musings on totem poles and the fate of Yertle...

So I got up Monday morning and went to work, just as I always do, low man on the Prop totem pole (that totem pole is only rented, so don't damage it, it has to go back to the prop house next week), with two bosses and happy to be there.

Friday night I hung around late, last one on the stage, pleased and amazed by the curious alchemy of a week that left me promoted two steps up the ladder, running the show, with two guys now working for me.

A little backstory applies, that may not explain the events themselves, but does help illuminate the theme here...

Work had gotten very slow for me in set dressing last fall, and since I was the family breadwinner, I knew I had to make a change. A friend had been flirting with the idea of my returning to Las Vegas to help him sell landscape rock, and to honor the friendship I agreed to take an interview with the boss... well, they made an offer that was less than stellar, but 52 paychecks that aren't enough are better than not enough paychecks of a higher amount, so on a monday in early Decemnber I hauled out the suitcase to drive back to the desert and take the job.

At that point the phone rang... it was the Prop Master on the show, offering me the full-time job.

Anyway, flash forward to last week, when the landscape company made another run at me... lots of talk and consideration and consternation ensued, especially with my show nearly over (for the season, if not for good)... and then WHAM... I go from third assistant (known also as "third broom") to first assistant (also known as "Set Master").

So the theme... don't be too quick to doubt your path, if you're following your heart.

Oh, and did I mention that the Prop Master is retiring this year? If all goes according to plan (hate to use that word, but hey, I didn't write that partcular platitude), I might ascend one last rung on that ladder, to find myself the veritable King Yertle of our little prop "Sala-Ma-Sond"

I do realize, as I pen that labored metaphor, that "Yertle" is a cautionary tale... I reprint it here to honor the lesson:

(sorry, i got tired of that bit of silliness...)