This is the final tech week for 'Noises Off' which opens this Friday at Phoenix Theatre.
The process has been a collection of paradoxes and opposites, being both overwhelming and effortless at the same time.
My role is not as demanding as most of the ensemble in the sense of physical exertion or lineload, but this is most definitely an ensemble play with each role independent on even the most minor interactions between characters. And the cast is brilliant.
Our Dotty Otley is played by Cathy Dresbach, a veteran of the stage and an icon to those of us who grew up with the Wallace and Ladmo Show. (Jodie of the Pink Berets, anyone?) Not only an amazing character actress, but an amazing dramatic actress, and just a generally cool cat. She's just amazing to watch.
Then there's Robbie Harper who directed me in The Will Rogers Follies back in 1999-2000 and choreographed me numerous times and with whom I just did Curtains at Phoenix Theatre.
In addition, I get the chance to work with Chris Williams and Maren Maclean who were both mentors in my first show with Southwest Shakespeare (Julius Caesar in 2001-2002).
This will be my third show with the formidable Joe Kremer... the first, we don't really speak of and the second we speak of all too often...
And after joining forces in Tartuffe at Southwest, Leeann and I are getting the chance to spread our combined wisdom backstage once again with LeeAndi Relationship Consulting Services. (Though we are lacking our beloved intern, Pete Good.)
This is my first time working with Matthew Weiner (Artistic Director for Actors Theatre) as our director as well as with Mike Lawler and Luke Young.
Working with Matthew has been challenging, but has also honestly been a blast. He's an actor's director, in my opinion, bringing specificity when it's needed but also allowing the actors a certain amount of freedom of interpretation and expression. He brought along David Vining as our dialect coach and I could honestly sit and listen to that man do dialects for hours. His ear for nuance is just uncanny.
And both Mike and Luke have been awesome to work with... both funny and giving actors that I'm really enjoying working with.
So yeah... it has been a great experience. Tech had its tense moments as all tech weeks do, but we made it out alive and everyone is still speaking to each other! (Though the sardines are a bit worse for the wear.) It's your typical bedroom farce with just about everyone losing their pants at some point and some pretty intricate prop juggling... not to mention a set that is pretty damned incredible. Every time I think about it, there's something else to get giddy about. (Forget that the soundtrack could have come from my own ipod!)
I'm so excited to finally get this show up and rolling, but I know I won't be ready for the run to end. It's a great crew, a great show and a great production. There's just something satisfying about the run of a good, solid comedy. As much as I love (and admittedly miss) my Shakespeare, I love my comedies and musicals. There are different levels of focus and intensity required for each of those three genres... and sometimes musicals and comedies seem to flow a bit easier through my veins. I'm not saying that they take more or less work... but it's a different kind of work... and it's the kind that doesn't always feel like work to me. I don't know if that makes any sense whatsoever, but hey... it's early in the morning during tech week, so don't expect me to make a whole lot of sense right now. I'm sleep-deprived and over-caffeinated!!
Also, if any of my peeps are reading this and want to see the show but don't think you can afford it, I have an 'arts card' that is reusable and good for 2 rush tickets at $10.00 each. You can only use it at 15 minutes prior to curtain, so it's not good for reserved seats... but there aren't really any 'bad' seats in the theatre, so it's worth it if you end up with a friend and a free night. Just call or text me and I'll hook you up. :)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Why I HATE banks...
I haven't had a normal, conventional bank account since around 2005.
Back in the day, our employer (MCI) had a direct-deposit program in which we got a credit/debit card that we used, but it wasn't linked to an actual checking account. Later, that company was acquired by Bank of America and we were required to have either a checking or savings account open to continue. We did... and stayed with BofA until they hiked up fees and changed their account structure... at which time, we decided to switch over to Wells Fargo.
Now Wells Fargo required that we have both a savings and a checking account with them but allowed us to get into the most basic account they had, which only had monthly fees of $8.00/mo. for checking and $3.00/mo. for the savings. Fees that would be waived if we transferred $25.00 into savings every month on autopay. Fine. No problem. I'm still a bit of a cynic, however, and don't like the concept of paying an institution $11.00/mo. to hold on to my money for me... only to have them tell me what to do with it. It just seems... strange. 99% of my banking is done online. I use my debit card and I have billpay set up for everything else. I go into branches if I have a cash deposit. That's it.
So anyhow... for the past 6-8 months, WF has been telling me that I qualify for an 'upgrade' on my checking account. I try (as politely as possible) to tell them that my current account more than suits my needs and that an upgrade isn't necessary at this time. I use every customer service and counter-sales technique I ever learned while working in communications. But these guys are mighty tenacious. I was getting daily calls from a personal banker... but all while I was in rehearsal... and alas, they are out of the office during my dinner break.
Imagine my surprise when I logged in this weekend to check my balance... only to find that TWO accounts had been opened and added to my login.
No one asked my permission or waited to talk to me in person. They just decided to open an additional checking and savings account. My 'upgrade'. No authorization required.
So I call... immediately.
After an incredibly insincere "OH, Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" (Puh-leeze, I'm an actress... I can tell when you're scripted.) The banker on the phone explains that the upgrade is 'automatic'... and now bumps up my monthly fees to $25.00 and requires minimum balances on both accounts of an additional $1000 in checking and $300 in savings.
WTF!!??
I asked her twice if it was a mandatory upgrade and she refused to answer me.
I explained (again, as politely as I could) that the only 'benefit' I could see to this upgrade is that Wells Fargo would make more money off of my accounts monthly and that I would have access to less of MY money at a greater cost to me per month. I asked her to explain why this would be a benefit to ME. She changed the subject.
I'm still fuming... which means I can't go into the branch right now. I would only end up demanding a manager and closing all of my accounts out of anger and indignation. (And I have too many automatic payments coming up in the next two weeks.) But I will have to go in there in the next day or two and try to find out how in the world someone is supposed to be able to protect themselves from the constant gouging and unauthorized account-opening. I hate that financial institutions have this much power and this much say. I was thrilled to hear about the judgment against Wells Fargo for posting transactions by largest dollar amount first instead of posting them chronologically. (They were doing this for nefarious purposes, trust me.)
Oh... and before they opened these new accounts for me, they ran a credit check. Without my knowledge or my permission.
I'm pissed.
I don't know much about the laws and policies regarding banks, but something tells me that this is NOT okay.
Banking should not be awkward. Just let me mind my business and my money and I'll ask for their help if and when I need it. Until then, it's not much work to maintain my measly balances. Certainly not worth more than what I already pay for the privilege of putting someone else in charge of watching my money.
Am I the only one that thinks this is ridiculous? Or am I just one step away from being one of those conspiracy-theorists with all of my liquid assets hidden under the mattress??
UPDATE: After three phone bankers and a branch manager, they actually let me keep my current accounts without any of their 'upgrades' and assured me that no changes would be made without my request. Grrrrrrrrr. But I'm calling it resolved. For now.
Back in the day, our employer (MCI) had a direct-deposit program in which we got a credit/debit card that we used, but it wasn't linked to an actual checking account. Later, that company was acquired by Bank of America and we were required to have either a checking or savings account open to continue. We did... and stayed with BofA until they hiked up fees and changed their account structure... at which time, we decided to switch over to Wells Fargo.
Now Wells Fargo required that we have both a savings and a checking account with them but allowed us to get into the most basic account they had, which only had monthly fees of $8.00/mo. for checking and $3.00/mo. for the savings. Fees that would be waived if we transferred $25.00 into savings every month on autopay. Fine. No problem. I'm still a bit of a cynic, however, and don't like the concept of paying an institution $11.00/mo. to hold on to my money for me... only to have them tell me what to do with it. It just seems... strange. 99% of my banking is done online. I use my debit card and I have billpay set up for everything else. I go into branches if I have a cash deposit. That's it.
So anyhow... for the past 6-8 months, WF has been telling me that I qualify for an 'upgrade' on my checking account. I try (as politely as possible) to tell them that my current account more than suits my needs and that an upgrade isn't necessary at this time. I use every customer service and counter-sales technique I ever learned while working in communications. But these guys are mighty tenacious. I was getting daily calls from a personal banker... but all while I was in rehearsal... and alas, they are out of the office during my dinner break.
Imagine my surprise when I logged in this weekend to check my balance... only to find that TWO accounts had been opened and added to my login.
No one asked my permission or waited to talk to me in person. They just decided to open an additional checking and savings account. My 'upgrade'. No authorization required.
So I call... immediately.
After an incredibly insincere "OH, Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" (Puh-leeze, I'm an actress... I can tell when you're scripted.) The banker on the phone explains that the upgrade is 'automatic'... and now bumps up my monthly fees to $25.00 and requires minimum balances on both accounts of an additional $1000 in checking and $300 in savings.
WTF!!??
I asked her twice if it was a mandatory upgrade and she refused to answer me.
I explained (again, as politely as I could) that the only 'benefit' I could see to this upgrade is that Wells Fargo would make more money off of my accounts monthly and that I would have access to less of MY money at a greater cost to me per month. I asked her to explain why this would be a benefit to ME. She changed the subject.
I'm still fuming... which means I can't go into the branch right now. I would only end up demanding a manager and closing all of my accounts out of anger and indignation. (And I have too many automatic payments coming up in the next two weeks.) But I will have to go in there in the next day or two and try to find out how in the world someone is supposed to be able to protect themselves from the constant gouging and unauthorized account-opening. I hate that financial institutions have this much power and this much say. I was thrilled to hear about the judgment against Wells Fargo for posting transactions by largest dollar amount first instead of posting them chronologically. (They were doing this for nefarious purposes, trust me.)
Oh... and before they opened these new accounts for me, they ran a credit check. Without my knowledge or my permission.
I'm pissed.
I don't know much about the laws and policies regarding banks, but something tells me that this is NOT okay.
Banking should not be awkward. Just let me mind my business and my money and I'll ask for their help if and when I need it. Until then, it's not much work to maintain my measly balances. Certainly not worth more than what I already pay for the privilege of putting someone else in charge of watching my money.
Am I the only one that thinks this is ridiculous? Or am I just one step away from being one of those conspiracy-theorists with all of my liquid assets hidden under the mattress??
UPDATE: After three phone bankers and a branch manager, they actually let me keep my current accounts without any of their 'upgrades' and assured me that no changes would be made without my request. Grrrrrrrrr. But I'm calling it resolved. For now.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Drama and the DVR
Ever since I've known of their existence, I've been a devoted customer of the DVR. I never owned a TiVo, because we've always had Cox for internet and cable. (And not always by choice.)
Because rehearsals and shows are typically in the evenings, it's difficult to get into any given television series. Unless we are interested beforehand, we don't record the pilot episode and thus, we don't get reeled in like the rest of our 'normal' peers.
I'm in the midst of rehearsals for 'Noises Off', which opens in two weeks at Phoenix Theatre. For those that don't know much about the show, it's a British farce that follows an acting company for several months on their tour of 'Nothing On'. (A heavily prop-laden sex farce.) It is most definitely a comedy and has a cast of hard-hitting comedic geniuses... and me. I play the Assistant Stage Manager, and since the show revolves around the acting company, my role isn't a particularly demanding one. Rehearsals are a blast! I belly-laugh at least once every 30 minutes or so... as much for what is being said and done behind-the-scenes as is in the show.
Because it's a comedy (and a farce) it requires a bit more 'working energy' than most shows. (This isn't a real term, it's just something I made up.) But by 'working energy', I mean that you have to rehearse some things at 'show speed' in order for them to work. Physical comedy especially requires this kind of consideration or the timing is more likely to lag or get pushed when the variables of actor adrenaline and audience energy come into play.
And so, our rehearsals have a rhythm to them in which there are hyperbursts of activity followed by periods of talking things through and notating or working out changes in blocking or travel patterns. It can be akin to circuit training at the gym. Taking into consideration that the set is two stories with three sets of stairs... and one can appreciate the physical requirements of the cast. And we rehearse for about seven hours a day, six days a week.
As a result, I'm usually still pretty pumped when I get home from rehearsal. It takes a while for me to wind down, but I've got it down to a fairly standard routine.
Cue the DVR.
I have my shows. From So You Think You Can Dance to Hell's Kitchen to Top Chef to Project Runway... My routine has been to come home, strip off my smelly rehearsal clothes, perhaps pour a glass of wine... and watch my show (whichever it may be that day of the week.)
I was particularly looking forward to my post-rehearsal wind-down today because it is Wednesday. And Wednesday means performance night on SYTYCD. Woot.
Except for one thing...
My DVR had gotten backed up and ran out of space. One hour into my two-hour show.
Seriously, universe? Seriously, DVR?
It's the freakin' FINALE!! We're down to THREE!
After acting out a very intricate and angry pantomime (including the strangulation of my remote control), I realized that instead of winding down, I had indeed worked myself into a frenzy.
So much for getting to bed at a decent time tonight.
I'm left to watch Confessions of Animal Hoarders... which is only succeeding in working me up more. I think it might be time to resort to the wine. :)
Because rehearsals and shows are typically in the evenings, it's difficult to get into any given television series. Unless we are interested beforehand, we don't record the pilot episode and thus, we don't get reeled in like the rest of our 'normal' peers.
I'm in the midst of rehearsals for 'Noises Off', which opens in two weeks at Phoenix Theatre. For those that don't know much about the show, it's a British farce that follows an acting company for several months on their tour of 'Nothing On'. (A heavily prop-laden sex farce.) It is most definitely a comedy and has a cast of hard-hitting comedic geniuses... and me. I play the Assistant Stage Manager, and since the show revolves around the acting company, my role isn't a particularly demanding one. Rehearsals are a blast! I belly-laugh at least once every 30 minutes or so... as much for what is being said and done behind-the-scenes as is in the show.
Because it's a comedy (and a farce) it requires a bit more 'working energy' than most shows. (This isn't a real term, it's just something I made up.) But by 'working energy', I mean that you have to rehearse some things at 'show speed' in order for them to work. Physical comedy especially requires this kind of consideration or the timing is more likely to lag or get pushed when the variables of actor adrenaline and audience energy come into play.
And so, our rehearsals have a rhythm to them in which there are hyperbursts of activity followed by periods of talking things through and notating or working out changes in blocking or travel patterns. It can be akin to circuit training at the gym. Taking into consideration that the set is two stories with three sets of stairs... and one can appreciate the physical requirements of the cast. And we rehearse for about seven hours a day, six days a week.
As a result, I'm usually still pretty pumped when I get home from rehearsal. It takes a while for me to wind down, but I've got it down to a fairly standard routine.
Cue the DVR.
I have my shows. From So You Think You Can Dance to Hell's Kitchen to Top Chef to Project Runway... My routine has been to come home, strip off my smelly rehearsal clothes, perhaps pour a glass of wine... and watch my show (whichever it may be that day of the week.)
I was particularly looking forward to my post-rehearsal wind-down today because it is Wednesday. And Wednesday means performance night on SYTYCD. Woot.
Except for one thing...
My DVR had gotten backed up and ran out of space. One hour into my two-hour show.
Seriously, universe? Seriously, DVR?
It's the freakin' FINALE!! We're down to THREE!
After acting out a very intricate and angry pantomime (including the strangulation of my remote control), I realized that instead of winding down, I had indeed worked myself into a frenzy.
So much for getting to bed at a decent time tonight.
I'm left to watch Confessions of Animal Hoarders... which is only succeeding in working me up more. I think it might be time to resort to the wine. :)
Friday, August 6, 2010
That's farce! That's theatre! That's life.
So rehearsals have once again taken over my life.
Slightly more hours than a full-time job, I'm at the theatre for eight and a half hours (minus one hour for dinner break) seven days a week. And once again, I couldn't be happier.
The cast is amazing... not just in talent and experience alone, but really stellar people to boot. I'll admit to being a bit intimidated, but that takes a far second-place to the excitement. Luckily, I've been exhausted with the combination of starting school with the kids, working at home, and rehearsing for the entire second half of the day... so I have been able to avoid *most* of the annoying habits that begin to creep in when I get overanxious.
I'm confident with my lines, which makes all the difference in the world. The show is a fast-paced farce with a bunch of physical comedy, so it was difficult to get off-book for some scenes and they're still sketchy in my head, but once blocked, will make sense. Most of it has everything to do with timing.
I'm not as solid on my 'character' as I'd like to be (or typically would be this far into the process) but there's room for ambiguity in some sense, due to the sheer farcical nature of the play alone. I'd say that mine is one of the more minor characters, but when you're dealing with an 'ensemble' show like this, everyone is essential.
It's also a dialect show, so I get to watch the BBC for 'research', which is fabulous because some of my favorite shows are on the BBC anyhow. ('You Are What You Eat' and anything with Gordon Ramsay for starters.) Win!
My brain is fried, however, and I can't seem to get a handle on half of my other at-home projects in progress. They will most likely be on hold until production begins.
The new pup gets a little depressed when I leave, which is both sad and adorable. Having settled in, she's now testing boundaries and learning the rules. She definitely wants to learn and she's both food and affection-motivated, which makes her infinitely easy to train. Unfortunately, I'm not 'firm' enough with her. I don't get firm until I get frustrated and when I'm frustrated, I don't project the 'in control' energy I need to in order to get the results I'm after. At least, according to Cesar Milan... but I honestly think that he's successful because dogs know deep down that he can kick their ass. I don't have that advantage.
In the meantime, I'm off for another rehearsal. Act I is blocked and will be run today. (Woot!) The weekend will bring more rehearsals and a few photo shoots. (One being an engagement shoot that I'm super excited about!)
We open in three weeks. Holy crap.
Come see it. It's a laugh riot!!
Noises Off
www.phoenixtheatre.com
Slightly more hours than a full-time job, I'm at the theatre for eight and a half hours (minus one hour for dinner break) seven days a week. And once again, I couldn't be happier.
The cast is amazing... not just in talent and experience alone, but really stellar people to boot. I'll admit to being a bit intimidated, but that takes a far second-place to the excitement. Luckily, I've been exhausted with the combination of starting school with the kids, working at home, and rehearsing for the entire second half of the day... so I have been able to avoid *most* of the annoying habits that begin to creep in when I get overanxious.
I'm confident with my lines, which makes all the difference in the world. The show is a fast-paced farce with a bunch of physical comedy, so it was difficult to get off-book for some scenes and they're still sketchy in my head, but once blocked, will make sense. Most of it has everything to do with timing.
I'm not as solid on my 'character' as I'd like to be (or typically would be this far into the process) but there's room for ambiguity in some sense, due to the sheer farcical nature of the play alone. I'd say that mine is one of the more minor characters, but when you're dealing with an 'ensemble' show like this, everyone is essential.
It's also a dialect show, so I get to watch the BBC for 'research', which is fabulous because some of my favorite shows are on the BBC anyhow. ('You Are What You Eat' and anything with Gordon Ramsay for starters.) Win!
My brain is fried, however, and I can't seem to get a handle on half of my other at-home projects in progress. They will most likely be on hold until production begins.
The new pup gets a little depressed when I leave, which is both sad and adorable. Having settled in, she's now testing boundaries and learning the rules. She definitely wants to learn and she's both food and affection-motivated, which makes her infinitely easy to train. Unfortunately, I'm not 'firm' enough with her. I don't get firm until I get frustrated and when I'm frustrated, I don't project the 'in control' energy I need to in order to get the results I'm after. At least, according to Cesar Milan... but I honestly think that he's successful because dogs know deep down that he can kick their ass. I don't have that advantage.
In the meantime, I'm off for another rehearsal. Act I is blocked and will be run today. (Woot!) The weekend will bring more rehearsals and a few photo shoots. (One being an engagement shoot that I'm super excited about!)
We open in three weeks. Holy crap.
Come see it. It's a laugh riot!!
Noises Off
www.phoenixtheatre.com
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sleep-Deprivation and the Snooze Button
So, I've had a bad case of baby fever lately.
And I mean... BAD.
In addition to turning 35 this year and having both of my children officially in High School, I've been around scores of pregnant ladies in the past year (with the increase in belly-casting and maternity photos) which has NOT helped.
I loved being pregnant. It was a double-edged sword in that my first pregnancy was unexpected and out-of-wedlock, so I felt more shame than joy through that process... except for the private moments in which I felt free to marvel in the miracle of life. Being married by my second pregnancy, I could then unabashedly enjoy being fat and uncomfortable in all of its rotund glory. And I did! Though my second pregnancy was physically more difficult than my first (borderline diabetes and toxemia through the second half) I still loved every moment of it. My first experience with suppositories was a result of being pregnant. Ah.... the good ol' days.
And so it is that my biological clock has been ticking. Loudly.
Now my lifestyle is NOT one that is conducive to having a newborn. I don't make enough money nor have good enough health insurance. My house hasn't been baby-proofed in over 8 years. I'd definitely have to take a break from theatre. (Save for the 4 months that I could capitalize on being a pregnant mom for commercials or print jobs.) But you get my drift...
With every milestone my children have reached, I've gained a new aspect of freedom and independence. I selfishly hoard that freedom and independence to binge on my passions and throw myself wholly into the play or the project that I'm working on. Not because my children have become lesser in priority, but because they are more independent and self-sufficient themselves. I can't imagine a job and a full-time theatre schedule with a newborn. Or even a part-time theatre schedule with a newborn. I did one show when my son was an infant. I remember wearing him in a papoose during rehearsals and either breastfeeding or pumping during breaks. It wasn't a 'bad' experience, but it was one that left me so tired and harried that I ended up taking about five years off from theatre after that.
In all of my wisdom and psychological analysis, I had decided about a year or so ago that I would effectively hit the 'snooze' button on my biological clock.
By getting a dog.
We attempted to adopt my brother's dog at one point, but the poor pooch hadn't really been exposed to living with cats and was far too aggressive towards our spoiled felines. And so we put it off until we could find the right dog at the right time.
Both Jay and I are advocates for rescue animals and we knew that it would probably take some time before we found the right rescue for our family. One that would be good with the kids and the cats... not too horribly traumatized or abused, young enough to have a decent number of years with us... I was starting to think that we weren't likely to find anything that suited our collective requirements. Until friends of ours ended up with a stray that they couldn't keep.
Our 'infant' is a mix of Sharpei and something else (we suspect Pointer or Doberman) and is assimilating nicely. The cats are slowly and gradually getting used to the excited energy of a year old pup in the house.
I, on the other hand, forgot how much I loathe being up at 6am on my weekend off.
The day after picking her up, we were at the vet with her for a full check-up... and aside from a dry coat and pads (from exposure), she's perfectly healthy. And the more comfortable and spirited she gets, the more sleep-deprived I am.
I wake up randomly when I hear the flap of the dog door or feel her stir in my bed. Rather than feeling the sticky fingers of a toddler, I wake up to a wet tongue on my face and dog breath.
Gross.
Instead of stocking the cupboards with Enfamil, rice cereal and Nilla Wafers, I have an entire cabinet full of pig ears, rawhide bones, and Pupperoni. For the record, those pig ears... both sticky and slick from the thin layer of grease/animal fat with the little hairs still stickin' out of 'em... *almost* as gross as nasty baby diapers. Seriously... the pooch loves them, but they are FOUL!
She is a snuggler. I can't keep her off the couch or the bed. She has to be where the people are (I'm sure part of this is just the adjustment) and she's housetrained, *almost* leash trained, and knows 'no' and 'sit'. (By default, if you tell her 'no', she'll sit automatically.) She's curious, but not aggressive towards the cats. Last week, she was introduced to a squealing baby and couldn't have been more gentle or precious to her. Anyhow, she's smart. And with some basic obedience training, she's gonna be super awesome.
We just have to work on this early-in-the-morning thing.
And keeping her out of the cat food.
And the cat poop.
And my shoes.
Well, at least I don't have to breastfeed or hire a sitter when we go out to dinner tonight!
It's the little victories. ;)
And I mean... BAD.
In addition to turning 35 this year and having both of my children officially in High School, I've been around scores of pregnant ladies in the past year (with the increase in belly-casting and maternity photos) which has NOT helped.
I loved being pregnant. It was a double-edged sword in that my first pregnancy was unexpected and out-of-wedlock, so I felt more shame than joy through that process... except for the private moments in which I felt free to marvel in the miracle of life. Being married by my second pregnancy, I could then unabashedly enjoy being fat and uncomfortable in all of its rotund glory. And I did! Though my second pregnancy was physically more difficult than my first (borderline diabetes and toxemia through the second half) I still loved every moment of it. My first experience with suppositories was a result of being pregnant. Ah.... the good ol' days.
And so it is that my biological clock has been ticking. Loudly.
Now my lifestyle is NOT one that is conducive to having a newborn. I don't make enough money nor have good enough health insurance. My house hasn't been baby-proofed in over 8 years. I'd definitely have to take a break from theatre. (Save for the 4 months that I could capitalize on being a pregnant mom for commercials or print jobs.) But you get my drift...
With every milestone my children have reached, I've gained a new aspect of freedom and independence. I selfishly hoard that freedom and independence to binge on my passions and throw myself wholly into the play or the project that I'm working on. Not because my children have become lesser in priority, but because they are more independent and self-sufficient themselves. I can't imagine a job and a full-time theatre schedule with a newborn. Or even a part-time theatre schedule with a newborn. I did one show when my son was an infant. I remember wearing him in a papoose during rehearsals and either breastfeeding or pumping during breaks. It wasn't a 'bad' experience, but it was one that left me so tired and harried that I ended up taking about five years off from theatre after that.
In all of my wisdom and psychological analysis, I had decided about a year or so ago that I would effectively hit the 'snooze' button on my biological clock.
By getting a dog.
We attempted to adopt my brother's dog at one point, but the poor pooch hadn't really been exposed to living with cats and was far too aggressive towards our spoiled felines. And so we put it off until we could find the right dog at the right time.
Both Jay and I are advocates for rescue animals and we knew that it would probably take some time before we found the right rescue for our family. One that would be good with the kids and the cats... not too horribly traumatized or abused, young enough to have a decent number of years with us... I was starting to think that we weren't likely to find anything that suited our collective requirements. Until friends of ours ended up with a stray that they couldn't keep.
Our 'infant' is a mix of Sharpei and something else (we suspect Pointer or Doberman) and is assimilating nicely. The cats are slowly and gradually getting used to the excited energy of a year old pup in the house.
I, on the other hand, forgot how much I loathe being up at 6am on my weekend off.
The day after picking her up, we were at the vet with her for a full check-up... and aside from a dry coat and pads (from exposure), she's perfectly healthy. And the more comfortable and spirited she gets, the more sleep-deprived I am.
I wake up randomly when I hear the flap of the dog door or feel her stir in my bed. Rather than feeling the sticky fingers of a toddler, I wake up to a wet tongue on my face and dog breath.
Gross.
Instead of stocking the cupboards with Enfamil, rice cereal and Nilla Wafers, I have an entire cabinet full of pig ears, rawhide bones, and Pupperoni. For the record, those pig ears... both sticky and slick from the thin layer of grease/animal fat with the little hairs still stickin' out of 'em... *almost* as gross as nasty baby diapers. Seriously... the pooch loves them, but they are FOUL!
She is a snuggler. I can't keep her off the couch or the bed. She has to be where the people are (I'm sure part of this is just the adjustment) and she's housetrained, *almost* leash trained, and knows 'no' and 'sit'. (By default, if you tell her 'no', she'll sit automatically.) She's curious, but not aggressive towards the cats. Last week, she was introduced to a squealing baby and couldn't have been more gentle or precious to her. Anyhow, she's smart. And with some basic obedience training, she's gonna be super awesome.
We just have to work on this early-in-the-morning thing.
And keeping her out of the cat food.
And the cat poop.
And my shoes.
Well, at least I don't have to breastfeed or hire a sitter when we go out to dinner tonight!
It's the little victories. ;)
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