My retirement has officially begun. On Monday May 21, I had lunch with Deepa Liegel and Reid Conlon. They were in town for the wedding of Nicole Carson and to attend the Meadows Diploma Ceremony. Both of them live in New York now. It is that typical New York story. Deepa is an apprentice with the Limon company, dancing from 9-5 and getting a salary. She is being considered as a permanent member of the company. Reid is dancing for Elisa Monte, getting paid only for performances (even then, not that much), rehearsing Tuesdays and Thursdays for four hours. His contract is up soon. He is not going to seek a renewal. He works part time at a high end cosmetics store (something like Kiehl’s). I talked about this with my students all the time. You and your best friend could go to New York together. In a week, one could be on Broadway and the other might take a few years to get somewhere. It is a crapshoot and does not have a lot to do with talent. Reid and Deepa both have talent to spare. He will be fine.
On Tuesday, I had a second steroid injection from Dr. Pablo Zeballos to alleviate my lumbar stenosis. It is amazing how quickly it works. It is, however, a bit expensive. I have my Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas benefits through the end of July and plan on using them as much as possible.
Wednesday, I had the dreaded Jury Duty. I had deferred as many time as I could. Finally wrote and said I could not consider serving until after graduation, May 19. Sure enough, I get called on May 23. I served on a criminal case about two years ago and it was hideous experience, concerning child abuse. I have strong memories about the case and feel the defendant was found guilty because he had an awful attorney. So – I reported at 8am, one group was finally called around 9:30 and the rest of us just sat and waited. We were all dismissed around 11am and there was an audible sigh of relief in the room. I can’t be called again for six months. That would be mid-November. I hope to defer until my 71st birthday. At 71 you are excused permanently. Here’s hoping.
I have on more bit of business in the Division of Dance, my keys. These are the keys I was given when I first started teach at SMU in August of 2005. They are apparently very unique. I have my office key and the key to the dance office linked together.
Also have keys for B-100, Studio B-120, and 1430 upstairs. This is apparently unusual. It was great for me to come in over break, open the studio and work on my classes or choreography. I am in negotiation to have them given to Brandi. She should have them. There is some pushback referring to “security” issues but I think that is a bit bogus. Someone on the dance faculty should have those keys and that access. There are a lot of policy decisions made that don’t make much sense or are not thought through. Earlier this year there was a security policy put in place that we needed to report our whereabouts at all times when we were in the building – outside our regular teaching schedules. That kind of just faded away but at the time it was presented as a matter of life and death. Anyway, I don’t have to bother with that anymore.
It is a done deal. Went to Meadows today and matched all the keys I had to the studios. As luck would have it, Brandi was there rehearsing. She now has keys to the dance office, B-100, B-120 and 1430. I put Patty’s key other new office and that will go into the mail later this afternoon!
