This trip is testing my paranting skills. Being in charge of children full time is much different than simply looking after them for an hour or so. I have to get them up in the morning, make sure they take their medicine, make sure they don't wander off, get too far ahead, or too far behind. I have to make sure they make it to their rooms at night, and deal with them taking baths together and all sorts of hijinks that you would never imagine going into it. Its quite taxing, really, even if I am having a wonderful time.
I saw four plays yesterday. Two by myself, one with the whole group, and another with a smaller group.
On my own, I saw King Lear: The Pantomime. It was done by a group of children, probably middle school or junior high (or their British equivalent). It was so funny, and the kids were so good. I would have called it "melodrama" instead of pantomime, because the audience had to participate, booing Edmund, and getting into arguments with Regan and Goneril, and such, and the kids did have lines, but still, lots of fun.
Then I saw a wonderful production of Ben Jonson's Volpone. I had never seen it staged before, and it was just great. The actors were all marvelous, and so funny, I laughed all the way through.
After that, I saw an original work called We Had Names, put on by a group of high school students from New Mexico. It was about children in one of the Polish ghettos who write poetry so they won't be forgotten. It was extremely moving, and very well done. I was dreading going, because I usually find such pieces so insanely depressing, and while it was that, I'm glad I saw it. It actually might be a piece of work that I would be interested in directing myself.
Finally, a small group of us went to see Cannibal! The Musical. Written by Trey Parker (one half of the South Park duo) its the story of Alfred Packer, the only American convicted of cannibalism (if you can believe the liner notes). I almost walked out in the first ten minutes, because the showed a video of some really gruesome anthropophagism, and I was about to be sick. Fortunately, once the show started, it was much better. I don't handle gore and viscera all that well, but I can handle stage blood better than film blood. The show was good enough, although I spent most of it wincing because of the content. It probably wasn't all that bad, in the grand scheme of things, but it was enough to make me wish I didn't have high school students with me, or maybe just the other teacher, who has more delicate sensibilities. Gur phefvat jnf gur yrnfg bs vg. Gurl jnf nyfb frkhny vaahraqb, zber phefvat, trareny ihytnevgl, naq (oevrs) znyr ahqvgl (onpxfvqr bayl). V jvaprq rnpu gvzr. The kids seemed to like it though.
Today is going to be a busy day. I am going to see a show called Terminus, a musical about serial killers, then The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), after that we have to perform our own show, Requiem, and strike our set. Following a brief break for dinner, several of us will watch Into the Woods. All of these shows, except for Terminus are being performed by high school students from around the United States.
Tomorrow, I think I may try to convince the kids to get up before dawn and hike up the mountain Arthur's Seat (we didn't go last time because it was raining, and I don't want to take people up a mountain in the dark and the rain.) We will be going up into the Highlands tomorrow for a loooong tour, and when we get back, there will be more shows. Its going to be a race to the finish line as we have to get all the shows we want to see in before we leave on Monday.
Best be off. I have to pack up for the show this afternoon so everything is ready. Ciao!
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(2)
04:53:30 AM,
Friday 8 August 2008
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My advisor at UCM has been changed again, to the evil Dr. Z. I am very wary about this. I mean, why? also, I still don't know what the situation is at home regarding my job. Fortunately, it seems my classes have been taken care of, so that's all to the good. Must go, about to be booted by the time.
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09:59:14 AM,
Monday 4 August 2008
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Men in kilts, especially good looking men, are dead sexy. There's not been a terrible lot about, but there have been a few. There is a Ceilh (Kay-Lee) dance tonight for the kids, and some of the boys bought kilts. I also gave into temptation, and bought one. The store was having a sale, offering the whole kilt and kaboodle, as it were, so I also came away with the stockings, the bonnet, the belt, and sporran, and a kilt-pin. The kilt is purple, and quite striking. Most of the girls traveling with us are, I think, going to be mortified (for some reason) but I think going to a proper Scottish dance in proper attire is the only thing.
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(4)
09:51:23 AM,
Monday 4 August 2008
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I have been picking up the most horrible brogue. Well, not horrible really, but I feel so embarrassed when it happens, because I'm sure it sounds bad to the natives, and maybe a little presumptious as well. Most of the people here have been nothing but friendly and helpful and kind, and I really appreciate it.
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(1)
09:45:58 AM,
Monday 4 August 2008
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Our first show was today, and it went off very well indeed. There was only one small technical snafu, but it was so small, the only person who even noticed it was me, the person making the mistake. Those are the best kinds of mistakes.
So I am no longer a Fringe virgin. I have actually run tech in Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm inordantly proud of myself. Also, the kids.
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09:43:53 AM,
Monday 4 August 2008
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Some of my students came up to me offering me some melted cheese and meat panini thing, insisting I had to try it. Of course, it was haggis, and it wasn't actually bad. Sort of spicy, and afterwards, I was able to declare, "Today, I am a Scotsman!"
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09:39:57 AM,
Monday 4 August 2008
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I fall in love with almost every place I visit, and want to live there for ever and ever. Its happened in Portland, OR, and New York City. Its happened in D.C., and now in London and Edinburgh. I think I just need to marry a rich man and spend the rest of my life traveling the world, living in as many different places as I can.
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(3)
04:31:09 AM,
Saturday 2 August 2008
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The men in London are generally more beautiful than the men in Scotland, but only generally. I don't know if its the European aesthetic or what, but there are some gorgeous guys out there. I have to be careful not to stare at times.
I definitely want to come back.
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04:29:56 AM,
Saturday 2 August 2008
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I don't have time to keep up with all the blogs right now, so if there is something you want me personally to see, please just leave me a comment or send an email. I think I'll be able to grab a few minutes every day, but maybe not. I went through the list of plays, and I found over 60 I would like to see, although some of them aren't really appropriate for high schoolers. And that's just the theater shows. There is also acrobats, dancers, children's shows, commedians, music, and much, much more, like pub tours (also not appropriate for highschoolers).
I want to come back already, and we haven't even left yet!
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04:28:32 AM,
Saturday 2 August 2008
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Edinburgh is lovely. We went out briefly this morning to change money, but I got to see a bit of Prince's Street and Clerk Street, and the Fringe Festival is just beginning to kick into gear. Its been raining this morning, so outside its nice and cool, but inside it still feels awfully warm.
We have our technical rehearsal today, and I believe I have everything necessary for a successful show, but I am nonetheless nervous approaching the theater and discovering what is actually waiting for us.
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04:05:53 AM,
Saturday 2 August 2008
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Things which I am not used to in the United Kingdoms:
The keyboard is slightly, but treacherously different.
Air conditioning is a foriegn concept to these people.
As is, evidently, ice. This has been a great hardship.
Frankly, I am amazed they have refigeration here at all.
/ugly American
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(5)
02:38:37 PM,
Friday 1 August 2008
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We have our tech rehearsal tomorrow, and our first show in three days. We get to perform four times total, and we will see at least four other AHSTF shows, as well as any other shows we desire. We will probably hike to the top of Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano overshadowing Edinburgh, to take in the sunrise which I am told is fabulous, but that won't be tomorrow, at least.
The kids have been, on the whole, remarkably good. Although there has been some grumbling, they've been real troopers. For my first trip abroad with kids, I'm pretty happy.
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(2)
02:33:52 PM,
Friday 1 August 2008
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Scott: (showing off a Brittish pound) And here's Adam Smith...
Me: (pointing) Oh, look, you can see the invisible hand!
Scott: Where?!
Me: Hee hee hee.
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02:29:36 PM,
Friday 1 August 2008
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Also, I've lost track of time and don't know what day it is. This is how you know you are having a good time.
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02:28:25 PM,
Friday 1 August 2008
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I arrived in Scotland today after two incredibly hectic days in London. Travel by trains, planes, and automobiles pall after the first forty-eight straight hours.
Having a fantastic time, and I'm looking forward to actually walking around the festival tomorrow. Only have a few minutes now, so I have to attend to business, but I'm safe and sound, and having a blast.
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02:27:16 PM,
Friday 1 August 2008
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Even being "done" last night still didn't mean I spent my morning running around, and now I'm leaving for the airport feeling like there must be something I haven't done.
Ah, well.
Next: Scotland!
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11:46:34 AM,
Tuesday 29 July 2008
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I've stood my two main bags in the outer room, folded my clothes, and generally tided oop. My room is cleaner/neater than its been in a while, which feels nice, although I won't be around to enjoy it now for a couple weeks.
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(1)
05:09:42 AM,
Tuesday 29 July 2008
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It couldn't have rolled over on the last one before last? Or maybe waited until I actually posted I was leaving? In any case, while there will be internet once I reach Edinburg, at least, it is highly likely I won't have a whole lot of time for catching up or posting much, but I'll do what I can. For right now, I should try to get a couple hour's sleep before I have to run around like a mad chicken before my flight.
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05:08:21 AM,
Tuesday 29 July 2008
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Either there is a gas leak in the outer room, or the smoke detector is broken, or the "new" battery had corroded in its casing, but the stupid smoke detector is beeping at me again. Very annoying.
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(2)
04:58:11 AM,
Tuesday 29 July 2008
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