Weekly Update

So I've discovered that a pal in the cast of Chess has a blog here on the same website as me! How cool is that. Check out his blog at mattvant.blogspot.com. But I've also stolen his idea (don't be mad, Matt!). A weekly update is a fabulous idea. Although he calls his a "weekly roundup", which is way more cool than my "weekly update". Despite that, here it is.

Job search- I DID get the job at Kids R Kids! I'm stupidly excited to start working there. I'll get benefits, which means visiting an allergist and figuring out how to control my asthma. The best part is that I'll be finished every night at 6pm, enough time to get to whatever rehearsal I'm going to, and not working weekends! Yippie! Of course one of the highlights is that I'll be making a lot of extra cash. Which means-

1. I'll get to pay off the majority of my credit card debt (how stupid was I in college?).

2. Make bill payments on time.

3. Pay off Sloan for "Wishes" (the fantastic painting hanging in my living room).

4. Buy a new computer and couch.

5. Be social again! Now I'll be able to go out with friends and afford that $8 appletini at Mary's.


Chess- We rehearsed last night at the CMT warehouse. Boy was that a horrible nightmare. Like 5 cast members weren't there (again, I understand you're busy, but seriously, we're RUNNING Act One). It was about 45 degrees in there, with dust and sawdust flying around (great for people with asthma), and both the music director and pianist weren't there. Needless to say, we didn't have as good a run as we would have hoped for. Check out this photo from rehearsal that night (courtesy of Matt!) that shows us in the disgusting, meat-locker-esque warehouse. However, Brian and I have now kissed. Not as weird as I thought it would be. It helps that he is gorgeous and a good kisser. It's strange how something that is so intimate between lovers can make you more comfortable around your friends. I'm becoming friends with many of the cast members. Next Saturday, a few of us girls are taking a pole dancing lesson. HA! This is going to be amazing. Just for fun. And that night, all of us girls in the cast are going out for drinks/dancing/party time! I can't wait. It's been so long since I've gone out with "the girls". I need this.

Cincinnati- I think we've decided to stay in Cincinnati. Now that I've gotten this job, and Rob hasn't had much luck in the job prospect area, it makes sense for us to stay. We'll now be able to save effectively, and both of us spend more time on the things that are important to us. I'll be able to do some heavy research, and maybe spend some time behind the stage learning about starting a theatre company. Rob is going to spend some time getting published, and writing pieces for the piano. We're thinking of moving out of Covington, to a place where we can get more room for a cheaper price. We're thinking Bellevue or Dayton, KY. Which is only about 5 mins. from here, but a world away. We'll just wait and see!

Pilates- So I've started this pilates program. I'm telling you I have never worked so hard in my life at an exercise! However, it's been five days, and I can already tell a difference in my waistline, my butt and my arms. This is a great program, that targets all regions of your body, and gives you a total workout. One of the DVD's is a fat-burning workout. 40 minutes of working your ass off. I watch this thing and am thinking "how are all of those people on the video not sweating or bent over wretching like I am?" But it's fab. Plus the 30 minute Pilates DVD, which works muscles I never knew I had. It's so great,I'm cancelling my gym membership!

That's it for now- I'm outta here.

Chess- the first month

I can't believe we've been rehearsing Chess for over a month now. I'm not nearly as anxious as I was at the beginning, or nervous about meeting people. I've met so many wonderful people, and am becoming fast friends with many of them. There are still a few who give me leary looks. Is it because I don't get to spend much time with them during rehearsals? Do I come off as a bitch or a "diva"? I surely hope not. But the majority of them are so nice, and supportive to boot. The fun part is getting to work with a host of talented people. Brian Anderson, playing Anatoly, is a complete doll. We have to make-out. This I'm a little nervous about. Sure the guy is gay, and both of us are in a committed relationship, but kissing is a very intimate thing. I don't care who you are. Being that close with someone is always frightening. What if my breath stinks? Maybe I shouldn't have eaten that hummus before coming in. How does my skin look? Is that zit going away? These are the things I think about when I'm standing there. But it's going well. We have yet to kiss. It was surreal the other day when I was telling Rob, my husband, that "It's very sweet. Brian and I have started holding hands." And Brian Berendts. This guy is the most crass individual I've ever met in my life. But we read together at an audition a few years back, and the chemistry between us was like nothing I've ever experienced. So it's been fun working with him, too. Plus, he's gorgeous. That never hurts. One of the hardest aspects about rehearsal is that many of the cast often has conflicts and aren't there. Including Michael Shawn. Hello? Does anyone realize how hard it is to act to air? Or to get shit done? Maybe I'm just bitter because I don't have much of a social life outside of this show.
I'm so jealous of those people. Keith calls to go out and I say "Sorry, can't. I'm broke." And I'm not lying about that. I have $29 in my checking account that has to last until the end of the month. This getting paid monthly thing really sucks. But I'm up for a job at Kids R Kids as a Lead Teacher. This will be awesome! The sad part is that I would have to leave Gymboree, where I've been for three years. It's been such a wonderful company to work for, and the people have been super. But it's hard to make ends meet when you aren't making any money. And if I get this job? I'll have money to go out and be social and feel alive again. Like a living, breathing, human, social butterfly. Like I was years ago. What happened to that girl? I think she got married and started staying in, watching old movies in her flannel pants. Spring is coming. Maybe she'll come out of her shell in the weeks to come.