Madwoman's Attic: In The Attic

A general update

So, today-- per usual for the weekend after Thanksgiving-- I scrubbed and polished the house (most of it) and brought in the Christmas decorations, making notes on the stuff that needs to be replaced.  The parlor and kitchen look great.  Our den/project room is a catastrophe, but that is mostly because we've torn up the carpet in there in preparation for putting in Mexican tile come spring.  So that room will just be a disaster area until the spring.  We'll have to live with it. 

Yesterday, the Whitworth newsletter, "Mind and Heart", arrived-- conveniently with a self addressed envelope for donation to the General Fund.  I dutifully wrote out a check and will mail it on Monday. 

The new jobs are going fine.  I have to have a play for Selma to approve by December 11th, and I really cannot decide.  I'm leaning towards Moon Over Buffalo: it would suit their needs well, I know I could cast it-- 4 men, 4 women, all good roles, and give them a fun, splashy comedy that I'm very familiar with,  but I'm not sure it's set needs work with their space.  The Foreigner is another option. It is very male heavy, though, but the space works better with the set needs.  And it is an excellent script.  I'm just not sure.  They need a proven, easily marketable mainstream comedy.  The show is set to rehearse in April and open early May.  I've already got the follow up shows in mind:  The Canterville Ghost for fall and Annie for the following spring.  But this opening show has just got me stumped!  Eventually, my gut will settle on something.  It'll have to. 

Woodward Shakes is finishing production on Complete Works (Abridged), our holiday fund-raising show (www.woodwardshakespeare.org  if you're in Fresno!).    This week is going to be a hard one. . . we're teching the show and trying to promote its ass off simultaneously.   I'm optimistic that we can make the most of this show, but it will take a serious commitment in the next week and a half. 

Mom is doing okay.  She has another infection, but again-- routine stuff for her.  She was up and helping today, so that's a good sign.  She doesn't seem as up for the holidays is she'd like to be, though.  I'm making a new advent wreath, though, so I'm hoping once we get it on the table and do our regular advent devotions, she'll come 'round.  But for many people, this is a season of loss as well as of joy, and Mom certainly is one who finds it bittersweet. 

And so, here's hoping your December rings in with joy in your own little worlds!

Heather

I am a GODDESS of ghetto software work!!!!

This will make NO sense to most of you, nor should it, because I know that I have not done this in the correct way. . WHATSOEVER. . .

But I am really stoked with myself right now.  I took a 6 year old mp3 player (iRiver brand which DOES NOT get along with Windows at all) and figured out which ghetto freeware downloads I needed to get  to get this damn thing to be read by my computer, then to upload a voice recording of Henry VIII from the device to the computer, then to get the software to read the damn file, and then get that software to talk to my other software to convert the file.

BUT I DID IT! I made all this outdated, craptacular technology talk to one another! 

I AM A GODDESS, I say! 

Now I have to figure out how to edit this voice recording into a podcast without being able to hear any of it (my speaker jacks are dead on this computer).  Damn, I need a new laptop for Christmas. 

NO CANDY FOR YOU!

Two years ago, during the trick or treating, there were a few kids-- well, teenaged boys-- who decided to trick or treat with no friggin costume. 

Yeah.  But I just chalked it up to the general lack of imagination of your average teenaged boy and let it go. 

This year, I had not one. . .but two GAGGLES (meaning 4-6) teenaged GIRLS who came trick or treating with no costume. 

The first time, I stopped short and said, "Hey. . . where are the costumes?"

After a round of inane giggles, they said, "We don't have them!"  Giggle. Giggle, giggle. 

At that point I drew back, raised an arched eyebrow and sighed.  Just looking at them. 

For the first gaggle-- which was the larger of the two-- I just gave them one piece of the smallest candy I had.  And I literally said to them, "I'm giving you less candy than I would have if you had made just a little bit of effort. "

(Mind you, I am wearing a RED VELVET REGENCY GOWN WITH JEWELS IN MY HAIR.) 

The first gaggle just looked at me and said, "Oh. . . well, thank you."  At least they had the sense to be polite about the whole thing. 

The second gaggle, though. . . . well, it started out pretty much the same way.  Stop, arch eyebrow, ask about costumes. . .

"Why no costumes?  I'm tempted to not give you any candy for no costumes. . . "

The tallest girl then scoffs.   The others just stare at me. . .

And then the mother on the sidewalk says "Tell her why!"

And a second girl sighs and says in the most blase manner possible, "We're too cool and to old for costumes."

I give them the logical reply:  "Then you're too cool and too old to beg for candy like a gradeschooler." And I step back to shut the door.  Then one girl SAVES THEIR ASSES!

"I like your dress though.  It's pretty." A general murmer of agreement came from most of the girls

Slowly I step forward again, but the bags are still out for candy.  I look out at the mother and say, "Would you mind if I shared something with them?  You can come in, too."

She looks a little freaked out, but says yes.  I step back and gesture that they all should come in.

I march the girls through my house and out into my costume room off of my garage.  In said costume room are RACKS and RACKS of costume piece (mostly stuff I'll never use, but could come in handy someday *coughpackratcough*. . . and two dress forms currently dressed with two of my most elaborate costumes-- my 1855 Dickens fair and my Queen Elizabeth Dress-- complete with ruff and lace cape.  And of course, I'm wearing  RED VELVET.  And my blue Victorian, my pink Dickens, and my brown  Tudors and Grey tudors are visible on the first rack.  On the upper racks are rows of petticoats, rehearsal skirts, random other pieces I've made in the past, a wedding gown I've never done any thing with.  IN the corner is a round rack with yards and yards of fabrics hanging from hangers, and on the walls are half a dozen period hats. From the ceiling in the corner are suspended spools of Europa trims I bought from Beverly's-- one of the few places who still has them, and along the walls are props-- goblets, jewelry, gloves, hankies, swords, daggers, and a desk filled with period letter writing instruments. 

The girls come inside.  Blink.  Blink, blink, blink.  Gape-mouthed.  Blink, blink, blink. 

When they look around, finally one says. . . "Where did you get all of this?"

"Most of it I made.  Some of it was given to me.  Some of it is from thrift stores and I'll turn it into something else.  A good friend of mine taught me how.  It may not be cool, but there are places to wear costumes year round.  It's fun.  I also work in the theatre so playing dress up is part of the job.  You're never too old or too cool to come up with SOMETHING for Hallowe'en.  Trust me on that one". 

Then the mom said, "You girls chose the wrong house to come to without a costume!" 

Yeah.  I let them look at the stuff a little while, but eventually said as nicely as I could: "So, the deal is. . . no costume, no candy."

They left at about 6:30.  10 minutes ago they came back-- all wearing clothes from their dad's closet-- jacket, shirts, and ties, with moustaches drawn on their lips. 

I laughed and gave them the last of my candy for the evening. 

The Feinstein ad.

well, I finally saw a rational, rhetoric and common-sense based ad saying NO on Prop 8. the Diane Feinstein ad. Oddly, that ad is not running on our local stations. It is running on L.A. based CBS and NBC stations I get over satellite. I guess they've already made up their minds that they've lost the San Joaquin Valley to the Yes supporters. *le sigh*

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Star Trek:TNG and Prop 8

I know that everyone is sick to death of the election ads running.  I am, too.  And it this point, with a handful of days to go, I get particularly snippy with them. 

Having studies marketing and advertising techniques, as well as the basics of rhetoric, I know and can identify how people are people manipulated by these ads-- when they're leaving information out, when they're making arguments based on fear, emotionalism, and histrionics, and when they're just plain LYING. 

And I know why these things are effective.  I live in an area considered an extension of the sub-Appalacian region of the U.S.  I know, it sounds crazy since I'm in California.  But a lot of the migrants of the 20s-30s settled here. . . and brought their conservative, fear-based politics with them.  (John Steinbeck wrote a little book about these people and their distrust of anything smacking of socialism called "The Grapes of Wrath".)

Anyway. . . I digress.  I am not qualified to comment on the 'evolution' of these people in this region and the nature of their politics and society-- even though I live among them now and have their blood flowing in my veins. 

But the YES on Proposition 8 ads (banning gay marriage, although the State Supreme Court has already granted it) are picking up speed now and are REALLY driving me nuts!!  I mean, the little hispanic girl looking forlornly into the camera as she explains how traumatized she was to learn that boys could marry boys just makes me want to hurl.  Both in terms of vomit and in terms of flying objects directed at my TV. 

I'm supposed to deny a portion of the population (some of whom I know and love) the right to a state sanctioned institution to save this little girl?  How EXACTLY is she threatened by this?  It really pisses me off! No one is taking her rights away.  No one is saying she can't marry whomever she wants. . . unless of course she realizes at the age of 14 that she's gay, then we have another story.  (Ah, wouldn't that be fabulous!!!  Ha!)  No one is even saying that she can't have the 100,000 dollar wedding of her dreams to her prince charming. .  . WHAT are we protecting her from?   An IDEA?  An idea that translates to reality for many, many people she is likely to meet and interact with throughout her lifetime?  Are you kidding me? 

And then I get angry about the state of intellectual discourse in this country. And while slack intellectual vigor is predominant on the right side of the aisle, it's not unknown on the left.  But, really. . . why can't some of these ads really just sum up their ideas in a thoughtful, meaningful way that is legitimately persuasive instead of feeding on people's vague fears of the foreign? 

But in reviewing my MySpace Profile, I was reminded of something:  In 1988, there was an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where Captain Picard summed up his defense in a witchtrial (of sorts) with this little speech:

There are some words which I have known since I was a schoolboy. "With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably." These words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie -- as a wisdom, and warning. The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged.

If some geeky sci fi writers could express this succinctly 20 years ago, why can't people do it now?  But what saddens me even more is that if the NO on Prop 8 people ran an ad with this quote on it, it probably wouldn't work.  It would be too rational for the frightened mob to process.

But I still say, SCREW THAT LITTLE GIRL!  If you vote YES on Prop 8, you're trodding on my freedom as well, gay or straight.  That door gets opened up and we're all in for a shit storm of damaged civil rights in this state. . . and what's left of those in this country. 

Hey, folks. .. . just checking in.

The list of the classics I'm reading this winter are:
The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky
Hard Times, Dickens
Puddin'head Wilson, Twain
The Italian, Radcliffe (had to get some classic gothic romance in there)
and
The Optimist's Daughter, Welty

Woot Woot!

Last night we put my mom back in hospital for a round of IV antibiotics. It's been a while since she's been in the hospital and thankfully this is a very routine thing. It's gonna happen from time to time that a bug is going to get into her system and not want to get out. We always just hope we catch it early enough to blast it out of her system. We did so this time, so all will be well. It's just a reminder that there will come a day that a particular bug will get in and just will not come out. . . alas.

But, that puts me absolutely free for the Civil War Revisited this weekend at Kearney Park. I'm helping out with their Camp Night dinner after hours tomorrow, but I'll probably go early in the afternoon to enjoy some dress up wandering about time. Today, though, I'm throwing together something more appropriate for an evening event than my 1855 day dress. It won't be perfectly period, but nothing I make ever is! I try to get the silhouette right and take elements of my inspired by pic and work with them. Since this look is coming out of my fabric stash, it will be what it will be. I call these little garment builds my Project Runway Challenges since I usually only give myself a day and a half to do them. lol!

So, what I'm thinking right now is based on this look, since I can make it to go over my already existing cream colored silk skirt:

I'll keep you updated. . . maybe. You know how I am about that. lol!

ridiculous mass culture post

What shows do you find yourself watching where you think to yourself, "This is HORRIFYING!" but you can't seem to stop watching it. 

I have several moments of passive channel surfing where I have that gape-mouthed, shocked look on my face.  I used to think that very little could shock me, but it just isn't true.  People on reality tv baffle and shock me all the time. 

Right now I'm watching  Bridezillas.  And I always have that shocked, gape-mouthed look on face with this show.  I mean, these women are HORRIBLE to their fiances and their family and friends.  HORRIBLE.  LIke verbally, and sometimes physically, abusive.  Why are these men marrying these chicks?  How do these chicks have friends?  I'm so confused. . . .

Perhaps this show is some sort of subversive agenda FOR the gay-marriage lobby. . .  you know, showing the institution of traditional hetero-marriage in its true, god-sanctioned glory. 

What shows with absolutely no redeeming value do you find yourself watching and being baffled by?

It's BRAVO! Night and I don't have much to say except I actually liked tonight's winning look on Project Runway and I'm glad they got rid of that weak guy.  Nobody should make something-- even from car parts-- that looks worse than what I could make and still be able to stay on the show.  That's my rule. 

And Shear Genius. . . . what a disappointment.  I've never liked Dee.  Never.  Can't explain why.  I just don't. 

And that's all I have to say. 

BBQ voting

So, last night I'm watching the first night of the Democratic National Convention on CNN.  I'm usually not one to pay much heed to the commentators on these things.. . perhaps they're right that Night One should have seen more "attack" from the Dems regarding George Bush.  That always goes well with me, after all. . . .

But one of the things that so many of them were talking about were that "the nations voters don't seem to 'know' Barack Obama and his family well". . . . They were saying things like:

"The voters want to know what kind of neighbor he'd be, if he's the kind of guy they'd invite to a bbq or have out for a beer. . . this is important to voters.  This gives them an idea of the 'kind of guy' they're voting for. . . ."

WTF?  What, am I back in high school?  Last I checked I stopped voting for ASB Presidents as an undergrad.  We're talking about the President of the EFFING UNITED STATES! 

First of all, how anyone can reasonably wonder what kind of "neighbors" the Obamas would be is beyond me. The man wrote a book called the  Audacity of Hope.  Can no one take any indications from that?  He wears an unbuttoned collar on his shirt with a navy blue jacket-- no tie in less formal, outdoor appearances.  Does that tell you nothing?  He plays basketball. . . rather well. 

Sounds like he'd be like most neighbors in the U.S.:  Reasonably private, but willing to help put on the block party if you asked, and more than willing to help repaint an elderly ladies house if it badly needed it.  If you got to know him and his wife, they'd probably be willing to share babysitting and meal making duties among the other busy families in the neighborhood.  Again. . . he'd probably be like most "good neighbors" in the U.S. What makes you think he'd be any different? 

But even more than that:

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE BBQ VOTING!  Don't you think that's what got us into the mess that is the last 8 years?  Don't you think that most middle-America voters looked at George Bush and Al Gore/John Kerry and went. . . . "well, I'd be more likely to enjoy a beer with W. than with those other two douche-bags. . . those other two schmucks would just lecture me on the environment and health care, and who wants to hear that in a bar after a long day's work?  So, I'll vote for the dumb guy. . . he'd be less likely to make me feel stupid if we were at a BBQ together."

I sincerely believe, that on a subconscious level, that's what people were thinking.  This guy won't make me feel stupid, so I'll vote for him.  Just like people did when they voted the Jock in as Prom King. 

But I'm done with being tolerant of that. . . subconscious or not.  It's time to start voting for people who are willing to tackle the tough stuff that this country is facing.  People who have the long-view of this world and what it needs.  And people who know that this country has serious problems and it needs serious people to solve them (in the words of Michael Douglas in The American President). 

I don't give a shit which one of them would be more popular at a BBQ.  I want someone interested in being a good leader on a global scale. 

Catching Up on Project Runway

One of the things about doing shows is that I tend to fall behind on both my favorite TV shows and my blogging.  So maybe I'll catch up a bit on both. 

Catching up on my two missed weeks of Project Runway:

Olympic Challenge favorite quotes:

Tim:  "It looks a little Sergeant Pepper to me. . . "
Fake Tan Boy (Blaine):  "I don't know what that is."

WTF?  What kind of fashion designer doesn't know enough about its pop culture history that they don't have an idea what Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is?  For crissakes. 

Michael Kors: (about the purple cocktail dress) It's perfect if her sport is drinking.

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The Brooke Shields Work Look Challenge

Brooke (talking to rock-corset-black leather girl-Stella):  But she still has to go to work in this.
*shocked look from rock-corset-black leather girl*

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Commercial Break. . .
Can I just say that I love William Shatner.  I love that he's IN on the joke about him.  So much so, that I've begun using a phrase regarding certain types of acting at the Shakespeare Festival. . . . some actors are just so SHATNEREAN.
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Sistah-friend Designer (Terry): I don't know what he's packin' balls or vajayjay, but I need him to figure it out and man up.  I don't have no babies. . . ain't nobody suckin' on my titties. . . .

Wow.  Always a classy and eloquent moment with the Sistah-friend.
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The Drag Queen Challenge

Blaine: I think this is so Blaine-licious.
Jerrell:  Shut the hell up!

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Okay, now I'm going to go have my sinus infection for the evening.