Day 262: Ghetto Superstar

Today, I am grateful:
* my time in Philly.
* the amazing staff in my brother's building. They're half the fun of the visit.
* orange and cream soda after a long day.
* my mom.
* my comfy hotel bed here in Bristol. I am totally ready to fall asleep.

I realize that I kind of glazed over the whole situation with my father yesterday. The truth is, I've been wanting to cut him out of my life for years, but my mom and I are so close that I can't see a way to do that. She still very much loves him, which is something that I don't agree with but have chosen to respect. So I see both of them or neither of them.

In the future, I may start spending more time with P's family, who I really enjoy and love. I suppose that's a perk of a serious relationship: a second family. We're not exactly at the "splitting holidays" phase, and I would never stay with someone just for their family, but I'm very much in love with P and can see that happening. I suppose that's a partial solution...?

April 5th

Dear blogosphere: Hi. How's it going? I do still exist. And I haven't forgotten about you. You know, just in case you were worried. Are we cool? Good. Thanks.

Anyhoo...

There hasn't been a lot to report as of late - it's been a lot of the same for me: rehearsals & more rehearsals, performances, work. Nothing terribly exciting. But overall, life has been good, and I'm grateful for that.

On to my list. I'm grateful for:

• 2 weekends of Pinafore performances down. Other than a mediocre review in the TNT, the show has been well received, and I'm grateful for that. Pinafore is fluffy and melodramatic but it certainly isn't easy, particularly musically - we've had to work extremely hard on this show. (Two of the other leads and I are singing roles that are out of our usual ranges, for goodness sake!) The thing is, I worry that people focus on the fluff and don't appreciate all that goes into it. As Katie and I discussed backstage the other night, this isn't a show you can just "phone in" if you're not feeling it one day. There's no half-assing Gilbert & Sullivan. So I thank those who have come to the show and laughed, applauded, smiled, and enjoyed. You show us that it's all worth it.
• contemporary musical theatre. I've been listening to a lot of it lately to balance out all the G&S. I never cease to be entranced and inspired by writers like Kerrigan & Lowdermilk, Pasek & Paul, Duncan Shiek, and others. Case in point:
• unlimited text messaging. Especially helpful when freaking out about a REALLY awkward situation involving a castmate trying to set me up with her 20 year old son and referring to me as his bride-to-be. (Update: she's apologized for the whole thing and there have been no further messages from "boyscout," as Sam calls him. Thank god.)
• making plans to hang out with Kim next week after my show. It's long overdue.
• karaoke. I've always avoided it in the past, but it's become a regular past time for the over-21 folks in Pinafore. Singing Lady Marmalade with Katie and Adam - during which Adam sang Christina's part in his diva falsetto - was truly epic.
• working on Pride & Prejudice at my old high school. I'm the assistant-director/acting coach. We've only had our first read-through so far, but I think we have a strong cast and I'm looking forward to getting rehearsals underway.
• the new leather recliners my parents bought. Soooo comfy. I fear they will be the end of all productivity in my house.

Day 261: Butler Love

So, today was a little tough. I'm thinking more and more about cutting my dad out of my life yet how impossible that would be since I'm so close with my mom. Maybe. Eventually. Hopefully.

But today, I am grateful for:
* March Madness.
* Butler.
* Brandi.
* sunshine.
* Jay's.

Day 260: Happy Easter, ya'll.

Today, I am grateful for:
* sleeping in.
* my mom's tradition of getting my brother and me books for Easter.
* Easter dinner at my mom's cousin's house in Audobon, PA.
* meeting family I hadn't met before.
* being less than 20 days away from my getaway.

Day 258 & 259: Peanut Butter/Chocolate Fudge

I am grateful for:
* being in Philly for Easter weekend.
* a brother/sister night out last night.
* being able to hold my liquor.
* a pair of my brother's basketball shorts when my pajamas ripped this evening.
* fudge.
* having an excuse to play in Tiffany's & Co.
* sunglasses.
* lunch out.
* a healthy dinner.
* Washington Apples.

Day 257: 6 Months

I'm in Bristol, Virginia tonight, on my way to Philly, which makes me incredibly happy since Philly means time with my brother. But today is also special since it's the six month anniversary of P's and my first date. We had an anniversary phone date, and he got me this amAzing jewelry (with the sweetest card).

Today is also terrible day because I found out that an old friend from home committed suicide because of drug problems. He was a good friend growing up and always stood up for me. I haven't seen him for a very long time, but the guy I remember was a good guy. I'm not sure why he chose the path he did or what that path even was exactly. But I'll miss the guy he used to be and the man he could have been.

Today, I am grateful for:
*life.
*happiness.
*the amazing support system I have.
*P and this past six months.
*my brother.

My Brain is mush.

It hurts to think. I have crammed so much information into my head in the last three days, and I'm not anywhere close to being done. I still have two days this week plus two more full weeks of training before I'm officially released into the world of the Key Bank Float Tellers. I cannot think. So I feel the need for a very short list.

-Having a job. The feeling of knowing that I'm getting a paycheck is lovely.
-Getting to dress up. Since I'm doing a lot of sitting this week, I've been rocking the skirts and 3.5" heels.
-TV nights at L's. I've missed them.
-Coffee and super friendly awesome barista who has provided it for me this week.
-Spring Awakening. After a long hiatus, I've been listening to it a lot this week.

Now bed. Tired. Brain hurty. Have to get up at 7.