Raindrops on Roses and Timelines for Plays...

Yes, the holiday season is upon us. Where has the year gone?

Well, for me, here's where it's gone. I work a full time job and write at night and on weekends. I squeeze in visits with friends and family. This year also included two moves (am I crazy or what) but now I have landed permanently - barring flood. And I shouldn't joke about floods, because the year also included finding our offices at the Chronic Pain Centre under about 3 inches of water. And can you believe it - here it is December and the flood was June 20 - and we are still undergoing some renovations from that event. We've had some turnover at the Centre, so I've been working alone for a good part of the year, and getting very far behind, hence my absence from this site. But now we're put back together, I have a co-worker again and we're caught up, I'm almost finished the interview process, I've written another book and I'm working on finishing the play. Now I see where the time went.

But this year will forever be etched in my memory. It is the year I met some incredible people and learned so much about pain. To hear someone tell me how they wouldn't change their pain experience because they came out the other end understanding what was more important in life than they did before - how can that not affect you. Or even to hear someone still struggling with the journey, still trying to find some meaning and purpose in their lives. I have had sleepless nights, I have cried when listening to interviews, and I have written some scenes which I think have captured a bit of this journey.

I have also learned a lot about grant proposals and fundraising (our goal is $100,000 to $150,000 thousand - so if you know anyone with lots of money to give....)

But for now, I want to wish you all a wonderful and happy holiday season and let you know what our new timeline is for the next year, so you can keep track of our progress.

And don't forget - if you have anything to say - you can leave your comments here!

TIMELINE

Blog:

January, February and March - interviews with the advisory committee and pain experts from around the world.

April - Summer - notes on workshops, auditions, fundraising and everything else involved in mounting a production!


The Play

January - June: complete interviews and writing the play. Work with Advisory committee on draft of play. Re-write and re-write and re-write some more!

July/August: Workshop the play. Details to be announced.

Fall 2008: The opening of The Pain Diaries - Details to be announced.


The Documentary

Filming will take place at various events throughout the year. Again, if you have any comments or ideas, please post them here and we will be in touch.


Thanks to you all for your support!