Tried to see the fireworks from rooftop restaurant terrace, too cold gave up. Chips and Magners my last Edinburgh meal. Taxi coming in 2.5 hours (3AM) for airport. France, douce France!
Must pack up the office. Computer, in ye get.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Urbanity
From Potted Potter(All Six Books and Book Seven Teaser in Sixty Minutes):
Don't squeeze me, Harry... I'm your Headmaster.
and, from the Teaser bit:
Dead! They're dead!
Who's dead?
All of them! It's a bloodbath! But on a lighter note, Harry and his friends do a lot of camping.
So Dan, you're saying that book seven is Death... and Camping.
Plus Quidditch in the audience. That's quality stuff.
Went climbing in the hills yesterday, it was cloudy and a bit damp but absolutely beautiful, with views of the city and the sea and thistle growing all over. And big black slugs, lots of them. We made it up Arthur's Seat, which looks over the city. It's amazing that all that separates Edinburgh from the Wilderness is a fifteen minute walk. At the same time, it feels totally urban to me because of the variety - our neighborhood has Indian, Kurdish, East African, Chinese, and Italian restaurants, and French or Italian shops to augment the regular supermarket. I was also VERY impressed when we succeeded in buying ice cream at about 12:30 at night. You can count on the local Fried Everything place, yes indeed.
Don't squeeze me, Harry... I'm your Headmaster.
and, from the Teaser bit:
Dead! They're dead!
Who's dead?
All of them! It's a bloodbath! But on a lighter note, Harry and his friends do a lot of camping.
So Dan, you're saying that book seven is Death... and Camping.
Plus Quidditch in the audience. That's quality stuff.
Went climbing in the hills yesterday, it was cloudy and a bit damp but absolutely beautiful, with views of the city and the sea and thistle growing all over. And big black slugs, lots of them. We made it up Arthur's Seat, which looks over the city. It's amazing that all that separates Edinburgh from the Wilderness is a fifteen minute walk. At the same time, it feels totally urban to me because of the variety - our neighborhood has Indian, Kurdish, East African, Chinese, and Italian restaurants, and French or Italian shops to augment the regular supermarket. I was also VERY impressed when we succeeded in buying ice cream at about 12:30 at night. You can count on the local Fried Everything place, yes indeed.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Ginormous Update
Note to self: Resist the urge to use "Huzzah!" or "Woot!" in emails to The Producers. Even when usage is to celebrate a sold-out house.
Last night had a substantial conversation with Mrs. Congressman Mike McIntyre. (aka Dee McIntyre, but this is American politics - it's an Old Boys Club and no two ways about it.) Her husband and the other bigwigs in town were sporting cute crossed American-and-Scottish flag pins, Mikey even had a Scottish flag pattern on his tie. The Missus and I talked about stem cell research - apparently Scotland has done quite a bit of it without getting mired in pesky moral debates, so she's here to ask questions and see how it's done. However, seeing as she's a politician, I still have NO idea whether she's actually with the Good Guys. I have my doubts, since she repeatedly mentioned god's will, divine plan, role as creator. Her husband was wearing his wedding band and his UNC class ring - they have two sons in law school there.
And, true to form, I had to come all the way to Edinburgh to meet Wes alum John Freeland, a native Middletowner and fellow SIBLING. Whoa Nelly. He's been working in theatre ever since teaching at Oddfellows, his show just finished its run here - it's about a man who was shot in the eye and went blind at 23. His recommendation: teach at Oddfellows. One of his recent gigs was doing workshops with incarcerated teens - get a Latino kid and a Crip to do a scene together. Someone want to check for his picture in the '79 composite?
Work work work, in just a few I take off for Potted Potter - all the books in one hour!
Last night had a substantial conversation with Mrs. Congressman Mike McIntyre. (aka Dee McIntyre, but this is American politics - it's an Old Boys Club and no two ways about it.) Her husband and the other bigwigs in town were sporting cute crossed American-and-Scottish flag pins, Mikey even had a Scottish flag pattern on his tie. The Missus and I talked about stem cell research - apparently Scotland has done quite a bit of it without getting mired in pesky moral debates, so she's here to ask questions and see how it's done. However, seeing as she's a politician, I still have NO idea whether she's actually with the Good Guys. I have my doubts, since she repeatedly mentioned god's will, divine plan, role as creator. Her husband was wearing his wedding band and his UNC class ring - they have two sons in law school there.
And, true to form, I had to come all the way to Edinburgh to meet Wes alum John Freeland, a native Middletowner and fellow SIBLING. Whoa Nelly. He's been working in theatre ever since teaching at Oddfellows, his show just finished its run here - it's about a man who was shot in the eye and went blind at 23. His recommendation: teach at Oddfellows. One of his recent gigs was doing workshops with incarcerated teens - get a Latino kid and a Crip to do a scene together. Someone want to check for his picture in the '79 composite?
Work work work, in just a few I take off for Potted Potter - all the books in one hour!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Glam
Okay, so this is pretty cool:
Last week there was a "Fringe U.S.A." reception, for all American Fringe participants. It was nice and schmoozy, they invited the incoming Fringe head, John Morgan, and the U.S. Consul, Lisa Vickers. I felt like it was an Americans Anonymous support group, but it was fun just the same. They had little American flags on the tables, we drank coffee and watched excerpts of people's acts.
A few days later, all those involved got invited to a cocktail reception at the Consul's house. So tonight I'll be rubbing elbows (any other good synonyms for schmooze?) in a politician's house. Neat.
In other news... I really wish I could credibly greet people with "Wotcher." I will most certainly be referring to completed tasks as "sorted" and I am considering switching from coffee to tea. (France will kill that aspiration, no question. AAAAAH One week!)
Last week there was a "Fringe U.S.A." reception, for all American Fringe participants. It was nice and schmoozy, they invited the incoming Fringe head, John Morgan, and the U.S. Consul, Lisa Vickers. I felt like it was an Americans Anonymous support group, but it was fun just the same. They had little American flags on the tables, we drank coffee and watched excerpts of people's acts.
A few days later, all those involved got invited to a cocktail reception at the Consul's house. So tonight I'll be rubbing elbows (any other good synonyms for schmooze?) in a politician's house. Neat.
In other news... I really wish I could credibly greet people with "Wotcher." I will most certainly be referring to completed tasks as "sorted" and I am considering switching from coffee to tea. (France will kill that aspiration, no question. AAAAAH One week!)
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Snuzzle
Rainy day, am holed up in Headquarters for the moment. Jazz and ticket reports and pajama pants. Soup for lunch is forthcoming.
Have been taking many pictures, and I'm sure all of the "majestic castle" and "incredible view" ones are going to be completely flattened. I wish I could capture more permanently what it's like to sit in a totally urban restaurant or bar, looking down a wide street, and instead of a Times Square-style conglomeration, you see crags piling high with a castle strewn along the top. Edinburgh is truly urban, but the views out of it are pastoral. C'est frappant.
And the city (maybe the country too) has an extremely distinct smell. It makes me think of bread, but also meat, not unpleasant - it smells like peat, earthy and just a tiny bit marshy. The albatross-sized seagulls ought to be enough of a reminder, but I forget most of the time how close we are to the sea (distance is one thing, whether I get there is another).
So, do I want to do this job again next summer? Talk about a brain-frying question. I still don't have my courses picked for the coming semester. Oh, and in order to take on this job again I have to SURVIVE the fall semester...
Shh. Soup, more jazz. Brief foray into rainy wet nasty city (55 degrees F. This has been my summer without summer.) and then I'll hunker down again.
Last seen: Wunderkind, about the insanity of making movies. And the Men of Steel late show, which was all the same kitchen-utensil puppet insanity PLUS half-naked, somewhat drunk puppet chefs. Mess, especially food mess, is so, so sexual.
Have been taking many pictures, and I'm sure all of the "majestic castle" and "incredible view" ones are going to be completely flattened. I wish I could capture more permanently what it's like to sit in a totally urban restaurant or bar, looking down a wide street, and instead of a Times Square-style conglomeration, you see crags piling high with a castle strewn along the top. Edinburgh is truly urban, but the views out of it are pastoral. C'est frappant.
And the city (maybe the country too) has an extremely distinct smell. It makes me think of bread, but also meat, not unpleasant - it smells like peat, earthy and just a tiny bit marshy. The albatross-sized seagulls ought to be enough of a reminder, but I forget most of the time how close we are to the sea (distance is one thing, whether I get there is another).
So, do I want to do this job again next summer? Talk about a brain-frying question. I still don't have my courses picked for the coming semester. Oh, and in order to take on this job again I have to SURVIVE the fall semester...
Shh. Soup, more jazz. Brief foray into rainy wet nasty city (55 degrees F. This has been my summer without summer.) and then I'll hunker down again.
Last seen: Wunderkind, about the insanity of making movies. And the Men of Steel late show, which was all the same kitchen-utensil puppet insanity PLUS half-naked, somewhat drunk puppet chefs. Mess, especially food mess, is so, so sexual.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Getting things sorted
In case you thought producing was a glamourous life: yesterday I was informed that all the PDFing I've been doing (see jubilant note below) has been 50% in vain, because we need JPEG versions of everything as well (JPEG being clean-upable and PDF being professional-looking). Cut to me sifting through files figuring out exactly how many clippings I have to scan a second time.
On the flip side, I went with the Woody Sez gang to two radio gigs this morning. (I haven't mentioned them by name yet, have I? Oh well, now you know who I work with. Cheers!) I absolutely love the company (Broadway performers, down-home super talented friendly foilk) and the show (musical biography of Woody Guthrie) and it was great to see them do so well. The first studio was very shmancy, those plexiglass soundproof windows and pretty mics. The second one is a single room, soundproofed by hand, and is used by half a dozen different Edinburgh radio programs.
That's enough office work for one day. I'm hoping to get to a couple of shows tonight - oh, and I'm not leaving without seeing the theatre version of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Seriously. And Romeo and Juliet once more, Silent Disco if I ever have the energy... I leave remarkably soon, so I'm kicking into "Oh my god must see shows!" mode.
More later, there's no good segue into the other set of thoughts I have to record.
On the flip side, I went with the Woody Sez gang to two radio gigs this morning. (I haven't mentioned them by name yet, have I? Oh well, now you know who I work with. Cheers!) I absolutely love the company (Broadway performers, down-home super talented friendly foilk) and the show (musical biography of Woody Guthrie) and it was great to see them do so well. The first studio was very shmancy, those plexiglass soundproof windows and pretty mics. The second one is a single room, soundproofed by hand, and is used by half a dozen different Edinburgh radio programs.
That's enough office work for one day. I'm hoping to get to a couple of shows tonight - oh, and I'm not leaving without seeing the theatre version of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Seriously. And Romeo and Juliet once more, Silent Disco if I ever have the energy... I leave remarkably soon, so I'm kicking into "Oh my god must see shows!" mode.
More later, there's no good segue into the other set of thoughts I have to record.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Bleary Eyed
Despite the fact that the preferred local cold remedy is a hot toddy (whiskey, lemon, hot water) I'm going with antihistamine/pain relievers instead.
... and fizzy vitamin C
... and oscillococcinum
... and echinacea
... and antibiotics.
And I still feel like half-baked hell. At least I've already made my box office rounds, I can stay home and do mindless scanning and websitery all day.
We took a hit on Friday in the form of a two star review, but that's just one show. Two others are totally taking off: one has three or four press opportunities lined up for the week, and the other is running out of comp (press and promoter tickets) tout de suite. And the fourth of our main four is also getting some very fabulous press. Of course, our brains are frying trying to keep track of everything (sickness or no sickness).
Ask me how many non-work-related shows I've seen. Answer? 2.
... and fizzy vitamin C
... and oscillococcinum
... and echinacea
... and antibiotics.
And I still feel like half-baked hell. At least I've already made my box office rounds, I can stay home and do mindless scanning and websitery all day.
We took a hit on Friday in the form of a two star review, but that's just one show. Two others are totally taking off: one has three or four press opportunities lined up for the week, and the other is running out of comp (press and promoter tickets) tout de suite. And the fourth of our main four is also getting some very fabulous press. Of course, our brains are frying trying to keep track of everything (sickness or no sickness).
Ask me how many non-work-related shows I've seen. Answer? 2.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
They warned me...
It's not like I've been going wild. I had one evening of dinner and drinks with theatre friends, but I don't thing that's what sent me home to wake up with a ridiculously congested head. (What? I can't hear you!) It must be those Scottish mists.
So yeah, miniature bout of illness, and my worst symptoms are failure to complete tasks because I'm exhausted and my mind is elsewhere -- and inability to walk on cobblestones. Which is why I'm going to bed early, and sleeping sleeping sleeping.
I'm seeing aforementioned rear end of Alan Cumming on Wednesday! Woot!
So yeah, miniature bout of illness, and my worst symptoms are failure to complete tasks because I'm exhausted and my mind is elsewhere -- and inability to walk on cobblestones. Which is why I'm going to bed early, and sleeping sleeping sleeping.
I'm seeing aforementioned rear end of Alan Cumming on Wednesday! Woot!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Potential Problems
Things that may cause trouble upon my return to Them States:
When yielding to someone on a narrow sidewalk, I go to the left.
I have a completely new perception of the rhythm of phone numbers. 4 - 3 - 3 instead of 1 - 3 - 3 - 4.
I use "cheers" on the phone and in person. Frequency of usage is still on the rise.
I LOVE biscuits.
When yielding to someone on a narrow sidewalk, I go to the left.
I have a completely new perception of the rhythm of phone numbers. 4 - 3 - 3 instead of 1 - 3 - 3 - 4.
I use "cheers" on the phone and in person. Frequency of usage is still on the rise.
I LOVE biscuits.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Spam? Spam!?!
Dear Gmail,
Please desist from marking my Google Alerts as spam. They are important. They need to be pored over, labelled, printed, linked to from the website... they are a buffer between me and frazzled bosses and headless-chicken actors and helicopter producers.
Best,
C
Dear HP,
Why didn't you tell me WEEKS ago that you are capable of creating PDFs? My life could have been so simple! Despite the aggravation your omission has caused me I will still be taking you out for a seven course dinner with champagne to celebrate this enormous boon.
With effusive thanks,
C
Please desist from marking my Google Alerts as spam. They are important. They need to be pored over, labelled, printed, linked to from the website... they are a buffer between me and frazzled bosses and headless-chicken actors and helicopter producers.
Best,
C
Dear HP,
Why didn't you tell me WEEKS ago that you are capable of creating PDFs? My life could have been so simple! Despite the aggravation your omission has caused me I will still be taking you out for a seven course dinner with champagne to celebrate this enormous boon.
With effusive thanks,
C
Monday, August 6, 2007
Steve, this is for you
http://www.festivalpreviews.com/blog/archives/19
^Ozzies! Talented, cute, and shirtless. Don't tell the Frenchman.
^Ozzies! Talented, cute, and shirtless. Don't tell the Frenchman.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Day 5
Waaaaaaaaaaarg.
It's amazing how quickly things become normal - like this house, this festival, an upside-down purple cow... I meant to write a lot more about the house when I first got here. SO: interview with our flat.
The House
We're living in a three story house (flat? I always thought flats were analogous to apartments) that is in a neighborhood called Tollcross. It's right near the King's Theatre, a non-Fringe venue, where the current main attraction is Alan Cumming's butt (or the Bacchae, whatever).
We've got a lion-shaped door knocker, a gate that we tend not to close. Our door is black but our neighbors have blue and yellow doors. It's not a thru-street, so there are cars parked outside, and a bowling green right across the way.
I can't help but see this house as a distant cousin of #12 Grimmauld Place - it's narrow, the kitchen is straight back, with steep hairpinning stairs... and yet! It has a Harry Potter cupboard under the stairs. Seriously! In my defense, Rowling did write the first HP in Edinburgh (Hopefully I'll visit the cafe itself before I leave)... anyway, the flavor is all around.
There's also a solarium (or conservatory, as you like) which is usually ten or fifteen degrees warmer than the rest of the house. The front room that we're using as an office has a fireplace with a beautiful metal art-nouveau cover, and the wind roars in the chimney in a way very unfamiliar to a city girl like m'self.
And there's a garden, with a frog pond that is more like a frog puddle. I swear I will spend more time out there... it just never quite happens. This morning I'm scanning paste-ups of press clippings, going to watch a first non-preview show in 1.5 hours, and tonight we talk strategy.
Tune in next time for photos!
It's amazing how quickly things become normal - like this house, this festival, an upside-down purple cow... I meant to write a lot more about the house when I first got here. SO: interview with our flat.
The House
We're living in a three story house (flat? I always thought flats were analogous to apartments) that is in a neighborhood called Tollcross. It's right near the King's Theatre, a non-Fringe venue, where the current main attraction is Alan Cumming's butt (or the Bacchae, whatever).
We've got a lion-shaped door knocker, a gate that we tend not to close. Our door is black but our neighbors have blue and yellow doors. It's not a thru-street, so there are cars parked outside, and a bowling green right across the way.
I can't help but see this house as a distant cousin of #12 Grimmauld Place - it's narrow, the kitchen is straight back, with steep hairpinning stairs... and yet! It has a Harry Potter cupboard under the stairs. Seriously! In my defense, Rowling did write the first HP in Edinburgh (Hopefully I'll visit the cafe itself before I leave)... anyway, the flavor is all around.
There's also a solarium (or conservatory, as you like) which is usually ten or fifteen degrees warmer than the rest of the house. The front room that we're using as an office has a fireplace with a beautiful metal art-nouveau cover, and the wind roars in the chimney in a way very unfamiliar to a city girl like m'self.
And there's a garden, with a frog pond that is more like a frog puddle. I swear I will spend more time out there... it just never quite happens. This morning I'm scanning paste-ups of press clippings, going to watch a first non-preview show in 1.5 hours, and tonight we talk strategy.
Tune in next time for photos!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Where I've been today
Up at 8:30 for briefing.
10AM Tech rehearsal.
2:15PM Venue visit, learning protocol, meeting people.
3PMish Beautiful beautiful lunch.
4PM First preview of first show to go up! Exciting!
5PM HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT: Went from Pleasance to Underbelly, got fliers, went to Udderbelly WITHOUT GETTING LOST, and in TWENTY ONE MINUTES. Oh, victory.
5:30PM Udderbelly press launch. Shaking hands, getting drinks, handing out opportune fliers, seeing snippets of shows - the E4 Udderbelly is a giant purple upside-down-cow-shaped tent in the middle of a very lovely square.
7:30PM Tech rehearsal for a different show, this one in a venue that used to be a bank vault, complete with dripping ceilings.
10PM Another Press Launch, this one in a super snazzy building, more drink-getting and hand-shaking, too too loud, long walk home. BED. NOW. That's a fifteen hour day, folks.
Two lessons learned:
"It's the Fringe."
"You never know..."
Bonus lessons:
Alcohol goes great with theatre.
Any space in this city larger than twelve feet by twelve feet has the potential to be a venue. However, a venue cannot exist without a bar.
10AM Tech rehearsal.
2:15PM Venue visit, learning protocol, meeting people.
3PMish Beautiful beautiful lunch.
4PM First preview of first show to go up! Exciting!
5PM HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT: Went from Pleasance to Underbelly, got fliers, went to Udderbelly WITHOUT GETTING LOST, and in TWENTY ONE MINUTES. Oh, victory.
5:30PM Udderbelly press launch. Shaking hands, getting drinks, handing out opportune fliers, seeing snippets of shows - the E4 Udderbelly is a giant purple upside-down-cow-shaped tent in the middle of a very lovely square.
7:30PM Tech rehearsal for a different show, this one in a venue that used to be a bank vault, complete with dripping ceilings.
10PM Another Press Launch, this one in a super snazzy building, more drink-getting and hand-shaking, too too loud, long walk home. BED. NOW. That's a fifteen hour day, folks.
Two lessons learned:
"It's the Fringe."
"You never know..."
Bonus lessons:
Alcohol goes great with theatre.
Any space in this city larger than twelve feet by twelve feet has the potential to be a venue. However, a venue cannot exist without a bar.
Monday, July 30, 2007
In Brief
Am here, am alive!
Landed at 10:30, was talking to-do lists by 11:30, and now we're building the office furniture. Yes, I took a nap before going near any tools. More later.
Landed at 10:30, was talking to-do lists by 11:30, and now we're building the office furniture. Yes, I took a nap before going near any tools. More later.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Pet peeves roar to life
Two things I really can't deal with: Banks and post offices. Applying to college forced me to get to know the post office, but that doesn't mean I like it. And writing checks? Put that between me and the Sorcerer's Stone and Voldemort would win. No question.
Argh argh argh. I haven't even bought an adapter yet.
Days 'til departure: 2
Argh argh argh. I haven't even bought an adapter yet.
Days 'til departure: 2
Thursday, July 26, 2007
This is your brain on Fringe
Who is going to the airport when, how many people in that van, is that enough space for the dobro and dulcimer and oh, I don't know, sixteen guitars? Who's bringing the staplers, are the postcards arriving today, did you get their security pass photos to the venue and did we email Australia with a reply about sneohhemmhsoenvushep?
And how do we get everyone from Edinburgh International Airport to the flat, how are we getting to Ikea and what stools are we buying, what car rental is open on Sunday, who's going to which tech get-in and have we told everyone the welcome dinner is moved, did we remember to pack all those files and prepare binders and CALL THAT ACTRESS. Oh, and what shoes should I pack?
*keels over*
Days 'til departure: 3
And how do we get everyone from Edinburgh International Airport to the flat, how are we getting to Ikea and what stools are we buying, what car rental is open on Sunday, who's going to which tech get-in and have we told everyone the welcome dinner is moved, did we remember to pack all those files and prepare binders and CALL THAT ACTRESS. Oh, and what shoes should I pack?
*keels over*
Days 'til departure: 3
Friday, July 20, 2007
By the way...
1) The way the Europeans write the date, today is 20/07/2007. Pretty cool.
2) The official fringe website is edfringe.com (yes, stole it for my blog address... it was too good to resist).
3) Hi Mama!
Days 'til departure: 9
2) The official fringe website is edfringe.com (yes, stole it for my blog address... it was too good to resist).
3) Hi Mama!
Days 'til departure: 9
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Drupal?
My discovery of the day: I'm the demi-webmaster. I still only know about a thumb's worth of HTML and no programming of any other kind. I update, I upload, I create new material... this should be interesting.
Big meeting tomorrow. A week and a half until we leave, let the blowing of tops begin.
Big meeting tomorrow. A week and a half until we leave, let the blowing of tops begin.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Fringeing
I'm going to Scotland! For the month of August I will be working at the 2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. For the month of August the festival takes over the city (whose population DOUBLES during that time) and about 260 venues put up a huge variety of shows, from Shakespeare and Moliere to physical theatre, standup, family theatre, music, interpretive dance with whipped cream... the works.
So, in that melee will be me, helping to publicize, promote, sell, and otherwise pimp four different shows to the overwhelmed crowd, while seeing as much theatre as I possibly can and solving whatever crises may come up.
Or so we think. It's the kind of thing that I don't think I'll really understand until I'm on the ground. So follow along as I go east to Edinburgh, Edimbourg, Ed-in-burra.
So, in that melee will be me, helping to publicize, promote, sell, and otherwise pimp four different shows to the overwhelmed crowd, while seeing as much theatre as I possibly can and solving whatever crises may come up.
Or so we think. It's the kind of thing that I don't think I'll really understand until I'm on the ground. So follow along as I go east to Edinburgh, Edimbourg, Ed-in-burra.
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