Cocktails at the Centre of the Earth - Review

Most of the time I go to the theater, I spend a huge amount of time evaluating every little thing about the production.  Less about the performance and direction of the performance and more about the lighting or how the show comes off from a stage management perspective.  Why?  Well. . . I'm a stage manager, so I am always interested in how other stage managers make a show go well.  Our jobs are to make the performance go well and look good!

I have to say - when I watched Cocktails at the Centre of the Earth, written and directed by Simon Astor, I did no such thing.  This tells me two things - 1) the Stage Manager rocked (I subsequently learned she does) and 2) the show rocks!  I rarely enjoy a show and just have fun - rare (and I even mean when I go to a huge production like Mama Mia or the like).

In the interest of full disclosure, I do know Simon Astor and several of the performers involved.  I am, perhaps, biased, and that is probably a huge reason for why I attended.  However, my bias does not outweigh the sheer delight I had watching the show.

I am not all that familiar with the steampunk sub-genre except for the cool looking outfits I see when it's a steampunk pub crawl on Capitol Hill, so this glimpse into their world was quite fun!  The story takes you on boats and blimps (or the steampunk equivalent word), under water and ultimately to the centre of the earth.  There are the elite, the wanna-be elite, the educated and inventive, the hard working blue collar workers, the competing performance artists (you'll see what I mean), the oppressed, a real robot and clouds  and sea horses.  You thinking, can that actually make any sense?  YES!

AND IT'S FUN!!!!

Not only is it fun, it's clever, silly and a good time.  The music, done by Meg van Huygen (whom I know as a friend, but didn't know was a talented musician/composer) complimented the clever dialog and itself was clever and interesting.  It isn't every day you listen to music where an accordion is center stage and good!  The band also backed several musical numbers (see, I'm telling you - FUN!) where several really talented vocalists were showcased.  Yes, an accordion backed some rockin' vocals.  Clearly Simon and Meg know how each other thinks.  This added tremendously to my enjoyment.

It's a huge cast.  In fact, when I was perusing the playbill prior to the performance, I thought, how am I going to keep them all straight?  But, again, the clever writing helped me right through my trepidation.  There are too many I liked so here are a few big stand outs for me.  Jonah Martin was hilarious.  He plays about a thousand people, or really one person with a thousand names in several places.  He cracked me up every time the scene changed and he came on stage.  I really did look forward to the beginning of each scene because of his performance.  Katherine Karaus (Patricia) and Monica Wulzen (Dovecote) play perfect bad girl team beauties. Katherine's innocent, adorable bad girl persona was spot on while Monica's dedicated, sexy bad girl persona will give you the chills when she sings (yep, she sings - it's hot!). Kai Curtis' silent movie skills were phenomenal and Todd Hull, Josh Hartvigston, and Laurel Ryan get huge props for their comedic timing.

There are so many things I didn't tell you about this show (talking foxes, peas, a doctor named bunny, oh and BURLESQUE - to name a few) that you'll need to attend to consume some Cocktails at the Centre of the Earth (and btw - Annex's cocktails were good AND apropos).

Am I terrible? - you decide - this is why I hate everyone

This morning, I went over to one of my favorite breakfast haunts for some protein, caffeine, and fat.  I enjoy going to this place because the staff is really good at their jobs and pretty much leaves me to my own devices without making me feel like I'm alone (to protect the innocent, I have changed the names of people and places).  In fact, I am actually quite familiar with the breakfast staff at Gwen's as I am there, almost without fail, every weekend for at least one day.  Eddie, the ever present staffer is pretty awesome, though, I don't know much about him other than he's married, he has a Kindle, and he's about my age, maybe a little older (like I said, I'm left to my own devices unless necessary, which is the way I like it).

Today I went promptly at 10am.  I ordered a ham and cheese omelet with wheat toast.  This is actually a departure from my regular order of over easy eggs, sausage, and an english muffin, so I should have been prepared for a mind altering experience. . .

About 5 minutes after I sat down, two young(ish) men came in and sat down relatively closely to me.  Eddie came over to them and said, "hey, what can I getcha?".  The "prettier" of the two boys barked out the next sentence, "Well, we will need time to read the menu, and in the mean time you can get me a bloody mary."  I took notice.  It was a terribly arrogant way to address Eddie.  But in true classic Eddie, he graciously created a wonderful looking bloody mary and set it in front of "pretty boy" (that'll be his name from now on).

Once Eddie set the bloody mary in front of Pretty Boy, Pretty Boy said - "HEY - when did you all get so fancy around here"?  Eddie said, "well, about 8 years ago".  Pretty Boy did NOT believe this and proceeded to do what I might call some "schooling" to Eddie about how long he'd been coming to Gwen's and how this had NOT been the case.  Eddie, politely listened and then took their order.

The next 10 minutes I sort of tuned out, but basically it was Pretty Boy telling his friend (we'll call him SideKick) about how things were a particular way and such and such and so and so was this way. . . You see, Pretty Boy seemed VERY knowledgeable about everything.  I think you all know these kinds of people.  He's pretty much a text book case of why I hate everyone.  Note that SideKick was taking it all in, nodding in agreement and pretty much not getting any words in edgewise.  Are you surprised?

Ever the professional, Eddie asked if he could get them anything else.  Pretty Boy needed another bloody mary, "without all of that. . . food" (waving his hands around to show his disdain).  And sure enough another bloody mary turned up complete with NO food.

Two sips in, Pretty Boy decided he wanted to pay and leave (they had been there less than 20 minutes for real).  He goes down where Eddie is prepping and says, "Mark. . .Mark. . .hey Mark!".  Eddie responds by saying, "did you just call me Mark"?  Pretty Boy says, "yeah, I just heard someone call you Mark".  Eddie, says, "my name isn't Mark".

Pretty Boy is annoyed, but pays and tips.  He then takes some matches and goes outside to smoke.  I'm so incredulous about how Eddie's been treated, I guess my face shows it.  Eddie comes over to me and says, "can I help you"?  I am laughing and say , "no, you can't help me."  But Eddie gets me some more coffee because he says that he can help.

SideKick is sitting there still texting on his phone.  When Eddie comes back with the coffee, I ask him, "Do you think that guy knows how much of a douche he is?"  At first, Eddie doesn't know who I mean since Eddie is used to dealing with crazy, stupid Douche bags on a regular basis.  When I mention it's the guy who's just left, he laughs and says, "um, no, there's a pretty good chance, with that kind of ego, there is no way he knows."

SideKick gets up and goes out to talk to Pretty Boy. . . you can all guess. . . I'm being tattled on.

Pretty Boy finishes his cigarette and he and SideKick come back in.  Pretty Boy picks up his stuff, then comes over to me and says, "I just wanted you to know that you are really pretty".

AH - I SEE - what to do, what to do. . .

I'm in a dilema here. . . Does he really think I'm going to feel badly for thinking he's a douche?  BUT - I am afraid Eddie won't be tipped (as I'm not actually aware if this happened when he paid - Eddie, later assures me they did).

So - here's what I said, "well, now I can add liar to the list with douche".

off he goes. . .and I don't feel a little bit guilty.

I hate people (these specific kind of people).  The world does not revolve around YOU, douche bag, and you have no right to treat people like your personal entourage.

Tell me, what do you think I should have done?  Am I now in my own category of people I hate?

How we met

Again with the false promises of updating my blog regularly. . . my apologies.  But now I have a bit more time to do so since I'm not working 14 hours a day, running a theather show AND planning a wedding?  Why, you ask? 

Well, work has slowed down since it's the holidays, so 8 hours is all there is. .. always more work, but it can wait until the next day.  Rocky Horror is finally over - sad, but true.  AND - I got married.  Yep, it's official, I'm no longer single.  Though, honestly, I haven't been single for about two years.

So, I figured I'd give you guys some stories.  I mean, that's why you read this right?  So here you go. .

How we met
Mikal likes to say we met at church. . . those that know Kristin, know that it wasn't EXACTLY church.  It was a Sunday, though.  Kristin had just finished her very first very difficult work deployment (software) and was visiting her local watering hole to relax and have a well deserved drink.  She was talking on the phone outside the building when, across the way, she saw a very handsome man in sunglasses.  After she got off the phone she went into the bar.
This is where the story differs depending on to whom you speak. Both believing his or her story is the correct one.  No one will ever know and they are both so stubborn, they won't conceed.

Mikal says that the ENTIRE BAR was open and when she came in, she thought "how cute is he, I'll sit down next to him." 

Kristin says that she frequently visited this bar and although the seating in the entire bar was open, at the actual bar, there were two seats open.  One next to him and the other in front of the video gambling machine.  So, she sat next to him to get her drink and read her book as she often did.  It was hard to read and spread out in front of the video gambling machine.
What happens next isn't up for debate.  Mikal got the courage up to ask, "what are you reading?".  Kristin replied, "The Golden Compass."  Mikal brightens, saying, "my daughter read that!" (Lauren has since disputed that she's ever read this book)

What followed was a very fun and funny conversation about Lauren, Mikal's daughter, what we did for a living, how Kristin knew the manager, how Mikal knew the owner, and other generally interesting things.  They talked for several hours and Kristin then got up to leave, as she had to work the next day.  Mikal gave her his number because he wanted to make Kristin feel comfortable AND he didn't want to be given a number that was a "wrong number."
When Kristin got home, she texted Mikal (getting home took only 5 minutes).  Mikal had gotten up to leave, but when he received the text, he ran back to the bar in case Kristin had come back.  She had not, but they soon started dating and the rest is history!
.

Getting married

So...getting married in a month. Pretty lovely story. Check it out.

Day 5 - pain levels

well. . . I knew it wouldn't last.  Yesterday, the pain returned.  I was at a pain level of 6-7 and muscle spasms abounded.  Yuck.

And quitting smoking sucks really really badly.

Quitting Smoking. . . AHHHH

Ok - I have to say, this sucks so bad.  I really really want a cigarette.  The worst part about it is that I only really have one a day.  And not even having the one is killing me.

The best part?  Holy ravioli, I have to say, the best part is that when I post on Facebook, I get so much positive encouragement.  How could I not quit?  I might disappoint all of you.  I'm staying strong and having some lasagna.  . . . unfortunately, it's my second choice sine my Chicken Tikka Masala is not going to happen (Annapurna is closed - AHHHH).  I know, food isn't the best replacement, but to be serious, I haven't eaten since 2pm, so it's not so bad.

Thank you everyone.  Much appreciated.

BTW - pain level is up to 5 - I am having bad spasm, especially in my upper peck on the right side.  Driving me crazy!

Pain level Journal - Day 1 (though, really day 4)

The neurosurgeon told me I needed to keep track of my pain level until I meet him again.  Since my appointment is not until Friday, May 27th, I have a couple of weeks to keep track.  I'm going to start with the day of the injection until now.   The first day is a bit verbose because you have to keep track every hour for several hours.

Day 1 - May 12, 2011

• Starting Pain level (out of 10) - 7
• 15 minutes post injection - 2
• 30 minutes post injection - 1
• 1 hour post injection - 2
• 2 hours post injection - 2
• 3 hours post injection - 4 (though, I think this had to do with the injection site)
• Then I slept
• 11 hours post injection - 3
• 12 hours post injection - 3
• 13 hours post injection - 3



see the red on my neck?  That's the injection site!

• 14 hours post injection - 3

I have to say - a 3 out of 10 feels like HEAVEN!!  (pretty funny the apple photo effects randomly picked my injection site!)

Day 2 - May 13, 2011

• Pain level - 4
• No muscle spasms

Day 3 - May 14, 2011

• Pain level - 4
• muscle spasms started in the evening around 7pm

Day 5 - May 15, 2011

• Pain level - 4
• muscle spasms right away in the morning - needed to take muscle relaxers. . . they only died down for now.  Needed to take multiple times during the day.

Anyway - we'll see how it goes!

new leaves. . .

Willing it to Shine!

Yesterday I tried to quit smoking. . . and I failed on the first day.

Today is a new day.  Today I am going to try again.  Today I will be stronger.  Today I am stronger.

I think I let too much of the other things in my life be excuses to my ability to be better.  It is truly those things that make me who I am and make me better.

This week I found out several things that are. . . .let's call them. . . "opportunities to grow" - things I suggest above are my excuses.  Perhaps I can use these as excuses, but really, they are the things that make you better, stronger, more alive.   I need to make this the time to turn over a new leaf.  Not just in smoking, but in other ways too.  First the things that I use as excuses for not being the best person I could be.

Mikal found out he has severe femoral nerve damage.  We don't know what the future holds for him in that arena, and so we move forward to try to work within that world - for an active man, it's a hard blow.  Lots of internet research to understand the long term affects aren't all that encouraging.

On the heels of that, I had an MRI and a reading of that MRI.  The result?  I met a neurosurgeon. . . My tasks here?  Well, on Thursday I had an injection in the area of C7 where I have a herniated disc.  The neurosurgeon has asked that I journal my level of pain so that he can help determine that surgery may or may not help.  The theory here is that if the injection seems to help, surgery is likely to also help in a more permanent way.

Internet searches are my enemy.  I have decided that people only post when it's negative because it's on their minds.  If they have had success, then why think of it at all?  Whether this is a delusional thinking or not, it's what I'll choose to believe for the time being.  I have wonderful friends that have given me names of folks that have had this type of surgery with much success.

After this news, I felt it was time to quit smoking.  I don't do it much anyway, however, smoking is smoking is smoking.  When I successfully have not smoked for a year, I will be much healthier anyway.  Unfortunately, I am a social smoker especially when alcohol is involved.  And last night, my will did not stand.  I had a great time at a friend's auction event.  There was wine - and it was "included" with my ticket.  So. . .I had three cigarettes.  This is actually more than I normally have.  I usually only have one or maybe two a day and can go days without it.

I also did something pretty horrible.  I forgot a very good friend's birthday.  I hate that I cannot keep up with all of the most important things in my life.  I need to re-prioritize.  So, I take today to do so.  

New leaves - no smoking, no excuses, no forgetting, no getting bogged down in the "what ifs".  On Monday, I actually posted a picture of the back of my head - I was willing a good sunny day - it didn't exactly work until the end of the day.  I'm using it as one of the pictures in today's posting because it's sort of a representation of what I want to do for the rest of my life - I'm willing it to be sunny.

Open Circle Theater Needs Your Help

Many of you may have gotten my mass email and if you have, please forgive me for spamming you again - as well as the official 'ask' I'm about to do (and my apologies if you have gotten this from someone else at OCT). As many of you know, I'm deeply involved in the fringe theater community in Seattle - and as any of you who support or participate in the performing arts (or other types) yourselves, you know how hard it is to keep a non-profit going. As the letter will explain, Open Circle Theater, where I'm currently the Managing Director and have worn as many hats as Stage Manager, Bartender, Box office attendant and general cleaner-upper, has a fantastic theater space - one of the best in the fringe community here for sure and we'd like to keep it. But we do need community support quickly if we're to maintain the space further into the year. 

I completely understand we are just another hand out among many that are asking for your financial support right now - but I'm asking you personally - and letting you know that truly anything you could spare would make a difference. 

Thanks to those of you who've come to support us in the past and even if you're unable to donate, don't be a stranger and come on down to see a late night, hear a play reading or do the Time Warp when Rocky Horror opens near the end of March.

Much love,

~kp (or Kristin for those of you that don't know me as kp)

****************************

Open Circle Theater needs your help!

 

OCT is on the cusp of its 20th anniversary of being a fringe theater in Seattle. This is almost unheard of especially with the recent news of many theaters closing due to the current economic conditions. Two years ago we moved from South Lake Union into Belltown and created Seattle's finest fringe theater space - just check out any of the reviews!

 

Who could foresee the economic downturn that has hit everyone so hard? In response to this change, Open Circle Theater has a new Artistic Director, a new Managing Director, a new acting Board President and in the last year has added at least eight more company members. In addition, we reached out to the community and asked for collaborators. Unfortunately, we couldn't fill that need in the timeline we had. Because of that, we're in jeopardy of losing our space.

 

Here's where you can make a difference in the Seattle arts community. We are asking for your support. Even the smallest donation can help us continue our craft and save our theater.

 

Please act now! You can donate while you are watching one of our great late nights in the next two weeks OR you can mail in a donation.  Here is our address:

 

Open Circle Theater

2222 2nd Avenue, Ste 222

Seattle, WA 98122

We thank you and look forward to continuing to serve you some of the best theater in Seattle!

Much love,
kp Ramsdale
Managing Director
Open Circle Theater
kp@octheater.com

Engaged! Come Join Us to Celebrate

So. . . if you haven't heard, I got engaged last weekend on Friday, February 11, 2011 to Mikal Viencek.  I'm so happy to announce this!  If any of you have followed my blog, you have read about my past and understand that this type announcement is really huge!

We would love you to come and join us to celebrate!  This weekend and next weekend we'll be spending our time at Open Circle Theater (those of you that know me, know this is NOT a surprise).  We want you to come and join us at the theather for three VERY special shows.  Mikal and I will be there either enjoying the show and your company or working the show and enjoying your company!

Friday, February 18th is Sylvia and Tor's Cabaret.  It's the AWESOME cabaret with great singing and entertainment from Sylvia of the famous Bacon Strip.  If you have seen her stuff, you KNOW you'll want to be there.  The COOLEST thing about this Friday, is that it's Pay What Ya Wanna.  You can reserve seats (and it's recommended) on Brown Paper Tickets.  She is hilarious!  It'll be a good time and you can come down and toast to Mikal and me with a special drink (I won't spoil what it is if you're gonna come!).  It starts at 8pm, so come on down to Belltown.  If you wanna have dinner before, you can try the new Dope Burger (great reviews) or Mama's Mexican Kitchen.

Saturday, February 19th is Mitzy's Ditzy Glitzy Variety Show.  It starts at 10pm and is really cool for several reasons.  First, I'm the tech person, so come see me be a slave to the lights and sound.  Secondly, there are some ridiculously talented Burlesque dancers, poets, drag queens, and of course bartenders and crew (that's me and Monica!).  The show is for those of us that need to recover from our Valentine's day.  If you ask Mikal, he needs to recover from my woeful attempt at being romantic.  Let's face it, he and I are SERIOUSLY a mess, so comiserating with the rest of the group will be some great therapy. 

Then NEXT weekend is OCT does CSI: Miami.  It's a TRUE disaster but HILARIOUS!  It's a "script in hand" improv of the television show.  If you came to see OCTV does Battle Star Glacatica, you will LOVE this.  I'm doing tech for the show, so come and see how much I screw up with some scotch!  It'll be a good time. 

At any rate.  Mikal and I want you to come out and toast with us.  It'll be a good time and you'll be helping out my greatest love that isn't a human.  It'll be great!

A Very Merry Scary Gary Christmas!

My dad totally came through!  He read the blog and donned the Scary Gary mask!  It rocks - but not nearly as scary as I remember it.  I'm guessing being 36 and not 6 makes a HUGE difference!  Thanks Dad for bringin' it out and Thanks Mom for takin' the pic! Enjoy and Merry Christmas to everyone!

fondest of memories

Tonight started out like most of the nights I've had over the last few weeks; work ends, I run to the car and dash to some theater thing, then home to help Mikal with his knee, then watch a little tele, then do some numbers for the theater, and finally off to bed.  So, I had gotten to the "then watch a little tele", when some weird magic happened and my night changed for the better.

Magic you ask - well, it's that really random but wonderful magic of memories.  They hit you when you least expect it.  I'm not sure if it is the holidays, my time of the month, or just a serendipitous coincidence.  A memory that makes you smile or chuckle - but in my case, I felt like a child can feel; happy and like there isn't anyone cooler than . . . your dad.  I'm not sure what I was doing or what made me remember, but I decided, after sharing it with Mikal, that I needed to share with all of you.  And really hope he reads it.  Then he'll know how much I love him (even if these words are inadequate, they are the closest way for me to say it) and how much I love my mom for marrying him (I love her for other reasons, but this is near the top of the list).

You're screaming at me - DUDE! what is the memory already - ok - I'm there.

Every year for Halloween, my dad, Gary, would dress up with this mask and cape.  The mask was of this old man, but his ears were really pointy and his teeth were sharp and scary (now, the sad thing is that I have no pictures to actually show you what it DID look like - remember, this is my childhood memory; it could be completely made up - you'll have to wait for my dad to tell you it's real).  I remember the cape being black with a brilliant lining of red satiny material.  So dramatic.  While children were trick or treating, every time the doorbell rang, my dad would jump out from the door and say, in his best deep voice, "wah haa haa haa haa" - it was pretty scary - pretty cool scary!

Next door lived a small boy about 5 or more years younger than we, named Jeremy.  I remember this particular year as being about 5 or 7.  Jeremy was knocked off his rocker when dad first answered the door; scared silly - silly scared, then laughing hysterically.  It became a tradition.

And once Jeremy knew that a scary man would answer our door every once in a while, he'd try it out regularly.  Yes, we would randomly answer our door to a Jeremy asking for "Scary Gary".  At first we didn't understand, because upon Jeremy wait for us to open the door and in his fit of excitement waiting to be scared and when he WASN'T laughing so hard his words were unitelligble, "issthh sctharty garee here"?

And he did it three or four times before we understood "issth sctharty garee here" to be "is scary gary here"?  So, what did dad do?  March over to our neighbors and tell them their son was doorbell ditching?  OF COURSE NOT.  My dad did the best thing possible: he went and got the mask and when the doorbell rang again, he jumped out and SCARED Jeremy silly!  It to fits of laughing. 

How cool is that?  It's even cooler when you find out that my dad is my step-dad.  He met my sister and me when we were 3 and 5.  In fact, my mom wasn't sure he'd be ok with two kids, but his response was close to, "well, we'll bring 'em along" - to the drop zone - where you jump out of planes.  He loved us.  That's the coolest part.  And he loved the neighbor kids.  And now - he loves his grandkids - he's so cool, what does one of my nephews want to be when he grows up?  A pilot - like his Gary (Gary is the noun for grandpa - the kind of grand parent who prefers to be called Gary - but grandma is Colleen  - so what's a 5 year to think?)

Anyway, I hope he reads this.  I love him and tonight, my whole night was full of sweet memory because of Jeremy and Gary's Scary Gary.  Thanks dad.

Love you,
love me.

It's official!

kp Ramsdale has been involved with theatre for over 17 years.  She originally lived in Madison, Wisconsin and migrated her way West to this wonderful city of Seattle where there is a gold mine of theatre opportunity.  She started her experience having seen an Open Circle Theater production of Re-animator.  Being an H.P. Lovecraft fan, she fell in love immediately and asked, on closing night, to be part of this quirky, talented and daring theater.  OCT welcomed her in 2003 with open arms as their assistant stage manager for Ondine. Since then, she has stage managed, house managed, or been involved in more than 8 shows and the most recent Eat My Shorts festival at Open Circle Theater.  In addition to OCT, she has also lent her organizational talents to Seattle Musical Theater for Honk! and Jane Eyre and the Fischer Ensemble where she managed a production that travelled to New York.  In her life outside of theatre, she manages change at a global logistics company in an IT department of over 600 here in Seattle for the last 5 years.  She is excited to take her experience in the business world and mix it with her love of theater to work as the Managing Director at Open Circle Theater.

A story people wanted to hear. . .it's a little ratty

So, for some reason, last week at work we were swapping bus stories.  So, I told a story related to a "fuzzy" time in my life.  Fuzzy in more than one way.  You'll see what I mean.

In April of 2008 I went to the  Passport to Woodenville.  For those of you that haven't heard of this event, it involves a lot of wine in two days.  If you're doing it right, you're using the spitters.  There are those of us that. . . well. . . don't.

My friends Harry and Barb took me out as I hadn't been in a while (it was only about 6 months after Alistair passed away) and we had a good two days.  The original plan was for me to hang with Barb and Harry at their house the first night.  Woodenville isn't too far from my house in downtown Seattle, but it was far enough that we didn't want to bother with driving.  It would be like a "staycation" for me.

The sad part was that my cat, CJ, well, Alistair's cat, was very ill.  He had beeb diagnosed with colon cancer and wasn't going to be with us much longer.  The vet said that as long as he was still eating and cuddling, he was doing ok.  His eating and cuddling had gotten more feeble, so I wasn't very inclined to spend any time away from him.  He was 19, and he had had a good life, but I was not yet ready to spend any time away from him.  Those of you that knew Alistair and his love for cats (specifically CJ) know that CJ led a VERY spoiled life!

So instead of staying the night at Harry and Barb's house, I opted to take the 522 home that night and then back the next day in order to spend more time with CJ.  This is where the adventure begins. . .

I was a bit fuzzy when I got on the bus. . . remember, there are those of us that don't use the spitter at the winery events (this is a cautionary tale for those of you that don't use the spitters, to USE THE SPITTERS).  We had visited at least 15 wineries at that point, so a bit fuzzy was a good way to describe myself.  It was also about 8pm-ish. . .

About two stops later (it's a 1/2 hour bus ride - give or take a few minutes), a man got on the bus with a duffel bag.  When I had boarded the bus, I had taken the first seat at the front on the left side of the bus; he took the two across the aisle.  The ride went as per normal for a few more stops.  Then he opened his duffel bag and pulled out. . .are you ready?

A RAT - a baby one, but a RAT.

I was a bit, let's say, bewildered, but not grossed out or anything.  Remember, I'm a bit fuzzy.

This is an interesting turn of events, so I go ahead and say hi and ask him about his rat.  He tells me the following:  He has just left his warehouse in Woodenville to pick up his pet rats to bring to Seattle.

ok - did I hear the right?  I did, so I ask about why he is bringing them to Seattle and how many he brought.  He proceeds to open his duffel bag and which point a do blanch a bit because there are at least 30, yes 30 rats in the duffle bag.  One of them is HUGE since it's the mama.

Hmmmm. . . he then asks me if I want to hold one.  Do, I freak out, do I decline, do I accept?  A non-fuzzy person would probably decline, but remember. . . I didn't spit.  So, I picked one up.   Please forgive the quality of the pictures. . . remember, fuzzy.

As it turns out, baby rats are fuzzy too.  And AWFULLY cute and cuddly.  How do I know?  He had me hold another one.

  They are super adorable and very friendly.  And curious.  They like to travel.
  They had so much fun, they eventually fell asleep for the rest of the ride.  I was so intrigued. . . or fuzzy. . . or, well, I'm not sure what possessed me.  

But I decided that I wanted to take a picture of the guy that sells rats from a warehouse in Woodenville.  He looks. . . like he sells rats from a warehouse in Woodenville.

Anyway, I made it home safe. . .


And I made it back the next day.  I spit more that day.  Thanks Harry and Barb!

I must be crazy

I was writing an email to my parents because they want to come and visit in the fall, and I realized that I'm totally insane!  I was trying to figure out the best time to have them visit and it's not going to be easy.  Why?  Let me tell you.

So, I'm doing this show called Eat My Shorts.  It's a film festival and the winners get to go to Bumpershoot.  It's really cool with 24 plays over three weekends plus a winning weekend AND a weekend at Bumpershoot.  Check it out and come join us if you please!  Open Circle Theater is sponsoring this event.  I haven't worked with them in so long, but I'm so excited to be doing so again.  They rock.  Check them out too!

Then I was thinking about September, but that's kind of out too. . . except for maybe two weekends.  I will be finishing up the Eat My Shorts festival at Bumpershoot the first weekend in September, and then Ciara and I are going to the wonderful city of Portland, Oregon!  We'll be partaking in public transportation via the train AND eating at the famous BW3!  How awesome is that?

After that, I'm taking photos at a wedding for my friend on October 2nd and then I'm hoping another friend will be marrying two weekends from that.  Very exciting!

Right now?  I'm at work.  It's a Sunday. . . and I am supposed to be at a Mariners/Red Sox game. . . and if everything goes as planned, I will make it.  But it still sucks that I'm here.

Mostly, I've gotten a lot of theater stuff done and written this blog.  Exciting huh?

The other thing that's come up is next week is Alistair's birthday.  I'm going to be celebrating his birth at the Hard Rock Cafe.  I have two days I celebrate Alistair - July 28th - his birthday and April 1st - our anniversary.  I usually have two scotches.  One with one cube of ice (for me) and one with half water (he like to make it watery. . .yuck, but it makes me smile every time the bartender says - "really?").  But when we lived in Hawaii, we used to go to the Hard Rock Cafe down the street from where we lived all the time.

Why you ask?  Well, first, they have CHEAP happy hours and when you live in Hawaii, cheap anything is a bonus.  Plus he liked the wings since there wasn't another place to get them (hence my pilgrimage to Portland in September).  I liked the salads and it is a warm member.  So, raise a glass of watery scotch for Alistair next Wednesday.  I will be too.

GEEZ! I'm soooo lazy

UGH!  even when I think I'll be held accountable for my actions, I STILL don't follow through.  I did pretty good for 21 days and did lose 9lbs.  However, I then WRECKED my back first, picking up my remote control (yes, bending down to pick up my remote control) AND THEN I wrecked while I was recovering by stepping on my dress which in turn pulled my neck down and I completely fell over. . . yes, this is talent.


So, it's been since April 4th since I've really done anything.  The "good" news is that I've only gained some of the lost weight back.  I'm about 175, so I kept of 4lbs. . . which isn't much of a feat, but at least it's something.  I also cut most of my hair off, and if you've seen how long my hair was, you'll probably say I just cut 4lbs off there!  But I wasn't allowed to exercise (not even walk to work).  So, I really threw myself into getting better.   I bought flat shoes (EWWWWWW) and got rides to work instead of carrying my huge backpack.  I also followed doctors' orders and didn't do any exercising.

Today it's been exactly 6 weeks since I've had to have an adjustment from NUCCA.  I think this is absolutely amazing to me.  I used to have to get them every week.  But now, I feel wonderful (except for the fat part) and I started walking to work and working out a couple times a week (except last week because of the AWFUL heat).

I did pick up some really bad eating habits in the last three months, so I haven't been doing well in that department.  So, I'm going to try this "diet" thing again.  I took more pictures and will post them tomorrow.  I have to do my measurements and post all that again.  The NUCCA doctor told me I could do some light core work about 4 weeks ago, so I did that plus started walking just to get some practice.  I also went to the gym and did some light elliptical.  So, I'm back in the game.  BRING ON THE SASSY WATER.

I know - you're excited right?  right. . . I can hear the sarcasm dripping off your responses. 

Anyway - thanks for all the encouragement the last time.  I'm going to need it again. 

Much love to you all!

Day 21 - not bad, but not following. . .

So, let's start with the numbers:

Weight: 170 - Total loss 9lbs
Belly (the largest part around my mid area): 37.5 - total loss 1.5"
Waist (the real waist line): 32" - total loss 2"
Hips (including the butt): 39.75" - total loss 2.25"
Left Thigh: 23.75" - total loss .25"
Right Thigh: 23.5" - total loss .5"
Bust (the below part): 34.75" - total loss .25
Boobs: 40" - total loss 1.5"
Left Arm: 13" - total loss .5"
Right Arm: 13.25" - total loss .5

Total inches = 9.25
Total lbs = 9


I'm kind of impressed with a few things about the diet, about my progress, and about what I've learned both about food and about myself.

Here's the deal.  The first week and a half I found myself thinking about food ALL THE TIME.  I had never been good at staying on a diet where I didn't like the food.  Here's the thing about this one.  I really like the food, but I had never really cooked anything like this stuff, so I spend a TON of time looking at the recipes and trying to figure out what I was going to eat.  It became overwhelming AND distracting to nearly everything else I was doing.

So, I have stuck to a few guiding principles of this diet and stopped following it like a religion where I strictly only eat what they have in the book.  Here are those guiding principles.

Move (yes, Scott you are right) and move more than you did before.  And I really like moving.  I like working out.  I have walked to work every day for the last three weeks except for 2 days (and that's because it was blowing rain sideways AND I was late.  But really, I have actually worked out 6 days a week at home for at least 10 - 15 minutes.  That's all the work out in the book really calls for (in addition to your walking).  And it's getting easier.  If there is ONE THING you should learn about any exercise program is that IT WILL GET EASIER.  So, it's okay if you don't do every thing the first week or even the second or third week.  It gets easier.  In fact, I've decided to change it up and do another kind of work out.  I like it.

Drink water - I never used to do this.  I makes you pee a heck of a lot more, but it really really helps in your ability to not be hungry.  And GUESS WHAT - it's good for your skin and your body.  I found that I really enjoyed drinking sassy water.  And making sassy water.  So, I drink it a lot more.  This helps you lose weight.

Portion control - it took two weeks for me to understand how much food was the right amount and caloric makeup (about 400 calories 4x a day).  It also too about 2 weeks for my enlarged stomach (our stomachs get stretched when we eat the HUGE amounts of food we have become accustom to) to get used to having smaller food.  This one is a no-brainer (yes Scott, again, you were right eat less).

EAT SLOWLY - so, I didn't actually do what they tell you in the book.  They tell you to not multi-task when you're eating.  Just focus on the eating part.  But if any of you know me (even a little), I pretty much cannot survive without multi-tasking (even as we speak, I'm watching television, writing, and have had a few side conversations with Mikal).  But I do savor the food more.  And if you eat more slowly, your mind can catch up with you and remind you that you're not hungry after the portion of food you've allotted.

So, I can safely say that this is working for me.  It really is.  I haven't really given up beer or wine or scotch or even ice cream when I want it.  It's about the choices I make about HOW MUCH, HOW FAST, WHETHER I MOVE MORE and NOT FEELING GUILTY for not following the diet exactly.   I mean, really - I've lost 9lbs in 21 days.  Pretty good.  And to be honest, I'm not even trying that hard.  I know that if I wanted to try harder, I'd work out more and plan better about my meals.  But the book preaches about stuff having to work for you.  And I'm learning.  I'll be happy with how this turns out in the remaining 11 days.  I may even try harder in the next 11 days.

Here's the cool news - my size 10 jeans are fitting a bit better.  Mikal has told me (without provocation) that he can tell on my hips and arms that I've lost some weight.  A person at work has mentioned it as well.  My nylons fit better around my thighs (I now know why larger people don't wear skirts - the rub of the thighs is AWFUL).

I look at the scale and it hovers at the 170 mark.  If next week I make it UNDER that tick mark on the scale - I'll be really really happy.  I feel better, I feel happier, and my clothes aren't uncomfortable anymore.  And I think I'll extend it beyond the 32 days.  I'll be doing this for the next couple of months and then I think I'll be where I want to be. . . back where I was a year ago.  Not a lofty goal - achievable.  Another thing I've learned. . . things are achievable.

Day 5 - finally some food

So, today I got to eat the following:

Toast with cashew butter (that I made myself!  like peanut butter, but with cashews) and raisins.

A turkey bacon cranberry cheese muffin sandwich with cashews -- this is so yum I want to eat it all the time.

Black bean dip with cheese, cumin, garlic and olive oil (again, that I made myself) and carrots to dip in it.

Pepperoni pizza and wine.

Okay - so a couple of things about this.  You should hear the inflection in my voice when I say "I made it myself".  There is a little head swagger that goes along with it.  Why?  Because it tastes so yummy.  I didn't finish all of the black bean dip stuff, but mostly because I was embroiled in a work thing.  I had to even bring it to my meeting to eat and I felt like a fool because I was eating in front of senior management.  But whatever, have to stay on the diet, right?

Again, I felt hungry after the breakfast, but that might be because I SCARFED it down before my first meeting rather than taking time out.  I mean I did take 6 whole minutes to eat it.  There is something to be said for enjoying food.  I was hungry when I went to eat the bean dip, but that's mostly because it was TIME to eat.  I was about a half hour late to eating (outside the 4 hours), so, I'll let that one pass.

I was NOT hungry however the entire time before the pizza.  Which is pretty cool considering I didn't eat all of the bean dip.  And, speaking of the pizza.  I had to improvise with some of the ingredients because my grocer didn't have some of the things on the list.  So, I've had to improvise a bit, but I'm sticking to the amount of calories in each meal.  I did have two glasses of wine with dinner, which is NOT part of the calories allotted.  But I've been really working on working out, so I don't feel badly about that.  And the book says that you can have alcohol in moderation AND if you account for it in the caloric intake of your day.  So, I did.  Besides, I'm going to be working out Saturday and Sunday in the gym.  So, I'm not going to take ANY guilt at all about this.

Day six has some other interesting food, so, we'll see how that goes.  I'm airing all my secrets about the things that I'm NOT doing that the book says to do, but I think I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to the caloric intake and the exercise regime.  I did watch tv last night while I was eating the pizza, but I took more time out than normal to chew each piece.  And it kind of makes a difference.  The only part I don't like about that taking longer thing is the way the consistency of the food feels.  It's really mushy.  Now, I know that's the way it's supposed to be, but it takes some getting used to.  I'm a person who works at a million miles an hour as a pace, so it's hard for me to slow down.  But I think I'm trying.

Off to another successful day!

Day 4 - kind of amazing

So, I have to show you a picture of what is generally sitting on my living room table when I get home.  Mikal is sick and it's the only thing he asked for.   I have resisted for FOUR days the ENTIRE bag of Reeses Peanut Butter cups.  I have not had one.  It's pretty amazing.  And yes, for real, the stuff that has been sitting beside that bag are 1) my Sassy
Water - which Mikal says smells, but I really like it.  It has kick. 2) My Flat Belly Diet book.  I find this amusing.

As for What I ate yesterday:
Oatmeal
Dried Plums
Chopped Cashews with Cinnamon
Rice Krispies
Skim Milk (twice)
Raisins
Cinnamon Toasted Sunflower Seeds
Strawberry Smoothy
Turkey cutlet
brown rice
sauteed summer squash
Lots of Sassy Water

What I did:
Walked to Work
The Metabolism Workout
Walked at Lunch (shopping - and even got Mikal some presents)

How I feel:
Well, today was kind of tough.  I was hungry for my meal that I have at 11am and I was hungry for my meal to have at 3pm, but not as bad.  And I was hungry for my meal I made for 6:25.  But I also didn't follow the advice of taking time out for ANY of those meals.  I sort of did for dinner and it took me the longest, but really, I eat while I work and don't slow down.  But I should.  So, for next week, I have a goal of doing that for at least three of my meals.  Gotta start small right?

But for Day 5 - I'm excited.  I prepared all the food (and then some) for the next couple of days.  I have SO MUCH food in the house compared to the porportions I'll be making with that food.  So, I have a lot of things in the freezer and in plastic storage.  So, it should be interesting to see how much of it I use over the next weeks.

So, here's the big news:
Weight: 173.5 - loss of 5.5 lbs
Left Arm: 13" - .5" loss
Right Arm: 13.5" - .25" loss
Waist: 33" - 1.5" loss
Belly: 40" - .5" GAIN
Chest (below): 35.5" - .5" GAIN
Boobs: 40.5" - 1" loss
Right Thigh: 23.75 - .25" loss
Left Thigh: 23.75 - .25" loss

Overall loss in the last 96 hours
5.5lbs
2.75" overall

Though, I do have to say, my clothes don't fit any better.  I wanted to put a picture with this post, but the problem is that my magic mouse died in the middle of this posting, so I probably won't be able to post this even to facebook.    Wait, I just got it to work - geez, a thing should warn you about low batteries.

Okay, okay, I don't get points because it's "artistic".  I just like this photo type.  So, most of my pictures of me will be like this.  Maybe it'll show whether or not I'm losing.  That's for you to decide.

Anyway - I'm excited to eat some good food.

Day 3 - a couple more things

I spent about an hour at the grocery store trying to put together the amount of food for the three days after the first four days.  It cost me $94.  WHAT????  Plus it was really hard to find some of the things on the list for the recipes.  So, I had to make due with some non-list stuff.  I'm hoping I can figure out the calorie thing.

The other thing I must confess to is 1) I still am not taking time out to eat except at dinner and 2) I went 4.5 hours between eating rather than the MANDATORY 4.  I missed dinner by about a 1/2 hour, but that was because I was shopping and I had to cook when I got back.

Does anyone know how little 3oz of meat is?  It's little.  I feel hungry now and it's 9:11pm. . . so, I just have to drink some water and try to move on.  I'm hoping that on Day 5 when I get to eat NORMAL non boring food I won't be hungry.  The book CLAIMS I will be not hungry.  We'll see.

So, the thing the book wants me to journal about tonight is being mindful about my meals.  Taking the time without tv or reading or anything. ..

I don't particularly like looking at the wall and for real, the food is too boring.  I could if he food wasn't boring, but it is, so I don't want to just think about eating it.  But maybe that will change when I start the "real" part of the diet.

And here's another thing - I haven't had a crap in three days.  This is NOT NORMAL.  I know this is over share, but they say that you can lose up to 7.5 pounds in the first 96 hours. . . but I imagine that means you must expel things and this is a non bloat part of the diet and it's meant to compact stuff in your intestine (I know this is gross, but they do talk about it in the book).  The book explains all of this - and it's actually pretty interesting.  Okay - enough gross, but I just wanted to say. . . geez.

Okay what did I eat today

Rice Krispies
Skim Milk
Raisins
Cinnamon covered toasted sunflower seeds (YUM)

Peach smoothy (actually very good)

Turkey slices
Tomatoes (ANOTHER PINT - I dare anyone to say this isn't a lot when you eat them)
String cheese

Lemon marinated chicken
Green Beans
Roasted potatoes with olive oil and herbs (YUM)

LOTS OF SASSY water.  But I'll be having more water.

The good thing about today is that I did the belly buster work out and it was easier than on Monday.  Which is a bonus.  You do it every other day (alternate with the Metabolic one), so I get to look forward to something different every day.

I walked about 4 miles today too.  In fact, the last .5 mile was with 30lbs of groceries.  They were so heavy I had to carry them on my Shoulder.  It was tough.  I'm a weakling.

Lot's of love.  Tomorrow is the LAST day of the boring part.  I'm looking forward to Friday for SURE!