As a youth, you read a line like:

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—

And you imagine romantic images of libraries and leather bound books and late night studies of ancient things in ancient tomes, by firelight, for strange purposes.  Would you ever grow up to engage in such interesting study?  Then you tuck the image away and maybe read a comic book, or Social Studies homework (well…you probably skim or skip the Social Studies).

Then one day, you find yourself minding your own business (sans Social Studies), and you come to and realize you spent the evening digging through a dictionary of angelic names, Voodoo lore, a text of ancient notions of the Hebrew underworld, the Byronic hero in literature, the importance of the Trickster archetype in world mythology (and how that archetype created civilization), a quick stop at Dante, and then the Malleus Maleficarum (the guidebook Inquisitors used in their hunts) – and you realize that you did grow up (somewhat) to study such things.

…and you even have a rubber raven staring down at you from the TV stand.

Then you watch The Ninth Gate, with Johnny Depp, because it always makes you want to hold a leather bound book.

Whenever there is a problem in my life, my Grandmother assumes that I’ve lost God…or drank too much milk.

I got an email today that made me smile.  Kelsey was a thirteen year old who, along with her cousin, came in at the last minute to play the parts of Oedipus’s daughters in the play.  They come in, at the last few minutes, and cry with their now eyeless father, as he is exiled.  No lines, but these two had the tough job of not only having to suddenly come on, with no buildup, and be at a heightened state of emotion (theatre actors who have tried film will no the challenge of this) – but they also had to embrace a guy covered in sticky, sticky blood (ever time I moved my hands off their heads, they’d loose hair).  They were troopers.

Hey Josh,

 Hello Josh it’s me Kelsey Power {Ismene one of your daughters from the play} I just wanted to tell you thanks. For everything, you made my first performance one that I wil remember for years to come. And you are the one you made me realize that I really like acting. Because normally actors are stuck up mean people but you are the complete opposite. You made me laugh almost everyday. And I was really happy to get to know you on the set of Oedipus. So thanks again.

 *Kelsey*

Oedipus Rex is over.

I cleaned fragrant, mint flavored blood off my face and arms for the last time (though I managed to nab the bloody rag I wore about my eyes as a souvenir…though I have not managed a reason why).  Saturday night was our best show…much more energy…I think I varied my tones much better too, much more in the moment.  I guess it was a good night to be at our best, as that’s when the ACTF (American College Theatre Festival) adjudicator was there.  She gave comments afterwards and had a lot of glowing words for all of us (despite the school paper’s strangely written review which goes on a two paragraph hang-up on my delivery of the word “Bitch”).

Sara Joy was also nice enough to make it out for the show.  She sat in during our comment session with the adjudicator and then stuck around to hang out in sleepy, sleepy Springfield (where tired coffee shops go to die…but shant go on a local night life rant yet again…).

I had lots of nice people come and see the show for me, including Torrie, Nick, Genenda, and my parents (which begs the question…what’s the proper way to hug one’s mother after performing Oedipus?).

Nick’s sword came in, at home.  Which means we’ll likely spend the winter break scaring neighbors as we try and figure out if we still remember our fundamentals from the stage combat class.

My Mom called me at 3:30 am tonight.  She and my Dad had just gotten back from a late flight.  I am just the most dependable son and my Mother knows she can depend on her nocturnal son being up at such a time.  It appears, during the trip, the family parrot (which had been with us for 20 years or so) had passed away.  It’s a strange-sad thing to consider after so long.

And though the play is over…theatre activity continues for this, until recently, shut away writing masters…

UIS is holding it’s student directed scenes (for a class) in December.  Some of the Eddy Rex cast members are in this class and asked me to try out.  I did so.  One of them told me that they were all impressed (I wasn’t…but I don’t think any performer is ever impressed with his/her performance in a cold reading) and they were all fighting over who got to have me (Cue head swelling…NOW).  She asked if it would be alright for me to perform in two scenes.  Well…my ego had been stroked and when that happens I purr…only I can’t actually make that purring noise and it always just comes out as, “Sure…whatever you say.”  So I’ll be in two scenes come December.  I’m a sleazy, lawyer/con-artist in one…I’ll find out what I am in the other tomorrow.

Oh…and one final thought.  If you like weird word-play…listen to Ken Nordine’s WORD JAZZ.  My attention was just brought to it recently…and I think it’s pretty damn awesome.  It plays on Sundays on Chicago Public Radio.  Or go to the website at www.wordjazz.com

You learn a few dirty phrases, in Japanese, from an exchange student, in your undergrad days and you think to yourself, When is this ever going to be useful to me?

Then, one day, years later, you are sitting next to your little brother, who is sitting next to a cute Japanese exchange student, whom he is trying to impress, when the subject of learning Japanese comes into the conversation, the Japanese phrase for I am a dick head pops into your mind, the mischievous imp that lives behind your eyes cackles, “Ho-ho-ho…there is sport here!” you lean in to whisper a phrase and some advice into your brother’s ear, and everything falls into place…

…God bless siblings!!!

OK…since I’m in the middle of the original play, I figured I’d post one of my two Oedipus Rex stories.  “Teddy Bear Rex” was originally published in Eureka Literary Magazine (Volume 13, NO. 2) and by mentioning this…I believe I fulfill any copyright obligations to them…

Teddy Bear Rex

You scored as Captain Jack Sparrow. Roguish,quick-witted, and incredibly lucky, Jack Sparrow is a pirate who sometimes ends up being a hero, against his better judgement. Captain Jack looks out for #1, but he can be counted on (usually) to do the right thing. He has an incredibly persuasive tongue, a mind that borders on genius or insanity, and an incredible talent for getting into trouble and getting out of it. Maybe its brains, maybe its genius, or maybe its just plain luck. Or maybe a mixture of all three. Captain Jack Sparrow 88% Batman, the Dark Knight 79% Indiana Jones 58% James Bond, Agent 007 54% Neo, the "One" 54% Lara Croft 54% William Wallace 54% El Zorro 50% The Amazing Spider-Man 50% The Terminator 42% Maximus 42% Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

Just call me Jack Sparrow…
Or maybe Black Sparrow would be more accurate…
Or Black-Jack Sparrow…
Or even Jack Black Sparrow…