Moliere

20th March 2008

As he knelt on the cold stone floor of the dark, abandoned warehouse, Julian became suddenly aware of the strange noises echoing through the corrugated iron roof, and he began to wonder how he had got himself into this mess.

His heart sank as he remembered the initial conversation outside the school gates, being asked if sometime in the vague future he would mind helping design the set for a little play at Castiglione Del Lago.
It seemed such a good idea at the time…

My new office - the warehouse of the Lago Trasimeno Touring Theatre Company

Now, with a set of keys to the old warehouse, and not a soul in sight, he was faced with sixty square metres of set to design and produce single-handedly for a 17th Century Moliere play, ‘School for wives’, being performed in a month before going on tour around this part of Italy.

Yes, every night for the last couple of weeks, I have been wending my weary way to this old warehouse where they prepare the sets. It has to be at night because I am using an overhead projector, so the place is very quiet. It’s a little odd, as there never seem to be any actors rehearsing, or any lighting or sound people doing whatever they do. Nothing. No-one. Except me.

I must learn to start saying no.

The stupidest thing I did today;

Still couldn't say no when I got 'tagged' by Anne
and here are my answers;

What I was doing 10 years ago:
Living in London, teaching Art, wondering what I would be doing in 10 years time

Five things on my to-do list today:
Chip more render off the outside walls of the house
Pay a huge bill, in cash, for our permissions to renovate the house
Try to finish our website (that’s been on quite a few to-do lists recently)
Fix my daughter’s already-broken bicycle
Prepare myself mentally and physically for indoor football tonight

Snacks I enjoy:
Does red wine count as a snack?

Things I would do if I was a Billionaire:
Wear cashmere during the day
Get someone else to chip the render off the house
Get someone else to fix the bicycle
Get someone else to finish the website
Pay the huge bill, in cash, and laugh
Drink better red wine in the evening
Sleep better at night

Three of my bad habits:
You’ll have to ask my wife, I'm not sure I have any...

Five places I have lived:
Malta
Norfolk
London
Kingston
Italy

Five jobs I have had:
Paperboy
Barman
Book Illustrator
Teacher
Unskilled builder

and the list of those hapless few I now have to 'tag';

Chris - How to be happy
Miranda Taxis at Il Pero
Jeff in Puglia
Sally at Casalba
Maryann at Finding La Dolce Vita

Comments

[Sally]

I've done it Julian and it was very painful - the next glass of red wine is on you.

[Di]

Red wine is also medicinal.

[Linda]

Oh darn! I just tagged you guys for the very same meme. Anyway, it was fun to read your answers. I am so with you on the red wine addiction!

[Cherrye]

I know I've seen this blog before, but forgot to bookmark you. So glad I restumbled here today. Wonderful meme, actually! And, not only does red wine count as a snack, it also counts as fruit!

Good luck with your list!

[Antonina]

Dear Julian, you do get yourself into some quandaries,you must know by now that any Italian with an ounce of common sense does not do any thing at dinner time, its dinner and a walk or visit with friends , only foreigner's go out and do work at night.You 've got to be more assertive, but then how terrific are you to do this.You'll make your family proud when your sets are traveling about Italy for all to admire.

[Joe]

red wine definitely counts as a snack. I think I'm about to have several snacks. Buona Pasqua to you and your family.

[nicki]

Kingston? I miss Kingston, thanks for reminding me....hot cross buns hot cross buns hot cross buns....ha!

[Jeff]

It is Easter weekend so I'll try to respond to the meme on Tuesday when I'm back at work and no one feels like working, like Friday...

Jeff

[Maryann]

Hi Kids and Buona Pasqua!
I'm thinking of doing a "100 things about me" post when I hit my 100th post (which is right around the corner). I figure it answers all the past memes I've been tagged for that I conveniently forget to do ;)

[Sally]

I'm very flattered, honest I am. Particularly as I'm a 'newbie' and still very green at this. It's just that I have to go back to the UK tomorrow. Is there a time out on these, or can you bear with me for a week? Should that be 'bare'? No, I think I got it right the first time. Very best wishes, Sally

[Anne]

Hi so pleased you did the meme!!! Not only did you live in Norfolk where by best friend lives, you also lived in Malta, My fathers family came from there!!!

Thanks for doing that, I will be back to read again soon.

Happy Easter!!!