An evening of apparitions

It's kind of a crappy photo, but the flash really didn't take from the view from my 3rd row seat at the High Point Theatre Saturday night for yet another performance of A Christmas Carol. Quite possibly my all-time favorite holiday play/book/movie. I take that back, it's EASILY my all-time favorite play/book/movie. It was the George C. Scott cinematic version on TV that got me hooked, and ever since I have strived to see whatever version I can.

Anyway, after work, it was a trip to Liberty Steakhouse and Brewpub in High Point for some Oatmeal Stout and a huge ass slab of meatloaf. Liberty is by far the least of our immediately local brewpubs: Foothills, Natty Greene's, then Liberty. I'd venture to drive the hour to either Carolina Brewery locations in either Chapel Hill or Pittsboro before Liberty. Most of their beers are subpar in my opinion, but their Oatmeal Stout and their seasonals are tasty. The current seasonal is a Light Carb Light Lager, so I passed. Oatmeal Stout goes better with meatloaf and mashed potatoes anyway. Besides, I was in High Point anyway, so why not?

After dinner, it was the quick jaunt from the brewpub to the other side of High Point University and the theatre. Another quality performance, although I was sad to see the theatre just a smidge over half full. Half full! It's opening weekend, people! Come on out and support the arts! That was a little disheartening to see, as I immediately worry that the plug will be pulled and they'll cancel it next year.

Between the Greensboro tree lighting last night, and A Christmas Carol tonight, the holiday season is truly underway for me.

(And looking back on last December's posts, looks like I missed out on one year exactly (2007's performance to 2008's) by a mere two days: http://thehouseofgordon.blogspot.com/2007/12/business-establishment-of-scrooge-and.html)

The "one to two months until something opens up in Greensboro" saga is over.

Chris is finally moving from the land of John Coltrane back to the land of O. Henry. The busiest pharmacy in the district shall be no more as a place of employ. Post-Target, Chris went to High Point "to get his foot in the door" until a spot opened up in Greensboro "soon". Then, as it became painfully aware that staffing High Point was a challenge to say the least, Chris did his time with a smile knowing that there would be reward soon enough.


That "soon enough" has finally occurred a mere year and a half later. Today begins the era of Chris making a triumphant pharmacy return to Greensboro to another 24-hour store.

A commute just 10 minutes away from home? Life is good.

Vroom, vroom!

In my best Dante voice from Clerks: "I wasn't even supposed to BE here today!"

Chris had the day off Monday, after working a 7-day stretch, but our Controlled Substance Inventory was due at end of business. So, in a fit of philanthropic goodwill, he offered to come in from 2p-5p whilst the inventory was done. He walked into an absolute shitstorm. Two techs called out, a relief pharmacist was working the midshift, and our manager only got two hours of inventorying in before he felt compelled to jump in and help. 2p-5p turned into 2p-6p and a flurry of hectic prescriptions...more than requried for an extra couple hours. And Chris wasn't even supposed to BE here today!

So, to backtrack, he's speeding along as usual along his usual 17-minute route from Greensboro to High Point. And then,......disaster.

[Cue European police siren: wee-doo-wee-doo-wee-doo...]

The Po-Po, the 5-0, the fuzz. A nice well-groomed High Point police officer interrupted Chris's travels to work, on a day he [cue Dante] wasn't even supposed to BE at today...

HPPD: Do you know why I pulled you over?
CAG: No, sir.
HPPD: I clocked you doing 63 in a 45.
CAG: [feigning surprise] Oh dear!
HPPD: Where are you going driving this fast?
CAG: I'm on my way to Walgreens, sir. I'm a pharmacist there, sir.
HPPD: Which one?
CAG: The 24-hour one on Eastchester and Main Street, sir.
HPPD: License and registration, please.
CAG: It's in my glove compartment, sir. I need to reach and get it, sir.
HPPD: That'll be fine.

pause pause pause

HPPD: Here's a written warning. No penalty, no points on your license.
CAG: Thank you, sir.
HPPD: Be careful driving. Please slow down. That's a rough store, isn't it?
CAG: Yes it is, sir. Thank you, sir.

Ta-da!!! Utilizing the word "sir" at every opportunity, and telling the officer every single thing you are about to do appeared to have worked like a charm. Plus working at a store that is a shithole and has police presence quite often doesn't seem to hurt.

Tee hee hee! Good to get off scot-free. so that at least ONE member of the driving House of Gordon has an unblemished record. No monies donated to the NC highway fund as there was $100+ "donated" to the Ohio highway fund by a certain House of Gordon member. Tee hee hee!

For some classic Dante, enjoy the following two clips:

The business establishment heretofore known as "Scrooge and Marley"

Saturday night December 8th saw the Gordons make their way again to High Point, NC and the High Point Theatre for a production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". This and the Nutcracker ballet are two of the most endearing holiday performances we enjoy greatly. "A Christmas Carol" at the HPT is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, and local actor Allan Edwards, pictured above as Ebenezer Scrooge, once again played the part splendidly.

The Gordons met our friends Greg and Louise at Giovanni's restaurant in Greensboro (or is it Jamestown?) for yummy Italian fare before going. Chris beat the pants off Kimberly with his Lobster Ravioli kicking her Crab Meat Linguini all about the face and head. Score one for the husband in this round of the "Who Wins?" dinner competition.

Louise had never seen "A Christmas Carol" before. Ever. I don't know who was more excited for her to see it: her or Chris!

"A Christmas Carol" is part of the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival at the High Point Theatre, of which the Gordons were once season pass holders; that is until Triad Stage opened up in Greensboro and we switched allegiances. It had been a while since we've been to the High Point Theatre, and it was good to return for such a festive evening.

God bless us, every one.