This post is now called “NaBloPoMo – FAIL” which should have been called “Why ballet dance auditions are better than running 5 miles.”

I think I missed posting on Saturday and Sunday because I was knee deep in preparing for an audition for Carousel. I know my singing career holds a higher level of importance than National Blog Posting Month but I’m of a competitive nature and am annoyed that I failed my very first NaBloPoMo. Do I get a consolation prize for getting exactly half way through? I guess it’s ok because now the pressure is off to post every day while on Thanksgiving Vacation. The lady next to me on this train smells like greasy bacon (and not in a good way), but that’s neither here nor there.

So, those not familiar with Carousel, the dancing is mainly of the ballet variety so it makes sense that their dance audition would be ballet. Now, I pride myself on being in shape – I run every day and do the 30-day Shred. But, let me be the first to say that Ballet can probably take Jillian Michaels in a bar fight and win.. I’m always amazed at how much sweat falls off of my body during a ballet routine. By the way, I’m not a dancer. My resume says, “moves well” and apparently I sweat very well too! So, after we were done, I felt like I was coughing up a lung. And of course I loved it. As you already know from past blog posts – I like cardio torture. And figured, “screw running!” – I’ll take a ballet class (for non-dancers) and lose my remaining 5 pounds.

I tried out for 3 roles in Carousel. They said they can cast Aunt Nettie as a big sister instead of an older woman if need be so I put that one down along with Julie and Carrie. I’ll keep you posted.

Friday Fermata – Nessun Dorma

I was having a long listen to my blip DJ playlist and I came upon Nessun Dorma.  Nessun Dorma is an aria that, no matter how I try (and I’ve even played games with myself to see if I could get away with it), I simply can’t get through that song without tearing up.  Every.  Single.  Time.  Take a listen here from my blip playlist.  I challenge you to keep a dry eye.  Unfortunately, blip does not have the beloved live recording that he sang at the FIFA World Cup in Italy which is the best recording I’ve ever heard (for shame, blip).  The audience could not contain themselves and started roaring with applause before the orchestra finished the final theme.  I don’t blame them.  Puccini could, alone keep Kleenex afloat in sales with his many wonderful musical passages, and Turandot, from which this aria derives is no exception.  And Pavarotti?  Well….yeah….no one like him will ever live again.

But why does it move me so?  Probably for the same reason that they would have him sing it at the World Cup.  The last lines of the aria are “I will win, I will win, I will win” or “I’ll be victorious” depending on the translation you have read.  Now, that is taken out of context if you don’t know the opera but STILL.  It is about being victorious in general and I find that the aria sounds like it.  The music, and the vocal passage sounds victorious. 

So, I play this aria in the mornings before auditions.  It is my musical pump me up.  The song is so full of life.  It reminds me of why I sing.  It reminds me of the success and potential for victory in all of us.

Audition? What Audition?

It’s happening again where I get really busy right before an audition to the point that I have absolutely limited to no time to prepare for it and I go in feeling like I’m winging it. Or I get 10 second’s notice of the audition and I go in and I’m winging t. Why do I always feel like I’m winging it? Why am I making excuses? Maybe what I need to do is always be preparing for auditions even if I don’t have any auditions coming up. Hum. (Crickets). Am I late to the party again? Probably. Here’s my problem – let me know if this is what you deal with or if I’m alone out here – I have trouble getting motivated to prepare for an audition unless I already have one coming up (I know – the first part of this post was all about having trouble doing THAT too but bear with me). If I don’t have a goal right in front of me, it’s harder to get motivated. But if I do have it right in front me (such as a callback) I’m the best and most astute artist ever. I’m researching, doing backstory and even finding backstories of the backstories in case the director asks me a “let’s see if we can throw her off” type of question for which I will not only know the answer but the answer’s answer. Obviously, this isn’t the best way to go about motivation. I’m really trying to work on this. Has this happened to anyone out there or do you know some techniques to battle this?

Veteran’s Day

This is such an important day. Men and women across our country over the span of hundred’s of years have fought to, first fight for, and then keep, our freedoms. The freedom to pursue our happiness and to make our own choices to live the life we choose to live. At my office, we have a VP who has served several tours in Iraq. I always thank him each year for what he has done and continues to do, not just for us, but for himself and his family. To defend our rights and protect us. I always thank him.

Podcast Alert

I just heard a great podcast from the Everything Acting Podcast website, which I absolutely love and I’ve blogged about before.  We are all actors, so singers will still find great value in these podcasts.  They always by chatting with each other and about what is going on in their lives and then gives some words of wisdom before going in to an interview with an industry professional.  On Episode 114, our lovely hosts talks about the critical role that your inner voice and inner beliefs play in your every day life that can serve you or sabotage you with your auditions and your career.  Be sure to bookmark this site.  I always come away with something positive and inspiring.  Their mission is to “inform, inspire and de-mystify the actor’s journey” – Love that!

Monday!

Things that have made today a typical “Monday”

Had a loooong day at work. Let’s just leave it at that.

So busy that I forgot to pay online bills today.

Didn’t realize I was wearing a turtleneck AND a top sweater, BOTH with holes in them, in visible places seen by others and not places where I could hide them and stretch the wearing a little longer.

So busy that I’m finding audition preparation has taken a back seat when it should be driving the car and that makes me sooooo ANGRY.

Having said that, I’ve:

Had a good hair day
Got a workout in
Realized that the transit strike is over!

Fall Bike Ride

Today, hubby and I went on the best bike ride at Valley Forge.  I love this time of year although I am one to resist it as long as possible as the last of the summer slips away.  Summer is my favorite time followed by Spring.  But Fall?  Well, that’s at the back of the pack.  It only gets beat out by Winter because I love ski season.  Today we did a 2+ hour ride and now hubby is making Chili.  That, and Sunday night football to follow – great way to spend a Sunday.

Next Sunday, I have an audition for Carousel.  I’ll let you know how that goes.  Carousel is a great musical and I’m excited for the audition and hopeful for a callback.  Once again, it will probably come down to type and my height.  We will see!

Fall ride, hubby

Go State!

Today is the first of the last 4 Penn State games (sniff) of the season.  I have a confession.  I didn’t graduate from Penn State, I graduated from the University of North Texas so now you know why there would be no reason whatsoever to follow UNT

Yep - this was a sweet victory.

because they kind of suck.   Yes, you are supposed to stand by your team no matter what but…..yeah.  My husband, on the other hand, graduated from Penn State, played in the Blue Band and is a fan’s fan.  By marriage I was brought into the fold and I’m so glad I’m here.  I love it!

Hat, beer.

We are.....Penn State!

Friday Fermata – The Payoff

I’m not one to say that one should work just for the sake of reward but should enjoy the growth that one gets from the process.  That the reward doesn’t matter. 

But sometimes – it does….

On my way to a wedding after singing a concert.

Week of Tweets and a Photo

On the bus to NYC to sing at Carnegie Hall

First off, my mother in law actually saw me on television because I was standing in one of the long lines during the transit strike that I’ve been complaining about.  I knew the camara man would zero in on me because I looked royally pissed.  But now, tweets for the week!  And a photo!

I’m listening to “Out Of Town” by Zero 7 (http://bit.ly/Ja2c7) #pandora3 minutes ago from Pandora Delete  

@Cecilyk you’d better spill it!about 5 hours ago from mobile web Delete

Septa, I spit in your general direction. #fb4:09 PM Nov 4th from mobile web Delete

Watching live big band and having a beer. #fb9:01 PM Nov 3rd from mobile web Delete

Dear Septa, thank you for making me stand in line for an hour so you can fight for another pay increase. #fb5:15 PM Nov 3rd from mobile web Delete

Listening to Morphine on the ride home. “whisper” #fb6:06 PM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

@supermaren I’m jealous! Won’t be getting mine until March.5:13 PM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

Should never told the office that I brought the leftover candy, but bowls are empty. #fb5:03 PM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

Dear ants in the kitchen, we are ON to you! Don’t make me release the spiders! #fb5:01 PM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

Daylight savings transit to work song: No Quarter: Zepplin #fb6:58 AM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

@thebloggess forget it for the love of….see other tweets.6:57 AM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

@The Bloggess third time’s a charm – but who cares about the buttons now. ugh6:56 AM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

@TheBlogess please take twitpics of said buttons!6:55 AM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

TheBloggess please take some twitpics of buttons!6:54 AM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

Good morning – Halloween candy in transit to work where it will be safe from my hands. #fb6:53 AM Nov 2nd from mobile web Delete

NaBloPoMo National Blog Posting Month – 1 blog per day! starts today!- http://www.nablopomo.com/# #fb10:43 PM Nov 1st from mobile web Delete