Tony awards

I must say that the opening number was very high energy.

I just wonder about the creative process. Why? Because is there anything new?

We have Billy Elliott a musical based on a movie
Shrek, same as about
9 to 5 pete, threepet

Rock of Ages, Hey lets take the bad songs and fashions of the 80's and make a musical. We can slap together a story. (like All Shook Up and Ring of Fire)

Hair, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls--revivals. yes some different interpretation, talented performers, but still revivals. Especially I wonder if Hair is letting liberals repeat some never was childhood and be hippies.

Was Liza Minelli really worthy of a Tony for Special Theatrical Event or is the Broadway group so enamored of her that they would give her a standing ovation just for burping. It looks like the other contenders were original, not a rehash of Liza with a Z.
Did Angela Lansbury really deserve hers? or did she get a sympathy vote?

Next to Normal, who would write a musical about Manic Depression. There is at least someone trying to think outside the box.

If you think about the awards themselves are lock in time. Lead actress, featured actress, lead actor...this all implies the standard love interest story.

Nor have they taken on the complexity of the modern theater. Sure there are short runs. Some even intended to stay that way. But does the Theater Wing consider the long running shows? Changes that happen over time with casts that can change an audience member's interpretation of a show? One reviewer many years ago said that when Harvey Fierstein left Hairspray, Harvey was incredible, but the interpretation changed and it became an ensemble's show. If a revival can be judged because of interpretations, why not a long running show?

Now they did do a smart thing. They showed performances of long running shows that are on tour. That way those people in "fly over country" like me know what is available to them.

I realize it is hard to be creative. Some of the best musicals are based on fairy tales; Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. West Side Story is based on Romeo and Juliet, Shaw's play Pygmalion was turned into My Fair Lady. But come on guys, there are new creative and hungry people out there waiting for their chance.

Though if I make it to New York, I wanna see Wicked, 9 to 5, Hair, West Side Story, Chicago, South Pacific. Heck I might try rush tickets for Toxic Avenger.

Went to get make up, got a new gun bag

Summer break has started. I set off today to do shopping. First stop was a large hunting supply store. Goal was to get swivels for my rifle, a range bag and possibly a shooting jacket. Also look at rifles and pistols. Got the swivels. Range bag was either wrong color, too big, too girl etc. etc. The salesman was nice and helpful and I apologized for being picky. Husband got a new pair of comfortable shoes. Hit a few pawn shops looking at guns and tools.
Since I am older I have finally decided to get some make up. Even stopped tearing my nails. So I go to large department store and at the make up counter. I had thrown away all my previous makeup. Explained to helpful lady at counter that I had no habit of makeup but was going to start. she helped me with selections showed me how to lay on the stuff. Hubby was helpful with his "trowel" suggestion. After that she filled out a sheet of what I would need to get. I looked at it and said "Okay."
"What do you want?"
"well all of it..." pause, realizing I'm in docker style work pants, t shirt and a button up shirt on top. Reach into wallet and pull out gold American Express "now do we understand?"
She glances at it, she works partly on commission. "yes we do understand!...." *Ca-Ching...It takes time for her to gather up the things, code them, wrap them. Hubby is looking around.
"hey dear" he gestures at displayed bag,..."This is the what you wanted."
"yes it is." It is the size and color I wanted. No pockets, but it nice. He asks how much and it is explained that the bag is a gift for buying a cologne. Well, how much for the cologne. He even opines that he should start wearing cologne.
So I now have a designer label bag, and a cell phone number of a make up person, just in case I need some questions on how to put the stuff on.

memorial day

It is a small town. People gathered at the court house. A short speech was made. The flag was dropped to half mast as the names of fallen soldiers was read while Taps was played. Many men in this community served in WWII. In fact the head of the VFW and his buddies went to sign up. He changed his mind and enlisted later. His buddies never came home.

Hubby shamed me into riding my bike there. We talked to a few people we knew, about service and duty. And about bikes.

pregnant teenagers

In a laid back discussion, my comment was that they should go out to the world and take care of themselves. Not to rely on their parents or other people.

Very pregnant student of mine pipes up "My boyfriend take care of me."

I started coughing to keep "yea...he sure did." from coming out.

substitutes

My students do not realize that I have no control over who substitutes for me. If I am sick, it is whoever the secretary can get ahold of between the time I call in and when school starts. And the secretary really does not appreciate a call at 5 am when I have decided that I am sick, so the call must be at 7, which gives her an hour to find somebody. I do not even know the names of the substitutes except for two of them. I see them around but I've never been introduced. The students have their own names for them, there is "Sarah Plain and Tall", "Meth lady" and "Clueless Black Lady". These are the ones who's name I do not know. The two substitutes whose names I know are the ones I like. They always leave me notes and try to follow a slapped together lesson plan I've emailed the secretary. Wouldn't you know it, my students don't like these two.

White House gardening

During World War II there was a victory garden in every yard.

Including the White House.

I don't know how the victory gardens went. I have seen enough gardening to understand many things. Though it was a different time, many people already had gardens.

First time gardeners eyes glaze over at the thought of row upon row of tomatoes, corn and beans.

Gardening is a process. You plant you wait for things to grow, you realize its the wrong time or that last freeze messed everything up. You weed, replant, till, mulch, spray for fungus, rinse repeat.

currently my garden is very shady, we finally figured out that we could grow salad stuff. The chard, asparugus, strawberries and blackberries are doing fine. We lost several blackberries last your to some kind of canker.

Now the White House has a garden.

I have a hard time swallowing a lawyer who self admittedly goes to restaurants telling people to grow gardens. I can't see her doing more than the photo ops leaving the hard constant work to the groundskeeper.

She's not even dressed for gardening. What's this designer sweater? Jeans? you were guy jeans when gardening, or shorts. Boots? okay it was chilly in Washington D.C. that day, you had to wear boots instead of being barefoot., but those weren't work books.

There is never a time when I am seriously gardening, as opposed to puttering where i'm not muddy, wet, sweaty or bleeding.

Rules for auctions

I used to go to several auctions.

I have started going to some recently. I have noticed some non spoken rules.

Rule number 1
You are not there to pay a fair price for something. You are there to rob the other guy blind.

Rule number 2 for sellers or owners
Something is only _worth_ what someone is willing to pay for it.
I don't care what somebody on ebay sold it for last week. I don't care what its value is. It may be worth that to somebody else but not to me.

Rule number 3 (for new auction attendees)
Do not get caught up with "I'm not going to get it....must bid." Have price in mind. Have an upper limit. If you do not purchase something, so be it. Do not let the hunting gene of "must get it..." take over.

Rule number 4
Be respectful.
Most auction people follow this rule. They will stand out of the way if you are looking at something. They will even help total strangers load heavy stuff into your vehicle.

Rule number 5
Touching is okay.
It must be tried out, tested etc.

Rule number 6
Touching is not okay.
Once someone has won a bid, you do not touch the item without his permission.

Rule number 7
Show up on time
See rule number 4.

Rule number 8
Know how to pay. Have your id and such ready.
Some auctions are cash only, some will take checks, some will take credit cards.

Rule number 9
Men must wear hats.
(no really, if you don't wear a hat, you are really not there)
Also auctions are often outside, rain, cold sun...

Rule number 10
Women need not wear hats but must wear one to tell husbands how to bid.

rule number 11
Hats will bills must face forward.

Rule number 12
Men must wear belts or suspenders.

Rule number 13
Wear comfortable clothing especially shoes.
Only real farmer may wear overalls.

Auctioneers don't like it if you make deals with other bidders, especially with the "bid and you get to pick one of the lot.

Oftimes at an auction there may be several of one thing. The way it works is the high bidder gets choice of which and how many of the lot. Then they bid again for next choice.