da blogs da thang

It has (and continues) to be a whirlwind of activity in and around the homestead. This is the main reason I have been somewhat absent from the internet and this blog.

After Mum passed, the decision was arrived at to rent out rooms in the house. So, the lovely Joy will be my first tenant to help realize this master plan. (click her pic to go to her blog,) The fact that we know each other (I count her as a good friend) helps take some of the edge off. Actually, I couldn’t be happier with this arrangement. Sure, there will be a period of adjustment but most of our individual quirks are already known to each other.

This week the “friend factor” also kicked in big time. Several have been very present to help with setting up, painting and hoofing the move. Yes, there will more to go over the next few days but I didn’t want this week to pass without counting Steve, RP, Fingers B and Chuck. They are not just friends with muscle but also stellar individuals with super big hearts.

Tonight I shall be attending “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui,” at the university theater. It is the final show that Ed EmanuEl is directing before he retires. He was one of my mentors at Fresno State who taught me the art of cutting (editing) my work, the “action” of theatre along with many other valuable lessons that I still apply today.

However, there is also a sweetness to his spirit that I (am one of the few) have been privy to. When Mum first visited in the the early 80′s Ed arranged a grand weekend to San Francisco that left an indelible mark on both Mum and I. I am not exaggerating when I say that we were treated like royalty. For me it was a personal insight not only to his kindness but also to the man himself as he shared stories (along with location visits) to where he grew up on that whirlwind weekend. Ever since I have not only counted him as a mentor… but also a friend.

Those are my counts this week. Quite a few, eh?

*To find out what Da Count is all about click the flashing sign above.