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madrobinsMy degree is in Theatre Studies, and the thing for which I showed the most talent was stage management--an odd catchall of persuasion, tact, organization, and last-minute Hail Mary passes. When I was the Assistant to the Publisher at Tor I used to say that there was a direct connection between what I did there and my degree. Likewise my jobs running summer programs at Harvard, and editing comics at Acclaim. And I sometimes feel that working at home, writing, those particular muscles are going flabby.
Last night I made my first Tarte Tatin. It turned out pretty well, though there is no doubt that having a non-stick skillet would have improved the final look of the thing. Should taste pretty good, though. I made the tarte for SG's French class (once a month they have a class party with French food, and rather than shelling out $30 for the good croissants at the bakery down the street, I thought I'd make a tarte.
Today I have to make stuffed shells, since it's Girl Scout Thinking Day, and we're having a potluck dinner.
Yesterday Avocado informed me, in passing, that her friend Michelle had tickets to some sort of concert at Davies Symphony Hall, and she'd be home at 7:30, she thought. I informed her that the proper protocol, when one is 12, is to ask permission to go out to a concert downtown on a school night, and she--duly chastened--promised to do so in future. Called later to tell me that the show didn't start until 8, but that was okay, her friends would walk her to the BART afterward. Intense negotiation followed, mostly via text message, which led to me driving downtown at 10:15 to pick the girls up and deliver everyone home. A tactful riot act was read, once the other girls had been dropped off. And so to bed (after I had reminded SG to send me an email I'd been waiting for for three days).
This morning I sent all parties off to school and work, while reminding people of various after-school engagements (a meeting with SG's guidance counselor and SG; another meeting with the Spouse; Scouts. And then tomorrow Avocado has a skating competition; SG has her poly sci class at CCSF and a headshot appointment; I have a meeting with a writing client. Oh, and I have to finish a job before that Saturday meeting. As I was chasing people out of the house this morning I realized that I am still, thirty years later, stage managing. Not so much something I would send in to the Alumni Notes, but there you go.
Last night I made my first Tarte Tatin. It turned out pretty well, though there is no doubt that having a non-stick skillet would have improved the final look of the thing. Should taste pretty good, though. I made the tarte for SG's French class (once a month they have a class party with French food, and rather than shelling out $30 for the good croissants at the bakery down the street, I thought I'd make a tarte.
Today I have to make stuffed shells, since it's Girl Scout Thinking Day, and we're having a potluck dinner.
Yesterday Avocado informed me, in passing, that her friend Michelle had tickets to some sort of concert at Davies Symphony Hall, and she'd be home at 7:30, she thought. I informed her that the proper protocol, when one is 12, is to ask permission to go out to a concert downtown on a school night, and she--duly chastened--promised to do so in future. Called later to tell me that the show didn't start until 8, but that was okay, her friends would walk her to the BART afterward. Intense negotiation followed, mostly via text message, which led to me driving downtown at 10:15 to pick the girls up and deliver everyone home. A tactful riot act was read, once the other girls had been dropped off. And so to bed (after I had reminded SG to send me an email I'd been waiting for for three days).
This morning I sent all parties off to school and work, while reminding people of various after-school engagements (a meeting with SG's guidance counselor and SG; another meeting with the Spouse; Scouts. And then tomorrow Avocado has a skating competition; SG has her poly sci class at CCSF and a headshot appointment; I have a meeting with a writing client. Oh, and I have to finish a job before that Saturday meeting. As I was chasing people out of the house this morning I realized that I am still, thirty years later, stage managing. Not so much something I would send in to the Alumni Notes, but there you go.