Happy October!

October is my favorite month.

Up to about 10 years ago, I loved it most because it was my birthday month. And I actually used to LIKE my birthday. But, that is the past. Let’s leave it there. Now I love it because the weather turns a little cooler, the fall decorations are awesome, my pumpkin candle smells yummy and it is the excitement of my daughter’s birthdays’ (although E’s is Nov 3rd…it is SO darn close).

This past weekend was spent at my town’s Oktoberfest celebration. What fun! It is the size of the fair from my childhood, and my girls’ had a blast riding all the rides. And, when the German band started playing and everyone was walking around with giant boots of beer, it made me giggle. Good times.

Way, way back were the days of football games in October. I can still remember cheering at games and having to wear gloves and sweat pants. Brrrrr. ☺

October is also the wacky fun and craziness of Halloween. Always a good party and a good time had by all. I will take my girls’ trick or treating around the neighborhood again this year. Tradition.

It was last October that I chopped my hair off and got my new haircut. I still like it…but am ready for longer hair again. I still have that mentality that your hair gets shorter as you get older and I still don’t want to accept that. Although, I can finally say my age now, I still pause and take a big gulp…but I can say it. Good thing, because 2 weeks from today I will be one more year older. Sigh.

Older. Older. I have been told that this should be the best time of my life. I have lived and learned and should be in a secure place. Who am I kidding? I still have a bajillion goals and dreams that I am not that much closer to making happen. But I have learned a lot…and I have a lot of “wish I could do-overs”. I try not to dwell on them. Instead, I keep coloring my gray hairs and slathering on my wrinkle cream.

Let’s just celebrate the beautiful month of October.

Faith Hope Love-
LA

Another One Bites the Dust....

Another weekend, that is.

How sad. All week long, I get so excited about the weekend. A time to get things done around the house, time to play with my family, time for "me". But, here it is, Sunday night and I don't feel that I achieved much of anything. Yes, we did grocery shopping. Yes, I got in 3 loads of laundry and ran the dishwasher twice. Yes, my daughters and I went for a walk, a bike ride and swimming today. And yes, I even got a couple of short naps in...but I still don't feel like I accomplished anything.

Sigh.

Sunday nights are always a time of regret for me. I had such high hopes on Friday, but pretty much did not get to check off much of my list. And the week for us flies by with almost nothing getting done. So, now I will fall into bed in another hour, read for a bit and then dream of how I can't wait for the weekend.

Viva the weekend!

Faith Hope Love-
LA

Elvis?

Well...I just returned from my first trip to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, it was a work trip, so I didn't really get to enjoy the city too much. Dang! My goal before arriving was to be able to find Elvis and also see some "working girls" (if you know what I mean). While I am sure I was probably oblivious to many of these "girls", and heck maybe even a plain-clothed Elvis too, I came back empty-handed on both accounts.

I did learn the basics of Craps, when to double down and how quick the Roulette wheel can bring you fortune...but I observed all of those from afar. You see, being someone with very little money, the thought of gambling scares me to death. So, me and my $3 spent a lovely night at the penny slots. The thrill of the ching-ching bling-bling was still quite exciting. Oh, and the 99 cent margarita on Fremont was quite tasty!

My work had me reporting in at 5:30am on some days and at work events until midnight, so I was a tired puppy. Especially also trying to get used to that 3 hour time difference.

So, I am hoping someday to take my hubby out there on a well-deserved vacation where we can have the time of our lives!

Viva Las Vegas Baby!

Faith Hope Love-
LA

Fay is FAY-bulous!

Well...just sitting around waiting for little ol' Tropical Storm Fay to come a' knockin'. Or I guess that should be come a' blowin'. Anywho, looks like she may avoid the Tampa Bay area altogether, so no worries, right? Hmmm...I also thought I was avoiding a guy named Hurricane Charley 4 years ago and ended up driving 4 hours to Orlando (ummm..you may say "it doesn't take 4 hours to drive to Orlando"..and I will say, "well, duh, but everyone was going there") and right into the so-called eye of the hurricane. Long story, but after my Charley experience, I just don't seem to have too much panic regarding a Tropical Storm.

So, even though the 1st day of school has been canceled, and my husband's work is officially closed down, it will be a normal work day in LA's life.

Bummer. I was really hoping to sleep in and get some laundry done (seriously, I am WAY behind on laundry).

Faith Hope Love-
LA :)

Irish Pub Theater! Oh My Lucky Charms!

Well, this Irish Pub Theater is becoming old hat now!!! 2nd time is a charm. Actually I think I enjoyed the 1st time better...because this time my scene was LAST (I was told it was because of the old "let's save the best for last"...hmmmm, maybe now that I think about it...maybe she was LYING), and by the time it came around (like 2 hours later) the place had lost about 1/2 of the crowd. I was bummed. I wish we could have went on in the 1st set. Nonetheless, it was still good and funny and included A LOT of ad-libbing! Let's just say that my scene included:

*a chair that squeaked like a fart when sitting on it
*a scene partner who forgot lines
*a scene partner who starting choking on a french fry (I really think it was a ploy just to cover up the fact that he forgot his lines...a COVER UP)

But, I was praised by many for my ad-libbing skills...so, kudos to me! HA! Oh, btw, it was the opening car/cafe scene from When Harry Met Sally. Fun stuff. I love Meg Ryan.

On another note, my new-found acting friends are also wannabe writers like myself! Woohoo! It is great when you find a group of people that you have common interests. It is such a nice feeling to have a social life and FRIENDS! HAHA! Anyway, this weekend we are having a writer's group meeting...SCAT...and I am invited! I submitted my first chapter of The Cross Country Adventures of Ann and Beth. I am nervous to get their feedback/constructive criticism...but know it will be worth it. Hopefully it will give me that KICK IN THE BUTT that is SOOOOOO needed (no further comments on that right now...).

Okay my leprechaun friends...until next time!

Faith Hope Love-
LA

Freaky-ness in the Park

Today was quite the Freaky Friday! (Sorry, I couldn't help myself!) My theater group did Theater in the Park tonight. My daughters did scenes from their kids play, which debuted last weekend. And then my gorg-e-ou-so daughters (E-12 and J-8) and I did a scene from Freaky Friday. It was a lot of fun and I think everyone really loved it. It was also quite the family affair, because my talented hubby was the sound man who pimped us out with tons of sound equipment and made us sound wonderful (even the howling wind).

Having fun, fun, fun with the theater group! Up next, the library performance where I do a dramatic monologue from Wisdom of Eve. Kind of a challenge for me...because, well, it is dramatic. I am much more comfortable playing the goofy parts. :) but, it is all good and I am enjoying it mucho!

Alrighty, I certainly hope I change back into my own body by tomorrow morning...heehee!

Faith Hope Love-
LA

Anyone Know a Good Agent?????

Yeah, I expect to be signing a contract any day now. LOL! Last night was my acting debut at Flanagan’s Irish Pub. It was a quaint little event, but the place was packed. I have joined my community theater group and can I say that I am having a simply FABULOUS time? I have been told by some (and I am not modest at all..heehee) that I am a “natural” and have “it”. Too funny…but again, lots of fun.

Anywho…I did a monologue last night from the play listed below. I learned it in 1 ½ weeks. Here it is (but much more energetic when I did it..heehee):

SCUBA LESSONS

A monologue from the play by Joseph Zeccola

KELLY: Did you ever wake up and know it was gonna be your day? I did. Today. First time. I woke up five minutes before my alarm went off. The sun was shining, the birds chirping, I felt warm all over and then... ... I read my horoscope. “Today is your day!!! What you dreamed about becomes real. Romance figures prominently. Musical notes involved.” Okay--I don’t get the musical notes thing either--but that’s not the point. The point is it said today is my day. And it has been--all day!!! I got on the scale--I was five pounds thinner, and that was after getting out of the shower. On my way out the door, my manager tells me he’s going to fix the broken closet in my apartment I reported six months ago. Normally I wouldn’t believe it, because I have rotten luck. But I’ve had this feeling all day. And that’s leaving out the best part of my horoscope: “Romance figures Prominently.” [She looks around the cafe.] He’s not here yet. Martin. My date. Actually it’s a blind date. Both Dan and I have blind dates tonight. Which would normally scare me. To tell the truth I was terrified. Until this morning. I know, I know--what are the odds of finding Mr. Right on a blind date? I mean, someone who would count on that is an optimist, at best. At worst ... well--let’s not go there. I’m being an optimist. I have faith. You know my luck is actually worse with men. Until recently I’ve been convinced I have bad guy-karma. Which is why I told Dan to meet his date here, too. I had a friend at work set us up. Raul. He’s gay. We decided to meet our dates at the same place just in case they were ugly. If I knew my day was gonna be like this, I would have told him to fend for himself. [Notices a mug on the merchandise rack. She picks it up.] Do you see what I mean?!! This is my favorite painting on this coffee mug. I was in here two days ago and they didn’t have this mug. This is like some giant cosmic accident. It’s fate. Did I tell you I found a parking space in less than five minutes. My favorite painting. "The Scream." Dan says only freaks like that painting. I think only tactless jerks call their friends freaks. [Looks over to DAN and RAYNE.] It looks like the jerk’s doing okay so far. He hasn’t pissed her off yet. She looks okay. Seems a little thin for Dan though. He’s Italian, they like those buxom women. Or at least he does. And he thinks he speaks for every guinea on the planet. He doesn’t like it when I call him a guinea. [Short pause] Guinea. Oh. That’s Dan. He likes me. But we’re not. No. I mean he’s sweet. We always do stuff like this together. Well not like this. We do things. We go to the movies. We go for walks--in the park or mountains. Sometimes we even hold hands. Sometimes we come here and get coffee. Well he gets coffee. I don’t like coffee. Or tea. Actually I hate tea; but, we’re just friends. It’s hard to explain. Dan and I ... ... we just--we wouldn’t get along. We bicker constantly. Dan calls me the ex-wife he never wanted. I call him evidence to the need for artificial insemination. [Pause.] He’s really not that bad. He’s just that bad for me. Dan just needs to find a woman who isn’t annoyed by him. And who isn’t meeting her soulmate tonight.

You are impressed, right? HA! This whole theater thing has been taking up a lot if my evenings, and I do still have that other small thing I need to accomplish. What was that?? I know there is something…Oh yeah…WRITING A BOOK by the end of summer.

I need to get cracking on that.

Until then…break a leg.

Faith Hope Love-
LA ☺