Checking In

A catch-all, catch-up post

There are 1,126 posts filed in Checking In (this is page 25 of 113).

A-Caroling we won’t go

The cast list of the 2012 production of A Christmas Carol was posted today and alas there’s nary a Turner on it. I’m told the theatre had a tough time deciding because of all the talented people who auditioned this year. Oh, well. We all gave it our best shots and that’s all you can do, right?

I still hope to do a play someday. Perhaps something a bit less grandiose for starters. A Christmas Carol has been run like a well-oiled machine for 38 years now. It’s probably not the best choice of starting out.

The Turners are still all in for being zombies for this month’s Haunted Mordecai trolley rides (same as last year but with Kelly and Hallie, too). Look for us there!

The full cast list is below the fold.
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AWOL on last night’s debate

I’ve been flying solo with the kids for most of this week as my lovely and talented wife was away for business. She’s back now but while she was gone I had my hands full with kid duties. As such didn’t feel compelled to turn on the TV during last night’s debates. Yeah, as much as I like politics I didn’t even watch. I didn’t think I’d learn anything about the candidates that I didn’t already know.

I suppose this is how the majority of voters probably feel. With as much as people hate all the negative advertising being pushed by political consultants, it takes a special kind of person to willingly tune into watch more blood-boiling political scrapping.

From the reviews I’ve read, though, I wasn’t the only one AWOL from last night’s debate. In addition to the truth and the moderator, our president apparently didn’t feel the need to show up. Obama must not have read my critique of his speaking skills because it seems Professor Obama showed up in President Obama’s place. It takes a royal screw-up on Obama’s part to make Mitt Romney look like the human one.

I agree with some pundits’ opinion that most folks have made up their mind by now. Some say that debates mean little in the long run. Still, Obama wants to hang on to his job he’d better show more fire from here on out.

Log Cabin Republicans for Romney?


I found this tweet today that raised my eyebrows:

Britt Marsh
@designlessthts

the facebook says that two of my gay friends “like” mitt romney. I’m gonna hope that was some fluke. now I really want to puke even more.

Reply Retweet Favorite
9:21 AM – 27 Sep 12 ·

Could this be more Hacked by Mitt Romney hijinks?

Auditioning for A Christmas Carol

Number 38

Well, that isn’t something that I do every day.

I just got back from auditioning for a part in the ensemble for Ira David Wood’s A Christmas Carol. I was number 38 of 39 people auditioning tonight and it felt like a whirlwind, and not just because the staff was trying to wrap up an undoubtedly long day.

I had just arrived at the theatre after visiting the Titanic exhibit at the Museum of Natural Sciences with my family. We spent an hour wandering through the exhibit, learning about the various passengers who would soon die horrible, drowning deaths. In hindsight it wasn’t the, uh, best way to put me in a jovial mood to sing my upbeat song.

I decided to audition a few weeks ago when a friend forwarded me an email with the details. Yes, I’m crazy busy: holding down a job with ever-increasing demands, chairing two city boards, occasionally helping out with campaigns, and trying to save some time for the wife and kids. It is nuts that I even considered it.

But you know what? Acting is something that’s been on my bucket list for many, many years. My life may be busy now, but I intend for it to one day get a lot busier. If I don’t take the opportunities that come my way, I might not ever get a chance again. You’re damn straight I was going to show up.
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Taking to the stage?

One of the many things on my bucket list is to play a role in a musical. A friend let me know about upcoming auditions for Theatre in the Park’s production of A Christmas Carol. With encouragement from Kelly, yesterday I made an appointment to audition for a spot in the ensemble.

My last audition was over 25 years ago, at South Mecklenburg High School for a role in the musical South Pacific. I think I did well because there was discussion about me playing the lead role of Lieutenant Cable. Ultimately I opted not to be in the play because drama was the realm of my brother, Allen, and I didn’t want to crowd him. Probably more accurate, though, was that I was still extremely shy and had little self-confidence.

The kids were excited when I mentioned the play and now they want to audition, too! Picking out good audition songs for them is proving to be difficult but they sure have no problem performing before crowds.

While Kelly is sitting this one out, she has enthusiastically agreed to join the kids and I as we reprise our roles as zombies for the Haunted Mordecai trolley ride again this year. Boo!

Neighborhood Exchange and horse show

I woke up early this morning to attend the 9th annual Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange, where I was a speaker. My topic was “How to Build Healthy Neighborhoods” and, unlike last year, I was flying solo for this presentation. Going in, I had little to no idea what I would be speaking about but I think I managed to weave my insights together in a coherent manner.

After giving the presentation twice, I attended the keynote speech that Chief Harry Dolan gave, where once again he provided me with the title of a leadership book I should read. It was nice to say hello to him again and to meet so many interesting fellow citizens.

After the Exchange was over, I met the family at home again where we all relaxed a bit at home. I left with the kids for a trip to Habitat’s ReUse store to buy any outdoor ceiling fans they might have had. It was two minutes before they closed but we still managed to bring one home.
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Stretched a bit thin

I’ve been staying up way too late and getting up way too early lately. I’m starting to feel the effects.

Thus, though I have a lot to write about, I shan’t be doing it here tonight.

Hopscotch weekend


Way back at Christmas, my lovely wife Kelly got me two Hopscotch tickets for my present. This weekend we cashed them in during Hopscotch 2012.

It was everything I’d hoped it would be. We saw many, many bands from the start of Hopscotch Thursday evening until our last show around midnight last night. Kelly’s parents stayed with us and took care of kid duty while Kelly and I got out to see the shows.

We’ve had a busy day today and so I have not had time to properly blog about my experience but I hope to catch up a bit tomorrow. As for tonight, I’ve got a lot of sleep to catch up on and won’t be describing my incredible Hopscotch experience tonight (yes, it sucks getting old).

Good night, y’all!

Off the grid and on the lake

We spent the weekend off the grid, so to speak, as we stayed at a friend’s lakehouse on Lake Gaston. Most of our time was spent on the water in some boat or another, though we did visit a bit with our good friends the Naylors (and their friends Bill and Sue) at their lakehouse.

We’re glad to be back home and settled in on a rainy “school night.” We’re glad to have gotten in a trip to the lake and look forward to our next visit.