Thursday 13: People

Thirteen people (dead or alive) would like to have dinner with (the obvious ones don't count ie. Jesus etc.) and why.

1. Bruce Springsteen
My musical idol, the only musician who can shake me to the core at a concert. When I meet him, I make no promises that I will be able to keep my composure

2. Charles Chaplin
I have loved Chaplin since I saw City Lights with my dad at age 6. I've studied him more than any other person, and so, he's at the top of my list. No other movies have ever made me happier than his.

3. Pete Townshend
Bottom line is that as a guitarist I want to be a female Pete Townshend. He's the greatest ever, just look at everything he can do with the instrument!

4. Elvis Costello
Elvis cracks me up, what can I say? Every time I see him live it's a treat, and I'd love to just take an hour or two to talk music with him.

5. Buster Keaton
Buster is another film love of mine. His films are genius with such complicated and life threatening sight gags. A truly brilliant man!

6. Robert Downey Jr
RDJ is my one true hollywood crush. He's a brilliant actor, and I'd love to talk to him one-on-one

7. Adam Savage
I love the mythbusters! I love Adam! I definitely want him at my dinner! I want to ask him all the questions that I've never been able to while watching the show. Also, Adam has design sets for theatrical shows and props for theatre and film!

8. Janet Evanovich
She'd definitely be entertaining!

9. Susan Stroman
Susan directed (and choreographed) the producers after her husband, who was supposed to direct passed away. I love the producers, and I think she's brilliant, so I'd love to dine with her!

10. Mel Brooks
Who wouldn't want to have dinner with one of the most brilliant comedians of all time?

11. David Sedaris
His books are the only ones that can still make me laugh so hard that I've cried--multiple times. I've seen him read his stuff live too, and it was even better. A night with David would be an absolute ball.

12. Woody Allen
I love Woody Allen, I am amazed by movies like Annie Hall, so I must put him on the list!

13. St. Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc has always interested me, and being one of my patron saints I always want to learn more. I'm glad to have such a strong woman of faith on my side, so I would love to talk to her about her life, and what really happened.

Hail! Hail! To Michigan!

I attend the University of Michigan, and after stage managing an event for the University this weekend (A gala event for the Michigan Difference Campaign) I've realized that I wouldn't transfer to any other university in the WORLD. Yes, we have an amazing football team, an amazing Med School, business school, music school, theatre dept, and musical theatre dept. We are an Ivy League education in a public midwest school. But really, that means nothing when it comes to me. I love the people. I love walking down state street. I love standing in the middle of the empty Mendelssohn theatre and thinking about everything and everyone who performed there. I love walking around the aerospace buildings knowing I'm walking where astronauts walked. I love sitting in class and thinking about how famous and/or successful 80% of these people will be. I love knowing that I am a part of the Michigan Difference.

Now, you may be wondering what caused all of this loving talk of Michigan, and I'll tell you...It was the Michigan Marching Band.

I stood on Stage Left at the gala cueing people to enter the stage, so I couldn't see the tunnel that the band would emerge from. But you hear it. The drum line counts it off, the drum major enters and all you see is a wall of blue and white uniforms. Then, once the drumline has entered, the rest of the band floods the stage, not marching, but RUNNING instep. The wall of people suddenly lifts their instruments and the blasting sounds of the michigan fan fare starts. The audience is immediately on their feet. The audience, full of older people doesn't miss a beat, pumping their firsts in all the correct places and singing along. I'm standing backstage, and even though I've got a headset, a clipboard, and I'm on standby to open the curtain, I have to join in. I look over at Andrea Joyce, the alumni class of 1976 NBC sports caster who was hosting the event, and she's right with me, crying. It's a beautiful thing.

This is the michigan difference. The fact that 300 people, rich donors, young students, a crew of electricians and out of state event planners can all come together through one song.

Hail! To the Victors Valiant
Hail! To the Conquering Heros
Hail! Hail! to Michigan
The Leaders and Best.

I am proud to be a Michigan Wolverine.

THURSDAY 13: Books

Thirteen Random Books from my
To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile

1. Janet Evanovich-Motor Mouth

2. Stuart Woods-Short Straw

3. DC Talk-Jesus Freaks MARTYRS

4. Fundamentals of Play Directing
-This is actually my text book for directing class. I have yet to read a single page from it! haha!

5. Acting, the First 6 Lessons
-Another text book for directing---I'm not an actor, so why read it...and we went over it page by page in class, so...

6. Kyle Smith-Love Monkey
-Loved the TV show, so I figured why not?

7. Kenneth S. Lynn- Chaplin, and His Times
I believe this is my....8th Chaplin biography?

8. Julia Solis- New York Underground
The pictures look gorgeous

9. Caroline Archer Paris Underground
Read part of it for a design class. Gorgeous photos from the tunnels beneath Paris.

10. Tim Cockey- Backstabber
He cracks me up.

11. Franklin Bruno-Elvis Costello's Armed Forces (33 1/3 series)

12. Dave Marsh- Bruce Springsteen On Tour

13. The Message//Remix
-This is actually the bible, translated into modern english. I've read chunks of it, but not all, so I don't know how to feel about it.

Pumpkin Carving

I copied the idea off the back of the Every 3 Weekly (a humor magazine at the Univ. of Michigan) and it turned out fabulously.

PUMPKIN CARVING 2006!


That's right, it's eating a smaller pumpkin. And I carved it all by myself! All 25 pounds of Pumpkin glory!

Current Favorites OCTOBER

Here's a few things that are Making my life better right now...

Music
1. Jack's Mannequin-Everything In Transit...the album has been out for a long time, but great piano rock never gets old. Dark Blue and Bruised are currently the soundtrack to my life

2. Big City Rock-Big City Rock...I saw them open for Everclear at the Blind Pig, and these guys are amazing. They sound a lot like U2 with a great vocalist, and muscular guitars, combined with the great vintage keyboard sound

3. Cheap Trick-The Authorized greatest hits...I'm telling you, there's nothing better than rocking out to some Cheap Trick in the car. Cheap Trick's guitar is the kind of guitar I've loved to play since I was very little, so of course listening to it is amazing.

Books
1. the PREACHER comic book series-Garth Ennis...So, I stumbled upon this through researching comics for a set design project. My room mate gave me every issue and I read all 65 in less than 6 days. I'd never read a real comic book before. Preacher is the story of a Preacher from Texas, who through a strange series of events recieves God-like powers through a being that has possessed him. After learning about what happened to himself, he then learns that because of this being inside of him, God has quit his job and is in hiding. The Preacher then sets out to find God and give him what for, with his Girlfriend, Tulip, and his friend Cassidy (who also happens to be a vampire) at his side. It's a fabulous story that is incredibly well written and funny. Even if you've never read a comic before, Preacher is worth it.

2. 7 1/2 Cents-Richard Bissell
This is the book that the musical THE PAJAMA GAME is based off of. It's actually a 50s romance novel. Endlessly entertaining with it's vintage charm, I can't get enough of it. And...it's pretty funny to read a 50s romance.


Movies
1. Waiting for Guffman...If you have ever been involved in a play, you have to see Guffman. This story combines every bad community theatre production ever created with the absurdity of Waiting for Godot . And all the favorites from past and future Christopher Guest films are present and HILARIOUS!

2. Jaws...I just watched it last night, and it still entertains me. Maybe it's my love for Richard Dreyfuss, and maybe it's the awesome shark puppets, but it gets me every time! Also, the IMDb trivia page on the movie is awesome, and considering how many problems this movie faced, it amazes me it made it!

TV
1. Project Runway!...It's a tight race between the 4 finalists, and even though Jeffery was a jerk in previous episodes, he shouldn't be kicked off because of Laura's accusations. Give him a chance to show his stuff, since it looks good.

2. Cash Cab...The greatest game show EVER. Unsuspecting people in NYC hail a cab...little do they know, but it's the CASH CAB! A game show that quizzes you until you get to your destination. But if you get 3 questions wrong, you get kicked out of the cab. I've seen people win over $3,000 on this show, and the questions are actually good. Discovery Channel, daily 5-6pm

3. Mythbusters...Yes, another Discovery Channel show. What can I say, discovery rocks! I could watch Mythbusters all day long if I had to. It's the most entertaining show on television, and I have a huge crush on Adam Savage and Tory Bellecci. In the end, I just want to see stuff explode.

Commercials
1. Volkswagon-featuring Nigel Tufnel (Christoper Guest)...So, This Is Spinal Tap is one of the greatest movies of all time. Nigel Tufnel is one of the greatest movie characters of all time. So, seeing him in a Volkswagon commercial should make me angry, right? Nah, because it's too dang funny! A+ V-Dubs.

2. Skittles-The singing rabbit...I can never find this commercial any more, but it's another funny one. Look for it on YouTube. And remember, a singing rabbit may seem cool at first, but in the end, it's never as good as that pack of skittles you traded it for.

Clothing
1. Scarves...Scarves rock. My favorite kind are Football (Soccer) Scarves, since they're warm and they look super cool. I also have one that's my family's Tartan (kilt pattern) from a scottish shop in Stratford, Ontario.

2. Vintage T Shirts...I just got a shirt with a wolf on it. It's pretty hard core. Value World is my favorite store, and it's saved me hundreds of dollars I'm sure with how many coats and shirts I've bought there instead of a full-price store

3. Home Made Arm Warmers...I love arm warmers, but I hate paying $10-20 for them at Hot Topic or somewhere lame. So, I take Knee-high socks, cut out the feet, cut a thumb hole in them, and ta-da, arm warmers. I have baseball sock ones and some cute argyle ones. Your arms will thank you for them.

Plays
1. The Pajama Game...Maybe it's because I just finished Stage Managing the show, but I love this show. From "There once was a man" to "Hey There" to "Steam Heat" the music is good, the story is cute, and the choreography (for my production at least) is awesome.

2. The Producers...I always get back into my Producers obsession during Tech for a show, but really, it's one of the greatest musicals of all time in my oppinion. Nothing can be as dead-on funny as this show.

3. Spamalot...I'm seeing this one live in a few weeks, and can't wait!

Other
1. Pumpkin Carving...I've been prepping for this for an entire year. The idea has gestated, and tomorrow I will get to execute it. I'll post pictures if it rocks as much as I think it will!

2. My New House...I'm living in Ann Arbor now, in a beautiful house. I love the location in the middle of the historic section of Ann Arbor, yet right next to campus! Also, my roommates rock. I wouldn't dream of living with anyone else.

3. Theatre Professors... are the coolest professors ever created. I mean, really, where else could you get away with half of the stuff we do? (ie. rasterbating their pictures onto the design studio ceiling last year...)Also, the theatre dept is so small at UofM that I think the professors all really start to care about their students. It's also fun to be around people who really love to come to work every single day.

Thursday 13: Movies

Thirteen Things about The Cosmic Kid

Thirteen Movies I'm Embarrassed to Admit I've Never Seen

1. The Shawshank Redemption

2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

3. Memento

4. Apocalypse Now

5. M

6. A Clockwork Orange

7. Resevoir Dogs

8. Saving Private Ryan

9. Terminator 2

10. Kill Bill 1 & 2

11. Fargo

12. Life of Brian

13. Trainspotting

I'll admit, I had to scrounge quite a bit to come up with some!

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An New DAY

So, I've officially started this blog, hopefully it will be interesting, since I've got tons of ideas for it. I hop you're as excited as I am to see what comes out of it.