Better a Witty Fool...

Than a foolish wit. Or so Shakespeare wrote. He also wrote a line for Polonius saying, "Since brevity is the soul of wit, I'll be brief." Unfortunately, that line drips with irony since Polonius is not brief. At all.

As my mind went over various conversations I've had in the last couple of days, as well as paying attention to the dialogue in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and a couple of Jane Austin movies I watched, I realized that the art of conversing (or as my previous students might say, "conversating") is on the decline. I've been preaching to my students to enhance their vocabulary to create better sentences, but what they're actually saying to each other isn't getting better. Yes, this country is getting duller - proved by conversation styles.

Case in point: I've got a great boyfriend, but I don't enjoy talking on the phone with him. We can hold quite good conversations in person, but not over the phone. On the other hand, I have a former friend with whom I could (and did) talk on the phone for hours. Our conversations were filled with random Shakespeare quotes, teasing, mocking, sarcasm, witty bon mots, epic descriptions, inside jokes, and thoughtful questions. Whatever I feel about that person now, I can look back fondly on our conversations. They were fun. They were enjoyable. They kept me on my seat and my wits sharp. I don't get a lot of that lately, but it could be because I teach high school and I'm in grad school so I don't spend a lot of quality time with my friends. Lately, however, I do with one of my cast members - I enjoy talking to him because it's like a game and we're both trying to be the winner. Conversations need to be more like that. My best friend is another fun conversationalist - challenging, sprightly, sly, and witty.

I'm listening to a conversation now - it's so bland! Conversations today seem to be more about gossip, and telling stories, rather than challenging each other with what they say.

I challenge you: eavesdrop. Eavesdrop often. Don't judge the content of the conversation, but judge the style.

And approach a conversation as you would a duel - with cunning, practice, and desire- and may the best person win.

Cheers!

Another Opening, Another Show!

Yes, Midsummer opened! The show looks fantastic - I am extremely proud of it. I'll post pictures later.

I'm in the light and sound booth, so I can't type too much because of the sound.

Cheers!

Millions of Dollars Beneath My Fingers

The ultimate birthday experience - I handled a First Folio. And took pictures with it.

I also handled a Mark Twain manuscript (in his own handwriting), a first edition Euclid geometry book (as in 16th century), a proclamation signed by Queen Elizabeth I, a letter signed by the Earl of Leicester to Queen Elizabeth, a 1482 German book, and Mendehlson's original composition for "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

I was a very happy nerd today.

Cheers!

Hello Past

After spending the past 24 hours in Washington DC, I feel more than ever that I need to live here. This is one of my favorite areas of the country, and I can potentially move to the area - I can live in Virginia. :)

I spent today at the Folger, which is where I'll be tomorrow. I can't explain it, but there's something about spending the day surrounded by history and people who share the same passion as you (and a rare passion at that). And the city is full of pedestrians and cyclists - who needs a car all the time?? In Houston, pedestrians and cyclists are considered moving targets, but here it's embraced.

I finish grad school in two years. Then... maybe I'll move here.

Cheers!

Shakespeare everywhere

So, my summer has been like this:

Get up before dawn, 11-20 mile bike ride. Nap. Workout DVD. Shower. Lots of sitting on my ass, reading. Rehearsals in the evening. Sleep. Sometimes I have lunch with Rich, sometimes dinner.

Rehearsals are going well. I have a pretty good cast, but trying to convince them I'm right is difficult sometimes. Shakespeare is difficult, but my cast is finally understanding what they're saying. In their comfort level, however, they're forgetting that they need to make sense to the audience, so I'm working with them on that. The set is built and just needs painting, and making fairy wings are fun.

The best part of summer, however, is that I'm going back to DC soon to spend a weekend at the Folger. I'm excited about going back and seeing my teacher friends, going back into the archives, attending lectures. I'll only be there for 4 days, which is sad, but the trip is costly. The Folger activities are only for two days, and the other two days will be sight-seeing with Richard (who's coming with me). We haven't been on a trip since the shuttle launch next spring, so this'll be nice. Also, since he attended the Naval Academy and lived in DC and Virginia for a while, he's going to show me his haunts.

I'm enjoying not attending classes, but they start again in 6 weeks!

Cheers!