How on earth is it 4:10 already? Can I start drinking yet?

Apparently, my life has decided to explode all at once.  I had a huge awkward/necessary/frustrating heart to heart with someone I've been meaning to talk to for a while, and it may have blown back in my face.  The entire thing is too complicated/confidential for me to share, but it's just ridiculous.  The only thing I can do to handle all of it is listen to too much Company (hey, it worked in Texas, didn't it?).  That and throw myself into the assignment and paper that's due tomorrow for my Neuro class.  But it makes my brain hurt thinking about brains, and it already aches from all of this other stuff.

Not my headshot, but somehow I took a decent selfie today.

On an unrelated note, I had lunch with an LU Alum, John O'Boyle.  He's a Broadway producer, and just a nice guy to talk to.  A bunch of other seniors joined us and we all talked about how confusing/unknown the theatre world will be when we're out of Lawrence.  It's always nice to be reminded that I'm not the only clueless one in the bunch.  I got some headshots taken today too, it's a baby step, but at this point I'll take it.

Eating ice cream onstage: The Street Scene Experience

Just regained a sliver of my sanity after closing Street Scene this last Saturday night.  The show was pretty fun to rehearse and prepare.  Being a German woman (Mrs. Fiorentino) was harder than I was expecting, it took me a bit to get a hang of the accent (especially with an Italian and a thick Jersey accent around me all show).  I'm so glad I was able to participate in such a large ensemble piece- there were over 30 people in the cast, and we also added two kids, a dog, and some extras from the opera during tech week.  The whole thing was a bit overwhelming. (and yes, I got to eat real ice cream on stage.  And, yes I dropped some from the 2nd story window during the performance attended by the president of the university).

Me, Mrs. Jones and Lippo Fiorentino

The most entertaining part was the 3 modifications of fat suits I cycled through during the course of the run.  It started with just a belly (surprisingly comfortable), then shifted to a body suit comprised of a bunch of cotton fluffing in a wife beater sewn to a pair of men's boxer briefs (again, really comfortable, but that meant I couldn't do my pre-show pee without taking off my entire costume).  We ended up using two gold bean bags sewn to a wife beater, because my dress was too small for the first two options.  I do have to say, that taking off any of the three was definitely a confidence booster at the end of the night.  I got so used to extra padding that when I finally took it off I felt so skinny!  I definitely didn't think wearing an extra belly would be a confidence booster, but I'll take it.

I think I had the full body suit in this one.  At least, I hope.

It's definitely odd to think that I've finished my Lawrence performance career.  Next term I'm directing a show, so I won't have time for a show (other than improv).  I'm glad I got to do it with so many of my close friends and a wonderful director.  Still, it's definitely sinking in that my theatrical experiences are going to start becoming even more scary and challenging.  "I must go and make the coffee"

We're the "two-faced trio" according to Kathy

Communist Rally

Never in my life did I think I would participate in a Russian Communist Rally*, especially in the state of the Wisconsin.  Funny what happens when you're playing trivia, especially with action questions.  We managed to gather about 60 people from across campus to join together and chant and sing in Russian in an attempt to overthrow (in jest) the Red, White & Blue party at Delt (a fraternity).  It was really amazing, actually.  Definitely the closest thing to a "real" protest that I've ever taken part in.

We even got yelled at by angry other parties (the frat guys), who yelled at us to get out of their house.  They even tore up the paper signs we brought with us.  On the plus side, we continued to chant "All power to the people" at them as we left the building.

*quick clarification: This was a joke protest.  We were joking and having fun- as often happens in college.  Especially during trivia.  There was a bit of confusion based on a Facebook post I made and I thought I'd clarify: While this protest looks incredible (which it was) it was FOR FUN.

Dem Phones

Guess where I'm at? Answering phones!! Too tired for Internet. 

And now it's Bronie hour. Jon's being all regal. It suits him well. 

Some Moments from First Hours

I'm calling an early night in an effort to supply the team with some energy later in the contest. Overall a very thrilling first night. Here's a few highlights:

• Totally got the 2nd question because the phone answer-er stuttered on Jeff  The whole living room just erupted.  We were also the only team to get it right.
• "we got fuckin', like, feng shui right now"
• "It's Ogre"
• "They've got a fucking rolodex"
• "We're on the improv team, we're ladies, you know how it goes"
• "I AM BARACK OBAMA" 
• Various other correct answers from guessing enough times (I got us into Ceasar from a weird Norwegian children's book, which was pretty exciting)

Looking forward to even more craziness to come! 

LIKE A BOSS

I just answered a trivia question WITHOUT USING A COMPUTER.  Still can't handle it.

TRIVIA BEGINS

Overseeing the start of the Great Midwest Trivia Contest. We're playing with Shrek Out of Ten 2: The Shrekoning.

Some quotes already:

• We might vomit. 
• We'll just cry in the money cup. 
• Don't cry yet.  Yet.  Yet.
• And general prostitution.
• I have such an erection right now.
• Well, my armpits are sweating, that's a female erection.
• Is the answer "The Big Unit Jizzbot?" [yes, it was.  That's how cool this contest is.]