Marin County Fair

Had a night off from rehearsal last night (the suprisingly frustrating Peter Pan) and on mostly on a whim, Monica and I went to the Marin County Fair. Now, this really is a fair, with farm animal judging and stuff, but it also has a great art section; it's like a art museum of our neighbors. Always my favorite part of the whole event. Also, we saw a woman who was wearing a costume from Star Wars (no, not the Leia slave one, the red one where the mouth is covered), and her eyes looked exactly like Carrie Fisher's. It was pretty cool, and I hope she gets tons of work just for that fact. The only odd thing was that I kept on looking, and she kept on catching my eye, and I didn't want to get caught looking, so it was an awkward repeition of me looking down, etc.

As in all county fairs, I ate way too much and too horribly, so it's back on eating better and doing some exercises during the day. I was able to eat some really delicious Gyros, and an incredibly gross funnel cake. Gross = delicious... let's just say it's a good thing I only get those once a year. Bleh. It's always a miracle that I enjoy them.

Tonight it's back to Peter Pan and my Summer Of Musicals. I'm going to enjoy the short run of these plays and the relatively easy rehearsal process. After all, my contract says ensemble (singer), not dancer. So ha! Just wish they realized that I could dance; it's always frustrating when a capable performer like me gets underused. Oh well.

Tell you the truth, I am SO ready for a break.

Winding Down?

Quite possibly, the day is actually winding down well. I've had an actual good day at work. It's been full of stuff that I didn't hate, and full of people that I only semi-loathe. I think it hasn't been a good day for everyone, but since I'm not IT, it doesn't really matter to me. Only in the fact that people call saying their email is down; I have no idea how to deal with something like that. And even if I did, they don't pay me enough.

So, with an hour and 10 minutes left in my day, I have looked back at what I've done today, and how surprised I was to realize that I didn't really hate today like I thought I would. I think I have to chalk it up to my trip to St. Louis. It was such a fun amazing trip that the proverbial high that kept me soarin' during the trip has kept me soarin' through this what might have been a shithole of a workaday. Another thank you to St. Louis. I think I was a lot more homesick than I admitted to myself.

My only bummer of today was not getting my walk in for lunch; I instead ate lunch on my lunch and studied lines. Productive, yes, but I really need to get back into that routine before I find a new, less healthy routine during my lunch breaks. (Plus side though, my lines are pretty fucking solid at this point. The only wobbly ones are for Sunrise, and I think I'm going to con my mom into helping me tonight.) When it rains it pours.

Talked to Shaun for a bit today. He asked me about the Star Wars game that he was unable to attend (it was the day after the wedding). Wasn't able to go either, so we mutually were a little *sigh* about that. We're both INCREDIBLY into gaming, but he is a far better DM than I am. I think it's mostly practice; he's been doing it for much much longer than anyone I've known, and the number of times I've DMmed a game I can (ashamedly) count on one hand. He's a good guy, I wish I could have gamed with him when I was there. Gosh, that sounds bad. Anyway, there's a pic of him on Nick's facebook page that's really funny. That wedding was awesome.

One little anecdote that I must write down so I don't forget: after the wedding when the wedding party was getting their pictures taken all around the area, we had some Lightsaber shots, and we had a fun time recreating some really weird poses - like Nick destroying us with one mighty Lightsaber blow, and the girls striking some sort of hybrid Long Time Ago/Galaxy Far Far away Charlie's Angels pose. It was awesome. At the end of the session though, we had turned off our sabers, Brian and I looked at each other past the rest of the group. He had that wild look in his eyes, no doubt I the same. Our blades flicked on at the same time, and we had the most bitchin' mock battle ever. I gotta get out there more often.

I think it just shows how gaming deprived I am out here. I've been focusing so much on theatre in my life, that I've really put my other passions by the wayside. It's what happens though, that takes over your life big time. Maybe I can find a good Sunday night group somewhere through Gamescape. I hope so anyway, I would love to get in a Star Wars d20 game again; man that shit is amazing.

Also, just found out that Pirates of the Burning Sea is closing down some of its servers. Shit. That seemed so cool, but I am partly to blame. I was really excited about the thing, but have no fucking time to ever play video games anymore. Ever. Seriously. I don't. I'm struggling with the ones I do have. How did I used to do it in college? I remember those nights playing WoW for hours upon hours. Oh well. Maybe soon when I'm independently wealthy, I can play BotBS for a bajillion hours.

50 more minutes!

Groooomsmanishacially

I'm back I'm back! And things are falling into (somewhat) place with the car situation and rehearsals and other things. Except now that I think of that, I should email the Academy of Art people and see if we can get some hot rehearsal action going on in here. Mmm yeah. And the magic of a period and two spaces continues! Done.

The trip was mega fun. I don't think I've ever had as much fun going to St. Louis as I did with Monica. It's probably because she's never been to any of the flyover states, and thought St. Louis was a podunk town. Maybe not SUPER podunk, but more of a town and less of a sprawling city that it is. And man, it certainly is a lot bigger than I remember it; there has been so much construction even in the few months since I've been there. Except on the highway, really, that's still a stupid clusterfuck. Let me explain, they closed part of one of the main highways to expand it or retrofit it or something, and EVERYONE hates this idea. Pretty much everyone there thinks it's stupid and the money for the long process (2 years) would be better used for public transportation, and supporting actual things that will help in the long run, rather than more support for oil (been on a real That Grinds My Gears kick on that lately) which will hopefully all be gone soon so we have to focus on other things.

Anywho, fun trip. I ate A LOT and now have to try and get back into my rhythm of walking and staying fit, perhaps bringing back the short lived abdominial workouts that I did about a month ago and promptly forgot.

Lets see, the wedding, as before, was cold but beautiful, and the reception was fun and full of video games. It was great to see my old friends, I really miss those folks a lot more than I think I ever know. Eric, Nick's brother, made a superbly awesome best man toast at the dinner. Brian and I even started talking like we hadn't missed a day in gaming; I was even invited to a Star Wars d20 game, but had to refuse to go to Hannibal (better idea, that was A-MAZING). Next time, however, I'm totally gonna do it. That's one really good thing about St. Louis, I think there's a bigger consentration of gamers, at least tabletop ones, who like to still spend 4 hours at a time playing these games. I need to find another group like that around here, but it just doesn't beat the old fun times I've had back in the day. That was a big part of my life that just isn't there anymore.

I was able to see both Grandmas, and was also able, on the last day, to go to the City Museum, and play on the towers, in the caves, in the circus, and relive my old memories of volunteering there so long ago. I also played on MonstroCity, their SO MUCH BIGGER than I remember play structure outside. It's for all ages too, not just little folk; I in fact ran a bunch of them down getting to the ball pit. It was a dark day for their families. But a light hearted one for me and my own! There were 2 planes you could climb on. Also, a part of a church, I think. Also, it made me happy and I want to go back there right now. Also, there was a fire where you could toast marshmallows. It felt like I was in a live Psychonauts.

I wish it was longer. I didn't think I would ever say that about a trip to St. Louis. But I just did. And there you have it.

Hi Folk(s)

Even though the one person who reads this is sitting here next to me, I feel oblidged to update a little bit, just to keep things documented for my sake, at least.

I'm not going to go into huge detail, but this trip to St. Louis has been one of the best EVAR. It's mostly because Monica's here with me, but also I'm seeing all my old friends from college, and seeing Nick all happy, and seeing my Dad and Laurie all happy together; it just makes me all squishy, and then I have to go to the bathroom.

I've been eating pretty unhealthily (read: Crown Candy, Ted Drewes, Pasta House, and others) but have been walking a lot (read: Malls, Zoo, History Museum, to restaurants) so I guess it all evens out. Even though I've been slacking on everything else (read: self control, ab workout, lifting weights), I still feel like I haven't been doing too bad. But really, I have been doing pretty bad.

Tonight was the Rehearsal Dinner, and it was a lot of fun! But kind of awkward at times, but thems the ropes. Tomorrow's the actual wedding, and I am just glad all I have to do is stand there rather than worry about some ring or some shit like that. I like how this is a totally chill wedding, but there's still the air of "why isn't this more formal" that rings around me whenever I think about it. Maybe it's just the stage manager in me, I don't know. Maybe that means something huge and dramatic's going to happen tomorrow. I sincerely hope that's not true either.

Anyway, time for bed, and we'll see!

Has It Really Been This Long?

Gosh, it seems like only yesterday when we were flirting. Sure, it started from a tragedy, but it brought us together so fiercely that I couldn't deny the love I had for you. Man, 5 years is a long time. How the time flies! Just yesterday it seems like we were starting on a high note, and we were going after the man who brought us together in Afghanistan. He's still hiding somewhere out there, that old kook! But since then, our priorities changed, and we've evolved as a couple. We were a great team in the beginning, War on Terror; we had such fire and passion in our couplings, and even I, who is really against violence in all forms, was in support of your crazy antics of killing, maiming, and ruining people's lives. I mean, we just loved each other so much. It's been a long road for sure.

Wow, I remember the first time we met. I was sitting in my music theory class in high school. I remember it was the start of my Senior Year. Man, was I so over high school; so ready to be in college, ready to start the world. Of course, back then I didn't know your name was War on Terror, it was just 9/11 - a beautiful name! - but even then I didn't really know your name, it was shock that bought us together and made us who we are today. But can you believe it was almost 2 years before we actually started our relationship, WoT? Wow! We could have been so close so early on, so many missed opportunities. But we made it in the end, and we fought for each other and to keep our relationship alive, even when it was going places we never thought was possible! Who would have thought this crazy ride we were on would have brought us all the way to Iraq! I mean, I didn't even know you knew anyone in Iraq! Oh, you didn't? Okay, well that's cool anyway, Iraq's a nice place. It isn't now? Well, I haven't really been paying attention these last few years; graduating, applying for grad schools, etc.

You know, maybe that's why we've been a little rocky these past few years. I know some people don't like our relationship, and I gotta tell you the trugh, I haven't been fully commited to believing whatever the fuck spews out of your dad's mouth. I need to remember though, that he's really the honest, truthful man in this situation. And plus he's the president! So it's a win/win situation! What a great guy. So what if he was wrong and "hurt" the constitution a bit. It's not so bad; we're certainly safer now. Hell, before you two came along I didn't even know about Afghanistan or Iraq or Terror! Now I'm so fucking afraid I have to physically will my body not to shit my pants every day; that's how important you guys are to me. I am so glad to have you protecting me and my freedom. Fuck Terror. That's what I say.

Here's to 5 more years!

St. Louis

Back in the homeland, and I am a lot warmer than I thought I would be. Seeing my dad and stepmom, I was certainly more teary and sentimental than I thought I would be, but then again, I haven't been home for Christmas in a while, and I haven't truly seen what they have done to the house; everything's different, wonderful, and the same all at the same time. It's quite a weird feeling.

It's weird to see my old streets with new buildings. There are houses that are gone, some that are different, and some new (very ugly) ones. Maybe the economy around here is getting better? It certainly seems that way, at least for Dad and Laurie. The only constant is change.

We drove around last night after the airport looking for some food. Dad wanted to take me somewhere that was very St. Louis, so I suggested Steak and Shake. We all agreed and we proceeded to pass 3 of them, all closed for Christmas Day. The 'Open 24 Hours' sign must just mean not all in a row. Needless to say, we just came home and had some pasta, and then had Christmas. After a cookie or two.

Due to airline policy (or rumor, I can't remember which), I didn't wrap my presents, so I took pieces of paper towel and put them around the most telltale signs, and then bravely said "I wonder what it could be!" with a picture of Calvin and Hobbes sticking out the top. It was fun fun. They loved the martini mix that I gave them, moreso than I thought they would - we had martinis as soon as it was opened. I love chocolate martinis now. I love martinis. And shaking them. Yum.

I recieved some money and an action figure and the new DVD of Casablanca. All terrific gifts! The big gift, however was an iPhone. Yes, you heard me. I am incredibly excited and not quite sure what to do with it. It is a lot smaller than I thought it would be.. and I can't really play with it until I set it up... but I did press some buttons and almost accidentally make an emergency call. Hot shit! That would be funny if the first thing I did was bring the fire department to the house. Today we're going to the mall and being consumers as well as going to have a one on one session with the Apple Store people so I can ask a few questions. I don't want them to give me too many tricks, I feel like I want to learn this stuff myself. The discovery is more fun!

Then later tonight my grandma Knoll is coming to visit and we're having a birthday dinner for my dad. Then tomorrow I think I'm visiting my grandma Scheppner. Sometime I need to cram in a visit with Nick and Ashley and maybe Beth, she just emailed me. Now I'm thinking 4 days is a little short to see all my loved ones. Good thing I'm coming back in April. St. Louis is beautiful in April.

Other news... I've been writing more and more of my review of Sweeney Todd. It's strange, I'm gushing so much about it, I have to go back and edit all the fanboy stuff, if I ever want to use the article as a sample of work. I suppose a true passion for the theatre is good to see though.

Oop, family home, gotta go!

Hollyday

Had an amazing day yesterday.

What started infused with a slight assholery on my part at the knowledge of a friend of a friend being cast at 42nd Street Moon soon was washed away by the sights and sounds and fun of Dickens Faire with my loved ones. ("I'm sorry I was grumpy and being a stupid actor." "You aren't stupid, you're allowed to be disappointed." I'm so incredibly lucky to have these amazing people in my life.)

This time, since I was dressed vaguely like an actual fairegoer, I was in the spirit of the celebration a lot more than I was last time. I had a blast then too, but this was simply more joyful. Maybe it was the upcoming holiday coming up. (Yes, I'm even excited about going to St. Louis. That excitement will probably vanish the second I step into the cold...) Certainly more in the spirit than most of the actual faire workers there yesterday; it definetly had a "last day" feel to the whole celebration.

Of course I ate a bit too much, and now that I type this, I realize that my Chai Truffle is probably melting in Monica's pocket in her jacket in her closet at her house, so let's hope for a Christmas Miracle to occur so that can be saved. That was a damn good truffle. Lets hope it still exists in more than a puddle form.

After a short reprieve, we went to see Sweeney Todd. I think I enjoyed it a lot more than my companions. I enjoyed it. So much. It blew me away. I didn't think I would like it or trying to plan when I could see it again; here I am. There was plenty wrong with it, (of course, it was Tim Burton. The man who brought us "reimaginings" also known as "fuck ups") but what was right was sooo right. I'm going to see it again soon.

Tonight! We are going to casa de Joan and Lauren (and Violet, now..) to have a delicious Christmas Eve Dinner. Yum. And opening presents at casa de Mom and Tim (Tin) beforehand. It should be an excellent evening/afternoon/whenever!

Tomorrow! I fly to St. Louis at 3. Boo to that. Well, to flying. It will be nice to see Dad and Laurie. It's been a bit, and I miss my pootch. Also I think my big present is an iPhone. It is now the time where I need to realize that it might not have happened. So no big. My contingency plan is to just get a calendar for 2008, so I can actually keep a good schedule and not be my loosey goosey self that I have been. I almost wish that I asked for a laptop now that I'm thinking of my travels coming up.

But then when do I want for a laptop? When I travel. When has that been? Not really recently, come to think of it. So shhh shshshshshs Ben. SHH I say.

Yum.

www.freerice.com

is awesome.

1000 grains so far. If I do it all day, I will a) help save the world and b) help save my sanity.

Win win.

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I have to go to Cost Plus tonight to get some presents for my fellow Front Office people. They're too good to get them some silly Hello Kitty dolls from Target, I now realize. I gotta say, it's an incredible thing to know that the people I work with are supportive, nice, and not (too) weird. Honestly, I think it's more chill than before up here.

Oh, on work related note. Something I should record for posterity: Michaele introduced me as "Ted" to her husband at the Christmas Party on Friday. I'm not sure how to take it.

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Worked on my monologues last night with my mom. She should be a teacher, her suggestions were amazing and had an immediate effect on my performance. It's also a wonderful thing when you bring out a monologue that you haven't done in a while, dust it off slightly and plug it in, realizing that it actually still works. And it works better than you thought. Better than the last time you turned it on.

That's one of the joys about theatre - everything gets better as it ages.

I have not been taken over by a pen pal.. (Also Jean)

I just found this button up here, and am now प्लायिंग विथ आईटी. (Playing with it.) I have no idea the use of having hindi characters appear on my blog, but damn don't they look good? I hope to get into an awkward situation where I type something like... इ लिके पंदास. But instead of "I like pandas" it means some really raunchy come on and I have to talk my way out of a marriage proposal across the globe. Again.

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I gave Jean her delicious XMas present. She loved it! She's so very English, so all the old English candies made her happy.

Jean is one of my very best friends here; she is always in a good mood and she makes the bland days go by much more quickly with her quirks and simple spectacularness. I am not even sure how we met when I first came here, but we became fast friends... maybe because like most folks here, she saw someone who was competent at the front office. Or maybe she just liked me for me, I know I like Jean for Jean. Anyway.

She's leaving January 17th, and probably moving to Oregon. So not only will she be gone from SWA, she won't be readily available for me to bug her with an email and a dinner offer. I say awesome for her (she's retiring, really - and I think that's great!), but every time I think about it I get a little teary. She's really the one person I've become incredibly good friends with around here - she will be truly missed.

(This Title Was Eaten By Blogger.)

People have been giving me the start of a number of tasks this morning, and then never following up on my questions or what else I am supposed to do. I don't press the issue. And then Jean just came up to give me cookies. They're the same ones from the party on Friday, and they're still incredibly delicious (especially, following a suggestion from Monica, when microwaved). Jean just asked me what I was doing. I said I was writing a blog entry. She said that she despises that word and, "Why isn't just a journal or a diary or a log for God's sakes? Blog sounds like something a dog would spit up."

I love Jean, she's English.

I also just told her that I wrote what she just said. ("Oh, don't write that, well if you do, say I'm wonderful too.") She's wonderful.

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Found a good present for [hidden] today. It's an amazing device that will bring [him/her] much joy! I mean it totally [hidden] [deleted] to a [mystery] AND you can [hidden hide hiddenmajigger], and it comes with all that attached. I'm such a good santa claus. Or elf. I'd much rather be an elf, then I can use a bow and arrow very well.

Such is the day of small posts. Here's another link.

Done.

That was simple. Fucked up a bit, but it worked pretty well. And after all, I really don't even want ot be in it anyway.

Addendum to wish list:

Headset for Skype usage. Hopefully that'll be my only landline soon.

Also Absolute Sandman 1 & 2, I totally forgot this was out.

And The Black Dossier.

And Eternals would be nice. But still I don't really want for much... so I'm not in a big hurry.

Huzzah!

Now to send this and the other to my parents.

Shit I would mildly like to have because I have no wants this holiday season (well, okay, I do want a few):

iPhone or other multimedia phone: http://www.apple.com/ and elsewheres… verizon has a good package too, but iPhone is on the top of my list. http://www.wired.com/ has good reviews of phones.

The complete Bone collection: http://www.amazon.com/Bone-One-Jeff-Smith/dp/188896314X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196358685&sr=8-1

Johnathan Strange & Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke (and/or other novels by her, she’s good): http://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-Strange-Mr-Norrell-Novel/dp/B000ENWIJO/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196358805&sr=1-1

Any of the UK (but would gladly accept US editions, the bigger paperback versions) editions of Neil Gaiman’s work, the first 7 are the ones with the covers I enjoy: http://amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/203-7359482-1146338?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Neil+Gaiman

An XBox360 with Mass Effect (it’s a game) and Rock Band (that’s a game too).

A class or two bought at Voicetrax: http://www.voiceover-training.com/

A subscription to Wired.

A subscription to New Scientist.

A good (photo?) printer. To print out my headshots.

A new job in the field that I’m interested in.

A Grad School away from Marin. (This is really the only thing I truly want.)

Music Lessons – singing and instrumental (accordion, guitar, ukulele, along those lines).

To be in a good play that is produced professionally.

All said, not quite a humble list, but I’m not greedy for these things, they’re just fun stuff that would definitely be a fun addition to my life. Especially the classes!

What do you want for the holidays?