Another Opening, Another Show

Last night was the opening night performance of Town & Gown's production of Rodger's & Hammerstein's Carousel, and I have to say, I think it was a smashing success. I can't even begin to describe how much fun this show as been. It has been an honor and a pleasure working with such wonderful, talented people. I'm so glad to have had the experience of doing a show at Town & Gown. Course, they did feed us and throw one helluva party! The low-country boil at the reception was incredible, although some of us may have had a little too much of a good time. But what they hey, you only live once!

It was a sold out house last night, and hopefully the rest of the shows this weekend and next weekend will do just as well. I can't wait for everyone to see this show and I will be so sad when it's over. I have met so many wonderful people while working on this production and created some great memories. It still baffles me how so many funny, talented people there are in one place.

Thank god all of the actors are so talented, because some of the songs are so long. Good, but long. It takes a real man to stand on stage by himself and sing an 8 minute song and a real woman to sing the same song twice, but completely different. Don't believe me, well you just try it and see. Not as easy as it looks is it?


So, to the few people who actually read this blog and aren't in the show, you should take a few hours out of your busy evening and come see Carousel. I promise you won't regret it. From clambakes to carousels and everything in between, you're bound to have a good old time!

"Oh, God. It sounds like a clambake!" - Selma Blair in A Guy Thing

The Thunder Rolls and the Lightning Strikes

Bring on the rain. It's true. I may be the only person on the planet who loves the rain. Now don't get me wrong, there are parameters for my love. I hate when it's hot and sunny, and then it rains. Warm rain, that may be the worst feeling in the world. Or when it pours for a minute or two, and then the sun comes out and it gets hot and us curly-haired people have a helluva hair day.

No, what I love are rainy days and thunderstorms. When the sky is that steely gray and it's a little chilly outside. Enough for a light sweater but not so cold you need a heavy jacket. It's the perfect kind of day to curl up on the couch with a good book or a good movie. It's the perfect type of day to sleep in, snuggled up under the comforter. You can lay there and watch the rain trickling down the window and listen to it tapping on the roof.

Watching the rain, I feel so peaceful. It just makes me so happy and glad to be alive. When I walk outside and the clouds are just hovering in the sky, so dark as to be slightly ominous, and I can smell the rain in the air, that's the greatest. I take a deep breath of cool, damp air and I smile. It's like my soul settles and I am completely at peace with the world. Also, the morning after a good rain everything is so lush and green, especially here in Georgia. Everything is so full of life after a gentle rain.

Then there are thunderstorms. Not the scary ones that rattle your windows and shatter your eardrums. Or the ones that fell trees and wipe out power lines. But the ones in the middle of the afternoon with the occasional, gentle boom of thunder or at night with lightning streaking the sky and rolling thunder lulling you to sleep.

"Everytime it rains, I listen to the sky and wonder what's so great about sunshine."
- Charlotte Martin

Ok, So I Have an Addiction

Hello. My name is Lucy and I have an addiction. To movies. It's sad but true. I am addicted to movies, good or bad and I do mean bad. I love all types of movies: comedies, romantic comedies, dramas, action movies, adventures, classics. And of course, my personal favorite, horror movies! From award winners to the critically trashed, I have them all.

I love going to the movie theater and getting sucked in to a new story. I could live in a movie theater. Watching movies for a living would be my dream job. Even if they are terrible movies by all accounts, if I find them entertaining I don't care. Of course, I can't afford to go to the theater every day, so what do I do. I buy DVDs, hundreds of DVDS. Of course, I never pay full price. I just raid Blockbusters 5 for $20 bins or Walmarts $5 deals or T.J. Maxx!

It's a compulsion. I go into Blockbuster and I walk out with a bag full of movies. Even if I know I don't have to money to spend, out comes the credit card. I just can't help it. As of today, and thanks to T.J. Maxx, I have 785 DVDs. Even now, I'm watching Law Abiding Citizen with Gerard Butler, who incidentally is on my top ten list. You know, that list of celebrities... and believe me that list has taken some serious consideration.

I'm pretty sure you are supposed to narrow it down to just 5, but we all know that's just not possible. So, after much thought and some serious editing, I am done. Although, I reserve to right to edit should the need arise. This list was created by assessing a combination of attributes and choosing the candidates who best met my requirements. I give you my list (complete with visual aids).

The Top Ten List

1. Hugh Jackman

2. Gerard Butler



3. Robert Downey, Jr.



4. Bruce Willis



5. Justin Long



6. James Marsden



7. Timothy Olyphant



8. Jared Padelecki



9. Jason Statham



10. Jensen Ackles

Hink-Hinks and Such

So, have you ever been sitting there staring at your computer screen, trying to get your eyes to focus but they just won't? It's like looking through a blurry, cross-eyed lens. Anyone? No? Just me then? I guess I'm not surprised.

I really need to start updating more often. I have all these great ideas and topics, but by the time I actually sit down to write... I've forgotten them. All the fodder for my witty postings lost in the abyss that is my short term memory.

Therefor, I will sum up the last few days in 5o words or less. Here goes...

Saturday: painted, hink-hink game, IKEA, shoes, the awesomeness of Iron Man 2! Sunday: Grit Brunch, Target, revamp bathroom. Monday: cat to vet, ginger cookie, class, auditions, cookout, RIBS!, more hink-hinks, the awesomeness of Iron Man! Tuesday: cat from vet, class, Excel sucks, auditions, Carousel rehearsal!, Glee!

Whew, I believe that is 49 words. If there is confusion, I will elaborate upon request. We just had our break for class and I am now drinking an iced coffee. That's right, I said ICED coffee (Josh Darnell) and it's DeLish! All cold and icy and yum. Plus, I got a free Ginger Cookie! Best day ever. We have to close our laptops now, but I will leave you with this...

A whitewater enthusiast who hangs from the ceiling - Daily Hink-Hink

Genius

If your interested in a sweet cd, Genius actually created a pretty decent playlist:

The Minnow and the Trout
- A Fine Frenzy
Overboard
- Ingrid Michaelson
Dream
- Priscilla Ahn
Have You Got It In You
- Imogen Heap
Lady
- Regina Spektor
First Love
- Adele
Psychobabble
- Frou Frou
Stoppin' the Love
- KT Tunstall
The Blower's Daughter
- Damian Rice
Flying High
- Jem
The Chain (Live)
- Ingrid Michaelson
The Special Two
- Missy Higgins
Details in the Fabric
- Jason Mraz

Ode to a Ginger Cookie

"Have you got it in you? Have you got it in you?" -Imogen Heap

O' Ginger Cookie how I love you.
When I walk up to the display case at Joe's and see you in the window
You make my heart sing.
Your sugar granules glisten in the morning light,
Dusting the center of your radiant circumference.

O' Ginger Cookie how I love you.
Your perfect combination of sugar and spice
Makes my mouth water.
The sight of you turns the day to night
And the night to day.
When I hold you in my hand and feel the warmth,
I know you're fresh and I feel giddy.

O' Ginger Cookie how I love you.
When I snap you in half and smell your sweet aroma
I feel like walking on air.
And when I take that first bite from the center of the first half,
Your soft, chewy goodness makes sets of fireworks on my tongue.
Your spicy sweetness makes my day.
O' Ginger Cookie how I love you.

No Rest for the Weary

Well, it's back to the grindstone... a.k.a. school and work. But at least I get a coffee break. No really, we get a Jittery Joe's break in the middle of my MIST 2090 class. Iced white mochas and ginger cookies sure make the three hours go by faster. I am so glad they moved us the SLC (I refuse on principal to call it the MLC). I can't imagine having to spend three hours every day in the heat of summer trapped in the basement of Caldwell.

Oh, and I found out today that my professor doesn't own a cell phone. I am amazed and impressed that she has survived in this technology driven world. I'm lucky if I make it two days without using my cell. Some people can't survive a few hours without it.... cough..Blake...cough, cough. Granted, she said she's constantly checking her email... but what if the internet goes down or her battery dies or she gets the blue screen of death? What if there's an emergency? Nope... no I'm pretty sure I need my cell phone, just in case.

Well, I'm off to Carousel rehearsal, as soon as my cookies finish baking. Nothing like warm chocolate chip cookies and a glass of cold milk. Which was under consideration for what type of desert I would be. Apparently, I'm more akin to a Snickerdoodle.

My One and Only

So today is my one and only day off from school and/or work. The last day of recital was yesterday and I'd like to say another huge THANK YOU to all the mothers who were kind enough to volunteer on Mother's Day. I can't believe that was my last recital, but I am glad to be done. Those three days take a lot out of you.

Since Maymester classes start tomorrow, I have one day and only one day to do whatever I want. So what did I decide to do with my one day? Sleep. Sleep and watch True Blood. I might attempt to clean a little, but I doubt I will make much headway.

Yesterday was Mother's Day and since I was working, I wasn't able to spend time with my mom or step-mom. So we are going to do some belated celebrating in my family. Although, my step-mom did get a pretty awesome present because my sister graduated from UNC Chapel Hill yesterday! Woot! Congratulations Graduate!

So, I guess I'm next. Hopefully. And then it's off to L.A. to study acting and film at the American Academy. Really excited, but a little bit scared. Come January, I will be on the other side of the country trying to survive the big city.

Until then I will busy trying taking classes and trying to graduate. Oh, and rehearsing for Carousel! I'm excited that I will be able to attend rehearsals again now that recital is over! The show is the first two weekends in June and I'm telling you... June will be bustin out all over!

Go Lights, Go Sound

Well, yesterday was quite a day getting ready for the first night of OYSP's Spring Recital: the Company Showcase. I was running around like a crazy person and then to top it all off, I got all the way to the Classic Center and realized I had forgotten Justin Bieber. I left him at the studio! So then I had to turn around and go get him since he was the star of the show... or at least the Debut tap number... or at least his poster was.

It all worked out though, and I was actually able to watch the show last night. Normally I am relegated to basement to be the prison warden... I mean dressing room nazi... I mean dressing room coordinator.

I am constantly amazed at how talented the OYSP kids are. They are all such amazing performers and always put on an incredible show. Terra's piece, Come Home, was incredible and of course I cried like a baby... only silent. A silent baby. And of course, Blake's Astronaut piece, my personal favorite, was fierce. I was so excited to see all the non-competition pieces and really enjoyedthe JRC Ballet piece and of course Justin Bieber featuring Debut tap.

Freak Flag was fabulous! Those kids worked it out!

Tonight is the next installment of Spring Showcase... one down, two to go. Fingers crossed that everyone will show up and have all their costumes.

On a completely different note... CONGRATULATIONS to all of this years graduates! You made it and you're done, unlike us poor saps graduating in the fall. A special nod to A.C. Carter and Sarah Ketchie from UGA. Love you guys! And of course my sister Jo from UNC Chapel Hill. I wish I could be there. Have a drink on me tomorrow!

Over and Out!

And so it is...

And so it is... on this Thursday morning that I, Lucy Catharine (didn't know that was my middle name did you?) Haskill will blog. That's right, blog... or at least attempt some semblance of a blog post. I can't promise anything special. After finishing my last final moments ago, the creative juices are a little drained BUT I was struck with the sudden urge to create a blog so here we are!

I can't promise it will be anything special, but I hope it will be somewhat intriguing (at least for those of you that know me or for those of you easily intrigued) and maybe a tinsy bit humorous.

Also, I can't promise that I will post something every minute of every hour of every... well, you get the point. I figured that since I am appallingly incapable of staying in touch with friends and relatives not in my immediate vicinity, that this would be a great way to let them know what's going on in my life.

"I figured" is a decidedly southern phrase, is it not?

This may be the longest blog post I ever write, but I think it's best to put it all out there up front so there are no surprises or expectation violations later on. And sometimes I get a little carried away, but I am also easily distracted so who knows?

For those of you that don't know me or are thinking "What the...?!" here is a brief synopsis of my life so far:

My name is (see above) and I was born in Athens, GA on November 30th 1987. That makes me 22 yrs old for those whose math skills are a little rusty. I attend the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and will graduate this Fall (hopefully) with a B.S. in Speech Communications. I'm currently the Office Manager at the Oconee Youth School of Performance and just found out that I will be moving to L.A. or New York to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I love acting and theater and am currently involved with Town & Gown's production of Carousel.
I love: movies, great food, football, nature, singing, traveling, VEGAS!, animals, and good books. I don't like: Spiders, sushi (collective gasp), humidity, traffic and/or bad drivers, bad sports fans, and Ugh boots (Freudian slip).

Whew, threw a lot at you just then. I promise never to do that again. Like I said, this may be the longest post I ever write.

To the good stuff... I have just completed my last final of Spring semester 2010 at UGA and though I may not have done my absolute best or even the best I could... I did what I did and I'm just so darn grateful to be done. Now if I can just make it through the weekend and OYSP's Spring Showcase (or as we veterans like to call it, Recital) I will have officially survived another year. You know, now that I think about it... college finals are not compatible with 60 hour work weeks. But you sure do fine tune those time management, or what I like to call procrastination, skills.

Now that I've overwhelmed you with more information than you need, I think it's back to bed for a few hours before work. I doubt anyone will ever read this... but if someone, somewhere, somehow does. I will post again... soon. Signing off!

Note: I apologize for incorrect grammar, spelling, or word use but, then again, it's my blog and I can do what I want.