From the East to the West to the Midwest to the East to HOME!

Atlantic City is dead and gone.  Hopefully forever.  Unfortunately, my life doesn't work like that, and I'm sure I'll end up there on some continuation of a ridiculous adventure.

Portland was great.  Not only was it a vacation away from work, I got to enjoy it with one of my best friends.  It still boggles my mind that we've only known each other for 5 years and neither of us talk to the person who introduced us.  Thanks Matt!  Anyway, my buddy's birthday happened to be the day after I arrived.  Celebrate, we did! We also went to "First Thursday," an event downtown filled with yuppies, art, free drinks, and attractive women encouraging me to buy things.  It's amazing what 8 free beers will do to my judgement.
I rushed home to return to work, go figure.  I had experienced 6 days without it and hit it hard after only 2 hours on the ground in Sioux Falls.  I certainly love working outdoor festivals at 2am, driving golf carts through the city streets like we stole them.

Last Friday I received a call from my Production Manager (PM) who was looking for a favor.  He needed me to leave for Florida, in 36 hours, for 24 hours.  So I did, naturally.  I spent less than 23hrs in Gainesville, FL loading Wizard of Oz into rehearsal spaces.  The best part was that I got to see Jen and Kaitlyn, the hair and wardrobe dept. heads, respectively, from my last tour.  Not to mention, I ran into another graduate from my university in the hotel while waiting for the elevator.  It turns out he's in the show.  Small world.  I put a bug in my PMs ear about going back out there for more of an extended stay, we shall see if that comes through for me.  Anyway, this was all a week ago today.

I've since had the opportunity to see an old boss from my last tour here in town, he was coming to check out a show that came through the theatre I'm currently working at as a local.  True to my style, I had only been in town for 10 hours before I was back at work.  Has anyone noticed a pattern developing.  Ahhhh life on the road!

This past weekend I was down in Omaha with my parents, AKA roommates, for a wedding reception.  It was great to see my cousins and extended family.  Due to my career choice, I wasn't around for the holidays last year, and will be gone again this coming season.  Has anyone ever noticed how your little cousins aren't always so little anymore?

Ok, time for bed, I already have a cold, and it's not even October.

New gig

Soooo, I just accepted the head carpenter/TD position for Annie on tour.  I was supposed to be the flyman, but alas, I've been asked to step up...and I did.

I've spent the last 6 days thinking about this decision, finally I've made it, and now the office knows of my decision. 

I think I made the right one.  I know that this is the direction I want my career to go, only it is moving faster than originally predicted.

My vacation in Portland, OR has been a perfect place for me to bike, eat, sip coffee, read books, make phone calls, drink beer, and be merry.  I need to relax, read and vacation more often I think.

Tonight is my last night here, we'll be going to an event called "First Thursday."  Apparently it involves music, art, food, and music.  It sounds like this could end up being a good last night in Portland.