"No Day But Today"...to write a post
Hello everyone!
I rarely post, so I thought I'd get you up to speed in the comings and goings of my life:
My job: Work is always stressful; however, with exceptionally large budget cuts looming, it has made for quite a journey this year. Looks like I will be safe from a layoff (thank goodness), but I may be back in the classroom next year. I'm "too expensive" to keep out of the classroom because I have my Masters and I've been teaching for seven years in the same district. I definitely do not feel I get paid "too much" in any shape of the word when buying groceries in California can cost well over $200 at times and going to dinner and a movie runs you well above $70! But whatever; I have a job, a home, a boyfriend, great friends, and animals so I am grateful.
My health: As Jeff posted earlier, I am off the drugs :) Every day I feel better and better...It's almost a "cleansing" feeling...I don't know it's hard to explain. I got my first cold/flu of the school year, which prevented me from going to the gym this week, but I'll get back on that horse tomorrow!
Ovations: Ovations is a school production put on every year. Out of all of the musicals put on in the district, this one takes the cake. I am producing the show this year, and now, totally against my will, playing Donna from Mama Mia in one of the sequences. We do excerpts from three musicals (this year: Mama Mia, Pirates of Penzance, Man of La Mancha) and then in the second act, give a tribute to Motown. The show costs about $50,000 to put on, which with the school budget cuts, is a lot of money to raise! What keeps us going strong is the massive amount of talent that comes through our doors. Students come to our high school just to do Ovations and get recognized. We've had several students in the past get picked up by agents in the audience. I think back to my school musical days...some kids were good, some not so good...in Ovations everyone has talent. It blows my mind. They have finally allowed other schools in the district to allow their students to audition in fear that they would leave their home school and go to ours. It's crazy good and I'm proud to be a part of it for the 3rd year.
Rent: Jeff and I (along with four of our friends) saw Rent last night and it was fabulous!!!!! To not come across bragging, I had to read Shila's post earlier to make sure she was going again before i posted this segment of my blog: Adam Pascal was F***ing AMAZING!!! At first glance I did not know it was him. Our seats were on the main floor, but a bit far from the stage (row SS). I saw bleached, short yellow/blond hair, but couldn't see his face. We didn't receive any extra paper in our programs to inform us of any changes, but I was still nervous. Then....he sang...and I squeezed Jeff's hand in delight!!! "It's him!!!!" I whispered. Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal ARE Rent for me and getting to see them together was a privilege. The cast was amazing except for Mimi...she sucked ass. She sounded like Rosario Dawson who I hated in the movie (they only put her in the movie because she is "current" and they needed to draw in the "Non-Renters" to make a box-office profit...my theory...). Very weak. Her version of "Out Tonight" was disappointing and did not portray Mimi as the wild girl she is. She got better in the second act...wanna know why?? Because her quiet voice worked well with the "I'm strung out, I'm sad and depressed" Mimi. At intermission, I heard the group behind us talking about the actress playing Mimi as "the weak link" in this show and I
understood their concern. Angel and Collins were amazing. The guy who played Angel added some nice nuances to the character and took many of his songs to a new level. I cried when his character died and Collins sang.
Passion Party: So I threw a passion party for 25 of my closest female friends (and one gay guy). If you don't know what that is....it's a sex-toy party...and it was a blast. As I've done a little growing up since moving to Cali, I've become more confident and comfortable talking about this taboo topic and the concept that sex should be fun and enjoyable for both parties. I had the party at my friend Benita's house (director of Ovations). I made Pink Panty Pull-Downs and mimosas for our drinks of choice. Our Passion consultant, Lisa, did a fabulous job teaching us "Passion 101." And the games!!! Oh the games!!! You can just imagine...all I can say is that my smile muscles hurt after that party!
The Oscar Movies: Jeff and I tried to see all of the Oscar movies and we did fairly well. With the exception of The Wrestler and Frozen River, we hit them all. Obviously my favorite was "Slumdog!" As most of you know, I boasted repeatedly and obsessively about this movie since before it was popular and I feel a part of the "Slumdog Movement." I think this is an even bigger step towards truly appreciating indie films and recognizing that it doesn't take a star cast and a huge budget to turn out a phenomenal, meaningful piece of cinematic art. If anyone doesn't have the soundtrack already, get it because it's amazing.
If you haven't heard the story behind the play/movie Doubt, I wanted to tell you a little secret and ask you your opinion. In the play/movie Doubt, there is doubt as to the guilt of the priest. We don't know either way and that is the point of the show. What is interesting is that the director/writer tells the priest whether he did it or not before the play (and the movie). Whoever is playing the priest is not allowed to disclose the secret to anyone in the cast. I saw the play version AND movie version of Doubt and I gotta tell ya, I got a different feeling about the priest in both versions. In the movie version, I did not think he was guilty, but in the theatrical version...he was totally guilty. I am wondering if the director/writer (who did both the play AND the movie) told a different verdict to each priest...what are your thoughts? Even if you didn't see the play, what do you think the director whispered into Philip Seymour Hoffman's ear????
TV News: These are things I hear from friends in the biz and from Variety (and E!)
1. Fame is being made into a movie...again
2. Colm Wilkinson (originator of Jean ValJean in Les Mis) will be in Season Three of the Tudors (Jason...season two was amazing go rent it!!!)
3. Lost will be on for many more seasons...I love the show to death, but I'm scared it may get cheesy
4. Dancing with the Stars: Nancy O'Dell is out as is Jewel...Holly from Girls Next Door is in
5. Arrested Development is becoming a movie...this show is outstanding...it you've never seen it...rent it...you'll love it
That's all for now...off to enjoy our amazing weather!!!!
Love,
Kelley
I rarely post, so I thought I'd get you up to speed in the comings and goings of my life:
My job: Work is always stressful; however, with exceptionally large budget cuts looming, it has made for quite a journey this year. Looks like I will be safe from a layoff (thank goodness), but I may be back in the classroom next year. I'm "too expensive" to keep out of the classroom because I have my Masters and I've been teaching for seven years in the same district. I definitely do not feel I get paid "too much" in any shape of the word when buying groceries in California can cost well over $200 at times and going to dinner and a movie runs you well above $70! But whatever; I have a job, a home, a boyfriend, great friends, and animals so I am grateful.
My health: As Jeff posted earlier, I am off the drugs :) Every day I feel better and better...It's almost a "cleansing" feeling...I don't know it's hard to explain. I got my first cold/flu of the school year, which prevented me from going to the gym this week, but I'll get back on that horse tomorrow!
Ovations: Ovations is a school production put on every year. Out of all of the musicals put on in the district, this one takes the cake. I am producing the show this year, and now, totally against my will, playing Donna from Mama Mia in one of the sequences. We do excerpts from three musicals (this year: Mama Mia, Pirates of Penzance, Man of La Mancha) and then in the second act, give a tribute to Motown. The show costs about $50,000 to put on, which with the school budget cuts, is a lot of money to raise! What keeps us going strong is the massive amount of talent that comes through our doors. Students come to our high school just to do Ovations and get recognized. We've had several students in the past get picked up by agents in the audience. I think back to my school musical days...some kids were good, some not so good...in Ovations everyone has talent. It blows my mind. They have finally allowed other schools in the district to allow their students to audition in fear that they would leave their home school and go to ours. It's crazy good and I'm proud to be a part of it for the 3rd year.
Rent: Jeff and I (along with four of our friends) saw Rent last night and it was fabulous!!!!! To not come across bragging, I had to read Shila's post earlier to make sure she was going again before i posted this segment of my blog: Adam Pascal was F***ing AMAZING!!! At first glance I did not know it was him. Our seats were on the main floor, but a bit far from the stage (row SS). I saw bleached, short yellow/blond hair, but couldn't see his face. We didn't receive any extra paper in our programs to inform us of any changes, but I was still nervous. Then....he sang...and I squeezed Jeff's hand in delight!!! "It's him!!!!" I whispered. Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal ARE Rent for me and getting to see them together was a privilege. The cast was amazing except for Mimi...she sucked ass. She sounded like Rosario Dawson who I hated in the movie (they only put her in the movie because she is "current" and they needed to draw in the "Non-Renters" to make a box-office profit...my theory...). Very weak. Her version of "Out Tonight" was disappointing and did not portray Mimi as the wild girl she is. She got better in the second act...wanna know why?? Because her quiet voice worked well with the "I'm strung out, I'm sad and depressed" Mimi. At intermission, I heard the group behind us talking about the actress playing Mimi as "the weak link" in this show and I
understood their concern. Angel and Collins were amazing. The guy who played Angel added some nice nuances to the character and took many of his songs to a new level. I cried when his character died and Collins sang.
Passion Party: So I threw a passion party for 25 of my closest female friends (and one gay guy). If you don't know what that is....it's a sex-toy party...and it was a blast. As I've done a little growing up since moving to Cali, I've become more confident and comfortable talking about this taboo topic and the concept that sex should be fun and enjoyable for both parties. I had the party at my friend Benita's house (director of Ovations). I made Pink Panty Pull-Downs and mimosas for our drinks of choice. Our Passion consultant, Lisa, did a fabulous job teaching us "Passion 101." And the games!!! Oh the games!!! You can just imagine...all I can say is that my smile muscles hurt after that party!
The Oscar Movies: Jeff and I tried to see all of the Oscar movies and we did fairly well. With the exception of The Wrestler and Frozen River, we hit them all. Obviously my favorite was "Slumdog!" As most of you know, I boasted repeatedly and obsessively about this movie since before it was popular and I feel a part of the "Slumdog Movement." I think this is an even bigger step towards truly appreciating indie films and recognizing that it doesn't take a star cast and a huge budget to turn out a phenomenal, meaningful piece of cinematic art. If anyone doesn't have the soundtrack already, get it because it's amazing.
If you haven't heard the story behind the play/movie Doubt, I wanted to tell you a little secret and ask you your opinion. In the play/movie Doubt, there is doubt as to the guilt of the priest. We don't know either way and that is the point of the show. What is interesting is that the director/writer tells the priest whether he did it or not before the play (and the movie). Whoever is playing the priest is not allowed to disclose the secret to anyone in the cast. I saw the play version AND movie version of Doubt and I gotta tell ya, I got a different feeling about the priest in both versions. In the movie version, I did not think he was guilty, but in the theatrical version...he was totally guilty. I am wondering if the director/writer (who did both the play AND the movie) told a different verdict to each priest...what are your thoughts? Even if you didn't see the play, what do you think the director whispered into Philip Seymour Hoffman's ear????
TV News: These are things I hear from friends in the biz and from Variety (and E!)
1. Fame is being made into a movie...again
2. Colm Wilkinson (originator of Jean ValJean in Les Mis) will be in Season Three of the Tudors (Jason...season two was amazing go rent it!!!)
3. Lost will be on for many more seasons...I love the show to death, but I'm scared it may get cheesy
4. Dancing with the Stars: Nancy O'Dell is out as is Jewel...Holly from Girls Next Door is in
5. Arrested Development is becoming a movie...this show is outstanding...it you've never seen it...rent it...you'll love it
That's all for now...off to enjoy our amazing weather!!!!
Love,
Kelley