tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87200214106575706962024-03-13T11:12:44.758-07:00Break a Leg!The ramblings and musings of a crazy actor who teaches to pay the bills!Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-88551005415764006832011-10-27T19:29:00.000-07:002011-10-27T19:37:50.966-07:00Who am I? Where am I?<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Talk about overwhelmed!! I know I haven't posted in a LONG, LONG time. Right now, my cat is pretty sick (kidney stones and possible diabetes); she is having surgery tomorrow, and I'm working on a new play which opens in three weeks. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Meanwhile, this school year sucks in ALL POSSIBLE ways. I am so wishing I could find a job in NY and just move. The house, meanwhile, feels like it's falling apart. Every time I think I'm going to get something fixed, something ELSE goes wrong. And my sister calls while I'm trying to get ready for tomorrow's classes, it's almost 4:00, and I should have left 20 minutes earlier to get home an hour, another half hour north to the vet to drop off the cat, and back about an hour and a half to rehearsal.... just to talk.... </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">The play is the only good thing going on right now, but being at rehearsal four nights a week and very early on Saturdays is about to wear me down, along with everything else going on. I have spent my last few weekends working on work and rehearsing. Haven't had time to spend with the people I want to spend it with, and it's getting to me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">This, too, shall pass!! It's almost Halloween!! :) I can't believe October is almost over!! Hopefully, my sanity will return with the change of the month. Or the kids' sanity will.... or something. </span>Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-1605459465689873012010-04-16T15:05:00.001-07:002010-04-16T15:15:00.266-07:00The Melting Pot restaurantA fondue restaurant. NOT a success overall. The food is WAY too spicy, and I've never before had to pay to cook my own meal.<br /><br />However, I DO have to say that the manager was AMAZING. He did absolutely everything in his power to make it as nice as possible, even to the point of bringing us more (unseasoned) meat.<br /><br />We went to celebrate my sister's birthday. The staff did give her a birthday card, which was nice. <br /><br />The first course was a cheese fondue, with bread, etc. to dunk. It was ok. The second course is a salad. The salad itself was GREAT. Unfortunately, they only have two or three choices of salad dressing, none of which my sis liked. She saved her salad to take home. I thought the Sweet and Tangy (reminiscent of a honey mustard) was decent.<br /><br />Then came the meat. We figured we chose a meat. No, you get some chicken, some steak and some shrimp. As I'm allergic to shellfish, that limited what I could eat. The chicken was so spicy, it was almost inedible. They brought us all kinds of sauces, none of which any of us liked.... even the tempura batter was spicy. UGH. When he heard the problem, the manager did go back and bring us unseasoned meat. Which was very nice, and OH, so much better!! I honestly had never heard of a place where you choose a 'broth' and cook the meat. We chose an oil and a chicken stock-type broth. Unfortunately, you had to cook one or two pieces at a time, and it was pretty greasy. <br /><br />Finally, the dessert. A chocolate fondue, with a platter of fruits, brownies, rice krispie treats, etc. to be dunked. I actually just preferred the fruit plain. They did bring my sister an extra plate of goodies with a candle in it to celebrate her birthday. Which was very nice.<br /><br />AND, they didn't kick us out at 10 when they closed... we had no idea it was so late until we left at 10:30. <br /><br />So, the food-- ugh. I really wouldn't care to go back to eat.<br /><br />But the staff-- AWESOME.Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-8003417794574184772009-06-20T10:17:00.000-07:002009-06-20T10:22:43.544-07:00Star Trek Film<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I'm not a big Star Trek fan, especially TOS. just never felt like the writing or the acting, for the most part, were very engaging. I like Next Gen and DS9, but have never been a Voyager fan, and just didn't bother to even go see the last three or so movies. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I was talked into going to see this one, though, and I'm SO glad I did! It was absolutely fantastic! I loved all the little tributes they made to TOS, and the respect they showed for it and for the fans (since I know several people who are really strong, longtime fans of TOS). I liked learning about the backstory, although I really would have liked to have seen more of Kirk's mother-- what happened to her? She just kind of disappeared. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">The acting was incredible, the sets and special effects were wonderful and the writing was excellent!!!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Has anybody out there seen it? What did you think? Good or bad! LOL! Any other big summer films you want to see or have seen and recommend? </span><br /></span>Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-17216333522438016672009-06-20T10:02:00.000-07:002009-06-20T10:16:58.655-07:00WHEW!!!<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;">Spring is FINALLY over!!!!!!! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;"> I will never, never, NEVER agree to stage manage a show again, not even for my best friend! A friend begged and pleaded and G. and I felt sorry for them and wanted to help, but neither of us knew what we were getting into. And, no matter WHAT, I won't agree to do it again. It takes up WAY too much time and energy for no payback. If I'm going to waste my time and be sleep-deprived, I'm going to do it ONSTAGE, thank you very much. Not backstage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;"> During the time we were doing this, I took another workshop with T... and although I loved my scene partner (she was great), I was disheartened when I found out he gave us Chekov... CHEKOV! Let me just say, I am NOT a fan of ANY Russian writers. Just not. IMO, they are too wordy, I don't care for the awkwardness of the language (at least in translation) and they are always SO depressing. I should have known, though.... T. and J. liked it a lot the first time, spent some time talking with us about it, and with one or two sentences, gave me a whole new perspective not just on the scene, but the whole play. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;"> I also took a workshop with an agent from NYC. Got a standing ovation for the one monologue we did, and she felt I had a breakthrough... I really think I got what I need to get the 'rest of the way' to the changes I need to make for film/tv. It was GREAT to actually get to work with a partner-- that really made a BIG difference. She said I needed to get up there, get started with T.'s studio (which I'm going to do, because I'm not going to do anything else down here that TM is in charge of), and get some exposure. The agents need to see your work, they prefer work on stage, and you've got to be there for them to do that. That is the next step. The problem is finding a job right now.... it is not easy. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"> I am really glad that the school year is over, though!! This one seemed to go by SO fast, and I felt 'behind' from the very beginning, and like I was playing catchup all year long. Now, after a hellacious Friday getting things ready and set up, summer school starts on Monday. I actually don't mind it, except for the heat!!!! It will go by more quickly than I can imagine, too, I'm sure, and it'll be time to go back for the new school year. </span>Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-28031805759383513042009-03-08T09:20:00.000-07:002009-03-08T09:30:45.719-07:00Pinter.... why does it have to be Pinter?<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">We went to see a friend of G.s in a Pinter show last night. He was EXCELLENT. His two co-stars were not up to his level, but the one who played his wife wasn't bad. I am, however, NOT a Pinter fan. Ever. Especially after the last Pinter show I stagemanaged. So, although I was happy to go and to see M. in the show, I dreaded sitting through Pinter.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I have to say that the best thing about it is that it was SHORT. And I do mean SHORT. Each act was only about 40 minutes.... so we were out of there by 9:30. Then G. and I went looking for someplace to have dessert and discovered -- yet AGAIN, that there is noplace to go around there, especially on a Saturday night. It's all bars. UGH. The one place we might have gone (which is where we had dinner before the show) was charging a cover because they were showing a fight in the bar... ::SIGH:: We found a little place where we got something to drink and talked..... 'til almost 12 (almost 1 with the clock changes). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Things are happening quickly.... by June, he'll probably be in NYC.... and I am hoping I'll be there soon..... this is such a bad time to be making such a move, but both of us know we have to, and he was told that housing prices are actually down right now, and will probably be going back up. He's got both a job offer and an agent interested and waiting for him to get up there. He just has to find a place to live (which is NOT easy!!!). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I can't leave until at least the school year is over and I need to find a job. We both HATE it here, though, and whether we are acting or not, both of us would be much happier there. Finding a job right now is not easy, though. I keep telling myself that things work out as they are meant to... they always have and they will this time. It's just a matter of timing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I asked D. about places to live up there.... going to go up some weekend and she's going to show us around and she does know the places to avoid!!!!!! I really didn't want to come home when we went to see Pal Joey... it would be a dream to be living there. Working at T.s studio and auditioning, hopefully booking jobs. Never know until you get there, because no-one will even LOOK at you unless you live there and they can come see your work. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">We're both getting our places ready, getting rid of stuff... it just seems like you pay twice as much there for half as much space!!!!!!! </span>Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-63456574370367725552009-03-01T13:47:00.000-08:002009-03-01T13:53:38.636-08:00Murder Mystery Night<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Ever been to a murder mystery night? Neither had I. There was actually a group that I thought about joining a few years ago, but they were really too far away for me to do it on a regular basis. But, P.'s temple did this, and she really wanted us all to go. J1 didn't go, but J2 did... although J2 and L. got lost on the way there, so they didn't get there until the mystery was half over.... oh, well. The food was okay (although the desserts were great!!!). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">It was a 'high school reunion." We got to meet a few of the classmates and one of their former teachers. It was kinda fun. The actors were fairly funny and had a good way of involving the crowd. It was fun, but after dessert, they did "Whose Line is it Anyway?" Now THAT was funny, and really good. They asked for different theatre styles, and a couple of us said Kabuki.... obviously, they had no clue what kabuki IS, but it was fun to watch anyway.... they also didn't know what 'peevishness' is (or how to spell it) when they asked for different emotions), but we thought they should do an evening of it. Y'know, a bit before dinner, a bit after dinner, a bit after dessert, y'know...... it would be a LOT of fun. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">So, even though I have had a 'relapse' of the cold I had last week, and I didn't feel great, I'm still VERY glad I went. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Today, we are supposed to have MAJOR snow... first 'real' snow of the season, and frankly, I could do without it. UGH. </span>Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-26298870824981560482009-02-28T11:11:00.001-08:002009-03-01T13:45:32.106-08:00Lion King<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">So, my principal comes to me two or three weeks ago and says, "Do you have any Broadway connections?" Um, none that are going to get you tickets cheaper, that's for sure!!!! So, she asks me to see about tickets to The Lion King for sometime in May, as a graduation gift for some of the kids. OK. Fine. You couldn't have asked a little SOONER? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I never expected, however, to have such a ridiculously difficult time getting tickets for a show! It was unreal! You have to put in a request for tickets to the 3rd party company, wait for THEM to submit it to the box office, and wait for their response.... which takes 3-5 days. So, I submit. I get back a notification that tickets weren't available, but I should call to 'discuss other dates when tickets may be available.' So I call. To be told that they don't KNOW when tickets are available, they just submit the requests. So, I ask who DOES know what's available? The box office. Then how do I get in touch with the box office? You can't. ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, he tells me 'if you have 20 days when your group can go, submit for all 20 days." So I do.... which takes ANOTHER 45 minutes. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">And get a call the next day, asking WHY I did that... um, because I was TOLD to? So, STILL not knowing when tickets are available, he chooses 3 dates and says he'll submit those. So, we get a date that we can't use. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Meanwhile, I had actually GONE to the box office, to see if I could get some information directly from them... and they were EXTREMELY nice and helpful, but basically what I found out was that there was not much available where they would have the seats we needed together. ::SIGH:: </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Fortunately, the principal knew of a group that works specifically with school groups, so we did get tickets.... best deal we were going to find at this point. And I get to be the 'official guide' to NYC. LOL!!!!!!! I am really looking forward to it!!!! FINALLY.... who would have thought that it would be SUCH a huge deal? Anyway, now to find out about other things to see in NYC and where to take a group of kids to eat in close proximity to the theatre that would have food they will want to eat!!!!! </span>Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-13676008417486606332009-02-28T11:00:00.001-08:002009-02-28T11:04:35.057-08:00Joey is my Pal!!!!<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Oh, it was wonderful!!! We drove to NYC, had a great dinner, and walked 14 blocks to the old Studio 54 (which is now the Roundhouse Theatre) to see Stockard Channing in Pal Joey.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">How FABULOUS was she?! And the guy who played Joey, though I didn't know him, was JUST as fabulous. I am STILL trying to figure out how they made some of those quick changes, including one where they went from one side of the stage to the other and had a costume change before coming back out on stage within a minute..... we had a great time, stopped for cheesecake on the way back... didn't get home until 4 am, but I tell you, I did NOT want to leave. I HATE living here. Just LOVE New York so much. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">We ARE moving to NYC. Gotta find a job and sell the house (and this is NOT the time to sell the house, but still......)</span>Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-1854959388716234832009-01-24T08:09:00.000-08:002009-01-24T08:15:28.082-08:00Have you ever......volunteered to do something, and it ended up being a LOT more than you intended?????????? <br /><br />After the 3 shows back-to-back, and 2 films, I decided I needed a little bit of a break. I thought January was going to BE that break, since in Feb., I'll most likely be teaching SAT prep some Saturdays. <br /><br />Except G. was stagemanaging a show, and I said I'd help out... I'm figuring I'll be back stage, helping out a few shows, on the weekends, after they open. Well... not so much. More like being there for two solid weeks until midnight, running the boards, and ending up stage managing! ACK!!<br /><br />Not that I mind, really, I am enjoying it. BUT, sleep deprivation is MAJORLY catching up with me!!!! <br />Now that the run has started, there are 3 of us, so we are rotating shows (which is nice because it means I don't have to be there for every show, but kind of defeats the purpose of DOING this, which was to spend time with G! LOL!). So, today I'm trying to catch up on some stuff around here, get some rest, and find the @*%@)(% script I had to buy of Glass Menagerie (even though I already HAD it but couldn't find it) and now THIS one has disappeared! ARGH! I need it for a monologue for a class I'm taking (with the director from the show I'm stage managing now). Which was supposed to have started last Monday, but the weather was so bad, only three of us showed up , so he postponed it. Which was good, except I still haven't been able to find it... and do not want to spend ANOTHER $10 on it!Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-65054989924325640672009-01-03T07:33:00.000-08:002009-01-03T07:38:42.186-08:00Last Ditch Effort......of 2008 to suck the life out of everyone... here's how I spent most of my New Year's Eve......<br /><br /><br /><div><span><strong><span style="color:#800080;">Spent most of it in the ER. A friend was taken there. She was at work and went to a store to get something to eat. When she walked in, they had a mat on the floor-- she tripped over it, hit her head on the counter, and the girl who was with her fell on top of HER. We wouldn't have even known except we decided to call several hours later to see if she'd gotten out of work early. So, we had to get down there-- down in the city and my other friend (her sister) who was with me HATES driving in the city. So, I drove, we finally found it, and got in to see her. They don't think she had a concussion, and she didn't break anything, but she has a NASTY cut on her nose from where she hit the counter, and probably has a nice black and blue nose and eyes this morning. She can't wear her glasses and thus can't drive. They have glued the cut on her nose. </span></strong></span></div> <div><span><strong></strong> </span></div> <div><span><strong><span style="color:#800080;"> Her car was in the parking garage at work, and would be towed if she left it.... SO, off we go, when she FINALLY gets released (and we insist that she's coming home with us and staying with her sis for the night-- she only relents when the doc says, "That's a very good idea."). Only problem is that her pass card won't work from the outside (because as far as the computer knows, she's still in the building-- she didn't 'check' her car out, so no-one else can use it to get in). I'm sitting there, with no way out except to possibly back up out into the road, when two cars come up behind me and start honking.... and I have nowhere to go. ::SIGH::.... they manage to get in the garage, but can't find anyone to help them get her car out (and get ME out of there someway! LOL!). FINALLY, I guess someone came back to the booth, and came out to open the door so I could get in, they finally get her car (with her sis-- the one who gets sick to her stomach driving in the city--driving) out of the parking garage (her card wouldn't let her out, either, so we had to get someone else to let us out... ::SIGH::)....after MANY long minutes, we are out and on our way home..... FINALLY getting out of the city and friend is starving, 'cause she hadn't eaten any breakfast and didn't get the lunch she was going after. So we stop somewhere to eat (try finding a place that's open on NYE and not full of people with reservations!!)..... then she finally got to relax (although it's VERY difficult for her not to be able to SEE, and she can't wear her glasses until Monday).... and I'm exhausted! LOL!</span></strong></span></div> <div><span><strong></strong> </span></div> <div><span><strong><span style="color:#800080;">But at least it all happened BEFORE 2008 was over.... Happy 2009!!!! :) </span></strong></span></div>Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-37177236808466907152009-01-03T07:22:00.000-08:002009-01-03T07:32:13.860-08:00Thank GOD!!!!!! 2009 is here!!!Well, 2008 sucked in almost EVERY single way. Well, except a couple-- that would be meeting G. He played my husband in the last show I did, and we started talking, as he is bound and determined (and was before I met him), to move to NYC (well, the NJ suburbs-- he whispered DESPERATELY "suburbs, suburbs" and I wholeheartedly agreed with him-- unless you have BEAUCOUP bucks, Manhatten is NOT the place to be). I decided the time has come to quit putting it off, since I've been saying for several years, "Someday...."-- part of the problem has been my recertification and selling the house.<br /><br />We discussed it... then one day he nonchalontly says, "I was talking to (the director) and he said, "Why don't you and she just get a place together?" So, that looks like a strong possibility. The only problem is that he's ALLERGIC TO CATS! OMG!! :*( He said, "I wouldn't want to make you get rid of them...." and I told him we'd figure it out.... I THINK maybe J. would benefit. Her furbaby, D., is probably not going to live much longer. :*( I think having some lap kitties might make her feel better. I haven't broached the subject with her yet, but we'll see what she says. I was talking to T., and she suggested perhaps renting out the house until the prices improve.... and that is a possibility, because I just don't think I'm going to get a price that I can live with right now. Maybe in a year or two, it'll be better. If I leave here (which I want to desperately), I'm not coming back. G. said, "If it doesn't work out, we can always come back here." Uh-uh. I HATE it here... and he doesn't like it much, either.<br /><br />He is an actor (didn't I PROMISE myself no more actors?! LOL!!!), but I feel no reservations with him.... unlike everyone else I've dated in the past!!!!! We will see where it leads. Here I thought that January would be a bit of a breather, but it looks like it's going to be as busy as October, November and December were!!!!!<br /><br />Anyway, so there ARE some good things to look forward to in 2009.... and good RIDDANCE to 2008!! As a year, it just SUCKED royal duck eggs.<br /><br />And HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />(even if I do have to go back to work on Monday... UGH!)Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-87238973904264069372008-12-07T18:57:00.000-08:002008-12-07T18:59:46.064-08:00The S-Word...... :OSnow, that is...... we had it last night. UGH!!! We were going to go see a show last night (our last weekend off before Christmas), but the weather was so bad and the ice was so bad that we decided not to go, since it was over an hour away. And I was upset. But, boy, was it nice to have a night to just sit with a fire and relax. :)<br /><br />Today, it's FREEZING!!! SO, cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am STILL so not ready for winter! Didn't want to go out, but had to go out for rehearsal tonight.... UGH. Rehearsal wasn't bad, though..... and not too late.Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-16980526873168352712008-12-07T18:50:00.000-08:002008-12-07T18:56:53.850-08:00The weekendHave you ever had a friend who keeps you on the phone... for HOURS? And not that you mind, but you'd like to get some sleep sometime? I have a friend who is like that... and we've been talking on the phone a lot lately, because she's been going through some real crap. Not ordinary crap, but 'Can we just go back and start the whole month over?" kinda stuff... but we were on the phone until THREE O'CLOCK in the morning... and this is not the only night-- twice this last week, we were on the phone until at least midnight..... and I have to get up at 5:30.... ::SIGH::<br /><br />This last week was ROUGH. We are having a Faculty Choir for our Christmas show at school, and we had a rehearsal.. that I don't mind. And we had our faculty Christmas lunch on Friday-- and I was actually near home, so that was cool, too. We went to Olive Garden, and it really wasn't all that good. :( But, anyway....<br /><br />THIS week, however, is going to be even worse, because it's tech week. Starting tonight, every single night until next weekend, when we have Opening Night, 2 shows on Saturday and one on Sunday. It was the birthday of one of the kids in the show, so we had cupcakes.. really cool.<br /><br />Got the Christmas tree up, and some of the other decorations up, so it's starting to look at least a LITTLE like Christmas...... :)Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-21991566952586448322008-12-07T18:45:00.000-08:002008-12-07T18:50:24.091-08:00Mobilization FridayAs I'm sure most of you know, Prop 8 which denied gay couples the right to get married, passed. The status of those who've already gotten married is in limbo, but the state Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal. On Friday, there were rallies protesting the passage of Prop 8. Please, EVERYONE, even if you weren't able to go, at least let your voice be heard, and express how you feel about it to the California authorities. Everyone<br />deserves the right to get married..... help keep them from taking that right away.Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-11786554683333399292008-11-29T14:15:00.000-08:002008-11-29T14:23:12.199-08:00Fun, fun, fun!!!We went to see Bolt today... just a FABULOUS movie!! Really well-done and a lot of fun.<br /><br />Tonight, we're going to see The Sisters Rosenzweig-- I can't wait... I LOVE Wendy Wasserstein!!!!! We were going to go to C's house and watch The Secret, but we're going to wait until January when another girl from the cast can join us. :)<br /><br />Trying also to get the house cleaned up a bit and will need to do some work for work tomorrow-- this weekend has gone by SOOOO fast. After? We went to Golden Corral... and all of a sudden, I hear, "Ms. XXXXX! Ms. XXXXXX!!!" And, there, big as life, was one of my kids. One of my favorite kids, but it's my time OFF!! LOL!! He's such a sweetie, though.. so we talked for a minute. He didn't seem thrilled with his Thanksgiving. :( Oh, well, we all needed a break anyway.<br /><br />Tomorrow, Sis is coming up and she may take my old car. I took it and got it cleaned yesterday. Still need to get the oil changed and new windshield wipers. If she doesn't want to keep it after she drives it, she'll take it down to Mom... thing is, it's got over 100,000 miles on it....<br /><br /> I STILL have to deal with the insurance on my BRAND NEW car. Parked on the street last week, and someone trying to pull out apparently didn't make it and cracked the bumper and the tail light... ::SIGH:: I'm STILL pissed. AND I'm going to have to pay for it BIG time. :(<br /><br />Anyway, we'll probably go out to eat.<br /><br /> I need to work on my lines, too.... BIG time-- before Monday. We took pics last Monday, and I need to get my bio to M tonight, too.... so not a whole lot of rest this weekend, but some time to get some stuff done that I might not have gotten done otherwise. <br /><br />Hope everyone's having a nice weekend!!Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-41674473074063472222008-11-26T17:05:00.000-08:002008-11-26T17:13:59.592-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!Well, it's here. I'm doing a little cooking, but not cooking the whole thing this year, and we are going to a friend's house. I said I'd come by early and help her cook! ACK!!<br /><br />Anyway, I'm having some real difficulty getting that thankful feeling right now-- the last few weeks have been very difficult, and every time I get any news, it seems it's bad news. :(<br /><br />Anyway, I'm going to get myself in that mood, no matter what. I DO know I have a lot to be thankful for, and my problems are nothing compared to what a lot of people are going through right now.... I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, and for everything to just disappear. I can't help it, I feel like I'm on tenterhooks, and you can cut the tension with a knife just walking down the street or into a store-- EVERYONE seems to be feeling it, even the kids, who have been really off the last few weeks-- I really do think they are feeling it, as well, even if no-one's talking about it to or in front of them. <br /><br />Anyway, here's my 'Thankful for' list this year.<br /><br />1) My mom and my family. We may argue and fight, but I love them and don't think I could make it without them.<br />2) That I have a job.... at least, as Avenue Q puts it, "for now...."<br />3) That I have health insurance.... even if it is costing more than I can afford.<br />4) That I have a car to worry about getting crunched while parked on the street... I am PISSED, especially because it's a new car... but it IS only a car.... even though my insurance premiums are now going to skyrocket (::SIGH::).<br />5) That I have a house-- even if it is having plumbing problems, and needs to be painted, and the roof needs to be inspected, and the foundation needs to be fixed, and the water heater just had to be replaced, and..... it's a house, we can afford it ('for now'), and overall, I am happy in it. It's got good 'vibes.'<br />6) My friends. I have the BEST friends around. <br />7) My kitties-- they give so much love, and ask for only a bit of food and loving in return. :)<br />8) That our health seems to be holding its own, including Mom's.....<br />9) My kids, who really are great, even when they're driving me crazy!!!!!<br /><br />And now, I need to go cook, and get over my feeling of wanting to hibernate and not talk to anybody tonight.....Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-37046064211053036612008-11-25T15:54:00.000-08:002008-11-25T16:00:25.840-08:00It's OfficialI'd been hoping this wouldn't happen, but it has. The National Board has asked for a strike authorization vote, and they will be sending out the ballots soon (the last I heard, they don't have a date for that yet). I am VERY disappointed in Unite for Strength. I mean, I know they formed and ran on the platform of returning to bargaining with AFTRA, but come on, people! You ran and you WON! YOU'RE the governing 'party' now.... to have absolutely NO public statement or comment on the possibility of a strike when the Negotiating Committee gave you back that right and recommended it? I have a REAL problem with that. <br /><br />Anyway, I have no idea how I would vote if they sent out the ballots..... my guess is they think they can get the 75% vote or they wouldn't have announced it publicly. I guess we'll have to wait and see.... seems like that's all we're doing-- waiting to see what will happen. NOT a good feeling.... not a good feeling at all.Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-34042452456947573902008-11-25T15:50:00.001-08:002008-11-25T15:54:21.489-08:00Well.......It's been a long, long time since I've actually posted. I have been unbelievably overwhelmed over the last few months. I have filmed two movies in the last six months, and at one point in October, I was doing two shows at the same time. I am now down to one (and will never, EVER do two shows at the same time again!!!!). A Christmas show, and it's going to be a lot of fun.<br /><br />The guy who plays my husband is really cute. :))))) I saw him in another show at the same theatre a couple of months ago.... I'm glad he's playing this part. He told me last night that his goal is to move to NYC... which is my goal also.... but the timing couldn't be worse, with furloughs and possible layoffs, and the housing market sucking. So, we wait. <br /><br />I SWORE I wouldn't get involved with any more actors!! But he doesn't seem the typical actor type-- was born in Hawaii and grew up in TN, so we have a connection there. <br /><br />Also went to see two shows last weekend, AND a movie called 2013-- it was interesting, but I really wish I hadn't seen it-- I don't need to hear anything more that's negative right now.Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-29986613742735807912008-06-06T20:11:00.001-07:002008-06-06T20:14:15.895-07:00Has Anybody Seen......my old friend Bobby? <br /><br />Can you tell me where he's gone?<br />I thought I saw him walking over the hill<br />with Abraham, Martin and John.<br /><br /><br /><br />You are sorely missed......Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-5936663367934039952008-06-03T16:02:00.000-07:002008-06-03T16:09:03.611-07:00Disgusted, Disheartened and DisillusionedThis is a very sad day. The day when it was proven that votes don't mean anything. When a few people can arbitrarily decide which rules to follow and which ones not to, which votes to count and which ones not to, and who can on a whim tell voters who voted for ONE candidate and give them to another. <br /><br />I am ashamed to say I WAS a Democrat. A group of people who figure they can ignore more than half of the voters' wishes, who can disregard their votes if they choose. A group of people who crown a candidate and do whatever they need to do to manipulate the process so that he is the nominee.<br /><br />I can not in good conscience vote for someone who is a liar, who contradicts himself on major positions, who has not a CLUE about foreign policy, who hasn't paid his dues, who has shown no leadership, and who has NOTHING to recommend him to the office of president.<br /><br />And Obama cannot win in November with half of the party having been dismissed and disrespected.Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-16687258566811436022008-05-25T15:30:00.001-07:002008-05-25T15:41:15.694-07:00I MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Whew!!! I really didn't think I was going to make it through the 8 weeks between Easter and Memorial Day, during which we had NO break whatsoever.<br /><br />But I DID! And we will finish testing this week. And the kids are doing great. So, this is really good!!!<br /><br />I have been shooting a film for the last few weeks. Tomorrow is my final scene, so I don't have tomorrow off, but today was nice. We went to see the new Indiana Jones move. Harrison Ford? GORGEOUS! The storyline of the movie? FABULOUS! The chase scenes? Funny-- which is saying something for me, because I DO NOT like the action-type stuff. Shia LaBoef? TERRIFIC. MUCH better than I thought he would be. And the ending? PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you liked the first one, you'll like this one. <br /><br />Then we went to Chili's, which was not all that great, but.....<br /><br />As for the movie I'm doing, it's a horror movie, and I got to die... which was a LOT of fun! :) And they managed to NOT get any of the blood on my hair or clothes. Which was a GOOD thing, 'cause I didn't get home until almost midnight, and I was NOT looking forward to having to wash my hair and soak out that dress (because that wasn't the final scene, and it needed NOT to have bloodstains on it!).<br /><br />The last two weekends, I've also been doing another workshop with T.... REALLY valuable. We did a scene from The Glass Menagerie, which was REALLY intense for both me and my scene partner. And almost all of the other scenes were pretty intense, too. There was one I need to order the script for-- I think I might get a good monologue out of it!! :) So, between work, rehearsing for these scenes, testing and filming the last couple of weeks have been EXHAUSTING. I am BEAT. At least I get to sleep in tomorrow... call time's not 'til 2. We MIGHT have a cookout afterwards, not sure... we'll kinda play it by ear. <br /><br />We were also celebrating Ps birthday, too. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but she's starting to get on my nerves sometimes, and J's, too. :( I don't know, and both of us are trying to tamp down the impatience we sometimes feel..... and maybe part of it is that we're both really tired right now. <br /><br />J is trying to prepare for an operation on her foot that she needs, and has been working on getting her kitchen in shape. She DESPERATELY needed a new refrigerator (her old one was OLD, AND it opened in the wrong direction, PLUS there simply wasn't room for the door to open. It also didn't keep food all that cold). Her new one has french doors, so it's PERFECT. Plenty of space, and it looks great, too!! She's also a bit stressed in preparing to retire, so I know she's a bit on edge, and maybe I am, too, because of the stress of the last few weeks. <br /><br />Here's to a relaxing day tomorrow, and a relatively stress-free week!!Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-25072908561462488922008-04-05T07:07:00.000-07:002008-04-05T07:21:05.391-07:00TVsWell, I have a TV in the kitchen that is NOT hooked up to the satellite. Back when we moved in, they only offered 2 rooms-- now, it's FOUR. ARGH. Anyway, so the kitchen TV is just an antenna and a DVD player, so I can watch DVDs while I'm working in the kitchen or in the living/dining room.<br /><br />And, we KNEW that as of February, that TV is no longer going to work. So, I was researching to find the kind of TV I wanted for the kitchen. Because the converter boxes? Cost money (even if you do get a coupon), and may not work with your current antenna. So, we figured we might as well just go ahead and get a new small TV for the kitchen. We COULD pay to have it hooked up and pay the extra each month, but.... nah. (Although Mom is nagging me-- she'd like to have it when she visits! :) And maybe we will at some point). <br /><br />But, THEN, all of a sudden, the admittedly small TV in the family room that we were NOT going to replace since it's hooked up to satellite and there was no real REASON to replace it, suddenly stopped working. Worked one night, the next night, no sound. Full stop. No matter WHAT you did. Checked the others-- no problem. Brought down the little TV from the kitchen-- worked PERFECTLY. So, the TV was a bust. It's only about 7 years old! ::SIGH::<br /><br />So, we spent MUCH more than we should have for a new TV for the family room, and now I really don't know what to do about the kitchen. After Feb., it won't be good for anything but playing DVDs. But I just can't see shelling out several MORE hundreds of dollars for another TV now....... but they've said even with the converter box, the old one may well not work without an outdoor (mounted) antenna. Well, not exactly an earth-shattering issue, especially right now. Just an annoyance. I HATE spending money I don't have to (or for things I didn't plan on!).Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-54036043070778714032008-04-05T06:57:00.000-07:002008-04-05T07:07:26.178-07:00Where is spring?????Why is spring ALWAYS just knock-me-on-my-butt busy? ALWAYS. <br /><br />WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, the first week of April is done. Thank GOODNESS!!! We still have 7 weeks (and an observation, and standardized testing) to go! <br /><br /><br />The end of the year is already in full swing. We are preparing for end-of-year testing, graduation, etc. The spring program is coming up, so the music teacher was working with them on that. <br /><br />Next Saturday will be SAT prep again. I honestly don't mind, I just hate getting up at O'dark 30 on a SATURDAY.<br /><br />Mom got us an umbrella and deck furniture... yes, we've been using plain white plastic chairs (kiddy-chairs, she calls them-- they are NOT!-- and she refuses to sit in them anymore when she visits!!!) and the built-in bench (which, admittedly, goes the entire width of the deck, so not shabby). The deck is BLISTERING, though, because it gets the afternoon sun-- will be nice to have an umbrella to block some of the sun, that's for sure! My sis brought them home in her van (she's been dropping off their puppy for some Grandma time while they've been on the road), so now we have to drive two hours to go get them..... when they're actually HOME. <br /><br />Meanwhile, where is spring?! We've had one or two really nice days, and the rest have been cold and/or rainy. UGH! More rain tonight-- in fact, we've had some SERIOUS wind and are supposed to have major thunderstorms tonight. UGH! again.....<br /><br />the bushes outside need to be trimmed, the yard needs to be cleaned up, and it's too bloody cold or wet on the few days we're home to actually DO it. Maybe tomorrow. ::SIGH::Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-74597957385635795262008-03-22T14:54:00.000-07:002008-03-22T14:57:33.292-07:00Happy Holidays!To all those who celebrate Easter, may it be a joyous one.<br /><br />To those celebrating Purim, may it be a joyful and funfilled one... eat some hamentaschen for me!!! :)<br /><br />And I? I have some time off for spring break! I am SO excited and looking forward to it!! (Until April, of course, when we have TWO SOLID MONTHS without a single break. Not one between spring break and Memorial Day-- UGH! I am NOT looking forward to that!).Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720021410657570696.post-85857706073857578872008-03-19T15:37:00.001-07:002008-03-19T16:12:06.752-07:005th AnniversaryToday is it. Five years since we invaded and occupied Iraq. 5 years since our men and women began dying, to the tune of 4,000. Five years since we began spending TEN BILLION dollars a week. Five years since we were promised, "It'll be quick," and "they'll greet us as liberators," and, "the oil in Iraq means the war will pay for itself." Five years since, "Mission Accomplished."<br /><br />I watched the demonstrators, sick to my stomach to realize we are STILL there, with no real end in sight. Sick to my stomach at the cost in lives lost, tens of thousands of American lives destroyed, unknown (because Bush refuses to let them be counted) numbers of Iraqi lives lost and destroyed. Sick to my stomach at the effect it has had on our economy... can anyone REALLY believe that the 'downturn' (ie-- recession) that Bush has been ignoring for years and only FINALLY admitted when he was given no choice, is not partially the result of the deficit spending we've taken on, the selling of our country (in the form of debt) to the Chinese and Japanese, the printing of worthless money to stem the tide of that debt which causes the VALUE of that money to freefall, the 'spend, spend, spend or the terrorists will win" attitude???? I don't see how anyone can claim otherwise.<br /><br />And Bush is STILL telling us this is a noble and justifiable use of 'lives and treasure.' FINALLY, FINALLY, the majority of people beg to differ. I fear it's too late, though. I worry that no matter who is elected, we are so far in that we will not be able to get out. We simply CANNOT go on spending the kind of money we're spending and sacrificing the lives we're sacrificing. Our police officers are now having trouble getting bullets for their guns, and those they CAN get are costing almost half again as much as before the war. The suppliers' stated priority is to provide ammunition for our troops, which IS, of course, absolutely necessary. However, our police at home are now less safe and more of the budget is going to that rather than other things like pay increases, maintenance of cars, purchase of new cars, PAL activities, etc.<br /><br />We also have absolutely NO IDEA of the cost just in MONEY for the services the returning vets who've been traumatized, emotionally or physically, often permanently. These are costs that we will be paying for DECADES. And, of course, we MUST pay them. We OWE it to them. They pay the cost in the destruction of the lives they've known, we pay the cost in money to attempt to repair or support those lives. This war WILL, however, aside from the emotional cost, continue to cost us BILLIONS for decades, even if we are NOT in Iraq for 100 years, as McCain thinks.<br /><br />Thanks for the legacy, Mr. Bush. I'm sure our grandchildren will thank you while they attempt to dig themselves out from under it.Actorgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295187029389774381noreply@blogger.com0