Making New Dirt

Have I mentioned seventeen or eighteen times that my staying with my grandmother has forced a few lifestyle changes on her--changes that she probably would have liked to live without, at the age of 83? No? Well, add another one to the tally.

My whole life, my grandma has put veggie peelings and other potentially smelly trash into an old bread bag that lives in the freezer until trash day. (Sometimes she also puts them down her disposal, but either way: trash.) The day I arrived, I put an empty plant pot outside, dumped some dirt in the bottom, and started throwing in veggie peels and eggshells. She got used to this in a hurry and now saves her own eggshells and veggie clippings for me to toss into the pot. Easy peasey, y'all.

This was a tomato plant growing in my compost
last summer. Those giant, non-tomato plant leaves?
Volunteer squash. I was on my way out to run one
morning when I saw it growing, thought "I'll pull that
out when I get back," and then forgot about it until it was
this size. It ended up giving up pretty quickly without
the tomato suffering any ill effects. But this is what
happens when you grow things in compost--volunteer
plants appear like magic.

(My old compost, by the way, the stuff I've been accumulating for planting season, went to a friend in Austin. The other day she posted a pic on Instagram of a volunteer something that sprung up from the compost. It's nice to know I'm not the only one that happens to. The term for those surprise plants is "volunteer" because they just show up without getting paid.)

Yes, I know I blog about composting a lot, but that's because it's something that seems a lot harder than it really is. Anyone can do it, but the thought of starting is pretty overwhelming. Here's all you need to do:

1. Get a container. Outside? Get a plant pot with drainage, or a trash can with a lid and bang some nails in the bottom for drainage before you start using it. (Take the nails out. You just want the holes.) If you go the plant pot route, plan to regularly cover it with dirt so your eggshells don't blow away due to lack of something to hold them down. Inside? Get a good-sized container with a tight-fitting lid. I can't over-emphasize this: if your compost is sharing your living space, keep it covered to deter fruit flies and keep any smells from getting out of hand.
2. Plan to regularly add either dead leaves or shredded paper. (Not the slick ads that come in your mail! Keep it un-slick. Regular newspaper works.) This keeps it from getting too heavy in nitrogen. You need a mix of carbon and nitrogen for everything to break down nicely without smelling horrible. Compost too smelly? Add more leaves.
3. Start throwing things in. Potato peels? Yep. Strawberry tops? Absolutely. Seeds from your green peppers? That's how I get volunteer plants, y'all. Throw it in there. See a nice long list of compostable things here.
4. Wait a bit. Soon it will break down and be nice and crumbly, ready to plant stuff in. FYI: I often plant stuff in the compost while there are still visible veggie peelings hanging out. It continues to break down, the new plant gets the benefit of the old stuff's nutrients, and I don't have to wait as long. Win-win-win.

What to do with the compost once it's composted? I plant things in it, to avoid trips to Home Depot for giant bags of potting soil. You can spread it directly on your outdoor garden, if container gardening isn't your thing. Give it to friends who garden but didn't have the foresight to compost their own veggies. Or sell it by the pound on Craigslist. Turning your old veggies into new cash-- now that's magic.

A to Z Challenge: Links to All My Theatre Posts

Y'all, how great were the Tony Awards on Sunday? My favourite of all the awards shows, and now it's a long wait until next year.

Anyway! Below are links to all of my posts to my theatrically themed 2016 A to Z Challenge, in one convenient location. Need to know what I think about Doubt or Fiddler or Wicked? It's all right here. Enjoy! (Plays are noted with a *. Musicals are unmarked.)

Annie
Billy Elliott
*Cyrano de Bergerac
*Doubt
Evita
Fiddler on the Roof
Grease
Hamilton
*The Importance of Being Earnest
Jersey Boys
Kinky Boots
Les Miserables
*Much Ado About Nothing
Next to Normal
*Our Town
Phantom of the Opera
Avenue Q
Rent
Shoulda Been You / Sound of Music
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Urinetown
Victor/Victoria
Wicked
Xanadu
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Zorro

Bicycles & My Hometown

I have to give lots of kudos to my hometown for being a good place for biking and walking. First of all, it's flat (okay, the city shouldn't really get congrats for that), and since the city was built before cars were invented, neighborhood streets are small, have sidewalks, and people drive at (mostly) reasonable speeds through most of town.

Even the two highways that connect through town aren't terrible for riding, although I much prefer using the sidewalks if I have to ride there. The city being built pre-cars works two ways here: there is no space to install any more infrastructure on the two main arterials, because the buildings are built right at the sidewalk. So, the city can't put in a protected bike lane, but neither can they widen the road to encourage more high-speed traffic.

The crown jewel of the good things here for active transportation: we have a gorgeous rail-trail right through the middle of town, and a couple more multi-use paths near schools and the library.

Bicycle facilities in Greenfield, Indiana, according to
Google maps.

So while I was strolling along one day last week, I wondered, What would I do next? Be warned that these thoughts do not come from a professional city planner or engineer--they're just next steps that I would love for the city to take.

First, obviously, the multi-use path on Broadway should connect to the east-west rail trail at the bottom of the image. And really, it almost does. There's a sidewalk that picks up on the south side of the high school and continues down to the trail that works great. Similarly, by all rights the connective bit between the two north-south multi-use paths along McKenzie Street in front of the library should be dark green as well--it's the same path. So, what's lacking?

1. That connective bit of sidewalk directly in front of the high school (instead of routing folks into the parking lot); 
2. An ADA ramp on the bit of sidewalk that leads from the street to the trail at the far south end of the street--and whatever engineer didn't do that to begin with probably needs a Gibbs-slap; 
3. Signage indicating that this is a bike/ped path, preferably with wayfinding elements like how many minutes' walk it is to the high school, or the library, or the trail.

Next, I would put in a multi-use path the length of 200 N/New Road, to help build up the network and to increase access to employment centers and the junior high school. Right now, there's nothing, which is a gross disservice to the folks who live and work there, and it's something that should have been installed when developers started building in that part of town.

After that, the city should begin designating bike routes (more signage!) and looking after sidewalks on the other north-south streets. Obviously this city was not well planned, since there are so few through streets in town, but on the upside that leaves neighborhood streets very quiet and easy to bike or walk on. This is a huge advantage that should be played upon for active transportation.

And finally, all those goofy little subdivisions that don't connect to each other? Stick in some bike/ped paths connecting them to give people more access to easy walking and biking spaces, but without increasing car traffic in neighborhoods.

That's what my non-engineer, non-city-planning self would do if it were up to me. What would you do in your hometown?

Reading Challenge Update: March-April-May 2016

I was in the library a couple of days ago, trying really hard to remember where I am on my reading challenges for 2016 and indeed, which challenges I even signed up for. So it's lucky for me that I write (almost) everything down for posterity, yes?

Well. I only wrote down one book in those three months. I started a bunch, some of which I've now finished, so my June post should be a lot more interesting. Still, here's the update (I've pulled forward the ones that I don't have an update for, just so I'm on track for next month).

Image source: Goodreads

I Love Libraries Challenge (12/24 books so far)

Read It Again, Sam (1/4 books so far)

I really need to start writing the update post at the beginning of every month so I can write these down as I go along. It seems unlikely that I read only one book in three months--I mean, re-reading to de-stress is one of the reasons I keep all my old books around, for those times when I can't give a new book the attention it needs. But since I don't record re-reads on Goodreads, they remain unrecorded and lost in the slushy mess that is my brain.

Woman Challenge (7/20 books so far)

Mount TBR Challenge (3/20 books so far)

A Hat Full of Sky, Terry Pratchett

Goodreads Challenge (15/100 books so far)

A Hat Full of Sky, Terry Pratchett

What are you reading right now? What am I missing out on?

Words That Reach

Edit: I wrote this before I heard the horrible news in Orlando. My heart breaks for the lives that have been shattered, and for a nation where we allow this kind of violence to continue. I thought about holding off on publishing this, but while no amount of words will solve this, no amount of silence will, either. This messy world we live in can use all the words we can find, even the lighthearted and silly ones that are my specialty.

My grandmother has been widowed for nearly nine years, so in this as well as every other thing in life she has a great deal more experience than I do. My grandmother also believes that it's possible for one to be widowed and swear-free.

My grandmother is mistaken.

I mean, she isn't really. It's working out for her to go through life alone and with pristine language, probably because she had pristine language before she had to take on the world by herself. I, on the other hand, realised some time in my teen years that the occasional swear word makes this planet a lot more bearable to be on, and if I have to be on this planet by myself, I'm bringing along whatever four-letter words I darned well please.

(Not in grandma's house, though. Not even I am that rude.)

Source: Goodreads.

Anyway. All this to say I just finished Nora McInerny Purmort's book It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too), which is her memoir about losing her husband to brain cancer. Nora founded the Hot Young Widows Club, a group for which I am daily thankful, because they're awesome, we all get it, we can talk about the realities of what this phase of life is like when it arrives about 30 years earlier than usual.

And it's a space where it's okay to use whatever language seems appropriate to what we're feeling on any given day. Much like Nora's book (don't read it if you're going to be offended by the language. She doesn't pull punches), which had me giggling, crying, and nodding along.

Here's a bit that I couldn't resist tweeting, just because it's fairly universal in grief, but easy to forget when someone else is the one struggling. Nora is talking about spending some time with her siblings, and why that has changed:

It was a comfort to have them, but grief is not a set weight to be distributed equally. It cannot be portioned and divided.

It's hard for me to be around my family...and this is why. Grief is lonely, no matter how many other people feel it. They are different, each one, because we've lost different people, different versions of the same men. We are each carrying our own load, and is is ours alone to bear.

The people at the center of this grief, by the way? We get that you don't know what to say. I've been doing this for 1.25 years, and I don't know what to say to other people, either. I have a long list of what not to say, but my list of what to say is still inadequate. There are moments that the words don't reach, indeed. So if you hear me using words that you find a bit shocking, know that I'm doing it because those are the words that reach the farthest into how I'm feeling.

It's Electrifyin'

The last couple of months I lived in Austin, I borrowed an electric bike from work for commuting and other longer trips and left my own bikes at home for neighborhood-based trips. And it was very cool.

This bike, which still has no name.

First of all, a definition: an electric bike is one with a battery and a small motor to assist the pedaling action. Most state laws (and the industry standard) limit the assist to 20 mph; once you hit that speed, the motor cuts off and it's up to your own legs to keep you going that fast (I can't). The motor generally can only be activated if you're pedaling-- if you stop to coast, so does the motor. And finally, most bikes have levels of assist from just low enough to offset the weight of the bike, to fast enough to feel like you're flying.

So the first few days I kept the assist relatively low, maybe bumping it up a notch for some help going up hills, but still low enough to feel like I was doing some work. And then one day I thought, "Why not see what this thing can do?" and I got home in about 25 minutes. (That's faster than the same car trip would take, by the way, and about three times faster than the bus.) It's times like these that singing "Defying Gravity" while riding is especially appropriate.

By the way, an electric bike is also a good solution to the problem of riding to work without getting sweaty, or carrying kids, or having aging muscles--it takes some of the strain off of you as the rider, even while you're still burning calories and having fun. Obviously, this is not a bike for training for the Tour de France (or the tour de anything).

After about a month of flying over the hills of Austin as fast as I could, I remembered that I was going to have to hand that thing back over when it was time to move, so I brought the assist back down a few notches so I could remember what it's like to out some effort into riding a bike. Still pretty awesome, though, and I think my next bike may be a cargo bike with e-assist.

Would you try an electric bike?

Indy Mini: It's About Dang Time

We took my grandma
along to the race expo.
She learned how
much running shoes
cost and posed with
this car.

This race was on my bucket list for 19 years. 19 years. I'm like the Aaron Burr of recreational running.

When I was 19, I watched coverage of the Indy Mini for the first time. I was sitting in my parents' house channel flipping, and when I saw the crowds of runners, I thought, "I want to do that." Little did I know I'd double my age before life and I finally got on the same page about me doing that, but this year was finally the year.

2016 was the hundredth running of the Indy 500 and the 40th running of the Indy Mini, so they went all-out, up to and including Meb Keflezighi starting from the back of the pack so that as many people as possible could run with him. He passed me right at the three-mile mark.

Not everybody gets one of the personal thank
yous from kids who participated in the 500
Education Program. I got one at packet
pickup because I'd come from so far away.
Isn't it great?

Was this race everything I'd hoped? Indeed it was. Crowd support was great, organization was fantastic, running on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was absolutely brilliant (yes, I kissed the bricks-- if you're gonna run this race, better go all-in), finishers medal is spectacular. And the volunteer put it on me, which was really cool.

My family came along, even though I warned them they would be bored, but it seems they don't mind standing around downtown Indianapolis with thousands of other people for four hours. The start times were staggered, so that after they saw me cross the start line they didn't have long to wait until the race winners came in.

I already registered for next year. Who's with me?

The race includes one lap around the Speedway. I grew up 30 miles from here
and this was my first time ever visiting the Speedway. The yard of bricks is
straight ahead of me, in front of the pagoda.
(I don't know why there's a pagoda at the IMS.
I'm sure there was a reason when they built it.)

Just Say No

There are hundreds of blog posts, I'm sure, about the importance of saying no, politely but meaning it, refusing to engage in discussion about the "no," and so on. And for those of us who have a hard time saying no, every one of those pixels is probably warranted. Sticking to one's position, especially when the other person is disappointed and/or persistent, is rough. (So much so that there's even a biblical parable about the Persistent Widow.)

Here's a guy who has no problem saying no. And
everybody still loves him. Source.

But a life lived in "yes" mode is a life that other people can easily run for you, if the magical "no" isn't harnessed. This is especially true at major turning points in life-- how many high school graduates are at this minute being pestered by well-meaning relatives: "You're going to major in what? What are you going to do with that?" (Friendly hint: don't be that relative.) Some folks, alas, have committed themselves to a first-class seat on the Unsolicited Advice Train. If only they wore signs so they could be easily identified.

This isn't a post on what to do, as you may have guessed, mostly because I can't answer that for you. Are you at the "practice with the low-stakes no" stage, or at the "now I just need to remember how to say yes sometimes" stage? Do you have a persistent person in your life who you wish would back off? Dig in and be as persistent with your "no" as they are. And maybe bring a list of alternative topics with you--and remember you can always lay on the floor later to recover, if necessary.

This subject has been on my mind because I encouraged my niece earlier this week to tell someone (not her parents--I'm not THAT aunt), "We're done talking about this," when they won't back off. Will it work? I hope so. Will the other person be mad? Possibly. Do I wish someone had given me the same suggestion as a teen? Absolutely.

So! This is your reminder that it's okay to say no. It's okay to stick to it. It's okay for other people to not get it. It's okay to do what's best for you and your family. It's okay.

Happy new month! I have many thoughts fighting for the exit, so my plan is to blog a lot more in June. (You are, of course, free to just say no to reading along--but I hope to see you from time to time.)

In Transit

My U-haul with all my stuff is sitting in Indiana, waiting to be unloaded into a storage unit.

I'm sitting in a hotel in Austin, surrounded by bags full of the stuff I'll need for the next few weeks.

My flight leaves tomorrow, and I'll no longer be an Austinite. I'll be in transit to the next thing.

Source.

Job? Not yet. Place to live? Ditto. All I have right now is a grandma who's excited to have me stay with her for a while (she sleeps better when someone is in the house with her, so this falls under "taking care of Grandma" and not just "early midlife crisis").

I've loved this city so much. Six years is just not long enough to properly appreciate all the wonders of Austin. And yet--I can probably learn to love another place, too. Most importantly, it's a step forward in healing for me to live in a place Chadwick never did. To daily go to places that aren't covered in his footsteps. To continue to build my new normal.

Let's do this, y'all.

Z is for Zorro

Zorro

This photo reminds me of Martin Guerre, but with a Z.
Source: Zorro official site

Originally opened in the West End July 15, 2008, after a very short run in Eastbourne.

Currently: Looks like folks have been talking Broadway and a U.S. tour for a while, but neither have materialized yet.

Music: Gipsy Kings and John Cameron

Lyrics: Stephen Clark

Book: Stephen Clark and Helen Edmundson

Basis: 2005 mock biography Zorro: A Novel, by Isabel Allende

Everybody knows about: He has a thing for the letter "Z."

I have thoughts: This was a harder-than-expected choice for the letter Z. There aren't that many plays or musicals that start with "Z", but having to choose between essentially three pretty cool shows was difficult. I finally went with one that seems to have had lots of success everywhere but the U.S.

Here we are at the end of the A to Z challenge! I'm leaving Austin in two days for my next great adventure, so stay tuned. In the meantime, I hope this little trip through the theatrical alphabet has been fun for you.

Y is for You're

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Source: Wikipedia.

Originally opened Off-Broadway March 7, 1967. Transferred to Broadway for a limited run in 1971.

Currently: Check your local community, high school, or college theatre. (An Off-Broadway revival is coming this summer.)

Music & Lyrics: Clark Gesner

Book: John Gordon

Basis: Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts

Everybody knows about: It's a musical about a beloved comic strip. What more do you need to know?

I have thoughts: I've never seen it, although I do hold the Peanuts characters near and dear to my heart, as so many people do. And hey, another musical that Kristin Chenoweth was in! It's hard to argue with that.

Have you seen You're a Good Man? 

X is for Xanadu

Xanadu

Source: Pinterest.

Originally opened on Broadway July 10, 2007.

Currently: Touring the U.S., I think. I'm not really sure about this particular site's reliability.

Music & Lyrics: Jeff Lynne and John Farrar

Book: Douglas Carter Beane

Basis: 1980 film Xanadu

Everybody knows about: Roller skates! 80s! Greek gods!

I have thoughts: Okay, so I obviously chose this one because there aren't that many musicals that begin with X. However, now that I've read the synopsis and see how much the stage version pulls from mythology, I'm really intrigued. Think I'll give the soundtrack a listen.

W is for Wicked

Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz

I haven't seen it yet because I'm
holding out for time travel so
I can see these two in it.
Source: Pinterest.

Originally opened on Broadway October 30, 2003, after an out-of-town tryout in San Francisco.

Currently: Still running on Broadway. Still running in the West End (since September 27, 2006). First Portuguese production currently running in São Paulo until July 31. Touring the U.S. And, if that's not enough, four more shows are scheduled to launch this year.

Music & Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz

Book: Winnie Holzman

Basis: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire

Everybody knows about: Friends will change you for good.

I have thoughts: Is this the place where I tell you I still haven't seen it? I know, that's shocking. I'm not sure how I've managed to miss it so many times. Much like Hamilton, I know about as much as you can know about this show without having actually seen it. (Unlike Hamilton, I don't quite have the soundtrack memorized.) When I asked my friendly not-so-neighborhood (he lives in El Paso; I don't) go-to-with-all-my-theatre-questions guy what his favourite show that he's worked on is, this is the one he said. And I still haven't seen it. Believe me, I mourn this fact regularly.

You know what's great to sing on a bike? "Defying Gravity." I mean, why wouldn't you? I've started reading the book, but haven't finished it because I had to return all my books to the library since I'm changing states in a week.

Have you seen Wicked? Go ahead, tell me what I'm missing. Twist the knife-- I totally deserve it!

V is for Victor and Victoria

Victor/Victoria

Source: Wikipedia.

Originally opened in tryouts in Minneapolis in June 1995, then opened on Broadway October 25, 1995.

Currently: Can't find a thing. Presumably, it's playing in a regional theatre somewhere.

Music: Henry Mancini & Frank Wildhorn

Lyrics: Leslie Bricusse & Frank Wildhorn

Book: Blake Edwards

Basis: 1982 film Victor Victoria

Everybody knows about: Julie Andrews plays a woman playing a man playing a woman.

I have thoughts: I've fairly certain I've seen the movie, but maybe I should see it again just to be sure. I first heard of this show when it went to Houston on tour in 1998; Julie Andrews coming to Texas was a source of excitement for me, although she was inaccessibly far away since I was stuck in Lubbock at the time.

Should I just go all-in and do a Julie Andrews themed A to Z Challenge next year? That seems to be where I'm headed with this one.

U is for Urinetown

Another musical about a revolution.
How many of those am I up to now for
this A to Z challenge?
Source: Theatre Arlington.

Urinetown: The Musical

Originally opened Off-Broadway on May 6, 2001, transferring to Broadway later that year

Currently: I ran across a couple shows while Googling. If you're in Arlington, Texas, or Salem, Oregon, you can go see some actors not pee in your neighborhood.

Music: Mark Hollmann

Lyrics: Mark Hollmann & Greg Kotis

Book: Greg Kotis

Everybody knows about: They have to pay to pee.

I have thoughts: I've never seen this one, but it's hard not to appreciate a musical that's one long parody of so many things, including my beloved Les Mis. If it were on near me, I'd probably go see it.

T is for Thoroughly

Thoroughly Modern Millie

In a competition for the world's best
stage directions, this one surely is in the top 10.
Source: Pinterest

Originally opened on Broadway April 18, 2002. (A bunch of these have been April openers! And not a single one has landed on the anniversary date.)

Currently: check your local high school.

Music: Jeanine Tesori

Lyrics: Dick Scanlan

Book: Richard Morris & Dick Scanlan

Basis: 1967 film Thoroughly Modern Millie

Everybody knows about: Small town girl moves to the big city, immediately buys new clothes.

I have thoughts: It's remarkable how many of the actors from yesterday's two shows are also connected to today's show. I've never seen the stage version of this, only the movie with Julie Andrews, but the line that has stuck with me is, "What a wonderfully full life she lives!" And so may we all.

Are you planning to tap dance in a murderous rage today? Could be a fun weekend activity.

S is for Shoulda & Sound

In the whole of the A to Z Challenge, this is my only tie! A couple other letters were close, but I managed to restrain myself from gushing about every show ever made. Amazed? You probably should be.

I was delirously happy this day. That NYC
trip really was the highlight of an otherwise
awful, awful year. They all should have won
Tonys just for making me laugh so hard.

It Shoulda Been You

Originally opened off-Broadway October 4, 2011. Opened on Broadway in April 2015.

Currently: Closed on Broadway but has not been released for other theatres yet.

Music: Barbara Anselmi

Lyrics & Book: Brian Hargrove

Everybody knows about: This was Tyne Daly's first Broadway musical in 25 years.

I have thoughts: Seeing this show on Broadway was amazing. I chose it because of Sierra Boggess, but as is my wont, I came away delighted and with a bunch of other actors to obsessively stalk on Twitter (although I've been too busy lately for much stalking), and in particular Josh Grisetti. He's a lot of fun on social media.

- AND -

My playbill from the tour. Signed by the actors
who played Captain von Trapp, Maria, Lisel,
and the Reverend Mother (Ashley Brown,
who is best known for originating Mary
Poppins on Broadway. Her signature is the one
with the heart).

The Sound of Music

Originally opened on Broadway November 16, 1959.

Currently: touring the U.S.

Music: Richard Rodgers

Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II

Book: Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse

Basis: 1956 German film Die Trapp-Familie and Maria von Trapp's autobiography The Story of the Trapp Family Singers

Everybody knows about: The movie, of course. But it was a stage show first, y'all. It's also the last Rogers & Hammerstein musical, since Mr. Hammerstein passed away only a few months after the show opened on Broadway. He never saw his gorgeous score on the big screen.

I have thoughts: I'm not sure we have time for all the thoughts I have about this show, although I did write some of them down just a few weeks ago after seeing the current tour. This is one of the musicals that competes for the #1 slot on my favourites list (I have about five in rotation, depending on my mood).


I'm guessing most of you know The Sound of Music well and may have never heard of It Shoulda Been You. Let's hear what you think!

R is for Rent

Rent

Source: Wikipedia.

Opened on Broadway April 29, 1996, after a couple off-Broadway stints interspersed with workshops

Currently: The 20th anniversary U.S. tour is planned for later this year.

Music, Lyrics & Book: Jonathan Larson

Basis: La Bohème, by Giacomo Puccini

Everybody knows about: 525,600 minutes.

I have thoughts: Watching the movie has been on my to-do list for so long that I keep thinking I've done it. I really hope the tour comes to a theatre near me.

Do you think there should be a leap year version of "Seasons of Love"? (It comes to 527,040 minutes.)

Q us for Q

Avenue Q

Source: Wikipedia

Opened on Broadway July 31, 2003, after a short off-Broadway run

Currently: Off-Broadway

Music & Lyrics: Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx

Book: Jeff Whitty

Everybody knows about: Just because there are puppets doesn't mean this musical is for kids.

I have thoughts: I've seen may references to this show but never the show itself. I think I would probably see it if I were in the right mood--at first glance it's not my kind of thing, but on the other hand I've seen enough sweary and racy musicals that one more probably wouldn't kill me.

P is for Phantom

Hadley!Raoul is my favourite thing about the 25th
anniversary. Yes, even more than Ramin's Phantom.
Source: Pinterest.

Phantom of the Opera

Originally opened in the West End on October 9, 1986

Currently: Still in the West End, Broadway's longest-running musical, touring the U.S., and in five other cities worldwide.

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Lyrics: Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe (additional)

Book: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Richard Stilgoe

Basis: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, by Gaston Leroux

Everybody knows about: He wears that mask for a reason.

I have thoughts: I'm going to see the tour in three weeks' time! Not only me, but also my 83-year-old grandmother, who has never seen Phantom in her life. I'm so excited to share this with her. I tweeted the tour's Phantom, Christine, and Raoul on the day I bought the tickets to share my enthusiasm, and Katie Travis (Christine) was kind enough to respond with a hello for my grandma. Cannot. Wait. (Also: It may be an unpopular opinion, but I'm not wild about Sarah Brightman. I don't own the original cast version for that reason.)

Have you seen any versions of Phantom? What's your favourite part?

O is for Our

Source: Wikipedia.

Our Town

Originally opened in New Jersey January 22, 1938, moving to Broadway that same year.

Currently: Check with your local high school

Written by: Thornton Wilder

Everybody knows about: The movie has a very different ending than the play.

I have thoughts: As much as I like this show, I'm not sure I could see it live any time soon. The ending is too much. It is, however, Cory Matthews' favourite play.

Have you ever seen Our Town?

N is for Next

Somewhere, there has to be a pic of
shirtless Aaron Tveit from this show.
But this one works, too.
Also, yes, this is the second time in the
A to Z Challenge that I've shared a pic
of Aaron Tveit.
Source: Pinterest.

Next to Normal

Originally opened on Broadway April 15, 2009, after a short off-Broadway run

Currently: In regional theatres.

Music: Tom Kitt

Lyrics & Book : Brian Yorkey

Everybody knows about: I'm not sure that everybody knows about this show, which is a shame.

I have thoughts: This show is basically my life anthem right now. I went months last year during which I basically couldn't get out of bed without turning the soundtrack on. Some days I still feel like that. Good thing "Just Another Day" is the first song. Since it is a tremendously sweary musical, I'll repeat my usual warnings that I'm not to be held responsible if you choose to investigate and you get offended. I did warn you! (My favourite song, "Light," contains no swearing and is a good one if you just need a pick-me-up.)

M is for Much

Source: Wikipedia

Much Ado About Nothing

Originally opened sometime around 1600.

Currently: If you're very very lucky, it's playing near you. Go see it! (And if you're not that lucky, check out the fantastic 1993 Kenneth Branagh movie or the equally brilliant 2012 Joss Whedon version. Just don't ask me to choose between them.)

Written by: Shakespeare.

Everyone knows about: They're tricked into falling in love. As well they should be.

I have thoughts: This is, without a doubt, far and above all else, my favourite play. I first saw the Branagh version when I was 15, which was the beginning of my lifelong crush on Robert Sean Leonard, even though I'd choose to be Beatrice over Hero any day. Also, Claudio is an idiot, no matter who is playing him.

Have you seen Much Ado? Actually, if you haven't, don't bother answering. Just pick a movie version and watch it. Now.

L is for Les

Shirtless Valjean is my favourite
Valjean.

Les Misérables

Originally opened in the West End October 8, 1985 (five years after the French production opened).

Currently: Still in the West End. On its second Broadway revival. Also in Japan, Korea, Manila, Singapore, and Spain.

Music: Claude-Michel Schönberg

Lyrics: Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel (French lyrics); Herbert Kretzmer (English adaptation)

Book: Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Trevor Nunn, and John Caird (adaptation)

Basis: 1862 novel by Victor Hugo

Everybody knows about: All this for a loaf of bread? (Yes, that's really a Les Mis reference.)

I have thoughts: You must be new here. Well. I saw the Broadway version last summer, and had too many things to say for just one post. Then there's the 2012 movie version, and Chadwick's keen ability to sing all the songs. And that's not even all of them. Suffice to say, I can't stop hearing the people sing.

You don't have to love this musical to be my friend. I'm totally okay with you hating Les Mis, if you like. Just tell me this: what do you think they were smoking when they chose Russell Crowe as Javert for the movie?

K is for Kinky

My signed playbill from the tour stop in
Austin. The signature next to the K is
J. Harrison Ghee, the amazing Lola in
the current tour cast. In addition to being
a lovely person who is so kind to crazed
fans, he's also definitely worth a follow on
Instagram.

Kinky Boots

Originally opened in Chicago October 2, 2012, then on Broadway April 4, 2013. (The movie predates the musical.)

Currently: Still on Broadway. Also in the West End, Toronto, Melbourne, and touring the U.S.

Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper

Book: Harvey Fierstein

Basis: 2005 film Kinky Boots

Everyone knows about: Amazing. Red. Boots.

I have thoughts: Wow, this is an amazing show. The tour cast that I saw was fabulous, but I'd give a lot to get to see the original London cast (Killian Donnelly, who's been in many things I like, plus has basically played every role in Les Mis, is the original West End Charlie). Or to go back in time a couple months and see Wayne Brady on Broadway. Eventually I'll get the cast album, because it's that good. Never saw the movie version, though. And I was surprised to find out this didn't originate in the West End. All this time I've presumed it did.

Have you seen Kinky Boots? Don't you want to get your hands on those amazing boots?

J is for Jersey

Source:@JerseyBoysInfo's twitter feed

Jersey Boys

Originally opened on Broadway November 6, 2005, after a successful short run in San Diego

Currently: Still going strong on Broadway. Also in the West End, Vegas, touring the US, and touring the UK. So, see it in a whole bunch of places.

Music: Bob Gaudio

Lyrics: Bob Crewe

Book: Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice

Basis: The Four Seasons' songs

Everybody knows about: It's a movie now.

I have thoughts: I really don't. This is one I'd go see if I had free tickets. I've seen about 10 minutes of the movie.

Have you seen any version of Jersey Boys? Did you like it?

I is for Importance

Source: Wikipedia

The Importance of Being Earnest

Originally opened in London February 14, 1895.

Currently: in the public domain. Possibly at a theatre near you.

Book: Oscar Wilde

Everybody knows about: “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means.”

I have thoughts: I only just saw this last summer. I don't know how I went so long without having ever seen it. It's a delight.

Have you seen Earnest? Did you laugh a lot?

H is for Hamilton

I wonder how much one of these
runs on eBay?
Source: Wikipedia.

Hamilton

Opened Off-Broadway January 20, 2015 and on Broadway August 6, 2015.

Currently: There's like a nine-month wait for tickets. It's not going away any time soon.

Music, Lyrics, & Book: Known genius Lin-Manuel Miranda

Basis: Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow

Everybody knows about: It's a hip-hop musical about the 10-dollar Founding Father. He's not throwing away his shot.

I have thoughts: The sooner this show goes on tour, the better. (Most people I know are keen to see the original Broadway cast while they're all still originally casting. That's less important to me; I just want to see it.) In the meantime, let's hear that cast album again.

G is for Grease

Okay, so the complaints about Aaron Tveit looking
about 15 years too old to be Danny Zuko are
justified. But he's still easy on the eyes and the ears.
Source: Grease Live Facebook page.

Grease

Originally opened Off-Broadway February 14, 1972

Currently: Recovering from Grease Live

Music, Lyrics, & Book: Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey

Everybody knows about: The drag race scene in the movie, which is not in the stage version, but inexplicably made it into Grease Live.

I have thoughts: I've seen the school version live, but never the entire stage version, although if all one hears is true, even the regular stage version now incorporates many of the movie elements. Maybe I'll see it someday. In the meantime, whenever any of my friends tell me how excited they are to watch the movie with their young kids, I shriek, "No!!" It's not as clean as you remember, y'all.

F is for Fiddler

Source: Wikipedia

Fiddler on the Roof

Originally opened on Broadway September 22, 1964

Currently: The fifth Broadway revival opened December 20. The Australian tour just opened in Sydney last month.

Music: Jerry Bock

Lyrics: Sheldon Harnick

Book: Joseph Stein

Basis: Tevye and his Daughters, Sholem Aleichem

Everybody knows about: It's referenced so often in pop culture it's probably easier to say what everyone doesn't know, but I'm gonna go with "Sunrise, Sunset."

I have thoughts: This was the first musical I ever heard of. My mother has a Fiddler music box that plays "Tradition," and I think she must have also owned a cast album from the show, because I knew it very well long before I even knew what musicals were. I've never asked her, but I would be unsurprised to hear that this is my mother's favourite musical. As for me-- it's definitely in the top five. I love this show so much.

Have you seen Fiddler? Any idea why that guy insists on hanging out on Tevye's roof?

E is for Evita

Source: Wikipedia.

Evita

Opened in the West End June 21, 1978

Currently: Nothing since a limited West End run in 2014. Regional theatres?

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Lyrics: Tim Rice

Everybody knows about: Just stop crying, Argentina.

I have thoughts: Have I seen it? No. Would I see it? If it were on stage near me, probably. Did I see the 1996 movie? No. Do I think habitually casting non-Hispanic actors in this show is a dubious practise that merits a bit more critical thought from casting directors? I do.

Have you seen Evita? What do you think about all the crying in Argentina?

D is for Doubt

Doubt

Originally opened Off-Broadway November 23, 2004

Currently: Community and regional theatres, high schools, and classrooms, most likely

Book: John Patrick Shanley

Everybody knows about: Meryl Streep was in the movie, because of course she was.

I have thoughts: I read this in an introductory theatre class in college. Haven't seen it, don't really need to. I like that it inspires thought and discussion.

Have you seen Doubt? Who do you think is right?

C is for Cyrano

Source: Wikipedia

Cyrano de Bergerac

Premiered in 1897 in Paris. The English-language version opened on Broadway in 1923.

Currently: In the U.S., the play is in the public domain. Check a theatre near you.

Book: Edmond Rostand

Everybody knows about: Cyrano had a huge nose.

I have thoughts: I saw a friend in this show a little over a year ago, and there was one moment that I thought was incredibly sad and was getting all misty. Meanwhile, the rest of the audience was laughing, and I still don't know what funny thing was happening then. When I asked my friend about it later, he said there's never any telling how an audience will react to anything. Anyway, for a sad show it's quite delightful.

Have you seen Cyrano?

B is for Billy

Source: Wikipedia.

Billy Elliot

Originally opened in the West End on May 11, 2005 (the movie preceded the stage show)

Currently: playing in the West End (it's closing next week) and touring the UK

Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Lee Hall
Book: Lee Hall

Everybody knows about: He takes ballet in secret and his family's not happy when they find out. (At least, I hope everyone knows that. It's kind of the basic plot.)

I have thoughts: Not a lot of thoughts, although I do remember the year it ran away with all the well-earned Tonys. I'd like to see this show but wouldn't go out of my way to do so. Sooner or later a high school near me has to take it on, right? I haven't seen the movie, either.

Have you seen the show? What did you think?

A is for Annie

Source: Wikipedia.

Annie

Originally opened on Broadway April 21, 1977

Currently: touring the U.S.

Music: Charles Strouse
Lyrics: Martin Charnin
Book: Thomas Meehan

Everyone knows about: Well, just pick anything, really. It's been made into a movie twice, after all. But if I were to pinpoint a most famous moment, it's probably "Tomorrow."

I have thoughts: Yes, I do. I like it better on stage than as a movie, although in a list of my favourite shows I doubt it would reach the top 20. I saw the current tour (although some of the actors have changed) when it came through Austin a year ago.

Do you like Annie? Favourite song? Favourite actor? Not your thing?

#AtoZChallenge 2016

I've gone back and forth on doing the A to Z Challenge at least once a day, especially since I'm so far behind on blogging anyway. And because I was having trouble thinking of a theme. But, hello, what has the spare time (and cash) of the last year of my life been about?

So! Beginning tomorrow, I do a theatrically themed A to Z for the month of April (Sundays excluded). Shows I like, shows I don't like, shows I've seen, shows I plan to see, shows I can happily live without seeing. These aren't going to be reviews or value judgement, just basic show facts for my own amusement. And possibly yours, too.

Here we go! Tomorrow.

Z is for Zuzu

And here we are, two years later, finally at the end of the 2014 A to Z Challenge. The new challenge starts April 1-- are you in?

Zuzu's Petals: Our Wonderful Life with God, Billy Wilson

So, full disclosure: I know the author. I dog-sat for him a few times (I loved that dog). And one of the reasons I like this book is that I can read it in his voice. However, that doesn't mean other people can't also enjoy it. It's fantastic.

Y is for Your

Whaddya know, I'm going to finish the 2014 A to Z Challenge series before the 2016 challenge starts.

Image source: Goodreads

Your Green Abode: A Practical Guide to a Sustainable Home, Tara Rae Miner

So, this one wins just because I like it better than the other Y-book on my list. Not a great recommendation, I know. In terms of green suggestions, it was just meh. Nothing groundbreaking, nothing I can do in a rental unit that I don't already do.

X is for Generation X

If I've learned nothing from scouring the end of the alphabet for books I like, it's this: I should read more X-Men. Or, you know, any X-Men at all.

Image source: Goodreads

Jeneration X: One Reluctant Adult's Attempt to Unarrest Her Arrested Development; Or, Why It's Never Too Late for Her Dumb Ass to Learn Why Froot Loops Are Not for Dinner, Jen Lancaster

I knew I could find an X-related book somewhere. Apparently this book is not as enjoyable if you've read her blog, but I haven't, so I laughed a lot.

W is for What

Almost there... finishing off the 2014 A to Z Challenge before the 2016 version starts.

My favourite W book:

Image source: Goodreads

What's Mine Is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption, Rachel Botson and Roo Rogers

Reading this book was the start of my interest in the sharing economy. Also what got me started as an AirBnB host (I'm not one any longer, but that was a fun couple of years).

Reading Challenge Update: February 2016

Here's what happened in my reading challenges in February. Links are to Goodreads, where all my reviews are written.

Books I read in February.

I Love Libraries Challenge (12/24 books so far)

Mudhouse Sabbath, Lauren F Winner
Feet of Clay, Terry Pratchett (I thought that I owned this one, but when I went looking I couldn't find it on my shelves. So apparently it was a library book.)
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Haruki Murakami
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, Laura Vanderkam
Internal Time: Chronotypes, Social Jet Lag, and Why You're So Tired, Till Roenneberg
Sidewalking: Coming to Terms with Los Angeles, David Ulin

Read it Again, Sam (1/4 books so far)

None this month! At least, none that I remember.

Woman Challenge (7/20 books so far)

Mudhouse Sabbath, Lauren F Winner
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, Laura Vanderkam
Make It Last: Prolonging + Preserving the Things We Love, Raleigh Briggs
Priscilla the Great, Sybil Nelson

Mount TBR Challenge (2/12 books so far)

Make It Last: Prolonging + Preserving the Things We Love, Raleigh Briggs
Priscilla the Great, Sybil Nelson

Goodreads Challenge (14/100 books so far)

Mudhouse Sabbath, Lauren F Winner
Feet of Clay, Terry Pratchett
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Haruki Murakami
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, Laura Vanderkam
Internal Time: Chronotypes, Social Jet Lag, and Why You're So Tired, Till Roenneberg
Sidewalking: Coming to Terms with Los Angeles, David Ulin
Make It Last: Prolonging + Preserving the Things We Love, Raleigh Briggs
Priscilla the Great, Sybil Nelson

What did you read in February? What am I missing out on?