Didn't It Rain

Periodic Rants of a Red-Haired Drama Freak.

Monday, April 30, 2007

Why God, Why?!

Yesterday my string of luck ran out. Lesley and I were walking down the street when she exclaimed, "Oh my God, you've got a gray hair!"

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT??????????????

People, I have RED hair. Red haired people are not supposed to go gray! Like ever! At least that's what I've always been told by everyone throughout my entire life. Seriously, I have ALWAYS felt good about the fact that I will never get gray hair.

But there it was right in front of me. Lesley yanked it out of my head and there was this long white hair. WTF??!! I got so depressed about this. I mean I suddenly felt ten years older. It's just another small change that's happened to me since moving to NY.

Since August, I've also developed my first wrinkles. I am definitely not happy about that either. Also, I have mysteriously stopped being carded for drinks. So what, I've aged that much in less than a year? I get wrinkles and gray hair within a year?? I can't tell who to blame though. Is it New York or is it grad school? Either way, I'm pissed and I'm coming for you!

Lesley said maybe it was just a fluke. Maybe I'll just get "one or two" gray hairs. I know she's just trying to make me feel better. Probably by this time next year I'll be fully gray and using a walker!

Anyway, thanks for reading. Please send all hair dye c/o Old Lady, New York, NY.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

What a Weekend!


This weekend we had to cut loose and have some fun because school has been so crazy. Friday night, we went to this really cool thing called Moving Images at the Austrian Cultural Forum. I should say that Lesley and I have become conoisseurs of cheap and/or free activities. This event featured films and electronic music from some well known and up and coming Austrian artists. One of my favorite electronic musicians, B. Fleischmann, was headlining.

First of all the building is really cool. Just check out the picture. The room where the event was being held was small but interesting. The only bummer was that there were only four chairs so we all had to sit in the floor. After a bit, we got used to that and the screening began. The films were experimental - made up of old science film footage and spliced with electronic music. They are very hard to describe, but at times we were laughing, at times cringing and hiding our eyes.

After the screening, B. Fleischmann took the stage and treated us to an hour of beautiful sounds. There were two guest musicians - one playing the violin, one the cello - and they added a nice organic layer. It was a lovely event and cost a big zero dollars. Score!

Last night we went to Brooklyn to catch Keala at Goodbye Blue Monday. Although we showed up way too early, we had a nice time chatting and looking at the random stuff they have laying around (old books, action figures, unidentifiable objects). Keala played a very nice set - some classics and some I'd never heard before. He sounded really good - and even played an Amy Winehouse cover. After that, we all headed back into the city to catch up with another friend whose birthday it was. There was a thwarted attempt at karaoke (too crowded) and then we ended up at some place in the village called the Fish bar (I think). It was a really cool bar with a good vibe and cheap beer. It kinda reminded me of San Francisco because it was really chill and pretty small.

So now I'm supposed to be writing a paper but instead I'm blogging and eating french fries. I'll get to it eventually - I'm the queen of working under pressure. Hope you all had a nice weekend, too!

Friday, April 27, 2007

A String of Good Luck

Some really cool things have been happening lately and I want to tell you about them. Not that I want to jinx it, so let's say i'm knocking on the proverbial wood here in cyberspace.

The coolest thing to happen in the last 24 hours is that me and Lesley found a stereo. A little history: we moved here in August with practically nothing - just books and clothes and a one-eyed cat. Since then, we've been slowly amassing the furniture and things that we need and want. Being bona fide music freaks, we have wanted a stereo this whole time and yet the priority was more for things like a bed and a couch. When the money ran out we didn't end up buying a stereo and I've been dreaming of one ever since. Last night Lesley was doing laundry in the basement and she noticed someone threw away an old one. She mentioned it to me and I ran downstairs and low and behold, it was like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I'm not talking about some crappy boombox or an Aiwa mini-system. This is a stereo receiver with multiple inputs and a 5 disc changer - both Sony products. PLUS two really nice Infinity speakers! I could not believe it!! The only thing was, it was all really dirty, so I took it upstairs, cleaned it all off and plugged it in expecting it not to work. But it did! And now we have a kick ass stereo system FOR FREE. It's really the best thing we've ever found. My mom said one man's trash is another man's treasure. This is even better than the couch we found on the street in Berkeley. Or the hand made lamp.

Another cool thing that happened is that although I left my precious notebook with all my schoolwork in an NYU classroom, I got it back. Today I tracked it down and it was still in the room. This was such a great relief to me because I really need that stuff. It's shocking that it didn't get thrown away.

Also, my student loan crap is working itself out. Meaning I can go to London and Brazil for sure. I just have to work out a couple of kinks. Like getting money to live on. I feared they wouldn't give me any stafford loans but thankfully they were happy to loan me even more money. Ha!

The other cool thing is my tax return came in. There was some kind of snafu with TurboTax and they are refunding the money I spent on their website. I guess a lot of people had problems with the website (because thousands of people like me waited till the last second) and so they had to refund all of us. That's so great because I spent a hundred bucks but now I get it back. Ha ha!

These are pretty much the highlights. I feel that a wave of positive thinking has helped me get things done and now I'm seeing the rewards. I only have one more paper to write for school which shouldn't be too bad. Then it's summer time and off to new adventures!

Saturday, April 21, 2007

That Good Ol' Feeling - Sunburn - Is Back...

New York is a dream right now. 75 degrees and a light breeze. It's like wandering into heaven after several months of being trapped on Hoth. Yesterday was busy with fun things. Me, Adri and Lisa chatted around the NYU fountain for about an hour. I think that's when I got this nice rosy tone on my arms. Later on in the night I did a play reading and noticed my arms hurt. I looked down and they were beet red! I was like, oh no!! Sunburn?! After last week's rainstorm from hell, it's hard to imagine, but THANK GAWD Spring is here - at least for now...

In other really good news, I received a small scholarship from NYU for my study abroad program this summer. We had to write an essay talking about the programs and detailing our financial needs. I kept joking I was just going to write "please give me money." In fact, when I was finished with the essay - which had to be completed in under 500 words, I had three words left. I really wanted to just write I AM BROKE but I resisted. Anyway, I got the scholarship which doesn't cover tuition at all but it certainly helps. Now I can pay rent! Weeeeee!

Last night was really fun too, after the reading. A bunch of us went to Vol Du Nuit, conventionally known as Belgian Beer Bar. We had some yummy Leffe and I finally met my friend Stephanie's husband who I thought might have been make-believe up until this point. When I am with anyone from the cast of Gross Indecency, we always end up at Marie's Crisis and last night was no exception. There's just something so freakin' fun about belting showtunes with a hundred or so people who know all the words. Lesley dragged me out of there around 1am and we headed home to sleep and nurse my sunburn.

This afternoon/evening is Lacy's birthday - hopefully more adventures to come!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

I have a fever, but at least my taxes are done!


Yippeeee Kiiiiyeah! Taxes are done for another year. People, I ALWAYS wait until the last second to do my taxes now that I have all this confusing stuff due to education and theatre work. It's such a nightmare isn't it? I wish I could go out and celebrate my tax return but I can't because I have a freakin' cold. How crappy is THAT? Two hours on TurboTax with a FEVER! It can't get much worse than that. :)

In other news, tomorrow will be a very exciting day for me because I am starting a graphic novel unit with my 8th graders. I am so lucky that my tutoring job has blossomed into something worthwhile. My CT treats me like an equal and has let me take on an enrichment group. We will be studying Persepolis (see above). Every week, we will meet and discuss the graphic novel and also the kids will be constructing their own GN's based on personal experiences. Everyone wish me luck as this begins my first real teaching experience. Good times!

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Silver Dollar City, I Heart You

This one goes out to my Southern roots. Ladies and gents, step right up, have a seat and pull the bar down tight. You're about to go on an underground adventure. Hold tight, nothing to fear. But what's that whistle blowing? And that train light headed our way. Look out - FIRE IN THE HOLE!

And down we plunge into the best ride at Silver Dollar City - no the best ride anywhere! Most of the people that'll read this have never been to Silver Dollar City and probably never will. But I know some of you are out there. (Lacy, Heather, I'm talkin' to you) I loved Silver Dollar City as a kid. My dad took me there almost every summer, usually with cousin Brooke or my best friend Jason in tow. Never mind that I always got carsick on the country roads heading there. By the time we got to the front gate, I was ready for backwoods adventure and frisbee-sized funnel cakes.

Me and Lesley are heading back to Fort Smith in June for a much needed break from NYC. I'm trying to convince her to head to Branson with me so I can take a rollercoaster ride back into my childhood. She grew up next to Disneyland, so puny little Silver Dollar City ain't much to bargain with. Lesley, what if I promise you rock candy and a handmade leather belt? Homemade soap?? Fried apple pie??

Well if we for some reason don't get to go this time, I know Silver Dollar City will always be there like some kind of living memory. And if we do decide to go, I'll be the one sitting up front on Fire in the Hole with my arms raised high.

So Sexy


In the midst of gearing up for finals, this is the face we turned to tonight. After a long day studying at Lisa's, my brain was burnt toast. Lesley had writers block and we both needed to relax. Not that The Decent could ever possibly relax someone but at least it took our mind off studying.

We found ourselves saying, "Well, I know I've got that 20 page paper due, but at least I'm not stuck in a cave with bloodsucking fiends!"

Lesley and I saw this movie before it came out domestically. We were lucky enough to catch it at a film festival in San Francisco. The theatre was packed and let me tell you, people were freaking out!! The first time the "crawler" comes into view, I dare you not to scream like a sissy. I know I did!

Anyway, good times on a Friday night. If you need a distraction, I recommend.

PS - If you rent the DVD, there's a hilarious reel of bloopers. The crawler does a booty dance among other things.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Some Recent Pics

Check out the lovely snow in New York. Never mind that it's APRIL!


this is a beautiful shot of Carlos that Lesley took.

can you even believe how cool this is??

Wall of Stress, Be Gone!



Yesterday I awoke with a fervor - I knew it was time to beat back the weeds of procrastination that had been growing over my to-do list. It was time to face the daunting task of planning for this summer's financial aid crap. See, I'm totally scared of filling out forms - and it makes sense. The more forms I fill out, the more debt I rack up, which is very scary since I'm not used to having debt.

Last year, just filling out the FAFSA was a milestone because I knew that getting thousands of dollars in loans meant that I would one day (soon) have to start paying it back. I guess I'm afraid of the "man" - will the government come after me? Will I go bankrupt from all this? Will I be able to pay it? I realize there's a layer of irrational fear here, but that's what I'm dealing with.

SO yesterday I filled out the dang forms and things to get ready for this summer's round the world education-fest. I'm so excited! And if all things money go well, I'll be heading to London in June for three weeks to study Drama in Education with some of the leaders in the field. And did I mention it's in LONDON! And then in August, I will go to Brazil to study with Augusto Boal, inventor of Theatre of the Oppressed. I'm kind of speechless on that opportunity. I'm just a hick from Arkansas!! How did I get this lucky?

Anyway, just thought I would share. Cross your fingers for me. :)

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Friday Night Drag


Friday night Lesley, Keala and his roomate Lisa & I went to a gay bar near our house. We didn't even know there was one around here and it turns out, it's a winner. First of all it's called O.W. - as in Oscar Wilde! He's been following me around apparently. It's mostly men, but that's kind of the way I prefer it. The best part, though, is Sade.

Sade is this incredible drag queen performer who sings on Friday nights. She's not one of these campy crazy drag queens. She is like the female impersonator Jennifer Hudson meets Frank Sinatra. Her voice was amazing!! And she did such random songs. She did a medley of Dreamgirls, then Cabaret, and then she floored me with Private Dancer. Later on in her set, she sang Imagine. That's one of Lesley's cry songs, and she said that as Sade sang it, tears were rolling down her face. We were also kind of drunk. :)

When we got home, Lesley broke another glass of water. LOL. And then she fell asleep on my shoulder while I watched Harry Potter on the pirated cabel til 3:30 a.m. It was a good night. :)

Saturday, April 07, 2007

I'm Baaaaaaaaack!!!!!


I took a hiatus - one of nearly a year from this blog. I've had a crazy year and looking back over my old posts made me realize just how crazy it was. Last time I blogged I was riding a wave of stress and sadness. I had been accepted to NYU and we were planning the move. That was fantastic news that truly changed my life. On the flip side, a close friend passed away and my favorite band broke up. I was on a roller coaster that made me unable to write.
Things have calmed down for the most part, but not before our share of challenges and excitements. Lesley and I moved to New York in August during the middle of a massive heat wave. It was so hot that I sort of passed out on the street! School started and I fell in love with it. I feel confident and relieved that I made the right choice. I've also made a few good friends here which is great. Autumn in New York was magical; winter was sneaky. In December and January it got into the 60s, and suddenly February brought the bone-chilling cold we were waiting for. The mood changes here in the winter. We stoop over as we walk/run from door to subway to door, trying to escape the dagger wind. It's pretty crazy, but we made it. Now it is officially spring and I can't wait for the warmth again.
There's much more I could write about - Thanksgiving in Queens, Christmas in Little Italy, New Years running away from Times Square and St. Patrick's Day bagpipes streaming in my window. As April begins and the summer promises study abroad and amazing experiences I cannot yet imagine, I will try to document it here. Thanks for reading and enjoy!