Seen and Heard: REP's 8

Readers know that I am a bit of a booster for Raleigh Ensemble Players (REP) and their "provocative, powerful, and penetrating" theatrical productions. Perhaps my love of their work (fan-boy) is due to my penchant for Modernist (difficult) literature, my brief history on the stage (high school), or my firm belief that every life is a musical (I hear your music). No matter, last night's dramatic reading of Dustin Lance Black's 8 moved me to tears, spontaneous applause, and a new insight into a difficult and often divisive subject. The script was tight, the characters human, the direction spot on, and the talent - simply unbelievable. The cream of our rich, diverse theater community was on display delivering a one-night-only performance that was close to perfection. 

On its most basic level, the play was taken from the transcripts of the federal court challenge to the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8, which revoked the rights of same-sex couples from marrying. Think Law and Order, without the murder, but with all the human drama, the courtroom arguments, the complainants' back stories, and the media - all honestly and artfully portrayed as recorded in the official record.

This work should be required viewing for all North Carolinians before entering the ballot box to vote on this very same issue - ironically on May 8th. I can only hope that the first amendment to our constitution will not be one intended to single out a group of people in order to deny them civil rights and basic dignities surrounding the most personal, private, and joyous aspect of their lives. Most people are unaware that one of the rights slaves gained upon emancipation was the right to marry. Several freedmen wrote that this right was among the most cherished, proving that they were indeed free.

And, as hard as it is to believe today, it was only 40 years ago that it was illegal in some states for inter-racial couples to marry. It is obvious that the institution of marriage continues to evolve from arranged marriages to business relationships to romantic love matches benefiting those who choose to participate. As stated in last night's closing argument: "We will all be more American the day after same-sex marriage is recognized as a legal and basic right than we were the day before."

The polls are now open for early voting.
Vote early - vote often.

Long Time, No See

Wheel of Life

Wow, I can't believe how long it has been since my last posting. Time flies when you are living your dreams....

Who am I kidding? I have been swamped with work and just haven't had time to organize my thoughts into a coherent, entertaining essay. However, following dinner with my friends Clodagh and Jerry last night, I realized that I am in a rare place of happiness. I have found a blissful moment where the hectic swirl of the world seems far away.

Since I am five weeks into the new job, the radio silence can be lifted. As you may remember, I accepted a new position at Lulu Press in March. Although I am no longer working in my beloved downtown Raleigh and I have to actually drive to the office now, I am thrilled with my work and excited by the team of highly dedicated and creative people with whom I get to spend my days. I am still drinking from the fire hose, so to speak, but I am getting my head around the job and I am eager to get to the office every morning.

Of course that is not how it started. Sometime around 2:00 PM on my first day, I started wondering if I had made a horrible mistake. So many new faces, names, personalities to learn - not to mention that I barely understood a third of what people were talking about in meetings. And, boy, you better believe these people do have some meetings. I have learned that being the oldest person in the room sometimes has its advantages in that I can use my experience and distill it into a varnish of artificial self-confidence. After all, these people didn't know that I was really a walking meat bag composed of jitters and self-doubt. Simply raising my hand and reminding people that I am the new guy, seems to jolt everyone back into English - for a few minutes anyway. Fortunately, I am picking up the jargon pretty quickly, thanks to Google.

Since those tentative days and sleepless nights, I feel that I have begun making a contribution to the success of the company. Perhaps only a small contribution at this point, but I do see a bright future for myself there and hope to stay as long as they will have me.

As to my former position, well, I am still moonlighting for them in the evenings. I just couldn't leave them in the lurch. Somehow I think this generosity has contributed to my recent karmic happiness, but it could also be the consultant-level hourly wage they are paying me that has smoothed the way for paying off the credit card, insurance, and future vacation debt yet to be incurred during my upcoming visit to the Greek Isles in August.

Life is good!