"Every Journey Begins With a Single Hop"- Kermit the Frog

Tomorrow I officially begin work with the new PAC- part time, in the afternoons after school. I have been going to meetings and working with shedules and such, but tomorrow it all becomes real... in other words, I get keys to buildings. I am excited. I am nervous. I know very little when it comes to the benefits of mankind, but I know how to put on shows. I guess, in other words what I am good at really doesn't make that big of a difference in the grand scheme of the world. If you are having a heart attack, I can't save you... but I can give you some entertainment while you are laid out having an angioplasty. Yes, I 'm excited. Yes, I'm nervous. And I am driven- I have no other option but to be successful. "Success is believing in yourself and then convincing everyone else that you are right."- Kermit, again.

Seussical- A Photo Tour

Curtain down, book closed, but when one story ends another begins. Seussical was a lot of fun, but a lot of work. It used to be as soon as the show was over I would wander about looking for something to do. Not any more. I've been working on this show since last May- funny how it all disapears so fast, just nothing but a nuch of memories and pictures. Enjoy you nights off- I hope they are few! Thanks to Camila for some of the pictures-

Seussical!

March 12, 13, 14 at 7:30pm March 15 at 2:30pm

Fine Arts Center

Every Who who is any Who will be there.

Magnum

The next Zoolander.

Alas- I Am Too Busy... Even to Type

Here I sit on Sunday night. Watching the Oscars with Nikki am I... typing as if I were Yoda... or a pirate. Granted, I am not only sitting. I just finished the poster for Seussical to take to the printer tomorrow and am about to begin "the list" for tomorrow. Pretty much, Seussical is consuming every aspect of living right now. Everything revolves around Seussical. Effie, Nikki and I worked this afternoon on show stuff. It would ahve been nice to take a nap. I never take naps, but when I know I don't have time for one, I want one.

This show is huge... no, gigantic... no, titanic... bad example... Titanic sunk... don't plan to do that. Our meals are based upon what needs to be done for the show, our sleep time and our reality tv watching. God allowed some one to invent tivo so we wouldn't have to miss our tv shows while working on a production. Of this, I am sure. Yoda again.

Seussical as I said, is big. 62 people on stage at once. Some costumes three feet wide. Some costumes three feet in diameter. What was I thinking? Who houses, jungle trees, a giant egg in a nest, puppets, puppets and some puppets. Big stuff. In three months, everything gets bigger.

Speaking of three months. Lots going on- shows scheduled for July through December and a tentative list for 2010. Working on that too, in the middle of Seussical.

I've had lots of fun reading all the lists of peoples "25 Random Facts About Me" on Facebook. I haven't been on Facbook in weeks. After the show. I keep meaning to put my random facts, but can't get to it. Bless Nikki, if she didn't keep laundry going right now, I would have to buy more clothes because I would be running short. Many of you will scoff at that statement. Anyway, here is a preview:

1. I am at the age where I don't care what anyone thinks. You can give me your opinion, but I probably won't listen. Don't be offended, I can't help it I am smarter than you... but you are more than likely a better speller.

2. I believe that nine out of every ten children with "behavior or attention problems" were simply not spanked enough.

3. I love pizza. All the time.

4. I make up stupid songs about everything. The rule is they still have to rhyme.

5. People think I am unsociable at times. In reality, I am very shy. Also, I spend so much time talking all day long that sometimes I am excited to be quiet.

6. I love going to Disney World- duh. Not because of the whole "youthful forever" crap, but because the technology and unlimited supply of imagination and creativity is beyond what normal people can grasp. I am not a normal person. Take that how you wish.

7. I'm not a control freak, I just think life is better for others when I am in charge. I am not an egomanic, but I am confident in my abilities. If I don't know how to accomplish something, I will after some careful concentration.

8. I dislike history unless researching for a specific project.

9. The greatest moments of my life that do not include my family and wife are spent with a small group of people. I like a small amount of dedicated friends more than a large amount that I know only in passing. So don't be offended if I ignore you when requesting to be my friend on facebook. In other words, the people that let me be in charge are more likely to be my friend.

10. I can go only two days without taking a Nexium. Goes along with being in charge and saying I can accomplish anything.

11. My favorite color is red. No, I mean RED!

12. Eventhough I would never admit it outloud, I like Jazzy. He makes me laugh, although he still feels as if I moved in on his territory. Guess what, J-Man... I did!

13. I don't drink any alcohol. This is a huge suprise to people. A theatre person that doesn't drink or smoke. The stiffest thing that I drink is Dr. Pepper. My only addiction is Dr. Pepper. That may be why I take Nexium.

I am sleepy and have gotten side tracked. I must make my "list" still for tomorrow. There I go again, Seussical dictating my life. Seussical is March 12, 13, 14 at 7:30pm. March 15 at 2:30pm in case I don't have time to post again. March 15 is a Sunday matinee. Some one not long ago told me God didn't like it that I did matinees on Sunday, rather I think God likes to see families do things together after church on a Sunday afternoon. If He didn't, then why would we have tivo to record the shows we miss while we were rehearsing for the shows that we would be performing on a Sunday afternoon?

14. God loves me and what is important to me is important to Him. Even Sunday matinees.

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a Day!

So, we had no plans to go to Disney World anytime soon, after all we had already been there twice this year and took a Disney Cruise. But, how can you resist when they offer it free on your birthday?!?!?!? So let's put two and two together... free Disney on your birthday. Nikki and Scotty who are married have the same exact day birthday. Paul lives in Orlando and let's us visit and play. Enough said. We started our journey a few weeks ago, at least I did, Nikki didn't have a clue. When we were goign to bed the night before we were supposed to leave, we were going over all the things that would be happening the following day... meetings, a trip to WCU, dinner and then I threw in packing. Packing? Oh yea, did I forget to mention we are going to Disney World for our brithdays? And so we were off. We hung out a bit, went to a mall, had a few (drumrolls) chic-fil-a sandwiches along the way and then got up bright and early Saturday morning to head to the Animal Kingdom. Paul had school Saturday, so Nikki and I went to the parks to play. Before the end of the day when we met Paul at Planet Hollywood for dinner, we had done the Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Lines were low, crowds were small and we've been there so much we knew what we wanted to do and not what to do... we got it all in.

The next morning, January 25, a day that will forever be in history as one of the greatest days ever and will always be Nikki, Paul and I got to the Magic Kingdom as the gate opened to celebrate our big day. We got our free tickets and our special buttons that said it was our birthday. What they don't tell you when they give you those buttons is it gives ever person who works at the Magic Kingdom permission to tell you happy birthday over and over. That's ok- I'll take it.
We first headed over and flew with Peter Pan- for some reason that kiddie ride always gets backed up. The nover to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. As you may know, Splash Mountain is right next door. As cazy as we were, we decided to go ahead and take the plunge- ha! get it- plunge! We walked straight on this ride- unheard of! After we had gotten to the bottom of the big drop our log boat stopped in a line of about ten. We sat there for about fifteen to twenty minutes and then a SM worker came around and said they were going to "evacuate" the ride. We all got out of our boats and walked along the edge of the river we had been floating on past the robots of Brer Bear, Fox and Rabbit and then lead to a door. The lady leading us said "no cameras beyond this point. Turn your cameras off." Yes, we went "backstage" at Splash Mountain! What a great birthday gift... but wait it gets better. As we were being lead back to the street of the kingdom, workers were giving each person a fast pass for any ride in the park- if you don't know, a fast pass is a card that allows you to skip the line and go straight on the ride. The lady saw Nikki's brithday button and said, "Happy Birthday- here is for your party." and we got a whole stack of fast passes! Great fun! Lines were small anyway, but now they didn't exist at all! We rode Splash Mountain (after it was repaired) three times, Big Thunder Four times, Space Mountain (twice) and everything else in the kingdom at least once.

After a full day, we went for a great dinner at Tony's Italian Restaurant. Paul, Nikki and I had a great little party complete with mickey confetti and some streamer tape. Little party? The whole restaurant got into it...

...by flinging their napkins and shouting...

...and Nikki and I had a special little birthday cake.

After a wonderful day of food, happy brithdays, free cookies (because we were wearing those wonderful pins) and lots of riding, not to mention dodging the segulls swooping in to grab a snack and get rid of it... if you know what I mean, we settled into our spots to watch the fireworks. Nikki and I decided that everyone else was allowed to watch, but the whole explosive display was for us. We went back to Paul's place and had leftover cake. Cake at 11pm is the best... second to cake for breakfast. I didn't really take a lot of pictures- we've been there so much why take so more pictures. Just a special few to share with the loyal and devoted fans of the rehearsal chronicles... ok, all this for three of you.

Oh yea, one more thing. For those of you that have been to the Magic Kingdom, you know that right at the beginning of the fireworks Tinkerbell (an actress on a wire- sorry to destroy the magic) flys across the crowd from the top of Cinderella castle and beyond the edge of the park. As we were getting into place to watch the spectacle, Paul sees the wire and says "Hey guy, look! We can see the galaxy (he meant milky way) from here!" Yes, it was night and yes, there were a few stars, but the galaxy? We looked and he pointed in excitement. After a time of searching, we realized he was talking about Tinker Bell's wire. We had a good laugh. To his benefit, it was dark. Ha! I love that kid! Never dull.

Now, after a whirlwind of a weekend... back to real life, back to cold (when we left Orlando, we were wearing shorts and tshirts at a beautiful and sunny 73 degrees- when we pulled into our drive way were wearing long sleeves, pants and jackets at a painful 44 degrees) but ah, what a great fun time! I wonder what we can celebrate next? "It's the time of your life..." That's the theme song for the year at Disney- I'm singing it to you right now... Close your eyes and imagine as if you were there too... "It's the time of your life..." Ok, so that's the only line I know... just keep imagining...

Make A Wish

Not a bad way to spend your birthday!

Inspiration?

Many people ask where I get my ideas for costumes. Simple- I look a hundreds and hundreds of pictures- escpecially for the weird, over-the-top costumes. The picture below is a good example.

Did You Know?

Thirty-four years ago today Space Mountain opened at Walt Disney World. In April, the ride is going to be shut down and completely "re-imagined". I love this ride!

Mindless information for a Thursday.

Adventures in ATL

A month or so ago, Melissa L. that Nikki works announced that she would be visiting some Ukrainian orphanges during Christmas while on the way to England to visit her parents. Nikki and I love Melissa- she makes me laugh at absolutely nothing and for no reason- she just makes me laugh. She had a way to the airport, but she needed someone to pick her up. Thinking we could make a day of it in the city, Nikki volunteered us for the pick-up.

At the same time Paul G. was home for Christmas and wanted to take a trip to the mall before returning to FL. He decided to go with us on Saturday to have some mall time, dinner and a movie and he would depart from there the next day. His mom was going to play too, so realizing that Melissa's plane did not get into the ATL ariport until midnight on Saturday, Nikki and I decided to get a hotel room as well across from the mall of GA. Pauls mom was going too- she and Paul would get a room and Nikki and I would get a room that we would share with Melissa.

We left the big town of Franklin around 11:30am on Saturday- met Paul and his mom at the Whistle Stop and then began our convoy of three mall bound vehicles, but first stopped for a wonderful lunch at Chic-Fil-A in Clayton. Love Polynisian sauce... five out of four stars! Love Chic-Fil-A... a billion out of four stars!

We arrived at the mall around 1:30ish and hit the isles shopping- great sales, evne better than te day after Christmas. Nikki and I were both on a mission for jeans. I found one pair, she found three- shocker. We made returns, ate cookies and went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button... four out of four stars. Finally, a movie with an actual story with a climax and an arch to the characters. It lasted almost three hours, but was worth the time spent sitting in the dark. Movie ended at 10:30pm, but before we ever went into the theatre, Melissa had called and said her flight from Charlotte (where she would connect and then fly to Atlanta, where we would be waiting) had been cancelled. Uh-oh. She was on stand by for a direct flight to Atlanta from New York, but wasn't sure. During the movie Nikki watched her phone and kept in contact with Melissa. Towards the end of the film, we found out that Melissa was on the flight and would be arriving at the Atlanta ariport about 12:45am. So what to do while we wait? Eat. Nikki, Paul, Brenda and I went to On the Border for a late dinner. Exactly- mexican at 11:00pm. Thank you Lord for Nexium.

We had a nice dinner with a waitress from Poland. At 11:45pm, Nikki and I left the restaurant for the big city in rain and heavy fog. Driving was slow, so we got to the airport around 12:30am. We waited. We waited some more. Then we waited a little longer. At 1am Melissa called and said she was there and getting ready to get on the subway to baggage claim. We waited. We waited some more. Then we waited a little longer. Now realize, poor Melissa had been on countless flights from the Ukraine, all of which had had delays and had now been awake without any sleep for over 24 hours. When she got on the subway she got on the wrong one and had to circle the entire airport before getting to baggage claim. Finally, the British lady had made it back to the Home of the Brave and was ready to head to her own nest. We went to bagage claim- no luggage. Melissa's bag was red and she was delirious from lack of sleep, so everytime a red bag would go by on any of the carriers, Melissa would say maybe that is it and I would run after it. No luck. We had no idea where her luggage would be on any flight from NY because of all the last minute changes that had been made in her flight schedule. 2am we go to the Delta desk and after waiting in line we discover that Melissa's bags are still in NY. They will ship them on Monday.

On to the hotel! Yea for hotels! But wait, Melissa had no clothes or anything. Luckily we knew there was a 24 hour super Wal-Mart near the mall of GA. We go there, get Melissa some sleep gear, grab some muffins, doughnut holes and apple juice and we start to go. Melissa had only eaten airline snacks and as we were walking out the Wal-Mart suddenly says, "Wait! I'm hungry!" She runs to the bakery and grabs a large turkey sub.

We get on the elevator about 3:30am to go to our room and break open the doughnut holes and apple juice. Melissa has her sub which is extremely dry. At one point she threatens to dunk her sub in a cup of apple juice. We don't know if she was serious or just suffering from fatigue.

We all get calmed down, Melissa has her bed and Nikki and I ours. Finally 4am, going to bed. Now when I get tired, I get giddy. And I was tired. For some reason, I started laughing and so did everyone else- uncontrollably. After laughing out all of our exhaustion, we go to sleep.

At 5:30am, Melissa's phone started ringing. It was an alarm. Melissa didn't hear because she was so tired, so Nikki staggers over to Melissa's purse and tries to turn it off. For the past three weeks, Melissa had spent time in a very poor region of the Ukraine. Imagine being really tired and waking up after an entire day of travel and seeing someone in the dark digging throug hyour purse at the foot of your bed. Too funny! Melissa settled from her start, Nikki still asleep stumbled back to bed and we all got quiet again for about three minutes. Phone ring- again. Turn it off. Go to bed. Sleep till 10:30am on Sunday.

Paul left for FL. Brenda went to Target and then home. Nikki, Melissa and I ate lunch/breakfast and then went to Targetto pick up some supplies for Seuss and then came home. It was a long weekend by so fun. Between hanging out with Brenda and Paul to waiting in the airport to seeing an overly fatigued Melissa crash into things at Super Wal-Mart at 3am, I haven't laughed so much in forever!

Christmas... A Review

It all began Christmas Eve at 9:30am visiting Grandmother #1. Home by 11:00am then to town to pick up a last minute gift, lunch and then Grandmother #2. Then to Nikki's parent's house where all of her siblings, niece and nephews were in- food and gifts. At about 10:30pm, off to my brother's house where my parents were. More food. More gifts. Nikki and I got back to our house a little before midnight where we had to wrap a couple of gifts. Knowing we were going to have a busy Christmas day, we thought we might have our own Christmas and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve- too tired- we would just wait until the afternoon on Christmas day. Finally in the bed around 1am. This might not sound so bad, but we had promised my family that we would be back at my brother's house at 6:30am so we could have Christmas with them and my parents early. At 5am, neither Nikki nor I could sleep- the excitement of Christmas morning and decided to get up and have our own Christmas first. Nikki is a beast when it comes to wrapping paper. After our brief time of Christmas cheer, we headed on over to my brothers. Much fun and meriment (and a really cool black velvet blazer I got) we made our way over to Nikki's parents for an 8:30am appointment of more paper ripping. We visited with friends, more grandmother time, more food, no naps as we originally thought, and lots of fun. Christmas day should be filled with lots of visits, food and fun. And speaking of fun- my lovely ,wonderful wife bought me a mega flat screen tv. Too great for movie watching, but as several of you know, the room where we have a our tv is small. When you come over for movie night, bring sun glasses. Also, I got a new phone- a blackberry storm- slavate, but don't touch. All in all we have stayed very busy, only got to see two movies out of the million that I have wanted to see over Christmas break, but still there are a few days left this week before the return to the grind on January 2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Look a Like Christmas

Our happy little tree... ok, maybe not so little. From the floor to the top of the angel is around eleven feet- it's a little chopped off, I couldn't fit the whole tree in the photo. When we were picking out decorations, we figured it was going to be the tackiest or the most beautiful tree ever with lime green, hot pink and icy blue- we lean towards the latter and love it.

You can see Nikki in the corner of the picture praying over our gifts hoping they will multiply... just joking, she is working on Christmas cards.
A closer look.

And for years, some little reindeer have set under my Christmas tree. I'm glad Nikki was open to adopting them. Maybe this is what we should do to Jazzy when... nevermind, I'll get fussed at for that comment.

The Herdmans Were the Worst Kids in the History of the World

Christmas Pageant Opening Night

I'm not used to opening a show on Friday, so I keep thinking it is Thursday. My time is done. Now I just show up and watch. That's usually why I like to be in them- the actors on stage get a whole other experience than those backstage. I'm going to miss out. But, I'm at that weird age where I don't fit the teeny-bopper parts and I don't fit the older characters (though I could manage if there weren't people to play the older characters.) I'm having my middle-age actor crisis. It, however, is going to be a great, fun show. Come see! I thinkg I need Burger King now.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

I haven't had much time to write about this show. It is going to be very fun, cute and hopefully will make you cry a bit. Here is the press photo. Hope everyone can make it to a performance on December 5 & 6 at 7:30pm and December 7 at 2:30pm at the Fine Arts Center.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Old Age

Ric has discovered the stress of the theatre can age you very fast.

7 Things I Learned From HSM 3

If you haven't seen HSM 3- swallow your pride and go. Yes, it is just a cheesy as you think it is going to be, but the dance numbers are excellent. Kenny Ortega, who directed and choreographed, does an amazing job of keeping everything moving fast and big.

The 7 Things I Learned:
1. No matter if you do win the basketball championship two years in a row, the thing everyone will remember is the Senior Musicale (no I did not spell this wrong- see the movie and you will understand.

2. Zac Efron has one emotion: I just saw my mom get hit by a bus but I can't do anything about it because I have gas... and he is concentrating more on the gas. Although, I agree he will make a great Ren in the Footloose movie musical.

3. Ashley Tisdale's new nose makes her look older.

4. The blond kid with the funky hats and argyle sweater vests (don't judge) is the only one in the cast that can actually sing. But yet, I still bought the soundtrack. I attribute it to peer presure or the fact my wife begged me for it.

5. No other couple in the world goes through as many break ups and back togethers as Troy and Gabriella. That just doesn't happen in real life... oh wait a minute... ok then, maybe that means that in the next movie they will get married.

6. In this multi diverse cast (white, black, blond, brunette, hispanic, fat, skinny) there are no Asians. Sorry, Troy P. When we do the stage version I guess you will have to pull the curtains.

7. Drama teachers are crazy, self obsessed freaks to the world, but in truth, they are the embodiement of wisdom, intelligence and grace and are essential in the personality development of growing adolesents.

Shakespeare and Rock N' Roll

Wednseday night on the spur of the moment, Nikki and I went over to WCU to see Othello (yes, the Shakesperian tragedy). While on the way, we texted Rachel and she met us there for the show. In times past when I went to see a PLAY not a MUSICAL, the tickets were around $8. I go up to the window and the lady says, "$20". I give her a $20 bill and she says, "No, $20 each." What ?!?! When did this happen?

The show was ok. The guy that played Iago was very good- nice color to his lines as opposed to most of the others that just shouted their lines and beat their chest. Shakespeare- I guess some actors, especially young ones, think that it is better shouted. Oh, well. In otherwords, $40 for three hours of neck veins.

Last night we headed back over the mountain with Effie to see Adam Pascal in concert. We sat on the front row about five feet from him. It was a nice show mostly of his current cd with a few B-Way songs thrown in. No Aida, however. Dissapointment. At the end I waited with the other fans and he autographed my Aida cast album. Fun night.