Holiday Times

Despite the "Blizzard '09" scare last week, I made it to California Christmas Eve. Not a snowflake in that sunset sky. Thanks, Southwest!

Sweet, soft, crisp California.

Mmm, home.

Takin' Care of Bidness

It happened!! I auditioned for Cirque du Soleil. F.U.N. A full day workshop, started with 25 people with cuts throughout the day. I made it all the way to the last cut, was told I generally rock, but there's nothing for me right now. It was a great talk, and I felt great about it.

Since it was only 3pm, we didn't have to rush to our flight, so we went into Chicago and got...
Deep Dish Pizza!!!!! So HUGE and delicious.

Good times had by all.

Meanwhile, I was dog-sitting for 2 weeks and completely fell in love with Adele.

Look at that FACE. This is what I woke up to for 2 weeks. It's called Love. Snuggly love. This dog SPOONED me. No joke.
I miss her so much now!

Oh, and before Chicago, we opened the Holiday Pageant!!

Teuful, Lucifer's lowest minion. (photo larry@lamb.com)
Matin, lowly angel bright, with Gabriel! (photo larry@lamb.com)

Olympic Shape

Woodstock is my coach. I have to be in OLYMPIC SHAPE now, and for the next month. If I can keep it up longer, awesome. All I ask is a month.

We open The Holiday Pageant next week, and I still have a LOT of work to do. Do some more text work, rehearse, concentrate. Taking the week off from temping will help with that.

ALSO, on December 8th, I am auditioning for Cirque du Soleil. Oh yes I am.

A day workshop, the longer you stay the better, and I HAVE to kick ass. No option there.

It's not even about getting a job, it's about being proud, showing them the best I can do.

Let's Do Dis.

Tendres et Complices

This week, Papa was sworn in as an American Citizen in San Francisco. I keep going back and forth thinking it's a big deal and not. On one hand, it's just paperwork, formalities, like marriage. But, like marriage, it's a big deal, a great commitment!!
Papa et Maman got married in New York in 1972, when his visa was expiring. Sure, it was a formality but I don't think there is a couple more in love than my parents.
Now he is joining his nuclear family in being a dual citizen, French and American. A formality, yes but a pride, a devotion - a kind of marriage.
Here they are, Papa et Maman, in San Francisco. They sent the iPhone shot to the whole family and my cousin called them "tendres et complices." Which is exactly what they are. 37 years of marriage, 2 children, a move across the world and everything in between, and this photo could have been taken in the 70s, at the time of their budding love.
I should be so lucky to find a love half as good as theirs. One day.

Meanwhile, I'm in Minneapolis, dressing up as a 60s entertainer, schmoozing at a theatre fundraiser. Temping, auditioning, rehearsing, living my life. Busy, busy, busy.
And proud of my family.

Jet Settoh

Whirlwind traveling. This time, New York CitAY.
Here I am being a dork in Central Park. With my Starbucks. Classy.

Now I am back in Minneapolis, which actually, oddly feels like home, and I'm hitting the ground running. Temping, auditions, shows, friends, it's all here.

4 Wheels

Fortune Cookie was right!!
Here she is! I have a car. And there she is parked, outside, and it's SNOWING. Have you ever felt snow, little California car?
I am free, FREE! Free to go to auditions, far away temp jobs, you name it.

Delicious

In French, Succulent means delicious.
In Berkeley this week, breathing the delicious air and being with my delicious family.
So here's my idea: Twin Cities theatre & arts scene, community feeling, and affordability + Bay Area weather, culture, and weather = Utopia. Make it happen?

No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Super Monkey, closing day. Last day of having a blast on stage with this weird animal. Definitely going to go through major withdrawal this week. Amazing cast, amazing adventure. As usual, learning that I have so much more to learn. All the time, learning.

Theatre Prom

Monday night was the Iveys!

Things:
Greta Ogelsby makes me cry when she sings.
I am an idiot for not forcing more DUMMY shots in the Open Eye slideshow. Lesson learned.
Sarah Agnew's Syringa Tree was beat out 2 years in a row by other one-woman shows. What the?
Maman's 1960's tablecloth dress was a success. Even without fixing the hem.
As were the $2 Jeune Lune high heels.
Continuing the "living a lie/living the dream" streak by painting Sue's basement during the day in exchange for a Iveys ticket. (This weekend I sold brats at OktoberFest wearing a "Schnitzel Happens" T-shirt at the same time as opening a show at the Guthrie)
A good evening had by all.

Super Trailer

Trailer for Super Monkey!! Opens next week.
If you are in Minneapolis, come see me and then we can have a fancy drink at the fancy Guthrie!
www.guthrietheater.org

Booth Love

Dizzy day. Migraine last night. Drug-induced daze today. So what does the unemployed and broke girl do? Look at photography websites. This one is from squareamerica.com. That's what I missed out on at the Minnesota State Fair, photobooths! Now I have to wait until next year...

Budget

Emails, Accounts, Budgets, Planning. That's today.
And not forgetting to floss.
Surprisingly, I'm handling. As in, not breaking down.
If you keep telling yourself that it's all going to be okay, it becomes true, right?

End of Summer

Had my last week with the Boys. (Above is a shot of Eli and Vince)
Summer's over?
Henry drew this. I have a red cape on and I'm Super Elise. Which is awesome.
Best part is that Fred got a hold of the drawing and chewed off the Super Elise part, and I had to tape it back.
Gus's favorite thing all summer was when we went to Brueggers for lunch to have bagels. Quite fitting.

Getting Stuff Done

Wow, feeling sick is over. That, was hell.
I made up for my last weekend in bed by getting shit done this weekend. Mainly, helping Michael and Sue make press packets and picking up DVDs and all that good stuff to try to get DUMMY to tour the world!
This just in: I am getting a car. Like, one of my very own. The budget is going to be tight, but it's going to be so good.
So, so good.

Sick

Third day of being in bed. Strep throat sucks.
Ok so in terms of pain, it doesn't compare to migraines, but being woken up every 10 minutes by my own swallowing, I could do without.

R.I.P.

Somebody stole my Schwinn Breeze.
Sad Clown.

Fred

The Boys and their family got a PUPPY!
Now I take care of a 6 yr old (human), an 8 yr old (human), and a 10 week old (dog)!!!
Is it ok if I take care of the puppy more than the kids?
The whole litter was named after Flinstones characters. They got Fred.

Surreal

Insane week. Back with the Boys, getting a lesson in teaching lessons.
Running into SuperMario in the Light Rail.
Editing the DUMMY teaser video to get in to festivals and tour the world.
Opening Comedy of Errors at the Mpls Fringe Festival.
Staying up til crazy-late when I know better.

Bills

They make me feel like this.

Real Saturday

Went to the Minneapolis Farmer's Market for the first time.

Baby Bok Choy

Mmm, mini cucumbers

Don't know what those are...

Then I hung out with the cats on my street.
Lately I've been wanting a cat.
Felt good to feel the purring under my hand.

Stop Motion

I was inspired by the Momentum Dance shows at the Southern Theatre tonight.
I want to make stuff.
Here's one Stuff.
I used stills, I think I want to play with video next.
Good night!

18 Years

This is us 18 years ago in Heudreville, France, having a going-away party right before moving to the States.

We moved 18 years ago today.
Nice bangs, Elise.
(photo by Betty)

And this is us posing for a Happy 2006 greeting at home in Berkeley, CA.
Has it really been that long? Can't tell if it feel like yesterday, or if we've practically been here forever. I guess it's 100% both.
(photo by camera timer)

Summer

Summer in Minneapolis. So busy, and lovin' it.
Chantal took the shot of me at Cedar Lake, on the 4th of July. The definition of happy - I have my red dress on, my Bell & Howell camera case, and a bowl of cherries. (also known as "Life")

Shifting Gears

Mason and Gus attack.
Wood Lake Nature Center.

The Boys are out of town for the next two weeks, so I'm getting ready for a new routine.
Still busy, but without army men!

Lake Harriet

End of the first month with the Boys!
A real 3-day weekend. Some workshopping, lots of sunscreen and bug spray, and friends. Those are my only plans.

We Don't Do Hallmark Cards

Happy Father's Day to my Papa. I love you. I miss you, and I wish I didn't live so far away from you.
Photo by Maman!

Boys

So this is war.

First day at Tennis.

Second week with the Boys. I'm learning all about Wii sports, I'm making kick-ass quesadillas with black beans, talking about theatre with Henry and learning that BFF stands for Big Fart Face thanks to Gus.

Wanna See How Fast I Can Draw an 8?

Started my nanny job this week.
It's gonna be a great summer!

Lovely Ladies

Lovely dinner with lovely ladies to bid Lisa farewell. At Heidi's on 50th and Bryant, in Minneapolis. Delightful, just delightful.

Carly and Sara.

Simone has the same camera as me.