So I haven’t been hiding under a rock . . . Fedoralady’s been wearing her other hats

Well, hello out there, if anybody is still listening! In spite of my quietness, I am still to be counted as an Ardent Armitage Admirer. If you are on Facebook, you know that I have been posting at my RA page, “The Richard Armitage Effect.”

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-Armitage-Effect/ (Although there have been days when the posts have been “slim to none.”)

It’s been ages, it seems, since I have been here at TAE.

I confess I am behind on reading other bloggers’ posts. I’ve saved my notifications so I am hoping to catch up at some point. However, my good intentions may fall short. Mea culpa.

Real Life has been BUSY. Busy with volunteer work for the humane society, busy with assignments for the newspaper, where I am now a regular contributor of one to two stories, along with photos, each week, and busy with our video production company, shooting year-end school events and community theater, dance recitals and more. After the shoots comes the really time-consuming process of editing both stills and video. Rather than go into great detail about the events, I am simply going to share some of my photos . . . .

 I love it what I do. Oh, yeah, I get tired. Cricks in my neck. Eye strain. My back hurts. IBS strikes. Restful sleep is forever eluding me. Yet, I feel as if am in my element. I am helping document the milestones of my community and its inhabitants, giving back to it.  And making some money along the way while I’m doing it. Getting a chance to be creative.  That is very important to me.

I love it when mamas make the photos I’ve taken of their young’uns their profile photos on FB, or proudly share them on their pages. I love promoting some of the amazing talent we have in this county.

It’s been a season of celebration–endings and beginnings. A lot of smiles and a few tears along the way.
Now we are gearing up to cover my friend Sonya’s year-end dance recital. To call this ambitious production a recital doesn’t really do justice to all the creativity, imagination and scope she incorporates into these shows. I can’t wait until this weekend. Tomorrow I go and shoot some video and stills of rehearsal. These are from the other day, picture day for the Pink class–mostly five-year-old budding ballerinas. Funny, sweet, sometime rambunctious.

Unpredictable.

I love when I can capture the little ones *not* giving me one of those cheesy grins. Said toothy smiles look fake and give you squinty eyes, and these eyes are too lovely not to get their proper due.  Thank you for bearing with me through all these photos and keep in mind, I actually took a few thousand or so . . .  so I am actually sparing you! 😉

Catching up on things and choosing one’s soul. Fedoralady’s back! (with RA, too)

After this long period of silence from me here at the blog (largely due to constant outage issues with our internet which seem to be resolved for now, *fervently crossing fingers* not to mention a serious case of the winter blaahs), here I am!

 

I used to be called the “Hat Lady “around town. I hope to be a lady worth knowing . . . hat or no hat.

Things finally seem to be looking up. I have been asked back as a regular contributor (as in once or twice a week, instead of once or twice a month, if that) at The Greenville Advocate . I will also assist with copyediting and writing for the quarterly “Camellia” Magazine. Tracy wants to see my byline more often, and judging by the response I got when I posted about it on FB, quite a few others do, too. I won’t get rich–that wasn’t happening when I worked full-time–but it will be nice to have more of a regular income to look forward to.  And so far this year, I haven’t had to go back to the doctor. Still paying off bills from last year, so this is good!

 

We did a community service video for Healthy Kids last month, tailoring it to their “Superheroes Unite” theme for the year. We don’t charge for this kind of project, but that doesn’t mean we don’t work just as hard to make it good. Lisa, the director for the group, was thrilled with the results, especially since we didn’t get a huge amount of advance notice on the project (a week and half, roughly).

 

 

A YT version should soon be up so everyone who didn’t attend the HK sponsorship luncheon can also enjoy and learn from it. Sometimes, (moving) pictures and captions, along with some brief interviews and voice-overs, are worth a thousand words! 😀 And I think it will be good advertising for our video production company. I am also proud of the fact I shot and edited ALL the footage for each segment of this 10-minute video, except for the superhero fx integrated into it by Benny *giving myself a little pat on the back.*

 

Spring is in the air here–although it can’t quite make up its mind whether to stay yet. I feel as if I need to come out of hibernation, shake off my winter malaise, and–write. Create.  Connect. Keep choosing my soul. And try not to beat up on myself quite so often. I ran across some posts on Pinterest that spoke to me . . . maybe to you, too.

 

And lest you think this will be an RA-less post, au contraire, mes amies! Scroll on, my darlings, scroll on!

In case you were wondering . . . the camera that would actually survive going ‘Into the Storm’ would be . . .

 

None of those big expensive-looking video cameras used by Pete’s team or the one Donnie took on his ill-fated expedition to the old mill. They are very much like the cameras we use at Pecan Ridge Productions and, as Mr. Videographer says,  “All that water? Nope. Not a chance.”  (As we’ve also sadly discovered, extremes in heat and humidity without the actual water can also mean curtains for these Papa Bear cams . . .) But they do look so professional when you show up at an event carting one around, trust me.  Even though our little Lumix DSLM records video of just as high a quality . . . Max Deacon and Alicia Debnam Carey in a still from “Into the Storm.” Oh, Donnie, without waterproof housing, that camera is about to be toast, son.

On the other hand, that little ol’ camera mounted on the Drunken Good ol’ Boy’s head–that would be a GoPro, says Mr. Videographer–is the Camera Most Likely To Survive Even If The Wearer Does Not.  “Yep, those GoPros com are durable and they come with a sturdy waterproof housing,” says Mr. Videographer. “They’re used for filming underwater stuff, for example. You know, sharks.” Yikes!

 

Jon Reep and Kyle Davis, aka Reevis and Donk,  who said they improvised most of their lines providing comedy relief in ITS.  Note the GoPro on that All-American helmet Reevis is wearing.  BTW, Jon went to school with a fellow RA fan, Catherine Windsor, a friend on FB. It’s a small world after all . . .

According to the GoPro website, all you have to do is:

“Dream it. Do it. And capture it with your GoPro. HERO3+ cameras make it easy to document and share your life’s most interesting experiences.”

I’d say being in the middle of this huge tornado and actually living to tell about it would definitely fit into that category, wouldn’t you? 😉

 

Jon and Kyle strike a pose at the premiere. I know some people who would love to wear those tuxes to the prom. Just sayin’ . . .

And let us not depart today without sharing a nice image of Mr. A himself–

Richard and Max at WonderCon. Such handsome gents!

Richard & Courtney: Here’s to the ones who inspire and amaze me

 

 

My edits of the promo stills supplied by the Old Vic Theatre.

“The best thing about being on stage is when you’re in the middle of the scene and you lose control. You get this massive adrenaline rush, a feeling like you’re flying or on fire. Once you’ve had that, you want it again and again.”

~Richard Armitage

 

Courtney touches up her makeup before the final performance of “Hollywood Dreams.” My photo and edit for Pecan Ridge Productions.

Courtney Rice. My photo.

Talented trio: Cory Rice, aspiring National Geographic writer, mom Sonya, dancer instructor and choreographer, and Courtney Rice, who dreams of performing on Broadway and participating in film production. My photo.

“It’s not that I have certain roles I like to dance, more so, it’s certain emotional levels I like to go to. The dance, or character, I am, I want it to be very emotionally invested. I want to be able to go to the extremes of hope, hatred, horror, sorrow, excitement! I want the audience to tangibly feel what I am feeling. The vulnerability of going all the way inside of an emotion in front of a crowd is the best feeling ever. So the more extreme of an emotional role, the better!”

~Courtney Rice

Richard, well, you all know who HE is, what he’s about to do–appear as John Proctor in Arthur Miller’s acclaimed play “The Crucible” on the stage of no less than the Old Vic Theatre in London.  Some of you will have the golden opportunity to see him perform in person this summer and I can’t wait to hear about your experiences.  Yes, I am still a little envious–but also, I’m extremely excited for Richard, and so happy to know some of those who have followed his career and championed his talent will be there in the audience to lend their support.

His long years of labor and taking whatever jobs came to keep him afloat, driving old beaters, working the front of house, and dreaming of one day having those choice roles–it’s happening now for you, Richard Armitage, and it couldn’t happen to a more deserving artist. For that is what you are, a true artist, not a “celebrity,” someone famous for being famous without having any genuine talent to back it up.  I wish I could give you a big old bear hug right about now and tell you, “Break a leg!”

Courtney is a young woman from my own hometown, a very gifted dancer I once profiled in our annual magazine as a rising star among high school students in our area. Even as a teenager, she had a poise and elegance beyond her years. “She’s like a princess,” someone said. And she was.

I got to watch her perform again recently during her mother’s annual dancer recital, a production that would be ambitious on a big city stage, let alone in a small town of less than 8,000 people. She and her sister Cory flew in for the weekend to assist with and perform in the two-night event.  The talented teenager has blossomed into an even better, more refined performer after four years of dance training at university.

Courtney made the move to New York after college graduation in December. She works in an administrative position with the Gibney Dance Company and serves as a nanny to a nine-year-old youngster in Brooklyn. Courtney is still honing her craft, taking dance lessons and working with a group of fellow choreographers in a collective in the limited amount of spare time she has.  This young woman has a strong work ethic. She’s beautiful and talented and graced with such stage presence; yet she remains that polite, sweet, down-to-earth girl I met years ago who calls me “Miss Angie” and gives warm hugs.  Remind you of anyone?

I wish I had stills–better yet, I wish I had the video of her amazing solo to a piece of music from “Harry Potter” I could share with you here, but it’s not ready yet. I told her she sent chills down my spine, but in a very good sort of way.

I hope she gets the breaks and has the career she desires–she’s got the talent and technique, but she’s also got the drive and the passion and it shows in her performances. She’s the real thing, too.

“The vulnerability of going all the way inside of an emotion in front of a crowd is the best feeling ever. So the more extreme of an emotional role, the better!” 

Those words could have easily come from Richard, I think. May he have that “best feeling ever” this weekend and in the weeks to come as he inhabits the complicated role of John Proctor for Old Vic audiences.

Keep on breaking a leg, Courtney and Richard. I’ll be cheering for both of you.  You inspire and amaze me!

 

 

 

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong . . .” RA, Pillar of Strength.

 

It’s 4:50 a.m. on a Friday morning. I woke up abruptly after falling asleep pretty quickly last night.  It was a hard day, shooting two separate events, standing on an unforgiving gym floor for several hours before my work day was over. I struggled last night to make it up my front steps and onto the deck.

 

My back is angry with me yet again. Forgive me if this is disjointed and a bit scattershot . . . that’s sort of the state of my brain at present.  I am at once so grateful for the work and the fact Pecan Ridge Productions is becoming better known, and so frustrated my body keeps failing me. In three hours, I will be back in town standing on that same gym floor behind a camera. I am beginning to think I should have just slept there. Then again, my back really wouldn’t have liked that!

Benny’s been ill with the type of crud that turns your digestive system inside out.  And then he started passing blood, not huge amounts–a teaspoon or so here and there, but enough to be alarming for me. Didn’t want to go to the ER because of the co-pay. The bleeding seemed to stop while I was in town shooting with Harry. Fingers crossed . . .

I haven’t spent much time Armitaging in recent weeks because I have been so busy, so wrapped up in our video production business, up working well into the night on projects, sometimes sleeping, sometimes not. Wanting to make one particular project something really special. It’s our first two-DVD set, with an hour of bonus features, nearly all of those edited by yours truly. And then wouldn’t you know we’d have to miss the big DVD premiere party at the Ritz? I think I would have cried except for the fact I was too tired to squeeze out those tears.POTR cast member and local pharmacist Jimmy Ansley offered to promote the DVD at his business. He has this display on his front counter . . . he snapped this photo and posted it on FB. Good to have a cheerleader for the project.

 

The good news is, the cast and crew LOVED it. We’ve gotten compliments on the editing, sound quality, how the images really pop on the screen,  that the bonus features are fun and informative and creatively done . . . so we are feeling good about the response.

I did take some time out to look at the new and new-to-us images of Richard popping up this week. The Sarah Dunn photo is simply gorgeous, but it’s not the one that resonated with me the most. It was that still from “Into the Storm” that really grabbed my attention. Armitage as rescuer, savior, hero. The idea that when the going gets tough, this is the guy you’d want in your corner.  He doesn’t give up or give in; I am trying to hang in there, too, and work through the pain and fatigue and know it will all be worth it in the end.

And so I made the little collage you see above. I have leaned on Armitage in various ways these past seven years, through disappointments, humiliation and heartache, through pain and grief. Even when I don’t spent much time “with” him, I always know he’s there, this pillar of strength. This powerful yet gentle man, with his kindly, compassionate eyes and arms that encompass you, murmuring words of encouragement.

“Brave girl, brave girl.”

Thank you, Richard, for once again helping me without any earthly idea you are doing it.

And now, time for half a muscle relaxer with a side order of fuzzy feline . . .

 

 

Happy Guyday Friday: Ladywriter’s been ill, yet strangely happy

“You have been quite the–what do you call it, in modern parlance?–a nightbird–of late?”

She smiled up into those blue eyes, their lids, lashes and sardonic brows so artfully shaded, blackened and lined, it was enough to make the girl at the Clinique counter green with envy.

 

How can a man indulge in so much cosmetic artifice and still look so danged manly and drop-dead sexy? Oh, well, at least I can always borrow his makeup kit if I misplace mine . . .

Ladywriter pressed a tissue to her mouth as she coughed, then cleared her throat.

“Night–owl, Sir Guy. I’ve been quite the night owl.” Her voice was still scratchy after her recent bout with the Crud, but she wasn’t looking quite as “weak-eyed” (as her mama used to say).  “I think I’m like Sonya, the dance teacher and choreographer for the Ritz show–I often feel most creative and productive after dark. I get on a roll with the video and photo editing for Pecan Ridge and I–go with it.”

Sir Guy raised a single dark brow as his lips twisted into one of those trademark smirks. “I’ve often done some of my best work at night as well . . .”

 

 

Ladywriter sat back and folded her arms across her chest. “Mmm-hmmm. I know. I wrote about some of your best–work, remember?”

 

His mouth twitched, a teasing gleam appearing in his azure eyes. “Indeed . . .” Sir Guy flicked back a stray lock as he tilted his head. “And, I hope–shall write about me and my adventures again?” There was a wistful note in that deep rumble, a question in that sidelong glance.

Oh, dearest Sir Guy–I have rather neglected you of late . . . but it’s sort of now or never for us in Real Life.

She gave him a reassuring smile as she reached out and clasped that big, elegant hand.

“Never say never, my dearest Dark Knight . . .”

Happy Guyday Friday to all!

 

There’s a reason I am not around a lot lately . . .

 

After a long drought, Pecan Ridge is very busy right now. This week our arts council’s annual musical fundraiser takes place Thursday through Saturday. Last night was the dress rehearsal, but we’ve been going to rehearsals for weeks now. I am putting together a behind-the-scenes featurette to add to the footage we will shoot tonight at the second dress rehearsal and Benny will edit tomorrow (he’s taking a vacation day).

I did five on-camera interviews with key people tied to production, and did some acting hamming it up for a pre-show video that will be displayed on the big screen with 70’s music clips and our sponsors’ names. One of my two alter egos, Poppy Moonchild, is depicted above.  Below is disco diva Cassandra Devereaux (the theme is “The Magic of the 70s” so we have a mixture of hippy-dippy stuff and protest songs with disco hits).

I’ve been shooting and editing photos and video and I love it, I really do, but I am tired with “miles to go before I sleep,” and I ache in assorted and sundry places. Tomorrow is my only day off this week (in the sense I won’t be going to town) but I will be working here at home. Benny and Harry are also shooting our alma mater’s beauty pageant and the elementary school’s musical “Peter Pan” this week while I focus on selling DVDs at the show and assisting behind the scenes.

 

Now, we are a little town of approximately 8,000 people in a largely rural south Alabama county–but I have to say we have some phenomenally talented folks who can sing, dance, and sew beautiful costumes (one lady does all three). So proud of them and all their hard work! The monies raised through sponsorships and ticket sales for the show will go to pay the artistic fees for professional productions such as touring Broadway musicals, concerts and plays–the same productions you normally have to travel to a much larger city to see. Yeah, I am proud–can you tell? 😀

 

 

 

Sir Guy is reading–‘Urban’?? and Ladywriter tries to get RL Ducks in Row

Sir Guy was loafing on the blue loveseat in the living room, long legs crossed at the ankles and draped across the back of the furniture. Scarlett was draped across his well-toned tummy while his handsome aquiline nose was tucked into the paperback in his hand. The Bernard Hare book, of all things. Would wonders ever cease?

“So that’s where my book got to!” Ladywriter, her arms folded across her chest, smiled down at the duo. A pair of kohl-rimmed blue eyes (nicely accented by the color of the upholstery) peeped at her above the edge of the book.  Did she detect a hint of sheepishness there? NOT that he would admit it.

“Urhm . . . yes, well . . .” Sir Guy sniffed and gave a nonchalant shrug of his Floppy Pirate Shirt-clad shoulders.  “Thought I might just–take a peek. Since you have not yet read this tome,” he added in a faintly accusatory tone. Standing up for his CReAtor, was he?

Ladywriter sighed. “I told you, my dearest dark knight, my mind has been going in a thousand different directions of late and I’d like to be able to concentrate on the story as it deserves.” Her mouth curled into a smirk. “And some of us have to work at building our business for a living, you know . . . ”

Sir Guy raised a brow. “And some of us had to–perish–in a particularly nasty way to get to enter this Valhalla known as the Land of the So Not Dead.”

Ladywriter bowed her head. “‘Tis true, Sir Guy, and I do not begrudge you one minute of your much-deserved happiness.”

He gave her a gracious nod in return.  “Thank you, my lady.  It was your idea in the first place, the entire SND thing . . .”

 

“And once the craziness of this weekend and the first part of next week are over, then, perhaps, I can settle down and read the book.  In the meantime, I’ve got interview questions for several people to write for our bonus feature on the POTR video, along with a script for my hippy dippy video jockey from the 70s to do, and Benny will be shooting me in front of the green screen Sunday, I’ve got a Tuesday luncheon date with our yogi we are shooting an instructional vid for, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage to shoot Tuesday night . . .”

Sir Guy stroked Scarlett, who proceeded to purr softly as she squinted at the big, handsome fellow she adored.  It was good being Ladywriter’s cat. You got to meet the most interesting ChaRActers . . .

“And–a doctor’s visit Monday?” He tilted his head. “You KNOW you haven’t been feeling that well of late, either.”

She shrugged. “No, but I was hanging on for that appointment. At long last. WITH my former student, no less.  A very intelligent and very sweet young man. He’s gotten raves from his other patients. So–I have hopes . . .” She crossed her fingers on both hands.

“So–enjoy the book and tell me what you think, and be patient with me, dear Sir Guy. You KNOW you are still my favorite ChaRActer . . .”

And always will be.

MoRe CollAges and Catching Up . . .

I felt somewhat out of the loop with the RA fandom for a few days. That thing called Real Life crept in, which is a good thing really, because it meant work for the video production company last Saturday, and me being busy with related activities.

Those included being asked to write a feature story and provide photos for a picture page for the newspaper at treble my normal column rate of pay. Which doesn’t leave me rolling in dough, but it does mean I am earning some of my daily bread.  That and the sale of a small bisque pitcher vase to a friend yesterday cheered me up. 😀

 

It also meant time with extended family–my brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bobby and Pam were visiting from San Antonio and staying with another BIL and SIL, Paul and Donna, in Montgomery. So there was a trip to Montgomery to visit with a gathering of family members from the area on Sunday, and the four of them also came to Greenville on Tuesday to share lunch with us and a little shopping at a local flea market. Yesterday, my Real Life activity of helping animals came into play with a meeting of the humane society. I feel as if I am somehow coming out of hibernation . . . even though today is feeling a bit more wintery again than spring-like!  Physically, I don’t feel great; mentally, I am in a good place. This is a blessing.

In terms of Richarding, I *finally* got to see the 2nd and 3rd parts of the Anglophile interview this week. YT was not cooperating when Part 2 came out and I was not available when the final part came out. So I enjoyed delayed gratification . . . and you know, there can be something very satisfying about not gorging oneself but taking your time and savoring all the goodness. Because there is *so* much to appreciate, isn’t there?

Well, time to mix up the tea, check on the dishwasher and feed the dogs. In other words, RL calls once more. Hope you are all doing well!

Where my head is at . . . and it’s not a bad place, really.

Where my head is at . . .

My brain is busy. It’s tired and there’s always worry lurking there—I am my mother’s daughter, after all—but things are getting accomplished, too.  I am making progress. I completed two pieces of video editing for the homecoming dance DVD and I am really pleased with how it turned out. Scarlett and I are watching the “rough draft” DVD right now to vet it for Benny and I am snapping a few screencaps along the way and typing up a few notes for things that need tweaking.  Samples . . .

And here is a photo I took and edited from the recent bar mitzvah we covered.  I love it. Mama loves it. And if Mama loves it, that makes me happy.

I also stood up and said “no” to one of my volunteer duties for the humane society.

I am the recording secretary and PR chair. I write and submit articles and photos to the local newspapers, I manage its FB page which I update daily, I create numerous graphics for ads and flyers, I assist with taking photos to submit to the pet rescue groups, I am going to completely redo the website at some point—so did I really need to be the scheduling person for the spay-neuter program, too? It’s not as if we don’t have dozens of other members—although, as with many organizations, a very small number of folks do most of the “heavy lifting.”

I said “no” and the world didn’t fall apart and I felt something lifting off my shoulders. You gotta do what you gotta do.

My husband’s birthday was last Sunday. I set a goal to raise enough money to buy him a good tablet—not an iPad, because he really isn’t a Mac kind of guy, but an Android with a good track record and the bells and whistles he needs and wants.

I went the cheap route last Christmas and the darned thing has already died. And his old iPod Touch I gave him for Christmas years ago isn’t going to last much longer.  He needed something other than his desktop. And what profits we’ve made in our video production biz has gone into camera equipment and other business-related stuff—nothing personal.

So I flogged some of my jewelry on FB.

And between my darling sis’s generous donation and my bling-lovin’ FB friends, I raised $400 and bought him a Samsung Google Nexus 10. He was showing me the voice response feature last night. “Angie K Long,” he told it, and what do you know—a familiar pair of eyes looking over her sunglasses appeared. Cool! The display is beautiful—better, some say, than the iPad—and he really likes it. And that makes ME happy. 😀

A month from today, I will be making my entrance, speaking the first lines of dialogue in“Dying from a Drink.” I have been rehearsing my role at home, practicing my “drunk face” and appropriate body language in front of the mirror. Never a heavy drinker, I haven’t been inebriated in this century. So it IS a bit of a stretch for me.

O.K., it’s just a role in a short two-act play for a small-town community theatre, one our cast of six will perform in the banquet room of a local restaurant as part of our first-ever mystery dinner theatre.

Still, I want to be good. I want all of us to be good, to remember our lines and deliver them with feeling and make that small, intimate audience laugh and puzzle over just who wants to do in the tipsy wealth widow I am playing . . . so I take my Big Black Hat to rehearsals, put in my blingy earrings, and put on my best slurry voice . . . and think about Richard Armitage and what he’d say and do!

“Go forth and give your best paranoid drunken murder victim-to-be, Ange!”

“Oh, and think about these lips. Puckering up to give you a congratulatory kiss when you ace it . . .”

Hmmmmmmm . . . . oh well, I can dream.

I actually could get some kisses from this gorgeous creature . . . and my sweet hubby. 😀

Is there something wrong with me? Confessions of a bewildered (and tired) blogger.

The answer to the question I pose in my title is “yes,” because, like it or not, I am fighting a daily battle with FMS/CFS coupled with osteoarthritis and possibly some other medical issues.  I haven’t had any feeling to speak of in two toes on my left foot for a few days now. Who knows why . . .

But what’s been niggling at me this week, more than my numb tootsies, is the fact I don’t feel excited. I mean, about all the new RA stuff. I didn’t feel that visceral punch from looking at the “Woof” and “Meow” pics. I haven’t yet watched the new DoS trailer (I know, I know, heresy for an RA blogger) or the video with RA. I’ve been busy–mentally and physically–and I face a lot over the next few months, work-wise, interest-wise, life-wise.

In spite of my excess adipose tissue, I look pretty much OK. Looks, of course, can be deceiving. I had to take a long nap this afternoon . . . I’ve reached the point where I really do miss those naps if I don’t get them. I’d rather take a nap than look at RA, how sad is that?! But that’s the way things are right now.

I’ve come to a crossroads in my life and I have to make some decisions and they aren’t easy for me to make. I wonder what people will think of me, as if I should care.  I feel like a bit of a failure, and yet I know I didn’t ask for the condition that is pushing me into this corner. I can accept things intellectually, but on an emotional plane I am struggling.

I am sure this current mood will change. At least, I hope it will.  Maybe if the calls I make over the next couple of days help me along on my personal journey . . . fingers crossed.

There are things I do look forward to. Saturday night we have to meet with my friend, the delightful English/Drama teacher and director Naomi to discuss the bar mitzvah we are covering for her son next weekend in Tuscaloosa (this will be a first for us in several ways!) . Hoping to go and see “Gravity” at the theater beforehand this weekend and catch the DoS trailer on the big screen. Big screen RA as the majestic Thorin will surely make a difference.

In the meantime, I have a lot of PRP video editing to do, among other things.  I look at the weeks to come. There’s continued rehearsals for “Dying for a Drink,” our first Arts Council production to attend in just over a week, a highly-anticipated weekend away in Tuscaloosa and a new cultural experience next weekend, humane society events to publicize, possibly more pix to take for rescues, the opening of the town’s art gallery later this month. My plate is full.

I just hope and pray I have what it takes to keep up with it all and enjoy it, because I don’t want to be the person outside looking in anymore, feeling disconnected from my own community.

I just have to keep reminding myself of this.

One more event under our belts. Tired, but feeling good.

Tonight we videoed the retirement/65th birthday celebration for Yvonne Gulley, who served in the county school system for 30 years. I saw a lot of old acquaintances, including my former high school history teacher, shot  video and some stills and shared my good wishes with the honored lady and her family, who really went all out to give her a celebration to remember. The son who organized it lives in Omaha, where we were for five years during Benny’s AF days. It is a small world . . .

Wookies & Yoda and Storm Troopers, oh my! PRP’s latest vid. :D

Here’s my newest video creation for Pecan Ridge Productions, made from footage and stills shot at the local library last weekend. If you view and you like it, please give it some love at YT–hit “like” and comment.
Thanks!!

We have another gig to shoot, a combination birthday/retirement celebration at the lovely Cambrian Ridge Clubhouse this Saturday. And still working on the wedding . . .

My get-up-and-go issues . . . and some RA

It’s been a strange week. On top of the FMS I  happen to have a low-grade chronic form of mono–nothing “catching,” just a nuisance that rears its exhausting little head from time to time  when I am under a lot of stress. Benny’s illness did just that–stressed me out. He’s been to the doctor, he’s taking the antibiotics and seems to be slowly improving. Thank goodness!

I still have trouble sleeping at night and the last couple of days I’ve fallen asleep in the afternoon and slept until 9 or 10 p.m. I do actually seem to rest fairly well during those hours, but I am still worn out. Hence not a lot done around here. The Dishwashing Fairy better put in an appearance tomorrow, spouse  informed me.

I’ve been busy with the Humane Society, scheduling spay/neuter surgeries,  and trying to promote what we do and our calendar photo project (“Send in those photos, ladies and gents. The pet calendar is going international”)  via FB (See link below).  Now attempting to untangle the organization’s website, which has been long neglected–honestly, I think it might be easier if I started all over again from scratch!

Also doing some work for Pecan Ridge, researching photo package prices for an event we hope to cover in mid-October in Tuscaloosa for my friend Naomi and her family.  And I need to work on a wedding music video (or as Benny calls it, “musical montage”) for the Harrells. But I only get so much done before . . .

We finally got a decent amount of sunshine today, which really did lift my spirits. So much so I had to go out for a walk, even though the knees were balky. My hair was clean and fluffy and I had my favorite crushable hat on and yes, for a little while, I was feeling pretty good. Ya gotta grab for those feelings while they are out there, or so I have learned.

And now the stormy weather is back, thundering all around and my poor old knees aren’t the least bit happy. Very tired again. Maybe I will sleep some tonight.

Anyway, sorry for being a bit absent from things RA.  Maybe I will be able to make it up to you later . . . or perhaps, even a bit now.

Related articles

• Send in those pet photos, ladies & gents. The pet calendar is going international. (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Richard and I, wondering what’s next? (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• To my RA friends | Give a helping hand (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Connection of Fibromyalgia with Rheumatoid Arthritis (arthritis.answers.com)

OT: Presenting PRP’s new YT Channel and First Music Vid!

I created a YouTube Channel for our video production company yesterday–PRPVideoServices–and Benny got the first video, a new version of the music video I did for the FDA Kindergarten graduation, uploaded for me this morning.  We will be adding more of my music video creations–made as bonus features for our DVDs–as time passes and also plan to create a showreel of the best moments from our various projects.

Please, when you have the time, take a few minutes to watch this and if you enjoy it, please “like” and comment at the channel. Of course, comments are welcome here, too, but it would help tremendously to show some love at YT, too. Many thanks! The video IS blocked in certain countries, so I know some of you won’t be able to watch 😦

Presenting “Little Grads, Big Dreams” shot by Benny Long and edited by Angie Long using Muvee “Soar”