Sunday, February 22, 2009

Tour of California

The Tour of California was INCREDIBLE this year! On one of the days (*cough* yesterday *cough*), the Tour took off from my home city, Santa Clarita, at our local mall (which you may recognize from tv shows like NCIS, The Unit, etc.)

Basically, I was there for hours, talked to Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer for a short amount of time, and took a few pics...

Since I'm still tired from the excitement of being there, I'm just posting my pictures and describing them, ok? Also, the photos are MINE! I took them, I'm posting them... Yeah, they belong to me.


Weird... My pics won't load here for me... But that's ok... I've got 'em posted HERE


If you're interesting in getting a copy of a picture, just post a comment. I'll be glad to send it to you if you tell me why you want the pic and leave a second comment (I'll keep it private) containing the email to send the pic to!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

They've got MAGIC to do, Just for YOU...

Hey all! Just got home from an AWESOME version of Pippin, which is one of my fav. Broadway shows to begin with (yeah, I'm soooo not biased at all!)

First, the story summarized:

We've got Pippin. He's just finished university, and is coming home for the first time in a long while. What we find there: Daddy is King Charlemagne (called Charles in this production), Step-Mommy Fastrada (a woman who wants to put her own son on the throne and not to be trusted), and Half-Brother Lewis (who is most likely gay and very into himself). Not the happiest home situation, and it's followed by news that Charles is taking Lewis and his soldiers into war with the Visigoths... Pippin ends up convincing Charles to let him come along to war.

After all is said and done with the war, Pippin realizes that it's not what he wants from life, and that there really isn't any glory in war. He runs to where his grandmother Berthe lives, out in the country. Berthe gives him advice: "Don't fret your life away - take some time and have fun!" Well, again Pippin follows advice, and once again he still isn't happy when he's tried it.

Pippin "runs" again, and is found by Catherine, a widow with a young son. There, Pippin finds the beginnings of true responsibility, as well as a relationship that could turn into a love match, and he's still unsatisfied and runs again, still looking for what he terms his "Corner of the Sky."

This leads to the finale of the show, which I'm going to exclude from the summary to leave as a surprise in case you go and don't know the show yet... However, I will give you the final detail about the show - and one of the most important features... Pippin isn't alone. As this is a musical, he's got a whole crew behind him - including a Leading Player (quite possibly a more important character than Pippin himself.)


OK, now that we're done with the summary, let's get to the show!

First, this incarnation of Pippin is very special. It's a show that is both sung and signed. This particular version, which is currently showing at the Mark Taper Forum, is mostly double-cast with actors from Deaf West Theatre and the Center Theatre Group. When I say mostly double-cast, what I mean is that there are some characters with two actors. For example, Pippin has two incarnations that are usually onstage at the same time, so Pippin can both sing and sign. It's quite a beautiful sight to behold. Other characters onstage sign (using ASL) and lip their lines while another actor is speaking the lines offstage. With all seriousness, this is something EVERYONE should see! It's so beautiful, and it just adds another dimension to the show.

This is especially great since all the voices that were cast are excellent! I was bouncing around in my seat and singing along (at times) throughout a majority of the songs! Sooo much fun! Ok, I'm giving the list of songs... And I warn anyone who goes to see, if you've seen the show before, some of the songs/lyrics may be different from what you remember.

The list:
Magic to Do
Corner of the Sky
Back Home Again
(totally different lyrics from Welcome Home)
War is a Science (again, different lyrics)
Glory
Simple Joys
No Time At All
With You
(again, different lyrics)
Spread a Little Sunshine
Morning Glow
On the Right Track
Kind of Woman
Prayer for a Duck
Love Song
I Guess I'll Miss the Man
Finale


Now, for me there was one major failing in that listing... Extraordinary was cut from the show! That's one of my favorite songs! (Didn't exactly make my day, even though I didn't realize until after the show finished...)


Ok, and I know it took FOREVER, but on to the best part, the actors! The cast list:

• Pippin: Michael Arden (voice) & Tyrone Giordano (signing) - Both were excellent and complimented each other very well, as well as making it possible for us to see multiple sides of Pippin (especially during the finale). Boys, I'm so glad that I saw you both playing Pippin! PS - Thanks both of you for signing playbills and taking pics with my little sister! She's so thrilled!
• The Leading Player: Ty Taylor - Can you hear the heavenly choir singing around saying his name? Yes, Ty was that good. However, as great as he was, Ben Vereen still owns the role for me... However, I do have to say this as well... Ty, if you read this... You're sooo gorgeous! You gave the role such great life!
• Fastrada: Sara Gettelfinger - So much fun! She played a conniving woman very well, and just gave the perfect amount of vinegar and honey!
• Berthe: Harriet Harris - Wow! No Time at All was a huge high point in the show for me, especially with the gorgeous guys who popped up during the song... Just one question... Why the bondage gear on 'em? They would have been just fine without it!
• Lewis: James Royce Edwards - Uh, HAIR! and MUSCLES! You played gorgeous and vapid so well! Loved it, loved it, loved it! Plus, the sparkly outfit - so reminds me of something a few rock stars have worn...
• King Charles: Anthony Natale - You were great! Also, thanks for giving my sis an autograph and taking a picture with her! It means a lot!
• King Charles (voice): Dan Callaway - Loved hearing you sing!
• Catherine: Melissa van der Schyff - I'm sure after seeing you tonight that I also saw you in Big River many years ago... You were awesome as Catherine! Seriously, it was such a joy to watch!
• Theo: Nicholas Conway (sign) & Bryan Terrell Clark (voice) - I was really impressed by how cute you were, Nick. Plus, little Theo acted just like I'd expect a young boy to... Plus the duck was great!
• Magician Assistants/Players: TL Forsberg, Victoria Platt, Nikki Tomlinson, & Alexandria Wailes - Wow, you all were so beautiful and looked great! You were all excellent backing to Ty's Lead Player!
• To anyone else I didn't mention: It's late and I need some beauty sleep! - Ok, honestly, the best I can say is that this is definitely one of the excellent performances I've seen recently, and you all obviously had to work together to make it happen. Well, it all worked, and I'm just thrilled by how you sold it!

And a quick Post-Script to Rodrick Covington - Damn, babe, you're gorgeous! And I LOVE the hair! Thanks for the autograph!
And a Post-Post-Script to Bryan Terrell Clark - You have an awesome voice and you're also very handsome! Thanks for the autograph!

Ok, before I close this off with a couple pics I took of my sister with a few cast members... Anyone who gets a chance to see this really needs to go! It's absolutely worth it! The acting is superb, the costumes to die for, and the music sweet and very memorable! Please support the arts and ASL by seeing Pippin! I promise you'll enjoy yourself!



My sister with Michael Arden


Tyrone Giordano, my sister, & Anthony Natale

Saturday, February 14, 2009

In (sort of) Honor of Valentine's Day...

Ok, update first. My dad came home from DC yesterday. It was night. His plane was late. It took FOREVER to get to a restaurant that was still open to eat (yay for The Villa Italian!) Plus, we (the family) all got to go and see Grandma! Really great, though the best part was getting home and realizing that my dad would be in the house again.

Also, I've got more blanket squares and stuff done, but I'll post that later when I'm not trying to hide what I'm doing and making it look like homework...

However, back to the topic of today's blog...

Since it's Valentine's Day, and I'm still sadly single (and praying that my birthday wish will be granted by the fairy Steve - hey, my big 20th birthday is in 2 DAYS), I've decided to explain myself so that if anyone who knows me asks about my "Hugh Jackman Obsession," I can point them here so that they can take a look for themselves.

Basically, anyone who knows me to some degree will tell you if asked that Hugh Jackman is not only my favorite actor, I'm obsessed. However, that's not completely true. I mean, it's not like I'm crazy and will stalk him, because that's just scary and disgusting and WEIRD!

With full honesty, here's my thing with Hugh Jackman:

*He represents everything I want from my own potential mate...
*He's a complete family man...
*He is dedicated to his wife - they have been together for OVER a decade!
*He has a strong work ethic
*Plays well with children
*Is a genuinely nice guy - all who meet him only have nice things to say about him (the same goes for Deb! I wanna meet her too!)
*He is very respectful of others
*He's playful, and enjoys life
*He's stable - He's not about to go out and do drugs (which are GROSS!) or risk losing his family in any way...

Of course, there's more to this list, but that's all I can think about for now...

I just found out that one of my girlies is gonna come out and visit me in JULY! WOOHOO!!!!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The Scarves are with my Akri!

I spoke on the phone with my akri for a good 20 minutes yesterday... And he informed me that he is now home again in TN, from NY and the New York Comic-Con, and had picked up the package before he went home. He also updated me on a situation I discovered dealing with a website that allows users to upload and download ebooks for free.

I had discovered a site that allowed what is stated above, and all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books were available up-to-date for free. This kind of thing upsets me, especially since I understand how bad piracy can be when it comes to books. However, I was surprised by what my akri told me. He said that in the case of romance authors, such piracy is actually in some ways free publicity. This also led into a discussion in which he told me that Sherri had fought long and hard to get St. Martin's to even allow the free book giveaway that took place over the Cons last year... (Sherri had my favorite book in her series, "Seize the Night," set up with a special cover as a freebie for each Convention she went to last year to help promote the series) - Basically even the current piracy is good free publicity for romance authors, but usually only for the genre... Not sure I understand how that works exactly, but as it is, IF it's ok for authors that I hope to someday be in the same league as, then I'll let it be. I guess I'm just business savy enough to wonder about the profit loss, though... *shrug*

Now, back on topic with my scarves. I got a call only a few minutes ago. He told me that he LOVED the scarf, and so did his wife. Then he asked how much I charge for them... I'm hoping that this means that he's gonna be promoting the hell out of my scarves to others... Akri also told me that he loved how they curl up into circles (I use the circular loom seen in one of my previous posts, and that causes the reaction, along with gravity...) and that the fact that they curl makes him warmer...

I am so beyond thrilled that akri and his wife both like their scarves! To me, that's the most important thing!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Not the Best Day Ever...



The picture tells part of my story today... Ok, not really a story, but the telling of how crappy today was.

First, it rained today. No, not when I first got up at 6:30 this morning, but after I arrived at school... I just have no idea when exactly it started. What I do know is that by 9:15, when I left to head over to my classroom, it was pouring, and I was in a t-shirt, light pants, a light jacket without a hood, and FLIP FLOPS. Yes, those damned flip-flops. Hey, I'm a California girl all the way, and those shoes are part of the lifestyle and school dress code when you're in college out here. However, being a California girl also means that I usually take any warnings of rain with a grain of salt, especially since it does rarely rain out here...

Well, that was my loss. Since I had no idea where my classroom was (the class is History of the Middle East), my darling friend Kayla was laughing at my meager attempts to protect myself from the rain. In fact, she went so far as to say, and I quote, "It could be worse..." Now, I'm sure most of you know that saying that is NEVER good... In fact, it almost always leads to something worse happening. Yep, that would be the case today. As soon as Kayla said that, it started raining HARDER!

So, not too long after that, I'm sitting and shivering in a lecture room with the AC on, nose running like crazy with no tissues to help, praying for my teacher to just let us go so I can get home and change.

Eventually, we did finish, and by then, I thank my lucky stars that the rain had let up, so that I was able to get to my car and go home to change. After all, my next class after that one wasn't for a couple of hours.

Well, to make a long-ish story a little shorter, I managed to get through that and got back to school in better close-toed shoes and socks, with a warmer pair of pants, a raincoat, and a new sweatshirt with me... Then my next class went just fine. I got in and out without much rain damage to my person (my hair - totally another story. Moisture in the air and my hair just don't mix!), and got back to the car and home safely.

HOWEVER, when I got home... I got the mail. Waiting in the mail for me was an innocent envelope. Or so I thought. Happy almost freakin' birthday to me. That envelope, well... It was my first Jury Duty Summons. And of course it wasn't for the courts near me... Oh no. It's waaaayyyy out of town. Damn it all! This would be why I hate Zeus' guts, and I hope that Hades and Persephone blast the hell out of him!

After all this, I just hope I don't get more sick since I seem to be on the path to mending, minus the whole drinking tons of tea every day, coughing, and having a stuffy/runny nose...

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Being Sick Sucks!

True story, and I'm writing this as the last of my brain cells give up on me...

Ok, last Saturday, I'd been feeling pretty under the weather... You know, the full body ache, the head that's too big for your body, sinuses that are completely CONSUMED by the pressure building on them... Yeah, all that and more. So, I do the smart thing. I go to the doctor. Well, that's great, right? WRONG! The doctor I go to does a quick check, then says that what I have could either be viral or bacterial, and if I don't feel better in a couple of days, here's a prescription to fill... Well, the prescription... Uh, how do I put this nicely? I'm IMMUNE to the damned medicine! So...

I still feel sick on Thursday, so I go back to the doctor again... And by now, I just wanna DIE I feel so horrible. I'd woken up that morning at 2 FREAKIN' AM, with a throat so sore that I couldn't swallow... The doctor I see is one who I usually have a better time with... And he again tells me that there's not much he can do, but he offers to give me a shot of some medical steroid to help me get on my feet, along with some horse-pill prescription to go with it... And me, sick as I am, accept the offer, even though I HATE shots... Well, a nurse is brought in for the shot, and guess what? It's a booster shot... So now I have to do the "lower the pants and show nothing off" game so that I can feel better...

Somehow, I succeed and win the game, hell, I didn't even notice getting the shot, and in a few minutes, I'm already feeling TONS better! Great, right? WRONG! I wake up again Friday, and my throat is still sore, but not nearly as bad. However, I've basically lost my entire voice, which I had had at the doctor's the day before...

Now, I was supposed to have plans Friday night. However, they fell through since I didn't feel like going out, especially since it was RAINING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA and my throat hurt like the dickens... So I somehow managed to choke down the horse-pill I need to take to go with that shot I got... And I somehow let myself think that if I go to bed early, I'll be soooo much better in the morning...

NOT SO FAST! Oh no... I wake up at 7:30 this morning, throat still sore, less voice than before, and other than an achy head and stuffed sinuses and sore throat/lost voice, I'm great! So now, though, I realize that the cough that I've had (you all know that infamous "seal bark" that people have when they're really sick, right?) seems to have moved INTO my chest, since I'm now wheezing as I cough. I've also realized that the only thing that makes my throat feel better is either VERY cold string cheese or very hot tea...

How much fun is that? *sarcastic* It's absolutely NOT! Plus, when I cough, I can totally taste the sick when I cough - GROSS! Anyone know how to get over this heinous thing? I have school starting on Monday, and it's a whole new semester! I have to be there! ARGH!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

My friend Laura's first Sonogram!

I'll be sporadically posting new information about my girlie Laura, who recently found out that she's pregnant. When I last talked to her yesterday (before my migraine drew me away from the bright intensity of the computer screen), she was soooo excited to show me her first sonogram picture, which I'm posting here as well...



According to Laura, the baby is due around September 27th... Congrats, again babe! I'm so excited for you and your hubby!


Also, happy early birthday to you! (Laura's gonna be another year older on Feb. 12.)

Totally Meant to Do this Yesterday...

New blanket update! I've got a couple more squares done right now, which would have been up yesterday but for the fact that I've got whatever bug has been going around, and I was sooooo punchy yesterday and couldn't even bear to look at a computer due to the migraine I had...

Anywho...

New blanket square #6


This square is the Lion's Suede® in "Seacrest"



New blanket square #7


This color is called "Mountaintop"

Let me know what you think!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

What I've Completed Today...

Today was yet another busy day in my life. I discovered that a beloved elementary school teacher has moved from CA to TN (near Nashville, I'm told), to continue to raise the dogs he rescues, I made 5 dozen chocolate chip cookies for my class for tomorrow's potluck, I finally took pics of my Akri Erin's awesome finished scarf (technically finished yesterday night, just before midnight), and finished Akri's wife's scarf as well (it also looks awesome!). Plus, there was also the Stupor Bowl... Yes, I watched, groaned at the commercials, and tried to ignore my mother's squees during Bruce Springsteen's half-time performance. Either way, in all honesty, it was kind of boring, since I'm not a sports fan, and I just don't get the point of American Football.

However, I did catch a few mins. of my fav. ghost-hunting shows, 'Ghost Hunters' and 'Ghost Hunters International,' which both showed some spooky findings... Oh so cool! Other than that, I've discovered the secret to perfect (well, in my opinion anyway) Chocolate Chip Cookies. However, I'm not sharing that information, because I want to be able to sell them and have people wonder at what I do to make them so yummy!

Here's pics of the outcome of my cookie making:





As for scarves #9 & #10, those are now going to be packed up and mailed out to their owners....

This one is for Akri Erin (colors used are Caron Simply Soft® Emerald, Navy Blue, and Red):




And for Akri's wife, who I'd love to meet some day... (colors used are Caron Simply Soft® Black and Purple, with Lion Brand Micro-Spun Yarn® in Blue):

LOLcats

I'm sure that most people by now have heard of the website Icanhascheezburger.com - If not, basically, it has funny pics of all sorts of stuff, but mostly animals, and really amusing captions on the pics. I've decided to post a few that I've downloaded from the site in the past....










Again, the website to visit and see more of these cute pics is http://icanhascheezburger.com/