Sunday, November 29, 2009

New Year's Resolutions

I confess...I suck at New Year's Resolutions.  No really, it's true.  I have never, ever been able to keep a Resolution that I make on January 1st (usually they're broken by January 2nd).   This year I was determined to be different, this year I would make, and stick to,  a resolution.  Now I could have cheated and resolved to be more sarcastic but that would have been cheating (although I totally could have kept that one).  Instead I decided that my resolution would be something concrete, something that I could see and touch, something that I was actually capable of doing.

And I did!

I resolved this year to finish making the tree skirt that I had begun 2 years previously.  A tree skirt whose completion was interrupted by life and RA and a complete inability to use my hands for about a year.  So I did, and after 3 years of working I must say that  it was so worth the wait!



 






Now I have to think of a new resolution......I may have to revisit that be more sarcastic idea.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Thankful

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I've been thinking about all the things that I'm grateful for, and here's what I came up with...

Today I'm thankful, enormously thankful, tremendously thankful, that Facebook wasn't around when I was in college (not that it was that long ago). College was fun, very fun, at times it was probably entirely too much fun, but it was also not plastered all of the internet.  The things that I remember remain fond, if hazy, memories. The things that I've forgotten, well they are certainly better off forgotten.   Those were carefree days when not every piece of electronic equipment housed a camera and you didn't have to worry about pictures from a party showing up online before you managed to stumble home (although some of those old school albums that keep popping up are pretty funny).   And yes, I realize that I sound like my grandmother, waxing poetic about the Victrola and Model-T, but seriously not everything is meant for public consumption.    Can you imagine all the dumb stuff I would have done?  My mouth and brain were not always connected during those years so I can't imagine what I would have posted, or who I would have poked or stalked (well actually, yes I think we all know what that would have been...).  I did, and do, enough embarrassing stuff without the help of the World Wide Web. 

So for now, I will remain grateful that the most embarrassing thing I did at a computer back then was send the occasional sad and lame email, and write a lots and lots of really bad stories.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

In the Heights

Let me start off by saying that Musical Theater is my happy place (mostly because I firmly believe that my life would be a lot better if I were allowed to burst into song occasionally and have people dance around me).   This weekend I had the chance to go see In The Heights at the Fox Theater in Atlanta.   I've been excited about this show since I saw it win the Tony for Best Musical (among other things) in 2008, and couldn't wait to see the first national tour.   The show is a blend of Hip-Hop, Rap, and Latin music that makes even me want to get up and dance.   Which, considering that the last time I wanted to dance was at a college semi-formal where copious amounts of liquid made me think it would be a good idea to "shake my groove thing", is a pretty amazing feat.

The tour is led by Kyle Beltran (who just graduated from college in 09...how incredible).  Beltran plays the lead role of Usnavi (originated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the composer/lyricist of In the Heights).  Although skeptical of anyone else in that role, I was completely convinced before the end of the opening number.  His absolute enthusiasm on the stage made him a joy to watch.   Not to be outdone, the rest of the cast delivered performances that were all their own while still remaining true to the characters that the Broadway cast has brought to life.   Isabel Santiago (Daniela) was particularly amazing to watch, so much so that it is utterly impossible for me to imagine her as anything but her character.  Aside from a spectacular voice, she has seemingly perfect comedic timing and delivered each line impeccably.   Natalie Toro (Camila) was equally amazing and made me never, ever want to tick her off!  Shaun Taylor-Corbett (Sonny) was fantastic and funny, and could garner laughs from the audience without saying a word.

I could talk about every cast member, as well as the crew, because they all put 100% of themselves into the show and made it incredible, so much so that after seeing it on Friday night I splurged and bought tickets to see it again on Saturday afternoon (totally worth it, budget be damned)! 

I am actually very glad that I saw it again on Saturday because an interesting little thing happened.  After the intermission, which seemed to last an extra long time, an announcement was made that the role of Usnavi would now be played by Shaun Taylor-Corbett.  It was particularly fascinating for a dork like me to see how he was able to go from playing Sonny in the first act, to Usnavi in the second act (although I did wonder what prompted the change).  He did a great job and I loved seeing how everything about him, from his tone of voice to the way he carried himself across the stage changed completly for this new character.  I understand that this is what actors do, but seeing it so literally on the stage was particularly awesome. 

If the tour is coming anywhere near you, you should seriously check it out.  And, if you don't want to go alone, give me a call. After all, I've already blown the budget once, might as well do it again!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Ups and Downs

Sometimes being a grown-up can really suck.  Seriously, adults have to  make some crappy decisions sometimes and there are moments when I wish I could just ignore things until they go away.  Unfortunately that can't happen, so instead I occasionally indulge myself in a box of Lucky Charms to feed my inner child. 

I've spent a LOT of time lately thinking about adoption, and money, and adoption, and money, and money, and money, and money which I hate because this is so not about the money.   The thing is that I am 100% committed to adopting, but I'm also 100% committed to paying my bills.  Which for me, means that the normal 18-24 month wait for this adoption may stretch out an extra year while I work my rear off making extra money.    Until some of my bills get paid I cannot, in good faith, take on a loan to pay for this adoption.  I would rather work and save for an extra year so that when I'm home with baby I can do things like pay for daycare, and food....

So my painting/babysitting/tutoring/housesitting/etc will continue in full force.  I am still having the garage sale (my guest room is filling with stuff, you guys are awesome).   I am accepting prayers of all shapes and sizes (the more the merrier)!!  And I will keep working, and saving, and paying off debt because I still know that my daughter is out there and that she'll come home when the time is right!