Cue Vanessa Carlton

From getting on the interstate Friday morning to pulling in the driveway
today, this is what my odometer read.


Or Sara Bareilles.

Or The Proclaimers.

No matter your choice of background music for this picture, I think I'm on my way to becoming a real-live, honest-to-goodness adventuress.

Ü

Adventures in St. Tammany Parish

That's actually a misnomer. There weren't really any adventures in St. Tammany Parish.

Just a long-ass bridge.



I took Richard back to school yesterday, and as I was leaving the land of NOLA, I stopped in Irish Bayou to fill up the gas tank a wee bit. As I was leaving the station, I missed the ramp to get back on I-10 East. The ramp for I-10 West was not far after that, and I should have just gotten back on the interstate to turn around. But I figured I'd be able to turn around fairly quickly.

I figured incorrectly.

I ended up getting on what felt like the longest bridge with absolutely no choice but to keep going on in the wrong direction. (There's an analogy and a life lesson there, kids.)


I haven't verified this via Google maps or anything, but I do believe I had the distinct pleasure of crossing Lake Pontchartrain three times within an hour last night.

[rolls eyes]

If I didn't have a sense of humor, I'd hate my life.



In other news, I appear to be the somniloquous Chihuahua whisperer.

Another one bites the dust

I mean that much more literally than the metaphor.

I've been up for a little over an hour due to an allergy attack. Thankfully, I'm in the comfort of my cousins' home in Mississippi. It's vereh, vereh big and vereh, vereh full of food and tissues. I haven't stopped blowing my nose long enough to dig into any of the food, but I got to window shop in the pantry that's bigger than my kitchen, so breakfast will be delicious and soothing to my raw, drainage-ravaged throat.

It is my hope that after what's turning out to be an incredibly full and exceedingly delightful weekend I will sleep for approximately 15 hours non-stop. [insert foghorn sfx to simulate sound of me blowing my schnoz]

Decided to surprise Richard with a visit to NOLA yesterday which turned out infinitely better than I expected. To demonstrate, I shall use an arbitrary point system à la TV hit Whose Line...

He decided to come home with me for the weekend. (+1,000,000 pts!) Okay, I know that's excessive as far as points go, but I was/am excited. (+5 pts) (But really, +1,000,000...)

We piddled around Magazine Street after eating a scrumptious lunch at Juan's Flying Burrito. (+3 pts)

Richard embraced his inner spontaneity and asked if I wanted to be bad and go to the abandoned Six Flags. (+10 pts for having mentioned the word "spontaneous" earlier in the day, but -5 pts for living in such a way that he felt the need to even ask. Must seek to gradually fix this.)

Check out the pictures on fb and the most recent plans for the park here.

After some thought, I would like to point out that my last parenthetical thought, by emphasizing my generally overly cautious way of living, downplays the fact that Richard is polite and considerate, and that's probably the real reason he posed the idea in the form of a question. Management apologizes for this oversight and was happy to correct it.

Pit stop in Florence, MS to see my cousins and their new-to-me home for dinner turned into overnight stay. (+3 pts for the extra fam time for me, but -3 pts for less fam time for Rico)


Despite my shortcomings, I believe the scoreboard speaks for itself.



I win.

[sniffle]

See picture for title

I had a weird day today emotionally. Felt anxious, then lost, then irritated and frustrated... Just an amalgamation of negative...vibes... And so I was not a pleasant person to be around until after I'd spent a few minutes in the presence of one MolPage (Thank you for being a positive energy in my life).

I don't like feeling so much like an ugly, stupid-sheep of a human being that it makes me use all this hippie-esque, new age-y language. "Vibes." "Energy." But that's only way I can sometimes describe those feelings. This vessel was being filled with icky stuff today, and I did not like it, but I also did not try very hard to release myself of said icky-ness while it was inhabiting me. Shame on me.

Thankfully, I have been blessed with the gift of enough prosperity to be a comfortable American, and have access to all the things that lead to me being able to download choral music on iTunes.

This is traditionally a Christmas song, but I find myself needing to reflect on it all through the year on days like today.

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

(emphasis added by yours truly)

♥

Ode to Jones

Bridget, that is.

Went to the gym yesterday (good). Didn't have headphones so that iPod could help me forget I was at the gym (not so good). Did have copy of Bridget Jones' Diary in purse because am super nerd who carries book with her at all times (not so bad considering alternative of exercise without distraction). 1 hour translates to approximately 40 pages read, 350 calories burned, 3.something miles on the bike and 2.55 miles on the elliptical, which comes to a "distance" of about 6 stationary miles traveled.

Hmm... There's an analogy in there somewhere...

distance traveled : weight room :: effort to leave : Tuscaloosa

Maybe? It's been about 7 years since I've had to create or a decipher an analogy proper.

The encouraging thing about the intent of that analogy is that in either situation, no matter how far it feels like I'm not going, I feel better about myself having at least tried.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: Sometimes, I think I missed my calling as a kindergarten teacher.

Or a spin doctor.

Whatever the calling, there's a misapplication of optimism in my life somewhere... Baha!

Ah, well. I'll finish my chai and put on my tennis shoes and go back to the Bobby Miller Center so that I can keep trying to not go anywhere, but maybe look and feel better in the process.

♥

Edit: Found headphones. Got to BMC and also found iPod had ZERO battery. [rolls eyes]

Hilarity of Bridget Jones... continues to pass the 2.45 miles quite nicely, though. Ü

Found it.

It came to me last night while I was praying (Imagine that...), and then The Boy himself affirmed it without knowing.

Complementary

♥

The Perfect Words

It's been two days since he posted what, let's face it, I think is the most perfect late-night, best friend internet video in the history of the world wide web, and I still don't know the right way to respond.

I've been trying to come up with a list of words that would do justice to what I think of my best friend and what he means to me, and I feel like a traitor to my love of the English language because I can't find a one that truly fits. I haven't resorted to perusing a thesaurus or anything yet, but maybe after I do I can get back to you on that.

Heck, I may have to explore other languages.

I've thought about sending a song back. I'm not brave enough to post it on my profile (if that's not irony for you), but that doesn't really matter because I don't really know which song would be best to sing. I'd have to decide (GASP!) on a song. I'd have to get over the fact that it'd have to be a cappella AND a video. Not only that, but it also sorta feels like a cop out-- like I'm not creative enough to think of something to send to him that means as much to me as (get ready for the cliché!) just the thought behind that video does, let alone the fact that he actually followed through and sang for me. I have a few friends who will actually "sing me a song at the beep" when prompted to leave me a voicemail message. Know that I save those, few friends.
But that's in the privacy of my voicemail inbox. This was on facebook, and if you watched the Golden Globes tonight, you know what a big deal that is. (Chutzpah. Stones. Cojones. Balls. Kudos, man. You got 'em.)

So, a song is still maybe an option because clearly the only thing really holding me back on that one is my own insecurity. After listening to my "I Miss Richard" playlist (You thought I was kidding about that, right? Nope. It exists. Has since early August 2010.) through at least twice today, I think I may have the right song to sing. Not gonna publicize it on here, though. I still have at least a day of thinking over it before I'm ready for that. And then I may decide to try to find a way to accompany myself because the thought of recording myself singing a cappella petrifies me. (Anybody started counted my neuroses yet?)

But there's also a plethora of options on the visual arts route. Too many. The possibilities are endless. And so's my insecurity.

"What's the big deal?" you ask? "Sure, it was a nice thought in that weird Richard-Kate kinda way that only they understand, but really...?" Really. Why am I agonizing over this?

Because he's worth it, and he means that much to me.

You're worth it, and you mean that much to me.

So, I'm going to keep searching for the perfect words, and when I find them, I'm going to share them-- via my blog/letters/fb posts, through song, and maybe even in an array of shapes and colors.


Perhaps I've been too engrossed in films today, so my flair for the dramatic is, well, flaring up.

Perhaps I've been spending too much time with theatre kids (see above for similar results).

Perhaps I'm just ridiculous.

Perhaps I just miss him.

Whatever the reason, he deserves the right response, and while I would like for the rest of you to know that, it's most important that he does.

'Bout to go to bed after my last shift at B&N...

And I say, "Bring it on, Scary Future. You're not so tough!"

But if you know anybody who wants a babysitter from time to time, let them know I am here for them. I actually sit on a plethora of things: babies of all ages, dogs, cats, houses, etc.

Ü

Using time to take care of yourself is NOT necessarily vanity... is it?

I have a rather long "Katie Do" list:

Finish Roosevelt application
Complete the FAFSA
Continue cleaning house
Clean out car
***Go to the dentist--This is of particular importance because I have discovered that I have notches at the gumline in four of my teeth, which, contrary to popular belief (or at least mine), is not caused by "overzealous brushing," but by bruxism (so a cosmetic dentist's blog tells me).
Which is fancy talk for clenching your teeth.
Which is caused by stress.
Oy.
Moving on!

Plan day for massage/mani/pedi
Schedule voice lesson time
Learn monologues
Pick & practice songs
Lesson plans for TMS
Get my lazy, chunky butt to the gym

And, eventually, get a haircut.

For those of you who don't know, I'm in the throes of growing my hair out so that I can donate it to Locks of Love. I finally decided to just do it right before Secret Garden auditions. I've been wanting to for years, and because I lost two very special people last year to cancer, now is the appropriate time. I just have a couple more inches to go before I have the 10" braid necessary to donate without leaving me with hair of an...uncomfortably short length.

Which means, of course, I'm gettin' real antsy to chop it all off.

So, I'm trying to assuage my anticipation by figuring out how I'd like for it to look when it's gone. For inspiration, I turn to my doppleganger Bryce Dallas Howard. We have a similar face shape, and she's a redhead, so I think it works. Here are some of the possibilities (or daydreams, rather...).



This 'do is fairly similar to how I did it the last time I cut my hair. It's safe. It's probably what will happen again.



I don't think I'm edgy enough to pull this off, but by GOLLY it's hot. I'd like to think maybe one day I could.



This would be a back-up plan in case things got, well, hairy, and we accidentally went too short. My hair is curlier than BDH's naturally, so it probably wouldn't look like this at all. But again, daydream.


Aaaaaand this is just for me to try and copycat her makeup.
Because she's gorgeous.

I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to have eyebrows that thin without seeking professional help. And I just can't justify spending money on my eyebrows when I have tweezers and opposable thumbs.

*le sigh*

Till next time, laundry and Ally McBeal beckon.

What do you think?

Richard: Everybody's alone. It's just easier to take in a relationship.
Ally: I don't believe that. I believe everybody... is half of a whole.

Watching Ally McBeal is like watching a train wreck with side effects similar to... heroin.

Apparently, I'm a ho-bag...

...but I'm pretty sure it's a term of endearment. ;-)

I earned the identifier from one MolPage for my wanting to leave Tuscaloosa. That was before she knew I was packing her bags and kidnapping her if I do get to leave. There are a few others I'm going to have to pack in my suitcase. Get ready.

After seeing (again and again and again) how truly and terribly small this community (the theatre community, in particular) is, I have decided (again and again and again) that--genuinely, for my sanity's sake--I must not stay here.

Which is serving as a rather effective motivator in beginning to pick monologues and audition repertoire.

For the contemporary dramatic monologue, I have certain piano-playing, knockout, drop-dead gorgeous, raven haired lady to thank.

For the classical comedic monologue, I have William Shakespeare to thank. 4 Julias, 3 Katherinas, 1 Beatrice, and 1 Viola (just for you, MP) to sift through before making a final decision.

If any of you have thoughts on the aforementioned Shakespearean characters, I welcome them.

Now, for the reeeeeally hard part.

Picking songs...

The Criteria

Classical Selections

1. One operatic aria 
(✓ "Ah tardai troppo... O luce di quest' anima")
2. One art song 



Music Theater Selections – three contrasting pieces

3. One up tempo

4. One ballad

5. One classic music theater piece prior to 1970 

6. Music theater selection of the candidate’s choice


More to come on that. And Christmas pictures. And whatever else I've promised on this thing and not had the follow through to post. I'm sure there's a haiku involved... Maybe two... [raises eyebrow and nods]

P.S. Happy 100th blog post.

Lookin' forward to tomorrow

"It’s a pretty good day.
I’m lookin’ forward to tomorrow
to have a pretty good day".
Yeah yeah yeah

Well it’s a pretty good day
I’m looking forward to tomorrow
We’ll have a pretty good day
Yeah we’ll have a good day."

Ridin' in the car with my Amy Lea. Gorgeous, elegant, and altogether lovely wedding--reflective of the truly wonderful couple. Beautiful music. Not-so-beautiful-but-fun-and-we-love-it-anyway music. Dear friends. Shoes that hurt. Steak & Shake. New bras. A good cry.


I'd venture to say it's been a great day.

2011: Year of the New Kate

Day 4

1 out of 3 "major" life changes down, 2 to go. Today's the day for #2 (well, the beginnings of it, anyway). [More on that to come later]

All of the things I still have to do over the next few weeks are rolling around frantically in my head, and I need some time to sort through it all. It's good because it means I'm trying to get my focus back-- reclaiming my life an' all that. And I have to admit, with as busy as I have been lately, it's been good to not think too much about how much work goes into trying to make a dream come true, but to just think on the dream in the presence of good friends. I still have 4 days of being in the presence of certain good friends whom I don't usually get to see.*coughRichardKarenLindseyKatiecoughcough*

Gotta make the most of it!

Update:

1:35 AM

Turned in my notice at Barnes & Noble! My last day is January 15th.
2 down, 1 to go...

XD

P.S. My cousin Megan is brilliant. This is the wall post that totally made my life.

"In our English class we had to write down people we knew, write an epithet (a word of phrase that described them), and finally a reason why we chose that epithet. It was actually kind of hard, describing people, so I went for the obvious ones.Now for your Epithet I put down "Angel :o" and my reason was; "Singing 'while ...she worked', her voice can only be described as the voice of an angel as she can't help but say 'yes' towards any needy bystander." In other words because you're an angel, you can't say "no." :D
By the way, I'd like a pony. Ü"