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Walking Around Hartford

August 28, 2013 at 8:06 am by Claudia

I took a walk on my day off. It was dark and cloudy all day long, with the threat of rain, but I needed to get outside and do something. I decided to explore the streets around the State Capitol. (All photos taken with my iPhone.)

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First stop: the pond, where there it was Rest Time for the ducks. There are 19 of them in this photo. Trust me. One is hard to see because he’s behind another duck. There were also 4 ducks resting on the fountain in the middle of the pond.

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The rear of the Capitol. Such a gorgeous, gorgeous building.

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Outside the Bushnell Center, Hartford’s big performing arts venue.

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A statue of Columbus.

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The State of Connecticut Supreme Court building.

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Roses

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Another statue – this one of Lafayette.

Over the weekend, I was walking home from rehearsal, it would have been around 7 pm or so, and I saw this:

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The reflections from the windows on a building across the street. It reminds me of strands of DNA and the double helix. I really love this!

By the way, you know how much I’m loving House of Cards on Netflix, right? The other day I did a status update on my personal Facebook page about that very thing. And I got a message back from a former student telling me she has a recurring role on the upcoming Season Two of House of Cards. She said she thought I would be proud of her. I am. I love seeing my students succeed on the stage, on television, on film and behind the camera. I’ve got former students working in all aspects of the performing arts and that, my friends, makes me smile.

I’m more than a bit tired. Rehearsals days are long and I don’t get home until 7:30 or so. Yesterday, we had run-throughs of both plays. Since I have to take notes on what I’m hearing and not hearing, which involves lots of concentration and writing while trying to keep up with the dialogue and then re-writing everything so that the notes are clear and understandable for the actors, I feel wiped out at the end of the day. More today. And tomorrow. Then we move onstage on Friday.

What are you up to? Feel free to sends a masseuse my way.

Happy Wednesday.

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The Siren Call

August 27, 2013 at 9:17 am by Claudia

Oh, Trader Joe’s, why do you tempt me with your pretty packaging and your delectable treats? The other day, I was buying some flowers…only flowers….and I merrily made my way to the cashier. My eyes landed on this:

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First of all, the graphics, the colors: who can resist? But let’s get to the real selling point here – dark chocolate and marshmallows. That combination is simply a siren call that I can’t ignore, no matter how I try. Yes, I know. I had vowed to cut out all sugary treats from my daily food intake less than 24 hours before this particular item caught my eye. (We won’t mention all the sugary treats that are regularly in the rehearsal break room. No, let’s not go there.)

I succumbed. I limit myself to one or two a day. That shows some self-control, doesn’t it?

And now, Trader Joe’s, you have tempted me anew:

tjdip

Oh lordy. But wait, let me plead my case! Spinach. Kale. Greek Yogurt. All things that are good for you. And it’s Reduced Guilt! See? 50% Less Fat.

You can hardly blame me.

And sitting at my desk reading your blogs while dipping a cracker or two into that dip? Perfect.

In other news: I rarely buy decorating magazines anymore. Nine times out of ten, the content is either less than inspiring or I’ve already seen it on someone’s blog. But I do buy Flea Market Style because I love that style and I live that style. The homes and rooms the editors choose to highlight are always fresh and new and full of quirky, wonderful ideas.

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So I bought the newest edition the other day. It sat around the apartment for at least 5 days before I opened it last night as I read in bed. I came upon an article called “My Favorite Vintage Find” with the subtitle “Our readers spill the shopping beans on the antiques malls, flea markets, and vintage shops where they scored big.” It’s the kind of article I usually skim over, as it lists things state-by-state. But suddenly my eyes lighted on “Use Other Stair” metal sign and I thought, ‘Someone else has a sign like that?’ before I realized it was me!

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I had completely forgotten about submitting that idea. As I never heard anything back from FMS, the whole thing went right out of my head.

That’s the sign. (Photo from the original post about my find. Pre-new camera.)

It was rather a fun surprise! Thanks, Flea Market Style!

Happy Tuesday.

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I Simply Can’t Call Them Weeds

August 26, 2013 at 8:33 am by Claudia

Some pictures from our property, taken a week ago. I’m sorry, the flowers are just so beautiful that I can’t call them weeds.

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dandelion

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Why not call all blooming weeds like these wildflowers? Perhaps I’m lacking in knowledge about this particular form of flora and they are wildflowers. Whatever the answer, that’s what I’m naming them. They do indeed grow wild, all over the property. Their brilliantly colored flowers, as intricate as any other flowers that I’ve officially planted in my garden beds, provide a pop of color and beauty all over the edges of the property.

What’s not to love?

Well, after the most heavenly, perfect weather all weekend – a weekend where I was in rehearsal from 10 am to 7 pm – today, my day off, has dawned with dark ominous looking clouds. Now, that just doesn’t seem fair. I had plans to take a walk and sit in the park and generally laze around. I guess I can still laze around, but the other two items on my agenda might have to be shelved.

I do have to make a run to Trader Joe’s this morning. Three of us (the actors playing Lady Macbeth and Macbeth and I) share a car, so we always check in with each other as to who needs the car when. Lady M needs it around noon. Macbeth needs it later this evening. I’m more of an early riser, so I’m grabbing it this morning. Then I have to come back and write up notes for the actors. We had a run-through of the second act of Macbeth yesterday. Then I just might start quilting.

This week will be full of run-throughs for both plays as we move onstage starting Friday. That, by the way, is why I’m here so long this time around. We are doing two plays in repertory, which means that the rehearsal days are split in two. We rehearse one play in the morning and the other in the afternoon. That also means that two plays have to go through the tech and dress rehearsal process, as well as preview performances. It adds an extra three weeks onto my stay here.

I’m halfway through my time here. As I have no work on the docket after this job, I’m thinking I should enjoy every moment of my time here. Because, right now, I’m employed. That’s a good thing.

Happy Monday.

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Walking Around Hartford

The Siren Call

I Simply Can’t Call Them Weeds

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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