This Day I Married My Friend <333

Well its official, me and the lady Tied the knot on Saturday October 18th, 2008. It was a fun filled, love covered weekend and it was everything I dreamt of even as a little girl.

April and I began our weekend wedding adventure on Thursday morning when we went to pick up some gifts for our bridal party . The boys got beer mugs and the girls white wine glasses with their initials.

We picked up Bri, Tiff and Mary from the bus station on Thursday and headed out to a dance club to celebrate our last night of being a "regular couple" This is me with my girls.

Friday Morning we picked up our delicious cake and headed to the hotel. Where I finally got to see my mum and nannie for the first time in almost a year. It was soooo good to see them. We unpacked and headed to the pool for a swim and hot tub. Friday night the wedding party and out of state guests joined us for dinner at the Moose Jaw Pizza and Brewery and we enjoyed yummy pizza's and pitchers of micro-brew beer. I was finally re-united with my best friend from High School Melanie and her dad Papa Joe.

After dinner we all headed back to our hotel so that we could jump back in the hotel pools and thought it would be a great idea to take over the water slides. It was great fun followed by how many of us will fit in the room hot tub. Good times had all around.

The big day finally arrived which started with a breakfast with everyone at I-Hop before the preparations for the day began. Everyone gathered in our room and helped as much as they could. We headed to the chapel and the ceremony went well (minus how hot it was---holy hotness) We headed to the Dells River walk for some pictures and they all came out great.

After pictures we headed to the restaurant where we ate amazing food and of course dug into our delicious cake. Or as you can see smashed into the cake hehehehe

After the dinner those who were still standing headed to Maryl's to conclude the night with cocktails and dancing. I must say even though how fast it all went I am so happy with how the whole weekend went. It went so fast I can barely remember everything, and I wish there was more time to spend it with everyone.

Great friends & family made our weekend complete. I can't tell you how great it is to be surrounded by so much love on such a special day. Its worth all the planning, and stress that comes before it. What I learned from all this is to always remain calm because things will happen that you can't control. But you can control the fun and happiness you spread throughout the process and believe me even through all the ups and downs everyone helped make this the best wedding ever.

I hope you all enjoyed the pictures my faithful readers and of course you can see all of them on my myspace page.

A wedding is a union between two people who love each other unconditionally and can only thrive when those two work each day with the help of their family and friends. I am so lucky that everyone that we surround ourselves with each day which includes not only family, but our friends, co-workers, and even knew friends came out to support our decision to promise our love to one another. I can only hope that everyone who decides to unite themselves with another has the support that we have received. I believe that many of our new friends have learned that love is never wrong, and no matter which way love manifests itself it is still just that LOVE.

So spread the LOVE---cause really Love is ALL YOU NEED :o)

You Can't Stop The Beat----

Well my faithful reader(s) (I think I've dwindled down to a single reader now....

Anyway I decided it would be fun to put a play list of some of my favorite tunes on here for your listening pleasure (hopefully its not too distracting)

Well for an update. I start teaching next week and am so excited. Dance camp was a success and really motivated me for the year. We had our first faculty meeting this Monday and even began initial planning for the spring performance.

My "day" job is going OK, its not what I want it to be but I am determined to make the best of it.

The wedding is only about a month away, and everyone is booking their flights, rooms, and rental cars. I'm getting very excited.

As the seasons get ready to change and we say goodbye to, what to me seemed like the shortest summer in history, I anticipate a beautiful fall. Its my favorite time of year and will be my second fall in WI. I do miss my hills of NH and VT that engulf in flame like colors during the peek leaf peeping season but its OK because NH will be coming to me this fall. :o)

I hope everyone is still trying to play the glad game and is enjoying these last few lazy days of summer to the fullest.

PS the play list is at the bottom of my page...happy listening :o)

Measure your life in Love.....

well my friends it has been a sad week. I have to report that sadly, two close people to me have passed in automobile accidents back home in New Hampshire.

Its hard to be this far away from all of my loved ones from back home and not be able to hold them in their time of mourning, however its time like this that I am reminded how precious and fragile all of our lives are.

I first met Liz at the age of 7 when I was assistant teaching her ballet class. A little blonde girl with big blue eyes entered and right away introduced herself to me. She was new to the studio but wasted no time in letting us all know her name and making friends. I continued to teach Liz throughout my time at the studio. The other day I got the message that she had passed in an automobile accident. Liz was only 19 years old, and had just finished her freshmen year of college at Arizona State University. Its so sad because she was so talented and so charming, she had a beautiful future in front of her. And I have to say the first image that popped into my head was Liz dancing a ballet solo that I had helped choreograph during my last year at the studio, I can still see her smile and how beautiful she looked on stage, it was as if I was watching this memory on the tv.

Liz will always be missed, and always remembered for she truly touched many lives during her short time with us.

Doug Bashshaw was a very close friend of the family, known to all of us as Uncle Doug. He was my dads best man my parents wedding, he was my brothers god father, and my cousins god father. He always brought a smile to your face whenever you saw him and gave the best hugs. His humor could make you laugh even at your most down point. Dough was in a motorcycle accident the other night and passed this afternoon. It's hard for me to hear that my family is mourning and I can't be there to offer hugs.

Loosing someone is never easy, its the hardest part of life I think. We don't know the words to say, what to do, or sometimes how to let go. Its never easy for anyone, and unfortunately its something we all have to go through. When we remember our passed loved ones, family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances....remember their smile, their laughter, the sparkle in their eyes. Remember each minute of their life as a moment of love. Like the song from rent says we can measure our lives in lots of things, sunsets, cups of coffee, inches, miles, laughter, but most important measure in love. Because love is something we can all give away freely and openly.

I hope that everyone gives a hug for just a second longer then normal, stays on the phone for a couple minutes more, and emails just to check in as often as they can. Because there is no gift like today and that's why it is called the present.

Disapointment Cocktail Anyone?

Well today my readers I write to you with news that I unfortunately, foolishly, hoped would be better then, well....we all knew it would be.

Today after our usual Monday morning staff meeting I decided to request again a meeting with the "bosses" for a discussion on the increase I was promised in JUNE!!! (mind you its the 2ND week of July folks) and to my surprise, my request was granted at 11:15 am this morning---however the .94 cents that they offered me (making the increase a minuscule 1.40 with a "promotion") This increase was delivered as a "favor" as the company's financials are not in a stable condition to be "handing out raises"

I am astonished that I actually believed this increase and review would be positive. With my newly sparked anger I decided it would be best to calm myself down before communicating my frustrations and disappointment to my "boss"...who as always delivered a tony winning performance into why I have to accept this is what I was offered and that it is a personal choice whether I stay or go....

I guess that naive girl in me honestly believed that I would be paid what I deserved to be paid and that my hard work and numerous hours of overtime would be compensated and acknowledged.

However I will take this situation as another life lesson learned...the age old saying "the rich get richer and the poor poorer" is so true within this company. I am fighting for a losing battle that I believe can not ever be turned around.

There is one poison within that company (which a dear friend and reader has pointed out all along) and until that piousness individual is gone, the rest of the staff will not be happy---constant turnover will continue to occur....and eventually a lawsuit will fall on their hands.

So tonight as I lie in bed and listen to the booming thunder outside my window---I poor myself a glass of my favorite wine and have decided its OK to have a cocktail on a Monday---because I've named this cocktail a disappointment cocktail--anyone care to join me?

Green Acres is NOT the place to be.....

Well faithful readers today I bring you my first dinning review....This Friday the lady and I wanted to get a bite to eat and try a place we've never been. As we are a fan of the Wisconsin Dells and travel there often we thought of a little place we pass on the way to the Dells. Its name, Green Acres....

Each time we pass it the parking lot is full and we always said "we have to eat there sometime" so this past Friday we finally made the left hand turn into the parking lot and thought we'd try it out. I texted my friend Jessica to see if she wanted to join and she said she couldn't but that we would love the food. Now April has heard from lots of people too that the food is great....so why the heck wouldn't we try it right?

We walk up to the hostess stand where a nicely dressed gentleman took my name and said it would be about 45 to 50 minutes for the wait, which in a Friday is pretty much what your going to have to wait anywhere so we decided to stick it out. Positioned ourselves by the bar, hoping that two seats would become available (which they never did) So we waited. 55 minutes passed and we still hadn't been seated....so we grabbed a menu and thought we'd pick what we want so that when we were seated we could order right away (by this time we were quite hungry)

An hour and seventeen minutes after our arrival my name was called and we were brought to a small table on the second level. It took our waiter another sixteen minutes (yes by this time I was counting) to greet us and take our drink and dinner order. Twenty one minutes after the greeting and ordering took place our ice teas finally showed up. Fifteen minutes after that, dinner finally arrived....my dinner was cold, he forgot Aprils coleslaw with her fish fry and we were out of tea and water....Our glasses NEVER got refilled...after I picked at the cold dinner in front of me long enough for April to enjoy her fish I told her I couldn't eat anymore and would just eat a sandwich when we got home....The waiter came back about forty minutes after delivering our meal asked if I wanted a box...I had clearly stacked plates on my cold crummy dinner and shook my head no.

He returned eleven minutes later to ask if we wanted desert...we shook our heads (I was trying to be polite secretly I wanted to run out of there and say I would never be back) and twelve minutes later he finally brought the check....

We made our way back downstairs and April paid the bill...I couldn't even stand there as she did because I was afraid if I was asked how the meal was I would tell them how I really felt and would embarrass April....

I have come to the conclusion that the only reason people like this place is because during their long wait to be seated they are pumped full of alcohol and who doesn't like any kind of food once they have dipped into the sauce for over an hour.....

I do not recommend this establishment and will NEVER go back there again!

However...I did win over 50 bucks at the casino following the horrible dinning experience, so it wasn't a total loss for the night.

A little east coast in the midwest....ahhhh FINALLY :o)

Well I haven't written in a while and I can't say that anything super interesting has happened since my sun burn occurred.

HOWEVER....(drum roll please) one of my BESTEST friends from back east has moved to Chicago...she is only 2 hours from me.

I can't wait to travel to see her on weekends and just spend some quality time with someone who shares a passion for dance the size of my own...

I am so excited to have her close as she will be in the wedding....and having her near to help with the planning....

I used to think I had to spend lots of time with people to make them my best friends, and be close to them all the time. During my journey 1/2 way across the country I have done a lot of soul searching and really found out who my true friends are. Mary is a true friend, through thick and thin she has been there, even when over 1,000 miles separated us. Not any friend will drive 3 hours in a snow storm just to see you for 3 hours while your visit back home....that's my Mary....

I guess I just wanted to take a blog to express how grateful I am for my friendship with this individual because sometimes we don't really verbalize enough how important people are to us, fortunately I don't have to say it all the time...its known between her and I, but she deserves a shout out because she is THAT special....

Happy Hump Day All!

Holy SUN Batman!

Well my faithful readers....here is my thought for the day.....

THE SUN WILL KILL US ALL....

This weekend me and my lovey lady went to the Wisconsin Dells to relax for her birthday. Got us a lovely room with a giant whirlpool in the room and a balcony...so romantical I know...well we also thought it would be a great way to end the weekend and visit NOAHS ARK...the country's "LARGEST WATERPARK"....Invited some of our friends and made a day of it...

Cant complain about the weather it was perfect, and can't complain about the crowded because I think the most we waited in line for a ride was about 4.62 minutes. It really was the perfect day.

Being the mom that I am I am adimate that EVERYONE put sunscreen on 30 minutes before exposure to the sun to make sure our base sunblock coat is on. Not to mention I carry with me at all times in the summer a large tube of SPF 50...Ultra Sweat/Water Proof. This lovely bottle has seen me through some great summers and I haven't been burned in many years...however it does not compete against a day at the water park.

I am completely sun burned from head...down to my toes...yes folks my toes are sunburned. Its not a deep sunburn thank god (I've had a couple of those in my life..) but gosh it still hurts.

I had to teach dance today (which my friends was AMAZING the class was so happy at the end and kept saying thank you and they can't wait to take class with me this fall) but daaaaang it hurts to wear a leotard when you have a sunburn.....

Listen guys...I know that everyone says "I don't burn" or "I wont be out there long" Cover up...wear a hat...use sun block.....the sun is NOT our friends...we have damaged our earth and I'm convinced this sunburn is my punishment for not recycling lately......

OUCH!

Have a great week....let me know if you find an SPF 100 ;o)

Laugh A Little....Live A Little

Well previously I have written about my underpaid job I have here in lovely WI. But today I realized something. Money doesn't always buy happiness, and although I may be underpaid I have never enjoyed working with a group of people as much as I do here.

I think the phrase "laughter is the best medicine" can go a long way...especially in our filed of work (we manage assisted living homes for the elderly).

Nothing is a better sound then a bunch of people laughing and enjoying each others company. This morning I have had quite a few hard, from the belly laughs...you know the kind that you can't control and sometimes can even bring a tear of joy from your eye....and let me tell you it really does set the mood for the whole day.

I recently blogged about getting out their and using your endorphins...well today I'm telling you to get out there and laugh. Tell a joke, a funny story, or just listen to one...your day will seem brighter and you might add a little bounce to your step.

To often in today's life we forget about the little things because we get wrapped up in issues that, though are important, aren't the reason for living. When you go into work (or you telecommute) take the five minutes to talk with your co-worker...instead of venting a concern or frustration...make it a point to say something good or fun that happened to you, or that your going to do. Try for a second to always see that glass half full....I guess you could say I am inspired from this blog in watching the news on the tragedies that are occurring around the world...and I got ashamed of myself for not being able to fit the 50 inch TV I bought in our cars and had to return and being a grump for the whole day about it....I let something so small and insignificant ruin a whole day....a whole day that could have been spent enjoying every little thing that made me smile.

I sound like Susie sunshine...or Pollyanna....which reminds me of my best friend Melanie...she always said "shorty....play the glad game" because I often came home from my Financial Aid Job with complaints....she always encouraged me to speak of the good things in my day and let the bad things just fall away....

so my challenge to you my faithful three readers....play the glad game for one whole week. Try your hardest to seek out the good things...(I'm not saying ignore all things bad because that comes with life too) I just want you to try to put the bad on the back burner and cook yourself a heaping hot pot of GLAD! And if you can do it for one week...you can do it from now on!

Now get to it !

"Endorphins Make You Happy.....

Happy people just dont kill their husbands....they just don't" ~Elle Woods.

Well people another opinion from my short self is coming your way.

Exercise is the BEST anti-depressent, Stress relief, Mood booster, and of course fat burning facet around.

I have always been a relatively active person, coaching two college teams, my own work out plan (thanks mel m) and of course the weekly outings to "the club" kept me fit in NH...and then I moved to cheese land. I kinda stopped all that...and found myself not being depressed but just not my peppy, spunky, fun self. Not to mention the stress level of my job multiplied by thirty...

Weight Gained, and poopy attitude made me realize HEY GIRL get it together.
I purchased the Biggest Loser Cardio Max dvd and religiously visit fitness magazines website for cool new weight training circuits to work on and have taken up walking in the am with my lady (what a great way to start the day).....and let me tell you

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE. I find myself to be my funny self, a little sparkle in my eye, and well just in a better mood.

As the weather warms up, get out there people do a little bit of exercise....get that heart rate up and watch "life" seem to get a little better with a little help from those endorphins :o)

peace and love all!

rain rain go away

Here I sit on a gloomy Saturday wasting my life away in front of my lap top....So I got to thinking....Aren't we supposed to have May Flowers right now? Nope not in WI we've got overcast skies and rain in the forecast...BOOO!



This past week seemed to have me going at about three times full speed ahead and this up coming week isn't going to be any easier....I long for the days that I spend them dancing and creating dance...(soon my friends soon!)



I have another interview next week at Edgewood College, a small private institution here in Madison. We'll see how well it goes. If I could get that and possibly work a little something out with the dance studio I may be able to hang up my Payroll HR hat for good. I will NEVER work in this field again. I dont know what I got myself into...I find myself longing to be a receptionist again rather then deal with what I do deal with in this position.



Oh...on another note.. NOTE TO SELF! 50 inch flat screen HDTV's do NOT fit in a Toyota Camry or a Mecury Cougar. After about 4 trips to and from the Wisconsin Dells we still do not have our supersized tv that we purchased. Ended up getting our money back and are still watching our little old 21 incher.....Did I mention I crushed my wee hand?



Well I guess I'll spare you any more rambling. Have a great rest of the weekend All!



xoxo

The Verdict is In.....

I GOT THE JOB!

I'm so excited. I'm the newest teacher at A Step Above Dance and Music Acadmey. I start teaching in June for some summer classes, and then more classes starting in August.

I'm extremely excited and want to thank everyone who rooted me on, and offered great encouragement.

It feels good to be getting back into my passion and what truely makes me happy.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK ALL!

a little place called family island

Just to make a few points. I enjoy kids...they are cute...you know the quiet respectable kind that listen to their parents. However I have a serious problem with out of control, loud, screaming, rude, and inconsiderate children that I seem to come in contact with whenever I venture out.



Long ago April told me about a lovely place she's invented called "Family Island" Its a place. where all those kid loving, wanting to reproduce people and their offspring can go where they will not effect the daily lives of those of us who don't own any loud mouthed rude off spring and wish to avoid them at all costs.



Today while enjoying a lovely Sunday afternoon at the mall with April's brother I got to thinking, why don't parents have more control over their kids. I can not stand the ingorance level of todays parents that continues to increase each day. If you have children it is your duty to teach them manners as well as have control over them in social settings. Allowing children to run around a mall unsupervised is not only irresponsible but it is also extremly annoying to those of us who do not have children yet have to deal with your out of control children during our days off.



I appluad parents who have instilled respect and control over their children. Those children are the quiet ones who stand next to their parents and also say the words excuse me, sorry, and thank you.



After being pushed by a gang of 13 year olds carrying their holister and claires accessories bags as they ran through the mall cackling like a gaggle of mini witches, and feverishly texting the other group of cackling heinias at the other end of the mall, I then had to wait for a six year old who was scared to get on the escalator, who only had one shoe on, dropped her mitten and it was on its way up, and the parent was no where in site I thought I might lose it.



I think that as I grow older I have less and less tollerence or patiience for this type of behavior. I think that malls should dedicate ONE DAY to ADULTS ONLY. where those of us who want to enjoy the day shopping and looking through the overly priced items at all the stores can shop in peace and not be pushed, stopped, or cut in front of by the youth of today with no parental guidence. . . . here "family island" would come in handy

and that is my rant for the day....

Labels are no fun----so this is the "new age lesbian"

First off ---lets start with background to this post.



I believe stereotypes and labels are "for the birds" however it is common in my life when people discover that I am gay their initial comment is "but you don't look it"----I didn't know there was a certain "look" I had to aquire to "be a lesbian"



However I do know that people do associate "types" or people with labels and preconcieved visions of what that person should look like.....



There a millions of people in this world, all walks of live, all shapes and sizes...(you get my drift) and some how it still kind of shocks me that today people would say something like "but you don't look it".



Opinion 1 from me - Lesbians don't look the same, just like straight females don't look the same. We don't have a certain look to us, we don't have a secret mark that you can observe to point us out, and we don't wear IM A LESBIAN shirt on a daily basis to make it easier for you to spot us.



Opinion 2 from me - we are people, individuals...not a phenomona or zoo exhibit to be pointed out and gauked at....so stop with the "no your not" "can I watch" "but you can't be" statements...its old...outdated...and down right annoying.



ok enough ranting....



anyway I do have a point I promise



The other night my friend Bekah imed me to ask me to contribute to her list (Bekah is gay...just an FYI), when I asked what list she said what makes a lesbian today, easy ways to spot them on the street......I laughed for a minute (you all clearly see my feelings regarding singaling out of a lesbians from above) However it got me to thinking....



I made comment the other day on a friends blog "gay is the new straight" and it made me think of the friends I used to hang out with and the group dynamic we shared but also portrayed in social settings. It also made me think of the tv shows that now are showing that lesbians aren't a specific type and don't look a certain way....(see Degrassi , South of Nowhere...The L Word...you get my point) however the company I used to keep fell directly into the outline provided by Bekah's "List"

doc martins.. belts (you know the buckle kind and cloth kind with the rings), walking with your hands in the front pockets of you pants, hats, carabiners,thumb rings, plaid ,pumas,mens wallets, satchels, leather cuffs,button ups, chap stick, baseball shirts, layers, sports bras nix the sports , boardshorts,cargo shorts,hoodies, thermals, army/olive green, camo, military inspired jackets, sideways hats, vests/ties/suspenders (to suspend things), motorcylces/trucks, sleeveless shirts, animal shirts, girlie boy style underoos,bandanas, cats, lword,south of nowhere, brandi carlile, indigo girls, tegan and sara, ferrick, etc,aviators, playing the guitar,drama,softball, baggy clothes, if you've ever said the phrase "i need to take a leak",tatts,peirced tongue,driving a subaru, jeep or truck,wallet chains, holding beer bottles by the neck, using the phrase"don't i know you from myspace" as a pick up line, sweat bands-minus the sweat.....the list goes on

As you can see this list is pretty funny...not completely accurate but pretty entertaining to say the least. I swear that more then half of that list is like I would look at a picture of my friends in a picture from memorial day in p-town MA.

Please just find humor in this list, I know I did because I'm guilty of some of it.....

its all in fun.

Night all

Thoughts become things....Choose the good ones!

think that quote might just be the best advice someone has ever given me (thank you Carol Stanmore).....The other day as I sat feeling sorry for myself and my incredibly underpaid job I have been letting ruin my mood the last two weeks, I got off my sorry for myself butt and took a walk. I took time to reflect on the advice of many and time to gather my thoughts.







When I returned home from my walk of reflection I decided to put the good thoughts out there. I am a very talented experienced dance educator and performer....I need to do what makes me happy. So to the web I went, googling dance studios in the Madison area and also positions that could possibly be open. I told myself "You will find a job tonight"....low and be hold my thoughts became things (well lets not jump to conclusions...I haven't actually gotten the job yet) but to say the least a job perfect for me was sitting there waiting for my response.







I emailed out my very extensive and may I brag impressive dance resume to A step above dance and music academy. This morning I received a reply. The director was impressed with my resume and wanted to schedule an interview right away.







I can't express the excitement that I have for this opportunity. I hope that after the interview the director feels that I will be the ideal candidate for the position and offers me a teacher role within her academy.....of course...there are details to be discussed such as compensation, hours, etc...the big one (benefits). I will sacrifice no health benefits and seek out individual coverage should the price and hours be right...there is a lot to consider such as vacation time etc. However I really want to get involved with teaching and dancing everyday again. I feel that I am most happy when I can do so. Not to mention it is a great opportunity to get my name out in the arts community in this area which is so new to me.







I will continue working at my dreaded underpaid job of course, and will eventually some day approach the president about the much needed raise, however this is a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of me preparing for the need for another job.







It really is true...Thoughts become things....CHOOSE THE GOOD ONES! (we waste to much time and energy on the bad ones and become disappointed when the bad "ones" keep happening to us)







Get to thinking....and choose wisely







J


oh yeah (wish me luck)


***for your viewing pleasure....please enjoy below photo of my dance team from New Hampshire...I coached them for four years, our last year left us with 3 first place regional titles, two grand champion titles...and of course 2007 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS**

Overworked....Underpaid.....

I know that everyone is probably facing the same problem with this thriving economy and all (note tone of sarcasm)....however I'm facing a pretty serious issue.

This fall as many know I packed my things and moved half way across the country to wonderful Madison WI. I accepted a position as a receptionist/administrative assistant for a real estate development firm. They also asked that I do minor HR data entry for them.

Well as time moved on I quickly accepted the role of HR manager and then also took on the role of Payroll manager as well. However with the increased job duties and responsibilities I did not receive a raise.

About two weeks ago I received a "raise" technically the company moved me from hourly to salary and only offered a 40 cent raise.

I am rather upset and feel a little taken advantage of. I have done research as a great friend has suggested, and will be bringing these issues up to my vice president.

In my research I found that a clerk (which is less responsible for all that I am responsible for) is paid 35K. I do not understand how some companies continue to underpay their workers.

I wouldn't have an issue with this as I know that my degree and background is not in the area in which I am working now....however I was thrown into the deep end and have come out doing the back stroke with ease. I have learned many things quickly and continue to improve numerous aspects of our company. The other issue that pushes my buttons is that we seem to be overpaying those whom don't work as much as those of us who are working overtime constantly.

If anyone has any suggestions on the best way possible to verbalize my request for at least minimal compensation for the job that I am doing that would be great.

~J

First day of Spring.....or Winter?....can't decide

Well here I sit in my apartment...Salma on my lap and Sagey by my side SNOWED IN. Its hard to believe that yesterday it was almost 50 degrees and we saw grass everywhere finally. Wisconsin weather is NOT different from New England (back home they used to say we could go through all four seasons in a single day....) However in WI i think that the boycott Plowing. and if they do plow the do not do it soon enough. I commute 15 minutes to work everyday (with good weather) this morning it took me over an hour to get into the office, turned around 2 hours later to come home and it took almost an hour and a half to get home safely...which my I add could not pull into my driveway. So as the small ice balls pelted against April and I's faces we dug the snow from around my car and some how got the car into the back lot. I called my landlord (yes we're still renting...) and asked that he have a plow come through as the snow drifts in the back of the lot are not allowing me to pull the car into the garage....the man he had come did not plow the driveway nearly enough and completely ignored the problem which is the portion in back of our garage door.

I swear this "winter" can not be over fast enough. I would rather own my own home where I am in control of the snow removal and I can by a nice snow blower to plow out my driveway.

You may be wondering why I wouldn't just shovel myself out...well I have in the past. I have missed days of work and also been late because of the inability to drive out of the driveway...this after spending hours trying to dig myself out. Snow removal is covered in our lease and also being advertised in the vacant unit above us (we live in a quaint quadraplex) So I think its the landlords responsibility to take care of it.

Annnnny way....my point to this blog....I hope this snow goes away fast, I am longing for days of Capri's, flippers, and no bundling up.

HERES TO SPRING!

RiverDance.....the farewell tour

Well my first theatre experience in Madison is complete. I joined my friends Wendy and Crystal from work to attend the farewell tour of Riverdance at the Overture center on March 12th. I must say this theatre complex is beautifully designed and offered numerous venues for theatrical performances.

We entered the theatre to take our seats which just happened to be in the third row of the balcony, smack dab in the middle. I don't usually like to sit in the balcony because it offers a view which doesn't normally do a performance justice. However those were the best available seats that weren't sold out at the time we purchased our tickets. (I prefer to sit in the mezzanine level in the center. Best view of the entire stage and close enough to see all emotions of performers) Regardless of the height of our seats I believe the balcony was a good choice for Riverdance. It gave us an entire view of the stage as well as a semi birds eye view for complete formation and transition viewing of the dancers.

I never knew the story of Riverdance until after the show I googled the story line. I literally had only seen it a few times on PBS and really enjoyed the intricacy of the footwork. As many know it was created by Michael Flatley who is also the star of Lord of The Dance. This show intimately includes musical interludes, signing, narration, and of course my favorite dance. In a short summary Riverdance tells the story and history of Ireland through its "lifetime" beginning with the immigration of numerous cultures to the island of Ireland, through the potato famine, the immigration to the united states, and then the return to the home land. In essence it also talks about culture and how most culture have a deep history and commitment to the land on which it was created, and how in many aspects it all starts with a connection to the river.

After reading the information I found at this helpful site. I really understood the whole performance and feel that I left not only entertained but also educated.

Its a shame that this travelling performance will be ending but I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to see it live. To understand Riverdance please feel free to read this links analysis of the show http://www.hbci.com/~tgort/rdance.htm

I also wanted to comment on the young man who sat next to me at the show. So sophisticated he was, he entered the theatre with his mother dressed to the nines. He had a full tux on and even carried a small white scarf which he elegantly draped over his shoulders. Now that is what I remember a trip to the theatre meant. Getting a good meal, dressed up, and enjoying amazing performances. It brought a smile to my face and reminded me of younger days at the theatre with my grandmother Joan.

If you have the chance to see the show, go.....until then I'll wait till the next performance rolls through.

Peace and Love.
J