OTP in Victoria

(original post date: August 29th, 2011)

Today marks the halfway point of my 12-day work-cation. The work to play ratio is approximately 1:20 though, so it’s really a vacation with a few hours of work spread out over the week. What is work? Stage managing Resounding Scream Theatre‘s production of The Troubles in the Victoria Fringe Festival. It isn’t bad at all, the work-cation. Quite delightful, actually. I am on the beach that’s a 10-min stroll from the vacation home I’m staying in with four other girls who are also part of the production (director/producer, assistant director, production manager, and writer/actor/producer). They’re all reading, and I’m scribbling chicken scratch in my barely big-enough notepad. I guess there’s the first difference between reader and writer (though I think writers should be readers, too, I have a hard time burying my nose in one a book). Or maybe it’s because I don’t talk much. I’m more of a listener, especially when there are people who are more inclined to share… not that it’s a bad thing.

Travelling in groups means a lot of compromise, and I don’t mind being a part of the entourage, but I also need my fix of personal time. I didn’t anticipate having little or no time alone with my thoughts. Those times are important to me. But so is work. And seeing shows in the festival, and getting to know the people there. So some things must come at a sacrifice when you’re in a group (it doesn’t help that we live a 20-min drive from city centre, where we can’t just stay home and travel on our own).

There has been a lot of firsts on this trip. My first “work-cation”, which is in fact really a trip with friends for two weeks, my first speeding ticket, the first time I got stung by a bee (I think, my cheek is still a little sore). And my first Victoria Fringe experience.

So far so good. There are lots of silly and funny moments, good and fantastic fulfilling ones, but there are also times when I wished to be somewhere else. There are lots of beaches, lots of water, and lots of sun. I can’t complain :) Most things are paid for, and I’m away from Vancouver, the place which I’ve been dying to get out of… but I miss it. I miss knowing where things are, hanging out with my friends, and being in a place I’m familiar with.

By the way, OTP = On The Prowl.