The Missing Piece

Well, let’s cut to the chase. The theatre award gods have passed over me again. I am fast becoming a “Cult Failure.” And I’m strangely nonplussed about it. There’s no point in getting upset about something over which you have no control. All I can do is to my best…which has always been my creative work ethic…to create my art to the best of my ability. And if any outside recognition comes my way, well that’s...nice. Anyhow, I’m very happy for all the nominees and winners. In fact, I am glad that one of my co-nominees won instead of me. He was a beloved local performer, who passed away a week ago. Hopefully, this will add some closure to those that loved him. Anyhow, I consider my theatre projects to be my “children.” Some might have warts and pimples….and they may never win any blue ribbons…but I love them all the same. So, it’s time to celebrate everyone’s efforts before pressing forward to prepare for the reemergence of live theatre. Augh, this fucking pandemic!

Naturally, I stayed up past midnight to learn of award winners. The Hubby and I watched the Netflix’s version of THE BOYS IN THE BAND, featuring the entire cast of the recent Broadway production. I thought it was well done, although the movie with the original off-Broadway cast will always be a perennial favorite of mine. And it really is unfair to make comparisons. Besides, the new version might introduce a larger audience to “the boys.” As you know, I was slated to direct a production of the play this past spring….but that “all together now!” fucking pandemic! Let’s pray for a speedy vaccine…although I keep hearing it might not be until the summer or early fall of next year before a vaccine is discovered and distributed. (Heavy Sigh!)

Hopefully, theatre might reopen a bit, perhaps with one-character scripts performed with socially distanced audience. I’m continuing to re-memorize the one-character play, which I performed several years ago in Chicago. (Figured it out yet? Well, look at the other pages of this website…it’s pretty obvious!) It’s amazing how quickly my old tired brain cells have responded. You gotta keep mentally active at this time. Nothing worse than feeling sluggish. Anyhow, I’m over 35% (so specific!) of the way through my memorization. And once finished, I’ll work towards finding a company to produce it. And the worst case scenario is that I’ll produce myself. I still have my original costume, props, poster design etc. My motto is “Make Your Own Magic!”

Back to last night…after THE BOYS IN THE BAND, I still had about 90 minutes before the winners were announced online, so I sat down and worked on our “Difficult Donuts” jigsaw puzzle. I’m sure jigsaw puzzle companies (along with disinfecting wipes manufacturers) must be doing a booming business because of this “say it once more” fucking pandemic. I made pretty good progress on it. We’ve recently gotten serious about completing it. It’s been languishing (can an inanimate object languish?) on the dining room table for weeks. And now I was getting down to the “all the remaining pieces look the same” stage…when you have to make decisions based upon subtle differences in shading and shape. So you have to start thinking from a different perspective.

I’m sipping lukewarm coffee right now. I had a hot cup of joe when I started writing this entry….but The Hubby and I decided to attack the puzzle determined to complete it. Of course, I spilled coffee on some of the pieces, and one started to disintegrate! So, I had to put the coffee away until we completed our task…and wouldn’t you know…one of the pieces was missing!

Maybe Margaret, our Roomba, had eaten it. (Lizzie, our corgi, hates Margaret! She’s currently chasing Lizzie vacuuming up her dog hair as she goes!) ) A missing piece. Was I disappointed? Yes. But I knew that we had solved the puzzle, even though it was incomplete. We did our best, but the outcome was completely out of our hands. Just like the Desert Star Awards. The joy is knowing that you did your best….and you had the pleasure of working with so many talented artists. And if I’m content (I am my own worst critic) then that’s all the affirmation I need. And that’s my fortune cookie life lesson for today!

P.S. We found the missing piece! It was flipped upside down on the carpet which has the same coloration. Again, you have to look at things at a different perspective.

Just gonna chill out for the rest of the day…re-memorize more….gotta keep making that magic!