Hello, all. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get on the 'puter and throw in my really helpful two cents. I see quite a few new names, and even a new moderator. I’ve missed being a small part of the Dope, but here I am to catch ya all up on the saga that is Shane’s life.
The contractor just ordered the block for the foundation. Code these days says you have to start out with 12" cinder block, but the old foundation is made for 8". They’re gonna let us just use 8" and fill it with cement, which will actually be stronger. So, building will start within the week (hopefully).
Tomorrow (well, later tonight) is the first performance of Of Mice and Men at the Little Theater of Winston-Salem. Mom is Stage Manager, I’m Assistant Stage Manager, and dad is Carlson. It’s been kinda tense, but I think it’s gonna be a great show. The chick who plays Curley’s Wife is really hot. Not in a supermodel kinda way, but in the girl next door kinda way. This cast is great.
I’m also working on a professional show at another theater, a show at my old high school, and I’ve been asked to be the Technical Director on that school’s musical this spring. Ms. S, who was the TD after I graduated, quit doing theater suddenly for stress/depression related issues suddenly, and they asked me to resume her duties. It’s a paying job, so that’s cool.
Dad has been acting really weird recently. After rehearsals on our show, he just leaves without saying anything to my mom. Dad is the kinda guy who doesn’t recognize his feelings, bottles them up, lashes out whenever my mom tries to talk to him, that kinda thing. He’s just an all-around asshole. Well, when I finally got home tonight, mom confronted him and made him talk with her. When I got home from playing pool tonight, they were in the living room talking, mom was crying. I’m pretty sure they’re gonna get divorced. I’m worried for mom, but I think it’s about time. She’d be better off with out Asshole. I don’t call Dad, because that’s a term of endearment. I don’t call him Father, because that’s a term of respect. So, he’s just Asshole. He told Mom that the house burning down was the best thing that ever happened to him. It made him free. In fact, it’s obviously the worst thing that’s ever happened. He stopped taking his depression medication because it made hime feel weird (it made him less of an asshole, which he can’t stand). He might be going through some kind of mid-life crisis, he’s at a new job, his house burned down and his favorite member of the family died (the dog, Ginger), and he’s in a play. Asshole is more suited for the part of Carlson than anyone I know. He is Carlson. Fucking asshole. He also gets violent when he gets really pissed off. If he hits my mom, I swear to Christ I will go so fucking apeshit on his ass, he will wish he died in that fire.
My best friend here (not my best friend, but my best friend in NC) told me he’s bi. It’s weird. We’ve had conversations about not being able to imagine being with another guy. We both agreed that if either of us ever turned gay, Matt (a good gay friend of ours) would be the first guy we’d do. And now he is bi. It’s just kinda weird.
I got attacked by a wild African servile. I’ve never even heard of a servile, which I understand now is a generic kinda cat species, until we found one in our back yard. I thought is was another one of them damn neighbor cats having a territorial hissy-fit. So, I went out to shoo it away, and it attacked me. Bit me above the left knee. (dad found this all really funny, went up stairs, said to mom “go look at your boys”, and went to bed.) I trapped the cat under a box, and mom called Animal Control. Turns out this Wild african cat is a neighbor’s exotic pet, and the Animal Shelter won’t tell us who it is because we intend to sue. And the animal control guy who eventually caught and caged the damned thing is from Bend, OR. I’ve been to Bend manny times, and that’s where my best friend, Vince, lives. Small world. I have a polaroid of the cat I can show anyone who emails me (shaneriggs@hotmail.com). I don’t know how to post pics in this forum, and I’m too lazy to figure out how.
So, that’s what’s up with me. Thanks for reading and/or caring. Luv you guys!
Oh, and congratulations, Manny!