Keepin Myself Entertained
Here I am, in the mountains of New York, literally cut off from the world. My cell phone doesn't work, I don't have internet access unless I drive 8 miles to the Equity Actor housing to use the wireless network there, there is no TV in my housing, and the radio gets three stations, none of which are at all attractive to me. The rest of the technical crew is of course in the same boat, so we have begun to find alternative forms of entertainment.
Drinking is of course an instant favorite. Tonight we had the first of what will probably be many poker games, (I was the first one out... turns out my 10's and Kings couldn't stand up to the three kings the other guy had).
Yesterday we spent the entire day cleaning out the remnants of scenery from previous years and the leftover bits of wood from the various shops. When the sun went down we engaged in that most primitive form of entertainment, The Bonfire. Why is it that we, as humans I mean, get so much enjoyment from this simple act of destruction? Simply sitting in a field on a slightly chilly night with a roaring fire was more than enough to keep us happy for a couple hours. Joking, and talking, and throwing wood and old hemp rope onto the fire was the height of entertainment. It was good, and we didn't even have marshmallows.
On Sunday the actors arrive and the atmosphere of the theatre will change drastically. For the last few days it has been technicians only, and everyone is easy-going and the camaraderie of a shared goal has kept us together. Actors bring in a new goal, and a new set of egos, and often a sense of competition with us. Somehow the idea that technicians and actors are actually working for the same end goal, and not competing never seems to occur to them. Maybe this group will be better, who knows?
In the meantime, if anyone has suggestions for how to pass the night in a technological black hole, with 15 theatre technicians, please let me know.
Drinking is of course an instant favorite. Tonight we had the first of what will probably be many poker games, (I was the first one out... turns out my 10's and Kings couldn't stand up to the three kings the other guy had).
Yesterday we spent the entire day cleaning out the remnants of scenery from previous years and the leftover bits of wood from the various shops. When the sun went down we engaged in that most primitive form of entertainment, The Bonfire. Why is it that we, as humans I mean, get so much enjoyment from this simple act of destruction? Simply sitting in a field on a slightly chilly night with a roaring fire was more than enough to keep us happy for a couple hours. Joking, and talking, and throwing wood and old hemp rope onto the fire was the height of entertainment. It was good, and we didn't even have marshmallows.
On Sunday the actors arrive and the atmosphere of the theatre will change drastically. For the last few days it has been technicians only, and everyone is easy-going and the camaraderie of a shared goal has kept us together. Actors bring in a new goal, and a new set of egos, and often a sense of competition with us. Somehow the idea that technicians and actors are actually working for the same end goal, and not competing never seems to occur to them. Maybe this group will be better, who knows?
In the meantime, if anyone has suggestions for how to pass the night in a technological black hole, with 15 theatre technicians, please let me know.
Bonfires are peaceful to me... it's the warmth factor, and the soothing meditation like flickering that probably just mezmerizes us humans. Sounds like a fun way to enjoy the country life. :)
play SURVIVOR. vote someone out each night.