roar of the greasepaint, smell of the crowd

The Time Warp is upon me, and I don't mean "...a step to the right."

Flashback to 1978 (use the 'shrooms, it'll help). I begin my fledgling stage career as a chorus member in a high school production of "Once Upon a Mattress." Fun, but not really what I had in mind as an actor - where are the accolades?

1979 - senior year: I work as the understudy to the devil in "Damn Yankees." Got one time on stage when he had the flu. Ah, that's more like it...applause, yes, thank you, thank you.

1982 - back to the chorus in "Cinderella." What - no handsome prince?

1983 - Yes!! I am cast as the bad guy, the ne'r-do-well, the evil Harry Beaton in "Briggadoon." And I die in the second act! Spewing stage blood from my mouth, I am carried to the stage and laid out for the village to see. Delicious! Give me more!

Sadly, that theater went under and I became an out of work actor. Until...

1992 - Yes! I've still got it! Cast once again as a villianous character, the Russian constable in "Fiddler on the Roof." I get to smoke a pipe, carry burning torches, and kick the Jews out of Anatevka! I audition for more roles, but time, family, and not wanting to travel 30 miles both ways just for a chorus position keep me off stage. Until...

2009 - At the urging of my family and friends, I audition for a play I have never heard of and no nothing about. "It will be good for you" they say. "You need some creative outlet" I'm told. "Get the hell out of the house and go already" the Wife says.

I spend a few weeks reading the script a home - "The Foreigner" by Larry Shue. Funny stuff - part British farce, part comedy of errors. Small cast, several juicy roles for men. I settle on trying out for one of the leads, Froggy, a British military demolitions expert. After watching "My Fair Lady" several times, I head out, confident in my lines and my accent (The rine in Spine fawls minely awn the pline).

2 hours of cold readings from the script. Working with people I don't know. Read this. Go here. Thank you, next. Woof - and you thought teachers got butterflies on the first day of school!

Then, last night, the phone rings. "We were really impressed with your stage energy and your ability to hold a cockney accent for so long. We'd like to offer you the role, if you're interested."

No, I'm not interested - the whoopin' and hollerin' you hear is just my way of saying no. Of F'ing course I'm interested!

So now, instead of reading the latest James Bond novel or hitting the theaters for the debacle that is G.I. Joe, I've got my nose to a scriptbook, sitting on the lawn, sipping lemonade. Rehearsals start in two weeks - just about the time I've got to go back to school and remember how to teach English. And I couldn't be happier.

milestones

Happy Birthday Anthony. Today you turn 18 and become an adult in the eyes of the world. Your mom and I are very proud of you and all you have done so far, and we have great hopes for you in the future. I still remember holding you in my arms the day you were born, screaming for all you were worth, making your presence known. My hands trembled a little as I cut the umbilical cord and spoke your name for the first time. We discussed your name for a long time - we wanted something strong, but did not want to name you after anyone in the family, lest we get besieged from either side. So, we took your name from a book I had read, the character being the sworn protector of the future king of an empire. Fitting, since you spend much of your time watching your younger brothers!

As you grew and matured, your personality began to show...impulsive, excitable, intelligent, and very VERY funny. It was only natural that in your final years of high school that you joined the theater and improv groups, and became one of their stars. I can only hope you continue sharing your gifts with others.

We are equally proud of you becoming an Eagle Scout. In a world where many young people turn to drugs, violence, and apathy, you have become a leader of others, sharing your knowledge of what is right/wrong with younger boys, becoming an example of how to do the right thing.

Yes, we have our differences - all people do. You and I butt heads more times than I would like. But know that we are always here for you and will support you as best we can.

Congratulations son. We love you.

happy shiny neighbors

Every neighborhood has its pros and cons. Good location, friendly neighbors, nearby gang activity, overabundance of a particular ethnic group, chickens running free next door. I tend to think that my NB is pretty nice. The people are pleasant, the yards look nice - typical suburbia. I don't mind much of the crap that goes on, as long as it doesn't affect me too much.

However - when I know kids are in the 'hood, and little ones at that, I expect my neighbors to comport themselves accordingly: don't drive like Andretti, don't swear like a sailor on leave in public, keep broken bottles/trash out of the yards...the easy stuff.

So imagine my surprise to see a sign in a yard that said, in BIG BLACK MARKER:

"Don't Shit in My Yard"

Yeah - I know, dog owners can be stupid. And this guy probably has had his share of poo bombs left on the porch. However - his front yard slopes. Steep. It's covered in iceplant. And it's about 3 feet deep. Not so much a yard as a landing strip, and most dogs I see pass it by.

Now, the sign itself would not matter too much (free speech and all). However - my kids play across the street. Lots of kids play near that house. And Wife was livid. So, being the Dutiful Dad, I sauntered up to the door to ask politely if the sign could be removed. Hmmmm - now I know how the sign got such a potty mouth.

So, last night, Kid #1 and Wife made a commando raid to the house to remove the sign in the dead of night. It went out with the trash today. And our daily dog walks will be passing that house regularly to make sure no further vulgarity threatens our children.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to our family TV hour - it's time for True Blood.

End of Days

Wow - in exactly 10 days, Kid #1 turns into Adult #1. Lean, mean, and 18. Look, I know I'm old - all the signs are there: grey hear in the beard, telling them to "turn down that damn music," warning the neighborhood to get off my lawn, and spending more time on the throne than I thought humanly possible.

It is interesting to watch some of his mannerisms. I think he's been watching me and picking up odd habits, ones that I wish I had kicked years ago so I'd be a better role model. But lately it's like looking into a magic mirror, seeing myself in him. Not just the looks, 'cuz our senior pictures look uncannily alike. Some of the things he says make me think there's an echo in the house. His handwriting is suspiciously familiar, and now I'm finally understanding how he was able to ditch so many classes w/o penalty.

A few years ago, I wouldn't have worried about him becoming an adult in this crazy world. Finances were OK, people weren't killing each other as much, and trust was a common commodity. Now - well, I hope to God that we've taught him how to be a good person, how to watch his back, and giving your word still means something.

Tonight, he gets the final signatures on his application to become an Eagle Scout. In a few weeks, off to college (local, but still a big step). Soon, $$ permitting, he'll get his own transportation. We're trying to play up the affordability of a scooter (thanks Kel), but it's hard to snog the girlfriend when you're sitting single file.

The world still holds many opportunities - I just hope he realizes how lucky he is.

My Music: two

The past year has allowed me to find even more tribute/cover albums for my collection, several of which are really off the beaten path. Case in point: David Lee Roth's "Strummin' With the Devil." If you like THE ORIGINAL Van Halen, and you're a big bluegrass fan, then you're in luck. Picture if you will, 15 Roth-era tunes, rewritten for guitar, banjo, slide guitar, fiddle, zither, and any other down-home country instrument you can think of. Add Roth singing lead on two of them, and you've got an album that will have your toes tapping from the first song.

Roth takes lead on "Jump," which retains its fast pace, and "Jamie's Cryin," which slows down with a smooth tempo. The rest of the songs are covered by various bluegrass and southern country groups. David Grissman and Sons do a smokin' instrumental of "Hot for Teacher." Blue Highway gifts us with a soulful rendition of "I'll Wait." The pickin on "Panama" by Cornbread Red is amazing, and you can hear the grinnin in their singing. Iron Horse's version of "Unchained" is a 'hoot' and fun to sing to. All that aside, the highlight of the album is a banjo (yes, I said banjo!) version of Eddie's "Eruption." Holy Spit. I can't see Dennis Caplinger's fingers...but I doubt I'd be able to see them even if he were standing right in front of me.

This is a great album to bring to a party of friends, just to show them you have a 'fun' side when it comes to rock and roll. Put it on, sit on the porch with some southern sweet tea and a long piece of wildgrass in your mouth, and rock your blues away.

back from the grave

Yeah, it's been that kind of year.

But - things are looking up for sure, you betcha. For instance...5 randon good things this week:

1) San Diego Comic Con 2009. Four days of fun, frolic, and fetching females in scanty clothing.

2) The yard work is done for the week. Huzzah!

3) Kid 1 and Kid 2 enjoying their FREE CONCERT tonight - seeing The Frey and Jack's Mannequin at Cricket Amphetheatre.

4) New job at a great school for the 09/10 season

5) I discover that a female friend (and former co-worker) frequently came to work sans underwear.

Yeah - things are looking up already.

awesome concerts

See - all it takes is some uplifting classical music to bring the spirits up. "My" choir just had their first concert of the holiday season, and it was truly something special. Our program of motets, progressing through the centuries, was well attended and well sung.

The opening piece, "Spem in Alium," written about 1567, was sung by eight small groups of 10 members each, with the groups surrounding the hall and the concert-goers, putting the listener inside the sound.

Next, "Laetatus Sum," by Monteverdi (1640), swapped the small choirs for 8 soloists and full choir, along with strings and harpsichord. The soloists were at the front of the hall, while the choir entered quietly into the back. As we do not sing until measure 180 or so, the effect was amazing - most of the audience didn't even know we had entered the hall until our first "Gloria!" hit the rafters.

We followed that with "Singet dem Herrn"(1722) (Sing to the Lord), by Bach. A unique double-choir piece, with counterpoints, call and response sections, and a fast fugue.

After a short pause for the cause, we returned to the stage for the second half of the presentation with "Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen?" by Brahms, 1877 (Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery). A beautiful a capella piece for the full choir, this pleading motet really lifted the program to its fullest of the night.

We finished with two motets from the 20th century - first, "For lo, I raise Up," by Charles Stanford, opens with some serious anger issues from the composer, but finally shows the compassion of the Lord by the end of the piece. Finally, an unusual piece, "Motetum Archangeli Michaelis" by Swedish composer Bengt Hambraeus, showcases the church organ, with the lyrics almost secondary to the music.

We were lucky to perform these twice in the past weekend. If you live in San Diego, I urge you to check out our website, www.lajollasymphony.com, for our upcoming performances. Next up:

our very popular Messiah Sing-Along. Even if you've never sung before, you can make music with us. We seed the audience with the entire choir and sing the Christmas portion of the Messiah with you! This community performance takes place December 14th, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Church in Carlsbad. Call 858-534-4637 for ticket information and reservations. We'll even rent you a score for the evening.