August 25, 2005
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The Daily News
1 I could wile away the hours...
2 It's unutterably amazing to me how quickly good ol' YB can suddenly make one burst into song...
3 For example, yesterday I was driving to my parking spot right outside my portable when I found, to my dismay, that a bicycle chain the length of the Ganges stretched across the path, preventing my car from going to it's parking spot that I have used for the past eight years. ACCESS DENIED! it seemed to say to me. So I parked next to the Theatre, in the same spot I parked for the first SIXTEEN years I invested here.
4 Well, Ms. Conrotto poked her head into my first period class and told me that I had to move my truck, or that it would be cited and towed. So after class, I meandered outside to see what all the hubbub was about.
5 I was told by TWO administrators that my truck needed to be moved, that it was parked illegally, and that if I didn't move it, that it would be towed. No fooling about. Move it or lose it.
6 As calm as I could get in such a situation, and most of you KNOW I'm a calm guy, I politely questioned them with a gentle, "But why...?"
7 Okay, so I flew way into their faces and demanded to know why, on the SECOND day of school, they would want to create a situation that was going to cause MASSIVE anger, and that it was clearly an IDIOTIC idea to piss people off on the SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!
8 They politely told me that my truck was parked illegally, and that it had to be moved.
9 I asked WHY it hadn't been considered parked illegally for the past eight years, but the answer seemed to keep coming: my truck was parked illegally, and that it had to be moved.
10 As you may well imagine, I politely thanked them for their time, and moved my truck. Well...I MAY have allowed a little, teensy-weensy oral editorial to blast their way, causing massive winds and lightning, but later, I found myself apologizing and cooperating, as is my gentle wont.
11 After a full day of spinning in utter disbelief, repeating what Buzz had whispered during the exchange, "Heart rate, man, heart rate...," I decided that bursting out in Wizard of Oz songs was the only answer.
12 Hence, the first item in today's DN.
13 It's a song by the late, great Harold Arlen, and it's entitled, IF I Only Had a Brain. Because CLEARLY, if I HAD a brain, I would have known EIGHT YEARS AGO that I was parked illegally, and that my truck had to be moved.
14 So I moved my truck. No point in going a step further with this. I could wile away the hours, but it probably is a waste of perfectly capable wiling.
15 Moving on, I have been meaning to give a huge plug for the Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company, which is currently doing FREE plays on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, 7 p.m. at Skyline-Sanborn Park in Saratoga, thru September 18. They are doing a pair of shows they call Shakepeare in Lust, and they include a very saucy Measure For Measure, directed by Jeff Bengeford, and Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Dinna Myers.
16 Last weekend I sneaked a peek at M4M, and it ROCKED! They had a 70's feel going the whole night, so the music, costumes, etc. just made you smile. I understand that Dinna's Merry Wives, which opens this weekend, is done in 50's chic.
17 It's a simple thing to do, too! You just take Highway 85 to Saratoga Ave., and drive through the town of Saratoga, up Big Basin Way to Sanborn, and turn left. It's the same place they have Science Camp. It costs $5 to park, and everything else is free!! You can bring a picnic basket, wine (if you're over 21!) and low-back folding chairs (not really neeeded) and set camp right in the front area. Of course, you should bring warm clothes, layered, and enough money for a nice donation. Otherwise, it's a beautiful place for Shakespeare, with redwood trees, a running stream, summer-camp lights, and stars o'erhead.
17 If you look carefully, you MIGHT even catch glimpses of Pigeon Players' folks roaming that forest as well!
18 It is a magical romp into the forest, and deeper into the beautifully crafted playwriting of the greatest in the King's English. These folks completely deliver the goods. Very intelligent, and very entertaining! A perfect combo! Fun music too!!!
19 Their website is www.shadyshakes.org so you could go there for further information. This weekend is Merry Wives, so grab some friends, and set out for a Shakespsearean treat! AWESOME acting, awesome lighting, sound, location, and directing!
20 Meanwhile, I think I'll move outta here and place a big smile on my face, because nothing can bring smiles better than wonderful theatre, especially the venerable Bard of Avon!
21 I just hope when I get there, that they don't tow my truck away during the show...
22 Peace.
