Adventures In Little Rock: Vol. 4

Today is a day of double shows and I should be warming up so I have some semblance of a voice for the matinee, but I overslept and feel bad for neglecting my blog so much on this trip.

I have been writing, but most of it has been for what will eventually be an actual, real-life, honest-to-goodness novel... someday. I'm just waiting for the Blue Fairy to appear and tell me 'what' it's supposed to be and how to get it there. But she's an elusive creature and has yet to tap me on the head with her magic wand. So for now... I just write... and rewrite... and edit... and write some more.

Today, one of my best gal pals from Jr. High and High School (Ann) and her husband are driving down to Little Rock to see the show. I haven't seen 'AnnieM' (as I used to call her in my best Judy Garland) since our chance meeting at a gas station one week after we graduated High School. So it has been... oh... 17 years. Holy crap!!

Ann and I bonded in Jr. High when we both found ourselves at the mercy of the same nasty, ugly, red-headed bully. We had known each other from sharing a few classes, but nothing bonds two people like a common enemy. Besides which, Ann was a quiet, unassuming, gentle spirit who wouldn't hurt a fly... so the fact that this girl wanted to 'beat us up' was less threatening and more comical at that point. (But still traumatic to 13 and 14 year olds.)

We both loved 'written word' artistry and the performing arts. She and I would skip and dance down the halls of school singing,
"Three little maids from school are we,
Pert as a school-girl well can be,
Filled to the brim with girlish glee,
Three little maids from school!"
as we discussed the kinds of boys we'd like to marry someday and what kind of houses our husbands would build us. (Yes, I think I actually believed for a time that I'd end up with the kind of husband who would build me a pretty little ranch house somewhere green and woodsy... no picket fence... just acreage.)

Her parents took us on a road trip the summer before our Sophomore year to visit Ann's grandma. We visited the 'Natural Bridge' for some hiking and natural sight-seeing where the cool, clear waters of the creek called to us. We opted to ignore all of the signs posted by the park service and skinny dip anyway. Luckily, we only got into minimal trouble for that one.

Throughout our High School years, we took on different interests. I didn't want to just sing the Mikado, I wanted to be IN it. So, while choir and drama and dance took over my life, Ann delved into tennis and student government. Our paths continued to cross in our mutual Honors classes, and our civilized upbringing and our derelict senses of humor continued to keep our friendship intact.

And so it is... 17 years later... that I ended up in her current state of residence doing a raucous musical.

She and her husband are driving down to Little Rock to see tonight's show after which we will try to catch up on the past (almost) two decades over cocktails or brunch before they drive back home tomorrow.
There's something comforting about knowing that even though I'm far from home... there are elements of home (and my ever distant youth) that are still accessible.

It's also a blessing to know that good friends are always good friends... no matter the time or distance between us.

Today's show will be dedicated to Jr. High bullies and the hopes that they are happier now than they were then.
Tonight's show will be dedicated to the friendships that stand the test of time.

And on that note, I must end this entry to apply some garish blue eyeshadow. :)

Merde!