Day 7

Dark storm clouds threaten the theatre from the southeast, while the sunset washes over with brilliant amber from the west.

Today was my first day off, and let me say, I don't like days off. When I leave my girlfriend, my car, and my family, jump two time zones, i'm ready to work. Let's work!

It stems from my need to be productive. I don't feel productive on days off; maybe it's the unfamiliar territory. When I would do gigs for Atmosphere in DC, the urgency of unloading, setting up, focusing and dressing cable was palpable. The sooner I set up and finished, the sooner I could go home.

Okay, okay. Yes, i'm a little bitter; i'm homesick. Moving on.

Lazy day, got up late (10am or so), finally shaved (first time since I arrived), and it took FOREVER because I was so grizzled. I didn't go out much today, seeing as I did some exploring last night near the train tracks, and it's hard for me to go out and explore and not spend money (Ooh, Trader Joe's! Ooh, running store!). I flipped back and forth today from TV, laptop and reading. I did read a good bit of my book ("Last Man on the Moon" by Eugene Cernan).

Tonight was the first of many parties at the Opera. I can't remember what it was officially advertised as, but it seemed like a "get to know everyone/say hi to people from last year" mixer. There was a vague dress code, I heard everything from t-shirt and jeans (no holes) to full up suit and tie. I classed it up in my Towson polo and American Eagle jeans (my size-32 pair) and headed for the gauntlet.

The party was starting at the Cantina when I arrived; everyone was grabbing a bite to eat and some drinks (open bar!). Some of us A/V kids chatted up some of the other departments, and I hung out with Mallory (Towson grad working her fourth year here in Costumes) for a few minutes.

As the night was winding down, I experienced one of the most amazing sights.

The Opera is located on somewhat of a hill, with the audience facing the west. There's a embankment directly west, then it goes on for miles into the distance. Directly east of the Opera is Hwy 285 running north and south, followed further east by a set of hills which go up a few thousand feet (they had snow on them).

As the sun was setting in the west, storm clouds began to form over the hills to the east. An occasional thunder clap could be heard, but it was drowned out by the crowd at the Cantina. It was hard to say who recognized the storm clouds, but they hung over the hills for a while. A large group of people walked up to the back deck to watch the sun set, and were surprised to turn around and see a double rainbow over the eastern hills. The contrast from the deep amber light from the sunset into the dark, grey-green storm clouds was something I had only seen once before at home. Even though they were a mile away, the bands of rain were clearly visible on the hills. The sun continued to set, throwing orange highlights into the wispy clouds still clinging above Los Alamos further west.

Check out a video from my iPhone of the panorama -> Video from Balcony

I could get used to this.