It's Hard to be a Pigaloo...

So, we had auditions for TBA Theatre's production of Treasure Island this weekend, and they were so much fun! About 60 people auditioned for the show, and we're only going to be able to cast about half of them. And everyone did a great job! All the cuts are going to be hard to make. Erin is directing the show, and I'm just choreographing, so all those tough decisions come down to her. (Ha-ha!)

As part of auditions, I taught everyone dance steps to "Yo Ho Ho & a Bottle of Rum," which is a very fun pirate song. And it had some tricky stuff in it, which everyone did awesome with, especially with the short amount of time. On day two, I worked with the younger kids that we are considering for Pigaloos. The Pigaloos are a native islanders ala Pirates of the Carribean 2, so I was working with them on lots of low to the ground gruff islander dancing, which was a great quad workout. Then I sat for 3 hours, and then went to an hour and a half long show, and then went to a panal discussion with Dawson Moore (which was great!). Now, two days later, I can barely walk my legs hurt so much. Stretching is definitely not for dummies.

Despite the sore legs, I am very excited about how well everyone did at auditions, and I cannot wait for the first rehearsal tomorrow!

Home Sweet Home!

This might just be the coolest thing that has happened in a long time... TBA Theatre has a home! We bought a studio space in December right on the corner of Dimond and New Seward, which is amajor intersection here. It's high profile, and we have a HUGE sign! We've been working on finishing the inside of the space. A lot of work was done by the previous owner, but now we're finishing it and doing some remodeling of our own. Though based on the pictures, I'm not sure it's a good idea to let Wayne anywhere near the electrical equipment. =)



Last week, Erin, Shane & Wayne & I worked diligently to make Studio A bright and cheery, with 3 "Sunporch" walls and 1 "Carribean Coast" wall. I think Erin and I had the cruise on the mind when we picked out the calendars. Enjoy these pictures from our studio happenings! (Thanks Krissy for the outside look at the studio. It's a great picture!)

This is the one-third less serious part of painting.

Oh, that's going to take a loooooooooong time!

Don't tell, okay! =)

My good friend Rik Johnson also came to visit last weekend, and I would like to dedicate this blog entry to him. He's made me come back to blogging after a three month absence, and that's a good thing! =)

A Happy New Year to all!

I had a moment today that I will not soon forget. It was just your average Sunday morning at church, until one of the older women in our congregation collapsed right in the middle of the Lord's Prayer. Talk about a service coming to a halt. She was conscience but very very pale and weak, and the paramedics were called immediately. The whole congragation was silent, and I think all of us were holding our breath as we listened to my dad on the phone with the paramedics. We waited for the paramedics and offered up a prayer to give strength to this woman and her family. Tears weld up in my eyes. We all sat waiting. Pastor distributed communion to us as we sat, waiting. What must people have been thinking? The paramedics arrived and we finished the service with the blessing as they helped her.

We began to slowly go about our business, and I just didn't know what to say or how to react. Then, one of my favorite people, a woman in her 80's named Bernice turned to me, smiled and said, "How was your Christmas?" I smiled back and said, "Good. It was a very good Christmas."

It was a good Christmas, one of the best yet. When we find ourselves lost in all these horrible situations, we have to count our many blessings. And my greatest blessing is having so many wonderful people around me all the time to remind me of everything good in the world, even if it's just a simple moment like the one I shared with Bernice today.

As you go about your New Year Celebrations, keep all those people who remind you of everything good safe in your heart. May your next year be filled with blessings, and if you must face sorrow, face it with the joy and love in your heart.

Happy New Year!

Ode to My Luggage

O luggage, new luggage,
So spotted and fair,
You'll make my heart glad
To travel somewhere.

The hub of the airport,
So crowded and hot,
Round the return belt
You're easy to spot.

O luggage, my luggage,
You'll make people look,
Grin, laugh and say oh,
Perhaps drop a book.

True, I did buy you new,
But at only half price.
You're roomy and strong,
Long-lasting; no mice!

O luggage, dear luggage
I'll travel, I must!
For I'll smile and say,
"It's you or it's bust!"

Round with the Cows and back to Saint Paul

I'm now back with Lindsay in Saint Paul after a week of visiting with family in Wisconsin. It was so wonderful to see our family. We stayed with my Dad's brother Ed and his wife Pat for most of the time we were in Wisconsin. (Yes, Erin, that's the uncle who's a beekeeper. He makes the best honey in the world.) When we were kids we always stayed at their house, so being at their house is like a second home. We also spent a day visiting with my Aunt Joyce on the shore of Lake Michigan, having lunch at "Pieces of Eight." Which was surprisingly lacking in pirate stuff.

Everyone else we visited with was a cousin, either 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Yes, that's right, we visited with 3rd cousins. (The picture above is of my 2nd cousins Karl & Erin.) People are always asking me how many cousins I have, and the truth is that I can't even attempt to count them. My grandfather on my dad's side was one of 13 kids in his family, so my extended family is HUGE. Which is really pretty cool.

We also visited with my mom's cousin Diane and her family, and met our soon to be newest cousin Amy, who will be marrying my cousin Tony in April. (The picture on the right is Amy, Melanie, Diane & her husband Bob) After spending an evening with her, we gave her the Bladow stamp of approval. Afterall, we knew that they were waiting for the approval of the third cousins from Alaska before moving forward. =) Both Melanie and I wish them all the best!



Enjoy these pictures of our visiting in Wisconsin!


From left to right: Aunt Joyce, Melanie, Uncle Ed & Aunt Pat at the Milwaukee Art Museum.


Me & my Uncle Ed



My cousin Jessica & her brother Karl. It was so much fun playing with them and their sister Erin, especially when my uncle was teaching them to be professional pillow fighters. =)

A Cow In the Land O' Lakes

Here I am in Saint Paul, Minnesota, enjoying my first vacation in quite sometime. I came down to visit my friend Lindsay (check out her blog at http://www.lamarland.blogspot.com), and then my sister joined me so that we could head for Wisconsin to visit with relatives.

Today began with a 99 cent breakfast at IKEA. Yes, that's right, only 99 cents for bacon, eggs, and potatoes. Delicious. Then we continued our pilgrimage to the Mall of America. I say continued because we were also there yesterday, but you wouldn't believe some of the sales we've found. Then we culminated the evening with a Nickel Creek concert and it was fantastic. My goal is know to get them to come and play at the Williamson. How cool would that be?

Lindsay has been the best hostess ever, and Mel and I are looking forward to spending even more time with her when we get back to the twin cities next weekend. That's all for now. If you're in need of cheese curds or honey let me know! =)

Cause I'm a Blonde...

yea, yea, yea...

As promised, here are the pictures of me as a blonde. I've also included a picture of me and my friend Angela from my birthday party in May so there can be a visual comparison between the two.

So, what do you think? Keep it or not?



Guess who else is in this picture.


Now that's a dumb blond....