Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Random Thoughts

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I have nothing profound to share with you today, but then again, I’m not sure if I’ve ever said anything profound on this blog. Maybe I have. I’ve been busy – teaching, coaching, doing prep work for classes. I have just learned I have to work on yet another show this week and I am waiting to hear what dialect the director wants me to coach. Sometimes I feel like I am juggling a lot of balls and not doing such a great job of it. The thing about teaching, at least for me, is that some days it seems to be effortless; everything goes smoothly, the students are attentive and calm and I seem to breeze through the day. Other days, it is like pulling teeth; one has to deal with emotional students, tired students, giggly students (yes, even at the graduate school level – of course, this is acting school so there is a bit more leeway for shows of emotion), or I am tired, or cranky or dehydrated. It can be exhausting. Yesterday was exhausting. Today was better. Tomorrow I have a faculty meeting, teaching and work in the evening on “The Greeks”.

Saturday is Valentine’s Day and I am far away from my sweetheart. But we’ve been through this before. The fact is that we tell each other we love each other several times a day – every day is Valentine’s Day!

I know I have blog readers from Australia and I am so saddened and horrified by the fires in your country. My heart goes out to you at this terrible time. Words always seem woefully inadequate at times like these, but I send my love and prayers to you and yours.

Dining on the road

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I have never particularly liked eating on the road. Sometimes I order room service, but rarely, as it is so expensive. Today I was in rehearsal from 10 until 6 and we had a quick lunch break between 2 and 3. I drove to one of the local restaurants, couldn’t find a parking place, drove to another and ended up wolfing down a salad and some clam chowder much too quickly. For the rest of rehearsal I had an upset stomach. At 6:00 I didn’t feel like driving around looking for a place to eat. It is a football game weekend here in Gatorland and traffic is crazy! So I stopped at the Steak and Shake right by the hotel. Since I am a vegetarian, my choices are limited at a restaurant with the name of Steak and Shake. So I got french fries and a chocolate shake. The shake without the steak. That was my dinner. The fries were so-so. The shake was fabulous. And I feel nicely full, so it can’t be all bad, right?

One more day here before I leave on Sunday. Rehearsals have been going well – who doesn’t love The Wizard of Oz? I cried during the run-through when Dorothy told the scarecrow that she would miss him most of all. I’m looking forward to my return trip in October so that I can see all the special effects – monkeys flying, Glinda in her big crystal ball, the Wizard’s balloon – I’m sure it will be amazing.
I know I promised photos of the scenery but I haven’t had time to walk around the lake area. I will have time during the day when I come back in October and I know I can get some shots then. I’m signing off now so that I can watch the Debate.
More later.

I love New York

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As you know, I’ve been traveling back and forth to Manhattan lately. I have two options. I can take the bus from our neighboring village. Its very comfortable, quiet, goes right down the Thruway, into New Jersey and the Lincoln Tunnel and deposits me right at the Port Authority which is in midtown and the theater district. Perfect. I walk one block and I am at rehearsal.

I take the train when it is a Friday or a Sunday or a Holiday weekend. We live in a spot that is frequented by tourists and weekend home owners. I learned the hard way last year that the Thruway is a no-no on the weekend. (I was working on Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park and thought I’d take the bus into Manhattan for a Sunday night dress rehearsal – Imagine my horror when we sat on the Thruway for 3 hours. Needless to say, when I finally got into Manhattan it was time to turn around and go back home again.) Since we just had a three day holiday weekend, I traveled on the train on Friday and Monday. It goes into Grand Central and I take the shuttle to 42nd Street/Times Square.

This is the view of the Hudson River from the railroad station. Beautiful, don’t you think? I get there early, sit on the bench and take all this in.

The train pulls into this glorious station. Grand Central Station is one of my favorite buildings in Manhattan. The inside is just as beautiful- The architecture is stunning.

Yesterday was so beautiful that I walked back to Grand Central Station after rehearsal. My very favorite building is the tall one in the background – The Chrysler Building. That Art Deco design gets me every time. Isn’t it fabulous?

Even though the commute is a bit long, how can I complain? I get to work in Manhattan and see all its beauty.

More later.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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