I'm a maid who would marry!

So we had our first Shrew dress rehearsal AND run-through last night. And I survived. YEAH!!!!!!! Actually, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be. As of now it's a 3 1/2 hour show. That's with notes, no assigned scene changes, people taking longer with costume changes, etc. I think we'll survive. According to Michelle, we're getting paid for this show. Not just paid, though. We're supposed to get paid by the minute we're onstage. Huh? It's not like we punch in and out or anything. I don't know who determines it, but oh well. They feed me. They're paying me. And I have the three greatest costumes I've ever had in any show EVER!!!!!!! I feel quite pretty in them (something that doesn't happen very often to be sure). My wedding dress is the greatest thing! I'm not a fan of any of my headpieces, but oh well.

I have an interview with Pioneer High School on Wednesday. I was feeling good about it, because the principal called me about it. But then again, look what happened last time. Plus, my mom works with a lady who also applied for CHS and did her student teaching there (but wasn't the one who got the job). She has called PHS about their English position. I would feel infinitely more confident if I didn't know of any other competion. Plus, she still has a job with FIS (where my mom teaches). I know it's a long drive, but at least she has a carpool. I don't have a job. I NEED a job. All the energy in my prayers lately seem devoted to this one specific topic. There's also the fact that I promised Stephanie D. I'd go with her to Utah to visit Merci in a couple of weeks if I get the job. I need to get OUTTA Nevada; at least for a short time!

I went to Tahoe with Kristen last Monday, and it looks like we're going again this Monday. Yeah! The only problem were my selected places of sunburnage. I forgot the back of my knees. My left shoulder had some issues--now it looks as though I was in a scratching fight. It's kind of funny the way they streak in a close area! I'll remember these spots NEXT time.

I might see Macbeth at Tahoe on Sunday as well. I think it'll be very different from Comedy of Errors (no dance break for Thriller, or farting, etc.), so I am interested in seeing it. Tonight I'm going to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I hope it's good.

The lyrics for this post come from the song Tom, Dick, or Harry from Kiss Me Kate. I selected it because it's what the Bianca character sings in the show, and I'm attempting to delve further into the role.

Tonight, old boy [gal], you did it!

Thank you Chris! Thank you Devon! You two are phenomenal when it comes to computer/internet stuff. Very wonderful, unlike myself. Dev gave me some wonderful tips of how to fix my issues. Chris took the image, made it smaller and e-mailed it to me. HUZZAH!!!! Anne and the lucious Gilbert shall serve as my profile image! Thanks, you two, for helping me.

I had another rehearsal with Gary, Stephanie, and Jim today. For the same scene. It went well. I like what we've got now. On Friday, we took pictures for the poster. It will have Jim, Stephanie, myself, Rachel (Hodel), and Jen (Chava). I'm excited to see how they turn out. I'll post the picture (or the link if it is such a hassle) when I can.

I called the Douglas County School District today. I've called the school, and e-mailed the principal. I figured she was on vacation, so I'd be proactive about my suspense. Apparently they've hired someone for the position. Now, that's great. I wish it was me, simply so I'd have a job, but I'm sure the other person is going to do well. What bothers me is the fact that no one called me, nor did I receive a letter, e-mail, notification of any kind. So, I've been sitting on pins and needles for a month now, and they couldn't just let me know. Isn't there a law of some sort that would hold employers responsible for notifying applicants as to whether or not they will be hired? Seriously! I hope Pioneer High School works out, but I've not been able to contact that principal to see how it's going. I've decided to apply to the state as well. Carson City Library needs an Assistant Librarian. I may not have a lot of library experience, but I think that's what I want to get my Masters in so I can be a school librarian. I've helped my mom out throughout the years, so maybe that'll count for something? Sigh.

I'm driving my mom into her surgery tomorrow. I hope that goes well.

I'm also going to be housesitting for my aunt and uncle next week. Uncle Jacque is starting a new job, and will be living in the Sacramento area during the week and here on the weekends. Laurie is going to San Francisco with Aunt Susan, Uncle Scott, Katie, and Zach for Katie's next brain surgery. Jolly good fun!

Chris is thinking of directing The Taming of the Shrew in March at the BAC. Our production is sort of leaving us (Chris, Warren, Leoney, and myself) disappointed, so he wants to do it right. The BAC Stage Kids will be doing a Western farce on this show called The Taming of LaRue as kind of a pre-show for that. Chris has asked me to direct it. I'm definitely mulling over the possibility. I do enjoy directing, that's for sure. We'll see . . .

The title of this post is dedicated to both Dev and Chris. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The lyrics come from the song "You Did It" from My Fair Lady.

I hope I get it!

GAAAAH!!!!!!!! In my attempt to improve my blog, I thought this picture would be PERFECT for my profile (which I could display on the sidebar). But . . . noooooooooooooo! It won't work! Help, please? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Warren, Chris and I went up to Sand Harbor (part of Lake Tahoe for all of ye unfamiliar with where I live) to watch the production of A Comedy of Errors tonight. It was well performed and such. Even amusing at points. I just found the "humor" of the direction a bit overdone and certainly repetetive. Sigh. I've never read or seen this particular Shakespeare play. It (I deduced) had to be the inspiration for the 1980s film Big Business, with Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler. As for the other aspect of the night, we taught Warren how to play Phase 10 (an excellent card game). He was amusing to go with, because he kind of acted like a kid at the circus. He rented a chair. He had one of the staff use the shovel to dig a "ditch" for the chair, so it was more comfortable (this after we'd witnessed it being done for another and mocked it together). He bought a box dinner. He bought a program. He bought the juggling kit from the pre-show. He bought himself, Chris, and I each a deck of Shakespeare playing cards! Thanks, Warren! It was a fun evening.

And tomorrow? I'm probably going to Tahoe again, but with Kristen this time. Perhaps Christa who also goes to our church with us. Yeah! I love living so close to such an amazing place!

This lyric is from the song by the same title from the musical A Chorus Line. I selected it to show how much I hope I "get it" (figure it out), regarding my profile pic. I am not like the characters singing the song, hoping they'll be chosen for the chorus line of that particular Broadway musical.

And when someone needs a makeover, I simply have to take over!

Clearly I have changed the look of my blog. I've been toying with the idea for awhile, actually. This is the 4th change since I started the blog in April of 2004. Hmmm . . . Too much viewing of Trading Spaces, perhaps? :) Actually, I wanted to add links and such. I would read about how to do it on blogger.com, but every time I did what it said to do in order to make these additions, it just didn't happen! I was probably not doing something right. I intend to fiddle with the color and the font as well. Seeing as I am a big fan of quotes, I have also decided to find a quote I like at least once a week, and put it on the side. Am I taking this whole blog thing way out of proportion? You be the judge!

Oh, family health, just in case you're curious. Grandpa's surgery to remove his cancerous growth went successfully. I was able to visit him a couple of times in the hospital. Kelsey's went okay, they discovered some cysts and such, and (I believe) a tumor which they were able to remove. Katie's brain surgery for which she had to be awake went well, and she claims to not be in any pain--this is the same surgery she had when she was 7 (she's 14 now), and it hurt her head so much that they couldn't brush her hair for a month. She has 3 more of these surgeries in the next month (they only got to do 15% of it this time). On Tuesday, my dad collapsed while at lunch with my mom. That shook me up more than the others, because my dad always seems to be in good health and he's so . . . solid. Even dads are succeptible to scaring you with health issues I suppose. Apparently he has some kidney stone problems again, and he's seeing a doctor about it on Wednesday. Yup, the same day as my mom's surgery for her stomach things she's been dealing with for the last year or so. It's a good time to be a part of the Brown/Smith family alright! I'm glad that my prayers have been answered the way I'd like them to be right now, but I'm still nervous, to be sure.

Oh, and something as of last night that I'm not entirely thrilled about for Crazy for You. We were doing some costume things at rehearsal. I kept having to try on hideous 1980's outfits that are supposed to pass for the 1940s. Umm, sure . . . I don't know if I'll get to keep the one that I ended up with, but it wasn't as bad as many of the others. But the part that I am seriously disturbed about. I apparently have to be a "Follies Girl" for a bit. Yeah, not only that, but I have to dance with them (HA!) and wear the "sailor" costume for "Zangler's Follies". This costume is an incredibly short skort, and a cropped "sailor" top. I have to show my torso? I might have to dance in this atrocity? I may have to don fishnets! I really wish I could throw up. I'm really not the sort who enjoys people to view her ghostly white and not-so-fit stomach. Sigh.

The title of this post is in honor of my new look. It comes from the song "Popular" from Wicked. Let me know what you think of this new look!

Who can tell what's waiting on the journey?

I'm sure all of you readers out there have no fingernails left. The anticipation of the next installment of the high-drama life I lead has kept you nibbling those nails, huh? And, as I have waited 1 1/2 weeks to provide the next segment, you've all started on your toenails. Deep apologies, I am a slacker and I know it.

Well, I had a call from CHS prior to actually writing that last post, but since I was at Jacque and Laurie's, I didn't know for a bit. I went home soon after writing that, so I could grab some warmer clothes. Admittedly, I was really going home to check my messages. There was a call from the head of the English department at CHS requesting I call her at home. Immediately, I called. No answer, so I left a message. I waited all night for her to call, and she never did. I went back to the reunion for a couple of hours, and then I went home again. No message. I called back. On the 4th agonizing ring, there was an answer.

She told me that there were several of us who interviewed. I guess they were impressed with me, and the decision boiled down to two of us. They went with the other girl; she'd done her student teaching at CHS. However, she said that Pioneer High School (the "last chance high school") was looking for an English teacher and she had told the principal about me!!!! I talked to the principal at this high school, and it looks like I might be interviewing later this week for that position.

I've called Pau-Wa-Lu. I've e-mailed. No answer. Tomorrow I'm calling the school district to see what's going on. Perhaps people are on vacation???

I had a photo shoot for Carson Magazine on Friday!!!! No, no autographs. You must write to my agent if you'd even want a shot at one. I understand that sending $20 to him is helpful in this request . . . :) They wanted to do some publicity for Fiddler. Stephanie called me to include me in this "elite" group. The three of us who will appear are Jim (Tevye), Stephanie (director/Golde), and myself. We were to meet at 7:20 in full makeup. I've been fitted for all my costumes for the show. They settled on one for the photo, which needed the hem let down. I assumed it would be brought, so I chose to not bring another costume with me. Yes, even Lynette Brown can do dolt-like things on occasion. We caravanned to the setting of out photo. Luckily, it was about a minute from my house. I flew home, threw the costume on over my clothes, crammed my feet into the boots without tying them, and searched for a kerchief like thing for my hair. Grabbing a sheer white scarf with black trim, I zoomed back to the place. I managed to tie the scarf in my hair at the red light, and tied my shoes there. We took several pictures with the three of us. Then we took several individuals whilst singing songs from the show. I did a bit from "Matchmaker." Tomorrow afternoon, I have my second rehearsal for the show--with an acting coach! Gary Aldrich, whose fame in the area is as a vocal coach, apparently will be giving Jim, Stephanie and myself tips for the scene we already blocked. Stephanie wants to do this because as the director as well, she cannot watch her scenes. I feel so . . . special? Whatever. I'm not paying for it, so I have no complaints. Just the drive in my hotter than Hades vehicle (My car was a college graduation gift from my folks. As nice as that was, I've no air conditioning. My apartment hasn't any, either. I HATE the summer heat!!!!!!! I step outside in 106 degree weather saying, "AAAH! So cool!").

So, I was thinking (HELLO ABSTRACT RANDOM!) about this. My family is very entertaining. We cannot stand to be even remotely normal in any aspect of life. Some families get together and play tennis. Others will camp together. Ours does both, but our latest thing is to go "under the knife" together. Brianna was first. She just turned 1 year old last month, still not crawling, but advancing quickly toward the walking bit. She had heart surgery in April. Grandpa had surgery today to remove a cancerous growth. Kelsey (cousin) is having surgery soon. My cousin Katie had a brain surgery a couple of weeks ago (they kept her awake!), and has to continue going to San Francisco throughout August for about five more brain surgery procedures (it's something they've been dealing with since she was about four). My mom is having surgery next week. WHAT IS WRONG WITH US??????????

So the title comes from the song "Into the Woods" from the show of the same title. Since life in general is pretty unpredictable and there are all sorts of surgeries going on in my family right now, I guess this is appropriate. Sigh.

Well I just heard . . .

Well, another week has gone by. Here I am--alive. I am actually at my Uncle Jacque and Aunt Laurie's house. Why you ask? I'll tell you . . . FAMILY REUNION!!!! I know some people dread them like the plague, but ours were always a blast when I was a kid. They're okay now. I am currently watching Snow White with my niece, cousin Zach, and Grandma Smith. My Grandpa (both sets are here now) Smith and I creamed my mom and Uncle Scott in Skip-Bo. Leigha, Cousin Kelsey and I had a ball dancing and singing along with Wicked. And I've only been here two hours.

So I had an interview today at Carson High School for an English position. It took about an hour. It was a panel interview. The head of the English department, one English teacher, and a Dean of Students interviewed me. I feel okay about this one as well. Still haven't heard from Pau-Wa-Lu yet, though. I should know more about Carson either later today or Monday. Fingers crossed, s'il vous plait! I do have one strike against me. My face.

My face has gone through a lot this year. Let's just say I've gone out a very little this week because I have a fear of children running away from me, traumatized for life, at the sight of me. An allergic reaction, blisters, sunburn, dry face, 2 canker sores . . . Yup, I am a sight hideous to behold. The Phantom has nothing on me! It also has the added bonus of being overly painful!!!! It has gone down quite a bit now.

I was in a parade at Virginia City on the 4th to promote Shrew. I forgot to wear sunscreen. But, it was fun to wear my costume. I felt quite pretty in it! I had to wear a cheap tiara with it. I decided that for the show, if I'm to wear the tiara, I want a sash that reads "Miss Padua, 1563" and that my platform will be the benefits of good hygiene--At least 3 baths a year! Fun times.

I had my first Fiddler rehearsal on Tuesday. It was just Jim (Tevye), Stephanie (Golde), and myself. I felt pretty good about it. I also have not one but all my costumes for the show--FOUR OF THEM!!!!!!!!!! When we did it at NNU (back in the day when it was still NNC; the last year it was), the only ones who had more than one costume were Motel and Tzeitel. They had a second costume each for their wedding. Certainly different than this production! The three of us are going to be in a publicity photo for Carson Magazine to promote the show. Maybe all that Miss Padua experience will help me out! :)

Leigha just told me something I don't want to forget.

"I'm the only special person in Colorado!"

"But your family is moving to Kansas right now. You don't live in Colorado anymore."

"But I'm still the only special one."

"Uh-huh."

Seriously, 5 year olds should be mentally examined!

So that's the news in Carson City from the perspective of Lynette. At least in my life. Lots o' fun! The title comes from lyrics from the song "The Rumor" from Fiddler on the Roof.