Back to the grind…
Had a few days off, but back to work!
Most performances after a few days off are a little rough, but this time it went very well.
The major difference though was everyone wasn’t sleep deprived, which makes a huge difference backstage.
Anybut, tomorrow is a two show day, a matinee at 2pm and an evening performance at 8pm. Hooray!
I have a lot of books…
Surprise, surprise, insert book lover joke here.
But I do have a lot of books. A lot I haven’t read but have owned for years. And yet, when i want to read something…I tend to grab the books I’ve already read.
Maybe it’s because I don’t have to worry about being let down. Maybe it’s a nervous tick of not wanting to read a highly praised book and hating it even when everyone I know loved it (for me, Gone Girl was a slog to get through and I definitely did not enjoy it).
Or maybe it’s because once I actually read all the books I currently own…there’s nothing to stop me from buying more in bulk.
Oh well, time to read Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence for the hundredth time. (If you don’t know that book and like fantasy with an antihero protagonist…check it out. Highly recommended)
I love pizza…
If I could eat only pizza every day for the rest of my life…that would be great.
This has been a random food update.
By some miracle…
I have no cavities! I’m shocked only because…I mean, I honestly thought I would have them.
But no. Cavity-free!!
My gums aren’t that great, but I knew that already and will start working on that (especially since I have to go back for a deep clean and to get the chipped tooth situated).
Anybut, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.
HOWEVER! My previous post on The Dentist still stands! (shameless plug alert)
Can’t sleep…
To be fair it’s because I’m sitting here listening to music.
Specific music.
Six: The Musical.
It’s a musical about the six wives of King Henry VIII…as rock stars. It’s freakin’ good! Not Tony Award winning (in my opinion) good, but it’s one of those shows that you can listen to over and over.
Somebody explained the history of the musical to me (something about how the creators wrote the whole thing in college and it became a hit…on their first go).
Anybut, I’m obsessed right now and can’t sleep.
I highly suggest checking it out. It’s an interesting mix of history with modern music styles and references.
Favorite songs: Heart of Stone, Get Down, and Don’t Lose Ur Head
But honestly ALL the songs are amazing.
This post is me procrastinating…
A lot of my random posts are me procrastinating, but this one is truthfully me procrastinating.
You see, a friend of mine has asked me to be a beta reader for her book that she’s co-written with another author. I’ve read it twice now. First time to just read it and get overall, general notes. Second time, to get a few more standout notes.
And now I’m going through with major edits.
“That doesn’t sound like procrastination to me,” I’m sure you’re thinking. Well, for me it is. Major edits are rough. There’s a fine balancing act between being over knit picky, grammar correction, mean comments (i.e frustration coming out in the note), and giving helpful, constructive criticism.
I love the book. I enjoy going through and helping fine tune it. I love the story, I love the characters….but I also understand how defensive some people can be about their works.
Especially since my friend told me this was their favorite book they’ve written so far….ooh boy. That means I really have to tread lightly in how I phrase my comments. There are some things I will be harsh about only because they’re repetitive. Repetitive mistakes can frustrate readers and I want to help them avoid doing that.
But I’ve reached the point where I need to step back…..and procrastinate. Why? Because I’m realizing that I’m going to have to read it a fourth time through for continuity. I’ve been editing continuity, but I’m realizing that there are so many that are only continuity issues because: Something is mentioned in one sentence, ONE SENTENCE, and the author is expecting the reader to remember this information five chapters later….no. Especially if the sentence isn’t an eye catching sentence. I, the reader, will not remember this information and will think the author just pulled it out of thin air.
To be fair, my friend also has an editor who is being paid to do the really major edits. But I’m trying to take the side of a reader. What will stand out to readers? What will be confusing for readers? With a few standout grammatical corrections thrown in.
The other issue is, I’m running out of time. I need to get the book back to them with my edits soon so they can make the adjustments they want and forward it on to said editor.
I’m extremely proud of my friend for the hard work she’s clearly put into this book. Writing is hard. And having people come in and be critical of your work is difficult (I know the feeling with my own writing).
Anybut, now I’m going to pretend like I’m going back to book but will actually watch a few more YouTube videos before finally getting the job done. And deciding whether I actually will read through the book again…
Wish me luck.
I have to go to the dentist tomorrow…
I’m terrified.
I chipped my tooth a while back (like weeks ago) and the only time available was tomorrow. Why the delay? A) the dentist was out of town and B) their the office on my insurance card.
There’s no pain from my chipped tooth. But I know I’m going to get an earful for waiting so long.
I mean if dentists wanted people to come in more frequently they shouldn’t be so mean.
Okay, to be fair, I haven’t been to this dentist office yet. But almost all offices I have been to I’ve always left feeling like a failure. I understand the desire to scare someone into taking care of their teeth, but that doesn’t work on everyone.
Especially not me. I already know I don’t do a good job at it. What I need is them to tell my why. Am I using the wrong brush? Should I be using a specific toothpaste? Instead, I’m shamed. I’m made to feel like a failure.
And then I don’t want to go back.
“If you were doing a good job it wouldn’t be so bad.”
HA! Joke’s on you! Even when I used to go and had no plaque and no cavities I was still shamed! Comment deflected.
Anybut, I’m terrified for tomorrow. I don’t want to cry in front the dentist….again.
That went better…
Nothing was knocked over so that’s good. Had to repair a few things, but nothing too severe.
There was an opening party in the lobby, but I haven’t had a day off from this show for over a week…..so I chose to just go home and take a nap.
Good choice.
Anybut, I’ll have 4 days off now until our next performance.
Hooray!
Well, that was an interesting performance…
Live theater is a unique beast. It doesn’t matter how many times you rehearse it, something new always seems to happen.
And sometimes…and actor slips and knocks the entire ground row over.
For those not in the know, a ground row is literally a background set piece on the ground up stage (the back of the stage) to simulate a landscape. Think of the hills of Oklahoma! or for those not in theater, a wooden cutout in the shape of hills, mountains, etc.
Anybut, the actor slipped and ran into the ground row, knocking it all over. Luckily, the show we’re doing is a comedy and our lead came right in with some lines to make the audience laugh….
But this wasn’t any old performance. This was our Press Opening. Which means reviewers were in the audience……well, at least we’ll stand out.
One more show tomorrow and then I get four days off.
Tonight was our first audience…
We had a short rehearsal this afternoon. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.
And then we suddenly had an audience.
And then we made it through the show! The audience sounded very receptive and were very loud at the moments we expected…and a few we didn’t.
Can’t wait to officially open tomorrow!
A Joy on the Up Days...Self Control: Needs Improvement 