Random Thoughts

As another week passes and I come closer to opening -- and then closing -- another show in San Diego, my thoughts are on "shuffle." Here are a few samples:

• Lemons and oranges are ripening on area trees, collecting on the ground after they fall the way that I remember apples did in my grandmother's yard in Michigan. Citrus trees are new to me, where apple and cherry trees were common before.
• An earthquake rattled the apartment yesterday morning from an origination point 66 miles away in Anza, California. It registered 5.6 magnitude and was the first I've felt. An odd experience -- exciting and frightening at the same time.
• I heard a story about Bonnaroo on NPR this weekend. It's strange to think that the little town anchored by a Wal-Mart and a radio station, the little town where I lived and worked, is now the source of national news. This is the 3rd year of Bonnaroo, but four years ago that Manchester farm hosted the comparatively ill-attended Itchycoo, where I saw some decent bands on a radio pass. This year, my friends were working concession stands.
• Germany is a long way from here.
• So is my stuff in Nashville. I could easily pull a costume for my show from my closet there, but not from what I have here.
• The show opens next weekend and two of our actors -- otherwise very good -- aren't encouraging in the pace department.
• My roommate has started rehearsals for his cruise ship gig and will be leaving before I get home. We'll have missed each other for the duration of our year's lease -- and his future rent contributions will come from international waters.
• What will he have done with his cat?
• I can get a lot of deep-cleaning done alone in the apartment for a few months.
• What will the last 6 months of the year bring in Nashville? Will I miss San Diego or will I be relieved to return to rain, squirrels, and quiet neighbors?
• I saw a cool instrument at the county fair -- a Chapman Stick. It's a sort of 12-string guitar without the guitar... just a very long fret board. Kenny should have been there to see it. I miss my guitar.
• My Uncle Mike is an incredible guitar player. I watched him carefully during my recent trip to Michigan. All the instruction I missed by not growing up near him was not lost on me.
• Who would I be now if I'd grown up in Detroit? Would I like me more... or less?
• Why am I rambling on the internet?

My attention needs to focus on my upcoming opening, but disconnected thoughts ride on the heels of the looming closing and my return home. For now, it seems, my options are "shuffle" or "off." So maybe I'll go take a nap.