Becky Eldridge Bytes

Almost December

2011-11-28T12:55:00.002-05:00

I was in ohio with the family from Tuesday through Sunday. Phew. It was fun---lots happening with the eldridge and the eldridge offspring---my favorite quote of the week---I was playing touch football with Kitty and her boys, and apparently, you can't through forward if you've received the football, and your nephews will call a flag on the play. So Simon, the youngest, took a look at the play, took a look at the t-shirt I was wearing, and yelled "Flag on....flag on....St. Patrick". It just killed me.

Other highlights---Geo Caching in Cascade was amazing. We only found 1 of 3, but it was very rewarding.

Cutting down a christmas tree with the recently expanded Eldridge, Mark family and hanging out with the baby twins. THey are super-chill and sweet. Mom and dad are doing a great job.

And of course, hanging with my parents. My plans fell through for Saturday night, so we played scrabble and hearts and had a fire. It was a delight.

And my favorite? Coming HOME to a decorated for Christmas house!

I also made an appointment for a procedure that I'm having on Dec 23. It's medically necessary by some definitions, elective by others but for me, a long time coming. Going from H to C/D and very excited.

Back in the routine today---boot camp in the am, and then writing with Abby.

And, then--exciting Monday activities such as LAUNDRY! WW meeting! Defrosting soup! And then, tomorrow, back to work and job that I'm very grateful for and eager to get back to.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-09-27T19:01:00.000-05:00

well hello internet! I took a BIG break from onlining while on my road trip. I didn't really chose to do this--but it worked out because I was in the car a ton or just not near home and didn't want to spend my time in NYC online. It was a lovely, unintended lesson in the power of not being digital and i liked it.

Big update here--started a new maternity gig today. It's great, the gal I'm covering is great and it has me working almost through New Years. So, overall, yay.

Also started a "boot camp" at the gym on Monday (day 2 is tmw) at freaking 630 am.

And, just went to the grocery store to stock up on food for the WW program.

Last night was schadenfreude happy hour. Bourbon and Gingerales count as a lot of points! But, so does visiting with old old friends.

Off to make shrimp stir fry with fresh ginger!

Yay rainy chicago.

2011-09-15T20:28:00.003-05:00

ok everyone it's not whooping cough. Do NOT self-diagnose on the internet! Even when the website seems as legit as this one:

http://whoopingcough.net/

He's a doctor and he BARELY charges for his diagnosis!

O H I O tmw!

I got my hair colored darker and cut...but I am growing it out to the clavicle!

whoopers?

2011-09-15T12:12:00.002-05:00

Hmmm...this is a boring blog post about how am I feeling. I'm heading to OHIO today to visit family and the main enticement are the baby twin girls. BUT...i've had this super-annoying lingering cough and am suspicious that it's whooping cough. Which is like super unlikely but a little tiny part of me is thinking...what if I get these babies sick? Or the others sick? And that would like TOTALLY blow. And what if I've gotten everyone sick? So, I called my doctor and guess what modern fancy northwestern---have not gotten a return call. So I'm waiting, in trip purgatory and reading about whooping cough online. And it mostly says it's horrible.

I'm not typically an alarmist about health---I have pretty bad allergies but I try to suck it up and not bitch and just take the medicine.

But this thing, man, it's knocked me on my ass.

So, I'm twiddling my germ-filled thumbs deciding what to do. Please call doctor so I can at least get in!

ok day one, and midnight in paris

2011-09-12T21:38:00.002-05:00

one of the purported reasons I quit my job was to improve my creative life. So, let's take an inventory of goals and progress, on this day one.

1) Lose weight and stay healthy. Biked to yoga, did yoga, biked to Lis, biked home. Joined weight watchers and biked to meeting. Secretly gave thanks that center is moving up by sparkle target so I can walk there (or drive). No shame in my game--I like things up by me when I'm not working.

2) Save money. Packed a sack lunch and ate it at the beach. Read magazines and went for the last dip of the year (I imagine) in lady lake michigan. Thought a lot about schemes and dreams of how i can make a ton of $. Emailed some people about things.

3) Write more. Got up and did morning pages (artist's way, YO!), wrote a blog entry and thought about what class to take this fall.

4) Relax more. Had lunch with lis on her little deck. Sat on beach for at least 45 minutes until the flies bothered me too much to continue. Went and saw a movie after ww meeting.

5) Be in touch with your intimates. I talked to sister Beth, texted with brother Paul and spoke this weekend with sister Kitty. I owe mom and a few others a call (hello Kristin!) but am working on being able to chat more instead of running out the door.

6) Not obsess over laundry. But man, it PILES up so fast! Did a quick load today. Breathe.

Also, saw Midnight in Paris. My go-to critic who tells me how I should feel is Roger ebert. But, before I read him I'll say this---the movie seems to hate women. Rachel McAdams had NOTHING redeeming about her and i didn't buy owen wilson as the woody allen. Marion Cotillard was essentially a prostitute and we all knew he'd end up with the muriel hemingway look-alike in modern paris. And for real---Faulkner, too? But, what a charming idea, even if it was executed with little charm and humor I enjoyed the idea. Just not the final product.

Now's the fun part----I go see if Ebert agreed!

Yay Day one!

ps--would you read a blog about quitting a job? Or saving $? Or about Trackers that look like my tracker?

2011-09-12T11:24:00.001-05:00

phew! So, to my many fans, I have some big news! I wish it was "I'm engaged" or "I'm knocked up" or "I've become successful as a writer" but it is a step in the right direction---I've quit my day job. Long-time fans will note I haven't written in this blog about the same amount of time that I've been working. But, now, here I am, day one of operation personal freedom. I've submitted my headshots to two potential auditions, I've cleaned up my acting resume, I've reached out on a few potential leads for a more flexible day job option and I've had some yogurt and done my morning pages. Off to Yoga and then a beach day (have to have some breathing room/fun on the first day off).

Fall looks like it'll be full of family visiting, time in NYC, time to journal and feel my feelings and think about the next step.

But mostly---YAY! That day job was great for a while but then it was time to move on.

PERSONAL FREEDOM!

Christmas Blog

2010-12-18T16:12:00.001-05:00

Christmasblog

Life is winding down a bit and everyone’s pacing towards the holidays.

I don’t really like to feel crazy at this time of year so I have decided not to. I look at some friends who are pulling their hair out and stressing about the holidays and I don’t like the way it makes them feel so I try really hard not to do that myself.

Easier said then done---I don’t have kids to buy for or even a boyfriend, etc. But I also have to deal with a huge gap in my heart that isn’t filled by someone certain loving me and having someone to spend my xmas with no matter what. That’s a luxury that I hope, when I find that man, I really really appreciate.

It’s been a lovely holiday though. Kicked off with a trip to NY with sister, mom, sister-in-law two nieces and a teenage nephew. We had a ball---lady liberty, 9-11, some dumb store, then the subway, FAO (I skipped) and Apple store that I used to go to when I worked on the cruise ship and then ice skating in central park! That’s a pleasure. Walked through the plaza and then a little tiny bistro known as “TGI Fridays”. Everyday feels like Friday! Times Square at night felt like a movie set.

NJ hotel for the night then a morning in Chinatown buying cheap purses. My favorite quote was from Ben (the teenage nephew)—“Where are all the signs and stores in a language we can’t read? Isn’t that what it’s supposed to be?” This is right after we stepped out of the Chinatown starbucks (I got my splurge drink---skinny medium hazelnut latte—I refuse to call it a grande because that’s a dumb word for medium and I like to make the workers a little pissed off).

Little Italy, even with the man in his fur extolling the virtues of his establishment, using a clearly enhanced Italian accent (I’ve seen the drill before---I watched Fabio on top chef)---was a delight. The lights strung across and my mom and I were charmed by the Monastery of His Most Precious Blood (we prefer our priests to be francisican and, if possible, cousins).

http://www.mostpreciousbloodchurch.net/

Then, the second bakery—Ferraros! They had some pipe trouble in the back, but it was awesome. I said my adieus and walked the length of Eldridge street, something I’ve been wanting to do forever. Because, that’s my last name and there’s a street with the name, as well as NY’s hottest club—THE ELDRIDGE. I want to go there one day and see if they will just let me in because of my last name. Apparently, according to my employer publication, ST*R magazine, it’s Padma’s FAVORITE place in NY. Word up! When I meet Padma, we’ll have something to talk about.

I think Jeremy “The Piv” Piven liked it there, too. Until his Mercury Overdose/Career dive. It’s a FAKE bookstore front. Clever, no?

Then, cool hipster Sunday morning walk through SoHo. Oh that light going through the fire escapes! It’s really like a movie.

And then, I remembered how close I was to the lower east side tenemant museum. I’ve been wanting to go there for YEARS. So I did, and went on the tour of “The moores” led by a recent immigrant lady from Dublin.

Oh, it was amazing. It’s like every memoir come to life, that museum. And I love to see the places I read about. That was my secret dream for a while---to open a bookstore where if you were traveling, you could get a travel book, but also, get a novel set in the place you were going. Like, going to Florence? A room with a view for you! Off to San Fran? Amy Tan, please!

Then, met up with Pat and Mary and Megan for a trump through the upper west side and burgers and beers.

Finally, back to LGA.

Man, that took way longer then I thought! NY was awesome.

The following week was boss in town, and then Minny for a work party (super fun) and then out with the Red gals to see one of our own, Allison Bills on the Second City Main Stage (she was great, of course).

Last Saturday was my friend Jim’s Gay-versarry (10 years!) and then American Girl Store. Jim and Terry have a very fancy house and always cater, so that’s super fun.

Sunday was gym, and then something.

This week was work stuff, and I’ve been exhausted from the cold and another habit I’m trying to kick (fingers crossed!) and yoga potluck last night.

Today, love actually, buckeye dipping, laundry, calendar making, putzing around.

Tonight, Lis’ bachelorette party and tomorrow is another holiday party at an old old friends.

I am happy this season, which is nice.

Happy for my friends, for my family, for my home, for my job (mostly), for my creative life (anemic at the moment) and most of all, for a bit of time to chill out and enjoy it.

Too MUCH CaffeinE@!

2010-10-02T12:50:00.002-05:00

i had too much caffeine. It's a saturday.

tomorrow is a race very early in the morning and I am driving

Tonight is LOL

Today is too much caffeine

I am doing laundry

I am trying to find my targetreciepts

I am ignoring hte sunshine now pushing through the clouds

I am too warm because our heat kicked on

i am ignoring my typos

i am eating carrots to try to stave off eating food before amy gets here

i am wiaitng to go to target until monday when i can also go to dry cleaning

ia mshowering later today

i am going to try to watch true blood to relax

i have read many books and need to update the counter

i need to read more books or i get sad

i just finished re-reading harry potter 5, one i typically ignore when i revisit

i went to a dog outing with dori and was bored

i am planning a trip to vegas today

i am going to ny too and need to make those arrangements

i am doing laudnry

my hand smells like stinky sponge because i did dishes

work is busy but manageable

romance in life is nill and no one responds to my eharmony profile

i am lonely but mostly fine

i am hyper today

i am going home for thanksgiving

i am going to watch true blood now

i like carrots

i am going to do some more laundry

these pants are too warm for today

September 1

2010-09-01T11:55:00.002-05:00

Happy birthday me!

Blogs are all about the person writing them---so here we go.

I am definitely the baby of my family---I like to entertain, I like to get commended for doing a good job and I like people to like me.

This year has been a delightful, frustrating and surprising year.

Might as well sum it up in a blog post/journal entry?

On the plus:

My financial life has improved significantly--mostly due to...

My new fancy job! I dress up, I travel, I take clients out to fancy places, I sell a bunch of fancy products and get to be a bit enterpreunerial (sp?)

Montgomery and Cooke grew and grew and grew this year! We hosted a show and booked the acts and performed all sorts of new material this winter. I loved loved it---even having to perform on Friday nights.

Beka and Scott's wedding! What a delightful time that was down in texas.

LA in February---what a delight! We got to go to musical theatre camp---and I totally geeked out. And I hiked a fancy la canyon with Johanna Smith, Andy and Amy! I mean, come on!

Jar jar introduce me to Hall and Oates station on Pandora. I can't get enough of it.

Amy and I are re-working the new play. I love writing with her---she really makes me laugh.

But for this summer, we declared it the summer of FAB! Sting concerts in limos! Lake house trips! 20th high school reunions! Drinks on decks! Good food, good friends and good weather.

Oh! I want to Florida in Tampa to see my mom and dad and the Canadians. We played golf, ate out and had cocktails.

Christmas was really great this year---one sibling picked me up with two kids, and the other dropped me off.

Andy was gone for spring/summer---so I had an ass ton of family visits---The Eldridge girls! Beth and Matt and Tad and Ben! Beth and Jayna and Allie! Mom and Dad! Mom and Dad came with Seth last year, too---that was super fun.

I've been swimming and sunning on the shore of Lake Michigan and am as tan as I could ever hope to be. I know, we're not supposed to want that anymore but I jumped on the tanwagon super late in life, so there.

I've been running and biking and walking, even when my job has been busy. Gotta keep that up.

I feel closer to my high school gals, my college friends, my family and Chicago pals then I felt a year ago. And for that I am very grateful.

My dad and brother stayed healthy this year---no cancer! Phew!

In the "needs improvement" section--I'd have to say the hardest thing this year was the death of my uncle. It still brings tears to my eyes...and it just happened so so fast. He was my dad's only sibling, and the last of the Eldridge clan (outside of my dad---who is just fine). He was a cheerful, optimistic, loving and highly intelligent uncle. As Kit say "He amazes me".

In a circle the wagons move, he had a lot of visitors and we all got to laugh, reminisce and enjoy our time with him so so much. As Beth says, the holidays are going to be tough this year without him---but I know he's going to enjoy hanging out with his mom and dad and maybe Mimi will stop by. He always talked about heaven so know he gets to check it out himself.

phew. Enough of that.

Work can be tough. Some early bumps in the road seem to have smoothed out so I am looking towards the future and keeping my head to the ground.

I hope that next year I get to find more time to play cards, scrabble, write more of the play, perform with Montgomery and Cooke, keep working at this job, find a bit of romance, see my family more, revisit Italia, go on hikes, figure out what to do with this condo, maybe go horseback riding and listen to the Hall and Oates station more on Pandora.

Overproduced

2010-03-01T12:16:00.003-05:00

hi!

I went crazy with the produce this week and now it's Monday morning, and I'm faced with the repurcussions of my mass veggy and fruit stock.

I leave for Florida on Thursday (please please let there be a bit of sun) and need to eat the following:

--3 1/2 large bananas

--1 pint of blueberries

--a few strawberries

--1/2 box of arugula

--1 small bag of brussel sprouts

--2 oranges

--2 apples

A lot of fruit, yes?

I'll do it!

In more exciting news...I had the college gals over yesterday for delayed figure skating viewing. Plus wine and bread dipped in delicious things in many different ways. Bread dipped in spinach/artichoke dip. Bread fried in olive oil then dipped in sundried tomato pesto. Bread dipped in olive oil and currant vinegar and cheese. YUMMY.

Today, I was intending to watch TV in the morning (Andy's gone!) but instead, I am up and feeling motivated (gross) so am going to go for a run (fine!).

More news coming but I'm not going to post it until it's official official.

Oh! Go see Rush Limbaugh the Musical at Second City. That's some funny funny shit. And for my more conservative readers--don't worry---both sides of the aisle take a big bashing. It's politics and fun for everyone!

Things are buzzin'

2010-02-24T10:18:00.002-05:00

At the Eldridge/Eninger household.

Going away to LA made all the difference!

Almost upon arrival, I received some GOOD news in the job department. Stay tuned for the full info---but things are definitely looking UP UP UP. Is the economy improving? In this condo it certainly is.

Then, I hung out with OLD OLD lovely friends my first night there---and they are a delight. They were in LA for a good reason--and hoping to break through during pilot season.

I picked up Amy the next day and we went to the musical theatre workshop with Stephen Schwartz and OH my goodness. It was like going to musical grad school.

One of his main points on the comedy musical he said was that you can't teach funny. You can teach the songs, composing, etc---but you can't teach the jokes. Good or bad, Amy and Andy and I have written the jokes. And they are successful...for us. Not everyone likes them but a lot of people do---so that little statement gave me so much hope.

We networked a bit, and are going to look into other musical training programs here in Chicago.

That night, mexican with an old boat friend who just is a delight. We vacationed on the cruise with him and his brother---the 4 of us hung out a ton and had so much fun----so it was great to have a margarita with him.

Next day, picked up Andy then drove out to MALIBU seafood! So fun---on PCH driving from Santa Monica to Malibu, then through Canyons. That night were some musicals of IMPORTANCE (boring) but still good lessons.

Rooftop deck in Studio City with Wine and Hummus at another friend's. He was just on the Office! Good for him!

Thursday, Farmer's Market, then HIKING in Runyon Canyon with another Miami friend. She teaches science and puppetry and improv at a nearby university and makes puppets out of recycled industrial material. I mean, come on!

That night, more musicals, and then late night on roof again with another friend, and a call-in from two friends who got stuck at work.

I didn't want to leave the next day...but I caught my 7am (gulp) flight without any trouble.

Outside of the TRAFFIC, I really really hearted LA.

Next up---Texas!

But first I need to go job interview.

Bye!

A nothing day

2010-02-03T17:54:00.003-05:00

I've been having trouble sleeping. And having lots of dreams about being trapped and suffocated.

I think my radiator is on too hot OR i'm dealing with some emotional baggage that is not allowing me to sleep. Or, The Catcher in the Rye is TOTALLY upsetting me more then I realized. Holden is confused and despairs of the meaning of life and his confusion is bleeding into my non-job holding, questioning the direction I'm going in life at the moment.

Fear not readers---I am doing creative stuff but today was really a nothing day. I slept in until noon. NOON! Then, the cable guy came. I applied for one job. I folded my laundry. I emptied the dishwasher. I watched two hours of Lost.

I did NOT learn lines. I did NOT do the writing I was supposed to do. And, I did NOT shower.

I am on the phone with Comcast rescheduling an appointment.

The sky is in twilight mode, and I think I am THIS close to dipping into a bit of depression behavior so I am going to leave the house momentarily.

Right after I finish this blog.

Here I go.

job. job. job!

2010-01-23T11:19:00.003-05:00

hi!

So, it's officially unofficial. I didn't get the job I thought I was going to get that would have started in April.

I was totally bummed last night. So bummed, that I put on my slipper socks and pj bottoms at 6 so I could be more comfy before my show.

But, then, I bitched, looked for two minutes at jobs on the internet and then decided F it! I'm still going to LA! I'm still going to Florida to visit my parents! And I'm going to try to do the things I love and maybe get some money out of it.

I've never really been into corporate improv (I mean, yes, you are getting paid to do what you love but do you really LOVE those shows?) and preferred to do day job stuff.

But now, I am prepared to do anything (almost) to make some $. And see what comes of it.

I might even *gasp* try to get a day job that I could love.

Wish me luck!

And, I'm reluctantly going to go see Avatar. I don't know...I think I'm going to hate it. But, it's like, you have to see it.

Do any of you have a job that you really like? I only know one person who really likes their job here in Chicago that's a non-acting job. But I bet there are more!

Ohhhhhio!

2010-01-13T07:19:00.004-05:00

Faithful readers--

I am posting at the earliest time I have ever posted. I would like this blog to have a timestamp so I get some major credit for how early this is.

I turn down jobs because they are too early.

I sleep until I HAVE to get up, not because it's morning time.

I blame it years ago embracing a drinking late at night lifestyle that was WAY over the top for me.

It is currently 6:21 and I am almost done with breakfast, dressed, hair done and packed to go.

UGH!

But, it'll be a nice drive and if I bust my ass, I may even see the sunrise on the skyway.

I'm heading to family to drop off a shipment of calico bonnets, tomahawks and fake prairie props.

Sad as it is to say, I don't think Little House (a play I co-wrote with friends Amy and Andy) will ever see the light of day again. There's another musical that's "official" and we believe will succeed at touring the country. I don't think it'll ever hit broadway, because it sounds really earnest, which sounds kind of boring...but it's already having a great deal of success.

Sometimes it makes me sad---our Little House on the Parody was very fun, very loving, and a bit tongue-in-cheek. For me, it struck the perfect tone between the sincerity of the tv show and Laura's wicked sense of humor that you can easily see in her later writing, and definitely shows up in the classic 7 original books.

But, I'm biased.

It was certainly a hit here in Chicago, and I LOVED LOVED LOVED that show. I'm a little teary-eyed right now thinking of some of those songs and when Amy and I were packing up the props, I laughed out loud at the store shelf we fashioned for Mr. Oleson (it was a piece of plywood, attached to rope that went around his neck, with items on the plywood...a take on the cigarette girl selling method), on Doc Baker's Black Doctor Bag (a black bowling ball bag) and a ball we made (an old nerf football wrapped in burlap).

We made all those props late one night in the basement of the old Playground theatre on Lincoln Avenue. Amy and I were down there, rigging up some crazy outfits for Mrs Oleson out of a donated pink piece of cheap chiffon and swatting at the bats that were attacking us.

Lordy lordy, that show was fun to do with the live olde-tyme band and a full house each night.

Am I remembering it through rose-colored glasses?

Anyway, off to Ohio now to get rid of those props, to listen to hours of NPR (those poor people in Haiti) and get a quick family visit in.

O! H!

Monday at last

2010-01-11T12:11:00.002-05:00

This week was pretty busy...but also really productive.

I opened a show on Friday night, and then slept and slept and slept on Saturday and Sunday.

And Sunday, I snapped into work horse mode and organized the SHIT out of our storage space. I'm driving home to Ohio to permanently store our Little House on the Parody props, and hoping to relocate all the Band Geeks props to a more amenable storage space.

Amy and I did it together and it felt so great to throw out a bunch of calico, neon fabric and outdated wig spray.

We did a good job of it, too.

Now, does anyone have storage we can rent from them?

Today I'm going to the gym with Dori (GYM DATE!), paying condo bills, applying for jobs and working on some new scenes.

But what I really want to do is just go watch Precious at the MOVIES!

It's bitter cold out there people.

If you live in LA or are on a cruise, now is the time to be thankful!

Oh! So far, all the produce from Aldi is just the same. And I saved buckets of money.

I wonder if Aldi would sponsor this blog?

Does anyone know what's in the top tower of the Trib building on Michigan Avenue?

500 days of Summer was an excellent movie.

Andy is enjoying Coconut Milk Creamer and I am enjoying Hazelnut.

Time to go get ready for Dori.

This blog reflects my thoughts, and is not edited.

Happy week.

storm's a brewin'!!!

2010-01-06T21:33:00.002-05:00

12 inches!

Get your mind out of the gutter, Chicago, it's 12 inches of expected snow.

By the lake...which is near to where I live.

YIKES!

Thankfully, I've stocked up for the storm at my new favorite store, Aldi.

I went this morning to get many items...Fit and Active, which is their generic diet brand, has lots of salty snacks. Man, those salty snacks just really kill me. For the most part, I eat "real" food with minimal processing...but give me a puffed rice crisp or a cheddar baked cheetos and I am one happy camper. The other fake thing I really dig is fake sugar...sweet n' low in my coffee and then sugar-free Jello, Hot Chocolate, etc.

Otherwise, it's pretty much all real food.

Anyway, over at the Aldi, you can count on the following general items:

Veggies (fresh, frozen and canned)

Some fresh fruit (bananas, apples, oranges, grapefruit)

Salty Snacks

Snack-size candy bars

Break and bake cookie dough (I got a bargain on holiday shaped ones!)

Chicken Salad (it's really good)

Whole Wheat English Muffins

Eggs

Milk

Items I have not had good luck with:

Strawberries

Berries in general

Yogurt

Dairy products (havarti dill is not the same as other places)

You can also expect to feel really fancy there---Aldi is where poor people shop for cheap shit---lots of ramen noodles, etc

Door ringing--must go!

2010-01-02T11:18:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!

Oh my, it's been a delightful holiday season. I was home in Ohio with my famfam. So nice to see everyone---we went to the zoo in cleveland, went to the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland and hung out.

I deleted my pics off my memory card---or else I would prove to all of you how much fun I had. Alas, the evidence will have to be with my words.

For New Years, I would have happily stayed in and watch more P&P, but I did manage to get out and go to dinner at the little neighborhood tapas place (yum to the yum) and have drinks. I rang in the New Year at Town Hall which was nice and then promptly deposited myself in a cab. I got lots of New Years hugs and smooches---all innocent but sweet nonetheless.

Here's to 2010! A year in which I may do the following:

--Work a job

--Write a new play

--Put up more Montgomery and Cooke stuff

--Move some stuff out of storage

--Stop being so mad at those fake Band Geeks people in NY, and get our Band Geeks out into the world

--Pack up xmas decorations

--Organize some book shelves

--Cook Julia Child recipes with friends

--Keep working out

--Travel to exciting London! Italy! Texas! Florida! Pennsylvania!

--Enjoy myself

--Fall in love?

Happy New Year friends!

The Addammmmmsss Family

2009-12-18T13:10:00.002-05:00

kind of sucks. I mean, the performances are GREAT! The set is wonderfully beautiful!

The dancing and singing are GREAT! The songs are terribly acceptable. They are not bad but they are certainly not good. And isn't that kind of the nightmare scenario? That you are mamby-pamby?

I went with Amy and Andy---it was our xmas gift to each other. First, we had sushi. Then, we had theatre. How sophisticated, no?

But man, we tried to laugh along with the rest of America...but just could not do it.

I think 4 LOVE stories is too much.

I think this prop they use for 20 seconds costs twice the expense of any of our musicals.

And, I think if you have the innocent character coming from Ohio, you are reaching. I mean, for real? We get it---America believes that Ohio is the quintessential state to set movies, sitcoms and if you need a real innocent, make them from the Buckeye State.

I would LOVE to re-write this show. To take out the gigantic plot device at the end of Act one.

To let the characters be instead of having Nathan Lane humping a newel post (spoiler!).

Instead, we have this show.

This reviewer does not recommend this show.

Off to make Buckeyes! Because I'm from OHIO!

Happy Happy Happy

2009-12-17T11:39:00.002-05:00

oh my toes are cold, my coffee is in my pooh mug and I am freshly showered. I am sitting in my little sun room, and Andy is reading off all the travel deals he is finding ($799 for London for 6 nights! $549 for Florence) and I am happy in my little house.

It's Thursday, I'm not working, and prospects look as dim as the 4:30 darkness in December.

But I am happy.

Today I go to have lunch with ladies that were my first friends in Chicago. One I even knew when I was an intern here in 1993. 1993! So, we'll have lunch and then I think I'm off to the movies.

Or maybe writing.

Or reading my book.

Or working on my brain puzzles.

Who knows?

Tonight is a party of sorts and then another one, too.

Saturday my brother Paul and two of the little ladies come to pick me up for Christmas in Ohio. One of the gals already has her bag packed. I can't wait to go downtown or walk around Andersonville with them and then watch a holiday movie on my couch.

I am happy happy happy.

Next up: Find a job! Get an agent! Write some more! Produce a show! Purge my books! Find true love! Exercise more! Move to London!

But mostly, go get my toes warm...and with that I say goodbye.

2009-11-25T12:38:00.003-05:00

I know you've all been dying to know what I am doing on my first day off.

Well, people, it's been exciting.

Last night I came home and Andy and I did one of our favorite dinners---where we combine any leftovers we have and make it a big giant dish. He had roast pork cooked in weird spices and pasta with black beans and tomatoes (not tomato sauce, just tomatoes from a can). I had marinated Mozzarella and proscuitto. So, we combined it and it was DELISH!

I grabbed a cab over to the old Martyrs for The Moth Story Slam competition, hosted by our new friend, Brian Babylon. I met him last week at the Freople's Flexiest Man Alive Party, along with the BBC host who was following him around for a piece on BBC. Hi-larious. Anyway, my new work friends and I loved hanging out with him, and even more, loved seeing him on stage.

I was in a heckling mood I guess--or at least really vocal---and the Story Slam certainly heard my opinion. Here's what happens---Brian hosts, and 10 people's name are drawn from a hat and they have 5 minutes to tell a story on a topic (this month, it was themed around "Blunders"). They tell, three sets of audience judges judge, and we listen and then boo and hiss at the judge's score. Most were really great---some stories had a lot of affectation, even for this nerdy NPR crowd. I have to say, can't we all get over the fact that we were the smart nerdy kids who got shit on in high school? Big deal---at least we got to go to high school. Whatevs lady who told your story about living in West Africa and surprising all the locals by speaking their language. That's your story? It ended up being a story about using a phrase and gesture that were inadvertendly dirty---I mean, we all learn about that in Spanish or French 101---but you're just excited and proud because your story takes place in darkest AFRICA. Wow---aren't you a treat? Gross.

Anyhow, she was scored very lowly, and we didn't boo the judges for that.

At one point, Brian Babylon pulled a name and called for a contestant who didn't come---and I yelled "Move On.Org". That nerdy NPR crowd loved it. Or, that's what I perceived. I think I'll TM that usage. Or copyright it. Or, at least shop it around at Thanksgiving.

Afterwards, over to Brownstone for some work gossip and then over to the old Wilde Pug for something---I'm pretty blurry on this part and then back home.

And today, I FORCED myself to sleep in (I woke up in the 7am hour, per the usual) but then went back to sleep. I finally arose at 10:20 (REBEL) and watched some Top Chef (I'm so BAD) and then got restless and will now go workout, do some laundry and clean up a bit.

Tonight=GLOGG at Simons.

Happy day before Thanksgiving--I love this day so much.

Last Day

2009-11-24T09:13:00.002-05:00

Faithful readers may know that I am currently working at Scheople Magazine (I've changed the name to protect the innocent people at Scheople) and am wrapping up, well, today.

Yes, today is my last official day. I will roll in on Monday for about two hours in the afternoon, but that's it.

Here's the funny thing at Keople---I've actually made some work friends! I know, I know...as a freelancer, I've always just kept my head down and thought "I just need to get my work done--there's no time for me to dilly dally and go to lunch with work people" but at Teople, it's been different.

One day, I had a hankering for Pompeii (Herb Chicken Ravioli, please) and forced the other girls to go with me (I like to make decisions, and make them quickly and then move on). We got there, sat down, and just started a funny, personal, open chat about life, love and Summer's Eve Feminine Spray (How do you know when you need it? You just KNOW).

Since then, the gals and I have been palling around, dancing in the halls and yukking it up there at work.

What a delight!

So, I will miss them a lot.

I'm taking a poll, dear readers---what should I do on my first day free? Keep in mind, it is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving:

1) House chores! Cleaning, laundry, cooking, eating at home (BORING)

2) House entertainment! Watch DVRed TV (hello, Glee!), go online and daydream about trip to London/Paris/Tuscany/Rome

3) Look for new job! Send out resume, apply for internship (secret place), work on getting headshots out to agents, etc

4) Outside entertainment! Go to gym, go see movie, go for walk, eat outside of home

5) None of the above---go day drinking! (Pro---it numbs and makes you forget! Con---I really do like to get things done with my day, and drinking gets in the way of that.)

Respond in the comments with your thoughts!

And, I FINALLY got a new camera---check out the pic...

Darn it!

2009-11-15T14:09:00.004-05:00

I'm plagued with injuries this week...all of a minor and completely inconsequential sort.

My heel has been bothering me---my workout friends tell me it's Plantar Fusticial Booby boo boo---basically, my heel hurts.

So, if I run/walk/etc I end up in ouchy town.

And just now, I was chopping onions for a multi-meal cooking project (turkey chili, salad and marinade for the steak) and I cut my middle finger.

I think it's time for me to hop on my bike and get out for a little non-heel pressure, much-needed air.

But first, I must recommend to you a lovely sporting event---my town's little sports team is known as the Chicago Bulls. I attended a game last night, against another town's sports team, the Philadelphia 76ers---and our team won!

There were many people out in droves, the weather was a balmy 62 degrees (in November! November!) and a lovely evening was had by all.

Those sporting events are DELIGHTFUL! I cheered for the donut in the dunkin' donuts race! (Donut won, in a come-from-behind victory against the bagel with schmear and the coffee cup, who amazingly never sloshed his contents even as he chugged around the dunkin' donuts track)

I watched amazing MAGIC at Halftime which culminated in "Metamorphosis". Friends, I've seen a lot of MAGIC in the last few years on cruise ships, and let me tell you, nothing gives a magician a bigger boner then METAMORPHOSIS---they LOVE it! They love to present it at the end of their act, and introduce it as though it's the one thing we've all been waiting for all this time...and then they perform it! And the man gets tied up in a velveteen or satin bag, goes down into the box and a curtain is pulled and the woman/helper hops out and then man comes out and has on a new outfit! METAMORPHOSIS! I'd be much more impressed if he came out a like a giant bug ala Kafka....but he came out wearing a BULLS jersey! See---he customized his act to the BULLS game!

There was also a circus dog that I found to be very cute but mostly desperately clinging to his master's back as opposed to impressing us with his dog tricks. I mean, all dogs can jump and give high paws, right? Why isn't he jumping through hoops of FIRE???

The T-shirt cannons were great! I just missed winning one. And, the italian sausage was De-lish and De-lightful!

A party after at a friends' new place (nice carriage house, Chad) and a quick pop in for some late night dancing at that bar on Belmont that has a liquor store and sells shots at the front door and a lady bathroom attendant who hands you paper towels and offers you selections of Ban Deodorant, Tampons and condoms? Big City? Anyway, we danced to three songs and then there were no more so we left and tried Berlin but the cover was too high so we hopped on the el and went home.

And now, I'm injured and contemplating getting out of my jammies and putting on a bra and hanging out on the roof deck for a bit.

It is Sunday, yes?

Getting Laid (off)

2009-11-05T09:14:00.003-05:00

I am not...not yet. But there are a bunch of layoffs in my industry (doesn't that sound so official! Almost like how sometimes people call their neighborhood their "community" like "we should all be more involved in our community". ) Anyway, I'm trying to stay positive...but since I work in my industry as a highly-specialized temp---doing contract maternity leaves for ladies who have babies...when they start laying people off, it means less jobs, less (and possibly no) maternity leaves, and people looking for jobs...any jobs.

It just happened a few weeks ago...I was the finalist for a job and then another person who had been laid off in my "industry" was hired instead of me, because she was available sooner.

Or, that's what they told me to make me feel better:)

Anyway, that's totally fine and fair...but I'm worried because I've carved out this little niche that allows me to work 3 days or so/week for 14 weeks and it's slipping away.

And I know I could get a job job but I'd like to get one I like. A lot.

So, I'm dreaming and scheming and trying not to be too down on it all...

If anyone knows anyone in these areas...here is how I am thinking of spending my winter:

--Interning somewhere super-cool: Sundance, WBEZ, theatre producer's office

--Working abroad doing something: Preferably, somewhere warm

--Living in LA doing something for money, and maybe "checking" it out

All advice gladly accepted!

Yours sincerely...

Becky

Musings---for my own amusement

2009-10-07T12:04:00.000-05:00

Wednesday October 7, 2009

Coffee Studio

Andersonville, a neat-o neighborhood in Chicago

Wednesday, almost noon

An exercise in observation

Me: Laptop, big latte, foam topped with heart shape (I prefer the fan-shaped leaves)

Soundtrack: One of those mixes, that range from 90s lady alternative-crooners with haunting background that sound like a twin peaks song to a new hipster quiet song of sadness and sorrow. I like it.

In front of me: My friend who I come write with. We’ve dropped our weekly meeting habit of the spring/early summer, but have recommitted to it. I like it.

A women who just tromped in here with her wheeled briefcase, is suspiciously eyeing the occupants of the surrounding tables, and sniffing her tea like it’s also suspicious. Now, she looks over to her immediate right, and takes in the tattooed, blond-streaked women to her right, who is bent over her papers and documents with intensity like a teen taking the ACT. Now she is fumbling for her cell phone (flip phone, not a razor, probably mid-range, free when she renewed her contract). Her HP laptop is open and she looks up and catches me catching her. Moving on!

I love the artwork here—I feel like I’ve wondered into a coffee shop in a Scandinavian capital---Helsinki? Oslo? Stockholm? What are the capitals of Scandinavian nations? It’s brick walls on the outside, and the space is dominated by the counter and coffee, the sitting down bar is made of plain black counter, trimmed in frosted glass, spa-colored wood and silver accents. A mirror on the back wall, 5 hanging pendant lights, 4 have working bulbs.

A man in front of me listens to his portable audio device and cross-stitches and I think, “I should take up my cross-stitching or knitting or some kind of handicraft again.” I have been influenced by the abundance of Ready Made magazines, which read to me like “YOU SHOULD BE MORE CREATIVE! YOU SHOULD MAKE CRAFTS! YOU ARE A LAXY, UNCREATIVE, NON-HIPSTER!”

Now the soundtrack has shifted..I think its Rufus Wainwright. Of course.

At least I wore my new cap…it’s jaunty and plaid. And I have on clogs…so I am approaching something that is what the judgey me wants me to be. Cool. Inspired. Constantly creating. Finding love. Balancing said love with happiness, joy, self-direction and trips to cool places and towns and travel. That cooks and is known for a certain recipe, which people beg her to bring. That heats her home with a wood-burning stove, and cools it by building windows that perfectly circulate the air in the summer.

Instead, I am here. I live in a vintage condo with mostly blank walls in my bedroom, and all the other walls are covered in my roommate’s mother’s art. I squeeze in a few of my own things, and see that the frames are cheap and from the 90s. I go on adventures in Michigan, not Minsk (the first M I could think of!), and I try to go to yoga, to class and work.

I am ready for change. And I like it.

It's all over

2009-09-27T10:02:00.002-05:00

The big late summer/early fall push of 09 seems to be winding up.

I have started my job and am settling into life at People magazine. It's wonderful to be there and I'm learning so much.

Montgomery and Cooke wrapped up our first run ever--and we had a really successful time working through the bits, tweaking parts, etc. We want to keep performing together, so we are putting together a video and looking at venues in Chicago.

So, that meant that I was free to let life be lived for a bit.

I went to Michigan with my best lady friends from Ohio--and it was delightful! I ran on the beach, I read my book, I watched the sunset, I read more of my book (what was I reading then? oh! The Laws of Harmony) and then the ladies came, and we had snacks and caught up. The next day we went and ate lunch outside on a harbor that reminded me of Vermilion, where my grandparents lived and my dad grew up. It's the sweetest, cutest, loveliest little Harbour Town in Lake Erie. But I think it's very racist there, so I don't like that part of it.

Then we went to the winery, drank wine on the beach, dinner and then back home.

These girls are so much fun---I loved hanging out with them.

This week, we got the car fixxed (BRAKES! TIRES! $700!) .

Yesterday we taped some footage for Montgomery and Cooke and then last night, I enjoyed a glorious night in, on the couch.

Hello couch. It's nice to see you again. You look great.

And now, a beautiful sunny fall morning---off to the gym, then writing and then perhaps a little bitty walk along Lake Michigan.

What a wonderful morning.

Show! Cantaloupe! Sunshine!

2009-09-11T09:06:00.002-05:00

We had our second show! We had to cancel last week because of low numbers...but this week happenned.

Lillie and Gillian and Fuzzy and Shaun were our delightful special guests with Lillie and Gill doing a wonderful Lucy and Ethel...and F&S doing an awesome who's on first sort of thing.

I think both Jamie and I felt "bumpy" but loyal fans (Jamie's mom) said it was great. I finally played my trombone so it sounded like something and it turns out that competency is more fun then just blatting! Plus, we discovered a really great new trombone moment on accident.

Overall, very fun, and huge thanks to those who made it out!!!

Onto cantaloupe...we got the biggest one I've ever received from the share...and it's the perfect, almost melting it's so good flavor. The texture is mushy. I feel like I want to tell you it's fine..to defend the cantaloupe that I am currently eating---but it is mushy. I just told it as much too and feel better because I am being honest with the cantaloupe, since it is my favorite fruit.

It is SUNNY today! I am going to go hang out with Wee, a baby I know, and I hope he wants to go for a walk.

Because I do.

That is all.

Back to School

2009-08-21T12:00:00.003-05:00

So, I'm back from the lovely land of Maine---blueberries, lobsters, healthier brothers, adorable nieces who raise their hands to give suggestions in an improv show, and the awesome Improv Acadia--and I am also back to reality. Maine was a bit frustrating--I had some NASTY blisters that prevented me from hiking or running--and man, I felt the difference. Apparently, exercise is good for your mental health. Nice, exercise, very nice.

I've had a summer of here and there work, a little teaching, some directing and lots of bike riding---and I'm really thrilled to be back to work.

And, I open a brand new show in less then a week!

I couldn't be happier about it--it's called "That's showbiz, kid!" and features showbiz legends, Montgomery and Cooke! I play Lorraine Montgomery---and Jamie Buell plays my husband/comedy partner, Paddie Cooke.

We have been working really hard and I hope it turns out ok. It's a bit olde-tyme, which I LOVE, plus, I think my friend Beka is going to try to do an old-fashioned hair style for me. FUN!

We have dances, guest stars, comedy, silliness and more.

This post is turning into a show plug--whoops! www.montgomeryandcooke.com, at LOL theatre on Thursday nights.

Anyway, that's been keeping me very busy, along with work training (did I mention I'm working at PEOPLE?) and you know, life.

Hope everyone enjoys the last bits of summer and comes out to see the show!

I loved you, but I didn't really like you when you were 13.

2009-08-08T12:08:00.004-05:00

Oh my goodness!

It's been busy over here at Eldridge HQ.

I've taught in boot camps for the past three weeks at SC. Boy, those challenged me. First, a week of adults who were delightful but plentiful. It's hard to get through all their scenes.

And then, a bunch of 13-year olds. Man, those kids have some great ideas but I felt like all I did was try to corral them. It's like herding cats. I really would like to think it was them, their age, their attitude but I know part of it was me. I just couldn't get the lesson across, no matter what the tactics.

Thankfully, I talked to my mom, wise mother of 5, and she said "I loved you, but I didn't really like you when you were 13." I don't think I liked me back then, either. But then I turned 14 and got a job and things turned around.

Every day, I'd just try to find the great work they were creating and work towards that. And try not to constantly discipline, yell and ignore the chaos as much as possible.

Next year, no 13-year olds for me!

Other then that, it's been a lot of Maddie loves Mongo (A second city training center Level 6 writing show)-- we opened last night and it was so great!

And a lot of getting ready to go back to work and a lot of Montgomery and Cooke.

I feel like I've been working all summer towards these shows...and at last, they all go up in August!

And I'm going to Bar Harbor tomorrow. Yes, the heart of Maine in the summer---ocean, mountains, lobster, etc. I can't WAIT to get there!

My brother Paul, who's got the prostate cancer, is coming up with his family! It'll be great--they are staying at a little cottage just outside of town and we are going to eat the SHIT out of some lobster!

And I'm going to hike hike hike hike hike hike hike! hike!

For now, off to coffee land and then maybe kayaking and then packing!

7am flight in the morning...wheee!!!

Crazy Lady Outfits

2009-07-15T17:21:00.003-05:00

If you're a lady, like me, who's been trying to mix up life, food and her wardrobe a bit (and thus, avoiding shopping and spending non-existent money), Grey Gardens can be a real inspiration.

Check out my scarf attire today--I rode down lakeshore drive with my friend Ross, and used this to protect my hair. And then I went on a preview of a walking tour of Second City and wore it in every way I could imagine---as a bracelet, as a cape, as a toothache curer---and amused myself to no end.

Now, it's back in Andersonville, and I'm supposed to revising scenes for the upcoming show I'm working on. But instead, I'm thinking about style and life and ways to live it and couldn't help but put the scarf on again, ala Little Edie Beale. It's a scarf from a large collection of scarves and gloves my aunt has given me over the years, and I truly wish I knew how to wear them in a way that didn't make it seem so dowdy. I'm going for more a french girl then Queen Elizabeth...and haven't quite figured it out.

Now, the other two pics are my new headshot and a picture of my maternal grandmother, when she was a young lady.

As you can see, Mimi wasn't tramping around the East Hamptons in her day--she was leaning against a tree at the family farm, living off what they grew. She taught in a one-room school house and lived in a teeny tiny house that didn't have a name like "Grey Gardens". But she certainly had her own sense of style!

And, the other pic is from a recent set of headshots. I submitted to a legit agency in town, and after much correspondence that consisted of them saying they were considering me, but were very busy--could we set up a time to chat? Sure, I'd say, sending my availability. No response, and then a response saying they were busy, but they'd reach out to me asap. Again and again, until today, it finally came down to it---they didn't like my pics, and they could either reject me or recommend a photographer--which did I prefer? I said I'd love to hear their recco, and that I have a relationship with a headshot photographer---so what's their opinion of those guys?

I don't think this agency is doing anything outright shady, but something stinks in the correspondence and I'm not sure I like it. If they really did like me, wouldn't they have the capacity and bandwidth to bring me in for a meeting--even if only 10 minutes? If this is what things are like at the beginning of our working relationship, what's going to happen down the road?

And I've got another actor friend who was treated the same by this agency, with the correspondence eventually coming down to "Either you are rejected OR might we recommend our on-camera class?"

So anywho, world, here's my headshot---for now.

Agents, comrades, friends--any feedback is welcome! As is reccos on headshot photographers, etc.

But please don't threaten to not consider me based on this pic.

Yours,

A frustrated actor

2009-07-09T15:57:00.002-05:00

Oh my--

At last, a lovely summer day and I woke up early! I've been having the darnedest time waking up and, you know, engaging in life.

But today, with Mr. Sun knocking on my windows and pulling down the covers, I was up and eating blueberries, brewing coffee and heading out!

At last, I caught the bug for non-nocturnal sleep patterns.

Here's hoping it lasts a bit!

Tuesday, June 23

2009-06-23T13:33:00.000-05:00

I am writing! I am writing! I am writing! I’ve been out of work for a while now, and am just starting to feel like it’s summer, and I’m in a groove. Sort of.

In an IDEAL world, each day, I do the following:

I work on my acting career (get headshots touched up, send them out, get an agent)
I engage in local cultural activities (go see shows, read a bit about Chicago, go for a run in the local park)
I work out everyday
I take a shower
I write
I cook at home.

In my REAL world, I do the following:

I wake up late,
I start laundry
I print out some scripts I need to memorize and set them aside
I meet with Andy about how to make deposits for the condo board, taking copius notes.
I call the mortgage company and they say they still don’t have our application for loan modification
I try control my temper and gain control over something so I look online to see if my half-credit from renting a Dollar rental car has been credited to my Southwest account. Now that’s important to my financial future!
I ignore my $700 dollar mammogram bill
I defrost some pork chops and make a tuna salad and cut up some cantaloupe and celery.
I answer some emails and send some more. But then I get overwhelmed.
I make a list of things to do but halfway through, I call the cable company about a discrepant bill.
I put on my running clothes.
I get hungry, so I make tuna salad and eat it. I cut up celery sticks and cantaloupe and pull out some frozen pork chops I grilled a few weeks ago for dinner.
I get cabin fever, so pack my bag for a major errand run and job.
I realize my credit card receipts are a MESS and need to be organized RIGHT now!
I scold myself for getting distracted, and re-pack my bag.
I forgot about the laundry! I move the wet clothes into the dryer and fold the dry sheets.
I finally leave the house, and I drop off my dry cleaning, I get my flat tire fixed, I buy a propane canister for my grill, go for a walk and run into Salvi and Paul and Auggie, I keep walking, I browse in Borders instead of going for a run (it is HOT out), I pick up my bike and return home.
I go home and read the scripts, I make some blocking notes
I eat the pork chops, taking huge bites as I pull the dry clothes out of the dryer and since I don’t have time to fold my laundry, I lay it out so at least it doesn’t wrinkle
I do not shower so I liberally spray myself with perfume
I pack another bag for teaching, I grab some water and caramel treats for later.
I bike down to teach and it is glorious, the best part of the entire day.
I teach (I love that) and then I ride home.
I talk to Andy about life and plans and housing and cruise ship jobs and writing and teaching.
I move my ac unit from in front of the closet to my window and Andy helps to install it.
I read my book and drink some beers and decide it’s ok to sleep in and skip my morning weight lifting class tomorrow at the gym and go to the night class.
I go to bed.
I love my bed.
I love my summer of not working.
I need to focus more.

Friday June 19

2009-06-23T13:32:00.000-05:00

Hello world! I am home in Ohio, in the land of family who is entirely, 100% Pro-Obama. People always look at me like I am the source of EVIL when I say I am from Ohio. I think they expect hayseeds and hicks with John Deere hats on in a stereotypical pose..Instead, I find a land of pro-Obama sentiment and feeling, even as they find their state crumbling around them. It’s like this thing…we’re not as BAD off as Michigan, we’ll be fine. Any who, the Ohio I know is very different then the one portrayed in the National Media.

Any who, tonight was typical of a visit in Ohio. Summer is pretty great here, and I’ve been here for a weeklong visit. The only thing marring this reunion is the fact that my brother is facing prostate caner. He is young and healthy dudes, so get your psa and prostate screening, dudes, ladies, get your mammograms. In his case, he’s going to be fine fine fine and we’re very grateful and lucky that it didn’t spread and that it’s a curable cancer. Anyway, other then crying a lot around him, it’s been a really nice visit!

So, here’s tonight…I came home packed for my trip home tomorrow, sipping jug wine with my mom and dad and there’s any variety of kids here…first, it’s cancer brother and his three little girls. Of course I’ll play kickball! Cancer brother fixes my car (as he always does) while I kick some kickball ass! Then, girls and brother leave, going home to get swimsuits (mom and dad have an above ground pool…FANCY!) and then sister Kitty and three of the boys come over. We drink more wine, the kids swim. Other sister comes over with the true ROCK STAR of the family, baby Allison. Then, a summer storm comes..and it’s a good one---walls are shaking, rain puddles, dark dark skies---just like a summer storm should be. We all hang on the sun porch during the storm and my Dad goes to get 4 large pizzas. We see lots of deer, including a baby one that looks like Bambi. Mr. Sun begins to shine...time to swim! The kids all swim…us siblings talk about the Dead shows we attended in the 80s/90s (three for me, 10-15 for Kit, 40 or so for Cancer Brother). Since our parents are there, we speak in code about what we did at those shows. I confess that I felt as though I just never fit in and they all look at each other like, Duh, you were a giant dork. Which I am quite aware of. I tried to be a deadhead but I just never wanted cheese sandwiches and thought someone ought to look after the babies and the dogs. Any who, we all break for Pizza.

And then, my favorite part happens…the negotiation of who sleeps where. In the summer, the kids and their parents are inner-changeable. “I’ll take two (tad and ben) if you take Simon.” Simon asks Aunt Kitty if he can stay at Uncle Paul’s house, and they all say yes, and then the kids scream and dive into the pool again. It is the most exciting thing in the world that Simon, age 5, can stay at a house full of girls. He flashes his signature Simon “SUNSHINE” Dover France grin, and dives in.

Other kids stay at my parents and cars shift and other kids walk around in the neighborhood and see if any fish came alive at the pond next door (the house is foreclosed and empty…it is Ohio after all) and we still drink wine and eat chips and hummus (Becky like) and chat and then other kids call and arrive.

At the end of the night, all the Ford cars pull away, and I’m there with my mom and dad and we are trying to remember what language is the primary language of India (Hindi) and sort out the economy (why does my mortgage company not have an answer about loan modification when I call?) and it’s not a bunch of dumb Midwesterners who are rednecks…these are people who read the paper and go to church and, gasp, vote democratic and republican and have reasoned points of view on the world and I am embarrassed once again by what I see in the comedy world and hope that there is a place for a world of subtlety and grey areas because that is what I know and what I am.

The world is not black and white, and sometimes, you vote base on the union that gives your family a job and a home and health insurance and education.

That’s my soapbox here in Ohio.

See you soon Illinois…even though I’ve lived there since I was 21, my heart is still in the Buckeye state.

Car Spa!

2009-06-23T13:31:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, June 17

My little baby car got some loving this week. Andy said it’s like the car went to the spa..it was cleaned, had a bit of plastic surgery and got to go for long runs in the country.

Here are some fun facts I learned about cars while in Ohio:

1) Apparently, in order to be “legal” you need to have a “functioning” taillight on BOTH sides of the car. Who knew?

2) Also, if you are missing a mirror on your passenger side, you should get it replaced to be “legal”. To help you see behind you!

3) Most people who own cars know how many miles per galloon their cars use, and the difference between highway miles and city driving. It helps you estimate gas costs!

4) If your car is shaking above 65 MPH, you probably are out of alignment and need to get your car balanced. Makes sense now!

5) If you pay your 13-year old nephews to “detail” your car, they will do it, but constantly stop to ask you questions, and to talk to each other and get a snack and don’t see that they’ve left behind a bunch of grubby brown gunk in the cup holder. But they are also proud to do it for you and love your car, even if it is a bit beat up.

6) If you have a major gash on one side of you car, and a missing handle and major dent on the other side, and some damage to the taillights, everyone thinks your car was in a an accident. When you say “Its just city living, normal wear and tear” they look at you like you must live in the CITY. Even if you live in a quiet, residential area of town.

7) If you park your car in the garage, and open the hood, your dad and brother will start to fill it with “fluids” that it needs, change the air filter and give you a lesson on how to maintain your car. Sweet! It’s like going to Vocational school without all the stoners!

Ohioans are really into cars! And my car LOVES getting away to Ohio!

Thursday, June 18

2009-06-23T13:29:00.000-05:00

“Man Aunt Becky, you got some D”

My nephew Ben, when I was guarding him in a pick-up game of three on three basketball.

Imagine the Kennedy compound, except this compound isn’t in Hyannisport and there aren’t private planes and fancy cars. And this compound has a lot of kids running around, playing volleyball or basketball or bouche ball or kickball instead of football. And played out on this landscape is the competitive nature of three sports-playing sisters…who had all the same coaches, played all the same sports and all the same training. And now, we get to teach it to the next generation…and see if we still have it.

Kitty, my bad-ass sister, is a year and a half older then me, so we are pretty competitive. We get into each other’s face when we play basketball, we rib each other when we miss a serve in volleyball and there is no mercy when we get each other out in kickball. It’s so fun!

And then Beth, our older sister, displays her trademark “O”-mouth shape when she’s hustling/shooting/spiking.

And little Jayna, wore kneepads practically the whole week there…and said at one point “Don’t mind my grunting” as she served the volleyball.

I just wonder what they will all be like when they grow up. I hope they don’t die playing football on the slopes of the Rockies or have affairs with their nannies or get addicted to drugs like the Kennedy Klan…but I do hope we keep kicking each others’ ass in basketball.

Wouldn't wood blinds be beautiful in this room?

2009-05-19T10:05:00.001-05:00

Apparently, 10 am is when Andy wants to begin our massive day of house cleaning.

I'd like to start AFTER I finish my first cup of coffee. I hear him whistling in the kitchen and opening things up...he woke up at 6am this morning!

Time to get going...he just asked if I want some eggs.

"We should do some cleaning in this room, too"

His hints are very subtle....

Mornings are rough

2009-05-17T10:49:00.002-05:00

I am always so so so tired. I am writing this blog to see what I write first thing in the morning. I even went to bed at a decent time last night but I am just so darn tired. UGH! This is boring. I need to get going to rehearsal and I am finding it hard to type. I am not a morning person.

Soon I go to Seattle! For fun and spa and hiking and such!

Montgomery and Cooke

2009-05-09T15:20:00.002-05:00

Me and Jamie have been working on a new show and we tried out some material last night at the Schadenfreude rent party. It went really really well and I'm so excited and proud.

I think I should write more but I need to do my homework and keep writing instead of reading dumb blogs and stuff.

Should the above be Jamie and I? I know it should be...but I like the flow of Me and Jamie.

I've been cultivating a new look...

2009-04-23T17:39:00.003-05:00

And I think it's called crazy lady.

Last week, I went to rehearsal and class in an all-purple outfit. Think about that for a minute--purple tank, purple sweater coat, purple cords. Now, add on top of it, purple tweed bucket hat and purple scarf. Wow. And then add in a purple water bottle and a purple pen.

And you know what? I felt really happy. I love purple, and it's mom and dad colors---red and blue. I barely like green (only when it's teal or mint), and really have no need for yellow. I've grown to like orange recently.

Anyway, I'm excited about this new notion...especially as I am not spending any money on clothes.

So, tonight, I'm going to see This American Life, and I'm wearing 5 accessories, and three layers. It's my ironic fussy grandma look.

I'm turning into a crazy lady (or my minor, minute, barely even approaching) version of a crazy lady....and i'm loving it!

Beheaded Roosters

2009-04-18T11:28:00.002-05:00

Dogs in the water

Sand on the trail

Small children learning soccer, parents hover and sip coffee

Cool bay breezes

I was out running this morning and it was a true Chicago song...Saturday, in the park, i think it was the 18th of April....I have been so happy to be here in Chicago these past 10 weeks.

I love this town--and today it was in full glory.

Except the rooster (or large hen) that was laying behind the Foster Avenue bath houses. But even that was FULL--of rotting smell---but it was certainly ripe.

Off to write with Amy!

While the cat's away

2009-04-07T10:51:00.001-05:00

This little mouse-y likes to play! And by play, I mean watch tv during the middle of the day. My roommate "A" can't stomach much tv, much less tv during the day. So, he's on a gig, and I get to watch it!!!

The reality is that I haven't even turned it on and have been doing my putzing and household puttering--and am getting ready to go to the grocery store and should be doing my writing homework and such.

But still, just because of all of that, it doesn't mean I can enjoy the idea of being able to watch tv if I WANTED to!

Ha ha ha ha ha

Oxford, sweet Oxford

2009-04-06T08:21:00.003-05:00

Hello! I went to Miami U for college in lovely Oxford, Ohio. So, this past weekend, my roommate "A" (and fellow Miami Alum..he huh hee hee-- words that colleges like to use) drove back.

Our first night, we talked to college kids about improv, sketch comedy and theatre in Chicago. Our story is mostly this "Um, it's really wonderful. You may get paid some money. Mostly, you have to do what you love and that will be it's own rewards. At least in Chicago." There was one who must have had a friend who got an ass-ton of $ in a commercial and had a dad who was putting a lot of pressure on her, because she kept asking us about auditioning for commercials. How many can we book in a week? How long until we get a national? How many hours will we work once on set? I mean, come on! Girlfriend doesn't have an agent--I think I did at one point, in a loose association after I got pulled in to audition for "Blue Collar TV" but that was like 5 years ago and I thought the agent was weird and name-droppy. I have some new headshots that I haven't even looked at because I am PMSy and I don't want to get upset by my own image. Geez girl, take a chill pill!

Anyway, some of the college theatre kids had a sketch show immediately following soooo...we went. It was good/bad/long/wonderful/immature/creative and I really enjoyed it. I did have some issues with it:

1) I hate balloons and they had a LOT of balloons. I also hate birds (they can defy gravity and I am NOT down with that) and loud noises. So, one time, my friend "MK" said "Your worst nightmare would be if you were holding this balloon and there was a bird in it, right?" She enjoys triggering conversations about personal matters and this made my head almost explode though at the time, I think I nodded and laughed. Anyway, there were many balloons in the first sketch-play (they were all 30 minutes long, and there were three of them).

2) There was ONE girl in the show and she had the boring girlfriend part who was a bitch and couldn't possibly have a funny line. Nothing slammed me further back into college like that---seeing that girl be stuck with those dumb parts and thinking---did she even try to write anything? Or, do the boys write anything funny for her? UGH! Thank goodness for the Tower Players...which brings me to point 3

3) The dear Tower Players, my college improv group, has apparently gone away. Sigh. I was looking for evidence---but no one seemed to know anything at all. I finally got an email from a current TP, and she was very cryptic and said "I don't know what happened" which makes me think she totally does. Which is fine. And, I can't re-start the TPs if they just died on their own---but it's so very sad. I just literally sighed because I don't know what to make of it. Tower Players---what should we do? Please leave any thoughts in the comments.

Anywho, we then headed to a late dinner and drinks ($3.50 for a gin and tonic? What?) and then bed.

More to come...have to go to work now....

Out like a lamb?

2009-03-31T12:11:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure how I feel about March today...is it a lion or a lamb?

I'm having an exciting day of doing taxxes, doing laundry, running errands and writing blogs to avoid doing taxxes.

ARGH! Taxxes really aren't that bad--but for some reason, this deadline has alluded me and it's today or nothing.

I want to play the game where I only eat food in my house or where I go running and then get iced coffee after or the game where I go and hang out with Andy and Daphne..but mostly, I just need to play the game where I do taxxes.

UGH!

Argh!!!

2009-03-27T08:33:00.002-05:00

I have many brilliant rambling insightful kitchy quirky intelligent posts in a word document....but I can not figure out how to paste it here!

I blame it once again on my white machine of horror--my little MacBook. Sometimes it's Mackey, other times it's my own ignorance and sometimes it's something else---but I don't love my Mac. I wish I did for I sure paid enough for the damn thing. Right after I bought it, it fell on the dock in Nassau (oh--so international Becky!) and I think it never recovered.

Anywho, what my blogs essentially say is that life is pretty great right now.

I continued to jog--up to 25 minutes straight! My job job is fun fun and I have some other prospects that I'm excited about.

Home life is lovely--I heart my pad.

Food stuff is going well--I'm eating a lot of things I enjoy and trying new things (special shout-out to forgotten favorite Uncommon Ground! But those prices---I mean, I could get a steak for that price!)

And creative life is just dandy--writing with "AP", "A Mac", "JB" and teaching at "SC" is a delight. Aren't I good at disguising identities?

Starting a new class next week that will be hard to find time for but a good challenge, too.

Boy, this is post is full of sunshine and roses!

Just like my private parts!

Bye!

2009-03-24T17:13:00.001-05:00

When you need it bad

2009-02-20T11:40:00.003-05:00

People, get yourself down to Florida! I was in the Tampa/Clearwater area, and I could not have loved it anymore. My parents (aka Mom and Dad) go down there in Feb and March to get away from the snow (they actually left the day after the inauguration, so they didn't miss it.)

And I invited myself down for a 5-day visit! Now, 5 days in a little one-bedroom trailer at th Countryside trailer park in Clearwater with a bunch of their Canadian friends may sound very boring to all of you...but it was actually quite exciting.

Here's a list of what I did, including some delightful and informative car ride conversations:

1) My mom picked me up from the Tampa airport, on time. She doesn't like to arrive on time at the Cleveland Airport, because she's always sure the flight will be delayed. I've been flying into the Cleveland Airport for almost 15 years, and have been delayed perhaps 2 out of 30 or more flights. But this is what she believes! Anyway, she was more then on-time in Tampa, and was thrilled by the ingenuity of the cell phone lot.

2) Upon arrival, we went to Safety Harbor, and got an iced Starbucks for me! In the middle of February, I got to drink a Starbucks on ice! Truthfully, I don't even like Starbucks that much, but for the purpose of sipping, and walking and dreaming in the sun, Starbucks will do.

3) In the delightful Safety Harbor, my mom and I strolled out to the pier and there were signs about protecting the manatees everywhere "Keep boats at idle, so as to not hurt the endangered Florida manatees." I had the highest of hopes and sure enough--we saw one of those gentle giants! He was right by the wood pier, and showing off for me and the rest of the active seniors on this beautiful Wednesday morning. Bonus--they have a wheelchair station on the pier to allow wheelchair bound folks to fish! Nicely done, Safety Harbor.

4) At lunch, with Carol, Thel, someone else and my mom, I split a half-pitcher of Sangria with my mom. She likes it too! We ate in a converted bungalow, which a lot of places in Safety Harbor have as their business. I love bungalows!

5) Back at the trailer, I learned that my dad refers to it as their little honeymoon cottage. I loved it instantly, especially the car port where you sit outside and read your book and drink jug wine.

6) Thursday was driving range day. My dad was very patient with me, and helped me a tiny bit. He's a great teacher, as it turns out, at golf. For other things, he'll talk talk talk (sound familiar?) but with swing, he just said "Slow, slow slow." And it was good advice for me.

7) Thursday night was Clearwater Beach night. We drove all around---and it's a delightful little place. Then, we parked and I walked into the water! In February! It was cold, but wonderful to be in flip flops. Next, we went to a little beachside pavillion for dinner (hello Coconut Shrimp!) and ate. It was completely foggy and we couldn't see the sunset, but I loved being there with my mom and dad. A true pleasure.

8) Friday was the big golf day! I woke up and thought..."Vacation has only just begun!" We arrived and I shared a cart with my dad. He let me drive it, too! Golf courses in Florida are filled with active seniors, birds of an exotic ilk, and are surrounded by houses with pools covered by screens. I highly recommend them.

9) I won an award for being the most honest golfer! That means that I did the worse of everyone, but I didn't lie about it, so they gave me $2! Sweet! Plus, my mom and dad like the margaritas at the golf course, so for the second 9 holes, we split a margarita up three ways and sucked that down. And, since my pale Chicago skin was burning (loyal readers will remember that I call that "pre-tanning"), that frozen margarita, slushing around in a styrofoam cup, tasted de-lish!

10) After golf, I ate some of my mom's corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, and then had too much wine with Ralph and Carol while my dad went to the urgent care clinic to get antibiotics (he had a nasty cold that turned into bronchiotis). Ralph kept pouring me wine, and I stumbled across the carport and home. I truly passed out. Yikes. Need to take it easy in the sun next time.

11) Saturday morning was garage sale shopping! We went to a few places, including the very fruitful larger trailer park "Sunset Acres" or something like that. I got so much, including a tent for $3, the first prop I've bought for the new musical that Amy and I are writing, and 8 books! One is entitled "How to direct a musical: Broadway Your Way". I bought it as a joke book for Andy, our director. But it's actually really helpful! Also on the book table were a bunch of Ibsen plays and Charna Halpern's "Truth in Comedy". Weird. Did some well-meaning Chicago improviser give that book to his Grandmother? Or, did Grandma take classes and buy that book online? Not sure, but I was DELIGHTED!

12) Saturday night was the big dinner dance for Valentine's Day! There were many highlights that evening, but my absolute favorite was the lady who told jokes, because the prime rib was not quite done, and they were still making the gravy. My mom and dad both said "Oh, she's funny" and she was. Her closer was an incense joke, but then it was revealed that the bride-to-be's mother was a slut! You have to look this one up on you tube.

13) Sunday was chill out day--I finished my book, hung out, ran my little program and said goodbye to all my friends. My flight ended up needing a bumper, so I took it and stayed an extra night in the Tampa Bay Airport Mariott and jogged at that airport's few and far between green medians. Oh, what a delight!

Other random highlights:

--I jogged my program "Couch to 5k" in the outside.

--Wednesday night cocktails with the ladies

--My mom met the Trailer Park prostitute at the laundromat

--My dad and mom gave me a valentine's day card on Saturday morning. So sweet

--I read outside every night and wasn't cold

--I wore flip flops, a lot.

--I got really pre-tanned on my arms and chest

I'm thinking of trying to get to Florida again in March!

For now, Chicago will do just fine.

Sentimentalist

2009-02-01T14:01:00.002-05:00

I am definitely a sentimentalist. And a chronic repeater. Currently on my bedside reading table is Little Town on the Prairie, the Muppets make Puppets, the Best-loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy, an old issue of Variety, 100 years of Solitude, the NFT guide to Chicago (2008), The Fourth Hand, a Billy Collins book of Poetry, a Woody Allen humor book entitled something Feathers and a really boring book that I'm not into, but feel obligated to read.

In another little nook, lay books that I intend to read, or have recently read, that have yet to be fed into my three main bookshelves, where I hold MAJOR books of significance, with one shelf dedicated to all things Little House on the Prairie (momma knows where to find inspiration when needed), another shelf reserved for favorite books since I last arranged this bookshelf, and another shelf for pictures that I intend to hang, somewhere.

Currently in my DVD player is Melrose Place, Season 1, disc 6. Yes dear reader, disc 6. And no, I haven't skipped any of the episodes so far.

It's funny to read a book or watch a TV show from a specific time in your life. It's a bit like tapping into the memory bank of who you were at the time. Melrose Place was required viewing back in my college days, and then casual viewing thereafter. I (and many others) can vividly recall when Kimberly Shaw whipped off the red wig to reveal some big crazy surgical scar that proved she was evil, the scheming Sidney, the crazy Amanda Woodward and the black and white themes of the MP gang.

But these early episodes are really touching to me...you can barely detect Billy's lisp, Allison is not drinking, Jake and Daphne Zuniga are just dating, Jayne Mancini is pregnant, that girl from the south is still on, they haven't given Matt a storyline yet other then the fact that he's GAY, etc.

But it's so BORING! All they talk about is their relationships and what happenned and what's going to happen, blah blah blah.

And the issues they try to tackle! It's worse then 90210---Matt's GAY and works at a halfway house for homeless teen boys! Really MP? Rhonda's BLACK and teaches hip-hop aerobics! Michael's an INTERN at a hospital and working really hard and is hot-headed! Jayne's an aspiring FASHION DESIGNER and torn between her career goals and desire to start a family. Allison works in ADVERTISING! Billy wants to be a writer and has a LISP! Jake is a MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC and just finished his GED! Daphne Zuniga is a tough-talking new yorker PHOTOGRAPHER who can't commit, even to the true hotty of the show. Sidney is the kid sister of Jayne, and causes TROUBLE at the CLUBS of LA!

Watching these now, I was studying advertising/communications/blah blah blah in college, and at the time even, I thought, that's definitely not realistic. How could these writers churn out this crap? But I also thought, what cute clothes! Am I more like Allison? Or Jayne? I knew I wouldn't be teaching hip-hop aerobics, a decision I still feel was the right one based on my recent performance as Dance Jam.

But it's an idealized world that was only a year or two away from where I was at, and I kind of mocked/kind of loved it.

So, I've been sick this week, and Andy gave this to me for Xmas, so I've been watching one after another. I don't think I'll invest in any further seasons, and this may be my last viewing. But I am thrilled that Amy is coming over, and we're going to watch a few episodes together and dream about the past when we were dreaming about our futures.

And then SUPER BOWL!

Oh! Andy gave this to me because he had berated me for watching 90210 Season 3 saying things like "It melts my brain." or "We don't watch TV during the day at our house". But it's been great for this illness, which had my head throbbing too much to read the boring book or watch TV that requires thought (Lost? What happened this week? I have no idea).

He also gave me This American Life, which I've carefully protected and not opened yet for it's own protection.

Baselining and Tailor's Buttons

2009-01-28T14:56:00.001-05:00

I'm sitting in the third waiting room of the day at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. I just had my baseline mammogram (fellows, line up, wanna hit this?)

I opted (and my doctor agreed) to have this a bit on the early side of 40 (the normal recco age) because of family history.

But I think, even more so I was motivated by a friend who was diagnosed and is now going through Chemo. Said friend, let's call her "J", is recovering well and started Chemo today. But man, she was YOUNGER then me, so it got my ass off the proverbial couch.

Also in exciting medical news, I am getting a foot ex-ray so a podiatrist can look and see if I have a bunion! I wiki-pedied bunions, and my self-diagnosis makes me believe I have one on my big toe and one on the outside of the foot, otherwise known as a Tailor's Button. Could that name be any more whimsical? Like an old-fashioned tailor put a little button on the outside edge of my left foot---for fun!

Fellows, I know you are lining up now...for this gal with her mammogram and bunion---quite a cougar!

Oh well....I got a good luck at Uma Thurman's foot last night in the movie Kill Bill, and it looks like she's got a bunion AND hammer toes! Take that sexy ladies!

I'm not so good at the medical stuff (i almost passed out when my sister Kitty, I mean "K" got her sonogram), so I often try to build in rewards for the after-care.

Today, as my reward, I get to eat a banana and go see an Oscar movie of my choice at Century City and maybe do Yoga at the Gym tonight.

Take that White-coat syndrome!

In the non-medical area of life--all is well...tomorrow I'm heading out to lovely Greyslake to see my old buddy Lori "L" and I've been babysitting a lot.

Second City teaching is going well and I'm looking forward to vacation in Florida in a few weeks. Does this part of the post sound like the response at a cocktail party to the question of "And how are you?"

In all honesty, lately when people have asked me that, I've responded, in the most chipper, interesting and energetic way that I can..."Nothing is going on. Absolutely nothing. I'm totally bored, and I've been going to the gym a ton, and watching tv, and reading and sleeping. So I can talk about that to the nth degree, but right now, my life is really really boring."

The fun ones let me talk about nothing and the ones who are thrown off by that response walk away.

Oh! They just handed me my "charts" so I'm free to go.

Which is good, because there's a lady crying in a wheelchair here, and another guy wearing only a White Sox tee (in this weather?) and a big giant face mask. I don't need to catch what he's trying to stop spreading.

Woo hoo!

1/16/WHAT???

2009-01-16T14:50:00.002-05:00

How can it be 1/16/09?

Yikes!

Today, thus far, has been lovely. In fact, the past few days have been really nice.

I've managed to avoid going outside for almost two full days. Yesterday was the super-cold coldest in years and years you may die if you go outside day. So, I decided to follow that advice and did not venture out!

Yay for me!

Last night, Amy S and Lis came over and we ate pizza, drank wine and beer and huddled together against the cold.

This morning, I had my friend Erica over, and we feasted on breakfast food, visited, overdrank coffee and she just left.

Now, it's pretend to do stuff time by going on facebook, googling people in the name of research for a private matter, and sort piles on my desk.

Then, I go to the gym.

Tonight, show at LOL in Schaumburg (it's really good to actually get out of the house) and tomorrow is writing date with Amy.

I've started WORKING again, people! And, I have this secret private matter that is occupying my brain, and taking up time.

Life is normalizing.

And you?

Working together, making it happen

2009-01-07T14:39:00.003-05:00

Hello 2009!!! Bring yourself on!

I am finally, finally, getting stuff done.

I think my body was afraid of getting bedsores, so it's kicked into gear.

Here's what's happened in formerly LAZY land....

1) I made an appointment to go get legal aid for our top-secret production company legal issue

2) The play I'm in opens tonight! It's a little 20-minute play, but has been real fun to rehearse for.

3) I went to get my lady parts checked out! I know have more referrals for other pieces parts that are not working so well.

4) I took down xmas decorations.

5) I planned my trip to Florida

6) I booked my classes for this term at Second City

7) I made up with my dad! Well, we had made up, but I reconnected with him after the make up after the big holiday 08 fight.

8) I journalled! Two days in a row!

9) I made Polska Kiebalsa...and ate it! It's so darn good.

10) I did Laundry like a mo-fo.

11) I read a few books

There's no stopping me world!!!!

Pre Party Party

2009-01-05T14:44:00.002-05:00

I hosted a pre party party at my house on Saturday and it was a ball!!! A friend of mine lives in my condo building and has a big bash every year. Last year I started this pre-party and we continued on this year.

My god, it was so fun.

As Andy later said, the thing about a pre-party is that you know everyone's going to leave and not be there all night.

So true!

And, the actual party was a ball, too. A bit of a blowout for old Beck, even more so then my purposely tame NYE.

Today is back to life, which, for me, at the moment, means cleaning up my desk, doing laundry, hitting the gym, trying not to spend any money until the work comes in later in the week.

Apparently, tonight, Ohio State plays in the Tostito bowl! I may just have to make a steak and potatoes and watch the game for my entertainment.

I've watched so many movies over the past month, including this weekend's movie festival of my own making..here are my thoughts:

1) Batman The Dark Knight--Boring and so so

Why? These kind of movies are far too noisy for my taste, I don't care about advances in blowing things up, there are an awful lot of guns and killing and why can't the whole movie just be the butler and Morgan Freeman? Why do I always think Gordon is William H. Macy instead of Gary Oldman? Where did he go when he fake-died? And the joker! Man, I guess the way we portray "crazy" is by licking our lips and inventing knife scar stories? UGH!) When I told friends I saw it, they look at me with glee, and then I tell them my opinion and they seem disappointed in me. I think if I saw it in a movie theatre I would like it more.

2) 27 Dresses---fine. Nothing big.

The leads didn't have a whole lot of chemistry together, as much as Heigl was trying to light up the screen with her giant display of teeth smile, he just didn't seem that into her. And, when a movie is about 27 bridesmaid's dresses, you know it's already a farce. But if she was such a good friend to all those gals who's wedding she was in, why on earth weren't they part of her life during the movie? I get why people have beefs with romantic comedies--they are basically poorly written, love to have women engage in a cat fight (in this case, two sisters! Two sisters with a dead mom! I mean, come on! Really?) and love to have women wearing crazy clothes. These 27 dresses were so god-damn awful. And I don't mean awful, like, oh that crazy bride picked something that doesn't flatter me. I mean, awful, in that costumer went crazy and won't it be hilarious to have these super-over-the-top dresses? Right? We all think tacky clothes are hilarious? Because we are all smarter then that?

Anyway, with no chemistry, a wanky premise and even with the lovely Heigl slugging her way through, this movie just didn't do it for me. Uh, fine to watch, but nothing great.

3) La Dolce Vita--I didn't read a thing about this movie before watching it, nor had I ever seen any Fellini, so I found myself looking for the narrative to follow. But once I just chilled out and watched, it was really cool visually. I've been to Rome for a few days of my life, but this movie just made me want to learn Italian immediately and move there. Nicely done old Fellini. Some bonus material on the DVD included Fellini TV with some fucked-up cool commercials. And then an interview with the lady who played the blond Swedish-American actress, Sylvia. She was washed up in every sense of the word---bloated, a dress that tried to hide her body that was not the same as the one she had in the movie, and so much war paint. Oh lady! It's ok, you don't have to look that way anymore. We'll still be interested in you. Sad. I couldn't really watch it.

4) Into the Wild--By far, my favorite movie of the whole fest. Man, it was so so great. So beautifully shot, and such a great adaptation of a wonderful wonderful book. This is a sad story about a young man who is kind of a dick, but is so recognizable and just seemed to make a few mistakes that cost him his life. Or made one big huge mistake. Not sure which, but I loved it.

5) Read after Burning---Those Cohen brothers make some good movies. This one was interesting, but not great. I mean, the actors are wonderful, the story is kind of, eh. I don't know what they wanted it to be--a caper? A crime story? I wasn't satisfied, though I was impressed by the performances. Don't hurry out for this one.

Now, onto laundry!

Here are some things I have opinions on

2009-01-03T02:22:00.003-05:00

These are things I like:

--Facebook--I now can find out that a friend's sister from elementary school has either birthed, adopted or fostered a new baby and that it's "A christmas miracle" that the baby came.

--My cleaning lady. She has opinions and gossips with me.

--My roommate Andy. He reminds me every day how to live a creative life that is not caught up in chaos, how to be kind and that crumbs on the counter are ok.

--My friend Amy. She makes me laugh and laugh and tells me "You don't want to mess around with that business" about something that one should feel kind and generous about, but you don't feel that way. Plus, she doesn't get judgey when I tell her she should start reading my blog, because she's missed out on a lot and that some of it, sometimes, is funny.

--The feeling of getting something done that I get after my cleaning lady cleans my apartment. I didn't do it, but I wrote the check, so that's the reward for money well spent.

--Walking in brisk, cold, wintery nights.

--Working out, and then taking a shower at the gym, then sitting in the sauna or steam room and combing out my hair.

--These little fish guys from mexico. They are brightly colored, have stripes and their tails are in constant motion

--My Mac. It's cute and makes me feel hipper then I am.

Things I don't like:

--Drunk men threatening bullet activity on the el

--When you buy something, like a new clock radio alarm, and that's supposed to fit and charge your Ipod, and it doesn't. The Ipod jack refuses to quickly or consistently recognize my ipod. So I am constantly shoving the thing in there, flopping it back and forth and trying to get it to read the ipod. Frustrating! I need to call the manufacturer.

--When the UPS man comes after 5, and you really really wanted to get your camera back and you waited around all day and missed him. Shady business UPS.

--Putting away Christmas Decorations

--Breast Cancer

--My Mac--it hates my hotmail, every day there is some issue with my email and I can't figure out how to do everything I want to do on it and it makes me angry.

What about you?

Wow

2009-01-01T23:34:00.003-05:00

I just saw the movie of the Into the Wild. I loved loved loved it. Man, it's so great. I'm listening to the "actors" talking about the movie, and Sean Penn, etc. It's pretty awesome, as I sit here, that Sean Penn is being interviewed about the movie, and he's smoking. You know, he's Sean Penn, he can't be bothered by convention and as he's being interviewed, he just HAS to smoke.

Hilarious.

It does make me want to move out west to live in the desert. And, to go to Slab City. I really dug the California desert when I was out there in May. Oh my god, I totally just wrote Dug, and it's clear that I'm being influenced by the cool, crunchy, uber non-traditional hikey sort of thing that this movie is talking about.

Next up on special movie night is The Dark Knight.

Christmas was good. New Years was great. I'm taking off a night from drinking and excess to be in my house alone alone alone.

Everyone, be cool. Don't be cynical. Embrace it all.

Toodles.

Snow Day!

2008-12-19T12:51:00.002-05:00

I just looked out my window and saw a girl with cross country skis walking west on Winnemac---I love this day!

I will first say, I know that the majority of people have to work, and for you contribution to the engine of commerce and society, I thank you.

And now, here's what's happening here...

Yesterday, I went to the Art Institute. Man, they've got some good stuff there. My absolute favorite things this time were the architectural remnants hanging on the walls of the Great Hall (Sullivan, Wright, the lady designer Wright worked with, some more stuff) and the Egyptian Mummy stuff. A close second were the God and Goddess sculptures from Nepal.

I went for free, because I got the free pass from the library---thank you CITY of CHICAGO!

As I exited the Art Institute, and looked west, the sun was going down, the sky was purple and mottled grey, and the lights were a twinklin' on all the great sights--the Symphony, the El, the weird Bennigans, etc. I LOVED it!

Then, I came home, shovelled a bit, caught up with Brandon and Steve and STONER (at the end of the episode, they all make nice, catch the guy who hit and run Andrea, and met up at the Peach Pit. They even let Stoner join them, and when he declared how nice it was that they all had each other, I thought---oh cool! They're going to fake be-friend Stoner. But no, Steve looked around at the Gang and said something to the effect of "Yes, we're very lucky" Fade to Black. Poor STONER, no one wants to be your friend. You are trouble with a capital T.)

Next on the agenda--Dance Jam at Cheetah! This was really fun, and of course, hilariously impossible for me, as I have limited coordination and give up really easily. The teacher teaches a bunch of choerography, and then you dance to it for the last half hour. It was really tough, but really fun.

I showered, saunaed and then met Amy P at Late-r night Andersonville for some late night shopping---fun fun fun. We ate at Andie's , (hello CREPES) and then shopped some more.

Lis strolled on over for wine and snow watching, and then we watched the new muppet xmas special. It was eh---sort of lame, but nice to see those characters you love. I think the writers' approach was to throw in everyone from the muppet gang that you love and have them say their seminal line (Janice's only line was "for sure"), and then move on.

There was also a weird, no-necked bear who had a maybe gay relationship with Nathan Lane, who were officers in the TSA?

Anyway, we pooped out on it and I went to bed in case the snow didn't cancel Heather's school.

But it did! So, I didn't end up watching Daphne today and I slept in.

So, Andy's strumming his guitar, I'm sipping coffee and typing away here, and all is good in the world.

Later today, I'm going to go buy some baking soda, if I'm lucky.

2008-12-18T11:09:00.004-05:00

Let's pause for a moment, and think about the fashion of the men of 90210.

In today's episode, we see Steve Sanders, arriving late to his mandatory detention. As he walks into the auto shop area of detention, his facial expression indicates he's confused by the cornucopia of shop equipment (I see a rotor, half a car engine and a wall of tools). Now, at this point in Season 3, Steve's already fessed up to breaking into the school and has been serving morning and afternoon detention for a few weeks, if not months, so why would he be confused?

The music is HARD, STONER, Driving rock, so we are promptly dumped into a different part of West Beverly, one where people are even poorer then the heart o'gold Walshes, and wear flannels, white henley tees, white boys have long hair and black boys wear brown newsboy hats from the 70s.

This is the bad part of school and Steve, as the rich adopted kid of famous washed-up TV star, Samantha Sanders, clearly, doesn't fit in. I mean, he may have done something a lot worse then these kids did, but come on, he is Steve Sanders, and despite a D+ grade point average, he hangs out with the cool kids---the Kelly Taylors, Dylan McKays, Walsh twins of the world--and why is he here?

All of this we know from his expression and disgust with detention.

And apparently, he's skating on thin ice when he walks into the shop classroom, with the tough-talking detention proctor, who declares

"Better late then never doesn't cut it in detention, young man. Be here on time or the bus will leave without you." The tough detention teacher says. Steve gets the message.

Steve is wearing a royal blue, long-sleeved, collared shirt, and has recently lobbed off the majority of his mullett tail. Thankfully for all of us, he left about 25% of the volume back there, and the front hair still has the texture of pubic hair, and while puffy around the crown, careful detection reveals a receding hairline.*

Steve is handsome in the way that my grandma would say someone is handsome--he's clean cut, he has a nice frame, his ears are even and he has no zits. Kelly Taylor may have fallen for his charms in a drunken stupor her freshmen year, but he doesn't do it for me.

A permanent resident of morning detention hall teases Steve about how rich he is, how silly his mother's career is (she was on Hartley House, a very popular tv show for years). Steve's badass response?

"Why don't you clam up, bonehead?"

Surprisingly, the stoner is not put off by that threat and proceeds to play a Hartley House-inspired sit on-a-brownie prank on Steve that leads to a near fight in detention. Oh Steve! You've got a hot temper and a now ruined pair of very nice, light gray, well-pleated, tight-on top, billowy on the bottom, grey rayon pants (I'm counting at least 10 pleats, and I've got a side angle of only the left side of the pant here), finished off with a black leather belt (shouldn't you do brown with blue and grey?).

Later, Steve goes out to his 'vette, and finds a carton of eggs on the cloth convertible cover.

"That's weird", his highly-telegraphed subtext reads, but ok, whatever. He opens the car door--and the 'vette is filled with mostly brown chickens but a few white, and a superfulous amount of white feathers. I know that someone is in the backseat dumping feathers when Steve opens the door. It's funny, because there are a ton more brown chickens then white chickens, yet all the feathers are white. Here's the thing, Steve's character is played for "laughs" but he's not very good at getting them, so they don't seem to know what to do with him, except have him be the butt of physical pranks. For now, Steve sweeps the chickens out of his precious 'vette (and we are rewarded with a nice shot of his boots--pointy-toed, soft leather, a good choice with the blousiness of the black rayon pants, a little bit of tailoring works well here) and then Steve cries out for the stoner, who laughs and then offers to get Steve some rags to clean up the car from his wheels. Stoner opens trunk, and there's a tank of Nitrous Oxide. "Nitrous Oxide? That stuff rots your brains" say a wary/warning Steve, apparently now truly on the straight and narrow.

"I don't breathe it..." says the stoner, who then has to scamper around from the trunk to the front of his car, open the hood of the car to show off him a souped up engine that runs on Nitrous Oxide and deliver the second part of his line

"...my engine does"

Oh boy, Steve is a lot jealous "My god, that's more then my 'vette."

This is the third time Steve has uttered the word "'vette" and I am highly amused.

They become friends! Stoner invites Steve to the Stoner car party! Steve brings Brandon, and they pull up on "Industrial Drive", which they had a hard time finding, since they aren't used to bad, rebel-with-a-cause parts of town. But we are used to the bad parts of LA, because we've all seen Grease! The car race scene, remember? Any viewer is totally thinking about this, because Brandon's always got his sideburns and 1950 James Dean-style pompedaur going on, works at the Peach Pit and drives and old Mustang (or should I say 'stang). Steve, though, thankfully, is a man fully embracing the age, and for this scene, has found a new pair of billowy tailored Rayon pants to wear to the rumble. Also, because Steve's hair is the texture of blonde pubes, he can't wear a pompedaur (sp?), so he has to go with a mullett with gel. Poor Steve.

Next, we see Brandon in the next 5 scenes, wearing a fancy plaid flannel shirt, arms rolled up and shirt tucked (naturally) into his black Levis. Mrs. Walsh must have taken Brandon to a mall back in Minny to pick up those duds, because I can't imagine he found those at the Beverly Center. Pretty standard 90s fare, but a delight to see.

Up next, Dylan wearing light blue jeans, a black tee, and, though it's hard to tell the exact fabric, it's a red jacket. Remember, James Dean wore a red jacket in Rebel without a cause. Get it?

Because Dylan's a REBEL? Misunderstood? Ride a motorcycle? Owns a vintage Porsche? REBEL with a capital R? What's funny here to me is that Dylan's frame is so slight, but he's THE romantic lead, so they put him in baggy baggy jeans, a blousy tee and an oversized red jacket, so we think he's HOT. Then, poor Steve, with his man's manly body (broad chest, big shoulders, tapering down to a tiny tiny ass) gets no play at all this season. He must have been so pissed that he decided to cut off his mullett so people would notice his tiny tiny waist.

Anyway, Brandon's running off to his next scene, which, thankfully, they've moved from the hallways of West Bev out into the courtyard. Nothing remarkable here except Steve has traded his grey blousy rayon trousers for a pair of white, blousy, well-tailored, highly-pleated sweatpants, because his grey pants were ruined by the stoner's prank.

And now, Brandon's fourth scene in a row, at home, overhearing Mr. Walsh's conversation with a client, while wearing a striped dress-shirt, elastic suspenders with a brown closth button attachment and gold flair, and a brown tie, with a light-brown plant pattern. Nice done Mrs. Walsh. You clearly shopped at the Beverly Center for Mr. Walsh, because he looks like a stowaway from Wall Street or Glengarry Glenn Ross. We learn about the recession, which in this Season seems to be one of the THEMES---as Mr. Walsh puts it "The party's over."

Next, we go to the Walsh kitchen, which I will pause, only to comment on Mrs. Walsh's ensemble. Faithful viewers of 90210 will recall how much Mrs. Walsh loves a good patterned shirt with matching bottoms, and today's no exception. A patchwork-patterned collared, blousy shirt is served up today, with hues of butter yellow, rose (was there ever such a mistake of a color?) and periwinkle rectangles, with botanical highlights thrown in for interest. She's chosen to match this with a purple pair of dress pants, appropriately pleated, and perfect for dispensing advice to a love-sick Brenda and Kelly, who are in a holding pattern, while awaiting Dylan's decision. Mrs. Walsh mentions that a friend of her tennis doubles partner has a son, who goes to Princeton. And his friend ("also a princeton man") are "looking for a night out on the town". Brenda lights up when she hears the word Princeton---she's a gold-digger from the wayback machine. Kelly seems less impressed. There's nothing this show likes more then throwing around the Ivy League (Yale only for Andrea) and now, Princeton.

Anyway, today is focussed on mens' fashion, but this particular Mama Walsh ensemble is definitely worth noting.

Next up, David Silver, is in the DJ booth, wearing a long-sleeved black mock turtleneck, I think. There is something around the neck--and it's either mock turtleneck or a mini-hood? Anyway, the sleeves have a white flowers going down, and the chest has some punky/hip-hop design.

Donna, in her first day as fill-in dj, is wearing an over-sized zippered jacket, black satin, emblazoned with a pattern of CDs, naturally. Because she's going to be a DJ---and play CDs. I'm thankful that the costume mistress clarified that for me. I wonder about that moment---did they find the jacket, and think "Perfect for the Donna character" and then run over and ask the writers to write in a scene that Donna could wear this jacket? Or, did the writers write the scene and work with costume to find the pitch-perfect look? It's a bold move either way, especially because the Donna character generally prefers outfits that are cropped, brightly colored striped and show off her impossibly tiny midriff. Nice work, costume. It's exactly what this scene needed---and it focusses us on Donna's growth and burgeoning interest in music on her own, not just as a groupy of David Silver.

Back to the boys. Oh gross! I just ate a rank piece of cantaloupe....gross gross gross. I need to get some coffee to get that flavor out of my mouth...gross...Oh, I can smell it now. And I love cantaloupe! I hope this isn't the same batch Andy tried to feed Daphne this morning. No wonder she refused it....blech.

Ok, all better.

Poor Steve, even when it's an episode focussed on him, we are spending more time on the gals (love triangle with Kelly/Brenda/Dylan, Donna trying to be the DJ so David can study, Andrea's breakthoughs in hypnotherapy) and I haven't seen Steve in at least 5 minutes.

Oh..it's almost 11:30 and I need to get on the el to go meet Chris Day for lunch. He's back in town so I'm going to meet him and then heading to the Art Institute, and maybe to do a little bit of xmas shopping.

OK, 5 more minutes and then I have to go. Hurry up David.

Here's Steve! He's leaving school and heading to his car. There's something on his car--another prank by stoner! Oh, I can't wait! Hold on, this doesn't make sense. If Steve's got after-school detention every day, how on earth did Stoner pull another prank on him if Stoner is also a permanent resident of detention? And why is the student parking lot full, since they both have after-school detention?

Is that a brushed silk dusty red shirt with a black placard and black rayon pants? Closer inspection reveals a collarless, Member-only style jacket, but done in a red silk, with a black collared shirt underneath. Steve's so RICH!!! And stylish.

Anyway, prank ensues---and it's described above (Blogger won't let me re-arrange this post, so it may be confusing).

Oh shit, I really have to go.

WOW WEDNESDAY

2008-12-17T19:14:00.003-05:00

Dear Readers:

All is not lost! I have joined the gym. So, that kills two hours! And today, I went to Ranalli's afterwards, and caught up on emails, vaguely did some musical theatre research.

I also worked on a super-secret Christmas Project!

OK, who am I kidding, my parents don't read this...it's a picture calendar for them.

I am doing it on my Mac, and, as usual, even though everyone LOVES their Mac, this seemingly easy-to-do on the Mac project is proving hard to me.

The problem is two-fold--I am working with pics my family sent me and my mac won't allow me to save them to the appropriate I-Photo folder. Weird, right?

Once in the calendar mode, if i want to add pics into the calendar/folder I am working from, I-photo won't let me. It's like, you have to know what pics you want ahead of time or you are PUNISHED!

I am on-hold with Apple right now---and Seal is SCREAMING in my ear. It's like, I get it, you're the cool music people, chill out!

Anyway, tonight is all about finishing this "easy" Christmas project for my parents.

And some TOP CHEF!

And see what Brenda and crew are up to. I love when David sings his "music".

Tomorrow, I'm going to work out in the morning (who's obssessed? me!) and then to the art institute, lunch with a friend and then late-r night andersonville. With Glogg to follow!

Yay!

There's no stopping me now!

I am so so productive!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

2008-12-16T15:33:00.002-05:00

Sniffen called this morning to invite me on a winter wonderland stroll. And right he is! It is like a snow globe out there!

I'm going to go shovel and then go downtown to meet an old friend for coffee.

Stay safe!

This is a boring blog.

My dirty secret--I've been watching 90210, Season 3. I think this must be the ultimate season, because it's the one where Dylan and Kelly cheat on Donna. It's also the gang's senior year---and so far, Steve has been expelled from school, Brandon has been named editor-in-chief, he saved his girlfriend from her abuser, a rock n'roll key-tarist named Diesel, who is fully adult, and fully "addicted", he's brought together a poor school where two students were killed in the stands of a football game and West Beverly, he was the first to visit Andrea in the hospital, who was hit by a hit and run driver, and been Steve's confident prior to his expulsion. Oh! He tried to get a homeless Desert Storm Veteran back on track, too, but with limited success.

And it's only thanksgiving!!!

I love this show...and even though Andy says it makes his brain melt, Tim says it's ok if I keep watching it.

I think I hear one of the neighbor's shovelling!!!

oh boy!

2008-12-13T15:32:00.004-05:00

I've been spending time with Daphne, my roommate's super-niece, since one of her moms is pretty sick right now.

Daphne is at a hilarious age whereby she is a sponge and repeats everything you say.

So, I've recently taught her these gems, and she repeats them back to me like a little puppet:

--How to throw snow and watch the flakes fall in the sun

--How to make her lips stick out like Mick Jagger when she hears a stones song (I never did get into the solo mick stuff)

--I asked her the name of her new Christmas baby doll, and suggested that she call it Becky. She agreed!!! Now she's got a squishy, Christmasy doll that she uses for a pillow and calls Beecky.

Editors note: When my sister Beth was pregnant with Ali "this is bullshit" Gawen, I kept suggesting that she name her li'l Becky. In my mind, it was a bit until one day after Allison was born, Beth brought it up and said it was a LOT of pressure from me. At the time, she was nursing, which always results in her getting pissed at her sisters, so I tried to take it with a grain of salt. I mean , nursing is good for the baby, but it makes sisters BITCHY.

And my FAVORITE thing Daphne's picked up from me is the expression "Oh Boy!" Yesterday, girlfriend was NOT interested in a nap and consequently, I did not get my afternoon nap, either.

Yes, I do nap at the same time as the baby. Heather has to leave at 715 in the am, so I get up around 615 to get over there and if Daphne's sleeping, I'm sleeping.

But, she wouldn't go down. She wanted me to come into her room, so she was trying to offer me incentives for coming in to get her. She started calling out "Beeky? Beecky?". Then, she "read" her book (I mean, I'm not stupid, I know she's not really reading out loud to me. She can't read yet and she still can't even get her colors right. For real, like that reading out loud is going to trick me.) And then, her little fingers come under the door frame...nope. But then, here's the thing that sort of killed me, she started to say "Beeky! Beeky! Oh Boy! Oh Boy" Oh Daphne! By then, Heather was home, so she went in and calmed her down.

I went and saw Milk, which was very good. It has Shaun Landry, an old-school improv lady in it. She's got her hair in a fro and she's wearing a very tribal African thing and nodding along with Harvey Milk at a press conference. It's a very important moment, but Dori and I just bust out laughing to see Shaun. She was great, of course, but it surprised me and then delighted me.

I've certainly got the Christmas Spirit this year, mostly because I'm really bored (see the last boring entries on being bored and they are boring). Today, after rehearsal (I am doing some stuff!), I went to the grocery store and bought food like I'm a suburban mom.

A lot of it is comfort food, because it's gusty out, and I was hungry. Smoked Sausage (I'll make the with saurekraut on New Year's Day...hmmmm), two pieces of porterhouse, beef cut into stew pieces (I'm making Stroganoff in the slow cooker tomorrow) and lots of produce.

And now, I just took a shower, lathered myself with my $24 dollar body butter and am sipping on my coffee.

Nmmm Yummm purrr purrrrr purrrrr

Next week, I'm going to make BUCKEYES! And maybe some no-bakes!

Things have really picked up here

2008-12-11T11:42:00.003-05:00

At boredom headquarters.

I worked out on Monday! For like, an hour and a half!

I watched a movie on Tuesday night!

Wednesday, was super-packed, as I volunteered to attend a hearing about our in-violation back porches. It was so exciting to watch the world's most boring legal procedures, it made me think I should have become a lawyer!

Wednesday night, I went over to Lis' and read her paper!

And today, I woke up at 9:20 go --that's like the crack of dawn! Then, I got coffee, and really intended to go outside and shovel or go out and get groceries and go for a power walk.

Instead, I went on to facebook, checked my email, drank coffee and chatted with Andy. He's really busy, but his boyfriend Jon is really really busy. As Andy put it, "He has one of those old-fashioned jobs where you actually have to work work."

I then felt incredibly guilty for not taking advantage of this time in my life and writing the great american novel or some such nonsense.

But then, I remembered/reminded Andy that I've been working really hard my whole life, so don't I deserve a break?

He agreed, and then said..."At least your getting a lot of writing done."

Um, not true.

But I am all caught up on the real housewives of orange county! And why did Lauri leave? She was the only classy one of that whole bunch...but her son was on drugs, so there's that. Plus, who pays $599 for hair extensions for your daughter and step-daughter? What world do these ladies live in?

And my favorite white trash moment was when those other two gals with long, layered dyed blonde hair and boob jobs went to Napa with their husbands and went to a very nice restaurant and were confused by the fancy menu. They refused to try anything new, and were so trashy! I felt like such a know-it-all when the one with shorter bangs thought she knew what Foie gras was, and she was wrong! I knew what it was! Ha-ha, I am smarter then you ladies, even though you have a lot more money, live in a sunny place and have children! I am smarter! I AM SMARTER!!!

Must go shower.

I'm bored bored bored

2008-12-07T15:34:00.003-05:00

So, I decided to go on another walk, today. Those are always stimulating and refreshing in the winter. I walked up to town (as in Andersonville) and then walked some treacherous side streets, too. The Northside Catholic Academy has a convent across the street, and the nuns were shoveling the sidewalk. I thought, I should stop and volunteer, but instead, I kept walking and listening to Mick. My go-to karaoke songs are always Stones, so I was thinking about how to match the pitch in Paint it Black, because it's low.

I also was thinking about all that I should be doing, and the holidays, but then the days just unrolled in front of me, big canvas sheets of blankness with hours to fill and no real deadlines, so I just kept walking until the album was done.

In about an hour, I'm meeting with Amy for a writing date.

I just got done talking to my mom, who has a much busier social schedule then mine, and she had a party for the 200 Club at St. Mary's, my growing-up parish, in Elyria, Ohio. The 200 club raises funds for the laypeople and teachers at the school, and they sat with Uncle Tom and Aunt Barb, and Michelle and Dave. The dinner was held at the hall, with Chicken Cordon Bleu and cheesy veggie medley. Yum

Then, tonight, she's going to the lady's auxilary Christmas dinner for the Elyria Polish Club. Our family is not Polish, but the Polish Club has a Clubhouse, with a bar, and fun parties, and a lot of my parent's friends and our relatives go. They sponsor bus trips to Casino resorts, which my parents really enjoy.

My Uncle John lives near the Polish Club, which is in the older, more rundown section of Elyria, just off either East Avenue or West Avenue. I've been there before with friends who grew up near there, in fact, Uncle John was his landlord, now that I think about it. Anyway, there was a little bit of time where we went to the Polish Club for cheap beers in the mid-90s. I haven't been since then.

Uncle John loves all things Polish---including the polka, which is big in Chicago. He should come in with my mom sometime and go hear Polka. I told him about the Polkaholics and NYE, but he hadn't heard of them.

My mom isn't sure what the Lady's auxiliary does, and could only report that it cost $30 per year to join and further speculate that they raised money for the not-forgotten box, a toy drive run by the Elyria paper, the Colorful Chronicle-Telegram. I just hope she gets to eat some good Polish food for dinner.

Anyway, tonight's the big Christmas Dinner, and Sandy Walker, a friend from Elementary School, might be there, too! We've emailed on Facebook, so I told my mom to tell her hello for me. My mom and dad will sometimes drive me a little bit crazy, because I'll get off the phone or check email, and they'll come up behind me to see what I'm doing. I think they do that to each other, share emails and phone conversations, but it drives me nutty because that's private and I don't want to tell them that I'm busy reading blogs or looking up the capital of Moldova because I'm getting a bit antsy from being home for 8 days.

Anyway, I told my mom that she should join Facebook, and she said "I don't want to get involved in any of that stuff" as though Facebook represented a political cause that was just too much for her to consider being a part of.

She said "I don't even return emails of people who email me. I can't type. Your dad handles all of that." I got off the phone then, because I was getting anxious to do some laundry before my writing date with Amy, and that takes all my attention. I also think I was annoyed because she had more to do then me.

The problem with not working, is that I really look forward to spending time with my friends on the weekends, and a lot of times, they are just wanting to chill out and hang at their houses, especially with the cold weather. So, I end up going on a lot of walks through Andersonville alone. Which is fine, but can drive a person crazy.

I need to get more done this week.

I admit it

2008-12-05T07:35:00.002-05:00

I will read celebrity gossip. I'm fine with it. In fact, I have an argument in my head that the way women socialize is to exchange information about themselves and others, so celebrity gossip is an extension of that behavior. I'm not saying it's a good thing---I don't think it would be fun to be someone who is gossiped about---but I do know that US and People are especially popular/marketed towards women my age--ladies in their 30s and 40s, particularly moms.

So, I *theorize* that with interaction limited (staying at home, or working, but not really going out so much and rushing home to take care of baby), that these women are looking for ways to connect, and turn to connect via role models like them. That's why the celebrity print media focus SO much on relationships, marriages, and babies. For real. Just take a minute, and look at the Star, US or People at your local newsstand---it's all about who's doing what with who.

Anyway, having said that, I still will say I read that shit. I'm not going to lie, I do.

Right now, the gossip is obssessed over A-Rod and Madonna. But, in almost every account of their burgeoning love, it references Madonna's arms and face, insulting them for aging.

But in the same source, it will then also insult Nicole Kidman for looking preternaturally young.

Which is it, celebrity gossip? Aging without shame, or aging and shooting yourself up with chemicals? What do you want from us?

Thank you , that is all.

If you don't have a job

2008-12-04T13:59:00.002-05:00

Here are some things you might do:

1) Wake up at 8:45. Decide to keep sleeping until 10:30. Or 11.

2) Make coffee.

3) Look at recipes for leftover turkey, and make a grocery list.

4) Go online to check email. Don't respond to email, because, hey, you have all day.

5) Listen to NPR stories about how terrorists fund their operations through minor illegal activity, such as ATM robbery, Credit Card Fraud, Tobacco Trafficking, etc. Think about other parts of the world.

6) Drink coffee.

7) Look at dishes in the sink. Observe crumbs on the floor. Notice piled up recycling. Get mad at roommate for generating all this mess. Decide not to clean it up to "teach" him a lesson instead of talking directly to him.

8) Drink more coffee, check facebook page. Think about going out for breakfast.

9) Recall that roommate put away dinner dish you left on coffee table, and didn't complain to you. Decide to take the "high" road and clean up after roommate...which he does a lot of with you.

10) Think about applying for job.

11) Check bank balances online.

12) Decide not to go to grocery store. Decide not to go out for breakfast.

13) Get dressed in casual, working at home outfit. You may workout, so best to not shower until you've made that decision.

14) Check outside temp. Damn, it's cold. Too cold to power walk?

15) Think about the sauna on the ships and warm weather and contemplate a job on the cruise ships.

16) Re-engage with writing assignment for ideation agency.

17) Get bored. Look up more recipes.

18) Start to watch Lost Season 4 Finales. Shout out "No Becky, turn it off, get to work."

19) Realize this is the first time you've spoken out loud today.

20) Email friend about movie and lunch date next week. Hope he will offer to drive (again).

21) Think about used bookstores where you can buy xmas presents for parents.

22) Consider selling CDs for money.

23) Check email. Don't respond again, because, hey, it's only 1. You have all day.

24) Think about xmas gifts for rest of the family. Oldest nephew teased you about Borders gift cards. Is it time to stop giving them? What would he like more? When did you become the not-cool aunt? Or, by virtue of nephew teasing, are you the super-cool aunt? Are you a bad aunt? Should you move back home?

25) Check email. Check lineage of Royal Family. You did not know that after Edward abdicated to marry the divorcee, Wallis Simpson, he was governor of the Bahamas for five years. Think about your trips to the Bahamas. Think to yourself, wait, was it Bermuda or the Bahamas? Go onto Wikipedia to confirm. Get distracted by reading of the parallels between Edward and Wallis and Charles and Camilla. Consider the claim that Edward had Nazi sympathies. Also, think about Rose Kennedy, wife of then-Ambassador Joe Kennedy, would not dine with Wallis.

26) Buckle down, really, and start writing.

27) Lunch time!

Long strange trip it's been

2008-11-30T23:14:00.002-05:00

"I was this close to Jerry...as close to him as you are to me right now"

Paul Gilbert, talking to Kitty about seeing The Jerry Garcia Band in SF in the 90s.

"I'm Mister Heat Miser, because I'm more little then Noah."

Simon Dover, telling me how he and his brother have split up the roles of the feuding Miser brothers from "A Year without a Santa Claus"

"That not the real Santa. He's a cartoon."

Noah Edward, explaining that the Rankin-Bass Santa was an entertaining imposter

"Oh. They don't know who the father is because both of the brothers donated sperm. So I guess we'll find out."

My mom, as we watched previews for "Brothers and Sisters" on ABC.

"You know who your dad likes."

"Gabby?"

"Yes. But I guess we all like Gabby the best"

Watching "Desperate Housewives"

"I don't want to committ to anymore tv."

"Oh. Why not? Your sister Beth watches it too"

And my mom has a point. It's not like I'm working or anything.

One more day.

Wide awake in Ohio, the state that made it all ok

2008-11-25T02:17:00.002-05:00

At midway airport, I perfectly timed it out so that I could enjoy a nice Potbelly's dinner, ideally pre-flight. Thankfully, after navigating my way through the "expert" traveller line of security, and being hampered only by my large earrings and not by the unrevealed liquids in my carry-on...I arrived at Potbelly's, ordered (skinny turkey, with mushroom and provolone, on wheat), had them doctor it up (yes, everything except hot peppers. I had them add the mayo, and man, it's really a different sandwich with the mayo. It's so so so good) and then went to head to the gate. And jumping jackpot--I was at gate B-1, right across from Potbelly's! I knew it was going to be a good flight.

I opted to save my cookie and enjoy it with my cup of coffee on the plane. That coffee I had planned on in my caffeine intake.

Then, I landed in Ohio, and was delighted to see Vanessa Bayer as I bustled my way out of Cleveland Hopkins. She's a Chicago improviser, and I think, early on when we first met, we talked about both being from the Cleveland area. Anyway, she was on her way home, so was I, but it was a delight to see her.

But then, no Eldridge of any kind to be seen at our secret Eldridge pick-up spot (departures, directly under the Southwest Air sign, shhh..don't tell anyone...but it's been our spot for at least 20 years).

Turns out, my mom thought I was coming in tomorrow morning. And she was correct. At one point in my thanksgiving travel plans, I did consider coming in on Tuesday morning. What a dumbass move that would have been! I would have had to get up at 4 for a 6:30 am flight..probably even sooner then 4. No way Jose. So, I changed it to the night before, and here I was.

Thankfully, my dad hopped into the car, and I had a nice long article to read in newsweek (they had a dedicated staff who did all this behind-the-scenes reporting that they are only now writing about after the election--it's fascinating), so waiting was no trouble.

Which brings me to my point---there was a Starbucks kiosk right there--and at my dad's suggestion "Get a coffee, or better yet, a bourbon" I decided to get a decaf coffee. But now, I am wide awake in sleeptown, so I'm thinking, the bourbon would have been the better choice. I think they served me decaf. I wasn't paying much attention, and in a burst of holiday spirit, I was very enthusiastic with the tired, dragging worker, despite the fact that she took a while to wait on me because she was refilling coffee grinders, and jawing away with her Hopkins co-workers. So, she may have made me a caff instead of decaff out of spite or in despite of her completely unmasked annoyance at my cheerful chirp of a greeting/order.

So, I'm home, in my sister's bedroom (it's technically know the guest room, but I always think of it as Kitty's room from High School), and am pretty awake.

I did enjoy an Edmund Fitzgerald's with my mom as we watched House Hunters, International. They always buy the place, and then the gal gets pregnant and they want to add on to the terrace.

Anyway, even after reading the paper, I am still wide awake.

And I am in Ohio.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Out of work

2008-11-20T00:27:00.002-05:00

So, I don't have a job right now. I've had a few money-generating here and there jobs (babysitting, sub teaching at Second City), but no real, pay the mortgage, job job comes in until February.

Which means, that right now, I can fill my time however I chose to fill it. This week, I babysat twice, I did laundry and chores all day on Tuesday, and tomorrow, I'm going on a lunch with an advertising friend, to visit, and see about jobs.

I am at a point where I am starting to think about how can I get the cool jobs I've always thought about? Something in tv production? That was my major.

Or, a freelance writer?

How about working for NPR?

Or, maybe on an EXCITING movie set!

I like libraries, coffee shops and walking, what job can I get that involves those things?

I am information-interviewing, deck-researching, sleeping-in fool who is experiencing a high level of idea generation, but a low level of actual doing it.

I guess it's similar to the cruise--with the option of all day to do something, what do you get done?

Anyway, at least here, I can do laundry, cook, clean, go on walks in the real outdoors, and get some stuff done. Though, at times, it feels like I'm re-arranging deck chairs instead of focussing on the big goals.

But what are the big goals? Writing? Acting? Sales? Money? Creativity?

That is the question.....

Dirty weekday

2008-11-18T12:37:00.003-05:00

Andy's just slipped out the door to head to a gig...and now it's my special time in the condo, all alone. I close the blinds to block out the burning glare of the midday sun...I sneak into my room, and quickly get dressed. If I wear a bra, I feel like at least I'm capable of leaving the house.

I have nothing today---no work, no job, no obligations.

I check my email, I throw some laundry in and start some handwashing.

I turn on NPR and half-listen to Terry Gross as I do dishes (why does Andy leave the dirtiest of dishes---a pan with dried up omelet residue--a perfect tissue thin egg crepe that sticks in the middle--why his pot full of steel cut oatmeal--why is that dish the one he doesn't clean?).

I make a fresh pot of coffee as I can not tolerate old coffee on a day like this.

I slowly peel my grapefruit as the coffee brews, the smell slowly released as I peel the thin skin and then the inner white layer, making sure not to marr the perfect pink segments.

I prep my special coffee and put my grapefruit on my favorite little plate, turn off Terry and ease myself into the living room.

I switch the cables on the TV to make the VCR go away and the cable start....I see the snow fall in Indy and try to pretend that I am snow-bound to justify this naughty naughtiness.

Andy doesn't like the TV on in the day, and neither do I, usually.

But today, on a Tuesday, when I have no job and no plans...I am going to watch last week's episode of Amazing Race. Oh so dirty! And I may throw in The Office! Or even, a random sex and the city!

I'll do laundry, I'll sort mail and do some household chores...but TV during the day?

I better close all the blinds or someone will see!!!!

Dirty dirty dirty.

I'm so hungry!

2008-11-12T13:09:00.003-05:00

I think, that after all the ape-dom (you can see the final shows soon on www.impresstheseapes.com), the visit from Phil from the ships, and my mom and dad, I haven't eaten at home in what seems like months.

And I'm so so hungry right now, that I am going to write this very fast, then go cook eggs, with goat cheese and maybe some pasta and tomato sauce and combine it all.

In reality, it's only been a few days...but today, I am doing LAUNDRY! Cooking a CHICKEN! Watching GREY's ANATOMY! Fielding CONTRACTORS! Finding a DOCTOR!

Or, just sipping coffee and looking at the leaves fall.

I'm so so so so happy to have some downtime.

I don't have a job, so if you have one for me, let me know and i will take it!

Other then that, it's a bit rainy...my parents left this morning and I'm in sweats inside on a Wednesday.

All is good.

Becky

Last night of Apes!

2008-11-10T13:55:00.004-05:00

Tonight's the final night of Impress These Apes.

I'm at home, because I don't have a job right now. I just finished up my final piece and am ready to go.

I'm really happy with my finale...it's something I've been working hard on and enjoyed more then other challenges so far.

Doing this show has been great, and I'm so excited to get some brain time back.

Time to work on the musical with Amy, time to look for a new job, time to figure out what else would be fun to do right now.

And, to be honest, time to watch some tv.

Andy really helped me with this last challenge. I like to collaborate with him. We work well together and have a way of knowing what the other person is trying to do and making it a million times better. Well, that's mostly him for me...but it is fun to have him come in and make things awesome.

And my parents are driving in from Ohio to visit for a power visit! It'll be a quicky one-day--come see the show, hang out at party, hang out tomorrow---but it'll be great.

Then, life starts again!

Happy Monday world....I'm so happy and hopeful and excited to be in it today.

Pagaent!

2008-11-03T23:55:00.002-05:00

For Apes tonight, I really phoned it in. I didn't give much effort to my three areas of evaluation (it was a Beauty Pageant) and I pulled out an old bit from Band Geeks for the talent portion.

One of my goals with Apes has been to create new material each week...but tonight, it just wasn't happening.

My apes experience has been really wonderful---and I wish I could re-do all the challenges.

I'm definitely not an outside-of-the box thinker for these--I think I've done everyone very literally, and by the rules (if the video is supposed to be 3 minutes, then, by god, I'm not going to go over).

It's not really about the judging (well, you can pretend it's not, but it is) but it's also about putting stuff up every week.

And I realize, my ha ha area is really more in writing in an ensemble.

I really enjoyed doing stand-up, I LOVED the pageant tonight because I felt like utter crap and I still did the handstand in the baton section. On no food!

I have to say, I'm looking forward to the show being over.

And not having it hanging on my brain ALL the time.

So, one more week, I've got my thing figured out. I just need to do it now for the finale.

I'm finally on the Barack train

2008-10-23T20:49:00.001-05:00

And these wonderful pics did it for me...if only I could figure out how to link them.

Vote OBAMA!

Hillary for Secretary of State....

End of the contract as we know it

2008-10-20T08:08:00.003-05:00

And I feel freaked out.

Everyone get that 90s reference?

When I was moving one time, my roommate Andy pointed out to me that I had a lot of cds from the 90s--Sting, REM, Arrested Development, etc . I am just now realizing that's because I worked at Camelot Records for those 4 weeks or so in my senior year in high school. I was mostly placed in the cassingle section, but I did spend some time in CDs. I was really tooty back then...so I would lay a stinker and then slide down the Cassingle wall and hope that Camelot Customers would blame it on one of the community college kids who worked there full-time.

I also stockpiled cds when I joined the cd clubs. You know, where you could get 12 cds for the price of 1. BMI?

Anyway, I hearted REM a ton a ton a ton.

What I don't heart right now is the economy that results in me not having another contract once this one is up.

I keep saying I'll get a job dog-walking, or start to babysit....but that money doesn't compare at all to a job job....so I've got to save my pennies.

Maybe this blog will become the quirky story of a girl forced to save, but along the way, she discovers herself, true love and the meaning of friendship.

Except, I haven't been wasting my dollars on designer bags and fabulous dresses. I mean, I did buy some stuff at Banana Republic this summer for work, and we can all admit that's pretty high-end for me. But, I still have pleather brown boots that hurt my feet (take that boot makers) because I'm not willing to spend more then $50 on new boots that will probably have a heel, be too narrow for my wide foot and not practical for downtown commuting.

What do you do with the boots if you wear them at work and at home? Do you commute back and forth in your snow boots, and then put the boots in an extra bag? Where does your lunch fit in?

I get confused on these issues.

But, for now, I don't have to worry about any of that because I DON'T HAVE A JOB at the end of this week.

Yikes.

If you have a nice, cool, awesome job, please let me know!

I can do media planning, buying, research, I can sell advertising, I can do marketing tasks, I can analyze data like no one's business.

But what I'm really interested in doing is maybe working on a tv set or film for this winter. Or, doing some production work or something.

HELP!!!!! Or these children will not get my hand-me-downs to play dress up or a borders gift card from Aunt Becky this Christmas.....

My mom is making me laugh this fall

2008-10-17T13:33:00.002-05:00

All the time.

She's finally started to watch the Apes online, and her comments are hilarious. She hates the judges, doesn't always understand what's going on with the scenes she sees ("I didn't get that you were Lewis and Clark, so I had to watch it again"), and speculates that the Apes aren't fair judges.

We all know that, and sometimes it plays to our advantage and other times disadvantage, blah blah blah.

But, her thoughts and advice on what I should do for the challenges are really funny...she is seeing that boys are winning, and that there's a lot of male nudity, so her suggestion for last week was for me to dress like a boy, stuff my pants ("with a pickle!"), wear a vulgar t-shirt, and use my chest ("But don't get naked, honey.").

This week, for the dance challenge, "You should do a belly dance!"

And my niece Alli has been using the word bullshit, which is completely inappropriate for a two-year old, but her use of it has been completely appropriate. So, my mom's advise for dealing with the judges "Tell them...This is BULLSHIT. You're all assholes."

My mom's always had some sass to her, but she's a lady who would never confront someone, preferring to bottle it up inside. But between my dad getting sick again this year, and her approaching 70, there is no stopping her right now.

And I love it.

They are coming to the show next week....

I'm off to go work on my dancing!

Happy Friday everyone.

This weather is BULLSHIT!

The Moment after, the Night after, the Day after

2008-10-14T18:56:00.003-05:00

It's Tuesday and it's really really fall.

Today was a great day...I got a job lead, I am doing laundry, I have cooked pasta to eat, I have an avocado and two red peppers and a book to read.

I try to let Tuesdays go a bit in terms of Apes....I generate ideas but try not to force it.

Last night was really fun. I got to sing with a really great band, and we're going to try to go see them on Thursday as a cast...so that's very cool.

I am in last place again for apes.

Sigh. It happens. It will be what it is.

I am going home to Ohio for over a week at Turkey Day! So excited!

Elections are coming UP!

Good bye

Falling into the past

2008-10-11T11:53:00.002-05:00

So, this week, I was reminded that even though a show can consume MY life, it isn't consuming everyone else. It's good to get perspective.

Last week on Apes, I lost. Why do I phrase it like that? Well, dear readers, I am completely, absolutely 100% competitive.

On a good day, it plays out well---I get my stuff done, I am inspired and creative and just competing with myself like the books that tell you how to live a good life encourage you to do.

"A little competition is a good thing, human. But don't let it go too far or it's self-destructive!"

On a bad day, I get super super pissed, a little bit depressed, a bit more defeated and unmotivated and don't even feel like bothering to try.

This apes show has been mostly good days...and this week continues to be.

But oh man, I was freaking pissed off last Monday.

Without going into it, I lost. And, I lost for the scene that I chose to do, so I should be ready for it. It wasn't my best performance ever or my best-written scene. But, the scene was what I wanted to do from the beginning. And the judging was what it was.

But what surprised me the most is what always surprises me about myself (lots of self-indulgence going on here, dear readers)...I am really freaking competitive.

So, here's to another week of good days and managing that competitive spirit and being a little bit bad sometimes.

This week was also nice because I got to be reminded of the past, both good and bad. I had three mini-reunions with old friends--from Tatham, from my old writing group Bette and online with the Tower Players from college. How nice it is to remember these really formative groups. That sentence just sounded like my grandma could have written it.

But seriously, I loved it so much.

On the bad front, I saw a person from the past that I could do without seeing. Just have no room for that person in my life. And person chose to force the issue. I will not engage. I will not person. Go away and stay away. Time does not make it all ok.

In real news (instead of personal vendettas and reflections on self), I am wrapping up my job, and don't have another one lined up.

So, maybe I'll be dogwalking again? Or, living on ramen noodles (their sales are sky high because of the economy. I feel like people (including myself) lob that word around like they do global warming. It's tough, because of the ECONOMY. I am worried about my mortgage because of the ECONOMY. Blah blah blah).

Anyway, two more weeks and then I am done.

Last night, Andy and I went to see Nick and Norah's infinite playlist at the fancy theatre in Evanston. Those ceilings are so tall! We got popcorn, and snuck Diet Dr Peppers into the theatre. Although we lost our popcorn in a tragic arm shifting incident, the DDPs were delish and the company was delighftul.

I really enjoyed the movie---that Michael Cera is really great as that character he plays. And everyone seemed so cool and hip for high school kids. Parking seemed very easy for both a large band van and a small ironic car. They never had to look for it, but always seemed to running up on curbs, but then not caring too much. Ha ha ha we're teenagers!

But, it was really good. I'm going to go read some reviews so I can now what I'm supposed to think and say about it.

Today, I was going to ride down to the green market but all those organic farmers with hefty shoulders, hot beards and canvas money aprons have probably packed it up for the day so I'm lounging in the office, thinking about breakfast sandwiches from Potbelly's and going for a stroll.

enjoy your saturday. the leaves are changing. pick out your pumpkins.

ps--My stupid Mac won't let me see the pics I chose, so I randomly chose this one and posted it.

I don't know if it matches the blog entry at all....

Stop Blogging! Learn those lines dummy!

2008-09-29T11:18:00.002-05:00

why am i blogging? why am I blogging?
I have apes tonight and am going over dance, song, scene and lines. I am getting sidetracked by costumes.

I am very excited to the show tonight.
our challenge was to write a 5 minute scene, leading up to an existing musical song, and then sing the song and do choerography.

I think Peter and I have something really great.

But damn, it was like birthing a baby to get this idea.

I think it plays to both our strengths, shows a fun side of ourselves and hits areas that we both wanted to be (silly, fun, goofy dancing).

So, here we go apes!

On another note, that Green City market in Lincoln Park on Saturdays is one of the favorite things I've ever done. There was fiddling, crepes, and I literally heard a non-British person say behind me in line..."I'm going to get a crepe with tomatoes." She put the emphasis on the first syllable, and pronounced it "TOE matoes" instead of "ToMAToes". I expected her to call her aunt an "Ahnt" and say "Febrary" instead of Feburary like we all say it.

I don't get off on correct pronunciation because I have trouble with it. I blame my bum ear and years of speech therapy to try to improve it---but get over yourself. You come off as pretentious to me.

Anyway, off to learn some lines!

Wish me luck.....two lost souls....

Apes! Apes! Apes!

2008-09-21T18:24:00.002-05:00

Busy week coming up!

Impress these apes opens....yikes! Please come please come please come!

I can get comps....let me know!

www.impresstheseapes.com

Margaret and John's wonderful wedding was last night.

Out on the water, they got married 'neath the bridges and towers of downtown Chicago.

Sun, water, river, so lovely. (I think I overuse that word).

And I'm also excited to be participating in the Neutrino Project...we opened last Wednesday at comedy sportz. I'll be in the show every other week.

Finally, I need a job! Please let me know if you have one for me!

Much love--

Becky

Games

2008-09-11T00:25:00.000-05:00

wowzer. I just got back from a game night, and man, it was a GOOD one! I love freaking playing games so so so so much....the randomness of the luck, the strategy you chose to use, the intensity in which you embark, the competitiveness that comes out of me---I am completely and utterly jazzed and pumped up.

I love games!

And another game night on Saturday with the college friends.

Bring it!

Bridge over stinky water

2008-08-28T20:31:00.002-05:00

Hi!

I was waiting for the bus (I've completely shifted to bus commuting, by the way. It's faster. It's prettier. And it's nice to walk to the lake in the morning. That, by far, is my favorite part of it---the morning walk.)

I heard lights and sirens and looked up.

I saw that there was an official van of public ways or transit or works pulling around in front of the Michigan Avenue bridge.

I swarmed with the others to take a closer look at this rare occurence of the raising of the Michigan avenue bridge.

I drank in the sight of dapple lights, backlit buildings, and saw the underside of the bridge, the sideways flags and the wind whipping through the tourists and non-jaded Chicagoans alike.

I took pictures and pictures and pictures.

I am no longer in a craptastic mood.

I love this city.

I am going to end now.

I could never love anyone as I love my sisters...

2008-08-26T23:42:00.002-05:00

I just got off the phone with my sister, Kitty. Yes, Kitty. Was there ever such a wonderful name? Kit is doing great--here oldest son is starting at Elyria High School--our alumnus. Oh, I love Elyria High! Kit got to go there for freshmen orientation, and we were both jealous of Tad starting his freshmen year. It's such an exciting time---what do you take? Where do you go? Who do you know? Oh Taddy! It's hard for me to believe that he's a 9th grader. He's a big guy--6 feet something, and I call him the Gentle Giant. He's playing frosh football and got to be the co-captain at his first game! Kitty and I like to have cocktails togehter late night sometimes--we both pour cocktails and quote lines from Little Women to each other. Does anyone else think of Laurie everytime you see Christian Bale as Batman???? I do. Oh Laurie! You could never love Jo as she deserved to be loved.

Apparently, it's a pretty common thing for sisters to compete over what role they would play if they were in Little Women. I always claim Jo, free-spirited, a writer, single lady of a certain age. My sisters graciously concede, and claim themselves as Meg or Beth (but who wants to die?) No one ever wants to be Amy, because she only cares about money.

Anywho, it's breezy and lovely and I miss my family.

Welcome to the world baby Seth Eldridge!!!!

My brother welcomed a new baby into his family, and I'm just thrilled as can be.

Yay family!

This bus will now express....

2008-08-12T07:54:00.002-05:00

It's morning time, and I have an exciting public transportation update. I've discovered the charms of the 136 express bus, which picks me up at Sheridan and Foster (today I'm going to try to get picked up at Winnemac and Sheridan), speeds down Sheridan, and then expresses from Montrose to freaking Wacker Drive! It is so darn fast, and such an amazing ride along the lake---I really am thrilled.

I used to a 100% express bus gal. But, then I started taking the el, and express busses became a distant memory of views of the lake and jostling my coffee in the accordion section of a giant 145.

Plus, they are slow as molasses once they hit Michigan aveneue.

But this speed demon of a bus bypasses any part of Michigan, yet delivers me almost exactly to my door. I shave 12 minutes off my commute time, sometimes even longer.

Fun with public transit!

Flood! Flood! Flood!

2008-08-05T07:58:00.003-05:00

Holy crap!

It rained and rained and rained and rained yesterday. When I woke up in the morning, I thought for sure it was 4am, not 7:10---it was super dark and the sky looked green. Well, being the fan of Little House that I am, I certainly understand this to be twister weather. I longed to go outside and watch the cyclone come in, and then take shelter in the cellar as it passed by, then hop into the wagon to go help our homestead neighbors who were not as lucky, but in reality, tornadoes don't hit the city.

I've read this year that they actually could, and that Chicago has just been very lucky, but I've lived here for 14 years (read it and weep, suckers) and I can't recall a twister ever twisting it's way into the city proper.

My next thought was "I can't possibly go to work in this weather--I'd better set up plans to work from home." What? That's ridiculous--of course I can go to work--I have a trench coat AND an umbrella.

So, I begrudgingly left for the el, and even though I forgot my umbrella, I managed to be FINE and got to work in plenty of time.

Work was great---I'm liking this job and will like it even more when Paula comes back and I get to see her everyday. Stalker anyone?

Anyway, I took Lis out for her birthday (birthday lunch!) and then after working a bit late, headed up to Amy's for a writing session.

Here's how our sessions usually work: arrive. Host finishes preparing snacky dinner, offers drinks. Amy and Becky sit somewhere pleasant, catching up and visiting for a while. Becky or Amy get the notion of something the other can help with (in this case, as we were trying to download songs from Andy, I tried to figure out if something was making Amy's computer slow down. I don't know what I'm doing, so I ended up advising her to find the manual. brilliant, right?)

Next, adjourn to writing place, with writing accessories in hands (notebook, notecards, outline, pens). One of us yawns. Begin discussing another topic (I was trying to invest money in stocks, but wasn't sure how to pick them on ING. Discuss the benefits of a Roth IRA.)

Finally, begin writing. And that's the key right there. I think. If we actually begin to write, something comes out.

For the last two sessions, something has. This is good. I feel more excited about our new project then I have in a while.

But, in the middle of this halestorm of creative brilliance, outside was storming again. Big, scary ass lightning storms. Yikers. I snuck home during a break in it and walked, and it was raining on me---but not pouring until the very end. I like a good summer rain, and the pine trees on Glenwood and Foster smelled like my May roadtrip---piney and wet.

I got home and found out our basement was flooding. Like, for real flooding.

Today, there was no hot water because they had to turn of the gas on the water heater.

The skies are clear, and I did get a shower.

But surely this means I don't have to work, right?

Right.

Have a good one---have to run.

Chicago Shore Excursion

2008-08-03T12:04:00.004-05:00

Tim and I got a late start leaving the ship, I mean Andersonville, as we headed to our meeting point, whoops, umm, I mean, at Kayak Chicago (http://www.kayakchicago.com/--for God's sake, how do you embed links into a blog? Someone tell me please!)

We pulled up in the Sniffen Jeep (My preferred mode of transport whenever we go anywhere in the summer---the top's down, and Sniffen always has cool music playing), and walked into a ragtag bunch of folks, who were sawing and loading logs from a fallen tree into a pick-up truck. Behind them, in a patchy grassy lot were between 8 and 10 white carriages, minus the horses, with flowers painted on the side and velvet lining. To the right were long official "I go to Oxford, my mate goes to Cambridge, and we are big fans of rowing" kind of rowboats, all stacked up in what looked like a carrier. We continued on, with Sniffen commenting "I feel like we're about to negotiate with a Honduran, saying 'I can't pay $20, I only have $10' ". At the back of the lot was a picnic table with two bottles of unopened, and steamy water, 5 or 6 deluxe camp chairs a wood hut, with an ac unit stuck into the side of the wall, and inside, a counter, behind which a younger gal, with hair bleached from exposure to the sun, cheerfully greeted us. She gave us clipboards with waivers, and guided us to sit on the picnic table and fill them out. It was nice to be off the ship and on dry land again, I mean, it was nice to be on an adventure with Tim in the city I love.

(As a side note, I thought we were going kayaking on the lake this whole time, and up until Sniffen pulled up to Magnolia and North Avenue, just west of the hooker bridge on North, I imagined Kayaking, and then happily heading into the lake for a swim. I was happy to go down the river, but I really didn't need my swimsuit.)

We filled out the paperwork, stowed our backpacks in cubbies (mine had to be squashed, but Tim's fit in very neatly, I think he has a better sense of space then I do), and then after some basic instruction, we headed down to the dock.

Our gal tested our balance in the boat by having us get in, rocking it back and forth and declaring "you're good" and pointed out the way to downtown.

So, we were off!

We paddled towards a bridge, and passed our first observable creature (a big orange and white floating on the surface koi) and then came upon a small gaggle of geese diving for fish. As they dive their little black heads in, their big goose ass is revealed, and their butts had white tufts on them that looked almost like a second little white head popped out of the water--delightful!

Nearby floated one who, as Tim said, "Went diving but never came up" and that was our second dead animal!

We paddled into the city, stopping to chat, take pics, snack on pretzels and enjoy the views. At one point, we didn't know where the hell we were geographically, so that was exciting, too. Once we hit Chicago, and the Montgomery Ward complexxes, we primarily floated and pointed stuff out to each other. I pointed out to Tim, a large bronze statue on top of one of the buildings and said "That statue is important because, well, I can't remember why, but it is."

(Here's the entry from Wikipedia...22.5 foot bronze statue that originally topped the former Montgomery Ward Building on Michigan Avenue.^[4] An adaption of an earlier sculpture by Augustus Saint-Gaudens that had topped both Madison Square Garden in New York and the Agriculture Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the statue is called the Spirit of Progress, and depicts a woman dressed in flowing robes balancing on a globe and holding a torch in and a staff.)

A bit further down, just past the Merchandise Mart, we had to wait for all the passing traffic before we could turn and head towards the North/South crossing bridges. We waited a good 10 minutes, as a giant barge carrying dunes of dusty material (Salt? Grains? Dung?) passed by, a few private pleasure boats, the Fort Dearborn, the Innisfree, the lady of something and the Party Boat, the Seadog. We crossed that traffic swiftly and found ourselves in the more prominent part of the river---right downtown. People waved from the delightful dockside dining spots, two men stopped and watched us go by, another lady leaned over the railing and took my picture and even the workers in the middle of the water under one of the bridges stopped to wave. At one point, a Wendella boat was directly docked in our path and loading passengers, and we had to decide if it would see us or run into us when it was done loading. We paddled quickly around after I shouted "Follow the Sun Chaser" which was a small pleasure boat doing the same thing. I laughed and laughed and Tim just gave me his patented bemused but not understanding the joke Sniffen stare and that made me laugh even more. We should all listen to the command of "Follow the Sun Chaser".

I didn't have my cell phone, or I would have called my friends who work near the bridges to come wave and say hello, it was just a postcard-perfect pretty day.

We turned around just past the North Michigan Avenue bridge, navigated some "rapids" on the way back (what kind of water was pumping into the river at such a speed? But they were fun to "ride") and then headed back to North and Magnolia.

On the way home, we rode around the other side of Goose Island (much grittier and industrial) and wanted someone to tow us back to the dock in the last 20 minutes.

We finally hit land after 2 and a half hours, and were STARVING.

Tim took me to the Northside on Damen, with a promise of blue margaritas (they have those on the ship, too! I mean, oh never mind), but the waitress didn't know what Tim was talking about.

We got burgers and other fruity drinks, and chilled out watching the hipsters go by along with the moms with strollers and douchebags with hummers.

By the time we got back to port for all-aboard time (um, I mean, Andersonville for my writing date with Amy, is this device even working?) , we were satiated, blistered and utterly satisfied with our shore excursion.

It wasn't free and we didn't have to be an escort, but I highly highly highly encourage you to get out there---it's as though you get to see the buildings how they were meant to be seen---from the base up.

Happy Summer Chicago!

I did it!

2008-07-26T16:45:00.003-05:00

I just did this thing that really scared me, freaked me out and obsessed me. And the thing is, once I just let all of that go, it was fine. It wasn't brilliant, it wasn't terrible but I got through it.

Oh so VAGUE!

Anyway, on top of this THING, i also got a sweet-ass visit in with my oldest sister and her three youngest kids.

We walked around downtown, went to old Hancock for drinks, found a downtown playground for baby Allison and then the next day, we went to breakfast at Orange (our family tradition) and the beach (oh my god, you can swim in that lake, and it's really beautiful at North Avenue, with the buildings looming, and the lifeguards in their rowboats, I mean, wow), and went to the zoo (hello only one giraffe? Nice Rhino, though) and then came home.

Dinner at Ranallis, where they do this great kids' pizza where you get to pick your own ingredients and make your own pizza, and then walked around Andersonville. Home for ice cream (Skinny cow ice cream sandwiches and weight watchers toffee bars....mmmm) and then bed.

I got up early with Baby Allison, and we walked and walked while I sang my song. She tried to counter with old MacDonald had a farm, but only seemed open to pigs, and not into cows.

Then, we went to a playground and she was hi-larious. Like, running around, "Get me Becky", couldn't breathe because she was laughing so hard, hi-larious. I love all the little kids so much, but when you get that one-on-one time, it just slays me.

We then hit some garage sales (Jayna loves a bargain!) and then Huey's for hot dogs, and then they hit the road.

I am not ashamed to say that I cried when they left...it feels so lonely to have your family here for a tease---like, I live in Chicago! Just like you! And then they go away. Oh ohio!

Anyway, I showered, practiced for my VAGUE BIG THING and then just got done.

Early night tonight, with some drinks on the deck and hanging out in the hood.

Tomorrow is early Brunch day, and then rehearsal and then writing then party. Then lots of rest.

Because guess what else happened? The baby came. Not mine, but the baby for the lady who I am filling in for over the next three months. I've been working here and there, but, as of Thursday, officially, I am a sales rep for Family Circle magazine, 4 days a week.

I like the job and am actually excited about it.

But yikes, my summer of fun is OVER!

Well, not quite, but it's been very nice.

By the way, my car does not like to start everytime you ask it too, so my sister beth and I pulled up her car to give it a jump. We both opened our hoods, looked at the cables, and looked at each other, like, now what do we do?

We half-heartedly tried to jump the dumb thing, but it was hot and we were a bit tired, so we shut the hoods and agreed that we should know how to jump cars. I'll ask my brother to do it when he comes in two weeks---he knows the intricacies of cars.

Have a good Saturday!

Falling Water

2008-07-18T13:25:00.004-05:00

Everyone in my family likes to make fun of tour guides. On Sunday, we were all at Falling Water (the Frank Lloyd Wright one!) in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. We arrived at the visitor center, checked in for our party of nine, and then walked down the path to the actual house. We were all so excited---my parents were holding hands, we admired the blooming mountain laurel (it's like rhodendendrums, but they're wild and grow on the hillsides) and arrived at the actual house.

Unfortunately, we were greeted by a lady who was I'm sure well-informed, but a bit of a drip. Around us were other groups who seemed to have more fun, brighter and lighter guides and people were laughing and skipping their way through the most significant home of American Architecture while we were with a dour, sour, lady with a dripping nose and who seemed put out by our group.

Included in our group was my mom, dad, sister-in-law Amy, sister Beth, nephews: Casey, Ben and Tad, niece Jayna and me. A jolly multi-generational family lot!

During the actual tour, each member of my family shrugged at each other behind Ms. Drip's back as if to say "Ay yah yii!". Amy came up, elbowed me, rolled her eyes at me. I nodded agreement as subtly as I could, and then shifted to listen more closely to how the Kauffman family would expand the dining room out into the main living area via leaves, accomodating up to 18 diners.

Recently, my parents were in town and we went on the Culture and Commerce tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and our guide was a drip, too. We had receivers that had a few channels. My dad, after shuffling and purposely ignoring the guide and falling behind the main group, figured out that he could change channels to hear another guide he deemed better. So, while we were facing the Carson-Pirie Scott building, hearing about the unique exterior ornamentation on the main entrance, my dad was facing the other direction, in direct defiance of our guide's guidance, listening to another guide's guidance on the Reliance Building.

Back at Falling Water, my dad asked a question of the guide and was clearly disappointed by the answer, and mumbled "Well, okay, oh, never mind" and put his hands into his khakis and looked away from the features the guide was pointing out.

Even the kids got into the act, making faces at me with their eyes rolling and tongue lolling.

I mean, I agreed, but I don't think we just indicate privately in a public area our displeasure with someone we've been assigned to show us Falling Water for the next hour. But, they did, and so I stuck to the front of the back, and when I was cornered by each kid mumbling "She's kind of weird looking" I'd encourage them to notice the flagstone floors or Wright's use of his trademark Cherokee red to distract them from the drip.

I didn't want to be accused of being a snobby stick-in-the-mud who won't join in on the anti-tour guide antics, but I was worried we'd get caught. Subtlety is not really in the Eldridge blood-line. We are vocal people who like to indicate their pleasure or displeasure in a clear and boisterous manner. It made me nervous that we'd get in trouble and I got stressed out a little bit.

Outside of the snarky comments and gestures from my family, we really all enjoyed the house and the wonderful grounds so much. The coolest thing to me was the guest pool---fed by the natural spring waters. Also, I always thought the waterfall flowed directly through the house--not true! It's built right next to the house---but you can access the stream via a clever set of stairs that lead down to the water. Can you imagine? "Honey, it sure is hot today in our architecturally significant home, with our floors quarried from our own property." "Yes honey, let's take go down these stairs, not to the basement, but to our abundantly flowing and cooling natural spring." "Don't forget to grab your towels, that are available at all Kaufmann's in the greater Pittsburg area."

They actually left the artifacts of the Kaufmann family, so it would seem as though they had just stepped out to lunch. So the above dialogue is not completely unrealistic.

And you can see the waterfall from the cantilevered balconies. And the flagstones are waxxed with Johnson's wax to a bright sheen so one gets the ALLUSION of water flowing out from the main fireplace.

Anyway, it was really wonderful and we had such a fun time.

We also went whitewater rafting on the "Yough" river in the Ohio-Pyle state park. The younger kids and moms went to Storybook Forest, but we hit the rapids. Yeah, I'm pretty bad-ass.

This week, I finally got my taxxes done and turned in, I took the train out to Hainseville to visit a friend and her family (2 hours each way--YIKES), went for a long long bike ride along the river, worked downtown for a bit, saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (my favorite part was the Dracula musical---so funny and wonderful) and went for a long long walk along the lake.

Today is laundry and clean-up day, then meeting friends downtown for a cocktail and then heading back up here for a BBQ.

Enjoy your weekend!

Catching up

2008-06-28T12:39:00.003-05:00

I've been pretty busy the past few weeks and definitely starting to feel more engaged with the world then when I first got back to Chicago.

First off, I want to recommend a show---"Campaign Supernova or something blah blah blah secondary title" at the Second City etc. I saw this show on Thursday, with good old Homer, and it was amazing. Everyone in it was really strongly represented, the solo bits were great, the group stuff, the lady stuff, the guy scenes, the thoughtful two-person relationship scenes, the blackouts, the giant puppets, the scene with Whist---it was all there. But, it was so WONDERFULLY well-executed and directed. I mean, go see this show. I don't want to oversell it--but it's really great.

What else--I returned from Ohio, and had a full plate the last two weeks. I taught sketch comedy in the afternoon to teenagers at Second City. The first two days that I taught, I wore myself out! I came home at 4 or so, and then literally napped from 6 to 8. I haven't exerted myself in such a significant manner in a long time, so I needed to get some zzzs, apparently.

I also saw the Swell Season at the Chicago theatre--what a treat! It's the couple from the movie Once, and they sing all their songs, and then the Frames played some songs. They invited a little boy who's version of the Hoover song from the movie is on YouTube, and he came down and sang for us, too.

I gathered a group of people to go see Andy's solo show, Sybil, at the SC Skybox. Along with the etc, I highly HIGHLY recommend this show, too. Andy is really doing wonderful, unique, amazing improvisation in this show--he sings, he plays multiple characters, he does monologues and it's just wonderful. Andy doesn't live in any one theatre--he's never trained at IO, and has always done his own thing. A lot of people don't know him, but then once they do, they adore him. His Sybil show is like that, too. It has a certain amount of people who know it, but then a lot more should be seeing it.

Oh my gosh! I totally forgot about the opening of LaughOutLoud theatre at the Streets of Woodfield! Lillie Frances, a very funny lady and astute business owner, has re-branded, re-done and grand opened this theatre, and it's wonderful. The opening night included a ribbon cutting with the leader of Schaumburg! (He's not called the mayor, maybe the president of the village?) Anyway, he came, cut some ribbons, and was very nice. Then Lillie and crew had food, three shows, and a champagne toast at the end of it all! It was so much fun, and a pleasure to see so many familiar faces. Go improv power!

And finally, I saw Liz Phair at the Vic, playing Exile in Guyville. I love love loved Liz Phair for many years. I agree with most---her self-titled album kind of sucked, compared to her other stuff. But, what I get such a big kick out of is that she will not apologize for it!!! And why should she? She probably spent an assload of time and energy and really likes/liked the album. So, she says f-you to anyone who tries to call her on that shit, and won't be bullied by critics/interviewers/fans into saying that it was a sell-out. In one interview in TimeOut, she turned the tables and told the reporter she doesn't even know what the word "Sell-out" means! Ha-ha! I love it---and I'm back into her again. Lot of Exile in Guyville playing in the Eninger/Eldridge household.

Today is all about reading in the sun, doing laundry and then an early dinner somewhere outside with Dori.

I hope you all are doing well....

The Rockin' Roller Coaster

2008-06-10T23:01:00.002-05:00

Just like the Gemini is a rarity---two roller coaster trains racing each other in exact mirror images across their wooden tracks, so is this entry a rarity---two blog posts in one day.

Today, was amazing. My mom ended up leaving dear old Dad at home, and came out to the "Point", too. My sisters, man, they put together quite a visit to Cedar Point. Kitty, my badass sister, is running a scam with her youngest, Simon "Sunshine"---who's quite the biggest cutest smile and tiny little afro-able curls ever. So, her and Brian, her husband, put little 5-year old Simon in flip flops so he doesn't have to pay full fare at the ticket office, but then, when it comes to riding rides, they put him in his thickest-soled shoes and pad them with newspaper and toilet paper, and pick out his hair, so he can ride the big kid rides. It works---and that kid is completely non-plussed by the scariest of rides. He also HATES it if you mess with his hair, but loves pointing out directions to you, if you are heading in the wrong way. He's got big paws and he uses them to gesture and indicate the proper path. Anyway, we Eldridges don't pay full price if we can figure out a scam (I mean, we learned this at our father's knee, I was always shrinking down at national parks and various industrial tour sites to pass as younger, and cheaper then I am). So, my sisters carted in lunch meats, cans of pop and chips and fruit---and the funny thing, I thought the kids would be bummed to not be eating the park junk food---and they could not have given less of a shit. In fact, they know the whole drill---and really just continue to amaze me. My whole family---they just don't allow their kids to convince them that they need everything to be the latest and greatest and even today, Jayna said how much she loves garage sales. She's 10. I guess it could all change---but growing up, my mom never really wore make-up, and never cared about fashion or labels and I'm proud of all that. As TVs grow bigger, and cars get more expensive, and house prices rise--I just don't want to spend money trying to get things I don't need, or want. So, in their own simple way, when our family day at Cedar Point involves coolers, and brought-in food, I feel like cheering and yelling for joy--well-done family!

I'm pretty high on my family over the last few years. I mean, I've always been pro-Eldridge, but they just really delight and make me so happy in my 30s. I think I struggled more in my 20s as I tried to figure out my own identity and they just were all getting married and having babies. Now, we're all a bit more tuned into one another, and it's simply wonderful. I'm so very grateful.

I guess I'm just high on the food consumed (yogurt this morning, a delicious iced "Americano" from Arabica on North Abbe, right by Lorain County Community College, a turkey and provolone sandwich on wheat at the Cedar Point picnic pavillion, a small handful of cheddar and sour cream potato chips, another small serving on salt and vinegar chips, and another bit of cheddar rice cakes, 3 bottles of water---all good so far.) And then, after passing the umpteenth potatoes and fries place--I gave in to fancy fries. These were homemade, delicious, crispy Cedar Point fries---but I made the mistake of getting them with cheese and chili. It was too much---and my sister Beth, always wise and always all-knowing, warned me--they will disappoint. I think I ordered them just to prove her wrong, but she was definitely correct.

Then, after leaving the park super-late with a handful of kids (my sister exchange children like I exchange sweatshirts with my friends in transitional weather), we stopped at McDonald's. I "resisted" and only had a vanilla soft serve cone. It tasted so good---and as we drove along the highway, with the bright half-moon shining down on my sister's giant conversion van (Tan Van One), I felt so full, and so happy.

Oh!

About Cedar Point---all the rides are named with an M, especially the big roller coasters--so all day long I kept getting confused on what I had riden. The Millenium Mantus Maverick Power Raptor Gemini?

I think I like the Magnum the best. Or the Millenium.

Everyone should go to Cedar Point, by the way. Imagine your favorite amusement park. For many of you , it may be the chain, six flags. Now, take your beloved park, and take it off of the highway it overlooks, and plop it smack down in the middle of Lake Erie with water on 3 sides, beaches, marina, beautiful trees and olde-tyme rides, along with literally, the best roller coasters in the US. Mix with a light summer lake breeze and nice Ohio white trash people-watching. Best served with no irony and complete embracement of fun. Enjoy!

Don't forget to ride the paddleboat ride!

Hang on sloopy, sloopy hang on--O H I O

2008-06-10T08:12:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting in my parent's house in Elyria, waiting to get picked up for Cedar Point!!

Last night, Kitty came by after work and we had one of our late-night figure out the world nights, so I'm a bit tired today. But thankfully, we got everything worked out, so the world is straightened out, or at least our small corner of it.

My dad is doing well--his surgery had complications, but he's home, resting, and feeling better each day. We'll know more in the next few days about the long-term prognosis---so thanks for everyone's well wishes and concerns.

My mom is really strong. I guess I always knew that, but I didn't see her break down or show any tears at all during the day of the surgery or that night when we crashed at the clinic. I'm really amazed at her strength.

She's at church right now and my dad is making jello, his favorite post-surgery treat.

And I'm off to ride all the non-bumpy rides at Cedar Point with 11 nephews and nieces. I hope we get a group discount.

Sunday, coffee Sundays

2008-06-01T12:18:00.002-05:00

At home again, half-listening to a poet on NPR, while Homer finishes packing, Andy runs around from project to project, and John reads over something Andy's written, and I am savoring a cup of Costa Rican coffee.

Dori's coming by in 15 minutes and we're going to walk over to the Lincoln Square Mayfest, and then I'm going to see a play with Andy.

I've been to see a lot of shows since I've been back---I forgot about this routine of going to see friend's show, because they've been to see yours. It inevitably ends up being interesting and pretty good, but I also feel like I'd like the life of a muggle every now and then. These are holy shows of obligation (get it Catholics? Have I used that term before?)...I feel like I'm required, but once I get there and spend my $5 or $25, I'm glad to have gone.

This weekend (which right now, for me, is no different then my week, except more people are free during the day and the streets are more crowded) has been just peachy. Chicago continues to welcome me back with open, green-leafed arms and sunny strolls through nice neighborhoods. I went to see Sex and the City with Sniffen on Friday in Evanston. The theatre was packed and their were collective gasps at all the right places---show a baby--the audience would say..."Awww"....a man makes a gesture of love...."Ohhhhh!!!! Smith!!!"...or another man screws up..."Arrgghhhh"....I took copious notes for when I write my own romantic comedy.

There's been a lot of talk about whether or not a lady movie can have the impact at the box office that a gentlemen movie can. I frankly, don't give a shit. I don't even know why I started to write about it. Anywho, I really liked the movie. It probably won't stand under critical scrutiny by dude reviewers, but I don't like a lot of movies that are supposed to be awesome but are really just about men killing men for honor (The Godfather, Terminator, blah blah blah). Anyway, I've tumbled into another area where I can ramble and not really be justified and my argument will fall apart, so I'm moving on.

Yesterday was fun with helping Mark P (from the Star!) move and watching Twin Peaks and napping. Last night, Tre Kronor and play discussion with Amy (yes, it's still in discussion mode) and then Mandy's going-away Karaoke party (Beast of Burden and Dancing with Myself, thank you).

And you?

Good morning Sunshine!

2008-05-25T11:22:00.003-05:00

Well, it's Sunday morning, and I'm back in Chicago. Sunshine is pouring into our condo, and NPR is telling me all about things "on the media". I'm so so so happy. My niece Isabelle, when she was 3, would spin in a circle with her head held back and proclaim "Happy happy happy happy"--that's how I feel today. And oh my god, it just smells so good here. And everyone is really normal-looking.

I've been home since Tuesday--and it's wonderful to be back. I've gone to a midnight movie of the new Indiana Jones (a fun romp! Nothing more), had brunch, had lots of Medittarenean food, I've roasted a chicken (herbs de provence and garlic rubbed under the skin, salt and pepper to taste), I've sat out on the deck at Lis and Jarrad's (miller lites and white wine from the kosher winery in Napa--yum), I've walked through Andersonville (bought some cheese from a new fancy foods place), I pumped up my tires (in my bike) and rode to Lincoln Square to meet Amy for Potbelly's (skinny turkey on wheat with provolone and mushrooms, no hot stuff, no mayo) and I've walked down to Boystown with Dori and had drinks at an Irish Pub.

In other words, all is right in the world.

And, last night, sweet lovely Homer who is staying in my room found a different place to crash so that I could sleep in my own bed. My own, wonderful, cushy, big, roomy, sweet bed. I rubbed my face in the pillows and turned and thrashed in my big purple comforter. Sweetness!

I laid on the bed just staring at the view into the hall and out the window onto Winnemac. I love my room, and my condo. I just love being back.

Today, Andy's hosting a big gay brunch for all the leather daddies in town for IML, and then I'm going to do Yoga with Lis and then write with Amy. IML, by the way, is "International Male Leather", and I've heard quite a few stories about it this weekend. Apparently, it's not for the faint of heart---with rows and rows of booths with gay dude stuff---dildoes shaped from molds of porn stars, lots of leather accroutment, and I think, eventually, a beauty contest but for Mr. Leather instead of Miss America. I'm not planning to attend, but I hope to see Andy's pics.

So, I'm going to go put on my pleather bag and join in on the brunch for a bit and then leave the boys to be boys.

I love Chicago!

Coming to an end

2008-05-18T01:04:00.002-05:00

I'm heading back home to Chicago after my little trip out west. I'll be in San Francisco for 2 days, and then flying on my old favorite airline, Southwest to sweet home, Chicago.

Here are things I've LOVED about the road trip:

I saw a Coyote in Griffith Park.
Mount Constitution on Orcas Island. The flora, the moss, the cedars and the color---I felt like I was in Lothlorian from Lord of the Rings.
I spent 5 days in Seattle with the Buchthals and AP, introducing that end of the world to beergaritas and drinking a ton of delicious coffee.
Portland. Everything about it. Since I left, I realized I know a lot more people there then I even knew. Including Ramona, Beezus, Ribsy and Henry. Plus, Stacey and Bob are going to open an amazing space with way-cool stuff going on in it.
Vegas. I spent an afternoon sipping champagne and gnawing on delicious buffet food that kicked the ass of the buffet on the Star. Plus, a really decadent few hours on the pool deck chatting with double Liz(s)es--two friends named Lis(z), who have different spellings to their names but are equally dear to me.
Driving to Joshua Tree, and then hiking that dirty Ryan Mountain. I cheered the wildflowers on to encourage them to keep spirits strong, even in the dry sand of the desert. Keep GROWING little flowers!
My favorite moment on that hike was seeing a partridge momma and her little feather as she ran from a tree, across a little rise in the trail. She stopped me in my tracks.
In Big Bear, I ate the best turkey burger ever invented---the meat was so yummy and subtly spicy, and the toppings were sharp cheddar, fresh fresh avocado and two strips of bacon on a wheat bread, with tomatoes and onions. Heaven.
In LA, LA, LA land, in one short drive, I went past the Capitol Records building, Mann's, Chateau Marmot, the Scientology Celebrity Center and saw the Hollywood sign.
Also there, I had de-lightful brunch in Hollywood with Meggers and D-town and they pointed out Patton Oswald to me. Celebrity spotting! I didn't know who it was, but it was exciting, nonetheless!
That night, I had a small gathering at Cat and Fiddle, and all the dudes I used to hang out with in Chicago are now in LA. I kinda forgot, I used to have guy friends my age who I did shows with back in the 90s. Having them there makes me want to move, at least for a few weeks out there. Pretty coolio.
I then drove up PCH, stopping in Santa Cruz (more of a crash pad then actual visit) and then drove the last hour or so along 1, which was beautiful, especially in the early morning, with surfers out on the waters.
Yesterday in SF Chinatown was pretty fun with dori and then today in Napa was really lovely.

Oh! I have so much more to write....so I'm not going to write about things I didn't love (like how sometimes driving and being alone was amazing, but sometimes just kind of boring, and how much I read, and how my camera pooped out on me right after Seattle, so I don't have any pictures past Seattle) because I am loving this trip and that I got to do it.

Thanks to all my lovely hosts and friends along the way---you all have a place to say in Chicago.

Off to bed....

Overheard at hostel

2008-05-12T19:50:00.004-05:00

"Dude, backpacking is like, gross. You never feel like you're, I don't know, ever really dressed cute."

I'm staying at a hostel in an UNDISCLOSED location, crashing here for the night before heading to LA and lots of people.

I like people, but this isolation and time alone has been wonderful, too. Especially the driving and the listening to NPR.

After being around people 24/7 on the old cruise, it's wonderful to just kick back and hang out alone.

Pentecostal, showtunes and WI-FI rest stops

2008-05-06T21:14:00.004-05:00

What is it about rural coastal towns that there is a large amount of Pentecostal Churches? I saw it in Maine, and I've just seen it again in rural Washington State. The only other thing I know about these churches is that John Ashcroft was rumoured to hold a prayer service in his office in the morning before work started. Attorney General work. Oh, and that my dear old dad had once attended a Pentecostal service on a date somewhere near his college, Ohio University, and there was a snake involved in the service. So, I am biased against these churches but that creeps me out a bit. Oh well, people get creeped out by Catholics and I think that's within the range of normal religion. Except the anti-gay and anti-abortion stuff. And some other bad stuff, too. Sorry, I'm going to cut this conversation off because I can see I've lost some of you.

Anyway, also wonderful on a roadtrip---Showtunes from the wonderful Sniffen. He made me a mix of his favorite diddies from Broadway, and I was singing, at the top of my lungs, to Music Man, Avenue Q and many others.

Finally, the rest stops in Washington promote that they have free wireless. I hope to test out that theory tomorrow on the road.

I'm not going to say where i am to protect my trip--but it's awesome. Really awesome. Plus, it's clamming weekend!

I think I've said too much.

Chicago reader---please keep me honest on the following things I am interested in doing when I get back to Chicago---join the WW again, sing up for the Musical Theatre class at Old Town, see if I can get a mini-internship at WBEZ and go hiking.

Until then, happy Tuesday to all of you faithful readers.....

Bye bye ship, hello many ships

2008-05-05T15:08:00.003-05:00

Greetings from I-5 South! For the sake of protecting my road trip identity, I will not say more then that.

A little bit of catch-up...on our last cruise, we repositioned the ship to Seattle, so we went from San Pedro all the way up to Vancouver. We had our last show/last drink in Spinnaker/last drink in crewbar/a goodbye party in the port room/dinner at Cagney's and much more to say goodbye to ship life. Half of the cast is contemplating/continuing on with ships in the near future. For now, I am planning on going back to Chicago and dipping my toes back into the advertising world (thanks Paula) and writing the third play with Amy and enjoying summer in Chicago.

Anyway, that's the plan, but first, I am going on a roadtrip throughout the west coast.

We signed off 8 days ago in Vancouver. I've been off the ship for 8 days. 8 days!

My first stop was Vancouver (or the Couv, as our magician friend Murray called it). The Couv was wonderful--Megan and I felt like as ladies without size 2 bodies, and without blonde hair with extensions, that we fit into this place a bit more then the boat.

We (Tilliski, Megan, Mark and I) went to a veggie place, and then an open mic in the area called Kits (for Kitsilano). Tilliski sang and played in the open mic...and got hit on by a local dude (they love Tilliski in the Pacific Northwest, or, as Mark called it for the Canadians, the Pacific Southwest). We drank local brews, and laughed and laughed and I kept looking at my watch thinking about all-aboard time---but no need to--I didn't have to be anywhere at any certain time.

I slept like a baby that night....stretched out on a big double bed, with no shaking, no vibration, no noise--so great.

Then, thanks to the generosity of one Mark Piebanga, and his friends on Orcas Island, we had a heaping dose of nature, mountains, ocean and good food almost immediately upon departing the NCL Star. I've wanted to go to the San Juan Islands for years, so it was THRILLING to be there. We climbed Mount Constitution to an observatory tower (I geeked out when I learned it was a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) project), had a peanut butter sandwich and then hiked back down.

The view was really amazing---the mountains of the Cascade, Vancouver Island, ocean, alpine lake--pines, spruce, cedar, moss, and more green stuff.

The night before, we hit a local pub, and I was telling the table about one time I was at the Printer's Row bookfair, with Amy, and I found a used copy of "My Sergei",* about the figure-skating pair/couple where the dude tragically died. I held it up to Amy to show her and she gave me a look that clearly indicated what she thought of the book, and I just started laughing and laughing and laughing and crying at the table. It was such a release---I felt like I hadn't laughed like that in months.

On the mountain, I thought about all the things I really love--reading, writing (well, having written), watching movies, walking, hiking, sleeping, eating, rehearsing, working hard on something, gymnastics and NPR. I'm going to do my best to remember these things and get back to them on this trip.

Then, we drove to Seattle, where I saw a NCL ship every day that I was downtown. The NCL Pearl twice, and the NCL Star, once, but only briefly.

There's more to update you all on...but for now, off I go to hit the road.

Here's a brief description of the book, by the way.

My Sergei: A Love Story, written by E.M. Swift and Ekaterina Gordeeva and published in 1996, recounts the history behind one of figure skating's most well recognized pair teams.

Sergei Grinkov and Ekaterina Gordeeva were paired together as young children in the Soviet Union after failing to prove themselves as strong solo skaters. Together they captured many amateur titles (including two Olympic gold medals and four World Championships) and professional titles. They eventually fell in love, married, had a child, and continued skating together as professionals until Grinkov died from a sudden heart attack during a rehearsal in Lake Placid, in November of 1995.

This book topped the New York Times Bestseller List and includes many black and white and color photos from Gordeeva and Grinkov's personal collection as well as publicity photos from their various touring groups, such as Stars On Ice. A made-for-television movie version of My Sergei was also made, which included interviews of family and friends, archival skating footage, and re-enacted scenes from the book (starring another famous Russian skating duo, Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikhuralidze).

100 little posts on the wall, 100 posts of words....

2008-04-11T17:51:00.002-05:00

Happy 100!
Yes, my friends, this is officially my 100th post.

I originally intended to write a pithy, reflective post about how at the Starbucks in Acapulco, where I am currently sitting, I attempted to speak Spanish as i ordered my yogurt parfait and coffee, but got caught up when she asked "De donde esta?" I thought she was asking "For here, or to go?" so I sort of gestured back behind me in the general direction of the tables. She then broke the allusion that we were actually having a conversation, and said,
"No, where are you from?"
I answered "The ship. The Norwegian Star"

But not for much longer. We are on our penultimate Mexican Riviera cruise. And, as my friend Lis predicted, the last few cruises have been much more fun for me then the middle section.

I think it's for a number of reasons---I stopped drinking as much, started working out some more, reading books I really like and taking time doing things I like to do. For example, today, I went off the ship, went to see "Eastern Promises" here at Galleria Diana, laid in the VIP Barcaloungers and ate popcorn and drank diet coke as I watched the excruciating machinations of the Russian mob in London come to grips with their actions and what happens when you treat young girls horribly. Good times.

Now, I'm sitting in the aforementioned Starbucks, sipping on my coffee, watching the people go by to shop at really expensive Mexican Gap and Banana Republic, and will go out to dinner tonight.

Last night, we had an early show, and then had a heli-pad party to celebrate Megan's birthday. Then, a cast-only (plus, a few others) hang-out in Tilliski and Keith's cabin. We listened to music, drank some brews and then I went on a walk out on the deck and watched the waves and stars.

I'm happy to have been on the ship, but will be happy to go on my little West-coast road trip and then home to my lovely little condo, where friends, summer festivals and hopefully, a really great job await me.

Tonight, out to dinner, hopefully overlooking the lovely view of Acapulco at night (Mountains, ocean, lights) and then to the heli-pad for sailaway.

And where am I from?

Ohio. Freakin' Elyria, Ohio. And I'm proud.

But for now, I am from the Norwegian Star.

Good cruise, Bad cruise

2008-04-06T16:10:00.002-05:00

Sunday, April 6, 2008
We are in Cabo today, and I've opted to wander and internet about.

My first destination was Senor Greenberg's, a mexitalesson, as they like to call themselves. The internet there is not reliable, but it is close. Plus, they serve Chilaquiles which sounded divine.

There, I saw Georgina, a Romanian from Shore Excursions, along with Redelpho I slaughtered the spelling of his name) , the Columbian piano player from the show band who is still learning English, but "plays like butter" according to another guy in the band. The trombone player was there, too, but I don't know his name or nationality, so I'll move on. In walked Minnie, a waitress from the Phillipines, who was looking for Chris, the US Bass Player. She sat down and poured her heart out to me about life, work, love, and then was out like a shot when Chris showed up. They were going to swim with the dolphins, and the dolphins demand promptness. Next, walked in Elena and Sasha, the Russian ballroom couple from the cast of dancer/singers. They are very nice, and are great dancers. In a few of their big numbers, they like to share a sweet kiss on the lips, and then Elena flashes around and puts her finger on her lips--saying "Shh! Don't tell anyone!" At this week's "Band on the Run" show, they were dancing to last dance, and they only kissed on the cheek. I speculated with Megan that perhaps they were fighting, but today, they seemed content and enjoying each other's company at old Senor Greenbergs, and Sasha flashed me the Thumbs up as they walked by.

As I walked down to Senor Sweets, I ran into a ton of people from the ship. I walked right by the YC Couple, because I didn't feel like chatting,

Then, I ran into Stan, aka, Mr. Motown, who loves Macs and manhandling me. It's nice--it sort of feels like how my Uncle Tom used to grab us and shake us and tease us when we were little. As I type this, that seems more horrible then nice--but it was very sweet and Stan has that energy. He did get a little rough, so I yelled out "Help me, this man is hurting me. This man is hurting me!" Stan stopped for a bit, and then started again, so I yelled it again and stepped back. He then said, "You should use that in your act." We get a lot of that---ideas to throw in our show. In the middle of the second show last night, Megan remembered that she had promised Dominic, a departing dancer, that she would try to work in a bit about a bread truck crashing into her. We couldn't figure out a graceful way to fit that in, and then Derek declared that it was stupid to try so we dropped it. Mostly, when people suggest bits to put in, I listen to them and then promptly ignore their suggestions. I think because we perform improvisation, they think we can just alter the words or pre-plan what we do. It takes a while to explain, and then they seem bored, so my laugh and walk away strategy works a bit better for me.

At the moment, I'm panicking a bit because I'm here at Senor Sweet's, another coffee shop, and I can't remember what time all-aboard is...and it's a long walk back on the pier.

I'm looking forward to not having to worry about all-aboard time, to having my own bedroom, to cooking my own food, to having constant internet access and to being with my friends and family.

I'm going to miss the sunshine, the shows, the crowds and the lovely music everywhere on the ship.

Back to the Star for me!

This blog is not in chronological order

2008-04-06T16:09:00.001-05:00

Saturday, March 8, 2008

A few observations on our first sea day, Cruise #6.

I got up early this morning, at 9 am, to clean up the cabin a bit and eat prior to my impending teeth-whitening at the Barong Spa. When I wake up, Megan, my roommate, is usually always up, and is trying her very hardest not to disturb me. It always makes me laugh---her consideration of my sleeping is very sweet---but completely unnecessary. This morning, when I popped out of bed and said “Hi” she didn’t respond. Shit, I thought, this is bad—she’s really just frustrated with me as a roommate. Luckily, when I saw her later in the day at Java Café, she hadn’t heard me say hi and wasn’t pissed at all. Things can get blown up pretty quickly on a ship, so I was very relieved.

My teeth are now 3 shades whiter then they were this morning, thanks to Leanne, the teeth-whitening specialist at the Barong Spa. And my brown spot, near my left eyetooth, is significantly lighter then it was before. I am really glad---whenever I exchanged food-in-teeth smiles after dinner, people often think my little brown spot is food crud—and it’s usually awkward after I tell them that it’s actually a spot, not food. There’s no real good way to recover form that conversation, so having it lightened up is going to be a big help in those tense teeth moments.

After teeth time, I worked out in the Barong Gym. I did elliptical and pushed myself a bit and felt a bit sweatier then normal. I still only worked for 30 minutes…that’s my maximum for some reason—even though I have literally, hours and hours of time to spend working out. I am currently the exact pre-set definition on the elliptical machine. After I chose my program, and am requested to enter in my age, weight, and desired workout time—I perfectly match up with the existing pre-sets---Age: 35, Weight: 150 pounds, Workout time: 30 minutes. I may try to mix it up with Yoga tomorrow, if I can get my lazy butt out of bed by 8am. That seems really hard right now.

My friend Lis sent me a collection of essays by David Foster Wallace, including the last essay, entitled “A supposedly fun thing I will never do again” , about his experience as a passenger aboard a Celebrity Cruise to the Carribbean in 1995. I haven’t read a lot of cruise humor, but I devoured this essay today. I was reading it in public areas of the ship—in the Barong Spa relaxation room, on the helipad on deck 13, and in the Marketplace Buffet—and I felt like a humongous rebel. The essay really captures the feeling of cruising, how each cruise is like a machine, designed to make you feel like you’re having a “Crazy” or “Relaxing” or “Indulgent” experience, and how ridiculous the passengers can be, and also, how lovely it can be to meet new people and see the world from the water and just gaze out into the blue. Big ups to Lis for finding this book and sending it---I know she’s wanted to get it to me for a long time, so it was a big surprise to find it in my mailbox this San Pedro.

At the moment, I’m sitting in the internet café, listening to the Melodic Quartet sing “Blueberry Hill” and planning my outfit for tonight’s family dinner in La Trattoria. We have two guests on the cruise, so we’re all going out for dinner to meet everyone and manga manga manga (as the menu of La Trattoria encourages us to do).

Afterwards, a long-form rehearsal in the Stardust and, most probably, crew bar after.

Buenas Sera!

Dolphins are very social creatures

2008-03-27T16:07:00.003-05:00

I've always had personal misgivings about this activity. My assumption is that the dolphins are kept against their will, and probably don't want to pull a group of humans around like cargo. Further, many people say they love playing with people--and that it makes them happy. But, my guess is that humans assume that dolphins are happy because dolphins have a face in the shape of a happy human face---we look at them, and it looks like they are smiling, so therefore, they must be happy.

THe other objection I had was that I wasn't interested in swimming in a pool filled with dolphin excrement, but then I realized, that in any body of water, that issue exists if I really think about it.

So, Amy and I got over our minor concerns and went to meet the dolphins in Ixtapa. It was honestly, really fun. The dolphins lifted us up into the sky by pushing on the bottom of our feet. Then the dolphins swam in and around us while we were allowed to stroke their flanks and fins (no fingers in blowholes or genitals). Then, we each got to go up and establish a relationship with the dolphin. In reality, it was like dolphin speed-dating---the trainers would yell "shake hands with the dolphins" (really their flippers), "Hug the dolphin" (the dolphin would oblige) and then, they got really pushy "Kiss the dolphin" (Amy had said early on that she would NOT kiss the dolphin, but she gave in to the trainer's pressure). After that, we then had our picture taken where the dolphin is halfway out of the water, and holding out the flippers--and we grab on and sort of pull out like we are a delighted couple who just finished the best dance of their life. Except, this couple is dolphin and human, and it feels like both sides were phoning it in a bit.

At the end of the day, I was standing outside of the bus and another passenger was discussing the program, and I said I wasn't sure how I felt about the dolphins being in captivity. She said "Dolphins are very social creatures. They love it!" I started to argue "Social with humans or social with other dolphins?!?" and then she looked at me like I was crazy. "They have a good life, they get every meal taken care of, blah blah blah". I could have argued some more, but I am hopelessly misinformed about the nature of dolphin encounters, who runs them and whether they are "good" or "Bad" plus, what's the point of arguing with this lady who is on vacation?

So, I murmured something neutral and pretended to look for something in my backpack and then asked her about her home in Vancouver.

Anyone know if dolphins are into making out with humans in a tank with no view of the ocean, but withing 500 yards? Anyone?

I feel judgey.

Middling Middle

2008-03-27T15:47:00.002-05:00

I had hit a patch of doldrums almost exactly in the middle of this cruise contract. Everything seemed boring, flat and the same.

Thankfuly, Amy P came onboard for a cruise visit last cruise, and it was great. In short, we swam with dolphins, went to the beach, went zip-gliding, laid around and watched 30-rock, movies and ate out.

It was all very chill and lovely....and so great to have her here. There's always a ramped-up intensity of emotions in this ship-life, so having a visitor who isn't in the cast and doesn't care about any of the stuff that seems SO important helps give a great deal of perspective.

As an added bonus, we got to see Jeremy on the first day of Amy's arrival---and that was thrilling. I really dig that Jeremy, and he's always so kind and curious about everything--and seems to really listen. He's good people.

Also, the day that Amy left I got some news from my family that put everything into perspective.

So, this cruise, I've been hiding in my room, trying to watch more movies, read more books and just enjoy the things I love the most....reading outside, walking and playing scrabble.

Yesterday in Acapulco, we FINALLY got to enjoy the hot sun and play in water---at a local water park. Murray, the magician onboard organized a big outing with some of the other entertainers, and we camped out in a VIP area, had beers, and rode on some kick-ass waterslides. Towards the end of the day, I was out on the wave pool, just floating alone, and the rest of the cast all hopped in and we rode the waves together. The water flowing all around, the pool full of local families and singing along to the "I wanna know if you'll be my girl" song that is the constant soundtrack to our cruise life---it was wonderful.

Then I napped, and headed out to have beers on a nearby restaurant with a terrace. I was joined by one of the acrobats, and sat and watched the moon rise over Acapulco Bay.

A lovely, unexpected, charming day.

San Pedro Days

2008-03-07T15:50:00.002-05:00

In addition to sea days, and port days, every 8 days, we touch land in the US and get to run around, make phone calls and just exist.

Our ship docks in San Pedro, a ship town, just south of LA that plays host to the LA Harbor.

San Pedro is a lovely, real town, with a great independent coffee shop called Sacred Grounds, which has delicious sandwiches, and free internet.

I usually start my day early, get off the ship as soon as possible, head up to check our PO Box at the Post Office, and then come to Sacred Grounds as soon as possible.

We sit at a giant community table, and try to quietly make phone calls, catch up on email and interneting and indulge in a nice delish sandwich.

On the way up to the coffee shop, we pass a couple cute stores and maybe pop into one of those for a few things.

Last week's cruise felt really long--we were re-routed due to trouble with the isopode (typical!) and instead of going to Acapulco and Zihua, we went to Mazaltan and Manzanillo. I guess Manzanillo was a "really crap port" and so we were playing to an angry, hostile crowd. Thank god they liked us, because they could have very easily hated us and turned against us. Instead, they laughed and laughed and got to shake the crap port off of them.

The other re-routed port was Mazaltan, and it was really great--we walked around the old downtown, went through a mercado, with lots of meat and pig heads for sale, ate at a restaurant on the second floor of the mercado, overlooking the streets and then headed to a beach bar. This place, Joe's Oyster Bar, is what I want and imagine a beach bar to be---thatch roof bar, a menu of seafood, and a great, swimmable beach. We've been hitting a lot of resorts---with their unending oval pools that spill into one another, their delicious Americanized food and their lack of connection to anything remotely local. So, Joe's, overlooking the bay, and the laid-back vibe, was much more my scene.

So, anyway, coming into San Pedro, being able to text and make some calls and email---it's a welcome respite from the week.

Plus, I'm beginning to make plans for my west coast month of May road trip---and that's really fun. If anyone has any recommendations on places to go---please pass them on.

Signing off from Sacred Grounds---

Me

Oh Captain, my captain.

2008-02-18T15:51:00.000-05:00

Oh Captain, my captain.
Thursday, February 14, 2008

Today we had lunch with the captain in Versailles. It was thrilling. He looks like Santa Claus—a gentleman, perhaps in his late 50s, with white hair and a white beard. He regaled us with stories of fuel tonnage, arsonists on ferries and what he does on vacation (Rides his harley on 13-day trips in Thailand during the celebration of the Thai King’s birthday). We all had so much fun….a great cast outing.

Then, I tried to do laundry. I picked the two laundry machines that weren’t working---I called the crew electrician who wanted to know what staircase I was near---and I didn’t know. I tried to get some help from other crew members—and then I just gave up. Gave up. The reason I was doing laundry was because now we have crew privileges. Yup, I’m heading back to crew bar!!!!

We actually got crew privileges on San Pedro day. We tried to go to crew bar that night---but it was DEAD as it usually is on embarkation day. While for us, embarkation day means a jaunt to the lovely San Pedro post office, a pop into the salon for some Aveda products, and perhaps, going to the public library, and then eating delicious sandwiches while catching up on all things internet, most of the crew have double crazy duties on embark---and only get off for a short time. For example, our room stewards, have to clean the rooms, say farewell to the debarking passengers, strip the beds, take out a weeks worth of cruise flotsam and trash, and then re-make the bed, scrub the hell out of the bathroom, and then turn around and start learning a whole new set of passenger names and making nice to try to get the tip.

And I can’t imagine the kind of work that the luggage guys have—hauling the bags from the pier to the rooms---ugh! So exhausting.

Anyway, after realizing how very hard the room stewards work, and since they weren’t leaving us with laundry bags like they did on the Spirit, and the fact that Keith does his own laundry, I decided I could do laundry today. And it was super-frustrating.

So, then I went to the gym, and worked out for 50 minutes, catching the tail end of Nanny Diaries and then the second half of Stranger then Fiction. I love that movie—and I want to watch it again and again.

But, back to last night. My cast was teasing me about how excited I was to go to crew bar—I was treating it like it was my coming out ball. But it’s just so much more real then any other place we can go to. And I just am not that into Spinnaker or the Pearl Martini lounge or the Carousel. The Red Lion is just fine, but it’s primarily a walk-through place. The Bier Garten is lovely when it’s nice weather but often is too windy to sustain for very long. I just really really like going to Crew Bar, and hanging out with friends.

Last night, after a failed attempt the night before, we finally got down there. And man, it was fantastic. Our cast (minus Derek) bought each other rounds, and everyone was sitting together, but turned and chatting with another group of crew members. Megan was talking to the new magician, I was chatting with Hernan, a Youth Counselor from Argentina who I knew and adored on the Spirit, as well as Matt, a much maligned YC, who I find delightful. Mark was chatting with some folks from the cruise staff from the Phillipines, and Tilliski was yukking it up with some of the YCs (Canadians, Australians) while Keith talked to the airbrush tattoist (Romanian, really Translyvanian, within ½ an hour of Count Dracula’s castle. For real). I mean, in what other place can we have those conversations? And the beers are real real cheap. I love it, and am surprised by how much I missed it. I don’t think I’ll be there every night, nor do I think it’ll solve the world’s that we get to interact with so many different nationalities…but, it is a big part of why I love this cruise job. And last night, we got it back.

I may try to do laundry later today---it’s Valentine’s Day, so the restaurants will be packed, so I should be able to get a working machine as most of the crew will be working.

For now, I’m off to walk the track with our international receptionist. We’ve had a change in itinerary due to a medical emergency—so we are veering off-course to drop the sick passenger off at Puerta Vallerta, which means that we will be late getting into Acalupulco tomorrow. I’m curious to see if we’ll be able to tell the difference in itinerary just by looking and I hope this passenger is ok.

The San Pedro post office, by the way, has a museum in it’s basement, and was a former Military hospital, built in the 30s, now converted to a post office. For the past two weeks we have been serviced by the same gentleman, who each time give us news on the PO Box, until finally, this week, gave us the honor of having PO Box number 1. As Megan might say, “That seems crazy.”

This whole ship life is freaking crazy.

Whales, wildlife, water, whatever

2008-02-12T16:30:00.000-05:00

One day last week—in Cabo

Is it possible to be cynical about whales?

Today in a resort in Cabo, with a giant beautiful multi-pool and hot tub filled terrace, overlooking the ocean, with whales nearly at the sand’s edge, I sat huddled under a beach towel, below a thatched hut, online, and stressed out about everything. I read about how cold it was in Chicago, and worried about my friends, I felt guilty about not keeping up with emails and phone calls, fretted about a job when I get back in May/June, I felt like I was boring and felt sad/mad about everything. Finally, I just shut the laptop and came into the sunshine. I felt better, but man, I was starting to freak out.

So, this next cruise, I will strive for a little more structure and work, which I am clearly craving. And maybe then I won’t be compelled to blow off walking to the beach to look at the whales just off the shoreline because I have free internet. I mean, get over myself.