“The More Things Change”

Tuesday August 8th, 2023
From the messy desk of Amanda Eichstaedt…

The more they stay the same…

On Saturday, August 5 I tested positive for COVID. I knew there was a good chance that I was going to come down with the virus after a significant exposure last Wednesday, and sure as shootin’ exactly three days post exposure (Wednesday being day zero), my skin started feeling “sick,” and I was down with the “VID.” My first time!

It was avoidable, but it happened. We have lost our edge, and want to feel like the world is “back to normal.” Which, upon consideration, will never be the case, so let’s just be smart about our behavior going forward, okay? I was very careful post exposure to not introduce the pandemic virus to anyone else that I was dealing with. This involved rescheduling some things. It was a total PITA.

More than anything else, it has been a hassle. I’m doing ok, and will wait it out and test negative before emerging into the world. Thanks to technology, I can make all my programming work. Whew.

Yesterday I searched for, and ordered some old school tube socks, with red stripes (per Producer/Director Sharron Drake’). I used to wear socks like this in the 1980s with pride, although I preferred light blue stripes and there are photos to prove it. Had I not come down with the dreaded VID, I would likely have ventured out to see the new Barbie movie by now (talk about a throwback). 

Rockin’ the baby blue tube socks and bangs. I don’t show as much thigh these days. 

After the tree crushed our roof this past winter, we cleaned out the attic. I gifted all my funky barbies to others. My mom would never buy a “new” Barbie, so all my dolls were retro when I got them, purchased at the local Goodwill. I don’t miss them, and was not sure what I was saving them for at this point. Go forth and adventure, vintage Barbies, now is your time!

I have had to sit out of some rehearsals for “A Comedy of Errors” but you can now snag individual tickets HERE. Many thanks to the Kickstarter funders, you are very appreciated. I am playing an officer of the law. My role is minimal, but do get to wear tube socks. The whole cast is absolutely fabulous!

When I was feeling exceptionally cruddy, I rewatched Pee Wee’s Big Adventure to take my mind off my aches. It did not disappoint. RIP to Paul Reubens. You will be missed, but your Playhouses live on in perpetuity. If we could all be so lucky.

Waylon and I hanging in the guest room.  photo: AE

So, the word on the day is “respect” AHHHHHHHAAAAHHHHH (a la Pee Wee). Respect yourselves and one another, and remember, there is no basement at the Alamo. Make good decisions, remember that COVID is still around (County and Country are seeing a surge), and pull out some old embarrassing photos of yourself and post them on the internet! Why not?

Amanda Eichstaedt 
Station Manager and Executive Director 

p.s. Have you signed up for the Blood Drive on Saturday, August 12th yet? I’ll be there if I can be! Just click on the blue link and make an appointment. As Count Dracula likes to say, “I vant to suck your blood!” There is a real shortage so you can be hero!