Perfectly Appropriate

I had a wonderful birthday!

I love opening presents...

Especially beautifully wrapped presents from Deb...

I also love whiskey shots with friends...

And crazy presents, like candy garter belts! (Thank you, Kelley Faulkner!)

Not to mention sparkley chucks that I've been coveting for a while... (THANK YOU, you crazy mofos!)

And my beautiful girlfriend...

And all of my wonderful, crazy friends who lavished their love and liquor upon me.

You guys rock-- you helped me kick off my 29th year right! (It's going to be a good one, I can just feel it...)

29

The day has finally arrived. I am officially 29 years old.


And what a crazy 29 years it's been. Birthdays are great days to reflect upon your life thus far... what you've accomplished, what you hope to accomplish, what curveballs life has thrown your way.


My mother was 29 years old when she had me, 29 years ago. I was her first child. She pushed and pushed for many hours until the doctors finally got around to telling her that her cervix was impossibly small, and that natural childbirth could never happen. An emergency C-section quickly followed and voila, a screaming red-headed girl child named Sara Margaret was born into this world.


Thanks mom, for not giving up on me. Sorry about all that pushing in vain. And sorry about those teenage years filled with door slamming and angsty moodiness.


But I've made it through 29 years and I'm looking forward to the future. 30 is going to be a great birthday. I'm ready. My twenties were wonderful and tumultuous and too much fun but I'm ready, so ready to settle into my 30's. Be an adult. Get a dog. Maybe buy a house. Begin to think about marriage and kids. Start drinking my bourbon with a splash of prune juice.


Okay, I may be kidding about that last one. But as much as a theater girl can, I'm growing up. And I'm embracing every single minute of it.

34 Roundhouse Kicks to the Face

1. Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried. Ever.

2. Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

3. The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.

4. Chuck Norris has counted to infinity. Twice.

5. Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting implies the probability of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.

6. Chuck Norris doesn't wash his clothes, he disembowels them.

7. Chuck Norris is 1/8th Cherokee. This has nothing to do with ancestry, the man ate a fucking Indian.

8. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist.

9. Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked someone so hard that his foot broke the speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was flying over thePacific Ocean.

10. Chuck Norris is ten feet tall, weighs two-tons, breathes fire, and could eat a hammer and take a shotgun blast standing.1

1. If you ask Chuck Norris what time it is, he always says, "Two seconds 'till." After you ask, "Two seconds 'til what?" he roundhouse kicks you in the face.

12. Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse-kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.

13. Chuck Norris once ate three 72 oz. steaks in one hour. He spent the first 45 minutes having sex with his waitress.

14. Chuck Norris doesn't churn butter. He roundhouse kicks the cows and the butter comes straight out.

15. The quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris' fist.

16. Chuck Norris once shot down a German fighter plane with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"

17. Chuck Norris is the only human being to display the Heisenberg uncertainty principle -- you can never know both exactly where and how quickly he will roundhouse-kick you in the face.

18. Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Chuck Norris instead decided to punch his way out of his mother's womb.

19. In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Chuck Norris could use to kill you, including the room itself.

20. Chuck Norris sheds his skin twice a year.

21. Chuck Norris once ate a whole cake before his friends could tell him there was a stripper in it.

22. A Chuck Norris-delivered Roundhouse Kick is the preferred method of execution in 16 states.

23. When Chuck Norris falls in water, Chuck Norris doesn't get wet. Water gets Chuck Norris.

24. Chuck Norris doesn't actually write books, the words assemble themselves out of fear.

25. If tapped, a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick could power the country of Australia for 44 minutes.

26. Chuck Norris doesn't shave; he kicks himself in the face. The only thing that can cut Chuck Norris is Chuck Norris.

27. Chuck Norris has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1983 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game UNO.

28. On his birthday, Chuck Norris randomly selects one lucky child to be thrown into the sun.

29. After a night of drinking Chuck Norris doesn't throw up he throws down!

30. In the beginning there was nothing...then Chuck Norris Roundhouse kicked that nothing in the face and said "Get a job". That is the story of the universe.

31. Chuck Norris grinds his coffee with his teeth and boils the water with his own rage.

32. You know how they say if you die in your dream then you will die in real life? In actuality, if you dream of death then Chuck Norris will find you and kill you.

33. Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

34. When Chuck Norris is in a crowded area, he doesn't walk around people. He walks through them.

The Price We Pay

for drinking like champs at an opening night may be a hangover the next morning....

But we wouldn't trade it for the world, because celebrating with friends may just be the best thing ever.

Falling for Grace

I can't get over how wonderful this CD is. I've had it on constant rotation for a couple of weeks now, and every morning I just get lost in it.


Jeff, you died way too young, but I hope somehow that you know your music has spoken to this girl so deeply in the past few days that she feels anything could be possible again. So thank you.


More about Jeff Buckley here.


Lyrics from my current favorite song on the album (although it changes daily):

So Real :: (Jeff Buckley / Michael Tighe)


Love, let me sleep tonight on you couch
And remember the smell of the fabric Of your simple city dress


Oh... that was so real


We walked around til the moon got full like a plate
The wind blew an invocation and i fell asleep at the gate
And I never stepped on the cracks 'cause i thought i'd hurt my mother
And I couldn't awake from the nightmare that sucked me in and pulled me under
Pulled me under


Oh... that was so real


I love you, but i'm afraid to love you
I love you, but i'm afraid to love you

Show's Open

I love opening nights. The relief of the rehearsal process being over, the electricity in the air, the chance to get dressed up, the sweet cards and presents that everyone gives...

But mostly I love celebrating with the people I love.

The Birthday Season

Apparently all the cool people were born in January. Maybe the stars were all aligned. Maybe our parents were trying to find an excuse for us to find each other 20+ years later. Or maybe we just like to use any excuse to get drunk together....


Either way, it's sure been fun.


Amanda McKenna, born January 10th. Celebrated this year at Tattooed Mom's.

Birthdays around here mean whiskey shots....

Happy birthday faces! (l-r: Arizona, me, Amanda)

Lindsay and Carrie enjoy Arizona's birthday cheesecake. Perhaps a little too much.

Yeah..... about that. Tattooed Mom's should know if they leave their coke nails on the table, we're going to play with them.

Birthday spanking time! Amanda, of course, is a professional and didn't bother to put down her beer as Deb administered 24 plus one to grow on.

A.J. Pillette, born January 7th. Celebrated this year with a cowboy party on Pierce Street.

The gang's all here! (l-r): Amanda McKenna, Rachel, Beth, Alison, Arizona, A.J., Melanie)

The birthday boy wows us with his fancy new drink: Ghetto Margaritas. (Cheap wine + limeade = deliciousdrunkfun)

McKenna puts on an interpretive dance piece for us with her scarf.

Overhead shot! The Trivial Pursuit game was hot and heavy until we all got too drunk to remember any trivia.

I adore this picture. Melanie, me, McKenna's finger. I think it sums us up pretty nicely.

McKenna pretends to be shocked by A.J.'s new balls while Melanie demonstrates her superior blow-up guitar playing.

MY PARTY IS NEXT..... hope everyone is getting their livers ready.

It's my Birfday!!!

This Sunday, January 27th, I'll be 29. My last year in my 20's. I'm so psyched.


So I hope you will all join me at Sugar Mom's around 9m on the 27th to help me celebrate.


I know, I know, it's tradition that we celebrate at Tattooed Mom's. But hell, it's time to change things up a bit. Not to mention we just partied there with McKenna, so who the hell wants to compete with that??


Sugar Mom's is owned by the same people, so they have the same drink specials and most importantly-- corn dogs, pierogies and sausage & pancake on a stick!!!!!!!!



Doesn't this look like fun??

And did I mention they had pool? And pinball??

Sunday, January 27th.

9pm.

225 Church Street.

Be there.

Frankly, my dear...

We've begun teching our latest show here in Studio 3, called Vivien. It's a one woman show about the life of Vivien Leigh.

The set is designed by Meghan Jones. The lighting is designed by Shon Causer.

It's always so nice to have a ghostlight. Covered with flame-proofed fabric, naturally.

Janis Stevens is our Vivien. She's pretty incredible. You should come and see it-- we run January 15th-February 3rd.

Thanks to Angela Cucco for these photos.

You've Gotta Fight... For Your Right..

As the holiday season fades into blissful, blurry memories, I thought I would post some evidence of our semi-glamorous and more than just slightly overdone holiday merriment.


Here are some pictures from Rob Paluso's annual Christmas party:

Any excuse to dress up... (l-r: me, Kelley Faulkner, Alison Levy)

Deb, surrounded by ladies. Just the way she likes it. (l-r: Bridget Brennan, Deb, Alison Levy)

What's that? There's a rugby team here? Let the drinking songs begin!!

This is some sort of mysterious rugger custom. I wouldn't know. But I do know that she later drank beer out of my high heel. Another custom, they tell me.

Many thanks to the lovely Bridget Brennan for these photos.

Copycat

Miss Amanda McKenna posted a 2007 survey on her blog, and I thought that was such a fantastic idea that I should steal it for mine:

1. Where did you begin 2007?
In the basement of La Buca’s, just like this year.

2. What was your status by Valentines Day?
Erm…. 2 years coupled.

3. Were you in school anytime this year?
No, thankgodthankgod. It’s pretty amazing to not be in school.

4. Did you have to go to the hospital?
I sure did, the evening of Thanksgiving with my poor wheezing girlfriend.

5. Did you have any encounters with the police?
Well, last New Year’s Eve we had to have a police escort home because the
Mummers on our street were totally out of control, but otherwise no. And we’re going to keep it that way in ’08!

6. Where did you go on vacation?
Maine—yay! And although Puerto Rico wasn’t technically a vacation, I did sit on the beach and drink beers. So that sorta counts, right?

7. What did you purchase that was over $500?
Rent. A vacation to Maine.

8. Did you know anybody who got married?
Sure did- Jonathan & Maria, Magic Mike & Kelli… two awesome couples, two awesome weddings!

9. Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes. We’ll miss you, Jorge.

10. Did you move anywhere? Yep, to 2 Street!
And in with my sweetie…

11. What sporting events did you attend?
A spring Phillies game (GO PHILLIES!!!) and a Syracuse Crunch hockey game. I gotta say, for a girl who’s so anti-sports, I’m really getting in to baseball and hockey.

12. What concerts/shows did you go to?
Well… there are a hell of a lot of shows. I’ll start with concerts: Dave Matthews Band (2 nights baby!!) and that rad !!! show with Angela. Shows (besides the ones I’ve worked): 42nd Street, Of Mice & Men, Carousel, Man of LaMancha, Peter Pan (Walnut), Amadeus (Wilma), This Is the Week That Is, The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1812), Debbie Does Dallas (Fringe), Annie Get Your Gun (Cortland Rep)… that’s all I can think of right now. There must be more?

13. Describe your birthday:
I give it an A for AWESOME!!! It was at Tattooed Mom’s, Alison made a HUGE cake, I got a naughty shot glass, and I got drunk surrounded by my friends, so… awesome.
14. What is the one thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2007?
Had a mental breakdown… haha, no, seriously, folks. Ummm… go on vacation?

15. What has been your favorite moments?
Beers on the beach with Joseph. Playing in the surf on Popham Beach with Deb. Closing my first season at the Walnut. Partying with Manton Street all summer. The White Trash Party. The New Year’s Day party. Recovering in our living room with Deb.

16. Any new additions to your family?
A new sister-in-law, Maria.

17. What was your best month?
October was pretty rad.

18. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Well, obviously Deb. But I’ve also really enjoyed imbibing with Amanda and Melanie…

19. Made new friends?
Sure, but mostly I’ve really solidified this wonderful group of friends that I have…

20. Favorite Night out?
My birthday dinner at The Oceannaire with Deb was pretty wonderful… and in a strange and sad way, drinking with Deb and Steve and Tim after we found out about Jorge’s passing was cathartic and supportive and everything friends grieving together should be.

21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
This is a no-brainer: the Walnut.

22. Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Not even a little. Why should I watch those no-talent wailers when I can go to work and listen to people who can actually sing?

23. Change your hairstyle?
Heck yeah, bangs, bitch!

24. Have any car accidents?
Nothing serious, thank god, knock on wood. I did lose a side mirror in a mysterious bump, but my girlfriend is awfully handy so I got it back within the week.

25. How old did you turn this year?
28. I’ll be 29 in just a few days…

26. Do you have a New Years resolution?
To get healthy, physically and mentally. To keep my house more tidy. To do more things for myself.

27. Do anything embarrassing?
Every damn day.

28. Buy anything new from eBay?
Never, ever shopped on eBay. How 20th Century am I??

29. Get married or divorced?
Nope. Moved in, that was a big enough step for one year…

30. Get arrested?
God, no.

31. Been snowboarding?
Never. I’m not what you’d call athletically inclined.

32. Did you get sick this year?
A winter cold, otherwise thank god nothing. Still waiting to see if I pick up Deb’s strep throat…

33. Are you happy to see 2007 go?
Sure. It’s time for a fresh start.

34. Been naughty or nice?
I never know how to answer these questions. Nice, mostly, with the occasional naughty mixed in for fun? Sure, that works.

homesweethome

Our place on 2 street is really starting to shape up...

But most especially thanks to the amazing artwork of Ms. Amanda McKenna:

This gorgeous piece was a Christmas present from her to us. And let me tell you, it's taken us a huge step from having an apartment to having a home.

Resolved.

It may be a stereotypical thing to do at a stereotypical time of year, but it's really time for me to get off my ass and start treating my body right.


This isn't just about fighting an expanding waistline, although that's certainly a part of it. I've been depressed and rather listless lately, and I think this will help. At the very least it will help me get my mind off my semi-tumultuous life.


To that end, I am resolved:

~I will go to the gym at least once a week. Preferably I will go 3 times, but I'm being realistic here.

~I will take the time to cook and eat at home. And if I do eat out, I will chose healthy options.

~I will cut back on the beer.


Today I started a couch to 5K program. It's pretty awesome. I've never, ever been a runner, so this is pretty intimidating to me, but I found a great program here. You should check it out.


Plus I really need support and encouragement, so feel free to kick my ass about this. I'm determined to feel better this year, both mentally and physically.


To my New Year!!