I *so* don't want to work right now. After a lengthy period of high motivation, I'm definitely on a "low" this morning. So, then, time for my monthly update, no?

Last week I helped the Operatic Society backstage with their annual production. This meant attending rehearsal every night of the week as well as the three performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In short, all my time for the week, gone. But, it was kinda fun. What was supposed to just be an "I'll hang out and help with whatever I can" gig turned into a sheet full of tasks that I've passed on to the guy who will take my place next weekend while I'm occupied with previously-made plans.

So, I moved set pieces, hooked up smoke machines and turned them on on cue (at least when they decided to work, that is :-(, assisted harried cast members and brought food to the assistant stage-manager. I was surrounded by prima donna actors and actresses, but that's kinda fun when you get to laugh at them with the crew. :-) And, having been *on* the stage for many plays and musicals, it's a really good reality check to work things from the other side.

BTW, the show they're doing this year is really good. The set is designed by Poli's and CF's old art teacher, the lighting is done by his son, the director is the same professional he always is, and the stage-manager is also a professional whom they've somehow roped into working for them for what must be virtually nothing. There are some great dance sequences and a young, fresher-than-usual cast beefed up with young recruits from theatre school, some so cute you just wanna eat 'em up (I mean that in a good way, k? Not in a slimy, dirty-old-man creepy way. :-).

Next weekend, I'll be unable to help 'cause I've got the kids, and prior to that, on Thursday, I'm busy with the Celtic band's second gig. This is one is downtown, and we've had to pick up several pop/rock tunes to do it. I think we all have some misgivings about that, as I'm pretty sure we all want to stick to the Celtic stuff, but if this helps us get more gigs and broadens our repertoire, it's a good thing.

And, in a dramatic ironic twist, we are playing "Hey Ya" by OutKrap, a song which, as I have mentioned before, I loathe and feel represents everything that is wrong with the music industry. If that doesn't make me a whore, I dunno what does!

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