Remodel Frustration

As we all know, I'm a little lackadaisical when it comes to my remodeling projects. I've been in my condo over a year, and yesterday I finally sent an email to my HOA board asking about blueprints to facilitate getting washer/dryer hookups. Today, the president of the board sent a reply.

Bad news: I do not have permission to get washer/dryer hookups. At least, not without detailed plans drawn up by a licensed contractor. Of course, they don't have any blueprints for any of the buildings in the complex, and they don't have any information on how any of the other condos have handled washer/dryer hookups. So... where does that leave me? A little discouraged and depressed about the whole thing. For my own sanity and so I don't have to deal with crummy winter conditions for the project I'm going to officially postpone the hookups until the spring. Then, I will start up research again by talking to my neighbors how theirs are set up... hopefully they'll know. Then my contractor and I can come up with a plan to install a gas line, water drainage system, and venting. Did I mention I'm not allowed to pipe the vent out of the roof? Big huge booooo! How in the world did the woman who sold my condo to me plan to install washer/dryer hookups, had I chosen to pay the extra $3000 for the place? Did she have permission? Did she have plans? I don't know. At least I have the electrical outlet done, and my dad did an awesome job building out the closet so there will be room for the appliances once the hookups are done. And this gives me more time to save up for the actual washer and dryer. So, it's a bummer, but thankfully my parents don't mind me dragging my laundry over to their house every three weeks until the exciting day when my hookups are in and the washer and dryer plugged in!

Good news: I DO have permission to install new windows! Hooray! Have to put in sliders instead of the hoped-for double-hung model (no dirty jokes please), but I don't care. Double-paned is good enough for me. I had four salesmen come by and give me estimates, and tomorrow I'm going to call them all with my decision. We'll get the ball rolling, and in 4 weeks I should have new windows! Just a little late since the cold weather is already here, but still in time for the energy and tax rebates and the hopefully before the snow falls. Hooray for saving energy and money! Truly something to celebrate!

Singing at Home

I tend to forget that since I live alone people probably can't hear me when I sing.

For some reason, I get really self-concious singing in front of people. It's not as bad if I'm in a group of people who are all singing, too. But whether it's a solo in church, auditioning for a play, singing at my parents' house, practicing one-on-one with my voice teacher, or singing at rehearsal in front of the rest of the cast before I know my part -- I don't like people hearing me before I feel like I'm any good. I do it anyway, 'cause if I don't I'll never get over the fear, but it freaks me out. It's the same with people watching me learn a dance, or rehearsing a monologue. I just don't like it!

The other night, I was lying awake in bed and suddenly wanted to sing. I resisted, and then I thought, "Who cares? It's not like I'll wake anyone else up!" So, I sang the song... at 3am... without getting out of bed. And I hoped that no one could hear me next door or in the condo below mine. I would have been mortified if someone had come to complain.

(Then again, the neighborhood music has started up again, so maybe I'd be glad if someone complained so I'd know I'm not crazy.)

What can I say? There are definite advantages to living alone! No one complains if I leave dirty dishes in the sink, no one fights me for the remote control, and no one is bothered if I want to sing in the middle of the night!

"Glee"-ful Tunes

This morning as I drove to rehearsal, I listened to the Top 30 Countdown on Radio Disney. This is not an unusual occurance as I am a huge fan of Radio Disney and the songs they play. What was unusual was that #23 was this song:

I love this version of this song! I smiled so wide my eyes got all squinty and I had to be even more careful driving on the freeway.

Have you been watching the t.v. show Glee? It's about a bunch of kids and teachers involved in a high school Glee Club. It's a sort of quasi-musical where the soundtrack is acapella, with musical numbers the Club practices mixed in. Apparently, being involved in this kind of club is not as cool most places as it was at my high school. (I am perfectly willing to allow that I may not have been exactly cool, but at least I wasn't persecuted like the kids in Glee are.) Much as I love it though, it's not a show I would recommend Radio Disney's target audience -- kids ages 8 to 14 -- to watch.

But, if you're older than 14, and a fan of musical theatre, or just a fan of hilarious characters and good writing, maybe you should watch.

Here are some of my favorite clips:

Congratulations Sister!

My darling friend Elisha married her man, Bryant, yesterday, and I am thrilled for them both. Elisha played my sister Meg when I did Little Women last year. I have adored her ever since and am always glad to see her at our various haunts. I am so glad I could swing past her reception on my way to rehearsal. It was totally worth wearing torturous heels all day so I could go straight to the reception from work. Elisha and Bryant looked gorgeous and happy -- what more could I ask for on behalf of my friend?

BTW, I loved your colors, and that slushy drink was AWESOME... I may ask for the recipe sometime.

Congratulations, sister! Have a great honeymoon -- all 50+ years of it!

above: Elisha and Bryant chat with a friend (sadly, this was the best photo I took)
below: Elisha, Craig (who played Laurie), and I during Little Women rehearsal February 2008

A Good Idea

Stanley: Anyone have anything they wanna trade for a toaster?

Kevin: Does it have slots for hot dogs?

Stanley: No.

Kevin: Who would want it?

I think Kevin's on to something.

The Next Audition

Last night, I went to the first Sleeping Beauty rehearsal. I am so excited! The cast is going to be fun, and the script is darling, if just a little cheesy.

We read through the script and got our schedules for the next five weeks or so. Turns out, tonight was my only weeknight off -- except Fridays -- for the next three weeks.

So, what did I do with my one night off?

Why, started rehearsing my piece for my next audition, of course!

Apparently, I'm a glutton for punishment. Or I just want to be prepared to audition for another part I would love to play. One of the two.

In an effort to be really ready, I asked my friend Kate to coach me. Since we both ended up free tonight, she came to my house for awhile, let me perform a rough version of my monologue, and we talked about my character and her similarities with the character I'm auditioning for.

Kate gave me quite a bit to think about. She also loaned me an incredible book called Audition that teaches acting technique. I am going to dig into as soon as I finish this post. From what she read and what we discussed tonight, I am very intrigued.

I just want to audition well. It's another non-musical, and I want to come out of the audition having had fun, loving the experience, and having made a good impression on the Pro team, whether or not they cast me or even call me back. I already feel a bit better prepared... even though I haven't yet fully memorized my piece...

(Please forgive me for being deliberately vague about the play I'm auditioning for. And for not revealing my audition piece, yet.)

Thank you, Kate, for your time, the book, your expertise, and especially your friendship. I appreciate your help more than I can say!