Rosie's Turn

Thank you Ms. Midler for that splendid opening number. I thought this song would be appropriate because I'm taking this time to celebrate one of Megan and my bestest friends in the whole world. This afternoon we rushed to Barre, middle of VT to help Rosie finish moving out of her apartment she was being kicked out of by her so-called "Scumlord." She was planning on moving in a couple weeks to a trailer on the property of her cousin's farm she has begun working at. It's a beautiful farm, minus the manure but that's only because I'm a different breed of Vermonter, and her new place is awesome. Save for a finnicky shower head and some fixer-upper and cleaning, she'll be able to have that place looking great. I just wanted to take this time to tell Rosie how proud I am of her, both me and Megan. Here are some pictures from today at the farm:

And now, I leave you with pictures from the Champlain College Snowball last night at the Burlington Hilton. It's the one night when us college kids get to break out formal clothes, and because it's at Champlain and I don't know most of the people there, I feel the need to break loose and be absolutely crazy...not that that's much of a problem anywhere else. It just seems right at this kind of event where there are free meatballs, a giant cheese platter, and a chocolate fountain.

We found Jess!

Weren't we beautiful? And yes, that's a bowtie. Bowties are cool.

Peace out!

Sense Memory

I love, love, LOVE the fall weather hitting Vermont right now. It's like a cold and clear breath of life that takes your heart in its grip and transports you to worlds of memories long forgotten yet still reminisced about. Upon each stinging breeze rides an image of crinkling leaves, the smell of apple cores and pumpkin spice, or the scratchy feel of a wool scarf on the skin. The chill which takes root in the feet and travels up each individual vertebrae to each follicle of hair holds a physical bond to day trips through an enchanted forest and afternoons spent on train tracks. The taste of dust and the feel of grit between teeth is a flash back to dirt roads and the hidden groves to which they lead.

Each memory dances with the senses in a waltz that began at birth. Each physical presence individually linked to an emotion draws me back yet pulls me forward at the same time. While I muse over the events and the feelings of the past, I am still pushed forward by a thirst for more. I long for more emotion, more feeling, more of the "breath life," for the essence that makes me utterly human. We long for the memories in life because that is what draws us forward, the longing and desire for future memories. We beg for new smells, feelings, and images that will give us retrospect to the events of our past and bring our lives in a circle.

Stepping from the front door, the fall's evening zephyr energizes my lungs and my body, propelling me forward into the sunset's lighted shadow. The leaves hanging stiffly from the trees' branches sway and crumple as they draw near to each other in anticipation of what is to come. Drawing my scarf closer to my throat, I walk along the broad sidewalk with heavy footfalls. The clouds above seem to sway lightly, taking in the moment below. I clutch my books to my chest and keep walking, observed and observing...

Hurricane Irene

Life has been like a whirlwind since beginning the new school year, the days blowing by like clouds long past the horizon. It has been a major adjustment to switch from the comfort and blissful emptiness of summer UVM campus to the bustling, bro and biddie-filled campus in my Wills nest with Joe, one of the most peaceful locations on campus (when the door is closed). I've seemed to transcend a summer of leisure, occasional work, and sun to another world of constant work, schedules that have me running constantly, and colder weather. There is something deeply rewarding for me to be constantly busy, however. It is that amazing reminder that tells me that I'm doing something with my life, and that I'm definitely not letting myself go to waste. As I get more and more busy, and my planner gets so full it defies the boundaries of the page, and colder air permeates Burlington, I look forward to the promise of fall: of holidays, foliage, the smell of pumpkin spice, fresh apples, good and hearty food, and warmer clothes that allows every being to bundle up and get cozy with the ones they love.

A couple of Saturdays ago, my niece Iris turned one!

There was a full-on double rainbow glowing in the sky during one of our Hairspray rehearsals. It was honestly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in nature.

The start of school was delayed one day at UVM because of the wrath of Hurricane Irene. Megan, Ashley, and I holed ourselves up in the Spinner Place apartment while the storm raged outside. At first, the "storm" was quite anticlimactic. There was a piddle of rain, and not even the slightest rumble of thunder. Slowly, however, the clouds turned the sky completely black and the rain picked up. The Winooski river began to rise and raged its fierce power, boasting with the overflow of water. Meanwhile, the rest of Vermont was being swept away, the power of water rearing itself upon the land.

'Dis bitch.

As the storm battled against the earth outside, news reports rolled in about the devastation happening throughout Vermont. There were videos of bridges being swept away and pictures of towns in Southern Vermont being cut off from the rest of the state because of the flood waters. In the morning, the sun timidly  rose to illuminate the aftermath. Burlington was beautiful, the rainwater glistening in the high sunshine, and the city was not highly devastated.

The Waterfront was beautiful.

In a way, the beginning of the school year has been just like Hurricane Irene. Everything has been so crazy and disorganized to start with, but hopefully now I've started to get a better control. It's another wild start to another insane school year.

Oh, and....

Peace out!

Summer Days Driftin' Away

Summer in Burlington is like one of those cheesy street scenes in a romantic comedy where the protagonist skips down the street and everyone in town is smiling and waving and going about their business. Of course, sometimes it can be a little sketchy, but so can all places. It's kind of like the beginning of Beauty and the Beast when Belle strolls down the street and everyone's just yelling "BONJOUR!" out of their windows. And there I am, skipping and dancing down the street listening to some random showtune on my iPod. (Literally, I probably am dancing. Look for me.) This summer seems to be going by so fast, I can't even believe we're almost at the end of June.

But there's also another place that's been on my mind. A place that's haunted my dreams and thoughts for the past week (probably longer). That place is New York. I can't stop thinking about it. Ever since the New York episode of Glee and between the Tony Awards and all the showtunes I listen to, I just can't stop thinking about that magical place where everything just seems right. Where I'm surrounded by people and theatres and lights. I need to find a stage to sing on. I need to find a place to perform again.

The past few nights I've had continuing dreams about New York. At first I dreamed that my parents, Megan, and I all went to New York for Christmas (something that I really want to happen in real life, mind you) and we saw the Rockettes and went skating in Central Park and saw so many shows on Broadway that my mind was spinning with the euphoria and adrenaline brought on by the theatre. The next night I dreamed that I was actually starring in a show (Book of Mormon to be exact, I think it was around the Tony Awards time.), and my whole family and Megan came to see the show. I belted so many notes and looked out at the audience, and they were all the first to stand for my ovation.

They were the most beautiful dreams I've ever experienced in my life. I need a stage.

Peace out!

Driving

I went home Friday night because I promised Chase (you remember Chase right, from QNEK this summer? Here's his website to refresh your memory...) that I would come to see his first show this season, Snoopy! The Musical. It had been such a long time since the summer, and since we had all seen each other. Kat and Lissy were planning on going as well, and I knew that everyone from Curtains would be at the show.

I took the LINK Express from Burlington to Montpelier so my grandmother could pick me up there. It was actually a very nice ride, even though I hadn't been looking forward to it. The foliage was amazing, and it provided a sure sign that we are definitely into fall.

The bus driver was very nice. He gave out free York Peppermint Patties at the card kiosk. Yeah, a little sketchy I know, and I'm not supposed to take candy from strangers, but...He also had his bus decorated with animals from Africa like elephants, giraffes, and lions so it basically felt like you were on an African safari when really you were just going to Montpelier. I did feel really bad for this one older gentleman on the bus. I'm not entirely sure what his nationality was, but he had a very thick accent. He was saying that we was lost, and then he started talking with the guy sitting in front of me. The guys asked him where he was going, and the man replied,

"To my wife's funeral. She died of liver cancer."

Then he started weeping on the bus. It was horrible and so sad. My heart poured out to this poor man. I only hope that there were people in Montpelier to take care of him, it looked like he needed someone.

After a fantastic lunch with my grandmother, and the drive through US Rt. 2, I made it home to find my mom frosting a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. It was good to be home.

Patches was very happy to see me.

It was also really fun to be able to drive again. I hadn't noticed how much I actually missed driving at college. I'm never even riding in a car at college. I mean, I closest I get to it is riding in a CCTA bus, and that's just not it. So driving to the Haskell like I had been doing all summer was a pretty amazing and relaxing experience. It was awesome to see everyone that I had had so much fun with over the summer again. I really did miss them.
Today I had to return to Btown which meant actually getting up this morning after being out until an ungodly hour (we stayed and chatted it up in Chase's mansion). After a home-cooked meal, my mom and I trekked back with a lot of stuff to bring back to my dorm. Including the cake... All in all, it was a good break for the moment, and it was exactly what I needed. Now for another stressful (but rewarding!) week. Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend!

Peace out!

P.S. If you're looking for a movie to see, I would definitely suggest Life As We Know It starring Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, and a wicked cute baby. It is an adorable movie and it will make you feel good. Speaking of cute babies, here are some new pictures of Iris!

Lazy Weekend

Good morning! I just woke up from a very lazy weekend. It's been a pretty lazy, yet relaxing (and occasionally busy) weekend. Friday I spent my afternoon searching the Bailey-Howe Library here at UVM for a book of eight plays-one of which I have to read for my acting class-and failing. I couldn't find the book at all. I checked the call number five different times using the computer on the third floor. It just wasn't where it should be. Or so I thought. I gave up, and decided I would find the damn book some other time this weekend.

That night, Megan and I went to Burlington Bands 101 at Nectar's sponsored by our favorite local Btown newspaper, Seven Days. It was basically a showcase of local, homegrown bands in the area.

It was pretty fun. Some of the musicians were really good. (Like the keyboardist in the first band. He was absolutely amazing.) The music was fun, except when the music turned country and got twangy. Not my favorite. But it was still nice to be able to get out and go do something. And we got swag bags of free stuff!

Saturday was a very nice, lethargic day. We slept in until around two o'clock and then just sat around besides going downtown for a little while. Oh, and we started watching season two of Heroes (we're kind of behind on the times, okay?). I did get quite a lot of homework done that night, though, which is always a good thing. Except that the Internet was kind of fail. Ashley, Megan, and I went for a walk to the waterfront and sat on a bench and stared out at the water, and we just talked. There's something incredibly meditative about the waterfront. Really awesome. Anyway, yesterday was a little busier. I joined one of the UPlayers officers at the Student Government Association's club workshop because none of the officers could go and I volunteered. Yep, I am that stupid. Anyway, after the boring lecture I went back to the library to find the book in question.

There's something extremely delightful and fun about searching library stacks for books. Most of the books in this library are really old, and everything has that musty smell. It's incredibly quiet, and usually no one else is around in the stacks but you. It makes me feel like one of the Hardy Boys are Sherlock Holmes. One of those guys. For some reason, it's one of those things that makes me really happy. I finally found the book, I had the call number and the shelf location wrong. But the hunt was fun.

After the UPlayers meeting, Megan came up to UVM to watch this film with me that I had to watch for Dramatic Analysis. It was this old production of Shakespeare's King Lear, only it was done in the Japanese style of Noh, Kabuki, Bakukari doll theater, whatever. It was awful. It was pretty fun to laugh and make fun of the weird poses everyone was in and the intense overacting that was going on. On a factual level, I completely understand the style. I don't understand what the point of it is in theater. Like, why does everyone have to scream everything? What does that do? And, I still don't understand Shakespeare. I know, I'm a theater major and I don't like Shakespeare. Whoa. I just have a hard time connecting to the characters emotionally. Their stories have no bearing on me whatsoever. I just don't care. Make me care, Shakespeare, MAKE ME CARE! That's what I'd tell Shakespeare if he was still alive. Oh well...

All in all, a pretty good weekend. Hope you had a good weekend too.

Peace out!

Callbacks

Let me tell you about yesterday. This story begins on Thursday at 6:20pm when I had my audition for UVM Theatre's A Doll's House. I chose a monologue from Judith Guest's novel/film/play Ordinary People. It was a monologue where the teenage son in a family was committing suicide. I felt very good about the audition, and it WAS good. The next day I was on the callback list, with callbacks scheduled for that night. So I went, prepared to move and to read. That night, Megan, Ashley, Jess (Lowell, we were all hanging out that night. We went and saw The Last Exorcism. Not that scary, but humorous.), and I went to check the second callback list (there were supposed to be double callbacks the next morning.) These were cancelled, however, with a sign that read:

CAST LIST TO BE POSTED BY NOON TOMORROW

Needless to say, I was freaking out, and I was definitely nervous...

Enter Saturday. I left 308 for breakfast and the cast list. The latter was somewhat of a fail. I didn't get into the show. I am still SO proud that I made it into a callback which is a major accomplishment in itself. And even though I didn't get in-I got to participate in an amazing callback learning experience. I mean, we did an interpretive dance! That's pretty awesome. However, the events that followed definitely added insult to injury. I tried to go to my dining hall (Cook's Commons on UVM Central Campus) but went to find it closed. Apparently as a part of its new hours-Cook's Commons closes on Saturday. Awesome. Then later on Champlain campus, I dropped a roadblock (yes, that's right a roadblock, don't ask) on my foot, my toes to be exact. I thought I had broken them because it was so painful. My toes turned red and got cut, and now they're a fantastic color mix of black, blue, and red.

We had to press on though because earlier in the week Megan and I bought tickets to check out local playwright Maura Campbell's Flower Duet presented by Green Candle Theater Company and preformed at the FlynnSpace black box theater. Most importantly, our friend Natalie Miller starred in the show. It was amazing and the acting was completely brilliant and natural. A gorgeous piece of contemporary theater. And the best part, it was completely Vermont-made and produced. So cool. Check out the reviews: The Burlington Free Press and The Times Argus.

Later after the show, a meeting with my scene partner, and dinner Megan and I met back up to meet two of my UVM Theatre friends Alice and Zoe at Edmunds Middle School to go contra dancing. This would be the second time we've gone to a contra dance, the first being last year when Ashley's parents took us to her aunt's contra dance. It was so much fun, such a fantastic workout and art. It did not do wonders to my toes however which still hurt and are still bruised. They will heal, just as I've gotten over not being in the play. There is so much other stuff to do, and there will always be other opportunities. For now, life is going on.

Peace out!

Whale's Tails

Today, Megan, Ashley, and I took an epic walking trip to the Whale's Tails sculpture in Williston, VT. This trip was spurred by an article in Seven Day's Off Campus Burlington Guide which spoke of a hidden pathway behind the Ben and Jerry's corporate factory which led directly to the sculpture. So obviously, we had to go.

After awhile we started waving to cars as they passed by us on the interstate. Most of them waved back at us, and a lot of them honked their horns. One guy flipped me off, but I think we added a moment of joy and fun to those people's day

After that epic adventure, we made our way back to Williston Road and the bus stop. We popped a squat in the grass by the sign like the hippies that we are, and waited for the bus which turned out to be about 25 minutes late. It started to rain, hard. But it was worth it and it was one experience I don't think any of us will ever forget.

Peace out!