What I've Been Working On

Here is the latest Ednotes which is very bizarre but also charming. I hope.

And I also wrote a blog entry about a decade ago on the Rep's page, so take a gander at that. 

We'll be pumping out more videos soon and I hope to write more on the Rep's blog, so I'll try to keep this as updated as I can. 

I'm currently recovering from working until 3am last night for Play Date at the Rep. It was exhausting to say the least but was a pretty good time. I made at least 5 black friends, so that's awesome. And we ate ribs at like 1:30 in the morning which is always a good idea. 

I'm going to go hop on a ferry for the day, find time to work on my resume and try to figure out some plans for when my godparents are in town. Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it. 

Barackolli and an Obama Mama To Go

5:13 am My alarm goes off. This is dumb. I'm very angry at my phone for making noise. But I get out of bed because I know that I have to. It's Inauguration Day, baby, and this ho's got places to be.

5:30 am Michael picks me up at my apt. He doesn't say anything when I get in the car, he just shoves a camera in my face and snaps a shot. The horribly proof is on Facebook. Thanks for documenting how truly unfortunate I can look early in the morning. 

5:35 am Met up with a group of friends and we start walking downtown to the Paramount theatre. It is cold and my teeth are chattering. We pass another intern's apt and yell, "If you can hear us, jump out of your window." Delirium has obviously set in. The fog is really think over the whole city and whenever we see other people walking around they look like zombies. Are they zombies? Probably Obambies. 

6:03 am We reach the theatre. There isn't a huge line yet but we're about 150 people back. The theatre can seat 4,000 so getting there this early was obviously not required. I didn't want to be too bitter about this fact so I kept it to myself. Meanwhile we were shouting at the other people in line like we were back in Vegas. Imagine an MTV Spring Break house and you'll get the idea.

6:17 am I yell at a man, "Hey denim, back of the line." It is rude to cut lines, especially if you're wearing a denim coat. 

6:45 am I can't feel my toes. To quote Step by Step, "Either there's a rock in my shoe or my big toe just fell off."

7:04 am They finally let us in to the theatre. I get some free Tazo Tea samples from a Starbs employee and then someone else chucked two gingersnap-ish type cookies in my hand. Whatever, I was about to eat that rock in my shoe so I inhaled them. We get seats right in the middle of the theatre about 20 rows back. Perfect. Komo 4 news was there and we make fools of ourself to be seen on TV. Sorry you had to put up with us, Seattle.

7:04-10:11am We sit and boo as Bush and Cheney walk across the screen, stand up and cheer whenever there is a glimpse of Obama, Michelle, the Bidens, Obama girls, or that hot Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, we cry when Aretha sings and scratch our heads at the lame images that ABC Google-Earthed for the news feed, and listen with rapt attention as Obama gives his first speech as President. It is absolutely amazing and made every minute up until now completely worth it. It's hard not to feel apart of something bigger when you see the shots of DC packed wall-to-wall with people that are overjoyed to just be within earshot of the Inauguration. It was a pretty exciting thing to watch and being with such a big crowd made it even better. We finally have a new President! 

For the rest of the day I was pretty exhausted and had trouble focusing on my work. Then Jackie left a voicemail detailing all of the celebs that she ogled. That's when I hit a real low. Overcome with jealousy and exhaustion I made my way home. Today was a long, long day. But it was worth it to feel that in a small way I was apart of history. 

I'm sure I'll read this to my kids one day and they'll be bored out of their minds, but that's not my problem. It's there's. 

Like Finding the Hidden Toaster in the Tree, Here are my Highlights

Once again, I'll apologize for not updating this in a long time. I always tell myself that I'm going to find more time to do it, and then that time just isn't there. Excuse excuse excuse. So here are some highlights in no particular order:

1. Snow-attle

We had a huge snow storm hit Seattle two days before I was scheduled to leave for Iowa. I actually took a snow day since there was really no point getting down the hill for fear that I would never get back up it. Sadly though we still had a show that night and I was scheduled to Lobby Manage. So Kate, who came over to enjoy Top Chef marathons and Mollie's home cooking, drove us down the hill in her 4 wheel drive. It's so nice to know people with cars. Work was really quiet. I'd say only about 100 people showed up. But the show must go on yadda yadda vomit. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it back up the hill so I stayed over at Jessica's place since she was already back home. Guilt came over me the next day and I went into work. Like 10 people were there. This place just completely shuts down whenever there is snow. I got lunch with Katie and Rob from Communications and then at 4 I started my trek up the hill. I'm sure I was a sight. Shuffling my little feet and cursing under my foggy breath. I was not a happy camper. But about an hour later  I made it home so that I could start furiously packing and getting ready to leave. Kristi drove me to the airport hella early the next morning and lucky my flight went off as scheduled. It was stressful as all get out but I'm so thankful I made it out of there. 

2. Christmas Break

Two weeks in Iowa was just long enough to do basically everything I wanted to do. (Except I didn't see all of the movies I wanted to. I'll blame Jackie and the economy for that one.) I slept a lot. I ate a lot. I went to Galena with Peter and Libby. I went to the new casino with Jessica, Christine and Co. I went to Iowa City for New Year's to be with Kristin. It was pretty wonderful. Full of presents, puzzles and Wicked in Chicago. Santa's Little Helpers shots on Christmas Eve and Mad Men Season One. Blu-Ray Movies and not checking my work e-mail. I also took a lot of time to think about 08 and what a crazy year it was. Remember when I went to Memphis for UPTA auditions? Or that trip to DC with Nikki and Jackie? And how weird is it that I'm living in Seattle? And RA of the Year? Seriously? You'll see in the next few paragraphs that 09 is already starting off with a bang, so here's hoping the rest of the year follows suit. 

3. Sweet Baby Angel 

One of my best friends from Iowa, Amie, came and visited me for a week once I got back from Iowa! It was so nice to have some company in my apt. It was a bummer that I had to work during the days but she fired up that Iphone and was all over the downtown area. She did touristy stuff during the day like Pike Place Market and getting on the wrong bus. Then once I got off work we saw a play at Seattle Shakes, went to see Frost/Nixon, she came to Intern Seminar, and Jessica took her on a nighttime tour of the city and it's many neighborhoods. Then when we were done galavanting around we'd come home and watch L O S T season 4 special features and eat popsicles. I just had so much fun with her here and was so happy to have someone visit me. She pretty much rocks at life and I already miss her. 

4. Oh, To Be Young and Single

Don't judge me. I bought tickets with Jessica on Friday night to leave Saturday morning for a two day stint in Vegas. Awesome? Awesome. It was a steal. Granted we were staying at the Tropicana, but it is a good location and it was dirt cheap. They obviously don't charge for the diseases you could catch from their sheets. How thoughtful. But it was awesome. $1 margs at Bills, to the Cirque du Soliel show Love, to Tony Vegas on the streets, to visiting the Walshes, it was seriously one of the most fun weekends ever. It was just so spontaneous and hilarious that we were even doing it. It started off as a possible trip to Vancouver on a bus and ended with airplane tickets to Sin City. I need to remember to take advantage of these kinds of opportunities and not let my fear of being broke and homeless keep me from being a baller. Everyone at work thought we were completely amazing when we rolled into work on Monday morning. It hurts being this cool. 

Now I'm just back into the swing of work. We had the Playwriting Project on Friday which was so amazing. I reiterate: I need to teach high school theatre at some point. These kids were hilarious. Our next mainstage is opening this Wednesday so I'll be working that crowd in a cute dress. Pretty much just going back to same as usual. I'll try to update more often and I'll let you know if one day I just decide to hop a border. Weirder things have happened.

Happy Bush's Last Day in Office and Happy 09!!! GOBAMA!

Sometimes Fingerless Gloves Are A Bad Idea

OOf. Tonight was a long night. One of our actresses got food poisoning this afternoon. I overheard someone talking about it on the phone and it did not sound good. I'm pretty sure they were going to take her to the emergency room. Well there was a long chain of people that the information had to go to so that they could decide what to do about the show. I knew they were going to cancel it. But we had to wait. Of course I was lobby managing so we had to prep the lobby as if the show was going to happen. This includes the very tedious job of printing off a list of the subscribers that are coming to see that show and placing cards on their chairs that say "happy holidays, have a free peppermint hot chocolate on us." It always takes a long time to put out the cards so I was stalling big time. Alas, when push came to shove I had to put them in the house because if I waited any longer and the show did happen, I wouldn't have had time. Buh. 

Of course .2 seconds after I finish with the cards they announce that the show is officially cancelled. Shock of the century. We made a contingency plan ala Jurassic Park for just such an occasion. Jessica and I stood outside of the theatre, freezing our toes and fingers off, and announced to people as they were walking in that the show had been cancelled. Then we handed them a sheet of paper saying all of their options. They could always exchange for another night but if they wanted to stick around for some theatre they could see our other show for free or go next door to the Intiman and see Black Nativity for free as well. I think that that is one heck of a deal. I wouldn't say that anyone was actually mad about it. One guy asked why we didn't have an understudy and I just flat-lined it and said, "Sir, we can't afford that." A couple people just wanted refunds, and some just stalked off, but a good number of them went to one of the other shows and were happy to have the back up plan. It was a pretty smooth night considering everything and I think I'll regain feeling in my fingers eventually (you have no idea how hard it is to type this).  Live theatre, sometimes you wear me out. 

OH and did I mention that I got to go to Roosevelt and Woodinville high schools yesterday? Kristi drove me to the schools so that I could get video footage of their rehearsals for the Playwriting Project. Some of these kids are absolutely adorable. I don't know who I'm kidding, I know that some day I'm going to be a teacher. It's just so inevitable. Bottom line is that high school theatre shaped who I am today and I just really get a kick out of it. Look at me, I'm discovering who I am and becoming an adult. Creepy. 

Goodnight Sweetheart, We'll It's Time To Go

I'm awake. It's too early to be awake on a Saturday. This is of course after I already laid in bed for a long time trying to go back to sleep. I'm just all wound up and nervous/thinking about too many things. And I don't have 3 men to sing me a lullaby when I can't sleep so....here I am. I'm sure I have yet another cold sore coming, which will be ever so exciting for my family in Indiana to hear!!!! They love that kind of stuff.

Speaking of Indiana, can I just say that I loved going home for Thanksgiving. A part of me was skeptical. I was the only intern, I think, that went home for the holiday and it was just feeling like it was going to be spending a lot of money for no reason. Well, that is crap. I have a ton of reasons why I needed to do it: I got presents (like christmas gels for our windows and stolen hotel coffee bags), I got to see two movies and they didn't cost a zillion dollars (Four Christmases had nothing redeeming about it except for the Taboo scene and Vince Vaughn's description of his life as Shawkshank Redemption, and Quantom of Solace was pretty darn awesome although not quite as good as Casino Royale), I ate epic amounts of food which you know doesn't happen often on my salary, and I got to just be with my family. They really are a crazy bunch of people. Example: one morning all five of us were bustling around our hotel room trying to get ready and Jackie notices all of my mom's jewelry on the table. She then proceeds to put all of it on and became the female version of Mr T. It was hilarious...but I guess you had to be there. And did I mention Irish Car Bombs with some of my cousins? I won't mention their names in case they run for office one day but it was quite bizarre and hilarious.

All of my extended family is reading this blog so I'm sure I'll here about everything I'm posting when I go home for Christmas but I think it's fun to be more connected to them than usual. How can they adore me when they don't even know what I had for dinner yesterday. Am I right or am I right? I'm also just glad that I am over and done with flying by myself for the first time. It wasn't too bad. I guess. The way home was stressful, delayed and consisted of an unavoidable $47 taxi ride, but hey! I did it all by myself. Where's my cookie?

Coming back to work after such a packed holiday was really just not that much fun. We were all stressed out and had too much to do. Opening night for YCTIWY was hectic. We had to do another audience response video and we were being legit professional about it. We made quarter sheets to pass out to people that had a blurb about it, our Talk It Out Booth logo, and a snazzy map of the lobby to show you where to go. Yeah, professional. We even had the stool, lights and backdrop set up the whole time so that people could walk by it and get interested. Well the second intermission was over and we’re doing our final prep and in walks a five piece band that set up about 2 feet away from us. I could have shot them all. The sound quality is pretty bad on the tape. And overall people just didn’t want to do it. It seems like it always ends up being a ton of work for practically no pay off. Once the video is up I’ll post a link to it and you can see what I mean. It’s not bad it just, well it’s not what we wanted it to be.

Then last Friday we had a double whammy. The Crew 10th Anniversary party was the same night as Happy Hour. We had to set up for both of the events simultaneously which mainly meant hauling around huge tables from one end of the building to another and trucking mass quantities of alcohol. And maybe it would have been okay if it didn’t happen on a day when two people got laid off and we had a company meeting about how screwed we are for next season. It was just a really sad day to be at work. The parties themselves went really well though. Drew and I made $27 bucks each in tips working behind the bar and we were finished cleaning a bit after midnight. Oh 9am-midnight days, you are only possible because of my youth and lack of ability to find another job.

I lobby managed all weekend and then bippity boppity boop I’m back at work again on Monday. No complaints because money is great, but, I think I need to scale back next year. I’m just doing too much and I fear my head will explode.

This week wasn’t as bad, but was still a long one. We had Taste of the Rep last night. There was talk of snow happening so traffic was ridiculously bad. Half of our participants didn’t show up and the food was an hour late. It’s fine. What was really awesome was when we were setting up a song came on and Fran said, “This is the song that helped me get over a break up.” So we turned off the lights and Jessica, Fran and I laid on the floor and just listened to it. Sometimes we just don’t have time to do bonding stuff like that because we’re too focused on getting more napkins and moving chairs. It was fun and will most likely be one of the truly peaceful moments I’ll have until I’m back in Iowa (coming Dec 20th to a Dubuque near you).

This was Haley, the paints intern’s, last week at the Rep which was really sad. She’s down to Earth and really funny so she’ll be missed a lot. We also did our Intern Skit for the SRO holiday party. The basic plot line was that we acted out snippets from three shows that we’ve done this season and had an actor ask the stage manager what their next line was. In a bit of hilarious I’ve-never-seen-this-before type circumstance, the stage management intern was day dreaming and then WHAM the actors transform into the dream sequence. Highlights of my acting included a Delilah reference, channeling Samuel L. Jackson for our Cakes on a Plane scene, and mocking Waiting for Godot. People were saying it was the best skit they’ve seen in years. Obvi. Our intern class is pretty much phenomenal.

OH AND DID I MENTION? This week I also went to the Deck the Hall Ball at WaMu theater in down down downtown Seattle! The bands were The Aqueducts, Shiny Toy Guns, Cold War Kids, Death Cab for Cutie and The Killers. Um. I need an iTunes gift card NOW. It is killing me to not be able to buy music. This was my first time going to a concert that wasn’t headlining five men singing and dancing for 13 year olds and I loved it. The Killers were absolutely, positively the best band I’ve seen live, which granted isn’t a long list, but get over it. I was pretty miffed off that they wouldn’t even let me into the bar area because I had a vertical id still. I just said, “Really? Really? Even though it clearly states that I’m 22 and a half?” “Um, yeah. It’s Quest policy.” And the hit list just keeps getting longer and longer.

I have another long weekend of lobby managering ahead of me, but it shouldn’t be too bad. I do get to go to my very first office holiday party tonight at Scott’s house which I’m probably way too excited for. We’re talking egg nog and singing carols around a piano type fare and I’m pumped. I’ll also be watching a lot of Mad Men Season One, which is slowly starting to push me to working more in marketing and maybe even an advertising agency someday. Okay, we won’t even talk about that. Also—I rewatched Dial M for Murder last night and it is still amazing. Netflix it, it’s good.

Alright, well I’ll try to calm down and hopefully my last week before Christmas won’t be hell on Earth. I will be going to two high schools all day Monday to take pictures and shoot videos for the Playwriting Project so at least that’ll be fun. If anyone has strong sleeping pills, send ‘em my way. I think eventually I should try to get some sleep.

Love and Frasier.