line 2 spcl 010

Since we're opening "Steel Magnolias" next week and have turned the stage into a beauty parlor, I had the props mistress cut my hair yesterday after work in one of the swanky salon chairs. There are pictures somewhere, but I haven't seen them yet. I have Rory Gilmore college hair again.

I keep making to-do and packing lists for London, but I should save my time and paper since I seem to rewrite the same things every time. Frankly, I'm just happy that I haven't pulled out the suitcase and practiced packing yet.

I'm finished with shows for the season, so now I have two months of trying to make Scheduling seem like a full-day job. Most days it's not even a half-day job, and--now that my computer has gone fritzy--I'm running low on projects. (Ignoring, of course, obvious things such as revamping the company stage management handbook or helping box office make renewal calls, two projects that I keep avoiding.) How's that for being a responsible adult? I just want to play Bubble Blaster.

WHO ATE MY TRACK RATINGS?!

Ahem.

I had a crick in my neck when I woke up this morning, and--oddly enough--such things only get worse when you spend your day up and down ladders, checking lights, moving props, etc. Someone (I actually think it was me, but it was too long enough to be sure) left a bag of broccoli in the freezer at the theater, and it's spent most of the day cradling my shoulder.

I don't know why I'm so obsessed with Mazzy Star's "Into Dust," but I think a small part of it is the Firefly-esque trill at the end of the track.

If we don't manage to pull off these "Waiting for Godot" tickets after all the talk of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, I think the world may beat us up.

Is it weird that I only seem to post in [usually] longer Twitter-style, disjointed posts anymore?

What cheese is made backwards?

Oh! How I love my post-4:30 riddle hunt for the next day's show!

(3) Charging the KLIC-7001 battery

I cannot explain (nor understand, really) how much I love reading instruction manuals. Maybe when the actors finally push me over the edge, I'll find a job editing technical manuals and live in strangely satisfied bliss. (Or not. Depends on how I react when they first push me over the edge.)

We may have lodgings set by the end of the day, depending on how much a certain brother wishes to stick with his "no, really, I don't have an opinion" mantra. Interestingly enough, the two places I stayed in London last time both made the final list. One of us (read: me) will just need to decide if it's worth the extra $40 to sleep in a room with two less beds.

I wish I'd marked on my calendar when I first started to alphabetically listen to my iPod. (What? Then I can rate everything and make my vaguely OCD side feel great!) I'm over a fourth through my entire collection, but I can't gauge how long it will take to finish if I don't remember when I began.

I've only seen one disc of one season, but I love you already, Doctor Who. Now I'll be on a TARDIS hunt this summer, too.

Someday I would like to think I would post in a long format again.

My Ta-Daa days are over the foreseeable future. We had a nice crowd of kids, only one wanted to punch me (and that was only after she'd been adorable for 3/4 of the night), and--since the head fan wasn't working--I had one of the better workouts I've had since mandatory P.E. classes. Way to be, acting bug.

Seeing as it's fifteen minutes before the end of the day, I think I'm safe to say that I've successfully avoided feeling bored enough to read "Voice of the Prairie" (the play based on Laura Ingalls Wilder that we're producing next season) another day. I don't have anything against LIW, but what I've heard about the play (it's supposed to be very "and then this happened...and then this happened...and then...") doesn't endear it to my heart.

The PR department is letting everyone update bios for the company wall, playbill, and wherever else they might be needed. While I haven't been here too terribly long, it's weird to think that I still had things to change. My previous bio was all pre-ADP work, even when I got to rewrite a shorter version for the P&P playbill at the end of my intern year. I actually have favorite shows from Texas (including a magic show!) to list, shows that would make my favorite productions whether I wanted to list something from my current theater or not.

Now I feel the need to update my resume, but I'll save that for home. Mixed with my plane ticket and my talk of children's theater I plan to see while abroad [how junior year of me], it probably wouldn't inspire much confidence in my whole "I swear I'm coming back, guys!" story.

ambition

this blog post makes me inexplicably happy, as it proves that there's a [sort of] way to fulfill my ambition to be The Muppet Show's stage manager...while simultaneously becoming friends with Tina Fey. Score!

stay away, karate twins (but power rangers welcome)

I'd post about my Adventures in Laundry from last night (because who *can't* do without a good story involving rinsing and wringing an entire load of laundry after finding it several inches deep in standing water?), but instead I'll alert the world that I'll be dancing in the bug suit again tonight at the Kirkwood Chick-fil-A. Tomorrow will be an encore performance at the Fondren location.

I'm going to attempt to install some contacts in the hopes that tonight's frolicing will be less fuzzy.

hiccups

Ta-Daa and the Chick-fil-A cow are dancing fools.

I want to name the gapping hole in our hallway ceiling because I think it might be there for awhile. Might as well be able to say "hey!" to Jerry or Enrique or whatever.

I had to stop reading my book on Sesame Street history this morning because I reached Jim Henson's memorial service and didn't want to cry in front of twenty other bus riders.

Why oh why am I this sore from *roller skating?* (Related: who remembered that skating parties were so very awesome?)

[I'm fairly calm about this right now, but should dissolve into jumping and dolphin sounds in about three hours.]

I seem to have just purchased a [round trip! don't worry, theater!] ticket to London this summer.

thoughs while eating a bag of uncooked ramen

I haven't eaten this since high school, probably while waiting outside the Muny.

Has this always been this messy? ... And now my desk is covered with oriental flavor dust.

I should go grocery shopping.

Hope would be really proud that I still do this, even if it hasn't been for years.

Shoot, I need to get Hope a wedding congrats card!

If I'd thought of that before I ate the noodles, I could've gone to CVS for the card *and* food.

I better end this lunch with a plane ticket.

karate chop twins

I just reached the point of the night when everything became funny. Normally, this hits at post-1 a.m. (If you cannot see the date stamp on this post, it's only 10:09.)

I'll be able to post some Chick-fil-A bug pics, hopefully tomorrow afternoon when I'm no longer in tech for the ridiculous rainbow show.

Wow, am I tired and sweaty and still at the theater. Off to remedy all three.

still here

Whenever I need a quick pick-me-up, there's always

The Muppet's Habanera

A Classic Kenneth the Web Page

Or, a good oldie, Best of Craigslist

Just sharing.

oh, the hours....

I've just spent way to much of my life working to solve this delightful puzzle of movie titles. (And, because this is the internet, I had cheating help.)

Only one more day of Charlotte, though it might be enough to push me over the edge as it features a Development Event Late In The Afternoon, which is when I'm at my least friendly, mostly because I don't get to take naps then anymore.

Riddle rehearsals have not [yet] caused our unpaid apprentice to run screaming from the theater world, so that's plus. I don't know what to do with so much eager-to-help energy, though, except remember Young, Eager-to-Help Hannah and wonder where she's been lately.

I need a vacation. Or, more specifically, I need to plan and reserve a vacation. Maybe I really will spend my half of the week sitting in parks, reading British books and feeding pigeons.

*picture me jumping up and down while I talk about these things*

I love these shirts. (As well as Mental Floss in general.)

I finally heard all of "The Drowsy Chaperone" yesterday evening, and have had it on repeat ever since. (Favorite lyric that doesn't read well, but really really listens well: Six excruciating continents/Antarctica - oh, please)

Paperwork, oh how I love you.

I keep breaking the lobby laptop: an update

I'm much calmer today, probably because I spent this morning browsing guidebooks in Borders rather than running two children's theater shows.

I owe my brother a list of locations I want to see on the trip...which, in sitting at work retrospect, would have been much easier if I had one of the guidebooks with me right now.

I think I'll go swimming tomorrow. Look for a post about how badly sunburnt I am on Tuesday.

chocolate chocolate ack

I'm all out of sorts because we were thisclose to getting flight tickets taken care of...the very vital first step in the London excursion...and now I'm waiting on a credit card to magically reappear from the mail system. In the meantime, the flight that we wanted has gone up in price, so we'll have to go with the next one up (a $60 difference), unless those seats run out before the card shows up.

I just want to get things settled, even beyond flights and lodging and theater tickets for Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellian (the big three items on the to-do). I want to work out when we're taking side trips and what things both Caleb and Kat want to see and how to fit everything on Caleb's to-do list into three and a half days. (Hint: impossible mission)

And, deep down in the pit of my stomach, I'm a little afraid that I'll hate the whole trip and I'll need to rethink the past three years of being in love with a foreign city.

profile.php?id

Waiting for a facebook page to load is the modern age's version of watching paint dry.

the birds are singing sweetly

I would drop everything if someone gave me the chance to be in "Into the Woods."

I should probably stop listening to it on repeat, though, before I really have memorized the entire show while fixing scheduling conflicts.


In the world of me being vague (because I do that often on here): my over the weekend crafting would be done if I knew how to properly use a copy machine.

no names yet

The best thing about bringing frozen goods for lunch later is they keep you cool at the bus stop. Hurrah, instant a/c!

For the half-day I spent at the Rotunda yesterday, I thought the new graffiti across the street said "FFA" and I dreamed up all sorts of future farmer punks with spray cans. Sadly, it's actually "FEA."

Do I actually post anymore beyond post-lets? Survey seems to say no.

narwhals and bacon

To answer [here] the question I've heard a lot today: No, I never got my cheeseburger. But that's okay.

To post [here] what apparently didn't post to my twitter this morning on the bus ride in: Stuck behind a train which is stuck behind a man walking the tracks. What? (I don't understand, either.)

To continue posting in the same ridiculous manner: all the Grace staff who were working post-4 p.m. are very impressed with your ability to nail birthday presents, Mother Dear. I assume that it is only natural, after knowing me for twenty-five (yikes!) years that you would send me a Shakespeare action figure and zombie pet figurines. (P.S. - the bird is my favorite, but the rabbit is a close second)

administrative use only

I'm starting to remember the kind of crazoid life I lived the past two springs when I'd have the regular Rotunda show going on as well as special Miller rehearsals. It does not make me the best person I can be, but I'm hopefully saving all the frustration and angst for when I'm alone in the office and can chew loudly on straws in peace.

What the what is up with me chewing straws lately? Maybe it has to do with this desk, as it came with a pile of straws that the previous tenant had yet to chew (her own favorite stress relief hobby). I'm also not sure whether it is or isn't healthier than chewing gum.

Veering onward (since my phone just buzzed me), I wish I could record an album just to write the liner notes. (You'd think there'd be more thought there, but that's pretty much it. I'd really, really like to write liner notes for something.)

And, while I'm feeling musically inclined: is there any happier lyric than "I'm in love/and it's a sunny day?" (Beatles - Good Day Sunshine) Even if you yourself are not either of those things, you feel a bit better thinking that someone else could be.

Yuck, ending with a preposition.

follow the leader

I seem to be the last one leaving the theater a lot lately. Matched with my pension for being the first one at the theater, it's perhaps no wonder that I keep so many spare clothes here. And shoes. And bags of candy.

Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who walk into a bar...

I have a sudden and inexplicable urge to make a joke about tesseracts. I don't know where it came from; it's not like my brain has a stored up wealth of "Why did the tesseract cross the road..." jokes.

A craft project (and possibly bubbles) to anyone who can come up with a decent tesseract joke. Surely there's an ex-mathlete out there somewhere who has some ideas.

I came in to do show reports, but somehow ended up on Facebook photo albums. I don't understand it, either.

It saddens me to think that I no longer have a yearly theatre banquet to look forward to at the end of the season. And--before anyone points it out--Spotlighter Awards does not count, as there is almost a zero chance that people will dance to "Love Shack" by the evening's end.

time is ticking

It's nice that--for once--I got a Future Me email where I had accomplished something I wanted done by this point....rather than feeling all sad for the Past Me, who hadn't seen her dreams done yet. Pat on the back.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, candy, random singing, wishes from other peoples' parents, more candy, and free sopaipillas (oh, the free, lit with a single candle sopaipillas) that have already come in. I know I'm a little silly about not making a big deal about my birthday, but I really do appreciate all the well wishes. And candy. And free food.

Today, even with the feeling sick during the show earlier, is one of those days when I feel very secure and happy in my life. Happy birthday (and happy happy) to me.

"You're the silent birthday type, aren't you?"

(Fun fact: I drafted out this post while in the kitchen of the theater about an hour ago, updated Facebook, and completely forgot what I'd wanted to say. Behold, the dangers of internet social sites!)

Just to say it--in the last few hours before it actually hits--it's not that I *don't* get excited about my birthday. And it's not (as I told a few people) that my birthdays peaked with the awesome college birthdays I had (hello, sidewalk chalk, pinata, sparkily red sequin dress, and light-up heels!) and therefore no one should ever try to impress me again.

Birthdays are one of the few days of the year* when magical things are supposed to happen to you, whether that means someone [finally!] gives you a pony or simply buys you a meal. People are nicer to you, and there's often cake dropped on your doorstop. Even if the day nosedives into the gravel, you get to remember that you lasted another year...and surely that's enough to make it through one more day.

So, please don't take it personal if you seem more excited about my birthday than I am tomorrow. I'll be bouncy on the inside, especially when I hit the free queso in the evening.


(*other days: Christmas, Black Friday, Groundhog Day)

(mostly, because it was commented upon earlier)

For those of you keeping track at home, I am now in my third outfit of the day. Man, I love having things to do in the evening.

posting, THEN facebook

There's been something swirling around in my head since over the weekend when it plopped in my skull and made me burst into tears (in a *good* way, so don't worry). Sadly, though, I only have eight minutes left of lunch, and--since I was magically off yesterday--I have a huge pile of things to accomplish before tomorrow's auditions. Somehow I always forget my editing (and reediting and re-reediting and...) tendencies before I start a writing project. Must be something about not having papers with due dates anymore.

Would you believe that I've been out of college for three years? (I would, but only because I wear heels to work on a fairly consistant basis, and I certainly didn't bother with that at Truman.)

a listing of things

* My head (and, thus by extension, my brain) really, really hurts right now.

* I never actually noticed the "Vacation Days Left" line on the absence request forms before this week (the line I should be filling in as part of my putting it in the system), and that'll probably cause me some flack as of, oh, tomorrow morning.

* I may have sort of possibly implied that I would stage manage all the Mainstage and Rotunda shows at the same time if the company provided me with a vehicle to go home in-between. (As in, I told the managing director I would SM both shows if I had a vehicle and could go home in-between rehearsals/performances.)

* I might now be unofficially stage managing both first slot shows next season.

* My head hurt before both of these things.

* In a veering to the other direction, I would buy a Mo Williems pigeon or Knuffle Bunny shirt if I ever found one that struck my fancy.

* I kinda want to go home and either (A) sleep or (B) read my high school MLA. No, I'm not sure what's wrong with me, either.

but there is interneticus to explore!

I should invest in internet at home again just so I would leave work at the end of the workday.

um.....

"It's good to know that I'm not crazy," I said with relief.

Then I realized I was talking out loud.

To myself.

In an otherwise empty hallway.

when you want to have a rainbow/then you have to have some rain

The supreme "joy" of my life at this moment is the supreme lack of complete sheet music for "Riddle of the Rainbow," our recently announced fifth children's show. (This is why I'm planning vacation in July instead of June. It may also be why I go crazy and run screaming from Texas before July, but some days have more reasons than others.)

I've been really grouchy and tired lately (as well as feeling anti-social and compelled to eat my weight in chocolate), but I'm hoping I'll bounce back soon. I don't like myself while I act this way, and I'm sure others don't either (part of why I choose to hermetize). I blame the pig show ad-libbing, stalled vacation plans, and the toys that have fallen into oblivion behind my desk when people use my computer without my permission.

Unrelated: Did you know that Locks of Love has a hardcore disclaimer about how they aren't affiliated with any religious, political, or otherwise issue stance?

fin fang foom

I am so very sleepy at the moment, but can sadly go nowhere until my ipod finishes charging. On the plus side, I've slightly goofed off (though you could argue that reading Playbill helps keep me informed about my profession and therefore doesn't count as "goofing off") for the past hour...which works out to approximately a full work day anyway. You do not know the full joys of being a stage manager until you're at the theater at 8:15, gluing straw back onto fence posts.

(Other joyful items for that hour of day: moving chairs, pulling props, hanging beams from the ceiling.)

Will got me a Muppet Show comic book as my prize for finishing the crossword puzzle on his blog (he was celebrating 100 straight days of posting), but I'm not quite awake enough to enjoy it right now.

crunchity crisp crunch

I'm eating an apple right now, mostly because the rest of my lunch wasn't quite filling enough. It's far from the best apple I've ever had, seeing as it has lived in my bag to and from work for over a week (and had gained something resembling white paint on one side), but it's held up better than I expected.

I'd sit outside to enjoy this semi-wonderment of fruit, but I've started peeling from the last time I spent quality time outside at work and would prefer not to make things worse.

We've decided to do a fifth children's show this summer after all, so I'll spend my post-lunch two hours listening to music that isn't labelled and trying to decide which track is which song. As you've probably already guessed, I'm looking forward to this.

I'm going to search for things on the IKEA website now, as I want a package and have a gift certificate anyway.

today's blog post cancelled due to unexpected actual work

Sorry! I'm helping choose music!

"This is the type of a logistical problem that can make stage managers lose sleep and eat asprins."

Somehow, in my many hours of sitting outside and reading the stage management textbook left in my desk, I managed to receive a sunburn...but only on the left side of my body. Seeing as this was the side furtherest from the sun, I'm a bit perplexed as to how I accomplished the feat.

As for the book, it amazes me how terribly, terrifically out of date something can be about technology when updated only seven years ago.

(equals just enough time to post something for the day...swell!)

Two minutes until I can leave the box office and pick up some delightful Tex Mex from down the street. If I didn't have to deal with Kirby construction traffic to reach it, or if I didn't have to return to the theater by seven afterward, it would be a perfectly lovely evening.

bunnies

I enjoy a quick email exchange between company departments, especially with quips, since it helps me feel less like I'm the only one goofing off due to lack of projects. In box office there were always phones to answer, database entries to clean, and emails to sort. What am I supposed to do when there's nothing to fit into the calendar? Working on making the scheduling office more schedule-tastic?

(Admittedly, I should work on the company stage management handbook, which is currently helpful only to people who have never SMed before and need a crash course. I've instead been reading the SM textbook left in my desk from one of the previous tenants. Did you know that stage managers need to be very organized, but have a sense of humor?)

Special thanks to Angelfish for the box of Easter candy that arrived today, happily without being chewed by a dog first. (The box I sent her did not receive the same luck.) Its contents will join the other quality candy stashed in my desk and hidden from actors until needed.

Not hidden is a collection of candies from college and beyond that recently moved from my home pantry to work desk in the hopes that it would be consumed by someone besides myself. Sadly, nobody wants to eat my old candy anymore. I got rid of most of the container of ancient butterscotches, Skittles, and other assorted packaged candies before everyone figured out the majority was sticky and gross. Now I'm left with a few layers of Lifesavers that cling to one another due to an unfortunately melted grape Now and Later. Delicious! (Also in the bottom of the container: pieces of tree bark and dried grass from when the original candy was scooped up off the ground under my 21st/9th birthday pinata. That really adds to the appeal, I'm sure.)

should've chosen the left arm

What UP, Tetnus booster shot? I know I can live most of life stuck in zombie straight ahead arms, but it would be nice if you didn't throb when I move more than an inch away from that angle.

On the plus side, I apparently have a near perfect blood pressure level, which I'll fondly remember years from now when it skyrockets (as I'm genetically predisposed to have happen).

being good and posting twice in the same month

One positive thing that arose from the lack of internet blogging was a slight return of regular journaling, which had mostly fallen by the wayside since, oh, mid-college. One of the supreme joys of this past Christmas was finding the stack of middle school through college journals and enjoying some adolescent angst. (For some reason, angst is much more entertaining after the fact.) Even if it's all about metro buses, Londong planning, and random grocery lists, I'm glad that Future Hannah will someday also have a paper record of this period of her life.

I don't know that there was much point to sharing that. I had a second half planned, which needed that first portion, but I'm ready to take lunch and the idea isn't fully developed yet anyway. Here's to making a third post in the same month?

When you don't have internet at home, it's easiest just to text into Twitter and leave life at that.

(See above, with apologies for the past few months)

We just finished the opening week of "Charlotte's Web," which means this blog missed all the joy and insanity of the superhero show. It's the most cues I've ever called [so far], and probably the most fun I'll ever had calling a show. (There was a standby to lower a cage! A visual cue in my blind spot involved a series of back and forth hand signals! My ASM spent part of the show in a dolphin costume! Two dance breaks and a recurring sheep joke!) Here's a picture of the Super Stage Manager (featuring patented Super Stage Manager Hair):



Thanks, "Hero Squad vs. The Princess Snatchers."

Now we're into "Charlotte's Web" instead, so I go home craving pork and, oddly, frozen custard. Yum. (Today we settled for cotton candy in the booth, and that was glorious enough.) This show will run until the end of May--the longest I've ever been on the same show [shows traveling from the Rotunda to Miller Outdoor don't count, the show changes to reblock and adjust to a non-circular space], so we'll see how long I care. A show is better than no show, or so any of my not-employed-in-theater theater major friends would tell me.

And, on a final, passing thought: I started biting my nails again. Oops.

Greetings, 2009!

Hello, poor forgotten blog. I've returned from the vacation world of Missouri to a desk full of "while you were out"s and a laptop I'm going to steal for the Rotunda. There's still no internet at home, as our month of fighting with ATT resulted in their service actually not being available in our area. I'll just call that as a "contrary to previous information" and leave the story there.

It's been a full week since I last bit off my fingernails, so that's the default resolution for this year. (Perhaps also to not buy new shoes everytime I see a pair I like.)

And, now I'll end with a quote from stage combat rehearsal: "Never point the mace at a face. It rhymes, so don't do it."

ice snow slush thunderstorms tornadoes

We're spending an extra day in Iowa due to the large storm front stretching out from, oh about Dallas through Iowa. It's just as well, far as I'm concerned, seeing as I hadn't realized we were leaving today until about twelve hours ago.

I'd like to think that, if nothing else, this will let me progress beyond beginner drums on Guitar Hero. (I also hope that Caleb doesn't magically miss his flight tomorrow afternoon.)

Perhaps, we'll have internet at the apartment again someday. (A post-Christmas miracle?)

We're in Iowa, land of cows and (currently) snow. People keep making comments about the Amish due to my brother's Grizzly Adams beard. My cousin (who resembles Mr. Clean) is playing a paintball video game, despite having pulled out a Guitar Hero guitar to the living room also. My mom is talking about Dirty Jobs (specifically, the snake episode, but I'm sure they'll switch to something else soon). There's talk of staying up all night, just because. I love my family.

I need some hot chocolate.

Even if it's not really sticking anywhere (except the tops of cars), it is SNOWING in HOUSTON, and that necesitates a picture of my feet.

someday I'll actually use weekends to call people again

Any day that starts with David Bowie blasting in your head cannot steer you wrong.

Of course, my stomach waits until right before I'm heading for the bus to tell me how very hungry it is. Thanks.

This past weekend, all Muppet-tastic that is was, makes me want to carve things in styrofoam like back in college.

I don't know why I have so many dreams about being on dance competition shows.

Some things are just too ridiculous...which is why I should call people.

(especially after a week of online calendar mishaps, talk of understudies, and general scheduling crazines)

I didn't expect the "call me back" message from my boss to be about a cat carrier, but I'm very happy to tell him I don't have it.

(But it won't stop me from being on the internet or answering phones at work for four hours)

I'm pretty much non-functional right now, between the sleepover last night and early morning sales today.

remembering petticoat lane

My college self once mini ranted about this, so I don't feel the need to elaborate, but it still bums me out that no networks broadcast "Jurassic Park" on Thanksgiving anymore.

5 a.m. is for wimps

The Disney Store across the street from me will be open at midnight for Black Friday. That'd probably be the easiest sale to get to all day, actually, both in location and time.

I'm going to end up at all sorts of ridiculous places on Friday, aren't I?

I am thankful for not working much this week.

Here's the magically schedule of my Thankgsiving week:

today - morning off, followed by auditions in the afternoon

tomorrow - full day, though helped along by meetings in the morning

day after that - understudy rehearsal in the morning, afternoon off to make up for today's auditions

day after after that - turkey! parades! fireworks!

post day after after that - waking up at, I don't know, 4 a.m. and working the afternoon phone shift to get extra vacation time

I think I'm going to squander a lot of time this week.

I just entered a ridiculous contest.

You know what I'm horribly addicted to right now? Butterfinger crips (sadly in the miniture size, as that's all that was on post-Halloween sale). I should've bought more.

Dress tech yesterday went remarkably well, especially considering how tense cue to cue was the day prior. As a result, I no longer need to gaff-tape anyone's mouth shut.

I'm afraid to fold my laundry because all the pieces I can see have red fuzzy all over from my towels.

My box spring went on temporary loan to the theater about three days ago, and ever since I've been sleeping on the equivilant of a mattress on the floor. (Sure, the mattress edges are still on my bed frame, but the middle is not.) I have had the most vivid dreams since this occurred, probably because I'm not getting decent sleep and just haven't realized it yet.

from the confounded bells

I am still frustrated from this afternoon, which was one of the most stressful (and, yes, frustrating) cue to cues I've ever done. Anywhere. And, naturally, I'm frustrated that I let myself *become* so frustrated, and thus short with some cast members. Also, I wanted to gaffe tape others. I do not think this is how professional stage managers act. At least, not out loud.

it's November, and my daisies are blooming again

I love how tech week affords me the ability to ignore things I don't want to deal with. "Sorry, I'll be at the Rotunda all week. I'll deal with it if I can, but otherwise it'll have to wait until Monday." This also works out because I always run out of things to do on Monday. Tech week is the ultimate win-win, except for the figuring out where to call cues and creating the proper timing and trying to have patience with 13-year-old actors (I assume that one'll be an issue).

Also, I eat a bunch of Zingers out of the breakroom machine since I've convienced myself those are the official food of Tech Week.

In other parts of the world, I need to write back someone from August (and someone from March), put together a Christmas list that isn't half put together on a rehearsal report, and stop drafting entries to Best Buy's black Friday contest. Either write the whole thing, or forget about it. Also, I should stop looking at all pictures of London, pictures of Humane Society kittens, and pictures of scuba equipment, because that one's just too random.

remember, remember, the sixth of November

I wished my cast a happy Guy Fawkes Day yesterday, and it saddened me that nobody else knew what I was talking about. I figured between the other angliophiles (and the comic book nerds), I'd run into someone.

I consoled myself with a baked potato for dinner, even if I didn't roast in in the embers of a bonfire like they did in olden days. Or maybe even today; I'm not really certain since I have no first-hand experience.

Speaking of things (unsuccessfully) blowing up, this morning a beeping noise was coming from the kitchen table, and my half-awake state convinced me that it was inside the new phone books bag. As in, some diabolical mind had rigged phone books to explode once people brought them inside. (It was Deb's phone alarm.)

polling station, shortly after 7 a.m. (somewhere behind me as I voted)

"...I just don't understand how other states have so many issues. Look at this, you have the i.d. and people have to sign in, so you know they're only voting once. And that computer has the clicky wheel thing, so there's nothing to punch. But I guess I should just remember that everything's better in Texas."

Remember when I used to actually post consistantly? (I think it was in college.)

I guess the biggest discovery of the week is that, when using dissolved epson salts to become frost in your hair, you should allow plenty of time to let them reform before you leave the apartment. That way, you can actually see how iced out you are before the rest of the world does first. (Or, maybe not, as it was a big hit and people actually knew what I was without me bringing up Titanic myself.) Also, you will continue picking out bits from your eyebrows for days to come, as a result from slathering on more salts than needed.

While some would say I'm in it for the candy, what I like most about Halloween is the ridiculous dressing-up. Not only did I have my crazy complicated costume (yay! alliteration!) for the evening, but I also put together a costume for the day. Sure, that one was equal parts free candy and wanting to wear a wig at work (I've got to get my money out of my Hannah Montanta merchandise). But, then there's the week of pulling things together, and all the dressing up at the costume sale a few weeks back, and it all adds up to another reason why I'm still seven.

I sometimes wish stage managers got to have costumes matching the show (but in black) if only because that's one of things I would love best about being an actor. Would it cancel out having to audition and learn lines and trying not to throw up before every show? Not really, which is why I'm satisfied with teching. Maybe I'll just start theming my blacks on my own, and then the industry can follow.

snow index 0% (sadly)

I love, love, love, love this cold front that's been passing through. There are few things I like better at this time of year than to bundle up in any form (plump coat, plentiful blankets), and that's a bit harder to enjoy when it's eighty degrees outside.

bah, humbug

Blogger magically just ate the post I'd had here, so you'll have to hear my thoughts on ice make-up, HSM3, stress, and whatever else had just been here whenever it vamoosed.

My room smells like musty laundry, and I can't be bothered to deal with it anymore.

"...and then she's all, 'Oh, by the way! Here's a scheduling thing that would've been helpful for you to know three weeks ago. See you soon!'"

It just hit me that the cheesy high school movie comes out this week, which means I have to start working on securing my ride (for the midnight show, if possible. I may not have a car to leave after, but neither do the teeny-boppers.)

Tomorrow I'm planning on going hunting for the finishing touches for my halloween costume. What's the idea this year? A drowned Titanic victim. (Thanks, costume sale, for the inspiration and authentic-looking dress.) A life preserver would be nice, but I really need proper shoes and epson salts or shaving cream (whichever proves the better ice effect). It's the details that count in the costume contest.

Is it completely crazy that I'm pondering the pros/cons of going to London for the summer. As in, all of it?

four sweater vests

I don't think I even try to get my title-thingy to match with the rest of the post.

I bought a bunch of perishable groceries today in the effort to make me actually cook and not just microwave. I hope this doesn't end with $50 of garbage in three weeks.

My room now features new drywall along the bottom edge where Ike came inside to hang out. I assume someone will come back tomorrow and attempt to make the colors match, but I'm good either way. All my furniture sits along that wall, which is why my room has been out of sorts for a month.

Did you know that I finally got around to posting all the pictures I'd taken since, oh, May. This many pictures of trees across roads from Ike and pictures of wildflowers in Wyoming. Enjoy!

Did my skull just go in a vice or what?

Really, what's the point of coming up with a photo call list for a show with costume changes? No matter how I try to plan it, someone will change faster/slower/ridiculously slower than I plan, and we'll have to revamp the order. Why do I bother?

(Because I'm a stage manager, and we like to inflict pain and efficiency. Could this headache go away so I could decide what should be first, McSmogg or the Swamp?)

and I don't even need to talk about the creamy jalapeno

One of the best things about this fine state is the large quantity of fresh, locally made queso varieties that are sold at an obscenely cheap rate. God bless Texas, indeed.

I'm not supposed to have a headache *after* eating food.

I'm alternating between actually putting items on my flashly new portable hard drive thingy (it looks like a big block of candy!) and being too distracted by everything else to put things on my bitsy toy. It probably doesn't help that Iron Chef is on because I cannot pass up an episode of Iron Chef.

For some reason I keep spelling "chef" as "chif."

Maybe I'll also use this time to post pictures once tech feel secure?

I'm apparently going to use my day off to run to Best Buy and purchase an external hard drive since Merv tried to actually die this morning. (Lately he's been sticking with "warnings of doom" and must have noticed what little affect they had on my trying to fix him.) I've already poked around online, attempting to be an informed consumer and discover what would be the best use of my meager theater earnings. All the reviews, however, are the same mix of people squealing about "love it! must buy!" or received a defective one and/or had the most soul-sucking experience possible with customer service. Actually, it seems none of these companies have good customer service, if the reviews are to be believed.

Hopefully, talking to an actual human being will help.

We apparently get a free carpet shampoo. I don't know if it's from Ike or signing the lease.

The subject of pets came up during signing our lease this morning. (Incidentally, yay! Staying in the same place for another year!) It went something like this:

Hannah: So, about the pet deposit. It's still $200...

Lorainne, our awesome apartment manager: It's $500.

H: Really?

L,OAAM: It's always been $500. And now your pet will need to pay rent, too. That's new. It's $15 per month.

H: What if we had two of them? We're thinking of getting two cats so they aren't bored when we're not around.

L,OAAM: Huh. I don't know.

Debbie, other awesome apartment manager: Would we know there are two? Like, would they looking similar so we wouldn't notice?

Deb: With the ones we were thinking about, they might.

L,OAAM: I guess that'd be $15 then.


The important question, of course, was if we need to pay a deposit per pet. They'd allow us break the $500 into two payments over the course of a month, but even that might be a little steep for our theater paychecks, let alone paying it twice.

Maybe that siamese twin cat isn't such a bad idea after all. We could at least make back the pet rent by charging admission to see our bundle of (double) joy.

I like it in "ocean."

Well, that's interesting.

no good will come of my drinking a pure-sugar coke at 10 p.m.

(No good will come from re-Lysoling my carpet and staying in that room, either, from purely brain cell purposes.)

After fighting all the traffic necessary to reach the downtown aquarium for their $5 night, we discovered downtown itself is under a different curfew of 8 p.m. We arrived at 7:12.

Maybe we'll see fish (and ride the ferris wheel and watch the white tigers sleep) tomorrow?

Other things:
- I need to move my London snowglobe away from quick grab range, as I sit and absentmindedly shake it while reading emails...and then end up staring at the snow falling on the little red double decker. It's not a hopeless cause when people know they have a problem, right?

- I really should track down my alarm clock because cell phone alarms don't have a snooze function.

- I'm listening to a Meatloaf song and actually updating my blog (while avoiding doing other work). What is this, college?!

and the bitsy balls of yarn to claw apart!

Looking at pictures of all the kittens on the Humane Society website makes me tear up a little. With the tails and the tiny paws and whiskers!

Anyway. Our talk about "maybe? possibly? someday?" adopting a pet of someday suddenly spun into "Kitten! We'd need two of them! One each for when someone moves out!" earlier in the evening. As is everything else in the city, the Humane Society has temporarily paused adoptions due to the hurricane and treating incoming animals.

So, who's allergic to cats? Might as well tell us now so we can stop hanging out with you.

*still* still standing

We're back in the apartment with power (and a newly cleaned freezer). My work building either is still without power, or they haven't noticed I'm not there yet. (Out of the way offices will do that to you, I guess.)

I'm hoping to catch up on some life today, seeing as life is starting to get back to normal. I need to check with our apartment office about my carpet (which thankfully doesn't smell anymore), do laundry, buy stamps, return library stuff, and post a bunch of pictures (storm and otherwise). Do I see myself on the couch for about five hours instead, watching old things on the DVR? Possibly, but here's hoping for the best.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers (plus calls and texts) that went out over the weekend. I don't regret staying, but I do know we were very, very fortunate not to end with anything falling or seeping into our apartment more than a little water. If I ever find where I stashed my camera cord to keep it safe, I'll provide some examples.

Shall we gather at the river? (tomorrow, it may be my street)

I still have a little time, but I'm going to go ahead and start unplugging electronics to prepare for when the front of the storm hits my doorstep. My cell will be on for as long as it gets a signal, and hopefully even after. Jet me a text if need be, or try to get in by regular phone. (I will reimburse you, if needed, as it will amuse me to send fifteen cents in the mail.)

If you're going to be in a hurricane, we're on the safest side of town to ride it out. Prayers go out to all those spread around the storm path, especially people I know and wish could fit in Deb's closet with me.

I'll send word out tomorrow when things are clear-ish. Keep watching for twitters as long as reception holds out and I find things that amuse me to post.

Apparently, Galveston has yet to lose its sense of humor

A bit of youtube Bwah?!-ness for you all.

The tub is full of water, some windows are taped and others are soon to be, I've taken pictures of stuffed animals reading the hurricane prep guide (why not?), and I'm way tired of endless coverage on the news. Time to watch things on the DVR!

They don't have these in London, do they?

Flooding is already occuring in Galveston with most of a day to go before landfall. Remember that road we drove down to reach the beach, right in the middle of town? That's apparently underwater due to backups in the storm drain. The news this morning had awesome video of the waves erupting (that's what it looked like) over the main storm wall.

Right now, Ike is getting his strength mostly from how *huge* he is rather than wind speed or whatever normally powers hurricanes. The current track places him to land at Galveston, probably pop up Galveston Bay, and head for all of Houston. I am not a fan of this plan, though authorities are still saying that those who don't need to leave should stay put.

When Deb wakes up (ah, blissful days of rest, no matter the circumstances), I guess we'll reassess whether we want to relocate slightly. The recommendation is to be off the road by noon, so if we're going, we're going this morning.

In the meantime, I'm going to clean the tub and fill it (yes, Mom, I was already planning to do so), move all the nonperishables into one place, pack my "if we have to run for it" bag, and tend to the window situation. Also, I need to take some pictures, because it's not every day I get to tape a shower curtain to a sliding glass door.

"Remember how I said I'd be concerned when the locals got concerned?"

As of now, Deb and I are planning on hunkering down (such a great verb, huh?) here in Houston instead of fleeing elsewhere. I've filled water gallons and pulled in my porch stuff already tonight, and will mess with any boarding/taping of windows tomorrow. We shut down shows for the rest of the weekend, including tomorrow's opening, and won't be at work until hopefully Monday. We're also hopeful that things won't be underwater by that point.

I might go to the mall tomorrow. I don't think many other people will be there.

I'll keep people updated best as I can throughout the weekend. From what I hear, it's almost certain that power will go out and flooding commence. How long and how deep is up in the air. Watch for twitters as long as I can text.

One of my favorite things heard today: "I was really pulling for your hurricane to come this direction. That way, the newspapers would've been 'Hanna Hits Houston!' 'Ike Hits Houston' just isn't the same."

I've been spending lots of time on weather-themed websites lately.

I love how there's always that point of tech week when I think about what things I'd do in life if I were not a stage manager and therefore stressing about ridiculous things. (Examples? Tortise shell straps, bell dings, fake money, trees potentially killing the audience, fifteen scene shifts in one show. And, currently, ginormous yellow window frames.) Obviously, I always come to my senses (meaning: haven't come up with a solid alternative yet), but I do wonder how long I'll put up with the drama.

Also drama: Ike (Thanks, Mom! I still have all those milk gallons!) and the off-and-on sharp pain in my back/side that is potentially in the vicinity of my kidneys. Since I don't trust theater people to be up on their human anatomy, I'm using that as an excuse to not do anything about it. Excuse me while I download all manner of free NBC shows from iTunes to celebrate all the money I'll spend buying 30 Rock each week.

I really don't know what it means to be a vine.

Once Upon a Time, back at the evening of my first Spotlighter Awards, I stood at the far end of the hall, clutching my suitcase prop (for my part as "New Intern #2) and listening to the announcement of the technical awards. This was my first official day with the players, and I was already nervous about finding where I'd fit in with the company. And there I was, listening to people I already knew as actors winning designing awards, box office staff being named best director, and the like. The secret to extending your time with the players beyond the intern year, it seemed, was not only to find one area to excel, but *three.* I sincerely had the thought that myself, as stage manager (or assistant sm, at the time) and box office worker, wouldn't quite cut the line. Oh, the sound designs and posters I saw myself creating during those brief five minutes.

(I am now aware how delusional this idea was.)

There's some part of me that has never gotten over that moment. Clearly, I'm foolish for ever thinking a stage manager would never be in demand somewhere, but *three* positions in one company? Who really has time to devote to three seperate fields? If I "root quickly and getting into everything," as one person put it, it's only because I can't not be involved in a department. Part being raised not to shirk responsibility (even when it sucks), part frightened intern hoping not to be kicked out of Texas (all my stuff had moved), that's what makes up this vine.

so not related to what 4/5 of you might think (do 5 people even read this?)

Rather than whatever else I could say/type, I'm taking this moment to feel thankful for a theater company that lets me stage manager where I want to stage manage, puts up with me whenever I'm figuring out how best to manage a show, and lets me end production meetings like the soccer coach I'm not. Go, team, go.

in the continuing adventures of cleaning out my computer before it implodes

I just updated my resume. While I wish there was a reason behind it, it's probably best for the show I start in three days that it was purely on whim. (Fun fact: I had to Google past shows to figure out the character names I played. Chalk that up as another reason I tech.)

My computer keeps threatening to explode, but I'll hopefully make it through this post.

I've developed an unfortunate habit of hitting the Camera key on my phone while already talking to people...which then leads to me trying to stop it from focusing and disconnecting calls. Bear with me while I work on that.

I moved all 15 or so gigs of music off my computer and straight onto my iPod, as part of my explosion prevent (see title). I've also started pricing external hard drives and taken to not turning off my computer. If it's not off, I don't have to worry about whether it will turn back on again. I've actually backed up a fair amount of the documents and photos (and now music, sort of) on my computer, but I would prefer Merv not go staring into that good night, even if I could bring him back from the brink.

In other (repeating) news: I need to clean my room. Today I wanted to actually sit and read in my chair (placed in the room specifically for such reasons), and decided not to fight it through the laundry, papers, old mail, and my needing-restocked stage management kit.

I'm about six minutes away from purchasing "Mamma Mia" as my default ringtone.

Please be patient with me as I play with my new, much-more-complicated-than-a-regular-phone phone. I only have about 15 numbers programmed in as of yet (mostly people I've had to call for some reason or other), tend to forget that it answers as soon as I open it, and can only find the button to connect to the internet when under pressure. On the plus side, it came with a crazy thick instruction manual, so I have new bus reading material.

Would you like to hear about my life is more than 160 characters at a time?

Greetings, universe at large! Since last we talked, I've had my luggage "misplaced" twice (once on either side of Wyoming), hiked approximately 25 million miles around the national parks, had a joyful reunion with my typewriter (here to join me in Texas at last), hosted my mom, grandma, aunt, and cousin for an extended weekend of sleeping on my couches, took fields trips to the beach and NASA, cheered at the crazy baseball game where two runners hit home at the same time, survived the first real tropical storm/hurricane threat since moving here, stage managed a magic show, and potentially broke a toe.

Also, I apparently decided that extended run-on sentences were acceptable. (You already knew I liked them in general, right?)

It's weird to think that I've finished my double theater duty for the summer. (C'mon, people not in the know, you didn't actually think I was at a real soccer practice?) As much as my heart lives in children's theater, it was wonderful to venture back to other times of performance, like the big broadway musical and the "magic and movement" that closed yesterday. All the basics are the same, but there's different challenges (Why do parents take children to the bathroom five minutes before the show ends? That's not how the orchestra played the song last night. You have seven feet of curtain space between you and the audience to do what needs done - go.) to all three.

What will I do with my copious amounts of free time, you ask? Box office shifts, for one, as I've done about three the entire summer up to now. (Sleep is a close second, though.)

little darling

Merv pulling up "Here Comes the Sun" at 1:15 a.m. is probably a sign that I should pack it in for the night.

I fell asleep on the couch after work, woke up at 7:30, and was utterly convinced it was the next morning.

I feel terrible, so naturally I'm going to drink a Mexican coke and go to bed (or, at least, go to bed as soon as the natural sugars filter back out of my system around one a.m.)

first time back on my own computer since, approx., last post

I just reread the quote on the right sidebar and burst into laughter again.

I want to talk about last night, but I don't have enough proper words. I'll talk about it when I stop getting grime under my nails every night?

well, I'm not bad

folded laundry, even ironed things

cleaned my room (for probably the last time in the next two weeks)

full of fish sticks

misery upon misery

My stomach woke me up at some a.m. to tell me never to eat that much popcorn again.

My throat actually feels worse now that I've taken my giant horsepill of an antibiotic.

I dreamed that people were trying to break into our apartment last night, and it makes me want to board up my sliding glass door of a bedroom window.

I really, really, really need to clean and fold things and shower....and i just want to go back to sleep.

east central division

It hit me yesterday evening, while explaining to Deb why I wasn't at soccer practice, that this illness/allergies thing is just a less severe repeat of junior year of high school. That spring I magically developed allergies (along with a killer cold) right as I was finishing up papers, assistant direction the spring play, and singing in approximately twenty-five vocal groups for district contest. I'm not quite that hard-hit this time, but the similar congestion + throat weirdness started a week into my double scheduled life (and has only grown since).

Ways I medicated (last time): still singing with all my vocal groups, developing sign language to use with actors, nose spray, Claritin, cough syrup

Ways I'm medicating (this time): walking lost in the rain for an hour, making nice small talk with the pharmacy guy, avoiding actors for one night, Mexican Coke, nose spray, Claritin, gigantic pills

fleeting

I was terrifically pleased with myself for having insurance when I saw the "you saved $xx with your insurance" on my perscription bag...until I remembered how much less the $xx was to my monthly payment.

so people know I'm still alive (without waiting two weeks)

I originally set up a Twitter account (the program that only allows 140 characters per post, so it's just for quick updates) when I thought I was going to spend a week in New York and would want to update the world on the sights around me. That didn't quite happen, but I might as well use it for the everyday posting, seeing as I never seem to post for real without a five year gap anymore. It'll be there in the right column until I either run out of text messages or start regular posting again.

fried chicken in the fridge

Last night I dreamed that Melissa, Meredith, and I were in London, exploring a magnificent garden (that also happened to be sixty feet off the ground and feature a gift store with an amazing amount of Missouri memorabilia) facing Big Ben. (I also dreamed that an 1800s James McAvoy married me in a wedding officiated by JCG, but I don't even want to begin analyzing that.)

London has been on my brain lately, and not just because of soccer practice bringing it up every week night (and some weekends, as I do paperwork). My iPod keeps playing Sweeney Todd and Jekyll & Hyde, both set in the glorious city. I can't walk around my own apartment without seeing some mention of the Brits, from pictures and prints on the walls to titles in my DVD collection. More importantly, I've had questions/comments from people at work, people that I didn't realize knew about such things, about when I thought I might try to move to London.

The knee-jerk answer, of course, is three days from now, depending on how quickly I can find boxes and a storage rental place. The realistic answer becomes more complicated (and slightly depressing), what with its talk of exchange rates, work visas, dual citizenship taxes, and the distance across the ocean.

The distance from everyone I currently know would be the biggest deteriment right now, mostly because it's something I'd have to get over to start considering the others. It's hard enough trying to meet up with family and friends currently (as in: while we're on the same continent) where I can pull a quick long weekend by plane, if needed. Considering I seem to average two trips out of state per season in Texas, I can't see how my rate would improve when faced with $600 10ish hour flights. (Think about that one, Mom, the next time you're sad that this duckling is so far away. Actually, you probably already do.)

On the other hand, whenever I think about *not* moving to London, I get the same ache in my stomach that I used to feel every time I thought about ditching theater to do something else. And, as long as that keeps popping up, I'll keep checking exchange rates.

Fun Facts!

* It's illegal to drive in the state of Texas while wearing stage make-up. So illegal, in fact, that--should you be in an accident--you will automatically be called at fault for being "distracting."

* If budgets and plans and inclinations of the universe hadn't changed, I'd be in New York right now.

* I don't have to work tomorrow, and thus the dinner #2 of Coke and queso that I just slung back (and will use to stay awake until 2 or whatever).

* I think I'm coming down with something, but not in a consistant enough fashion (just every two minutes out of the hour) for me to care.

* Soccer practice is going just dandy, thanks, and we've almost worked out all our plays we'll use each match. Go team!

the woodpecker sighs

I've apparently been asleep for the past three years, given the number of emails, voicemails, and text messages I've gone through this morning. Other proof of this idea, the conversation I had with myself last night, reading in bed:

You're about to fall asleep.
-I know.
Don't you want to turn out the light first?
-Would I have to move?
About a foot and a half.
-How about we compromise, and I just take my glasses off?
...Yeah, okay.

Thus, how I woke up this morning with lights on, magazine in hand, and glasses on my night stand.

It's been a long week (no, really, Hannah?), but a mostly enjoyable one. All the freaking out I did this time last week hasn't played out ("yet," as one might say). I just don't know how to tactfully tell people that I'm tired, now that I have a day to finally crash, and thus am probably about to go running just as much as any other day this week.

hot pockets at 11 p.m.

Sorry, I've suddenly become extremely busy. The MO crew came and went (and are apparently off spraining ankles now, silly people), but only after they experienced both the Houston sun and metro. I came back to season renewal season, which was a special gift from the box office. People keep asking me how rehearsal is going before they remember that I am not queen of the Rotunda right now. Fortunately, I've found plenty of other crazy to fill the time (key items of my life currently: jokes about being "on the list," jokes in code, vagueness).

My ladies are here. John is just a few days away. Emperor is closed. I have a whole week off from the theater, and--when I left last night, asking if I'd left anything essentially--the only thing people wanted to make sure I had was candy.

Remind me to rinse my hand out with more rubbing alcohol in the morning. Thanks.(Mini explanation: sidewalk and skin don't mix.)

I want a pet...probably a cat. This is in no way affected by the fact that someone at work has kittens she wants to give away. What does affect it? The $200 pet security deposit, of course. (And the fear that I'd be a bad pet owner, what with my own sometimes inability to take proper care of myself.)

ALSO

While technically the first song I hear was "Shake Yer Tailfeather," as performed in the Blues Brothers movie, and the first song heard as a song was Sam and Dave's "Bring it On Home to Me," I think ultimately the new theme song award goes to Queen's "Under Pressure" for being the perfect walk-home song for a warm Houston dusk while in a breezy dress.

"not wanting show choir to be any part of this"

Theater schedule (and my phone dying halfway through the day) led to a low-key birthday this year. Of course, after all the running I'd done during 23, that was probably for the best. If nothing else, sitting in the same spot after afternoon meant a continual dropping off of chocolate, good wishes, and one awesome superhero story (part one).

Hopefully this weekend will present time to hang with all those people who had a show last night, especially on Saturday, when I've resigned myself to being at the theater all day for show/rehearsal/show. Maybe yesterday set up the start of several birthday weeks, as I have a package coming from home (as soon as Mom gets the pony to go in the box!) and delightful Truman folk heading down at the end of the month.

In the meantime, I have bubbles and a bag of tootsie rolls. Not bad.

Hi, Chris's Mom!

I like being random and in-jokey, especially when those who know what I'm talking about are also those who don't read this blog.

I take a slight joy in knowing what a phone conversation is about from the smattering (ah, how British) of words I can hear on one side.

I love midnight movie previews, midnight movie preview audience, and movies in general. Especially when they're as good as "Iron Man." I do not love getting up for the 9:30 children's show the next/same day.

I don't know why, but this is the time of day when I'm more likely to hit the repeat on a song fifteen times in a row instead of, I don't know, going to bed.

if I didn't ride the bus to work, I probably wouldn't dry my hair

We have our first sold out house today for Emperor's, so I'm interested to see what kind of chaos that causes. I played tetris with the seating arrangements yesterday, hoping that would help today. (Maybe no one will complain about the general admission proving to be less than?)

Either way, I already have a headache, but I'm going to spin it in a postive, help-me-focus way. (Especially since it'll probably disappear once I eat some breakfast, here after I blow-dry my hair.)