Show My Support

The Memorial Day tribute by the Empire State Building.

Two of the girls from Tempest had shows last weekend. And I went to both because, why not? One was free and the other was $20 (including an open bar), so seriously, I had nothing to lose. And they were fun. Different, but fun.

The first show I went to was a physical theater version of 14/48 and it worked surprisingly well. I was curious, but also skeptical that they could make that format work for physical theater, but it totally did. Not all 5 of the pieces were homeruns (I've never seen a 14/48 where I liked all the pieces either...), but overall they totally worked. Very impressed.

Sunday's walk back from the pool included a church group marching to a park (complete with a PA system) to do their service.

Before Clara's show, I met up with Layne (another Tempester) and we grabbed a drink at a local bar together before heading to the UWS church to support Miss Clara (and what's with UWS church basements being the place for theater groups to perform? Weird...). It was nice to see them again and, as always, see more theater.

When 1 World Trade Center peeks out at you on your lunchtime walk...

Then, on Sunday, Suzannah and I got together before heading to Sarah's cabaret. So fun! It is actually a cabaret that I was interested in being a part of back in January before I got too busy with Titus rehearsals and work. And it was super fun. Sarah was great and the format works surprisingly well. I signed up on the "interested in being a part of a show in the future" list, so we'll see if maybe I can work something out with my schedule for their next cabaret. It'd be really nice to sing again... *le sigh*

I tried to figure out the app at work on Fri. I ended up taking a screenshot and not being able to send it... *womp, womp*

Yesterday, I needed another day off, so I took it. Originally, Jess and I were gonna get together, but I bailed, and spent the day watching West Wing, and coloring instead. I feel bad for bailing, but I also know I needed to just sorta veg, so I'm OK with my choices. Since it was Memorial Day, there were no classes at Slope, so I had my first Monday completely off in forever!

I'm working for the rest of the week at the non-profit downtown. Tonight I head back to Slope to teach and then tomorrow night I am going to see A Doll's House at TFANA and I cannot WAIT! I really haven't seen that much classic theater that isn't Shakespeare, so I am excited to cross another Ibsen off my list!

A Little Me Time

My rousing Friday night plans. (Whiskey not mine)

I kinda forgot how nice it was not to be rushing from one thing to another all day everyday. This weekend had a nice combo of me time and time spent seeing shows and grabbing drinks/catching up with friends.

My colored pencil (+ accessories) splurge purchase! Worth it!

Friday night I ended up having a rousing night at home coloring in my Harry Potter and (new) Doctor Who coloring books with my new set of 150 colored pencils, drinking a couple beers with West Wing on in the background. And, because I am a gigantic nerd, it was the perfect night in!

My first Doctor Who page! Of course I am coloring snowflakes when it's 90 degrees outside. That makes PERFECT sense.

I continued the coloring extravaganza on Saturday when I was laying out in Prospect Park, but it's impossible to color laying down on your back, so when I flipped over I had to switch to reading. Don't worry, though. I finished the first Doctor Who page yesterday. And now my thumb is all wonky because I was literally coloring for something like 10 hours over the last four days... BUT worth it. Because me time.

Sunday, in another attempt at me time, I woke up relatively early, did my work out and had the brilliant thought to get my ass to the Kosciusko Pool for some much-needed pool time before meeting some Tempest peeps in Midtown for a cabaret that evening. It was a nice day, not too incredibly hot, but very warm, so I decided to walk instead bus to Bed-Stuy. It's about a 40 minute walk, or a 35 minute bus ride, so as long as it's not too hot, I generally walk. Well, I should have quadruple-checked when the pool opened (thought it might not be until after Memorial Day, but the super confusing website said it opened at 11am, so I trusted that...), because yeah. It's not open until June 29th...

So, I had a nice walk back, and then treated myself to a mani/pedi instead. And finally went grocery shopping...

The Living is Easy

General weather consensus for all of last weekend. Yup. I'll take it!

Well, the average temperature has been something like, 75 degrees this whole last week, so yes, I am in heaven! I am SO EXCITED about potential beach days and park days and outside lunches! I LIVE for the summer. And summer in NY is something special. I am pretty sure this year is not going to be as spectacular as the last (I mean, I was unemployed last summer, so I could pretty much do whatever I wanted on hot days), but I can't wait for more beach time and pool time! This week has the temps up in the high 70's or 80's! All week long!

Anytime my Authentic Weather app is telling me to take off layers of clothing, is a good day.

Last Saturday, I planned ahead, woke up early, and got my 21DFX workout in before heading to teach my 830am class, brought my swimsuit with me to the gym, changed immediately after, and headed to Prospect Park where I spent 3-ish hours just enjoying the sunshine, reading, coloring, and slathering myself in sunscreen. The only reason that I left when I did was because I had to pee and I didn't know where the nearest bathroom was...

I enjoyed getting there early. And since the day was unbearably warm (90), and I got there at 10am, it meant I was leaving before the hottest part of the day hit. When I got home, I was very productive and cleaned out my bookshelf, throwing away a ridiculous amount of old paperwork, mail, and other crap I no longer wanted or needed to make space for the Shakespeare books I picked up when I was back in Seattle earlier this month. It felt very productive.

Park day! After teaching on Sunday! Look how white I am... More park days are necessary. Clearly.

I am a little bummed to be working today because some friends are heading to Coney Island. And I've only ever been once. And it was last 4th of July so it was a shitshow. But, money. I am concentrating on money. Working my ass off for the next month to make my trip to Seattle a reality (and not a monetary boondoggle), AND maybe even making the revival of Tempest in Minneapolis a reality! They're holding a new round of auditions and acting like it's a brand new show, but I can only imagine that having already done the damn thing will only give me a leg up! So yeah. A producer from MN wants us to tour the show there. And it would probably be under Equity Showcase code, so our housing would be paid for, we'd get paid, and there would also probably be a travel stipend and per diem. So yeah, I kinda wanna be a part of that. We'll see! So far, we've only received the "are you interested in coming to auditions" email. I don't even know when or where they'll be. But, the revival would most likely be at end of August... Whelp! Cross your fingers for me! I'd love to get to say these words again. Since they're already rattling around in my head!

So many things happening. All good. But keeping me busy!

The Countdown is ON

Coming next month! I'll be learning how to teach this to the littles.

So, most people know how much I love my birthday. And I mean, LURVE my birthday. Sorta shocked I haven't really mentioned it before this because I usually start the countdown immediately after celebrating la mama's, but HEY! MAYBE I'M ADULTING MORE NOW. Naaaaaaaaw. I've just been busy because:

It's almost my BIIIIIIIIRTHDAAAAAAAY!

No, seriously, we're at t-minus 19 days!!!!!!!!!

God, I love my birthday! And I feel like this is a big one, too! Like, I have almost completed my first year in my 30's. Like, that's a big deal. I'll no longer be "30", now I'll be "in my 30's", so yeah. It's a thing.

Anyway, now that I've waxed poetic about the love I have for my birthday (and thoroughly proven that I most definitely NOT an adult), I'll get to the big news! For my birthday (and the weekend before I start my trip to Seattle), I will be getting certified to teach kids yoga! I can't wait! La mama is helping me pay for half of it, so it's half her bday prezzie to me and half a bday prezzie to myself. And though nothing will top the gifty of quitting the bar job from hell and starting myself on the yoga teaching train that I gave to myself last year, this is a fairly close second!

Plus, it's only a 3-day training, so then, hopefully, I'll be able to jump right into getting some jobs teaching little ones the yogs! YAS!

The People Ride in a Hole in the Ground

Post-workout swelfie. Literal sweating selfie.

Also, when it's 70 degrees at 7am, you sweat. A LOT. When you do your morning workout. I only did half of it today (since I've been DYING to take a class with Joanna again), but still. I was a sweat monster at the end of the half-hour. And I had a fan on, and all the windows open. It'll be hot yoga in my apartment for the summer! Especially if it's anything like it's predicted to be...

I got lucky last year. First of all, I wasn't working in the summer, so it really didn't matter what I looked like anywhere I went, and second of all it was a fairly mild summer, in NY standards. I think the hottest weekend of the year, was when I went to watch the M's play the Yankees in July (and yeah, that was fairly miserable), but other than that. When it got too hot for me, I went to the beach, the pool, or just layed out on my roof. This year, it's looking like I'm going to be temping here, at least until the end of June, so I better get used to doing my makeup on the train, or when I get to work, or it will melt off my face during that 10 minute walk to the 4 train each morning. I mean, assuming the weather stays the way it is now.

Who knows? It could be 50 again in a few days. But somehow, I think summer has finally sunk in... (and knowing my luck, it'll be nasty in Seattle over the Fourth. Wouldn't that be JUST LIKE SEATTLE...)

The Bronx is UP, and the Battery's DOWN!

LOOK! LOOK AT THIS! I AM IN HEEEEEEEAAAAAAAVEN!

If I thought yesterday's lunch was beautiful, I had no idea how amazing today's lunch would be! It was 89 while I sat outside in the sun at Battery Park City for my lunch break today. And I was one of only a few people not retreating into the shade. Worth it! It's a five minute walk both ways to get to the water, but the view is so gorgeous, it's like, how could I not?

I really, really, really enjoy working down here when the weather's nice. So many places to sit outdoors! YAAAAAAS!

This is what my new favorite app, Authentic Weather, told me about today.

I mean, this could not get any more beautiful! So happy the weather is finally acting like it's summer. I was dying. Still can't believe I experienced my first 80 degree day of 2016 in Seattle. SEATTLE? COME ON! What world do I live in where I move to NY and suddenly Seattle starts being beautiful in April and May. Next you're gonna tell me that it'll be nice June 15th and I could have scheduled an outdoor birthday event... This is bullshit, global warming!

But really, I don't care. So long as NY is nice, too. Just keep this up, and we'll be back on speaking terms, Mother Nature.

'S A Wonderful Town

This is my favorite picture. Sneakily captured. Seriously Perfect.

Also... Apparently it's Fleet Week! It started yesterday, which makes perfect sense since I saw a sailor in Midtown when I was grabbing drinks with a friend, but today! Oh, today! At lunch! I snapped THIS GEM! And I am SO PROUD OF IT! With the harbor in the background? Perfection.

Anywho...

Yesterday was the last night a friend from Seattle was in town, so after work I popped up to Midtown to grab drinks with her, a mutual friend who moved here 10 days ago(!), and my friend Diana and her bf. We were all Seattle girls who met working at Village, with the exception, of course, of good of Connecticut-born, Andrew, and it was fun to catch-up and reminisce. Nice to get a little Seattle friend loving out here on the East Coast!

But, of course, it meant that I didn't go home after work. Again. So, tonight is my first night off in a looooong time, and what am I doing? Why taking a yoga class with one of my fav instructors at BYC! Yay! It's been SO LONG since I've taken a yoga class (not taught, or practiced on my own, but actually attended a class... Yeah. A REALLY LONG TIME, I just looked it up I haven't taken a class since April 20th...). It'll be great to get on the mat again with a teacher I adore and steal some new sequencing! Yas this!

New York! New York!

Lady Liberty from my perch off the Hudson yesterday at lunch.

So... I love eating lunch outside down here. It's gorgeous. Literally zero complaints. I'm either starring off over the Hudson at Jersey, or to Roosevelt Island and Lady Liberty. I mean, how much more NY can this get? The answer: none. It can get no more NY than this.

With the Setting Sun

Sunset in Park Slope on my walk to yoga. 

As the days grow longer (can't believe it's almost BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!!), I would imagine there will be more pics like this as I walk to yoga. I just can't get over how beautiful the sunset is both in my neighborhood and in Park Slope. And with the current weather, it's just perfect! I actually turned the fans on in class yesterday. w00t! It was actually warm enough in the classroom for the first time since I started in mid-September! YAAAAAS!

I'm such a summer sun baby! The sun comes out and suddenly everything gets better for me. Just wish I were at the beach. Or even just laying out on my roof today... Oh wellz. Money is good! Especially since I am taking off for Seattle again at the end of next month! And for 10 days this time! So excited! Long-ish vacation, more Seattle summertime sun, more mountain and sound and lake goodness... I'd love to spend some time with friends and maybe even make it to an M's or Sounders home game! We'll see...

Sunset through the trees.

Nana's memorial is going to be on the 2nd or 3rd of July, so I am super happy that I'll get to be a part of that. Celebrating her incredible life and catching up with family while telling wonderful Nana stories... I am unsure whether or not I'll be able to make it to Monterey Bay to spread her ashes, so this is huge for me. This is my time to remember her and find some closure with her death. I am still so grateful that I was able to say goodbye one last time when I was home a week ago. I feel so lucky to have had those last four hours with her. And I think that was her last good day. She was lucid and talking and responding. Not a lot. But more than she was before and more than she really did since... SO GRATEFUL!

She was such an important part of my childhood that, even though I know she was really suffering, and that last trip made it apparent just how much, I am still really sad that she's gone. She was my last living grandparent, too. I feel like I'm a real adult now. And I'm not quite ready to be there...

I'm just glad she's with Papa again. I kinda can't believe that she stuck around for more than 10 years after he passed. She just seemed so ready to give up after his death, but clearly some part of her wanted to stick around. And I'm glad she stayed for just one more week. Saying goodbye meant everything to me.

And I can tell it hasn't quite sunk in yet that she won't be there when I go back next month. And I don't think it will until I'm actually saying goodbye. With the family. In Seattle. Knowing that she's not at Aegis anymore. She's not a 45 minute drive away from la mama. Then, I think it'll hit me.

I love you Nana. Give Papa a big hug from me! I miss you both so much.

Summertime Sun!

It was almost 70 when I left my house this morning! Now it's 83! Can't wait to eat lunch outside!!!!!

Well! It's here! The sun has arrived and with a vengeance! It was in the 60's, rainy, and muggy yesterday and today it's supposed to get up to the high 80's! I am SOOOOOO happy! (Plus, low humidity...) I will, most definitely be lunching outside today.

Especially since I stayed at work a half-hour longer than scheduled yesterday because a repair service was supposed to fix the doors in the kitchen, and they were an hour late, but because I teach Tuesday nights, I couldn't stay late. If I'd known I would have done my workout in the morning and brought my yoga clothes and I could have been here until 8 or so, no problem (not that I WANTED to be, but monies!), but since I didn't know, I needed to get home, change, workout, and then head to class. Darn...

Classes have been going well. There are consistently 2-3 people attending each class (Michael, the gym owner, told me that as long as there are an average of 2 people per class, he's happy. They're a small gym, so it's never too crazy. They're busiest times of the day are weekdays between 9am and noon, so yeah, not your typical gym), and I'm getting new people starting to come fairly consistently. I remember that from when I took yoga at a gym. I'd be really good about committing and attending classes for a bit, and then I'd fall off the wagon, then back on, and off again, in a cycle. So, I'm not too surprised.

I also checked in with my class on Monday night about when they'd like to see another yoga class added to the schedule, and they suggested Thursdays, so I'm gonna look at the schedule and see if I can make that work. I kinda need it now. Like, if I'm not teaching, if I need to get a sub because I have rehearsal or I'm outta town, or if class is cancelled for a holiday, it sucks! I LOVE teaching yoga. I really do. Sometimes it's hard to get myself to the gym to teach, but once I start, it's magic. The hour FLIES by! So, I'm really hoping I can get another Vinyasa class on the schedule.

Also, back at the same job near Wall street where I was before heading to Seattle and into tech/performance of #nakedtempest and have already been offered the permanent job here by no less than three people. So, yeah... They REALLY want me to just work here full time, but I am so not getting sucked into another job that doesn't have the flexibility I need to do what I moved to NY to do! Yes, I enjoy the stability and how close it is to home, but if I have an audition or rehearsal during the day, I need to be able to go to it. That's my priority right now.  But, it's always nice to be wanted!

Baring it All!

As I summon the spirits. Note the remnant of my Seattle sunburn on my neck!

Whew! So, I made it to show day! We ran Act V and crap ton of times on Wednesday and got in a fairly clean run Wednesday evening and I think we were all nervous, but also excited about performing on Thursday. Especially with all the press coming. We knew for sure that Salon, Huffington Post, Jezebel, Gothamist, The Guardian (the best coverage, we all think), The Independent, Metro NY, TimeOut NY and The Daily Mail were covering the show with the potential of NBC News (video), NBC News (article), The AP, and others. And boy howdy did we get others!

CHECK OUT THAT TOP TRENDING ITEM!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys! There was so much coverage that after we closed on Friday, we were trending for a few hours on facebook! It was incredible! #nakedtempest was (and sorta still is) a HUGE thing. Oh yeah, by the way, it was naked. Like, we all were naked in Central Park and performing Shakespeare. And it was hands-down, one of the best experiences of my life. It was so freeing, and I was surrounded by fabulous and supportive women, and the whole thing just felt so normal. It's a thing.

"The fringed curtains of thine eye advance, and say what thou see'st yond."

We ended up being covered by an India Today, the NY Daily News, The NY Post, The Times (London), The Atlantic, Paper Magazine, and ESPN(!). And the press hasn't stopped yet! Like, WTF?!?!?! Not complaining, but it's just so incredible to be a part of something that has touched the (Inter)National community the way this little show has! Incredible!

Last tech/dress 

The whole thing actually feels surreal. We had over 200 people come and see us each day and are currently in talks to revive it later in the summer in Prospect Park or another NY venue. We are also trying to put together a reading/film something that has us all reading some of the comments (oh, man were THEY colorful) on the the articles IN CHARACTER. Hopefully to get picked up by Buzzfeed or something... we'll see. It feels like our performance has sparked a much needed national discussion and... wow, it's strange to be the catalyst! But cool, too!

My temp back tattoo, and it's real inspiration!

In NY, it is always legal for both sexes to be topless at all times, and it's completely legal to be naked for art, these were the statutes we were exploiting in rehearsals and performances, but we could not legally rehearse completely naked. We could only PERFORM in the nude. In rehearsals we needed to wear bottoms, so the first time we were able to do the show in full (lack-of) costume on Summit Rock was our Thursday performance. Insane. And totally bizarre. But, honestly, not a big deal. We'd already done the show nude inside, and topless outside, so losing that last piece of clothing outside, didn't feel like anything to write home about.

But since the coverage has been so extensive, there you go! #nakedtempest came, it saw, it conquered!

Tech So Hard

Although it looks fish-eyed, it's not. Just my view on my walk to yoga Tuesday evening!

Leaping back into the fray on Monday was incredible. I worked Acts III, IV, & V almost exclusively while I was gone, trusting Act I to still be there. And well, it wasn't. It got there. But Monday afternoon was a bit rough. Even Monday evening's run was rough...

My I-haven't-sweat-this-much-since-before-vacation face! 

There was a lot that had just flown outta my head while I was working on the second half of the play. Line wise. I still knew where I needed to go and when, just not the specific lines I said while I did it... Ugh. Nothing is more frustrating than being less off-book than you are when you practice at home in your room (or in my case, in the subway car on my way to and from rehearsal).

Sunset through the bridge trusses as I headed to teach on Monday evening.

But I got to teach lovely amazing humans yoga both Monday and Tuesday evening. And had beautiful sunset walks/subway rides to Slope Fitness (yay longer days!) to do it. And I got back on the workout bandwagon (thank god!) when I got home and started a more regular routine again.

Wash, dry, and go! Love my new hairz!

Something was filming on my street last week... These trucks were gone by the evening.

That's a Wrap!

Part of the security line. Can you see where we go through the metal detectors? Cause I sure couldn't...

Leaving Seattle and knowing that I was not only heading back to cooler weather, but also heading back to jump right into tech week, was both a little overwhelming and also reinvigorating. I left Seattle at 1pm on Sunday, with a scheduled arrival time at JFK of 1125pm, but since I was flying Sun Country (praise be!), I arrived in NY at 1045pm, and was home by 1215am.

On the plane! I made it!

I checked in for my 1pm flight at 1130am, and honestly, did not know if I was gonna make it through security to get to my flight! But all was well. No hassles, and I arrived as they started boarding my row. And I noticed some people get on after me who had been behind me in the security line, so... I know I was fine, but boo, I hate that kind of pressure.

One of the first things I did when I got home was check the rehearsal calendar to see what time I was called on Monday, and gloriously, I wasn't called until 4pm! This gave me plenty of time to unpack, put away laundry and clean and organize my room before heading full-tilt into tech. It was much-needed.

Plus, they were amazing about letting me teach Mon and Tues evenings (since I needed the $$ and hadn't had sufficient time to get a sub), and we were pretty much at the park all day on Tuesday and all day on Wednesday! And then we opened on Thurs! Crazy! Such a fast turn-around! I am still shocked that they cast me despite my out-of-town conflict and am SO HAPPY that it worked out. I needed to see Nana and la mamala and also am beyond happy to have been a part of the show, so trusting that the actors will do the work even when they're not physically in the room was an amazing inspiration for me not to fuck it up.

3 Girls Club Reunited

We're totally normal, whaaaaaaat?! (PS second helping of jalapeno margs on my vaca!)

It's been a while. I haven't seen the Seestor and la mamala in the same room since... Christmas 2014, so it was pretty special to be all together for a few days while I was home. I mean, I knew it'd been a while, but I hadn't quite realized it'd been THAT long. And although we were all busy trying to cram more things in (me on my vacation, L as she got ready to go on vacation and M as she tried to figure out why she took vacation), and even though we didn't quite get around to everything we'd wanted to do, it was wonderful to get to spend time with la mama and the seestor while I was home.

The M's may have lost, but I have a Kyle Seager bobblehead above my bed now. Thanks Mariners!

Mexican food at Cactus and the M's baseball game (even though they lost) were two of the highlights. And next time I'm back, I can't wait to do Pike Place! I've been dying to go forever now and I wanna go with the two of them!

Yay 3GC (and Luna)!

#PNWlife

*SWOOOOOOOON*

Honestly, I kinda forgot. Since 2014, I've only been back to Seattle in December for Xmas, so I forgot how amazing Seattle summers are. And, when I bought my tickets back in February, I had no idea I was gonna get Seattle summer weather in May. But I did. And I am in love. The city is perfect in 80-degree weather. Especially when The Mountain is out. And I didn't get to see The Mountain the last two times I was home, so I felt especially lucky. I was in awe of Mt Rainier even when I lived in Seattle, and now, that I never, ever, never, ever even get to see hills, this mountain blew my freaking mind! Jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

This was snapped from a moving car. With my cell phone. On the West Seattle Bridge. Yeah. The Mountain, you guys...

And a bike ride on Alki in this weather? PERFECTION! Literally perfect. I just. I can't. That city! GUUUUUUUUYS. I just love Seattle so much! But actually it rains all the time, and it's not that special when you actually live there, so don't move there (and displace all my amazing friends who are constantly getting priced outta the city center). But it's nice to visit...

You can see the Sound through the trees at Lincoln Park. And I could smell it. YUM!

But also, like what's more PNW than riding your bike along Alki? Honestly? Nothing. Except maybe mountain biking or hiking or camping. But other than that. Nothing. The outdoors, you guys! A park where I can't see skyscrapers to either side! The smell of the Sound. That smell, when I walked into Lincoln Park made me swoon. I am in love with a city and it's name is Seattle (in the summer time)!

But, don't worry, I'm still a New Yorker (I'm now a New Yorker? I realized how much of a New Yorker I've become? I dunno what the tense is, but I'm not leaving The Big Apple anytime soon...) IRL, just a Seattle girl at heart!

Loony Luna Lovegood

Oh Loony! How is this comfortable?!?!?!?!

Another perk of heading home last week was meeting my new packmate, Loony Luna. And boy howdy is she a strange one... She's also the most lovable and mild-mannered new fur buddy. Who likes to fetch! We even found her a tennis ball at Garfield HS on our first walk together! She's such a weirdo. But I already love her and those beautiful blue eyes. Pretty sure Loony Luna is the best name for her ever! (*pats self on the back*)

Also, I'm super impressed with how quickly she accepted me as one of her pack! Instant face kisses and feathery tail-wags for me. Yay! What a pile of white fluff!

Who Doesn't Like Surprises?

The Seestor snapped these pics after I surprised la mamala!

Well... the answer to that question, which I managed to completely forget, is my mama. She really doesn't like them. Not to say she wasn't THRILLED to see me, but she did say to both Lindy and me, "Never do this to me again", so fair enough! Next time I'll surprise her by buying the tickets home and then calling her to make sure she takes some time off around when I'll be there! Small surprise with lots of time to plan around it. That seems more her speed. But, live and learn...

Script work and a beer while I wait to get my hair done!

Linda makes me look gooooooooooood!

Selfie after Lincoln Park yoga practice!

Plus, of the four days I was there, it was 80 degrees for two of them! And that was amazing! I got my second sunburn of the year by sitting outside at brunch on Thursday.

OMG!!!!!! I'VE MISSED MOUNTAINS SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I got to fly into Seattle with the most amazing view of the mountains and the skyline around noon on Wednesday, head to Linda's to get my hair done, do some yoga, and then meet up with some friends to grab food and drinkz on Alki. YEEEEES.

The first of many jalapeno margaritas on my trip back to Seattle!

Alki sunset. *le sigh*

Plus, besides having to wake up at the ungodly hour of 4am, my flight and all that jazz was AMAZING. I flew Sun Country airlines (based outta MSP) and they were an absolute dream to fly with! Snagged an Exit Row aisle seat on my way to MSP and a whole row to myself from MSP to SEA! Yay! Positive flying experiences! We even arrived early to both locations. Yes, and please.

My bag can fit under the seat in front of me and I can still extend my legs all the way? Yes. Please!

And I had zero issues taking the train that early in the morning. In fact, I even got to see a beautiful sunrise from the window of the A train! I'll take it...

A train sunrise!

Chronologically Speaking

Found on my way to the Tempest movement workshop as I was talking to la mama for her birthday!

So, I guess that what makes the most sense is to jump into the last 3-ish weeks chronologically. So, I'll start with D&P coming to visit the weekend of 5/6. I still had rehearsal and classes to teach, but I was able to plug into a surprising amount of their plans.

Friday night, the 6th, I had a movement workshop with some of the dancers from Tempest, and then I met D&P at their airbnb in Chinatown before heading up to the West Village (near NYU) for some late-night comedy at The Comedy Cellar. It was actually really enjoyable, too. There were 6 comics and I'd say I thoroughly enjoyed half of them (including Michelle Wolf, a new Daily Show correspondent and writer, who tried out a lot of this material before performing it on the 5/10 episode).

But. since the show didn't really get started until almost 11pm, the grand plans of D&P joining me in Park Slope for my 830am Stretch Therapy class did not come to fruition. No worries though! I certainly didn't have much energy to teach after getting home around 1am, so I can't imagine they would have any energy to be at a class 45 min away from them at 530am their time...

After teaching, I went to a nearby Starbucks and buckled down on the last three scenes I needed to memorize in my script (Act IV (the last big-ish one), and the two lurker scenes in Act III). And I did it! It took me four hours, but hey, I nailed it down. Finally.

Then I headed home to get my own workout in before showering and heading to an audition and then meeting up with D&P, et al for dinner in NoHo (near where I did yoga TT).

Kinky Boots for a mother's day matinee!

Sunday we had mother's day brunch plans near where we were seeing Kinky Boots, and considering I just yelped a restaurant near the Hirschfeld Theater, it was very tasty. And the show was better than I thought it would be, too! I mean, I knew it won the Best New Musical Tony a few years ago, but I honestly wasn't THAT excited about seeing it. Luckily, aside from the drunk mom next to me who kept trying to get into fights with the women who shushed her sitting behind us, it was a very enjoyable show. And it seemed like we'd have plenty of time to get to the run through...

As I was prepping for the run through, our producer snapped this pick of me deep in thought.

But, alas, the trains were against me. And I didn't end up getting to Summit Rock until around 620... blearg. D&P saw a VERY rough stumble through. VERY. ROUGH. Lots of calling out "line!" and complete with some poor paraphrasing by me at the end when the sun was setting, and skipping the epilogue since we hadn't worked it yet. But we did it! And then I rushed to meet D&P for one last dinner.

D&P came to my yoga class that Monday night. It was pretty cool.

Monday and Tuesday were full of rehearsal, laundry, packing, organizing, and general freaking out about needing to leave my apartment at 430am to get to the airport on time for my flight on Wednesday... AND I fit in lunch with Jess, and two last yoga classes! Including Monday night's class that D&P were able to come to where they met the owner of the gym, Michael, and got some sweet Slope Fitness swag!

Eighteen Days Later

It says, "sorry no art today" and I loved it. My art has concluded for the time being. Still auditioning, but nothing booked.

So... I sorta feel like the last two-and-a-half weeks have contained a lifetime worth of insanity. The highlights include:

Dad and Pam coming to visit--
seeing Kinky Boots
D&P getting to see our first Tempest run through
D&P coming to one of my yoga classes at Slope Fitness

Surprising la mama in Seattle--
getting to spend time with Nana before she passed
3 girls club baseball/movie/hangout time
being in 80-degree weather for the first time in 2016. In Seattle
meeting Luna and being accepted as one of her packmates

Opening and closing an amazing Tempest--
getting national and international coverage for said show
being the top trending topic on facebook for a few hours last Friday afternoon
realizing that I was just part of one of the most amazing experiences ever. And I almost said NO!

Enjoying my first low-key weekend/first day off since before Easter

So yeah, obvi I will go into A LOT MORE detail in the posts to come, but that highlight reel is incredible. The last 18 days have been incredible. And I kinda can't believe I actually made it through in one piece!