Where The Heart Is.

voltee ♦ September 20, 2011 ♦ 3 Comments

Item: Trousers Color/Fabric: Grey, polyester/viscose Designer: Cartonnier Where Purchased: Anthropologie Years Owned: Less than one

Whew. Another exhausting evening! Last night it was due to watching the Emmy Awards. Tonight it is from mannequin wrangling.
I just spent the last 30 minutes dressing Trixie, undressing Trixie, trying to find a pole for her to balance on, propping her on a trunk, on a chair, on the railing of my stairs. Finally, I had the brilliant idea to hang her! That, also, took me more than one attempt, and then, presto! The trousers finally looked presentable.
The troubles were numerous. First of all, Trixie has no hips, butt, or legs. And I certainly do. So items that fit my lower body tend to look silly on Trixie. Two- these trousers are of the paper bag variety. This means that they are a little harem-esque. And that means that the rise is long, and slouchy. Or, to quote one of my most favorite tv shows, “Plenty of room in Kevin Arnold’s crotch!!”
I am a fan of this look, when it is done right. Done right, it is very 1940’s, and they make me feel like Katherine Hepburn. And that is always a good thing! Done wrong, and it is not unlike wearing a saggy diaper. And that is always a bad thing!
So I had the hardest time photographing them. I think this picture is the best I could do. Please note; my mama cat was so very curious about this new incarnation of Trixie. She meowed at her for many minutes…
And that was what you call a very long intro…
Maybe I am procrastinating. This is a hard post for me to write.
Tonight, my friend Angelica reminded me that she had seen the blouse I wrote about this morning recently. I thought for a few moments about when that might have been, and then I remembered. It was at an event for my beloved Center (The Center For Performing Arts At Rhinebeck- centerforperformingarts.org/ ). And I knew that I had to write about it.
I could have chosen, really, almost any single piece in my wardrobe in connection with the Center. I think almost everything I own has either been worn to a show, worn in a show, or worn to rehearsal for a show. But I chose these trousers because the event I wore them to is a great example of why I love the Center so dearly.
We went to a performance of A Midsummer’s Night Dream,one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I was excited to see this version, starring so many of my very talented friends, and set in the 1930’s. And I wasn’t disappointed! I was surprised that it translated so perfectly to the 30’s era, and astounded by the performers, all of them, but especially the children.
After the show, there was a little party in honor of Volunteer Week. Food and wine and gratitude were abundant, and I felt so fortunate to be a part of such a supportive family.
I know that most of you know what has happened to the Center since Hurricane Irene. And if you don’t, this is a great, though shocking, article that came out last weekend. Be sure to watch the video- it is staggering.
poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20110917/NEWS01/109170334/Rhinebeck-s-Center-Performing-Arts-shows-will-go-despite-flooding?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|PoughkeepsieJournal.com
I can’t really describe what the Center means to me. It just never felt like home to me here before I found it. And it’s hard for me living in New York, being so far away from my family. The Center has provided me with some of the best friends I’ve ever known. It’s given me opportunity for creative growth and nourished me artistically.
Before I moved here, when I was terrified at the prospect of moving to a far away place, a friend told me that when I lived here I could go see a matinee once a month on Broadway. I thrilled at the idea of it! That turned out to be economically unfeasible, but once I became involved with the Center, my theater world opened in a way I never thought would be possible. So much art has filled my life because of the Center. I’ve seen and been a part of so many shows that I had never seen or knew anything about. And along the way I’ve laughed a lot, cried a river of tears, grown in so many ways, conquered challenges I never thought I could, and had endless amounts of fun. It’s been wonderful and difficult and magical.
And I know that it will be again! Shows and rehearsals are still going on, just in different places. It’s hard to keep a good thing down- we will come back better then ever! The Center is loved by too many people. We will come together and heal it.
That I know.
Well. What is less certain is if I should keep these trousers. Nate hates them. Hates. A lot. But I don’t…

**I’m still torn about these trousers. The votes are divided, like my heart. I could use more input!