Friday, January 9, 2009

Feeling beat up

I've been trying to take pictures of my hands, bruised and scabbed. I was going to post them and ask you "Barroom brawl?... or dance rehearsal?" But the pictures don't show the discoloration on the knuckles or do justice to the blood that flowed at rehearsal, or the pain when they get touched the wrong way. Clanking mugs and dancing is not easy. Nor is being lifted, doing kicks, or letting LeFou stand upon my back to look over Gaston's shoulder. I am very sore today. (but, you know, it's all good)

Anyhow...

Instead of the photos I'll give you this quote, which I heard last night on the drive home while listening to Alan Alda's book on CD, Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself. The book is actually reminding me a lot of Jen and Mad's constant call for us to DO something... I highly recommend it. You'll laugh and cry. At least... I'm laughing and crying. This quote, from 56 years ago, struck me in particular considering the war and our economic woes:

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.

Dwight D Eisenhower
April 16, 1953
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Reminder: Your Monday Mission for Jan 12th, should you choose to accept it, is to write a post in the style sales pitch for your house, from the point of view of your house (if these walls could talk...). Idea courtesy of Bayou Belle

17 comments:

Bayou Belle said...

Great idea for the Monday Mission. Wish I would have thought of it myself . . . ;-)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely, quote, so fitting for our times. I love this post, Painted Maypole... everything about it is so grounding, and sorry about your hands.

Rima said...

Wow. I had never heard that quote before - it is so eloquent and true! Thanks for passing it on.

MARY G said...

Oh how I wish I could see you dance!

flutter said...

I'm with Mary, i wanna see you get down!

Mad said...

Wow! If it were me doing all that driving, I'd likely be listening to punk or complaint rock, but you? You edify yourself. Good show!

Not to mention all your talk of that other good show that is beating you up physically. If only I could see you act one day...

One last thing: Monday is JP day but I wouldn't be surprised if my poor, battered kitchen weren't ready to sell me already.

kelley said...

I would like to see you dance as well. I didn't realize the preparation would injure you. When Beauty and the Beast came to our closest Theater "200 miles away" we made a special trip to watch it. The show was delightful. Good Luck, hope you survive

Don Mills Diva said...

Soory about your hands - you are truly suffering for your art!

Kyla said...

I'd love to come see your show. As painful as it sounds, it also sounds like fun to watch!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad not to see the photos. My prematurely gnarled arthritic hands cringe at the thought.

Thank you for sharing that quote. That's exactly how I feel.

Jen said...

I love Alan Alda, and I've always loved that quote by Eisenhower. I've been behind on blog reading. Which role are you damaging yourself for?

Woman in a Window said...

That quote is brilliant, but then that is what quoting is all about.

Now stop with the fistacuffs!

Mary Beth said...

Alan Alda has long been a favorite of mine, since his MASH days. Does he read the book? Because I love his voice:)

I'm sorry about your hands and bruises - your blog is making me realize it's more than just memorization and good acting skills that go into a great performance. Good luck with the show!

E said...

Me too. I wanna see you dance. Video tape and post please

alejna said...

I love that quote. I'd read it somewhere before, but had forgotten it.

Sorry about your battered hands. Suffering for your art, indeed.

Anonymous said...

he did a book signing here right after i gave birth and i was so sad to miss it

Louise said...

I had no idea your job was so physically demanding in THAT sense. I definitely realized in other ways, but that is extra tough.

I love Eisenhower.