Day 890 & 891 -Santa Rosa to Berkeley

I performed my show in last night and by the time I got home I was wiped out- too tired to write.

On Friday afternoon I drove up to Santa Rosa for a 5pm tech rehearsal. I left Oakland super early because there is always traffic or an accident on the Richmond Bridge around that time of day. I got to the venue about 20 minutes early and there was no one there yet and I really had to pee.

I looked up and down the street- ah, a gas station! No public restrooms. Ah, a burger joint! Outdoor seating only. What was I gonna do?

Ah, a gift shop!

I crossed the street, walked into a cute store and asked the man behind the counter if they had a restroom. They did, thank you Jesus. And you know what this cute shop also had?

MEOW!

A friendly shop cat!

As a thank you for letting me use their restroom, I bought this scented candle. It smells amazing.

That’s right, I am already lighting holiday candles.

Then I finally headed over to the venue, “The Journey Center“, had my rehearsal, and then show started at 7pm. The space was on the smaller side, so I had to adjust. I made my movements less dramatic. I didn’t have to project too loud. The audience was closer to me than usual, but I made it work. As a solo performer, I have to be adaptable. Fortunately for me, I came out of my mother’s womb “highly adaptable” according to a personality test I took once in the 80s. I think I view changes in my environment as a creative challenge.

And then after the show we had a Q&A for a bit, people asking me questions my show and I really enjoy that part because I am always amazed that people have questions at all. Something I am realizing is that each time I do the show, I meet new people and hopefully make connections. Building relationships with others is what makes it worth it.

Then I got back in my car and headed home around 9pm. As I drove down Hwy 101, I could feel my legs getting tired. The adrenaline was wearing off and by the time I got back to Oakland I was ready to crawl into bed. How badly did I not want to brush my teeth or wash my make up off! But I did it. Blogging would have to wait until Sunday.

Then this morning I woke up feeling a little hungover so I just chilled. I walked a little, cleaned a little, and started my new favorite show on Netflix:

In 1987, Kleo was an East German spy. Until she got framed. And now, 3 years later, she’s out of prison and out for REVENGE! I love this stuff!

Oh yeah, and I have another show tomorrow night in Berkeley- just a short excerpt. This is the class performance of my Saturday class. Four solo performers doing 20 minutes each and I go on second:

The Marsh Theater -2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. Doors at 6:30pm, Show at 7pm. BUY TICKETS HERE

Monday, August 22, 7:00 PM:

Carol Cassara: Carol Goes Camping (excerpt)

Theresa Donahoe: Born Again in Berkeley, Part 1

Elizabeth Du Val: Benjamin’s Passion (excerpt)

Jess Clark : In the Big House

——————————————————-

Alright, back to Kleo, the German spy!

Sunday, August 21, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 889 – Full Friday

This morning on my walk, I saw in someone’s front yard…..

GOURD!

Autumn is coming!

Today I slept in, did laundry, rehearsed my one-woman-show, sent emails, posted about my show on social media, and then headed out to the trails for some fresh air and……

FOUND IT!

I was three for three in finding geocaches on the MacDonald Trail.

Then a Dog Walked into My Shot

As I walked back to my car, my Fitbit buzzed and alerted me that I had over 20,000 steps! I ordered a steak salad by a nearby restaurant and called it a night.

Friday, August 19, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 888 – Out of Office

Today I was in the office earlier than normal. I had to meet with the movers so they could haul away all of our broken furniture that was sitting in our office “graveyard” area.

Exciting stuff I know – what a glamorous life I lead.

But because I was in the office earlier than normal, I gotta alotta stuff done. At least I think I did. I never know. More work always seems to show up. But as I logged off my computer at 5:30pm with my “Out of Office” auto reply set until Tuesday morning, I felt a bit accomplished.

I am taking Friday and Monday off. I have two performances of my one- woman- show, “Born Again in Berkeley“, this weekend. Well, that is, if you count Monday as part of the weekend.

Saturday, August 20, 2022 – Full 63-minute show – Santa Rosa, CA –Tickets here

Monday, August 22, 2022 – 20-minute excerpt – (I am one of four performers) – Berkeley, CA – Tickets here

Alright- time to watch a movie that has snow in it. I am sick of summer.

Thursday, August 18, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 887 – Send in the Clouds

This morning the clouds were epic!

Send in the Clouds

It even rained a little. It rained! We are so desperate for weather out in these parts.

I worked from home today…..comfortably. I didn’t even have to turn on a fan or anything. It was glorious.

Then after work I rushed off to SF to hang out with a couple of friends for burritos and board games. We played a more current version of “Clue.”

I won.

Colonel Mustard, with the Rope, in the Courtyard

Now I wanna watch that movie.

Speaking of murder, I need to catch up on the latest episode….

Wednesday, August 17, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 886 – The Fog Rolled In

This morning on my walk to Starbucks I was almost accosted by falling leaves.

Autumn Art Project 2022

I am ready for fall! Bring it on!

I worked from home today and it was really getting stuffy inside my apartment (even though I had my portable A/C going and my swamp cooler on). When the clock struck 5:20pm, I was out the door and heading for …..

Pacificaaaaaahhhh

As I stepped out of my car, I noticed I wasn’t the only one in the parking lot taking in the ocean breeze:

Cat on a Cold Car Roof

The owner was inside the car. Her cat must travel often in order to feel safe lounging around in public like that. Or her cat is just an extrovert and loves attention.

Of course, I wasn’t just in Pacifica to enjoy the cooler weather…

FOUND IT

Three new geocaches popped up in the area, but I only found the one. And after taking in over 16,000 steps for the day, I was ready for dinner at a local restaurant. I forgot to take a picture of my meal, but the pot roast was quite good.

At first, I was a little bummed that I wouldn’t be getting a sunset picture this evening because the fog rolled in. But then I realized, the fog rolled in and these hotter days around the bay, peaked today! Good night.

Tuesday, August 16, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 885 – Back to School!

Today I got up extra early for my morning walk to beat the heat. As I walked through the residential neighborhood of Piedmont, kids of all ages were walking to school. That’s the perk of living in a small town- it’s safe enough to walk.

Teenagers with shorts, tank tops and backpacks lining the sidewalks because that’s what happens when you go back to school and it’s still freaking summer. I don’t ever remember going back to school in a tank top and shorts. I wore Jordache Jeans, on a crisp September morning – as God intended.

I went into the office today and I felt like a hamster on a wheel. I know I got stuff done, but the emails just kept coming….

Then an email came in saying I had to get my car out of the garage by a certain time because the gate wasn’t working -so everybody OUT!

Not a problem. I contemplated looking for a geocache or two after work, but my cupboards were bare, so I went to the market instead. Sacrifices had to be made. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.

Monday, August 15, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 884- Late Summer

I had to say goodbye to this spicy bebby today:

She is still unsure about me. Look at that body language. Don’t worry- I’ll be back soon- next week in fact. I will make her love me.

I did some cleaning up at my apartment today until I couldn’t take the heat anymore-literally. I believe we are just now getting our summer weather and it’s no fun for me. It’s only mid-August and yet school is already starting for some kids in my neighborhood. Back in my day, school didn’t start until after Labor Day weekend. I can’t imagine starting this early while it’s still hot outside. That’s just cruel. But there’s hope- leaves are starting to fall to the ground now. The hot days are numbered.

I escaped my stuffy apartment and went over to a friend’s place for dinner and a reading. A friend of mine is writing a musical and tonight we were the guinea pigs- reading and singing it out. Can I just do creative stuff 24/7 pretty please? I have to go back to work tomorrow. I don’t want to.

Sunday, August 14, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 883 – Berkeley, Part 2

This morning on my walk in Berkeley, I grabbed an iced coffee at Peet’s and then took a stroll down Fourth Street when I came across this on the sidewalk:

Same Energy

I wish I were big. Great movie.

I had my solo performance class today and rehearsed part 2 of my show that I am going to perform a week from tonight in Santa Rosa. I think it went pretty well. And then afterwards a few of us students hung out and got coffee and chatted about the crazy world of solo performance. It’s always good to commiserate the craziness.

And then I went over to my friend’s place to have dinner, a view & a movie.

I had suggested, “I Love You, Man” and my friends loved it.

Alright, I am mucho tiredo. Good night.

Saturday, August 13, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 882 – Back to Berkeley

This morning on my walk I went by the place where they were filming the indie movie yesterday, but there was no one there this time and all they left behind were their porta potties:

I worked from home today and then I packed a bag and headed over to my friend’s place in Berkeley to look in on the cats. And then I was off to the marina to look for a geocache or two.

FOUND IT

They come in all shapes and sizes.

The evenings have been warmer lately, so I try to spend as much time by the water as possible.

And the cats still don’t know what to think of me.

Friday, August 12, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Day 881 – Good Dream

This morning during my walk, I saw some street parking coned off, while a few security guards were mulling about. I hadn’t put together what was going on until I saw the honeywagon. Wait a minute, could it be….

Yes. It was a small movie crew getting ready to shoot some independent film. What’s a honeywagon you ask?

Honeywagon

It’s a trailer that actors and crew members use to get ready in. I asked a P.A. (production assistant) what the movie was called, and he told me, but I forget already. But I think they are supposed to be back tomorrow, – I’ll ask again.

I was surprised they were filming in this area, because location wise, the Bay Area is considered to be too expensive to film in and the residential block they were using could have been “anywhere, USA”. So why film here when it’s cheaper to film in Canada? These are the questions in my head.

Then I was reminded of a dream I had a few years ago. I had a dream that I woke up in the middle of the night in my apartment and there was a movie crew filming right outside my second story apartment window. They were on ladders, putting up lights and everything. At first I was annoyed because I just thought, “Thanks alot guys, was anyone gonna tell me about this? I would have liked to have been in this movie!” But then then all of a sudden, they turned the cameras towards me, right into my apartment and then I realized, I was in the movie! And then I thought, “Now, that’s more like it!” It was a good dream.

After work today I went over to a friend’s place to get reacquainted with a couple of quirky felines. I start cat sitting again tomorrow. I hope they warm up to me.

Thursday, August 11, 2022:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•