Late Night Ramblings

The train passing by my new house finally passed.  My first day back to a new semester was very interesting and very new.  It will be more hectic, and I am already more tired; however, being single again leaves me with some new perspectives I find extremely essential to my growth this year.

I can’t tell you how nice it is to be able to concentrate more on my studies and on friendships.  As for me, it is very good to get to know myself a bit better too. 

I took a lot home with me from Las Vegas, although I had to leave behind my good friends in body (though never in spirit) and my relationship.  Mike, of course, came home, but he came home as a very good friend who I treasure dearly.

So, feel free to harrass me more.  I’ll be busy, but I’m already a lot more myself and a lot more focused.  Most importantly, I’m in the business of living, even in the midst of the busyness of graduate school in opera. 

Any suggestions from anyone who has spent good chunks of time alone, getting to know yourself, are most welcome.  Did you take in movies alone, see plays alone, or just surround yourself with friends?  What worked?  What didn’t?  I’m game for anything.

As for tomorrow, our new Maryland Opera Studio swim team (The Trouble Clefs ) are having our first meeting.  There’s nothing like sharing some exercise and laughs with some great friends - at the pool!!!

I just had a great night.

Here I am, in Jersey (land where people really do know how to drive - imagine my surprise!), after a fabulous day and night in New York City. 

After returning from Vegas and moving into my new place closer to school, I needed something fun to keep my mind off of my impending school semester that begins next Wednesday.  So, I paid a visit to my old voice teacher in Manhattan, to get his opinion on a new piece I’ve been studying. 

Afterwards, I thought, "Here I am in NYC - I might as well find something else to do while I’m at it."  So, after searching Avery Fisher, the State Theater, and the Met, I couldn’t find anything I wanted to see at the Lincoln Center.  Just when I was about to give up and head back to the car, I stopped at the Lincoln Center Theater to see if there was a show tonight.  On a whim, I got my inexpensive student ticket and sat down in the 6th row, center stage, to see The Light in the Piazza, a show that apparently had won 6 Tony awards.

As I opened my program, looking to see if I knew anyone in the production, I stumbled upon Aaron Lazar’s photo.  Since Aaron and I knew each other from high school and worked together briefly at The Victor Café in Phila. a few years ago, I decided to see if I could catch him backstage.  We chatted for a little bit in his dressing room, and it was really good to see him again and talk about the business and various singer health problems.    It’s so wonderful to see a friend doing so well in the business.  I only hope I can be so fortunate when all is said and done.

Seriously, the show was amazing, and so was Aaron.  Katie Clarke did a great job, especially for someone so young doing her debut . . . beyond impressive.  Victoria Clark was amazing too.  From the way she spoke, I never expected her voice to be so clear and beautiful, even through tears.  If you love excellent music, acting, and Italy, this is definitely the show to see.

On another random note, my friend Cassandra just got a random call from her husband that they’re outsourcing his military job, and he’s going to be restationed in 2-12 months.  Now they have to figure out how she’s going to finish her schooling while he’s somewhere else for a year!  On that note, if anyone’s contemplating joining the military, expect insanity. 

Then again, I’m the one who sings and acts . . .  ha!

Life is like a box of chocolates, covered in red tape.  It takes ten years to open, and inside, you find more red tape.

Just had to share the random combined ‘wisdom’ of me and my friend Geoff. 

     Hi again from Nevada, land of "oops, there goes my wireless connection" at the air force base.  :) 

     I am still having a great time though, and I may have a tough time leaving my friends, my stars, and my vacation.  There aren’t many stars out here in Vegas, but once you drive a few hours out, the light from the Luxor casino finally goes out, and you can see the heavens.  If you’re lucky, you might even avoid hitting the jackrabbits and the bulls highlighted so carefully on the "open range ahead" sign.  Fortunately, I managed to avoid them and still see some beautiful meteors in the process.

     The next day, Cassandra, Spot (the doggie of the house), and I climbed a red rock at the Valley of Fire.  Who knew a dog could be so cool?!  We had to lift him once or twice, but he made it to the top and got to see some amazing views with us. 

      Of course, a trip to Vegas without a karaoke contest is incomplete, so I sang my heart out at a casino on the strip and, for the first time, experienced a small crowd of mostly drunken men chanting my name.  Well, it was an interesting experience, to say the least.  Anyone else ever been hit on by Elvis (woah, there!)?

     Finally, we rounded out the weekend with skiing at Brian Head in Utah.  I managed to get down my ungroomed slope, complete with ice, powder, and moguls without a scratch.  After all of this exercise, the great views, and time to contemplate it all, how different am I for it?  Well, I’m almost ready to move out before my next crazy semester starts, and I have a newfound addiction to Sex and the City . . . Hmm.

Happy New Year from Las Vegas!

     In honor of my new tradition to bring in the new year with a bang (Times Square last year!), I spent this year on the Las Vegas Strip under the world-class fireworks.  Pictures to come later!

     I’m having a great time with my friends Geoff and Cassandra.  Mike came out for a few days, as his birthday present.  I’m hoping he enjoyed it as much as I’m enjoying myself out here.  So far, I’ve been to see the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and (gasp!) a legitimate showgirls show - Jubilee.  I’m not planning to do anything that needs to stay here though, and I even did a little work today for my Graduate Assistantship.  I know - I was bad. 

     Anyway, it’s nice to be 3 hours behind everyone, and tomorrow night is going to be the most fun of all.  I’m going to be my big, geeky, childlike self and drive 5 hours north in Nevada to hopefully see the best stars I’ve seen in my life.  This weekend, it’s skiing in Utah.  I feel great.

     By the way, Cassandra’s been introducing me to Sex and the City.  I can see now why so many people watched it while it was on air.  Men, women, beauty, intellect, success, failure . . . I love having time to think!!!

Anyone know of a good cheap place to live near the University of Maryland?