Happy Hump Day!

In honor of the three day weekend being "thisclose" to us, I'm going to post some mindless entertainment I came across on stltoday.com. So sit back, take a break, and check out these articles for some Hump Day relaxation...

1. I've seen this kind of stuff on Soulard Streets during Mardi Gras (not that that makes it RIGHT, by any means), but INSIDE a bar?? You think there was a cover charge at this establishment??...

2. Four ears make cat an Internet star. After being a a source of amusement for drunks in a bar, a nice couple adopted the cat. The veterinarian gave the cat a "clean bill of health", and said he had "normal hearing". All I can say is, if I had four ears, I'd expect to have better than "normal" hearing!






3. This guy's cat may be a vampire. Mine may be a dog, considering she walks around proudly with her tongue wagging and plays "fetch" with bouncy balls. (She really does, and it's absolutely hysterical to watch.) It's just a well-written little story that any cat lover will appreciate - musing how cats can be so smart and graceful, and yet clumsy and not so bright, at the same time.

4. I wish they had a picture of this. Friends, Lambert's may have to be put on hold in exchange for a weekend afternoon jaunt to Stan's Wagon Wheel in Sikeston, MO. Any of you out there daring enough to accept this challenge???

5. Great picture of Tony LaRussa stepping in between Yadier Molina and the home plate ump after Yadi was tossed from a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. (This picture is from the May 12, 2008 game, but a good one, nonetheless.) The Brew Crew is back in town as of last night for a two game stand against the Cards. Last night's matchup was NOT one to watch, as we got spanked 12-0. We now trail the Wild-Card spot leading Brewers by 4 1/2 games. This means we are also now tied with the METS in the Wild Card race. Brian Barton has also been placed on the 15 day DL for an aggravated right oblique strain. Hopefully the Cards can pull SOMETHING out of their asses tonight...

Hope these articles brightened your day, or at least put a smile on your face. Happy Hump Day, everyone!

Getaway...

Today is the last day of our vacation...technically Friday was for me, since I'm off on weekends anyway, but who's keeping score?

Tuesday through Thursday, we went for a little "getaway". We hadn't been on an actual vacation since our mini Chicago honeymoon 3 years ago, so it was long overdue. We stayed at Somewhere Inn Time, a quaint and relaxing bed and breakfast in Ste. Genevieve. (Thanks to Joan & Christian, who gave us the idea!) We were lucky enough to get Arthur's Cottage, which is outside and behind the main B & B building. Funny enough, it's actually part of the garage. The garage where the owners park their cars is the left side, and the right side has been transformed into a "cottage". It was definitely amusing when we realized that's what it was, but it didn't matter. The outside was lovely, and the inside even better!

We left Tuesday morning at about 10 a.m., to run some errands before heading out of town. Plus, on the agenda was to drive PAST Ste. Genevieve, to Sikeston, for lunch at Lambert's. People had raved to me about the quality (and amount for your money!) of the food, and the atmosphere in general, so we had to try it. Waiters come to your table with "pass arounds" - side items that they generously scoop onto paper towels / your plate for no additional charge. Fried okra (which, btw, is DELICIOUS), fried potatoes & onions, macaroni & tomatoes, apple butter, and sorghum were offered to us at our visit. And of course, they didn't get the moniker "Home of the Throwed Rolls" for nothing...they toss them to you from across the restaurant everytime you put your hand up in the air. All the meals (for the most part) include two side items of your choice (ASIDE from what they're offering everytime they come past your table), and the drinks come in HUGE mugs. You get SO MUCH for your money, it's almost ridiculous. Dustin's porksteak was a FULL POUND, and my catfish plate included 8 or 9 pieces of the BEST catfish I have EVER tasted. (Neither of us finished our meal!)

After lunch, we were on the road to backtrack to Ste. Genevieve, bellies full. We checked in at the B & B a little bit after 3 p.m. and unloaded the car. We were lucky enough to get Arthur's Cottage, which is outside and behind the main B & B building. Funny enough, it's actually part of the garage. The garage where the owners park their cars is the left side, and the right side has been transformed into a "cottage". It was definitely amusing when we realized that's what it was, but it didn't matter. The outside was lovely, and the inside even better!

Once we'd settled in, we took a stroll into town to check out the shops. Since nearly all of them close at 4, we didn't get much shopping in, but we headed to the Mississippi Ferry to check it out. NOT what I expected. I figured it was one that you parked your car, paid a small fee, and got a little "tour" up and down part of the river. Oh no. You DRIVE your car ONTO this thing, and it takes you across the river. Freaked me out, so of course I refused to do it. But we did stick around and play on the sand bar for a while, digging our toes in the sand and wading in the nasty river.

We had dinner that evening at the Anvil, then swam in the B & B's pool and relaxed in the hot tub.

Our only FULL day in Ste. Genevieve was Wednesday, and we took advantage of it. Breakfast at 9 a.m. was a HUGE plate of blueberry french toast that was absolutely declicious, then we went out to explore. We hit the antique shops HARD, had sundaes and floats at Sara's Ice Cream Shoppe, went to the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary, and sampled wine at Crown Valley Winery. Unfortunately, it poured the whole time we were at the winery, but the covered deck had a great view, and the sounds of the rain pitter pattering off the roof made it even more relaxing.

All in all, it was a wonderful, and MUCH NEEDED, getaway. It's a shame we can't do this more often (Dustin works weekends, which means no spur of the moment road trips), but a week off of work, spending time with Dustin, is something I will DEFINITELY be accruing and banking vaca time for!!!

*sigh*

It’s over. And it’s taken me several days to collect my thoughts – as always – enough to blog about it.

I can’t even begin to say what a WONDERFUL experience “The Wizard of Oz” with Broadway Center of Arts was for me. I’m almost at a loss for words…almost…

I’ve said this a million times, that “the end of a show is always hard on me”, but it’s so true. And the end of this one in particular seemed to hit me like a punch in the stomach. It’s almost inexplicable.

I got the email from Arts for Life saying the production was looking for an interested party to play the Wicked Witch of the West, and to contact the director (Kathy) for more info. After telling Dustin about it, he said, “There is NO WAY you can pass this up. CALL HER.” I did, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I came into the show TEN DAYS before opening. I read for (and got) the part Monday, July 28, and the show opened the next Thursday, August 7. I had ten days to learn my lines, and was FREAKED OUT…but ecstatic beyond belief. This is a role I have wanted to play for a VERY. LONG. TIME. And I FINALLY got to.

I was nervous as hell at my first official rehearsal, Tuesday the 29th. I know theatre people get close quickly, and are all a species of their own, but I wasn’t sure how the collective cast would take to me, coming in on such short notice. I was pleasantly surprised. They all welcomed me with open arms, no questions asked. Soon enough, I became one of “The Four Stooges”, and couldn’t believe how much of a whirlwind I was caught up in. It was ONE HELL of a ride.

A big part of it is that it was incredibly REFRESHING to do something, well, different. I went in not knowing ANYBODY, and came out having met some really great people, and having made some very dear friends – very quickly. This is no knock against my fellow DB SAT’ers, or any of my other theatre buddies…but it was nice to be a stranger. It was nice to go in where no one had any preconceived notions of me, or any typecasting set in their heads. It was a clean slate. One on which I could draw whatever I wanted.

Not to mention, this show let me prove to people – but most importantly, to MYSELF – that I CAN do this. I’ve had my doubts over the last several years. I love being onstage, no matter what capacity, but it’s nice to have someone take a chance on you and say, “Ya know…you would be good for this ROLE.” It’s something I’m not used to. I almost feel like, “Once a chorus girl, always a chorus girl”. Again, this is no knock to anybody; this show was just a great change of pace for me.

All in all, thanks to everyone who came to the show; it means so much to me, and I hope you enjoyed it.
Thanks to my mom, who never hesitates to step up to the plate and help me out - whether it be costume shopping, or just listening to the "actors' sordid tales".
Thanks to Kathy, for taking a chance on me, and giving me the opportunity in the first place.
Thanks to the cast, for welcoming me with open arms, and taking me in so quickly…the Stooges for just being who they are, and giving me a TON of wonderful memories.
And thanks, especially to Dustin, who never ceases to encourage and support me in this.
I couldn't do it without all of you.