to 'poo or not to 'poo, that is the question

Yesterday was outrageously busy for me.
As you know, I started the day early as a cheerleader... Rah! Rah!
Run, Kevin, run!
(smile)
Then I had a brief respite before wending my way downtown for the one SMF event that I really, truly wanted to usher for this year - but could not.
I wanted to be there so much that I bought a ticket.

DakhaBrakha, the Ukrainian group I had so adored two years ago, had composed a score for a classic 1930 film, "Earth", by fellow countryman, Alexander Dovzhenko. The event was at the Lucas, so no dancing this time... nor did the mood warrant such action. A rather somber look at the politics of collectivism versus private ownership. The music performed by the three women and one man was sensitive and energized and foreign and completely in tune with the film - браво !!!

Then, I sped home to wash clothes.
After all, Nami was finally back to her beautiful laundrette!
She and her sister had visited their homeland, South Korea, and one of their brothers who still lives there.
Nami had returned to Savannah alone, as her sister had opted to stay there longer.
Not Nami! She'd had enough idle time during those three weeks!
i thank You, God!

I finished the evening with the penultimate performance of "9 To 5: The Musical"!
Woohoo!
As Collective Face Ensemble's third production for this "Fifth" year, I had looked forward to this humorous battle of the sexes, non-politically correct, time capsule of the 1960's and 1970's. What fun!
I was fortunate enough to be seated beside a grandmother in town for her granddaughter's performance as Maria, one of the office clerks in the show. Talented girl! And I loved her teased-out coif!
Several familiar faces were seeing the show last night, too.
During the intermission, JinHi and Bonnie and I were talking about how often we washed our hair. One said every three days, the other said no more than five days between washes. Then I spoke up.
I'm certain they were shocked.
After all, I still have not washed my hair since the night before my hand surgery.
I had the luxury of a warm hotel room and knew that Wednesday night would be the last time for a shampoo for who knew how long. I would first have to wait until my hand was well enough to forego the wrappings and then would have to wait until the hand was strong enough. Washing long hair is not an enterprise to be lightly entered!

After talking to the Peace Guy when he was down for December's end, I had felt better about the hair situation.
Apparently, there's a movement against frequent shampooing of hair.
As you know, every time the tresses are washed, protective natural oils are stripped away. Sure, you can pay for additional products to restore some protective qualities, but that's spending more money.
I definitely saw the sense of the argument to not 'poo.
Plus, the weather got colder and having a wet head, in the house or not, didn't seem to be a good idea.
I would brush my hair, distributing the oil from my scalp down the length of the hairs and on to the ends, long gentle strokes that gently massaged my head.
Such a pleasant experience!
I thought about doing the 100 strokes that I did regularly as a girl...
but I doubt recently that I ever did more than twenty.

Shocked as my two friends were, they both told me that my hair looked great.
Now, unless I get something nasty spilled on my hair, why should I 'poo?
My hair looks and feels wonderful... and that's the desired end result, n'est-ce pas?

running bear goes to skidaway!

I had contacted him yesterday evening to see if he had any supporters joining him for the race on Skidaway Island.

"Not yet," he had responded, "are you volunteering for the position?"
And that's how I became his cheerleader!
Go, running bear, go!

I had every intention of getting out there well before he finished.
I did.
But the half-marathon began at SEVEN IN THE MORNING...
on a Saturday...
so I managed to arrive at
mile 26 (13) about ten minutes
before he did.
That was close!

From the distance, I heard
his call to me!
"Ca-caw! Ca-Caw!!"
Hahahaha hahaha!
He put on a spurt of energy to separate himself from the pack of runners and race up to me!
"No hug yet!
Only another tenth of a mile to the finish," I told him!

I was able to keep up with him briefly, then I cut across the field to the finish line...
and he still beat me to it!
Good pace!
He very much enjoyed the scenery along the way, too.
He said it was one of the prettiest courses yet!
Chances are pretty good that he'll choose to run this course again.




Afterward, we headed to brunch at The Omelette House.
I hadn't been there in a long time, I told him, as it was part of the early years in my divorce, when I was casting about for different activities to try. I had gone with a group - perhaps with NK!? - and enjoyed it.
He liked it this first time.
He especially liked that huge hunk of steak - he ate every last morsel!!
I rather enjoyed my grilled salmon and eggs, too.
(smile)
Thank you, Kevin, for treating, too!

Yes, indeed, this was definitely worth arising early on a Saturday...
(smile)

i thank You, God, for the encouragement!

drive me crazy

I guess I could be referring to the Fine Young Cannibals song -
pardon me while I cue that up -
but I am not.
(smile)



So, now that we've cleared that up... just what am I talking about?
Well, someone told me to "not let anyone drive me crazy"...
and I thought, "Hey! That sounds like blog fodder!"
And so here we are!

I won't let anyone drive me crazy because...

...I know it's in walking distance.

...I'm already there.

...the bus goes right by there.

...they'll come and pick me up.

...crazy isn't a physical place, I can sit right here and be there.

Now, excuse me, but I have a tripleheader on this Tina Tuesday and it starts at 2:05 PM...
roll, projector, roll!

princely improv!

Sadly, Prince was not at the Space Station of Starlandia.
However, Dan of SiC was, and he had donned his best purple to spin Prince's tunes for us!
Tonight was not "Front Porch Improv", but was the "Sorry Not Sorry" version.
Here's how this night of long-form worked.
First, a song title was requested of the audience, then Dan would cue it up.
While it was purple-fying the air, the three players on stage would relate a personal story or memory related to that song (or not).
Then, they would launch into a series of skits, sometimes involving other players, for the next fifteen or twenty minutes.
This was repeated twice, at which time the hour-long performance time was over.

Mine was the first suggestion taken.
"Kiss", I had shouted!
The three guys on stage started relating to the song.
One spoke of saying he liked Prince's music because that's what attracted the girls.
Another had discovered the Purple One's tunes only at his death, but liked to hear them when he showered.
The third was a jock growing up and had only liked pop tunes.
Then we were transported, justthatfast, to a teen dance scene, with the first guy trying to pick up a girl (the middle guy) while her girlfriend (the jock) encouraged them. Then we flash to the girl's parents at home, changing light-bulbs in the basement, talking about their teen romance during the reign of Elvis, getting "All Shook Up"! They're getting frisky when the girl comes home... hahahha!

"Raspberry Beret" was the second song chosen!
Now the stage continued Brienne, another woman, and a different guy.
Brienne talked about the time she shaved her head for twenty bucks while in college. She also mentioned that she had walked into a store that had that song on the overhead music and she landed a job just because she sang the song so well!
I forget what the other woman's story was; the guy offered a tale about picking blueberries for fifteen minutes after his mom had driven two hours in the wrong direction from the farm, then had to drive back those two hours, plus two more, and got pulled over by a cop.
Next thing you know, we're picking blueberries! Then we have the bald chick wander into a store to buy deodorant with her twenty bucks, a store that happens to sell wigs, too! A guy comes in, mistakes the bald girl for a cancer patient and hands the store owner some money to help them out. Light-bulb moment! The nearly-closed store is able to hire the bald girl and stay open!

The final song of the evening was "When Doves Cry".
I recall tales of a guy hunting with his soon-to-be father-in-law and another one about feeding birds.
Then the improv began! A couple feeding doves at a park, with the girl telling the guy, for the first time, that she loves him and him talking about his love for Esmeralda, his favorite dove! A magician finally manages to pull a dove out of his hat, and then opts to saw his assistant in half as his next act! Two suburbanites go for hunting lessons, ending up charming birds out of sky and right into the path of a hunter!
At some point, someone spoke of reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"!
And someone else talked about "science!"
Kevin really liked that, too! He was there with his Derby Devil!

Such a logical progression of song titles, too, for a date night... wasn't it?
(smile)
Coincidence....?
(smile!)

And here's a cool video I stumbled upon whilst searching for the above songs.
Prince? On "Muppets Tonight"? How cool is that?
And here's another one, with Prince making up a song about food!
And now I have to go!
Scott is in town from Alabama and I'm the last one on his list for this visit.
Bye, y'all!

no cold shoulder on this carefree highway!

Gordon Lightfoot must love to travel.
Born in 1938, he'll be 79 years old in November... and the man still tours all over the world.

This month, he has been making the rounds of southeastern cities in the USA.
But he had a dilemma.
You see, about forty years ago, he had crafted a song about a Southern seaside town, praising its beauty and romantic nature.
Now, he was set to return to that lovely place...but he was no longer doing full versions of his songs in his concerts. In the interest of giving his audiences the majority of their favorites (his hits), he had truncated many of his works, performing only the first or second verse and then the chorus.
So, even though "Spanish Moss" was still on the set list, the name of the town - and the entire first verse - had been dropped from the performances.
That would not do for his concert at the Lucas Theatre in Savannah, Georgia.
So what did the man do?

Let me tell you what he did,
for love of his fans in this seaport.
He re-wrote that second verse -
the verse he still performed here,
there, and everywhere else -
dropping "kisses mixed with moonshine
and red clay" and substituting
"scenes of Savannah in my mind".
Just for us, he made that change
to his song.
That's a very unselfish act for any songwriter,
but "unselfish" is part of his nature.

I'm sure you're wondering -
did I dance?
Well, you know I did!
I held off for the first three songs,
as I didn't really know them,
but when he strummed those first chords of "Sundown",
a song from my high school years,
I simply had to dance!
Take a listen and I know you will agree - it's irresistible!
That was during the first set,
when he wore his red jacket.

By the time he played "Rainy Day People", I wasn't the only one
feeling the music.
I know you can't see them, but there's a young couple dancing
in the lefthand aisle.
(smile)
They had "caught" me dancing earlier, so I'm thrilled that they joined in!
This was the third one of the second set, with Gordon now sporting a dark blue jacket.

Before "The Soul Is The Rock",
the man did a humorous little wordplay for us!
He led into it saying
"meet me by the rockpile,
I'll be a little bolder!"
Get it?
Boulder!!!
He made a pun!!!
(smile!)
You know how much I adore a man with a sense of humor!

Then he did an Elvis song!
No, I didn't mean Elvis wrote it!
Gordon penned the song in 1964,
then he sold it some folks.
They, in turn, gave it to Elvis
(as well as Peter, Paul, & Mary)
to sing.
How about that small world?
"Early Morning Rain" is such a beautiful and heartsick tune of someone with the travel blues...
Perhaps it was right at home near the end of the concert...
(smile)

i thank God i was so fortunate to finally hear him sing!

looking backward, in farewell

I know I've mentioned Jim Reed's
quirky sense of humor
a time or two, right?
I've also mentioned
his love of the bizarre
in horror films once or twice.
Well, here he is, presenting
his "sales pitch"
for this special "mystery" screening
at the Sentient Bean, in tribute to
the whole-hearted thespian stylings
of Bill Paxton.
On a Sunday evening, not the usual Wednesday.

This is all he would tell us.
This psychotronic film featured an actor of high status who agreed to work for low pay for his role as a doctor.
(That turned out to be James Caan, as a hilariously scurrilous quack.)
The lead actor had undergone a huge physical transformation for his role.
(He spoke of a nearly unrecognizable 31-year-old Judd Nelson as an emaciated, lackluster garbageman with a greasy comeover. Yikes!)
There was a cameo actor who met Bill for the first time in that movie and, being so impressed with Bill's moxie in their one scene, would become close friends with him for the next 26 years (the rest of Bill's life).
(That was Rob Lowe, in a small one-line role as a Hollywood television rep.)
There was also an entertainer who claimed his favorite role ever was in this movie as a talent agent.
(Wayne Newton was the man who uttered the line that "accordion players were a dime a dozen". Hilarious, coming from the singer known for "Danke Schoen"!)

Amazingly, Jim did NOT mention that one of the actors had portrayed Ronald MacDonald for two decades.
(I'm speaking of Robert "King" Moody, folks.)
Jim also didn't mention that Archie Bunker's buddy, Hank Pivnik, was the seedy club owner.
(Danny Dayton was that man, fellow lodge member and bar attendee with the redneck racist, Archie.)
Then there was Doctor Scurvy's curvy nurse, formerly a sci-fi heart-throb.
(Of Babylon 5 fame, that would be Claudia Christian, folks.)
As well as a 21-year-old who was just getting noticed for her curves.
(Lara Flynn Boyle, playing Rosarita, the lead's mousy waitress girlfriend.)

The movie?
"The Dark Backward", a pet project of writer/director Adam Rifkin, featuring the omnipresent company, Blump. The tale of Marty and Gus, two grimy garbagemen (who leave streets littered with trash) who are childhood friends. Gus thinks Marty is funny and gets him to do stand-up comedy. But Marty is utterly and completely terrible. The stress of his failing life causes a dark spot to grow on his back, a spot that morphs into a small hand before becoming a full-fledged third arm. Finally, a talent agent takes notice! A bad comedian is one thing, but a three-armed bad comic? That was pure gold! Especially with Gus as true comic relief on his accordion.
But a funny thing happens.
After Marty and Gus get tapped for a guest spot of a television show, they're making big plans for Hollywood. And Gus asks poor-mouthing Marty, "Why are you afraid of being successful?"
At which Marty realizes success is upon him and he need not fear it...
and he awakens the next day, the day they are to begin their television foray, to find the limb that had been growing between his shoulder blades is gone.
Completely, totally, g-o-n-e.
And so is he career on the small screen... but Gus is still wanted!
You see, two-armed comics are a dime a dozen in Hollywood.
(smile)
The best part?
Marty discovers his lack of the third arm works well as a comic foil in his rejuvenated role as a stand-up comedian.

Talk about making lemonade...
(smile)

fifth of Elvis in georgia!

You didn't really expect me to stay away, did you?
This marked the 5th Annual Georgia Elvis Festival!
I couldn't be there for the entire competition, but I had to be there for some part of it... so my three sawbucks bought me a front-row seat in the balcony for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals.
Hallelujah!
That was a first for me: sitting in the balcony at the Ritz.
Very nice way to mark my third adventure with Elvis!

So, this very afternoon, I was treated to four songs from each of the ten finalists.
That practically guaranteed I would hear unique offerings from each of the fellows...
and I did!
Some of the tunes were even new to me!

The five non-pro contestants were up first.

Riley Jenkins was an energetic, though quite short, teenager, who sported a red jacket.
He graced us with "Hound Dog", "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck", "Don't", and "Jailhouse Rock".
Nice set!

Taylor Vance, a taller young man in a cream sport coat, had a wonderful voice!
He presented "Heartbreak Hotel", with guitar, then settled into "Don't Leave Me Now". He ended with a beautifully done gospel tune, "Peace In The Valley".
But the third song stuck with me as one I absolutely did not know: "Paralyzed".
Well done!

Finally! A familiar face and voice!
It was Richard Wolfe of Canada, back once more to burn up the stage!
"Shake, Rattle, and Roll" was his lead in, as it was last year. Then he shook things up with the gospel "Stand By Me", followed by "Don't Be Cruel".
His last one? "It's Now Or Never"...
I do hope he returns next year!

Jacob Eder was the fourth man, again very short and very young. He was also rather hoarse... too much night air last night?
Still, "(You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care" was fun!
The next one was "I Ain't That Loving Guy" or something of that vibe. Honestly, the lyrics were hard to make out.
But "Can't Help falling In Love" was beautifully rendered, as was "Blue Suede Shoes".

How à propos that Dan Barrella (the hoarse one last year) followed up! Nice black eagle on his white jumpsuit, too!
This year, he led with "How Great Thou Art", which fell surprisingly flat at the end.
That's okay! He amped up the energy with a medley that included "Long Tall Sally"!
Then "Danny Boy" slowed his momentum and "Hurt" couldn't save his set.

After a short break, the pros were on!
Cote Deonath of Ocala, another familiar face!
He was going for the "Money Honey" and didn't need
any "Mean Woman Blues"!
He assured us that "You'll Never Walk Alone", even if
we acted like a "Hound Dog"!
(smile!)
Very nice set, with high energy!

Tim E. Hendry had the best show ever. So very good to see this tall Canadian again!
He showed us, in no uncertain tones, how "Hurt" should sound.
"Release Me" came to life and "How Great Thou Art" was a spiritual experience on this Sunday afternoon.
Hallelujah!
No "Suspicious Minds" about his talent!
And that red and gold eagle on his jumpsuit was beautiful!

A tall man from the UK, Paul Larcombe, followed that tough act quite nicely with "I Can't Stop Loving You".
"Danny Boy", that slow one, was still quite nice and heartfelt.
But "One Night (With You)" had the crowd on their feet...for scarves!!!
Even a five-year-old ETA received a scarf! Hahaha haha!
And guess what the Brit's final song was???
"An American Trilogy"! Quite nicely done, too!

Next up, we had Bruce Andrew Stewart of Canada, another tall hottie!
"If I Can Dream" was quite an opener, closely followed by "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" after a little joking around. (Perhaps intended for us Meat Loaf fans?)
(smile!)
Then he gave me one of Willie's favorites to croon to me, "Young And Beautiful". Fabulous!
He had us all "Ready Teddy" to rock and roll!

And then, closing out the competition, we had the man who had me all excited last year: Ryan Pelton.
His black-leather-clad self hit all the right moves in a Hound Dog-All Shook Up rockin' medley, then he had "Kentucky Rain" washing over us in Georgia. My, oh, my, what "Memories"!
Now, how about "A Little Less Conversation"...
and a lot more action?
(smile!)

Nope! Instead, we had a break in the action while the judges did their thing.
The emcee, almost-60-years-old Irv Cass, gave us a nicely done Tom Jones' tune, "It's Not Unusual".
Hey, I always enjoy the Welshman!
Irv had been doing fairly good "Sling Blade" impressions all day, as well as an outstanding Paul Lynde bit about "the itsy bitsy spider" - hilarious!
But I digress...

The first awards were for the Fan Favorites, which was independent of the ETA's classification.
Third place went to Taylor Vance, a non-pro.
Second place was won by Sergio Queiroz of Brazil! Hooray! That meant I got to see him on this trip!
Cote Deonath, the pro from Florida, took First Place with the fans!

Finally it was time for all five of the non-professional finalists to hit the stage!
Jacob Eder placed Fifth - pretty good for a South Carolina boy!
Fourth went to Richard Wolfe. That really surprised me!
Dan Barrella placed Third, raspy voice and all.
Second was taken by little Riley Jenkins of Tennessee.
Top honors - and a trip to Memphis! - were granted to Taylor Vance of North Carolina.
Nicely done, y'all!

Then it was time for the big money to get handed out!
Bruce Stewart took Fifth and Paul Larcombe placed Fourth.
(I guess handing out scarves didn't help him.)
Third went to the Floridian, Cote Deonath. Good work!
Then it was between my two favorites!
Much as I loved Ryan Pelton, Tim E. Hendry had totally owned the stage on every one of his songs.
Every one of them.
Apparently, the judges agreed with me!
Tim was the big winner of the three-day event!

And here he is, gracing us with one last song before we leave the building.
Which song had he chosen for the occasion?
"Can't Help Falling In Love", naturally!
Afterward, he stayed on stage to shake the hand of everyone who came up there.
Such a fine gentleman!
Such a wonderful festival!

i thank You, God, for granting me this opportunity!

in need of a glass slipper

What a treat for the eyes and the ears!
I had to pay to be there at the Trustees, but the Broadway-quality musical was worth every penny of the ticket price!
Not that the price was dear - nope, only ten dollars.
The reason the cost was so low?
The cast consisted entirely of Savannah Christian students.
In fact, the two leads were only in the 9th and 10th grades!
"Impossible", you say?
Then you clearly missed out or you 'twould know I speak the truth!
The set!
The props!
The costumes!
But, mostly, the music!!!

This is my favorite scene in the Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella".
The prince has traveled throughout his kingdom, shining glass slipper in hand, to find his true love, the woman who had charmed his heart and thrilled his soul.
Does he love her because she's beautiful? Or is she beautiful because he loves her?
He must know the answer.
After exhausting what was thought to be the last foot of the last single woman in the realm, yet one more woman was dragged to his presence, a servant clad in ragged clothes.
And before he even slid the shoe onto her foot, he looked into her eyes and recognized her, beneath the tatters and grime.
Aha!
There she is, his one true love!
There he is, her one true love!
And they both know it to be true as they sing the duet, "There's Music In You"!

So, apparently, I need some glass slippers to find my true love...
(smile)

evening with a unicorn

True, the evening began with me ushering at the Lucas for a ballet centered on a tale I had never read.

"The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", written by C.S. Lewis, was perhaps inspired by Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", but written to appeal to the more modern English children of the mid-1900's.

Both feature a girl (Lucy or Alice) who wanders through an ordinary space (a closet door or a mirror) into a completely different land (Narnia or Wonderland) populated by talking animals (Mr. and Mrs. Beaver or the March Hare) and odd evil people (the White Witch or the Queen of Hearts).


I grew up with the tale of the wayward Alice, so I had resolved to pay attention to this other tale. Close attention, too, was warranted, as there was no spoken dialogue!

The Savannah Ballet Theatre had revived their production from ten years ago, when the current house manager (Haley Naugle) was one of the teen dancers for the show.
(She said she had been one of the Cruels, but not in a lead role.)
This re-incarnation had different music, some of which was quite edgy, as well as amped-up dances to carry the audience on its fast-paced ride!
There were also beautifully done backdrops, as the following photos attest.

This is Narnia, caught in the clutches
of perpetual winter,
the curse of the White Witch.

Now, blue skies have returned
to the magical kingdom!

Spring has been restored!
The White Witch has been vanquished!

But my heart was snagged
the moment I saw
the unicorn
on the stage!
She was
one of the woodland creatures
that called Asland
not only the King of the beasts,
but The King of Narnia.
A unicorn???
Alice didn't have a unicorn!
And what a lovely,
delicate unicorn
Amelia Pound presented
to the world!

My many thanks to that sweet lass for taking a moment with the fantasy-lover in me!
What a memorable evening this has been!

i thank You, God, for having me in the right place, at the right time!

a day without a woman

As if i need another day on a calendar to remind me of my loss.

I've already had 16 years, two months, and 6 days without this wonder woman.

16 years of no mother on Mother's Day.

16 years of no Mama on Christmas, her favorite holiday.

16 years of missing my one-and-only Sybil on her birthday.

16 years of missing her on my own birthday.

16 years of seeing her looking back at me in the mirror.

This year, she would have been turning 80 years old on December 10th.
In most families, that would warrant a big family celebration.
I think that is a fabulous idea.
And I know just the place to have such an event.
The Hotel Tybee.
The view is gorgeous and she always loved the beach.
I'm going to begin planning that now, while I have the luxury of spring break upon me.

i thank You, God, for the inspiration on this International Women's Day.

group groovin' on a Sunday afternoon!

Ah, what a bunch of Rascals!
Hey, I'm talking about the musicians, not the meetup group!
But what better tune than that from 1967 for those Born In The 50's And 60's?
Most of the meetups are scheduled for Sunday afternoons and are low-key events, meant for socializing in a friendly, non-bar environment.
Today, I had two outings with the group!

The first was at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

We had the definite pleasure of having Dale Asbury to keep us informed and focused for the "Masters of the Air" tour.
It was magnificent!

We were even allowed to ignore the rope barriers around the "City of Savannah" bomber and view the inside of the bomb bay and the inside of the fuselage and even the inside of the turret gunner's bubble!

Then we were out into the sunshine and the Memorial Garden.
What a gorgeous blue-sky day we were blessed with!
Even better - the weather was warm and gnat-free!

Here I am with Jackie.
We're both pointing out the brick for my stepdad, Frank.
(Thanks, Richard, for taking this photo!)
Remember Jackie with the Lunch Ladies?
That group is now defunct, but I credit her with getting me into this group!



After two hours at the museum, most of us headed off for Los Bravos Cantina & Grill for lunch - the second group outing of the day.
Busy, busy, busy we are - but we take our time with our meals.
Oh, yes!
Especially when we needed to talk about the museum and visit with each other!
That's truly the heart of this group: fifty members that honestly get the opportunity to get to know each other, in more than a glancing way.
That's what I had so enjoyed about No Kidding!, too.
I really do like many of these folks.
(smile)

This is Karen, our leader.
She plans most of the outings, but she'll take suggestions and even let others take the reins now and again.

Lisa is also in the JavaFlix Savannah group with me!
She reminds me of my cousin Sharon - meaning, she has a good heart and is socially mindful.
This was my first time meeting Stacy, but she certainly seems friendly!
And the fellow there is Richard of New Jersey, know for taking lots of photos.
Gotcha!
(smile)

There's Paula, hoisting the drink of the day!
I wanted a margarita -
I really did -
but I still need to write a test for my 1211 group.
Arrrggghhh!

I didn't get much of an opportunity to talk with Laurie,
as she was opposite me on the round table.
We'll see how things work out at another event!

This big guy is Mike!
He and his wife, Sherry (in the next photo), moved here from Michigan, I think.
Actually, there are several Michiganders in the group!

Here we have the promised Sherry, on the left.
Then is Mary-who-is-sometimes-called-Debbie-at-work.
Hahahhaa hahaha!
Actually, I think she may be my stepsister Susan's friend!
I'll have to ask.
Oh, and that's me, with my sunburned face from yesterday's picnic and my blue shirt from sending Oskar to the moon.
(smile)
Good times, good times!

going deep on the front porch of space

This evening was spent in S.P.A.C.E.
You know, that place the city supplies on Henry Street for small cultural events?
There were two events there tonight, so I was making the most of my sole foray from my warm house into the evening chill.
The first event was completely free and was an art installation. "Deep: Stories of Savannah" consisted of a series of enlarged photographs taken by William Price Glaser.
I'm sure you're wondering if I know this photographer.
I do not.
However, I am quite fond of the local creative writing group he worked with, as well as one in Texas. I want to encourage all groups that want students to be well-versed in communication skills!
Mr. Glaser is currently a student at SCAD and the show contains the photographs he took last year of 12-to-18 year-old students who are enrolled in the Deep Center's advanced writing program, "Block By Block". Those young people are tasked "to research, document, and tell the past and present stories of their families, streets, and community through creative writing and art". William Glaser, in turn, documented those talented students through his photography.
He used an interesting approach. He had the person write their name on a chalkboard and then sit in a chair below their name or stand to the side. (Yep, it was an actual green slate chalkboard, not a whiteboard.) It's amazing how much of the student's personality was revealed in that simple setting. The exhibit was truly an excellent character study. (Check his website to see some of the display.)
The second event at S.P.A.C.E. was titled "Front Porch Improv" and supported by a local realtor. The Savannah improv Company is the actual improvisational comedy troupe, with the "Front Porch Improv" being one of their two monthly shows. (The other is mid-month and titled "Sorry Not Sorry".) SiC is a practitioner of long-form improv. What that boils down to is this: they take a single audience suggestion and proceed to perform a series of stream-of-consciousness skits with a revolving cast of characters. What that means is less audience participation.
That's considerably different from the short-form improv which is usually the basis of the skits performed regularly by Odd Lot and (it).
True, the Odd Lot folks have given us "Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog", their annual Christmas show, as well as their take on "The Wizard Of Oz".
True, (it) recently had the long-form improv "B.I.G. The Improv Musical", but that was an anomaly (which I hope will be repeated!).
I have found I prefer the short-form for my comedy.
I am glad that Styx (in concert at the Civic Center tonight) found a musical outlet here in this blackbox theatre! "Come Sail Away", played with fervent earnest on an air guitar, was first and it set the tone (all puns intended!). Then we were granted a romantic "Lady" before the staccato "Mr. Robot" finished up the night.
All in all, an interesting venture...
I'll have to give them another try to see if I can learn to like long-form.

saturday, in the park!

No, it wasn't the Fourth of July, as Chicago sang, but 'twas a brilliant day!
I was at Forsyth Park with my twin great-nieces!!!
Their parents were there, too, of course, as was their maternal grandmother.
But mostly, it was Alyssa and Leila time!!!

First came fun in the playground area.
Swings!!! With their Dada, my nephew Michael, pushing them super high! Wow!
Then, over the the dragonfly seesaw!
Good thing Dada was there to make that bug wiggle for them!
(smile)

Time for the picnic after all that running around!
Their mom, Melanie, made croissant sandwiches - yum!
Lots of apple slices and blueberries to snack on, too!
Leila (in the blue) and Alyssa (clad in pink) watched the Battle Balls further afield.
Then it was time to open presents! Oh my!
That's because G'Aunt Tina (that would be me) still had their birthday gifts and Christmas gifts, too, fresh from the gift closet where they had been patiently waiting.
(smile)
Disney books for bedtime! In their own little carrying case!
Necklaces with flowers (which became headbands!)!
Sheets full of glossy, puffy stickers, too, with dinosaurs for Alyssa and bees and butterflies for Leila!
Photo albums to document the family history, one for each girl!
And lovely, lovely, jellyfish-adorned tote bags from the Ocean Film Festival last year! (Melanie really liked those!!!)
The bags came in handy later, too...for the Easter egg hunt!

Melanie and I hid the eggs while Michael and Sherry kept the girls occupied.
I say "hid", but truly they were in plain sight, scattered around tree roots and low limbs of azalea bushes.
The girls had very different egg-hunting styles!
Leila would pick up the plastic egg, pop it open, and admire the toy or sticker or ring inside.
Then she would walk over to another and repeat, enjoying the contents thoroughly before moving on the the next.
Not Alyssa! She was on a mission to gather as many eggs as she could see!
She didn't stop even once to crack open an egg and investigate!
How very interesting to see the differences in their personalities!
What a fabulous way to pass almost four hours!
Time just flew by!
Thank you, Melanie, for inviting me!!!

i thank You, God, for such a glorious day for our time together!