When Life Hands You a Curveball...

...Fucking hit it back, I guess is the moral of this story.

I was laid off Monday. For no fault of my own, for once. The economy. Blech.

So, I'd been going back & forth when/if I should move back to Little Rock for about the past 6 months or so. Now it is definite. I am moving into the "Gay Trucker's" house. $400/month, all-inclusive - and tons of privacy.

It's a little melancholy. I was hoping that I had changed enough that I could move back here, and make a good life for myself. But I've never been happy here. I don't think it's this town, per se, but my frame of mind while I'm here.

Being 500 miles away gives me a real sense of independance, and as much as I do love the theater scene here...I feel more comforable in Little Rock as an artist.


So, I'm moving December 29th. The day after I turn 33.

Weird Times to Be Had By All

I'm not listening to the weather forecast. Ever again.

I just bought 3 scrumptous, long cable knit sweaters. One in Navy Blue, one in oatmeal, and the other in gray/black. Yay!

Nooo...the weatherman told me that it was supposed to be cold & snowy today.

Thanks...but it's like 60 degrees and humid as hell. Ick. I'm sweating :)

OBAMANATION!!!!

Words alone cannot express how absolutely exhilirated I am feeling today.

Actually...a bit hungover.

After eight years of dictatorship in this great nation of ours, a change has finally come...or we'll get to it.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that in my lifetime I would see an African American as president. I'm so delirious.

And I spent the night cavorting with someone who is incredibly well-versed in this subject (and not bad on the eyes, either).

Life is good :)

Signed, Sealed, Delivered....

NBC: OBAMA WINS

Waiting on the World to Change....

Suck it, old man!

Rock the Barack!

Yet Again...

Ok, so there is nothing that burns my ass more than to be ignored.

I have a dear friend who is going through some troubling times...tells me on Thursday "I'll tell you all about it today...I promise".

Nothing. It's now Sunday. I think I should be done. Should I?

I'm a mess over it. I wish I knew the answers.

I wish I could just be THAT person, and say "Fuck 'em".

But they're in a bad place right now, so I think it's best for me to just sit back. But I'm sooo not a passive person.

Ugh.

Caring sucks when it's not reciporated.

My Photo Shoot

Done in the 3rd Floor bathroom at the Hoogland.

Geek. Be. Me.

Something I shoulda done a long time ago

I'm going to start posting some stuff I've been recording - on my fave karaoke site singsnap.com - so bear with me :)

The Play's the Thing...To Actors, Anyway

I would like to share a letter to the editor from one of my local acting "heroes" (maybe I'll do a blog about all of my heroes at one point or another):

Great performances in ‘Elephant Man’
I am writing to concur with Nick Rogers’ review of “The Elephant Man” presented at Theatre in the Park at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site. Nick is not one to be impressed easily, nor am I. His review indicates he was extremely impressed and he didn’t even get to see the complete show. Well, I had the good fortune of seeing the entire show Saturday night, and I was moved and impressed beyond words. Matt Husky’s portrayal of John Merrick is absolutely stunning. Every movement, every moment is painfully but beautifully executed. Merrick’s intelligence and humanity are never overshadowed by his disfigurements. As Nick aptly stated, “It’s a compelling, dedicated performance that’s riveting in body and voice.” His performance is complimented by the fine acting of the rest of the cast. Bruce Davidson does indeed explode dramatically as Dr. Frederick Treves. It is a sensitive, powerful, heart wrenching display of conscience. Deborah Kerley’s very natural performance of Mrs. Kendal is equally fine. What is noteworthy is that this is her theater debut.

My heartfelt thanks to Valeria Parga and her entire cast and crew for an unforgettable theater experience. My second reason for writing is to encourage everyone who considers themselves a patron of the theater to see this show. I am greatly saddened when I attend dramatic performances and see half the seats empty. When shows like this and “The Gin Game,” performed a few weeks ago, draw crowds of fewer than 100, and yet any musical in town will attract hundreds, something is amiss.

I do not wish to detract from the fine performances offered in musicals, nor get into the debate about what is “real” theater, but if we are to continue to have a stimulating array of shows to choose from, we must support these shows by our attendance.
Martha Plog Springfield

“The Elephant Man” will be presented at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at Theatre in the Park at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site. Free pre-show entertainment begins at 7 p.m. each night."

I must concur with Ms. Plog's evaluation of Musicals vs. "Straight" Plays.

I began as an actress. I couldn't sing to save my life. So, I really consider myself an Actress/Singer...and Ms. Plog, may I commend you on speaking the truth.

It isn't just Springfield...every town where I've done community theater...if you want everyone in town to see you...do a musical. If you're doing it for "arts' sake"...do a straight play.

Wish it wasn't like that...but it's what the audiences love...

My Weight Loss

Okay, so I really wasn't intending to start a diet regimen. Honestly, I wasn't

But after the split/move, I suddenly lost my appetite. I think for 3-4 days, I stopped eating.

Then, when my folks went to Alaska, I started binging again, and Georgia kind of "meanly" got my mind back in gear.

So, I stopped snacking & drinking only diet coke. I went to H20, and iced tea. And cut out chips almost altogether. Then, when we started rehearsaing @ the Muni, I think the sweat really helped me shed some pounds.

My jeans are falling off now (which is a double-edged sword...), and I feel sooo much healthier.

To keep it off, I've begun walking Prissy dog in Iles park at least once a day (the whole length of the park...which should be a good 1/2 mile, at least). And I'm not winded afterwards!

Before:



After:

A Crazy Law

Ok, I rode my bike as a kid. Loved it! But 9 times out of 10, I rode on the sidewalk.

I was informed on Sunday that there is a state law which prohibits bicyclists from riding on the sidewalk. ????????????

In the State Journal Register here in lover-ly Springfield, Illinois - there was a letter to the editor blasting a driver for accidentally hitting a cyclist.

Okay. I almost hit a cyclist the other day. Not because I'm a bad driver. But because this drunken bastard was weaving all over the road like he owned it.

If the law is that cyclists have to use the road, might I propose something:

1. Paint bicycle lanes on the roads. Not just in the parks.
2. Make it illegal for intoxicated cyclists.
3. USE YOUR HAND SIGNALS WHEN RIDING YOUR BIKE
4. You don't own the road - watch for traffic. If you see an oncoming car....MOVE!!!!

I'm Back to Real Blogging

Monday night, in the Quad Cities, a 4 year old boy died when a tree fell on his tent.

Sad.

BUT...here's the really...um "interesting" part...a 9-month-old baby was in the tent with him. And the parents were in a different tent.

Ok, I'm not a parent, but I'm a pretty good aunt & "Child rounder", and holy shit...when my niece & nephews were that age, I doubt they would be in a different room sleeping away from their parents...much less have them camping in the woods in a tent.

This just proves my point, that people should be licensed to have children. When there are those of us who would give their eye teeth to have a baby without all sorts of freakish drugs.

Theater, Theater, Theater...what else is new?

Two completely different subjects, but they all relate to my favorite obsession...theater. Ladies and gentlemen...(or should I say lady and one dude?)I must steal from Stephen Colbert for just a moment:

I CALLED IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right, my lowly 2 readers. If you will remember a little blog that I wrote in January (re: http://kimitasrantingsandravings.blogspot.com/2008/01/they-must-be-on-crack-in-new-salem.html). Well, do I have an update for you.

Let's call him Joe Bob. Joe Bob smokes crack. Joe Bob directed a show. Joe bob steals all of the t-shirt and dvd money. Moral of the story: Someone please put Joe Bob in prison.

To bad the powers that be didn't listen. Didn't ask. Didn't read my fantabulous blog. Until it was too late. Bless you, TIP. I didn't want this to put you guys at risk.

Next time picking a new director, ask around. Do a criminal background check.

I cannot believe that sociopathic asshole. Grow up, Joe Bob.

Subject Two: My Return to Muni

Um...awesome. That's it.

Read the review...I'm having an awesome time!

http://www.sj-r.com/theater/x469158562/Review-The-Secret-Garden-pairs-joyful-set-stunning-cast

Bless You, Muni Opera

So, I backed down, and auditioned for "The Secret Garden" at Springfield Muni Opera - even though everything within my soul said to me "Why are you doing this?"...

I began auditioning for Muni at the ripe old age of 13. I was not cast in a show until I was 17.

I moved away from Springfield when I was 22, and moved back when I was 29. I auditioned for Muni AGAIN in 2006, and was rejected ONCE again. So I gave up.

But I absolutely adore "The Secret Garden", and am convinced that I will be involved in this show SOMETIME before I die...or before my voice is gone.

So, I auditioned for basically any female role. I didn't care.

They had me read for Mrs. Medlock, which was the ONLY role I didn't list on my audition sheet...I thought I was too young.

I was called back for Mrs. Medlock, reading against 2 of the best actresses in Springfield. And I got it.

Ah...I will be chewing up LOTS of scenery this summer!!!!

Thuper-Duper-Duper Tuesday

Ok...so it's another crazy Thuper Tuesday. And does anyone really care?

I wish I could say I'm for Obama, or Clinton. But I just don't know. Bill is really pissing me off lately. He used to be the BEST active listener that I'd ever met. Now he just seems to have diarrhea of the mouth.

Who knows. I want that Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama ticket more than life...but I have a feeling that Ms. Rodham would never be anyone's VP.

Ugh. And this superdelegates thing - this will tear the democratic party in two.

Life goes on.

What's Up With Me?

Well, I finally got a job offer that does the amazing thing - blends my passion & office/customer skills. Ticket sales assistant at Sangamon Auditorium . Craziness. Making decent money...and benefits, including a waiver for free tuition/fees for 11 credit hours per semester.

Craziness.

New Year, New Job

Oh my dear God.

I've been keeping quiet about interviewing for this new job (as quiet as Georgia & Katie Spoon can keep it)...because it is truly a dream job.

Ticket Sales Assistant for Sangamon Auditoruim at the University of Illinois-Springfield. For those of you who think that I'd be sitting at the ticket window selling tickets all day...you're partly correct. Think of the Ticket Sales as a department store. There is one manager, and 2 assistant managers. I'm one of the assistant managers.

Making REALLY decent money, and BENEFITS. Dear God, I have not been able to have a regular CHECK-UP since 2004. Yeech.

The best part of all, I think is the Tuition. I get a waiver for 11 credit hours per semester. Ummm...can you say Bachelor's Degree? And this is good for any state school.

My life is nearly complete. Who knew that I could merge my job & passion together. I'm nearly coming apart at the seams (in a good way)!

My car has a flat tire, so I can't go anywhere till MB makes his way home sometime this evening.

They Must Be on Crack in New Salem

DISCLAIMER: I am not mentioning this person by name...but I have a personal stake in this. This person directed me in my first "Grown-up" musical (back in the day @ STC, it meant a LOT to get cast in a "Stage 1" musical. I had been only cast in White Rabbit productions up until I was 16.), and directed 2 of my High School Musicals. I was sorely disappointed when he decided to choose crack over his passion. But having directed a show, I know what a huge responsibility it is...you have to set an example - especially for the young people, and those who have never been in a show before. So...I'm not judging HIM so much, but TIP.
Ok. So basically, I'm not auditioning for Muni this year, because the only show I'd be interested in is "Secret Garden", and I'm not trying to battle anyone for a chorus role.So...I was uber-excited that Theatre in the Park in New Salem (Petersburg area) has "Kiss Me Kate" on the line-up. It is exactly what I was looking for to really work my more operatic range.

Then I saw who is directing the show. Let's just say that he has a slightly checkered past. Let's go down the checklist:

He has robbed about 2 theaters that I know of - he stole concessions money from one, and t-shirt money from another.

Infamous for personal bad checks (one to my parents - for a lot of money).

I know at least of 3 people that he stole their ATM + Pin number. Cleared out their account. Usually he was living with these people.

Doesn't work. Is on Medicaid, because he claims to have a multiple personality disorder.
Changed his name in 1993.

He was supposed to direct a Christmas-themed show about 30 miles west of Springfield this year. He was arrested for drug possession & they relieved him of his directing duties.

Last year, he was supposed to direct a musical at TIP, and quit.

I'm sooo a believer of 2nd chances. Even 3rd, 4th, and 5th.But when you're 42 years old...isn't it time to grow up?

Shouldn't the shame be mostly to blame on these directors, and theaters who constantly allow someone to be an authority figure (this includes being around children) who just got out of jail? Or who should be in jail.

Wow...our justice system works soooo well.

Oh Crap...Seriously

Well...not seriously, I guess.

I seriously thought that nobody read my blog...I had no idea that Blogger switched over to Google, and I use Gmail. Bloody Hell. I started a new blog:

http://theatralisdiva.blogspot.com/

So...what's up with me?

It's all about "Broadway-oke" right now...which led to me making this decision:

http://theatralisdiva.blogspot.com/2008/01/turning-new-creative-leaf.html

What is Broadway-oke? Well, check it out for yourself:





Come, join the party!!!!!

XOXOXO