By this time next year . . .

Hello all! I'm back from Oregon. Aah, it was a very nice and relaxing break from my favorite state with gambling and legal prostitution. :) It was actually quite a lovely mini-break with the added bonus of the Oregonian scenery. Imagine living in a place that is green all year round. Quite beautiful. And the mountains, and the river, and the forests . . . It was also a pleasant surprise that it sprinkled some, but no real rain until I left this morning. Wonderful!

So, my trip up was what some may call an adventure. Some may call it a fiasco. I called it frustrating, but never dull. The drive from Carson City to Lebanon is supposed to be (according to mapquest) a bit over 9 hours. Ha ha! Try closer to 12 for the way up. Icky indeed. The weather posed a problem with some snow and such, but driving slowly and cautiously (The cautious part I've actually had down pat for the whole of my life.) proved to work.

I stopped in Mt. Shasta for some much needed gas and lunch. I took off, only to have the driver's side windshield wiper fly off of the hook! EEK! Due to the nature of this particular traffic, it was impossible for me to pull over, pick it off of my car, and put it back on. Drat. It appeared to have completely flown away. I was forced to drive leaning over to the passenger side in order to see. Then the hook began to scrape the windshield. I was convinced it was scratching it, and really not to keen on the thought. I began to run the wiper and a half less frequently to prevent at least some of the damage which I knew would be present. I finally was able to pull off, into a town called Yreka, CA. I prayed to find a Wal-Mart or something to that extent, but finding none in my frantic search, I decided to pull off at a gas station and ask inside. I got out of my car, and first went to the windshield. I rubbed the scratch I feared was there. It was just a mark, though my rubbing of it proved futile in an attempt to remove it. I looked down, and there was the fly away wiper! Huzzah!!!!!!! I reattached it, and went about my way. It flew off again, but I was able to pull over and fix it. Not a problem with it since!

The next part of the story may actually shock some of you, so I will get that out of the way now. Despite the fact that I was born in Bishop, CA, have lived in Colorado, Idaho, and now Nevada, I have never once owned snow chains, nor have I ever actually had to put them on or take them off. I've never actually looked forward to the day I knew would come when I had to partake in this seemingly miserable chore. Well, guess what folks? I was actually not allowed to enter the state of Oregon without them! The guy who was checking for them at the border told me I could drive back to certain points on the highways called Chain Installation Stations (I'll explain in a bit), or I could return in half an hour, when it was very likely that they would be lifting this warning. GRR! I opted to go back, just in case I couldn't get through in half an hour.

I had to turn around and drive back. I drove for a bit and thought I saw a Chain Station, so I pulled off the side returning to CA, and returned to my original side. Either the guy moved, or it was purely a figment of my imagination. So, I looped again and went farther this time, making absolutely certain I had seen more than one before I backtracked again! I pulled around and was able to pull up to a Chain Installation Station without a wait. These stations were actually trucks that some people had been employed to drive. The bed of the trucks were filled with boxes and boxes of chains for all tire sizes. For a fee, they would sell them, and an additional fee they would put them on for you. Seeing no other real option at the moment, I paid for the works (much more than it would've cost otherwise). This process of driving around and getting chains ended up taking about an hour. I drove through the border, and the guys were not checking anymore!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I was on my way to Ashland, and ultimately Lebanon. The thing about chains is that you are actually not supposed to drive very fast. I've heard all different speeds, but my Chain Installation Man claimed that 25 mph would be ideal. I think I drove about 15 minutes past the border before getting so frustrated with a slow speed with no need of it, I pulled over to take them off. The guy gave me no instructions. So, the determined and independent parts of my character which are very strong forces in me worked together. I had to remove my coat and gloves--it was soooooooooo cold! I figured out about 2/3 of the removal process. I had to call my dad for the last part, and since he wasn't there, he told me what his supposition was. It took FOREVER to find the blasted last clasp for both tires, but I eventually did it (with lots of prayer, probably more for comforting myself than anything). After about40 minutes of this icky process I got back into my car--shivering, wet, muddy and tearstained. I returned to my mission of getting to Devon's, that is, after a brief visit to a convenience store in Ashland for washing the cold mud off of my hands and arms.

I did have a grand time at Devon's. We talked. I got to read. I got to journal. I helped out in the cuttings room of the Nursery her parents own and have now developed a new trade skill in case teaching doesn't work out. :) I got to meet Steph and her baby daughter Sydney, which was very fun. We watched some episodes of Monk. We watched a Mystery Science Theater 3000 (The Girl in Gold Boots--not very typical of their movies, but a completely wretched one! It was very funny). I got to visit Devon's very cute apartment, and the Springfield Public Library. We went to the outlet mall in Woodburn, and I was able to get my calendar for the 2005 year. Yeah! I got to hear what some of our mutual friends were up to, as did she. I got a more in depth description as to what Grad school was like for her this first term. Very interesting. I was able to share with her some of the wonderful music in Wicked. We spent some time in the hot tub, but the cloudy night allowed us no satisfying view of the stars. :( Her youngest sister, Brenna, thought it fun to chuck a couple of ice cubes at us from the upstairs window, though this did come to a quick end. Good food, fellowship, friends, and fun. I'd consider this trip a success!

So, I've settled on a New Year's Resolution for the year. I used to think they were silly, but now I kind of like the challenge. In 2005, I am going to make a much stronger effort to keep in touch with friends. I want to devote at least a portion of time (at the very least) two weekends a month to call friends--what is a cell phone really for if one does not take advantage of the enormous amounts of weekend minutes and long distance friends? I've been getting better about it, but I could be even better. I will write and respond more often to friends in e-mail and real mail. I also have decided that I need to read at least one new book a month. I have this nasty habit of going through spurts of reading new books, and then going back to my reliable favorites. Really, and I call myself an English teacher? Tsk tsk tsk. So, if anyone would like to help me out with these goals, I would appreciate it. Phone numbers, or e-mail changes/home address changes. Recommended readings. Etc.

Kara, I loved your Christmas letter this year! All that traveling? Ugh, I'm so jealous! How wonderful. But, I think my favorite part was the small print at the end. So, I can get mentioned if I come out and visit (and as we know, I am always up for a cheap opera!), or do something which deplores you, huh? Okay, another resolution for the year is to be mentioned in your letter next year. A visit would be a blast. But what if I went to Vegas and married a dancer whom I'd known approximately 12 minutes? Or, I could straighten my hair and dye it platinum blonde, get blue contacts, work out, and change my name to Barbie (whose sole goal is to get married to a rich man and drive a pink convertible). I could write a book revealing the horrible person you really are, get it published, and have it sold in Kansas City, particularly at NTS (I could title it "Cow Tipping and Ugs are NOT Terms of Endearment"). I could say John Calvin is my new favorite historical figure, wallpaper my room with pictures of the attractive Mr. Calvin, and find a way to blend our faces together digitally for you. I could . . . oh the possibilties are endless. As fun as a visit would be, this could prove to be more fun! :)

Oh, and for those of you wondering about the blind date, well, it didn't happen. I was not in the least bit crushed, either. Que Sera Sera. I really wasn't even looking forward to it, so I was pleased that it didn't.

The title of this post is from a song called "By This Time Next Year," from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard. It is based on the film from 1950 (I love it, but then I like drama more than comedy). The song is performed by characters who want to be big names in Hollywood and such. Lots o' fun.

May your days be merry and bright!

It's officially Christmas!!!!! It's been so for fifteen minutes!!!!!! Merry Christmas Bedford Falls! Oops, wrong thing. :) I do love Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life. Perhaps I will watch that today, since I've not yet this season. Excellent film. At exactly midnight, I was driving to Dayton with Janina, and the all Christmas music station began to play "White Christmas" with the amazing Bing Crosby. Seriously, is there any other person who can sing that song and sound right? I may be very biased, considering the fact that I should have been born in 1935 and in love with Bing since childhood, but I really don't think so. Every time I hear it, I think of him.

Tonight was exciting. I saw Phantom of the Opera! I loved it! I saw it with Nina, Stephanie, Hana, and Eric (whom I've met a couple of times). It reaffirmed my love of Patrick Wilson. I was completely impressed with Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler. Excellent film. No matter what anyone else thinks (Chris!), I do love this musical. It was certainly more amazing to see it from this close than the furthest balcony in the Marquis Theatre in NYC, or the Buell Theatre in Denver. This was the first show I ever saw on Broadway. Great show. I liked how they weaved more of the "newer" part in with the storytelling. I was caught up in the whole thing, and found myself crying. I rarely cry at movies (Though certain ones will get me over and over. Stupid sentimentality! I cried at the song "Puff the Magic Dragon" until I was 13, and will still tear up when I hear it now!), but it got me.

Janina and I have been having a grand old time in Dayton. Nothing but relaxing and having fun together has touched our agenda. We've watched several movies, played a lot of games, shopped, saw Finding Neverland together (another amazing movie), sang songs, and had a great time. I've finished The Da Vinci Code, and even figured out several parts of the mystery before they were revealed. I love doing that! Since I've never read any works by this author before, I was particularly proud of it. It certainly was an interesting story. I think I may have to do some research of my own to see how much of the things were actually true. I've finished through Act II of The Skin of Our Teeth--another very interesting read. It's a strange play, but I'm enjoying it. It's very imaginative so far, and I cannot predict what is going to happen next. The copy I have is neat, because it has original production pictures in it! Tallulah Bankhead and Montgumery Clift were in the original cast! How awesome is that?

Oh! Something fairly exciting has happened to me this week! While growing up in Exeter, I had several good friends. When we moved from Colorado, it broke my heart (considering I'd started Kindergarten in Exeter and they were the only friends I knew). I had a group of friends who meant a lot to me. I really don't keep in touch with most of them now, only Tracie on occasion, and she was my best friend. Well, I got an e-mail from one of them this week asking if my e-mail really was my e-mail. My good childhood friend, Jenifer Brasuel! We've e-mailed back and forth a couple of times this week, it's been neat. The last time I saw her (or anyone from Exeter) was when we went back the year I graduated high school so I could see my old class graduate (La Junta graduated in May. Exeter graduated in June). Things sure have been eventful for the both of us in the last 6 1/2 years, as I'm sure they'd be for most people! I've really gotten a kick out of hearing from her this week. She's married now, has a daughter who is almost a year old, and lives in Oregon. Speaking of Oregon . . .

I'm going to Oregon tomorrow! YES!!!!!!!! I'm going to visit my wonderful friend Devon. It's probably been about two years since I last saw her, so it'll be great to catch up. I'm planning on staying until Wednesday, so it'll be a nice break from Nevada. I realized that the last overnight trip I had that was actually a vacation was in April when I went to Sacramento with Kami Watson to see Julie McClure. Wow! Too long, imho. I love travelling. I love visiting friends. I love seeing other places. In high school, I really did consider becoming a travel agent, just so I could visit places and recommend them to people. Well, clearly that did not happen . . . yet. Perhaps someday I shall do this. After all, I'm going to be 25 in about two months, so who is to say that my life will stay just as it is now? Anyway, Devon and I will have a marvelous time, I'm sure! I may even get a chance to meet Steph, whom I heard a lot about in college and whose blog I now follow regularly. How exciting would that be?

Well, that wraps up my writing for today. The lyrics come from the song "White Christmas." This did not make it's debut in the movie of the same name, though many people think so. Nope! It actually comes from a musical written earlier called Holiday Inn. Bing was the original singer, just so you don't have to worry about that! It also starred the phenomenal Fred Astaire. I like White Christmas more. It became a stage musical this year, when a professional company did it in San Francisco. Esther got to see it! She really liked it. It starred Brian d'Arcy James, who was one of the first people I saw perform on Broadway (in Titanic) when I was 17. I fell in absolute love with his voice, which led up to a rather embarrassing letter I wrote . . . A long story for another time, perhaps. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Well, I doubt I will be blogging again until after Christmas, so I'm sending out my wishes of Christmas joy to all here and now. Then again, I may perhaps write before Christmas, but something awfully big and worthy of my time must take place in order for me to do so. We shall see, won't we?

Tonight was possibly my last "Christmas" for the year. I had the one at school. Kristen and I shopped on Saturday (and had quite the funny time at Olive Garden) before church, so we exchanged gifts then. Saturday evening was the Brown/Carson Smith exchange (meaning Jacque and Laurie. My family has a way of labeling the families by where they live. We have the Beardslees. The El Centro Browns. The South Carolina Browns. The Reno Smiths. The Carson Smiths. Grandparents are not labeled). Yesterday, Jeanne and I exchanged gifts. Tonight was my immediate family's exchange. I gave Stephanie hers last Tuesday, and I gave Chris his tonight. The only person I have left is Hana. Phew!

So, Janina and I may not be going to San Diego after all. She's had to hang around UNR a little longer, because she had some choir fundraising obligations: to be the back up entertainment for a Casino performer. She hated it. Who can blame her? She said they had to sing with the fog machine going. I've been there, done that, and hope to never again. It's a hideous experience. Anyway, she got the mother of all colds--almost passing out last night onstage! Ick. She doesn't want to travel with it, nor does she want to potentially pass on her illness. So it might be hanging out in Dayton for Christmas, just the two of us. Truth be told, I am not really looking forward to the 10 or so hour drive there and back. The Christmas Grinch must have reached my soul, because I really wasn't looking forward to seeing the family, either (I'm so sorry!). I've seen all but the Beardslee cousins pretty recently, though, so I think that's part of it. If we do end up going, I'm sure I'll have a good time. If not, well, more lounging for the two of us is definitely in order. I'm still wiped out from school and trying to overcome this cold.

Umm, I'm reading some good stuff right now. Janina gave me a book of poetry for Christmas that's very exciting!!! All the poems are written by women throughout history and from all over the world; it's titled Ain't I a Woman, after Sojourner Truth's poem. I've only read a couple so far, but this is a great collection. I've also recently started The DaVinci Code. I'm not that far into it yet, but it's a very intriguing mystery so far. I'm reading the fourth of the Shopaholic series right now, Shopaholic and Sister. Ann and Stephanie got me started on them--they're very funny. I'm rereading Love's Labour's Lost at the moment. Chris is directing it this summer at the BAC, so I'm toying with the idea of auditioning. It's been about four years since my last Shakespeare play (Othello), so I figure I'm due! Plus, it's a comedy. My last two were tragedies, and I think I'd enjoy something a little lighter. I'm starting a book called Interpreter of Maladies which Ann also recommended. It's a collection of short stories which are about women from India, or of that cultural background. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000, so I've got high hopes for it. I'm rereading Lois Lowry's Gathering Blue, which is kind of a book in the style of The Giver (which she also wrote). Not quite the same society as Jonas', but Kira's is also an interesting story. She recently published a third one which I've not yet read. Oh, and I'm going to start reading a play by Thornton Wilder here very soon (this break) called The Skin of Our Teeth. I'm told it's very interesting and quite good. It's Wilder, so I really quite expect this of one of his plays. Isn't reading one of the greatest things ever? I love it!!!!

So, do enjoy your Christmas, and bit of time off! Did you guess where the title came from? Meet Me in St. Louis, of course! Did you know it came from a musical? It was originally a movie, but has since been turned into a stage show. And the original singer of this famous song? The amazing Judy Garland! She had to sing it to little Margaret O'Brien who played Garland's five year old sister in the movie. The family had to move from St. Louis to New York City soon at the point in the movie where Judy sang this. An interesting random fact is that the lyrics were going to be completely different, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas/it may be your last/next year we may all be living in the past." It went downhill from there. Judy heard the song and told the lyricist, Hugh Martin, "It's a lovely melody, but I can't sing that to a little girl! The audiences will hate it!" He changed the lyrics to what we know now as such a great Christmas standard.

It's a Jolly Holiday!

Okay, I know that since I'm in school at the moment, perhaps I shouldn't be blogging. However, it is the end of the day. The 7th graders are watching the end of A Muppet's Christmas Carol. After all, if 12 year olds are going to read Dickens, they deserve to watch a fun version of the story (particularly on the last day of school). I have exactly 45 minutes and 30 seconds before school is out; I've been ready for this all week, and the end of last week! I need a vacation!!!!!!!!

Okay, so, one more trip to a theatre, and I think I'm done for the year (though if something else comes up, I'm almost certain I'd be game). Tonight Jeanne and I are coming to this church where we teach (but neither of us attend) to see their production of "The Christmas Shoes." My church did it last year, and I played one of the leads. I'm eager to see how different it's going to be, and if I can still say all of my lines.

So, this vacation will be awesome--at least it'd better be! I have very little grading (about 7 research papers, 4 8th grade projects, and about 30 little homework assignments), so I'll get that out of the way asap. If I'm done, I can come in sometime this weekend to plan out the rest of the quarter, and then I can truly relax. I have plans to see Phantom of the Opera with musical theatre friends. Janina and I are driving together to San Diego after our parents are, to spend Christmas with the Browns, and then some of the holiday with Aunt Denise and the Beardslee clan. I'm sad that Will won't be there, but Beau (who has just completed boot camp) will be there--woo-hoo! Plus, I'll get to see the famous Rachel, but I promise to not name my car after her or anything . . . After that, I've got nothing but time to read, lounge, play in the snow (if I don't get too cold), spend time with family and friends, etc. I don't remember the last time I was this excited about Christmas break!

So I'm overloaded with goodies and Christmas gifts from well-meaning staff members and students. Oh my gosh!!!!!! I've got gift cards to Starbucks, Jamba Juice, candles, books, journals, Christmas trinkets of all types, magnets, ornaments, etc. Lots of chocolate and sweets are also included, like I need to gain any more weight! I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but when I get around a lot of sweets like this, just looking at them makes me feel ill and rarely seems at all appealing.

In Bible, I had fun. I read them background stories of Christmas Carols, and then we sang them. Now I know all NNU folk will say, "Oh Lynette, just stop the singing already!" It's not me, I promise! I ask them frequently to stop singing during class--both the 7th and 8th grades! I then took them caroling to the three other classrooms in this building. All in all, a fun period.

So, the movie has ended, and I need to get back to teaching. Clearly the title comes from the song in Mary Poppins. Enjoy your weekend!

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

To all the nonbelievers, I need to say one thing: the Reno/Sparks, Carson City area is not completely devoid of local talent!!!!!! YEAH!! Having one's faith restored in the good of local theatre is indeed a wonderful thing. Oh, side note: the group doing Cinderella had two casts. The third graders saw it today, and Anita Swearingen told me that it was pretty good. We must have seen the "B" cast.

Ruthless was quite good. I felt that the timing, energy, and most of the performances were well done. I laughed all the way through Act I. Act II seemed to lose its structure and go everywhere, so I didn't like it as well. However, it too was hilarious. The plot was an interesting blend of All About Eve, The Bad Seed, and Gypsy. Yesiree, it was strange. Tons o'puns. It was very bizarre, but Karen Chandler's (the director of the theatre department at Carson High School) song titled "I Hate Musicals" and sung like Ethel Merman was very funny. I'd never been to a production at the Bruka Theatre before; odd theatre. It was very warm, and all the seats were couches! Kinda cool!

I got to meet more "Theatre folk" of the area. Chris and I rode up with Dave Anderson (who was our Jigger in Carousel) and his family. They're nice. I'd never really gotten a chance to talk to Dave's wife (whose name escapes me at the moment), so that was fun. I also got to meet the infamous Jeff Whitt (Who did openly gawk at women, much to my amusement--I've never seen anybody quite that obvious about it before! Normally this might offend me, but seeing how silly he looked, it proved to be funny.), and a couple, Rick and Kelly, whose last name I never did learn. All interesting people and it made for a fun night.

Tonight is our Christmas party at work, and boy do I really not feel like going. I acquired a cold over the weekend, and wasn't able to sleep last night for a lack of breathing. We'll see how I feel in about an hour and a half, and then I'll determine whether or not I'll be attending. Teaching was kind of wasted on me today. I can't wait for Christmas break!!! I want to rid myself of this cold, and have plenty of recooperation before auditions for The Fantasticks and Beauty and the Beast in January. I think I'm going to try for both, though the odds of my getting into The Fantasticks are far more slim than BATB since there are only 8 characters. Plus, it's going to be done at the college in a lecture hall/theatre (Which is nothing like the Science Lecture Hall at NNU. This one only holds about 100-150 people!), which will not be as fun as the Community Center. We shall see.

Ooh! My cousin Kelsey sent me a letter and a picture which I received today. Thanks, Kels! I love and miss you too! She and her sister Halley live in an apartment in Anaheim together, and they both work at Disneyland. The cool thing is that they can get me in for free! I'm pondering going down around my birthday, to make 25 less scary for me. Perhaps, if they're willing, I could bring some friends as well . . . Anyway, it was nice to get this. I adore most of my Smith/Beardslee cousins. We're far more close than any cousins have a right to be. Grandma and Grandpa taught their kids that family should always come first, and this carried over into our generation. We got together at least three times a year, every year, until my family moved to Colorado; and this was the whole clan of Smiths, Browns, and Beardslees; not even the random trips to see just one set of cousins or the grandparents.

I have a sad confession to make now. On the Brown side, I'm the oldest. On the Smith side, I'm the third oldest; Shane is three years older than me, and Rachel is 9 months older than me. When growing up, I looked to Rachel as a big sister, which has affected some embarrassing areas of my life to this day. I cried when I learned I would never wear curlers, because Rachel did. I named my first pet, a hamster in Kindergarten, Rachel. We soon learned that Rachel the hamster was a boy, yet I refused to change his name. Finally (and this is the silliest thing), the hair ties. Backing up, I must explain that as a very young child, my hair was slow to grow. I couldn't wear a barrett until I was 2! About the time I hit 3 1/2, it exploded into what it is now. So, when I could finally wear those hair rubber bands, I started calling them "Rachels" since Rachel wore them. I still call them Rachels. My mom now calls them Rachels. Jessica and Janina call them Rachels. My niece Leigha calls them Rachels. I was clearly an obsessed child!!! We were best friends until about Junior High, when some big events took place in both of our lives. We're still good friends, but do not have the tight bond we once had, sadly.

Today's lyrics start off the song "Anatevka" in Fiddler on the Roof. Good show! I loved doing it Freshmen year at NNU. WNMTC is doing it in November. Yeah!

The Theatre, the theatre! What's happened to the theatre?

Well, today's was kinda the opposite of last weekend's great theatre. Actually, this week was that way, and I have one shot left at any good theatre this weekend. Sad, sad, sad. I truly hope that my one shot left will prove to be successful.

Thursday night was the K-4th grade Christmas Program at school. I probably wouldn't have gone, were it not for my photo obligation to the yearbook. I would've asked Jeanne to go as my fellow co-editor, since she didn't go to the 5th-8th grade Veteran's Day Concert last month, but she had a choir obligation. I think she'll be taking the pictures next Tuesday at the Preschool Program. I'll be spending time with Stephanie and Merci (Who's moving in about 1 1/2 weeks to Utah!!!! How sad am I?). It was okay, but about 90% of the Kindergarteners seem to be quite hammy.

Today, I took the 7th-8th graders on a field trip to see Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Reno Hilton, with Jeanne, Ann and about 6 parents (which thankfully meant I didn't have to drive students!). I was pretty excited about seeing it. Too bad that was dashed fairly soon after the show started. Oh, before the show began, they allowed the kids have a chance at an open mike thingy like last year during The Jungle Book. Aaron said, "MEEGYPTIONS RULE!!!!!!" Tori and Chae decided to sing. Nubia said, "I love Ms. Brown!!!!!!!!" Ah, junior highers.

Anyway, the show absolutely stunk. It rivaled the production of Little Shop of Horrors performed by Pine Forest when the plant was feeding lines to Seymor. It rivaled the beastly production of Romeo and Juliet at Regent's Park in London where not one part of the show was done correctly (accordian dropping at the discovery of dead Paris, Romeo, and Juliet, Mercutio the unfunny, bitter drunk, etc.). It rivaled the production of Much Ado About Nothing in Boise where the performers all were awful, and the role of Margaret was played by a 9 year old and was in a "relationship" with a man who was at least 50 or older! It rivaled the production of Little Mary Sunshine performed by the students at Exeter Union High School, which was the first time I actually hated being in a theatre. It was horrible enough to even perhaps surpass each of these miserable times at the theatre. The only good parts of the show were the sets, the orchestra, and the fact that the lines were memorized. It was horrendous: mike problems, random Disney songs thrown in (Illegally, I'm sure. The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization and the Disney Organization would never actually permit this), bad singing, hideous acting, and on and on it goes. There are not enough adjectives in the Oxford Dictionary to describe how truly heinous this show was.

So, I went to the BAC to see Carson High School's production of Oliver Twist with Chris tonight. Break here to say that it's great to have friends in Carson who are more than willing to see shows with me, I've missed that! Anyhoo, it was an awful script. Half the people decided to attempt British or Cockney accents. The other half used typical American teenager accents (including Oliver!). I sometimes had to shake with laughter because there were such bad parts, but I didn't want to throw off a performer with laughing outloud at an inappropriate part. I wanted to leave at intermission when Chris suggested it, but I knew some of the kids and would have felt bad (we were in the second row, and in plain view). The script distorted much of the story, and it saddened me to see how Dickens was slaughtered. Why destroy greatness???????? Who would intentionally do this?????

So, tomorrow is my last straw. I am desperately grasping at it, clinging to it, praying that it will prove worthwhile. We got tickets for Ruthless tomorrow night. I'm hoping it will be good, I truly am. I need to salvage my deteriorating belief in the existence of good theatre locally--two bad shows in one day may prove to be too much for this naiive faith I once held.

Well, if nothing else, I have great theatre in my room at the moment. I bought Season 2 of Gilmore Girls, and have been laughing incessantly at the sheer intelligent humor which permeates throughout each episode. What other show would throw in references to Herman Melville, the Spice Girls, and Frank Sinatra all in one normal episode? This show is so smart, funny, and doesn't gloss over real life issues. It is honestly the only show I make a point to watch.

The lyrics come from the song "Choreography" which was used in White Christmas. Gotta love those Irving Berlin numbers!

Haul out the holly!

Yes, outside of my frequent tuning in to the Christmas radio stations, and my own vast collection of Christmas CDs (The area I think I splurge the most at Christmas. I've been good so far, and haven't even looked at any!), I can tell Christmas is coming. I not only welcome it, I embrace the Christmas season!!!!

Several "Christmassy" things are happening, or have happened lately.
1) I got my first Christmas card of the year, albeit from Maurice's (with a $5 card!).
2) I've received my first Christmas newsletter, thank you Carly Powne!
3) My 11th and 12th graders have gone Christmas crazy when it comes to decorating my classroom. Snowflakes, Christmas chains, a Christmas elf on my door (which is ugly enough to give small children nightmares for weeks), a Christmas tree, etc. I don't mind, provided it's done on their own time, and not mine.
4) I'm teaching A Christmas Carol to my 7th graders, for the second year in a row. Ooh I love Dickens and how deliciously creepy this story can be! Fun for Christmas.
5) I got my ticket today for the staff Christmas party next Tuesday night. Yee-haw. Actually, I did have fun last year. This year, I won't be playing Mary in the staff Christmas presentation for the teachers! Last year, we did a funny skit. I had to wear a basketball under a tunic. I came out with the doll as Jesus, and realized that "Mary" was still "pregnant." OOPS! I hit the top of the ball, and as it dropped out of my costume, I kicked it back to the "Innkeeper." A tad embarrassing, andI'm still hearing about it! This year, we're singing "Christmastime Is No Time to Diet." Phew! Hopefully we'll win the trophy this year, though Pastor Dave told me that the pastors are strong contenders this year.
6) Finally (and this is the greatest part), I received my first Christmas Present today. One of my lovely 7th grade girls gave me an Anthology of Jane Austen's work! :) Granted, I despise anthologies, but it certainly was sweet of her to do. It is lovely to look at. I'm glad that I own all of her novels in single editions! Anyway, it was unwrapped, so I feel no shame in having it now! Last year I got a lot of candles, tea, and such from my students; certainly not amazing books.

This title comes from the show Mame, did you know that? It's from the song called "We Need a Little Christmas." Now, though it is very true that we need a little Christmas, I refused to let two of my 8th grade girls hang mistletoe over my doorway on Friday. We need a little Christmas, but not that much!

A Night at the Opera, Trip to the Ballet, Evening of Theatre . . .

Well, I've just had the most wonderful week, theatrically speaking. Perhaps not the most wonderful ever, but pretty darned good. Since Tuesday, I've seen five performances of various things. :) And possibly the best part is that I only spent $11 for the entire thing! Hee hee hee . . .

On Tuesday, I went to see Janina's opera, The Gondoliers at UNR. Chris and Stephanie went with me. Jeanne, Hana, and Leoney were going to come, but it didn't work out (illness and all). So, I paid my $5 and saw the opera. It felt like I was back at NNU where I literally knew everyone, considering how many people I saw and knew. Melinda and Tara teased me every time I stepped foot on the actual campus during the Student Teaching semester, because of the people I'd greet and such. They used to torment me by keeping a running tally, and time how long my conversations went! Anyway, I saw my family members, and some of Janina's friends whom I've been introduced to. The opera was funny. I just want to reiterate to the entire world how much I love Gilbert and Sullivan--oh so hysterical! Some of the people's acting could have been better, but my guess is that the production was more concerned with the actual music as opposed to great performances. Janina was good as the Duchess. There was one point where she had to run after her husband, and the way she did it was too funny. I laughed heartily! Chris and Stephanie both said that they enjoyed it, as well. Good.

Wednesday night was the show A Star is Born at CVC. Ashlee Negrete, one of my 8th graders, invited me to the show back in September, so I couldn't very well refuse! She's one of those kids that will be hard to part with whenever she's not my student any longer. She played the snobby, hard, evil Ivy M. [Medea] Robespierre in the play I directed at school last year. Back to the show; it was CVC's kids Christmas musical. I was impressed at how well done it was, truly I was. Having been a veteran performer of some of the church musicals myself, and seeing plenty of them, I know what they can be. The kids looked sharp with their dancing, sounded great with the singing, and generally did a great job performing. Ashlee played a "Big-Named Hollywood Star" for this musical. My stomach hurt with laughter at her performance. Oh, and Jim (who was the Minstrel in Mattress) also did a great job. I got to talk to several of my students, former students, parents of students, etc. One of my challenge kids from last year, who's not attending CCS this year, stopped me to talk. He thanked me for the Drama program I had last year and letting him be involved in it! I don't know if I can actually put into words the emotion he expressed, because apparently it meant more than I realized to him. I was a little shaken by this, but have to admit, it felt wonderful. Not only is he doing Drama at his new school, he's acing academically (Something I really had to push him in last year; school did not come easy for him). I guess that just reinforced how rewarding my job can be, but also that it's a responsibility I should never take lightly. Wow.

Thursday night, I drove myself up to South Lake Tahoe High School to see their production of Laughter in the Dark, which was also very funny. The title sounded very familiar to me, but I've never seen it. Nanette (who was Nettie) directed it. Josh, Briana, and Bubba were all in it. I saw it with Stephanie. Overall, it was a very random play. All three had told me of the show, so I also had some of the backstage gossip, which affected my thinking during the show. Very funny! I got in for free, because I was with Stephanie, so I made sure I bought some refreshments and such so that I would be supporting their drama department. Josh, Bri, and Bubba all told me that it meant a lot to them that I was there, so I'm very glad I went. It was also good, because I was able to really listen to the OBC CD of Beauty and the Beast in the car, and practice along with it. We'll see . . .

Friday night, I went to my church's musical (which they always call Sweet Sounds of Christmas). The show was called Extreme Christmas Makeover, and was written by Don Baumann (The pastor I'm closest to at church. He used to be a Drama teacher as well!). Also a very funny show. This was where the other $6 for my $11 weekend came. Stephanie and Jeanne came with me and they had a good time. Kristen had the lead role, and got her inspiration from Paige Davis (Whom I saw in the Broadway tour of Beauty and the Beast in Denver when I was in high school; I think she played a spoon.). Also a very funny show.

Saturday, I was going to see a musical in Reno called Ruthless with Hana, Chris and some people I don't know, but it was sold out on Friday afternoon for Saturday evening's performance. Dash it! I graded all day, went to church, and graded all night instead! It's not as fun as it sounds, trust me.

Today, because I finished so much grading yesterday, I gave myself the chance to go back to Sweet Sounds. There were a couple of reasons behind my wanting to go again, but the main one was to see the Sanborn family. Patty was our secretary last year, and Evan was one of my 8th graders last year. I desperately miss them this year, so it was great to see them and Bill today! I was talking to Laura Dunn before Sweet Sounds, and mentioned I needed to get a ticket. She had an extra for her table, and refused to let me pay her! Laura's great. I was able to "babysit" Rachel Ply while watching, since Linda and the kids were in the production this year. I'm not sure where Kevin was, but I was glad to do it. Rachel's only a month old, and so adorable. However, she slept through the whole show, so I didn't have much to do! The show was much better today than it was on their opening night, I must say.

So, all in all, a great week of theatre. I love seeing shows, almost as much as being in them! Theatre is one the greatest things about life, as far as I'm concerned. Right up there with reading, good friends, etc. Sigh.

The title, again, comes from "Dressing for the Night" in Maury Yeston's Phantom. I got to be one of the actresses in the opera. Since the opera was A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the character of Titania was played by the character Christine Daee (Julie Checketts was amazing!), I always pretended to be the singer playing the part of Helena. I like Helena ever so much more than Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream. I think it's because I truly can sympathize with her situation, and Hermia can tend to be a little snot.

Once upon a time . . .

Hello to all the faithful followers of the dry and ordinary accounts of Lynette Brown!

What is it about life that keeps us so interested? What compels me to write down my life or thoughts? What leads others to read about it? Why do I read others? Seriously, I know I don't stand out if it came to a lineup of fascinating people of the world. I don't think I'd be at the completely boring end of the line, either. It's interesting. I tend to regularly follow the lives of about five others through blogs: my two sisters, my cousin, a good friend, and a friend of hers whom I have never met. Occasionally, I'll just decide, "Hey! I should read other people's blogs, too!" So, I'll go exploring. You know something? I haven't found one that I find boring.

I analyzed this a couple of years ago, in college actually. I knew I was headed into teaching. What led me to teaching, I'm not certain. I love English. I love people. For some reason, I figured that this would be a perfect blend for a job. Sometimes it is; sometimes it isn't. Anyway, back to my point (Aha! The Concrete-Sequential side will come out and say, "Enough of you, Abstract-Random!"), my analyzing. I believed that English could be something which every person loved, but I had to figure out why. I think I hit it then, so I'll share it with you now.

Stories. People love stories. When we get together with friends, we share stories. When children play, there is a story in it somehow. Every movie is a story. Every journey, discovery, science experiment, etc. includes a story. Everything in life revolves around stories. How powerful! So, I came to the conclusion that each person can at least like English sometimes, because this story factor is such an influential part of an English class. How incredibly amazing!

So, go out! Share a story with someone. Create a story with someone. Learn another's story. Revel in the fact that stories literally surround us all.

The title of this story revelation is from Into the Woods. This is the first bit in the initial song, "Into the Woods."