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Update Archive for 2004
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Disclaimer: Some links may be broken; 'tis the nature of an archive.
Now: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. On hiatus/closed for summer - home in New Orleans - No Update Available.
Soon: ??????
(n.b.: all times listed hereinafter are CDT until further notice or until 31 October [change to CST], whichever occurs first)
Now: Pentecost Sunday. On hiatus - in Boston, MA - No Update Available. I am out of town for the weekend, judging at CFL Nationals.
Soon: See last week.
Now: Seventh Sunday of Easter. What a long, strange week it’s been. I don’t know where to start, but I do know I’m thankful finals are over. I’m still rather busy at the moment, but at least it’s the fun sort of busy.
I found a perfectly fine Dell in the trash this week, so now it will become a new web server. You can read the whole story and see the pictures here.
Soon: I’m judging at CFL Nationals in Boston this weekend, moving into my sublet on Monday night/Tuesday morning, and immediately driving back home to get to Newman’s commencement on Wednesday night. I then have Alanna Carr’s wedding on Saturday, and Tad, Jenny, and Sage come in from Hawaii during the following week.
Addendum: My e-mail is working again, but I lost most of the messages from the past five or six days. Sorry for the technical difficulties, but sometimes stuff happens that's just beyond one's own control.
Addendum: 1. My e-mail is currently dead. Apparently, it's been dead since Friday, and I didn't figure it out until Monday. Unfortunately, I'm still way too busy with finals to do anything about it until Wednesday afternoon at the earliest.
2. So Sunday's update was a bit of a lie. I had actually written most of it last week, so I could upload it on Sunday in lieu of having to write something in between build and finals and papers. Anyway, for reasons I'll gladly discuss after my finals are over, I had to quit working on that insane production. In the meantime, you'll just have to live with the text of the e-mail I drafted in the early morning hours of Monday and sent later that day:
17 May 2004
To Whom It May Concern:
Effectively immediately, I am no longer the technical director for The Magellan Project.
Within PW’s SAO mailbox you will find sales and refund receipts documenting set-related transactions, leaving a balance of $309.93 from the original $450.00, a note pertaining to the use of borrowed casters, and, within a sealed envelope, PW’s show key. Additionally, the two 14.4 V Dewalt drills, four 14.4 V Dewalt batteries, and all associated drill bits must be returned to the Stuart Shop as soon as practically possible.
While it is hard to imagine much poorer timing for such a move, the dangerous (mis)direction of this production warrants drastic change. A wide combination of factors, including, but not limited to, (1) the complete failure of basic artistic communication between the director and set designer, (2) the unwillingness of the production manager to step in and force a set freeze deadline, (3) the countless number of drastic design changes resulting in an unreasonable build schedule with equally irrational expectations, (4) the inability to find a master carpenter, assistant technical director, or co-technical director, as specifically requested, to share the already stressed build responsibilities of a finals-ridden commencement slot, (5) the gathering of a build crew that caused more harm than progress to the set’s construction, and (6) the perpetual, systematic, and aggravating refusal by the producing board to provide the physical support, building tools, set hardware, and safety equipment required for the safe, timely, and efficient execution of its productions all compel me to this harsh decision. As to point number four, I do not consider an individual that neither knows where PW is located nor is even available to assume a role until the scheduled day of dry tech to be an ATD.
I understood the risk involved in technical directing two back-to-back shows, especially when the latter is during finals, but I initially accepted the position under the now false premise that I would receive the fundamental support necessary to achieve this complicated, yet attainable, balancing act. However, both internal and external elements turned this experience into a living nightmare. My body is in far too much emotional and physical anguish, and I am already too mentally distraught to even contemplate continuing. This tormenting hell leaves me completely ineffective in any role and gives me no choice but to cut and run.
I don’t know how you view theatre in the grand scheme of things, but in my own personal paradigm of life, theatre, at some level, is supposed to be fun. When it’s no longer fun, it’s no longer worth my time and effort.
Dade Veron
3. Attempting to send that e-mail is how I found out that my e-mail server had gone insane. I'll try to post another notice when (if) I get my e-mail working again.
Now: Sixth Sunday of Easter. Happy Birthday Dad. I hate finals. Enough said. Two more to go. I think. I can't even think in an organized manner right now. Ahhhhrrrrgggguuuuhhh!!!
The Magellan Project (PW), on the whole, is coming along ok. I just need these finals to hurry up and end so I can actually focus on it.
In a rather unanticipated move Wednesday, I purchased a new Dell Dimension 8300. I've been tossing around the idea of getting a new desktop for quite some time, but I planned on waiting until closer to summer so that I could have the shipment coincide with when I'm going to be home. However, when Dell says that they will sell you an $1850 computer for less than $1300 for one day only, it's really hard to say no, seeing that I was already going to buy one anyway. For now it will just sit in the shipping container in my room until I'm home at the beginning of June. I'm hoping to work it so that I can arrive in just time for Newman's Commencement, as this class is the last one I'd really like to see graduate.
Soon: Malis finally e-mailed me a confirmation this week on judging for CFL Nationals. It's in Boston this year, which is nice and convenient and all that, but I'm just amused that one, I'm actually judging LD, an event I haven't even participated in for over four and a half years, and two, I'm not even judging for my own high school. But I suppose Glenbrook North's money is just as good as anyone else's, so I'm not going to complain. It ought to be a fun Memorial Day Weekend, even if round one is scheduled for 07:00 on Saturday morning!
Addendum: 1. Magellan Build Call - Saturday, 15 May, 14:00, @ PW. Be there. Contact me with any questions.
2. Another archived obituary for the week: John Charles Redfield, a family friend and really cool guy who as a US Coast Guard pilot, among a zillion other things, torpedoed a German u-boat in Louisiana waters during World War II.
Now: Fifth Sunday of Easter. Reading Period. I have way too much work to do with too little time. A large amount of stuff did happen this week, so here's a quick synopsis:
Tim left me a voicemail on Tuesday saying that the light board in Stuart had caught on fire. Certainly not the type of message I ever expected to hear, but we needed to get rid of that old Impression 2 anyway. He's getting bids for a new system now, but I have no idea where the money will come from.
Even though the lighting system meltdown occured two days before opening night for the Dance Ensemble Spring Concert (TSD), the show went fine. For a three hour ordeal, I actually enjoyed the show, which was made all the more pleasurable by the Brown-sponsored wine and cheese (and tasty desert!) reception afterwards!
As noted on the home page, I've started hosting pictures on my Dad's office computer becuase the DadeWeb server is out of room. Over the summer, I'm hoping to put a dedicated server in his office, but the current setup will work for now. While having a server with unlimited space will be nice, I'm spolied by Brown's LAN, which means his office DSL connection just isn't fast enough for me. Oh well, it's not like I'm willing to pay for anything faster either.
Newman athletic coaches are in the news again, but this time it's because Frank Gendusa is leaving Newman to take a coaching job at a high school in South Carolina. At least replacing him won't involve the unknown amount of money Newman is dumping into hiring a company to find McLeod's replacement.
Also added to the news archive are three obituaries for this past week: Sarah Keller's father, Oscar William "Billy" Keller Jr., Plaquemines Parish cirtus baron Johnny J. Becnel Sr., and Commander's Palace maitre d' George Rico.
Soon: See last week.
Now: Fourth Sunday of Easter. Reading Period. Musical Forum's presentation of Hedwig and the Angry Inch closes tonight.
Soon: Finals. Production Workshop's Commencement Slot is The Magellan Project, which is "a truly innovative and collaborative production involving music, theatre, and dance" according to an official source. Suddenly, being the Technical Director for two back-to-back shows doesn't sound like a good idea.
In other news, Tad and his family are coming home 08 June - 08 July. I will be home 02-18 June (very tentative). I can't believe I'm going to a wedding for someone just two years ahead of me in high school on 05 June. Crazy.
Now: Easter Sunday. No Update Available.
Soon: No Update Available.
Now: Fifth Sunday of Lent. On hiatus - Spring Break - No Update Available.
Soon: No Update Available.
Now: Fourth Sunday of Lent. Oops, I forgot to do it - No Update Available.
Soon: No Update Available.
Now: Second Sunday of Lent. Between helping two shows and a slew of mid-term papers/exams, I’m extremely busy right now, so this shall be brief. Over on mainstage I did part of the electrics load in for The Misanthrope (TSD/S&B), which opens in Stuart on Thursday. I don’t know anything about the show. PW’s second slot show, The Best Brown Musical Ever: The Musical, opens in the Downstairs Space on Friday. I’ve spent time helping Ben move all the stuff into the space and lent a hand to some of the rigging. I saw part of a design run, and I’m very excited for what should prove to be an awesome musical spoof on life at Brown.
Soon: I’m Technical Director for Hedwig and the Angry Inch (MF), which will run 30 April through 03 May in PW’s Downstairs Space. I never imagined that I’d read a proposal that included a $200 budget line item for alcohol. It makes me feel right at home.
Now: First Sunday of Lent. Well a few things have actually happened in the past few weeks, but I suppose Mardi Gras was still the headline event. I’ll make the section all nice and fancy, but for now at least all the pictures are up. I also took about 140 MB of QuickTime movies, but I had no place to host them. In a completely unrelated coincidence, someone made me realize that I could just hijack Brown’s LAN and host them on my own computer. This is fine as long as my desktop is actually online and operational, but the DadeWeb @ Brown section works just swell for what I need right now.
As a result of parade success, I have a surplus of Mardi Gras go cups that anyone can have. If you are not fortunate enough to know what a “go cup” is, I feel sorry for whatever Puritanical-Protestant-Bible-belt-anti-good-time-blue-law-enforcing location in which you happen to reside. Billy Joel is wrong – the Catholics, especially all the New Orleans based “Cataholics” (contraction for a Catholic Alcoholic), have all fun in this country. Otherwise, tourism, about the only successful industry in the Big Easy, would collapse, and the city would really go to hell. If you want a city that never sleeps, forget New York; there, the bars, restaurants, and other things do, in fact, close. Your only true options are Las Vegas and New Orleans.
Mardi Gras, as always, must yield to Lent in the same way as Long Weekend must yield to papers and midterms. Nothing too exciting, but they were not what I wanted to think about as I flew back into Providence late on Ash Wednesday. Speaking of the flight, I must say that the New Orleans created Smoothie King franchise industry is spreading like the Starbucks of the nutritional food realm. The one across the street from the Brown Bookstore simply amused me when I first came here at the beginning of freshman year, but with locations in “remote” Belle Chasse and the primary Delta terminal at the Cincinnati (well, Kentucky) airport, the brand is taking over. I’m definitely experiencing a case of anti-corporate-empire-ism, but when the franchise started locally, at least local to me, then it’s all for Smoothie King and Popeye’s. Al Copeland, however, is still an evil guy with a very gaudy super-sized Christmas display/mansion. Yea, that was all random.
I also need to jump back a bit to thank Al and Lester for meeting me for dinner in Cambridge as couple of weekends ago. That and the nice paycheck were the only things that made judging some of the worse debate rounds ever bearable. I still don’t understand why people asked us why we (i.e. Newman) eventually dumped freezing cold Harvard’s tournament altogether in favor of nice sunny Berkeley.
Machinal, this year’s senior slot show (TSD) was pretty cool. I think Alex’s robot may be the answer to the increasing priest shortage crisis. At least the robot is not going to be arrested for sexual assault. Too bad all that work (especially with the crazy moving roof structure) for a one-weekend show gets trashed later tonight at strike.
Soon: This coming week is nothing but Misanthrope light load in (TSD/S&B) during all the free time of the day. Except, of course, for the momentary pauses to use my Explorer to move Styrofoam molding, dorm beds, Ratty furniture, and the Van Wickle Gates – but that’s all for another show. The tentatively titled Best Brown Musical Ever: The Musical is the next show to go up in the Downstairs Space in TF Green (PW). This ought to get interesting in no time flat.
Now: Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. On hiatus - in New Orleans - No Update Available. I am back home for Mardi Gras; I'll be back in Providence late evening on Ash Wednesday.
Soon: 2 Days Until Mardi Gras. No Update Available.
Now: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. On hiatus - in Cambridge, MA - No Update Available. I am out of town for the weekend, judging Policy again for Harvard’s high school speech and debate tournament.
Soon: 9 Days Until Mardi Gras. No Update Available.
Now: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. After an extremely long hiatus, the DadeWeb Update is triumphantly returning! Winter Break was, well, in a word, “warmer,” but it’s nice to return to Brown. This isn’t to say that I’d rather be in Providence than New Orleans; it’s just that break was plenty long enough. I’m rejuvenated and ready return to work (both school work and income-bearing work), and the sooner this semester starts, the sooner summer arrives.
At the last real update, LSU had just captured the NCAA Division IA National Championship in Football, and despite the foolish efforts of the AP, Las Vegas refused to honor any national championship bets placed on USC. I’ve neglected the update for so long that the only football happening is in the Arena Football League (New Orleans Voodoo???). Last Sunday, much to the rejoicing of people around here, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl. Not only was I rooting for the Carolina Panthers because I’m a Miami Dolphins fan (division rival to the Patriots), but also because I wanted to see Jake Delhomme, pride of Breaux Bridge, LA, make Tom Benson and Jim Haslett look like complete idiots. Even without the big game, I think Carolina’s NFC Championship alone makes the entire New Orleans Saints organization look incompetent.
The end of Winter Break was kind of boring. I did go out with friends, chill, and catch up on sleep, but when my highlight of the week is installing new speakers in the Explorer, you know life is dull. On the flip side, the down time helped me plan my exciting trip back to Brown. Since all my friends were already back in school and the unpredictable winter weather can complicate the normal less-than-two-day drive up to Rhode Island, I left a full week before the semester started so I could visit friends and family all the back up to school. I don’t know if everyone was happier to see me or the King Cakes and oranges I brought with me for delivery, but I had a ton of fun. Thanks to my Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 MP3 player, Michael and his frat brothers (W&L) in Lexington, VA, Eugenio (UVA) and the Gibsons in Charlottesville, VA, Louise (American), Lucye (Georgetown), their friends and suite/roommates, and the Georgetown Southern Society (especially the huge New Orleans contingent) in Washington, DC, the mandatory full service gas station attendants along the New Jersey Turnpike, my cousin Gloria and her husband David in Stamford, CT, and all the truckers on the CB for making my trip fun, worthwhile, and extraordinarily memorable. But coal (in BDH parlance) to speed limits, Flying J’s high speed gas pumps, blue laws, back-to-back toll roads ($6.00 for the falling-apart-piece-of-trash George Washington Bridge?!?!), ‘70s era gas lines, poor road signage, DC Metro cops, and the whole of New Haven, CT for being dumb, annoying, obnoxious, and just outright unjustifiably taxing my trip. (No, I wasn’t ticketed or arrested, so don’t ask.)
The semester has started, and with the infamous shopping period nearing its end, I think I’ve figured out my four classes (covering the environment, pop culture, Europe, and cars – yes, a course on the automobile) and $750+ of books. I’m also back at work in the TSD shop, so everything seems like it’s falling back into a routine. I saw Jonathan Larson’s other musical, Tick, Tick…Boom, last night in PW’s Upstairs Space. As a fan of Rent, I knew I’d like this show too, but the three-person cast did a wonderful job. Midnight shows are always the best anyway.
Soon: 16 Days Until Mardi Gras. To continue the theatre thread, three large Brown shows are coming up soon. Next weekend, PW will have The Country Wife, in the normal Friday through Monday Downstairs Space slot. Over on mainstage, the Senior Slot show, Machinal (assuming they secure the rights to it), goes up the weekend after Mardi Gras in Leeds (TSD), and The Misanthrope will be in Stuart during mid-March (TSD/S&B). PW shows are always free; tickets for the others can be purchased through the box office by calling (401) 863-2838 or by begging me for my comps.
If you are expecting more updates and time soon, forget it. Next weekend I’ll be in Cambridge, MA judging CX again for Harvard’s high school speech and debate tournament. The weekend after that I’ll be spending the money I make from judging on destroying my liver in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. You, that’s right, YOU, should come to Mardi Gras too.
On a final note, some top ranking Marine Corps brass finally figured out that extending Tad’s unit’s deployment is worthless, so he’ll be returning to Hawaii with the rest of HMH-362 in March as originally scheduled.
Now: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. On hiatus - Back at Brown - No Update Available. (i.e. too busy to write it)
Soon: The first real update of the calendar year.
(n.b.: all times listed hereinafter are EST until further notice or until 04 April [change to EDT], whichever occurs first)
Now: The Epiphany of the Lord. Did you know that LSU has the most (officially listed) Catholics of any US college? However, that fact is about as meaningless as the AP (it's all Michigan's fault by the way). The LSU Tigers are the 2003 National College Football Champions, and it doesn't get any better than winning it in the Sugar Bowl. Total sweetness. Literally.
Soon: Who cares? This is biggest thing in New Orleans (until next month of course).
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This Page Last Edited on 23 January 2005 at 20:32 PT
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