Train Wreck!

Sunday dinner at Grandma's House is always fun, but this week we had a little bit of extra excitement. Watch Ella and Corbin when they upset the train...

Closing Night

Friday night was my closing night for “Christmas Carol, Part II”. I had all the regular closing night feelings hit me on Friday, but because I was back on Saturday for Joshua’s closing, they became kind of muted.

Sometimes when I close I show, I’ll feel a little sad. Not a lot, because there will always be another show, but just a little bit of blue. After having put so much time and effort into a performance and getting to know the cast (and yes, there is effort involved in getting to know a cast when you are a closet shy person) it can be sad to see it all end. Memories have been made, friendships have been kindled, lessons have been learned.

On the other hand, there are those shows, when after all the time and effort is done, I feel nothing but glee at the prospect of closing. Imagine putting everything you’ve got into a show. Now imagine the performance is crappy, or you don’t get along with the cast, or you get passed over for a lesser performer, or any number of heartbreaking situations. What do you feel when that show is over? That’s right. Glee. Pure, unadulterated joy.

That’s not what I feel this time. I loved the script, even with all the really bad jokes, and the really racist ones, and the really stupid ones, I thought it had a lot to recommend it. I loved the people I worked with. I don’t think I have ever worked with such an outrageous group of performers before. Maybe it’s because improv is what they do, but the conversation backstage could be spectacular! And perhaps the best thing about this show was what I learned about myself. Guess what? I can act. And not just adequately. I can act well. And I can be funny. I’ve said for years that comedy is harder than drama, and I still believe it is; but I can do comedy. Nothing can take that away from me.

So, the show is over. I’ve unpacked my makeup. I’ve set my costume aside to be cleaned. I’m trying to decide what to do with my wig. I’ve given Sarah back the shoes I borrowed. I took Joshua out for dinner. And I will always remember the lesson I’ve learned from this show.

“Confucius say, YOU SO STUPID!!!”

p.s. remember the really stupid, really slow waitress at Village Inn? She’s still there, and she hasn’t improved much.

I can't believe I just did that

I just read my friend Kate's blog. She has joined a movement to post every day in 2008. Well, except for Feb. 29; that will be a free day.

I did a really silly thing. I told her I would join her in this huge undertaking. Why would I do something like that? In fact, I'm incredibly nervous about this. I used to write in my journal every day, but it's been a few months since I managed that for even a short amount of time. Wow. An entire year. If you feel like trying it out, the rules are here:

http://blog365.ning.com/

Come one! Join the fun! The excitement is overwhelming! The freak out is great!

Sigh...

I apologize to the sisters that I had to call on the phone this morning. I hope I didn't sound too nasty. In my own defense, money issues are extremely sensitive this time of year, and a late fee is not what my budget needs right now. Still, you are my sisters, and I should be kinder to you than I am to other average people (you are above-average!). After all, some people go their entire lives wishing for sisters like mine and never getting them.

Sorry!

WooHoo!!!

The Sterling Singers concert at Libby Gardner Hall was tonight. Last year it was beautiful and memorable. This year, well, I had an amazing time.

Kelly tells a story about how he decided to combine the happiest song he knew, "Jingle Bells", with the scariest song he knew, "O Fortuna" from Carl Orff's opera "Carmina Burana". He came up with a song his students lovingly call "Jingle Hell" or "Slay Ride".

This year, Kelly programmed this piece for the Sterling Singers, and we were slated to perform it tonight. It had piano, organ, xylophone, gong and bass drum for accompaniment. I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but Kelly ended up without a player to the bass drum.

Guess who got to do it?!!! ME!!!!! I got to bang the bass drum for "O Fortuna!" Yeah!!!

Kelly said, "go to town, bang as loud as you can"...so I did! And we recorded tonight, too. So, not only did I get to play the bass drum, very loud, in the Libby Gardner Concert Hall, it got recorded for all posterity.

Things just don't get much cooler than that.

Ballet Recital

Ella had her very first ballet recital tonight. And just when I was thinking that she couldn't get any cuter, she did. I'm going to try to post the video of her dancing.


Sarah also danced tonight, and I must say, she's getting amazingly good. David and I are very proud of her. Her class was combined with the level just lower, so I've trimmed the video a little.

Both of our girls love taking ballet, and inasmuch as it keeps them active (no couch potatoes!) I try to be very supportive. It's not too hard for Ella, I only take her once a week, and it's in the morning, but Sarah is up to three times a week, right during my lesson time. Carpooling has been a challenge, but somehow we are working it out. I hope they realize how much we love them!

Good Friends

1. A good friend is someone who will talk on the phone with me for more than two or three minutes.

2. A good friend is someone who will put up with my insecurities.

3. A good friend is someone who is always happy to see me.

4. A good friend is someone who lets me bring my children along on occasion.

5. A good friend is someone who will play "duck, duck, goose" with said children.

6. A good friend is someone who lets me express my opinions.

7. A good friend is someone who has opinions of their own, as well.

8. A good friend is someone who believes in me, even when I have problems believing in myself.

9. A good friend is someone who won't settle for mediocre friendship, but insists on the real thing.

10. A good friend is something everyone needs, and I have.

Help!

This is a brand new site for me, and I'm having some trouble navigating it. Maybe when Rachael comes over on Wednesday she can help me.

What have I done?

At the urging of my younger sister, (she gets me in sooooo much trouble) I have moved my blog. I'm hoping to like this space a lot more than the last one.