Perfect

This is the only word that can ever possibly describe my beloved Phantom of the Opera. No, the show is never perfect, last night there were quite a few mishaps we witnessed, but in my eyes, the show is perfect. It's a wonderful love story and I'm so blessed to have seen it again.

The drive to Cleveland was sweltering. Lauren had forgotten to inform us that her car had no air conditioning, and we almost got lost in Cleveland trying to find a place to park before just using the vallet service. We met up with some other phans and off we were to the theater just down the street. We attended a pre-show talk where in my head, I corrected the speaker at least 3 times (silly presenters, learn your info!) and then onto our wonderful seats in the balcony. They were actually almost the same place as when I saw it on Broadway, but the other side of the theater. First time, I was on the right with Alyssa, this time, the left with my friends. The seats were perfect.

I was riddled with anxiety before the show. Would Tim Martin Gleason, the first Raoul I saw, live up to the mask as the Phantom? Would I like Trista Moldovan as Christine? Would Sean MacLaughlin impress me as Raoul?

The answer to all of these questions is no. No, Tim didn't live up to the mask, he EXCEEDED my expectations. No, I didn't like Trista, I LOVED her. And no, Sean didn't impress me, he AMAZED me. It was perfect. Every time I turned to Cesca with excitement about the show, a huge smile was plastered on her face. Katrina was brought to tears at the end (of course, who isn't) and there was a standing ovation. God, every time I see it, I can't believe I've seen it, and every time makes me want to see it more and more. Can I ever explain my love of Phantom? I don't think so. It's so much a part of me that it's as natural as breathing, which is scary but true.

So, the highlights:
The costumes, especially the Hannibal costumes are so impossibly beautiful on stage, and pictures can't do their sparkle and shine justice. (Side notes, that's not Trista, that's Sierra Boggess)

Trista Moldovan was a wonderful Christine, her acting was lovely, her chemistry, she really fit into the character. She's the only Christine I've seen use the scarf in Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, and she was really feisty in Point of No Return, which I enjoyed. She also had the best scream I've heard from a Christine when she unmasks the Phantom the first time

Tim Martin Gleason is an excellent and terrifying Phantom. I could feel the menace in the Final Lair when he snarled "You try my patience, make your choice." And the way he acted Point of no Return was brilliant. He was seductive yet forceful, which is what the scene is all about. Not like raping her forceful, but he really had her under his spell and it was brilliant. His maniacal laughter and his pitiful 'I love yous' at the end rounded out his amazing performance.

Honestly, and I'm frightened that this is coming out of my mouth/off of my fingers?, my favorite cast member in the show would have to have been Sean MacLaughlin, Raoul. As a Phantom/Christine fan, I'm usually not quite sold on Raoul, preferring her to be with Erik but accepting that Raoul's a good guy. Not this time. The second he appeared on stage, his boyish charm and wonderfully good looks made me fall almost instantly in love with him, and it's easy to see why Christine was so smitten. Hell, I would have married him too if he asked. (That's them -->)

Honestly, their chemistry was amazing. Their All I Ask of You literally moved me to tears. The love in their voices and such was so blatantly obvious that I found myself rooting for Raoul to get the girl. When he picked her up and spun her around and kissed her like she was his lifeline, my heart was a puddle of goo. That is, until the Phantom rose on the angel statue to sing of his heartbreak. Then I had to knock myself back into reality and say 'Wait a minute, you should want the Phantom to win!'

This was the first time that I actually found myself torn between the two. Usually, no matter how good the Raoul, I'm always like "but she reaaaaaaaaaally belongs with the Phantom." Not this time, which is a good thing because that's how you're supposed to feel.

Anyway, the lowlights, of which there aren't really any, they are mostly mishaps in the show:

In the beginning there are curtains that cover parts of the stage that get removed during the overture. One of them got stuck for a bit and we all sat terrified that it wasn't going to come off and they were going to have to leave it.

A couple of slightly off notes that probably weren't too noticable to someone who only occasionally listens to the soundtrack, but they weren't terrible.

I didn't like the Meg that much, but she's a bit part so that wasn't a big deal.

After seeing it on Broadway, I was reminded how much more a few trap doors can add to the show, but that can't be helped. Minor detail that was easily overlooked.

The worst thing is that Act II goes too damn fast. I want to see Point of No Return so badly but then it comes and I realize the show is practically over. Then I'm depressed.

I also, sadly, did not catch Tim Martin Gleason or Sean MacLaughlin at the stage door. I did manage to meet Trista, and she's super nice and I gorgeous. So it wasn't a total loss. Also, I don't know why my camera effed up the color, but oh well. I met Christine!!!




So, the verdict:

Obviously, the show is/was amazing. The cast was excellent, although I'd say that John Cudia, of the two I recently saw, has the edge. His Music of the Night was a bit more powerful and soft when needed. Tim Martin Gleason is kind of a crossover voice of Ramin Karimloo and John Cudia, and he plays the role well. I wish I could see him after a year or two playing the Phantom, because the longer they go the more comfortable they are in the role, but alas, this is the last run of the tour =(.

Sean= Best Raoul I've seen (Sorry Tim and Ryan Silverman!)

I can't decide who I liked better as Christine, Trista or Jennifer Hope Wills. I don't usually have a preference for Christine, besides not Sarah Brightman. I'm impressed by most of their singing and acting. I think Trista might only have an edge because of her chemistry with Sean in All I Ask of You. Both were brilliant so I'm going to leave that one a tie.

All in all, my life is now both complete and utterly incomplete again. Complete because i got to see the show, incomplete because it makes me want to see it again so badly. Whiiiiiiiiich brings me to my next point. We may have some new DVDs to watch this year =).

A Very Potter Musical

There is a sequel. I feel that is all I need to say in this post.

BESIDES THE FACT THAT TOMORROW I WILL BE SEEING PHANTOM (again, ahem). But hey. It's not like I'm excited or anything.

Pics from that definitely! I'll be wearing one of my new dresses so you will at least get to see that. I'm really sorry. I always say I'm going to put pics up and then I get tired and lazy after work and I don't. But this time I will. Because it's phantom related.

I'm also eying another music box on ebay. Man, I need a job at school or I'll never have enough money for London...

Talk to ya soon!

Random Acts of Kindness

My mother has had some crazy ideas in the past, about our house, our schooling etc. But the one idea that she's always told me about and I've always liked is her idea about Random Acts of Kindness.

It's small things that make the day. My mother will sometimes pay the toll of the person behind her on the way to work, or something like that. Lately, much to my father's dismay, she has taken to randomly paying for the meal of a stranger at some restaurants we go to, most often a Chinese food buffet.

The first time she did it, it was for a Hispanic family with two adorable little daughters. She always says, "maybe that was their splurge for the week or something" and she knows it will brighten their day. I mean, how would you feel if you were out and somebody said your bill was all set? Great, right?

My dad always says that the people she pays for are probably better off than us, and yeah, that might be true, but hey, my mother hopes that it might inspire them to do more good with their money, or maybe it will help someone less fortunate catch up a little. I don't know, but it feels great.

Today at Denny's my sister texted me that she had an inexplicable and overwhelming urge to pay for the meal of the little old man that was sitting alone in the booth behind us. My mother and I were thrilled, my dad a bit annoyed. I think he believes in it, but doesn't want to let my mom know he enjoys things like that. So my sister payed the bill and we left. I wish I could have seen the old man's face. My mom thinks the urge came from the fact that my grandfather is now all alone with really nothing to do because his whole life consisted of taking care of my grandmother. I can only hope that someday somebody sees him sitting alone and does something nice for him.



I hope your hearts have been warmed and you are now inspired to put a little extra kindness in your day for a stranger.



Other notes, I have been shopping a bit to change up my wardrobe. Pics later, maybe, if I get around to it before starting to work again, plus I bought a straightener for my hair that has a cool design on it. I'm excited. Also, in the past three days, I've been to the movies 3 times (this is due to the fact that my father is recovering from surgery for his carpal tunnel and is home for like the whole summer- meaning he is bored of staying in the house, so I've been taking him/he's taken me to a couple of movies) at which I've seen Inception (I thought it was overhyped) Predators (my dad picked it- it's action-y with lots of violence) which was actually pretty good, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice (he really wanted to go, I thought it looked dumb) AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!! I love magic and sorcery, and it wasn't really that childish at all, I mean, it was really good. The best out of those three by far. Yup. That's about it! Back to BK tomorrow!!!


By the way, in case you all forgot, I'M SEEING PHANTOM IN 6 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The End

Well, here it is. The end of 6 long weeks. The end of Orientation Sessions, the end of first year student questions, the end of check ins, check outs and everything in between. And I'm sad. I'm really sad. These few weeks became such a huge part of my life and I'm sad to see them go.

Billy, the intern, was amazing and fun, and I might not ever see him again, cause he's not from here. I know I'll see all the OLs at some point, as we have promised to have reunions, so that's good. But I know things will be different once school starts, and that's ok, I guess...

We're having OL Prom tonight, and I think a sleepover in the lobby, just as one final hurrah before we all part ways in the morning... It's a sad time, but all good things must end.

I must say though, I cannot wait to get home to see my bella. I miss her bunches and that's the one thing I'm super pumped about. So yeah, I can't describe in simple words how amazing this experience has been and how much it has taught me. Thanks everyone for making my first Ithaca summer an amazing one.

Random

To anyone who used to love Pokemon/play it on gameboy, ie, probably none of you, this song is hilarious:



Makes me miss the good old pokemon days... Yes, I was a gamer even in my very young years. So?

1 week to go

Well, the saga of orientation continues with our final week, a double session. Which sucks, I'm going to be exhausted, but I'm kind of glad it's gonna be over. I love the OLs and Ithaca, but there's nothing like being home. I miss everyone and everything a lot.

Downside, I'll be back working at BK. Upside, it'll only be like 3 weeks. Soooooooooo. Not that bad. I hope.

In other news, the weather finally righted itself and it's back to normal temperatures, thank god. I thought i was going to die. Literally, I drank so much water these last couple of days it was ridiculous.

Besides that, I don't really have much to say. Orientation is winding down, the countdown to Phantom is down to 17 days, Ren Fest soon after, and then I get to see my lovelies from Ithaca again. I can't wait for the year to start.

Well, off to movie night, see you all later!

Hot Hot Hot

Holy hell, it is hot here. I'm talking like 100 degrees hot. It's supposed to be like 90 degrees for this whole session. Joy.

Whatever, Friday is payday and basically a half day since we're done by noon, so I'm thinking of soaking up the sun and sitting by the pool all day sounds like a most excellent idea. It's really too hot to do anything else, honestly.

Anywho, I did something yesterday that was totally and uncharacteristically badass. Rode. A. Motorcycle. Well, rode on the back of one to be exact, but I rode on one all the same. One of my best friends from home, Lauren, if you remember her, bought one a while back and I finally got the chance to see how it feels. It was liberating, freeing and the scariest thing I've ever done in my life. You could feel the wind whipping past you and as we turned I felt like we were falling, which was scary, because I used to fall on my bike all the time when I was younger and be fine. If you fall on a bike, well, there goes your leg... Which was running through my head as we rode down the street.

No worries, my leg is all intact and I really want to do it again. Lauren and Ronnie both plan on owning bikes soon, so I will get plenty of chances.

Other than that, not much is happening. My week off was great, I spent a lot of time with friends and family alike, ending with my Dad's birthday, which is today but we celebrated yesterday. Also, Cesca and I made excellent progress on FFXIII, getting through 6 of 13 chapters despite her busy work schedule and my visit-everyone-and-say-hi schedule. So yeah, I'm excited to finish that. And spoof eclipse. And see Phantom. And Ren Fest.

Sad thing is, I only have a week and a half to spend with my fellow OLs, and leaving here in 12ish days is going to be really hard and sad. But I have vowed not to think about it and just to enjoy the next couple of sessions. If the sun doesn't kill me first...

4th of July!!!!

Well, I feel like I am the only one who updates really frequently because I talk about semi-mundane things, but I think it's because when I have free time I get bored really fast. Especially when I workout, nap and do all my other internet things and still have like an hour or two to kill... So I hope everyone doesn't mind frequent updates... Anyway...

Happy 4th everyone! I'm not a big celebrator of the 4th, even though I know it's important, I just think it's become very commercialized. Like if you don't show your patriotism by having 20 people over for hot dogs, you aren't American or something...

This may be due to the fact that it's always like 90 degrees on the 4th and everyone always wants to sit outside, half of the family we visit doesn't have AC anyway, and they just want to chill. Well, for me, sweating it out under the sweltering sun isn't something I look forward to on a daily basis.

But we are visiting my relatives today, which is nice because I haven't seen them in a while, and since I have limited time home, I don't know when I'll see them again. Probably right before I go back, but still, it's always nice.

Speaking of going back, I head back on Tuesday, my dad's birthday, so we might have to celebrate a bit early, like Monday, although I don't really have much for him because he never says he wants anything and won't give hints... Grr. Then I'm back for about a week and a half, I come home, am home for about 1 month and then I head back to IC. So this summer has been a little hectic in terms of moving and packing, as you all remember, and I'm not looking forward to repacking all of my dorm stuff. Ok, I am a little because it means I'll be back at IC with everyone, but still. It's a lot of work. I think I'll bring less this semester, since we (hopefully) will only be there for one... I am an excessive overpacker though, I always think I'll need like 75 things "just in case." Oh well.

Other than that, I finally caught up on True Blood, have been playing the awesomeness of Final Fantasy, am looking forward to Phantom in 23 days, Ren Fest soon after that, and then being back.

Wow! Summer is flying by!

Remembering

I walked into my house today confronted by the sight of some things I didn't expect, but should have. A couple of my grandmother's old coats that she hadn't worn in years... Some yarn and patterns she used to use to make our afghans in any color that we wanted... A box of her favorite chocolates that she used to give to us if we were good, which my grandfather had probably brought to her to try and remind her of years past, and which she will never share again... The days of 'helping' her with crossword puzzles and jeopardy are long behind me, never to return...

Losing a loved one is hard, no matter what the circumstances. We all knew it was coming eventually, sooner rather than later, but for me it was still a shock, as when I had talked to my mother a few days prior, she had said my grandmother seemed better...

It hits me sometimes, even though I haven't cried too much. For some reason today, after a fun filled hang-out-with-friends-and-do-random-things kind of day, the chocolates on the counter surprised me, because it always was a special treat when my grandma would share (although, looking back, I think she liked sharing them more than eating them). I thought writing out my feelings might be therapeutic, and I know that I have the support of all of you behind me.

So Grams, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I promise that I'll remember you always, love you forever, and cherish the time we spent together... Love always, Tina

Vacation

Well, I'm home for a few days on a much needed break from orientation. I guess I didn't really realize how much it exhausted me until I was on my way home and I couldn't keep my eyes open, besides the fact that car rides in general make me tired...

Anyway, I got home, got to see my bella, Cesca, and then we went to see Eclipse. It's hard to judge it because we had to sit in the front row, and honestly, seeing the 'love triangle' on screen makes it seem even more stupid than in the books. For example, Bella and Edward get engaged and they're talking about it, Jacob overhears and runs off. Upset that he's upset, she runs to him and basically makes out with him. Honestly, I don't know if it's Kristen Stewart's acting (it probably is, actually) but the love triangle seems so contrived. It's not even a triangle, as Bella says in the movie, because "It isn't between you and Jacob. It's about me and who I was and who I want to be..." Or something strange like that. My point is that she chose Edward already, like 7 times. Sorry Jake lovers, it isn't going to happen.

Though on that point, the one thing that bugs me sooooo much about Twilight movies, besides Kristen Stewart, is the fact that so many people root for Jacob because he is hotter. Really? Really people? Come on! (This has nothing to do with the fact that I think Robert Pattinson has a more smoldering, handsome look while Taylor has more of a fangirl hotness). But seriously, that's why people hate America. Because we think that just cause a person is hotter, they are better. Ugh. And I hate Jacob anyway for reasons I have already touched on, like he's a whiny bitch all the time begging Bella to leave her love, when Edward is more self sacrificing, if she wanted to leave, he'd let her. Jacob trying to guilt Bella into being with him is a sign of an abusive relationship (according to Cosmo), even though people try and say Bella and Edward is the poster child for an unhealthy relationship. I disagree.

Anyway, expect a spoof coming soon involving Kristen Stewart's terrible inflection, Jacob's disappearing abs and just some more satire. And by soon I mean it will have to be when I'm home for the rest of the summer, which will only be like a month.

Anyway, other news, I got to start playing Final Fantasy XIII, YAY! And I bought one of the music boxes, the one with Christine holding the Phantom's mask to him, so that should be coming soon!

Also, I found out on Sunday that after her long, hard struggle, my grandmother passed away on Saturday. I cried, but honestly, I'm not as grief stricken as I thought I would be... I think it's because we have all been expecting it for months and months anyway, and it really is better this way, so I can't really be very sad because she hasn't been all here for months and it was so hard to see her suffer. So, I just wanted to let you know that I'm alright, thanks for the support.

I'm off to enjoy some relaxation at home and have some fun hanging out with Cesca and all my LP friends who I've missed SO MUCH. I miss everyone, and it won't be long till we are back at IC!