Well I know it’s been awhile since I last wrote….
Today I am recovering from a procedure on my legs I didn’t tell anyone but a few growths left men in fear that the C was back now as I heal I hope this is all behind me… Today I have had the end to a very difficult week my problems seemed small …a week ago I lost a woman who was an acquaintance that had a profound impact on my life her sweetness as marked the heroine in most of my plays as has her trademark hair and then I came home from the hospital to a phone message that left me stunned… my friend was gone, I seldom cry but he was a true friend ,honest and pure others saw him as many things but I was lucky enough to know the man and the child; we would talk occasionally over the last couple of decades yet it was always as though no time had passed. when he was in need I he knew I was there… yet when I was in need he would stand as a true friend, maybe the only friend who never betrayed me and always was true… today I’m alone and I admit filled with a tear, I will always treasure the pictures together and the memories will never fade …my friend may today you finally find peace….I love you more….
go out to day and call an old friend and let them know how much they mean to you before it’s too late…
Thank you to everyone for writing and calling I really appreciate each of you (Kelly & Karla in the big O state) we love you guys and it meant a lot to hear from you … first let me say a few things once Brian and I worked hard and cell phones ect were a necessity now we work hard but take time to enjoy our lives, that’s why we only carry cell phones when we are working and no one outside of immediate family and Diane at the office have the numbers. The phone is a work tool and a communication device not a life line…. if you want us call or write and leave a message … we check our phone and mail daily and return calls set up appointments and confirm time with friends… just like everyone did last century…It works… make a date with us at a specific time and we are yours, not the phones or texting world just all yours….when you have my attention you have my attention and its not divided by 100 others. yet I now have come to expect your attention as well if your hooked to your phone or texting through our conversation don’t be surprised if it’s our last together… life is to short and 95% of all the calls and texts can wait or were not even important…so why fill your life with wasted time and trivial gossip…. unplug yourselves … don’t check sites everyday use the net as a guilty pleasure a way of keeping in touch and not a lifeline or social network …connect in the real world even if we are lifelong friends the occasion contact to know we are in each others thoughts is enough… to connect with a stranger over coffee is far more important that connecting with a school friend on line nightly yet never seeing each other face to face… we need real contact not cyber so when I don’t post or do so sparingly it is not a sign of doom and gloom but a sign of life and I’ll always pop back t share bits with you … I value my cyber friends but I treasure my real world encounters ……yes the last bit has been a rollercoaster but a good one…so please keep in touch but relax and remember when I meet you on the street that’s our time together and 5 mins there is more important that years on line because I can look in your eyes and feel your heart and you mine… if you see me out and about please come and talk if its a bad moment I’ll say and I promise I’ll set up a better time to meet after all strangers are friend who I’ve yet to sit don and talk with …write and I’ll read but say hello and I’ll treasure our time….
Now for catch up….
A bright spot was in may I was asked to attend a local production of Riverside’s “the sound of Music” 4 hours on a plane 5 hours more in cars and we were finally there Riverside high school production … I was uncertain as to what to expect the last high school invitation I accepted was years ago (I had lectured in the school so I had to attend) this time I was pleasantly awakened. the cast and facility had put together a production filled with heart and passion…this is what theatre is meant to be fun and exciting … messing up a line but remembering on you know you messed up and continuing to the crescendo…these actors their stage crew and all involved created an illusion that engulfed the audience in the story and music. They did a wonderful job and they inspired me when I needed it most John Mackenzie and his talent with words translated to his passion on stage; one day I look forward to him delivering my words on the stage…. I was then back home where a professional theatre group would strengthen my resolve by showing the heart and passion that has waned in so many of this generation… that night I would somehow end up buying a production for later this summer of a new play which has led to an unending stream of work to create a one of a kind night for this wonderful play… and after months of no desire to create I can say the block has ended over the last year the only pieces we wanted to work on were for the three churches in Cape Breton Canada now we are back and working with a vengeance….
A muse has spoken to our hearts and work is flowing as our work finds a new groove…more on this later…
I had to give a presentation of the Washington symphony in the spring and I’ll admit to jitters the whose who crowd heard canned versions of Otis work with me caring the dialogue during the meal and then I had to take to the stage with pieces that only the orchestra and I had ever heard …. scary but it was a hit and I was again green lighted the desire to create the symphony is almost 20 years of my life and the active pursuit of the commission the last decade and now as it nears completion I still can’t believe its really coming together…bringing Otis on board was a wonderful choice as his perspective blends the pieces wonderfully when all is said and done my only regret will be he didn’t get to perform live to feel the magic … the next time the council meets will be that last peak and then its Showtime… I feel like I’ve walked on the moon…..
This week was the Tony’s and got to say Neil did a bang up job… first time we met Neil he was doggie Houser and just reading his performance in PROOF with Anne Heich …almost a decade later he has emerged as one of Americas great talents … while always remaining true to himself… he and David were a wonderful couple on the red carpet and an example to all who saw them …this is what integrity and talent earn the respect of the American public Neil Patrick Harris has become my hero….Anglia Lansbury and Jane Fonda … Dolly Parton and Liza it was gay mans heaven… as we were dressing Diane found a box of memorabilia we kept from the Tony’s …with my lucky bow tie… our first tickets were 30.00 each so many years ago; this year they toped 400.00 each…funny thing Angila Lansbury was nominated then also… at least some things never change! We made a quick trip to nyc and to be honest I hate it I need my city fix not a day here and there…just to relax and not work; so to everyone back home I’ll be there soon….
One final thought today… my prayers are with Tony and Charlene Marshall sometimes it seems the world turns on good people, Tony and Charlene are my heroes many years ago they gave us a break and helped change our world to them is was just another day… they have been painted them in a bad light with greed and money their god … this is so not true… the gossip columns say a lot but before you judge remember it isn’t always as it seems and I for one stand beside Tony and Charlene… to the new Yorkers so quick to condemn shame you know there’s always more to the story ….
