T.O.W. Homecoming in Pictures

So I posted a rather large album of SMU Homecoming photos on Facebook (70 I think) and I've gotten a rather wonderful response in general from SMU Alum. I'm all warm and fuzzy about it now. More than once, someone let me know the photos helped capture the essence of school spirit and the rich tradition of the Mustang Band, especially during a time when alot of things are changing (or, well, people are trying to change them anyway). The photos made them glad they were there, or wish they could have been.

This means alot. Not only because I seem to have an eye for photography (I'm loving it more and more as a hobby) but because this school means so much to me and to my family; it's nice to be able to capture that essence.

So, here's a bit of a sampling:

T.O.W. We Are A Tomato Farm

Okay, quick FYI about previous post: unless you have heard BOTH sides of the story, each from their respective parties, you are not allowed to have an opinion. And now, a word from our sponsor--

Peter Griffin: "Roadhouse!"

The End

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Okay, so today, CHILI! Or, more specifically, Creative Uses For the Uber Mass Abundance of Late-Fall Tomatoes From the Garden. Seriously. We're picking at least two dozen a day. And last night, after skipping the weekend due to homecoming activities, I had to grab a basket because NINETY TWO tomatoes would not fit in my sweatshirt pockets.

Thank the lord I've been saving those plastic crates strawberries come in, because I have nearly three of them full of cherry and grape tomatoes in the fridge. I mean really, there's only so much chili, sloppy joe mix and salsa we can make. Next step? Canned crushed tomatoes. Or leaving ziploc bags in family members' mailboxes. I'm good with either.

I'm attributing the late crop to the whacked out autumn here in Texas. I mean, it's been in the 80s for nearly a week now, sun shining...and Thanksgiving a mere 3 weeks away, when it's usually butt-ass cold. I mean it. WHACK. Too much rain and too many overcast days in the late summer kept everything from ripening is my guess. And although it's not in the nineties and triple digits anymore, the sunshine is making the tomatoes (and tomatillos) very happy. Positively rosy even (Ha ha.....ha). And it's better than last year when we lost nearly 300 green tomatoes to an early freeze.

So, here's to Tomato Harvest '09. And honey, I hope you like chili! :)

T.O.W. Decisions and No Good Deeds

Well, SMU Homecoming 2009 was a big, fat blast. Even without Pigskin Revue, the school with most spirit I've ever seen hit a grand slam with Homecoming festivities, as usual. More of a write-up to come, but it. was. awesome. I love seeing my dad in his element, with my mom, my brother and I behind him. Not to mention SMU won the game, which means we could be up for a bowl game for the first in, well, an embarassingly-long time. Either way, I feel blessed to be a part of the SMU, and more specifically the Mustang Band, family.

Now I'm spending my Sunday in extreme relaxation, the kind that usually makes me feel guilty. Alas, not today. Bills are paid, groceries are bought and while we have alot to get done between now and the holidays (organizing the library, painting, getting the dogs fixed, decorating for Christmas, etc), I'm attempting to enjoy zoning out.

I'm also making an important decision about the performing part of my life. And it comes, believe it or not, from a happy place. I'm singing live professionally in Dallas, something I've been working toward doing for a long time. I'm on my way to Actor's Union membership, another goal that has risen to the top of the list.

In light of this and a couple less pleasant things, I was faced with the harsh reality recently that I've been putting way too much focus on "belonging" with a group of people I always thought of as friends, in a town where I always thought I had a theatre home. The town still holds sentimental value for me; I met my husband there, as well as made a few friends I will have for the rest of my life. I've also played some great roles, which I'm thankful for. But it will never be my theatre home, and the more I think about it, the more it shouldn't be.

I've learned about friendships of convenience, of the penetrable forces of politics and gossip in a town like this one. Most poignantly, I learned the power of a very simple disadvantage: location, location, location. It's hard to defend oneself in absentia, and since I don't live there I always end up on the defensive, after the locals have had a chance to bitch and moan and gossip and rant. People I though to be friends pass me by for a hug; reception is cool at best; I stop getting even the most casual of invitations, out comes the cold shoulder. And it's pretty damn amazing how someone can be self-servingly, backstabbingly in the wrong and still end up the town hero. It's all in the timing, as I've learned.

But what I really had to ask myself is this: Why do I care so much? Why do I care what they think? Why do I care about getting cast?

The answer to each, I found out, was simple: I don't know.

There is an exception. A big one. Thankfully, probably the most valuable thing I've taken from there (aside from meeting my husband) is my friendship with a local actor-turned playwright I met during West Side Story more than 5 years ago. I love him dearly. His theatre company has been in business for a few years but really started to take off last fall. I starred in one of his groundbreaking productions that landed him an indepth interview and me a cover photo in the local newspaper. Yet I was amazed at two contrasting forces: how little attention and support the company and production (not to mention my friend and us as a cast) received from other local theatre groups at the time; AND within a year, the procedural ass-kissing by previously-uninterested parties now wanting a piece of the proverbial pie.

::sigh::

In some ways, it's great. Hey, he's getting press, that is GREAT. I'm so proud of him and the attention his theatre company is receiving. He deserves it- well, he deserved it a year ago and the year before that, too. And I hope it continues and that I can be a part of it. I couldn't be a part of his production (of his own work no less) this fall due to doctor's orders for vocal rest, and even in that I feel as though I've lost friends. Another round of the cold shoulder, and quite honestly, with all parties, involved I shouldn't be surprised.

In "happier" times, I was asked to be a part of the company's leadership team. I can only hope I can retain at least this. I want him to succeed, and anything I can do to make that happen, I will do. For me, it's not a matter of convenience, or personal promotion or gain.

Aside from this situation, I think I've reach the end of the line. I'm not long for community theatre, not here. Very few have been able to maintain a consistent, well-received cross-over of community theatre there and professional theatre elsewhere. Not without a supreme amount of politics, boot-licking, and climbing over the bodies of others, none of which I'm prepared to do.

I think I made my decision a long time ago. Around the same time I realized, when it comes to "friends", I'm more of a three-strike person than a fool-me-twice person (call it a compromise between being a doormat and a frigid bitch, but I'm kicking myself now). And three strikes they were indeed; no amount of sugar on top can turn some things into good deeds. I've had my fill of losing friends to lies and manipulation, though I'm sure I'm not yet done dealing with the repercussions.

But the decision is made. And it's the right one.

T.O.W. The Diamond M

Well, more details later but the hubby and I spent a wonderful evening at the Diamond M Club (the SMU Mustang Band alumni association) Homecoming Gala. I had way too many gin & tonics but had a blast schmoozing with band alum, all of whom treat us like the First Family. It's flattering and hilarious at the same time. The band was FABulous and even got to hear the new arrangement of Birdland. And it was nice to get "gussied up" in my red and blue and sequins.

Tomorrow festivities start early, and I'lll get to see my dad conduct the band on the field for the first time since he taught there 15 years ago. It's gonna be a great day.

Till later, night-night. "Hubba-hubba"! And beat the hell out of Rice!

T.O.W. I'm Not Bad, I'm Just Drawn That Way

Not bad, no? The ever-talented Cal Slayton created these headers in a rarely-done commission by request of my hubby, the GTF, for my birthday this year. The likeness, I must say it rather awesome, no? And I really can't complain about the, ahem, rest of it. ::sizzle:

There are actually two, so I thought I'd start the rotation with this one.

::grin::

T.O.W. ::Fistpump::

"Stand tall, be proud, oh YEAH!"
- Berkner Ram Band drum major cheer (yes I was a lead nerd)

Ahhhhh...audition DONE. Kicked ASS. Beyond this point, it's out of my control but hot DAMN that rocked! Got to sing two awesome torch songs. The troupe director (who recommended me for the gig, so I have a good leg up in that regard) and the club owner were impressed. One of my songs is a 4-minute Christina Aguilera torch ballad, and he let me rop through the whole thing.

I got to sing on the stage with a great sound system, complete with mic and spotlight. Even though my troupe director was running the show, I gave the club owner my new business card and called it a day. Triple WOOT!

Now, I'm gearing up for SMU Homecoming Weekend (I even pulled out my favorite tshirt and SMU sweatpants)- it's always a big to-do at my alma mater. My dad is back involved with the university and band again (he conducted the marching and jazz bands for nearly 20 years, right up through my freshmen year there). I grew up with the band (including a wonderful guy I just did the Frank Sinatra show with) so homecoming festivities are always a blast for me and my family.

Tomorrow night I'll see Dad conduct the alumni band rehearsal. Then there's a Friday luncheon at Snuffer's and the Diamond M Gala Friday night. THEN a full day of boulevard activities followed by the big game (one of the ONLY times I enjoy football...or...sports, period). The nostalgia is irresistible, getting lost in the sea of red and blue, doing all the cheers, sitting with the band in the stands and singing along every time they celebrate a touchdown with the fight song.

The Mustang Band's music arranger is someone I've known I was a kid and he does jazz arrangements and audition cuts for me from time to time. And the band's rousing jazz rendition of songs such as West Side Story's Maria are uh-mazing. This band was the first one I ever sang live with and it's always a blast to hear them play...and to see how happy my dad is when he's conducting again. Music makes up a big part of who he is, and I know how much he misses it and his extended family there, a family who has welcomed him back (well all of us, really) with open arms.

Needless to say, I'm a wee bit looking forward to it (I know, shocker).

T.O.W. I Sing Naughty Songs

Ah, Tuesdays. Yeah...they're...well, there's really nothing to say about them.

Relaxing evening actually. Grocery shopping done, workout done. I'm keeping an eye on the dachshunds (all 4 of them) wrestle on the living room floor as I sit here still in my Pilates workout clothes and watch Black Dahlia. Perhaps not the best of James Ellroy's books turned into a film but still damn good crime noir.

Before Pilates, I was singing for the first time in about 3 weeks. Let's just say my belt has enjoyed the rest but it glad to be back. I am on doctor-prescribed vocal rest, which for a singer, well, quite obviously sucks the very worst kind of eggs. So why singing? Well, while I am under strict orders to refrain from anything more than an hour of performing/singing a week, I've been saving it up for my work as a Chanteuse.

"Wha' happen", you say?

As I briefly mentioned in the past couple posts, I landed a gig (through a long and rather delicious string of coincidences and knowing the right poeple) as the Chanteuse (professional torch/jazz singer for the layman) for a local burlesque. They're basically DFW's version of the Pussycat Dolls but with a bit more class. They do a true-to-form vaudeville burlesque show on a usually-weekly basis; I sing between dances, sometimes for dances and also do a bit of emcee work. I get to sing all my favorite jazz tunes and lavish torch ballads (and a little Kander & Ebb), shake my ass a little and work the crowd. It's immensely refreshing: me, music, microphone and the audience. They're a sexy, sweet, talented group of girls. And it's fabulous to have an outlet where I can use my pinup look and, hey, the extra cash ain't shabby. Not to mention there's something hot about your husband watching you shake your booty and sing sexy songs in a lowcut dress. ;)

I've been doing the gig regularly since September (after a trial run in August that served as my audition) and we're gearing up for the Christmas show and holiday fundraising events. Probably the most exciting thing is how it's leading to other gigs around town. Tomorrow I audition for variety show in Mockingbird Station. I'd be singing and emceeing the show, and the troupe's director recommended me to the venue owner. YAY!

So, long story longer, I've spent this evening polishing up three songs to sing for tomorrow's audition, for which I must show up in full "gussied-up" mode. So send wishes for many broken legs.

In other performing news, I have a couple auditions coming up for shows that start rehearsals after the new year. It looks like I'll be getting back into a local REP company I've been away from for a few years. And I'll be making my second appearance in a local singing showcase for DFW actors.

What makes me feel old if how tired just writing about all of this makes me. :) Ah, well. The show must go on.

T.O.W. The Pinup

When I was first hired as a full-time troupe chanteuse, I came up with a burlesque stage name that I use for all the gigs (each girl has one, too). Along with that, I decided to take on the pinup look for good when I'm onstage as part of my persona. The GTF has been great in documenting the look, and we're having a lot of fun with it. And so I give thanks to the god of pin curls, red lipstick, and a good tailor. :)

T.O.W. The Bounty

Just a little "final results" on the Babs/GTF Garden, Year Five. Well, probably not final results as we have a good 300 tomatoes and 200 tomatillos still ripening out there. But it's been a bountiful year for sure.

And more chances for me to use the Pentax's quite awesome macro setting. :)

T.O.W. The Photo Recap

My lazy way of catching up on this neglected blog with photos. Yeah. So sue me.



Nasty Naughty Boy: Perhaps my greatest accomplishment this year was landing a permanent gig with a local burlesque troupe. Talk about right place at right time (well, and the right people and okay, I sing kinda purty). Not only are there regular bi-weekly gigs, but now I'm being recommended for holiday shows and variety shows around town. I get to dress like a pinup, ooze sexy, and sing all my favorite songs without the bullsh*t politics and backstabbing green-eyed monsters.



Annie In the Wings: I did 'Annie' yet again. I'm still trying to make up for the fact that I never played my original dream role as a child. I still need to play Lily St. Regis, and at the rate I'm going I'm sure I'll come upon som drag version where I'll get to play Rooster and Daddy Warbucks too.


Empire State Kiss: The hubs and I headed to NYC for a second year in a row in June. Nearly two weeks this time, split nicely between relaxing upstate and spending time with friends (the lovely Miss Brooks and my opera singer friend Slammy) in the city. Oh yeah. And shows. Duh.



Reach For the Sky: It's the fifth year for our fruit, veggie and herb garden. In one word? THRIVING.



Part I - Sinatra My Way: I ventured into yet another local theatre in DFW to do what I love best: sing jazz. Alot of jazz. People noticed. People liked it. Well, the people that matter anyway.

Part II- The Other Woman: I took on yet another naughty character role (typecast much? Yep. Love it.) as The Woman in Death of a Salesman. I was recommended for the role by a former castmate, and came in with a mere 4 rehearsal before opening the show. It gave me the chance to get back into the REP in my hometown (it's been 7 years since I was a member) and make some great new friends.



And Your Little Dog Too: We lost our pom, Sam this fall. And we decided to add to the brood (yep we're crazy) with a wire hair dachsie named Elphaba (Elphie for short). Nevermind that Wicked is my favorite musical but she looked so much like Toto I couldn't help myself.



This Jacko Will Eat You: I ventured even more into pumpkin carving this year. After looking over a couple of online tutorials, I took a shot. And I gotta say- not too shabby. BOO!



Happy Halloween, ya'll! So...um, yeah. YES. That just about sums it up