In the Russian tradition of Stanislavsky, the actor says “I will tell you a story about me.” In the German tradition of Brecht, the actor says, “I will tell you a story about them.” In the Vietnamese tradition, the actor says “You and I will tell each other a story about all of us.”
– “In Vietnam, Telling Stories About ‘All of Us,'”
Ron Jenkins, New York Times, August 11, 2002
This
November 1st. Another Day To Celebrate The Amazingness of People!
I can’t believe it’s November already! This month has flown by, and I’ve only posted a couple of times. Where did October go?
This evening my lovely wife Jeanne and I had a wonderful night relaxing and playing cards with friends, and I realized that it was the first of the month, which means it’s officially been 7 months since I was released from the hospital. It’s still amazing to me how it can feel like all of that hospital business happened a hundred years ago, and at the same time feel like it was just yesterday. Such a weird thing!
Such a great month, October was. I feel like I’m getting my strength back, but following doctor’s orders and trying to not push too hard or do too much. Today, in fact, was one of the hardest physically that I’ve had. The amazing Pastor Joe showed up in our yard this morning, leaf blower and rake in tow. “I noticed driving by yesterday that you guys had a lotta leaves, and you’ve had a tough year, I thought I’d help out. I needed something to do today anyway.”
Well, our acre lot has over 20 giant old trees, and “a lotta leaves” is an understatement. Jeanne and I had just been discussing how to approach them this year, because I know I don’t have the strength yet to do two weekends of raking and tarping and dragging and burning yet. Once again, though, we’re reminded of how amazingly kind and generous the people in our lives are. I couldn’t let Pastor Joe work out there by himself, though, so I grabbed my gear and joined him. That 2-hours-plus of leaf work was the best workout I’ve had in months! Still, I was no match for Pastor Joe. When I finally just couldn’t hold the leaf up blower any more, I hugged and thanked Joe, and went inside to collapse into a nap.
He got SO much more done, and we’re so thankful. Jeanne sent him home later with lunch and a fresh baked apple-crisp. Now, as I’m in bed typing, about to fall asleep, I’m thinking of the kids sleeping in their beds, a beautiful Fall day, the simple wonderfulness of a day of yard work given by a selfless soul, and a gentle evening catching up with friends.
The Universe gave us some challenges this year. I’m so grateful, though, for getting through them… and that getting through them helped strengthen our ability to recognize the magic in days like today!
Silver Lining Number EleventySeventeen-B
This whole being in a coma, coming out of a coma and being prescribed a LOT of regularly taken medicine has REALLY improved my ability to swallow a whole handful of pills at once!
Hmmmm. Yeah…now that I’m thinking that through, it sounds less good…
Ah, well. Celebrate Everything, right?!
Be a source of goodness.
We are each made for goodness, love and compassion.Our lives are transformed as much as the world is when we live with these truths.-Desmond Tutu
Today….and getting here
Today is my 6 month anniversary of being out of the hospital.
It was also the first day I went completely without a cane to help me walk since getting out of the hospital.
This weekend I got to go to NYC. Along with Emily Sutton-Smith, I was there representing Williamston Theatre. We, with 11 other companies from all over the country, were awarded National Theatre Company Grants by the American Theatre Wing, and the award ceremony was Monday night. It was pretty darned awesome. Humbling, amazing and inspiring. Being there with the other theatre artists, talking and sharing and getting to know each other, was a wonderful experience – one that I think will lead to friendships and opportunities for years to come.
While we were there, it was amazing to think of how we got there. The way my year has gone, if you’d told me 6 months ago that I would be walking around New York, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you. To go from hospital bed to onstage accepting that award is still a little hard to believe. But it’s more than that: it’s a journey of 10 years. I recently celebrated another milestone: 10 years ago last month I said goodbye to my full-time job at one theatre and started work with 3 good friends to create our own theatre. One that we hoped would become our home. And here we are. This week is Opening Night of Season 9, and American Theatre Wing honored us as one of the most promising companies in the country. That’s a pretty neat thing. I think, though, the best part was that Em and I weren’t there alone. Over the years we’ve worked with some established NYC professionals, as well as many students who went on to NYC to continue their careers. Several of them joined us on Monday to celebrate, as a family, as our theatre took a nice step forward…and THAT was awesome. To know how much our family has grown, to be a part of something that’s become much bigger than the four of us sitting around a coffee shop dreaming dreams.
So, today. Here we are. I have to say, I don’t know 10 years ago, or 6 months ago, that I could’ve predicted what today would be.
I’m awfully grateful for what it is, though.
Worth Watching
Emma Watson made a very nice speech about Gender Equality.
Live Immediately
After the crazy year I’ve had, the topic of “how we use our time” has been on my mind a lot. Recently a couple of tragically sad events have happened to friends that have, I think, reminded us all of the importance of living and loving. It’s so easy to take for granted the idea that we’ll have all the time in the world to do things, or to take for granted the every day things that are worth celebrating and falling in love with. Thinking about these things, I was reminded of some quotes from Seneca. I think it might be time to get a copy of “On The Shortness of Life” because I think at this point in my life it’ll be more impactful than ever before. Anyone have any thoughts on the writings of Seneca?
As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.
The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live Immediately.
-Seneca
A Nice Thought
Pic Post Saturday
Random photos from the life of a Dad, Husband, Artistic Director!
Our new season promo.
I updated the Team Tony page on my website and added some pictures, including this one from the amazing folks at the Ringwald Theatre!
Williamston Theatre did a reading of Joseph Zettelmaier’s new play “Campfire” at the Renegade Theatre
This just made me laugh.
A night at the Red Brick with the three most important people in the world.
Maggie and I
Jeanne and Maggie went away for the weekend, so Max and I had some quality time… like a video game and pizza binge!
I don’t know who this guy is, but I was at the Oddball Comedy Fest and saw his shirt, and now I want one!
Tony Caselli 