Wellness and Swellness

All right, my precious'es. Welcome to a new post. This is the one where I upload a bunch of random photos and try to fill you in on my life. First of all, I've had an epiphany and I've recommitted myself to walking the road of wellness. I've been taking some small steps (and a few really big steps) to discover who I am and where I fit in life. It all starts here...

...at the train station. I take the train up to rehearsal. It rides along the coast and is absolutely stunning. Best 45 minutes of my day.

This is the view from the bridge I cross on my way to work. I got Manny fixed so I can ride my bicycle again. The early morning walks have been amazing, too - I've seen seals eating fish in the water below! I have some videos on my iPod... I should try to upload them...

And then I throw in some Daily Domination, like beating Super Mario World on my Game Boy. No big deal. Just saved the princess.

This caught my eye while I walked around Paseo Mall. It is nice.

And these lovely things.

This was my view from a little cafe I went to before rehearsal the other night. That apple pie was delicious.

Cafe sidewalk and rocks in a pot and tree and things.

RAR! I am the Wellness Dragon and I am here to burn your destructive habits! Stand back! I will protect you from yourself!

You see? Everything is happening as it should should should, and the Universe is good good good. I have an audition this Thursday night for a little gig called Speaking of Stories. Fun.

AV

Becoming Jeanie

Hi everyone...

Tonight I tried on the infamous preggo belly. Here is a photograph from my phone:

The belly is too high, I know. We have some kinks to work out. And the gentleman who surprised me right before the photo was taken (notice the surprised eyebrow, eh?) is playing Berger, one of our main dudes. He was rehearsing music, hence why the pianist's mouth is slightly open (awkward). Anyways this is my dress and belly that now comes with being Yochana "Jeanie" Marie Lerner. Ta dah!

We had a good rehearsal tonight. It ended with a character-building exercise with the group. We paired up and faced our partner, then were told to see them with a certain intent. For example Adam (above photo) also happened to be my first partner, and as the group found partners our Assistant Director would give prompts like "In this partner, see all of his/her joy." So then you just look and explore and learn about that person's joy without using words. Then we moved, and also found partners to share sorrow, appreciation, teacher, enemy, and soulmate with.

Funny that my soulmate ended on the kid who is playing Claude - Jeanie's unrequited love interest! :)

Lots of good things will happen with this show. I'm excited about how the process is going so far. We have a run-through of Act I this coming Sunday!

Peace.

AV

Vance Birthday Pants

Yay! I was born. Today was ye olde celebration with family, friends, and many a cupcake.

Mom, birthday girls Alison and T

Steeeeeben Boo Bear

"Oh, sorry, we didn't see you. We were toasting. With cupcakes."

Le Ryan, Le Alison, Le Esteven.

YEP. IT'S AN EPIC CUPCAKE TOWER OF WONDERFULLY MAGICAL FANTASTIC-NESS.

Don't be jealous.

California, je t'aime.

AV

Family extravaganza

My parents are in town, which is the best. This morning we went to Mrs. Olsen's for breakfast and had an epic feast... I love breakfast so much... And we sat outside in the lovely morning foggy weather.

The girls! Alison, mom, Tristen

Adorable. Like pulling teeth.

Vance Nation

AV

Jeanie!

All right, my seven faithful readers, it's time to let the sunshine in and rejoice in the hippie era. I will be playing Jeanie in the upcoming production of HAIR at Center Stage Theater this fall! The company I'm performing with is called Out of the Box Theatre Company, and this is their blog: http://outoftheboxtheatre.blogspot.com/

I'm SO STOKED to play Jeanie, the pregnant hippie. After some interesting callbacks where I was given a slide of Sheila and asked to sing her solo piece of the show, I thought there might be a chance I would be asked to play her. But after doing a chorus song with the other actors I think my voice is more needed for the chorus, which Sheila might not sing very much on, I'm not sure... Either way, I'm completely thrilled to be working onstage again!

Thanks for your support and good wishes while I was auditioning!

AV