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taz_39 **Disclaimer** The views and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and do not reflect the views or opinions of my employer. DO NOT RESHARE ANY PART OF THIS POST WITHOUT PERMISSION. Thank you.
This post covers Monday and Tuesday.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Previous Visits to Indianapolis:
Circus 2015: Aah yes, this was when PETA called Homeland Security to falsely report that someone on the circus had an active case of Tuberculosis. TB is transferrable between elephants and humans, but we all received TB shots biannually. Because of PETA's TERRORIST THREAT--because that's 100% what this was--all 200-something circus people had to go to a clinic and get chest X-rays to prove we didn't have TB. And yes, this was done intentionally by PETA both to cost Feld Entertainment money and to stoke fear and discrimination against circuses/circus people. Other than that, nothing really stood out about this visit, i.e. no time for sightseeing.
Elf 2024 (part 1 and part 2): I was in Indianapolis with Elf when I got the offer to tour with Beauty and the Beast. And now I get to return to this city, with Beauty and the Beast!!! AMAZING. We're even staying in the same hotel. Aside from that, once again I didn't do much in Indy, probably because it was winter and very cold. Discovered Shapiro's Deli, met a trombone buddy, and bought a bass trombone to begin practicing for BATB.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
MONDAY
I was up at 4:30am to have coffee and a very early breakfast before heading to the airport. Bye, Boston. The flight was on time and totally normal. I got to the hotel around 11:30am, had an early lunch, and walked over to Shapiro's Deli for fresh bagels (egg, blueberry, cranberry walnut.) I also got a black and white cookie...why not!
After putting those away I grabbed my tote bags and walked to the nearest Whole Paycheck. They had everything that I needed and even a few fun extras, like the smoked sturgeon that I love and a pizza-flavored vegan jerky. The 40-minute walk back carrying all of my groceries plus a gallon jug of distilled water for my kettle was not fun. I was overheated and annoyed by the time I got back, but the exercise was probably good for me. Had a snack, unpacked, and settled in.
Often when arriving in a new city and restocking on groceries, that's when I feel the most like an Actual Princess. Like, if you really stop and think about it, I've got more wealth than many kings and queens have had throughout history. Not gold and jewels, but economic convenience and quality of life. I fly hundreds of miles in comfort, for free, while someone serves me snacks and drinks. I live in rooms that are cleaned for me, with hot and cold water on demand and big fluffy beds and climate control so that I'm never too hot or too cold. I can have any foods that I like, and if the weather is bad or even if I just don't feel like bothering to go get food, I can pay someone to bring it to me.
Not to mention that I probably have the most complete and utter freedom and personal independence of any woman in the history of my entire family line.
It's downright opulent, I tell ya.
Anyway, just Monday thoughts as I relax in this hotel room in Indianapolis.
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TUESDAY
There was a very loud thunderstorm last night. Perhaps I should have worn earplugs but I think I still would have FELT the thunder! And anyway it sounded cool.
I was up in time to pilfer the free hotel breakfast. Mostly I will grab peanut butter and nuts (walnuts, almonds) because these are expensive. I take no more than 1-2 servings at a time so that by the end of the week I've got a little more than a weeks' worth to bring on my travels. Maybe that's "wrong" to do, but I don't think so. Whether I take the same amount daily and eat it, or pack it for tomorrow, it is still being offered for free, right? Had a nice normal breakfast and packed my lunch, but my aquarium stick-on thermometer in this fridge says it's at 46°F (7.77°C) and that kinda made something snap inside me.
I have gotten food poisoning and/or stomach virus TWICE this year already, which is way more than usual for me. And unlike when you have a normal 9-to-5, I can't just "call in sick" and spend the day hugging the toilet and hydrating. No, I have to work while sick and sometimes without access to a toilet for extended periods of time. There's nothing less Princesslike than blowing into a tube at full force while nauseous, surrounded by people in a tight space, while desperately trying to keep your body from doing what it needs to do. You can probably see why food poisoning is one of my greatest fears on tour.
For the most part, I think the food in my fridge is still safe. The tofu is vacuum-sealed and in an acidic lemon sauce. Yogurt can often be STORED at room temp as it's already a fermented product. The smoked sturgeon is vacuum-sealed and is of course smoked. The protein shakes are plant-based, sealed, and should be fine. The lettuce will be fine, the beets are acidic. My one concern was the chicken, so I reluctantly threw it out.
It's possible that the aquarium thermometer has become inaccurate (it's several years old now) and overall I am tired of having to guess whether each different fridge in each hotel is at a safe temperature. And I have a trunk now to store things, so there is no reason not to buy what I need. So I went to Amazon and ordered an instant-read food thermometer, an actual digital fridge thermometer, and a set of airtight containers (none of mine are leakproof or airtight and I'm sick of that too in relation to food safety + stuff leaking in my lunch box.) I've been guilting myself and refusing to buy these things because I already have useable containers, and I've been gaslighting myself that I'm being paranoid about food safety. But like I said, I've been stomach-sick twice this year and if it happens again, I will KNOW FOR SURE that it wasn't because of my fridge temp or leaky containers. And I will also be better able to narrow down what DID cause it so that I'm not throwing perfectly good food away. Anyway rant over, this is just how my morning went.
I had wanted to walk to the theater but it was an all-day rain and my umbrella is in my trunk. Instead I messed around for the morning, packed a dinner and snacks, and Ubered (we have rental cars but the other two in my pool wanted to get there at a different time today. Ubers are cheap here anyway.) This theater, the Murat, is another one of those former Shriner shrines like we had in Richmond recently. This one is a lot more run down, though.
Stock image of the whole building, on a nicer non-rainy day:
They went heavy on the Egyptian theme, as you can see. There is even a room upstairs called The Egyptian Room which I will want to find before we leave. For today I only took pictures of the downstairs ballroom, which is where our trunks are being kept (and of course I dug around in my trunk too)...
...and the theater ceiling which has a pretty decorative dome.
The pit is cramped but not terrible and/or average for an older theater like this. The backstage, equally cramped and kinda feels like a bunker because the ceilings are very low. We are right next to Wardrobe though, which is kinda cool because we get to see all their hustle and bustle (and the gorgeous costumes!) plus say hi to our actor friends as they pass through to get changed or whatever :)
Sound check was fine and nothing to report, and the show was fine too though we had one show hold right before Be Our Guest (better before than during, imo!) We were able to start up again quickly from the top so it was no issue. Afterward it was STILL pouring outside so Michael (key 3), Dane (flute) and I ran to our rental minivan and got quickly back to the hotel. It's only a little over a mile and I'd actually hoped to walk in to work this week if weather permits.
At time of typing I've just finished unpacking all of my trunk stuff (extra clothes and the Keurig mostly) and the rain is still coming down hard outside. The new fridge thermometer already arrived and is showing 35°F (1.66°C) which is just about perfect imo. Good opening day in Indy. Time for bed!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday: It's supposed to rain again but not all day. If it clears up I may go for a general sightseeing walk, as I truly haven't seen much of Indianapolis. One evening show.
Thursday: Hoping to visit the Indianapolis Zoo! We will see. One evening show.
This post covers Monday and Tuesday.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Previous Visits to Indianapolis:
Circus 2015: Aah yes, this was when PETA called Homeland Security to falsely report that someone on the circus had an active case of Tuberculosis. TB is transferrable between elephants and humans, but we all received TB shots biannually. Because of PETA's TERRORIST THREAT--because that's 100% what this was--all 200-something circus people had to go to a clinic and get chest X-rays to prove we didn't have TB. And yes, this was done intentionally by PETA both to cost Feld Entertainment money and to stoke fear and discrimination against circuses/circus people. Other than that, nothing really stood out about this visit, i.e. no time for sightseeing.
Elf 2024 (part 1 and part 2): I was in Indianapolis with Elf when I got the offer to tour with Beauty and the Beast. And now I get to return to this city, with Beauty and the Beast!!! AMAZING. We're even staying in the same hotel. Aside from that, once again I didn't do much in Indy, probably because it was winter and very cold. Discovered Shapiro's Deli, met a trombone buddy, and bought a bass trombone to begin practicing for BATB.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
MONDAY
I was up at 4:30am to have coffee and a very early breakfast before heading to the airport. Bye, Boston. The flight was on time and totally normal. I got to the hotel around 11:30am, had an early lunch, and walked over to Shapiro's Deli for fresh bagels (egg, blueberry, cranberry walnut.) I also got a black and white cookie...why not!
After putting those away I grabbed my tote bags and walked to the nearest Whole Paycheck. They had everything that I needed and even a few fun extras, like the smoked sturgeon that I love and a pizza-flavored vegan jerky. The 40-minute walk back carrying all of my groceries plus a gallon jug of distilled water for my kettle was not fun. I was overheated and annoyed by the time I got back, but the exercise was probably good for me. Had a snack, unpacked, and settled in.
Often when arriving in a new city and restocking on groceries, that's when I feel the most like an Actual Princess. Like, if you really stop and think about it, I've got more wealth than many kings and queens have had throughout history. Not gold and jewels, but economic convenience and quality of life. I fly hundreds of miles in comfort, for free, while someone serves me snacks and drinks. I live in rooms that are cleaned for me, with hot and cold water on demand and big fluffy beds and climate control so that I'm never too hot or too cold. I can have any foods that I like, and if the weather is bad or even if I just don't feel like bothering to go get food, I can pay someone to bring it to me.
Not to mention that I probably have the most complete and utter freedom and personal independence of any woman in the history of my entire family line.
It's downright opulent, I tell ya.
Anyway, just Monday thoughts as I relax in this hotel room in Indianapolis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TUESDAY
There was a very loud thunderstorm last night. Perhaps I should have worn earplugs but I think I still would have FELT the thunder! And anyway it sounded cool.
I was up in time to pilfer the free hotel breakfast. Mostly I will grab peanut butter and nuts (walnuts, almonds) because these are expensive. I take no more than 1-2 servings at a time so that by the end of the week I've got a little more than a weeks' worth to bring on my travels. Maybe that's "wrong" to do, but I don't think so. Whether I take the same amount daily and eat it, or pack it for tomorrow, it is still being offered for free, right? Had a nice normal breakfast and packed my lunch, but my aquarium stick-on thermometer in this fridge says it's at 46°F (7.77°C) and that kinda made something snap inside me.
I have gotten food poisoning and/or stomach virus TWICE this year already, which is way more than usual for me. And unlike when you have a normal 9-to-5, I can't just "call in sick" and spend the day hugging the toilet and hydrating. No, I have to work while sick and sometimes without access to a toilet for extended periods of time. There's nothing less Princesslike than blowing into a tube at full force while nauseous, surrounded by people in a tight space, while desperately trying to keep your body from doing what it needs to do. You can probably see why food poisoning is one of my greatest fears on tour.
For the most part, I think the food in my fridge is still safe. The tofu is vacuum-sealed and in an acidic lemon sauce. Yogurt can often be STORED at room temp as it's already a fermented product. The smoked sturgeon is vacuum-sealed and is of course smoked. The protein shakes are plant-based, sealed, and should be fine. The lettuce will be fine, the beets are acidic. My one concern was the chicken, so I reluctantly threw it out.
It's possible that the aquarium thermometer has become inaccurate (it's several years old now) and overall I am tired of having to guess whether each different fridge in each hotel is at a safe temperature. And I have a trunk now to store things, so there is no reason not to buy what I need. So I went to Amazon and ordered an instant-read food thermometer, an actual digital fridge thermometer, and a set of airtight containers (none of mine are leakproof or airtight and I'm sick of that too in relation to food safety + stuff leaking in my lunch box.) I've been guilting myself and refusing to buy these things because I already have useable containers, and I've been gaslighting myself that I'm being paranoid about food safety. But like I said, I've been stomach-sick twice this year and if it happens again, I will KNOW FOR SURE that it wasn't because of my fridge temp or leaky containers. And I will also be better able to narrow down what DID cause it so that I'm not throwing perfectly good food away. Anyway rant over, this is just how my morning went.
I had wanted to walk to the theater but it was an all-day rain and my umbrella is in my trunk. Instead I messed around for the morning, packed a dinner and snacks, and Ubered (we have rental cars but the other two in my pool wanted to get there at a different time today. Ubers are cheap here anyway.) This theater, the Murat, is another one of those former Shriner shrines like we had in Richmond recently. This one is a lot more run down, though.
Stock image of the whole building, on a nicer non-rainy day:
They went heavy on the Egyptian theme, as you can see. There is even a room upstairs called The Egyptian Room which I will want to find before we leave. For today I only took pictures of the downstairs ballroom, which is where our trunks are being kept (and of course I dug around in my trunk too)...
...and the theater ceiling which has a pretty decorative dome.
The pit is cramped but not terrible and/or average for an older theater like this. The backstage, equally cramped and kinda feels like a bunker because the ceilings are very low. We are right next to Wardrobe though, which is kinda cool because we get to see all their hustle and bustle (and the gorgeous costumes!) plus say hi to our actor friends as they pass through to get changed or whatever :)
Sound check was fine and nothing to report, and the show was fine too though we had one show hold right before Be Our Guest (better before than during, imo!) We were able to start up again quickly from the top so it was no issue. Afterward it was STILL pouring outside so Michael (key 3), Dane (flute) and I ran to our rental minivan and got quickly back to the hotel. It's only a little over a mile and I'd actually hoped to walk in to work this week if weather permits.
At time of typing I've just finished unpacking all of my trunk stuff (extra clothes and the Keurig mostly) and the rain is still coming down hard outside. The new fridge thermometer already arrived and is showing 35°F (1.66°C) which is just about perfect imo. Good opening day in Indy. Time for bed!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday: It's supposed to rain again but not all day. If it clears up I may go for a general sightseeing walk, as I truly haven't seen much of Indianapolis. One evening show.
Thursday: Hoping to visit the Indianapolis Zoo! We will see. One evening show.
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no subject
Date: 2026-05-06 05:35 am (UTC)The chicken and the lettuce are the two things I would be careful with. Greens get recalled due to E.coli contamination more often than any other food recall.
no subject
Date: 2026-05-06 12:47 pm (UTC)Yeah, idk what to think. I woke up this morning and the thermometer said I think 43. So I've turned it to the next-coldness number. Clearly it's cycling up and down, but I want to get it in the safest "range" I guess. By the time that happens we'll probably be leaving lol.
As mentioned I threw the chicken out immediately. The lettuce, well, considering how many people sell leaf lettuce at farmers markets unrefrigerated, sitting on tables in the summer sun for hours, I think lettuce kept at mid-40s would still be all right? I know packaged lettuce may be different but still felt that it might be ok in this case...
no subject
Date: 2026-05-06 01:49 pm (UTC)Pretty pics!
no subject
Date: 2026-05-06 02:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-05-06 02:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-05-06 03:39 pm (UTC)The Japanese have a pretty misguided and romanticized obsession with Paris/all things French, to the point that there's actually a resulting syndrome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome.) There's a huge obsession with K-Pop in India right now that's influencing a lot of their music and fashion (can't really blame them for that!) China had a long-running fascination with Persian culture to the point where they adopted Persian patterns into their textiles, and obsessed over Persian music and art. And I think it's fair to say loads of cultures around the world have likewise drawn inspiration from American music, fashion, art, etc.
Around the world cultures influence each other whether discrimination is present or not. I don't think having a fascination with a culture that is exciting and new necessarily has to have an undercurrent of discrimination. And/Or seeing an example of cultural influence in the US or elsewhere doesn't necessarily indicate something nasty in the origins. But that's just my personal opinion.
Nearly all theatrical venues built across America during the 20s and 30s reflected a fascination with exotic locales due to all sorts of global influences (new access to literature and artwork from other cultures, archaeological discoveries of the time, Worlds Fairs, the new and exciting ability to travel globally via Pan-American air travel, etc.) Theaters and movie palaces built during this time (Fox, Orpheum, Saenger theaters, etc.) almost all reflect that interest and excitement through their architecture:
(from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movie_palace#)
The Murat, which was not originally intended to be a theater, was still built during the period of "Egyptomania," and according to Wiki that is the entire reason for its design, which is Moorish Revival (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorish_Revival_architecture) If there are ugly discriminatory undercurrents here, well...I don't know how to react to that, I'm just here to play the trombone and document what I see.