1st Anniversary

One year ago today, Nikki and I were married. Can you believe it? A year? It has been a fun time, lots of adventures and new beginnings, but most of all some very sweet moments. To celebrate, we decided to post our slide show from our rehearsal dinner. Hope all of you enjoy our memories and will make new ones with us for many years to come. Cheers!

Happy Easter

Spring Break- Part Two

When last we met... you can read below. But now, Nikki and I are home safe (as of last night.) We had a wonderful time visiting Paul- we hope he did not get tired of us. Anyway, we the night of the mesuem we went to see the movie Knowing. The first two-thirds of the film is terrifying! So on the edge of your seat wonderful and then if flops into the abyss. It makes the ending of the fourth Indiana Jones movie look like art. Paul was on one side of me saying, "I'm glad I don't have to go back to my apartment by myself tonight." Nikki is on the other side of me with her fingers in her ears huming. Yes, it was that un-nerving. When we left the theatre, we were all laughing. Such a disapointment... but nothing a trip to the cheesecake factory at 11pm can't fix. Just plain good- I love dessert before bed.

The next day, we slept late again. After rubbing the sleep from our eyes, Nikki and I headed out to the outlet malls- probably because she had only bought three pairs of shoes so far. We walked we had fun, we had snacks- go figure. Paul joined us and we went to Bahama Breeze for dinner- chicken cabobs for everyone! and then to the Disney Market place.

Our last full day in O-Town, Nikki and I rode down the street to a Barnes and Noble. She of course, found a Steinmart (aka clothing purgatory). Why? Because when she finds a Steinmart, I know I'm going to be sitting around a lot. Luckily, the B & N was on the same side walk. It was there I read the costume quote I posted earlier. I read another one about the difference between professionals and amateurs, but can't remember it. Paul had told us earlier in the week about another mall we hadn't visited. We got the directions and made our way down I-4 to the exit. Traffic was stop and go- very slow. Nikki and I were sitting still when we felt a push from behind- yep, rear ended. No damage but just a little scrape of paint on the back. We still made it to the mall. I bought shorts... and had pizza. Love it.

The next morning we got up, packed the car and headed north. Usually when you go on a trip, at some point you are ready to come home. I wasn't this time. I wanted more playing, more sun, more Disney, more sleeping late, more cheese cake. Wha, wha, whiny baby. Made it home with a few food stops along the way... ok, several food stops including our favorite- Carrabbas. Nikki and I ate Carrabbas one night on our honeymoon, so we can't decide if we really like to food or if we are emotionally attached to the restuarant. Either way, we say that night on the honeymoon at Carrabbas, we started eating and haven't stopped since. That night as we snuggled back into our own bed, the room was filled with the tart aroma of garlic. At home in our marshmellow bed smelling like garlic. All is well with the world.

Great quote I read today-

Great quote I read today- "There are no bad costumes, only actors who can't wear what the genius of the designer created." Said by some designer.

Spring Break- Part One

Spring break 2009. Originally, I thought Nikki and I would just hang out at home. Nikki spoke to Paul in Orlando and they decided we should come visit once more. Paul's apartment is becoming out timeshare, but instead of paying, we feed him dinner. Anyhow, with a few days of getting our act together, we loaded up the truck and move to Beverly, I mean we loaded up the SUV and headed out to the big "O" town. Crazy us, not thinking it is spring break, left Friday after school and made our way to Valdosta, GA for our usual pit stop. That was around 9pm. No room. Try another place. No room. One more. No room. Ok, ok, it is only 9pm, we will go down to Lake City. No room. Uh-oh. Thank goodness for technology, I got on my internet on my cell and started calling hotels I had googled. Gainsville, no room. Ocala, no room. Now it is 1am and we are only an hour from Orlando. Call Paul. No answer. We make one more feeble attempt at a room before leaving Ocala- ahhhhh, a dank little Ramada Inn with one non-smoking room. Not our usual choise for a place to stay, but so completely grateful. A good nights rest and then on to our destination. We got to Orlando Saturday afternoon and got settled in, then headed over to the Mall of Millenia and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Paul, finally got out of class and met us (with a special friend...hmmmm?) and we had a fun night of coversation and laughs. The next morning we headed out to the Magic Kingdom. A beautiful fun day. A long day. We were there by 8am and had ridden all of our favorites by lunch time. Nikki, Paul (his special friend) and I spent a wonderful time riding, eating and seeing shows.
" Celebrate You!" This years theme- I loved the decorations on the lampost, so I took a picture.

We've been so much (four times already this year!) and I love to find different ways to take pictures.

Nikki and I love Splash Mountain- Paul and his special friend were not so brave. They are still at the age where they are worried about their hair getting wet. We rode before 10am and got soaked... and loved it! Later in the day we rode again and didn't get as wet. We noticed the water levels were much higher in the morning. Space Mountain- we are too old for that- instant whiplash. Had a nice dinner, said goodbye to Mickey and the gang and came to Pauls house exhuasted. Nikki was a real trooper and fought through her fatigue. But she will outright say she was so the inhumility counteracts the compliment.

A few weeks ago, not knowing we were going to Orlando, I found online and article about an exhibit of Jim Henson memoribilia. I rembered yesterday that I read about the exhibit and looked it up on line. Just so happens, it was about 15 minutes from Paul's place.

Nikki and I loaded up- Paul took a nap, he's been entertaining a special friend and going to class- and headed over the The History Museum in downtown Orlando. Speaking of downtown, it is pretty cool, a place I haven't explored, but would like to and plan to more.

The exhibit was called Jim Henson's Fantastic World was great- not just because I got in free for being a teacher- but because it was so interesting. We saw an original Kermit, Bert and Ernie, Rowlf the Dog and Fraggles! There were lots of sketches and samples of equipment and conceptual drawings. I loved it and could have stayed all day. The best part about the whole experience was realizing how "normal" it all was. Sometimes when you see things in the movies or on tv, you think on what a grand scale it must all be, but those puppets were made from the same things I have in the scrap box- foam and paint. Makes me feel smart and at the same time so ready to be creative.

The best part- this is only the beginning of the week!

"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!