The deadline for original script submission is November, so I have plenty of time to do a third draft. Not sure how much I'm going to change this time around, but there may be some minor things. I don't think I'll have anybody read it this time; it took too long between drafts as I had to wait for people to get done reading it.

Mama Maier brought a flower wreath last night that we are thinking of using for my hair. It goes with the bodice and looks really pretty. We worked with the tree costumes for the first time last night and it went remarkably well. No one fell ("Timber!"). The run went really well. We have a set crew and the changes are going pretty well. They are changing the set while Kyle (Lionel, the narrator) is talking, which is what I would have them do. I think that's how Stan Gill intended it. The set is really cool. There are four three-sided pieces that have a different scene on each side and can be rolled and rotated to create different scenes. There is also one big piece that is used in one scene only. This is the piece I dreaded moving, but we don't have to worry about it anymore!

I am going to see Othello at Shakespeare on the Grand tonight so I need to go. More later...

Hanging up now...

Checking Out is IN!!!

I have finished the second draft of Checking Out! I did it all today. There is some major reworking and placement of lines. I have taken what my "critics" have said into account. I don't know how many more versions there will be. I think it's good enough now, but others may not agree. I may submit it to LCP if it's ready to go. Not sure when the deadline for submissions is. I think it's around this time. Maybe I should go for it?

I foresee a few problems. For instance, there are two characters, one Latina and one Asian-American, that may need to be reworked. Mom doesn't seem to think there will be anyone to fill the Asian role. I think I've talked about that kid I know, and I could invite him to audition. I could also change him to African-American. It's vital that he be someone of an ethnicity other than white. The Latina might not be such a problem. I know a white actress who would be very good in the role--she's got the right attitude. But that might cause problems for the audience. A third character is Creole, but I know someone who could fit that role.

Speaking of plays, I need to get Drag to my director. He signed on script unseen and he is probably getting nervous. I have a copy for him all ready to go; we just need to pick a time and place to exchange it. I know of some people I want to cast, and we need an initial meeting soon. The reading is in November and that's getting closer and closer. I would like to meet with him in the next 2 weeks.

I was going to go walkies with Kathleen today but she had to cancel because of work. I don't really feel like going running but I could do a walk. So I will walk the trail I usually run. I should do that now before it gets any later.

Hanging up now...

Beauty on the Brain

We ran through the whole show for the first time last night. It went great! No major slipups and no one even called for line. Even the scene changes went well. I am really enjoying this show. I was concerned I wouldn't because I was "just" in the ensemble but it's been a lot of fun. The cast has really come together and become friends. A bunch of us went to karaoke at Buddies last night and had a blast. There were also people from Rothschilds and the usual crowd. It's great to see us all sticking together.

Mama Maier put the bow on top of the headband and we took a look at it. I love it, but she thinks it's too innocent or something. She said to try several different things next week and we would decide on something. I'm going to try putting part of it back at first. If she doesn't like that, I may try braids or pigtails. I think the half back will be the best. I should get some kind of fancy barrette that works, or a jaw clip. Maybe I could hot glue ribbons to the clip--that might be fun! Just me brainstorming. *I* like the headband so I will wear it to the renfaire.

I was feeling pukey today--didn't get to sleep til late last night and got up to go to lunch with Adam today. I choked on my vitamin and still have a burn in my throat. I went to the MAC after lunch for a smoothie to try and get the soreness out of my throat. It didn't do much except make me feel really full. So I felt even worse. I decided to take a walk down to Starbucks and that perked me up. It was HOT, though, and I had to change my shirt when I came in. I'm going to do weights today too. Then tomorrow I am walking with Kathleen and Sunday I plan to run again. And Monday is back to Interval. Nice workout schedule!

Okay, so I'm going to Sally's to look at hair options and then to the gym.

Hanging up now...

Silverleaf was wonderful. We saw some new acts, like a Middle Eastern group headed by a singer and dancer (she also played two different instruments.)She danced with swords on her head and kept perfect balance. I asked her afterwards how many situps she did a day, and she showed me how she worked different parts of her stomach by contracting her upper, middle, lower, and then doing different combinations of these. She also credited stretching and Pilates with a lot of her strength. So maybe I will go back to doing Strength and Stretch.

I decided against getting the hat after feeling the heat for a whole day. However, I did see several women in snoods and I got a gold one for $20. I think this will work nicely, and it saves me $20. I have $90 now, which covers the hoop skirt and bag with a little left over. So now I can start saving for the dress!

I also talked to Charity of the Limey Birds and she showed me how she does her hair. She takes ribbon with wire in it and makes bows around clear jaw clips. Then she clips them to her hair that she already has in pigtails. I went to Michael's to find stuff to do this but ended up finding something else entirely. I bought a headband that has a bow on it that looks like something Snow White would wear. I think it's really going to work for the show and for the renfaires. For the show, I'd like to put my hair in ringlets and do the headband. That will look so cute and take about 20
years off!

Worked with Stephanie today. My fat % went down again; I am now at 35.1. I want to get down to 30%. My weight was a little up from eating at the faire. Mom and I split everything though, so I could have eaten more. We did have a deep-fried Snickers--very interesting. Kind of like an elephant ear with chocolate inside. Last night I was bad and had a quarter pounder with cheese. I haven't had that in quite a while though; at least several months. I walked to McD's and back, so I guess it was 200 cals less than it could have been. Probly a lot of fat, though.

Rehearsals have been going well. We have such a great cast and crew. The principals all have such great voices and Mycah said the chorus is doing well too. She says sometimes we are even stealing scenes but she liked it. There is just nothing but positive feelings surrounding this show.

Tonight I am having Amy's Mattar Paneer for dinner and beans for a snack later. It's about time for dinner, so I'll say--

Hanging up now...

Really good run. I ran all the way to Hulett, most of the way up Hulett, and all the way home on my street. I'm almost there! I don't think I'll be ready to do the 5K at the end of July, but I'm still working along for me. My goal right now is just to run a little farther each day. I'm thinking of going walkies after dinner tonight.

The scrimping and saving is on. I put $10 from tutoring into the envelope. Then I found a $10 bill in a pocket when I was doing laundry! There is a bag that I want to get that is $16.50, so I now have enough to get the bag. It was a great feeling to put a little check next to the item.

I'm concerned that the company will not have the outfit anymore by the time I get enough saved up (it may take as long as four months). I have emailed them and asked them what they would do. I don't know if they carry these items for months, in many sizes, or if they could hold it for me. I would love to have it held for me. I'm an XL right now and I might get down to a L, but I have to remember that I will be bigger because of the heat. So it might be best to get the XL anyway. I don't really care what the label says, as long as it fits.

I have another idea if they can't hold it for me: Mama Maier could make it for me. They have the front and back views and she could make it from that. It might be fun to do that instead. It would be less expensive and more personal. I may look into doing that anyway. I would still need the hoop skirt but I might be able to find a bag at the faire. And she could make me the hat.

Two days til Silverleaf! I wish I could find the hair bands I want. I want hair ties with flowers on them like the Limey Birds do.Maybe I will make a pass at Michael's and see if I can cook something up. Also, SOMEwhere I have a garland. I don't think that would look good with the leather bodice though. Burgundy flowers would look better. And then I would wear my hair in pigtails.

Time to get some yummy dinner, and then on for walkies!

I guess the link didn't post as a link. But if you're really interested, you can just type the address into your browser. If you're a Rennie geek like me, it's worth it.
<3

Want want want

Here's what inspired the title of this entry:

http://www.yourdressmaker.com/shop/renaissance-dress-no-44-brown-gold-p-531.html?zenid=2b7b5bc9e58fe15073772eb6024408f3

All told, with the hat and hoop skirt + shipping and handling, it comes out to about 400 bucks. That's 20 tutoring sessions. If I take an envelope and write "Want" or "Slobber" or something on it, maybe I can set that aside instead of using it for gas etc. If I get more students, it will take me less time. So I will really be working to drum up students now. I need the incentive. Maybe Mom would kick in for shipping and handling or something.

Okay, so that's the lust of the day out of the way. I walked with Kathleen today. By her estimation we walked about 4 miles. I was going to train with Stephanie today but I was just too wiped. So note to self: Don't plan two workouts in one day. I will try to run tomorrow and lift Thursday. If it's nice I'm going to lie out tomorrow too.

Okay, so I'm going to go look at my dress some more. Good thing I don't sweat much; it looks hot. I mean, in more ways than one :)

Fear of (running) failure

Walked instead of ran today. I can walk 2 miles easy, but it's daunting to think of running that far. I don't know what it is--I want to run, I visualize myself running, but it's hard to make myself do it. I ran yesterday after not having run for over a week, and that was hard. I was going to run again today but I was afraid to. It's very weird. Tomorrow I am making myself at least try. I'm trying a new route, taking another leg of the trail to Okemos Road and then up Okemos home. I think it's a little shorter and I will try to run more of it. I have my running shoes sitting out in the middle of the living room floor as a constant reminder.

I've been getting a lot of encouragement from family and friends. My brother in law is one of my biggest supporters. He has gone from barely being able to run a mile to running 11 1/2 miles at a stretch. I told him how hard it was for me to run a mile and he said it was like that for him in the beginning but now he enjoys every mile. I want to get to that point.

I went to a friend's open house today. She is moving to Orlando to work at Disney World. It's very exciting. It was a "Pirate/Princess Party", where she encouraged people to wear a tiara or an eye patch. I decided to wear both. I also wore my leather bodice and my SHORT plaid skirt. Clara was pirate-y. There was lots of good food and fun. I only stayed an hour or so, but I had a good time. Unfortunately, there were some brownies that were TOO good; I had two! But then I walked which burned about 200 calories. That's probably one brownie. If I can run the rest off tomorrow it will be like I didn't even have them, right? ;)

Saw a great show last night: Skungpoomery, a comedy starring some of my good friends. Ann directed and Adam C. and Maria (cat in BT) had the leads. It was a fun show. Great writing, acting, and directing. Adam B. had rehearsal so I went by myself, but there were people there I knew. I went to coffee and Lowe's with Adam today. I asked the people at Lowe's about my daisy; the blossoms have turned completely brown and dead but there's new growth underneath. The woman said to repot it, but we all know how good I am at that. So I asked her if I could just trim the blossoms off and she said I could. Now Daisy looks like she got a buzz cut. I think it'll work well, though; the undergrowth looks really healthy. We'll see.

One week til Silverleaf! I'm so excited. I will have to have Mom help me with my bodice; the straps aren't tight enough and the sides are laced too tight. It's not something I trust myself to do; I need another pair of hands. I will try to be really careful about my eating this week to make sure I fit into it as well as possible. I've had enough crap between going out with Stephanie and this open house...

Well, I think it's time to think about going to bed, so I'll say--

Hanging up now...

Lots to cover since I haven't written in a while. Kzoo was fun. I walked once with Mom and once with Dad. Mom and I walked at a good pace and she remarked that I was in good shape. The walk with Dad was harder, though. I walked as slow as I could and he still lagged behind me. What's worse, I heard him breathing hard. This is really disconcerting to me. I think he should start taking walks every day. He had decided to stop going to Bronson and will be going to the clubhouse gym instead. I hope he goes several times a week and lifts enough weight. He lifts far less than I do.

The party was fun and my salad went over well. I tried to be good as far as eating went, but I did have pineapple upside down cake. It wasn't very good and I only ate about half of it. We had fireworks afterwards and Mom was able to stay the whole time. All in all, a good time.

Ran the track again with my fastest time as 1:38! I really ran hard. That would be an eight-minute mile. I haven't run for a while so I ran outside today. The leg through the parking lots didn't bother me as much. The heat was bad, though, and I only ran about 1/2 the time. Even with the walking, it only took me 35 minutes. I'd like to run the whole thing in about 20 or 25 minutes. Tomorrow I will run again and hope it's better. It's hard when I get out of practice; I hadn't run for over a week. That really affects my endurance.

Went to lunch with Stephanie today. She says that she eats A LOT. She is constantly working out though, and is always pushing herself. I asked her about the bodybuilding thing and she showed me some pics of women she knew who did it. They weren't like the woman I had seen on the cover, though--these women were ripped. The magazine, which is the June issue of Healthy & Fit, is gone from the gym. I have requested the online version so hopefully I will hear from them soon.

Well, it's time for bed, so I'll say--

Hanging up now...

Really strange dreams last night. A friend of mine has gone back to school to get her degree in fisheries and wildlife with an eye toward eventually doing environmental law. In my dream, she posted a paper on FB to get people's input. I was distressed to find it was obvious she had not proofread the paper. She had used spellcheck, but as is the problem with spellcheck, it is not guaranteed that the word used is the word you meant to use. More worrisome was her use of a sentence where the words were not in the right order, but actually backwards. I was trying to find a way to tactfully tell her to proofread the paper when I found myself flying over the city, yelling, "You have to proofread!"

The second dream was an Elquest dream. I was Cutter (I often am Cutter in my dreams) and I was fighting some kind of war. I was also Rayek in another part of the dream. In fact, I get the feeling that I was several of the characters in different points of the dream. I'm trying to think of other dreams where I have been more than one person and I think it may have happened, although I don't remember any specific dream.

Looking forward to going to K-zoo. I am leaving in about an hour. It's been a lazy day doing very little before I had to pack and leave. I debated running but I think I will just walk when I get there. I like walking around my parents' place. They live in a large apartment community that has been set up to include a lot of natural habitat. It's a good place to walk dogs and maybe see a deer. I saw a deer trying to cross the street near my house the other day but she had to turn back because a couple other cars coming down the road scared her off. They stopped to let her go but she was too spooked.

Didn't see the geese on my run yesterday. How cool would it be to see a deer? They probably are there, they are just avoiding me. I move fast and make a lot of noise (puff, puff.) Well, not that fast. I'm pretty steady at a 15 minute mile. I want to get it down to 12 soon. And I want to be at 10 by the time I do my 5K. My brother in law, who calls himself "El Tortugo", says you go much faster in a race than you do on a regular run, but I'm not sure I believe that. We shall see. Stephanie really worked me hard last time, saying she wanted to help me with my running. I ran the track three times and the gym (shorter distance) twice. I ran the track 2ish minutes the first time, 2:14 the second time, and 2ish again the third time. 2 minutes around the track is a 10 minute mile. I know I can do it, I just have to keep in mind going fast. Maybe this is what Doug is talking about.

I'm looking forward to lying out with Mom. My suit is too big! Remember when I said I would get a suit when I went down to 150? I got it at 155 and now that I am down it sags on me. I tried drying it in the dryer but it didn't shrink. Next I will try washing it in the machine in hot water. Hope that doesn't hurt it.

The bath was very nice. I was reading an issue of Women's Health and got kind of miffed. I though it would have a lot about fitness and eating and it had a lot of sex and beauty stuff. There was an article about having a baby and that was kind of silly. I guess their demographic would be interested in stuff like that. They had one article about weight lifting, a few abs exercises (the ubiquitous "flat abs now" spots), and one article with healthy recipes. Everything else was about sex, babies, clothes, and getting the right job. I guess those are of interest to a woman reader, but where was the health part?

I saw a magazine in the gym about women's fitness that caught my eye. The woman on the cover was doing a women's pseudo-bodybuilding contest (don't remember the name.) What struck me was her body was very similar to mine. Muscles weren't popping out of her arms--they had a similar shape as mine. My legs are a little smaller. I'm sure her stomach was flatter than mine but I really couldn't see that from how she was sitting. It makes me think about doing a contest like this. I know I wouldn't be very good at a 5K but how about a bodybuilding thing? I'm not talking about something involving steroids or impossible eating habits, but just a contest that measures good, natural physique. I think I'm going to look into this.

Speaking of healthy eating, here's the recipe for a smoothie I came up with:
1/2 glass (about 8 oz) skim milk
1/2 cup or so nonfat yogurt (I used vanilla flavored.)
handful of frozen fruit (blueberries are good)
scoop of protein powder (I used the vanilla flavored one.)
Blend in blender until all ingredients are smoothly blended together. Enjoy!

This made 2 16-oz glasses for me. I had one as a snack after my run and one as a snack before bed. It's filling, yummy and healthy (three things I always look for).

Time to go have lunch and head to K-zoo, so I'll say--

Hanging up now...