Day One

Yesterday, the Split Britches team landed in LAX, jetting in from all corners of the globe (or of Milan, London and New York at least). Lois and Peggy still had NYC snow on their boots as they stepped into the LA sunshine.

Unexploded Ordnances might not be the lightest SB show, and our set of eight cases demanded the rental of a gargantuan SUV. We all enjoyed the sunny sights from the freeway, except Peggy, who was genially (but firmly) reminded to keep her eyes on the road!

After a night in our lovely bungalow off Mulholland Drive, we set out early for the Skirball Cultural Center and the 80(!) docents who were coming along for a presentation about the week ahead.

(The docents are sort of well-informed guides to the Center and its events and exhibits. The word comes from the Latin 'docere', meaning to teach. Hannah looked this up, no one asked her to.)

Having spoken a bit about the history of the company and the project UXO, Lois had the attendees contribute some of their own 'unexplored desires' anonymously, to be added to the accumulating piles of scrumpled paper used in the performance.

The presentation was followed by a fantastic Long Table on 'What Lies Beneath'; repressed thoughts, the history of the land the center was built on, the political tensions on which society is.

Designer Jo Palmer began work setting up the space in the 'Getty Gallery', a beautiful long white hall of aircraft hangar proportions. The circle of white tables recreated the striking image of the Dr. Strangelove-inspired Situation Room - then Lois came and looked and had them all moved slightly to the left.

The team clocked out to pick up dinner at "Ralph's" supermarket, and Hannah got a box of Reese's Puffs for the morning - another bright start to meet some more elders (and potential participants) at an LGBT center in West Hollywood.

(HM)

**This week Split Britches will also be collaborating with designer Matt Delbridge, coming from yet another global corner - Melbourne!**