CMT's Eckern Offers Apology for Prop 8 Funding

According to Playbill.com, California Musical Theatre's Artistic Director, Scott Eckern has offered an apology for his financial support of Prop 8.

Quoted from the article (to read the full article please visit the link above or click here):

In response to the words of Shaiman, Egan, Whitty and numerous individuals who contacted the theatre company, Eckern released an apology and has donated $1,000 to the Human Rights Campaign, which works to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

"I understand that my choice of supporting Proposition 8 has been the cause of many hurt feelings maybe even betrayal. It was not my intent. I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction. I chose to act upon my belief that the traditional definition of marriage should be preserved. I support each individual to have rights and access and I understood that in California domestic partnerships come with the same rights that come with marriage," Eckern said in a statement.

He continued, "I definitely do not support any message or treatment of others that is hateful or instills fear. This is a highly emotional issue. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues and I now have a better idea of what the discrimination issues are, how deeply felt these issues are and I am deeply saddened that my acting upon my religious convictions has been devastating to those I love and admire… I am deeply sorry for any harm or injury I have caused."

Well, that's better. And I accept his apology. But I would prefer that people do this soul search and research before they make a leap towards discrimination.

In the "good news" section of today, Connecticut begins marrying same-sex couple today! Congrats to the smart, well adjusted citizens of Connecticut who knew better than to legalize discrimination (and shame on you California for not being mature enough to embrace equality.)

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

From Sacramento Bee: "Prop. 8 gift gets theater's leader in a ruckus"

I cannot believe that someone - whose livelihood is drawn from an industry essentially supported and employed by a gays - would support Prop 8 in California. I haven't written on this issue because I tend to slant toward the mildly humorous on the blog but this has got me really cheesed.

Scott Eckern, (pictured left from the Sacramento Bee) the Artistic Director of the California Musical Theatre, has admitted to giving $1000 to the Prop 8 Campaign. Read the full article here. Frankly... I say it's beyond time to voice our frustration with this. Write a letter to Richard Lewis (the organization's executive producer) and Carol Van Bruggen (Board of Directors Chair) asking for Ms. Eckern's resignation. It may be extreme but there is no way I would support or work for an organization that allows hate and bigotry to be in its employ. You can send a message to the theatre through their online form but I would recommend sending a letter directly to Mr. Lewis and Ms. Bruggen at the address below:

Mr. Richard Lewis and Ms. Carol Van Bruggen
California Musical Theatre
1510 J Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95814

Civil liberties should NEVER be up for vote. It's insane that California allowed this to happen. This has to change and it has to change soon.

Marc Shaiman (Hairpsray) and Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) have already contacted Mr. Eckern and voiced their concerns. Mr. Shaiman has stated that no show he has been involved with will play at the California Musical Theatre again and Mr. Whitty (though Avenue Q is already scheduled for production there this spring) will not permit his shows to be produced there in the future. Mr. Whitty's blog has an interested and insightful conversation with Mr. Eckard - click here to read.

Susan Egan has also supposedly voiced her feelings on this matter. Check out her letter at Broadwayworld.com.

Whatever you believe, there is NO reason that a gay marriage should be classified ANY differently then a straight marriage. God has no place in this argument. We are a nation of many religions and to presume that ONE has the veto power of another or over the government is asinine!

Special thanks to Towleroad for the news on this one!

The good and the bad of the new world!

Today is amazing... we have a new president-elect who will (I believe) make amazing changes to the way this country takes care of its resident and neighbors. This is "the good." I unfortunately passed out from a severe migraine during the hubbub last night, but did manage to wake up in time for the official announcement and to watch McCain's concession speech.

However, there is some bad news. It seems that James Nederlander plans to produce a Broadway musical based on Michael Jackson's Thriller. Seriously? No... SERIOUSLY? (In case you missed it, that qualifies as "the bad."

Daughter of a man born into slavery votes!

This is an amazing story that is well worth the brief read. According to The Statesman, "Amanda Jones, 109, the daughter of a man born into slavery, has lived a life long enough to touch three centuries. And after voting consistently as a Democrat for 70 years, she has voted early for the country's first black presidential nominee." Check out the full article (linked above and below) and then remind yourself why we vote.

And if you haven't ever voted before, think about why Ms. Jones does.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/27/1027jones.html

Photo credit: Larry Kolvoord, AMERICAN-STATESMAN

HAPPY PRE-HALLOWEEN

Sigh... I just cannot get enough of this. I wish I could also find "Witch's Night Out," the 1978 cartoon special featuring Gilda Radner. It was a great cartoon with some freaky animation and some really fun/funky music. I loved it when I was little but haven't seen it in forever. Boo.

It's like an Agatha Christie novel over here!

Yep, as the news has posted, HAIRSPRAY will likely be the next victim of the de-gaying of Broadway. (Of course, I'm being silly about the de-gaying. The gay is here for good.) According to Broadwayworld.com, the hit musical will close on January 18, 2009 after more than six years.

A moment of silence please.
(shhh)

Ok, enough silence. Besides, rumor has it that La Fierstein will return as Edna for the final round. EEEK! I think I just got so excited that my jeans burst into flames.

The blokes are back! LITTLE BRITAIN USA hits HBO.

Matt Lucas and David Walliams are back and hitting the USA. Little Britain USA has started on HBO and looks like it could be a fresh continuation of the original. If you didn't catch the first episode, find a friend who kept it on their DVR, bring over a casserole.eat and enjoy.

My favorite characters are back, and the new ones look to be just as clever. Enjoy the show!

The De-Gaying of Broadway

Don't get me wrong... there is still plenty of gay out there on Broadway, but I'm about to fall to the floor and weep for the loss of yet another favorite show, Legally Blonde.

So... once again... the recurring theme of this blog as of late... is GO SEE THESE SHOWS BEFORE THEY CLOSE!

Here, I'll make it easy for you. Visit Playbill.com to buy your tickets to this show now.

And then be sure to buy Xanadu and [title of show] before they are gone as well.

[title of show] closing... sigh

So, in one week, two of my favorite shows on Broadway have posted their closing notices... and they are closing on the same day.

First, Xanadu. (Jump back a few days here.) And now [title of show].

I might just have to curl up in the corner and rock myself to sleep as I cry.

Ok, that's a smidge dramatic but still.

If you haven't seen either show please go see them now. They are lots of fun, very irreverent, and each take shots at musical theatre in a way that no other show can (or would be allowed) to do - except maybe Forbidden Broadway (who is ALSO taking an extended hiatus this winter... argh!)

And here I was all excited about International Talk Like a Pirate Day and then this. Lame.

ARGH MATEYS! It's "International Talk Like a Pirate Day!"

Ever dreamed of sailing the seven seas, wind whistling past your mast, waves sloshing the salty blue against your boards? Well... today you can... sort of.

It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day! So avast ye hearties, yo ho!

Batten the hatches and set sail. Not sure HOW to talk like a pirate (because you've never seen Hollywood's version of the piratey-life?) Check out the official "how to" at the International Talk Like a Pirate Day website.

You'll be swearin' like a sailor in no time flat!

Legally Brown: Episode 2

Episode 2 of "Legally Brown: The Search for the Next Piragua Guy" is on Youtube. It is so FRICKIN' funny I could just spit. But that's nasty. Instead, I did a little dance on the sofa. For $40 I'll do it at parties. Until you have $40, watch the clip below and enjoy with me.

Suddenly, the wheels are in motion... straight outta town!

(Photo by Paul Kolnik. Courtesy of Playbill.com)

It is officially the saddest day in the theatre industry. Xanadu has announced its closing.

I love this show. I mean, I could eat this show for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a midnight snack. Fourth meal? Screw you Taco Bell! Serve me up some Xanadu in a to-go bag and I'm set.

But alas, the fires of Hephaestus will soon be snuffed. Sigh. But it will at least skate across America in it's national tour, starting in LaJolla.

So, point being... if you haven't seen it, go NOW. If you have seen it and loved it, go NOW. If you saw it, didn't care for it, go BACK!

Hell, it would even make the Lehman Brothers forget there current woes. (Although this probably didn't make them laugh.)

YOU DON’T OWN ME… "The First Wives Club: The Musical" will have San Diego opening pre-Broadway

According to Playbill.com (and other theatre industry news sites), the fabulousness that was The First Wives Club will become a stage musical, bound for Broadway.

Follow here for more of the exciting news.

Welcome to the Lavender House, Madam Vice-President

If only McCain's new VP running mate was her doppleganger, I'd be in gay heaven.

Night at the Museum 2 filming?

After walking through Central Park tonight, we came out onto Central Park West at the American Museum of Natural History and there was a film crew all over the front entrance. It was pretty cool. We saw a monkey, some Huns, and the "son" riding his bike along the front sidewalk... apparently in a huge hurry. Some pics are below for your entertainment. Enjoy!

UNDERWEAR REVIEW #2... and it's FAB

Check out the review that UNDERWEAR: A SPACE MUSICAL got from nytheatre.com. It's fantabulous!

Here's a brief preview but you can read the whole thing here!

"Mind control. Robots. World domination. Attractive men and women in their skivvies. That was enough to send 12 of my friends into an emailing frenzy to be the one to join me for Underwear: A Space Musical at FringeNYC. However, if you're not hooked already, perhaps it's worth mentioning that this fluffy, campy, zany, hysterically funny pop tuner is also really, really, "blastin'"-ly good. . . Don't let Underwear: A Space Musical blast off without seeing it while it's here at the Fringe! It's far too much fun to be missed." - Ethan Angelica, NYTheatre.com

Nancy Drew and the Tale of the Missing Nano

So, about two years ago (give or take a few months), I lost the BRAND NEW Ipod Nano that my friend Mike gave me. He had a great Ipod already and got the Nano with his new Mac so he offered it to me and I gleefully accepted.

However, within weeks it was gone. I searched high and low.

The Nano was no more.

Then tonight, I was at Cleo's on 9th Avenue celebrating my friend Brandon's birthday (Brandon is one of the authors of and a producing partner on UNDERWEAR: A SPACE MUSICAL). I had on this jacket that I hadn't worn in ages... literally... AGES! Well, I slick it down (making sure I don't look bulgy in it) and feel this weird, blocky spot.

I reach into the inside pocket and FOR CRYING OUT LOUD... there's the $#*(*&(#&% Nano hiding... COMPLETE with ear buds!

So, that's the idiocy of my night. Hopefully I've gained enough dumb points to get me through the next few months. If not, you'll hear about it.

Ogre My God!

Today, DreamWorks Theatricals released the first photo of Brian D'Arcy James as Shrek... the upcoming Broadway stage musical based on the first film and the children's book by William Steig.

Not too bad. I was a touch nervous about this adaptation but BDJ actually looks pretty cool.

According to this article it took 2 hours and 15 minutes to transform him for the first time. That's a LOT of time in a chair. After 10 minutes at the salon I'm ready to bolt.

Until then, follow the show at www.shrekthemusical.com. Let the battle of the green guy vs. the green girl begin.

Photo credit: Andrew Eccles, DreamWorks Theatricals

It's the day of the show, y'all!

It is 9:49am and we're heading downtown the Pace University for our NYC Fringe premiere of UNDERWEAR: A SPACE MUSICAL. Nerves are shot and I'm sweating bullets, but it's all from excitement! The show has come together so well and I think we have some of the most talented cast members I've ever met. If you can make it, please do. It'll be a hoot-and-a-half!

Gotta run... but please don't forget to buy your TICKETS now before things get really crazy! It's the most fun you can have in two hours without getting arrested!!

Attend the tale of Two Cities!

I don't know if you've noticed or not, but there's something interesting happening with some Broadway marketing right now.

While browsing my theatre websites, like the good like Broadway dork I am, I noticed an ad for A Tale of Two Cities (to the right) and was stunned by how similar it is to the iconic photo from Sweeney. Really? This cannot be a marketing goof... right?

I mean, sure, find your target audience and play to their interests. Thoughts?

Now I don't know anything about Two Cities. In fact, I've heard GREAT things about it. I'm just curious about that specific ad and only wish the show the best. Break legs Cities!!!

UNDER-SQUARE (on the UNDERBLOG)

Check out the update on our UNDERWEAR: A SPACE MUSICAL blog! We did an amazing photo shoot today in Times Square... yes, in the middle of Times Square. Check out the story on the link!

And then be sure to buy your ticket to UNDERWEAR. The show starts this weekend!!!!!

Cheers!

BRIGADOON postpones...

Does this mean that Broadway won't have a revival of Brigadoon for 100 years?

From Playbill.com:
To read the full article please visit http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119942.html.

"The new Broadway-aimed production of Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Rob Ashford and scheduled to play in Boston this fall, prior to a Broadway opening, has been postponed. The reason given is..."

Contributing to democracy...

... and my wallet.

Yes, it's blatant. I'm helping the American system and myself at the same time. Go buy one from my Zazzle.com store. Fun for yourself, a friend, family member, etc. They're cute and go with your football attire. :)

GOBAMA Campaign T-Shirt - Roll Tide
by

wadkins75

Design Customized TShirts On Zazzle
More Current Events T-Shirts

The pancakes who must not be named...

I spent the weekend in Montgomery, Alabama to speak at the MFA Class of 2008 graduation. It was a good time and I got to see some great friends. I arrived Friday night - late - and almost immediately was swept away to Ihop with Mike, Lynn and Kerrie. Good times were had by all... but I couldn't help but sense that something otherwordly might be in our presence. Not a "wow, Ihop is haunted" kind of feeling, but a sense... a tingling... that danger lurked nearby.

It wasn't until we left that I realized what I was feeling. To the right is my evidence that this bench at Ihop is the "bench who lived." No one else seemed particluarly impressed by this, but I knew. I knew that seven books later, this bench would be a milestone in children's literature.

How many acres is this thing!?

So I went on a true excursion in Central Park yesterday. In all the times I've been to NYC (including living here now) I hadn't ever really explored it. I had of course been to the ball field, and the outer skirts near Columbus Circle... but had never truly plowed my way through thicket and thorn.

I did this time. I only WISH I had a pedometer to know exactly how far I adventured.

If you want to take a virtual tour with me, go check out the pics I uploaded on Myspace. Enjoy... and take a day to go check out this oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. Kinda amazing!

For Sale...

So, having moved to NYC I am burdened with my 2004 Honda Accord. God Bless Ren for working on selling it for me. But... I don't want to put all the burden on him of course. So, if you're out there in the ether, looking for a fabulous car at a fabulous price CALL ME! :)

The headline above will link you to the Craig's List page or you can click here --> http://neworleans.craigslist.org/car/748670620.html.

Here's the scoop: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, ABS, Power Steering, AM/FM Stereo with built in XM Satellite Radio (service not provided in the sale), Power Driver's Seat, Power Windows, 6-disc CD changer in dash, Power Door Locks, Dual Front Air Bags, Tilt Wheel, Power Sun Roof. VIN 1HGCM568X4A029180

In excellent condition. Only one previous owner. Barely driven in 4 years. Used to commute to and from work. Never been damaged. Asking $16,200 or best offer.

Give me a shout if you're interested. It is currently in New Orleans in Ren's capable and amazing hands but it can certainly get to you (or vice versa). Enjoy!

The sky is falling...

So a piece of the sky just fell... well, a piece of the ceiling. And I'm so gay that I immediately thought of this classic Golden Girls moment.

And we're back...

So... back to this blog business. I've been in NYC for just almost three weeks now... which is ironically about how long I have not been actively blogging. So updates:

Had a birthday on Sunday... it was great. I spent the day with great friends, had good times, and enjoyed every minute of it. I also got a great care package from Ren today which made me happy and I, of course, showed off to my office mates. Not in the "you didn't get a package so I'm better than you" kinda way... but in the "I'm lucky to have amazing people in my life" kinda way.

Ok, enough sap... we also had our first set of auditions today for UNDERWEAR: A SPACE MUSICAL today. I could only be present for the last hour but I was thrilled to see some great talent come out way. It'll be interesting to see how the creative team makes their decision.

Speaking of auditions, I've been addicted to LEGALLY BLONDE: THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT ELLE WOODS. It's so juicy and I just can't stop watching. It also makes me want to throw on some pink houndstooth, some highlights (ok, full on blonde) and storm the stage. But... that just isn't reasonable... and they're about to announce who leaves tonight so I gotta scoot! More later!!!

Sorry for the long delay in posting... more details about the new life in NYC are forthcoming. Patience is a virtue... so is internet access. But until I get to that, be sure to check out the new TKTS Booth opening in Brooklyn next week! Enjoy!

Hello, Hunger Pains... Well Helloooo, Hunger Pains

I'm starving... and I blame Carol Channing. I had these grand plans to get some cheap food on the way to the theatre today (my last in Gulf Shores) but en route I decided to blast some of Ms. Channing's 1994 revival of Hello, Dolly!

Somewhere between "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" and "Elegance" my mind forgot I was hungry and I went on auto-pilot to the theatre.

Now I sit here, show in progress ("A Book Report on Peter Rabbbbbbit") and I cannot leave my post to retrieve sustenance. But this got me to thinking... can a theatre nerd survive on showtunes and faded memories? Could I actually support myself by listening to the myriad of recordings that are securely tucked inside their showtune binder in the backseat of my car? Um.... NO!

A little fall of rain

It's raining... a lot. It's been raining at least some almost every day this week. Oh, AND last week. The beach is not beachy. In fact, I haven't been out to the beach once since getting to Gulf Shores for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." I like the beach, but I've been so wiped after the shows that I sleep late in the morning, roll out of bed, and then get the theatre opened for business the next day.

And the rain isn't helping much either. In fact, the rain is making everyone here drive EXTRA slow, EXTRA painfully slow!

Rain, rain, go away.

Come again some other day.

Little Tommy wants to play,

On the beach beside the bay.

A Road Movie... sans the "movie"

So, next week I head out for the long trek to NYC. All told, it's a 16 hour and 10 minute drive (according to the "totally reliable" Google Maps). Ren (thank God for him) is coming with to keep me company, keep me sane, share the burden... lol... THANK YOU REN! It'll be a nutty, wild trip and hopefully the world will not open up and swallow us whole like that time the interstate collapsed and I drove into a sink hole. I'll tell that story soon... no worries. If you know it already, go ahead and laugh. It's ok to laugh NOW.

So, the cats are going to stay with my mom until I secure my own place. For the time being I'll be subletting in Washington Heights... "In the heights I buy my coffee and I go..." It's a great apartment and I'll be surrounded by friends (thank God). And luckily, in case my lips ever blow up again (see my Jessica Rabbit moment to the side) there's a hospital down in the 160s that Adam can rush me to. Perfect! Ciao for now! Wish me luck!

In his triumphant NYC return...

Yep, it's true! I left NYC back in 2002 and took some time to finish my degree, develop a career, etc... and now it's time to go "back home." Six years is a long time but the city is still the same amazing place that I've always loved.

I have an apartment lined up, exciting new job, and tons of support from friends and family... both in the city and from afar... and some of whom are going to come from afar and join me soon.

I cannot wait. This is such an exciting new part of my life and career. It will be equally terrifying, thrilling, fabulous, and frenzied. Throw in a dash of my typically, clutsy disasters and you've got a recipe for a new NBC "must see TV" sitcom!

I'll miss all of my friends that I've made in Bama but fear not... I'm just a phone call/email away. And when you come to the city for a little vaca, you know where to find me!

"I might not know if we are in an adventure. So if we get into an adventure you say.....Pudding!" Well friends.... PUDDING!

Show choir and Bridezillas!

So, I follow several Broadway themed blogs... including Andrew Keenan-Bolger's. He recently posted a clip of the failed (maybe?) MTV series SHOW CHOIR and it made me (for about ten minutes) obsessively look up other YouTube videos of show choirs in all their sequined glory. I found this... and about died. No offense to anyone in it, or anyone who was ever involved in show choir. Trust me, I'm a cheesy, musical theatre obsessed goon and only wish the show had made it to MTV... my DVR would have a new responsibility.



In other news... one of my dearest friends, Angela, is featured in the new (new to me anyway). You can check it out below. Angela's the one to your right of the center bride. Love it!

GREASE to get Speared?

I'm incredibly conflicted. Broadwayworld.com posted this news piece about 3 hours ago and I've been struggling with this ever since.

On the one hand, I loved Britney up through (and including) her STRONGER phase. She was fun, we all enjoyed her. We thought, "Now that is a good 2.5 minutes of pure bubble gum pop." It was almost (repeat... almost) as fun as Debbie Gibson and Tiffany.

On the other hand, she's gone bat ass crazy it seems and her stock has plummeted, risen a tad, plummeted, split shares with Cheetos, inched up, dove, yada yada. Now this.

So... I offer two scenarios:

A) This is an ingenious move by the producers to generate buzz for a show that has received generally negative reviews. In doing so, they generate sales, could possibly offer super-priced premium seats, run the show longer, yada yada. (The risk here is in turning the show into the revolving door of TV celebs like the 90s revival.)

or

B) This is a train wreck waiting to happen and the show will crumble under the weight of craziness, the paparazzi, the... you get the idea.

So, this will either be a major coup for the show... or the biggest disaster on Broadway since Bobbi Boland.

Stay tuned!

A light goes out in Hollywood

Actor, director, producer... genius... Sydney Pollack passed away today. The NY Times offers a respectful and thorough obituary (linked) but I wanted to take a moment to thank the gentlemen who directed so many amazing films ("Tootsie" being one of my favorite of all time). As a director he won an Oscar for his his 1985 film “Out of Africa” as was nominated for "They Shoot Horses, Don't They in 1969 and "Tootsie" in 1982. Yes, I was seven years old when that movie came out but I remember thinking it was funnier, sadder, sweeter than anything I would normally watch on TV.

Ok, maybe I wasn't that precocious (maybe I was), but seeing it on VHS and TV in later years, I knew it was something special.

Underwear: A Space Musical

So, it's official. I'm producing a great show by a really good friend of mine and his writing partner. UNDERWEAR: A SPACE MUSICAL will make its NYC premiere during FringeNYC.

Check out the link above (it is the title of this post) for details.

You can also click on the UNDERWEAR MySpace page to listen to some samples from the show. It's incredibly hysterical and you'll love ever irreverent minute of it. Come, enjoy, believe in your drawers.

The sad truth about online friend boards...and I'm not talking about "Hung Up"

Sitting here tonight I realized a great truth about myself. ALL of my friends have more friends than I do right now... what the &@*^!? Granted, I was never the BMOC and certainly didn't hang with the A crowd in high school. I chose the path less traveled and fluttered in and out of the B, C, D and on occassion A crowds. There were far too many interesting people to just sit back and soak in the company of a few select members. No no. Not for me. I did carry the closest people close to my heart and have kept up with them as best as I can as I've grown older. But now technology has caught up with me and like a preoccupied man walking into one of those fresh fish market's near the wharf... I got slapped in the face with a flounder of reality!

My only consolation is in knowing that most of these friends have "friends" who are not truly friends but are simply "acquaintances" who they have gotten to know over the years.

Perhaps this means I've been too picky and not permitted my "suburb" friends to join me in the "downtown" of my life. That's it... it's open bar at Tommy's and EVERYONE'S WELCOME! God dammit... join me on Myspace!

And the #1 most overplayed song on Myspace is...

...ARGHH... Madonna hasn't been this popular since 1984. What the hell is up with every queen, sorority girl, and certified public accountant posting Hung Up (song or video) on their Myspace page. Ridiculous.

On that note, I despise the music playing on Myspace. When I do check it - and I do often because like the inane addiction to The Sims when it debuted, I have to see who in the world is online all the time now - I get inundated with techno beats or horribly depressing songs that make me want to alert the nearest suicide hotline of these pages.

Operator: Suicide Hotline, how can I help you?
Me: Yes, there is a Myspace user who is playing Cinderella's "Don't Know What You've Got (Till It's Gone)".
Operator: And the username sir?
Me: MorbidlySadAngelofDarknessinaPitofDespair247
Operator: Thank you sir, we're sending a rescue unit to that location immediatly.
Me: Just doing my civic duty.
-click-

So annoying.

Pick a "friend" place and stick to it...or YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY PERSONALIZED DESK ACCESSORIES!

So, my latest rant involves the frustration that I have over too many "friend-networking" websites. I had Friendster and everyone was on there. Then everyone started using Myspace so I went over there... I NEED TO BE CONNECTED! But then people switch back and forth and confuse the living b'jesus out of me and now I'm floating in "friend-network" hell. (Little none fact, Myspace and Friendster actuall co-exist on Dante's fourth level of hell... read the book.)

Anyhow, I'm now focusing on Myspace... if Friendster send me a little hello via email now and then I will take it as a lovely gesture and move on.

This attitude has worked for me since I switched from a Hotmail account to one on Gmail about three months ago. Do I love Gmail? No... but I'm courting it. Gmail gives me FAR FEWER "service interruptions" than Hotmail ever did so I'm good for now. Is the interface dreamy? As Kenneth Cole is my witness "No!"

I'm a little convinced that there is one guy at MSN whose job it is to make sure that Hotmail kicks in "service interruptions" periodically just to see if the members will react. It works like this... no reaction, no members are trying to log on... reaction, Hotmail is thrilled that people are aggressively trying to log into their account to see if Lillian Vernon has sent them a new catalog update. YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY PERSONALIZED DESK ACCESSORIES!

Anyhow, enough ranting. My friend Mike is touring with Utah Shakes educational tour of Macbeth. The van is amazing and I know he's frustrated and wishes that he wasn't trapped within its confines, but it is a SUPER COOL VAN! Check it out at his blog.

That's it for me tonight. Sorry I wasn't funnier. It'll come back to me... I just need 8 glasses of water, two lemon rinds, and a teaspoon of pepper and I'll have flushed this bitterness RIGHT out of my system. Ciao!

The rootkit of all evil...

Well, it was bound to happen. Sony went and infiltrated our deepest darkest secrets by forcing software onto our computers and then leaving the kitchen door open so that the pesky kids from down the street can get in and mess things all to hell. And what do Americans do best? We SUE!

Technically, the State of Texas is filing a civil lawsuit against the entertainment-megacorp because "several of the company's music compact discs require customers to download Sony's media players if they want to listen to the CDs on a computer." Wierd, hasn't Microsoft been forcing us to do that all along with Media Player?

Anyhow, I do wonder what this means for Celine Dion's Vegas show... after all, she's the Canadian stepchild of Sony entertainment. Everyone out there who weeps over "Love Can Move Mountains" on their PC is now vulnerable to hacker attacks. And trust me... hackers are more than happy to futz with anyone who claims to be a Celine Dion fan. Futher down the line of course is that bad PR this could cause for the Playstation 3 (sched to come out sometime between now and 2015). With the PS3 being capable of connecting online, what else can Sony do to sneak into your home?

Hmm... Scooby Doo, where are you? We've got some work to do now!

Tells me I'm bloody damn Bubbles does it?

After reading my friend Mike’s blog and hearing about his results on the Which Golden Girl are you? Quiz, and then watching AbFab tonight I decided to take the Which AbFab character are you? quiz. (Click here to take it if you wish...AbFab Quiz).

Turns out I'm Bubbles so of course the bloody thing is faulty. It can't tell its digits from its whozits much less who I am and how much I'm not like Eddy. Ridiculous. That scowling BBC quiz sitting there, staring at me, judging me... like a big glowing electronic canker sore. Bastard. I'll tell you who I am darling and it's not loopin' loony Bubbles that's for sure. I'm more a Jane Seymour and Julia Sugarbaker combined that's what I am sweetie but you know, puters just don't have that kind of knowledge yet. Yes darling, PUTERS, p-u-t-e-r-s, the little bobblies with the blinking lights and the click-click board for putting in words, you know. Like the Apricot or the IBS... puters damnit! Anyhow, they aren't smart enough to know the difference between people you know. It's not like you walk into the room and hear, "Hello dear, how was your day?" from a $2000 Light Bright do you sweetie? No, you don't. So the quiz was bully and I wouldn't wish the results I had on anyone. Except maybe Elizabeth Hurley, the skinny bitch.

Nell Carter... a zombie?

I think if you're going to have a nightmare, as I did last night, it should be a full out nightmare and not just a bizarro-creation from the deepest regions of your subconscious. Mine... the bizarro-creation.

I was traveling through New York (or some German expressionistic version of NYC) on a schooltrip (odd, since I'm not in school and haven't been on a "schooltrip" in nearly 15 years). Suddenly, and without warning, I was standing on top of a car fighting off zombies in a sad attempt to save my classmates. Suddenly, a greyed out and crackily skinned Nell Carter (God rest her talented soul) comes out of nowhere and attacks me.

Now, you may ask, "Why would Nell Carter attack you?"

Well, George Romero has taught us all that zombies need to eat the brains of living humans in order to survive but as I learned from my dream last night... some zombies are coming to you for help. When, in my dream, I fought of the zombified creature that had once been Nell Carter she yelled at me and asked me "What the hell are you doing?" Now consider for a moment the shock that has befallen me by first being attacked by zombies, then realizing that one of them is none other than Nell Carter, THEN realizing that Zombie-Nell is intelligent and inquisitive. This was a conundrum.

In the dream, I put down whatever blunt object I had in my hand (beam, shovel, who knows) and just looked at this Zombie-Nell laying against a brick wall looking at me while she rubbed her head. "I come looking for help and you're gonna knock me down?" (Ever the diva. Love it.)

Turns out Zombie-Nell wasn't much of a zombie. She had (from what I remember) covered herself in oatmeal or some other clumping goo and only pretended to be a zombie so that she could escape. I would have thought that zombie's could smell the difference between humans and the undead but maybe their sinuses have dried up and decayed and thus Ms. Carter's theory for escape would be plausible. She had only been trying to climb on top of the car with me because her oatmeal (or some other clumping goo) had begun melting off her face in the hot Manhattan sun.

Somewhere around this point in the story, I either woke up or "changed channels" and moved on to something else. I suppose my brain decided that Zombie-but-not-Zombie-Nell-Carter was enough of a creative stretch for one evening and now it was time to rest.

Thank you Nell Carter for filling my sleep with interest. I like to believe that you are in the big Broadway house in the sky, singing some Ain't Misbehavin' to house filled to capacity. (OMG... I'm so gay.)

My teaching site

I just uploaded my “professor” site to the UA server. Eventually (i.e. once I get back to the office tomorrow) I can upload my syllabi and get everything in order for students to access. We’ll see how that goes. If you’re interested you can visit the site here… www.bama.ua.edu/~adkin012.

Eons... yes, eons...

I know. I know. It's been eons (as the headline says) since I've posted anything on here. Call me lazy... or call me INSANELY BUSY but I'm sorry.

Anyhow, to catch you up... it's Later that Same Day... Rhoda is on the phone with Mary and Ted is busy trying to write a feature for the evening, wait a minute, that's not my life... that's Mary Tyler Moore. Damn it! I thought I was awfully successful for my age. At least I haven't lost a beret (sp?) by tossing it haphazardly into the air in the middle of downtown.

Seriously, I've been super busy with school... not taking classes but teaching, believe it or not. I'm currently serving as Interim Co-Director of the Theatre Managment program at UA and let me tell you - if you thought your professors had it easy b/c they came in, lectured, and went home... HA! You were sorely mistaken.

I'm on guard all day working to insure that the marketing and front-of-house efforts are going off without a hitch, molding young minds to be creative thinkers for the future of our industry, and constantly planning my next career move. (Baby steps, baby steps.)

When I do have some down time I try desperately to catch up with those that I have lost touch with... if you haven't had that from me, don't worry, it's coming.

I got on a kick recently and decided that since I couldn't be with my dear Addie that I would send her off on a new tour with our favorite leading lady of the Country stage (and screen), Ms. Dolly Parton. Their "tour blog" is here (http://addiedollytour.blogspot.com/). It's tons of fun and Addie loves it which is pretty important in the endeavor. One might assume that our obsession with Dolly is unnatural but you see, she is the hero to all children of the Smoky Mountains and must be treated with the respect she deserves. Others might assume that I am not treating her with respect b/c of the "humorous" adventures she is having unbeknownst to her. Well, to those who believe that this is a ridicule of Dolly... poo poo to you. This is my way of sharing in the life of a celeb and a distant best friend through comedy, satire, and love. (Author's Note: no one has actually said I am disrespecting Dolly... I just see it coming... like the plague or the Spanish Inquisition. Oh wait, no one expects the Spanish Inquisition. Damn, wrong again.)

Well, that said I must away to bed. Between Benedryl and the stress of daily life I am exhausted. Ta ta for now and please write soon (wthomasadkins@hotmail.com) and let me know how you're doing.
T

End of July

So another July has come and gone. I've turned 30 (finally) and am about to
leave school with my Masters degree in 2 weeks. Woohoo! Currently I'm
sitting in on the final dress rehearsal for a graduate production of "The
Winter's Tale.". We'll see how it goes. I want to say something like "Not
one of Shakespeare's most produced plays, 'The Winter's Tale' is..." But I
think that might be a bit too ecoteric for my tastes. People would look at
me quite perplexed and wonder what pea-pod had taken over my body.

I CAN'T FIND A SPACE!

This may not seem like a huge tragedy but I have lost my space in NYC for our graduate showcase. We were hoping to be in the Signature Theatre's Peter Norton Space like we were last year but we lost out to a rental with a 10-week contract. Who can blame them? Not I.

Now I am feverishly on the search for another location where we can produce our ONE-NIGHT ONLY Showcase on Monday, August 15th. If any of you readers out there can think of someplace let me know... I've sort of plowed through the traditional rental spaces with very little luck. Actually, no luck, but I feel better believing that I might be on the brink of a breakthrough at any moment.

Let's do a little exercise (make sure you read this first because I'm going to ask you to close your eyes and imagine something). Now, close your eyes (see I told you) and imagine if you will the entire island of Manhattan. Now, out of that bustling jungle of concrete and steel lies a tiny, tiny space that might seat anywhere of 99-200 people. Now that space is actually going to be vacant on Monday, August 15th AND it's going to be reasonably priced AND it's going to want to house us for approximately 8 hours. It's perfect. You realize that I need to know about this space immediatly so you pick up the phone or log onto the internet and call/email me and let me know about it. Agh, relief. You've saved the Class of 2005 from a disaster. Now don't you feel good.........?

WELL I DON'T! Because it was just pretend. Now, all of you New Yorkers (and NY transplants), please dig through the windmills of your minds and think about any spaces that you thought were a) cool, b) the right size, and c) might be available and actually tell me about them. Sigh... to be in the city again where I could just go ip and inquire about someplace. Oh sweet mystery of life...

Well, I'm back to the grind so that I can call "Hallelujah" and rest easy that I have secured a location. Holler at me! :)

Back... with a vengeance

So I haven't posted in over a month and that's because I couldn't afford cable anymore, thus the cable movem and hence the Knology web account. (Can you tell I just got out of Theatre History?) Anyhow, please know that the site will be flourishing with blogs again soon. Just keep you eyes peeled and your hands washed and I will be back with news soon.

Woody Allen and Shakespeare

I really want to like Woody Allen movies. I do. But I have this anti-Woody-Allen wall that comes slamming down and I just can't break through it. Sort of like reading Shakespeare, I think I'm supposed to like reading it but nothing happens. Which is tough when you work for a Shakespeare theatre. It's sort of a given that every mood your in should exude Shakespeare somehow. But not me.

With Woody Allen the problem is even more curious then that of Shakes. With Shakespeare at least the language is tougher than modern, the references are obscure, the philosophy a bit dated... people are expected to have a hard time with him. But with Woody everyone I know seems to say the same thing, "He is such a comic genius! I love his films." Everyone I know says this! Literally. I could line up the first 100 people that I know (in no specific order) and you could walk along (preferably at a cocktail party or some other location where random acts of banter are expted) and mention "Have you seen the latest Woody Allen film?" Every one of those 100 friends will say, "Oh yes, he is such a comic genius! I love his films." Something else that bothers me about Woody Allen is that people ALWAYS refer to his work as "films". No one really says, "Hey, that new Woody Allen movie is out" or "Woody Allen is a movie guru." It's always, "We should check out the new Woody Allen film playing at the art house" or "Woody Allen is a cavalier of contemporary film."

WTF?

It's a movie. They are pretty much ALL movies... except for the foreign ones, THOSE are films. Yes, Woody Allen is kinda artsy and yes people talk about him in coffee shops, but it's really just a "film" veneer for what is in all actuality a movie.

I don't begrudge Woody Allen. I wish him all the success in the world. I begrudge those who think that carrying a martini around, doing kiss-kiss in the air to either cheek, and fawning over these "films" makes them "tres sophisticate".

Super Size Me

So I went out with the intention of rollerblading today. I got about a 1/4 mile down the road, fell, decided I would rather be riding a bike. It's not that I can't rollerblade. I can... just not super well.

Instead of working out I instead went to the mall, Target, and then back home after a stop at the McDonald's drive-thru and then home to watch Super Size Me. God save Netflix for sending this to me and heaven reserve a place in line for Morgan Spurlock for making that movie.

I was halfway through my sandwhich and only 1/4 way through my fries when I dropped them both into the trash can. The realization that I was putting pure poison into my body was a horrific thought. Granted, I know McDonald's isn't good for you... but it's convenient. And it's not like I eat it everyday, just every once in a while.

What has really set this off is the press release from the Childrens' Television Workshop stating that Cookie Monster is cutting back on his cookie intake...even leaving his anthem "C is for Cookie" in favor of "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food".

So starting today I am banning myself from McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc. As much as possible I am going to steer myself toward better eating habits before the explosion of obesity plops its ugly rump down on me.

Blast you cholestoral, blast you saturated fat! Out damn spot!

Crash! Bam! Alakazam! 

Rollerblades... or, the Kiss of Death

So yesterday I went out rollerblading with Meg, my comrade in arms for horribly bad ideas. Now, it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't do it again... in fact, it was great exercise and a lot of laughs, mostly at Meg's expense. I will never claim to be a good "blader" but I can stay up and, within reason, move from place to place with some ease and decorum. Meg is also reasonably well skilled at "blading". But when fate finds it appropriate to trip her up and send her careening off the sidewalk and into a muddy patch of grass and bugs, she tends to loose her confidence. (Maybe at this point I should have given her a false name like on Dragnet, "to protect the innocent". But that would infer a sense of innocence on her which is completely out of the question!)

We made it through the park for an hour and a half, trepidatiously climbing hills and skirting down some frightful embankments. A few bumps and scratches but not more worse for wear.

I digress.

Somewhere on this page will be an unfortunate photo of Meg somersaulting through the air en route to her final destination - face planting in the dirt.

What a terrible dilemma... help a friend in need or stop to take their picture and laugh in their face. I chose the latter.

I painted this in 2003 as a graduation gift for Ma Jones from me and Patrick. 

Dear father... it has been 17 days since my last confession, er, I mean, entry.

So despite my better judgement I have fallen wayside in my attempts to keep this pseudo-diary up to date. But here goes... March 27, 2005:

Patrick was here for the weekend and just left this morning to get back home for Easter with his parent's. I already miss him. When you live with someone (as friends) for a little over 2 years you get very accustomed to seeing them morning, noon, and night and then your lives change and you go different places and find new people and suddenly the world is very different and you wish you could sit on the couch with your best friend watching Godzilla movies and laughing about the assholes that you dealt with throughout the day. Granted, we've not lived together since last May but still... he was only an hour and a half away until Christmas and then he moved back home (five hours away) and it's hard to deal sometimes. But I'm glad for the time that I do get to spend with him and the effort that he makes to come down and be with me. If I had a car handy I would return the favor ten-fold but that's not an option right now. And who knows what tomorrow will bring anyway... luck, magic, money, fame... or the return of friends to a more fixed place in your life. May you all be so lucky and may distance not matter in your relationships.

On a side note I've decided to make myself available to the singles world again. No, I didn't just break up with anyone, but I had put dating on hiatus for a while now. I didn't have time and I just wasn't feeling the urge... crazy I now. What gay man doesn't want to be out (no pun intended) with someone every chance he has? Well, I didn't.

A story: Imagine the need to date as a big ripe watermelon. Now let's pretend that I had somehow swalled a seed (NO JOKES) during my last relationship. Well, when it ended it wasn't harvest time and the seed just sat there in my stomach washing around with the sweet tea, french fries, and Bruster's Ice Cream. Suddenly a couple weeks ago the seed took root and has been growing steadily. Now I'm getting this big ripe watermelon growing inside and it needs out. FYI - this is NOT a metaphor for sex. FAR FROM IT. This is a metaphor for the desire to be with other people, romanticaly.

Well, enough of my jabberjaws this morning. I need to show, clean house, etc. Wow, feel privileged. This was an extremely intimate journal entry. Those don't happen that often.

Later!

Getting toned for my birthday

As luck (or Hell) would have it I'm turning 30 this summer. Could there be more of an impetus for getting into shape? No one wants to be 30 and fat or flabby or bubbling over with girth. No one really wants to be "more to love". They might say that but they're lying.
And now for a short dramatization:

Me: Hey body, what do you want to do today?
Body: Well, if you'd get your ass up off the couch we could go rollerblading. Remember how you like to do that?
Me: Yeah, I guess. But we could go to a movie or run over to Wings and get cheesy fries.
Body: Are you insane? If we eat cheesy fried ONE MORE TIME we're going to have a heart attack and the paramedics won't be able to do anything about it because their CRANE is busy lifting a box full of oxen.
Me: You're so rude. I hate you.
Body: Is that why you've changed me from a cute, thin, toned twink to this... this... thing?
Me: Yes, yes, that's exactly why. Are you an idiot? I didn't mean to. Look my metabolism slowed down and I wasn't prepared for this.
Metabolism (entering room): Oh, don't even try to blame this on me bubblebutt! I was doing my own thing when all of a sudden you went Hindenberg on me!
Me: I'm not blaming you...
Metabolism: It sure sounds like blame!
Me: Just forget I said anything... I'm going to take a bath.
Body: Well, don't be looking in the mirror when you undress 'cause I don't want to hear anymore of this self-depricating stuff tonight.
Me: Fine
(Exit)

Note to self: Get up early and work out tomorrow. Pick a routine and do it damnit!

Gay.com's offensive "Come Together" Campaign

Gay.com has this campaign going on to promote unity amongst the gay community. It's horrible. Please read their Press Release below and then continue for a copy of the email that I sent to their parent organization, Planet Out. Ugh.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Gay.com "Come Together" campaign

We at PlanetOut Inc. strive to make bold and provocative statements through our advertising campaigns supporting the Gay.com brand. Our goal is to make gay people visible to not only our community, but to proudly display images of gay people to the entire world. "Come Together" is no exception. PlanetOut knows that while not everyone in our community will have the same reaction to the campaign, the images will undoubtedly get noticed and provoke discussion. We believe dialogue is the key to uniting and coming together as a community, no matter our differences. The American flag belongs to all Americans, and we are proud to call ourselves Gay Americans. America stands for the concepts of freedom of speech and freedom of expression. At PlanetOut, we believe deeply in those same freedoms, and also in the freedom to love whomever one chooses. "Come Together" is our bold statement as we face the challenge of coming together as a nation, under one flag, with inclusion and acceptance for all.

--PlanetOut Inc.

The Campaign

What does the flag mean to you? Our latest national ad campaign, Come Together, embodies the American ideal of uniting people -- through the power of love.We've never shied away from controversy. The models are hot, the message is bold, and America is ready. Are you? Watch the video, view our slideshows, and tell us what you think. Can you tell the models are boyfriends in real life?

The ad campaign will appear on wallscapes, billboards, transit shelters and gay-focused print media in key markets around the country. Read the press release to find out more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I probably could have written something more eloquent than this, but I was a little zealous in my reaction. Read on: on March 10

Sent on March 10th to: jennifer.woodard@planetoutinc.com, pr@planetoutinc.com

Dear Ms. Woodard and the officials at Planetout Inc.,
I am a 29 year old openly gay male who prides himself in volunteering
his time for projects that promote tolerance and solidarity.  I believe
in the idea that we must "come together" and unite NOT just as a gay
community but as a global community.  I am also a gay.com subscriber who
is ready to cancel his monthly membership because of the offensive ad
campaign that you believe promotes the very ideas that I listed above.

The "Come Together" campaign has no value to our community at all.  You
offer us "hunky" men arguing about something - we don't know what, maybe
they're made that Old Glory only has three colors or that it doesn't
breathe well.  Then, as an act of "coming together" they end up kissing
in bed together.  While there's no obvious sex taking place, the
connotations are there.

You are only reinforcing every right wing lawmakers belief that we are
petty, antagonistic, sexual people.  You are perpetuating steretypes
that have enveloped us for eons.  Can we not show the world (and each
other) a more positive message than one of angry hot guys loving each
other under the American flag? 

Please stop this campaign before the "general public" has the
opportunity to use it against us.  I had much more hope for gay.com and
planetout.com than this.  I'm sorry that you believe that this
represents us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ugh... people are so frustrating.

Short films make me pee a little.

I found a couple of short films online that made me happy/sad/laugh/cry/pee. They're all located on the PlanetOut Short Movie Awards 2005 webpage. The one in particular that I want you to watch is Sucker. It hysterical! The premise, as listed on the website, is "Two girls fight to the death over a candy cane." Don't worry, it's computer animated. The animation isn't great... Pixar has nothing to fear... but the shtick is slap-your-momma funny.

There's also a couple of really sweet shorts on their as well so I encourage you to peruse them at your leisure and see what you think.

On a slightly (completely) different note... I'm almost packed. I'm moving from a 2-bedroom apartment in my complex to a 1-bedroom. My roommate is gone and I can't afford the burdern/luxury of all this space... nor do I have the furniture to fill it. So this Saturday I will be busy shuffling my belongings between spaces. Woohoo. Moving sucks.

The cats are a little freaked out too. I really wonder if their world is like in Garfield, where they speak telepathically to each other. Maya (the big sister) would probably be saying, "Why the HELL do I put my crap on that spot if we just have to move again?" Pinter (youngin') would be saying "Hey, who moved my toys?" I suppose that's better than, "We'll wait till he's asleep and then we'll suck the life out of him... mwah ha ha ha."

Of course, I'd rather my own cats be the devilish culprits of that crime and NOT some freakish doll. My mom had this HORRIBLE life-size 6-year old girl doll that she got when she was little and KEPT forever. I swear to you the thing would move. Nightmares about her looking for me used to plague me when I was little (and into my 20s). I hated that thing. Luckily she's locked away in a storage shed. Not my choice, I'd rather see her melted into Matchbox cars but I don't have a say in the matter. :)

Well, that's all the news that's fit to print for the night. I'm off to find some food and then lay myself down for bed. Later skaters.

Did you know that crazy people are on the internet?

So I was chatting online last night when I get this random guy email me from Gay.com. Now, I'm a very congenial person (no laughing) so I said hello and humored him in his conversation. Suddenly he tells me he is going to jail tomorrow for not paying a traffic ticket. I told him how sorry I was and that being broke was unfortunate and related how my power bill is due and I'm having to make payment arrangements until payday. Well the guy totally goes PSYCHO and tells me how my "pasty self" should visit the "tanning bed" and that he hopes I move to Atlanta (random) where someone will cut my throat. Well, without hesitation I clicked "report this user" and filed a complaint against him. More often than not if someone is an asshole I just click ignore... but this guy actually threatened me (well, he hoped someone would kill me). It's called ZOLOFT pal, try some.

Anyways, it got me to thinking... would this guy pull this crap if we didn't have the internet? Would he call up random people and start an otherwise normal conversation only to go CREEPY on them moments later?

Yeah... probably.

So Mr. Crazy... if you ever happen to stumble onto this page... click this link and get some help. http://www.atlantasocialtherapy.com/ Good luck with that!

My Score in the High School Stereotype quiz

So I took the High School Stereotype Quiz online (thanks Ma) and I got the following score:

Drama nerd 88%
Geek 69%
Prep/Jock/Cheerleader 69%
Goth 50%
Ghetto gangsta 50%
Stoner 25%
Punk/Rebel 19%
Loner 13%

Um... 69% Jock? No way. Cheerleader, possibly.

Not sleeping... take two hours of the BBC's Shakespeares and call me in the morning.

Why am I up you might ask? Well, I've not been sleeping. I have to move on Saturday, finish my theatre history journals, AND figure out how to pay for living all while saving the world from the forces of evil.

It's a tough job. It's very much like being a Superfriend except that my Hall of Justice is a two-bedroom apartment, I don't run around in colored tights (often), and my cape is just an aphgan clipped around my neck with a clothespin. But here I am day in and day out consoling the world that tomorrow is just a day away and that sunshine spills from my rump. (Obviously it has too since this crap is spilling out of my mouth.) :)

In many ways its fun to be the guy that everyone goes to. It makes you feel good, special. I know that if my friends were bitten by zombies, died, and then came after me they would be hoping for my wit and quick thinking to save them. That or they'd want to eat my brains. Either way, they would end up with my thoughts on the matter I suppose.

One of my best friends, we'll call him Ma for short, applauded my consistancy in writing on this blog. He said he hadn't been to his in eons. (His blog can be located http://www.livejournal.com/users/themikejones/) I looked tonight and realized I hadn't been on here in five days. That's a business week! I realized that if I had hired myself to keep this blog up and running, I would have fired myself for five days of "no call/no show".

Then reality came sweeping in and I decided it really didn't matter... it's just fun to spill the crap like this when the mood strikes. So, I put away my childish thoughts and turned on my childish TV and watched a repeat of this season's SNL. Amy Poehler is my new hero. Her character Kaitlin is hysterical. I swear to Jebus that I knew her in the fourth grade. If you don't get a chance to watch it, try. If it's NOT going to happen go to http://snltranscripts.jt.org/ and read the sketches (usually it's just as funny to read it out loud yourself or with friends).

Ok, enough jabber jaws for now (not affiliated with Jabber Jaws cartoon character or Hanna Barbara Inc.) I have to TRY to get some sleep. Enjoy.

Crying for no reason... oh wait, WILL & GRACE is on.

So I totally started crying tonight for no reason. At first I thought to myself, "Am I a woman AND on my period?" Then I checked the drawers, realized I was being COMPLETELY ridiculous, and thought what the HELL is my problem.

I took a moment, looked around the room, spotted Will & Grace on tv and knew that I was still in fact COMPLETELY ridiculous. These two ficticious characters were lying their seperate and plutonic beds in a Berkshires lodge talking about how much they depended on each other and I blew. I blew hard. I huffed and I puffed and I sobbed the house in.

Apparently I'm a little emotional tonight. It's been a tough couple of weeks - I won't deny it. But personally its been a tougher couple of months that I care to believe. The saving grace is my best friend who through it all has been there and the fact that I am graduating with a SWEET job already in place for me.

For those of you who actually read this blog, I commend you on your valiant loyalty to my ramblings. I have denied you these past few days but trust in the fact that I am back and bolder than ever.

What's next? A chide comment about our Commander in Chief? A goody riff on Laura Linney's Oscar hairdo? Maybe... but I guess you'll have to tune in sometime in the next day or two to find out. For now, I have to go feed my cats and change shirts. Sitcoms can wreak havoc on the tear ducts and a 100% cotton T.