Miles

I still miss my beautiful dog Jesse, who passed away at age 15 in October, but my heart has healed enough in the last four months to allow me to love a new little guy....

Miles!  


He's a Manchester Terrier, I brought him home from the county animal shelter.  I don't know how old he is, but I think he's really young...he's very "puppy-fied".  Kind of bite-y and extremely playful and sweet.

We're working on the house-training thing.

I named him Miles because he's a Manchester, and Miles seemed a fittingly British name for this sweet little guy.

Spo Shirt!!

http://sporeflections.wordpress.com/

I had a turn with the Fabulous Traveling SPO shirt, the charity fundraising shirt that is making its away around to bloggers and others who follow Spo-Reflections. 

Isn't it pretty?  Very festive,  and I look FABulous in it. 

I'm looking forward to seeing pics of the other wearers.

Some Theater and Some Books

This past weekend I acted in two plays for a reader's theater here in town.  The plays were "Captive Audience" by David Ives and "The Actor's Nightmare" by Christopher Durang.  The whole process, from being cast through rehearsals and performance lasted only one week.  It's the kind of theater where you have no set, very little movement and keep your script in hand. I didn't know anything about "reader's theater" until this project last weekend, but I thought it was fun.  The audiences seemed to like it.  I'd be happy to do it again.

Also in town this weekend was Armistead Maupin!  He came to Powell's Books to discuss, read from and sign his new Tales of the City book, Mary Ann in Autumn.  SO EXCITING to have a new "Tales" book!  I feel like a believer who just discovered a new Gospel has been added to the Good Book.  I love them so much.

I didn't get to hear Armistead read from or discuss the book, though, as I was at the theater doing the above-mentioned plays.  As soon as I had bowed my bow, I rushed out the door and ran the three blocks to Powell's, raced up to the 3rd floor...and he was still there, signing the very last person in line's book.  If I'd had to wait for a traffic light to change, I would have missed him.  He looked tired and frazzled, so I didn't bother him much, just got my book signed and exchanged pleasantries.  Can't wait to read it.  I'm almost afraid to start, because I know I won't stop, and then it'll be finished. 

I also picked up the new Stephen King collection of novellas called Full Dark, No Stars.  The first story, 1922, is just amazing.  That word - amazing - is so ridiculously overused, but it is the only word that really captures the genius and artistry of this story.

I recommend both of these books HIGHLY, and if you haven't read the Tales of the City books, well....I sort of envy you.  Because they lie ahead for you, glittering and wonderful.  Read them!

Laid Off

Well, hello!  I haven't blogged in a while.  Mainly because I didn't want to write another depressing/negative post.  Don't want you readers thinking that my life is just one big unpleasant news story, over and over.

But the truth is, I did get more bad luck.  After losing my vehicle and my beloved dog Jesse...I have now been laid off my job at the Portland Opera.  A job I absolutely loved.  This last happened a month ago today, October 15.  So I've had time to adjust.


I have decided that, while I will continue to look for work, I am going to write.  Fiction, plays, whatever.  I am going to set myself up a schedule and adhere to it like writers must.  Just like a job.  Maybe something good will come from that.  At least it will keep me sane!   I just have to try and stay off Facebook, and keep the television quiet.  When you're alone as much as I now am, the distractions are very comforting, but they do not help produce anything good.  Music works. 

Anyway, I hope you are having a good fall, had a happy halloween and such.  I will be spending Thanksgiving on the Oregon coast with some cousins of mine, and Christmas with family in Sacramento (unless the airport is closed again this year due to snow).

There surely can't be any more awful news coming my way....can there?  Surely I will have positive things to write about.

You take care, I will blog more frequently...it's good to get the writing juices running.

Las Vegas, Baby

I had a great time in Las Vegas.  I had never been there before, and wow...what a place.  The massive casino complexes, all the sights and people...amazing. 

The best part was spending some time with my wonderful mom.  We walked the strip, ate at buffets and did the shows together.  Sometimes we just lay on our beds and watched TV at night.  We stayed at the Paris hotel, which is just beautiful.

Sunday night we went to see Barry Manilow. I have always loved Barry, and we got amazing seats in the third row!  Barry sang every song you'd want or expect, and he was charming, dazzling and warm.  Loved it, it was such a treat.

Also got to see the musical Jersey Boys.  Excellent show, see it if you get a chance.

At the Luxor hotel, I went to see the Titanic exhibition and the Bodies exhibition. Both really fascinating and informative.  Humane and respectful, as well.  Very cool.

Did not do much gambling, somehow I left my gambling mojo at home.  Tried a bit at the Blackjack tables, but...no "winner, winner, chicken dinner".

I would definitely go back to Las Vegas, but bring a lot more money.  Everything is expensive.  Had a great time, though.  Hope you all had an excellent weekend.

Pagliacci & Carmina Burana

I saw the dress rehearsal Wednesday night, and I'm going again tonight for the opening.  I don't think I've ever enjoyed an opera more than this production of Pagliacci.  It's only about 70 minutes long, full of drama and action and a gorgeous score.  I really loved it!  When Canio launches into the Vesti la giubba at the end at the end of Act One, it was a real thrill.


The second half of the evening is Carl Orff's CARMINA BURANA which I had never seen, or even really heard, except for the iconic "O Fortuna" and the gorgeous "In Trutina" - click those links and listen!  The piece is interpreted by Portland modern dance company Bodyvox and is a thrilling companion to Pagliacci.  The idea is that Carmina Burana is what goes through Canio's mind as he stands over the bodies of Nedda and Silvio, whom he has just murdered.  It's all very brilliant.

Have a great weekend!

The End of RUSH = The End of an Era.

PWD, which produces and distributes RUSH poppers...has gone out of business.    Apparently, Joe Miller, who ran the company, committed suicide.  RUSH has been around since the early '70's, and I have been a fan for many (probably around 30) years.  I don't even want to think about how many bottles I have gone through.  If I had all those empty bottles still, they would probably fill up my entire apartment...or more.  Yet I still have a brain cell, or two, left.

A hit of RUSH simply puts my brain into "the sexy place".  I guess I'll have to figure out how to get to that "sexy place" - the place that gets me off - without RUSH from now on!  I don't much care for other brands of poppers.

It's not only RUSH that was produced and distributed by PWD...it's also LOCKER ROOM (very famous name in poppers), QUICKSILVER, HARDWARE and others.  They are all pretty much the same, and they are far superior to any other brand.  The late Mr. Miller considered himself - as do I - a connoisseur of poppers, and always made sure his products were top-notch.  There are LOTS of knock-off bottles of RUSH out there; and in fact, here in Portland only ONE place sells genuine RUSH.  Every other place in town sells fake RUSH.

Oy, the changes I am going through these days!  No more sexy time with my little brown bottles of RUSH? 

I need to look at my astrological chart. 

But change can be very good, too, and I am just trying to remember to go with the flow....paddle in hand, to steer things in the direction that I want to go.

This weekend I will finally vacuum up the remainder of Jesse's fur that is on the carpet.  I have been resisting that chore.  I did go around on my hands on knees and pick up/save a bunch of it.  It still smells like him.  I have it in a plastic blag.

I know...these blog posts need to get more positive.  I'll lose all my many (4) readers!  I do appreciate you guys, and thanks for your comments.

Have a great weekend!