| I know I post maybe all of once a year...but I just had to write this down. It's far too worth telling to deny it's telling:
THE SET UP: Tonight is my last night of my stay with my family out in the country (oh so stereotypical NY hot spot...le Hamptons), and the night was shaping up to be great. Leah (10 yrs), Harly (18yrs), and I were having a sister's night in. We went through a bunch of my childhood belongings and photos, then made dinner, played ouiji (silly, but satisfying), and then watched a movie while doing nails. All was well...
THE BACK STORY: Before I delve into what happened next, you must understand that every summer my step-mom gets Leah chickens, ducks, etc to take care of for the summer. Between her passion for riding horses and becoming a vegetarian, Leah really loves her animals. She takes their little lives rather seriously. Yet every year, a bunch of her summer birds do not make it through the season via one tragedy or another. Many a morning has Leah found her bird dead because of rain, cold, one pecked the other to death, etc. She takes it very seriously...
THE DISASTER STRIKES: All was well tonight until my dad came into Leah's bedroom (where we were gathered) and asked Leah if she had put the chicks away for the night. I started to tell him she had done so, but she quickly gasped and revealed she had only half put them away (earlier that evening when I was making dinner, she told me that she was on her way to put the chicks back). Harly, Leah, and I resigned ourselves to grab the flashlight and go through the creepy woods to secure the pen.
It's amazing to think that we were laughing nervously to ourselves about the spooky dark on our way down to what would be disaster. As we approached the pen, Leah shined the light on the open gate, and she made her way towards the entrance. As she fumbled to open the outside gate, a flash revealed the freshly killed bloody and mangled corpse of her chicken "Cassie".
"Oh God" I choked
"Is it.." Harly started to say, but Leah's flashlight was faster and shone on the rump of a raccoon as it thumped into the little chicken house to destroy the baby ducklings and chicks.
Leah's face was pure panic, her breathing ragged.
"We have to get her out of here," I said to Harly, knowing there was no way to save those birds with Leah's hand still in mine (not to mention no knowledge of how dangerous a raccoon could be to us what with disease and the fact is was strong enough to mangle a large chicken!).
As we started to move her away, Leah let out a piercing, ear-shattering SCREAM.
No- a shreik. When she ran out of air, another scream ripped through the air.
I don't even think she realized she was screaming at the time. I tried to calm and quiet her, but thank God Harly had the sense to yell out "It's the chickens, the raccoons got to them!" before Dad or Bonnie (my step mom) could begin to think someone was murdering us in the woods.
In a matter of seconds Dad and Bonnie ran out; Bonnie (who grew up in the country) grabbed the flashlight from Leah and yelled "get back to the house!" while Dad (who is a big guy of 6'1) followed.
Leah was running now, stuttering over words and names, but not really saying anything.
Harly (again with amazing presence of mind) yelled "Sammy! Is he out?!" My dog, Sammy, is 5 pounds, and could have easily slipped out behind Dad and Bonnie and gotten lost in the night or eaten by the raccoon. Thank goodness Sammy senses true crisis; Harly found him trembling in my father's bathroom (most likely because of Leah's screaming, which may have saved him as a result).
Leah ran upstairs, shoved herself under her blanked and just wailed. Bonnie's mother was wakened by the screaming. She and I rarely get along, but for those 5 minutes we were both just trying to calm Leah down. She was yelling, rolling, and thrashing; as if that would let her go back and fix it all.
Her grandmother kept saying, "Your being this upset will only make your mother more upset!"...the guilt technique. But the true horror of what Leah was grappling with, I know, comes down to the fact that she blamed herself for what happened; she sees herself with blood on her hands.
Despite my murmurs of "its not your fault", Leah was beside herself with self-anger. What I really wanted to explain is that the whole idea of getting chickens for a NYC family is insane to begin with; and the yearly deaths are probably a good sign that its a shitty plan.
Finally Bonnie and Dad returned from the pen (my Dad later reporting not a single bird made it), and took Leah to their room for the night.
Harly and I spent the next hour just coping with everything we'd seen. I always said that despite my envy towards Leah for the lack of emotional crisis (no divorce, no eviction!) I would never wish any similar situation on her.
Tonight, in that moment of her scream, I knew how deeply true that was. The awful feeling I can't seem to shake is how horrified she was, and how little I could do to help. | comments: 3 insomniacs or Enter Nocturnal Dominion   |
| I cooked my first ever dinner for a dinner party. As in: not everything involved came out of a box! I went and actually bought raw brisket and cooked it! Delicious! It turned out beautifully (as did the veggie lasagne, the corn, the salad, and all the jewish goodies in the middle).
The best part was having my home filled with friends. There were 8 of us (Jen, Tse Russian, Jim Bob, Laura, Shayna, Ben, Mike Astolfi, and me). It was a really fun time. Kay and Meghan showed up later and I knew the weekend was going to rock.
Not to mention I was dog sitting Sammy...and frankly am pretty sad that he isn't here anymore.
I did something really dumb. I put dish soap in the dishwasher....and there is was. Absurd waves of foamy soap oozing out of the washer right on to the kitchen floor. I asked someone if it was okay, but it seems Ben was wrong...also I am a tool.
That being said, it was pretty fuckin funny. I'm still laughing about it.
The weekend was so much fun. Kay, who has never seen RENT, came wanting to see it. I knew Meghan was hesitant, but I think the universe wanted us to see it. It was for this reason TKTS did not have Spring Awakening or Wicked tickets available. The universe wanted us to get those third row RENT tickets in which we sat directly in front of Anthony Rapp during "Seasons of Love". So beautiful was the show, so beautiful was he! Adam Pascal was there too, which was cool. But after reading Anthony Rapp's memoirs, and seeing how adorable and at the same time intense he is on stage, he is the ultimate in my on stage crushes.
Plus...he made direct eye contact with me at one point. I felt my cheeks heat up, and found myself grinning like an idiot with no where to look but back at his gaze.
*sigh*
Right. Also had a good day Sunday with my musical improv class. I find it both relaxing and cathartic at the same time. It ended with a very touching improvised song from a girl who lost a teacher to cancer. We were all holding back our tears by the end.
So great.
Today I was pretty busy with Harly's birthday (she's 17). I met her for lunch and after school I took her to Bergdorf Goodman's where family friends of ours were selling some of their clothes.
Look them up on google. They run a company called "Enchanted World" and the wife, Amy, designs beautiful couture jackets and dresses, but also designs detailed Tarot cards. The husband, Monty, tells fortunes. I know it sounds kinda goofy, but they've been wildly successful at it. Either way, Harly loved it.
I then took Leah and Harly to dinner at Serendipity. It was okay except for a small fight between the girls about who got to put their elbow at the end of the table. *grumble*
I think the most fun tonight was when Harly put on Rent and the three of us sang out to it (still kind of amazed Leah, at age 9, is into it...she apparently saw the movie and adores Angel...and knows all the words/dance moves to "Today 4 U")
I find it exciting that people are still discovering RENT.
Also, I've begun moving forward on my new job search. I got some useful names and organizations to contact, a great website that posts theatre ed jobs, and meetings this week with people who can help me put a strong resume together for this field. I'm working on the resume and hope to have it done and ready to go by Friday (I want Chris R. to look at it first).
Sometimes I'll feel a blip of fear or doubt, but then I think of sitting at that office desk and I know I made the right decision. Especially when I know people (true many from my improv class) who are following passions and are happy they did it.
Onwards I go... | | comments: 5 insomniacs or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
| | Security: | | | Subject: | Outa Here | | Time: | 04:26 pm | | Current Mood: |  creative |
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| It's one hour and 30mins until I leave my job!
I am so ready to leave, and I'm glad I can really devote my time to finding the job/grad program that is going to make me happy.
I have some mixed feelings, definately a little bit of nervs and it's more than likely in two weeks time I'll be posting a "HOW AM I GOING TO DO THIS?!". For now, however, it feels right in my gut. I won't hate going to a place every day, and that's going to be enough to start.
I've spoken to Joe Maddens and he's hoping to get a job in DC in October. I really had to both marvel and appreciate how Joe is so willing to give the time needed to find a job he wants. I'm going to give myself that same favor, and really find something I'm not going to want to leave in 2 months, or 6. Ideally I'd find something that I'd stick with until grad school. If Joe can do it, by golly, so can I!
I also saw Nanny Diaries with Jen, Caroline, and Harly last Friday and found myself really inspired. Not to become a Nanny or move to the upper east side. The movie decided to give the book more in-depth characters with names and back stories. I was skeptical of this move, at first, but warmed up to it when I found Scarlet Johansan's character going through a similar crisis. She's a busines major with a minor in anthropology, and realizes ultumately, she only chose business becuase it seemed the smart thing to do. In the end she goes for anthro
Now, I know it was just a movie (and a pretty silly and overexaggerated one at that). That doesn't make the message of figuring out what you want to do and following it any less valid.
I went to a Ren Faire on saturday, which was fun but way too hot for my usual cosume. Luckily found a boutique that had much cooler dresses and so we wore that most of the day. It was so much fun watching Harly's amazement at the free spirit of the faire. I hope one day I can work at a ren faire for a summer. I'm not sure when I'd do this, but its just one of those "I really hope at one point I can try ______"
It was strange being in that atmosphere with my step mom and Dad, but I think my dad actually enjoyed it at the end of the day. We played the games, watched some shows (which were actually pretty good, much less kitch than at some of King Richard's stuff). The layout was more like a field with a town in it, whereas King Richard's is more like a forest with a town figured into it. I'm glad I went but I think in the future I'll go on weekends when the weather is cooler.
Sunday I had lunch with Mike A. who just moved to NYC to pursue acting. I'm not sure what he's freaked out more by...how huge the city is (which is more surprise than freaked out), or the hard core party-men of his school's (NY Film Academy) dorm. It was nice seeing him, and inviting him to my Rosh Hashanah dinner party which is being held Friday.
I also started my musical improv class. I feel more confident making up songs on the spot than I feel about any other form of improv. I just love this! The class is mostly ladies, but its a good vibe. Also Kristin from Camprov has also signed up for the class.
Speaking of improv class: I have my last level 2 show tonight. I'm a little nervous, even though I performed all the time in college and even did that IB show. This is way more low key, but I think we're still getting used to performing with each other. I'm going to really focus on techniques that have proved useful (picking a strong emotion, physicality, or voice...or all 3) and work on building relationships.
Whee!
I think I'd be feeling sadder at the end of this, but I think most of my classmates are taking level 3, so we'll be seeing each other soon enough.
One hour to go! | | comments: 1 insomniac or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
| Friday: After crazy news about being watered, Jen was sweet enough to let me crash on her and her friend Caroline's N64 night. It was actually a ton of fun. The apartment way way up by Columbia, but it was nice being somewhere a bit different within the city. Meanwhile with Chinese takeout and hours of power star collecting, I felt really happy. It was the first time just hanging out with friends only from NYC in NYC and have it feel totally normal. I really like Caroline who just moved into an apt in Brooklyn (graduated Tufts 2007) with an...interesting roomie with a taste for the dramatic. Either way its another new friend, and a greater likelyhood at having a decent crowd at my Rosh Hashanah dinner party.
I had a really fun weekend helping Jim move into his Boston place. It's a great studio with a separate kitchen and bathroom, so it doesn't feel like everything crammed into one room.
I was highly amazed and amused at how determined his parents were to help get him everything he needed, and clean his apartment. I think if I had suggested that to my Dad he would have pretty much laughed in my face. Not 'cause he doesn't love me, but why should he help if I can do it on my own? Besides he's got 5 kids, so I'm the one most capable of self-care.
('course Dad and I just had a fight so I'm feeling less than rosy towards him right now)
Speaking of fights. Jim and I has our first one, though it wasn't really a fight so much as both of us letting out our fears and worries about our future come out in a rather emotional and heated discussion.
In the end we made up, and both wound up feeling alot better because the air was cleared. I can't help but draw a connection to my drastic change in attitude ever since my decision to follow my dreams etc.
Celebrated Jim's parents 25th with Tapas featuring crazy foods I had never tried before like Squid in its own Ink (it was pretty good, but I doubt I'll be ordering it for myself)
Jim and I had a bittersweet goodbye, though I will say long distance makes for a number of intense kisses.
Monday night was the big night in which I broke the news to Dad and Bonnie that I was leaving my job to persue both performance and teaching of the arts.
A bombardment of questings blasted by both parties made me shrink to the size of 2 inches tall. I felt stupid and totally without valid answers. It's amazing, when I talk to Mom about all I want to do I feel confident and ready to take the risks. With dad and especially Bonnie I feel scared and insecure about the choices because she can be so quick to point out the flaws.
Anyway, it's 6 and I'm meeting Harly for dinner and possible drinks with Marshal *gasp* later!
will finish later | | comments: 9 insomniacs or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
| | Security: | | | Subject: | Not Fired... | | Time: | 04:48 pm | | Current Mood: | amazed |
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| but Watered.
So...remember how in my last entry I was wondering how/when I would leave my current position?
I know how.
Today, another uneventful day, I decide to use some of my downtime to browse potential jobs out there. Bentley comes in suddenly, and I try to x out of the window hoping he hasn't seen it, and trying to think of a good excuse for why I was looking at it (I have a friend looking for work, etc)
Then he says very seriously, "Eli, I need to talk to you."
Instantly I think in panic, "He knows!" like Sebastian says in the Little Mermaid (those hard core will know what I'm talking about).
For 20 minutes I numbly work on scheduling his calendar as I imagine a thousand different things he might say to me "What were you doing looking for jobs?" "Your work has been sub par!"
Finally I am brought into the conference room with Bentley and Jen. Bentley looks at me with a slight smile and asks "Are you happy working here?"
I have no idea how to react. They're both looking at me with piercing stares and little smiles of "ahhh yes, we know all"
"Um," I begin far less gallantly than I would have wished, "I'm not sure what to say...I mean, it's work so its fine."
"No," says Bentley, "I want to know if you're happy coming here every day. This has nothing to do with your work. Your work is fine, but I need someone who is going to want to this for the next 15 years, and I know this isn't what you want for yourself. It's not just that you were looking at other jobs, you're clearly unhappy. You're meant to do a lot more than be an office assistant, and that's the only place this job is going. I know you do improv and theatre, and you're gonna work and make people laugh their asses off. This job isn't gonna bring you there."
Then Jen adds, "You also really want a job that you always look forward to coming in. It definitely takes time to find it, and I know you'll get there eventually."
Internally, at this point, my brain is doing a severe "Whaa?"
"So," Bentley continues, "here's what I propose: you stay here and use my phones and my computers to find your dream job. I don't just want you to find another job that you'll want to leave in a year; I want you to find a job that you, in your gut, believe is going to make you happy. All I ask is that you help me find a good assistant to replace you."
"I'm kinda stunned" I say with complete honesty, "I want you to know that I really love this work environment. The set up and the people are all amazing here. It's just the assistant job itself. One of the things I love is how much theatre background everyone here has, I want to go out and get that amazing background and be able to work as they do. You're right, an assistant job is not right for that."
Hence, I've been watered: They want me to find a job that makes me happy and grow as a person. The angels are looking down on me tonight. | | comments: 1 insomniac or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
| I really must stop waiting an entire year and a half before posting new stuff. Reading all about London and my junior year in college has been fun though. Obviously a lot has happened between my Dad leaving England and where I am now. Like the fact that I have two brothers who are now 1 year old! Let's have some fun, though, and attempt to sum up the last year and a half. Pay special attention to the highlights section.
SUMMER 2006: Lot's of travel on weekends! Prague, Dublin, Rome, New Castle and Paris! International w00t! I spend weekdays laboring at International Artistes as an assistant agent/internet explorer. I get to see a lot of theatre, 6 plays of which were a part of a theatre review class.
HIGHLIGHTS: Seeing plays (fave: Rock 'N Roll) and musicals (fave: Billy Elliot), working with actors and casting directors, improving my review writing skills, and the joy of travel.
FALL 2006: New roomies! One kind of off the wall, but makes me laugh despite increasing number of dirty dishes left out. The other is a lady after my own heart. Loves the same movies and foods, but far more than that, Kay's spirit is open, caring, and creative. I really lucked out with her. Sunday breakfasts of German Pancakes and snuggly movies fill my heart with joy.
Stage managing for the first time for Arcadia with friend Hilary directing. Good times, and new friends. Bonding with Dave Rogers, which is good news for any being with a joyful soul. Also bonding with Chris Bach, which was really lovely in an unexpected but happy way.
Also help put together charity radio play of "It's a Wonderful Life" with WM. I get to not only sing again, but also direct a small choir! Also we can dress as though from the 1940s! Too bad BU radio pulls out at the last minute and we don't get it recorded or broadcast. Also, new comer who plays Clarence is really cute.
My play is not voted in, but Sean Riedy's is. He is cool, and I hope to work with him.
Improv turns out to be very cool, despite large number of people who left last year. There's a lot of new talent here! I feel myself growing as a performer.
Classes: Only 3 this term. Per usual PR is boring and forgettable. What was amazing: Folk Song! Professor Barrand strikes again as BU's most culturally artistic Professor. We sing out loud together twice a week! I love this stuff! Why can't we live in a time when everyone goes to the pub to drink and sing? I must get back into singing!
HIGHLIGHTS: Folk Song, Living with Kay, and It's a Wonderful Life. I LOVE IT!
WINTER 2006/7: Winter break is filled with lots of fun and family drama. Mom and I crack up over hyper-joyous Christmas Music by the Boston Pops. Gotta love 'em "JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY!!!!" Cancun is filled with balmy days of swimming, playing, and being freaked out at the prospect of graduating. The trip features family drama with Dad and Step-Mom that ultimately brings Dad and me closer in a more honest place.
Also, Quebec City is amazing! Definitely must return here someday. Frosty and beautiful, plus I got my ski legs back! Tash would be so proud of me. Get flirty message from Jim, cute guy who played Clarence. Hmm...
HIGHLIGHTS: Doing improv with young friends in Cancun. Christmas with Mom, swimming with sharks and dolphins, skiing, and dog sledding.
Back to School!
WINTER/SPRING 2007:
Classes: as I am done with my major (snooze!) I now have freedom to take whatever classes I like...
1) Modern Drama: Professor Smith rocks this one by looking at Absurdist, Brechtian, and Realist/Ultra Realist plays from the 20th century. Not only do we get to read and discuss these great works, but we get to act out some of them! Wow Pinter can write a mean tangle of words.
2) Screenwriting: totally for fun, but meet really amazing TA in the process who becomes more friend than teacher. I write a ridiculous set of screenplays, and my improv helps my ability to construct stories with a sense of timing and call backs. Good fun, with chances to actually analyze Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean! How glorious.
3) Acting for Writers and Directors: All stuff I already know (theatre upbringing), but the people in the class are really fun! Not to mention bonding with Stage Troupies leads to camaraderie between us. Perhaps we have created a better tomorrow. Also, teacher Amanda, I discover on very last day of class, was directed by my mom in graduate school! Woah, crazy full circle and small world!
4) Teaching Morris Dancing with Prof. Barrand: I just can't get enough performance history, it seems. Teaching all these steps is physically satisfying, and enriches soul. Kay and Laura take class while Hilary TA's with me!
NOTE: I received two A's and an A-. It's easy when you love it.
I get cast in "Fools"! The play isn't much, but the cast and crew are everything. This production had no drama in it. Only laughter and loving support from every person involved. Also stiff hair from all the random white crap. Oh so worth it.
Liquid Fun continues to push me further than before. Beanpot not as successful as previous year, but we did meet some very cool people who invite us to an Improv Fest in UMASS Amherst. Much fun had, and I even climb through a window. Our best show: Hillel House with Six players!
BIG ROMANCE NEWS: Cute Clarence actually cute Jim Rowley who writes comedy and wins internship at Conan O'Brien. Blonde with green eyes, and wears clothes too small for his 6ft3 frame, but also wears a handsome smile. I jump into the courtship knowing I need to take the leap of faith John Serpico had told me about in October. About two weeks in I freak out internally, but I force myself to stick with it.
This proves a wise choice. I really start to like him, and begin to explore sexual stuff. He's very patient. In April Jim says he loves me and he respects my wish for safety by getting an HIV test. I am a complete after school special armed with birth control, condoms, and a negative HIV test.
I finally fulfill my 2006 New Year's resolution!
On the same day, in April, I find out my grandma has died at age 88. I no longer have any grandparents living. At the funeral we see the foresworn enemy side of the family. This proves cathartic when Harly and I embrace our estranged cousins with words of love. That is all that matters.
With graduation looming, I go to and from NYC with meetings at Time Warner and HBO as I try to convince my self that this is what I want to pursue; this world of office work and communications. It seems so safe and impressive sounding.
MAY: I go to Tucson and have amazing visit with Mom. Next week I go back to NYC and rush to find a one bedroom apartment in Chelsea. I think the neighborhood is okay, but it's really too bad I didn't look down 27th street between 6th and 7th.
I graduate! It's actually kind of fun. My parents actually see each other face to face for 20 agonizing seconds. It ends up not being so bad, but still...
HIGHLIGHTS: ALL CLASSES, ALL PLAYS AND IMPROV SHOWS. ROMANCE. All visits with family and friends. It is the best semester yet and the happiest 4 months of my life.
SUMMER 2007: AGGGGGHHHHHHHH!
I move back to NYC to new Chelsea Digs. It is a summer of love for me and Jim as I decorate and paint my new place. So far so good as I network with the boys and gals at Time Warner. Good spending time with family, though sad at the prospect of their leaving for the Hamptons.
Time goes on and family leaves city. I am ravenous for a social life so I register for a level 2 scene work class at the People's Improv Theatre, a happy 2 blocks away from my apt. Reconnect with Jen Milne, Joe Maddens, and Jim-Bob.
Out of no where, end of June, Ajon Employment finds my resume on Monster.com and gets me a job at Bentley Meeker lighting and staging at assistant to the man himself. The job sounds so glamorous, and just the idea that I had managed to get a job of any kind seems amazing.
I am so happy when it happens. Jim is with me and we go out to a glorious dinner at TriBeca Grill. I say to him, "I wish tonight would never end because it seems so perfect."
How right I was.
The job is isolating and involves my retinas being damaged through constant a fixed stare on a florescent screen. I haven't done one thing here that I care about or feel a sense of accomplishment, and it doesn't work towards anything.
Then CAMPROV comes out of no where last weekend, whisking me away to two days of intensive workshops that were about more than just improv. Take risks, stick to your character, don't be afraid to fuck up, and don’t change your character to acclimate it to others.
HIGHLIGHTS: IMPROV classes, exploring NY, and CAMPROV 2007
NOW: Okay. REVELATION time: I want to be an improv performer and a teacher of the arts. I want to teach about performance and everything that comes with it, especially the culture, plays, and history of the industry. I've been ignoring it because I was too afraid to follow it. And while I'm pursuing that, I want to have a job that has me interacting with people, even if it’s something like Joe Gels did at "Tomb"; I just want some satisfaction at the end of the day.
Long Term: I'm going to get into a Theatre Ed program here in NYC, and take full advantage that I live in a place of intense theatre. This is my passion, and it's time to embrace it.
Now I just need to figure out when and how to quit this job...hmmm.
Fin | | comments: 11 insomniacs or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
| Wow I have not updated in a while but in my defense I had three big factors working against me!
1) Laptop still gone
2) Dad in town
3) Finals and Papers
Considering my usual technique of leaving work till...well not the last minute but not as broken down and spaced out as I could...I was very proud of the way I handled my "Room with a View" paper. I took my time reading it; taking careful notes as I went along. I spent an entire afternoon just brain storming and then I wrote the paper over 3 different afternoons and I think it turned out pretty well.
It centrainly made studying for finals alot easier. The finals ended up not being so bad; even for marketing it turned out I knew more than I thought I did and the words came to the page. Considering our less than stellar presentation I'm not expecting a whole lot out of that class but I do feel alright about the final.
DAD IN TOWN
As all of this writing and studying went on my Dad and step mom, Leah and my step-cousin Christy came to London. I really did enjoy my time with my dad and sister. They arrived Friday night and I met them for dinner, saturday we went on the London Eye, which is fun for the first 15 minutes but once you get to the top you're like "hmm...weeel that was nice but I'd like to leave now" Unfortunately you have those 15 minutes of slowness but I enjoyed being with everyone so it was cool. For lunch I brought them to "Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese" which is a SUPER old pup here that I've frequented a few times. Turns out on a saturday afternoon there was almost no one there and we had the place to outselves which was...empty. But the food was (as usual) up to par and the kids discovered custard and loved the deserts!
That night was super-surreal Marry Poppins where the dances are darker and is all arround much more of a drag. Not that I don't see what they were going for but I felt it was "A Tale of Two Poppins". Dad and I enjoyed reading the reviews together.
Sunday we did a driving tour of London for father's day. Really I think he most enjoyed going to the Ivy for dinner but I got the sense he wished the dinner had been a bit later in the evening; but, really, with an 8 and an 11 year old what else can you do?
That night I also had a sleepover at the Savoy, and when I woke up the next morning it was the first time in weeks I hadn't woken up sweating so it was divine to be there...that and the shower.
Monday morning we braved the Tower of London, which, despite the growing number of times I've been, was a great deal of fun. I think Leah in particular was interested in the history offered through the stories I told her of the transition from the Tudors to the Stuarts. Somehow I managed to name all the monarchs from Henry VII to Elizabeth II.
Later was tea at the Savoy and Billy Eliot (which was amazing!!!)
Monday to Tuesday Owen, Lyla, Alana and my roomies Katie and Alex joined be for a cake and champagne celebration for my big 21! I really was happy that I had people there to celebrate with me and it just gave me the warm fuzzies all over.
the actual day of my birthday I was pretty exhausted from staying up late the night before so I found it hard to focus and stay awake in class but dinner and show the next night was a lot of fun. Though it was goofy and stupid I really found myself enjoying "we will rock you". I texted Alana knowing she would gladly be a bohemian with me for Halloween this year!
Wednesday, tea at the dorchester in fun new dress and from there to opening of Evita (AMAZING!). Though I was somewhat sidetracked with notes for my marketing final, I was so lucky to have been able to go to that event. We saw some familiar faces like the Needleanders and Nick, who works with the organization and came to see "Princeses" when it was in Seatle. We also saw some new ones like Laura Kelly, who was the original Mary Poppins here in London but is known by many as "that hot girl who tries to seduce Alan Rickman in "Love Actually""
She was really friendly and even gave me her phone number to encourage me to get to know her and other locals and all the fun places we might go. It is pretty cool having her number in my phone and I may have to take her up on it.
It was kinda sad saying good-bye to Dad cause I know I won't see him until the end of August. Actually the worst bit is that not only didn't I speak to my mom on my birthday, I haven't spoken to her in two weeks! I know the birthday think was an accident and she thought there was the usual 3 hours time difference between us but I was kinda bummed because I love speaking to my mom and its a really important part of my week.
I'm gonna try to reach her later today because I really need to talk to someone.
Camp officially started today and I've been having alot of sad feelings about not being a part of it this year. I know dwelling on it is no good and its not like I don't have lots of other cool things going on. Its hard to explain it to someone who hasn't worked at TEC and really liked it. I know last week Angela was feeling it and I think I'm feeling it a bit more acutely today.
Will write more on trip to Rome later!
Also Kerry Chapman is wonderful and she's going to be the best Middies counselor the summer of 2006 will ever see! | | comments: 1 insomniac or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
| Your labtop is stolen!
That's right kids, last friday when I was out and about the streets of London with Jenny and Kerry a strange man crept into the Crofton and stole my roomate's and my IBM labtops.
It turns out the third roomie forgot to lock the door; though honestly if the theif made such an effort to get into the building I'm sure he figured out a way to unlock our door anyway. How did he know to steal from our room? Because he could see right in through our basement windows!
Oh and I can't TELL you how perfect this is on finals week!
But enough with the bad and on to the good!
1) Kerry: OMG!!! so much fun having her visit and thank goodness she and Jenny were with me when the news of my computer hit. I was much calmer than I would have been otherwise. Seeing Kerry was so wonderful but sad at the same time because it reminded me 1) how much I will miss TEC this year 2)How much I wish England wasn't so damn far most of the year. But I am so greatful we got to spend that time together and we're hopping to see eachother when Kerry comes back from TEC before I go to the states.
2) VENICE: Is seriously a fantastic city! I am so very in love with it and I was only there for a day! I've been taking lots of pictures *yay* Between Dangerous Beauty and Casanova, Venice is so beautiful and overwealming its hard to believe it was real. Also spending time with my dad was great. Sipping wine over the moonlit canals and have bfast before I left on monday morning just made my week!
3) Friends in England: I am really happy with some of the friendships formed here and last night watching Dr.WHo and Casanova and discussing the Iliad *GEEK* made me so happy and greatful to have met these people.
Time to go book some trips for July! | | comments: 3 insomniacs or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
| Here's some of what I wrote in my last email to Harly:
"I went swing dancing with my friend Owen and we had an amazing time! We met lots of English people and I can't remember having such fun since Liquid Fun. We're definately going back next week! I'm so excited!!!
Also, on Saturday I saw a whole bunch of friends from TEC! I saw Angela (CROPSY! CROPSY!) and 5 other people you probably don't know (some were from my first year as a counselor). We met for lunch at a cafe and then went to the natural history museum. Then hopped on over to Hyde Park for some ice cream. For about two hours we lay there reminising and remembering all the good (and bad) times from TEC. I'm going to miss camp so much this summer but seeing some of my friends really helped.
Also I think Kerry's coming for a visit this week! YAY! So that's pretty cool.
Today we went on a day trip to Bath, a town established by the Romans arround hot springs where people used to go to bathe in the pool's healing waters. Today no one can even touch the water for fear of contamination. The baths were cool but the town of Bath itself was amazingly beautiful!
Turns out the Jane Austin exhibition was there, located a few houses away from where Jane Austin actually lived for five years of her life. We heard about her life with all of the good and bad. She and her sister Cordelia were incredibly close and their relationship was the basis of almost every pair of close sisters featured in her books (Jane and Lizzy, Mary-Anne and Elinor, etc). It made me think of you and how much I love you and wish you could have been there with me.
Not to mention mom would have loved it! The town looked like something right out of one of Austin's books! There was even a woman in costume standing outside to make it seem more real. I took lots of pictures so we can all look at them when I come back to the States. I got you and mom some gifts from there; I'm not sure who's getting what yet so you'll just have to wait and see!"
Also, it turns out my DVD player can only play British DVD's up to 4 times before I either make a permanent switch to UK or US. So MEghan feel FREE to send any cool DVD's that you were originally planning on sending. ;)
If you want to of course
Ta! | | comments: 3 insomniacs or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
| | Security: | | | Subject: | Midsummer! | | Time: | 12:16 am | | Current Mood: |  pensive |
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| So in just 20 days I will be legal in the United States!
I just came back from the Regency Park Theater production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It was really the perfect setting because the whole thing felt like we were right in the middle of a forest.
Click for the rest of my Midsummer Review!
( Read more... )
Classes are starting to involve work. Go figure; thus I leave to complete some of that now.
Also, I naturally missed our Midsummer with a passion. It also has made me think of people and things I've pushed from my thoughts for a while because its easier not to think about the difficult things. | | comments: 3 insomniacs or Enter Nocturnal Dominion |
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