A Little Help From My Friends

tee: thrifted, sweater: Halogen from Nordstrom, jeans: j brand from Nordstrom, shoes: Sperry Top-Siders from Nordstom

Man, seriously, barely made it through last night. If it hadn't been for the brilliant suggestion by my director (go eat. Pho. At Ballet) and had I not listened, I probably wouldn't have.  But I did (PHO CURES ALL) and I was able to hang around reading (my newly purchased) second book in The Hunger Games trilogy (Catching Fire) and memorize some lines only to learn that they forgot to call someone they needed in the scene and we were all let go early... meh, oh wells.  At least I felt better.  Less lethargic. Food, who knew?

I did, as you can read, break down and buy both the second & third books in The Hunger Games series in hardback, but so far, definitely enjoying Catching Fire, so no complaints and from what I've heard Mockingjay is also supposed to be great.  PLUS, since I bought them at Elliott Bay I got a free ticket for me and a friend to go to the book signing in November.  I don't know if I'll go (waiting in line with all the kids & their moms isn't exactly my cup of tea), but who knows?  I might fall in love with the books and decide it's worth it... Or I might give it away to someone who wants it more...

Tonight I am debating yoga.  I brought all my stuff and am planning on going, but I am not sure about the whole work to yoga, shower, rush to rehearsal thing... I might just go home and enjoy a few hours off... But no decisions yet. I'll keep my options open.

Today is the official "off book" day for the show and surprisingly, I think I'm pretty close to being completely memorized.  The few scenes we have yet to block are a little vague, but for the rest of it?  I am ready to try it! Tonight we start running chunks of scenes and I really love this part of the process.  You get to see how everything fits together and really run & refine it all.  It's where you completely lose faith that you will be ready on time and then **poof** it (usually) all comes together at the last minute. And it's where you really get to know your cast.  Heart!

Wind Me Up

tee: Hollister, sweater: American Eagle, pants: jolt from Nordstrom, boots: Chinese Laundry from DSW, accessory:  giant cocktail ring

Not much to say about today (that I didn't already say last post), except I look so exhausted it's just sad.  Hopefully, I can make it through the rest of the work day and rehearsal tonight (CURSE the split rehearsal!  I am called from 6-7 and then have a break until 930... I guess I'll memorize some lines... and be exhausted... blearg!)... Hopefully...

PLUS, seriously, what's with my hair?  I am epitomizing "bed head" today.  Just, ya know, not on purpose... blearg.

Green It!

tee: Rubbish from Nordstrom, pants: jolt from Nordstrom, shoes:  Sperry Top-Siders from Nordstrom, scarf: gifted from my nana

Breaking the Code was great.  Bradford Farwell played Alan Turing so ridiculously believably that he completely became the scientist.  I have never heard anyone successfully master a stutter onstage, they always come off contrived, but Farwell nailed it.  Everything about Turing made him both instantly likable and extremely arrogant, but of course when you're that brilliant, it's an understandable conceit.  The play itself was a little long (although I just think I hit a wall at 2 hours 15 minutes no matter how good the show is), and extremely cerebral (sometimes the mathematics can be overwhelming), but Straw Shop attacks the difficult script with dexterity and finesse.  Sheila Daniels (love her!) direction keeps it moving even when it gets head-y and the moments land because of it.  When you have that much talent onstage, it makes sense that the show is so good.  Every actor has a moment to shine and they all shine brightly.

About halfway into the first act, I could not shake the fact that I wished Dad was in town to see this show with me.  All the mathematical language and the beginnings of computer science seemed like it would be right up his alley (that and maybe he could have explained some of the more "math-y" sections to me).  This show made you want to be smart enough to understand everything in it!

Right after Breaking the Code, I went over to the last Smörgåsbord at Balagan's current space (GAH!  Such a fun final(-ish) show!) and literally fell in love with this one band's music.  Love how that happens.  The night continued with the Cider House pt 2 peeps over at Terry's house until the wee hours and then I crashed at home and slept like a LOG.

The plan on Sunday was to go to the Puyallop, but when Dani texted my at 930, it was still nasty out and we decided to skip the Fair and just hangout and watch the Seahawks game (GIANT BOO!) and relax at her place.  It was fun.  I think after the craziness of the day before it was what I needed, but I was supes disappointed to hear Patrick say that the weather held and they didn't get rained on once!  Oh well...  We'll find another Sunday to head south and watch mutton bustin'(YES!), eat fatty foodz and ride rides!

The result of crazy times this weekends means, of course, that I now need another weekend to recover, but alas, I am at work... exhausted.  And I think I have rehearsal every night this week, too, so no early nights... blearg.  Next weekend I shall take it easy!

You Win Some...

shirt: Gibson from Nordstrom, jeans: j brand from Nordstrom, shoes: BP from Nordstrom, accessory: ring from Panama, bejeweled bracelet,

After a looooong day at work yesterday I was able to go home and take a few hours' break before heading out to Five Gold Rings (in the POURING RAIN).  And the time off?  Lovely.  The rain?  Not so much... the fact that the rain made a repeat appearance tonight on my way to Breaking the Code?  SIGNIFICANTLY less than awesome... blearg.  The rainy season is upon us.  I wasn't quite ready to let go of the small semblance of a summer that we encountered, but the weather RIPPED it from my arms.  Flooding it into fall...

FGR was interesting.  The lead guy (the father) was definitely not as strong as I had wanted him to be.  Not strong enough to carry a show, but the brothers were great!  And one of the women too.  GOD, she was good (in the part I was cast as...ironically), but the other girl?  Oh god, HURT me to watch onstage. Poor posture, poor (over-)acting, no empathy.  She took a part that you are only supposed to like and turned it into something unlikable.  Unknowable.  Alien.  Everyone else found some connection, but hers was completely lost.  Plus, the whole show needed to lose about 15 minutes of time.  I mean, the amount of time everyone took for their "moments" onstage?  All about 1-2 minutes too long.  Cut or shorten those and you have your 15 minutes.  And I think that is direction more than anything. And generally, that's what the show needed, direction, a focus.  I didn't know or identify with who they were or where they were coming from and due to the heightened language this made it extra difficult to understand.  It needed tightening and I hope it happens in a few weeks.

Then we all went out and I lied like the liar that I am and made new friends and reconnected with old ones and had TONS of fun in Ballard, which will forever make me think of Reefer Madness.  I talked about my (completely conceptual) one-woman cabaret, too.  Good night, some progress...just wish the show had been more solid.

Today I did some hot yoga this morning (slightly hungover) and then headed to a coffee date with Sara, which, despite its brevity, was completely lovely.  I just wanna spend more time with her every time we hangout.  Then, I Freaks & Geeks'd it until it was time to head to Breaking the Code at Straw Shop...

To Be CONT...

Steely Gaze

tunic: Michael Star from Nordstrom, leggings: H&M, boots: MIA from Nordstrom Rack, accessories: necklace & cocktail ring

Oh Candy is BACK!  And I missed her.  It was great to get back onto the stage too.  I realized as I was there that my last two rehearsals (waaay back in last week or even farther) had not been on the stage either!  So really, it had been a loooong time since everything had glommed together and she is so much FUN!  Seriously, fun.  Plus, I was able to tell Rachel how easy her lines are to memorize and I think she was really appreciative... Aw... Loving this show!

Also, last night at FFOK I made a new friend.  He is one of the FFOK Court Jesters (since I am the Princess, he's MY Court Jester) and his friends had bailed too, so we hungout.  It was a strange FFOK.  I think the rain kept a lot of the regulars away, but I was there!  And I sang Que Sera Sera (belted it!  Take that Doris!) and I Put a Spell On You (again, I know, but it's so much fun!) and right as I was getting ready to take off the bartender came over and asked me if I was gonna sing any Chicago and it took me a second, but I realized he wanted me to do When You're Good to Mama.  I told him next time, for sure.  It was adorable.

Tonight I am heading to the opening night of ECS' Five Gold Rings (which I was cast in, so it will be interesting to see what part I would have been) down at the Ballard Underground and then I'll probably stick around for the post-show party to hangout with all the peeps I rarely see (and Dani).  Then tomorrow nuthin' but yoga, a possible lunch date with the former Lady C, Sara, and then Breaking the Code at Straw Shop that night.  And Sunday Dani and I are doin' the Puyallop!  Excited to eat fattening foodz (yoga for sheezee on Sat because of that) and ride some rides and hopefully catch some mutton bustin!

Sensibly Numb (take 2)

jeans: bdg for Urban, tee: Zara, tank: Costco, booties: thrifted, sweater: (not pictured) thrifted

OK, so I have NO idea what happened to the formatting on that last post, so here I go again!

Woah!  There have been some shake-ups at work.  And they all happened yesterday.  And all in my department.  One person is leaving for another job, one is taking a sabbatical and two were let go. All of this means that by the end of this month the media department will comprise a total of 5 people.  And I will be the only assistant.  Wow... But I talked to my mama last night and I'm not going to freak out or stress about it because there is nothing that I can do.  Whatever happens, happens (as she quoted), but I am going to start craigslist-ing for a new job... Somehow, I feel like this change might not let me take off the 2 weeks I want to in February to go to DC, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter(!!!!!!!!!!) and Panama to visit the fah-zha and that... that's a deal breaker, ladies!

So, I am in transition.  But I am excited for some things that remain the same.  Like tonight I have my first rehearsal since I went on vacation and I am uber-excited about getting back into Candy.  PLUS right after, I have a little FFOK business to take care of!  A few songs and then home early, methinks.  My Stoopid Insomnia (which is how it will now be referred) has left me all sleepified and shizz... blearg.  But not too tired for FFOK.  NEVER too tired for FFOK!

Eye of the Beholder

skirt: H&M, tights: gifted from Urban, boots: Report Signature from Nordstrom, tee: kimchi blue for Urban, sweater: Express, necklace: Aldo from LA

Well, I rocked it at yoga last night.  And it was great.  Just had to inspire myself to get there, I guess (phad thai helped).  Also, weird to take 2 showers in one day... One of those things that makes you go "I feel like I already did this", which of course, you have.  It's just strange.

I couldn't sleep again last night (heart beating outta my chest again--AWESOME).  BOO!  I really hate my insomnia.  I knew I could have taken something, but... I just hate doing that.  Although I'm pretty sure that watching a rousing sports movie right before bed did not help in the sleep department (Invictus--very good!). But still!  After working all day and then having my ass handed to me in yoga?  I totes should be allowed to get a good night's sleep!

No plans again tonight.  I'll probably just hangout at home post-work for a bit and then head up to the Hill for my friend's going away drink at Rosebud later on.  I feel like everyone is taking off and leaving Seattle and... I'm not.  I know it's in the cards, but I just feel like as long as I am consistently working in this city I just don't know if it makes sense to leave...Although those 9 months last year really sucked.  Another bout like that and I might just up and leave... (I mean, I WAS working, just not in full productions.  Staged readings, concerts and workshops do not a show make).  For now, though, I am more than happy here.  I just hate that "here" is the city where I grew up...

Anyways, check out how light/reddish my hair looks?  Crazy!