Consumed

The last couple of months have flown by. This is probably due to the lethal combination of having a high school senior (just when you want time to slow down, it rudely speeds up), taking a couple of awesome trips (to Costa Rica and most recently to Los Angeles), and working hard on my various projects, especially Chicago’s LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER show.

We are suddenly only twelve days away from show day, and I can’t believe it, really. Though we have put so much work into the show this year, as Tracey wrote in a post on her blog a couple of days ago, it has been pure fun. We are really lucky (really, really lucky!) that we enjoy this process so much, that Tracey and I get along (and work together) so well, that we have–once again–an amazing cast.

Being in the final approach means that it’s all about tying up details right now. The bulk of the work is done. Our final rehearsal is done. The programs are ordered. And just like last year, I’m in a really good place about it all: I’m very relaxed and excitedly anticipating the audience reaction to all of the incredible stories that will be told from the stage of the Athenaeum Theatre.

And just like last year, I can hardly focus on anything else right now. I posted this status on Facebook this morning:

I’m guessing that I’ve turned off more than a couple of my Facebook friends with my constant promoting and talking about the show, but it’s a major force in my life right now. I’m sure most of my friends understand (and there’s always that “hide from news feed” option), but I felt the need to acknowledge my one-track mind this morning with that status.

And the blog. Oh my. I have a bunch of blog post ideas that aren’t related to the show at all, but I can’t write them right now.

The funny thing is, I don’t NEED to be thinking about the show all the time…but still, I do. I am excited and proud. I LIKE thinking about it. I can’t wait to share it with the audience. I am PSYCHED.

At the same time, I’m preparing myself for a little PSD: post-show depression. Today I remembered that last year on the day after the show I literally didn’t know what to do with myself because of how consumed I had been. To add insult to injury, Tracey and I went from talking three to four times a day to only once and sometimes NOT AT ALL. It was a weird feeling.

It’s okay though: I’m sure that within a week or two, after we get some rest and organized our files from LTYM CHICAGO 2013, Tracey and I will start our “What to think about for 2014 list”. And in the fall, the process begins again.

So…what’s new with you?