One Talented Toddler

Hope this makes you smile as much as I did!

Simply Irresistible

Flipping through channels tonight I came across one of my all-time favorite movies, Simply Irresistible. One of my favorite quotes comes from this movie -

I just love dessert. It's the whole point of the meal.

The movie stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sean Patrick Flannery. Patricia Clarkson, Dylan Baker, Betty Buckley and Amanda Peet costar. The music is absolutely wonderful.

Sweet and magical, this movie never fails to make me smile.

Sunday, Take Two

I was supposed to go to see Mamma Mia! in Charlotte today. Since I never heard whether I was supposed to meet or whether I was to be picked up, I missed the matinee.

Instead, Jake came up from UNC-C and Don, Gina and Shelby came over. We hadn't seen Jake since Christmas, so it was nice being with him. We caught each other up on the latest news (Barbara, Rose, new office move, The Vagina Monologues, etc.) and started "Game Night" with a crokinole tournament. I decided not to participate. Flicking round wooden chips across a "table" that resembles a dart board is not my thing. (I flick too hard.) I cheered Cade who scored some big points for a 4-year old.

We broke for come homemade chili and beer. Some of us went downstairs to check out Guitar Hero, the hot new PS2 game. Mallorie, who originally scoffed at the game, is quite the rocker. Don recovered very well after getting booed by the "audience". Shelby also did well. Allan was kicked off the "stage".

Next up was poker. Now, I've no idea on how to really play poker. I understand the basic concept, but I have to be told when to put in money and how much (little and big blinds). But I love to play especially when it's not real money involved. Just before we broke for dessert, I was winning.

After everyone left, I went back downstairs to watch Mallorie rock out. She let me have a turn, and while I wasn't booed off the stage, it was slow going. Mallorie changed the game to a practice session and after getting the hang of that I moved on to the easy mode. I can't remember the song, but I did fairly well hitting and maintaing the notes. I was even relaxed enough to tap my foot to the musical beat. Mallorie kept asking for a turn and I kept telling her to wait. The game certainly is addictive.

We are all planning on getting together on Saturday. More crokinole, poker and my new favorite, Guitar Hero. Rock on!

Judging Books by the Cover

Okay, I'll admit it. I do judge books based on the attractiveness of their covers. This doesn't make me a bad person, does it? I mean, I recognize that I could be missing some really good books simply due to a lack of pretty packaging. So, when I was at The Strand in New York, after perusing 3 of the 18 miles they claim to have in books, I decided to buy a plain book. Since the book was only $1.00, I knew I'd potentially gain much more than I would loose. The book I selected is a hardback book, blue with green binding. The title, come together, was small; the lettering in plain gold.

I just finished the book, and I must say, it was pretty good.

Jack and Amy are two twentysomething singles living in London. Jack is an artist working part-time in a gallery and prowls the bars by night looking to score. Amy is a temp with dreams of becoming a fashion designer. When the two meet at a party, they spend the whole night talking. Jack starts out trying to seduce Amy into a casual fling, he ends up falling for her hard.

The book alternates he said-she said chapters. Although it's pretty predictable, there are some laugh out loud moments. Apparently the authors, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees became a couple while writing the book.

V-Day. Until the Violence Stops

Well, I am done "Reclaiming Cunt". At least for another year. The 2007 production of The Vagina Monologues was earlier tonight.

Peg, Annemarie, Andrea and I were a bit nervous about our "Wear/Say" montage. All of us were dropping lines during a quick run-thru earlier today. We ran it about 10 times before the show started and, I'm happy to report, we performed perfectly.

My first monologue was "The Crooked Braid" which I had never seen performed. In the monologue, an American-Indian woman recounts a tale of abuse from her husband and finally decides to cut off his braid, his mark of pride, while he slept. It's a very difficult piece, inspired by the women of Pine Ridge Reservation. It's a beautifully written, haunting monologue and I especially wanted to honor the voices of these women. Finding the rhythm of the piece was challenging. During our final dress rehearsal I made several of the women cry. That was my goal for tonight.

The stage was dark except for the spotlight on me as I sat in a rocking chair. I looked out at the audience and saw their outline. As I delivered the monologue, I could sense that I was connecting with each person in the audience. As I delivered the last lines of the piece and as the spotlight went out, I could tell the audience was speechless. There was no applause, none was needed. As I started to exit I could hear the sniffles. And I saw the tears in the eyes of a few of my castmates who were waiting backstage. I achieved my goal.

"Reclaiming Cunt" was my last monologue, and the same one I did last year. I originally planned on a costume that was similar to the one I wore last year. (This was last year's costume.) Instead I decided to reclaim cunt in an elegant manner. I wore a burgundy gown with black opera gloves. Everyone loved the visual. I mean, there I was, in formal dress, expressing how much I like the word cunt.

I nailed this piece as well. My only gripe is that I got cut off. After getting the audience to yell "Cunt!" along with me, I usually end by "singing" the c-word in a very loud voice, complete with outstretched arms. Unfortunately they called the lights after the audience shouted the c-word for the second time. Oh, well. There's always next year.

We won't have attendance or money statistics for several weeks, but I believe the fundraiser was a success. I felt it was a success, for me personally, as well as for all the women (and a few men) involved with the production. As Eve says, "Pussies Unite!"

Ah Yes, I Remember It Well

I flew home from LaGuardia last night. I didn't have a problem using the kiosk to check in. However, there was one flight that had been cancelled and two others were delayed. There was one passenger who was irate and quite a few more who were grumbling to the ticket counter agents. What these passengers should have been doing was counting themselves very lucky that it wasn't Christmas and it didn't snow.

I worked for The Office of Consumer Affairs at US Airways during the Sabre computer cutover in December 1997. At that time US Airways employees were in the midst of a computer system learning curve, further impacted by increased holiday travel and a huge snowstorm in the North.

US Airways Sees More Check-In Problems
Charlotte, Philadelphia, Boston, Las Vegas Expect Delays
AP
PHOENIX (March 5) - US Airways passengers were encouraged to check-in using the company's Web site while the airline continued to work Monday to repair malfunctioning check-in kiosks that created long lines and delayed travelers in some cities over the weekend.
The Tempe-based airline hoped to have the kiosks repaired by the end of the day, said US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant. "We're hoping," he said. "There probably won't be one silver bullet that we can find to fix everything."

Problems with kiosks in Charlotte, Philadelphia, Boston and Las Vegas began Sunday after the airline put a computerized reservation system in place, delaying some passengers for at least an hour and a half in Las Vegas and Charlotte, the airline's largest hub.

The system is a consolidation of the reservation systems of US Airways Group Inc. and America West Airlines, which combined in 2005.

Elise Eberwein, an airline spokeswoman, said passengers should check in for their flights online so they can avoid possible lines. The online check-in option was shut down for part of the weekend because of the system consolidation.

"One of the problems contributing to the problems yesterday was the Web check-in was unavailable," added Durrant. "Folks who are accustomed to doing that can do that again."

Durrant said there were flight delays Sunday but that US Airways flights were "running fairly on time" Monday. There were no cancellations, he said.

At Boston's Logan International Airport, lines were unusually long at US Airways' check-in counter on Sunday, but no flights departing Logan were canceled because of the malfunction, airport spokesman Phil Orlandella said.

Lines were somewhat shorter Monday as all US Airways passengers checked in with staff at the counter, rather than using the kiosks, Orlandella said.

"There have been no major problems - it's just an inconvenience," he said.

Michelle Mohr, another US Airways spokeswoman, said the airline's Pittsburgh kiosks have not been working since Sunday morning, but that additional local staff had been assigned to help passengers and disruptions were minimal.

"We're putting some fixes into place," she said. "We're working night and day and have a team dedicated to bringing those kiosks back online."

US Airways is advising travelers to arrive at the airport two hours early for domestic flights, Mohr said.

Even though many passengers were affected by this past weekend's Sabre to Shares cutover, it was nothing compared to 1997.

NYC, Friday Afternoon

Well of course I didn't get much sleep. I was too keyed up to stay asleep. I think I saw some part of every hour.

Neither one of us had any problems checking in and we both breezed through TSA security. Our flight was delayed in departing, but I didn't mind. I just sat back, grabbed the US Airways In-Flight magazine and enjoyed the ride.

Ken had arranged a limo to take us from LaGuardia into the city. I felt a bit like a celebrity! It took a good 45 minutes so I was able to close my eyes for a bit. We arrived at the hotel and dropped off our luggage since our rooms weren't ready.

The weather was cold and a bit drizzly. We hung around in the MoMA (that's the Museum of Modern Art for you non-New Yorkers) gift shop and stopped at one of the millions of Starbuck's. We walked down Broadway to locate some of the theatres and then we walked to 5th Avenue. (I bought some mascara in Saks.)

We headed back to the hotel around 2p and were able to check-in. Each of us took quick naps and after freshening up we headed out for dinner. We ate at this really neat Italian restaurant. (I can't remember the name of the restaurant...it was something Italian.) The food was wonderful and the service excellent.

It was a bit more windy as we walked to the theatre. I didn't mind. I was too excited about seeing my very first Broadway show.

Dreams Really Do Come True

Can you believe that I have never seen a Broadway show? Wait, let me clarify that. I mean, I have seen several touring productions of Broadway shows. Cats, Rent (3 times), and The Producers are among those I've seen in Greensboro and Charlotte. Mallorie, a mere 14 year old, has seen two(!) Broadway shows. And while I've been to New York several times, mostly for shopping, I have never attended a Broadway show.

That will change tomorrow.

Ken and I are flying to NYC and, over the course of the weekend, we will see 4(!) shows. I am incredibly excited.

There's no better person than Ken to make my dream a reality. He lived in New York for 10 years, so he knows his way around the city. He's also very up on the latest Broadway news. Ken and I go to all the local theatre shows together, and since he's my best friend, I simply can't imagine a trip like this without him!

Alright, it's getting late. I really need to head to bed as we have to get up at o'dark thirty to drive to Greensboro for our flight. I hope I can sleep....I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve!

Oh, Eve....

Play's Controversial Title Leads To Complaints, Change

POSTED: 11:08 pm EST February 6, 2007
ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. -- A modified marquee in Atlantic Beach has been drawing some attention. "Hoohaa" replaced a word in the title of a play after a driver complained about finding the previous wording offensive.

The marquis for Atlantic Theaters advertises a number of plays including, the Masquerade Ball, Band Jam, and now The Hoohaa Monologues.

Some said hoohaa is a strange word and that its definition depends on its context, while others said it sounds like a country band. However, it's not a band at all. In fact, most people know hoohaa by a different name -- vagina.

"We got a complaint about this play The Vagina Monologues," said Bryce Pfanenstiel, of the Atlantic Theater.

The Hoohaa Monologues is a replacement title for The Vagina Monologues -- a well-known play about that part of the female body.

"We decided we would just use child slang for it. That's how we decided on Hoohaa Monologues," Pfanenstiel said.

They did this after a driver who saw it complained to the theater, saying she was upset that her niece saw it.

"I'm on the phone and asked 'What did you tell her?' She's like, 'I'm offended I had to answer the question,'" Pfanenstiel said.

Some parents said they applaud the title change.

The theater said they're trying not to offend anyone, but the publicity doesn't hurt.

"We hope people understand we're trying to do the right thing. But as far as doing it for attention, we're a comedy club, we do all kinds of shenanigans," Pfanenstiel said.

The play is being brought to the theater by a group of law school students and all of the proceeds are going to various charity organizations. The director of the play said she was going ask the theater and comedy club to return the title back to its original name.

I'm Done RENTing

Last night Ken and I saw the 473rd national tour of Rent. Ok, I'm kidding about the 473rd tour...but it has been playing on Broadway and touring for 10+ years.

I first fell in love with Rent strictly by listening to the cast CD, which I had been given for Christmas. The CD became a permanent fixture in my car. I loved the music, I loved the play (at least what I read about it from the CD booklet), and I loved the story behind the play.

The show came to Greensboro in December 1997, and I was there. In the balcony, singing my heart out. The show was absolutely wonderful! I bought a program and a "Seasons of Love" ornament. I was a true Renthead!

In October 2003, my best friend scored free tickets when Rent returned to Greensboro. He had never seen the show, but he was very familiar with the music. He loved the show, I was lukewarm. I hated the actor who played Roger. He was whimpy and a bit effaminate, and well, he just didn't "Light My Candle".

I've seen the movie several times; twice at the theater and several times on DVD with Mallorie. I loved that the original cast did the movie. I loved Traci as the new Maureen. I hated Rosario as the new Mimi. She just wasn't gritty enough.

When Ken and I were planning our "culture" for this year, I asked him to include tickets to see Rent. So, off we went to the Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte. I hate to admit this, but I was really bored with the production. I don't know whether it was because I've seen it so many times, or whether I just wasn't keen on the cast. Again, I didn't like the actor playing Roger. He was from the London cast and I just couldn't get past Roger sounding British.

The production was good. I just realized that I wasn't into it. I still love the music, I just don't have any desire to see the show anymore. There are too many other shows that I'd like to see.

Unknown Day, 1965

My dad emailed this picture to me this morning. The guys are from the USS Hawkins, taking a break from duty at a bar in the Philippines. Dave Roberts, my dad, is the one sitting on the left. The three guys seated beside him worked on his crew. The other two guys were shipmates. Dad is 19 in this photo. He's a very handsome teenager, isn't he? (I'm told I look a lot like him.)

Dad and his crew were all Torpedomen's Mates, which meant they maintained the weapons and the launchers. They fired torpedoes at submarines when found by sonar. When at sea, Dad stood on sonar watches just to have something to do.

Dad was also the auto weapons man when they had to go ashore. He manned the machine gun when the landing party was close to shore or when going up a river. When needed, he was also backup pointer for the number one gun mount. He pointed the big gun at the target and pulled the firing trigger.

As I look at my dad in this picture, I can't help but wonder what he was thinking or talking about before the photo was snapped. He looks so darn young! At 19 years old you have your whole life ahead of you. Serving in the military certainly puts life in perspective, which might explain why they all look a bit somber. They certainly didn't go to the bar for a boisterous celebration. Maybe they became more lively later in the evening?

Though I don't say it nearly enough, I am very proud of my dad. I post this photo to honor him, and to thank him for sharing it with me.

The Vagina Monologues

(Yes I said Vagina. Vagina, vagina, vagina. Okay? Are you over it now?)

The Vagina Monologues will be presented at 8pm on March 10. The show is a V-Day Campaign fundraiser sponsored by Family Services. Proceeds from ticket sales will also go toward Family Services' programs for battered women.

I post this now for several reasons. The first reason is the most important one. Please go ahead and mark this date on your calendars. Please plan on purchasing tickets to see this empowering show. Leave husbands and boyfriends at home (unless they are open-minded to lots of vagina talk) and bring your girlfriends, your mothers, your sisters, your cousins, your co-workers and your neighbors. Money raised is used to help stop violence against women. All women.

The second reason I post now is because I want you to have plenty of time to get prepared for the power of The Vagina Monologues. Yes, the word vagina is referenced frequently throughout the show. No, there aren't naked women onstage showing off their vaginas. There is no nudity; only shades of black, red and pink. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will get angry as you listen to each of the pieces various women present. You will leave the theater with a renewed appreciation of womanhood. My mom, my manager, my supervisor and one of my best (male) friends have attended previous performances. Each of them left the theater in awe.

The third reason is that for the second consecutive year, I will be in the show. (I also did the show back in 2004 for the Community Theatre of Greensboro.) Once again, I will be performing the "Reclaiming Cunt" monologue. (Yes I said cunt. And if you find that word a bit harder to get over, well, that's exactly the point of my piece.)

We started rehearsals with a read-through yesterday and let me just tell you how honored I am to be included in this cast of absolutely amazing women. Even though I am familiar with the show, I found myself laughing and crying to the new voices presenting standard monologues. There are two new monologues this year, and both brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Please mark your calendars now. I can't wait for you to meet my wonderful castmates in this incredible show.

An Evening at the Theatre

Last night Ken and I drove to Greensboro to see Cirque Dreams: Jungle Fantasy. It was less a theatre production and more of an evening at the circus. A very colorful and talented circus.

The show was 90-minutes of floor and aerial acrobats (which I love!), contortionists, jugglers, balancers, dancers, a very tall drummer and a singing lady bug. I think there was supposed to be a storyline, but I couldn't understand the singing lady bug who acted as a narrator. She had a nice voice; I just couldn't understand what she was singing.

It was a neat show, but I kept thinking that Cade might have had more fun. After the first act the impressiveness of the colorful costumes and skills of the contortionists and jugglers began to wear off and I became slightly bored. I've seen similar talent on TV.

Still, if you haven't seen a show like this, it's cool to experience. Just bring along the little kids who can help you maintain your excitement.

Edward Scissorhands

Have you ever been to a musical without any singing or dialogue and with just dancing? That's the concept behind the new stage adaptation of Edward Scissorhands, which Ken and I saw last night at the Belk Theater in Charlotte.

I actually remember seeing the movie. It was January 1991, and Mickey Carroll took me to see it at the Hanes Mall Cinema. I loved the theatricalness (is that a new word?) of the movie and was very impressed with Johnny Depp as Edward. So, when we were in Charlotte for NCTC, and I saw the brochures for the show, I asked Ken if he wanted to see it with me. (I tossed in quite a few please, please, pleases as well.)

While we had good seats (row D, seats 1/2) to begin with, they became even better seats when the couple in front of us left during intermission. Ken and I then had an unobstructed view of the whole stage. The show was impressive before the intermission, but after intermission, it was breathtaking.

I watched in awe as every dancer brought the movie characters to life. Some even brought to life Edward's garden shrub creations. I wanted to go backstage just to see how those costumes were made! I was not as impressed with the dancer who played Kim, the Winona Ryder role in the movie, though she and Edward had some nice "duets". One of two dancers plays Edward and I'm not sure which one we saw. But whichever it was, he was phenomenal! (And had really nice dancer's buns to boot!) He conveyed such wonderful innocence and humanity for Edward. Many in the audience connected with him as evidenced by the sniffles that could be heard during the final scene. A lump was in my own throat.

My favorite part of the production was the curtain call, specifically Edward's bow. Sam or Richard (damn, I wish I knew which one it was!) tottered out, in character, to the end of the stage. He stood there, soaking in the well-deserved applause and standing ovation. He titled his head to one side as if "Edward" was curious about the thunderous noise, raised his scissorhands over his head, and opened his arms. And then it started to snow. All over the entire audience.

Two words: breathtaking and unforgettable.

I'll Tell You Who's Got the Will

It's a Divorce Southern Style, Sordid Lives and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest cast reunion!

Dana Benson is Sara Lee Turnover, Mimi Cunningham is Evalita, and I'm playing Lurlene Sue Turnover Rogers. Ken Ashford is Orville Turnover and Ally Macaulay is his wife, Marlene. Mark March plays Buford, our Daddy, and Betsy Pugh is (grand)Mama Wheelis. Zack Brown rounds out the cast as Harmony.

Tonight was our first rehearsal. Jamie doesn't do a read thru; he just jumps right in with blocking. As he was explaining what "business" he wanted Lurlene to do, I couldn't help but smile. He noticed and immediately read my thoughts. I'm sitting in the chair fanning myself with a magazine, just like I did in Sordid Lives.

Hmmmm.....

Well, I didn't get Evalita. Interestingly, Mimi got that role. I got the role of Lurlene, the religious oldest sister. Ken tells me that Jamie must see me more as pious than slutty. I guess that's good, right?

Anyway, I am happy to have gotten a part. Ken did get Orville and Ally did get Marlene. That's all the cast I know. Rehearsals will start next week.

Auditions

I just got back from Daddy's Dying Who's Got The Will auditions. I was surprised by the turn out. Specifically the men. There are only 3 male roles and there were at least 10 men auditioning!

I had talked Kenny into auditioning and was glad that he came. He read very well for the part of Harmony. Really, I think he was the best one, but Zack was also good. Ken and Paul are competing for the role of Orville. I hope Ken gets it. I think he's got the emotional range for Orville. Mark March was hilarious as Buford. A couple of other guys read for Buford, but Mark really nailed it. He'd have to be aged quite a bit though.

There are 5 roles for women and 6 ladies auditioned (including me). Mimi wanted the role of Mama Wheelis, but Chris and a new lady, Betsy, are better suited for the role. Betsy read very well for the part. Ally was a scream as Marlene and had everyone laughing. She will definitely get that part. Jamie read Mimi and I both for Lurlene and Evalita. Lurlene is the oldest sister and Mimi read that part well. I'm hoping to get Evalita.

Still, even if I don't get a part, I'm okay with that. I must admit that it's been nice being home at night. I've caught up on some TV programs and actually read a book, as opposed to a script. (I do have those two books I got for Christmas...) I mean, if Ken gets a part and I don't I know I'll feel a bit left out. But I could always work and read my books backstage.

We Must Have Been Nice....

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas. For the first time since I can remember, no one opened a present that required one of those fake "oh, I just love it" smiles.

Mallorie finally joined the ranks of teenagers across the land; she loved her new iPod. I received several jean/sweater outfits, and two books I wanted: for one more day and Persuasion.

Cade was just beside himself. I think you can understand why...

Awww...How Cute!

Christmas Cookies

Tonight Mallorie asked me if I could make Christmas cookies for her to bring to school for her friends. Yeah, nothing like a little advance warning. Though Betty Crocker I am not, lucky for her I did have a couple of packages of the pre-cut Christmas cookies from Toll House. Mallorie baked and cooled the cookies while I made icing.

As you can see, Cade helped out by decorating the cookies with sprinkles. Since the cookies were for her friends, Mallorie made sure of Cade's quality.

Makes you smile, doesn't it?