072.October 21

University of Nottingham

We didn't have classes, but we had our first get-together for Rocky Horror Show. We played name improvisation games to make us feel more comfortable with each other. That day was tremendously memorable, and I have used many of the theatre games and tongue twisters I learned that day over and over again rehearsing new shows. One game, Wizards and Dwarfs, was very fun. We did plenty of physical improvisation and did it during the day in a classroom, which was a great way to start rehearsals because it really felt like a class experience, so even more freeing because we weren't afraid of each other. The choreographer, Tanya, and the director, Kate, were inspiring as they lead us through games and fun activities.

1993

Madison, WI

 I can't tell whether time is going faster or slower for me now that I am living outdoors.  I think I like it, but time off from work is strange, because I have so much and so little to do at the same time.  I am reading, though, which is filling a lot of time, a book by Peter Straub and Steven King.  I was entranced by their first book together in 1982, I probably read it in 1987, and this second is just as enthralling.  It is BLACK HOUSE, but I am not going to try to convince intellectuals such as yourself to read Steven King, that would be back-stepping I'm sure.

Trailer life seems enjoyable.  I don't like the days where it rains all the time, but I don't hate them either.  The sound of the rain pattering on top of the aluminum roof is somewhat comforting.  I think I will be on my way to brunch soon, I've put it off far too long.  I have a favorite fifty's styled diner I haven't been to for a while, serving brunch until 3 on Saturdays and Sundays. I'm going there now, get my fix. 

I did just make it in time for brunch, by one minute.  I'm ever so proud.  I had a chocolate malt with it, getting insane looks from everyone around me at the counter.  I have to admit, it was a little much, but it was an experience.

It's Sunday today, ten am, and what shall I do?  No work today, it is raining off and on, but might be done for the day.  We've had more rain than I've ever noticed before, but it could be because I'm hearing it on my roof a lot better in the trailer.  

I did a poetry reading a few weeks ago. Sang a few songs and read one new poem.  It was fun, there was a band their backing people up, and I had them try to play the chord chart I'd planned for the songs.  On one, it succeeded very well, the other was completely awful, so I just stopped it entirely because it would have gone on for half an hour at the rate we were proceeding.  I'll have to bring my guitar next time I want to try that song.

2002

It is "Back to the Future II" day, which seems to parallel the theme of my blog pretty well. I celebrated with a trip to Pizza Hut, whose "Rehydrated Pizza" was part of the second movie. That night, I had rehearsal for Foxfire, and put a steel roof onto the set after all others had gone home. It looked quite nice after I was done.

2015

Moab,

On our last day in Moab, I made broiled eggs for breakfast for all. We had all packed, and so we didn't have much trouble getting everything cleaned up and brought into the car. Sarah, picked up donuts to share with Jake, and we headed off to his campsite on Potash Road, where we drove along a beautiful river covered in morning mist. We woke him up, shared some coffee and donuts, and then headed off to the Grand Junction airport. We saw more Petroglyphs along Potash Road right near the Corona Arch. 

When we arrived at the airport, a strange woman drove up behind us as we were unloading, and asked directions to the DMV. It was such a strange place to look for one, and an even stranger encounter.

Then Rachel and I headed to the southern entrance to Colorado National Monument. Rachel found us a place to stay the night on AirBNB on the drive, and secure in the fact that we had a place to stay right near where the trail ended, we started our hikes. The first gave us a few options. The longest was to some waterfalls, but we followed a cliffs edge and were obviously lost on a sheep track until we got back into the dry river bed and looked for waterfalls and pools. We found almost no water at all, and realized it was too dry for that trail. We took another fork to the Devil's Kitchen, my favorite so far. The strange finds on that journey kept getting better and better, and eventually, we left totally happy from the Devil's Kitchen trail. We tried quite a few others that day, and eventually decided there was much more to see the next day, and headed out as the night to over the landscape and went to a pizza restaurant and drank local beers and had the best crusts and pizza I've ever tasted. We got a little too much, and kept on eating it for 3 more days. This Air BNB was really cute, and we had a great time there. The shower was very big, and all the decorating was very stylish. It was a great find. We also appreciated the suggestions by the owner, like the pizza place a block away, and then a breakfast suggestion that really panned out.

2021

Stein am Rhein, Switzerland

Our destination of Stein am Rhein came after cleaning the cabin in Wildhaus until about 1pm. We also did some shopping on foot and visited both cathedrals in Wildhaus on our way. Every morning we also had a fabulous breakfast, but today we had to finish everything we had opened and didn't want to bring along in the car with us. Salad is great for breakfast, as long as you have enough cheese on it!

We drove along the southern shore of Lake Constance, accidentally entered Germany in the town I'd visited once before in 2007, and made our way to Stein am Rhein. It was just beautiful. Pastries were consumed. Pictures were taken. '

I got to drive from their to the restaurant and then their home in Zurich in the BMW X1. I didn't go more than 120 kmph. I swear.

We went to an Italian restaurant (osteria) when we arrived late in Zurich, meeting up with Mathias's family. We staying in their attic so that Rachel could live her dream of RENT. It was very nice, and I slept very well.

2022

The temperature is 83 today. I have Luren tonight but will enjoy a short bike ride on my collapsible bike to that after a beer at Pulpit Rock. The weekend was spent removing a bridge from upper window to upper window across our barn, made by the previous residents children, and super dangerous. Rehearsals for "Book of Liz" continue to crawl by, but the performance date is fast approaching. If I could only learn those easy lines.  

2024