The Stitch

If you don't have pets, you will be completely disgusted by this story. Trust me, don't read it if you don't have pets.

You have been warned.

Anyone who has ever had a pet has also had the delightful opportunity, at one time, or another, to wake in the morning, stumble around in the dark, only to step in a pile of one of the following:

1) warm vomit
2) cold vomit
3) warm poo
4) cold poo

All four are equally terrible.

And it's always, always much worse if you're barefoot.

I've had cats and dogs all my life, and no matter how hard you work to avoid having your pet puke or poop on the floor, it cannot be avoided. Fluffycat will sneak into the kitchen at four am and eat a pound of butter, then vomit at the foot of your bed. Or Spottydog will steal a greasy pork chop from the garbage while you're not looking and come down with a nasty case of the squitters in the middle of the night. You'll find it as you make your half-asleep trek to the coffeemaker and will skid 10 feet across the kitchen floor. When you finally crash on your butt, you're always certain you will either die of a heart attack, or from poop-stinkification at that point.

Well, this morning I tried something new. Mehitabel the cat caught a mouse sometime during the night, and left it half dead at the foot of the bed. I barely stepped on it and COMPLETELY freaked out as is SCREAMED AT ME. As I stood in the doorway, crying, unable to put my tainted foot back on the floor, Brian came running in the "take care of things." At 5:30 am, third-trimester moody, this is not a good way to wake up. I don't care how tough you are - you would have cried too.

I showered, scrubbed myself raw and felt horrible for the poor little mouse.

I have been able to ascertain what's the worst thing to step in, though. SCREAMING, BLEEDING, HALF-DEAD MOUSE is definitely worse than steaming OR frosty cold poop or vomit ANY day of the week.

Including the day after Halloween.

MINNESOTA OPERA COSTUME SHOP MANAGER

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Costume Shop Manager is responsible for managing the Costume
Shop, which includes the areas of costumes, wigs and makeup. This
position is responsible for overseeing all day to day shop activities
including personnel, equipment, supplies, inventory, workroom and
costume storage areas, and local costume rentals. The Costume Shop
Manager works under the Production Director to establish and maintain
expense budgets; contract and supervise designers; and hire and
supervise costume shop personnel, including makeup and wig
contractors. The Costume Shop Manager is also responsible for
overseeing all costume, wig, and makeup activities at the theater for
all rehearsals and performances.

Responsibilities:
Interviews, hires, and supervises personnel of costume shop
Supervises all Costume Shop, Wardrobe, and wig and makeup personnel
Attends all fittings to ensure consistency and construction standards
Consults closely with Drapers on construction of costumes to ensure
design and labor efficiency
Manages day to day expenses of costume shop
Works directly with Costume Designers to balance budget necessities
and design integrity
Attends all dress rehearsals
Communicates with Production Stage Manager regarding fittings,
rehearsal needs, and performer requests
Establishes dress calls, advises Production Stage Manager on
backstage layout, and coordinates all backstage costume activities
Creates “bible” for each production with financial, artistic, and
technical information
Maintains a positive and communicative atmosphere in the workroom and
mediates any conflicts among personnel or with designers
Coordinates shopping for all locally purchased production specific
costume items, as needed
Advises Production Director on budgeting of productions, working 1-3
years in advance of the actual performance
Manages production costume rentals in collaboration with the
Production Director and the Production Director’s Assistant
Manages all local and individual small costume rentals
Drapes, patterns, sews and designs, as required, under special
circumstances

Please send cover letter, résumé, and three references by November
10, 2006 to:
Kevin Ramach

Production Director

The Minnesota Opera

620 North First Street

Minneapolis, MN 5540

The Minnesota Opera is an AA/EOE employer