Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare.
Japanese Proverb

Man, this exact sentiment has been bouncing around in my head for 2 months in a much less eloquent form. I think it’s this idea that’s kept me antsy lately, and feeling unsettled. Looking at the economy and what it can do, will do, and IS doing to our theatre (and the arts in general) has me doing a lot of thinking.

Clarify the vision, follow through on the action.
It’s not rocket science, but sometimes it’s elusive.

Okay, whether you’re a Democrat, Republican or Libertarian, the luncheon with Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George Bush and George W. Bush is a pretty cool thing! Check it out right here.

This video is sweet, funny and hopeful – and I like it!

This video introducing Apple’s new “Faces” software is pretty cool – with as many photos as my wife takes, this will be a great thing to have on our computer!

In just over a month, pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training! Baseball’s almost here! The Tigers play their first exhibition game on February 25th!

American Theatre Wing has an excellent series called “Working In The Theatre”, and it’s a collection of discussions that are well worth watching.

This collection of billboard advertising has some really, really cool stuff in it!

Do you like jigsaw puzzles? My wife does, and has become addicted to the site JigZone.com!

Working at home, while waiting for the car repair place to call me and tell me my car is ready to pick up. It was supposed to happen this morning… since it’s 12:59pm, that clearly isn’t happening.

So, I’m working on my computer setting up schedules for a couple of things, reading a script I was emailed, researching next season.

Mostly, I’m getting annoyed at not getting the phone call that my car is ready!

So – to avoid getting in a bad mood, here are some random good thoughts:

I have fallen in love with The Office! I’d only seen random episodes here and there, but got the first two seasons over the holidays and am having a great time watching them!

We’re getting ready to start rehearsals for The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds at Williamston Theatre. It’s a gorgeous, heart-wrenching play, and it’s got a great cast and director.

I’m starting full rehearsals for the show I’m guest directing at Michigan State University next week, Hedda Gabler. This big ol’ classic is a challenge, and one I’m looking forward to. Also, it’s been a while since I worked with college students, so it’ll be a fun atmosphere.

AAAAND while I was typing that last bit, the car place called, and my car won’t be ready for another day… maybe two. *headdesk* Looks like I’m still driving the rental…

Off to work!

A gentle evening at home to celebrate New Year’s Eve. We were originally planning on going to my sister-in-law’s and having the families play games all night, but my daughter’s sudden strep throat threw a wrench into those plans! (She’ll be fine, antibiotics are kicking in!)

Still, the gentle evening at home is actually just what the doctor ordered for the whole family. Jeanne made some awesome homemade chicken soup, Maggie’s resting, we’ve played a bunch of Wii sports. (My kid kicked my butt in boxing! I returned the favor in golf!)

So – some laying around, being together, watching Shrek 2 (so much fun!) – a pretty good night!

All in all, 2008 was a good year.
My family is doing well, which is the most important thing.
Following that, Williamston Theatre had a good 2nd season (and the start of season 3 has been good also!)
I personally learned some good lessons in work and life, which is always good.

In the next month, I’ll turn 40 – and I’m very excited about it – I’m expecting 2009 to be a good year!

An 11 year old girl died on Christmas Day because her father got their car stuck in the snow and let her and her brother try to walk 10 MILES to her Mother’s house while he and another guy STAYED AT THE CAR TO TRY AND FREE IT. 10 miles. In Idaho. In freezing temperatures.

Once it was freed – HE JUST DROVE HOME AND DIDN’T CHECK TO SEE IF THEY’D MADE IT.

This is a link to the story.

There are times when I feel like I should stop reading the news. This type of story gets me so angry, so horrified, so emotional… How STUPID do you have to be, how poor do your judgement and character and intelligence and LOVE FOR YOUR CHILDREN have to be to make choices like this?! I can’t even…

I need to go hug my kids.

Make them laugh, make them cry, and hack to laughter. What do people go to the theatre for? An emotional exercise… I am a servant of the people. I have never forgotten that.
Mary Pickford