Everything was beautiful at the ballet

Tonight we open Brigadoon. Yay for us! I feel more prepared to open this show than I have in about a year. I mean, I'm usually ready but the show isn't. Until now! I think it'll be good. They've poured on the cheesy and I'm laughing up a storm during the whole show. We have some classic lines like, "Where do I get a passport to disappear?" Ah, Broadway shows of the 1940s!

Seriously, though, the show is going well. Our dancers are well prepared. One of my favorites is Alice who was one of my younger sisters in Fiddler. She is an exquisite dancer and is mesmerizing to match in her dance with AJ, and then the mourning dance when Harry is found dead (AJ plays Harry, Alice is Maggie). I know I'm watching something very special, and I love that I get to be onstage watching the mourning dance. If any of you see the show, you'll know what I'm talking about.

The show has been fun. It's been a rare treat since there are absolutely no egos in the show. It has been so long since I was in a show like that. It greatly reduces the drama, and it's so relaxing.

So, if you're around, come see the show. Yes it's a shameless plug, but it's my blog and I'll write what I want to! :)

The title of this post comes from the song "At the Ballet" from A Chorus Line. It's one of my favorite numbers in the show.

When she knows as much as we know, she'll be on her way to Reno . . .

I've never claimed to like Nevada too well. I like living close to family. I like many of the people here. But Nevada itself, with the exception of our half of Tahoe, is BLECH!!!!!! However, today seemed pleasant to me, and I liked it. Go figure.

I had to do a workshop today regarding how to interpret the info for the ALTs. It wasn't too bad. Well, my mom asked me earlier this week if I wanted to do this thing called Dream Dinners with her. I agreed because it sounded intriguing, and let's face it, my mom's fun to do things with. She gets very excited about things and pretty much hilarious to watch. At any rate, we had to be there at 4:30. The workshop ended at 3:30. Rather than go home, I decided to drop off my Voter Registration form that changed my address.

I had thought that I needed to drop off the form near the Capitol building. It was actually 6 blocks away. I walked because it was such a pleasant afternoon. I love 70 degree weather. I love the green grass littered with scarlet and gold gems. It was a great walk. I extended it by walking around the Capitol building and the Nevada Supreme Court building. I paid my respects to John Curry, Kit Carson, and the memorial to police killed in the line of duty. I walked reverently over the letters forming the Preamble to the Nevada Constitution. I lingered at the memorial to children from Nevada killed at the hand of another human being. I proudly gazed at the Memorial to the U.S.S. Nevada, and those who have served their country.

I realize that sometimes Nevada's laid back pace does not always agree with me. I wish we had fewer "hicks" and more urban sophistication. But we don't; at least not overall. We have our share, but they do not shape NV so much as these other people. However, when I am in such a great mood with such a perfect afternoon, I appreciate my home's relaxed approach to life. I like walking down the street and smiling at perfect strangers without them thinking I should be locked up. I like the enthusiasm with which this state capital has decided to approach the "Think Pink" campaign. I embraced it all.

The title comes from the song, "Shuffle off to Buffalo" from 42nd Street. Not quite CC, but it will do.

One short day in the Emerald City

Okay so I ADORED Wicked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paint me green now, and start calling me Elphaba ! Good show, good music, good energy, good costumes, lousy dancing but eh! There's no such thing as a perfect show, and the dancing not being overly impressive is fine by me because that means there's a chance I could perform in it. Huzzah!!!!!!!

I also got to see many of my college friends. Christi, Megan, Esther, Sara, Tiffany, Andrea--it was so refreshing. I miss having friends my age and moral value. I don't know. I never seem to have a good balance of friends. I have either all Christian or all non-Christian. I don't mind having friends from both beliefs; in fact, I prefer it. But that just doesn't seem to work out for me. I don't know why. Anyway, that rant is over. It's just something I've been thinking about lately.

We took the kids to the ropes course again and had a good time again. I did the Zip Line for the first time and had a good time. It's fun to scare myself with heights. They used to totally freak me out, but I can push myself to do it.

I'm also administering the ALTs for both Pioneer and Opportunity. Kind of crazy. I'm working madly on the bubbling in and whatnot for the tests on Wed and Thur.

Beth, one of my former students, got married today. I was there and it was weird. I knew a lot of the teenagers and made a lot of small talk with people I don't know. I guess it was fine. The wedding was adorable. I guess I just am not much for weddings myself. They seem pretty anti-climatic to me.

The title comes from the song with the same title from Wicked.

Dit dit dah dit dah dit . . .

Sooooooooo, life is busy but not at the same time, if that's even possible. I guess what I should REALLY say is that life is busy and stress-free. Therefore, it doesn't necessarily FEEL busy. I'm taking tap again after the summer healing of the over-sensative ankle. I've rejoined the church choir for the Christmas production. I'm contemplating being a stage manager for Bugsy Malone Jr. at the BAC. I've got about 2 rehearsals a week. I'm taking a class on SMART Boards. I've joined a gym and am attempting to go every day. I've got a MaryKay party on Saturday afternoon, so I'm cleaning house. I've got two weddings coming up here in the next month. My trip to Seattle in about a week and a half (friends and Wicked! Delightful to look forward to!). I've got plays to see for the people I know in them. Oh yeah, and a little thing I like to call work! :)

I don't mind teaching at the school I'm in. But I think I'm attempting a move next year to . . . SOMEWHERE! I know I don't want to make my life in Carson, and therefore don't want to become too settled. I'm looking at the New England area, Washington, Oregon, or (maybe) teaching overseas next year. I just, I don't know. I guess I've become a little restless out here. It's funny. When I was a kid, I loved Exeter. I truly did. I bawled buckets from September until January over that move. I never wanted to leave it. Now I want to live everywhere and experience everything. Not that Carson's all that bad, certainly not the worst place I've lived. I like having access to so much so easily. But I don't feel a strong desire (outside of my own fear of this risk) to stick around. I love my family and all, but I've never felt the need to live so close to them.

Anyway, just some thoughts on my mind. I figure if I work at it now, I'll be a little more prepared for it later! We'll see.

The lyrics come from the song, "The Night was Alive" from Titanic. The guy is singing about Marconi's telegraph and how it changed his life. I couldn't think of anything better, so I apologize.

I've been spinning round in a dizzy spell

Yes it's been awhile since I've posted. I need to get some internet at my new apartment, and I just keep up my lazy approach: sitting back and hoping it magically appears. At the moment there is no luck, but I'll keep you posted! :)

So I love, LOVE my new apartment! I'll have to get some pictures up sometime. It's adorable. It's comfortable. It's ME! It's the first time I can honestly and completely say that. I'm happy. I just need to finish unpacking.

So as far as Brigadoon is concerned, I am encoring the part I played my senior year of college. I will be playing Meg Brockie again! HUZZAH! It's a fun part, and I get to play her uncensored this time around. She's a bit of a tart, to be sure. When NNU did the play, I just referred to kissing a lot of guys. We sure cleaned her up a lot. My beloved alma mater had done the play before on a few occasions, but here's the humorous part: I was the first person to perform the role at NNU!!! They'd always cut her out because of her "controversial" lifestyle. I think that's pretty funny. Anyway, this time around Stephanie has promised there will be no toning down lyrics or lines (not to say they're horrible, but just a little much by the Crusaders' standards). Ha ha! I'm excited. Chris has the lead, Sarah is Fiona (I love her!), and Kirk will be playing Jeff. I don't know him that well, but he's a nice guy. Once again I will be playing a "romantic" opposite someone my parents' age. Weird, but whatever. Meg pursues and Jeff gives sarcastic denial. It'll be fun.

School starts on Thursday, and our inservices begin on Tuesday. I'm a little nervous. Kirsten may not be back, meaning we'd need a new Science/Math teacher on our site. We also don't have a Sp. Ed. teacher--and we probably have the greatest need in the district for one. Pioneer will have a new Math teacher and we also have a new counselor. Should be interesting. I really hope we still have Kirsten. She's interviewed for a position where she would be training teachers in the district. They'd have to be daft not to hire her, but the three of us gel so well, and we've planned for next year with some exciting stuff . . . Plus, she's the one who "runs things" for us (credit counts, scheduling, district mentoring, etc.).

The lyrics come from the song "All Choked Up" from Grease. We cut it out of our production and went with the movie's "You're the One that I Want". I like the other song better. Well, I should now unpack, lesson plan, work on a Scotish accent, learn lines, or work on harmonies. Adieu!

There is a brotherhood of man . . .

So I've been watching the two younger boys of a family from church since Friday night. Tomorrow night is when their parents get home. Kevin and Lynda farmed out the other three children. They asked me to watch these two because they've begun football practice in Dayton. Benji (9) and Jonathan (7) had their first practice yesterday.

Now, I've never been around football that much. I was the oldest of three girls. And while we each played sports here and there whilst growing up in lovely Exeter, we weren't what anyone would call jocks. We were MUSICIANS! We were THESPIANS! We were ARTISTS! And that was how we liked it. Jessica readily admits that she had two reasons for playing T-ball and softball: A) For the snacks that came after the games and B) If she played the catcher, she could look for bugs during the games. We weren't completely prissy, and we actually have pretty good capabilities when it comes to atheletics (when we put our minds to it) thanks to the Smith side of the family. But rough, tackling, pig-skin throwing, dirty, helmeted girls we were not. I enjoyed playing touch football in middle school for P.E., but that's where my involvement with the game ended.

Until now. On Saturday I went with the boys to pick up their gear. Helmets, pads, pants, shoulder pads, and jerseys were all on the agenda. The coach of Benji's team seemed to understand my completely baffled look and instructed me (partially) how to get them ready for the first practice on Monday evening. Crazy!

Last night I dropped the boys off. I believe it was the first time I was ever at a kids event where I saw more fathers than mothers. Many big guys hanging around a fence talking about their glory days as a high school player were to be seen and heard. All the moms seemed to be wearing a uniform of atheletic skirts/shorts, a visor, a sleeveless shirt, tennis shoes (sans visible socks), sunglasses and a whistle. A stark contrast to my jeans, t-shirt and flip-flops. I came back around the time the practice ended. Jonathan's team looked like it was ending first, so I hung out by them. I now understand why football players pat each other's butts! The mystery has been solved! The coach told them it was a way to encourage someone. I never quite figured out how that worked, but whatever.

I have come to the conclusion that I would not have made a good boy. Obviously. My Uncle Jacque teases me often by saying, "Lynette, you're a gay man trapped in a woman's body." When the boys were trying on their helmets for size, it was difficult to get them on. The coach encouraged them by yelling his insistence that they keep trying. Now I would have broken down into tears at that point if I were them, but they didn't. I liked the way I was handled gently by teachers and coaches and ballet instructors. I thrived under that sort of encouragement. If I'd been yelled at that way (though, all "encouraging"), I would have quit with the helmet stuck on my head and walked out (returning the helmet via my parents). I'm sure glad I wasn't a boy . . .

The title comes from the song "Brotherhood of Man" from the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Speaking of musicals, I'm auditioning for Brigadoon tonight. We'll see how that goes.

It's too darn hot!

I leave for Oregon tomorrow! Yay for vacation! Yay for roadtrips! Yay for the friends I'll see! Yay for the Shakespeare plays I'm seeing! Yay for a mom who'll go with me!!!!!!!!

Here's the deal though. I get back Thursday. I move in as much as I can within a few precious hours on Friday. From Friday night until Wednesday night I watch Benji and Jonathan. Tuesday night I'm auditioning for Brigadoon and Wednesday night is the callback for this play. Am I overbooking myself? Hard to tell . . .

So this is a short post, and I apologize. I'm just tired. Tired and hot. My car is boiling with no a/c. My apartment (not for long!!!) is hot. Even when it cools down at night the furniture retains the heat. I've taken to spraying water on the bedspread on top of which I sleep. That's just so I can fall asleep. I bought a bike tonight for three great reasons: 1) Fun 2) Excercise 3) To cool off. I'm hoping I can take it with me to Oregon.

The title of the post comes from the song titled the same. It's from Kiss Me Kate.

Till your dreams come true, you'll live on Avenue Q!

So, the big news must come out. I am moving. Across town. To a nice apartment complex. One with airconditioning, a pool, a gym, covered parking, a barbeque, a beautiful grassy park-like setting, a playground--a real gem of an apartment. I will be rooming with Lissa. This is the good news. The bad news is the fact that I have to pack everything and be finished in less than a week (ideally). Ugh. There are fewer things I hate more!

I am weeding through my stuff like crazy, and I hate it. I have a lot of crap and I hate to be reminded of the fact. I go through it, but my stupid sentimental side keeps getting in the way of practicality. I normally embrace this nostalgia-loving-weeping part of myself, because I truly like this aspect of myself. Unfortunately it's just become such an irritation. I wonder if I could call in Rosie from The Jetsons to help me with this dilemma, because as a robot who doesn't know me she would certainly be an asset in this painful chore.

Why do I need to be done in a week? Well, the powers that be at this loverly residence have required a 10 day holding fee, which we paid today. I'm probably not getting back until late on the 27th from Oregon. Normally, I would not care for such a triviality. However, from the 29th-2nd I am housesitting/babysitting for some friends from church. I am also spending the night on the 28th since Lynda and Kevin will be flying out early on the 29th (we're talking pre-sunrise departure to get to Reno ontime!). ACK!!!!!!! This too shall pass, according the the Bible, and I'm clinging to that. Where has my summer flown to?

Today, 22 years ago, my darling sister Janina was born. We celebrated with our mother by seeing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abriged at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival this evening. It was probably the best thing I've seen up there, but I expected it to be so. The style in which their comedies are performed gave me the impression that that would be the perfect show for them to do. I laughed a lot, along with the rest of the audience. I shouted, "Cut the crap Hamlet! My biological clock is ticking and I want babies now!" with the best of them. Good times.

I found a DVD of Middlemarch at the library. I read the book over 3 years ago, and enjoyed it. Plus many good Brits are in it. What is it about Robert Hardy that just makes me grin all the time? Even when he plays a scummy character, I can't help but fall in love with that adorable old man; at least a little bit!

The title of the song is the same as that which is the show: Avenue Q.

We'll go down south, and see your people

Hello all! It's my last week of summer school. Oh darn! :) Like I said earlier, it's not been too bad at all. Cake compared to Opp (though I expect to see some of these kids again).

On Monday I was able to visit the kickoff to the Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at the Broadway Under the Stars concert. I was soooooo stoked! I have long been a fan of Rebecca Luker (I think she was the third person who starred as Christine in Phantom of the Opera). I went up with the church choir (Grandpa Smith went) and a couple of my older friends from the theatre (meaning age, but spiritwise at least my age, if not younger). Twas fun! They encouraged us to sing. Never one to pass up a good showtune, I was belting all night long! The guy was pretty amazing--like watching Gene Kelly or something.

So either tomorrow I am going to the Family Reunion in Mammoth. I'm just going up for the weekend--not the diehard like others in the Smith clan. It began last weekend. I did get to see my sister, brother-in-law, and lovely nieces for lunch the last couple of days. Brianna seems to really be warming up to me; even knows me by sight now! Leigha was her crazy self. This time around she told me that she is " . . . so going to move to Carson City when I grow up. I'll live next door to grandma and have a tunnel from my room to your house, Aunt Lynette!"

I saw Pirates of the Caribbean; The Dead Man's Curse. I liked it, but not so well as the first one. I cannot, however, wait for the third one! I also took my mom to see The Devil Wears Prada for her birthday, which we both enjoyed. It was quite different from the book, but still good!

The title of this post comes from the song, "Wheels of a Dream" from Ragtime. I love this show. This song, when sung by Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, is amazing. Sigh.

The poet people call The Bard of Stratford-on-Avon

To all of my Oregonian friends:

I will be in Oregon from the 24-27 of this month. My mom and I are going to visit your fair state to witness the Ashland exprience, aka The Oregon Shakespeare Festival! Yay! We will be staying with my mom's best friend since grade school. We will be seeing King John, and Two Gentleman of Verona. I'm sooooooooooo excited! If you want to make arrangements to visit, call or e-mail moi!

See your state soon!

The title comes from the song "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" from Kiss Me Kate.

Those magic changes . . .

Week 3 of summer school is over now. 2 to go--and only 7 days! Woot-woot!!!! I'm loving this four day a week, 5 hour schedule. I love that school is out at 12:30, because then I have the rest of my day for moi! Plenty o' time! I should petition with the powers that be to instate this policy year round . . .

So I might be becoming a Mary Kay consultant. I'm considering it anyway. It's kind of . . . weird. We'll see how I do. It would be a very part time 2nd job. I mean VERY part time. We shall see . . .

I had an unfortunate experience the other day. It was on Monday, and my mother and I had gone to Reno together. We went to see me sister and me da. We went to Newman's Deli (where Nina works) to eat lunch. My mom ordered a sandwich but could only eat half of it. Janina had been able to spend part of her break with us, and mom sent the sandwich with Janina to be wrapped up. Another girl came out to bring it out to my mom. "Which one of you is Janina's mother?" WHAT??????????? I was mistaken for the 51 year old mother???????? About an hour before that I'd been mistaken for a high schooler!!!!! I ask you, how does this happen???

The title comes from Grease and a song called "Magic Changes". I found it fitting, because it seemed to deal with each of these topics. BTW, my foot was just sprained! It hurts because of the bruising, but not too much!

You're standing on my toe . . .

So I am determined to be a better blogger again. One of my summer resolutions. Along with keeping my apartment cleaner, adding more to my grad school fund, enjoying the time off, traveling, prepping for next year . . . Oi!

LLL has one more weekend. I am somewhat saddened by this revelation because it has been the best cast I've worked with since . . . I dunno, college? YIKES! Four years ago! It's been fun, though I'm still finding areas to feel more comfortable in such a daunting role. Maybe I'll grasp command of it by Saturday, our last show! :)

So on Sunday I went hiking at Tahoe. I fell on some rocks and literally could have killed myself. I might read this and think "Wow! Lynette's reached a new level of exaggeration!" Don't. I. Wish. I was falling head first. There was a slide of rocks that I was falling towards face first. For some reason I my fall was stopped short. I hurt my ankle again--the same one I've hurt twice in the last 5 weeks pretty badly, and I scratched both of my arms. GRR!!!!!!!!! I'm headed to the doctor's soon, though. Sigh.

The song title is "The Song that Goes Like This" from Spamalot. It was the closest I could think of to about hurting a foot. Maybe I'll get to see it in NYC if Esther and I fall through with our plans to visit next month . . . :)

Newlyweds! Congrats to Tara and Chad! 

Caitlin, myself, Ashleigh, and Jen hook pinkies for the "secret Pink Ladies handshake". 

Frenchy lets her Teen Angel give her good advice. 

Don't the guys look cool during Greased Lightening? 

Everything's as if we never said goodbye!

So sorry for this ridiculously long absence. There actually have been times when I was attempting to write or send photos, but it just didn't work out. GRR! So, Grease went REALLY WELL. It was somewhat shocking. I rolled the ankle that I'd twisted about two weeks before during one of our dances, but what do you do? All I know is that I was very glad it was the last show at that point so I didn't really have to continue dancing like a weirdo. Umm, I went to Tara's wedding in Nampa. It was weird to go back since I haven't been there since 2003. I drove through the campus and just kind of took it all in. Oh, and I flew there. Yup. Rented my first vehicle. I ordered a compact car. I got a free upgrade. Yup. I was sporting in a grey minivan!!!!!!!! Oi vey! School ended, and ended well. I am teaching summer school--8th grade English at CMS. This was day 3--not too bad. Love's Labour's Lost--well everyone else was doing well. I've sucked to an embarrassing degree (starting with me going "Bleh!" onstage with my tongue hanging out on Opening Night. Leoney was there that night and said he liked it--and he'd expected the Theatre gods to strike me dead), but hopefully the next two weekends are better. I need to wrap this up at the moment. The song comes from the same title from Sunset Boulevard. Oh! And Happy Flag Day!

Ashleigh, myself, Jessica, Caitlin, and Katie dance our way through Grease! 

3 weeks and it couldn't be worse!

Yay!!!!!! I've grown up in blog years to the age of 2 now! Who'd have thought it'd last this long, huh? I don't journal as much anymore, but whatevah. I have an ONLINE journal!!! However, I have made it a point to not get overly personal here. After all, I will reserve some good judgement and distrust of the Internet so I don't end up having one of those creepy Urban Legend like stories of my own. *I really should avoid using my personal computer for blogging as it seems very shy of separating paragraphs. I'm not quite sure why, but as an English teacher this truly annoys me! *So Grease is going somewhere, but I'm not sure I can quite see the direction. Truthfully if I could I'm not that certain I'd be all that satisfied wither it goes. After all the hard work I've put in, and the fact that I show up to rehearsals always I'd hate to know that we do indeed suck. I've gone when very sick. When I've visited my dying great-grandmother (though I'm fortunate in that she lives in Reno). When I've been tired, irritated, in pain, snow, sleet, rain, etc. I'm just getting annoyed that we're now 2 1/2 weeks away and that people still don't take it seriously. I like doing the hard work during rehearsals. I don't expect everyone to feel the way I do, but it's gotten to the point of ridiculous! GRR!!!!!!!!!!! *The title comes from "Another Openin', Another Show" from Kiss Me Kate. Sorry my 2 year anniversary wasn't as cheery as last year. I guess I should be honest, though.

It's the hard-knock life for us!

Sooooooooo, it is finally SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!! We went from my birthday (Feb. 20) to April 17 with no break. It was long. Hard. But it's now here!!!!!!!! After this, I just have to make it to Memorial Day, and then to June 6th. Huzzah!

Some sad news on the homefront. My great-grandmother has really taken a turn for the worse. I was able to leave school about 12:30 on Friday to go spend time with her. The doctors didn't give her a week to live. So we've all kind of gone up to spend time with her and whatnot.

Grease is opening in less than a month. I feel prepared. I think I'm the only one who knows lines. I know the dances, so I'm just trying to make them look good now.

This break has been all about cleaning for me. Sleeping and cleaning. Oi! I wish I wasn't such a messy person, and I wish that messes truly did bother me. I try to be neat, but I think I go to about a month and a half at the longest. What is wrong with me?

So the song comes from Annie when all the girls are trying to clean the orphanage. I may not have a Miss Hannigan on my tail, but I know how they feel!