Starting out so foolishly small, it's hard to believe you will grow at all!

I realize that it may seem as though I'm in a blogging frenzy at the moment, but I promise to cool it. However I have BIG news that I must share. I'm an aunt again!

Last night, at 9:12 Colorado time, my sister Jessica gave birth to her second daughter and child. I would have written about this last night, but my brother-in-law and sister are a tad strange in the naming department. They didn't name my niece (the famous Leigha Anne Robins) until 12 or so hours after she was born. This was the case with my new niece Brianna Morgan Robins. Apparently they want to see their babies to see "what name fits." Whatever. Anyway, she was 8 lbs. 4 oz., has blue eyes, chubby cheeks, long fingers and toes, and dark hair that looked curly last night.

My sister had a tough delivery (over nine hours!), had to be put on oxegyn and given an epideral. She's exhausted, so I didn't get to talk to her today when I called to learn the baby's name. Leigha talked to me and told me she loved her sister, that she was more fun out of her mommy's tummy than in. Good! Leigha's 4 1/2 now, and had a huge range of feelings about the baby. She was the only grandchild on either side of her families. She wanted a boy (named either Johnny Depp or Peter Pan), and was mad for a long time when she learned the baby was a girl (which she wanted to name Cutie Pie). She learned she'd have to "share her grandma" which I believe almost pushed her over the edge. Now she is excited, so I'm glad.

That's all. Enjoy your days, and the title's lyrics from "I've Seen it Happen Before," from the odd Greek-theatre type musical Allegro by Rodgers and Hammerstein. I have another niece! :)

And ooh what luck! Cause here . . . it . . .is !

Well, the results are in. I made both of the shows. In Carousel I will be singing/dancing/acting in the chorus. Yeah! In Once Upon a Mattress I will be playing . . . Princess #12. The princess who tries to win the hand of Dauntless just prior to Winnifred. I don't know if I get to be in the chorus, but I hope so. After all, my role is on for about 10 minutes in the beginning--and that is all. I will be sad if I don't get to sing onstage at all. :(

Who's the girl who's gettin' the wows? Who's the girl who's the girl who's takin' the bows?

Once again, this is a later lyric from "It's Me!" from Me and Juliet. I don't know if it needs to be said, but I felt great after tonight's callback. I don't know if I'll get Winnifred, but I performed at my best, so I don't have to regret anything.

I joined with the dance audition at 6 pm. It was fairly simple (the same as last night), and I got it. I realized later I wasn't smiling as much as I normally would, so I felt a tad stupid about that.

I wasn't alone tonight! Laura, a lady I've sung in the choir with at church, was there! I love that lady. We sat together. She was there for the role of Queen Aggravain (the role Katie Nicklos played). She was hysterical. I really think she was the best, so I hope she gets it. She said that she wasn't intending to stay in the show if she didn't, just because of the time commitment.

I read for Winnifred three times. There were only four of us who did. There were about 8 of us who were called back for Winnifred. One of the girls, Mercy, I liked her voice, but I think it may have been too "operatic" for the role. I tried to come off as physically rough girl, because Princess Winnifred grew up in a swamp. She's a tomboy. I felt good about singing "Shy." Yeah!

Lady Larken was a joke. I didn't read for her at all! They called us up to sing for her two separate times, about 2 hours apart from each other. I hate singing high, since I really don't feel comfortable doing it. I warmed up all day, and practiced with my tape that my wonderful father plunked out for me. I wasn't as satisfied with it as I was with "Shy," but I felt that I hit the notes pretty well. The second time we went up, the girl who was next to me (who I think may have played Anita when they did West Side Story), said "I don't want to be at the end like last time." Then she looked at me, "I don't think I want to go after her, either!" I was surprised, but felt that I had received a compliment.

I find out tomorrow afternoon. I'll keep you posted!

I'll be Seeing You . . .

This title was made popular by WWII, but actually came from a musical in the 1930s, and later used in SWING! (which I saw the summer of 2000--front row and grinning like and idiot until a guy in the cast winked at me and I realized it!).

This title seemed appropriate for me tonight. Round 1 of callbacks are completed! Huzzah! I had my callback for Carousel tonight. I was there for more than three hours. I read once for Carrie, sang part of "June is Bustin' Out All Over," with everyone twice, "Mr. Snow" three times; twice with the 6 others called back for Carrie, and once by myself. Ooh! and I also got to stand in several lines so that they could compare heights of people. Sound crazy, no? I wished I could have read for the other Carrie scene, since I had some definite ideas of how it should be read and no one read the way I would have. How sad. Each one who read for Carrie only read once, so I felt good about that.

Tomorrow night I will be attending the callback for Once Upon a Mattress. I think I have a better shot of getting a lead in that show, but I really couldn't say that with much confidence. After all, I'm new. Plus, the director came up to me and said, "Did you realize that you put down that you played Dolly Tate in Hello Dolly?" She seemed amused. I was mortified. How could I mix that show up with Annie Get Your Gun? I know the mind's the first thing to kaput (according to every getting old joke), but who knew it began at 24? I'm pathetic.

Cast list goes up on Friday. I'll post tomorrow, and then the results! Cross your fingers and toes!

This droopiness in me miraculously melts, when I step on a stage and make believe I'm someone else!

I just returned from the Aspen building at WNCC where I, Lynette Irene Brown, have just auditioned for my first WNMTC musicals! YEEHAW! They're over with!!!!!!!!!! I decided to audition for both Carousel and Once Upon a Mattress.

I showed up, and filled out my "application" for the audition. I felt ill. Those butterflies must have been joined by about a thousand other flying species; all of which were tap dancing as they flew around my stomach. I LOATHE auditions of any sort! I sat by myself, and realized that several of the bigwigs of this particular company sat right behind me. One had been Maria in West Side Story. Another just finished playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz last Sunday. EEK!

I went up for my audition (I was number 51) and announced that I would be singing "Not for the Life of Me" from Thoroughly Modern Millie. I heard gasps of excitement behind me, which made me feel good. I read somewhere that some professional actors and actresses go into an audition with the frame of mind that "This is a performance!" Deciding that this was a novel and wise approach, I adopted this attitude for myself. I nailed the song--imho. I felt really good about it, and got a huge round of applause! Considering the fact that I knew absolutely nobody in the room, I had to admit, it felt good.

I collected my sheet music and headed back to my seat. The director said, "Lynette, where did you perform in these shows?" I answered "College in Idaho, and in high school, in both Colorado and California." "Oh! Welcome to Carson City!" On the way to my seat, a guy stopped me and said, "Thanks! I'll be thinking of that song for the rest of the night!" I grinned and responded, "At least it's not a bad song to have in your head." He agreed. The girl who was Maria (who is consequently the daughter of the director and also named Maria)talked to me for a bit. She seemed very nice.

I listened to her beautifully sing "Glitter and be Gay" from Candide (a hilarious and almost impossible song to sing.), and I received IT! I got a callback sheet! WOOO-HOOO! Happy Dance Break. I will be going in tomorrow for my Carousel callback for Carrie Pipperidge (the role I wanted in that show). On Thursday, I'll be going into my Once Upon a Mattress callback for Princess Winnifred (the role I wanted in that show), and Lady Larkin! Pray once again for me, as the competition will be a tad stiffer and more focused. I'm completely thrilled, though.

Since I'm in such a great mood, I shall post some of the lyrics from my fabulous title, taken from "It's Me!" from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Me and Juliet.

I'm colorless and shy
Inhibited and dull
My entrance into any room
Is followed by a lull.

This droopiness in me
Miraculously melts
When I step on a stage
And make believe
I'm someone else.
Quite suddenly,
I'm mentally and physically equipped
With the most unusual qualities
It says so in the script!

Have you heard?

Okay, quick note here. Bush was awesome! Senator John McCain was in attendence with Mr. President Bush. At any rate, Dean Heller, our Secretary of State, mentioned that he'd heard that "John Kerry changes his position more than a Nevada Prostitute." I about lost it, because it was so funny! How proud I am to be from the only state in the Union where prostitution is legal! :)

It's a lazy afternoon . . .

Yes, those of you attempting to figure out each of my title lyrics, this one is a toughie! It's from a show in the 1940s called "The Golden Apple." The only other thing I know about it is the fact that Kaye Ballard sang the song.

I just wanted to say that I went to Lake Tahoe today, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I always forget the beauty that is a mere 30 minutes away from where I live, until I get there. I wish I could have been one of the people who discovered it! I love imagining how they must have come through what is now Carson City (and oh so blah), trekking up the mountain to discover such a natural beauty. God must have enjoyed making this part of the earth. He sure outdid himself. If you would like to see His masterpiece, come visit!

So, it was an afternoon of working on my logic puzzles, reading more from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," walking along the beach in the water, climbing rocks in my bare feet (tender feet should just not exist!), and eating at a lovely resturant called Schimbalshanks (I believe. It reminded me of Skimpleshanks the Railway Cat from "CATS). All in all, a loverly day.

Tomorrow, it's all about Bush! Oh, and Hailey Nugeant will be spending the night at our house. She's the 4 year old daughter of the other 2nd grade teacher, Keri. The Nugeants are moving back to Mammoth, and need to finish their packing and cleaning. Kristen offered to take Hailey for the day. Seeing as she's a doll and (in her own words) "A really good sleeper," we had no qualms about this arrangement.

Au revoir!

There's No People Like Show People . . .

Okay, so Luis Palau was awesome. I did get to drive around Toby Mac, Sarah Kelly, Point of Grace (who decided to call me Maria Andretti), the Catinas, Kutlass, many of the skateboarders and bikers, along with other members of the Palau team. I really had a fun time. I got to hear some great stories, meet people in the area, and had my junior highers stalk me once they saw my backstage pass! How funny.

So I am applying like mad to any place that has any sort of rumor of even hiring. I truly despise summer jobs. Ah, well, it's money to pay rent, college loans, credit cards, cell phone and the electric bill. Ick. Being grown up is not always what it is cracked up to be.

OOH! But there is one aspect that is pretty cool! Awesome opportunities which I can take advantage of. My family is going into Reno for lunch on Friday. "Why?" you may ask. I'll tell you why. Bush and Cheney are going to be here, and we're going to a fundraising lunch for the Republican party! I'm so excited!

So my celebrity summer continues. I had no clue that anything of the sort was going to happen. Next week--COLIN FIRTH! I wish. Two weeks into the summer and I'm still rubbing elbows. I'm excited to see what else is in store.

Oh, and I've recently begun to reread A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Excellent novel by Betty Smith. I would advise everyone to read it. I am thinking of having one of my high school classes read it next year. Enjoy the world of Francie Nolan.

Oh what a Circus, Oh what a Show!

My longing for the Broadway stage as a career has once again heightened as it is bound to do at least once a year. The Tony Awards were awesome this year, infinitely superior to last years, I might add. I love Hugh Jackmen, and his performance from Boy From Oz was definitely different than anything else there! I want to see Avenue Q, but not nearly as much as Wicked! I love Defying Gravity! I think I may want to sing The Wizard and I from Wicked at my auditions in two weeks. Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenowith are awesome! I also want to see Fiddler on the Roof, Wonderful Town and (though nothing was shown from it, but it has Hunter Foster, Sutton's older brother whom I also adore) Little Shop of Horrors. Oh, and I want to see Raisin in the Sun. GO AUDRA!!!!!!!!! I must take a break and just mention how incredibly gifted this woman is! Audra McDonald has been in 5 Broadway shows. She has been nominated for 5 Tony Awards. She has won 4 of them--including this year. Her singing inspires me, she always seems so humble. Girl from Fresno makes it to the big time! Ken Parks, our director for Bye Bye Birdie in Exeter, worked with Audra in the Good Company Players in Fresno. I feel so proud ever time she's in anything, like I'm somewhat a part of it. Everyone from the valley felt that way, if they were in theatre. Perhaps it is cheesy, but it's the only way I can think of to describe this feeling.

I've now seen Harry Potter twice . . . and loved it both times. I noticed some differences with the directing, and felt a bit mixed about the changes. I loved how "natural" some of the changes were. The kids in normal clothing for more of the film, the fact that more of the film was outside than before was also nice. However, the changing of the locality of certain things bothered me a bit. Emma Thompson was hysterical! They cut out or changed things more so than I noticed in the other two films, but it was also shorter than the other two.

Luis Palau is this week. I had my first meeting tonight for "The Reno Transport Team." I was definitely the only person younger than 40 there, perhaps the only one younger than 50. It was freezing! I am excited about this opportunity, though. It'll be fun, and I get to have some cool stuff (backstage pass, special parking, etc.). I still have no idea how I got on this team.

During our choir rehearsal on Saturday (prior to the Sat. night and Sun. morning performances), Don Bauman and I got to talking. We began talking about improv, and he thought that an Improv night at our Sat. Coffee House at church would be fun. I concurred. Then he asked me if I wanted to team teach an Improv class at our "Drama Camp" this summer. My part would only be on one Sunday night for about two hours. How fun!

My mom and I got tickets to see The Scarlet Pimpernel (the musical) in Sacramento in August. It's been one of the top musicals I've wanted to see for years. I can't wait! I'm going to try to catch The Wizard of Oz next weekend, put on WNCC. I just wish I could see it with Kelsey, since she has been obsessed with it since before birth.

My life feels kind of like these lyrics to a song by the same title from Evita. I love the fact that I do not have a dull life. Random thoughts, I know, but the fact remains true.

I must go, for I need to be up early in order to get to Rancho San Rafael Recreational park tomorrow to help out with my team. Adieu!

So long, Farewell

Well, my first year of teaching is officially over as of about 9 pm last night. It is still a surreal thought to me, but the fact that I got to sleep in on a Friday was a beautiful thing. I still must finish cleaning my classroom, pick up my second to last paycheck, but then I'm FREEEEEEE! At least until I start a job, for which I am still hunting. I know, I know, I should have done something earlier about it. However with the amount of grading I had, I really didn't feel I could take the time. Last weekend would have been ideal, but I played a lot. Grandpa sang in the Senior Follies (which was awesome! Old people=cute and great entertainment), we kind of had a family reunion because aunt Denise and her boyfriend Dan (whom I love!) came up to see us. We had a blast. We helped to make a video for my cousin Will who is a sniper in Iraq right now. He's doing well there, but I have a hard time not getting scared for him. If you think about it, do pray for him. Also, for his twin, Beau, because he's joining the Coast Guard in August.

Graduation. I'm such a weeper at those things. However, I did well last night. I presented the 6th grade awards, sat through the 8th grade promotion without a tear shed. I was sent to get the three seniors to get ready for graduation. It was nice to have one last moment with just the four of us. I gave them each their cards and assured them that the entire ceremony would be fabulous. No one would throw up while giving a speech, their bladder would be able to handle the wait, etc. All of the upper grade teachers had to walk behind them and then sit on stage behind them. I made it through Beth's speech and Courtney's speech okay. I wish Jon had decided to speak, but he opted to abstain. I made it through Mr. Jordan's speech just fine (and it was definitely the best graduation speech I've ever heard!). The each got their diplomas, and I smiled proudly. Each of them gave their mothers a rose, and I thought over the roughness of the year. They came back onstage for the conclusion and turned to hug us all. I lost it. Seriously! I didn't even cry at my own high school graduation! How pathetic am I?

In a few short hours, I will be going to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Yeah! Kristen and I wanted to see a midnight showing, but none of the theaters in Reno, Carson City, Minden, or even Lake Tahoe were showing it then! Grr! Kristen and I are going with her mom, four brothers, a friend of her brothers, and Sarah Ferguson (one of my 9th graders from this year whom we both adore). It's going to be zooey. We wanted to go to the first showing at noon, but her brothers get out of school at 12:30! What with the last day of school, I'm afraid I'll want to be the evil teacher during the film. Hopefully, I won't have to!

Oh! Next weekend is the Luis Palau Festival in Reno. It was fun to go to in Boise during my Senior year, so I'm looking forward to it here. Kristen and I are working a merchandise table on Friday afternoon. I got a call last night, and apparently I was also assigned to another team (which I had no clue about!). I've called the lady back to find out more, because I don't mind helping, but it sounds as though I may be working with some of the musicians! If I get to meet Point of Grace (which I'm truly excited to see), I'll be thrilled. It'll be awesome!

I also may be working with Drama during our VBS this year. How fun! I hope that I can.

So, I'll continue my song and wish that all of my seniors and 8th graders from this year who are not returning will have a great life with wonderful experiences. The 8th graders who are returning, I'm truly looking forward to seeing each of you again. Auf Wiedersehn, goodbye!