Two Thousand One Five

It’s 2015. That’s 20 x 15 equal 300, k. That’s KKK in the USA. That’s Us and the Alpha, but the Beta better be change. That’s a Delta shift that we can create. There’s no excuse for this stratocrate. That’s another word for police state. That’s another way of laying prostrate to the guns and the laws that were created by hate. That’s the type of thing can easily frustrate. Make us stagnate. That’s cuz we’re afraid. It’s 2015. That’s 2 and 1 and 5 equal 8, son. That’s infinity on a rotation. That’s us lost in the endless mutation. That’s a call for self amputation. For cutting off bad circulation, the starvation, in this nation, of compassion. That’s our situation. And we ration our passion til it lashes out crashing and smashing. That’s desperation. That’s selfish preservation. Keep the self sealed up from all inspiration. That’s breathing in and oxidation. That’s molecular homogenization. That’s human declination. It’s 2015. That’s 20 + 15 equal 35. In twenty years will you be alive? Can you measure the steps til you arrive? No, we can’t walk, too slow, we must drive. Set aside our differences, hitch a ride. That’s the great Unite. That’s the righteous fight. That’s the plight of the white, black, brown, all types. That’s the sound bite. And we kiss our enemies and we bow to the light. And we pray that the people sleep safely at night. That’s a love for the future that’s fit for our kind. That is what is two thousand one five.

Inspiration through Exhaustion

Business again is consuming as we've moved into rehearsals for "No Snowflake in an Avalanche." As much as I was hesitant to direct the show, I'm already starting to feel better about it. There's no doubt in my mind that this reassurance comes from having Jenna with me in rehearsals. It is an extra encouragement to be the best I can be, plus, as many have noticed, she provides a balance.

The cast is wonderful and I can't wait to get further into this play with them and really let it explore where it needs to go. I've never worked with so many actors who have so much more experience than I do, and I know already that it is going to be fulfilling rather than frustrating.

Do not get me wrong though. There are already aspects to this which are frustrating. Mostly, that it is putting us into an even more crunched schedule. But, under the right circumstances, this is where I do my best work, and I believe "No Snowflake in an Avalanche" has the potential to be the best show I've ever done. Not to make this blog an advertisement, but ECS is having a fundraiser on December 8th, and if you can come out to BalMar in Ballard, support the show, and enjoy some happy hour prices all night, I'd love to see you! Email me for more details!

As far as Wedding Planning goes, we've secured DeLille Cellars for 9/10/11…NOT PLANNED, but it will be hard for me to forget…AND we're working with our caterer now to plan a menu. I think there is still so much to do, that I've lost sight of it. Jenna is on top of it though, and she tells me what to do and when to do it. Which is alllll I neeeeed.

Sorry for the gigantic post, but it's about LA, so it has to be huge!

"They call Los Angeles the "City Of Angels." I didn't find it to be that, exactly. But I'll allow there are some nice folks there" - The Stranger in The Big Lebowski

It is tough to get back into a routine after only four days off of it. Especially when they were four great days. And your routine, well, it's alright most of the time. So here I am, back at work, writing this blog while catching up on the important work I missed in those coupla days off. Drinkin' my coffee. Let me recount, for you, the long weekend:

It started just as any other weekend, at 5pm. Only this time, it was on a Wednesday, last Wednesday to be exact, instead of a Friday. We headed from work to the airport, thanks to Jenna's parents for giving us the ride. I can't say that either of us were feeling back up to par, to quote my Grandpa Porter, but we weren't in as sorry a state as we had been. The flight down was nice and easy, and we arrived, and Heather and Alex arrived to pick us up from the airport, and we drove to The Thirsty Kitty in…well, I can't remember what part of town its in, but I know it's pretty close to Santa Monica. The bar was cool, and pretty close to what I imagine LA bars to be like. Dark, with booths and tall tables, and a large empty area on the floor, with an old kung-fu movie being projected onto the wall. It struck me as a bar I would never see in Seattle. It didn't have a lot of finesse and thought put into it. It just sort of was what it was, which worked well enough. We had a couple cocktails and talked to Alex & Heathers' friends (I didn't talk much, but I am socially awkward, especially in new places with people I don't know), then we drove to their house, which is in Lawndale.

We had some more to drink once we got home, and started to thaw the connection between best friends that have been apart. I've found that it usually takes a few days to get back to that completely natural place. Unfortunately, our visits always only seem to last three or four days, and so it feels too too brief.

The next day, Thursday, was a special day. It was Disneyland Day! Hoooray! Which meant some driving, to Anaheim. But first, we had to eat! This became a lot of what we did in LA, driving, and eating. Lot's of eating, but some really awesome food. So we went to a Peruvian place near their house called El Pollo Inka (it's a sort of chain, but no locations in Seattle, unfortunately. The food was really fantastic. I had a chicken dish, which had a creamy spicy sauce with potatos & rice. I can't get it out of my head, and I want more of it, so we will have to find a Peruvian restaurant in Seattle. Any suggestions?

Disneyland was awesome! We got the park-hopper pass, and here's a tip, Disneyland in November on a Thursday means very few lines. That's because USUALLY the weather is not fantastic, and most people aren't vacationing in California at the beginning of November. But this Thursday, the weather was absolutely perfect. We thought it was going to be really hot, like 90 degrees, but it was really pleasant all day. The longest we waited in any line was 15 minutes, and we went on every ride we wanted to in Disneyland and California Adventure (and one that nobody but I wanted to go on, that stupid ferris wheel, which really wasn't at all fun, but I wanted to give it a 2nd chance. NEVER AGAIN). Since we had been up pretty late the night before, we were pretty exhausted so we left before the park closed, but not before stopping for dinner at an excellent Japanese restaurant that serves Ramen. It was delicious noodles in a pork broth, with delicious fatty yummy pork meat. So good. Then we went home and pretty immediately hit the sack.

The next day started with a delicious breakfast in Redondo Beach area at Uncle Bill's Pancake House. I got this delicious scramble with green chilis in it. Awesome, but so much food! Then we walked along the coast, and saw the smog out to sea that day. The sky above us and the city was clear, but out over the water, you could see the gross green haze of pollution. I am glad I don't see that in Seattle, even if I do see clouds more often. Then, Heather had to go to work, and we went to the pier in Redondo Beach area, walked around, and then went to Hermosa Beach. We went to The Mermaid for some beers. This place has obviously been around for forever, and the bartender, Mike, was a cool character. Crazy Californian. Then we walked on Hermosa Beach, and the waves were huge! I can see why surfing is big there. In fact, the waves were so huge, that as we had waded out in my rolled up jeans a little to far, a big wave crashed down and I couldn't get out in time, so my pants got pretty soaked. Fun times. We picked up Heather from work, then went and got some Ethiopian food at a place I think called Merkato. I've never had Ethiopian before and really liked it. I know Seattle has some good places, so Jenna & I will be frequenting those more often.

Then (Friday was a long day..) We headed up to Griffith Park Observatory. On the way, though, we stopped at the La Brea Tarpits, but as it was dark already, we couldn't see much of the big pit. We could certainly smell the tar though. Jenna's dad really loved it when he went there years ago, but as we found out, he really loved the museum which had fossils and all sorts of info, which we did not see. Once we got to Griffith Park Observatory, the view of LA was awesome. You could see everything. Really cool. Except the Hollywood Sign, which you would have a great view of, but they were not lighting it up that night. I guess, for energy conservation or something, they don’t light it every night. STUPID PLANET EARTH AND STUPID POOR CALIFORNIA ECONOMY! We went to one of the planetarium shows, and it was "Light of the Valkerie," which was an exhibit based on Aurora Borealis to the tune of Ride of the Valkerie by Wagner. It would have been cool, but the guy narrating had this stupid story to tell. Ifwe could've just watched the stars & lights with the music, I think we would've enjoyed it more. Then we stood in line for an hour (longer than any ride at Disneyland) to look through the 75 year old telescope at Jupiter. We could see three of the moons. It was pretty cool, but I don’t know if an hour long line cool.

THEN, we went to Hollywood (because I wanted to see some stars!), and we saw the Chinese Theatre, which (STARS!) had a premiere for the AFI Film Festival! In reality, I didn't care about the celebrity stars, but we did want to see the foot & handprints in the cement, but they wouldn't let us until the premiere was over. So we hung around for about an hour til they all left, and I only saw one STAR that I recognized. It was Bruce Davison (From Harry & the Hendersons…and X-Men…and a Seinfeld episode). So that was cool. Then we went home, drank some wine, and played some Rock Band until about 4:30am and went to bed.

On Saturday, we had a 7 course breakfast. We made it, and it really only had 2 courses, but it took 7 different courses to eat it all. We made hashbrowns (which I screwed up because I cooked them with too much oil in the 2nd & 3rd course), and then Alex made crepes, which were delicious, but because you have to make them one at a time, took a long time. Then we had to get ready for the BBQ they were having that night so we got to see the Costco in Lawndale area! Woohoooo! We played a board game (I can't remember the name…but it was fun…) and then the BBQ started, and David & Zach, who I was friends with in high-school, came, so it was great to see them!

Sunday rolls around and we start the day with Breakfast with Mike & Emily Oliver, Derek Schreck & Genevieve Kolve! So that was really great to see them and catch up with them! Stupid Los Angeles stealing away all of our friends! Everyone should come back (or come for the first time) to Seattle! LA sucks anyway! Traffic sucks, smog sucks, crazy people suck…Venice Beach was full of crazy people. Including one guy who was walking & jumping on broken glass for money. And several "Doctor's Offices" where you can get your card for Medical Marijuana. I had no idea that it was so easy to get that stuff in Cali. We did not, but we saw plenty of people in line for it.

The trip felt long & short at the same time. But it was really awesome to hang out with Heather & Alex again, and I hope we have more opportunites more frequently. Like when they move to Seattle. Right, guys?

WACA-WACA

Today we head to LA for the weekend to visit Heather and Alex, my best friends from Highschool. I am feeling much better, thankfully. Jenna is feeling better, too, but still has a pretty nasty cough, and sometimes sounds like a dying cat when she talks (in the cutest way possible!)

Speaking of dying cats, Washington State went crazy yesterday, I think! Still no final word about Murray vs Rossi, but it's looking like Murray will win! And, according to the ballot tracker, my ballot hasn't even been counted yet…sooooo…yeah. BUT, I'm pretty amazed that 1100 and 1105 didn't win. Really? I thought, if anyone, WA would approve this one. For those who aren't familiar, this is the Inititiave that would stop liquor sales from going to the state, and would instead expand hard liquor sales to private companies, and make the state's duty ENFORCEMENT of liquor laws. From what I gathered about this Initiative, then, was that the benefits would be: cheaper liquor for consumers, a liquor program not monopolized by the state, more enforcement on businesses selling to minors, etc. The negatives are that the state would not receive the mark-up that they currently put on liquor sales, and that the cost of employing enforcement officers would increase. I can see reasons to vote either way on this initiative, but I thought that WA state voters would easily approve this initiative. The other initiative I thought WA voters would easily approve was 1098, which created a state income tax (which WA currently doesn't have) to tax the wealthiest residents and put that money to education and health care, while also lowering taxes for small business. Again, I can see reasons for voting either way on this initiative as well, but I thought WA voters would approve it, though it lost by a fair amount. Looking at the Initiatives, I think they all ended up going in the opposite direction that I thought they would go in. You'll notice I haven't told you how I voted. NONYADAMN BUSINESS! Overall, I'm pretty disappointed, but I think that it is probably a good thing that Republicans have the House, Democrates have the Senate, and Obama is in office. I am hoping that this way, we'll be able to accomplish more (for a list of things already accomplished, do some research….). Of course, this is optimism, and it all comes down to whether or not compromise can and does happen. I sincerely hope it does.

On a different note, last night's dance lesson was a lot of fun. I felt better about it (and better in general) than last week. Afterwards we got Rancho Bravo for dinner and Molly Moons for dessert. Olive Oil Ice Cream was delicious, but it was best because it was mixed with the Salted Caramel, which provided enough contrast.

Also, maybe it's this red cup from Starbucks. Or the tingling in my throat & nose, the residue of a cold. Maybe it's the darkening days, but I'm getting ready for the holidays! It's probably just Hallmark & Target's evil influence on consumers, but it puts me in a jollier mood.

That will all be thrown away in a about 12 hours though, when we arrive in 70 degree Los Angeles. Yes, California, the state of even more liberal liberals, not-quite-entirely-legal-to-everyone marijuana, Disneyland, and Hollywood. I am so excited to see Heather & Alex, but disappointed Nicoliosis isn't able to come. This will be a nice break, though. I need a vacation!

Dancing Prude

I think I've ommitted a great detail!

In the past week of being sick, I forgot to write about our first dance class, last week. I'm reminded because we have another one tonight, and I'm relieved that I feel much better than last time. Dance Class is no minor detail. For two years Jenna has been begging me to take dance classes with her. For many reasons, my fear of embarrassment not being a small one, I've postponed and postponed. Although, technically, it had been something I wanted to do, I'm also not a fan of doing things I'm not good at. I'm already well aware that I am not a Fred Astaire ore Justin Timberlake, but closer on the scale to…well..ME. Add on top of that the fact that for two years (until August of this year) we did not have work schedules that met up and I typically was always working in the evenings. And again, add on top of that the fact that I SUCK AT DANCING.

But, before we even got engaged, when we both found ourselves in day jobs, I knew the time had come, and I was excited. Whether or not I personally felt like I would have fun, I knew that she would, and I knew that Jenna had been wanting this for a long time. As fate would have it, there was a livingsocial deal one morning for a really great price on month-long dance class at Century Ballroom. We both saw it and purchased one, and then the time had to come to figure out when to take the classes! I was already set to begin directing "Five Gold Rings," so that ruled out August & September. The next session for Swing I began last week, and we signed up, and here we go!

So, as you can imagine, coming to last Tuesday, I am filled with excitement to try this whole thing, apprehensiveness at my already known inability to dance, and mucus. I had hit my stride in terms of being sick, and I had to go dance. Not only that, but I had to dance with other people. YES, OTHER PEOPLE. One of my conditions on doing this whole dance thing was that I was taking classes so as to learn how to dance with Jenna, and therefore, I wouldn't need to dance with other people, and so we weren't going to take one of those "and now rotate" dance classes. Let me be clear: I understand the reason for rotation, for dancing with other people, for all of this. I don't care! She's stuck with me now, and she's stuck with me however I dance! I don't want to dance with all these other people who paid to be in this class! Anybody can pay to be in the class! ANYBODY! I don't want to dance with ANYBODY, I want to dance with JENNA!

We had this conversation going into the class, and I put my foot down! But then I learned that the fundamental thing about dance is lifting your foot UP! (and then putting it down again, but what's the point, when you just have to lift it up again? These dancers really have no conviction…they go round and round in circles all the time (BAH DUM CHUM). So when the instructors said that we would be rotating partners, I looked at Jenna, and gave her the "Nuh-uh" look. She smiled, and somebody else in the class was on my team, because he kept trying to interrupt the instructor while he was going on and on about the benefits of promiscuous dancing. Finally, after their sermon of LOVE and BEING SOCIAL, they said what I wanted to hear, which was: "of course if you really want to, you can stay with your partner and the rotation will go around you." YES! Take that, everything outside of my comfort zone! And yet…

Okay, so they made a good point in that it helps you dance better with your partner if you learn from others as well. So we tried the rotation thing once. Which was fine, because that was during the easy stuff. Rock Step triple step triple step. Rock step triple step triple step. Easy stuff. I can do that! So we rotated and I did this with some people who were better than me, a majority of people who felt pretty comfortable witht his, but not much else, and some people who…well, let's just say they made me feel more comfortable with myself on the dance floor. By the time Jenna got back to me in the rotation, though, it was time to start actually doing something….and I did not want to try that with a bunch of other people, so we stayed together the rest of the class. I hope we will stay together as partners througout tonight's class as well, but we'll see.

I've been practicing the swing rhythm all week, but I was having trouble with just the simple move they showed us last week. I'm a little concerned about what tonight's class may bring! Yikes!

Wish me luck!
Nathaniel

Screw You, Monday!

Good Morning! Or….Good Whatever-Time-Of-Day-It-Is!

Boy it's a doozy of a day out there here in Seattle. Rain so heavy it just washed away all those left-over trick-or-treaters hanging out in the streets. So wet, we've got fish in our office! And to top that off, daylight is just starting to arrive. It's as if the sun said, "Whoah! That's too much rain for me! I'll stay in bed longer." But I didn't get to stay in bed longer! No fair, sun. No Fair!

Well, it's Monday, and another weekend just went by like a shooting star. It's something to wish on, and then it's gone. This was the first Halloween that I haven't done anything for (except carve pumpkins and eat candy) in as long as I can remember. With everything else going on, I just can't say we had the inclination or motivation to put time into a costume, and go somewhere! Especially with me being sick, and Jenna trying desperately to not get sick, it just was not in the cards this year. Being sick is the worst. But I'll tell you what we did instead!

On Saturday, we visited Willow's Lodge in Woodinville, which was, as we decided, the last of our options for a venue for the ceremony & reception. Although, just like everywhere else, it was beautiful, we had issues with how the ceremony would go if there were to be rain. In addition, with all of the other venues we've seen, we've realized none are as unique as Delille Cellars. SO, with that said, we've made our decision! We will be having the ceremony & reception at Delille Cellars! Hoorah! WINE!....PONDS!!..........WIIIINNNNEEE!!!!! We will be contacting them this week in hopes of securing a date and putting down that deposit and then….we can do everything else in the freaking world that we need to do! Hoorah! An added bonus* about this option is that we can bring our own beer, which means savings on kegs, which also means, I can choose what beer to serve! I'm thinking several pony kegs to add variety. MMMMM…beer.

Speaking of beer, being sick sucks! It sucks a lot.

And then we went to the Huskies game and that's enough said about that.

On Sunday we had lunch with the parents. That is, my parents, my brother, and Jenna's parents. This has happened before, about a year ago, and in a years time I forgot how awkward it is. BOY IS IT AWKWARD. But it got better, after a little while, and in the end I think everyone had a really great time. How can you go wrong with Olive Garden? (And for all those people who want to tell me all the awful things about Olive Garden, I DON'T WANT TO KNOW. LET ME ENJOY MY SALAD, MY BREADSTICKS, MY FREE REFILLS ON SODA, AND WHATEVER DELICIOUS ENTRÉE I CHOOSE TO GET, AND KEEP YOUR POLITICS OUT OF MY DINNER!)

The rest of the day we spent at home looking at (you guessed it) more wedding stuff. Jenna made the mistake a little while ago of bringing up the fact that there will be music in this wedding, so I find myself holed up in my little office, scouring my iTunes for music for the ceremony & reception. Give me the task of a playlist and you can garrauntee you won't see me for….I dunno, it could be months at this point.

I'm going to finish this, and get back to work. Because of my stupid cough (I HATE BEING SICK) I only got a couple hours of sleep last night…so I'm trying to maintain a steady pace to keep myself awake. I think it's probably time for more tea…

Until next time!

Nathaniel

*I was going to say "My favorite part about this venue is…" but that's not true. It's just an incredible property and I'm very excited to get married there with or without beer. Maybe. Okay, so I want the beer, so what? Does that make me horrible? It does? FINE! With or without the beer! Happy?

In The Sick Of It

I write this with conflicting emotions.
On the one hand, there is a warmth explosion,
and I have been given the fortune
of nostrils clearing,
headache disappearing,
and healthiness nearing.
On the other hand, I am filled with sadness,
as I learned that I have passed this
to my Jenna, my promised and bestest.

These past few days have been filled
With soup, blankets, sleep, and still.
And, if at all possible, so the next few will.
But this weekend is already full with plans and more
Tomorrow to Willow's Lodge for another grand tour
Then to Montlake to watch the Huskies defend and score
Sunday to lunch with both sets of parents
Which promises to be such a fun event
I plan on drinking, drinking, repeat, then rinse.

For poets and writers and scholars of theatre
Who've noticed I haven't obeyed any meter
I promise next time I'll try to be neater
But I just wanted to say why I've been so quiet
These past few days that have gone by quite silent:
I've been at war with a viral villain so violent
It's had me knocked out, unable to focus
On diamonds or weddings or honeymoon mochas
But I'm now wide awake, the alarm has woke us.
Or at least me. Jenna may still stay asleep.