This Was Not Very Raven

Welp. Here I am again.

I know, I've neglected you. I know, it's been months, I know, I've posted twice in all of 2011. But baby, I always keep coming back to you.

I don't really know why I decided to, though. I always have this urge to write. But I never really do. And this is why I'm confused.

There is just a lot coming at me at times. Growing up is stupid. The numerous trips to the DMV, rescheduling trips to the DMV, getting calls from my dad about the newest reason why he couldn't bring me to the DMV. Luckily that's all over with, I have my permit and I'm ready to HIT THE ROAD. Or the road is ready to hit me. Or I'm ready to hit everything.

I'm going to an open house tomorrow at WestConn. Western Connecticut State University. University, as in college. That's not cool. Like, I really don't think I'll have many problems adjusting or devising my major or anything, I just don't want to do all that. I'm perfectly happy not changing at all. It's not a good thing, to have such disdain over change, I know that. But it's something I've always had.

I hate saying goodbyes to things. I don't wanna say goodbye to my home, my friends, my life. I know I have a year and a half left still, but that's not the same for everyone. Knowing that the times I have left with my friends who are seniors are limited sucks. And I know one day I'll come back and read this and think how odd that I wrote saying goodbye to seniors as sucking, when future me is going to know what it's like to say goodbye to his junior friends, his sophomore friends, his friends of every age and ethnicity (well, mostly Caucasian.) And future me is going to roll his eyes at these jokes, give an embarrassed half-giggle, like, "Wow Eric, you used to think you were just so funny." But really. The future is like, upon us.

The future is like, upon us guys.

So this is pretty weird. But anyways, things are just, yea.

Wanna hear good things?

-We've had this entire week off because of power outages.

-I went to see In the Heights today and I ran into MacKenzie, who I haven't seen in months, and I was so happy because I miss her like crazy.

-My hair looks pretty good today.

And so with that, I say farewell. Talk to you later, in about 7 months or something.

I'm Busy

Remember when I blogged? Those were the days, my friend. Back when life was simpler, everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt. Yea, good times.

I will admit, not all of that has changed exactly. Most everything is still beautiful, most nothing is hurt, but life, oh man has it gotten more complicated. Rehearsals for Bright Lights start Sunday, a fact that's rather upsetting as I'll have to go alone, without Mary, who suggested I audition with her, but in a twist of fate is now in Wales for the next nine days. Meetings for the National World Language Honor Society began last week, our initiation ceremony is the 28th. I've signed up for Woodland for Women Worldwide, an organization at my school that works to end sex trafficking all around the world, and we're doing pretty well. The Run for a Revolution put on by us is on the 21st of May, in which I'll be participating in a 2-mile walk. To prepare, Erika, Alyssa, Kate and I plan on walking together once a week (this week was postponed due to rain and Erika's not being at her house where we're supposed to meet. So.) On top of all this, there will be occasional and spontaneous meetings with the Drama club, for pizza-party-DVD-viewing gatherings to watch our production of Jesus Christ Superstar (oh, how I miss it!), discussing what we're going to do next year in terms of organizing, and a few rehearsals, as our cast is performing a song at the Halo Awards, as well as being eligible for awards (nominations aren't out yet.) And lastly, Emmaus starts on May 6th, and I can't be more excited. I just *am.* The potluck is on the 2nd I believe.

So yea, I've got a lot going on. But I think I'll be okay.

My miscellaneous projects for myself are getting there. The lyrics for Twins: A New Musical are near completed, just a couple more songs I need to write. I think I may have found the Lowdermilk to my Kerrigan. As in, I've found a composer for my lyrics. Erika plays piano and has been working on her own instrumentals, and I've been working on my own lyrics. And she's already been working on the backings for a song or two (not from the musical, I believe.) So that's really good.

I've also been adding a few songs to my catalog for a way-off-into-the-distant-future song cycle that could be done as my senior project. Nothing too impressive, don't worry.

You know what I just noticed? I'm not funny anymore.

Toothless Whores.

Well. This is awkward.

I know, I haven't posted since, like, last year. But hey, it happens. I've just kind of stopped blogging in general for a while. I don't really know why, but it's probably along the lines of me being lazy, and blogging requires some unrecognized effort.

But I feel like blogging today, because a certain "Samantha Martin", her magnificent entries, and general being inspire me.

So, here we are again. It's a friday night that feels like a tuesday, it's 20 degrees but feels like 50, and I'm thinking about things.

Maybe I could just kind of talk about my current projects?

Well, there's ANV

And Jesus Christ Superstar (I was cast as King Herod. Yay for being an awkward , flamboyant king who is constantly surrounded by drag queens. :T )

And constant analyzing over the current Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark debacle.

And finishing mid-terms, ending two of my favorite classes, and starting two new ones.

And probably the project I'm most proud of as of yet is TW!NZ: A New Musical. (Title is tentative, further details will be slowly leaked via internet resources.)

But I will leave you with this little gem.

"SAM: You'll ruin it

CAIT: How?

SAM: You'll tare it

You'll lose it

You'll rip it

Or more

CAIT: You toothless whore"

And with that, I'll be off. Because it feels like I've been writing this post for a half an hour, only to result in a total of 10 minutes and a couple paragraphs that will inevitably look much, much smaller than that when it's posted.

Stay beautiful.

Things I'm Thankful For

An annual* post on Thanksgiving about things that I'm thankful for. This is a variation of the long-forgotten Things I Love Thursdays.

*Annual? I can't even make something weekly. But I digress.

Things I am Thankful For:

- My iPod, full of brilliant music by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk, and Scott Alan.

-Phone calls with Alicia where we talk about everything, and how we constantly acknowledge that we tell each other everything.

-Staying up until midnight talking to Cait Jean Schwind when we both have homework we should have done hours earlier.

-My advisory, we're pretty awesome.

-My family.

-Youtube, so I can watch As Told by Ginger until I fall asleep.

-My Buddy the Elf costume, for making family gatherings extra awkward.

-My adorable cat.

-The fact that I seem to be in the right place in the right time, all the time.

-All of my amazing friends: Alicia, Angela, Danielle, Kasey, Nick, Josh, Hannah, Kelly, Chris, Olivia, Chrissy, Whitney, Jami, Becca, Cait, Sam, Rex, Rhiannon, Kate, Kim, Mary, Lindsay, Kimber, Chelsea, Kevin, Sydney, Kayleigh, Laura, Patrick, and every other awesome person who's name slipped my mind.

So, that's what I'm thankful for.

The Best Night of My Life

So, this Sunday my mom and I went up to Boston to see Wicked. It was the best night of my life, so I felt I should explain exactly why by reviewing the show.

INFORMATION:

Wicked- 10/10/10- First National Tour

Boston, MA- Boston Opera House, Evening Performance (7:30)

Glinda- Lauren Ashley Zakrin (u/s)

Elphaba- Jackie Burns

Nessarose- Stefanie Brown

Boq- Etai Benshlomo

Madame Morrible- Randy Danson

Doctor Dillamond- Steven Skybell

Fiyero- Richard H. Blake

The Wizard- Gene Weygandt

On our way to the theater (We walked .3 miles from the hotel) we met a couple from Europe. They needed to know the way to the Boston Opera House. The man had a Yamaka on his head, with a design of the Boston Red Sox on it.

My mom and I got in the theater front lobby at around 6:30. And then the crowd started piling in. At 7 the lobby doors entered for the main lobby. We had a half an hour to shop, and find our seats. At first I didn't really want to buy anything, but then I bought the program (mainly a book of pictures) and a zip-up track-jacket (which was a whopping 65$.) We made our way to the seats, row B, Mezzanine, seats 101 and 103 (all the seats are odd numbered. As to why, I don't know.) I asked the usher (an elderly lady, of all people) for an extra Playbill, but she just kind of walked away. I made it a point to get an extra one from another usher.

The lights dimmed and I couldn't believe my eyes. There's so many things to look at on stage, things you'd never see from a video on YouTube. The way the skim glistens emerald, the projection of Elphaba melting. The ensemble's collective voices flowed together seamlessly. Galinda made her entrance on her bubble. Her dress is so sparkely. You'd never get that from YouTube.

I'll take this time to point out how wonderful Lauren Ashley Zakrin did at playing G(a)linda. When I opened my playbill to see the slip of paper saying Glinda would be played by the understudy, I was so excited. I do love Chandra Lee Schwatz, the lead, but it was a definite good surprise. Lauren Ashley was an Elle and Margot understudy in Legally Blonde the musical, as well as being a contestant and 3rd runner up in the reality show Legally Blonde: Search for Elle Woods.

You wouldn't have even been able to tell she wasn't the lead. She had such star-power on stage. Her soprano was pure and soft at the beginning, but as the story progressed her voice sounded much more mature and layered. I guess that contributes to how talented of an actress she was. Her transition from bubbly and young Galinda to heartbroken, mature Glinda was flawless. Everything was real. Her comedic acting was genius, doing things I've never seen other Glindas do.

Jackie Burns also did a tremendous job as Elphaba. Her voice is the best I've heard out of, well, anyone. Her acting was top notch, and made the role of Elphaba layered and 3 dimensional, and just made the audience fall in love with her.

Jackie's first song, The Wizard and I, was full of energy and beautiful belting. Her vibrato echoed throughout the theater. Her talent is undeniable.

The next song, What is this Feeling, was hilarious. Both actresses' comedic timing was spot on. At this point, Lauren was still singing softer and lighter, so when they belted, Jackie was more overpowering. But she made up for her lack of volume with her body language and delivery.

Dancing Through Life was a great group number. Richard H Blake as Fiyero commanded the cast and showed how great of a performer he was. Etai Benshlomo as Boq was so capivating. A great example of how a good actor makes any part a good part. Stefanie Brown played Nessa as a sweet girl, who was merely a victim of things beyond her control, like her sister Elphaba. Randy Danson's delivery of the lines "...I doubt you will" was one that I haven't heard anyone else say like that, which is always a pleasant surprise. Lauren and Jackie showed a lot of chemistry during the dance scene, and it felt really heartwarming.

Popular was shear genius on Lauren Ashley Zakrin's part. She really took her own spin on everything, and began showing how she can belt as well, on par with Jackie. Everything about how she characterized Glinda was perfect, funny, and touching. I don't know why she's only an understudy, really.

Jackie Burns played Elphaba differently in I'm Not that Girl. While other actresses chose to make Elphaba more somber and disappointed, she really thought about how Elphaba could react. She made Elphaba kind of convincing herself she can't love others, instead of accepting that he loves someone else. It makes Elphaba much more worldly and mature than others. Instead of going for the very low note at the end, she instead chose a much higher note, which I thought was a good choice, because it sounded beautifully and ended it with a little more hope than other renditions.

One Short Day was a spectacle. The scenery was much more impressive in person. I didn't know what to look at, the costumes, the actors, or the set.

The Wizard, Gene Weygandt, did a much more appealing job in the role than I had expected. Usually I tune out when I hear the Wizard's songs, but his voice is so interesting and his acting was pure.

Now, for my favorite song, ever. Defying Gravity. I was practically shaking in excitement, and Jackie did not disappoint. Her voice never cracked, never went out of tune, never stopped. The last two minutes of Defying Gravity were the best two minutes of my life. Her belt is to die for, and her riffs were spot on. She didn't over do it, but she did do everything for us, the audience. The lighting was also something to see. No video ever captured the lighting. The way the blue/purple/yellow lights shimmered on the cape, the black circle around Elphaba, everything was perfect. My mom was tearing up when it came time for intermission. Everyone was blown away.

Thank Goodness really showed Lauren Ashley Zakrin's amazing belt. This song alone showed how much Lauren got Glinda to change in character. She's much more mature and can handle things better. She belted every high note while keeping her body language in tact. She never gave up the character for her voice, and vice versa, which worked successfully for both parts.

As Long as Your Mine was impressive. Richard H Blake was on his game that night, vocally. He did some higher-pitched riffs I've never heard him do before. Their chemistry was so believable. Their voices meshed seamlessly. You heard them both as one.

The Catfight scene was hilarious. Little things that Lauren did, like looking back at the house while talking about Nessa, and the pouts and her grunts, made the character so real. Their quips back and forth were perfectly timed.

No Good Deed was perhaps one of the best things I've ever heard. Jackie was so good at showing how Elphaba was becoming crazy. She never broke character. Every emotion, every word was real. Her voice was especially stunning. Her belt on Fiyero was clear. Her movements and sound on the last "Again" were so haunting, but beautiful. She truly was wicked.

For Good was especially touching. Lauren and Jackie's voices were so pure and emotional. I really did feel moved, even thought I heard this song so many times before. Even the smallest things on the set, like the candle that at the start was burning brightly, but at the end of the song was burnt out, were right. Everything was perfect. Elphaba's melting scene was tragic. Glinda's reaction was even more tragic. Both women performed beautifully in that string of scenes.

The scene between the Wizard, Glinda, and Morrible was humorous, but serious. They all played their parts till the end, never cracking up or giving up. Everyone was on their game in that scene, especially Lauren.

Finale was so moving and beautiful and perfect and every other adjective I've used in this review. It gave such a great ending to such a great story. While tragic and somber, it still gives those glimpses of hope and healing that we all originally thought of Oz with.

At the end, after the curtain call, Jackie delivered the BC/EFA speech. She's such a funny person outside of character. I'll try to copy down everything she said.

"Hi everyone. *factual information* There will be cast members barricading the doors, trapping you in until you give up your money. If everyone in this audience just donates 2 dollars, we could raise, what, 50,000 dollars?" *from the row behind her, Richard H Blake holds up five fingers and whispers, $5,000* Jackie continues, "$5,000, thank you Richard. And you can give us this money by cash, check, or your children. And it's all tax deductible! So that's good. For 20$ you can be entered in a raffle to join us on stage one night, and for $50 you'll receive a poster signed by the cast. So please donate. Thanks, guys!"

On our way out, my mom donated $50 dollars and I got a signed poster. I was beyond ecstatic. My room is going to look so awesome.

So, that's the best night of my life. Any questions?

A Summary of Summer: Addendum 1: Wii, Water Polo, and Whitney's Pool Party

Alliteration! Whoo. If you couldn't tell by my clever, informative title, yesterday I went to Whitney's pool party. It was actually a lot of fun. There isn't much to really cover, because we basically just sat in the pool for the entire time. But, here's some key points:

1. Angela tripped on stone.

2. Kate is a beast.

3. I met Chloe and Amanda.

4. We played keep-away with a beach ball, it was 3 guys (Matt, Patrick, and me) against 4 girls (Kate, Angela, Whitney, and Brianna.) And we so won.

5. We played Water Polo... Baaaad idea. The teams were: Matt, Patrick, Brianna and me, against Whitney, Amanda, Kate, and Chloe. Angela was the referee until she had to go. We won 21-9. :D

6. Chloe kind of tried to kill whoever got near the ball. Her strategy didn't work, because we won epically, but still. Patrick looked like he was mauled by a bear.

7. Whitney finally added me on Facebook! After a year and a half...

8. I met Brianna's new puppy Angus. He's a Scottish Terrier, smaller than a cat, and *adorable.*

9. Matt cut his foot open on the side of the walkway of the pool. When he went into the pool later, he wore a sock.

10. My brother got lost when he picked me up, so I left 30 minutes later than everyone else. Whitney and I played Wii Sports Resort... In which I failed.

And that concludes this post. G'night, everybody.

Ignore the fact that it is quarter of 5.

A Summary of Summer: Badminton, Licorice, Zappos, oh my!

Well, hi there, blogosphere. It's been quite the long time, hasn't it?

I would like to tell you that I have been absent here because too many interesting things have happened, I'm very busy, I gained a social life, my internet stopped being a badass, etc.

But I can't. Because I haven't blogged because I'm just too damned lazy.

However, that doesn't mean the above excuses aren't true, because in some aspects, they are. I've been busier this summer more than ever, really. I guess that qualifies as gaining a social life? I'll expand on this later.

And yes, my internet *did* stop being a badass. For the past 2 months and a day that I've been in my new house, good ol' Linksys has been bipolar, really. Nobody from AT&T can fix it. I've suggested to my mom that we get Hughes Net, but for some reason, she's waiting.

And now for my social life... Where should I begin?

Danielle and I are trying to watch the entire Pokemon series. We've only watched 19 episodes, and have yet to get together over 2 times. We've just been busy/lazy.

Angela had a bonfire in early July. We Munchkin skipped, collected BeeBees, and threw fireworks into the firepit. It was epic.

Rhiannon came over the week after. We went to McDonalds, because it had been 5 years since she last went. (Her parents are organic, and I live to defy authority.) We walked back home, which was like Whoah!, because I don't walk.

Makenzie, Angela, Jami and I went to see Eclipse in theater. I'd just like to point out that I've neither read nor seen anything Twilight, I saw it before my sister who loves Twilight, and I liked it. What?

I went to Makenzie's Sweet 16. There wasn't many guys. Angela called Twizzlers 'Licorice', so I couldn't help but continue calling them Licorice from now on.

Josh and I went to a New Britain Rockcats game. (Minor league team, in which players, hopefully, move up to the Baltimore Orioles.) I lost my 20 dollars (which Josh later found at his house.) We watched a TiVo'ed episode of SNL, the one with Betty White (and boy, do I love Betty White.) We also played Badminton (which I lost, non-surprisingly.)

On the 4th of July, Angela, Jami and I went to Alicia's. I don't think I can actually say Jami 'went' there, because she practically lives at Alicia's. We played Badminton, which I redeemed myself from Josh's. They all made me go on the slip n' slide while there was *no water* on it. And it *hurt.* Oh, and speaking of hurting, Alicia's niece, Victoria, is vicious. She's like a Russian torturer, but 7.

I went to Maine with my brother and dad. It was not the most fun experience ever. It had its moments, like riding ATVs, eating at The Blue Moose, going to my first Pizza Hut ever (which wasn't really that good), and bonding with the baby birds in the porch. But overall, I'd rather I didn't go.

Our family had a combination Amanda's graduation party/Marc's 21st brithday party/I invited some friends because my mom pitied me. Rhiannon, Kate, and Makenzie came. Makenzie brought homemade scones, and they were *delicious.* Rhiannon, Kate and I played volleyball. Zachary and Amanda came up to watch. Later, Amanda told me Zachary wanted to watch because he had a crush on Rhiannon. We played the laziest version of whiffle ball, in which the bases were two feet apart. It was team Rhiannon and Kate versus team Eric and Makenzie. Each home-run was an out, because we're too lazy to get the ball, and we only had three different ones. I think we tied. We all talked for a while, and then Makenzie had to leave early. Kate, Rhiannon and I played Botchi for a while until they had to go.

On the 30th, I went to Olivia's birthday party. It was weird because it was the first party I went to in which there was a large portion of people I didn't know. The only people I was friends with before the party were Jami, Kim, and Olivia obviously. I kind of knew Lee because we had Art Skills together, but we didn't really talk until that day. I knew of Cassie from Danielle, and she was in Into the Woods, but again, we never talked. Lee turned out to be really nice, and Cassie is just awesome. And then there were people from Olivia's old school/other people she knew. I met Michael, Emily, and Casey from her old school. Michael is a little type-A, but he's nice. Emily and Casey were cool as well. I killed a fly with an electric fly swatter, and it landed on Emily. Oops. I also met Megan, who just graduated. She's going to spend next year in a student-stay program in Sweden, then she's going to college in Wisconsin. She's so awesome.

On the first of August, my sister, mother, and I went to Walnut Beach in Milford. I never really liked the beach, but I actually had a fun time. I sat on a rock, where the waves crashed onto it. I asked my mom "Do I remind you of a certain mermaid?" My sister and I went into the ocean. She was going to dunk under, but she was scared so she made me hold her hand, which result in many laughs from my mom. She never went under. I, however, in an attempt to float without standing, couldn't get back up, and ended up going under multiple times from waves and such. Which resulted in even more laughter from my mom. We're planning on going back multiple times this summer. I get my first sunburn of the summer, and I'm proud of it.

So, that's how my summer has been so far: relatively amazing. Sure, there are setbacks, like Maine, and mowing my grandparents' lawn every Thursday, but I can deal. At least after I mow, I get to watch Golden Girls with my nana.

There is a thing going on currently called BEDA: Blog Every Day in August. I've decided to not to it, because, I virtually Blog Every Day in September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, and June. I get my summers off.

Which online shopping network loves me?: Zappos.com

Average time I fall asleep: 2 AM.

Days until school: Somewhere between 28-30.