Bon anniversaire a vous!

Aujourd'hui, c'est l'anniversaire des mes parents! Woo-hoo! And I am making dinner. And chicken and various fruits and mushrooms have been purchased. As has a bottle of white wine (again, not carded...oh! The indignity!). And around four p.m. Outback's coconut shrimp (mmmm, Outback). And all of it for six-thirty (or whenever it's done). I met an old student at Victory and ended up talking to his mom re: advice on what schools to go to re: theatre. Neat. Finished from Tommy's entrance through "Go Home to Bonny Jean" last night, and hopefully dodged muttah demanding her "right" to watch over my shoulder *shudder* while I edit. Gah. Out with Jills yesterday - marvy: walks, ice cream, and mucho conversation that resulted in me watching the third night Mom's tape of Bearskin from the ruler dance to the end. *sigh* I think I need to completely rewrite the opening song - something more Thrushbeard-y. In further news, whilst looking into Yale I am beginning to wonder if I really am meant to go there: I'd only be doing six shows (directing) in three years, and everything they're mentioning I've done at least once. Sooooo.... I'll see if I can set up an interview with them, just to chat and get advice. Face to face would be best. Ugh - Lord! Halp! This is ridicklewackle. Visited with Sh. the other day, and borrowed the first season of Alias from her...wow.... Wowowowowoowowowowow. Yeah. Why haven't I been watching this every week?!?!? Why? Talked with K on Saturday night - much needed talk! Yes, I am not a total schlep! So good to touch base with one who's known me for so very long. But now to work on the next section ("Heather on the Hill") of Brigadoon before breading the chicken and cutting up the strawberries. Feeling rather domestic and apartment-y. Svelte. Hah! And my brows are waxed and I smell like ROSES! Fwah!

Mood: Valiant
Music: Naught at the moment
What Made My Day: The owner of Roc's saying he liked my necklace. A little compliment, but since they are few and far between a wonderful one.

You know how long it's been...

...when you have to log into blog again. (Agin? Ageen?)

Bah. Man of La Mancha has been brought down, much like the Hindenburg. And this on the heels of Les Mis, which one might liken to the Titanic, were one so inclined. And so now (drumroll please)...Kiss Me, Kate...and may that be an end on it! Aie-yi-yi! Remind me of the autonomy that will eventually be mine in years to come - regained autonomy, may I add. Actually, my contact over at HDAA is absolutely charming, and I've got a few ideas that should spark up that musical and make it run more smoothly, and certainly the ability to do "the best of Shrew" has its perks and I do comedy well...but I must admit some disappointment and frustration. Most of all because I had invested quite a bit of thought into the other two productions already. *sigh* But it's good to learn how to deal with this situation as well. My other produced-by-someone-else gigs have come with play already well in hand. As in: "We're putting on this and looking for a director," as opposed to what I have in part created which is: "We're desperate for a director; what do you want to do? (So long as it is what our kids want to do.)" Blaughdiddyblaugh. Ah ca. Und now ve tanz! Lord love GM!

Lessee...been busy. When it is not? But I'm technically on vacation this week - alleluia! Last two days were full of the NCEA Convention, which yielded three good sessions, one "let's-tow-the-line" session and one hideous session about which the Archbishop's office will receive a report. But I must admit that, despite having a wicked bad cold and so using up the better part of TWO WHOLE BOXES of tissues, it was jolly fun to be on one's own in the Hynes' Convention Center, driving in to the Prudential and feeling very chic. I had wanted to stop by and see if I could snag tickets for Tosca, but I found that I was feeling rather too ill to make a serious attempt, and that more significantly the parking was ridiculously high, precluding the purchase of said tickets. In recompense, I discovered the Chapel of St. Francis run by the Oblates of the Blessed Virgin Mary (!!!:) just to the right of the convention center, who have Eucharistic Adoration ever afternoon before 4:45 mass! WOO-HOO! Oh, two glorious days of marvellous true devotion! Oh, wonderful daily mass said with reverence and holiness! Oh, marvellous to hear holy mass said without all the pretentions of a production but rather with a thoughtfulness and faith that rivals - alas - so much of what we find back home. I missed Steubie-U very much while I was at those masses. But even more, I was so grateful for God's providence.

These past few days I've also been able to catch up on reading, which has been a great relief. I've been trying to slog my way through Stealing the Elf-King's Roses which isn't badly written but lacks...hmmm, I'm not sure...a certain conviction? Yes, the author can't seem to quite suspend her own disbelief enough for me to do so as well. It's a competent novel, but simply without fervor. Which is unfortunate because it has an interesting parallel world set-up. Which only goes to show ya that worldbuilding ain't everything.

So, instead I've splurged and bought books two and three of the Thursday Next Series by Jasper Fforde, whose first book, The Eyre Affair was a clever alternate reality jaunt that I thoroughly enjoyed, although I did have issues with some of the pervasive language (not a lot, but enough to get lodged in my brain - rather the difficulty of most modern novels), but even more the lack of explanation for his key conceit: that the world is simply literature mad. (It's a great premise - I wish it were real - but it needed explanation of where in history this obsession stems from socially. Worldbuilding ain't everything but it's still pretty darn significant.) Fortunately his recent two entries, Lost in a Good Book and The Well of Lost Plots deepen his worldbuilding and his characters while providing the promise of a very interesting multi-book plotspan/mystery. Goodie! TWoLP dragged a little more than LiaGB, mainly because Fforde spent most of his time touring the reader around the BookWorld (that is, the world that actually exists within and between every book - fascinating stuff: I can't switch a chapter now without wondering if the characters are off on a coffee-break) with a vague plot to hold the whole together. Regardless, very worthwhile.

Finally, I'm devouring the library-borrowed The Devil Wears Prada, which I've seen bandied about so much that I thought, well - I'm getting sick of generic fantasy, my favorite authors haven't come out with anything new...why not give this a try? I'm loving it. Again, some of the language bothers me a bit and the morals don't agree with my own (although by some standards they're fairly tame), however the world that Weisberger presents is...utterly unreal and yet completely factual. It's NYC "highlife" of which my own humble stints in cubicleworld were but a shadow of a shadow, and which mirrors in full the ridiculous court of Hollywood, with which I had a brief and wretched stint. What fascinates me most on a personal level is: "Ugh. People live like this?" followed by: "Oh, Lord...is this going to be something with which I will have to contend?" completed with: "Huh, good plot question: a woman is thrown into 'high society' and the question becomes 'Can anyone within the maelstrom of debauchery withstand such pressure?'" Upon reflection, that last is somewhat covered in the Paladin novel (upandcoming at some point), since the Paladin novel isn't really about THAT question, so much as a Macbeth-y quest for domination leading to ruination rather than Hamlet/Lear/RichardIIesque environs leading to ruination, I think that the question itself deserves its own novel. The immediate solution is that it's set at the fall of the Second Khlaov, however it may sneak into the Yvonne/Medina story...except that Yvonne isn't really debauched - nor do I think she could be. Which is her ruination: that in a world of debauchery, the one who clings to true beauty (and who is, ironically, their ivory goddess) falls through her inability to protect herself from treachery - rather an inditement of blinded optimism, if anything. Or a lament. Anywho....

I wrote what looks like a promising two sentences for chapter one in the middle of one of the speeches yesterday. Ch. One for Gavron I mean. And here's to many more! The prologue can stay as is, with only a sentence change, perhaps, to the last paragraph - although that sentence/reference might do just as well in the christening scene. Oh - but here's to writing! Wallace's Will (or whatever the blasted name will end up being) came along swimmingly at the conference on Wednesday, particularly through the Horrid Presentation. Watching Jeeves and Wooster that evening yielded a few more sentences on Thursday, and a general feeling of "Yes! It can be done-ness!" to the whole endeavor. A few weeks ago I had purchased "The Best Tango Album Ever! (As Seen On TV)" which, despite it's inauspicious title, could boast two albums for the same price as one. I finally opened it tonight and YES! It really is the best tango album ever (whether or not it's ever been seen on TV). I danced to about three songs and decided that the music is a) SOOOOO going to be pre-inter-and-post-show music for Kiss Me, Kate (oh, please, let us settle on a show!), and b) certainly going to be used as background for WW. Perhaps even a dance number in it, a la The Music Man. Oh, for a partner! I must see about taking actual dance lessons. *sniffle*

Hrm.... What else? A few more days (school days) with the seniors, alleluia. Chivalry week coming up. Room half decorated. Need to finish decoration. Need to remember to bring in supplies for decoration this week. Silly Emily. Went to cousin's wedding shower where I won pink roses - FWAH! They lived and wilted on my desk, leaving me with a watering can that's calling out for me to fill it with daisies, I think. After vacation, naturally. Saw Ella Enchanted - silly movie, charming in spots but overall extremely frustrating because they hacked to bits the novel. They didn't just do an artistic take or deepening of sections - they HACKED it. Gah. The best part of the whole thing was Hugh Dancy, who played the prince, and who I want in half the movies I'm going to make. The up-and-coming 12 British Actor was also in Daniel Derando (is that it?), part two of which I have yet to see, but have on tape (yippee!). Saw Cheaper by the Dozen on DVD the other night, which was better than I expected. Took a long, long walk with Jules and Ch. down by the gristmill - had to be pulled away from watching the waterfall thundering down. What else? Easter good, despite being in the choir with very little voice - so grateful to my voice teacher for instructing me in proper breathing habits and posture so that I could get out the notes regardless. However, I consequently lost my voice for the subsequent two days and actually resorted to sign language for the entirety of period two on Tuesday. (Who knew?) Oh! And I also got my super-duper memory back-up thingy working on an external USB 2.0 so that everything is connected rightly now and video plays back in real time, and I also splurged and bought Ulead VideoPro 7, which looks to do wonderful things that my demo/old Ulead(s) don't. So, here's to a week of editing! Hurrah! However, I am determined to spend this week also finally catching up with friends, etc. and maybe remembering that I have neglected life outside of work/work/work/work/work...oh, and more work.

Mood: My hip aches. But my room is cleaner. Good things can come of one's brothers showing up with little warning to take some of his possessions again.
Music: None at the moment. But Merry's CD is going back on soon.
Thought: Life is very, very good.

Mass is sooo good

The answer? As St. John said so often to his disciples: "Love, my children, love." Yeeeeah - gotta work on that.

Mood: Pange lingua gloriosi!
Music: Alas, Wicked is not wholly purged. But just a minute ago "Hey Ho to the Pub I Go!" was on upstairs.
What Made My Day: More or less everything. But mass was particularly good - despite its length, and the squishedness of the pews. Which means it was excellent.
What I Will Do: Get my act together and remember how to live and communicate again.

Ya thunk I'm just a leeetle tah-yaird?

Ch. is wonderful and in exchange for taking over his seventh (no prob - went right back into auto mode from last year, and it's nice to be the one the kids need to be civil to simply because you're a "guest speaker" as it were), he came in out of the blue and let me go home a little early! Hoopla! Of course, no sooner do I get home than I fall dead asleep until twenty 'til four, when it's time to wake (to Julie sitting on my bed and making fun of my various "I'm getting up already" faces - in her defense, she brought me a spoon with chocolate frosting). So eventually I wake, get myself upstairs, and we have cake and ice cream for Dad's birthday, he opens the presents, we take silly pictures, order from the Outback (mmmm, Outback), Jules and I pick up from the Outback (mmmmmmmm! Outback!), and now it's off to Holy Thursday Mass at St. Mike's.

Poor Mom. She's absolutely not dealing well with the whole St. Mary's slowly dying thing. I can't really blame her. Although it seems to me that in a few months it will be resolved one way or another so.... However, apparently the priests from IC aren't being as cordial about this as they might - and that's where the real difficulty stems. It's always in the presentation, isn't it?

In talking to Jules on the way over to Outback (you know), and making up silly "power ballads" from "modern musicals" - about opening the garage door in this instance, as well as a riff on modern Broadway sung to "I Dreamed a Dream" - I mentioned to her that I'm considering going to Juliard in maybe a year or two. It's a thought that popped into my head the other day, although Mom has occasionally asked whether I wouldn't want to look into the grad program at Yale. I mentioned it to Mom and it went over well, surprisingly enough. She's still pulling for Yale - and who knows, perhaps that would be better - however Juliard has the distinct advantage of being in the city, which would cut down on travel costs for going in - which I anticipate doing quite a bit, if I'm to be serious about this whole endeavor. (I keep writing in Britspell....)

Holy Thursday...and how has my Lent been? It started off well - a month of Fridays - but as happens all too frequently, although I keep to my promises and the duties, I frequently let the spirit fall to the side. Gah. Oh, for Austria - where Lent is lived out more, or at least it seems to be. For example, they're always dancing there - but during Advent and Lent they don't dance, and the lack is sorely felt. I hope to make the Triduum more holy. I hope tonight's mass is very good. Seeing The Passion again tomorrow. And then there's always that odd day of waiting in Holy Saturday. Apparently I'm singing on Easter. Not particularly thrilled, but since I haven't been in the spirit of Lent as much as I ought, I can hardly complain about this inconsequential "load." And Kathy always picks very good music. And who knows - it may be the last eleven o'clock mass there...perhaps forever. Lord, bless St. Mary's!

Chivalry week coming up. Quite looking forward to it. I hope I can improve it from last year. All the MSND costumes are still in my car in their box. Must lug it out and up to the attic. "Hey! I've got all these costumes! Let's put on a play!" I've had Wicked in my brain for the past several days - it's beginning to irritate me, as any music no matter how good or bad tends to wear after a weekend.

Oh! And the best news of all! My external hard drive with 250gig memory came TODAY! Glory glory alleluia! It was so funny though. We're there watching Dad open his presents when the UPS guy comes. Mom mentions who's at the door and I get all excited and exclaim, "Oh! It must be my thingy! You know, my thingy! My memory!" Yes, classic stupid lines from Emily's lexicon. But it is mine precious, mine. And the best thing is that it came just as I've been seriously knuckling down to work on Brigadoon. I've completed the first ten minutes or so (excluding the Maggie/Harry dance, of course, which was done far before that), so I'm working now on the dialogue after "MacConnachy Square" through "Waiting for my Dearie." Some pretty good shots in there. The only difficulty is - as ever - not being able to put in ALL the nice seconds. But if you overedit it becomes distracting and doesn't actually add to the piece. Also, it's important to edit on "seams" - natural breaks either vocally or visually. Anywho - must go. God bless, mes cheres!

Mood: Still a bit woozy from this ughy sinusitis. Trying to discern whether it's an illness or allergies or a combo. Blaugh. At least my nose isn't as chapped as yesterday.
Music: Mental Jukebox of "I Will Be Loathing You" from Wicked
What I Hope the Music Becomes: Tantum Ergo!
Where I Wish I Were: Steubie-U. Triduum at Stubie-U. *sniffle*

So reach out to be
With your sweet Dulcinea no more

Feeling rather Aldonza-y. Not the profession, just the attitude. Ah ca! Have emptied the big car of all my theatre stuff and the theatre itself of the costumes (what awesome costumes - I bow down to my costume people), and now need to make tapes whilst cleaning up the living room and attempting to convince the attic that it really has more room for my stuff. Stuff stuff everywhere, and not a drop to drink? Actually, White Zinfadel still on the counter - perhaps a demitass tonight. But then again, maybe not. *singing* Oh we're counting down the days, counting down the days, hi-ho-the-derry-oh! We're counting down the days! *clears throat* Wonder if when Jules gets home it'll be too late to go for a walk down Concord Road Park? I need to be among the birches again, with Julie's silly poetry and singing melancholy harmonies. Must teach Jules the descant/countermelody to "I Loved My Love" so I can hold the low notes and she's not straining. So good to sing with her. God bless Dad - crazy hours he's working now. The house has become silent at odd times. Caught an hour of...David D--somethingorother, the latest George Eliot adaptation with the "second string" of the Twelve Actors of England who are, however, faboo. And the saga continues next Monday. Oh! For men in tailored outfits! And cravats - woo-hoo! I am excited about "Willis' Will" (or whatever it'll end up being titled) - it'll either be in Victorian or proto-flapperesque style, late Edwardian but not quite so frumpy.... Shall I put the girls in bustles? The men will be ridiculously easy. They almost always are. I'll need a few tailored coats, however, and a look around for smoking jackets, etc. Hark! Can that be Julie now? Auf weidersehen!

Mood: Meh - danke.
Music: Odd arrangement of various musical pieces
Thought: Sometimes it isn't all about you. BWAhahahahhahaha.

My Computer Is a WOOOOOOOOOOOZLE!

It ate my whole long post. Poot poot poot. In brief:

Saw Jesus Christ Superstar. Solid show - not ALW's best by a long-shot. Theologically laughable. Curious how those who don't understand Christ always focus on Judas and fear to touch the resurrection. Glad I saw the show, though.

Saw student version of Les Mis - again, very solid. Am somewhat glad I will not direct student version since I want ALL of the play, not with bits excised. Some glorious voices in the cast (and wow that orchestra!) - must see if I can snag them.

Have been listening to Wicked. Not entirely sure what I think of it. A trip to NYC may be required.

Must go see Tosca in Boston this week or next.

Julie is a poetic genius.

"Let us go to Neuschwannstein, you and I, where the mountains are laid out against the sky like...."

Man, how frustrating is that? I had all this great stuff. Durn internet connections!

Purtyful pics. More forthcoming, but these of Theseus and Hippolyta, Lysander and Hermia respectively are currently pared down from the humungo digital size. Click on the image for the larger size.




Mood: Was existential. Is now pooty.
Music: Is Amelie, but was Wicked all day.
Thought: It's a wonderful thing to read review of Broadway shows and go, "HA! See, no one's perfect! We all make mistakes together!" One day, Alice!
Parce que il y'a un longtemps: Hrm. Nice pics, though.


You are the Secretive Mermaid. Perpetual beauty
that longs for legs to walk by the side of men.
You spend your time gazing at the stars and
whispering to the moon. You have little to no
freinds that breathe. Your freinds all missing.
You are sweet as syryp and kind as cake. There
are a handful of people and mermaids like you.



What kind of mermaid are you? (Gorgeous Pics)
brought to you by Quizilla


You are the Beast of Dragons. You are quiet and
shy. Loving and trustworthy. You would die for
what you beleive in. You are a logic thinking
dragon that is very caring. What you lack in
beauty you make up in love. There are a
privilidged few who share your title.


What kind of Dragon are you? (ASTONISHING PICS)
brought to you by Quizilla

Thou bleak and unbearable world

So, alas, Les Mis is a no-go. Not horribly, horribly upset, curiously enough. Probably because I felt it was a - not a long shot, but perhaps a hefty throw - from the outset. So, that's alright. God has a plan - this is all for the best. He knows who is meant to be cast in what role, how He means to work in people's lives, including my own. And...this is the super amazing oh-my-goodness part: it's looking more and more like Man of La Mancha!!! HOOPLA! Oh, I've got these AWESOME ideas about pulling people in from the audience (cast members, I mean), about lighting, set, about choreography...ooooooh. ALDONZA! I'm so weird. I'm freaked out by Yellow Submarine and The Point and then get all excited over the thought of Salome or Bearskin. Ew...blue meanies! Aaaaah! Run away! Ooooh! You mean the Gypsy is really SATAN?...kewl.... Oy. There is a bit of latent goth about me yet. Good Heavens - "Dulcinea" is on. Melt me now! Oh, my goodness. Yes, I'm thinking costuming and who changes costume and who remains in this era and.... This play is resonating with me right now. YES. This is the time - now. Oh, Lord - may it go through! Amen! Right - must go give Julie a font. I know way too many fonts. At least it comes in handy now and again!

Mood: FWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Music: Man of La Mancha, silly!
Thought: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES! Precious! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!

Paul, pray for me!

Saints Paul, Augustine and Francis are my men. Pray for me!

Shattered Glass is a simply amazing film. Excellent.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is good, but has an act II that goes on forever and too much jigglecam.

It looks like it really WILL be Les Mis! Glory, glory - alleluia!

Darn public journals.

Love's Labour's Lost CD is excellent. Long live Branaugh's Shakespeare's!

Lost in a Good Book is far better than The Eyre Affair, which was solid but still finding its way. Alas, the third installment of the Thursday Next novels is still in hardback. Bah. We wants to know what happens...er...Next now!

Rain, rain, go away....

So, it seems half my furnishings will be going away in about two weeks. A pity - I'd quite come to like the desk, the two chairs and the table, but I shall be glad to have the bed gone and the drawers as well.

Gloomy days utterly squash my desire to do. Must remember that as much as I like London, I'd go nuts there what with all the rain.

I'm writing that play and it's coming along well! Titleless, but very well. Funny - lively - yet with several convolutions and upcoming poignant bits. Bwahahahhaha. It is good to write.

God bless Oscar Wilde - and I do mean that.

Some days I'm all for an increase of self-mortification...alas, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Thank God tomorrow's Friday. And it's Lent.

I have noooooooooooooo energy. Blaugh! Oh, sun, where art thou? Shine! Arise! Pierce the gloomy hours of a never-ending six o'clock and bring me day once more!

I have given up again on M&M's. Perhaps I shall take up...kyaking (sp?) instead. Hrumph.

So many cool ideas for the stage and blocking of Les Mis. (I'm doing Les Mis? Good golly, God is good even to one so very undeserving. I'm so excited I could say narf. In fact, I think I will say narf! Narf narf!)

I need a closet! Check that: I need money with which to purchase a wardrobe. Check that: I need to find a place that SELLS wardrobes and not TV armoires posing as wardrobes but which are actually little better than uber-expensive pieces of electronics-hiding. Oy.

I'm glad I'm not a journalist. I wouldn't have the patience. Although I admire the integrity that ought to go with the profession.

Longer hair seems to be coming back "in." That's nice. Now, if only rap and the current various forms of meaningless noise would make their way back to the dustbin of pop rock....

Right...am going to get up now and check on sheets! And thus another few minutes are sucked up by the void that is the internet. *disappearing, muttering, in a cloud of pixelated smoke*

Mood: Soooo...this is extra time is it?
Music: "Let's Face the Music and Dance" a la Love's Labour's Lost
Thought: Yeah, what Clementine said to Patrick.