This must have been the day for fall festivals.  Here in E-town, we had what must have been the second annual Fall Fun Day at the fire hall.  Games for kids of all ages, a chili cook-off, pie judging, think that was about it.  Since the boss was in charge of the chili cook-off, I got to work the early shift.  I thought at Least I would get a bit of chili whwn she returned after the event was over.

After work, I was invited to go to a corn maze that is right outside of E-town which I had no idea had been going on for the past few years.  Heck, I had no idea there was a campground just outside town.  Unfortunately for us, the rain decided to hold off until our band of maze venturers found ourselves lost and then made our way back to the starting point… somehow.

After I went to church, I headed over to the county airport where the theatre was holding its first annual Oktoberfest.  Great fun, GReat food, FANTASTIC band (sorry I missed the polka), just a great time.  Happily, the rather dismal weather did not dispel a rather sizable crowd from attending.  I thought the turn out was really great.  It will be interesting to find out how much we raised.  I was really excited to see Peg there helping out.  She really is making her presence known in the theatre.  GOOD FOR HER!  Be sure to catch her in her stage debut when the WCCT presents Little Shop of Horrors October 9-11 and 15-18 (think there is a Thursday night show the second week).  Break a leg all!

I must say that I have heard good things about the Junk Yard Band but they are fabulous.  Playing everything from the 60s to the 80s.  Really fun music.  Mom and Dad 2 were there, too keeping us in stitches.  I participated in the So, You Think You Can Dance (Or as I clearly have state… I don’t think… I KNOW I CAN’T DANCE) contest getting a 28 out of a possible 30 points.  Personally, I think the last judge was rotten to the core but that’s just me.

Ok… off to bed so I can be fresh as a daisy for work at 9.  No rehearsal til Monday.  Must be that good.

“Smile Darn Ya, Smile.” Ok… combining two song lyrics from two different musicals:

• “Put on a Happy Face” from the just revived for the very first time on Broadway…Bye, Bye Birdie starring John Stamos.. not as the title character which 20 years ago, I could have envisioned given his character Uncle Jesse from Full House and his status as a drummer in the Beach Boys

• The second is from some other show I must have forgotten somewhere along the line… if it comes to me, I’ll list it in the tags.

Ok, a few weeks ago we had Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Today, just happens to be World Smile Day.  What is it that makes me smile?  Just a few things, really.

• I love to be with my friends and family no matter what the occasion: game nights are always fun and road trips are a blast, watching crazy fans enjoy watching their favorite teams play (I thought my mom got wild when she watches Yankees baseball but seeing Chris watch a Bears game… now THAT is a sight that could bring a smile to anyone).  However, just being with them to lend a hand, ear, shoulder, foot, eye, back, or finger really is great, too.  Sometimes, even more rewarding than the frivolous.  On occasion, I have also used them for guidance and support, as well.
• Coming in very close to number one is… well, most people who regularly subscribe to my rantings and ravings know this.  Even when I am being constructively (of course) criticized, I can always find something to smile about on stage.  Except of course, when the moment does not call for it.. that’s when acting (for me) is difficult.  I guess in the moment when the unforseen happens and (perish the thought!) I donut get a part, I do tend to be optimistic and try to learn and try to move on.
• In a big way, music can be an extension of my love of the stage.  Musicals are of course my favorite genre of theatre.  I do enjoy most types of music but there ARE exceptions (c)rap being chief among them.
• A great, big scare.  Ok.. maybe the adrenaline getting the heart racing, the blood rushing creates a nervous smile and chuckle but I love to be scared.

Ok… that’s three things. that can usually make most of my nothing days all seem worthwhile.  So remember…. Light up your face with gladness and hide every trace of sadness because I feel sad when you’re sad I feel glad when you’re glad.

The title seems vaguely familiar so, I added to it.  The next week will be exciting, nerve wracking, late, but overall great fun.  The week leading up to the performance.  The cast and crew got a taste of that this evening when the elaborate effects were added for the first time.  There are many light cues and sound effects throughout the play.  It took a bit of time to get them all set up so we got started with the rehearsal a bit later than usual which was fine with all involved.  We would have to do it eventually anyway.  It gave those of us on stage a chance to reminisce about some of the worst movies ever made.  Bo Derek in the blockbuster movie Tarzan the Ape Man was tossed out.  Honestly, I have never seen that version of the legend.  Some mentioned that Ms. Derek’s role in the feature 10 was better since her role was nothing more than running along the beach.  Has anyone seen the (I imagine) horror classic, Basket Case?  Me, neither.  Finally, we did get to the Ed Wood classic Plan 9 From Outer Space which I have seen and I agree with most critics in saying that IT IS the worst movie ever made.  However, I still think it is hard to beat the original holiday classic Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

Finally, about a half-hour late, we did get through the show with only minor trouble.  However, with still a few rehearsals left, I’m sure it will be all good.  At least we did not wait until Sunday to put it all together.  The rain outside also added a new dimension of intrigue.

I just learned that if you are interested in attending a performance (October 9-11), you may now make reservations on-line through the following link

Ah,  the excitement is building!

a woman and her four kids come into the store and use the ELEVEN W.I.C. vouchers she started the month off with at once.  Ordinarily, you would expect people to come in and use the last one or two coupons they have at the end but to use all of them at once.  Apparently, the customer’s husband was curious to know if she had any left.  Unfortunately for her, we were out of one dozen large eggs which are the only kind allowed… no 1.5 dozen, no jumbo, no substitutions or we risk losing our license to be able to take the Women, Infant, and Children certificates which are given to those in I believe it is more medical than financial need…(no, I can’t really say that because I know one individual who is in a totally financial situation who at first was too proud to admit that she needed assistance).  However, I had to question the need when at one time you come in to get 6 dozen eggs, 9 gallons of milk, 8 boxes of cereal, and other miscellaneous odds and ends at one time.  What have they lived on throughout the month if you need to be on the program.  She informed us that she forgot to use them.  And the program is changing as of tomorrow whereby they can start to get fresh produce items as well as the usual milk, eggs, juice, and cereal.  After I completed the large cart full transaction,  I was glad that it was nearly time to go home.  But not complaining, I do have a job 😉

I don’t think State Farm could have helped in this case that fittingly enough happened in the state up north.  Until recently, a Michigan woman has been helping three of her neighbors by making sure that their children were safely put on the school bus for the 6 mile trip.  Shortly after the beginning of the school year, Lisa Snyder received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services warning her that her charity was in violation of a law aimed at unlicensed day care centers and she would be fined if she continued.  This for watching THREE children (not including her own daughter) who each had their parent’s permission.  They each spent about an hour at the woman’s home preparing for school.  One has to wonder how and why the authorities learned of this generosity.  I can understand a houseful of children but 4 children do not a houseful make (of course others might disagree).

At least after learning of this travesty, the state powers that be are in the process of changing the regulations allowing good samaritans like Mrs. Snyder to continue making sure that a few of her neighbor’s children make it safely to school.  I realize that not everyone can be trusted but this individual was just doing a good deed and known well enough and trusted to do it.

I am in a quandary.  Next week, opening week of You Have the Right to Remain Dead, is audtion dates for WCCT’s production of Miracle on 34th Street, a show I dearly love.  However, I do not see much in the way of a possibility to try out when there is rehearsal each of the three nights.

However, the next production of the Village Players is another holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life.  I’m not entirely sure when auditions for this show will be; since Travis (director for IAWL) and Mare and are both in Little Shop of Horrors at the same time as my show, I do not see them being held until after that.  Maybe when our time-strapped tangenteer has time to read this post, she might be able to provide a bit of insight or I may be able to ask at our next gathering.

But I think either show would be fun to be a part of.

Yes, according to our calendar’s autumn officially arrived last week.  Today is the first real sign that it has indeed come.  The blustery wind, the grey skies, the falling, blowing leaves… AH… love it… evn if I had to put a jacket on to walk up town this morning.  I had to stop at the post office and as I was making my way home, I decided to go back up (after getting my wallet) and get a can of tomato soup for lunch.  Grilled cheese and tomato soup on a wonderful fall day!

The landscape also brings back wonderful memories of Autumn’s past of high school football games, baseball playoffs on the tube, bonfires, hay rides, a sudden chill, and a sense of creepiness that makes its presence known as we close out September and enter the month of October.  Last year was the first season for years that I have been REAL Haunted Attraction scavenging with friends.  Let’s hope that this continues although my next 2 weekends are once again pretty full.  It’s much more fun as the season progresses and more people come out to be given a fright and those that do the frightening are more seasoned as we found out on our multiple trips to ScreamAcres (my favorite of the bunch) last year.  We were there so many times that the ghouls knew we were coming as we approached and one very memorable escapade that I hesitate mentioning at the fear of becoming a real member of the walking dead.

So… whether you are 8 or 108 there is plenty to do during the fall in Northwest Ohio.

Yes, another weekend full of things to do.  and one more thing after finishing this post… rehearsal… the first at which EVERYONE is to be off book… less than 2 weeks to go, I should think so, although there have been times… but we won’t go there not that I would ever be on book with less than 3 weeks to go.

Friday was another long work day followed by another wonderful night of games and friends.  But why does everyone assume that I am Mafia all the time.  I felt something tickle my leg and I jumped… so NATURALLY that would make me a member of the mafia (ok, the fact that I was that round is beside the point entirely).

Saturday was another birthday for a little princess who is about to turn 2 and is going to be on her way on a flight to Florida in the same less than two weeks.  I have never seen such a haul but there were a lot of relatives and well-wishers so…  I was told that my gift went over really well.  I found a mermaid doll that I thought that any little girl would enjoy.  So, I searched for a card.  I am particularly fond of the cards with sound so for a little more than a traditional birthday card, I found one with Ariel that played “Part of Your World” one of Lauren’s favorites.  I don’t do clothes, so I had to be creative for my little cousin.  Apparently, the parents did not know that the Buckeyes played a 3.30 game because most of us were surprised at the late start (at 5 o’clock).  But since Ohio State handily defeated Illinois 30-0, it was not a great tragedy.  But the menu was delicious and ALOT was to be had (chicken noodle soup, Uncle Delton’s fabulous chili, nacho dip, homemade rolls, not to mention cake, cupcakes, and ice cream).

All this food the day before the church’s annual chicken festival.  Elizabeth (more on her in a bit) told me that it was very warm in the church basement where the dinners were served.  She should have been around when the dinner was in the middle of July with fans blowing nothing but hot air.  My sister asked when this was and honestly, I could not remember when it was changed to the last Sunday of September.  Mom informed us that they used to have two chicken dinners annually.  I don’t remember that.

Speaking of Elizabeth, apparently her joy of getting the role of Mulan was premature.  She told me that she was asked to come for a call back for the part.  The title role was given to another girl and E-beth is a mother/dressmaker.  Oh, well she didn’t seem too upset.  I believe the dates are either the first or second weekend of November.

Ok… off to rehearsal.  Good Luck BEARS… The Yanks are playing for the  AL East title tonight.

This morning before leaving for work, I was listened to our local Classic Rock station to see if I could listen and win.  Thursday is the Three Songs with a Theme in which you listen to the three songs in their ENTIRETY.  I listened to the first song then by song two had the solution.  While the final song was playing, I put the station’s number up, waiting until the song faded, and hit the talk button.  BUSY SIGNAL!? And Mr. Brigle came on and said… “Let’s see if we have a winner.”  Sure enough, we had a winner.  Someone must have been a little quicker on the draw than I.

OK… test your musical expertise and tell me what these three songs have in common.  I can offer no more than your name and answer to be posted on my blog… but isn’t that reward enough?

1. “Kung Fu Fightin'”
2. “Come On, Eileen”
3. “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”

In the past I have won a few prizes: a gift certificate to an area coffee shop, and two CDs (the soundtrack to one of the Scream movies and one by Daryl Hall and John Oates that must have been their attempt at a comeback).  My mother won a phone-in  contest years ago.  Her prize?  A trip on the Jet Express that ended at the end of the season.  The end of the season being that very weekend.  Unfortunately, she was not able to use the prize.

Not all but some…. and look out… her comes the return of the Red Stockings (on Friday)… BOOOO!!!!!! no doubt on the war path following the sweeping of the last series.  The Yanks have clinched a berth for the post season.  They slipped a bit but thanks to a win or two and a loss from Boston, New York has gone back to a six game first place lead and defeated the Angels of Anaheim tonight.  Just sayin’.  Last season, I did not get to say that.

And it looks like the Tigers  (another team on tangent’s radar) will be a post season hopeful, correct, justj?  What about the Cubbies, taylhis?