Sunday, November 15, 2009

Pat and Alex got married yesterday!

And it was awesome.

Time stood still yesterday and a bunch of friends I have had for 8+ years all gathered in one room, full of genuine joy and celebration, and we partied. I loved every moment.

Life has changed so much in the last three years. It didn't feel like it last night though.
Feeling pretty full of love and gratitude today....




Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Cannot even handle it.


My nephews rock my socks. I love them! Look at how fantastic they looked on Halloween! And how much do we love seeing Lex's giraffe costume getting a second life?

Luci even said "it was an extravagant splurge for such a silly holiday. I am so glad to see it used again!" And if I do say so myself, Logan has added a giraffe stank face to this costume that has truly upped his level of credibility. Oh no! I've fallen into theater speak! I must away!

Friday, October 30, 2009

I wanna be there...with the sweaty people...


I MISS MY HOT YOGA.

It's stupid. I'm so busy. I have so much on my plate. Too much to even really think about overly much before breathing becomes difficult.

And all I want is to go stretch and sweat profusely and experience that awesome calm that only shivasana gives you.

Sometimes I hate Mankato.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Got some headshots today...Whaddya think?

Well with the exception of this first shot, which is to commemorate two things--Mom making 60 look like a dream and the 10 years later shot from my first headshot shoot in Dallas--these are the favorites so far. Another two things to note: 1. My advisor Fino did these photos in an hour, outside around Mankato FOR FREE. He was so good and so professional. 2. These are probably the best pictures I have every seen of me--that actually look like me. It was a ton of fun and will be really helpful for my website (coming 1.1.10) and gigs. So leave a comment if you stop by! You can do it anonymously! Which shot do YOU like? Love to all!


Friday, October 9, 2009

It's a curious time...

I love fall. I really do. And I am feeling good. I really am.

I am doing the Phantom's Feast next week, start Rocky rehearsals the next week and have the first draft of Virgin Territory due the week after that.

That's plenty to do, to be sure. I could be freaking out...and I kinda am about the last part of that list...but mainly, I am just feeling perpetually grateful to know how my bills are getting paid and to be guaranteed to do theater for eight more months. I am job-hunting with a vengeance and I know how hard it is out there. So mainly...I'm just happy that right now, I am taken care of.

And it's all so curious to me...hmmmm....

What in the world does the future look like for me?
A hint maybe?

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Nostalgic Nikki? ...THAT'S weird...

3 Things have inexplicably rendered me to tears in the last 48 hours...and I am nowhere near my period. Instead, happy memories are making this bizarre thing happen.

1. I watched the original Fame. As I watched it, I had these vivid feelings of being a little girl being baby-sat as my parents went out on a date night, and my brother and I would watch Fame and then Footloose on Saturday nights. We were happily entertained and perfectly happy.

2. Then I went to the new Fame which I could not even begin to tell you if it's a good movie or not. Instead I relived the moments I had attending my own arts high school and then the beautiful moments I had teaching at a different perfectly wonderful arts high school. I cried as a student, I cried as a teacher...but I'm not sure if I ever cried for the movie or the characters within it. Weird, huh?

3. I finally watched the last Rent performance on DVD tonight. After 12 years on B'way, Rent fell victim to the economy like so many other New York staples, closing Sept. 7 2008. I've had this DVD for quite some time and have been meaning to watch it...and I don't know why I haven't. I was such a freakin' Rent-head in high school! Those of you who read this blog and knew me then, can testify to this. I saw this show for the first time on its first national tour, 1 week before Richard told me he had AIDS and Densil and Randy smuggled me into my first gay bar for my first Pride. I have since seen the show at least 6-8 times, I think, and I love it every time. I HATE the movie. But the stage show... it changed me. I watched the final curtain call tonight for the first time and LOST MY SHIT. I cried and cried. Because? Because I felt so much gratitude for having had Rent in my life these last dozen years, I became overwhelmed.

Then Micah called me and told me he had just watched Streisand's Hello, Dolly! for the first time and he was about to watch Sister Act for the first time--and I had so many wonderful memories come flooding back at those too (!!!).
Nostalgia everywhere. It's weird. I couldn't love musical theatre more right now if I tried. Gratitude everywhere. So blessed. So many blessings every day...

And yup, I'm about to go there...ready?.... you sure?...

No day but today, my loves.

Except that yesterday was pretty fantastic.
And tomorrow is sure to be beautiful as well. :)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Nikki's in another show y'all

Rocky Horror Show!
That'd be me on the right. I figured I can't dance around in slutty clothing on stage after age 30 so this may be my last shot! Will the parents...or rather, the Doug....be invited? Jury's still out.
Wish me and my knee luck in this dance-heavy role!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Can you even handle it?


I could not love these boys more if I tried. They literally make my heart goo out in a way that should be illegal for a brooding artist like myself. But I can't help it. I love them with wild abandonment and can't go longer than a month without running to them--I don't care where they live or how poor the timing is or how much I have to do--right around week 2 the craving begins, plans are made by week 3 and week 4 I'm on my way to become "Hawtee Kiki." Let me tell you, Hawtee Kiki is the best version of me there is. She is all laughter and love and silly time.

And then everything is restored. The glass is half full. The tint of my glasses morph to rose. And I return to my life....for 3-4 more weeks. :)

And yes, I bought them that T-shirt.
Because their auntie DOES rock.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

I fell in love with Minneapolis again. What a fantastic city...