Ah, the miracles of technology. Today's update comes as I'm flying high over the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania. I have to say, I really wish that I were wealthy only because it's such a joy to fly everywhere. If I had my druthers, webfriends, I would never be in a car for more than two or three hours ever again. I'm just not a car-trip person by nature. I'm definitely one of those "hurry up, get there and relax" type of people. And you know, I'm fully aware that I'm missing out on all those fabulous aspects of the whole "life is a journey" thing... I'm all too aware - in all the other aspects of my life - that the journey is far more important than the destination. But the fact remains that I can't stand long drives. They drive me nuts. The five hours between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia was just about the upper limit of my tolerance for car trips.
And I love to fly. I'm not much of a cynical, experienced traveler, either. I haven't reached a point in my life where I'd rather sit in an aisle seat. I'm still enamored of sitting in a window seat and watching the earth rush past below me. I'm nearly 37 years old and I'm still like a little kid with my nose pressed against the window.
So though it wasn't exactly cheap to book an airline ticket the day before traveling, I think it was worth the money spent. The choice between forty-five mintues to an hour in the air and five hours on one of the worst toll roads in America is an easy one to make. For me, at least. Of course, all this is predicated on the fact that I actually have the money to make the trip. Usually, I'm way too poor to make an impulse decision to fly. And I suspect that sometime at the end of my time in New York, when the money's running out, I'm going to really miss that extra $400. But fuck it, I say.
And, too, there's something I have to look into: Under the contract that I'm working under, the theater is responsible for my transportation to and from the engagement... even if I drive (as I did), the contract states that they have to reimburse me for the cost of public transportation to and from the gig. Even if it's the cost of a train ticket, it would help defray the airline cost a little. The thing I have to look into (and should have long before this, I know) is whether or not the Arden's agreement with Actors' Equity Association allows them to waive that portion of the LORT contract.
We'll see.
So did I tell you that some of my family came to see the show? It was great! My sisters Sue & Lois, their kids, and some friends made the drive to Philadelphia, stayed over at a hotel, saw the show and drove back. I didn't get to spend as much time with that as I'd have liked, 'cuz it was a five show weekend, but we did get to have brunch together before the show on Sunday the 18th. I managed to get a couple of photos. In the photo to the right, you can see me (in the hat that I bought from Karen Peakes at Hats in the Belfry), Sue McMarr, her daughter Maggie, Justin Schulz, his mother Lois, and Sue's older daughter, Rachel. It was great to see them, since with the crazy life of an actor, I don't get to keep in as close touch with my family as I'd like. I haven't seen my mother or father since around Thanksgiving of last year! Of course, that has more to do with the fact that they're wintering in San Diego with my brother Tim than any shortcomings on my part, but that having been said, I could be much better at keeping in touch with them than I am. How lame am I? I've got overdue birthday presents for both of them sitting around back in Pittsburgh. I'll refrain from discussing what they are just in case they read this, but suffice it to say that any good son would have shipped the damn things to arrive on their birthdays. So there ya go.
Speaking of birthdays, here's a belated happy birthday with to Ian Merrill Peakes, who's playing the title role in our play. Ian turned thirty-two years old this past Sunday... and he's playing a twenty-four year-old in the play, so I guess it speaks well of how he's aging. You can decide for yourself... although the picture below isn't the most flattering I've taken of him. Gavan & my friend Joe Pedulla insists that that digital cameras make things look great, but can never do justice to people. Sometimes I'm convinced he's right, but in the (probably) vain belief that I can learn to do it right, I keep trying. Anyway, here's the birthday boy:
And I love to fly. I'm not much of a cynical, experienced traveler, either. I haven't reached a point in my life where I'd rather sit in an aisle seat. I'm still enamored of sitting in a window seat and watching the earth rush past below me. I'm nearly 37 years old and I'm still like a little kid with my nose pressed against the window.
So though it wasn't exactly cheap to book an airline ticket the day before traveling, I think it was worth the money spent. The choice between forty-five mintues to an hour in the air and five hours on one of the worst toll roads in America is an easy one to make. For me, at least. Of course, all this is predicated on the fact that I actually have the money to make the trip. Usually, I'm way too poor to make an impulse decision to fly. And I suspect that sometime at the end of my time in New York, when the money's running out, I'm going to really miss that extra $400. But fuck it, I say.
And, too, there's something I have to look into: Under the contract that I'm working under, the theater is responsible for my transportation to and from the engagement... even if I drive (as I did), the contract states that they have to reimburse me for the cost of public transportation to and from the gig. Even if it's the cost of a train ticket, it would help defray the airline cost a little. The thing I have to look into (and should have long before this, I know) is whether or not the Arden's agreement with Actors' Equity Association allows them to waive that portion of the LORT contract.
We'll see.
So did I tell you that some of my family came to see the show? It was great! My sisters Sue & Lois, their kids, and some friends made the drive to Philadelphia, stayed over at a hotel, saw the show and drove back. I didn't get to spend as much time with that as I'd have liked, 'cuz it was a five show weekend, but we did get to have brunch together before the show on Sunday the 18th. I managed to get a couple of photos. In the photo to the right, you can see me (in the hat that I bought from Karen Peakes at Hats in the Belfry), Sue McMarr, her daughter Maggie, Justin Schulz, his mother Lois, and Sue's older daughter, Rachel. It was great to see them, since with the crazy life of an actor, I don't get to keep in as close touch with my family as I'd like. I haven't seen my mother or father since around Thanksgiving of last year! Of course, that has more to do with the fact that they're wintering in San Diego with my brother Tim than any shortcomings on my part, but that having been said, I could be much better at keeping in touch with them than I am. How lame am I? I've got overdue birthday presents for both of them sitting around back in Pittsburgh. I'll refrain from discussing what they are just in case they read this, but suffice it to say that any good son would have shipped the damn things to arrive on their birthdays. So there ya go.Speaking of birthdays, here's a belated happy birthday with to Ian Merrill Peakes, who's playing the title role in our play. Ian turned thirty-two years old this past Sunday... and he's playing a twenty-four year-old in the play, so I guess it speaks well of how he's aging. You can decide for yourself... although the picture below isn't the most flattering I've taken of him. Gavan & my friend Joe Pedulla insists that that digital cameras make things look great, but can never do justice to people. Sometimes I'm convinced he's right, but in the (probably) vain belief that I can learn to do it right, I keep trying. Anyway, here's the birthday boy:
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