Friday, September 16, 2011

In a perfect world

Here is my much younger daughter backstage talking to Hal Holbrook after seeing him perform in Mark Twain in Charlotte a few years ago. Who would have thought that in just seven short years she would be in film school?! She brought her own pen for him to sign an autograph so she could say later that Hal Holbrook had used it. He nearly refused because he only used his own pens to avoid germs, but she insisted, I nearly fell through the floor, but he was very kind and used her pen. There it is in his hand. He was so great. A bunch of students were there for the show, and I swear, I think I remember it being UNCSA theater students. Anyway, he stood around forever answering their questions and giving them wonderful career advise. I designed the set for this show, and got all the really weird things that he requested. This was one of those shows where he sent a list of demands, like the temperature of his room, special juice, special dressing room lights, a lot of phoney baloney stuff, but it was a fun show to do and he was a very kind person. One of the great things about working for the theater was all the shows I got to take Wesley to. I picked her up from school and brought her with me to the theater, set her up in the green room so she could do homework and then she would come out into the theater and watch us tech the show. Many times the director would pull her for a random part and the actors always loved her. I miss these days so much. Miss having her with me, miss the theater, miss all those nights sitting in rehearsals. I also love my new studio, love the pottery I am making and I'm very excited to be in the shows I am in this fall.
So, in a perfect world, I do both. How to do that? So far, it's working out. I pulled props today at Playmakers for One Flea Spare, and I am working with an incredible cast and crew. Such nice and happy people. That's what floats my boat right now. Working and being around happy and talented people. Why is it necessary to be grumpy and mean when it's so much more relaxing to have a laugh every day?! In a perfect world, we all get to be that way. Some days, I feel guilty for being so blessed, but damn it, I made my life this way with the choices I made. I know some folks don't have a choice and there are some very sad stories out there, but maybe those of us that have been so blessed can do a little each day to make someone else's world shine for a brief moment. Just pass on a kind word to someone or make someone laugh. If you are sitting there thinking I'm naive, I'm not really, I just always have a glass half full, the eternal optimist. Drives my husband crazy I know :)

10 comments:

Anna M. Branner said...

I love being able to do what I love. :) Potting, spinning, weaving....

Greg has just gotten a new job so we are moving again. But it is pretty darn close to his dream job. So I am happy. :)

JLK Jewelry said...

What a lovely post. Those of us that have been lucky enough to choose our own way to earn our living by doing what we love are so very lucky. Your life sounds so full and rich with theater and clay. Isn't it great to have the cup more than half full!!

Tracey Broome said...

Anna: I have moved soooo many times because of Gerry's work, always giving up what I was doing. But it always worked out for the best, because where ever we lived I looked for the theater and the clay people! Good luck with your move.
Jeannie,you are so right, my life is full and rich, mostly because of the people in it!!!! Thanks for the comment :)

Judi Tavill said...

great post.

Dan Finnegan said...

I saw him do his Mark Twain thing when I was in college...1973!!!

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks Judi! Wow, Dan, has he been doing it that long?!
I can't imagine doing that show for that many years!

ang design said...

enjoy trace :))

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

My cup is more than half full too. All the time. It's really amazing to me. I try to pause every day to be thankful and grateful, to kind of "mark it" so I don't take it for granted... Otherwise I can get soooo busy, even with good things, that I forget how very lucky I am.

Michèle Hastings said...

great post! i agree that life is too short to be grumpy and negative. i decided a few years ago to avoid people who surrounded themselves with negative energy. it meant distancing myself from a few long time friends and cutting loose some new acquaintances before any friendships formed.
we sure are lucky to be doing what we love.

Tracey Broome said...

Hi Ang, thanks! Michele and Patricia, so glad you can say that your glass is half full too. We are indeed very lucky to be doing what we are doing, but we did make those choices, and I think some sacrifices come with it, but way worth it! Michele, I have had to avoid some negative folks, same as you. Just got no patience for it!