Emphasis Added!
11/28/2009
Aptly named, "Fanstastic Mr. Fox"
- Mrs. Fox: You know, you really are... fantastic.
- Mr. Fox: I try
Conversation posted at 20:39
Thanksgiving in Review: Post-Feast Movie, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
I was so certain the theater would be jammed, I rushed the entire fam through their pumpkin pie and coffee so we could get to the movie early enough to secure ourselves decent seats.
Um.. mission accomplished, I guess.
(Note: whistle, whistle, click click. This was an INCREDIBLE movie!)
Photo posted at 20:33
Thanksgiving in Review:
Some years the holidays are marked by big to-do’s …other years, a quieter celebration.
This year we had no need to add extra leaves to our dining room table…it was just our family. Our little posse, up at the lake house for a full weekend of togetherness. And it was perfect.
Mama taught me how to put together a Thanksgiving feast. It was not easy or quick, but it was quite possibly the most fun day I have ever had in the kitchen! We pulled off (what felt like) culinary acrobatics…getting the turkey day accoutrements cooked and on the table in time for our family supper.
No small feat (or feast, for that matter)!
And in case you are wondering…We nailed it!
Photo posted at 20:17
11/26/2009
A holiday mash-up for your viewing pleasure: Sweeney Todd’s “Freedom from Want.”
Meat pies anyone?
(Photoshopping skills thanks to my brother-in-law/fellow broadway enthusiast/dear friend Andrew!)
Photo posted at 10:48
11/25/2009
Giving Thanks: Musicals Edition
5 musicals I am extra thankful for:
- Sweeney Todd: This musical secured Stephen Sondheim’s position as my hero. His work taught me that there is room for genuine emotion in musical librettos….that musical theatre (when done right) is art.
- 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: The #1 activity on my life’s to-do list was to attend the Tony Awards. After producing this show at our off-Broadway theatre and transferring it to the great white way, my dream came true. I was invited to attended the 2005 Tony’s where I watched my musical take home the coveted award.
- Rent: Through my obsessive relationship with this show, I became part of a theatrical community. Before this Pulitzer winning musical, I had no social outlet to share my passion for theatre, but my 20+ experiences “rushing” for tickets introduced me to a whole new world of fellow dramatic zealots. And cemented my love of the gays.
- Les Miserables: I was 8 when I saw this show. It changed my life. I walked away from the theatre knowing that my passion had just found me.
- Billy Elliot: The first time I heard this score, it literally took my breath away. The opening number had such a visceral impact on me…I slid down to my knees and couldn’t move from my closet floor until the soundtrack had ended. This show reminded me that great theatre can literally knock you on your ass.
Note: The productions on this list are cliche. I know. I wish I could have compiled a sophisticated group of abstract high-art….but if I am being honest, these are the musicals that I owe the most thanks.
They are not necessarily my favorite shows…or the finest pieces of theatre…rather, these are the musicals that changed my life in a very real and lasting way.
Text posted at 23:27
Giving Thanks: Chicago Edition
5 things about my hometown that I am extra thankful for:
- The Lakefront: While I have lost count of the miles and minutes I spent on the lakefront running path, I cherish my time spent on the water’s edge getting to know myself, my body and my city.
- Theatres: Lookingglass, Steppenwolf, Goodman, ATC, Victory Gardens, AboutFace, The House (you would be hard pressed to find a stonger theatre community anywhere in the WORLD. That’s right…I said WORLD.)
- Wrigley Field: My cubbies may suck ass but at least they do it in home of epic beauty and unarguable history. Maybe next year…
- The smell of Chocolate that fills the streets
- The fact I live less than a mile from all members of my immediate family. (I’m sorry, but it brings me joy to know that my parent’s are super cute urban dwellers.)
Honorable mentions: Oak Street Shopping, the Steakhouses, Green Mill Jazz Club, Oprah, Northwestern University, Buckingham Fountain and the distinctive personality of each neighborhood!
Text posted at 22:40
A few words on nuts
Fact: Roasted Salted Cashews > Raw Cashews
Here is the problem…the raw version is a much smarter choice, and given the fact cashews are my go-to “fun” food, I needed a way to get over my nut envy.
And then I found it. Sea salt!
Sprinkle some coarsely ground Celtic Sea Salt on a hanful of raw nuts and there you have it….decorated nuts that give their counterpart a run for their money.
Text posted at 12:04
GPOYW: This is pretty high on the list of things I am thankful for edition
Photo posted at 11:21
Photo posted at 10:13
Ego Check
I may or may not have just sustained an inhaler related injury.
(What can I say…when you’ve got it, you’ve got it.)
Text posted at 08:51
Electricity, Billy Elliot
What does it feel like when you are dancing?
Billy:
I can’t really explain it, I haven’t got the words
It’s a feeling that you can’t control
I suppose it’s like forgetting, losing who you are
And at the same time something makes you whole
It’s like that there’s a music, playing in your ear
And I’m listening, and I’m listening, and then I disappear
And then I feel a change, like a fire deep inside
Something bursting me wide open, impossible to hide
And suddenly I’m flying, flying like a bird
Like Electricity, electricity
Sparks inside of me, and I’m free, I’m free
It’s a bit like being angry; it’s a bit like being scared
Confused and all mixed up and mad as hell
It’s like when you’ve been crying
And you’re empty and you’re full
I don’t know what it is, it’s hard to tell
It’s like that there’s some music, playing in your ear
But the music is impossible, impossible to hear
But then I feel it move me
Like a burning deep inside
Something bursting me wide open
Impossible to hide
And suddenly I’m flying
Flying like a bird
Like Electricity, electricity
Sparks inside of me
And I’m free, I’m free
Electricity sparks inside of me
And I’m free, I’m free
Oh, I’m free
(-Billy Elliot)
Text posted at 00:12
Choir rehearsal tonight.
It was a casual practice for our Christmas Show (just for the teens) at the musical director’s house….these get-togethers always feel more like a sing-a-long than structured rehearsal.
It is impossibly inspiring spending time with people this passionate about performance.
Take Annie, for instance… She makes my heart melt.
Video posted at 00:05
11/24/2009
Team,
Thank you for a wonderful 2 years.
Thank you for every “Fun Lunch Thursday”
For every domain name adopted (and abandoned)
For every think tank, pop-culture printable and Marketing Sherpa reference
For every moment of shared frustration and joy
For enduring my every detox
For my treasure maps and me-themed word searches
For listening to my stories about blogs, outfits and Ira Glass
Thank you for sharing my enthusiasm for pinatas and smencils.
Thank you for keeping me company
Thank you for being my friends.
Thank you for sharing your lives and thoughts with me.
I will forever appreciate you.
Photo posted at 23:58
Today was my last day of work
I celebrated with:
- Team Lunch
- Choir Rehearsal
- Black & White Cookies
Big day.
Text posted at 23:12
Have you guys seen the new OPI Suede Collection?
OPI re-released 6 of their colors in a matte finish, with a bunch of added sparkles. They are kind of funky but really cool.
After a heart to heart with my pedicurist (she told me it was time to give my long standing obsession with “Lincoln Park After Dark,” a hiatus. Wha?), I decided to rock this shade on my toes.
(photo)
Photo posted at 10:28
