Happy Birthday, Brother!

Just wanted to send out some belated birthday wishes for my fantastic brother, Tucker, who turned seventeen on Thursday. :]

Life is busy.

Forgive me for the lack of posts? In reality, I have nothing about which I could post that could possibly be of interest to you, unless you have a penchant for the history of the pre-modern theatre or in depth analyses of various plays. If that is the case, do let me know. :P

Victoria mentioned at some point that she wanted to hear me sing. Although I wish with my whole heart that I had a recording of the song I sang in a production of "Over the Mountain" at my university last winter, I do not. I present you with an only slightly embarrassing video of me butchering an Irish brogue while singing about how to snag a man. Enjoy.

Valentine's Day Recap!

Just a little photographic evidence of our second and very happy Valentine's Day together. ;] Here is how we spent our first.

So, I had a performance on Valentine's Day, so that limited any major festivities. After the show, I was greeted by a loving Boyfriend toting a beautiful bouquet of twelve red long-stem roses (one of which is pictured in all of its glory here). I sheepishly admitted to my love that I had been too busy to do anything Valentinsey for him, but that I'd treat him to a dinner of his choice so long as we could take it back to my house to share.

This was a fib. I'll admit I didn't pull out all the stops, but I'd like to think that Ethan sees how much I care about him year-round. I'd also like to think that the little table I set up was satisfactory for my sweet. :]

A very romantic In-N-Out feast. ;]

Ethan's place-card, since he is the King of my Heart. Cheesy. ;]

Naturally, then, my placecard was the Queen of Hearts. So, although purchasing pink "Crush" canned soda seemed like a good idea, neither Ethan nor I recommend it for consumption. Ick. Tootsie pops, however, are always a good idea.

We both discovered a renewed love for Mother's Circus Animal Cookies. Thank the soul who saved Mother's brand from bankruptcy.

I made this little banner and hung it on the light fixture above the table. Ethan said yes. ;]

Overall, we had a great evening together. How about you guys? Hope you got your fair share of hearts and hugs. :]

Durang Durang.

The Winter One Act Festival (featuring Christopher Durang's " 'Dentity Crisis' and Carly Mensch's "All Hail Hurricane Gordo") opened and closed this weekend. It was nothing short of amazing, of course! Gotta love my title - a cheeky play on Christopher Durang's name, which I've pirated from a series of performances which my dear friend Anna costumed.

Speaking of Anna, and Chris, and Dan, and Michelle...

Each of these sweethearts came from all over the state of California to attend my show this weekend (of course, that's not the only reason they came home, but I'd like to think I'm a pretty big draw). I stole these rehearsal photos from Lauren, who also happened to perform wonderfully in "All Hail Hurricane Gordo." ;]

Hey, check it out - it's my son/husband/father/lover. I'm not kidding. This was probably taken moments after we smooched. Lucky man.

Cross-dressing is always funny.

Yes, I am putting her in a straight jacket. No big.

Here are a couple shots of the " 'Dentity Crisis' cast and our lovely director Rachel in the purple.

Do you recognize Blake? How about my [minorly altered] my costume designs?

Anyway, after Saturday's show, I went out to greet my family and found my friends waiting for me. I was so surprised, I almost cried. It meant so much to me! Michelle took off, but the rest of us went for pizza. :]

Anna and Chris eying our shared BBQ chicken pizza. Not pictured: Dan and his stellar cheese pizza.

I'd like to offer an immense thanks to everybody who attended the show on Saturday and Sunday. My heart was exploding with happiness to perform for you all and with gratefulness for your support. My cast was so glad to have shared the weekend with you!

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

But a rose from your love always smells sweetest. :]

Too much to do.

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. David Henry Thoreau.

If this is true, I'm expecting a lot of success to come my way sometime in the future. I should be doing homework, so I'm unable to post about my weekend adventures. In lieu of that, here are some pretty unflattering photos of me and some beautiful friends from a weekend or two ago. Please don't judge me for my sweatiness. Just enjoy.

Posts in the cue: the Winter One Act Festival; Valentine's Day. :]

Happy Valentine's Day.

"Love is, above all, the gift of oneself." Jean Anouilh.

A photo and some news...

You saw this guy and his beautiful lady below, but now I've finished his headshots. :]

And now the time has come, dearest readers, to reveal the next chapter of Ethan and Grace's life together. No, not marriage. Quite the contrary: separation.

Don't jump to conclusions, sillies. Beginning in mid-August this year, I will be studying in Florence, Italy while Ethan holds down the fort here at home. For four months. Yes, I'm incredibly excited; yes, I'm incredibly nervous.

I've never been to Europe, let alone for an extended amount of time. I've already been reading Celeste's wonderful little blog to pick up on the ins and outs of life as an American student abroad in Italy, but I'm curious - have you been? Did you study abroad? Any insider tips for a poor soul like me? ;]

Just sayin'!

Is this not the most attractive couple you've ever seen? Meet Blake and Anna.
I shot three rounds of photos this week. The above is actually an outtake from Blake's headshot session. I have yet to edit the actual headshots, however, since school and theatre are collectively eating up my life right now. I'm enjoying it for the most part, but my waistline is not. I guess you could say I am a bit of a stress-eater.

How are you all? Hope you're all having the most lovely Wednesday! I'll have more information on my snailmail plan for you sometime in the coming week or two. :]

Snapshots and a bit of reminiscing.

My brother's Winter Formal is tonight. His crew met at my house before embarking in a party bus to San Francisco to board a boat and spend an evening at sea. The boys even purchased sailor hats in the spirit of seafaring. So awesome, right?

My mother recruited me to take photos of the group of kiddos and I gladly obliged. At the risk of creeping out these kiddos - some who know me and some who don't - I will share some of my favorites here. :]

We saw the children off, and then the jealousy set in. The whole ordeal made me really miss high school formal events. Each time I went to one, I had a blast. I had always gone with a friend as a date... Until senior year's JSB, when a certain someone donned a monkey suit in order to ask me to be his date - and his girlfriend.

Flashback. ;] I was about twenty pounds lighter and Ethan was about two inches shorter. Fact.

I think you're cool.

Let's be honest here, people.

I'm cool. You're cool. There's no reason we shouldn't make our relationship official.

I want to send you something. In the mail. I don't know what that something will be, but I want you to have it. Interested? :]

The one where we slapped each other.

I have talked countless times about my acting endeavors, but I have only briefly mentioned Ethan's. For a lack of better things to post, I give you the following photo of Ethan and me, pre-relationship but post-declaration of like, on stage together.

This was taken only moments after our characters engaged in a slapping fight in Christopher Durang's "The Actor's Nightmare" senior year. :P
I miss performing with him immensely. I don't think anyone compliments me so well! ;]