Pick me, pick me!

I am truly honored!

My wedding photographer, whom I have already mentioned is the best photographer ever (in my opinion anyway, I think mine is the only one that counts, so therefore...), has entered some of her favorite 2008 images into a "Best of 2008 Image Competition" contest by Modern Photographers.

I think ALL of the images she chose to enter are pretty amazing...

She has entered one of MY BRIDAL PORTRAITS into the category of "Bride-Alone." Are you curious as to which one???

This photo was taken behind the lobby doors of the Campus Theatre, which is where Operaboy and I met (oh so many years ago).

Unfortunately I can't ask you all to go and pad the votes for this image, because the winners will be chosen by other photographers...

But, if it wins, I get, to quote Lynn, a "huge stinkin' canvas of it." EXCITING!

Thanks so much, Lynn!! I'm truly honored that you love this picture enough to enter it into a competition!

PS22

I admit it. I read PerezHilton.com. Every day. Usually it's just my daily fill of celebrity trash that I'm ashamed to admit I can't stop reading. However, from time to time, there's something really amazing and cool that he posts.

Today was one of those days.

Ladies, and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the PS22 Chorus. How do I not find out about these things sooner?

I just sat and bawled while I watched this video of an arrangement they did on special request from Perez Hilton. It's a cover of "The Call" by Regina Spektor, from The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Just watch their faces. Watch the enthusiasm of their conductor. And then run, don't walk to YouTube and watch more of their performances.

THIS, my friends, is why we need to keep the arts in schools:



ETA: Here are the lyrics:

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
Till it was a battle cry
I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye

You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Till they're before your eyes
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye...

A Game

Because I'm too busy to sit and think of anything worth writing about at the moment:

Rules:
Step 1: Put your music player on shuffle.
Step 2: Post the first line (or verse) from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 3: Strike through the songs, or label it, when someone guesses both artist and track correctly and put the correct answer and who got it.
Step 4: For those who are guessing -- looking the lyrics up on a search engine is CHEATING!
Step 5: If you like the game post your own.

1. The summer wind came blowin' in from across the seas, it lingered there to touch your hair and walk with me...

2. I've this creeping suspicion that things here are not as they seem, reassure me, why do I feel as if I'm in too deep?

3. We have swept to glory, Egypt's mastery expands from the Nile's northern delta to the dry, dry southern sands. The more we find, the more we see, the more we come to learn. The more that we explore, the more we shall return. "Fortune Favors the Brave" from Elton John/Tim Rice's "AIDA." (Connie)

4. I am the child that lives forever, let me run about, I can do the things that you will envy, wish and dream about. I run amuck don't give a f*ck, I will leave you all stranded for no reason when you least expect it.

5. Darling? (yes?) Robert. (what?) I worry. (why?) He's all alone. (Oh.) There's no one (where?) in his life (huh), Robert ought to have a woman...

6. I've got something to say that might cause you pain. If I catch you talking to that boy again, I'm gonna let you down and leave you flat.

7. Three-thirty in the morning, not a soul in sight. The city's lookin' like a ghost town on a moonless summer night. Raindrops on the windshield, there's a storm movin' in. He's headin' back from somewhere that he never should have been... "The Thunder Rolls" by Garth Brooks (Connie)

8. With a little love and some tenderness, we'll walk upon the water, we'll rise above the mess. With a little peace and some harmony, we'll take the world together, we'll take 'em by the hand...'cause I got a hand for you.. "Hold My Hand" by Hootie & the Blowfish (Connie)

9. I am he is you are he is you are me and we are all together. See how they run like pigs from a gun see how they fly. "I Am the Walrus" by The Beatles (Suldog)

10. Strangely quiet, but now the storm simply rests to strike again. Standing, waiting, I think of her...I think of her. Strange this Mary, she leaves the room yet remains...she lingers on. Something stirs me to think of her...I think of her...

11. In my platforms I hit the floor. I fell facedown, didn't help my brain out, then my baby came before I found the magic oh, to keep her happy. I never was the fantasy of what you wanted me to be. Don't judge me so harsh, little girl.

12. Just too unreal all this...watching the worlds fall from my lips. Baiting some girl with hypotheses...

13. You have my heart, and we'll never be worlds apart. Maybe in magazines, but you'll still be my star... "Umbrella" by Rhianna (Connie)

14. When you look into my eyes, and you see the crazy gypsy in my soul, it always comes as a surprise when I feel my withered roots begin to grow. Well I never had a place that I could call my very own, but that's all right my love....

15. Lowering the standards in the process selective. The formula's too thin. But it takes more than one person, so everyone jump on. I'll miss you when you're just like them.

16. Baby when I met you there was peace, I know. I set out to get you with a fine-tooth comb. I was soft inside, there was something goin' on. "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton (Connie)

17. Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup, they slither while they pass they slip away across the universe... "Across the Universe" by The Beatles (Connie)

18. Someone to hold you too close, someone to hurt you too deep. Someone to sit in your chair, to ruin your sleep... "Being Alive" from Sondheim's "Company" (2006 Revival Cast Recording) (Connie)

19. I get no kick from champagne, mere alcohol, it doesn't move me at all. So tell me, why should it be true? "I Get a Kick Out of You" by Frank Sinatra (Connie)

20. You've got your ball, you've got your chain tied to me tight, tie me up again.

21. Highway run into the midnight sun...wheels go round and round in my mind. Restless hearts sleep alone tonight. Sendin' all my love along the wire... "Faithfully" by Journey (Connie)

22. I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go. And help us to be wise in times when we don't know. "The Prayer" as performed by Andrea Boccelli/Celine Dion (Connie)

23. You and me, we come from different worlds. You like to laugh at me when I look at other girls. Sometimes you're crazy, and you wonder why I'm such a baby cuz the Dolphins make me cry "I Only Wanna Be With You" by Hootie & The Blowfish (Connie)

24. When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom... "Let it Be" by The Beatles (Connie)

25. This is a song...for the ladies. But fellas? Listen closely. You don't always have to f*ck her hard...in fact sometimes, that's not right to do.

LOL

WOW my shuffle SUCKED today. I'll be surprised if anyone gets any of these!

Happy Inauguration Day!

Well, like it or not, today we usher in a new president of the United States. Whether or not you voted for him, it's happening anyway and I hope that everyone can agree that we are due for some changes in our country (ahem, and in our economy) and that we can all rally behind President Obama for what is sure to be a very interesting next few years. God bless you, Mr. Obama, and...well...best of luck. :)

So, how was everyone's long weekend?

Here's a quick recap of mine:

Mini-cast parties had: 1

Traffic tickets gotten for MA license plates: 1

Times I've nearly sliced off my finger with a brand new kitchen knife: 1 (I am wearing the Peanuts band-aid to prove it)

NFC Championships won: 0. ZERO. Jerks.

Pairs of new jeans purchased at Kohl's: 1

Dresses found that will be perfect for my costume for the show: 1

YouTube videos that have made me laugh til I cried: 1 (see post below)

Times I've worked out: 3 (!!!!!!!)

So yes, it's been both a productive and a frustrating weekend, to say the very least. I did get a stupid traffic ticket for having Massachusetts license plates, still, which I think is RIDICULOUS. I mean honestly. The car is insured and the inspection is current. I really don't think it should matter. Whatever. At least, since I got pulled over for speeding, he only gave me the ticket for the plates, so hopefully I can get them replaced ASAP and get the ticket dismissed.

Yes, I nearly thought I'd have to go to the emergency room on Sunday night when I was washing dishes, which included one of our very new, very sharp knives and I nearly took the top half of my index finger off. All is well, though, and I have a bright and happy band-aid on it.

Yes, the Eagles nearly gave me a heart attack. But is this really news? They should have just lost it badly as they were the entire first half of the game. But noooooooooooo, they had to come back in the 3rd and 4th quarters and get the lead before reaching in, ripping out my heart, and stomping it to the ground. Yes, I cried. Don't judge me.

"Company" rehearsals are going quite well. I've felt very inspired to blog about the experience, or at least journal it offline, ever since finding this link last Friday. It's Kristin Huffman's ("Sarah" in the 2006 revival) journal of the process of putting the show together before it went to Broadway. I drank in every word she wrote and have since become rather obssessed with this amazing piece of theater we're putting together. Last night was our first full run through all of the music, and tonight, we start staging. ::claps hands excitedly::

So...I'm off to get some actual work done before slipping across the hall to News Services to watch the inauguration coverage. I hope to squeeze in a Teaser Tuesday later, but it may not happen. Happy Tuesday/Inauguration day!

LOLz

I seriously cannot stop laughing at this. Please God, bring me a British baby:

Tagged. Again.

So, this new survey/meme is apparently all the rage. I've seen it on blogs and all over Facebook recently, so it was really only a matter of time until I got tagged by someone. Carie happened to be the culprit this time. :) So here goes.

1. Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.
2. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged.
3. You have to tag the person who tagged you.
4. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.


1. When I eat fast food, I can't wad up the wrappers into a little ball. I smooth them out and fold them, making neat creases, until I can't fold it any further. I have no idea why.

2. I'm freaked out at how quickly I've gotten a Baby Sniffle (I refuse to call it "fever") since we got married. Before the wedding I would've told you I wanted to raise dogs instead of children, but apparently putting the band on your finger changes everything. I'm fighting it with every ounce of my being. Somebody loan me your screaming child for the weekend, please.

3. I still try not to step on cracks on the sidewalk. I also try to take the same amount of steps between each crack.

4. I want to get my Master's in Journalism, but I have no desire to be a "journalist." At least not in the "news" format. Perhaps I'd like to have my own editorial column some day, or be a feature writer for magazines.

5. I absolutely LOATHE when people use an apostrophe to indicate plural. Example: "I'll see you guy's on Sunday." NO. NO YOU WILL NOT. It is just so freaking stupid on so many levels and so INEXCUSABLE that I work myself into a righteous lather over it on a daily basis. Poor grammar in general makes me want to scratch my eyes out. The Dr. Pepper billboards that advise me to "Drink it Slow" also make me want to run my car off a bridge.

6. Sometimes, when I'm bored, I'll figure out the solfege syllables to jingles and fight songs. It took me an entire train ride home one night last year to figure out the Eagles fight song.

7. I have no real desire to be pregnant (I know what you're thinking after reading #2 above). I've talked to friends who have struggled to conceive, and at one point I asked one, "Have you considered adoption?" and her reply was, "I just REALLY WANT to be pregnant." It was then that I realized, "I just really DON'T." Why can't the stork come?

8. I also have no desire to go through the process of owning a home. I am lucky that our first home is being sort of "given" to us, and I'm hoping to be there long enough for Operaboy's mom to retire to Rochester and sell us her house for what's left on it. I'm just missing a certain chip, I think.

9. I really wish I could plan another wedding. I don't want to save the money for it, but I have so many great ideas. I should be a wedding planner. Someone hire me.

10. I want to go to culinary school. Or at least some cooking classes at Central Market or something.

11. I think it's ridiculous that we are a society who can fit the entire world into an iPhone, yet people are still dying from cancer.

12. I will probably always nibble at, if not bite, my fingernails.

13. I have recently made a goal of trying to NOT be upset, pissed off, mad, overwhelmed, etc....and I'm working on that by trying to see any situation in a positive light. It's quite possibly the most difficult thing I've ever had to undertake.

14. It is my goal that I will sing a starring or supporting role onstage in 2009. (um...check)

15. I am truly terrified at the sudden rate at which people close to me (or people close to people close to me) are dying now that I'm approaching 30. It can't get any BETTER the older I get. I just wish it hadn't started off with such a bang.

16. I'm actually looking forward to my 10-year High School Reunion.

I don't think I'll tag anyone for this. That was just simply for your enjoyment. :)

Catching Up

Yes, I missed a day yesterday. I officially suck at NaBloPoMo. Though really, it gets tedious to try to post something every day. Wouldn't you rather go a couple of days between reading blogs on a site and have what you DO read be quality stuff, rather than posting just for posting's sake? Yes, I'm trying to get out of taking responsibility for NaBloPoMo FAIL, you got me. :)



But seriously folks, I was NOT a happy camper yesterday. I got to work around 8am as usual, and was just feeling...off. By noon I was on my way home, trying not to yak in the car. I went right to bed and woke up after an hour with a blinding headache, took some Excedrin migraine, and slept til 4:30. Finally felt okay (but sick hungry) when I woke up and throughout most of rehearsal. Yeesh.

And today I feel a lot better but I have been BUSY (which you'd know if you realized that I've had this post up and have been working on it since 8:30 this morning) at work catching up. It's better than being bored I suppose, right? :) Right.

So back to not feeling well...

I seriously don't know what's wrong with me lately. I'm constantly hungry, so maybe I have a tapeworm. I also just feel very blah in general. I think it might be because I've made a somewhat drastic change in my diet recently, and I'm trying to get my body used to life with smaller (read: more appropriate) portions and no Dr. Pepper (except on the weekends...I'm not a machine, people) so therefore very little sugar and caffeiene. I'm hoping that this all balances out in a few days so I can get to feeling normal again (whatever that means).

Okay I've lost all train of thought since I've had to piecemeal this blog together, so I'll be back tomorrow with better stuff, I hope. :)

Happy Thursday!

Teaser Tuesday - 1/13

Teaser Tuesdays: Grab your current read.Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

My Teaser sentences:

Bobby: Amy...marry me.

(pause. "Bobby Baby" underscoring)

Amy: Huh?

From the libretto of "Company," the musical I'm currently working on. Book by George Furth, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

I know. Lame that I used another "Company" Teaser Tuesday...but it's the only thing I have time to read right now. Plus, perhaps if I tease you all with lines from the show, you'll be interested enough to come see it! :)

A memory

I slammed my laptop shut and furiously rubbed my eyes, which were prickling with exhaustion and the beginnings of tears. My heart was racing and my chest felt uncomfortably tight. Whether this was due to anger at his misguided jealousy or the severe lack of sleep I was suffering, I didn't know. I just knew I had to get out of the house. I recognized this feeling immediately, as it was all too familiar over the past several weeks (or had it been months by now?).

As I reached down to tie my sneakers, my exhausted and overworked mind registered a faint greenish tint peeking through the cracks in my curtains. Could it be dawn already? Another night spent at the computer. Another night running the gamut of emotions in this long-distance communication I was stupid enough to call a relationship. I cursed at myself for not getting the sleep I'd promised my best friend I'd get (she'd notice...she always did), grabbed my keys, and quietly left the house before having to deal with any questions from my parents.

On the drive over to the high school football field/track, I realized with dismay that this was becoming a routine: work a double shift waiting tables (working open to close meant that I didn't have any time to sit and think about things, and I was just fine with that), grab a salad between shifts to keep up appearances, drive the long 45-minute commute home, boot up the computer and shower, eat a bowl of cereal while waiting for email to load, and feel a strange mixture of elation and dread when I see his name come up on my messenger list, accompanied by the harsh chime notifier of the first message. The night flies by as we chat about everything and nothing, and before I know it a new day is breaking.

I slammed the car door with more force than was necessary as I made my way to the oval track. It was still early; the sun was barely up and the grass was still wet with dew. It was a relatively cool morning for July in Texas, although the forecast promised baking heat and humidity before mid-day.

I sat down on the track on the faded numbers at the start line and began to stretch my leg muscles. They were shaking from exhaustion and lack of nourishment. How long had it been since I'd slept more than 2 hours in a night? How much longer had it been since I'd eaten a decent meal?

I stood and hopped up and down a couple of times, loving as always the way a track will give, making me feel like I was weightless (oh, if only), and started off. "I wonder how far I can go today," I wondered. "Yesterday it was a full mile and a half before I threw up."

As I began to run, I replayed my conversations with him in my head. It had started out as every other night. We spoke about our day, what we had done and what funny things we had heard on the radio. We spoke about our jobs. I talked about some of my more interesting customers at the restaurant, he spoke of the fires in Colorado and how he and his fellow firemen were working nearly round-the-clock. I worried about him, and told him this. He assured me that he was taking care of himself, and that he constantly thought of me.

Then I stupidly remembered to tell him about something hilarious that had had me and a co-worker in stitches between the morning and afternoon shifts during the day. A male co-worker. Previous conversations with him should have reminded me that I should have left the gender detail out of the story, but things were going so well on this night that I hadn't thought to be careful.

The jealousy was immediate. The doubt, the accusations, the fear that he would lose me since he couldn't be physically with me. I immediately backpedaled, trying desperately to reassure him that he was the only one in my thoughts, every hour of every day. And this was true. I thought about him at the restaurant, I thought about him on the drive to and from work, I thought of him in the shower, and I thought of him in my dreams. Every ounce of every part of me that wasn't physical belonged to him. This concerned those close to me, as they all knew that we had met through an on-line dating service.

Again I begged him to please let me speak to him, to please call me so I could tell him how much he meant to me. He refused, giving me the same excuses which, in retrospect, should have greatly worried me.

Through the haze of my memory, I became vaguely aware of my feet hitting the track more loudly as I thought of this particular argument.

For hours, we went back and forth, until I finally was dissolved into a hiccuping, crying mess and saying that I didn't think this was going to work anymore, this was just too hard. Now it was his turn to backpedal. He was immediately apologetic, begging me to please forgive him. He told me how often he thought of me, how he had my picture taped up right next to his computer so he could imagine I was actually there. He told me how he wanted to touch me, to kiss me, to hold me tightly in his arms and never let me go.

I began to run faster as I remembered this. Years of insecurity about my body attacked me as I started to panic about the first time we would meet (if ever, due to our distance and his job). Would he like what he saw? Would my thighs be too big for him? Would my stomach be flat enough? Would he like that my collar bone was so pronounced (a recent discovery that I was quite proud of)?

He just couldn't. Few men had ever shown this much interest in my physical appearance, so I didn't trust this. I knew that I was intelligent and witty and a good conversationalist, but I couldn't trust that to keep any man I was attracted to so strongly as I was to him.

I ran until I felt my legs turn to jelly. I stopped where I was and fell to my knees, my empty stomach heaving. How far had I run this time? I was too preoccupied with my thoughts to have noticed.

I sat until it began to get hot outside, the Texas humidity beginning to bear down on my weak body. I wiped away the tears and slowly walked back to my car. I managed a small smile at the morning walkers as I passed them, and drove home. I vowed that today would be better.

I showered, considered breakfast before deciding I didn't have time, and dressed for work. I'd need to go shopping again soon; these pants barely stayed around my waist with the belt notched as far over as it would go. I checked my email one last time before leaving and I had only one message. The timestamp showed that it had been sent while I was running. It was short, to the point:

I'll think of you all day.

I sighed and fresh tears of fear and self-loathing filled my eyes as I realized I'd do the same thing.

Feelin' kinda Sunday

Well I feel better today. Yesterday I was just kind of gloomy most of the day, and I don't know why. Today was better, thank goodness.

The Eagles won, thereby increasing my heartburn as they progress through the playoffs. Supposedly everyone after the Giants are much more manageable than the Giants. We'll see. Operaboy keeps saying things like "When the Eagles play/win the Super Bowl..." and I just have to run from the room with my hands over my ears so that I can get to the nearest wooden item on which to knock. Football gives me hives.

Unpacking is progressing along. I've been hanging pictures whilst watching the Golden Globes in a half-assed way (it's only interesting towards the very end when the stars are drunk. Case in point: Dustin Hoffman...whom I'm afraid will any minute now be eaten by a suddenly quite large Emma Thompson). This place is actually starting to look like a home now.

Back into the hornet nest tomorrow (pun intended, for those of you that will get it). Ah, Monday. I'm actually looking forward to another week of rehearsals with some of the most talented people I've ever met.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

We'll be here all week

(photo above taken by and all rights belong to Lynn Michelle)

If we ever go on the road together, this is totally going to be our promotional poster picture. Though it wouldn't really give you a good idea of what our real talents are. This is the poster of a comedy duo or an improv theatre group, not two singers (one of whom is all degree'd up and classically trained). But I love it. It makes me LOL every time I look at it. We look sooooo excited, no?

Yeah there is no point to this blog. I'm only doing it in the spirit of NaBloPoMo, when I am really not feeling great tonight. This Texas weather (75 one day, 40 the next) is kicking my hiney, and I'm just feeling blue overall at the moment.

I hope to be back tomorrow with more better stuff (like news of an Eagles win, perhaps?). Happy Saturday Night!

Testing, 1...2...

Wow. There's nothing like resolving to begin and continue 2009 with being positive to test the Fates, is there?



In the past 24 hours alone I have learned that:

• Someone I respect and admire VERY much was laid off from his job


• A friend via the internets has suffered a devastating miscarriage (is there any other kind?)


• A wonderful friend from HS is in the hospital. I can guess why, but the other friend who told me doesn't feel at liberty to elaborate without my friend's permission (which is frustrating, but which I can completely respect).

It's just...I don't know...really hard to digest sometimes without allowing the stress to overwhelm me. The emotional being that pervades most of the time wants to start to hyperventilate, cry, etc. until things get resolved, but the tinier (yet growing stronger) part of me that sees logic and the power of prayer and calm is slowly making herself a more prominent fixture.

Alone, I can handle these events. When thrown at me BAM BAM BAM without warning, it's a bit harder to comprehend and take a step back from it all and compartmentalize.

I think that the hardest part for me is that every part of me wants to fix things for them. I'm a bleeding heart, and I freely admit that.

So, rather than panicking, I'm blogging, so that the time it takes to type everything out allows time for me to take deep breaths, pause, and lift each one of them and their families up in prayer that God will hold them in His healing hands (whether or not they want Him to) and make their burdens light.

Oops

Well, I already failed at NaBloPoMo...I was out sick yesterday, in bed all day with a migraine, and never got around to posting.

It doesn't count if you miss on account of illness, right? I'll just cheat a little and post this for YESTERDAY. Heh. Yes, I can and will do that.

Back later (after coffee and breakfast) with better stuffs. Happy Friday Thursday! ;)

Playing for Change

Last night when I got home from rehearsal, I checked my email and I had a forwarded email from my best gal pal from college (and also matron of honor at my wedding). She rarely, if ever, forwards things along, but it was soon obvious to me why this was so important to me.

In the body of the email was a link to a YouTube clip. These forwards are always a bit dubious, because in no way can you tell the content of the video from the link itself, and she had only added a smiley face to the body of the email. So, I clicked on it, figuring "what the hell, I'm at home, so if it's inappropriate it's no big deal."

The video was one in what is to be a series of many that will be on a DVD for an organization called Playing For Change. The Mission Statement of Playing for Change is as follows:

The Playing For Change Foundation (PFCF) is dedicated to connecting the world
through music by providing resources (including but not limited to facilities,
supplies, and educational programs) to musicians and their communities around
the world. PFCF supports projects inspired by the communties featured in the
Playing For Change documentary film series.

This video held me spellbound for the entire time (nearly 5 minutes), because I was just so taken with this concept. I am (obviously) a BIG supporter of music education, so it's highly likely that I'll be joining this cause in any way I can (and I'm still looking into the website and reading the blog for ways I can help in my community, even if it's just by a donation).

Just watch this video...I love watching musicians, and I love watching even the filmmakers when the camera pans to them, as they are so obviously enjoying what they do. I truly think the world can and will be a better place, and what better way to unite people than through music -- a universal language? Enjoy:

Teaser Tuesday - 1/6

Teaser Tuesdays: Grab your current read.Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

My Teaser sentences:

Paul: Amy, after all these years, don't you know we fit?

Amy: The higher you go, the harder you hurt when you fall.

From the libretto of "Company," the musical I'm currently working on. Book by George Furth, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

2008: A Survey

I'm not feeling very inspired, but as I'm supposed to blog every day for NaBloPoMo, I'll cheat today and do a survey.

Where did you begin 2008?
At Dana's apartment in Brookline, MA. We left immediately after midnight b/c I'd been so sick.

What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Engaged, deciding to move back to Texas.

Were you in school (anytime this year)?
I was not.

Did you have to go to the hospital?
Only to visit people, which sucked.

Did you have any encounters with the police?
Just the one douchebag that pulled us over on Rte 1 and was a complete JERK.

Where did you go on vacation?
Well, we went to Disney World on our Honeymoon.

What did you purchase that was over $500?
A wedding.

Did you know anybody who got married?
SEVERAL: myself, my brother, and my Knotties of course.

Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes. :(

Did you move anywhere?
To Texas from Boston

What sporting events did you attend?
We went to a Cowboys/Eagles Monday Night Football game back in September.

What concerts/shows did you go to?
I don't think any, other than what we performed in. We were saving money like crazy.

Where do you live now?
Texas

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
Got a house.

What has/have been your favorite moment(s)?
Getting married. :)

What's something you learned about yourself?
That I'm able to find a positive in (almost) any situation. It makes the day-to-day crap much easier to bear.

Any new additions to your family?
I gained a sister-in-law when my brother got married, and a whole new set of in-laws when I got married.

What was your best month?
September

What music will you remember 2008 by?
The songs I picked for my wedding DVD.

Any regrets?
Not ONE.

What do you want to change in 2009?
I want to spend more time on the stage, and I want to of course be healthier. Continue to work on my marriage, and continue with the difficult task of being a positive person most, if not all, the time.

Overall, how would you rate(or award) this year?
Probably the best year of my life so far.

What would you change about 2008?
I would have more money. I know it's not important, but it sure eases the stress.

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Working.

Change your hairstyle?
Nope. It just keeps growing.

Get a new job?
Yes I did! I started in October.

Do you have a New Year's resolution?
See a few questions up...

Did anything embarrassing?
Oh, a few. :)

What was/were your favorite purchase[s]?
Wedding and honeymoon (they count!)

Get married or divorced?
Yes, I got married (duh).

Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Occasionally...not with as much regularity as I have in other seasons.

Did you get sick this year?
YES! Bronchitis knocked me on my ass in January/February.

Start a new hobby?
Working on the house, I guess.

Been snowboarding?
No thank you.

Are you happy to see 2008 go?
In some ways, because it's no use looking backward. But it was a wonderful year.

Drank Starbucks in 2008?
Um, really? Of course.

What are you wishing for in 2009?
A healthy family. That's all. I feel too blessed to ask for more!

E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!

I almost hate it when they win a playoff game. Because then I just get my hopes up, when in all likelihood they will lose next week to the Giants.

But that Brian Westbrook touchdown had me jumping up and down and screaming because ZOMG The OFFENSE actually scored?! It's about freaking time.

So...we live to fight another day (next Sunday, to be exact).

Have I mentioned that I love Brian Westbrook? Yeah.

Babies, babies, babies...

It seems like EVERYONE I know is either pregnant or has just had a baby. I don't know what's in the water around here, exactly, but I'm staying away from it as long as I can!! Don't get me wrong... I LOVE babies, and I do plan to have one or more of my own some day. Also, I've got a little baby cough...nowhere near bad enough to be called baby "fever" yet, but it's there. I'm just not quite ready yet! We've only been married for four months, and we've got our hands full with the Operahaus.

However, when I see gorgeous gals like my friend Jessica (the obviously pregnant beauty in red in the pictures above), I get very sentimental and can almost hear my biological clock give out a few feeble ticks.

This afternoon was SO much fun, and I'm incredibly happy for Jessica and Jason. I have known them both since first grade, and they both were in my graduating class, along with Jessica's twin sister, Jodi (pictured on the other side of Jessica in the first picture), so it was really surreal to see her so far along in her pregnancy today. This was the same girl with whom I would slide down the slides with on the playground in first grade, while we both wore her big pink puffy coat (we'd put one arm in the sleeve closest to us, and wrap our inside arms around each other and zip the thing up before going down. It was great fun!).

So in the spirit of January's NaBloPoMo theme, "Change," I'm sitting here with a few tears pricking the backs of my eyes as I upload these pictures and reflect on how much time has passed and all the wonderful changes we can look forward to as adults...and how blessed I am to have known them for so long.

Congratulations to my dear friends. I can't wait to be Aunt Operawife to baby Ethan next month!

Guh.

Yes, that's how articulate I'm feeling right now: guh.

I'm EXHAUSTED! Suddenly it's almost 8pm? Where has the day gone? Oh yeah...woke up early, FiOS people came out (one of whom was a total dreamboat, btw...my mom and I were lovin' that), went to Home Depot twice, fought with the showerhead for about a half an hour, cleaned the refrigerator for what just might be the first time in 20 years, etc. etc. etc...

But we're here!!!! As of last night, we are officially inhabitants of the Operahaus. I do have more pictures, I just don't have the energy to upload them right now. And Operaboy is telling me that we have to go grocery shopping tonight (no! noooooooooo!!!!!!).

Tomorrow on the docket? Baby shower for a dear friend from High School (what, we're having BABIES now?? Geez) and continuing the unpacking process.

I hope the 2nd day of 2009 was fun for everyone...I'm gonna go crash on the couch until Operaboy peels me off to go shopping...

Happy New Year!

A very Happy First Day of 2009 to you all! Are you hungover?? :) I am a tiny bit, but more than that I'm SORE. We were at Big Brother's last night, and we thought it'd be fun (and funny) to box each other on my niece's Wii. Now, let it be known that I'm no pixie, but I am only 5'3, and Big Brother is 6'2" and weighs about 300lbs. I just simply wore myself out before he did, though I did manage to knock him down (figuratively speaking) at least once.

Ugh, my arms and upper body are KILLING me! What a great workout. :)

So, in other news...

Today is MOVING DAY! Yes, soon I will shut off the computer and make the move from the parents' house into the Operahaus. I could not be more ready. New year, new (old) house. :)

Also....

I've decided to attempt the January NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month). The theme is "Change," though I can't promise that every day will stick to the theme. The deal is, you have to blog at least once every day during the month. I've never been able to do this before, but what the hell. I'll try for the first month of 2009 and see how we go. :)

If you'd like to try it yourself, just click on the typewriter in my sidebar!

Okay well Operaboy just got out of the shower, and my parents are starting to move things around me. I give it about 5 minutes before they actually lift me in my chair and take me out to the truck.

So this is Operawife signing off until at least tomorrow!

Happy News Year!