It's Not My Movie

This morning I was reading Psalm 25. I highly recommend it. I've been reading it regularly for a while now. It's got pretty much all of life squashed in there. Anyway, one point that is made perfectly clear is that Jesus teaches, guides, shows us his way. He's not helping me along my way. This is his movie, not mine. I have a supporting role, at best. Need to keep that in perspective.

Speaking of movies, though, I was thinking of putting my headshots and resume on a USB flash drive and taking/sending them to agents. Don't know if that would make any difference, but I think it will be worth a try.

I've been blessed with seeing a lot of people I care about over this holiday week. It seems a lot of the time I feel like people are an annoyance, in my way. But I've been blessed with great people in my life. It's been so much fun to catch up with them.

Rehearsals are underway for You Can't Take It With You. I'm going to love playing Essie. I need to learn some basic ballet steps and get a kind of choreography down. I was fitted for my tutu last night. So excited!

Goals

I'm thinking about goals for 2010. What's realistic? What will stretch me? What will challenge me? What do I want to get done? What do I need to get done, but don't really want to do? What kind of person do I want to be? Where do I want my life to go? I love the process, and the opportunity each New Year brings to go through this exercise.

I want to practice keeping my eyes on Jesus. He knows the way I should go. Only he can release my feet from the snare.

I want to learn to be a better actress. When I watch myself on video, I don't really like what I see. I think I talk too fast. I don't emote, or whatever the word is. I want to be more aware of that and work to make it better. I want to take some classes and get some objective feedback.

I want to practice diligence and generosity.

I want to travel and see places with my own eyes.

I want to take steps and not just think about it or wish for it.

Merry Christmas!

I was thinking about people who don't like to spend the holidays with their family, either blood relatives or in-laws. I'm blessed that that's never been a problem for me, but I'm sure there were Christmases where my mom wished she didn't have to spend the day at her mother-in-law's house. But she did it for the sake of her husband and children. And that's what Christmas is. Sacrifices for the people you love. God gave up his place in heaven, his glory, his rightful place in the universe to come be with the people he loved.

I'm grateful he did. He's awesome.

Hey everyone. I went to see the last show at the Boarshead Theatre this weekend. My friend Carolyn was in it. She was awesome, as usual, but I was also impressed with the other women in the cast, as well as the director. The show was a compilation of a series of conversations the author had during several trips to Israel. It was staged and performed brilliantly. I really liked it.

Carolyn, BTW, is the writer of the Rogue Critic blog. She's got a great perspective and is an amazing writer, so check her out. http://roguecritic.blogspot.com

First rehearsal for You Can't Take It With You tonight. I'm very excited!

Christmas Time

Hey all, whoever you are!

I've been away a long time, haven't I? I've been thinking about this space, though, and hopefully I'll be back more often. I never think I've got anything to say, but there's other things to do here, I guess.

I'm starting my annual list of goals for the next year. What do I want to do in 2010? Where do I want to go, literally, figuratively, spiritually, professionally? There's a fine line between a guided life and just floating with the current. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I love this time of year, not only because I look forward but because I celebrate that Jesus came. The most important event that ever happened.

So I'll try to be back sooner.

Lots to Update

Last post on July 22!!!! That's crazy! There is no way I can update all that has gone on. I got a new job, yay, and I am really liking it so far. I feel like the new kid a lot, but I'm telling myself it will go away and it will. I am learning new things and getting challenged and stretched. It will be good for me.

I am in a play too, Hamlet at SRO. I play Horatio and I love it. It's a great role in a great story. Yes, it runs more than 3 hours, but what are you going to do? It's some of the greatest words ever written in the English language, and I get to say some of them on stage. I love it.

I got my crawl space encapsulated. They injected foam into the cinder block and lined the whole thing with a rodent-proof liner and put on a tight door. No more mice in the house and hopefully no more frozen pipes. Floors should be warmer this winter too. I hope the heat bill goes down. These are all good things, and I'm looking at the big price tag as an investment.

I'm going to New York at the end of October. See a play, hang out with my NY peeps. I am praying for good weather and inspiration of things to do.

Christmas is less than three months away. Gotta start shopping soon, but when?

VBS time again

It's that time of year - Vacation Bible School starts next Monday. I'm teaching 4th grad this year. I'm looking forward to it, mostly. It's an exhausting week, but it's fun and worth it. I'm stopping by the dollar store today to get my Bible verse candy. Don't let anyone fool you. The best way to get a kid to learn a Bible verse is to bribe them. Still undecided if I want to get the inflatable pool. We'll see.

I'm in the middle of another tap class, loving it. This year we're learning time-steps. Not easy, but lots of fun when you get it. I would love for this to help me get a cool role one day. If nothing else, it's teaching me about movement and weight distribution.

Hamlet audition at SRO on Monday. It's amazing how many idioms we use come from that play. "There's something rotten in Denmark." "Good night, sweet prince." Lots more. I hope I get a role.

I'm stopping for the Starbucks

I thought this from Roger Cohen of The New York Times was interesting. What did I learn? It's OK to stop for the frappaccino on the way home.

We're gearing up for VBS at church again. I remember writing about it here last year. Time goes by so fast.

Still interviewing crawl space companies. This is going to be expensive.

GAAAA!

Hamlet tickets could cost up to $625! I need to get them fast.

I'm having three companies come in to inspect my crawl space in the next few weeks. My pipes froze twice last winter and I had a mouse inside again. Got to do something. It's not cheap though. I guess it's a good investment.

I've been pondering a screenplay idea. That happens a lot. I rarely get it on paper. We'll see what happens with this one.

Blueberry pound cake for the snack this week. Mmmmmm.

Surfing

I've found a few things that were interesting online today. First there was this from Stanley Fish in The New York Times. I think I agree with parts of it. These are human beings who are up against things they never thought about, but on the other hand, they aren't just walking away and saying "leave me alone."

Then there's this about carry-on luggage. It sure sounds like a good idea, but I'm very afraid of being behind someone in line at security who doesn't know about the rule and is holding us up by arguing. It reminds me of when I used to fly the Delta Shuttle between NY and Boston. It was all business travelers. We got on, sat down, and we left the gate early a lot of the time. I loved it.

This is amazing. Can you imagine living there? I wonder how cold it gets and if there is a furnace or what. I'd love to see it in person.

The snack today is the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Mmmmm.

Whoo Hoo!

Yay! Jude Law is coming to New York as Hamlet. I am so there. I've already invited myself to stay with my cousin. I looked, and I couldn't find tickets for sale yet. Hopefully, I can get my cousin on that too.

I am going to audition for SRO's Hamlet later this month. I will read for Ophelia, but I will take whatever. I love Shakespeare.

Ick!

The snack this week is fruit pizza. I thought I was getting ahead of the game by baking the cookie bottom yesterday. I wrapped it up last night before going to bed and left it on the counter. This morning when I got up I found the plastic wrap had been pulled back and a whole corner eaten. Ugh! I've had mice in my house before. I got one in a mousetrap. So, I set the traps out again, but the whole thing icks me out. I may come home to a dead mouse, but even if I don't I need to bleach everything. I hope it didn't get into anything else.

Other than that the weekend was just about perfect. We did a bit of work on [super secret] and yesterday I sat at the pool at Dee's house. I also went to the first playreading committee meeting for the 2010-2011 season for The Farmington Players. This will be fun. There are a whole lot of plays out there!

I did spend some time watching Michael Jackson videos too. It took me back. Thriller came out when I was in high school, so Michael is part of my soundtrack.

But probably more devastating is this story. From what I've read, this man spent his time investing in boys to help them grow to young men. We all lose when guys like him are gone.

Hot hot hot in the big city

Farrah Fawcett died today. I remember really really really wanting to watch Charlie's Angels back in the day, but my mom wouldn't let me. It was on too late and she didn't like how it portrayed women. I see her point, but I think it opened some doors for women too.

Jude Law is playing Hamlet in London. I want to see that in the worst way. I suppose tickets are impossible to get, even if I could get over there.

I auditioned for BoxFest Detroit last night. I'd love to get cast in something. It would be fun I think. We'll see what happens.

Still want to get started on that screenplay that's in my head. I need to quit watching What Not to Wear reruns. Or, the other one is So You Think You Can Dance. Love it!

The Proposal

I just saw The Proposal, the new movie with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. It was pretty good. I have to say I laughed out loud. It's not going to change anyone's life, but it's a good night out.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Stuff to do at church, and [super secret] on Sunday. I'm so glad I have things to do and people to do them with. God is so good to me.

It's raining now. I love listening to the rain. And, I don't have anywhere I have to be tomorrow a.m., so I can lie awake and then sleep as late as I can. Nice summer weekend. I hope it's sunny on Sunday, the longest day of the year.

Have a good weekend everyone.

There's no place like Hawaii

I just got back from a trip to Hawaii. My brother got married so we went for the wedding.

Aren't they beautiful?

My sister and I took a day trip to Maui.

It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

It was a wonderful trip. The only bad part is my brother is moving from his great appartment with the great view. I'll probably never see it again. So I took a video.

Sigh.

Next? Not sure. Here's to a great summer.

A Day to Remember

I always loved June 1st as a kid - it was the start of my birthday month, there were only a few days left of school, it was the harbinger of good things. There's a lot good on this June 1st. The Wings are up two games in the Stanley Cup Finals. I leave for Hawaii on Thursday (I know! Again!). And, I got to be a part of the [super secret] this weekend. Loads of fun. Here's a teaser pic.

But, today General Motors filed for bankruptcy. I know it's not the end of them, but it's still a big deal, especially where I live. GM has put food on the table literally for generations for a lot of people. I hope they come through it stronger and ready for the next 100 years.

Go Wings!

Three Year Plan

A couple days ago I wrote on my Facebook status that I wanted to make a 3-year plan. I do a good job maintaining my life, but I don't seem to move forward much. Maybe I expect too much. Maybe I should be grateful for where my life is and just be content. But I know that if I don't plan to do something, it won't get done. If I want to live in a different place, or have a different job or even a different car or house, I need to plan for it and start moving in that direction. The hard part is deciding where (if anywhere else) I want to be. Hopefully there will be more on that to come.

A few weeks ago I went to North Carolina to be with my family as we celebrated my grandmother's 100th birthday.

Left to right, it's my Uncle Hugh, my mom, my Aunt Doris and Grannie. All my cousins were there, my brother and sister and most of their kids. We had a great weekend together.

Tap dance classes start next Tuesday! Can't wait!

15 weeks of summer

I just counted and there are 15 weeks until Labor Day. Lots of potential, what will I do with it? Here are some thoughts (don't hold me to all of them):

• {Super Secret} with my friends Katie and Dee. More to come on that later. It will be exciting!
  
• Tap dance lessons at the Barn. Can't wait. I need to brush up before the first class.
  
• My brother's wedding in Hawaii. I can't believe I get to go back AGAIN
  
• Paint my TV room
  
• Finalize Europe trip dates
  
• Get ready for VBS at church
  
• Get out of town for a weekend. Hopefully to NY, but we'll see what happens.
  
• Audition for Hamlet
  
• Grow herbs and tomatoes.
  
• Seriously take stock of my clothes and make some good investments.
  
• Blog more often

What else? This list just sounds like I'm treading water. What should I do to move ahead?

What else?

It's a new day

It's a brand new time in Detroit, Dearborn, Auburn Hills, anywhere you find an American automaker. I grew up in Detroit and they have been in trouble before, but this is new. There are lots of stories out there, and opinions. Like everything else, time will tell. Change is usually good in the long run. There will be some rough roads ahead, but God is good, all the time. And he is bigger than General Motors and even the U.S. Government.

I've got a new play going on, at SRO. I am the assistant director this time, for The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Murder at Checkmate Manor. It's got to be the longest play title ever. We open on May 1st, get your tickets now. I've never been behind the director's table. It's a different experience.

Also planning some travel. I thought I knew where I was going, but not I'm not so sure. Good thing Europe isn't going anywhere.

Wall Street Journal - Best of the Web

This column/blog/whatever from the Wall Street Journal is my new favorite thing to read. It's snarky and biased, but I get at least one good laugh every day.

It's sad and amazing, all the finger-pointing between Wall Street and Washington. I suspect there are a lot of back room conversations along the lines of "I got you elected" and "I cleared that legislation for you." I'm just saying, this isn't the first time the bankers and the congressmen have met each other, I don't think.

This year's home improvement project

Hi all,

Last year about this time I started ripping up the carpet in my house.

I had hardwood floors underneath that I wanted to refinish. I fully intended to hire professionals to do it for me, but one step at a time, I ended up doing them myself.

This year, I'm going to add insulation to my attic. I started last Saturday. I read some books and some blogs, went to Home Depot, quizzed the insulation guy, bought three rolls and put them in.

These are the rolls of insulation. They are really packed tight. When you open them the expand to a foot or more.

This is the attic before I started. You wouldn't believe the trash I found up there.

This is after two rolls went in. Look how much they expand!

Three rolls was about all I wanted to do at one time. So this will take me a few weekends to complete, but I like doing this stuff myself.

Freaky Friday, Great Weekend

My 40 hours ran out at noon on Friday, so I left and met friends for lunch. One of them said she was going to Costco and I invited myself to go along. I needed some snacks for opening night of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 at The Farmington Players. I got the snacks and started to head home. I was halfway there when I realized I had left my wallet in the Costco parking lot. I sped back, but it wasn't in the cart stall where I left my cart. I left my name and my mom's number at the membership desk (since my phone was in the wallet) and left. God is good, all the time, because as soon as I got to my mom's the phone rang and it was Costco telling me they had my things. I am so blessed, and the Costco staff rocks.

MCM had a great opening weekend. It's so fun to work with hard-working, fun people. We had a great time. Frank Markus is part of the cast and has to dye his hair for performances. Looks great Frank!

I spent most of the snowy Saturday inside making Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. These are my favorites. Sunday I put this in the slow cooker. So good.

Really good weekend.

Blueberry Catastrophe

I made two blueberry coffee cakes this weekend. One was for Sunday School and one for the weekly snack at work. Yesterday when I was getting out of the car I had the cake in my hand in a 9x13 Pyrex bake pan. When I closed the car door the pan flipped out of my hand and shattered on the ground. The cake was actually still in one piece, but covered in glass shards. It was very sad.

I also did some other baking. These are some homemade pita chips before they went in the oven.

They turned out pretty good, but not as crisp as I wanted. I need to work on oven temp I think. I also made this and this. They were both fabulous. The strata is a lot of bread, but I guess you know that going in.

Let me know if anyone tries them!

Where Does the Time Go?

The good news is I now have the Internet at my house. The bad news is I'm never there. Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 opens a week from tonight. It's a great show, and tickets are going fast. Go to The Farmington Players Web site to order tickets.

I've got more auditions lined up in the next couple of weeks. I need to practice my monologues. Who knows what will happen, but it's exciting to think of "performing" for the directors at the audition.

Still baking too. I've made five of the cupcakes in this month's Martha Stewart magazine. They were all yummy but I liked the peanut butter ones the best. They were the least sweet.

Still keeping hope alive here in Detroit. Hope all is well with youl.

January

Why does July never last as long as January? They both have 31 days.

A lot has happened this month. The North American International Auto Show came through town, we inaugurated a new president and I've learned a new content management system. Not really excited about that last one, but it's been a focus of the month for me. A good start to the year all in all. I love the new year. So much potential.

Along with the new content management system came a new Web site. http://www.at.ford.com. Check it out if you want.

OK, let's see what the rest of the year holds. Can't wait.