Sometimes, I have to admit, I think my life looks a lot better on paper than it actually is.

Yesterday we had three shows of MOTOR CITY, the first of which was low energy all around and a horrible refresher course for me. The second two were much better and more solid. Three shows is unusual but for the holiday crowds, since MOTOR CITY is in a venue with less seating, we're obliged to do three. Anyway... going back...

The new cast, "my" cast, finally arrived to begin their handover process on Saturday in LA. The other guest ents and I went out for drinks and dinner Saturday night, winding up with most of the cast in a crew bar until late late late. A good night, and I think it will be a good contract.

Because of that night, Saturday, I had to really work to rouse myself and be ready for the shows. "No drinking tonight," says I. Considering that tonight's New Year's Eve and the obvious carousing to be done, a night off is advisable.

Then I ran into a couple of people, including Joe, the other male guest entertainer, and Andy, the production manager from the Vista. Joe has been working with this company for 12 years. Andy - get this - was the bass player for Loverboy. No, really. Last night we hit the officer's wardroom and... it was another long, great night. Tonight, several of us are going for dinner at six, and I think the night will continue from there. This is exhausting.

Let me go back for a moment... yes, I drank Jack & cokes til two thirty in the morning last night with the ex-bassist from Loverboy. He is now a sound engineer yet is still friends with people you'd be amazed to hear about.

It's funny, I've been having a number of bad dreams all week and today I woke up feeling like someone had punched me in the gut, spiritually. Writing about this, though, has reminded me that at least in the retelling of certain specific events, my life at least SOUNDS good right now.

For a brief ridiculous moment, I used an emoticon on my blog just after that last sentence. I am trying to limit my overall use of the :) and its friends because I'm starting to see them too much. In fact, I was part of a conversation two or three days ago where someone actually used one while speaking. It went:

"somethingsomethingsomething smiley face"
"What was that?"
"What?"
"Smiley face?"
"You know, like in an email when you want someone to know you're happy or kidding or something."
"Yes, in an email. Not when you're actually sitting here talking to me. Angry face with tongue out."

Happy New Year, one and all, to some in particular. For the Don team, 2006 was a disaster. 2007 was a rebuilding year for the franchise. There are high hopes for a pennant in 2008.

(I have nothing to base that on, but at least it's optimistic.)