Kate's Ramblings

2008-09-25T18:43:00.002-05:00

Please visit me here: lordwhatfoolsthesemortalsbe.wordpress.com

Sometimes, you need to put old baggage away for a while.

2008-07-31T10:14:00.000-05:00

I miss Z. I wonder if this is what it's like to lose a lover.

The New Job and other stuff

2008-07-30T10:38:00.002-05:00

So I've officially started training for my new job at Blue Smoke Jazz Standard. It's going to kick my ass for a while, but I think once I get the rhythm of the place under my skin it'll be great. I also think that the income will be incredible.

Other then that, I'm tired. I always get a little drained when big changes happen in my life. But, I'm taking care of myself, getting sleep, not setting an alarm, taking the appropriate drugs, and generally hanging in there. Occasionally I'll wish that I lived closer to Paul, so that it wasn't such an effort to see him in the midst of everything else. (Not that it is ever truly an effort, per se, just a slight inconvenience when trying to maximize time.) I have a doctor's appointment Friday, at which I'll make sure that everything else with me is going ok.

Things with Paul are going well. I love spending time with him, there is never enough time. I sometimes question how he feels, mainly because at the beginning he was very very verbal about his feelings, and has been less so. I wonder if something has changed, or if i've done something. But, I keep in my mind that he was adamant about talking when things weren't right, and so i trust that he will talk to me if something isn't right. In the end, we are still getting to know one another, and I am in no position to suppose something is going on with him.

Jim is headed out of town this week. I hate it when he goes away. My dear dear friend...

I am currently working on two Red Door Projects: The Witches and a concert of L5Y. The Witches will be performed October 18th and 19th at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City. If L5Y happens it will be in February for one night only. Kind of excited about both... and it keeps me from stressing out about auditions and other industry bullshit.

Anyway, that's me. New job, new theatre projects, major boy distraction... nothing new, really. ;-)

Happy Birthday

2008-07-24T18:53:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday to the absolute love of my life. She will always be there for me, and I will always love her.

Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald. Born July 24, 1900.

As Carrie Bradshaw once said:

2008-07-24T18:16:00.002-05:00

Three things every New York woman is in search of:

a good job
a good apartment
a good man

It is a very careful balance to have all three. Usually we have one or two and are on a constant search for the elusive third. Well friends, I have two at the moment: a brand spankin' new job at a fantabulous restaurant (where they do things like, care about their employees...), and an amazing man (whom I can't possibly tell just how I feel about him-i keep trying, but the words get stuck). Currently, this issue, though getting smaller by the day, is my living sitch.

I love Kyleen. I LOVE HER. One of my other roommates (there are four of us all together) is driving me up a wall. She didn't want me to move in in the first place. She's been holding a ridiculous grudge for two years because I complemented a cake she made and she thought I was making fun of it. (I really was complementing it - it was an ingenious design.) And now, because I happen to have an air conditioner in my bedroom - though I don't even sleep there half the week - wants me to pay 25% more on what I already pay for our exhorbinant (I know it's spelled wrong, I can't find it in spell check) energy bill. ARGH!

So, basically, we have three refrigerators, a washer/dryer, and a living room ac unit and I'm the one who has to pay more then everyone else. I'm frustrated. I'm also turning the living room ac way down to cool my room, so In don't have to turn my ac on and incur a higher bill.... so there!

Oh and PS. I'm in love... shhh.... don't tell anyone.

Izze's Here!

2008-07-02T07:12:00.002-05:00

For those of you who might be confused about who Izze is, here's the deal. My sister's name is Shannon Elizabeth. Yes, just like the very bad actress of "American Pie" fame. I have always called her Shannon. When she grew up and decided to move to NY and then LA to be an actress, she decided she wanted to go by her middle name, Elizabeth. Hence the shortened version: Izze. And for more confusion, Kyleen started calling her Shanibeth, probably because I can't not call her Shannon, and everyone else calls her Elizabeth. We are an odd family.

Anyway, it's way to early in the morning. But Izze's flight just got her here to Astoria, and now she's home, sleeping on the couch. Don''t know what we're gonna do but, something fun is in the works.

2008-07-01T13:25:00.003-05:00

I'm free... for now...

Both shows I was working for or in are closed, the only job I have at the moment is the Bistro, and my only other obligation is The Barrow Group.

So, what to do with my summer? I'm headed to LA at the end of the month, only to drive back to New York with my sister, Izze. There will be a stop in Nashville for some good old fashioned trouble, but other then that I have no real vacation plans. Thinking ( alot) about going to the beach in September.

anyway... more on this later!

2008-06-27T20:16:00.000-05:00

I really really really wanna go to the beach...

A dream of mine...

2008-06-27T20:08:00.000-05:00

http://www.nycdirector.com/zelda/zelda.htm

2008-06-25T20:19:00.001-05:00

I'm as corny as Kansas in August?

Dave in his swimming trunks?

2008-06-25T15:25:00.004-05:00

So I work basically next to the the Late Show with Dave Letterman. Every Wednesday afternoon during or after the matinée of Sunday... we wander outside onto 53rd street and see tons of people waiting around the stage door of Letterman for various reasons. Last week (or the week before) I ran into Regis as he was leaving. Another time it was a rapper I didn't know. Today I go out there, and they have set up a Slip n' Slide on the sidewalk. Hmmmmmm...... Someone's going to get hurt... I guess they forgot to read the instructions where it says "Intended for use on the grass." Can't wait to wander out in a few minutes and see what's going on now!

2008-06-22T20:20:00.000-05:00

If I ever leave this world alive
I'll thank for all the things you did in my life
If I ever leave this world alive
I'll come back down and sit beside your
feet tonight
Wherever I am you'll always be
More than just a memory
If I ever leave this world alive

If I ever leave this world alive
I'll take on all the sadness
That I left behind
If I ever leave this world alive
The madness that you feel will soon subside
So in a word don't shed a tear
I'll be here when it all gets weird
If I ever leave this world alive

So when in doubt just call my name
Just before you go insane
If I ever leave this world
Hey I may never leave this world
But if I ever leave this world alive

She says I'm okay; I'm alright,
Though you have gone from my life
You said that it would,
Now everything should be all right

She says I'm okay; I'm alright,
Though you have gone from my life
You said that it would,
Now everything should be all right
Yeah should be alright

2008-06-22T09:38:00.001-05:00

I love Kyleen.

That is all.

Proof

2008-06-22T08:54:00.002-05:00

This is Proof weekend. Opening night was Friday and we opened to an unbelievably full house. I think we had more people at that one performance then we did at all of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. The audiences yesterday were sparse, but still really responsive and great. Today's will be small, but the closing show, Monday night will be big and joyful I suspect.

This has been the most successful Red Door Project yet. I will need to spend the next few months evaluating why that was, although I have a few ideas. Spent some time chatting with Chris about the future of the company and he had some great advice. There is some more long term planning to be done. We will be building a Board of Directors in the next few months as well. We are at the point that Kyleen, Izze and I can't do this on our own without it being our jobs. (Wouldn't that be nice.)

Anyway. So thrilled to be able to play the role. Excited that everything came together.

Thank you to everyone who came out to play with me on this one.

2008-06-13T17:29:00.003-05:00

Is it crazy that one of the highlights of my day is finding out that Ben finally joined Facebook?!

This is "best friend Ben" who's been out of town for nearly a year. He'll be back soon, and then there won't be any good reason why we don't see each other! ;-)

And one more... for today:

2008-06-11T21:14:00.001-05:00

Santino (in the show): "Mademoiselle, me and my friend, we are but soldiers."

Tom: Butt Soldiers?!?!?!

Tomism #3

2008-06-11T19:52:00.003-05:00

"You're not blogging that are you?"

Tomism #2

2008-06-11T19:52:00.001-05:00

"I have a really big tongue."

About Claire Danes...

2008-06-11T19:46:00.001-05:00

Tom: I'd definitely touch her boobies.

Kate: Does she have some?

Tom: I'd find them.

One more Cole Porter reference...

2008-06-08T00:31:00.002-05:00

... yeah i know...

It's too darn hot!

I'm in the land of musical theatre geeks because almost everyone I know made some sort of reference to that song today.

I'm at the end of day 5, of a stretch of 6 double days in a row. I am tired. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I can see it, sort of. I'm so ready for summer. For the end of the theatre gig, so that I can enjoy my summer and relax, even if just a little bit. So that I can go to the beach, and see my roommates, and go on actual dates that aren't dependent on how long i can keep my eyes open.

One a different front, I am officially back to my grad school weight. I have to say, I have no idea how I did it. But damn does it feel good. 10 more and I'll be back at college weight. That would be crazy!!!

I thought of about five things I wanted to write about earlier today, but now I can't think of a damn one. Oh well, maybe they'll come back tomorrow. For now - back to working on Proof!

2008-06-05T23:50:00.002-05:00

Wow, it's been a long time.

So much has happened in the past year that I'm not even really sure how to backtrack. So let's just start with now.

To catch you up, I'm working as the bar manager at Studio 54. I've been doing this for the run of Sunday in the Park With George which began in January and will end at the end of June. Before that I was the bar manager at the American Airlines theatre for Pygmalion and the beginning of The 39 Steps. I am also working at a fantastic restaurant in Astoria called Bistro 33. French/Asian/"New American" food (the most amazing Sushi in the world). we just won best new restaurant in Queens from TimeOutNY.

I've been studying acting at The Barrow Group with Lee Brock and Seth Barrish. I have an amazing class, and I've made some friends I know I will have forever. Also, The Red Door is building a relationship with Barrow Group that I know will be beneficial to us both. Speaking of Red Door, David Auburn's brilliant brilliant piece Proof is going up at Barrow Group the end of this month. I'm thrilled to be acting in it and working with some of the most fantastic people I have ever met.

I got back into ballet earlier this year, including pointe. I stopped going for a while because of some personal things going on in my life, but I'm happy to report that I went back yesterday and I feel great. Once Sunday and Proof are over, I hope to get back into regular class and back up on pointe.

Of course, it wouldn't be a complete update without news on Zelda and my love life. We took Zelda to Ted Pappas at Pittsburgh Public and did a reading of some scenes for him. He seemed to really enjoy it, gave us some advice, and now it's back to waiting. I wish Colette would let me give her some of my contacts, but I can't push her. It's more her baby then mine.

Aaron and I finally parted ways permanently. It was nasty and ugly and there are lots of skeletons hanging out in closets. But I'm glad to be done with him. My friends and I have nicknamed him "Ass-face" courtesy of Matt Hinkley's great song "Leave Town," which sounds mean but was well-deserved.

I've started seeing someone new, and wonderful. His name is Paul, and long story short, we met a very long time ago, but just recently made a connection. Paul reminds me that there are decent, amazing, kind human beings out there. I so don't deserve him, but I do hope it's a long time before he figures that out. I'm sure there will be many more updates on this front.

The van rolled two and a half times...

2007-02-07T17:53:00.000-05:00

I have a bump on my head, everyone is fine, we all walked away... My computer to broken. I'm thinking about whether I want to continue on this tour or not. More later.

Saturday Night in Toledo Ohio...

2007-02-04T18:49:00.000-05:00

...is like being nowhere at all...

thanks, John.

He didn't write it, but he sure did sing it, and boy is it true. Ok, so it's not Saturday, it's Sunday, and it's SuperBowl Sunday to top it off. But still...

We drove out today, to play a show or two tomorrow am, only to find out that show might be cancelled. Due to snow, you ask? Nope. Due to COLD!!!! To be fair, it is going to be 5 degrees before you figure in the wind chill, and that's the high. Wonder how many other shows this week might be cancelled!

Had a lovely week off. Ok, not really a week off, as we had two local shows. Tuesday morning I went to Equity and picked up my union card so that I could go to some auditions. Hit my first auditions as a union member on Friday for Rabbit Hole and Young Frankenstein. Saturday for Macbeth.

Aaron and I had a good time this week too. We hit our favorite haunt, McCann's for some cider, we worshiped Baccus with wine from Washington, we finally had lunch at Serendipity. We also took a little roadtrip to Baltimore to visit my fam and audition for Baltimore Shakespeare Festival. We spent the afternoon downtown at the Inner Harbor where I introduced Aaron to the joys of Maryland Vegetable Crab soup, and then headed back to NYC. We took a little detour driving back and so got back just a few hours before I had to get up and get back on the road with the show. C'est la vie.

Also got to see Kyleen, which was GREAT! We talked Red Door, we talked roommates, we talked boys. I miss her...

Alas, the northern midwest this week, and then back again for a day or so.

GO BEARS!!!!

On the Road Again

2007-01-14T09:14:00.000-05:00

So, I haven't written much, if anything about my tour yet. It's 5 people cramped into a van for hours on end, driving across country. We have different interests, and I'd be hard pressed to say that I'd "hang out" with some of these guys if I wasn't working with them. So, being with them 24/7 has been, ahem, a challenge.

I've been waiting to write until something spectacular made me want to write. Two things happened this week. In Florida we played all different types of venues for all different types of young audiences. One day we wer at a private school, where the kids talked and whispered and got up and moved around through out the show. I wanted to stop what I was doing and tell them to shut up. They didn't want to be there, they didn't care much about us. Fortunately we only had one show that day. The next day, we drove to what appeared to be a very poor section of FL, and did two shows for the most excited and grateful audience ever. They laughed, they clapped, they took something wonderful away. At the end of the show, they started cheering int he middle of the finale. They also stopped the show when the bad guy was facing the business end of a shot gun, with their cheers. This is why we do it. Not for the snotty little shits who get picked up from school in a limo (true story), but for the ones who need all the culture and special things they can get in their poor lives.

The second thing worth writing about is Nashville. I LOVE Nashville. We got in early enough to go explore the downtown area. I took a cab from the hotel and spent the evening by myself enjoying music city. Bought a Cowboy hat, and sat in a wonderful honkytonk bar drinking Jack Daniels (I am in Tennesee after all) and listening to great country music. Can only think of one thing that would have made it better, and that is if Aaron had been along.

On our trek to Washington, tonight we stop in Topeka, tomorrow in Cheyenne (or Denver, but I refuse to sleep on another sofa - story for another day) and then we hit the Seattle area.

I will post some pictures as soon as I find the appropriate cord for my camera.

Three weeks til I get my equity card!

Tour Schedule

2006-12-15T22:08:00.000-05:00

For those who've been asking:

1/9 - Coral Springs Center for the Arts, Coral Springs, FL
1/10 - Tampa Bay Perf Arts Center, Tampa Bay, FL
1/11 - Janet Root Theatre, St. Petersburg, FL
1/12 - Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center, Belle Glade, FL
1/18-19 - Meydenbauer Theatre, Bellevue, WA
1/20 - Allied Arts Council, Yakima, WA
1/22 - Everett Civic Auditorium, Everett, WA
1/23 - McIntyre Hall, Mount Vernon, WA
1/24 - Davis High School, Yakima, WA
1/29-2/2 - Macomb Center for Perf. Arts, Clinton Township, MI
2/5 - Franciscan Center, Sylvania, OH
2/6 - Jackson Community College, Jackson, MI
2/7 - Cooley Auditorium, Milwaukee, WI
2/8 - Lucille Tack Center for the Arts, Spencer, WI
2/9 - Southern Door Community Auditiorium, Brussels, WI
2/12 - Burr Intermediate School, Commack, NY & Bowling Green School, Westbury, NY
2/13 - Wemrock Brook Elementary School, Manalapan, NJ
2/14 - The Palace Theatre, Albany, NY
2/15 - Lyman Center, New Haven, CT
2/16 - Stockton Perf Arts Center, Pomona, NJ
2/17 - Union Public Library, Union, NJ
2/20 - Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
2/21 - Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, Alexandria, VA
2/22 - Symphony Hall, Allentown, PA
2/23 - Kendal Arts Center, Ewing, NJ
2/26 - Flushing Town Hall, Flushing, NY
2/27 - Algonquin Arts, Manasquan, NJ
2/28 - Tawes Theatre, College Park, MD
3/1 - Maryland Hall, Annapolis, MD
3/2 - The Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA
3/5 - Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA
3/6 - Berklee Auditorium, Boston, MA
3/7 - Lincoln Theatre, West Hartford, CT
3/8 - Ocean County Center for the Arts, Lakewood, NJ
3/9 - Tarrytown Music Hall
3/12-3/16 - Gunter Theatre, Greenville, SC
3/19 - Andy Griffith Playhouse, Mount Airy, NC
3/20 - Kraushaar Auditorium, Baltimore, MD
3/21 - John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hempstead, NY
3/22 - Middle Twp. Perf Arts Center, Cape May Ct., NJ
3/23 - Pollack Auditorium, West Long Branch, NJ
3/26 - East Hampton High School, East Hampton, NY
3/27 - Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
3/28 - The Community Theatre, Morristown, NJ
3/29 - Trinity School, New Rochelle, NY
3/30 - Apollo Theatre, Martinsburg, WV
4/2 - Califon Borough School, Califon, NJ
4/3 - Merritt Memorial School, Cresskill, NJ
4/4 - Clarendon #4 School, Secaucus, NJ & Huber Street School, Secaucus, NJ

Let me know if you're hoping/planning to attend - I can arrange for tickets.

It's Signing Day!

2006-12-11T15:04:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited! Tonight at six I sign my contract and meet my cast.

And then I come home and drink Champagne with Aaron to celebrate our successes!

What a Wacky Week...

2006-12-09T06:44:00.000-05:00

So... I've been auditioning like crazy. I don't know what's gotten into me other then I'm on a really great wave and I'm surrounded by amazing people. I've spent the last six months changing my life to make it what I want it to be and not what I percieve anyone else expects of me. Leaving my job at Mannes and meeting Aaron were probably the two biggest influential events that put me on this track, and I can't believe how brave I've been in regard to both.

Monday, I went to audition for ArtsPower children's theatre. I really love auditioning for these guys. They always ask for a whole song, they are very friendly, and I alsways come out feeling good about myself even if I don't get cast. I sang "Something Wonderful" from The King and I and in my prep I had an epiphany. The song is basically a wife defending her husband, who is a terrible leader and too self-important to be able to look after his people. Sound like anyone we might know? Yeah, it's totally Laura singing about George W. I went there in my audition. It was brilliant. It felt amazing.

The week goes on and Aaron gets a callback for Marat/Sade at the Classical Theatre of Harlem. And while I'm thrilled for him, I can't help wondering when I'm going to get my chance. His callback was Thursday morning, and at lunch afterward, I get the callback for ArtsPower. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was expecting it. Thursday, we also got called last minute to do background work on an HIV awareness PSA. This goes into a wacky story about Aaron's last day at Planet Hollywood, and a manager challenging him about his sleeves being rolled up and Aaron leaving. But that's his story.

Friday morning, I get up and start freaking a little bit about the callback which is later. Aaron gets the offer for Marat. I go to my thing. 10:15pm I get the offer.

So, looks like I've got a three month EQUITY contract! I'm signing on Monday, which means that finally that bottle of champagne will get drunk. The tour is out and back from Jan to Apr. I'm a little nervous about that first month, because that is the longest time out. I'm a little nervous about the money. It's a bit less money then I'm making now, but dude! I finally got my equity card!

And what are the odds Aaron and I would both get amazing offers on the same day???!

sorry...

2006-11-06T12:35:00.000-05:00

I just haven't felt like writing much.

things are good and things are bad, and some things are just hanging out in purgatory on hold - as usual.

New Headshots

2006-10-13T08:40:00.000-05:00

Help me choose: http://peterdressel.com/clients/kate

Here are my current narrowings: 52, 54, 69, 79, 88, 89, 95, 169, 197

I can pick three.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday...

2006-10-03T20:33:00.000-05:00

...To Casey Jones (not the train guy...)!

Love ya!!!!!!!!!! This year will be the most exciting, by far! Once you move here I will take you for a birthday cupcake at Magnolia.

Holy Bejeezus

2006-09-29T20:40:00.000-05:00

What a week.

Don't even know where to start. Two photoshoots. Flyering. New Acting class. Danny rehearsal.

I'm getting my own headshots done next monday, and then I can finally get back on track with all of the connections I've been making recently.

yeah. so much and yet nothing.

Did he know?

2006-09-28T20:48:00.000-05:00

Claddagh Ring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ring of Claddagh
The Claddagh Ring is a famous friendship ring originating from the Claddagh village, located just outside the old walls of Galway city. The Claddagh design, an original symbol of the "Fisher Kings" of the Galway town of Claddagh, Ireland, was first fashioned into the traditional ring in the 17th Century during the reign of Mary II.

Significance
The ring's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of friendship (the hands), loyalty (the crown) and love (the heart) that are said to combine in a good marriage. The way that a claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey some indication of the wearer's romantic availability. It is generally true that if the ring is on the right hand with the heart facing towards the hand, indicates that the person wearing the ring is in a serious relationship (his/her heart is closed). A ring worn on the right hand, with the heart outward, away from the hand, the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship (the heart is open). A claddagh worn on the left hand with the heart toward the hand indicates marriage. The other orientation (heart outward) indicates being engaged.
[edit]
Origin

There are many different stories about the origin of the ring.
One story is about Margareth Joyce, a woman of the Joyce clan. She married a Spanish merchant, called Domingo de Rona. She went with him to Spain, but he died and left her a lot of money. She returned to Ireland and, in 1596, married Oliver Ogffrench, the mayor of Galway. With the money she inherited from her first marriage, she funded the construction of bridges of Connacht. All this out of charity, so one day an eagle dropped the Claddagh ring into her lap, as a reward.
Another story tells of a Prince who fell in love with a common maid. To convince her father his feelings were genuine and he had no intentions of "using" the girl, he designed a ring with hands representing friendship, a crown representing devotion, and a heart representing love. He proposed to the maid with this ring, and after the father heard the explanation of the symbolism of the ring, he gave his blessing.
One story that may be closer to historical truth is about a man called Richard Joyce, another member of the Joyce clan and a native of Galway. He left his town to work in the West Indies intending to marry his love later that week, but his ship was captured and he was sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. In Algiers, with his new master, he was trained in his craft. When William III became king, he demanded the release of all British from the Moors. As a result, Richard Joyce was set free. The goldsmith had such a great amount of respect for Richard Joyce that offered Joyce his daughter and half his wealth if Joyce stayed, but he denied his offer and returned home to marry his love who awaited his return. During his time with the Moors he forged a ring as a symbol of his love for her. Upon his return he presented her with the ring and they were married.
"Several individuals of this name have long felt grateful to the memory of William III. from the following circumstance, on the accession of that monarch to the throne of England. One of the first acts of his reign was to send an ambassador to Algiers to demand the immediate release of all the British subjects detained there in slavery, the dey and council, intimidated, reluctnatly complied with this demand. Among those released, was a young man of the name of Joyes, a native of Galway, who, fourteen years before, was captured on his passage to the West Indies, by an Algerine Corsair; on his arrival at Algiers, he was purchased by a wealthy Turk who followed the profession of a goldsmith, and who observing his slave, Joyes, to be tractable and ingenious, instructed him in his trade in which he speedily became an adept. The Moor, as soon as he heard of his release, offered him, in case he should remain, his only daughter in marriage, and with her, half his property, but all these, with other tempting and advantageous proposals, Joyes resolutely declined; on his return to Galway he married, and followed the business of a goldsmith with considerable success", James Hardiman, The History of the Town and County of the Town of Galway

Historical details
The Irish Potato Famine (1845–1849) caused many to emigrate from Ireland, and the Claddagh ring spread along with the emigrants to the United States and elsewhere. These rings are often considered heirlooms, and passed on from mother to daughter as well as between friends and lovers.
The Claddagh Ring is a variant of older rings call "Fede" rings which date to Roman times. An "fenian" Claddagh without the crown was later designed in Dublin for the Republican community, but that is not an indication that the crown in the original design was intended as a symbol of fidelity to the British crown. The fenian Claddagh, while still being made, has not approached the popularity of the ancient design.

* sigh *

2006-09-24T21:27:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I watch you when you’re sleeping
I see you’re having dreams tonight
And I know just by the way you’re breathing.
That I’m a vision in your mind

Wherever you may go my love,
Wherever you may be.
And all that matters in this world
Is just lying next to me
So sleep tight sweetheart, you’re free

*Chorus*
So beautiful, you make me smile
So wonderful, you’re in my life
Incredible, that you are mine.
So beautiful, you give me life
You bring me joy you bring me sight

I watch the way you love your family
And how everyone looks to you
And I don’t want to be here standing
If you didn’t hold me, Baby hold me up like you do

Wherever I may go, my love
Wherever I may be
I know my dreams will find you
Just lying next to me
So sleep tight sweetheart, you’re free

*Chorus*
So beautiful, you make me smile
So wonderful, you’re in my life
Incredible, that you are mine.
So beautiful, you give me life
You bring me joy you bring me sight

You help me see
The woman that I know I am,
But always was afraid to be
You show me how live every moment like it’s the last
And be all that I am
(You’re so beautiful)

*Chorus*
So beautiful, you make me smile
So wonderful, you’re in my life
Incredible, that you are mine.
So beautiful, you give me life
You bring me joy you bring me sight

You’re so, so, so beautiful
Baby

Rough seas ahead

2006-09-19T10:34:00.000-05:00

Somedays I feel like I'm just floating, out of control, in the middle of a rough ocean.

I told someone about my fear of not being needed yesterday. I'm exhausted. I didn't sleep well last night. And I don't seem to be able to pass information just by thinking it. At one point I woke up to Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" and felt the overwhelming desire to cry my eyes out. Who knows why.

I don't want to be dead weight, but I'm afraid if I said all the things I was thinking, you'd be long gone.

I've never held so much of what I'm feeling back in my life.

I'm thinking about going back to a paper journal. You know, the kind you hide under your mattress. Maybe expressing myself on paper will make up for what I can't say out loud.

Back to reality.

2006-09-04T09:56:00.000-05:00

Things seem to be back to normal. Whatever "normal" is. I'm getting a hang on my new life. My time is figuring itself out. I found free internet in Times Square, which helps a lot.

The weekend was nice. Saturday, we went out for a nice relaxing evening - Dinner, Sweeney Todd, and dessert. Nice extra bonus, Ben took us backstage, which really knocked the socks off of my date. (It's the little things.) We came home and sat up and talked for a long while. Work yesterday, sorta, and two movies: Little Miss Sunshine and The Illusionist. Then home for some MUCH needed sleep.

Today, back to work. I've got Danny... stuff to do. Still desperately in need of donations. We need about $500 more to be safe... I have faith, it will all work out.

Why Can't He...

2006-08-31T11:42:00.000-05:00

...leave me alone. He said he wouldn't talk to me for a year. He has no idea how he fucks with my life, but he likes to act like he's the only one who's suffered. As usual it's all about him... with no care or regard for me. That is why it is the way it is...

You'd think after two years he'd know who I was but he has not a clue, nor a care.

So, finally why should I care about him? I am the most loyal person he will ever know, and it takes a mountain to make me not be fiercely loyal to someone I love. What happens when my own loyalties conflict, and at what point do I get to be loyal to myself?

You don't know what I'm thinking and feeling. You have no clue. So just stop all this.

I spend one day away from my computer...

2006-08-28T22:21:00.000-05:00

...and I missed out on one audition and have almost no time to prepare for a callback at 10am tomorrow.

Yikes!

I guess that serves me right, but I needed today. I needed to not think about anything. I needed to nap and watch bad movies and eat leftovers. I'm a bit groggy and sore from my workout session, but the rest of the week will be beautiful.

So now it's time for bed...

Ode to the Faces (At Least I Got to Hang Out With You)

2006-08-27T00:59:00.000-05:00

by CJ Coolsen

Verse--
Alabama, was where you used to throw your hat on the floor
You're too capricious, for a world in pieces
when the Kaiser's got an arm in the door
Here comes the boy with aspirations
living off the fountain of youth
We skip to Times Square, short hair, New Year's party
drinkin' from a champagne flute

Chorus--
What a Sign of the Times
It's great to be alive, kickin' out the old for the new
The last to arrive, 'cause all the people inside
always see the day as a small price to pay
And if this ever gets boring, I'll just take a bow and burn it out
But if you ever went crazy, I might die
I don't know what I'd do, but at least I could say
I got to hang out with you
At least I got to hang out with you

Verse--
Trip Fantastic, a proclamation for the state that we're in
I'm superstitious, but it's so delicious
when you're drownin' in a bathtub of gin
So now I'm reachin' up to heaven, and I'm flippin' off the Lordy
and I'm never gonna stop, well at least 'til 1940
Then we take the A train across the ocean
until the end of this revolution

Bridge--
Don't write down anything I can live without
But where's my protection when you scream and shout
And how'd we come to the Great White Hunter
everything that could put us under
Can you remember when it used to be sugar and spice
on This Side of Paradise

Verse--
Culture babies, we used to break the rules on a whim
The Great Depression is the word in session
for the nation goin' out on a limb
And now the fat cats, in top hats, are messin' with my money
and all we did was dance the Lindy, well I guess it's pretty funny
So I'll take it in the way I do, as long as I still have you

Chorus--
What a Sign of the Times
It's great to be alive, kickin' out the old for the new
The last to arrive, 'cause all the people inside
always see the day as a small price to pay
And if this ever gets boring, I'll just take a bow and burn it out
And if we ever went crazy, we'll just fade away
But at least they could say
I got to hang out with you
At least I got to hang out with you

Sittin' in a cafe, I think we finally landed
and we're talkin' 'bout the freedom that we used to take for granted
'cause we're strangers in a foreign land,
where all the people sing:
OO LA LA
OO LA LA LA LA
OO LA LA
OO LA LA LA LA

Liftin' up the hemlines, bullets on St. Valentines
Chaplin on the big screen, Time has got a magazine
Nazis in the beer hall, hopin' for the big fall
Jazz in the backroom, jammin' out the new boom
Calvin's keepin' quiet, while the Klan is at the Hyatt
And the women that we're goting, gettin' sick of never voting
If you're taken what is given, you could lose your inhibitions
But it really doesn't matter,

OH MY GOD, IT'S PROHIBITION!!!!

(What I wouldn't give to hear CJ sing this again...)

Two big things...

2006-08-27T00:39:00.000-05:00

...this week have made me feel terribly and utterly out of control. And I hate that. I don't want to go into details here, but one is all about me and the other is all about someone I care an awful lot about.

Just bare with me. And remind me to let go, and have that faith I mentioned a few weeks ago...

WOW!

2006-08-24T20:58:00.000-05:00

So much has been going on in the past week. I can't believe I haven't had time to blog...

Been spending more and more time with a certain someone. Things are really good, and I haven't smiled this much in a long time.

Work, is work. The schedule is good. It's taking a lot of patience to sort out my audition life and figure out how to fit everything in. It's weird to not have a computer in front of my 24/7 and so not be able to do nearly as much multi-tasking as normal. In a way it's making me slow down which is good.

Red Door: I think casting is complete. Stilll looking for an SM. Brian has left the project and I believe Richard is going to direct, if not I will... Very happy with our cast choices. They will be brilliant.

Chris and Rachel's Wedding: it was lovely. Very happy for them. There was a toast that stuck with me a bit: L = Listen, O=Observe, V=verbalize, E=Enjoy. These are the keys to a strong healthy relationship. Perhaps they've stuck with me as I'm putting an unhealthy one behind me and beginning a brand new one.

MOST IMPORTANT: Tuesday Collete and Quigley came up to the city and the three of us, plus Joel and Aaron made a pitch to Cherry Lane Theatre in the West Village to produce Zelda. Our pitch included scenes and songs and I fell in love with it all over again. It was amazing to do scenes with Joel after two years have passed. it was as if nothing had changed. I was really glad to have Quigley there too. We got to sing "Prohibition" together which was a blast. it was really special to have Aaron there too. I roped him into playing Ernest Hemingway which means he's now a part of the history of the piece. A bit nervewraking to have him there, as it was the first time he ever saw me perform, but I'm so glad that Zelda was the first thing he saw. Cherry Lane basically said, we can't afford to produce this alone, but we love it. We'd love to assist with a backer's reading. Now Colette can take that info to Pittsburgh for a little extra clout, and we'll see what happens. I'm always in a funk when I have to put her away, so kudos for Aaron for putting up with me. And with faith it won't be another two years before I get to play with her again.

Overheard in the Office

2006-08-15T11:47:00.000-05:00

"It's like Star Wars. It's a K-Niffen from planet Meerzubawb." - Ringer

"I'm very mysterious when I'm inside you. Like the wind or something." - Eric, quoting Family Guy.

"Kate's wrestler name is 'Jade Pussycat." - Ringer

Gratitude

2006-08-15T11:27:00.000-05:00

I am stronger then I sometimes let myself believe. Thank you to my friends who constantly encourage and inspire me.

Proof...

2006-08-15T11:25:00.000-05:00

...that a little brownie cheesecake can make anything better...

Another Sleepless Night

2006-08-15T08:09:00.000-05:00

Bill Finn's song from "In Trousers" has been smoldering in my brain since waking up (late) this morning.

I. Am. Exhausted.

Somewhere between 6:00pm and 1:00am my world got really shook up and I feel like I was on a skateboard hanging on to the back of the bus as it continued to pick up speed, barely hanging on.

Why do I insist on putting everyone else before myself? I have to start making decisions without asking everyone else what they want first. Everytime I take the initiative and someone is hurt or unhappy with me, I feel incredibly guilty. This is true in all aspects of my life.

I think I may have fucked up two really important things in my life last night.

Go, me.

I am sleepy.

2006-08-14T09:32:00.000-05:00

ah. Please disregard the previous post. I was out of my mind. I'm better now.

So the weekend...

The weekend was grand. Friday I did training for my new job, which I think is going to have some aspects that I struggle with, which could be fun. I also started teaching a new student on Friday mornings, which is really good for me to get back to basics. Friday night I sat outside for hours reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (again). A nice way to spend a summer evening.

Saturday morning we held auditions for Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. It was really eye-opening. Two words: sadism and "rye-bon". Let the games begin! Then I had a wonderful Saturday afternoon/evening with an amazing man.

Sunday I did my first day of work, came home and crashed, and then had a late-night ice cream/movie date.

I really can't complain about a whole lot.

What?!

2006-08-12T06:03:00.000-05:00

and why???

Happy Birthday to Ben!

2006-08-10T15:54:00.000-05:00

Once again, we celebrate my dear friend's birthday! Love you, Benjamin Scott Eakeley!

Glorious Words of Wisdom

2006-08-09T19:17:00.000-05:00

One of my teachers from the MT Immersion (ie Theatre Camp) is a dedicated writer adn I look forward to her writings on a daily basis. The following comes from her latest blog detailing the Immersion experience from the faculty's point of view. It's hard to put into words what the experience was, but here she does it beautifully:

...core faculty met last night at the wonderful Diane Wondisford's apartment...there we were, our doughty little group of dedicated core faculty: the brilliant Nova Thomas, the wise and dear Chuck Maryan, the energetic and creative Keith Buehl, Diane (ever patient and focused) and me....some 6 weeks after the end of the Musical Theater Immersion this past June, ready to discuss it, dissect it, analyze, and visualize its future....a great meeting. A productive meeeting.

The thing I was most pleased about was: little annoying strings that were left hanging got tied up and cleared away...vague disagreements about procedure, small discomforts about time and schedule, varying points of view about approaches to the students,etc...all bases were covered, and as a true testament to the group, the result was a larger sense of ourselves as a core teaching group, a stronger dedication to next summer's possible program, and a genuine sense that we did indeed accompllsh something this summer, on our first outing of the Immersion!!!

Looking back, and remembering what the group of students was like at the start of the 15 days, we all were pretty much amazed by what was presented at the finish of those days: a group of confident, focused, wiser and far more interesting performers than when they began....we all sat there that final day, I recall, either awash in tears, or stunned into a sort of awed silence, as scene by scene, song by song, they got up and bravely showed themselves to us...and that was no illusion, no mere trick of our self-congratulatory egos...no....those students had palpably grown and improved...they had indeed "shown up" and we were thrilled.And grateful.

Keith kept using the word "magic" at the meeting last night..well, yes...indeed.
Diane is more a fan of the "immersion" process than ever before.
And the other three of us felt deep comraderie, because we knew how delicate the teaching balance was between the three of us, made strong by the mutual trust and respect we do all feel for each other. The mere "getting along" of three strong creative experienced egos is, in itself, no small task....and the open-ness, the willingness to learn from each other is rare. All these elements were present and, no doubt, partially responsible for the end product of this virgin voyage!

To read more from Evalyn please visit: http://compostmoi.blogspot.com

Rachel and Chris

2006-08-09T10:04:00.000-05:00

I have been newly in touch with many friends from high school and college recently (thank you, myspace). And I'm not entirely amazed at the number who are married and have families. But I'm going to a wedding next week which has a very special place in my heart: Rachel and Chris's.

I lived with these two beautiful people for a year, before they were even considering dating. We were just three roomies. It was a year of fighting over the room with no window, eat-with-your-hands night, hard boiled eggs, Law and Order, double dates, bitch sessions about GG, impromptu monologue coachings, daily poetry premieres, big Frank, Little Toninos, penis cookies, opening the door for Elijah, dealing with dial-up and the F train. What a crazy household! We went through finding Rachel dates, Chris dating my best friend from home, and my dating fiasco with Geoff. Then there was the double date that Rachel and I went on with Chris' friends Sonny and Ed.

No where in there, did I see this relationship blossom. And amazingly, they are so perfect for each other, how did the three of us miss it for so long?

So next saturday, they get married. I can't wait. I've been to weddings where I knew the couple, was friends with them. But I feel a real bond with these two, and I'm already overwhelmed at the prospect of them joining together eternally.

On top of it, I think many of our class will be there, and it's been ages since we've had a PARTY!

I love my life.

2006-08-08T11:50:00.000-05:00

"There seemed to be some heavenly support beneath his shoulder blades that lifted his feet from the ground in ecstatic suspension, as of he secretly enjoyed the ability to fly but was walking as a compromise to convention." - Zelda Sayre

Brilliantly Put

2006-08-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

"You must play, because if you're going to wait for the job, you'll die." - Dustin Hoffman

A MUST SEE!

2006-08-07T15:50:00.000-05:00

TastiSkank

Described as the "newborn love child of the Indigo Girls and Tenacious D," TastiSkank will offer songs about everything "from sex to pills to dirty boys who will remain nameless."

Concert at Ars Nova... oh dear lord.

Today's Mantra

2006-08-07T07:32:00.000-05:00

La Vie En Rose
Des Yeux Qui Font Baisser Les Miens
Un Rire Qui Se Perd Sur Sa Bouche
Voila Le Portrait Sans Retouche
De L'homme Auguel J'appartiens
Quand Il Me Prend Dans Ses Bras,
Il Me Parle Tout Bas
Je Vois La Vie En Rose,
Il Me Dit Des Mots D'amour
Das Mots De Tous Les Jours,
Et Ca Me Fait Quelques Choses
Il Est Entre Dans Mon Coeur,
Une Part De Bonheur
Dont Je Connais La Cause, C'est Lui Pour
Moi, Moi Pour Lui Dans La Vie
Il Me L'a Dit, L'a Jure Pour La Vie,
Et Des Que Je L'apercois
Alors Je Sens En Moi, Mon Coeur Qui Bat...
Des Nuits D'amour A Plus Finir
Un Grand Bonheur Qui Prend Sa Place
Les Ennuis, Des Chagrins S'effacent
Heureux, Heureux A En Mourir

What century was I meant to be in?

2006-08-06T21:19:00.000-05:00

This morning it was mentioned that I may be from 18th Cent. France. A revolutionary girl... I've always known that I look like I could've walked out of a variety of eras, all but the contemporary one. I love dressing in period garb, and much to the delight of some, I feel rather special being laced up and petticoated. When I did Yeoman of the Guard last fall, one of the ladies involved (Christiane Noll's mother, if you're a theatre geek) told me every night that I looked like "The Girl With the Pearl Earring."
I like to think that not every girl can look like she stepped out of a painting.

what a day.

2006-08-06T21:13:00.000-05:00

You might say my day began at 2:00am. Not that I'm complaining. The first half of the day, delightful, but tiring. The second half of the day: beyond bizarre. Sorry for not elaborating on either half, but the parties involved know who they are and I'm sure would appreciate a little discretion.

Otherwise, we narrowed our auditionees down to 26. Pretty amazing considering there were originally about 150. Looks liek our finances will be ok. Tight, but ok. It's all getting very exciting!

...but that's just a tease...

2006-08-05T08:46:00.000-05:00

Had a really fun afternoon yesterday with my new partner in crime. Started on Margaritas a bit too early, but what the hell. Good thing he had a gig so I could go home and sleep it off!

(P.S. you were completely right about Quills...)

Today, Yoga! Maybe some shopping, we'll see.

To Harry Potter Fans:

2006-08-03T12:04:00.000-05:00

Please read my pal Casey's entry today. click on the link on the right hand side of my blog called "Casey Jones".

Have a good laugh!

A Woman of Faith

2006-08-03T07:35:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite songs is called Woman of Faith by Eddie from Ohio. I really discovered this song, when Brian and I were living together and really having a lot of problems. And I always kind of thought that the man I end up with would view me in the same way as the man singing this song about his wife:

i wake up, check my senses
one two three four five
number six missing again
same old game of seek and hide
i remember that old feeling
it's tender to the touch
just me and all my senses
i don't need to think too much
you know i tend to think too much

(chorus)
in times such as these we find ourselves in an old familiar place
it's for times such as these when you've gotta believe
that i married me a woman of faith
it's for times such as these when you've gotta believe
that i married me a woman of faith

my old dog is smiling at me
something by me passed
my old dog grinning ear to ear
shakes his head, starts to laugh
i've been checking all four corners
what makes him so wise
i've been checking all four corners
i forgot to look right in front of
right in front in of my eyes

(chorus)

i wake up, check my senses, all have come around
one two three four five all here
six sleeps next to me, sleeping sound
six is sleeping sound

(chorus)

I don't know where it came from, I'm guessing from my relationship with Seth and the trials involved therein, but I have always found that in letting go, all will come back to you. It's called Faith. I'm not a fan of organized religion. Primarily because the churches I've been a part of become more of a social circle then an honest place of worship. I'm not even sure that my version of "God" would match most other peoples'. But I do believe, with my life, that there is a force out there that guides us. Self-righteous, control-freak humans rarely let it. But it's there.

I bring this up because yesterday was a prime example of faith in my life. I'm leaving my steady 9-5, with benefits job, to persue my dreams and goals in the theatre, and in the process I found a job that would allow me to go to auditions, and pay the bills, and everything would be ok. By, some chance of mis-communication, the offer I had been given last week, have been given to someone else, and while they had another gig for me it definately did not pay enough for me to live. I said yes anyway. And though I got really upset about how I was going to make it work - I had faith that somehow it would work.

I sometimes walk home through Central Park after work, and yesterday, even though it was the hottest day of the summer, I needed some nature. I got to the other side, and my phone rang. It was the new job, calling to re-offer the original position. Everything will be ok.

Casey and I have been talking alot about his moving up to the city and I know how daunting the prospect is. I say, just have faith. Let it guide you, and the right things will invariably happen.

Quote of the Day

2006-08-02T13:11:00.000-05:00

Love is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke.
- Lynda Barry

Dream Roles

2006-08-01T13:40:00.000-05:00

Aaron and I recently quizzed each other on our dream roles. It was really hard coming up with some, but one I forgot is Lina Lamont in Singin' In the Rain. (She's the "I caaaeeen't stan 'it" girl.) I am fortunate to have an audition for her on Friday morning for a regional production in the late fall! How much fun would that be!!!

I Get a Kick Out of You. By Mr. Porter

2006-08-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

My story is much too sad to be told,
but practically everything
leaves me totally cold.
The only exception i know is the case,
when i'm out on a quiet spree,
fighting vainly the old enui
and i suddenly turn and see,
your fabulous face.

I get no kick from Champagne
Mere alchohol doesn't thrill me at all
so tell me why should it be true
that i get a kick
out of you

Some get a kick from cocain
i'm sure that if i took even one sniff
that would bore me terrificly too
yet i get a kick out of you

i get a kick every time i see you standing there before me
i get a kick though its clear to me you obviously don't
adore me

I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high
with some guy in the sky is my idea of nothing to do

Yet i get a kick
Out of you

Sweeney Todd is closing

2006-07-31T08:53:00.000-05:00

What a sad day... Go see it if you haven't. You have one month!

A Struggling Artist Update

2006-07-29T07:38:00.000-05:00

So you all know that I'm leaving Mannes. And I have to say, everyone at Mannes has been unbelievably supportive about me going. One of the benefits of working with all musicians and artists I suppose. I went into a bit of a freak spin when I had to give Georgia an actually date that I'd be leaving. At that exact moment I had 1)no idea what I was going to do afterward and 2) not slept in about 30 hours. However, as Gershwin would say "things are looking up."

I had a callback for work with Story Salad Children's Theatre, a tour of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,Very Bad Day, which would begin the end of August. There is also had some interest in me for a production of Honkey Tonk Angels out in Colorado which would be a few months worth of work beginning the middle of August. Finally, I had an offer of day work from Richard Frankel Productions promoting Hairspray. This might be the best day job I've ever had an as actor. It allows me mornings and evenings free and it only 5 days a week. My take home pay would be about the same as what I currently take home... I had always heard that these positions existed, I just had no idea how to find them. On top of it, they are cool with me being an actor, most of their promo people are, and many people come and go for gigs. Most important, I can really focus on getting paid work instead of just taking anything.

This is a real turning point in my career.

Amazing

2006-07-27T11:43:00.000-05:00

how quickly a calm can come. I am not the same person I was just two weeks ago.

I have come to believe that even and calm is the best way for me to live. It infuriates some people that I don't get easily excited, but I don't get easily upset either. The bigger picture is the more important and day-to-day is much more fun this way. I find it rare to meet someone who thinks like I do. Especially in New York, where everything is about the hustle and the money. And then I did. Laid back, in the moment, unplanned. Content.

...why are the stars so bright? If we're here till dawn can we blame it on the summer night?...

For some reason my mind is racing in an Irish brogue today...

Sonnet: For Kate

2006-07-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

by Royden Benjamin Ringer

If it be true that we from fair desire
Increase, that we in fullest scope might see
What's rarely viewed, dear beauty's puissant fire,
Then sure thou shouldst tenfold increased be:
For not with beauty solely art thou blest,
(Though thou hast plenty for to snare mine eye);
A finer mind thou couldst not dream requewst,
And voice as thine dost will the soul to fly.
Thus, smarts it so that so surpassing fair
A one as thou shalt from us taken be,
No longer privileged thy time to share,
And left in such eternal quandary.
But though we're stricken, 'tis a needful thing.
Pursue thy dream: go forth, fair Kate, and sing.

(Royden, you make me cry...)

Because sometimes I miss Virginia.

2006-07-23T21:25:00.000-05:00

you think you'll find some mountains
in western colorado
fifty weeks of snowy peaks
is where you're gonna be
but babe the rocky mountains are gradually eroding
the hills of coors are nothing more
than blue ridge wannabes

a turkey on it's belly
a chicken on it's back
anyway you look at it
you'll find her on the map
she revels in the seasons
shakes hands with the north
hugs the land of dixie while dancing on the porch

you think that autumns in new england
are the greatest of them all
but give me sweet virginia for the fireworks of fall
the prettiest october in all the fifty states
just drive up to the skyline
park the car and wait

so grow up colorado
excuse me tennessee
if you don't mind, north caroline
here's where i want to be

(chorus)
when you're talking home
you mean the old dominion
just southeast of heaven to the surf and the hills
she's the best of thirteen sisters
and thirty seven more
sweet sweet virginia always keeps an open door

they're fiddlin' in galax
pickin' up in floyd
and in the land of patsy cline
they're songs you can't avoid
when you're walking back after midnight
i'll fall to pieces, too
i'm crazy back in baby's arms with sweet dreams of you

they're sailing down in norfolk
skiing up in bryce
climbing up the devil's stairs against the ranger's advice
they're harvesting in loudoun to shenandoah winds
and in the land near washington they're rooting for the 'skins
fight for old d.c.

so grow up colorado
excuse me tennesse
if you don't mind, north caroline
here's where i want to be

(chorus)

pack up your impala
and make your move out west
past the blue ridge mountains
you'll find you passed the best
and when your dreams have ended
where mountains are concerned
me and sweet virginia will await for your return

Live From Traverse City, Michigan!

2006-07-23T21:07:00.000-05:00

So, i'm in Michigan. My last college fair for Mannes is tomorrow at Interlochen Arts Academy. It'll be good to see some of the friends I made last year, and sad because I'll be telling them that this is my last fair. Michigan is much prettier then I imagined. Reminds me a lot of Georgia and Virginia. Really lush woodlands, flat towns. My hotel happens to be right on Lake Michigan too, which I love. Tomorrow will begin with an early stroll along the sand.

Life has been moving at light speed for me lately. I put in my notice for August 15th. which means I have to find other work or I'm gonna be a lot of trouble. Had an interview which sounded promising, and the schedule was perfect. will know this week. Will also be hearing from Don Greene in the next few weeks. Have a call back for a Kids' Show tour on Wednesday. That would be awesome.

And I need to remember that in ALL things in my life: When it rains, it pours. I've been spending quite a bit of time with a friendly neighbor. And honestly, I can't wait to get back to Astoria to do it some more...

I'm so sleepy...

2006-07-19T14:42:00.000-05:00

Been up for 33 hours. ;-)

My last day at Mannes is now officially, Aug 15th. Yay!

I have an addiction

2006-07-15T01:02:00.000-05:00

I met up with Colette Silvestri for diner food (our favorite) and Zelda discussion. I am addicted to all things Zelda Fitzgerald. Turns out that I'm not the only one. I'm not the only who takes it very personally when faced with a biography about Scott and Ginerva King. I'm not the only one holding my breath for the next incarnation of Colette's Zelda. I'm not the only one who can bring themselves to listen to the Wildhorn songs.

Something big's afoot. I can feel it. Colette showed me some of the rewrites. This is big. And Jozan appears. So how do I keep from jumping out of my skin until I get to go there again? Dance class, voice lessons. I will give no reason not to continue to work on this project...

May have an answer at the end of the week....

...While I'm still young and in my prime...

Don't know why...

2006-07-10T14:48:00.000-05:00

...there's no stars up in the sky. Stormy weather, since my love and I ain't together. Keeps raining all the time...

Oh dear. Been taking a long trip down memory lane today. I googled myself, as I was launching a new version of the Red Door site and wanted to check out the googlibility of it. And as I did, I hit, not very far down the list, an old blog entry of a former flame. I didn't read the blog. As a matter of fact I can't even bring myself to go to his websites blog or business. But, the line that popped was enough to send me reeling.

What a crazy love life I have had...

Brian and I went to Coney Island on Friday night, just to have a little fun. We don't seem to be able to relax enough to just have fun in this process of trying to be friends. Perhaps Coney wasn't the best place to go. It took me back to that August night, the most wonderful night of my New York existance, with Talon Beeson, Geoffrey Long, and their various friends. I called Talon, I couldn't help it. I really wanted to call Geoff, but a) I know better, and b)I don't have his number anymore. Why have I had Geoff on the brain so much recently???

Monday night, at Bryant park, I saw Seth Morgan. I went to go chat with him and then decided better of it. I have to remind myself that the fates are in control, and all things, though we don't always understand why, work out as they should. Seth and I said that we would hang out once we were both living in the city, but something tells me it would end up a wonderful horrible mess if we did. I wonder quite often, why we had to meet when we did. A few years later and things would have been amazingly different.

If I could go back in my life I know what changes I'd make. But how would they have changed me? Am I better off as I am? I guess I have to assume that I am. My directing teacher said, on the very first day of class, "Always assume that everything is purposeful." Interesting perspective on life, I'd say.

Also, on my trek down the lane, I got an email from Melissa Frock. She and I were really close friends in high school, and somehow, in the last few years have completely lost touch. She filled me on what her life is like. It's outline is surprisingly like mine. Hope to see her in the fall at our reunion.

Sigh.

I'm ready for Mrs. Fitzgerald to come to New York. I need to dive into something wholeheartedly.

All in a day's work.

2006-07-05T10:49:00.001-05:00

God love Bill Irwin. Genius.

Damn, I miss those guys.

DAY OFF

2006-06-18T10:11:00.000-05:00

Finally a day off! I'm still in bed... it's 11:00. I have work to do today but I can do them in the comfoort of my own home or in the park across the street. I get to play with Kyleen, who I haven't even spoken too in a whole week. And, oh yeah, a little housework, as we had our first "visitor" last night, and it was a big sucker.

Going back to sleep...

Theatre Camp

2006-06-13T18:55:00.000-05:00

So, I apologize for disappearing for the rest of June. I'm in theatre camp!!!! So far it's been exhausting and exhillarating, and everything wonderful. I'm being reminded of all of the things I've learned over the years and forgotten. I'm seeing young actors discover, which is teaching me as much about myself as it is for them. I'm seeing my peers (in age) re-discover as I am, and informing myself with that as well.

We are in acting classes (sometimes twice a day), and master classes (yesterday with Judy Kuhn, today with Bob LuPone, tomorrow with Michelle Pawk) - google them if you are unfamiliar. They are asking for any and everything. The stresses that I almost always feel at auditions I'm feeling regularly and understanding exactly what it is, and how best to conquer it.

I had an amazing voice lesson with a supportive, understanding teacher - been a long time since I had a warm caring voice teacher (I'm not talking about my coaches who have been wonderful, but rather my technical instructors.)

I am there, and already feel ready to get out there. I can't wait to see how I feel in the end!

Oh, nostalgia

2006-06-10T13:59:00.000-05:00

Do you ever just, out of the blue, miss someone. I miss someone. I don't know what made me think of him, but it's been a few years, and it's not quite as easy as picking up the phone to say hello. But, I hope he's well and that life is great and that all of his dreams and goals are in sight. Maybe, if I head to Boston this fall, I'll look him up...

I knew that!

2006-06-08T09:39:00.000-05:00

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern.
A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock.
A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything.
No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

I didn't do this...

2006-06-04T11:58:00.000-05:00

... but i share the sentiment.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=899565

A Perfect New York Week

2006-06-03T12:01:00.000-05:00

There are those things that define the New York experience that you often see in movies, but then wonder if they really exist, if New yorkers actually do these things. Well I had two such experiences this week.

On Thursday, I was invited to attend a launch party for one of my colleagues son's new business. David is a chef and is a partner in a personal chef company called Chef in the City. The party was in a loft near Union Square with a jazz trio playing standards and open bar. The food, which David prepared was fantastic. Almost a surreal experience.

This morning I went to Yoga in the Socrates Sculpture Park. It was misty and gray and we set up right next to the river. It was perfect. And I fell great. Of course the latest monsoon broke just as we were ending and I had to ride my bike home in it.

Ben came to my office for a little visit yesterday. We chit chatted for a while. He ate my chicken. It was awesome to spend a few non-business mintues with him.

I also have a big audition on Monday for Broadway. The weekend will be getting ready for that. Send good vibes Monday afternoon!

When they said "Boot Camp"...

2006-06-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

...they were not kidding.

I got my preparation packet for this three-week intensive Musical Theatre Audition course I'm taking at The New School for Drama. (Bragging Right: I get to take it for free, since I work for The New School!)

For the first day I have to have:

2 page journal assignment pkus song to perform for that;
Read and be very familiar with Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer NIght's Dream;
Two Songs performance ready;
At least four songs to work on;
Four Monologues

On top of that, dance attire will be tights and a leotard! (EEK!) So I'm seriously upping my workout routine. I'll have to put all music and Monologues on my ipod, so I can work on them while working out.

Truth be told, I'm looking forward to this experience. I feel like I'm right back in grad school, and I really loved grad school. Being creative 24 hours a day. Not sitting at a desk for hours on end

So now my challenge is to find some monologues and songs to work on. Leave suggestions if you got 'em.

My life is really good some days.

Cafe Lalo

2006-05-27T17:50:00.000-05:00

Started my new weekend job today and I am tired now. I'm serving at Cafe Lalo. www.cafelalo.com Take a look it, may seem familiar to any of you who like Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movies. Now I'm home vegging out. The first day is always the longest, most tiring.

That's all for now. ;-)

Cause deep down, I'm just a big dork

2006-05-23T10:44:00.000-05:00

Star Wars Horoscope for Libra

You are on a lifelong pursuit of justice and determined to succeed.
You convey the art of persuasion through force.
You always display your supreme intelligence.
You have a great talent in obtaining balance between yourself and your surroundings.

Star wars character you are most like: Obi Wan Kenobie

What is Your Star Wars Horoscope?

Migraine and movie.

2006-05-21T15:12:00.000-05:00

Well... Friday I took the day off to go to the EPA for Company. I got there at 8:30am and left by about 10:30am, and in that time there were only three other people there to audition. I went first. I'm not even in the union. Very bizarre experience. I did fine. Actually, I had a migraine coming on moments before I walked into the room, so I think I did alright. Really was more focused on not throwing up from the severe pain in the back of my head. As I came out of the room I set down my clarinet and flute grabbed my sweats to change back into and ran to the bathroom, just in time to throw up. I will now have fond memories every time I got back to Telsey for an audition! I came home, saw Alex Geminiani (Sweeney Todd, Assassins) standing in my subway station out in Queens, and somehow managed not to get soaked in the monsoon that decided to come down the second I got off of the train. I slept all day. I'd wake up realize that my head still hurt and go immediately back to sleep. About 8pm I woke up and felt perfectly fine. Kyleen and I hit up Waltz and took a walk so that we could both get out of our houses.

Yesterday, I hit Red Bank for an audition for 42nd Street. When I got off the train, I realized how long it'd been since I was last there because they've since built a train platform. As I was walking down Monmouth Street, I thought about the last time I had been there which was the day Man of La Mancha had closed in June 2004. That was also the last time I hung out with Denise, and within a day or so of the last time I saw Geoff. Interestingly enough, my relationship with Geoff basically began and ended at that theatre... I came home and decided to be lazy. Though vaguely about going to the movies, but didn't want to fight the DaVinci crowds.

Got up this morning and went to see the first mat of DaVinci Code, which was pleasantly entertaining. And now I'm home to hide out from the thunderstorm that can't make up it's mind whether to hit or not. Will probably do some web design, wash some dishes, gather up laundry, and practice for yet another audition.

Vino at my desk

2006-05-18T13:49:00.000-05:00

It's Mannes Graduation day! Yay! We are not getting much of anything done today, Georgia has a doctor's appointment, and they fed us wine and shrimp for lunch. Good day!

It's the day of the show, y'all

2006-05-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

Cabaret tonight! one of my favorite moments of directing/producing is that second that you realize that there is nothing more you can do and the show will have to run like a well-oiled machine. It's scary and exhillarating. Yesterday, at the end of our tech, came a modified version of that feeling. Modified because we still have to soundcheck two songs, one of which I haven't heard at all yet. But still... I can focus on my own performance at this point.

I am going to look hot tonight. I have a new black dress and shoes. My highlights are done. I have a manicure on the schedule for today. Sorry if you have to miss it.

So as always, it was wonderful to see Ben yesterday. I say it over and over and over again, but I am so blessed to have him in my life. He gave me a hug and I suddenly felt calm and confident. A girl couldn't ask for anything more. And to top it off, he is performing tonight, and damn is he good!

In other news: I had an audition and callback for Much Ado About Nothing. They both went well. Had to sing and play clarinet, which is a great prep for Company which is coming up this week. Also have an audition for Urinetown next week. So, life is pretty good all around.

Fu-nny

2006-05-10T11:25:00.000-05:00

You Should Get a MFA (Masters of Fine Arts)

You're a blooming artistic talent, even if you aren't quite convinced.
You'd make an incredible artist, photographer, or film maker.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

EMC means something now...

2006-05-09T14:45:00.000-05:00

Really awesome thing happened today. Equity created an EPA process for EMC's to have priority amoung non-Equity people at EPA's. This ROCKS!!!!

Sadness to AP, one of her classmates was killed in a car accident last night. I hope they are all ok down in NC.

Cabaret this weekend!!!

Gilmore Girls Season Finale tonight!!!!

Continuing from this morning...

2006-05-04T15:40:00.000-05:00

I had a lovely lunch with my sister in Central Park. It is gorgeous today... It's days like this that make me really love New York. I can't believe it's almost summer again. It's been several years since I've stay in the city for the summer and I am really looking forward to it. Movies in Bryant Park. Midsummer Nights Swing at Lincoln Center. The Pool in Astoria Park.

Speaking of Summer, I got word today that I will get to take this amazing audition workshop through New School Drama. It's a three-week immersion course working on audition skills for Musical Theatre. It includes workshops with some awesome talent and trips to shows with talk backs (funny enough, Sweeney is one fo those ventures... hahahaa!). This is exactly what I need professionally right now. The timing couldn't be better.

Life is pretty good at the moment... I could think of one thing to make it better.

Just Kiss Me Once and Kiss Me Twice...

2006-05-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

Then kiss me once again,
It's been a long long time.
Haven't felt like this my dear
Since, can't remember when
It's been a long long time...

Ok so it's been a while since I've updated here. I started writing on my friendster blog, but I think I'll be back to Blogspot for a while.

So much going on (as always). The biggest thing at the moment is the Red Door Cabaret. My theatre company's very first performance. I feel like a mother who's baby is taking its first step. I'm beaming! Some of my favorite people are performing, and I might sing something too. I don't even care how successful the event is financially, I'm just so glad to be doing something like this.

FYI: If you wanna come and haven't gotten one of the 500 emails I've sent:

The Beginning: A Red Door Theatre Cabaret
Sunday, May 14th at 7PM
The Duplex www.theduplex.com
Featuring: Dana Danson, Liz Donathan, Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Deena Eddy, Tanya C. Edwards, Vladimir Lapin, Jennifer Little (Phantom of the Opera), Jarret Mallon (2006 Carbonel Nominee), Katie Michalek, and Kyleen Milton
Hosted By: Richard Wallace
Directed By: Kate Erin Gibson (ME!)

The other exciting part about this is that so many old friends who I haven't seen in years have told me they are going to try to be there. Friends from grad school, friends from college, even friends from high school...!

Speaking of High School. My class is officially having a class reunion this year. I can not believe I've been out of high school for ten years already. Amazing. The reunion is in September at Oregon Ridge. Gives me plenty of time to do two things: Get into fantastic shape, and get a broadway show. ;-)

Lately, thanks to the magic of the internet, Myspace and Friendster, I have been talking to people I feel like are from a past life. It's become a daily thing to chat with Brian Pippin, whom I went to high school with but probably haven't spoken to since the 8th grade. I also had dinner with John McLaughlin, another high school classmate, whom I definately was not friends with at all, but whom now lives in Manhattan with his fiancee Emilie. It's just really crazy and overwhelming to realize how small the world is. I mean in Astoria alone (my little corner of New York City) live about 3 friends from high school, 7 or 8 friends from college, a handful of friends from NYU and friends from other parts of my life. Astoria isn't all that big!

Anyhow. My sister is here to meet me for lunch. To be continued...

Strike is over

2005-12-23T10:24:00.001-05:00

Yeah, the strike is over...

The only thing I have to say about it is this: If you took a friggin cab anywhere - especially less then 20 blocks, do not say one word of complaint to anyone about the strike at all.

Walking home from manhattan two nights in a row, really makes me appreciate the walk to my subway stop now - which I once thought was too long.

Ok. going home today. I'm a moron. Reserved a car for yesterday, thought I did it for today = no car. Charlie is going to pick us up after he finishes work in Allentown, PA. So good, minor mistake saves me $324. excellent.

In other news, saw Ben yesterday. Got the backstage tour. I belong there... I really truly do. We are going to have dinner on tuesday night to really catch up.

Also saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - was ok. Norbert Leo butz was FANTASTIC! Deserved his Tony absolutely.

TTFN.

My god that was fun...

2005-12-21T21:09:00.000-05:00

Ask me how I got home from work today... go ahead, ask. Maybe we should start with where do you live? Answer: Astoria (find it on the map - hint, it's in Queens). And, Where do you work? Answer: Upper West Side (85th Street in Manhattan, to be exact). So, how did you get home today?

I walked.

Oh yeah baby. Across Central Park, down and over to the 59th Street Bridge, over the Bridge, up 21st Street to Ditmars Blvd. How long did that take you ask?

2 hours.

I'm taking my roller skates tomorrow, because I am REALLY tired of walking everywhere.

God, I love the MTA and the TWU. My special favorites are His Majesty Toussaint and Kalikow. (By special favorites, I mean the world's biggest assholes EVER. - Both of them.)

Oh yeah, I also love that because of the set fares for cabs, cabs will now not drive from manhattan to queens, because it's not cost efficient for them. I literally almost cried after about the 5th cab I asked. jerks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2005-11-24T10:42:00.000-05:00

Lots to be thankful for this year, some of it surprising, and some of it the usual. Hope you all eat a ton, and find lots of great deals tomorrow!

Three hours on Monday dedicated to the discussion of Harry Potter

2005-11-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

Ravenclaw! Some might see you as a bit haughty, but
that's just because they lack the intellectual
capacity to be worthy of your presence. You see
little difference between enlightenment and
entertainment; learning experiences are
tremendously enjoyable for you. And remember,
kids: just because you're brilliant doesn't
mean you're studious!

A More Unique Hogwarts Sorting Quiz
brought to you by Quizilla

The air is lighter here

2005-11-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

Wow. It's amazing how easily things change.

Brian moved out yesterday, finally. I'm really glad. Sure I'll miss him a little, but only a little, because he was only a little nice to me. He only care about me a little, so I will only miss him, a little.

I feel so light and relaxed. The cloud that I thought was pemanently afixed to my apartment is magically gone.

I saw Sweeney Todd last night, with Shanibeth. Ben wasn't in it, but he came and visited with us before the show and during intermission. I know I've said it before and I'm certain I'll say it again, just being around Ben makes me feel good. Spending time with him reminds me that all things are possible with a little self-belief, which I had been seriously lacking in the past year.

The show was great. It was light and fun and exciting. Words I never in a million years dreamed I'd use to describe Sweeney Todd. I hesitated to go until Ben was in because I didn't want to have to sit through it more then necessary. I was completely wrong about that. I will defiantely go again... and maybe again...
(Best number in the show, as always, "A Little Priest" however, Patti and Michael made it really sexy, and almost erotic! Imagine!)

Shan and I are getting an audition board. A white board calendar to write all auditions on. No more excuses!

The Pond

2005-11-14T14:02:00.000-05:00

My ice skates came and I got to break them in on the very crowded Pond at Bryant Park. Brian even went with me... ! It's really nice that Citi has sponsored this beautiful FREE resource for the city of New York. But honestly, did they have to tell the tourists? Wouldn't it make more sense to let the residents use the free place and make the tourists pay for the rink at Rockefeller or Wollman rink in Central Park? Yeah, i know, I'm selfish... I'd also like to be able to skate faster then a snail. Still, it was fun to go. Afterward we walked up 5th avenue and started to think about Christmas Shopping. Hard to believe it's that time already! The decorations are up in Astoria already. With the balmy weather, it's very strange.

;-)

Old Friend

2005-10-21T16:59:00.000-05:00

Got to see Talon today. We did what we always do when we see each other - had coffee. I think I can blame my addiction to caffeine solely on my friendship with Talon.

I'll admit, I was fearful of the meeting. I have to say though, that Talon has been a wonderful friend in the way he handled his two good friends breaking up. I also got to meeet Talon's new girlfriend, who is beautiful and from what I can tell, perfect for him.

When I was at SU I had a fairly large group of friends. We all grew our seperate ways, and those I figured I'd stay in touch with forever (Beth, Dawn, Suzanne, Lindsay) I barely know. Erin and I have managed it somehow - luck I think. And Travis, who was one of my best friends there, has been able to keep up with me. (I went to his wedding a few weeks ago, it was beautiful and his new wife truly is a prize!) My friendship with Talon surprises me. I'm very thankful that we are still friends, but I would've never guessed it 9 years ago.

Talked to Brian. Chicago was a bust and I can't wait to be home! Might go see a show tonight, don't really know... Home tomorrow!!!

Grow up

2005-10-21T16:44:00.000-05:00

To whomever left the rude message on my last entry - get over it. Why even bother to read this weblog? I have a good idea of who you are (and if I'm right, I'm not even certain you qualify as an "ex").

Song of the day

2005-09-19T09:58:00.000-05:00

This song always makes me think of Brian...

Woman of Faith

i wake up, check my senses
one two three four five
number six missing again
same old game of seek and hide
i remember that old feeling
it's tender to the touch
just me and all my senses
i don't need to think too much
you know i tend to think too much

(chorus)
in times such as these we find ourselves in an old familiar place
it's for times such as these when you've gotta believe
that i married me a woman of faith
it's for times such as these when you've gotta believe
that i married me a woman of faith

my old dog is smiling at me
something by me passed
my old dog grinning ear to ear
shakes his head, starts to laugh
i've been checking all four corners
what makes him so wise
i've been checking all four corners
i forgot to look right in front of
right in front in of my eyes

(chorus)

i wake up, check my senses, all have come around
one two three four five all here
six sleeps next to me, sleeping sound
six is sleeping sound

Live from New York

2005-09-01T19:37:00.000-05:00

Two things...

I officially started Christmas shopping today.

Shan and I are sitting here in Astoria, NY watching a documentary about Hersheypark...

I am blessed

2005-08-08T12:47:00.000-05:00

I am surrounded by wonderful people and I couldn't ask for any more then that. Thanks to Colette, Kyleen, Seth, Mom, and most especially Shannon...

The Great Apartment Hunt

2005-08-02T19:08:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, we will see at least four apartments in Washington Heights. Hopefully, we will have a new home!

Also, please update an email address you might have for me to: KateErinGibson@gmail.com - I'm attempting to beat the spam (a lot) in my email...

A lovely way to spend a Sunday

2005-07-31T21:53:00.000-05:00

Sigh...

We got live crabs and steamed them today. We haven't done that for many years. It's was nice... The whole house smells like Old Bay now. ;-)

I been cleaning and purging my "stuff" today. I will have to continue tomorrow and throughout the week, but I did get a lot done today.

My dad frightened me today by telling me how much he likes the tv show Desperate Housewives. This is the man who raised me on M*A*S*H and Seinfeld. Scary...

Seth dropped me a note today and told me to get the new Eddie From Ohio CD. He said it had a song on it that was me. He was right. It's called Baltimore. Can't wait to add this cd to my car collection tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Brian and I will have been together for a year. Unbelievable!!!!