Retirement? Oh, if only, lol!!!! Some of us must be self-supporting, alas. Anyway, here's hoping the joy bug gives you a huge bite on your *** and makes you smile. Work to be joyous, it's only a brief season. Then you can make 2005 whatever you wish.

Patrick, I knew it was politeness, but that word didn't fit your situation! That's why I said I was stealing just "a little" from Mrs. Malaprop. Still, I am impressed with your "Rivals" resume!
You're really missing an outstanding Lincoln Center production of the play, with Dana Ivey doing a great job as Mrs. M. Richard Easton also sparkles.
(If you'll be in NYC between March 17 and June 12, you might want to catch the next production on the Lincoln Center schedule, a musical version of A Light in the Piazza. It played at the Goodman in Chicago within the past year or so and got decent reviews. Tickets to the general public go on sale December 27.

Loved The Rivals at Lincoln Center! Really try to get good seats though, front and center. It DOES make a difference. Also, tell them to get there a little early so they can grab one of the free lockers for their coats. You could do something really cute and attach the tickets to a tin of that gooey delicious sticky toffee that they sell at Williams Sonoma.

Duh, Howard. Can you say "zoom. . .over my head"?

Thanks for the headsup on A Light in the Piazza. Yes, I'm currently looking to come up for a month in May to June, So I should try to book those tickets for the end of May.

Got 12th row center, orchestra seats for The Rivals...thanks all! Will report back on their (hopefully) unabashed love of this show! I'll point out the locker idea too, thanks bugswife, and I love the toffee part!