Productive

The last few weeks have been an odd combination of a bustle of excited productivity and lethargic laziness. We're at an odd spot at the theatre. Many of my co-workers are fresh off vacation and either hit work with renewed enthusiasm or sulk around, wishing for an extra day or two off. We're between shows, but that hardly means there is nothing to be done. Two shows head off on tour nest week, another one fresh off tour is currently being tweaked to our home space. The last show of the season is in the early stages of design. Early stages. I could be further along but I have yet to find out how many cast members there will be.

Two weeks ago I hit the shop with ruthless abandon, cleaning, organizing, trying to assert some sort of order upon our hodge podge stock. In the evenings and on the weekends I plowed though the designs for Romeo and Juliet. The design is nothing new or original for this oft overplayed piece. I relied very heavily on cliches in fact...Capulets red, Montagues blue, Juliet in a girly shade somewhere in between. Originality aside, I am exceedingly happy with the renderings and excited about the build of the show. I hope the enthusiasm carries through to the end...

After such a burst of accomplishment, I succumbed to the beckoning call of the mattress last week and slept several days away. Sadistic beckoning too, as it is far from a comfortable bed. I'm embarrassed to say how many hours I actually logged in the shop. Well below what is typical requested of me. But my co-worker insisted she didn't need any help. The two shirts to build, pants to alter and trims to add I accomplished in a day. I putz with cleaning a bit more, but the satisfaction of that waived in the clouds of dust that kept billowing up as I moved boxes around. I left work early two days in a row. Called in the third. Decided to take my usual day off... a Thursday. Ross and I had planned to see the massive waves on the North shore, though the adventure was cut short by a growing headache. One that gripped my scalp and refused to ease up. It forced me into a submissive nap, waning ever so slightly three hours later so I could proceed to be cranky for the rest of the evening as Ross and I gathered news on the encroaching storm that threatened to shut down most of the island with high powered winds. The ruthless hand of pain returned at 4am refusing to let up and give me any sleep that night. Thank God the island quivered in fear at the impending storm, causing business to shut down the next day. Tech was cancelled. I had a free day off. The headache finally was vanquished by a heavy dose of painkillers and large quantities of caffeine. Enchiladas went in the oven, guests came over for games, and the ominous wind that was suppose to paralyze the island never reared its head. A free day for nothing.

And of course back to work. It looks as though this will be another week of heightened productivity. In eight hours I have already assembled most of Romeo's doublet...as least as much as I can until I have his fitting. Juliet's night dress is on the table tomorrow. Designs for Good Night Moon must progress...I have an imposed deadline of Saturday. That coupled with returning a rental to the university, pulling more from their stock for Romeo and Juliet, and fabric shopping should round out the week well. All capped off with an opening night on Friday.

Two shows left. And just over three months. It is more than manageable, given I have a sizable head start on both shows over where I was a year ago. But still...I have to be careful about letting the urge to procrastinate grow too great. I hate for my last weeks on this island to be miserable ones because I failed to keep on top of my work...