Updates on England, real and imagined

I've got one or two things to say. So gather round the chairs, couches or throw pillows on the floor because it's probably going to bit a bit of a story.

Before I forget, I learned a few things in the last hour. The first of them is that Wil Wheaton, The guy who played Wesley Crusher in TNG had a twitter. I then found out that he did the voice of "Aqualad" on TV. I then went on to find out who "Aqualad" is. It turns out he may be the saddest of the sad people in a world which does not exist. I had thought Aquaman had a hard lot what with getting the scrapings from the bottom of the super power bucket. Let us be honest, having the power to talk to marine animals is not that cool. When it comes with the caveat that you cannot actually spend and great amount of time on dry land it becomes even more like someone stuck a target on your back, handed you a squirt gun and then kicked you into an open field full of sharpshooters and ninjas. you get to be special but not in the way one generally wishes to be. So when I say that "Aqualad" gets a harder lot I want you to understand what I mean. He has the same powers as Aquaman (wah-wah) with a shorter land to water ratio (wah-wah). He then goes on to gain much cooler powers before becoming a super cripple with amnesia. It's so bad that Aquaman's autistic (yeah, that's right) archenemy takes pity on Aqualad (now "Tempest" in adulthood) and doesn't put him out of his crappily powered misery.

This one is for you Aqualad, I am so sorry you had to be super.

That being said the real world has sustained a few developments. Bad news first. I will not be in York come this autumn. Instead I will be spending the next few months in the US of A trying to support myself, find some theatre to do and learn thing or two about Latin or textile conservation (maybe both).so for those of you who like to flip to the back of the book that's probably what the next few chapters will be about. Oh, and to ruin any suspense, Harry dies, twice, kinda.

All in all it's not a terrible thing. I have been continually in school for the past seventeen years. I'm not very good at maths but I know that out of 22 that represents a fairly high percentage. No matter how hard schooling tried to stop me from learning it I have found that in the real world the finest lessons are learned though mistakes and turnings one never meant to make. I've learned that sometimes you have to take a plunge when you aren't ready. Above all, though, I know that my future will continue to be there for me, even if I screw it up. Maybe I'll find love, maybe I won't. Maybe I'll be able to support myself, maybe I won't. Maybe I'll be around for all of those wondrous occasions you've been planning, maybe I'll have gone. All I know is that if I try my hardest and go in the direction of what seems right I'll come out okay in the end.

- Faire Update -

Yep, it's that time again.
Friday, for those of you disinclined to notice, was the fourth of July. the day on which we commemorate the independence of our country by yielding to our basest instincts. We cook on an open fire and go to shamelessly watch things blow up with no context or story to sully the pure joy of a colourful fiery conflagration.

I had the day off, which I guess is a good reason to celebrate. So I was free to entertain Rachel (who had some time to kill before we drove up tot he faire site). It was really nice to have a chance to just sit and enjoy a cup of tea and talk about England, theatre and life in general. Too much these days I'm too busy to have a personal moment of quiet with someone. I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you, Rachel.

This was then followed by a gathering to put meat into a box full of fire (the most manly activity this side of mammoth hunting in my opinion) and watch things explode (see above).

It was fantastic. I want to say that among other things this years has been marked by a wider, more active social circle. Where once my time was devoted almost solely to St. George I now have opportunities to hang out with people from a variety of casts along the full spectrum of responsibility. It's so good to have the opportunity to hang out with such vital and enthusiastic people. Kenosha's fireworks were lovely, as was the company.

Bernard
The day started off with my one-time-only performance in the opening gate scenario. The part I had has since been cut for time, which is just as well, but I got to be a part of opening on opening day which no one can take from me.

Bernard turned out to be a hoot. I had told all of the first years not to worry if they didn't have tonr bits, that the best bits happen without any warning, but in a private part of my mind I worried about my own ability to pull it out when the time came. When the time came though, it turns out I had been right all along. Bernard was intuitive. I'll be honest, the majority of my time as Bernard is spent face down in a silly reverance. It's kinda become the analog to Frobisher's one man parade. I can do it with anyone regardless of dress gender, station and relative attentiveness. I bank a lot on just being sweet which is a nice change from the brash and sonorous nature of Frobisher. Bernard draws a patron in and tells them sweetly and simply exactly what he means and what he wants. Exploring the range of that kind of interaction and learning to expand it is going to be a load of fun.

Devil and The Baker's Wife
The Devil and the Baker's Wife has been widely acclaimed as being "adorable" and "quite funny actually". The quick changes are still a bit sticky but not too horrible. I'm going to have to run the Devil transformation a few times next week on my own time. I'm just not getting the physicality I want to open which kills it for the rest of the show. Angela and Char are doing a fantastic job and I'm really enjoying the dynamic we've built. The show is eating more of my street time than I might have otherwise have wanted but it's totally worth it for the joy of doing a show like this.

The Bakers have taken to giving out cookies on the ship in Kids Kingdom between 2:30 and 3:00 since our afternoon shows are so close together and changing costumes would be impractical. So if you're looking to meet the Bakers that is the time. I don't know if we will continue to stay on the ship once Rachel come back from the regency but I have a feeling that half hour will remain as Baker time.


The thing I really must say is that I have been exceptionally impressed by several of our newest cast members. OF course the top of the list is Rachel, who has somehow managed to step boldly into the role of HMQ without a sigle failing I can perceive. She has really made the role her own and brought a vibrance and beauty to the role which I cannot really quantify. What's more from behind her in the mid day spectacular I could fell her roguish smile from behind her. Her Elizabeth has all the sass and mirth that one could hope for. I'm certainly going to have to come visit the glade this weekend.

Also particularly impressive have been the scads of new fighters. more than ever before they have made themselves a presence upon the street. Perhaps I'm simply noticing it more now that I too am on the street more but it seems to me that Stevens Point and Columbia have been exceptionally blessed by these talented individuals. sitting pretty at the top of the heap is Amie who pulled out all of the stops and ran circuits around the site after the fighting was done for the day. She is merely standing slightly forward though of a formidable line. Each and every one of them was in the street being awesome and I had the pleasure of seeing most of the fighters in their element being wonderful. They all kicked me at the end of the day too. That was pretty great. Though I wish I had been more with the movement. I don't feel like I telegraphed the reactions well at all.

My only regret is that with the exception of Arnie for about three minutes I didn't interact with most of the other street cast members and, as such, cannot comment truthfully on the awesomeness which I'm sure was manifesting all over the place.

Now for icing on the cake time. Among the scads of people I saw over the weekend, not to be forgotten is Mike Meyer! He came all the way from Florida! That was a surprise. I only regret that I didn't get to see him in the street. We found each other at the Phoenix after for a joyful reunion.

+ Having a codpiece randomly in my backpack for two weeks finally paid off.
+ I seem to be surrounded by pretty people all the time.
+ I finally got my fix of lemon egg soup.
+ I finally got a fix of patron interaction.

- I need to work on my recipe for "gollum" juice. It was a bit too weak to be terribly effective.
- There seems to be a shortage of Gatorade and V8 in my life.
- I spent buttloads of money!

Today's Gem of the Internet-
I don't know if you've noticed but I can be a bit self conscious about whether or not I'm understanding social mores. As such something about the misanthropic and self conscious nature of the work of Lev Yilmaz has charmed me. The thoughts placed here are far more awkward than I have ever been, that is comforting.
Check out his site here.
http://www.ingredientx.com/

I couldn't find one which was meaningful and indicative of my present situation and emotional state so don't read too far into this one. It's been a few months since I had to do this and I didn't date the woman in question so the things to not think about were far less interesting and... just watch the film.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PSdjixBTNE