You know things in Iraq must be getting back to normal when this happens...

Iraqi prostitutes back on the streets after Saddam

Werk it grrrls!

I realized recently that most of my closer friends are female. Sure, there are a few close males, but for the most part, most of the people I'd call friends are chicks. And really, some of those male friends are really female underneath. I wonder why that is. Perhaps, it stems from my school days when most every boy I became friends with betrayed me in some very minor or quite major way. What's weird, or interesting depending on your point of view, is that I've always been a little girl-shy. I didn't really date much. A few of the girls I crushed on became friends because I didn't want to embarrass myself and tell them "Hey I think I love you. *giggle*" Of course, the one's I did express my feelings to strangely are not in my life anymore. That's something to think about with a few glasses of wine... The first girl I had a serious relationship with I ended up marrying.

Not that I mind having chicks for friends. I just wish one or two of them liked football...

It's been quite a fun-filled busy few days. Friday was the possible exception, only because I was at work on a normal off day. But that was how we planned it so I could have Sunday off. On Saturday, I declared my days of playing furry animals on stage to be over. Aladdin's run ended without much fanfare, but I like to think that's because of the groups' comradery. We became a tightly-knit group of friends doing this show, so the last show wasn't so much of a "good-bye" as a "see ya real soon." I have no doubt that many of us will continue to hang out and plan group activities. I miss them already. Sunday, we held our cast party. Poinsettas and Mimosas. Not the flowers. Some "girlie-drinks" are really good. I'm still not sure about the lockes and bagels. Usually, when a show come to an end, my emotions crash. But this time, it wasn't too bad. Then again, how much lower on the emotional-scale can I get? Heh... Yeah, I've been feeling the hands of depression slowly squeeze around me for a few weeks now. Focus on the positive, ML... the positive...

Anyway, one of the local playhouse's is auditioning for Guys and Dolls. I really wanted to try out for that show. Musical theatre is one thing that bring joy to my life. Positives. So, yesterday I go to audition. A few acting buddies and aquiantences were there and we sat together. Apparently, the director was doing the singing audition last night. I had my song prepared. I was going to sing "Your Song" by Sir Elton John as arranged by the wonderful folks who produced Moulin Rouge.

After sitting though several wonderful auditions and many horrid ones, my turn was up. As I walked onto the stage, I kept telling myself to imagine I was just in the shower singing the song, or in my car. I introduced myself and the song I was about to sing, then got into position to start. After taking a few deep breaths, I nailed the first line "My gift is my song". Despite my obvious nervousness - my hands were shaking - I continued on to the next line "and this one's for you." I could feel everyone's eyes upon me; they were impressed with my voice. I continued, trying not to look anyone in the eyes, instead focusing on a point in the air. That point would be the "Satine" I was singing my love song to.

Auditioning for a complete group of strangers can be a very agonizing thing. Even though I have sung that song thousands of times, even though I know and have been told I am a great singer and have a great voice, it's still very difficult to stand up in front of 100 strangers. Just as I started to relax, it happened - I blanked on a line. As I fumbled to get through the song, the director cut me off and said "That's ok, we know you can sing." A-ha! Despite the flub-up, I had indeed impressed them. How ironic life can be! I realized a little while later the line I flubbed on was And some of these verses, they got me quite cross..." You gotta love the irony.

In the end, I was offered a chorus part, but they reherse on Sundays and I can't get my work schedule rearranged enough to accomidate. So, I will be calling the director later to tell her I can't do it. Ah, it's all for the best. I'll miss not doing the show, but there will be other shows.

As a rule, I don't mind staying late to finish up a project. But my other rule is, if you can't leave by 5:30pm, then you're not doing your job right. Really, I don't mind staying an extra hour or so to put the finishing touches on a project. Of, if the edit system crashes at 5pm, I don't mind staying to fix it.

My department is ordering lunch today - a first day of sweeps tradition - and a co-worker said that they might as well order supper, too. Apparently, they are thinking we will all be so busy as to warrent working untl 8 or 9pm. I don't think so. At least, I know I won't be. Maybe 6:30pm at the latest for me, and that's only because I got booted out the edit room while someone much slower to edit than me trys to figure out how the system works. I've only explained how to copy a video file from one job to another about 1000 times. That's not an exaggeration. A million would have been.

Presently, I have about 4 projects that are all due by tomorrow. Two need to be done today. All will be finished on time without having to stay ungodly late. I don't mean to come off as arrogent, but I know what my strengths are and efficiency is one of them. Speed with quality. Confidence in my work skills. That's the key.

While I wait for someone to learn to use the machines more efficiently, I think I'll send people voo-doo curses...

It's about bloody god-damn time. Shares of Everything Grey are now ready to be traded in Blogshares. Going price is rather cheap, but that's expected - only 27 cents per share.

If you use your turn signal, the reward will be me letting you in. If you don't use your turn signal, fuck off. Goddamn Houston drivers...

Only one last day of being a sweaty camel. Then, I swear I will never EVER be a furry animal in a play again! (and I'll stop talking about it) Up next, Guys and Dolls, hopefully.

I noticed you have been wearing the earrings and necklace I bought you a while ago. I didn't say anything, but I did notice. You were still wearing them this morning as you slept. Kooky how they match the ring.

Perhaps I should change the i-mood indictator more often. I am not nearly as aggrivated as that thing makes me out to be... Of course, I don't know if depressed is a better option...