Not Quite Back to Normal HNT

Well, it's over. The opera, that is. Two of the longest weeks I've ever experienced. I expected it, but didn't expect it. I have come to understand how/why people disappear from the blogosphere. I was able to sneak online for small bits of time, but mostly just to check emails. I feel like I've totally missed out on what most of you have been doing. And I do find it difficult to really get back into the swing of things. But I'm sure I will. :-)

The highlights of the past two weeks:

• Working with actors/singers of the highest caliber. The music was never a problem, and they learned their staging after just one take. In particular, two of them were invaluable in helping out with their knowledge of the opera, this particular set, and the problems we were bound to encounter.
• Working with local volunteers who gave up far more hours than I think they signed on for as makeup artists, costume dressers and assisting with stage managing duties.
• Working with the technical designers/directors (lights, sound, stage, etc.), and melding their very diverse styles together. None of them had worked together, and there were some "moments", but everything DID meld.
• Being able to boss everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) involved with the production. The buck stopped with me, numerous times.

Other "fun" things--spending money on props, makeup and costume supplies, hardware, etc. that we hadn't budgeted for. Spending 3 times longer on building the set, since the fancy set we rented from a west coast opera company didn't come with instructions, thus causing lots of delays and 14-16 hour days. Running around trying to find Japanese-specific props that we didn't know we needed (same west coast company). Calling the lighting cues and calling the show from the booth--running the show from top to bottom. Getting asked out on a lunch date by my 17 y.o. assistant stage manager. Drinking beers with the principal singers after the first show.

Now, I'm trying to wind down. Finished up all the equipment deliveries on Monday. In the rain that fell for two days since Sunday afternoon. Paperwork will be done by the morning. And the symphony season comes to a close. Until we start up on the summer concert in July. I'm still tired, and haven't gotten caught up on my sleep. And frankly, I'm still trying to realize that it's almost mid-May! Though the weather is finally becoming springlike! Of course, all this is a roundabout way of admitting that I have had to resort to yet another picture from the archives. But I ran it through a new photo program I found. And strangely enough it captures the essence of what I look like at this very moment! Hopefully I'll be back in the saddle for next week!

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"I'm a bitch. I'm a lover. I'm a child. I'm a mother. I'm a sinner. I'm a saint. I do not feel ashamed. I'm your hell. I'm your dream. I'm nothing in between. You know you wouldn't want it any other way. I'm a bitch. I'm a tease. I'm a goddess on my knees. When you hurt, when you suffer, I'm your angel undercover. I've been numb. I'm revived. Can't say I'm not alive. You know I wouldn't want it any other way."

Many of you should recognize who this describes! It's her birthday Thursday, so stop by and wish her a happy one! If you don't know who it is, come by tomorrow to find out!
Well, thanks to Blogger, everyone missed out on wishing the lovely Saucy Wildcat a happy birthday and a welcome back to the HNT party. And at this moment, her blog is still down. But stop by over the weekend and let her know you came by!

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A good showing over at "...the Other HNT", as usual! Stop by and leave some comments for your fellow HNTers! NSFW, as usual...

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Big week for HNT next week! The 6th Anniversary (or is it Birthday?) of HNT! Right down to the exact day, even! No themes or plans or celebrations, but if you want to do something special, it would be great! Let some of your friends know too, especially if they're former HNTers. It would be wonderful to see them jump back in for the week, don't you think?

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I might be doing this from jail next week. I got a letter from my ISP informing me that they'd been notified that I might have downloaded some copyrighted material. Specifically, the 2009 movie Star Trek. Haven't quite figured out if this was a precursor to legal action, or just a warning. I don't think I'm very concerned, since I download so little. Still...if I'm in jail next week, I'll be sure to get some really special HNT pics taken!

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My second oldest niece graduated from MSU this past Saturday. The girl is going to go far. I believe her degree is in Marketing (what do I know?). She has had more than a handful of major company presidents and execs ask her to come interview. She can pretty much write her own ticket. Not sure where she got her smarts from, but we're all pretty proud. Of course, she won't go to work right away. She just left this morning to fly to Europe for a month. If you see her over there, say hi for me!

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My siblings and I pitched in for an iPad for Mom this Mother's Day. She was shocked and amazed and flabbergasted. Unfortunately, her computer is old enough that it can't run the minimum version of iTunes to get it synced up. So now she's got a very pretty piece of computer sitting on the counter getting charged up, with no way to get started. Might have to run it through my computer, just to get it up and running. Hope I don't accidentally download the MG or OHNT pics on there for her too!