Opening Night, V-Day, Book Stores.

This past Thursday was opening night for Uncle Vanya. I went to the theatre in the morning only to realize I had foolishly worn street clothes, when I should have known to dress up. It was O.K., because I had no intention of going to the show in the evening, and I certainly planned on changing before the after-party. But I still felt kind of ridiculous all day wearing jeans when everyone else was donning the dress garb.

As you might guess, it was a pretty busy day at the theatre. I went on a couple errands. Spent most of the day preparing gift baskets for the Board of Directors and the cast-- T-shirts, cast photos, shot glasses, etc. Man, I’m telling you--simple work, yet extremely time consuming and exhausting.

The fun came at the party.

The cast party was held at Pangea on 2nd Ave. Wine, drinks, hors d’ouvres. I had absolutely no business being there. I mean, I was invited, but what did I really do for the show? I’ve been with CSC for three weeks!

Let’s see, Jake and Maggie G., Denis O’Hare, Peter Saarsgard, Mandy Patinkin, Claire Danes, F. Murray Fitzgerald, among others. ‘No big deal.’ That was my phrase of the night. That, and ‘I can’t even believe it.‘ I was star-struck; I’m usually pretty good about that, I’m just not used to being around so much talent-- so many big names at once. It was overwhelming.

I’m kind of ashamed at how I acted, in retrospect. I asked for, and got, a picture with Jake Gyllenhaal, but I shouldn’t have asked. It was extremely unprofessional. Hope I’m not reprimanded for it when I go in on Tuesday. I blame it on the wine. I also talked to both Peter and Austin Pendleton for a little bit, which was cool. You know that these are just people, yet I guess a part of you doesn’t believe it until you’re talking with them.

Today has been a bit less joyous. It’s Valentines Day, and I couldn‘t be more lonely. Kristin and Katie are both out of town. Friends all have big plans with loved ones and significant others. So it’s just me. It’s about a month since Emma and I broke up. I miss her very much.

I spent today over in Park Slope in B+N trying to do some reading. It could have just been my depressed mood, but it really bothered me how many children there were in there today. Book stores are supposed to be sacred ground, yet today each time I turned into a row I had to climb over a stroller. There were kids chasing each other. Mothers yelling after their children. All the seats in the café were taken, so I had to stand up, coffee in one hand, book in the other, leaning against an uncomfortable shelf…You get the point. Book stores aren’t zoos. My philosophy is you shouldn’t be allowed in if you can’t read.