Once Bitten

Klamath, CA

Hello Friends!

I am surrounded by giant redwoods, the Pacific is only 1/2 a mile away, and a giant Paul Bunyan and Babe is right outside my window. Yup I am in Northern California. It is strangely fall like here right now with constant drizzle and grey clouds here, isn't it almost July!?

Last week went very well. We got a really great cast and now we feel like we finally have a good grasp on the show. The only small hiccup was performing outside. The stage itself was a portable elevated stage but backstage was on a baseball field and all of our costumes and set got ridiculously dirty. Also the only bathroom was a honey bucket, we were terrified that the toilet would eat a few costume pieces, thankfully, it did not.

I did get to experience a first last week - always something new on the road. On Thursday I started noticing small spots on my skin. I thought "Oh this must be like a mosquito or something" but over the next few mornings I started noticing more and more and some of the spots were merging into blotches. They weren't itchy or irritating just strange, "Hmmmm..." I thought, "I don't have allergies, I really haven't been outside, what could it be?". Then it dawned on me - "BED BUGS!!!!"

Sure enough after much online research it matched. I must have been lucky to only be sharing my bed with a few because some cases look just vile. I am happy to say the redness is going away and everything of mine has been washed. You can see in the picture of my hand some good bumps near my knuckles and wrist. I had more on my arms and back, thankfully none were in my swimsuit area.

Oh the joys of the road.

The Adventure Continues - ML

Snow Whiters

Lake Oswego, OR

Hello Friends Again,

Since I don't have any pictures (yet) of this past weekend exploits I thought I would share this picture. It is yours truly with the four Snow White teams I had the great honor of training earlier this month.

For better or worse they some how took my scattered and addled knowledge and are now full blown TAD's on the road. God help them. They are a great bunch and any town would be lucky to have them pull up in their little red truck!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Jelly Days and Napa Nights

Lake Oswego, OR

Hello Friends,

Back in the good old Pacific Northwest! I do love me this area and it feels great to see green everywhere and smell that fresh air (albeit the hotel is right next to the interstate, but hey, it's a Crowne Plaza so I can't complain too much). We have finished one week with Secret Garden and it went very well. With a crazy four days rehearsal and an audience of almost 400, I admit I was a little terrified as I took stage Friday (I was even losing my voice!) but when all was said and done the kids did great and as they always say at the home office, "No matter what, you will always have a show come show day."

Since we did have a Friday show we had all day to run-a-muck around the northern central area of California. What happened to be none too far from the front gates of Travis AFB? THE JELLY BELLY FACTORY!!!

Not gonna lie, anticipation was a bit high as we pulled into the colorful parking lot on Jell Belly Lane (that was a treat to be heard said by the GPS). Spirits remained high as did my many references of being in "Charlie in the Chocolate Factory" (all of which were lost of Calida, where is Kepler when you need him!?). Then we got to the line and the millions of screaming children and the wind fell from my sails faster then you could "Very Cherry" (There most popular Jelly Belly).

I know I am getting older and my old man gene is developing quite nicely, however, since a larger part of my job is child crowd control it is really hard to be in public places were children are roaming free liek "Lord of the Flies". After many glares from Calida to relax and enjoy the day off I let the little sugar addict spawns bother me no more, because it was tour time and it was FREE!

Oh but the the factory wasn't in production because they were doing their yearly maintenance...

So most of the tour was like this "To your right is where our Jelly Bellies are sorted in a cornacophia of color and joy, or at least they normally would be..." Still it was a free tour with lots of samples and tons of factoids so while I sound old and bitter it was still a lot of fun.

We left Jelly Belly and headed to Napa to enjoy another Team's show at the Napa Valley Opera House. The Opera House is gorgeous and their show was wonderful (It was Wiz of the West by the way). Afterward we got a bit gussied up and hit Napa at many a wine bars. Our favorite hands down was Carpe Deim. The owners did a good job at making us feel at home and the Napa Pinots were spectacular!

The drive Sunday was LONG! Ten hours on I-5 is never a joy though going past Mt. Shasta on the Oregon/California border is pretty (I am just glad to be doing it in the summer). The show is cast and spirits are high as start week two. The performances are outside so that will be interesting! Looking forward to seeing folks this week as I am near the City of Roses!!!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Daring Dining ~ The Griddle

Fairfield, CA (Travis AFB)

Hello Friends,

Last weekend during our drive from Missoula to Travis AFB down "scenic" High

way 95, Calida and I stopped for the night in bustling Winnemucca, NV. Our hotel, Winners, was straight from the 60's and considering the cheap price and lack of vermin and bullet holes I would consider our nights rest a pleasant one.

The morning sun kissed us awake and it was time to make for our last leg to Travis, but not with out a good morning meal! And boy oh boy were we in for some good eats!

Winnemucca is a one street town so all the local hot spots were easy to choose from. Our destination was clear: The Griddle.

We barely beat the after church brunch rush and grabbed a table in this nice greasy spoon. The diner was straight out of the fifties as a long counter greeted one on entrance and the color scheme was either straight from the 60's or is so faded that it just looks that way now. While the decor was a bit off putting the menu was spectacular. They had the typical cakes and eggs, however a whole page was dedicated to local specialties.

The fast and friendly service convinced me on the daily special, asparagus and Swiss Cheese omlete topped with Holdendaise Sauce. Calida opted for one of the menu specials an egg scramble featuring local Cajun sausage.

Needless to say, it was very very very good.

The 6 hour drive from Winnemucca to Fairfield, CA was pretty as (for the third time in two months) we drove over Donner's Peak in the Sierra Nevada's (That's an elevation of 7,200 feet on the pass - knowledge is power!). The week has been extremely busy since we are putting up a brand new show for the first time. When we aren't in rehearsal we are burying our noses in the scripts getting ready for the show tomorrow!

It's going to be a lot of fun and I can't wait to report it to you!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Summer Starter

Fairfiled, CA (Traivs AFB)

Hello Friends!

What a wonderful and BUSY past few weeks it has been in Missoula. The two weeks of training went very well (except for the no internet part, hence the lack of updates) and I am happy to report there are now 47 touring teams out and about the country for Missoula Children's Theatre. The Snow White teams were trained by yours truly and I had a wonderful time molding new tour actors in the way of the TAD, hopefully they enjoyed their time as well.

Calida and I made our two day journey from Missoula with little incident and are rip roaring ready to go to start teaching some Secret Garden which begins at 9AM tomorrow, so tonight is full of audition and teaching prep. So on that note, good night for now and here's to a great three months!!!

The Adventure Continues - ML