Saturday, May 22, 2010

Don't Light Yourself On Fire


I have just sewn a really elaborate night gown. Actually, it's supposed to be my costume for the Cinderella and I production I'm in next week, but it still looks like a fancy full-length slip you'd sleep in. The dress is made of a shimmery Wedgwood-blue satin and white lace, and I have bedazzled it with sequins, rhinestones, and pearls. I can hardly wait to take off the embellishments and put it in my lingerie drawer. Really. I'm doing that after it's served it's purpose.

The main thing I need to remember during this foray in the theatre is not to turn my wand the wrong way. This prop really sparks. As in incendiary, hot sparks. I shoot it twice. Once at the beginning of the performance and once at the end. I know I will be muttering the entire time, "Don't light yourself on fire! Don't light yourself on fire!" Good advice, no?

Oh, and the silver cloak! I should instead call it Satan's cloak of doom. This thing was impossible to make. It's pattern could confuse Einstein. It was like rocket science but for costumes. My mom and I worked on it for two days straight, and I just noticed that the gathers on the hood are ungathering again. The cloak hates me. After the performance, I am wearing this thing everywhere. It will be like Halloween at my house. I will make breakfast in the cloak. I will make excuses to go to Renaissance fairs. I will send the kids off to school in it, and I will pretend that I am Galadriel. "Don't lose the ring, Frodo!" I'll call. "Watch your hair, Legolas."

*Deep yoga breathing* Okay, I'm alright now. I just get a little crazy about the cloak of doom. Anyway, after next week, I will lovingly embrace my normal chores. All this stretching out of my comfort zone leaves me frazzled.

I am pretty excited-- no, more cautiously optimistic--about a full manuscript request, I just received. It came from a local publisher, nothing national, but I will be polishing my manuscript and sending it in.

I hope you are all having an awesome weekend. Don't sew--unless you enjoy it-- and get some fresh air, if you can. Eat chocolate. Laugh. Take a long walk. Listen to music. Play a board game. Read and write. In short, make yourselves happy, blogging buddies.

31 comments:

  1. My fingers are crossed for your ms...

    We took a four hour ride on the Harley. It was my longest trip. It is amazing how comfortable it is.

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  2. I've been in theatre for a VERY long time and having to sew a costume is always icky to me! But, you will have such a wonderful time performing! If you feel woozy or naseated, just ask yourself, "am I breathing?" Most of the time, you'll find you're holding your breath! LOL! Also, I always tell the new actors, Don't waste your time being nervous, then you can't do your best work and you won't enjoy your time up there! Cheers & good show!

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  3. Wands that shoot sparks? Cloaks of doom? Dresses festooned with gemstones??

    Are you ok?? I think yoga will help. And a cup of tea. A cup of good strong milky tea always helps. With a biscuit or two on the side.

    Now for a news flash: HOOOORAAAAAY!!! For your MS request!!! Hoooraaaay!!! Good for you!! I am so so so so so happy for you!! Yay!! Good luck with it and all the best!! This is truly exciting news! Dan C should be pleased!

    Take care
    x

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  4. Does the Cloak of Doom have invisibility powers too? Congratulations on your full request! That's fantastic. I just got a partial myself the other day, and like you were, I am cautiously optimistic. Break a leg with your performance.

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  5. Congrats on the full request! And good luck with your play! I want a fairy godmother wand that sparkles.

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  6. Good luck with the performance. Don't light yourself on fire is sage advice!

    And awesome about the manuscript. Keep us posted! It doesn't have to be a big house to be significant.

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  7. Sharon- You are so cool! My husband loves bikes, Harley's in particular, and I wouldn't mind a Ducati of my own. Glad you had such a wonderful ride, and thanks for the support.

    Texas Playwright Chick- Thank you for the good advice. I'll remind myself to breath. (Let's hope I don't hyper-ventilate though!) Actually, I do love theater. I'm just out of practice.

    Old Kitty- I appreciate your wonderful good sense. I will try the tea and yoga. Plus the biscuits. If only I had some Hobnobs! And where is Daniel Craig when I need him? He only sends the occasional post card, insisting he's busy at work and that he'll return soon. Hmmm. I think my muse is too busy!

    Anne- If the Cloak of Doom did have invisibility powers, I'd be happy to get up on stage. There would a voice with no body! Congrats on the partial. I'm excited for you!

    Aubrie- I wish you hand my wand, too. Actually, I am kind of a pyromaniac. I enjoy fireworks! They are so pretty and shimmery. I just don't want to be a firework.

    Theresa- Thank you for the encouragement. I try to live by the 'Don't light yourself on fire' philosophy. Although, there are times when I wouldn't mind lighting my manuscript on fire!

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  8. Roxy, thanks for the happy advice. If it doesn't rain, I'm going on a bike ride, maybe even with my boys. I have a new cooler/pack that I can strap to my bike that will hold a small picnic for us.

    The wand and evil cloak will make for good memories and writing ideas.

    Enjoy YOUR weekend...make some magic happen!

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  9. Good luck with your manuscript. I will be pushing good thoughts for you.
    God bless ya for sewing. It is not my strength.
    Have a great rest of the weekend!

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  10. Ooh, your manuscript news sounds promising! I hope something positive comes of it.

    I don't even know how to sew. I probably should learn since Mom won't be around forever to do it for me but, really, if she's willing right now....

    Happy weekend, Roxy!

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  11. Mary- Your weekend plans sound lovely. Picnics usually involve extra work, but I think it's so worth the effort. I hope you get the chance to do it.

    Christine- Sewing isn't my strength either, but I wish I were good at it. Thanks for the positive wishes.

    E. Elle- Why learn yet if your Mom's willing? Just hang around once in a while and pick up a few hints along the way. Have an awesome Sunday!

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  12. "Don't lose the ring, Frodo!" & "Watch your hair, Legolas."--- LOL!

    I hope it all went well, Roxy. And I'm glad you're going to get so much mileage out of the cloak afterwards. Your kids are gonna love you!

    I retired my sewing machine on the first broken needle. But I WILL enjoy the warmer weather. :o)

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  13. That performance sounds like fun! I can sew a straight line, but beyond that it gets ugly fast. Real fast!

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  14. Yay! Congrats and wishing you the best!

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  15. I couldn't sew a straight line if my life depended on it. I've got sewing lessons in my future because I'm the only girl in my family who can't sew. (see what happens when you're the baby?)

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  16. Jackee- I'm so glad if you were able to see some sunshine. It began raining here yesterday, and it hasn't stopped yet. (Actually, I do like the rain. Maybe it's my Oregonian roots.)

    Kazzy- I am not smart enough to run when the sewing gets ugly. That's my problem!

    Amy- Thanks, Amy! Good wishes right back at you.

    Vicki- You know, I'm the baby in my family, too. I guess there are disadvantages, as well as privileges, to being the last in line. I bet our siblings would disagree and claim we had it easy, however!

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  17. Congrats on the full request! I'm wishing you the absolute best! Hope the play goes well, too!

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  18. Congrats on the manuscript request. (= Good luck!!!
    If you didn't have a chance yet-- drop by my blog for your award. No strings--just fun.
    http://jostorm.blogspot.com/2010/05/award.html

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  19. Congrats on the request Roxy, that's awesome news.

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  20. Congrats on the full request! I would be wearing that cloak everywhere too. I have sewing skills at all so I"m very impressed. I hope the performance goes well and you don't set yourself on fire. I did everything on your list for a good weekend except the long walk. I knew something was missing!

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  21. wow you've got some exciting things going on. The wand and cloak of doom sound awesome and congrats on the full request - very cool. I meant to thank you for telling me about Elana's class a few weeks ago - I've been a bad blogger lately. Good luck with everything.

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  22. Yay! A full request and a wild costume! Could life be finer?! I'm all about the costumes...I directed a one woman play a number of years ago and invented a costume for the person - entirely made of pot scrubbers. So much fun.

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  23. Shelley - Oh, I'm hoping the play goes well. too. Think positively for me!

    Jo- I really enjoyed your blog. It is awesome! Thanks for the lovely award.

    Lindsay (a.k.a. Isabella) Thanks for dropping in. It was so nice to hear from you!

    Lani- I'm so glad you had a great weekend. That was a pretty good list I gave you! I'm planning on doing those fun things next Saturday.

    Mary- Thank you for commenting! I love it when you visit. Hope you are doing well. :)

    Jan- Pot scrubbers, huh? You are one amazing, creative woman! I wish I could have seen that play.

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  24. Oh good luck Roxy! You will be awesome, I wish I could see it :) I'm actually starting to be envious of your bedazzling skills :):):)

    I just love your posts, they always make me smile. you remind me to enjoy the happiness in life.

    And a full manuscript!!!!! AWESOMW!! Best of luck my dear Roxy!

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  25. Wow, will you even see me hiding down here at the bottom of this list? What a popular lady. Thanks for stopping by my blog and I wanted to wish you the best of luck with the 'full'
    Anita

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  26. Oh how I hope you show us pictures of you in costume!! Especially in Satan's Cloak of Doom...while sparking the wand!

    Congrats and good luck on your full request. :)

    I received my prize...thank you!
    Love,
    Lola

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  27. Wow. I'm impressed. I've done tons of theater. But I can't sew to save my life. In college I made a simple vest for costuming. It took the ENTIRE semester. And I kid you not. Not a single button or snap or anything. I suck at sewing. Congrats on the full request!!! Positive thoughts...

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  28. There's something for you on my blog.

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  29. Making cloaks is tricky, isn't it? I made two - one for a Hermione costume, and one for a Prof. McGonagall costume. Oh how I wish I still had the McGonagall one. I'd use your idea and make breakfast in the thing.

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  30. "The cloak of doom" *snerk* too funny. Good luck, hope the play goes well and you manage to point your wand the right way!

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  31. Sew away and good luck with the performance. Ah, theatre and writing, my two fave things in the world.

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