The lack of medication has officially staked its claim on my body, forcing some major fatigue upon it. I promise, however, I will no longer use it as an excuse in a delay to update. The constant need to go into a sleep coma, well, that excuse might pop up again down the line...
So let me do an update on all the fabulous things I experience and was grateful for over the past few days!
FRIDAY
On this nuit, I had chance to venture to Buddies in Bad Times with my own set of buddies...and we had a fabulous time. Okay, that was a horrible, horrible sentence, but there was an extra emphasis on fabulous, for I had the opportunity to see my very first drag show! Now, I would s
ay I'm fairly well-versed in the world of drag for the average boring hetero girl; a good friend of mine once had a drag fundraiser and while she dressed up like Flava Flav, I made an attempt at some awkward Borat imitation. Unfortunately, I'd never had the chance to see a full-on show and now, after seeing one, I can't believe it's taken me this long. Ladies, these girls really work for it!
On the program were the Heights sisters (Heavenly and Faren- , respectively). These girls had swagger, sass, and a high alcohol tolerance. They knew how to entertain the crowd, deftly shut-down attention seekers, and just give an all-around damn good performance. Also, as one stripped down to a set of pasties, I realized she was more well-endowed than I was. Surgery or not, that just ain't fair. Also, she could do the splits! I can't do that splits! And I don't have anatomy that needs to be tucked in in order to DO the splits!
So well-done-, drag queens of Buddies. I was entranced and entertained the entire night. I was also in awe of how you can dance in heels. Ladies, you just might be more woman than I am.
I had planned the dance a couple weeks in advance (one class we didn't get to it, the other was cancelled due to Family Day.) As I sat in the circle with my group of girls, I hesitantly asked if any of them knew Elvis. Come on, fat chance. These girls are may
be all of ten years old and younger. So imagine my surprise when half the group shot up their arms and squealed: "OH MY GOD, I LOOOOVE ELVIS!" Wow. Really? Alright! I played the song once for those unfamiliar and for those that were, I asked them to sing along. So imagine how high my eyebrows raised when the munchkin beside me began to sing along without use of the lyrics, in pitch-perfect manner. Oooohhhkay.
I quickly taught them a series of simple steps and swaggers, including the typical "air-guitar-knee-shake" patented by the late King himself. So when I sat down and watched how quickly they had managed to pick up the dance, I was thrilled. Listen, I know as well as anyone that a pack of young girls can often result in manic shrieking, a lack of focus, and anything to segue into a conversation about which JoBro is cutest, but these girls really work hard when they want to. Their ability to pick the dance up quickly and then perform it in front of their friends and classmates with exuberance and confidence made my little heart swell with pride. I was proud of these sweethearts!
So now, it's Tuesday, and who knows what today has in store for me. Currently, I'm in bed, subjecting myself to reality TV on Slice. Hmm...maybe an evening post on how my insomnia is grateful for their late-night line-up?
<3,
m
FRIDAY
On this nuit, I had chance to venture to Buddies in Bad Times with my own set of buddies...and we had a fabulous time. Okay, that was a horrible, horrible sentence, but there was an extra emphasis on fabulous, for I had the opportunity to see my very first drag show! Now, I would s
ay I'm fairly well-versed in the world of drag for the average boring hetero girl; a good friend of mine once had a drag fundraiser and while she dressed up like Flava Flav, I made an attempt at some awkward Borat imitation. Unfortunately, I'd never had the chance to see a full-on show and now, after seeing one, I can't believe it's taken me this long. Ladies, these girls really work for it!On the program were the Heights sisters (Heavenly and Faren- , respectively). These girls had swagger, sass, and a high alcohol tolerance. They knew how to entertain the crowd, deftly shut-down attention seekers, and just give an all-around damn good performance. Also, as one stripped down to a set of pasties, I realized she was more well-endowed than I was. Surgery or not, that just ain't fair. Also, she could do the splits! I can't do that splits! And I don't have anatomy that needs to be tucked in in order to DO the splits!
So well-done-, drag queens of Buddies. I was entranced and entertained the entire night. I was also in awe of how you can dance in heels. Ladies, you just might be more woman than I am.
SATURDAY
I spent Saturday night at work- a phrase some may shudder at. Although I've been working this particular part-time job for only a month, I must say it's enjoyable, mainly because of two reasons: it's easy and I get paid to watch theatre. So, make of it what you will.
The only difficult aspect of working front of house is dealing with latecomers and trying to seat them at an appropriate time during the show without being too disruptive. For this particular show, the leading man, who is pretty much a Canadian TV and theatre icon, has been known to actually STOP the show and call attention to the latecomers (not in a cruel way...but can you imagine? How embarassing!) More often than not, latecomers usually recognizze they're at fault, but of course you'll get those customers who'll blame their 30 min delay on anything: parking, weather, other people, the letter R, and of course, you.
Dealing with latecomers is one role that I hadn't yet tried as a newbie at the theatre, so Saturday night, I decided to step up. I was anxious to deal with those patrons who potentially might unleash all hell on me - I had heard stories - and also nervous at the chance the leading man might stop the show and call attention to the doofie usher who accidentally shone the flashlight in his face. Hey, the potential of dealing with angry people frightens me! I'm also embarassingly socially awkward.
As there are often more latecomers than not to a performance, I wasn't surprised when I saw my first couple race into the lobby. "Um...sorry but...the show..has...started...you'll need to wait ...15 m--" "Oh, that's okay, it's our own fault." Phew. Not bad. I set them up with the monitor and did a mental shimmy. The next couple runs in. "Hi, sorry, but the show has already started, so you'll--" "WHAT?!" Well, that was too good to last. I was subjected to some whining and cut-eye when I offered apologies and complimentary coat-check, but what can you do. They eventually hushed up and watched the monitor. Two other pairs eventually ran in - almost 20 minutes late - but I was grateful for the FOH manager who helped me deal with an overflow of latecomers. Cut to a few minutes later, I'm ushering them in and NOT calling attention to myself. I did it! Both the FOH manager and my employer took the time to thank me and said my first attempt was well-done. Steppping up and compliments, what a good combo!
I spent Saturday night at work- a phrase some may shudder at. Although I've been working this particular part-time job for only a month, I must say it's enjoyable, mainly because of two reasons: it's easy and I get paid to watch theatre. So, make of it what you will.
The only difficult aspect of working front of house is dealing with latecomers and trying to seat them at an appropriate time during the show without being too disruptive. For this particular show, the leading man, who is pretty much a Canadian TV and theatre icon, has been known to actually STOP the show and call attention to the latecomers (not in a cruel way...but can you imagine? How embarassing!) More often than not, latecomers usually recognizze they're at fault, but of course you'll get those customers who'll blame their 30 min delay on anything: parking, weather, other people, the letter R, and of course, you.
Dealing with latecomers is one role that I hadn't yet tried as a newbie at the theatre, so Saturday night, I decided to step up. I was anxious to deal with those patrons who potentially might unleash all hell on me - I had heard stories - and also nervous at the chance the leading man might stop the show and call attention to the doofie usher who accidentally shone the flashlight in his face. Hey, the potential of dealing with angry people frightens me! I'm also embarassingly socially awkward.
As there are often more latecomers than not to a performance, I wasn't surprised when I saw my first couple race into the lobby. "Um...sorry but...the show..has...started...you'll need to wait ...15 m--" "Oh, that's okay, it's our own fault." Phew. Not bad. I set them up with the monitor and did a mental shimmy. The next couple runs in. "Hi, sorry, but the show has already started, so you'll--" "WHAT?!" Well, that was too good to last. I was subjected to some whining and cut-eye when I offered apologies and complimentary coat-check, but what can you do. They eventually hushed up and watched the monitor. Two other pairs eventually ran in - almost 20 minutes late - but I was grateful for the FOH manager who helped me deal with an overflow of latecomers. Cut to a few minutes later, I'm ushering them in and NOT calling attention to myself. I did it! Both the FOH manager and my employer took the time to thank me and said my first attempt was well-done. Steppping up and compliments, what a good combo!
SUNDAY
If I'm not working or rehearsing or auditioning or in a coma, I'm helping to run a not-for-profit theatre company which raises money for an orphanage in Ghana. No, no, seriously. Our monthly meetings are always fun, exciting, and extremely long. This past Sunday was our yearly planning meeting and in a mere couple of hours, we managed to choose not one, but two plays for our season, lock in our fundraiser venue, finalize our performance venue, select a rehearsal venue, and basically plan out the entirety of the year. THE YEAR. These people are so organized and I love working with them. It's always encouraging and inspiring to work towards the greater good with these wonderful allies. So thank you, FBN!
If I'm not working or rehearsing or auditioning or in a coma, I'm helping to run a not-for-profit theatre company which raises money for an orphanage in Ghana. No, no, seriously. Our monthly meetings are always fun, exciting, and extremely long. This past Sunday was our yearly planning meeting and in a mere couple of hours, we managed to choose not one, but two plays for our season, lock in our fundraiser venue, finalize our performance venue, select a rehearsal venue, and basically plan out the entirety of the year. THE YEAR. These people are so organized and I love working with them. It's always encouraging and inspiring to work towards the greater good with these wonderful allies. So thank you, FBN!
MONDAY
Hoo boy, this is quite the long entry, isn't it? (That's what she said...?) Monday, I tended to my second part-time job, teaching musical theatre to children for an extra-cirricular program downtown. On today's schedule: Teaching them Elvis's "All Shook Up" and choreographing a dance to it. For GREASE. Hey, I put Billy Joel in a version of Aladdin once. You do what you got to do to get kids more stage time.
Hoo boy, this is quite the long entry, isn't it? (That's what she said...?) Monday, I tended to my second part-time job, teaching musical theatre to children for an extra-cirricular program downtown. On today's schedule: Teaching them Elvis's "All Shook Up" and choreographing a dance to it. For GREASE. Hey, I put Billy Joel in a version of Aladdin once. You do what you got to do to get kids more stage time.
I had planned the dance a couple weeks in advance (one class we didn't get to it, the other was cancelled due to Family Day.) As I sat in the circle with my group of girls, I hesitantly asked if any of them knew Elvis. Come on, fat chance. These girls are may
be all of ten years old and younger. So imagine my surprise when half the group shot up their arms and squealed: "OH MY GOD, I LOOOOVE ELVIS!" Wow. Really? Alright! I played the song once for those unfamiliar and for those that were, I asked them to sing along. So imagine how high my eyebrows raised when the munchkin beside me began to sing along without use of the lyrics, in pitch-perfect manner. Oooohhhkay.I quickly taught them a series of simple steps and swaggers, including the typical "air-guitar-knee-shake" patented by the late King himself. So when I sat down and watched how quickly they had managed to pick up the dance, I was thrilled. Listen, I know as well as anyone that a pack of young girls can often result in manic shrieking, a lack of focus, and anything to segue into a conversation about which JoBro is cutest, but these girls really work hard when they want to. Their ability to pick the dance up quickly and then perform it in front of their friends and classmates with exuberance and confidence made my little heart swell with pride. I was proud of these sweethearts!
So now, it's Tuesday, and who knows what today has in store for me. Currently, I'm in bed, subjecting myself to reality TV on Slice. Hmm...maybe an evening post on how my insomnia is grateful for their late-night line-up?
<3,
m
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