What do the San Francisco Opera, Jimmy Buffet and a dead cat have to do with anything?

by Cheryl Itamura

Director of Business Administration, Harmony Festival

I spent 15 years as a Database Systems Implementation Consultant and to this day I do not understand how I got into that line of work.

I once worked on a year-and-a-half long project at the San Francisco Opera, spending my time discussing programming, accruals, reports, taxable benefits, and occasionally some interesting things like the amount of pay union performers receive for appearing on stage wearing nothing but body paint. The best part was that all of the offices were rigged with speakers so that everything that was happening on the stage – rehearsals and performances alike – could be heard in every corner of the building. Every day was full of excitement and surprises. I loved that!

During this same time period I was invited to a Jimmy Buffett concert at an ice hockey arena. My friends apologized for the “lousy” seats behind the stage, but I loved those seats because we could see what was going on behind the scenes during the show. In fact I thought they were the “best” seats. 

Then my Himalayan cat died. I loved that cat. It was a sad day when he was cremated.

What do the San Francisco Opera, Jimmy Buffett and a dead cat have to do with anything? The answer is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!

Working at the Opera made me realize there are a lot of people who spend every day doing things they love to do. The Jimmy Buffett concert gave me the realization that I would rather be behind the scenes helping to make productions happen instead of sitting in the audience watching them. The dead cat reminded me that I have one shot at life and there is no coming back from a pile of ashes to give it a second try.

After I finished the project at the Opera, I quit my job and dove into the world of music, events and theater. I’m not wasting away in Margaritaville and I love it.

My question to you is: What changes to your life are you willing to make in order to free yourself to do the things you love to do?

6^th Street Playhouse celebrates Women’s History Month, March 2011 with a production of Jody Gehrman’s The Ticking Clock Project directed by Linda Loveland Reid (runs March 18 thru April 3, 2011 at 6^th Street Playhouse) and with Essays for Women by Women like this one. More Essays for Women by Women will be posted on this blog between now and April 3. For tickets to The Ticking Clock Project call (707) 523-4185 ext. 1 or go to www.6thStreetPlayhouse.com.