End is but a new Begin

Y helo thar, readers. Hop enue yar. Seems like Lady Moon spun thru these past two weeks at double time; but then, i was late on the last post and there was that stretch of holiday craziness to get through, now mercifully over. i think the plan is to sum up what i did, but do i even know? i suppose that i do, and now that i gather my wits, there really *wasn't* very much since the last post. Which should make for quick disposal. Oh dear, that never bodes well, when i think that - !

There was the end of 2010 and the beginning of this year more than anything, of course. New Year's Eve always a juggle of more invitations and obligations than i can possibly keep. There's the dress i decided to make at the last minute, which, once completed, i didn't wear. There was the stop at Ed's, and the party where i ended the night, and a midnight between them spent quietly in pleasant company. There was, at last, family xmas: an overshot roadtrip to pick up younger daughter, dinner at the folks, gifts. There was a serendipituous tweetup with a woman likely to become a regular partner in crime; and a benefit to cover medical expenses for the Perfect Guy. And finally, the con-con holiday hangover party combined with (to my knowledge) first-ever company meeting to kick off our tenth season.

i didn't do much crafting, except for making these silly little Santa candy dishes. These were inspired by an old family photo my brother had put up - can you spot the original behind our fabulous 70s outfits and Mom's groovy pigtails? Hint:Its on top of the piano. It may yet reside in a box at my folks; they haven't broken out the full compliment of xmas goodies in years. i'm not sure my grrlinas Got It, but what the heck, i had fun.

Hopefully they appreciated the legwarmers made from recycled sweaters a bit more. Those, of course, i didn't think to take pictures of cuz i'm smart like that. Not sure if i found the idea on Instructables or, more likely, Burda Style. There WILL be more of these, because legwarmers possess teh awesome, and repurposed clothing automatically doubles that quotient. You can cruise my Etsy shop in about a month, bet you'll find some. Of course you can cruise it right now and find other things - go on, i'll wait.

See, wasn't that fun? =} Oh, speaking of Etsy reminds me i also put in my application to vend at The Fairie Festival in May. OK, somewhere i have a picture of me at my cart last year which i wanted to use, but i can't find it ::gnar:: So here's a pic of the Maypole instead. This is simply The. Coolest. Event. EVAR. Its so cool i put in a dual application this year, as vendor and performer both - hoping i can come do my statue thing, and put an assistant in charge of my cart. And speaking of *that* reminds me i also applied to perform as a statue at a benefit for Near West Theater next month. i have an audition in a couple weeks which will be amusing i think; i'm going to show up, stand there and ignore them.

And oh dear, i did do even more than i thought at first; because i seem to have signed on as Stage Manager for Cleveland Shakespeare's benefit which i will probably be completely immersed in by the time my next update is due. While i ~could~ have said no, i couldn't really, as CleveShakes may not solely be the brainchild of my boss but is pretty damn close; but its also at the Playhouse and yes, thank you, i'll take a resume credit there in exchange for the last two weekends in January.

There's not a lot to say about family xmas except OMG LOOK AT THIS DOLL , shown here posing with Erl the Stuffed Dog. Elder daughter has officially put her Maa's crafting ability to shame. Younger daughter also received a doll; *hers* is a stuffed - and bearded! - version of The Snuggler. i don't know why; young people have ways different from our own. My dollie has yet to tell me what she'd like to weat instead of a scarf - when she does, i'll make it for her.

i suppose NYE gets a paragraph or two as well. i mentioned making a dress - i'll find some excuse to wear it somewhere, don't know where yet tho. When i bought the material, the clerk at JoAnn's warned me i'd have glitter everywhere. My inner drag queen rejoiced, but i'll tell ya what, she wasn't kidding. Its a lovely blue velour w/silver glitter crescents and starbursts, that leaves a shimmering slug trail behind it anywhere i would have or will wear it. And where did i go, in the big blue satin shirt i wore instead - ?

My first stop was at Edison's, of course. Morticia's Chair were already playing when i arrived, so i didn't really get to say hi to the guys in the band. The place looked great, all done up in black and white tinsel rope, and was starting to fill with people, but i couldn't stay. i've spent, i think, the last three or four New Year's Eve's there and that's plenty. i'd accepted an invite to a party with friends from the Clepunk crowd and was headed there; but i made a stop along the way and ushered in the new year there, listening to WCSB and fireworks going off in the neighborhood. Might have stayed if i hadn't promised the hostess, who had made up a sweet little crash space just for me, complete with a ragdoll. That was a lovely time as well, where i also would have stayed longer if the birdies didn't require my presence the next morning.

One last thing i did and then its on to what i will be doing.. i attended a benefit at the Happy Dog for Dave P from the Very Knees, who had to deal with an unpleasant attendee at his own New Years party and wound up with a broken arm for his trouble :-( Jovana from Hot Cha Cha said he's been crowned King of Cleveland and i don't know about that but it could be true. If you've ever wandered downstairs to This Way Out during a show at the Beachland, you've probably talked to Dave. Not sure if the Hot Cha Cha grrls organized the benefit for him but it sure was a crazy turnout.

This leads into what i will be doing nicely, as for a while i've been talking about having an All Grrl's Night Out. i got the bright idea to talk to Jovana about it and now it kinda has to happen. Hoping to make it at the end of February; there will be MUCH more - maybe even a special separate post! - as soon as i get it on its feet. Of course, i will also be organizing the convergence annual benefit event to happen in mid-February, so there is not going to be anything like 'down time' in my life just because the temps are in the teens and no one wants to go out and do anything in this weather. Speaking of this weather, here's a lovely photo i took off my porch during a recent snowfall: .
Seriously, this is right in the city, just a couple miles from the center of downtown Cleveland. Ain't it sumthin'?

Alright kids, time to go stir the soup. See you at the full moon..

wrap'n'roll it..

O i know i should be writing, i'm past due by my own schedule for a post. But the past two weeks have been such exhausting fun all i want to do is sit here. Maybe even watch some movin' pitchers in that funny squawking box in the other room - and if i want *that*, gentle reader, you may know that i am tired indeed, for such things hold but little amusement for me as a rule.

What is it i have done since last i posted, to weary me so? If one can but believe it, i can scarce recall; i know only that it has been the holidays, and there have been many parties, and it seems i attended them all. Thereby at last turning me into one of the Bronte sisters, apparently. Next thing you know i shall take to my bed in the garrett, not to rise til spring or perhaps at all; the consumption having gotten me at the last.

Well a well, then, if that be not it.. then i suppose i spent four nights a week in the most horrendously pink dress i ever sewed (what was i thinking at the time?!), my hair in pigtails, belting out "Sow Took the Measles" in my best bad country drawl. i - oh! - i did two craft shows, my first in months. i attended two friend's holiday parties, another friend's 40th birthday bash, and a gathering of Clepunks/former WCSB jocks at Prosperity Social Club. i sat, freezing, on my porch to watch the lunar eclipse, got my picture taken on Hovaclause's lap, went caroling on Xmas Eve, had an open house (with full turkey dinner) at Chez Wufkitn on the 25th, got wow-ed at the Project "R" DVD release party at the Center for Rock Research, and finally saw the greatest Xmas band in the world, Missile Toe. And it hasn't even *been* Christmas with my family, yet. i guess maybe i have good reason to be tired.

i don't know if i need to break those down much further. i'd like to shift, in the hopefully-near future, to doing one 'wrap-up' post like this, and then giving the details in smaller posts made every other day or so; but that won't really work til i have full, regular internet access again. And honestly, i don't know if i have the time to keep up with that much blogging, although as my tendency is to write one big SPLAT of a post i'm hoping i can still do that then edit it into bite-sized pieces.

i also am likely going to start a second blog. Yes, i know, i was just saying i don't have time enough for this one - what, am i crazy? Well yes, but never mind all that. i feel like i'm beginning to get a focus with this one, something i lacked when i began it. i want the second blog as a place to put my more metaphysical ramblings, which will likely happen much more sporadically; and keep this one as an outlet for my art/craft/theater/performing etc activities.

And so with that, my small but cherished band of faithful readers, i shall take my leave of you, ne'er to be seen again until Father Kronos has once again passed away and been replaced by his newborn child-self - which is to say next year, for the less mythically-minded amongst you. May your days be merry and your toes be warm, and i shall see you in 2011!

wrap'n'roll it..

O i know i should be writing, i'm past due by my own schedule for a post. But the past two weeks have been such exhausting fun all i want to do is sit here. Maybe even watch some movin' pitchers in that funny squawking box in the other room - and if i want *that*, gentle reader, you may know that i am tired indeed, for such things hold but little amusement for me as a rule.

What is it i have done since last i posted, to weary me so? If one can but believe it, i can scarce recall; i know only that it has been the holidays, and there have been many parties, and it seems i attended them all. Thereby at last turning me into one of the Bronte sisters, apparently. Next thing you know i shall take to my bed in the garrett, not to rise til spring or perhaps at all; the consumption having gotten me at the last.

Well a well, then, if that be not it.. then i suppose i spent four nights a week in the most horrendously pink dress i ever sewed (what was i thinking at the time?!), my hair in pigtails, belting out "Sow Took the Measles" in my best bad country drawl. i - oh! - i did two craft shows, my first in months. i attended two friend's holiday parties, another friend's 40th birthday bash, and a gathering of Clepunks/former WCSB jocks at Prosperity Social Club. i sat, freezing, on my porch to watch the lunar eclipse, got my picture taken on Hovaclause's lap, went caroling on Xmas Eve, had an open house (with full turkey dinner) at Chez Wufkitn on the 25th, got wow-ed at the Project "R" DVD release party at the Center for Rock Research, and finally saw the greatest Xmas band in the world, Missile Toe. And it hasn't even *been* Christmas with my family, yet. i guess maybe i have good reason to be tired.

i don't know if i need to break those down much further. i'd like to shift, in the hopefully-near future, to doing one 'wrap-up' post like this, and then giving the details in smaller posts made every other day or so; but that won't really work til i have full, regular internet access again. And honestly, i don't know if i have the time to keep up with that much blogging, although as my tendency is to write one big SPLAT of a post i'm hoping i can still do that then edit it into bite-sized pieces.

i also am likely going to start a second blog. Yes, i know, i was just saying i don't have time enough for this one - what, am i crazy? Well yes, but never mind all that. i feel like i'm beginning to get a focus with this one, something i lacked when i began it. i want the second blog as a place to put my more metaphysical ramblings, which will likely happen much more sporadically; and keep this one as an outlet for my art/craft/theater/performing etc activities.

And so with that, my small but cherished band of faithful readers, i shall take my leave of you, ne'er to be seen again until Father Kronos has once again passed away and been replaced by his newborn child-self - which is to say next year, for the less mythically-minded amongst you. May your days be merry and your toes be warm, and i shall see you in 2011!

warm up winter

Wow. Time for another update already? Well, its a dark moon, or was on Sunday, so i guess it is. As usual, its been a crazy-busy two weeks. Since the last time we talked, i created a fabulous Astarte costume, learned to play the Polish National Anthem on my accordian, got called in to consult on sending on an unquiet ghost, quit smoking, found another of the elf figurines i collect, had a holiday dinner at elder daughter's house, spent a lovely evening catching up with my sister-in-lawless, realized a childhood dream of becoming part of the Xmas display in the window of Higbee's downtown, lost my voice just in time for opening night, and started to decorate the apartment for Yule. That seems like maybe a smaller list than last time but i assure you, i've been plenty busy.

First, Astarte.
She appears as a character in the original play we're producing this holiday season at the Liminis: "Aporkalypse!. Now as it happens, i'm a bit familiar with historical Astarte, who was represented as looking like this:
which wouldn't exactly work for us here. Not that we've any strictures against nudity. If anything, the combination of long skirts and snakes would have made some of her choreography difficult. So i opted for something more bellydancer-ish (a choli top and baggy pants) but in gold lamé. Gold cuz its all middle-eastern yanno *cough*. The result, which i do not yet have a picture of, is rather a drag version of Princess Jasmine, especially since her headpiece is constructed out of cheap glitter xmas ornaments:
Oh, i had fun making that. i really wanted to get a tree-topper spire thing to put up above the star, but she apparently crawls in between one actor's legs at one point, so no spiky headwear. Alas.

This same play is why i learned the Polish National Anthem, as well as a little ditty called "Sow Took the Measles". Aporkalypse was written by local playwright Chris Johnston, with the convergence crew in mind. And the actress who would have originally played the mother figure can pick out a basic tune on accordion, so once again my instrument was cast and not me - how does this keep happening? However, she had to decline the role due to other commitments, and the actress who replaced her does NOT play. No problem: Chris just re-wrote the scene to incorporate two new cameo characters who come carolling - and just like that, in addition to costuming i was suddenly IN the play as well, with lines and everything! (The other caroller is played by my friend Joe, who really *knows* how to play). Sadly, i also caught my mother's cold on Thanksgiving, which became laryngitis the night before we opened. i only have five lines, so i stayed silent right up until we went on and somehow managed to croak them out at an audible level - but the general consensus is i had tranny-man voice.

The ghost is less interesting a tale than it seems, at least from my perspective. A dear friend's neighbor passed away, and he felt the spirit was still wandering their duplex. i wasn't able to sense it in the short time i had, and i've been assured he's since gone on to wherever such spirits go. i've never tried to lay an unquiet ghost and don't really know what i would do or have done had i Sensed him. Circumstances did not allow me the time to tune in and find the spontaneously 'right' course of action i'd hope to have chosen, so whether i can or could have done anything remains unanswered.

The elf figurine was a wonderfully lucky stumble that i probably should not have splurged on, but couldn't resist. i don't know anything about these figures other than they come in several sizes, they're almost always seated, almost always holding or playing an instrument, and they appear to be from the early-mid 60s. There's no markings of any kind to help identify them, and googling 'elf figure' is too vague to be useful. i have half a dozen or so more of them, but its been nearly five years since i ran across the last - which is the rare variant seen in the background here.

Most of the ones i own are in storage with my beloved gnomes, so i'm not quite sure how many i even have - about six small ones, i think, another medium seated one like the one i just found, the unusual standing elf, and the prize of the collection, a large seated elf in luxuriant gold-trimmed red velvet.

And speaking of velvet..
Certainly the high point of the last two weeks was appearing at the lighting ceremony downtown as the Snow Queen. As you may know, i perform as a living statue. A month or so back, i saw an ad for the lighting ceremony and had the brainstorm that i could perform and stay WARM if i had a nice cloak! So in the spare moments i had not costuming the play, i made myself a lined white (ok, panné) velvet cloak. With a thrift-store blanket sandwiched in the middle; the cloak turned out to be as warm as a coat.

The dress was left over from the bridal veil job i did a few weeks back: i had to detach the bodice from the skirt, because while the skirt fit, that tiny bodice was never going around my giant earth-mama bosom. If i do this again, i'll do a better job with the bodice than just pinning it to a blouse, but i only had a little time to get it together. Of course the piece that really drew it all together was the crown:
And you thought i had fun making Astarte's headpiece! i want to try my hand at some more crowns in the future, possibly for the Fairie Festival next spring (*if* i get on the stick and get my application in, eep!) Since part of the time i was performing i was out on Public Square, i did encounter a higher-than-normal volume of street people. One of whom snarked in passing that my outfit must have cost a fortune - well, if i'd bought the dress new he'd be right; but in fact the whole thing was put together for under fifty bucks.

The really cool part, tho, was getting to be in the front window of Positively Cleveland, which occupies the space that was once home to Higbee's Department Store. If that name sounds vaguely familiar to non-Clevelanders, its because that exact same window is the one the kids have their noses pressed to at the start of "A Christmas Story". The Santa scene was shot on the ground floor, when the store fixtures were all still there - sadly, much of its gone now; although the panelling still exists.

That morning, i'd been upstairs in the Silver Grille, a name that conjures magical memories for anyone who grew up here. The Silver Grille was the fine dining restaurant up on the tenth floor. i'm not exactly sure when Higbee's was built, perhaps early-mid 30s? But its a great example of Art Deco design, and the tenth floor is still intact. One rides up the same classic old elevators and there you are.. i didn't walk around the corner only because i wanted to believe that if i had, i would've ALSO found the Twigbee Shoppe, Bruce the Spruce, and whatever magical winter wonderland the display department had put together that year.

The restaurant is closed now, but the room is available to the neighboring Ritz-Carlton for special occassions. My friend at Positively Cleveland had put together a brunch there that morning where people could come up and revisit memories of Christmases past. There was no appearance by Mr. Jingeling - another local tradition - as i believe the character was retired after Earl Keyes, the man who portrayed him longest, passed away. Anyway, i just realized that Mr. Jingeling resided on HALLE'S seventh floor; why, that was blocks away! Instead, those who attended got to listen to live music by Ryann Anderson ("Music that's like ice cream for your ears"!) and see the Snow Queen standing in front of the central fountain.

i could wax on (and on, and on) about my memories of past holidays downtown. My brother's birthday is the 18th, and my family would come in to town every year around then, to spend a weekend in a downtown hotel room, see the displays at all the stores, visit Santa and Mr Jingeling, do our shopping at the Twigbee Shoppe, and ride the miniature train around the base of the twelve-story tree at Sterling Lindner. Sometimes we'd have brunch at the Silver Grille, where kids meals were served in little cardboard stoves (!) but often as not we'd eat at - was it the Minute Chef? - that faced right out on the Square, with the mysteriously forbidden-to-kids Kon-Tiki Room just beyond.

Its hard now to capture how very special this was. Its a standing family joke that the year revolved around two poles for my brother: Cedar Point in the summer, and the visit downtown in winter; and as soon as one high point had been passed, he'd start asking how soon it was to the other. In these days of on-demand everything, there just isn't the same anticipation; and without the investment of energy and wishful thinking, the sense of the numinous isn't there when you do get whatever it is. We knew, if we missed that trip up to town, it would be a WHOLE YEAR before we'd see the little moving figures in the windows, get the key to Santa's castle, walk up and down the marble ramps in the Terminal Tower and experience all the other delights that were *only* to be found at that time of year.

The funny thing is, before he moved to California, my brother did several Christmases downtown - why, here he is as Tinsel the Elf, greeting baby Eldest Daughter:

i'd forgotten that one, to be honest. What i do remember is him as a Tin Soldier - first in the toy department at Halle's and later in the window at the May Co. i learned several of the living statue tricks from him, altho i don't think he called it that when he performed. After he moved to California, the tradition of the Tin Soldier continued, with another local performer in the role at Tower City. Last week, a quarter of a century later (!) i finally got my turn.

And that is MORE than enough blog for tonight. See you in two weeks people!

November cumen in

Hm. i hope i'm not late for this post. i think its been two weeks since the last; i've been calculating it more by the phase of the moon, truth to tell. Wasn't my intention when i started but i like the thought of posting at new and full moons. If i were following that logic, the full moon post would be what projects have reached fruition, while the dark would be about those in potentia; but i'm pretty sure my life doesn't schedule itself so neatly.

Let's see if i can once again condense two weeks of activity into one paragraph. Short and sweet is not my metier, people! But since Halloween, i've perfected my vegan tiger meat recipe, embellished some jeans, finished up one play and gone into rehearsal for another, begun preparing for a new statue gig, made some great breakfast cookies, got killed off as the unknown victim for a murder mystery, caught a deliciously creepy gallery show and another installment of Pecha-Kucha, gotten back behind the lighting board for my friend's band, and been immersed in a fabulous book.

Oh, and i delivered the wedding veil i mentioned before. And now, thanks to the miracle of Teh Internetz, i can show you a picture of it! Here:

No, its not the most stunning piece you've ever seen in your life. But i'm pleased with it, and more importantly, so is my client. We were going for an Eastern Europe meets 1920s sort of effect; i'll let you decide if i even came close. i've never attempted something remotely like it before, but when the requests come in, you say yes first and learn how afterwards. But enough of the old news.

Looking over the list, i realize that i can't elaborate on each of them without rambling on (and on, and on, and on). Soo.. perhaps i'll give you ONE chunk now, and then as i get time, will put up little sub-posts about the rest. Like i said, still working out my approach to blogging; its not like the old LiveJournal where i'd spit out whatever came into my head! (and apologize afterwards, ha ha). There's a bit already been promised, which is what you'll get today; we'll see what happens from there.

*ahem* Proceed.

On November 13th, the previous play ("Brainpeople", which got wonderful reviews) wrapped up. One of the central plot points in this play is the consumption of a roasted tiger cub, and one character in particular eats a fair amount of it. Now, finding something to stand in as tiger meat wouldn't've been so hard, but the actress playing that role happens to be vegan. As the in-house old hippie, the director turned to me and asked, 'what can we use?' My first question to her was, did she have a gluten allergy. No? Awesome. We're having seitan.

At some point last spring, i got the urge to see if there was such a thing as vegan corned beef, and found a recipe that tasted GREAT, so i figured i'd just use that again. Except.. i saved it on my netbook, which currently has a case of teh deads (contributions towards a new LCD screen can be PayPal'd to gothikfaerie@yahoo.com ;-) OK, fine. i found it online, i'll just find it again. Except.. i couldn't find the one i'd used. It ~might~ be Breanna's Vegan Corned Beef, the link for which seems to be no longer active. Instead, i found one that seemed close on The Domestic Vegan , which tasted ok, but i didn't care for the texture much.

So every week when it was time to make the tiger meat, i'd tinker a little. Until finally i came up with this:
My Vegan Corned Beef

Dry Ingredients:

* 2 c. vital wheat gluten
* 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
* 2 Tbsp. minced onion
* 1 Tbsp. paprika
* 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
* 1 tsp. caraway seeds (ground)
* 1 tsp. fennel powder
* 1 Tbsp. salt
* 1 tsp. black pepper
* 1 tsp. chinese mustard powder
* ¬1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Wet Ingredients:

* 1 c. water
* 1/2 c, tomato juice
* 1 Tbsp. liquid smoke (hickory flavor)
* 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
* 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
* 1 tsp. soy sauce
* 4 lg drops red food coloring

Directions:

Grind spices in blender til powdered. Gradually add flour and flake yeast; transfer to a large bowl. Combine wet ingredients in blender, rinsing out floury residue. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and stir to combine. Particularly if you use the food coloring (you may not want to; it heightened the effect for onstage), at this point it will look something like this:


Knead with your hands for a couple minutes, until everything is well combined & strands of gluten start to form. On a clean surface, shape the seitan into an oval (about 8" by 5" with a 1" thickness). Let set for one hour. Loaf may rise some during this time. It will only become slightly more attractive, however:


Bake on a lightly-greased cookie sheet at 325F for thirty minutes. While the loaf is baking, fill a large pot with about 12 cups of water or vegetable broth, to which you have added 1-2 T wine vinegar. Add 2 bay leaves & 1 potato, cubed; 1/4 head of cabbage, rutabaga, turnip, and/or beet (for color). Bring to a boil, then lower heat to keep the water simmering. When the loaf is baked, it may look something like this:


The original recipe recommended wrapping it in cheesecloth before the next step: I did that the first time but then didn't bother and aside from losing the string marks where it was tied, it didn't seem to matter much. Simmer your tiger meat for another thirty minutes, then remove from broth with tongs or slotted spoon. You guessed it: its


The final product came out with a darker 'skin' and a nice chewy, moist texture. Without baking, you get something really rubbery; without boiling, its a lot like bread. i'm going to try this just for myself at some point (when there's no more leftovers in the freezer) and probably tinker with the seasoning more; i still never got the great corned flavour of the original recipe. However, this one also makes a great hash: cut slices into cubes and fry up with cubed potatoes and onion, maybe an extra bit of soy sauce and/or garlic powder. Sunday morning noms!

Anyway that's all i have time for today.. could be more in days to come, stay tuned..

All Hallows wrap-up

A new blog has been promised, and a new blog you shall (hopefully!) have. For a new year, an' one keeps to the ancient Celtic system of reckoning. That's more internal, since externally my world still confirms to secular rules, but i mark what i can. In the same way, i might internally have observed Samhain, but externally it was Halloween, quite possibly the busiest time of the year for me (well, tied with Beltane half-way round the calendar wheel but that's a springtime tale). So what have i been doing since last the moon was full?

The concise version is, running sound for a play, making a wedding veil, creating Halloween costumes and making birthday presents by hand. i picked up a part-time job working at a pet store that will pay my rent, and started winterizing my apartment. i've been making several attempts at perfecting my Vegan Corned Beef recipe. i spent an afternoon in a local cemetery, attended a party at a Roller Grrl's house, and saw the Dickies at a massive Masquerade Ball around the corner from my house. That pretty well sums it up; the details follow.

First, i've been running sound for "Brainpeople" every weekend, for one. A very different sound plot than the previous play; this one is largely experimental, lots of Zoviet France and Crash Worship, mixed in with selections from several soundtracks, most notably "Frida" but also "Interview With The Vampire" (same composer, it turns out) and "The Crow". Which may give you an idea of the tone of the play.

Along with running sound, i've been providing a food item that's consumed onstage each night. The script calls for tiger meat, which even our beloved West Side Market is unlikely to provide - but besides that little obstacle, the actress who eats the most is vegan. Last spring i'd run across a great recipe for Vegan Corned Beef that i thought would work; but its saved to my netbook, which is out of commission with a cracked screen just at present. And i haven't been able to locate quite the one i used in online searches since. So i've just been experimenting a little each week, trying to come up with something that's both tasty and toothsome. The recipe i found produces something that tastes all right, but has the consistency of Silly Putty; not what we're going for at all. i'm hoping to get it right by the end of the run, at which point i'll post MY Vegan Corned Beef recipe.

Another thing keeping me busy was making a wedding veil for an acquaintance. She's going off to Eastern Europe to wed, under somewhat curious circumstances which are not my business. Millinery, on the other hand, is. i created a sort of Russian cap in white satin, with some ribbon embroidery and a central heart of pearl roping, with silk flowers (including her favorite, pink lillies) around the brim. The veil itself is rather plain, just iridescent netting with a lace trim at the hem, falling to fingertip length. Her dress is simple, spaghetti straps and not a lot of frou-frou, so i tried to keep the veil appropriate. i hope she'll like it.

With the onset of winter, i've been trying to prepare Chez Wolfkitten. This will be my first winter in the new apartment, and the prospect of heating bills has me on the nervous side. Tho i might have complained, i LOVED having steam heat at my old place and will miss it muchly here. i've been covering my windows in plastic, a window a day or so. The bedroom has two layers and will have one more before i'm done, as the windows are directly above the head of my bed. If it gets too bad, i may even have to re-arrange the room, we shall see. The living room doesn't have any as yet, its last on my list. However, i've had it closed off all month, and a tapestry hanging over the French doors that lead in. There's a good ten degree difference apparent when i do walk in there. Aside from entertaining, tho, i don't need to use it much; i lived in two rooms at the old place so i'm used to not needing a lot of space.

All this and i've not even spoken of Halloween! Two of my friends went up to experience Detroit's Theater Bizarre firsthand. The city came down on the T.B. collective and made them move to a club, which rather dampened the experience as i understand. Not having been there, i can't comment much - i'd've happily gone if i wasn't in the booth. i should change the subtitle of this blog to, I Can't, I Have Rehearsal. There's more behind this tale but i have to keep the details to myself for quite some time yet.

And then the Big Weekend. i only had one real request for costume assistance, attaching a life-size fake crow to the shoulder of a leather coat. The bird itself fell apart before my work did. Interesting that crows continue as a theme. i'll forever be a weregrrl and a mermaid, but the crows and i, we have an Allegiance now. Speaking of crows, i don't think i've mentioned that my new part-time gig is working in the exotic bird room at a local pet shop, have i? Birds again.

i mention it now, because it plays into *my* costume. i'd started with the concept of Showgirl from Outer Space; lifted from a favorite movie, Vegas In Space by way of an outfit i'd worn in Say You Love Satan as the club DJ, based on a Mardi-Gras colored wig. Well, once i started cleaning up after a couple marathon wing-clipping sessions, i got the notion i might glue some feathers around my eyes, feathers and rhinestones, that sort of thing. Fortunately, a week or so before i realized that if i took the time to do that, i'd never make it out before the night was over, as i'd have to get ready post-theater both nights (yes, of *course* i went out Friday and Saturday! Didn't you?)

Instead, i had the brilliant idea to make an appliance and glue the feathers to that - which became a papier-mache domino mask, covered in green/gold feathers with sequin accents. Oh goodie, someone's posted a picture:

i'm quite happy with how it came out, even tho i wound up *nothing* like the original concept - only the wig and my snakeskin leggings were the same. But about three days beforehand, i had the brainstorm that instead of trotting out my pirate dress again (that is SO three years ago) on Friday, i should instead go in my Circus Grrl persona, much nearer and dearer to my heart. i have a great frock-coat style jacket, on semi-permanent loan from the theater (*ahem*), the above-mentioned leggings, and knee-high black riding boots. Oh, and my corset, of course.

Naturally, once i got that bee in my bonnet, nothing would do but that i create a tiny tophat to complete the ensemble! i've never made one before. This one is uber quick'n'dirty: posterboard covered in fabric. Only later that night did it occur to me i'd not created a way to attach it to my head; amazingly, two bobbypins held it at that rakish angle all night long. There was drama and delay getting to where i was going, so that by the time i arrived at my favorite watering hole, they were closing up and heading en masse to some *other* bar. Which turned out to be one of those places Suburban White People go to 'let their hair down', complete with obligatory cover band. Who at least got props for having a horn section. Downed a quick cocktail or two and made our escape.



Only Zombie Jett was up for the Roller Grrl party. Shortly after this pic was taken, he peeled the extra eyeball off his face and bounced it around the kitchen before it came to rest on the back landing. For this portion of the evening, i had donned my ultimate accessory - the accordion! - and was cajoled to play a tune for a charming young Scorpio mime. i got into a discussion of seitan-cooking techniques with Mr Roller Grrl and a friend of his, had a smoke on the porch, scooped up the drag queen and dominatrix i'd brought to the party initially and tottered off home.

Satyrday night - yes, its almost over, i promise! - i'd arranged to spend hanging out with another Scorpio lady friend of mine, who made a mysteriously fetching vampire. She met me at Chez Wolfkitten, we did our final primping and walked over to Cleveland Public Theater. Which was madness, madness i tell you madness. Hundreds of people. So many that to say "I'll see you there" was a crapshoot, and i did *not* see at least one person who made that promise. But i did eventually see most of my closest crew. One or two recognized me straight off, but i had to lift the mask before most people knew who i was - which led to the ribbon finally giving way by the end of the night.

One of my favorite costumes of the night was a friend who went as the Facebook 'poke' - just a foam sandwich board with the Facebook 'f' logo, and a pointer-finger hand on a stick; but props for creativity! There was another dressed in black & white stripes of varying sorts, who had black&white concentric circles on his face. They gave him the look of being a cyclops; very cool! Another friend was a transforming werewolf; his outfit consisted of shorts, tennis shoes, Elmer's glue, and a LOT of scraps of hair. He said the local barber college wouldn't part with sweepings so i'm not sure where he got it, but for such a simple approach it worked really well. Maybe its his wolfish grin.

i got to spend a little time chatting with someone who i've been wanting to mend fences with for a while, very glad of that opportunity. Got to spend a little while too, chatting with the Rev. Ivan Stang and Princess Wei R. Doe (Queen of All UFOs), which made me even happier. i don't get to see them near often enough, which is silly given that we live all of what, ten miles away from each other?! The ball ended at one a.m., but not all of us were ready to head home yet. Some folks opted for the Happy Dog, which was walking distance and might have been a better choice. A few others, myself included, headed up to the Spitfire for last call. One bartender had a far too credible Superhost outfit on, which will mean nothing to non-Clevelanders, but trust me, if you get the joke it was great.

And that, ah my foes and oh my friends, was my All Hallow's weekend. i'll (attempt to) be back in two weeks' time, with the next installment. This too promises to be a busy, busy month - lots of costuming to be done - so i'm sure i'll have something for you to read. i hope you tune in.

farewell reel

Me again. If you've read more than one post in this blog, you are aware that i've never quite settled on what i want it to *be* - which shouldn't surprise me, as i've never quite settled on that about myself either, even after a half-century of trying to figure it out.

i know i don't want this to reflect my inner ramblings and quirks; if and when i feel like sharing those with the outside world, well, i've got a space for that. Yet ask a Pisces not to talk about her feelings, or vague, mystical pronouncements? HA! Well, you can ask. Just don't hold your breath waiting. Unless you're into that sort of thing.

However, by the time this posts, it will be a new year. Yes, it will. For me. i observe a modified Celtic-eclectic version of the Wheel of the Year, and if i say its new - just don't argue, ok? And since new years are for new things, let's try something new here.

Whurgh. That's already three paragraphs of expository rambling, and if its taking me this long to get to the point, then - maybe what i'll do is make this post the LAST of the old year, and put up the New Improved Active Avoidance a few days later, how's that. Fine. Glad we got that settled.

As of next week, then, i am going to attempt - as a personal discipline - to post twice a month, summing up the events and projects i've been involved with since the previous post. i always have a million things going on; i really should be talking about them here. Consider this a farewell to the old paradigm Active Avoidance, then, and tune in next time to find out what wacky hi-jinks your narratrix has been up to this time! (hint - big favorite holiday weekend.. should be a good one).

Oh, one more thing. With the temporary discombobulation of my beloved Nettie, this blog is going to have to remain picture-free until i can get her a new screen. i'm still *taking* pics; i just don't have a way to upload them without the ability to plug in a memory card - which my iMac doesn't possess. You shall have to illustrate my befuddling variety of misadventures *with your mind*. See? Challenges for me, challenges for you. Its going to be an equal-opportunity kind of blog.