in the meantime

... my internet connection was being stupid, and then my computer died. Which is why I haven't posted in almost a month. Yipes! My computer is still being repaired, but maybe I'll have it back eventually.

Probably.

In other news, it's been 3.5 weeks since I've seen Mike. I am going INSANE.

an update on my fascinating life

Mike is coming down to visit this weekend. Yaaaaaaay! Other than that, there's not much going on...
I'm auditioning for a one-act play this afternoon.
Half of my voice literature had to be swapped out mid-semester because my voice decided to change.
I made a pillowcase with poppies on it.
I've been making notecards with owls and birds on them.
I should be getting ready to go to class right now.

Wicked

Mike recently took me to see the musical Wicked, so I thought I would blog about it.

In lieu of a long, tedious review, I will give you my briefest opinion. I am not a fan of the music; there's just not enough substance for my taste. It's written more for raw belting power than anything else, which is certainly very dramatic, but I don't think it's worth the damage done to the singers' voices and to my attention span. There were a couple of moments when I found the lack of melodic interest a little trying. However, it was very powerfully performed, and I liked seeing a familiar story from another angle. I also loved the set design and the costumes. I enjoyed it very much, and if you have a chance to see it I highly recommend that you do so.

... however, on one point I remain firm: if I hear one more person audition for a show with "Defying Gravity," I may puke.

Even More Ladylike Behavior

12. A lady knows how to behave on a first date. I'm not going to tell you 5 tips and tricks to hook the guy you want and keep him (yes, I do know some of those; no, they have not served me well... just be yourself, okay?). But I will tell you how a lady behaves on a first date.

• Apparel - I don't remember who said this, but my favorite first-date apparel advice is this: don't wear anything your mother couldn't wear. This doesn't mean you have to dress exactly like your mother; it does mean that you're not wearing anything too short, too clingy, too tight, or too low-cut. You know your body type. You know what looks appropriate and what doesn't. A real lady knows flaunting her bosoms isn't going to give off the right message.
• Etiquette - Remember to let him hold the door for you. A way to make this easy for him is, just before you reach the door, to slow your walking pace a tiny bit so that he gets there first. Don't make a big show of it. At dinner, use your manners - don't talk with your mouth full, use your utensils properly, take small bites, don't drink too much... you know the drill.
  
• Conversation - Keep it appropriate, and be genuine.

I'm not a dating guru - I don't know how long you should hold eye contact, or what drink you should order, or when to toss your hair. But I do know that if you behave like a lady, you are far more likely to attract gentlemen than if you behave like a total goober.

back in the saddle again

I was sick for three days, but I felt better toward the end of yesterday, resulting in a MAJOR cleaning binge. I think I will follow that up today with some other industrious activity.

Industrious activities... hmmmm...

I'm drawing a blank. Maybe I should just go cook something.

More on Ladylike Behavior

Help! I'm on a soapbox and I can't get down!


11. A lady controls her temper. There are times when righteous anger is appropriate - the evils and injustices of the world we live in SHOULD make you angry. (After all, Jesus Christ was angry about the profiteers in the temple. He turned over their tables and ran them out.) But there are also times when the best thing you can do is count to three and try to respond calmly.
Maybe your co-worker happens to be the incarnation of your pet peeve list; maybe your man said something thoughtless; maybe you got cut off in traffic. Just take a moment to calm down, and try to respond positively. Ask your co-worker to stop it, or ask your manager to move your desk; explain to your man why you were upset by what he said; bite your tongue and be glad the idiot didn't cause a wreck. Nor is red hair an excuse for temper-tantrums, nor does Irish (or any other stereotypically temper-prone) ancestry entitle one to rip into people. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. A hot temper doesn't look good on anyone.

SHINY!

I have found a new toy.

http://www.diyideas.com/

If you know me at all, you know I love love love DIY and decorating. I was addicted to this website the minute I saw it.