The Byrne Diaspora

The ghost of September

 

If any of you happen to be in the neighborhood (of, you know, Southeastern America) in September, I'm going to be in a play! It's called Red Ghost, and it's a retelling of a famous Japanese folk tale of the same name. I'm playing Irene, who (in the original story) is a prostitute married to her brother. So I'm pretty excited.

The show kicks off Little Green Pig's Japanese season, and is going to be staged at Common Ground Theater, where I acted in one of my very first plays, The Elephant Man. So it'll be a lovely summer homecoming in many ways, both to the stage, and to a certain stage, and maybe to new stages altogether :)  --MCB

The big three

 

I am delighted to inform you that the Byrne Diaspora blog has now logged THIRTY THOUSAND hits. This is pretty cool, given that we passed the twenty-thousand mark less than a year ago, and only started this shindig in January 2007. We've come a long way, and we're excited :)  And to celebrate, here's a random picture...from when we were also excited. About corn.  --MCB

Pretty as a gargoyle

 

I'm delighted to report that my very first story, "The Reclamation Rite of One April Nora Hess," has BEEN PUBLISHED! No more emails, no more galleys--it's on real paper and it's out in the world! May it learn much and bring me back blessings. 

I first wrote it eight years ago, in a creative writing seminar at Wellesley, when I was musing much about Boys In General. This story is what popped out. It's only 700 words long, and it involves a cat, a pencil and three condoms. If you'd like to purchase a copy, you may do so here :)  --MCB

Ancient wall, new path

 

Recently our cousin Elizabeth, daughter of Aunt Frances (my mother's sister) and Uncle Alan, took a vacation to China with her boyfriend Julian & his family...and she came back ENGAGED!  This new journey started on an old wall, that is, on the Great Wall of China, starting with the traditional drop-to-one-knee and sparkly diamond ring.  Now, this Liz is one of the most interesting, vivacious, compassionate and beautiful people in the whole world, and Julian *from go* was All That too--they say they both knew it immediately, from the time they first met years ago.  As for the new state of things, Liz writes, "The best thing about being engaged: just the feeling of happiness all around!  And also the ring is an easy conversation-starter/ice-breaker at cocktail parties."  You can see the gorgeous fiance & fiancee here, including the Great Wall and "ice"...Congratulations Elizabeth and Julian--we are so happy for you, & for all of us!--JEB 

Mothering, fathering

Last weekend we celebrated Lakaisha Nicole & Don & their baby boy, arriving in July, with a "Mothering & Fathering Party" on Sunday and a brunch at Melleray on Monday.  From all of us, thank you to so many who took time out of your Memorial Day holiday to travel and party for the occasion!  Thank you to all who were with us in spirit!  And thank you to all who helped make it happen: many hands make light work.  From there, I'll let the images tell the story--a post by Clare, and photos, some taken by Monica, some by Laura & Julie.--JEB