Must. Vent. Ugh. There is a rule for the Actor's Equity Association (actor's union) that whenever there's a replacement actor in the show, you have to notify the audience. One of the ways we do that is by putting a "stuffer" in the program. It's a pain in the ass, but it's pretty rare.

This show has been a stuffer nightmare. We had the norovirus go through the theatre, so there was a period of about three weeks when we had to do this every night in various incarnations, then we had two extensions so a lot of people were in and out, etc. Suddenly, this asshole understudy (who once lied to me, I don't forget shit, buddy) decides that he wants to have his bio in the stuffer when he goes on. I understand that your bio isn't in the program, and you want your "recognition" He has gone on FAR more than expected, and certainly earned his understudy money, but this is fucking ridiculous. You are an UNDERSTUDY. You are in the ENSEMBLE. We have to make, cut, and stuff the damn things in the hour (or less) before the house opens. Doing special shit takes time we don't have. Even the stage manager who passed along the request knows it's bullshit, because her comment was "what do you want me to tell him, besides 'act better' ", but the idiots at the theatre are indulging this asshole, costing time and money. ARGH.

Vortex - maybe tell him that you've already done the stuffers, but that if he feels it's necessary to have his bio in, he can print, cut, and stuff (heh) them himself.

This show has been a stuffer nightmare. We had the norovirus go through the theatre, so there was a period of about three weeks when we had to do this every night in various incarnations, then we had two extensions so a lot of people were in and out, etc.

Seriously, for that production I would have gotten a bulletin board and put it in the lobby. Oh, and I'd smack the actor.

All I've heard it called it here is a California Roll

That's what we called it in AK. Blowing the stop sign was called an Arizona Stop.

Riding my motorcycle on SF hills? I California Roll all the time. Or I come to a stop in the (usually flat) walkway, which makes me an asshole but also lessens my chance of tipping.

Was that when you were singing along to Wicked?

As a matter of fact.... Y'know, going 80 in a 45 will get you pulled over. Interestingly, you may not get a ticket once you are.

(Oh, and HI!!! Chikat! I've got to call you soon!)

Hi! I've not been home much. Between rehearsals, stage crew, trying to save my program and actually, you know, trying to teach my classes? Ummm. yeah... not home.

How have you been? Do you have any updates on your school and your students and next year?

Swamped. But, we have made headway. There was another school board meeting last week and they back pedalled saying that drama would be put back in the curriculum, but they're not sure how yet. They're going to look at all the exploratory options and figure out how they're going to work with the new schedule.

So, our parents and their kids were heard, but there's still a lot to do. I don't know how much drama will be offered, at which grade levels, or for how long. They're still working on that.

All the drama teachers have to meet with admin again on Friday to answer more questions. The first meeting went okay. I listened, learned how to play their game, and answered the questions they wouldn't ask but should have. It shed a lot of light on things for them. But like roaches, they didn't want that light shed on them.

Ironically, the district fine arts festival was Saturday. We asked our kids to show up and perform 4 scenes from Schoolhouse Rock (the show we are currently rehearsing). Purely voluntary. We had 60-70 kids there and they were fantastic, so we had a good showing.

Unfortunately, none of the drama teachers from the other 3 middle schools even showed up. Not a good move when they're putting your program on the chopping block. They haven't done a thing to save their programs and it's been very disheartening.

Cleveland drivers seem okay (and I say that through gritted teeth).

Oh, I think I'm an ok driver mostly because, while I did learn to drive in Cleveland, I was taught by my Dad who learned to drive in another state. Dear Old Dad was fond of saying, "In Ohio, when a baby is born, the doctor doesn't spank its bottom. Instead, the doctor whispers in the kid's ear 'You're an Ohioan, turn signals are optional.'"

In San Diego we always ranted about the Arizona drivers. I believe we called them Zoners.

Driving in Arizona has three main challenges: 1) dealing with the people from California who have not yet learned to relax; 2) dealing with people from rural Mexico who are still driving at siesta speed; 3) dealing with everyone else, who are mostly snowbirds.

They haven't done a thing to save their programs and it's been very disheartening.

How utterly hopeless and resigned they must feel. I'm glad that you are making headway for your program.

I learned to drive in Miami. Which means I learned to drive with influences from every state, several foreign countries, and lots of age.

Which means I've never been intimidated at the thought of driving in L.A. or Manhattan. Both of which I've done.

In Florida we call STOP signs, "Slow to an obvious Pause."

Yeah, there are only a few places I've been where I thought I might not want to drive. One of them was the middle of London, the other was The Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

I deal with Los Angeles all the time and Manhattan really didn't phase me.

I think what this discussion concludes is that all drivers are bad everywhere.

Le sigh. I got a really amazing performance review, and my boss said he recommended I be on the higher end of the compensation scale, but I just got the numbers, and they're not as extravagant as I'd hoped. They are nothing to sneeze at, mind you, but not as WOWIE COOL as I was expecting. So I don't think I can justify throwing two or three thousand dollars more at a Prius, however neat it is. I'll stick with what thrills me. Of course, I would have felt more comfortable either way if I'd gotten more money, but I'll live. I'm lucky to even have a job in this economy!

Yeah, there are only a few places I've been where I thought I might not want to drive. One of them was the middle of London, the other was The Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Sweet zombie Jesus the Arc de Triomphe roundabout is insane. I've come to the conclusion that in Paris, pedestrian crossings are there only so the drivers know where to find you. (The horn is simply to ensure you're facing the right way for them to savour the look on your face.)

Actually, to expand that a little, in Rome it seems that the message behind honking the horn is "I am about to do something illegal and dangerous, and it would be pointless to do it without an audience." The only law anyone there seems to obey is one that (I presume) states it is illegal for one vehicle ever to be travelling behind another vehicle. In Athens, the message behind honking the horn appears to be "This car is equipped with a horn."

In Athens, the message behind honking the horn appears to be "This car is equipped with a horn."

The vast majority of the vehicles I have owned have been so old and decrepit, that they would not qualify for that one.

P-C, congrats on the raise, even if it isn't as spectacular as you had hoped.