Gettin' in the mood....

....for it to be autumn already. (perverts).

No, seriously. Autumn is my favorite season. Now granted, I would love to live someplace that actually gets autumn (changing of the leaves etc.) but here at least it cools down from the hundreds.
I have these air fresheners from Yankee Candle, Autumn Wreath, they are my favorite. I have been waiting to use them, and well, couldn't wait anymore. SO, now my room smells like autumn. But, when I walk outside it feels like summer in hell. Also, I have so many long sleeve shirts, jackets, and jeans that I am dying to wear. Not to mention my comfy pj pants that rock. Also, eating chili, soup, pot roast etc will be okay again. (I mean I eat all that in the summer but I get funny looks).
The sad news, there is still loads of time before we get into this phase.
And more bad news...
wait there's more? Yes, there's more depressing news.
Autumn/winter in AZ goes by with a blink of an eye. Once it comes, I will be the happiest little camper. But before you know it, the wrath of the AZ sun will be upon us once more.
Why is then that you stay in AZ Emily?
Good question. I have no idea. Probably because I feel like this is where I am supposed to be right now in my life. I really cannot explain it, but I fantasize about where I could be right now, and it's great. However, it isn't for me just yet.

Now for the perverted use of this entry title...you knew it was coming.

Picture it. Yesterday. About 4:30 p.m.
I am standing in the Verizon store waiting to be helped. I had been there for over twenty minutes, waiting. I am dressed in baggy-mission-trip-paint-stained-jeans, an over sized dark purple t-shirt. Hair pulled back, no makeup....sweaty (since I had to park in Timbuktu-*side note: I spelled Timbuktu right on the first try, go me)...yuck, I was disgusting. (can you guess where this is heading, oh I think not- unless I already told you the story).
Anyway, I'm waiting. And what to actors do in public places when they have nothing else to do? They observe others. So I am. I notice a family of four: A mom, dad, son, daughter. After a few minutes the dad looks outside and says look who's here... there were three guys outside. One of them looked a lot like the father (I am assuming it was the oldest son, and I am also assuming these guys go to ASU). The dad and younger son go outside. When the mom and daughter are done getting phones they also go outside. There are the 7 of them, standing outside Verizon hanging out. Finally the family of four leave and the three guys start to walk away toward the main area of Tempe Marketplace (it is basically an outside mall.). A few moments later one of the guys comes walking back. He comes into the store (which I thought was odd, since he was never there to begin with). He walks right up to me. (He wasn't very good looking, the other two weren't great, but they weren't bad. He was more on the negative side.) He says, "Hey, my buddies and I noticed you standing in here. We are heading over to San Filipe's to get some drinks. When you're done here why don't you come over there. My buddies and I want to buy you a couple of drinks."

I said, "Ok, sounds good," and he left. This is what went on in my head, "Ok, I am underage so even if I wanted to go, I wouldn't. If I were of age, maybe I would go. I probably wouldn't drink but I would, if I didn't have plans, probably go hang out. Good way to meet people."

I finished at Verizon, got in my car and met my roommates at Subway, rented a movie and spent the night at home.

That's my story.

Random fact:
Sunshine Cleaning (with Amy Adams and Emily Blunt)...good but depressing movie.

I would like to say God has a funny sense of humor. Friday I was joking around at band rehearsal. Pastor Mike asked us if we had met any guys to be in the band and I said to the girl next to me, "I wish I would meet guys period." The next day my prayers were answered...sort of....

Ok, I am going to bed.
Bottoms up and,

Bon Appetit.

"I will paint your ass and you can paint mine"

explanation: this is a quote from the movie Death Becomes Her. Basically, these women take a potion that keeps them "young". What is actually does is make them the living dead. Their skin needs to be painted on (otherwise they will look like zombies) and after a while it begins to peel off...hence the quote.
It got me thinking. Someday, there will, unfortunately, be a time where we will not be able to do things for ourselves (i.e. eat, shower, dress, go to the bathroom...etc.). I know some of my very loyal friends would say, "If I am able, I will be glad to help you do all those things for you, if you ever need it." However, I wouldn't blame them if they wouldn't (again, this is all assuming I go crazy before all them). I don't know how willing I would be. But herein lies my point. There are people who do this for a living..... I guess someone's got to do it....
Don't get me wrong, I know people who I am close to will get like this and I will love them no less, but I wouldn't be able to wipe there asses for them, let alone complete strangers. Am I being too snobby?
Please, your opinions on this matter. And if your opinion is, "Emily, you're crazy. I would wipe your ass in a heartbeat," please don't comment. I want more worthwhile opinions if you don't mind. This is a serious blog people.

Three day weekends are a Godsend.
Although when you have a rehearsal smack dab in the middle of it that's kind of lame. But I was skilled enough to work around that.
Got to see Allison after over 4 months. Never again. Then again, it were as if I had seen her the week before. Nothing (too major) had changed (I mean she spent the whole summer in Washington-state- and I have an eventful family so we had stories to swap...but that's besides the point).

I also had a mini-Merylthon with Lindsey. Manhattan, Plenty, Death Becomes Her.
I recommend the last one. It is amazing- in a "that's so off the wall and stupid it's great" sort of way. Everyone should see it.
Manhattan and Plenty had plot issues. To clarify: there wasn't one.
But I still enjoyed them, actually. And no, not just because Meryl was in them....

I got the Blackberry Storm (the touch one) today. So far- I love it!

Ok, I have been thinking about the opening discussion point (you know, wiping older people's asses) and I don't think I worded it right. I have this feeling that I sound like such a bitchy snob....I mean, of course if someone I loved needed help I would help them. And I'm sure the people that do this for a living (not necessarily enjoy what they do...but they) are okay with it. As much as it pains me to see people in need of those certain activities (honestly it does) I just don't think I would emotionally be able to handle it. There's my point! I am too emotional to wipe asses for a living.

On that inviting note,

Bon Appetit

here are some Death Becomes her youtube links. I'm telling you to check them out. Now. GO. Obey me, or else. Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7sMilQeVHk this is the trailer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXsnlzhsoS4 this is a bunch of clips summing up the movie...

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands (clap clap clap)

Today....I was on tv.
Nothing special.
The noon news, who watches the noon news?

Basically for the show I am in we went to the news station, on a field trip, to do some 'research' (it was just a fun way of doing research)and they put us on the air.
We took a tour of the building, and then they set up chairs right in the room where they film the live broadcasts. If you watched the news at noon today, I was right off to the right of the camera.
They had time to kill (which is crazy because they have it down to the second...I will go on about that in a second), so they turned to us and said, "we're going to put you on the air." Next thing we knew, we had lights on us an a camera. They basically panned over us and the anchor said, "Today we have a group of students from the ASU school of theatre and film with us in the studio."

It was so awesome though (the tour...not the 5 seconds of fame). I decided if I wasn't going to pursue being a movie/stage actress I would be a newscaster. They looked like they were having a ball up there. They were so good too. One minute the anchor is talking about wildfires, then they cut to a video of firefighters at the scene, while they do this the anchor turns to the co-anchor and starts having a conversation, mid conversation he switches back to the story. It went like this,"In northern Arizona, those wildfires are really heating up. We go no to the scene. So tonight my wife and I are going to this new restaurant down on whatever street. Furthermore, if the fires continue to spread, evacuations...." It was amazing to watch.
Also, the co-anchor (who was a fill in) walked in as the stereotypical shirt and tie with shorts and flip flops since you can't see under the desk. The lead anchor assured us that never happens, what luck that the day we are there it does. Uh-huh, sure. The weatherman had converse on with his suit and had his spiel to us about how his job requires more skill because he doesn't use a teleprompter. It was good fun today.

I am going to look into if I can intern there this summer. I want to intern in Cali for a talk show (like the Ellen show) or a movie company etc. But I would have to find housing (I think)...so I want to find something along those lines here in AZ where I have an apartment. Hence, the news station would be perfect!

I am super excited. Not only was today awesome (I also had more practice on the drums and am becoming more comfortable with them and cannot wait to actually learn some real skill rather than just play and guess), but this weekend will rock too.
I get to see Allison tomorrow! 4 months is way too long! Lindsey gets to see me play at church and then we are going to have a mini-merylthon!!! woot!

I do have rehearsal on Sunday for 4 hours, but it should be fun because we get to incorporate things we learned today at the station. I already have a few great ideas! :)

But I want to get some sleep so I can party hard with the Sherer's tomorrow!

Nighty Night and of course....

Bon Appetit.

When did this happen?

Yesterday I applied for my own health insurance.
Today I paid rent. I also got the electricity put in my name, and had to put down a deposit.
I also applied for a job and realized that my senior year of high school started two years ago...not just one anymore.

I know I'm not old....but I am beginning to feel older...and it's creepy.

My 'freshman' (the one I adopted as a senior in HS) is a junior, has her license, a job and is starting to think about college.
People I went to high school with are engaged or already married (keeping in mind that most of them are Mormons....).
This is surreal. And this is what I will be blogging about mostly today.

I just spent the past half hour going through some old pictures with my roommate. She loved looking at pictures of me and my brother when we were little (like 5 and 2). I can't believe how long ago that was. And how so many things have changed. My brother is no longer the cute little shadow I once had. Now he is a hormonal teenager with an attitude.
I promised to bring her more pictures next time I make a trip home.

Even though this 'growing up' thing is happening before my very eyes, I still sleep with a blankie and a stuffed animal. I still watch cartoons and know all the songs to all the Disney movies. I still have my t-shirt from my 4th grad field day...and in high school I still wore it.
It just amazes me at how much I've changed/matured/grown but, at the same time, have stayed the same. And I guess that's just it. No matter how much we change/mature/grow, it's just added to our character/personality. We add layer upon layer of age but underneath is still the little girl who played barbies with her little brother (and up until a few years ago still played with barbies...just not with her brother).

It really fascinates me just as much as it frightens me. Listen to me, I sound like I'm a psychology major after all....but I'm not. I'm a theatre major...and again, there's the kid inside of me. ;)

Speaking of theatre. I played the pony game for the first time today. I vowed to never ever play it. I worked so hard to avoid it. But, alas, it has finally found me. And we will be stuck together for the next seven weeks. Basically each person in the cast of the show I'm in picked a warm-up. Every day we are going to do this massive 9-part warm-up comprised of every one's picks. Someone picked the pony game. And being the good actor that I am, I didn't argue with my director. She said ride the pony and I said how far.

I did learn something that I will implement the next time I direct a show (if that ever happens, which I'm sure it will at some point in life.)

Today in rehearsal, we were told to have a meeting.
*side note* the show I am in is about a news team who thinks it is the end of the world, and by the end of the play falls apart. I play an intern at the station (my only role for the actual show is to come on stage and bring the anchor his coffee and etc.)
So, we had this pitch meeting, basically. All improved in character. It lasted 40 minutes. It was the best thing I have ever taken part in in my entire life. It helped so much for my character work. It gave me so many ideas as to how my character really would act in such an environment and it gave the director more ideas on what my role will be in the show.
I decided there on the spot, next time I direct, I will make my cast do improvs in character in a setting that has something to do with the show in production. There is talk of filming one of these improvs and putting it on the website ****, that wold rock.
*** side note*** my director is putting up a website promoting the show. It will basically be a news site where there will be info on the show, the crew, the news team etc. We plan to make it look as legit as possible. As interns, my fellow interns and I are creating vlogs (video blogs) to put up on the site. So, I hope we film a 'meeting' and post it.
I will let you all know when that site is up so you can check it out.

Speaking of checking it out, I am putting together a photography portfolio. Not for any particular reason, just because I have been meaning to and just haven't.
I have a bunch of pictures that I have taken that have been solely as artistic photos that I am going to put in a professional-esque portfolio. I will let you know how that goes. So far I have about 60 photos, I have matched them with different neutral colored backgrounds that emphasize the distinct features that I want to stand out in each, and I will now (over the next week or whenever) being to cut those neutral borders and piece it all together. I think the toughest part will be the order in which I present them.

I am also debating whether or not I should pull a double major with my minor or not. The only thing I will be able to do if I keep this as a minor (architectural design) is museum work, secretarial positions etc. I won't be able to get certified and work on actual buildings. So, that is what is pushing me to take it on as a major. The thing holding me back: Since I just started it as I minor, I have a lot of catching up to do and that could mean having a 5-year college plan rather than a 4-year one. I guess all I an really do is make an appointment with each of my advisors and see what they think/say and then take it from there.
What are your opinions?

Well, I feel the need...the need for sleep.
So, I will let you go. I've kept you long enough. Thanks for stopping by. We should do this again sometime.

I look forward to our next adventure. You bring the equipment and I'll bring the treasure map. Am I making any sense? It's late....sleepy time, she comes.

Rock-a-bye baby, in the tree top.
When the wind blows the cradle will rock.
When the bow breaks the cradle will fall.
And down will come baby, cradle and all....and what does baby say?

Bon Appetit!

Brevity is not always the soul of wit....

I am having such a hard time writing this entry.
I have written and erased about four entries.
It is 1:45 a.m. I have to wake up at 7:30 so I can go get my car.
I saw Julie and Julia for the second time. And, just as it did the first time, it sparked me creatively. However, this time I go to write and nothing is coming out right. When I left the theatre, I had so much running through my head, and I still do. But, for some reason I can't make it make sense.
So, this will most likely be a short post and I will write a longer one next.
I think it is safe to assume that you won't mind a shorter post.

If you do, I will present you an epic soon, I promise.

I cannot believe that I am truly at a loss for words.
I apologize. Feel free to never read me again. (I'm just kidding, I need my regular readers...because there are only like 5 of you.... :] )

Quote of the day:
"My own theory about Van Gogh is that he cut off his ear because he'd make the mistake of taking up swimming" -Nora Ephron on getting swimmers ear.
[Women: read her book 'I Feel Bad About My Neck'...trust me]

Pleasant Dreams
And, as always-

Bon Appetit

Day(s) 2 and 3: Monkeying Around

So, I am already falling behind. I missed last night. I apologize.

Moving on.

When asked, "What is the most favorite role you have played?"
I always tend to respond, "Kafka, from the one-act 'Words, words, words'...."

The reason that answer always is the first is most likely because the hard work that was put into it. My director, Tandace, was very specific on what she wanted me to do. It was my job to learn it and do it well. Kafka, as well as the other two characters in the one-act, are monkeys. the main plot, if monkeys are locked up with typewriters long enough, they will write Shakespeare.

So, I had to master typing on an old typewriter with my feet, while eating bananas. I take pride in saying that I not only mastered that task, but I could actually type whole words with my feet. And, I now have what are called, "Monkey Feet" I use my feet to whatever I can. (I once was so comfortable laying on the couch that I used my foot to grab a tissue from the table...I used the other end of the tissue to blow my nose, mind you.)

The other task I had to master was the actual physicality of a monkey. The walking/running on the fists, the way monkeys sit, etc. Not that I was the best human monkey ever, but of our small group I master this well enough to be the one to run around the stage in complete monkey form. It was also a reflection of my character....the stupid/blond monkey.

Rehearsals were loads of fun and we got pretty good by the time of the show. I, unfortunately, had to wrap my hands by showtime because my knuckles were raw...but it was worth it. The show was a complete success.

So, there you go. The reason that role always pops into my head. Don't get me wrong, I loved the role and the one-act (it is really great you should find it and read it). But the effort I gave to play this freaking monkey paid off and is what I can truly remember most.

I am now drawing to a real point: Actors do very obscure things. they work really hard and sometimes do not get the credit they deserve. However, it feels good as an artist to do it for the fun of it rather than the recognition. That is what separates the strong artists from the weak ones. There are actors who do it for the fame and there are actors who do it for the work. I plan on doing for the work.

My train of thought for this conversation:
I have no idea...the only correlation: I was asked that question in my Voice class today.

I was fitted (measured) today in the costume shop for the show I am in... Most of the questions I was familiar with (height, weight, shoe size...etc).... however bra size caught me off guard, "Welcome to the real world of theatre Emily, where everyone will soon know more about you than you know of yourself"

On that same note, if you ever want to buy me a leotard I can give you my measurements specifically for that article of clothing.

Other than that, not too much to report. Oh, Yay religion and education, the only two things I cannot be penalized for for missing rehearsal! Yay! lol. I was worried for a second because I get a credit for being in a show, and she was saying that so many tardies and absences will mark down my grade...I gave her my conflicts (a class on thurs that goes until 7:15...and church on sundays that goes until 2 ish)....I'm as safe as a Nunnery in the Swiss Alps. I don't know why I used that simile but it's all I got.

Bon Appetit

Day 1: I've got the Grease 2 song, "Back to School" stuck in my head...great

Ok, so I figure in order to keep myself updating I will mark each day so I know if I am really falling behind like I have been. Every night before bed I plan to hop on the comp. and write a little something about the day.

So, here we go.

Day One.

I moved into my apartment Saturday and spent all of Sunday partying by the pool.
Is it Monday already? Not just any Monday, mind you, it is the first day of classes Monday.

So, I hop on my bike (after first filling the tires and buying new lock and lights) and ride to class. No big deal, right? Wrong. It is like a thousand degrees out. So, I get to my class all sweaty and nasty. It is a huge lecture and most of the seats are filled. Luckily there is an open aisle seat near where I entered. I sit down. That was when I first realized how nasty and sweaty I was. Then I realized I was sitting next to a very decent looking young man. Oh well.......
The Professor goes over the syllabus (in the most boring way possible). Then lets us out. I know have an hour and a half to my next class so I ride all the way back to my apartment.

I almost get hit by a car (the guy didn't' look: jackas*), I almost have a head-on-bike-to-bike collision with my playwriting teacher from last semester, and I almost biffed it right on the open sidewalk. So, transportaionally speaking, it was a rough morning.

Now to my next class, and another trek out in the deathly heat. The teacher, a cute older woman, with a lot of spunk (yay theatre classes). This class should be a lot of fun, I can already tell! :) Today we were talking about the class and who does the teacher bring up? Meryl Streep of course! That is definitely a good omen! ;)

Go back home. (It is still strange to call this place home...but, alas, it is).
Anti-social me, has to get things done before rehearsal. (Amanda's mom and Lexi's family were over and I was locked up in my room working on stuff).

I scoff down a quick bite to eat (Mac and Cheese) and am off to my first mainstage rehearsal.

That was fun. At first I was a little skeptical about working with MFA students (because they tend to seem like they act like they are all that and a bag of chips...old school saying, wow), but turns out they were really cool and I am very excited to work with them.

Now I am falling asleep at the computer. However, I managed to stay awake long enough to find a monkey shower curtain that I want to order (and will probably do tomorrow).

Pop Quiz:
I need a small excerpt from either a poem or a song to use for my voice class. Here's the catch...it has to be heavy in imagery. GO. oh and I think I might need it by Wed. or the end of the week. GO.

I'll be waiting for your suggestions patiently.

Ok, this was a pretty straight forward, boring entry. The complete opposite of my new-years-blogging-revolution.... I promise to not follow this path of blah-ness.

Word of the day: Wrath
Used in a sentence: The wrath of the summer heat is upon us.
(Emily's vocab homework: 11th grade, High School, Stafford's class)

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Won't you be mine. Won't you be my neighbor.- Mr. Rogers theme song... I need sleep.

Until we meet again... Hasta la vista, baby....and

Bon Appetit