For 2006, I've taken on the practice of grounding myself. So far I have done this for one full day (last Saturday) and one partial day (yesterday). The results? I was pretty cheery over the course of three meetings last Sunday and today I'm perfectly calm about an impending Q-to-Q.
I think I'm going to have to change my semantics, though: it doesn't really seem appropriate to equate responsible awareness of one's health with childhood punishments.
In other news, I'm directing two shows right now that open on the same day. This is only possible because one of them is a touring show and rehearses/performs during school hours and the other is evening rehearsals/weekend performances.
When do these shows open? Friday, January 27th. Am I going to Denver for a conference January 18-22? Why, yes, how did you know to ask? Does going to said conference seem like, well, a bad idea given that both shows open six days after I return from an absence of five days?
Not exactly.
Because I planned ahead!
Some of this planning ahead is in relation to how available rehearsal days were scheduled, but, more importantly, the best planning ahead really has everything to do with the other people who are involved in both of these projects. The touring show invovles six actors (3 in the main cast; 3 understudies) who are equally easy-going, work outside of rehearsal and are freaking funny...and have remained so even though the 17-page script includes no fewer than 39 characters.
The evening show has an incredibly supportive production team, including the cheeriest stage manager, my very own sister (who gave us hand-written sheet music, woot!) and the esteemed Mrs. Culver...who is also making my wedding dress.
Oh, right. The wedding. (My wedding!)
None of these shows would be possible for me to do concurrently if they weren't part of my dayjob. (Add to those two shows two student playwriting projects and 2-3 residencies per month.) After they open, I've got two more pre-wedding directing projects and two post-wedding directing projects.
And not one of these projects is something that I'll be doing grudgingly. If writing, directing, and teaching were not my dayjob I'm pretty sure I would be unable to function in either work or social settings.
I don't have any insurance...but I'm getting married and that sure counts for more than love. (Although I'm bursting with that fruity pulp, let me tell you.)
(Don't worry: there are plenty of things that completely suck ass. This morning is just one of reflective perspective on why the ass-sucking is worth the risk.)
Post Q-to-Q UPDATE: one of the things that completely sucks ass is my set designer, who either says nothing at all or "it'll be done when it's done." The rest of the team gets gold stars; I get beer and chocolate on the couch.
Posted by Ida at January 14, 2006 10:31 AM