January

Why does July never last as long as January? They both have 31 days.

A lot has happened this month. The North American International Auto Show came through town, we inaugurated a new president and I've learned a new content management system. Not really excited about that last one, but it's been a focus of the month for me. A good start to the year all in all. I love the new year. So much potential.

Along with the new content management system came a new Web site. http://www.at.ford.com. Check it out if you want.

OK, let's see what the rest of the year holds. Can't wait.

Mele Kalikimaka

Merry Christmas from Hawaii! Every time I come here I search for a way not to go back.

Whoa! Let's not get crazy

It's easy to feel like the world is coming unglued these days. In Detroit, the bedrock industry of generations of people is having an earthquake. The Detroit Free Press has this headline. The good news is God says this.

It's been cold here lately. I came out of the gym the other day to this great frost pattern on my windshield.

The only other thing going on with me is It's a Wonderful Life. I love being part of a cast. Click for tickets soon. They are going fast.

Amazing

Hey -

I've had quite a week and it's just half over. Mostly, it's a long story I won't go into now, but God is good, and he is in control.

This is an interesting article in the, what else, New York Times. It talks about race and politics in Europe in light of the Obama election. The most amazing part to me is that is said Obama is the only black U.S. Senator. If he is not replaced by an African American the Senate will have none. The House has about 9 percent African Americans. I never would have guessed that.

Lots and lots going on

Wow, it's been almost two weeks since I posted. We have a new president, which is exciting. Work is icky because they just announced another 10% layoff by the end of January. There's nothing I can do about it, so I try not to stress, but the atmosphere in the office is awful. I know they give you a couple months notice so departments can prepare, etc, but it's hard to wait day after day, knowing it's coming.

I'm having a great time at the acting workshop. I am working on three pieces. Shakespeare's Sonnet #56, the nurse speech from Romeo and Juliet, and a scene from The Lion in Winter. I am playing Eleanor of Aquitane in that one. It's the most fun I've had in a long time.

I have an audition at a professional theater in Ann Arbor on Thursday. That one is Tennessee Williams' Orpheus Descending. I would love to get cast in a professional show, but driving to A2 three times a week could end me. But it would be worth it. I could be union-eligible too.

I got a lot done this weekend, and it feels good. I have all my food made for the week ahead, I cleaned the bathroom and mopped the kitchen floor. I mowed the lawn for hopefully the last time.

I've also decided to cave and get cable TV. I had sticker shock when I first started looking into it, but I really need the internet a home, and I need to do something before the digital change in Feburary, and my VCR is on its last legs. So I'll join the 21st century sometime this month. Yikes.

So I guess that catches us up, for the most part. This time of year time flies faster than usual. I'll try to do a better job updating.

Wild Weekend

Hi,

I had a great weekend. I really love the acting workshop I'm taking. It's fun and I'm learning a lot and meeting great people. I'm so glad I did it.

So people were saying snow is coming, maybe by today, so Saturday I make a point to put the gardens to bed for the winter. I went behind my garage to cut down the dead hosta leaves and was very surprised by a dead skunk! I had seen a skunk around the neighborhood, and of course you can smell them. The dogs around get skunked pretty regularly. It scared me until I realized it was dead. There was no blood, so I don't know how it died. Poison? Old age? Anyway, I buried it behind the hostas.

Saturday night was our recital for the tap dance class I took all summer. Fun, except I got more "how can people vote that way" when I mentioned I was a one-issue voter during the after party. I'm not giving you a hard time about the way you vote! Leave me alone!

Yesterday I took some hot beverages over to see my Grandma. Coffee for her, hot chocolate for me. It was cool, so I thougth she'd be inside, but when I got there she was out in her chair, with her hood over her head. The sun was going in and out, and it was pretty pleasant. We had a good chat. It was good to see her after all those weeks I was busy with the play.

And speaking of playing, good rehearsal last night for It's a Wonderful Life. It's going to be a good cast. I'm looking forward to it.

So now it's Monday and back to work. God is good. All the time.

Yikes! Where does the time go?

I know I said I would try to publish from Florida, but it didn't happen. I was working part of the time, and the rest I was hanging out with my sister. I had a great couple of days. Perfect weather, got to see family and out of the office for a couple days too.

"Angel Street" closed on Sunday. I'll miss it, I had a great time with that cast. Now onto "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Farmington Players. It opens the day after Thanksgiving and should be a good time too.

I've mentioned my acting workshop with the Detroit Repertory Theatre. I am having a blast and learning a lot. We got scripts for our scenes for the showcase. I'm doing a scene from "The Lion in Winter." I'm playing Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was some woman. I need to do some more research. Library tonight!

Lots of good stuff going on. I'm blessed.