Weekend has been sleepy and fairly uneventful. Odd not to be in show - or have anything to do. Mowed the lawn and made a grocery run to break the silence.

Did manage to place another geocache on Saturday....it contains a collection of books that I've enjoyed. Looking forward to seeing what new books show up.

Living outside of your imagined reality?

The insulation of daily existence surrounds you, but that projected reality you've assembled sits like a snow-globe in your minds' eye. You can see the happiness and resolution, but it never really sinks in.

It only brushes against you - giving a glimpse of what can be - only to become quiet and still in all that envelopes.

Found out that Gus Van Sant is going to be shooting a new flick in Portland during the fall. Currently, they are casting teens 14-18 for the primary roles.

Sounds like Gus is following co-producer Larry Clarks' lead.
Are we in for another 'Kids'?

Blah....bored and grumpy.

The sun is shining outside - and I'm working on an office tan.

Wrapped everything up this weekend. Thursday through Sunday saw The Mikado brought to successful conclusion.

As expected, Saturday was a marathon. The audiences were great and the university did hook up the cast with a nice lunch, but 10 hours and two shows later - we were all a little weary of it. During the break in between shows, I visited a local park and planted the "official" Mikado geocache for fun and posterity.

In all, it was a great time. Even as we broke down the set after the Sunday matinee, you could feel the good chemistry in the cast; something that continued on into the wrap party later that evening.

And what a party it was....

Donors and university faculty were in attendance last night for an 'by-invite-only' show - as well as someone with a video camera to preserve the performance.

All had been abusing the hosted bar in the courtyard, so when the curtain was held for A HALF HOUR so the bleary rich folk could find seating, no one was surprised.

Along similar lines, everything that has been waiting to ball up in the show - finally did. It was bound to happen.

Nothing serious, thankfully. But it is a little ironic that they would choose to commit to posterity a show with a half-drunk, uninvolved crowd -- and marked by a broken saucer, a handful of miscues (two committed by yours truly) and ripped hem in the finale.

Hell, by the end of it all - we were looking for a drink ourselves.

DVD player croaked again - right in the middle of chapter changes. It's acting much the same as the last time it pooped out.

Probably a bum motor drive.

Methinks I'm a little too plugged in.

Two weeks down, one more to go.
And the best is yet to come...or at least the busiest.

Hell hath no fury like six performances over five days. Wednesday through Sunday...with two shows on Saturday.

Everything is sold out with the exception of the newly added Saturday afternoon show....a fact that still amazes me a little.

This weekend offered the most enthusiast crowds yet - with each performance revealing something new about The Mikados' broad appeal.

A co-worker stopped me in the hall this afternoon to tell me that her neighbor was raving about Alexis' performance. While I often hear praise for her skills, it feel different now that I am a part of the mix.

I feel lucky to be a part of something so fun....yet successful.

Another full house last night, but it was a sweatlodge in the theatre.

The air conditioning system went AWOL and left the audience to fan themselves fervently like Southern Baptist congregation on a hot afternoon. Everyone survived, thankfully. Considering the older age of the patrons, it is probably no small miracle.

The Oregonian review has boosted ticket sales so much that they plan to add two more shows.

Back to the theatrical salt mines....

My family is attending this evening's performance en force. I'm praying that all goes well.

It's hot out and I'm dead tired on a completely beautiful day....and there is a reason.

1:53 am - Had to make an emergency trip to hospital last night after my wife complained of pains. Her gallbladder is not long for this world. As we sped along the empty streets, I began to envision the pebble of pain that had brought me to this point. Working its way down or around the internal plumbing until it had decided to lodge at the least comfortable juncture.

2:19 am - As we neared the hospital, we encountered the pothole/construction nexus that is Interstate Street. Traversing it rattled and shook the car, much to the dismay of Alexis and her insides.

2:39 am - Managed to get inside the vacant emergency care lobby throught the parking garage - after attempting to break in the front door. Conan O'Brien blared from the waiting room television as Alexis was attended to. No one but us and the chairs.

3:00 am - Medication is administered....and Alexis is calm. The doctor seems to think it's gastritus rather than gallstones. Alexis makes a sour face at this diagnosis after he leaves. I thumb through old magazines looking for something to read to her as we wait.

4:04 am - We get the ok to exit. I push my beloved in a wheelchair to the elevator, and begin our return journey.

4:25 am - Home again. Alexis left her purse at the ward. She hits the sack. Off I go to retrieve that which was left behind.

5:12 am - Home again....again. But sleep doesn't happen until I try to take a shower.

So...a new wrinkle in the war on whatever.

Everyone knows (hopefully) that we have over 1,000 American soldiers in the Philippines right now, furthering the war against terrorism by helping to flush out an Islamic militant group linked with al Qaeda. The Bush Administration has strongly repelled the notion that our troops are actively involved in the counter-terrorism ops - and are merely there to advise and train.

And now, the excuse we've all been waiting for.

One missionary hostage is killed and another wounded during an offensive "rescue mission" by Philippine "troops". Reports maintain that no U.S. soldiers were involved in the fray. But what of the choice to engage the enemy on short notice and in heavy rains when American hostages were at stake? Certainly such involvment would have included American advisors, since the hostage situation is of paramount importance, according the administration.

Bush said that "justice would be done" to the terrorists who seized the couple. Sound familar?

One would guess that this latest incident will only serve to further fan the flames of our global offensive.

He won the presidency without the popular vote....

He says that global warming is the fault of humans....but thinks that industry isn't responsible....

His keepers are using Orwell's "1984" as a guide to Foreign and Domestic Policy.

His catchphrase: "What? Me worry?"

It must be Uncle George!

Tech week at the opera is in full swing. Nothing but work and theatre.

Thankfully, the 15 hour workdays only last until Friday....then we get to unleash this tricky effort on the general public for three weeks.