Thursday, May 12, 2011

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!


"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!

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

37 comments:

Libidinous Man said...

This week I cover V up, can't show too much, can we? HHNT everyone.

Osbasso said...

Gucci isn't well tonight, but she did get her HNT taken care of! What a trooper... It's spring in her neck of the woods!

http://www.mamastillwearsgucci.com/

Lusting Lola! said...

Glad things are getting back to normal! Sounds like an amazing symphony, though. Congrats to your niece! Nice gams on the MG, but I'll have to stop back tomorrow to find out who she is.

Oh, I'm up, btw. Also with some archived photos.

Hope you escape jail! Hehe. :)

JM said...

Man no wonder your face looks like it does! Glad things are finally starting to wind down for you. We have had a few weeks of visitors and visiting so I know what its like to feel like you've dropped out of the blogosphere. Hence why I missed last week.

Hopefully I've made up for it this week with a couple of extra creative images. So that being said, Jas and I are UP with a little take on voyeurism.

Sugarmag said...

Hey Os I am glad you are getting back into blogging and the swing of things! Cool photo (of you), I have no idea who your guest is.

I'm up with a photo taken by someone other than me...

Happy HNT!

JM said...

PS; If you do end up in jail, don't drop the soap!!

Chapter Two said...

jailbird huh? well you'll get some sleep then. MG has great nails.

I'm up...... goofin around and hurting myself- doh!

Vixen said...

The wind down...the catch up!!! Gah.. But good to have you back :)

I'm up!

xo

Mr. Smith said...

Jail huh? No prob! We're up! HHNT!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad all went well. Have a great weekend.

I'm up.

SapioSlut said...

I'm up and flashing at the hardware store...

Happy HNT!

heelsnstocking said...

Enjoy the forced relaxation if you make it to jail!

I'm up and modeling this seasons nest if British strawberries :)

Anonymous said...

I am up.


All in all it sounds like you had a great adventure over the last couple weeks.
Unwind time is needed.

Fat Controller said...

After a longer than intended break, we're up again.

Happy HNT to all!

Cheeky Minx said...

Yeah, you still got it. With that face, how could you not have the junior hard-bodies dropping at your feet! ;)

Gorgeous MG.

I'm up.
xxx

Eden said...

I'm not up today but I had to acknowledge your HNT. Ah, know the feeling! Very glad that the whole opera was a success though :-)

As for MG, she has pretty legs and gorgeous hands!

HHNT all!

Kevin Lomax said...

Up too: Got an Aussie on my bum ;-)

mina said...

I'm up in leather and buckles!

Maggie said...

That's exactly the face I would imagine after all of that. :)

I'm up.

HyperSexualGirl said...

Sounds like you were busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger.

I'm up!

Joanna Cake said...

Blogger ate my comment!!!

Ah the joys of a job well done.

And I know that swirly scrunched up exhaustion/elation face well :)

Im up with just a picture. Sit back and enjoy... x

Mrs. Learning said...

Congrats on all the hard work you are doing! Also kudos to the neice. It's refreshing to hear that someone is getting recruited in this economy. Maybe things are turning around.

I'm up and still working on my body image 10 weeks post partum. What ever I'm doing is working!

Anonymous said...

I'm actually playing this week!!! cum see me

Tigress

BTExpress said...

Spending time in the Big House ups your street cred a mile. Just don't let anyone know the real reason you were busted.

I opened my pool this week, so I just had to post about that.

viemoira said...

Haha - I *always* think stuff like that when I am doing things for family on my computer.

Your face is all twisted- did u eat a lemon? ;)

Hope you are back to "normal" soon.

MG- lovely! Great tatt and love the rings and nails looking so nice against the lovely stockings! :)

I'm up...

Daisygirl said...

blogger was sucking giant balls last night! I'm up!

K I am totally creeped out by that picture! ;)

Jail? Hmmmmm! Sending naked pics to the mom wouldn't be a great idea haha!

Happy Thursday O!

M said...

Happy HNT everybody... After major blogger issues last night (like everyone else) I'm up...

Just Me said...

Hi Everyone...this is my first HNT!! So this is dedicated to my Everyday...pearls...ok a little nipples too Giggling

The Temptress said...

After almost a year away... I'm back. And I'm up.

Emmy said...

I'm up! May you catch up and get some down time too.
~Emmy

Cande said...

Happy to be back at HNT this wee... even if for a simple pic. Sounds like you've been musically challenged recently! haha

I'm sure you look great in stripes if you end up in Jail.

xoxo

GoodWill said...

Congrats on the opera!

I'm up at my place - btw, lovely MG as always!

HyperSexualGirl said...

Very Picasso. I'm up!

MinorityReport said...

Weird shot this week.
Hope you avoid the jail time. ;)

I'm up.

Unknown said...

OK take two I am up as well.. Blogger sucks and if I could afford to get my own site I would trust me.. Beautiful mystery guest and I see though blogger put back the post it ate the comments..

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Love the distorted look!

Joanna Cake said...

I know that scrunched up squidgy exhausted elation look well!

Nothing quite like the feeling of a job well done.

I'm up with one of my best ever HNTs. Enjoy!