No, Greek Food is not the name of a show at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. Besides running from show to show, there are moments when it is good to stop out on the Green Lawn of Fabulousness for a drink and food with friends. I could do a whole series of sketches of all the food trucks on the lawn and the endless dramas that play out as people wait in line.
For instance, I wanted to get an ice cream and to do so you are given a beeper after you pay. As I was waiting, Zelda Grey who is the powerhouse singer from Liquid Sunshine 2, stopped to say hello. I am a huge fan of her singing prowess and I was shocked and pleased that she knew about my theater sketch habit. Just as we started talking, the buzzer started going off in my pocket. Should I ignore it? I really wanted to find out what was happening in Zelda’s life. Her show is part concert and part a joyful exploration of what it takes to find meaning and balance in life. There is no better subject for conversation. The buzzing continued. She must have heard the tell-tale buzzing from my pocket. Is that a buzzer in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? I finally excused myself and rushed to the counter to get my 2 scoops of ice cream. When I rushed back Zelda was gone. I must have seemed so rude, a fan who chose ice cream over conversation.
I settled in under a tree to enjoy my treat and then set up do this sketch of the Greek Food booth. I did order Greek food on another day at the Fringe. I had a lamb Gyro and wrestled with the large pita sandwich with Tzatziki flowing down my finger into my palms as my friend confided that there were huge changes occurring in life. I licked my fingers and slurped the sauce out of my palm as I listened. One napkin wasn’t enough for the mess I was making. I have been through similar seismic shifts, so there was plenty to talk about.
I have settled into my art studio rental, just north of Lake Eola and go through each day in complete silence. I don’t have a radio or TV set up. I do have a TV room which only has a TV which has never been plugged in or used. I was given the TV by a past roommate who was given a huge wide screen by a sibling. I will have to get a couch if I ever want to use that space as a normal Living room.
The point is, that I have grown accustomed to the quiet. I am learning how to switch over to a plant-based diet which should improve my health. I am also scrambling around each day shopping to find things that will get my studio space up and running. It is strange to be nesting after traveling and living out of a back pack for so long. I don’t even have an easel or lights for the painter’s studio room. I ordered three sets of curtains for three windows. I picked up the curtain order from Home Depot and found I only got 3 curtains which is only good for one and a half windows. I was very clear that I had 3 windows that needed 3 SETS of curtains. No one seems to listen when I communicate. Better to just keep painting and writing, casting thoughts into the void with the hope that someone will eventually hear.