Monday, April 29, 2002

Happy birthday to Erin
Happy birthday to Erin
Happy birthday dear Erin......
Happy birthday to you!

To my cousin, my roommate, my best friend....... I love you so much and hope you have a very special day.....and yummy sushi tonight, courtesy of ME! See you soon.
11:01 AM

Friday, April 26, 2002

Ok, I have to admit, I was sucked in to watching The Bachelor last night. I haven't watched the entire series except the last two episodes where they went from three girls to two and then from two to the ONE. I can't figure out what it was that made me so intrigued with it. I had nothing invested in their story..... I had nothing invested in them personally...... but for some reason, I REALLY wanted a happy ending. I wanted Alex to pick the right girl, even though he barely knew either of them..... but was making out with both of them. Ethically, it was wrong... on so many levels. You don't date 23 different girls in a 5 week period and end up proposing to one. That is just weird.

Tonight, off to have a beer with Erin and then meet my mom for dinner. YUM. This weekend, I am planning on visiting with my Uncle and cousins in San Diego and then hanging out with Jon. YAY!!
4:08 PM

Thursday, April 25, 2002

Dinner with my dad was really nice last night. It is so good for both of us to take an hour or so out of our busy lives and sit down for some yummy food and catch up. We had so much to talk about. I felt bad because I kind of had to cut the evening short. I was wearing cargo board shorts and a t-shirt at the time. I really couldn't go to the show like that. So, I had to run home to change. I felt like my dad and I could have kept talking for another hour. Hopefully we can grab dinner again soon.

The opening of The Full Monty was so amazing. It was star filled.....Jack, from Will and Grace was there, Bruce Vilanch, the mom from Everyone Loves Raymond, Doogie Howser, and many more..... The energy of the audience definitely transferred to the stage.... or maybe the energy of the cast was transferred to the audience. Either way, it was very cool. The fact that it was free was even better!

It's funny.....for the first time, I didn't know and hadn't worked with anyone in the cast. Trip out. It was a good show...just as good as the Broadway company. The Broadway company had some better voices but this company had an incredibly energy. The woman that played Harold's wife brought down the house. She was extremely funny and talented. If you are in LA, go see The Full Monty. It's a great production.

So, now those defensive folks I was talking about before, are just being plain old rude. Nice....definitely unnecessary.
10:41 AM

Wednesday, April 24, 2002

My friend David, who was my roommate for a bit in New York......is now working here at Overture ( I know, small world!) We ran into each other last week in the hall. Anyhoo- he got two free tickets to see The Full Monty tonight....so, guess who is going? ME ME ME! I'm so stoked. I loved the musical when I saw it in New York with Tali. It's a lot of fun.

I'm actually off work now...but I'm still here. I'm meeting my dad for dinner at this yummy Italian place in Pasadena. After dinner, I'm running home to put on something a bit more fancy, and then running to the Ahmanson for an 8:00 show. FUN!

AND~ today..... a big bonus from the company! How cool is an extra grand for all of my hard work? I can't believe it. I'm very grateful...... and have so many things I'd like to do with that money. *smile*
4:17 PM

Tuesday, April 23, 2002

Some people I have been dealing with in my life are incredibly defensive. It's driving me nuts. I can't mention names because that just wouldn't be right, It makes me realize how being defensive is actually an ugly characteristic. It makes you look weak and impatient and short tempered. It's definitely an insecurity.

It sucks because the people who I've noticed are being defensive are not the types you could go to and talk to them about it. How can you tell someone who is defensive that they are being so defensive without them coming back with a defensive comment? Did that make sense? Seriously though, they are not very approachable with that sort of criticism. I'm just not sure how to handle it. It gives me a sour stomach......

Ok- moving on. All is good here. I'm moving to a Tuesday through Saturday schedule at work. The problem was I was working Monday through Friday and Jon was working Saturday through Wednesday. So basically, I never got to see him for more than a few hours. That stunk big time. So, he put in a request to change his schedule and I am switching with my buddy, London here at work who desperately wants Saturdays off. It works out for all of us. This way, we can spend Saturday night through Monday together! Yipppeee! I'm definitely looking forward to that. My schedule change starts next week.

I sent a letter to Hamilton High School.....the performing arts academy that I did the benefit for. I just thanked them profusely for including me in their program and told them how much I enjoyed meeting them......AND if they ever need a fierce tap or musical theatre teacher, I was totally available. So, we'll see if I hear from them. I think I would enjoy working at that kind of school. Plus, the people there were so incredibly nice and welcoming. I will keep you updated.

Did I mention today is the 23rd? 23 being my lucky number......today has been pretty good so far. Tonight, eating my left over Pad Thai and working out.....that's about it. Oh, besides it being BEAUTIFUL today......80 degrees out!
3:24 PM

Wednesday, April 17, 2002

Ok, quick recap...... the benefit last Saturday went incredibly well! For only having 2 rehearsals, I thought it was a success. Everyone sang, danced, and spoke beautifully. I think the High School made a bunch of money for its program. I had such a great time performing with all of those big stars. I sat backstage, shooting the shit with Scott Bakula, Valerie Lipson, Allyce Beasely, Karla DeVito, and Stuart Pankin....to name a few. I met Teri Ralston, member of the original Broadway show, Company. She was amazing.....did the entire Not Getting Married Today song....doing both parts! Talk about fierce....

Speaking of getting married.....take a deep breath.....NO, it's not me.....please......my cousin Shane in Grand Rapids, Michigan is engaged!! WOW... I am so excited for her. The date is set for August 16th this year. And......guess who is singing in the wedding? You bet....ME. I'm not sure what song yet. We are going to discuss that later this week. The only part I'm not so stoked about is flying. Hopefully I'll get over my fear of flying before then. Otherwise, it is going to be a very long road trip! I'm really so happy for her! Congratulations Shane!

Work is good.... busy, as usual. Jon and I are doing really well, yippeee! We got to spend some time together on Sunday. The apartment is good. The RAV4 is fabulous. And, I am doing well. I finally feel like I'm in a good place.....physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. *smile*
4:00 PM

Monday, April 08, 2002

My rehearsal last night was so amazing. The people that filled that theatre were full of stories and history. There were like 12 people that were in the original company of A Chorus Line. Ron Denis, the original Ritchie from A Chorus Line, is absolutely fierce, Sandahl Bergman ...... I could watch her dance for years and never get bored. My eyes always were drawn to her even when she was dancing in a group of people. For those of you who don't know her, she was the topless dancer in All That Jazz, she appeared on Broadway as one of the original Cassie's in A Chorus Line, and the movies Xanadu, Airplane II, and many others. She must be in her late 40's early 50's and looks flawless. She was one of Fosse's original dancers.

I met Scott Bakula and his wife and kids. They are doing a few numbers in the benefit. Alice Beasely and Ted Lange are Emceeing the show. Alice Beasely I used to watch all of the time on the show Moonlighting and Ted Lange was the bartender on The Love Boat. They are really funny people. Alice has a son who goes to Hamilton High which is where we are doing this show.

If you are in the LA area next Saturday, the 13th, you MUST come see this show. It is going to be really amazing. We are doing One, Shit Ritchey, Manson (from Pippin), and a bunch of other stuff. I am so honored to be performing with these people. And, I think I may talk to the folks of Hamilton High School to see if they are hiring any teachers next year for the Musical Theatre program! *wink wink nudge nudge*
2:18 PM

Thursday, April 04, 2002

Erin made spinach enchiladas last night. They were sooooo yummy. I love how she takes care of me...... she's the best roommate I've had so far.
3:55 PM

Wednesday, April 03, 2002

Yesterday, someone threw a brick through my window in the living room. This window faces an alley way and is on the second floor. This window also has a Star of David the size of an open hand that hung in the window. My Dad bought it for me a long time ago. It's one of those glass stars that puts rainbows all over the room when the light hits it. It hung in my window in New York, it hung in my window in Irvine during college, and it used to hang in my window in North Hollywood. Now, I don't like to jump to conclusions, but with everything going on in the world right now, I can't help but think I was a victim of a hate crime. It makes me really sad. Nothing was stolen......nothing was written on the brick......no one was hurt. But I somehow feel unsafe. I feel like I was violated....like someone intentionally did something to destroy something of mine. Something I work really hard to have.

I called the police and reported the crime. Two cops came over around 10:00 last night. This was after I had had a horrible day at work and then a lovely dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with my Mom. She met me at work and took me to the GAP. YAY for Mom's. She bought me $40 worth of clothes and dinner and I wrote her a check for $100.....still paying off a loan I took from her last year. It all evens out, ya know. But, after a long day, I got home around 7:00 and it felt so cold in my apartment. As I was setting up my NEW XBOX that I won at work, I went over and brushed the blinds and saw the huge crack in the window. As I moved the blinds away more, I discovered the huge hole in the window and the shatterred glass..... and the brick lying on the carpet. I was stunned. Just stood there for a moment trying to figure out what had happened. After I came to my senses, I went out on the patio and checked every other window to see if everything was ok. Everything else was fine.

I'm pretty bummed out about it. I think it sucks, to tell you the truth. The maintenance people came and fixed the window today...... but somehow, it doesn't make it better.

2:23 PM