exhausted

It's almost 1 a.m. and I just got home from another incredible show. Actually, some of the cast and some friends and I went out after the show. It was nice. I've found some great people during this show and I think we will continue talking to each other, just like Cathy and I have, and like Tim and I have.

I'm not sure why, but it seems like Misery is being mentioned to me a lot lately. I've talked with more people about it than I can count, and they all seem to think I would be a good choice for the part. One person in particular, whose acting I completely admire, is talking as if I already have the part. I won't let it go to my head, though. Everyone has to audition and mine may be horrible, like my audition for Hamlet was. Or it could be great, like my audition for Guys and Dolls. Speaking of that show, I still haven't heard, but I don't expect to hear anything until after Labor Day, as promised. I did hear that they were having a shortage of adults at auditions, which bodes well for me. If they want to cast adults in the adult roles and teens as chorus parts, maybe I have a better chance at Sarah. We'll see.

I had a moment tonight, with someone I've been interested in for awhile. I'm not sure if he felt it too, but I really felt something... a connection. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I felt like there was a hint of things to come. Maybe... maybe not... but it's fun to think about it! He is so amazing.

Work was good today. I was only in the office for about half the day, but I got so much done! I felt great about crossing those things off my list, because the list was starting to get a little too long! It feels more managable now, and I'm okay with everything I need to do and the time frames involved. There's a lot going on right now and it will be important to stay on top of it. I spent the afternoon at a United Way rally, talking about my organization. It was at a local chemical plant and I was really nervous going there at first. There was a safety video and I had to wear a hard hat and safety glasses. It was crazy, but I loved it!

I may have another interview soon. I'm just waiting for a call to give me the details. It would be the most amazing job and I could really see myself doing it. The organization does something that is really close to my heart, and I would love to be a part of it.

I got a little writing done today, but not enough to bother updating the meters. I like the direction Magnolia Tree is going, and Deadly Council is taking shape a little more. I haven't stopped planning Draha either. It's always on my mind. I am still working on the basics of the world right now, but it's getting there. I'm so excited about the concept!

Two years after Hurricane Katrina

I was in Biloxi the other day, and it looked better, but there is still a lot of work to do. Not to mention the other towns in the area: Gulfport, Waveland, Pass Christian, New Orleans, etc.

Working at a disaster relief organization opened my eyes to the realities of what a storm can really do to a community, to a family, and to an individual. It is devastating. But do you know what else working in disaster relief has done? It revealed the inner strength of people to me. I have seen the most amazing determination in the faces of people who have lost everything. At a moment when I fear I would have given up, these people were helping each other so that they could all put their lives back together. This is why the communities affected by the storm will return better than ever. The people will see it through to the finish.

Today was not a day of sadness for me. It was a moment to remember the struggles and to applaud the people who are still there, still strong, and still rebuilding.

Hamlet Photos

I took these photos from the light booth during the dress rehearsal of Hamlet. Actually, I took about 300 pictures during that rehearsal, but I've only posted a few of them. I have to admit, I'm proud of these photos. I could only take them between light cues and I couldn't leave the booth to take them, so under those circumstances I think they turned out great! Because nobody else took pictures, and because I know how nice it is to have production photos, I burned CDs for everyone in the cast and gave them out on opening night. They seemed to appreciate it. I love this show and I love this cast. It's going to be difficult to say goodbye on Sunday.

how many posts?

I feel like I'm going for a record or something. That's not really what's happening, but I had to quickly mention that I finally updated my word meters. I did a lot of work on Magnolia Tree this evening when I got home from auditions. I also did a little on Deadly Council. I'm reaching a really interesting part of Magnolia Tree, when Tori has to face what her family has done for generations and has to find out if John is related to her or not. I think the conversation they will have regarding the DNA test she wants him to take is going to be fun to write. How awful to have to ask the man you are falling in love with to take a DNA test because you're afraid you are related to him! Of course, I know how the DNA test will come out...

Guys and Dolls: Auditions

I auditioned this evening. I didn't know what song I was going to do until the moment I drove up to the theatre. Then it hit me. The song that exhibits the range required for the role of Sarah (that isn't actually a Sarah song and that I know well enough to use in an audition) is "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom. I hated to do a song from such a well-known musical, because everyone does them, but it's a good song to show off my range so I decided to go ahead and do it. I felt better when the next person auditioning did Amazing Grace. :)

Anyway, the song went very, very well. I feel like I did a good job on it. After I sang, they gave me a script and told me I would be reading Sarah. Another woman read Adelaide. When we went out into the hallway to practice the scene, she told me my song was amazing. That felt great! We went through it twice and then went onstage. I think the reading went well too. I felt good about it. Much better than I felt about my disasterous audition for Hamlet all those weeks ago.

They said they would let everyone know after Labor Day. We'll see what happens...

Martial Arts Mondays: Part 1

I'm creating a new feature on my blog which may or may not be repeated. I saw something on YouTube that was so amazing that I would be remiss (whatever that means) if I didn't share it with you imaginary people on the internets. So I'm creating this feature just to share it with you.Here is a video clip of the MMA Girls demonstrating one of my favorite moves (the side choke) from a full guard

Silver lining

Things are looking up! Another opportunity has appeared. I hope it works out!