Monday, March 5, 2012

Best Laid Plans ...

      So okay, I admit it – At some things I’m a colossal failure.

      Believe me, I start out with every good intention. I do! I’m gonna decry theatre altogether – devote all my energies to writing – move to a mountain top, live on goat cheese and wild berries, grow a beard, commune daily with raw nature …

     So okay, I grew the beard. Big deal. I stopped shaving.

     So okay, here’s the problem; I am totally free and over the age of consent. (Decently into the age of descent, thank you very much for pointing that out.) BUT … in order to dissent, it becomes necessary to list those particulars from which it is desirable to abstain, and in so doing, create a rhetorical doppelganger of the very system being held up as undesirable …

     Huh? You getting any of this, Bunkie? The harder I try not to conform to one system, the more I seem to gravitate toward another.

     My head hurts.

     Here’s an example. I decided that any writer worth anything should live in a cave. I mean, that’s what serious writers do, don’t they? They live in caves. So I found a cave. It was wet. And cold. And dark. And the bathroom facilities left something to be desired. So I decided that instead of being a part of the angry generation, I could be quite content just being mildly unpleasant. (And beside, the peacock feathers are inspirational – everyone will tell you that.)



     I would show you the upstairs but the bed isn’t made and for the world I would hate for you to get the right impression.

     Now for the unvarnished failure part.

     I told you I was done with theatre, right? Done. Finished. Kaput. Gonna write. Theatre just gets in the way. Not gonna direct any more plays. Not not not.

     Yesterday I was offered the opportunity to direct the stage version of “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

     I said yes. And meant it.


      I have all the resolve of spilled buttermilk.     

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a hoot! I have heard that Peacock feathers are not only inspirational,Peacock feathers indoors: Good luck, harmony, serenity, peace of mind, relaxation and protection are all associated with them. Welcome your muse! Good luck in your new digs!

El

Views from Malmesbury said...

That had me laughing all the way through, thank you! Glad to hear you're not a boring, single-minded, focus-only-straight-ahead sort. When life presents something you want, it would be churlish to turn it down. Enjoy!

Views from Malmesbury said...

By the way, how was the writing going?

Jack Petersen said...

What writing?

Views from Malmesbury said...

Oh, ok!

Anonymous said...

The peacock feathers are nice, but that mosaic chair is REALLY inspired!