random facts about yours truly

Here is something "exciting" for y'all: some possibly little known facts about myself--just what you all wanted to know, right? It's laundry night and I'm bored, plus this will keep my mind off of more pressing matters. Enjoy!

--I am obsessive compulsive about counting anything I can, but I always have to end on an odd number.
--I know sign language.
--My degree is an Associate in Arts, focus in theatre, from St. Louis Community College at Meramec.
--My first car was a 2-door, gold, 1983 Dodge Omni.
--My husband and I met in October of 2000 while cruising Lindbergh. (Now there's a story for the grandchildren...)
--I am terrified of clowns.
--I am also scared of boats--especially canoes.
--I am allergic to Spanish peanuts.
--One of my dreams is to open a Coyote Ugly bar here in St. Louis.
--I am double jointed.
--Gerbera Daisies are my favorite type of flower...
...but I am not a girlie-girl.
--My belly button is slightly off-center.
--Shopping makes me feel anxious and claustrophobic.
--Although I don't know too much about them, I LOVE classic cars.
--I am SUPER competitive--which is why I generally don't like to play video games.
--The smell of cigars makes me nauseous, but I like the smell of pipes.
--At 25, I still don't have my ears pierced.
--German was my foreign language of choice--for 4 years--in highschool.
--I can juggle.
--If I could go everywhere barefoot, I would; I hate shoes and especially socks.
--Certain bugs freak me out--centipedes, bees, wasps, some spiders, and cockroaches...
...but I can't kill them myself. (That's what hubbies are for!)
--Rain causes me to drive like a little old lady.
--I sleep with a neon pink stuffed frog Dustin gave me about 5 years ago.

"Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened"

That's what Joie told us yesterday before the final performance of "Cats". While I can--and do--smile because it happened, I still cried because it's over. In fact, I spent much of yesterday crying--before I even got to the theatre, when I got to the theatre, and after the show had ended. I know it sounds sappy and sentimental, but Sunday performances are hard for me anyway, and shows closing are hard; this one, I can say without a doubt, was THE hardest of all I've done.

The show went pretty kick ass, and I was super nervous about it. My mother-in-law came to see it, which made me nervous since she's never seen me in a show before. Two of my cousins-in-law, along with Amanda & Dustin came to see it. Top that off with dad and RJ sitting in the audience, and I was a ball of nerves. But they all seemed to enjoy it, and my dad even smiled and hugged me. (Which I sometimes think is a feat within itself.)

When I was smoking outside with Mindy before the show, I happened to glance at the ground, and saw a little something about 5 feet away. "I think I see a four-leaf clover," I told her. She thought I was full of it, but when I went over and bent down to look, it sure as hell was one! And about a foot and a half to the left was ANOTHER one! It may sound crazy, but I definitely think good old grandpa was a little upset about having to miss this show, so he sent me a couple little good luck charms while he was looking down on me. ;)

I've said it before, but I can't describe what this show has meant to me, and what kind of effect it's had on me. I've met several new faces--one of whom has quickly become a very close friend--and rekindled / strengthened old friendships. These people mean so damn much to me, they are family. There's no "like family" about it--they ARE family.

There were times during this whole process--hell, even sometimes over the course of the weekend while I'd be sitting on stage during the shows--that I just looked around and grinned at everyone. WE DID FREAKING "CATS"!!!!! It finally sank in yesterday what we'd done, and now it seems like it was yanked away. But I'm definitely thankful that I was given this opportunity, and I feel incredibly blessed to have shared it with some of my closest friends in the world.

I love you guys.

inexplicable

"Cats" has been an inexplicable experience for me so far. We opened last night, and I thought it was a smashing performance--any snafus were minor and quickly covered, the band sounded awesome, we were over-sold, and the audience was a receptive one. Luckily I was backstage when Kevin H. came out for the opening and I heard his little son call out, "It's daddy! Hi daddy!" Kevin later said he has never had to try so hard in his life not to grin from ear to ear.

The "Heavyside Layer" gave me goosebumps last night and brought tears to my eyes. I can't help it. This has been the closest cast I think I have ever worked with, there are no divas or attitudes, and everyone gets along like a very close knit family. I've always said that about the Guild, but this cast and show are sooo....different. A good different, but nonetheless. I already know Sunday will be a very emotional performance for all of us, and I don't think there will be a dry eye on stage. Thank you to Christian and the band for sounding awesome, Joie for his excellent direction & choreography, the cast for being such a talented, wonderful group of people, and all the crews who have helped make this show a success thus far. Maybe I'm jumping the gun here, having only one true performance under our belts, but I know the rest of the run will go just as well--if not better than--last night.