Happy Labor Day

We had a nice time at the beach with my family. It wasn't long enough. It was good to spend time especially with my parents, who don't seem to be themselves these days. Mom's not feeling well, it the cancer on her spine that is hurting her and she's not taking anything for it. I would guess there's going to be another round of chemotherapy in her near future. I hate chemotherapy. It is awful. Daddy's really upset at his loss of mobility. He got a diagnosis of Generalized Periphial something-or-other Neuropathy.

We went to see a show at the Alabama Theatre on Monday night. It was so crowded. I was terribly afraid that Dad was going to take a fall. He almost fell down a short stack of stairs outside the theatre, but I was behind him and caught him under his right shoulder until he got steady.

While I was away, we received notice at work that we have been granted a six month extension . . . so this job goes on until March. I'm going to have a busy day preparing that budget. But that's fun work for me.

My first rehearsal with the cast of PetPourri is on Tuesday. I can't wait.

All the best,
Vig

Goin' on Vacation

Yep. The show is cast. Three of the four have a rehearsal next week. We begin regular rehearsals on Tuesday after Labor Day. And we open on October 17! That's a short turn around. But it is more than doable.

Rolf and I are going with the family to Myrtle Beach for a few days. They're all staying for a week, but Rolf and I return on Tuesday.

There's so much to do. So many balls in the air right now.

Wow.

The Show is Cast!

I've cast the show! We don't even need to have call-backs! The cast's age-range is 35-55 - it's a wider span than I'd hoped - but I'm still very excited. I've got the former Mrs. Walker, who I've done Tommy and The Last Five Years, and I have my friend Leta Encore, with whom I've done, Pippin, Ruthless, all my training at The Studio Theatre Conservatory, three BackYard Benefits, plus a bunch of trips to the outer banks. I don't know the boys, but they have fine voices and seem to be very funny.

Now that that is done, I'm busy preparing rehearsal calendars, other schedules, while preparing for a short vacation that begins on Friday. We're headed to Myrtle Beach, SC for a few days with my parents, my sister, her children and their families. Hooray!

All the best,
Vig

What Me Worry?

My cast from Ruthless! gave me that poster. It's signed on the back by all of them. I just brought it to work the other day. It's behind my office door, so nobody has seen it . . . yet.

I went in to auditions very early and got everything set up. I opened all the windows and turned on all the fans because there is no air conditioning. And I kept saying to myself "I am the possibility of excitement and creativity!" And that's who I was too.

I treated the auditions like it was a celebratory party, and we all had a great time. There were lots of laughs and great singing. I had no sopranos though. So I called my friend Leta Encore, and told her she had to audition tonight. And that is great. So, given what I've seen already, and with Leta coming too, I can cast the show. Would it be alright if I just canceled the auditions for tonight?

Well, I have much to do. All the best,
Vig

Casting Begins

I am a little shaky today. It's nerves. I start the casting process tonight for PetPourri. My team is coming together. I still need a stage manager and a costumer, which sucks, but it will come together. I'm trying to eat something now. I haven't been eating much. I guess it's the heat.

So, I need to revise the audition form today. Try to stay calm. I'm not happy that I can't do the auditions while having martinis. As a matter fact, I'm very worried about being a functioning alcoholic for eighteen hour days without a drink. I am *so* not in a good place with that.

Today, I need to revise the audition form, create a weekly campaign sheet, . . . I don't know, there's a lot.

I'm really trying to get my head space to be positive and excited. Tonight may be an "act as if" exercise. Act as if I am really excited and sure this is going to be great . . . and believe it later.

I'm supposed to go on a short little vacation with my folks this Saturday. I don't know how that can work out. I've got no leave available at work, I need to start rehearsals on Saturday. I'd hate to miss the first rehearsal - but I really can set it up as a music rehearsal instead until I get back. Then my first rehearsal with them would be on Wednesday - the last rehearsal before the labor day weekend break. Then we get started big on the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Oh, I really am scared.

Here we go!

I am the possibility of Excitement, Creativity, and Impeccable Success!

Believe it, be it.

email from the boss - oh the stress

Folks,

Some are convinced that rumor brought down Bear Stearns. While debatable, I do believe it contributed to Bear’s demise. As such, I would like to dispel or quench some on going rumors regarding the contract re-compete.

The rumor appears to suggest that {redacted} is currently already negotiating with the winner of this re-compete. We honestly do not have any evidence that would support that notion. So those in the know would do everyone a big favor by presenting some supporting evidences so that the resume writing campaign can start in earnest. If you don’t have the fact, please refrain from making any unfounded tales. It is not professional and not healthy to the organization.

There is an on-going protest on the "A" contract. GAO will render a decision on or before October 27, 2008. Again, there is no evidence that the protest has any impact on the "B" contract award.

Our contract expires on September 5, 2008. We have written a letter to the Contracting Officer inquiring about their plan upon the expiration. No answer has been given to us yet. We will follow up with {redacted} in a day or so. Do remember that our contract extension last year was prepared a week before expiration and the extension contract was signed on September 4, 2008. Until we get an answer, it is business as usual and I would advise that you go ahead and book those airline tickets and hotels. I am not worried about not getting paid.

I will share with you any information regarding the above when they become available. Until then, the only rumors you should listen to are those spread by Fleetwood Mac.

Thanks.

{signed by the boss}

I love this shot! It looks like Bugs Bunny is wearing a Capitol Dome Hat.

We went to the National Mall last night for a picnic and a movie. Puck and Memae joined us. The movie was Superman. When he said he would fight for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way", everyone applauded.

It's a shame they had to take that phrase out of the last Superman movie because the international viewership wasn't fond of The American Way any more.

Wolf Trap

oh god.

I'm directing PetPourri. It goes up in October, but auditions in a week and a half. I need staff!

Let's see. The air conditioner is broken at home.

We still have the Richmond house . . . and mortgage payment.

And the contract us up at my job. I don't know if we're getting an extension or not. I don't know if the company I work for is going to win the recompete. And I don't know where I'll be working in the fall.

I'm scared.