Keely rides again.

First things first. I finished my novel(la) and it kinda makes everything else I need to do this month seem embarrassingly easy. One act for Instant Theatre tonight? Cinchy. Three short stories by October 15th? That seems like a year away, considering every spare moment for the past two weeks has been devoted to my mystery within a mystery within a mystery. (Yes! It’s true! Are you intrigued?) Rough play for October 8th (with a scene for showcasing October 7th?) Come now. Plus, I’m really proud of this work. It’s twisty, it’s funny and, dare I toot my own horn? It’s pretty good. (Toot.)

Second things second, I have a new bike. (And a really guilty sense of self for replacing a beloved bike so soon. I feel like Hamlet’s mother.) Anyway, it’s a pretty spiffy bike. Teal Robin Hood bike from the ’60s in England. Wide handles, sweet three gears, HUMONGOUS BLACK BIKE LOCK. All the trimmings. Pictures to follow. And care to guess the name? Tealie Elizabasket. (Get it? Keely Elizabeth? Hahahaha.) It does not, as yet, have a “basket.” However, I think it’s easier to purchase said basket than rethink said name. (And that explains so much of my “process,” as it were.)

Third things…thrice, I suppose. I had a weekend of NOT carrying my laptop bag and therefore had a weekend of excellent spinal and shoulder health. Seriously, it felt like spring break to not have this project hanging over my head. I went to an excellent panel at Chicago Dramatists with artistic directors and literary managers (you know, people who “buy” “plays.” I don’t know why it’s in quotes. Maybe because they’re both crazy words to me right now.) So we got to ask questions after the panel spoke and I, oddly enough, thought I had an intelligent question. People had been talking about what types of theatre they love and hope to see…I asked which trends and themes for new works they wished would just go away and never cross their desks again…who better to tell me which projects to shelve? It got quiet as the panel thought that over. Suddenty, a little old lady (seriously, maybe 90) “whispered” to her aged husband, “That’s a DUMB question!” Uh, what happened to my Safe Space? There are no ‘dumb questions’ in theatre. Well, there are, actually. Tons. But we never admit this aloud! Learn the rules, Bluehair.

And one final plug about said one act for Instant Theatre. It’s at 8pm, FREE, at the Chi Dramatists theatre (Chicago blue line stop) and tonight’s theme is…In the Name of the Father. And every literal and crazy interpretation shall be shown. Not piqued yet? My title is “Mr. Bear Speaks His Piece.” And it ain’t Disney. So, uh, see you there?

(Happy Monday, kiddos.)

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