popplers

Faithful

For those of you who didn't already know, I'm volunteering with Acme Theater again. Our next production, Faithful, opens in three weeks. I just came back from the third session of set building (two more to go), and things are really starting to look pretty darn good. I should have taken pictures of the progress each weekend— I'll have to do that next time. Here's what everyone has accomplished so far…

• 1st week: put up walls; made and installed "columns" to box in the bar area.
• 2nd week: built the bar framework and installed lights; cut down a full-sized table to fit in a small alcove; built a drawer in the table so that it is more like a desk; put up panels of outdoor scenery for a patio area; LOTS and lots of painting.
• 3rd week: added a shelf to the desk thingy and painted it glossy black; sanded plexiglas to give it a "frosted" look; cut portholes in the bar for the plexiglas panels and installed them; made translucent panels for the bar; built a nifty three-part sliding door; made and attached "crown molding" to the walls.

I'm sure that there's lots of other stuff that I'm forgetting because I'm in a hurry. But it's starting to look like a real set. Now I hope people actually come to the show.

I got you babe

First D.J.: Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today.

Second D.J.: It's coooold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach?

First D.J.: Not hardly. And you know, you can expect hazardous travel later today with that, you know, that, uh, that blizzard thing.

Second D.J.: [mockingly] That blizzard - thing. That blizzard - thing. Oh, well, here's the report! The National Weather Service is calling for a "big blizzard thing!"

First D.J.: Yessss, they are. But you know, there's another reason why today is especially exciting.

Second D.J.: Especially cold!

First D.J.: Especially cold, okay, but the big question on everybody's lips…

Second D.J. - On their chapped lips…

First D.J.: - On their chapped lips, right: Do ya think Phil is gonna come out and see his shadow?

Second D.J.: Punxsutawney Phil!

First D.J.: Thats right, woodchuck-chuckers - it's

Both: [in unison] GROUNDHOG DAY!

I guess we'll have to dig out the DVD tonight so we can watch it again. My fervent wish is that today doesn't start repeating for me, as I'm in an all-day off-site meeting. To quote Phil Connors: "I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster and drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters. That was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get that day over and over and over?"

And now for this important message:

Iwan Axt, International Man of Mystery, will be competing in the Gulf Coast Ironman Triathlon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I think he says it better than I ever could, so I'll let him have the stage:

Three years ago I started training for my first TNT event, the Gulf Coast Half Ironman Triathlon, on a lark and not having any connection to anyone with Leukemia, Lymphoma, or any other blood cancer. During my first event I pledged to run in memory of, or in honor of, friends or family members of sponsors who were suffering from theses terrible diseases. I promised to wear a ribbon during the race for each person I was running in honor of -- a purple one for those who were alive and battling the disease and a yellow one for those who were no longer here.

I ended up running with 19 ribbons (11 yellow and 8 purple) attached to my singlet.

So, I became a believer in the mission. Since then, I have trained with TNT for the NYC marathon twice and formed a bond with some of those people whose names were on my purple ribbons. Because of the common path we traveled since I met them, these people have become good friends in a very special way and my life is the better for having met them. […]

Please donate and help him beat his fundraising goal of $5,000. (He's currently at $1,796 and climbing.) Thanks!