I’m having a hard time focusing on anything tonight.
I’m tired, but I know I won’t be able to sleep.
I’m watching Ghost Hunters, hoping that it will relax me.
Then I’m taking a nice warm bath, which will hopefully relax me more.
Then I’m going to lay in bed, but I probably won’t fall asleep for a long time.
So, I’ll watch Christmas TV episodes (last night, I got halfway through Family Guy, so I’ll start there).
There’s a big black bag hanging from my doorknob. It’s filled with nice black clothes.
There are a bunch of centerpieces and whatnot sitting on the floor by the kitchen.
There’s a big relish tray in the fridge.
I should probably shave before bed.
There are tickets to In the Heights, The Museum of Modern Art’s Tim Burton exhibit, and other surprises that Lauren doesn’t know about.
There’s a blu-ray that needs to go in the mail to be returned to Blockbuster while I’m gone. (It’s Batman, in case you were wondering. I was blown away by how the 20 year old movie looked. Bravo, Warner Brothers.)
The tree has several gifts under it, but only a couple are Christmas presents.
There are two industrial coffee makers on the floor that Amber Kaye bought for the hot chocolate. God bless Amber Kaye.
I keep getting messages asking if I’m nervous. I’m not. Should I be?
Maybe Ghost Hunters wasn’t a good idea. I’m getting a little tense. It’s actually kind of creepy for once.
I’ve really gotten to see who my real friends are lately.
My apartment smells INCREDIBLE because of the cinnamon ornaments we made.
School starts in less than 12 hours. While I'm glad that it didn't start when Utah school districts start for the first time in ages, giving me an extra week, I'm still not excited. I should be. I have classes with all of my favorite teachers in the theatre department. Most of my classes this semester are fun classes and not required. It's my final senior year, meaning after two more semesters, I'm DONE. I should be stoked, right? But I'm not. Oh, well. Even though it was way too short, I had a GREAT summer. In honor of this, I decided to create a blog to award some moments of the summer and give them due respect. Drumroll, please...
Best Personal Theatrical Experience: The first full run-through of Saturday's Warrior/The White Star. I really teared up when Jimmy reformed and saw Pam at the end of the show. Other than one little issue I had to deal with, working on the show was an incredible experience. I would give my right eye to work with Matt Neves again, and I would cast pretty much the entire cast any chance I could get. There was such an amazing atmosphere (which I credit to the Spirit, but that's another blog in and of itself) that I've never experienced working on another show. I secretly hope that I get asked to do the show again next year.
Best Professional Theatrical Experience: In the Heights. Holy freaking crap. Loved every minute of it. And I not only teared up, but for the first time ever, I CRIED at a show. Very moving. From the moment "Atencion" began to the moment "Everything I Know" ended, I had tears streaming down my face. I really was the ultimate fanboy after the show. Brilliant theatre.
Favorite Music: In the Heights, OneRepublic
Favorite TV: Mad Men, Fear Itself, Psych (the 80s prom episode was one of the best episodes of any show ever), The Soup
Favorite Movies: As if it wasn't obvious, The Dark Knight. I really loved WALL-E, though, and I quite enjoyed The X-Files: I Want To Believe.
Favorite Activities: Hooters & The Dark Knight with Emily, Matt, and Melinda; relaxing bbq with Taryn, Megan, Taven, and Holly; meeting Ashley Brown after Mary Poppins; catching a ghost on film in the form of an orb at the Winchester Mystery House
Best Personal Achievements: Teaching the advanced acting workshop for youth theatre and seeing the progression in some of the kids - I may not be the best actor, but dang, I can coach kids in it; Various cleaning projects - I've never had such clean and organized living space; rewriting the majority of the vocal parts in Saturday's Warrior/The White Star - I had a blast, and I was really proud of how they turned out, especially when I was told that Janice Kapp Perry was pleased with what I had done with WS
Best Purchases/Gifts: Batman lunchbox, license plate, and keychain from Teri & Bristol, new iPod, new car, New York souvenirs (especially my 30+ scripts that I bought from The Drama Book Shop)
That's about it for now. I may come back and add some more stuff if I remember something. It's late, afterall, I'm dead tired, and I've got school in the morning. UGH!!!!
So, I went to New York last week. Apparently, I wasn't very good about telling people I was doing this, because every other person I've said something to about the trip since I've returned has said "You went to New York?"
Oh, well. It's not like I've blogged about it a lot or anything (some of the people supposedly read my blog, ahem). In any event, I had fun, and it was a welcome vacation.
Here's a rundown of the trip:
Tuesday, July 8: Got up bright and early and went to the airport, where we spent approximately an eternity sitting around. God bless the fact that we have to always be extra early to make sure we can clear security. Oh, well. I got to spend time at the airport with my BFF (Forever), Sara. Then I got to sit by Laura on the plane.
We flew to Houston, where our connecting flight was delayed an hour. Joy.
We landed late in NY, where we met our bus driver who took us to our hotel. We passed Central Park and John Lennon's apartment. That was cool.
After checking in, we met with the part-owner of our tour agency, Ed. He reminded me of an older, slightly less flamboyant Jim Brickman. Points to you if you even know who Jim Brickman is.
Then, I went to bed.
Wednesday, July 9: Went to Rockefeller Center for the Top of the Rock tour. It wasn't all that spectacular.
Then a small group of us went to the Stardust Diner, which is where Jonathan Larson worked while he was writing Rent. It was really fun. I dig kitzsch. It was a little over-priced (I paid over $20 for a club sandwich, a non-refillable cup of Pepsi, and some fries), but the atmosphere was cool.
After lunch, Laura and I walked up Broadway because we had tickets to the matinee of South Pacific at Lincoln Center. I remembered that the LDS Church was across the street from Lincoln Center, and I had heard that the temple was now in the same building (it was just a church when I was there 9 years ago). We were curious, and we had some extra time, so we went there. When we were almost there, Laura stopped and asked some guy if he knew were the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was. He said "You mean the Momo temple? It's right across the street!" I chortled, and he said "I was just tryin' to say it the way they do."
We went in the front door, and apparently the temple was to the left, and the church was to the right. A HUGE security guard with tattoos all over his arms told us that we couldn't go into the church because it was under construction. He recommended that we peeked into the temple, though, just to see the stained glass. He was very firm, though, and told us we were not allowed to go past the desk. I said "I've got a recommend. I can go past the desk if I want!" (He was kind of short with us, and he deserved that.)
We peeked in the door, and met some nice temple workers. A woman told us that the temple was designed so that you couldn't hear a single thing outside in the city while you're inside. If we had been dressed better, we probably would have gone in to do some initiatories or something. Oh, well. Next trip...
After our temple stop, we went to Lincoln Center and relaxed until the show started. It was SO dang hot, and the humidity was unbearable. It was nice to just sit on the steps in the theatre and cooldown.
The show was INCREDIBLE. I was almost in tears. I probably would have been if it hadn't been for the stupid old people sitting behind me who talked and sang along through the whole second act. Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot were brilliant as Nellie and Emil. It was nice to see the show cast accurately, and to have it focus on the story.
After South Pacific, we walked back to the hotel, relaxed a bit, and then went to The Lion King. I didn't much care for it. It was all about spectacle, and there was no heart. And most of the new songs that were added for the stage were downright AWFUL. However, after the show, we got a backstage tour from one of the stage managers. Totally made it worth the show. Seeing the puppets and costumes up close was great. We also had free reign to take whatever pictures we wanted.
Thursday, July 10: Started the day with a musical theatre workshop. Ed was the music director, and I didn't like him as an MD at all. Maybe I'm spoiled because the only MD I ever work with anymore is myself, but he was really harsh, and he taught the song by rote. Rote is okay - WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH CHILDREN WHO CAN'T READ, and it would have been tolerable - IF HE COULD SING LOUDER THAN THE PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT HE WAS PLAYING. The director/choreographer who worked with us was cool, though. I really liked the way she worked with everyone's abilities. She gave me some ideas for my own musical theatre classes.
After two hours of musical theatre, someone had the brilliant idea to plan a walking tour all over the city. BLAH. I was sick that morning, btw, and shouldn't have done the workshop. I had a nasty cold, and it peaked while I was trying to dance. (Yes, I danced. A little. Laugh it up.)
We took a bus to 5th Avenue, and then were given 45 minutes to eat. Some of us went to the cafeteria in Trump Tower. I had a seafood wrap that was really good. Seriously. Even though it gave me seafood burps the rest of the day.
After we ate, we went exploring in Tiffany's, where I found out A) they don't serve breakfast, and B) you're not allowed to take pictures. At least I got one shot of the inside and a shot of myself outside looking in the window, a la Holly Golightly. I couldn't find a danish, so I settled for mint mojito gum.
Next, our walking tour officially commenced. We heading down 5th, and went into St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was interesting, but I was tuned out as soon as I realized that all of their depictions of Christ look like zombies, especially the mosaic, which I dubbed Zombie Jesus (and was told I was sacreligious for doing so). I have a testimony of the resurrection, but I do NOT think Christ came back looking like He stepped out of Night of the Living Dead.
After 5th Avenue, we headed to Greenwich Village (which had absolutely NOTHING of note) and SoHo. We were given 90 minutes to kill in SoHo, which sucked. There's nothing there but clothes shopping, pretty much. Some of us just chilled at a cafe eating watermelon (which was warm).
As the hellish day came to a close, we were magically taken away from it by In the Heights. I've never actually cried in a show. I've teared up many times (ie, South Pacific) but never actually cried. In the Heights was so amazing that I connected more than I ever have in a show. During a major plot point in the second act, I lost it. I had tears streaming down my face. When it was over, I felt cheated. I wanted it to go on forever. After the show, I was a fanboy, and a bunch of us went to the stagedoor to meet the cast.
Friday, July 11: Slept in. No stupid tours for me today.
A group of us went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was really cool. Best part: superhero costume exhibit. I saw movie costumes from Spider-Man, Iron Man, Batman Returns, etc. My favorite, which I actually broke the rules and snuck a picture of, was a batsuit from The Dark Knight. Couldn't help it. It was like a treat from God for being a good boy lately. (did I mention that I didn't go to ANY naughty shows?)
After the Met, we went to Chinatown, which bored me, and then Little Italy for a dinner. Garlic bread made with olive oil instead of butter = happy Jeremy.
After that, Laura and I went to Mary Poppins. Laura hated it, I liked it. A whole lot. Especially because I've been in love with the voice of Ashley Brown for three years, and I got to see her perform the title role. THEN! After the show, I was even more fanboy at the stage door. In the picture Laura took of me waiting for an autograph, I look like a little boy on Christmas morning. Then, I met Ashley, and Laura told her I was in love with her and wanted to marry her. She looked at me like I was a rapist, but she was still nice enough to take a picture with me (she even put her arm around me!!!) At first, Laura messed up the picture, and started to put the camera down while the flash was still going off, but I grabbed Ashley tighter so Laura could get another picture.
Saturday, July 12: Improv workshop. Nothing earth-shattering. Almost everything we did, we've done in Chris Clark's class.
THEN! I died and went to heaven. Heaven = The Drama Bookstore I bought 37 scripts. They make me happy.
After that, Laura and I went to Wicked, which I have described as the Die Hard of musical theatre. Not a whole lot of substance, just shoot 'em up action. Spectacle, spectacle, spectacle. The singing was great, the music itself was great, the rest....eh.
Then, we got real NYC pizza. It was amazing. Pizza is one of my favorite things in the world, and eating it after watching real, genuine Italians making it was sacred.
That night, we went to The 39 Steps, which was brilliant. They took the old Hitchcock movie, and without really changing the dialogue, they turned it into a farce. It reminded me of what I did with The Monkey's Paw for my directing class, only obviously much better. There were only 4 actors: the lead, the female who played 3 roles, and two guys that played about 15 roles a piece. INCREDIBLE.
After the show, some of us went on a quest to find ice cream. You'd think it would be easy to find in Manhattan, but you'd be wrong. We finally settled for frozen yogurt in a deli. Then I went back and packed.
Sunday, July 13: Seminar with Andrea Burns. She played Daniela in In the Heights, and more importantly for me, she was in the original cast of Songs for a New World. She was really cool, and she answered every question we had for her.
Then we had a little time to kill, so some of us went and got Sunday dinner at the pizza place. I HAD to have it one more time.
Our flight to Houston sat on the runway for at least an hour, and yet we made it to Houston on time. However, the flight from Houston to Salt Lake was delayed by 45 minutes or so. I'm officially anti-Continental Airlines.
So, that was my fun trip.
Things that I got to do in NY for the first time: Ride the subway Eat real NYC pizza Eat real Italian food Buy a Batman belt buckle in Chinatown See two shows in one day - twice!! Sing "Santa Fe" from Rent on the subway Sing "Moon River" in front of Tiffany's Laugh so hard I couldn't breathe because Jacob got picked up on by middle-aged businessmen
Things that I still need to do in NY: Session in the Manhattan temple See a taping of SNL Take the NBC Studio Tour Join in an impromptu sing along with a street performer Go to Zabar's!!! Go to the Seinfeld diner
To magically have a few minutes to see some of my friends who live in New York.
To get Charlie Brown done. (I still love it, I'm just starting to struggle with focus.)
Even more time to see friends. It's been a month since I started having "free time" and I still haven't seen the majority of the people I wanted to.
To see WALL-E at least 4 more times this summer.
For Pierce Brosnan to never, ever, EVER sing again.
For Colin Firth to never, ever, EVER sing again.
For Stellan Skarsgard to never, ever, EVER sing again. Okay, actually, when he's being humorous, I'm okay with it. But not serious singing.
To find out that when the movie of Mamma Mia! comes out, they will have redubbed the singing voices of the leading men so they don't sound as gosh-awful as the soundtrack.
...for this moment in time. If you can provide any of these things, please do. And God bless you.
A no homework guarantee for the rest of the summer semester. It's all stinking busywork. I hate it. If it was stuff I didn't already know how to do, I wouldn't mind.
A good role in a good play at a good theatre. With an awesome director.
A good makeout session with any (or all) of the following: Kelly Clarkson, Reese Witherspoon, Jenna Fischer, Alicia Silverstone, Emily VanCamp, Elizabeth Mitchell, Evangeline Lilly, Yunjin Kim, and oddly enough, Kristen Wiig.
Songs by the following artists for Rock Band: The Beatles, Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, The Rembrandts, The Fray, Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, and Dashboard Confessional.
A Batman trailer hitch plug.
More free nights.
Motivation to write.
More time in New York in July.
Better seats for South Pacific. So I can actually see Kelli O'Hara.
To meet Kelli O'Hara after South Pacific.
Time/desire to read more.
More time for a social life.
An orchestra score to follow me wherever I go. Complete with motifs based on the people I see on a regular basis.
A greenhouse full of plants with googly eyes.
I think that's it for now. I may add things as I see fit.
I was going to try to post a positive blog every night this week, but so far, this week hasn't been too wonderful. So, I'm going to post to remind myself all the things I'm thankful for. Be careful, though. Some of them are really things I'm bugged about but masquerading as things I'm thankful for.
Tonight, I'm thankful for:
Queer Eye. I'm about to start watching the final episode, and I know I'm going to tear up. I've loved this show from the beginning, and it always makes me happy when I'm pissed off. It's a good thing I've been recording it for Teri, who doesn't have Bravo. I'm going to copy the discs before I give them to her. Also, on tonight's episodes, they've made references to both Punky Brewster and Amy Grant. Nice.
Great theatre. I've been reading scripts like crazy the last two weeks to find scenes for my directing class. I'm obsessed with Take Me Out, The History Boys, and The Guys. I ended up picking Take Me Out for my scene. The Guys was my first choice, but since I was one of two people in the entire class (of a whopping six) that prepared more than one option like we were supposed to, I had to switch to a scene with three people. I got all of my first choices for casting, though, so that's good.
Stupid horror movies. There have been TONS on TV this month. The best way to watch stupid old horror movies is edited for TV. I watched Children of the Corn 2 last week, and loved it. I have probably 10 more to watch on my DVR, but I've been too busy. I've decided that I'm going to be brave and get through Hellraiser for the first time this year. In the past, it's made me feel too creepy to get through it, but by gosh, I WILL make it through.
Nieces and nephews. Gosh, I love those kids -- even the ones whose parents I don't always get along with. I've had fun watching scary movies with them in the few spare hours I've had this month. I'm crashing tomorrow night and hanging out with them all evening.
Non-blood nieces and nephews. I love my friends' kids. Bristol talked to me on the phone tonight and was SO excited that he gets to come trick-or-treating to my house tomorrow. And he promised he'd hug me, and then he told me he loved me. It was adorable. After seeing him for a minute last night, it got me thinking about how much I miss seeing Julie's and Wendy's kids. What kind of goshfather am I when I let school get in the way of my duties?
Shrimp Fajitas. Enough said.
Friends. I got to spend Sunday evening with the Pollocks, the Broadbents, Kimber, and Stephanie. It was great. I made incredible clam chowder, too. Then last night, Teri and Quincy came to my show, so I got to see them.
Nights off of my show. First Sunday, now Halloween! Even though the problems I had been having have pretty much completely disappeared and parties involved are acting like they never happened...I still am not enjoying the show. Tonight, we had a surprise photo call. I should have been home by 10, but instead, I got to stay for an extra hour. Guh. If this were professional theatre, I would have been breathing down the Equity deputy's neck BIGTIME.
Free songs on iTunes. I'm so broke right now that I'm not going to be buying any music anytime soon, but I've been storing up those free downloads, and I've started listening to them this week. Dang! There's some good stuff on there for free. Check it out.
Michael W. Smith Christmas albums. Thanks, Kimber! The new album sounds like a long-lost soundtrack to a Home Alone movie. I'm especially thankful that it's closer to the second Christmas album's orchestration than the first Christmas album's synth-pop feel.
Cars. They get us where we need to go. They run on gas, which gives us a great excuse to blow money. They get bad alignments which cause our tires, which are only 18 months old, to go bad. They cause us to blow $300 that we don't have on new tires. They require us to pay for registration and inspections every year. God bless them.
Homework. I sure do love spending every minute that I'm not at school, teaching, or at my play by working on research papers, studying for tests, and reviewing scholarly journals.
Kids who threaten to kill themselves for attention. Guh! I'm not a public school teacher, and I still had to talk to one tonight and try to convince him that it's not the best way to express himself.
The cast of Young Frankenstein performing on The Today Show. I'm stoked. I set both my DVR and my DVD-Recorder to tape it just to be safe.
New York trips that include lots of shows that only cost $850. What a bargain. It sucks that there's a $200 payment due this week, but I'll deal.
I've been writing this for over a half hour, and I'm about ready for bed, so I'm going to quit now.
