Doing Nothing

Today I did...nothing!

Woke up at 8 to my phone ringing. It was Mary calling to see if I wanted to go trudge around Europe for a couple of weeks next summer. Do I ever!

Then I went back to bed, slept until 11, puttered around for a few hours, Julie and I went to rent movies. Watched "Life or Something Like It" and "Ella Enchanted." The first was extremely excellent, the second I liked a good deal, but not on the same level.

We went to dinner at TGIFridays and then to the hot tub. Where we met a nice guy who was meeting a girl he'd be corresponding with for some time, for the first time that evening. Tomorrow, we're off to Disneyland.

Four days off

We have four days off!!!!

We finished our five day run of the show...Calvary Chapel Murietta is a great audience. They laughed at all the right places, and didn't laugh at the wrong ones (like the helicopter crashing -- I have yet to figure out why that strikes people as funny). Our hosts are so generous. We've barely had to eat adobo at all this week because they keep bringing us food. And they brought on extra volunteers to wash dishes while the show is going, so most of the work is done by the time the show is over. Making for much easier cleanup. And they put us up at a hotel. Did I mention that? I do kind of miss getting to meet new people, but this is a nice break. It does make tour feel a little like your average high school band trip, but at least we don't have to pack up every day.

Tonight, after walking through a drive-through in auto formation, we're having a chick flick night. We tried to rent Pride and Prejudice for a marathon, but we missed the lady at Hollywood Video by about 10 seconds. She locked the door when we pulled up. On second thought, maybe it wasn't midnight, she just thought we looked suspect. TBS is playing Sleepless in Seattle following You've Got Mail. Tasha is sewing, Julie is watching intently -- watching me that is. Because she's waiting for the computer, and Nicole is passed out and snoring beside me.

Tomorrow we're going to find a bookstore and read for hours. Tuesday we may make it to Disneyland, if we end up going. And then we still have two days until the next show. Except for a food order having to come in. That's such a pain in the butt. Having to unload the whole trailer and break down boxes and shove food in, duct taping the fridge door closed. Put it all back. Repeat, once a week. Ah well. Part of the business...

So I'm starting to doze. I'll see you guys in the next few. We have free wireless internet in the hotel!

Murietta

We're on day two of four shows at Murietta Calvary Chapel. Last night we had people washing dishes during the show, so a good deal of clean up was finished before we were. And we didn't have to tear down.

Another Op'ning, Another Show

Tonight was my first show on complete auto pilot. We're at number 28 tonight. I was trying to answer my mail (I got three letters forwarded -- the first mail we've received in over a month!), so onstage time was kind of an afterthought.

Good show though. Audience of somewhere around 200.

Tomorrow we're off to Murietta for our week and a half stint. After the show we have to clean up, but not tear down!!!! Ahh, it does the heart good.

After Sunday, we have four days off.

Nancy, my former small group leader sent me a letter today. It was so great to hear from her. Two of her kids are off doing YWAM, which I always wanted to do. Guess that means I'm not too old after all.

Kind of a mishmash tonight. I'm really tired.

On the road again

We're off! Southern California here we come!

And I hear gas prices are astronomical...so we'll have to remember to gas up at the border again. And the biggest perk of the whole thing? For eight days we'll be staying in a hotel. A church opted to put us up there rather than passing us around the church for 8 days.

Our last day

OUR LAST DAY IN ARIZONA!

What a relief. I feel I've seen as much of this state as I wanted to, and more. We have done more driving than is typical (They keep mentioning the mythical standard that is the "normal tour." We have yet to see it). I think we've crossed the state three or four times. Tomorrow morning we leave for the Murietta/Tumecula area in Southern California. I'm so excited!

Time does seem to be standing still on tour. The weather down here is basically the same all year. It should be fall now. When we hit Dallas, OR in November, it's going to be quite a shock!

The Blue Castle

The other day I was co-ping for Tasha, so I began to read The Blue Castle aloud for her and Vicky. Yesterday we read another 120 pages aloud on the way from Sonoita to Phoenix. Last night Tasha rigged it so that Julie, Tasha and I could house together to finish the last four chapters before bed.

That is the second time I've read that book aloud. Last time with Wendy and Drea.

Next long drive we start Little Women -- which Tasha (contrary to everything this country holds dear) has never read.

Adventures with a Leech

Yesterday I came the closest to breaking character I ever have in this run.

Jo came onstage for the scene where she pulls a leech off her leg in the jungle. She looks puzzled, and doesn't lift the hem of her skirt to show the black blog of tape. Then I notice there is something on my shoe. At a convenient point in the scene, I look down and notice...its stuck to the bottom of my shoe.

Of course from there on it's all over. Every time I took a step I'm reminded. Burt swears I was laughing so hard I shook the stage. I doubt it, but dang was that funny!

Real Coffee

I found a Seattle's Best Coffeehouse located almost hidden on the corner behind a gas station. We parked at the Starbucks two blocks away and I walked back. Prompting Jonathan to say, "You know she's a really NW-er when Starbucks isn't good enough." I do go to the one, but not when the other is so handily present.

Dad, for you I had a raspberry hazelnut mocha.

Ramadan

After the show on the 15th, I went with my homestay to a Ramadan party.

It was upstairs at the church, blankets on the floor, pillows strewn about, and shoes prohibited. They had a table of Middle-Eastern snacks and (ironically) Mango Nectar made in the Philippines.

Jessica went right away to the group centered around our hosts. I walked over to the missions table, looking for something to do after a long night that didn't involve trying to "recommend myself to strangers." Jeremy was that guy at the table. He gave me the low down on everyone in the room. Most have been to the Middle East in the short term, or will be heading there full time within the next five years. A few years ago that would have been tantamount to a suicide mission in many places, but he said doors have begun to open.

After that I talked to the youth leader. He's still in college, and doesn't feel called to long term missions (missions was kind of in the air that night), but wanted to know if I was called, and what am I currently studying in the Bible. I have to say, I could tell him verses, badly misquoted, but he would jump right in with, " Oh that's from Matthew 13, right?" Rather daunting, but we had some good conversation on the topic of giving. I had a few opinions and ideas, and his comments have prompted a topical overview on the subject.