Waiting for Recess

As you know, Mrs. Wada's class room is in the living room and I'm camped out in the back patio.  Usually when nature calls, I am able to sneak into the house through the front door, trek just out of sight of Zoom and make to the bathroom.  It all usually goes well.

Unless the front door is locked.  I had to wait for recess to get the attention of Mrs. Wada to open the front door.  You should have visions of me holding up my hand, jumping up and down shouting "Mrs. Wada, Mrs. Wada, I need to go to the bathroom!!!!!!

Dreams

Im sitting here listening to PBS concerts in the on a Sunday night.  I keep it in the background as I frantically try to finish this years' film.  This is year four, and as usual, I am past the deadline.  (Note, the Digital Histories program films will be online on Sat. Sept.26th at 12 noon.  Films will remain on line for a few days after the initial showing)

Did I say year four?  Well I find myself making the same crucial mistakes that can ruin the film.  Sound is everything.  It is impossible to fix, and yes, I am trying to fix the audio track to a critical section of the film.

I digress, as I am listening to the concerts, it came to me that if I had a dream of what I would like to do in another life, one would be play the piano and the other, be a back up singer.  Yeah, you read that right, not the lead singer, the back up that stands in the back off to the side wearing black.  They must know how to harmonize, timing, not overshadow the lead, and add to the performance without being noticed.  Their performance is critical and adds to the song's nuances.  Now this is different than being one of the Pips or number three of the four tops.  I don't dance and don't dress in flashy superbly suits (wait, this is a dream isn't it?)  It is too bad I don't have a singing voice, sense of rhythm and too inhibited (had to look that up).

I am getting a little whacko as my peak creative hours are from 10pm to 2am.  That is why most of my posts are timestamped around 1am.  Time to get back to editing before my stage coach turns into a pumpkin.  A Johnny Cash concert in a prison is on.

Reminders

As time passes in recovery, you tend to forget about your past health issues.  Then every once in awhile something jolts you back.  Back to uncertainty,  fear and thankfulness.  Chadwick Boseman, an actor as died of Colon Cancer at the age of 43  He is famous for various roles in movies, the latest being the Black Panther.

Colon Cancer still remains in the top 5.  These are symptoms to look for.

• Any major change in bowel habits
• Blood in the stool that is either bright red, black or tarry
• Unintentional weight loss
• Stools that are narrower than usual
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• General abdominal discomfort, such as frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness and/or cramps
• Constant feeling of fatigue or tiredness
• New onset anemia diagnosed on routine lab work

                                                                                                                Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute

Upon reflection, I would have to select:  all of the above.  

Studio Wada Annexation

Mrs. Wada's class has started virtually on Zoom this past week.  Therefore the house has once again transformed into Studio Wada.  Over the brief summer break of two weeks, the studio was put into storage.  But as time passed, it was evident that Studio Wada was to be resurrected once Superintendent Buetner announced that LAUSD would start the school year at home.

It became evident that modifications were needed. We tripped over the curtain tripods we had gotten used to not being there.  They once again became obstacles in the day and the darkness of night in search of a cold drink.  Did I mention that we are going through a heat wave?  Up went ceiling rods to hold up a brighter blue backdrop.  Wheels were installed on the magnetic board, the camera view and mic were tested to see if the stuff we are hiding was in view through Zoom.

Her computer with two screens and a laptop used as a off screen monitor to keep track of her twenty students (and parents) were tested.  We even hard wired the internet in to take advantage of the added speed upgrade and minimize any wifi commentary glitches.  That does not take in account the possible rolling blackouts in California.

Four weeks of summer instruction is now a minimum of 3 months.  and as if Murphy did exist, the next door neighbor started construction of their 2nd story addition.  Or should I say destruction of their house.  Bulldozer, hammering, jack hammer, etc. starts at 7:30am and lasts until 3:30 in the afternoon.  All the modifications to studio Wada are now may be for not as the noise travels freely throughout the house.

But we noticed that the youngest son's back room that has a tendency to be hotter or colder that the rest of house also is a bit quieter than the rest.  At least the noise is not as jarring and you can be heard easily.  Therefore Studio Wada expanded to sound stage 2.  The temporary curtain was set up, the old 42" tv and spare monitor set up and a older Mac mini and leftover components dug out of electronic purgatory.

In the meantime, George's work is being moved where ever there is space, up until last week it was the backyard patio.  Previously it was out front under the tree and umbrella.

Who Is That Masked Man?

I have been having dental issues lately and been visiting various dentists to address the problems.  A broken tooth too me to my dentist, then a specialist in root canals, then a oral surgeon.  If I ran into any of the Drs. or their staff on the street, I would not recognize them.

A fellow worker took me aside to ask me if I was confident in the safety of visiting a Dental Office.  My experience in all cases is that they are all taking the precautions needed to protect everyone.  Full PPE for all staff.

I walk into waiting rooms with seats blocked off, plexiglass shielding, forms specifically for Covid 19, pens that are constantly sanitized, temperature taken before entering the exam rooms,  and for necessity, I am the only one not wearing a mask.

After leaving the office, I dutifully use my hand sanitizer in my car that has been carefully hidden in a compartment away from the heat.

I always wondered how no one could figure out who the Lone Ranger was, now I know.......

Digital Age

I’m slowly catching up on using zoom.  I figured out the mute button (or space bar), how to log on (for some reason it is registered under Clare Moore), inserting a selected background (to hide my clutter) and setting up in the backyard with the laptop.   Since I am using the camera, I need to look less homeless and more presentable (minimum prep, hair semi combed) and finally,  look like I’m paying attention.

I’m writing this during one of my zoom meetings (3 today), holding the phone below the table and out of sight.  The problem with writing my notes on my phone is that there are no doodles, diagrams, or clandestine  comments.

I miss ink and paper, and as a concession to the digital age, I scan it onto my computer.  Oops, Im late to another Zoom meeting.