Denny's and Braids

Cherish here!

Well guys and dolls, tonight was a combination of fantastic and melancholy. It kept hitting me that this was my last trip to Denny's with a cast. That we've got four more performances until our show is over. That I may never see some of these people again. On the other hand, I have literally never had a better time out with a cast. I laughed so much I thought I was going to throw up. If you look at my Twitter over there on your right...yeah. It was a good night. (Also the show went well, but that's the less important thing.) I've realized that there are people I will miss more than others. I know several of the cast members I will keep seeing because we're outside of drama friends, but there are people in the cast who I absolutely adore and know I will probably hardly ever see again. That's no bueno. We've all become so close and so tight-knit. I don't like to think about after the show when we don't have a reason to jam out to Celtic Thunder or get into tickle fights that I always win because I'm not ticklish. I'm just going to miss this cast so much. I wish that I had the opportunity to know these beautiful people longer and that we weren't all about to go our separate ways.
Also, remember how I said it was Hell Week? I'm renaming it Hell-On-Your-Voice Week. My voice is on the brink of giving out completely, I'm popping cough drops like illegally obtained painkillers. Tomorrow we have two shows, one at seven and one at ten and I have to volunteer beforehand at VoA. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. We'll make it through this and then be horribly sad it's over.
In totally unrelated news, I got hit on today. Even though my hair was in my crazy Logainne braids and I wasn't wearing a low cut shirt. It must be this sexy face of mine. That's all.
I'm falling asleep. I'll write more eventually. Maybe not until Sunday. It's busy times, guys and dolls! Get some sleep!

Cherish out!

Opening Night and Hell Week

Cherish here!

Well fillies and gentlecolts, yesterday was very hectic. We had two shows, a student showing and our senior citizens matinee. It was so much fun though! The students really enjoyed the show (they tried to eat Mikko when he started throwing candy) and they spend the whole day talking about how funny it was. Walking around on the high school campus between shows was weird, people I'd never seen recognized me and told me I did well and that the show was great. Good times were definitely had.
The senior matinee surprised me. I was positive that the seniors wouldn't enjoy the show. It's not classic broadway style, it's not the Wizard of Oz or something they are familiar with, and it's kind of crude in places. But they responded to it, we got a lot of applause during the run and when we met with them for dinner afterwards we got nothing but positive feedback. They're very sweet. A lot of them have been coming to see the shows for several years.
Anyway, today was opening night! We had an audience of only about thirty people. That was a bummer. People don't know what they're missing out on, because no one has heard of this show, but it's so funny! Oh well. It went well, those thirty people liked it. One of them was a Fifth Avenue judge. I hope she liked it. We do what we can with what we have. The Marysville school district is not much interested in its students, let alone the arts. Opening night went well. Did I mention that? I hit notes really well in my parts. There was only one part that was really iffy. It's sad that we finally start performing and that means that the show is coming to an end. I'm going to miss this show so much more than any other. It's sad and scary to think that this was my last opening night with MP drama. Who knows when I'll be in another show. I'm thinking about auditioning for the summer independent production of Urinetown at Village Theater's Kidstage. We'll see.
In an almost unrelated note, school is terrible. Well, school isn't terrible, but balancing school and this musical and getting everything in order to start my new job has been terrible. I'm behind in classes for sure. This week isn't called hell week for nothing. And I should be doing homework right now. Am I? No. I'm here, writing this for the four of you. Or maybe I should be sleeping. I'm very tired. And I need to rest my voice. And I have class in the morning. Oh goodness. Good night!

Cherish out!

Running and Princesses

Cherish here!

"Pain is weakness leaving the body."

I never understood that saying until today, I guess. It's just something that really fit people say in movies to motivate the person they're piling weights on top of. At least, that's what it is inside my head. But today I went for a run and afterwards my calves hurt; not sore but not throbbing pain either, an unfamiliar pain. While I was sitting on the couch doing homework and thinking about this feeling in my legs the quote above came to mind. And I wondered if perhaps that's what I was feeling. It was nice. I've been feeling really good since I've started running daily. I don't go to the college regularly enough to establish a good work out schedule, so this is my way of making up for it. It has not been a failure. Sure, my mile time is somewhere between twelve and thirteen minutes on average and I'm not proud of that, but I'm making an effort to better that and better myself, which I am proud of.

Also, today we completed day two of Hell Week. It was not as satisfying as I'd hoped. People didn't laugh as much and didn't clap as much as I expected, but maybe it's just me. I don't like being a more serious character in a show where there are funny roles. Also, one day I intend to play a princess or something where I can dress up and actually look cute. Instead of looking like a deranged child being eaten by the American flag. Or a lion. Anyway, I'm hopeful that tomorrow's (or I guess now today's) showings go better. And really I should get to sleep because call is in five hours and twenty minutes. Oh dear. Good night, dear readers. I hope this finds you well. Also, I secretly think this picture of me is adorable.

Cherish out!

Neil deGrasse Tyson and Exhaustion

Cherish here!


"The Bible [to learn that it's easier to be told by others what to think and believe than it is to think for yourself]; The System of the World (Newton) [to learn that the universe is a knowable place]; On the Origin of Species (Darwin) [to learn of our kinship with all other life on Earth]; Gulliver's Travels (Swift) [to learn, among other satirical lessons, that most of the time humans are Yahoos]; The Age of Reason (Paine) [to learn how the power of rational thought is the primary source of freedom in the world]; The Wealth of Nations (Smith) [to learn that capitalism is an economy of greed, a force of nature unto itself]; The Art of War (Sun Tsu) [to learn that the act of killing fellow humans can be raised to an art]; The Prince (Machiavelli) [to learn that people not in power will do all they can to acquire it, and people in power will do all they can to keep it]. If you read all of the above works you will glean profound insight into most of what has driven the history of the western world." 
     Neil deGrasse Tyson


Cats and kittens, I found my summer reading list! And it's a heavy one. And also I wish to read several of Mr. Tyson's books. He's my hero, hands down. I'm so inspired by everything he represents, by the spirit of scientific curiosity, by the way he makes astrophysics almost comprehensible, by the poetic way he describes the universe. I suppose you don't know this, but the idea of the universe is incredibly heartening to me. The idea that I am made up of elements that were born in the births and deaths of stars, that the atoms inside me once made up dinosaurs, and that we are all connected to the universe in one glorious cycle, not just passersby on a planet, here one day and gone the next. It's how I inspire myself now. Afraid to do something? Don't be. Stars are burning inside of you, dinosaurs are roaring through your veins, the drums of your ancestors are beating in your heart. Does the trick every time. Also, when I listen to his books while running (I've found the only use possible for audio books) it takes my mind off of how much running sucks and instead fills it with the universe. I like that. I like that a lot.
In other news, my show opens in two days! But we have a small audience tonight and two shows tomorrow, one for senior citizens and one for the high school. Also, I'm a master at run-on sentences. It's a busy week ahead. We call it "Hell Week" because it's nonstop performances. Let me break it down for you. 

Monday - Dress rehearsal. 

Tuesday - Final dress rehearsal with cheap friends in the audience. 

Wednesday - Senior Citizens Matinee/During school showing. 

Thursday - Opening night. Friday - Performance. 

Saturday - Performance/Special late night showing. 

Sunday - Sleep

Check out our pre-bee show!

Yeah, wish me a broken leg! Busy week ahead. On top of school and now, potentially work. Hopefully I don't have to start work until the week after the show closes. That would be ideal. And prom is next weekend. But you know what? After next week I'm going to be at a loss as to how to spend my time. I also won't have an excuse to miss photography anymore. Boo. 

Anyway guys, I don't know about you, but I'm feeling great. The sunny weather just left so it's a beautiful and rainy day, just the way I like 'em. And graduation is almost upon us! It's scary and wonderful to think that high school is almost completely over and that I'm thiiiiiiiiiiis close to being a happy little Redhawk at Seattle University! Actually, the more I think about it the more I can't wait. Be well, readers! 

Cherish out!

Documentaries and Star Trek

Cherish here!

I hope you're all having nice evenings/early mornings! Well, all four of you who read this thing. And you know what? You guys are great! And I'm watching the Big Bang Theory, which is probably my third favorite TV show (after Star Trek and My Little Pony:Friendship is Magic). Possibly because I would date Sheldon so hard. I would very much like a man who I could talk to about Star Trek hardcore and science and play video games with.

Anyway, our lock-in for the spring musical was on friday. It was probably my best drama experience. The cast of this show is so tight knit and so fantastic. The entire time (which was considerable, 2:15-12:00) I didn't want to be anywhere else. That's pretty crazy, because usually I don't like to be around a group of people for so long. We had two run-throughs of the show and we watched a recording of it from a previous night, which really reassured me because I'd had doubts about opening night which are definitely gone now. Of course, on the second run-through we saw Jesus with his beard for the first time and that threw off the rest of the show. I couldn't stop crying with laughter long enough to get my lines out, and I wasn't the only one. A note for everyone, you can't sing and laugh at the same time. You can't simply cannot do it.

All of it was fantastic, however, I love being with these kids! Although it isn't as fun a show to perform, it's been so much more fun to create and build than the Wizard of Oz was. I've had such a beautiful time with them every day. I don't think I could describe the experience adequately. We went through the show once. We ate. We raided ASB's poster supplies and created some beautiful posters, as you can see above and below. Then we ate some more and ran through the show again. Which would be where we lost it and laughed for an hour straight. It does make me worry about our late night showing. It's obvious that we don't function so well at night. And our show is funny. Like, really funny. Especially with audience volunteers getting all up in there. It's hard for us not to laugh. Fortunately some of our characters can enjoy themselves. But Khalina, who plays Marcy Park? She can't even crack a smile. Poor smiley little thing.

Honestly though, my favorite part about drama I think is my relationship with Mikko. He'll probably never see this, but ever since we met we've been at odds with each other over one very important thing. It's an argument I've enjoyed for two years, even though neither one of us can win, despite my being right. Star Trek is better than Star Wars. He disagrees, but he's wrong.  And that's ok. I enjoy it. The entire cast is split about this, the director is constantly dragged in. And when it comes to posters, he definitely had to take my side. I mean, do you see Mikko's Star Wars poster?
I'm just so happy with where I am right now. All of the pieces are falling into place. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to go to Seattle University because of the costs, but I've gotten enough scholarship/grant money to not have to take out a ridiculous amount of student loans. And my show is approaching an end, but it's coming together so well. And I got the job at McDonald's. I'm a little embarrassed to be working there, but money is money and college is expensive. Orientation is on monday. I always imagined it would take longer to find a job, like I would interview and not get called for a week. Certainly not that day.
Lastly, I watched the documentary African Cats, and it's a beautiful film. And horribly sad, I'm not ashamed to say I cried. I don't understand how they can film things like this, and film them so well.
Anyway, have a wonderful night/morning everyone! Have a wonderful day!

Cherish out!

Musicals and Happy Days

Cherish here!

"Our story is the story of the universe. Every piece of everyone, of everything you love and everything you ate, of the thing you hold most precious, was assembled by the forces of nature in the first few minutes of the life of the universe, transformed in the hearts of stars or created in their fiery deaths. And when you die, those pieces will be returned to the universe in the endless cycle of death and rebirth. What a wonderful thing it is to be a part of that universe. What a story, what a majestic story."
-Brian Cox

Once upon a time I was good at this blogging thing and remembered to do it. Now? Not so much. Of course, I'm a busy bee so you can't really blame me.
(The past doesn't really matter, but if you were wondering I went to state for diving. And survived a chemistry class. Shoot, I destroyed that class with a solid B. And I'm in a musical right now!)
Here's the big news though! Wait for it...

I AM GOING TO SEATTLE UNIVERSITY THIS FALL!!!


Honestly, I don't know how everyone who got into the college they wanted to isn't freaking out. Because I'm still freaking out and I found out in December. It's building!

Oh yes. I'm going to be a Redhawk! (Red and black have been my school colors since middle school) I'm in the Humanities for Leadership program, which only takes about twenty people a year, so that's really exciting!  And the plan right now is to dual degree in Environmental Science. Guys! I'm going to be a scientist! How wonderful!And unexpected. I always thought I would end up studying English and writing a book. Now I'm planning a life of adventure and debt. Private schools are expensive.

Also, I'm in a musical right now! The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! Don't feel bad if you've never heard of it, it's not a super popular show. It's basically a bunch of adults playing socially awkward children. I'm playing Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, a fifth-grader with a lisp, two mothers, and serious political ambitions. It's really fun! We open next week, and I'm a little nervous. But we'll be fine of course. I'm sad to see us drawing so close to the end of our run, I always wish we could perform longer than two weeks after months of rehearsing and falling in love with my cast members. Tomorrow is our lock-in! We rehearse from 2:15 to midnight! And we eat and play games and have wonderful fun times! Hopefully. Last year's lock-in was my worst experience with drama. However, we have such a tight-knit cast, I think this year will actually be fun. And we had someone come in and talk to us about Village Theatre's independent summer production and I'm thinking I just might audition for it. They're doing Urinetown. I think I want some experience with a real show (no offense MP) before deciding if I would like to continue with drama in college? Did I mention I get to dress up like an American flag? "Subtly", of course. AND! The director of the BAHL program at SU is planning on coming to see the show! That is going above and beyond, let me tell you. Guys! I'm so excited!
On top of everything else I have an interview tomorrow! It's at McDonalds, which I'm kind of embarrassed about. Honestly though, I don't even remember applying and with SU in my future a job is a job and I need the money. Also then I can buy myself fun things! Although off the top of my head I can't think of anything I desperately need.
Did I mention I'm going to Seattle University?!
Cherish out!