Travel hell

Greetings from Indianapolis. Getting here was probably the worst travel day we've ever had. We had come to Baton Rouge from Columbus,and somebody higher up than me decided instead of flying us right to Indy,it would be better to get a round-trip from Columbus to Baton Rouge and back to Columbus,and then take a bus to Indy. Annoying. But it gets even better! We had to check out of our hotel at noon,but our flight wasn't until 5PM,so that involved sitting around the Baton Rouge airport all day. It's a nice little airport,but the emphasis is on the word "little". Then our flight kept getting delayed because of bad weather in Houston. We didn't take off until close to 8. When we finally got to Houston all the food places had just closed. Luckily our connecting flight was also delayed from 7:45 until 11 PM,and even then we didn't take off until close to midnight. We finally landed in Columbus at 3AM and they managed to lose several pieces of our luggage. Mine were both there - thank God for small favors. So we then get on the bus and FINALLY arrive in Indy at 6:30 this morning. At least we're off till Friday.

But last week was a good week anyway. Baton Rouge is only an hour from New Orleans,and in the immortal words of Bart Simpson,"When the Big Easy calls,ya gotta accept the charges!" I went down there twice. First with Laurie,Carmela and Carlos and then the second time with Jamie and David. It's slowly but surely recovering from Katrina. I've noticed a difference even in the year since I was there last. The jazz scene,which was hardest hit,is starting to make a comeback.

More personnel changes. Our Ass't Carpenter,Stephanie,has left the tour. She's been replaced by our Ass't Electrician,Dave. Dave is the one who replaced RJ awhile back. So we have a new Ass't Electrician,Lee. There will be more changes comin'!

Indy all this week and Norfolk VA next week.

The End Is Near

Some big news! I have been offered a role in "La Cage Aux Folles" at the Ogunquit Playhouse this summer. I did "Cabaret" up there last year and had a terrific time,so I will be leaving the pony tour on July 1st. It was a very hard decision,but ultimately it came down to the fact that I haven't had the chance to sing or act in almost a year. Plus,I've also been assured that there will be a spot for me on the tour next year. Yes,the pony tour WILL be going out again in the fall for another go-round. I'm not guaranteed to be on it - they might switch me over to one of the Sesame Street shows - but I will most likely have some sort of job with this company for the forseeable future. Regardless of what happens,the blog WILL continue over the summer.

So we have FINALLY reached the end of our 5 straight split weeks! After Topeka we hit Lincoln NE and Rockford IL and are now in Columbus OH. About time too,because the crew is ready to drop. Jamie's boyfriend is visiting this week,so I don't have my usual "go-out-and-do-stuff-with" buddy for this city. At least it's a city I'm familiar with - I've been here several times before. Columbus is kind of a cool town. There are some very cool bars and also some very interesting art-deco architecture in the downtown area.

Coming Monday - Baton Rouge,and our 1st days off in over a month! (And only an hour from New Orleans!)

"The House Began To Twitch..."

No,I'm not dead! Just very busy in Ponyland. When last we spoke,I had just arrived in Corinth Mississippi. Quite possibly the most "Southern Redneck" place I have ever visited. That was followed by Vicksburg MS,which is a quite charming little Mississippi River town,and then Cape Girardeau MO,a not quite so charming Mississippi River town. We are now in Topeka KS and under tornado and flood watches. As I'm sure you have all seen on the news,this whole region has been socked by them the last few days. My buddy Don,who lives down near Wichita,was going to come up and hang out tonight,but both bridges leading out of his town were underwater,so he couldn't quite make it. I've never seen a tornado in person. I think it's something I would like to see at some point in my life,but from VERY FAR AWAY!

We will be here till Thursday and then the second half of our 4th straight split week (ugh) will be in Lincoln NE.

Coming soon...a major announcement!