up, down, and all around

It’s been so long. Time flies when you’re having fun. Or if you’re insanely busy. Sorry…
Sunday the 28th I went to church. I went early and helped setup as I was on the “setup crew.” I had to go to work right after church. Boo.
When I got home I did a practice run hair-do for my roommate Kelly whose hair I was going to do for a wedding. It ended up looking really nice if I do say so myself.
Monday I slept a fair amount but considering that I nearly froze to death in my zzzzs, I hardly got a good night’s sleep. We’ve been trying to get our landlord to turn the freakin’ heat on but there’s a bit of a language barrier. Plus I get the distinct feeling that, like many landlords, she is being cheap and would rather see our apartment turn into an igloo than bless us with the basic human necessity of heat.
When I finally thawed out, Monday morning, I got ready and went to an audition for a midtown theatre company’s “Shakespeare Unplugged” project. There were approximately 2 million people squeezed into a 5x5 foot room so I didn’t have a chance at being seen by the directors. However, I left my headshot combo and a big smile for the monitor in charge. I tried.
I went to the gym after the audish and then finally did the unthinkable: I finished painting my room. I cleaned up my painting mess, swept, and now my room looks beautiful. The walls are all white and instead of looking boring, I’d say it really looks clean and classy. Yep, I’d use alliteration to describe it: it’s clean and classy. It’s so pretty! It’s really starting to look like a bedroom. Now all I need is a bed. Ahaha.
Tuesday I worked at Sephora and went to the gym after work.
Wednesday, aka Halloween, I had a really fun day. First of all we finally got internet access in our apartment. Yay! Now I just have to find time to use it.
Earlier in the day I went to the Queens Mall and I’m proud to say that it was one of the smartest ideas I’ve had in a while because the mall on Halloween is nothing short of the cutest place on earth. There were pint sized Pooh bears, angels, Spidermen, Disney Princesses and others…everywhere. The kids where trick or treating in full force.
I don’t know if I’m getting old or what but when did kid’s Halloween costumes get so cute? One of my favorites where 3 year old twin girls running around giggling and screaming while dressed as an angel and a devil. I almost had to sit down it was so adorable. So, note to self…future Halloween plans? Queens Mall.
While I dodged strollers and mini goblins I shopped around for some home making supplies. JcPenney and Macy’s were having sales (of course) and if it weren’t for a snotty halitosis ridden sales lady I may have bought some curtains for my room. I saved my dough and just browsed instead.
I got some great decorating ideas that I’ll put into action at some point, I hope. I had to hurry back to Astoria and get my script before my rehearsal that night. When I got back to my neighborhood I discovered yet another fleet of trick or treaters combing the streets of Astoria. Again, too much cuteness. Do you ever have the urge to stop parents on the street and ask them if they realize just how adorable their kids are? Sometimes I think parents get so pissed and impatient with their tiny dinosaurs that they forget just how precious they are. I’m one to talk though; I ain’t got no little monsters. Who knows?
I gotta say though, if you have little ones bring ‘em to Astoria on Halloween. All the local businesses hand out candy to hundreds of kids each year. It’s a fun, safe way for them to celebrate.
There’s something in it for everyone, too. I, for example, haven’t laughed that hard in a while. I can’t think of a better time to see a mini Dumbo get top heavy and fall forward into a bucket of candy. FUNny.
Well, I went to my rehearsal on Halloween evening, reluctantly. I had to meet a new stand in director for the NY Dinner Theater to work on “The Soapranos,” (the spoof dinner comedy show).
I really don’t know why this guy decided on Halloween night. My real director is in Denver working on another project so we have a different guy. The rehearsal wasn’t productive in the slightest way so I was happy to get out of there and get on with my Halloween plans.
My roommates and I threw our very own Halloween bash. I rented a Halloween-ish movie for us to watch: “Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.” The other gals made very tasty baked goods that I would describe in detail but I don’t want to make you jealous. We even bobbed for apples a la “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” ehehe.
After our party I slipped into a sugar coma and somehow ended up in Thursday morning.
The first day of November…what?!
The highlight of Thursday was our weekly Community Group meeting. Again we met to discuss "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. Yes, we are still reading it. It’s dense. I love meeting with my friends I’ve made in that group. I see them at church and at our meetings and I’m so glad I’ve met them. They’re great people that help me feel more at home here.
When I arrived home Thursday night my roommates proudly informed me that they had convinced our landlord to turn the heat on in our apartment. Praise God. I can wake up without frostbite on my nose.
Friday morning I got up and instantly noticed that I had gotten a better night’s sleep. I was a little more chipper in the morning and getting out of the shower was a lot less painful. There aren’t too may things worse than getting out of a hot shower and stepping into a cold room.
I spent the day working at Sephora. Putting makeup on people doesn’t get any less absurd to me with each day that I work. For as long as I’ve been wearing makeup it’s been for fun. That’s it. It is baffling to me how so many women (and some men) feel like they can’t survive without makeup. The vanity is suffocating but all the same laughable. I get a kick out of bs-ing with clients about the differences between, say, two eye shadows that are practically the same with a $30 price difference. What a way to earn a living.
After work I spent some quality time on the phone with friends from Oregon. I needed that.
Then I met up with a new friend I made while sitting and waiting around at an audition a while ago. We met up and had a drink at a really cozy, reasonably priced pub in midtown. I liked discovering that. There’s nothing better than finding a cheap place to grab a drink with friends. We sat and talked for hours and then I finally made my way back to Queens.
Saturday morning I barely rolled out of bed (too little sleep) and went to work. Saturday's are by far our busiest days. Amongst the giant crowd of shoppers I did manage to spot a one, Rachael Ray. Yep, THE Rachael Ray, in our store all by herself no friends, body guards, husband, just her.
I didn't chat with her, as I was busy and truthfully didn't have anything to say but she certainly didn't look like she wanted to be approached. No one really noticed her so it was kinda fun to spot her as she was clearly trying not to be noticed in the crowd. She didn't make eye contact with anyone and looked very determined as she tossed nearly everything she laid eyes on into her basket. I'm pretty sure she bought enough to cover my next two paychecks. What a life. There's nothing like a good celebrity sighting to liven up your Saturday at work.
After work I rushed to the train station and headed to my first showing of “The Soapranos” with the New York Dinner Theater. It’s the second of two different casts I’m a part of with the company.
The cast is another great one. They are hilarious. I had trouble getting ready for the show on time because I was so busy laughing at the other actors. I got dressed, and got my age makeup just right. I had a little problem though: I had to wear a wig in the show and the wig cap I had fashioned cut off the circulation to my noggin. start to notice the problem until I was onstage and it was too late. Half way through the show I practically passed out I was in such pain.
I sort of used the pain for my character which didn’t let anyone in on the fact that I felt like death was approaching. Since I play a really old lady I just played up the choice that she had a contorted face and hardly looked anyone in the eye. The blood flow to my head was cut in half and it was the worst show to be doing for that to happen in. “The Soapranos” is about ¼ scripted and the rest is just improv with fellow actors and audience members. I was onstage the entire show. I somehow managed to sneak offstage with some line about burning things in the oven and I fixed my circulation problem. The show went a lot smoother for me after that. The audience really enjoyed themselves, or so they decided to tell me as I was improv-ing with them. Haha.
I got through the show without any noticeable issues, and I say that loosely. It was a great show, exhausting, but great. In spite of the pain I had a blast. Improv work with audience members is all kinds of crazy.
After the show I traveled back to Queens and luckily found my way home in spite of my brain damage.
Alright, I’ll have to finish my update later, I gotta sleep and most likely start a fight with my neighbors. They’re playing LOUD music at 2am. Not cool. And it’s not even good music for crying out loud.
To be continued…