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…

Finished with the first week of Oedipus Rex.  I’m exhausted and sick of the sound of my voice.  While I’m taking a breather…here are some of those pesky Halloween photos…

Halloween Party Pics!!!

“It’s minty,” said the make-up girl as she licked the blood off my gory forearm and then invited everyone else backstage to try it out…

I keep trying to update…and I keep running out of time.  So here are some highlights.

Halloween weekend…I went to a great haunted house…Jeramie and Amy were kind enough to treat my poor ass…a giant skeleton chased us…Amy wears the left pant-leg in the family.  That was Friday.  Saturday I went up north, partied with friends at the bars and clubs.  I was a pirate.  Nick was Willy Wonka.  I’ll show some pictures soon.  Sundays I saw The Fantastics and, it was…well…I’ll avoid the clichéd pun and say it was good.  Then it was horror movies in Eureka (and Simpsons Halloween specials).

Monday I was able to finally resolve my financial aid situation here at the school…apparently all I had to do was talk mean until I was given to someone with enough power to actually help me.

Wednesday was more money into the revenue collectors maws at Eureka’s court house.  On the upside, my hair got played with.

It’s been very exciting and very tiring playing the part of Oedipus.  The last few days have been a blur or play rehearsals and trying to cram a jillion lines in my head.  It seems to be going well.  The cast and director seem to think I’m doing well.  We had a reporter come in and question a few of us and take pictures.  Apparently my mug and quotes made it into the paper (thank you Torrie for nabbing that for me).  Every night, they add more and more blood for my final scene and I get stickier and stickier and the chorus gets more and more grossed out…mind you I can’t see them…but I can sense them squirming away.  Apparently, Oedipus is mint flavored in this particular interpretation of the classic.

Tickets for the show are starting to sell.  If you want to attend…let me know.  Info is HERE.  Spread the word.  See gallons of blood come out my skull windows.  And I noticed you Eureka folk are doing Antigone in the Spring…why what better way to prepare?

The teacher of a creative writing class I am in, Joanna (who was a student with me until she graduated) is taking a class from another school on some kind of workshop, watching Oedipus Rex here at UIS and then having some kind of talk.  She wanted to bring two short stories I’d written, using the Mofo.  I just emailed them to here.  “Teddy Bear Rex” was published in ELM last year and tells, in one page, the story of Oedipus…if he was a Teddy Bear (hey…it could happen).  The other one “The Complex” mixes Oedipus Rex, Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Conqueror Worm,” and Jerry Springer and gets the award for strangest story I’ve written (and maybe the darkest).  Depending on when this workshop is…I might make an appearance (attention whore that I am).

OK…I’m out…I’m one tired mother-fucker.