Tap That!

As Stephen Gregory pointed out, it is National Tap Dancing Day. What he didn't mention was that we have been rehearsing a piece to film and post on both of our blogs for today. We had it down pat and had booked the band so we could record it but then I found this on YouTube!

All I could say was
"Hey that's what [we were] gonna do!!"



And let me tell you we were quite a pair!!

Since My Surprise Visit To Oklahoma

...that little mexican restaurant that we loved so much...

burned to the ground!!

My last memory of that place is certainly my favorite!

Eight Years Ago Today

My best friend "Bug" was murdered by a drunk driver. One year ago today I spent some time at Bug's resting place.

Below is a picture of us from our HS Graduation day and an excerpt from his mothers memorial website.

Ryan and special friend Jess Speaker

Jess also shared a couple special memories with me recently.

One was about a couple special mugs that he Ryan and Willie got one day. Ryan called Jess one day and told him that they had to meet at this car lot across town because their favorite DJs were there doing a promotion there and were offering free "Butt Muggs". Which meant the mugs had a picture of each DJ's jeans-ed butt. Well, the promotion was going to end at a certain time and at that time there would be no more mugs given out. Ryan told Jess to not be late. I think you can guess what happened. Jess was on time and Ryan and Willie were way late. They did end up getting their mugs though after the DJs gave them a hard time(the DJs gave the hard time to Ryan because Jess told them to). I gave Ryan's mug to Jess for a memory of a good time he and Ryan had together.

He also told me that on graduation night from high school they all (the friends)each of them took their own tassel (the ones on the cap)and colored one of the white strands their favorite color( In Ryan's case blue) so that when each of them looked at their tassel they would remember what they had done and the memories of school.

Thanks Jess, for sharing your memories of Ryan and making them mine.

I miss you Bug!!

News from Mom!

The new Supermarket near our house has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.

When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and experience the scent of fresh hay.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.

The veggie department features the smell of fresh buttered corn.

I don't buy toilet paper there any more!

One Year Ago Today

Exactly one year ago I was embarking on the biggest surprise dinner I had ever planned.

I wish I could have repeated it this year but work and finances would not allow it.

Here is a quote from a posting telling the story shortly after the big adventure.

"Monday at 6:05am I got on a plane to Oklahoma City! My mom and dad had no idea that was coming home! A couple of weeks ago Spencer called mom and dad and told them that he was going to be in Shawnee and wanted to have dinner with them.

The plan was for them to get to the restaurant at 5:30pm and we were going to arrive at 4:45pm. I had already arranged with the restaurant to be the one to deliver the chips and salsa. It was a great plan!

When Spencer and I arrived Taren, my sister, was sitting in her car in the parking lot. Spencer drove to the side door, dropped me off and circled the block to try and make Taren think she might not have seen what she thought she had.

It was great!! I hid in the back of the restaurant and when everyone was in and seated I walked over with this tray of chips and dip.

Taren was the first to spot me, "OH MY GOD!" Mom just sat there silent with her jaw on the table. My dad (who was coming back from the restroom) said from across the restaurant, "Well, I'll be damned!!"

It was a total surprise! They didn't have a clue. Mom admitted that a couple of times she thought, "Wouldn't it be nice if..." but never thought about it to much so as not to get her hopes up. "

The Capitol Tour

Last Friday a few of the company of Meet John Doe were treated to a guided tour of the US Capitol. Below are a few pictures.

This is the inside of the dome of the rotunda.

It is so tall that the Statue of Liberty can stand inside...

though I dont believe she has ever visited.

Every state has two statues inside the capitol. I guessed that the two from Oklahoma were Will Rogers and Sequoyah. We found one but not the other.

Here is Sequoyah

The company manager, Melissa, has been giving me a hard time about being born in Wyoming. She claims that Wyoming is not only my home state (though I spent 20 years in Oklahoma and less than a year in WY) BUT that my middle name is Wyoming (its really Willard).

So obvisously we had to find the Wyoming statues

17 Days to Go!!

In seventeen days this years AEA election will be over!! I will know whether or not I was elected and my blog will no longer be so election centered.

Hell, I don't even know if people are actually scrolling past all of the election stuff to read recent posts.

For those who do...

• There is one more week of Meet John Doe left (7 chances left to see it!!)
• I started prep at Studio today for Souvenir
• Saving Aimee closed on Sunday and I am SO PROUD OF JENNY!! She did such a great job and it was noticed by many more than just her parents and I. She got fantastic mention in several reviews.
• Rehearsals for Witches of Eastwick are underway. Jenny is assisting Jon K (I am not involved) :(
• I have booked a musical version of Happy Days at Goodspeed Musicals for the summer
• MOTHERS DAY!! (I called mine... did you? not call my mother... call yours...... you can call my mother if you like. She would probably enjoy it.)

That's the short of it... well, there really isn't a long of it.

Nancy Robinette is now playing Florence Foster Jenkins in Souvenir at Studio. I am very excited about this show. Its a subject matter that I am crazy about, two actors I have always wanted to work with, a new (to me) theatre.

New Gig!!

Guess who is going back to Connecticut?!?!

Check THIS out!

Almost Over This Crud

Yep, I have been sick!!

It all started Thursday. As I look back it started Thursday mid-day. Drew, Brian, Sully and I went to Haynes Point to play nine holes of golf between our Noon matinee and our evening show. It was a great time. I am definitely getting better though I still have a ways to go. I hit some great balls!

By the time I got back to the theatre my muscles were sore. At the time I thought it was from the golf. By the time I got home I realized that it was muscle ache from being SICK. I was in so much pain. I got home and just sprawled out in the middle of the floor until Jenny came home.

I was congested, feverish, aching and cranky!! We went up to bed, took some medicine and PASSED OUT! I stayed in bed until I had to get up to go to the theatre for my show. I stayed in bed for close to 15 hours.

When I got to the theatre I rested as much as I could, took in LOTS of Vitamin C and went home immediately after the show. I was in bed by 11pm and just got up (another 16 hours in bed!!)

I am feeling worlds better! Not quite tip-top, but getting there!!

The Other Funniest Commercial EVER

One of The Best Commercials EVER