Perry Moffitt

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The end of this trip is upon me and I have yet to write down anything substantial about my work here. One reason is that I think it is boring to most people. The other is that I am bored by relating my experiences after a long day of living them. But I have had two days off and feel it incumbent to say at least a few words. Let us start with the show. It is good but in the highly dramatic and emotional way that any Greek tragedy is. Seven chorus and three leads based on Electra but renamed MoLoRa which means ash in (click)auzi. It is even harder to say once you realize how its supposed to sound. Its deep, all passion, and some would mistake it for overly dramatic if they aren’t aware of the style. I like it and it pretty much gets a standing ovation every night.
My job is to forward all of the tech specifications for the deck, rigging, lighting, fire, etc. I am in charge of load-in which is always interesting given that I am working with technicians who I will only ever know for this one day. But one good thing about most technicians is that they want to please and take pride in their work. At least that is how I treat them and hope to be treated in return. I program the show and install the set, make sure everything is on spike, focus the lights, do a QtoQ, then run the show. All in one day for the most part here in Holland. In most other countries we should be given 3 days for all this insanity. Which I hope means it will be a breeze down the road, at least mentally, probably not physically. Yeal likes my work and says it has never looked this beautiful, which to her isn’t necessarily a compliment because she wants the show to be raw, where as I am taking the lights to the same state as the emotions of the actors so it seems to make it less harsh and more emotive. Damon, the stage manager, works his ass off. He is also the company manager which is very time consuming and I thank my lucky stars I don’t have his job. The person who had the job before basically melted down when she was doing Damon and my job together. The show suffered and they realized they needed two people. They really need a third just to be company manager. I have my fare share of forwarding work that needs to be done on any day off too.
Every day I have been playing a LOT of chess. At the coffee house I go I have played people from at least 5 different countries since I have been in Amsterdam and I have also been playing a lot at www.redpawn.com where my username is pmoffitt. I am currently playing games against Fran, Willie, Sean, and about a dozen strangers. I have truly become addicted on this trip. I’ve fallen into the abyss of patterns and openings. I am getting beaten repeatedly but playing pros which is teaching me a lot of tactics. That is my weak point right now. The Middle game tactics.
Amsterdam has proven to be a great city. As me and Cybele found out a couple of Christmas’s ago. The canals are so peaceful you just start walking by them with a sublime smile on your face. Spring is coming early and tulip trees and crocus are already in bloom. The streets are all cobblestoned and everyone seems to own at least a small skiff. The restaurants are friendly and for the most part you get what you pay for. If you pay a lot you will have a great meal. If you pay a little you will be full with decent food as long as you are picky about where you go. Of course with the euro the way it is against the dollar right now no meal is a deal. I walked around several markets today and looked through the junk piles of boating bits and old tools. Lots of nice stuff but I am not about to bring home brass fittings. I did the mandatory walk through the red light district last night and several beers with Damon and Sandile (lead male actor from SA.) As last time I found the place surreal and sad more than anything else.
I am very sad that I will not be able to do the Texas200 this summer. It’s becoming apparent that we will be in Greece and Paris while the race is going on. Camping with Bill is one of the high points of my year and I will be sad if nothing works out this summer. With all the kids gone this summer I don’t know what my parents will do. Well we will have to make up for it next summer.
Today is Tuesday and we end our trip on a small marathon. Wednesday we drive two hours each way to do a one day load-in/show/strike, then Thursday three hour drive each way to do it all again, then Friday morning at 6am we are leaving to the airport to go home for a week. I am afraid that Chris and AMP will be annoyed by how much attention Cybele and Petunia is going to get compared to them. Let’s hope they are understanding. Especially about Petunia, of course.
Love to all,
Raspberries to Petunia,
Paul