Where the Sidewalk Reappears

So, I didn't audition for Edwin Drood because everything would take place an hour and a half bus ride away, each way.  I'm not willing to commute 3 hours a night.  However, I did audition for a small part in an Emerson student's masters film project.  I play Heather, the vapid waitress.  We have our first rehearsal/meet and greet on Saturday and we film next weekend!  So, yeah, my first film!  And I'm auditioning for other stuff in February.

I'm finally having a games night this Saturday.  My games are excited to finally be played with again.  Plus people are bringing appetizers.  Work is fine.  I kind of miss my old boss.  I don't really miss my old job, but I guess you don't know what you had till it's gone.  But I will be able to work out vacation days for my cruise with the family in the Caribbean.  Oh I can't wait for sun and fun and tropics and ruins and rain forests.  I finally joined a gym and have been attending pretty regularly.  I just need to keep it up and stay focused. 

On a political note, the primaries are coming up on Tuesday and I really hope I get my voter's registration card in time.  But even if I do, I'm not sure who I'm voting for.  I think both Hillary and Obama are good candidates, but I don't think the US is ready for a woman president and especially not Hillary.  In which case, I'd much rather have Obama than another Republican president, although McCain does seem to have more morals and dignity than the rest of them.  Plus I'm not sure if I want Hillary because she's a woman or because of her policies.  I need to do more research, but so far they seem relatively similar with Hillary being a little more my way.  But would she be another Kerry?  Kerry couldn't win because a lot of people didn't like him as a person.  Well, a lot of people don't like Hillary as a person and hate the idea of another Clinton.  So, is Obama the safe bet for the nomination?  I just don't know.  And can anyone actually dig us out of the hole we're in now?  Wait and see I guess.

Happy New Year anyone who might possibly still check this.  It's 2008 and lots of things are going on in the world.  Tomorrow is the New Hampshire primary and, boy, do we get a lot of press about it here in Boston.  It's been almost 3 weeks since Andrew has been in the apartment.  I suppose I should get used to long stretches without him being around.  Silly student life.  (Read: I miss being a student.)  But all the same work is generally fine.  I'm not changing the world or really challenging my brain, but I am testing my patience and motivation. 

I decided that 2008 and, consequently, year 23 will be "focus on me" themed.  I'm going to happier, healthier, and motivated.  Of course, getting healthier is a big step in getting happier.  I was going to try out the gym I've been eying up tonight, but I ended up working until 8:00 and it was too late to introduce myself to a new gym.  I started looking into auditions in the Boston area and I'm going to audition for The Mystery of Edwin Drood next weekend.  The theatre is an hour bus ride away, but it's one of the few community theatres around with an upcoming audition.  Most of the theatres in Boston are university affiliated (thus pooling from their student talent pool) or professional companies (thus pooling from an older crowd with a long resume of well-known plays).  I, on the other hand, have a done a majority of relatively unknown plays with few big parts.  Mostly I'm just making excuses because I don't have any kind of connections in Boston and I'm afraid of failure.  But not getting cast is very common in the theatre world and I'm supposed to be working on that whole fear of failure thing.

In other news, I went to Vegas and Southern California for Christmas.  Vegas was like another planet or some horribly commercial and amoral version of the future.  Now I see where Science Fiction movies of the future get their ideas.  I had a lot of fun and enjoyed my family for the most part.  We went to see Spamalot and the racy Cirque du Soleil Show Zumanity.  They were both very entertaining and very Vegas.  It was very nice to go on vacation and get out of Boston for a while. 

Ken came down for New Years and we both experienced our first public countdown.  It was kind of disappointing: the crowd counted too fast and nothing happened when it finished.  But it was still a fun day and between my dad and Ken's visit I got a much better grasp of Boston.  Walking between familiar places really helps put a city in perspective.  But there's still more to discover and I shouldn't wait to do it only when I have visitors.

Well, I've been in Boston for coming up on 3.5 months.  I am working as a temporary employee at a cancer institute and am in the process of going permanent.  I told my current boss today that I'm looking into taking a different job instead of the one I'm in.  She was very sad and very surprised.  But the other job would be much more interesting.  I still felt bad.  But I really don't want to be just a secretary - the other job would still be admin support, but more creative and with more autonomy.

I just got back from an unbelievably wonderful and relaxing and motivating weekend in Montreal.  I still miss Canada and eventually I want to make it home.  I just have to make them want me in their country.  And I will.  I realized that I don't want to live too far from my family, so I'll be staying on the continent.  Boston is alright I guess.  I still need to meet people.  I was playing Dominoes at a bar on Tuesdays and then last week went to trivia with Andrew at an Emerson bar.  It was alright, but very crowded and too many people on one team.  I like his friends though a lot.  I finally got some sense talked into me this weekend and I'm going to start getting into the theatre world and hopefully meet people that way. 

My sister's wedding was in mid-October and it was beautiful and wonderful and so much fun.  It makes such a difference when you know the majority of people at a wedding!  I felt like I was hosting a party and I had to visit with everyone.  The rehearsal dinner was spent drinking and singing karaoke.  The wedding consisted of crying and singing during the ceremony and orating and singing at the reception.  I am endlessly proud of my performances because I really wanted it to be perfect for Corinne - she totally deserves it.  I did embarrass her really well too. :P 

I'm in Boston for Thanksgiving spending it with my great aunt and uncle and cousins.  They have been absolutely amazing to me since I moved here.  And then we're going out West for Christmas because my sister and brother-in-law can't come out east.  I haven't bought my flight yet, but it'll involve Las Vegas, San Diego, and El Centro, California.  I think it will be really interesting. 

I'll try to be more present here, but it's been hard.  My computer set up is pretty uncomfortable so I don't like to spend a lot of time on it.  But hopefully that won't stop me.  Anyway, after taking the overnight bus from Montreal last night I'm in severe need of comfortable sleep.  Hopefully it won't be another 3 months before I write again!

I arrived in Boston just over a week ago.  They took my houseplants at the border and I was very sad to lose my companions.  I got into Boston at rush hour with a 14-foot Uhaul.  I was a bit scared to run into cars and not find my way, especially as my directions were taking me down Storrow Drive (forbidden to Uhauls).  I managed to stop for directions and find my way and the movers came at 9 pm to lug all my stuff upstairs.  I went for a drink with them afterwards - it was highly needed.  I spent the next day cleaning, unpacking, and walking to get a new cell phone.  I have a local number!!  And I can talk to my family for free.

I went to my sister's bridal shower and bachelorette party last weekend.  That was a bit surreal.  But we had a great time and my sister, my mom, and I drove up to Chattanooga from Gainesville the next day.  I made every effort to ignore their wedding planning, but as luck would have it, it proved very difficult.  My iPod wasn't working, my mom couldn't hear over the radio, my sister's running radio ran out of batteries and the book I had attempted to read was missing the first 84 pages!!  But we got home and I started on the mosaic for the cement table in the backyard.  Although I didn't finish gluing down the tiles or grouting it, I am hoping that it ends up looking similar to the way I left it.  I managed to get shampoo on my bridesmaid dress during my flight and will have to get it dry-cleaned before I wear it.  Alas.  

I've spent this weekend at my mom's cousin's house searching things on the internet, playing the Nintendo Wii for the first time (absolutely awesome!!), lounging by the pool, reading, watching tv, getting a busted lip from the dog, and eating lots of ice cream.  I am truly enjoying my family here and I feel pretty comfortable with them.  I'll spend tomorrow looking at the Sunday paper for jobs and deals on beds and lounging in the sun.  My friend Adam from Montreal is coming to visit me at my chaotic apartment tomorrow night.  I hope he excuses my unfinished/half-unpacked look.  

I bought some initial materials to study for the test for substitute teaching and I'm going to go for it.  It'll be a great transitional job that offers a lot of flexibility and good work experience.  My mom's other cousin suggested looking into being a teacher's aide also.  I'm thinking about trying to work at one of the bars near my apt. until I find something for real so I can have some income.  

Overall, I'm getting settled in.  Once I start meeting more people and feel like a functional member of society I think things will be alright.  Plus it'll be nice when Andrew moves in and I feel safer in my apt.  My cousin is looking into getting me mace or pepper spray.  While we're not actually in the worst part of Mission Hill, most of it isn't all that great.  So, I'll be on my guard and trying not to look too many people in the eye (although I was never very good at that).  :)

After three years, this is the last night in my apartment.  I don't think I'm ready to leave.  I know it's time and is so for many reasons.  I need to move on and accept that life is not what it was in my first 3 years of university.  Montreal is different now and so am I.  But at the same time I don't want Montreal to be like other places that I've lived where I stay in touch for a little while and then never return.  It was strange to say goodbye tonight and know that my goodbyes had already begun many months before.  So many things I wish I could say but can't.  I hope everyone knows how much they mean to me - I know the improv crowd isn't a particularly affectionate group.  But I love their silliness and intelligence and specific kind of comfort.  Hopefully I find a group of friends like that in Boston.  And so, good night apartment for the last time.  I have so many fond memories here.  But as all things must come to an end, I part on good terms and I pocket all those secret remembrances that mean something great only to me.  Goodbye Montreal.

So...I'm thinking about being a teacher in Boston.  I would get a state certificate and use my BA as qualifications.  I don't know enough about child psychology, so I'd probably have to do middle or high school.  But I'd get health benefits and a decent salary and I would feel like my job was worthwhile.  I could also substitute teach.  So far it sounds a lot better than serving or being a secretary.  Although I'd have to decide pretty quickly in order to take action before the school year starts.  It would probably be harder to get days off for my sister's wedding if I were a full-time teacher.  Maybe substituting would be better and then it would be easy to have a second job.  I hadn't planned on teaching for another 10 years or so.  We'll see.

I don't know what my problem is but I've been taking several long naps for the last few days.  I think I'm procrastinating.  I had always thought my sleep defense problem was only related to doing reading I knew were boring, but alas it counts for packing as well.  I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the things I have to do in the next few days.  I never had to do it all on my own before.  Actually, I never really had to do much of any of the things involved at all.  I have to close accounts and open accounts, figure out if I can get the rest of my prescriptions here or if I'll have to buy them for 2-3 times the price in the States, look for jobs, etc.  Bleh, no wonder I'd rather sleep. 

I went out for my friend Christina's birthday last night and once Korova closed, I thought it would be a good idea to walk her home (to St. Hubert and Laurier!).  I stand by my decision, but I wish I hadn't switched shoes with her.  She was wearing 3 inch heels that were difficult for her to walk in at the end of the evening and I thought it would be easier for me to wear them with my superior balance (ha!).  Now I have a huge blister on the bottom of my foot that makes walking rather painful and not walking on it rather difficult.  I've never had a blister on the bottom of my foot before.

I'm really looking forward to seeing my mom and my sister next week and then my step-dad and brother.  They're so different than my dad's side of the family.  I kept bragging to my step-sister-in-law that she was going to love my mom because everyone does - I'm proud to have inherited her warmth and affection for others.  i.e. I love my mom.

I realize it has been several months since my last entry.  While my absence has been partly due to being very busy, the main reason is that I didn't know what to say.  I couldn't write the sort of guarded posts I usually do - it was all or nothing and I was afraid to express too much.  But I can see that keeping people at bay doesn't make anything go away. 

This weekend I went to my step-brother's wedding and opened up to my step-sister-in-law (from the May wedding).  And afterward all I could think was that I shouldn't have done that.  I shouldn't have let her know so much about me - it's not safe.  What does that even mean?  Why wouldn't it be safe to tell her about myself?  And I know that there are very few people who know those things I said and other things.  I've managed to be relatively secretive about myself, but that ability seems to be failing me now.  Maybe it's because I'm leaving again. 

I want a home, a place where I belong.  I've never had that.  I was out with a friend of mine and some of his friends the other night.  They asked where I was from and I gave the usual complicated answer: Florida/Michigan/Tennessee.  Then they asked where I called home and I said, "I don't have one.  I never have."  And they all looked at me funny.  But it's true - there's no city that calls to me.  Montreal seemed to possess some of those qualities, but overall, it remains elusive.  And I'm afraid of Boston, but I have to try to make a place there.  My desire to belong somewhere forces me. 

Now, for those in or met in Montreal, please know that this is a personal struggle that fails to reflect my appreciation for your friendship.  I have many wonderful memories and experiences here, but in the end I prevented them from completing me.  I thought I had found a remedy about 8 months ago and it was very effective for the first 4 or 5 months - probably when I needed it most.  But in the last few weeks especially, I have found that the remedy is failing.  It is not enough.  I have to escape some memories to move on.  I have to change and perhaps this new move is my chance.  If I don't do it now, I don't know if I'll ever get out of the fog that seems to be settling around me again.  To those who know and have told me for years that I should just try harder and see reason, I need support not "I told you so"s right now.  Hell, it's been so long since I wrote I don't even know if anyone will see this anytime soon.

So I'll start here with a little secret about myself.  Most people know I'm a big fan of Harry Potter.  (I just finished the 7th book this afternoon - if it weren't for the wedding and driving I'd have finished it at least by Sunday morning).  But for me it became much more than just a good story, it became my escape from the world.  I'm such a nerd I chose books over drugs or alcohol, although, granted, neither of those really agree with me.  When I read it I could forget about everything else - no problems existed, no worries outside the plot, no personal sadness, no insecurities, no heavy memories, no missing anyone, no feelings of being lost and lacking control.  It worked its own spell on me. ;)  Now it's over and I have to come back to the real world.

Today was the first warmish day in Montreal in a long time.  It got up to 7 degrees!!  Yay, spring!  Plus the time changes tonight (boo) and hopefully the snow will melt and flowers will bloom and I'll look forward to being outside again.  Come on warm weather.

Well, it appears I may have a plan for the next year plus.  Since Andrew got into Emerson, I'm headed to live with him in Boston (same town as Mariana and Ilya!).  My mom's family is from the Boston area and apparently her cousin-in-law is in charge of Boston Gardens, which would be a really sweet place to get a job at.  So, I'll be searching the internet for jobs and apartments for the next few months amongst all my travels.  I still need to buy all my plane tickets but one. 

Things are starting to get really busy for me here.  The show I wrote opens next week and I have to have my costumes done for Merchant by Friday as well as papers and presentations coming up.  The Summit is the 24th of March and we're planning that as well.  I think I've decided to cut (almost) all my hair off after my sister's wedding in October and give it to Locks for Love or something.  I should have a good 12 inches by then to give away.  I'm planning to go shorter than I've ever been before and then maybe grow it out all over again.  Fascinating stuff, I know. 

Here's info about my play:

Secret by Adrienne G    March 16, 22, 24 @ 8pm; March 18^th @ 2pm

Do you want to know a secret? or five? This play, inspired by the Post-secret.com phenomenon, follows the lives of five people- strangers, friends and lovers, who are bound by their secrets. As their secrets come to light, their lives are changed irreversibly. The world is smaller than you think.  

Player's Theatre is located at 3480 McTavish on the 3^rd floor and is wheelchair accessible.

Tickets are available at (514)398-6813. $8 for adults, $6 for students/seniors. 

A press preview will be held Monday, March 12^th at 7pm at Players' Theatre, featuring four of the one-act plays, followed by a question and answer period with the writers, directors, and actors.

The McGill Drama Festival returns for another season of exceptional student theatre this month. 

MDF is a student-written, directed and produced showcase of new talent from McGill and Montreal. This year features seven different and exciting short plays, from teary dramas to crazy comedies and the absolutely absurd.  MDF runs March 15-17 and 22-24 at 8pm, and on the 18^th and 25^th at 2pm. 

This Friday is McGill Improv's 7th Annual Vaganza!  It's 24 straight hours of improv for charity!

VAGANZA

Who: McGill Improv
What: 24 Hours of Improv
When: Friday, March 2 to Saturday, March 3 from noon to noon
Where: 3480 McTavish Street, SSMU Building 2nd Floor, Lev Buckman Council Room
Tickets: $3 students, $5 adults
Why: Charity and Improv!

So Ken and I got up early today and went up the Eiffel Tower, beating the serious lines by getting there 30 minutes after it opened.   Then we stopped home for a bit before heading out to an authentic French bistro.  I had some weird pigmeat that kind of looked like spam but with fat in it (it was actually pretty good) and a beef stew.  And for dessert this delicious floating meringue island in a cream sauce with nuts.  C'etait magnifique!  Then we went shopping for boots (which I didn't end up finding) and other things.  I'm not sure what our plans are for tonight, but we're headed to Versailles tomorrow.  I still have a few more things to pick up before I leave Monday morning. 

So far I've seen most of what I came to see: l'Arc de Triomphe, le Tour Eiffel, le Louvre, le Musee d'Orsay, Champs Elysees, etc.  Unfortunately it appears to be a school break for French and British schools so there are lots of annoying kids around.  But they couldn't distract me too much from everything.  Paris has been so beautiful and interesting.  Not to mention we've had relatively awesome weather (especially compared to Montreal).  It's been around 10 to 13 degrees Celsius everyday and has only rained off and on today. 

London was also great.  It was so nice to see Andrew again and our friend Laura.  And Marc of course.  We stayed really busy on Saturday and went out that night only sleep in and hang around playing Nintendo 64 while we waited for the never fully heating water heater to heat up.  Then we went for pub time and played Danagrams and Speed Scrabble before heading to dinner with some friends.  Good times all around.  By the way, Andrew looks super snazzy in his work suit.  I took pictures. 

Overall I'm having a great time and loving Europe - looking forward to coming back in the summer.  I'm super excited to see everyone next week who's coming into town for Vaganza, although I'm less excited to get back to going to class and writing papers.  Eventually I'll try to post pictures to Flickr or something, but until then take my word for how good a time I'm having.

Well, the Justin Timberlake/Pink concert was pretty good.  They were energetic and danced around and looked like they really enjoyed doing what they do.  We had pretty bad seats (nosebleed with the press box in the way) and there were far too many screaming girls, but I enjoyed myself and my cousin and her friend were filmed for both Much Music and CTV.  They enjoyed themselves.  It was Justin's birthday so the crowd sang him Happy Birthday.  It was very touching.  I was quite surprised by the collectivity before the concert began - as we were waiting for it to start a fully participatory wave went around the Bell Centre like 20 times.  It was way more successful than any sporting event I've ever been to.

Speaking of sporting events, I went to the Habs vs. Carolina hockey game yesterday.  Montreal lost 1-2 and it was kind of slow starting out, but it picked up towards the end.  One of the big things I noticed was that, compared to Edmonton, Montreal has a pretty good defense and they complete their passes.  Every time Carolina's Williams (#11) touched the puck the crowd booed him ferociously.  Apparently he hit Saku Koivu in the eye during the playoffs.  That was fun.  He was also the #1 star of the game and the whole crowd booed him. 

Work-shopping my play has been going well and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all flows together.  My show dates are March 15, 17, 21, 23.  I'll announce it again later.  I finally got a SIN number (which is redundant because the N stands for number, but appears to be the way everyone refers to it) and now I can start getting paid for the work I've been doing for the last month.  Yay!  Other than that I've got 4 plays to see in the next 8 days, plus a bunch of work I need to get done before I head to PARIS!  I am so in need of a vacation.  Hopefully it will actually be relaxing and worry-free.  I still need to plan what all I want to see and when.  I may be convincing myself that everything I buy there is a special birthday present to myself.  Hopefully that works out. 

The Masked Ball turned out wonderfully.  We had about 150 people there and everyone really got into it and enjoyed themselves.  And everyone found my creepy puppets very creepy.  We succeeded in throwing a great party and now I'm happy it's over.  I did feel pretty terrible on Saturday though.  We might host another mask making party just to use up the rest of our supplies and have a craft night at Gerts.  We'll see.

But the really exciting news is that I'm taking my cousin and her friend to a Justin Timberlake/Pink concert tomorrow night.  While I'm not exactly a fan of their music, I'm sure they'll put on a high energy and interesting show.  So wish me luck and I'll tell you how they were.

Other than I'm staying busy with school and getting into costume construction.  We're working out colors right now (our color palette is red, white, black, and gold) and I have to compromise a lot.  I finally got excited about the show when I got my characters, but now I think I'm just looking forward to constructing the garments.  I'm sure it will be visually interesting.  My play has been cast and I'm going to workshop it a bit on Thursday.  Without Annette is on Friday night and I think I might go watch the Superbowl at my aunt's house.  The semester is going by too quickly.  I have been feeling pretty lost in general and lacking control, but I'm working on making some decisions about my future plans.  Like Europe in June, Montreal in July (looking for a job and generally enjoying summer in Montreal), and possibly Boston after that before maybe teaching English in Asia.  We'll see.  I'm starting to come around to the "not knowing is exciting" and not scary thing. 

Today marks the end of an era.  I'm in the process of saying goodbye.  I understand and in some objective sense I agree.  I will miss it though and look on it as a true milestone.  I am thankful for it all, though sad to see it go.  I'll get my chance to revisit it in a month.  But "never be sad for what is over, just be glad that it was once yours."  I'm going to try to make that my mantra.

Other than that, my play was accepted into the McGill Drama Festival!  I'm a playwright!  The play is called Secrets and I posted an early version of it on this blog about a year ago.  So anyone who can should totally come see it in the second half of March.  I'm staying super busy this semester and had to forgo acting in a play.  I'm sad, but I don't think I was really prepared to do it.  I've got 5 classes (one of which is costuming at 12 hours per week), 2 jobs, 3 events to plan/run, a trip to Paris to plan, a trip to greater Europe to plan, and my general life and direction to figure out.  So, many things to think about and keep me on my toes.  This weekend McGill Improv is off to Toronto for an improv festival at U of T.  It should be exciting and I'll get a chance to test out the city to see if I might want to try to live there next year.  Or maybe I'll go to Boston.  Or stay in Montreal.  Or go to California.  Or Chicago.  Or wait just long enough to go into the peace core.  Who knows?

Plus....the Masked Ball is next Friday!!!  Mask-making party at Gerts on Thursday from 9-11.  The ball is in the Shatner ballroom from 8-12 on Jan 26.  Formal attire, masks required.  Live music, spectacles, drinks, and the beauty and mystery that is masquerade!  $10 a ticket.

And a very belated Happy New Year to you all.

I've been in Tennessee for two days now and it's been really nice to see my family.  I forgot how much work their dogs are.  I couldn't handle living with them.  I'm beginning to come to Ken's side about small dogs - they're a lot better than massive dogs.  Although I definitely don't want any pets in the city.  I miss having a pet, but I'm not prepared to have to take care of one.  Or shell out lots of money to feed one.  So I'll wait.

The house my parents moved into is...it has a beautiful view.  It's right on the water and it's just gorgeous.  Unfortunately the house itself needs a LOT of work.  It has a lot of potential and will be beautiful one day.  It was built in the 60s and has never been updated so there's a lot of stuff that not only looks really bad, but has worn out.  We pulled up some carpet today that was just gross.  And I'd have to say that the worse part for me is the lack of hot water.  I can only take a 4 minute hot shower.  That is not enough for me.  I realize I'm a bit extreme and I like to take long showers, but 4 minutes is not enough.  It's barely enough time to wash my hair, let alone shave.  They're supposed to be getting a new hot water heater installed tomorrow.  Everyone think happy thoughts for me tomorrow. 

We've also been doing some minor planning for my sister's wedding next October.  We'll get to some specifics when she gets here next weekend.  I feel so bad for my mom because she's so stressed out about getting the house done and planning my sister's wedding.  Because she's moving out to California, all her friends and our dad's side of the family live in Florida, and all of her fiancé's family lives in Vermont we decided to do it in Tennessee.  But my mom wants to make it perfect and my sister hasn't been very specific.  She says she just wants something simple and inexpensive and for everyone to have a good time.  Which basically means booze and good music.  My mom wants to make it perfect for her, but she never had a real wedding so she's not really sure what to do.  I'm going to apply to all those make-over shows to see if we can get them to do something to the house for it.  My mom said she's already freaking out about my wedding (which she said I can't have for 10 years)! I'm very particular and I know what I want and I will look until I find it.  I pity her already.

Not much else.  I hope to go visit some people this week.  I'll be doing lots of painting and house fixing.  And maybe some sewing.  It should be fun.

Well, my play has been over for a week and I've been pretending to catch up on work.  In all actuality I keep thinking that the semester is already over so I shouldn't have to worry about it.  I still have a take-home exam due Friday, though I should turn it in on Thursday to make sure I am packed to leave for home for two weeks Friday afternoon.  Only to fly back on the 21st, take my only exam on the morning of the 22nd, and fly out to Edmonton that evening.  I'm spending Christmas with Ken and his family in Saskatchewan and I'll be back in Montreal on the 2nd of January only to go with Ken to Ottawa on the 4th and 5th so he can go to an interview.  I'll be in 4 provinces and two countries between now and the first week of January.  I'm excited. 

The play went really well and I've posted pictures associated with it on my Facebook account.  Eventually I will get a Flickr account and post those pictures and Halloween pictures on it.  I promise.  Hopefully I'll be getting a digital camera for Christmas and then I will have more pictures to put up. 

There's snow on the ground now and the wind is cold - winter is here.  I really need to replace my waterproof shoes.  I'm looking forward to going home, although it won't be my old house anymore.  My parents moved into a new one and I'll have to explore it and help my mom with design ideas.  I'll also be planning my sister's wedding and shopping for dresses with her.  That will be fun.  I don't know if I'm ready for her to get married yet.  It'll be a big step for me and her. 

Not much else really other than that.  I've been going out quite a bit, which is fun.  I need to find a way to use my time wisely this week though.  Now that I'm not so busy I'll try to update more often. 

My show opened on Wednesday and it runs through Saturday this week and from Wednesday to Saturday next week.  It's about the first English actresses in the 1660s (period costumes!) and their trials and tribulations.  It's really great and funny and serious and beautiful.  Everyone come out and see it! 

Playhouse Creatures by April DeAngelis
Moyse Hall, Arts Building, McGill University
Nov. 15-18 and 22-25 at 8 pm
Tickets $5 students, $10 adults
Reservations: 514-398-6070

Disclaimer: brief nudity and coarse language.  Enjoy!

Imogen Heap was amazing last night!  The whole set up was so well planned.  She had great lighting and a great set with really interesting and awesome graphics.  Her costume was awesome - corset and big skirt with crazy cool hair.  It was so easy to be sucked in by her music and her performance.  I found myself so lost in her songs so that they enveloped me.  She was great with the audience.  It was the first night of the tour and there were some technical glitches - she kept pressing the wrong buttons - but her reactions made her more endearing.  I'm so happy I went.  And her opening acts were really good.  One of them, Kid Beyond, is a techno beat-boxer.  I stood with my mouth hung open for his whole set.  He did Radiohead, Portishead, and a bunch of his own stuff.

Tonight is Q to Q, where we go through every sound and lighting cue in the play.  I'll be downstairs slaving away in the costume shop most of the time, but we do get a potluck to go with it.  Yay!!  I made cornbread.  From scratch.  I had to do something with all that cornmeal we bought for Andrew to make pizzas with at the end of the year party. 

And Saturday involves improv old-style.  With games after workshop and spending the whole day together.  It's been so long and my games are so sad and unused.  I realize I should really be doing work on Saturday, but maybe I'll do a bunch in the morning and not feel so bad about it.  We'll see.