The Green Screen

For The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (the musical I'm working on right now), there is a scene where Susan and Lucy are "flying" on Aslan through the forest. Part of the concept is to have a video above the actors' heads of the flying.

So off we went to the studio up the street. Oh the joys of working on the campus of a University as HUGE as Syracuse University.

It was interesting to be backstage, or behind the scenes during filming. Although what we do is closely related, it is just a world of difference. It took a long time because of the differences in the way all of us work.

The actors got pretty tired of doing it over and over and over again. You'd think they'd be used to that, but not really. It took us 2.5 hours to get a good cut of a 2 minute shot. We were all happy to get back to our rehearsal hall.

In case you're wondering, YES, I still want to work on a film or tv show for my bucket list.

My Bucket List

My day wasn't very productive, but I did get a good start on this, which I think is pretty important as I start nearing 30 (yeesh!).

My Bucket List

· Go Sky Diving

· Run a Marathon

· Help build a house

· Get married

· Raise a child

· Go to all 50 States

· Do something crazy for love

· Be in a play

· Live in a small town (pop < 5,000)

· Own a house or cabin

· Be debt free

· Read all the books on a list given to me by my AP English teacher

· Work on a tv show or film

· Spend a month outside the US

· Spend the 4^th of July in Washington DC

· Talk to someone famous about The Church

· Host a dinner party

· Spend St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

· Win a huge stuffed animal at a carnival game

· Have a Perfect Day

· Go to a Taylor Swift concert with someone as into it as me

· Teach someone how to do something that changes their life

· Fly First Class

· Order a fancy meal through Room Service without worrying about the cost

· Coach a team

· Serve Thanksgiving Dinner to the homeless

· Take kickboxing classes

· Eat the best chocolate in the world

· Be an extra on a tv show or film

· Win money in a contest

· Build a tree house

Social Networking

Facebook, Twitter, and a blog. I have all of these, and I love it. I move a lot and have friends all over the world, yet I am able to keep in contact with them and know what they are up to so easily. It is a blessing for sure, and I am very grateful.

Most of the time I love hearing about the crazy things my friends' kids say. I love looking at the beautiful wedding pictures, and seeing all of the responses that come up when a mom sends out a plea for advice. I know a lot about teething, play dates, book clubs, the school system, primary programs, crafts, recipes, bigger cars, and bigger houses.

But sometimes I feel that my face is being rubbed in this news so much that my nose is beginning to feel raw. Sometimes another wedding announcement is just more than I can handle.

Today was almost one of those days, until I saw this.

Today, we single folk got to take over facebook for a little while.

A good day.

As I buried my head into my pillows last night I thought to myself, "today was a good day."

For some reason, by the time I got to rehearsal I was in one of my "sassy" moods. This turned out to be a good thing because I completely won over the cast.

For as much as my family complains about my sass, everyone else seems to appreciate it.

Suddenly, working with these people until December 31 seems like a wonderful idea.

I also heard this song this morning and loved it.

Because it's blah.

My last post was June 5. Wow.

I'd like to be able to say that I've just been so busy doing amazing things that I haven't had the opportunity to write a blog about it all, but that's not true. In reality I didn't really have anything good to say and I didn't want my blog to be depressing and stuff.

I also felt like my life got boring. If my life is boring, why would I want my friends and family to suffer through it on the blog? I feel bad though, because this is how I keep in touch with a lot of people, so perhaps I should put more effort into it.

So update on me. Since June 5th I have:

Finished working in Washington DC and driven from DC to Salt Lake.

Worked at Lagoon on a crazy Cirque show for three weeks.

Spent some quality time with my family.

Sold my Jeep and bought a new car.

Put a lot of miles on my new car driving to Syracuse, New York.

Visited NYC.

Opened and closed the most boring and frustrating show I've ever worked on.

Now I am starting rehearsals on my second show at Syracuse Stage, where I'm working as the Assistant Stage Manager until the end of March. I've been here for just over two months now, and it's been the most difficult move I've ever had (and that's saying something). The adjustment period has been really long. I feel like a lot of it had to do with the awfulness of the first show I worked on. Once it closed, I really felt the huge weight lifted off of me.

So here's to new beginnings, fresh starts, and being able to recognize "blogable" things in my life.

DC is treating me well.

June 1 marked my ONE MONTH in Washington DC. I've (surprise surprise) fallen in love with this place in that short amount of time. I am enjoying the beauty of the location, the excitement of the city, and of course my job.

My commute is pretty annoying, but I only have one more month so no need to complain. I do get a lot of music/book listening time in. I also am enjoying the 30 min walk between the metro station and my house. Weird I know. One of my favorite things at the end of a long day is being able to walk home, think about how things went, and wind down. I've probably mentioned it on here before. This is something I fell in love with when I was in Vanuatu, and something I definitely miss when I'm driving everywhere. (If you know me at all, you know that I don't wind DOWN when I'm driving)

Memorial Day!

For Memorial Day my new roomie and I went to Arlington Cemetery and the parade. It was really beautiful, busy, and hot.

Also, President Obama was there. This is him driving away.

WORK

I don't think anyone will be surprised to learn that I've gotten completely caught up in work again. It's so easy to do when I don't really know anybody else. It is easy to become a workaholic.

We are doing two shows in rep, which means we rehearse two shows at the same time and then when we open they perform each show every other day. I've never worked in rep before so I was a little nervous, but I'm finding it to be a lot more refreshing than it is stressful. One show is The Maid's Tragedy. Which is ridiculously depressing. 4 people die onstage and 2 people vow to return to their homes and die in the last scene. Whenever we are on Maid's days the mood is a lot more mellow, then people start getting testy. It's tough not to be effected by it.

(this is when we were staging where the dead bodies should end up. They have their scripts with them so they know when in the lines they should groan and/or give one final breath and die)

So it's a good thing that we have the light hearted Shakespeare's Love's Labor's Lost to return to. It's funny and it's about being in love and making a fool of yourself. The rehearsals have kind of been going 3 days on 3 days off. So I have 3 days to spiral down, and 3 days to pick myself up again. Such the roller coaster. And we are ALL on it.

New lessons learned in my first month in DC:

Always stand to the right on the escalator.

White short sleeve shirts and backpacks DON'T mean missionary.

When you ask someone what they do for a living and they respond "I can't tell you". Take them seriously.

Old lessons Re-Learned:

I can do this.

Not only CAN I do this, but I AM doing it, and I'm doing it well.

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow

And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework.

Today wasn't the first day I rocked out to this song on the metro on the way home. Things are good. Life is good. I am lucky.

Someone out there sure knows a lot more about what's goin on than I do. I just need to remember to trust that.

An expert in at least one thing.

If nothing else, I do feel that I am becoming expert in moving. Especially from state to state.

After being offered a disappointing next season from The Cleveland Play House, I decided to start sending my resume out. Not saying that I won't be coming back, but I'm definitely looking for better offers.

Last Wednesday I saw a posting, and sent my resume in. They called me a few hours later saying they were passing my resume along. Thursday they called again and offered me the 2 month stage management job. In Washington DC.

The weekend consisted of me frantically trying to find housing and decide whether or not I actually would accept the position. It's been very stressful, but I am going to do it.

I have a place lined up to live in DC, so now my issue is what am I going to do with all of my stuff in the meantime. It's hectic, but somehow it's all falling into place.

We are coming into our second weekend of 'Legacy of Light' at CPH, and the crew has been with me all the way in my decision. Every single person I mentioned this to contacted at least one person they know in the DC area to try to find me housing. Wow. I am very blessed to know the people that I know.

A quote from our show, something Voltaire always said, "no problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking." Very very true.

So in 9 days it will be saying goodbye to this:

And hello to this:

It's strange. If I had been offered the same sort of thing in New York City I would have turned it down. I don't know why but Washington DC seems like a better fit for me. Even if it is only for 2 months.

Inspiration is everywhere

My friend posted this link on facebook and I followed it to a 20 minute podcast.  But the first 3 minutes are the amazing part.  

Can you watch this and not be inspired?

The last 4 minutes or so she does another poem.  She's pretty good.

I love adventure....

....but seriously, I just wish that something would actually go the way I planned. Maybe that's just asking too much of the universe.

Noel Coward

I saw my first Noel Coward play last night. If you haven't heard of him, he's a British Playwright from the early 1900's but his plays became really popular in the 60's and 70's. I saw Present Laughter which was so funny.

One of my favorite things about the show was how completely open the main character was with how self absorbed he was compared to all of the other characters who pretended that they weren't. Sometimes I feel like we are all going around pretending to be worried about everyone, when most of the time we are really we're thinking the most about ourselves.

That's a negative way of looking at it I know, but keep in mind I'm not married and don't have kids, so maybe it's just the place I'm in right now.

I looked up some Noel Coward quotes and he's great. He says things to actors that we wish we could say sometimes. (jokingly of course) He is also refreshingly honest.

• If you must have motivation, think of your paycheck on Friday.

• I don't believe in astrology. The only stars I can blame for my failures are those that walk about the stage.

• I love criticism just so long as it's unqualified praise.

• It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.

• Learn the lines and don't bump into the furniture.

• Work is much more fun than fun.

• My importance to the world is relatively small. On the other hand, my importance to myself is tremendous. I am all I have to work with, to play with, to suffer and to enjoy. It is not the eyes of others that I am wary of, but of my own. I do not intend to let myself down more than I can possibly help, and I find that the fewer illusions I have about myself or the world around me, the better company I am for myself.

If you are looking for something fun and different to read, try a play. They are quick and different from the usual novels you occupy your time with. Noel Coward has some great one liners too. I wish I could've taken notes during the show on the insults. Seriously they were great.

Undercover Boss

Have you seen the tv show Undercover Boss? I saw it for the first time the other night, and while I wasn't particularly interested in the show itself, there was a part I loved.

The premise of the show is the Boss (in this episode it was the COO of MGM Grand in Vegas) is a new employee and is being trained by other employees so he can see how things run and who is working for him. This guy worked with 2 dealers, a front desk agent, and a floor manager.

This is a clip of the boss revealing himself as the boss to the people who had trained him and giving them bonuses or rewards for being so good, because all of these people were actually really amazing. My favorite guy is the last one (4:00 on the video) who is a guy who came to Vegas with nothing and worked his way up while raising 5 boys alone. His reaction when the boss tells him that he is giving him $10,000 is so sweet.

That is the kind of person I want to be.

In Addition

I found the clip that I really wanted to include in my last post. It obviously shows more of the importance of friendship in the story.

I remember seeing this for the first time and thinking it was so powerful.

Friends make a difference

I've been thinking lately about friends and how important they are. When I think back on my favorite books or movies or characters, most of the time their main theme is friendship. Of course Harry Potter. Harry never would have made it without his friends.

I love this scene because even though he knows it's a losing battle, he really tries his best to cheer her up. So cute.

And then of course, Lord of the Rings. Are you kidding me?! One of the greatest examples of friendship in literature is Samwise Gamgee.

A Sam quote that I love is when he thinks Frodo is dying and he is trying to call him back. So simple and so pure he says: "Don't leave me here alone! It's your Sam calling. Don't go where I can't follow! Wake up, Mr. Frodo!" I definitely started crying when I read that.

Then, my absolute favorite part of the whole series is when they are halfway up the mountain to destroy the ring and Frodo lays down and gives up, he just can't go any further. Then Sam gives him this inspirational speech, but it isn't enough. Finally Sam says, "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!"

And carries him up the mountain.

It's just something I've been thinking about lately. I tend to think about it more when I feel like I'm only halfway up the mountain.

I love them.

I wish I could've gone home for the week and spent time with my crazy family. I sure miss them.

Summer is right around the corner.

Boys...

I'd noticed it before, but never really looked at it. Today I picked up this book from my friend's coffee table and started reading through it. Such simple wisdom that was true in the 1940's and is still true today.

Best advice from the first chapter "How to get him to date you":

• It is not advisable to consider moving to improve your marital opportunities unless you have family there or at least obtain your parents consent and approval.
• Do not neglect your girl friends; some of them have brothers; or their boyfriends have friends.
• Except when you know a man very well, try to have him date you several days in advance. Whether you're busy or not, you want to foster the illusion you're busy.

There are chapters on how to keep him interested, what to do on dates, and how to make up after arguments. What a great find.

Poor Joe

About a month ago my boss Joe was climbing down a ladder in the pitch dark, thought he was at the bottom, and stepped off. Unfortunately he was still like 10 feet in the air. He broke his leg and has had several surgeries over the last few weeks.

As soon as I heard the news I decided there HAD to be a way to cheer him up. So I started taking video of how we are "dealing" with him being gone. He is the Production Manager, so he is in charge of everyone in Paints, Electrics, the Scene Shop, the Prop Shop, the Costume Shop, Sound Dept, and Stage Management.

It was so fun to have everyone getting into this project. The saddest part of the process was when I lost all footage from the costume shop and paints. Costume shop had props and everything. They were having a drunken party dancing with their mannequins. Paints was short but cute as I walked into their huge shop with ginourmous paintings that cover the stage to find a little baby sitting in the middle of it all holding a paint brush while the "adults" played poker. I was so sad to lose those, but I had to finish the video for Joe. So just pretend you see that footage while you watch this.

Do you think it'll make him feel better?

Goodbye 2010

As the first week of 2011 comes to a close, I've been thinking about 2010 and what a new year means. 2010 didn't seem like that big of a deal to me. I didn't really go on any trips. I didn't run a race or graduate or do anything that seemed too noteworthy. I just kind of...worked.

My blog has suffered for this same reason because I felt like I didn't have much to talk about because nothing much was happening. I've been pondering these things this week and realized that actually yes, thi

ngs did happen to me in 2010. It actually was a year of firsts and a year of accomplishment.

Top "Firsts" of 2010:

I lived alone for the first time early last year, and by the end of the year had my own place.

My first 9-5 office job. Well, it was telemarketing, but it was in an office.

My First NFL game!

I was in charge of running backstage for a professional theater on my own for the first time.

I made things for Christmas presents. (I found that I actually DO have a creative side)

Favorite moments of 2010:

AJ's wedding of course!

Living with this all summer.

Being in St. George with the whole family.

Many gospel conversations with my co-workers. They challenge me like I've never been challenged before.

Christmas with the family was just amazing.

Biggest accomplishment 2010

Well, considering that I spent most of 2010 working, I have to say my career. It definitely took a turn for the better this year. Last January I was the new, quiet, and shy intern at The Cleveland Play House. Today, it is a place I love to be, with people I love, in a job that I feel I am doing well. My dad raised me with a firm belief that hard work will take you places. He was right.

"Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds." - Gordon B. Hinckley

So I guess my year wasn't just a waste. I learned a lot about what I'm good at, what I want, and what I can accomplish. I'm making a little life for myself out here in Cleveland, Ohio, but I've learned I could make a little life for myself anywhere that I go.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances

But they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake

But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart

Leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out

Reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance