Babes Dig Me

Take Baby Louise, for example.

And then she puked on me.

Not really...but that would've made for a good story...

Refugees & Sweet Revenge

So, I don't know if anyone in the greater DC area has noticed, but we've been having a little bit of rain the past few days. It's true. And it has caused a few...situations...in the area. You know...like flooding the IRS building...and closing down the Capitol Beltway with mudslides that spanned all the lanes of traffic. But the rain is effecting people on a more personal level, too.

I'd like to share 2 ways the rain, albeit destructive and dangerous to some, has been a blessing in MY life.

1. Our neighbor is evil. She is. And my roommate Tyler can be as NICE to her as he wants, but she's mean and crazy and I'm pretty sure jealous of how cool we are. Our neighbor has this HUGE deck out back of her house that pretty much takes up her entire backyard. And for the longest time, when it rained, our basement flooded. SERIOUSLY flooded. Like above-the-ankle-and-almost-to-the-calves-deep waters. After further exploration, we find that it's due to a couple of things...one MAJOR one being that Crazy Neighbor's DRAINPIPES came through her fence (which have been hidden by the huge deck) and emptied UNDER our back stairs....thus causing HUGE amounts of water to puddle up and help in the flooding of the T Street Basement. And it was never good.
Well, Tyler bought the house back in the Fall of 2005, and has started doing some renovations - including the backyard area. Part of this work included taking out the back stairs and discovering the sneaky Crazy Neighbor's drain pipes. So Tyler pushed them back through her fence....removed some concrete in the area and the stairs and is working on changing the whole area. And now that the rains have come....CRAZY NEIGHBOR'S basement is flooding. And she is letting us know. 2 letters in the past 2 weeks...one of which was hand-delivered by her crazy daughter...just last night. The letters are entertaining. The first one spoke of raccoon nests and concrete piles that could lead to a rat problem....I guess because rats like to eat concrete? Anyway. Crazy. And then LAST NIGHT'S letter was much shorter and too the point. Basically she's had to remove "gallons of water being pumped into [her] basment due to [Tyler's] lack of planning" when he first undertook this project. Which is silly. It sounds like PERFECT planning to me.

Oh yeah - and she said she reported him to the "proper DC authorities". So....I'm pretty sure the FBI is going to show up any day now. That's the Flooded Basement Investigators. Look out.

2. The rain flooded the first floor of The WSB...which is right where Darci and I sit. So they have had to move all of the people on the first floor around the building to open desks and the desks of people who are out on vacation. Joe, the IT Director here at WSB, is awesome, and he moved Darci and I into the 2nd floor conference room. Basically, picture your standard walk-in closet. When they use it to meet, 4 people can fit in here, and it feels cramped. BUT - it has a door and we can close it and pretty much just talk and laugh and listen to tunes. The best part about it is that they set our computers up so we face each other. All day. And I like to send Darci emails that say, "I'm staring at you over your computer." So then when she gets it, and looks up, I am staring at her. It's a fun little game I like to play.

Here is the view. Notice the top of my computer and how it butts up to Darci's.

Now Darci is staring at ME over her computer. Good times.

But yeah....so far...aside from getting a little wet walking into the building, this rain thing hasn't been too bad for me.

soooo....this is late....

Happy Storm Days, from Washington DC!
Pathetically, I've been home from NYC now for one week, and have YET to post my fascinating and inspiring pictures to my blog. Well, that time has come. And I think you're going to see from the looks of things that it was a rip-roaring time in the Big Apple. I was joined in the magical city by my friend, Stephanie Felsted...who, if you know her, you know it is NEVER a dull moment when she's around. And then our new friend, Laura Bowman - who is an intern here in the DC area (at the Speakers Bureau, actually) and a friend (and current roommate to) the incomparable DARCI NELSON! (in my profile picture, Darci is on the right...your right. My left. She's a gem.)
And just to answer everyone's question about the Ave Q audition: it was FINE. It was 20 bars of singing, it was in, sing, 'thanks for coming' and out. They didn't stop the world and insist on my taking over immediately...and they didn't boo me out of the room. So I like to report that I fall SOMEWHERE in between those 2. I WILL say that I don't feel like I embarassed myself.
So I have that going for me.
Anyway - GOOD TIMES in the city. Let the pictures prove it!

Laura struggles to pull all her luggage on the bus...for the 36 hours she was going to spend in NYC.

The sights and sounds of Broadway and Time Square....with an appearance by Hoops and Yoyo.

Laura stops to ponder how tired and hot she is.

More fun in the city! Laura claps along with some street dancers. Then she meets Trekkie Monster at the Ave Q Theatre. And then we pose at Radio City Music Hall. duh.

Just randomness....

While the girls shopped at Century 21, I shopped at MAGNOLIA BAKERY, for their incomparable cupcakes!

Hoops and Yoyo were happy they came with ME back to the hotel, instead of stayed out shopping.

Hoops and Yoyo get closer looks and smells of the goods.

The Wedding Singer marquee.

The MASSES outside the Jacobs Theatre, just down from the Wedding Singer theater, trying to get a look at Julia Roberts as she leaves the theater. CRAZY. But pretty reminiscent of our Wonka days.

SPEAKING OF WONKA! Look who I hung out with at the Ave Q audition! And afterwards for lunch!
ANDREW FREAKIN' FRACE!

Back from the Big Apple

So I'm sure you'll be happy to know I made it home from the Big Apple safe and sound. I took a bunch of pictures...but haven't had a chance to load them yet...so that will have to come later. BUT - I wanted to share a little video clip of a show I saw up in NYC called 'The Wedding Singer'. It's a musical based on the movie by the same now.





I had no expectations from the show going in. I knew I liked the opening number that I saw on the Tony Awards, and I knew that it didn't win anything at the Tony's. Other than that, I had the soundtrack and was entertained by it. But I came out of it having had a great time, and completely obsessed with the music. So...I've got that going for me. But seriously, it was just FUN. Sure they probably pushed the 80's references to the extreme...and sure the book isn't the most amazing writing...and ok, it's all pretty cliche....but HONESTLY - I had fun. I will admit it! The choreography was ridiculously fun, the costumes were spot-on, and that Stephen Lynch can SING. There were definitely things I wasn't crazy about...but overall, on the MASE, I gave it an 8.5 for entertaining me from beginning to end, and for the cast bringing SO MUCH ENERGY to the stage for a Sunday matinee.

I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a fun trip to the theater. For people looking to be bored for anywhere from $60-$100, check out Sweeney Todd. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

This Weekend

It's almost the weekend, and I'm sure you are all on the edge of your seat wondering WHAT NoGloop will be doing this fine weekend!

* * * * *

Tomorrow (Saturday morning), I am going to take

to

.

* * *

My main reason for going is to audition for

.

But since I'm there, I'm going to see...

and a few other shows, too.

* * * * *

You can also bet that SINCE I'm there I'm going to have

at

.

HOPE your weekend is shaping up to be as ADVENTUROUS as mine!

A DAY TO CELEBRATE!

FRIENDS! The wait has been long - but you have all handled it well. It hasn't been easy...but I commend you all on your patience and endurance. We have been tried - TWICE NOW - but in the end, we come out stronger. WHY? Because my camera, my little Canon PowerShot Elph SD300, has been returned to me. It's fixed and better than ever! And the REAL joy in it all is that Canon, once again, provided the service for FREE! You read that right, peeps. F-R-E-E!
As in NO CHARGE.

So get ready - I have the camera with me and am poised and ready to shoot at anything and everything. You tourists REALLY better watch out!

* * * * *

In a completely UNRELATED story...except it is something that ALSO makes me want to celebrate a little bit...I received an email from the Kennedy Center today regarding the 2nd year of tour. And in the course of email exhanges, I was provided a basic LIST of the states the tour will be making stops in!

TAKE A LOOK:

First Half: IA, MT, NM, AZ, CO, CA, UT, WY, ID, OR, WA

Second Half: TX, LA, OK, MO, OH, NE, IN, MI, KY, MS, IL, WI, NY, CT, NJ, PA

If your state is on the list, GET READY! Wonka is coming to town. Which towns, we don't know just yet. But he'll be SOMEWHERE near you!

* * * * *

And finally -

Have a good day!

My Busy Schedule

So as most of you know, I am busy doing some 'seasonal help' here at the WSB. (That means I'm still hard at work...hanging office decorations. You should SEE the Father's Day Decor they have here. It's quite the display.) It has been great being back in touch with friends, and spending time catching up with many of them.
Although the WSB keeps it's people pretty busy, by working hard for their money, there are times they encourage (and sometimes even plan for) its employees to play hard, too! And that was the situation last Friday...when the office shut down at 2pm and everyone headed over to the COMPANY PICNIC! (I use the term 'everyone' loosely here. By saying 'everyone', i mean 'everyone who didn't jump at the chance to be off at 2pm on a Friday and planned something else.' So....roughly 50% of actually everyone.) It was a beautiful afternoon, for the most part, and there was food and fun GALORE for 'everyone' that was in attendance.
The highlight of the picnic for me, though, was not the food NOR seeing everyone. I got to the park, and with my friends, Katie and John, made a beeline for the MOONBOUNCE! That's right people! The moonbounce called my name, and I answered. We spent a good 20 minutes bouncing to the moon, hence the name, and finally handed it over to the smaller children as they arrived. But not before Katie fell down the side of the moonbounce and got stuck between it's net walls and bouncey base, pulling the ceiling down with her, and having to ask for 'someone to help', as John and I looked on, laughing. Besides that, we made it out with the smallest amount of scolding from the Moonbounce Supervisor. (NO FLIPPING KATIE! Make a note of it!)
So as you can tell, my life OFF tour is keeping me very busy with important events and projects. Just bouncing around from one thing to another....

Thanks to BECKY SHELTON for having her camera on site! Top: Katie attempts the flip of the day, as she gets reprimanded by the MBS. John thinks twice about flipping. Middle: The landing while John looks on. How are the pants holding up, Katie? Hope nothing HAPPENED to them. Bottom: Matt...coming at you! Leslie watches on and John...um....bounces up....

Catching Up

I'm a complete failure. And I fully admit it. I was trying to blog at different times last week, and between Blogger being slow for me and a firewall at work stopping everything, I was having a NON-BANNER WEEK for reporting the exciting happenings of my life. So now, it's time to CATCH UP. I have 1 story I owe you, from the last entry...and then stories of jury duty, a new baby (not mine), me and the movies, and a quick recap of the Tony Awards. SEE what you've been missing? Let's begin.

THE STORY I OWE...
So long story short...I am angry at the Smithsonian Institutue...and the National Museum of American History SPECIFICALLY. Why? Because I feel like they have been taking part in 'false advertising' around the DC area, and I have been a victim. So I get home from tour, and around the DC area, I start seeing these POSTERS and SIGNS, advertising the NMAH's new exhibit. It's called: Muppets and Mechanisms: Jim Henson's Legacy - and the IDEA of it sounds great.

You need to know, at this point in the story, that I LOVE the Muppets and always have. I used to run home from school to catch the Muppet Show on TV. I had a Muppet lunch box. I LIVED for free HBO weekends because Fraggle Rock was on. And I STILL, to this day, consider the loss of Jim Henson one of the greatest losses to the fabric of American pop culture and creativity. So HELL YES I'm excited about an exhibit celebrating his LEGACY.

I made plans with my new friend, Ashley (who lives in DC and has a blog you should't miss...click HERE) and we met downtown, had lunch and then headed over to see this exhibit. I KNEW I was excited about it because I planned it on a SATURDAY (prime TOURIST day) and I knew the museum would be packed with matching-shirted-tour-groups that all have that same ODD 'tourist' smell. (I can't explain it...but if you live here...you know it....) But we muscled our way in, through the metal detectors that were not on NOR detecting, and got immediate directions to the Muppets Exhibit. And we were OFF to the 3rd floor...American Pop Culture area.

And then the story takes a turn for the worst. IN said American Pop Culture area, there are 5 display cases: 1 in the middle, 4 on the outside walls. Case 1, in the middle: The Swedish Chef. Fine. Fun to see him. Case 2, to my left: the original MUPPETS from Henson's 'Sam And Friends' back in the 60's. Fun to see them...the original kermit, etc. Case 3: Lance Armstrong's bike. Ummmm....wait a minute...... Case 4: Dorothy's red slippers from The Wizard of Oz.....(I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Ashley!) Case 5: a clump of 6 or 7 different Muppets. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND...that's it, I think. So confused, and starting to get angry, I read a plaque on the wall that says 'blah blah blah...and join us on the 1st floor for the REST of the exhibit.' So PHEW! Crisis averted...we just went to the INTRO area. (Although i can't really figure out WHY they would split up the exhibit...but i digress....) We trudge down through the masses, odors at full force, and get to the 1st floor...and walk around, and FINALLY find the 'rest' of the exhibit. Basically, 2 more cases - Case 1: the heads of 2 of the creatures from the Dark Crystal (a Mystic and a Skesis...MAN those were magical creatures....); Case 2: Emmett Otter, his mother and their rowboat from Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND...then that was it. But this time, that really WAS it! So if you were doing the math, that is 5 cases TOTAL of Muppets and Mechanisms. And I'm sorry to say, but it didn't even BEGIN to touch on Jim Henson's legacy.
So FIE on you, Smithsonian! And FIE on you NMAH! You ruined my Saturday...and you did a HUGE disservice to Henson fans all over the world.

PLUS - did you hear his widow came and cut the ribbon on this exhibit? Well, you probably didn't hear that. But she did - and I'm embarassed. She was probably like...uh....5 cases huh? Thanks NMAH. Your rock. But not. And then I bet she cried a little. Oh wait - sorry...that was me. But thanks to Ashley for being such a trooper and hitting the exhibit with me. Luckily, we DID have Ollie's fries. Mmmmmmm.....

JURY DUTY
So here's a fun story....January 23rd of this year I was scheduled for Jury Duty. I had to get a deferment - and it was resecheduled for 2 days after tour ended. So I went to register as a Petit Juror that day, and was told I had been reassigned AGAIN - and didn't need to report until June 7th. So I reported. And I sat. And sat. And sat. And finally, after 3 hours of just sitting, and a really bad orientation video, I got selected for a panel that was going to take part in jury selection.

As many of you know, I didn't end up being assigned to the jury - infact, I was the LAST person removed from the Jury box before they locked the jury down. I was SO relieved. BUT the fun story is that while they were deliberating, each of us had to go up to the bench, and stand in front of the judge and both lawyers and answer some questions about us. After the questions, the judge lets each lawyer ask questions, and the defense attorney said, "No questions." And the prosceutor said, "So...what is your occupation?" I said, "I'm an actor." She smiled and said, "Oh yeah. I remember seeing that." Then she said, after a brief silence, "So are you currently employed in a production?" And I said, "No - I recently finished a national tour with the Kennedy Center and am now just doing 'seasonal work' at a company in Virginia." She smiled again, and her eyes sparkled a bit when she asked, "Oh really? What production were you in?"
Proud of my work and time on the road, I said, "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka." And in a split second that will forever leave me changed, she guffawed in my face, rolled her eyes, and said, "No further questions, your honor." And the judge let me go back to my seat.

So....I'm pretty sure the DC circuit courts hate Roald Dahl. But whatever...it got me off jury duty. Keep laughing, Prosecutor Lady.....

NEW BABY
So on Labor Day, my good friends, Steve and Allison Block, welcomed their new daughter, Louise Kristen Block, into the world. She was RIGHT on time, and I got a chance to meet her the day after she arrived! And what a LOOKER! Then - last week (which I liked to call 'The Week I Did Not Blog') I got some ONE-ON-ONE time with baby Lulu...and we had a GREAT time. She charming, engaging and VERY advanced for a 10-day old! And luckily Mom Allison was onsite to snap some photos...which I'm PRETTY SURE are going for a rate as high, if not higher, than that silly Jolie-Pitt baby.

MOVIES
So after starting out strong on tour, seeing all the movies I needed to see along the way. And then I just got tired...of finding theaters and calling everyone about using the van and arranging schedules and all that jazz. So I didn't see a lot of movies, in theaters, towards the end of tour. Andrew and I went to see United 93 in Florida, but that's about it.

This past week, I decided to remedy that...and headed out to see CARS and AKEELAH AND THE BEE. I liked them. They were both fun for different reasons. On the ever-present-and-important MASE, I would give CARS a solid 9 and AKEELAH a low 8. Just a couple of good movies. I'm sure you are better for reading this segment. Or not.

2006 TONY AWARDS
So the Tony's came and went, and to be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed by the production itself. BUT - there were some well-deserved wins that I was very excited about - some expected, and some not so much. For instance: Anything JERSEY BOYS won....hooray for them. (Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Featured Actor...way to GO Jersey Boys!) LACHANZE taking Best Actress in a Musical - AWESOME. So yeah...there was lots of exciting stuff. The telecast as a whole was pretty lame - and the production numbers from the nominated shows were pretty much a stinky mess. You read that right - a STINKY MESS.

BUT - to check out the winners...all you have to do is click HERE! And remember, there really IS no business like show business.

Here's A Sad Story

BLOGGER HATES ME! You read that right. I have tried 3 times...THREE TIMES...today to post a very moving and gripping story about my weekend. It was thwarted on every attempt...and I'm beginning to think that the Smithsonian Institute has some controlling power over Blogger. I can't prove it - it's just a hunch.

So tonight, when I return home, I will attempt to tell my story again. It's an important story that NEEDS to be told - and I feel like I need to share the truth so the people can hear it.

AND - just so I don't leave you in the complete dark, I will leave you with a clue as to what this important story deals with. Tune in tomorrow so you can read the truth. Because the truth WILL set you free.

it really ISN'T easy being green. whatever that means....

News To Me

So I woke up this morning, started getting ready to head to my job as 'seasonal employee' (as previously discussed), and decided to turn on the TV. No SOONER did I flip the channels to get my daily fix of the TODAY SHOW then I saw that there was NO KATIE COURIC. WHA? And not only was she not THERE, but she was GONE. FOR GOOD! WHAT THE...........? I was beside myself.
I came to work, a little discombobulated naturally, and decided to do a little bit of research. Network stars like Katie can't just up and LEAVE a network and not TELL anyone! I mean you think we would've HEARD something about her leaving! I did a little bit of digging, and rumor has it, according to the limited stuff I could find, that she left for CBS. She's going to be doing the Nightly News there. I KNOW! It's a shock to me, too, people!
As I searched around for information, I found a few pictures that NBC had taken of Katie's final few moments around the office. I would've expected a lot of pomp and circumstance, but it really was a very low-key event with few bells and even fewer whistles. We were LUCKY that someone at NBC had the idea to even bring a camera and snap some STELLAR photos. (Probably a disposable someone had sitting around on their desk...)
So here are the photos I could find of Katie's departure, that, to me, seemed to be titled: "Katie Kisses NBC Goodbye...A Little Awkwardly". And after seeing the pictures, I have to admit, I'm kind of glad I missed the last show. I don't feel too good looking at the pics.
But I will miss you, Katie Couric. Losing you has been hard...you have been my rock in the mornings...and my reason for waking. And now TODAY will always seem like yesterday.

Someone in this picture is thinking "PUCKER UP!" and someone is thinking, "must.......not......lead.....him..........on"

hmmmm....so are they going to kiss or rub noses? I'm voting for the latter....

Matt Lauer says, "Don't let me get in your way, ladies. Let me just slide outta here......"

Um.....HONESTLY! Who was in charge of taking these pictures? They need to be fired.

* * * * *

P.S. Did I also mention that I pretty much can't stand Katie Couric? Because I can't. And this all works out PERFECTLY in my evil little plan of life...because I also can't really stand CBS. So now not ONLY will I NOT be watching CBS, but I will NOT be having to watch Perky von Chipperstein, either. The above piece was written with a big slice of sarcasm pie. Please make a note of it.