Halloween 2005 pics!

Halloween party was a success. Totally different than last year, and I can't decide which I liked better. I guess last year the fun was more enjoyable throughout the whole evening (and into breakfast the next day!) but this year I definitely had more guests...I mean, over 50 came, I believe, if not more! Anyway, it's after 5am. I closed shop at 3am, strolled to another party for about 30 minutes, got a 15 minute pizza snack, and came back here. Clean up looks pretty ok (I cleaned before the party, so that's good) as we are all adults and can avoid spilling tons of stuff everywhere. It's amazing what a little during-the-party-cleaning will do to help later on. I just have a sink full of dishes to do, some vacuiming and rearranging, and it'll be back to Lowa-ville. More tomorrow morning with pics. If I don't get into bed now, it'll be morning.

Another note

I've been upset with some of my NY City friends--well, just one. I know it's strange to put it on the blog, as I don't think they read this, but wanted to type it before I give a call.

"Today I dreamed of friends I had before
and wonder why the ones who care don't call anymore
My feelings hurt
but you know I overcome the pain
And I'm stronger now
there can't be a fire unless there's a flame"
(Seal)

"It comes down to reality
and it's fine with my 'cause I've let it slide
Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I've left them all behind
I'm in a New York state of mind"
(Billy Joel)

Random thoughts

It's been another interesting week. Tomorrow will just zoom by without Opera Lit, so I feel like it's practically the weekend!

I'm ready with my costume for the party, and I've purchased all of the food and drinks (ouch, my wallet hurts). I'm pretty psyched, and just hope I get a good turn out. I'm fighting with the closing night of the opera and also zillions of other parties, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. I know that most people won't be showing up until midnight or so, and I hope that I'm still awake enough and sober enough to pay attention to everything (this punch I'm making looks like it's going to be really good...) :)

I'm also really looking forward to seeing other people in costume. I had a dream the other night that I was dressed and ready to go (my outfit is a little scandalous...) and nobody else wore a costume. Eek. That would be quite mortifying. So, send me hints as to what creatures will be showing up so I feel a little more confident. Haha.

I've met a few new interesting people this week, and I'm looking forward to seeing where things may go. I'll leave it at that for now, maybe more later. We'll see in the weeks to come.

What other random things do I have to say? My heat is now on in the apartment. I read my last blog, and I gave myself a few weeks. Haha. What a joke. It'll be off for the party, guaranteed, but back on until March or April, probably.

I've been revisiting Seal's first album recently, and I really do enjoy it. Kiss from A Rose is actually one of my least favorite songs--the others are just much more enjoyable and the texts seem to capture me.

I guess I'm pretty dull today--just wanted to spill out my thoughts. I'm eager to go home for Thanksgiving--really excited about being with Leanne and her family. Thanksgiving with only 2 people just doesn't cut it.

Off to make some dinner--finally meeting up with Kaia tonight after her masterclass--I've missed her! I definitely need more time with all my friends, I feel like we've been way too busy recently to get together. Maybe once the main auditions, concerts, and operas of the fall season are over, we can all take a breath and relax a bit.

It's officially fall. The weather is crisp, the air is clear, and it smells like wood and smoke. The trees have burst into hundreds of different colors, and trudging in the leaves makes a beautiful autumn sound. I walked home today, and really tried to take in all of the wonderful images nature offered. I know I sound completely ridiculous, but just peer out your window--a few glances should allow you the same experience.

...Granted, in a few weeks I'll have the heat turned on, be wearing my flannel pjs (wishing they made ones with booties for adults) and drinking hot tea or cocoa almost every night. I'll have to find something to use to insolate the bottom of my sliding glass door (I used cotton stuffed pants last year, as I couldn't find any of those snake-looking insulators) and will complain about how upset I am that I don't have a fireplace.

...walking today I remembered all the times as a kid that we would rake the lawn (at least 2 times a season) and how I would jump into the big leaf piles and bury myself, making my parents laugh, and then we'd have to rake all over again (this was pre-lyme disease mania). We would come back into the house, blisters on our hands, sweaty and tired, and have hot cocoa or cider, maybe watch a movie, or make some homemade chicken noodle soup. So many great family moments in the cooler weather, and I miss them.

...You know, today I actually thought that it would be sad to live near an ocean because you'd miss all this autumn splendor. For those of you that know how very much I love the beach, particularly at sunset when all the colors blend in the horizon like a bold watercolor painting--this was a huge realization. I guess I always knew that I loved living where I could experience all of the seasons, but nature is doing really well this year with it's display. I'm hoping when time comes for the next display, they'll be enough snow here so I can make a Calvin and Hobbes snowman on my balcony :)

Well, I suppose that's enough ranting for now. Sometimes you just want to spill out all of the thoughts in your head, but it's not simply enough to write them down on a piece of paper that nobody will read...

Single

again. This last relationship ended as quickly as it started, and though I can't say I'm totally surprised, I was willing to give it a shot.

Top ten list
Why it's great being single:

#10-Not worrying about looking good for anyone else but yourself

#9-You can be antisocial and nobody will think that you don't like them

#8-Being really flirty won't offend anyone

#7-More concentrated focus on school work and practicing

#6-Your friends don't have to try to be friendly with someone they don't know

#5-You can watch a movie and eat all the popcorn by yourself

#4-more time for yourself

#3-you're afraid of commitment anyway

#2-No overanalyzing about what they said versus what they actually mean

#1-More time with all of the awesome friends who love you no matter what :)

The trouble with Halloween this year

is that I don't know when to have my party! I was originally going to have it Friday night, but Adonis will be in Chicago for the evening. I can't have a party without Adonis! Not to mention that it's the opera both Friday and Saturday nights, so a lot of people either won't come, or will not be able to come until 11:30pm. Alas, I feel like I'm stuck in a rut. Having it Thursday wouldn't work either, as people have class Firday, and unless people skip class Monday and I cancel my lesson, looks like having it Sunday night won't work out.

Alas, I think the Lowa Halloween fest is going to have to be on Saturday. I know some people have early church gigs (get a sub!), and there is another party that night...I beg Susan's forgiveness because she's going to have to split up the parties. Can't have a party without Susan either! It's just bad timing for Halloween this year. :(

So, party Saturday night, starting at 10pm? That means I should say it starts at 9 so some people get there at 10. That's always a little crazy. I'm planning on snack foods, and some halloween punch with a major punch to it! Also hot cider for those who need to steer clear from intoxication. Costumes absolutely necessary, particularly because I'm taking a risk and going quite scandalously this year...I think I'll have to close my eyes! Haha. Perhaps more gronk will happen, maybe new games. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Please email/call me with ideas--I really want this to be a success.

The Lowanatrix...

What I find absolutely amazing is the intensity with which I become NYC-nostalgic when I hear tunes I've heard played at Cafe Wha? I think perhaps it is due to the fact that music is for me the strongest pandora box for memories. Each time I hear something that has been played at Cafe Wha? I am brought back to one of my fun evenings, where the music was unbelievably loud, my table was filled with close friends, and we could reach out and touch up to three of the musicians in the band. So, right now my digital cable is playing Pearl Jam's "Better Man", and one of the musicians from the band, Brian, would just crank out these songs and you would just sit there and stare, amazed. All of the musicians in the band are incredible, and I'm looking forward to getting back there again. I know that I always mention Cafe Wha?, but it's for good reason. If you find yourself in NYC for an audition or such, stop by Cafe Wha? Wed.-Sun. nights for a great time. (if you like, grab a drink or two before going, as the drinks are costly and the cover gets added to your tab), and wear earplugs if you need your hearing over the next two days. Oh, dear Cafe Wha, I love you. You can find them here: Cafe Wha?

Dear Sunday,

Why is it that you stare at me from across the room starting the time I leave my last class Thursday until I meet you three days later? Also, is it neccesary to taunt me with so many things I need to do when all I want to do is sleep through you? I bet if you had a little chat with Monday, and told him to take a few vacations, you would look a lot better. You should get on that.

Laura

This morning I ran to the grocery store to get some pancake mix and milk, and discovered a wonderful thing--Kroger nearly empty at 7:30am. I mean, I figured that it would be empty, but it was clean and quiet and there were no lines...ahhh. Almost makes me want to go grocery shopping at 7:30am from now on.

Anyhow, that was just a thought of the day. Things here have been going pretty well. This week I've been a lot more relaxed, and the days just zoom by. It has been pointed out that drinking a huge cup of cappuccino every morning might be the equivalent of snorking cocaine, but I figure for now I'm safe, and am happily enjoying my morning beverage. If I just happen to be too cheery for most of you in the morning, I'll just be balancing out those less caffiene-fortunate :)

Well, I'm off to practice for my scene run though this morning. Lunch at Siam House at noon, with Adonis and Garth, then I will start my halloween outfit search...anyone want to go to the mall with me (ick, I know. Mall is such a dirty word).

Weeks this semester just go by too fast. I have no idea what time warp I'm stuck in, but please get me out. Actually, take me out only for the weekends, and during practice time. :)

10 highlights from this week, in random order:

1-I've spent way too much time on my Song Lit. listening assignments. The first one took just about 1 hour, they've bumped up to 2.5 or 3. Maybe even more. Bleech.(well, that wasn't a highlight, obviously)

2-This weather has been gorgeous. Yesterday I did my work here with all my windows open, in my bikini. Ahhh.

3-Caught up with Adonis after a long (few day) hiatus :) It was great to talk over chinese food, at our usual table at Great Wall.

4-Dinner with Susan last night, more good chatting (particularly about planning the Lowa Halloween fest)

5-More time with Garth. :)

6-Zuckowski missed Opera Lit tuesday, we had the day off!

7-Finally did the doll song in class. Moved around like a crazy nut, technique gave out slightly. Overall I made it through, but it's gonna need lots more work before Oct. 21st.

8-my cappuccino making is now pretty solid. Yes! Soon I'll order actual espresso beans from Caffe Trieste.

9-roughly quoting from Effron: "Being humble is different than being modest. You can't be modest in this business, but you should be humble."

10-Looking forward to a short camping trip this weekend.