Time to get out.

So it's official--we have loaded out of our rehearsal space and start the hectic three day odyssey that is tech. It'll be especially interesting considering that tomorrow, Ted won't be there for most of the day. We start at 8 and he won't get there until around 2. He's local, and works with a local children's theatre as an understudy, and tomorrow is the one show they need him to fill in for. As usual, when it comes to theatre, it's really all about the timing. But tomorrow won't be all that big a deal anyway. We'll load in learn how to put everything together, then run all the scene shifts, work with the costumer, then run a bunch of difficult things (Headless Horseman, etc) so everyone gets a feel for what the lighting is going to be like backstage. (I can tell you what that'll be--NONE) We more than likely won't do any runs tomorrow at all, which is fine with me. If we can get all the pain in the ass technical stuff out of the way all in one day, then we can have the next two as actual dress rehearsals rather than slow and onerous work-throughs. That'll be worth the tedium tomorrow is sure to bring.

It'll be even more annoying since I've worked with Levitt during tech before and I know what a burr in one's saddle she can be. The only way it could get worse is if her husband is going to be there tomorrow as well. The two of them together create this black hole of smarmy smug sarcasm that sucks your soul in and won't let it go. Basically, both of them find it impossible to talk to anyone without sounding like they're talking to a particularly retarded chimpanzee. I guess the only reason to respect them is the fact they talk to each other like that as well, so at least you know they don't play favorites. But it does grate on one's nerves. I realize that when she explains things about the administrative tasks, I know what she's going to say before she says it because I've done this before, so I already come into it a little bored at having to hear it again, but even for the new people, it isn't necessary to repeat everything five times the minute you say it. I understand that in the past, there have been stupid people who have done things which it should have been good common sense NOT to do, but using stupid as a baseline and treating everyone as if they didn't have the sense god gave little green apples just fosters contempt and resistance. Treating people as if they actually have the capacity to understand what you tell them until you find out otherwise, I believe, results in far fewer incidents of people who should know better acting like idiots. I mean, hell, if I'm going to be treated like I don't know anything no matter what, then I see no reason to act any differently than expected. Make the expectations a little higher and most normal people (even those in theatre) will rise to meet them. 

Not much else happened today, other than me reading a very entertaining story about how President Obama questioned the weather toughness of the people of DC. Seems his girls' schools were closed today due to ice. I don't know how bad the weather in DC was, but if it was anything like we got here in Boston, then I have to say--thee was no reason to close anything. And it's not like DC is tropical on a regular basis, thus making the appearance of ice a rare and unexpected event. But he mentioned it, joking that apparently they need to infuse DC with some flinty Chicago toughness because people in DC can't handle things when it comes to weather. I mean come on, DC, the President's DAUGHTERS were calling you out. That's pretty pathetic when a 10 and a 7 year old have more tolerance than a city government. What would George Washington say? There were no snow days at Valley Forge, you governmental wussies! Buck up! (Of course, I'm not giving up my space heater, but then, I'm not in charge of school closings...)

I need to get on the road. With the rehearsal schedule shortened, I don't have as many days off as I did the last time, so I really haven't gotten a chance to hang in Boston very much, which is a shame since I really do like the city. So my days consist of rehearsal, coming home, eating, and vegging out in front of the computer until I go to bed. Now, i realize that once I'm on the road, my day will largely consist of working, then getting into the hotel room and vegging out in front of the computer until I go to bed, BUT the scenery will change.....and once you're on the road, you do try to head out and hang more often. I think that's really why I'm looking forward to leaving and starting the tour. I kinda need people around me. I like hanging out with my coworkers and friends (or as I refer to them, my audience) But seriously, I don't mind being alone, but I've already heard all my jokes, so I really need some other people around to keep myself amused. And hopefully, keep them amused as well. (Though that is a secondary goal only) I also think I'll get less tired if I get less sleep. I'm getting anywhere between 6 and 8 hours a night, and that's really way too much on a regular basis. If I can get that down to the 4-6 hour range, i think I'll be doing a lot better. I also look forward to just getting the whole thing started, because I think I'll have a good time with this group (I do go into it realizing I felt the same way about the last group--and save for two of them I did) and I like the moving aspect of the tour--makes me feel like progress is being made. And the sooner it starts, the sooner it's over and I can go back to my stationary life in Chicago. That'll be nice because I hear tell there's some theatre work to be had out there, and I'd like some please....

So anyway, this has been long and rambling (though not quite as long as others and only slightly more rambling) and the upshot of it all is I'm tired, a little stir crazy, and wanting to get started. So there you have it. Guess you shoulda just skipped to the end. But then you'd have missed the journey, and when it comes to life (and touring especially) the journey's usually a lot more satisfying than the end. (Wow, that sounded deep. Now you KNOW I'm tired)