says

    August 16, 2019 at 11:32 am

    Congratulations for your booked jobs for both of you.
    After two heat wawes, temperatures are lower now and I breath again. I hate heat. I love autumn : chilly mornings, cooler evenings, the ochre and purple hues that settle in the nature, long walks in the woods for picking mushrooms, dead leaves, moss, acorns, leaves flying away in the wind, the first chimney fires…

    I was born in September. This might explains that…

    Have a good week in Las Vegas. All the best. Hélène

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 17, 2019 at 10:05 am

      I’m not a fan of the heat, either! Autumn is coming soon, Helene.

      Reply
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I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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