The Lady or the Duck?

 

The lady or the duck? Or cat? We can look at the same thing and see different things. One thing can be two things.  

The world is filled with joy and wonder, but it is also filled with sadness and terror. One day we see hope on the horizon. The next, we see nothing but despair and the promise of a better tomorrow fizzle away.

One day you feel that you have done the best you can and helped make a better future for yourself and the ones you love. The next, you feel overwhelmed by how you have fallen short, and even the things you thought you did well were just an illusion.

It may seem I'm referring to bipolar or other health problems. These are serious concerns that need to be addressed, but it is not what I'm centering on here. Instead, this is the natural fluctuation most of us experience.

I once tried out for a play that was several counties over from where I lived. I knew no one else in the group. I went to prepare for a reading with another person I had been assigned to audition with. I tried to be helpful, giving my best advice as to how we could improve our performance and make a good impression. I thought what I suggested must have worked because we both got good parts in the play.

Later, when we had successfully performed our play (winning the Best Play Award for a seven-county theatre association), she told me she had initially thought I was an ass, that she thought it was weird for this person out of nowhere to give her advice on how to audition. Turns out, she was an insider in the theatre group and was pretty much pre-picked to get the role she did. One day, I did a good deed. The next, I was an ass.

I've always battled the fear my whole life that people talk to you one way to your face and another way when you're not there. And that many things you think you're doing right, you're actually doing wrong. They think you're bossy, and you think you're making positive input. You think you're shy and reserved, and they think you're sullen and mean. You speak out with passion, and all they hear is you're out of control. You think you're giving them a book, and they think you're forcing something on them and cluttering their living quarters.

You think you're creating a special occasion for people, and they think you're intruding on what they really want to do, and what they really want to do may not involve you.

I know it's impossible to please everyone all the time. Still, not knowing whether you're doing more harm than good is frustrating. 

And, on a broader scale, it gets frustrating thinking there is hope for the world, that we will straighten up, take on problems like global warming, the income gap, universal health care, and become stronger in democracy and diversity. And then I see it all slipping away as I see so many denying the climate crisis that confronts us, when they choose politicians who run based on hate and fear and who do not value democratic processes, when they descend on public libraries and demand to demonize and exclude others, when one brutal narcissist* gets away with multiple crimes, when we refuse to face our complex past, and so much more.

Please don't read too much into this. I never promised you a blog of nothing but puppy uppers. Sometimes there are doggy downers. I promise to try to be more upbeat next time.

Of course, even if I am upbeat, I can't promise some might misconstrue it anyways.

Sigh.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.**

*I'm referring to Trump, of course.  

**Charles Dickens, from A Tale of Two Cities.

The Glowering Mob

 

They glowered. They were angry. They were intimidating. And they were vocal in ways that can only be considered hateful and bullying.

They came in force. Still, the crowd was about equal, between the LGBTQ+ community and their allies and those preaching an unrecognizable form of what they considered Christianity.

Yesterday, the Waycross Ware County Library held its meeting when it would decide about the display that you see in the picture above. Incongruously, it kept being referred to as a flag.   How is that a flag? It's a series of colors designed to represent EACH AND EVERYONE OF US.

Nevertheless, the hatred towards it was palatable. You could feel it pulsing across the room.

Even though the group was supposed to stay silent (no one had followed the procedure of signing up to speak), they couldn't do it. They demanded to talk anyways, rules be damned. They threatened to flood the meeting with even more people next time. One man said they would fill Memorial Stadium (where the local high school football team played) next time as if this was simply about the sheer force of numbers. Another threatened the library if they did not cave. And another monstrously compared LGBTQ people to pedophiles.

I lost it when they said that. I shot up from my seat, pain, and anger in my eyes, shaking, ready to go to verbal combat. Fortunately for everyone, my recently retired Reverand, Rev Kit, was sitting behind me and got me to restrain myself. For the whole meeting, the behavior of the LGBTQ+ was remarkably polite and controlled.

Many left after it was clear they would not get to speak, and their constant interrupting has worn thin. Like the last meeting, when they had their say, they left before listening to anybody else. It's one of the rudest behaviors I've seen in my life.

The Board, led by the skilled and diplomatic chairman, Tawanna Harris, did everything she could to steer the Board to the most politically sensible compromise she could. It was agreed to take down the rainbow display and only consistently display the American and Georgia flags. In addition, it was amended so that seasonal displays could include symbols relating to the group/season displayed. It was hard to tell, but to me, it looked like Board member Cheryl Jacobs voted against removing the rainbow display, and the amended motion did not seem to win the support of Board member Candice Rice. So, for most, compromise was in the air.

Unfortunately, what they did was not compromise. It was appeasement. And appeasement never ends things. Just as Neville Chamberlain how well it went trying to appease Hitler. Or today, why the Ukrainians don't want to appease Putin with territorial concessions. Because Hitler didn't stop. Putin won't stop.

This is just the beginning. They will interpret the compromise as a weakness, a sign that they can push further. The speeches and Memorial Stadium-size crowds are still coming. They will attack other displays, book clubs, and, yes, books themselves. They will not be happy until the library only reflects and serves Christian Nationalism.

I don't have an answer for the Board. Given political realities, they may have done the only thing they felt they could. But more is coming their way.

And the only thing we can do is to keep emphasizing our openness and love. When censorship and exclusion thrive, we all lose.

Board members talked about a divided community and how they just wanted to bridge the differences. The problem is that the community is not divided, not in any sense that compromise helps. One group wants merely to be accepted and welcomed. The other wants to oppress and exclude. IT'S NOT TWO GROUPS TRYING TO EXCLUDE EACH OTHER. Only one group stands for oppression. This is not a division of equal demands.

I pray that our library makes no further concessions and that the staff remains open and inviting. However, I fear that the forces of oppression will dwarf those who stand for inclusion and that the nightmare is just beginning.

Ultimately, I encourage as many of you that can live up to the words I am familiar with as a Superman fan - 

Never give up. Never surrender.

PS  I left out of the post the fact that the Library did put up a mural with the phrase Libraries are for Everyone (paraphrasing), and had pictures of diverse individuals enjoying library services.  It is not a direct substitute for the rainbow display, but it is appreciated.

Wandering Wednesday Wrap-up

 

Ellie has the right idea of what retirement should be like.

Unfortunately, I can't quite take on her attitude.  I feel driven to accomplish more than that.

It's been almost a full year since I retired from accounting.  I spent the first few months organizing and then selling a large chunk of my comic collection.  In doing so, I earned more than I would have working the whole year as a part-time CPA.

I've written some, read a lot, participated more at the library, doing my only accounting holdout as Treasurer for our church, slow-binged a number of TV shows, taken more walks, and increased the lever of house and yard work that I do.  We took a trip to see my new grand-daughter in New York, and also spent time with Benjamin and his roommate Eddie, a student from Sweden.

If you can read the magazine in Ellie's picture, you can see that it's a schedule for Turner Classic Movies.  So, yes, I am trying to watch more classics, particularly silent films.  I am trying to start with the oldest films and move my way forward.  Righrt now, I've started a Harold Lloyd classic, Hot Water, from 1924, an episodic comedic look at married life.  I watch about fifteen to thirty minutes a day.

I just finished up being in a play, Harvey, a comedy about a man who sees a six-foot rabbit.  I had been in it as a Freshman in high school and reprised the same part, an elderly judge.  Same part, less makeup. We had small but enthusiastic crowds.  I had fun, and the people I was acting with were a joy to perform with, but I think, at my age, about one play a year is all I care to do.  It's fun, but it takes a lot.

Being home, I could watch a lot of the 1/6 hearings.  It's scary and unprecedented to pursue criminal charges against a former President, for this and for his other myriad crimes, but the true danger to the republic is to let him get away with it.  No one should be above the law.

Alison and I have been able to take some day trips together.  Monday (Indigenous People's Day) we were able to spend the day in Brunswick.  I don 't often take pictures of meals, but this was an important discovery, Wee Pub, that had one of the best shepherd's pie I ever done et. If half the Shepherd's Pie looks different than the other half, that's because I was stirring and sampling before I took the picture.  Yeah, I'm not really adept at the art of culinary photography.

Beginning soon this second year of retirement from accounting, I hope to refocus slightly.  This should mean more writing, but it may mean less blogging.  I really need to focus on something that may at least theoretically bring in money.  I don't know if I can make much.  It would be awesome if I can make at least enough to cover our streaming services, and some of my book/comic purchases.  That may not happen, but it would be super cool if it did.

For fun, I'd like to go back to learning how to draw.  It's just something I've always wanted to do.  Maybe I'll even share some of my art on this blog.

👇

Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

Forebotten Topics

 Yes, there are some things that I shouldn't talk about. Some things are even too dangerous for me to go into.

Excluding topics that are obvious to avoid, like explicit sexual discussions, there are others that COULD be discussed, but I don't care to go into them. 

And some topics are primarily ones I avoid with in-person conversations, to some degree online, but mostly in person.

I'm low-keying this one. No pictures and very few social media postings.

 Politics while at the theatre

Although I generally like political discussions, I go out of my way to avoid them when I'm at the theatre. This is not as easy as it seems. There are a lot of downtimes where people discuss a lot of things.

My taboo on politics at the theatre has very practical reasons. I am very passionate about these issues. I can get loud and carried away in expressing my viewpoint. More importantly, it can hurt my ability to concentrate on my part. I get too wound up, and I lose concentration. Not a good thing for somebody who is the type who is still reviewing my lines before my performances and can't let my mind wander while I'm onstage.

When others talk about politics, I try very hard to keep my mouth shut, even when I have to listen to some really weird opinions. Remember, I live in an area where Trump voters vastly outnumber everyone else. If it gets too much for me, I just walk away.

I learned to practice the same philosophy when I worked at a place that had nothing bad to say about Trump while he was President but started joking and making fun of Biden about two days into his term. 

Generally speaking, believe it or not, I don't raise political issues with people (unless I know they are allies). Sometimes, in some situations, it's hard for me not to say something when others bring it up.  

Almost all of my political talk is done via this blog.

Covid

I've learned the hard way not to talk about COVID. When others bring it up, I just let them talk.  

People's attitudes toward COVID are strange. Some (well, very few) are very strict about it - very worried and protecting themselves. Others dismiss the whole thing and think there's something wrong with you if you are still concerned about it.

And God forbid you should tell somebody you haven't had COVID yet. The looks you get! They range from disgust to why are you telling me this to baffled silence. The worst response is saying you haven't had COVID is the equivalent of saying you haven't had cancer or some other disease. YOU ARE BRAGGING.  

Have I never had COVID? I know. I'm supposed to keep my mouth shut. The truth is...probably not, but who can say for sure? It's possible I had it, and it was so incredibly asymptomatic I didn't even know.

But...you don't want to hear that. I understand now.

Tattoos

This one is scary. Perhaps the scariest topic I could broach. Tattoos are so universal now it's difficult to say anything without upsetting people.

Let me start by saying that people getting tattoos is perfectly fine. There's not a religious or moral problem. Churches who pretend they're "open and tolerant" because they let people in with tattoos are kidding themselves - let's see how many people show up if you exclude them.

That said, here goes. And I hope you still like me when I'm done.

I personally would never get a tattoo. That's my own choice. I just don't like drawing on myself. When I was a kid, I didn't even like to write my name on my arm with an inkpen. I'm not telling anybody else what to do. That's their own choice.

Do I think that tattoos, of any kind, look attractive on people? Sigh. No, I don't. I don't think it enhances people's appearance. Cripes. I can already feel the slings and arrows coming.

Does it affect how I feel about anyone? Hell, no. I feel the same way about people, regardless of tattoos, piercings, or anything else.

The only other proviso is that I don't really feel like people who are serious about acting should have prominent tattoos if they can help it. It's best to be a blank slate that can be adapted to the widest range of parts. This, to me, is most helpful to those getting started in the profession.

Am I aware that there are a lot of parts now where having tattoos either do not matter or are helpful? Yes, I'm sure there are. But I still feel it is easier to add temporary tattoos than to cover up permanent ones.

-------------------

Well, I guess three forebotten topics is a good place to start. And for some, I'm afraid it may be a good place to get off the Strait Train. I hope not, as I love and respect you all. Even the Trumpeteers.

Well, most of the Trumpeteers.

Hop On Over to Harvey this Weekend!!!

You'll believe a giant rabbit can be your best friend!

This marvelous classic is being performed to perfection by WACT (Waycross Area Community Theatre). Its final weekend is this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, wrapped up with a special Sunday matinee!

The show's first weekend lost two performances over cautions concerning Hurricane Ian. Although, in the end, Ian missed us, causing virtually no problems, the theatre canceled the first two nights under the philosophy "better safe than sorry." WACT was not alone as school, and most planned events were canceled or delayed. To make up for this, WACT added a matinee for Sunday, October 9th.

The show is filled with laughs, sweet sentiments, and top-notch acting. Director Danny Godwin has done an awesome job assembling and fine-tuning a gifted cast who fit their parts to a tee.

 Meet the cast of WACT's upcoming production of "Harvey": Colby Eggleston, Kayla Dixon, Ethan Mitchell, Jay Butler, Amy Worthington, Elizabeth Godwin, Liv McConney, Jaela Rogers-Undercuffer, Tom Strait, Barry Lyle.

One of the best decisions Danny made was to move the show from black and white to color. By that, I mean he moved Harvey from its original 40s setting to the present. It gives the play an extra jolt of vitality and vigor. Language is somewhat altered, but mostly it is done through costuming and characterization.

The most significant and most effective transformation comes with the character of Myrtle Mae (Elwwod's niece, Veta's daughter). In the original, she is a somewhat mousy, reserved character who unsuccessfully rebels against her mother's domination. In her current version, as portrayed by the very talented Jaela-Rogers Undecuffer (whom I last performed with in The Addams Family as Morticia), she is much more sassy and intelligent, costumed in a very modern/hip fashion, with multi-color hair and vibrant makeup. In the original, her character almost fades into the background. In this version, she is front and center, one of the show's most interesting and entertaining characters.

Elwood, played by Colby Eggleston, is also updated, wearing an AC/DC t-shirt, current hair styling (including parts that don't need hair styling), and some piercings. He is very relaxed and charming, and however you feel about the rabbit, he rarely fails to charm and wins people to his side.

Veta, played by one of my favorite WACT actresses, Kayla Dizon, is a bundle of anxieties and brings the part to life. It is a great pleasure to act opposite her, as I can depend on her reactions and timing to be impeccable. She is equally talented onstage and off and is one of WACT's premiere backstage talents, including directing and stage managing.

Always a fan favorite, Ethan Mitchell plays Dr. Sanderson, bringing another somewhat bland character to roaring life with his brilliant portrayal.

Barry Lyle plays Dr. Chumey, bringing the character through a fantastic journey from stuffed shirt skeptic to wild-eyed acceptance.

Duane Wilson, the gruff sanitarium attendant, played by Jay Butler, accents his part with just the right amount of resistance and charm (well, at least to Myrtle Mae). And Nurse Kelly is delivered with expertise and vitality by Elizabeth Godwin, who, like many nurses, has to weave between the behavior lines of arrogant and intense doctors.

Playing two parts each, Amy Worthington and Liv McConney, are four extraordinary characters that give depth and humor to this wonderful show.

I'm in it, too, playing the same part as I did in 9th grade, elderly Judge Gaffney. Same part, less makeup. I'll let you decide whether I'm any good. Recently, someone asked me if I was a "method actor."  Nah.  Nothing like that. I try to follow the "method" that Spencer Tracy said once "Say your lines and try not to run into the furniture."*

Please come out and see this show! They deserve your support, and you will not be disappointed - you will be massively entertained!

What a start to a 50th season!

*well, he said something like that. I think.  

Podlicious Monday Musings

 

That is the top of a pod cup. I use it to make an individual cup of coffee in the afternoons.

I don't know about you, but I find the picture a little scary and disturbing. At first, I thought it was a clown, but on closer inspection, I think it's a picture of a woman holding a coffee cup up in front of her. It's either a smile or getting ready to gulp or something. I feel like coffee's a little too hot to gulp like that, but what do I know? 

Our area is a little unsettled today. Hurricane Ian's current projected path would take it over us on Friday and Saturday. These paths weeble and wobble as they get closer, so it's a guess at this point.

But some scheduled events are not taking a chance. They are already canceling and moving to other dates. Is this panic or prudence? I don't know. Better safe than sorry.

So far, Harvey is holding steady to open this weekend. That means Hell Week is still a go. Dress rehearsals tonight, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and then performances Thursday-Friday-Saturday night, topped with a matinee Sunday afternoon. I'm gonna be one tired old man! I'm unsure how I would do it all if I was still working. I used to do it all the time, but now I look back with amazement that I could pull it off.

I'll guess I'll know how serious it is if they start to cancel high school football games. Those events are pretty sacred.

MEANWHILE...

The Michigan Wolverines had their first close game, beating Maryland 34-27. So either Michigan is not as good as I hoped, or Maryland is a lot better than people think. Either way, this season does not look like the runaway I was hoping for.

I thought the Detroit Lions might be turning around, but they lost another heartbreaker, with Minnesota coming from behind to beat them. They're good enough to compete but not good enough (or lucky enough) to win.

My expectations for the Detroit Tigers have constantly adjusted through the season. Going from ...this year they'll make the playoffs...to...this year they'll finish over .500...to...this year they won't finish last...to..this year they won't lose 100 games! Still crossing my fingers on that last one!

ALSO...

How can I like politics so much but hate ads so much? I mean all of them, even many from my side. Anyone who votes based on ads needs to retake Civics.  

I don't enjoy politics as much as I used to. People voting for Trump makes no sense to me. It never has. I can't wrap my head around it. He's a grifter/con man, a narcissist who's not very bright, and a racist. Republican vs. Democrats, conservative vs. liberal - these are battles I understand. But authoritarian vs. democracy? It's too scary to be fun anymore.

Anyhoo, my desk setup is still not ergonomically sound, and I don't want to wreck my knees and feet for the upcoming play. I'm old in Harvey, but I'm not decrepit,

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

Living the Swinging Life

 The swing is swinging!

Yes, we finally have it up!

Just in time for Alison and Pixie to enjoy a cool Saturday morning (an unexpected 58 degrees!)!

I was lucky enough to see her father come over to put it up on Thursday afternoon and was able to offer a small amount of help in securing it.  So for those who think I'm absolutely worthless at this sort of thing, I was responsible for 3% of the installation efforts.  I can help if carefully directed.

I'm happy to see the swing installed and Alison able to enjoy it.

Just a' Swingin'!