Happy Birthday, America!

South Pacific... Sigh...

Yes, I love Spring Awakening. And yes, I love Rent. And yes, I love Sweeney Todd. I love some drums and a rock beat and an occasional murdered person baked up in a meat pie. I like modern musicals just fine. I love them, in fact. But... but... but... South Pacific. Oh, South Pacific... with an Emile that was born to sing "Some Enchanted Evening" and who makes you literally ache when he sings "This Nearly Was Mine." With a Nellie so strawberry shortcake sweet that if you knew her in real life, you might have to slap her, but when you see her fall in love, she takes you right back to the very first time you fell in love, when it was so all-consuming that you thought you might explode with how much you were feeling. With a Billis that can have an entire audience in the palm of his hand with a pair of coconuts and a funny face. With all those wonderful songs packed into one show. You forget just how many good songs there are in that show. Just when you think there can't be another one... well... there is. I do love me some South Pacific. If you're anywhere near Fairfield, Iowa, Saturday or Sunday, you must come see the Sondheim Center's production. It's divine. I feel all warm and fuzzy and full of love. Sigh. South Pacific... :)

It's Like Being 10 Again

I've begun rehearsals for Annie. I'm in hog heaven, having the time of my life. Miss Hannigan has to be one of the most fun parts I've ever done, and I'm only 2 days into the rehearsal process. I met the orphans for the first time today, and we had a ball blocking our first scene. I'm learning a lot working with the music director, Ben, and I think "Easy Street" is going to kick butt. The interns playing Rooster & Lily are good, and we sound good together. Happy, happy, happy!!!

Blog Joy

I follow a certain number of blogs, but I have one complete addiction. It's Kelle Hampton's blog called Enjoying the Small Things. It's like opening a present every time I see she's updated. I want to tell you to go back to the post called "The Birth of Nella Cordelia" (you'll find it right under the main logo for the page) and read everything up until now. But if you don't have time to do all that, at least read Nella's birth story. I started with that very birth story, and now, I can't get enough of this open, caring, funny woman and her stunning photography and her witty writing and her perfect, beautiful family. Today's post called "Passport to Grandeur" had me seriously laughing out loud for about 2 minutes straight. I wish I had the words to describe it, but you just need to read it for yourself. This blog is a blessing in my life. I haven't ever met this woman, and I never will. But I know her heart, and she's a kindred spirit. I love what blogging can do.

I Couldn't Have Said it Better Myself

I know this may be controversial, but I just don't care for soccer. I think it's boring. I really don't understand how it can be the world's most popular sport. I tried to feign some enthusiasm during the World Cup, but I really just don't care about it. Andrew sent me this ad off YouTube that pretty much sums up my feelings... well, except for the sexist text in the middle... ;)

Return to the Real World

Back from vacation, and back to real life. Annie rehearsals start Wednesday for me, and I'm so excited. I'm playing Miss Hannigan, and it's one of my dream roles. I can't wait to get busy. I need to get in gear and get those lines learned! Andrew is playing Drake, so that will be fun too.

Today I'm finishing up my work for the Web 2.o class I took before Martha's Vineyard. Twitter has been ticking me off today. It's not showing my hash tags, and my blood pressure is starting to rise. I'm just going to leave it alone for awhile.

Picked Avery up from my dad's yesterday. He & Alice both said what a good boy he'd been. This makes me wonder if he's either terrible every other time or was just especially good this time. Hmm.

South Pacific is open, and I can't wait to see it at the Sondheim Center this weekend. It will also give me a little insight on the other players in Annie. I'll scope them out a bit!

I'm looking forward to dinner with Suzanne Wednesday night. Jason & the kids will be out of town, so it will be just us two. That doesn't happen very often, so we're going to take advantage of it.

My step-step-sister Holly (After my mom died, my step-dad married Betty... I call her my step-step-mom. Holly is her daughter, married to Sam, mom of Owen & Benjamin.) was diagnosed last week with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Her prognosis is good, and she's healthy and strong, but it's still a major blow.

OK. Enough stalling. I must get busy. Hope you're all enjoying your life in the real world!

Martha's Vineyard, 2010

What a wonderful vacation. I had the best week with my guy and my cousins. Martha's Vineyard is paradise on earth. We laughed, ate, saw the sights, relaxed, talked, and had the best time. Thank you, McLeods for asking us to share this beautiful place with you. Andrew & I loved every second of it!

Martha's Vineyard, 2010 on PhotoPeach