Well, dear readers, I have survived the CAT scan and am here to tell the tale that must be told. But let’s go in order of the day for a change. I got nine hours of good sleep with a few wacky dreams. Once up, I answered a plethora, a veritable plethora I tell you, of e-mails. Then I had a couple of longish telephonic conversations regarding the set for Drat! The Cat! Then I girded my loins after which my loins girded me, and I left the home environment at two-thirty, just to be on the safe side because one never knows how Laurel Canyon will be. Happily, there was almost no traffic up to Mulholland Drive, and then down had a bit of slowing here and there, but nothing terribly terrible. So, I ended getting to Beverly Boulevard at three. It’s only about a half-mile from there, so I went a few blocks and then parked on the street. I played on the phone, my usual two solitaire games, and then at three-thirty, I headed to Cedars, just four blocks from there, which took ten minutes to traverse due to ill-timed signals and drivers who took night classes in ignorance. I used the Valet service, since it was the exact same cost as parking yourself. I got to the check-in desk right on time and checked in, which is simply what one should do at a check-in desk. The gal at the desk was very nice and I made her laugh, so that was nice. I was fitted with a wrist ban and handed a paper, after which I was escorted down the hall to have an IV inserted into my arm, something I was very nervous about, never having had in IV in my arm. She chose the right arm, saying the vein looked very good. She asked the same questions they always ask – any diabetes, allergies to medicines, blah, blah, blah – the answer was no to all questions. We joked back and forth as she inserted the needle into my arm. She asked if it hurt and I said, of course it did. It didn’t really though, but after about five minutes I began not to enjoy having a needle in my arm. Then I was taken to the basement floor, where I had to check-in again. I was told to sit and that someone would come gather me up when it was time. This is a riveting tale of terror, isn’t it? It reminds me of the tale of The Randy Vicar and the Phonograph Needle, a wonderful tale wherein the Randy Vicar inserted a phonograph needle into his arm so he could be long-playing, if you get my meaning, which I know you do. What the HELL am I talking about? Oh yes, the tale of terror-filled journey to the CAT scan.
I sat there and had a nice chat with a gent who was, I believe, older than I, but who had a good attitude and was fun to chat with. He was taken in and I sat. And sat. At four-thirty, right on time, a nice gal came out and called my name and then she had to talk to one other person who’d be getting an MRI in the same location as my CAT scan. We followed our gal, and it was quite a walk to the rooms where it happens. I was taken right in and yet another nice gal attended to me. It actually looked like an open MRI machine, but it wasn’t. I had to lay down on a thing, she connected a thing to the IV, and then explained to me everything that was about to happen. First, the first CAT scan would take two minutes, during which I had to be still. Then the second CAT scan she would pump the dye into my vein for that one and she said I would feel very warm while that was happening – that CAT scan would take three minutes, then I’d be done and would be walked back from whence I came, at which point I could go home.
The first CAT scan took exactly two minutes, and I did not move a single muscle. Then she did the dye thing, but I didn’t really feel warm. That one took three minutes, she unplugged the thing from the IV thing, removed the needle from my arm, and that was that. Very fast, no pain, nothing scary. I paid the parking cost – seven bucks – at a kiosk, and then it took them twenty minutes to get my car to me. Then I drove directly to Genghis Cohen for a nice meal. I was seated near a party of four who were the loudest people I have ever heard in a restaurant. I’m surprised no one said anything to them. I ordered my beloved orange chicken and also got garlic chicken. They arrived pretty quickly, and I couldn’t wait to eat. I should have waited. I’ve only had a couple of meals that were less than stellar at Genghis Cohen – this one was the worst of those. Not terrible, but nothing like they have tasted. I’m wondering if the restaurant got sold, because none of the wonderful folks who used to take care of me seem to be there anymore. Anyway, it was an expensive disappointment. I didn’t eat much of either, but boxed up the rest, hoping it would age well on the drive home. SPOILER ALERT: It didn’t. And yes, new owners circa 2015, but I’ve had quite a few great meals since then so maybe it was just an off night.
I drove home and thankfully the traffic had abated. I didn’t stop anywhere. Once home, I got in my sleeping shorts and t-shirt and then tried to eat more orange chicken but after three bites it just wasn’t happening, so I tossed the rest. I needed something to get rid of the taste, so I got a small cup of ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery. French vanilla for the ice cream, chocolate shavings, roasted almonds, and peanut butter. Quite yummilicious. I wasn’t in the mood for a motion picture, so I did stuff on the computer, including checking out the eBook of Vegas Can Be Murder. It looks spiffy. That’ll go up on Amazon in a couple of weeks. I also finally got a Meet the Cast flyer so here they are – elmore was especially interested to see it.
Aren’t they a loverly group? So, in alphabetical order, we have Ben Anderson (ensemble, patrolman), April Audia (she was in the original production of L.A. Now and Then – playing Kate), Christina Conte (Mrs. Van Guilder), Riley Croman (ensemble and dance captain), Sydney DeMaria (Alice van Guilder), Lareen Faye (ensemble), Amy Goldring (ensemble), Lee Grober (Mayor), Doug Haverty (Pincer), Angie Lin (ensemble), Hisato Masuyama (Butler and ensemble), Savannah Mortenson (Maid, ensemble), Maxwell Oliver (ensemble), Lloyd Pederson (Roger Bulldog Purefoy and Lucius van Guilder), Alec Reusch (Bob Purefoy), Rob Schaumann (Mallet), Nicole Slatin (ensemble), Melissa Strauss (ensemble), Steve Young (Doctor), and The Cat (?).
Note that everyone in the ensemble plays multiple roles throughout the show. And here we are.
Today, I’ll be up by eleven at the latest, I’ll shave and shower, then I’ll mosey on over to the theater for our four-hour rehearsal. I know we’re doing at least two or three long act two scenes today. After that, I’ll figure out food – perhaps I’ll just go to the Coral Café and get a patty melt, or maybe even a small pepperoni pizza at Dino’s. Then I’ll come home and watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow is a ME day, plain and simple. I shall laze about in my lounging pyjamas and occasionally do a pirouette whilst eating a beef stick. That, of course, reminds me of the tale of The Randy Vicar and the Beef Stick. That one’s a rouser. Monday is a ME day or at least a partial ME day. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we finish up act two – we really must get it all done. Then on Saturday we begin assembling the show and then we begin daily run-throughs.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up by eleven at the latest, shave and shower, have a rehearsal, eat, then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: Best Chinese food you’ve ever had? Details, favorite dishes, etc. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to be over the CAT scan and happy it was simple and easy.