So the show closed last night. I got to sing my last duet of Suddenly Seymour with my co-star at the bar around midnight when the bartender said he'd by everyone a round if we did a song from the show.

He was so impressed, he bought us two.

I stripped myself of my fake nails today and have turned in all my cheap and tasteless costumes ot the drycleaners. I washed the four cans of aquanet out of my hair last night and am back to being a normal person again.

I hate being a normal person. I want to go back to being an actress.

I've been crying off and on all day today. Damnit.

Hi all! Sorry I've just been sucking rocks on trying to keep updated here, but it's been kinda nutty between work and show.

Work: One of my girls is out on indefinite medical leave. She apparently fell down a ladder, broke several bones and foun out she had walking pneumonia when she went to the ER. I guess if you're going to go for it, you might as well go all out, right? Poor kid. I just hope she gets better soon. Right now I'm sure she's miserable.

Meantime, my boss is still being crazy and I sometimes think she's a moron, but I keep hoping I'm wrong. She just. . . doesn't listen. It's as if I'm beneath her contempt since I'm just a receptionist and she's my supervisor. . . but I've been doing this for 10 years and she's never done it before. Gah. It'll get better, I hope, but still.

Show: is eating my brain. I'm starting to dream in a New York accent. I'm so stupidly excited, it's not even funny. I mean, what better show to get my first big role in? I even had my first kiss with Seymour yesterday, which we were both kinda nervous about (we both kept look at each other with deep longing in our eyes and then breaking out into giggles), but hey, went fine. All 87 time we ran the song.

I'm trying to see if I can get a clip posted of me singing so I can prove to my cousin that I CAN sing show anyone who's interested, so I'll keep y'all posted. :-)

Big news of the moment. . . I got an iPhone! Huzzah! I can actually call people from my house! I can search the web from my couch! The Power of the Internet Compells Me! Well, once i figure out how to use the damn thing. I'm so tech inept its depressing.

hope y'all are doing well.

So, here are some publicity photos of Little Shop. I've been so swamped I really haven't had much time to do anything online, but I wanted to share these!

( follow the linkage for some pics )

I'm so behind on LJ at the moment. I ahve no idea what's going on in anyone's life, and I'm really sorry about that, so if you have momentous news, need support ror a swift kick in the ass, please let me know. Otherwise, I'll try and get reading here soon-ish.

Show is going well, though I'm still losing my mind a bit with it. A good friend leant me an Ipod, so I've been cracking out to the songs, which is good, because I think the COG was going to choke me if he heard "Closed for Rennovation" one more time. Lines are still freaking me out, but I've been studying them like crazy and think I have my two icky monologues mostly down. Did some costume stuff last night. Can we say Call-Girl Chic? Oy. At least some of my trashy bar clothes from when I was 21 are being put to good use.

COG is still worried about contract negotiations. AT&T and IBEW have tentatively agreed on a contract, but the union has to approve it, and he's not sure they will since at least one section of guys is kind of getting a crummy deal, but it's still a better deal than they have now. . . so yeah. Strike is still a possibility, and the problem with this is

A) The last time it happened, the union caved and got a MUCH worse contract than what was originally offered. There is a good chance that if they strike again, the Lump-Sum payment option on his benefits would go the way of the dodo.

B) if the Lump-Sum goes away, it means he'll get a monthly stipend for the rest of his life. . . unless they pull something like United did and decide not to pay out benefits to the retirees any more. In any case, the stipend is quite possibly less than he would get should he choose the lump-sum option. It all depends on how long he lives, and unless he lived to be in his 90's, it's probably not as much.

He could always retire immediately and keep the lump-sum option from the contract that he has in place right now, but we're honestly not in a fabulous position for him to retire immediately. I'd like to pay off some more bills and such. I'd like to do some more home improvements. We both like our standard of living, and it would drop DRAMATICALLY if his salary went away. But we only have a few weeks to figure this out, because they vote on the contract at the end of the month, and

C) If they choose to strike, it goes into effect immediately, and NO ONE is allowed to retire while they are on strike.

Which means that if he retires now, he can keep the contract and we lose a lot of money from his salary until he can get another job at a lesser wage. . . or he can waut and see what the new contract will bring if they go on strike. Either way, it's like a $500K dollar gamble.

So after my last post, where we discussed the evil perfection that is shortbread. . . I've started a food diary.

Brainwashing Barbiedolls, who knew ice cream had that freaking many calories?! And the packaging. . . it LIES TO US. Ever look at the serving sizes? I mean, come on. Who eats only one ounce?! Dairy, thou sting hath been felt (all over my ass and in my thighs).

Methinks I might have found the reason I'm not dropping weight like I thought I should with the working out. Now the real question is. . . am I really willing to give up my good food?

that shortbread has to be the most perfect and evil food on the planet.

Really nothing new to report over here. I'm still just floored about the next show. My leading man is adorable, and I got the following e-mail from him this morning

Audrey,
Figured i would check and see how often you're on e-mail during the day. Can't wait to see you tonight!
~Seymour

Everyone together now! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww. . .

I should be working on lines or character development or some such. Instead, I am reading old Harry Potter posts and the occasional wank. Ah, the crazyness of Fandom. I do miss it sometimes.

hope y'all are well!

So I got the official cast list for Little Shop this afternoon. I still can't believe I'm playing Audrey. Anybody with a good New York accent want to give me some pointers?

Found out that I have NO IDEA who the guy playing Seymour is. So, since I am going to be sharing some lip-time with this mystery boy, I did what any normal young woman would do, and I set out to Cyberstalk him.

THE INTERNETS HAVE FAILED ME.

I can't find him anywhere. And I won't get to meet him until Tuesday at the earliest. Ack, the suspense! It kills!

Anyway, heading to Ohio with the COG to see my father and bring home some crack books he would like to be rid of. And y'all know me and the bibliophilia. We're taking the big car. Back on Tuesday!

So, had auditions on Sunday. Just found out there will not be callbacks because they apparently cast the show last night.


I've been asked to play AUDREY. The girl. . . not the plant, which was what my first thought was. But, like, the LEAD FEMALE. OH. MY. BOB.


Pardon me as I boggle.

HOW TO BRIBE FOREIGN GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS
Please join the International Law Group on Monday, August 17, 2009, to learn how!

So, this week I have:

1 wedding to sing in
2 wakes to attend
1 audition for Little Shop of Horrors to prepare for and execute
1 play I am supposed to go see
1 night of trivia my team is practicing on
2 job performance reviews to sit through
1 car to drop off at a collision repair shop
3 insurance companies to haggle with

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Sorry, it's just been insane here lately. I'll check in with y'all again once it calms down, but for now, I'm about to lose my mind.

First. . . happy belated to beshter and genesse! And if I've missed your birthday as well. . . . happy birthday to everyone!

I am feeling much better today, and thank you all for dropping comments, suggestions and general advice. I really, really appreciate it. I just don't know what's wrong with me any more, and though I think it might be hormonal, I have a strong suspicion it's a lot to do with jealousy as well.

When my friends had the baby on Thursday I was SO happy for them. . . I mean, I am really and truly thrilled for them, but at the same time, I am horrifically jealous as I know that it's essentially everything the mother has ever wanted. All she's ever wanted to do since she was a kid was be a wife and mother. . . and she's got that, and more power to her. . . but I wonder if I'll ever find the same transcendental joy she just has, you know?

Add to this that I read more about my ex-roomie who was named CFO of a major company recently, which just emphasized my lack of accomplishments (which she LOVED to go on about) even more, starting the jealousy.

I think most of it is hormonal, because I really can't explain the monumental highs and lows I've been dealing with lately. . . I just have to figure out when I can get into the doctor without taking any time off of work. :-P

So, in a nutshell, still somewhat pissy at myself, but getting better. And how are YOU lovely people?

So Good news first, 'cuz that's how I roll.

Good! My friends in Oregon had a baby today. Brian Roman was born at 12:55pm after just 7 hours of labor. :-) It's the father's third child, the 1st for the mother. Baby Brian was a month early, but all three seem to be doing well at last text message.

Bad. I think I might suffer from depression. I've been bitter and full of hate at the world far too often lately. I feel like I've accomplished nothing in my life, especially when I look at those in my age bracket around me. I am constantly exhausted, moody, irritable, waspish. The days when I've cried on my walk to the train after work have increased a thousandfold, as have the days when I've wanted to throw myself into the river. Am I truly suicidal? NO, no worries there, but I still shouldn't feel this. . . lost. It's what I imagine a midlife crisis to be, really. I'm not where I want to be in my life right now, but the problem is, I don't really KNOW where I want to be. All I know is that this ain't it. . . but I know that all in all, I'm damnably lucky and I SHOULD feel far more grateful and happy than I do at the moment. . . which makes me even more upset with myself that I could be so selfish and not be happy with what I have instead of focusing on those things I think I'm missing. . .

Vicious circle? I think so.

You would think after doing this for umpteen years I would be ready for the new and fresh hell tech week always brings into my life, but NO. It always hits me out of the blue. :-P

The show is kinda sorta almost looking like a show now, which is a good thing. I'm still effing terrified about the whole thing, since I've only run a couple of my songs once and no one is really sure about the lyrics for a couple of the group numbers. It also hit me last night that I'm actually a FEATURED PERFORMER in this one. . . I mean, I'm finally getting used to being a character actor and in one or two numbers, but this. . . I'm in every other song. Craziness!

I did have a great weekend other than the whole selling my soul to the drama gods thing. Friday I went to the Museum of Science and Industry and checked out the Potter exhibit, which was actually pretty fun. My friend and I schooled a bunch of 10 year olds and their bored looking parents in a trivia contest before they let us in. (Seriously, they were asking for it. One kid piped up with "Wow you're old. Do you know anything about Harry Potter?")

It was amazing to see the details in a lot of the props and costumes, and the audio tour gave some fun highlights. . . like the costumer saying the reason they never changed Snape's outfit is because he's already perfect. The wands were neat, and they had a room done up like the Great Hall, which was a lot of fun. It did my poor little geeky tech heart happy.

We went to see the movie in the Omnimax there which was interesting. I seriously felt like the WB logo was going to crush my skull when it came on the screen. . . which was kind of neat, but the screen was curved and so HUGE (think of seeing it in a planetarium) that it was a bit like watching a tennis match above my head.

( As far as the movie itself goes? )

Anyway, hope you all are doing well!

I have eaten so much CRAP today my stomach hurts. I was, literally, inundated with food this morning when I got here, and there's STILL a lot left here at my desk.

7 bags of chips, 4 kinds of dip, a cheese ball, two tins of cookies, 2 bags of brownies, 3 dozen donuts, grapes, cubed cheese, a lemon marangue pie, M&M's, brie and fig spread, orange juice, cheese danish, strawberry danish, strawberry cheesecake danish, strawberries. . . and I kind of lost count there. I also got a great bunch of flowers from the garden of one of the paralegals and a GORGEOUS bouquet of roses and orchids from the COG.

Apparently the girl behind me was upset last year when I didn't say anything to anyone about my birthday, so this year she e-mailed the whole floor to remind them. My desk looks like a riotous party happened earlier, but I've had a GREAT time today.

Tomorrow should be a blast. I'm meeting one of my girlfriends for breakfast adn then we head to the Museum of Science and Industry to see the HP Exhibit. . . and then on to the IMAX to see the movie!

*hugs all* You know, I hope continues as well as it's started out. :-D

So I am SLOWLY starting to feel more human, which is a good thing since I'm singing a brazillion songs in a week.

Eeeeep.

I'm really starting to panic on that now, since there's still one I've NEVER GONE THROUGH and three I have no blocking to. . . and another of which I found out last night I was given the wrong music for and have to re-learn the whole damn thing. Blast. I know it'll come together, but man, it drives me insane sometimes. I wish people would take it more seriously. I mean, I know it's just community theatre, but STILL.

And I am a bit depressed today as well. HBP is the 1st movie I won't go see on opening day and the first midnight showing I've missed. Sadly, I used all my remaining personal time last week and I'd really like to continue having a job. . . which means no falling asleep at my desk.

Anyway, I sincerely hope you're all happy and healthy and well. *hugs to all*

Sorry I've been gone all week. I got hit with a nasty sinus infection/laryngitis and have been fighting it since Monday morning. Have to go back to work on Monday (no more sick days, damnit) so I should be able to catch up then.

So, first and foremost, Happy Birthday to hfleming8. Darling Hez was my first true Partner in Crime in the HP universe, and I will NEVER be able to read HBP without thinking of her.

Tonight, in your honor, darling, I break out the champagne, godiva and a couple of marlboros. Huzzah!

In other, less happy news, I am bitter and full of hate at most of the universe today. I think most of this is due to the fact that I have 3 weeks (OMB JUST THREE) to learn 20 songs, plus the dances that go with them. Feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment. I think I'll be fine, but it's a bit daunting right now, especially since it's looking more and more like we run each song ONCE and then don't do it again until tech week. Eeeeep.

Anyway, I'm going to go and be a grouch on my own for a while now. Hope you're all in better moods than I!

Car is fixed. Huzzah, no more angry squirrels in the wheels.

In a funk today. Not really sure why, but I think it might be partly because COG is stressed and moody. Contract is up, I think, tomorrow night, which means the strike (and lack of paycheck it will bring) looms every closer.

I'm reading Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and HOLY CRAP IT'S AWESOME. For those not familiar with it, it's a history of the building of the Chicago 1892 World's Fair. . . and the mass murderer who took advantage of it's proximity. H. H. Holmes was a scary, scary man.

I'm having even more fun with the story, as I am familiar with the area. For example, the book was talking about Daniel Burnham's office in The Rookery just as I was passing the building on my way to work. Living history, right here in front of me.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

So I dropped my car off at the dealership for a routine oil change and to check on a squeak. Turns out I need 4 new rotors AND all new pads.

The dealership is quoting $1000.

Sadly, I do not have $1000 in disposable cash at the moment.

Car-X was appalled when I told them the ammount above. Quoted me $450.

I still owe $100 to the dealership (for the oil change and the inspection) but DAMN, if $600 ain't still a better deal than $1000.