Due to heavy volume of mail (thanks, Ehrmie) asking about my living situations on the road, it seems appropriate to give a brief summation of how I travel, now that I've actually left Orange Park, FL.

I know... you're all dying to find out... what's my bus like???

In a word... or few... so much better than yours!!! (Or rather, the cast's). There is a really good reason for this, however, so I don't see any reason why I shouldn't gloat. The cast always stays in a hotel. The crew, on the other hand, often has to sleep on the bus because we will load out from one city and drive straight to the next to load in 10 hours later. For instance, next week we have 6 cities in 7 days. The bus will be my abode, as well as the abode for 10 other people. It. is. awesome.

You walk onto the bus and into the front lounge. It's got tan leather couches, a flat-screen tv, satellite cable, 2 mini-fridges, a microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, bathroom (walnut paneling!) and a fully-stocked bar. Emphasis on the bar. (Side note: before we moved onto the bus, we were asked what kind of drinks we wanted, and we were told to aim high. No shortage of Maker's Mark or Belvedere on this ride).

Once you pass through the front lounge, you're in the sleeper bay. 12 bunks, 3 high, 2 across, full length and slightly narrower than a twin; each one comes equipped with sockets, lights, and a fold-down flat screen tv for dvds or the satellite cable.

The back lounge is basically the same as the front lounge, minus the kitchen. Plus the booze.

You can be sure that every night, after the show, while the crew is getting onto our bus, the entire coach bus full of actors is watching our every step, crying on the inside. Overall, it's a good setup.

FIRST PREVIEW TONIGHT!!!

The show is really cute, the wigs are hot, and I'm working with a pretty bad-ass crew. All's well :)

We load out tomorrow after the matinee and hit the road. We're driving all night to Raleigh, N.C. to arrive and check into the hotel Sunday morning. And then... we have Sunday off. UNBELIEVABLE.

not to belabor the point...

Made me grin like a fat kid in a lollipop field.

LITERARY CANDY!

puppies and peace.

I didn't vote. It's true. I've never voted, in fact. I can't seem to elicit the importance, the necessity within myself to just register and do the good American deed. So it goes without saying that I don't have the privilege of voicing my opinion, good or bad. Actually, I'm going to go ahead and say that I'm not giving myself the privilege to opine on the choices that our future president will make.

So I'll use President-Elect Obama's words. Change has come to America.

What a fine day.

Happy Halloween!!!

Ever the Conceptualist, my costumes in recent years have had multiple layers. In college I was a Charlie's Angel (first photo). Okay, not so conceptual. While at PCPA in Santa Maria, I was a Black Russian. Not so much the drink, but a Russian dressed in Black (middle photo). I realize 3 photos (er, 2 and a half?) does not a Conceptualist prove, but I couldn't find any more. Bear with me.

The third picture is from last Friday night. I dug up some luggage zippers (to get that nice grim chrome) and found these feather eyelashes that were to die for. Literally... because... I was dressed as... dun dun dun... Zippy the Clown's Widow. I "scene-d" out my hair (there are actually videos on youtube that show you how to style your hair like a scenester. Check it out here). I wore my contacts (shocking!) and wriggled into some black cabaret-caliber clothes. Black hot pants, plaid tights, cord vest. Cowboy boots. And the mystery I know you're all dying to de-frag... how are those zippers... on there? A lady never tells.

And the reason why we do this at all... the source of the thrill, that intense gratification not unlike the act of eating a Butterfinger, is... it's so fun to dress up like a crazy person.

And, I scared the crap out of the orphans.
Mission Accomplished!