Well I made it through the day without eating and made it through the scan. They were running late and I didn't get out of there till 5. Then I ate too much at La Margarita and that combined with the stress of the day has left me feeling pretty awful. I am really beat with a stomach ache. But I am glad it is over. Hopefully I will hear the results on Monday.
David and I were beat last night and went to bed early. Jackson wasn't quite asleep and saw that we went to bed. So of course he had to come into our room to weasel his way into our bed. We heard him coming up the hall, hesitate at the door and slowly open it. Then a voice:
JACKSON: Guys, how is your sleep going?
DAVID: Get back in your bed, Jackson.
JACKSON: I was just checking on you...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Scan Hunger
I am not looking forward to tomorrow. I have a PET scan which is tedious. Which means that my diet has been limited to protein since noon today and my dinner of a ham and cheese omelet isn't cutting it. Did you know that nearly all snack food is carbs and/or sugar? Sigh. I am hungry and can't stand to eat anymore eggs and cheese.
Tomorrow my arrival time at the radiology center isn't until 2:15. Table time at 3:30. Scan takes about 40 minutes. So I won't get out of there till 4:30 if they are running on time. And I can't eat til after the scan. I can have water. I do get to have about a half gallon of barium when I arrive at 2:15. Yummy.
All of this in hopes that the scan will find nothing.
Grrr. I get testy when I am hungry. I'm complaining. I'll stop.
Jackson is a funny boy. He was feeling a little needy this afternoon, probably reacting to the fact that I am hungry and cranky. I was sitting on my couch as I often do when I get home from work and instead of coming to sit with me as he usually does, he went and sat on the other couch and wanted me to come sit with him. I told him his spot was right over here waiting for him. He said "No there is room right over here for you." Then he sat there crying a little saying "I want my love. I need my love." I told him "I have it Jackson, it is right over here, come get it." So he did. Came and climbed in my lap to get his love.
Shit, damn, fark, I am hungry. I want a bowl of cereal or a piece of peanut butter toast. I hate PET scan starvation.
Tomorrow my arrival time at the radiology center isn't until 2:15. Table time at 3:30. Scan takes about 40 minutes. So I won't get out of there till 4:30 if they are running on time. And I can't eat til after the scan. I can have water. I do get to have about a half gallon of barium when I arrive at 2:15. Yummy.
All of this in hopes that the scan will find nothing.
Grrr. I get testy when I am hungry. I'm complaining. I'll stop.
Jackson is a funny boy. He was feeling a little needy this afternoon, probably reacting to the fact that I am hungry and cranky. I was sitting on my couch as I often do when I get home from work and instead of coming to sit with me as he usually does, he went and sat on the other couch and wanted me to come sit with him. I told him his spot was right over here waiting for him. He said "No there is room right over here for you." Then he sat there crying a little saying "I want my love. I need my love." I told him "I have it Jackson, it is right over here, come get it." So he did. Came and climbed in my lap to get his love.
Shit, damn, fark, I am hungry. I want a bowl of cereal or a piece of peanut butter toast. I hate PET scan starvation.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
No subject really
Today was kind of a busy day. I went to a baby shower and to a reading from there. The baby shower was nice. No silly games, just good conversation and baby gifts. Just the way I like em.
From there I went to the reading of Hay Fever I mentioned a few weeks ago. I dusted off my British accent after a few years of not using it and I did pretty well. I always get self-conscious about it at first, listening to the way the other people sound, what they are doing. And in this instance we had a bona fide English Actor reading with us; a somewhat well-known lady in Austin Theatre, so I was definitely wanting to get it right. But I shouldn't have worried. I fell back into it quickly and had a really good time. In fact during the break this British actor told me that I had a really good accent and wanted to know where I have worked on it. I wasn't sure what to answer since I haven't trained on accents anywhere, I have just done several shows requiring one and I seem to have an ear for it. But it felt good for her to ask. This is the second time a British actor has given me accent kudos. When I did The Importance of Being Earnest several years ago, Our Lady Bracknell was British and told me that I had the best accent she had ever heard on an American actor. I was blown away by that because I always feel like I am not doing enough, being big enough, that I am too subtle. But with these kudos from people who know it really gives me confidence to be gentle with it, just let it come naturally and not push it to hard. Unless you are reading Monty Python.
David and I went to see Shadow Box last night. My friends in the NxNW Theatre company produced it. I had a few people seem interested in my reaction to a play about terminally ill people and their relationships. But it didn't really affect me in a personal way like you would expect. Mostly because it is kind of old hat to me. I have explored those themes in my own head, in my own family for a year and a half. So seeing them onstage was not traumatic to me. Especially since all they did was explore the issues of dying and living while dying. No one died on stage. There were no children crying for their parents. So it didn't kick my emotional ass. I enjoyed the play.
I know I have more DC blogging to do. And I will get to it soon. Maybe tomorrow. Or maybe not. David and I are going to a program at Wellspring Church, where Jackson goes to school. They are having a celebration of African American History Month in song and will be hosting 4 or 5 different choirs. Since David will be directing Big River this spring/summer we thought that would be a good opportunity to scope out some singers and invite them to auditions. Plus I hope to hear some good music.
From there I went to the reading of Hay Fever I mentioned a few weeks ago. I dusted off my British accent after a few years of not using it and I did pretty well. I always get self-conscious about it at first, listening to the way the other people sound, what they are doing. And in this instance we had a bona fide English Actor reading with us; a somewhat well-known lady in Austin Theatre, so I was definitely wanting to get it right. But I shouldn't have worried. I fell back into it quickly and had a really good time. In fact during the break this British actor told me that I had a really good accent and wanted to know where I have worked on it. I wasn't sure what to answer since I haven't trained on accents anywhere, I have just done several shows requiring one and I seem to have an ear for it. But it felt good for her to ask. This is the second time a British actor has given me accent kudos. When I did The Importance of Being Earnest several years ago, Our Lady Bracknell was British and told me that I had the best accent she had ever heard on an American actor. I was blown away by that because I always feel like I am not doing enough, being big enough, that I am too subtle. But with these kudos from people who know it really gives me confidence to be gentle with it, just let it come naturally and not push it to hard. Unless you are reading Monty Python.
David and I went to see Shadow Box last night. My friends in the NxNW Theatre company produced it. I had a few people seem interested in my reaction to a play about terminally ill people and their relationships. But it didn't really affect me in a personal way like you would expect. Mostly because it is kind of old hat to me. I have explored those themes in my own head, in my own family for a year and a half. So seeing them onstage was not traumatic to me. Especially since all they did was explore the issues of dying and living while dying. No one died on stage. There were no children crying for their parents. So it didn't kick my emotional ass. I enjoyed the play.
I know I have more DC blogging to do. And I will get to it soon. Maybe tomorrow. Or maybe not. David and I are going to a program at Wellspring Church, where Jackson goes to school. They are having a celebration of African American History Month in song and will be hosting 4 or 5 different choirs. Since David will be directing Big River this spring/summer we thought that would be a good opportunity to scope out some singers and invite them to auditions. Plus I hope to hear some good music.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Things from the Smithsonian and stuff
We went through nearly every exhibit in the American History Museum. Here are some highlights and pics.
I think my feet are the same size as Judy Garland's cause the ruby slippers would totally fit me. They wouldn't take them out of the case for me to try them on though. Sunsabitches.
I would also like to wear Grace Coolidge's flapper gown. Grace was apparently a cool lady and very fashinable. I for one would love to see Michelle Obama wear something like this to a State Dinner. That would rock!
I admit being fascinated with historical clothing. But you have to admit this is really cool. They have George Washington's dress suit. That is cool in and of itself, but when it is encased next to this painting:
In which he is wearing it. That is cool. He was painted wearing this suit more than once. Apparently he trotted it out for formal ceremonies and such when he was General.
Lest you think I was only there for the clothes, I took a picture of one of the most moving things I saw in DC. They had an exhibit showing things that people have left at the Vietnam Wall. I read the notes and letters, looked at the gifts and token and openly wept. Tried not to, but couldn't help it. So many young lives lost and so many people left behind to grieve for them. The card next to the can of Colt 45 says "Hey Bro, here's the beer I owe you 24 years late. You were right, I did make it back to the world. Great seeing you again. Sorry not to be with you, but I'll be along soon. Thanx, Sarge
The big deal at the American History Museum this weekend though was a special exhibit showcasing Abraham Lincoln's life and death in honor of his 200th birthday. They have his top hat. It was his favorite hat. It has the mourning band - a black silk ribbon - that he put on it the hat when his son died and he never took it off. And it was the hat he wore to Ford's Theatre. They have this hat in the Smithsonian as well as the cuff of a lady who cradled his head when he was shot. There were spots of blood on her cuff and she preserved it. Kinda chilling to see, made it feel very real and not just a legend.
Ford's Theatre has reopened recently after having undergone major renovations. The original interior of the theatre collapsed in 1893 while it was being used as an office building. They call the interior of the theatre a replica. It is perfectly restored to the way it looked when Lincoln uttered his final guffaw at a laugh line that isn't funny anymore. We got to go in and they miraculously allow photos. This is the box where Abe and Mary sat with their friends.
This is from the audience looking at the stage. The American flag you see in the corner is the flag hanging from the presidential box. You can see that the box sits right over the stage so it really wasn't too hard for John Wilkes Booth to jump from it onto the stage after shooting Lincoln. All of this is discussed so factually, so forensically. It is easy to forget these were real people and history is not a story.
But being there, sitting in the theatre, then traveling across the street to the tiny boarding house where he died really changed that for me. I am glad I was able to tour these sites.
I love the history of DC and the Smithsonian. But I also really enjoyed seeing the Hope Diamond.
And the jewels Napoleon gave Josephine.
And I have requested this little bauble for my birthday.
David and I had a really good time in DC. But we certainly wear ourselves out. We don't relax on vacation. We keep going attempting to see as much as we can. We aren't the sit on the beach kind. We are the rub each others feet after abusing them for three days kind. Some day maybe we should go on a cruse and sit around and read and chill. But there are so many museums out there to see and cities to visit.
This is our self-portrait the third morning we were in DC. I though it captured our contented exhaustion pretty well.
I'm done for tonight, but I still have to write about our visits to the Kennedy Center and Arlington National Cemetery. So more to come when I get back to it...
I think my feet are the same size as Judy Garland's cause the ruby slippers would totally fit me. They wouldn't take them out of the case for me to try them on though. Sunsabitches.
I would also like to wear Grace Coolidge's flapper gown. Grace was apparently a cool lady and very fashinable. I for one would love to see Michelle Obama wear something like this to a State Dinner. That would rock!
I admit being fascinated with historical clothing. But you have to admit this is really cool. They have George Washington's dress suit. That is cool in and of itself, but when it is encased next to this painting:
In which he is wearing it. That is cool. He was painted wearing this suit more than once. Apparently he trotted it out for formal ceremonies and such when he was General.
Lest you think I was only there for the clothes, I took a picture of one of the most moving things I saw in DC. They had an exhibit showing things that people have left at the Vietnam Wall. I read the notes and letters, looked at the gifts and token and openly wept. Tried not to, but couldn't help it. So many young lives lost and so many people left behind to grieve for them. The card next to the can of Colt 45 says "Hey Bro, here's the beer I owe you 24 years late. You were right, I did make it back to the world. Great seeing you again. Sorry not to be with you, but I'll be along soon. Thanx, Sarge
The big deal at the American History Museum this weekend though was a special exhibit showcasing Abraham Lincoln's life and death in honor of his 200th birthday. They have his top hat. It was his favorite hat. It has the mourning band - a black silk ribbon - that he put on it the hat when his son died and he never took it off. And it was the hat he wore to Ford's Theatre. They have this hat in the Smithsonian as well as the cuff of a lady who cradled his head when he was shot. There were spots of blood on her cuff and she preserved it. Kinda chilling to see, made it feel very real and not just a legend.
Ford's Theatre has reopened recently after having undergone major renovations. The original interior of the theatre collapsed in 1893 while it was being used as an office building. They call the interior of the theatre a replica. It is perfectly restored to the way it looked when Lincoln uttered his final guffaw at a laugh line that isn't funny anymore. We got to go in and they miraculously allow photos. This is the box where Abe and Mary sat with their friends.
This is from the audience looking at the stage. The American flag you see in the corner is the flag hanging from the presidential box. You can see that the box sits right over the stage so it really wasn't too hard for John Wilkes Booth to jump from it onto the stage after shooting Lincoln. All of this is discussed so factually, so forensically. It is easy to forget these were real people and history is not a story.
But being there, sitting in the theatre, then traveling across the street to the tiny boarding house where he died really changed that for me. I am glad I was able to tour these sites.
I love the history of DC and the Smithsonian. But I also really enjoyed seeing the Hope Diamond.
And the jewels Napoleon gave Josephine.
And I have requested this little bauble for my birthday.
David and I had a really good time in DC. But we certainly wear ourselves out. We don't relax on vacation. We keep going attempting to see as much as we can. We aren't the sit on the beach kind. We are the rub each others feet after abusing them for three days kind. Some day maybe we should go on a cruse and sit around and read and chill. But there are so many museums out there to see and cities to visit.
This is our self-portrait the third morning we were in DC. I though it captured our contented exhaustion pretty well.
I'm done for tonight, but I still have to write about our visits to the Kennedy Center and Arlington National Cemetery. So more to come when I get back to it...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
So DC, yeah. It was awesome.
DC was gorgeous; cold and crisp, but mostly sunny. In 3 1/2 days we managed to see a lot of the things we wanted to see. Thursday night, after we checked into the hotel, we met a tour bus a few blocks away and got to see most of the monuments by night. Jefferson, Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iwo Jima, and World War II monuments were stops on the tour and it was an awesome way to see them. Luckily it wasn't too cold.
Last week was the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, and they had all kinds of fresh-flower wreaths around his statue. I don't know if those are always there, but I think that they, along with the flowers and birthday cards were there for his birthday.
We also stopped to loiter around the gates of the White House, hoping they'd see us and invite us in for some hot chocolate. They didn't but we decided not to hold it against them.
The next morning we met up with an intern from our local House Rep's office and went on a tour of the Capitol building. They have a new underground visitor's center there which serves to lengthen the tour since there are not all that many places you are allowed to visit in the building. This pic of us is in the main hall of the visitors center - they call it Constitution Hall.
Our tour guide was a Texas Tech student who arrived in DC in Mid-January. She was friendly and expertly coiffed. But not very well informed. We were her first tour and though I don't hold it against her that she wasn't exactly confident with where she was going, I did have to laugh at her narration. She carried a binder with tour information to refer to. Which is fine. But it kind of went like this. "That is a painting of like, George Washington, like resigning his commission and stuff." I am NOT exaggerating. She could not even begin to fake it. Luckily, David and I had read up a little on DC and knew pretty much what we were looking at. I even ended up telling her a few things. Nice young lady though. I am sure she will get better with the tours after a few months. She just needs to study and then fake it, fake it, fake it.
One funny moment in our tour was when we passed the hallway to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's office. She was walking by and the three college girls there started screaming as if it were Elvis or the Beatles. I kid you not. They got her to pose for a picture and then started jumping up and down screaming. Nancy got out of there pretty quickly and I don't blame her. Girls with no dignity acting like nitwits making our gender look silly.
We got passes from our Rep's office to sit in the Gallery while the House was in session and we had to wait in line and go through more security to get in. But it was worth it. We stayed for maybe 20 minutes and listened to the House debate the stimulus package. There were definitely not that many reps there and listening to them back and forth talk up and then trash talk the legislation and each other made me a little sad. So many people drowning out here and these guys are not listening to each other and no one is convincing anyone of anything. Their minds are made up. Why do they bother debating it, they may as well just vote. I actually could have sat there all day listening to them though because the process is so fascinating to me. It was hard to realize that right in front of me were the people, mostly old white men, who were deciding what to do about our national economy. And right or wrong, whatever they decide on will effect the lives of people they will never meet, never hear about or know. What they were doing was so terribly important. Yes, I could have sat there for hours. But we had things to do and see in limited time. So we tore ourselves away.
After the capitol we had a good lunch in the House of Representatives cafeteria and headed over to the Supreme Court Building.
We got to go in to the court room and sit down to listen to a young clerk give a little lecture about how things work in the room, who sits where traditionally and such. It was pretty cool. We couldn't take pic in the courtroom, but we got some in the hall. The ceilings are gorgeous in the building. Colorful.
After the lecture, we came out to find one of the security guards holding his newborn. I couldn't resist asking to take his picture, they were so cute.
Then we started on the Smithsonian with the American History Museum - my primary objective in DC. We saw so much there! But it is getting late and I don't want to hurry this. So I will stop here for now and blog some more tomorrow.
Last week was the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, and they had all kinds of fresh-flower wreaths around his statue. I don't know if those are always there, but I think that they, along with the flowers and birthday cards were there for his birthday.
We also stopped to loiter around the gates of the White House, hoping they'd see us and invite us in for some hot chocolate. They didn't but we decided not to hold it against them.
The next morning we met up with an intern from our local House Rep's office and went on a tour of the Capitol building. They have a new underground visitor's center there which serves to lengthen the tour since there are not all that many places you are allowed to visit in the building. This pic of us is in the main hall of the visitors center - they call it Constitution Hall.
Our tour guide was a Texas Tech student who arrived in DC in Mid-January. She was friendly and expertly coiffed. But not very well informed. We were her first tour and though I don't hold it against her that she wasn't exactly confident with where she was going, I did have to laugh at her narration. She carried a binder with tour information to refer to. Which is fine. But it kind of went like this. "That is a painting of like, George Washington, like resigning his commission and stuff." I am NOT exaggerating. She could not even begin to fake it. Luckily, David and I had read up a little on DC and knew pretty much what we were looking at. I even ended up telling her a few things. Nice young lady though. I am sure she will get better with the tours after a few months. She just needs to study and then fake it, fake it, fake it.
One funny moment in our tour was when we passed the hallway to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's office. She was walking by and the three college girls there started screaming as if it were Elvis or the Beatles. I kid you not. They got her to pose for a picture and then started jumping up and down screaming. Nancy got out of there pretty quickly and I don't blame her. Girls with no dignity acting like nitwits making our gender look silly.
We got passes from our Rep's office to sit in the Gallery while the House was in session and we had to wait in line and go through more security to get in. But it was worth it. We stayed for maybe 20 minutes and listened to the House debate the stimulus package. There were definitely not that many reps there and listening to them back and forth talk up and then trash talk the legislation and each other made me a little sad. So many people drowning out here and these guys are not listening to each other and no one is convincing anyone of anything. Their minds are made up. Why do they bother debating it, they may as well just vote. I actually could have sat there all day listening to them though because the process is so fascinating to me. It was hard to realize that right in front of me were the people, mostly old white men, who were deciding what to do about our national economy. And right or wrong, whatever they decide on will effect the lives of people they will never meet, never hear about or know. What they were doing was so terribly important. Yes, I could have sat there for hours. But we had things to do and see in limited time. So we tore ourselves away.
After the capitol we had a good lunch in the House of Representatives cafeteria and headed over to the Supreme Court Building.
We got to go in to the court room and sit down to listen to a young clerk give a little lecture about how things work in the room, who sits where traditionally and such. It was pretty cool. We couldn't take pic in the courtroom, but we got some in the hall. The ceilings are gorgeous in the building. Colorful.
After the lecture, we came out to find one of the security guards holding his newborn. I couldn't resist asking to take his picture, they were so cute.
Then we started on the Smithsonian with the American History Museum - my primary objective in DC. We saw so much there! But it is getting late and I don't want to hurry this. So I will stop here for now and blog some more tomorrow.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Funnies
JACKSON: Mama, mama, you gotta ask me what I'm building.
ME: What are you building?
JACKSON: I can't tell you!
JACKSON: Knock Knock!
ME: Who's there?
JACKSON: Me. You better let me in! Open up the door!
I don't really have a lot to say today. I should be doing more laundry and planning my trip that I leave for on Thursday. But instead I am on the couch. I'm just kind of hanging out tonight. I guess that is ok. I can work my hind end off tomorrow night to get things ready. And Wednesday night.
I am excited! And yet still not motivated to get up off of the couch right now. Curiouser and curiouser...
ME: What are you building?
JACKSON: I can't tell you!
JACKSON: Knock Knock!
ME: Who's there?
JACKSON: Me. You better let me in! Open up the door!
I don't really have a lot to say today. I should be doing more laundry and planning my trip that I leave for on Thursday. But instead I am on the couch. I'm just kind of hanging out tonight. I guess that is ok. I can work my hind end off tomorrow night to get things ready. And Wednesday night.
I am excited! And yet still not motivated to get up off of the couch right now. Curiouser and curiouser...
Friday, February 06, 2009
In the Pipeline
Last night I went to a planning meeting for the 2009 Relay For Life. You might remember last year's event was rained/tornadoed out and I didn't get to speak as planned. But they remember me and I am scheduled to talk at this year's even, both at the Survivor's Dinner and later on the field. At the planning meeting I was presented with a bright green t-shirt that I earned last year. It is an award for having raised over $1000 last year. They didn't get to present them last year, for obvious reasons so I got mine now. And it motivated me to think about fundraising again this year. And so I shall.
Also, I have been invited to a reading for a play in a few weeks. Some local directors like to do private reading of shows they are going to direct so they get a feel for it before auditions. It is always an honor to be invited to read a part at one of these. And though it doesn't mean you will get a part in the show; you still have to go through the audition process, it sometimes gives you a leg up if you find you want to be in the show. And you get to meet other actors and gain some measure of exposure through the networking of it all. Plus is is a fun, low-pressure chance to act a little. I have to brush off my British accent for this one, which I haven't used in a while. But I love British comedy and I am looking forward to it.
My DC trip is starting to come together. We have bought tickets to a show at the Kennedy Center for Friday night. It is a show called The Spectacular 2009. The description from the website sounded really interesting:
"Divine Performing Arts presents The Spectacular 2009, a grand production of classical Chinese performing arts, featuring over 100 Chinese dancers, vocalists, and musicians. Inspired by 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture, the Spectacular showcases traditional Chinese dance, vocal and
instrumental music, and music written for Chinese and western instruments. Masterful choreography,gorgeous costumes, and digitally animated backdrops combine in an artistic expression of the human spirit that is truly universal."
We also just booked an evening tour for the night we get there. It is a little bit of a risk since the tour is at 7:00 and we fly in at 3:30. That doesn't leave us a lot of room for delays and dinner. But we decided to risk booking it anyway. It isn't that expensive, and if it works out we get to tour the monuments at night and get a good orientation to the city. So hopefully it will work out and our flight will be on time and we get to do a fun DC at night tour. If it doesn't work out then we'll just do something else.
We still have not made any reservations for dinner for Valentine's Day. It is so hard to pick a restaurant off the internet. So much pressure. I'll probably keep looking around this weekend. There are some Potomac dinner cruises that sound fun, but they aren't cheap...and my husband is...I'm kidding...sorta...:) We may book something or maybe we'll wing it. I dunno.
Also, I have been invited to a reading for a play in a few weeks. Some local directors like to do private reading of shows they are going to direct so they get a feel for it before auditions. It is always an honor to be invited to read a part at one of these. And though it doesn't mean you will get a part in the show; you still have to go through the audition process, it sometimes gives you a leg up if you find you want to be in the show. And you get to meet other actors and gain some measure of exposure through the networking of it all. Plus is is a fun, low-pressure chance to act a little. I have to brush off my British accent for this one, which I haven't used in a while. But I love British comedy and I am looking forward to it.
My DC trip is starting to come together. We have bought tickets to a show at the Kennedy Center for Friday night. It is a show called The Spectacular 2009. The description from the website sounded really interesting:
"Divine Performing Arts presents The Spectacular 2009, a grand production of classical Chinese performing arts, featuring over 100 Chinese dancers, vocalists, and musicians. Inspired by 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture, the Spectacular showcases traditional Chinese dance, vocal and
instrumental music, and music written for Chinese and western instruments. Masterful choreography,gorgeous costumes, and digitally animated backdrops combine in an artistic expression of the human spirit that is truly universal."
We also just booked an evening tour for the night we get there. It is a little bit of a risk since the tour is at 7:00 and we fly in at 3:30. That doesn't leave us a lot of room for delays and dinner. But we decided to risk booking it anyway. It isn't that expensive, and if it works out we get to tour the monuments at night and get a good orientation to the city. So hopefully it will work out and our flight will be on time and we get to do a fun DC at night tour. If it doesn't work out then we'll just do something else.
We still have not made any reservations for dinner for Valentine's Day. It is so hard to pick a restaurant off the internet. So much pressure. I'll probably keep looking around this weekend. There are some Potomac dinner cruises that sound fun, but they aren't cheap...and my husband is...I'm kidding...sorta...:) We may book something or maybe we'll wing it. I dunno.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Stupid Butts and stuff
Today Jackson drew two pictures for me. One was a tarantula that actually looked like a spiderish creature. And the other was a "stupid butt" that didn't look anything like any stupid butts I have ever known. "Mama, this is a picture of a stupid butt," he said proudly. Ah, the things they learn at school. I laughed out loud. I have a feeling I wasn't supposed to.
Other things he must have learned in school include the nuggets of wisdom, "Mommy, no one else wants to see your pee pee," And "Daddy, you just can't take other people's ice cream." That one he sure didn't learn at home since in my house ice cream is fair game and the sweetest ice cream is the ice cream you steal from a loved one. That is just a universal truth isn't it?
Why am I so fascinated by the show Toddlers & Tiaras that profiles people who put their tiny girls in pageants in full make-up, hair pieces, fake eyelashes and spray tans? This shit is sick. Really. But I can't stop watching. 5-year-olds that look like 25-year-olds and walk like grinning, wooden, puppets. Maybe I am jealous cause I never manage to look so polished and put together no matter how many hours I try. Or maybe not. I still watch Miss America when it comes on, so I guess I am an unconscious product of our society's over-emphasis on beauty and sexiness. But at least I have the common sense to know that you shouldn't tell your 4-year-old who is dancing around happily after 'winning' a huge consolation trophy that she shouldn't be happy because "Baby doll, you lost. You didn't win anything." Geez. Way to go Mom and Dad. You suck.
I had dinner tonight with a friend from high school. Really, she's a friend from elementary, jr. high and high school. I had a really good time talking to her and seeing the person she has become. That sounds so incredibly cheesy. But it is true none-the-less. Facebook has really given me the chance to connect with people I haven't talked to in years. I didn't know how much I would enjoy that. And how much I miss the connection with people I grew up with and left behind without looking back. Technology is awesome. And it is such a small world. This woman I grew up with lives not a mile from me and has a good friend that lives on my street. We will be making happy hour a regular event, for sure.
Other things he must have learned in school include the nuggets of wisdom, "Mommy, no one else wants to see your pee pee," And "Daddy, you just can't take other people's ice cream." That one he sure didn't learn at home since in my house ice cream is fair game and the sweetest ice cream is the ice cream you steal from a loved one. That is just a universal truth isn't it?
Why am I so fascinated by the show Toddlers & Tiaras that profiles people who put their tiny girls in pageants in full make-up, hair pieces, fake eyelashes and spray tans? This shit is sick. Really. But I can't stop watching. 5-year-olds that look like 25-year-olds and walk like grinning, wooden, puppets. Maybe I am jealous cause I never manage to look so polished and put together no matter how many hours I try. Or maybe not. I still watch Miss America when it comes on, so I guess I am an unconscious product of our society's over-emphasis on beauty and sexiness. But at least I have the common sense to know that you shouldn't tell your 4-year-old who is dancing around happily after 'winning' a huge consolation trophy that she shouldn't be happy because "Baby doll, you lost. You didn't win anything." Geez. Way to go Mom and Dad. You suck.
I had dinner tonight with a friend from high school. Really, she's a friend from elementary, jr. high and high school. I had a really good time talking to her and seeing the person she has become. That sounds so incredibly cheesy. But it is true none-the-less. Facebook has really given me the chance to connect with people I haven't talked to in years. I didn't know how much I would enjoy that. And how much I miss the connection with people I grew up with and left behind without looking back. Technology is awesome. And it is such a small world. This woman I grew up with lives not a mile from me and has a good friend that lives on my street. We will be making happy hour a regular event, for sure.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Trip planning
In a week and a half from now David and I will be heading to Washington DC on a little vacation. My mom and my dad will be keeping Jackson. Right now I am poring through web sites looking at tours, dining, shows, clubs. It is so overwhelming trying to schedule and decide what to do and when to do it. I think we may just make some tentative plans and schedule the tours that must be scheduled in advance and then wing it with the restaurants and stuff. Valentine's day could be busy in the restaurants. I don't know if we should pick some place and make reservations or just be spontaneous.
Also, I suspect it will be cold, like it was in NYC last year. We have this new tradition of vacationing in February and heading north. The travel is cheap and the tourist sites are less busy. But it is cold. So I need to drag out my warm stuff and see about a hat. The hat I wore last year may not work because I have hair this year. But my red coat will once again come out of the closet. And the scarves I bought last year.
This trip came on so fast, we haven't been planning it for more than a month, it seems sort of unreal. Are we really going? Shit, I am not ready! But I am getting excited and hoping for a warm front to hit DC. I requested White House and Capital tours from my US Rep. But it is kinda late and I may not get in. I can book my own tour of the Capital, but the White House may not happen. But that is ok.
I am looking forward to spending at a whole day in the American History Museum and a few other of the Smithsonian museums.
Also, I suspect it will be cold, like it was in NYC last year. We have this new tradition of vacationing in February and heading north. The travel is cheap and the tourist sites are less busy. But it is cold. So I need to drag out my warm stuff and see about a hat. The hat I wore last year may not work because I have hair this year. But my red coat will once again come out of the closet. And the scarves I bought last year.
This trip came on so fast, we haven't been planning it for more than a month, it seems sort of unreal. Are we really going? Shit, I am not ready! But I am getting excited and hoping for a warm front to hit DC. I requested White House and Capital tours from my US Rep. But it is kinda late and I may not get in. I can book my own tour of the Capital, but the White House may not happen. But that is ok.
I am looking forward to spending at a whole day in the American History Museum and a few other of the Smithsonian museums.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My son likes asparagus, and there are consequences to that...
Yes indeed.
Jackson wears a pull-up to bed since without one, at three and a half, he'd be wetting the bed all the time and I don't want to get up every night to change his sheets. Or mine, since he is in and out of my bed at least once a night.
Last night at dinner, Jackson ate a ton of asparagus. He likes it, which doesn't surprise me considering his love for black olives and broccoli. But asparagus has late-night consequences that were unanticipated.
He came crawling into my bed about 2 or 3 in the morning and I was sleeping soundly. I barely registered him until the smell hit me. You know that asparagus makes your pee stink, right? Well imagine that smell coming from the diaper of the child sleeping next to you. I was in such a weird state of sleep though, that I couldn't wake up and take care of it. I kept dreaming that I was getting up, getting Jackson up and getting rid of the pull-up of death full of asparagus pee. I have no idea how long I suffered before I rolled over and kicked Jackson out and sent him back to his own bed. Poor baby. He stank all night and I didn't care as long as he wasn't sleeping next to me. I can't believe I didn't wake up and take care of him.
Remind me never to sleep next to my son who has eaten asparagus and my husband who has eaten garlic.
Jackson wears a pull-up to bed since without one, at three and a half, he'd be wetting the bed all the time and I don't want to get up every night to change his sheets. Or mine, since he is in and out of my bed at least once a night.
Last night at dinner, Jackson ate a ton of asparagus. He likes it, which doesn't surprise me considering his love for black olives and broccoli. But asparagus has late-night consequences that were unanticipated.
He came crawling into my bed about 2 or 3 in the morning and I was sleeping soundly. I barely registered him until the smell hit me. You know that asparagus makes your pee stink, right? Well imagine that smell coming from the diaper of the child sleeping next to you. I was in such a weird state of sleep though, that I couldn't wake up and take care of it. I kept dreaming that I was getting up, getting Jackson up and getting rid of the pull-up of death full of asparagus pee. I have no idea how long I suffered before I rolled over and kicked Jackson out and sent him back to his own bed. Poor baby. He stank all night and I didn't care as long as he wasn't sleeping next to me. I can't believe I didn't wake up and take care of him.
Remind me never to sleep next to my son who has eaten asparagus and my husband who has eaten garlic.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
To scan or not to scan
I was supposed to have a PET/CT scan today. But it was cancelled, though I am not clear on exactly why. I go to Austin Radiology for the scans. But they called me yesterday to say that due to insurance reasons, we needed to reschedule from a Texas Oncology time slot to an Austin Radiology time slot. I asked exactly what that meant but I don't think the girl on the phone understands either. I rescheduled, but couldn't find a mutually available time til Feb 18th. I require a morning appointment. PET scans require an Atkins diet the day before and nothing to eat for six hours prior. Which means you can get up and have breakfast at 6:00 in the morning for a noon appointment, which isn't something I can do. I can't go that long without eating and then down a gallon of barium. So I can't get a scan til the middle of Feb.
I called my oncologists office to talk to them and to reschedule my Feb 12th appointment but their power was out so couldn't get into the computer system. I am hoping they can explain what is going on with my insurance and what the hay the difference is in the time slots. I almost don't even care. Whatever. Inconvenience me. I'm used to it and it hardly even bothers me. I am just more curious than anything else.
But I am thinking I am going to cancel the scan anyway. I am not on any type of birth control. And any time I get a scan, I could be irradiating a Sray Zygote and I don't want to do that. I am not even sure I can procreate anymore, but I don't want to risk it. Plus the whole debate about whether these periodic scans are really necessary. If the cancer comes back, most likely it will show up in my blood work first. If I keep my regular check-ups and the doctor is diligent, we should be able to catch it and then order a scan to diagnose. Thus saving me the potential zapped baby Sray and the exposure to all that extra radiation.
And how the hell is radiation both a cure for and a cause of cancer? How is this possible? It all seems to work that way though. Adriamycin kills cancer cells and irreparably damages the heart, another of my chemo drugs kills Lymphoma and gives me a 30% greater chance of developing Leukemia. Rituxan is our current greatest hope against some blood cancers, but you could drop dead the first time you get it which is why it takes 6 hours to infuse in round one.
So the scan debate in my head continues.
I called my oncologists office to talk to them and to reschedule my Feb 12th appointment but their power was out so couldn't get into the computer system. I am hoping they can explain what is going on with my insurance and what the hay the difference is in the time slots. I almost don't even care. Whatever. Inconvenience me. I'm used to it and it hardly even bothers me. I am just more curious than anything else.
But I am thinking I am going to cancel the scan anyway. I am not on any type of birth control. And any time I get a scan, I could be irradiating a Sray Zygote and I don't want to do that. I am not even sure I can procreate anymore, but I don't want to risk it. Plus the whole debate about whether these periodic scans are really necessary. If the cancer comes back, most likely it will show up in my blood work first. If I keep my regular check-ups and the doctor is diligent, we should be able to catch it and then order a scan to diagnose. Thus saving me the potential zapped baby Sray and the exposure to all that extra radiation.
And how the hell is radiation both a cure for and a cause of cancer? How is this possible? It all seems to work that way though. Adriamycin kills cancer cells and irreparably damages the heart, another of my chemo drugs kills Lymphoma and gives me a 30% greater chance of developing Leukemia. Rituxan is our current greatest hope against some blood cancers, but you could drop dead the first time you get it which is why it takes 6 hours to infuse in round one.
So the scan debate in my head continues.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Miss America and Mall Meltdowns
I am watching the Miss America Pageant. Why? I don't know. I think there are much better things a woman can do with her time/life than trying to prove herself to be the most perfect Miss in America this year. But inside me resides a little girl who is a sucker for an evening gown, would like to wear a sparkly crown all the time and is fascinated by extremely tall, long-legged women. Their legs, geez, their legs are taller than I am.
But I am struck this year, after watching the swimsuit competition, that each woman has the same skin color - burnt orange. Of course there are two or three women of color in the finalists, and they are not painted burnt orange, but when you line them all up and pan the camera in a sweeping motion as they are want to do, you see a wash of legs and rock hard abs of all the same color. They all blend in. So I get it. White skin, pale skin, does not work in a bikini. But really, orange is better? Put down the spray tan, ladies. Everyone in the real world thinks you look stupid.
Also, big hoop earrings, bracelet size, seem to be the style. Not something I will be following. But that is ok. Earrings the size of my head somehow don't seem desirable to me.
We went shopping today. Jackson got a haircut from the oldest, slowest hair stylist we have encountered. She was really nice, but didn't seem to understand that you have 10 minutes before Jackson can't sit still any more. She took forever. She snipped and combed, snipped and combed, and just took her sweet time till Jackson was ready to crawl off the chair and run away. He did well under the circumstances. He tried to sit still. But it just took too long. Like 35 minutes. And in the end the cut was kind of clunky in the back and not exactly straight in the front. It is hard to cut straight and neatly when the kid is wiggly. But if you take 35 minuted, he is gonna get wiggly.
We looked around the outlet mall for shoes for David. He is a meticulous shoe shopper, needs to try on several shoes in several stores. Has to know all his options before choosing. Which is fine, unless you have a three year old with you. We did well at the outlet mall. He behaved pretty well. But David didn't find the shoes he wanted and we decided to head to the other mall to look more.
We should have quit while we were ahead. It was 4:00, Jackson had eaten too much junk food and very little lunch and had not had a nap. We were not the smartest parents in the world for going to the mall under the circumstances. We had a feeling it was not a good idea.
And we were right. We barely got into the mall before Jackson was throwing a fit about not wanting us to stop at the bathrooms. Then when we finished in the bathrooms and were headed into the mall proper, he decided we needed to go back to the bathrooms because he needed a drink of water from the water fountains. We were outside the cookie company so tried to get him a drink there, but he threw a fit and nothing would do but the water fountain several stores away and up the escalators from where we were. At that point David scooped up the crying, yelling boy and said, we are going home.
And we should have left right then. But the threat of leaving calmed the boy and we stupidly decided to stick it out and actually try to look at some shoes. We traipsed through a couple of stores looking, but Jackson poked around, stalled and became unreasonable as only a tired 3 year old can do. The last straw came when we walked past an establishment we didn't expect. Lakeline mall has one of those places you can take your kid to jump on a dozen different inflatable moon walk/jumpy things. And this place has a glass wall to the mall. Jackson saw the place and melted down big-time cause we were not going in.
The place was crowded, cost $10 each to get it and we were just unable to cope at that point and decided to cut and run. So we carried a screaming kid from one end of the mall all the way to the other end where we were parked. David and I started giggling a little bit here and there on our long walk of shame, since we both knew we deserved the meltdown for going to the mall even though we knew better.
And we still need to get David some shoes. Somehow I can't imagine we will be ready to brave the mall again any time soon.
Is is a right of passage? Do we all have to make the screaming child walk of shame at some point as parents of small children?
But I am struck this year, after watching the swimsuit competition, that each woman has the same skin color - burnt orange. Of course there are two or three women of color in the finalists, and they are not painted burnt orange, but when you line them all up and pan the camera in a sweeping motion as they are want to do, you see a wash of legs and rock hard abs of all the same color. They all blend in. So I get it. White skin, pale skin, does not work in a bikini. But really, orange is better? Put down the spray tan, ladies. Everyone in the real world thinks you look stupid.
Also, big hoop earrings, bracelet size, seem to be the style. Not something I will be following. But that is ok. Earrings the size of my head somehow don't seem desirable to me.
We went shopping today. Jackson got a haircut from the oldest, slowest hair stylist we have encountered. She was really nice, but didn't seem to understand that you have 10 minutes before Jackson can't sit still any more. She took forever. She snipped and combed, snipped and combed, and just took her sweet time till Jackson was ready to crawl off the chair and run away. He did well under the circumstances. He tried to sit still. But it just took too long. Like 35 minutes. And in the end the cut was kind of clunky in the back and not exactly straight in the front. It is hard to cut straight and neatly when the kid is wiggly. But if you take 35 minuted, he is gonna get wiggly.
We looked around the outlet mall for shoes for David. He is a meticulous shoe shopper, needs to try on several shoes in several stores. Has to know all his options before choosing. Which is fine, unless you have a three year old with you. We did well at the outlet mall. He behaved pretty well. But David didn't find the shoes he wanted and we decided to head to the other mall to look more.
We should have quit while we were ahead. It was 4:00, Jackson had eaten too much junk food and very little lunch and had not had a nap. We were not the smartest parents in the world for going to the mall under the circumstances. We had a feeling it was not a good idea.
And we were right. We barely got into the mall before Jackson was throwing a fit about not wanting us to stop at the bathrooms. Then when we finished in the bathrooms and were headed into the mall proper, he decided we needed to go back to the bathrooms because he needed a drink of water from the water fountains. We were outside the cookie company so tried to get him a drink there, but he threw a fit and nothing would do but the water fountain several stores away and up the escalators from where we were. At that point David scooped up the crying, yelling boy and said, we are going home.
And we should have left right then. But the threat of leaving calmed the boy and we stupidly decided to stick it out and actually try to look at some shoes. We traipsed through a couple of stores looking, but Jackson poked around, stalled and became unreasonable as only a tired 3 year old can do. The last straw came when we walked past an establishment we didn't expect. Lakeline mall has one of those places you can take your kid to jump on a dozen different inflatable moon walk/jumpy things. And this place has a glass wall to the mall. Jackson saw the place and melted down big-time cause we were not going in.
The place was crowded, cost $10 each to get it and we were just unable to cope at that point and decided to cut and run. So we carried a screaming kid from one end of the mall all the way to the other end where we were parked. David and I started giggling a little bit here and there on our long walk of shame, since we both knew we deserved the meltdown for going to the mall even though we knew better.
And we still need to get David some shoes. Somehow I can't imagine we will be ready to brave the mall again any time soon.
Is is a right of passage? Do we all have to make the screaming child walk of shame at some point as parents of small children?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I hate cedar
I am in full-blown cedar fever misery. Itchy eyes, faucet nose, scratchy throat, general body misery. Crankiness. I hate allergies. And I hate having to promise not to cook meth when I need some claritin D at the pharmacy. Jackson is also suffering and I needed some motrin cold syrup for him and some claritin D for me. Both of which have Pseudephedrine in them.
And you have to beg at the pharmacy for this non-prescription item. I feel bad for the pharmacists who have to dole out the stuff with rules so convoluted they can't even say if you can buy cold medicine for both you and your kid until the scanner computes the exact amount of pseuephedrine you are attempting to buy, swipes your drivers license and you sign the 'I promise' line. I did get both meds, I didn't have to choose between fixing my nose and Jackson's. And as the pharmacist said, when looking at my red nose and generally miserable cedar disposition, "I doubt you are going home to start the world's smallest meth lab in your kitchen."
Right. I'm not. Can we please stop with the Sudafed gestapo? Please make the rules a little less strict. Let me have more than 10 claritin D at once please. Must I write my legislator to beg for some common sense? Do legislators not have colds and allergies? Do they never have to jump through their own hoops for some sudafed? They probably just send someone else out for some. Bastards.
Jackson, of his own accord, peed in the potty standing up yesterday. He went in to pee, saw the seat was up and gave it a try. He only made a small mess. After he was done he turned to me and said, "Peeing while you're standing is a lot easier, isn't it mommy?" Sadly, I wouldn't know. I suppose it is easier, thus the line-size difference outside the bathrooms.
Gotta go see what's for dinner. All members of this household are allergic messes, so something simple is in order.
And you have to beg at the pharmacy for this non-prescription item. I feel bad for the pharmacists who have to dole out the stuff with rules so convoluted they can't even say if you can buy cold medicine for both you and your kid until the scanner computes the exact amount of pseuephedrine you are attempting to buy, swipes your drivers license and you sign the 'I promise' line. I did get both meds, I didn't have to choose between fixing my nose and Jackson's. And as the pharmacist said, when looking at my red nose and generally miserable cedar disposition, "I doubt you are going home to start the world's smallest meth lab in your kitchen."
Right. I'm not. Can we please stop with the Sudafed gestapo? Please make the rules a little less strict. Let me have more than 10 claritin D at once please. Must I write my legislator to beg for some common sense? Do legislators not have colds and allergies? Do they never have to jump through their own hoops for some sudafed? They probably just send someone else out for some. Bastards.
Jackson, of his own accord, peed in the potty standing up yesterday. He went in to pee, saw the seat was up and gave it a try. He only made a small mess. After he was done he turned to me and said, "Peeing while you're standing is a lot easier, isn't it mommy?" Sadly, I wouldn't know. I suppose it is easier, thus the line-size difference outside the bathrooms.
Gotta go see what's for dinner. All members of this household are allergic messes, so something simple is in order.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
There are worse things I could do...
Than not getting cast in a musical or two. I could be stuck at work on inauguration day trying to get rights to songs for the musical I didn't get cast in, while trying to get the office computers to stream the inauguration...with sound. And fielding ticket inquiries for the said musical I didn't get cast in. That is the sucky part about auditioning for the theatre you work for. If you don't get cast, you can't avoid the show. Not even apparently for five minutes while you decide how upset you are that you didn't get cast.
At least I am in good company. Some of the most talented ladies I know auditioned and fought hard last night and didn't get in. Sigh.
I am really excited my friend Sabrina got a role, she has worked really hard on her acting and singing and this is her first "real" part. Her emphasis, not mine. She has been a featured dancer in many a show, she just doesn't consider that real even though it is. So congrats to the talented ladies who made it into the pink ladies. I'll be sitting here selling tickets and aquiring right when I should be home watching history happen.
Oh, wait, I just got sound. Yay!
Shit there's the phone. Do I have to answer it?
At least I am in good company. Some of the most talented ladies I know auditioned and fought hard last night and didn't get in. Sigh.
I am really excited my friend Sabrina got a role, she has worked really hard on her acting and singing and this is her first "real" part. Her emphasis, not mine. She has been a featured dancer in many a show, she just doesn't consider that real even though it is. So congrats to the talented ladies who made it into the pink ladies. I'll be sitting here selling tickets and aquiring right when I should be home watching history happen.
Oh, wait, I just got sound. Yay!
Shit there's the phone. Do I have to answer it?
Monday, January 19, 2009
Callbacks
I just got home from Grease callbacks. So yes, I did get called back. I was called back to read for Frenchy and Patty Simcox, the cheerleader. There were about 20 women called back for eight roles and everyone was really good. I think I gave a good accounting of myself. I think I can do a pretty annoying, bubbly cheerleader for sure. But will I be cast? Magic eight ball says "Concentrate and ask again..."
Cast list should go up tomorrow. I may be on it, but if not, I am ok with my audition. I still wish I would have sung better at the initial audition. But at least I feel good about my callback. So we shall see.
Cast list should go up tomorrow. I may be on it, but if not, I am ok with my audition. I still wish I would have sung better at the initial audition. But at least I feel good about my callback. So we shall see.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Audition and Jacksonisms
Just got home from auditions for Grease. I sang my song, performed my monologue and learned the dance with forty something other people. And there were more auditions last night. I think in all well over 60 people came out for it. And they were overwhelmingly female.
I am okay with how I did, though. I was nervous and it came out in my voice, so I didn't sing as well as I wanted to. I sang better than some, not as well as others. The dance was fast and we had very little time to learn it. I danced better than some and not as well as others. I did try to look like I was having fun though, even when I was sucking. But my monologue rocked. I did my ice skater piece and as usual it worked and I was comfortable doing it.
So we shall see how I measure up against the multitude of women who auditioned. The callbacks are tomorrow and the list of who is invited to callbacks will be posted online really late tonight or tomorrow morning. Not sure if I am staying up to obsessively check for it, or if I am going to bed to worry about it in the morning. I don't think not knowing will keep me awake. At this point it is out of my hands, I did my thing, either I get a call back or not. And if so, I go on tomorrow to fight another day. So dramatic.
But honestly. I am beat from a long night of alternating nerves and boredom as you sit around waiting for your turn and then sweating like crazy and pretending that you remember the steps to the combination. Fake it and smile, baby, fake it and smile.
Here is a list of some 'hmm' very interesting things a three year old might say to you to make you laugh.
When you are trying to sneak some alone time with your spouse you might hear:
"Hey, why are you naked, guys? Huh? Why are you naked?"
When your pajama top comes open as you laze about on the couch on a Sunday morning:
"Mommy, your boobie is out."
When you catch him coming out of his room without his pants and wearing a different pair of underwear than before:
"Mom, don't say it, don't talk, don't get up and look."
When he discovers the cat has taken a dump behind the couch in the living room:
"I smell poooopp! There's poooooopppp! There's a big loonng poop and two little ball poops!"
I'm sure there's more but as I am degenerating into cat poop stories, I better stop and go to bed.
I am okay with how I did, though. I was nervous and it came out in my voice, so I didn't sing as well as I wanted to. I sang better than some, not as well as others. The dance was fast and we had very little time to learn it. I danced better than some and not as well as others. I did try to look like I was having fun though, even when I was sucking. But my monologue rocked. I did my ice skater piece and as usual it worked and I was comfortable doing it.
So we shall see how I measure up against the multitude of women who auditioned. The callbacks are tomorrow and the list of who is invited to callbacks will be posted online really late tonight or tomorrow morning. Not sure if I am staying up to obsessively check for it, or if I am going to bed to worry about it in the morning. I don't think not knowing will keep me awake. At this point it is out of my hands, I did my thing, either I get a call back or not. And if so, I go on tomorrow to fight another day. So dramatic.
But honestly. I am beat from a long night of alternating nerves and boredom as you sit around waiting for your turn and then sweating like crazy and pretending that you remember the steps to the combination. Fake it and smile, baby, fake it and smile.
Here is a list of some 'hmm' very interesting things a three year old might say to you to make you laugh.
When you are trying to sneak some alone time with your spouse you might hear:
"Hey, why are you naked, guys? Huh? Why are you naked?"
When your pajama top comes open as you laze about on the couch on a Sunday morning:
"Mommy, your boobie is out."
When you catch him coming out of his room without his pants and wearing a different pair of underwear than before:
"Mom, don't say it, don't talk, don't get up and look."
When he discovers the cat has taken a dump behind the couch in the living room:
"I smell poooopp! There's poooooopppp! There's a big loonng poop and two little ball poops!"
I'm sure there's more but as I am degenerating into cat poop stories, I better stop and go to bed.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I got my hair cut this week and Maria showed me what it looks like when I blow it straight instead of letting it curl/feather. So I have a bit of an improvement on the floppy, growing-my-hair-out hair. It won't be long before I actually have a bob. That will be nice. When I don't have so many layers, but more one length or at least long layers. I still don't know what the plan is with it. Keep it above my shoulders or grow it longer? I doubt I will grow it down my back like before. Just would seem like trying to go back instead of forward. But I would like to be able to pull it back, put it up in some way. And I need to go buy a brush. I don't have one if you can believe that. I have a round brush, but I threw my other brushes away when my hair fell out. Figured I didn't need them and I used to by cheapo brushes new every year or so anyway, so by the time I needed one again, I could get a new one. And I need a different kind of brush now. I have different hair. So it is time for a new brush. A Sally trip is in order.
I took Jackson to buy shoes at the outlet mall last week and took a few pics of him riding on the $.50 rides conveniently placed outside the kid stores. He makes me laugh. He sits nicely with what, to him, must be some strange animal statues.
Aaaand he puts his hand in one of their mouths. I guess an open mouth invites you to stick your hand in it.
So how bout that plane crashing into the Hudson river and no one getting killed? I am a huge fan of the pilot right now. Nice work. That must have been terrifying, but what an awesome ending.
Tomorrow night marks the return of Battlestar Galactica and we may finally learn the answers to the questions that have been plaguing us. I can't wait, but I will be sad when the series is truly over. Sigh.
Monday, January 12, 2009
My talk was a success!
I attended the PEO luncheon today and had a great time. The ladies were all so nice and welcoming and kept saying "Oh hi, are you the program today?" And though I worried I wouldn't have enough to talk about to rate being THE Program, I talked for at least 45 minutes, maybe more. It was pretty easy to talk about theatre. And the ladies asked great questions that led to more talking. And I was quite comfortable and only had slight issued accessing my vocabulary. I had a good time and I am so glad I did it.
I am really worn out now. I spent some time at my mom's after work helping sort out a few things with their laptop. With working several hours on my presentation last night and on my mom's computer tonight, I am computered out. I didn't sleep well last night, probably from nerves about today. So I am hoping I crash as soon as I hit the bed and don't wake up till morning.
Right now calls for a cup of hot tea - decaf and a good book.
I am really worn out now. I spent some time at my mom's after work helping sort out a few things with their laptop. With working several hours on my presentation last night and on my mom's computer tonight, I am computered out. I didn't sleep well last night, probably from nerves about today. So I am hoping I crash as soon as I hit the bed and don't wake up till morning.
Right now calls for a cup of hot tea - decaf and a good book.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Theatre talk
Tomorrow I am speaking at a luncheon for a service group out in Sun City; the PEO club, don't know what that stands for. But I do know they support education for women, have numerous scholarship programs and such. They asked me to come talk about theatre and acting. This has been on my calendar for months. Someone in the group was at a cancer luncheon I spoke to back in June and they schedule their meeting guests that far in advance. So I knew this was coming, but it still snuck up on me.
I spent the evening putting together a power point presentation with pics for the occasion. They want to know the ins and outs of it all - auditions, ways to prepare for a role, favorite shows, things like that. So I made plenty of notes and tried to find things to talk about that answer some of the questions people ask all the time. Like "How do you memorize all those lines?" And "How many rehearsals do you have?" One of the questions the organizer sent me was what was my most difficult production. That one is easy. Since I was trying to play Shelby in Steel Magnolias when I was diagnosed with cancer, I think that probably beats just about every other theatre difficulty I have encountered.
I had a hard time narrowing things down though. I could pull up slides and talk about shows all day long. But in the end I tried to keep it simple and light and then let them ask their questions at the end. I think it is going to be a fun time.
I am slightly nervous because I don't speak extemporaneously much and since I had chemo my vocabulary is sometimes held hostage in my brain. You know how sometimes you just can't find a word or a name? You know it is in there, you use it 50 times a week, it was your favorite movie in high school, but your brain just won't give it up till you relax and come back to it later? That used to happen to be occasionally just like everyone else. But since chemo, it happens at least once or twice a day. When I am talking to someone, I have a hard time accessing my full vocabulary. Seriously. This is a symptom of what cancer patients call chemo brain - this is something we feel is very real, but isn't always accepted or documented by the medical community. But trust me it is real. I don't have the short-term memory I used to and I can't reach my words like I used to.
But I am not too worried, cause I stuck to topics in theatre I am very familiar with and I think I can get through the luncheon without embarrassing myself. And if I can't find my words, I'll just tell them the story of chemo brain and place the blame where it belongs.
David and I accomplished a few things this weekend. We scrubbed both bathrooms, redid the grout in the shower that had succumbed to mildew, washed clothes, cleaned the BBQ grill and replaced worn out parts inside it. I have the sheets and duvet in the washer right now so we can crawl into clean, warm, sweet-smelling bedding tonight. I love clean sheet days.
I also decided to sign up for an audition slot for Grease at the Palace. There are over 30 women signed up already, so I understand the odds of getting into this one, given the level of dance I have. Which is basic/fake it technique. But though it is a long-shot, I have to audition because the number of awesome people I know signed up means that this could be a great and fun show to do and I would regret not even trying. You have to try. Sometimes the long-legged blond dancers beat you out, but you still have to try, right?
I spent the evening putting together a power point presentation with pics for the occasion. They want to know the ins and outs of it all - auditions, ways to prepare for a role, favorite shows, things like that. So I made plenty of notes and tried to find things to talk about that answer some of the questions people ask all the time. Like "How do you memorize all those lines?" And "How many rehearsals do you have?" One of the questions the organizer sent me was what was my most difficult production. That one is easy. Since I was trying to play Shelby in Steel Magnolias when I was diagnosed with cancer, I think that probably beats just about every other theatre difficulty I have encountered.
I had a hard time narrowing things down though. I could pull up slides and talk about shows all day long. But in the end I tried to keep it simple and light and then let them ask their questions at the end. I think it is going to be a fun time.
I am slightly nervous because I don't speak extemporaneously much and since I had chemo my vocabulary is sometimes held hostage in my brain. You know how sometimes you just can't find a word or a name? You know it is in there, you use it 50 times a week, it was your favorite movie in high school, but your brain just won't give it up till you relax and come back to it later? That used to happen to be occasionally just like everyone else. But since chemo, it happens at least once or twice a day. When I am talking to someone, I have a hard time accessing my full vocabulary. Seriously. This is a symptom of what cancer patients call chemo brain - this is something we feel is very real, but isn't always accepted or documented by the medical community. But trust me it is real. I don't have the short-term memory I used to and I can't reach my words like I used to.
But I am not too worried, cause I stuck to topics in theatre I am very familiar with and I think I can get through the luncheon without embarrassing myself. And if I can't find my words, I'll just tell them the story of chemo brain and place the blame where it belongs.
David and I accomplished a few things this weekend. We scrubbed both bathrooms, redid the grout in the shower that had succumbed to mildew, washed clothes, cleaned the BBQ grill and replaced worn out parts inside it. I have the sheets and duvet in the washer right now so we can crawl into clean, warm, sweet-smelling bedding tonight. I love clean sheet days.
I also decided to sign up for an audition slot for Grease at the Palace. There are over 30 women signed up already, so I understand the odds of getting into this one, given the level of dance I have. Which is basic/fake it technique. But though it is a long-shot, I have to audition because the number of awesome people I know signed up means that this could be a great and fun show to do and I would regret not even trying. You have to try. Sometimes the long-legged blond dancers beat you out, but you still have to try, right?
Monday, January 05, 2009
My kid is a criminal mastermind...
Yes. Jackson is the sneakiest boy in the history of sneaky boys. In the mornings when he gets up, he often takes his wet pull-up off and leaves it on the floor. We constantly ask him to put it in the trash. Yesterday morning as I was getting up with him, he stopped in the hallway by his room and said, "Um, I'm just gonna close my door...so that you don't see my wet pull-up. I had to laugh. Damned internal monologue malfunctions. They trip up villains all the time. The need to brag about one's crimes is overwhelming sometimes. Especially if you are three.
He also peed on my couch and tried desperately to cover it with a pillow...while I was standing there asking him about it. It went like this:
Me: Jackson, what is this? Why is the couch wet? Are your pants wet? Did you pee?
Jackson: (carrying pillow) I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna...
Me: Did you PEE on my COUCH?!?!
Jackson: I'm just gonna put this pillow here...
It wasn't funny at the time. Cause there was pee on my couch. But it's funny now. I guess.
He also peed on my couch and tried desperately to cover it with a pillow...while I was standing there asking him about it. It went like this:
Me: Jackson, what is this? Why is the couch wet? Are your pants wet? Did you pee?
Jackson: (carrying pillow) I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna...
Me: Did you PEE on my COUCH?!?!
Jackson: I'm just gonna put this pillow here...
It wasn't funny at the time. Cause there was pee on my couch. But it's funny now. I guess.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)